We’re long past December, but somehow a line from a Merle Haggard song seems so apt. “It’s the coldest time of winter.” It’s been snowy and sub-zero at times this week, yet also, the recent Harley-Davidson announcement that it plans to close its motorcycle plant in Platte County is a chilling morale cruncher. “Got laid off down at the factory, and their timing’s not the greatest in the world,” Merle sang.