Benjamin Matthew Merrifield is born

Laura and Joel Merrifield were blessed with a 7 pound 10 ounce 20.5 inch baby boy at 12:54 AM November 28th 2008. Benjamin Matthew Merrifield was born at Skaggs hospital in Branson, Missouri.

*****Commentary*******
Benjamin's father Joel has always been a great friend, savvy businessman and I believe he will be a great father.
Joel practices Judaism and intends to raise his child in the religious tradition. On the eighth day of Benjamin's life he will be ceremoniously circumcised as a reminder of Abraham's covenant with God. In the Judeo-Christian tradition it is written that Abraham circumcised himself (ouch) as an adult and that the family line would endure throughout the history of the world.
In 30 days another ritual will ensue, here are the details:

Pidyon Haben

(First-Born Redemption)

A pidyon haben, redemption of a son, takes place 30 days after the birth of a first-born baby boy. The tradition is based on the belief that first-born sons were to serve God in the Temple. To redeem them from that obligation, five shekels were given to the Temple priests, who then served in the Temple instead. The ceremony today usually involves a symbolic charitable donation.

As I understand it, the ceremony originates from when Moses brought commandments to his people liberated from Egypt. According to tradition, there were two groups of Levites that split paths when it came to obeying the law. The Levy's listened to Moses and the Cowen's did not and continued to worship idols. Traditionally, a Levy had to be paid five pieces of silver for the firstborn son's life.

The name Cowen means high-priest, is considered the true line of Jews and was the name of my Great Grandmother.

May Benjamin Matthew Merrifield live a blessed life and achieve success and live a happy life. May the Merrifield's fold continue to increase. They're great friends of mine and a blessing to the community.

Woodland Hills Donates Blankets for Taney County Jail

Ted Cunningham, Pastor of the Woodland Hills Community Church is in the process of donating 30 blankets on behalf of the congregation to the Taney County Jail. According to an active church member, the jail had a shortage of blankets due to a lack of funds.

Jason Pritchett performing at Grand Country

(Press Release)Branson, MO. - Grand Country Square, Branson, MO announced today that starting December 1, Jason Pritchett, a Top Ten Finalist on NBC’s Hit Show, America’s Got Talent will begin performing with Branson’s Best Quartet, New South. New South performs in The Grand Jubilee show, daily at 8 pm only at the Grand Country Square.

Jason is not new to Branson. He has performed in shows like, "Lost in the Fifties", "Stuck on the Seventies", "Echo Hollow Jubilee", "Fifties at the Hop", and "Magnificent Country". He has performed on cruise ships and most recently performed with other Top Ten Finalists at the Dutton Theatre in Branson.

“I am glad to be back in Branson and excited to be a member of Branson’s Best Quartet, New South,” said Jason.

Mike Patrick, Grand Jubilee producer commented, “All members of New South are excited that Jason will be joining us. What an AWESOME ADDITON!”

Singing today’s country hits as well as quartet classics from the Oak Ridge Boys to the Eagles, The Grand Jubilee is always a hit! The high energy and versatility of the entire case astound audiences. From Country to Gospel and 50’s to modern day, this show explodes with musical fun to satisfy any age, daily at 8 pm.

Branson Missouri Government - Power Perspective - Opinion

In a city council planning session Mayor Raeanne Presley stated, we
don't have as much power as you think.
The most frustrating element of being a citizen is that people don't
understand the strength, compassion and desire of other members of the
community. A business owner told me the other day that Branson City
Council doesn't care about him, his ideas and opinions. It really
bothered me for two reasons. The first is that he has invested over 2
million into the Branson economy this year and brings with him
experience and good ideas. The second is that he didn't give Branson
Board of Alderman a chance to communicate or prove they care. Though I
may disagree with actions taken by the city government, I believe they
care about the community and want to lead with the citizens interests
in mind. How can they prove their worth if this business owner didn't
take the time to get involved?

The context of my discussion with the Mayor and board on November 20th
during a city planning session was over charitable works on private
property. I expressed frustration because I believe more can be done
to make the community a better place to live and whats lacking is a
communication gap. The Branson Board has taken many steps to close the
gap between Branson's legislature and the public in order to alter
perception. Still, a gap exists. How do we close it so we can create a
better culture for ourselves and our families?

In the two circumstances above I physically acted to close the gap. I
took the time to connect the disconnected parties. It took a lot of
time, however the results were fruitful - the business's felt
empowered and connected and the ability for charities to collect funds
was increased.

The representative democracy of our local government is extremely
powerful individually and collectively. The officials are elected by
the people which means they are authorized, encouraged and appointed
to do the will of the people. The body itself is "fascist." Though
this word has been twisted to mean something other than what it stands
for - the term comes from the "fasces". The picture above is of the
fasces hanging at the capitol. It's origin is Roman. It's a bundle of
sticks tied together with an axe. A stick is easily broken but a
bundle is hard to break. The axe is a weapon - ie defense. The sticks
and axe together are a symbol used to describe our representative
democracy - for the common defense.

Each member of the board has incredible power - perhaps, far beyond
their understanding. Together - their will is done by dictate -
whatever they vote on becomes law. Individually, they have lobbying
power - they have the power to ask the community to help with a cause
and the power they have as a child of a creator.
Taking a few hours to look into and explore my ability to help was an
empowering experience. In the future, I'm going to use the power of my
web presence to communicate my message.
Part of the news writers job is to communicate what the government is
doing thereby enabling them to do their job. I try to take this a step
further by letting Branson citizens gain a better understanding on how
to access their government so they can understand the power they have
as citizens. It's far beyond what most people think.

Troops get free family photos for Christmas

(Press Release) Area troops that can’t be home for the holidays will get a digital glimpse of their wives, husbands, parents or children thanks to Meadows Images. The photo studio has scheduled a free photo session on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Playtime Pizza, 3101 Gretna Road in Branson for family members of active duty military personnel serving in foreign countries The photo session, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes one digital image that will be e-mailed or posted on a Web site for each soldier to see. Blue star families that participate will also receive either a free 8x10 or a sheet of wallet sized photos of the selected image.

Studio owners United States Army veterans Marshall and Brenda Meadows came up with the idea of hosting the photo session because they recalled being absent from home during holidays or family gatherings.

"Since we are both veterans there were several times we missed Christmas or holidays with our families," said Brenda Meadows. "I also spent six months as a USO entertainer in Vietnam during the war in 1968. We know what it’s like to have an ocean or thousands of miles separating you from loved ones during special celebrations."

Subjects that travel to Playtime Pizza for the Dec. 15 photo shoot will get the complete professional experience with studio lighting and holiday backdrops.

"These are not going to be snapshots,” Meadows said. “Unfortunately we have to limit this offer to include those immediate families within a 40 mile radius of Branson and they will have to make appointments. We have a limited time frame to do this in and although we would like to photograph everyone, it would be impossible."

Playtime Pizza has also included a special buffet discounted price for those that take advantage of the free photo sitting.

Call (417) 334-8991 for information or to make an appointment.

Alderman Jack Purvis - Perspecitve on Governance

Jack Purvis is a strong believer in limited government. He serves as one of two members of Branson City Council from Ward II. Purvis believes economic development opportunities created through the boards actions have stimulated growth and increased wages for Branson residents. Purvis also believes that better conditions for workers isn't the objective for all members of the Branson community.

Tax Lobbyist Vonda Sheets requested Aldermen Dick Gass and Jack Purvis whether or not they will run for re-election. Purvis asked some time ago, "Do you think it's possible to beat Gary Groman in an election?" Gary Groman "the vulture" has made it his personal mission to attack Purvis at every opportunity. Any perspective of good report remains absent from "the vultures" correspondence. Accumulative knowledge would lead one to believe "The Vulture" has plans to install new leadership by hijacking the traditional use of unbiased reporting in the newspaper and replacing the precept of objective journalism with those who glorify the "Vultures" desires.
According to "The Vulture" the idea of ethics as set forth by the Society of Professional Journalists is impossible. For most journalists maintaining ethical standards is hard - for "the vulture" ethics are unnecessary.

Earlier today Jack Purvis sent me this note.

I would ask the voters of Taney County to read the following from these wise persons, none of whom possibly ever heard of Branson or Taney County.

Jack Purvis

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose
you were a member of Congress. But then
I repeat myself. - Mark Twain

I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into
prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and
trying to lift himself up by the handle.
- Winston Churchill


A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

A liberal is someone who feels a great debt
to his fellow man....which debt he proposes
to pay off with your money. - G. Gordon Liddy

Democracy must be something more than
two wolves and a sheep voting on what to
have for dinner. - James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer
of money from poor people in rich countries
to rich people in poor countries. - Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown Univ.< /I>

Giving money and power to government is like
giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

Government is the great fiction, through which
everybody endeavors to live at the expense of
everybody else. - Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)

Government's view of the economy could be summed
up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps
moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
- Ronald Reagan (1986)

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government
and report the facts. - Will Rogers

If you think health care is expensive now,
wait until you see what it costs when it's free!
- P.J. O'Rourke

In general, the art of government consists
of taking as much money as possible from one
party of the citizens to give to the other.
- Voltaire (1764)< /SPAN>

Just because you do not take an interest
in politics doesn't mean politics won't take
an interest in you! - Pericles (430 B.C.)

No man's life, liberty, or property is safe
while the legislature is in session.
- Mark Twain (1866)

Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it.
- Unknown

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal
sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing
of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
- Winston Churchill

The only difference between a tax man and a
taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.
- Mark Twain

There is no distinctly native American criminal
class...save Congress. - Mark Twain

What this country needs are more unemployed
politicians. - Edward Langley, Artist (1928 - 1995)

A government big enough to give you everything you
want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
- Thomas Jefferson

"Gov ernment is not the solution to our problem;
government is the problem. if no one among us is
capable of governing himself, then who among us
has the capacity to govern someone else?"
- Ronald Reagan, First Inaugural Address, 1/20/1981

Corpus Delicti

The concept of Corpus Delicti should provide the "master dialogue" for what is reported in the media.

Black's Law Dictionary (6th ed.) defines Corpus Delicti as "body of crime". In the American Legal System admission of guilt is not evidence enough to prosecute the person that admitted guilt. In other words if I confess to a judge on my blog that I've committed a crime he cannot convict me unless he can prove my guilt through another source.

On this blog I've accused the Branson Media of participating in what could be consdidered "criminal or psuedo criminal" activity. To me, the journalism community is a group of friends and colleagues. In some cases, such as my correspondence on Branson Mediagate, I refrain from producing the "body of crime." I've refrained from producing the body of crime in hopes they will "convict themselves."

Usually, due to my reputation, mission and ruthless pursuit of truth I don't have to elaborate in detail backing up everything I report. Can I produce "corpus delecti" - of course. Raw video is the best and purest way of proving the reporters presence at an event. Of course, video can be altered, thus a film of a crime in action cannot be submitted to a jury unless it can be verified.

The City of Branson sued three merchants a few years agofor cutting down a tree without city approval . During discovery, a legal process where attorneys exchange information that will be submitted to the court a video of the tree massacre was presented to Branson's attorney. The city attorney attempted to submit the video of the crime into evidence during the trial to Tony Williams an associate judge in the 38th circuit.

In order for the video to be presented to the judge it had to be verified. Unfortunately for the city of Branson all three sisters were being sued. A premise of the American legal system is that a person accused of a crime is not required to testify against themselves. Outside of the three sisters being accused, the city of Branson didn't have any witnesses to authenticate the video. As a result, the three sisters were found innocent after presentation of state evidence.

They were set free becuase the state couldn't establish corpus delecti. No harm no foul. The city couldn't prove that a crime had been committed.

**********Commentary*************
The massacre of the tree in downtown Branson was a setup planned with political pundit Gary Groman which in future posts we will refer to as "the vulture." There is good reason to believe that "the vulture" helped stage the destruction of the tree.
The city of Branson was too aggressive in trying to prosecute the entrepreneurs.
If the city expunged the record (erased the record that a crime had ever been committed) and required the business owners to pay a fine the trial never would have occurred.
The city's arrogance forced tax payers to fork out thousands of dollars in legal fees (ie legal counsel's time)to pursue their case. The sisters only wanted to clear their name and keep their criminal record clean. One of the sisters was going to law school and didn't want the mark to keep her from good standing with the Missouri Bar.
The city of Branson forced Gary Groman out of the courtroom during trial. The move was a vindictive manueaver punishing "the vulture" for several unsubstantiated, biased and unfair attacks against the city manager in the newspaper. The city told Judge Tony Willams that they may call him to testify as a witness.
The city never intended to call "the vulture" as a witness - the move was made purely to attack him. The report ended up being a gift from the city of Branson to me - afterall - as they only reporter in the courtroom - I had an exclusive which was reported on this website. Ironically, if "the vulture" was called as a witness the three sisters might have been successfully prosecuted. The vultures attendance was a dangerous taunt which could have resulted in the sisters conviction. The city lost becuase they were grossly unprepared.
In the Christian tradition Corpus Delicti is a fundamental precept. Because the body of Jesus Christ could not be found the Roman soldiers that killed him can not be found guilty. No body - no crime.
According to Christians who killed Jesus Christ? The answer to Christians is everyone. The innocent was sacrificed for the guilty - the guilty being everyone that falls short of perfection. As a result, Christians claim to be joint participants in the crucification. They admit they killed their "Saviour" through their actions - that he couldn't be killed in the worldly sense and that they can be forgiven - the record taken away by asking for forgiveness. They believe their records are cleaned through the ultimate sacrifice. They can't show the body so they can't prove their case - they can only believe (ie have faith) such an incident ever occurred.
The two posts below are treatments for a book I'm currently authoring. Luckily, becuase of the legal concept of corpus delecti - I can admit to a crime without being convicted in a court of law.
In the political system past drug use is a dying theme. In Barrack Obama's book (page 72 I believe), Obama admits to having smoked marijuana and ingesting cocaine. Because he came clean the public hasn't convicted him. When George Bush was asked "Did you snort coke?" he said , "I haven't used drugs since ......" Bill Clinton said he never inhaled. Becuase Clinton didn't come clean the public embarrassed him with the topic throughout his administration repeating the statement "He never inhaled."
The Vulture tried to attack me by challenging the precept of truth as recorded in this blog. He was wrong. When I proved he was wrong he erased the record of what he wrote. The stain isn't yet "rubbed out" and we challenge him to restore the record; however, we'd prefer he study Journalistic ethics. We forgive him because the concept of Journalistic integrity is foreign to "the vulture".
The Master Dialogue for a journalist should be "ruthless pursuit of truth". If I'm biased, it is becuase I love the truth more than my own selfish desires. As a journalist in Branson this makes me feel very lonely.