The Ole Seagull

Are the insensitive “Cretins of Westboro” really the fault of our Forefathers?

Government, Opinion / /

This week, in the case of SNYDER v. PHELPS ET AL, the U.S. Supreme Court proved one thing once and for all, our Forefathers made one huge mistake and in making it might very well have sowed the seeds that bode the end of this great nation. As used in this opinion the term “Cretin” is defined as “A stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person” and the t …

Are the insensitive “Cretins of Westboro” really the fault of our Forefathers?Read More »

Are the insensitive “Cretins of Westboro” really the fault of our Forefathers? Read More »

Is the city of Branson honor bound to pay Branson Airport $8.24 per passenger?

Branson, Opinion / /

The Ole Seagull has received a number of questions since he apologized to the airport and the board of Aldermen in a recent column entitled “An Ole Seagull apologizes – there really is only one honorable way. For what it matters and to the best of his recollection here are the questions and his responses:

QUESTION: Legalese aside, doesn’t honor demand that the city pay the Branson Airport $8.24 per passenger every time they fly into the airport for the next 20 something years? …

Is the city of Branson honor bound to pay Branson Airport $8.24 per passenger?Read More »

Is the city of Branson honor bound to pay Branson Airport $8.24 per passenger? Read More »

Can America compete in the “Super Bowl of Nations?”

General, Government, Opinion / /

Tens of millions of Americans will watch the “Green Bay Packers” and “Pittsburgh Steelers” play in the Super Bowl today with millions cheering for one team or the other to win. However, if they were honest with themselves, “being truthful in what they say and do,” many would put a “steely” faced grin on their “packed” stuffed faces and realize that the game can only end one way. The same way our great Nation will end. …

Can America compete in the “Super Bowl of Nations?”Read More »

Can America compete in the “Super Bowl of Nations?” Read More »

An Ole Seagull apologizes – there really is only one honorable way

General / /

An Ole Seagull would apologize to Mr. Steve Peet of the Branson Airport and simply say, ” I am sorry. In terms of the Supplemental Agreement, you were right sir and I was wrong.” To the Branson Board of Aldermen (Board) an Ole Seagull would say, “He was wrong when he expressed his opinion relative to what he believed you intended to do when you approved the Supplemental Agreement, pertaining to the potential payment of $2 million a year to the Branson Airport under the Original 2006 Pay for Performance Agreement (Original Agreement), in the summer of 2010. For that he is sorry. At the end of the day, he missed something he wished he didn’t and for that he apologizes to his readers. …

An Ole Seagull apologizes – there really is only one honorable wayRead More »

An Ole Seagull apologizes – there really is only one honorable way Read More »

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its children

Branson, Opinion / /

As a columnist, a goal is to start the year with a column that has the potential for the most impact on our community during 2011. In an Ole Seagull’s opinion first place in that category would have to go to “First PLACE!” and encouraging our community to continue working together to make positive character traits part of what our children and grandchildren experience every day, at home, in school, and in the community. First PLACE! is a community commitment by our schools, area businesses, individuals parents, relatives, the College of the Ozarks and others to “foster a community where character is highly valued and intentionally taught.”

“Oh come on Seagull, you have to be kidding. With all that’s going on down at city hall and out at the county, the Branson Airport debacle and law suits on Branson Landing, et …

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its childrenRead More »

Commitment to First PLACE! is a wonderful thing for Branson and its children Read More »

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s right

Branson, Opinion / /

The biggest question the Ole Seagull has been asked in the last week concerns the relationship between the city gifting the airport tens of millions of dollars under the unconscionable Pay for Performance Agreement that the current board has “laundered and the raising of the water and sewer rates for Branson voters. Actually, it’s pretty simple, Branson only has so much revenue coming in to operate the city with.

Whatever is paid from that revenue for specifically designated extraordinary costs is obviously not available for other purposes such as the operational costs of running the ci …

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s rightRead More »

It’s millions of dollars about “butts in the seat,” flushing the toilet and what’s right Read More »

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer rates

Branson, Opinion / /

At the November 25th meeting of the Branson Board of Aldermen (BOA), they voted to give the Branson Airport the Christmas gift that keeps giving. That would be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars on an alleged 2006 “contract” based on a “Pay for Performance Agreement (PfP).” The PfP was made by the “pre 2007 election city administrator and the loyal band of elected “munchkins,” whoops sorry forgot it was Christmas, “elves,” with the Branson Airport. …

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer ratesRead More »

A little Christmas for everyone – Branson Board gives airport hundreds of thousands as it raises residents water and sewer rates Read More »

Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas?

General, Opinion / /

The “Grinch” never came any closer to stealing the true meaning of Christmas than has trying to be “politically correct.” In recent years there has been a strong move to change the traditional Christmas greeting of “Merry Christmas” to the “politically correct” terminology of “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.”
…

Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas?Read More »

Can there be Christmas without CHRISTmas? Read More »

Thanksgiving is all about to whom the “Thanks” is “given!”

General, Opinion / /

Common sense tells an Ole Seagull that something celebrated as “Thanksgiving Day” should be a day of “giving thanks.”  Generally speaking, who among us says “thank you” to “no one?” When thanks is given it is for something and is “given” to the person or entity believed to have provided that something.
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Thanksgiving is all about to whom the “Thanks” is “given!”Read More »

Thanksgiving is all about to whom the “Thanks” is “given!” Read More »

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believes

Branson, Government, Opinion / /

“Glory be another miracle!” Given the political pressure of the community and in spite of months of study, work and preparation, City staff has gone back into the allegedly “bare bones budget” they originally submitted and found a way to save about $295,000. Now, dear citizen, don’t get your hopes up thinking that money might be used to subsidize your water or sewer rates, buy needed equipment for the city or pay for any of the other operational aspects of the city etc. …

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believesRead More »

Even with the Branson Airport Agreement it’s the process that counts, not what an Ole Seagull thinks or believes Read More »