I wrote an article about a speed trap in my hometown, and asked if your town had a speed trap like the 12th Street trap in Oak Grove. I was inundated by responses from all over the state. One woman from Centralia wrote about a speed trap a half a mile south of Hallsville. A Lafayette county elected official told me about his daughter who commutes to Warrensburg college getting a ticket on two consecutive Monday mornings on Highway 13 by the Higginsville police. It seems as if the five mile stretch between the town of Higginsville and I-70 is in the city limits of Higginsville. However, everyone who responded said the same thing that was frightening to me, “Don’t use my name”. I guess they were afraid their local police would retaliate.
I also wrote an article about the four Marine Infantrymen who urinated on two dead Taliban soldiers that outraged both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Two veterans from two different wars responded.
John Madsen from Oak Grove, who I have known since high school days, and his wife Karen, are good Christians, and are active in the United Methodist Church. John, who was in the 185th Combat Engineers Battalion in Korea, said when he heard about the Marines on television, he thought it was just awful. But after reading my article, he thought maybe there wasn’t a lot of difference between that and the fact they had drilled a hole in the skull of a Korean to use as a candle holder to light their tent.
Jerry England, a Viet Nam Veteran from Mountain Grove who reads my articles on the internet, showed me an ear he had cut off a dead Viet Cong he had killed for a souvenir. He carried it in his pocket for a long time, but said he now has it laying on top of his dresser in his bedroom. Needless to say, Jerry is still single.
Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075, www.jackremembers.com, or jackremembers@aol.com
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bluejay Boys Survive Osborn Scare
Northeast Nodaway’s boys used a hot-shooting first half to build a big lead, panicked in the face of Osborn’s trapping defense and gave most of it away, but then made some critical plays at the end to preserve a 59-54 win over the Wildcats Friday.
Travis Peaslee scored the first two points of the game for Osborn, but then Kevin Stoll scored the next six points for Northeast, getting four free throws and attacking the basket at will. Osborn tried to rally, only for Steve Schulte to post a career night and hit three consecutive 3-pointers to keep Northeast in front at 15-10. He had been making the most of the time spent waiting for Osborn to get there for the girls game; he was shooting 3-pointers and even protecting his home court at one point. Steve hit his fourth and final 3-pointer at the start of the second to put Northeast up 20-10 with a defender in his face. Kevin Stoll and Jason Henggeler followed with putbacks to give Northeast its biggest lead at 24-10 at that point.
Ryan Graeff did all he could to keep Osborn in it, hitting five straight to cut it to 24-15, but Aaron Patton, who had been quiet, went coast to coast on a fast break and then added a drive down the right wing and Henggeler got a putback and 3-point play to make it 31-19 with 1:28 left in the second.
Graeff hit a 3-pointer for Osborn early in the second half, but Kevin Stoll got a putback and Aaron Patton got a steal and 3-point play to give Northeast its biggest lead of the night at 40-24 with 4:37 left in the second.
But then Osborn began extending their pressure and trapping all over the place and the change of tempo worked in their favor. Northeast got away from running their plays and started forcing passes.
Fueled by a couple of steals, Osborn came back to cut it to 41-32 before Aaron Patton’s 3-pointer from Tyler Schmitz restored order for the time beind at 44-32. The lead stayed between 9 and 12 until early in the fourth when Graeff’s 3-pointer fueled a run that cut it to 51-44 with 6:12 left. Osborn had a chance to make it five after a steal, but their layup attempt went in and out. But with Northeast continuing to panic against the pressure, Graeff hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it a one possession game at 54-52 with 3:50 left. Kevin Stoll’s free throws made it 56-52, but Northeast lost track of Derek Thompson underneath the basket and he was all alone for a layup to make it 56-54 with 2:55 left.
Once again Northeast threw it away as Stoll butterfingered a pass, but Dalton Welch stole it in the post. But then another panicked possession led to another bad pass which gave Osborn another chance to tie or take the lead. But they missed the shot and a putback try at point blank range went in and out. Northeast could not buy a board and Osborn got another chance, but this time they missed an NBA 3-pointer badly. Lane Allen drew a foul on a drive, but missed the one and one and Northeast finally got a board.
Northeast ran down the clock to 53 seconds as Osborn elected not to foul but to play for the turnover and the move paid off as Northeast threw the ball away for an over and back violation. But this time, Jason Henggeler stole a long pass that found only white shirts. This time, Osborn fouled Patton and he missed a one and one, but The General stole the ball right back as Osborn was bringing it up to set up a tying bucket and got a wide open layup to make it 58-54, a four point swing for Northeast right when they needed it.
This time, Osborn threw the ball away, but Dalton Welch missed both ends of a double bonus with 26 seconds left. Osborn missed a shot that went out of bounds off Dalton with 14.7 seconds left; they then tried to set up a drive by Lane Allen; he lost the ball but managed to save it to Derek Thompson right underneath the basket; however, he missed the point blank layup and the rebound was tipped around until Aaron Patton grabbed it and hit a free throw with 1.4 seconds left to secure the win.
Travis Peaslee scored the first two points of the game for Osborn, but then Kevin Stoll scored the next six points for Northeast, getting four free throws and attacking the basket at will. Osborn tried to rally, only for Steve Schulte to post a career night and hit three consecutive 3-pointers to keep Northeast in front at 15-10. He had been making the most of the time spent waiting for Osborn to get there for the girls game; he was shooting 3-pointers and even protecting his home court at one point. Steve hit his fourth and final 3-pointer at the start of the second to put Northeast up 20-10 with a defender in his face. Kevin Stoll and Jason Henggeler followed with putbacks to give Northeast its biggest lead at 24-10 at that point.
Ryan Graeff did all he could to keep Osborn in it, hitting five straight to cut it to 24-15, but Aaron Patton, who had been quiet, went coast to coast on a fast break and then added a drive down the right wing and Henggeler got a putback and 3-point play to make it 31-19 with 1:28 left in the second.
Graeff hit a 3-pointer for Osborn early in the second half, but Kevin Stoll got a putback and Aaron Patton got a steal and 3-point play to give Northeast its biggest lead of the night at 40-24 with 4:37 left in the second.
But then Osborn began extending their pressure and trapping all over the place and the change of tempo worked in their favor. Northeast got away from running their plays and started forcing passes.
Fueled by a couple of steals, Osborn came back to cut it to 41-32 before Aaron Patton’s 3-pointer from Tyler Schmitz restored order for the time beind at 44-32. The lead stayed between 9 and 12 until early in the fourth when Graeff’s 3-pointer fueled a run that cut it to 51-44 with 6:12 left. Osborn had a chance to make it five after a steal, but their layup attempt went in and out. But with Northeast continuing to panic against the pressure, Graeff hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it a one possession game at 54-52 with 3:50 left. Kevin Stoll’s free throws made it 56-52, but Northeast lost track of Derek Thompson underneath the basket and he was all alone for a layup to make it 56-54 with 2:55 left.
Once again Northeast threw it away as Stoll butterfingered a pass, but Dalton Welch stole it in the post. But then another panicked possession led to another bad pass which gave Osborn another chance to tie or take the lead. But they missed the shot and a putback try at point blank range went in and out. Northeast could not buy a board and Osborn got another chance, but this time they missed an NBA 3-pointer badly. Lane Allen drew a foul on a drive, but missed the one and one and Northeast finally got a board.
Northeast ran down the clock to 53 seconds as Osborn elected not to foul but to play for the turnover and the move paid off as Northeast threw the ball away for an over and back violation. But this time, Jason Henggeler stole a long pass that found only white shirts. This time, Osborn fouled Patton and he missed a one and one, but The General stole the ball right back as Osborn was bringing it up to set up a tying bucket and got a wide open layup to make it 58-54, a four point swing for Northeast right when they needed it.
This time, Osborn threw the ball away, but Dalton Welch missed both ends of a double bonus with 26 seconds left. Osborn missed a shot that went out of bounds off Dalton with 14.7 seconds left; they then tried to set up a drive by Lane Allen; he lost the ball but managed to save it to Derek Thompson right underneath the basket; however, he missed the point blank layup and the rebound was tipped around until Aaron Patton grabbed it and hit a free throw with 1.4 seconds left to secure the win.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Michelle Schulte Powers Bluejay Girls past Osborn
Michelle Schulte matched a season high with 18 points and powered Northeast past Osborn last Friday night in one of their last chances to make a statement before districts as Northeast won 39-26. Northeast fell behind by as much as seven behind ice cold shooting early in the game before coming back to take the lead at the break and then taking over in the second half.
There was some question about whether the game would be played as Osborn boys and girls coach Harry Elder had collapsed during the previous game and had to be taken to the hospital. But Elder, one of the more colorful coaches in the area and a perfect gentleman, was back as usual for Friday’s game, dressed impeccably in a suit and tie for battle.
Northeast shot 0 for their first seven as they fell behind 5-0 in the first 2:33 of the game before Claudia Wiederholt hit Michelle Schulte at the top of the key. Michelle followed with a steal to make it tied at 5-5, but then Kelly Ramey connected twice for Osborn and Courtney Nichols added a fast break off a bad shot to make it 11-5 with 2:29 left in the first. Michelle Schulte’s free throw with 0.3 seconds left in the period cut it to 11-8, but Nichols’ 3-point play powered the young Osborn squad, with only one senior on the squad, to a 16-9 lead with 6:45 left in the second.
But once again, the tiny but deadly version of the Schulte family turned the game around, this time by hitting a timely 3-pointer off a pass from Rachel Runde that broke the run. Michelle followed with another free throw and then Kerrigan Adwell hit Sarah Bliley on the left side and then Michelle hit Rachel Runde on the left side to put Northeast back in front 17-16 at the break as they started doing a much better job of working the ball around for a good shot instead of settling for the low percentage jump shot.
It was not Mr. Elder’s lucky week; the team bus broke down on the way over to Ravenwood and they had to borrow one of Jefferson’s busses to get the kids over for the game in time. Then, his team went into a 10-minute scoring drought as Northeast began to pull away.
Michelle Schulte started off the scoring with a drive and then Claudia Wiederholt hit Taryn Farnan inside. Rachel Runde got the ball for a fast break layup to Sarah Bliley and then Michelle got a tip and Claudia got the steal for a layup. To compound Mr. Elder’s bad luck this week, one of his players scored in the wrong basket to cap the Northeast run and leave them up 27-16 with 4:30 left. And that was not all.
Elder’s charges battled back; although Michelle Schulte was getting on the line for Northeast, the Wildkats got consecutive points to close the quarter to get within nine at 31-22. But then at the start of the fourth, Kelly Ramey, Osborn’s best shooter, fouled out. The problem was that an inexperienced official had called the wrong player for a foul in the third quarter – he had whistled Ramey for a foul, but it should have been called on Nichols, who had been guarding the ball and who was reaching in on the play. It was not the only time the officials had called the wrong player for a foul; against King City in the boys game, the officials called a foul on the wrong player for Worth County, which turned out to be critical.
The game turned into a brutal slugging match in the fourth quarter with both Taryn Farnan and Osborn’s Sarah McKay getting shaken up on a collision and Farnan getting a black eye; both were able to finish the game. Earlier, Kerrigan Adwell had gotten poked in the eye earlier in the third quarter. In the absence of their best shooter, Osborn battled gamely, but could only muster a drive from Nichols to make it 32-24 as they tried extending the pressure to get the ball back, but Northeast refused to fold.
Finally, Rachel Runde stepped back to the same sweet spot from where she nailed her NBA 3-pointer against CFX and hit what turned out to be the dagger with 3:45 left in the game. Michelle Schulte added a couple of free throws and Runde hit a pullup fast break with 1:24 left to give Northeast its biggest lead of the game at 39-24.
But after all was said and done in both games, Elder greeted it with a smile and a handshake and a warm hello as he always does, still with passion for the game after all these years.
There was some question about whether the game would be played as Osborn boys and girls coach Harry Elder had collapsed during the previous game and had to be taken to the hospital. But Elder, one of the more colorful coaches in the area and a perfect gentleman, was back as usual for Friday’s game, dressed impeccably in a suit and tie for battle.
Northeast shot 0 for their first seven as they fell behind 5-0 in the first 2:33 of the game before Claudia Wiederholt hit Michelle Schulte at the top of the key. Michelle followed with a steal to make it tied at 5-5, but then Kelly Ramey connected twice for Osborn and Courtney Nichols added a fast break off a bad shot to make it 11-5 with 2:29 left in the first. Michelle Schulte’s free throw with 0.3 seconds left in the period cut it to 11-8, but Nichols’ 3-point play powered the young Osborn squad, with only one senior on the squad, to a 16-9 lead with 6:45 left in the second.
But once again, the tiny but deadly version of the Schulte family turned the game around, this time by hitting a timely 3-pointer off a pass from Rachel Runde that broke the run. Michelle followed with another free throw and then Kerrigan Adwell hit Sarah Bliley on the left side and then Michelle hit Rachel Runde on the left side to put Northeast back in front 17-16 at the break as they started doing a much better job of working the ball around for a good shot instead of settling for the low percentage jump shot.
It was not Mr. Elder’s lucky week; the team bus broke down on the way over to Ravenwood and they had to borrow one of Jefferson’s busses to get the kids over for the game in time. Then, his team went into a 10-minute scoring drought as Northeast began to pull away.
Michelle Schulte started off the scoring with a drive and then Claudia Wiederholt hit Taryn Farnan inside. Rachel Runde got the ball for a fast break layup to Sarah Bliley and then Michelle got a tip and Claudia got the steal for a layup. To compound Mr. Elder’s bad luck this week, one of his players scored in the wrong basket to cap the Northeast run and leave them up 27-16 with 4:30 left. And that was not all.
Elder’s charges battled back; although Michelle Schulte was getting on the line for Northeast, the Wildkats got consecutive points to close the quarter to get within nine at 31-22. But then at the start of the fourth, Kelly Ramey, Osborn’s best shooter, fouled out. The problem was that an inexperienced official had called the wrong player for a foul in the third quarter – he had whistled Ramey for a foul, but it should have been called on Nichols, who had been guarding the ball and who was reaching in on the play. It was not the only time the officials had called the wrong player for a foul; against King City in the boys game, the officials called a foul on the wrong player for Worth County, which turned out to be critical.
The game turned into a brutal slugging match in the fourth quarter with both Taryn Farnan and Osborn’s Sarah McKay getting shaken up on a collision and Farnan getting a black eye; both were able to finish the game. Earlier, Kerrigan Adwell had gotten poked in the eye earlier in the third quarter. In the absence of their best shooter, Osborn battled gamely, but could only muster a drive from Nichols to make it 32-24 as they tried extending the pressure to get the ball back, but Northeast refused to fold.
Finally, Rachel Runde stepped back to the same sweet spot from where she nailed her NBA 3-pointer against CFX and hit what turned out to be the dagger with 3:45 left in the game. Michelle Schulte added a couple of free throws and Runde hit a pullup fast break with 1:24 left to give Northeast its biggest lead of the game at 39-24.
But after all was said and done in both games, Elder greeted it with a smile and a handshake and a warm hello as he always does, still with passion for the game after all these years.
A Main Issue for One Legislator -- Obama's Birth
With funding for our schools continuing to deteriorate and our lettered roads continuing to crumble, it’s nice that certain legislators have the right priorities in mind, such as whether or not Barack Obama is really the President of the US.
Seriously – this sort of grandstanding by Rep. Lyle Rowland is not appropriate at a time when our basic needs are not being adequately met. This has already been settled; the US Supreme Court (with a 5-4 conservative majority) refused to hear any such challenges to Obama’s citizenship with only one judge even remotely interested. It would not have been appropriate if it had involved John McCain and it would not be appropriate if it involved Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, or Newt.
Seriously – this sort of grandstanding by Rep. Lyle Rowland is not appropriate at a time when our basic needs are not being adequately met. This has already been settled; the US Supreme Court (with a 5-4 conservative majority) refused to hear any such challenges to Obama’s citizenship with only one judge even remotely interested. It would not have been appropriate if it had involved John McCain and it would not be appropriate if it involved Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, or Newt.
Teacher Evaluation Bill by Brad Lager Comes Under Fire
A Republican legislator's plan for improving Missouri's teachers came under bipartisan attack Wednesday [Feb. 15] for being too vague and ineffective. The senator's bill would require each school district to create a system of evaluating teachers and its own standards for "instructional improvement."
Two senators from St. Louis County, Republican Jane Cunningham and Democrat Maria Chappelle-Nadal, said the legislation fails to establish a quantifiable standard for student performance. Cunningham said that without specifying what qualifies as "learning," a district could create lower standards than what the state requires.
Cunningham said the bill, sponsored by Rep. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, comes too late in an existing conversation. Chappelle-Nadal said schools in St. Louis County, where she serves on a school board, already have these practices.
Two senators from St. Louis County, Republican Jane Cunningham and Democrat Maria Chappelle-Nadal, said the legislation fails to establish a quantifiable standard for student performance. Cunningham said that without specifying what qualifies as "learning," a district could create lower standards than what the state requires.
Cunningham said the bill, sponsored by Rep. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, comes too late in an existing conversation. Chappelle-Nadal said schools in St. Louis County, where she serves on a school board, already have these practices.
Missouri's Senate approves restrictions in lawsuits by employees
The Missouri Senate approved along party lines on Thursday [Feb. 16] a measure that adds occupational diseases to the workers' compensation program.
Workers' compensation provides coverage for workers injured or killed on the job. Including occupational diseases in the program would protect employers from lawsuits because a worker receiving coverage is restricted from suing an employer for damages.
In 2005, the legislature excluded occupational diseases in a broad package of changes that scaled back workers' compensation coverage. After that, businesses began to complain the exclusion had led to an increase in lawsuits against employers.
In addition, the measure imposes restrictions on when an employee can sue a co-worker for injuries, limiting such a lawsuit to a deliberate and purposeful act.
The bill was approved Thursday [Feb. 16] on a party-line vote, with Democrats voting against the measure.
The Senate proposal heads to the House of Representatives, which is still holding committee hearings about its own workers' compensation legislation.
It is the second measure that has been pushed by a coalition of business organizations to clear the Senate this session. Earlier, the Senate approved legislation limiting when an employee can file a discrimination lawsuit against an employer.
Workers' compensation provides coverage for workers injured or killed on the job. Including occupational diseases in the program would protect employers from lawsuits because a worker receiving coverage is restricted from suing an employer for damages.
In 2005, the legislature excluded occupational diseases in a broad package of changes that scaled back workers' compensation coverage. After that, businesses began to complain the exclusion had led to an increase in lawsuits against employers.
In addition, the measure imposes restrictions on when an employee can sue a co-worker for injuries, limiting such a lawsuit to a deliberate and purposeful act.
The bill was approved Thursday [Feb. 16] on a party-line vote, with Democrats voting against the measure.
The Senate proposal heads to the House of Representatives, which is still holding committee hearings about its own workers' compensation legislation.
It is the second measure that has been pushed by a coalition of business organizations to clear the Senate this session. Earlier, the Senate approved legislation limiting when an employee can file a discrimination lawsuit against an employer.
A Moment with Mike -- Legislature Calls for Federal Balanced Budget Amendment
Session continues to gain momentum as more bills work their way out of committee and on to the House floor. Last week the Missouri House approved a resolution calling on Congress to adopt an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require a balanced federal budget. As we have watched our federal government continue to live beyond its means, it is obvious that something must be done to protect our nation from financial disaster. The budget recently proposed by our president would put national spending at approximately $3.7 trillion while our nation’s incoming revenues are only $2.9 trillion. That budget gap of approximately $765 billion is alarming but, sadly, nothing new for Washington, D.C. The path we are on will allow the portion of the national debt held by outside investors to climb to $18.7 trillion by 2021. That figure represents 76.5 percent of the overall economy – twice the size of the debt before the recession hit in 2007. This disastrous path our government is on is jeopardizing the future of our nation and our children. It is imperative that we send a strong message to Washington, D.C. indicating that it is time that they start balancing the federal budget like we balance our budget here in Missouri and like Missouri families must also do.
Another issue that brought about a lively debate was HB 1186 & 1147. This legislation would require all driving tests in Missouri to be given only in English. Presently, our state offers driver exams in 11 languages besides English and allows people taking the test to have a translator. This bill would prohibit the director of the Department of Revenue from supplying or permitting the use of language interpreters, except sign language interpreters, in connection with the required written and driving tests. Advocates argue that while we welcome people from all parts of the world and from varying cultures, it is important to establish that the language we use here in Missouri is English. Our road and highway signs are written in English and highway patrolmen and police officers who make traffic stops are going to communicate in English as well. The bottom line is that if you are going to safely operate a motor vehicle in Missouri, you need to understand English. By requiring applicants to take the test in English, we can ensure they know the language and improve the safety of our roads as a result.
Once again the state tax commission is recommending an increase in the assessed value of Missouri’s best farmland. This change is one that would cause Missouri farmers to pay an additional 29 cents per acre on the state’s most productive land. I believe that we can all agree that this is not the time to increase the tax burden on Missourians and the legislature will not support an increase. This would be especially detrimental to our farmers here in Northwest Missouri where a majority of the land would fit that category. There is a resolution on the move that would keep the proposed increase from going into effect that will come to the floor very soon. The Missouri General Assembly must act by March 4th to keep the increase from going into effect for tax years 2013 and 2014.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Another issue that brought about a lively debate was HB 1186 & 1147. This legislation would require all driving tests in Missouri to be given only in English. Presently, our state offers driver exams in 11 languages besides English and allows people taking the test to have a translator. This bill would prohibit the director of the Department of Revenue from supplying or permitting the use of language interpreters, except sign language interpreters, in connection with the required written and driving tests. Advocates argue that while we welcome people from all parts of the world and from varying cultures, it is important to establish that the language we use here in Missouri is English. Our road and highway signs are written in English and highway patrolmen and police officers who make traffic stops are going to communicate in English as well. The bottom line is that if you are going to safely operate a motor vehicle in Missouri, you need to understand English. By requiring applicants to take the test in English, we can ensure they know the language and improve the safety of our roads as a result.
Once again the state tax commission is recommending an increase in the assessed value of Missouri’s best farmland. This change is one that would cause Missouri farmers to pay an additional 29 cents per acre on the state’s most productive land. I believe that we can all agree that this is not the time to increase the tax burden on Missourians and the legislature will not support an increase. This would be especially detrimental to our farmers here in Northwest Missouri where a majority of the land would fit that category. There is a resolution on the move that would keep the proposed increase from going into effect that will come to the floor very soon. The Missouri General Assembly must act by March 4th to keep the increase from going into effect for tax years 2013 and 2014.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
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