"Puff and Spin" Journalism - Reporting On The Reporters

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

"Puff and spin" journalism is alive and well in Gasconade County.  And I'm getting tired of it!

We used to call it "yellow journalism".  The really great journalists of America have been able to avoid employing the "yellow journalism" or "puff and spin" journalism tactics.  The really good journalists rely instead upon hard work and talented writing.

I really hate "puff and spin" journalism!  Henceforth every time our staff here at 'Hermann Hearsay' runs across it, we will point it out to you, our loyal readers.  You deserve to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when we report local stories to you.  And if some reporters are twisting the story, puffing one particular aspect of the story or spinning the story in order to lead the readers to draw a conclusion they want readers to draw rather than presenting factual information so the readers can draw their own conclusion, then we will point this out to our readers.  Over the course of time, "puff and spin" reporters will fall by the wayside.  They will lose readership and fade into the dust bin of history along with all the rest of the "puff and spin" reporters.

There are, of course, some professional, fair and balanced journalists in Gasconade County.  They work very hard and they try extremely hard to report the local news accurately, fairly and without personal bias.  Unfortunately, there will always be some who will pretend to report the news while putting their own "puff and spin" on the stories they cover.  For whatever reason, they will favor one side of the story over the others.  Because of their personal biases, their ideologies and their alliances with the story-makers they cover, they will "spin" the story so as to make certain people look "good" and at the same time make others look "bad".  This crap is going on right here in Gasconade County!  Our readers need to know about it!

I want to illustrate what I'm talking about by asking you to read and critically analyze two reports on the very same local story.  The following links will take you to reports published by Anna Wiegenstein, a young reporter at 'Hermann News' (http://www.ngnn.com/) and by Jeff Noedel, publisher and owner of 'County News LIVE' (http://www.countynewslive.com/).  In addition, I have included a link to the Official Minutes of the 5/27 County Commission Meeting (written by County Clerk Lesa Lietzow) and pulished on 6/4 by 'Hermann News' (http://www.ngnn.com/).

• 5/27 Gasconade County Commission Meeting (Anna Wiegenstein, Hermann News @ http://www.ngnn.com/):  http://www.ngnn.com/65041/content/2010/may/27/heated-debate-closes-commissioners-meeting
• 5/27 Gasconade County Commission Meeting (Jeff Noedel, County News LIVE @ http://www.countynewslive.com/):  http://countynewslive.com/content/2010/jun/03/better-late-never-last-weeks-gasconade-county-commission-report 
• Official Minutes of the 5/27 County Commission Meeting (written by County Clerk Lesa Lietzow):  http://www.ngnn.com/65041/content/2010/jun/04/gasconade-county-commission-minutes

Thanks for reading these three articles!  Now let me ask you a few questions:

1. Which report on the 5/27 Gasconade County Commission Meeting is fair and balanced?
2. Which report comes closest to covering everything which was discussed in the County Commission Meeting as summarized by Clerk Lietzow's Official Minutes?
3. Which report seems to interject personal bias?
4. Which report is most factual and informative?
5. Which reporter seeks to "spin" the story without regard to the facts of the story?
6. Which reporter will you trust in the future to bring you all sides of an important local story?

Having critically compared these two reports on the 5/27 County Commission Meeting to the Official Minutes written by Clerk Lietzow and having listened to an audio recording of the 5/27 Gasconade County Commission Meeting, my answers to the above questions are as follows:

1. Anna Wiegenstein's report seems more fair and balanced to me.
2. Neither report covers the County Commission Meeting as thoroughly and completely as does the Official Minutes of the meeting.
3. Jeff Noedel's report reveals his personal biases.
4. Anna Wiegenstein's report is more thorough and it includes more factual information.
5. Jeff Noedel is "spinning" in such a way as to favor Commissioners Jost and Lairmore over Commissioner Penning.  Why he does this has continued to be a puzzlement to me!
6. I will trust Anna Wiegenstein to give me fair, balanced and factual reports on future Gasconade County Commission Meetings.  I will trust Ms. Wiegenstein to put her personal biases and opinions aside in order to report all sides of a story fairly.

Now please tell me, what do you think?  How do you see it?

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http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

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http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

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http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Photo Of The Day - Thursday, 6/3/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

Clyde Kadiddlehopper

Berger, MO

Hermann Hearsay's 1st Platinum Lifetime Subscriber

(Also a member of Hermann Hookups)
Retired Wall Street stock broker and Merrill Lynch custodian

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http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Ultra Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)
http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)
http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)
http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)
http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)
http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:
http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)
http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)
http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)
http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Laugh Of The Day - Thursday, 6/3/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

"My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more."  ~ Walter Matthau

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Ultra Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

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http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Quote Of The Day - Thursday, 6/3/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers."  ~ Thomas Jefferson

(I suppose ol' Tom might have said the same about online daily "news" websites.)

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:

http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

The Streets And Sidewalks Of Hermann - The Fourth Day Of An Engineering Field Survey

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

On May 10th, Hermann Hearsay undertook a thorough survey of Hermann's streets and sidewalks.  We were forced to suspend our survey when the rains fell and when flood waters covered some city streets.  Those obstacles have come and gone, so we are now resuming our survey. 

While others in the local media have conducted opinion polls with small sample sizes, we are actually undertaking to walk every street and every sidewalk in Hermann and then document our findings.  When we have completed our street and sidewalk survey, we will turn over our findings to anyone in the city administration who may care to review them. 

 Our first three reports may be accessed by clicking on the following links:

5/10:  http://www.hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/05/streets-and-sidewalks-of-hermann-five.html

5/11:  http://www.hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/05/streets-and-sidewalks-of-hermann-day.html
5/12:  http://www.hermannhearsay.blogspot.com/2010/05/streets-and-sidewalks-of-hermann-day.html

Our findings on the fourth day of our survey are as follows:

1. 2nd Street walking west from Gutenberg to Schiller Street - Sidewalks on both sides of street are in reasonably good condition.  But there are some cracks and broken pavement in a few spots on the north side and south side of the streets.  The asphaltic street surface is in reasonably good condition.  We oberved no potholes, no patches and no alligatoring.  The street suface is well sealed.  It looks nice!  A standard for all of Hermann.
2. 2nd Street walking west from Schiller Street to Market Street - Sidewalks on both sides of street are in fair condition but busted up in a few spots.  The asphaltic street surface is in reasonably good condition.  Very little patching, alligatoring and no potholes.  The street surface is well sealed.
3. 2nd Street walking west from Market Street to Mozart Street - Sidewalks on both sides of street in average condition for the most part but are busted up in a few spots.  There is some heaving of the concrete slabs in a few spots creating trip hazards.  The asphaltic street surface is in good condition.  No potholes.  A few cracks in the street surface and some patching
4. 2nd Street walking west from Mozart Street to Washington Street - Sidewalks on both sides of street are in fair condition but the concrete sidewalk slabs are busted up in a few spots.  A few trip hazards were observed where the slabs have heaved.  The asphaltic street surface is not in as good a condition as it is from Gutenberg Street to Mozart Street.  We observed more patching of and some cracks in the asphaltic street surface.

More reporting to follow.  Next we will walk 3rd Street from Gutenberg Street to Washington Street.

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http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

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http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

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http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

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http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Photo Of The Day - Wednesday, 6/2/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

Sergeant Schultz, our very first ULTRA PREMIUM Subscriber

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http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)
http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)
http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)
http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)
http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)
http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:
http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)
http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)
http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)
http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Laugh Of The Day - Wednesday, 6/2/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

"A woman is an occasional pleasure but a cigar is always a smoke."  ~ Groucho Marx

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:

http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Quote Of The Day - Wednesday, 6/2/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, Cool YouTube Music Videos and Custodian In Training

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."  ~ George Washington

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

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http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

"Mission Accomplished", Frank Furter Leaving Hermann Hearsay

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

Frank Furter, Hermann Hearsay's custodian, coffee brewer and IT man, will be leaving our employ effective June 11.

Frank has done a great job for us, and he will be sorely missed.  Frank is the #1-rated news room custodian, coffee brewer and IT man in Gasconade County.  We will miss his friendly and insightful help with our laptop questions, and we will certainly miss Frank's special New Orleans' chicory-flavored coffee!  Frank has found a better paying job at the Best Buy store in Columbia.  We always knew that Frank would be with us for only a short period of time until he found a better job.  Congrats and best wishes to ya Frankie old boy!

When we recruited Frank about a year ago, we promised him a big salary, great benefits and paid membership in the Loutre Shore Country Club.  Unfortunately we were not able to make good on any of our promises.  We don't blame Frank one damned bit for leaving us!

We will be knocking off at 3 p.m. next Friday to host a farewell party for Frank.  We will be gathering at the Bank Bar on Schiller Street.  If you wanna bring Frank a farewell gift, bring cigars.  Frank generally smokes Swisher Sweets.  He really likes Cohibas, Macanudos and Arturo Fuentes.  It's just that he can't afford 'em on the meager salary we pay him.

Until we can find a suitable replacement for Frank, I will brew the coffee and Lois will sweep up and dust around here.  For the time being if we have any laptop questions, we will call HP's 1-800 number and talk to some barely intelligible computer tech from India.  Someday when we are "in the black", we will conduct a nationwide search for Frank's replacement.  Who knows, we might hire one of those hi-tech computer geeks from India!  I only hope he/she won't mind sweepin' the floors and makin' coffee!

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:

http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Hermann Hearsay Expands Subscription Options

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

Hermann Hearsay has just added third and fourth subscription options.  No other local online news website currently offers as many subscription options to their readers!  We are leading the way with innovative options for our valued subscribers!

The subscription options now offered are:

1. FREE Subscription - No annual cost.  Simple streamlined sign-up process.  Just leave us a comment and you are immediately enrolled as a subcriber.  You will be able to read 99% of our articles.  Unlike one of our competitors, we hide very, very few articles from our FREE subscribers!  A good way to start out reading Hermann Hearsay if you are on a limited budget!
2. PREMIUM Subscription - $24.95 annual subscription fee.  For this amount, you will receive one of our highly-prized 100% cotton golf caps with Hermann Hearsay logo.  You'll be the envy of everyone in your foursome.  Hermann Hearsay mascot 'Herkimer' adorns our premium quality golf caps which are supplied by Dora's Spinning Wheel in Hermann, MO.  You will be able to read 100% of the articles we publish, even the hidden ones!  In addition, we will contact you quarterly to get your input on the quality and content of Hermann Hearsay.  You will have a voice in our business!
3. ULTRA PREMIUM Subscription - $39.95 annual subscription fee.  For this amount, you will receive one of our highly-prized 100% cotton golf shirts with Hermann Hearsay logo.  We just received our first embroidered shirt last Friday from Dora's Spinning Wheel.  We are already receiving many compliments from people around Hermann!  With this subcription level, you will be invited to a quarterly meeting with Hermann Hearsay staff.  And we'll even supply the coffee and soft drinks!  Access to 100% of our articles is assured!  Want to work with one of our reporters on a story of your own?  At this subscription level, you will be able to try your own hand at news reporting!
4. PLATINUM Subscription - $199.95 LIFETIME subscription fee.  Pay us one time and never pay us again!  Not even if you live to be 110 years old!  You will receive one of our premium quality 100% cotton golf caps with Hermann Hearsay logo, one of our premium quality 100% cotton golf shirts with Hermann Hearsay logo, a lifetime subscription and all other benefits received by FREE, ULTRA and ULTRA PREMIUM subscribers!  In addition to all of this, you will be entitled to have your photo taken with 'Herkimer', our mascot!  This is our best-value subscription!  We urged all readers who can possibly afford it to opt for this subscription package.  You won't regret it!

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http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)

http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)

http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)

http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)

http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)

http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)

http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)

http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:

http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)

http://www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)

http://www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)

http://www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)

Photo Of The Day - Tuesday, 6/1/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

Elmer Fudd's prize turkey, 'Agatha'

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Reciprocal Websites:
http://www.bergerbaloneywithmayoblogspot.com/ (Berger News)
http://www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)
http://www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)
http://www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)
http://www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann NEWS & New Haven NEWS ONLINE)
http://www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)
http://www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
http://www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)

Non-Reciprocal Websites:
http://www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)
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Laugh Of The Day - Tuesday, 6/1/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

Don Rickles, guest on 'The Late Show' with David Letterman .....

[to David Letterman] "Who picks your clothes - Stevie Wonder?"

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Quote Of The Day - Tuesday, 6/1/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

On the subject of free speech .....

"A people which is able to say everything becomes able to do everything."  ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

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Memorial Day Weekend

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

We are shutting down for the Memorial Day weekend!  I'm giving our staff three days off to spend with their families and loved ones!  The news will just have to wait until next Tuesday!

This weekend is a time to pause and remember all the brave Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free, prosperous and safe.  It is also a time to remember family members who have passed away, our loved ones who sacrificed so much that our generation might have a better life than those which preceded us.

God bless America!  And God bless the brave men and women standing guard over America this weekend!

Photo Of The Day - Friday, 5/28/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

Seen enough of this photo?  Then get out and support Larry Miskel for Presiding Commissioner of Gasconade County.  Vote for Larry Miskel in the August Primary!

Joke Of The Day - Friday, 5/28/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

Referring to the bridge crossing signs at Hofman's Ford ....

"With the feedback I'm getting, I'm going to say that those signs should come on down.  We've been getting way too much flack."  ~ Ron Jost, Presiding Commissioner of Gasconade County, 5/27/2010

Tired of laughable statements and seat-of -the-pants, ill-considered judgments like this?  Vote for Larry Miskel to replace Ron Jost as Presiding Commissioner of Gasconade County in the August Primary Election.

Quote Of The Day - Friday, 5/28/2010

Published by Lois Lame, Subscriber Services, Lifestyles Reporting, and Cool YouTube Music Videos

When asked three (3) times by CNL Publisher Jeff Noedel if he had heard about the rumored GCCS Board Meeting on Thursday night, 5/27 ......

"I am not aware of a rumored board meeting tonight.  I have not received an invitation and have not made plans to attend."  ~ Ron Jost, Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner, and GCCS Ex-Officio Board Member

Heard enough of this crap!?  Tired of being lied to?  Vote for Larry Miskel for Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner in the Republican Primary August!

Editorial Comment: CNL Publisher Jeff Noedel Up To Old Tricks Once Again!

Published by Jimmy Oldsun, NDRIRSRWRAFTC & Editor

Local publisher Jeff Noedel is now famous around the Hermann area for his yellow journalism techniques which include ambush journalism, ambulance chasing, factual misrepresentation of news stories, one-sided biased reporting, hype, self-aggrandizement and self-promotion of his faltering online CNL "news" site , and frequent attempts to MAKE the news vs. just reporting the news.

The most recent example of Mr. Noedel's yellow journalism tactics came yesterday in his piece on the Gasconade County Courthouse Society (GCCS).  For easy reference, you can click on the following link and read Mr. Noedel's "report" for background before reading what I have to say about it:

http://www.countynewslive.com/content/2010/may/27/courthouse-society-meeting-scheduled-tonight-thu-may-27-ex-officio-board-member-

(Note:  As of 7:45 p.m. Friday, 5/28, the above link was broken.  Error message:  Page not found.  Alternatively, you can find this report at http://www.countynewslive.com/.  It was posted at 3:38 p.m. on Thursday, 5/27 ..... 3 hours and 22 minutes prior to the start of the GCCS board meeting which was the subject of so much criticism.)

Let's examine his "report" bit by bit, shall we?  Mr. Noedel, you are not going to like what I have to say about your report.  You are not going to like it at all.  But I'm going to say it anyway.  It needs to be said.  Another side of your story needs to be told!

First of all, it is inaccurate and a gross misrepresentation of the facts to report one side of the story and not report the other side of the story.  Facts:  While it is true that Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost did feign ignorance of the GCCS Board Meeting during yesterday's County Commission Meeting, it is also true that he was sent a timely email message of invitation to the meeting by both Sharon Meyer, Secretary of the GCCS, and Glenn Warnebold, Treasurer of the GCCS.  Glenn Warnebold even called Commissioner Jost ahead of the meeting to make sure he had received the email.  Apparently Mr. Jost doesn't read his email messages or call other board members IF he really is confused about the time and date of meetings.  I have received a copy of the email sent to him by Secretary Sharon Meyer on 5/18/2010.  The header of the email follows:

From: Sharon Meyer pms_meyers3@yahoo.com
To: Ron G. Jost rgjprescommgc@yahoo.com
Sent: Tue, May 18, 2010 6:22:01 AM
Subject: Fw: Gasconade County Courthouse Society Meeting - 5/27/10

This email details the time, date and place of the 5/27 board meeting.  Along with the email, the agenda for the meeting and minutes from previous meeting were attached.

No, my friends, Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost was well aware of the scheduled GCCS Board Meeting.  Why then did he feign ignorance of the board meeting during the 5/27 County Commission Meeting.  And why is CNL Publisher Jeff Noedel "carrying water" for Mr. Jost?  Certainly if I (a self-admitted non-journalist and broken-down recovering mechanical engineer) can obtain the facts from the principals involved, Mr. Noedel, who purports to be a "real journalist", should be able to gather these same facts before he shoots off his mouth and publishes untruths!  I mean if I can pick up the phone and call Sharon Meyer and Glenn Warnebold to get their side of the story, one would think that an accomplished "journalist" like Noedel could do something so simple

Second of all, if Mr. Noedel wishes to file a complaint with the Office of the Missouri Attorney General regarding his assertion that the GCCS is somehow violating the Missouri Sunshine Laws, Mr. Noedel should pursue that avenue rather than waste time grandstanding during a County Commission Meeting and distract the County Commissioners from their official duties of office.  Mr. Noedel asked Jost and Lairmore their opinions on the matter.  This had no doubt been pre-arranged among the three of them.  Jost and Lairmore apparenly relished the opportunity to take an unprofessional swipe at the GCCS.  When Northern District Commissioner Matt Penning was asked by Noedel to respond his question, Penning appropriately and professionally responded "No comment".  Penning's response was made to look negative in Noedel's report, something Noedel has attempted to do on numerous occasions.

It is Hermann Hearsay's opinion that Commissioner Penning was wise to offer NO comment.  I contacted Commissioner Penning today to get his take on Noedel's grandstanding during the County Commission Meeting.  Penning told me he thought Noedel was out of line in bringing that discussion into the Commission Meeting.  He felt it was inappropriate and not a part of the County Commission's legitimate business.  Further, Commissioner Penning told me that he recognizes that he himself is not an attorney and that Noedel, Jost and Lairmore are not attorneys either.  Therefore, it doesn't really matter what any of them think about this fine legal point.

It seems to me that Mr. Noedel, Mr. Jost and Mr. Lairmore are "teaming up" to discredit the Gasconade County Courthouse Society, its directors and its members and that they are attempting to obtruct any constructive progress toward restoration of the County Courthouse by so doing.  People of Gasconade County, I urge you to look beyond Mr. Noedel's sensational smokescreen reporting on CNL and ask yourself why he is "carrying water" for Commissioners Jost and Lairmore and why he is attempting to publicly discredit the GCCS.  Hermann Hearsay will stand guard against such sensational yellow journalism and biased reporting, and we will report the truth when we see others reporting untruths!

The real story which everyone in Gasconade County should be discussing is:  "Why are Noedel, Jost and Lairmore conspiring to publicly discedit the GCCS and why do Jost and Lairmore continue to drag their heels and obstruct any meaningful progress by a growing group of concerned Gasconade County citizens who sincerely want to restore and upgrade the current Gasconade County Courthouse so that it can better serve the citizens of this generation and of future generations?"

Hermann Hearsay urges citizens to contact Noedel, Jost and Lairmore and express your thoughts.  We have expressed ours!

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