Scientists recently reported progress in developing an invisibility cloak, a la Harry Potter.
It got me thinking: Who could most benefit from a cloaking device?
No doubt disgraced predator Rep. Mark Foley wishes he had an invisibility cloak about now.
In terms of overexposure, I think Fred Phelps needs a cloak. Give one to Paris Hilton, too.
Any other ideas about who should get an invisibility cloak? Other practical applications?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
If you think things have gotten nasty in the Kansas attorney general race, take a look around. Attack ads airing in the rest of the country make Phill Kline and Paul Morrison seem like old fishing buddies.
The Washington Post reports that this year, political ads are going way beyond negative, completely abandoning issues in favor of casting opponents as moral degenerates. The story includes some pretty outrageous examples.
The Post notes that the majority of such ads are coming from the GOP, which this year finds itself with a record that is not particularly inspiring.
“You’re going to see more of this sensational, off-the-wall stuff,” one expert said. “If you get people disgusted, they might withdraw from politics, and that’s the real goal these days.”
Posted by Dave Knadler
Given that some in Washington, D.C., already are looking past Nov. 7 to 2008, it’s not surprising that some in Wichita are focused not on the fall elections but on the spring municipal races, particularly for mayor. Two-term City Council member Carl Brewer all but said last week that he’s running for mayor, and he has appointed a campaign treasurer. That should make for interesting council meetings, which already have been tense at times since some members went public with criticism of Mayor Carlos Mayans’ eccentric and often divisive leadership style. With all that the city’s engaged in — WaterWalk, arena parking, troubled attractions, etc. — there should be plenty to debate in the races for mayor and three council seats. Bring them on.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
‘SWIFT BOAT’ GROUP SAYS KLINE AD GOES TOO FAR; GOP Attack Group Says Even It Has Standards
MAYOR MAYANS OPENS FOOD-FIGHT THEME RESTAURANT DOWNTOWN; Invites City Council Members to Opening — City Manager Kolb Unveils Plan for Rival Eatery: George’s Place
WATERWALK LANDS HAZ-MAT BUSINESS TO TREAT POLLUTED DIRT AT SITE; Firm ‘Thrilled’ to Be Part of Development
COWTOWN HIRES GUNFIGHT RE-ENACTOR AS NEW DIRECTOR; Man Falls Over and Plays Dead During First Board Meeting
Posted by Randy Scholfield
David P. Rundle, a freelance journalist who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, had a column our Opinion pages last Sunday about how disability issues should be part of evaluating candidates. He argues that services to the disabled are important both financially (it’s cheaper to provide in-home care than put people in nursing homes or state hospitals) and morally (it says who we are as a society).
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is also trying to draw attention to the disabled. Its new initiative promotes the hiring of persons with disabilities into civil service jobs. The number of federal employees with severe disabilities has declined from a high of 31,337 workers in 1994 to 24,086 in 2005.
The 1973 Rehabilitation Act banned discrimination against people with disabilities in federal hiring. EEOC Commissioner Christine Griffin challenged federal agencies, “Congress directed the federal government to set the example for all other employers. Our example needs improvement.”
Posted by Angie Holladay
