The Kansas GOP is planning a new "loyalty committee" to punish party officials who endorse or contribute to Democrats, according to an Associated Press article.
Some moderates fear that they’re the targets of the conservative-dominated state party organization.
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh said, "It gives me pause for thought anytime someone requires a loyalty oath of anyone from any organization."
It does sound creepy. What’s next: GOP kids who squeal on their parents?
Andy Wollen, president of the moderate group Kansas Traditional Republican Majority, said the panel sounded like something from the Inquisition.
"When you hear the term loyalty committee, what runs through your mind?" he said. "Joseph McCarthy. George Orwell."
Posted by Randy Scholfield
A Washington Post article made a big deal about how nearly a third of the public thinks the U.S. Supreme Court is too far to the right, according to a new poll. But should that be surprising? What percentage of the U.S. population is liberal or leans to the left? Wouldn’t they think the court is too liberal, especially after the appointments of John Roberts and Samuel Alito. Meanwhile, about half the public thinks the court is generally balanced in its decisions.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Why should the United States sell Saudi Arabia advanced arms when it is harming efforts to restore security in Iraq? That’s what members of Congress are wanting to know, and why they are opposing a Bush administration plan to sell $20 billion in weaponry to Saudi Arabia and five other Persian Gulf countries, the Washington Post reported. In addition to being the home country of nearly all the 9/11 terrorists, Saudi Arabia has offered financial support to Sunni groups in Iraq and opponents of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. And nearly half of the foreign fighters entering Iraq each month come via Saudi Arabia, the New York Times reported.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Kansas native Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., broke two unwritten rules when he rode on Air Force One last week: He visited with reporters aboard the plane, and he spoke ill of the administration while doing so. Specter told reporters that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ testimony last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee was “devastating,” yet President Bush was sticking by Gonzales out of “personal loyalty.” White House officials were not happy with Specter — though he was allowed to ride back to Washington, D.C., on Air Force One.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Sen. John McCain’s advertising consultants are the latest top officials to jump from his ailing presidential campaign. But some supporters think the departures are for the good, because it is forcing McCain to return to the person-to-person campaign style that fueled his success in the 2000 race. McCain also is hopeful that the change in focus will help him rebound. “ I can do the town-hall meetings, the kind of campaign that wins elections,” he said.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
