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Open thread 6/14
- By Phillip Brownlee
- Posted June 14, 2007 at 1:05 a.m.
- Filed under Open thread
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103 Comments
Why can’t the Eagle do much research on how one guy can buy Kansas politics?
http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/06/why_is_tiller_c.html#c72693832
Perhaps because the person who does most of these stories is Dion Lefler who can’t even figure out how to do a Google search. Hey, that’s kinda like you who doesn’t know the difference between a state and federal PAC. Keep trying, you may get some credibility some day.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts208.html
The Criminal Career of Rudy Giulianiby Paul Craig Roberts
DIGG THISRepublican magazines have begun their pimp operations for the GOP’s 2008 presidential candidates.In a recent issue of National Review, Jennifer Rubin, described as “a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.,” pumps up Rudolph Giuliani as “America’s mayor” and “America’s prosecutor.”Giuliani is a media creation. Giuliani was unknown until in search of name recognition he staged a stormtrooper assault on the financial firm Princeton/Newport involving fifty federal marshals outfitted with automatic weapons and bulletproof vests. On another occasion he had two New York investment bankers hauled off their trading floor in handcuffs.Giuliani’s victims had done nothing and were exonerated. But Giuliani’s media stunts served to turn public sentiment against white-collar defendants.Giuliani once bragged that by giving negative treatment to his targets, “the media does the job for me.” Giuliani certainly had no difficulty manipulating Wall Street Journal reporters James B. Stewart, Daniel Hertzberg and Laurie Cohen or The Predators’ Ball author Connie Bruck. Milken, who had done nothing except make a lot of money by proving Wall Street wrong about non-investment grade bonds, was branded the “Cosa Nostra of the securities world.”Milken’s “junk bonds” financed such household names as CNN, Barnes & Noble, Stone Container Corporation, Time-Warner, Safeway, and Mattel. Milken provided capital to companies with promising futures that lacked investment-grade credit rankings. Milken operated out of Los Angeles, not Wall Street. His earnings and those of his upstart firm, Drexel Burnham Lambert, aroused envy and hatred among the Wall Street hot shots. Milken failed to use his money to purchase political protection in Washington. Instead, he gave his money to organizations that help poor black children.Milken was set up perfectly for an ambitious and unscrupulous prosecutor like Giuliani.Giuliani leaked to his media pimps that a 98-count indictment was coming down against Milken. As Milken had done nothing and Giuliani had no case against him, Giuliani’s strategy was to coerce Milken into a plea bargain. When Milken failed to send his attorneys to work out a plea arrangement, Giuliani used Laurie Cohen to report eighteen times in the Wall Street Journal that Milken would imminently face an expanded superseding indictment of between 160 and 300 counts.To increase the pressure on Milken, prosecutors threatened to indict Milken’s younger brother, Lowell, unless Milken made a plea deal. US Attorney General Dick Thornburgh quipped to his deputies: “A brother for a brother.” Afterwards, Giuliani’s assistant US attorney, John Carroll, told Seton Hall Law School students in April 1992 that Lowell Milken was a “sort of ready chip in the negotiations.” Giuliani even went so far as to send FBI agents to hound Milken’s 92-year old grandfather.Milken’s attorneys concluded that Giuliani, lacking any case, was far out on a limb and desperate for a face-saving plea. They worked out a plea to six minor technical offenses that had never carried any prison time. But Giuliani was determined to have his victim, and Milken was double-crossed by sentencing judge, Kimba “Bimbo” Wood, and spent two years of his life in prison.Giuliani’s assistant US attorney John Carroll later bragged to Seton Hall Law students that in the Milken case “we’re guilty of criminalizing technical offenses. . . . Many of the prosecution theories we used were novel. Many of the statutes that we charged under . . . hadn’t been charged as crimes before. . . . We’re looking to find the next areas of conduct that meets any sort of statutory definition of what criminal conduct is.”It is a damning indication of the collapse of American law that an assistant US attorney can be well received when he brags to law school students that federal prosecutors frame Americans with novel interpretations that create ex post facto law and violate mens rea – no crime without intent – the foundation of the Anglo-American legal system.In his book, Payback: The Conspiracy to Destroy Michael Milken and His Financial Revolution, University of Chicago law professor and dean Daniel Fischel proves Milken’s innocence. But when prosecutors are corrupt, innocence is no protection.Giuliani’s crimes were not limited to Milken and Princeton/Newport. After investigating, I concluded that Giuliani framed Leona Helmsley with the suborned perjury of one of Helmsley’s accountants, whose own infraction in helping to defraud the Miller Brewing Company was dropped in exchange for false witness against Helmsley.I wrote about Helmsley’s frame-up in National Review, and my story was picked up by one of the TV shows of the era. Both Alan Dershowitz and Robert Bork share my conviction that Helmsley was framed with suborned perjury.Today National Review is a Giuliani partisan, as is the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal. During Giuliani’s “white-collar crime heyday,” the Wall Street Journal editorial page was busy exposing Giuliani’s duplicity and misuse of the media to create cases against innocent targets.Giuliani rode his prosecutions of the rich to the NYC mayoralty, just as he rode 9/11 to become a GOP presidential candidate. Giuliani’s career never served justice; it served his personal ambition, his ego. That a person so short on integrity could become a candidate for president is a damning indictment of the US political system.
The EAGLE’s business section this morning contains an attention catching banner advertisement by a local accounting firm. It contains images of 37 of the relatively new “helical” light bulbs shaped like a coiled spring. These bulbs offer more light for less electricity … good for our environment.
Now the bad news. A warning is shown on those bulb packages … WARNING THIS BULB CONTAINS MERCURY. The older incandescent bulbs DO NOT contain mercury, a dangerous chemical to our environment.
The problem is, as these bulbs burn out, uninformed consumers will dispose of these mercury laden bulbs in their regular trash. Trash will end up in landfills with potential to leach down into the water table below. This water will ultimately get into the drinking water of some municipality, possibly YOURS.
One of my helical coiled spring light bulbs burned out last week. Was it 40 watts of light for 10 watts of electricity?
I took it to Sedgwick County’s Household Hazardous Waste Building located at 801 S. Stillwell, not far southwest of downtown Wichita. In fact, it is located one long block south of West High School in the Sedgwick County complex … telephone 660-7464.
I discussed the disposal of these bulbs with one of their technicians. He said “Yes,” they do send these bulbs in specially prepared containers to a disposal facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
“No,” consumers can’t ride along with their burned out helical coiled bulb for a free trip to Arizona in winter months.
So how many accountants, disposal technicians, transportation employees and final recycling people does it take to dispose of one of these new bulbs?
Ah…the Democratic party sheeples are back in full force. Once again recognized as the party of rancor.
And the American People actually thought they got over those days.
Think again.
The mistaken emphasis on the military (hard diplomacy) use.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070613/us_nm/security_usa_extremism_dc;_ylt=AqYTPoPB2D50pb5vRmyht.Gs0NUE
Religious extremists in 3 faiths share views: report
By Claudia Parsons Wed Jun 13, 5:49 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Violent Muslim, Christian and Jewish extremists invoke the same rhetoric of “good” and “evil” and the best way to fight them is to tackle the problems that drive people to extremism, according to a report obtained by Reuters.
It said extremists from each of the three faiths often have tangible grievances — social, economic or political — but they invoke religion to recruit followers and to justify breaking the law, including killing civilians and members of their own faith.
The report was commissioned by security think tank EastWest Institute ahead of a conference on Thursday in New York titled “Towards a Common Response: New Thinking Against Violent Extremism and Radicalization.” The report will be updated and published after the conference.
The authors compared ideologies, recruitment tactics and responses to violent religious extremists in three places — Muslims in Britain, Jews inIsrael and Christians in the United States.
“What is striking … is the similarity of the worldview and the rationale for violence,” the report said.
…
In the meantime, I’m going out to celebrate my 29th b’day — for the umpteenth time, of course …
PS: Mary Caruso, give my best wishes for the kids!
Wow…so Giuliani is short on integrity and his career has only served his personal ambition and ego. What a GREAT Republican canidate for president. So like the Bush.
Romney adheres to the GOP machine. He is their pretty boy and will be the GOP candidate for ‘08. Giuliani is the front man set up to take the heat and the hits. Watch him burn up and Romney slide by. The GOP has decided for the republicans whom they will vote for in ‘08. Gives you SUCH a warm fuzzy doesn’t it?
DAMN IT. Wrong thread again. Sorry folks.
Bush Family Evil Empire: Scandal Du Jour–
(AP) The White House acknowledged Wednesday that when he was a corporate director, President Bush failed to promptly disclose stock sales as required by federal law. A spokesman blamed it on a ‘clerical mistake’ by company lawyers . . .
That explanation was at odds with one Mr. Bush himself offered during his 1994 campaign for governor of Texas. Mr. Bush said at the time he had filed the required report, and that the SEC must have misplaced it.
One Form 4 filing came more than eight months late and disclosed Mr. Bush’s selling of $848,560 of Harken stock, according to SEC documents. That sale was on the same date that Fleischer said Mr. Bush had given notice that he intended to sell.
The SEC investigated whether Mr. Bush had benefited from insider information when he sold Harken stock before its value plunged, then failed to report the transactions.
Though the memo indicates SEC investigators observed a pattern of late filings by Mr. Bush, the agency said in 1993 it would not bring a case against him.
Mr. Bush’s father was president at the time the SEC memo was drafted in 1991.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/03/politics/main514190.shtml
On June 22, 1990, Bush sold 212,140 shares of Harken stock — just two months before the company reported a $23 million loss. At the time he sold, the stock price was $4, but by the end of the year, it had fallen to $1 a share.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0704-01.htm
A memo has emerged that was sent by lawyers in 1990 that warned executives of the energy firm Harken, for which Mr Bush was a director, against cashing in stock if they had any negative information about the company. Harken was undertaking financial engineering to keep it afloat at the time.
A week later the president cashed in $848,000 of shares. The sale triggered an inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission which ended in August 1991. No action was taken against the president who claimed to have been unaware of the problems facing the business.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,824517,00.html
*****
So let’s review: Bush is sitting on the board of directors at Harkin Energy (think “mini-Enron”) when he finds out his stock values are going to plunge.
So DESPITE A MEMO WARNING HIM NOT TO SELL, Bush dumps over a three-quarters of a million of his stock based on his insider information.
Then he delays in filing the forms to the SEC which would reveal insider trading by eight months.
And he claims he “didn’t know” that the value of the stock was likely to drop from 4 dollars to 1 dollar in the coming year, despite getting a memo and sitting on the board.
The SEC, who answers to the president, chose not to continue to investigate. George H. W. Bush was president at the time.
So make big money for yourself by bilking your investors — yup, this has been the Bush Family Evil Empire: Scandal Du Jour.
Casino … some musings …
I attended the anti-casino meeting the other night; I wanted to see what they had to say. My concerns are strictly economic; just as they are with other issues facing us.
The guy who runs Crown Uptown spoke, claiming that a casino will wipe out dinner theater. He claims that happened elsewhere (Rock Island I think). The clear implication is that people are losing all their money at the slots and have nothing left for anything else.
I wonder if what is really happening is really quite different. As I understand the casino business they are comprehensive; that is they include shows, restaurants, etc. In effect, a one stop entertainment venue. Is THIS the real threat to Crown Uptown etc rather than the gambling itself? And, if so, what are the implications to other entertainment venues in Wichita?
Thoughts?
“Although the “reform” of immigration in the amnesty bill is enough to cause alarm, other highly troubling provisions are tucked away that will serve to undermine our sovereignty and weaken our civil liberties. According to the most recent version of the Senate bill, the misnamed Security and Prosperity Partnership for North America is to be “accelerated.” It seems ironic that a project aiming to actually weaken US borders with Mexico and Canada would be added into a bill that purports to toughen border controls.
Also, this bill will bring us closer to a national ID card, which without a doubt runs counter to American values and history and will punish American citizens without doing much to counter those who would come here illegally.
I strongly disagree with the president that opposing this legislation is unpatriotic. I believe we have an obligation to reject any legislation that promises amnesty to those here illegally, and that undermines the sovereignty and privacy of American citizens. ”
house.gov/paul/tst/tst2007/tst061107.htm
I remember a tall, rich, white man from Mass. running for president…..I forget though how he did in the election.
If the GOP did not learn from the mistake of the Dem’s in 06 than that is their problem.
It will not work any better for them than it did for the Dems.
Ben – I think you probably hit the nail right on the head!
But I also wonder, if so many people are against gambling, won’t they pick up the slack at places like Crown Uptown since they won’t be frequenting the casino?
But, Sol, what about all of the Talk Radio Moguls who are now opposing Bush… and calling this an “amnesty” bill, at the same time Bush is out stumping the spin that there is NO amnesty in this Reform Bill?? And then Bush thumbs his nose at his opposition, by telling them, he will “see them at the bill signing” Doesnt this pretty much fracture any image of a united Republican Base??
Ben,
I think the owner of the Crown Uptown theater has valid reasons to be concerned. People that would normally visit his dinner theater will now be able to go to the blinking lights casino, eat really cheap meals and have sub Las Vegas style entertainment.
The addition of the Casino will threaten every aspect of the Crown Uptown theater and the owner should be very worried.
There is going to be a Casino in our area regardless. If Sedgwick County voters vote it down, then the Casino will be built in Sumner County near Wellington.
The Crown Uptown has been a staunch opposer to casinos for a long time, but let’s look at the past to see how vices turn out now.
Kansas Lottery! People said that it would just drain people’s money and cause economic downturn. Didn’t happen.
Liquor by the drink! Cause wide spread alcoholism and cause a serious drain to our economy. Didn’t happen.
Para mutual race tracks. Would cause wide spread gambling addiction and become a huge drain to our economy. Didn’t happen.
Slots at the dog track and one casino in our area won’t be a burden to our economy. There isn’t nothing to worry about. Sure there is going to be people who become addicted to gambling, but they already are doing it now. So it isn’t going to cause huge upswings of addicted people looking for treatment or cause crime to go up. Not going to happen.
Plus they are setting aside millions of dollars for treatment programs anyways.
We have an opportunity here to update our skyline here in Wichita, having a chance for private investors to put in $300+ million dollars of development, a chance for us to get a new library out of the deal. It’s a win-win.
The people who are oppose to a casino, are using economic downturn to cloak the real issue and that is it’s a religious and moral one for them. But hate to say this to them. But gambling exist already in our community. Be it Lottery, Keno, Bingo, Race track or going to Indian Casinos in Oklahoma. It’s here.
Accept it and lets move forward towards greater downtown development.
Ted Morris at Crown Uptown is in the entertainment business, which is one of the toughest hustles there is. Of course he doesn’t want anybody taking away any of his business, especially something flashy and new. Most of the dinner theaters I’ve ever attended are in former, and often run-down movie theaters. Mediocre food and amateur productions. Still, we can’t all afford to go to Broadway several time a year. They’re better than nothing.But it is a competitive world and being in business ain’t for sissies.
Actually all fluorescent lamps have mercury in it. Even the old tubed ones you find in office buildings.
But now-a-days the new lamps have very low mercury content and they are engineering them to work with lesser mercury all the time.
A case in point, that a coal fire power plant will emit much more mercury into the environment than all the compact fluorescent lamp will at a dump site.
But switching to compact fluorescent lamps, you are actually helping to reduce mercury content by helping to reduce power usage.
“Plus they are setting aside millions of dollars for treatment programs anyways.”
Joe,
That statement just standing alone confirms that they know that Casinos cause financial turmoil.
Treatment programs…okay…
Treatment programs won’t help families that will become financially ruined when a member or members of that family become addicted to gambling.
That’s like buying insurance and the insurance company telling you, go out and be reckless, if you get injured we will sort of get you back on your feet, maybe.
You know you will just be much poorer and will have a permanent limp and lots of pain.
Joe Williams, I’ve been meaning to ask: have you received a job offer from Sedgwick County yet?
I’m sure you will, as they wouldn’t want to pass by an opportunity to reward such gratuitous brown-nosing as was your performance before them.
Republican, it was a part of the Casino deal through the state that they had to set aside a certain percentage for treatment programs.
Look Republican! There is so many other opportunities for a person to become addicted to gambling and cause financial turmoil for their families. Online gambling sites are extremely popular, especially Poker. People can spend on Keno, Kansas Lottery, Race Tracks and even go to a Casino not more than 60 miles away in Oklahoma.
It’s already here Republican. Do you honestly believe that voting down a Casino in Sedgwick County is going to shield people the opportunity to gamble or even become addicted? I think not! But lets take advantage of the economic development a Casino will offer to our area.
Repub, I dont hear any outcries from you or any other casino opposers, about Bingo Halls…
I know of lots of Bingo players who practically play on their last dollars, before spending on anything else, just because they MIGHT win the BIG card!!
Sort of makes one wonder if the Bingo Halls are arguing against the casino business as well as a dinner theater?? Casinos would SURE cut (possibly) into Bingo business… which is very lucrative as well…
And I wonder how much opposition is coming from Ethridge and his WWW?? Casino might be cheaper entertainment than his amusement park??
BenI was not able to attend the meeting a couple of nights ago, but I did read the WE article yesterday. It is very obvious that the leaders of the “anti casino” vote are worried about their own interests. Because they are too stupid to compete with a one stop entertainment shop, they want to hide behind economic and religious reasons to stop the casino from happening.
And the sheep of Wichita are listening. These “leaders” are self serving, poor business owners that want to use the poor as a shield to protect their financial interests.
Chas,
Bingo Halls draw thousands of dollars, not millions. Since over 70 percent of the profits will go to the company that runs the Casino…
Well, I think you are smart enough to figure that out Chas, where the money from Wichita will go.
Just in case Chas, that money won’t be going back to Wichita.
Pay day loan companies on every corner. Bingo Halls operate everynight of the week. Payday loans have interest rates of 300% and car title loans have an interest rate of 120%. But these loan sharks are not a threat to the poor, right? We see them popping up everywhere and these “leaders” say nothing. But a casino….thats a whole new story. We must stand up and be counted on this! What hypocritical bs! If you want to lead on the “anti casino” topic, I expect you to lead on all the rackets that can impact the “poor”. F…ing Hypocrits!
That a way Mike, if you can’t address the Casino issue, bring up the Democratic laundry list of whining points.
No one that I know likes Pay Day loan places and realizes they are predators on the poor and the stupid.
We were talking about casinos Mike, try not to get confused.
I am speaking about the hypocritical stance that the “leaders”(both religious, and republican) have taken on the proposed casino vote. I am sorry if you cannot see that the “leaders” that want to protect us (poor, stupid) from casinos but have do not care about the real predators of our community. It is hypocritical of them to stand up now just because their businesses are threatened. Yet they sit quietly as the real predators continue to rape the community with ridiculous interest rates.
The simple fact of this opposition group is that they only care if their interests are threatened(this includes religious leaders). Either be consistent in your protests or shut up.
I agree Mike!!
Repub?? Just where do you think all of the profits from GMC dealerships, or FORD, or Chrysler dealerships go?? And any other Big Box stores for that matter… Not much,if any, of those profits, regardless of percentage, stay in Wichita either… Should we be against those too?? I mean, hey, it’s your argument that the money is leaving town…
Mike,
The devastation that gambling can inflict on family and finance is not recent or made up on the fly by local businesses.
It’s established tragic history what large scale gambling does to a community.
If you want to talk about greed, talk about the greedy person who plunks down a large portion of his salary at a Casino and then is unable to pay his bills.
Going all pie-eyed in blinking casino lights and glitz just because people have illusions of Grandeur is not justification for building one.
Again, on the payday loans places, why use them? If you look at the studies, the majority of the loans are not used for paying bills, they are used for frivolous expenditures such as entertainment or a new gadget or that matching sofa for the armchair.
When I don’t have the money, I do without, or save or go cheap. If I find a couch at a garage sale and see if it’s salvageable, I’ll buy it, then go get the material to re-upholster it myself. No, it doesn’t look showroom new, but it’s comfy and does the job.
People who use payday loans are compulsive and haven’t been taught wise spending of their dollars is a good thing or they just don’t care.
So, let’s stop playing the victim game Mike. A large scale Casino we be sucking millions of dollars out of Wichita never to be seen again.
Chas,
Really? Car Dealers? You mean the place you can go and buy that thing where you can get from and to work or wherever you want to go? Those wheeled things?
Let’s see Charles, goods and services…you do recall of studying that in school don’t you?
What is a car? Goods or Service?
Okay Chas, I see your point now.
Let’s make car dealers like a Casino. Go plunk down your 20,000 to buy the latest gas saving lizzy and the dealer will spin a wheel to see if you get to drive it home or not after you pay.
Yeah Chas, nice analogy, wish I would have thought of that.
Joe! We are largely in agreement today. As I said; I was not stating ‘my’ opposition to casino; simply relating what was said. And, I added my own musings to their concerns. Perhaps their fear is that the Casino will have better and/or less expensive shows, meals, etc.
My inclination is to say that if they can’t compete …
And Joe is definitely correct; there WILL be a casino in S-Central KS. In fact, for all practical purposes there already IS – right across the state line. So, whatever rpoblems a casino might cause they are already here.
So, let’s stop playing the victim game Mike. A large scale Casino we be sucking millions of dollars out of Wichita never to be seen again.
Sounds alot like Wal Mart.
Nobody is playing the victim card better than the “anti casino” folks. They are worried about the victims of the casino falling on hard financial times. My question is this….who are you or anybody else to tell me how, when, where and with whom I spend MY money? If you don’t support the casino…then don’t go! You and I cannot pretend that we know best what someone else should do with their money. And if you think that gambling is not already going on in Wichita…you are very naive my friend. I can take you to 5 different cash poker games on any given night. Oh btw, its business owners that I play poker with. And better yet, I play poker with the Chef of the Crown Uptown a few nights a week.
Ben,
The Casino proposition for Sumner county has a much steeper requirement to get built if the Sedgwick County proposal fails.
It is certainly not a sure thing.
Cherokee County has overwhelming approved their Casino. The wise should have waited and seen the effect of the Casino has on Cherokee County before jumping headfirst and blindfolded into this one.
Bully for you Mike, enjoy your gambling vices.
But the next time you complain about the stricken poor, I will remind you of your wasteful spending habits.
The only hypocrite I see is the one staring back at you in the mirror Mike.
“…who are you or anybody else to tell me how, when, where and with whom I spend MY money? If you don’t support the casino…then don’t go! You and I cannot pretend that we know best what someone else should do with their money.”Posted by: Mike | June 14, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Sounds a little liberal minded there Repub. Going left on us?
Sol, you’re going bonkers. You post an excerpt from Mike’s post and attribute it to me.
Having trouble with mental acuity today? Lay off the latte’ for a bit.
Bully for you Mike, enjoy your gambling vices.
But the next time you complain about the stricken poor, I will remind you of your wasteful spending habits.
The only hypocrite I see is the one staring back at you in the mirror Mike.Posted by: Republican | June 14, 2007 at 11:47 AM
How am I the hypocrite? I am not the one standing up saying that casinos are the downfall of our community. When the fact is that I am not a good enough business man to compete.
The next time I ask you to loan me $20.00 then you can remind me of my wasteful spending habits. But until that day…..close that vaccuum under your nose. I have not complained about the stricken poor in any posts and challenge you to find such a post.
Its always nice to communicate with such a small minded minion. I always enjoy reading ignorance, and hypocrisy. Thanks Republikkkan.
Now for another ‘musing’:
The County is pitching Britt Brown as a location. They have as a stipulation that it not ‘compete’ with the Arena. What exactly would that mean?
Shows, for example. If a casino has shows of various kinds could the County claim that those shows could have been in their arena? Could a convention hosted at a casino complex have a similar claim – it could have been at the arena? Will these conditions be a deal-breaker for the County’s attempts to sell the Coliseum?
Looking at Century II. It is currently fairly busy with meetings and conventions of various kinds. We are embarking on Music Theater season and they are sold out for many performances; they have had to add showings to accomodate demand. Would the ‘casinoization’ of Century II interfere with that? City Councilman Longwell noted that having a casino out at the Coliseum might be good in that he feels that a casino at C-II might be incompatable. I am not sure that I agree with him but it is a consideration.
Now, if we are looking at Britt Brown but the County’s conditions break the deal how about elsewhere in a ‘green field’? The obvious of these would seem to be Bob Knight’s Park City location but there could be others.
Then, there is also the Ruffin/Trump idea – another downtown location.
Thoughts?
You’re the one that inserted payday loans into the discussion Mike, not me.
“Pay day loan companies on every corner.”
Yeah okay Mike, carry on with your bad self.
I’m off to make some tasty lasagne.
Will be back later.
senator pat roberts is gearing up for another big oil bush fundraiser….
our kids are dying, bush administration officials continue their lying, big oil continues to profit off from our kids deaths, cheney….exxon…bush…gonzales.. no one has yet to be held accountable and Pat Roberts not once did anything to expose the corruption.
And if our own paper doesn’t care enough about reporting it…
Who will.
where is the eagle editorial outrage?
CinPat Roberts is on their team. Why would he expose anyone in the administration for their deeds? Bush is coming here tomorrow to thank Roberts for his support by raising money for him. There is no reward for Roberts to expose anyone in the administration. He is getting his reward tomorrow for being a good soldier.
Our paper caters to the Republicans in the city that do not want the negitivity of exposing(asking the hard questions)a right winger. They enjoy access to those in power and that access would be in jeopardy if the WE actually did real reporting.
Oh btw, the WE lets us be the voice of negitivity. Its less risky for them this way.
Mike:
For real.
Tomorrow is payback time for Roberts.
IT is more than an outrage, that the paper and editorial board the day before…and nothing. Just a fluff piece about the Bush visit.
Yes all politicians have fancy fundraisers. But it is different this time.
Kids are dying because of Bush and Cheney and Big Oil. Roberts did nothing to stop it. So tomorrow some nerve for the pair to stop in after photo op 21st street, Roberts should be facing impeachment if not resignation, yet instead his hometown newspaper hopes no one will notice their silence…
So where’s my paycheck?
Ummm Repub…. Go read my previous post… YOU were arguing about profits leaving the City…. I pointed out that car dealers, among others, dont exactly keep their profits in the city either… at least not the company behind the dealer…
And what do you do??? fire back at me about BUYING the car??
Sorry, wrong analogy there old dude…. Get back on your original gripe… profits leaving town from a Casino, or from Car companies(GMC, FORD, Chrysler) or big box stores, are no different… they are still not staying in the City!!
It was YOUR argument on profits leaving town… not mine…
ksfarmgirl:
pat roberts always talks about the common sense of people of ks…
With all of the death and destruction and lies, and then global warming…
Does Pat really think hosting Bush and Big Oil fundraiser shows good taste? Or common sense?
Important.Those Chinese are trying to poison us!Colgate warns of fake toothpaste in U.S. Thu Jun 14, 8:31 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Colgate-Palmolive Co. on Thursday said counterfeit “Colgate” toothpaste that may contain a toxic chemical had been found in discount stores in four U.S. states.
ADVERTISEMENT”There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain diethylene glycol,” the company said in a statement.
Colgate-Palmolive said it does not use, nor has ever used, diethylene glycol as an ingredient in its toothpaste anywhere in the world. The chemical, known as DEG and sometimes illegally used as an inexpensive sweetener and thickening agent, is commonly found in solvents and antifreeze.
The Colgate-Palmolive announcement comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to avoid any toothpaste made in China after inspectors found DEG in tubes sold at two stores.
The health regulator also issued an import alert, with the aim of preventing all toothpaste from three companies in China that make the brands found to contain DEG from entering the United States.
Colgate-Palmolive said the counterfeit toothpaste was found in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. It can be recognized because it is labeled as being manufactured in South Africa, and the company does not import toothpaste to the United States from South Africa.
The packaging also contains several misspellings, Colgate said, adding that it was working closely with the FDA to help identify those responsible for the counterfeit product.
DEG-contaminated toothpaste has also been seized in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Nicaragua. It was found in cough syrup in Panama that led to the deaths of at least 100 people last year.
The FDA issued its alert about Chinese toothpaste after seizing a batch of Cooldent found to contain 3 percent DEG. Inspectors found the toothpaste at a Dollar Plus store in Miami and at a store called Todo a Peso in Puerto Rico.
Brands seized earlier included Cooldent, Clean Rite and Oralmax that are usually found at discount retailers such as so-called dollar stores, the agency said.
The FDA identified products by Goldcredit International Enterprises Ltd., Goldcredit International Trading Co. Ltd., and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Co. Ltd as containing
DEG.
Goldcredit International Enterprises is a unit of JiangsuXingda Stationery Group, a manufacturer of glue and office supplies. Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals also makes soap and pet products.
The FDA on June 8 said it was not aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from DEG-tainted toothpaste, but said the chemical has a “low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury,” especially to children and people with kidney or liver disease.
Colgate, which also makes dish soap and pet food, was minimally impacted earlier this year when it recalled two products manufactured by a Canadian company whose goods were found to contain contaminated wheat gluten imported from China, blamed for the deaths of at least 14 pets.
Cin, the “where’s my paycheck” comment was in reference to this:
“Oh btw, the WE lets us be the voice of negitivity. Its less risky for them this way.”
Roberts and Bush in cahoots? Bush’s senator and the preznit coming to town to collect their political paychecks from big oil, big ag, and big republicans?
Color me shocked…
“good taste? Or common sense?”
Oh for god’s sake… when have THOSE things mattered in kansas politics?
Our state motto should be “show me the money”.
We can only hope bush will do for Roberts what he did for ryun.
Repub — Just as a reminder of what I DID say, and not what you THOUGHT I said>>>
Repub?? Just where do you think all of the profits from GMC dealerships, or FORD, or Chrysler dealerships go?? And any other Big Box stores for that matter… Not much,if any, of those profits, regardless of percentage, stay in Wichita either… Should we be against those too?? I mean, hey, it’s your argument that the money is leaving town…
Posted by: Chas. | June 14, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Now, THIS is what YOU said about Profits leaving the City>>>
So, let’s stop playing the victim game Mike. A large scale Casino we be sucking millions of dollars out of Wichita never to be seen again.
Posted by: Republican | June 14, 2007 at 11:35 AM
reference 12:36 pm post
Buy American made whenever possible. WIll lessen the risk, but not eliminate it. Buy locally produced whenever possible. BuyOmG I hate to say it, organically grown when you can. Buy less processed, and more whole foods.
ksfarmgirl..
yes it is something isn’t it..
roberts once again comes to town photo opping in one part of town, then going to the other side of town to suck money from the elite oil types….
and he knows time and time again that the paper will look the other way, and time and time again he walks with an endorsement..then we the little people are the other voice…
oh no….
feeling like hurling again.
Bush and Roberts always do that to me
Soooo somebody write a letter to the Editor about Roberts double dipping and photo opping…???
Anybody see this?
Libby must begin perjury prison sentence: judge
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070614/pl_nm/usa_crime_libby_dc_1
Having perhpas lost the option of pardoning Libby after the ‘08 election. The ball is in Bush’s court now. Let’s not forget this particular judge was appointed by … wait for it … GW Bush!
chas;somebody did…but it isn’t the same.
The eagle editorial needs to right the wrong of their endorsements of Roberts and Bush.
To the credit of the eagle editorial. It has been out there for some time that they actually wanted to endorse Kerry but their management pulled the plug on that.
Yet they still endorsed Roberts and Bush, and can’t say enough how much “in bad taste” the big oil fundraiser is tomorrow.
The paper needs to call Roberts on it.
Cin: I just sent an email to Mr. Heldman, Eagle Publisher/Editor.. Maybe he will respond, maybe not!
Chas:
Good job.
Mr. Heldman relents to no one. He’ll probably analyze your assessment as nonsense and send you on your way.
QUICK POLLWhere should this area’s casino be built?Downtown WichitaAt Kansas ColiseumElsewhere in Sedgwick CountySumner CountyNowhereWhere should this area’s casino be built?Downtown Wichita 186%At Kansas Coliseum 93%Elsewhere in Sedgwick County 41%Sumner County 7627%Nowhere 17562%Total Votes: 282
Thats what I love about life… always wishful thinking!!
Repub — Problem is, you have NO idea what I wrote to Mr. Heldman…
And that means you are back to blowing smoke on your previous comment.
Tony – where was that poll?
Sumner County approved the casino in 2005. Supposedly, if the Sedgwick vote fails, Sumner gets it.
Ben,
Notice how the County again didn’t listen. Your ranting about Arena cost overruns and revote statement, they are looking to close Britt Brown Arena, accepting bids from developers.
There is no longer an alternative to the downtown arena. We can demand its a better arena plan for our long term community benefit.
As the arena idea exists today, the plan needs improvement to lessen your future cost overruns fears.
Casino vote is great, we have a say. People can go into a casino or not.
I’m not concerned how others spend their money on whatever may be hurting them. People have addictions, some of it comes from genetics. People have choices to control themselves.
Parents shouldn’t be risking their children to gamble. To drink. To do drugs.
What’s stopping gamblers from going to casino’s and slots whenever they are today.
I see a downtown casino as an improvement asset. City can sell property they own to the Canadians if that plan wins.
Yep, Sumner would get it. And it would not surprise me if that happens. The anti-casino group seems organized and energized.
Justice has been partially served. Now if Libby will pull a Miller, we may get the rest of the story!Libby must begin perjury prison sentence: judge By Andy Sullivan2 hours, 16 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former vice presidential aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby must begin serving his 2 1/2-year prison sentence while he appeals his perjury conviction, a U.S. judge ruled on Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENTLibby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, was found guilty in March of obstructing an investigation into who blew the cover of a CIA analyst whose husband criticized the Iraq war.
Libby will have to report to prison in six to eight weeks, unless his lawyers convince an appeals court to let him remain free.
Libby’s lawyers said they would base the appeal on the contention that the special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, was improperly appointed.
They also plan to argue that U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton was wrong to exclude witnesses and classified material Libby had hoped to use in his defense.
Walton, however, said they were unlikely to prevail.
“I would have to conclude that although he doesn’t pose a danger to the community and he doesn’t pose a risk of flight … there is not a likelihood of success,” Walton said.
“We can demand its a better arena plan for our long term community benefit.” THAT IS YOUR JOB; DO IT.
I got a call into SMG World…get their take on events that may happen. Marketing difference between 15,000 seat arenas for basketball with 18,000 seat arena’s.
For Wichita, what do they determine is our event market, strengths and weakness.
GO FOR IT!
I have a question. If Gov. Sebelius’s plan for new child advocacy center in Wichita is the only thing that came out of that child abuse starvation case…what about the REST of Kansas children who are being forgotten????
Rural areas???
The homosexual agenda succeeded Thursday in stopping Massachusetts citizens from being able to vote on a marriage protection amendment that would have ended the legalized sodomite mockery of marriage forced upon them in 2003 by the leftist, activist Massachusetts Supreme Court.With or without a federal marriage protection amendment, Massachusetts voters will likely not see marriage protection on their ballots for many years to come now, if ever, because of heavy arm-twisting by U.S. House Speaker Pelosi and other members of the U.S. Congress bought off by the homosexual agenda, which now turns to legalizing the sodomite mockery of marriage for out-of-staters – like Kansans – who could then return to their states with their bogus Massachusetts mockery licenses and sue their state government to legalize their perversion, just like happened in Massachusetts. Once legalized, they will turn against churches and religious organizations that refuse to cooperate and privately school children, shielded from pro-sodomy indoctrination and recruitment by homosexuals.All it takes is a few leftist, activist judges in your state to destroy the institution of marriage – permanently – if you let them. Democrats will make the homosexual agenda a major federal election issue in 2008, folks, in large part for the appointment of federal judges.Meanwhile, your U.S. Congressmen, having failed miserably in a half-hearted, token effort at a federal marriage amendment (nothing like the heavy arm-twisting mandated by the homosexual agenda), has been all tied up trying to force taxpayer funding for useless, unethical embryonic stem cell research, abortions for the downtrodden and overseas personnel, and more Frankenstein variations of crazy-quilt, ridiculous, unenforceable amnesty for illegal aliens.No wonder the approval rating for the U.S. Congress has hit an all-time low.
Well Parkay, I guess since they did that I better run right out and divorce my wife of 36 years. After all, since the institution of marriage no longer exists why shouldn’tI be like Newt and Rush!
/sarcasm off
WTG Ben!! What ARE these homophobes afraid of?? Like Gay people being married is a threat to STRAIGHT people being married??
And gee, gay people being married arent going to bring unwanted, or semi-wanted, or hardly wanted children into the world… One could think they are doing unwanted, semi-wanted, and hardly wanted children a great favor!!
But, if it isnt for some narrow minded religious viewpoint, what possible reason can anybody have to be opposed to same gender marriage?? Certainly NO LEGAL reason, cause there isnt one that even begins to work!!
WTG Ben!!!
“All it takes is a few leftist, activist judges in your state to destroy the institution of marriage – permanently”
You are wrong, that can only be accomplished by the social normalization and acceptance of living together and divorce.
The divorce rate was over 40% before any state allowed homosexual marriage or domestic partner benefits. Those things did not Cause a high divorce rate, they came afterward.
Aw Parkay…where’s that justice you were talking about on the other thread?
Need a binky, Fruitloop?
Yes, how awful that the judges protected the civil rights of homosexuals.
Amen Brian!! I know of a number of Gay couples who have been together 20+ years, with the same partner… Beats any of my marriages by a long ways!!
WDDC on casinos:
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2007/06/11/daily11.html?f=et88&hbx=e_du
An independent survey commissioned by the Wichita Downtown Development Corp. indicates that a casino would have a positive annual impact on the area ranging from $12.9 million to $46.9 million.
Ed Wolverton, president of the WDDC, presented those findings Tuesday at the Wichita Independent Business Association luncheon.
I have yet to see a logical arguement against it not based on religion. If anyone has one, I would be willing to listen.
Notice how they are condemned as “activist judges” only when they rule on the LAW… the judges have no alternative other than to rule to protect the rights of same gender marriage… because there is no law that can be ruled on to prohibit them…
You re absolutely right Brian… I havent either… and I am in the religion business…
What is the continuing uproar on this subject about anyway?
If you view marriage in civil terms, as it should be viewed, it is simply a contract between two individuals.
Call it whatever you want, two people of the same sex could still enter into the same civil arrangement.
The problems are twofold.
First, the state should not deny benefits to homosexual couples that are granted to heterosexual couples…simply for the reason that this is a matter of contract law.
The other problem is the intertwining of religious overtones in the word “marriage”. Being a pragmatist, if calling gay unions “marriages” gets the some peoples’ underwear in a knot, then I’d be for just calling it something different, so long as the contractual nature and social status remains the same as that for “marriage”. I can understand, however, the desire to call both “marriage” so that it doesn’t appear that gays had to “cave”.
Stolen joke:
I am against same sex marriage.
I’ve been married for a long time.We’ve been having the same sex for decades.
Parkay seems to have a major irrational phobia about gays. Do any of the Phelps folks go by the name of a butter substitute or did Parkay see “the Last Tango in Paris” one too many times?
Maybe it is because he/she fantacizes so much about his/her gay encounters!
I had thought about attending the “Anti-Casino” meet a couple of nights ago but I didn’t. I knew I would get my hackles raised and speak out where I would probably get arrested for public disorder.
I watched some of the people filing out of the meeting on the news the next morning. Most of the people who looked to attend were elderly and let’s face it, they are not going to be the vast majority of people who consider going to a Casino anyway. But, I wanted to voice my opinion and thoughts on all of this.
Number one…I am in favor of a Casino. Why? Because it could bring economic growth to Wichita, that is why! Plus, I would rather keep my money in Wichita instead of Missouri or Oklahoma.
Number two…the owner of the Crown Uptown shouldn’t be worried. If he keeps a good venue up and prices down, he will still have his regular people who will still frequent his establishment.
Number three (and this is the biggie)…instead of everyone getting their hackles raised about a Casino going in, why don’t you get your hackles raised and HELP DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE GANG VIOLENCE that has swept our city this year! My God people, don’t turn a blind eye on this. This is a major concern for everyone!!!! The statistics were posted a week ago that half of the people killed by gang members this year were not even involved with gangs! Now that is a worry.
You Bible thumpers need to take this to the City and Police department and FBI and whoever else WILL LISTEN and take these gangs out!!!! Maybe we need to revert to the old west and take them out ourselves! They couldn’t care less about who they “do in” so why don’t we do them in huh? I’m exagerating here but you get my point? If you don’t, you live in the twilight zone and don’t go outside unless you wish to go to Church and meetings about keeping something out of our city that could help our city.
Turn your focus to getting something done about the gangs!
Ben! I seriously doubt that Britt Brown will be turned into a Casino. The Commissioners are doing that only in good faith to the new Board Members, Gwen and Parks, just to entertain the idea.
The reason why I believe that a Casino will not be built in Park City or the Britt Brown Arena, is because there is going to be slots at the Greyhound Track for which Park City just recently annex into their city limits.
Why would you have a casino right across the road or even the parking lot of a Slot House at the Dog Track? Doesn’t make sense.
I would think you would spread the gaming option here in the County. Let the Dog Track and Park City have their slots and lets put a Casino in downtown Wichita.
Lori,
Gangs exist, some are obvious criminals, others are spur of the moment gathers getting high or drunk, then as a group committing crimes.
Getting into “beefs” that turn into shootings.
When the nuts get high on things like paint or hooked on narcotics, and drinking, their fearless to try anything.
Innocent people can be attacked. Guns are easy to get. Some are stabbed.
What creates young gang members, bad parents. People with little economics or skill sets and they have multiple children.
Single parenting and abandonment.
What’s the social answer? Jail, programs to change their behaviors and rehab.
People are trying to stop the spread of graffiti.
Enablers around criminals, don’t tell on them, help hide or give ability to escape.
Some outrageous crimes and deaths have happened in Wichita for years.
This year and recent crimes are not more outrageous, we’re sad they are still continuing. A new breed of gang trying to create their street rep.
Streets without streetlights in some area’s are a problem.
If people didn’t take drugs, smoke pot, some criminals wouldn’t be dealing. The market exists.
Suits are hooked on drugs. Middle class get their high, nightly.
Functional drunks do well during a day, but at night, they are searching for fun.
Ever see teenagers react when their drunk parents come home from bars? Teens of drunks get their own DUI’s. Cycle of alcoholism continues.
Gangs are bad, but so many keep them in business because citizens are addicted.
Business like pawn shops or check cashing stores keep people poor Pawn shops buy stolen stuff. Scrap metal places don’t ask questions.
Stolen cars and copper metal taken from businesses ends up in scrap metal yards.
Business can make money when people steal.
Business allows some theft and it fuels others to try it on a larger scale. One may steal, then a group tries to shoplift from stores.
Crime happens, thieves and violent gangs on the streets.
Society can try to create Boys and Girls clubs, YMCA, whatever program that keeps kids active, interested and off the street.
People that aren’t ready financially to have children, should know better.
Society in some places doesn’t want birth control products easily available. Religions don’t want birth control products easy to get.
Young children born in a struggling family, has little advantage to not become a criminal someday.
Get kids to schools and they learn something. Teachers have to accept their jobs and want to guide children. Some teachers are terrible and move kids through class, not interested to teach unruly kids a thing.
Some teachers fear violent students.
More often, kids today don’t appreciate a teacher. Disrespect their parent(s) and act up.
They are proud to act stupid and immature until their old enough and learn tough society lessons.
That’s the way it is.
Answers to gangs, society has to change some kids in small groups or individual ways.
Answers to the individual rapist or killer, we keep seeing that.
America has too many criminals acting violently. We have our own terrorism in this city.
Jails are full with people unable to control their lives. Criminals get out early, return to their criminal ways pretty quick.
Probation, nobody checks. Teens don’t get charged hard enough as they create a long criminal record before age 18.
Pick a way to end gangs. No one can shoot them just for being in gang. Remember, not all gangs are obvious.
If people that aren’t criminal wouldn’t drink and drive or do something that puts them in jail, then there would be enough space for the criminals.
—–
Joe – I agree that it is highly unlikely the County can do a deal for Britt Brown. So, they will likely be stuck with it. A thought: it has rail service and is on the interstate; also near K-196 to the Turnpike. Could it serve as a warehouse/distribution center?
Mrage…you have more than good points in your post. I truly believe the same way. People don’t take responsibility and especially responsibility for their children. Unfortunately, the 90’s bred a new breed of parent and those parents are now showing how bad they actually are by turning out lazy, don’t give a crap kids. I am under the impression these days that if you want children, get a license and go to school to learn how to be a better parent.
Social economics plays a lot in to this I know. You grow up poor and you either better yourself or, follow in your parents footstep and live off welfare and do what you can do to make money (which most of the time is illegal).
I grew up in a much different time but, not all that different. We had drugs and plenty of them. But, we had places to go and things to do. We also didn’t have computers or DVD’s or VCR’s or all the games that kids have today either. I do believe that some of the games on the market that target teens are too violent and wish they would put harder restrictions on them. Anyway, my Mom was an alcoholic and I would get in the car with her when she was drunk and get pretty scared sometimes. I guess I was one of the lucky ones huh? But, I grew up normal with values and the knowledge of right and wrong and knowing the golden rule (which I still follow).
By the way, you are either in law enforcement or maybe a counselor? You write well and I wish more people took your opinion on things.
“Social economics plays a lot in to this I know. You grow up poor and you either better yourself or, follow in your parents footstep and live off welfare and do what you can do to make money (which most of the time is illegal).”
Seriously? These are the only two options? What about parents who work their asses off and still can’t get anywhere? Which I would say is probably the MAJORITY instead of the minority.
Afterall, the working poor is the largest percentage of poverty. (that’s a statistical fact).
The problem with kids not having anything to do is this fear of having them anywhere alone, used to be kids could be kids, could run down the street to the park. Mom would shoo them all outside while she did the housework. Now you get called SRS for that.
My generation has less of an opportunity to better themselves than at any other time in recent history…the wage gap is increasing for a reason, it’s not laziness, it’s lack of opportunities, lack of decent pay, lack of ability to work your way up without a college degree.
So please don’t sit here and judge my generation for the challenges between mine and yours are night and day.
The best way to end gangs is to find a way that working parents can actually earn enough in one job so they can be HOME to parent instead of working 2,3, 4 jobs just to keep the lights on and food on the table.
Lori, have you ever been to a casino? The majority who go are ELDERLY!, and they’re also the majority of voters.
Show me a gang member with parents. It’s parent (Mom).Therein lay the problem.
Ben! Very interesting. I know they’ve been discussing about building a land port for Wichita. I actually participated in that study. But the location was the old Derby Refinery. Which is still probably the best place for it, given the amount of tracks and freight companies in the area.
But Britt Brown could become a huge distribution center for a number of large carriers, like Swift. But it could possibly serve as a customs warehouse for the new land port. I would have to look at that railroad to see where it connects to.
But great idea Ben!
I think the rail line there connects with the same ones as downtown. I also like the idea of the refinery as a site – brownsfields development. Something definitely needs to be done there.
I seem to recall Target looking for a site and going to Topeka instead. One good thing about the BB site is that it is outside of our traffic; especially for N-bound traffic. Then tie to I-70; US 50 (hopefully being upgraded); K-196 to El Dorado/Turnpike.
Not necessarily Kia, by the way, welcome back.
I will agree that women have to work harder to earn the same money, and that takes away time from family when they’re working so much especially if they’re single parents.
You don’t think kids with fathers come end up in gangs?
P-M — That idea that fathers being present makes a difference on gang members, is sort of a “white folks” myth… Not sure where that came from… The same myth exists about hispanic youth gangs, and even “white gangs” in some places…
Lori,
I’m not a counselor, just a guy, grew up different sections of Wichita.
I have friends in law enforcement.
My parents moved 6 boys from bad neighborhoods. They stayed married over 50 years now, neither drank, did drugs or smoked. Great examples.
Growing up in the street used to be not so dangerous.
But some neighborhoods today, exist the same for 30 years.
Struggling economics continues.
Some parts of town don’t have equal malls and business.
Mass transportation isn’t good, allowing some to take buses all day.
That harms people getting to jobs. Young people should take a bus around.
Some kids are left at home. Waiting somewhere to be picked up.
The family dynamic falls apart, becomes running around. Not hanging around together, like eating dinner.
Time management in some families gets out of control. Economics and time gets out of control.
Parents can’t have addictions!
Half of America doesn’t have cable or a computer at home. Some poor have big screen TVs and every kind of electronic toy, yet struggle to buy clothes for kids.
The working hungry. Food lines aren’t short.
People are kept poor by credit and business profits. They charge higher interests and fees on some people.
I can write without too many errors occasionally! That helps to get my points across.
I have a “ghost” who shows up and does nothing but complain about my spelling or phrasing.
The helicoil bulbs are just a fad. They save electricity, but the disposal will be a problem. Even with low levels of mercury, the green forces will condemn them in time. Besides, we’ve tried them in several locations, their light output, range, and fire-up time is inferior. They don’t last very long, and they cost a lot more. The free market will send these the way of snake oil.
The helicoil bulbs are just a fad. They save electricity, but the disposal will be a problem. Even with low levels of mercury, the green forces will condemn them in time. Besides, we’ve tried them in several locations, their light output, range, and fire-up time is inferior. They don’t last very long, and they cost a lot more. The free market will send these the way of snake oil.
Marty – I have those twist-bulbs in a number of high-use locations and have found that they last MUCH longer than ordinary bulbs. Even without calculating the cost savings in electricity and replacement I find that in those uses especially they pay for themselves in the hassle of replacement (get out the ladder etc). I have found this to be especially true outdoors.
You are correct that fire-up can be slow, again especially outdoors in the winter. It is sort of fun watching them struggle on when the temperature is below freezing. However, within a couple of minutes they are shining brightly.
One of the prosecutors in the Jo Co DA office is speaking out. I heard her last night. She left and is working for Morrison in Topeka now. She said Phill is ruining the DA’s office. She told many horror stories. A murderer was up for parole on Monday and no one from the DA’s office was there to represent the people of Johnson County. The attorney who should have been there was playing golf. She told of another case where the defendant was charged with 5 felonies and had no attorney (she called this a no brainer win) and Kline’s people let him plea down to a misdemeanor and time served. And Kline is calling that a win.
The only case he has won was that murder trial last week where the defendant’s mother testified against him. DUIs are being thrown out because evidence is lost. Criminal defense attorneys are lining up to get easy wins since the prosecutors are so incompetent. 20 of 32 attorneys in the DA’s office have left since January, some fired and some quit.
She said someone needs to file a FOIA and find out how much restitution has been collected and paid since January in Johnson County.
Here’s the best part: Phill is working 6 to 8 hours a week – for $143K a year.