I argued in an Eagle editorial Thursday that it’s time for the Wichita school district to end forced busing. My reasons include:
The policy is only halfheartedly enforced; it is unfairly applied, as Hispanics and Asians are exempt, and nearly all the burden falls on African-Americans (who deserve more neighborhood school options); it hasn’t closed the achievement gap between minority and white students, which was its purpose, not social integration; and it causes families to leave the district for suburban and private schools, which costs Wichita per pupil state funding.
A number of other cities have dropped busing, including Oklahoma City and Boston. And that’s been OK with the federal government and the courts, which recognize that busing has become an outdated solution, especially when districts such as Wichita have become so much more diverse.
What do you think? Is it time to park the buses, or is forced busing still needed?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Some lawmakers can’t afford to forgo any of their salary to save money for taxpayers. In fact, some had to assume the costs of hiring farm help and canceling vacation plans when the governor called the special session. But gratitude is due the area legislators, among 27 total statewide, who opted not to collect part of their pay during the 12-day, $574,000 session: Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick; and Reps. Nile Dillmore, D-Wichita; Mario Goico, R-Wichita; Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center; and Judy Loganbill, D-Wichita. The $13,000 saved statewide by such a gesture is modest, but the symbolism is much appreciated.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
A dozen or so newspapers have complained about, edited or yanked “Doonesbury” over the scatological name-calling aimed at Karl Rove in Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s strips, according to the Kansas City-based Universal Press Syndicate. But in the context of everything else that cartoonist Garry Trudeau has hurled at President Bush over the years, the use of the nickname hardly seems worth a fuss — especially because "Turd Blossom" allegedly really is among Bush’s own pet names for his longtime aide.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The American Association for Nude Recreation has a problem: Its membership is getting too old. So its leaders are trying to recruit younger members with events such as a “Nudie Blues” rock concert. Can’t blame them for trying. Hanging out, literally, with a bunch of naked 50- and 60-year-olds just doesn’t swing — that is, unless you’re talking about sagging body parts.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
It was always lame to claim that letting Roger Valadez learn why he was targeted as a BTK suspect would undermine the BTK investigation. But now that Dennis Rader has confessed to being the serial killer, there really is no good reason why Valadez shouldn’t be able to see the probable cause affidavit that allowed police to force their way into his house and point guns at him.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The nation’s need for a comprehensive energy policy has been among the most persuasive talking points of the George W. Bush era. But if you thought that having such an energy policy would mean depending less on foreign oil, think again. We currently import 58 percent of our oil. The legislation nearing final passage in Congress would only slow the increase of our dependence, currently projected to rise to 68 percent by 2025. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for example, could reduce oil imports by a mere 4 percent. Especially with so much instability in some of the nations of the world that sit atop oil reserves, is this the best our leaders can do?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Don’t forget that Sen. Sam Brownback won’t be the only Kansan quizzing U.S. Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa. — now 75 and newly finished with chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease — was born in Wichita in 1930, attending College Hill Elementary School and the former Roosevelt Intermediate School until the family moved to Russell in 1942. His family did business with the Glickmans in Wichita and the Doles in Russell. Specter, who was an investigator on the Warren Commission and Philadelphia district attorney before he won his Senate seat in 1980, had to fight conservatives to win the chairmanship. But “for all the consternation, he’s done what he said he will do” concerning nominees, Brownback recently told the Chicago Tribune.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Mars Inc. is working with pharmaceutical companies to develop a line of cocoa-based prescription drugs that could help treat diabetes, dementia and other ailments, The Washington Post reported. I know chocolate always helps me feel better. Now if only HMOs would start covering M&M’s.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
