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Monthly Archives: July 2007
Trial lawyers like Thompson
July 27, 20071:04 a.m.
Here’s an endorsement that few Republicans ever get: Trial lawyers strongly supported Fred Thompson when he was in the Senate.
"We viewed him as someone we could work with, particularly given he had been an advocate in court for individuals and corporations, and had an innate understanding of what went on in a civil jury," Linda Lipsen, the chief lobbyist for the American trial lawyers lobby group, told the Washington Post. That’s the same group that most Republicans love to hate.
Thompson’s background as an attorney made him more understanding of the concerns of trial lawyers and less willing to buy into GOP demagoguery of the profession. For example, Thompson bucked the GOP in not supporting limits on medical malpractice lawsuits.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Following the possibilities in 2nd District race
July 27, 20071:03 a.m.
First state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins would have to beat former Rep. Jim Ryun in the GOP primary. But if she defeats not only Ryun but also incumbent Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, Jenkins’ replacement would be chosen by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who could use the job to "build more candidate bench strength," noted the Kansas City Star’s Steve Kraske. Having the 2nd Congressional District seat back in GOP hands would be a relief for Republicans. But the prospect of a Democratic governor, attorney general and treasurer — along with a GOP insurance commissioner and a GOP secretary of state who drew conservative challengers last year — will give some Republicans the willies.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Sorry, no Ginger or Mary Ann
July 27, 20071:02 a.m.
To "better understand the perceived personalities of the candidates," advertising agency JWT used an online poll to, among other things, do a fantasy recasting of "Gilligan’s Island" with the top six presidential candidates. And the winners were:
Hillary Clinton as Mrs. Howell ("Clinton cannot get out from under her husband’s shadow," wrote Ann W. Mack in Adweek).
Rudy Giuliani and, to a lesser extent, John McCain as the Skipper.
Barack Obama as the professor.
Mitt Romney as Thurston Howell.
And John Edwards as Gilligan.
The possibilities with such recastings are endless. Here are some to ponder: "Star Trek," "The A-Team," "MASH" and "Green Acres."
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Oil spill has a silver lining for some
July 27, 20071:01 a.m.
The oil that leaked during the Coffeyville flood created an environmental mess. But despite all the problems and heartache that it caused, the spill may have a silver lining for some homeowners. That’s because most residents didn’t have flood insurance to pay for the severe water damage to their homes. But Coffeyville Resources, which spilled the oil into the water, has stepped up and pledged to buy about 300 homes at 110 percent of their pre-flood values. The refinery may use the purchased properties to create a buffer zone.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Immigrant anger was misdirected
July 26, 20071:22 p.m.
As our editorial today states, the local Hispanics upset about a new driver’s license renewal requirement did themselves no favors by shouting at and calling Revenue Secretary Joan Wagnon a liar at a Wichita meeting last weekend. They came off as noncitizens demanding rights to which they are not legally entitled. Plus, the residents’ beef is mostly with Congress and the federal immigration boondoggle, not with Wagnon or state lawmakers.
That said, the residents’ plight is real and difficult. Many have visas and are in the process of attaining legal status, but they lack Social Security numbers and proof of citizenship. Some of them have had Kansas driver’s licenses for years. But early this year, the state, as part of the federal Real ID Act, stopped accepting license holders’ affidavits stating that they are legal residents. So suddenly, it’s unlawful for them to drive — something of a necessity in transit-challenged Wichita. The result is that we’re likely to have more people driving without licenses and insurance.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Gonzales perjury could be hard to prove
July 26, 20071:18 p.m.
Some of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ testimony before Congress has seemed contradictory and misleading. But perjury charges, which some Senate Democrats want filed against Gonzales, likely would be difficult to prove. What is clear is that Gonzales has little support on Capitol Hill, including among Republicans. “I do not find your testimony credible, candidly,” Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., told Gonzales during hearings Tuesday. But Gonzales still has the support of the person who matters most to keeping his job: President Bush. Specter said that Bush was sticking by Gonzales out of personal loyalty — regardless of what Congress or the public thinks.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
More business interests lined up against gambling
July 26, 20071:03 a.m.
It’s significant that the board of directors of the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce voted Wednesday to oppose expanded gambling in Sedgwick County. That’s not an easy stance to take, given the diversity of business interests that the chamber represents. But the vote speaks to the strong conviction of many business leaders — including past chamber chairmen who urged the board to oppose gambling — that a casino would have an overall negative impact on local businesses and the economy.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Dr. Paul is no Mr. Smith
July 26, 20071:02 a.m.
A New York Times profile of Ron Paul, the libertarian-oriented Republican presidential candidate who also is a physician and congressman, noted that "there is something homespun about Paul, reminiscent of ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.’" "But," the article continued, "there is also something cosmopolitan and radical about him; his speeches can bring to mind the World Social Forum or the French international-affairs periodical Le Monde Diplomatique. . . . The word ‘empire’ crops up a lot in his speeches."
Meanwhile, online political strategist Patrick Ruffini predicted that Paul will come in second in the Iowa straw poll.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
KU video questioner annoyed by responses
July 26, 20071:01 a.m.
The University of Kansas student who posed a video question during the Democratic debate Monday was annoyed that the candidates mostly laughed off his question. Jordan Williams, a junior from Coffeyville, asked via a YouTube video about complaints that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., isn’t black enough and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., isn’t feminine enough.
"I wanted them to indict the American public for having these preconceived notions," Williams told the Lawrence Journal-World. "It’s sad that we live in a country that puts people in such specific boxes of how they are supposed to act."
Welcome to the world of politics.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Contempt charges might not be smartest response
July 25, 20071:24 p.m.
All members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats — should be concerned about the executive power and privilege claimed by the Bush administration. But today’s House Judiciary Committee vote to hold two Bush aides in contempt may not be the smartest response.
The committee voted along party lines to hold Josh Bolten, White House chief of staff, and Harriet Miers, former White House counsel, in contempt for refusing to testify in an investigation into the firings of nine U.S. attorneys.
But former Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., argued, “Absent showing that a crime was committed in this process, I think the White House is going to win an argument in court,” the Washington Post reported. He contends that the better approach would be to file a lawsuit challenging President Bush’s executive privilege claim.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
19,000 Kansans out of luck with wage hike
July 25, 20071:21 p.m.
The federal minimum wage increased Tuesday to $5.85 an hour, but that didn’t help an estimated 19,000 Kansans not covered by the federal law. Those Kansans still only have to be paid the state’s minimum wage — a measly $2.65 an hour.
“The Kansas minimum wage is a poverty wage,” Carla James, president of Kansas Action Network, said at a Statehouse rally Tuesday calling for an increase in the state wage, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
The Legislature rejected a proposed increased this past session, with many lawmakers arguing it might hurt small businesses. It’s also unclear how many Kansans actually make only $2.65 an hour.
But Heidi Zeller of KAN noted that if a person works full time at $2.65 an hour, he earns less than $6,000 annually. “A job should keep you out of poverty,” she said, “not keep you poor.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
What matters? Long, beautiful hair
July 25, 20071:04 a.m.
John Edwards’ new YouTube video is a clever and strong response to the guff he’s gotten about his hair, including the killer "I Feel Pretty" video, which shows him endlessly primping. Edwards’ own 30-second video, set to the music of "Hair," shifts from pictures of hair to photos of Iraq, Katrina and a protest about the lack of health care. It ends with the line, "What really matters? You choose."
Still, Edwards likely will continue to be dogged by his mane, especially because the Washington Post reported that Edwards has paid much more than $400 for a haircut. At various times, the Edwards campaign has flown his Beverly Hills stylist to other cities to give Edwards a trim, and has paid as much as $1,250 in expenses.
Apparently, hair matters at least a little.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Brownback vying to be most pro-life of them all
July 25, 20071:03 a.m.
Further evidence that GOP primary politics can get rough, especially over defining social issues: Sam Brownback’s Iowa "robocall" assault on the pro-life credentials of Mitt Romney and Tom Tancredo, which has both candidates demanding apologies. Tancredo’s acceptance of campaign money from a Planned Parenthood backer might be a legitimate criticism (though it hardly matters, given Tancredo’s lack of electability). But does the Brownback campaign really think it’s fair to blast Romney for his wife’s past donations?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Stop talking crazy about arena
July 25, 20071:02 a.m.
Good for the Wichita City Council for not only speaking out Tuesday in support of Sedgwick County’s much-maligned downtown arena but also passing a resolution restating the council’s support for the project. The city can help address public concerns about arena parking. But, as City Council member Paul Gray said, "We need to stop this crazy talk about shutting the arena down."
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Will there be an encore for Prairie Rose?
July 25, 20071:01 a.m.
How sad to see the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper, and its cowboy movies and wagon and train rides, apparently brought down by Wild West World’s bankruptcy. As our editorial Tuesday noted, there are other ways to enjoy "lip smacking bar-b-que and great cowboy music," as a Prairie Rose billboard put it, but none quite so informal and entertaining as at the working ranch near Benton.
With the supper club now closed and up for auction Aug. 24, its many fans can only hope a buyer will step forward who is interested in reopening the Prairie Rose and keeping its tunes and food coming.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Melting snowman won debate
July 24, 200712:41 p.m.
Did you bloggers watch the Democratic presidential debatelast night? Did you think the YouTube questions added much? Some of the videos did personalize certain issues, and the quirky ones helped liven up the debate. But the candidates still tended to fall back on their talking points. FYI: It was a University of Kansas student who asked Hillary Clinton if she was "satisfactorily feminine" — to which Clinton responded: "I couldn’t run as anything other than a woman."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Ward constituents could be the judge, too
July 24, 200712:39 p.m.
Few members of the area legislative delegation are as savvy and effective as Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita. The House assistant minority leader, Ward also is one of only two area legislators in House leadership. And his depth of experience is rare at the Statehouse. So it was disappointing to learn that Ward had been arrested in Topeka over the weekend on suspicion of drunken driving and refused a sobriety test. The justice system still must sort out what happened; voters in Ward’s southeast Wichita neighborhood could have their say next year. One lesson might come from the experience of Rep. Dale Swenson, R-Wichita, who was quick to admit both error and embarrassment upon his 2006 DUI arrest, then won re-election later in the year with 64 percent of the vote.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Texas as stupid as Kansas?
July 24, 20071:03 a.m.
"Looks like Texas is on the move to be as stupid as Kansas," a HoustonPress blog said last week about Texas Gov. Rick Perry (in photo) appointing conservative ideologue Don McLeroy to head the State Board of Education. "The expectation," the blog said, "is that McLeroy will lead the way into creationism in the upcoming board debate over state textbooks."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Stop worrying about casino at Century II
July 24, 20071:02 a.m.
Gambling opponents have spread fears about Century II being turned into a casino. But that was never going to happen, as the Wichita City Council didn’t support the plan. So it was good last week that the Canadian developer who proposed the idea announced that he was officially dropping it.
Voters still won’t know where a casino might go if expanded gambling is approved Aug. 7. But they can stop worrying about it taking over Century II.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Dillons cares about more than bottom line
July 24, 20071:00 a.m.
Hats off to Dillons for deciding to rebuild its grocery store in Greensburg. The Hutchinson-based chain easily could have pulled out after the May 4 tornado destroyed its store and nearly all of the town. Or it could have waited longer to rebuild until more of the population returned. Both would have made financial sense. But by rebuilding, the company is showing that it cares about citizens and a community, not just about its bottom line.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Do not waste time on Bush censure
July 23, 200712:32 p.m.
Sen. Russ Feingold (in photo), D-Wis., said on NBC’s "Meet the Press" that he will try again to persuade his colleagues in Congress to censure President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and perhaps others — this time for the Iraq mess and terrorism-related "assault" on the Constitution. The liberal senator’s persistent desire for accountability is understandable, given the mishandling of the Iraq war. But with the administration getting lamer by the day and partisanship already paralyzing Congress, a censure debate would be time badly misspent.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
