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Daily Archives: July 22, 2007
Senate Dems trying to tie war to GOP
July 22, 20071:04 a.m.
Last week’s all-night Senate debate on Iraq was high on theater but didn’t appear to accomplish much: A Democratic proposal to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within 120 days and pull out most troops by April 30, 2008, fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to end the Republican filibuster.
With a few exceptions, Republican senators closed ranks to show continued support for President Bush’s war strategy.
But that appears to be the point of the Democratic maneuver.
“The goal of Democrats was clear: to put Republicans on record on where they stand on an unpopular war and to keep Iraq in the news, which is not good for the Bush administration,” said Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. “On these two levels, they were successful, even if no new legislation will come out of it. Democrats want Iraq to be for President Bush what Vietnam became for President Johnson: an all-consuming issue, where nothing else can be discussed.”
A recent Gallup Poll found that 71 percent of Americans favor removing almost all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 2008. The Democrats are trying to draw a bright line between the parties on the issue.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Domestic violence gets statewide priority
July 22, 20071:03 a.m.
Thank you to Attorney General Paul Morrison for creating a special unit in the office to help combat domestic violence. The unit is developing best practices to share with local law enforcement and prosecutors on handling domestic abuse calls, arrests and criminal cases. It also will look at possible legislation and help seek grant money for organizations that focus on domestic violence.
The Wichita Police Department worked 590 domestic violence cases from January to June of this year. But that is likely a fraction of the problem, as many instances of violence go unreported.
Morrison’s unit should particularly help smaller counties with limited resources do a better job with these cases. But making domestic violence a criminal justice priority should benefit the entire state.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Vote no on expanded gambling
July 22, 20071:03 a.m.
The Eagle editorial board recommends a “no” vote on casinos and slots on today’s Opinion pages. It was a difficult decision, as there are good arguments on both sides. But the board didn’t believe that expanded gambling would enhance a city heading in the right direction. A casino wouldn’t bring ruin to Wichita, as some opponents suggest. But, at best, it would be a distraction from the long-term goals of Visioneering Wichita.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
July 22, 20071:02 a.m.
Ever wonder how Eagle editorial cartoonist Richard Crowson comes up with his ideas? How he draws them? What his dog thinks? How he manages to turn a doodle into an eight-hour day? Go to Kansas.com/opinion to watch a video on a day in the life of an editorial cartoonist — complete with banjo music.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Vote will be symbolic but ribs will be real
July 22, 20071:00 a.m.
The Brownback for President campaign has chosen Minnesota-based Famous Dave’s to provide barbecue exclusively at the candidate’s tent for the Aug. 11 GOP straw poll in Ames, a largely symbolic exercise in vote-buying that both Mitt Romney and John McCain plan to skip. A good omen for Brownback: George W. Bush chose Famous Dave’s in 1999, when he won the straw poll with 31 percent of the votes.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
