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Rural Requiem

Rural Requiem

By Kevin Gaither

Taking on the Toughest Issues, Listening to Voters Where They Live and Work
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Commingling in Purgatory Park: The Divine Rural Comedy

Rural RequiemOct 18, 2022

00:00
01:08:39
The Gatekeeper's Grease

The Gatekeeper's Grease

What do the 2024 Illinois primaries say about the health of our democracy? Why do so many remain so removed and ambivalent to politics? Not surprisingly, it's all connected.

Write-In Info after Links

Opening : Men I Trust, Show Me How

Closing : Vacations, Next Exit

Obama's 1996 New Years Kick Them Dems Off the Ballot Party, Chicago Tribune.

2018, Jim Meadows

2018, Effingham

In 9 of the counties of the 15th District, you can 'Fill the Oval' and write-in 'Kevin Gaither' on the Democratic Primary ballot.

511 write-in votes for Kevin Gaither are what is needed to challenge Rep. Mary Miller in the November election. She has no challengers in the Republican primary.

The 9 counties are Champaign, Christian, Coles, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie, Sangamon, Shelby, and Piatt.

Early voting begins Thursday, February 8th. The last day to vote is Tuesday, March 19th.

Democracy is about having choices. If you feel the voters deserve a choice in November, pull a Democratic primary ballot and write-in Kevin Gaither for Representative in Congress in the 15th Congressional District.

Thank you!

Feb 07, 202415:50
Cowbirds, Churches and States

Cowbirds, Churches and States

New Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, believes the Separation of Church and State is a misnomer. Senator Marsha Blackburn chides President Joe Biden about the First Amendment, exposing how little anyone really knows about 1A. The Rural Requiem dives into the separation, history, and culture.


This may sound more like a Disney Plus mini-series than reality, but 101 More Democrats than Republicans voted to expel George Santos, becoming only the 6th member in the history of the House of Representatives to have this honor. Likely ushering in the Expulsion Era in the House as well as impeachment inquiries of President Biden.


Time to explore the big issues from a new perspective.

Dec 15, 202354:08
Indictment's Remedy

Indictment's Remedy

A former President and current candidate for the same office has been indicted on state and federal charges in multiple jurisdictions, with more likely to be filed before Labor Day.

A sober examination and indictment forecast will challenge our audience to dig beyond the headlines and declarations of innocence and guilt.

Can anyone remain objective regarding politics any longer?

Let us know what you're thinking, please follow and share as well continue to explore the intersection of culture, politics, and society.


Aug 09, 202326:11
Operation Trans Warp Speed

Operation Trans Warp Speed

The Rural Requiem demystifies the political, cultural, and religious dynamics that quickly placed Transgender at the center of online commentary, driving legislative and political action across the nation.

I open with my public comment against censorship at a local county board meeting.

As we face the impacts of a No Roe America, we explore historical parallels that take us back to Southern Illinois during the Civil War.

Is protecting our children at the heart of what is speeding this movement to enact legislation that limits rights and liberties involving identity and expression?

Jul 23, 202338:53
George Santos, the Auditor and the Wardrobe
Apr 02, 202338:16
Lunar Eclipse Election Special

Lunar Eclipse Election Special

We take a lighter approach, mostly, and make some predictions, as we travel and witness the lunar eclipse.

Get out and vote today if you haven't already cast your ballot! It's okay to not fill an oval in every race on the ballot. 

Nov 08, 202242:15
Heaven Sent: The Divine Rural Comedy
Nov 07, 202220:15
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Eleven
Nov 02, 202215:13
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Ten
Nov 02, 202206:55
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Nine
Nov 02, 202209:18
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Eight
Nov 02, 202211:03
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Seven
Nov 02, 202210:58
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Six
Nov 02, 202214:21
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Five
Oct 26, 202212:50
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Four
Oct 26, 202212:37
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Three
Oct 26, 202212:58
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter Two
Oct 26, 202212:05
Divine Rural Comedy: Chapter One
Oct 26, 202207:38
Commingling in Purgatory Park: The Divine Rural Comedy

Commingling in Purgatory Park: The Divine Rural Comedy

We've reached the midpoint of our journey. 

Will you brave the Barker Substitute Challenge? How many non-candidates have not only been on the ballot but also won office?

Can we all just break some bread together. Apparently not quite yet. We might just get there, though, by the end of our exploration. 

I think it would be healthy for people to start commingling again, because it is not healthy being in a silo only hearing the echo chamber. It can really make you hard of hearing of different perspectives. 

I recorded some audio from Capitol View's 9th of September episode, with host Jennifer Fuller, Associate Director for News and Public Affairs at WSIU; Mike Miletich, Illinois Capitol Bureau Chief of Gray Television; and John Jackson, visiting professor at the Paul Simon Institute. Jackson also served as the 17th Chancellor of SIU. 

Salvador Dali is responsible for the life changing artwork.

The intro music is Zac Brown. Closing is Lucius. Stunning stuff. 

Appreciate you listening and sharing this podcast with others. Thank you!


Oct 18, 202201:08:39
Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy

Clerks: The Divine Rural Comedy

Our elections are under the microscope across the nation, including right here in Central and Southern Illinois.

An exploration of numerous stories and accusations during the fallout after Moultrie County Clerk and County Clerk of the Year Georgia England abruptly quit in July ahead of this November's midterm elections.

The story is captivating.

Oct 07, 202259:10
Odyssey: A Tribute

Odyssey: A Tribute

It was two years ago that I delivered this essay at my father's funeral. 

You do not want to miss this opportunity to continue celebrating those we have lost so as to cherish those still in our orbit.

As usual, there are some unexpected turns in this voyage to the end of suffering for one.

Sep 27, 202214:12
Charleston Heckler Another Opportunity for JB

Charleston Heckler Another Opportunity for JB

Governor JB Pritzker visited Charleston today. Here's a clip from his visit involving a business owner who was hard hit during the pandemic.

Rural Requiem explores the impact of Democratic voids on the ballot in Central and Southern Illinois on Gov. JB's re-election. 

Aug 26, 202220:29
Will Lack of Democratic Candidates Harm Pritzker?

Will Lack of Democratic Candidates Harm Pritzker?

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://gaither4il.com/2022/08/19/will-lack-of-democratic-candidates-harm-pritzker/

Photo: Chicago Magazine

Aug 22, 202202:06
The Clash of the Worker Driven Economy With the Litany of Lazy (Edited)

The Clash of the Worker Driven Economy With the Litany of Lazy (Edited)

Do we need a secret decoder ring in order to enter the ballot box when ranked voting has become law?

An exploration of motivations of individuals, communities, and political parties as it relates to our elections and the economy.

Our elections have increasingly been scrutinized. Republicans look for bamboo. Democrats look at voids on their ballots. Seems like a bunch of flailing around as various election reforms are actively pushed onto the electorate. Both political parties seek to gain an advantage through the states and elections that they control. Most people have heard of the term gerrymandering. I'm not discussing it or term limits as a policy, exception with regard to exhaustion.

How exactly did we arrive at this moment of widening income disparity? The exploration begins here.

Aug 21, 202242:05
The Clash of the Worker Driven Economy With the Litany of Lazy (Authentic Edition)

The Clash of the Worker Driven Economy With the Litany of Lazy (Authentic Edition)

Do we need a secret decoder ring in order to enter the ballot box when ranked voting has become law? 

An exploration of motivations of individuals, communities, and political parties as it relates to our elections and the economy. 

Our elections have increasingly been scrutinized. Republicans look for bamboo. Democrats look at voids on their ballots. Seems like a bunch of flailing around as various election reforms are actively pushed onto the electorate. Both political parties seek to gain an advantage through the states and elections that they control. Most people have heard of the term gerrymandering. I'm not discussing it or term limits as a policy, exception with regard to exhaustion. 

How exactly did we arrive at this moment of widening income disparity? The exploration begins here.

Aug 21, 202242:06
"Both Parties Suck Here"

"Both Parties Suck Here"

Coles County Board remarks in early August. 

Earlier in the meeting, it became public information that County Board member Gail Mason had not only petitioned to be on the Democratic primary ballot for re-election, she had also decided to vote in the Republican primary. Doing so is an illegal act in Illinois. 

It was this mind-blowing revelation that was a springboard for much of my commentary. I'll be laying out the case regarding Gail Mason when it is complete.

Aug 14, 202203:51
MTC: Vulnerability and Trigger Warnings

MTC: Vulnerability and Trigger Warnings

More to Consider.

It's easy to attack trigger warnings. It's far more difficult to explore their origin story.

Illustration by Nicholas Konrad/The New Yorker

Aug 14, 202200:51
Miller's Fruit of Nostalgia Plain

Miller's Fruit of Nostalgia Plain

Excerpt: 'Politicians are known by their fruit. “Politicians are known by their votes and the policies that they promote, ” Miller went on to say. We know how she started her career on Capitol Hill. We know what she has voted to bring home to our district: Nothing at all. She’s the farmer that brings nothing to the farmer’s market but takes the biggest subsidy check home to cash anyways. She’s got to pay the nanny to homeschool her kids that yours are all going to hell.'

I dive deep into the political divide, exploring the deep emotions that naturally erupt when lives and livelihoods are on the line. You will not want to miss this episode.

Jun 15, 202255:32
Who Owns the Second Amendment?

Who Owns the Second Amendment?

I don't shy away from tough issues and difficult conversations. This is one of those issues that you always bring up . . . or hate to hear someone talking about in the next room you're about to walk into before tasting some of what just was hauled out of the smoker out back. 

Regardless of your position, or your assumptions on what my positions might be, I urge you to listen, and get engaged on this issue with an open mind again. Our constitutional rights are definitely at the heart of the struggle over the next half century. 

Jun 02, 202221:16
The Windows to Nowhere 2: Look Inside the Contract, 'Guaranteed Savings' and the History of a Board Member

The Windows to Nowhere 2: Look Inside the Contract, 'Guaranteed Savings' and the History of a Board Member

You won't want to miss how much the Coles County Board missed in the contract they signed for $3.1 million dollars to replace the Coles County Courthouse windows. You won't believe the amount we are set to save per month. It's offensive.

And, that's just the beginning of this continuation of our series on these Windows to Nowhere. 

Last time, we began a history lesson in the 90s regarding County Board member Darrell Cox, who then brought a case all the way to the Appellate Court against the county. You won't believe the details and how it relates to today's $3.1 million Windows controversy.

James DiNaso of the Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County is back for more of his sit down conversation with the Rural Requiem.


May 23, 202239:35
National Guard Shouldn't Sacrifice Education Over Schedule

National Guard Shouldn't Sacrifice Education Over Schedule

We shouldn’t be asking the National Guard to sacrifice anything else at all. They shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything in their college and university education. 

We need to be thinking more about how we can better serve each of them!

May 20, 202221:03
The Windows to Nowhere: Coles County's $3.1 Million Courthouse Catnip: Part ONE
May 18, 202201:02:32
The $3.1 Million Windows the Coles County Board Just Knows You Need

The $3.1 Million Windows the Coles County Board Just Knows You Need

It couldn't fall any further from the tree before you begin to wonder if it wasn't fruit to begin with. 

There were bridges to nowhere long before there were windows to see how out of touch a county board could truly be.

On one side, you meet James Di Naso, one of the leaders of the Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County. He has been at Coles County board meetings for 6 years. Here is his public comment from this month's meeting, which took place this Tuesday.

And, then, there's me. I am there noting the abysmal record as the board wants to silence any critics before they have time to reconsider. 

And, they should, and would be applauded for doing so. 

Who thinks replacing windows with about a 1/3 of the funds is helping address any of our lingering pandemic malaise while inflation burns us nearly everywhere we turn? 

Keep watch here for a round of podcasts about Coles County Board's $3.1 million windows. James sat down with me earlier today for a 3 hour recording session. You do not want to miss what we both discovered when we put our heads together.

If you aren't paying attention to our local elected officials and what they are doing with millions of taxpayer dollars, you will want to start digging to find out what is going on in your own community. 

Drop me a line if you want to join the conversation! 

These were LIVE recordings of public events, so apologies for some of the extraneous noises. I softened them up a bit, but didn't want to lose the county board members that at least engaged our comments. As a side note, there were comments I stripped out in between our comments. I didn't leave them out for any personal or professional reason. I simply wanted to showcase James and myself ahead of our series of podcasts on the misuse of ARPA funds by the Coles County Board. 

Thank you!

May 14, 202207:34
Roe Falling, Filibusters, and County Board Broken Windows

Roe Falling, Filibusters, and County Board Broken Windows

I cannot believe that some Progressive Democratic House members are yet again calling for the Senate's filibuster to be nuked in order to force through a narrow vote on a pro-choice rights bill. Makes no sense. 

Here, I have a conversation about this century's filibuster history, intermingled with rural county board broken logic regarding pandemic relief funds, $3.1 million out of $9.8 million to be spent on Coles County Courthouse windows. If anything says they're out of touch with helping people who have struggled through a pandemic, it's the windows they'll be looking through on Election Day.

May 11, 202252:44
Mary Miller Was 'Right' About One Thing

Mary Miller Was 'Right' About One Thing

So, don’t blame Mary Miller. Blame the culture that dangles a character such as Graven in front of a Miller, providing a shelter from seeing the direct results of all actions and definitive non-actions. That culture is often a beast we feed daily. We often lend it our ears, and spread it by mouth. 

May 07, 202243:18
A Necessary Conversation about America, Suicide, the Military, Culture, and Mental Health, with a Special Guest.

A Necessary Conversation about America, Suicide, the Military, Culture, and Mental Health, with a Special Guest.

This candid exploration of suicide in America's military since September 11th leads into a broader conversation about our culture's political and tangible human failures in the realm of mental health. It's a tough conversation. Be prepared to face an honest exchange of perspectives, painful experiences, and difficult lessons learned.

May 05, 202201:32:29
A Preview of a Talk on Mental Health, Suicide, and Unfunded War

A Preview of a Talk on Mental Health, Suicide, and Unfunded War

The first 10 minutes of this podcast are as raw as they are jaw dropping . . . 

It will leave you needing to hear the rest of the conversation.

May 04, 202210:05
Don't Burn Down the Library: Full Version

Don't Burn Down the Library: Full Version

Earlier version was missing the first 10 or so minutes. Here you go. 

Outrage and the need to eradicate the voices of others is not owned by either fringe.

Both sides want to burn the library. They just have different reasons.


Apr 30, 202253:58
Don't Burn Down the Library

Don't Burn Down the Library

Outrage and the need to eradicate the voices of others is not owned by either fringe.

Both sides want to burn the library. They just have different reasons. 

Apr 29, 202244:56
Debating Inflation with Blamers

Debating Inflation with Blamers

Debate primarily to learn. What are the chances the person you debate will ever change their position? Exactly. It's the other people that matter.

Apr 21, 202240:57
High Price of Gas: Solutions or Anger Only?

High Price of Gas: Solutions or Anger Only?

The politicians that focus on stoking anger and anxiety in voters about gas prices seek to bring out the worst in us.

Feb 22, 202207:02