No hero: Find out about Seale before forming an opinion

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.

The theme of his remarks was to correct the alleged myths that surrounds the history of the Black Panthers -- and also to sell his books and DVDs.

The event was taped for public-access TV, which I encouraged. I attended with a 500-plus full house at Rose Theater. Seale's language and length of his remarks (although they could be edited) discourages public replay on public-access television.

Unfortunately, the 80 percent primarily white student crowd seemed to be most responsive to cuss words and Seale's historic challenge to authority.

For the rest of the story for those who would like to really evaluate the Black Panthers, one needs only to do a Web search for "Black Panthers," "Bobby Seale" and, strangely, former Black Panther supporter David Horowitz, now a conservative.

Seale has a money-raising shtick and has found college campuses and students anxious to hear him, especially during Black History Month. Seale has his own Web page, and some of his speech texts (after you wade through the sales pitches for his products) are incomprehensible.

Quite unlike the front-page Capaha Arrow story (it should have been a column) headlined "Bobby Seale: An American Hero," he wasn't and isn't.

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Southeast Missouri State University regent Edward "Ned" Matthews' book, "Matthews: The historic adventures of a pioneer family," is a wonderful historical read of this Sikeston-based family and Southeast Missouri. It's rare to find a historical book so readable. The discipline, research and time spent is quite an achievement. I highly recommend it.

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I also recommend the current movie "Hotel Rwanda" as a must-see for anyone 15 years and older.

This amazing re-enactment of the United Nations desertion of Rwanda, where 800,000 to a million Tutsi natives were slaughtered by fellow Hutu tribesmen, makes one reflect on the U.S. humanitarian involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We had deserted Somalia shortly before the genocide there, even though international diplomats couldn't bring themselves to use the word.

Amazingly, Kofi Annan, now head man at the United Nations, was in charge of the decision to not use U.N. troops to help protect the Tutsis. The movie is an amazing, well-produced, re-enactment of the story the media didn't feel important enough to report about.

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As many politicians know, it's much easier to criticize than to make constructive suggestions. And the media too often find it too easy to quote the complainer than to explain or understand the issues.

If one wants to hear or read other views on most issues, you only need to go to Drudge.com links to almost all major columnists and national or international newspapers. Or try a Web search for any subject of interest.

I used the Google search engine when building our home for information on wood paneling, wood shake or other roof material, radiant floor heat and other topics.

Computers are readily available in our schools or public libraries. Only time and desire can limit your ability to be well-informed.

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The upcoming Promise Keepers rally at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Osage Community Centre features one of the top motivational speakers in the country, Joe White, president of the internationally known Kanakuk Kamps.

Four of my grandchildren have attended these Christian sports camps near Branson, Mo., and the camps have been booked solid for years. White is the founder and spark.

Promise Keepers is a national men's ministry. The purpose of the rally is to assist in igniting and uniting men of the Heartland to be passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

There is no charge, and an offering will be taken.

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Two excellent new books are on the market. One is Michael Crichton's "State of Fear," a fictionalized adventure book challenging global warming. Crichton is the best-selling author of "Jurassic Park," "Andromeda Strain" and the TV show "ER." The other is Mona Charen's book on do-gooders and how they hurt those they want to help. The book is a historical review of the results of many well-intentioned government programs.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.