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Daily Archives: Jan. 10, 2007
Bush faces skeptical public on Iraq
Jan. 10, 200712:30 p.m.
President Bush will face a very skeptical nation tonight when he gives his speech on a new plan for Iraq: A full 76 percent of Americans don’t think he has developed a clear plan for Iraq, according to a new CBS poll, and 72 percent aren’t confident of his judgment to make the right decisions about Iraq.
That’s an overwhelming vote of "no confidence" in the commander in chief’s leadership.
As our editorial today argues, Bush has his work cut out for him in making the case for troop escalation. The American public is in a grim and skeptical mood.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Do ‘Sebelius’ and ‘daring’ go together?
Jan. 10, 200712:28 p.m.
Setting up Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ fifth State of the State speech tonight, the Kansas City Star’s Steve Kraske wrote, "On that night we’ll find out something interesting: Is she a Clintonesque incrementalist who nibbles at the edges of big issues with important, yet relatively small, policy proposals? Or can she make a pitch for something grander — a signature issue, if you will — with a daring call for a sweeping policy initiative? Two areas, it seems to me, are fertile ground: health care and energy policy." Our Sunday editorial encouraged the guv not to hold back, either, but we’re not holding our breath.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Bush positioning for a fight
Jan. 10, 200712:25 p.m.
The new White House counsel, Fred Fielding (in photo), is steeped in such work, having also served as President Reagan’s top lawyer and John Dean’s deputy in the Nixon White House. Observers say this choice to replace Harriet Miers is strategically defensive, because the Democratic Congress has promised to subpoena White House documents and Fielding knows well how to resist such congressional probing. But by choosing another in a long line of old GOP soldiers, George Bush again looks less like the first president of the 21st century than the last of the 20th.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Maybe Journey needs a good spanking
Jan. 10, 20071:03 a.m.
State Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville, has already launched a strong contender for silliest legislation of the year: a bill that would give schools legal cover to spank students. Journey said he recalls the threat of spanking being a deterrent back in his wayward student days.
That might be so, but it’s still a dumb idea to revive, because schools don’t want it. The vast majority of teachers and principals wouldn’t want to touch this with a 10-foot paddle.
Journey says school officials would be required to get the permission of parents to spank. Here’s a better idea: Let parents spank their kids at home if they want to. There are better, safer ways to discipline kids at school.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Council’s surprise vote on Wal-Mart
Jan. 10, 20071:02 a.m.
The conventional wisdom was that the Wichita City Council would rubber-stamp a proposal by Wal-Mart to build a Supercenter at Kellogg and Oliver, over lingering objections from some in the neighborhood.
But the council majority surprised many people Tuesday by rejecting the plan (with Mayor Carlos Mayans and Vice Mayor Paul Gray supporting it), saying Wal-Mart hadn’t done enough to meet the objections of neighbors.
The vote could mean no Wal-Mart at this site, or a better deal for residents from the retail giant.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Obama’s current vice is legal, but . . .
Jan. 10, 20071:01 a.m.
As you bloggers have noted, another chink in the armor of possible presidential contender Barak Obama is that he smokes. The way American society has come to demonize cigarettes, this might bother some voters as evidence of a flawed character. Or does it enhance the Illinois Democratic senator’s appeal, in the same way that Hollywood still depicts smokers as interesting and glamorous?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
No need for term limits in Topeka
Jan. 10, 20071:00 a.m.
Why does the 2007 Legislature retain only 24 representatives and four senators from the 1996 session? In a Topeka Capital-Journal article, some said the turnover is welcome evidence of a healthy “citizen Legislature” and, when lawmakers aren’t re-elected, of engaged voters. Others point to the comparatively low pay, business pressures, inflexible schedules, family responsibilities and, for some, onerous commutes. “It’s a burdensome lifestyle,” said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence. “Term limits? We have them.” Still, leadership can take a while to germinate.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
