Tuesday’s Democratic debate was the starkest demonstration yet of how that party’s nomination race has become Hillary Clinton versus everybody else. But attacking her as a flip-flopping, double-talking hawk only elevates her stature — arguably unearned, based on her brief six years in elective office. Her rivals end up underscoring the strength of her candidacy and distracting from their own credentials, some of which are unparalleled. And if moderators are barely going to acknowledge certain candidates’ presence on the stage (Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich), why invite them at all?
Posted by Rhonda Holman
My memories of trick-or-treating are sweet and innocent — being sent to family friends’ houses in a pink princess dress with my aluminum-foil-wrapped spaceman brother.
Apparently, girls these days aren’t limited to homemade or even age-appropriate costumes. Stores feature adult-modified costumes of everything from little French maids to Britney Spears to "Red Hot," coming in sizes toddler to preteen.
While parents may find these costumes cute and innocuous, some thought should be given to the effect their daughter’s scanty "Devilicious" costume (in photo) is having on her concept of self-worth and body image.
Parents may not be able to stop the deluge of societal pressures on girls, but at the very least, they can help buy a few more years of innocence by not allowing sexy Halloween costumes.
Posted by Kristin Mehler
“These self-promoting values hacks don’t speak for the American mainstream,” declared New York Times columnist Frank Rich about Tony Perkins, James Dobson (in photo), Gary Bauer and other leaders of the religious right. “They don’t speak for the Republican Party. They no longer speak for many evangelical ministers and their flocks. The emperors of morality have in fact had no clothes for some time. Should Rudy Giuliani end up doing a victory dance at the Republican convention, it will be on their graves.”
Rich cited a CBS News poll that found white evangelical voters care more about the war in Iraq and health care than about any other issues, while abortion and same-sex marriage are at the bottom of their list of election priorities. Yet, Rich noted, the recent Values Voters Summit “didn’t even think to list the war, health care or fighting poverty among the 12 hot-button options.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
If coal plants are too polluting and wind farms too untested, should Kansas go more nuclear? Among the arguments for expanding the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant near Burlington: No greenhouse gas emissions. No likely opposition from Coffey County, home to about half of Wolf Creek’s nearly 1,000 employees. “It has provided a stable work environment and promoted economic development,” Jim Hills, a Burlington auto parts store owner, told the Topeka Capital-Journal. A bigger Wolf Creek, though, would require a huge investment. Then there’s the unsettled issue of where to put such plants’ high-level radioactive waste.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
America has its divides beyond politics. Turns out there’s a diversity gap on trick-or-treating, likely linked to neighborhood safety concerns rather than cultural or religious beliefs. A new Associated Press-Ipsos Poll found that 73 percent of whites plan to have their kids trick-or-treat tonight, compared with 56 percent of minorities. Also, 70 percent of liberals, 67 percent of moderates and 55 percent of conservatives said they would be handing out treats.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
It’s good that Democratic leaders are finally getting serious about attracting more Republican support for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. After rushing another vote on the SCHIP bill last week, Democrats are now talking with key Republicans about how to reach the two-thirds majority needed to override what’s likely to be another misguided veto by President Bush.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
