Today, via Twitter, from Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins (r):

Denny Hoskins, CPA ‏@DLHoskins

I 2 want justice in Ferguson.However,I believe U R innocent until proven guilty & want Gov. Nixon 2 believe the same [….] 9:26 AM – 20 Aug 2014

There was also a link to a Fox News story.

Responses from a constituent:

Bob Yates ‏@OldDrum

@DLHoskins Is it a capital crime to be walking in the middle of a street? 5:39 PM – 20 Aug 2014

Bob Yates ‏@OldDrum

@DLHoskins U are just as upset by the Ferguson police saying Brown stole some cigars + showing the video, but that was not Y B. was stopped. 5:42 PM – 20 Aug 2014

Was that last response ironic? Nah, couldn’t be.

At the White House petition site:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

Mike Brown Law. Requires all state, county, and local police to wear a camera.

Create a bill, sign into law, and set aside funds to require all state,county, and local police, to wear a camera. Due to the latest accounts of deadly encounters with police, We the People, petition for the Mike Brown Law. Create a bill, sign into law, and set aside funds to require all state,county, and local police, to wear a camera.The law shall be made in an effort to not only detour police misconduct(i.e. brutality, profiling, abuse of power), but to ensure that all police are following procedure, and to remove all question, from normally questionable police encounters. As well, as help to hold all parties within a police investigation, accountable for their actions.

Created: Aug 13, 2014

Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Urban Policy

Signatures needed by September 12, 2014 to reach goal of 100,000 0

Total signatures on this petition 130,675

[emphasis added]

It’d be less expensive than giving each small town department their own tank.

The past few days at the Missouri Ethics Commission, in the St. Louis County Executive race:

C071362 08/18/2014 CITIZENS FOR STEVE STENGER Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers 1983 Brennan Plaza High Ridge MO 63049 8/16/2014 $10,000.00

C071362 08/18/2014 CITIZENS FOR STEVE STENGER CHIPP Political Account 1401 Hampton Ave., 3rd Floor St Louis MO 63139 8/18/2014 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

C061248 08/20/2014 FRIENDS OF RICK STREAM Thompson Coburn LLP One Bank Plaza St Louis MO 63101 8/19/2014 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Is it time for any local billionaires to make their general election investment? Just asking.

Previously:

St. Louis County Executive primary – 2014 (August 6, 2014)

Update 11:50 am:

071362 08/20/2014 CITIZENS FOR STEVE STENGER Patterson Place, LLC 5091 New Baumgartner Rd. St Louis MO 63129 8/20/2014 $12,500.00

[emphasis added]

Governor Jay Nixon delivered a message about the situation in Ferguson, Missouri:

Governor Jay Nixon: Ten days ago, a police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, in broad daylight. Since then, the world has watched a community become engulfed in grief, anger, fear, at times, violence.

For a family mourning the loss of a son, it has been a profound personal tragedy. For Ferguson and our entire nation, it has ripped open old wounds that have festered for generations, and exposed difficult issues that communities across our country must still resolve.

But amid all the pain, distrust and anger, we’ve also seen tremendous acts of grace, courage, and kindness as the people of Ferguson try to maintain peace while they call for justice for the family of Michael Brown. In Ferguson people of all races and creeds are joining hands to pray for justice. Teenagers cooking meals for law enforcement officers, community leaders demonstrating courage and heroism throughout the night in standing against armed and violent instigators, volunteers coming out to pick up littered neighborhoods. They are the faces of Ferguson. They are the faces of this region. They are the faces and soul of Missouri.

For them, for the family of Michael Brown, for all the parents who have had their sons taken from them much too soon, and for all the children dreaming of a brighter and better future, we have a responsibility to come together and do everything we can to achieve justice for this family, peace for this community, and have the courage to address the problems that have divided us for too long. Real problems of poverty, education, and race.

So how do we do that?

First, we must protect the people of Ferguson. The officers of the Missouri Highway Patrol, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and other jurisdictions are united in working valiantly to protect the public, while at the same time preserving citizens’ rights to express their anger peacefully.

As we’ve seen over the past week it is not an easy balance to strike. And it becomes much more difficult in the dark of night when organized and increasingly violent instigators take to the streets intent on creating chaos and lawlessness.

But we will not be defeated by bricks and guns and Molotov cocktails. With the help of peaceful demonstrators, pastors, ommunity leaders, Captain Johnson and law enforcement will not give up trying to ensure that those with peace in their hearts are not drowned out by those with senseless violence in their hands.

Second, a vigorous prosecution must now be pursued.

The democratically elected St. Louis County prosecutor and the Attorney General of the United States each have a job to do. Their obligation to achieve justice in the shooting death of Michael Brown must be carried out thoroughly, promptly, and correctly. And I call upon them to meet those expectations.

Finally, once we have achieved peace in Ferguson and justice for the family of Michael Brown, we must remain committed to rebuilding the trust that’s been lost, mending what has been broken, and healing the wounds we’ve endured.

This is hard. Nothing about this is simple. We won’t always get it right, but we’re gonna keep trying. Because Ferguson is a test, a test not just for the people of this community, but for all Americans. And it’s a test we must not fail.

Last week I met with and prayed with the mother of Michael Brown. She’s lost a son who she can never bring back. But what we can do is work together to ensure that Michael Brown’s death is not remembered as the tragedy that sparked a cycle of violence and distrust, but rather marks the beginning of a process of healing and reconciliation.

So I ask that we continue to stand together as we work to achieve justice for Michael Brown, restore hope and peace to the streets of Ferguson, and march together toward a future of greater opportunity and understanding for all of us.

Yesterday, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C001135 08/19/2014 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON MACO Development Company, L.L.C. P.O. Box 68 111 North Main Clarkton MO 63837 8/18/2014 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Today, from Missouri Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (r):

WTF? Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder Wants ‘Anglo-American’ Justice In Ferguson

By David August 19, 2014 1:10 pm

[….]

“We have legal processes that are set in motion, that are designed after centuries of Anglo-American jurisprudence tradition, they’re designed to protect the rights and liberties of everyone involved.”

[….]

A protest sign from over a decade ago:

A paraphrase of lyrics from a Canadian punk rock group’s song –

Subhumans (Canada), “Firing Squad” (Mike Graham), “Firing Squad” b/w “No Productivity”, 1980.

Hillary and Bill Clinton will be the keynote speakers at the annual Harkin Steak Fry at the balloon field in Indianola, Iowa on September 14, 2014.

Seven years ago:

Hillary Clinton at the Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa – September 16, 2007 [file photo].

We received the following via e-mail:

Harkin Steak Fry 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 18, 2014

[….]

37th HARKIN STEAK FRY TO FEATURE FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

Iowa political classic takes place Sunday, September 14th

(INDIANOLA, IOWA) – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin today announced that his last Steak Fry will feature both Bill and Hillary Clinton as speakers. The 42nd President of the United States will be attending his fourth Steak Fry, the Former Secretary of State her second.

Looking ahead to important, closely contested Iowa elections in November, including the one to determine his own Senate successor, Harkin promised to cap 37 years of high powered, high spirited political rhetoric at the Midwestern classic with a bang.

“Not only will this be my last Steak Fry, we’ll also need to rally our troops for outstanding, progressive Iowa champions on the ballot this Fall – all of whom have tough races, all of which we need to win!”

“That’s why I couldn’t be happier than to share this special day with two such close friends. They have contributed so much good, inspiring leadership to this country for many years, and I am sure they will continue to do so in the years ahead,” Harkin said.

First held on a farm in Madison County, the Harkin Steak Fry has become a signature political event in Iowa. Past special guests have included Bill and Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore, Senators Paul Wellstone, Al Franken and Bernie Sanders, Governor Martin O’Malley, now-HUD Secretary Julian Castro and all of the major Democratic presidential candidates in 2003 and 2007, among many other luminaries.

The event will be held Sunday, September 14th from 1:00 – 4:00pm at the Indianola Balloon Field.

“What started out nearly 40 years ago as a handful of interested Iowans sitting around on hay bales, discussing politics, has grown to be an iconic gathering,” said Senator Harkin.  “This year’s Steak Fry just might be the best ever.”

General admission tickets for the Steak Fry cost $30 and include refreshments and a steak dinner. To purchase tickets, get directions or learn more about the 37th Annual Harkin Steak Fry, visit http://www.TomHarkin.com or call 515-277-9966.

Register for press credentials at http://www.TomHarkin.com.

# # #

We’ll be there.

Previously:

The Harkin Steak Fry 2013 – photos (September 15, 2013)

Yep, that’s about it (September 16, 2013)

‘Twas an epic roadtrip, that’s for sure (September 16, 2013)

Joe Biden at Harkin Steak Fry video by Jerry Schmidt (September 17, 2013)

Harkin Steak Fry 2012 – photos (September 16, 2012)

Harkin Steak Fry 2012 – Road Trip (September 16, 2012)

The 35th Annual Harkin Steak Fry: Getting a Jump on 2016 (September 17, 2012)

Harkin Steak Fry 2012 – press availability with Sen. Tom Harkin (D) and Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) (September 17, 2012)

Harkin Steak Fry 2012 Press Availability Video (September 20, 2012)

The 2011 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa (September 18, 2011)

The 2011 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa: Senator Bernie Sanders (I) (September 19, 2011)

The 2011 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa: Paul Begala – part 1 (September 20, 2011)

The 2011 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa: Paul Begala – part 2 (September 22, 2011)

The 2011 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa: Paul Begala – part 3 (September 23, 2011)

Iowa Road Trip! – the 2010 Harkin Steak Fry (September 11, 2010)

Iowa Road Trip! – Interstate highway rest stops (September 12, 2010)

Iowa Road Trip! – on the way back (September 12, 2010)

The bumper stickers of Madison County (September 13, 2010)

Iowa Road Trip! – photos and press availability (September 13, 2010)

Senator Al Franken (D) at the 2009 Harkin Steak Fry – part 1

Senator Al Franken (D) at the 2009 Harkin Steak Fry – part 2

Senators Harkin (D) and Franken (D) in Indianola, Iowa – there will be a strong public option

The 2009 Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa – photos

Before anyone gets a shovel and digs a grave for the Public Option, read this

Road Trip! – The Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa – The speechifying (September 17, 2007)

Road Trip! – The Harkin Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa – What? No mud? (September 17, 2007)

We rest our case.

As you can probably tell, we’ve been regulars.

Governor Jay Nixon signed an executive order [pdf] calling up the National Guard.

The press release:

Following coordinated attacks on civilians and law enforcement, Governor Nixon signs executive order directing Missouri National Guard resources to Ferguson

August 18, 2014

Jefferson City, MO

Gov. Jay Nixon has signed an executive order directing additional resources through the Missouri National Guard to help restore peace and order and to protect the citizens of Ferguson.

“Tonight, a day of hope, prayers, and peaceful protests was marred by the violent criminal acts of an organized and growing number of individuals, many from outside the community and state, whose actions are putting the residents and businesses of Ferguson at risk.  I join the people of Ferguson, and all Missourians, in strongly condemning this criminal activity that included firing upon law enforcement officers, shooting a civilian, throwing Molotov cocktails, looting, and a coordinated attempt to block roads and overrun the Unified Command Center.  These violent acts are a disservice to the family of Michael Brown and his memory, and to the people of this community who yearn for justice to be served, and to feel safe in their own homes. Given these deliberate, coordinated and intensifying violent attacks on lives and property in Ferguson, I am directing the highly capable men and women of the Missouri National Guard to assist Colonel Ron Replogle and the Unified Command in restoring peace and order to this community.”

Video by Jerry Schmidt.