Twitter Updates for 2009-05-30
- CFtweet: $10,000 from Hallmark Cards to POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE GREATER KANSAS CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TH.. #
- CFtweet: $5,000 from Kansas City Southern to POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE GREATER KANSAS CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, IN PARTNERSHIP WI.. #
- CFtweet: $10,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City to POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE GREATER KANSAS CITY CHAMBER OF COMME.. #
- CFtweet: $17,868 from Laborers’ Local 42/53/110 Supplemental Dues to MIDWEST REGION LABORERS’ POLITICAL LEAGUE EDUCATION FUND on 05/29/2009 #
- CFtweet: $5,000 from Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. to DOOLEY FOR ST LOUIS COUNTY on 05/28/2009 #
- CFtweet: $5,425 from Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark to DOOLEY FOR ST LOUIS COUNTY on 05/29/2009 #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-29
- CFtweet: $6,000 from UGas to HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC on 05/27/2009 #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-28
- CFtweet: $50,000 from Jerry Hall to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 05/26/2009 #
- CFtweet: $15,000 from Rex A. Sinquefield to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 05/26/2009 #
- CFtweet: $5,000 from William Holekamp to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 05/26/2009 #
- CFtweet: $50,000 from David Humphreys to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 05/26/2009 #
- CFtweet: $20,000 from Pfizer Inc to MO DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE on 05/27/2009 #
- CFtweet: $5,000 from Laclede Gas Company to MISSOURIANS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE on 05/26/2009 #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-27
- CFtweet: $5,361 from Missouri REALTORS Political Action Committee to ST CHARLES ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE on 05/.. #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-24
- Colin Powell, still a Republican, calls for a “no holds barred, candid debate.” Wash Post reports #
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Memorial Day – Just Another Day Off?
Many of the holidays we celebrate have largely become just another day off. Memorial Day is unfortunately one of those holidays. Sadly, without the sacrifices that were intended to be remembered when what we now know as Memorial Day was first established, we would unlikely be able to enjoy our “day off” as much as we do.
I’m certain all reading this appreciate the service of those currently serving our country at home and abroad as well as those who have served. I’m a proud former member of the United States Air Force serving six years in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). The SAC motto was “Peace is Our Profession”.
You saw that motto every time you drove in the main gate. When you drove by the alert pad with its contingent of B-52’s waiting for “the call” as one of the legs of our defense, you knew it was true. Ronald Reagan was correct when he said, “Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.” The cold war was won through strength and SAC was reorganized to reflect the new threats facing our country.
I was privileged to meet some great people whose names will never be known to most of their countrymen but who served and protected them none-the-less. From young airmen, some of who didn’t need a razor yet, to seasoned NCO’s, some of which had served in Korea and Vietnam. From young pilots flying old B-52’s and KC-135’s which were older than they were to seasoned officers who didn’t get respect just because of their rank but because they were true leaders.
These were the men and women I was privileged to serve with and my experience has been repeated time after time, year after year in our armed services. It is the reason why we still enjoy our freedoms. I have been privileged to know some who paid a significant price in defense of our country. Bill Reich is one of those individuals.
Bill was an F-4 pilot in Vietnam. He flew a number of missions over Vietnam, the last of which earned him a stay in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. What a moving moment it was last fall when I watched my friend meet and greet one of his fellow prisoner of war and Hanoi Hilton “guest”, John McCain in O’Fallon, Missouri. Words cannot begin to describe the depth of the bond of those comrades in arms who gave us so much and ask for so little in return.
It is certainly important that we acknowledge those who are currently serving or have served our country and returned to their family and friends. However, Memorial Day, as the name implies, is to be observed in memory of those who served but did not return to their family and friends. Our success, our prosperity is due in large part to their sacrifices.
Growing up, I remember the day being called Decoration Day. We would go to the cemeteries, assist in their clean-up and lay flowers, wreaths and flags on the graves of veterans. Fitting for the service rendered by them, while the graves of veterans were being cleaned up, all other graves were as well. Today, it sadly appears we take Declaration Day, Memorial Day and what it stands for, for granted.
Admiral Nimitz in delivering a remembrance of those who died in the Pacific during World War II made a statement that holds true for every war and is applicable to everyone who has died in the service of their country:
“They fought together as brothers in arms, they died together and now, they sleep side by side…To them we have a solemn obligation, the obligation to ensure that their sacrifice will help make this a better and safer world in which to live”
Memorial Day, just another day off? I hope that you would agree with me that it indeed, at least for a few moments in recognition of those who gave so much; should not be just another day off.
Twitter Updates for 2009-05-23
- CFtweet: $7,975 from CWA COPE to CWA DISTRICT 6-POLITICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE on 05/20/2009 #
- CFtweet: $10,000 from Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. to DOOLEY FOR ST LOUIS COUNTY on 05/21/2009 #
- CFtweet: $5,000 from Leehar Distributors, Inc. to DOOLEY FOR ST LOUIS COUNTY on 05/21/2009 #
- CBS Sports reports “LeBron James didnt just win the game. He saved the series and the season.” #
- NYTimes reports that Obama will engage on Cuba migration policies; will better cigars for Americans follow? #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-22
- CFtweet: $5,000 from SEIU MISSOURI/KANSAS STATE COUNCIL to COMMITTEE ON FREE AND FAIR EMPLOYEE ELECTIONS on 05/21/2009 #
- Donor prospects in philanthropy looking up. http://www.tinyurl.com/otr9fg #
- AP reports that Oklahoma will become the ninth state to validate online teachers over union objections. #
- @KOMUnews reporting Pepper & Friends will bite the dust on Sept 18th #
- Wash Post Sleuth reports that @newtgingrich may be a 2012 presidential hopeful, details contests for fundraisers #
- St. Louis, MO: September 11th, Judevine Blackwell starts a new autism center, according to the StL Business Journal #
- Controlling the gavel by making it, Missouri lobbyist Mark Rhoads’ father crafted the MO Senate gavel, reports @KOMUnews #
- Freep.com debates the right moves of NFL suspensions; Michael Vick, Leonard Little examples #
- Leavenworth, KS: Humane Society takes public affairs strategy to celebrity brands, petitions Vick to lobby for animal welfare changes #
- The St. Louis Beacon reports on Paul McKee’s plan for North St. Louis City #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-21
- NYT says 1 in 7 detainees from Gitmo will return to terrorism #
- US Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants to know states who have caps on charter schools, to encourage reforms. #
- For those not following the British Parliament, their Speaker just became the first to resign since 1695. #
- @Missourinet outlines how Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is cracking down on fraudulent fundraisers. #
- @Missourinet outlines how Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is cracking down on fraudulent fundraisers. #
- @cqpolitics reports DNC’s McAuliffe leading polls in Virginia #
- Favre’s quest for a medical miracle still plagues me. #
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Twitter Updates for 2009-05-20
- @waytoohigh Congress moved on credit card legislation. Were you satisfied with the bill? #
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