A. E. Newman Unveils New Campaign Posters

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  861

At a hastily-called news conference in Canaan this evening, A. E. Newman unveiled his new campaign poster.  (See photo below.) 

Newman said this .... "As a little-known challenger for the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner, I have to do special things to gain the attention of the voters.  I'm hoping this campaign poster will increase my name recognition in the southern district of Gasconade County.  You will soon see them popping up all over the place!

A. E. Newman Campaign Poster

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay).
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

"The Gods of the Copybook Headings"

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  860

The Gods of the Copybook Headings

by Rudyard Kipling
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AS I PASS through my incarnations in every age and race,
I make my proper prostrations to the Gods of the Market Place.
Peering through reverent fingers I watch them flourish and fall,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings, I notice, outlast them all.

We were living in trees when they met us. They showed us each in turn
That Water would certainly wet us, as Fire would certainly burn:
But we found them lacking in Uplift, Vision and Breadth of Mind,
So we left them to teach the Gorillas while we followed the March of Mankind.

We moved as the Spirit listed. They never altered their pace,
Being neither cloud nor wind-borne like the Gods of the Market Place,
But they always caught up with our progress, and presently word would come
That a tribe had been wiped off its icefield, or the lights had gone out in Rome.

With the Hopes that our World is built on they were utterly out of touch,
They denied that the Moon was Stilton; they denied she was even Dutch;
They denied that Wishes were Horses; they denied that a Pig had Wings;
So we worshipped the Gods of the Market Who promised these beautiful things.

When the Cambrian measures were forming, They promised perpetual peace.
They swore, if we gave them our weapons, that the wars of the tribes would cease.
But when we disarmed They sold us and delivered us bound to our foe,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "Stick to the Devil you know."

On the first Feminian Sandstones we were promised the Fuller Life
(Which started by loving our neighbour and ended by loving his wife)
Till our women had no more children and the men lost reason and faith,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "The Wages of Sin is Death."

In the Carboniferous Epoch we were promised abundance for all,
By robbing selected Peter to pay for collective Paul;
But, though we had plenty of money, there was nothing our money could buy,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: "If you don't work you die."

Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew
And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true
That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more.

As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man
There are only four things certain since Social Progress began.
That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire,
And the burnt Fool's bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;

And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,
As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,
The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is this poem telling us?  Kipling was profound and it is important to carefully consider what he was saying in this poem.  For poem analysis and discussion, go to http://www.eliteskills.com/c/1460 .

Eric Clapton - "Tears In Heaven" ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫

Posted by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  859

It's "Eric Clapton Thursday" again.  One of the first Eric Clapton songs I posted was "Tears In Heaven".  This is one of my all-time favorite songs, so I'm going to post it again.  I hope you don't mind!

A. E. Newman Delivers Third Stump Speech In Hometown Of Bland

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist

Large Tree Stump
Bland, MO

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay)
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  858

EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE:  Not covered by any other news media organization.

On a crisp and cool Thursday morning in early October, A. E. Newman (5' 8") stepped up on a large tree stump on the outskirts of his hometown, Bland, and he delivered his third campaign speech since announcing his candidacy for Southern District Associate Commissioner.  Approximately 25 Bland residents and three coonhounds were in attendance.  Here is the text of Newman's stump speech:

Friends and Neighbors,

Thanks for coming out on this beautiful sunny October morning!  I hope you've helped yourself to a complimentary cup of coffee.  If you haven't, please see my assistant, Freida Dunderbak, over there under that big hickory tree.

Friends and Neighbors, I have been working on my campaign platform since I announced my candidacy for the office of Southern District Associate Commissioner.  It is coming together nicely, and I plan to unveil it before the month is up.

Rather than outline all the planks in my campaign platform today, I would like to tell you in a general way why I am running to unseat Jerry Lairmore of Owensville.

Number 1:  LEADERSHIP!  We need a change in the county's leadership.  We need someone who can work effectively and harmoniously with Northern District Associate Commissioner Matt Penning.  Mr. Lairmore (and Mr. Jost for that matter) seem incapable of doing that!  I spoke about this problem the other day up in Hermann.  Mr. Lairmore made a statement in last week's open session of the County Commission that he didn't have Matt Penning's telephone number and therefore had "no way to contact" him about an important county matter!  Folks, that's just ridiculous!  In plain talk out here in the country, we call it "BULLSHIT"!  Either Lairmore is totally incompetent and NOT resourceful OR he is just flat out lieing!  Lairmore plays his little "games", but we don't need "game playing" in county government!  We have pressing problems to address!

Number 2:  REPRESENTATION!  We need someone who will represent your interests and not just the interests of a few influential families in Owensville.  Jerry Lairmore is NOT representing your best interests.  He is doing the bidding of a few people in Owensville.  That has to STOP!

Number 3:  COUNTY SEAT LOCATION!  We need someone who will discourage misguided citizens from wasting time on the periodic ballot petition drives to relocate the county seat.  Let's quit fighting about the county seat, folks!  We all lose if we spend our time fighting with our neighbors in the northern district.  Instead, let's accept the fact that the county seat is in Hermann.  Let's work together to preserve OUR historical courthouse building in Hermann, and let's expand the county's government center if it is indeed necessary.  If we work with the folks in Hermann to preserve and renovate the courthouse, they will work with us to upgrade some of our infrastructure here in the southern part of the county.  I pledge that I will work to improve our county roads and bridges in the southern district, and I will work to upgrade facilities at the county fairgrounds in Owensville.  But I will not spend any of my time working to relocate the county seat.

Number 4:  JOBS!  Jerry Lairmore is doing absolutely NOTHING to attract good-paying jobs to this area.  To the contrary, his puppet masters don't want him to bring progressive industry which would
offer better wages, salaries and benefits to the hard-working people of our local area.  Lairmore and his bosses are all about preserving the STATUS QUO!  I will shake thinks up!  I will go out and invite industry representatives to come and see all the good things our local area has to offer.  And I will do it whether or not I get any help from the Owensville Board of Aldermen or the Owensville Chamber of Commerce!

Number 5:  FINANCIAL CONTROLS!  The county's financial systems, procedures and controls are OUT OF CONTROL!  We've had major deficiencies noted in the Missouri State Auditor's reports of 2002, 2006 and 2010.  NOTHING is being done to improve our systems, procedures and controls!  I will work with Commissioner Penning to focus attention on these matters!

In closing, let me just say that I appreciate all of you coming out early this morning to support my candidacy.  Some have asked if they can donate money to my campaign.  I appreciate that, but my campaign is 100% self-funded.  Why should I ask you for money?  The position of associate commissioner pays well, and I have done well with my cattle operation.  What I do ask of you is to help me get my message out and to get out to the polls on election day of November 2012.  Please help me in that way!  I will be forever grateful!

Photo Of The Day - Thursday, 10/7/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  857

Hermann Riverfront Park
10/4/2010

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay)
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

Laugh Of The Day - Thursday, 10/7/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  856

"Christine O'Donnell has a new campaign ad where she says she's not a witch. Nancy Pelosi was furious. She said, 'Hey, that's my slogan.'"  ~ Jay Leno, 10/5/2010

Quote Of The Day - Thursday, 10/7/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  855

"We need to end permanently the tax that punishes American values of savings and investment and of building small businesses and family farms and ranches."  ~  Senator Christopher 'Kit' Bond (R-MO)

Bible Verse Of The Day - Thursday, 10/7/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/7/2010
Post:  854

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.  ~ John 15:16-17

We would like to think that we found God – but He actually chose us! Our ability to bear fruit doesn’t come from our own will power, but from a heavenly intervention on our behalf.

We are not our own – to ask based around our own agendas betrays the fact that we have been chosen and appointed. Chosen for what? Appointed for what? To love one another. This begins the pilgrim’s journey. This forms the asking. This becomes the great adventure of following Jesus.

Today’s commentary by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Letter To The Editor: Richard Smoker says ... "Observing Proper Protocol Requires Common Sense, Common Courtesy, Good Judgement And Professionalism"

Published by Jimmy Olsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  853

"Letters to the Editor" addressing the lapse in communications and protocol associated with the recent visit to Hermann by Governor Jay Nixon have been appearing in other local news publications.  This morning I opened my home-delivered October 6th edition of 'The Hermann Advertiser-Courier' and found Mayor Larry Miskel's response to the letter which Gasconade County Sheriff Randy Esphorst had submitted for wide publication the previous week.  By 2 p.m. this afternoon my inbox was flooded with emails from our readers wanting to comment on this situation.  I have chosen to publish just one of the emails I received.  I picked Richard Smoker's email.  Richard is one of our FREE subscribers and has frequently commented on this site.

Richard had this to say .....

Dear Mr. Oldsun;

I want to comment on the highly controversial situation involving Governor Jay Nixon's recent visit to Hermann.  This impromptu visit which involved poor communications and lapse of protocol has received more attention (and ink) than the actual purpose for the Governor's visit itself!

I believe that Mayor Larry Miskel was entirely justified in making his strongly-held opinion known to Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost during the commission meeting which immediately followed the Governor's visit to Hermann one day in September.  Mayor Miskel expressed his concerns openly, honestly, directly, professionally and face-to-face with the County Commission.

Why Sheriff Randy Esphorst felt a need to grandstand with "Letters to the Editor" published by both CNL and The Hermann Advertiser-Courier is still a great puzzlement to me!  But he did!  I wonder if Sheriff Esphorst approached Mayor Miskel openly, honestly, directly, professionally and face-to-face?  If anyone knows the answer to my question, I would certainly like to know.  I think the Sheriff should have handled any concerns he may have had with Mayor Miskel (or anyone else) in just that direct, professional and man-to-man way ..... but he apparently and presumably didn't.  I think he chose to use the press to get his message out more broadly than it really needed to be disseminated.  If I am wrong on this and have misread the situation, I hope someone will correct me.  I really would like to learn that I am wrong and that our County Sheriff is, in fact, a professional and not a grandstanding politician!

Mayor Miskel, whether he wanted to or not, was almost forced to respond to some of the statements in the Sheriff's "Letter to the Editor".  I'm glad that he did!  I'm glad that he wasn't cowered by an elected public official of the county just because that elected county official happens to wear a badge!  I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with everything Mayor Miskel said in his letter published today, and I am now wondering if our current County Sheriff has the requisite wisdom and good judgement to occupy the office he currently occupies.

Sincerely,

Richard Smoker

A. E. Newman Delivers Another Fiery Stump Speech On County Courthouse Steps

Published by Dick Schaefer, Award-winning, Unpaid, Part-time Contributing Writer; Amateur Investigative Reporter; and Aspiring Photo-Journalist


Gasconade County Courthouse Steps
Hermann, MO

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay)
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  852

In his second stump speech on the courthouse steps in as many weeks, A. E. Newman, Independent candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County, yesterday excoriated incumbent Jerry Lairmore for statements he made during last Thursday's County Commission Meeting.  Here is the complete text of Newman's stump speech on Tuesday, 10/5 at the courthouse steps:

"My fellow citizens of Gasconade County, lend me your ears!  I come today, not to praise Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, but rather to criticize the hell out of him!

During last week's County Commission Meeting, Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore stated that he did not know Northern District Associate Commissioner Matt Penning's telephone number and as a consequence, he had "no way to contact" Commissioner Penning, so he could NOT confer with him regarding the MoDNR's application for a "no interest" loan to complete energy savings projects .  The application is due October 15, so time is of the essence!

Now folks, I've check on Matt Penning's telephone number.  It can be accessed in the following ways:

• Penning's home number is listed in the telephone directory.
• Penning's home number is available by calling "1411" directory assistance.
• Penning's home number is available on the Gasconade County website at http://www.gscnd.com/government.html
• Penning's home number is available by contacting County Clerk Lesa Lietzow.
• Penning's home and cell numbers are available at the county's road department office and from any number of the county employees.

Southern District Associate Commissioner Lairmore is either NOT very resourceful OR he was just lieing.  Northern District District Associate Commissioner Penning has tried to help Lairmore out by handing him his business card right there in last week's meeting.  Lairmore looked very pathetic to all who witnessed his little act of dissemblance during the Commission Meeting.

The subject of the Horace Brown engineering study arose when Dale Ridder, President of the Gasconade County Courthouse Society (GCCS) and appearing before the Commission on behalf of the GCCS, offered the assistance of his group in terms of moving ahead on the preservation and renovation of the county courthouse as well as other associated improvement projects.

You may recall that Commissioner Lairmore took it upon himself over a year ago to commission Horace Brown, an engineering student at UMR, to prepare an engineering project estimate for the proposed new emergency access road to the county courthouse. During the course of this study, there was no coordination or consultation whatsoever with Commissioner Penning.  So imagine Commissioner Penning's surprise when he saw for the first time a copy of Horace Brown's formal report, a report which was originally delivered to Commissioner Lairmore back in 2009.

I couldn't believe what I was told by an attendee of last Thursday's meeting, so I obtained a copy of the meeting video tape.  I viewed the tape recording several times.  I confirmed that what I had been told was indeed true!

Folks, these are just a few recent examples which illustrate why Jerry Lairmore needs to be defeated in November of 2012.  I hope I can depend on each of you for your support.  I promise you that I will NEVER lie to you or to any of my colleagues on the County Commission, nor will I withhold important information pertaining to county business from you or any of my colleagues!  THIS IS A SOLEMN CAMPAIGN PLEDGE I MAKE TO YOU RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW!

And one more thing .... I can absolutely assure you that I am RESOURCEFUL enough to find the telephone number for anyone in Gasconade County with whom I may need to speak!  Afterall, I AM AN OWENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE!"

Ray Charles - "My Bonnie" ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  851

Once again, friends, it's "Ray Charles Wednesday".  Here's the incomparable Ray Charles performing "My Bonnie"in a 1963 Brazilian Concert along with the original Raelettes and David 'Fathead' Newman on lead saxophone.  An interesting factoid:  This is the very first song Ray Charles learned on the piano. He learned it from on an old man in his hometown of Albany, GA when he was about 5 years old.

Photo Of The Day - Wednesday, 10/6/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  850



'Scout'
Shown here with her first "big girl, fu fu" haircut.
'Scout' lives in Tampa and is Dick Schaefer's grandpuppy.
10/5/2010



Laugh Of The Day - Wednesday, 10/6/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  849

"A Senate has passed a new bill that requires TV stations to lower the volume level on commercials. This is great, a hundred of the most powerful people in the nation have managed to do the same thing my remote does."  ~ Jimmy Fallon, 10/4/2010

Quote Of The Day - Wednesday, 10/6/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

A. E. Newman
Bland, MO

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  848

"How come we choose from just two people for President, and fifty for Miss America?"  ~ Alfred E. Newman, Candidate for Southern District Associate Commissioner of Gasconade County

Bible Verse Of The Day - Wednesday, 10/6/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/6/2010
Post:  847

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  ~ Matthew 6:34

Earlier in this passage Jesus assures his disciples that God knows their every need. If He feeds the birds of the air, will he not feed us?

Then Jesus brings us the shocking truth: our anxiety is connected to doubt and unbelief! To worry about tomorrow is a sign that we don’t trust our heavenly Father to take care of us. We are called to deal with the things of today and trust that the God who knows our name has our tomorrows in His hands. So anxiety or worry is a symptom of an unbelieving heart.

How do we get rid of worry? Our answer comes with repentance, then realigning our heart with God’s promise to meet our needs. The promises in Matthew 6 alone have enough bread from heaven to sustain us in the midst of this troubled time.

Today’s commentary by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Elvis Presley - "Suspicious Minds" ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫ ♫ ♫♫

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/5/2010
Post:  846

It's "Elvis Presley Tuesday".  Elvis recorded so many great songs!  Here is the one I picked for today .....

Photo Of The Day - Tuesday, 10/5/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/5/2010
Post:  845

Stone Hill Winery
Grape Vineyards in Foreground
10/4/2010

Photo by Dick Schaefer (Hermann Hearsay).
Copyright protected.  All rights reserved.

Laugh Of The Day - Tuesday, 10/5/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/5/2010
Post:  844

 
President BARACK OBAMA was invited to address a major gathering of the American Indian Nation a few weeks ago in upstate New York .

He spoke for almost an hour about his plans for increasing every Native American's present standard of living.

He referred to his time as a U.S. Senator and how he had voted for every Native American issue that came to the floor of the Senate.

Although President Obama was vague about the details of his plans, he seemed most enthusiastic and spoke eloquently about his ideas for helping his "red sisters and brothers."

At the conclusion of his speech, the Tribes presented Obama with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name,"Walking Eagle."

The proud President Obama accepted the plaque and then departed in his motorcade to a fundraiser, waving to the admiring crowds.

A news reporter later asked the group of chiefs how they came to select the new name they had given to the President.

They explained that "Walking Eagle" is the name given to a bird so full of shit it can no longer fly.

Quote Of The Day - Tuesday, 10/5/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/5/2010
Post:  843

"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price."  ~ Vince Lombardi

Bible Verse Of The Day - Tuesday, 10/5/2010

Published by Lois Lame, SSALRCYTMVDQJCP & Assistant Editor

Date:  10/5/2010
Post:  842

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  ~ Proverbs 4:23

The proverb gives us a profound truth. The condition of our heart (our emotions, our will, our mind) affects everything. We would like to think that science is unbiased, that reporting is fair minded, or that economics is neutral. But we quickly find that all fields of knowledge have lenses that they assume to be true. That is why the Scripture was given to us as the lens to see the world. Otherwise, other lenses are there to color our heart and taint the water that comes out of our life. Which lens are you looking through today? Are you guarding your heart?

Today’s commentary by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org