Check out Sunday’s Opinion page for opposing viewpoints on whether to end mandated school busing in USD 259. We argue in our editorial that Wichita’s busing policy is outdated, ineffective, unfair and lacks public support. But local NAACP president Kevin Myles, in a thoughtful op-ed commentary, reframes the debate as really about whether to reintroduce segregated schools. He writes about the limitations and reduced dreams he accepted growing up in a segregated neighborhood and schools. He has seen his own children break out of that box. And he asks, "Which part of their expanded worldview should I accept as expendable? And how would their isolation increase their choices?"
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Many Wichitans will flock this weekend to see "King Kong," director Peter Jackson’s spectacular remake of the original 1933 classic.
When should classic movies be remade? Only when there’s a good reason to do so — or maybe simply when a director can pull it off. The original "King Kong," despite it landmark status, is obviously limited by the fairly primitive special effects technology of its time. Stephen Spielberg’s eye-popping version of "War of the Worlds" also updated the memorable 1953 version in a complementary way.
It’s fun to see directors of this caliber pay respectful homage to classics arguably in need of a fresh interpretation.
Some movie icons, though, seem untouchable: "The Wizard of Oz," say, or "Gone with the Wind." Directors go there at their peril.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
More news that should raised concerns among Americans who care about privacy and personal rights: President Bush secretly authorized in 2002 to allow the National Security Agency to monitor international telephone calls and international e-mail messages of Americans and others inside the United States without court-approved warrants, The New York Times reported. Defenders say the surveillance has been a critical tool in helping disrupt terrorist plots and prevent attacks inside the United States, The Times reported. But what about constitutional protections? And shouldn’t the government at least have to get a court’s approval?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Harvey County narrowly approved an advisory vote Friday supporting casino gambling. And if a KWCH, Channel 12, scientific survey proves accurate, voters in Sumner and Marion counties will also back casinos when their mail-in ballots are counted this week. But will it matter? Not if many of our state lawmakers can help it. They’ve made it clear that they don’t care what the public thinks on this issue, and even a vote of the people is unlikely to change their minds.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Fire hats off to Wichita and Sedgwick County for taking a first step last week toward merging their fire departments. We’d like to see full consolidation of the two governments, but realize that is a tougher sell, as Topeka and Shawnee County found out last week. Even though 59 percent of voters favored consolidating those two governments, the proposed merger failed Thursday because it required that a majority of Shawnee County voters who live outside Topeka support it (and only 40 percent did).
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
