Missourinet

"The thrill of victory" ... Lobbyists at play

There's nothing more exciting than an "end of the session" filibuster at the State Capitol. Okay ... that's probably not true ... but work with me. Tuesday night/Wednesday morning saw a handful of legislators filibustering an immigration reform bill. As filibusters go ... I can certainly say I've heard more enlightening and interesting banter. And that lack of witty repartee brought out the best ... or perhaps the worst ... in several lobbyists, some Senate staffers ... and a Senator or two.

It was the lobby-olympics - thrills, chills, spills, and excitement ... or at least what passes for thrills, chills, spills, and excitement late at night or early in the morning in the State Senate. The marquee event was the superball bounce. This sport cannot boast the popularity that soccer commands on the world stage ... but there are many who will swear it is much more exciting than soccer. Frankly, that's not hard to do ... but I digress.

The rules for the superball bounce are fairly straightforward ... a thrower makes his way to the Whispering Gallery in the Capitol Rotunda ... then throws a superball all the way down to the first floor - a length of seven football fields (alright, that's a bit of a stretch ... but it is about the length of a football field). Crowds gathered to observe these great and not so great athletes exhibiting their skills. Concerns were expressed that someone might fall to his death ... and that certainly would have been more exciting and noteworthy than what was happening in the Senate ... but it was not to be.

Not all of these great sportsmen and sportswomen played superball bounce. Some played hallway golf - a display of artistry not seen since Tonya Harding's friends tried to kneecap Nancy Kerrigan at Detroit's Cobo Arena prior to the 1992 Winter Olympics. Who among us cannot remember the wailing of the sweet Nancy as she screamed ... "Why me? Why me?" Forgive the momentary lapse back to the 1990s ... but it was a VERY long night in the Senate.

Back to the golf ... As one duffer putted the ball down the third floor hallway from the Senate side of the Capitol beyond "center court" to the House end of the building, a Senator whose district borders the Mississippi River was heard to exclaim, "Can you believe they let us make laws?" To be fair there wasn't much lawmaking going on. After all ... there was a filibuster taking place in the Senate.

- Steve Walsh

Sometimes you just have to ask, "Why should I care?"

A visit to the office of Scott Brandon - the Director of Operations for Learfield's News Division - provides the visitor with a chance to experience Scott's news philosophy. And, I kind of like the philosophy. Posted over Scott's desk is a something which looks like a bumper sticker with the question, "Why should I care?"

Scott's thinking is that the Missourinet (and Learfield's other news operations in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska) must cover and report on stories that matter to our customers - the listeners and the radio stations that are our affiliates. And we should be able to put ourselves in the position of the customer and answer the question, "Why should I care?"

Many of us in radio, television, newspapers, and the Internet tend to focus on stories which are of interest to us ... but not necessarily of interest to anyone outside our bubbles. In many of those cases we face the challenges of making what might be a dull story an interesting one. Sometimes it's easy to do with a great piece of sound or video ... other times we have to work at it. But, like most things, the more work you put into something ... the better the final product ... and the more interesting it will be to people.

To the point ... all news operations must make decisions as to what is newsworthy and what is of interest to our listeners, viewers, or readers. There are times when the two do not go hand in hand. For instance, there is little doubt that the big story in Missouri over the last few days has been the deadly weather that has claimed 16 lives. This is clearly one that is newsworthy and, at the same time, easily answers the "Why should I care?" question.

But what about the times when the big stories we see, hear, and read involve the latest travails of Britney Spears and whether she will get custody of her kids ... How about Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and whether they are starving themselves ... Then there's the question of whether Angelina Jolie is having twins. Forgive me ... but ... "Why should I care?" And what's the deal with the paparazzi fighting over who can get pictures of someone's baby? Again ... "Why should I care?"

Unfortunately, while many of us care little about the lives of the rich and famous ... others live vicariously through the exploits of these individuals. And there's the rub. Often the media will have to weigh the importance of one story with the frivolity - yet possible interest - of another ... and decide what to run in the story line-up and where to place these stories.

So ... we often have to mix the substantive stories with the fluff to make the product both informative and interesting. Fine ... but we have to make sure we do not lose sight of the fact we are news operations and not "Entertainment Tonight." If lawmakers at the state or local levels are passing legislation that will affect the lives of people we have to tell people about the legislation and how it is going to affect them - for the better or for the worse ... and make it interesting as well as informative. That can sometimes be quite challenging.

This is where a blog comes in handy. We can sometimes entertain the fun stuff and get into "the rest of the news" in the blogosphere. These blogs might appeal only to a small readership ... but it's a dedicated readership ... and the blogs add something valuable to the mix - even if they are dedicated to the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Oh ... one last thing ... Britney and her kids ... "Why should I care?"

- Steve Walsh

Lifetimes of memories ... blowin' in the wind

By now many of us are well aware of the tornadoes that hit Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma over the weekend - killing dozens of people.

It is during times of tragedy that emergency officials spring into action ... everyone from the State Emergency Management Agency to the National Guard to first responders at the local levels. These are the folks who see the devastation in an "up close and personal" way. And many times these police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and others actually know the victims or their families ... adding to the personal side of a tragedy of this proportion.

These emergency crews are not the only people springing into action amid the devastation. Utility crews are pressed into service as they try to restore electricity to thousands of homes affected by power outages. The good people who operate shelters brace for the onslaught of "the new homeless." And city and county officials must open the doors of armories, meeting halls, and the like to accommodate those for whom there is no room at the shelters.

Then there is the role that we in the media play. Missourinet affiliates in southwest Missouri have had their hands full since the twisters hit ... as have newspapers and TV stations there and throughout the state. Part of what we do is criticized by some who say we are exploiting a situation by providing audio, video, and photographs of victims when they are most vulnerable.

To be sure, there is some of that going on, and it overshadows the positive role the media play when covering events such as these. But that is a small part. Folks who have suffered tremendous losses need help. There is no way the media can help bring back a loved one who has died ... but we can raise awareness about property losses - how someone who had a lovely home just days ago is now asking for a bowl of soup and a piece of dry floor to sleep on.

Missourinet affiliate KTTS in Springfield offers a great example of how the media can play a constructive role in helping to increase awareness outside the affected area and, perhaps, to inspire those who were not hit by the severe weather to want to help their fellow Missourians - financially or otherwise. The station's website not only provides photographs and information on the tragedy, but it offers valuable information as to where Red Cross shelters are located.

The Joplin Globe, which has a business relationship with the Missourinet, offers extensive coverage of the destruction caused by the tornadoes. Thanks to the website, readers are constantly updated on news regarding friends and family ... and their damaged homes and businesses.

While the media report on the destruction, we are not immune to all that happens. A twister took out a transmitter shack and damaged the tower of radio station KBTN in Joplin. (But the station is still on the air!)

Let's end this piece with a contribution from David Brazeal - Managing Director for Learfield Interaction. (That's an actual position, but I digress!) David lives in southwest Missouri between Billings and Republic. The weather got nasty early Saturday evening ... but he and his family were spared the brunt of the severe storms. Nonetheless, personal items and belongings - one of them believed to come from Seneca, Missouri (approximately 75 miles away) and another from as far away as Miami, Oklahoma (a distance of about 85 miles) - ended up on David's property.

That, in itself, is fascinating ... but David has picked up a piece of what appears to be a family photograph ... which could mean a lot to someone who has lost so much ... and is looking for the owner. He's posted the photo on his website. It's not much to go on, but it's another example of how the media can be of assistance, and it could be worth a great deal to someone whose lives have been so negatively impacted ... and whose memories and mementoes were last seen just blowin' in the wind.

- Steve Walsh

Celebrating David Cook Day - 'Tis the reason for the season ...

Well, here we are celebrating David Cook Day in Missouri. Governor Blunt has proclaimed this David Cook Day as a show of support for the Blue Springs native who is a top three finalist in the American Idol competition.

And ... the older we all get ... the more we look back on David Cook Days from years gone by ... back to when we were kids and it seemed we didn't have a care in the world.

I can remember Mom making hot chocolate as Dad gathered the kids 'round the David Cook tree as he read us "The Night Before David Cook Day." You know ... we were aware of how the story would turn out ... but it was such fun to just sit there, listening to Dad read from the book as we kept warm next to the Paula Abdul log ... which was apparently well lit.

That, of course, was only a prelude to the excitement we would experience the next morning when we awoke and ran downstairs to check for Cook Day presents. Let me tell you ... getting to sleep the night before was no easy chore ... but we somehow managed. Later in the day we would greet friends and family who dropped in for a bit of holiday "Cook"ing. Ah ... the memories are so thick you have to wipe them away with your hand.

As the years went by ... things changed. The secular progressives took over the schools and made it illegal to teach anything about David Cook to kids. At the same time, David Cook Day was becoming so commercialized we started losing sight of the true meaning of the day. There even came a time when the stores hadn't had a chance to take down their Truman Day banners and bunting when the Cook Day ornaments went up. But that only made us all the more determined to celebrate our inner Cook.

Nowadays, David Cook Day has been relegated to the "so so" holidays that are really not given much thought by Missourians who get up and go to work without attaching any significance to the day. David Cook decorations are nowhere to be found ... the banks remain open ... and there's mail delivery.

Sure, the Missourinet still calls the State Highway Patrol and the Water Patrol ahead of time to see if all available personnel will be on hand to watch for David Cook Day speeders and for those who are guilty of DUI - Driving Under Idolatry. But it seems the youngsters of today will never have the experiences so many of us had growing up.

So, you have probably heard or read Governor Blunt's David Cook Day message. Accept it! Embrace it! Live it! This is David Cook Day - 'Tis the reason for the season! (Psssst! "Day after Cook Day" sales begin promptly Saturday morning at 6:00!)

- Steve Walsh

Midwives and NASCAR ... and some thoughts from Isaiah

Allow me to begin today with a brief visit to the Bible:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
And the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them."
Isaiah 11:6

Okay, folks ... this is not quite the approach of the Biblical "end of days" (at least we hope not) ... but we are approaching the "end of days" of the session. And, in a sense, the wolf is dwelling with the lamb ... or perhaps the leopard does lie down with the kid (goat).

Political polar opposites Senators John Loudon (R-Chesterfield) and Senator Chuck Graham (D-Columbia) have come to an agreement ... causing more than a few Missouri political observers to scratch their heads. (I leave it to you to decide which of the two is the wolf and which one is the lamb.) The agreement comes on Loudon's legislation to legalize midwifery in Missouri. Graham has blocked the effort in the past through use of the filibuster. But this year Graham has opted to allow a vote to move forward.

Of course, there is a reason for this. Graham sponsors a bill which would have a portion of a Boone County highway dedicated in honor of Columbia's own NASCAR superstar Carl Edwards. It wouldn't appear as though there would be too much opposition to this ... and, truth be told, there really isn't. But Loudon has seen an opportunity ... and has seized that opportunity. It has been made clear that if Graham filibusters the midwifery bill ... Loudon will filibuster the Carl Edwards bill. This goes to prove the quote attributed to gangster Al Capone: "You can get much farther with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone."

You know ... it's not often that the Bible and Al Capone are quoted in the same essay ... with the mention of Carl Edwards thrown in for good measure. But remember, folks ... we are approaching the "end of days" - of the legislative session, that is ... (at least we hope!)

Oh ... one more thing about this political "detente" in the Senate. Might it be permanent? Let's answer that by tossing Woody Allen into the mix of the Bible, Al Capone, and Carl Edwards. Said Allen: ''The lion and the lamb may lie down together, but the lamb won't get much sleep.''

- Steve Walsh

Oh so British ... informative, yet condescending

Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major paid a visit to Missouri this week to be honored at an event in St. Louis. He took a side trip to Westminster College in Fulton to see the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial & Library.

Rob Crouse, Westminster's Director of College Relations, called a few days ahead of time to ask if anyone would be interested in coming to Fulton to see the former Prime Minister and to take part in a media availability. First off ... it's almost impossible to say "NO" to Rob Crouse ... who used to work with Governor Bob Holden ... and is one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Second, as a history and political science major, how could I turn down the opportunity to meet and talk to this former world leader? (John Major, that is ... not Rob Crouse or Bob Holden.)

Of course, it is important to prepare for an event like this. For instance ... how does one address John Major? As a former Prime Minister is he addressed as Prime Minister? Is he addressed as Sir John? What is the protocol for addressing a former British Prime Minister who has been knighted by the Queen?

I located the phone numbers of the British Embassy in Washington and several consular offices in various locations throughout the United States. I called several of these places in an effort to obtain the information I so desperately sought. Finally, I found someone who could answer my question. And the answer was delivered with typical British aplomb.

The person with whom I spoke informed me that the proper salutation is "Sir John." But that wasn't all. The person then informed me that John Major was no longer the Prime Minister. I responded by saying I was aware of that fact. He then let me know that in Britain a former Prime Minister does not carry the title. Tony Blair is Mr. Blair ... nothing more ... and John Major is Sir John because he has been knighted ... otherwise he would be Mr. Major. The individual then took advantage of the opportunity to say Britian is unlike the United States in that ... "We (the British) stop referring to people by the titles they have achieved in life once they no longer hold those positions ... Unlike you Americans who keep referring to your Presidents as Mr. President long after they have left the White House."

Ouch!

God bless the British ... informative and condescending at the same time! I would expect nothing less.

- Steve Walsh

Have a piece of pie

You know you're approaching the end of the legislative session when the annual Senate Pie Day sweetens up the proceedings.  The event is hosted annually by the holder of the office occupied by Senator Charlie Shields.  He happens to be the Majority Floor Leader ... but that's not the reason he hosts it ... it just so happens he holds the office that was once occupied by Senator Harold Caskey. In fact, the tradition began when Caskey held that office ... and that stretches back to ... well ... years and years and years.

This year's selection of pies covered the gamut from apple to banana to cherry to peach to rhubarb to raisin cream to raisin to strawberry rhubarb to pumpkin to custard to lemon to chocolate meringue to sugar free cherry to sugar free apple to the greatest pie in the world - pecan pie! Charlie Shields says there were a lot of requests for gooseberry pie ... which was nowhere to be found this year. Why? Well, the smiling Senator from St. Joseph informed several of those who asked, "Where's the gooseberry?" that we are experiencing a shortage of gooseberries this year because they have been diverted to the making of ethanol. That's not quite true ... and Charlie was only joking ... but he says some people left him believing that is the reason for no gooseberry pie this year.

For the record ... the pies - 167 of them - came from the Jerre Anne Cafeteria & Bakery in St. Joseph. Who paid for these 167 delicious pies? Charlie Shields??? All the Senators??? Senate staff??? NOOOOOO! The pies are paid for by some of those omni-present Capitol dwellers so many of us know and love ... In the words of the smiling Senator from St. Joe: "The pies are courtesy of the professional lobbying community!"

167 pies ... nickels and dimes for some of those guys!

- Steve Walsh

Ron Paul supporters say they're being targeted by GOP

A National Guard Armory in Jefferson City is a busy place today as dozens of elected delegates to the Missouri Republican Party Convention sit and wait for an opportunity to, in essence, defend themselves against concerns that have been raised to GOP officials.

In all, about 300 of the roughly 1,900 elected delegates were sent notices, informing them of challenges to their status as delegates or alternate delegates. The 300 were invited to Jefferson City to respond to the challenges. But they were not informed of the details of the challenges, nor were they told the source of the challenges. On top of this, they were not allowed to bring along legal representation.

They were told they would have five minutes with the convention credentials committee, which is made up of about a dozen people including State Party Chairman Doug Russell and Party Executive Director Jared Craighead.

While those summoned to Jefferson City were not aware of the reasons for any credential challenges, they quickly realized that the vast majority of those who had journeyed to the capital city are supporters of Ron Paul. Many of those with whom I spoke are of the opinion it is their support for Paul which has led to this situation today. Those who had had their hearing informed me they had been treated politely ... were asked several questions including their loyalty to the Republican Party ... but were not given information on why they had been singled out.

At the time of this posting many of the delegates whose credentials had been called into question are of the belief they will not find out until the Branson Convention later this month whether they will be seated as delegates. I will update further when I have had a chance to speak to GOP officials.

- Steve Walsh

Just how do you pronounce that name?

One of the major pieces of legislation being dealt with by state lawmakers during the 2008 session, which ends on May 16th, is an economic incentive package designed to lure Canadian airplane maker Bombardier Aerospace to an area near Kansas City International Airport.

It's known as the Bombardier bill. It started out as an $880-million package over 22 years ... and has been scaled down to a $240-million proposal over eight years.

For Capitol observers who can get beyond the fiscal details of this package ... one of the best shows in town has been the attempt by some lawmakers - on both the House and Senate sides - to pronounce the name of this Canadian company. On Thursday of this week ... Senator Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) - the sponsor of the bill - did some explaining to Senator Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City).

Download barjay.MP3

Now ... if only Charlie could explain to his colleagues and the rest of us why the British and the Americans have different pronunciations for the word "lieutenant."  Americans pronounce it (loo-TEN-uhnt) ... while the Brits say (lef-TEN-uhnt). Of course ... what do the British know about the Queen's English???

- Steve Walsh

To "Twitter" or not to "Twitter?" ... Technology for technology's sake?

Monday morning at the Missourinet is meeting time as we discuss the week's schedule of events, projects that must be completed, and just about anything else that's in the news or just happens to come up.

Technology is one of the things we have been addressing as we consider how best to cover candidate debates, the national political conventions in Denver and St. Paul, and election night ... and how to make our coverage even more valuable to our customers - the affiliates and the Missourinet audience.

It has been suggested that we fully embrace Twitter - which bills itself as "a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?" That's great ... but how might this be of benefit to our newsroom or our customers?

Learfield's wired-guy in residence, Steve Mays, recently approached me with an example of how Twitter could be of benefit to us. It must be noted that Steve - God love him - seemingly embraces all things technological whether or not they are of any practical value. The example Steve gave me was from professional agriblogger and farm podcaster Chuck Zimmerman.

I know Chuck and I like him. In fact, when I first came to Learfield in 2000 Chuck ran the Brownfield Ag News Network. But I explained to Steve Mays that I found little value in somebody keeping a running tab of so many of his movements. I suggested that someone might be interested in hearing from a reporter, in Baghdad, that a bomb had just exploded and had killed many people. But I do not see the news value in Chuck informing people that his plane had arrived on time ... or another travel update ... or that he's avoided city traffic.

This is not criticism of Chuck or anyone else doing this ... Undoubtedly there are those who want to know where Chuck is at a given time - family members, perhaps. This is merely me asking how this would be of any earthly benefit to a news operation or its customers. Remember ... Twitter is being sold to me NOT as a way to keep in touch with friends and family ... but as a newsroom tool.

On my own, I searched and discovered CNN's Twitter site ... and actually found this to be of value. It provides teases with links to the full story. Of course, many of the people who are particularly interested in a subject ... and who have access to the Internet (and one would imagine all Twitter subscribers have Internet access) ... would already be keeping tabs on the latest developments regarding something of specialized interest (i.e. elections in a remote part of the world.)

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Again ... What we are looking for is the value to the newsroom and its customers in something like Twitter. Missourinet news anchor Mary Furness summed it up this way: "You cannot use the technology indiscriminately ... You have to tailor it to your needs."

I might add to Mary's questioning of the value of Twitter by borrowing from Willard Duncan Vandiver who uttered those two words that have become synonymous with Missouri: "Show Me!"

- Steve Walsh