Another example of how tough the challenge is in Iraq, and how progress can quickly reverse: The Sunni leader who had joined with American and Iraqi forces to fight al-Qaida in Anbar was killed by a bomb today. This is the same sheik President Bush met with during his recent trip to Iraq (see photo).
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Ralph Nader has complained that there really isn’t any difference between Republicans and Democrats. But on the Iraq war, there sure is. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., announced Wednesday his plan to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by the end of next year. "The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq’s leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops," he said. Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who also was in Iowa Wednesday, has a new campaign theme: "No Surrender." Speaking to veterans, McCain said: "If we leave, there will be chaos and genocide in the region, and we will be back."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
There’s no doubt that motorcycle helmets save lives, says the National Transportation Safety Board, which is recommending that all states adopt mandatory helmet laws.
Kansas repealed its helmet law in 1976 (riders under 18 are still required to wear a helmet), with many cyclists arguing that a helmet requirement violates their right to personal freedom.
But similar arguments were made against seat belts, which have saved thousands of lives and untold injuries over the years. The steadily rising numbers of motorcycle fatalities (more than double since 1997) and catastrophic head injuries should prompt the Legislature to take a look at tightening the state’s helmet law.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
The future for polar bears looks grim, according to a new scientific study projecting that two-thirds of the polar bear population could vanish by 2050 if global warming trends continue to shrink Arctic sea ice.
“Our results have demonstrated that as the sea ice goes, so goes the polar bear,” said Steven Amstrup, a wildlife biologist who led the polar bear studies for the U.S. Geological Survey.
More evidence that warming is having real and serious consequences.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
“He just lies, and when you do find out more about him you won’t vote for him.”
– Jim Riches, a deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department, criticizing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on ABC’s “Nightline”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It was shocking to learn of the hit-and-run deaths of two highway workers near Lawrence, one of those avoidable tragedies that demonstrates what should be the obvious danger of hurtling cars in proximity to road crews. One of the men who died was Rolland Griffith of El Dorado. Charges were filed Wednesday against a Washington state mother and daughter whose car allegedly struck the men.
The incident, like the many near misses that can be seen in Kansas road construction zones, should remind drivers that as of July 1, the “move over” law now extends to highway workers as well as emergency personnel. Failing to change lanes or, if that isn’t possible, slow down for road workers can bring a fine of up to $180 plus court costs. Of course, the workers aren’t the only reasons to slow down: Last year in Kansas, most of the 14 people killed in work zone accidents were motorists.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
