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DEF is a non-partisan, independent political blog based in the
City of St. Louis, Missouri. Our goal is to cast a critical eye
on lawmakers, their policies, and those that have influence upon
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We're a little late posting this video, but about a week ago fellow blogger Steve Patterson, of UrbanReviewSTL.com, had another confrontation caught on tape. This time with lobbyist and taxicab commissioner Lou Hamilton. If you haven't already seen it, take a look:
Compare that to Steve's encounter with the owner of the Copia nightclub last year. Is it just us, or has Steve grown more tame in his old age? Keep fightin' the power, brother!
The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced Friday that Senator Kit Bond (R-Missouri) has endorsed Giuliani for President. Senator Bond will serve as National Co-Chairman and the liaison to the United States Senate for the campaign.
"America is hungry for a President who will say what he means, and do what he says. The American people want and deserve a genuine leader, and that is Rudy Giuliani," said Bond. "Rudy has the leadership qualities and the experience to handle whatever challenges America faces in the next 10 years."
Gov. Matt Blunt was questioned today in St. Louis about his administration's regular destruction of government e-mails, which appear to in fact be public records, and the firing of one of his attorneys who apparently questioned the legality of the policy.
According to organizers of the effort to recall Mayor Francis Slay, the signature-gathering operation is moving strong into its second week — thanks to dozens of volunteers and the support of some northside aldermen.
From the press release:
This past Saturday, October 27, 2007, the campaign to recall Mayor Slay commenced with over fifty volunteers – all dressed in bright yellow recall T-shirts- going door to door in the First Ward to collect signatures for the recall petition, accompanied by First Ward Alderman Charles Troupe. This marked the kick-off of the Citizens to Recall Francis G. Slay sixteen-week strategy to obtain the 43,456 signatures of registered voters needed to place the recall of the mayor on the ballot. The sixteenth week will be the week of the February 2009 2008 Missouri presidential primary election.
"Saturday was a remarkable turnout," said Harold Crumpton, president of the local NAACP, which supplied refreshments for the volunteers, along with Alderman Terry Kennedy.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has thrown its support to State Rep. Jeff Harris for Attorney General.
"Throughout my career, I have been honored to stand with organized labor on behalf of the working men and women of Missouri," said Harris in a statement. "As the Democratic Leader in the Missouri House, I am proud to have fought against the Republican agenda pushed by Matt Blunt that has rolled back protections for Missouri's working families."
"When Republican special interests sued the state to get Governor Holden's collective bargaining executive order rescinded, Jay Nixon turned to me as assistant attorney general to handle that case. I successfully defended that executive order in court and would do so again as attorney general."
Harris has previously been endorsed by the Sheet Metal Workers, Operating Engineers Local 513 and Operating Engineers Local 148.
Free Hip-Hop Journalism Seminar for High School Students Coming to UMSL
By Gabe Bullard
High schoolers between the ages of 12 and 17 are eligible for a free hip-hop journalism seminar, sponsored by the Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development (UAACD).
The one day seminar goes from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on November 17th at the UMSL campus. Those in attendance will learn about the art and practice of hip-hop journalism.
Interested students should e-mail a writing sample to stallingsmk@umsl.edu and complete an online application at cornerpocketmag.com. Applications are due November 14th and space is limited to 25 students.
Three organizations – Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Community Health-in-Partnership Services and Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club – are teaming up to offer free flu shots to anyone over six months old.
The shots will be given this Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Herbert Hoover Boys and GIrls Club at 2901 N. Grand.
Anyone under nine years old who gets the shot will need to visit a doctor next month to receive a follow-up vaccination.
Around the city and county, signs supporting Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul have been popping up on roadsides and overpasses.
The signs aren't being put up by the official Ron Paul campaign, though. Paul, a Texas Congressman has several devoted, internet-based grassroots support teams. Online, the supporters flood YouTube, message boards, social networking sites and blogs with comments, graphics and videos supporting their favorite candidate. Offline, these street teams are less visible but they make their support known through signs, fliers and protests.
The St. Louis area Ron Paul support group started this past summer. The group has grown from 40 members to roughly 250. On top of that, nearby cities like Edwardsville and St. Charles have their own groups.
The essentially Libertarian Paul is attracting Internet support reminiscent of former Democratic candidate and current DNC chairman Howard Dean. According to the lead organizer for the St. Louis area Ron Paul group, Tim Blessing, Representative Paul has won over many local apathetic and first-time voters, like Blessing himself, who admittedly voted for Ralph Nader twice, just to support a third party.
"Apathy is a tremendous thing, I've found out," says Blessing. "It's pretty easy to cure once you find someone or something to inspire you."
Blessing sat down this week for an interview with PubDef.net to discuss how he came to lead the group and what he's doing to attract new members.
Last weekend, State Rep. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) launched her campaign for the state Senate.
According to Jo Mannies at the Political Fix, former St. Louis Democratic state rep. Fred Kratky's "Facts 'O Life" band was there, as was State Senator Scott Rupp, State Rep. Allen Icet and Speaker-Elect Ron Richard.
The kick-off's host committee included the mayors of Chesterfield, Town & Country, Creve Coeur, Manchester, and Fenton.
Rep. Jane Cunningham with State Rep. candidate Robin Harris and Wanda Harris
Nicholas Britto, St. Louis City school board member Veronica O'Brien, Celeste Oakland, and Jack Hoffmann of Chesterfield.
Guests at the Stand by Me fundraiser, left to right around the table...Dr. Ben Mayes (closest), Joan Kehr, Kent Kehr, Donna Hearne, Mark Hearne, Bob Bacon (mostly hidden), Karen Bacon and Ellen Mayes.
Chesterfield Township Republican Committeeman Paul Matteucci, Alicia Matteucci and Donna Hearne.
Carl and Debbie Bearden.
Cunningham campaign manager Kit Crancer with Molly Tallarico, who represents the University of Missouri.
The President of the 24th Ward Democrats sat down with PubDef.net this afternoon to discuss the ongoing effort to recall Mayor Francis Slay and why his organization opposes it.
John Corbett, president of the 24th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, was active in the recall of his own alderman, Tom Bauer, just two years ago. Corbett is a retired University City firefighter and has spent time lobbying on behalf of firefighters in state government. He says he sometimes worked with, and sometimes against, former Fire Chief Sherman George back when George was an active member of the black firefighters' organization, F.I.R.E.
"Sherman has his own agenda, just like I did when I was president of the firefighters' union," says Corbett. "I don't think Sherman ever changed from working for F.I.R.E."
Saturday night, the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee and the Young Democrats of Greater St. Louis hosted their annual Halloween party at the Glazier's Union Hall.
Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce and her husband.
A much slimmer Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza.
Under all that hair gel is State Senator Jeff Smith.
