Monday, November 30, 2009

Is Sarah Palin A Bus Rider?

Apparently not.
Money quote:

What's wrong in this instance is the apparent fakery created and sustained for the sake of building pseudo-populist appeal--and selling books. Sarah Palin and HarperCollins have consciously tried to give the impression that she is doing her book tour by bus when the evidence suggests she is not. At every stop, she's been filmed getting off Big Blue looking rested and radiant. She dazzles onlookers and interviewers with her seemingly bottomless reserves of energy. And no one suspects she may secretly be hopping on and off her main means of transport, UJT750, and resting up in hotels.

Taco Bell Laugh Out Loud!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Huckabee's Out*


The Seattle Times is reporting that "The man sought for questioning in the execution of four Lakewood police officers was granted clemency in 2000 by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and released on bail just six days ago on a child rape charge in Washington state.

Maurice Clemmons, the 37-year-old Tacoma man being sought for questioning in the killing this morning of four Lakewood police officers, has a long criminal record punctuated by violence, erratic behavior and concerns about his mental health.

Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his lengthy prison sentence over the protests of prosecutors.

Clemmons' criminal history includes at least five felony convictions in Arkansas and at least eight felony charges in Washington. The record also stands out for the number of times he has been released from custody despite questions about the danger he posed.

Huckabee, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination last year, issued a statement tonight calling the slaying of the police officers "a horrible and tragic event."

If Clemmons is found responsible, "it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State," Huckabee said."

I think Mike's got himself a "Willie Horton".
We have to thank Lee Atwater for making Willie Horton a household name via the following TV ad from the 1988 presidental campaign.
We might even be able to thank Lee Atwater for the tea partiers. Consider this exchange between Bob Herbert, a New York Times columnist, and Lee Atwater in a 1981 interview:

Atwater: As to the whole Southern strategy that Harry Dent and others put together in 1968, opposition to the Voting Rights Act would have been a central part of keeping the South. Now [the new Southern Strategy of Ronald Reagan] doesn’t have to do that. All you have to do to keep the South is for Reagan to run in place on the issues he’s campaigned on since 1964... and that’s fiscal conservatism, balancing the budget, cut taxes, you know, the whole cluster...

Questioner: But the fact is, isn’t it, that Reagan does get to the Wallace voter and to the racist side of the Wallace voter by doing away with legal services, by cutting down on food stamps...?

Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, “Nigger, nigger, nigger.” By 1968 you can't say “nigger”—that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites.

And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me—because obviously sitting around saying, “We want to cut this,” is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than “Nigger, nigger.
*Huckabee was leaning against a 2012 bid this morning

PostSecret

-----Email Message-----

Dear Frank,

Sunday I was with my boyfriend (we are both young Christians). I grabbed his laptop to go to the postsecret website. As I typed in the postsecret address the computer filled in the url with a pornography website.

I used my boyfriend's laptop again to look up postsecret and the computer filled in the url with recently visited sites about pre and post nuptial agreements.

In my attempts to read other people's secrets, I discovered his.
PostSecret

Saturday, November 28, 2009

State Record Trout Hooked In Taneycomo

Great Fish Story from stltoday.com:

Arnold man reels in record
by kathy etling
SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH
11/28/2009

Scott Sandusky, 49, of Arnold last week attained what many anglers would consider to be trout fishing nirvana: he hooked and boated the new Missouri state record brown trout while fishing Lake Taneycomo, near Branson.

A cult of the lunker brown exists in the hills and hollows surrounding Lake Taneycomo, a deep-water, Ozarks Highlands lake so fertile that the trout stocked there grow at astounding rates. Fly-fishing purists ply the lake's crystalline depths with carefully tied streamers and flies in never-ending attempts to take record-book browns in what they like to believe is the "right way."

But when it comes right down to it, big old browns like the one Sandusky recently conquered prefer nothing so much as the everyman's assortment of baits likely to be found in just about anyone's tackle box. And that's what makes Sandusky's story so compelling — he broke the record that many consider to be fishing's Holy Grail while using the most ordinary bait and tackle there is.

Sandusky and his three fishing buddies — Greg Lawson of Cedar Hill, Craig Thomas of Fenton and Scott Hawkins of South County — left his home at about 6 a.m. on Nov. 20.
The group arrived at Lilley's Landing Resort at 10 a.m. and wasted no time in launching their boats.

"The water (through the Table Rock Dam turbines) was running pretty good, so we decided to fish while drifting downstream," Sandusky said. "I usually fish with artificials but I decided to throw PowerBait as we drifted along because the (current was so swift)."

The boats had drifted to a point just past Cooper's Creek when one of the lines became snagged. Sandusky put his rod in a holder so he could work on the snag. As he worked, he noticed a hit on the rod in the holder so he picked up that rod and set the hook.

When he felt the heft at the end of the line Sandusky knew he had something special. "The fish stayed on the bottom," he said. "I (released the clicker) so that I could back-reel (whenever the fish surged).

"I've got something huge," he yelled. "I fought and fought the fish, and after about five or six minutes got her up to a depth of about three feet. Craig looked at the fish and said, 'It's a big catfish,' but I knew better. I said, that's no catfish, that's a big brown.

"She was three feet long, and her back looked like it was six inches wide. I knew it was a trophy, but I didn't know I'd hooked a state record."

All heck broke loose, however, when the lunker brown got its first look at the boat. "She took off," Sandusky recalled. "I was trying to back-reel, rather than rely on the reel's drag, and the reel handle was spinning free, hitting my hand, while the fish ran halfway across the lake. I continued to fight and got the fish close to the boat again, but then she went deep and made another long run, this one upstream. When she finally came to the surface you could see a big wake, almost like one left by a boat."

Sandusky worked the trophy fish closer to the boat as he continued to try to wear her out. She swam close enough to the trolling motor to almost give Saundusky heart failure, but Thomas saved the day by lifting the motor out of the water.

Lawson, meanwhile, yelled instructions to net the fish head first. Thomas was able to get the fish in Sandusky's rubber-mesh net, but she swam back out. "Let her go, let her go," Sandusky yelled. Thomas' next attempt was successful, and the lunker was lifted into the boat.

The four friends thought that the big fish might be a state record. The two boats motored back to the resort where proprietor Phil Lilley decided upon a plan of attack for certifying its weight, a step that must be completed before any fish can be declared a state record.

Lilley contacted Shane Bush — a fisheries biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation's Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, where a certified scale was located — and MDC conservation agent Quenten Fronterhouse. Clinton Hale, the hatchery manager, was also present for the weighing of the lunker.

Sandusky's trophy trout was certified at 28.8 pounds, 37 inches in length and 24.75 inches in girth.

The previous state record brown trout, which weighed 27 lbs., 10 oz., was caught in 2005 by Rick Osborn of Camdenton.

Friday, November 27, 2009

A Scuba Diver and A Race Car Driver

I found this short clip in which Owen Lee (I remember his nickname was "Bud") tells how he got into diving. I remember Dad speaking of Bud but I hadn't thought of him in years.

A cousin of my Mother was an automobile racer and entered a car several years in the Indianapolis 500. His name was Walter Weir. He owned a Mobil gas station a the corner of Big Bend and Elm in Webster Groves, MO. The Mobil gas flying horse is suspended under an arch- I don't know if there is a connection with the Gateway Arch or not.
A quick google search turns up some stats and stories. I remember seeing his front engine "Offie" parked outside his gas station when I was a small boy and having my picture taken with the racecar. Later, he entered this car:

This is car is Gerhardt-Ford entered by Walter 'Wally' Weir for Indy 500 in '67, sponsored by Cleaver-Brooks. The car was never a contender but Weir nevertheless invited Italian Grand Prix driver Lorenzo Bandini to drive it for him (as he explained it his reason was "These foreigners know how to drive these rear engine cars."). Unfortunately Bandini lost his life in Monaco Grand Prix six days before he was to qualify for the Indy race and his place was taken by Al Miller. He qualified 31st and last- his effort deprived Jim Hurtubise a place on the grid (that would have been the last appearance of a roadster at Indy 500). Nevertheless, he was in the good company in the last row on the grid- Austrian Jochen Rindt (Grand Prix World Champion in 1970) and Graham Hill (two times World Champion, in 1962 and 1968, winner of Le Mans in 1972 and Indy 500 in 1966) were there, with Sir Jackie Stewart (triple World Champion, in 1969, 1971 and 1973)only a row in front of them. Miller retired the car on 73rd lap of the race with an oil leak.

Al Miller was born on 23 Nov 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, and died on 28 July 1978 in Mount Clemens, Michigan. His real name was Albert Krulock, although the family's old name was Krulac, before it was Americanized. He was definitely of Croatian origin (from the Spanico area), and that might explain the checkers of historic Croatian coat of arms on his car.

1954 Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

If You're In A Call Center In St. Paul, Minnesota

and are calling Missourians soliciting donations for the Missouri Republican party, try to avoid making statements such as:

"The party doesn't endorse candidates in primaries, it is against the constitution."

"Peter Kinder? No sir, I don't know who he is."

"Reagan Revolution?"

Puttin' Up The Xmas Lights...

"Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy

To add to my already mad rush
Just 'cause it's 'tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from

Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of '81 passed along those lines.

So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.

Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!

Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would've been good to go for lunch,
Couldn't agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.

Now the calendar's just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight's the night, but I've set my mind
Not to do too much about it.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.

Hardly dashing through the snow
Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do's
A few cards a few calls
'Cause it's r-s-v-p
No thanks, no party lights
It's Christmas Eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites.

Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn't go,

Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.

A&P has provided me
With the world's smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
To a very happy ending! "

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!

Written by Chris Butler
(c) 1981 Future Fossil Music, BMI

Agnes

What's The Difference Between A Zombie And A Democrat?

R S. No. 15, Mrs. Sippy's First Grade Class Photo, 1951

Back row, left to right: Allen Bino, Rufus Leaking, Jack Kass, Ray Dios, Otto Mobile, Mrs. Sippy, Mike Stand, Stan Dupp, Holden D'Mayo, Tom Morrow
Middle row, left to right: Tim Burr, Russell Leeves, Renee Sance, Peg Legg, Marsha Mellow, Lisa Karr, Reba Dirtchee, Rick Kleiner, Neil Down
Front row, left to right: Olive Yew, Paige Turner, Rhonda Karner, Polly Ester, Sheila Tackya; Shirley Knott, Minnie VanDriver

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Mother Nature, My Nature -- It's In Our Genes, Boys, It's In Our Genes

Here is a review I found on Amazon.com:

"Mother Nature, My Nature - Nature's Rebellion is a timely work and I found it a read full of critical ideas and issues facing the world, the sea and all living things.

It is my opinion, Mr. Lee, with his work with sustainability, as outlined in his book, stands amongst the ranks of Thor Heyerdahl (In the Foodsteps of Adam) and James Lovelock (The Revenge of Gaia).

Of course, Mr. Lee was an underwater cameraman with on the Calypso with Jacques-Yves Cousteau who consecrated his life to teaching the world "about marvels that are at once exotic to us and yet ordinary in the abyss of the ocean"-Al Gore.

Mr. Lee started a Nature Study Center at Las Gatas reef in Zihuatanejo, Mexico 40 years ago, and continued to teach the tenants of symbiosis and ways to serve Mother Nature. The scope of Mother Nature, My Nature is vast.

In one book one can learn the scientific basis of natural selection and evolution of humanity, the development of cultural subsistence patterns, the negative impacts of technology on living systems, the reality and impact of global warming, overpopulation and the destructive force of the animal id.

Mr. Lee offers prescriptive guidelines for "right living" in balance with nature and confronts the issues of destructive religious faiths as challenged by the current works of Richard Dalkins (The God Delusion) and Sam Harris (The End of Faith).

Mr. Lee, in his late years, as Doctors Heyerdahl and Lovelock, caution us that the ocean is our mother and Gaia is very much alive and, that life will always go on. But, the human "virus", unless drastic changes are implemented globally, may soon run its course...

Mother Nature, My Nature is a power book that can catalyze significant life changes, if read with openness and discipline. Mr. Lee joins the ranks of dedicated and insightful activists trying to steer the course of people in nature to a sustainable future.".

Owen Lee


This is the home of Owen Lee.

I was on a jeep website that had a picture of some sunken jeeps. That led me to a site about shipwrecks, which led me to a site about diving, which led to me a site about dive camps which led me to Owen Lee's website. Owen's Dad and my Dad's dad were brothers. (There were three brothers, Owen, John and Walden.) So that would make him and my Dad first cousins.

And Now, For Your Thanksgiving Enjoyment, Close Encounters Meets Deliverance!

Happy Thanksgiving!



Wednesday, November 25, 2009

If Your Gas Pedal Sticks,

Put Car In Neutral!
Stop the car.
THEN turn off the key.

Turning off the key when the accelerator sticks will also lock the steering column and shut off the power brakes.

Harbor Freight

I bought an air grease gun at Harbor Freight. I am wanting to pack some bearings for the front end of this 8n Ford tractor I got.

I could not get the gun to work. And I mean to tell you I read the directions and tried to follow them. I even went on the internets to make certain I was loading the grease cartridge in the gun the correct way.

Long story short, I'm taking it back.

But, and this is the purpose of this post, I did find this Harbor Freight buying guide.

To best capture the spirit of shopping at Harbor Freight I thought I’d offer some quotes I found while scrounging around through over 1000 individual forum posts (not threads…). If you’ve never shopped at Harbor Freight these will prepare you with the proper philosophy. If you have, you’ll probably start nodding your head. As always, I’m quoting the collected opinions of others so your mileage may vary.

“If your life or income depends on it, don’t buy it at harbor freight.”
I read these sentiments over and over. That said, there are lots of pros who buy stuff at Harbor Freight, especially consumables like gloves and blades… and for cheap tools they can lend out at jobsites with no expectation of return.

“If I use the tool enough to wear it out or break it, I use it enough to buy a better brand as a replacement.”
Some people use HF purchases to help them decide whether it makes sense to invest more money in a higher quality tool. If they use it enough to break it, then go for it. If not, then they saved the cost of the more expensive name brand. This can be pricey, but… if you buy TOO MUCH tool then you’ve wasted money also.

“Some tools require the usual harbor freight break in."
You will find yourself having to repair/replace/rebuild Harbor Freight tools right out of the box. For regular HF customers this is standard operating procedure. HF has an excellent return policy though, with very few to no questions asked. Also they have a life time trade in policy on hand tools.

“Overall, I try and stick to things without moving parts.”
For folks who concentrate on the consumables this was a common sentiment.

“If you need a CHEAP tool that you will only use once or twice then go to Harbor Freight.”
Why pay for more tool than you really need?

And for every guy who swears against buying anything from Harbor Freight with a battery there’s at least one of these: “I really like their 14 volt series of cordless tools. It seems like the best price/performance ratio. Anytime I buy one I buy at least one extra battery. They’re cheap enough that I keep one drill with a drill bit in a keyed chuck and another with a screwdriver bit in a keyless chuck. That really speeds up assembly.”

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

That Wink And Little Starbursts In Your Living Room....Why Palin Has A Problem With Women


From Andrew Sullivan's blog, a reader writes about Palin

It's very simple why women don't like her as much as men. Women saw through Sarah Palin and we saw through her quickly. Men are literal and are more likely to say what they mean and mean what they say. Women are more nuanced and better able to persuade and manipulate others with their words. So it's quite natural for us to be able to look below the surface of another woman's words and grasp the intentions behind them.

Sarah Palin is the peppy cheerleader in high school all the boys thought was so sweet but the girls knew was really a vicious shrew. She's the new girl in the office who wears tight shirts and three-inch heels, is super-friendly to her male superiors, ignores the other women, and gets promoted sooner than her more capable and hard working peers. She's the outgoing PTA mom all of the other women are scared to cross because they will find themselves put on the worst committees. Only a woman knows how to give another woman a sweet smile and at the same time cut her down to size with an artfully crafted "compliment" without male observers having a clue about what just happened. It's like a dog whistle.

After her convention speech that so many pundits raved about, I talked to a few of my Republican girlfriends and they all disliked her immediately, telling me things like, "she's mean", "who does she think she is putting Obama down like that" and "I just don't like her". And these were women who, all except one, ended up voting for McCain anyway, although much less enthusiastically than they would have before his VP pick. The one who switched her vote to Obama did so solely because of Sarah Palin. It wasn't really the attack lines the McCain camp gave her to deliver that had turned my friends off. It was the relish with which she delivered them.

The Republican women I know who love Palin are a great deal like her--simplistic thinkers who are always feeling victimized themselves. I have a feeling that if the McCain camp had spent more than a weekend checking Palin out, a woman on his staff (my money would be on Nicole Wallace) would have figured out what kind of person she was and none of us would know her name right now.
Remember Rick Lowry and the "little starbursts" in your living room?
I'm sure I'm not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, "Hey, I think she just winked at me." And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Sarah's Fans



Long column by an attorney named in Going Rogue.

David Frum says Sarah Palin has a woman problem:

If you like Palin – well go ahead. It’s a free country. But quit saying that “the people” love Sarah Palin.

They don’t. Actually, they quite dislike her. The longer they know her, the more they dislike her. And even more than they dislike her, they do not respect her. That reaction of dislike and disrespect is most concentrated among American women.

Sarah’s constituency is a relatively small cohort of conservative men. I offended a lot of these people last week by suggesting that there was some sexual dynamic at work in the enthusiasm for the politician whom Rush Limbaugh used to describe as “Governor Babe.” So let’s put it this way: Whatever impulse it is that so excites Palin supporters, it is not shared by their wives.

Dixon Eats At The Waffle House....

When asked by David Catanese how he voted on the recent pension sales tax, 30th district senatorial candidate Bob Dixon dodged the question. Catanese asked Dixon the question again, again Dixon waffled. Oh heck watch the video. Catanese queried Dixon at this morning's press conference where Dixon announced the endorsement of the city's local firemen's union.

One would think that a candidate's position on the recent sales tax election for the fire and police pension would be on upmost interest to the rank and file members of the fire department. One could logically project that a candidate's vote on such a crucial issue (well, crucial at least to the firemen's union) would be indicative of how well the candidate took to heart other issues important to the firemen. Dixon's refusal to answer looks to be a textbook example of political pandering by an elected official to gain votes.

If Dixon said he supported the police and fire pension tax, he alienates the teabaggers. If Dixon said he didn't support the police and fire pension tax, he alienates the firemen. Dixon takes the easy road, he waffles.

Compare and contrast Dixon's non answer with Michael Hoeman's response to Catanese's inquiry.

"I'm A Rough Rider Filled Up With Christ's Love."

And I thought they were talking about Teddy Roosevelt.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Where Have You Been Billy Boy, Billy Boy, Where Have You Been Charming Billy?

He may have looking for more cherry pie, but judging from his tweets, I'd say he's been to a tea party!

auctnr1 That loud sucking sound you hear is the dollar, Capitalism, freedom & liberty going down the drain!!!
7:19 PM Nov 21st from mobile web

auctnr1 Stock Tip of the Week - buy any company that manufacters Jackboots!
7:13 PM Nov 21st from mobile webThe Wikipedia entry for Jackboot:

The boots are connected to fascism, particularly Nazism, as they were issued by the Wehrmacht and SS during early phases of World War II before Germany encountered leather shortages. When goosestepping on pavement, the large columns of German soldiers marching in formation created a distinct rock-crushing sound which came to symbolize German conquest and occupation. The same style of boot had been in use with German armies in World War I and before.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

I Sing My Heart Out For Over 60 Years And You're Telling Me I'm Broke?!?!?



From the SN-L: Moon-River bookkeeper charged with theft and felony.

A longtime bookkeeper for Andy Williams’ Moon River Enterprises was charged earlier this month with felony theft and forgery, according to an attorney for the company.

Online court records identify the accused employee as Dawn Cleveringa.

Pat Keck, who represents Moon River Enterprises, said the investigation into the missing funds began earlier this year, and is on-going. Company officials believe the amount missing is between $500,000 and $1 million. Keck would not elaborate on how Cleveringa is alleged to have stolen the money, or what circumstances initially launched an investigation.

Sausage And Onions Cookout

Sophie and her Grandpa Jim at Disney World last week:Meanwhile, back in Missouri, The PvtRn's brother is up from Texas. He is a master of the grilled onions, green peppers and hot sausage grilled over a hot Weber. Lil Jim's birthday was last week (he turned 33), Kristin and Karen brought the girls back from Florida and Mickey Mouse land (Sophie was telling everyone who would listen how she flew through a cloud....which is great because Sophie tells a great story for a two year old. Joe Miller (77 and still going strong) drove up from Lafayette to organize his high school reunion---there are only 3 of them left and Little Sam wore Groucho Marx glasses. All of these are good reasons for another (the first one was topped off by a visit from the SPFD, luckily we were using a fire pit!) November cookout in the backyard! A Wonderful evening!
Sam, Regina and Sharon

Great Scott and Lil Jim

Sharon, Kristin and Karen, still on Florida time.

Sophie tells us about flying through clouds.

The PvtRn's brother Sam.

Sharon taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. Kristin watches.

The girls at the chip table!

Sam: Wanna buy a duck? Sophie: I don't think so!

"Behold, this spoon!" says Sadie while Grandma watches approvingly!

Sophie, Blake, Mattie and Skyler

Peggy Crable and Joe Miller at the firepit

Sue, Frankie, Kristin, Scott, Jim and Lexie

Callie at the Weber with sausage and beer!

Skyler George, Mattie Turpin, Sophie Lee and Sue.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Nodler, Moore Lead In 7th District GOP Primary

Wilson Research Strategies on behalf of the Southwest Missouri Leadership PAC conducted a survey of likely Republican voters in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District.

Key findings:

Billy Long (58% name ID) and Gary Nodler (54% name ID) are the best known congressional candidates. Long, Nodler, and Darrell Moore are each viewed favorably by 27% of primary voters, while Jack Goodman is viewed favorably by 21% of primary voters.

Among decided voters, those who already committed to a candidate, Gary Nodler and Darrell Moore are tied at 26%, with Jack Goodman (22%) and Billy Long (21%) trailing among committed voters.

Among all voters, 40% remain undecided, indicating that the Republican primary is still wide open. Gary Nodler and Darrell Moore are tied at 16% on the primary ballot with Jack Goodman (13%) and Billy Long (12%) trailing by less than the margin of error.

Nodler, Moore, Long and Goodman all have a legitimate chance to emerge from the primary as the Republican nominee should they have the resources and messaging to win undecided voters.

Methodology

Wilson Research Strategies conducted a research study of likely voters in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District.
WRS selected a random sample of voters from the Missouri voter file using Registration Based Sampling. Respondents were contacted by phone via a live telephone operator interview November 16-17, 2009. The study has a sample size of n=301 likely GOP primary voters. The margin of error is equal to ±5.6% in 95 out of 100 cases. The sample was stratified to represent the district electorate based on race, age, gender, partisan identification, and geographic distribution.

The full poll can be found here.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Long And Dixon A Hit With Black Republicans In Southwest Missouri, Both Of Them.


Ran When Parked

Is Blunt's Willingness To Interact With And To Inform Constituents Dependent On The Actions Of His Prospective Senate Campaign Opponent? Appears So.


From Fired Up Missouri:

The editorial board at the Springfield News-Leader teased a new feature this morning, in which they hope to clear up some of the confusion about Congressional health care reform proposals. It certainly sounds like a good idea – Sens. Bond and McCaskill are both expected to participate – and I look forward to reading the different perspectives in their "Voices" section.

However, the response from Rep. Blunt's office raises some questions.

Here's was the editorial board wrote: dependent

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who has helped the GOP shape responses to the Democrats' proposals for reform, might also participate.

His office was leaning toward helping out when we asked Tuesday, but staffers shared some concerns.

They suggested that we appeal to Democrat Robin Carnahan -- she is expected to face off against Blunt in a bid next year for Bond's seat -- to answer questions if Blunt agrees to do so.


First, Blunt represents Springfield, and most of the News-Leader's readership are Blunt's constituents. Even though Blunt's statements about health care aren't always accurate, interesting or relevant, he's the leader of the House GOP's entire health care reform team. Why wouldn't he participate?

Second, why is Blunt's "office" – which I assume is his official office – suggesting that their willingness to interact with and inform their constituents may hinge on the actions of the Congressman's prospective Senate campaign opponent?

Third, if the Blunt official office/campaign and News-Leader feel that balance between candidates is needed, why isn't Sen. Chuck Purgason's name mentioned ? Purgason may not be as well financed as Blunt, but he presents himself as an expert on health care issues and is actively engaged in a primary campaign against the Congressman. Purgason's work in 2005 to cut Medicaid gives us a good indication of what he's about, but his perspective on how the federal policy changes could impact the state could be valuable. If participation in this new feature is framed in a campaign context, it seems only fair to invite all of the relevant candidates to participate.

All that said, it's great to see the News-Leader initiating this project, and I look forward to reading the questions and responses.

A Man's Gotta Do What A Man's Gotta Do


Even Ricky Hollywood.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Springfield Physician/School Board Member To Announce Run For 30th Senate Seat

Michael Hoeman, a Springfield physician and 8-year school board member who has been active in the Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Medical Society, plans to announce his candidacy for the State Senate representing District 30 to supporters and other interested parties on Monday, November 23 at 11:30 am in the Frisco Room of the Library Station*.

Dr. Hoeman, a Springfield resident since 1983, is a physician at The Diagnostic Clinic where he has worked for 26 years. Since 2001 he has been a member of the Springfield School Board.

In email to supporters Hoeman said, “Quality health care and a quality education are critical to the future success of the Springfield area and Missouri. These topics, along with working to secure a brighter economic future for Missourians were key motivators in making this decision to announce my candidacy.”

The only other person running for the office at this time is Bob Dixon, who is losing his job as representative for 140th house district because of term limits. He is the son of former Springfield State Representative Jean Dixon.

*The Library Station is located at 2535 North Kansas Expressway in Springfield, Missouri.

(photo credit KY3 Political Notebook.)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Palin, Livengood, Catanese, Davis

Palin


Livengood

Catanese

Davis

Rowe Retires

The SN-L is reporting that Springfield Police Chief Lynn Rove will retire in January, 2010.

Reporter Amos Bridges reports that Rowe, 65, said he plans to stay in Springfield and to pursue some "new challenges" and opportunities but was not yet ready to announce specific plans.

New challenges and opportunities -- does this mean, ala Harold Bengsch -- a foray into politics?
Perhaps city council? No...too closely tied to police department. State representative? possible I don't know what district he lives in. State representative may be too low level of a job after being top dog in the PD. Say, how about state senator? Is Lowe gunning for state senator? Will Dixon have a primary? Or maybe Presiding Commisioner? Will Viebrock have a primary?

Say, remember this?

Don't Answer The Question You've Been Asked, Answer The Question You Wish Had Been Asked

When asked if he'd received a nearly a million dollars ($1,000,000.00)from big oil and energy intersts during an interview with a KSPR reporter, Roy Blunt said he didn't know if that was true and then he proceeded to talk about other matters--primarily the amount of money his likely opponent, Robin Carnahan, has received from lobbyists, the exact amount.

In other news, I received an email message yesterday from Robin Carnahan's campaign. Sent to my correct email address, the salutaion of the email began, "Dear Jason". I later received an unsolicited apology and a request for more money. I decided to unsuscribe from her email list.

You can see the entire Roy Blunt KSPR interview
here -- the best part is in the first 21 seconds. After that it is eight minutes or so of bashing Robin Carnahan. Yawn.

BTW, Roy looks pretty haggard in the interview.

BTW2 - How well did Roy do in the interview? Look at these media interviews "tips and techniques" and score him.

Monday, November 16, 2009

I Went To The Courthouse This Afternoon To Speak To The Assessor's Staff....

And while I am not sure of all that transpired, I was able to spike it down that I own a 1998 Honda Accord LX fodor with a V-6 motor and I own a 24 foot Sundancer Pontoon 24Sport.

The other results were the staff determining that I over paid my personal property tax in 2008 and the subsequent 20% reduction of my 2009 assessment..

The staff was courteous and patiently explained to me several times that it matters what make and model vehicle I own. I was patient in saying that I took the information off the titles and I thought vehicles decreased in value each year, not increase. Well, they do provided the person who does the assessing uses the right year's book.

As for the pontoon assessment increasing it had something to do with the motor being included with the boat's assessed value--which was a change from previous years.

When I got home, I went through all my titles to make sure that the information on my property tax assessment is the same as the information printed on the titles. I did notice that none of my titles list the model of vehicle, just the make, cylinders and horsepower. Well, I know it will be right for next year!

KY3 Report On Deer Processing

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

The part of the country where he comes from, he said, "is so conservative it believes that

that government should defend the government and deliver the mail" and not much else. Blunt drew laughs when he added that lately, "we're not quite so committed to delivering the mail."
Blunt humor from an aspiring senator leaves crowd wary.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Personal Property Tax Assessments--2009

I received my 2009 personal property tax bill in this afternoon's mail. It was quite a bit higher than my 2008 bill.

That was unexpected because although I bought and sold some vehicles in 2008, I thought it would balance out. I sold a 1953 Chevrolet pickup with an assessed valuation of $100 and I bought a 1947 Jeep CJ2A with an assessed valuation of $100.00.So it all balances out, or so I thought.
Then I dug out my personal property tax detail.

In 2007, my 2003 pontoon boat was assessed at $1750.00.
In 2008, my 2003 pontoon boat was assessed at $2090.00.
In 2009, my 2003 pontoon boat was assessed at $2880.00.
In 2006, my 1998 Honda was assessed at $1950.00.
In 2007, my 1998 Honda was assessed at $1410.00.
In 2008, my 1998 Honda was assessed at $1340.00.
In 2009, my 1998 Honda was assessed at $1580.00.My daily driver, the blue S-10, in each successive year since I have owned it, the assessed valuation has decreased, as expected.
In 2006, my 2001 S-10 was assessed at $2040.00.
In 2007, my 2001 S-10 was assessed at $1850.00.
In 2008, my 2001 S-10 was assessed at $1660.00.
In 2009, my 2001 S-10 was assessed at $1420.00.How to raise taxes without raising taxes? Raise the assessed value. I can sort of understand real estate appreciating and every vehicle I owned depreciated except for the 1998 Honda and the 2003 Pontoon. I wonder if I filled out the form wrong?

I guess I'll be calling the assessor's office on Monday.

Diocese Of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Gave Money To Support The Successful Effort To Prevent Legalization Of Gay Marriage In Maine

In a related story, the Los Angeles Times is reporting The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it would be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District of Columbia if the city refused to change a proposed same-sex marriage law.

These stories are so contrary to everything I learned about social justice as I was growing up Catholic in Southwest Missouri. Those priests, sisters and lay people who worked for social justice must be disappointed also.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

November 12,1970

Springfield Interests

Grace Is For Sinners

is the story of an insider’s firsthand account of the misguided use of church discipline and the devastating effects on the people it’s supposed to serve. The purpose of this book is to reach out to those who have fallen in their walk of faith and give insight to those who have watched somebody fall. Our sin doesn’t say anything new about us, Jesus didn’t hang on the cross in case you need him, he hung on the cross because you desperately need him. Christians are infamous for their judgements and dissociations. Most just want to make a stand for Jesus, but aren’t sure how to do that when a fellow believer falls. The story within these pages will show you the spiritual side of one woman’s failure, what effect her fellow Christians had, and what she learned about God and grace that has the potential to unravel everything you thought you knew.

Grace Is For Sinners appearances.

No Blood In Ants

Ants have no blood.

I've Been Busy....


It's been a busy week in Southern Missouri, the leaves are being raked and loaded into the truck for the haul to the leaf dump, the sewer lines are getting their annual rooting to remove hair roots so our crap can freely flow into the city sewers and Congressman Blunt has been all over the airwaves. Yes, it's been a busy week.

The white guy in a suit met with Sara. Earlier he remarked the passage of the health care bill. Later, he tries to wipe away the stain,

Then this morning the Conservative Club of Missouri has on their website the following:

Putting forth the "next in line" (Roy Blunt) is not in the best interest of the Party. Instead
we need new and fresh faces that have shown themselves willing to take a
stand.
Yep, he's been busy....listening to ??...Talking about being busy, now THESE FOLKS got it down, no posturing, no blustering, just people helping people. See, here's how it works....those with help those without. Thank you.