Daily Archives: July 15, 2007

Open thread 7/15

July 15, 20071:04 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (112)

Progress in Iraq has had its price

July 15, 20071:03 a.m.

“We have made progress, steady progress, in restoring hope in a nation beaten down by decades of tyranny.” — President Bush, July 2003 (160 total U.S. troops lost).
“We’re making really good progress.” — Bush again, October 2003 (230 troops lost).
“We’re making progress.” — April 2004 (700 troops lost).
“We’re making good progress in Iraq.” — April 2005 (1,500 troops lost).
“Iraqis are making inspiring progress.” — November 2005 (2,000 troops lost).
“We’re making progress on all fronts.” — May 2006 (2,400 troops lost).
“There’s some measurable progress.” — At last Thursday’s news conference (3,600 troops lost).
As New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof asked, “Do we really want to continue making this kind of inspiring progress for the next 10 years?”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Iraq | Comments (148)

Brownback-Schiavo ticket a success?

July 15, 20071:02 a.m.

Sen. Sam Brownback is touring Iowa this weekend with Bobby Schindler, the brother of the late Terri Schiavo, whose case created an uproar when some lawmakers in Congress, including Brownback, intervened to try to prevent her husband from removing life support.
This interference with what should have been a painful, personal family decision was a distinct low point for Congress — and polls showed Americans overwhelmingly disapproved of the grandstanding by right-to-life lawmakers such as Brownback.
It’s hard to see how bringing up this shameful episode will broaden Brownback’s appeal.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (64)

Not a lot of faith in faith of candidates

July 15, 20071:01 a.m.

In a new Time magazine poll on faith and the top presidential contenders, only 15 percent of registered voters said they believe Hillary Clinton is “strongly religious,” compared with 22 percent for John Edwards and 24 percent for Barack Obama. The GOP is traditionally seen as offering the most religious candidates. But while 26 percent of registered voters think Mitt Romney has a strong faith, only 15 percent could say the same for John McCain and 13 percent for Rudy Giuliani. (That gap may be why Kansas’ conservative Sam Brownback thinks he has a shot at breaking into the top GOP tier.)
Most interestingly, 62 percent of Republicans surveyed said a president’s decisions should be guided by his faith, while 58 percent of Democrats said they should not.
This week, columnist Cal Thomas also took aim at Hillary Clinton’s Methodist faith, which he characterized as “liberal” and favoring a “constantly evolving, poll-tested relevancy to modern concerns.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (141)

Kansas Lottery is in the money

July 15, 20071:00 a.m.

With Kansas on the verge of getting into the casino business, it was interesting to learn that the Kansas Lottery had record sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30 — nearly $241 million, up 2 percent from record-setting fiscal 2006. Accordingly, the amount of lottery revenue being transferred to state coffers is $71 million, the biggest annual transfer since the lottery began in 1987. Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery executive director, credited the introduction of a $20 scratch ticket and new “online” lottery games, as well as business and tourism promotions. In any case, the latest numbers aren’t about big Powerball jackpots; Powerball sales in the state were down more than 27 percent.
And this seems another good opportunity to try to dispel that persistent rumor that lottery revenue was supposed to help fund Kansas schools. That was discussed prior to the 1986 vote authorizing the lottery but was never part of the law. The proceeds go to economic development, prison construction and maintenance, local juvenile detention facilities and problem gambling assistance.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (8)