Opinion: Bush, Obama, and Osama: America’s Hour of Choosing

By Dr. Paul Kengor

“In Bin Laden Announcement, Echoes of 2007 Obama Speech,” declared the headline in The New York Times. It’s difficult to find a newspaper that has demonstrated a worst pro-Obama and anti-Bush bias than The New York Times, especially when dealing with the War on Terror. And so, I expected a headline like this in the Times. When I searched Google this morning, looking for a text of President Obama’s statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden, the Times headline was the first thing that popped up.

That’s too bad. A better banner would have been, “In Bin Laden Announcement, Echoes of 2001 Bush Speech.” That’s what I immediately thought when I heard the stunning statement by President Obama announcing the killing of Osama Bin Laden. To wit, President Obama stated:

Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden….

The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens…. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to Al-Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done….

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

For President Obama, it was a refreshing and surprising expression of American exceptionalism.

More than that, President Obama’s words read like a punctuation, an exclamation point, on what President George W. Bush had said on September 14, 2001, during an unforgettable 9/11 memorial service at the majestic National Cathedral. Bush himself had organized the service. He picked the music, selected speakers, and carefully chose the words he delivered that afternoon.

Bush had declared the day a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. In preparing for his speech, he literally prayed that he could rise to the occasion and deliver his talk meaningfully in keeping with the somberness of the occasion. “I prayed a lot before the speech,” he later told reporter Bill Sammon, “because I felt like it was a moment where I needed, well, frankly, for the good Lord to shine through.”

Everyone in elite Washington was there: Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford sat in the third pew, as did Al Gore. The Clinton family sat in the front pew. An ailing Billy Graham, in a poignant display, struggled to address those gathered. President Bush approached the platform at 1:00 PM. He stated:

We are here in the middle hour of our grief. So many have suffered so great a loss, and today we express our nation’s sorrow. We come before God to pray for the missing and the dead and for those who love them.

On Tuesday our country was attacked with deliberate and massive cruelty. We have seen the images of fire and ashes and bent steel. Now come the names, the list of casualties we are only beginning to read….

Just three days removed from these events, Americans do not yet have the distance of history. But our responsibility to history is already clear: To answer these attacks and rid the world of evil.

War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our choosing.

Note that last word, “choosing.” Indeed, here is where both President Bush and President Obama—not to mention America and history—found common ground: This war, and that awful attack on September 11, 2001, crafted by the diabolical Osama Bin Laden, had not been our choice. Both Bush and Obama pledged that justice against Osama would come at a time of our choosing.

That time arrived, at long last, on May 1, 2011. Justice, indeed, has been done, and on America’s terms, not Osama Bin Laden’s.

— Dr. Paul Kengor is professor of political science at Grove City College and executive director of The Center for Vision & Values. His books include "The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism," and the recently released "Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century."

Assessing Frost Injury of Corn

Growers facing frost injury to corn express concerns whether the corn will recover. When considering frost, its important to consider how low the temperatures dropped. The growing point of the corn plant remains below soil surface until the 5-leaf stage. The location of the growing point provides protection from above ground frost. Corn can easily recover from damage and injury is often limited to the death of the above ground tissue. There should be no yield loss.

However, when air temperatures drop below 28 degrees or less, the growing point can be injured or killed even if the growing point is below ground. It important to understand how low temperatures dropped with the frost.

It is important to assess frost damage by waiting to allow plants to recover. Initally, corn leaves become watersoaked then blackened. Wait three to five days to see if the plants start to regrow. Be aware, if temperatures remain cool, then this will delay your ability to assess injury. New tissue should be growing out of the whorls.

If you have additional acres to plant, continue planting and then after a period of time, determine the extent of injury. The dead tissue of the damaged part of the whorl may cause some problems with leaf growth but, will push on through.

If plants recover, then replanting is not justified. If there areas of dead plants, then replanting may be justified.

For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.

Worth County Sheriff's Report for May 4th, 2011

4-26 -- Person calls about a stray dog; referred to the city.

4-26 -- Worth County Sheriff's Department (WCSD) checks report of horses out on 169 North.

4-27 -- Person calls about missing camper; referred to Gentry County Sheriff.

4-27 -- Sheridan resident calls about possible animal neglect.

4-28 -- Person calls about suspicious vehicle on 169 Highway.

4-29 -- WCSD investigates vandalism at Worth County School.

4-29 -- WCSD does traffic assistance at funeral.

4-29 -- WCSD serves papers on Grant City resident.

To report a problem, contact the secure phone line at (660) 564-2222. For emergencies, dial 911.

Sheridan CBC, City Council Plan New Community Building

The Sheridan City Council and the Sheridan CBC are proposing to put up a new community building to replace both the Schoolhouse and the current City Hall. Councilwoman Mary Jo Riley, who is the President of the Sheridan CBC, said that they wanted the Schoolhouse off their hands and that it was getting to where it was costing too much to maintain and that the roof was threatening to fall in. She said that last year, the CBC put up $700 to fix the leaking roof to the schoolhouse but that it was now "ripping clear away." Mayor Leland Wake said that the city would be agreeable to doing a joint project with the CBC on getting a new building, citing ongoing problems with City Hall. The roof was starting to leak, temporary repairs made to the floor in the back a few years ago were not holding out any longer, and the building was not well insulated, meaning that the building fund could exhaust itself quickly if the city does not do anything about the high heating costs. Riley said that for the CBC's part, the building was costing $100 per month for electric bills even if nobody was using it and when people were using it, it would cost more.

Earlier, the CBC had pursued a grant to replace the roof. However, Riley said that what they found was that there were too many strings attached; the CBC would have to pay prevailing wage and there was a limit to what they could have gotten. Sheridan officials have looked at other communities and noted that Allendale had build their community building themselves. Councilman Dave Thomas said that a new building would generate a lot more revenue than the present City Hall. Clerk Genevieve Walker said that the city had already paid out $800 in heating costs for City Hall and that it would be higher next year with the higher fuel costs. Riley said that the first priority for the CBC would be to draw up what they wanted and get an estimate. She said they were thinking of a possible metal building with offices and a small kitchen and a community area that could be used for dinners or dances.

For the city's part, Mayor Leland Wake said that he could prop up the floor in the back of the City Hall and that it would last about a year. But he said that it was living on borrowed time and that it could fall in anytime.

Fire Chief Butch Thomas said that the Fire Department had no objection to David Parman coming and tearing down the old siren. Council members also said they wanted the one owned by Richard Supinger that is sitting on the concrete block in front of the water plant gone as well.

Riley reported that the park would be painted in time for the Sesquicentennial this year. The CBC bought paint for the project and the Sheridan Shamrocks 4-H Club will paint it.

Various ditching problems were brought up. The Housing has a standing water problems on the road that leads north from the housing. Jim Bullock's tube on the alley is filled with mud and there is no drainage. Dean Lantz's alley needs a tube as well. There were also tubes needed by Evelyn Hansen's and John Steinman's. The Methodist Church has a water problem in their basement that city officials said was partly caused by tubes that were too high.

Water Superintendent Dave Parman said that they were still running on manual for the connection from the water plant to the tower. That led Mayor Wake and councilman Dave Thomas to advocate checking how much it would cost to overhaul the electrical systems at the water plant and possibly getting a loan if necessary. The problem is that many of the parts for the water system are old enough that they might not be made any more. However, the downside is whether it would be worth it given the fact that David Parman will be retiring from his duties as Water Superintendent in an estimated 2 1/2 years. Parman said that he wanted to see the electrical connections overhauled even if for only 2 years.

This led to talk about the Northwest Missouri Water Partnership, which is an attempt to get all of the various towns and water districts under one roof, in a plan which supporters say would bring a lot more water to the area and which would thus attract a lot more economic development that could not have been done in the past due to lack of water. Fire Chief Butch Thomas said that he feared that Sheridan would be forced to join down the road should they no longer be able to remain in compliance of DNR regulations. Mayor Wake said that he feared that there would be a drop off in quality as well and that there was uncertainty as to how long the partnership would last. If worst comes to worst, Dave Thomas said he feared that the city would be forced into sewer service after being forced to join the partnership.

The city is still waiting on word for their Preliminary Engineering Report grant, which would alleviate the estimated $10,000 price tag for the PER. Wake said that the city had been told to wait three months, but that it was now 6-7 months and nothing has been done on that grant.

Proposed Worth County R-III Policy 2870 -- Giving Medicines to Students

It shall be the policy of the Board of Education that the giving of medicine to students during school hours be discouraged and restricted to medication that cannot be given on an alternative schedule. The Board of Education recognizes that some students may require medication for chronic or short-term illness/injury during the school day to enable them to remain in school and participate in their education. Employees providing routine first aid according to District procedures will be immune from liability or disciplinary action. Similarly, trained employees will be immune from civil liability for administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other lifesaving methods in good faith and according to standard medical practices. The Board of Education also recognizes that the administration of medication may be required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide a free appropriate public education for identified as disabled under those laws.

Worth County Girls 2nd at Bulldog Relays

Worth County's girls placed second at the Bulldog Relays at Stanberry last Tuesday and collected a lot of personal bests in the process.

The Tigers placed two in the 800 and both got personal bests. Kristin Andrews was 3rd in the 800 with a time of 2:43.26. That was 1.11 seconds off the pace set by Michelle Schulte. Lauren Null was 6th with a personal best time of 2:48.31. That was 6.16 seconds off the winning pace and 6.54 seconds better than what she did at the Warrior Relays.

Both Jessica Garrett and Brooke Gilland got their best times of the year in placing 2-3 in the 100 Hurdles. Jessica Garrett was second with a time of 18.01, coming close to breaking the 17 second barrier. Brooke Gilland was right behind her with a time of 18.28, her best time of the year.

Katie Mullock was the surprise winner of the Long Jump with a leap of 15'4 1/2", a personal best. On her second jump, she got a jump of 15 feet to move into the lead and later got a jump of 15'4 1/2". Shanna Welch of Jefferson, who had been struggling to break the 15 foot barrier, got high into the air with a jump of 15'3 1/2" to come within an inch of Katie, but finished second.

Worth County placed two in the 100. Claire Andrews was 5th with a time of 14.28. That was 1.39 seconds off the pace set by Chandelar Carey of North Harrison. Jessica Garrett was right behind her with a time of 14.29.

Katie Mullock was 2nd in the 200 with a time of 28.79 as she continued to improve on her times in that event. That was .30 of a second off the pace set by Allison Luke of Stanberry. That was .19 of a second better than she did at the Warrior Relays. She also placed in the 400, where she was 4th with a time of 1:06.44. That was similar to her time at Albany and was two seconds off the pace set by Emily Cordell of West Nodaway.

Rebecca Moore was 2nd in the Discus where she had a throw of 88'7". That was 2'4" off the throw of Sydney Stoll of Stanberry and was similar to her time at Albany the week before.

General Revenue Collections up 3.4% from 2010

State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced today that 2011 fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 3.4 percent compared to 2010, from $5.67 billion last year to $5.86 billion this year.

Net general revenue collections for April 2011 decreased by 11.0 percent compared to those for April 2010, from $986.8 million to $878.4 million.

Director Luebbering also noted the General Revenue Fund has repaid the $150 million borrowed during fiscal year 2011 from the Budget Reserve Fund, well ahead of the Constitutional deadline of May 15^th.

GROSS COLLECTIONS BY TAX TYPE

Individual income tax collections

• Increased 2.8 percent for the year, from $4.61 billion last year to $4.74 billion this year.
• Increased 0.7 percent for the month.

Sales and use tax collections

• Increased 0.2 percent for the year from $1.46 billion last year to $1.47 billion this year.
• Decreased 5.1 percent for the month.

Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections

• Increased 4.2 percent for the year, from $404.4 million last year to $421.5 million this year.
• Decreased 8.1 percent for the month.

All other collections

• Increased 16.9 percent for the year, from $362.3 million last year to $423.4 million this year.
• Increased 20.9 percent for the month.

Refunds

• Increased 1.5 percent for the year, from $1.17 billion last year to $1.19 billion this year.
• Increased 84.6 percent for the month.