Daily Archives: Dec. 21, 2007

Stockings stuffed with earmarks

Dec. 21, 20071:17 p.m.

Christmasstockings The Democratic takeover of Congress hasn’t done much to curb lawmakers’ appetites for pork. The annual omnibus spending bill approved by Congress this week and the defense bill passed last month collectively contain more than 11,000 budget earmarks for home state projects, the Washington Post reported. That’s fewer earmarks than when the GOP was in charge, but it’s still out of control. Included in that earmark list is more than $20 million for an "expeditionary craft" that will connect Anchorage, Alaska, with the rural peninsula of Matanuska-Susitna Borough. So after losing money for his "bridge to nowhere," Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is back at it with a "ferry to nowhere."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Congress | Comments (30)

Kids should not learn about sex from Spears

Dec. 21, 20071:06 p.m.

Spearsjamie You may not have thought twice about the pregnancy of Jamie Lynn Spears, but a lot of 9-year-olds have. The 16-year-old Nickelodeon star (and Britney’s little sister) is the latest teen star to teach kids about sexuality. As these teen stars wade through a swamp of rumors, nude photos and embarrassment, they drag their young audience along.
Parents would be wise to take the time to temper that influence with guidance. It may be too early to give 7-year-olds "the talk," but it’s never too early to lend some solid perspective to their world.
If parents need advice on talking to their kids, they won’t be able to refer to the new parenting book by Spears’ mother, thank goodness. The publisher has delayed it indefinitely.
Posted by Kristin Mehler

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under American life | Comments (49)

Open thread 12/21

Dec. 21, 20071:05 a.m.

Thread

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (213)

So where is the federal solution?

Dec. 21, 20071:04 a.m.

Carexhaust Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson is correct that a national solution to greenhouse gas emissions would be preferable to a patchwork of state rules. But Congress and the Bush administration won’t take meaningful action on this issue. That’s why California and 16 other states wanted to set their own standards for carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. The EPA blocked that request Wednesday, saying that state rules would pre-empt federal authority. But is that the real reason, or was it about the power of the auto industry lobby? After all, it was the first EPA denial of a waiver for California in the 37-year history of the Clean Air Act, and the EPA’s own lawyers and technical staff supported the waiver.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Environment | Comments (103)

Sue pants off Nebraska if it will not comply

Dec. 21, 20071:02 a.m.

Droughtkansas It’s too bad if it has to come to that, but Kansas is justified in threatening to sue Nebraska unless it cuts it water use and pays millions of dollars for the water it took. Per a 2003 decree from the U.S. Supreme Court, Nebraska was supposed to restrict the amount of water pumped from the Republican River basin, but it is having trouble getting local irrigators to comply. As a result, Kansas calculates that in 2005 and 2006, Nebraska took 27 billion gallons more water than allowed — or enough to supply a city of 100,000 for 10 years.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (23)

District heading in right direction on busing

Dec. 21, 20071:01 a.m.

Busing As our editorial Thursday argued, Wichita public school officials have found a fair, commonsense way to end forced busing. The proposal outlined Tuesday by superintendent Winston Brooks achieves two main objectives: Every student gets to attend a quality neighborhood school, and families whose children are now bused for integration may continue to choose that school option.
Many details remain to be ironed out. In its broad outlines, however, this proposal is a good-faith effort to end busing in a way that expands choices for families, strengthens neighborhoods and enhances the image of Wichita schools.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Education | Comments (22)

Remembering those on our streets

Dec. 21, 20071:00 a.m.

Homeless Wichitans looking for a meaningful way to focus on human needs this Christmas season should attend the memorial service tribute being held today for homeless people who have died in the past year.
One year ago, on Dec. 21, a homeless man named Michael Mosseri was found dead in a sleeping bag on the streets of Wichita.
The service, to be held 7 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway, reminds us that homeless people like Mosseri deserve their measure of respect and dignity.
And they need a helping hand and loving kindness, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Homeless | Comments (15)