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Light-hearted comments to make you smile (7/23/17)The news has been awfully heavy lately, so I thought you might like some light-hearted comments. n Remember slow food? Someone asked the other day, “What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up? “We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,” I informed him...
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Larry Ferrell a strong candidate for US attorney (4/7/17)I am endorsing Larry Ferrell for the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern district of Missouri. This is a political appointment. I asked him why he should be selected, and he gave me some of the following details. First, few have Ferrell's experience. ...
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Congratulations to some of my favorite people (2/12/17)Four of my favorite people received awards recently. Charles Drury received the Rush H. Limbaugh Chamber award for the many achievements and contributions of he and his family to the Greater Cape community. Jerry Ford was recognized by the state of Missouri for his many contributions to the arts and music to Cape and the State...
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Tidbits on Teen Challenge, Humane Society and Cuba (12/11/16)In the Nov. 29, 2016 newsletter from Cape’s Mid-America Teen Challenge, director Jim Bolin outlined the following under the heading “Our Time to Build”: “The past six years we have seen our student population nearly double in size. Our current student population is 180, and there is no sign in it slowing down. ...
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Sen. Wallingford remains humble about honorable military career (11/27/16)Recently I heard a program by Missouri Sen. Wayne Wallingford about his mission as a leading pilot of the majority of bombing runs over Haiphong, Vietnam. The flight that “ended the war by causing the North Vietnam to surrender.” I wish I had taken notes as it was a very informative presentation at the Cape library. ...
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The next 4 years can be historic for our country (11/13/16)Last Tuesday’s election results showed that a majority of Americans felt we needed a change from the slippery slope of the governing of our country. It will be tough to turn around but Donald Trump has shown the fortitude, drive and leadership qualities to do just that...
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LaCroix to hold prayer program; excerpts from ‘The Edge’ (11/6/16)“What is Class? Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head-on and handle whatever comes along. Jacob had it. Esau didn’t. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal ‘angel’ and won a victory that marks them thereafter...
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An influence of those in political control of our nation (10/30/16)This has been around before, but it is worthwhile repeating. Something to think about. Saul Alinsky died about 44 years ago, but his writings influenced those in political control of our nation today. Recall that Hillary wrote her college thesis on his writings and Obama wrote about him in his books...
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President Obama and federal debt (10/25/16)In his Oct. 16, 2016, op-ed column Gary Rust indicated that the Obama economic policies have failed, leaving the United States with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 1.2 percent and a rapidly expanding Federal debt. I have three problems with Mr. Rust's observations...
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Roy Blunt for re-election to the U.S. Senate (10/23/16)Although this newspaper has had a policy of NOT endorsing political candidates, but that does not prevent my column from doing that, especially this year. The confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court candidates is one of the major issues at stake, for two or more judges will be nominated by the next President of the United States...
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A glimpse into a handful of national economies (10/16/16)I had a busy schedule last week, but let me share some excerpts from some of the lighter reading that crossed my desk. "Poll after poll in recent months would suggest that younger Americans have soured on the free-market economy. In April, a Harvard University survey of 18-to 29-year-olds found that the majority (51 percent) of those asked did not support "capitalism." (One-third said they support "socialism.")...
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Some notes on enrollment and immigration (10/9/16)This year's announced enrollment at Southeast Missouri State University is 11,970 students. Similar to national averages, 57.6 percent (6,899) are women and 42.4 percent (5,072) are men. The number of men 20 and older without paid work is 32 percent...and only 15 percent of men 25 to 54 who worked not at all in 2014 said they were unemployed because they could not find work...
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Saint Louis Zoo voted America's top free attraction (10/2/16)The Saint Louis Zoo was voted America's top free attraction From an advertisement this week in a St. Louis publication: "When we got the great news, all of us at the Saint Louis Zoo could hardly contain ourselves. There were claps, barks and back flips galore. This is a big splash for the St. Louis area...
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Something to read ahead of the presidential election (9/25/16)The new best-selling book "Clean House" by Tom Fitton ... (the President of Judicial Watch) will almost make you sick to read the cover-up on Benghazi...supported by emails and documents obtained by the court's freedom of information request (FOIA)...
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Unemployment facts and the 'billion' perspective (9/18/16)Investor's Business Daily Poll: Household Unemployment The IBD Poll each month asks respondents whether one or more members of their household is looking for a job. For September, 17 percent said "yes." With roughly 118 million households in the U.S., that means there are actually 20 million people unemployed -- not the 7.8 million estimated by the Labor Department. ...
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Phyllis Schlafly set an example for us all (9/11/16)It was hard to decipher the shaky handwritten note from Phyllis Schlafly, dated August 19, 2016, "Thank you Gary for your generous gift." I didn't know that she was dying of cancer and would pass away Labor Day, Sept. 5. I first met Phyllis over 55 years ago when I was a Missouri State Jaycee Vice President. I was publicly speaking about "Americanism and the Communist Threat."...
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A pleasant surprise in Bollinger County (8/28/16)One of the more pleasant surprises I've had in recent years was at the end of a 45-minute drive to Marble Hill to tour the Mayfield Cultural Center and the attached "Dinosaur Museum."
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A reason to vote and a lesson from baseball (8/21/16)Every once in awhile, there appears an email message that penetrates my heart and soul, and is so insightful that I feel it is to your benefit to share it.
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Limbaugh (8/7/16)Although it's already the top-grossing documentary this year, "Hillary's America" is receiving little media attention ... but it should. Directed by Dinesh D'Souza with music arranged by Stephen Limbaugh III (another entertainer with Cape Girardeau ties), the movie is a must see for anyone wanting to be informed -- not only informed about Hillary Clinton, but also of early slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and political vote shifting...
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Faune Riggin honored by local law enforcement (7/17/16)Congratulations to Faune Riggin on receiving the inaugural Assistant Chief Roger Fields Law Enforcement Award given by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and Seniors and Lawmen Together. She has been a community jewel for over 15 years at radio station KZIM/KSIM. Faune is a knowledgeable, conservative radio fixture with a sense of humor...
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Tlapek built influence, leaves behind legacy (7/1/16)One of Cape's silent leaders passed away last week. J.P. "Pat" Tlapek was always a voice of reason and calm in meetings I attended with him. He also established a major influence in the auto industry started with one store ad, building it to the 49-store Auto Tire And Parts. Elected to leadership in his industry, he also served as president of Southeast Missouri State University's board of regents...
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Great truths and humor (6/12/16)Great truths: n A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw n A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. -- G. Gordon Liddy...
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Cape loses outstanding citizen (5/29/16)"MARTY" HECHT passed away last week. He was a unique man, not only to Cape, but to his religion and his world. He was a quiet leader doing many good things anonymously, such as making a major donation to Southeast Missouri State University for a facility named for someone else. Few knew of this contribution...
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Inspirational story to lighten the mood (5/22/16)A little inspirational reading to help you stay the course during this heavy period of opinion writing and television commentaries. n The following is an excerpt from the book "Winning My Race"by Dr. Ben Lerner and Dr. Chris Zaino. Derek Redmond, from England, arrived at the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona determined to win a medal in the 400-meter race. Derek's father, Jim, had accompanied him to Barcelona, just as he did for all world competitions...
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Al Sikes to sign his new book Saturday in Sikeston (3/4/16)Al Sikes, former Sikeston, Missouri, resident and an early pioneer of the rise of the Missouri Republican party under the leadership of Jack Danforth (who was elected state attorney general in 1968), took a position as assistant attorney general in the first breach in the Democratic political machine, which had controlled Missouri politics for over 30 years...
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A perilous and watery drive on Highway 177 (1/8/16)We live in a home on a hill in a rural subdivision of Cape Girardeau. About two or three times in the last 10 years one of the exits from the subdivision was blocked by the rising Mississippi river flooding. In the first week of 2016 both of the exits were eventually blocked by historic flooding...
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Celebrating people, accomplishments (7/10/15)Congratulations to Jerry Ford, who won this year's Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award. His remarks were appropriate, charitable and well received. Kudos to the Cape Park and Recreation Department (headed by Julia Thompson), which adapted the best fireworks in years to the Arena, after the river flooding forced the move. Some say 10,000 people viewed the display from the adjacent roads, and park area...
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Tips, books and education loans (4/12/15)If you want to get a broad political, economic and international view on issues, I recommend (among others) the Drudge report, Huffington Post, realclearpolitics.com, lucianne.com and johncombest.com. It is interesting the different angles of news coverage on the same subject...
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'Stonewalled' worth a read (3/29/15)I just finished reading the book "Stonewalled" by Sharyl Attkisson, a former CBS award- winning investigative reporter. I highly recommend it, especially for anyone interested in the media and government coverage. Attkisson's journalism career has spanned more than 30 years. During that time, she uncovered wrongdoing by those in power, including major corporations, government officials and presidential administrations of both parties...
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Limbaugh book a strong defense of the Christian faith (9/14/14)David Limbaugh's new book "Jesus on Trial" opened for public sale on Monday. I highly recommend it, not because Limbaugh is a friend but because it opened my eyes to the defense of Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament...
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Learning from lobbyist John Britton (8/14/14)John Britton, Missouri's top lobbyist who became a legend, died on Aug 5. He provided honest information on the issues he carried but always said, "If in doubt, vote your conscience." He made many friends (myself included) and few enemies (none of whom I am aware.)...
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Mary Kasten, new movie and service for state senators (7/9/14)Congratulations to Mary Kasten for winning the Southeast Missourian Spirit of America award. Like the energizer bunny, she keeps going in promoting things that are good for America, Missouri and Cape Girardeau. About 50 years ago, Mary and her husband Mel were part of a small group in which I participated in studying Americanism and the communist threat...
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Magnet website includes good statistics on Cape area (6/24/14)While checking the Cape Girardeau Area Magnet (attracting business and industry) website, I came across this data worth sharing:"The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet's mission is to foster a strong economic environment resulting in the retention, expansion, creation, and attraction of jobs and new investment in the area. The Magnet serves as the lead contact for the area's economic development efforts. The organization was established in 1992 as a 501(c)3 not for profit organization...
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Semoball Awards highlight busy summer schedule (6/15/14)On Saturday more than 150 athletic finalists in 25 categories -- football, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, etc. -- will be honored at the Semoball Awards banquet. The winners in each category will be announced, and former St. Louis Cardinal and All-Star Ozzie Smith will give the keynote speech. More than 700 people are expected at the dinner event...
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Nixon, Common Core and good books (6/6/14)In a Tuesday Southeast Missourian story by Ruth Campbell discussing Common Core, it was reported that many districts around the state have fully implemented Common Core standards for language arts and math. However, as reported, if Gov. Jay Nixon signs HB 1490, it could change things. The bill calls for Common Core to progress while two work groups are created to develop new standards -- one for grades kindergarten through fifth grade and one for sixth- through 12th-grades...
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Local officials, Carson's speech and other national news (10/25/13)A very special honor is being bestowed upon Cape Girardeau state Rep. Kathy Swan. She is to be recognized as the 2013 Legislative Freshman of the Year at the state Missouri Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Nov. 14 in Kansas City. Serving on numerous committees, Swan is recognized as an emerging leader. Congratulations...
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Area events, appreciated generosity and big decisions (10/6/13)Special thanks to Charles Stamp Jr. for his $750,000 donation to the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Creative Labs and Industries Incubator. The new incubator center to be located at 616 Broadway will be a major feature to the program led by Dr. James Stapleton...
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Summer reading reveals many concerns (6/9/13)I've been doing a lot of reading lately and the following are some excerpts and comments from a few of my readings. In a comparison with countries around the world, it's not a very comforting position to see that the U.S. ranks high in taxes with a basically stagnated GDP...
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Security suggestion and Kennedy on tax cuts (3/17/13)Barry Hazen, a former neighbor and Missouri state archery champion sent this informative email to a Central Tiger blog. What to take to bed with you -- Not a joke "Pretty neat idea. Never thought of it before. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's. office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night...
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Interview and economy commentary (3/10/13)The other night "60 Minutes" had a fascinating interview with a Chinese woman. She is a self-made billionaire who started with little but eventually earned enough to go to London. There, she learned about investments and returned to China where she and her husband made their billions in designing and constructing office buildings...
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Granddaughter's international lessons (2/24/13)The following are blogs from my granddaughter Reagan Payne (daughter of Rich and Holly Payne). Reagan is a junior at the University of Missouri and spending six months in Maastricht, Netherlands on a study course. I think it's worth sharing. Her mother backpacked Europe about 25 years ago and we shared her letters in the Bulletin Journal...
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Senate race, national news, movie and local musical (10/5/12)I'm disappointed that with all of the big economic, social, military, health, environmental etc. issues facing this country, Sen. Claire McCaskill and the media seem obsessed that Rep. Todd Akin said that McCaskill wasn't "ladylike" during their recent debate at the Mo. Press Convention, where I was in attendance...
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Akin vs. McCaskill, movie, media and local theater (9/18/12)Senator McCaskill has been a key supporter of President Obama and his policies and will have a tough time separating herself from him in this election Rep. Todd Akin, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, recently surprised me with his clear and passionate philosophic message about the principles of this country and the importance of this year's election...
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Movie release, John Hickey's career and Rush Limbaugh's radio anniversary (8/23/12)The movie, "2016: Obama's America," is coming to Cape West 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau on Friday for seven daily showings starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday -- and then five daily showings the following Monday through Friday. I saw the first (not final) cut about five weeks ago, and since it's gone public, it's receiving much discussion...
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Some of my picks for office (8/5/12)Many people know I read a lot, especially about economics, social issues and politics. And as some of the Republican primary candidates are people I know and have reviewed, I am sharing my choices. I told some of the candidates I was not getting involved in financially supporting them during the primaries, but I have reached a decision on how I will be voting in this unusually important Republican primary...
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A flight with David Limbaugh (6/10/12)I flew to Springfield, Mo., last weekend in a chartered jet. It took 38 minutes at about 522 miles per hour. I've been a pilot for over 50 years, but have never had the delight of such an experience. I was hitching a ride with local author/lawyer David Limbaugh who was provided the jet so he could speak to about 800 people about his new book "The Great Destroyer," which was launched last Monday to the media...
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A historical perspective on ALEC and NCSL (4/29/12)Let me put a little personal historic perspective on the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and attacks by the media spearheaded by the liberal Common Cause and Media Matters funded by George Soros. In the early 1970s another group, the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) was basically funded then (and I believe still is) by state budgets, to have meetings to discuss legislative issues and sample model bills (legislation)...
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Demographics and a little humor (3/4/12)In a nutshell, Cape Girardeau County is a solid, retail, education, farming, manufacturing, medical, distribution center with steady growth, above average income, education, housing and lifestyle options. A great place to live, raise a family or retire, among friendly neighbors...
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Special events in Cape, Levin book (2/22/12)Several local events are set to take place within the next week. Here's a look at a few coming events of note:n Thursday, Feb. 23: The annual Old Town Cape dinner and awards banquet will be held at Dockside. Contact Old Town Cape for details. It will be a big year with Broadway street modifications, building remodeling and the targeted fall completion of the Isle of Capri Casino...
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Reading list and special events (10/30/11)I've been doing some traveling lately which has given me some time to read (and listen to on CDs) some recent best selling books. "Confidence Men" by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Suskind is subtitled "Wall Street, Washington, and the Education of a President."...
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Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (8/26/11)I served six years in the Missouri Legislature as a state representative and now over 40 years in the newspaper business. I've had experiences on the Governor's Reform Committee of over 30 members just seven years ago. I know how hard it is to get some in the media to report on the content of bills and recommendations. ...
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FreedomFest, book review, Social Security and Missouri's economic growth ranking (8/7/11)About two weeks ago I went to the annual FreedomFest -- "The great place to talk, argue, listen, celebrate the trimmings of liberty, assess the dangers to liberty, and provide that eternal vigilance that is the price of liberty." -- Milton Friedman...
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Congrats to Smythe; a review, secrets (6/19/11)Congratulations to KFVS-TV/WQWQ-TV vice president and general manager Mike Smythe who early this month was named the chairman of the Missouri Broadcasters Association. The MBA includes 303 Missouri radio stations and 48 television stations...
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Dance, kudos and principals' speech (6/12/11)Recently Wendy and I went to the Spring to Dance Festival in St. Louis. Thirty dance companies from the Midwest, Chicago, Nashville, Cleveland, New York, Kansas City and Cape Girardeau were on the program. Twelve additional dance groups performed in a special lobby stage during the event at the Touhill Center at the University of Missouri, St. Louis...
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Quotations on adversity and an overview of our troops (4/29/11)Being a candidate or elected official today, whether local (school board, county official, mayor, city council, etc.), state or national unfortunately makes one a target for those who like to throw darts, second-guess, speculate or just plain play politics or sense some satisfaction in the negative...
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College coaches, census and 'Atlas Shrugged' movie release (4/3/11)College basketball and football coaches not only get paid for their coaching abilities but also their related win/loss records, post season games, and the ability to create an economic money machine. Thus the background for the following excerpt from an article by Chris Bahn in the Arkansas Business Weekly about the firing of Arkansas basketball coach John Pelphrey (and their opening of the door for hiring Missouri Tiger coach Mike Anderson)...
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E-mail correction and thoughts on ObamaCare (3/25/11)In a recent column, I reprinted data from an e-mail "forwarded to me from a Cape Girardeau medical friend." The email cited "a recent Investor's Business Daily article", which alleged to point out statistics from an organization called the "United Nations International Health Organization." The end of the e-mail finished with this message, "The above stats (if true) show how badly we need ObamaCare, right?"...
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Bush memoir, laws of nature, quotes and statistics (3/18/11)I've just finished the book "Decision Points" by George W. Bush. It's been on The Wall Street Journal best-selling list for over three months. I'm sure favorable word-of-mouth is the reason. I was slow to get to it but highly recommend that you read it. Whether you agree or disagree with the decisions Bush made as president, you'll find fascinating and informative the presentation of the background and discussions that shaped his presidency and life...
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Census, Beck, health care and e-mail profundity (3/6/11)The recently released 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data showed the city of St. Louis population declining from 856,796 in 1950 to 319,284. Reason enough for the city to continue its analysis to become part of St. Louis County. Note: Greater St. Louis' population is 2,845,298; Kansas City has a population of about 485,000 and a Greater Kansas City population of about two million...
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Race, wages, State of the Union (1/30/11)'Sometimes I sarcastically, perhaps cynically, say that I'm glad that I received virtually all of my education before it became fashionable for white people to like black people," writes Walter Williams in his new autobiography, "Up from the Projects." "By that I mean that I encountered back then a more honest assessment of my strengths and weaknesses. Professors didn't hesitate to criticize me -- sometimes to the point of saying, 'That's nonsense.'"...
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Nursing shortage question and CPHE thoughts (1/19/11)Is there a nursing shortage in Southeast Missouri? As chairman of a subcommittee established by the advisory committee of the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education, we have been asked to analyze and answer this question. I will share some information with you...
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Merry Christmas (12/19/10)Merry Christmas! "Tis the season to be jolly" and thankful for all of the blessings that we benefit from by living in the U.S. It's also time for sharing -- be it the Salvation Army kettles, your church, favorite charity or the Jaycees Christmas for the Elderly or Toybox...
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Kudos and Thanksgiving (11/24/10)I'm catching up on some kudos to recent area recognitions and achievements. 1: To Coach Tony Samuel, his coaching staff and team for winning the Ohio Valley Conference football championship -- especially for his personal demeanor and consistency in handling victories and defeats. Now on to Eastern Washington for the playoffs...
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Election, socialism and health care (11/14/10)The Missouri Senate has more than the two-thirds vote for the Republicans to override a veto by Gov. Jay Nixon. The Republican margin in the House is only two or three votes short of the two-thirds vote required. Should be an interesting year -- especially with the redistricting of our congressional delegation on the agenda (anticipating a projected loss of one congressman when the census report comes out)...
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Election thoughts (10/28/10)The two most important national races in Missouri that will help affect the national debate are Jo Ann Emerson's race for the U.S. Congress and Roy Blunt's Senate race. Roy Blunt's campaign started over 18 months ago. During that time, he's made over 870 Missouri appearances, campaigned on the issues and answered questions...
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U.S. deficits (10/26/10)Here's a look at the disastrous U.S. spending over the past three years. These figures represent the money already spent or will be spent. All of the deficit spending is funded with borrowed money. The three-year total federal deficit equals $4.4 trillion. ...
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Wordsmith, gaming, art exhibit (9/30/10)Joe Sullivan, the role-model newspaper man, is a wordsmith. He's traveled throughout the U.S. in his capacities as reporter, editor, columnist and publisher. Few editors have the broadening experience of being a publisher, which brings the additional responsibilities and insights of paying the bills, watching the circulation by mail or carrier and paying attention to profit and loss, which provides the cash flow for salaries, equipment, maintenance and upgrades...
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A casino endorsement (9/23/10)Last week's St. Louis Business Journal, in an editorial, recommended Cape Girardeau for the casino license that's up for grabs. Even though two St. Louis casino applications are among the final four (the fourth is in Sugar Creek near Kansas City), the editorial lists the Business Journal's reasons why Cape Girardeau should be picked:...
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To lighten your day (9/21/10)Puns for educated minds. Written with a puncil. While in the punitentiary. 1. The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi. 2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian...
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Tax info and lessons of life (9/14/10)Don't let the tax cuts expire: At the end of the year, the 2003 tax cuts are set to expire. That means that, as of Jan. 1, taxes on capital gains and dividends will soar. The maximum capital gains tax rate will increase as much as 33 percent, and the dividend tax rate for some individuals would climb as much as 164 percent...
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Lessons in socialism (8/29/10)Marx would be impressed: Socialists believe that the way to paradise is for governments to own "the means of production." Thus, decades ago even democratic countries such as France and Britain nationalized considerable swaths of their economies to achieve "social justice." That didn't work so well. Therefore, since the days Margaret Thatcher there have been wave after wave of privatizations in Europe and around the world...
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Cabinets, Pericles, trivia (8/18/10)Business percentages: In case you missed it, on a recent show Glenn Beck had a graph that illustrated the percentage of each past president's Cabinet who had worked in the private business sector prior to their appointment to the Cabinet. You know what the private business sector is: a real-life business, not a government job. Here are the percentages...
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Big tax changes in the works (8/11/10)Tax hikes -- unless there is legislative action: I thought you would want to see this. In just six months, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect. They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves on Jan. 1, 2011:...
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Freedom Fest, taxes, deficits (7/29/10)Wendy and I recently attended Freedom Fest, a three-day annual gathering of conservatives, libertarians, gold and silver investors, health food proponents, Ayn Rand readers, stock investors etc. It was an intellectually stimulating experience...
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Air race, primary, role model (7/2/10)The 34th Annual All Female Air Race Classic finished in Maryland last Friday. Beverly Cleair of Cape Girardeau (who might be the best female pilot/instructor in Missouri) completed the 2,400-mile race along with 51 other pilot teams. Speed achieved by airplane horsepower handicaps was the criteria for winning. The four-day race started in Fort Myers, Fla...
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A real survivor, graduation speeches, tax numbers (6/6/10)Here are a few items worth sharing:The next "Survivor" series -- Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and three kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes. There is no fast food...
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Limbaugh's newsletter, understanding 'billions,' lots of taxes (5/26/10)Probably the best conservative newsletter in this country is The Limbaugh Letter, a monthly publication edited by former Cape Girardeau resident Rush Limbaugh. Especially informative are the conservative (questions and answers) between Rush and guest interviewees. The most recent one with Frank Gaffney Jr. (who was responsible for U.S. nuclear weapons policy in the Reagan Defense Department)...
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Strokes, testimony, headlines (5/20/10)Blood clots/stroke -- they now have a fourth indicator, the tongue. STROKE: Remember the first three letters: S.T.R. Stroke identification: During a barbecue, a woman, Jane, stumbled and took a little fall. She assured everyone that she was fine. ...
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Purcell, Macke, Breitbart (4/9/10)It was no surprise when Jay Purcell, associate Cape Girardeau County commissioner, joined the race for presiding commissioner at the last minute, even though he had told a number of people he wasn't going to. The large number of candidates (six) in the Republican primary (Charles Brawley, Doyle Parmer, Clint Tracy, Chris Hutson, Stephen Daume and Jay Purcell) sets up the same scenario as his election to the commission six years ago when nine candidates were in the primary and Purcell won by only 29 votes over Dan Niswonger. ...
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My view: Rediger for mayor (3/31/10)For the last 16 years Cape Girardeau has had the benefit of a strong city council led by mayors Al Spradling III and Jay Knudtson. A good mayor helps make Cape Girardeau a better city. We in the news media would always prefer to write or broadcast about good things rather than bad. It is our obligation to report on both but not with satisfaction when we have to deal with the negative...
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Voting pressure, information overload (3/25/10)David Plouffe, Barack Obama's campaign manager, cranked up the barackobama.com e-mail list last week urging registered participants to call U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office (and others across the country) to vote for the health care bill...
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Avoiding Obama; Cuba's health care for oil (3/18/10)Some polls show that President Obama has a negative rating in Missouri of 60 percent. So it was not surprising that Secretary of State Robin Carnahan was missing during Obama's visit to Missouri last week. His visit included a fundraiser announced for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, but the bulk of the proceeds are really to be channeled into Carnahan's campaign for the U.S. Senate...
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Plus: DST, 'Carousel,' latest book, Tenholder award (2/24/10)I visited Jefferson City last week for a Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Press Association gathering. Certainly as to the state budget there is no disagreement that there is little light at the end of the tunnel. All of those lobby groups that are normally clamoring for more money from the limited state dollars are having to focus on limiting cuts to previous allocations. ...
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Snow vacation (2/19/10)Jo Mannies, St. Louis Beacon online political reporter (and former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter) posted the following on her Web page last Thursday:"[Gov. Jay] Nixon and his wife have missed this week's snow, as they have been quietly in Florida all week on vacation...
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Beck's information (2/16/10)Glenn Beck (over 6,000 turned out to hear him speak at the Chaifetz Center in St. Louis recently) has been voted the second most popular cable-TV show personality (behind Oprah Winfrey). I attribute his success not to his mannerisms but to his continuous presentation of information. He's the bestselling author of three books, and recently I read his 167-page book "Common Sense," the case against an out-of-control government inspired by Thomas Paine...
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Guilt by biased photo association? (2/11/10)Unbelievable! Under the headline ("Jetton: The rise and fall") on a Page 1 article in Monday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch was a photograph of Rod Jetton -- former speaker of the Missouri House from Marble Hill -- next to an unidentified man. The unnamed person would be recognized by most Southeast Missourians and many others across the state as Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau...
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Bonanza of speakers (10/16/09)Southeast Missouri State University has an outstanding schedule of outside speakers for the year. Aron Ralston spoke Tuesday night. He's the motivational and courageous mountain climber who was trapped when an 800-pound boulder pinned his right hand and wrist. After "six days of hell" he amputated his own arm to survive...
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Bond's book (10/2/09)U.S. Sen. Kit Bond has co-authored a book about "Southeast Asia and the road to global peace with Islam" titled "The Next Front." Co-authored with Pulitzer Prize winner Lewis Simons, the book really enlightened me on the Far East, Muslims, the Chinese influence, extremists, terrorism and what many leaders say about the United States and our strategies in their countries. Not a pretty picture, but certainly an interesting, sometimes shocking and informative book...
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Awakened public wants real answers (9/17/09)What's this? We have an awakened public. More and more voters are becoming (dare I say it?) alarmed at the direction of our state and federal governments and asking for information and answers, not just slogans and posturing. This is not just Republicans, Democrats or independents but all facets, including liberals, conservatives and moderates...
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Saul Alinsky book provides perspective (8/28/09)Reading can enlighten and inform you way beyond your own experiences, although your own experiences help you keep perspective on what you read. I generally read a minimum of one book a week plus numerous newspapers, trade publications, 100-plus nonfiltered e-mails (I receive more than 300 e-mails daily) and listen to CDs and talk radio in the car...
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Warren Hearnes: Direct, honest (8/19/09)One of my favorite Missouri politicians has always been Gov. Warren Hearnes. He was a conservative Democrat who bucked his own party machine to be elected governor. He was considered a potential vice presidential candidate and successfully withstood unfair political charges against his reputation...
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Cute signs, health care (6/20/09)Amusing signs and slogans:In a podiatrist's office: Time wounds all heels. On a septic tank truck: Yesterday's meals on wheels. At a proctologist's door: To expedite your visit, please back in. On a plumber's truck: We repair what your husband fixed...
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Learn to laugh (6/12/09)You might not appreciate the following unless you're older than 39:n Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, "How old was your husband?" "98," she replied, "two years older than me." "So you're 96," the undertaker commented. She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?"...
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Trade, stimulus, jobs (6/5/09)One Bush agenda item that President Obama is determined to pick up and complete: free trade deals with Panama, Columbia and South Korea. The White House is mounting a full-court press with Congress, making the same arguments Bush did: Failure to ratify the Panama and Columbia agreements risks alienating two key allies in Latin America and bolsters Venezuela's efforts to undermine the U.S. ...
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Grandchildren, taxes, drama (4/19/09)By GARY RUST Excerpt from thoughts on the rewards of being a grandparent by Malcolm Forbes: "Getting older has its own rewards. Like grandchildren. As I know from seven of our own, the joy of them is unleavened by the parental necessity of incessant naysaying, carting, feeding and fussing. ...
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Peter Kinder and 'Atlas Shrugged' (4/11/09)On March 6, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder joined St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Draft to raise funds for the American Lung Association. The annual Master the Met stair-climbing event highlights healthy lifestyles as participants climb 42 flights of stairs...
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Tax everything, even after the grave (3/19/09)At first I thought this was funny. Then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end. Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes And the rule. Tax his work,...
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Hooray for Wayne Goode: Experienced legislator will review state budget in Jay Nixon's administration (11/20/08)I applaud the selection of former Missouri legislator Wayne Goode to review the Missouri budget as announced last week by governor-elect Jay Nixon. I served with Goode years ago on the House Conference Appropriations Committee, which he chaired. He's intelligent and honest and deals with issues straightforwardly as some elected officials do not...
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Wendy's letter (11/6/08)The following letter was written late Saturday night and put in the mail Sunday after Wendy and I attended the theater at the River Campus: Dear Gary Miller, Robert Cerchio, Rhonda Weller-Stilson, Ken Stilson, Robert Dillon, President Dr. Ken Dobbins:...
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Kinder's support (9/25/08)Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau has recently been serving as acting governor, a job he's done over 100 days in his duty as lieutenant governor. Recently he's been the subject of bipartisan praise, which is unusual in an election year...
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Picking a candidate (7/27/08)The next governor of Missouri will be elected Nov. 4, just 15 weeks from now. But it is just nine days until the Aug. 5 primary election, which will determine the final candidates in many area and statewide races. I've donated money for the election of Ken Hulshof to be the Republican candidate for governor. ...
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Political forecast (7/11/08)Something to think about: As reported elsewhere, congressional Republicans are bracing for huge losses in November. Democrats are projected to gain over a dozen House seats, lifting their edge to at least 50. Dems are also expected to increase their Senate margin of 51 to 49 by four to seven seats, still shy of the 60 votes needed to be filibuster-proof...
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Better without higher taxes (2/28/08)Here is a continuation of Wednesday's column regarding Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton's bullet points headlined "The Miraculous Missouri Turnaround: The Show Me State Takes a New Direction and Moves Forward." Secondary and Elementary Education...
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State turnaround (2/27/08)Last week I drove to Jefferson City for Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Missouri Press Association/Associated Press meetings. The highways were a lot better than expected, another reason to praise the Missouri Department of Transportation. Not only has MoDOT improved our highways over the last three years, but ice and snow clearance has been exceptional, as has been the job done by the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and area road crews...
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Catching up (1/24/08)I recently saw the movie "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It was an enjoyable comedy dealing with terminal medical situations. It was not only funny, but it also contains some serious messages. I also enjoyed the always inspirational and funny remarks of Charles Drury, most recently at a Cape Girardeau West Rotary Club meeting. ...
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Winning the war (11/24/07)From Forbes magazine: Congress is in full-throated debate over the Iraq war. The media are loaded with war-related stories. Ignore all of it. The best media coverage of the war in Iraq was supplied recently in the New York Post by Ralph Peters, a retired Army officer turned consultant/pundit (click on Opinion at nypost.com for stories). ...
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Swamp history (11/15/07)One of my most enjoyable experiences last week was one I wasn't originally looking forward to: the 100th anniversary celebration of the Little River Drainage District held in the lobby of the newly renovated Kent Library on Southeast Missouri State University's campus. However, it proved to be highly informative...
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Keathley's cleanup (11/13/07)Mike Keathley of Dexter, Mo., was favorably and deservedly written up in a recent St. Louis Business Journal, excerpts of which I'm reprinting here. Mike was originally in a family business, IXL Wooden Handle, in Bernie, Mo. After the company was sold to a large conglomerate, Mike stayed on as an executive and traveled a great deal. ...
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Week to remember shows off new River Campus (10/24/07)"Big River," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, is rolling tonight, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Bedell Theater at Southeast Missouri State University's new River Campus. I understand tickets are still available. ...
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This and that (10/19/07)Recently Gov. Matt Blunt and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay headlined an anti-poverty event on the campus of Washington University. The two declared that the city and the state are part of ONE, the international "Campaign to Make Poverty History." Republican political strategist Jack Oliver, now chairman of Bryan Cave Strategies (the law firm's lobbying arm), also is helping to lead the international/national campaign's voting initiative, "ONE Vote '08."...
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This and that (10/17/07)Last Thursday Teen Challenge of Mid-America (located just outside Cape Girardeau's city limits) held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of its new Lincoln Education Center. Also, Cliff Ford, chairman of the capital campaign, announced the goal of $2.3 million (which includes funding for two additional buildings) had been reached. Dedication for the entire project has been set for March 8...
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Truth and flying (10/11/07)Once, after reading about the different passions which most achievers, artists and leaders have, I asked my wife what my passion was. She immediately replied: the truth. I think she is right, but I hadn't thought of such a simple -- but, I believe, accurate -- observation...
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Reading list (10/5/07)I've been doing more reading than I normally do, though I generally read for a minimum of three to four hours daily. Just trying to read all of the industry, government and political news takes up a great piece of my day, as I have to edit my time...
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Inspiring summit (8/22/07)Recently Wendy and I flew to Chicago to visit our daughter Holly, her husband (who is our family's corporate business attorney) Rich Payne, and three of our 12 grandchildren (Reagan, Robyn and Morgan). The major timing for the trip centered on Willow Creek Church's leadership summit. Rich and Holly are active with this church and its mission, which motivated them to move to the Chicago area years ago...
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The I-70 Series encore (6/27/07)The Cardinals and Royals wrapped up their interleague series last Wednesday night and released Missouri baseball fans for their one-week sentence in baseball purgatory. I think it's safe to say there won't be a replay of the '07 1-70 Series on ESPN Classic after all the fielding gaffes, managing bungles and lineup cards that read like a roster of employees at your local FedEX Kinko's. ...
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Hats off to Dalhousie… and to Rush Limbaugh for putting Cape Girardeau in the spotlight (6/26/07)One of the great sporting events in the history of Cape Girardeau was the three-day American Junior Golf Association tournament, which concluded Thursday with the winner carding a 67 in his final round (the lowest in competitive course play) at the now nationally acclaimed Dalhousie Golf Club. The tournament drew 144 teenage girls and boys (almost all headed for college golf scholarships and some to eventually become big names on the national golf circuit) from the entire United States.. ...
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Governor's policies (6/10/07)After years of fiscal shortages, the state has paid off its federal unemployment insurance debt, thanks to the policies and commitment of Gov. Matt Blunt. The debt was incurred during 2003 and 2004 when the state was in the midst of a $1.1 billion budget deficit. With fiscal policies firmly in place, the state recently paid more than $135 million to mark the end of an insolvent fund that pays benefits to unemployed workers...
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Blair's reflections (6/8/07)In the May 31 edition of the Economist, Britain's prime minister Tony Blair reflects on the lessons of his decade in office. The following are some excerpts, and I highly encourage you to read (in print or online) all of his remarks, which include his domestic issue observations...
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God's answer (5/29/07)Dear God, Why didn't you save the school children at Moses Lake, Wash. (Feb. 2, 1996), Bethel, Alaska (Feb. 19, 1997), Pearl, Miss. (Oct. 1, 1997), West Paducah, Ky. (Dec. 1, 1997), Stamps, Ark. (Dec. 15, 1997), Jonesboro, Ark. (March 24, 1998), Edinboro, Penn. ...
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Straight shooter (5/27/07)I recently attended the annual Newspaper Association of America convention in New York. Highlights included a live satellite interview with Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of our armed forces in Iraq. Petraeus played a key role for the military in the early phases of the Iraq War before becoming the top commander in Iraq this year. ...
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Medical spending (5/24/07)It seems to me that the Missouri Legislature and Gov. Matt Blunt have achieved a three-year cumulative budget record that has been good for the state. The just-passed fiscal year 2008 budget, which begins July 1, is a $21.4 billion operating budget that includes record amounts for education and health care as well as a tax cut for senior citizens. It also sets aside $200 million for a rainy-day fund...
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Cape is hopping full of things to do (5/2/07)We went by Old Lorimier Cemetery during last weekend's "Rediscover Your Cape" tour. Wendy and I joined a tour conducted by Dr. Frank Nickell of Southeast Missouri State University. It was fascinating to learn about the historic family ties to Cape Girardeau and elsewhere (including the Scripps family, whose heirs became founders of the E.W. Scripps Co. media empire)...
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Warner: Message of personal inspiration (4/22/07)There are many times in life when there are no adequate answers for why certain events happen, if anything could have been done differently to prevent them or what to do now after the event. On Saturday, Heartland Promise Keepers is bringing an event of inspirational music and a message by football star Kurt Warner, which is a timely opportunity...
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This and that: Hogan's record, ND musical, climate alarmists (4/11/07)Congratulations to Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach, upon becoming the winningest baseball coach in the school's history. His mentor and coach (a few years earlier) was also my high school baseball and basketball coach and mentor. Coach "Tiger" Uhls also taught me how to play the harmonica and deal with normal teen issues of leadership...
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This and that (4/6/07)Global warming. This is a letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from U.S. Sen. Kit Bond:The cavalier attitude of your recent editorial ("Sunspots and Sausage," March 26) toward the poor struggling to pay their home-heating bills is disappointing. Over 29 million American families cannot pay their heating bills. They suffer through the winters with many relying on inefficient but costly electric space heaters and poorly insulated homes...
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This and that (4/3/07)I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress. -- Ronald Reagan --- The Missouri Legislature adjourns May 18, about seven weeks from the writing of this column. I've learned not to predict the outcome of the issues legislators are debating...
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Aviation stories (3/29/07)Three recent local-impact aviation stories are helpful bits of information:1. March 22, Delta Airlines announced it was expanding services from Cincinnati to Cape Girardeau, Owensboro, Ky., and Jackson, Tenn. The new service beginning this summer will offer us connecting opportunities to more than 400 daily departures to 122 worldwide destinations, including trans-Atlantic service to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Rome plus the Caribbean...
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Busy unions (3/27/07)For over three years I have subscribed to the weekly St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune newspaper. I'm sure a lot of my union friends swallow hard when the publication publishes pro-abortion, get out of the war in IRAQ and automatic anti-Bush, Talent and Blunt editorials with one-sided coverage...
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This and that (3/16/07)Big differences? Though I don't know the reasons for the recent termination of eight Democratic U.S. attorneys, a little history would include the firing by President Clinton of 93 of 94 Republican U.S. attorneys two months after he was sworn in as president, including some in the final stages of criminal investigations. That was the first such mass firing in the history of U.S. attorneys...
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A good man: Here are reasons to re-elect U.S. Sen. Jim Talent. (10/29/06)About 46 years ago, with no previous immediate family or personal involvement in politics, I began to study our government and the elective and judicial processes. As a local Jaycee president and eventually vice president of the Missouri Jaycees, through Jaycee programs I became aware of Americanism and the threat by outside ideologies to our freedoms...
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Rust column (10/24/06)Friday we ran an article by The Kansas City Star's Washington bureau reporter Mike Stearns about the net worth ($13 million to $30 million estimated) of Claire McCaskill and her husband. The article listed researched material about investments of McCaskill's husband...
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Key debates: Candidates for Senate, state auditor at press meeting (9/14/06)I'm looking forward to attending the Missouri Press Association's annual convention this weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. I particularly want to hear the debate between the U.S. Senate candidates, incumbent Jim Talent and State Auditor Claire McCaskill...
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Differing views (8/17/06)U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's picnic and political rally featured U.S. Sen. John Thume (who defeated Tom Daschle in South Dakota) and Missouri's U.S. Sen. Jim Talent. Good friends, the three also worked together in Congress when all three were representatives...
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Know the issues (7/23/06)Within the last seven days, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and various Web pages have all featured articles on the U.S. Senate race in Missouri, generally describing it as a "political showdown" in the Show Me State. There is no question that current U.S. ...
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Tax policy: Again, the economy is responding to lower taxes (7/15/06)Here are a couple of insightful excerpts regarding recent trends in the U.S. financial situation that will help you understand the impact of government tax policy. The Big Bang story of U.S. private business: Did you know that just over the past 11 quarters, dating back to the June 2003 Bush tax cuts, America has increased the size of its entire economy by 20 percent? In less than three years, the U.S. ...
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SEMO grad and St. Louis native nominated as next Marine commandant (6/27/06)Lt. Gen. James Conway has been nominated to be the next commandant of the Marine Corps. Conway is a St. Louis native who graduated from Roosevelt High School and Southeast Missouri State University. He now serves as the director of operations for the Pentagon's Joint Staff. Before taking the Pentagon post, Conway commanded the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force for two combat tours in Iraq...
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This and that- Births, revenue (6/10/06)"Anchors" away: In 1970, 6 percent of all births in the United States were to illegal aliens. In 2002, that figure was 23 percent. In 1994, 36 percent of the births paid for by Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid, were to illegals. That figure has doubtless increased in the intervening 12 years as the rate of illegal immigration has risen...
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This and that (6/6/06)Here are some odds and ends I think you'll find interesting: n Age difference: A college student at a USC football game challenged a senior citizen sitting next to him, saying it was impossible for their generation to understand his. "You grew up in a different world," the student said loud enough for everyone around him to hear. ...
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Fair tax: Book predicts grim prospects without overhaul (5/26/06)I've just finished the best-selling book, "The Fair Tax Book: Saying Goodbye to the Income Tax and the IRS*," by Neal Boortz (radio talk-show host at 9 a.m. on 960 KZIM) and U.S. Rep. John Linder. The asterisk in the title, by the way, is explained: "*Not to mention the Social Security tax, the Medicare tax, corporate income taxes, the death tax, the self-employment tax, the alternative minimum tax, the gift tax, capital gains taxes, tax audits and some major headaches every April 15."...
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This and that: Scalia's visit, mayor's prayer event, Mother's Day (5/11/06)A crowd of about 2,500 turned out to hear U. S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who spoke May 3 at the Show Me Center. What a delightful evening. From the opening welcome by Adam Hanna, Southeast Missouri State University student body president, to the comments by university president Ken Dobbins, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and the traditional Limbaugh-style factual and informative introduction of Scalia by Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr...
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Future pensions will pinch states; Mo. state pay, fringes are generous (4/12/06)Kiplinger's Newsletter predicts that state revenues (generally up this year) will have a shortfall next year and for a decade or more because of "huge pension obligations that will come due as thousands of government workers, take early retirement from long held jobs." By decade's end, state and local governments will be paying retirees $170 billion a year, a 44 percent increase over what they paid in 2004...
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Medicare Rx: Large number of Missourians are sgining up (4/3/06)I haven't taken a good look at the Medicare prescription plan, but having heard some of my friends of like age discuss the benefits, I probably should. A large number of Missouri seniors have joined the program. We've generally been bombarded with how hard the program is to understand, but 66 percent of eligible Missourians have signed up. I'm in the minority...
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This and that: Doctor with roots here on 'Paula Zahn Now' (3/29/06)Dr. Mark Stacy, formerly of Cape Girardeau and son of Jane Stacy, Southeast Missouri State University alumni director, was the featured doctor interviewed on an 11-minute segment of "Paula Zahn Now" on CNN last week. Dr. Stacy is a leading specialist in Parkinson's disease and is based at Duke University. ...
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Time to move on (3/22/06)Former Southeast Missouri State University lobbyist Marvin Proffer coached me in track my senior year in high school when he was a senior in college and a star athlete at Southeast. That would put his age in the mid-1970s. I was briefly a partner with Proffer in the Jackson Cashbook-Journal newspaper and served six years with him from 1972 to 1978 in the Missouri Legislature. Marvin started earlier and served longer...
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Time for action: Legislators should review commission's ideas (2/8/06)Last night the Missouri State Government Review Commission met in Jefferson City for a dinner with Gov. Matt Blunt and a discussion of implementation of the commission's recommendations. Blunt has executed a number of the recommendations by executive order, but to date there has been little legislative activity on the 84 proposals...
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Leadership kudos: Business, industry, movers and shakers get awards (2/2/06)Last Friday was a big day for recognition of achievement by business, industry and retailers in the Cape Girardeau area. It started with the annual Magnet luncheon. The group's mission is to solicit and recruit new business, industry and commerce to Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and Cape Girardeau County...
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Positive leadership: These days, criticism has become uncivil (12/3/05)In my Thursday column, I quoted from two books, one about Winston Churchill and the other about Theodore Roosevelt. The following is from the chapter in the Churchill book, "Never Give In" by Stephen Mansfield, on "action." "Things do not get better by being left alone. Unless they are adjusted, they explode with a shattering detonation."...
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Books give positive and inspirational perspectives (12/1/05)I've read a number of books recently, but "Carry a Big Stick" about the uncommon heroism of Theodore Roosevelt and "Never Give In" about the extraordinary character of Winston Churchill were both positive and inspirational. Here are some brief excerpts from "Carry a Big Stick" by George Grant...
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Saving money (10/15/05)Gov. Matt Blunt and Office of Administration director Mike Keathley have saved state taxpayers $30.2 million through implementation of executive orders and replacing a major contract while (in most of the decisions) improving citizen services. As I understand it, last fall Keathley, who headed up Blunt's transition team, noted a one-bidder contract up for renewal to a St. Louis firm that charged the state $40.4 million the previous year for non-emergency medical transportation services...
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This and that: State investments, private aid, preacher's view (10/11/05)State Treasurer Sarah Steeleman issues a weekly office performance report. In the Sept. 8 -14 report, the investment division reported: Interest earnings -- $1,889,805 Average portfolio book value -- $2,969,234,850 (that's billion) Average yield -- 3.319 percent...
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This and that: Reform, painter's lesson, communications, unions (10/10/05)Everyone needs to work the return desk of a major department store (which I have), serve in elected office (which I have), umpire a Little League baseball game (which I have) and serve on a government reform commission (which I just did). In none of these can you please everybody, but you learn a lot about human nature -- and yourself...
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Lueders exhibit, Renaissance, review report, identity theft, centennial, Reppert (10/5/05)A large crowd turned out Sunday to view the Paul Lueders photo exhibit, including about 50 members of the Lueders family. Appropriate and informative remarks were shared by guest speakers Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University; John Lueders, brother and business associate of Paul; and local photographer and former city councilman Tom Neumeyer. ...
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State board, movies, EPA (9/22/05)Troy Wilson, president of Montgomery Bank, was confirmed by the Missouri Senate last week as a member of the Missouri Development Finance Board. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was appointed the chairman. Kinder became an ex officio member upon taking office in January 2005, and Wilson was nominated by state Sen. Jason Crowell...
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U.N. probe, flight delay, hurricane report, biodiesel (9/16/05)The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. -- Winston Churchill n Should Kofi Annan be Replaced? A sprawling report into the United Nations' scandal-tarred oil-for-food program derided the world body's management of the program as corrupt and inefficient...
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Attracting business: Missouri's pro-business climate is paying off (9/13/05)Missouri workforce and business climate prompts $30 million GM investment: On Aug. 2, the vice president of General Motors North America told workers that despite plans to lay off 25,000 employees worldwide, the Wentzville, Mo., plant is receiving a $30 million equipment expansion due to workers' performance and Missouri's business climate...
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Data deficit: Good information is critical to making decisions (8/31/05)The Missouri State Government Review Commission is entering the final stages of a 10-month process of hearings, subcommittee meetings and many hours of reading and analysis. Ninety percent of the subcommittee meetings have concluded. Members and assigned staff are putting their recommendations into written form for the full commission's review, discussion, acceptance, modification or rejection...
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Reform ideas: Cape Girardeau hearing brings good comments (7/27/05)Those who sat through the hearing, which lasted more than three hours, of the Missouri State Government Reform Commission in Cape Girardeau last Friday got an insight on the committee's deliberations. The Cape Girardeau full committee hearing was one of seven being held throughout the state in soliciting public insight into information gathering before we focus on our recommendations. ...
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State payroll: Commission tries to pin down solid facts, figures (6/22/05)Some in Missouri state government like to say that Missouri employees are underpaid, citing a 2003 census study which ranks Missouri 46th in state ranking of average pay per employee. However, the ranking is somewhat questionable. Fringe benefits are not included in the comparison, and Missouri's benefits (based on recent testimony to the Missouri State Government Review Commission, on which I serve) are about 46 percent of total compensation...
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State reform; graduating grandchildren; a look at the U.S. Open (6/17/05)Serving on Gov. Matt Blunt's State Government Reform Commission has averaged about one meeting a week over the last 12 weeks. It also is requiring a great deal of reading, which is informative and time- consuming. Some of the better recommendations we will make could be easily implemented by a business or industry but will probably take longer for legislative action...
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Making cuts - Missouri government is following business trends (3/29/05)According to Missouri's Official Manual, there are approximately 63,000 employees in state government, not counting those in higher education....
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No hero: Find out about Seale before forming an opinion (2/10/05)Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale spoke last week on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. He spoke the next day at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Last year he spoke at Washington University in St. Louis and many colleges and universities in between....
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Congratulations to Iraqis, Jim Limbaugh, SEMO (2/3/05)Here are some mini-comments on a variety of recent items, people or events: * Congratulations and well-earned respect to the Iraqi people, who ran the gauntlet to vote for a new government. And congratulations to President George Bush, the troops and others who hung in there for the election while withstanding a barrage by many doomsayers...
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New leadership - GOP strength, term limits bring new faces (1/12/05)When Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder (as of Monday when he was officially sworn in by Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh) spoke to the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday overflow crowd last week, he displayed one of his strengths: the ability to communicate information that is clear and understandable in a logical and timely manner...
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Taxing issues: Growth in economy can create bigger revenue pie (12/21/04)Since Missouri taxpayers have shown no interest in tax increases to pay for the many services being advocated, it seems that any lobbying for more money should recommend from whence it should come. Rarely (never, to my knowledge) do we see public K-12 schools suggesting cuts in higher education, transportation or social services (including Medicaid) or vice versa...
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Thanks, John Ashcroft (11/20/04)John Ashcroft picked up the nickname "Straight Arrow" when he was governor of Missouri. It wasn't because he shot straight (which he did), but because his religious beliefs and principles disciplined him not to smoke, drink, cuss or dance. This kind of lifestyle often made some less disciplined people (few would argue those standards were harmful) uncomfortable...
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Election observations (11/10/04)Some of the best Missouri election observations that have not been widely reported are as follows: Free-fall of Democrats: Right about now, Missouri Democrats must be wondering whether someone forgot to attach the bungee cord. As recently as 2001, the Democratic Party controlled five of Missouri's six statewide offices, had a majority in the state House and -- with special elections looming -- had a shot at maintaining control of the state Senate...
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Sloppy -- and demeaning (10/30/04)I wrote a friend of mine a thank-you note recently for a meaningful effort he'd shared with me. He's been around the political arena for over 50 years, and I highly respect his opinions, intelligence and fairness. I couldn't tell you if he is a Democrat or a Republican, a conservative or a liberal. We've always talked issues, facts and possible solutions...
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Spradling leaves big legacy (10/27/04)Two influential state senators: One of my favorite people, former state senator Albert Spradling, died last week. His was a full life. His minister observed how Spradling anonymously helped many in financial need -- and how Al graded his sermons through friendly, honest banter. He did the same thing for some of my columns. He was always asking me to write more original comments and fewer sharings of comments and opinions of others I often use in my column...
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A lesson to be learned (10/9/04)For those who enjoy the opinions of Victor Davis Hanson (in a recent column), I encourage you to read his book, "An Autumn of War," which is most informative and opinionated and will better enlighten you on some historic military actions from early Greece to date...
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Focus on core values (10/7/04)When I served in the Missouri House in the mid-1970s, the Republican Party had an outstanding legislator in my freshman class. He was from an urban area and was intelligent, funny, outgoing and a tremendous floor debater. We became good friends, and it was a learning experience to see how his one major flaw eventually caught up with him...
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Lieutenant governor's duties plenty for full-time service (9/22/04)State Sen. Peter Kinder sees the lieutenant governor's job description as one requiring full-time attention, unlike most previous lieutenant governors who treated the office as a part-time job (most of them lawyers who continued to collect legal fees while serving). Kinder announced at the Missouri Press Association convention earlier this month that he would dedicate full time to the job...
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On the campaign trail (9/10/04)A crowd estimated at 26,000 to 30,000 attended the rally for President Bush in Poplar Bluff Monday, more than has attended any similar outdoor event this year. A light rain didn't dampen the event, which was the kickoff of a two-day, four-stop Missouri campaign swing. ...
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Bowles takes high road (8/31/04)Last week the Cape Girardeau School Board voted not to renew the contract of 45-year-old superintendent Mark Bowles when his contract expires June 30, 2005. That's the board's main job: to hire the superintendent, review his or her performance, make suggestions, review the budgets and make board decisions...
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More on 9-11 (8/26/04)Thoughts while reading the 9-11 commission report: Few, if anyone, knowledgeable of this information provided by the counter-terrorism arm of the U.S. government -- including the FBI, CIA, Richard Clark, George Tenant, President Clinton and President Bush, Steve Berger, Condoleezza Rice, John Ashcroft, Janet Reno, Al Gore, Richard Cheney -- would have bet there wouldn't be another terrorism strike in the United States by this date after the Sept. 11, 2001, strike against the World Trade Center...
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Rust column 08/18/04 (8/18/04)You can buy the 9-11 Commission report for just $10. It's not a quick read, but the almost narrative style makes it quite fascinating while being more informative as to the terrorist threat than you might want to know. It's no wonder the report and terrorist threat were too serious for any commission member to politicize...
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Stem cells, golfing aviators, sales tax holiday (8/12/04)Bush's stem-cell decision -- three years later: Monday marked the third anniversary of President Bush's decision on the funding of human embryonic stem-cell research. There is no ban, and never was, on stem-cell research. The president's decision related only to federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research...
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Assessing the vote (8/6/04)Some political thoughts and possibilities: When Gov. Bob Holden put the marriage amendment on the August ballot (he had a choice between August or November) he probably wanted to help John Kerry. He either should have known or did know it would probably hurt his chances for re-election...
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Good job news, climate changes, French farce, tax burden (7/24/04)Here are some items of timely interest: Kerry's canard: New data refute claims of a job squeeze. The populist message of the Kerry-Edwards ticket -- that Bush-enabled, pool-lounging plutocrats are squeezing dollars from the hard-working middle class -- will fail to turn the electorate into a band of howling Robespierres come November. According to recently released government statistics, the unjust economy that the two candidates descry simply doesn't exist...
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Important choices will be made in Aug. 3 primary (7/21/04)It's time to choose. The Aug. 3 primary is just two weeks away. Missouri and Cape Girardeau County have more primary races than I can recall in recent elections. In the Democratic race for governor, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has endorsed current governor Bob Holden, while the Springfield News-Leader has endorsed his challenger, State Auditor Claire McCaskill...
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Campaign verbiage, Israeli security (7/11/04)Here are a couple of topics I think you will find interesting; Campaigns let loaded words fly: You know the campaign season is in full bloom when candidates begin using words such as "scheme," "questionable," "smoking gun" and violations" in referring to the actions of their rivals...
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Art, movies become political forums (7/9/04)Demon art: A shocking image of a blood-spattered President Bush devouring a headless child is causing an uproar. The drawing by sculptor Richard Serra, based on a painting by Goya, is being used to promote www.pleasevote.com, billed as "a call to vote the Bush administration out of office." It appears on the back cover of The Nation's July 5 issue. ...
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Liberal journalists routinely bashed Reagan (7/2/04)The liberal media bashing of President George Bush is similar to that which President Ronald Reagan endured, although you wouldn't determine that from some recent comments. Let's revisit some of the Reagan comments as columnist Joseph D'Agostino reports:...
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Banker tapped, retail magnet, plight of films (6/30/04)Troy L. Wilson, president and CEO of the Montgomery Bank in Sikeston, was elected chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association at the bankers' 114th annual convention earlier this month in Branson. The Montgomery banks are located in numerous Southeast Missouri sites including Cape Girardeau and St. Louis...
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Job growth has big impact (6/27/04)Federal Jobs and Growth Act: May 28 marked the one-year anniversary of the Jobs and Growth Act of 2003. One year ago President Bush signed into law the tax-cut bill which substantially reduced taxes for workers, families and small business people and created an environment for continued job creation and economic growth long term...
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Missouri concealed-weapon permits on target (6/25/04)Missouri's concealed-weapon law apparently is on target, law officials say. Most of the following information is from an article by Wes Johnson in the May 25 Springfield (Mo.) News Leader. As reported in the article, St. Charles County had 549 applicants, Greene County (Springfield area) 483 applicants, Jefferson County 470, Cape Girardeau County 170 and Butler County (Poplar Bluff) 164...
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Sales tax for firefighters, police is good insurance policy (6/3/04)I know of no one who LIKES to buy insurance -- automobile, home, liability, health, life. It's a product you buy that you hope you don't need. But few can afford to pay for a fire at their home, an automobile accident, catastrophic health care, a robbery or burglary unless they have insurance...
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News liberals, Kerry's ploy (5/30/04)Here are a couple of interesting items from my recent readings: Pew survey finds moderates, liberals dominate news outlets: Those convinced that liberals make up a disproportionate share of newsroom workers have long relied on Pew Research Center surveys to confirm this view, and they will not be disappointed by the results of Pew's latest study released Sunday, May 23...
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Politics and revenue (5/27/04)The Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO endorsed Gov. Bob Holden for re-election (over Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill) and endorsed 22-year veteran state Sen. Ken Jacob (over Bekki Cook from Cape Girardeau). "Jacob has carried a 100 percent COPE voting record throughout his legislative career," the trades council said...
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Bush in perspective (5/22/04)Bush: Worst president in history? The following letter to the editor appeared in the Durham, N.C., newspaper and was forwarded to me by a reader. I reprint it here for your reflection. "Liberals claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war. They complain about his prosecution of it. One liberal recently claimed Bush was the worst president in U.S. history. Let's clear up one point: We didn't start the war on terror. Try to remember, it was started by terrorists before 9-11...
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Good news, some worries (5/20/04)School's out for many or will be shortly. The Missouri Legislature has adjourned with the conclusion of a better session than what was originally to be the "perfect storm" of financial, political and philosophic turmoil. The economy and jobs are improving, although compared to most countries they've never been bad...
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Capitol update (5/2/04)I flew to Jefferson City Wednesday morning amidst 38-knot gusty winds and visited the state Capitol. I spent brief periods sitting or standing in the galleries and watching the Missouri House and Senate debate (generally not discuss) legislation, along with interviewing numerous people...
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A few items worth sharing (4/20/04)The following items are some that I felt worth sharing. I hope you enjoy them. We will win: The ghastly murders of American civilians in Iraq aren't a sign of terrorist strength, but of weakness. Islamic extremists know they are losing the war. ...
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Time for a little humor (4/17/04)The current national news has been so heavy lately, what with the 9-11 hearings and the continued terrorist activities around the world (with major emphasis on capturing hostages, and the terrorists' renewed threats to kill most anyone in Iraq), that this column is devoted to information and some humor. We all need a break...
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Drug imports, Medicaid changes, 9-11 testimony (4/6/04)Health care: Jo Ann Emerson might have moved a mountain in her bargaining on prescription-drug imports from Canada and Europe. She was a leader of a bipartisan group in D.C. fighting for the issue. The following is an excerpt from a private newsletter which addresses the issue:...
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Gibson, DaVinci and Sousa (3/31/04)I've been intrigued that Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has been so criticized by some (basically prior to its release and the public's opportunity to view it and make their own decision) and so little similar discussion (at least as observed by me) of Dan Brown's best-selling book, "The DaVinci Code."...
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P&G - Strong corporate partner in our midst (3/24/04)It was about two years ago when many local Procter & Gamble stockholders were shocked at the drop in P&G's share price like many 401(k) participants were with their stock investments. Now things have changed dramatically for the positive as the following article from Barron's relates:...
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Revenue, politics (3/10/04)According to the Associated Press, the Missouri Department of Revenue reported Friday that net general revenue was up 5.4 percent for the first eight months of this fiscal year (which started July 1). Gov. Bob Holden says it is still too early to release withholdings from education, pointing to the growth in state income-tax refunds...
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Gov. Holden sets the tone (1/28/04)Note: The complete text of Gov. Bob Holden's State of the State Address can be read on semissourian.com or johncombest.com (Thursday, Jan. 22). Holden's address had three parts, which is not unusual, but the third part was dramatically different in tone...
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Bipartisan consensus is good start for session (1/14/04)Hooray! Gov. Bob Holden and Republican legislative leaders have agreed on a consensus revenue estimate for fiscal year 2005 which begins July 1. Congratulations to all involved on this bipartisan step. This will give state officials an initial base number upon which to work through the budget process, which includes an agreement by all parties to re-evaluate the situation in April after the revenue collection from March, traditionally a big collection month...
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There's plenty of forecasting expertise, so why not use it? (1/6/04)An offer we shouldn't refuse! In a recent interview in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Walter Metcalf, chairman of the Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis and future chairman of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, made an offer to Missouri's legislative leaders -- state Sen. Peter Kinder, president pro tem of the Senate, and state Rep. Catherine Hanaway, speaker of the House -- as well as Gov. Bob Holden...