>> Announcer: DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLY BY THE BETS AND I WERE THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.

>> Charlie: WE THANK THEM AND YOU FOR JOINING US OF THIS EDITION OF DONNYBROOK.

A LOT OF TOPICS ON THIS UNSEASONABLY WARM THURSDAY BUT MEET THE PANELISTS WHO ARE SEATED AROUND THE BROWN TABLE STARTING WITH WEN WEES FROM KCTS.

RAY HARTMANN FROM THE TIMES RAWSTORY.COM AND Mr.AL VIN REID FROM THE St. LOUIS AMERICAN AND BEFORE WE PROCEED A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ON THE #th OF JUNE IT WILL BE OUR LIVE NEXT DONNYBROOK BROADCAST TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE.

AND ALSO ON THE SECOND HALF OF THIS PRIME MINISTER WE WILL TALK ABOUT AIDS IN AFRICA AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS YEAR'S 2022 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WEBSTER UNIVERSITY DIALLO WHO IS WITH THE AFRICAN DIASPORA NETWORK JOININGAL VIN AND ME FOR THAT SECTION.

FIRST ALVIN, I THINK WE START WITH YOU.

I AM ACTUALLY RATHER SHOCKED THAT HERE WE ARE MAY 12 FROM THE BROADCAST START AND AS OF PRESS TIME THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHICH HAS A JOB TO CREATE NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS STILL HASN'T DONE.

IT'S NOT FUNCTIONING, THE GENERAL SEM LITTLE BIT.

THEIR JOB IS TO CREATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND BASED ON THE MOST RECENT CENSUS.

IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

>> Alvin: WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE, IT'S NOT UNSEASONABLY WARM.

IT'S REALLY HOT OUT THERE.

[LAUGHTER] >> THE ARGUMENT STARTED ALREADY.

>> Wendy: FRANKLY AS LONG AS WE ARE GOING THERE WE DON'T HAVE SELECT TICKETS AT DONNY BRANCH WE HAVE PSL.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> THAT IS WHAT IS IMPACTING THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY ARE SO BUSY PASSING BILL THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING THAT REALLY IMPACTS MISSOURIANS THAT THEY CAN'T BE BOTHERED WITH THE STINGS THEY ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY SUPPOSED TO BE DOING AND YOU SAID IT RIGHT.

DO YOUR JOB.

YOUR JOB IS TO DO THIS AND IF GETS THROWN OUT BY A COURT OR THE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT OR IT'S MESSED UP OR WHATEVER I MEAN THAT'S THE PATH WE HAVE TO GO DOWN, BUT TO NOT DO YOUR JOB AND THEN LIKE I SAID BE JUST WASTING ALL THIS TIME AND NOT DOING THINGS THAT WOULD BRING MONEY INTO THE STATE I.E., GAMBLING, I.E., LEGALIZED MARIJUANA I.E., ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> SHAMEFUL.

>> OUR COLLEAGUE JASON WHO WAS WITH US A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO DID HE A PIECE ON NATIONAL NPR LOCAL CANDIDATES DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES ARE.

>> I THINK ALVIN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND I HEARTILY DISAGREE.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB BUT I AM CELEBRATING IT.

AND THE STORY OF THE '22 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS THE REPUBLICAN CIVIL WAR IN THE IS THAT THE LED BY BOB ANDER WHO HAVE THROWN A HISSY FIT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CONTAINED IN St. CHARLES COUNTY THAT THEY CAN RUN ON.

THEY HAVE COMPLETELY POPCORN SALES AMONG DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ROOF IN JEFFERSON CITY.

THEY ARE SITTING BACK.

AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE DYSFUNCTION IS SHAMEFUL BUT IT'S ALSO BENEFICIAL BECAUSE MOST OF THE THINGS THEY WANT TO DO ARE BAD AND I THINK IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE IDEA -- THE ODDS OF GETTING A REASONABLE FAIR MINDED DISTRICT -- REDISTRICTING PLAN WILL BE MUCH BETTER BY GOING TO THE COURTS.

>> IT'S TRUE THAT WE ARE MOST PEOPLE ARE HAPPY THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING BECAUSE WHEN THEY DO THINGS IT'S ALWAYS NEGATIVE AND YET THESE SAME PEOPLE WILL GET RE-ELECTED.

IT ISN'T LIKE THE CITIZENS HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS.

THE CITIZENS DON'T SAY WE WANT THESE SAME GUYS, SAME PEOPLE IN.

>> I AM WITH ALVIN.

THIS IS WHAT WERE YOU ELECTED TO.

DO THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE CHARGED WITH.

DO IT.

AND THEY WOULD BE THE FIRST ONES TO SAY THAT IF SOMEONE ELSE WERE SEEN TO BE DERELICT IN THEIR DUTY.

>> I THINK A COMPUTER SHOULD DETERMINATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BUT LET'S MOVE ON.

>>> BILL, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A POT FACTORY OR PRODUCTION FACILITY WHICH WAS SLATED FOR OLIVETTE.

THERE WAS A MEETING THIS WEEK IN OLIVETTE BY TOWN'S FATHERS AND MOTHERS HEARD FROM DOZENS OF PROTESTERS WHO DIDN'T WANT THIS MARIJUANA PRODUCTION FACILITY NEAR THEIR HOME.

I HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH THESE PEOPLE.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE THE SMELL OF POT AND THEY CERTAINLY DON'T WANT NEAR THEIR HOMES.

IN DENVER AND IN BOSTON THEY HAVE GOT RULES WHERE YOUR POT PRODUCTION FACILITY HAS TO BE AT LEAST A THOUSAND FEET AWAY FROM A HOME.

I KIND OF LIKE THAT.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I WOULD THINK THAT THE PROPERTY IS CHEAPER OUTSIDE OF THE METRO AREA AND YOU CAN HAVE YOUR POT FARM SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF METRO AREA.

INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS KAREN GOOD THE FRAME SHOP OWNER WHO WAS SAYING THAT HER STEPFATHER LIVES JUST A FEW FEET AWAY AND SHE IS THINKING OF MOVING HIM IF THIS THING.

MY FRIEND, A COURT REPORTER.

AND I PLAY TENNIS WITH LATKA AND THE IDEA THAT HE CAN BE MOVED.

>> THEY WILL REGROOM IT IN ABOUT FOUR MINUTES YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITY OUT ON THE TRACK.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET OUT ON A FRESH SURFACE.

>> SO THIS IS THE ORIGINAL TRACK RIGHT HERE.

>> THIS IS IT.

THIS IS WHAT WE CALL HORSE HAVEN TRACK.

IT'S A MILE TRACK.

NO LONGER USED FOR RACING.

BUT IT IS USED A HORSE PATH AND A TRAVEL ACCESS FOR THE BARNS THAT ARE STABLED IN THIS BARN AREA CALLED HORSE HAVEN.

>> OUR LATE GREAT PAL MARTIN SAID 35 YEARS, BILL, YOU WILL BE AGAINST A POT FACTORY IN OLIVETTE.

[LAUGHTER] THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.

I THINK YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT ON THE MERITS.

THAT'S ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

>> OKAY.

I AM SURE THE MUNICIPALITY IS SAYING LIKE, OKAY, WE KNOW WHAT'S IN IT FOR US BUT NOW IF I AM NEAR TO THEM YOU KNOW DON'T YOU SAY LIKE, OKAY, YOU KNOW, LIKE DO I GET OUT OF THIS POT FACTORY, YOU KNOW, LIKE.

[LAUGHTER] WE CAN PROBABLY WORK SOMETHING OUT.

OKAY.

I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND WHEN THINGS ARE LEGAL AND NOT DANGEROUS AND -- LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY.

I WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT MARIJUANA, SMOKE, WHATEVER.

IT'S A FACILITY.

IT'S A TAXPAYER.

IT'S COMING TO YOUR COMMUNITY.

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE SECTION 8 HOUSING?

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THE HOMELESS?

WOULD YOU RATHER -- >> YOU FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT NAUGHTY LINGERIE STORES.

DO YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY?

BECAUSE WE ARE ALL NOT IN OUR BACKYARD, RIGHT.

IT'S ALL NIMBY.

>> SPEAK FOR YOURSELF ON THAT.

>> I WILL FOCUS ON ALVIN.

>> SPEAK FOR YOURSELVES.

>> SOME THINGS YES AND SOME THINGS NO.

>> EXACTLY.

>> IT'S ALSO UP TO WHERE YOU LIVE TO SAY LIKE, NO, YOU CAN'T PUT THIS LIKE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ON LIKE YOU KNOW, A -- OH, I -- >> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, ALVIN.

>> Wendy: WASN'T THE FACILITY VACANT FOR 25 YEARS.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF TAKERS.

>> THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

THE POINT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE LIVING NEAR THE SMELL OF POT.

TO SOME MAYBE IT WOULD SMELL LIKE POT.

>> WELL, THE EVEN THE PROPRIETOR SAYS YOU KNOW THEY WILL TRY AND MINIMIZE IT.

THEY DIDN'T SAY THEY WILL ATTEMPT NO SMELL.

>> YOU ARE MAKING IT SOUND LIKE IT WILL SMELL.

>> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF A LOT OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE SMELL OF POT WHICH HAS WAFTED THROUGHOUT OUR SOCIETY.

EVERY STOP I AM AT RIGHT NOW EVEN IN THE POURING RAIN I SMELL POT FROM THE CAR THAT'S NEXT TO ME.

>> Wendy: I THINK THAT YOU HAVE BEEN RETIRED TOO LONG.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

IF YOU CAN SMELL POT IN THE RAIN.

>> WE WILL START ROLLING UP OUR WINDOWS.

>> IT'S NOT A PAPER MILL SMELL.

DO I. I RESPECT THE SO I AM TOLD.

I RESPECT THE RESIDENTS OF OLIVETTE AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

>> THAT'S KIND OF LIKE A INSIDE JOKE.

>> THAT'S AN INSIDE JOKE BETWEEN WENDY AND I BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT A PAPER MIL SMELLS LIKE.

>> I DO, TOO.

>> ISN'T THERE A GROWING FACILITY WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS.

THIS ISN'T A FACTORY.

A GROWING FACILITY.

ISN'T THERE A GROWING FACILITY IN ROCK HILL?

>> Wendy: IS IT ROCK HILL?

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THOSE RURAL AREAS OUT OFF OF 70.

>> I PERSONALLY THINK -- >> IT SHOULD BE.

>> I AGREE.

>> I HAPPEN TO THINK IT'S JUST FINE BUT ANY COMMUNITY'S GOT THE RIGHT TO DO ITS OWN -- >> I AM NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND -- I MEAN IF IT WERE YOU KNOW OF THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED IF IT WERE NEAR ME I MEAN POT FACTORY FINE.

LINGERIE FACTORY -- STORE, FINE.

REPUBLICAN PARTY HEADQUARTERS NOT FINE.

IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU COME IN.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT A PLAN ANNOUNCED IS PAST WEEK BY RHONDA BRUGI TO RENOVATE LAMBERT TO THE TUNE OF $3 BILLION.

THAT'S GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXPENSE THIS IS REGION HAS HAD SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT, THE RENOVATION 64/40.

DO YOU THINK THAT LAMBERT'S PROBLEMS WHATEVER THEY ARE ARE THE RESULT OF THE TERMINALS BEING AS -- DO YOU THINK $3 BILLION IS GOING TO REALLY HELP St. LOUIS WHEN IT COMES TO AIRLINE TRAFFIC, ET CETERA?

>> I AM BIASED BECAUSE AIM BIG FAN OF RHONDA.

I CAN'T SAY HIS NAME RIGHT.

AND I HAVE -- FIRST OF ALL WE HAVEN'T HAD A PUBLIC OFFICIAL DO AS GOOD A JOB AS SHE HAS IN A LONG TIME AND YES, I THINK IT'S GREAT.

THERE IS FIRST OF ALL THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY OUT SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS KIND OF PROJECT.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND I HAPPEN TO GOOGLE IT BEFORE WE CAME ON, THAT THERE IS ALL AIRPORT PROJECTS, ALL AIRPORT PROJECTS OF ANY SIZE RUN IN THE BILLIONS AND THAT'S WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CITIES LIKE SALT LAKE CITY, PITTSBURGH, NEW ORLEANS, NOT IN ADDITION -- THE BIG ONES LIKE LAGUARDIA, IT'S 8 BILLION AND O'HARE.

THE SIZABLE SIZE CITIES WE HAVE THERE IS MONEY FOR THIS NOW AND WE HAVE TO -- I KNOW WE HAVE HAD FAILURES BEFORE IN PARTICULAR THE RUNWAY THING OUT THERE AND THE TROLLEY ALL THESE -- BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

THAT WE SHOULD BE EMBRACING THIS.

>> OH.

>> WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY -- THE AIRPORT IS A CRITICAL ASSET.

>> Wendy: IT'S GOING TO TAKE WHAT, 10 YEARS FOR YOU KNOW, DREAMS TO BECOME REALITY FOR THE SHOVEL TO HIT THE DIRT.

PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BE VERY EXCITED.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WEIGHED IN WITH THEIR PUBLIC COMMENTS THEY SEEM TO BE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF -- >> I GOT A QUESTION.

AND RAY, A WEEK AGO WHEN WE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CONVENTION CENTER COULDN'T FIND A SINGLE BIDDER.

YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS IS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IT'S AN INDUSTRY THING.

HOW CAN WE GET BIDS ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF EVERYTHING OUT THERE.

HOW CAN WE DO A 3 BILLION-DOLLAR JOB.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL -- >> IT'S A DISCONNECT.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION BUT I THINK THE ANSWER IS IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT -- FIRST OF ALL THE CONVENTION CENTER WILL EVENTUALLY GET BIDS.

>> Wendy: THE CONVENTION CENTER IS DOWNTOWN.

>> WAS SURPRISED.

MY FIRST REACTION WAS JEEZ IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND THEN IT TURNS OUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO RENOVATE MAJOR AIRPORTS WHICH WE HAVE ONE OF IN 2022 IT'S WHAT YOU DO.

>> Wendy: THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT RELOCATING INTERSTATE 70.

WE JUST ALL HAVE TO RELAX.

AS LONG AS THEY FIX THE PARKING GARAGE SIGNING.

>> RELOCATE THE AIRPORT.

WHY DON'T WE MOVE THE AIRPORT?

WHY IF THIS IS LIKE -- >> I LIVE IN AN OLD HOUSE, OKAY.

AND IT WOULD COST THIS MUCH.

YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU MENTION THE THEM ALL DENVER, ATLANTA, ON AND ON.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THEY DO.

LET'S BUILD A NEW AIRPORT.

LET'S GET IT OUT OF THIS LANDLOCKED MASS 70.

>> NOT THEME NOT ONLY THAT BUT I AM JUST NOT LIKE HEY, RAY HARTMANN LIKE IF YOU THE OFFICIALS SAY IT'S NECESSARY LET'S DO IT.

WE ALL WENT THROUGH THE BILLION DOLLAR RUNWAY THAT IS NOT EVEN USED AND WE WERE ALL TOLD BY THE EXPERTS WHO WE LOVED HOW IMPORTANT THIS NEW RUNWAY WOULD BE AND THEY DESTROYED BRIDGETON AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES NOT TO MENTION KINLOCK.

SO I SAY WHERE IS YOUR JOURNALISTIC SKEPTICISM WHEN IT COMES TO OFFICIALS TELLING YOU SOMETHING.

>> LEONARD GRIGGS THIS TIME.

>> I LIKE RHONDA, TOO.

LIKE A NONSTOP TO SAN FRANCISCO OR SEATTLE IF WE RENOVATE THE AIRPORT?

>> Wendy: BUT SHE SAID THAT THE SOUTHWEST WE ARE COMING BACK STRONG FROM THE PANDEMIC.

SHE SAID SO YOU KNOW WHO KNOWS.

AND WE ARE FOCUSING WE ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE.

[ AUDIO INTERRUPTION ] >> PROBLEM.

>> ALVIN, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT EARMARKS.

IT WAS REPORTED BY THE [indiscernible] St. LOUIS AMERICAN AS WELL ABOUT HOW CONGRESSMAN CORI BUSH HAS BROUGHT $9.1 MILLION WORTH OF EARMARKS TO HER DISTRICT AND SHE IS PARADING AROUND THE FIRST DISTRICT WITH BIG CHECKS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND SAY SHE BROUGHT THIS MONEY TO TOWN.

SHE IS NOT THE BIGGEST EARMARKER.

SENATOR ROY BLUNT SAM GRAY THEY HAVE ALL BROUGHT MORE TO THEIR DISTRICTS.

FOR SOME REASON SHE WAS SINGLED OUT.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EARMARKS BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP SAYS, OH, PICK TEN PROJECTS.

WE WILL GIVE YOU THE MONEY FOR IT.

I THINK IT'S BETTER IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE AT AN AGENCY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WASHINGTON D.C. WHO CAN COMPARE AND CONTRAST AND SAY OKAY THIS DENVER NEED THE MONEY OR DOES St. LOUIS OR DOES MOWING ACRES.

YOU NAME IT.

>> MOLLY NAKERS.

>> AS OPPOSED TO THE POLITICIANS DOLING OUT MONEY AND THEN RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> I HEAR WHAT YOU SAY BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

THEY WILL BUILD NEW FACILITIES AND HELP OUT AFFINIA HEALTH CARE AND TALK ABOUT THERE IS A HEALTH CARE GAP IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBOURHOODS AND THAT IS HER BAILIWICK.

THAT'S WHAT SHE RAN ON.

SHE IS HELPING THESE FACILITIES.

>> Wendy: WE ARE HELPING THESE FACILITIES.

>> WELL, NO.

>> Wendy: WE ARE HELPING THESE FACILITIES.

>> SHE PICKED THE -- THE PROJECTS.

IT'S OUR MONEY.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S GOING SOMEWHERE.

ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> ROY'S -- A LOT OF IT IS GOING DOWN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI FOR ONE OF THE MEDICAL COMPLEXES.

>> Wendy: AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> BUT YOU LIKE IT.

>> Wendy: NO, NO.

ROY WAS -- THE CHESTERFIELD, THE FLOOD, THE FLOOD PLAIN AND THEN A BRIDGE.

AND THEN A LOT OF OTHER -- YOU KNOW THE MEDICAL SCIENCES BUILDING.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THE ESTEEMED Mr. BRENNAN ON THIS.

RATHER THAN HAVE A FEDERAL AGENCY IN WASHINGTON BESIDE WHAT St. LOUIS NEEDS I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE A LOCAL OFFICIAL AND IN THIS CASE CORI BUSH.

I AM NOT A BIG FAN BUT I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT THING THAT SHE IS DOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

KEEP IN MIND IN THE REAL WORLD THAT FEDERAL BUREAUCRAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT -- >> NOW WE ARE GETTING BUREAUCRATS.

>> EXCUSE ME.

NO.

THESE ARE HARD WORKING GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

>> BOSS GET CALLED BY WHATEVER INFLUENTIAL POLITICIAN SO DON'T THINK THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS DONE BY SOMEBODY THAT'S NOT HERE THAT SOMEHOW IT WILL BE IMPARTIAL DECISION BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

THAT A GOOD FOR CORI BUSH AND IT'S INTERESTING.

WHEN SHE STOOD UP AND TOOK ON THE -- DEFIED THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM BY STANDING UP AGAINST THE WEAPON SYSTEM FOR BOEING EVERYBODY ACTED LIKE IT WAS SO TERRIBLE.

THAT SHE WOULD DO THIS.

THIS IS THE FLIP SIDE OF IT.

SHE IS DOING HER JOB.

YOU WANT -- BY THE WAY, ROY BLUNT -- SHE IS DOING HER JOB.

>> I DISAGREE.

I DIDN'T LIKE IT WHEN ROSS SINKOWSKI DID IT.

>> IT'S A LITTLE LIKE GEBHARDT.

HE WAS SANTA CLAUS.

YOU WANT TO -- >> IT'S THE ONLY UNILATERALLY DISARM SO OTHER PEOPLE'S CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS CAN DO IT.

>> THAT'S THE ARGUMENT YOU HAD FOR THE LOU TROLLEY.

>> THIS IS MORE AKIN TO WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN -- IF YOU DIS-- YOU CANNOT -- BY THE WAY RORY BLUNT WHATEVER A LOT OF US THINK ABOUT HIM ONE OF HIS LEGACIES IS HE DID A GREAT JOB TO BRING IN PROJECTS INCLUDING -- >> WITHOUT RAY BLUNT AND LACY CLAY WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE NGA IN St. LOUIS.

AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> ONLY FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY WHERE WE HAD TO RAISE OUR LOCAL TAXES TO FUND A FEDERAL FACILITY AND WE GAVE IT A TAX BREAK.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY FACILITY GET SO MUCH CREDIT FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

[ Mixed Voices ] LACY GRAY AND ROY BLUNT DO DESERVE THAT CREDIT.

>> BOB CLARK OF [indiscernible].

[ Mixed Voices ] >> SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.

>> SAY SOMETHING NICE.

>> Charlie: ALL RIGHT.

WENDY, I WANT TO MOVE TO YOU, BILL.

JOHN HAYDEN CHIEF OF POLICE IN A MEMO THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THAT POLICE OFFICERS WORKING WEEKENDS IN COMMUNITY POLICING FROM 3 TO 3 WILL BE WORKING 12-HOUR SHIFTS THAT'S p.m. TO a.m..

I THINK THAT'S LONG.

THAT COULD MAKE THE OFFICERS PRONE TO ERROR.

WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON A 12-HOUR SHIFT FOR A COP?

>> I THINK IT'S TERRIBLE.

IT'S A STRESSFUL JOB AND TO DO IT 8 HOURS WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

MAKING SOMEBODY WORK FOR 12 HOURS IN THE SITUATION THAT THE POLICE FIND THEMSELVES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MAKING THE DECISION AND STRESS.

IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.

AND I LIKE CHIEF HAYDEN.

I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THEY WOULD EVEN CONSIDER THIS.

>> Wendy: I THINK DESPERATE TIMES FRANKLY.

I THINK DESPERATE TIMES REQUIRE DESPERATE MEASURES.

THEY ARE WHAT, DOWN 127 OFFICERS AT THIS MOMENT?

BUT IT SCARES ME TO DEATH BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME APPLICANT POOL THAT WE HAD BEFORE.

I AM NOT SURE THAT AFTER 12 HOURS EVEN THE CREAM AT THE VERY TOP OF THE APPLICANT POOL IS GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF MAKING LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS.

>> I AM WITH YOU, BILL.

I JUST THINK THAT IT'S A BAD IDEA.

I HAVE HAD A JOB WHERE I WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS TWO DAYS IN A ROW.

>> Wendy: OH, BOY.

>> LIKE I SAID IT WAS NOT -- BEING A POLICE OFFICE DOER NOT GET ME WRONG BUT I WILL SAY THIS, ALL -- [ AUDIO INTERRUPTION ] >> HOUR OF THEIR 12-HOUR SHIFT EVERYBODY WAS -- >> STRIPS DOWN.

>> THEY WOULD -- THAT WOULD BE -- PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE FACT THAT THEY WERE TIRED.

>> I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH COMMON SENSE THAT THIS IS A BAD IDEA.

I AM WONDERING AND I DON'T HAVE ANY INSIGHT PARTICULARLY INTO THIS OTHER THAN JUST I AM WONDERING IF MAYBE HAYDEN OR THE POLICE ARE TRYING TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THEY NEED MORE RESOURCES AND THEY ARE THROWING OUT THIS OBVIOUSLY NOT GREAT IDEA BECAUSE MY VIEW IS, AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN -- >> Wendy: THEY HAVE THE BODY, RAY.

>> WELL, MY THOUGHT IS, AND I DON'T HAVE MAGIC ANSWER, I'VE NEVER BEEN FOR FUNDING THE POLICE, I DO THINK THAT A COMBINATION OF MORE RESOURCES FOR PAY, TRAINING, COUPLED WITH EXPECTATIONS HOLDING POLICE ACCOUNTABLE WHEN YOU DO THAT IS THE BEST KIND OF GENERAL STRATEGY AND MAYBE THIS IS A WAY TO GET ATTENTION TO PUMPING MORE MONEY INTO THE DEPARTMENT BUT IT'S GOT TO BE COUPLED WITH TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ALREADY UNDERSTAND THAT THE POLICE NEED MORE NOT LESS IN THE WAY OF RESOURCES.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE CHIEF WOULD COME OUT WITH THIS.

>> OKAY, WORKING 8 AND TAKE OFF 10 AND THEN COME BACK AND WORK ANOTHER 6 OR WHATEVER YOU KNOW LIKE TRUCK DRIVERS.

>> Wendy: SPLITS.

>> MAYBE THAT'S A BETTER SOLUTION BUT JUST 12 STRAIGHT.

>> IT'S DANGEROUS ACTUALLY.

>> Charlie: FINAL TOPIC.

WENDY, I WANT TO ASK BUT A PLAN THAT IS APPARENTLY SPROUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING KANSAS CITY YOU HAVE SOME CONNECTION THERE TO WHAT'S CALLED NO MOW MAY.

IN OTHER WORDS, HOMEOWNERS ASKED NOT TO MOW THEIR LAWNS IN MAY SO THAT THE GRASS CAN GROW HIGH AND THE POLLINATORS CAN THRIVE LIKE MOTHS AND BEES AND THERE ARE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION NOW THEY ARE SAYING OKAY NOBODY MOW YOUR LAWN DURING THE MONTH OF MAY FOR THE SAKE OF THE PLANET.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> Wendy: WELL, NOT TO MAKE MYSELF SOUND LIKE THE GRUMPY OLD WOMAN BUT I THINK WE HAVE COMPLETELY GONE AROUND THE BEND.

I TRULY DO.

I MEAN AND I WANT BUTTERFLIES AND BEES TO HAVE ACTIVE SOCIAL LIVES, I TRULY, TRULY, DO BUT TO HAVE THE GRASS GROWING OVER THE WINDOW SILL JUST DOES NOT APPEAL TO MY INNER SUBURBAN SENSIBILITIES.

>> Charlie: YOU ARE ASKING RESIDENTIAL PEOPLE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT THEY DID NOT CREATE.

>> Wendy: RIGHT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN MOWING OUR LAWNS FOREVER.

THAT'S NOT WHY BEES ARE LIKE NOT AROUND.

WE ARE POISONING THEM.

WE ARE DOING ALL KINDS OF OTHER STUFF.

LET PEOPLE MOW THEIR LAWNS.

>> I DISAGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU.

IT'S SORT OF THAT MENTALITY SOMEBODY ELSE HAS TO DEAL WITH THE CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

FIRST OF ALL I AM VERY -- AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM VERY PRO-BEE AND PRO-BUTTERFLIES.

I THINK THEY KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

I'LL SEE WHO IS MORE POPULAR WITH THEM NOW.

I AM ABSOLUTELY, I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE YOU KNOW FOR HOMEOWNERS TO HAVE THE GRASS GROWING A LITTLE LONG IS NOT EXACTLY A HUGE SACRIFICE.

REALLY WHEN YOU COMPARE IT -- >> Wendy: OH, MY GOD, RAY!

>> IN St. LOUIS IF YOU DON'T MOW YOUR LAWN IN MAY YOU WILL HAVE A JUNGLE OUT THERE.

>> SO WHAT?

>> YEAH, SO WHAT?

WHICH IS BETTER HAVING HELPING THE PLANET AND HELPING THE POLLINATION -- >> Wendy: DO YOU WANT TO CARPOOL WITH ME NEXT WEEK, RAY?

DO YOU WANT ME TO PICK YOU UP?

ARE YOU WILLING TO GO THAT FOR?

>> WHEN I WAS A HOMEOWNER I WASN'T THE BEST MOWER.

>> I WOULD TAKE A STEP FURTHER.

I THINK MOW DOT SHOULD NOT MOW AT ALL ON THE SIDES OF THE HIGHWAYS ANYMORE.

>> Wendy: IT COVERS UP THE LITTER.

THAT'S WHY.

YEAH.

>> THERE IS.

THAT THE JUNGLE THRIVES -- [ Mixed Voices ] >> OH, WOW.

TAKE THE MOW OUT OF MO DATA.

>> YOU AND I ARE MOVING TO ARIZONA.

>> MUNICIPALITIES SHOULDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE YOU PUT LIKE A CHARGING STATION IN?

WHY ARE WE AGAINST THE CHARGING STATIONS?

OH, NO, YOU CAN LEAPT YOUR GRASS GROW 17 FEET TALL.

>> SO WHAT'S WRONG?

IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY.

>> HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS NOW YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE ONE.

>> I AM AGAINST HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

[ Applause ] [LAUGHTER] YOU KNOW SOMETHING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY DECIDE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, WHEN THEY DECIDE TO -- RETIRE THEY MAYBE GO FISHING.

DID YOU DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TODAY, CHARLIE?

LOOK AT THE MONITOR.

>> Charlie: I WENT TO BUSCH STADIUM TODAY.

>> DESTROY THIS FILM.

>> Wendy: LOOK AT HIM.

>> YOU HAVE GOT MY JERSEY ON.

THAT SKY BLUE IS THE THING, MAN.

THAT IS NUMBER 34 FOR ALMOST 34 YEARS AT KMOS.

WHO IS THAT OLD GUY PLAYING ME?

[ Mixed Voices ] A STRIKE.

GOOD CALL BY FRED.

>> YOU DIDN'T BOUNCE IT THAT'S THE MAIN CRITERIA.

WHAT AN AMAZING CAREER YOU HAD.

SERIOUSLY.

WE ARE PROUD TO KNOW YOU.

>> I KNOW.

YOU ARE TOO KIND.

IN THE AGE OF COVID I SHOULDN'T BLOW THESE OUT, SHOULD I.

>> I WANT TO SAY I KNOW I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL THE FANS.

HERE IS THE DEAL.

I AM GOING TO TAKE THE NEXT THREE WEEKS OFF.

I WILL BE BACK FOR DONNY BASH AND YOU CAN JOIN US IF YOU GO TO NINE PBS/DONNYBROOK.

>> YOU ARE NOT RETIRING.

>> NEVER.

>> OH, JUST FROM KMOS RADIO SIDE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Charlie: THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY.

DON'T GO AWAY HOWEVER BECAUSE IN A MOMENT) ABRIL WILL JOIN US FROM THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE AND DIASPORA NETWORK.

ALVIN AND I WILL POSE QUESTIONS HIS WAY BEFORE HE SPEAKS TO THE GRADUATING STUDENTS AT WEBSTER UNIVERSITY.

SO THANKS, EVERYBODY.

HAVE A GREAT ONE BUT DON'T GO AWAY.

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