Beating Dead Horses
Phil Dillon, Emporia
Monday, August 29, 2011
I’m going to be accused of it so I might as well jump right in. I’m going to beat on a dead horse.
Actually, the reason I’m flailing away is that the horse isn’t really dead. I’ve been whacking him for years now, but in spite of my heroic effort he keeps coming back to life. My critics must be having a field day. They’re probably saying to themselves, “This fool thinks he’s smacking an old nag around. He doesn’t understand that our horse is actually more like Seabiscuit.”
The horse I’m talking about is the cultural and political divide in this town. On one side of the divide are those who say that everything in Emporia is fine. Their contention is that there’s not much we need to do to fix the things that ail us other than shop a little bit more here in town. They seem to hold the high ground and feel the defenses they’ve erected are impregnable.
They might be right, but I think I’ll keep it up, sort of like Ulysses S. Grant did at Cold Harbor. I’m thinking that if I can somehow remain ambulatory I may win out in the end.
Who’s the nag I’m beating on? It’s the divide between Emporia’s important citizens/decision makers and its rank and file.
I got back from a meeting last week and found a school district pamphlet called the “Clipboard,” dated June 22. There’s was a news brief on the cover page circled that read, “The policy also shifts two of the 11 paid holidays from Veterans Day and Good Friday to additional days during Christmas.” That was it.
I called the school district this morning to figure out how the decision to shift the holiday had been made. The process went something like this. In the past, teachers and administrators used Veterans Day as an in-service day. Those who worked on Veterans Day got paid for the holiday, which meant they had to work a half a day to earn their holiday pay. This year the “calendar committee” decided to eliminate the Veterans Day holiday and add that day to the Christmas break. They forwarded their recommendation to the school board; the recommendation was approved. It’s now district policy.
As far as the decision makers are concerned it’s a done deal. Then, why am I beating on a dead horse? Actually, I’m not. I’m beating on the old nag named Disconnect. He’s very much alive.
Some questions occurred to me as I listened to the explanation. Did anyone on the calendar committee consider how Emporia’s veterans might feel about the change? Could the committee have found another day on the calendar that would have kept the Veterans Day holiday intact and still meet the requirement for an in-service day?
My critics might have a couple of questions for me. “Why are you getting so hot and bothered?” “Isn’t this much ado about nothing?” And therein lies the problem. The disconnect in Emporia is palpable. It’s as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon.
A couple of weeks ago city leaders were busily trying to convince USA Today that Emporia was America’s most patriotic city. I think there was a disconnect there. I think patriotism was misused to further narrow political and economic interests. Now we’ve got some of Emporia’s leaders all but saying that a day set aside to honor veterans means little or nothing. And, they wonder why Emporia’s average guy feels the deck is stacked against him. They wonder why the “little people” refuse to turn out in droves on Election Day.
I suppose veterans are not that big a constituent group. Besides, they’re too busy dodging RPG’s up in Tora Bora to complain.
The disconnect probably seems quite small. But, when you add all of the small disconnects in Emporia up the number becomes almost unmanageable.
How is it, for example, that someone can assume the city has pockets deep enough to treat $23,000 an acre like it was chump change? Maybe it’s easy when you hold 65 Emporians over the fires of economic hell as collateral. Do you think the average hourly worker sweating out the weekly paycheck might be feeling like he’s being held hostage in this game of economic chicken? I do!
I’ve spent years wondering how this city’s slumlords get away with what they do. They must be politically connected. I’ve wondered why city leaders keep saying, I’m fixin’ to work on the problem…tomorrow…or the day after tomorrow. It’s a lot easier when the slumlords’ victims have decided to bite the bullet or they’ve just given up.
The result is that we’ve got a lot of people who’ve become invisible to leadership. And, until they become visible nothing else here will change for the better.
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I don't think your beating a dead horse but, sucking the hind teat of a dead cow. What should the role of government be in a free society?
August 29, 2011 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The role of of government in a free society.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AbsO8...
August 29, 2011 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Liked your article and dont think its beating a dead horse. They do things like this with the idea that the avg. person in Emporia is too dumb to notice
August 29, 2011 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Amen, Booker. That's why some folks get mighty upset when they find out there are quite a few people in Emporia with above average brainpower who are willing to ask questions.
August 29, 2011 at 7:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
above average brainpower ?
Have NOT seen it!
We don't need
above average brain power.
We need some common sense.
August 29, 2011 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bharz (anonymous) says...
Good article, Phil. Emporia, KS, home of Veterans' Day. Let's continue to honor it. Maybe there needs to be a leadership committee, made up of folks from different segments of Emporia life. They could meet on a regular basis, discuss trends and issues, and work together on common goals. Seems like maybe service organizations like the Lions, Optimists, etc., should already be doing this on an informal basis.
Brad Harzman
August 29, 2011 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
There is such a group, call Dick at Dick's Business Machines for time and place and don't forget to bring a tea bag.
August 29, 2011 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Kansas has to much local government.
http://wichitaliberty.org/kansas-gove...
August 29, 2011 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
According to some of the more credible, socially affluent, self appointed leaders that are strangling Emporia and its average Joe and Jill, us average " rabid dog, crank-in-chiefs do not have even average brain power or are even " credible " ! And since on average only 20% of average Joe/Jill citizen voters/taxpayers even bother to show up for important elections that have to do with their own hard earned money paid in taxes to the City of Emporia and in turn is " given " to these very same " credible, socially affluent, self appointed leaders that are strangling Emporia and its average citizen or spent unwisely by our City commission, perhaps the thought by some that us average little people do not have suffient brain power or common sense or common sense !
I, on the other hand believe that all of us average, little people do have more than sufficent brain power and common sense. It's just that quit a few of the average, little people have just become complacent and developed a " whats' the use attitude, from decades of the same old way of things being done .
And " Complacency " and " Non self interest " has not and will not bring about changing anything !
JMO
August 29, 2011 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Good post methusla and you and I might be on a list.
http://www.infowars.com/congressmen-p...
August 29, 2011 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Some GOP Congressmen are putting peoplw who ask tough questions on a watch list and the Congrssman who is coming to town Wednesday is requiring reservations to be made through the Chamber of Commerce and as Steve Sauder said on his open air blog that the meeting is not open to the public.--HOW CONVENIENT!!!
August 29, 2011 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 29, 2011 at 11:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
GO to infowars.com and click news and the watch list story will be found.
August 29, 2011 at 11:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, it takes a bit of brain power to have common sense. Both go hand-in-hand. We often hear of people who have no common sense then we find out their batteries are low too. The commonly heard "What were you thinking?" proves that.
I wonder, is Steve Sauder "the public" for this meeting, or will he go as a media person?
I hope our local city and county commissioners attend with questions of their own.
August 30, 2011 at 6:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Where is this invited only meeting at? The country club?
August 30, 2011 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
If any congressman comes to town for a "invited only"meeting, then it's time to impeach him or her.
Politicians can't simply pick and choose who they want to serve; they serve everyone, including those who ask "hard" questions.
They can't go on a TV news show, for example, with a list of questions they won't answer. The Tea Party's Christine Whatshername tried that on a CNN show recently, and was surprised and upset that the host asked those questions anyway. She walked off the set. Hello Christine? Governing is not for those who don't want to answer the hard questions.
Let's call the Chamber for the location of this "meeting." Then what will they do if we all show up? Haul us off? All of us? Oh really?
I can't wait.
August 30, 2011 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The meeting is at the Flint Hills Teck School from 4 to 6 on this Wednesday.
August 30, 2011 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I think I will call the Chamber this morning, just to verify there really is a closed session. As soon as I find out I'll post info here.
August 30, 2011 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
just a question.
If it is at the vo-tech school, isn't that public property owned by the taxpayers. if someone is paying rent to the school board for this meeting, then it could be a closed meeting, I guess.
Maybe someone needs to call 49 news in topeka?
August 30, 2011 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Do I hear the " rabid dog " pack growling and possibly getting ready to bark/bite ?
I think we are all intelligent enough to know that all politicians " do " serve those whom they choose and that they also govern by " decree " of those they choose/serve/pay them . Which is not everyone/all of us " The people " !
August 30, 2011 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
And yes, create, Steve Sauder does consider himself and his group of " good ole boys' " THE PUBLIC " .
August 30, 2011 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Here's the skinny so far, and the woman at the Chamber says she will call me back with more information since she is currently busy with someone at her desk. Maybe it's netloafer.
She tells me that Congressman Huelskamp has asked the Chamber to set up an "invitation only" meeting here in Emporia. Chamber members only are to be involved.
Hey Steve, aren't you a chamber member?
When she calls me back, I'll send more info to the forum.
Here's my take so far. Huelskamp is afraid he will meet up with the likes of those who stood on the Merchant Street corner not long ago. He doesn't want to deal with their demands. Apparently, he doesn't want to deal with the general public. Then I guess since I am a member of the general public, he doesn't want to represent me.
August 30, 2011 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
BTW, the woman I spoke to on the phone wanted to know who I was and who I represented after I gave her my name. I told her I was merely a member of the general public interested in information. Now let's see if she calls me back.
August 30, 2011 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
More...
Yes, Steve, this meeting is at the Tech School, but I haven't asked yet if the place is being rented. She hasn't called me back. You can see by this link that it is by "invitation only."
http://www.emporiakschamber.org/custo...
August 30, 2011 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
Me, a chamber member? Yea, right, that'll never happen.
It is within the chambers right and Huelskamps' right to have an invitation only meeting. We wouldn't want all of that stroking and patting done in public, would we?
I would hope the school district is being reimbursed for the use of it's facilities if it is in fact a private invitation only event.
August 30, 2011 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
reddog,
The times of this have changed?
August 30, 2011 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I got a call back from the Chamber. Tim Huelskamp requested the meeting with Chamber members. Intent was to get business input.
The meeting is from 2 to 4.
I'm not sure if Huelskamp has said media not allowed.
August 30, 2011 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well I guess the votech college is not in usd 253.
Really, when it comes down to it, who cares what that dingbat has to say? He'll say that we need less government, the chamber will say yahoo!
To quote Officer Barbrady from "South Park",
"Nothing to see here, people, move along".
August 30, 2011 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Interesting mail today.
As a registered Republican i got a flier from none other than Tim Hueslkamp. Don't think his staff will care for my responses to the survey.
August 30, 2011 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I received a call back from the woman at the Chamber. She invited me to attend. And she did explain that this was a request from Huelskamp to meet with Emporia business people. She did not know about renting the Tech School premises since this was arranged by Huelskamp's camp.
No cost.
August 30, 2011 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Isn' t the numbern one qualification of a politician to learn or have the ability to " Pander " to the desires and wishes of the " Few " who can or are able to pay for their political " Prowess/power " ?
Which would pretty much exclude any of us " Po Ole Rabid Dog taxpayers " !
August 30, 2011 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A smidge off topic, but this has to be bad news for fanestil and the county.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FEMA-pu...
August 30, 2011 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The public's view of Federal Government hits new low.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/n...
August 30, 2011 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
steve, i thought the same thing this morning when i heard that fema was running low. i saw on topix that the smoots own 60 acres in se emporia. if that is true then, why don't they build on their own land, with their own money? just wondering??
August 30, 2011 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
I checked county records. Mr. Smoots owns two parcels of land on E Logan. One of about 15-20 acres with his home on it and another parcel of about 50-60 acres with no improvements on it. As I understand it the city and county first tried to get him to use the old Lenze building and he turned them down. Said he had a study indicating that odor escaping from miniscule amounts from Menu would damage his product.
The parcel ID numbers are:
1962300000001030 - 55 acres
1962300000001040 - 20.1 acres
I drove by the property last week. His parcels are well east of Menu and still within city limits.
I think now he wants access to turnpike and I 35 for retail expansion.
It must be nice to get taxpayer help like this.
August 30, 2011 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
At first I was concerned about Fanny moving and the lost jobs. Now that I have found out more of whats invoved I wish Fanny would leave. I dont mind helping anyone but this is more of a welfare check and we will never regroup the cost of this.Again take his meats and hit the road!
August 30, 2011 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Perfect example of those that " Have " get even more and those that " Have to cut back and do without " get even less and are forced to give to or pay for what the " Have's, Have " and pay for what the " Haves, Want " !
Ah, Yes, just a typical day, month, year in Emporia, Ks.. Is it any wonder that Emporia, Ks. is falling apart and the reasons are right there in front of us, for all to see .
JMO
August 30, 2011 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hmmmm.
well mr smoots? fema probably isn't coming... what about improving your own land?
August 30, 2011 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yup, I agree scarlett.
There's just something about all this that smells and not like sausage either. Maybe I'd feel differently were this move to be protecting a larger number of jobs, but 40 something?
On top of that, this idea of needing that particular piece of property near the highway interchange and using my dime to purchase it rubs me the wrong way. That's the stink part, especially the price tag for that piece of property. Exactly when did it go so high? Only when this deal was in the wind?
Build your building somewhere else on your own land, Fanestil. That's what trucks are for.
August 31, 2011 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Off topic, but why no Gazette coverage on shooting in Dunlop?
August 31, 2011 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
Maybe their radio is turned off?
You know if this Fema deal works out and the city buys the land for the new location, maybe they should get that 55 acre tract deeded to them as part of the deal? It would add some land to that industrial park, wouldn't it?
August 31, 2011 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orlando (anonymous) says...
Did anyone call the tech college about the meeting today? See what they say about it?
August 31, 2011 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
steve, create,
from what i've read and seen on cnn, fema has stopped projects from katrina to tornados in alabama, and probably joplin. soo if all this has been stopped because of money, then why does mr smoots think there is money for non-emergencies? again just wondering?
August 31, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
why can't mr smoots get a grant from usda for business developement in a rural area? if i know about this, then why doesn't anyone else?
August 31, 2011 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
what is the rda doing? sitting on their thumbs?
August 31, 2011 at 1:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey Phil,
Check this out. it seems Emporia is not the only town having "trouble" with it's monuments.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/m...
August 31, 2011 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Steve
Interesting! I understand where Maya Angelous is coming from, and Krauthammer as well.
I don't know if you've ever had the opportunity to read Angelou's work. She has an enourmous gift, particularly "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
I went to the meeting at FHTC. I spoke briefly with Heulskamp afterwords. A lot of folks expressed their desire for government to work more smoothly. I told him I understood where people were coming from, but that I was a minority dissenter. I lobbied for a bit more gridlock. I told him our political leaders were dangerous enough as things are. If they could ever make things efficient they'd be really dangerous. Besides, I've always been fond of Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. I loved the way he fillibustered.
Of course, that only works in Frank Capra movies.
August 31, 2011 at 5:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
What did Huelskamp have to say to your comment, netloafer? I'm curious.
I understood he was hoping to avoid contentious audiences or confrontations about Washington's party of No and general gridlock by having this meeting for business people only.
August 31, 2011 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
Create
There weren't many Chamber folks there. There were politicians - Jeff Longbine, Don Hill, Peggy Mast, Matt Zimmerman, Rob Gilligan. There were a few people from the university. There were a few Tea party folks.
The meeting wasn't particularly contentious. Someone asked about some superhighway that is supposedly being built from Mexico to Canada. Huelskamp knew nothing about. Myself, I didn't have a clue.
Huelskamp didn't say much in response to what I said other than we need legislators to deal with the debt.
I did want to ask him about whether or not Kansas farmers, particularly he big corporate farmers like Cargill were getting subsidies and price supports and if they were what the difference between them and bank, auto, and other bailouts would be.
I might have been assuming too much. I guessed that since he was from a farm state he would support farm subsidies.
But I didn't get to ask the question. There were a lot of othe people who wanted to talk to him.
August 31, 2011 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
As an interesting aside I spoke briefly with a fellow Lions' Club member yesterday who asked Rep. Huelskamp about farm subsidies. Huelskamp was a bit evasive.
I got curious this morning and called the USDA. After getting bounced through three departments I finally got to talk to someone. Quite interesting. I had the sense I was being snookered. Basically she said farmers were getting nothing. I've done a bit of checking since and found that there is a lot of clever use of language, things like conservation initiatives, crop insurance, etc. I suspect some farmers are getting a pretty good deal courtesy of taxpayers.
I think the reason rural representatives are so defensive is that there's a lot more federal money going into farmers' pockets than can be readily seen.
It makes me wonder. One of the root causes of the great depression was tarrifs enacted to protect American farmers. The market had crashed in '29. Unemployment went to 9% It started going down pretty quickly. By 1930 it was back down to about 6%. Then the tariffs were passed. A trade war ensued. In less than a year unemployment went to over 11%.
September 1, 2011 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
From what I have been able to find out.Reading different publications its not the small farmer or rancher thats making a killing off of goverment payouts. Its the large co-op farmers that really dont farm.They go and buy out the small family farms and go for the goverment payouts.These are the ones giving money to likes of our boy Tim and no way he or the others are going to cut the payouts
September 2, 2011 at 7:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
booker5m
I'm not sure. The federal agencies are quite skilfull in the way they present data. My suspicious nature says they may be trying to hide things.
I'm told I should be more trusting, but I find it hard. Yesterday there were hearings about fraud in Iraq reconstruction programs that amount to $20 billion, maybe more. I also listened to the Inspector General of Health and Human Services talk about the $18 billion in fraud they've found in medicare. It seems to me that when a lot of money is involved there are going to be a lot of enterprising people in and out of government who will find ways to pocket a lot of it. I'm sure farmers, big and small, are nice folks, but I think they're every bit as corruptible as the war profiteer or the medicare cheat
September 2, 2011 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks for telling me about the meeting and what Hueskamp said to you.
"I suspect some farmers are getting a pretty good deal courtesy of taxpayers." Absolutely, especially the big ones.
I'm glad to hear that HHS is finally looking into all the Medicare fraud that's been going on for a very long time. One Florida clinic alone had raked in several million dollars all by it self. When there is no one to check the paperwork, this is what happens. I guess this might be the LESS government some keep harping about.
One news story this morning involves millions upon millions being bilked out of the IRS in a giant social security number scheme in Tampa. The IRS! Of course if it's happening in Tampa,it's happening elsewhere. Where'd they get the social security numbers? By hacking into the Ancestry.com website. Whoa.
Of course, the IRS is shorthanded too. But of course, new e-filing makes it so much easier to file our taxes, yes, and for others to swipe our cards too, literally.
Yes, indeed, what we need is a smaller government. No one to watch the mice you know.
September 3, 2011 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
BTW, I thought that was funny that only a few chamber members came to the Huelskamp meeting, and that most there were legislators. I suppoe somebody's gotta keep stoking the fires so we don't all freeze.
But he had his town hall, didn't he?
September 3, 2011 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Here is that IRS fraud story from Tampa. This will blow your mind if you haven't seen this.
Hey tourguide, these are U.S. citizens who speak English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sADMrM...
September 3, 2011 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scole2009 (anonymous) says...
I have an idea. Crazy I know. Instead of giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to the VCB and the RDA lets take 5 percent and put it into a bounty fund. The bounty can be administered by a board of 5 people. Anyone in the community trying to create events, or activities that bring about a surge in local business that is able to be tracked can have access.
September 4, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Create, Good link. What a scam they tried. I wonder when & where they are going to sell the confiscated Bentley. I could use that auto at the lake house Evening dinners in Branson. Thx for the link. Will check into it...
September 4, 2011 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )