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Monthly Archives: September 2007
Is global warming good for Kansas?
Sept. 30, 20071:04 a.m.
Everybody knows that House Speaker Melvin Neufeld (in photo), R-Ingalls, thinks the coal-fired plant expansion proposed near Holcomb is a good thing for Kansas. But Neufeld also thinks global warming is a good thing for Kansas. “We’re raising better crops. Our farm economy is better. Our cattle are better off than they were 100 years ago,” Neufeld told Harris News Service.
Cornfields will offset the plants’ carbon emissions, he said, and no one is sure what’s causing global warming. But “certainly climate change is a benefit,” he said.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Brownback right about GOP debate no-shows
Sept. 30, 20071:02 a.m.
Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback missed six of 11 Senate votes last week, including Thursday’s reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (which he voted against in August). His missed-vote record for the year is 36.7 percent, continuing to demonstrate how difficult it is to run for president while doing the work of the Senate. Brownback deserves credit for something else he did Thursday, though — showing up at Tavis Smiley’s GOP debate on minority issues, unlike top-tier candidates Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain and Mitt Romney. “I think this is a disgrace that they are not here,” Brownback said at the debate. “I think it’s a disgrace to our country. I think it’s bad for our party, and I don’t think it’s good for our future.” He’s right.
Brownback enjoyed one victory in the Senate this week, having co-sponsored with Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., the resolution promoting a three-state political solution in Iraq that passed the Senate 75-23.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Giuliani too weird for White House?
Sept. 30, 20071:01 a.m.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board admires Rudy Giuliani’s campaign and record as mayor of New York City but devoted a full editorial last week to Giuliani’s strange behavior, most recently taking a phone call from his wife during his speech to the National Rifle Association. He once took two calls during an Oklahoma appearance, the editorial noted; combined with his messy marital history and family relationships, such incidents risk putting off voters. The editorial went on: “Giuliani ought to be aware of this vulnerability and do nothing to compound it. ‘That was just weird,’ one NRA audience member told the New York Post about the phone interruption. Mr. Giuliani doesn’t need more weird.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Tough to stand firm against helping kids
Sept. 30, 20071:00 a.m.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wasn’t kidding Tuesday when she referred to the legislative body as “the Children’s Congress” in trying to persuade President Bush not to veto the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. As Dana Milbank of the Washington Post noted, this year alone there have been hundreds of bills “for the kids,” including the “Kids Come First Act, the Protect Our Children First Act, the Prepare All Kids Act, the Early Childhood Investment Act, the Play Every Day Act, the Safe Babies Act, the Children’s Dental Health Improvement Act, and the Early Detection of Dyslexia in Children Act.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Let customers decide if they want messages
Sept. 29, 20071:04 a.m.
Verizon Wireless is a private company and probably has the legal right to decide what text-message programs it will and won’t allow to be sent on its mobile network. Still, it was strange that the company would not allow Naral Pro-Choice America to use its network, before relenting Thursday. It also raised concerns about “net neutrality.”
The company at first told the New York Times that abortion was on a list of controversial topics that it blocks. But the messages don’t appear to be offensive and are sent only to people who ask for them. One recent text example: “End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.”
Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, complained: “Regardless of people’s political views, Verizon customers should decide what action to take on their phones. Why does Verizon get to make that choice for them?”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Why Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton might be OK
Sept. 29, 20071:02 a.m.
Even as Hillary Clinton’s Democratic presidential nomination flirts with inevitability, a question nags: Do Americans really want a quarter century of nothing but Bush or Clinton administrations?
Asked Wednesday by ABC News’ Charles Gibson about the “Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton” issue, Bill Clinton said his wife would have to win on her own merits and shouldn’t be disqualified because she’s married to him, concluding: “No, dynasties are not good for America, but it wouldn’t be good for America to eliminate someone in consideration, because of what their last name was.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Thompson could brush up on current events
Sept. 29, 20071:01 a.m.
First Fred Thompson didn’t know much about Terri Schiavo or oil drilling in the Everglades. Then Thursday he said he didn’t know a federal judge had ruled that lethal injection procedures in his home state of Tennessee were unconstitutional, or that the U.S. Supreme Court had agreed to hear a Kentucky case on lethal injection.
As ABC News’ The Note blog observed, somebody should get that man a newspaper or Internet connection.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Would a draft keep us out of wars?
Sept. 28, 200712:20 p.m.
In my columntoday, I point out that Ken Burns’ documentary "The War" celebrates something that no longer exists in this country — the citizen-soldier.
I think a draft, for all its faults, would be the most obvious way to unite the public behind a war and ensure a shared sacrifice. And it might help avoid elective foreign blunders such as Iraq.
A draft would give the gut-check question — would you send your daughter or son to this war? — real weight and meaning.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Roberts blasts Bush on SCHIP
Sept. 28, 200712:18 p.m.
"I am very disappointed that before the administration even received the final language, their minds were apparently made up and a line was drawn in the sand opposing this compromise," Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., complained about President Bush’s opposition to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill. The Senate approved an expansion of SCHIP 67-29, with Roberts and 17 other Republicans voting for the bill. (Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., missed the vote — surprise, surprise — after having voted against an earlier Senate version on Aug. 2.)
Roberts said that the administration’s claims about excessive spending and federalizing health care were not accurate. "I just have to ask the speechwriter: Are you reading the same bill I am? You can twist the facts, but facts are stubborn things."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Patriot Act ruling a victory for liberty, rule of law
Sept. 28, 20071:02 a.m.
Congratulations to Brandon Mayfield (in photo), who grew up in Halstead and Hutchinson, for his legal victory Wednesday. A federal judge ruled as unconstitutional two provisions of the USA Patriot Act that allowed the government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without showing probable cause.
Mayfield, now an attorney in Portland, Ore., was wrongly jailed in 2004 in connection with the Madrid train bombings. He received an apology and $2 million settlement from the government last November. Wednesday’s ruling was the result of a second lawsuit challenging the Patriot Act.
In making her ruling, U.S. District Judge Anne Aiken wisely noted: “For over 200 years, this nation has adhered to the rule of law — with unparalleled success. A shift to a nation based on extraconstitutional authority is prohibited, as well as ill advised.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Higher arena budget is good news
Sept. 28, 20071:01 a.m.
It’s good news that the arena sales tax is bringing in more revenue than expected, contrary to the complaints of some arena opponents. Sedgwick County now expects to collect $205.5 million during the 30-month life of the sales tax, which expires Dec. 31, rather than the $184.5 million original estimate or the $201 million revised estimate. The extra revenue, which by law can be used only on arena-related projects, will help cover the higher-than-projected construction costs and is an indication that the local economy is strong (and hasn’t suffered much under the 1-cent sales tax, as some opponents predicted).
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Chinese ought to be doing the apologizing
Sept. 28, 20071:00 a.m.
How bizarre is it that Mattel reportedly apologized to the Chinese government for the safety recalls of nearly 20 million toys made in China? The company has challenged news reports of the apology by executive vice president Thomas Debrowski, saying he was apologizing to Chinese consumers of Mattel toys, not to Mattel’s Chinese vendors. But as Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, “It’s like a bank robber apologizing to his accomplice instead of to the person who was robbed.” Whatever the nature of the mea culpa, it just shows how much Mattel relies on the low wages paid in China, where 65 percent of Mattel’s toys are manufactured.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Were scientists tricked into appearing in ID film?
Sept. 27, 200712:48 p.m.
Several scientists are claiming that they were misled about a new intelligent design film, the New York Times reported. Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins says that he was asked to be interviewed for a film about the intersection of faith and science to be titled "Crossroads." Instead, the film, which will be released next year, is now titled, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," and is about academia’s alleged intolerance and suppression of those who see evidence of a supernatural intelligence in biological processes. "At no time was I given the slightest clue that these people were a creationist front," Dawkins said.
Eugenie C. Scott, a physical anthropologist who heads the National Center for Science Education, said she is willing to appear in films in which people’s views are different from hers. "I just expect people to be honest with me, and they weren’t," she said.
But a producer of the film denied that there was any deception about what the film was about, and said the film’s name change was just a marketing decision.
If the filmmakers were a bit deceptive, is that OK, given that Michael Moore does that? Or would that go against the religious views the film promotes?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Bush grammar not making adequate yearly progress
Sept. 27, 200712:44 p.m.
"Childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured." — President Bush, touting national test scores Wednesday, providing a nice companion to his famous 2000 quote "Is our children learning?"
Posted by Rhonda Holman
O’Reilly showed ignorance but did not have Imus Moment
Sept. 27, 20071:03 a.m.
Bill O’Reilly is under fire for some recent racial comments, but some of it has been taken out of context. O’Reilly tried to relate on his radio talk show how a couple of experiences showed him how we share the same American dream, regardless of race, and how rap stereotypes aren’t representative of African-Americans.
Some liberal critics have taken the comments out of context to make them seem more offensive — such as his surprise that eating at a restaurant in Harlem was like eating at any other restaurant in New York City. But the New York Times media blogger argued this was no “Imus Moment.” O’Reilly’s comments, he argued, show how sheltered O’Reilly has been and may possibly reflect a "casual racism," but that they were intended to report his conversion to a new way of thinking.
Still, as one blogger sarcastically applauded: “Congratulations, Bill. It took you half a century to figure out that Flava Flav does not represent the behavior of all black people. Next week perhaps you’ll learn that every Jewish person doesn’t act like Jackie Mason and every white person doesn’t act like Larry the Cable Guy.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Voter ID laws ripe for high court hearing
Sept. 27, 20071:01 a.m.
In 2007, a time of terrorism and identity theft, no one should be able to vote without showing a photo identification card. That only makes sense, right? But some voting rights activists persuasively argue that because there are costs associated with acquiring a photo ID, such a mandate is an unconstitutional poll tax that disenfranchises voters. There is enough confusion about the issue in state courts around the country that it comes as a relief that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on Indiana’s voter ID law. Given the leanings of the Roberts court, some voter ID opponents aren’t hopeful that justices will see things their way, but the court’s consideration is warranted.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Do not ignore detour signs
Sept. 27, 20071:00 a.m.
When all the facts are in, the death of Sedgwick County fire Lt. Bryon Johnson may be judged an unavoidable freak accident. But it’s appropriate for authorities to have launched three investigations into Johnson’s electrocution, which occurred as he fought a grass fire ignited by a power line downed when a truck hit a utility pole. And it’s not too soon to take away one essential lesson from the tragedy: Drivers should never ignore detour signs.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
GM retiree benefits shift sets precedent
Sept. 26, 200711:52 a.m.
Short term, the tentative agreement between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. is important because it ends a strike, the first against GM in 37 years. Long term, it may be most important for the shift of the massive $51 billion responsibility for retirees’ health care from the company to the union. Of the deal on retiree benefits, one 31-year GM employee said, "If it’s managed right, it will be OK." That could be a big "if." Meanwhile, other companies carrying big retiree benefits burdens have to be buzzing today with "what ifs."
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Why Tiahrt and Moran disagreed on SCHIP
Sept. 26, 200711:50 a.m.
The Kansas congressional delegation’s tally on the compromise reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program was three in favor, one against. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, explains why he couldn’t support it in a letter on today’s Opinion pages, complaining that it "raises taxes, rejects free market principles, and strays from any serious health policy reform." He also accuses Democrats of playing politics, even though the bill is supported by many GOP lawmakers and the Republican Governors Association. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, explained his change of heart — from "no" on the earlier House version to "yes" Tuesday night — in a statement: "Unlike the previous House version, I am glad to see the focus of this legislation is back on low-income families with children. Health and dental services are crucial in the development of young Kansans. If we fail to provide health care to low-income children, we reduce their chances of long and healthy lives. By opening the door to doctor’s offices, we eliminate costly emergency room visits and the end result is healthier children and lower costs."
The Senate is expected to approve the bill by a large margin Thursday, then President Bush is expected to veto the expansion.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
