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
Morgan Leon Wakefield ~ 05-08-1996 to 09-09-2025

Linn County News Published September 17, 2025 Morgan Leon Wakefield was called home to heaven on September 9, 2025. Morgan was born May 8, 1996, in Olathe, Kan., to Shane and Debbie (Snyder) Wakefield of Mound City, Kan. From an early age, he showed a... [More]
Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]
Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

Linn County News Published September 10, 2025 Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025
- George Teagarden ~ 01-30-1943 to 09-01-2025
- John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025
- Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025
- Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
NEWS
Pleasanton council votes 2-2 on RNR, budget

The Pleasanton City Council met on Monday, Sept. 15, and began the meeting with a hearing on the revenue neutral rate (RNR) followed by the budget hearing. With no one in the audience coming forward to speak on either, the hearings were opened and closed without incident and... [More]
Mine Creek Battlefield bridge ribbon cutting this weekend

JLHS sophomore Aron Coleman is not new to community projects; this time he’s completed a bridge for his Eagle Scout badge so those using trails at Mine Creek Battlefield can traverse from one side of Mine Creek to the other. The ribbon cutting commemorating the new bridge... [More]
USD 346 to exceed RNR; approves budget

During the revenue neutral hearing and the budget hearing for the district on Sept. 8, the USD 346 Board of Education voted to approve the superintendents’ recommendation to exceed revenue neutral with a proposed mill rate of 54.144. The board then approved the... [More]
More News
- SPECIAL: Mound City resident killed in Allen County crash
- Property taxes and how they work
- Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned
- Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban
- Paris Township voting location to move to Mound City
- USD 362 passes 2025-26 school budget
- Parker appoints police chief
- SPECIAL: Drainpipe replacement on K-31 in Linn County
SPORTS
Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks

Both the Prairie View and Jayhawk Linn girls’ golf teams competed at Fort Scott and Pittsburg this past week. The teams traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 9 to compete in the Fort Scott Invitational and then to Pittsburg on Sept. 11 to compete in the Colgan Invitational. ... [More]
Turnovers and other mistakes see Hawks fall at Anderson County 27-6

The Jayhawk Linn football team hosted Anderson County on Sept. 12 for their first “home” game of the season. Anderson County is class 3A in football compared to Jayhawk’s 1A and is the Pioneer League so the Hawks had their work cut out for them. Jayhawk played... [More]
Prairie View girls’ cross country leads the Buffalos at Fort Scott

The Prairie View girls’ cross-country team traveled to Fort Scott for the Fort Scott Invitational on Sept. 11. The Buffalos performed well at the meet on both the girls’ and boys’ side. The girls in particular performed well as the 7th grade girls got 1st... [More]
More Sports
- Opening drive, opportunities spur 'Jays to 1st win
- Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country
- Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights
- Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'
- Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’
- Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair
- Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull
- From the Bleachers – 717
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
