Hick Christian's Podcast

Heresy of Nice

"The Heresy of Nice: When Christianity Loses Its Edge" David Rice and Gretchen Garrity examine what they call the "doctrine of niceness," arguing that modern Christianity has confused being "nice" with biblical love. They explore how Scripture shows that true love sometimes requires difficult conversations, rebuke, and even righteous anger. Drawing on biblical examples and church history, including ancient heresies such as Marcionism, they discuss how contemporary therapeutic culture has influenced the church's approach to confronting sin and evil. The hosts argue that biblical Christianity calls believers to speak truth boldly, even when it's uncomfortable, citing numerous scriptural examples where Jesus and the apostles used strong language against wrongdoing. Key Topics: Biblical definitions of love, church discipline, scriptural examples of confrontation, historical heresies, and the theological distinction between being loving and being "nice." Gretchen Garrity’s blog can be found here: Right to Win Ozarks [https://righttowinozarks.blogspot.com] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@righttowinozarks]. Gretchen Garrity is a former journalist who has written boldly for years. She is a brave Christian conservative, but she’s most proud of being a grandmother. HickChristian is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to HickChristian at hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe [https://hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Doctored Public Records

The doctored video that was originally uploaded on May 29th at 12 pm. Notice the editing jump after John Garrity speaks. This screen recording was created at 3:09 pm. The file was uploaded originally around 12:00 pm on May 29, 2025. The original link is now broken and you cannot go to it after I sent this email at 3:35 pm. The new link is here. This new video is 16 seconds longer than the original, meaning that the one edit I caught isn’t the only edit. This video is 1:11:50 long. The previous video is 1:11:34. Perhaps, they have edited other videos in the past? I did this screen grab at 9:09 am. 14 hours before 9 am on May 30th would have been 7 pm on May 29th. The new video was uploaded at 7 pm, past closing time for the branch to be open. They did this after hours. They have not responded to my email on who is responsible for uploading Public Records to their YouTube channel. "Caught Red-Handed: The After-Hours Cover-Up" The library's response to inquiry reveals the deliberate nature of their sunshine law violations. After I documented the edited video at 3:09 PM and sent a sunshine request at 3:35 PM asking who was responsible for uploading public records, the library immediately removed the doctored video. By 7:00 PM—immediately after the Nixa branch's closing hours—a new version appeared with the previously edited content restored. The replacement video runs 1:11:50, a full 16 seconds longer than the original 1:11:34 recording, indicating multiple edits were made to the public record beyond the violation documented by this investigation. The after-hours timing suggests library staff recognized the legal jeopardy their editing created and worked outside normal business hours to correct the violation. The library has not responded to the sunshine request identifying who handles YouTube uploads or acknowledged the editing of public records. This timeline proves they knew exactly what they were doing wrong and moved quickly to cover their tracks once caught. The 16-second difference suggests this is a pattern, not an isolated incident. The library's response timeline reveals consciousness of guilt. Within 3.5 hours of receiving a sunshine law inquiry about video editing, library staff worked after normal business hours to remove the doctored recording and replace it with a complete version. The corrected video, uploaded at approximately 7:00 PM, runs 16 seconds longer than the original—proving the documented editing violation was only part of the content illegally removed from the public record. What’s in the missing video that I first noticed, not mentioning the extra 14 seconds I haven’t had time to piece together? A flat out denial by interim Executive Director that the Library Board has statutory authority to review the Library’s Budget. I did another screen recording in case the video is again removed and or doctored. Garrity: “The statute requires I do it.” Pegram: “It does not. John. It does not.” John: “Do you want me to read it to you?”Pegram: “Sure. Go ahead.” Watch the clip and listen to the tone. You decide if the tone is one an employee should use with an employer. Or if an employee should fight so hard to hide documents that an employer has a right to see. Here is a link directly to the time stamp where it occurs. The edited content reveals why library staff worked after hours to conceal their sunshine law violation. The removed segment captured interim Executive Director Pegram directly contradicting board members about their statutory authority to review the library's budget. When board members asserted their legal right to budget oversight, Pegram responded with a flat denial: 'It does not. John. It does not.' When offered to have the statute read aloud, she replied, 'Sure. Go ahead'—the tone suggesting an employee challenging her employers rather than providing requested information. This exchange explains the systematic transparency obstruction documented throughout this investigation. If the interim director believes the elected board lacks authority to review budgets, her resistance to public records requests and video editing to hide confrontations follows logically. The Simple Request That Exposed the System On March 29, 2025, I submitted a straightforward public records request to the Christian County Library, seeking basic budget information that taxpayers have a right to see. What followed was a masterclass in bureaucratic obstruction, revealing how public institutions can weaponize administrative processes to avoid accountability. The library's response? A staggering $185 fee estimate, justified by claims that the records were stored in "specialized and highly technical management software that entry-level employees are not trained or authorized to access." The reality is that the library uses QuickBooks. When QuickBooks Becomes "Specialized Software" In her detailed April 4 response, Interim Director Tory Pegram explained why taxpayers would need to pay $185 to see how their tax dollars are spent: "Many of the records you are requesting here are not just sitting in paper or digital files somewhere but will need to be pulled from bank and financial management tools that only administrative staff are trained and authorized to be able to access and use." "Administrator time will also be required to pull records from bank account and other financial specialized and highly technical management software that entry level employees are not trained or authorized to access or use." This language portrays a complex, enterprise-level financial system that requires specialized expertise to navigate. The truth is more mundane: the library uses QuickBooks, the same accounting software used by millions of small businesses nationwide—software specifically designed for non-accountants to use easily. Standard budget reports in QuickBooks can be generated with a few mouse clicks. Any administrative assistant familiar with basic computer operations could produce these records in minutes, not the 11+ hours the library claimed would be necessary. On May 27th, I finally was able to raise the funds to pay for the extortion like fees to get the budget information. I sent an email. This was two days before this video came out. After demanding $185 for budget documents, the library has failed to respond to this reporter's agreement to pay their fee. The May 27th email authorizing payment has gone unanswered, violating sunshine law requirements for timely responses to records requests. The timing raises questions: two days after the payment authorization, staff uploaded an edited video removing interim director Pegram's denial of board budget authority. Missouri sunshine law requires government entities to respond to records requests within three business days. The Supreme Court's Warning About Fee Obstruction The library's fee structure directly contradicts recent Missouri Supreme Court precedent. In Gross v. Parson (2021), the state's highest court specifically condemned the practice of using excessive fees to discourage public records requests. The Court held that charging excessive fees "puts the transparency intended by the Sunshine Law out of reach for the average citizen and in some cases even deters requesters." The justices recognized that public bodies cannot be allowed to "test the determination of anyone requesting its records" by imposing prohibitive costs. In an earlier case, State ex rel. Missouri Local Government Retirement System v. Bill (1996), Missouri courts established that "forcing a plaintiff to bear the governmental body's expenses would effectively deny public access to documents" and that agencies cannot "test the determination of anyone requesting its records" by imposing excessive costs. The Christian County Library's approach fits precisely the pattern these courts rejected: claiming administrative complexity where none exists, inflating time estimates, and pricing transparency out of reach for ordinary citizens. A Pattern of Avoiding Oversight The fee obstruction appears to be part of a broader pattern of transparency avoidance at the library. Despite my explicit request that all communications be shared with the Board of Trustees and the library's attorney, standard practice for ensuring proper oversight, Pegram explained why she wouldn't comply: "There is nothing in state law that requires the board or contracted legal counsel of a government agency to be cc'd on sunshine requests or responses. In fact there are risks involved with openly cc'ing all five individual board members on any written correspondence..." This response reveals a troubling attitude: rather than embracing transparency and board oversight, the interim director actively seeks to minimize it, finding excuses to keep the governing body in the dark about public records requests. The Legal Framework They're Violating Missouri law creates clear obligations that the library appears to be systematically ignoring: Treasurer's Statutory Rights Missouri library statutes (RSMo 182.060, 182.640, 182.707) explicitly require library boards to elect treasurers and grant them specific responsibilities for financial oversight. RSMo 181.060 requires "the librarian of the library together with the treasurer of the library" to certify annual tax income and financial information to state authorities. The statutes mandate that budget approval requires "the affirmative vote of a majority of the full board of trustees." A treasurer cannot fulfill their statutory duty without access to financial information. Public's Right to Information Missouri's Sunshine Law (RSMo 610.010 et seq.) "applies to all records, regardless of what form they are kept in" and creates a presumption that meetings and records should be open to the public. Budget documents are specifically designated as public records under RSMo 67.060 and are available for public inspection during reasonable hours. Missouri law requires that "no expenditure of public moneys shall be made unless it is authorized" and that budget documents "must be kept on file" as public records. The treasurer's oversight role is essential to ensuring legal compliance. Video Recording Integrity Missouri law specifically provides for "the recording by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means of any open meeting." Once they choose to record, they create a public record. The Sunshine Law applies to records "regardless of what form they are kept in," and public bodies "cannot avoid a records request by destroying records after it receives a request for those records." This principle extends to the alteration of records. More seriously, RSMo 575.100 criminalizes altering, destroying, suppressing, or concealing "any record, document or thing with the purpose to impair its verity, legibility or availability in any official proceeding or investigation." Video recordings of public meetings are official records. The Criminal Implications The evidence raises questions about potential violations of multiple Missouri criminal statutes: * Tampering with Physical Evidence (RSMo 575.100): Altering public meeting recordings to remove discussions of statutory requirements * Filing False Documents (RSMo 570.095): Misrepresenting software complexity and administrative requirements to justify excessive fees * Official Misconduct (RSMo 575.320): Public servants engaging in misconduct in their official capacity The pattern is clear: when faced with legitimate oversight requests, the library both prices out access through deceptive fee justifications and actively edits public records to hide contradictory evidence. The Cost of Accountability When public institutions can charge $185 for basic budget information while simultaneously editing meeting videos to hide legal discussions, democracy suffers. The Christian County Library's approach effectively creates a system where transparency is available only to those who can afford it—and even then, only in the edited version the library chooses to provide. Consider the arithmetic: For many Missouri families, $185 represents a significant expense—money that could be allocated toward groceries, utilities, or other necessities. By pricing public information out of reach while doctoring the "free" video records, the library ensures that complete accountability remains largely inaccessible. Missouri Courts Have Seen This Before The library's tactics aren't new. Missouri's Sunshine Law exemptions "are supposed to be construed as narrowly as possible to further the openness of government." Courts can award penalties up to $1,000 for unknowing violations and $5,000 for purposeful violations, plus attorney's fees to prevailing parties. The Missouri Supreme Court has made clear that government bodies cannot use administrative barriers to obstruct legitimate public oversight. The combination of fee obstruction and video editing suggests a level of intentionality that could trigger the higher penalty structure for purposeful violations. Questions That Demand Answers The Christian County Library's approach raises serious questions: * Why does a public institution claim that QuickBooks constitutes "specialized and highly technical management software"? * How can 11+ hours of work be justified for generating standard financial reports? * Why are public meeting videos being edited to remove discussions of statutory requirements? * What statutory obligations was Pegram discussing in the 2+ seconds cut from the public video? * Who authorized the editing of public meeting recordings? * What other information might be hidden behind prohibitive fees or selective editing? The Simple Test Here's how citizens can test their library's commitment to transparency: Ask who uploads public meeting videos to YouTube. This simple question requires no "specialized software," no extensive research, and no administrative review. If they can't answer that basic question promptly and without fees, you've learned everything you need to know about their attitude toward public accountability. The bottom line: The library cannot simultaneously claim to operate under Missouri law while denying access to information that Missouri law requires them to maintain and provide—and they indeed can't edit public records to hide discussions that contradict their public statements. I care enough about the Library and the Library Board to bring this transparency issues to light. My silence on this issue will not serve the community. No one pats me on the back for investigative journalism. The Christian County Library was contacted for comment, but did not respond by publication time. David Rice is the editor of HickChristian News and has been investigating government transparency issues in Southwest Missouri since December 2023. Get full access to HickChristian at hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe [https://hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Springfield’s “40 Day for Life” Ministry

I spoke with Sister Janine Van Tran from the order Congregation of Mary Queen [https://www.trinhvuong.org/] about the 40 Days for Life ministry. 40 Days for Life is a pro-life campaign in 2004 in Bryan/College Station, Texas, initiated by a group led by David Bereit. It’s a focused, peaceful effort to end abortion through prayer, fasting, and community outreach, typically held outside abortion facilities. The campaign runs for 40 days—symbolizing a biblical period of transformation—and occurs twice a year: once in the spring (often aligning with Lent) and once in the fall (usually September to early November). Sister Janine works in Springfield with the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese to help protect children. She does so through peaceful vigils, aimed at communicating redemption and care to those who need another option besides the one offered by Planned Parenthood or Abortion Clinics. Through the 40 Days for Life ministry, every child and mother is offered community resources, including safe places to stay, utilities, and other care. Our children aren’t meant to be lost but can be saved through the patient prayers of believers. While 40 Days of Life is a ministry, it works with everyone committed to helping save unborn children and rescuing mothers. As Sister Janine said, this is the most critical issue of our time. If you want to sign up, joining a vigil is quick and easy. It only took me about 3 minutes. Abortion is a polarizing issue. It is hard for it not to be. Any problem that is a choice between all or nothing will be polarizing. A child cannot be partially born and partially aborted. Because of this, Abortion ends up being an all-or-nothing issue. Yet, the children, women, and men affected are not an all or nothing for Christ who redeems us all. I am a sinner who should offer grace to those whom God offers grace. It is not my place to deny God’s gifts to anyone seeking them, even if they don’t know it yet. Get full access to HickChristian at hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe [https://hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Democrat Inevitability or Democrat Failure to Thrive

The Starfish Strategy: How Missouri Democrats Plan to Regenerate After 2024 Defeat Introduction: The Starfish Metaphor There is an illuminating biological metaphor at play in the Democratic strategy for rural Missouri. Starfish possess a remarkable regenerative capability: when an arm is severed from a starfish and cast into a new environment, that limb can regenerate into a complete clone of the original organism. Through this process, starfish can effectively reproduce throughout an environment, establishing a growing presence in previously unoccupied territory. While the "Starfish Brigade" group publicly employs the heartwarming story about saving individual starfish by throwing them back into the water (suggesting the power of small, meaningful actions), the Democratic Rural Caucus efforts appear to function more like the starfish's biological reproduction mechanism – attempting to clone elements of the national party structure and messaging in every rural Missouri county, despite that same approach having failed to elect Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. The 2024 Election Defeat The 2024 presidential election resulted in Donald Trump defeating Kamala Harris with approximately 74.5 million votes to Harris's 72.3 million in the popular vote – a margin of about 2.2 million votes. More decisively, Trump secured 312 electoral votes to Harris's 226, reclaiming key battleground states that Democrats had won in 2020. This electoral defeat represented a significant setback for Democrats nationally, raising questions about their messaging, policy priorities, and electoral strategy. Rather than pivoting or recalibrating their approach after this defeat, evidence from Missouri suggests that state-level Democratic organizations are doubling down on the same messaging and priorities that failed to resonate with enough voters nationally. Missouri Democrats' Strategic Response The "Plan to takeover Rural Missouri" Document An internal strategy document obtained from Missouri Democratic organizers reveals their post-election focus: "Rural Missouri is a prime location for municipal election success for the Democratic party in 2025. By strategically investing in town council, city council, and borough races, we stand to generate a good bench as well as creating a good recognition of Rural Missouri nationwide as a region to invest in for the party." The document outlines a focus on: * Municipal-level investment: Targeting town councils, city councils, and borough races * Strategic county targeting: Specifically mentioning Iron, Dent, Macon, and Osage counties * Candidate recruitment: Emphasizing working-class candidates outside traditional political backgrounds * Data-driven approach: Using VAN (Voter Activation Network) for optimized canvassing While the document acknowledges that "all or nothing thinking does not exist in working class rural communities," the actual implementation of their strategy shows little moderation of progressive messaging for rural audiences. "Missouri Strategies for Rural Organizing" Meeting A virtual meeting held on February 13, 2025, with 64 participants, revealed specific tactics being emphasized: "A win number is the average of the last three elections plus one vote that is how many voters you have to talk to in your district to win." The meeting featured an extensive discussion of VAN (Voter Activation Network) usage, targeted campaigning, and fundraising strategies. Notably, organizer Paolo Cremidis expressed frustration about national Democratic funding priorities: "Like, it's total b******t. And, like, so much money goes into primaries in races that are cis, right? And races that don't matter, right? Like, the fact that Jamal Bowman and, um... George Latimer, they spent $80 million combined in a primary for a congressional seat in Westchester County. And they got less than 30% turnout." On-the-Ground Implementation: The Starfish Brigade The Starfish Brigade [https://www.facebook.com/events/414015765096439?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D], operating in Osage County (one of the specifically targeted counties in the strategy document), demonstrates how these strategies are being implemented locally. Founded and led by "Marty Kole [https://martikole.com]," who describes herself as having "dual degrees in elementary education and interactive media" with a "master's in media psychology and social change” and a “nomad Bohemian witch,” the group held a meeting at the Osage County Library that revealed their approach. Rather than moderating their message for a rural audience, the meeting featured: * Screening of a video by Robert Reich defining "five elements that define fascism" with direct comparisons to Trump * Showing a video of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker [https://www.c-span.org/clip/state-legislature/illinois-governor-pritzker-warns-against-threats-to-american-democracy-in-state-of-the-state-address/5154061] warning: "It took the Nazis three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic" * Explicit discussion of Nazi propaganda techniques Marti explicitly described their mission: "We won the American Revolution. We won World War II. We won the Civil War. We beat fascism before, and we know how to do it. We have lots of books written about it. We have books that we can read about. For the moment, we still have free speech, so we can still talk about this." Divisive Messaging Across Counties Similar patterns of divisive political messaging appear in multiple counties: Greene County Editor’s Note: The Book Bag Program founded by Shiela Michaels was mentioned, and was Gail Smart, running for the Springfield Public School Board at attendance and in agreement with the Communist, Lucas Underwood? The Southwest Missouri Solidarity Network, active in Greene County, uses stark historical comparisons in their public messaging: "The self-evident truth that all are created equal were just words on the paper to win public approval. The founders kept their slaves, women and tenants couldn't vote, and the natives in the way of our progress had to be 'removed'." Their posts directly compare modern law enforcement to slave catchers: "But I and others in the Solidarity Network have asked ourselves what the difference is between law enforcement chasing a homeless man in the night, and a slave catcher pursuing one running for their freedom?" Town Hall Guidance Instructions for engaging with Republican representatives at town halls specifically advise different emotional displays based on circumstances: "If you are attending the town hall and have been personally and acutely (read: fired) impacted by the actions of the Republican government, freely express emotion regarding your situation." "If you are attending and have not been impacted, meter your emotion carefully" This strategic deployment of emotion contrasts with the document's claim to seek a broad coalition. Focusing on Divisive Issues Despite electoral defeat, Missouri Democrats continue to focus on issues with limited appeal in rural areas. For example, transgender rights in athletics remains a centerpiece of their activism, despite polling showing limited public support. Recent polling shows that approximately 76% of Americans oppose allowing transgender women and girls to compete in sports against other women and girls. A Gallup poll found that 69% of Americans say transgender athletes should play on teams matching their birth gender rather than their gender identity. Yet Democratic organizing materials show continued focus on transgender and LGBTQ+ issues in rural outreach: "We are organizing a protest to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+ community, with a special focus on transgender and non-binary individuals, as well as supporting immigrants. Our goal is to affirm our presence and commitment to these important causes." The Fundamental Question This analysis raises a fundamental question: If the policies and messaging Democrats have followed for the past four years did not help them keep the White House, why will the same approach help them win it four years from now? On issues where public opinion is not aligned with progressive positions – such as transgender athletes in women's sports, which is opposed by nearly 80% of Americans – Missouri Democrats face a stark choice: * Die on the hill: Continue advocating for unpopular positions out of principle, potentially sacrificing electoral viability * Overthrow the hill: Use the "starfish strategy" of tearing off their arm to build local power bases that can eventually overpower majority opinion through institutional capture. The "Plan to Take Over Rural Missouri" document and the implementation observed in Osage County, Greene County, and elsewhere suggests Democrats are pursuing the second option—establishing progressive infrastructure in rural areas despite, rather than because of, their policy positions' appeal to residents. Whether this approach can succeed in the face of the clear electoral challenges demonstrated in the 2024 election remains the central question for Democratic organizers in Missouri and beyond. It’s hard to tell if their plan is based on reason and well-thought-out principles or if it’s just witchcraft and cauldrons brewing while making spells to Mars [https://martikole.com/2022/10/23/mars/]. As disappointing as it is to be associated in a party with the Blunts, Kehoes, Tilley’s, Sinquefields, and others, the Republicans have yet to endorse witches for office. They kill babies while praising God. HickChristian is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to HickChristian at hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe [https://hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

EXPOSED: Sullivan's Hidden Crisis - From Street Crime to Political Connections

The Haunting Little Girl A disturbing video has emerged from Sullivan, Missouri, that no parent should ever have to watch: it appears to be a young girl, head shaved, being led through city streets and a parking lot by an adult male toward apartments known for housing illegal aliens (almost all men brought in to work)—the man in the video was [allegedly] described by the source as a known drug dealer with no relation to the child. The girl appears drugged, moving erratically. When concerned citizens reported this to Franklin County law enforcement, the police department silently met their questions. No investigation. Not even a wellness check. Community in Crisis During the Biden administration, two coach buses arrived in Sullivan, MO, one afternoon, causing concerns for local residents. The men who got off the buses were all immigrants—no families. As they departed the buses, they walked straight toward [what was allegedly] Steve Stumpe's properties—in this case, his Maple Street Apartments and his associated trailer parks, though he also owns several lower-end rentals. What followed was a wave of intimidation through the community. Reports came in of women who no longer felt safe shopping alone. The men who were dropped off followed and filmed in the store. They felt harassed. Even the wife of local official Ryan Hewkin was targeted. As one resident confronted Stumpe allegedly in a recorded conversation: "Do you think Ryan Hewkin is happy that someone wanted to steal his wife?" Stumpe's Response: "They Will Live Here Anyway" In a recorded conversation, alleged property owner Steve Stumpe's attitude is evident: * Admits rentals [allegedly] come through "McGinnis." * Claims "They will live here anyway." * Deflects responsibility: "I'm not the police." * Acknowledges: "Sullivan was safe... until they started coming in last year." The Numbers Don't Lie Sullivan's crime statistics tell the story: Crime Rates vs National Average Your chance of becoming a victim in Sullivan: * Overall crime: 1 in 18 * Property crime: 1 in 19 * Violent crime: 1 in 195 Crime in Sullivan, MO has skyrocketed. Compared to nearby cities, Sullivan is experiencing a crime wave—especially in violent crime. Why should this small city have seen a jump in violent crime and how is it not correlated to the male immigrants coming off the coach buses into apartments and trailers allegedly belonging to Steve Stumpe? A fascinating connection exists between Stumpe and political figures. He is the father-in-law to Republican Representative David Schatz’s son. David Schatz runs three businesses in the area, including Schatz Undeground. David Schatz ran for Sen. Roy Blunt’s vacated seat [https://ktvo.com/news/local/schatz-joins-race-for-sen-blunts-seat] but lost. Blunt and Schatz are allegedly close. I’m only speculating, but if anyone could bring in cheap labor for a friend of Schatz, the well-connected Blunt could. The alleged payoff for landlords like Stumpe is guaranteed [alleged] rent payments, with various sources reporting amounts ranging from $1500 to $2200 per migrant from the Biden Administration. Exact figures have become increasingly difficult to verify due to what appears to be coordinated efforts to obscure this information because of payoffs to news organizations from USAID. Do you wonder why rent went up so much during the Biden Administration? According to Zillow, they went up 35%. Did you imagine you might be competing with the Federal government, which was paying rent for an extra 20 million illegal immigrants? This also would create artificial pressure on the price of homes. When Local Police Didn’t do a Wellness Check, ICE Responded After local law enforcement's inaction on the video of the little child, concerned citizens reached out to Social Media: * Tom Homan (former ICE director) * Kristi Noem Result: Within one week, ICE agents arrived and removed multiple individuals from the area. However, the Franklin County and Sullivan Police did not react to this evidence when it was presented to them by the concerned citizens. Franklin County Deputies and Sheriff have an obligation to all children. A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General found that over 300,000 migrant children under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement effectively disappeared from official radar. In a letter to ICE acting Director Patrick Lechleitner, Cloud expressed worries that the “failure” in oversight left the children vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor. Are there political pressures at play to look the other direction concerning the illegal immigrants brought into Sullivan? Have we decided that in America, the children brought here illegally belong to the gangs? Trump’s response, compared to Biden’s encouragement of this lawlessness over the last four years, may finally provide us with the humanitarian relief we need to protect children and end this violence in our communities. The Trump Federal Response On February 19, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order targeting the "taxpayer subsidization of open borders." The order specifically: * Directs all Federal departments to identify programs providing benefits to illegal immigrants * Ensures Federal funds won't support "sanctuary" policies * Mandates stricter eligibility verification for benefits * Targets state and local assistance programs * Reinstates "Remain in Mexico" policies * Ends the CBP One app (a mobile application previously used by migrants to schedule appointments for entry at U.S. ports, which critics argued essentially created a self-service border crossing system) * Terminates categorical parole programs * Detains dangerous criminal aliens at Guantanamo Bay The timing is crucial: According to DOGE estimates, American taxpayers spent over $150.7 billion on illegal immigration in 2023 alone. For perspective, this equals the amount spent on income security programs for military veterans and their families. The Money Trail The financial impact is staggering: National Costs (FAIR Calculations) * Total annual taxpayer cost: $182 billion * Federal expenses: $66.5 billion * State/local expenses: $115.6 billion * Cost for 20 million illegal aliens and their children Sanctuary City Spending (Since 2022) * New York City: $5.22 billion * FY 2023: $1.47 billion * FY 2024 committed: $3.07 billion * Chicago: $574.5 million * Ending New Arrivals Mission due to $1 billion budget shortfall * Denver: $356 million * Cared for 42,911 new arrivals Congressional Findings * U.S. House Homeland Security Committee estimates $451 billion taxpayer cost for illegal aliens and gotaways since January 2021 * CBO reports $16.2 billion cost for Biden Administration's Medicaid-funded emergency services for illegal aliens Additional Federal Spending * Over $1 billion allocated through FEMA since 2021 * Billions were given to organizations facilitating mass illegal migration * Billions spent on legal services challenging deportation orders What's Next? This investigation continues as we examine the following: * Federal funding rates * Property ownership records * Political connections * Law enforcement responses * Community safety measures This is a developing story. Have information? Reach out through Substack. Primary Evidence * Recorded Conversation * Audio transcript between Anonymous Source and Steve Stumpe * Contains direct quotes and admissions regarding rental practices * Verified and authenticated * Video Evidence * Surveillance footage from a Sullivan parking lot * Along Hwy in Sullivan * Shows an incident with a young girl * Location verified Official Documents * Executive Order * "President Donald J. Trump Ends Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders" * Date: February 19, 2025 * Source: White House * URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ends-taxpayer-subsidization-of-open-borders/ [https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ends-taxpayer-subsidization-of-open-borders/] * Congressional Investigation * Title: "Michael Cloud Demands Answers from ICE Over Nearly 300,000 Missing Migrant Children" * Source: U.S. House of Representatives * URL: https://cloud.house.gov/posts/michael-cloud-demands-answers-from-ice-over-nearly-300000-missing-migrant-children [https://cloud.house.gov/posts/michael-cloud-demands-answers-from-ice-over-nearly-300000-missing-migrant-children] * Crime Statistics * Source: AreaVibes/FBI Uniform Crime Reports * Data Year: 2022 * Released: September 2023 * URL: https://www.areavibes.com/sullivan-mo/crime/ [https://www.areavibes.com/sullivan-mo/crime/] * NewsNation Report * Title: "Illegal immigration cost US taxpayers $150.7B: DOGE" * Authors: Alex Caprariello, Jeff Arnold * Date: December 4, 2024 * URL: https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/illegal-immigration-cost-us-taxpayers-150-7b-doge/ [https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/illegal-immigration-cost-us-taxpayers-150-7b-doge/] Property Records * Tri-County Properties Holdings * Six mobile home parks across Franklin and Crawford Counties * Total: 318 lots * Locations: * Red Barn Mobile Home Park (Villa Ridge) * Pear Tree Mobile Home Park (Gerald) * Hillside Mobile Home Park (Gerald) * Sycamore MH Park (Sullivan) * Country Squire MH Park (Bourbon) * Lakewood Mobile Home Park (Bourbon) Additional Data Sources * Federal Agency Statistics * Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) estimates * Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) calculations * Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports * U.S. House Homeland Security Committee estimates Transcript Anonymous Source (00:00:48): How do we get rid of the illegals? Anonymous Source (00:00:50): I'm worried about the drug cartel and the illegals. Anonymous Source (00:00:53): How do we get rid of them? Anonymous Source (00:00:55): I will talk to, (00:00:56): because I'm not directly involved in any of our day-to-day men, (00:01:00): but I will talk to the people that are, (00:01:03): and if they're here on work basis, Steve Stumpe (00:01:05): because they're calling for us requesting that they be allowed to rent from us, Steve Stumpe (00:01:10): and it came from McGinnis. Anonymous Source (00:01:14): I really don't care about McGinnis. Anonymous Source (00:01:16): I know them. Anonymous Source (00:01:17): I really don't care. Anonymous Source (00:01:18): I'm asking why they're living here. Anonymous Source (00:01:20): And they should go over to Cuba. Anonymous Source (00:01:22): Really, they should go over to Cuba. Anonymous Source (00:01:23): But you know what? Anonymous Source (00:01:24): They're living here. Anonymous Source (00:01:26): And when they're not working, they're here. Anonymous Source (00:01:29): That's what I'm worried about. Anonymous Source (00:01:31): What they're doing when they're not working is a concern to me. Steve Stumpe (00:01:34): It's not my worry. Steve Stumpe (00:01:36): I'm concerned about not just the only goal of what they do whenever they're not working. (00:01:42): I'm concerned about even Americans when they're not working at all. (00:01:47): To me, that is despicable also. Anonymous Source (00:01:51): It is, yes, but I still believe that we shouldn't be. Steve Stumpe (00:01:54): I keep paying for every one of them through my taxes. Steve Stumpe (00:01:57): I keep paying for them. (00:01:59): Same. (00:02:04): We all do. Anonymous Source (00:02:06): But for the last two years, there's been a pandemic. Anonymous Source (00:02:13): For the last two years, there's been a pandemic, and a lot of Americans have gotten lazy. Anonymous Source (00:02:19): We just need our legislature to kick them into business, and then they'll get back to work. Anonymous Source (00:02:24): But right now, we don't need illegals here. Anonymous Source (00:02:27): We don't need illegals here. Anonymous Source (00:02:29): We don't need more trouble. Anonymous Source (00:02:30): We have drug problems already. Anonymous Source (00:02:33): This is going to be way worse. Anonymous Source (00:02:34): This is bad. Anonymous Source (00:02:36): I just want our children and our women stolen. Anonymous Source (00:02:38): I don't want them raped. Anonymous Source (00:02:40): I don't want them gone. Anonymous Source (00:02:42): The sex trafficking numbers have gone up. Anonymous Source (00:02:49): No, the illegals need to quit. Anonymous Source (00:02:52): They need to quit following them. Anonymous Source (00:02:54): They need to quit harassing them in the store. Anonymous Source (00:02:57): They need to quit filming them. Anonymous Source (00:02:58): Do you know they're filming them? Anonymous Source (00:02:59): They filmed me one day. Steve Stumpe (00:03:01): I'm not the police. Anonymous Source (00:03:04): But you are renting to these people that are doing this to our people. Steve Stumpe (00:03:10): And that is no different if you hire someone that happens to get a DWI, Steve Stumpe (00:03:15): and in the course of their DWI, Steve Stumpe (00:03:18): they hurt someone. Anonymous Source (00:03:19): That's not even a comparison, Steve. Anonymous Source (00:03:21): Not even a comparison. Anonymous Source (00:03:22): Do you know what drug cartel is? Anonymous Source (00:03:24): These people, they don't have family up here. Anonymous Source (00:03:27): Do you know what? Anonymous Source (00:03:28): They would easily cut your daughter's fingers off and mail them to you for money. Anonymous Source (00:03:34): Because that's what they do. Anonymous Source (00:03:35): These are ugly people. Anonymous Source (00:03:36): These are dangerous people. Anonymous Source (00:03:38): This isn't your typical DWI bad guy gone wrong. Anonymous Source (00:03:43): He's not a Christian kind of guy. Anonymous Source (00:03:47): But we're talking about illegal aliens. Anonymous Source (00:03:50): Have you turned on the news? Anonymous Source (00:03:52): Have you watched any One American Network news? Anonymous Source (00:03:56): They don't want illegals in our country. Anonymous Source (00:04:01): This is wrong. Anonymous Source (00:04:03): They need to come over like everybody else is like Kevin's parents or his Anonymous Source (00:04:07): grandparents came over. Anonymous Source (00:04:09): They had to work and become a citizen just like everybody else should. Anonymous Source (00:04:12): These people are citizens and they're dangerous. Anonymous Source (00:04:18): I'm just worried about our women and children. Anonymous Source (00:04:21): And I know I'm just saying, Steve, move them to Cuba. Anonymous Source (00:04:24): Steve, still move to Cuba. Anonymous Source (00:04:26): I think they're just, they need to get out of here. Steve Stumpe (00:04:39): correct authorities can deal with them. Anonymous Source (00:04:42): Well, I have out there told many, many women, please call the police. Anonymous Source (00:04:48): Please call the police. Anonymous Source (00:04:49): They post it on Facebook. Anonymous Source (00:04:50): But you know what? Anonymous Source (00:04:52): I don't know why they wouldn't either. Anonymous Source (00:04:53): I do, but they don't. Anonymous Source (00:04:56): So I don't know what to tell you on that. Anonymous Source (00:04:58): Otherwise, all I know is they're not doing it. Anonymous Source (00:05:02): But there's a lot going on and they're scared. Anonymous Source (00:05:05): And I mean, I don't like it for them. Anonymous Source (00:05:08): I don't like it that they can't go shopping. Anonymous Source (00:05:12): I just want it to be safe around here and it's not safe. Anonymous Source (00:05:28): Steve, we shouldn't have to even worry about calling the police. Anonymous Source (00:05:35): This should be a good community that we shouldn't have to worry about being stolen Anonymous Source (00:05:40): in the middle of the day. Anonymous Source (00:05:41): Do you think Ryan Hewkin is happy that someone wanted to steal his wife? Steve Stumpe (00:05:47): I totally agree with you. Steve Stumpe (00:05:49): And if you think that us not renting to a hot German will solve the problem, Steve Stumpe (00:05:56): then we're in a cocoon that we're not looking to see what's going on in the real world. (00:06:06): But I am telling you that the reality of the situation is much bigger than us or you. (00:06:12): And so I'm sorry, can we make it on our part? (00:06:15): Yes, we can. (00:06:16): Can we go above and beyond what is illegal? (00:06:19): No, we cannot. Anonymous Source (00:06:20): If they didn't have a place to live, they wouldn't be here. (00:06:26): They will live here anyway. Steve Stumpe (00:06:28): They will live here. (00:06:31): And... Anonymous Source (00:06:34): I don't want anybody to get hurt. Anonymous Source (00:06:38): You should go look at your grandchildren and think about what men will do to her if Anonymous Source (00:06:45): they get a hold of her. Anonymous Source (00:06:48): And then make a decision. Anonymous Source (00:06:50): Because that's what happens. Anonymous Source (00:06:52): That's what happens in a drug cartel world. Anonymous Source (00:06:55): Little girls become sex trafficked. Anonymous Source (00:06:59): And it's going to be if one little girl comes missing around here. (00:07:05): to be most possible. (00:07:06): Well, Anonymous Source (00:07:06): could you look at yourself in the mirror if one of those people living in that Anonymous Source (00:07:10): trailer court steals a child and ships it off? Anonymous Source (00:07:13): Could you look at your face in the mirror? Steve Stumpe (00:07:15): I mean, Steve Stumpe (00:07:15): that told the lives of everyone that's in our, Steve Stumpe (00:07:18): and this is where what I was explaining to you all about someone that works for a Steve Stumpe (00:07:23): being involved. Anonymous Source (00:07:24): I'll tell you what. Anonymous Source (00:07:25): We've fired people that are sex predators. Anonymous Source (00:07:28): They get fired. Steve Stumpe (00:07:29): We won't run to them. Anonymous Source (00:07:32): No, but they're American. Anonymous Source (00:07:36): They're American. Anonymous Source (00:07:37): They're already being prosecuted and they don't have a job. Anonymous Source (00:07:41): So that's what we do. Anonymous Source (00:07:42): They have nowhere to go but to jail to sit because predators, that's where they belong. Anonymous Source (00:07:47): Now, illegal predators. Anonymous Source (00:07:49): Illegal predators do not believe, they don't belong in America. Anonymous Source (00:07:54): This is where our veterans fought to keep things like that out of here. Anonymous Source (00:08:00): Oh, I know. Anonymous Source (00:08:01): They're all over. Steve Stumpe (00:08:01): I know. Steve Stumpe (00:08:02): But we're not talking about them. Steve Stumpe (00:08:03): We're talking about not adding to it. Steve Stumpe (00:08:04): And you did. Anonymous Source (00:08:24): Steve, there's no way you're going to justify this. Anonymous Source (00:08:27): I'm sorry. Anonymous Source (00:08:28): Steve, Anonymous Source (00:08:29): there's no way our discussion is going to ever justify having illegal drug cartel Anonymous Source (00:08:35): in this community. Anonymous Source (00:08:36): Housing to them just gives them more reason to do what they need to do on their own time. Anonymous Source (00:08:42): So as far as I'm concerned, you can give them all jobs, I don't care. Anonymous Source (00:08:46): But what they're doing in the evening is not good. Anonymous Source (00:08:49): These women are scared. Anonymous Source (00:08:51): And as long as the women are scared and the children are in danger, Anonymous Source (00:08:55): there's gonna be problems here. Anonymous Source (00:08:56): There's always gonna be problems like that if we don't protect them. Anonymous Source (00:09:00): and i'm not talking about americans we already have problems with americans but we Anonymous Source (00:09:05): don't need to add to it we need to be a solution to this problem this is insane i Steve Stumpe (00:09:11): agree Steve Stumpe (00:09:15): It's not my idea. Steve Stumpe (00:09:16): It's not my idea. Steve Stumpe (00:09:17): No, Sullivan was safe. Steve Stumpe (00:09:19): And the Ashley crime was down until they started coming in last year. Anonymous Source (00:09:33): And it's blown up. Anonymous Source (00:09:34): I've been watching it. Anonymous Source (00:09:35): I've got data, and I sent it on to the sheriff. Steve Stumpe (00:09:38): We had our company's truck stolen right out of our building. Anonymous Source (00:09:42): Yeah, well, that's drug problems. Anonymous Source (00:09:44): Do you think things are going to get better, Steve? (00:09:47): We're talking about fentanyl. (00:09:48): We're talking about fentanyl. Anonymous Source (00:09:50): We're not talking about meth anymore. Anonymous Source (00:09:52): Now, are Americans like meth? Anonymous Source (00:09:54): We're talking about fentanyl from China. Anonymous Source (00:09:56): I don't think that we're going to get very far. (00:09:59): I want to tell you that. (00:10:02): Anyone that feels threatened or anything that anybody has done to them, please call the police. (00:10:08): Please call the police. Anonymous Source (00:10:09): Trust me, I have told them that. Anonymous Source (00:10:11): I think they're just kind of confused why they even have to call the police. Anonymous Source (00:10:19): I told them that it's not a safe community anymore. Anonymous Source (00:10:23): So you need to call the police because the people that are living here that don't Anonymous Source (00:10:28): belong in America are your problem. Anonymous Source (00:10:30): And we need to make sure that we protect ourselves. Anonymous Source (00:10:33): So I'm telling the women to make sure they take their husbands and guns. Steve Stumpe (00:10:37): I wish that was the only problem that we had. Steve Stumpe (00:10:39): That would be a fantastic thing. Anonymous Source (00:10:42): The problem here is, is don't add to our problems. Anonymous Source (00:10:46): We already had problems. Anonymous Source (00:10:48): Now, they just tripled. Anonymous Source (00:10:51): This isn't even doubled. Anonymous Source (00:10:52): This is insane. Anonymous Source (00:10:53): They're everywhere. Anonymous Source (00:10:53): They're walking in the streets. Anonymous Source (00:10:55): I've got some lady this morning, Anonymous Source (00:10:56): I don't even know, Anonymous Source (00:10:57): telling me, Anonymous Source (00:10:58): yeah, Anonymous Source (00:10:59): cars were stolen over at Johanny's. Anonymous Source (00:11:00): Cars were stolen at my parking lot. Anonymous Source (00:11:02): Yeah, cars are being stolen all over because they're coming off of Maple Street. Anonymous Source (00:11:07): And what am I supposed to say to her? Anonymous Source (00:11:09): I said, oh, I'm starting to hear that. (00:11:12): I don't want to tell her something. Anonymous Source (00:11:18): other people for what is going on with your illegal immigrants. Anonymous Source (00:11:22): These are dangerous people who do not belong in Sullivan, period. Anonymous Source (00:11:29): They do not belong here. Anonymous Source (00:11:30): Anyone who brings them in and gives them a house is part of the problem. Anonymous Source (00:11:37): They're destroying America. Anonymous Source (00:11:39): Whoever brings these people into a small community is only causing us more problems Anonymous Source (00:11:46): than we need. Anonymous Source (00:11:48): I can bring them in. Steve Stumpe (00:11:49): I don't give them jobs. Steve Stumpe (00:11:51): You're giving them a house. Anonymous Source (00:11:53): You're giving them a house. Steve Stumpe (00:11:54): Somebody's selling them food and somebody is selling them utilities and somebody is Steve Stumpe (00:12:00): doing a lot of other stuff for them. Anonymous Source (00:12:02): And you want your money. Anonymous Source (00:12:04): I get it. Anonymous Source (00:12:04): So you want your part. Anonymous Source (00:12:05): So go ahead and take the rent. Anonymous Source (00:12:07): I get it. Anonymous Source (00:12:07): I do. Anonymous Source (00:12:08): But all I'm saying is money is not everything's Anonymous Source (00:12:11): Steve, I'm just saying we've got some dangerous stuff going on. Anonymous Source (00:12:14): People are being stolen or trying to be stolen. Anonymous Source (00:12:17): There's all kinds of things going on we don't want happening. (00:12:20): To rent from us, you have to have a job. Steve Stumpe (00:12:22): You have to be able to afford your rent and you have to. Anonymous Source (00:12:25): Yeah, one person. Anonymous Source (00:12:26): One person to rent, sure. Anonymous Source (00:12:29): I've seen pallets. Anonymous Source (00:12:32): on saturday night with a actually an elected official who was disgusted with what's Anonymous Source (00:12:37): going on in our community and i showed him i said i want to show you where they're Anonymous Source (00:12:41): living and how they're living he can see pallets on the floors so yeah one person Anonymous Source (00:12:46): might have a job that's renting it but it ain't all 25 of them living in one Anonymous Source (00:12:51): apartment Steve Stumpe (00:12:59): Okay, Steve Stumpe (00:13:00): I thank you for calling, Steve Stumpe (00:13:01): and I would encourage you to tell anyone that has a problem with anyone else to (00:13:05): call the police. (00:13:06): Thank you. Get full access to HickChristian at hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe [https://hickchristian.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]