Some key opponents of a Sedgwick County casino dismissed arguments that rejecting it here would just mean a casino would go next door in Sumner County. No one would make that size of an investment in rural Sumner County, they said. Yet Bob Knight’s group, which now includes casino giant MGM Mirage, filed its proposal with the state today. That plan (in photo) includes a 250-room hotel, a spa, golf course, and meeting and entertainment venues. Several competing proposals are expected from other groups.
It appears that the only way a casino isn’t coming to this area is if the Kansas Supreme Court rules that the state law is unconstitutional.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether to take up a case that could have a far-reaching impact on gun rights and laws. At issue is the long-debated, awkwardly structured sentence of the Second Amendment to the Constitution: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.â€
Does this guarantee an individual’s right to bear arms or just a collective militia’s right?
That’s never been settled by any previous high court, and if the justices decide to take it up (they discussed the case today but haven’t issued a decision whether to accept it), it will be a closely watched and significant battle in the culture wars.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Catholics United, a pro-life faith group based in Washington, D.C., is targeting Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, and 12 other pro-life lawmakers who recently voted against an SCHIP bill that would extend health coverage to millions of uninsured children. The group is airing radio ads this week (listen to it here) on Christian radio stations in Wichita that criticize Tiahrt for upholding President Bush’s veto.
“We believe that a culture of life requires supporting women and children,†James Salt, organizing director of Catholics United, told The Eagle editorial board. He called it “absurd†and “inconsistent†for Tiahrt, given his pro-life and pro-family views, to oppose SCHIP.
Tiahrt has argued that he supports SCHIP but wants it more focused on low-income children. Congress is still working on a compromise SCHIP bill — and the group hopes Tiahrt’s constituents will pressure him to back it.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Donald Kerr, the principal deputy director of national intelligence, thinks our concept of privacy needs to be updated. He said that privacy no longer can mean anonymity, given the reality of Google and online businesses, but should mean that government and businesses properly safeguard people’s private communications and financial information, Associated Press reported.
But Kurt Opsahl of the Electronic Frontier Foundation says there’s a difference between sacrificing protection from an intrusive government and voluntarily disclosing information in exchange for a service. “There is something fundamentally different from the government having information about you than private parties,†he said. “We shouldn’t have to give people the choice between taking advantage of modern communication tools and sacrificing their privacy.â€
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
After the 1994 civil war of Rwanda, world leaders vowed to never let such a genocide happen again. However, after more than four years of conflict that resulted in the deaths of as many as 450,000 and the displacement of millions, the genocide in Darfur continues.
Bringing peace to the region could have been a redeeming spot on the landscape of President Bush’s second term. Yet despite his many promises over the years, Bush can’t seem to develop a policy for the region.
He is hesitant to send troops to support the anemic African Union because of the outcry to pull troops out of Iraq, as well as the likely whiplash from attacking another Muslim country.
In May 2007, Bush announced sanctions on Sudan to force action, saying, “I promise this to the people of Darfur: The United States will not avert our eyes from a crisis that challenges the conscience of the world.â€
Yet shortly after, Bush delayed those sanctions following pleas from the Sudanese government, allowing the situation to continue without recourse.
Posted by Kristin Mehler
Is it too much to hope that an unusual joint meeting today of the Kansas Board of Regents and the State Board of Education will lead to more cooperation and communication? Maybe, but it shouldn’t be. As Kansas tries to tailor its economy and work force to fit the future, these two policymaking boards need to be working together at every opportunity. Kansans deserve to know their public educational institutions are working seamlessly and efficiently, from preschool through postgraduate programs.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
