Thinking Out Loud

Jerky Maker is a real . . . Jerk.

Remember candy cigarettes? Not sure whether the government told them to knock it off, or whether they eventually felt some heat from the public. Here's a new twist.

I like to make jerky, so this is personal. Jack Link's also makes jerky -- in larger quantities. And it's pretty good, as far as mass produced stuff goes. Well, the dipshits at Jack Link's found a way to promote their shredded beef jerky by usuing containers that are very similar to chewing tobacco. In fact, they call it "Jerky Chew."

 

It's pretty clear that smokeless tobacco leads to cancer and addiction. 25% of young users start by the 6th grade. Here's one study by the University of Minnessota. Everytime I see a teenager proudly supporting the telltale circle on his rear jean pocket I wonder about his situation forty years from now.

So the board of directors at Jack Link's took a nice, relatively healthy product that's efficiently produced and affordable, and merge their marketing strategy with . . . .  a product that kills people.

What jerks!

Apostrophe Patrol 2014: The glass is 2/3 full

Calling stores "shoppes" is a little haughty, but hats off to the Lake Ozark developers who added our little friend after "Eagles" at the right spot, noting that more than one eagle may land there. Really?

Same for Kohl's. Both understand how to be correct and also stylish. Menards?  Well, they should get their act together. The company was founded in 1959 by John Menard. Therefore, an apostrophe please.

But they are from Wisconsin, after all. 

 

 

Public Trust: A Precious Commodity

This week the Missouri Municipal League issued its own list of (just three) "Top Challenges Missouri Cities Face in 2014."   The choices all involve revenue or the lack thereof: deteriorating infrastructure, the Internet sales loophole and unfunded mandates.

The national version of this list, also announced recently by the National League of Cities, has additional,  more social, concerns like "the shrinking middle class" and "the need for affordable housing."

But the one "concern" on the national list that did not make the state list is perhaps the the most critical: 

"Lack of Public Trust."

Locally, in Jefferson City and Cole County, this phenomenon is an anchor that keeps us from making progress on a number of fronts: school improvements (both buildings and policies), transportation and infrastructure investments, and even the downtown conference center approved five years ago by voters. It's not helpful to attribute this mood to any particular group of persistently negative thinkers or any national or local media source. Nor can you cite any of our mostly volunteer leaders for making it more prevelant. Some  of it has be taken in stride. America was founded on a healthy mistrust of government! 

But it's time that we expect both citizens and leaders to talk often, openly and calmly about issues and viewpoints -- instead of just throwing stones or constantly ducking them.

New Vitae Foundation leader - Only its second.

You're not supposed to toot your own family's horn on a semi-public weblog, but today we will make an exception. In an announcement today the Vitae Foundation revealed the successor to my brother Carl, the fellow who organized the effort 25 years ago. I love the origins: a BBQ in Don and Ruth Ann Schnieders' back yard. 

Vitae has taken a very contentious and emotional issue and approaches it from a personal perspective. It's all about options (aka "choice") -- letting the real decision makers (moms and dads, not just politicians) understand that there is a lot at stake and they can choose life if they want. The media messages are "in your heart' and not "in your face." They're on the Mizzou and Cardinals sports networks, and their presence has become international. Brought to you loud and clear from good old JCMO.

Carl will remain active at Vitae. Wife Carolyn will want him out of the house once in a while.

Best wishes, Carl. Your best efforts may still be coming! And Pat Castle sounds like a great choice to fill some shoes. Sounds like they'll be Adidas and not Florsheims.

 

 

(Very) Broad Perspective on New Year

Planning to re-commence some Highstreetbeat blogging in 2014. These photos from our spacecraft Cassini during its visit to Saturn and the neighborhood provide some balance in our lives that are often tightly focused and self-centered. There's a big world out there, and we are blessed to be a litte part of it. Happy new year!