My father isn't your ordinary republican. Or perhaps he is depending on your definition. He's non religious, highly educated, hard working, and has a kind nature. He is not anti-choice nor is he homophobic or racist. He has an avid interest in alternative energy. Over the last fifteen years he's become an advocate of organic foods, positive thinking, and avoiding the pitfalls of pharmaceutical industry. He hasn't quite made the connection between his republican party and Big pharma. He is staunchly anti-drug, including prescription drugs.

Recently my dad agreed to exchange political books. As he put it, I'll read your propaganda if you read mine.

Our ballot has three judges on the ballot, Patricia Breckenridge and Paul Spinden for the western court of appeals, Richard Teitelman for Missouri supreme court justice. Voters are being asked if these judges should retain their current seats. Who are these people? Google provided a few snippets ( below the fold ). If anyone has personal experience or opinions about any of these three, please post them.

Lab created T-cells could promise revolutionary ways of combatting cancer, AIDS, and even the common cold.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&a mp;cid=1079910611380&call_pageid=968350130169&col=969483202845

In the first stages there is still the potential for failure. Nonetheless, it is exciting.

A recent article discusses a report on traditional news media's decline. Blaming the internet for sloppy journalism due to speed of web blogs presenting information. At least that was the gist I came away with.

Among the factors at work in the decline of traditional media:

¥ Too many news outlets are chasing a static or shrinking audience.

¥ Much of the investment in journalism is in telling news, not in collecting it.

¥ There is much more "newsgathering in the raw," less double-checking of facts and putting those facts in perspective, in journalism than before.

Linda Jacobsen ( as you probably know by now ) is running for Congress, 9th district Missouri.  She will be in Columbia, Friday 2/27 at the Muleskinners meeting ( Stamper commons, Stephens college ) 12:00 PM and then later ( see below ) She is against amending the constitution.  Dr. Gordon Christenson has done the kind favor of summarizing some of her platform.  For more information please read on

I suggested blogging to a candidate running for office. She is interested but has never set one up. Neither have I. Given that it should be professional I wouldn't want to.

So....

There's plenty of talk about the failures of the Democratic party and the Media.

But what I haven't seen, ever, is either one of them taking the time to publicly mention the real deal. Which is surprising because I think if more people knew, more people would vote Democratically.

I know those in the media have deadlines, but this is absurd.
As DK would say Heeeeelllllllooo

Maybe it was satire, maybe it was a rush to get over the dismay, maybe it was an overeager editor....

http://www.californiaaggie.com/article/?id=2640

Much has been said over the last couple of days about the Democratic party. Everyone has an opinion. I'd like to hear you're answer to the question: What are the values of the Democratic Party.

Del's speech to the local Muleskinners knocked the smugness out of Kerry's brother

What Josh Flory of the Tribune failed to report on was how the crowd reacted.

Here's what Josh missed.

 On the podium was a Kerry for president sign. Del, being the showman he is...

If you live in Missouri, let your reps know who you want.

Below is a list of email addresses. phone numbers and web contact forms.

I would like to hear your opinions on which state is more important to the Dean campaign in the Tuesday primaries after New Hampshire.

The Dean campaign seems very focused on Arizona and South Carolina. With Gephardt out, how important is or isn't Missouri?

New York times writes about Clark's gender gap. A rant. Clark should hire more women, ditch a few men, and spend more time face to face with women speaking freely.
http://nytimes.com/2004/01/09/politics/campaigns/09CLAR.html?hp