Evangelical Crackup

This was the title of a New York Times Sunday Magazine piece that chronciled the wanning influence of the Christian conservatives in American politics. Or perhaps its evolving influence into a more moderate constituency no longer obsessed with just abortion and gay marriage. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/magazine/28Evangelicals-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&th&emc=th

Fascinating reading for anybody who follows these things. Especially with its focus on Wichita as a microcosism of current trends. Terry Fox, who helped lead the successful marriage amendment in Kansas just two years ago, was pushed out of his church for focusing too much on the culture wars and not enough on basic spiritual growth.

The Eagle, inspired by this piece, ran an editorial today that quoted the ex. director of the Kansas Republican Party as essentially dismissing calls for help from anti-abortion crusaders. http://www.kansas.com/611/story/214409.html

I think this highlights that we are in the middle of a huge realignment in American politics. Some Christians see that clinging so tightly to a politial party (Republican) feels like a deal with the devil. By aligning so closely with Pres. Bush, the evangelical movement was dragged into the failures of Iraq. But I think the most revealing moment of the entire piece was Mike Huckabee, a practicing evangelical running for President who can't get support from top tier evangelical leaders because some of his positions don't align with traditional Republican conservatism.

Here's Huckabee: “Some of them have spent too long in Washington. . . . I think they are going to have a hard time going out into the pews and saying tax policy is what Jesus is about, that he said, ‘Come unto me all you who are overtaxed and I will give you rest.’ ”

Beer Garden

I walked pass the infamous beer garden a few times during Arkalalah. Except for the liquor store signs on the outside, there was little evidence that alcohol was being consumed. I don't drink and did not go inside the marked off area. But there were quite a few people inside.

From the moral outrage in letters to the editor proceeding Arkalalah, I half expexted see people doing keg stands and running down the street shouting "I'm drunk as a monkey."

I wonder whether the anger about this will spill over into city commission elections in 2009. I expect not because that's a long time off. I also expect not because my guess, and it's only a a guess, is that most people supported or didn't care about the city approving a place where adults can drink beer during the event. The Traveler poll showed more than 60 percent felt this way, and I suspect it's even higher because people who don't care probably didn't even vote.

The letters in the paper, however, ran at least 3 to 1 against the beer garden. The letters supporting the garden, or at least saying it was not a big deal, seem to arrive toward the end of the debate. Personally, I was glad to see them because I think the outrage was a bit over the top ....

Good schools

I'm amazed to see, on the Traveler Web poll, how many people say Ark City schools are doing average to poor. 63 percent.

This isn't a scientific poll, and the 174 votes are kind of low compared to other questions. But this questions was posted just after news of the district winning many awards of excellence on state tests in math and reading in all grade levels. Just 38 percent rate schools as good or great.

Like other people, I'm concerned that our schools have become slaves to tests and not actually learning — problem solving, grasping concepts, harnessing creativity. Hopefully lawmakers see the need to adapt the policy.

But, overall, I'm frankly amazed at how well schools have done under the current guidelines and standards that have been foisted on them by No Child Left Behind. The district, as far as I can tell, has said OK, if that's what we have to do, we'll do it and do it well. The blue ribbon awards for IXL and Frances Willard, two schools with large number of at-risk kids, are real feathers in the district's cap, and show that educators are not using poverty and language barriers as an excuse to not teach kids. The district's high efficiency rating — doing a lot at low cost— is another reason for compliment.

We complain about a lot of things in Ark City, but it seems like one area of general agreement should be that our schools are excelling ....I wonder if the feelings on the Web poll are influenced by the bond issue coming up and the fear that taxes will be raised if school's are heralded and supported ....

Global warming

I wonder if anybody thinks the decision to reject the big coal-fired power plant in Western Kansas was good politics?

Rod Bremby, the state's secretary of health and environment, denied a permit for Sunflower Energy based on the carbon emissions that harm people's health and contribute to global warming. This was apparently the first time a plant has been rejected for these reasons and all of a sudden makes Kansas a leader in environmental protection. Gov. Sebelius's stance against the plant no doubt influencd Bremby's decion and I'm sure her inbox is full of thanks for health and environment interests groups.

But Kansas is more wheat colored and than green. It was a bold decision but will it cost Sebelius more than she will gain? I tend to think so. I get the feeling that Kansans are more influenced by the $3.6 billion project's economic benefit than by striking a blow against global warning on the dusty, wide open plans of Western Kansas. Certainly the Republicans are fired up. Even moderate Republicans, who form a coalition that helps Sebelius get things passed, seem to be on the other side of this debate.

Brownback for governor

One last Brownback post, I promise.

Kansas Week, a show on Kansas politics/issues on public television, (Wichita Channel 8) had a very interesting discussion of Brownback and his political career.

All the stories about him mentioned that he probably will run for Kansas Governor in 2010. But — as was mentioned —there are lots of high-profile Republican candidates who might seek that job, including Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Rep Jerry Moran, and Sec. of State Rod Thornburgh.

The big question is, would Brownback run hard to the right, a la Phill Kline, or would he try to moderate and be the kindler gentler Sam Brownback of late?

It was mentioned that Brownback's views on immigration and aid to African were more moderate than the typical social conservative. This could position him well for a general election in Kansas, where voters seem to like moderates to run the state.

But certainly some of the Republican heavyweights would run for Brownback's senate seat in 2010. He has said he will not seek a third term. This would clear the field some for whomever ran for Governor, i.e. Brownback.

Certainly the Republican Party of Kansas, fractured as it is, longs for the Governorship. The best horse, however, is probably not Brownback or Tiarht, but somebody like Moran or Thornburgh who appeals more to the middle. But Brownback's presidential bid might give him the credititials to woo the state for Governor.

My guess is that Moran will run for Brownback's Senate seat and not Governor.

As was mentioned on Kansas Week, the Republican Party of Kansas is way more fractured now (between conservatives and moderates) than it was in 1994 when Brownback was first elected to Congress.

Sayonara, Sam

Two days ago I wrote about Brownback's expansive take on "the culture of life." Apparently his stance on helping African, questioning the death penalty and apologizing for slavery didn't catch on, because he's quitting the presidential race — not enough money.

These issues can still resonnate, I believe, but Brownback just didn't have the presidential chops, it seems. He doesn't look great on TV (shallow, but true) and he didn't offer an impressive political resume. What has done, really, as congressman and senator?

Recall the CNN interview several years ago when Brownback made fun of Asian people by mocking them. I always had a hard time taking him seriously as policy maker aftet that. Wonder if others did, too.

Brownback does have a gentle, warm aura that seems likeable. He doesn't smash his opinions down your throat. There seem to be a kindler, gentler Sam Brownback in recent years. But politics can be a bloodsport, and maybe he just wasn't meant for the job.....

Ciudad Arkansas City

Arkansas City City Commission voted to affirm the city's support of the new state law making English the official language of Kansas.

While this might be good politics, is it good policy? (for a discussion about HOW it was done, see James Jordan's blog on Traveler Web site)

What kind of message does it send to Hispanic immigrants whose first language is Spanish? Learn English or we won't accept you?

I agree that learning the main language of the country where you live is a good idea. But this is an individual decision. The city runs the risk of sending the message that if you don't know English, we won't help you.

First generation immigrants often struggle to learn the language, while their children pick up English and assimilate into the new culture.

So is this really about promoting the American Melting Pot, or is it fear of a culture different from most people's ancestors?

A New Christian Conservative?

Until recently, I'd thought of Sam Brownback a hard-core religious-right guy obsessed with abortion and patriorism.

But lately the U.S. Senator from Kansas has taken some stances and pushed some issues that don't fit neatly into that label.

He's been out front on more U.S action in stopping the genoicde in Darfur, Sudan. He's pushing for more aid to African countries. "It's both good and right" he told the Wichita Eagle. He supports a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, according to his Web site. "America is great because of its goodness and its compassion," he says when discussing the immigration debate.

Is this a Republican talking?

And today the Wichita Eagle reported that Brownback will push for an official apology of the United States for slavery and segregation. He will team up with a Democrat to do so. "The only way for us to move forward .. is at the end of the day acknowledging (racist federal policies), taking ownership for it, and asking for forgiveness," he told the Eagle.

Brownback's "culture of life" motto widens the traditional religious conservative focus, which revolves so obsessively around abortion and gay marriage. Brownback also has questioned the morality of the death penalty, acknowledging —at least tacitly — a hypocracy between pro-life advocates who don't also speak against the death penalty.

Some people think this is Brownback trying to appeal to moderates as his presidential campaign lags. Could be, but political necessity opens the door to new thinking ...

Could Brownback's more expansive "culture of life" be a model for a new religous political movement?

POLITICS

I'm changing the topic of this blog to politics.

Honoring local folks is a great topic that rewards positive actions. But the topic requires a lot of attention and reporting that I just can't keep up with. Hopefully somebody can pick it up, because I think it's needed. We welcome blogs run by readers and viewers.

Somebody told me once to blog about what you know, that leaves ... not much.

But I do consume political news and, working for a newspaper, bump into elected officials and government issues now and then. I'm no expert, but I think a local political blog will be fun and informative.

I'll try to comment on city, county, state and national politics. My intention is to keep it respectiveful and relevant, and have a little fun. So with that, heregoes ....

Will Geta Goodwin run for state Senate again? Will Kasha Kelley run for her seat?

Word is that Greta is getting some pressure from moderate Republicans to run again to protect the seat for the Moderate Republican majority that still runs the Kansas state senate. If the seat were held by a conservative Republican like Kasha, conservatives could control the Senate like they do House and perhaps be better positioned to advance things like deeper tax cuts and abortion restrictions. Right now, the Senate is run by Republicans with a practical streak like Steve Morris and Derek Schmidt, more willing to work with Gov. Sebelius to pass legislation, i.e. education spending, gambling, limited tax cuts.

Neither Greta nor Kasha has announced a decision, and of course the primary election isn't until Aug. 5 Candidates don't have to file until June.

If Kasha runs against Greta, expect a major clash of ideas on how government in Kansas should operate.