As previously discussed in this space, Missouri DNR officials for 4 weeks put the kibosh on releasing a report to the public showing unsafe E. coli levels in the Lake of the Ozarks around Memorial Day. They did so "because they were concerned about the impact it would have on tourism and the public" (first link below). The report was not made public until late June, thereby ensuring no effect on Lake tourism during the interim, and by the time the report was finally made public, the E. coli levels had returned to safe levels -- how convenient. And TODAY the revelation that Jay Nixon & Staff, despite their earlier representations that they did not know about any of this until late June, actually knew about this report the day after the MO DNR found out about it (i.e. in that last week of May) (second link below). So is Nixon the reincarnation of the demented mayor from Jaws who refused to take steps to make his waterways safe to the public (the Jaws mayor needed to close his beaches; Nixon needed to release the report) out of a concern that tourism would be hurt? Sure seems like it.And as an aside, I've never cared a whole lot for Nixon. He's always reminded me of a dem version of Kit Bond -- A Missouri political fat-cat and career politician, just kind of hanging on forever without ever accomplishing much of anything remarkable except for perpetuating his own political longevity. I mean, the guy was Missouri AG for like 47 years (yes, I am exaggerating). I don't care too much for political fat-cats or career politicans. I say give them a reasonable amount of time to accomplish something in a particular office, and then it's time to move on. I've never understood how we embrace term limits only at the highest level of the federal and state executive branches, and rarely extend term limits to lower executive branch offices nor to the legislative branch (where it is particularly needed) . Term limits should be across the board. (Unless your name is Manuel Zelaya, of course, because our Administration supports his return to power in Honduras even despite the Hugo Chavez-influenced "I'm now President for life" mandate which he foisted on his people and which was responsible for Hondurans kicking his ass out the country).
Postscript: Am I being a little hard on Nixon? After all, I've never thought he's a bad guy or anything. And I recall at least one thing on which I give him big kudos -- As AG he led the fight to prevent the old Boonville railroad bridge over the Missouri River from being torn down. I haven't exactly followed the day-to-day of Missouri state politics for a number of year now, but I additionally have little doubt that Nixon is infinitely more qualified to be Missouri Governor than the two fools who preceded him -- Blunt & Holden, who were the worst two Missouri Governors of my lifetime. Further, Nixon now is in an office that imposes term limits (2 terms), so maybe I am just being an overly Grumpy Gus tonight. Well, without any grumpiness, anger, or over-the-top rhetoric, just how boring would this blog be? [INSERT "you're right, a heck of a lot more boring than it already is" retort here].
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