respublica

Ike explains

Missouri congressman, Ike Skelton, was the only local House member to break away from his own party over the health care bill vote.  The democrat voted no and afterward explained:

"I am concerned about the impact the legislation could have on rural hospitals and doctors. The proposed reductions to Medicare reimbursement could further squeeze the budgets of rural health care providers. I also oppose the creation of a new government-run public option and continue to have serious concerns about its potential unintended consequences for Missourians who have private insurance plans they like."

220-215

Close vote on the health care bill in the House.  Almost 2000 pages.

How did our local representatives vote?

Illinois

Costello      Yes

Shimkus      No

Missouri

Ike Skelton   No

Todd Akin    No

Russ Carnahan   Yes

Lacy Clay     Yes

Jo Ann Emerson   No

Blaine Leutkemeyer   No

Roy  Blunt   No

Prairie chickens moving east

500 prairie chickens are being prepared for a move from their home near Salina Kansas to Wah'  Kon Tan Missouri.  One hundred years ago 1000's of these grouse type birds call  Missouri's prairie grass areas home.  The grasses covered over one third of the state, but their habitat was drastically reduced and only a few birds remain.  After intense conservation efforts in St. Clair County, the prairie chickens will be coming back.

Shovelnose protection

There's a plan afoot to dig into the possibility of protecting a Mississippi and Missouri river caviar producing fish with the unfortunate name of "Shovelnose" Sturgeon.

Seems the Shovelnose is not endangered, but is a look-alike to the Pallid Sturgeon which is endangered.

Caviar demand from these two fishes boomed after European caviar became depleted.

Still, as special and expensive as caviar is, it's kind of humorous to think of it coming from a Shovelnose.

And, it'll be interesting to see what happens if and when this fish is off limits to fishermen, will an over population of Shovelnose cause more problems in local river waters than before?

37-9

MIZZ-erable game for Illinois.

Just BLAINE great for Missouri.

We returned from Kansas today just in time to catch most of the Missouri-Illinois game.  Before we sat down we hung the new flag we bought in Columbia on Saturday.

M I Z  Z O U

O Happy Day

Chase-ing the dream

Great story for Missouri fans.  Chase Daniel, quarterback for the University of Missouri the past several years, went undrafted in the spring's NFL draft, but latched onto a tenuous free agent spot on the Washington Redskins.  He was projected to be the 4th quarterback, maybe if he was lucky he'd be on the practice squad.

But Saturday night Daniel got his chance in a pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and gave everyone in DC an opportunity to see what we all loved about him at Mizzou.

After starter Jason Campbell went one for seven in the first half, Daniel was sent in and promptly threw for two touchdowns.  He had zip on the ball, saw the field and had what coach Jim Zorn said was a "wonderful night". 

USAToday

Washington Post-"The Washington Redskins be the last National Football League team to score a touchdown in the preseason. (Thank you, Marko Mitchell and Chase Daniel. You deserve more than the practice squad). "

WP:  Chase Daniel was better than decent. In his first preseason game, he was Coltesque, running the offense with authority, maneuvering that scatback of a frame (listed at 6 feet, he's barely tall enough for the rides at Six Flags) around mounds of Steel Town muscle and mass, passing for two touchdowns.

Receiver Fred Davis who caught the first touchdown pass:  "he was slinging the rock. Looked like he knew what he was doing."

Chase Daniel has a certain moxy when he's out there playing quarterback, a guy who can make plays even though he doesn't have the traditional QB physique.  Hopefully the Redskins will be willing to take a chance on him.

Use less energy, pay more in penalties

Irony in a time when energy saving is a huge deal.  Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon plans to sign the Missouri Energy Efficiency Act bill which will actually make consumers pay a penalty on their power bills if they use less electricity.

"An Associated Press analysis last week of the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act showed private utility companies would be able to recoup costs for new energy-saving programs by charging customers more."

The governor seemed "irked" at the AP's conclusion, but the bill did have the full support of all the utility companies as well as the state legislature and some consumer advocates. 

This is very weird.

The new Mississippi River bridge

It looks like it is actually going to happen.

According to Mayor Slay's blog, geologic studies for retaining walls and other structures for the river bridge were conducted yesterday.

Rah

Missouri basketball coach, Mike Anderson has signed a 7 year contract.  After lots of angst in the St. Louis sports media about whether or not he might leave for Georgia or Alabama, the wait is over.  He's staying and that is good news for the University of Missouri.

He brought the school not only a winning team, but a disciplined style of coaching which brought respect to the program.

Mizzou Rah.

A great purchase

Last December Collinsville Progress created a Mizzou tree for the Festival of trees.  We're betting the couple which ended up with the winning bid is very happy this morning. 

Their Tiger beer is probably long gone

But the big Tiger singing the fight song is probably sitting by the TV and the flag is flying.