Daily Archives: Sept. 16, 2007

Open thread 9/16

Sept. 16, 20071:05 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (140)

The New Republic colors Kansas purple

Sept. 16, 20071:04 a.m.

In an article in the liberal New Republic headlined “What’s Not the Matter With Kansas: Change of Heartland,” writer John B. Judis suggests the Kansas Democratic Party has risen from the dead. Noting the Democratic successes of recent elections, such as those of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Attorney General Paul Morrison and Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, he writes: “Like Indiana, Nebraska, and other reputedly red states, Kansas has become politically competitive.” Judis credits “the combination of a fratricidal GOP and a rapidly expanding Johnson County electorate.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (55)

The persistence of myths

Sept. 16, 20071:02 a.m.

Efforts to combat common public myths and falsehoods with good information might actually backfire, according to recent psychological studies, which point to a paradoxical effect: Referring to bad information might only keep it alive in people’s minds.
Depressing, huh? And not a ringing endorsement of the power of human reason.
For instance, many Americans still think Saddam Hussein was behind the Sept. 11 attacks, despite (and perhaps even because of) the many refutations of that notion.
And a survey last year found that an increasing number of Muslims worldwide don’t believe Arabs carried out the Sept. 11 attacks — it was somehow a Jewish conspiracy — despite an aggressive U.S. public information campaign to counter that message on Arab Web sites.
That doesn’t mean rebuttals can’t work; it’s just more difficult than once thought to fight urban myths, especially when someone is inclined, through ideology or self-interest, to believe them.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under American life | Comments (89)

Why do Iowa, New Hampshire get first pick?

Sept. 16, 20071:01 a.m.

The efforts of states to cut in on the primacy of Iowa and New Hampshire in the presidential primaries prompted a New York Times writer to observe: “Iowa and New Hampshire voters display an uncommon command of issues, a sophistication about the contest and its candidates, an understanding of history and an eagerness to participate that clearly sets them apart.”
Here’s an idea: Give voters in the 48 other states now forced to follow Iowa and New Hampshire a chance to go first so they can develop fine qualities, too. Sounds like a smart way to nurture democracy.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Presidential race | Comments (19)

Smart strategy for finding new teachers

Sept. 16, 20071:00 a.m.

Wichita State University’s successful Transition to Teaching program, which targets career-changing professionals, is an example of the creative strategies needed to address the looming teacher shortage in our public schools.
It’s smart to lure people with previous work or academic experience to teaching, especially people with backgrounds in hard-to-fill areas such as math and science; often these second-career teachers have the maturity and dedication needed to thrive in the classroom. WSU’s alternative licensing program also gives them the quality mentoring and other support they need to succeed.
The program has a 90 percent retention rate for teachers going into Wichita public schools — a remarkable record, considering that more than 40 percent of new teachers leave teaching within seven years and never return.
It’s good to learn that a federal grant will help WSU take its program to other Kansas colleges and universities.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Education | Comments (13)