Tuesday, July 29, 2008
MAILBOX DESTINED FOR FIERY ABYSS
Just in case y'all didn't know, I'm going to hell. So said a candidate for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma.
I interviewed Dennis Lopez, R-Thackerville, Okla., about his quest for a seat on the U.S. Senate. His run ended Tuesday night, when he came in fourth place among Republicans, with about 2.75 percent of the vote. I interviewed him a few weeks ago for our election coverage. When I asked him on what issues he would be running, he asked if I was a Christian.
"Excuse me?" I said.
"Are you a Christian?" he said. "Because if you're a Christian, you'd know what those issues are."
The interview did not go well. He continually asked about my soul, and whether I was saved. I told him the status of my soul didn't matter, because the voters of Oklahoma weren't interested in that. He said he was. I told him about my mom, who was a pastor with the United Methodist Church, and who has already done considerable work helping me understand God. He suggested that she might be mistaken on some things.
Eventually, those "Christian issues" came out. His intelligent, well-spoken thoughts about energy (we need to diversify, can't rely on just oil, we need to develop alternative energy sources, etc.) were drowned out by platforms of declaring homosexuality illegal, getting evolution out of classrooms and banning abortions. The conversation ended with him warning me that unless I was saved, I was destined for the fiery pits.
"At least the music is good down there," I said.
"That's a lie," he said.
I give Lopez a lot of credit. You'd think that a guy running for one of the highest offices in the land against an established incumbent would be a political machine. Instead, he spent a majority of the interview worried about whether I was going to heaven. In other words, he stayed true to his beliefs, and did what he thought he should, not what was the best for him. He didn't tell me to "go to hell," like he was ticked off. He didn't talk to me like I was an inarticulate heathen, or a college student walking between classes who has stopped to listen to a street preacher. He was genuinely worried about me. He sounded like he was going to pray for me.
Religiously, I'm a cross between an agnostic and a Methodist -- and what good Methodist doesn't have a strong agnostic side? I have felt the emotional rush from being "saved." I'm not so big on organized religions, however. I believe that no person on Earth can come between one and God. But my biggest struggle is with believing -- just believing. I've always been a skeptic at heart. My views on things change regularly, especially when presented with new information. I'm a trust-yet-verify kind of guy. A part of me wishes I could just believe without getting facts and truth. But I can't. That's not the way God made me, I would argue.
It's very easy of me to be jaded and skeptical about the actions of a loud minority of Christians -- especially when it comes to efforts of trying to control thought (i.e. the theory of intelligent design). It would be easy for me to dismiss Lopez as a wacko, religious Bible-thumper. But I can't believe that. Though I found his anti-homosexual, on-the-verge-of-fascism views repugnant, I can't shake how he sounded genuinely concerned about me and what would happen to my soul. Not everyone is willing to do what he did.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
MSTA: BLUNT'S METS INITIATIVE LATE TO GAME
I found an interesting post on the Missouri State Teachers Association blog about end-of-course exams, and the Blunt administration's blunt attempt to force privately-determined findings into public policy.
Angie Hull, school policy specialist with MSTA, expressed frustration at a team of METS members (Blunt's Math Engineering Technology and Science initiative) earlier this month. According to Hull, the team asked the State Board of Education to allow them to develop grade-level expectations based on their work of "uncovering instructional best practices," one day before the board hired a testing company.
Hull's response: "Where has this group been?! This has been a transparent policy process for years. There were multiple opportunities to participate and comment on GLE's. Moreover, does the METS coalition realize the inherent contradiction in the idea that businesspeople would present their versions of classroom best practices, when the very people who ARE and DO "best practices" are the educators who set the GLE's in the first place?"
Blunt has been touring the state, publicizing the funding of eMINTS classrooms. The state board recently selected Riverside Publising to develop end-of-course exams that would replace MAP tests for high school students.
Angie Hull, school policy specialist with MSTA, expressed frustration at a team of METS members (Blunt's Math Engineering Technology and Science initiative) earlier this month. According to Hull, the team asked the State Board of Education to allow them to develop grade-level expectations based on their work of "uncovering instructional best practices," one day before the board hired a testing company.
Hull's response: "Where has this group been?! This has been a transparent policy process for years. There were multiple opportunities to participate and comment on GLE's. Moreover, does the METS coalition realize the inherent contradiction in the idea that businesspeople would present their versions of classroom best practices, when the very people who ARE and DO "best practices" are the educators who set the GLE's in the first place?"
Blunt has been touring the state, publicizing the funding of eMINTS classrooms. The state board recently selected Riverside Publising to develop end-of-course exams that would replace MAP tests for high school students.
Labels: EDUCATION, politics, STATE
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FOIA
Happy Independence Day. I can think of no better way to celebrate our independence than by thanking our forefathers for the First Amendment's freedom of speech and reminding everyone about the freedom of information.
On this day, 41 years ago, a brilliant piece of legislation was signed into law. Ending a trend of the government hiding its business from the public, the Freedom of Information Act allowed people to know more about their government, their taxes and what their elected leaders did in their name. Since then, states have followed up with their own versions. Missouri has its own Sunshine Law, and every citizen should be familiar with it and FOIA.
You'd think that with the advent of "e," information would be even easier to access. Not always true in some cases. Wired presents a wrapup of the top five wins and losses for FOIA dealing with electronic means. Sure, Wired pats itself on the back, but the story is a handy reminder of what our government thinks applies. Then again, a Wired blogger says how he really feels about the act.
On this day, 41 years ago, a brilliant piece of legislation was signed into law. Ending a trend of the government hiding its business from the public, the Freedom of Information Act allowed people to know more about their government, their taxes and what their elected leaders did in their name. Since then, states have followed up with their own versions. Missouri has its own Sunshine Law, and every citizen should be familiar with it and FOIA.
You'd think that with the advent of "e," information would be even easier to access. Not always true in some cases. Wired presents a wrapup of the top five wins and losses for FOIA dealing with electronic means. Sure, Wired pats itself on the back, but the story is a handy reminder of what our government thinks applies. Then again, a Wired blogger says how he really feels about the act.
Labels: FIRST AMENDMENT, OPEN GOV'T, politics
Friday, June 15, 2007
BlZARRE BLUNT NO-SHOW BLAMED ON WEATHER
Governor Matt Blunt was supposed to be at West Central Elementary today at 5 p.m., for a ceremonial signing of House Bill No. 2. Less than two hours before the event, his office sent an advisory, canceling the event because of "inclement weather and tornado warnings" in the Joplin area.
Huh?
Just to make sure, a quick call to the Springfield branch of the National Weather Service led to the confirmation that there were no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings in Southwest Missouri on Friday afternoon.
We know Blunt showed up at Springfield at about 3:30, thanks to this report on News-Leader.com. On second glance, that link appears to be copy-pasted from Blunt's press release, even though the byline credits News-Leader staff, so I'm not so sure he made it.
It's not a big deal, in the big scheme of things. In my opinion, this would have been another media event in which Blunt could take credit for the hard work of the General Assembly. Still, the Governor coming to town means something to many in the Joplin area. The school made preparations for his visit, so blaming the cancellation on fictitious weather fronts is either a bad mistake or a lame excuse.
I can't wait to hear the explanation.
Huh?
Just to make sure, a quick call to the Springfield branch of the National Weather Service led to the confirmation that there were no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings in Southwest Missouri on Friday afternoon.
We know Blunt showed up at Springfield at about 3:30, thanks to this report on News-Leader.com. On second glance, that link appears to be copy-pasted from Blunt's press release, even though the byline credits News-Leader staff, so I'm not so sure he made it.
It's not a big deal, in the big scheme of things. In my opinion, this would have been another media event in which Blunt could take credit for the hard work of the General Assembly. Still, the Governor coming to town means something to many in the Joplin area. The school made preparations for his visit, so blaming the cancellation on fictitious weather fronts is either a bad mistake or a lame excuse.
I can't wait to hear the explanation.
Labels: EDUCATION, HUH?, politics
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
JOPLIN SENATOR NAMED TO POWERFUL POST
Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, was named chairman of the budget appropriations committee today by Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons. The position will put Nodler in charge of the Senate committee in charge of drafting the budget.
Nodler was recently credited with rescuing the MOHELA sale, which was part of a higher education bill passed last month. When in Joplin for a ceremonial signing, Gov. Matt Blunt said Nodler rescued the controversial sale when it was on "life support."
Will this appointment translate into additional financial support for Missouri schools? Time will tell. Already, he gets glowing reviews from officials with Missouri Southern State University. They credit Nodler for fixing an inequity in the higher-education funding formula, which basically shafted MSSU on state funding in comparison to similarly-sized schools. This year's budget calls for MSSU to get an increase in state funding.
However, a key provision of Nodler's higher-education bill keeps universities from raising tuition fees past the rate of inflation. If universities find themselves receiving less money from the state, and if the Coordinating Board for Higher Education doesn't approve a tuition increase to keep up, then universities will be forced to scale back and/or cut programs.
Nodler was recently credited with rescuing the MOHELA sale, which was part of a higher education bill passed last month. When in Joplin for a ceremonial signing, Gov. Matt Blunt said Nodler rescued the controversial sale when it was on "life support."
Will this appointment translate into additional financial support for Missouri schools? Time will tell. Already, he gets glowing reviews from officials with Missouri Southern State University. They credit Nodler for fixing an inequity in the higher-education funding formula, which basically shafted MSSU on state funding in comparison to similarly-sized schools. This year's budget calls for MSSU to get an increase in state funding.
However, a key provision of Nodler's higher-education bill keeps universities from raising tuition fees past the rate of inflation. If universities find themselves receiving less money from the state, and if the Coordinating Board for Higher Education doesn't approve a tuition increase to keep up, then universities will be forced to scale back and/or cut programs.
Labels: EDUCATION, politics, STATE
Sunday, May 27, 2007
PREVAILING-WAGE BILL DOESN'T PREVAIL
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, submitted a bill that would let school districts opt out of paying prevailing wage to construction workers. It never got farther than a committee hearing.
Union workers are likely sighing with relief, but smaller school districts will likely be disappointed. Ruestman estimated that a school could get 25 percent more building without paying workers higher wages. If the bill gets submitted next year, then it will give both sides a chance to strengthen their cases:
~ Proponents of the bill, especially school districts, should explain how contractors can build a quality product without the quality-guarantee of which construction unions boast. These are publicly-funded school buildings that will house a community's children, so the highest quality is paramount. Having trained workers is a no-brainer, but how does a school district convince its patrons that only trained employees worked on a school?
~ Opponents of the bill need to explain why prevailing wage is so important. Not every school district can raise the millions needed to build a quality building through property taxes and bonding. Smaller school districts see buildings in Arkansas and Kansas -- built by the same companies that build schools in Missouri -- and wonder why they have to pay so much more in wages.
If any of you are in the business of building schools, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released the latest prevailing wage schedule. If you're an asbestos worker, you'll get $28.14 an hour.
Union workers are likely sighing with relief, but smaller school districts will likely be disappointed. Ruestman estimated that a school could get 25 percent more building without paying workers higher wages. If the bill gets submitted next year, then it will give both sides a chance to strengthen their cases:
~ Proponents of the bill, especially school districts, should explain how contractors can build a quality product without the quality-guarantee of which construction unions boast. These are publicly-funded school buildings that will house a community's children, so the highest quality is paramount. Having trained workers is a no-brainer, but how does a school district convince its patrons that only trained employees worked on a school?
~ Opponents of the bill need to explain why prevailing wage is so important. Not every school district can raise the millions needed to build a quality building through property taxes and bonding. Smaller school districts see buildings in Arkansas and Kansas -- built by the same companies that build schools in Missouri -- and wonder why they have to pay so much more in wages.
If any of you are in the business of building schools, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released the latest prevailing wage schedule. If you're an asbestos worker, you'll get $28.14 an hour.
Labels: EDUCATION, politics, STATE
Monday, April 23, 2007
PRESIDENTIAL RACE? CHECK MYSPACE
The Mailbox noticed something, while listening to Lacuna Coil and Dragonforce and messing around on MySpace. Politicians.
Don't worry -- they're not going Tipper Gore on us. They are using MySpace as part of their campaigns. They are featured in the "Cool New People" section on MySpace's front page. Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Sam Brownback, Barack Obama, John McCain, Tommy Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and many others campaigning for national office have their own pages.
Paging David Catanese... your expertise is required to let us know what the Brownback is going on.
The Mailbox thought that MySpace was for wasting time, keeping in touch with friends and exploring new music. It makes sense; bands use MySpace to send out announcements to fans, so why shouldn't politicians do the same type of thing? It's all part of an effort on MySpace's part to get people involved in politics.
So far, Repubs and Dems are joining up, taking up space on MySpace. Still, it doesn't seem like the right place for politics. The Mailbox has enough problems with the politics of determining who its top 24 friends should be. The Mailbox does not want to pull up these pages and hear Barack Obama's favorite song. And the Mailbox dreads getting a bulletin from Kucinich saying, "I am so bored so I filled out this survey." And what about the band-whores who fill their top friends with bands? Are we going to have politician-whores?
Then again, it shows that Tom can be friends with anybody. And speaking of friends, the Mailbox can't wait to see how many underage porn-bot slutty types are accepted as friends. "Oooh, look. Brownback is friends with 'LipsSoHot4U.'"
TLP's thought: "Well, it makes it easier for them to pick up teenagers..."
Check out John Edward's friend list. John is in every picture! Either he's "teh haxx0rs" with Photoshop or he has some strict rules about who gets to be his friend. And he has 39 top friends! Does the Federal Election Commission know about this unfair advantage?
Hillary Clinton has a dorky ad encouraging you to be her MySpace friend: "I am not only voting for Hillary, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Gag barf puke. And how come Bill Clinton isn't one of Hillary's top friends? TLP's thought: "Maybe he realizes MySpace is crap and is too smart to have a page."
Michelle Sherwood, official friend of the Mailbox, lamented about Rudy Giuliani's cowardly appearance in the Ozarks. Giuliani's MySpace page gives us a clue about his ideas on sharing information. G'head, click on that link. WHY IS A CAMPAIGN MYSPACE PAGE SET TO "PRIVATE?!" That's stupid. That's stupid stupid. That's like having a fundraising dinner where one of the nation's top Republican's hosts you and promises the press a few moments, then takes it back.
Don't worry -- they're not going Tipper Gore on us. They are using MySpace as part of their campaigns. They are featured in the "Cool New People" section on MySpace's front page. Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Sam Brownback, Barack Obama, John McCain, Tommy Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and many others campaigning for national office have their own pages.
Paging David Catanese... your expertise is required to let us know what the Brownback is going on.
The Mailbox thought that MySpace was for wasting time, keeping in touch with friends and exploring new music. It makes sense; bands use MySpace to send out announcements to fans, so why shouldn't politicians do the same type of thing? It's all part of an effort on MySpace's part to get people involved in politics.
So far, Repubs and Dems are joining up, taking up space on MySpace. Still, it doesn't seem like the right place for politics. The Mailbox has enough problems with the politics of determining who its top 24 friends should be. The Mailbox does not want to pull up these pages and hear Barack Obama's favorite song. And the Mailbox dreads getting a bulletin from Kucinich saying, "I am so bored so I filled out this survey." And what about the band-whores who fill their top friends with bands? Are we going to have politician-whores?
Then again, it shows that Tom can be friends with anybody. And speaking of friends, the Mailbox can't wait to see how many underage porn-bot slutty types are accepted as friends. "Oooh, look. Brownback is friends with 'LipsSoHot4U.'"
TLP's thought: "Well, it makes it easier for them to pick up teenagers..."
Check out John Edward's friend list. John is in every picture! Either he's "teh haxx0rs" with Photoshop or he has some strict rules about who gets to be his friend. And he has 39 top friends! Does the Federal Election Commission know about this unfair advantage?
Hillary Clinton has a dorky ad encouraging you to be her MySpace friend: "I am not only voting for Hillary, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" Gag barf puke. And how come Bill Clinton isn't one of Hillary's top friends? TLP's thought: "Maybe he realizes MySpace is crap and is too smart to have a page."
Michelle Sherwood, official friend of the Mailbox, lamented about Rudy Giuliani's cowardly appearance in the Ozarks. Giuliani's MySpace page gives us a clue about his ideas on sharing information. G'head, click on that link. WHY IS A CAMPAIGN MYSPACE PAGE SET TO "PRIVATE?!" That's stupid. That's stupid stupid. That's like having a fundraising dinner where one of the nation's top Republican's hosts you and promises the press a few moments, then takes it back.
Labels: HUH?, MYSPACE, politics
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
HEADLINER CALLS GRUBAUGH 'TYRANT'
And the Mailbox is inclined to agree.
This week's issue of the Christian County Headliner News features an editorial about Presiding Commissioner John Grubaugh and his reluctance to accept a petition of citizens endorsing building codes. According to the commission's legal council, such a petition could be null and void, despite the approval of the county clerk and county prosecutor. However, they won't share a copy of the opinion (which would contain reasons why a petition is null and void) with the public.
The Headliner asks the most relevant question: "Why?"
The Mailbox speculated that the good-ol'-boy network may be headed out the door. Looks like it's putting up a fight. Residential building codes are coming. Along with them, more progressive ideas for managing the county's growth. If Grubaugh can't change with the times, the times will change him.
And the Mailbox is inclined to agree.
This week's issue of the Christian County Headliner News features an editorial about Presiding Commissioner John Grubaugh and his reluctance to accept a petition of citizens endorsing building codes. According to the commission's legal council, such a petition could be null and void, despite the approval of the county clerk and county prosecutor. However, they won't share a copy of the opinion (which would contain reasons why a petition is null and void) with the public.
The Headliner asks the most relevant question: "Why?"
The Mailbox speculated that the good-ol'-boy network may be headed out the door. Looks like it's putting up a fight. Residential building codes are coming. Along with them, more progressive ideas for managing the county's growth. If Grubaugh can't change with the times, the times will change him.
Labels: BUILDING CODES, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, politics
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
CHRISTIAN COUNTY MOVES FORWARD WITH BUILDING CODES
It's about freakin' time.
The Christian County Commission, which governs development in the fastest-growing county in Missouri, has decided to appoint a five-member ad hoc committee that will study residential building codes.
The old Nixa-Ozark rivalry may affect this issue and an eventual election. As reported by the Headliner, a recent meeting was filled with interested parties from the western side of the county, including the fire chief and chamber director from Nixa. Western District Commissioner Bill Barnett, who was not at the meeting, is in favor of building codes. His two colleagues, who reside in the eastern side of the county, are not as quick to agree -- they don't OPPOSE building codes, but they are not sure that voters are going to pass them.
Crikey. Do Eastern District Commissioner Tom Huff and Presiding Commissioner John Grubaugh know who's been moving to Ozark? It's good to see the Nixa mindset of government of progressive planning getting a foothold in the Christian County courthouse. The pace may madden some, but at least this is progress. Maybe that good-ol'-boy, we-know-better network in Ozark is on its way out.
It's about freakin' time.
The Christian County Commission, which governs development in the fastest-growing county in Missouri, has decided to appoint a five-member ad hoc committee that will study residential building codes.
The old Nixa-Ozark rivalry may affect this issue and an eventual election. As reported by the Headliner, a recent meeting was filled with interested parties from the western side of the county, including the fire chief and chamber director from Nixa. Western District Commissioner Bill Barnett, who was not at the meeting, is in favor of building codes. His two colleagues, who reside in the eastern side of the county, are not as quick to agree -- they don't OPPOSE building codes, but they are not sure that voters are going to pass them.
Crikey. Do Eastern District Commissioner Tom Huff and Presiding Commissioner John Grubaugh know who's been moving to Ozark? It's good to see the Nixa mindset of government of progressive planning getting a foothold in the Christian County courthouse. The pace may madden some, but at least this is progress. Maybe that good-ol'-boy, we-know-better network in Ozark is on its way out.
Labels: BUILDING CODES, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, politics
BARTLE, LEMBKE DON'T CARE WHAT VOTERS THINK
In 1999, voters defeated Proposition B, which would have enacted a concealed carry weapons law. That didn't matter to a newly-conquering Republican General Assembly, which in 2003 ignored the will of the voters and passed a statewide concealed carry weapons law.
Two Republican legislators seek to repeat that bold act of telling voters that they don't matter.
Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit and Rep. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis announced plans to place a "short, simple, straightforward ban on human cloning" on the 2008 ballot. The short, simple straightforward reason: They want to repeal Amendment 2.
They think that embryonic stem cell research is the same thing as abortion. They believe in a political pro-life agenda. They want to cram their narrow moral world-view down the collective throats of the majority.
Bartle and Lembke are giving a bad name to the rest of Republicans in the General Assembly. Even Gov. Blunt distanced himself: "My position on this is well-known," he said at a news conference Tuesday. The AP reported that Blunt said the language voters passed sufficiently bans cloning while allowing research.
In 2005, Rep. Jay Wasson told the Christian County Headliner that voters should be the ones to decide about embryonic stem cell research. "I don't think the legislature can agree on it," he said. "It's a difficult issue-passion gets involved on both sides."
The more Lembke and Bartle do to repeal Amendment 2, the more it will weaken the Republican party's hold on the state's moderates. They should be good, little legislators by shutting up and championing the will of the people.
In 1999, voters defeated Proposition B, which would have enacted a concealed carry weapons law. That didn't matter to a newly-conquering Republican General Assembly, which in 2003 ignored the will of the voters and passed a statewide concealed carry weapons law.
Two Republican legislators seek to repeat that bold act of telling voters that they don't matter.
Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit and Rep. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis announced plans to place a "short, simple, straightforward ban on human cloning" on the 2008 ballot. The short, simple straightforward reason: They want to repeal Amendment 2.
They think that embryonic stem cell research is the same thing as abortion. They believe in a political pro-life agenda. They want to cram their narrow moral world-view down the collective throats of the majority.
Bartle and Lembke are giving a bad name to the rest of Republicans in the General Assembly. Even Gov. Blunt distanced himself: "My position on this is well-known," he said at a news conference Tuesday. The AP reported that Blunt said the language voters passed sufficiently bans cloning while allowing research.
In 2005, Rep. Jay Wasson told the Christian County Headliner that voters should be the ones to decide about embryonic stem cell research. "I don't think the legislature can agree on it," he said. "It's a difficult issue-passion gets involved on both sides."
The more Lembke and Bartle do to repeal Amendment 2, the more it will weaken the Republican party's hold on the state's moderates. They should be good, little legislators by shutting up and championing the will of the people.
Labels: ELECTIONS, politics, STEM CELLS
Sunday, November 19, 2006
CHRISTIAN COUNTY VOTERS SURPRISINGLY CHRISTIAN
Sorry about the lack of posts lately. The Mailbox BRBs, then doesn't show up for a week after the election. All the Mailbox will say is that big things are circulating.
As for the 2006 elections: No big shockers. Presiding commissioner John Grubaugh was re-elected (David Stokely made a respectable showing of 41 percent). Big majorities for Jay Wasson, Dan Clemens, Roy Blunt and Jim Talent, which fall in line with the county's Republican majority. County voters said no to Amendment 2 by 59 percent, no to Amendment 3 by a bare 50 percent.
The lone surprise for Christian County: Voters passed a minimum wage increase to $6.50 an hour by 73 percent.
The U.S. Census reports that as of 2003, the county's median income was $42,566 and the percentage of people below the poverty line was 9.3. The minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, which adds up to an annual income of $10,712 before taxes, significantly below the poverty level.
That means a majority of voters who make much more than the poverty level were generous enough to give more to the poor. That's significant in a Republican-minded area, because conservatives fear raising the minimum wage, believing it to hurt small businesses and raise prices in the economy. It's incorrect to label the vote as charity, because Christian County voters didn't vote to give their own salaries to the poor -- they simply told businesses to raise theirs. However, it's interesting that 73 percent of the voters chose to deviate from this conservative conventional wisdom.
Sorry about the lack of posts lately. The Mailbox BRBs, then doesn't show up for a week after the election. All the Mailbox will say is that big things are circulating.
As for the 2006 elections: No big shockers. Presiding commissioner John Grubaugh was re-elected (David Stokely made a respectable showing of 41 percent). Big majorities for Jay Wasson, Dan Clemens, Roy Blunt and Jim Talent, which fall in line with the county's Republican majority. County voters said no to Amendment 2 by 59 percent, no to Amendment 3 by a bare 50 percent.
The lone surprise for Christian County: Voters passed a minimum wage increase to $6.50 an hour by 73 percent.
The U.S. Census reports that as of 2003, the county's median income was $42,566 and the percentage of people below the poverty line was 9.3. The minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, which adds up to an annual income of $10,712 before taxes, significantly below the poverty level.
That means a majority of voters who make much more than the poverty level were generous enough to give more to the poor. That's significant in a Republican-minded area, because conservatives fear raising the minimum wage, believing it to hurt small businesses and raise prices in the economy. It's incorrect to label the vote as charity, because Christian County voters didn't vote to give their own salaries to the poor -- they simply told businesses to raise theirs. However, it's interesting that 73 percent of the voters chose to deviate from this conservative conventional wisdom.
Labels: CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ELECTIONS, politics
Thursday, October 26, 2006
FUROR OVER ADS DIMINISHES REAL DEBATE
Wow. The Mailbox doesn’t remember a time when a political ad has garnered such backlash.
Of course, the Mailbox is talking about the Michael J. Fox ad about embryonic stem cell research, in which he urges a vote against Jim Talent for his opposition. There’s also a response ad, featuring several other stars.
Rush Limbaugh acted like Rush Limbaugh and said that Fox exaggerated his condition for politics. Joplin Globe columnist Mike Pound says it best about Limbaugh. Bill O’Reilly took a similar path, completely ignoring Rush’s comments and featuring a debate about whether Fox was out of line.
All this hype clouds the embryonic stem cell issue, which was cloudy enough, since people generally don’t like to think about scientific details. The issue has become fodder for moral ministers and ideologues. As the News-Leader pointed out, there are legitimate reasons to vote against Amendment 2.
But now, if Amendment 2 suffers a defeat, it endangers stem cell research and emboldens its religious, zealous, technophobe opponents to further force their morality upon the public.
Wow. The Mailbox doesn’t remember a time when a political ad has garnered such backlash.
Of course, the Mailbox is talking about the Michael J. Fox ad about embryonic stem cell research, in which he urges a vote against Jim Talent for his opposition. There’s also a response ad, featuring several other stars.
Rush Limbaugh acted like Rush Limbaugh and said that Fox exaggerated his condition for politics. Joplin Globe columnist Mike Pound says it best about Limbaugh. Bill O’Reilly took a similar path, completely ignoring Rush’s comments and featuring a debate about whether Fox was out of line.
All this hype clouds the embryonic stem cell issue, which was cloudy enough, since people generally don’t like to think about scientific details. The issue has become fodder for moral ministers and ideologues. As the News-Leader pointed out, there are legitimate reasons to vote against Amendment 2.
But now, if Amendment 2 suffers a defeat, it endangers stem cell research and emboldens its religious, zealous, technophobe opponents to further force their morality upon the public.
Labels: politics, STEM CELLS, vote
Thursday, October 19, 2006
SEN. SANTORUM TRIES TO GEEK THE VOTE
In a desperate gambit to corral the fantasy-geek vote, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., made a comparison of the war on terror with the legendary battle for Middle Earth. Here’s what The Intelligencer in Pennsylvania reported:
The Mailbox has seen Peter Jackson’s movies (extended editions, because that’s how the Mailbox rolls) and read J.R.R. Tolkien’s books (but skipped over the bad poetry). And the Mailbox has NO FREAKING IDEA what Santorum means. A spokesperson for Santorum’s opponent, Democrat Bob Casey Jr., said what we all are probably thinking:
The Mailbox knows that Santorum (link NSFW and pretty gross) has a long history of speaking out against homosexuals and denying them basic human rights. Doesn’t he know that Frodo and Sam are gay? (Link NSFW)
In a desperate gambit to corral the fantasy-geek vote, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., made a comparison of the war on terror with the legendary battle for Middle Earth. Here’s what The Intelligencer in Pennsylvania reported:
Embattled U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said America has avoided a second terrorist attack for five years because the “Eye of Mordor” has been drawn to Iraq instead.
Santorum used the analogy from one of his favorite books, J.R.R. Tolkien's 1950s fantasy classic “Lord of the Rings,” to put an increasingly unpopular war in Iraq into terms any school kid could easily understand.
“As the hobbits are going up Mount Doom, the Eye of Mordor is being drawn somewhere else,” Santorum said, describing the tool the evil Lord Sauron used in search of the magical ring that would consolidate his power over Middle-earth.
“It's being drawn to Iraq and it's not being drawn to the U.S.,” Santorum continued. “You know what? I want to keep it on Iraq. I don't want the Eye to come back here to the United States.”
The Mailbox has seen Peter Jackson’s movies (extended editions, because that’s how the Mailbox rolls) and read J.R.R. Tolkien’s books (but skipped over the bad poetry). And the Mailbox has NO FREAKING IDEA what Santorum means. A spokesperson for Santorum’s opponent, Democrat Bob Casey Jr., said what we all are probably thinking:
“You have to really question the judgment of a U.S. senator who compares the war in Iraq to a fantasy book,” said Casey spokesman Larry Smar. “This is just like when he said Kim Jong II isn't a threat because he just wants to "watch NBA basketball.' ”
The Mailbox knows that Santorum (link NSFW and pretty gross) has a long history of speaking out against homosexuals and denying them basic human rights. Doesn’t he know that Frodo and Sam are gay? (Link NSFW)
Labels: lord of the rings, politics, vote
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