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September 18, 2006 -- Vol. 6 Issue 31 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Thought For The Week
“It’s good to be back. Let’s hope it stays that way.” 
Editorial Comment From Jack
 This week the comment section will take a temporary different approach.
First I want to thank everyone who responded personally after I reported my wife’s stroke on August 7. We both appreciate your thoughtfulness. So now it is time to tell you that she came home from the hospital on the 26th of August and has made rapid recovery. She has no memory or speech problems. The stroke affected her left side, so she is working to regain full use of her hand, arm and leg, all of which need to gather strength. In the days immediately following the stroke, she could not, when asked, tell doctors where her left arm was. Today she is able to thread a needle and put golf fees in a tiny pegboard. So she is regaining fine motor control but still needs to gain strength. She now is able to walk around the house, even go out to dinner or even accompany me on brief shopping trips without a cane. We thank God for a speedy recovery and pray that it will continue unabated. She is about at the end of her outpatient therapy, which began immediately after her release from the hospital. In the meantime, I have assumed numerous household duties (and glad to do so after she has baby-sat me for 48 years). But it does reduce my available time. So much for that. We are doing fine and appreciate the kind comments, which we still receive via email. Now for the other stuff. Most readers know that the witching hour is here for decisions around the Water Resource Development Act conference table. The key point is that opponents, those same people who attempt to put roadblocks before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, want amendments included that would greatly shackle the Corps and forever determine how the agency would evaluate projects. They would do this by establishing an oversight committee made up of people from a variety of other agencies, most of whom haven’t a clue about how complete the Corps’ project evaluation procedure is. Turning over control in this manner would make it possible for any of the committee members to register complaints and force further investigations into projects to which they object. If you have not, and are able to do so, please contact your congressional delegates to explain how important WRDA without remolding the Corps is. Or just say, “I am for the WRDA without the amendments that reshape Corps operations.” In a late update from the National Waterways Conference, we have learned that House members agreed officially on September 13 to go into conference over the bill. The conference date is now seen as September 21, this coming Thursday. So you still have time to make some contacts. We learned from the MWC by midafternoon on Thursday that: The House just finished voting in favor of the Motion to Instruct Conferees which was given by Rep. Charlie Melancon of Louisiana. The vote was: 340 – 79 and 14 non-voting. Of those, Republicans voted 144-79 with 8 non-voting and the Democrats voted 195 – 0 with 6 non-voting. 1 Independent voted in favor. Directly afterward, the House WRDA Conferees were announced. They are: Don Edward Young, Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (R-AK) John J. Duncan, Jr., Chair, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee (R-TN) Richard Baker (R-LA) Gary G. Miller (R-CA) Henry Brown (R-SC) John Boozman (R-AR) James Oberstar, Ranking, Full Committee (D-MN) Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Subcommittee (D-TX) Jerry Costello (D-IL) Timothy H. Bishop (D-NY) and… From the Resources Committee for various sections of the bill: Richard Pombo (R-CA), Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) and Ron Kind (D-WI). Change of subject. On August 21 I wrote for “The Waterways Journal” an editorial titled “Coast Guard’s Performance Is A Paradox.” This editorial reports on the “washing out”, “disbarment” “hanging out to dry” – whatever you choose to call it — of a long-term captain, whose credentials he maintains are absolutely impeccable. The whole donnybrook started over a random drug test, which Capt. Joseph A. Kinneary, Phd., couldn’t pass because he suffers from shy bladder syndrome, a malady well known to doctors but apparently unacceptable to the Coast Guard. What it means is, he couldn’t pee on demand. After numerous attempts to provide a urine sample, the issue got sticky. Capt. Kinneary wanted to be given an opportunity to comply with test requirements with a blood test or saliva sample as Coast Guard regulations actually allow. They would not allow him to do so, despite the pleadings of his lawyer and the fact that doctors testified as to the reality of shy bladder syndrome. The situation deteriorated and over time words were exchanged. Ultimately, though he has a good record and many years of experience both in blue water and brown water maritime activity, the Coast Guard took away his license. Fortunately, the good captain was smart. He used his offtime over the years to obtain a doctor’s degree. That education served as insurance, and he is now employed outside the marine field, no thanks to the Coast Guard. The editorial ran on August 21, and I plead with you to read it. We will provide the link here. Here’s the rest of the story. Dr. Kinneary (Capt.) has written a book titled “The Good Lord Hates A Coward.” It is an account of his life as a merchant seaman, and it includes a complete journal of his random drug test and all of the subsequent activities. As you will find, Capt. Kinneary challenged the Coast Guard in court. But you can read it all. If you find yourself in the same predicament someday, it may be a valuable guide.  This book should be important to every license-bearing riverman and seaman in the nation. It shows how one can be railroaded by the Coast Guard if the agency takes a mind to do it. The book gives a step-by-step report on how he tried to overcome the odds and lost. If all is true, as Capt. Kinneary says it is, then it represents no proud moment for the Coast Guard. But the book is totally documented. The support information is all included. Remember, it can happen to you as well. No licensed mariner is immune!
As we did in the editorial, I am opening the door for the Coast Guard to provide a reasonable explanation as to why Capt. Kinneary was treated this way. To my knowledge the Journal has received no such explanation. We don’t expect one either. “The Good Lord Hates A Coward” is now available on our web site. The regular price is $24.95. I am selling it for $19 plus S&H. This is book is dynamite!
For Those Inclined To Pray
 For those desiring prayer support for themselves or others, we invite you to join our Prayer Circle, which allows you to submit requests, thereby tapping into prayerful support of our 40 Circle members. There is power in prayer. Membership in the Circle and/or the submission of prayer requests is open to anyone and freë. Request lists are sent out via email, generally, on the day they are received. Come join us!
Newsletter News
We used the Kinneary story up front for two reasons: it had an editorial purpose and because we are introducing two other new books further on in the letter. I have been reporting in B&B the upcoming release of my new book on self-publishing. The book was released September 6 and is now available on our site. The book provides a good understanding of why books end up on discount shelves in large outlets. So it should make good reading for anyone, even those not interested in writing. I will make no attempt to try to summarize all of what has gone on during the absence of B&B. There have been a series of marine accidents, some involving recreational craft and fatalities. But time marches on, and we haven’t space to echo all that has passed. Hopefully we can continue to do a good job providing worthwhile information to our readers. We will for sure, pick up again and provide the pictures so faithfully contributed for the Photo Center. I must thank those photographers for their continued interest. Now, on with the show!
On The Waterfront
Because I am just struggling to get back into gear, this section will be a little shorter than usual, and I will rely on some plagiarism to fill it. I know that not all of you who read B&B are subscribers to “The Waterways Journal.” So some of this will be news to many of you. What we’ve learned from WJ pages in recent days is that: From September 18:
Visit the Little River Books Message Board!
You can contact the editor dírectly at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com.
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From Our Readers
Re: Looking for kin I’ve been looking for some of my people in Kentucky that may live on a houseboat on the river in Kentucky. I have not had any luck yet. I’ve been looking for a family by the name of Hawkins. Pat Riddle Greenville, S.C.
Re: Vacationers find river treasure In June of 2006 we were on vacation in downstate Illinois. The Mississippi river was VERY low. While walking on the sandbar by mile marker 20.9, upper Mississippi, we found a round metal/iron circle in the ground. On closer inspection we noticed that there was something written under the rust. We cleaned it off as best we could, using a coke that I was drinking. It read “Dravo” in the center and at the top was a serial # and under dravo was “1940”. It was beginning to be fun so we went back the next day with a shovel and started to dig around it. We dug about 2 feet and hit water, which made digging impossible. We had a long, long stick and pushed it into the water and hit something solid - don’t know what that was. I started to dig next to it and found a long railroad track. It was 100 degrees out there and we had to quit digging, and the next day had to return home. Do you have any idea what we found? I’m sure by now the Mississippi has risen since we were there, and we’ll never be able to find out what our “treasure” was; but I’d like to know. Can you suggest anything we can do to find out? Herman & Jeri Jackson Midothian, Ill.  (Editor’s note: To provide a little background, Herman Jackson was born in Cairo, Ill., and lived there 20 years. His wife, Jeri, is from Chicago. Every year since Herman moved to Midothian, he (or both of them) go back several times a year to visit friends in Miller City, Ill. The Jackson’s were kind enough to include a picture of their “treasure”, so to a degree, the puzzle is solved. But what lay below is not obvious. Dan Owen thought it could be a barge. Perhaps, since they included the mile marker and the date on the Dravo-built timberhead, someone knows of a sinking in that area and can provide additional explanation. And if they can actually make out the serial number and it was for the vessel and not just the timberhead, perhaps records would reveal when the vessel sank.)
Boat Photo Center
It’s nice to get the pictures started again. Many of you in the clique will have already seen what I am posting, but remember, hundreds of other will not have seen them. This week we have 11 pictures, beginning with one we call “treasure”, submitted by a Midothian, Ill., couple, Herman and Jeri Jackson. The boat pictures include the Sam M. Fleming and two of the Mark K from Ron Richardson; two of the Michael J. Grainer and one of the Bonnie C from Brent Maletic; the Ave Maria and Miss Kelly from Thomas Waller; and two of the Anna S from Eric M. Johnson. If anyone has a clue as to what the sinking of the vessel at Mississippi River Mile 20 (the sunken treasure), be sure to let us know. Click here to see the latest pictures.
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The Book Beat
Book Released For weeks before my wife’s stroke I was forecasting the release of my new book on self-publishing, “$elf-Publish For Profit.” The book was subsequently released on September 6, the day before Connie had the stroke. It is now available on the web site. I can only say that if you have ever had an interest in publishing a book, or if you simply want to know why some great books end up for pennies on the dollar at discount stores, you should add this book to your library. Another reason, however, is that if you ever wanted to know what makes this editor tick, there is a lengthy chapter titled “Author’s Qualifications” that will enlighten you. Don’t care? No problem. To see book details on this soft-cover, 176-page work, click here. 
$elf Publish for Profit (by avoiding booby traps) by Jack Simpson176 pages. Soft cover. Nonfiction. Some illustrations. This no-nonsense book, written by an author with more than half a century of experience of journalism, including books, newspapers, magazines and photography as well as publishing, is designed to help would-be authors or those with works in progress avoid the booby traps that can spell disappointment as they try to get their books into print. Many published books make no profit for their authors, while the publishers do quite well. If you are planning a book, or just want to learn why many beautiful books end up in discount houses, this book is a must for your library. It can save you thousands of dollars. Usually same-day shipping!  Price: $19.50 Another book on tap J. R. Simpson & Associates, Inc., home of Little River Books, recently published for Jerry M. Hay a book titled Beyond The Bridges. The book is now for sale on our web site. Beyond The Bridges, Rediscovering America’s Waterways, has 272 pages plus frontal material and is hard cover. Says Hay: “Millions of us cross bridges in our cars each day. We may glance over the side and see water, but we have no idea what life on the river is like.” In this book the reader will learn valuable information, while laughing about the humorous river stories that the author tells. It is a blend of river history, practical information and storytelling that originate from over 40 years of river journeys by Jerry Hay. Anyone reading this book will not look at the river the same again. The reader will have an understanding of the power, adventure and very spirit of the river, well beyond the bridges. This book is ready for delivery.  Beyond The Bridges, Rediscovering America's Waterways by Jerry M. Hay272 pages plus frontal material. Hard cover. Nonfiction. From the cover: "Millions of us cross bridges in our cars each day. We may glance over the side and see water, but we have no idea what life on the river is like." In this book the reader will learn valuable information, while laughing about the humorous river stories that the author tells. It is a blend of river history, practical information and storytelling that originate from over 40 years of river journeys by Jerry Hay. Anyone reading this book will not look at the river the same again. The reader will have an understanding of the power, adventure and very spirit of the river, well beyond the bridges. Usually same-day shipping! List Price: $28.50 Our Price: $25.00 You Save: $3.50 (12.28%)
Get More Visitors To Your Web Site - Join The U.S. Inland Waterways Site Ring!
This is a web ring owned by Little River Books. It is dedicated to those who work, rest, or play on the inland waterways of the United States. Owners of river-related commercial or private sites can apply to join, bringing together as many waterways related sites as possible. Sign up (F-R-E-E), put the code on your page, and watch your hits skyrocket! Let’s see if we can make this one of the biggest and best river site rings on the web. Benefit from other river sites’ traffic and gain new visitors. If you sell a river-related product on your site, this is the ring for you! (You must copy and past the site ring graphic onto your web site as soon as your site is approved.) Chëck out the sites currently in the ring and their hit statistics as a dírect result of being in the site ring.
Tow Talkin'
September 18, 2006 By Kathy Flippo  Fifty years ago on September 19, 1956, a main-line towboat was christened on the Clinton city front. Gloria Shafer, age 14, did the honors with the champagne bottle. On her first swing, nothing happened. The bottle didn’t break! But she succeeded on the second swing and the boat was officially named the E. E. Smith.
This boat was designed by Robert Erlbacher, who also started Missouri Barge Line and Missouri Dry Dock & Repair in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Erlbacher was a very tall man and…to continue reading, click here. Click here to read previous columns. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our web site! |
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