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Lobbying for Missouri Freedoms and Their Vessels – Part One

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:19:43 +0000

Inside one of our Missouri lobbyist offices in St. Louis hangs an original Chicago Sun breaking news article. It reveals the last time when our Show-Me State leadership was instituted at the White House. The headline begins:

“Washington, April 12, 1945 – Fate today raised to the highest administrative post on earth a plain, friendly man from Missouri – Harry S. Truman.

On the eighth of next month he will be 61. As he steps into the bright light of world celebrity he can look back on a career that began behind a plow on a 600-acre farm near Kansas City…”

The epic months that followed America’s closure to World War II remind us all how amazing it was to have our entire country doing what they could to protect our liberties. Part of what made Truman’s legacy so memorable was that he rose to challenges thought to be much larger than anyone might choose for themselves.

This week, I was fortunate to join the St. Louis Science Center in their hosting of the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial event, along with the St. Louis Navy League. Under the stars of the planetarium, we were reminded how the American spirit of freedom was transformed into this monstrous structure of teak wood, steel, iron, and ammunition named ole “BB-63” – the USS Battleship Missouri.

Most had come to know the “Mighty MO” of our Pacific fleet as the place where Japan surrendered to America. Its presence for this conflict alone is enough to retire it admirably. However, I was amazed to learn about how seamen and technology adapted itself over the decades to project its capabilities even as recent as Operation Desert Storm.

When you think about lobbing 2,700 pound projectiles at a precise range from 16-23 miles using the analog computers from the 1930’s, our computing systems of today owes much to this military experience. When I think about how my uncle must have felt at Pearl Harbor walking to church when the sirens went off, you have to believe that surviving ships like “Mighty MO” were a substantial inspiration as he flew across the Pacific into harm’s way.

When you hear about the dent in the ships’ side left after a Japanese kamikaze pilot tried to sink it, it reminds us all of the value of mental toughness over adversity. The Mighty MO has always been about more than naval superiority, it’s 45,000 tons gave each generation something onto which we can attach our emotions.

At our dinner event, we were each given a small piece of teak wood from this historic deck, now in process of a historic preservation in Hawaii. The battleship is all but retired, except for an appearance before a Universal Studios upcoming movie in 2012. However, just like decades before, the USS Missouri is adapting its mission again – this time for science educators and their pupils. Over the next month, many school groups will use it as their living history classroom. The St. Louis region is fortunate to have at least two strong advocates for science education within Admiral (Ret) Lee Metcalfe and General Duncan J. McNabb.

The torch defending our freedom now passes to the next generation. Just like before, our country is stepping up with something bigger and better. In my next blog, we will feature what’s next to come: the USS Missouri Virginia class of submarine.

Travis H. Brown

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-18

admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

CFtweet: $13,000 from AMEREN UE to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/16/2009 #
CFtweet: $9,000 from Save Our Ballot Inc. to MISSOURI S.O.S. BALLOT on 12/14/2009 #
CFtweet: $7,400 from Bank of America, N.A. to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/14/2009 #
CFtweet: $7,400 from Peabody Investments Corp. to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/14/2009 #
Bye, bye Saab cars. You know it's bad when Government Motors cannot even save it. http://bit.ly/6VjRVA #
A decent overview of state budget pressure by @WSJ http://bit.ly/4rW7e1 #
CFtweet: $15,500 from AFSCME to AFSCME MO PEOPLE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE EQUALITY on 12/14/2009 #
CFtweet: $5,000 from Emerson Electric Co. to EMERSONS MISSOURI RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT FUND on 12/17/2009 #
CFtweet: $6,000 from Emerson Electric Co. to EMERSONS MISSOURI RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT FUND on 12/17/2009 #
RT @JakeWagman: On Political Fix: St. Louis legislators host public forum Saturday on police control http://bit.ly/4HlmVR #
Nothing like a little dusting of snow to kick-start the Holiday Spirit, is there? #
CFtweet: $10,000 from Enterprise Holdings, Inc. PAC to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 12/18/2009 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-17

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

CFtweet: $10,000 from Anheuser-Busch Cos, Inc. to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 12/14/2009 #
CFtweet: $5,001 from ENGLER FOR MISSOURI to BOB DIXON FOR SENATE on 12/12/2009 #
CFtweet: $20,079 from GROW MISSOURI COMMITTEE to Friends of Bob Johnson on 10/31/2009 #
CFtweet: $5,000 from Roy Pfautch to FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER DEBT COMMITTEE on 10/28/2009 #
CFtweet: $8,000 from Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters to MO STATE COUNCIL OF FIRE FIGHTERS PAC on 12/07/2009 #
@beckycordero "Q" was always the most interesting character, at least on James Bond movies anyway. #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-16

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

RT @CoryBooker: “I’ve never seen a monument erected to a pessimist.” – Paul Harvey #
"The insurance companies win. Time to kill this monstrosity coming out of the Senate." #DailyKos http://bit.ly/7cLNeQ #
For Missourians claiming Florida residence to miss State Income Tax, there may be a new house on the market soon. http://bit.ly/6XBm5e #
@Missourischools @MSTE If the State can judge this, http://bit.ly/8i5Gb3 why can't we pay teachers more on merit to keep them? #
It starts to scare me a bit when the NYT calls a national consumption tax "inevitable." http://bit.ly/6RlGE0 Seems like states go first. #
24 – % Americans that trust the fed gov't to reduce the income tax (if a consumption natl sales tax was imposed). http://bit.ly/6YlUxj #
VIva Las Vegas… RT @RiverfrontTimes: Finally! An Explanation for Rod Blagojevich's Hair: http://bit.ly/6EnRJ2 #
CFtweet: $5,001 from Rex A. Sinquefield to RON RICHARD 2010 on 12/15/2009 #
CFtweet: $5,000 from CITIZENS FOR MIKE LAIR to House Republican Campaign Committee on 12/11/2009 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-15

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

RT @St_Louis_Blues: Tickets 4 Brett Hull Hall of Fame nite R almost gone. C Hull, Cujo & more: http://blues.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=58807 #
@DonCalloway To quote the wise Jedi Yoda "Do or do not, there is no try." in reply to DonCalloway #
Prediction: A lot more bloodhounds, pit bulls, and german shepherds will curiously-find homes in northern, rural Illinois. #gitmo #
DC Disney Lobbyist retiring to law school. http://bit.ly/7XCnqH Mickey Mouse is now 81, and still going strong. #
Why not cash for "flying cars?" http://bit.ly/6QmaRi #
$229 Billion. The amount that individuals, not institutions and foundations, donated in 2008. http://bit.ly/4QwUSC #
RT @amednews: People who self-pay for medical care can restrict disclosure of their records. http://bit.ly/76wClf #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-14

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

@DonCalloway How did it turn out? in reply to DonCalloway #
Wonder whether @joliejustus should start a savecoffeebreak.com effort in KCMO? #
CFtweet: $10,000 from AT&T to MO DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE on 11/19/2009 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-13

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Mark Ingram – you deserve it! Congrats #Bama fans. #
"If ignorance is bliss, there should be more happy people." – Victor Cousins #
Onto WashU Olin School MBA event. http://bit.ly/68UfaD Sadly, Kauffman Found marks #STL 2nd to last in newco's http://bit.ly/68UfaD #
For those under-employed, contact Larry Summers. He claims others claim job growth in spring. http://bit.ly/6YqBX6 No phone # provided. #
Fantasy football season RB yard forecasts had @LaurenceMaroney at about 500. Before today, he's pushing 560. http://bit.ly/6gjRO0 #
"I used to take his money when we played poker. Now he's trying to take mine." – IL State Senator Bill Brady, on BHO. http://bit.ly/7ZEV4q #
@JoAnnEmerson The score at halftime is Big Pharma $5B. Original BHO Canadian Drug Position: 0. http://bit.ly/4HbJYx #
"If you're looking for a holiday vacation that keeps Christ in Christmas, set your GPS for Branson, Mo." – Sue Merrell http://bit.ly/4w215x #
http://bit.ly/4PWOcN Another reason MO doesn't need tax breaks to Lake Ozark yachts for Coast Guard commissioning to fight Jayhawks #
94 Yards on 22 carries today for St. Louis native @LaurenceMaroney. Not bad at all. http://bit.ly/50tg8G Another #Foxboro win. #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-12

admin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

CFtweet: $25,000 from Chris Brown to FRIENDS OF CHRIS BROWN on 12/10/2009 #
Chased a rainbow up I-55. Pot of gold appears to be in Kimmswick, MO state fee license office. #
Just saw @LanceLeComb from #MSD on History Ch. #StL still pushes 13B gallons of combined sewer overflows in 440 sites each yr. #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-11

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

CFtweet: $6,800 from HCA Midwest Division to HEALTHPAC on 12/10/2009 #
RT @Missourinet: MO Sports Hall of Fame announces 2010 class: The MO Sports Hall of Fame plans 2 honor 15 individua.. http://bit.ly/7kFdxk #
CFtweet: $5,000 from Kozeny-Wagner, Inc. to ADVANCE ST. LOUIS on 12/11/2009 #
#followfriday @MIssourischools @AFPMIssouri @johncombest Top 10 Christmas Charities 2009 http://bit.ly/6WSgWj #
FAA lobbying for NextGen system for all airplanes http://bit.ly/5BkwLQ #
Just my #H1N1 shot. Get yours in #STL at Tip Healthcare, Bridgeton, MO http://bit.ly/73KJEH 314-595-7862 #
A look at the brand value altered so far on Tiger's route to Sweden. http://bit.ly/8RkSEz #Gatorade #
CFtweet: $12,500 from Schnuck Markets, Inc to HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC on 12/11/2009 #
CFtweet: $25,000 from Rex A. Sinquefield to HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC on 12/11/2009 #
CFtweet: $10,000 from Bank of America to HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC on 12/11/2009 #

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-10

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:00:00 +0000

CFtweet: $10,000 from LEWIS & CLARK REGIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND to CITIZENS FOR DIEHL on 12/09/2009 #
Thanks to the more than 350 folks who supported #stvincent home for children last night. An amazing evening for holiday charity. #
"There's zero redistribution of wealth when you're winning in sports." @NewtGingrich #AmSol #
Dennis Jacobe's look at how Holiday spending is going, compared to 2008. http://bit.ly/5oOf66 #Gallup #
VID 62% – small businesses still claim economy as poor, by Rasmussen Reports. http://bit.ly/8RRC6t #
It may appear that we know the real number of hard-core golf fans now – 42% US males, & 35% US females. http://bit.ly/6lLwbp #
447,000. # of elderly >100 yrs old by 2040 in US. http://bit.ly/4vCuLc Anesthetic patient issues. #