Judge accepts White's guilty plea

Federal Judge Richard E. Dorr has accepted Gregory White's guilty plea, according to documents filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
White pleaded guilty Dec. 4 in Springfield to weapons charges. He is the father of Thomas White, who took a gun to Memorial Middle School in October.
Gregory White's sentencing has not been scheduled.
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The Heartland Diary of Betty B offers an interesting take on the decision to charge Thomas White as an adult.

Reader says bloggers are not journalists

As I expected, I handed my legion of critics some ammunition Saturday when I recounted the number of stories that were broken by The Turner Report during the last six months of 2006.
I was amused by the most recent response:

Which of those were scoops? You may have had something posted FIRST, but other media outlets had to get interviews, check facts, write stories void of personal opinion and according to AP style, etc. I know for a fact at least half of those stories weren't picked up by journalists or editors who read this blog!
Sure, there are some who read this blog and consider it a good source for news. I consider it gossip, not news. Anything with a source has already been reported.
Bloggers aren't journalists.
Period

I normally would let this go by except that it appears this comment came from the Joplin Globe building. If this is the attitude a majority of Globe reporters have (and I don't believe it is), then whoever Globe management selects to succeed Ed Simpson has my complete sympathy.

Which of those were scoops? Why does it not surprise me that there is someone at the Globe who does not recognize a scoop when he or she sees one?
And while it is true that I seldom conduct interviews, anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis has more than ample evidence that I know where to find records and documents to back up my reporting. Unfortunately, I have seen stories in Missouri newspapers that indicate few reporters know how to use documents. Many political reporters believe they have done their job if they call a Democrat, then call a Republican, then call it a day.

I also know for a fact that more than half of the stories I write have not been, and will not be, picked up by the Globe or other area media outlets. The attitude that if the traditional media does not think a story is a story then it is not one could be the reason why newspaper readership in the United States continues to decline at an alarming rate.

And I love the AP style comment. The reader is making it sound as if writing in AP style slows down the process, or somehow makes writing a news story more difficult.

This nonsense of a story not being a story until the Joplin Globe considers it one could be one of the reasons why this blog's readership continues to grow. It also could explain why the Joplin Daily, Joplin TriState Business and the Joplin Business Journal have been able to establish footholds in the metro area.

As for whether this blog constitutes journalism, I leave that for the readers to decide. I don't believe all bloggers are journalists. But the practice of journalism is not limited to those who work for traditional print or broadcast media outlets...fortunately for readers.

Columnist outlines Blunt's path to the presidency

Tuesday's Kansas City Star featured an article examining Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's lack of popularity.
In a column that makes Stephen King read like Beatrix Potter, today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes off in an entirely different direction as Bill McClellan outlines the path the governor could take to the presidency in 2012 when Blunt would still be only 42 years old.
At first, I just laughed and then I remembered Jimmy Carter.

Lawsuit targets new campaign contribution law

A lawsuit filed today in Cole County Circuit Court takes direct aim at the newly-enacted campaign contribution law, saying that its provisions against fundraising during the legislative session provide a substantial advantage to incumbents:

The case was filed by Democrat James Trout, who narrowly lost election last November to Republican Rep. Kathlyn Fares, of St. Louis. The lawsuit says Trout intends to be a candidate again in 2008 and would like to contribute to other candidates and spend his own money on his own campaign during the law's blackout period. Trout said the repeal of contribution limits, combined with the 4 1/2-month fundraising blackout, makes it easier for incumbents to gain a fundraising advantage over their challengers. It also favors wealthy special interests, he said.
"This law is a lopsided charade whose intention, I think, is seriously just to keep a supermajority entrenched," Trout, of Webster Groves, said in a telephone interview. "It certainly weights the election in favor of those who already hold office."

DNR to meet with county, city officials

A Missouri Department of Natural Resources news release indicates department officials will be in Joplin, Carthage, and Springfield Friday.

Those scheduled to be here to meet with county and city officials, according to the release, are:Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers, Regional Ombudsmen Carrie Smith and Dave Woolery, Department Deputy Director and General Counsel Kurt Schaefer, Field Services Director Jim Macy and Division of Environmental Quality Deputy Director Leanne Tippett Mosby.

The stops are scheduled to be from 11 a.m. to 12:15 at City Hall in Joplin, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. at the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage, and 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse at 940 Boonville, Springfield.

The meetings are open to the public. It's a shame they couldn't have worked in a meeting for Neosho.

Voucher legislation on tap for Missouri General Assembly

Today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch features an examination of some of the legislation likely to be addressed by the 2007 Missouri General Assembly, including educational vouchers, which of course is addressed by the newspaper by its less threatening euphemism- school choice:

Supporters of school choice will once again file a lightning-rod bill that would use state tax credits to create a scholarship fund that could send as many as 10,000 urban children to private school. For years, the measure has gone nowhere. But mounting dissatisfaction with St. Louis Public Schools could lead to a showdown.

A handful of House members will team up to push the bill, including Reps. Rodney Hubbard, D-St. Louis, Ted Hoskins, D-Berkeley, Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, and Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles. Gov. Matt Blunt also supports the concept. Opposition will be fierce from teachers unions and Democrats, who say the failings of the St. Louis schools are being exploited as an excuse for a voucher-like program.

To pass the House, the bill will have to win over rural Republicans, who stand to gain little from an urban scholarship program and who worry about draining state coffers. To gain votes, supporters may have to reduce the tax credit paid to those who donate to the scholarship. Winning over the Senate could be more difficult.

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I don't know about this perceived reluctance of rural Republicans to support this legislation. House co-sponsors of the legislation included: Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, and Ed Emery, R-Lamar.

Star article examines Blunt's lack of popularity

Gov. Matt Blunt has managed to steamroll through nearly everything he has wanted (Medicaid cuts, the MOHELA plan, etc.), but he is still one of the most unpopular governors in the country.

The Kansas City Star offers a revealing look at the governor's style and how it affects his popularity or lack thereof:

Wealthy politicians "don’t always understand what middle- and lower-class people deal with, especially how much the lower class depends on social services," Missouri State University political scientist Mark Rushefsky said. "Saying, 'We’ll give you an electric wheelchair but not the battery to run it,' seemed insensitive and symbolic."

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A personal observation: Perhaps it's time we stopped putting candidates names on the ballots just because of who their fathers are. This practice has not served us well in Missouri or in the United States and has given us my-way-or-the-highway leaders with no connection to the real world.

Jetton concludes columns on Lt. Trane McCloud

Missouri Speaker of the House Rod Jetton concludes his series of moving personal columns on the death of his friend and former Marine colleague Lt. Trane McCloud. His columns have served as a symbol for all of those who have lost friends or relatives during the war in Iraq:

Pray for Maggie and pray for her family as well as all the families who have lost loved ones to this war. Only the Lord can provide them with the comfort, peace and strength to keep going each day. Watching Maggie at the funeral and seeing her strength through a very hard time makes me feel the Lord is already at work comforting her.

Arlington is a moving place. Every American should visit that cemetery. If you ever go to Washington and only have time to visit a few things, make sure Arlington is on your list. Yes, the White House and Capitol are important and interesting, but they are not the reason America is strong and free.

There are thousands of little white stones with some of the most important names from all over the country written on them. Those people and their actions are why America is such a great country. Many of those people died so we could be free. I very seldom go to Washington without stopping at Arlington to look over the graves and see the Marine Corps monument. I always stop at the Vietnam Memorial too, but Arlington is a special place across the river up on a quiet, peaceful hill that seems miles away from the Capitol and politics.

Trane's memorial service was held at his home church in Alexandria, VA, which is just south of Arlington. The Marine Corps makes you plan out your will and service before you leave for any deployment. After looking at the program, I could tell Trane had it all planned. Trane had us sing "My County, 'Tis of Thee," three verses of "Eternal Father" and we finished with the "Marines' Hymn." He always requested "Eternal Father" at all our church services on float and he loved our country and Corps. As sad as we all were, the service Trane planned made us all proud to be Americans.

We then proceeded up to Arlington for his internment. It was cloudy but not raining. There were lots of visitors to the cemetery that day and they all stopped and watched with respect as the procession went by. I had hitched a ride from the church to Arlington with a couple of Trane's buddies from his time as a company commander with 2/3.

We talked about Trane, and traded stories about serving with him on the ride over to Arlington. They were both majors and would soon be shipping out to Iraq themselves. They each had wives and families and we talked about how Trane's death was affecting them. Talking with them reminded me about how so many families live in fear each day about a loved one who is over in Iraq or could be going soon. Too often, I get busy with my job and normal life and I forget about all the daily sacrifices others are making so I can life in peace.

The Marine Corps gave Trane the honor he deserved at his internment. Four big black horses slowly pulled his flagged draped coffin toward the gravesite. It was cloudy and damp so the red, white and blue from the flag stood out against the drab dark background of leafless trees and brown grass. There were three Marine platoons in full dress uniform along with the commandant's marching band. There was also a group of Marine Corps bag pipes players, which I knew Trane would appreciate.

As we walked up to the graveside for the final words at burial the sun popped out of the clouds and warmed the day. It almost seemed like a sign from Trane that everything was ok. I saw a big bald eagle fly overhead and thought to myself how fitting that was for such a strong Marine like Trane.

The priest said a few words, then the firing squad gave a three round gun salute and a lone bugler played "Taps." As each shot fired I just kept thinking this can't really be happening. I wanted those shots to go on forever. Hearing "Taps" played for Trane was about the saddest thing I have ever heard.

I have heard "Taps" played at the end of each day back in the Corps and many times at funerals, but this time it was different. This time a good man, who was much better than I, was being laid to rest because he volunteered to go over and do a job he didn't have to do so we could live in peace.

Trane died in a helicopter crash. From what I was told, the bird was losing power and they asked some of the Marines to jump out since they were over a lake. Trane jumped out and with all his gear and body armor on he didn't make it. The new body armor is ceramic and heavy so it makes it very hard to swim and you sink quickly. Another Marine was killed in the crash as well. The helo ended up crash landing at the edge of the water and the other Marines made it.

I wish they all had made it. I wish we weren't at war and I wish Trane were still here with us. But being a Marine is dangerous. The world is not a safe place and there are lots of evil people that want to kill all Americans. I don't understand why Islamic extremists hate us so much. I guess they hate our religion, our lifestyle and our freedom. History has shown that there will always be those in the world who prey on the weak and want power over others.

I am thankful we have heroes like Trane who believe in this country and devote their lives to protecting Americans and doing their duty. They are always out there sacrificing for us. Sometimes we are at war and sometimes we are at peace, but there are always Marines stationed around keeping watch on our safety.

I have a rubber band bracelet that I wear everyday on my arm. It says, "Remember our troops." Sometimes, when I am busy and complaining about some small inconvenience, I look down at that bracelet and think of the hardship some soldier may be in at that very moment. I remember how good I have it and I say a prayer for all those fighting for us.

A few years ago we took the kids to D.C for vacation and stayed with Trane and Maggie. Before each meal Maggie would lead the kids in a short prayer thanking God for the food and it always ended with, "And dear God please bless daddy and all the Marines far away." We should all pray that prayer each day and we should remember that each day there is a family that is hurting because they lost a loved one who was protecting America and keeping us safe.

Retransmission battles continue

Area residents will remember the year-long battle which kept Nexstar Broadcasting stations KSNF and KODE (all right, I know KODE is allegedly Mission) off Joplin's Cable One for nearly a year before an agreement was reached.

Though we don't hear as much about it now since the battle here concluded, retransmission battles are still going on across the country. Broadcasting & Cable reports on the latest one, in Spokane, Wash.:

"Time Warner puts no value on over-the-air broadcasting," says Brian Brady, Chairman of the Fox affiliates and president of Northwest Broadcasting Corp., which owns KAYU among other stations in Oregon and New York. "They think because it's free, they should have the right to put that signal on their systems and charge the subscribers for it."

Sound familiar?

New lobbying laws already being evaded

New reforms planned by Congress have not even been voted into place yet, and already lobbying organizations are finding ways around them, according to a column in today's Washington Post.
The column is mostly about the National Rifle Association's efforts to deal with the incoming onslaught of Democrats, but in an unrelated item at the end, columnist Jeffrey Birnbaum writes that lobbying organizations are devising workarounds for the proposed elimination of travel junkets for Congress:

Maneuvering by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and others has opened a gaping loophole in the bill. Lobbies such as AIPAC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have their own nonprofit foundations, which will still be allowed to underwrite congressional junkets under the new rules. Watch for more lobbying groups to set up their own "non-lobbying" foundation affiliates as a result.