Honestly, I was fine with any of the three top finishers of the GOP race for the White House. It was interesting, fun to watch and a lesson in human nature.
Cruz was Cruz. I actually think Kasich would be a good president; he’d bore the socks off even the most steadfast political junkie – but was solid. Then comes Donald Trump.
It’s been fun to watch the evolution of the Republican Party. It started out treating Trump like he was a pile of poo that someone accidentally stepped in. But he started winning, and winning because blue-collar Democrats and working Republicans feel the frustration of an America that is being run by an establishment party that closely guards who is allowed into the central core governing the people.
I equated Trump’s rise to that of my son’s past hatred of asparagus. That vegetable was sure to send him running from the dinner table without an adequate supply of a green veggie.
That distaste was what the Republican Party establishment had on their faces – until Trump won some big states and began making a show that the American public actually liked him.
Then came New York and Indiana where he tromped the competition – and America showed the Republican Party that establishment was out and doing things a bit differently was what they wanted.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan continued to act in establishment ways, saying he would not back Trump who is essentially the pick of a majority of Republican voters, so far.
So back to asparagus; Ryan might not like the veggie but he attempted to cut off a bite and eat it. He had to choke back throwing it up but he somewhat did his job.
Now Trump is sending his education advisor, Ben Carson, to visit with Ryan before next week – hopefully, in an attempt to see how Ryan likes his asparagus cooked since he’s most likely going to get a full meal of it.
I found it interesting that in Los Angeles protesters waved Mexican flags – excuse me, but that does little for their cause trying to stop Trump’s “build the wall” movement.
I have no problem with immigrants coming into America to build a better life – but do it legally. The United States needs smooth laws that run efficiently to deal with the torrent of immigrants wishing to call our land home.
Waving a Mexican flag at the crowd equates to waving a red flag at a mad bull or placing steamed asparagus in front of my son for supper – it just doesn’t work.
You want to be Americans? Wave an American flag and protest the difficulty and cost of becoming an American citizen through the correct channels.
The Mexican protesters’ actions were anti-American and disrespectful to our country, the country they are residing in and want to be part of – holy cow!
Meanwhile, my son has learned that asparagus is great when sautéed with garlic and butter. It’ll be interesting to see if the rest of the country finds a way to accept Trump, a candidate who is not necessarily a cookie-cutter mold of other candidates we’ve seen in the past.
Jackie Taylor
Linn County News
jackielcn@ckt.net
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

