JOPLIN TORNADO STORY ON LEFT - SCROLL DOWN. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  I wrote the following story about cameos for the W.A.S. Newsletter No. 19, July 14, 1978. I had the rare opportunity one time of being Curator of the Schmidt Cameo Collection in the Museum at the College of the Ozarks. Mr. Schmidt was a jeweler in St. Louis and had come from a long line of cameo artists at Idar Oberstein, Germany where a great cameo stone is found. This type of stone has that characteristic white and colored layers with which the cameo artists can paint. Of course, the stone - a form of agate - is very hard and diamond dust applied to little spinning wheels with olive oil or diamond or ruby tipped styli are required for cutting.  The ruby is still harder than agate which is fantastically hard. It was a lot of fun working with the Schmidts and students when the Schmidts would visit usually bringing some new gem and perhaps a new book on cameos for the display and cameo library. I spent many hours reading these books and in some cases laboriously translating if in some foreign language. Mr. Schmidt would lecture us on how to spot fake cameos and about many intricacies of the art craft. The Schmidts were wonderful folks. We all became lost in a fascinating world of little gem art going back to ancient Greece and roots even older to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cameo & Intaglio Lore "The Gem of Gems" Beautiful in today's light from a treasure chest of old is a gem. Upon whose surface is carved An elegant, classic face in white. It is a cameo, a sculpted relief As fine as the great statues, Only diminutive in form, Requiring a special carving art. The background is reddish-brown Another, different, colored layer of the same stone Fused by nature to form banded chalcedony "sard." Two pigmented layers with which the cameo artist painted. The hard surface is only slightly glazed Well preserved in the Italic soil for two-thousand years. The features of the carving are striking... A beauty of Rome immortalized. RM There are very few art objects more fascinating and beautiful than cameos and their close relations intaglios. Perhaps you have an heirloom cameo or intaglio in the jewel box? If you do, take a break and go get it, and we will examine it together through our archaeological - gem - art - - historical microscope. There are some good ones, bad ones, old ones,new ones - even some fakes - and some exceptional, artistic treasures around - real objects of art with much historical value that some museums and collectors might like to have. The following thoughts about cameos may help you to better analyze your cameo or a prospective purchase...or if you do not have one, maybe even arouse a cameo-intaglio interest. Cameos are usually small capsulized sculptures in relief. A few cameos are large, plate size such as the famous Augustus Cameo. This "Gemma Augustea" is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. What a beauty this is with the Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius and other figures in white relief. Their garments, with flowing folds - transparent where the artist cut thinly to the next darker layer of stone - are unbelievably realistic. The design has been beautifully executed to fit within the irregular outer shape of the stone. Most cameos, however, are small, silver dollar size to the size of a dime or your little finger nail. The classic shape is oval, although some are rectangular or square with possible rounded corners. Cameos can be sculpted from a variety of materials such as stone, shell, glass and ivory. Josiah Wedgewood (1730 - 1795 made cameos out of his beautiful and famous white on "Jasper Ware" (blue being the most famous color). Some of his classic, cameo designs were exact reproductions of gems from antiquity. Not all were brooch cameos. They were mounted on bracelets, sword handles, toilet boxes, bell pulls, cloak pins, lamps, cabinets, etc. (see: Wedgewood and His Imitators, N. Hudson Moore, Fredrick A. Stokes Co., N.Y., 1909 pp. 56-58). One time, the late cameo collecctor, Edgar Schmidt examined a very dirty, inconspicuous cameo that a man had found on a downtown street of a large city. Using a toothbrush and some toothpaste (which contains a fine abrasive) he cleaned it and discovered a fabulous blue and white Josiah Wedgewood cameo set upon a beautiful, exquisitely crafted, gold mount. I should note that the setting or mount is a very important part of the cameo. Another time, Mr. Schmidt had a mysterious cameo in his big collection, and for a long time its material defied identification. It was a little figure in an oval, glass-covered case with an over-all height of about two inches. One day, his sharp jeweler's eye saw a tiny sliver of something in the bottom of the case that had fallen off of the main figure. He discovered that the sliver was wood, and the mystery of the material was solved. I should add that cameos made of wood are not very common. Cameos have also been made from the shimmering opal, pink coral (a very hard material that takes a high polish), hematite (fine grain iron ore that has a shiny, blue-black finish when polished, although some iron ore is red), turquoise, fine grain volcanic stone from the Naples, Vesuvius area and a few rare ones have even been made from diamonds...and the next hardest stone ruby. With reference to the volcanic stone, Mr. Schmidt told me that such volcanic stone used for cameos (and he has many such cameos in his collection) comes in different colors, each taking its delicate color from the color of the stone next to which the volcanic rests. The Naples area, by the way, is today one of the main cameo manufacturing areas of the world. (I have to stop here. The above is less than half of the article). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - REPRINT OF ABOVE CAMEO ARTICLE (FULL TEXT & REVISED) NOW AVAILABLE. We have a simple stapled version for $7.00 (S&H included ...and a better bound version for $15.00 (S&H included). These prices are for the U.S. and Canada.  All other countries add $4.00 more dollars to each version.  (entered July 20th, 2011). - - - - - - - - - - - - News Item. May 28, '04. MEDAL FOR MISSOURI KOREAN WAR VETS DESIGNED BY RON MILLER. THE FIRST MEDAL PRESENTED BY GOV. BOB HOLDEN WAS AWARDED TO RON IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, JEFFERSON CITY, MAY 11, '04. PRESENT WERE GOV. HOLDEN, RON'S RELATIVES, GEN. SHULL, THE MO. ADJUTANT GENERAL, SEVERAL OFFICERS AND STAFF OF MO NATL. GUARD, SENATOR DOYLE CHILDERS (RON'S AREA), REP. MAYNARD WALLACE (RON'S AREA), SENATOR ANITA YECKEL OF ST. LOUIS, WHO HAD MUCH TO DO WITH THE PASSING OF THE MEDAL BILL. ALSO PRESENT WERE SOME OF THE VET'S COMMISSION AND MANY FROM THE PRESS. AFTER THE PRESENTATION AND INTERVIEWS RON WAS INTRODUCED TO THE HOUSE OF REPS BY MAYNERD WALLACE. REP. DENNIS WOODS ALSO FROM RON'S AREA, CAME UP IN THE GALLERY AND GAVE CONGRATULATIONS. THEN, IT WAS OVER TO THE SENATE WHERE SEN. DOYLE CHILDERS INTRODUCED HIM. THEN, RON HAD HIS PICTURE TAKEN WITH SENATOR SARAH STEELMAN IN FRONT OF LARGE PAINTING OF GENERAL JOHN J. "BLACKJACK" PERSHING (FROM MO). THIS WAS IN THE ANTE-ROOM JUST OFF THE SENATE FLOOR. SENATOR STEELMAN REPRESENTS PULASKI CO. AREA (INCLUDES FT. LEONARD WOOD) AND SHE ALSO PLAYED IMPORTANT PART IN CREATING THE MEDAL. THE AP SENT OUT THE STORY FAR AND WIDE, AND IT WAS RUN AS FAR AWAY AS SACRAMENTO, CA. RON AND FAMILY HAD A GREAT TIME VIEWING MURALS OF THOMAS HART BENTON IN THE GOVERNOR'S LOUNGE. BENTON WAS A FAMILY FRIEND HAVING GONE TO SCHOOL WITH RON'S GRANDMOTHER, GEORGINA ELIZABETH DAVIDSON AND HER SISTERS AND BROTHER AT NEOSHO. BENTON ALSO KNEW RON'S LATE DAD STEVE MILLER, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT THE COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS. BENTON OFTEN STOPPED AT THE MILLER HOME ON TABLE ROCK LAKE.
TAIWAN MEDICAL RESEARCHERS GETTING CLOSE TO SOLVING A CANCER PROBLEM. TAIWAN-TODAY E-PAPER reports on this research.  They are about to figure out why cancer cells rupture and spread. It is going to take some more work, but they are getting very close.  Unfortunately you writer has lost the exact newsletter date,  but it was just several days ago.  Check ttonline@mail.glo.gov.tw  NORWEIGIAN PEOPLE HAVE SYMPATHY FROM AROUND THE WORLD FOR BEING VICTIMS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN AND NEAR OSLO.  The Norweigian people are one of the greatest people on earth. Many of them settled here in the U.S. back in the 1800s.  They liked the north central U.S., although probably many selttled elsewhere.  They have close ties with the old country, so I know they are suffering greatly with the families of those killed today.  They are a hard working people, very sharp and strong in fundamental values.  Many are Lutherans.  We send out our thoughts to the good people of Norway. (entered July 22, '11 - RM). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  HOW ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY WENT DOWN THE TUBE.  Athens suffered a perfect storm of several things that finally capsized their ship.  They, of course, had some brilliant institutions, philosophy, drama, architecture an imaginative religion, but that didn't save them. They became weak from a number of things. They tangled with the tough Spartans in a 30 year war...The Peloponesian War (documented by Thucydides).  They lost to the Macedonians of the north.  Their great sea empire began to fall apart.  They beat off the Persian empire once but failed the second time.  Athens had a great plague. This took the life of many including Pericles famed figure during the Golden Age.  Their Laurean Silver Mines played out. Edith Hamiliton said they "lost the spirit of democracy." And notice strange illogical behavior (in the land of Aristotellian logic!).  Socrates was accused of harming the youth with his evil thinking. Athens was  just a tiny city state, and it is truly remarkable that they were able to fend off the forces of evil for as long as they did. If a democracy is to survive, it must have a very strong military, because others - non-democracies - will be insanely jealous and very aggressive. Democracy is also a thinking type form of government...the bosses, the individual citizens have to keep sharp.  If society then becomes a dumb down society, a democracy has big problems.  Then, human arrogance within the society must be controlled. There will always be those who believe their methods are much better than democracy. Good luck.  More on the subject in our Democracyology Studies Dept., WAS on this site. Entered July 8, 2011. RM - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEUTRON INDUSTRIES HAS A VERY GOOD PRODUCT:   Neutron Industries in Ariz.. has a very good product for eliminating odors.  Bathroom at the Museum or home or office or commercial biz have an unwanted odor?  Has a skunk tried to get into your tent out on the dig? Are you a  church angel and want to help the church? NI-712 Orange Odor Eliminator in a spray can is the answer.  It is a special forumula that works amazingly. They have a number of aromas and even a neutral. Orange is the most potent.  If you have a restaurant you have got to try this in the restrooms. It will add greatly to the good feeling of everyone. They really have something special here.  They will pay shipping on first order.  For details call Lavonne: 888 712 7127, extension: 3777 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHINA'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNISM - JULY 1ST, 2011.  The Communists still rule China even though they have turned loose free-enterprise, and nothing better illustrates the top heavy rule than the country making a big deal out of the 90th anniversary of communism.  There is free enterprise and many churches, but, still the communist political party rules and it shows quite often with clamp downs in Tibet, jailing of dissidents, high execution rate, and building up of military (per dictum of Lenin..."get money anyway you can and put it in the military).  The free world (or what's left of it) can't come to grips with this reality. They are in complete denial of what is really going on.  And, it is obvious that the free world will not study Marxism-Leninism ideology to really see this.  If they did so study this mass of gobbledygook materialism  it would scare the living daylights out of them.  As an editor of an international,  archaeological newsletter one time your writer had to study all this deeply. I noticed that many of the papers in archaeology were loaded with Marxist-socialist theory. At first I sensed that there was something terribly wrong, and, so, I commenced excavation. Studies even led to the master of all gobbledygook the philosopher Hegel who just happened to be the teacher of Marx. Hegel would come into class, sometimes with one shoe missing. But, don't let the eccentricism fool you.  Through his student Marx, who borrowed much from him, he has influenced the world in a gigantic, albiet fouled up, way.  Marx borrowed his theorum "thesis, antithisis, synthesis" - which is total conflict.  So, it is always going to be conflict with the Marxists; they are always proceeding with this theorum.  As an example, the free world thinks we are in just a competive game with the Chinese.  Oh no.  They are playing for the entire farm.  The free world is just playing. Can the free world get hold of themselves, wake up, get real on economics and everything else?  At this point it doesn't look like it.  The White House seems to be in La La Land, and I don't believe the rest of Washington has a clue also.  To prove to themselves (and I know they won't take my word for it) they would have to plunge into the studies of Marxist-Leninist ideology, and that is not easy going. One other wild possibility would be if the Chinese self-destruct.  Jesus of Nazareth explained it all perfectly with a short saying: "Man does not live by bread alone."  So, somehow, the Chinese leadership would have to ratchet themselves up to a higher spiritual (as opposed to material) level ....and get to real spiritual Truth.  We need to do this ourselves as we are also in a a self-destruct mode...with a religion of materialism and Man as god (a pseudo-religion). It would take turning on a dime for both the free-world and Marxists (there are other Marxists besides the Chinese)...to get things on an even keel.  The Christian Scriptures say "all things are possible with God." But notice the catch is "with God."  Arrogant, material oriented  humans will have a hard time changing. But, anthing is possible.  We can only hope and pray for the best.  (entered June 27,'11...RM).   IF MOSES SHOULD RETURN TODAY.  I am positive that if Moses should return today he would spot the world's problems immediately...China's problem, our US problem and the globe. He had to deal with the same things every day.  In his day it was the material religion of Baal....with its Golden Calf (materialism) and the pole stuck in the ground (phallic symbol).   God came up with the answer and Moses brought it down from Mt. Sinai in the form of ten tablets "The Ten Commandments" And the very first Commandment was "Thou shall have no other god but me."  And look what we are doing. The Marxists worship man/materialism...and so do we.  We don't have a clue about the true reality God/Spirit/Love.  This is the true power.  (entered June 28, 2011...RM) ------------------------ CHINA HAS A GIGANTIC PROBLEM OF RESTORING ANTIQUITIES IN MIDST OF BUILDING BOOM (WITH NEW ECONOMICS UNLEASHED)....BUT WHO OWNS THE ANTIQUITIES NOW....THE RICH WHO GIVE MONEY FOR RESTORATION...OR THE CITIZENS?  CCTV, China's English speaking global TV network out of Bejing had a full feature today on this problem (June 10, '11).  The citizens are highly upset at rich members of museum clubs who have taken over restored old structures.  China, of course, is one big museum...coupled with the fact that there is much building displacing much of the old.  The Chinese people love the traditional, so, this is really a big problem.  And as they point out, this destruction of the antiquities is going on all over the globe.  We constantly battle it here.  The Natl. Park service works hard to save important old structures and so do various other organizations.  But money is tight. Our Park Service under the Dept. of the Interior needs our prayers...and cash.  Some parks are even being closed in California. These may be state parks; am not sure.  Anyway, it is all a massive problem.  I believe the Chinese are talking about it more than we are....because of their love for old things as mentioned.  This is one good argument for the US to bring back CCC Camps as in the Great Depression.  And, too, there are many out of work.  This saved many people then, because the workers were able to send back some money to their folks who were getting elderly and in much need. And, according to cousin Glennon Price one of the cadre, many of the workers were malnourished and they had to go slow with them until they built up their strength.  All I can say to China is good luck and welcome to the greed economy with few if any controls. Greed gets things done, but needs a strong ethical control. Law is a good control. Democracies can't be totally free as Edith Hamilton pointed out about Athens.  They knew it couldn't be totally free.  We in U.S. lost our biggest  controls with the doing away of our country under God as set up by the Founders. The atheist/humanist movement conned poorly educated citizens...and Washington DC too)..  There isn't even the easy control of "The Golden Rule." We also did away with the wonderful Ten Commandments.  China has some religion but the state and Man is the real religion (a pseudo-religion). So, one sees what happens when Man-materialism  is the ruler.  Man and materialism make terrible gods.  I know as a fact that the U.S. and the Judeao- Christian ethic went together great like ham and eggs. Too bad it has been thrown in the dumpster.    Best to the Chinese and saving their antiquity treasures for all the citizens. RM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEWS PROBLEMS IN US.  In a democracy, the citizens must know the news - even if horrible.  The citizens are the bosses in the front office, but they must know about the broken sewer pipe in the back of the factory. They have switched from the printed word over to the digital word. This leaves local news in a fix. Actually, much of local news was in a fix before this.  There was and is blah news. Publishers were and are afraid of rocking the advertising boat, and not digging into the hard news.  As a result, the country suffers this way.  Let the power operators shred the 10 Commandments and Bible and old democracy values.  As a result, false gods rule. Darwinism economics - with its material survival of the fittest mentality rules.  Dumpster entertainment rules. One World politics rules (the Chinese have one world politics but it is Chinese one world politics.  Also, the Chinese political philosophy of "Thesis, antithisis, synthesis," - the Hegellian theorum of pure conflict, stolen by Marx from his teacher ....is grinding away at the world...and winning).  Why isn't all this reported?  Big industry owns the news!  We have industry/corporateocracy.  We must get back to democracy.  This is just part of it.  We have a lot of radical ideological surgery to perform.  Can we do it?  We can if we stop for a second and realize that we are fast becoming slaves (opposite of democracy).  And, the news is key to saving us.  It will take courage. It will take Walter William's Creed (he founded the first school of journalism in the world at Mizzou).  It will take sacrifice.  But we can do it. We are experiencing slaveocracy right now.  So, commence with a Free Press whether in print or digital. Start fixing those broken sewer pipes in the back of the factory.  P.S. I wondered for a long time why President Obama kept and still keeps dropping the American flag on the world scene?  Then, it hit me, he's a One Worlder, Marxist-Socialist.   He is incredibly slick.  We must get back to the good ole' USA fast.   RM (entered June 9, 2011) ------------------------------------- A MARXIST SOCIALIST ILLUSTRATION.  Down in Mexico City, having taken a group of college students down, and on an alternate off day - I declared one day together and one day do whatever you want - I was exploring some back streets of Mexico City.  I went in a little store, and was looking at some school supplies on a table.  There amongst pencils, tablets, etc. were some Marxist materials.  One little book I well remember: "The Humanismo de Marx."  I asked the owner of our little hotel in downtown Mex. City,  about this.  He said, "Oh yes, the Chinese send boatloads of such Marxist material over!"   Then, later I saw a big parade coming down Reforma (the main st.|). Red flags were flying.   It is easy to see that Pres. Obama and the Administration aren't just wanting illegals here in U.S. so that they can vote for their party.  They are catering to Marxist indoctrinated illegals in the USA.  This is so unscrupulous and really traiterous what is going on, that it is truly sickening.  Of course, you can't take a bunch of students down there any more.  But, I would like to know if the Marxists are still indoctrinating the Mexicans and others in Central America?  I bet they are. And what is truly even more sickening is that our Administration themselves have been indoctrinated at Harvard and elsewhere. (entered June 9th, 2011). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAMMOTH ENGRAVING ON BONE FOUND IN FLORIDA.  A recent report seen on AOLs HuffPost News tells of a find in Florida of a bone with a Mammoth engraving said to be around 12,000 years old. Hopefully, this all checks out as it would be a great find.  I do remember a questionable similar find of some extinct animal engraved on a bone and found in a cave in southwest Missouri. We will have to check this out. There hasn't been much if any follow through on the find. It has probably landed on the debateable shelf somewhere. I vaguely recall that Marie Wormington may have mentioned in one of her writings...possibly her book Ancient Man in North America. Will be look forward to more information on the Florida find.  June 21, 2011. RM.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  JOPLIN, MISSOURI TORNADO, A RUNNING ACCOUNT.  We here at the WAS office in southwest Missouri fortunately missed the storm with the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, May 22nd, '11.  We live about 90 miles from Joplin. Their storm went just north of  here...heading on an east, slightly northeast trajectory. We did get a lot of rain but weren't in the main trajectory. We do thank those phoning in with concern for us. Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri said that the tornado ground into the earth as it moved along on its 8 mi. path and nearly a mile width.  X-ray negatives and other records from the hospital hit in Joplin were falling from the sky to our north around Springfield and Willard (debris fell some sixty to seventy miles away). The disaster area has a nightly curfew and there are guards at street intersections.  President Obama is scheduled to visit the tornado site tomorrow  (Sun...the day before Memorial Day).  At the present time (Sat. the 29th update on the disaster) there are 132 dead and over one-hundred missing.  Another report in from China (CCTV out of Beijing) says the toll has just  risen to 139.  China has a  TV crew  at Joplin.  Our hearts go out to all the people of Joplin and especially survivors and their families. Prayers for all and the rescue workers too and all those helping in many ways. The help response from the midwest has been truly awesome. I climb up on on my rather rickety step ladder at times and try and look at the big picture with help of the media, papers, radio TV and what I know about the area and vicinity.  The weather folks and media and officials were definitely on the job before it hit...issuing warnings as early as 25 minutes.  Weather people media and officials are advising everyone to be sure and have a special weather radio with a loud warning device that will wake one up if asleep.  A word to the wise. Those people know about what they speak. After the shock of one of the worst tornados of all time, (200 mi. an hr. rip-roaring force)  reports of help pouring in from all over the Ozarks Mtns. an area here in the midwest U.S as big as the country of France; Joplin in S/W Missouri (Jasper Co) is on the western edge of the Ozarks.  The Great Plains begins to stretch west from Joplin.  And also people are helping from all over the four-State area of Okla., KS., Ark. and Missouri - "The quad-state area". And I just heard that helpers came in from Tuscaloosa, Ala. that also was hit by a tornado.  People and organizations from all these areas and even more help from all around the U.S. pours in.  Everyone wants to help....and it is a big job! Many have no homes; they must be fed. There must be water, they must have sleeping quarters and clothes.  Think of the massive logistics. But Missouri is the home of General John J. Black Jack Pershing of Laclede. General George Marshall, the master of logistics and operations in WWI and WWII and the Marshall Plan of Europe thereafter that restored war torn Europe was one of Pershing's star students. There is a smart tough gritty strain in the hearts of Missourians. And we could talk of Harry Truman in this vein also. It is all a great breed.  But Joplin homes in the storm's track  are desolation now, but spirits are not desolate. Very tired but not desolate.  People are still picking through the ruins for valuables.  Insurance companies are on the job writing emergency checks.  Fema is on the job. Missouri has come up with 100 million $ to help, but there are doubts that this will be enough.  It is said that Joplin looks like the aftermath of Hiroshima.          I just learned that the Joplin Humane Soc. is in need of help.  They can use food for dogs and cats.  You might check with the Joplin site on You Tube (or is it Face Book?).  TV report the 30th, says the Humane Society has postponed letting pets out for adoption for two weeks.   Also check the Joplin web site. The Taney Co. Animal Shelter is helping Joplin. And Taney Co. animal help folks need help themselves!  Branson is in Taney Co.  The Taney County Shelter is full (and can't take any more) of pets because of all the local flooding.  Another story here of retired folks at the end of their ropes financially and now their homes flooded! There are many retired folks in the Branson area.  I think little mini thoughts. As the guy said at the Academy Awards in Mar. "and none of the big shots responsible for the depression are in jail."  That's another disaster story - economic tornadoes - that we have yet to get the full story...but on to Joplin.         President Obama will be at Joplin tomorrow (Sun. the 29th).                Fortunately the big U.S. family is pitching in heroically, loading semis- with old-fashioned bucket brigades. Donated food and goods are pouring in.  The media - both in the Joplin and other areas are coordinating volunteers.  Medical cases have been transported to hospitals and clinics all over the area. What a Herculean effort this has been, as many folks were in critical condition. And, unfortunately, a nursing home was hit. Some were saved, some weren't.  Last report was that eleven were killed at the nursing home.  I don't know the story here, but we need to pray for these folks and families.  Stories of courageous medical personnel and patients and their families visiting the hospital (that looks like a ruin at Ipres, Belgium in WW I ) are still coming in and will fill many books someday.  I have heard  some remarkable stories., but I need to verify first.  Medical people have been working heroically taking care of casualites from the tornado itself.  There are many suffering from shock.  Some people were "impaled" (to use an M.D.'s term) by debris flying at rocket speeds. This tornado has been reported as spinning at a speed of 200 miles per hour a "K-5)..  Also, the firemen and women and police, and including dog teams (one I heard is from the northeast U.S). are working away. Rescuers are still looking for the living as well as dead.  Our thoughts go out to all these people.  They aren't giving up hope. Their rescue work reminds me of methods used by the archaeologists.  The area is divided in squares - a big grid system - and rescuers are assigned to a square and methodically proceed downward.  In some cases, archaeologists proceed down in what they call "controlled excavations" only one or two inch levels at a time.  The rescue workers at Joplin work down very carefully also as they encounter a jagged tangled mess with nails, vicious ends of boards, much broken glass and other wicked edges. The people of Joplin who weren't hit worked herocially.  100 cell phone towers in the area were down making communications very difficult.  I know that relatives from afar concerned about kin in Joplin were at times in a frantic mode.  I just heard that the Red Cross has a site where people can post that they are safe, so, relatives will know.  Also I heard that the Red Cross says "do not send money to them!"  They can't handle it!  Better check with the Joplin City site. There has to be a way to get them funds.       The survivors have had a shock of the tenth magnitude and need much TLC and spiritual help too.  Even communications to our office were spotty for a few days.  All residents in S/W Missouri were advised to keep off highways that first night - only emergency people and vehicles.  But all one had to do is look out the door that evening and far into the night and note a feeling that said "don't go out." It was an eerie feeling, that I don't believe I have ever experienced, and I have lived most of my life outside on archaeology digs and camping in youth.  There were terrific storms all over.  Trees were across roads east of Galena and elsewhere. A tornado did hit north of Galena.  There was more rain the day after and throughout the following week.  Big Table Rock Lake (over 800 mi. of shoreline) (we are on the shore) has commenced coming up again.  A few weeks before it came up and got in people's basements...and now is doing the same thing all over again! Ultimate aggravation - K-5 aggravation. Yet, hardy rescuers had to go out in it anyway. Our hats are off to all.  Water is being let out of big Table Rock Dam, monster flood gates, but, unfortunately all the high water has gotten in many home along Lake Taneycomo below that runs past Branson.  So, this has happened twice now. This is a major story. So, we have a water disaster thing going on in southwest Missouri along with the Joplin disaster. Joplin is the worst, of course, however, there is much misery with people having their homes destroyed by water/mold.  FEMA has set up their office in Hollister (two miles from Branson) and also at Joplin. I was in the FE|MA office twice. One of their workers was called to Joplin, but there was no place for her to stay. Dealing with the people help influx must have been a major problem as mentioned above. Am knowing in prayer though that the spirit of General Marshall, the genius of logistics is there.  They, FEMA, are having to work hard (will the gov't money hold out? Remember, they are working along the Mississippi too, and now no doubt in Montana and the Dakotas). Pres. Obama said the gov't will continue to help...but this is another financial K-5. But we know as Jesus proclaimed that God will supply. The unbelieveable problem is that here in S/W Mo. we received an incredible 16 inches of rain in a three day period here along the Mo./Ark border.  It was as a monsoon out of the South Pacific! Very strange! Flat World proponents in denial about the weather out of whack, need to sit down and reconsider. Is it all caused by Man...is it natural? In any case, something is haywire and needs to be faced. Not easy standing up to those K-5 tornadoes. It is obvious that the Greek God of wind (Boreas is the god of the north wind, but who is the god of the S/W wind?  I need help on that one) is highly upset at something.  Now our county road is covered by rising water of the Lake (has backed up in a tributary of the Clevinger Cove Arm of the Long Creek Arm of Table Rock). More gas to get around through Big Cedar Lodge and into town.  I have been relatively fortunate though , but some neighbors have water in their basements. Has anyone commenced building another Ark? But look at those prices at Lowes and Home Depot!  I know they are trying to hold them back....will just have to substitute a few Ozark John Boats for the second Ark...or we can go to the big extravaganza show Noah at the Branson theatre!. Yes,  It is interesting to note the religious things going on in this area.  I know that many areas around the country claim to be "the buckle of the bible belt," but I believe this area truly deserves that title. Springfield "The Queen City of the Ozarks" is world headquarters for the Assembly of God Church. They have Evangel University there.  There is Baptist Bible College (school attended by the late Jerry Falwell of Liberty Univ. in VA).  Springfield has big Missouri State University, Ozark Technical College and there are more, plus several business schools and a school of psychology.  There were eight Assembly of God Churches in Joplin, and four were hit by the tornado (Spf'd. News Leader). Franklin Graham and his "The Samaratin's Purse" was there handing out food and other items (thanks to Carolyn Claiborne out in CA with info. from her relatives in Joplin - they just missed the tornado). St. Mary's church in Joplin was in direct path of the tornado.  Father Moynihan managed to get in the bathtub and survived.  Everyone knows the Good Saint was watching out for him, and he was able to speak at the memorial assembly attended by President Obama!  Yes, Virginia there are miricales, lots of them. Just come to Joplin. Material church structures and other structures can be destroyed, but the spiritual God things are eternal.  This is the by-word - law - in Joplin. All the schools plus Missouri Southern University (in Joplin) were  missed by tornado, as well as Crowder College of Neosho just south of Joplin have been helping mightily with supply staging, people refuge and helpiing in many other ways.  Twelve students from |Mo State Univ came down and helped my neighbor prepare for the encroaching high water on Table Rock Lake.. They lugged sandbags and did other herculean work.  My Grandmother used to say that all those who do good deeds will receive a jewel in their crowns in Heaven.   Lots of jewels are going to be handed out someday! God is no doubt getting train car loads of jewels ready for someday. It will be a jewel of a day in Heaven. So, the Bible Belt is a great spiritual entity, a cultural plus  for anyone studying the state of our country. It's cultural glue activating people to do good things - think of others.  Dr. George Washington Carver was very big on the Golden Rule. He was born a slave in a 14 foot log cabin during the Civil War near Diamond, Missouri There is a national birthplace park where he was born.  This is a beautiful park, just south a little ways from Joplin and 8 mi. from Neosho  When I visit the Park (I'm a member of the Birthplace Assoc) and when leaving travel just a little ways north to Hwy 44 a main artery and go on east to Spf'd. But Joplin and Range Line Road the main st is right there at the intersection of 44 and Range Line. .  Carver is a great inspiration for hard times.  When he was just a baby, he and his mother were kidnapped and taken to Ark. by bushwhackers. Only he was found and brought back to the Carver homestead  (see his story on our Home Site here).  He was very resourceful and creative and very spirutual too through his life overcoming many hardships...one after the other. He was a great teacher and the answer to many problems in world today. We all have him as a mentor and this is great.  I believe the folks in this area still have those old Carver/Missouri - quad state qualities. Joplin is my late mother's old country.  She went to high school there.  Aunt Grace Wisdom lived there.  Aunt Grace was a wonderful piano player going back to Joplin's great hustling-bustling music days.  Lots of music and other history here (it's a great story with many zinc mines - it was the capital of zinc..a zinc boom town).  When I was a little kid, we would visit Aunt Grace's  home and barely got through the door and everyone immediately demanded that Grace play "The Maple Leaf Rag."  I remember Mom saying "look at her long fingers"  Her Sister Georgina "Gee Gee" my Grandmother happily told of when Grace played piano for the silent movie theatre in Joplin and that baby Nadine (Mom) would be placed in her basket right behind the piano, and never wake up! Gee Gee and her sister Bo Bo lived on Penn. ST at one time. I am positive that in the not-to-distant future that great music and good times will return to Joplin. Behind any gloom there is always Godly harmony in the area that can't be beat!  Also, I should mention that many American flags have been seen in the ruins of Joplin.  How can our country under God be licked?  (Ron Miller, last entered May 29, 2011). - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Whirling Winds There it comes, twisting, unstoppable, black-sinister, the tornado. The signal is out from weather-watchers, sirens sound. No mistake, a twister has touched ground, heading our way, People, animals and structures are its target! This is a TORNADO WARNING -  not the watch! Dive for safety! NOW!  Hopefully, there is a plan The storm cellar, basement, tub, ditch..grab the precious battery radio. The devil's buzz saw grinds away...toward us! Some hear the classic sound of a train - some don't The monster has arrived, nearly a mile wide and eight miles long. Sucked out of windows and doors go objects - even some people! Structures caught in the whirling winds disintigrate. Jagged fragments fly at rocket speed. . Good lives are lost; there are wounded. We see a display of one of the devil's most hateful methods. But, God and His children, the ultimate survivors, will fight back and win. There is no fear in God! And, the everlasting wise Spirit of those deceased is still present. The Evil One has lost again. Nothing can stop the even more powerful Spirit of God-Love and His creation humanity...made in His (perfect) spiritual likeness!  The tornado disappears into the nothingness of dark. Material damage yes - but true substance is God-Light. Time for good material and spiritual rebuilding. Flags fly! Nothing can stop American people "Under God." RM, May 31, 2011 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JOPLIN TORNADO NEWS CONTINUES.  We just learned that the Missouri University football team - the Mizzou Tigers - went to Joplin today (June 3, 2011). They brought with them a truck load of goods. Also, today a bunch of Santas from Texas - yes, men dressed as Santa (in 90 degree heat - "The Lone Star Santas" brought up to Joplin a truck full of toys for the kids.  You have never seen so much thoughtfulness. (thanks to Channel 3 (NBC affiliate) in Springfield, Mo.).  Also, yesterday, there was a big fund-raising event in Springfield at the Bass Pro store.  The parking lot was filled with folding chairs, and folks enjoyed a big music event.  Johnny Morris founder of the Bass Pro empire was there.  This particular store was his first, and Springfield is the HQ.  The event raised over $300,000 for the people of Joplin.  A few more notes. Everyone has been accounted for in Joplin, both the alive and dead. The death toll rose to 138.  A police officer from K.C., who was struck by lightning the day after the tornado, died today.  We send a lot of love to everyone. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JOPLIN TORNADO NEWS CONTINUES.  Today, the Kansas City Royal Baseball team and their farm club The Naturals out of Arkansas came to Joplin. They brought a truckload of supplies and served hot dogs.  There was a big meeting in Joplin today. People learned that they must sign a release form so that debris removal contractors can operate.  People are putting in those capsule storm shelters made of Kevlar. But they are expensive...$4,500 on up.  Channel 10 interviews a lady from the Salvation Army working in Joplin. She said that the best donation item is CASH.  So, get in touch with the Salvation Army.  (info taddled from Channel 10 and 27 TV in Spf'd., MO).            THE MOTTO OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI IS.....Salus populi suprema lex esto..."Let the people's safety be the supreme law."  With this in mind, can the state help on paying for the plastic storm capsules? Or get the Federal government to help? If they could get giant orders that would have to bring the cost down.  Entered June 7th, 2011...RM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  CONVOY OF HOPE. More on the Joplin tornado. A big convoy, "Convoy of Hope" is being formed in southwest Missouri with all kinds of donated goods...and heading for Joplin.  As I understand, people are giving things along the way.  (entered June 9, 2011...RM -------------------------- 150 death count for Joplin tornado, June 9th, 2011.  Homeland Security Janice Napolitano and Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon in Joplin today.  She says, Joplin must clean things up by Aug. 7th in order to get more FEMA money. Well bless their superior hearts!  She should stay a month and help clean and hand out food. And give half of her salary to help.   Where did our democracy go where the citizen is the most important entity? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Joplin Tornado News entered here June 24, 2011.  The entire Kansas City Chiefs football team came to Joplin today and helped clear debris.  Also, here is something that needs prayer.  There are 18 people who were in the tornado that have picked up a fungus type infection that is difficult to deal. When debris was flying, somehow dirt got attached, and if the debris and dirt entered a person, that is how the problem commenced. So, there is one for the healers. Since we happen to do research here on Spiritual Healing (related to our biblical archaeological interes) we know as a fact that..."all things are possible with God.  "TOTO TIME.  One last reminder.  On the 25th and 26th commencing at 8:00 a.m. the Joplin Shelter will give away all of its tornado pets - lots of little Totos and Toto Kitties - 128 in all. They all have an i.d. chip inserted, full shots and there are folks on hand that will help match personalities of pets and people. And, yes, no charge!  I have a hunch that there will be something on the order of the old Oklahoma Land Rush there in the 4 state area as there has been a lot of publicity about this event.  I suspect that they waited a little whileto make sure and check out the pet's family histories and see if they might be claimed by owners. Just imagine...128  Totos and Toto Kitties...what stories they could tell? But, now they will have great new  Dorothy owners!  I wonder how many of them will be named: "Toto" ?   The shelter folks may know the original names of some, if they have pet tags and the pet would be familiar with its true name. RM -------------------- PET NEWS CONTINUED.  The pet giveaway in Joplin was a big success.  People from 28 states came to Joplin.  Several thousand pets were given away (yes, no charge) with tags, i.d. chips, shots.  More pets were given away than the news speculated earlier.  500 pets were placed with their original owners.  Pet experts came in from far and wide to help with all this.  ONE PLACE IN JOPLIN, AMONG OTHERS, I KNOW COULD USE SOME FINANCIAL HELP IS THE UNIVERSITY IN TOWN - MISSOURI SOUTHERN.  The school did a tremendous job in many ways, and is still housing homeless.  I am getting a picture of tremendous logistics involved with all the help - local, area and national, and it is still going on and predicted to take quite a long time to  eventually get all squared away.   Branson just had a big music telethon, and they have already raised around S170,00.  The Convoy of Hope is still in progress.  People from all around the country just picked up and headed for Joplin to help.  It is all a giant story.  Reporters of all types have been in and out of Joplin and still reporting away.   A good source for you is the Joplin Globe newspaper on the web. And all the TV web sites in Springfield.  But the main thing is Joplin still needs financial help.  The state is strained to the max, and everything involves more than one can possibly imagine.  (entered June 27, 2011, RM...down in the nearby Branson area), ANALYSIS OF DISASTER HELP.  Springfield, Mo. Public Broadcasting Radio had a very good interview with the men in charge of Convoy of Hope and the Red Cross.  The Convoy of Hope is international. They are the ones with the big tractor trailers full of helpful items, and they also take and handle contributions, $ and goods. On $ contributions - both with Convoy and Red Cross always write on the check if you want the $, say, earmarked for Joplin or wherever and they will do as requested.  From what I gather, financial contributions are a very good way to help.  They know exactly what is needed.  Re clothing contributions, they said don't contribute anything that you wouldn't contribute yourself.  Apparently, they do get some pretty ragged stuff.  The help business is quite a science.  If you want to help in any way at some disaster, I would call one of these major help organizations or check with some city website.  Just ask where can I help.  Both men have seen disasters worldwide - the worst - and Joplin ranks right at the top. The head of the Convoy for Hope said that there are several places in Joplin in the disaster area that one can stand and look in all directions and see nothing but devestation. Here is an interesting help note:  The Red Cross now has a Spiritual Help department. That is very good.  (entered June 29, 2011....RM). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There was an interview on the Springfield PBS Radio with a young lady who is doing a film documentary on the Joplin tornado and disaster.  She had lived in Joplin not long ago and worked in some of the fast food places destroyed. She had then gone out to California to seek her fortune in film-making...but then returned to do the documentary. She knew a nurse on duty in the St. John's hosp. when the tornado struck. You will be amazed at the heroism.  She also gave some students cameras and film and turned them loose.  This will be included in the film.  She has a facebook site...and is working on a reg. web site.  It's something on the order of "from above".  Sorry I can't do any better, but keep your eyes open.  Another note.  There are scam jobs operating in Joplin.  The State Attorney General has nabbed two. Be sure contractors have licenses.  (entered July 22, 2011 - RM). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    ARAB EMIRATES donate $500,000 to Joplin ...plus offer a matching grant program. (from PBS out of Springfield, MO). Date of this posting, Aug. 10th, 2011. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SCHOOLS IN JOPLIN AND NEARBY WHO HAVE TAKEN IN SOME OF STUDENTS ARE OPEINING ON TIME.  There was a big ceremony yesterday in Joplin - with Gov. Jay Nixon present - to kick off the school year (a yearly event). (thanks to TV 10 the CBS affiliate out of Springfield). They have rebuilt - some of schools were lost - four or five I believe.  Anyway, they have got them all under roofs. Nearby cities are helping by taking in students - 25 here or 35 there.  There are three or four of the neighboring towns helping.  The school situation is quite a story.  Cheryl Crow from Missouri announced on the Jay Lenno show recently  that she is selling her prized car to help a high school - I believe the music department. The Saudi Emmirates among many others are helping. Many many rebuilding things still going on at Joplin.  The clearing of debris project by the way came in under the wire of the FEMA requirement that everything had to be cleaned by Aug. 5 - to get some funding.  But today is the official first day of school in Joplin.  Hats off to the Joplin Eagles and all the helpers.  By the way, the Joplin Eagles marching band is a big sharp band that marches in the Branson Adoration Scene Lighting Parade each Christmas - first Sunday of December.  Steve Miller was the cofounder of the event.  And wife (Mom) Nadine was a Joplin Eagle!  Am sure the Eagles will receive a rousing welcome this Christmas here in the Branson area. The event is a big one, with people coming from many miles away. (entered Aug. 16, 2011 - RM). Joplin Highschool athletics can use help for equipment.  See:  wearejoplineagles.org  The Joplin Eagles football team played Springfield last night. It was a great game, but Joplin lost. Many of the team members had been in the tornado. This is quite a story how they are getting their lives together. Athletics is important in the process.  (entered Aug. 27, 2011.  RM) -----------------------    This is an old news note, but might be of interest. Interesting AP report out from here in Missouri (Tuesday, March 23, 2004). An ancient bison skull "bison antiquus" the forerunner of the modern bison was found exposed on a sandbar on the Missouri River close to Jefferson City. It has been verified. The date "is between 13,500 and 14,000 years old." The skull of a modern bison measures about 24 inches wide, whereas the ancient bison measures 32 inches. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Note: Your writer has excavated modern bison skulls working as a shovelhand on a Smithsonian dig in northern plains (just north of Pierre, South Dakota). This was in the river basin salvage archaeology days when many dams were being built in the US. The Arickira so worshipped the bison that they would put the skulls on the roofs of their semi-subterranean lodges - conical/dome shaped roofs. These collapsed with time and left large dish like depressions. The skulls were found near the floor. We also found numerous bison scapulas they used as shovels. Much digging involved building these homes and also the big moat surrounding the village. Lewis and Clark recorded this particular village(at mouth of Cheyenne R.) as being in smoldering ruins. They had to move out probably because of small pox. The famous Folsom points were found in association with the ancient bison. That mattrix was dated at 10,000 years. Dr. Frank H.H. Roberts, Dir. of Archae. at the Smithsonian at that time verified the Folsom matrix. He later also excavated the Lindenmeyer site/Colorado. He was in charge of all the digs when I was helping out. Dr. Waldo Wedel was our particular Dig Director. Our tents and equipment had been used at the Lindenmeyer dig. It was exciting to get to meet Roberts when he came to visit. But back to bison. The ancient bison are at the heart of some fascinating scholarly history. Before the finding of the Folsom bison, many archaeologists believed that Man had just gone back 4,000 years or so. What a bomb shell when the Folsom find came to light back in the early 1920s. Much scholarly crow had to be eaten!!	The following writing is a column scheduled for publication shortly, but you get it first. It is about the study of language. Linguistics is one of the anthropologist's most important tools. It is right up there with the other man-study branches, cultural anthro., archaeology, biology, psychology...and I always add Theology. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Language is Civilization, Part II As strange as it may seem, one of the most useful building blocks in the Middle East just could be the study of language. At first, when we of the west look at that land and its people we shake our heads and say, "They are sooooo different!" We have nothing in common. Kipling said: "East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet." But Kipling didn't realize that east and west have already met. Many of the East and we are related in a great way with language! The old linguist Max Muller told the story about the British and their superior attitude when first going into India in the 1700s. They were revolted by the people - some very dark skinned; they had different ways and spoke a different language. The British noses were up in the air. But to their utter shock, the linguists discovered that their languages were related! This couldn't be, but the analysis of word roots didn't lie. And to rub salt in the British wound, it was discovered that the old language of India, Sanskrit, was older than their own! Yes, horrors, when England and the rest of Europe was in the Stone Age, people of India were civilized and enjoying a rich language. The Aryans of India were speaking Sanskrit in 1500 B.C. The Aryans, the light skinned people, had come out of central Europe. So, there was (is) a racial mixture in India of light and dark skin...and the same with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and other areas. Then, the Indo-European language would be influential in the languages of the ancient Greeks, Latins, Germans, French, Welsh, Russian, the Kurdish of northern Iraq, also that of Iran and Afghanistan and others. Even the Gypsys migrating into western Europe in 1200 brought elements of Indo-European language with roots of Sanskrit. But, back to the British in India and the Indians. They were all amazed to learn of their language connection, and it helped their situation greatly. Muller said of European countries in his day: "Whatever the so-called national antipathy between people speaking Slavonic and Teutonic and Romanic languages may be, they have now to learn a new lesson - a lesson that may bear good fruit in the future, namely, that these very Slavonic, Teutonic, and Romanic languages, which at present divide the people who speak them, belong to one and the same family and were once spoken by the common ancestors of these divided and sometimes hostile nations. Muller also noted that a people's language is vastly more important than color of skin, hair, eyes and shape of head, all of which will return to dust. Muller gave several examples how linguists trace word origins: "Thus birth was originally bhar, to bear, plus a demonstrative element ti, in English th, which localizes the act of bearing here and there. 'The Sanskrit bi-bhar-mi shows us the same root reduplicated, so as to express continuous action, and followed by m i as a personal demonstrative. Bearing-I comes to mean, I bear. 'The English bear-able is a compound of bear with the Roman suffix able, the Latin abilis, which expresses fitness." The above also illustrates another point Muller made about just how much word smithing, glueing parts of words together, and work and creativity went into the building up of language down through the ages. Yet, all of this hard work is just ignored by most people. This wonderful acomplishment of humanity, the most defining thing about humans, language, is just taken for granted. Muller said that English has the largest vocabulary and today it is the widest spoken language. It's fascinating, we not only speak the "King's English" but also a little bit of the Maharaja's Sanskrit of the ancient Hindi and Urdu! More next time about language. Ron Miller, Apr. 16, '04
George Caleb Bingham House Arrow Rock, Missouri Photo by Ron Miller Nov. 27th, 2006	Courthouse at Twilight Marshall, Missouri Town Square Photo by Ron Miller, Nov. 27, '06 Note: I was coming from Arrow Rock and going through Marshall, Mo. and the site of the courthouse at twilight with its American flag in lights on the front caught my eye. I stopped, and shot this picture...a classic American courthouse. Ron