Congrats to Smythe; a review, secrets

Congratulations to KFVS-TV/WQWQ-TV vice president and general manager Mike Smythe who early this month was named the chairman of the Missouri Broadcasters Association. The MBA includes 303 Missouri radio stations and 48 television stations.

Mike is a nine-time MBA award winner for best editorial for his always interesting and well-stated Viewpoint segments including first place three years. He has been general manager at KFVS-TV for the last 10 years after serving as the general sales manager starting in 1998.

Cape Girardeau is blessed with having a locally committed involved representative of the larger Raycom Media Group.

Mike started off his career in education as a teacher, had a father in police work and has retained a friendly passionate demeanor with in depth perspective in his community relations and national or local perspectives on his television editorials.

We here at the newspaper are proud of this community's professional media, including the local radio stations.

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I recently finished the best selling book "In the Garden of the Beasts," a true story about the rise of Adolf Hitler from the notes and research of the 1933 U.S. Ambassador to Germany. I've always wondered how Hitler came to power and this book is helpful in understanding.

"'In the Garden of Beasts' is a vivid portrait of Berlin during the first years of Hitler's reign, brought to life through the stories of two people: William E. Dodd, who in 1933 became America's first ambassador to Hitler's regime, and his scandalously carefree daughter, Martha. Ambassador Dodd, an unassuming and scholarly man, is an odd fit among the extravagance of the Nazi elite. His frugality annoys his fellow Americans in the State Department, and Dodd's growing misgivings about Hitler's ambitions fall on deaf ears among his peers, who are content to 'give Hitler everything he wants.' Martha, on the other hand, is mesmerized by the glamorous parties and the high-minded conversation of Berlin's salon society. She flings herself headlong into numerous affairs with the city's elite, most notably the head of the Gestapo and a Soviet spy. Both become players in the exhilarating (and terrifying) story of Hitler's obsession for absolute power, which culminates in the events of one murderous night, later known as 'the Night of Long Knives.' The rise of Nazi Germany is a well-chronicled time in history, which makes 'In the Garden of Beasts' all the more remarkable. Erik Larson has drafted a gripping, deeply-intimate narrative with a climax that reads like the best political thriller, where we are stunned with each turn of the page, even though we already know the outcome."

-- Shane Hansanuwat

"By far his best and most enthralling work of novelistic history. ... Powerful, poignant. ... A transportingly true story."

-- The New York Times

"Highly compelling. ... Larson brings Berlin roaring to life in all its glamour and horror. ... A welcome new chapter in the vast canon of World War II."

-- Christian Science Monitor

"A stunning work of history."

-- Newsweek

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"U.S. owes $62 TRILLION in unfunded obligations which amounts to $534,000 per household" was the June 7th headline in USA Today.

The federal government's financial condition deteriorated rapidly last year beyond the $1.5 trillion in new debt taken on to finance the budget deficit, the newspaper analysis showed.

The government added $5.3 trillion in new financial obligations in 2010, largely for retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. That brings to a record $61.6 trillion the total of financial problems not paid for.

The economy in this country is fragile and everyone needs to realize there are no easy solutions. Inform yourself!

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In each issue the newspaper Investor's Business Daily prints "10 secrets to Success."

IBD has spent years analyzing leaders and successful people in all walks of life. Most have 10 traits that, when combined, can turn dreams into reality.

1. How you think is everything: Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.

2. Decide upon your true dreams and goals: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3. Take action: Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.

4. Never stop learning: Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.

5. Be persistent and work hard: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.

6. Learn to analyze details: Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.

7. Focus your time and money: Don't let other people or things distract you.

8. Don't be afraid to innovate; be different: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.

9. Deal and communicate with people effectively: No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.

10. Be honest and dependable; take responsibility: Otherwise, Nos. 1-9 won't matter.

-- Investor's Business Daily

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THEODORE ROOSEVELT QUOTES:

"A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends on the character of the user."

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

Gary Rust is the chairman of Rust Communications.