Black defense rests case

Former Hollinger International CEO Conrad Black's defense team rested its case Wednesday:

There's no scheme here," Black's lawyer Edward Genson told the jury as he tried to debunk the government's claim that the fallen media mogul masterminded a plan to loot $60 million from investors in his newspaper empire Hollinger International.

Black, who shifted to a seat more directly facing the largely blue-collar jury this week, turned several times to smile at his wife and three 20-something children who sat in the front row in the public gallery.

Genson told the jury that Black deserved the lavish perks he received from Hollinger International - including a deal on a pricey Park Avenue apartment that is part of one of the charges against him - because the company used him "as a logo" and as "a brand name" to score financing and to build a presence in New York.

Hollinger International's American subsidiary, American Publishing, owned The Carthage Press and the Neosho Daily News in the 1990s.

News Leader: Education is more important than tourism

It seems bizarre that someone should have to say this, but in the "Roses and Thorns' column on today's Springfield News-Leader opinion page, the News-Leader Editorial Board put it on the line concerning the new law requiring school districts to start classes no more than 10 days before Labor Day (or go through extra steps in order to do so):

A THORN: To the Missouri General Assembly for requiring school districts to jump through hoops in order to begin the school year more than 10 days before Labor Day. Don't they get it yet? Education is more important than tourism or family vacations.

Apparently, education is not quite as important as campaign contributions from the tourism industry.

Child protection law comes at a cost

It's hard to argue against the idea that all children should receive eye screenings before they attend school, and now thanks to a bill signed into law today by Governor Matt Blunt, that will be the case.

But there were some people who argued against the idea during the past legislative session and they made some compelling points:

The Missouri Association of School Nurses noted that the screenings that are already in place catch nearly all vision problems, while the new required examinations will cost Missourians an estimated $2.4 to $7 million.

The burden of this new bill will be on parents who cannot afford the $100 to $165 cost of a comprehensive examination, which must be done by a licensed optometrist.

While I don't question the sincerity of Sen. Delbert Scott, the sponsor of the bill, it is very easy to question the necessity of the bill, and note one of the reasons why the bill passed the legislature by a wide margin.

Missouri Ethics Commission documents show the Missouri Optometric Association has been extremely generous with its donations to legislators' campaign accounts.

In the April quarterly report, the group's contributions included $4,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee, $1,500 to the Senate Majority Fund, $1,000 to the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee, $1,500 to the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, and $1,275 to Rep. Ron Richard, R-Joplin.

The January report included then maximum $1,275 contributions to the senate leadership funds of Republicans Michael Gibbons and Charlie Shields and Democrat Jeff Harris and a $650 maximum contribution to Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield. Ms. Champion was the chairman of the Seniors, Families, and Public Health Committee, which handled Senate Bill 16.

The organization's October 2006 disclosure document indicates $18,290 was spread around to representatives and senators from both parties, with the largest amount, $500 going to Sen. Scott.

On the January 2006 disclosure document, in addition to numerous contributions to individual legislators, the association gave $10,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee and $2,500 to the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

The Nurses Association notes that a better option might have been to either require the vision exams at age four, or better yet, require complete physical examinations that might uncover vision and other problems.

It is hard to argue with the idea of children undergoing examinations that might prevent them from having future problems in school and life, but it appears in this case, a highly organized lobbying group, whose members stand to benefit financially from this legislation, has done its job well.

Column: Blunt conflicts of interest typical of Congress

Keep in mind that Dick Morris is no paragon of virtue, but the ethically challenged former Clinton adviser, in his most recent column, points out several conflicts of interest that exists on both sides of the aisle, including ones pointed out in this blog concerning Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt:

Not to be outdone, House Minority Whip Roy Blunt’s (R-Mo.) wife, Abigail Perlman, is director of federal government affairs for Altria — the former Philip Morris corporation. Their relationship is one that was hatched in lobbying. While Blunt was dating Abigail, he quietly drafted language to benefit Altria/Philip Morris and tried to sneak it in the bill that established the Department of Homeland Security — without alerting the Republican leadership. Blunt’s mission was to minimize the sale of cigarettes on the Internet, a thorn in the side of Altria/Philip Morris. Fortunately, Hastert killed the amendment.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, Morris notes the ethical problems faced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

Now that Sen. Harry Reid (Nev.) is the Democratic floor leader, he has not just one but three sons — and a son-in-law — who are lobbyists. One of Reid’s sons, and his son-in-law, has lobbied in Washington; a second son lobbies for the same interests in Nevada; and a third son is an attorney who litigates for them in court. Reid’s lobbyist-sons worked to promote federal land swaps, mining interests and the University of Nevada at Reno.

Morris begins his column with what he calls Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's own version of No Child Left Behind:

Now Pelosi has come up with her own version of the No Child Left Behind program by asking the Defense Department to allow adult children of members of Congress to accompany them on their taxpayer-funded travel abroad if their spouses can’t make it. Such heartfelt concern for the lonely congressman on a publicly paid junket may be her version of family values, but it is a waste of tax money.

Is it any wonder Congress only has a 23 percent approval rating?

Blunt applauds president's veto of stem cell bill

Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt issued the following statement today following President Bush's veto, for the second time, of a bill that would have allowed embryonic stem cell research:

"The president today rightly exercised his veto on an embryonic stem cell bill that should have never gotten as far as it did. But Democrats chose to advance it anyway -- knowing full well that ethical forms of stem cell research not only exist, but are actually being used to effectively treat patients right now. It's research that puts patients before politics -- and it's why a huge swath of this Congress and our country supports it.

"I was also delighted the president this afternoon signed an executive order supporting research into pluripotent stem cells -- which new studies have shown to be a very promising approach to finding life-saving cures for debilitating diseases.

"The president hasn't seen many bills reach his desk this Congress, and even fewer have become law. This bill will be no different in that regard. House Republicans have demonstrated on several occasions our capacity to uphold the president's veto if this bill were ever returned. And if called upon to demonstrate that once again, we won't hesitate to do it."

Price Cutter owners make big move into Oklahoma

RPCS, the company that bought the last Albertson store in Joplin, is making a big move into the Oklahoma market, buying Albertson's Tulsa-area stores.
The company owns Price Cutter stores in Joplin, Neosho, Carthage, Granby, Springfield, and numerous other southwest Missouri communities. The company dates back to 1919 when John Ramey opened his first store in Springfield.

Daisy plant to leave Neosho

Roy Hobbs, the CEO for BB gun manufacturer Daisy announced today the company would close its facility in Neosho and move the operation to Rogers, Ark.:

"This facility better meets our needs today and positions us for the growth we have planned," Hobbs said. "Having our entire team under one roof allows for improved communications and more cost-effective management of every facet of our operations."

A 100,000-SF facility will house Daisy’s receiving, assembly, packing, warehousing and shipping functions.

The facility is owned by Rescue Heroes, a partnership between Chris Crossland of Crossland Construction and John Lawrence of Lawrence Development Group. The new facility will continue to be home to Daisy’s corporate headquarters, which now employs 25.

Daisy plans to begin full production at the Rogers plant by August.

That would indicate Neosho workers will not have much time, if any, to prepare themselves.

Daisy has housed its assembly operations at its underground location in Neosho since April 1997. The company has always maintained its corporate offices in Rogers.

Blogger signs on at Springfield TV station

Blogger and longtime investigative reporter Ron Davis of Chatter has signed on as a senior producer at the news operation of KSPR, Channel 33 in Springfield. He announced the new affiliation in his most recent post.

Davis assures his readers the blog will continue.

Blog offers look at Ethics Commission appointee

For those who are interested in more information on former Rep. Ken Legan, R-Halfway, who was appointed earlier this week by Governor Matt Blunt to serve on the Missouri Ethics Commission, please check out the latest post on the Arch City Chronicle blog:

For many, if the name Legan rings a bell, it is most likely related to his distaste for investigative journalists and animal rights activists. In 2002 Legan, who is also a cattle farmer, sponsored an amendment making it a crime to photograph of videotape animals in a barn without permission. The amendment failed.

Legan dubbed his amendment an "anti-terrorism" issue. Though he was referring to other language in the amendment criminalizing the release of diseases on farms, the groups seeking to expose the puppy mills that then seemed to dot the countryside took understandable umbrage to the label.

Not all animals, however, are shown quite the same concern. Legal sponsored a bill in 2000 which would hold the state responsible for any rogue-elk damage that may occur if he state proceeded with its plan to release wild elk in the Mark Twain National Forest. Concerns over potential disease put the plan to pasture.

For more information on Legan, check out this post from the June 19 Turner Report and this one from June 18.

Nexstar Broadcasting up 58 cents in trading

Nexstar Broadcasting stock, which had taken a brief downturn after climbing to close to $15 per share, are moving upward again. In the June 14 Turner Report, it was noted that the stock closed trading at $13.32 per share, an increase of 48 cents.
On Tuesday, it continued to rebound, climbing 58 cents per share to close at $14.33.
Nexstar Broadcasting owns KSNF in Joplin and KSFX in Springfield and operates KODE in Joplin and KOLR in Springfield.