“I think rhetoric detached from reality is an awful thing for America, and I think both sides have gone overboard,” said Bob Schieffer, host of CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “If a visitor from another planet came to Earth and all he knew about our politics was what he learned from our campaign commercials, he would conclude that only the dregs of society — deviates, liars, thieves and sometimes murderers — were the only people who run for public office. This is what’s wrong with our politics, and both sides have gone too far.”
Sedgwick County’s Intrust Bank Arena, which celebrates its first anniversary with a party from 2 to 6 p.m. today, certainly stood out in a year in which gross revenue was down 13 percent for the music concert industry nationwide. Based on its 251,319 in ticket sales for 2010, the venue ranked 23rd in the United States and 46th in the world, according to Pollstar. In the process, the arena and manager SMG seem to be debunking Wichita’s reputation as a town that can only draw a crowd for a country concert. The challenges for 2011: to deftly handle the first- and second-round games of the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Tournament in March and to book more diverse acts, including hip-hop and R&B stars. The bad year for concertgoing nationally did bring the good news that ticket prices are likely to decline in 2011. “We know that if you lower the price, they’ll come,” Michael Rapino, the CEO of Live Nation, told investors in November.
It’s easy to grouse about the unending and overbudget Statehouse renovation from Wichita or Hays, especially after reports last week that the roof leaks. It gets harder when you’re standing beneath the John Steuart Curry murals, or looking down on the stately chambers of the House and Senate. A decade and $225 million into the upgrade, frustration with the renovation is inevitable. But Kansans and their lawmakers just need to keep their eyes on the 2012 completion date. It really is a building that Kansans can take pride in for generations to come — but only if they take care of it.
After six tie votes, causing a momentary flashback to the 5-5 deadlocks of the evolution wars, the Kansas State Board of Education showed sound judgment Wednesday in making Wichita Republican David Dennis its chairman. Dennis, first elected in 2008, has been an effective board member and advocate for public schools, bringing his perspective as a retired Air Force colonel, former data leader at Wichita North High School and community leader to the challenge of setting education policy statewide. Dennis becomes the first Wichitan to lead the board since Harry Lytle, whose two years as chairman ended in January 1971.
“I think rhetoric detached from reality is an awful thing for America, and I think both sides have gone overboard,” said Bob Schieffer, host of CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “If a visitor from another planet came to Earth and all he knew about our politics was what he learned from our campaign commercials, he would conclude that only the dregs of society — deviates, liars, thieves and sometimes murderers — were the only people who run for public office. This is what’s wrong with our politics, and both sides have gone too far.”
