Madeline (Giles) DeJournett is the Advance writer for the North Stoddard Countian. A retired high school English/history teacher, she spent 32 years teaching in 5 schools in Missouri and Alaska. These days, she lives quietly with a menagerie of wild and domestic animals on 52 secluded acres in the remote Tillman hills south of Advance. She graduated from Dexter High School in 1960 and Southeast Missouri State in 1964. She can be contacted at advancensc@sbcglobal.net.

History in the making

Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at 4:07 PM

For the last several days, I've been reading through accounts of U.S. Presidential Inaugurations from the past and thinking about this historic event we're seeing today. I doubt that anyone has a completely accurate head count for today's ceremony in Washington for the 44th President of the United States, but they've been saying that 2 million people were expected.

Many elements of Barack Obama's inauguration have been compaired to that of Abraham Lincoln, who was also faced with a difficult time in history. The 16th president had to be smuggled into the city on an all-night train ride for his inauguration in 1861, because of fears of assassination.

This era is also being compared to that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who held the office for four terms and died shortly after his fourth inauguration in 1945. Roosevelt is credited by many with leading the country out of the Great Depression of the 30's.

The account of Andrew Jackson's inauguration in 1829 are pretty wild: He opened the doors of the White House and his supporters came charging in, pushing and shoving, wolfing down the food and drink and standing in the chairs with muddy boots.

The 1985 inauguration of Ronald Reagan was so cold that the inaugural parade was cancelled. The outcome was far better than that of William Henry Harrison in March, 1841, when the 68-year-old Harrison gave a 90-minute speech in an ice storm without a hat or overcoat. He caught cold and died a month later of pneumonia.

John Adams was on such poor terms with his successor, Thomas Jefferson, that he didn't even stay for the oath of office, instead riding back home to Massachusetts right away.

Of all the inaugural addresses given throughout the years, the most memoral seem to be those of four presidents:

* George Washington, who spoke of "the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty."

* Abraham Lincoln, who said, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

* Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose words were "...let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

* John F. Kennedy: "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it-and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Today Obama gave his own Inauguration speech, lasting about 18 minutes. As usual, the phrasing was balanced with that beautiful parallel sentence structure: "I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."

The sentences are characterized by a balance that fits Obama's speaking style. The most important part of the sentence lies in the end. There's a rhythm, somewhat like the King James version of the Bible: "Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction." There's a kind of poetic quality.

Most of the sentences are short: "This is the journey we continue today." " Our capacity remains undiminished." As he delivers the speech, there's a deliberateness that gives the audience time to hear and digest each word.

The speech is full of visual imagery: "America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

I give the speech a thumbs up. It wasn't as flamboyant as early speeches, but I think the intent was to be serious and sober, to urge Americans to think, to persevere, and to be patient.

The day is winding down to a close on this Inauguration Day, 2009. I'm sure we'll hear analysis after analysis of the speech, the parade, the ten inaugural balls, Michelle Obama's wardrobe, and every minute detail of the events. Later today, we'll hear whether Ted Kennedy is okay, after he had to be taken from the dinner in an ambulance.

Amazing, amazing day!!! At least twice I held my breath as the Obamas got out of the limosine and walked along the parade route; however, the security seems to have been up to the challenge.

From remote Tillman, Missouri, this is your rural reporter Madeline, signing off on a historical day.

Comments

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Well, well.......I thought the events ended at 4 p.m., but my daughter just called me all excited about the Marine band: "Are you watching the parade, Mom?" Nooo...Oprah has a Civil Rights history program on. What gives? Then, I see the KFVS note scroll across the bottom of the page: "If you want to watch the CBS coverage of the parade, go to the KFVS website for live coverage."

Yeah, on a dial-up computer out here in the boonies?? So much for that idea!

My question is -- Whose decision was it to do this? KFVS? I'll bet so! Thanks, local TV!

-- Posted by goat lady on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 4:37 PM
Well, I've settled down. This is the site to view the whole speech: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text

-- Posted by goat lady on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 7:35 PM
I had to remind myself to breathe as the inauguration came to be. My class watched with me,and they were thoroughly intent, also. We can face tomorrow with hope. We must remember that there is so much to be "fixed" that we won't see many results for a long time, but some improvements will be evident very soon. I feel so blessed to live in this country!

-- Posted by GONENOW on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 7:44 PM
Let us all come together for awhile and see what a nation can do to solve our problems. Blessings to you all as we have lived history today.

-- Posted by changedname on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 8:10 PM
Thanks, Teach, for the tour through our past inaugurations. Let us all remember that the anthem, "We Shall Overcome", applies to humanity as a whole, and that, while we are recalling our pasts, contemplating our futures, and resolving our individual conflicts about what those futures may hold, let us not resort to the analytical, but hold to the inner spiritual strengths with which we have all been endowed. God Bless the man from Illinois, and God Bless America, now, we gotta roll up them sleeves!!!.........kkcaver

-- Posted by kkcaver47 on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 9:36 PM
Barack Hussein sounded a little odd today because he had no tele-prompters. Very funny.

But seriously, Barack Hussein, (along with Hillary) has already said that he is going to side against Israel. And as a Christian, what country can survive w/o God's country?

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 12:59 AM
Kkcaver47, you're not a bad writer, yourself - nice balanced sentences!

C'mon, Morrison, the honeymoon isn't even over yet! You and FJGuy need to give it up on the teleprompter theme! There's only so much a teleprompter can do: They aren't magic, ya know!!

-- Posted by goat lady on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 6:17 AM
gl, some comments are to be expected and we aren't disappointed when they're posted.

-- Posted by changedname on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 7:09 AM
Gone: what evidence do you have that improvements will happen soon? I say we all come together too, unless you feel the need to boo George W. and laugh at Cheney for being in a wheelchair. That is perfectly OK. Can't wait for all limitations on abortion to be removed, for Gitmo to be shutdown so the masterminds of 9-11 can come to the US....all with the swoop of the pen held by our new savior. Will respect our leader as a man, but do not have to support him at all times.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 9:30 AM
Would also include one or both of Reagan's addresses in with some of the best. I would say he spread hope and optimism to most families at a time when we needed it very badly. All without the help of a drooling media.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 9:31 AM
I attempted to have my boys watch the Inauguration yesterday, but they refused. I told them that, even if they don't care for what Obama believes in, it's still a historical day that they will most likely learn about in high school...but the still refused. I said, "Hey! Wouldn't it be cool to say, 'I watched that!' whenever they open their textbooks to that particular chapter?" They still wanted no part of it. I just hope their refusal isn't a sign of what's to come.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 9:55 AM
Hoon, you can't assume that others would react inhumanely just because you might. First, there is only one Savior--and He is in control of all. (not the president) Next, I can't imagine why ANYONE would laugh because someone is in a wheelchair. Would YOU? I can't deny that I had a silent "yeehaw" dying to escape as GW climbed the stairs to fly away. Silent, I emphasize. Furthermore, I believe you'll be waiting a long time for abortions to be freely performed in this country. Where did you come up with that? Lastly, the attempted solution at Guantanamo has not worked thus far--so why should we continue doing what has not worked? I think OUR president is surrounding himself with people who will assist in developing wise strategies to make our country safer and stronger. One man/woman can't do it alone. I respect the choices Obama is making to share in recovery. Let's join as a family of Americans. I have never been so proud to be an American as I am today.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 10:40 AM
gonenow, thanks for a great post. Yeehaw..

-- Posted by changedname on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 11:45 AM
You are correct....one Savior. I typed savior.

I am proud EVERY day to be an American. Why has Gitmo not worked? What military people have told you this? Every friend or relative I have who has been to Iraq claims our work there is successful, worthy, and necessary.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 11:46 AM
You treat a former President who has to be given at least an ounce of credit for our country not being attacked again exactly the opposite of how you demand our new President to be treated. I will treat President Obama with respect, but I do not have to support everything he does.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 11:48 AM
Everybody has a right to believe as he chooses in this country. That's just one reason we can celebrate being Americans. We don't have to agree, do we?

I believe that the war in Iraq was declared too hastily. Too many men and women have lost their lives, or forever had lives changed by a war that might have been avoided with a little bit of diplomacy. This is my main reason for resenting GW. I do highly respect our service men and women, and I wish they could all come home right now! (By the way,I didn't see his daughters put on combat boots) Another reason for a lack of respect is the fact that I've watched the rich get richer, and the hard-working folks forfeit far too much--sometimes all. There are too many people who cannot go to the doctor when they're sick, or buy their medicine when they need it. Somebody has to take notice. I don't think those problems really mattered to our former president. None of this is news, but for some reason, Hoon, you seem not to have understood it.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 2:57 PM
gonenow, I was in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and I agree, we could have bombed Iraq for years and never put a troop on the ground saving over 4000 American men and women. We could have finally found Saddam, but no, we had to invade. Check with the bomb making factory in Oklahoma, we started making explosives over 12 months before the invasion of Iraq. It could have been handled differently, we could have talked for years, we've been talking to the Palestians and Israel for over 30 years and no ground invasion has been started by the USA.

-- Posted by changedname on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 3:12 PM
dexterite--your comments are wise, and based on personal experience they warrant attention. Iraq is much like the Vietnam War, which ended so many lives needlessly. My husband came home from Vietnam, but he is not the same carefree kid who left. He was fortunate enough to come home, but he watched friends die and suffer--and for what benefit? We rejoice when any soldier comes home, but we know that a part of that soldier is forever lost.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 4:06 PM
Okay, this said, I'd like to declare a sort of truce, no more bad mouthing former President George Bush, he's home in Texas now, we have a new leader in Washington, my hope and prayers are for a great day coming when all are employed again that want to work, health care for all who need it, and see the return of our troops from foreign lands as much as possible. I believe we can do it, nothing is impossible if we all work together.

-- Posted by changedname on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 4:19 PM
I had to work yesterday thru the inuauguration. I heard bits and pieces of the address and heard most of it on Cspan which was aired in the Hospital lobby where my wife works as i waited to pick her up. we don't own a TV but get most of our news from radio. I get some from the internet.

Obama's idea of our country helping poorer countries fits right into global socialism. Socialist government is paid for with income and property taxes.

The media is bending over backwards and worshiping the very ground Obama walks on. It's sickening. Well, he's just a human being! He is not the annointed one! He is not the Messiah sent from heaven to take care of all our needs. Big government is not the answer! Reagan said, "Government is the problem." There's alot more that bothered me about this inauguration. Obama is very pro-abortion rights. Life begins at conception. Interestingly, Martin Luther King's niece is opposed to Barak Obama because of her pro-life views. Sunday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, so designated to mark the Sunday before the Roe v Wade decision on Jan. 22, 1973. i lowered my flag half staff Sunday to show my support of the millions of unborn babies who have been murdered and sacrificed to the god of convenience. Unfortunately, Obama plans on signing into law the Freedom Of Choice Act which would lift all bans on abortion. He also plans on lifting the ban on tax dollars going to pay for abortions overseas. My flag flies halfstaff through Friday of this week.

-- Posted by swift on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 4:45 PM
It just didn't seem like it was an inauguration party for me. It seemed like a party for the West and East coast.

Great speech I guess. Everyone tried for the past six months to make it look and feel like the world was coming to an end and the great savior was on the way. I am sorry, but it just isn't true. I still remember Carter.

Hope the guy is sussessful in his Presidency, but not successful in raising taxes or having the government take over one more program and that includes health care.

As for Gitmo, it has been a success. Those monsterous animalistic individuals are locked up and being prevented from attacking me or anyone else. Who cares if they are water boarded. My gosh, they cut the heads off of women and men who publicly disagree with their beliefs. Remember the newspaper reporter who went to Pakistan to talk with them and they slit his throat and cut his head off and published the pictures on the internet. All because he was of Jewish descent. Leave them there until they rot.

Reverse the don't ask don't tell policy in the military? OK, but are you going to change the UCMJ which establishes sodomy as a crime? Hope that plan fails to meet with success too.

Let the Bush tax cuts expire? Can't support that one either. Every person who PAYS TAXES benefited from that bill.

Pull out of Iraq, sure but don't be fooled. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) has already been signed with the Iraq government establishing the withdrawal date. I guess I am the only one who observed that happen.

I hope he prosecutes the bankers, but if he plans to give them more money I hope he is unsuccessful in that. I doubt he feels the way I do. Why should he? If an inauguration party has a cost of 153,000,000 dollars. What does a few trillion dollars really mean?

I hope he thanked George Bush for taking care of a lot of the hard stuff before he left office like allowing Israel to bomb Hamas so they would be willing to accept a peace treaty when he got in office. I hope he is successful in attaining a permanent peace for Israel.

I hope he brings our troops home from Europe and South Korea where they have been for more than 50 years. I hope he brings our troops home from Kosovo where they have been since Clinton was President.

Otherwise, good luck Mr. President.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 9:01 PM
GONENOW, I don't know if I have ever read so many statements by a blogger that I disagree with than what you have just posted. Let's start with assuming you are over 50 years of age since you said your husband fought in Vietnam. Therefore, how in the HELL do you make the comment "I have never been so proud to be an American as I am today." Have you been under a rock the last 30 years? Secondly, the Vietnam and Iraq War have nothing in common and the Democratic Party that you support voted to go to war in Iraq. Third, what in the HELL are you talking about when you said " I didn't see George W. Bush's daughters put on combat boots." What does that matter? I bet 99% of the Democraps that voted to go to war, didn't have family members in the military either. That's the beauty of a VOLUNTARY military. And to end my soap box rant, NO ONE DESERVES health care. You earn it, just like your drivers license.

I'm BonScott and I absolutely approve this message!!

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 11:50 PM
GONENOW, are you stupid? More people are murdered in a year in Chicago than troops killed in Iraq in a year. It is a successful war so far, but unfortunately, still has a way to go. You are right that Iraq is like Vietnam...it is a quagmire of sorts. But that's maybe b/c of the military not wanting to kill the main enemy. I know people will hate this, but; if you kill your main enemy, how can you possibly continue to get funding. I mean, seriously, no matter how much money I might have...could I possibly stay on the run and not get caught? NO!!! (That's a fact people).

Also, as far as Barack Hussein, I can't see how siding with Israel's enemies can help us. When you side against God, you will rue the day!!

I would very much like to know who is pulling his strings. He is definitely a puppet. But who is the puppeteer?!? Someone with very deep pockets I guarantee. You don't go from total obscurity to the Presidency without a lot of help under/over the table.

BTW, GONENOW, going to the doctor and buying medicine is a "law-biding, tax-paying" privilege. Even Canadians are coming here for healthcare b/c their healthcare sucks. It's too expensive (via taxes) and takes far too long to get into see a doctor. Any American who thinks the Canadians get healthcare for free is a moron!!

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 1:43 AM
Lots of name calling today, think I'll take a vacation and enjoy the day.

-- Posted by changedname on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 6:11 AM
Now, now, dexterite, the hoon crowd has found this site, so sit back and watch the show. What did you tell me earlier? "Some comments are expected and we're not disappointed"?

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 7:44 AM
Oops, sorry, I.B. - I didn't mean to group you with that rowdy bunch of reprobates!! You are a reprobate all on your own!!

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 7:47 AM
You are so great gl. I learn new vocabulary words from you all the time. Reprobate. Do you really think we are evil or unworthy? That's kind of harsh, don't you think? Oh well, I enjoy learning new words. Thanks goat.

-- Posted by BonScott on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 8:08 AM
Goat likes to be holier than thou and uses the "here we go again (great song by the way) and name calling" for those who state opinions with facts to support another view.

I find it hard to believe that on 9-12-01, dexterite and Gone were telling their family, friends and co-workers that we did not need to go on the offensive as they watched footage of smoke, smog and ashes float in the NY air. I can't recall ONE person saying we needed to wait and see, be patient, and not act hastily. This country was ONE and we were united on the idea of fighting back.

Gone is disgusted because the rich have gotten richer thanks to GW. I miss the days whent he rich got poorer under Clinton. The rich only get richer when conservatives are top dog, didn't you know?

These are the same folks who will celebrate the masterminds of 9-11 being treated fairly, their trials put on hold, Gitmo shut down and at the same time, will cheer Pelosi on as she claims W needs to be prosecuted.

Obama deserves a chance. If decisions are made that strengthen our free market, defense, security, and our nation as a whole...cheer it.

If his liberal past dictates how he governs and he aims for more handouts and socialistic leaning policies....I pray he fails miserably so that our country can remain and someday get back to the principles it was founded on.

Goat, dexterite, Gone....no name calling. Is Reprobate a dirty word? I think I got ISS for saying it in school once.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 8:53 AM
Well, it's time to start thinking of 2012. Remember this? "Gas prices were 1.49 when Bush took office." Here we go! "Gas prices were 1.79 when Obama took office." Now check out http://tinyurl.com/7sbvgj

-- Posted by swift on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 3:26 PM
I have no intention of justifying some of the ludicrous remarks written to or about me. What I will say is--NO, I was NOT happy on 9-12 to be in a war. War is not always the best or only answer. A bully does not win. He is eventually outsmarted. This is a lesson I observed in FIRST GRADE! Had a team of strategists met and sought better solutions and the assistance of our former allies, many husbands,dads and sons, daughters or wives would be alive today.

Name-calling falls in the same category as bullying, so don't expect me to join in. As for me being stupid? Remember what Forest Gump had to say...

Health care? A right just like a driver's license? I agree! I also know that with sky-rocketing costs, not all people can have health care and still eat or have a roof over their heads. What happened to the rights of the working poor? Even the middle class poor?

As was earlier stated, Obama deserves a chance. He also deserves respect. He does not need to be referred to by his middle name, which he did not choose--by the way. Did you choose your name? (don't think so) Hopefully, the name-calling and insults can stop. It benefits no one, and destroys the chance for an entertaining topic.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 4:33 PM
Bad, bad hoon....I have no doubt whatsoever that you spent a good deal of time in ISS. I think I may have put you there once! I doubt that it was for using the word "reprobate," though. You and Bon Scott were probably stuffing freshmen in the lockers.

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 5:28 PM
gl, cant believe you had the chance to lock-em up and throw away the key...see what you have allowed..............lol..............

-- Posted by changedname on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 5:37 PM
MrsD, I hope you are proud of your sons because I am. Sounds like they may be among the extreme minority of people who have the natural intestinal fortitude to look at the emperor and publicly exclaim that he is wearing no clothes.

I have said repeatedly on these blogs that OB is parading around naked while his worshipers are blindly enamored with his ability to effectively read from a teleprompter. He doesn't sound any more intelligent than my high school teachers did when he is speaking off the cuff, and he has not exhibited proof of being any more more intelligent than IB, Hoon, Madeline and many other Statesman bloggers. If anyone else had bungled the oath of office the way OB did, the person would be the butt of jokes and openly called a bozo by Letterman, Leno and others. Likewise, that OB didn't know basic details of his initial Executive Orders should make him the butt of jokes so people would realize how ordinary his intellect is. But don't hold your breath that Letterman, Leno, et al will recognize, much less say that the emperor wears no clothes.

What does set OB apart from "normal" people is his megamaniacal lust for power that makes him psychologically on par with innumerable tyrants through history. So we will only know in retrospect if January 20 was historical, and then only if people such as MrsD's sons wind up with the a thug's jackboot stomping their face.

-- Posted by FJGuy on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 7:55 PM

Madeline Dejournett's response:
Have I missed something? I've searched through this blog to find where I mentioned anything about my sons??
Ok, health care is a right just like a drivers license. Posession of a drivers license is not a right.

You have the right to seek health care just like I do, but it is not my responsibility to provide it for you.

You have the right to eat, but I am not responsible to feed you.

You have the right to work, but it is not my responsibility to provide you with work.

You have the right to have children, but it is not my responsibility to raise them for you.

His parents had the right to name him and they did I guess, maybe not I don't know. We have the right to use any combination of his three names or just one of them. At least for now anyway.

Maybe I will help with all these things, but I should have the right to say no if I want to and you have no right to make me do otherwise. Shouldn't have anyway.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 7:56 PM
We need to come together and find solutions people! I think BO wants to do this, but I don't agree that expanding government will accomplish what we need as a nation. Speaking of a driver's license, have you been to the DMV lately? No competition equals a bad product or service. This is human nature and if you think handing responsibility over to the government is going to fix our problems, you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself. And if health care becomes a government program, we are all DOA.

We need to let this recession run its course. During Reagan's first term, we did this and although it took awhile, it worked. Government should regulate business, but has no business running companies. Just provide thoughtful incentives to promote ingenuity, competition and sound business solutions. Our country is running huge deficits b/c the gov't overspends, not b/c they don't get enough of our hard earned money. When they spend too much, ole Biden says its our patriotic duty to give them more...really??? How about we eliminate amendments to bills in order to reduce pork. How about we let the House write the bills and the Senate act as the "saucer" (filtering) like it was initially intended. How about we eliminate lobbying in DC. How about we prevent career politicians. These are just a few suggestions of which none include making the government bigger or more controlling over your God given right to the freedom they are currently trying to take away...RIGHT NOW.

Swift and Truth need their own forum. Those guys are good.

-- Posted by layne staley on Thu, Jan 22, 2009, at 11:35 PM
Staley, your brain works well late at night, doesn't it? I agree about Swift and Truth; in fact, I think Swift does have his own forum somewhere out there on the web. He's given us links before. Truth is the Rock of Gibralter. Hoon is the La Brea Tar Pits...

-- Posted by goat lady on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 7:31 AM
GL underestimates HOON and writes it off as "CRAZY". GONE refutiated nothing in my post and like most liberals...can't. Who in the world would or did claim ANYone was Happy on 9-12????

But this wacked out group who thinks Bush and Cheney were alone and forced this country into war, have little credibility. Congress had same info. Congress overwhelmingly supported war as did the nation. Again, it hard to find family members or friends who have been over there who come back thinking we have not done a great thing.

Staley...BO is in DC growing the DMV and I hope we are not DOA.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 9:13 AM
Michael Moore's Farenheit 9-ll didn't help the post 9-11 patriotic fervor. Unfortunately, groups like the Stoddard County Democratic Women's Club showed the movie free during the '04 and '06 election campaigns. So many people believe everything they here. The left has its Chris Matthews and Michael Moore and now wants to silence conservative talk radio with the unFairness Doctrine.

-- Posted by swift on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 10:52 AM
Oops, hear, not here!

-- Posted by swift on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 10:53 AM
Hoon-I won't waste my time disputing the ways we differ. I don't know you, and you don't know me. I meet lots of people in a day's time, and they all speak to me with respect. If not, I wouldn't bother answering them either. So, we can just agree to disagree--or not. There was at least one other topic that was at a standstill, and someone had to say, "Enough!" So, for my part--I'm finished. I'm not saying, "I give," mind you. I'm just finished reading the histrionic comments. Look that up, if you'd like to learn another new word.

-- Posted by GONENOW on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 1:46 PM
Well, I just hate that we have so few blogs to post on, darn it! When we get a good discussion going on one of the news stories, it only lasts a few days, and then it disappears into the archives. Nobody's gonna go look for it there. And there's only so much we can do with BobbyG's topic of the day.

I guess I need to leave the blogs alone and 1) clean house 2) clean the office 3) do some research 4) read a book 5) wash my dog 6) write an old friend 7) plan an ad campaign and run for public office 8) take an accounting course 9) take a photography class 10) sign up at a gym 11) organize my sock drawer 12) throw away my out-of-date prescriptions... I have lots of things I could do!! It's a new YEAR! I need to do some NEW THINGS!

-- Posted by goat lady on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 2:29 PM
Awe, GL leave all that stuff 'til tommorow! That's what I do! lol! Did you mention run for office? County or state?

-- Posted by swift on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 2:47 PM
Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) noticed something disturbing in the 'stimulus' package--A little section that read 'and $600 million to prepare America for Universal Health Care.' Wow, $600 million just to prepare for it? Sounds like it's going to be cheap. No seriously, socialism is going to be so much fun when it's fully in place in America.

Thought some of you would enjoy checking this out.

GONE...I don't do new words, Layne does.

Another great liberal comeback: your differing opinion backed substantially is disrespectful, therefore I won't answer or respond to it.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 3:00 PM
Hoon, I listened to a bit of Rush Limbaugh today as he bemoaned the fact that Republican Party leadership is abandoning the rank & file conservatives. The Constitution Party may well be the answer. I think it is anyway. It seems the neo-conservatives have taken the party over completely which is why the Democrats won control of Congress in '06 and now the White House. Obamanomics is the antithesis to Reaganomics. Obama and the socialistic Democratic Congress are changing our country to United Socialist States of America. Welcome to the Obamanation that makes desolate!

-- Posted by swift on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 3:26 PM
MrsDolphin, Seems that you didn't have Teachout for American History for the boys!!. ****!!, she would have had us glued to the TV in the events of this past week!! and would have quizzed us on the observations therefrom!! and it would have been part of our grade!! My grandsons are having issues with their education at this point in time, and I'm damned if I would not prefer to have them in the Dexter school district, Southwest or Central, or wherever we've moved to, at least I could get support from the school board, and communication from their teachers, but up here in NW MO, there is a dearth of concern and parents are left to gather their own resources, my daughter drills them on their math and language every weekend and I still want for the school systems I was educated in to miraculously appear up here with the quality of faculty and administrations to match. I've got to go check the homework now, so HAVE A GOOD ONE!!

Best ever to all at home, kkcaver

-- Posted by kkcaver47 on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 9:16 PM
It would be AWESOME if all of the smart successful people could meet up in DC and rally against these socialistic policies. You know, execrise our 1st Amendment Right! But that would be tough considering we all work during the day in order to carry this country...

I'm layne staley and proper diction for our group would have been dramatic or theatrical, not histrionic.

-- Posted by layne staley on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 10:00 PM
Today we bombed inside Pakistan and killed 20 people. How about that? Hope there weren't any innocent civilians like George Bush would have been accused of. For some reason I never heard any squawking from the media. I really do hope he got a lot of very bad people though. Gobama boma Taliban.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Fri, Jan 23, 2009, at 10:24 PM
Oh, man - Teachout was a Terror!! She would never exist in our schools today.

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 7:10 AM
The inauguration as absolutely history, was it any more so than any in the past, perhaps. I hope and pray that some good comes from this presidency. We all know that the President does not make decisions all by himself, the House and Senate are there, and as always they like spoiled children want their way, so there will have to be compromise.

Interesting point made about our new President being a "puppet" to some outside influence. I suppose time will tell on that issue.

I highly doubt that any American will ever forget how we felt when we learned OUR country was under attack. And if we are honest I believe everyone's first response was to defend ourselves and make those responsible pay for their actions. None of my daughters were in the service, but we know many who were in before 9/11/01 and many who signed up after the horrific events. I have always been Proud to be an AMERICAN, not just because a "black" man was elected.

I am not sure why so many are so enamoured by BHO, but I am anxious to see if he can make any improvements to our economic situation like so many believe. Whatever happens it won't be immediate, we didn't get in this mess in a month's time and it's going to take time to rectify the issues.

There is no doubt our new President is an eloquent, polished speaker, but he has had many years to practice. Even though I have a "southern" accent I can speak quite effectively.

These blogs are always informative, interesting, and also entertaining as we all exercise our right to free speech however different those opinions may be. This also makes me feel like I am still "home" in the Bootheel. Thanks for allowing me to "play" with the big kids!!!

-- Posted by SKDellinger on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 9:29 AM
G.L......Sorry, BUT..Dale Teachout would be exactly the "mentor extremisis" that our generation would need to provoke them into thought, which would resolve into awareness, and she would be the teacher of the moment who prompted a redolent board of education into being just that, a board of EDUCATION!! My mother had Dale in high school when it was in the old high school, and she regaled me with tales of Dale tossing books at students who were napping in class...what a hoot!!!I would have done the same thing!!and woe be unto the student who *******, as it would be apparent that they did not give a hoot about their class or their grade!!

Dale Teachout was a teacher of American History as it was lived in her time, and she shouted to the rooftops to us as her students to realize that we were living history during the '60's in DHS and strove to prod us into realizing the same, so grab a piece of reality and be thankful that you had such an educator as part of your secondary education, and thank your stars that you had a Board of Education, as it was constituted in those years, (God Rest You, Bro. T.S.Hill), that DHS was and is the BEST High Schoo

that Dexter could have, and those of us who went through her doors are well many times the better for her efforts. Regards to all to whom these presents may appear: Kenneth Keith Roussel, Jr. Class of 1965, Dexter Senior High School, Dexter, Missouri.......GO BEARCATS!!!!!

-- Posted by kkcaver47 on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 7:49 PM
So you think today's wimpy school boards and parents would back up a teacher like Dale Teachout? In this litigious day and age?? Teachers had a lot more power back then. As students, we didn't dare complain, no matter what they did to us - because our parents wouldn't listen! A complaint from me about Voicie McNutt just brought me more trouble at home!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 9:35 PM
And, as for complaining about Teachout, I didn't dare!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 9:37 PM
Wonder why a student would fall asleep if it was such a great teaching and learning experience? I had a couple teachers that screamed, hollered and threw things. They just weren't capable of keeping your attention or inspiring you to learn in any other way. I like our teachers today.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Sun, Jan 25, 2009, at 12:36 AM
Interesting observation, I.B. I admit that I hadn't thought of that. I don't remember Teachout throwing anything at my class, but we must have had some real dummies in there, because she got so furious I thought she'd have a heart attack.

Thinking back on it, she probably should have tried to ignore the idiots and concentrate on the ones who actually wanted to learn.

I admit to having been afraid of her, but she didn't inspire me like Wilson Jarrell did the next year in World History. That man was absolute magic!

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, Jan 25, 2009, at 7:53 AM
And, by the way, kk, I went to school in the old building, too. Sat right there by the second-story window in Teachout's class, watching for a glimpse of my future husband down below, as he came back from - was it called C.E.O.? (They worked off campus half a day.)

I think I know why I wasn't inspired in that class. She had to spend too much time on discipline and too little time on real teaching. All I remember from that class was her ranting at that kid on the front row. I do remember his name but I'd better not include it here. He might be an alderman somewhere...

-- Posted by goat lady on Sun, Jan 25, 2009, at 8:04 AM
I am keeping track of double standards that our new President is receiving....things like:

Deficits are now OK because our new Pres. is trying to save the country. I thought deficits were the price our children and grandchildren were going to have to pay when we were long gone?

Things can't be fixed overnight, be patient and it may take more than 4 years? What happened to holding them to campaign promises and measuring him against those?

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Mon, Jan 26, 2009, at 10:53 AM
Exactly right, Hoon! This Obama mania is sickening! Unfortunately most Americans are fed about 10 minutes worth of news on CNN or one of the other networks and believe that we ought to hope Obama succeeds. I hope he doesn't succeed! I don't believe in gun control, keeping abortion legal, socialization of America, and selling our national sovereignty! And that's what the radical liberal Obama and his left wing team wants to do! i guess i just ought to quit listening to Sean Hannity and all the other conservative talk shows out there. Of course, if these extremists have their way, conservatism will be silenced any way with the unFairness Doctrine.

-- Posted by swift on Mon, Jan 26, 2009, at 4:34 PM
Ah, you can never silence conservatism, swift! It will find a way! Keep the faith. You will eventually prevail. Never say die. Tippecanoe and Tyler too. Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes. This too shall pass.

-- Posted by goat lady on Mon, Jan 26, 2009, at 6:22 PM
Not bad Goat....but so much of what is in that ridiculous "stimulus" plan has NOTHING to do with the economy. Many are saying it is 25 years worth of a wish list for the far left liberals. Much of this will NOT be undone and it is not just us ranting by saying there are several socialist ideas in there.

Our leaders are from the very FAR LEFT and the other side of the aisle is full of spineless weak *****.

Memo to worthless media: STOP saying stimulus package! It is NOT! Call it an agenda and that will be much more accurate.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Mon, Jan 26, 2009, at 10:43 PM
"Stimulus agenda," how about that?

-- Posted by goat lady on Tue, Jan 27, 2009, at 9:11 AM
NO....GOAT. It is an agenda and NOT a stimulus package. This coming from a guy promoting CHANGE like you and I need it and someone going to do away with earmarks and pork!

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Tue, Jan 27, 2009, at 10:16 AM
i think that if a Dr. used student loans or was in any how subsidized by the government or the public they should be required to provide free health care to the disadvantaged to the degree of help they received.

-- Posted by Big Papa on Sun, Feb 8, 2009, at 6:37 PM

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