Red Flags Hit the Field on Meet the Press

This Sunday, Tim Russert hosted a debate between Clair McCaskill and Jim Talent on his "Meet the Press." When discusing who was a great president, Clair McCaskill stated that while President Bill Clinton was a great president she "would not let her daughter near him."

At that moment the red flags hit the field. Instead of stopping the game and questioning McCaskill about her statement, Russert moved on.

It a shame that programs like Meeth the Press (nobody "met the press" on the show) no longer have any credablity.

Don't Forget the VP Parade July 1st.

Veiled Prophet Parade

a 128 year tradition

Can I take my taxes as a charitable deduction?

Over the past four years University City resident's taxes skyrocketed. Now it appears that "donations" to our Zoo and Museums were not exactly voluntary and did create hardship.

From the St.Louis usiness Journal:

Visitors to the Saint Louis Zoo can now visit the Insectarium's butterflies, Peruvian fire sticks and ladybugs for free. A giant model dinosaur is getting a new lining at the Saint Louis Science Center. Other upgrades, maintenance projects and educational programs are under way at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Thank St. Louis city and County residents for them. These improvements are due in part to larger property tax contributions made to the five member institutions within the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD). District revenue increased 8 percent from $62.2 million in 2004 to $67.3 million last year. That followed a 19 percent tax revenue gain of $10 million in 2004 over 2003, according to ZMD financial statements.

Post-Dispatch Censors On Full Alert

From Missouri GOP:

The media typically has a liberal bias. Fine, we get it, it’s our job to fight it. We send out releases detailing how nearly 50,000 jobs have been created in Missouri since Governor Blunt took office, how our state’s unemployment rate has dipped below the national average, how under Governor Blunt’s leadership Republicans in the House and Senate have increased spending on education by over 1/3 of a billion dollars. And those are only a few of the accomplishments we promote to the media outlets in our state. However, despite being spoon-fed the facts, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch continues to ignore the truth and publish blatantly biased articles favoring liberal Democrats in our state. Recently, however, the Post-Dispatch took their liberal bias one step further. Over half a dozen Republican supporters have reported to our office that they submitted letters to the editor on topics ranging from support of the governor’s ethics reform bill to dismay about ludicrous scandal rumors in Jefferson City. Our Executive Director, Jared Craighead submitted a letter over a week ago to all members of the Post-Dispatch editorial staff and received absolutely no response and just this weekend state Rep. Carl Bearden submitted a letter in response to brutal attacks by the Post and his letter was not printed. With a Republican governor and majorities in the House and Senate, Republicans have turned our state around. A $1 billion debt created by Democrats has been turned into a budget surplus which has spurred economic growth and created thousands of new jobs for hard-working Missourians. The Post-Dispatch has made it clear that they are not interested in the facts and the truth has fallen on deaf ears. Don’t go to the Post-Dispatch for your news – you won’t get the whole story. Click here to read Rep. Bearden’s letter.

Hate Crimes

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From People's Cube:

U City Runs Sting Operation On Citizens

For the past several weeks, University City Police have been running a sting operation on Delmar Blvd. near Luptons Chapel. They send a decoy pedestrian into a crosswalk in front of on-coming traffic. If the automobile does not stop (California style) the driver is issued a traffic ticket.

While this appears to make Delmar Blvd. a little more pedestrian friendly, it has created a dangerous hazard on the roadway. The decoy has purposefully stepped in front of on-coming traffic which may or may not have time to stop. Police standing in the road attempting to pull over violators create a hazard and police pursuits have ended up around blind corners where heavy traffic flows.

While there may have been serious injuries on Delmar, this is a busy street and will never be pedestrian friendly. Cross walks with signals have had fatalities on Delmar. People run those red lights all of the time. Creating a dangerous situation to prevent another dangerous situation seems foolish. Creating a false sense security where none should be expected could be lethal.

Kerry's Tire Slashers Sentenced

A congresswoman's son and three Democratic campaign workers were sentenced Wednesday to four to six months in jail for slashing tires outside a Bush-Cheney campaign office on Election Day 2004.
The men pleaded no contest in January to misdemeanor property damage. A fifth worker was found not guilty.
"This case had to be a public example of what can happen when you interfere with voters' rights," said Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Michael Brennan, who rejected prosecutors' recommendation of probation for the four men.

U City Election Results

****** CITY OF UNIVERSITY CITY (17 POLLING PLACES) *****
Precincts Counted - . . . . . . . 17 100.00%
Registered Voters - . . . . . . . 25,581
Ballots Cast - . . . . . . . . . 5,789 22.63 %

MAYOR 1 TO BE ELECTED
JOSEPH "JOE" ADAMS . . . . . . . 2,895 51.15 %
SHELLEY WELSCH . . . . . . . . 2,765 48.85 %

*** CITY OF UNIVERSITY CITY-WARD 1 (8 POLLING PLACES) **
Precincts Counted - . . . . . . . 8 100.00 %
Registered Voters - . . . . . . . 8,712
Ballots Cast - . . . . . . . . . 2,245 25.77 %

COUNCILMEMBER-FIRST WARD 1 TO BE ELECTED
ROBERT G. "BOB" WAGNER . . . . . 1,618 80.38
ALLEN S. SABOL . . . . . . . . 395 19.62

*** CITY OF UNIVERSITY CITY-WARD 2 (6 POLLING PLACES) **
Precincts Counted - . . . . . . . 6 100.00
Registered Voters - . . . . . . . 7,629
Ballots Cast - . . . . . . . . . 1,833 24.03 %

COUNCILMEMBER-SECOND WARD 1 TO BE ELECTED
L. MICHAEL GLICKERT . . . . . . 1,073 67.27 %
EDWARD MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . 522 32.73%

*** CITY OF UNIVERSITY CITY-WARD 3 (6 POLLING PLACES) **
Precincts Counted - . . . . . . . 6 100.00 %
Registered Voters - . . . . . . . 9,240
Ballots Cast - . . . . . . . . . 1,711 18.52 %

COUNCILMEMBER-THIRD WARD 1 TO BE ELECTED
ERIC B. REESE . . . . . . . . 639 39.44%
BYRON R. PRICE . . . . . . . . 981 60.56%

Meet the Hip Hop Republican

Voter Fraud OK According to Judge David Mason

Circuit Judge David Mason in St. Louis has sentenced a woman, who turned in voter registration cards in the name of dead local politicians, to probation, community service and relaxation training using transcendental meditation. Way to go Dave! Missouri citizens do not need fair and honest elections. More crack heads are always a plus.

According to the Assocoiated Press:

Michelle Robinson, 36, pleaded guilty Friday on charges of 13 violations of election law and of possession of crack cocaine and a crack pipe.

Robinson worked for a campaign called Operation Big Vote that aimed to boost the participation of black voters in the 2001 St. Louis mayoral election. But some of the cards she turned in on Feb. 7, 2001, were made out in the names of several dead former city aldermen, triggering state and federal criminal investigations.
Robinson admitted in court Friday that she had filled out 13 fraudulent cards, including ones for now-deceased Aldermen Albert "Red" Villa and Nellene Joyce, whose daughter is a St. Louis circuit attorney.

Maybe Maria needs a Che T-Shirt

A Letter from Maria

There are groups who believe we can better educate our children. This group will support politicians who support their ideas. However, State Rep, Maria Chappelle...... wants to make a political issue out of our kids future:

Dear University City Residents,
As many of you know, I have taken the lead in the Missouri House to ensure our schools districts are safe from special interest groups, such as Wal-Mart, Overstock.com, Alliance for School Choice and the group, which funded Matt Blunt in his campaign against Claire McCaskill, All Children Matter.

From many of my newsletters I have stated the funding stream that right-wing Republicans have used to take democratic seats in the house and senate. I have stated in previous newsletters which legislators have also been swept by these out-of-state special interests, such as Ted Hoskins, democrat from the 80th Legislative district, who has received over $13,000 from All Children Matter-MO PAC directly into his legislative account.

Well, I am sad to say, that Mayor Adams has taken money directly from the sponsor of House Bill1783, Ted Hoskins, which is a state-tax credit voucher bill which will take $40 MILLION dollars from Missouri's Education Budget.

In his last financial disclosure, Ted Hoskins not only maxed out on the Adams campaign, but just this week he PAID for an AD in the Citizen Journal. The School Voucher proponents are BUYING off our local officials AND WE CAN NOT LET THAT HAPPEN!

Take a look at your Citizen Journal again, look at the bottom of the page as it reads "Paid for by 80th Legislative District committee." This is Ted Hoskins committee, which received thousands of dollars for passage of the school Voucher bill just this year.

If you have a problem with Joe Adams taking money from PROPONENTS OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS, please call him and ask why is he selling out our schools and community at 862-7877. Ask why the disguise Joe? It was always peculiar to me why Betty Thompson supported Joe this go round, yet had her son oppose him 8 years ago.

Also, to refer to all financial disclosures of All Children Matter-MO PAC, Ted Hoskins or the 80th legislative district please go to the Missouri Ethics web site at http://www.moethics.mo.gov/.

If Maria would stand up for U City kids, perhaps All Children Matter would
support her too.

Democrats guilty again

Democrats have been found guily again of not reporting campaign contributions. I thougt it was the Republicans who could not be trusted. What were the Democrats afraid of reporting?

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Ethics Commission has fined the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee $104,000 for various campaign finance violations during the 2002 elections.
The fine is among the largest ever levied by the commission.
The commission found that the Democratic committee failed to report how much direct support it gave to which candidates. It also did not correctly report some contributions and expenditures, mixed money with another campaign committee, was controlled by candidates for office and didn't keep proper records, the commission found.

From the Kansas City Star:

House Democrat committee fined $100,000

Ed McCarthy has Clear Vision for University City

In a community that looks run down, has high taxes and has a low performing school system, one candidate has a clear vision. Edward McCarthy declares that if elected to City Council, he will:

• Build and add to the tax base
• Reduce or curtail high taxes
• Provide timely information to citizens through the web site
• Update technology in City Hall
• Reduce the expenditure of funds for the benefit of small groups in city hall

Edward is a well qualified candidate who is dedicated to this city.

See STLtoday candidates

St. LoiusCounty Republicans Host Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner

Last night the St. Louis Couty Republicans hosted the Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner at the Frontenac Hilton. Speakers and guests included:

• Lt. Governer Peter Kinder
• Congressman Todd Akin
• Senate President Pro-tem Michael Gibbons
• Senator Kit Bond
• Kurt Odenwald
• Brenda Talent

Also, the keynote speaker was Sara Taylor, Director of Political Affairs form the White House.

A funtime was had by all.

Can you find the leader?

Two U City Candidates Do Not Meet Requirements

From STL Today:

As of Tuesday, city officials had taken no action on the challenge by Edward McCarthy, one of two candidates for the 2nd Ward seat. On Friday, four
members of the council met in emergency session and told City Manager Frank Ollendorff to sit on McCarthy's letter until the full council can consider
it.

The council is to meet Saturday for a "study session," an open meeting to discuss issues. As of Tuesday, Ollendorff said, no council member had
asked him to include the tax issue on the agenda.

See: Candidates' late payment of taxes becomes issue in U. City

More Democrats Found Guilty of Fraud

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) -- A former Democratic election worker in this battered city was sentenced Monday to a year and a half in federal prison and a City Hall volunteer got probation for scheming to buy votes in the November 2004 election.Noting that the case reflected an American election process "under attack" by fraud, U.S. District Judge G. Patrick Murphy ordered former precinct committee member Sheila Thomas' prison sentence to be followed by two years of supervised release.

See Story: Two sentenced in East St. Louis vote fraud

U City Subject of New Video

During its 100 years of existence, University City has been many things. It was a pioneer in the women's rights movement, a state innovator in the use of the council-manager government, a model for revitalization, a center for arts and a community of diversity, welcoming large populations of African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Russian Orthodox Jews.

Now it can also claim the title of movie star. The city is the focus of a new documentary titled "University City: The First Century," which is making its formal premier tonight, March 8, at the Center of Creative Arts, 524 Trinity Ave.

See: Documentary highlights University City's 100 years

1994 University Crime Statistics

University City, MO updated crime statistics are now available. Click below to see:
U City Crime Statisitcs

Lowering the Cost of Healthcare

Capitol Report
By
Rod Jetton
February 17th, 2006
www.rodjetton.org

Lowering the Cost of Healthcare

Last week, I wrote about some commonsense solutions to help Missouri families afford quality healthcare. While Health Savings Accounts are a great way for Missourians to deal with the rising cost of medical care, we need to find ways to lower the cost of healthcare for everybody. This week, important legislation was introduced that should do just that.

One of the causes of high healthcare costs for patients and their families is that doctors are being forced to pay enormous medical malpractice insurance premiums. To stay in business, the doctor has to transfer these higher costs to his patients. Sometimes that is not enough. If a doctor is not able to make up the increased expense of insurance by passing the extra cost on to the patients, he may have to limit his practice, reduce his services, or close his doors altogether.

Rural areas are hit the hardest when this happens. People in rural Missouri have to travel farther than other communities in order to have access to healthcare. If one of their doctors or clinics is forced to shut down, they may not have any other place they can realistically travel to in order to receive the care they need.

The numbers show just how bad this situation has become. For example, in his State of the Union address, President Bush revealed that there were around 1,500 counties across the nation that do not have an OB/GYN. This is a very dangerous situation for the women in these counties.

There are two basic ways we can attack this problem. The first step was legal reform. This is something we were able to finally pass last year. By cracking down on junk lawsuits, we allow insurance companies to lower the premiums they charge their doctors. This reduces the costs for the doctors, and they are able to stay in business and keep their services affordable.

This year, we are focusing on the second step-insurance reform. We must address medical malpractice insurance reform this session in order to complete the loop and further reduce costs to doctors and patients. A bill was filed this week to address that issue. Following are some key features of the measure.

First, insurance companies will be required to inform a medical provider--such as your doctor, a hospital, a dentist, etc.--before canceling his medical malpractice insurance policy. Additionally, the insurance companies will be required to file their premium rates with the Department of Insurance.

Next, there will be regulations which insurance companies must abide by if they intend to raise premiums. Specifically, the company will not be allowed to raise a doctor's premium by more than 10 percent, and they cannot decide to terminate the doctor's policy without giving him 60 days notice.

To help standardize costs, the Department of Insurance will be asked to establish 12 to 20 risk-reporting categories. Categories of higher risk would be matched with higher premiums. For example, the work of a brain surgeon carries considerably more risk than your general family physician. So, the family doctor shouldn't be forced to pay the same premiums as the neurosurgeon. Insurance companies will also report the premium rates they charge for each risk category to the Department of Insurance.

These changes are commonsense measures to keep insurance companies honest. Insurance companies will be held in check without having necessary business curtailed. With stable premiums, doctors will be able to keep their doors open and their prices down. That translates into more affordable and more accessible healthcare for all Missourians.

As always, if you have any questions on this or any other issue, I can be reached at 573-751-5912 in my Jefferson City office, or through the mail at: Speaker Rod Jetton, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO, 65101. Also, you can reach me through email at rod.jetton@house.mo.gov

Speaker Rod Jetton, 201 West Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
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Democrats found guilty of campaign fraud

An agreement steming from FEC findings of multiple violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) during the 1999-2000 election cycle, including failure to report the receipt and transfer of excessive contributions, acceptance of prohibited contributions and failure to report their receipt and transfer, misstatements of the party’s financial activity and failure to report debts led to an agreement for the party to retain an independent firm to audit its compliance with federal campaign finance laws in 2005 and 2006. The case was initiated following an FEC audit. The committee has been audited by the FEC after each election cycle from 1996 through 2002 due to irregularities in its financial reporting.

Specifically, the Missouri Democratic State Central Committee violated the law during the 2000 election cycle by:
o failing to report the receipt and transfer to the party’s nonfederal account of $176,125 in excessive contributions;
o failing to report $159,500 in prohibited corporate and labor contributions;
accepting $69,500 in prohibited contributions;
misreporting their receipts, disbursements and cash-on-hand;
o failing to disclose outstanding debts totaling over $620,000; and
o failing to report the receipt of a $5,000 contribution.

See FEC web site

Click here for case summary

Great radio exisits in St. Louis.Listen to:

RNC Celebrates Black History Month

On July 6, 1854, a group determined to abolish slavery in America met to form the Republican Party. Within two years, Republicans unwilling to endure the pro-slavery platform of the Democratic Party nominated John C. Fremont as their presidential candidate. Fremont's slogan, "Free soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, Fremont!" clearly highlighted the GOP's dedication to liberty for all Americans. Within four years, the nation would elect Abraham Lincoln as the first Republican president. As Lincoln pursued the principles of freedom for all, he sought the counsel of the great African American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. The work of men like Frederick Douglass helped pave the way for Republican pioneers like Joseph H. Rainey and Hiram H. Revels, who in the early 1870s became the first African American members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate respectively. We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week (now Black History Month) because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the African American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. During Black History Month, we salute our Republican forefathers and recognize that we continue to Stand on the Shoulders of these Republican Giants who paved the way for our continued success.

See GOP's Black History Month web site

Centennial Commons now open for U City residents

Indeed, Centennial Commons has come a long way over the past year and a half. Nearly tripling in size to 60,000 square feet, the building includes a number of amenities.

They include aerobic and strength fitness areas; year-round indoor shower facilities; an elevated 1/13th-mile track; a dozen basketball hoops on two basketball courts that can be converted into volleyball courts; flat-screen televisions; an indoor soccer field; concessions; an indoor play area for younger children; multi-purpose rooms; arcade games; and several table
games.

See STL Today article: Recreation in style: Centennial Commons reflects trend in upscale rec centers

Killing the Patriot Act

http://media1.streamtoyou.com/rnc/012706.wmv'

McCaskill Follows Lead of Dean, Other Northeastern Liberals in Opposing Alito Nomination

JEFFERSON CITY – Last Monday, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, a Northeastern liberal, broke the news to Missourians that Claire McCaskill would oppose the nomination of Samuel S. Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. In his remarks to a Kansas City audience that included McCaskill, Dean said, “If Claire McCaskill were in the Senate, there would be one less vote for Judge (Samuel) Alito.”1 Dean’s announcement was not refuted by McCaskill until Thursday when the Missouri Republican Party began raising questions. One day after she refuted Dean’s announcement, McCaskill admitted that she opposed Alito’s nomination.
“Last week, Missourians witnessed Claire McCaskill come to grips with her status as a handpicked candidate of Northeastern liberals,” said Missouri Republican Party spokesman John Hancock. “They engineered her candidacy, are financing her campaign, and in return she is doing their bidding.”
Since word first broke that McCaskill was entertaining a run for U.S. Senate, Northeastern liberals have been at the forefront of her decision-making process. In July 2005, she traveled to Nantucket Island, Massachusetts for a meeting sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee headed by New York Senator Chuck Schumer. The meeting was hosted by Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry and prominently featured Schumer.2 Later in the summer, Schumer, who had McCaskill “on speed dial”, traveled to London, England to have dinner with her.3 It was there that New York Newsday reports that McCaskill agreed to run.4
Since her announcement, McCaskill has benefited greatly from the support of Northeastern liberals. To date, $1 out of every $6 she has received has come from Schumer, Kerry and George Soros. In addition, McCaskill has already received substantial financial assistance from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy’s leadership PAC, Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd’s leadership PAC, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed’s leadership PAC, and a committee of New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg.5 In a sign of continued support, New York’s other liberal Senator, Hillary Clinton, has been reportedly planning a New York City event for McCaskill.
“Senators Jim Talent and Kit Bond are representing Missouri’s values and interests by supporting the nomination of the highly qualified Alito,” said Hancock. “McCaskill represents the values and interests of elite Northeastern liberals, and her opposition to Alito proves that to be true.”
1 Kansas City Star, January 19, 2006
2 Kansas City Star, July 12, 2005
3 Gannett News Service, October 28, 2005
4 Newsday, November 13, 2005
5 FEC, Missourians for McCaskill

American Civil Liberties Union has become the attack dog in the secular-progressive movement

According to Bill O'Reily's talking points on his O'Reilly Factor, the American Civil Liberties Union has become the attack dog in the secular-progressive movement. This same ACLU works closely with University City. O'Reilly stated:
"Over the past few weeks the ACLU has taken out three ads attacking President Bush in the New York Times. According to the civil liberties people Mr. Bush broke the law in the NSA phone tap deal and is as bad as Richard Nixon. Of course Mr. Bush is entitled to due process and a fair hearing, something the ACLU is supposed to champion. But the ACLU has convicted the President in a ridiculous display of political partisanship. The American Civil Liberties Union has become the attack dog in the secular-progressive jihad to change the culture and political landscape in America. The proof for that assertion lies with the moneymen. The top ACLU donor is far-left businessman Peter Lewis, who has given the organization about 25-million dollars since 2001. His pal George Soros has donated more than 5-million dollars to the ACLU since 1998. The executive director and point man for the civil liberties group is 39-year-old Anthony Romero. Romero is an openly gay former Ford Foundation executive. While he was at that operation it gave seven million dollars to the ACLU so its no surprise Romero is running the place. When you combine Lewis, Soros, and Romero you have three radical Americans who are bent on changing this country. All this nonsense about protecting rights is a ruse. The ACLU is no longer about liberties or the Constitution or the regular folks. It is about imposing a radical agenda on America and you can take that to the bank."
Civil rights attorney Larry Walters defended the ACLU. "The ACLU has to take on this issue of warrantless intercepts. So this is not a radical position. This is a violation of the clearest precepts of the Constitution of intercepting U.S. citizens' communications." Alan Sears, the author of the book "The ACLU vs. America," accused the ACLU of hypocrisy. "They say they are opposed to domestic surveillance. But this is the same ACLU that approved record surveillance of its own donors, in violation of its policy. It's the same ACLU that's now authorized and approved the surveillance and buying video cameras against the police in St. Louis. The ACLU is not against domestic surveillance. It's only against domestic surveillance that doesn't further its agenda." The Factor thought the ACLU could disagree with the president, but should wait until all the facts were out to convict the president of wrongdoing. "I don't mind them taking it on. I don't mind them raising questions. I do mind them convicting someone without a full hearing."