ERRATUM
In Kristen Hinman's February 18 news story "The Tearless Onion," we erroneously stated that Wendy Brannen — executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee — is a lobbyist for Vidalia growers.
NEWS REAL, FEBRUARY 18, 2010
FOOD MANIPULATOR
Fed up with agri-science giant: Hooray, Monsanto forays into yet another aspect of world food domination ["The Tearless Onion," Kristen Hinman]. Let's not support them, OK?
GaneshaXi, via the Internet
DAILY RFT, FEBRUARY 16, 2010
LET THERE BE (NO) LIGHT
Traffic cameras are bad — and they don't work: Before people post more comments like "quit breaking the law ass wipe!" or "just don't run red lights," let me get a few comments in ["Video: Missourians Protest Red-Light 'SCAMeras,'" Chad Garrison]. How many times have you been stuck in an intersection waiting on someone to turn, or waiting on traffic to clear, so you can turn yourself while the light changed? Should you be ticketed for that?
I believe St. Louis' cameras are contracted through American Traffic Solutions, just like Kansas City's. I've observed the cameras' operation for several hours, and they operate very inconsistently in Kansas City. Kansas City has had to shut down several intersections multiple times because they do not function properly. I would imagine the St. Louis area has had similar issues. The cameras were installed for one purpose only, revenue.
DontTreadOnMeKC, via the Internet
DAILY RFT, FEBRUARY 16, 2010
JUST ASKING
And the question (and answer) is...: Did state Rep. Rob Mayer's mother have free and unfettered access to abortion services ["Mo. Legislator Wants 24-Hour Wait for Abortions; Mothers Informed of Pain to Fetus," Chad Garrison]?
Obviously not.
Dr. Discretion, via the Internet
DAILY RFT, FEBRUARY 12, 2010
HIRSUTE SALUTE
American Mustache Institute loves the RFT: Once again we salute Chad Garrison and his comrades at Riverfront Times who have been beacons of justice in your steadfast support of the sexually adventuresome and periodically devious Mustached American lifestyle ["More on Shahid Khan, His Fabulous 'Stache, Republican Leanings and No Comment," Chad Garrison]. Your friends at the American Mustache Institute hold you in the highest regard.
Carry on, fine sirs.
Dr. Abraham Jonas Froman, via the Internet
DAILY RFT, FEBRUARY 12, 2010
NAKED TRUTH
Yes, indeed: Personally, I think Missouri needs more nudity ["Bill to Outlaw Nudity in Missouri Strip Clubs Passes Senate," Chad Garrison].
John Elkins, via the Internet
All that jizz: To paraphrase Adrian Cronauer: "[Sen. Matt] Bartle is in more dire need of a blowjob than any white man in history."
Discretion, via the Internet
A to Z, FEBRUARY 11, 2010
JEOPARDY'S TREBEK HATES WOMEN
Who knew?: What the fuck ["Alex Trebek Thinks I'm a Filthy Slut?" Annie Zaleski]? Obviously, Alex Trebek is a misogynist asshole and utterly clueless as to how to conceal this fact in front of college kids or national audiences. Regardless, I don't agree with the assertion that the work of female music journalists isn't perceived as thoughtful or intelligent discourse, just because one old dipshit still behaves like Roger Sterling. I've got lots of favorite lady music writers.
EF Matt, via the Internet
Bad connection: At one point during Almost Famous, the groupie that the movie focuses on is either traded away for a case of beer or her companionship — and it's a bet in a poker game. Either way, I'm not sure how you get from "serious journalism student" to "groupie."
Erin, via the Internet
DAILY RFT, FEBRUARY 10, 2010
NO PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PARENTS AS TEACHERS
Can't afford it: The number of people who want to keep the funding for Parents as Teachers is really irrelevant ["Can Facebook Save Missouri's Parents as Teachers?" Chad Garrison]. The issue is money. Next year's budget is a mess due to lack of revenue. No matter how good a program Parents as Teachers is, keeping it funded requires money to be taken from someone else. Fact is, no one is going to get the funding level they would like to have in next year's budget. There is just not enough money. Maybe it is time to take Parents as Teachers out of public funding and set it up as a nonprofit organization and get private funding and corporate sponsorships. Then state budget issues would no longer matter.
Digital, via the Internet
Stand PAT: All three of my children have benefited from PAT. My first daughter was born preemie, with only one arm. Due to the home visits, we were able to monitor her development on a consistent basis. She is now in second grade and is thriving. My second daughter was also a preemie, and we again were able to monitor her. She is in kindergarten and loving it. My son went in for the vision screening right after his second birthday. We discovered his need for glasses and were able to get the treatment he needed when he needed it. PAT does too much good to be treated so poorly.
Michelle Gieselman, via the Internet
