i am frustrated that Cole county state employees were given the day off for the governor’s inaugeration. It means that virtually state of Missouri business is shut down and it is unfair to the rest of the state’s employees that these employees get a free day off and it is unfair to the Missouri taxpayers. What a rip off. What a way to start 4 years off….disgruntled non cole county state employee

I couldn’t believethat that hypocrite Jeff Smith had the gall to attend the rally for Israel last Thursday at the J. He has consistently been anti Israel in his positions and speeches. It is always the poor Palestinians, hegemony, blah, blah, blah. I hope no one was taken is by his false support. As a Jew, he should be ashamed of himself for both his hypocrisy and his lack of support. Don’t believe anything he says.

I didn’t know Jeff Smith was Jewish. I thought I heard him say he was an atheist.

To Nick Kasoff -
I only would like to have a leader who doesn’t play the same fear card as Bush and his cronies did to get us mixed up in Iraq. For Obama to campaign on correcting the blundering mistakes of the Bush administration, then to turn around and push the hard line of the neo-cons constitutes political fraud in my view. Most of us who voted for him, I believe, don’t want to see further escalation of conflicts in the region. It’s beginning to look like the ghost of Lyndon Johnson is sending his playbook to Obama from hell. But as you likely already know, the language of politics is designed to make lies seem truthful and murder justifiable. (paraphrasing Orwell there.) As for “connecting the dots”, will you ever tire from the overuse of this cliché? No need to respond, Nick. Your opinion is worthless.

Hogan - I am well over the election. I was over it the next day. I am thankful McCain lost. I am thrilled H won and I wish him great success. What don’t you get? What else would you like me to say?

We need projects that will help people in regions and all areas of the state. For over a decade thousands of people have been speaking out wanting rail passenger service in cities that would benefit from the economic boost. In 2007 the state Transportation Department recommended it in a study including St. Louis, Kirkwood, Sullivan, Rolla, Lebanon, Springfield, and Branson. Service should also be considered to Kansas City from Springfield.

http://www.modot.org/othertransportation/rail/documents/MissouriDOT-SpringfieldtoStLouisServiceReport051607WebEdition.pdf

In southwest Missouri we need new jobs. An effort of ten years to bring Technology Jobs http://www.technologypark2006.org is what the people want which is new better paying jobs of the future. Research and development of solar, wind, and other forms of new products of the future can be done at the Technology Park.
The Stimulus money needs to be spent on long term projects the people want not just some road projects to make the auto, concrete, and gas people happy! Remember we are competing for jobs of the future with countries like India and China who are getting the best laugh right now when it comes to the economy!

Sincerely,

Steven L. Reed
1441 South Estate Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804

417-882-2942

Bob,
I once heard jeff Smith explain his religious affliation as follows: “I am Jewish for the U City crowd; atheist for the Wash U crowd; and vague for the voters.” Nuff said.