Blunt Moves Up.

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. was elected Tuesday to the fifth highest seat in Senate Republican leadership.

In a secret vote, Republicans chose Blunt over Sen. Ron Johnson, a freshman Republican from Wisconsin.

The fight for the seat was framed as a battle between the establishment and Tea Party wings of the Republican party. Monday, Johnson announced a list of public supporters including freshmen Sen.’s Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, and nearly a dozen other conservative members.

Blunt waged a quiet campaign for the post, which opened up earlier this year when Sen. Lamar Alexander announced he would step down from his seat as Republican Conference chairman.

"I hope this opportunity will allow me to continue contributing to the critical debates that we’re facing in America," Blunt said in a statement.

Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, offered her support after Tuesday’s vote.

"Congratulations to my colleague Sen. Blunt on his election to Republican leadership," McCaskill said in a tweet. "Good for Missouri and for the Senate."

Jasper County Jail Count

176 December 13, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

Just for the record, the Mornin’ Mail will not accept any more letters to the editor that are more than one column in length.

Although we have some folks out there that can actually hold the attention of the readers for more than a column, space limitations are a factor.

As I’m sure our readers are aware, we publish ‘bout anyone’s opinion. We do not print opinions on personal religious beliefs, abortion, or the death penalty. Anything else is pretty much fair game as long as there are no personal slams or reference to questionable ancestry.

Just as a reminder, opinions are just that and the Mail doesn’t necessarily agree with or even believe opinions that are stated as fact. ‘Course there’s always exceptions.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Weekly Column

HERE’S A TIP

By JoAnn Derson

• "At the beginning of the holiday decorating season, I was stumped about what went where. This year, I have solved that dilemma. I took pictures of the decorations up on the house, and where I placed different things inside the house. I had them developed, and I am packing them with the decorations -- right on the top of the bins that will go in the attic. Next year, I will know just where to put things." -- I.O., via e-mail

• "We have a tradition in our family, especially with the younger children. After the holiday, we gather once more for a different sort of party: a thank-you-note party. We get together, have a light lunch and have the kids write out simple thank-you notes for gifts or cards received from friends and relatives. It reinforces the idea of thankfulness and manners, and it helps that they all do it together." -- F.R. in Ohio

• It’s been said before, but we’ll keep saying it: Stock up on supplies at post-holiday sales. Wrapping paper, greeting cards, gift tags, holiday decorations, party supplies -- all can be found at a steep discount a mere week after the holiday.

• "My two next-door neighbors and I have a fun thing we do after Christmas. We have an un-decorating party. We draw straws to see whose house gets done first, second and third, and in that order we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s always a great time, and we’re done fast. It’s the holiday party I look forward to the most." -- W.K. in Alabama

• "I am always on the lookout for the perfect greeting card. I keep a list with me for the whole year of events, as well as holidays. This way, I can get great cards for minor holidays on sale after the date. I organize my greeting cards by month. I have a three-ring binder that has 12 plastic sleeves labeled with the month and all the events that month. When I get a great birthday card, I slip it into the appropriate month. I even stamp it and address it." -- V.G. in Arizona