Daily Archives: Feb. 11, 2007

Open thread

Feb. 11, 20071:04 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (63)

Is a war with Iran coming?

Feb. 11, 20071:03 a.m.

Amid the debate about a Senate nonbinding resolution on the troop “surge” in Iraq, there’s growing speculation in the media about whether the United States is heading toward armed confrontation with Iran. Is President Bush determined to take out Iran’s nuclear program on his watch?
“War with Iran would be a catastrophe that would make us look back fondly on the minor inconvenience of being bogged down in Iraq,” argues James Fallows in the Atlantic. Stopping this debacle is far more important, he argues, than the debate over a surge in Iraq — and Congress has more leverage in this case to make a difference.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Foreign affairs | Comments (125)

Putting the ’social’ in social conservative?

Feb. 11, 20071:02 a.m.

It is no point of pride that four Sedgwick County lawmakers are in the top 10 for receiving lobbyist largesse in 2006, including list-topping Rep. Joe McLeland, R-Wichita (pictured). His $2,786 included meals, golf rounds, tickets and small gifts; other attention-getting area legislators were second-place Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, and seventh-place Rep. Brenda Landwehr and 10th-place Mario Goico, both Wichita Republicans.
The regular Wichita-area delegation lunches account for some, but certainly not all, of the higher reporting numbers, as do committee assignments and other varying responsibilities. But clearly, some lawmakers simply eat up the free goodies far more than others.
What caught our imagination, though, was this part of an Associated Press report: “Sedgwick County legislators also have a reputation for being sophisticates, at least when it comes to having wine with dinner — which significantly increases the cost of a meal.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (49)

Another place for bikers to rally?

Feb. 11, 20071:01 a.m.

It’s understandable that Big Dog Motorcycles has decided not to hold its Tornado Rally this June — the event got too big for the company to handle, and the crowds were too much for its block of East Douglas, blocking access to nearby businesses.
But Wichita tourism officials should find a different venue and a willing event sponsor that could continue the success of this popular motorcycle rally, which drew 30,000 people last year.
This is precisely the kind of authentic, homegrown event that could attract thousands of visitors to Wichita and pump a lot of money into the local economy.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Wichita events | Comments (8)

Bring the brownstones to College Hill

Feb. 11, 20071:00 a.m.

It’s great news that College Hill is going to get a major new residential development — one of the largest in the city’s history — near Douglas and Hillside at the old state office building site.
That run-down building was a longtime eyesore and embarrassment. The new plan, which includes some 50 brownstone condos and a 12-story tower, was made possible by tax increment financing approved last week by the City Council.
It’s a wise community investment in a distinctive and historic Wichita neighborhood and a prime redevelopment site.
Combined with the handsome new development at Central and Hillside, this project will give the west side of College Hill an exciting new lease on life.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Wichita government | Comments (46)