Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is taking heat from Republicans for saying Thursday that the war in Iraq is "lost" militarily and can only be resolved through political, diplomatic and economic means. That was a harsh assessment by a top official who needs to watch his words. But is it that much different from statements by U.S. generals that the war can’t be won militarily? Do you think the war is already lost?
Meanwhile, his House counterpart, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was slammed by Republicans for traveling to Syria earlier this month, said that President Bush told her privately Thursday that he didn’t criticize her trip. Huh?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
It’s too bad that the Wichita State University cheer squad had to forfeit its national title. But it turns out that the eligibility violation was no innocent mistake, as several had claimed. WSU says it told the squad not to compete in the finals of the competition when it learned that the team included a member who wasn’t enrolled in the university. But the squad competed anyway; then its advisers and some squad members told WSU that the ineligible person didn’t participate. But video of the winning performance obtained by WSU showed that the person did compete. Appropriately, the coach has already announced his resignation (though he says it wasn’t because of the violation and lying) and the adviser is no longer with WSU.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Defense Secretary Robert Gates apparently isn’t on board with President Bush’s months-long talking point that any discussion about withdrawing U.S. troops aids the enemy and undercuts our troops.
Gates still thinks a timetable would be a mistake. “But I think the debate itself, and I think the strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetable . . . probably has had a positive impact — at least I hope it has in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment,” Gates told reporters this week.
Maybe he should give the president that message.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
President Bush threatened to tighten economic sanctions and issue new ones if Sudan’s leadership does not do more to stop the violence in Darfur, Associated Press reported. It’s about time.
“The world needs to act,” Bush said. “If President al-Bashir does not meet his obligations, the United States of America will act.”
The world does need to act. The starvation, disease and atrocities in Darfur should not be allowed to continue. One of the primary purposes of the United Nations is the maintenance of international peace and security. It should take action now, and more countries should step up to help the United Nations do its job.
Posted by Patrice Hein
The Kansas Supreme Court will hear a challenge next week to the 3-year-old Lawrence ban on smoking in public establishments. The appeal argues that the ban illegally supersedes state law and is unconstitutionally vague.
What could this mean for other cities in Kansas with similar laws?
“The authority they all are drawing from is the same authority, and if the court rules against Lawrence, they are potentially ruling against other ordinances,” said Don Moler, the League of Kansas Municipalities’ executive director.
Change may be coming, and it smells a bit stale. What do you think about smoking bans?
Posted by Ross Stewart
What a relief to see the Wichita police union reach a tentative agreement with the city on a three-year contract, one that would give union members 4 percent annual raises through 2009 and reportedly not require a tax increase. The dispute led to out-of-town mediation and four contractless months, as it reflected badly on city leadership, but what counts is that a resolution is at hand, pending union members’ approval next week.
Posted by Rhonda Holman