Dozens walk to "Stop Child Trafficking Now"

Organizers say their funds will help fund raids at brothels, like the ones in Kansas City, Mo. and Tulsa, Ok.

Eli Yokley

9/28/2009

(JOPLIN, Missouri) Two hundred miles away, it is a sunny, cool, September afternoon.

Two hundred miles away, they are free, healthy, and relatively wealthy.

Two hundred miles away, they are not at a brothel.

Two hundred miles away, we are in Joplin, Missouri.

ON SUNDAY, in Joplin, 80+ people gathered at the "Stop Child Trafficking Now Rally" held in Landreth Park.

In 39 cities and at 60 universities across the United States, people gathered to walk to end this problem in the United States. An estimated 17,000 kids each year are pulled into prostitution each year in this country. The closest brothels, Lola Castillo, Joplin SCTNow Ambassador says, are in Kansas City, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The problem, made increasingly possible with the evolution of the internet, has been largely ignored in this country, even though it has been persistent in our inner-cities and spread by the internet.

The Rally's Purpose

Funding. Joplin's rally raised $2,300 from 63 walkers.

Sarah Goolsby, a team captain (and TFJ contributor,) says she had planned on organizing the even on her own, but joined on to Castillo's event instead.

Their purpose? First and foremost, they plan to hire former super-cops (Special ops, SWAT, etc) to conduct raids. Then, they plan to, in simple terms, prosecute the hell out of the guys that conduct the prostitution.

Then, they partner with organizations like Pro Alliance in the United States and Rapha House abroad to rehabilitate the girls brought into prostitution.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sent a letter to the group, commending the group for its efforts.

Goolsby says trafficking "violates every good principle."

The event also included words from Pastor Dan Wermuth and presentation of the national anthem.

Live Blogging the Charlie Davis announcement

Blake James

Blake@TheFuseJoplin.com

View all

* Correction: Not all photos by Eli Yokley. Technical error.

9/17/2009

5:30p.m.: Here we are. Patriotic music and all. Welcome, republicans of Webb City.

5:49p.m: TFJ shooting photos and trying to ask a few questions.

5:54p.m.: talking to Davis after the event

5:56p.m.: Great turn out with under ten minutes till Davis takes the podium.

6:02p.m.: Word is no State hierarchy is here... interesting.

6:04p.m.: Allan Snow introduces Pastor Bob Morgan to give an invocation.

*Technical error..... live blogging stopped being live, but here is the rest.*

6:12p.m.: Charlie Davis- Speaks on behalf of the veterans of the United States.

6:16p.m.: Oct 3^rd 1989. Moved to Joplin Missouri. Speaks about his wife.

6:17p.m.: Being a small business owner made me want to run. The unfair taxation forced solely onto small business. 35% goes out to taxes, from what I pay my workers. My desire has never been stronger to fight for the conservative values. I can no longer stand by and watch what is happening to our country.

6:19p.m.: Constitution will be followed to a T. It is the greatest document aside from the Bible that has ever been written. The Federal government has taken over many industries, I can’t think of a single thing that isn’t bankrupt the Federal government has gotten involved with.

6:20p.m.: Health care takeover will double our debt in 3 years. Our government is out of control. The government owns nothing, that’s your money and our money. It’s time for the government to start listening to the people.

6:22p.m.: 2010 is coming and there is going to be a change. “Contract unveiled”.

1. Fight for the lives of the unborn and elderly.

2. Limit size and power of the Missouri Government

3. Fight for the right to keep and bear arms

4. taxes will be fair

5. Bring good jobs to MO

6. Quality education to all Mo citizens.

7. Justice and punishment is fair.

8. I will live under the laws I help create

9. Push for alternative energy

10. Ensure quality and affordable healthcare for all MO

11. Promise to restore the trust between citizens and elected officials

6:28p.m.: Lee Greenwood song “America, America”(?) used as closing.

Questions from TFJ

Will you support a fair tax?

Absolutely, easier sale on the state level than the federal level. Just a 1% sales tax increase.

Do you support judges being elected or by a panel (like Carnahan suggested)?

I support them being elected not appointed. The BAR gives three names and the governor chooses who is nominated.

What would you do to ensure quality and affordable health care and insurance to Missourians?

First, reform: frivolous lawsuits need to be slowed. Insurance commission should be opened to any valid insurance company.

Opinion on MOHELA? (Missouri Higher Education Loan Assistance)

We need to ensure better education. Kids that really want to go to college should have a way to go. Missouri constitution guarantees 1/3 of a dollar goes to all schools. That’s enough, if they educate the kids then cost should not be an issue. We need to make sure we are graduating kids that meet a standard.

Stratified with the current public school system, what you do to improve it?

No, we need to educate the kids. Teachers need to have a way of teaching without prejudice. In support of vouchers. Home school kids now. Exit exams- would be for. MAP testing is not fair, kids are coached.

If elected will you serve until term limited?

One term at a time. Goal is to do what’s best for Missouri.

Going to try to sell contract?

All conservatives values, will try to push for them.

You say you won’t raise taxes, what do you plan to cut?

Waste, fraud, abuse, Medicaid can be cut.

My Take:

Great event put on by Mr. Davis. I really liked the fact that he has in writing what he plans on standing for. Accountability is key in today’s government. I also really like the fact that he was willing to sit down with us a field a nice set of questions. Kudos to you Charlie. Stay tuned to thefusejoplin.com for all the information on the 2010 race for the 128^th district.

Live Blogging: Pres. Obama's Health Care Rally in Minneapolis

Eli Yokley - 9/12/2009
(From Webb City, Missouri.)

12:14pm: When is this thing supposed to start? The campaign feel seems to be exciting the crowd. This contrasts so hard with the "9/12" protests on FOX.

Estimates of 60,000 at the 9/12 thing. It'll be interesting when we get numbers on POTUS's Rally.

1:07pm: "Health care is one of those fundamental struggles"

1:08pm: "Middle class Americans" are the ones struggling the most.

1:09pm: "We gotta do something."

1:12pm: "It's now been a century since teddy rosevelt called for health care reform." "The time is now."

1:15pm: "The time for bickering is over. The time for games has past. Now is the time for action."

Crowd starts familiar "Yes We Can" chant.

1:16pm: "When you're talking to your neighbor, or buying starbucks, or whatever you're doing." nice shout out?

1:17pm: "WHEN I SIGN THIS BILL." Tough language!

1:18pm: "Nobody should go broke because they got sick."

1:23pm: "How you gonna pay for it?" Answer.... "Control of our federal budget." "Will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficit." Will not make "Iraq war" payment mistake when it comes to health care.

1:24pm: "Most of savings can come from money that's already being spent in the health care sysyem."

1:28pm: "Common sense" health care solutions. I.e. electronic records.

1:29pm: "Will not accept status quo."

1:30pm: "I never said change would be easy."

***PROTESTOR!!!! YAY!*************

1:34pm: POTUS telling greenwood story again.

1:39pm: "One voice can change a room, and if it can change a room it can change a city, and if it can change a city it can change a state. if it can change a state it can change a nation. and if it can change a nation, it can change health care."

1:40pm: "FIRED UP?" "Fired up!" "READY TO GO?" "ready to go!" "THEY CAN'T STOP US NOW."

Live Blogging Robin Carnahan

7:55pm: waiting on her to arrive.

8:24pm: Eli is trying to shoot pictures. He is fail.

8:28pm: Listening to the "Carnahan Man" (a 50 + man dawning a Carnahan tee-shirt and a medal) talk about how he ran in the 50th annual marathon (26 miles!) for something... Auditorium is no where near half full and we have t-minus two minutes till start time.

8:32pm: She is here. (40-ish including 4 from thefusejoplin.com, call for back up)

8:37pm: Democratic youth president takes the podium for the introduction.

8:40pm: Carnahan takes the podium

8:40pm: "We rely on our neighbors, and we help our neighbors" think about how you can make a difference.

8:42pm: "We got any rich people that are going to die in Rolla" Carnahan on her youth hometown community pool.

8:43pm: "Getting beyond bickering, getting beyond partisanship, and realize we have problem"

8:44pm: the status quo on many issues is unsustainable. The campaign is in part about if we as a country and as a state want more of the same.

8:45pm: " I don't that there are problems that are too big to fix." But you don't always see that in political campaigns. I'm hopeful that in the next election we can talk about issues.

8:48pm: promotion of campaign, add me on twitter/facebook, text message updates.

8:50pm: SPEECH OVER!

8:51pm: TFJ runs for questions

8:53pm: "We need a broader energy policy" Carnahan on the cap and trade question

8:54pm: Health care question is denied thanks to Preston@thefusejoplin.com


My thoughts:

Ehh, short sweet I guess. Probably should have fielded at least a few questions but hey beggers can't be choosers. Moral seems to be low if judged by numbers but we heard that a lot of people plan to hit the streets in support. Upcoming race will be interesting, stay tuned to thefusejoplin.com for updates.

Blake James (quickly) reacts: A progressive take.

Blake James
Contributing Editor for The Fuse Joplin
9/9/2009

OBAMA FTW. GOP SIT DOWN

Seriously, did the heart surgeon not listen to ANY of Mr. President’s speech? In no way is he taking the healthcare insurance that many Americans have now away and replacing it with governmental ran insurance. He specifically said that there would be NO change to your current insurance.

Listen Joplin, I’ve supported both sides on many different issues. Right now the right has literally no leg to stand on any more. Obama answered any criticisms the right had, but yet the still continue to play the same old game. Heckling and laughing during an address to congress does absolutely nothing for the credibility of the GOP.

I’ll attach a link to my notes of both speeches that you are free to look over.

Shyanna Busch Responds: A "common sense" take

Shyanna Busch
Guest Contributor
9/10/2009 for TheFuseJoplin.com

President Obama shared another one of his mesmerizing oratory speeches with the general public and Congress this evening. Overall, Obama did a very well at sharing more of the details about what he wants in a health care bill, but he also failed to cover some of the common sense issues within his plan.

First, I do agree with President Obama that something needs to be done about our healthcare system. Insurance companies are shady—they do drop coverage when people need it, they do exclude people because of pre-existing conditions, and rates have been on a continual increase over the last 15 years. When I started my first “adult” job 12 years ago, I paid $30 a check for insurance. Three years later, I could no longer afford coverage when it increased to $60 a check. I tell you this, so that you know I have been one of the people who are “one disaster away from bankruptcy.” Now, I am one of the lucky Americans with very affordable health insurance, and my husband receives free insurance through work.

Over the course of the summer, the American public wanted specifics from Obama. Tonight, he addressed those concerns. He laid out specific details about what he wants included in the plan. He reiterated the idea that if you are insured you will not be required to change plans. Secondly, he wants to make insurance work for those that already have insurance by making it illegal for coverage to be denied because of previous illnesses. Companies can no longer put caps on lifetime and yearly coverage, out of pocket expenses will be limited, and insurance companies must cover routine and annual care. This sounds fantastic to me especially because I am currently in a dispute with my husband’s insurance company about them not covering his annual screenings. I also liked the idea of a new insurance exchange where companies and those without insurance can shop for competitive premiums and plans.

One area of this reform in which I disagree and will always disagree is the public option. Obama said he believes less than 5% of the population will sign up for the government option, but if you look at the plan Hawaii attempted, so many people dropped their regular insurance for the cheaper government plan, they had to shut the program down because the system was completely overwhelmed.

I also do not agree with the federal government mandating private citizens to have insurance coverage. It is the right of citizens to have insurance or not. Many will site that car insurance is mandatory, but people can choose not to have insurance. They are just responsible for the cost if they have a wreck. The 10^th amendment is our greatest weapon against government control, but over the last several decades, the federal government has overstepped its boundaries in this regards. I just do not see why the government option is the only way to address the problem. Opening competition across state lines will increase competition too, but the President and Congress will not consider this option.

My other great concern is the cost. Obama claims his plan will only cost 900 billion over the next 10 years. In past experiences with government programs, they always greatly underestimate costs, so that means the plan will probably really cost 1.5-2 trillion over the next 10 years. He claims that almost all of the cost of his plan will come from decreasing inefficiencies and waste in Medicare and Medicaid. Common sense tells me, if these wastes can be identified now, why do we have to wait to fix them until this plan passes? If we can save so much money by fixing waste, then we can just fix the healthcare overload now. Even more, can the government be effective enough to eliminate this waste? President Obama also failed to mention his behind the scenes deal with Big Pharma (this deal would not require pharmaceutical companies to decrease their costs) although he did excitedly say the word “pharmaceutical companies.” If you want more information on this, check out Air America, a liberal talk radio program, that has been investigating this concern. Lastly, it seems almost paradoxical for any plan to insure 45 million more people, giver better coverage to those already insured, and decrease cost all at the same time. The three goals do not go hand in hand. I’m not sure that it is possible. These three ideologies may be elusive to catch as Bigfoot.

Throughout the speech, there were lots of shouts, applause, and voices of disagreement. At one point, someone shouted out “Lie!” while the President was talking. I attended Claire McCaskill’s town hall in Springfield last week, and I was very disappointed with all the yelling and inability for conversations to take place during the forum. On the other hand, I understand the frustration and anger many feel about this subject. I never thought that someone would have the bravado to do such a thing to the President, and whoever it was should have been more respectful, but the look on Nancy Pelosi’s face when a man did shout out was priceless.

Lastly, Joey B, that’s how I refer to Joe Biden, touched my heart strings as President Obama spoke of Ted Kennedy’s ideals. I know that Sen. Kennedy’s passing was very hard on VP Biden. You could see the pain and loss in Biden’s eyes, as he tried to hold back tears tonight.