Daily Archives: March 31, 2006

Open thread

March 31, 200612:16 p.m.
By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (74)

Move over, Hester Prynne

March 31, 200612:16 p.m.

"Anybody that votes for an amnesty bill deserves to be branded with a scarlet letter, ‘A’ for amnesty, and they need to pay for it at the ballot box in November," Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, ranted at a House Republican gathering Thursday. But the Senate immigration bill — which Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., supports — seems a reasonable balance between dealing with security concerns and with the reality that we are not going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. Nor could our economy handle that. The bill would increase border enforcement and penalties for employers who hire illegal workers. And in order to become a U.S. citizens, current immigrants would have to be here 11 years, have a clean record and a steady job, pay a $2,000 fine and back taxes, and understand English and U.S. civics.
As Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., noted: "This word ‘amnesty’ is a code word. It is a code word to try to smear good-faith legislation."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (37)

No war on chaplains

March 31, 200612:09 a.m.

Some religious conservatives are claiming that military chaplains aren’t allowed to pray in Jesus’ name. But, no surprise, that’s way overstated.
The policy announced last month asks that chaplains give nonsectarian prayers in “command functions” in which soldiers of many faiths are encouraged or required to attend. It doesn’t apply to religious services or other functions. Sounds reasonable. But some conservatives in Congress are asking for — and religious broadcasters are demanding — a presidential order guaranteeing the right of chaplains to pray in the name of Jesus.
Such an order is not needed and is based on “confusion and misinformation,” the Rev. Herman Keizer Jr., chairman of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces, which represents more than 70 percent of military chaplains, told The Washington Post. “This has been portrayed as though chaplains are not allowed to pray in Jesus’ name, without any distinction between what they do all the time in worship services and what they do occasionally, in ceremonial settings where attendance is mandatory,” Keizer said.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (23)

Adults-only video games should be only for adults

March 31, 200612:07 a.m.

Most adults probably assumed that video stores are already prohibited from selling or renting to minors games rated “mature” and “adults only.” They’re not. To his credit, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., hopes to change that by encouraging state legislatures to pass restrictions. But a bill proposed by state Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, to ban such sales to minors hasn’t even had a committee hearing this session. Why not?
In the end, of course, it’s up to parents to act like parents and not let their children play inappropriate video games. And, no, playing a violent video game doesn’t mean that a teen will go on a shooting rampage. But it is reasonable and responsible to expect that games rated for adults only are sold only to adults.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (24)

Get the details right now on anti-picketing bill, or pay later

March 31, 200612:03 a.m.

Maybe any legislation aimed at curbing the appalling protests of military funerals by Fred Phelps’ clan would invite legal challenges on free speech grounds, no matter the details. Still, it’s regrettable that the Kansas House’s unanimously passed measure neglected the Senate’s more thoughtful language. As negotiators try to reconcile the House’s 300-yard buffer and the Senate’s 100-yard buffer, as well as other differences, they should be sensitive to what lawmakers’ zeal to limit these protests could end up costing taxpayers later in legal fees. And they can consider themselves warned by Shirley Phelps-Roper, Phelps’ daughter: “The U.S. Supreme Court has spoken on this issue, and they can’t put us out of sight and sound of our targeted audience. If they don’t like what they see, they need to drink a frosty mug of shut-the-hell-up and avert their eyes.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (60)

Selective time management at Legislature

March 31, 200612:01 a.m.

Both The Eagle and the Lawrence Journal-World have done articles this week about the Kansas Chamber of Commerce’s new push, including full-page newspaper ads, for legislation to prevent Kansas from becoming “a hotbed for frivolous asbestos lawsuits.” Even the chamber notes these suits aren’t a problem in Kansas. Some have wondered if Wichita’s Koch Industries — which recently purchased Georgia-Pacific, a defendant in several asbestos lawsuits — is behind the effort (chamber president S. Lewis Ebert denies any connection).
Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, couldn’t help but be struck by the contrast between the attention given this bill and the inattention given one taking Wal-Mart to task over its employee benefits. “Let me get this straight: We don’t have time for a bill that would have told Wal-Mart to quit dumping its employees’ health insurance on the state? But we do have time for a bill that as far as anybody knows doesn’t affect anybody in Kansas?” Ruff marveled to the Journal-World.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (6)