Columbia, MO – Rocheport, MO   12.4 miles Now I will be the first to admit that walking as a means of transportation is overrated. And biking is only marginally better. But there is a time and place for human-powered means of transportation. Within towns and cities, both walking and biking are great ways to reduce [...]

Wilmington, IL – Dwight, IL   22.3 miles Last night a tornado touched down not a mile from where I was spending the night in Dwight, IL. And no, I’m not in Tornado Alley. Though I knew thunderstorms were predicted, which prompted me to decide to stay in a motel rather than pitch my tent, [...]

This time last May I was just beginning to prepare to walk across the United States. I had no idea what I was getting into. I had never walked more than a dozen miles at a time; didn’t own a backpack or a tent; and certainly never thought I’d become comfortable swapping stories with the [...]

Jan. 22, 2010 It is no secret that incumbents have a huge advantage when it comes to reelection. From name recognition and the ability to provide constituent services, to access to larger war chests and the electorate’s tendency to stay with the “devil you know,” it is a rare thing for an incumbent to lose [...]

Jan. 21, 2010 Freedom of speech is perhaps the most valuable thing most Americans possess. It was no accident that our Founding Fathers made it the First Amendment of the Constitution. Though our freedom to speak our minds has been largely unrestricted, certain speech has been generally accepted as not protected, for example the right [...]

Jan. 17 Coming Soon!

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Dec. 25, 2009 Wherever you are or however you spend today, my wish is that everyone is safe and warm with a full belly. – By Jennifer E. Cooper

Dec. 23, 2009 Coming Soon!

Dec. 22, 2009 Coming Soon!