Free Republic

At the end of a ceremony that mixed personal remembrance of Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. and allusions to the difficulties of constructing the building named in his honor, family members and dignitaries cut the ribbon at Cape Girardeau's new federal courthouse. The building is a fitting tribute to Limbaugh, said his son, retired U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. His expressed hope is that his father's devotion to the law will inspire the attorneys who practice there. "He lived it, he breathed it," Limbaugh Sr. said. "He loved it and it was his virtual life." As he spoke of...

Here is video in two parts of Sen. John McCain speaking yesterday at the Harry S Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, where he focused on the Economic Crisis facing America. Toward the end of his remarks, McCain also talked about the character and leadership of President Harry Truman. . . . . (Watch Video)

When Republicans attacked Sen. Barack Obama's lack of executive experience, the Democratic presidential nominee, who as a onetime community organizer had only run a few voter drives and job training programs in Chicago, countered that overseeing his presidential campaign, an operation with a singular focus getting him elected a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars and almost too many employees to count, qualified as executive experience. Voters should take notice. If how candidate Obama runs his campaign is an indicator as to how a President Obama would run the government, then look out. Last week, in the all-important swing...

A local television station's coverage of a Missouri campaign "truth squad" working on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has touched off a national Internet frenzy. < snip > What has prompted all the furor is that several members of Obama's "truth squad" in Missouri are prosecutors or members of law enforcement. They include St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch. All are Democrats. Joyce and McCulloch are featured in a KMOV report by John Mills, in which both say their aim was to refute any false...

No one involved 'has any intention of prosecuting anybody'Missouri law officials, including public prosecutors, who were reportedly planning to "respond immediately" to any misleading advertisements against Barack Obama if they "might violate Missouri ethics laws," have now backed off the intimidating implications of that report, promising they have no intention of prosecuting anyone. < snip > A spokeswoman for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce . . . told WND that the televised "Truth Squad" announcement was misunderstood. "The only action they would take would be to provide truthful information to the public so they can make up their...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Justice Department investigation finds former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves of the Western District of Missouri was forced out because of opposition from Missouri Sen. Kit Bond's office. The report by the department's internal watchdog says Bond's legal counsel, Jack Bartling, asked the White House at least twice in 2005 to remove Graves. Bartling told investigators that he wanted to remove Graves because of conflicts between the staffs of Bond and Graves' brother, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican who represents northwest Missouri. Bartling said Rep. Graves' operation "did not run business" the way that Bond's office...

For all the entirely false rumors about Mayor Palin banning books from the Wasilla library, the only candidate using agencies of the state to suppress views with which he disagrees remains Barack Obama. In Missouri, the Senator has managed to enlist various county officials to threaten TV stations running "untrue" anti-Obama ads. The Governor, Matt Blunt, responds: St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign....

Last Tuesday without any fanfare, the Barack Obama campaign announced Jennifer Joyce and Bob McCulloch, the top prosecutors in St. Louis city and St. Louis County, were joining something called an Obama truth squad. They plan to respond immediately to any misleading advertisements and statements that might violate Missouri ethics laws. "We want to keep this campaign focused on issues," Joyce told me. "Missourians don't want to be distracted by these divisive character attacks." The truth squad's plan is to indentify false attacks and respond immediately with truthful information, Joyce and McCulloch say. Truthful information like: Obama is a Christian...

Last Tuesday, CBS affiliate Channel 4 TV News in St. Louis reported that some Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors have formed a truth squad to target anyone who engages in misleading ad or statements about Senator Obama. Here's the transcript of the lede on the CBS story: "Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading television ad during the presidential campaign." The implied threat in the Channel 4 report is that prosecutors and sheriffs across Missouri will enforce "Missouri ethics laws" and conduct criminal investigations of "anyone who lies or runs...

It appears that Barack Obama has trained his minions well—very very well, in fact. Obama’s group ACORN is under scrutiny or indictment in at least 14 states for voter fraud, embezzlement and misuses of taxpayer funds. One of the states—Missouri—is the state in which the Obama campaign now has Missouri police, St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch and St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce using their offices to intimidate and threaten those who speak ill about Kandidate Obama. Note: There are also rumblings that Missouri police may use their color of authority to intimidate all non-Obama voters. The chance...

Chicago-trained thug Barack Obama has recruited musclemen in Missouri to intimidate critics. It’s just the latest example of his bare-knuckle, speech-chilling bully tactics.

This abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson’s thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television,...

Quote from Gov.Blunt "This abuse of the law for intimidation insults the most sacred principles and ideals of Jefferson. I can think of nothing more offensive to Jefferson’s thinking than using the power of the state to deprive Americans of their civil rights. The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out...

St. Louis Circuit Jennifer Joyce has been caught in a dust-up over her presence on a “Truth Squad” for Barack Obama. < snip > Now, here is a statement from Joyce: As a citizen, I believe that elections should be about issues. I also have enormous respect for our First Amendment and freedom of speech. My sole purpose in participating in this initiative is about getting truthful information to the voters. This has never been or never will be about prosecuting people. Clearly there are those who are attempting to twist the purpose of this initiative for their own benefit....

Obama’s “Truth Squad?” Missouri public officials—law enforcement officials—pursuing those they believe may have “lied” or said something “misleading” about Neo? Free Republic has more, so I won’t repeat their brilliancy on the subject. One of their threads also provides a link to a news video where two of the MO officials promise to go after anyone “defaming” Obama. How can anyone see this and not break Godwin’s law? Pretend for a minute that such threats aren’t meaningless and puerile. Imagine also that they came from Republicans. Then take a shot of the hard alcoholic beverage of your choice (say, Patron)...

With the Missouri polls showing a dead heat between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, every campaign move is igniting scrutiny. That’s the backdrop over a two-day dust-up that is attracting local TV coverage, and has even ignited a Web fight between the Drudge Report and the Daily Kos. At issue is a new Obama “Truth Squad” formed in the state. < snip > Obama’s Missouri Truth Squad members include St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch, among others. The inclusion of such officials has led to...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, September 27, 2008 Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290 Gov. Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign’s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on news reports that have exposed plans by U.S. Senator Barack Obama to use Missouri law enforcement to threaten and intimidate his critics. “St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign....

Please copy, paste, and circulate this press release from the Governor of Missouri. Note the Web domain of the press release, governor.mo.gov. This is not "someone's blog," a "rumor," or a "smear." It is the official Web site of Missouri's state government. The Governor of Missouri says openly that Barack Obama conspired to misuse his state's law enforcement resources to "threaten and intimidate his critics."We cannot overemphasize the gravity of Governor Blunt's accusation. While we are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, "Conspiracy against rights" is a felony under the U.S. Code, Title 18 (Crimes). At present, Governor Blunt's...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, September 27, 2008 Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290 Gov. Blunt Statement on Obama Campaign’s Abusive Use of Missouri Law Enforcement JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on news reports that have exposed plans by U.S. Senator Barack Obama to use Missouri law enforcement to threaten and intimidate his critics. “St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer, and Obama and the leader of his Missouri campaign Senator Claire McCaskill have attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign....

THIS AFTERNOON MEMBERS OF A.C.O.R.N. THE ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR REFORM NOW ARE SUPPOSED TO VOICE OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S APPARENT 700-BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT PLAN. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH THE GROUP'S SPOKESPERSON, AND HE SAYS AROUND NOON THEY WILL PROTEST OUTSIDE THE SAINT LOUIS FEDERAL RESERVE BANK IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET. HE SAYS THEY HAVE MANY CONCERNS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST INCLUDING...."DEMANDING THAT CONGRESS HELPS HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURES AND NOT JUST LENDERS." THE GROUP ALSO ACCUSES THE FEDS OF "FUELING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CRISIS IN AMERICA." I JUST CALLED SAINT LOUIS FEDERAL...

NOTE: this is info from a previous thread, but I thought the phone call to the prosecutor's office was important enough for its own thread. KMOV VIDEO - THREAT OF PROSECUTION FOR TELLING "LIES" ABOUT OBAMA PROSECUTOR McCULLOCH's OFFICE POST 74 FROM PREVIOUS THREAD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS! I just called county prosecutor Bob McCulloch's office. I spoke with his secretary Cindy. DFU: I saw the KMOV piece last night regarding the lies being told about Barack Obama. It is about time someone is doing something about this. Last night I saw a bumper sticker that said...

Hey Obama truth squad, Obama lies! You lie! You should be drawn and quartered if you try to use government powers to suppress free speech. Refer to the first amendment you fascist creeps! Barak Hussein Obama is Marxist troll and he will raise our taxes as he destroys our republic (should he win the presidency, which he won’t)! Yeeehaw!! Come and get me coppers! You’ll never take me alive!! Bwhahahahahahahah!! Boo.

WATCH THIS FRIGHTENING VIDEO FROM KMOV This video should shake you to your core. Obama supporters in Missouri are blatantly announcing that law enforcement will be used to prosecute you if you are part of campaign ads that tell, in their opinion, "lies" about Barack Obama. And we thought the Clinton machine was bad? This is frightening. When will the lies be prosecuted about Palin, McCain, and Limbaugh? The answer is, they won't. This is how a free republic is taken down. When will freerepublic be taken down?

A quick little vanity because we have a need to know. In Missouri, the lack of yard signs compared to Bush-Kerry race in simply amazing. We see them here and there but I would say here it is at least 80% less than previous races. Bumper stickers are probably 70% less than before. Is it fear of vandalism, apathy? I apologize in advance for this vanity but it would be an asset to hear what it is like in other states right now. Some of my neighbors who usually are big Dim supporters and always have signs... do not have...

The Missouri bellwether is a political phenomenon that notes that the state of Missouri has voted for the winner in every U.S. Presidential election beginning in 1904 except in 1956. Missouri is also considered a bellwether of U.S. views on hot-button social issues such as stem cell research,[1] school vouchers,[2] and same-sex marriage.[3][4] Some economists also consider the state a bellwether for economic trends such as consumer confidence and unemployment.[5] [edit] Political history Between 1960 and 2004, Missouri's popular vote was within about one and a half percent of the national popular vote margin. The lone exception was the Dwight...

What is the support for McCain or Obama that you see in your neighborhood, town, etc?(Vanity) Just curious to see if there is any difference from 2004. How much Obama or McCain support are y'all seeing? Let'a do our own hypothetical poll. Thanks

From the AP: Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said Palin's suggestion of war with Russia "sent chills down my spine." "I'm not sure that Gov. Palin understands that right now, if that were to occur, we would have to institute a massive draft," McCaskill said. To be fair to Palin, all she was doing was stating the consequence of the NATO treaty, should Georgia be admitted. But one of the rules of talking about NATO enlargement -- followed by McCain and Obama -- has generally been not explicitly discussing war with Russia, and indeed sometimes insisting to the Russians (a bit...

McCain, Palin to appear at Lee’s Summit rally on Monday Saturday, Sep 6, 2008 Republican John McCain and vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin will appear at a rally in Lee’s Summit at 10:30 a.m. Monday, the campaign said. The two will be at The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 N.W. Murray Road. No tickets are required. “First come, first served,” a media statement said. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. McCain will fly into Kansas City on Sunday evening, but no public events are scheduled. Winning the suburban vote in places such as Lee’s Summit is seen as key...

Today, top McCain aide Rick Davis indicated the campaign isn't in any hurry to slot Palin for a Sunday show appearance -- and will do so only if he and other strategists determine it serves the ticket's purposes, not because some may view it as a required initiation for a major political player. Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show, Davis said, "I'd never commit to anything in the future. ... Our strategy is in our hands, not the media's. We're going to do what's in our best interests to try to win the election. If we think going on TV...

O'FALLON, Mo. — John McCain presented his new vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to thousands of cheering Missouri supporters at a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon rally at the home of St. Charles County's minor league baseball team. "She's exactly who I need," the Arizona senator said at a jam-packed T.R. Hughes Ballpark. "She's exactly what the country needs to fight the same old Washington politics of me first and country second." Many in the crowd seemed to agree, breaking out at one point in a chant of "Sar-ah, Sar-ah." Wendy Riemann, a McCain spokeswoman, said about 23,000 people...

O’FALLON — John McCain presented his new vice-presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to thousands of cheering Missouri supporters at a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon rally at the home of St. Charles County’s minor league baseball team. “I have found the right partner,” the Arizona senator said at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. “She’s exactly who I need. She’s exactly what the country needs to fight the same old Washington politics. Many in the crowd, which the campaign estimated at 23,000, seemed to agree, breaking out at one point in a chant of “Sar-uh, Sar-uh.”

John McCain leads Barack Obama by seven percentage points in the race for Missouri’s Electoral College votes. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Missouri shows John McCain attracting 48% of the vote while Barack Obama earns 41%. This is the third time in the last four months that McCain’s support has been at 47% or 48%. The one exception came in early June—McCain’s support dipped as Obama was wrapping up the Democratic Presidential nomination.

Below is Gov. Matt Blunt’s discussion of his budget policy over four years in the context of a major editorial with a cartoon that appeared on Wednesday, July 30, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Gov. Blunt’s op-ed was not accepted for publication by the newspaper. Insolvency to Surpluses: The Facts about Missouri’s Budget By Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently stressed the importance of understanding the state budget. They should follow their own advice. Missourians deserve to know the facts about the state budget. The budget we inherited after years of liberal control in Jefferson City was...

In an election for President in Missouri today, 08/01/08, Republican John McCain edges Democrat Barack Obama 49% to 44%, according to this latest SurveyUSA pre-election tracking poll conducted for KCTV-TV Kansas City and KSDK-TV St. Louis. Compared to a SurveyUSA poll released ten weeks ago, when Hillary Clinton was still in the race for the Democratic nomination, McCain is up a statistically insignificant one point; Obama is down a statistically insignificant one point. Among men, McCain today leads by 12. Among women, Obama leads by 3 -- a 15 point gender gap. Among voters older than McCain, McCain leads by...

His aunt says he is undergoing major surgery for a broken back and broken heel. While he was lying on the ground, she wonders why Ozark police used an electric stun gun on him up to 19 times. “I'm not an officer, but i don't see the reason for ‘Tasering’ somebody laying there with a broken back. I don't consider that a threat,” His dad says the use of the stun gun delayed what would have been immediate surgery by two days. “The ‘Tasering’ increased his white blood cell count and caused him to have a temperature so they could...

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri....called Obama "humble" and "as red, white and blue as you can possibly get." "He doesn't look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills," Obama said, summarizing what he views as the attacks against him. "I have not done all the full research on this, but the family legend is that Wild Bill Hickok, he's a distant cousin of mine," Obama said. "I don't know if it's true, but that's the legend, so we're going to research that because I'm ready to duel John McCain on taxes, right now, right here."

MAPLEWOOD -- A rookie firefighter was killed and two police officers were wounded when a gunman opened fire in Maplewood early today. The ambush led to a standoff that lasted several hours. It was unclear Monday afternoon what happened to the gunman, as the house he was holed up in was burned to the ground. At 2:40 p.m., police sharpshooters continued to swarm the neighborhood near South Big Bend Boulevard and Zephyr Place. Closed all day, Big Bend Boulevard was reopened at 4:30 p.m. today. The slain firefighter has been identified as Ryan Hummert, 22, the son of a former...

Three area women who took part in Million Mom Marches (MMM) against gun violence are putting their convictions to the test in this year's races for the state legislature. All of them have a respect for the Second Amendment, although they put the emphasis on "well-regulated" in the Constitutional wording. All are unhappy with the 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision in June, which they contend promotes the availability of weapons over the safety of people.These state candidates said they're confident voters also are unhappy — even angry – that the pendulum has swung too far in a direction of unregulated...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-A Missouri candidate for the state Legislature says he has returned a $300 contribution from fellow Democrat state Sen. Chris Koster, who's running for attorney general. Dr. Vernon (Doc) Harlan of St. Louis is running for the 71st District state House seat in the Aug. 5 primary. Harlan said he returned the contributions amid recent revelations that Koster's campaign may have "been connected to laundering of political funds."

The 11th commandment of politics is that elected officials shall not take sides in their party primaries. Then again, Missouri Republicans are burdened with so many sins, what's one more? For an insight as to why the GOP is down and out in Washington, take a look at Jefferson City. That's where Sarah Steelman, the state treasurer, is running in an Aug. 5 primary for the Missouri governorship. And it's where her reform campaign against earmarks and self-dealing is threatening the entrenched status quo, causing her own party to rise against her.

Please Freep this poll. Of the 12 candidates listed for County Commissioner, only the first is a Republican. Help by voting for Bob Ott. ottforcommissioner.com

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed into law today legislation that will make it harder for illegal aliens living in the state to receive benefits and harder to find jobs. The new legislations requires all public employers to use the E-Verify system to verify the legality of a potential employee and requires and individual to prove their citizenship status before receiving state benefits such as food stamps and housing. The bill also punishes those localities that adopt policies to not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Missouri joins Arizona, Oklahoma, and Georgia in instituting state-wide anti-illegal immigration laws. So far, the laws...

U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, one of two Republicans running for governor, sent out an e-release this morning challenging rival “Sarah Steelman’s newfound commitment to repeal the state’s renewable fuel directive…� Hulshof’s campaign contended that Steelman’s call to eliminate Missouri’s ethanol mandate could hike gas prices at a time when Missouri’s are the cheapest in the nation. (Many experts tie Missouri’s low price, in part, to our lower gas taxes.)

It's Panic Attack time in DUmmieland. A SurveyUSA poll shows their beloved Obama is behind by 7 points in Missouri. Of course, polls at the juncture of the campaign season are fairly meaningless. Just ask President Mondale or President Dukakis. However, it is FUn to watch the DUmmies panic. What will be ever more FUn will to be to watch the bigtime Panic Attacks by the DUmmies as the polls inevitably tighten up in a few months. The great thing about this is that this will cause the Left act really goofy and make matters even worse for themselves....

TORNADO WARNING ILC133-163-MOC099-189-510-062000- /O.NEW.KLSX.TO.W.0053.080606T1921Z-080606T2000Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO 221 PM CDT FRI JUN 6 2008 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS CITY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS WESTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS * UNTIL 300 PM CDT * AT 217 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HIGH...

NEOSHO, Mo. -- Missouri's two U.S. senators toured tornado-damaged areas of Newton County on Friday. A reporter asked about the possibility of federal aid to help people install tornado shelters or buy weather alert radios for their homes. "At some point, you've got to take some responsibility. The federal federal government, unless you're in need, is not going to buy your lunch for you; it's not going to buy your TV set, and a weather radio is probably something a provident, responsible family should do," said Sen. Kit Bond. "The important thing is to make sure they have the accurate...

A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the nation's heart Saturday, taking at least 11 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region. At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher before the funnel struck about 15 miles away near Seneca, Mo., and killed at least three, authorities said. The death toll in Oklahoma could climb, said state Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten. The tornado in Picher — a depressed and pollution-scarred mining town that many residents had already fled...

Today President Bush traveled to Missouri and visited World Wide Technology Inc. After a tour of the company, the president spoke about the economy, and what the government should—and should not do—to help. (Transcript) “If Congress truly is interested in helping relieve the price of gasoline, they would do two things: They would recognize that we can drill for oil and gas in environmentally friendly ways here in the United States, where there are good reserves; and they would build refineries. They would encourage the construction of refineries. Do you know that there hasn't been a new refinery built in...

An illegal alien accused of sexually molesting two underage girls in Carthage two years ago entered Alford pleas Monday on both felony counts he was facing in Jasper County Circuit Court and was ordered turned over to immigration officials for deportation to Mexico. Salomon A. Jiminez, 55, entered the pleas to counts of first-degree statutory rape and first-degree statutory sodomy in a plea agreement with the county prosecutor’s office. The agreement limited the length of sentences he could be assessed to 10 years for each conviction and called for the sentences to run concurrently. Circuit Judge David Dally sentenced Jiminez...

Kirkwood — About 75 protesters gathered Monday outside the world headquarters of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, many holding signs that asked simply, "Why?" The question was directed at church leaders who, during Holy Week last month, pulled the plug on a popular radio program on the denomination's KFUO-AM station called "Issues, Etc." The host, the Rev. Todd Wilken, and producer, Jeff Schwarz, were fired without warning, and all reference to the show was taken off KFUO's website. Fans were left confused and angry. ... In the vacated time slot, the church has launched a new program called "The Afternoon Show,"...