It turns out the Republicans’ first move as a minority in the Senate was to dip into the past, by electing Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., as minority whip. He will serve as the second to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who was unanimously elected as minority leader to replace the retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. Why McConnell would want a former majority leader breathing down his neck is a mystery. Lott, of course, gave up his leadership job in 2002 after suggesting at Strom Thurmond’s 100th birthday party that the nation would have been better off if then-segregationist Thurmond had won the presidency in 1948.
The election of these unequivocally partisan leaders hardly suggests the Republicans are ready to reach out to the other side. Then again, Senate Democrats are sticking with their sometimes caustic leadership team, too — Harry Reid of Nevada will be majority leader, and Dick Durbin of Illinois will be majority whip.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It’s always best not to comment on interviews one has not seen and books one has not read, so let’s just focus on what we do know about O.J. Simpson’s latest foray into the limelight — the title:
“If I Did It, Here’s How it Happened.”
What could “It” be? Just a guess, but maybe a cash-strapped O.J. has decided to cash in with a coy interview and book about the savage 1994 murders of his wife and her boyfriend. Then again, maybe it’s just a poignant look at the difficulties of being a single dad.
The Fox network is kicking things off with an interview airing over two nights; the book goes on sale the next day, Nov. 30.
If you’re eager to watch O.J. squirm under pointed questioning about DNA evidence and the crime of the decade, don’t be. The interview will be conducted by his publisher, Judith Regan.
Posted by Dave Knadler
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., wasn’t on the ballot last week, but the election results will have the dramatic effect of demoting him from chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to, presumably, its ranking minority member. Many will cheer that development, having concluded that Roberts is nothing but a White House water carrier on the long-overdue assessment of what went wrong on the prewar intelligence in Iraq, as well as other matters. But count on Roberts to remain an outspoken voice on the panel, which is so crucial to defending the nation against terrorists. And expect the change to be one of many that Kansans will see imposed on their still-GOP-heavy delegation in Washington, D.C., now that power has shifted to the left.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
In a country as politically and culturally split as ours, it meant a lot to see people of all colors and beliefs come together this week to dedicate the site of a memorial to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. When the memorial opens in 2008, Americans will be able to connect with the legacy and life of the great civil rights leader in a special place near the steps where he gave his “I have a dream” speech. That’s a fitting and needed tribute. The nation and world demonstrate every day that they have yet to learn his lessons of tolerance and nonviolence.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
EAST WICHITA STREETS DECLARED A FEDERAL DISASTER AREA; Motorists Advised to Carry Water, Emergency Food Supplies
POLICE TASER SUPERINTENDENT WINSTON BROOKS AT SRO MEETING; School District, Police Negotiations on Security Officers Reach Impasse
PRESERVATION BOARD VOTES TO RAZE COUNTY COMMISSION BUILDING; Calls Decision ‘Best Way to Protect City’s Historic Buildings’
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Talk about taking Christ out of Christmas.
The Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign in Los Angeles has decided to turn down a donation of 4,000 dolls, on the grounds that the $20 dolls look like Jesus and quote Scripture.
“We can’t take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family,” said Bill Grein, an executive with Toys for Tots.
Perhaps not content with igniting a month’s worth of talk-radio harangues, Grein went on to add: “Kids want a gift for the holiday season that is fun.”
Posted by Dave Knadler
Americans are not only seeing call centers and manufacturing outsourced, but increasingly are outsourcing their own health care as well — some 500,000 did so last year alone. They are turning to hospitals in less expensive countries for cosmetic surgery and other types of care. Hospitals in New Delhi, Bangkok and other places are creating a network for “medical tourists,” often offering high-quality care at a fraction of what U.S. hospitals and doctors charge.
The risks are obvious to those considering the venture: differences in culture and communication, lack of family support, travel issues and the possible surgical complications. Do the costs and availability of comparable care in the United States really make such risks acceptable?
Posted by Angie Holladay
