“Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.”
― Edgar Allan Poe There’s always a sense of magic and bewilderment in the Ozark hills around this time of year. When the mornings' are misty right before sunrise, our leaves have started to change to vibrant colors that seem to have been plucked for a storybook. It leaves most of us in a state of wonder and mesmerized by the very sights we see and can appreciate during the season of autumn. And it’s hard not to with the Friday night tradition of football, bonfires with friends, fall festivals, and the incredible storytelling of our long-forgotten ghosts and legendary creatures. All these prepossessing things give a comfortable bubble and a sense of familiarity, and security in what we know to be “true” because the reality of that ugliness is too much to bear sometimes and even too depressing to think about. Neither Hollywood nor epic crime novelists like John Grisham or James Patterson could come up with some of the most atrocious things going on in our state right now. It’s just a full-on horror show mixed with shady politicians and questionable religious leaders. No, I’m not talking about Trump and his cultists… I am talking about our state and how they have allowed “schools” (if you want to really call them that) that are more or less places of torture for children. Pretty sure Pat Bentar had these types of places in mind when she wrote the song “Hell is for children”. And they’re all over the state of Missouri. Agape is the most infamous one as it’s still operating, but we have two in the congressional district that was in some lawsuits too, and one I just discovered recently in my figurative backyard. What makes this so horrific is the fact, our state officials have been completely compliant with the atrocities including a child/slave trafficking ring that have occurred at these places for the past 20 years. Hell, there was even legislation that was passed that could have immediately shut these places down, but have never had it enforced. Even our “Sir Sue A lot” attorney general Eric Schmitt has refused to do anything when he has the authority to enforce the law. He would rather waste our tax dollars on frivolous lawsuits and his go campaign hopping at places like Tropical Liquors than protect these kids from all kinds of abuse from some pretty evil people. Trouble Teen Industry survivors like Robert Bucklin, Em Adams, Brett Harper, and even Paris Hilton ( Yes, that Paris) have been speaking out about these places for years. But our state leaders refuse to do anything about them. Missouri House Speaker Rob Vescovo recently asked for the Feds to investigate, but then blocked a piece of legislation that would have put an end to Agape. The corruption is just that deep and it’s taken hold of our governing body. And it’s stemming from all the major players and places from the Governor’s office to the local law enforcement in Cedar county. So, Poe was right when he wrote “Believe in nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.” Especially when it comes from some big shot in Jeff City… So, hold on to the whimsical fall illusion, but don’t turn a blind eye to the odious rot that is taking all of us down with it. As we need hope to enable us to know we can change this by doing better and deserve better than what Mo Leg has been serving by holding them accountable. Let's put an end to this Missouri horror story. Much love and Peace out.
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