Global warming is a lie
12/27/07
EDITOR:DI
Global warming.
The biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people and passed to other countries. The reason other nations are on board is they want American taxpayers to pay the bill.
These people who are crying climate change have not been here very long. When they claim the four hottest years in history have been since 1990, they are either misinformed, not very old or they have a reason to push this lie.
When I grew up in the 1930s, we would go barefoot all summer. We couldn’t afford shoes. In 1934-36, when you would go out at daytime the dust would be so hot from the heat the day before that it would burn your feet. Since 1990, we have not had a year as hot as 1934-36-54-or 1980. I can remember my dad talking about the heat in the early 1920s. The only reason people like Al Gore are pushing this idea is to keep themselves in the public eye.
There is no scientific proof that climate change is happening. It has only been a few short years since these same groups of people were predicting a new Ice Age.
As long as they keep this going they will be able to keep their name before the public. There have been chunks of ice breaking off of glaciers to float in the North Atlantic since time began and will continue for the future. If you don't believe t his, ask the people on the Titanic, if there are any left.
Don’t be fooled by the cry of global warming. It is a hoax, for some people’s personal agenda.
--George Fee
Weston
Support the Right to Repair Act
12/27/07
EDITOR:DI
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has declared its support of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) and strongly urges Congress to pass the legislation in order to safeguard individual vehicle ownership rights.
The legislative intent of the Right to Repair Act is to offer protections for motor vehicle owners by making it illegal for vehicle manufacturers to withhold information necessary to diagnose, service or repair motor vehicles.
The fact is that consumers are entitled to the right to choose how their motor vehicle is maintained or upgraded. The point of Right to Repair is not to discourage vehicle owners from using the dealership for service, but to protect the freedom of American consumers to choose how they take care of their motor vehicle, be it in their driveway or at a trusted repair facility
We have formally committed to support the Right to Repair Act because we believe that safeguarding individual ownership rights is an absolute must. Access to accurate information when it comes to the repair or upkeep of a vehicle is essential to the safety and well being of the entire American motoring public.
We encourage all motorists to visit www.righttorepair.org to send a letter to each of their congressional representatives, urging them to support the Right to Repair Act by adding their names to the growing list of co-sponsors.
--Jeff Hennie
Vice President
of Government Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Washington DC
A musical gem locally
12/21/07
EDITOR:DI
I love this time of year. Right here in Platte City we are fortunate to have great music.
On Dec. 4, 2007, Platte City Friends of the Arts had a community band concert. Extra special was Beverly Morales, president, greeting everyone and Lisi Stephens handing out candy canes.
December 16, 2007, Platte County High School’s Concert Band and Wind Ensemble performed at Wilson Auditorium. They were great. These kids have so much talent.
The Canto Chorale presented Season of Wonders at the Platte City Christian Church. This is a group of folks that can and like to sing and do a magnificent job.
Remaining performances include one set for Wednesday, Dec. 16 p.m. at the Park Hill Christian Church, and one on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. at the Conception Abbey.
Merry Christmas!
--Patsy Baber
Platte City
Increased funding for students
12/21/07
EDITOR:DI
As governor I have worked to increase opportunity in our state and to plant seeds for future prosperity. Education is the most important, critical, and significant investment we can make in our future. To ensure future prosperity, Missouri students must have access to the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global economy.
I pledged that education would be my highest priority when I ran for governor and I have kept that commitment. I have signed budgets to increase our investment in elementary and secondary education by more than half a billion dollars over the past three years, an investment which we will increase to well over $600 million this year if the General Assembly follows my budget recommendations. I have also encouraged investments in Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science – four subjects vital for economic opportunity in the 21st Century.
We have also increased funding for Missouri colleges and universities. Last year, we provided a 2.4 percent increase. This year we increased funding by 4.7 percent. Altogether, in three budgets we have increased higher education funding by nearly $62 million or 7.3 percent, and my 3 year plan will increase funding by more than 100 million dollars.
Earlier this year, we passed an historic higher education improvements bill to fund new world-class learning centers for our students, and, just as importantly, to ensure that public colleges and universities remain affordable – by keeping future tuition increases reasonable for Missouri families and dramatically increasing the number of needs-based scholarships available to Missouri students.
We created the Access Missouri Scholarship program to level the playing field for scholarship applicants and ensure that Missouri’s neediest students receive aid. Instead of having multiple complex formulas, the new Access Missouri Scholarship program has one simple formula. It is based on a family’s ability to pay for college. It provides assistance to students at all of our private and public colleges and universities. Through my budget, needs-based scholarship funding for Missouri students was increased. Across the state last year, 16,400 students received needs-based scholarships. This year, we have more than doubled that number, with 36,000 students having already received aid.
Access Missouri Scholarships are making higher education more affordable for thousands of young Missourians and their families and making Missouri a state of greater opportunity. And that is why I am recommending even more for needs-based scholarships. In next year’s budget, I will recommend a $100 million investment in Missouri college and university students through Access Missouri. Under this proposal, we will have quadrupled our investment in college scholarships for Missouri students since January 2005.
Just as we have dramatically increased our investment in elementary and secondary education, so too have we continually made significant increases for higher education. I am pleased to announce that I will recommend an additional $40 million in direct funding for Missouri colleges and universities in next year’s budget. That is a 4.4 percent increase from last year, and, since January of 2005, an increase of nearly $103 million, or just over 12 percent.
On top of these increases, I will recommend an additional $13.4 million to support expanding health programs throughout the state. The investment will help expand education opportunities for Missouri students pursuing careers in health related fields and will ultimately expand Missourians’ access to care.
The additional $13.4 million will create new opportunities for an additional 171 students at four-year institutions and 146 students at two-year institutions. Missouri students will benefit from increased access to the health related professions, and all Missourians will benefit through a greater supply of health professionals to treat and heal our state’s citizens.
Together, these new investments in Missouri students, Missouri schools, and in the health related professions will create new opportunities for Missourians, making our state a better place to live, work and raise a family.
--Gov. Matt Blunt
National Home for Children
12/13/07
EDITOR:DI
Throughout history, American military members have endured the hardships of battle in foreign lands so that their families might enjoy a future of freedom. Those who returned brought with them the dreams of those who didn’t, with promises to keep those dreams alive.
In 1925, the Veterans of Foreign Wars founded the National Home for Children so that all VFW members and its Ladies Auxiliary could help to care for the children and families of comrades left behind. This 629 acres facility stands today as a tribute to that camaraderie while protecting the treasured legacy of those who serve, and it lives on through the continued support of the VFW and its Auxiliary.
The VFW National Home for Children has evolved from its Spartan beginnings to become a multi-faceted facility which cares for the developmental, social and spiritual needs of the children and families of veterans and active duty personnel. Its mission is to provide opportunities for growth and development in a nurturing community, and by doing so serves as a living memorial to all veterans.
The VFW National Home has been a home to more than 2,000 children and families. Some have lived at the Home from infancy while others came for a respite from a life of crisis, leaving as a stronger family unit having been surrounded with caring adults where stability and loving guidance is always at hand. Each precious child or family who passes through the National Home, for whatever length of stay, is a priceless legacy from the men and women who have served our country.
The VFW and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary have pledged a solemn vow that the children and families of veterans must never be forgotten, and it is to that end that they will help to guarantee that the single most visible and effective entity in America serving that need, the VFW National Home for Children, will continue to grow and to thrive.
Annie Shaw
VFW Ladies Auxiliary
Platte City
No driver's licenses for illegals
12/6/07
EDITOR:DI
People from all over the globe come to our great nation to share our freedoms, and Missourians embrace the contributions that lawful immigration makes to our society. But our love of freedom does not have to come at the expense of the rule of law.
Illegal immigration is a serious problem in our country and state. It is not only an assault on the sanctity of our laws but — in a post 9/11 world — a potential threat to the safety of our citizens. Missourians have been waiting on Washington to take action on illegal immigration for years. As Washington has sat idle, problems and frustrations with illegal immigration have only increased. To better protect Missouri families, I have enacted numerous directives to protect Missouri from unlawful immigration. We are now working to enact a new law to specifically forbid the issuance of driver licenses to illegal immigrants and to make it a crime to knowingly help any illegal alien fraudulently obtain a driver license.
In recent weeks, the state of New York has taken center stage on immigration policy in our country. The New York governor concocted a scheme to issue driver licenses to illegal immigrants. A plan like that might sound good to politicians in New York City or Washington, D.C., but it is not good for Missouri. As governor, I will make every effort to ensure that driver licenses are never given to illegal immigrants.
Missourians do not condone lawbreaking. Nor do we turn our head when someone tries to take advantage of others. We enforce our laws. We defend law-abiding citizens. And we reserve the benefits of citizenship for legal residents.
My plan specifically prohibits illegals from obtaining driver licenses and imposes criminal penalties for those who assist illegals in obtaining licenses through fraud. This will give law enforcement and county prosecutors the tools they need to arrest and prosecute these illegal acts.
Missouri will not become a zone of lawlessness. Rather than wait on Washington, I will continue to take active steps to enforce immigration law at the state level. It is my hope that the General Assembly will pass my plan to clearly state that illegals cannot receive a Missouri driver license and create new penalties for those who assist them. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.
--Gov. Matt Blunt
Israeli-Arab negotiations
12/6/07
EDITOR:DI
As part of ongoing Israeli-Arab negotiations after the Annapolis Summit, hopefully there will also be discussion of compensation for Jewish refugees.
A little discussed fact is the plight of 850,000 Jews who were forcibly expelled from Arab countries, or fled after enduring persecution and discrimination. According to an article in the Jerusalem Post (11/16/2007) these Jewish refugees left behind assets, valued today at over $300 billion, and continue to hold property deeds on a total area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers — which is about five times the size of the state of Israel.
Arabs, of course, will respond by dispelling such claims, much the same as the deniers of the Holocaust. Ultimately, there will be conflicting claims by both Arabs and Jews regarding refugees and property rights.
The best solution is for the Arab countries to absorb displaced Arab refugees, and for Israel to absorb displaced Jewish refugees.
---David Raffel
Parkville
On the verge of runaway inflation
11/29/07
EDITOR:DI
Gold!!
Young conservatives of my generation had a hero in Barry Goldwater. He fell from favor after 1964, and yes 30 years later Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America carried the day with a few Barryisms.
This continued nostalgia for 1994 as expressed by new Landmark columnist James Thomas last week (11/21) ignores this: Has the administration of this President betrayed the messages of Goldwater, Reagan, and especially my boyhood hero, Dwight David Eisenhower?
Here’s a much more basic question. How much did a can of tuna cost just two months ago? Publicity is on “rising gasoline prices,” and the media says that’s because of “global unrest”—ignoring the dollar is worth less now than Canada’s.
I pulled 95% of my 401k monies out of the stock market last year. I’m retired now, that modest amount is in a 5.75 % CD. But for Bush’s final act this country is on the verge of runaway inflation. You can bet your bottom Peso on it.
Gold's advantage is it can be hidden in your mattress. That is a simple solution to another critical issue of these times. I’m worried about hospital collection agencies banging on our doors if my wife and I have medical issues.
Of course we have insurance, mine alone is almost $3300 for another year. But being hit with an outrageous hospital co-pay would mean we will lose everything...our house, our new Corolla, everything. But gold can be hidden.
Others have the same fears. My financial advisor (my salesman brother of a Wall Street firm) says gold is not a smart buy and at historic highs. He says go for residential mortgages—selling at a steep discount. Readers, he is a smart guy but not concerned a hoot with the prices drugstores and doctors get away with now.
Sixth district Congressman Sam Graves sounds just like my brother sometimes — both echo AM radio talkers. My vote in ’08 will go to Kay Barnes. We now more than ever need grown-ups in Congress.
--Ed Gentry
St. Joseph
Without jobs, illegals won't enter
11/29/07
EDITOR:DI
Many of our citizens believe that we cannot get rid of the millions of illegal immigrants we now have in our country and eliminate the cost and problems they cause.
Fortunately, President Eisenhower showed us how to do it in 1954 and it worked for many years
Eisenhower appointed retired General Joseph Swing to head the program called Operation Wetback. Because some immigration officials had political connections with special interest groups, Swing transferred them away from the border. Then officials conducted sweeps that rounded up many illegals. This caused many more illegals to leave our country voluntarily.
Illegals that were rounded up were not released at our border where they could quickly re-enter our country. They were put on buses and trains and released many miles into Mexico. Many others were put on ships and released at a Mexican port more than 500 miles south of our border.
All we need is the political will to do the same thing today. This means that we must get Congress to repeat what Eisenhower and Swing did. This includes enforced penalties for those who hire illegals. Without jobs, illegals won’t enter. It can be done!
Go to www.thenewamerican.com for more information.
--Larry William Bradbury
Reseda, CA
The right to choose your agent
11/21/07
EDITOR:DI
Should we have to remind ourselves that we live in a free country? State Farm Insurance apparently needs reminding.
In the past, there was only one State Farm Insurance Agency in Platte City and within the last few months, a new office has opened. Normally, this would be a positive step forward to offer their customers other alternatives and more options with their services. However, corporate has decided to take control and dictate which agents will receive what customers without ever offering a choice at all. For those who have already established a relationship with an existing agent, you mean to say you may lose that feeling of trust and stability with which you were already quite satisfied?
How is this possible you ask? Well, the only one who can answer that is State Farm’s Corporate office, which I suggest if you care about how you spend your money, you may want to voice your opinion concerning this issue so we can remind them of our rights.
It’s your money; don’t you think you should be allowed to choose your own agent?
What State Farm needs to realize is that their customers can leave at any time and if they take away their customer’s right to choose, they may be closing both their branches just as fast as they opened.
To call the State Farm Corporate office to voice your opinion, call 1-800-277-8908.
--Jill Daniels
Platte City
Help with Main Street hump
11/21/07
EDITOR:DI
It has come to my attention that Platte City Special Road District has offered to pay half of the $13,000 to fix the hump in Platte City's Main Street by the dodge dealership.
I think that is great and thanks to Frank Offutt and the Special Road District.
I still believe that the original contractor that did the CIP work on Main Street in 2004 should really be held responsible and should be paying the $13,000 instead of taxpayers.
--Gary W. Brown
Platte City
Zero tolerance for zero tolerance
11/21/07
EDITOR:DI
While some firearms proponents have declared the discipline of the Smithville student who carried a rifle in his truck to a football game to be an “outrage,” (http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=3292), I, as an N.R.A. member, a C.C.W. holder, a former hunter education instructor, attorney at law, and firearms proponent have very little tolerance for people who “forget” about their firearms and I believe some discipline is in order.
On the other hand, I disagree with any “zero tolerance” policy because I think it takes “zero brains,” “zero fortitude,” and “zero character” to enforce such a policy. I find the adoption of a “zero tolerance” program to be a shirking of the adopter’s public duty to make substantive, and yes, sometimes hard decisions.
Nevertheless, whether, it is a local attorney, a U.S. Senator’s aid, or former NFL player that “grabs the wrong bag” going to court, our nation’s capital, or the airport, or whether it is a high school student “forgetting” about his firearm in his truck, I don’t find it acceptable to “forget” about your firearm.
As a hunter education instructor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, I taught that the first rule of firearms safety requires attention to the carrying and storing firearms. Obviously, it is hard to maintain safe muzzle control or ensure safe storage of your firearm if you’ve “forgotten” where you put it.
Leaving a firearm in plain view within an automobile at a public event is an invitation for that firearm to be stolen. While I doubt the student was a threat, anyone carrying a firearm must be aware of when, where, and how to legally and safely transport and possess the firearm.
For example, in the Kansas City area, Kansas and Missouri have two different C.C.W. laws. A non C.C.W. holder in Missouri who is legally transporting a concealed firearm in his or her car better be aware of the difference if he or she is driving down the west side of State Line Rd. where such transportation may not be legal. A simple non-descript left hand turn can change your legal status without any reminders.
The Smithville student admitted he “forgot” about the firearm, in my book that is a violation of the rules of firearms safety and some reasonable punishment is in order that will help him, and hopefully others, remember the first rule of firearms safety.
However, the punishment should reflect the totality of the circumstances and not be the result of some “zero brained,” “zero tolerance” policy.
Hopefully, decisions will be made in this case that will not unnecessarily punish this student just so bureaucrats don’t have to make decisions and shirk accountability.
--Timothy J. Thompson
Kansas City
in Platte County
Santa wants to hear from you
11/16/07
EDITOR:DI
The Christmas season is right around the corner and the elves at the North Pole are working hard to make sure there are toys for all of the good little boys and girls. Santa Claus is excited to hear what all of the children have on their Christmas lists, so get ready to write those letters.
Mrs. Claus will be placing a special mailbox for all letters to Santa at the Platte City Post Office. Letters may be dropped off starting on Friday, Nov. 23 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
Make sure letters are dropped off by Dec. 19 and please include your name and address so a return letter can be sent to you. Hope to hear from you soon.
--Santa & Mrs. Claus
Way up North
What a difference a year makes
11/8/07
EDITOR:DI
While it may only seem like 365 days to some, for me it seems like a lifetime. Last year, during this time, I was at home literally laying on my living room floor bleeding as I recovered from being wounded in Iraq. But this year, I’m trick or treating with my family and enjoying the change of the seasons, although it seems a little colder than normal to me.
As I stood on the floor of the House of Representatives when the gavel fell this past September as veto and special sessions ended, it was vastly different than those still hot days in Baghdad completing missions with my team. Looking up I noticed the sunshine through the stained glass bordering the ceiling seemed brighter than I remember. The murals that adorn the walls of the chamber are now sharper in image, and the spectacle of another session being completed more contrasting than ever before.
While I feel myself in familiar surroundings and circumstances and the view may be the same, I assure you the perspective has changed. Returning from Iraq and then back to complete the legislative session in Jefferson City, it’s only now at home for a few months that I’ve had time to reflect. With the holiday season fast approaching and there being no sand under my feet, my thoughts aren’t about tomorrow’s mission, but instead I’m focusing on being a fulltime husband and father again. Our summer at the Brown household was filled with a season of soccer, T-ball, a much needed camping vacation, a new puppy, and work on a long list my wife kept for me to complete once I returned home.
But as always, Jefferson City has that habit of causing me to remember what Mark Twain once said, “No citizen is safe when the legislature is in session.” Sometimes in our zeal to pass laws and do good, I believe that some representatives and even senators can lose track of why we’ve been sent to govern in the first place. With the passage of a new bill or even with changing simple words like “may” to “shall,” the opportunity can exist to do more harm than good.
At the end of each session as we scan with great scrutiny the numerous pages of text that accompany the omnibus bills, laws like remote ticketing always jump out at me. As citizens I believe that none of us should give the authority to our government for issuing remote tickets to the owner of a vehicle proving guilt simply through a picture sent via the mail.
Protecting the rights of citizens from our government is an important part of being a legislator. The unjust and overtaxation of citizens by our government is another area that demands constant attention. The taxpayer should beware of and watch closely governing bodies that talk about surpluses and rolling back levies. What this usually means is that individual citizens were overtaxed from the beginning. Government isn’t supposed to be operating to make money, but instead only to break even and provide the necessary services.
Two pieces of legislation that I was happy to support were House Bill 444 (HB 444) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7). HB 444 was the Social Security tax cut that caused our state to finally join 35 other states that don’t tax Social Security benefits. Over the phase-in period, this old and unjust double taxation will be no more. This bill also provided tax relief for teachers, firefighters, police officers, military personnel, federal employees and railroad workers.
Another piece of legislation that received a lot of coverage for being so decisive and partisan was HJR 7. This proposed constitutional amendment with voter approval will make English the official language of Missouri. Why is this so important? I believe and agree that a common language is the cornerstone of a cohesive and united country, and by clarifying that English should be that language here in America, and also in the state of Missouri, just makes common sense to me. What I don’t understand is why so many of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate were opposed to this measure and were upset by having to vote on the issue to place the amendment before the citizens of this state.
The ebb and flow of political ideology will continue in the capitol complex, but I hope the rights of citizens and the common sense our creator gave us will prevail.
So I do find myself back home after a year that was filled with challenges and experiences, working in the Capitol and at home in the district. I remember during the past year while deployed in Iraq how nice it would have been to see my family. I have been extremely blessed with that ability now. Regardless of what we want, we should all strive to do our best under the circumstances we find ourselves in. I try to always remember that no matter how bad we may have it, there is always someone else that has it worse.
While there were times when I honestly didn’t know if I would be returning to Jefferson City or even home for that matter, I can honestly say I feel blessed more now than ever before. There is nothing quite like home and being with your family. Big or small we all have problems and challenges to face, but we live here in America and that alone gives us a head start. It’s what we do with our opportunity that I believe matters the most.
As I have heard in the district and even been asked by family and constituents concerning my future, I’ll tell you the truth here and now. If I’ve learned nothing else over the past year, I’ve learned this: I don’t think anybody knows absolutely what the future holds, but I’m extremely thankful for all the support that my family and I have received. I’m your state representative, I’m home, and I will continue to work for a better Platte County and a better state government.
Through my experiences, my belief in God, country, and family are stronger than ever before. I look forward to seeing everyone at home and in the district. During this holiday season as we celebrate and give thanks, I hope and pray for all those who continue to stand in defense of our country and especially for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we as a nation can enjoy our lives and our liberties.
Until next time, be safe and God bless.
--Jason Brown
State Representative
District 30
Do traffic laws apply to police?
11/1/07
EDITOR:DI
I am wondering if the traffic laws in Platte City are just for the civilians that live and pass through Platte City and not for the police officers.
I live on Bello Mondo and see the police speed up the street and not stop for the stop sign. When I followed them (at the legal speed) I found that three patrol cars had one car pulled over.
Does it really take three police officers to write one traffic ticket? And is that one person that much of a threat to one officer that the other two officers have to break the law themselves to get there?
I hope that they don’t kill someone before they actually start obeying the laws themselves.
Are they here to protect and serve?
--Robert Shibley
Platte City
Let's hold someone accountable
11/1/07
EDITOR:DI
Whoa! Wait a minuet! I just read in the paper that the aldermen just approved to spend $13,189 of our tax money to repair Main Street by Tony Martens Dodge.
There is a very large hump in the street there. I admit it must be corrected, but this was created when the city did the CIP project on Main Street a few years back (2004).
The hump was in the street and the people that laid down the asphalt just covered it over. I was there and watched it happen. I wondered why the street was not graded properly before the asphalt was laid down. The asphalt people asked the same question but they were told to just do their job and lay the asphalt.
I also know that the city pays big dollars for a person to watch over the quality and to make sure that the city is getting their money worth on the CIP projects. At least that is city administrator Keith Moody’s argument for this position. I do not know who that person was at the time this street work was done.
Why do we taxpayers have to pay so dearly for a job that was not done properly the first time? Why isn’t someone who was supposed to be responsible for this poor job held accountable?
Where is Keith Moody in all of this? Why isn’t the contracting company that did the street work being held responsible?
We taxpayers are the losers in this. We should not have to pay this again. That money could go into a pot for other things, like getting a decent street to the main park that we have in the city now (Riverview), and not a new sign for Platte City. That’s another story for another time.
Gary W. Brown
Platte City
Hike in tobacco tax not answer
11/1/07
EDITOR:DI
It’s no surprise Congress can be misguided at times—take the ongoing debate to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by increasing federal tobacco taxes about 150 percent.
Representatives Akin, Blunt, Graves and Hulshof voted against the measure, which reflects the attitudes of a majority of Missourians when it comes to increased tobacco taxes. An amendment to raise state taxes on tobacco products failed in 107 of 114 counties last November.
Missouri Farm Bureau policy opposes tax increases targeting agricultural products including tobacco. The crop provides significant income for some Missouri farm families. Almost 3.5 million pounds were harvested in the Show Me State in 2006.
The expansion of SCHIP entails many issues; however hiking tobacco taxes to fund programs requiring mandatory annual outlays is short-sighted. A legitimate long-term funding solution should be considered instead of stop-gap political fix.
--Charles E. Kruse
President
Missouri Farm Bureau
