Blogger characterizes Hensley as 'vulture'

The blog In the Mailbox describes former Jasper County Presiding Commissioner Danny Hensley as a "vulture" after Hensley mounted a write-in candidacy for his old post last week:

Here's the part that shows the feathery sheen and vulture-like neck of Hensley, as written by Susan Redden: "Hensley, who lives in rural Carthage and is an auctioneer and land developer, held the commission job for 16 years before losing to Chuck Surface four years ago. He said he did not file to run in the August primary 'because the time wasn't right.'"

The time wasn't right because Surface was still running. The guy that Hensley allegedly supported lost, also. So, why is he running now? Again?

Noland: Skelton criticism of Iraq war is helping the enemy

James Noland, the Republican challenger to longtime Fourth District Congressman Ike Skelton, says Skelton's opposition to the president's Iraq policy is helping this nation's enemies.

For a snapshot of the two candidates' views:

Skelton, who voted for the war and relies on support from the district's two military installations, Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster and Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, said it's time for Iraqi police and soldiers to take on greater responsibility for security, especially as the country devolves into sectarian violence.

"The Iraqis are going to have to shoulder this burden more and more and should not be able to rely on American forces indefinitely," Skelton said, adding that he would leave the manner and timing of the redeployment to the military. "(Iraqis) are the masters of their own destiny and we can't do it all for them."

Noland, however, said such criticism could help the enemy. While acknowledging his view of the war "is what I get from the media and Rush Limbaugh," Noland said the U.S. must remain in Iraq for as long as it takes to defeat the terrorists.



More important, he thinks Skelton's stance has alienated many of his supporters in the district, giving Noland a better chance this year.

“I think he's making a mistake on saying he wants to pull the troops out and throw in the towel,” Noland said. “I think that's a big mistake. There's a lot of veterans who aren't for that.”

Destroyed study showed locally-owned TV produces more local news

It's not a result that should surprise anyone, but apparently former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell was surprised by it.
When Powell was in that post, he commissioned a study designed to show that outside ownership and owners who own several stations provide just as much local news and do just as much for the community as locally-based owners.
When the results did not turn out the way he wanted them to, Powell purportedly had the study destroyed:

Three years ago, then-FCC chair Michael Powell launched a proceeding on the effects of local ownership on television news as part of his drive to further deregulate media and allow for even greater consolidation. But the report commissioned under Powell turned out to undermine his argument that consolidation has no ill effects on local news, and, according to former FCC lawyer Adam Candeub, senior managers ordered "every last piece" of the study destroyed (AP, 9/14/06). On September 12, Senator Barbara Boxer, armed with the leaked report, questioned current FCC Chair Kevin Martin about it at his renomination hearing.

According to the report, locally owned stations in fact deliver nearly six minutes more of total news and almost five-and-a-half more minutes of local news in a 30-minute newscast than stations with non-local owners. This adds up to 33 more hours of local news a year--a remarkable figure, and a damning one for big media's allies in the FCC, who are required to protect the public interest and to promote localism.

I would be interested in comments from readers concerning what effect, if any, outside ownership and ownership of more than one station has had on local television coverage in the Joplin and Springfield areas.

Daily readers reflect on McDonald/Newton County cult stories

I just now came across the Neosho Daily News' reader comments on the ongoing series of revelations concerning the alleged ritual sex with children at the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church and Grandview Baptist Church North.
If anyone has any doubt about the depth of the anger area residents have concerning these allegations, these comments should erase it.

Another Blunt staffer becomes a lobbyist

Add Mildred Webber, deputy chief of staff to Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt, to the number of Blunt staffers who have moved into lobbying.
According to TV Technology News, Ms. Webber will join the "government relations team) (fancy words for lobbyists) for the National Association of Broadcasters.
Her new job begins Oct. 2.

Former News-Leader publisher retires

Former Springfield News-Leader Publisher Bernie Griffin recently retired as publisher of the Press & Sun Bulletin in Greater Binghamton, N. Y.
The newspaper featured an interview with Griffin in today's edition.
Griffin offered this thought:

"I think the future is strong. I believe there will always be some type of print product. The printed word is still what a lot of people rely on -- but it's only one way of delivering news... In any kind of marketing effort you're trying to reach people, and whether they are reading you in print, or online or some other venue, it all works together in the end. ... It will always be about the method of gathering the news."

Blunt, Nixon debate MOHELA asset sale

Today's Springfield News-Leader offers columns by Governor Matt Blunt and Attorney General Jay Nixon, who are expected to face each other in the 2008 gubernatorial election, debating the proposed sale of MOHELA assets to finance construction at state colleges and universities.

A sampling from Nixon's column:

At a time when families are struggling to afford tuition, Gov. Blunt is advocating a plan that will make it more difficult for many Missourians and their families to finish college without a crushing load of debt. He has proposed diverting $350 million from the state’s student loan fund to help finance construction on our college campuses.

Certainly these new buildings can improve our fine institutions of higher learning, but I believe affordable education is more important.

New construction should not come at the expense of families caught in the middle-class squeeze. At the very time we preach education as necessary to success in the world economy, we are pricing our own children out of the market for higher education.

And a sampling from the governor's column:

The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will benefit our public colleges and universities, help Missouri students, spur job growth and strengthen the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). It will provide more than $335 million for capital improvement projects and $15 million for the Missouri Technology Corporation to assist with the commercialization of new technologies.

In addition to the $350 million contributed by MOHELA, the state will provide $25 million for student scholarships as an ongoing general revenue fund commitment and $60 million in additional funding for Federally Qualified Health Care Centers over a six-year period.
There is strong support in the higher education community for this proposal.

Protection order hearing set for alleged victim of Granby area pastor

The alleged victim of numerous counts of felony statutory sodomy at the hands of Granby-area minister George Otis Johnston will seek a full protection order against him during a 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, hearing before Judge John LePage in McDonald County Circuit Court.
The accusations leveled by the 17-year-old girl, who now lives in Anderson, led to the arrest of Johnston, 63, who allegedly molested her for years. Currently, a temporary protection order is in effect.

Gag order requested in McDonald County cult case

The attorney for four Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church leaders accused of felony sex crimes involving ritual sex with children filed a motion today in McDonald County Circuit Court asking for a ban on media statements.
Media coverage, especially on KODE, and in the Neosho Daily News and Joplin Globe, has featured many comments from McDonald County officials concerning the case, so Robert Evenson is asking that the talking stop to give his clients a shot at a fair trial.
The preliminary hearing for Rev. Raymond Lambert, his wife Patty, Tom Epling, and Paul Epling is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, in the courtroom of Judge John LePage.

News Leader notes Gibbons veto session remarks

In a post Thursday, I noted Senate Pro Tem Michael Gibbons' statement that the veto session was the time for saying goodbyes to colleagues who won't be there during the next legislative session, not a time to debate the issues.
It appears I am not the only one who thought that choice of words was inappropriate. An editorial in today's Springfield News-Leader also criticizes Gibbons, as well as other GOP leaders who derailed the opportunity to debate issues of importance to Missourians.