By J. Larry Miller

Larry Miller, executive director Franklin County Farm Bureau

Rainfall last week and last night is keeping planters on the sidelines and farmers anxious about getting serious about corn planting. I certainly would like to have drier conditions but the cool temperatures are of greater concern. Frost last Friday morning and possible frost on Thursday morning does not allow soils to warm and promote plant growth. An example is yards are not growing as fast because of the cool temperatures. Not that I want to mow more often!

The House of Representatives continued to try to find a way forward on gun issues this week. A bill was introduced earlier this week allowing concealed carry based on permits that may be issued. The amendment stated that applicants would apply for a concealed carry license to their County Sheriff, or if the person lives in Chicago to the Superintendent of Police. The Sheriff or Superintendent then may recommend to the Illinois State Police that the permit be approved if the person meets the requirements of the proposed law. Once approved by the Sheriff or Superintendent, the Illinois State Police then may issue a license to a person meeting the requirements of the proposed law. This amendment was reportedly modeled after New York’s current “may issue” concealed carry legislation and was opposed by the NRA. The bill was called for a vote, but only received 31 yes votes, well below the total needed for passage.

Following the failure of the “may issue” concealed carry legislation, proponents of less restrictive concealed carry legislation introduced an amendment to HB 997. The amendment states that a permit for concealed carry shall be issued if a person meets the requirements of the law, among which include training requirements, a valid FOID card, and no prohibition from owning or possessing a gun under State or Federal law. The bill provides several restrictions on where a person with a concealed carry permit may carry a gun, including not carrying a gun into a courthouse, into a meeting of a unit of local government, into a school without the consent of school authorities, and other restrictions. The fee for a concealed carry license is set by the bill at $100, with the money used to support the Illinois State Police’s administration of the proposed law and to support a Mental Health Reporting Fund to enforce mental health firearms prohibitions. The amendment was supported by the NRA.

Because the amendment to HB 997 preempts home rule, not allowing home rule units of government to regulate concealed carry, the bill needs a supermajority of 71 votes to pass per the Illinois Constitution. The amendment was called for a vote late on Thursday evening, but received only 64 yes votes. A parliamentary procedure was used to place the bill on “postponed consideration”, meaning the bill is still alive and can be called at a later date.

In the Senate there have been negotiations, led by Sen. Raoul and Sen. Bivins, on the issue. It has been reported that details of a possible proposal will be released soon, most likely before next week’s Senate Third Reading deadline.

The issues surrounding concealed carry and gun control issues continue to develop at a rapid pace. Concealed carry and other gun issues will receive more discussion and attention in the weeks to come. IFB continues to express our support for legislation that authorizes concealed carry through an appropriate application process and oppose legislation creating more stringent gun control laws. HB 997 is on Third Reading in the House.  IFB supports HB 997 and other amendments that support firearm rights and opposes those that limit firearm rights.

Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

“Old age ain’t for sissies.”

That particular quote is attached to a sign at my doctor’s office.  I read it, and of course agree with it, on my infrequent trips to see my much younger doctor.  It seems that at some point on each visit he always begins a sentence like this: ‘Well, Jim … men your age…

And while I label myself ‘disgustingly healthy’ I understand that the ‘men your age’ line is just a subtle way for him to remind me that Father Time is marching on and that I’m not quite as young as I used to be.

I have never been one to worry and fret about age. Turning 30 was a piece of cake, 40 was even easier and I didn’t flinch at 50.  When I turned 55 it had a little different feel to it, mainly I thought, because I started drawing a pension from 20 years with the UMWA.  Much to the dismay of my children, I celebrated age 55 with my first-ever tattoo.  See, even old, grey-haired conservatives can get a little wild once in awhile!

But, when 2013 rolled in and I took a good look at the calendar I realized that this would be the year that I turn 60.  Wow, I thought, that’s got a completely different sound to it – the sound of old.

And on top of turning 60 I also find myself overweight, out of shape and pretty much leading a sedentary lifestyle.  Even though I work 70-80 hours a week it’s all done from the seat of my pants.  Couple that with odd work hours and a penchant for late night cheeseburgers, nacho platters and potato chips and you get the picture.

I have spent the first few months of this year in somewhat of a dilemma, knowing I needed to do something but not knowing for sure what.  I know I need to diet and exercise but can’t seem to get that quick start that could keep me going.  As many of you know, excuses not to do the right thing are many and quite easy to find. And staying in front of the television or the computer is so much easier than making the trek to the fitness center or to the treadmill where many of my clothes hang. I can’t count the Sunday nights I’ve gone to bed thinking that Monday morning I would turn over a new leaf and start doing better.  After all, like Dr. Latta likes to remind me … ‘men your age.’

However, those ‘Monday Morning Miracle Turnarounds’ normally last until about midday on Tuesday and I would quickly backslide to my old habits.  In short, I decided I had two options – I could either continue on my current path or try to improve my health. And since I’m miserable on my current path I chose option two.  But, how to get it done remained the question.

In recent weeks I have been tossing around an idea and this week I put it into action.  I realized that I need somebody to help me figure out what I need to do – both diet and exercise.

So, I contacted Warren Stark at Stark Total Body Fitness, in Benton and told him that I needed a personal trainer and that I wanted to document what took place on each visit and post it on my website and Facebook.  I explained that I turn 60 on November 1 and I wanted to start on May 1 – which gives me exactly six months to see what I can accomplish.  He loved the idea and from there he got Stetson Browning — a personal trainer at Stark’s and a personable young man from Benton — involved and a plan was quickly put into place.

I met with Stetson and he explained what we would be doing in the way of exercising, weights, diet, nutrition, etc.  He talked about the things I would have to quit (including my Diet Coke) and how much better I was going to feel in short order.  His enthusiasm for what I am trying to accomplish was off-the-charts and contagious.  He told me that he had never had anybody quit … which of course put a little more pressure on me not to be the first.  And the fact that I will be documenting my three-time-weekly sessions adds even more pressure.  But, most importantly he made me feel like I could succeed – with his help.

As I left Stark’s, brimming with confidence that I was about to venture out on a new and exciting journey I thought of one of my favorite quotes from Michael Jordan, who said: ‘I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.’

To me, failure is not doing anything so I’ve decided I am going to try! I am going to spend the last six months of my 59th year trying to improve my health, fitness and hopefully create a new lifestyle change.  And I am going to (hopefully) take you along for the ride.

The journey begins at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 1.  Stay tuned!

(NOTE:  I wrote this column last December, the day after 20 children and six teachers were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  After the Senate on Wednesday rejected a plan to expand background checks for gun buyers I went back and re-read this column.  I haven’t changed my mind, I’m glad the legislation failed and I still maintain that it’s a cultural issue and not a gun control issue.  Please add your thoughts … and be nice.   JM)

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‘The red line of the unthinkable has been moved again.’

Those 10 poignant words by a psychologist discussing the massacre of 26 people – 20 of them six and seven-year-old children –  at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, sums up the world that we live in nowadays.

This event coupled with a never-ending 24-hour news loop on cable television prompts the same reaction that we have become accustomed to when there is yet another mass killing – revulsion, anger, fear, dread and the inevitable finger-pointing about why.

The bodies of the victims had not been identified on Friday before suggestions on how to prevent another mass shooting started.  Talking heads on television, people on message boards and of course politicians always looking to further their cause and re-election all had a variety of answers on how to make life in the 21st Century safe.

And of course passing tougher and more stringent gun control measures is as always at the top of the list. Others want to have an armed security guard at every school in America while some believe that arming school officials and teachers is the answer. Others say add prayer back to our schools and these horrific mass killings will stop.

While all these issues merit discussion I believe attempting to find an answer to what is happening in our country lies much deeper.

Let me explain.

Several years ago I wrote a series of columns about what I called the subtle erosion of America.  Certainly, this point of view will be looked at by some as simplistic because I’m from a generation that grew up before Columbine, West Paducah, Pearl and now Newtown.

The way this erosion works is a simple two-step process. You see, what once shocked us and made us gasp and recoil in horror now barely merits a raised eyebrow. What once was considered perverse and bizarre is now considered the norm. And what once was looked at as outlandish, unheard of and over-the-top is now considered to merely be routine.

And this has happened because a silent majority has failed to speak up and voice their opinion and take action when necessary.

The second step in this erosion takes place when every person that does have the courage to offer a differing view is quickly shouted down and labeled as judgmental, moralistic and bigoted … and, of course let’s not forget the pet word of those leading this erosion – intolerant. Not wanting to meet the wrath of this group, who by the way, might be the most intolerant and judgmental crowd that exists, most people do as they’re told and shut up.

And that’s allowed the erosion to take place, one small step at a time. The direct result of this erosion is that we are now a country where God has been booted from the courthouse, the schoolhouse and virtually every other aspect of life. After all, we’ve been told, we must be tolerant and not offend anybody.

Now, here we are in 2012 looking for reasons why a 20-year-old man who has no conscious or value of life could open fire at close range on a group of innocent babies. While all the arguments being tossed out might be symptoms of what is taking place the disease that is causing young men to kill at will I believe, is a cultural issue.

Consider this.

During this erosion we have allowed a culture where a generation of young people have embraced songs that talk about killing, rape and shooting police officers and its celebrated as freedom of expression.

We have allowed a culture of violent video games where people are massacred and slaughtered and these are then gobbled up by parents for their childrens’ entertainment and as a babysitter.  Again, freedom of expression.

We have allowed a culture where children think reality television is real, where teen pregnancy is glamorized, where a gangsta lifestyle is a goal for some and where 90-plus percent of what is on television is trash and not fit for any eyes, let alone the eyes of troubled young people.

We live in a culture where small children are routinely given anti-depressants and psychotropic drugs even though the effects of those drugs are many times violent, irrational and unpredictable behavior. We live in a culture where mental illness is still talked about in hushed tones and in many instances completely overlooked.  Out of sight … out of mind, right?  Well, out of sight that is until a mentally ill person opens fire in a first grade classroom.

In short, what shattered the tranquil setting of the small New England town of Newtown is a cultural issue caused by the erosion of America and no amount of gun control legislation or armed security guards can protect any of us from a deranged shooter hell-bent on killing.  Shootings in malls, movie theaters, crowded street corners and even churches is proof of that.  Ironically, the morning after the shooting I read a story in the Chicago Tribune with the headline: 10 people including four teens shot overnight on South Side.’  And Chicago has the strictest gun laws in the nation.

As a footnote, let me add that I think the prayer in school issue certainly adds irony to what has taken place in Newtown.  In my life I have watched as God was literally booted out of the schoolhouse by a small minority of people – part of the erosion of America group.  And again this erosion has taken place because the majority stood back and allowed it to happen.  And perhaps the Christian community is the most at fault because they have sat on their collective hands and ‘shut up’ as they were told.

But, isn’t it ironic that nearly every comment and every plea from everybody involved in the Newtown massacre has asked that the victims of this horrific and senseless act be remembered in prayers. I also found it interesting that when the crazed gunman was in the building that teachers and children turned to God and prayer to protect them and in the days since the killings there have been countless prayer vigils.  There used to be a saying that stated ‘there are no atheists in foxholes.’  I guess the 21st Century version of that is that ‘there are no atheists in schools and its OK to pray in the classroom when a deranged gunman is hunting for somebody to shoot.’

Gun control, armed guards, armed school administrators, prayer in schools and beefed up security are all items that merit attention but only after the cultural issue — the root of this problem — is addressed.  Because, if this is life in the 21st Century there is no place of safety that exists and God help us all.

If we continue on the path we are on, as horrific as it is to imagine, that ‘red line of the unthinkable’ will move again one day – because the erosion will continue and it will happen.