Press Talk: Oh My! Mielke misses again

Together, the M&M boys have created messes of biblical proportions in our lovely Clark County. So much so that voters sent both of them to the woodshed, gutting their powers by passing a home rule charter.

But Mielke — being Mielke — never got the memo. He just bungles along hoping if he spits enough words out, eventually they will fall together to form a complete sentence.

His latest misadventure was his proposal to get “In God We Trust” plastered on a wall in the county’s meeting room.

Everyone — except perhaps Mielke — knew this proposal would create a living hell. It was tailor-made to foster divisiveness.

And it did.

So when his proposal came up for discussion at a meeting … welcome to the nightmare. Residents from near and far came calling. The battle lines were drawn.

Those who were in favor of it invoked God, country and patriotism.

Most of those who were against it also invoked God, country and patriotism.

You see where I’m going here, right?

Essentially the opposition made the compelling argument that one could be God-fearing, could love one’s country and could also be patriotic without having to plaster “In God We Trust” on a county wall.

Believing in God and believing the word “God” has to be displayed in a government meeting room are two very different things.

Most people see this. Mielke and Madore do not.

Eventually — after almost three hours — the voices wore themselves out.

It was finally the councilors’ turn.

Madore spoke in favor of Mielke’s proposal. (And I attribute his line “all men are created evil” to merely a delicious slip of the tongue.) He then turned to Councilor Jeanne Stewart.

Win lunch with Lou

Come up with your own county wall slogan. Watch Sunday’s Columbian for a chance to win lunch with Editor Lou Brancaccio.

Stewart made an articulate, well-reasoned argument. She said she personally holds religion in high regard but didn’t feel it necessary to foster divisiveness by displaying “In God We Trust.”

Mielke, of course, was in favor of his own proposal.

That essentially left the decision up to Madore. Easy, right? He’s in favor of this thing, so it passes.

But stuff is never easy when Madore is involved. He recognized how important it was to have Stewart on board to give him cover. He loves to use the word “unanimous” when he’s doing stupid stuff.

So he signaled that unless everyone voted for it, this thing would die. Stewart held her ground.

And it died. In the cutthroat world of local politics, this would be known as throwing Mielke under the bus.

It was another embarrassing defeat for Mielke. Earlier, he tried to protect the county job of his good buddy Don Benton by proposing an ordinance to protect the entire department Benton heads. But Madore threw Mielke under the bus that day, too, and the proposed ordinance died.

But there’s something else going on at the county that becomes clearer every day. Stewart — the newest member of the council — is beginning to control it.

Madore might be the county council chair, but Stewart is running the show. She has proved hers to be a powerful voice. And Madore — cold and calculating as always — is figuring this out. Stewart will likely hear footsteps soon. Madore likes being in control.

So look for Madore to revive the “In God We Trust” wall controversy to show he’s still the man.

o o o

I do kind of wonder if Mielke even realizes Madore is playing him. Regardless, there’s no denying these are two wild and crazy guys.

o o o

Friends, normally when the circus comes to town, it knows there’s only so much clown antics a community can take. So after a couple of weeks, everyone packs their juggling balls and leaves.

Unfortunately for our community, the circus appears to have found a permanent home.

I’m praying for all of us.