THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF DONNYBROOK.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

BOY, DO WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK.

SO SIT BACK, GET RELAXED AND LET'S MEET THE PANELISTS.

STARTING WITH THE MEDIA VETERAN HERSELF, WENDY WIESE, WHO GETS INDUCTED INTO THE HISTORY HALL OF FAME APRIL 23RD.

THAT'S NEXT THURSDAY.

GET YOUR TICKETS.

BILL MCCLELLAN FROM YOUR ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH.

ALSO FROM THE POST MR. JOE HOLLEMAN, AND FROM THE ST. LOUIS AMERICAN WE WELCOME ALVIN REID.

WENDY WEISS, I THOUGHT IT WAS RATHER UNUSUAL WHEN THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY COUNCIL GAVE $3.2 MILLION TO RUSTIC ROOTS SANCTUARY THIS WEEK.

IT'S A FARM IN SPANISH LAKE THAT HELPS FARMERS LEARN SKILLS, AND IT'S ALSO DESIGNED TO DECREASE HUNGER IN THE AREA.

BUT THE AWARD WAS BEGIN WITHOUT ANY COMPETITIVE BIDDING.

THIS WEEK AT THE FIRST HEARING ON IT, WHEN THE BOARD, THE COUNCIL, UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO GIVE THE AWARD TO THE FARMING ASSOCIATION.

SOMEONE GOT UP AND SAID NOTHING AGAINST FARMERS BUT SHOULDN'T WE HAVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING?

>> I THINK OPERATION FOOD SEARCH TO ME, THAT SEEMS LIKE AN APPLES AND ORANGES KIND OF SITUATION.

I'M SURE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE OF DIFFERENT MINDS WHEN WHEN IT COMES TO $3.2 MILLION, BUT I WAS REALLY MOVED BY WHAT THEY SAID AND I FORGOT HOW PEOPLE FEEL WHEN IT COMES TO FRESH FOOD, FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND HOW THAT CREATES A GENERATIONAL EXPECTATION WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH, AND JUST THE WHOLE THING.

IT STARTED DURING THE PANDEMIC, RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THERE WAS $5 MILLION PUT ASIDE FOR WHATEVER REASON, OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING WAS CANCELLED DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT THAT DIDN'T COME TO FRUITION.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE HELPED BY IT.

I REALLY DO LIKE RUSTIC ROOTS.

WE HAVE DONE SEVERAL STORIES ON IT.

TREMENDOUS IDEA.

HOW ABOUT WE PUT $3.2 MILLION TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE GROCERY STORE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE ARE RAISING GENERATIONS OF FARMERS.

IT'S SOMETHING TO DO, IT'S A GREAT IDEA, BUT THE WHOLE -- THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE HOW PEOPLE'S LIFESTYLES ARE, I'VE NEVER REALLY BOUGHT INTO THAT.

AND ALSO I'M NOT GOING TO QUESTION ANYBODY'S MOTIVE BUT I'M GOING TO QUESTION MOTIVE HERE.

I THINK THE COUNCIL GOT IT HANDED TO THEM WITH PROP B, AND EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO PLAY NICE RIGHT NOW.

ONE WAY TO DO THAT WOULD BE TO SUPPORT THIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NORTH COUNTY.

THEN ONE LAST THING, THE NEXT TIME SOME NO-BID CONTRACT GOES TO SOMEBODY FOR $3.2 MILLION, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYBODY HOLLERING AND SCREAMING ABOUT IT BECAUSE YOU DID IT FOR THIS PROJECT.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL GOOD.

>> I'M JUST EVIL.

>> AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TORE GENERATIONS OF FARMERS, IT SEEMS IF THEY GROW THE FOOD AND PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND BUY FRESH FOOD BECAUSE THIS IS SO-CALLED FOOD DESERT, I THOUGHT THIS IS A GOOD THING TO TRY.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT ONE-TIME, I SHOULD SAY A GREAT GOOD ONE-TIME ALLOCATION OF MONEY.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL THERE VOTED FOR IT.

CLEARLY THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.

WHAT I HOPE IT DOESN'T BECOME IS SOME RECURRING FUNDING THAT EVERY YEAR NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT OUT MONEY AND PUT OUT MONEY AND PUT OUT MONEY.

IF THEY THINK THAT RUSTIC ROOTS CAN CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW FOOD, IF IT TEACHES SOME PEOPLE TO GARDEN, I THINK THAT'S GREAT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S LANDMARK LEGISLATION.

I JUST DON'T FIND IT BAD.

>> I THINK YOU ARE $42 MILLION IN THE HOLE, THE COUNTY IS, AND TO HAVE A NONCOMPETITIVE BID, NOT TO SOLICIT OTHER BIDS AND NOT TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM NUMERICALLY AND SAY THERE'S X NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WEEING HAVE TO FEED THESE AND HERE ARE THE RESULTS WE WANT TO SEE, IT JUST SEEMS LESS THAN PROFESSIONAL.

AND I ALSO THINK WHEN MS. WEBB AT THE COUNCIL MEETING SAID, HEY, WHEN YOUR PROJECTS COME UP IN YOUR DISTRICTS, WHETHER IT'S A SEPTIC TANK OR VOLLEYBALL COURT, I ALWAYS VOTE FOR IT WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE SO DON'T START CROSSING THE T'S AND DOTTED THE I'S HERE.

>> SHE HASN'T BEEN -- WHERE WAS THE GOOD HARD STUFF COMING WHEN THEY WERE BATTLING EVERY WEEK.

>> SHE'S TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

>> QUID PRO QUO IS A COMPLETELY NEW CONCEPT IN GOVERNING.

>> AND THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO WITH THE APPLES AND ORANGES.

>> SPEAKING OF SAM PAGE, HE WAS AT THE COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR A WHILE AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> HISTORICALLY IT MEANT -- BURYING THE HATCHET MEANT THAT, THOSE INVOLVED IN A DISAGREEMENT BUT TOOK THEIR HATCHET HOME AND BURIED THEM.

IT'S A WAY TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON AND MOVE FORWARD TO GET THE WORK DONE.

SO AFTER THE MEETING TONIGHT EACH OF YOU WILL GET A RUBBER HATCHET LIKE THE ONE I HAVE HERE TODAY.

NOT REAL.

TONIGHT I'LL BURY THIS ONE IN MY YARD, AND I HOPE EACH OF YOU WILL TAKE HOME THE ONE THAT I PROVIDED YOU AND DO THE SAME.

>> WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF POLITICIANS THROUGH THE YEARS, HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THIS?

>> LITERALLY, THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I SAW THAT.

>> OKAY.

SO I HAD HIGHER HOPES OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT I HEAR.

AND THAT KIND OF GOALS TO WHEN HE SAY WE HAVE TO DO BETTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND COUNTY COUNCIL.

AND I'M WITH SAM PAGE, BURY THE HATCHET.

GOOD JOB, SAM.

>> NEXT TO THE HATCHET OF ST. JOE IN YOUR BACKYARD IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL YOUR HOME.

>> IF I HAD BEEN THERE AND LISTENING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE PULLS THE HATCHET OUT -- >> YOU WERE TRIGGERED.

>> I WAS TRIGGERED.

BUT IT WAS A NICE GESTURE.

>> THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LACK OUT AT A COUNCIL AND FIND SIX OR SEVEN OF THEM DON'T LIKE YOU.

>> ACTUALLY THE SEVENTH WAS REMOTE.

SHE WASN'T THERE.

LISA CLANCY.

>> I WONDER IF SHE GOT HER HATCHET IN THE MAIL?

>> SHE PROBABLY DID.

>> HE WAS TRYING.

>> HE WAS TRYING.

HE'S WORKING IT.

WENDY, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SICK LEAVE.

LAST NOVEMBER PROPOSITION A, I THINK IT WAS, 57% OF MISSOURIANS VOTED TO EXTEND THE SICK LEAVE BENEFITS FOR WORKERS IN THE STATE.

IF YOU WORK 30 HOURS YOU GET ONE HOUR OF PAID SICK LEAVE.

SO IF YOU WORK ABOUT SIX 40-HOUR WEEK YOU GET AN ENTIRE DAY PAID FOR FREE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

THE LEGISLATURE NOW WANTS TO REPEAL THIS LAW.

>> ON THE ONE HAND I SOUND LIKE TEVLA ON FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

ON THE ONE HAND I FEEL IT WILL CREATE A BURDEN FOR SOME OF THESE SMALLER BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN QUOTED IN THE PAPERS, THE PUBLICATIONS AS SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PASS ALONG THE COST TO THE CONSUMER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, AS A STATE THAT'S TRYING DESPERATELY TO TURN A CORNER WITH, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, I THINK THIS DOES MAKE US APPEALING TO A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE BUSINESS WORLD.

SO I KIND OF SEE BOTH SIDES ON THIS ONE.

>> OF COURSE PEOPLE DESERVE SICK LEAVE IF YOU ARE WORKING 30 HOURS A WEEK.

THE IDEA OF ACCUMULATING SICK TIME, I THINK IT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.

I THINK THE THING THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT IT DOESN'T PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PUTTING RESTRICTIONS ON SICK LEAVE.

PEOPLE SAY THEY JUST USE THAT AS VACATION.

NOT IF I AM ENFORCE YOUR SICK LEAVE POLICY CORRECTLY SO PEOPLE AREN'T JUST SAYING I'VE GOT THE FLU, YOU KNOW.

COME UP WITH A SICK LEAVE POLICY SO THAT PEOPLE ARE USING IT TO ACTUALLY BE SICK IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE REPEALING IT JUST, WHAT, FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AFTER 57% OF THE VOTERS DECIDED TO APPROVE IT?

>> I THINK THAT'S A MISTAKE ON THE PART OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS WAS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT AGAINST A SICK PERSON BEING ABLE TO STAY HOME.

I MEAN, YOU WANT THEM TO STAY HOME.

I JUST DON'T SEE THE ARGUMENT.

>> IF WE LEARNED ANYTHING DURING COVID, RIGHT?

WE WANTED PEOPLE TO STAY HOME.

>> PEOPLE SEND THEIR SICK KIDS TO SCHOOL.

>> DON'T BUSINESSES WHO SAY LOOK WE KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET LABOR.

IN MANY CASES WE ARE ALREADY PROVIDING IT.

WHAT WELL HAVE OBJECTIONS WITH IS THE ELECTORATE, WHICH HASN'T CASHED IN THEIR 401K TO FUND THE BUSINESS, HASN'T TAKEN A RISK, ARE TELLING US WHAT WE AS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TO GIVE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE TELL BUSINESSES A LOT OF THINGS, WE TELL THEM THINGS LIKE DON'T PUT AMMONIA IN THE RIVER.

THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN STAND UP AND SAY WE DON'T WANT YOU TO DO.

THIS ONE, NOT TO SAY THAT PEOPLE MEAN LEGS, BUT THIS IS A STATE WE VOTED NOT TO HAVE PUPPY MILLS AND THEY SAID, KNOLL, YOU WANT PUPPY MILLS, PUPPY MILLS ARE FINE.

THEY DON'T CARE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE VOTE ON, YOU KNOW, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO CHANGE OTHER VOTES RIGHT NOW.

AND I DO THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

IT HAS CREATED -- I DON'T WANT TO CALL IT A POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE, BUT WHAT LABOR IS DOING IS TARGETING THE TEN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS THAT PASSED THIS.

SO THIS IS NOW AN ISSUE YOU CAN GO AND SAY, HEY, REPUBLICAN FOLK, THIS LEADERSHIP THAT YOU KEEP VOTING FOR KEEP DOING THESE THINGS.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO START EXAMINING.

>> THE STATE TAKEOVER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN ST. LOUIS IS A VIOLATION OF WHAT THE VOTERS WANTED.

>> AND LET ME TALK YOU ABOUT YOUR SENIOR SENATOR, JOSH HAWLEY, WHO HAS EXPEDITED THE CLEANUP SCHEDULE FOR THE CLEAN UP A AT COLD WATER CREEK.

AND FOR THOSE WHOF SUFFERED INJURIES THAT ARE RADIATION RELATED THEY SAID I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PROGRESSIVES DON'T GIVE JOSH HAWLEY ANY CREDIT.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THIS.

>> I THINK IT'S ABOUT KNOCKING TWO YEARS OFF THE TIMELINE WHEN CLEANUP COULD START AT WEST LAKE AND COLD WATER CREEK.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT JOSH HAWLEY HAS BEEN VOCAL AND VISIBLE ON THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND HAS TRIED TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.

HAS, THROUGH THE SENATE, TO GET MISSOURI AND NEW MEXICO INCLUDED IN A COMPENSATION BILL.

IT FOES TO THE HOUSE, IT DICE.

HE FOUGHT WITH A FELLOW REPUBLICAN, ANN WAGNER, OVER THE ISSUE.

HE'S PUT IT AS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT HE'S NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON.

SO MY COLUMN SIMPLY RECOGNIZED THAT IN THE POLITICAL ARENA HE SCORED A VICTORY IN GETTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AT A TIME THEY ARE HALTING PROJECTS AND EVERYBODY DOESN'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO THIS OR THAT, THEY HAVE SPED UP THE PROCESS.

SO I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A POLITICAL VICTORY.

IT SHOWED THAT HE WAS GOING TO STAY WITH THE ISSUE AS OPPOSED I INTRODUCE A BILL AND THEN LEAVE.

>> MY POINT IS I'M NOT SURE JOHN CHATMAN IS CORRECT THAT THEY,THE PROGRESSIVES WON'T GIVE HAWLEY A BREAK.

EVEN ON THIS PANEL, THEY GAVE HAWLEY CREDIT ON THIS MATTER.

AND I THINK I MENTIONED ONCE BEFORE I WAS AT A DOCUMENTARY AND WHEN HAWLEY'S IMAGE WAS ON THE SCREEN THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE APPLAUDED FOR THEM AND I DON'T THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES THERE.

>> I'M NOT SURE RAY IDENTIFIES AS A PROGRESSIVE.

>> HE IS, BUT HE DOESN'T IDENTIFY AS WOKE.

>> THE REASON I INCLUDED THE QUOTE IS SHE SPEAKS TO A CASE AND SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS THAT GO ON THE FACEBOOK PAGES AND WEBSITES.

JOSH HAWLEY, FOR REASONS GOOD OR BAD, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO THINK, IS THE KIND OF PERSON THAT ELICITS A REACTION AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY DON'T LIKE HIM.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM MAKING EVERYTHING MELD IN THE MIND OF SOME PROGRESSIVES.

I WOULD LOVE TO PRAISE THIS BUT IS THAT LIKE PRAISING JOSH HAWLEY, AND I CAN'T DO THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS ADDRESSING.

>> I WANT THESE PEOPLE TO GET THE MONEY AND TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME.

I GIVE JOSH HAWLEY CREDIT FOR THAT.

BUT I'M ALSO GIVING CREDIT TO MICHAEL TO GIVE A BIG DONATION AND HAVE HIS NEPHEW THERE WHILE HE IS WHACKING FIVE DUDES AND HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW.

I JUST DON'T TRUST JOSH HAWLEY AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT POLITICAL HAY SO HE CAN CARRY ON HIS MISSION WHICH I DON'T AGREE WITH.

>> I DON'T TRUST HIM EITHER BUT ON THIS ISSUE THESE ARE HIS CONSTITUENTS, THEY DESERVE IT, AND THEY ARE GETTING IT THANKS TO JOSH HAWLEY.

IT'S HARD NOT TO SAY GOOD JOB JOSH HAWLEY.

>> I BELIEVE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ANY POLITICIAN DOES IS TO MAKE A LITTLE POLITICAL HAY.

THEY AREN'T OUT THERE SAYING LET ME PASS THIS BILL TO HELP MY CONSTITUENTS BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE I DID IT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT POLITICS.

>> I DO THINK THAT HE IS EFFECTIVE IN THIS WAY.

I THINK HAD HE BROUGHT THE EPA CHIEF HERE TO ST. LOUIS FOR THE TOUR, THE GUY WAS CLEARLY VISIBLY MOVED BY THAT.

SHAVING TWO YEARS OFF, NOT A BAD THING.

>> IF THE EPA CHIEF DOES THAT AND HE'S IN THE TRUMP CABINET, DOES DONALD TRUMP GET SOME CREDIT HERE?

>> WELL, SURE.

WHY NOT?

WHY NOT?

>> JUST FOR THE RECORD.

>> IF YOU WANT TO GO THAT FAR?

>> UNLESS WE HAVE TO GO WITH THE POSSIBILITY POLITICIANS ARE EITHER ALWAYS RIGHT OR ALWAYS WRONG.

>> I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH THE SENIOR SENATOR IS HE'S GOING ON WITH A LOT OF TRY AGE LAGS ISSUES.

HE WANT TO FIX THE U.S.

POSTAL SYSTEM.

HE WANTS TO LOWER BILLS.

THIS WEEK IN THE WASHINGTON POST HE SAID HE HOPES YOU CAN DEDUCT YOUR MORTGAGES OFF YOUR PAYROLL TAX AND THAT WILL APPEAL TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I THINK HE'S TRYING TO SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM ANYTHING GOING ON IN THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT BUT I STILL SEE THOSE PEOPLE RAMPAGES IN THE CAPITOL.

>> ONLY BALLS OF THE INTEREST OF TIME WE HAVE TO MOVE ALONG.

TO YOU, BILL MCCLELLAN, KDH CHECKS, IT'S BEEN IN BANKRUPTCY COURT.

THERE'S A GROUP OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO WOULD LIKE CONTROL OF IT.

THEN THERE'S A CHRISTIAN OPERATION THAT'S OUT OF TOWN THAT WANTS TO TURN IT INTO A CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION AND NOW WE FIND THAT THE OWNERS OF JOY 99.1, ANOTHER CHRISTIAN STATION, ARE INCREASING THEIR BID TO BUY THE STATION.

YOUR ANALYSIS HERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE JUDGE IS GOING TO DECIDE BUT CLEARLY IF I WAS THERE, YOU WOULD HAVE A HIGH POWER ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY IN GARY PEARSON AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF OLD HIP BUSINESS THAT LOVE THE MUSIC AND FOUNDED THE STATION, AND OVER HERE THEY WANT TO KEEP IT A COMMUNITY RADIO STATION.

AND PEARSON, WHO WANTS TO SELL IT, OBVIOUSLY I'M ON THE SIDE OF THE OLD HIP BUSINESS AND SARAH FENSKE HAD A VERY INTERESTING STORY ABOUT HOW MAYOR SCHOEMEHL TRIED TO BE AN INTERMEDIARY AND SET UP THINGS WITH JOHN PARKER AND STEVEN SMITH, A COUPLE, YOU KNOW, SMALL BUSINESSMEN WHO ARE TRYING -- WHO SAY THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STATION THAT PROMOTES LOCAL MUSIC AND GETS THE WORD OUT ON LOCAL EVENTS.

AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A DEAL, BUT GARY PEARSON THOUGHT THAT THEY DIDN'T APOLOGIZE TO HIM BECAUSE THEY HELPED LEAD THE BOYCOTT.

SO THAT'S IT FOR COMMUNITY RADIO.

I THINK IT'S SHAMEFUL WHAT THOSE GUYS ARE DOING.

AND BY GUYS I MEAN PEARSON AND JOAN GRAY AND KELLY WELLS.

>> I KNOW STEVE AND WE ARE FRIENDS SO I'M SIDING WITH HIM AND JOHN.

JOHN WAS ONE OF THE PERSON WHO WITHDREW HIS SUPPORT FOR THE STATION WHEN THINGS WERE GOING DOWN THE WAY IT WAS.

YOU FIGHT HOW YOU CAN.

THIS IS SAD FOR ST. LOUIS, AND I WISH SOMEBODY OUT THERE IN ST. LOUIS WHO COULD END THIS, YOU KNOW, WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF MONEY WOULD STEP FORWARD AND DO THAT TO PROTECT THE STATION.

NOT TO MAKE A PROFIT AND NOT TO PAY THIS PERSON OFF OR WHATEVER, JUST KEEP THE THING ON THE AIR THE WAY IT IS.

NOT THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE PLAYING CHRISTIAN MUSIC RIGHT NOW.

>> ALVIN, LET ME ASK YOU, SPEAKING OF MEDIA, ANOTHER WASHINGTON POST STORY ED MARTIN, THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE GOP IN MISSOURI, RIGHT IS IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> HE APPEARED ON RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA 150 TIMES BEFORE HE WAS NOMINATED TO BE THE U.S. ATTORNEY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND HE DIDN'T DISCLOSE IT BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS NOMINATED HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DISCLOSE ALL HIS MEDIA APPEARANCES.

HE DISCLOSED SOME BUT NOT THAT.

HE ALSO WON'T SAY IF HE WAS PAID OR NOT.

BUT GIVEN THAT PROSECUTOR OVERSEES SOME PROSECUTIONS OVER FOREIGN RELATIONS CONNECTIONS ISN'T THAT A REASON ALONE HE SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN AS U.S. ATTORNEY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?

>> THAT AND HE MADE AN APPEARANCE ON THIS SHOW TOO.

>> DID HE REALLY?

>> I THINK AT LEAST ONCE.

>> WELL, THAT SETTLES THAT.

HE'S TOAST NOW!

>> I THINK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED REGARDLESS BUT THE FACT HE DIDN'T DISCLOSE THAT KNOWING THAT HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED ANYWAY, THAT'S BOTHERSOME TO ME.

AND I KNOW YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FLIP THE SCRIPT, BUT IF SOMEONE IN THE DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE ON RUSSIAN TV 150 TIMES, THEY WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT TO SAY.

>> AND HE WAS DEFENDING RUSSIA AND SAID THERE WAS NO BUILD UP ON THE UKRAINIAN BORDER, WELL THERE WAS BUILD UP.

>> I THINK WHAT IT PROVES MOST OF ALL IS THE RUSSIAN'S PEOPLE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND HARDSHIP AND PAIN ON TELEVISION FOR 150 TIMES.

I THINK BASICALLY MOST PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS THAT ED MARTIN SHOULD BE CONFIRMED.

LIKE THE 104 FARMER PROSECUTORS WHO WROTE AND SAID THIS MAN HAS NO BISQUE ON THERE.

NO BUSINESS BEING ON THERE.

>> ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS PAID ENDS IT FOR ME.

AND THE FACT THAT HE DID NOT DISCLOSE IT.

>> I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THIS IS A FREE SPEECH THING.

IF HE'S AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND HE WANTS TO GO ON RUSSIAN TV.

AS FAR AS UKRAINE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE STARTED THE WAR.

SO TO BLAME POOR ED MARTIN FOR THIS, I WOULD SAY NO.

>> I AM DISTURBED PEOPLE SHOULD APPEAR ON TELEVISION AND NOT GET MONEY.

[LAUGHTER] >> IS THAT WHAT I INFERRED?

I'M SO SORRY!

>> I SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AFTER THAT.

>> WHY AREN'T THE RUSSIANS CALLING ME?

I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE A NICE LITTLE VARIETY SHOW IN MOSCOW.

>> BILL MCCLELLAN, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT OUR JUNIOR SENATOR, ERIC SCHMITT, OFFERED A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE EASTER MONDAY A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

EASTER ITSELF WOULD BE THE HOLIDAY BUT BECAUSE IT FALLS ON A WEEKEND PEOPLE WOULD SAY MONDAY OFF, FEDERAL WORKERS, ANYWAY.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT?

>> NO.

I THINK IT'S A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM.

I READ HIS COMMENTS THAT FAMILIES SHOULD GET TOGETHER ON EASTER.

MY FAMILY HAS ALWAYS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO.

WE DON'T NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL US.

TURKEY ON CHRISTMAS, HAM ON EASTER.

AND I ALSO JUST DIDN'T LIKE HIS IDEA THAT THREE-FOURTHS OF THIS COUNTRY IS CHRISTIAN AND IT'S A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO SAYING THE DEMOCRATS PLAY IDENTITY POLITICS AND THIS IS IDENTITY POLITICS IN THE WRONG WAY SAYING THREE-FOURTHS ARE CHRISTIAN.

I DON'T LIKE IT AT ALL.

>> YOU ARE THE REVEREND OF THE CHURCH BUT YOU DON'T NEED THE MONDAY?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MONDAY.

MONDAY AFTER SUPER BOWL COULD BE A HOLIDAY JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE TEND TO DRINK ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.

BUT EASTER IS NOT A BIG DAY FOR DRINKING.

I MEAN -- >> WELL.

>> THAT'S WHAT I THINK ANYWAY.

>> YOU KNOW, GENERALLY SPEAKING I LOVE THE IDEA OF HOLIDAYS.

THE MORE HOLIDAYS THE BETTER.

THIS ONE I DON'T THINK HAS A CHANCE BECAUSE IT IS SO TIED TO RELIGION.

AND THE OTHER THING IS IF YOU REALLY WANT THAT DAY OFF, HAD IT COMES TIME TO PUT IN YOUR VACATION TIME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR FOR PEOPLE WHO DO THAT, REQUEST THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER AND TAKE A VACATION DAY.

>> OR A MISSOURI SICK DAY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> IT'S PANDERING FOR VOTES.

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE PANDER FOUR VOTES IN THE NAME OF RELIGION.

>> BUT THEY WILL REMEMBER.

>> OPPOSED TO PANDERING FOR OTHER REASONS?

>> I GET IT.

LET'S NOT PANDER FOR VOTES THROUGH RELIGION, THAT THREE-FOURTHS OF CHRISTIANS.

AND THREE FOURTHS OF THOSE CHRISTIANS PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN TO CHURCH FOR MANY YEARS.

>> THIS IS THE WAY I'VE FELT ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE MOVED AND REALLY TAKE STOCK IN THAT AND FILE THAT AWAY COME ELECTION DAY, THEY DON'T FOLLOW UP ON THE FACT THAT IT WAS STRUCK DOWN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS IN POLITICS SO OFTEN AND THAT'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN HERE.

>> IS IT POSSIBLE SUBMIT IS MAYBE LIKE HAWLEY, HE WANTS TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND IT'S THE TARIFFS AND THE STOCK MARKET THAT'S GOING DOWN AND OTHER THINGS GOING DOWN AND HE'S COMING UP WITH SOME TRY AGE LAGS.

WHAT CAN I COME UP THAT WON'T BE TOO CONTROVERSIAL THAT WILL GET ME PRESS ATTENTION.

>> THIS IS WON'T WORK THOUGH.

I'M NOT SAYING HE'S A WHITE NATIONALIST BUT THIS ONE KIND OF FALLS THERE.

>> IT'S ARE A CULTURE WAR SHOCK.

BOTH SIDES DO IT, THROW OUT SOMETHING THAT IS AIMED AT THEIR CROWD AND MAYBE DON'T THINK IT HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF PASSING BUT THEY CAN GO, WELL, THEY TRIED AND POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOREVER.

>> THAT'S ENOUGH OUT OF YOU, JOE.

WE WILL GO TO THE OLD MAILBAG AND SEE WHAT THE VIEWERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT LAST WEEK'S SHOW AND THE WEEK BEFORE.

DRIVING 44 WEST CAN BE VERY ENTERTAINING WHEN YOU SEE A BILLBOARD FOR THE URINAS FUDGE FACTORY.

WE HEARD FROM MR. BECK IN SOUTH ST. LOUIS.

I WILL CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYBODY WAS NONCHALANT ABOUT THE BILLBOARDS IN MISSOURI.

DRIVING THROUGH OTHER STATES IS A COMPLETELY ARE MONTH ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.

AND DEREK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER THAT SAID MAYBE I MISSED THE MEMO, WHY DO WE SWITCH TO YOU TWO FOR LAST CALL.

AND THEY SAID IT WAS SO CUTE WHEN SARAH FENSKE, THE YOUNGEST, LAUGHED AT THE STAFF GIVING HER A BIRTHDAY CAKE.

SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T WANT TO FEEL OLDER.

YOU CAN WRITE US.

DON'T FORGET THE EMAILS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA USE #DONNYBROOKSTL.

LISTEN TO US ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST SOURCE.

DON'T FORGET OUR BIG FUNDRAISER IS MAY 8TH.

WE CALL IT DONNEY BASH AND THE LAST DAY TO BUY TICKETS IS APRIL 25TH.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND WE NEED THE MONEY.

HEY, ON THE NINE PBS YOUTUBE CHANNEL WE HAVE LAST CALL FOR THE TOPICS WE DIDN'T GET TO FOR THE FIRST 28 OR SO MINUTES.

WE HOPE YOU TUNE IT.

THIS WEEK WE LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE NO MOW APRIL AND THE FIRST SPEECH BY THE NOW MAYOR CARA SPENCER.

SHE WAS INAUGURATED THIS WEEK AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

BUT THAT'S IT FOR THE REGULAR PORTION.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND -- >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SARAH.

>> YEAH, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SARAH.

IT'S TODAY.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

DONNYBROOK IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND THOMAS PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.