Terri Schiavo’s autopsy results having disappointed the conspiracy theorists, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has a prosecutor probing the timeliness of the 911 call that Michael Schiavo made upon his wife’s collapse in 1990. Note: That was 15 years ago.
We admire hands-on governors and all, especially because they are a rarity in Kansas, but this is ridiculous. Further proof that there is no overestimating the depths to which political pandering can go.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
CBS is broadcasting a program tonight (Tuesday) on the greatest movie quotes of the past century. But Paul Katcher, a freelance writer for ESPN.com, compiled his own list: 100 greatest sports-related movie quotes.
Are there really that many memorable sports quotes? Not when three quotes come from “The Karate Kid” (No. 62: “Wax on. Wax off”; No. 22: “Get him a body bag. Yeaaahhh!”; and No. 6: “Sweep the leg”).
The No. 1 quote? “Yo, Adrian!”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Would you want to know that you were going to develop Alzheimer’s disease in nine years? Scientists think they have found a predictor that could tell you just that. But as this article points out, there are serious ethical questions about when to break that news to people. With no way to prevent the disease from developing, it seems the diagnosis might do nothing more than sap the enjoyment out of those remaining nine years of mental health. What do you think?
Posted by Melissa Cooley
Those who lived through the stormy debate in 1994 over Wichita’s adoption of a restrictive gun ordinance may have missed the recent action by the Kansas Legislature trumping local control on gun issues. Never mind that Wichita voters upheld the restrictions, including a five-day waiting period for gun purchases, in an advisory vote at the time. The City Council could formally challenge the new state law on the grounds that it infringes on the city’s home rule powers. But this is not the same council as it was in 1994 — in either personnel or political leanings — so it seems likely to acquiesce when the issue comes up at today’s meeting. Naturally, this move comes just as Wichita is experiencing a surge in gang activity, too — one of the reasons behind the ordinance in the first place. It doesn’t seem right that legislators voided the will of Wichitans, never mind the public safety consequences.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
I got an e-mail from a reader last week about a syndicated editorial cartoon that we published. It showed Sesame Street being destroyed by a congressional wrecking ball. Didn’t we realize this was an Internet hoax, she wrote?
As it turns out, that’s been the response of many people to reports that a U.S. House budget committee approved funding cuts to public broadcasting.
Blame it on two students at the University of Northern Colorado who sent out a bogus e-mail 10 years ago urging citizens to sign a “Save NPR/PBS” petition. Now that funding really could be in jeopardy, supporters think it is just another hoax.
Sounds like an Aesop fable.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Rancor over the sale of Boeing’s local commercial operation will be with Wichita for a while. But it was a relief to see the Onex Corp. and Machinists union restart contract talks Monday and adopt an optimistic new tone. Also welcome were more signals that the new company expects to add jobs soon, giving priority to former Boeing workers. Going forward, it will help if people in the community try to keep in mind what Dick Schneider, aerospace coordinator for the Machinists union, said: “This is not Boeing. Onex is a brand-new employer here.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Kansas City Star did a survey last week of state lawmakers. Here are the totals for the 32 lawmakers from the Wichita area who responded:
Support a tax increase for schools? Yes, 3. No, 23. Undecided, 6.
Support expanded gambling as a way to raise money for schools? Yes, 5. No, 18. Undecided, 9.
Think the Kansas Supreme Court acted within its authority? Yes, 11. No, 18. Undecided, 3.
What do you think? Click on “comments” below to give your opinion.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Recent news stories on the expenses and income reports of members of Congress contained some unusual tidbits, along with the usual blind trusts and book royalties: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and her husband have paid off their legal bills relating to Whitewater and impeachment. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has a songwriting agent (and reported $8,822 in music royalties). Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., made $260,000 from his obstetrics practice and partnership in an allergy clinic. Former major league pitcher Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., earned $64,045 giving autographs at baseball memorabilia shows. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., earned $695 (for charity) for appearing in the upcoming movie “Wedding Crashers.” The disclosure form for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., was 73 pages, far longer than most of his colleagues’ dozen or so pages.
It’s nice these folks have resources to fall back on in case their Senate salary falls short.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
I hate to bring up Tom Cruise again — especially if his romance and engagement to could-be-his-daughter Katie Holmes is, in fact, nothing more than a publicity stunt.
But does anyone think that he may need some of that psychiatric medication he is so opposed to?
Posted by Melissa Cooley
