Not surprisingly, the Colorado movie theater shooting has renewed debate about whether the public should be able to buy assault weapons. Mitt Romney is opposed to new gun laws, though he signed an assault weapons ban when he was governor of Massachusetts, describing such guns as “instruments of destruction.” He also wrongly said that the Colorado suspect possessed the guns illegally. The White House said that President Obama would not pursue new gun laws, though Obama called Wednesday for stepped-up background checks and restrictions to keep mentally ill people from buying weapons.
Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, will not just be facing a Democratic opponent in November; he also will be up against a Founding Father – though in name only. Libertarian candidate Jack Talbert (in photo) of Wichita legally changed his name to Thomas Jefferson. “When people see that Thomas Jefferson’s on the ballot, half will think I’m committed to the Libertarian Party, and the other half will probably think I should be committed,” he told the Topeka Capital-Journal. Actually, Talbert – er – Jefferson may be a little off on his percentages.
It’s a relief that the Wichita school district and the local teachers union have reached a tentative contract agreement. Here’s hoping they also move quickly beyond any hard feelings related to the contract negotiations and refocus on working together to help kids. The teachers were understandably frustrated in having gone four years without a raise. And the district was understandably concerned about the state’s budget outlook, given forecasts of large deficits resulting from Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts. Though the new contract doesn’t give teachers the raises they wanted or deserve, it is a step forward in an uncertain time. It’s also good that the new contract includes some specific dress codes for teachers. Though the overwhelming majority of teachers wear appropriate attire, the few who don’t can harm the image of the profession and the district.
Not surprisingly, the Colorado movie theater shooting has renewed debate about whether the public should be able to buy assault weapons. Mitt Romney is opposed to new gun laws, though he signed an assault weapons ban when he was governor of Massachusetts, describing such guns as “instruments of destruction.” He also wrongly said that the Colorado suspect possessed the guns illegally. The White House said that President Obama would not pursue new gun laws, though Obama called Wednesday for stepped-up background checks and restrictions to keep mentally ill people from buying weapons.
