Saturday, July 02, 2011
Rush Limbaugh: It had to be Joplin
When Rush Limbaugh arrives Monday night at Landreth Park with a refrigerated truck full of tea, it won't just be because Joplin residents entered his contest.
On his program Friday, which was aired locally on KZRG, Limbaugh said people from all over the country were suggesting that Limbaugh bring his "Two if By Tea" promotion to Joplin.
Initially, the promotion was only about the truck of tea, but Limbaugh decided to make the trip himself, as he explained to his listeners:
"As an added bonus I have decided that I am going to go. I'm gonna be there. We're gonna be part of the celebration, small part of it. They got two country bands, but I want to be part of this. I want to be in Joplin along with a lot of us from Two If By Tea. This really isn't about the tea. We're talking here about American exceptionalism. You ought to see some of the entries. Some of the entries we got were from people not in Joplin suggesting that we go to Joplin because of the tornado that literally wiped out two-thirds of the city. Literally wiped out two-thirds of Joplin, Missouri. And the people there have been working together as a community to rebuild. They haven't been complaining; they haven't been whining. They've been doing whatever they can on their own.
"You people in Joplin should know that people all over the country submitting entries suggested you instead of their own communities. Not everybody, but it was a hands-down, easy choice."
Limbaugh said he is scheduled to speak at approximately 8 p.m. "but don't worry, I'm not gonna take up a lot of time."
During the program, Limbaugh read one of the contest entries from Joplin:
"Joplin, Missouri's, most recent historical event was an EF5 tornado. Moments after the tornado ravaged the city of Joplin and surrounding areas on Sunday, May 22nd, 2011, our community set about doing what brave Americans do in times of catastrophe. The forces of nature destroyed human lives, 158, homes, 8,000, and livelihoods as well, but moments after the tornado exited the east side of Joplin leaving only 70% of our community standing, our recovery began.
"The Fourth of July will have extra significance to Joplin as we proudly celebrate our American way of life and the resolve of our community to support the self-reliant people who are rebuilding their homes, rebuilding their businesses and their lives. Only moments after the storm many volunteers have been in perpetual motion helping those who suffered losses. Someone questioned why so many people, famous, not so famous, have come from far and near to help.I believe Americans are compelled to offer assistance because, quote, "nothing feels as good as sacrificing to help others in need."
Another entry Limbaugh read:
"Dear Rush: Our town is an old mining town. We are on 'The Mother Road,' Route 66. We took on Bonnie and Clyde. We are a place of hometown values. If you drove around the sites damaged today, you couldn't go two steps without seeing a makeshift flagpole with an American flag waving beautifully in the wind. We embody the real hope and change the other side only thinks they are becoming. We may be a small town, but we're mighty in number, and it doesn't take a tornado to prove the American spirit that's always been among us. Thank you for the chance to do something for the people who are too filled with humility to do it for themselves. Thanks, and God bless."
A third one read by Limbaugh:
"The people in the heartland are the hardest workers in the world. When the tornado hit Joplin, they wasted no time jumping in and taking care of whatever needed to be done. They didn't whine, they didn't wait, they didn't wonder why no one came," and, you know, folks, that's true. We all saw the pictures out of Joplin and we were just stunned at the devastation -- the satellite pictures before and after -- and there wasn't a lot of whining, even from the two people from the Rebuild Committee who happened to call the program here. Nobody was whining, and there wasn't any looting, and there wasn't any begging, and there wasn't any "Where's FEMA?"
CFO launches Joplin Recovery Fund Website
(From Community Foundation of the Ozarks)
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its largest affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, Inc., launched a new section on their websites devoted to the Joplin Recovery Fund.
The site – www.joplinrecoveryfund.org – will follow the long-term recovery process specifically through the CFO/CFSWMO role in accepting donations for Joplin’s long-term recovery from the May 22 tornado.
In addition to the Joplin Recovery Fund, the CFO/CFSWMO have established 12 other funds serving a variety of needs for Joplin, including one set up by the City of Joplin, several employer benevolence funds to assist affected workers and the families, one for tree reforestation and one for school supplies. The combined funds, along with the CFO’s partnership on the Joplin Recovery Fund with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and the Tulsa Community Foundation, now total about $2 million.
The site includes all of the funds as well as a list of donors who did not request to remain anonymous. It will be updated periodically with news items, future donors, other new funds, information when a grant making process is established for the Joplin Recovery Fund, and future grant awards from that fund. Distributions from other funds are made at the recommendation of the entity that established the fund.
“We have donors from virtually every state and several countries who have expressed their care and concern for the Joplin community’s recovery and we want to let everyone interested in our involvement to have this resource,” CFO President Brian Fogle said.
The CFO’s Joplin staff associate, Michelle Ducre, and CFSWMO Board Chair Lisa Knutzen are developing a community-based group to determine the grant making process for the Joplin Recovery Fund.
The CFO/CFSWMO established the Joplin Recovery Fund on Monday, May 23, with a pledge to direct 100 percent of the donations to the recovery effort through a process established by Joplin area leaders who best understand the needs of the community.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its largest affiliate, the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, Inc., launched a new section on their websites devoted to the Joplin Recovery Fund.
The site – www.joplinrecoveryfund.org – will follow the long-term recovery process specifically through the CFO/CFSWMO role in accepting donations for Joplin’s long-term recovery from the May 22 tornado.
In addition to the Joplin Recovery Fund, the CFO/CFSWMO have established 12 other funds serving a variety of needs for Joplin, including one set up by the City of Joplin, several employer benevolence funds to assist affected workers and the families, one for tree reforestation and one for school supplies. The combined funds, along with the CFO’s partnership on the Joplin Recovery Fund with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and the Tulsa Community Foundation, now total about $2 million.
The site includes all of the funds as well as a list of donors who did not request to remain anonymous. It will be updated periodically with news items, future donors, other new funds, information when a grant making process is established for the Joplin Recovery Fund, and future grant awards from that fund. Distributions from other funds are made at the recommendation of the entity that established the fund.
“We have donors from virtually every state and several countries who have expressed their care and concern for the Joplin community’s recovery and we want to let everyone interested in our involvement to have this resource,” CFO President Brian Fogle said.
The CFO’s Joplin staff associate, Michelle Ducre, and CFSWMO Board Chair Lisa Knutzen are developing a community-based group to determine the grant making process for the Joplin Recovery Fund.
The CFO/CFSWMO established the Joplin Recovery Fund on Monday, May 23, with a pledge to direct 100 percent of the donations to the recovery effort through a process established by Joplin area leaders who best understand the needs of the community.
Friday, July 01, 2011
Removal of hazardous tornado-damaged trees, branches, and stumps begins
(From the City of Joplin)
The May 22, 2011 tornado seriously damaged or destroyed many trees throughout Joplin and the surrounding areas. Some of the damaged trees may survive. Many more, unfortunately, will not. Instead, they now are considered hazardous and need to be removed in order to protect the public.
Many of these storm-damaged trees are in the hardest-hit areas, where Expedited Debris Removal (EDR) was authorized by the federal government to remove storm debris from properties that sustained extensive and catastrophic tornado damage in Jasper and Newton counties.
Removal of hazardous trees, branches and stumps now will be incorporated into the debris-removal efforts from private, residential property in the EDR area, as well as from most public areas. This could mean flush-cutting a standing, dead or damaged tree to ground level; removing an entire tree, including its root ball, and/or removing the storm-damaged stump itself.
What’s Eligible:
A tree is considered hazardous if the damage it has sustained was caused by the tornado, it poses an imminent threat to public health and safety, the tree is more than 6 inches in diameter and has one or more of the following conditions:
§ More than 50 percent of the crown (upper branches and leaves) is damaged or destroyed;
§ The trunk is split or branches are broken in such a way that the tree’s heartwood is exposed;
§ The tree has fallen or been uprooted;
§ The tree is leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees;
§ There are hanging branches (2 inches or greater in diameter) that are creating an immediate threat to public health and safety or to improved property, such as a home, structure or public area;
§ The storm-damaged tree has been reduced to a stump that has been uprooted and is exposing 50 percent or more of the root ball.
Where It’s Eligible:
§ Public-use areas (parks, grounds of public/government buildings, public rights-of way, etc.)
§ Private, residential property in the EDR area for which a valid Right-of-Entry (ROE) form has been received. Properties that the City of Joplin declares a public nuisance because of tornado debris will be handled the same as those with a signed, ROE form.
§ Residential areas outside of the EDR where hazardous trees, branches or stumps are impacting public property (i.e. rights-of-way) and the hazard can be removed without going onto private property.
How It Works:
§ Arborists and other experts working as part of the government-funded debris-removal effort will evaluate storm-damaged trees, branches and stumps to determine whether they are hazardous and need to be removed.
§ Trees that can be saved will be marked with a “K” for “Keep.”
§ Government-funded debris-removal crews will remove trees, branches and stumps that cannot be saved and haul them away. For safety, crews also will fill in any holes that result from the removal of these trees or stumps.
§ It’s important to know that the presence of new leaves on tornado-damaged trees does not necessarily mean the tree will survive. It may just mean that the tree has some reserve energy that has been able to produce a new, short-term growth spurt that will eventually die off.
What if I’m Not in an Eligible Area?
§ Seek the advice of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to determine the best course of action for your storm-damaged trees or shrubs.
§ Utilize a professional tree service to remove storm-damaged trees and stumps.
§ Fill in any holes or large depressions in the ground that could present a trip or fall hazard.
If you have questions about hazardous tree designations or removal, please contact the city’s Tornado Assistance Information Line (TAIL) at 417-627-2900.
The May 22, 2011 tornado seriously damaged or destroyed many trees throughout Joplin and the surrounding areas. Some of the damaged trees may survive. Many more, unfortunately, will not. Instead, they now are considered hazardous and need to be removed in order to protect the public.
Many of these storm-damaged trees are in the hardest-hit areas, where Expedited Debris Removal (EDR) was authorized by the federal government to remove storm debris from properties that sustained extensive and catastrophic tornado damage in Jasper and Newton counties.
Removal of hazardous trees, branches and stumps now will be incorporated into the debris-removal efforts from private, residential property in the EDR area, as well as from most public areas. This could mean flush-cutting a standing, dead or damaged tree to ground level; removing an entire tree, including its root ball, and/or removing the storm-damaged stump itself.
What’s Eligible:
A tree is considered hazardous if the damage it has sustained was caused by the tornado, it poses an imminent threat to public health and safety, the tree is more than 6 inches in diameter and has one or more of the following conditions:
§ More than 50 percent of the crown (upper branches and leaves) is damaged or destroyed;
§ The trunk is split or branches are broken in such a way that the tree’s heartwood is exposed;
§ The tree has fallen or been uprooted;
§ The tree is leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees;
§ There are hanging branches (2 inches or greater in diameter) that are creating an immediate threat to public health and safety or to improved property, such as a home, structure or public area;
§ The storm-damaged tree has been reduced to a stump that has been uprooted and is exposing 50 percent or more of the root ball.
Where It’s Eligible:
§ Public-use areas (parks, grounds of public/government buildings, public rights-of way, etc.)
§ Private, residential property in the EDR area for which a valid Right-of-Entry (ROE) form has been received. Properties that the City of Joplin declares a public nuisance because of tornado debris will be handled the same as those with a signed, ROE form.
§ Residential areas outside of the EDR where hazardous trees, branches or stumps are impacting public property (i.e. rights-of-way) and the hazard can be removed without going onto private property.
How It Works:
§ Arborists and other experts working as part of the government-funded debris-removal effort will evaluate storm-damaged trees, branches and stumps to determine whether they are hazardous and need to be removed.
§ Trees that can be saved will be marked with a “K” for “Keep.”
§ Government-funded debris-removal crews will remove trees, branches and stumps that cannot be saved and haul them away. For safety, crews also will fill in any holes that result from the removal of these trees or stumps.
§ It’s important to know that the presence of new leaves on tornado-damaged trees does not necessarily mean the tree will survive. It may just mean that the tree has some reserve energy that has been able to produce a new, short-term growth spurt that will eventually die off.
What if I’m Not in an Eligible Area?
§ Seek the advice of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to determine the best course of action for your storm-damaged trees or shrubs.
§ Utilize a professional tree service to remove storm-damaged trees and stumps.
§ Fill in any holes or large depressions in the ground that could present a trip or fall hazard.
If you have questions about hazardous tree designations or removal, please contact the city’s Tornado Assistance Information Line (TAIL) at 417-627-2900.
Cleaver: Ryan cuts would hurt Missourians deeply
In his weekly EC from DC column, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-MO, explained the effect the budget plan submitted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, would have on Missourians:
On Tuesday, I joined with several local leaders, including Congressman William "Lacy" Clay and Senator Tom Harkin, and the national health care consumer organization, FamiliesUSA to talk about how Medicaid cuts would hurt our economy here in Missouri.
I have already shared with you, many times, how dangerously detrimental I believe the cuts to Medicaid will be for low-
income and middle-class families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. But now experts are saying these cuts will take a toll on all of us--the entire economy of Missouri.
The Medicaid cuts in the House Republican budget, if implemented today, would have a devastating impact on the struggling economy of our nation, our state, and our communities. These cuts would put as many as 35,210 jobs and as much as $4.2 billion in state business activity at risk. That’s the conclusion of a report for Missouri released today by the national health care consumer organization Families USA.
In recent memory, I have often heard it said that we must cut the budget in order to get our economy back on track. While I could not agree more that we as a nation must learn to live within our means, this report is a call to caution.
The least of these should not bear the burden for a problem they did not produce.
The cuts called for in Congress have a real, painful impact in our communities. Worse, the cuts will hinder our economic recovery.
The budget proposal adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by my colleague, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), calls for cuts in federal funding to current state Medicaid programs of 5 percent in 2013, 15 percent in 2014, and 33 percent in 2021.
The report “Jobs at Risk” looks at the economic impact of a 5 percent, 15 percent and 33 percent cut in current Medicaid funding levels. Implementing a 5 percent cut in Medicaid spending in 2011 would:
-Cost Missouri almost $290.7 million in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $633.7 million in business activity and 5,330 jobs;
-Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the $13.75 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents, including funding for nursing home care and other long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
A 15 percent cut in federal Medicaid spending in 2011 would have a greater impact and would:
-Cost Missouri nearly 872.1 million in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $1.9 billion in business activity and 16,000 jobs;
-Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the $41.25 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents.
A 33 percent cut in federal Medicaid spending in 2011 would:
-Cost Missouri more than $1.9 billion in federal Medicaid dollars, and put at risk approximately $4.2 billion in business activity and 35,210 jobs;
-Cost Missouri and the remaining 49 states and the District of Columbia the almost $90.8 billion needed to support health care for vulnerable residents.
If you want to learn more, the “Jobs at Risk” data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia are available at:
http://familiesusa2.org/assets/pdfs/Medicaid-Cuts-Hurt-State-Economies.pdf
Missouri Congressional delegation backs call for president to declare emergency disaster declaration for state
Eight members of Missouri's Congressional delegation, including Seventh District Congressman Billy Long signed a letter Thursday backing Gov. Jay Nixon's request that President Obama issue an emergency disaster declaration for the state. The letter is printed below:
Dear Mr. President:
We write to you in support of Governor Jay Nixon’s request for an emergency disaster declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of unprecedented flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.
As you know, this flooding is the result of water releases from the various Missouri River reservoirs due to record snow melt and excessive rain over both major river systems beginning in early June of this year. The affected areas include Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Warren Counties and the independent City of St. Louis. Some communities in these areas have also been evacuated or are in the process of evacuating.
There are approximately 110 reported road closures due to flooding. The State Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the delivery of seven sandbagging machines, over one million sandbags, two-hundred tons of sand, and twenty-four pumps to assist local governments protect critical infrastructure. Governor Nixon has also declared a State of Emergency for the entire state, activated the Missouri National Guard, and continues to coordinate mitigation and response efforts with numerous state and local personnel, volunteers, and non-profit organizations.
As you review Governor Nixon’s request, please consider that Missouri is still fully engaged in recovery operations associated with the flooding and tornado damages that resulted in a federal disaster declaration. Due to multiple disasters and the scope of existing and expected damage, we truly believe federal assistance is needed to help our great state recover.
Again, we write in strong support of Governor Nixon’s request for assistanand appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
Representative Todd Akin MO-2
Representative Sam Graves MO-6
Representative Russ Carnahan MO-3
Representative Billy Long MO-7
Representative Vicky Hartzler MO-4
Representative Jo Ann Emerson MO-8
Representative Emanuel Cleaver MO-5
Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer MO-9
Dear Mr. President:
We write to you in support of Governor Jay Nixon’s request for an emergency disaster declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of unprecedented flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.
As you know, this flooding is the result of water releases from the various Missouri River reservoirs due to record snow melt and excessive rain over both major river systems beginning in early June of this year. The affected areas include Andrew, Atchison, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Cole, Cooper, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Moniteau, Montgomery, Osage, Platte, Ray, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Warren Counties and the independent City of St. Louis. Some communities in these areas have also been evacuated or are in the process of evacuating.
There are approximately 110 reported road closures due to flooding. The State Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the delivery of seven sandbagging machines, over one million sandbags, two-hundred tons of sand, and twenty-four pumps to assist local governments protect critical infrastructure. Governor Nixon has also declared a State of Emergency for the entire state, activated the Missouri National Guard, and continues to coordinate mitigation and response efforts with numerous state and local personnel, volunteers, and non-profit organizations.
As you review Governor Nixon’s request, please consider that Missouri is still fully engaged in recovery operations associated with the flooding and tornado damages that resulted in a federal disaster declaration. Due to multiple disasters and the scope of existing and expected damage, we truly believe federal assistance is needed to help our great state recover.
Again, we write in strong support of Governor Nixon’s request for assistanand appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
Representative Todd Akin MO-2
Representative Sam Graves MO-6
Representative Russ Carnahan MO-3
Representative Billy Long MO-7
Representative Vicky Hartzler MO-4
Representative Jo Ann Emerson MO-8
Representative Emanuel Cleaver MO-5
Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer MO-9
Rush Limbaugh coming to Joplin July 4
Rush Limbaugh is coming to Joplin Monday, July 4, and he is bringing iced tea.
KZRG announced this morning that the syndicated radio talk show host, who is aired weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 1310 AM and 102.9 FM.
According to the station's news release, Limbaugh announced on KZRG that "his company Two if by Tea will be driving a refrigerated truck full of ice tea into Landreth Park for Joplin's 4th of July celebration. Rush told News Talk KZRG as a bonus he will also be visiting. He will join News Talk KZRG on stage that evening and address the crowd. Over 3,000 entries were received but Rush said the decision was clear.It had to be Joplin."
The Two if By Tea contest is described this way on Limbaugh's website:
If you think your town's 4th of July celebration is the best place for Rush to send his truck full of Two If By Tea™, we want to hear from you. Just fill out the form below to nominate your town's 4th of July celebration. The winning town will receive a truck full of cold Two If By Tea™ to be given away to you and your happy neighbors. The truck will be chilled and stocked in all 4 flavors: Original Sweet Tea, Diet Original Tea, Raspberry Tea, and Diet Raspberry Tea!
As you know, Two If By Tea™ is all about celebrating the history of the United States of America. So we want to know, what makes your town a true symbol of American pride? Please give us details of your town's history and why the 4th of July is extra special to your area. Simply fill out the form below with as much information as possible to enter your town in the contest. Entries must be submitted by June 29th at 6:00pm Eastern Time (EST). Your nomination will be studied and the winning town will be announced live on the Rush Limbaugh Show, July 1, 2011.
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