I guess it’s nice to know that airlines are paying attention to the “no-fly” list, but hassling old people and preschoolers does seem a bit ridiculous. Four-year-old Edward Allen had trouble boarding planes last month because he apparently shares his name with a suspected terrorist. But putting up with some hassling at the ticket counter is nothing to what some people are willing to put up with in the name of fighting terror. Judging from Opinion Line comments, some are even willing to give the president unchecked power to go through the underwear drawers of whomever he wants. I’m baffled as to why people suddenly think that politicians can be trusted. Looking at the track records of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, I think it’d be a better bet to give the unchecked powers to airline ticket agents.
Posted by Melissa Cooley
If opinion poll numbers today translate into official poll numbers in November, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius can order the champagne now: A recent Survey USA poll assessing the statewide support for each of the 50 governors found Sebelius tied for 15th place (with the governors of Oklahoma and Hawaii) with a 62 percent approval rating and a 33 percent disapproval rating. That’s not Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell’s 77 percent approval, but neither is it ethically challenged Ohio Gov. Bob Taft’s 80 percent disapproval.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
During a visit to McPherson last month, Kansas Education Commissioner Bob Corkins said he’d been astounded to learn of the innovative programs under way in school districts across the state. His reaction isn’t surprising, given how little experience he’d had with public schools before being inexplicably hired to oversee them for the state last fall. If Corkins — who loves to talk about school vouchers and other means of giving parents choices — wants to learn more, he might drop by USD 259′s 17th annual Choices Fair, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Century II Exhibition Hall. It’s a noisy showcase of the district’s wide variety of magnet, alternative and special schools and programs, and an instant lesson in how many choices Wichita parents already have for their kids.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The credibility of the United Nations is on the line as negotiators meet this week to try to finalize the creation of a U.N. Human Rights Council. The new council would replace the current Human Rights Commission, which has become Exhibit A in “What’s wrong with the United Nations” — as human-rights abusers Cuba, Sudan and Zimbabwe serve on the commission, and it was chaired by Libya in 2003. Such crucial details as the size of the council and how its members are chosen are still unresolved. Opposition reportedly is being led by two of our allies in the war on terrorism: Egypt and Pakistan. Why is that not surprising?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The number of active business prospects for the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition went from nine at the beginning of 2004, to 25 at the start of last year, to 43 this year. That growth is encouraging, as is the coalition’s success in helping add and retain nearly 2,600 jobs in south-central Kansas last year — even though many of those new jobs pay less than the metropolitan wage average. Add in Boeing Co. setting a record last year with 1,002 net orders of commercial jets, and projections of strong sales growth in the general aviation industry, and Wichita’s economic outlook for 2006 is bright.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
