The following was read at the Poplar Bluff City Council meeting during Citizen Input on July 6th, 2010.
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My name is Brian Becker, I own Poplar Bluff Internet also known as semo.net. A month ago I stood before City Council asking for action. It’s now been 49 days of being prevented by City Cable to sign up new customers and in several instances over the past month, even lose the ones I already have.
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Below is a press release describing semo.net’s attempts to secure USDA broadband stimulus funding to make high-speed access available in our area; an area which the USDA has decided is not remote enough to qualify.
USDA TILTING AT WINDMILLS: LITTLE GUY EXPOSES USDA STIMULUS BLUNDER
Brian Becker owns a small Internet Service in Southeast Missouri started in 1995. Becker has documents to show that the USDA, responsible for doling out billions for Rural Broadband, has contradicted both itself and Congress. Most are skeptical at first, but a few minutes with him and you realize that $7.2B stimulus dollars hinge on one word.
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Provided by the Butler County Health Department
Winterizing a car includes checking: the ignition, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, battery, lights, tires, heater, brakes, wipers, defroster and oil. Before a winter storm hits your area, fill up your car’s gas tank. A car survival kit consists of: flashlight, windshield scraper, paper towels, extra clothes, blankets, matches and candles, booster cables, a compass, maps, sand, chains and high calorie non-perishable food. Defensive Driving and Travel smart! Pump your breaks to stop on ice or snow. Plan your trip and let someone know your travel plans, route and estimated arrival time. Do NOT leave your car unless you see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Once a storm is over, you may need to leave the car to get help. Follow the road if possible. If you need to walk across open country, orient your route toward distant landmarks to maintain your sense of direction.
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By May of this year, the next president of the United States was narrowed down to three candidates: John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. One of those three was going to be the next President of the United States.
It was a close race between Obama and Clinton in the primaries (a race that might have changed with a little more time, or if Florida and Michigan not changed their voting schedule and forfeited their right to help direct that choice). Hillary Clinton was almost the democratic nominee and with the current economic crisis being seen as a republican-created mess, she would have most likely won the presidency. Okay, that’s enough “what if’s”.
As a republican looking back at the last election and this election, I’ve wondered how much really changed in this country. I remember four years ago, the bitterness and outrage that was waged against me by family and friends because I “voted red.” I woke up on Wednesday morning and felt no anger, no bitterness, but I did wonder how President-elect Obama had won.
In looking at an Electoral College Vote study by a professor at the University of Michigan, Mark Newman, it’s interesting to see the changes that took place between this week’s election and the one from four years ago.
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One great idea can take on a life of its own, which is exactly what has happened to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s idea of bringing ordinary citizens from all over the globe together to communicate face to face, in an effort to solve differences and discover ways to live peacefully together on the planet. The People to People Ambassador Program was launched in 1956, setting in motion a vehicle wherein his mission of global citizenship did flourish.
RESPONSE:
If you judge by response, Toni Becker’s article “Spin vs. Record” has provoked our readers more than anything we’ve seen. We’ve received three times the responses than any other article posted on semo.net’s home page (raffle’s and giveaways excluded). Both sides (equally) have weighed in with their kudos & kudon’ts.
If you judge by response, Toni Becker’s article “Spin vs. Record” has provoked our readers more than anything we’ve seen. We’ve received three times the responses than any other article posted on semo.net’s home page (raffle’s and giveaways excluded). Both sides (equally) have weighed in with their kudos & kudon’ts.
REBUTTAL:
Every individual who disagreed with the post was offered a chance to post a rebuttal. Only one person has responded to that offer:
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We can talk about what the big four are wearing today or about Joe the plumber, but how does that help anyone make an intelligent choice for President of the United States on November 4th? At some point what needs to be understood is how the Democrat and Republican candidates see the country heading into the future, so an educated choice can be made. Voting for John McCain simply because he was a prisoner of war is as shallow as someone voting for Barack Obama simply because he’s black. It can’t be completely about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It can’t be completely about the mess our economy is in. We need to think deeper than that on election day!
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I watched the Late Show with David Letterman last month on the night that McCain canceled to “go back to Washington to fix the economic mess.” Letterman crucified the candidate and his decision that night and it was hilarious. During the days and weeks following that decision, Letterman kept the story alive.
McCain was definitely on Dave’s S-List…so to say I was curious how McCain was going to handle his “makeup date” with David Letterman last night is to put it lightly.
Saturday Night Live’s opening scene Saturday night was a VP Debate spoof. It’s funny and I laughed from beginning to end. I should probably disclose, though I can’t imagine it is a secret, that I’m a Christian who has very conservative Republican views and, of course, view life through that lens.
I woke up this [Saturday] morning and instantly pulled up the SNL web site to watch Tina Fey and crew poke fun at Sarah Palin and, ultimately, me. Why? Because it is funny! Because it’s a spoof.
The first spoof two weeks ago with Hilary Clinton was hilarious. The Couric-Interview Spoof was equally funny. Honestly, if it is funny (and not crude), then I can definitely laugh and enjoy it. I watched the “Live From New York…” opening-segment starring Tina and Queen Latifah…and I laughed throughout the entire clip (except when they slammed Bristol Palin).
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