Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has long been vocal among governors in noting the risk of the Iraq war to National Guard readiness at home. That concern has come home in recent days with the confluence of the Greensburg tornado, other deadly storms and flooding around the state. On Sunday in Greensburg, Sebelius said that half of the Kansas National Guard’s Humvee and flat-bed trucks are in Iraq. "Not having the National Guard equipment is really going to hamper this effort to rebuild," she said. She also has been forceful in the past in saying the Pentagon should replace the dump trucks, front loaders and the like that went to Iraq and likely aren’t coming back. Some will see this as a Democratic governor criticizing a Republican administration, but it’s fair for the Kansas governor to think Kansas National Guard equipment ought to be available when Kansas needs it.
By the way, how appalling that four Fort Riley soldiers and a reserve police officer — among those entrusted with safeguarding the ruins — were arrested for looting cigarettes and alcohol. Sadly, such tragedies always seem to bring out the worst as well as the best in human nature.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It wasn’t Nicolas Sarkozy’s fondness for America that got him elected French president, though improved relations between our countries will be welcome. Rather, the conservative candidate won because the majority of French people finally realized, "C’est l’economie, stupide" — or "It’s the economy, stupid." Sarkozy wants to boost France’s lagging economy and lower its high unemployment by cutting taxes, reducing deficits and government subsidies, and loosening France’s strict labor laws. But what has even many of his supporters worried is how authoritarian Sarkozy will be on immigration and other social issues.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The Internet can be a threatening place for women, according to a Washington Post article, which found many women reporting online harassment and sexual threats.
In response, “women have censored themselves, turned to private forums or closed comments on blogs. Many use gender-neutral pseudonyms. Some just gut it out. But the effect of repeated harassment, bloggers and experts interviewed said, is to make women reluctant to participate online — undercutting the promise of the Internet as an egalitarian forum.”
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay. President Bush isn’t very interested in closing the facility, even though some of his closest allies, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have advised it. But as a recent New York Times editorial noted, the facility is “an ugly stain on this country’s long tradition of respect for the rule of law and an endless propaganda bonanza for America’s enemies.”
Posted by Patrice Hein
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said she might push again next legislative session for a hike in state cigarette taxes.
She’s right to try. It’s hard to dismiss the logic of a tobacco tax as a way to both reduce smoking and fund health care initiatives.
In 2004, Sebelius attempted to raise the cigarette tax by 50 cents to $1.29 a pack, but the measure went nowhere.
State Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia — a doctor — said last week that the tobacco tax isn’t a reliable source of revenue.
But that’s not true, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which points out that every state that has significantly raised its cigarette tax has enjoyed “substantial increases in state revenue,” even accounting for fewer smokers, smuggling, tax evasion and other factors.
Sebelius thinks the growing pressure for health care reform will bring lawmakers back to the issue.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
One of Hillary Clinton’s staunch supporters says that her campaign people are using an “iron first instead of a velvet glove,” according to Patrick Healy of the New York Times. He said the Clinton campaign is going to have to use a lighter approach against the “silky” Barack Obama.
After Clinton’s eight years as a vocal and demonstrative first lady and six years in the Senate, the American people should know by now that any velvet gloves might just be covering brass knuckles.
Posted by Patrice Hein
The Wichita Eagle reported that Sen. Sam Brownback gave a “follow your dreams” speech to a group of Girl Scouts. The Scouts, in return, made him an honorary member of the Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains Council.
Now, do you suppose Brownback will have to live up to the Girl Scout Law? It states, in part, “I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place. . . .”
Maybe we should make all politicians honorary Girl Scouts.
Posted by Patrice Hein
