Nick, after all these years, at my advance age, I refuse to start looking at reality.
and finally on the issue of publicity and whether my involvement was a publicity stunt:
Let’s talk about what’s a publicity stunt and what’s not, and what is meant by a publicity stunt.
A publicity stunt is something insincere or just done for publicity.
And my correct term is “publicity strategy”.
And I’ve done some.
Best example is when I run around the perimeter of a district I intend to run for, as when I ran a marathon through all 28 wards in fall or 2004 to kick off 2005 mayor’s race.
Of course it’s a publicity strategy fool. Would I do that if I knew no one was watching?
Maybe that should be the test?
The marathon shows some interesting qualities in a candidate: vigor, ability to put themselves out there in their district, know where the district is, willing to work hard, etc.
Would I have done it if I were sure no one would cover it? almost certainly not.
Did I do it anyhow even after it was clear that it wasnt being covered? Yes.
First I try to keep my commitments, and second I trained for it and did it partly for the joyous exalting challenge of it. And I did well even if I had to walk the last 8 miles of the 26 or so.
if you have to ask it’s probably not a publicity stunt.

So would I have sued modot even if I knew media woudlnt cover it?
You bet your ass (that’s a legal term).
I was involved in the issue for almost a year, months before I decided to run for Congress.
Plus, I’m always running for something; so everything I do is a publicity strategy, and nothing I do can ever be because I believe in it.
I only do things I believe in!
this was a worthy challenge and an important issue;
it cost me $1000 dollars and a couple weeks of my life, and the risk of embarrassment;
but I did well and I’m proudl
modot was afraid of losing it and they should be.
Ask anyone who was in court, I believe, I beat them like an old rug.
The judge could have given it to me if he wanted to. I gave him the law and the facts.
I like to think he wanted to give it to me and just couldnt pull the trigger.
It would have been a brave decision, and I said all along, in my mind that would have made him a bigger hero than Joe or I. Joe was even a bigger hero than I. But I was ok. Very ok.
And I’m a humble guy, and I have a lot to be humble about as friends and others remind me of regularly.
Would it have helped my political career if I had won? of course! as it should have.
DId it help my career such as it is, even tho I didnt win, of course! as it should have.
but it wasnt the publicity; it’s what’s the publicity about!
Standing up for people in those parts of their life that they cant stand up for themselves well.
That’s what good public servants, and aspiring ones, do.
1000 politicians in the area and hardly a one stood up, and just with speeches if you dont count Muschany (and I dont count him much ).
Do I deserve credit for standing up? Of course!
Was it a publicity stunt? Of course not.
And not one reporter asked that, to their credit, except one new guy. I think some fool, I mean aspiring Mike Bush wanna-be, from Channel 5. I dont mean that in any disrespectful way to either of them. Oh no, not me.

Bill - I am not saying it was a publicity stunt, just that it was too little, too late. And yes, if you’re running for office, of course you do things to get publicity. That’s why politicians send press releases and hold news conferences. Nothing wrong with that.

Of course, MoDOT was afraid of losing … not that they necessarily assessed there to be a high probability of that happening, but that the cost would be enormous if it did. It isn’t as though they could simply say, “Oh, ok, we’ll build it but we’ll keep a lane open.” They would have to start back at square one, come up with a totally new plan. It would set the project back for years. Meanwhile, they’ve already started doing work - tearing down houses, bulldozing shoulders, building the new ramps to 170. No telling what the overall impact would have been if a judge said “Stop it right now.”

Bottom line is, MoDOT decided we need these road improvements, and that this was the best way to accomplish it. I disagree with their first decision, and you with their second. In the end, neither one of us is going to get our way. C’est la vie.

and finally, Jake, my brother, 3 things,
1. I really dont intent to talk about standing up against the highway 64/40 closing in the campaign; I’d rather talk about what I’d like to do than what I’ve done, and sort of modest about accomplishments; also, I lost, tho a worthy effort that could have/should have won; people either know about it or dont;
and they will either judge it harshly like the horses’ patoots above, or not, and judge it favorably instead as a worthy and bold attempt to represent our people when no one else would; I like to think the posters above either dont live in the district or are sui generis (a legal term, look it up, folks - an anomoly, exception, one of a kind), and most people in the district will recognize it for the valiant effort I think it was.
3. finally, as you’ll see in some radio commercials I have planned for mid-february, right before filing, just a few, shot across the bow of sorts, I wont mention the hwy40/60 suit at all;
4. and the usual other “finally”, I dont mind if they know I’ve run for office several times before, winning two for schoolboard; I’ve been running for office in stlouis since 1992, 16 years; I’ve been actually serving in public office 8 of those years, schoolboard, 8 of the last 11 or so really. I would think someone who gets beat in some races and gives up, isnt very committed to public service. I’ve won city-wide twice; my others have been tough races but for worthy offices. Dont pick campaigns just to win something for a job; I have 3-4 of those already. I pick offices I think I can make a significant contribution serving in. We all know about all the elections Lincoln lost (tho I think I have him beat). A dream of public service is a worthy one. Thinking you have qualities to serve is good. I’ve shown it on the schoolboard. I’m proud of my ambitions. I like to think others may be too.

Come on, Bill … a good politician doesn’t call those with whom he disagrees “horses’ patoots.”

Or they will judge it as the publicity stunt that it really was from a guy whose only claim to fame is that he has lost more than he has won and was only elected to a failed school system for which he did nothing to improve. I suppose every election needs its clown. We should be grateful that Mr. Haas seems always willing to fill that role.

Better question: Can Haas overcome perennial nominee George “I really am not the car guy” Weber?

Actually, Weber’s nomination wins are impressive when you consider he spends next to nothing on the elections.

Maybe Bill should run on the Bill “Not the Gooey Butter Cake” Haas!

Good politicians try to call them as they sees them.
I was going to use, “Jane, you ignorant slut”, but it was taken.
If the back horseshoe fits, “yabadaba do and like that”. Kojak

Can someone, anyone, explain why this thread even exists?

CR, I think it has something to do with the love affair between Jake Wagman and all things Bill Haas.

Jake seems to find it newsworthy when Bill sneezes.

yea, Jake and I have always been like brothers, havent we, Jake?
as Jake throws up at the insult of the previous post, let me just say that first it’s about as far from true as it can be, and second, if you knew our history, you’d know just how funny and ironic the last post is.
I am good copy from time to time, though, and Jake, with his eyes on that Pulitzer that’s going to be his in just a matter of time, knows it.
Happy new years everyone, and I’ll resist the temptation to damn with feint praise or any other damning. last time this year I’ll resist.