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
"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
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
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
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
