As the tally of U.S. military deaths in Iraq officially went over the 2,500 mark Wednesday, White House press secretary Tony Snow said “it’s a number” and that “one of the things the president has said is that these people will not die in vain.” That’s about two deaths a day, or 64 a month. Perhaps 40,000 Iraqis have died in the same three-year war.
Meanwhile, members of the House had a heated and partisan debate today over the merits and direction of the war — with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., calling it “a grotesque mistake” and GOP members fiercely defending it as crucial to the fight against terrorism. For all their talk, lawmakers show a regrettable lack of interest in working together for what every American surely wants — to get out of Iraq.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Kansas City Star noted that 7 of 20 (actually, we count 19) major candidates for statewide office this year are either from Johnson County or have strong ties to it. That’s not so surprising, given that it’s now the state’s most populous county, having surpassed Sedgwick County as of the 2000 census. And Wichita can claim one of those same seven if it wants: Mark Parkinson, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ running mate, grew up here. Beyond that, though, Sedgwick County is represented by a mere two: Sen. Susan Wagle, running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Jim Barnett of Emporia, and Robert Beattie, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state.
Yes, winning would mean moving to Topeka — a deterrent for some dedicated down-staters. But shouldn’t any county with nearly half a million residents aspire to be better represented in its state’s top jobs?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
The Legislature’s recent attempt to reform Kansas’ overly restrictive wine laws is sure to leave a bad taste in many wine lovers’ mouths: Instead of allowing direct shipments of out-of-state wine to consumers, as was the intent, the new law requires shipments to be sent to a local liquor retailer, who will add a nifty fee — up to $5. For this inconvenience and added cost, thank the Kansas Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association, which convinced some lawmakers that home shipments could allow minors to order wine.
It’s highly unlikely, however, that underage drinkers would order cases of wine or be caught discussing the relative merits of pinot noir versus merlot. Besides, a majority of states, including Missouri, have been allowing direct shipments without any apparent problems.
State Sen. Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe, is probably right that lawmakers will have to fix the law once consumers start complaining.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Give President Bush his due for his bold surprise visit to Baghdad, which was something of a victory lap and confidence-building event after the killing of al-Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
The lightning visit and a high-profile Iraq strategy session before the trip were effective political theater, but they also signal some important policy changes, including a new plan to lock down and secure Baghdad — no mean feat in a city of 6 million, but essential to restoring order in the country — and a public shifting of authority to Iraq’s new government.
Still, that Bush had to keep his visit so secret until the last minute, even from his Iraqi hosts, indicates just how dangerous Iraq remains.
If securing Baghdad works to any degree — and that’s a big if — it could at least allow the new government to come out of the heavily fortified Green Zone, which would a huge symbolic step forward.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
The Kansas State Board of Education’s 6-4 approval Wednesday of a new sexual education policy for Kansas public schools upset some advocates of comprehensive sex education, because the policy’s wording emphasizes “abstinence until marriage.” To others, the policy will look like a reasonable compromise, though, because it also calls for kids to be given information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases. And consider where the debate started earlier this year — with conservative board member Kathy Martin wanting to mandate that schools teach “abstinence only” sex ed or lose accreditation, on the heels of the board’s misguided decision that sex ed instruction require parental permission. At least this policy is a guideline. Surely districts can make it work, so that children get essential health information along with the abstinence message.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
A lot of Democrats out there were crushed to learn that Bush adviser Karl Rove wouldn’t be charged in the CIA leak case. But Walter Shapiro argues that a Rove indictment probably wouldn’t have made much difference at the polls anyway. And maybe Rove isn’t as big a political threat as once believed. Shapiro writes, “Rove was not exactly doing hard time on a federal rock pile when Bush’s popularity plunged to around 35 percent. It was Rove’s handiwork to make Social Security privatization the signature issue of Bush’s second term. The disastrous fate of that political gambit, combined with the Iraq war, turned Bush into a lame-duck president before his time. As a political strategist, Rove runs the gamut of issues from A (national security) to B (tax cuts). Six years into his tenure in the White House, Rove may be running on empty, just like the president whom he serves.”
Posted by Melissa Cooley
In his re-election bid, Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., is thinking of adopting a campaign strategy similar to that of some Kansas moderates. With his primary challenger gaining ground, Lieberman is considering collecting signatures to get on the November ballot as an independent. If Lieberman loses the primary to Christopher Kukk, he would then have one day to turn in 7,500 signatures to enter the general election as an unaffiliated candidate. Although collecting signatures before the primary would be a sign of weakness and could alienate Democrats, Lieberman may consider it a risk worth taking. He may know what the Republican-turned-Democrats in Kansas know: You can’t win if you aren’t on the November ballot.
Posted by Melissa Cooley
