Daily Archives: Aug. 21, 2012

Yoder’s late-night swim inspires ‘Late Show’ list

Aug. 21, 201211:53 a.m.

The nude moonlight swim in the Sea of Galilee by Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park, inspired the top 10 list on the “Late Show With David Letterman” Monday on CBS. The highlights among the “Top 10 Congressman Kevin Yoder Excuses”: “What’s the big deal? I was naked the whole trip.” “It’s Obama’s fault.” “Putting the ‘junk’ in ‘congressional junket.’” “That’s how we party in Kansas.”
Meanwhile, Conor Friedersdorf of the Atlantic came to Yoder’s defense, arguing that skinny-dipping was the least scandalous part of the junket to Israel on which U.S. lawmakers were “influenced by officials of a foreign government who want more from U.S. taxpayers.” He concluded: “Perhaps we’d be better off if the ears of our elected representatives were filled with water every time they were around lobbyists.”

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Congress, Kansas delegation, Late-night laughs | Comments Off

Do immigration deferrals make sense?

Aug. 21, 20126:00 a.m.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano argued that the Obama administration’s new policy on granting deportation deferrals allows DHS to focus its resources more effectively. “Our focus on removing those who pose a threat to our communities can be strengthened even further by preventing low-priority cases from overwhelming our resources,” she wrote. Under the policy that began last week, young people who were brought to the United States as children and who meet other guidelines and requirements can receive temporary work permits. Others contend that the policy rewards illegal immigration and that any policy changes should come from Congress, not the administration.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Immigration, President Obama | Comments Off