Jay Kersting's Blog

A man named Bill Geerhart had an interesting hobby.  Now RADAR magazine is sharing this story with us.

Take a look and let me know what you think.  Oh, and I had never heard of RADAR magazine prior to this.  So no, I am not a subscriber.

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Did you see Barack Obama's response to Jeremiah Wright yesterday?

There are a few of ways to take his response.  First, you can dismiss it as the act of a desperate man.   And that might be accurate.  Second, you can take it as a move of political posturing.  Of course, on any level there is some degree of truth to that.  Third, he has flip-flopped on this more than John Kerry on funding the war on terror.  Possibly, due to lack of information.  But I think it is a combination of things.

Senator Obama has been known for being a very good speaker.  Yesterday, he was stammering more than Bob Newhart.  For Newhart, it is part of his act.  I do not think Obama was acting.  And if he was, he is one of the greatest actors of our time.

Critics point out the lack of response on Monday.  I will agree that they make a very valid point, however, I will add that he was in campaign mode probably count not directly tend to the comments of his former pastor.  He did respond on Monday and it was mild.  By Tuesday, he had seen and heard the comments.

To put it bluntly, he was PISSED OFF.  

I'd be too.

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Good news, food costs are not going up due to corn ethanol.  We know this because our governor told us so.

Whew...that's a relief.

Next we will learn that food costs are going up due to the aliens destroying crops with their crop circles.

It is about as reasonable, right?

And I still suggest that the corn ethanol has a much better use.  I suggest storing it, pure corn ethanol..not gasoline blended.  Store it in a charred oak barrel for, say, seven, nine, 14 years or more.  The value of that corn ethanol would be a hedge against rising fuel and food prices.

Legal?  Not entirely sure.  But I wouldn't waste that on my car. 

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Add your comments and send your e-mails. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 06:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Arrogance is a trait that is often quite unappealing.  Jeremiah Wright, Jr., proved this yesterday.

Not only did he not apologize for his outrageous comments, he defended and extended the concepts behind them.

To open, I will admit that I did not see the comments LIVE yesterday.  I read the Reverend Wright's comments on-line, then I saw some of the media coverage.

I did not see anyone on CNN nor Fox News Channel who defended the comments from Reverend Wright.  Nor will I.

He still insists that the U.S. Government spread the HIV/AIDS virus among the minority population.  Had to be the government, couldn't be the fact that individuals acted irresponsibly.  Blame the government.  Add to the responsibility deficit in our country.

The 9/11 attacks were the fault of the U.S. Government.  As you recall, he quoted Bobby Boucher's momma when he said it was "the chickens coming home to roost!"  While I can respect a movie reference, especially from "The Waterboy" of all movies, but this is ridiculous.

He went on to say that the media criticism of him is an attack on all black churches in America.  

He referred to Louis Farrakhan as one of the most important voices of the 20th and 21st Centuries.  I'll give him that if he also thinks that Adolf Hitler was one of the most important voices of the 20th Century.  Racism and bigotry are disgusting, but if enough people listen to it the level of imporance is severely and dangerously increased.

Reverend Wright hurt his parishoner yesterday.  He did not help himself.  I was surprised that I did not see him do the Benito Mussolini arrogant arm cross and head nod when he finished.  Nor the Nikita Khrushchev shoe pounding to make sure he had our attention.

But maybe I am just not getting it.  I am an evil Whitey.

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The Supreme Court makes another ruling that leaves me AGAIN wanting Ginsburg and Souter to resign.   Again, those two jokers were in the minority, which is a good thing, but it proves that they want to push some sort of agenda and not rule on the laws of the land.

This time they were, thank GOD, in the minority of a decision that upholds a photo identification requirement for voting in Indiana. 

I do not know all of the official reasons why this case was brought to the Supreme Court in the first place, but my gut reaction is that anyone who does not want someone to prove who they are prior to voting wants to encourage fraud.  

Chicago anyone?

I understand that someone may not be able to afford a state issued identification card, though I feel those cases may be few and far between.  And Indiana, Georgia and several other states have made state issued identification cards available for nothing or next to nothing for those who cannot afford them.  That should have been good enough.

Apparently NOT.  Someone decided to sue in order to insure that those who want to cheat the system and stuff the ballot boxes will have an easier time in doing so.

Thank you to the SIX sensible members of the Supreme Court for making sure that common sense prevails. 

So, lets look at who opposes the use of photo identification.  It is the Democratic Party.  Why?

Do they want convicts to vote?  They have before.

Do they want dead people to vote?   The Democrat machine in Chicago has always protected that.

Do they want non-citizens to vote?  Of course they do, they are easy to buy votes from.

While I am not a Republican, I agree with the GOP on this issue 100 percent.  

Require identification is NOT a Poll Tax as has been alleged.  It is common sense and a reasonable protection of our electoral process.

Whenever ANYONE disputes this, ask yourself one simple question.  What is their real motivation? 

If you think it may be something dirty, you are probably right.  And it is more than dirty.  It is criminal.

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Signed comments will be posted, so post as you have time.   Have a GREAT Tuesday.

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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There are a few things that just set me off here at work.  One of those is the "Free Credit Report . COM" ads. 

First, the credit reports are NOT free.  They are free if you purchase some credit monitoring service it is included.  BUT that is not why I hate those ads.  It is the STUPID jingles that go with it.

The other one is an inaccurate local spot about pocketwatches.  Billion not million....but there is more.  A simple visit to a large retailer's website can clarify what else makes it inaccurate....but the basic point does still pertain.  Just hearing it dozens of times a day is what is annoying.

Same goes to the guy serving tourists in T-shirts.  (Now that stupid jingle will be in YOUR head too!)

I want to shoot the radio, like Elvis and the TV, everytime those come on.  In my line of work, that is way too often. 

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Met a very interesting man on Saturday night.  I was working at the Kansas City Royals game and was set up in a room with other radio folks.  And one other.

Sitting next to me was Steve Palermo.  Immediately, I recognized the name and it took me to a minute or two to remember his story.

Steve Palermo was the American League umpire who was shot while trying to break up a mugging outside a Dallas restaurant back in 1991.  He was told he would be paralyzed after the bullet hit his spinal cord.  Well, he walks with a brace and a cane today.

I learned about his current gig as a supervisor of umpires.  Basically, while the rest of us watch the on-field action, he is watching the umpires.  Not the balls and strikes, but really he notes any close calls and umpire positions and so forth.  His job is to keep the umpires doing their jobs at that Major League level we all want to see.

Interesting guy to chat with.

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Did you see Barack Obama on Fox News Sunday yesterday?  It took him 772 days from the time that he promised to appear to actually appear.

Why did he wait?  Does he ALSO suffer from Fox Derangement Syndrome as many liberals do? (That is a term coined by Bernard Goldberg in his last book, similar to Charles Krauthammer's Bush Derangement Syndrome.)

He implied that it was a scheduling issue.  Uh, huh.  Sure.  Right.

What did I learn from this appearance?  Not a lot really.  Chris Wallace asked several tough but fair questions.  The one that stuck out to me was about how Obama positions himself as a moderate but that when there have been times for him to reach across the aisle and prove himself to be, why hasn't he?  The quick answer was that those situations were not times when he thought it was prudent to work with the Republicans.  

What I took from that was that when he wants to be a moderate he will be.  But we will not know when that is.  Because he isn't one, he just likes sounding like one.

I think he handled the Reverend Wright stuff pretty well.  I think he handled the criticism over his recent struggles by admitting that the American people are just getting to know him.

Just getting to know him...... does that really give you confidence in voting for him?  In a primary, sure.  But come November...yikes.

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Back to Saturday, Luke Hochevar got his first Major League win for the Royals.  In an interesting coincidence, I got to not only witness this win, but also either his first collegiate win, or his first collegiate win at home.  OK, so only I am reading into it.  Luke did tell me to wear my Tennessee raintop the next time I cover one of his games.

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Have a GREAT Week!!  E-mail and comment as you have time. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Now among the littany of major crime figures in the history of the United States...joining the likes of Al Capone and Alrich Ames....Wesley Snipes.

Yup, Willie Mays Hayes can steal more than bases.  Sure, some of you are saying that he didn't steal.  But, you see, he did.  He stole from you and me.

And this is not a reflection on his career, except for those who paid money to see "To Wong Foo..." in the theater, this is about how he did not pay his taxes, and therefore, did not pay his fair share.  That is stealing from us.  

Soon, Mr. Snipes will find himself in a Federal prison.  Probably not going to be Michael Vick's cellmate at Leavenworth, but I am sure he will have some experiences to stretch his acting skills.

Look for Snipes to bounce back like Martha Stewart.

Yeah, with a bad talk show.

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Reverend Jeremiah Wright is on Bill Moyers Journal tonight.  

Since when does PBS care about ratings?

I hear that if you watch, and send them $75 or more, you get a United States of KKK Tote Bag.

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The curse of April has been continuing to hit the Kansas City Royals.  Two straight series sweeps.  Yuck.

Tomorrow, I will go to Kauffman Stadium and ask the questions that everyone is wanting answers to.  NO, not about the financing of your beer.  What happened to the team over the last two weeks?

Anyhow, I look forward to this visit and hope the weather holds.  Besides, former Tennessee Volunteer Luke Hochevar is on the mound on Saturday.

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Have a great weekend.  Thanks for your comments and e-mails.  Sorry that I was not able to insert a "Smiling Bob" comment this morning.  

Oops...I just did. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 07:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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I read this yesterday and dismissed it as a bit of a joke.  Then I heard Shepard Smith end "The Fox Report" with it last night.  He did QUALIFY that he was only repeating other reports and did not know that it was certainly real.  So, I will do the same thing.

Men, start squirming in your seats. 

The Nigerian e-mail scams wanting to give you money aren't appreciated in the Democratic Republic of Congo now, but the e-mails for the various "enhancement" products are NOW getting an incredible response rate.  Look for Smiling Bob from Enzyte to go on a promotional tour there this summer.

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So a new ad is running in North Carolina that is being funded by the North Carolina Republican Party.  And John McCain has already called for the ad to come down.

The ad states that Barack Obama is too extreme for North Carolina and it shows clips of Jeremiah Wright to illustrate that fact.

Two points here.  First, John McCain is NOT running against Barack Obama...for now.  Second, John McCain has no legal ability to get those ads taken off the air.

McCain did, preemptively, request that the ads come down from the airwaves as soon as possible.  He stated that, "there is no place for that kind of campaigning, and the American people don't want it."

I think he is right and has done the what most of agree we wanted him to do.

Barack Obama, rather than saying what McCain did was right, said that since he is their candidate, he should get them to take the ads down.

Apparently, Obama does not understand campaignn finance laws.  McCain CANNOT have any official involvement in the state party.  

Don't misunderstand me, I agree with Senator Obama's frustration, but I think the proper action would have been to have thanked Senator McCain and ask that the NC GOP take his suggestion to heart.  But he didn't.  I will not make any assumptions as to why, but don't be surprised if I remind you of this story later on....IF McCain and Obama face each other this fall.  

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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I was told many years ago by a coach, that if you say that you can't do something, you won't.  If you say you can, and then you fail, at least then you know you put forth your best effort.

Apparently, Barack Obama and I never shared that coach. 

Hey, I have failed a LOT in my life.  Hell, that is what builds character.  You fail, you learn, you move on.  And the best revenge is success.  Walt Disney is a great example.

It seems that Senator Obama made need a refresher.  By hearing his story over the past several months, I see him as a man who has known failure.  And he has overcome that to succeed.

Senator Clinton was done, finished.  But she used that failure to rebuild.  Yesterday, she showed that while she may lose the battle, she will not go down without a fight.

Now all of this said, I want everyone to take away from this one key thing.  And I said it earlier, the best revenge is success.

Let me give you a specific story about failure and motivation.  In March 2001, I was fired from my job.  I will not sugar-coat this by calling it anything else.  I will state that I was setup to fail by a vindictive manager.  So, I had a chip on my shoulder....a lot of it directed toward this man.

So I really enjoyed it when I became the traffic reporter on the local sports radio show that I knew he listened to every afternoon.  The S.O.B. got to listen to me every day.  I knew that I had gotten my revenge via success when he made a comment to a friend how he was irritated by having to hear me everyday.

So, what is my point?  Turn lemons into lemonade?  I guess so.  But I think my way of wording things shows some more depth.

While Barack Obama suffered a setback, Hillary Clinton took the adversity and used it as her motivator.  Or at least that I how I see it.

Let me know what you think....I know that I could be wrong.

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The Russians had a little problem with the Soyuz capsule returning to Earth.  Sure, they made it.  But they missed their target by about 250 miles.  Oops.

And this is what the world will be depending on to get crews back and forth between Earth and the International Space Station after the Space Shuttle is retired in 2010. 

Gives me confidence.  Sort of like trying to get to St. Louis and ending up in Kansas City.  Uh, oh.

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Add your comments and topic ideas.  Thanks for reading. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 06:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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It is Earth Day.

I'd like to leave it at that.  But simply put, you know me, so I cannot.

First, let me be clear on a few things.  I think we should be more responsible when it comes to using our resources.  I think we should recycle as much as possible, but I hate when companies take advantage of people and CHARGE them to recycle when they ALSO make money on the other side of recycling.

I believe that we should turn lights out, ask my family (who don't always listen) how I hammer them over this issue.  Turn the water off between the rinses when brushing your teeth.

Don't dump your motor oil or old gasoline down the storm drains.  Or any drains.  Just recycle it.  You have to pay for that, but that is YOUR government at work.

Avoid unnecessary trips to the store.  Gas is expensive for one, and it is those short trips that waste the most gas per mile.

With all of that said, let's avoid the hype and junk science that is the Global Warming scare.

First, it is junk science.  Want proof?  Look at the evidence that Albert "Hey, Hey, Hey" Gore uses.  I love the Mount Kilamanjaro photos.  Funny stuff.   Scientists tear that apart as not being evidence, yet he gets a Nobel Peace Prize.  Hillarious.

I know this will tick off the evangelicals when I say this, but the followers of Albert believe that evidence over the last 500 proves global warming.  I will stick with the real scientists who show the cycles over the last 4 and a half BILLION years.  Those people panic over a one day drop in the stock markets and jump out of windows.  People like me look at the long term trends instead.

Oh...and speaking of short term trends...we have been cooling the last five years.  Maybe we need to listen to Drew Carey and pull out the aerosol cans and spray them in the air while saying what he said, "Screw the grandkids, I'm cold now!"

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Hillary Clinton was on WWE Raw last night.

That is not bad enough.

Barack Obama was on WWE Raw last night.

That is also not bad enough.

John McCain was on WWE Raw last night.

Luckily, as Jet Roberts pointed out on the show this morning, it was obvious that none of them watch WWE Raw.  And that is a good thing.

Meanwhile, President Bush was on "Deal or No Deal"....not as a contestant.  Though, based on his business deals in the 1980's that turned failure into success, he might do OK on that show.  "Jeopardy!"...not so much.

Next season on Dancing with the Has Beens, Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. and J. Danforth Quayle.  No, not as partners. 

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Good news for the Kansas City Royals tonight.  C.C. Sabathia is pitching for the Indians.  He won the Cy Young Award last season and is pitching like Rick Vaughn this season. 

Fans of the Blue can hope this holds for at least another game.

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Comments are always appreciated.  For example, my friend Roger Thompson shared with me that the recent earthquakes in Illinois that shook Indiana stuck him like the end of the TV series "Newhart"...he dreamt that he lived in Alabama for eight years, then moved to Indiana...but woke up back in Huntington Beach, California.

Thanks for sharing that Roger! 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 06:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Let me open up with this simple little fact for you.  The Israelis have left Gaza.  Since they left Gaza, they have continued to offer utility services to the residents of that area.  Pretty nice gesture if you ask me.  But since you didn't, I'll let you form your own opinion.

What have the Israelis gotten in return?  Hmmm... ATTACKED!!!

In what can be described as an act as illogical as biting the hand that feeds you, the residents of Gaza have either attacked the Israelis OR allowed attacks to happen from their land.  Hamas, the group funded and supported by Iran, is who is conducting these attacks.

But Jimmy Carter says that Hamas is willing to sit down and talk.  Hamas is willing to accept Israel as a neighbor. And that we should quit criticizing him.

Why? 

Well Mr. Carter, last week you started by meeting with an exciled Hamas leader in Egypt.  Then you laid a wreath at the grave of Yassir Arafat and called him a man who fought for just causes.  And you capped the week by meeting with another exciled Hamas leader in Syria.

So, here is where my criticism begins.  You are a former President of the United States.  While sensible and clear minded Americans know that you are irrelevant, the rest of the world does not necessarily get that.  So, it is reasonable to assume if you are an underinformed citizen of ANYWHERE ELSE that you have some sort of official function.

Meeting with terrorists legitimizes them.  Problem number one.

Honoring Yassir Arafat, a man who was acutely familiar with the murder of Israeli athletes, coaches and officials in Munich back in September of 1972, let alone OTHER acts in the years that followed, was NOT a man who fought for just causes.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was.  Mohandas K. Gandhi was.  Yassir Arafat was a terrorist scumbag who used a willing international media to fool many to think he was a changed man.

Apparently, Jimmy Carter was one of those suckers.

I'm sorry.  I will NOT stop criticizing Jimmy Carter.  At least not until he goes back and does something he may be good at.  That includes, teaching Sunday School (so I hear), growing peanuts (because competition is limited via licensing) and possibly as a nuclear engineer.

Mr. Carter, I'll make you a deal.  You stay out of foreign affairs and I will stay out of ice hockey.  You suck at that, and I can't skate.  Deal?

Personally, I don't think he could find a Clue in a Parker Brothers factory. 

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Is anyone else ready for the nation's political attention being moved away from the Keystone State?

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Maybe it because I am a long time New York Yankee hater, but I had a little problem with Pope Benedict XVI conducting mass at Yankee Stadium.  As Ted "The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase told me a  week and a half ago, you have to sometimes shine a light in very dark places. 

Personally, I can't think of any place more evil that Yankee Stadium.  Maybe Florida Field...but I doubt it.

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By the way, Roger Thompson told me that his family did OK through Friday's earthquake.  Oh yeah, he knew what it was.  Been there done that.  I can picture him being like Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump" strapped to the top of the shrimp boat.  All the years in California has given him and Debbie plenty of experience.

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Add comments and send your e-mails. 

Have a GREAT Week!! 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Missouri Plan, with all of its secrecy, remains in place.  "Sunshine Laws" are a good thing.  But, I suppose not OK for the judicial branch of the Missouri State Government.

Really?

Explain this to me please.  Is it like sausage making?

Nah, just hypocrisy.

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I wonder this morning how my friends the Thompson's are doing in Bloomington, Indiana, this morning.  A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit southern Illinois near the Indiana border.  

I will note that they have experienced earthquakes before since Roger and Debbie did live in California.  Just not something they expected here in the Midwest.

I think that is what woke me up.  As I looked at my clock and set it down at what I thought was 3:39.  My clock lost its synch with the atomic clock and it was off by an hour.....as I learned when Kathy's clock went off six minutes later.

At that point, I was really shaken up.

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Jimmy Carter is meeting with Hamas in Syria today.  This is his second meeting this week.

No word if he is honoring any OTHER terrorists with wreath on their grave.

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The Rockies and Padres went 22 innings for the longer major league baseball game in 15 years.  The Rockies finally got the win 2 to 1 in San Diego.

I do not recall the game between Minnesota and Cleveland from August of 1993, but I do remember one between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox. That was played in May of 1984 and lasted 25 innings.  The Sox won that game 8 to 7....and it was finished the next day.  Started on May 8th and wrapped on the 9th.

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Comments and topic ideas are always welcome.  Have a GREAT Weekend!! 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Supreme Court ruled seven to two (the two being Ginsberg and Souter) that the three drug cocktail for lethal injections are just fine with them.

First, more proof that Ginsberg is the most liberal member of the court and that Souter is the biggest disappointment of George H.W. Bush's Presidency.

It appears that every state that is effected by this ruling is trying to rid themselves of the backlog.  Except maybe Missouri and California.  There is a move for a two year moritorium here in Missouri.  I do not oppose this IF it is for the right reasons.  IF it is ONLY to end the practice of using executions as a punishment, then it is a dishonest approach to things.

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Another debate last night between Hillary and Barack.  Yawn.

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Posted by Jay Kersting at 07:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Washington yesterday.  To non-Catholics, this is probably not that big of a deal.  To me, a bad Catholic, it was fascinating.

President and Mrs. Bush, joined by their daugher Jenna, greeted the Holy Father at Andrews Air Force Base.  I do not recall ever seeing a President going out to meet a foreign leader on their arrival.

Unlike his predecessor, Benedict is not as extroverted.  When he was known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, many saw him as the intellectual and conservative voice of the Roman Catholic Church.

Three years ago, when he was named Pope, many were disappointed because he was NOT in the mold of John Paul II.  But knowing the problems that the Church faces today, and even though he is not going to have the term length of John Paul II, he may be the right man to fix the wrongs in the recent past of the Church.

It will be interesting to see.

It will also be interesting to see how he is received in Washington and New York where the freaks come out of the woodwork to act inappropriately.

Tomorrow, he will appear at Nationals Park.

No, he will not be throwing batting practice.

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Meanwhile, in the Middle East, former U.S. President (what were we thinking?????) Jimmy Carter is honoring a known and admitted terrorist by placing a wreath on his grave.  Carter visited the grave of Yassir Arafat on Tuesday.

Carter said that Arafat fought for the Palestinians and "other just causes" during his life.

Thank you Mr. Carter for giving a terrorist your vote of confidence.  Thank you for letting the world that terrorism is OK as long as it is for a just cause.  

When people like Jimmy Carter open their mouths and say things this stupid, and there is NO OTHER WAY for me to describe it, it makes the world a more dangerous place.  He gives them power.  He is assisting in the terror.

I used to think he was a decent man.  This made me finally say once and for all, he is the WORST President in my lifetime and not a good man.  He is a misguideded man. 

Others think he may be acting on behalf of our government.

That makes Jimmy Carter dangerous. 

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Add your comments as you see fit. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Many folks will run out at midnight to mail their tax forms off at the last minute.  Ours were done a while back and the money we got back from our overpayment has been spent.

It is always at this time I am reminded that I hate the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  It is the single most oppressive piece of legislation ever passed on the American people. 

Yesterday, I again had former Missouri Lt. Governor Bill Phelps on the shows to talk about the Fair Tax. 

I have a few points to bring up regarding the Fair Tax.  First, it has many opponents and most of those are ignorant of the details of the Fair Tax and how it works.  Second, many people who like the idea openly state that it will never pass.

Let me start with the second point first.  Simply put, if you think you can't do something, you won't do it.  So, stop saying it will never happen and work to make it happen.

Back to the first point, educate yourself on the Fair Tax so that you can shed the country of the ignorance on this issue.

Is the Fair Tax the great fix to all things in taxation?  No.  But it is the best plan that I have seen.

Some like a flat tax.  A flat tax has been tried and failed.  The original income taxes were flat taxes.  The loopholes are still in place for those who can afford to find them.  If you have NO income, you still pay no taxes.  And a flat tax is STILL an income tax and the Congress could make changes later on to but steps back in the program.  The problem is NOT solved.  Period.  Flat Tax does NOT work.

The Fair Tax hits those who spend the most the "hardest"....but that is not so hard really.  It is equal to those who spend less on a percentage basis.  Except those who earn less, therefore spend less, get a higher percentage back through the "prebate" checks that come each month to hit the taxes up to the poverty level.

Look at the plan.  Run your figures through the calculator on the site and see how you come out.

As for the Kerstings....we come out ahead by just shy of $1900 in spending power a year.

The best way to spread the "gospel" of the Fair Tax?  Get others to run their numbers through the calculator.

I openly admit that this plan is NOT perfect.  It has problems.  Our current system IS BROKEN and it IS PUNATIVE.  If you have a better plan, bring it forward. 

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Speaking of taxes and taxpayer money, pick up the May 2008 issue of Popular Mechanics.  It hits newsstands today.  The cover story is "Rebuilding America" and it includes plans for newer and safer bridges, tougher levees and dams, as well as ways to improve airports and roads. 

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Have you grown tired of the criticism of Barack Obama and his recent comments yet?

Judging by the money heading to Hillary Clinton and John McCain, you are not.

So, is Barack Obama an elitist?

Is he a Marxist, as some now think as they note a parallel between things he has said with the comments of Karl Marx?

Last week, he was closing the gap with Senator Clinton in Pennsylvania.  Now, he is down by nearly 20 points!

I don't know what to think.  I would offer this bit of advice to ANYONE who speaks with the media...especially those in the written word media (newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc.).  RECORD YOUR CONVERSATIONS.  IF you are ever taken out of context, you have the spoken record to cover your ass.  If you misspoke as Obama contends, you screwed up and you can playback what you said directly so that you can BEST fix it.

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Jimmy Carter is being dissed in Israel?  Carter has NOT been given a special security detail.  However, no request ever came.

Carter, with his fine, fine record of success in foreign relations (see Iran, Panama Canal, etc....and if you want to talk about the Camp David Accords, even a blind squirrel finds a nut on occasion).

Carter has compared the Israeli government's policies to that of apartheid.  And now he is meeting with Hamas, a group that is recognized as being a terrorist organization but most of the Western world.

What a genius!

He'd probably meet with Usama Bin Laden if Bin Laden would take the meeting. 

I once thought he was a good man with bad ideas.  Now, I am no longer sure.  I am certain that he has bad ideas.  He has yet to prove me wrong.

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Add your comments as you see fit. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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If you missed this past weekend's Capital City Cookoff, you missed an incredible event.....especially Friday night's Buck-A-Bone People's Choice contest.

I will admit that in the second year of the event, again the weather left something to be desired.  However, Friday night was indoors with some great music as well as some excellent ribs.

I think next year, we need to offer a special rib bib apron.  Here is what I noticed.  A lot of people needed a hand for their rib, a hand for their drink....and ran out of hands.  I think we should design a special apron/bib that will hold the rib bones with before and after bins.

OK, so that is probably a silly idea.  Maybe we need to get those helmets that hold a balanced two drinks and have straws to make things easier.

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Some people have NO RESPECT for the property of others.  After feeling so good over the number of people who came out on Friday night to show their support for the Capital City Cookoff and help us raise money for the Special Learning Center Foundation, something stupid happened that brought me back to reality.

I went to Hy-Vee on Saturday to pickup some groceries.  When I came out of the store, two shopping carts were shoved against my car.

I openly admit that I do not have a nice car.  This is true.  It is a 1997 Ford Taurus and it has a few dings on it.

Now, it has a few more because someone was too lazy to put their shopping cart in the corrals.  I am left to wonder how a person has such little respect for other people's property.

I admit that I do not have a nice car.  I admit that I would like something nicer, but this is what I have.  It runs, and since my last visit to Mike Kehoe's Quicklane, it stops.

I guess my attitude is simple and can be best illustrated by paraphrasing from "Animal House"....you SHOULDN'T do that to my car, only I can do that to my car.

I guess the so-called "Golden Rule" has either been forgotten, or possibly never been taught, to some people.

That is just plain sad.

-----------------

For those who have been listening, I am very excited to have the Fantasy Vacation Giveaway contest now under way.  Be sure to be listening in for the "Know Your Newsmaker" clips.  You hear that, call in and tell me who it is.  You know your newsmaker, you win a NewsTalk 1240 KLIK coffee mug and an invitation to the drawing party on May 17th.  Those listening on-line can win as well, you just need to make sure you are in Jefferson City on May 17th for the drawing.

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Hillary Clinton is jumping on Barack Obama over some "elitist comments" he made last week.  She is right, but clearly, she is the WRONG one be delivering that message to him.

I wonder if she will be under fire for those comments.

-----------------

Add your comments as you see fit.  Trust me, you will not be called elitist nor be under fire.  From snipers, nor me. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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OK, OK, OK....I am tired of hearing all the doom and gloom.  We need to sit back and check things.

First, the news media has done a major disservice to the American people.  A recent media analysis showed that news reports of an impending recession started back just months after the recovery of 2003.

There was no recession in 2004.

Nor in 2005.

Nor in 2006.

Nor in 2007, though by then, the feelings were pretty strong that we were headed that way.

Now in 2008, while, by definition, we are not in a recession, it sure feels like it.  But I remind you my stance on keeping words and their meanings firmly linked together. 

So, I am critical of everyone who says we are in a recession.  By definition, it is NOT true.  Heading to one?  Probably.  Might be in one?  Most likely.  But by definition we would not really know until July.

That leads to the real question.  Why all the gloom and doom on the economy and who is benefitting from these actions?

Look in to that.  Keep that in check.  And keep your emotions around the ecomony in check.  By doing so, which I will openly admit is VERY, VERY hard to do, will help you be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

In his first inaugural address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Fear mongering is done by those who have something to gain by building fear (and uncertainty and doubt...the F.U.D. factor).

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.  Yes, I know that I am quoting from Yoda, but it is true.  The fears that were being built starting back in 2004 have led to the suffering of many.

Who gains from that suffering?  Find that answer and know who you do NOT want to listen to, know you do NOT want to empower and know who you DO want to be discredited so they cannot do it any more.

Note that this does NOT just apply to the economy.  Look at the changes following the 11 September 2001 attacks as well. 

And if you don't look at those changes as well, then, of course, "the terrorists win."

------------------

The Royals dropped one to the Yankees last night, but they had already clinched the series.  What got me mad was that I tried to flip over to the game on TV to get score.....and Fox Sports Net Kansas City was blacked out. 

This is NOT supposed to happen.  They are my regional sports network.  I called DirecTV twice.  They assured me that this was to comply with the rules of Major League Baseball.

I doubt this.

I have sent e-mails to FSN and to Vice President-Communications & Broadcasting of the Kansas City Royals to see what they can tell me.  I figure if FSN is advertising that they carry 140 games this season, they may want to know one of their providers is screwing things up...if they are.

I will let you know what I find out.

-------------------

Capital City Cookoff starts tonight.  See you there!!! 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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To be absolutely fair, I will present this information and I will not offer my opinion on it until after I get comments on what I am presenting.

As you know, there was a failed vote on a change to the city charter that could have allowed a riverboat casino in Jefferson City at some point down the road.  If you have been reading this blog regularly, you have noticed that I took an organization that calls themselves "Citizens Supporting Integrity" over the use of the word integrity. 

That said, I want you to read this article and e-mail me your opinions on this (jay@jaykersting.com).  Again, to be clear, this is a reposting of an article from the Des Moines Register from September 2006.

Also, it would help for you to know who Hawkeye Sports Properties is.

And remember who is the chairman of "Citizens Supporting Integrity" after reading all of that. 

Now please share your opinions.  I will offer mine later. 

----------------- 

The Capital City Cookoff starts tomorrow. As I announced yesterday, all advance ticket sales for the "Buck-A-Bone" People's Choice event (all you can eat ribs) have been sold. 

HOWEVER, here is the good news.  They are acquiring more ribs to prepare.  So, there will be tickets available for sale AT THE DOOR for $15.  Remember that the Capital City Cookoff benefits the Special Learning Center Foundation.

The doors open at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds starting at 4pm Friday.  Ribs will be served from 5 to 8.  Jason Luebbering and Turn Style play from 5 to 8 and Chump Change takes over at 8 and plays until 10:00.

Please come out and enjoy some ribs and some great entertainment for a great cause.

--------------------

The Royals just keep on winning.  Last year, they had a good summer, but the spring killed them.  8-18 in April and 11-17 in May....good June (16-12) and July (13-12) months were not enough to get them in the hunt.

Now, I know it is just early April.  But with a 6-2 record at this point and five of those wins over teams projected to be in the playoffs is enough to give some of us, like me, some cautious optimism.

If they are in the chase in June, I think there will be a LOT of excitement around this team.

For now, I think we stick with cautious optimism. 

-----------------------

Airlines keep making matters worse for themselves.  In recent weeks, we have heard the maintenence woes of  Southwest, Delta and American.  You have heard ot Aloha, Skybus and ATA going out of business.

And passengers are getting pissed of along the way.

Fuel costs are keeping airfares HIGH.  

In Columbia, they hope to get another carrier to service Mid Missouri.

Don't hold your breath.  Until they get things fixed in their own backyard, they are coming here.  Nor should they.

Recipe for failure.

----------------

Add and E-Mail your comments.  Especially on the first story.  Look at all the pieces and let me know what your gut tells you.  It will be for a discussion on a later show. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 04:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Eighty Four Feet by One Hundred Five Feet!!!!!

Oh, and DON'T call it a JumboTron...that is a Sony trademark.

Crown Vision is the new GIANT High Definition video board by DAKTronics at Kauffman Stadium.

Currently, Crown Vision is the largest HD video board in North America.  Sure, the replays are amazing, but I was more impressed with the amount information that was available on the Crown Vision board.   The casual will be impressed and the hard core fan who lives and dies on the stats will both enjoy this great improvement at Kauffman Stadium.

Now, to go along with this massive board, it helps that the product on the field appears to be much improved so far.  But even I will admit, it is April.  A LOT of baseball is to be played be this season.

-------------------

Worth note, of course, is a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on the Second Consecutive and Eighth overall National Championship for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.  

After a couple of very close games, the Lady Vols got a 16 point win over the Stanford Cardinal.

------------------

Today is the 49th Anniversary of the introduction of America's first Astronauts. NASA's "Mercury Seven" soon became household names. 

As you can probably imagine, several of them are no longer with us.  Gus Grisson perished in the Apollo I accident and others died of various causes over the years.  Today, only John Glenn and Scott Carpenter survive.

I am left to wonder if any of the Apollo astronauts will still be alive when we return to the moon in 11 years.

--------------------

I will admit that I did not see the testimony of General Petraeus in front of the Senators yesterday.   After I have time to review, I will offer some comments.

For now, I think General Petraeus is looking forward to getting back to Baghdad.  It is much safer there.  The most dangerous place in the world?  Between a United States Senator and a television camera!!!

-------------------

Add you comments as you have time.  Thanks for reading. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 05:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Heading up to Kansas City after the show for the Royals home opener.  This will be my first time covering a Royals game since April 1990.  (Roger - you remember this?)

Anyhow, it is the only time this season that the New York Yankees are in Kansas City. 

Good news for the Royals, Brian Bannister is on the mound.  Bad news for the Yankees, Derek Jeter left last nights game in a groin strain.

Rain this morning in Kansas City, but should be clear by game time.

You can hear the game on NewsTalk 1240 KLIK this afternoon, pregame at 2:35pm.

Oh, and Royals Broadcaster Denny Matthews joins me this morning at 8:40.

------------------

Again a reminder that today is election day in Jefferson City, but only for those who are voting YES on the three ballot propositions.  Those voting NO will need to vote tomorrow.  This is due to the projected turnout being much higher than normal.

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General David Petraeus will be stared down by a bunch of people who are not worthy of his presence.  I am referring to most of the Senate committee he will be addressing today.

I predict that Senator McCain will be fair, respectful and possibly tough on General Petraeus in hopes of achieving two goals.  One, help his cause for the Presidency, and Two, to cut off his opponents  from their potentials lines of questioning.

I predict that Senator Clinton will be more disrespectful than she was last time (remember the willing suspension of disbelief comments?) because she is now more desparate.

I further predict that Senator Obama will try to show that he has some gravitas on the issue.  How? No idea.  Other than wanting to turn tail and leave the Iraqis high and dry, I don't know what he could possibly add to this conversation.  But I am sure it will give Chris Matthews chills up his leg.

-------------------

Twenty years and two days later, Kansas has won the National Championship in Men's Basketball.  Shortly after that win on 5 April 1988, Larry Brown left Kansas.  This year, sadly, the rumors are that Bill Self will leave Kansas as well...for a HUGE payday at Oklahoma State, his alma mater.

Why is this sad?  Give the Jayhawks time to celebrate.

--------------------

And this guy thinks we need him as President? New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg lost big on his idiotic idea to tax people into acting the way he wants.

With ideas like this coming from him as he is running our nation's largest city, do we really want him to help run our nation? 

-------------------

Senator Clinton is trying some political rope-a-dope.  She has asked President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.

As long as she does not ask for the stupidest thing ever, a boycott of the games completely, I have no problem with this request.

The timing is questionable.  She had to fire a lead advisor and needed to misdirect the attention.  Sort of like bombing terrorist camps to distract from someone's legal woes.  

As for the President not going to the games to make a point, I think that might be appropriate.  That is his call.  He he thinks engaging the Chinese will be more effective, that is OK too.

Do not make the mistake of the worst President in my life, Jimmy Carter, and boycott the games.  Condie Rice pointed out, that only hurts the athletes. 

------------------- 

Add your comments as you have time....or interest. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 04:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I have been known to put together the Friday Droppings mixes.  Well, this time, I am going to go with a Monday Mix instead.

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First up, congratulations to a great prognosticator in sports wagering.  You remember the name Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder.  Now, I give you a new one.  Peggy "The Irish" Kersting who successfully placed wagers (or more accurately, had wagers placed for her) on both Kansas and Memphis to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.  And these bets were placed on March 1st.....well before the tournament brackets were announced.

Note, her only mistake was placing a bet on my alma mater as well.

No matter what happens, Mom gets her money.  

----------------------

Next up for a congratulatory mention is Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers who advance to the National Championship Game on Tuesday evening.  It was a close, close game for the Big Orange and their lowest scoring game in the NCAA Tournament ever...or maybe since 1983...something ridiculous like that.  But a win is a win.

Candace Parker with her bad shoulder could only get a double-double, 13 points and 15 rebounds.  Gee, too bad she wasn't healthy.  In all seriousness, it is amazing that I can joke about that.  A great game for most players at any level is below the standard she sets for herself.  I look forward to seeing what she will do on Tuesday.

----------------------

Got a piece of mail on Saturday from the fine folks at CSI.  Had a photo of the Missouri State Capitol with a casino sign in the background.

Sure, that is NOT a tactic that leads to FEAR, UNCERTAINTY nor DOUBT.  Nah...not at all.

And people wonder why I questioned them on the THIRD word in their organizations name.

Maybe they use a different dictionary than I do.

------------------------- 

Moving on is hard to do, trust me on this one.  In late 2006, as most of you know, the Kersting family made the decision to leave Knoxville, Tennessee, after nearly ten years.  This was a move that we believed to be for the best for our family, and so far, we still think exactly that.  That is NOT to say we don't miss our friends back there, but things are good here for us.

So, when I heard a couple of weeks back that one of my counterparts here at Cumulus was moving on after 16 years in Mid-Missouri, I knew how tough this decision had to be for him and his family.

Fans of BXR, they will also miss Mo Lewis.  I wish Mo well at his new gig in Kansas City.

-----------------

It is Work Zone Awareness Week.  This is the week that we bring attention to the different road construction projects around the state and around the nation.

Sure, I am no longer a traffic reporter, but this is still important to me as it should be to you.

Reduce distractions as you are on the roads.  For me, I no longer drive around while listening to three scanners, a two-way radio AND the signal coming through the AM/FM.  

That, and it is no longer my job to do that.

-----------------

THIS JUST IN..... Voters in Jefferson City take note.

Due to the increased voter turnout expected at the polls tomorrow, they are adding a second day of voting.  To know which day to show up, follow this standard.

If you are voting YES on the various ballot issues, you vote on TUESDAY.

If you are voting NO on the ballot issues, you vote on WEDNESDAY.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping things organized.

-----------------

Add your comments as you see fit. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 04:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Please take time to remember that it was forty years ago today that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed by James Earl Ray, an escapee of the Missouri State Penitentiary, in Memphis, Tennessee.

I think it is time to recall that Dr. King did more than act on behalf of just certain minorities.

While far from perfect as a man, and while some may not have agreed with his course of action on some issues, nor agreed with him on some of his views, this is another time to note the tone that he tried to set.  While fighting for civil rights, Dr. King accomplished one big thing.  He brought the issue of civil rights to many folks who otherwise thought nothing of the issue because it did not effect them directly.  And he did so in a mainly positive way.

Most who have followed in his wake have not done so in the same manner.  Rather, so many who came later did so in an opportunistic way.

What was Dr. King's intent?  It was to bring those who were being held back to having the opportunity to being on a level playing field.

And those who came later?  To demagogue the issue in a matter to line their own pockets and maybe tilt that level playing field in their favor.

A couple of weeks ago, I stated in this blog that when Dr. King was assassinated there was a void left.  And those voids, or vacuums, must be filled by something. 

Sadly, that void has been filled much like what was used to fill against the foundation of my home.  Scrap wood, sawdust and other materials that were not even worthy of throwing away.

And we wonder why things have not improved in the last 40 years?  Are we wandering in the desert?

--------------------------- 

TAKE NOTE!!

There is ONE TEAM in all of Major League Baseball to be undefeated.

The Kansas City Royals!!!!

Will it last?  Of course not.  Trey Hillman doesn't have Bill Belichick's video equipment.

Speaking of Trey Hillman, he is officially the winningest all-time manager in Major League Baseball (with at least 3 games managed). 

OK, to be serious on this, it is just refreshing to see the Royals get their first season starting sweep on the road since 1977.  And that 1977 was probably better than any other team in the history of the franchise, including the World Series teams of 1980 and 1985.

Now, is this team is much better than what people have expected so far.  Will this hold?  Don't know, but I hope.

In fact, let me put this in writing, I predicted that the Royals would finish with at least 80 wins and possibly a winning record.  Since most people who follow baseball agree that the AL Central is one the two toughest divisions in baseball, if not the toughest, it is unlikely that a winning record gets you close to the playoffs.

But, so far at least, I am loving the direction that I am seeing.

And I have no problem with being wrong on this one. 

----------------------

Rick Sinclair showed me a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament being held tomorrow here in Jefferson City to benefit a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome group.  Yes, it has cash prizes.

A week later that YMCA has Las Vegas style "Puttin' on the Ritz" party.

Where is the outrage over these events?

Gambling, if you are to believe the anti-gambling zealots, leads to white collar crime and broken homes.

This is OK?  

Must be.  Because this type of gambling doesn't lead to white collar crime and tear apart families.  Neither does the library.  Of course not.  These....these examples of gambling are OK because they are for.....THE Children.

Hypocrites.

------------------------

This story got my attention simply because of the name of one of the subjects.  Not a funny name, just one familiar to me and those who may be reading this back in Knoxville.  

If you want me to explain, shoot me an e-mail. 

-------------------------

Have a great weekend and Go Royals....bring home a winning record before starting the HOME portion of the season against the New York Yankees.

Add your comments as you like. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 04:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Boy did a lot of people get upset with me yesterday. 

Let me open with the ADDENDUM from yesterday's blog entry.  This was posted in the early evening hours.

"ADDENDUM:

When mistakes are made in the media, it calls for a correction. 

When feathers are ruffled and feelings are hurt, neither a correction nor a direct apology is required.

While I stand by my statements of this morning, I will add that I am simply criticizing an organization.  If I am critical of the Republican Party, is that to be taken as a direct attack on fine men like Senator Carl Vogel or Representative Bill Deeken?  Of course not.  Same thing when it comes to the Democrats.  Does that mean I am attacking House Minority Leader Paul LeVota?  Obviously not.  And in the case of Paul, we disagree a lot, but he is still a man who I have known for nearly 20 years and was a great influence during my early adulthood.

My comments were taken as an attack on many fine people here in Jefferson City.  They were not intended as such.  I am critical and will continue to be critical of a group that they are a part of, because I see that group as flawed.  But the people, the ones that I know at least, are all good and decent people.  Individually, to my knowledge, they are people of integrity.  I think emotions got the best of them when putting together this group and that leads to guilt by association.

I apologize to any feelings that were hurt.

I will go back to the ideas that I find fault with in future commentaries, in hopes of keeping things clear.

I pride myself on being open and approachable. I invite any criticism but ask that you bring it to me directly.  Some folks have done so, others have yet to do so, but I hope they will."

One criticism that I got was that I challenged a group more than their message.  True.  I challenged a group because of what they named THEMSELVES.  Because I found that they did not live up to their name.

So, let me go to the message.  And I take this from the junk mail piece I received here at work yesterday (but just got my hands on this morning).

The spin doctoring begins with the confusion in their answer to their second question, "How much money does the City get for having a casino?"

Factually, they are dead on.  But the mention that the money from a casino comes from the people.  Point of order here folks.....ALL MONEY THAT GOES TO THE GOVERNMENT COMES FROM THE PEOPLE!!!  To use their terminology, LIKE YOUR NEIGHBORS!

Most people I have talked to who are in favor of having a casino here have told me that it is unlikely that they will EVER go to the casino.  If they do not go, they do not pay.  Furthermore, everytime someone from Jefferson City goes to Boonville, St. Charles, North Kansas City or any other casino in the state, they give money to those communities.  If no one went to these casinos from here, there would not be buses willing to take them.  Why not keep those folks, and a percentage of their money, here in town?  And why not use a casino like flypaper to get more money from people from St. Louis, Kansas City, Moberly, Columbia, Linn, Eldon, etc., to our community?

Question three continued this trend of confusing the issue with the answers to their own questions.  "What casino is planning to come to Jefferson City?"  

They admit that no one is coming, but then they confuse the answer to their own question by addressing the possible activity of the General Assembly.  The question was about Jefferson City.  While the actions of the General Assembly apply to us here, that should be addressed through our representatives there.   

So, you see some of what I am saying.  Given the definitions of INTEGRITY that I read and posted here, this is not the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  This is opinion and spin mixed with facts and other opinions and studies.

One question that I do wish do address that they bring up is a BIG one.  And here, we are in agreement.

Question number 9 is a set up, but even this answer includes spin. This is the Economic Development question.

The answer, and this is semantics, said that the Jefferson City (Area) Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study for economic development in 2007.  Well, this is probably inaccurate because I chatted with Randy Allen about this in January 2007, so I believe this happened prior to 2007.  I do not know for sure.  I do know, FIRST HAND, that the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce did expand their role in Economic Development through a staff expansion in 2007. Now, semantics aside, let me go on and say that a casino in Jefferson City will not bring the light industrial type jobs that pay well to our community.  NOT going to happen, PERIOD.  I know this.

Will it bring jobs, yeah, but the better jobs from a casino, initially at least, will be filled by those who would be brought in from outside.  And those folks would spend money here to.  So that is not all bad as some would have you believe.

And saying that the economic development study that was commissioned by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce "did NOT suggest we go looking for a quick fix from a casino" is true.  But the wording of this by the folks at CSI is misleading.  I'd have to go and read the study.  But, I think we can read between the lines here.  I'd guess that the study doesn't even address the concept of a casino.  I am being completely honest.  I think they are being misleading.

And that has been my point all along.  Citizens Supporting Integrity are using FEAR, UNCERTAINTY and DOUBT in their campaign.  The individuals involved are fine folks, make no mistake.  And after they win and have their chance to gloat after their win, I hope we can put this behind us.  But my opinion is that when you use deception in any campaign, that shows a lack of INTEGRITY.

Politics by its nature lacks INTEGRITY, so when you choose that word as your name, know that you SHOULD be held to higher standard. 

It is like a college coach who turns in another school for breaking the rules.  That coach has to be squeaky clean and beyond even ACCUSATIONS of wrong doing. 

If you choose to use a word, live up to it.  My saying that has offended some. 

If I am the FIRST one to challenge this, that says a lot more about those who have been keeping their mouths shut than it does about me.

One thing that I have prided myself on for my entire career in radio is that I am open and approachable.  Yet, not everyone has chosen to notice that.  I know that MY words have meaning and the use of those words have CONSEQUENCES.

I hold others to that standard as well.  Is THAT wrong? 

Based on the reaction of yesterday, I can only assume that it must be.  

Really?

Oh, and the best way to SHUT me up on the air?  Call in.  Until you distort my words, I offer an open forum. 

----------------

Add your comments as you see fit. 

Posted by Jay Kersting at 04:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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First off, let me say congratulations to Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers for making it to another Final Four.  It was not easy for them, especially with the shoulder dislocation that Candace Parker suffered late in the first half.

Next up, LSU in Tampa.  And it sets up a Tennessee/UConn match up for the finals.

All I can say about that is....and this hurts to say...Go Cardinal.  Rutgers didn't get it done, so now it is up to Stanford.

-------------------- 

Yesterday, I heard some more rhetoric regarding the change of the City Charter that would allow a riverboat casino to come here.

The best line was something about the Capital City becoming the Casino City.

This, to be perfectly clear, is complete crap.

For those who don't know, there is a group calling themselves CSI Jeff City, standing for Citizens Supporting Integrity.

Let's look at that last word, INTEGRITY.

Merriam Webster's dictionary offers three definitions of the word.

First, "firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values."

Second, "an unimpaired condition."

And finally, third, "the quality or state of being complete or undivided."

I am guessing that this group is implying the first.  But, I cannot be sure.  Their actions and words certainly do not seem moral to me.

CSI Jeff City is completely dependent on what I refer to as the F.U.D. Factor.

Let me define.

F. - Fear

U. - Uncertainty

D. - Doubt

CSI Jeff City uses anecdotal evidence and little to no hard evidence to make the point that a casino will bring crime to Jefferson City.  

Last I checked, there is crime in Jefferson City.  Sorry, this is not a Walgreens ad, we do not live in Perfect.

CSI Jeff City also points out that the City wants us to go to the casino and lose our money so the City can make money.

This is a distortion on SEVERAL fronts. 

First, the City has no agreement in place to bring a casino to Jefferson City.  The last time this discussion occurred in Jefferson City, there was a deal in place and my understanding of that deal is part of what made it fail.

Second, the casino would have more people from OUTSIDE the city as patrons.  Use Boonville as an example.  Do you honestly think that the 8000 residents are the ONLY ones who go to the casino?  Clearly NOT.  I have been there.  Duh.  For years, Jefferson City has been a crossroads for traffic heading to Lake of the Ozarks and locals have complained that those folks never stop.  HEY, THIS COULD BE A REASON!!  Stop, blow five big bills and then you will have less drinking money at the lake.  Win-win.

Third, knowing that a majority of the people who would utilize the casino would be coming from outside, wouldn't it be nice to get some tax revenue - no matter how little - from those who come and visit THEREFORE keeping some additional burden off of our own citizens.

But, CSI Jeff City doesn't see it that way.  This group of those who wish to maintain the status quo simply do not understand a simple fact of life.  And this is the battle that is being fought against them by anyone who is working for economic development in this region.  If you are not moving forward, you are stagnating.  Stagnation stinks.  Stagnation leads to unhealthy conditions.  Unhealthy conditions lead to death.

Death, in no uncertain terms, is bad.  That is as far as I will go with MY fear mongering.  But, unlike them, I am honest enough to admit it AND point it out. 

So, here is my point.  I know and I openly admit that a casino is about as much a panacea as corn ethanol.  That said, here is what a casino COULD bring.  

Money for extra city projects (assuming that the city is held to integrity and is not allowed to use any additional revenues as a tax offset).

Something for the visitors to the proposed conference center to do after hours.  OR, here is this for an idea, have any casino operation foot the bill and build the conference center.

I think you can see my argument for this group lacking INTEGRITY.  I find it simply funny that they use the term in their name. 

It is hillarious that they use a graphic from the CSI TV show on their website.  CSI does take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, right?

I would just appreciate the group more if they would be HONEST about what they want and what they don't want.  They do not want change, they do not want progress, they do not want do disrupt their lifestyle even if it could be to their benefit.

They fear this.  Which is why they want to pass along their fears to you.

They are uncertain about what this would do to them.  Which is why they wish to build that uncertainty with you.

They have doubts, and those are reasonable.  But they wish to grow them beyond the limits of what is reasonable. 

Nice neighbors we have here, huh? 

CSI Jeff City, my only request to you is simple.  If you are going to use the word "Integrity" in your name, show some. 

You brought it up, I am pointing it out.

----------------------

A few months back, Barack Obama referred to himself as the "Rocky Balboa" of the Presidential race.  

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton referred to herself as the "Rocky Balboa" of the Presidential race.

Let me remind the candidates of two things.

First, the man who wrote and starred in "Rocky" is Sylvester Stallone.  He is a John McCain supporter. 

Second, Rocky Balboa lost.

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Add your comments as you see fit. 

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ADDENDUM:

When mistakes are made in the media, it calls for a correction. 

When feathers are ruffled and feelings are hurt, neither a correction nor a direct apology is required.

While I stand by my statements of this morning, I will add that I am simply criticizing an organization.  If I am critical of the Republican Party, is that to be taken as a direct attack on fine men like Senator Carl Vogel or Representative Bill Deeken?  Of course not.  Same thing when it comes to the Democrats.  Does that mean I am attacking House Minority Leader Paul LeVota?  Obviously not.  And in the case of Paul, we disagree a lot, but he is still a man who I have known for nearly 20 years and was a great influence during my early adulthood.

My comments were taken as an attack on many fine people here in Jefferson City.  They were not intended as such.  I am critical and will continue to be c