Daily Archives: Nov. 26, 2007

Bush team finally trying on Mideast

Nov. 26, 20071:06 p.m.

BushabbasExpectations are so low for the Mideast conference that begins tonight in Annapolis, Md., that success may be defined as no fistfights. The participants are so weak (including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in photo from meeting today with Bush), the issues are so tough and the uninvited so key (Hamas, Iran) that lack of progress will surprise no one. But President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice deserve credit for optimistically — though belatedly — taking a leading role on the issue of a revived peace process. And it was encouraging to see Syria sign on. Maybe the two-day Annapolis event at least won’t go down in the history books as a gathering that made matters worse.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Middle East | Comments (37)

Heads not cooling in Senate on Iraq

Nov. 26, 20071:01 p.m.

LevincarlThink Iraq has cooled as an issue in Congress because of the progress of Gen. David Petraeus’ troop surge? A heated exchange on “Fox News Sunday” between Sen. Carl Levin (in photo), D-Mich., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., signaled there will be more Senate floor fireworks over war funding.
Levin: “Why in the name of heaven are we not willing to at least establish a goal for the removal of most of our troops that’s not binding?”
Graham: “Why in the name of heaven would we undercut the most successful military operation in counterinsurgency in American history, maybe world history, because of this idea of putting — capping troop strength, changing the mission, undercutting Petraeus?”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Iraq | Comments (39)

Open thread 11/26

Nov. 26, 20071:05 a.m.

Thread_3

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (115)

Kansas fully represented in Senate again

Nov. 26, 20071:04 a.m.

BrownbackmugKansas Sen. Sam Brownback took heat for neglecting his Senate duties during his 10-month presidential bid. But he’s trying to make it up to Kansans: He’s now sixth among the Senate’s vote missers, down from third place, with a 32.5 percent record of missed votes that’s better than continuing presidential wannabes John McCain, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama (as well as S.D. Sen. Tim Johnson, who has missed many votes for health reasons). Since Brownback ended his campaign Oct. 19, he has missed only two roll call votes.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas delegation | Comments (13)

Jesus rode a donkey, so why the Rolls-Royce?

Nov. 26, 20071:03 a.m.

RollsroyceWhile many religious groups lead the charge in charity and social work, some ministry leaders are driving luxury cars to their obese facilities. The excessive spending has Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, asking: If Jesus rode a donkey, why do ministers need Rolls-Royces? Also, are these ministries misusing their tax-exempt status?
But Georgia Democratic state Rep. Randal Mangham argues that appearances matter. “It’s important for kids to see you don’t have to sell drugs to drive a nice car,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
Does he have a Bible verse to back that up?
Posted by Kristin Mehler

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Religion | Comments (245)

Costlier room and board coming to campuses

Nov. 26, 20071:02 a.m.

SchooltuitionHere’s a heads-up on the increases proposed for room and board at state universities, as discussed this month before a possible vote next month by the Kansas Board of Regents:
The average student at Wichita State University would see room and board rise about $280, or 5 percent, to $5,860 a year.
At the University of Kansas, room and board would increase about $330, or 5.4 percent, to $6,474 a year. At Kansas State, a student could see room and board increase by $364, or 6 percent, to $6,448. At Fort Hays, Emporia and Pittsburg, average housing-and-food rates could go up by 4, 4.9 and 6 percent, respectively, or $241, $276 and $306 more a year.
University officials justifiably point to how reasonable their schools’ fees and tuition are compared with other Midwestern peer institutions, where room and board average $6,800 a year. But those who run higher education in the state need to be as sensitive to price as their would-be students are.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Education | Comments (20)

Community thread

Nov. 26, 20071:01 a.m.

Wichitaopenthread

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (8)