Daily Archives: Dec. 7, 2008

Where is outpouring for kids in peril?

Dec. 7, 20086:03 a.m.

When more than 60 concerned people contacted The Eagle Thursday in response to an article about the two beavers that had become trapped in a fountain near Century II, it brought back memories of the 200 to 300 calls made to the Kansas Humane Society in 2005 about an abused puppy named Magnum. This week also saw many people donating food to help Kay County, Okla., care for the more than 100 neglected pit bulls rescued from a farm.
To their credit, the compassionate people in this area often rally to help animals in peril or at risk. But it would be appropriate if citizens would act just as emphatically when the creatures in need aren’t furry – say, by expressing outrage over Wichita’s nine child homicides this year or rushing to help Youthville place the 350 children awaiting adoption in Sedgwick County.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Wichita events | Comments (94)

Open thread 12/7

Dec. 7, 20086:02 a.m.

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (308)

Mixed reactions to Kansas’ NBAF triumph

Dec. 7, 20086:01 a.m.

It sounds like two states may challenge the Department of Homeland Security’s recommendation to put the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan. But those applauding the move included Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, who released a statement suggesting that state will be happy to see the closure of the government’s existing animal disease center in nearby Long Island Sound. “While the current lab has long been a leading location for animal disease research,” Rell said, “given the millions of people who live in the area and the unique environmental treasure it represents, it is clearly not the place to locate a research facility that handles some of the most dangerous biological substances known to humanity.”
But the choice upset San Antonio backer B.J. “Red” McCombs, who said of Kansas’ bid: “They are not competitive. They can’t do what we do and they won’t do what we do. It would be another homeland security boondoggle.” And the Jackson, Miss., Clarion Ledger editorialized: “Mississippi has the best site, all totaled, which any fair assessment should show.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (6)

So they said

Dec. 7, 20086:00 a.m.

“Do you want me to introduce you as secretary of something?” – Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at the press conference in Manhattan Thursday about the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

“The secret sauce is the unity.” – Tom Thornton, president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, on how Kansas became the favored site for NBAF
“Everybody says they need some candidates. I’m here to throw my hat in the ring.” – Bob Dole (in photo), on strategies to revive the GOP

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Kansas government | Comments (2)