the navel times and observer

Is serving me burgers.

For those who aren't "in the know" in 2001 a state representative named Martin "Bubs" Hohulin attempted in vain to remove KOMU, the Columbia NBC affiliate, from any connection with the University of Missouri after news director Stacey Woelfel ordered anyone appearing in front of the camera not to wear any sort of U.S. Flag pin or symbol when on the air. He was particularly concerned because Woelfel sent this order very shortly after Sept. 11.

In an editorial note: KOMU is the only news organization associated with the Journalism school that actually turns a profit, although it is not governed by the J-School. And does it ever profit. It's rather nice because other organizations, like the mighty Missourian (run by a seperate board) can always be counted upon to be in the red. Thus, for any money KOMU can bring to the J-School (not to mention attracting Broadcast J students, who can't get actual network reporting work within any other school) giving up that little goldmine would be stupid.

So, now that we're all caught up, I've been going to this small drive-up restaurant here in Lamar because they make a darn good burger and they're barely holding on to business anyway. Apparently it won't be open longer than January.

The reason being that Bubs, who owns the place with his wife, is now assisting state Sen. Vogel in Jefferson City and will be returning there when the General Assembly kicks off again for another couple months of legislation. That and they're going from day to day at the moment and are only open when they know they'll have business. Small restaurant goes out of business, that's a non-story. Unfortunately it does mean I'm stuck with far fewer options for a decent burger in town, and nowhere that would bother to offer anything other than American cheese. Sigh.

So today after I found out he was a former rep I asked "Bubs Hohulin, right?". He acknowledged, yes, having at that point repeated himself.

I said: "Mr. Hohulin, we have a relationship."
"How?"
"I was a freshman at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2001."
"They must have hated me over there."
"Well, there's hate and then there's disagreement and they aren't the same thing."

Oddly enough the conversation didn't go much further. He said he had gotten about 6,000 letters telling him to keep at the university and about 1,000 letters asking him to stop. One of them you can find here, along with Mr. Hohulin's condescending response. I didn't mention the letter, though I told the author, a fellow 2001 freshman, about having found Mr. Hohulin.

I told him KOMU was the only part of the J-school that actually turned a dime. He said "yes, I know, and they're semi-autonomous, but I still wanted them to lose it." And preceded to close the window. Apparently not really interested in continuing that argument.

Thanks for the burger, Bubs!