Personal Tornado Shelter Survives Ultimate EF5 Test in Joplin

This tornado shelter was one of the few things that stood up to the EF5 in Joplin a week ago Sunday. Many homes there were built without basements, and this appears to be a great alternative for those who live in tornado alley.

Video: Lone Westboro Baptist Church Member Told to Get Out of Joplin

There have been conflicting reports about the Westboro Baptist Church's presence in Joplin on Sunday. Apparently this is the man who cops later escorted away from the pro-Joplin rally that developed after the WBC decided to come to town.

Joplin Update: Ten Remain Missing on Day Nine

It's been nine days since the tornado hit Joplin. As of right now, there are 123 people officially pronounced dead. The list that once read 1500 people missing has been reduced to just ten names.

The following are those victims who lost their lives in the Joplin tornado, which the state has officially released.

Jose O. Alvarez, 59, Joplin
Maria L. Alvarez-Torres, 43, Joplin
Barbara A. Anderson, 76, Joplin
Sarah L. Anderson, 47, Joplin
William A. Anderson, 53, Joplin
Cyrus “Edward” Ash, Jr., 87, Joplin
Grace Aquino, 46, of Joplin
Robert W. Baker, 54, Joplin
Robert E. Bateson, 45, Joplin
Dorothy T. Bell, 88, Joplin
Regina M. Bloxham, 55, Joplin
Lathe E. Bradfield, 84, Joplin
Ramona M. Bridgeford, 77, Seneca
Leo E. Brown, 86, Joplin
Hugh O. Buttram, 85, Joplin
Tami L. Campbell, 28, Joplin
Arriyinnah S. Carmona, 8, Joplin
Moises Carmona-Navarro, 42, Joplin
Shante M. Caton, 10, Joplin
Trenton Caton, 6, Pierce City
Raymond Chew, 66, Joplin
Carolane J. Collins, 62 Eagle Rock
Clyde Coleman, 72, Galena, Kansas
Lois A. Comfort, 66, Webb City
Keenan K. Conger, 49, Joplin
Vicki L. Cooper, 59, Joplin
Teddy R. Copher, 71, Joplin
Malisa A. Crossley, 36, Joplin
Adam Darnaby, 27, Joplin
Patricia E. Dawson, 74, Joplin
Nancy E. Douthitt, 94, Joplin
Ellen Doyle, 75, Joplin
Amonda S. Eastwood, 49, Joplin
Richard A. Elmore, 70, Joplin
Randy E. England, 34, Neosho
Betty Fisher, 86, Joplin
Marsha A. Frost, 32, Joplin
Sebastian C. Frost, 10, Joplin
Charles K. Gaudsmith, 21, Carthage
Billie J. Gideon, 77, Joplin
Paul E. Haddock, 63, Joplin
Caley Lantz Hare, 16, Joplin
Dorothy V. Hartman, 91, Joplin
Dee A. Hayward, 47, Galena, Kansas
Glenn W. Holland, 59, Joplin
Lorie M. Holland, 48, Joplin
Charlotte Hopwood, 84, Joplin
Hayze Howard, 1, Webb City
Harli Howard, 5, Webb City
Thomas Russell Howard, 29, Webb City
Wendy A. Istas, 58, Joplin
Jane E. Jaynes, 86, Joplin
Melisa R. Johnson, 50, Carthage
Cheryl L. Jones, 39, Altamont, Kansas
Kathy S. Keling, 53, Joplin
James D. Kendrick, 63, Joplin
Stanley D. Kirk, 62, Joplin
Geneva Koler, 84, Joplin
Donald W. Lansaw, Jr., 31, Joplin
Bruce A. Lievens, 48, Joplin
Billie S. Little, 65, Joplin
Skyuler I. Logsdon, 1, Joplin
Christopher D. Lucas, 28, Vinita, Oklahoma
Rachel K. Markham, 31, Joplin
Nancy Martin, 52, Neosho
Jesse L. McKee, 44, Neosho
James E. McKeel, 69, Joplin
Mary L. McKeel, 64, Joplin
Randall E. Mell, 49, Joplin
Ronald D. Meyer, 64, Joplin
Lorna K. Miller, 72, Joplin
Ray Donald Miller III, 49, Joplin
Doris Montgomery, 83, Joplin
Edmond V. Mullaney, 82, Joplin
Sharyl Nelsen, 34, Joplin
William R. Norton, 18, Joplin
Dennis M. Osborn, 34, Seneca
Charles E. Oster, 77, Joplin
Shirley Ann Parker, 68, Joplin
Mary J. Perry, 76, Joplin
James B. Peterson, 27, Joplin
John H. Petty, 37, Neosho
Hallie M. Piquard, 78, Joplin
Natalia M. Puebla, 17, Neosho
Shelly Marie Ramsey, 42, Neosho
Loretta Randell, 54, Joplin
Troy Raney, 39, Joplin
Virgil T. Reid, 77, Joplin
Johnny Richey, 52, Joplin
Vicki Robertson, 66, Joplin
Keith D. Robinson, 48, Joplin
Virginia Mae Salmon, 80, Joplin
Tonya L. Sawyer, 41, Fort Scott, Kansas
Frances A. Scates, 70, Joplin
Gladys J. Seay, 83, Welch, Oklahoma
Daniel W. Shirley, 48, Joplin
Judy Smith, 71, Joplin
Nicholaus A. Smith, 23, Joplin
Shyrell L. Smith, 68, Pittsburg, Kansas
Lois L. Sparks, 92, Joplin
Steven J. Stephens, 28, Joplin
Gregan D. Sweet, 59, Joplin
Kayleigh Teal, 16, Pittsburg, Kansas
Heather L. Terry, 36, Joplin
John Thomas, Jr., 40, Joplin
Sandra K. Thomas, 55, Carthage
Zachary D. Treadwell, 9, Joplin
Margaret Tuit, 92, Joplin
Michael E. Tyndall, 33, Joplin
Darian D. Vanderhoofven, 45, Joplin
Joshua D. Vanderhoofven, 1, Joplin
Miguel Vazquez-Castillo, 28, Joplin
Miles Wells, 49, Webb City
Tiera Whitley, 20, Fulton, Kansas
Zach Williams, 12, Joplin
Charles W. Writer, 74, Joplin

Sarah Palin and Donald Trump to Meet Tonight in New York

With Donald Trump out of the race, Sarah Palin appears to be lobbying for Trumps support. ABC reports:

ABC News‘ Michael Falcone (@michaelpfalcone) reports:

Sarah Palin plans to meet Tuesday night with Donald Trump in New York City, according to sources close to Trump.

Her office reached out to meet with Trump. The two plan to meet in his 45,000-square-foot apartment in Trump Tower and later plan to eat dinner together.

Sources say the restaurant will be low-key, not one of New York’s more upscale dining establishements.

I'd say Palin is going to throw her name into the ring. It's going to be fun with her in the race.

Symbolic? House GOP Rejects First Attempt at $2.4 Trillion Debt Ceiling Increase

It appears symbolic to me and that's it. A couple weeks ago, the Republicans were working on a deal that promised a debt ceiling increase, and today they reject the first attempt at raising the debt ceiling. Get the feeling we are being played?


House Republicans dealt defeat to their own proposal for a $2.4 trillion increase in the nation's debt limit Tuesday, a political gambit designed to reinforce a demand for spending cuts to accompany any increase in government borrowing.

The vote was lopsided, with just 97 in favor of the measure and 318 against.

House Democrats accused the GOP of political demagoguery, while the Obama administration maneuvered to avoid taking sides -- or giving offense to majority Republicans.

The debate was brief, occasionally impassioned and set a standard of sorts for public theater, particularly at a time when private negotiations continue among the administration and key lawmakers on the deficit cuts Republicans have demanded.

Didn't Boehner deal away any new spending cuts for this year when he compromised with the Democrats on the budget a few weeks ago? Like I said, this seems more symbolic than anything. Boehner's compromise didn't amount to a hill of beans when it came to cutting spending, and I doubt any future compromise that will eventually take place to get this thing passed will provide enough spending cuts to make any serious cuts to federal spending.

Just watch.

Ron Paul's "Last Nail in the Coffin Speech"

Wise but scary words from Ron Paul about the current state of the United States, in which a Republican led House has provided Barack Obama with dictatorial powers.

Friends With Benefits?

Friends with benefits became that millennium term for constant sex partner without the emotional attachment. You know, someone you can call up at moments notice for a hookup.

One relationship expert,Dannah Gresh, says it's impossible to achieve such sexual gratification without experiencing an emotional connection.

Scientifically, though, that’s impossible. We know that thanks to what neuroscientists have learned about a walnut-sized mass in the brain called the deep limbic system.
The deep limbic system stores and classifies odor, music, symbols and memory. In other words, it’s a place for romance, capable of processing a splash of cologne on your lover’s neck, a particular iPod playlist or a bouquet of red roses.


While many young people claim that they can have sex without feeling a personal connection to their partner, Gresh

says that’s impossible. This “hook up culture,” as she calls it, ignores the inherent connections sex creates and, as a result, can actually lead to emptiness and pain:

Here’s where the hookup culture starts to be a problem. What happens if you get caught up in the friends-with-benefits-game and have multiple partners? What happens when the partners you’ve become addicted and bonded to are gone?

You experience withdrawal symptoms in the emotional center of the brain.
According to Gresh, young women are particularly susceptible to depression when the “source of their addiction” no longer wants to have casual sex. According to The Heritage Foundation, “…25.3% of sexually active teenage girls experienced depression, compared to 7.7% of sexually abstinent girls.” The suicide rate is also much higher among sexually-active girls.

What do you think? Back in the day, I had a couple of friends who gave benefits, and the relationships were always more complicated than if we just stayed friends. Perhaps they used the whole friends with benefits in hopes of me delivering on the feelings they either already had or grew as the friendship progressed.

In the end, it was quite empty.

Grading Congressman Billy Long on Joplin Tornado Relief Efforts

Billy Long looks disinterested in what these tornado victims have to say.

Billy Long should be back in Washington today taking care of the business of our district. Long spent last week in Joplin missing important votes like the PATRIOT Act extension. In fact, over 45 votes were missed last week. So the Joplin tornado stands to become political capital or a political liability for Long.

Let's take a look at many of the things the local media and national press failed to report on Long's pre and post tornado involvement in Joplin.

First, Long told the Springfield News-Leader he doesn't run to every microphone when one is offered during the campaign. That changed in Joplin when Long was put on the national stage.

Billy never missed a chance for a photo op or a chance to run to the microphone. He tweeted every appearance and interview he was scheduled for. Were these interviews genuine or were they a "look at me?" Given the tweets, I tend to think the latter, but I will let you decide for yourself.

The media also failed to report about how Congressman Long's actions taken prior to this tornado would have risked the lives of more people. On twitter, Long made fun of tornado drills. He cosponsored HR 607, which would have taken frequencies away from the HAM radio operators that work with the National Weather Service to spot these storms to give people the most time to take shelter. He cut funds to the National Weather Service's early warning systems while ensuring federal funding went to NASCAR teams. The truth is his actions could have put more people in danger.

One thing is for sure, Billy Long is not longer "fed up" with big government. Long quickly embraced the federal government for aid, but there is another story with that the news failed to report, which I will address later.

Perhaps these views come across as cynical, but it's a fact that politicians exploit tragedies for their own political gain. To truly help the people of Joplin doesn't require photo ops, interviews in which the same words are repeated, and endless tweets. It requires getting your hands dirty to lift the people of Joplin up. Obviously, in a post Katrina world, people believe that unless politicians are micro managing these disasters nothing will get done. That simply isn't the case. The people I helped throughout last week were doing it on their own with the contributions of places like Applebee's bringing free meals around and volunteers delivering simple things like water. It's the generosity of Americans that matter most in these events, and politicians are often a distraction.

Even on Sunday, as traffic in Joplin from gawkers taking pictures of destroyed homes and businesses got worse, residents all over Joplin begged people to help or stay at home. Long was encouraging people to drive down Rangeline to see the spirit of America--which obviously slows the efforts of volunteers and other people in the community working to clean Joplin up. Like I said, politicians become a distraction as it appears to me they need the spotlight.

Finally, while I am no fan of FEMA or big government, Billy Long failed miserably when it came to standing up for the people of Joplin.

Billy Long showed no courage when he decided not to publicly address House Leader Eric Cantor who made aid for Joplin a political issue. All it would have taken Long is a few simple words in a public statement. "This is not the time or place for politics Mr. Cantor." In Long choosing not to side with the people of Joplin to protect his relationship with the establishment cronies, he played politics to protect his own personal political ambitions.

We are spending billions in foreign aid to countries like Pakistan that harbor terrorists. There's your budget cuts. Billy Long missed the chance to be a real working-class hero. He should have called Cantor out in support of the people of Joplin.

I am not going to assign Mr. Long a grade. Rather, I will let you assign him a grade for his efforts, because they weren't all totally bad either. These are instances the mainstream media failed to report, and I think they are important instances that the residents of Southwest Missouri need to consider seriously before November 2012.

F Bomb: Jimmie Johnson & Chad Knaus Not the Wholesome Bland Image NASCAR Projects

Five time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and his pit crew chief Chad Knaus are boring. How sad is it the five-time champion is so sterile. So when Fox viewers heard Knaus drop the F-bomb on national television during the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, may fans began asking why the #48 team doesn't project this bad boy image heard on the radio Sunday night as Johnson's car left the race.



How did Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus get this wholesome image anyway? It's kind of like the NBA and Michael Jordan.

After all, who could you always count on getting caught cheating at the track not too long ago? Whether it was pushing the template of the car or altering the aerodynamics of the car, these two are no angels despite their clean-cut Lowe's image.

From the Bleacher Report:

For Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, winning has made their problems worse.

Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus first entered the Sprint Cup Series in February of 2002. Then a few months later, on July 11, Chad was fined $25,000 for improperly installed mounting bolts. Jimmie Johnson was fined 25 championship points and team owner Rick Hendrick was fined 25 owner points.

That would be strike one against Jimmie and Chad with many more to come.

Of course Rick Hendrick is not new to cheating. In 2000, Jeff Gordon lost one hundred championship points and crew chief Robbie Loomis was fined $25,000 for an unapproved intake manifold.

Then in 2001, Robbie Loomis was fined $25,000 again, this time for the car being too low. However, no championship points were taken away that time.

It doesn't end there. The No. 25 crew chief, Tony Furr, was fined $25,000 for the car being too low. Then, add in the No. 5 crew chief, Jim Long, being fined $20,000 for fuel cell modifications.

Like they say in life, it isn't cheating unless you get caught, and they got caught.

You would think that after one penalty it would smarten you up. But, just short while later in September, Chad was fined once again for cursing during a live television interview. That cost him $5,000. For those of you who are keeping track, so far the man is short $30,000 from his pocket.

In the case of the first penaly (the second had nothing to do with the car), Johnson had not won. But, then a new trend started to emerge.

Starting in May of 2003, after winning a million dollars in NASCAR's All-Star race, his crew chief was fined $1,000 for using an unapproved air directional device.

It may have been the first time, but it certainly wasn't the last. Just days after winning the Coca-Cola 600, Chad was fined $2,500 for using an unapproved refrigerant.

Why would a man stop cheating when all he was losing was chump change? The championship points weren't being taken away, and that's all that matters right?

The cheating stopped for a little while and the next time they were in the news was after Johnson's Las Vegas winning car failed to meet the minimum height in post race inspection early into the 2005 season. The team was docked 25 championship points, which knocked Jimmie out of the points lead, and yes, Chad was fined $35,000 and suspended for two races.

Days later, he appealed his suspension and it would be overturned, replaced with 90 days of probation. The fine and points penalty, however, were upheld.

The next time Johnson's winning car would fail inspection would be at Dover in the fall, when Chad "exploited" a loophole in the NASCAR rulebook. NASCAR would change the rule and no points or fines were handed out, but the damage had been done.

It now looked like they couldn't win a race without a little help.

Speedweeks of 2006 didn't help their case. After qualifying for the Daytona 500 on February 12, the car failed post-qualifying inspection. Johnson's time was disallowed and, on February 13, Chad Knaus was ejected from the Daytona 500.

He would later be suspended for four races for raising the rear window on Johnson's car to alter the aerodynamics and help make the car go faster.

NASCAR's champion is more like NASCAR's cheater. Since Johnson started winning championships with ease, it seems NASCAR may not be watching these two quite as closely, which baffles me when the sport seems to be losing fans. Have you seen the stands lately? Lots of empty seats!

Sure the economy may have something to do with it, but I think Jimmie Johnson isn't helping much either.

Lockheed Martin Cyber Attack Will Push Neocon Peter King Closer to Cyber Security Act and Internet Kill Switch

No doubt Republican Peter King is already in meetings. He heads the Homeland Security Committee in Congress and pushed for the cyber security act and Internet kill switch. Today's news that a key defense contractor computers were attacked will further the push for more federal control over computer networks.

US defence firm Lockheed Martin says it has come under a significant cyber-attack, which took place last week.

Few details were available, but Lockheed said its security team had detected the threat quickly and ensured that none of its programmes had been compromised.

The Pentagon said it is working to establish the extent of the breach.

Lockheed makes fighter jets, warships and multi-billion dollar weapons systems sold worldwide.

IKEA Bombs

Do you get the feeling we will soon hear Janet Napolitano make the case for TSA in the malls. Consider what happened at a couple IKEA stores in Europe.

Small explosives concealed in alarm clocks detonated at Ikea furniture stores in Belgium, France and The Netherlands, Belgian authorities said Tuesday.

The explosions in stores in the Belgian city of Ghent, Lille in northern France and Eindhoven in The Netherlands caused no damage or injuries.

"The information we have is that the explosions happened the same way in all locations, with booby-trapped alarm clocks that had been hidden exploding," according to An Schoonjans, spokeswoman for Ghent prosecutors.

In Ghent, an employee and a security agent complained of earaches after two small explosions, which detonated almost simultaneously before the store closed Monday evening.

Two booby-trapped alarm clocks were detonated by remote control, Schoonjans said.

You just have to figure this will be used somehow in the United States to grown the police state run by Big Sis.

Obama Sending More Troops to Iraq

What was the Nobel Peace Prize winning promise made in October 2007?



The Army Times reports something totally different. Obama is sending more troops to Iraq.

More than 7,170 soldiers will deploy to Iraq beginning in mid-summer — despite a security agreement that requires U.S. forces to depart the country by Dec. 31.

The deployments are part of the regular rotation of forces and will include a division headquarters of 775 soldiers and two brigade combat teams totaling 6,400 soldiers, according to a Defense Department announcement Tuesday.

The soldiers will begin deploying in mid-summer and continue through the fall.

Celebrating Beautiful Blonde Women and Having an Impact on the Economy

The “Go Blonde Festival” in Latvia in one way they are boosting the economy. Nothing like putting 500 of the most beautiful women in town on parade as eye candy to attract tourism right?

While the festival does bring in positive results for the economy, it also has a charitable impact.

“We hope to raise enough to refurbish two rooms at a special unit for disabled children. We do not have a specific sum we want to raise but we hope businesses will be generous,” Gederte told the AFP.

I expect the feminist to protest the event in the coming years.

The Heroes of Joplin, Missouri

Grace Aquino and her 12 year old son, Malachi, were in Harmony Heights Baptist Church near the corner of 20th and Indiana. As the tornado drew near, Grace shielded her son and the building began falling down around them. First responders came to the scene and heard Malachi yelling for help, they found him in his mother's arms. Grace Aquino saved her son by bearing the load of the building that had fallen on top of them.

Christopher Lucas was the manager of Pizza Hut near the corner of 20th and Rangeline. As the storm worsened, he sent his 4 employees and 15 patrons into the walk-in cooler for safety. However, the door to the cooler would not latch. Christopher tied a bungee cord to the door to try to keep it closed and wrapped the other end around his arm. As the tornado passed over, it ripped off the door and sucked Christopher out of the cooler. Christopher Lucas' bravery saved everyone else in that cooler.

Tommy Carpenter and many others were at Wal-Mart on 15th and Rangeline in Joplin at the time of the disaster. The grandmother of a 3-month-old asked Tommy to hold on her grandson because she was unsure she'd be able to. Tommy Carpenter protected the child through the tornado as the store was torn apart.

Dean Wells was an employee at the Home Depot near 20th and Rangeline. Just minutes before the tornado struck, Dean was on the phone with his wife the day before their 42nd wedding anniversary, he told her "I'll call you when everyone is safe." As people drove to the building seeking shelter, Dean stayed and directed them where to go. Dean Well died as the tornado destroyed the building.

Don Lansaw was at home with his wife on May 22nd. Both took refuge in a bathtub and Don protected his wife from debris and the house falling down around them. Don suffered a punctured lung and began to turn blue. His wife of 6 years, Bethany, tried to flag down a pick-up truck but it was too late. Don Lansaw gave his life so that his wife could live.

Reprinted from Will Lynch's Life as a Law Student.

There are many more stories of heroism throughout Joplin the night of May 22, 2011. By the way, let's not forget all the people who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and began returning life to normal in Joplin, Missouri.

Official Joplin Tornado Death Count May Take Weeks

For the families trying to heal after Joplin's deadly tornado, there will be a wait. It may take weeks before the state of Missouri identify the victims and produces an official count.

From the Springfield News-Leader today:

Because of the difficulty in identifying multiple sets of remains following the deadly, May 22 tornado, Joplin officials on Monday said it will be some time before a final death toll is released.

The identification problem also has caused some backtracking from totals reported previously.

Although officials and media outlets had said at least 139 people were killed -- and some had upped that number to 142 -- the only official number released Monday was 101.

That appears likely to increase but officials are not risking overstatements.

Protests Resume Thursday as Dollarhite Family Faces USDA Fine for Selling Bunny Rabbits

BRANSON, Missouri (May 31, 2011) – This Thursday protesters will again gather to protest this unconstitutional action by the United States Department of Agriculture. Last Wednesday 50 protesters rallied outside the USDA Service Center in Ozark MO in a courageous show of strength, resolve and support of the Dollarhites. This Thursday protesters will gather outside of United States Congressman Billy Long’s Springfield office.

We Are Change Branson has moved their protest from the USDA office to Billy Long’s congressional office because it has become clear that action from our elected representatives will be necessary to push the USDA to drop all fines and allegations against the Dollarhite family.

The protest will include speakers from Feed Missouri First Coalition.

Despite Senator McCaskill joining the protesters by phone last Wednesday to assure them that this matter would be resolved and the Springfield News-Leader report that “McCaskill intervention yields deal for offender”, the USDA has not dropped the fines and allegations against the Dollarhite family, and this issue is not over. It has not been resolved.

We Are Change Branson organizer, Sam Garner said “The USDA has no jurisdiction and thus no right to fine or terrorize citizens of our great state of Missouri for sales that are completed legally within the borders and laws of the state of Missouri. We will not allow the Dollarhite family to be targeted by federal invaders who violate Missouri’s state sovereignty. As proud citizens of the United States of America and the Sovereign State of Missouri, we are fierce in defense of our sovereignty, and we will not be tread upon.”

Protest Time and Location:

Thursday June 2nd 4:30 to 6:00 PM
Congressman Billy Long’s Springfield Office
3232 E. Ridgeview St.
Springfield, MO 65804
(p) 417.889.1800

Please call your elected representatives and let them know that you will be there on Thursday, if you can't make it, let them know that you are upset about this situation!!

Billy Long: (202) 225-6536
Roy Blunt: (202) 224-5721
Clair McCaskil: (202)-224-6154

Finally and Gratefully we request that you call the following media outlet's and let them know about the protest... this story has been featured on Drudge Report, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Andrew Breitbart's Big Government, Natural News, Bob Mccarty, and Bungalow Bills's Conservative Wisdom Blog..... It's only fitting that Ky3, KSPR, Kolr10, and KSGF cover this, help us get the word out...we need as many phone calls as possible.

KY3
417-268-3201
newsalerts@ky3.com

KSPR
417-447-0750
Switchboard 417-831-1333
news@kspr.com

KOLR10
417-862-6397
news@kolr10.com

KSGF News Talk 104.1
417-447-6397

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=215430548479646

More information is available at http://WeAreChangeBranson.com/.

Contact:
Michael Mikkelsen
(816) 806-9389

Why Isn't Billy Long Standing Up to Big Intrusive Government and the Police State?

Remember the days when Billy Long was fed up? They seem such a distant memory don't they? "I'm Billy Long and I'm fed up with everything in DC."

Then a strange thing happened. Billy Long wound up on the Department of Homeland Security committee and we began to see very quickly Billy Long isn't for the little people in Southwest Missouri. In fact, he appears to be embracing Janet Napolitano's police state.

First there was the "If You See Something Say Something Act of 2011." This act conditions Americans to start watching their neighbors closely and telling the federal government things like if they are buying more guns (hunting rifles) than what is normal or perhaps stockpiling ammunition. Long doesn't realize how dangerous this legislation really is considering Obama's coming war on guns, which Obama describes as "under the radar." As you prepare to hide your guns, who do you think the federal government will reward for outing you?

Then after Billy Long mocked tornado drills, Long then began to weaken the systems in place that help save lives when bad weather hits. He co-sponsored HR607, which would rob HAM radio operators of the valuable frequencies that were used in Joplin to spot the deadly tornado and report it to the National Weather Service and emergency management agencies.

Now we are finding out, as Long sits on the Department of Homeland Security committee, Homeland Security is preparing to commit to a pre-crime program based on computers reading Americans minds. Such a system clearly violates the due process laws in the Bill of Rights. Now remember Billy Long told the Washington press corp his pocket Constitution is "rode hard and put up wet," and yet nothing from Billy Long suggests he is ready to challenge Janet Napolitano's police state on any level including this latest development  called "FAST" or& Future Attribute Screening Technology?



Surely the ethics of this concerns someone who claims they are Constitutional. It does me. So why doesn't Billy Long seem the least bit concerned about this? Oh that's right, Billy Long voted twice for the Patriot Act, which violates due process laws so why stop there.

So what good is Billy Long if he isn't fed up to fight such a system like FAST? Could he use it against his own political enemies? These are things that people should be asking, but they are probably just happy Billy scooped up a free ice cream cone for them and American Idol will return next season to even care.

BBCW Over 100,000 Hits in May

Thanks to everyone who visited BBCW this month. It's been a record month and we still have a few hours left. Over 100,000 hits and 130,000 page views.

Reason #456 Why Meghan McCain Hates Sarah Palin

Guys obviously get bored of Meghan McCain within twenty minutes of dating her.

From the Jay Leno Show:

Jay Leno: Are you dating anyone?

Meghan McCain: No. I’m in, like, dating Babylon. Like, I go on dates with men and, literally, like Sarah Palin will come up in like the first 20 minutes, and that doesn’t put me in the mood. Like, talking about Sarah Palin. And they just want to know gossip, and I’m just kind of taking a little hiatus from dating right now, because I just don’t want to talk about Sarah Palin.

My autographed picture of Palin that I took of her in St. Louis that
she signed in Springfield, MO a month later. She's even hotter in person.

Yeah, guys tend to like that hot librarian look over the blonde bimbo look (even with the push up bra--FAKE). I don't even think it would take me twenty minutes if I was with Meghan.

Missouri Department of Public Safety: 29 Now Missing in Joplin

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has reduced the number of those missing from the Joplin tornado at 29. That number will soon be reduced by three according to today's announcement. 101 people are confirmed dead that have been identifiable. Which means at least 38 bodies still must be identified.

NATO has Boots on the Ground in Libya

The Obama administration has been lying about the war in Libya. As well Congress has given Obama a pass on the limits of his war powers. Now there appears to be NATO ground troops in Libya.



Armed westerners have been filmed on the front line with rebels near Misrata in the first apparent confirmation that foreign special forces are playing an active role in the Libyan conflict.

A group of six westerners are clearly visible in a report by al-Jazeera from Dafniya, described as the westernmost point of the rebel lines west of the town of Misrata. Five of them were armed and wearing sand-coloured clothes, peaked caps, and cotton Arab scarves.

Wasn't this war supposed to be done weeks ago according to the Nobel Peace Prize winner?

Video: Elephants Helping Clean Up Joplin After Tornado

Bring in the pachyderms! The Picadilly Circus was scheduled to perform in tornado ravaged Joplin. Instead, the circus is helping Joplin dig out of what is left after an EF5 tornado ravaged the town last week.

Instead of taking the day off, circus performers including the elephants decided to pitch in and help the town. One elephant even moved a car out of the debris.

I expect PETA to complain within a day or two.

The Department of Pre-Crime: Coming Soon to the Department of Homeland Security

Remember the movie Minority Report? If you do, you will remember how the precogs scanned the Washington DC area for pre-crime. Once a pre-crime was confirmed, the subject was arrested before they ever committed a crime. Sounds crazy right?

Well check out this video from the Department of Homeland Security featuring Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST), which measures people who attend events where people gather for malintent.

Minority Report is nearly reality.

Is Obama Breaking the Law Dancing at the White House?

Here's a video of Obama dancing at the White House with Thalia. By the way, a federal appeals court ruled last week that the national monuments are places for reflection and contemplation — and dancing distracts from such an experience.

As you can see in the following video, the American police state comes down hard on those who dance in national monuments in Washington, DC.



So is it legal for Obama to get jiggy with a cop-killing rapper rhyming named Common Sense at the White House, which can be considered a national monument?

Is not the White House a place to honor as well as is expected at the Jefferson Memorial?

In fact, it seems the first family may have started a dance craze. Everywhere you look they are dancing:









Does the dancing disrespect the office and title the Obama's hold? Can you see George Washington getting jiggy wit it?

Footloose in DC?: Cop Warns Kids No Dancing Near Washington DC Memorials and Then Arrest Them

Liberty and freedom doesn't exist in of all places, the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Watch this video where kids are warned they will be arrested if they dance and are soon arrested afterwards.

Get this, if you live more than 50 miles away from DC, you will spend the weekend or night in jail. For dancing!

I realize it may be a little disrespectful to the monument, but do you really think Jefferson would approve of the actions of these police?

Dancers were protesting an appeals court ruling handed down last week that the national monuments are places for reflection and contemplation — and dancing distracts from such an experience.

These kids might as well be terrorists. Dancing now leads to closing a monument. Can you believe this is happening in America?

Semper Fi: US Marine Sings Star Spangled Banner at 2011 Memorial Day Springfield, MO National Cemetery

A US Marine sang The Star Spangled Banner at the 2011 Memorial Day event at the National Cemetery, Springfield, MO.

Honor Flight Documentary: Honoring World War II Veterans

As you know, the Honor Flights touch my heart. In case you don't know what the Honor Flights are, they are an organized effort to get as many World War II veterans to see the World War II Memorial in Washington DC.

My grandfathers never got the opportunity to see this honor for their service, as well many of these World War II veterans are now passing. Today's events at the National Cemetery in Springfield, MO are a reminder of that. For those still living, Honor Flights is an effort to see that as many WWII veterans get to Washington before it's too late.

This is a new documentary coming out that shows the touching stories of these veterans, united for perhaps the last time.


“Honor Flight” tells the story of The Honor Flight Network and “Operation Resolve,” a mission to fly as many WWII vets to Washington D.C. to see their memorial as possible — at no cost to them. It’s an urgent cause: 1,000 WWII veterans die every day. Both my grandfather and my great uncle fought in WWII. My grandpa was never able to make it to the memorial — but my great uncle just made the “Honor Flight.”

Sights and Sounds of Memorial Day at the National Cemetery Springfield, MO

Memorial Day festivities began as the Springfield, Missouri this morning. Here are some of the sights and sounds of the event to honor those who gave their lives for liberty and freedom.

Greene County GOP Politicizes Memorial Day Event at Springfield National Cemetery

As I walked away from my grandfather's grave site to leave the National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri, I noticed Steve Helms and the Greene County GOP scooping up ice cream on a parking lot in front of the entrance. On a day that we honor those who gave their lives protecting liberty and freedom, isn't it sad the Republican party, the party that promised voters they would go to Washington to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States if elected to Congress in 2010, is politicizing this event.

Has the GOP no shame after their ranks overwhelmingly voted for the PATRIOT Act this past week? Careless tweets from  Republican Congressman Billy Long, who showed up in sunglasses and a green ball cap, don't amount to much as your realize he is a very hypocrite of the honor he asks of his own constituents.

We should honor those that paid the ultimate price not just w/ our memory but by staying true to the principles they gave their lives for.

(He of course voted to extend the PATRIOT Act twice.)

How is supporting the PATRIOT Act consistent with honoring those who gave their lives to protect the Fourth Amendment, due process laws, and the remaining Bill of Rights?

Enjoy your ice cream.

Billy Long and Joplin

If I could ask Congressman Long one question today, it would be simply this.

Mr. Long, considering all the foreign aid to countries that harbor terrorism like Pakistan, why didn't you publicly challenge Eric Cantor when he said there would be no tornado relief aid for Joplin, Missouri?

That's a question Mr. Long needs to answer.

Video of Police Taking Westboro Baptist Church Member Away in Joplin, MO

We know the anti-Westboro Baptist Church protesters surrounded a Westboro Baptist Church member who held up a hate sign to block the sign from being seen. Police officers quickly pulled the man out and threatened and possibly used pepper spray on the crowd to ensure the WBC member's safety. This appears to be video of the police escorting the WBC member away from their protest.

Truck Drivers Prove to be Good Buddies to Joplin as Westboro Baptist Church Leaves Tornado Ravaged City

More details are coming out about Westboro Baptist Church's departure from Joplin, Missouri yesterday. The hate preaching church showed up in Joplin to celebrate the deaths of the victims of the tornado--their rhetoric claiming God cast this tornado on Joplin because Joplin accepts homosexuality.

Apparently, their departure from Joplin wasn't very easy. It appears the men and women behind the CB microphones proved to "good buddies" to the people of Joplin.

Apparently, truck drivers visiting the Flying J truck stop near Joplin blocked the members of WBC in, making it impossible for them to leave at one point. This is how a town in Mississppi kept the WBC away from a soldiers funeral.

Wanna bet these idiots from the WBC get a helicopter sometime in the future?

Adopt a Joplin Family: Americans Helping Americans Recover From Tragedy

A Facebook page has popped up asking Americans to adopt a Joplin family suffering after the tornado. The page is set up for Joplin families affected by the tornado to list things that would help them get through these tough weeks ahead in hopes Americans will embrace the family and give them a hand.

From the page:

This is a page to adopt a Family in Joplin, A lady in California Come up with the Idea and I made it a reality. It is hard to send Specific items A family needs when you know nothing about them. So this page will help. If your a family who needs something Please become a friend and state your need. And if your a family that wants to help Please pick a family that Has needs and donate specific items they need to help them.

If you are a Family in need Please make a list of things you Need, not want but need as of right now. And put it in a note on our wall and a family will try to adopt you and help you with your specific needs

If your a family that wants to Donate please pick a family who you can help or list things you can do and let a family contact you.

ALL requests for aid please make sure that you include all your Current Contact information.

To adopt a Joplin family, visit Facebook.

Kissing and Dancing At Washington, DC Memorials Against the Law

A protest against America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at the Jefferson Memorial--Jefferson the ultimate Founding Father of freedom and liberty. Soon the protesters, whose protest consisted of a dance were soon arrested.

Madam Kokesh, founder of Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW) is the man in the white t-shirt and sun glasses. This take place in of all places America at the Jefferson Memorial.

Adam Kokesh and other libertarians were arrested at the Jefferson Memorial for silent dancing, which outraged the prison guards.

Believe it or not, it's against the law to dance at any of the memorials in Washington, DC.

In 2008 a small flash mob had gathered at the memorial to dance in silence, but was dispersed when one woman was arrested on misdemeanor charges. A year later, stemming from that case,a judge affirmed a ban on dancing at the memorial, "in order to maintain an atmosphere of calm, tranquility, and reverence."

Couldn't a dance be considered an expression of the First Amendment? Of course it can whether you agree with the protest or not. Consider the rights of the Westboro Baptist Church to protest soldiers funerals. Reverence is never considered as their First Amendment Right is rightfully upheld.

The one thing about free speech you have to remember is it protects free speech you may not agree with. I don't think Jefferson would be thrilled this is happening at his monument. I have a feeling he would use the words tyranny. Worst of all, apparently the man who started this protest is a veteran--one of those people like me who wore the uniform ready to fight for our liberty and freedom.

Look, dancing was the last thing that came to mind when I was at the Jefferson Memorial nine years ago. With that said, it's a free country--at least it's supposed to be.

Google Could Have Done More for Memorial Day: Small Flag at Bottom Does Little to Recognize the Importance of the Day

Google went into politically correct mode today. Obviously felling obligated to continue the tradition of decorating up the main search page for Memorial Day, one has to ask why is it the American flag with a yellow ribbon placed over it. The American flag is minimal ins size, and it's location is placed as not to offend many. How sad.

In comparison, Google celebrated the tyranny our Founding Fathers defeated, the English monarchy, with quite an extravagant graphic commemorating the Royal Wedding.

Heck even the 50th anniversary of the Flintstones got more respect than Google shows American veterans today.

As did the Hungry Caterpillar:

And Sesame Street too:

And the 70th anniversary of the birth of John Lennon:

It's not like Google has been afraid to boast the Red, White, and Blue in the past.

So why not do something a little more prominent to honor America's veterans today?

Details on the Westboro Baptist Church in Joplin, MO After Tornado: Why Joplin Police Escorted One WBC Member Out

The Westboro Baptist Church brought their message of hate to tornado ravaged Joplin, Missouri yesterday. Tempers flared.

For the life of me, I haven't been able to figure out how WBC ignores Biblical stories like the Good Samaritan. They obviously ignore its message to attack the people of Joplin with signs that condemn Joplin for its above average sized homosexual community. Their presence brought out a counter protest yesterday along Rangeline Road, a place where Congressman Billy Long tweeted the spirit of America should be seen here. Sad the WBC is part of that vision.

When news broke that violence had erupted at the WBC protest, details were a little sketchy. All we knew is Joplin police used pepper spray and escorted one WBC member.

KSPR reports:

According to witnesses, a crowd of people swarmed a man after he showed what they called a hateful sign.

Police ran into the crowd threatening to use tear gas if it got out of control.

Police then detained the man and escorted him away from the scene.

"Everybody just swarmed him, yeah, they were swarming him, throwing water bottles at him and just basically getting him out of here," said Kelly Gresham, a witness at the scene. "They were trying to keep a little control here, the officers were, but it was just not going to happen with him.

Some witnesses who have followed this story on this Web site claim that pepper spray was used to control the crowd.

 

Reverend Aaron Brown's Powerful Joplin Tornado Memorial Speech

St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Joplin was reduced to its steel frame and some lower siding after Joplin's tornado. It's also the same church that Reverend Aaron Brown leads. Brown gave perhaps the most moving speech at the Joplin memorial for tornado victims yesterday.

I have watched the Westboro Baptist Church attack this man on Twitter as they say Joplin deserved this tornado. Oh the wisdom every man who watched Reverend Brown will receive if they just understood the basics of his message, including WBC.

"Jesus never promised to protect us from the storms of life."

"What he did promise was simple and powerful- to be with us through the storm. The challenge is- will we let him?"

St. John's Hospital in Joplin is Operating Again Just a Week After the Tornado

St. John's Hospital is operating again. No, the damaged shell of a building along 20th hasn't been restored. In fact, it's going to be knocked down and built further away from the neighboring hospital--a lesson learned from the Joplin tornado. Joplin's other hospital is just a couple blocks away to the south, and it suffered some roof damage.

In a scene that reminds me of my army training, where the army hospital I worked in was an air conditioned tent, St. John's is now treating patients in a tent that looks like an army depmed, only it's not colored army green. It's a bit smaller too.

The tent houses 60 patient beds. Like the army's version, doctors can provide ER and surgery services as well. More proof Joplin is rising far beyond expectations.


 

I Remember on Memorial Day Robert Bastings and Bill Bowler, My Grandpas and World War II Veterans

They were born Robert Leroy Bastings (Bob) and Harley William Bowler (Bill), children of the depression. Both grew up with a strong work ethic, a love for country, and the reality that life wasn't easy. There wasn't a high school graduation for either, no college to detour service. They both dropped out of school to help their families survive the depression. They would pass these lessons on.

As young men, they shipped to Europe as members of the Army. Bill was one of the first Americans to fight in Europe after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Army gave orders to drop him in France, but the plane received the wrong orders and he wound up in Germany--lost. His platoon reoriented themselves and found an old deserted German brewery, where they stayed safe until the Army managed to get them further supplies and correct their mistake. Luckily, the brewery still contained bier.

In battle, Bill fought the Germans. A bullet grazed his forehead, and a deep scar remained about an inch above his eyes. His cowboy hat covered it well later in life. I always thought it was a wrinkle, but as I grew up and asked to know about the war, my dad told me about the bullet. It's funny when you realize that a half inch more, and I might not be writing this today.

Robert went to London with his orders. I was old enough to discuss the war with him. It usually took place after watching a movie like Empire of the Sun. I was 16 and was working at the Northtown Mall Dickerson Theater. The tickets were my treat. He always told me he had shot a Nazi general. I didn't know if he was pulling my leg or not. He had Nazi ribbons stored in one of his wooden jewelry boxes. They were brass with a swastika on them. I never got too many more details other than that from him. They say they never like talking about it.

He met Molly Griffiths, my grandmother, in London. She told me that when he saw her, he immediately walked over and asked her out. I figure when you face death every day, your courage with women must rise as well. She had promised herself to an Englishman for marriage, but that didn't stop Robert. He pulled the pearls off her neck and told her if she wanted to see them again she would have to meet at this same place during his next leave. She did. Once again, the game of chance that led to my life amazes me. He married her in England and brought her back to the States.

Both these men had a pride in their country that you don't see today. As much as I love America, I can't live up to their sacrifices that they gave to this country. I saw the pride, even as a young child.

In December 1979, our country was going through the worst period that I have ever known. It was far worse than we are whining about today. Iran held Americans hostage. The Carter economy led to high inflation and interest rates so high they nearly stopped the nation in her tracks. On December 22, a young eight-year-old stood with his Grandpa Bowler in a gas station on Kearney Street and US 65 in Springfield, MO. I remember the words my Grandpa told the man at the counter. He was sad about the condition of America at the time. He looked down at me and then told the man that he didn't see much a future for his grandsons with the current direction the country. I sensed his sadness.

We left the gas station, got in his blue Chevrolet pickup truck with a camper shell, and went out and spotted a water well. He had built up B&R Drilling and achieved the American dream without ever finishing grade school.

Luckily, Reagan came along and gave the country direction, but my grandfather would never see the new morning in America. He died two days later. A few months after that, the AMVETs named the local post after him.

I always cherished the time I got with my other grandfather. Losing someone at eight years old made me realize how lucky I was to get a second shot. My Grandpa Bastings was a frugal man. The lessons of the depression taught him to live cautiously knowing that one day it might go bust again. He encouraged saving, hard work, and being honest. I would shrug it off as a young teenager. How could the Great Depression ever happen again? I know now that he knew what he was talking about. Missouri State University didn’t include wisdom like this in their tuition.

He gave himself like no other man I have known--always willing to help someone less fortunate than he. Those lessons he learned as child never left him, and he made good throughout his life.

Their generation will soon be gone, and unfortunately each new generation will hear less of these lessons. This alarms me.

World War II had its critics, all wars do, but the unity of America throughout the war would never be matched again. Americans then realized what was on the line, and they fought hard knowing losing wasn't a choice. Today, politicians build up defeat to gain power without realizing the cost of defeat.

If we forget the lessons the greatest generation taught us, we might be telling the next generation what we lost. That would make us the worst generation.

I have never met two prouder Americans than my grandfathers. Please honor all American veterans today, Memorial Day.

NASCAR's Jamie McMurray's Joplin Childhood Home Was Destroyed by Tornado

Last night, I cheered Jamie McMurray on in the Coca-Cola 600. The NASCAR driver that calls Joplin his hometown worked his way to the front, took the lead in his Hope for Joplin Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, and then his motor blew. His night was over, and all across Twitter, the disappointment for the sentimental favorite was seen.

It's been a tough week for McMurray as he learned his hometown of Joplin, Missouri, where so many friends still live, was hit by an EF5 tornado. Those same friends sent him cell phone pictures of the house where he once lived--it took a direct hit.

"I didn't even know what he had sent me," McMurray said before the race. "I did figure it out because the only part left of my house was actually the address left on the front wall. But when you look at the pictures of the house, there's no background. There are no trees or homes or landmark in the background to define what you're looking at. So, yeah, really the tornado took the whole neighborhood out."

McMurray will visit Joplin later this week. He will also attend a fundraiser at Bass Pro Shops on June 2.

Memorial Day Gas Prices Fall: Goldman Sachs Warns $5 a Gallon Still Coming

Gas prices have fallen about 30 cents over the past couple weeks. Strange when you consider today is Memorial Day. Remember the predictions? $5 a gallon by Memorial Day?

Those predictions may have not come true, but they haven't exactly gone away either.

Goldman Sachs' crystal ball is proclaiming that oil will soon soar to $135 a barrel, and likely have service stations jacking up fuel prices to $5 a gallon in New York just like the summer of 2008 that preceded the recession.

Indeed, analysts say Goldman and the other oil trading giant that also has the might to move prices, JPMorgan Chase, have already placed their energy bets for the summer. JPMorgan predicts oil hitting $130 a barrel in the coming weeks.

Of course what this does is convince more people to take summer vacation in June, which pushes up demand and drives up costs.

Joplin Fire Department Quickly Replaces Damaged Pumper Truck: Rosenbauer America Helps Joplin

Joplin is another tragedy in which the fire department was hit hard. The fire station along 20th was in the direct path of the tornado, and Joplin lost two firetrucks. Like other tragedies, the spirit of America can be seen in Joplin (although we don't recommend you go to Joplin to gawk--volunteer instead).

Rosenbauer America is helping the city of Joplin out, and has leased a pumper truck to the city for $1. The lease is good as long as the city of Joplin needs it.

"We just wanted to help out," said Scott Oyen, vice president of sales for Rosenbauer's Central Division.

Thanks to Rosenbauer America for once again proving its the people and the businesses that make America great.

Ronald Reagan's 1986 Memorial Day Address

Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It's a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It's a day to be with the family and remember.


I was thinking this morning that across the country children and their parents will be going to the town parade and the young ones will sit on the sidewalks and wave their flags as the band goes by. Later, maybe, they'll have a cookout or a day at the beach. And that's good, because today is a day to be with the family and to remember.


Arlington, this place of so many memories, is a fitting place for some remembering. So many wonderful men and women rest here, men and women who led colorful, vivid, and passionate lives. There are the greats of the military: Bull Halsey and the Admirals Leahy, father and son; Black Jack Pershing; and the GI's general, Omar Bradley. Great men all, military men. But there are others here known for other things.


Here in Arlington rests a sharecropper's son who became a hero to a lonely people. Joe Louis came from nowhere, but he knew how to fight. And he galvanized a nation in the days after Pearl Harbor when he put on the uniform of his country and said, ``I know we'll win because we're on God's side.'' Audie Murphy is here, Audie Murphy of the wild, wild courage. For what else would you call it when a man bounds to the top of a disabled tank, stops an enemy advance, saves lives, and rallies his men, and all of it singlehandedly. When he radioed for artillery support and was asked how close the enemy was to his position, he said, "Wait a minute and I'll let you speak to them.'' [Laughter]


Michael Smith is here, and Dick Scobee, both of the space shuttle Challenger. Their courage wasn't wild, but thoughtful, the mature and measured courage of career professionals who took prudent risks for great reward -- in their case, to advance the sum total of knowledge in the world. They're only the latest to rest here; they join other great explorers with names like Grissom and Chaffee.


Oliver Wendell Holmes is here, the great jurist and fighter for the right. A poet searching for an image of true majesty could not rest until he seized on "Holmes dissenting in a sordid age.'' Young Holmes served in the Civil War. He might have been thinking of the crosses and stars of Arlington when he wrote: "At the grave of a hero we end, not with sorrow at the inevitable loss, but with the contagion of his courage; and with a kind of desperate joy we go back to the fight.''

All of these men were different, but they shared this in common: They loved America very much. There was nothing they wouldn't do for her. And they loved with the sureness of the young. It's hard not to think of the young in a place like this, for it's the young who do the fighting and dying when a peace fails and a war begins. Not far from here is the statue of the three servicemen -- the three fighting boys of Vietnam. It, too, has majesty and more. Perhaps you've seen it -- three rough boys walking together, looking ahead with a steady gaze. There's something wounded about them, a kind of resigned toughness. But there's an unexpected tenderness, too. At first you don't really notice, but then you see it. The three are touching each other, as if they're supporting each other, helping each other on.


I know that many veterans of Vietnam will gather today, some of them perhaps by the wall. And they're still helping each other on. They were quite a group, the boys of Vietnam -- boys who fought a terrible and vicious war without enough support from home, boys who were dodging bullets while we debated the efficacy of the battle. It was often our poor who fought in that war; it was the unpampered boys of the working class who picked up the rifles and went on the march. They learned not to rely on us; they learned to rely on each other. And they were special in another way: They chose to be faithful. They chose to reject the fashionable skepticism of their time. They chose to believe and answer the call of duty. They had the wild, wild courage of youth. They seized certainty from the heart of an ambivalent age; they stood for something.

And we owe them something, those boys. We owe them first a promise: That just as they did not forget their missing comrades, neither, ever, will we. And there are other promises. We must always remember that peace is a fragile thing that needs constant vigilance. We owe them a promise to look at the world with a steady gaze and, perhaps, a resigned toughness, knowing that we have adversaries in the world and challenges and the only way to meet them and maintain the peace is by staying strong.


That, of course, is the lesson of this century, a lesson learned in the Sudetenland, in Poland, in Hungary, in Czechoslovakia, in Cambodia. If we really care about peace, we must stay strong. If we really care about peace, we must, through our strength, demonstrate our unwillingness to accept an ending of the peace. We must be strong enough to create peace where it does not exist and strong enough to protect it where it does. That's the lesson of this century and, I think, of this day. And that's all I wanted to say. The rest of my contribution is to leave this great place to its peace, a peace it has earned.


Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories. (May 26, 1986)

Is Sarah Palin Vs. Barack Obama the Ronald Reagan vs. Jimmy Carter of This Generation?

There are many similarities between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter, inflation, unemployment, bad economy. In my conservative circle of friends the question is asked, does this generation have one candidate that can restore faith in America while returning the Republican party back to the conservative side.

It's no secret that Michael Reagan believes Sarah Palin may be that person, but on the Chris Matthews Show, both Andrew Sullivan and Joe Klein sees that possibility too.



On Sunday’s “The Chris Matthews Show,” both The Daily Beast’s Andrew Sullivan and TIME editor Joe Klein agreed that if Palin runs she could have the edge on Obama.

After Matthews asked, “Does anybody imagine Sarah Palin being elected President of the United States?” Sullivan answered:

Yes, because, not because of her apparent virtues, not because of Obama’s weakness, but because of unforeseen events. I do think that if for example we have a collapse in the markets because of a debt ceiling crisis, if we have a second recession, if we have another major terrorist attack, I’m just saying we shouldn’t rule out things.
Then Klein chimed in:

You were around, you were around in ’79 and ’80 as I was. Did you see many people in the Carter administration think that Ronald Reagan could beat Jimmy Carter?

Sarah Palin Rides a Harley Davidson

Somewhere on a desert highway
She rides a Harley-Davidson
Her long blonde hair
flyin' in the wind
She's been runnin' half her life
The chrome and steel she rides
Collidin' with
the very air she breathes
The air she breathes. -- Neil Young

Everywhere you look, Sarah Palin looks more like a presidential contender. She kicks off her One Nation Bus Tour by riding a Harley Davidson.

“I love that smell of the emissions,” she said, donning sunglasses and a Harley Davidson skullcap-style, black helmet.

I think we all know she has the attitude it takes to ride a Harley.

Governor Jay Nixon Shows Leadership During Joplin Tornado

Having lived in Chicago, I know politicians live and die based on the weather. A sure way to lose an election is to make sure your ward's streets aren't quickly removed of snow after a major snow storm. It's strange how weather determines votes. With that said, Missouri was lucky to have Governor Jay Nixon at the helm during the tornado.

Nixon showed leadership, mobilizing the National Guard immediately and then using his office to ensure the needs of Joplin were taken care of. While I have never been a fan of Mr. Nixon, he shined when Joplin needed him most. This week, Governor Nixon won reelection because he made sure the needs of Joplin were taken care of as the rest of Missouri watched on.

Peter Kinder showing up with Billy Long, who its already been written by Forbes will lose reelection next year for not standing up for the people of Joplin, showing up for a ribbon cutting ceremony (photo op) scored few points. Kinder is basically DOA even before 2012, and I like Mr. Kinder. Reality is simply Jay Nixon wins in a landslide for efforts to bring Missouri together in support of Joplin. Sorry, Mr. Kinder, but the mountain you climb is too steep.

While Obama was in Europe, his words to a Joplin memorial weren't deep. Simply words placed on a teleprompter just an hour or so after he initially saw the damage. Governor Nixon's words touched, as did Reverend Aaron Brown's.

Here is the transcript of Governor Nixon's Joplin memorial:

Thank you, Pastor Gariss. To the families of those who were killed and injured; to the families of those who are still unaccounted for; to the people of Joplin who have endured this terrible tragedy; to the thousands of Missourians and citizens across the nation who have opened their hearts to help us heal; to the hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders who came without hesitation to climb over piles of rubble in search of survivors; to Pastor Garris, Pastor Brown, Father Monaghan, Lieutenant Colonel Kilmer, and the wonderful choir from First United Methodist Church of Joplin; and to President Obama who is with us today – thank you all for coming.


It is an honor to be here, joining the thousands of Missourians observing this special Day of Prayer. We stand on hallowed ground, to bear witness to the destructive power of Nature and the invincible power of faith.

We have come to mourn what the storm has taken from us, to seek comfort in community, and to draw strength from God to build anew.

It seems inconceivable that just one week ago, the people of Joplin were going about their daily lives, doing the ordinary things people do on a Sunday evening: Cooking supper. Watching TV.

Walking the dog. Attending their sons’ and daughters’ graduation. And then came the whirlwind. Nearly a mile wide and six miles long, with 200-mile-an-hour winds – churning and roaring, tossing cars and toppling trees, pounding homes, businesses, schools and churches to rubble.

But that storm, the likes of which we have never seen, has brought forward a spirit of resilience –the likes of which we’ve also never seen.

What our nation has witnessed this week is the spirit of Joplin, Missouri. And we are humbled and awed by it.

You have given “Love thy neighbor” new meaning. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke, Chapter 10: verses 25 to 37, begins with a conversation between Jesus and a student of religious law. It starts with a legal question, and ends with a moral imperative.

The student asks Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus turns the question around and asks: “What is written in the law?”

And the student, who is well-versed in the Talmud and the Torah, replies: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength and with all thy mind. “And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

And Jesus replies: “Thou hast answered right. This do, and thou shalt live.”

But then the student, wanting greater clarity than the law provided, asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” And Jesus tells him the story of the Good Samaritan.

From that parable, our charge is crystal clear. Good Samaritans do not pass by those who are suffering and in need. They show their compassion with action.

In Joplin, you see Good Samaritans everywhere you turn. You see them over in the gym at this university, where hundreds of volunteers make sandwiches every day.

You seem them passing out blankets and pillows, sunscreen and flashlights to our neighbors made homeless by the whirlwind.

You need a flashlight. Because it gets pretty dark here at night – especially when you’re standing in the street, staring at the lonely pile of matchsticks that was once your home.

If you had been in the ER at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center last Sunday evening, mere moments after the tornado struck, you would have seen Good Samaritans rushing frantically to reach the wounded and the dying.

Shattered glass and bleeding patients everywhere, water and gas spewing from burst pipes, one doctor stumbled through the darkness with a flashlight in his teeth, following the wail of a wounded child.

You see Good Samaritans at every checkpoint in the destruction zone, where police officers and citizen soldiers of the Missouri National Guard keep watch over wet socks, teddy bears, cherished wedding photos and crumpled wheelchairs – all that is left of our neighbors’ worldly goods.

You see them in the churchyard, men sleeping on cots under the stars, after driving all night to get here from Tuscaloosa. These men were so touched, so moved by the kindness of strangers in their hour of need, that they just had to come to Joplin. Good Samaritans – on a mission from God.

God has chosen us for a mission, too: to grieve together, to comfort one another, to be patient with one another, to strengthen one another – and to build Joplin anew. Not just to build it back the way it was, but to make it an even better place.

We know that all those who perished here are already in an even better place. But for us, the living, there is work to do. God says: “Show me.” Show me.

The people of Missouri were born for this mission. We are famously stubborn and self-reliant.

Practical. Impatient. But whatever may divide us, we always come together in crisis.

And once our resolve is set, no storm, no fire or flood can turn us from our task.

In the pale hushed stillness before dawn, when the chainsaws have fallen silent, if you listen very closely – you can hear the sound of that resolve, like a tiny silver hammer tapping, tapping, tapping inside our heads.

In the days to come, the satellite trucks will pack up, leave town and move on. Joplin’s story will disappear from the front pages. But the tragedy will not disappear from our lives.

We will still be here in Joplin – together – preparing for the long journey out of darkness into light. And we will need more hands, more tools, more Good Samaritans at every step.

This tragedy has changed us forever. This community will never be the same. We will never be the same.

The grief we share at this moment is overwhelming. That sorrow will always be part of us, a stone upon our hearts. But those we love – those we lost – are safe with God, and safe in our hearts. And in our hearts, the joy they gave us lives on and on. Nothing can take that from us.

We can, and we will, heal. We’ve already begun. Together, we can, and we will, rebuild – upon a granite foundation of faith. What we build on this hallowed ground will be a living monument to those we lost: mothers, fathers, our precious children.

It will be a monument to the will and determination of the hundreds of men, women and yes, even children, who helped their neighbors dig out of the ruins – a monument to the search and rescue crews who came swiftly to aid the quick, and the dead.

By God’s grace, we will restore this community. And by God’s grace, we will renew our souls.

One year from today, Joplin will look different. And more different still in two years, and in three years, and in five.

But as the years pass, the moral of our story will be the same: love thy neighbor. May God bless.

Video: Joplin Honors the Victims of Tornado With a Moment of Silence

At 5:41 PM yesterday, Joplin, Missouri honored those who lost their lives seven days earlier when an EF5 tornado struck the Route 66 town. It was at 5:41 when first signs of the tornado formed. It would be another 20 minutes before it did most of its damage.

The following video is the people of Joplin coming together to honor the victims as a moment of silence is observed at 5:41 PM, May 29, 2011.

Good News in Joplin Tonight: Unaccounted For List Falls to Under 50 Deaths Don't Climb

It truly is a miracle when you look at the devastation that reminds Joplin of the tornado one week ago tonight. There is some good news in Joplin tonight.

On Wednesday, it was reported that 1500 people were unaccounted for. Tonight that number is 49. As well, the number of dead remained at 139 tonight. Considering the intensity of this tornado, that is an amazing number. It could have been much worse, and I feared it was going to be much worse.

KY3 reports:

There are now 43 people who remain unaccounted for a week after a massive tornado hit Joplin.

Mike O'Connell, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Public Safety, told The Associated Press on Sunday that the number of unaccounted "just dropped" to 43 because of the latest deceased whose next-of-kin have been notified. The number had stood at about 100.

Earlier this week, it was reported there were approximately 200 bodies unidentified at a make shift morgue. It does appear the total dead will fall just below 200 once the other bodies have been found and identified.

A miracle when you consider where this tornado hit. It could have been much worse. Joplin mourns those who passed away, but are thankful for the lives that were spared.

Billy Long Encourages Joplin Tornado Gawking

The Internet is a funny thing. For the past couple days, Billy Long has been giving deserving praise to Josh Marsh at KZRG in Joplin. Josh has been the iron man of Joplin radio throughout the disaster, and he has been clear on coming to Joplin. Don't come to Joplin unless you are ready to get your hands dirty.

Marsh has tried to help cleanup efforts by discouraging gawkers from coming into Joplin to take pictures and clog the main arteries so volunteers can easily get to where they are needed. Still, as you drive on Rangeline Road, you see car after car taking pictures of the damage in Joplin, so when Billy Long gave the tweet today basically inviting people to see the spirit of Joplin, he obviously forgot Marsh's unofficial golden rule of Joplin, MO.

I guess Congressman Long wasn't paying too much attention to what Marsh was saying. However, myself and Will Lynch were paying attention to Marsh on the radio, and as we volunteered throughout the week, we saw the gawker problem getting worse.

So I took to this forum and Twitter in hopes of reducing the problem, and Will did his part too.

Earlier this afternoon, Adam David Givens began attacking our don't go to Joplin unless you are there to help tweets. Will and I began to wonder what this guy's problem was.

Well as it turns out, according to Givens's tweet, he was only doing what he was told to do by his Congressman.

Makes you wonder if Billy Long was really listening to Marsh, or just buttering him up for a softball interview later down the road. However, Givens has no problem justifying his getting in the way.

Mr. Givens, I hope you bought some work gloves with that money to help Joplin "rebuild."