FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) opposed two bills today that would lead to a halt in offshore drilling.
“As millions of unemployed Americans search for jobs, the White House and some Members of Congress are determined to advance regulations and policies that will put tens of thousands of those in the oil industry out of work,” said Congressman Gregg Harper. “The White House ignored industry experts, a federal judge, and pleas from Members of Congress when it issued yet another moratorium on deepwater drilling.”
To date, 14,000 deepwater wells have been drilled without any major issues. During the six decades of Gulf water drilling, thousands of wells have been successfully drilled.
H.R. 3534, the “Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009” (CLEAR Act), would consolidate regulatory authority of federal mineral and energy resources into one entity. The bill would also create challenges for smaller, independent companies by lifting the liability cap on oil companies in the aftermath of an oil spill.
H.R. 5851, the “Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010,” would create whistleblower protections in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Harper said that these bills will simply increase costs on the petroleum industry and serve as a de facto moratorium putting more jobs at risk.
“Many of my constituents depend on the offshore oil industry for their livelihoods. During this time of economic uncertainty, our country does not need new policies that destroy jobs,” Harper added.
The oil industry employs tens of thousands of offshore drilling workers nationwide. These high-paying jobs account for $12.7 billion in annual wages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, there are 107,210 oil-related jobs along the Gulf Coast.
Commentary
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Marriage Interviews Should be Required
I spend a lot of time looking at the absurdities of life. We do and think a lot of things that don’t make sense. We idolize that Hollywood actor but we hold our nose at the guy who cleans our septic tank. Now which one do you think is more vital to your quality of life? We can all name the star quarterback for our favorite college team but how many of us can name the president of that same university? And we do this in almost all aspects of our lives. We don’t concentrate on what’s important and leave certain aspects of our lives to chance.
Best example; picking a spouse. Most employers wouldn’t dream of hiring someone for a long term position without an in depth background check and job interview yet we leave our choice of lifetime partners to chance. That’s why I think people should advertise for mates and do a detailed interview before even considering marriage. As women often have the most at stake, I think they should conduct the interview. As someone who has given this a lot of thought, I’ve developed some questions along with appropriate answers and not so good answers;
Q: What do you do for a living?
POSSIBLE CORRECT ANSWERS: Teacher, lawyer, plumber, welder, doctor, etc.
WRONG ANSWERS: telemarketer, “I’m between jobs right now”, ACORN Field Representative, Chief Safety Officer for British Petroleum.
Q: How long have you been on the same job?
CORRECT ANSWER: For six years. I’ve had two promotions and four raises since I’ve been there.
WRONG ANSWER: Since last Spring. You see I quit my job every Fall when hunting season starts and then I find me a new one every Spring. That way hunting don’t get in the way of my job. I figure that’s the only way to be fair to whoever you work for.
Q: Why do you feel that you would be good at marriage?
CORRECT ANSWER: I’m ready to settle down and build a future with someone I can love and respect.
WRONG ANSWER: Well, I’ve had a lot of experience.
Q: Do you like children?
CORRECT ANSWER: I’d love to have a couple of kids.
WRONG ANSWER: Rugrats? I’m crazy about em. Love to have 10 or 12 of em!
Q: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
CORRECT ANSWER: I hope to have a home and family with a little money put away for retirement.
WRONG ANSWER: I’ve always dreamed of being a NASCAR driver, so I’m putting all my money into a car me & my buddies are workin on out back of the house.
Q: What’s your idea of a pleasant evening on the town?
CORRECT ANSWER: After a nice meal in a good restaurant, we might catch a movie or concert and spend the rest of the evening just talking.
WRONG ANSWER: Well, after the wrestling match, we’d grab a case of Old Milwaukee and a couple of bags of pork rinds and go down to the lake and have us a good ol time.
Q: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
CORRECT ANSWER: Well, I don’t mind being alone but I really like being around other people and being involved in lots of activities.
WRONG ANSWER: I’m not really into any of that kinky stuff.
This is just a sampling of things that you might want to know about someone before you enter into a long term relationship or a legal contract with them. Even under the best of circumstances, marriage is tough and without the proper thought and effort, that wedding ring can turn into a suffer-ring.
Best example; picking a spouse. Most employers wouldn’t dream of hiring someone for a long term position without an in depth background check and job interview yet we leave our choice of lifetime partners to chance. That’s why I think people should advertise for mates and do a detailed interview before even considering marriage. As women often have the most at stake, I think they should conduct the interview. As someone who has given this a lot of thought, I’ve developed some questions along with appropriate answers and not so good answers;
Q: What do you do for a living?
POSSIBLE CORRECT ANSWERS: Teacher, lawyer, plumber, welder, doctor, etc.
WRONG ANSWERS: telemarketer, “I’m between jobs right now”, ACORN Field Representative, Chief Safety Officer for British Petroleum.
Q: How long have you been on the same job?
CORRECT ANSWER: For six years. I’ve had two promotions and four raises since I’ve been there.
WRONG ANSWER: Since last Spring. You see I quit my job every Fall when hunting season starts and then I find me a new one every Spring. That way hunting don’t get in the way of my job. I figure that’s the only way to be fair to whoever you work for.
Q: Why do you feel that you would be good at marriage?
CORRECT ANSWER: I’m ready to settle down and build a future with someone I can love and respect.
WRONG ANSWER: Well, I’ve had a lot of experience.
Q: Do you like children?
CORRECT ANSWER: I’d love to have a couple of kids.
WRONG ANSWER: Rugrats? I’m crazy about em. Love to have 10 or 12 of em!
Q: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
CORRECT ANSWER: I hope to have a home and family with a little money put away for retirement.
WRONG ANSWER: I’ve always dreamed of being a NASCAR driver, so I’m putting all my money into a car me & my buddies are workin on out back of the house.
Q: What’s your idea of a pleasant evening on the town?
CORRECT ANSWER: After a nice meal in a good restaurant, we might catch a movie or concert and spend the rest of the evening just talking.
WRONG ANSWER: Well, after the wrestling match, we’d grab a case of Old Milwaukee and a couple of bags of pork rinds and go down to the lake and have us a good ol time.
Q: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
CORRECT ANSWER: Well, I don’t mind being alone but I really like being around other people and being involved in lots of activities.
WRONG ANSWER: I’m not really into any of that kinky stuff.
This is just a sampling of things that you might want to know about someone before you enter into a long term relationship or a legal contract with them. Even under the best of circumstances, marriage is tough and without the proper thought and effort, that wedding ring can turn into a suffer-ring.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Blue Suede Toilet Seats
My family and I took a little trip back a few months ago. Spring Fever had set in and we needed to get away from yard work and chasing down income tax receipts. We decided to run up to Memphis and visit Graceland. My daughter has always been curious about Elvis and I thought she might enjoy seeing his home and memorabilia and we could buy a t-shirt or two.
If it’s possible, Elvis is more famous dead than he ever was alive. He’s everywhere and without a doubt the biggest money maker in Memphis. He’s probably still selling more records (CD’s for you younger folks) than most new artists which isn’t surprising considering the sad state of the current music industry. People are still fascinated by his life and music and as a tourist destination; Graceland must rival the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
But I have to say that I was disappointed. For eighteen bucks a person, you get a bus ride across Elvis Presley Boulevard, a digital recorder and headphones to hang around your neck instead of a tour guide and the opportunity to stand in a crowd of hot, sweaty people; many of whom speak in a foreign language (strangely enough, mostly Northern European) and be herded through the mansion and grounds like livestock at a sale barn. I kept waiting for them to bring out the cattle prod for the older couple in front of us who kept holding up the line because they couldn’t get the lens cap off their camera. The highlight of the tour for my daughter was when the security people watching through surveillance cameras would say “Thank you – Thank you very much.” As they cautioned people to not lean over the railing or attempt to touch the displays.
Now I love Elvis. It’s hard not to love Elvis. It’s a rags to riches story of a young man who changed not only American culture but was a worldwide cultural phenomenon as well. His story has all the pathos and tragedy of any good made-for-TV movie. But what’s been done to his memory is even more tragic.
Elvis has become like Sponge Bob. He’s everywhere. His image is on everything from clocks to cell phone covers. He is an A-number one marketing tool because people just can’t seem to get enough of him. The souvenir shops across the street from Graceland are loaded with everything Elvis. Products range from bobble heads to put on your dashboard to recipe books with “Hound Dog Chili Dogs” and 101 variations of the peanut butter and banana sandwich. I half expected to find “Elvis Hunk-A-Burnin Love Condoms” and “Now or Never Chocolate Laxatives” behind the check out counters.
Something just seems inherently wrong about using Elvis in this way. I felt slimy after the whole experience, like I needed a bath. Granted, Elvis was marketed during his whole career and he wasn’t necessarily known for his good taste. He also didn’t die in the most dignified manner. I think that’s God’s way of reminding us not to get too big for our britches (literally and figuratively). But for his family to license his image for the most inane products isn’t something that should sit too well with his true fans.
I don’t think I’ll go back to Graceland anytime soon. It just tarnished Elvis’s memory for me and I don’t really need another “Blue Suede Toilet Seat”. I’ll just try to hold on to a more pleasant memory of the Elvis that use to be while I’m singing “Don’t Be Cruel” in the shower and using my Kentucky Rain Shampoo, Love Me Tender Conditioner and my Elvis soap on a rope.
If it’s possible, Elvis is more famous dead than he ever was alive. He’s everywhere and without a doubt the biggest money maker in Memphis. He’s probably still selling more records (CD’s for you younger folks) than most new artists which isn’t surprising considering the sad state of the current music industry. People are still fascinated by his life and music and as a tourist destination; Graceland must rival the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
But I have to say that I was disappointed. For eighteen bucks a person, you get a bus ride across Elvis Presley Boulevard, a digital recorder and headphones to hang around your neck instead of a tour guide and the opportunity to stand in a crowd of hot, sweaty people; many of whom speak in a foreign language (strangely enough, mostly Northern European) and be herded through the mansion and grounds like livestock at a sale barn. I kept waiting for them to bring out the cattle prod for the older couple in front of us who kept holding up the line because they couldn’t get the lens cap off their camera. The highlight of the tour for my daughter was when the security people watching through surveillance cameras would say “Thank you – Thank you very much.” As they cautioned people to not lean over the railing or attempt to touch the displays.
Now I love Elvis. It’s hard not to love Elvis. It’s a rags to riches story of a young man who changed not only American culture but was a worldwide cultural phenomenon as well. His story has all the pathos and tragedy of any good made-for-TV movie. But what’s been done to his memory is even more tragic.
Elvis has become like Sponge Bob. He’s everywhere. His image is on everything from clocks to cell phone covers. He is an A-number one marketing tool because people just can’t seem to get enough of him. The souvenir shops across the street from Graceland are loaded with everything Elvis. Products range from bobble heads to put on your dashboard to recipe books with “Hound Dog Chili Dogs” and 101 variations of the peanut butter and banana sandwich. I half expected to find “Elvis Hunk-A-Burnin Love Condoms” and “Now or Never Chocolate Laxatives” behind the check out counters.
Something just seems inherently wrong about using Elvis in this way. I felt slimy after the whole experience, like I needed a bath. Granted, Elvis was marketed during his whole career and he wasn’t necessarily known for his good taste. He also didn’t die in the most dignified manner. I think that’s God’s way of reminding us not to get too big for our britches (literally and figuratively). But for his family to license his image for the most inane products isn’t something that should sit too well with his true fans.
I don’t think I’ll go back to Graceland anytime soon. It just tarnished Elvis’s memory for me and I don’t really need another “Blue Suede Toilet Seat”. I’ll just try to hold on to a more pleasant memory of the Elvis that use to be while I’m singing “Don’t Be Cruel” in the shower and using my Kentucky Rain Shampoo, Love Me Tender Conditioner and my Elvis soap on a rope.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Congressman Greg Harper on CMS Appointment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – The White House is at it again. This time the President has used a recess appointment to fill the top vacancy at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The President is ignoring the Constitution and the American people in the middle of a critical election year.
Some Washington insiders have defended the President, claiming that “Republicans in Congress [had] made it clear in recent weeks that they were going to stall the nomination as long as they could, solely to score political points.” Considering the Democratic leadership never called a hearing on the President’s nomination, Republicans were never afforded a chance to delay his confirmation. To boot, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus voiced his concern that public questioning was removed saying, “Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power…”
And what about the President’s pick? Dr. Donald Berwick has publicly knocked the free market and supports rationing as a cost control mechanism. Dr. Berwick will oversee an $803 billion budget at CMS and is responsible for implementing the bulk of the overreaching “Affordable Care Act.” His responsibilities will only grow under this new health care law as the CMS administrator has be tasked with reducing Medicare benefits nearly $523 billion. Yet Members of the U.S. Senate, both Republican and Democratic, were denied the opportunity to question Dr. Berwick regarding his plans for steering this federal agency.
This appointment comes amid the White House’s campaign to sell their new health care law. The Administration has used taxpayer money to mail 4 million postcards to small businesses and millions of dollars touting a $250 Medicare rebate check that only 1 in 10 beneficiaries will ever receive.
While the President may have dodged a painful Senate confirmation process, this recess appointment has brought new light to the health care debate, reminding concerned citizens of just how damaging this law could be. Mississippians deserve to know that the current health care law will result in lost coverage, raise taxes, cut Medicare and create a new government entitlement program.
For someone who has claimed to be “committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government,” the President sure has spent a lot of time telling just one side of the story.
So I ask the President: Why aren’t you being open about the 87 million Americans who could lose access to their current health care plan under the “Affordable Care Act?” Why aren’t you advertising the $569 billion in new taxes as part of your health care campaign? Why aren’t you promoting the $523 billion in reduced Medicare benefits in the mailing to seniors about rebate checks? And why do you continue to hide behind procedural gimmicks to avoid public reckoning for someone appointed to control a bureaucracy whose budget is larger than 15 of the world’s economies?
If the President were focused on real solutions to control the cost of health care, he would embrace Republican proposals that would lower health care premiums by up to 20 percent compared to the Democratic Members’ plan.
Of course, the White House will defend Dr. Berwick’s appointment and the taxing “Affordable Care Act.” But if the President should opt to show his commitment to transparency in government, he can start with confirmation hearings for his appointees.
For more information, visit www.harper.house.gov.
July 9, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – The White House is at it again. This time the President has used a recess appointment to fill the top vacancy at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The President is ignoring the Constitution and the American people in the middle of a critical election year.
Some Washington insiders have defended the President, claiming that “Republicans in Congress [had] made it clear in recent weeks that they were going to stall the nomination as long as they could, solely to score political points.” Considering the Democratic leadership never called a hearing on the President’s nomination, Republicans were never afforded a chance to delay his confirmation. To boot, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus voiced his concern that public questioning was removed saying, “Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power…”
And what about the President’s pick? Dr. Donald Berwick has publicly knocked the free market and supports rationing as a cost control mechanism. Dr. Berwick will oversee an $803 billion budget at CMS and is responsible for implementing the bulk of the overreaching “Affordable Care Act.” His responsibilities will only grow under this new health care law as the CMS administrator has be tasked with reducing Medicare benefits nearly $523 billion. Yet Members of the U.S. Senate, both Republican and Democratic, were denied the opportunity to question Dr. Berwick regarding his plans for steering this federal agency.
This appointment comes amid the White House’s campaign to sell their new health care law. The Administration has used taxpayer money to mail 4 million postcards to small businesses and millions of dollars touting a $250 Medicare rebate check that only 1 in 10 beneficiaries will ever receive.
While the President may have dodged a painful Senate confirmation process, this recess appointment has brought new light to the health care debate, reminding concerned citizens of just how damaging this law could be. Mississippians deserve to know that the current health care law will result in lost coverage, raise taxes, cut Medicare and create a new government entitlement program.
For someone who has claimed to be “committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government,” the President sure has spent a lot of time telling just one side of the story.
So I ask the President: Why aren’t you being open about the 87 million Americans who could lose access to their current health care plan under the “Affordable Care Act?” Why aren’t you advertising the $569 billion in new taxes as part of your health care campaign? Why aren’t you promoting the $523 billion in reduced Medicare benefits in the mailing to seniors about rebate checks? And why do you continue to hide behind procedural gimmicks to avoid public reckoning for someone appointed to control a bureaucracy whose budget is larger than 15 of the world’s economies?
If the President were focused on real solutions to control the cost of health care, he would embrace Republican proposals that would lower health care premiums by up to 20 percent compared to the Democratic Members’ plan.
Of course, the White House will defend Dr. Berwick’s appointment and the taxing “Affordable Care Act.” But if the President should opt to show his commitment to transparency in government, he can start with confirmation hearings for his appointees.
For more information, visit www.harper.house.gov.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Immigration - at the Basic Level
You have worked all your life and built a nice home. It's comfortable, fits your needs and you feel safe sitting in your living room or working in your backyard. One day, a man from a neighborhood a few blocks over takes a short cut through your yard. It upsets you a bit and you grumble to your next door neighbor but that's about it. Soon he has worn a path in your well manicured lawn and occasionally grabs a deck chair and once even took a steak off the grill as he passed by. You call the Cops who sympathize with you but explain that they are really too busy chasing real criminals to put any effort into catching this guy.
One day you come home to find him rummaging through your refrigerator and medicine cabinet. This time when you call the Cops, they don't even bother to come as the decision was made to no longer enforce trespassing or breaking and entering laws in your town. The man is pleasant enough as he provides a list of groceries and medical needs that you should pick up for him because he's going to be staying in your spare bedroom for the forseeable future. And since he is now considered to be a resident of your home, if the need arises, you are responsible for putting him on your health insurance and supporting him until he can find a job.
You continue to complain to police and the mayor who sometimes sympathizes with you but never seem to do anything. All your efforts have now caught the attention of the folks who live up the hill in the fancy gated community. Without bothering to discuss the situation with you, they use the local newspaper as a platform to explain why this guy deserves to live in your house and you should be proud to provide for him. When you write a letter to the newspaper editor asking why the man can't live with the folks in the gated community, he refuses to publish it as it is too imflammatory. During this whole situation, you have been subjected to ridicule for your selfish, uncaring and even racist attitude.
In an attempt to be understanding, you ask the man why he wants to live in your house when you know he has one of his own. He simply explains that your house is so much more comfortable and in a safer neighborhood. Life is just so much easier in your neighborhood and besides his kids are out of control at his house and he can't do anything with them.
Throughout this whole situation, financially things are getting tough. You are no longer able to save for retirement or your kid's college fund as you must pay for not only your family's expenses but those of your new house guest. Soon it becomes obvious to you that something has to change or in the near future, you may have to let the house go back to the bank and then no one will have a decent place to live.
Over the years, the immigration issue has become very convoluted by politics and sometimes by legitimate debate. But when you actualy break it down to its simplest level, the obvious situation surfaces.
Obama's administration plans to sue Arizona over its immigration law stating that it is the Federal government's responsibility to set immigration policy. Apparently it is the Obama Administration's "policy" to not enforce existing immigration laws already on the books. To add insult to injury- the planned lawsuit was announced not by official letter to the authorities in Arizona or even in a national press conference but by the Secretary of State while on a visit to Ecuador.
Meanwhile many areas of federal land in Arizona are off-limits to our citizens for safety issues due to the illegal human and drug trafficking and the violence such activities bring to these areas. So in effect Mexican drug lords are controlling parts of our country. There seems to be very little concern in Washington over this invasion of American soil.
It is very obvious that the administration's actions are steeped in some strange brew of liberal politics, elitist guilt and practical ignorance and not in its constitutionally ascribed responsibility of law enforcement. If a fraction of the money, time and effort that will be spent on a lawsuit against the state of Arizona was actually spent on border enforcement in these federal lands, maybe taxpayers could actually enjoy the use of these areas that they pay taxes to the federal government to maintain.
One day you come home to find him rummaging through your refrigerator and medicine cabinet. This time when you call the Cops, they don't even bother to come as the decision was made to no longer enforce trespassing or breaking and entering laws in your town. The man is pleasant enough as he provides a list of groceries and medical needs that you should pick up for him because he's going to be staying in your spare bedroom for the forseeable future. And since he is now considered to be a resident of your home, if the need arises, you are responsible for putting him on your health insurance and supporting him until he can find a job.
You continue to complain to police and the mayor who sometimes sympathizes with you but never seem to do anything. All your efforts have now caught the attention of the folks who live up the hill in the fancy gated community. Without bothering to discuss the situation with you, they use the local newspaper as a platform to explain why this guy deserves to live in your house and you should be proud to provide for him. When you write a letter to the newspaper editor asking why the man can't live with the folks in the gated community, he refuses to publish it as it is too imflammatory. During this whole situation, you have been subjected to ridicule for your selfish, uncaring and even racist attitude.
In an attempt to be understanding, you ask the man why he wants to live in your house when you know he has one of his own. He simply explains that your house is so much more comfortable and in a safer neighborhood. Life is just so much easier in your neighborhood and besides his kids are out of control at his house and he can't do anything with them.
Throughout this whole situation, financially things are getting tough. You are no longer able to save for retirement or your kid's college fund as you must pay for not only your family's expenses but those of your new house guest. Soon it becomes obvious to you that something has to change or in the near future, you may have to let the house go back to the bank and then no one will have a decent place to live.
Over the years, the immigration issue has become very convoluted by politics and sometimes by legitimate debate. But when you actualy break it down to its simplest level, the obvious situation surfaces.
Obama's administration plans to sue Arizona over its immigration law stating that it is the Federal government's responsibility to set immigration policy. Apparently it is the Obama Administration's "policy" to not enforce existing immigration laws already on the books. To add insult to injury- the planned lawsuit was announced not by official letter to the authorities in Arizona or even in a national press conference but by the Secretary of State while on a visit to Ecuador.
Meanwhile many areas of federal land in Arizona are off-limits to our citizens for safety issues due to the illegal human and drug trafficking and the violence such activities bring to these areas. So in effect Mexican drug lords are controlling parts of our country. There seems to be very little concern in Washington over this invasion of American soil.
It is very obvious that the administration's actions are steeped in some strange brew of liberal politics, elitist guilt and practical ignorance and not in its constitutionally ascribed responsibility of law enforcement. If a fraction of the money, time and effort that will be spent on a lawsuit against the state of Arizona was actually spent on border enforcement in these federal lands, maybe taxpayers could actually enjoy the use of these areas that they pay taxes to the federal government to maintain.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
News By Facebook?
Peabody is a small community nestled in amongst the low rolling hills and small creeks in central Kansas; 1400 souls including cats and dogs. Most folks are retired, farm or make the hour long drive down to Wichita to work everyday; patriotic, hard-working, conservative folk.
I do consulting work for the county that includes Peabody and as I visited with a county official this week, I heard the story that had people in the area, across the state and even across the nation in an uproar. The small cemetery on the edge of town had been vandalized over the Memorial Day weekend. Much like people in our area, the residents are very patriotic and hold the military in high respect. Every Memorial Day, The American Legion displays an avenue of flags in the cemetery. Many are casket flags given to family members who loan them for the weekend for the display and then are returned. Sometime over the weekend, several flags were ripped down and torn apart.
Like most small towns without a daily source of information, the story spread by word of mouth, at the coffee shop, church meetings and down at the local co-op. Some flags became 20, and not only were they torn apart but put in a pile and urinated on. To make matters worse, local law enforcement knew who was responsible but had no intention of pursuing the offenders as they were children of some prominent citizens. People became outraged and some expressed their outrage on Facebook. Some area newspapers picked up on the story without verifying all the details. The story grew and grew and spread by Facebook as far away as California and Georgia. The idea of a protest developed; a rally to show support for our military and to protest the inaction of local officials. There were even threats of violence if the wrongdoers weren't caught and punished. Groups from outside the area announced plans to attend the rally.
All the attention began to split the community as many didn't want the bad publicity for their town, suspicions mounted among neighbors, and accusations flew against the town officials and law enforcement. The situation was getting out of hand-mostly due to a Facebook post and idle gossip.
After two weeks, the truth began to emerge as the Sheriff discussed the matter with responsible media and the individual who made the Facebook posts. Yes, flags were desecrated, nine of them. They were torn from their poles and cut or ripped apart. They were not piled and urinated on. There were several suspects, juveniles and young adults and the investigation was on-going and those responsible would be punished to the full extent of the law. Unfortunately, all the rumors and threats had caused many who may have had information to hesitate in providing it and therefore had slowed the investigation.
Over the last few months, as part of the launching of WWN, I have monitored Facebook closely. It's a good tool used to keep track of friends and share information. But in and of itself, it is not a reliable source of news content. Not too long ago, I watched a story that we first provided in the area take on its own life on Facebook. The firing of a pistol into the air went from an exchange of gunfire to vehicles damaged by gunfire to finally a double homicide. None of which were true. Now I'm certain that the inaccuracies were not malicious and the people who posted them believed in their source of information and no real harm was done. But sometimes, rumors and half truths can be damaging just as it was in Peabody, Kansas. A community has been divided and law enforcement's job in proving a case against the offenders has become more difficult. Just something to think about the next time you forward content that doesn't come from a legitimate news source.
I do consulting work for the county that includes Peabody and as I visited with a county official this week, I heard the story that had people in the area, across the state and even across the nation in an uproar. The small cemetery on the edge of town had been vandalized over the Memorial Day weekend. Much like people in our area, the residents are very patriotic and hold the military in high respect. Every Memorial Day, The American Legion displays an avenue of flags in the cemetery. Many are casket flags given to family members who loan them for the weekend for the display and then are returned. Sometime over the weekend, several flags were ripped down and torn apart.
Like most small towns without a daily source of information, the story spread by word of mouth, at the coffee shop, church meetings and down at the local co-op. Some flags became 20, and not only were they torn apart but put in a pile and urinated on. To make matters worse, local law enforcement knew who was responsible but had no intention of pursuing the offenders as they were children of some prominent citizens. People became outraged and some expressed their outrage on Facebook. Some area newspapers picked up on the story without verifying all the details. The story grew and grew and spread by Facebook as far away as California and Georgia. The idea of a protest developed; a rally to show support for our military and to protest the inaction of local officials. There were even threats of violence if the wrongdoers weren't caught and punished. Groups from outside the area announced plans to attend the rally.
All the attention began to split the community as many didn't want the bad publicity for their town, suspicions mounted among neighbors, and accusations flew against the town officials and law enforcement. The situation was getting out of hand-mostly due to a Facebook post and idle gossip.
After two weeks, the truth began to emerge as the Sheriff discussed the matter with responsible media and the individual who made the Facebook posts. Yes, flags were desecrated, nine of them. They were torn from their poles and cut or ripped apart. They were not piled and urinated on. There were several suspects, juveniles and young adults and the investigation was on-going and those responsible would be punished to the full extent of the law. Unfortunately, all the rumors and threats had caused many who may have had information to hesitate in providing it and therefore had slowed the investigation.
Over the last few months, as part of the launching of WWN, I have monitored Facebook closely. It's a good tool used to keep track of friends and share information. But in and of itself, it is not a reliable source of news content. Not too long ago, I watched a story that we first provided in the area take on its own life on Facebook. The firing of a pistol into the air went from an exchange of gunfire to vehicles damaged by gunfire to finally a double homicide. None of which were true. Now I'm certain that the inaccuracies were not malicious and the people who posted them believed in their source of information and no real harm was done. But sometimes, rumors and half truths can be damaging just as it was in Peabody, Kansas. A community has been divided and law enforcement's job in proving a case against the offenders has become more difficult. Just something to think about the next time you forward content that doesn't come from a legitimate news source.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Children & Technology
Technology is one thing in our world that cannot be stopped or controlled in many ways. Whether we like it or not, the children of today are growing up in a world that is surrounded by different technological devices. I have been to restaurants, nice restaurants with table side service, not your typical fast food joint, and seen a nice family sitting together at a table. As I approach the table I almost immediately take note to how well behaved the two children are acting. When I pass the table, I turn and glance to see that the children are both playing handheld video games. Maybe my family is “old fashioned” in that there is no technology allowed at the dinner table. The television goes off and no cell phones are answered, unless there are extenuating circumstances of course. I am calling out the parents today; have a true family dinner with your children every once in a while. Make it something that is family centered. I have heard a statistic on some television commercials that states families who eat dinner together are more likely to stay together. This meaning the children are more likely to become happy, healthy adults who lead drug free lives. By the term "family dinner" I do not mean that the mother goes into the kitchen and spends most of the afternoon and into the evening preparing an immaculate spread on the dinner table. Let's be realistic. This type of setting may be nice to imagine, but does not happen in most families today. A family dinner can be a bucket of chicken or a carton of take-out. It's a family who sits around the table and converses with each other. Growing up, these were some of the best memories I have of my family. Create the same for your children. Take away the video games, turn off the television, and let the voice mail pick up the calls. Take forty-five minutes to hear what your children have to say. I guarantee you will not forget those times and neither will they.
Sarah Peeples
Sarah Peeples
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)