ProfDave's Blog

Nepotism and niecatism are not new, but now seen as "unfair" in our society.  I believe this is more of an issue of Ethics (Big “E” is the study of  morality), the discussion of right and wrong based on temporal and societal changes.  Privilege by birthright was once considered “right” even in the US, so giving a job based solely on birthright was an accepted practice. Still is in some cases of a family owned business.  Should name alone be the basis of selecting a political candidate?  No, but in Missouri we talk about the Blunt and Carnahan dynasties.  In Colorado it is the Salazar and Brice families. In New York, the Cuomos.  The list goes on.

The only disease I see here is one of intra-family promulgation of offices of power and prestige."

After a short vacation, four holidays and a bagel with some creamed cheese, I have returned for the pleasure of my friends and the distain of all else.  I miss the conversation and arguments. More to follow.

New York gov to name Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary's seat.  Is this a case of blind NY politics? Nope. After all, she is a Kennedy.

My writing here, as some others, was the work of a wonderful professor at the University of Missouri's J-school.  Having his class on editorial writing practice on MyFoxStL was a blast and we all grew because of it.  JillStL, thank you for letting us in.  To all who have responded to my rants, thank you for your thoughts and comments, even when you disagreed with me.  Most of all, thank you for allowing the citizens to speak their minds.

I do promise that I will continue my Liberal ways and write you occasionally to voice my opinion.  But, if you're interested, I write the Friday commentary for the Columbia Missourian.

Prof Dave in Columbia, MO

It’s finally over! The counting is done. McCain wins! At least in Missouri. Now, will the Red and Blue armies cooperate in Jeff City? Nah.

I have a single question for the voters this morning:  Regardless who wins, will race relation deteriorate or improve? 

Two threaten to murder 88 based on skin color ending in the murder Obama. As a nation, we are so angry at each other that we can’t agree that this is wrong. I am ashamed.

Two threaten to murder 88 based on skin color ending in the murder Obama. As a nation, we are so angry at each other that we can’t agree that this is wrong. I am ashamed.

(As my article was printed in the Columbia Missourian. ProfDave)

For 25 years, five months and 22 days I lived in Denver . I moved to Columbia, in 2003. Someday I will split my loyalty, but not today.

Denver is only 30 miles from Boulder, and Columbia and Boulder have a lot in common. Well, some things in common. Columbia is the home to the rest of Stan Kroenke's family. Yes, the same guy who owns the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche and the building they play in. The other half of that family is the Lauries. You know, the Wal-Mart people, and Coloradans love to fight Wal-Mart.  

Columbia, like Boulder, is a liberal bastion in the middle of conservative country, but not as "nuts." Maybe.

And Columbia and Boulder are home to great schools, the University of Missouri and the University of Colorado.  

Like Boulder, the citizens and students of Columbia are excited and proud about their university and football team. Columbians wear MU black and gold almost every day. They devote radio and television shows exclusively to the Tigers. They honor their football players unlike any place else I have ever seen. OK, they are "nuts." I must keep a low profile during Missouri-Colorado games. Ah, the life of a Buffalo fan in the heart of Tiger country.

I was asked to relocate to Columbia to work for one of its many insurance companies. The interview was going well until I was introduced to the president of the company. The entire reception area was a shrine to Missouri Tiger football. Signed football posters, signed footballs, signed football cleats, signed football underwear, the works. I was impressed but not overly concerned. I should have seen it coming.

Then lunch, at a small restaurant serving warm beer and cold burgers. Just above the booth we occupied was a full page newspaper article about "The Fifth Down." Now for those who have forgotten, the year was 1990. This game was of major importance to both teams. Colorado won because of an error by the referees, who gave Colorado a fifth down. Missouri missed the blunder.

My host made sure I knew how upset he was. It was the basis of the rest of the luncheon. Today, I still hear about the Fifth Down. I am, after all, a devoted Colorado fan.

So here is the deal. It is now 18 years after the fact. Colorado and Missouri share the same "enemies," Nebraska, Iowa State and K-State.  As of Wednesday, Missouri is ranked No. 16 by The Associated Press, and Colorado, well, is not on the list. To me, however, the Missouri-Colorado game is always a game of revenge for the Tigers.

I am not saying that the Missourians are slow, but ...  the two universities share school colors and most Missourians miss that my shirt has "Colorado Buffaloes" blazoned across the front. Last time I went to a Colorado-Missouri basketball game, it took the Tiger fans almost a whole quarter to figure out I was rooting for CU. But once they figured it out they asked first, "Why did you leave Denver?" and then "What about that fifth down?"

Get over it. Missouri and Colorado have new coaches, new referees and new electronics to help keep track of the downs. The students who attended that game in 1990 have kids going to college today. Most of the current students don't know about this game of Oct. 6, 1990. Why should they?

Vince Lombardi understood that if you spend your life looking behind you, you will never see the opportunities that are in front of you. Learn from your mistakes and go forward. We tend to hang on to the silliest things.  

I am tired and can’t take it any more.  I am calling for the immediate sanction of United States Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN) for the crime of treason.

I have listened and listened to Bachmann’s October 17 interview on “Hardball” with Chris Matthews.  Matthews was not conducting an inquest.  Mathews was not being supercilious or demeaning to Bachmann.  Her gender had nothing to do with the questions.  This is Bachmann’s second term representing Minnisota’s 6th Congressional District.  She should know better, yet

Bachmann took the platform of “Hardball” and called all Liberals “unAmerican” and traitors to this country.   Listen to the interview.   Even my Conservative friends are distancing themselves from Bachmann. 

Treason is defined as providing aide to our enemies.  How better to achieve that end than openly questioning the patriotism of a presidential candidate and the leaders of Congress.  How better to split this country into an “Us versus Them” mentality than to call all opposing political thought and action.  If the United States cannot fight terrorism, the Taliban and al Quieda as a single country, if we are not joined by our mutual patriotism and if that patriotism is split because of the actions of a single person or organized group of people, that is treason.

John Adams attempted to banish those who criticized the administration with the Alien and Sedition of 1798.  Today this is considered one of the great travesties of American politics.  Does Bachmann suggest that all American who have declared themselves “Liberal” should be thrown in jail? 

This is a subject that cannot wait until the election and swearing in of our new government.  This must be done now.  Personally, I am calling on my representative, Kenney Hulshof, (R-MO) to step out and initiate the process.  Though the two representatives share the same party moniker, Hulshof needs to step forward, out of his race for governor and do the right thing.

I ask you to call on your U.S. representative and demand the same.

Joe McCarthy has been reincarnated in the form of Rep Michele Bachmann. The search for “Anti-American” government officials is on.  Let the gods forgive us.

Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond

Senator Claire McCaskill

Representative Kenny Hulshof

Madam and gentlemen:

This is a letter of extreme concern over the current distribution plan of the fiscal “rescue” package approved by both Houses of Congress.  Though the specifics have not yet been finalized, I believe that the direction may be wrong and will not help those in the greatest need – America’s lower and lower-middle class.

Though the financial well being of the American financial system is extremely important, the truth of the matter is that the money available for loans will only be available to those with  faultless credit and with jobs.  General Motors alone is planning lay offs through out the United States, with over 2,500 more jobs lost in Missouri alone.  The Show-Me State posted a 6.6 percent unemployment rate in September.  The expectation for October is higher.

Match this with the need to rebuild America’s infrastructure, the need for rebuilding bridges and highways, rebuild airports and the building of new water systems and the demand for clear renewable energy sources and employment can be created through federally sponsored programs.  Likened to the Roosevelt “alphabet plans,” putting the populace back to work means more moneys circulating, leading to a stronger banking system, a stronger economy and greater tax revenue. 

Creating a government ownership of the banking system does not. 

I urge you to speak with the President and United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to channel a significant portion of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to the direct creation of jobs involving the updating and repair of America’s highways, rail system, airports, seaports, and renewable energy development. 

“Trickle down” does not work.  "Trickle up" does.

David Rosman

Columbia, MO

OK Conservatives.  It is time to throw in the towel and declare your candidate the runner-up in the 2008 Presidential elections.  Your hero Karl Rove has.

All of the Sunday ‘talking head’ shows, including Fox Sunday, were declaring that Palin’s performance as good enough to “stop the bleeding” but fair at best.  McCain and Palin are lowering themselves to personal attacks, something only done when a campaign is very much in trouble.  ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox have pronounced that McCain/Palin are running out of support.

Stop now.  Stop the embarrassment.  Donate the campaign funds to help those losing their homes because of what McCain did since the Keating Affair.  Do what conservatives do best – follow the leader.