My name is at the top of the page, my biography is on this blog; and there is no secret as to who writes the words that are added to it everyday. I stand behind my writing.
I allow anonymous comments to be made on this blog and I have no problem with them. There are good reasons for many people to remain anonymous and I welcome points of view, whether I agree with them or not.
That being said, I was surprised today to find two lengthy comments, and two shorter ones, supporting Sen. Nodler coming from IP addresses listed for Frankfurt, Germany. At first, I was impressed to find someone in Europe who had such encyclopedic knowledge of Senator Nodler's campaign and legislative activities, down to this little tidbit concerning occupations being left off for some campaign contributors: "The Nodler campaign has always complied with those good faith efforts and only 9% of the contributions lack that employer information although all report the identity and address of the contributor." Nine percent, hmmm, that's pretty exact.
The rest of this comment also appeared to have first-hand knowledge of the senator's campaign machinery and of his legislative accomplishments. The comment said, "It is obvious that Nodler is very popular and very effective." Also, "The Nodler critics will just have to face the fact that they are vastly outnumbered by those that recognize that Nodler is the most effective state legislator in our area since the death of Dick Webster."
It was the first indication I had that Nodler had the same kind of inexplicable popularity in Germany that Jerry Lewis has in France. But then, I took a closer look at that German IP address. First, let me assure readers, I don't have any idea who is reading this blog unless someone tells me. I have information that indicates what city the person is in and if that person arrived at my site through a link on another website or through a search engine result, but that is all. This IP address was listed for something called "Anonymouse."
I checked it out and apparently, this is a service that allows people to surf the net and not be traced. Not that there is anything wrong with that. We do give up a lot of privacy when we surf the net, but this person apparently wants to make absolutely sure that his or her identity is not revealed.
I have nothing but a few educated guesses as to who this person is who left two comments on the most recent Nodler post and two more on an earlier one today. I have no idea why this person has such a lofty opinion and such detailed knowledge of Gary Nodler, but cannot be coaxed into adding a name to the comments, but I do know one thing:
To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen, "I knew Dick Webster and Gary Nodler is no Dick Webster."
Sunday, May 21, 2006
A second look at the Globe's Nodler series
Now that some time has elapsed, it is time to look back on the Joplin Globe's recent series, "Spheres of Influence," which examined the money behind Sen. Gary Nodler.
I have no problem with the series itself. Max McCoy, as usual, did a thorough job detailing who is putting money into Gary Nodler's campaign and into the so-called leadership PAC, which bears Nodler's name.
Unfortunately, while McCoy was doing his steadfast best to expose the machinations of the powers-that-be on the local political scene, the powers-that-be at his own newspaper were leaving him stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Where was the Joplin Globe Editorial Board during all of this? Certainly, a major series of this kind should have sparked some kind of editorial about the evils of the campaign finance system, and how they have stripped the voters of any real choice in many elections.
Where was Globe Editor Ed Simpson? As many readers jumped all over Max McCoy and accused him of having an ax to grind against the senator, Simpson did not use his Sunday bully pulpit to explain the reasons why the series was done and to explain that McCoy was just doing his job. McCoy's tough enough to take criticism; he has been doing this kind of expose' for years, but it would have been nice if his editor had used the same kind of fervor he displayed during the recent Joplin Police problems.
By not following up on the Nodler series, the Globe is taking the same approach it did last year when it ran an article on lobbyists' influence on our area legislators. The story ran, listing amounts received by legislators, but there was no backup to the reporter, no one to explain why the story was important. Then it vanished as if it had never existed. No further mention was made of lobbying. If The Globe had stuck with that story, it would have been ahead of the curve, since lobbying has become a cause celebre this year.
Most likely the same thing will happen with the Nodler investigation. No one can ever say the Globe did not look into Nodler's campaign contributions; no one can ever say it didn't examine the Nodler Leadership PAC. Odds are, no one will ever mention it again.
I have no problem with the series itself. Max McCoy, as usual, did a thorough job detailing who is putting money into Gary Nodler's campaign and into the so-called leadership PAC, which bears Nodler's name.
Unfortunately, while McCoy was doing his steadfast best to expose the machinations of the powers-that-be on the local political scene, the powers-that-be at his own newspaper were leaving him stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Where was the Joplin Globe Editorial Board during all of this? Certainly, a major series of this kind should have sparked some kind of editorial about the evils of the campaign finance system, and how they have stripped the voters of any real choice in many elections.
Where was Globe Editor Ed Simpson? As many readers jumped all over Max McCoy and accused him of having an ax to grind against the senator, Simpson did not use his Sunday bully pulpit to explain the reasons why the series was done and to explain that McCoy was just doing his job. McCoy's tough enough to take criticism; he has been doing this kind of expose' for years, but it would have been nice if his editor had used the same kind of fervor he displayed during the recent Joplin Police problems.
By not following up on the Nodler series, the Globe is taking the same approach it did last year when it ran an article on lobbyists' influence on our area legislators. The story ran, listing amounts received by legislators, but there was no backup to the reporter, no one to explain why the story was important. Then it vanished as if it had never existed. No further mention was made of lobbying. If The Globe had stuck with that story, it would have been ahead of the curve, since lobbying has become a cause celebre this year.
Most likely the same thing will happen with the Nodler investigation. No one can ever say the Globe did not look into Nodler's campaign contributions; no one can ever say it didn't examine the Nodler Leadership PAC. Odds are, no one will ever mention it again.
Too much ado about MySpace
I would be the last person to deny that problems exist with social networking websites such as MySpace and Xanga. Undoubtedly, there are perverts who prowl cyberspace looking for easy marks. Some teens put far too much personal information on the Internet for anyone to see. Others use these sites for cyberbullying. Those uses have been highlighted time and again by the national and local media (who have especially been hyping the hysteria during sweeps month series), while the vast majority of teens have not been abusing or misusing these sites.
Unfortunately, all of this has been a bonanza for opportunistic politicians looking for a scare issue so they can charge in like white knights and slay the MySpace dragon.
Legislation has been proposed in Congress which would require schools and public libraries to eliminate access to social networking sites and other sites that use similar technology. That would not only include MySpace and Xanga, but sites such as blogger.com, which is home to The Turner Report, and three of my four Room 210 sites, Room 210 News, which features work from the South Middle School Journalism Club; Room 210 Discussion, which is designed to give students an opportunity to read and write about issues that affect them; and my most recent addition, Room 210 for Teachers, which addresses educational issues.
I am not too worried about students losing access to my Blogger sites at school. They are already blocked at many schools in this area, and it has nothing to do with me or my style of writing (except perhaps at my former place of employment in Diamond).
I am more worried about the shortsighted attitude of people who would close the door on a technology that is already enhancing education. We already know the bad things about teen blogs. The media have focused on them, and in many cases deservedly so. There are, however, good uses for social networking sites.
-These sites, when used correctly, can encourage student reading and writing, skills which they normally make no effort to sharpen unless they are required to do so for school assignments.
-Though we hear more about the students who post their plans to commit mayhem on these sites, we hear far less about young people who are able to connect with others their own age who have similar interests. Sure, there are perverts who take advantage of that, but that has already been lessened with more education and with increased awareness among parents and other adults about the dangers of the Internet.
I am reminded of the 1950s hysteria surrounding two horrible evils that were threatening our young people- rock and roll and comic books. When adults decried these activities and tried to get them banned, teens craved them that much more and both are thriving today.
Instead of banning social networking sites, let's let educators, not publicity-hungry politicians, but educators, find a way to take this marvelous technology and make it a tool for education. If you think MySpace is popular with teens now, just wait until adults tell them they can't have anything to do with it.
That tactic did not work in the 1950s; it is not going to work now.
Unfortunately, all of this has been a bonanza for opportunistic politicians looking for a scare issue so they can charge in like white knights and slay the MySpace dragon.
Legislation has been proposed in Congress which would require schools and public libraries to eliminate access to social networking sites and other sites that use similar technology. That would not only include MySpace and Xanga, but sites such as blogger.com, which is home to The Turner Report, and three of my four Room 210 sites, Room 210 News, which features work from the South Middle School Journalism Club; Room 210 Discussion, which is designed to give students an opportunity to read and write about issues that affect them; and my most recent addition, Room 210 for Teachers, which addresses educational issues.
I am not too worried about students losing access to my Blogger sites at school. They are already blocked at many schools in this area, and it has nothing to do with me or my style of writing (except perhaps at my former place of employment in Diamond).
I am more worried about the shortsighted attitude of people who would close the door on a technology that is already enhancing education. We already know the bad things about teen blogs. The media have focused on them, and in many cases deservedly so. There are, however, good uses for social networking sites.
-These sites, when used correctly, can encourage student reading and writing, skills which they normally make no effort to sharpen unless they are required to do so for school assignments.
-Though we hear more about the students who post their plans to commit mayhem on these sites, we hear far less about young people who are able to connect with others their own age who have similar interests. Sure, there are perverts who take advantage of that, but that has already been lessened with more education and with increased awareness among parents and other adults about the dangers of the Internet.
I am reminded of the 1950s hysteria surrounding two horrible evils that were threatening our young people- rock and roll and comic books. When adults decried these activities and tried to get them banned, teens craved them that much more and both are thriving today.
Instead of banning social networking sites, let's let educators, not publicity-hungry politicians, but educators, find a way to take this marvelous technology and make it a tool for education. If you think MySpace is popular with teens now, just wait until adults tell them they can't have anything to do with it.
That tactic did not work in the 1950s; it is not going to work now.
Joplin Daily publisher introduces himself
Joplin Daily Publisher Rodney Blaukat introduces himself in a column just posted on the Daily website. Hopefully, this won't be a one-shot effort.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Column analyzes effect of removal of contribution limits
St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Jo Mannies offers a sobering look at what will likely happen following the recent decision by the Missouri General Assembly to remove campaign contribution limits.
Leggett to webcast investor meeting
Carthage-based Fortune 500 company Leggett & Platt will webcast a Wednesday, May 24,meeting in New York with investors and analysts, according to a company news release.
Blaukat no stranger to dealing with Joplin Globe
Newly-minted Joplin Daily Publisher Rodney Blaukat is no stranger to dealing with his competition, the Joplin Globe.
I came across this post from the Sept. 5, 2004, Turner Report when Blaukat was still a member of the Joplin R-8 Board of Education and the Globe, as usual, failed to play up Joplin school achievements.
I came across this post from the Sept. 5, 2004, Turner Report when Blaukat was still a member of the Joplin R-8 Board of Education and the Globe, as usual, failed to play up Joplin school achievements.
Nodler: Campaign finance bill was not perfect
Using his gift for understatement Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, told those attending an Eggs and Issues breakfast at Airport Drive Friday that the recently passed campaign finance bill was not perfect.
The Joplin Daily quotes Nodler as saying:
"Campaign finance and ethics reform, again, not a perfect bill, but one that certainly increases transparency so citizens will be able to follow the dollars more easily and know where campaign finances come from. It tightens up on the relationship between lobbyists and legislature, which is probably long overdue."
All it does is make it easier for the special interests to get their money where they want it to go in the first place. And it has no effect whatsoever on the relationship between lobbyists and legislators.
To restore voter confidence, these are the steps that should be taken:
-Forget about lobbyists' disclosure. Ban gifts entirely. I am tired of the whining from supporters of the status quo claiming that this violates the First Amendment which specifically enables people to petition their legislators. The First Amendment says nothing about paying for travel, booze, and gifts. Lobbyists will still hold the advantage since most of them have Jefferson City offices and easy access to our representatives and senators. They have the right to petition the legislators, not the right to buy them.
-Restore the campaign contribution limits that Missourians overwhelmingly approved 12 years ago. Even though the system still overwhelmingly leans toward incumbents of both parties, if the money the parties shell out is removed from the equation, the system is much more fair. That can be done without removing contributions. If a candidate deserves to win, this can be done without huge amounts of cash coming in from out-of-district (and sometimes out-of-state) special interests). If a candidate cannot raise money in his or her own district, that candidate deserves to go down to defeat.
It's not going to happen, but Governor Blunt should veto this bill. Compromise is an effective tool in politics, but this is not compromise; this bill does absolutely nothing to loosen the stranglehold special interests have on Missouri politics.
More than $5 million in bills submitted in O'Sullivan Industries bankruptcy
Final bills totaling more than $5 million were submitted by three of the companies that advised O'Sullivan Industries officials in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
According to documents filed Friday in U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Lazard Freres & Co. submitted a bill for a $2,812,500 fee for work done between Oct. 14 when the bankruptcy was filed and April when the company emerged from bankruptcy. That did not include $106,572.86 Lazard claims for expenses.
FTI Consulting's bill was for $1,834,836.25, not counting $206,835.32 in expenses. Finally, Lamberth, Cifelli, Stokes & Stout submitted a bill for $216,526, not counting $29,231.92 for expenses.
According to documents filed Friday in U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Lazard Freres & Co. submitted a bill for a $2,812,500 fee for work done between Oct. 14 when the bankruptcy was filed and April when the company emerged from bankruptcy. That did not include $106,572.86 Lazard claims for expenses.
FTI Consulting's bill was for $1,834,836.25, not counting $206,835.32 in expenses. Finally, Lamberth, Cifelli, Stokes & Stout submitted a bill for $216,526, not counting $29,231.92 for expenses.
GateHouse media seeking web designer
It appears designer for GateHouse Media's websites may be based in Joplin, according to an advertisement placed on Journalismjobs.com The location for the position is listed as Joplin and the salary as between $30,000 and $35,000. The ad reads:
"National Publishing Company is seeking a website designer to assist with production and maintenance of several websites throughout the country. The successful candidate must possess the following skills and knowledge: Flash design knowledge/design experience, Photoshop, Illustrator, HTML, XML, JavaScript, Web Graphic Design, Web Savvy, Planning, Web User Interface Design, Web Programming Skills, Teamwork, Illustration Tools, Multimedia Content Development, Understanding Browser Capabilities, Internet Presence, Verbal Communication A minimum of 3 years of web design experience - 5 years or more of experience is desired."
Interestingly enough, knowledge of news does not appear as a requirement.
Those who are interested in the position are directed to contact new Joplin Daily Publisher Rodney Blaukat.
GateHouse's other area publications include The Carthage Press and the Neosho Daily News.
"National Publishing Company is seeking a website designer to assist with production and maintenance of several websites throughout the country. The successful candidate must possess the following skills and knowledge: Flash design knowledge/design experience, Photoshop, Illustrator, HTML, XML, JavaScript, Web Graphic Design, Web Savvy, Planning, Web User Interface Design, Web Programming Skills, Teamwork, Illustration Tools, Multimedia Content Development, Understanding Browser Capabilities, Internet Presence, Verbal Communication A minimum of 3 years of web design experience - 5 years or more of experience is desired."
Interestingly enough, knowledge of news does not appear as a requirement.
Those who are interested in the position are directed to contact new Joplin Daily Publisher Rodney Blaukat.
GateHouse's other area publications include The Carthage Press and the Neosho Daily News.
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