Uh … yeah, that’s an efficient use of our attorney general’s time. Funny thing is, it’s 70 miles on slow roads between Clarksville and West Quincy, so half his “10 to 1″ window will be spent driving. Clarksville is 2 1/2 hours from Jefferson City. So Nixon is going to spend 6 1/2 hours in his car to make three 1/2 hour appearances - AND by doing it in the heat of a campaign, he’s bringing a political taint to an event that others are doing out of concern for their neighbor. Great going, Mr. Nixon!

In 1993, we were sandbagging in Kimmswick when Dick Gephardt showed up. I’ll never forget the photo grubbing sumbitch actually pausing for a photo op with a sandbag in hand that he should have been passing to the next fella. He was there “helping” for maybe 10-12 sandbags and then disappeared.

Message to Jay Nixon or any freaking politician showing up to pretend to work. Don’t. Stay the fork away. You just mess things up for the people actually doing the work. If you want to show up and bust your rump for 4-8 hours, by all means do so, but keep your 10 minute photo op appearances.

These people need yours and anyone’s HELP!!! This is not a time for anti-partisan comments - they are pleading for help to save their homes and businesses. Why is it that the good people of Missouri - the “Show Me State” can’t help good neighbors in need instead of being critical of the elected politicians who are trying to get the word out that these towns need anyone to help save their homes. The Mayor of Clarksville, Joanne Smiley, has been asking for help via every possible option - which would seem logical. Shame on all of you for complaining about partisan politics instead of facing the issue at hand - a genuine call for help! Why don’t you do something productive and help us instead of complaining about long drives and political motives - “Show Me” that the people of Missouri care before all is lost!!!!

Kim, I completely understand the situation at hand. You are absolutely right, the people of those communities need HELP. They don’t need some camera addicted politician jumping in the fray for a few minutes to get their picture taken. That is exactly what you will see.

I hope my post didn’t come off as partisan. Heck if ANY politician shows up for a brief stint, I will be equally critical. If a pol shows up and works their tail off for 4 or more hours, I will praise them for their effort.

On a personal note, I have vowed to never sandbag again. I spent 10 sometimes 12-14 hours a day sandbagging in 1993 in 3 separate communities. All three efforts eventually failed. Permanent levees and temporary sandbag levees only delay the inevitable. If the water wants to go somewhere, it will go and there is little to do to stop it. The folks upstream that are sandbagging and building levees are doing so to the detriment of the folks downstream. It’s a hard pill to swallow for folks faced with rising water, and I understand the desire to build a sandbag wall around ones property, but usually it comes at a cost to another area and is just pushing the problem down the line.