In an on online piece by Andrea Reiher entitled “America’s Got Talent’: Rockin’ Rory rocks’” published on zap2it.com in its June 23 “It Happened Last Night” section” the writer appeared to take a gratuitous slam at the quality of entertainment in Branson. Why the writter even had to mention Branson in the piece in the context they did is beyond an Ole Seagull’s comprehension. What good purpose was served?

The perceived slam was contained in the articles evaluation about the performance of Peter Peterkin. In total it said:

“A Barack Obama imitator named Pete Peterkin. He’s… meh. He’s got some of the Obama speech patterns down but it’s also kind of James Brown doing Barack Obama. No sooner have I typed that then Pete puts on a wig and goes into his James Brown imitation. Honestly, this guy isn’t good enough to play Branson, let alone Vegas. He says he does about 100 imitations and plays 15 instruments. The crowd chants Vegas, but the judges are on the fence. They end up putting him through, though.”

The good news for Branson, Reiher’s innuendo aside, is that the talent that does play Branson is good enough so that Branson will be celebrating 50 years of live music shows this year and entertain over six million visitors.

An Ole Seagull’s musings on this and that in and around Branson and a wish for a happy Father’s Day:

No carousel or camel rides at Branson Landing: At the work session of the Branson Board of Alderman on May 18, it was announced that the businessmen wanting to bring a carousel into the Public Square at Branson Landing had withdrawn their request. That probably doesn’t bode well for the camel rides either.

Forsythe blemish still evident: The good news is that Branson has a wonderful new road and intersection between State Highway 76 and Roark Valley Road. The bad news is that the new Forsythe Road takes locals and tourists alike through what looks like “death valley east.” Adds new meaning to the term, “Beauty of the Ozarks.”

What is the real cost of the “free” Discovery Trolley? When the businesses were questioning the availability of parking in Historic Downtown Branson a couple of years ago, one of their representatives estimated the value of each downtown parking space at $65,000 per year. How many spaces are allocated for the “free” Discovery Trolley at a total of how many dollars? Add that to “x” number of dollars for a total cost of how much to operate the trolley?

Taney County Assessor not pleased with recent editorial: A recent news report in this newspaper contained a line that the Taney Country Assessor was not pleased with a recent editorial that some might construe to be critical of the way property taxes have been assessed. At the end of the day however, it probably works out because there are a lot of Taney County property owners that are not pleased with the way the Taney County Assessor has assessed their property.

Table Rock Dam contributes to Branson’s uniqueness: On June 14, the area celebrated the 50th anniversary of the dedication of Table Rock Dam. The flood control and electricity it provides are great benefits, but, in terms of Branson’s tourism it is its impoundment of Table Rock Lake that contributes substantially to Branson’s uniqueness. One can almost feel the hand of God blessing Branson as Table Rock Dam, Silver Dollar City, and Branson’s first show all blossomed forth within a relatively short time of each other.

Will Branson & Taney County taxpayers pay the cost of relocating Lake Shore Drive: Rumor has it that Kanakuk Kamps wants to relocate Lake Shore Drive around their property at a cost of about $3 million dollars. That may or may not be a good idea, it may or may not cost $3 million, but to an Ole Seagull, it shouldn’t cost Taney County tax payers one penny.

Despite voter’s rejection there is still pressure from some for East West Corridor: Especially in view of what the voters did relative to the county tax issue that was allegedly for the Lake Taneycomo Bridge not too long ago, forcing the vote on the East West Corridor Road and Exposition Center onto the February ballot this year was perhaps not the brightest political move of all time. They got their vote and their answer yet, there seems to be a constant pressure by some who did not get what they wanted to get things the way they want them. Anyone want to bet how it’s going to turn out?

Happy Father’s Day: William Wordsworth said, “Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name” and Red Buttons said, “Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.” To Wordsworth an Ole Seagull would say, “Amen, to Buttons he would suggest that, hand aside, it is the heart that is most exposed when raising children and to all fathers he would share the words of Elizabeth Stone who said, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Happy Father’s Day.

The purpose of the original Memorial Day was to honor those who died in the Civil War. Its purpose today has evolved into remembering and honoring all who have died in the service of our country. What better way is there to honor and remember them than to honor and remember their living comrades, those men and women who have and are currently honorably serving in America’s Armed Forces.

Someone a lot wiser than an Ole Seagull said, “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Since the earliest days of our history, America’s Armed Forces and their families have assumed the risk paid the price for the freedoms and privileges that we, as a Nation, all enjoy and sometimes take for granted. Memorial Day gives us a unique opportunity to not only honor the dead but to pause, honor and say “Thank You,” to those who have and are currently serving and their comrades who are Missing In Action.

The very act of going into the Armed Forces puts one’s life at risk. Immediately upon being “sworn in,” members of the Armed Forces have given control of their lives to their military and governmental leaders. It is a control that is absolute and, from an honor point of view, irrevocable.

It could be exercised through an order “to take that hill,” in the face of withering machine gun or mortar fire, to patrol a neighborhood in Baghdad, or the assaulting of a terrorist stronghold in Afghanistan. Or, it could be an order to serve in a supply depot, training facility, or hospital thousands of miles away from the battle. Regardless of where or how one serves, the risk to their life is an inherent part of serving and is omnipresent.

History records that it is the politicians, and those in power, who start wars and that it is the men and women of their Armed Forces and their families who pay the price of those wars. It is a price paid in separation, stress, blood, suffering, anguish, and, sometimes, death.

Theirs is not the job of judging whether or not the politicians and those in power are risking their lives in a noble or just cause. Their job is to do their duty. Some have served in conflicts that were “popular” such as World Wars I and II and Dessert Storm. Others served in conflicts that were not as “popular,” such as Korea and Vietnam. Through it all however, the men and women of America’s Armed Forces and their families have done their duty, sacrificed, and given unstintingly of themselves.

The eloquent words of William James remind us that “No matter what a man’s frailties otherwise may be, if he be willing to risk death, in the service he has chosen, that fact consecrates him forever.” Since the beginning of our Republic the members of our country’s Armed Forces and their families have assumed that risk, done their duty, and ensured that a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

For that we owe those who have and are currently, serving in the Armed Forces our undying gratitude, honor, respect, and support, not only on Memorial Day but, every day we as a Nation enjoy the fruits of their efforts, sacrifices, and service.

Dedication: As another school years end this opinion is republished and respectfully dedicated to our areas Teachers as a thank you, an encouragement, and a goal. May it remind us all of how valuable our Teachers are to our children, community and the future of our nation.

In terms of a “profession,” America’s future does not lie in the hands of Presidents, politicians, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and other leaders. Her future lies in the hands of the professionals who will be teaching those who will become the future Presidents, politicians, lawyers, doctors, accountants and other leaders, America’s Teachers.

A “Teacher” is “one who teaches,” a professional who has accepted the awesome challenge and responsibility of helping to prepare our children and grandchildren to fully realize their individual potential, create the desire to fulfill it, and equip them with the skills necessary to achieve it. It can truly be said that America’s destiny and future depends upon the realization and fulfillment of that potential.

Oh sure, there are those, professing to be teachers, who do the minimum and simply go through the motions. They could be characterized as those who perform the mechanical function of providing instruction from prepared lesson plans without a personal commitment to their students or accepting the responsibility and accountability for their results. They are teachers in title only.

The true “Teacher” has a personal commitment to their students. A commitment to not only teaching the necessary information and skills their students will need, but to make learning an experience they will want to continue for the rest of their lives. They fully realize and appreciate that “how” they do what they do is as important as “what” they do and dedicate their professional lives to equipping, helping, and motivating their students to recognize and reach their full potential.

To a large extent true “Teaching” is an art form. It requires the same type of dedication, commitment, and skill that a painter would use on a great canvas, a music composer on an opus, a lawyer on a jury, or an entertainer on an audience. What makes the successful musician, singer, comedian, painter, or author? Is it the mere application of “the mechanics” of what they are doing or their ability to communicate and relate what they are doing to their audience?

Even as the success of an artist is directly linked to their ability to relate what they are doing to their audience so too is the success of a Teacher, only more so. Although the professional entertainer wants and desires to reach every member of their audience, they can still be very successful if they reach a substantial majority of their audience.

A Teacher however, does not have that luxury. For them, success and failure is measured in the eyes, minds, and hearts of each individual student. The Master Teacher said it best. “If any man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” He was not willing to lose even one.

The Teacher’s heart and spirit transcends mere “mechanics and basics” and goes to the concern and commitment of dedicating themselves to their students and their individual ability to effectively apply what is being taught. It is a task that, in a lot of cases, is made more difficult by influences outside of the Teacher’s direct control such as the physical or mental challenges of individual students, school funding issues, child abuse, and dysfunctional families to mention a few. Fortunately, for America and Her children, in spite of these additional challenges, there are those who feel a calling to become, in the truest sense of the word, “Teachers.”

Where then is the nobleness of Teaching? It is obvious that it is not based on factors such wealth, title, or power and yet, it is nobleness in the truest sense of the word. Nobleness based on the character, honor, generosity, dedication and commitment of those who are true Teachers and the quest they have chosen, preparing our children for the rest of their tomorrows. There’s not much that is more noble or important than that, not much at all.

Wouldn’t every business person love a deal like this one! A CNNmoney.com story entitled, “Chrysler won’t repay bailout money” reports that “An administration official confirms that a $4 billion bridge loan and $3.2 billion in bankruptcy financing won’t be paid back by Chrysler following bankruptcy.”

Chrysler doesn’t pay the $4 Billion loan or the $300 million in fees on that loan, all made with taxpayer money prior to their recently declared bankruptcy. They declare bankruptcy and get another $3.5 Billion to fund their operations during bankruptcy. What does the tax payer get? An 8 percent equity in a company that would have been out of business without taxpayer assistance. What a deal.

For what it’s worth,an Ole Seagull believes it is ludicrous that bankruptcy plan does not include a payback of at least the $3.5 billion being used to fund its operations during bankruptcy.

Excerpts from article:

This revelation was buried within Chrysler’s bankruptcy filings last week and confirmed by the Obama administration Tuesday. The filings included a list of business assumptions from one of the company’s key financial advisors in the bankruptcy case.

Some of the main assumptions listed by Robert Manzo of Capstone Advisory Group were that the Treasury would forgive a $4 billion bridge loan given to Chrysler in the closing days of the Bush administration, a $300 million fee on that loan, and the $3.2 billion in financing approved last week by the Obama administration to fund Chrysler’s operations during bankruptcy.

Click here for entire article.

To Christians, Christmas is both a commemoration and celebration of the fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” If however, that first Christmas was all there was, there would be little reason for anyone to believe in Jesus and the promise of eternal life would be lost to all. But that’s not all there was.

Jesus, as he lived and walked among men did so as a man. He faced the same temptations that all mankind faces, the same needs and desires, the same choices between good and evil, and had to deal with personal relationships and the other problems of simply being human. In the end it was His supreme faith in God, prayer, willingness to submit Himself to God’s will, and His love for us that led Him to the agony and humiliation of the cross.

As He anguished in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” The “cup” was not the beatings, the crown of thorns, public humiliation and scorn, or His agonizing crucifixion on the cross. What was paining Jesus was the knowledge that He would be separated from His Father as He bore the burden of all mankind’s sins and sacrificed Himself for its redemption so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

If that was all there was, that Jesus died a horrible and painful death for that in which He professed belief, most of His followers would have considered Him a hero and, like thousands of heroes and martyrs before and after Him, He would have either been lost in the sands of time or, at best, become a memory in the pages of history. But, that’s not all there was.

At various times during His ministry Jesus had predicted His suffering and death and that He “would be raised up on the third day.” The same political and religious power and clout that lead to His suffering and death on the cross went through great lengths to make sure that Jesus stayed dead and would become a distant memory as soon as possible. They sealed His body in a tomb with a large rock and placed Roman soldiers to guard its entrance and, in the end, because they did, provided very proof that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

As Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on the third day, she found the rock rolled away, the guards shaking in fear, an empty tomb, and an angel of God who said, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” In the following days His disciples and many others saw the living Lord, Christ, Jesus, the Son of God alive and interacted with Him.

Praise God, we have a risen Lord who lives and loved each and every one of us enough to pay for our sins, those of yesterday, today and tomorrow, by shedding His own body and blood on our behalf. All we have to do is accept His gift, for “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

An April 21 article in the New York Times entitled “In Push Before Vote, Obama Sharpens Tone, reported “In television commercials and in appearances before crowded rallies, Mr. Obama, of Illinois, cast his opponent in one of the most negative lights of the entire 16-month campaign, calling her a compromised Washington insider.”

 On August 23 Obama announced his selection of Senator Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate. Biden has been a Senator from Maryland for about 35 years, the sixth longest period in officer for current senators, unsuccessfully ran for President in 1998 and 2008, and is currently concurrently running for senator in 2008.

An Ole Seagull cannot help but wonder what the difference is between Clinton and Biden is in terms of being a “compromised Washington insider?” To him Biden is as much a “compromised Washington insider,” as is Clinton and more so. It would be interesting to know Obama’s definition of “compromised Washington insider” and why Mrs. Clinton meets it but Biden doesn’t or, in the alternative, why it should have been a factor in Clinton’s case but not Biden’s?

The Ole Seagull is certainly not a liberal but does anyone see the irony in todays AP story on the fact that North Korea has just set off an underground atomic test. Comparatively speaking, in terms of known weapons of mass destruction potential, prior to the invasion of Iraq, on a scale of 1 to 10,  Iraq posed a threat of what as compared to North Korea?

The Ole Seagulls columns, appearing in the Sunday edition of the Branson Daily Independent and on line in the Branson Courier, normally involve the happenings of small town America, as illustrated by life in Branson, Missouri. His September 24 column, entitled “At least ten things that the Ole Seagull is positive about,” contains an interesting perspective on what an “opinion columnist” is and their value to their readers. For the most part that perspective is discussed under “positives” 1 and 10.

Can someone help an Ole Seagull understand exactly how the movement for reparation, payment of some sort, to today’s black Americans by the rest of today’s Americans because of slavery in America’s past, does anything but help divide our nation? Is the term “African American” a term of unification or division? Does it not remind all Americans “of the vestige of slavery?”

These and other questions came to mind as the Ole Seagull read a recent Associated Press story by David A. Lieb entitled, “Mo. to Fly Confederate Flag.” The story quoted Mary Ratliff, president of the Missouri State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as saying, “It is just appalling to me that the governor would again raise a flag that is so humiliating and reminds us of the vestige of slavery that has divided our nation for all these years.”

According to the story the governor had “ordered that the Confederate flag be flown Sunday [June 5] at a state cemetery where former rebel soldiers were buried, a move denounced by black leaders.” The story was very clear that the flag would be flown “for one day at the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site in Higginsville, where a service is planned to mark Confederate Memorial Day.”

Will someone give an Ole Seagull a break here, what “reminds us of the vestiges of slavery that has divided our nation for all these years” more? Is it a Confederate battle flag waving from a flag pole at a Confederate Memorial State Historic Site or the constant reminder of slavery in America’s past that Ratliff, the NAACP, and some black leaders use to imply that today’s black Americans are owed something because their ancestors were slaves?

No right thinking person can condone slavery or the concept that one person can be another person’s property. That’s why, were the Ole Seagull a betting Seagull, he would bet that about as many non black Americans living in America today own slaves as there are black Americans living in America today who are or were slaves.

Is it totally inappropriate to suggest that it is the constant reminder of slavery in America’s past, in the attempt to obtain preferential treatment and economic advantage for today’s black Americans, at the expense of, among others, today’s white Americans, that divides this nation far more than the display of the Confederate battle flag. Comparatively speaking, exactly how divisive to our nation is the display of the Confederate battle flag for one day, over the graves of Confederate soldiers “at the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site,” in connection with a service “to mark Confederate Memorial Day?”

Is it as divisive to our nation as was the practice of bussing? Might some Americans view the practice of affirmative action where, among others, black Americans are given preferential treatment over white Americans, merely because of the color of their skin, as divisive?

It’s an amazing thing to an Ole Seagull how those who call themselves “African Americans,” instead of just “Americans,” can talk about being either reminded about the vestige of slavery or something being divisive. Was not slavery a well established institution in Africa before European traders arrived? Was it Americans who enslaved black Africans or was it their fellow black Africans?

History testifies to the fact that it was black Africans who enslaved their fellow black Africans. Then, after enslaving them, they sold their slaves to, among others, European slave traders and transported the purchased slaves out to the slave ships.

In terms of black Americans not being reminded about “the vestige of slavery that has divided our nation for all these years” may an Ole Seagull make a suggestion? Why not put the same effort that is currently being expended against the display of the Confederate battle flag, in not just in this situation but nation wide, into encouraging black Americans to use the term “American” rather than “African American?”

“Ah Seagull, is that politically correct?”

“That depends on who is determining what is politically correct.”

An Ole Seagull would echo the words of Abraham Lincoln. He said, “I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

A Mar. 18 AP story entitled “McGwire Evades Questions on Steroids Use” reported, “In a room filled with humbled heroes, Mark McGwire hemmed and hawed the most. His voice choked with emotion, his eyes nearly filled with tears, time after time he refused to answer the question everyone wanted to know: Did he take illegal steroids when he hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998…” In an Ole Seagull’s opinion one would have to be a hero first to be a “humbled hero.” Based on the actions described in this and other articles one could wonder if the term should have been “humbled caught cheaters” instead or if their “records” are really records at all.

A Denver Post article published on Feb. 3, entitled, “Regents won’t fire Churchill” said “The American Indian Movement of Colorado, which counts Churchill as one of its leaders, also entered the fray Wednesday, saying in a statement that Churchill ‘is under attack by racists who would prefer to silence indigenous voices altogether.’” Give me a break, does one have to be a racist to be offended by the comments of Wade Churchill in his essay, entitled “Some People Push Back,” wherein he called those killed at the World Trade Center on 9-11 “little Eichmanns?”

Shortly after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 9-11, Professor Ward Churchill, of the University of Colorado, wrote a essay entitled “Some People Push Back,” containing his perceptions about why the attack took place and what it bodes for the future. To an Ole Seagull, statements such as “If there was a better, more effective, or in fact any other way of visiting some penalty befitting their participation upon the little Eichmanns inhabiting the sterile sanctuary of the twin towers, I’d really be interested in hearing about it.,” indicate he could be a few slices short of a full loaf. Oh, well, interested or not, he’s “hearing about it!

The area of south west Missouri, including the city of Branson, celebrates “Ozark Mountain Christmas” every year between Nov.1 and Dec. 31. It spends tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars advertising “Ozark Mountain Christmas” and attracts hundred of thousands of visitors who spend millions of dollars, yet, in this world of being politically correct and not wanting to offend anyone, one is more likely to hear the greeting, “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” the very name of the holiday that is being advertised and promised. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

http://explorebranson.com/whatsnew/christmas/

When Massachusetts Institute of Technology biologist Nancy Hopkins, an attendee at a “two-day, invitation-only conference of the Cambridge-based National Bureau of Economic Research,” walked out during the comments of Harvard President Larry Summers because, according to Hopkins, “this kind of bias makes me physically ill,” she testified as to the success of what Summers had been asked to do by the conference organizers, “to be provocative.” At the time Hopkins walked out Summers was discussing “Hypotheses based on the scholarly work that had been assembled for the conference” and “had cited research showing that more high school boys than girls tend to score at very high and very low levels on standardized math tests, and that it was important to consider the possibility that such differences may stem from biological differences between the sexes.” Hum, on second thought, maybe her actions illustrate more than Summers ability to provoke.

A recent story entitled “24 making nice with Muslims,” appearing in the Sunday Jan. 12 edition of E! Online, reported that “Rabiah Ahmed, spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Broadcasting and Cable that the show [Fox’s ‘24’] is “taking everyday American Muslim families and making them suspects ….It’s very dangerous and very disturbing.” The current Fox series 24 depicts the all too possible scenario, of a Muslim extremist family, appearing to be like just any other American family, performing terrorist acts, such as blowing up trains, killing people at random, kidnapping the Secretary of Defense, etc. within the United States. If the situation described by Ahmed does exist an Ole Seagull would suggest that it is the actions of certain Muslim extremists on “9/11” that are the primary cause and not “24” or any other TV show.

In a Jan.13 opinion column, entitled “Roots grow deeper on the Supreme Court,” about the life tenure of Supreme Court justices, Tony Mauro said, “To a growing number of legal scholars, the trend toward longer-serving justices has resulted in an increasingly unaccountable Supreme Court.” To that an Ole Seagull would say, “Amen” and add “Ditto for the entire federal judiciary.” Isn’t it amazing, the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for the removal of the president if “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office” but there is no similar provision for the Supreme Court or other federal judges?

As Missouri’s new governor, Matt Blunt, took office on January 10, one portion of his inaugural address, to an Ole Seagull, defined the man, his philosophy, and his convictions. He said, “I took the oath with my hand upon two Bibles. One is the Book I turn to each day. It will remind me of the solemn pledge I have made before God and my fellow citizens. The other is a Bible that Melanie and I will give to our son upon his birth. It will remind me that what we do today, tomorrow and across the next four years will help define the future opportunities of every Missouri child.

“May God grant that in the days of prosperity and contentment, He will fill our hearts with praise and that in moments of trial, we will remember to seek His aid.

“Together, we will chart a new course for our state. With your prayers, encouragement and support, we will succeed. May God bless Missouri and the United States of America.”

Some might say, “Well that’s not politically correct and violates the separation of church and state.” To that an Ole Seagull would say, “It just might be the epitome of the political correctness and since when can a persons expression of what they believe, the guiding principles that they live their lives by possibly be a violation of the separation of church and state?”

What a difference in the quiet dignity of a Payton Manning, as he stuck to business and guided his team on victory after throwing an NFL record breaking touchdown pass and the antics of a Randy Moss who did a simulated “mooning” of the Green Bay Packer fans after catching a touchdown during a recent playoff game. Moss says he was “just having fun with the boys” but other have called it “disgusting” and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun called “Moss’ version of a not-so-full-moon” childish and crude. Why can’t we just play football and leave all the dancing, “fun,” and showboating etc. to others. A “champion” is, to an Ole Seagull a matter of heart and dignity as well as technical proficiency.

Sundays column, “A cartoon, a consent order, and a Branson Landing Bingo,” about the alleged illegal electioneering activities of one of the principals with the developer of the Branson Landing Project and Convention Center in Branson, Missouri, gives yet another example of how those with money and influence can flout the law to their economic advantage. But, in the final analysis, can any reasonable person really believe that it will be any different in any other place where hundreds of millions of dollars is involved?