A researcher in Columbia challenges convention wisdom about the kinds of political ads that are infesting our airwaves in these last weeks before the election—the insufferable attack commercials that tell listeners and viewers little or nothing about the candidate behind the ads….but try to paint the other candidate as selfish, unclean, a tool of special interests, and out of step with this or that hot-button phrase that is supposed to stand for everything that is right in the world. Meet advertising professor Paul Bolls from the University of Missouri-Columbia who says the consultants and candidates are all wrong. He says his research not only contradicts the intuitive thinking of the effect of attack ads on voters, it contradicts what a lot of previous research has said about the ways people process attack ads and remember them. His research says the best ads are slower-paced, non-attack ads in which a candidate establishes a personal relationship with the viewer or listener and explains what the candidate stands for. He admits that type of ad works best early when a candidate is establising credentials and identity…but he says the candidate who runs the “nice and slow” ads will be more favorably remembered when the kind of stuff we’re seeing and hearing now gets cranked up. He hopes his research will produce some changes in the way the 2004 campaign is run.
Doubts on Disabled Education
It’s a question where those most affected by it, may not be able to ask it. So the state is asking for them. A governor’s commission has requested the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to investigate the state administered schooling program for severely disabled students. Right now, 36 state schools offer specialized programs for 1,000 severely disabled students. But the Department’s assistant commissioner for special ed points out not all severely disabled students are segregated. In fact, 300 severely disabled students attend regular public schools in 60 local districts. The Department is taking a look at other state programs, conducting focus groups, and comparing costs of students educated in state schools versus local schools to decide what kind of program is best for these special students.
Related web sites:
DESE website for special education
Opponents in Minimum Wage Initiative Argue Over Determining Cost of Living Increases
Opponents of the November 7th Minimum Wage Increase initiative are raising concerns over what they see as future minimum wage hikes above and beyond the actual cost of living increases in Missouri. Approval of Proposition B would raise the minumum wage to $6.50 an hour, with future increases tied to the cost of living as defined by the Consumer Price Index. Associated Industries of Missouri President Gary Marble, an opponent who is part of the Save Our State’s Jobs Coalition, says using the term CPI is purposely vague because there are subdivisions within the CPI. There is the CPI-U, which includes most lines or work and the CPI-W, which excludes many workers such as the self-employed or those involved in agriculture. Sara Howard, with the Give Missourians a Raise Coalition, says the CPI-W is more reflective of cost of living increases because it takes into account the costs that wage earners – as opposed to salaried employees – face and how those costs increase from year to year. Howard adds there is little difference, on an on-going basis, between the two figures.
Blunt Asks USDA for Disaster Declaration for Nine Counties
Governor Matt Blunt is asking the U.S. Agriculture Department to declare nine counties in southeast Missouri disaster areas. The Governor says the nine counties were especially hard-hit by last month’s storms. On the Governor’s list: the counties of Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Ripley, and Stoddard. The disaster declaration would make Missouri farmers eligible for emergency low interest loans.
Mizzou Safety Suspended
Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel has suspended safety Brandon Massey indefinitely for disciplinary reasons.
Massey, a senior strong safety, is sixth on the team with 36 tackles and tied for a team-high with two interceptions. He started all seven games, but was recently replaced on the depth chart by William Moore.
Moore was the starter at free safety during fall camp before David Overstreet moved over from the strong side. So far, Moore has 30 tackles on defense and special teams.
Mizzou (6-1, 2-1) celebrates Homecoming Saturday against Kansas State (4-3, 1-2) at 1 p.m.
