Time magazine’s decision to include Gov. Kathleen Sebelius among the nation’s five best governors came at a good time for Kansas, given the run of bad headlines the state has generated lately. The timing also nicely serves her unannounced re-election bid.
No doubt many Kansas Republicans reacted to the recognition with dismay, feeling the low-key and sometimes seemingly AWOL Democratic governor is getting credit due the GOP-controlled Legislature. But there is something to be said not just for Sebelius’ feat in being elected in this red state once, but also for how well-positioned she seems to be for next year’s election, with the schools enjoying improved funding and the economy on the rebound. And regardless of politics, Kansans should take pride in seeing their governor singled out for such high praise.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Republicans owe their current dominance to the alliance between fiscal and social conservatives, and the power that represents at the ballot box. But events such as the Kansas State Board of Education’s science vote suggest the marriage’s days may be numbered. Consider the warning of a clearly frustrated George Will on Sunday’s “This Week” on ABC: “The Republican Party’s coalition — libertarian, limited-government conservatives with social conservatives — can hold together up to the point at which the social conservatives decide that in their campaign to build character and save souls, they’re not content to concentrate on the institutions of civil society and want to enlist the government in their crusade. When that happens, the coalition flies apart.” And arguing that intelligent design should be taught alongside evolution, Will argued, is no answer. “The president saying ‘Let’s teach both sides’ won’t work. There aren’t two sides.” Will is right. When will the rest of those on the right not just speak out but do something?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It didn’t take long for Bob Corkins, the new Kansas education commissioner, to dig into his small bag of ideological tricks and pull out — surprise! — vouchers.
Vouchers might have more relevance if Kansas had hopelessly dysfunctional schools. That’s not the case — our schools, by most measures, are doing a fine job. And they’re getting better. That’s one reason why there is no public groundswell for vouchers.
Many people also wonder how transferring taxpayer dollars from public schools to private schools would improve public education in our state — especially when the Kansas Supreme Court ruled this year that our schools need more resources, not less.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Curriculum standards for American schools aren’t dictated at the federal level — yet. But if they were, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, apparently would vote to teach intelligent design alongside evolution theory. He said: "I believe Kansas students should receive information about the major theories on the origin of life. Proponents of the theories of intelligent design and evolution have well-known and respected scientists claiming scientific evidence to support the validity of each of these leading mainstream theories. Proponents of both theories should be confident enough in the science that they would welcome any scientifically based scrutiny by schoolchildren."
Where he’s right: that kids should learn multiple theories about the origin of life somewhere in school (though not in science class). Where he’s wrong: in suggesting an equal number of "well-known and respected scientists" see validity in evolution and ID. It isn’t even remotely close.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
When Texan Harriet Miers dropped out as nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, it meant a step back for more than the court’s gender diversity. Nominee Samuel Alito would join Justice Antonin Scalia as the second New Jerseyan on the court. With Texas-born Justice Sandra Day O’Connor out, the court also would have five justices originally from the Northeast, two from California and only Justices John Paul Stevens (Illinois) and Clarence Thomas (Georgia, Missouri) to represent all of flyover country. It’s too early to speculate on when 85-year-old Stevens might leave the court, but it’s not too early to hope his successor won’t be yet another coaster.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
For the most part, it’s parents’ responsibility to monitor what their children are watching on TV and to screen out objectionable programs.
But a new study shows just how difficult parental oversight has become: Since 1988, the number of sex scenes on TV has doubled, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey of more than 1,000 programs.
True, the numbers might be driven in part by the increase in programming in recent years. And researchers defined sexual content as everything from sex talk to kissing to intercourse.
Still, it’s undeniable that sex on TV is pervasive (70 percent of shows have sexual content) and often gratuitous. A parent has to be on constant vigilance — and that’s too bad.
TV networks are shirking their responsibility to provide more family friendly fare.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
