Jay Kersting's Blog

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.

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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.

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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 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.

Thank you.  E-mail, post comments, or call me.