Jay Kersting's Blog

This is a big day for my wife Kathleen.  Please make the effort, those who know her, to wish her a very Happy Birthday.  E-mail's or phone calls are things that I know she will appreciate.  Stop by the house this evening if you are in town, to help us celebrate.

A lot of people have trouble with this age, but she is handling it quite well....even cheerful.  I think a lot of people could learn from her example.

What has probably helped her a lot is the friends that she has made since we have moved here to Jefferson City.  And the great people that she works with at the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, who made her day yesterday with a variety of things....not limited to the sign outside the building yesterday.

Happy Birthday Kathleen.  I hope I don't let you down.  Seriously!

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Next greetings go out to my friends Roger and Deb Thompson.  Today is their 16th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary. 

Their wedding was before I met Kathy, so I went to this one alone.  It was memorable for several reasons.  First, the setting was really cool.  They were married in a Japanese garden on the campus of California State University - Long Beach (aka Long Beach State).  Then we had a little time off between the wedding and the reception, so some of the friends that I knew from my days and Warrensburg were entertained by some of Roger and Deb's friends we had heard about but not met.  Then the reception was on the Queen Mary.  

It was a beautiful series of events that day. 

More importanly, unlike a majority the weddings that I have intended, they are still together.  And they are celebrating in Florida this weekend. 

Happy Anniversary guys!!  Hope to see you soon!!

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A lawsuit over an election.  Heard this before?

Well, the difference this time is that the lawsuit is to get it right, to do the right thing.  And the one filing the suit is the one who was responsible for the error.

Under the concept of "The Buck Stops Here", Cole County Clerk Marvin Register is filing the lawsuit.  And this is the right thing to do which is why he is doing it.

So, what happened?  Apparently 144 voters were given the wrong ballot at the Fourth Ward polling place.  They should have gotten an Eastern District Republican Ballot, and they got the Western District version instead.

Since the Eastern District Commissioner race was won by Jeff Hoelscher over Edith Vogel by seven votes, this was a problem.

Now, a judge will decide how to fix it.  Will the 144 who got wrong ballots cast new votes?  Will the entire Eastern District revote?

I think that Marvin Register needs to be commended for taking responsibility for the errors and working to correct the problem.

And for those of you who want to make a Florida 2000 comparision, sorry.  Register is following the law.  Unlike the Democrats in Florida in 2000 who went outside what was legally prescribed....as the Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2.  I wanted to clarify this for those who have revised history in their minds, or with the influence of Democrats over the last eight years.  

And for a refresher on my thoughts on revisionist history, I refer you to my entry of 30 January 2008.

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The Beijing Olympic Games open today.  I will leave you with this quote today.  On Monday, I will tell you who said it.  Send me an e-mail if you know the answer (jay@jaykersting.com or via the comments section).

"The sportive, knightly battle awakens the best human characteristics.  It doesn't separate, but unites combatants in understanding and respect.  It also helps to the connect the countries in the spirit of peace.  That's why the Olympic Flame should never die."

If you don't already know, you may be surprised when you figure it out. 

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Have a great weekend.  Don't forget to send Kathleen your greetings!