Smellishis ...

Here's the picture.
Apparently the program spelled his character's name Smellishis Poon. It appears some older generation folks don't know what "Poon" or "Puhn." It's gutter slang for the female anatomy.

Betts slams Tiahrt

Press release from Betts

BETTS TO TIAHRT:
YOU VOTED FOR LEGISLATION
THAT CAUSED THIS CRISIS
WICHITA, Kan. – State Senator Donald Betts, Jr., issued a statement today that Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) failed consumers when he said that he wouldn’t support the bailout plan without “addressing the reasons our markets are in this situation.” Betts said he was disappointed that Tiahrt is pretending he has no idea of how Wall Street ended up in this predicament. “Tiahrt knows what caused these problems, he voted for the 1999 Financial Services Modernization Act that effectively gutted protections and regulations for investment and commercial banking authorized by President Franklin Roosevelt,” said Betts.
“When you look at all the problems we are facing with our economy today with 143 Americans losing their homes in the next hour and consumers suffering from rising grocery and gasoline prices, it is disgusting that our Congress is not claiming responsibility for passing the legislation that precipitated the Wall Street bailout,” said Betts. “The members of Congress that created this monster, including Congressman Tiahrt, should be held accountable.” I want to assure you that I will always fight for the voice of the people and put people over politics,” said Betts. “People deserve to have a voice in our government and it seems that the special interests and big business have had too much control in Washington D.C. and I plan to change all that when elected,” he said.
Following the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Glass-Steagall act in 1933 to protect our banking system. This legislation addressed the concern of over-speculation by banks and set up regulations for investment and commercial banking. The 1999 Financial Services Modernization Act essentially destroyed the 1933 legislation. With the bailout of Bear Stearns by Congress in March (legislation Tiahrt voted for), the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in September, and the Federal Reserve’s help to AIG, the focus of the entire world is on the U.S. market which continues to teeter erratically. “It is such a shame that our great leaders such as President Roosevelt spent so much time ensuring legislative controls were put into place, only to have them shattered in 1999,” he said.



With the Stock Market falling over 700 points today with news of Congress not approving the bailout, many Americans are concerned about how it will affect their savings, retirement and long-term future. Senator Betts said today, “People in this country need to be reassured that they will not lose their life savings, retirements, and mortgages in lieu of the chaos on Wall Street.” “There is concern and the people need to be sure that Congress is on-the-job,” he added.

Tiahrt opposes bailout

Here's his press release. This is getting REALLY interesting politically. Democrats won't do anything without Republicans so they don't get left holding all the political baggage, and (some) Republicans are making stands against the heavy hand of government, in direct opposition to their President's wishes.



WASHINGTON—U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard) today issued the following statement about the Wall Street bailout bill.

"Over the last few weeks many Kansans have expressed concerns about the state of our markets that have been developing for some time. Clearly something needs to be done. We need a lasting solution that keeps families in their homes, creates stable jobs, reforms how mortgages are marketed, and ensures good small businesses can get loans.

"But this bailout bill is a rush to judgment that fails to address the underlying problems in the market. That is why today I rejected the corporate bailout proposal by Democrats and Washington insiders.

"Wall Street did not get itself into this debacle overnight, yet they expect honest people like teachers, engineers, clerks and construction workers to bail them out over the weekend. The arrogance of corrupt Wall Street stock brokers who want the little guy to sacrifice his children’s future so they can turn billions in profits is a violation of American decency.

"This is a plan crafted by Washington insiders to give money we cannot afford to greedy people who live the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

"I cannot support a sell-out plan that throws our money at a problem without addressing the reasons our markets are in this situation. This is a bill of no reforms that raises our national debt by $1.3 trillion – more than 10 percent. But that is what should be expected when Wall Street greed gets together with Washington insiders to craft the largest corporate bailout plan in our history.

"Although this is a difficult decision given market uncertainties, there are better solutions than the one being pushed by President Bush and Democrat leaders in Congress."

Our Mayor

Mell Kuhn was a contestant in the Men in Tights fundraiser for CASA last night. It's a cross-dressing beauty pagent that is a big hoot. I participated in 2006.

I give credit to anybody who has the courage to do this, and being goofy and off the wall is part of the fun. But ....

Kuhn's female persona was ... Smellishous Puhn. At one point, according to our reporter there, he told the crowd to see him perform later at Lizard Lounge with his band, the Puhntangs.

And on top off all that. He came as a black woman. Painting his face black.

I wasn't there so I don't know how it came off, but just the decision to use that name and come as a black woman has me shaking my head. CASA reminds participants to keep it family oriented and avoid vulgar or X-rated behavior. I'm surprised they let the name go. Apparently he was the judges favorite????

Mell has earned a reputation as outspoken and a populist, but also as boarish and impulsive. Personally I find him interesting to talk to. He doesn't seem to take criticism personally and he is candid, to say the least.

But for crying out loud ...

Tiahrt/McCain

Tiahrt's reason for not debating is similar to the one McCain has had - gotta be in D.C. to do the people's business. But Tiahrt said it first!

Tiahrt's campaign manager responded to Bett's charges against the Congressmen. I forgot (it was late on deadline) to include his responses to Tiahrt taking money from Northrop Grumman. Tiahrt got some big sums - $8,000 in 2006 and $3,000 this year. His manager, Robert Noland, said he doubted whether Northop Grumman would be giving any more to the Congressman.

UPDATE:

Betts campaign manager Lisa Reis called to say the "forum" Tiahrt will attend is not a debate at all because both men will appear at different times.

Betts on offense

My guess is that members of congress on both sides of the aisle will have money from banking industry they'll have to account for. Betts obviously is hoping to get some traction against Tiahrt on this financial mess. Tiahrt, a deregulator at his core, is vunerable on this issue.


NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lisa Reiss, Press Secretary
September 25, 2008 (316) 312-7777
“People Over Politics”

TIAHRT RECEIVED OVER $500,000 IN BANKING
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS
WICHITA, Kan. – Two days ago, The Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C., noted that Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) received $542,631 in banking industry campaign contributions while in Congress and voted for the 1999 legislation which dramatically altered the U.S. banking industry. The Centers’ website, www.opensecrets.org, listed Members of Congress who voted for the passage of the 1999 Financial Services Modernization Act (also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley bill) which essentially allowed for the mega-growth of the largest banks in the U.S. and their subsequent risky lending practices. The website also listed other members of Congress which voted for the legislation and the subsequent financial contributions they received from the industry.
Following the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Glass-Steagall act in 1933 to protect our banking system. This legislation addressed the concern of over-speculation by banks and set up regulations for investment and commercial banking. The 1999 Financial Services Modernization Act essentially gutted this historic legislation in 1933. With the bailout of Bear Stearns by Congress in March (legislation Tiahrt voted for), the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in September, and the Federal Reserve’s help to AIG, the focus of the entire world is on the U.S. market which continues to teeter erratically.
In reviewing the votes from the 1999 legislation, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, found that members of Congress that voted for the lifting of restrictions on commercial banking, investment banks and insurance companies, received over two-times more financial donations from them as the legislators that opposed it. Further information also showed that Tiahrt received the following contributions: $24,700 from commercial bank contributions; $6,500 from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac; $4,050 from Morgan Stanley (one of the world’s top investment banks); $3,000 from Citigroup; $1,000 from Merrill Lynch; $2,000 from Bank of America. With companies such as Morgan Stanley which favors privatizing Social Security and deregulating the banking industry, you can see the effects of that in today’s Wall Street market.
-More-


As President Bush and members of Congress work out the details for a $700 billion taxpayer bailout of financial markets, many Americans are concerned about how it will affect their savings, retirement and long-term future. Senator Betts said today, “I believe the recent developments on Wall Street prove that without proper regulation, greed runs rampant and can undermine the economic foundation of this country. “A stable economy that people can depend on is one of the most important factors in America’s security equation, said Betts. Former SEC chairman William H. Donaldson told Bill Moyers on October 31,, 2007, that without proper regulations in place, capitalism will become dysfunctional. I agree with him,” Betts continued.
“We’ve tried deregulation,” said Betts, “and that has led us to our current economic crisis. Now that we are in a crisis mode, however, we need to be very careful because each bailout invites the next round of speculative excess. And, every time we repeat this cycle, we get bigger and riskier bubbles.” “Every bailout,” explained Betts, “is a two-edged sword that we need to handle very carefully so we don’t injure the economy any more than it is already injured.”
Betts said it is unfortunate that taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the banking crisis to avoid financial disaster for this country. “However, because the taxpayer is being called on to bear the brunt of this fiasco,” said Betts, “I think it’s only fair that the taxpayer’s representatives in Washington have the right to monitor the mechanisms that will be put in place to correct this deregulation-caused fiasco and Congress has a right to legislate strict controls to protect the taxpayers’ investment.” “When you look at all the problems we are facing with our economy today with 143 Americans losing their homes in the next hour and consumers suffering from rising grocery and gasoline prices, it is disgusting that our Congress is not claiming responsibility for passing the legislation that precipitated the Wall Street bailout,” said Betts. “The members of Congress that created this monster, including Congressman Tiahrt, should be held accountable.” I want to assure you that I will always fight for the voice of the people and put people over politics,” said Betts. “People deserve to have a voice in our government and it seems that the special interests and big business have had too much control in Washington D.C. and I plan to change all that when elected,” he said.
Betts is running for the 4th Congressional seat currently held by Todd Tiahrt who has been in office since 1994. Betts has been actively working for Kansans since 2002, when he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. He went on to serve in the Senate, bridging party lines to focus on the important issues that affect everyone including support for education through the Workforce Kansas Quick Careers. Among his many accomplishments, Betts took a stand against the practices of genocide with Senate Substitute for HB 2457 which was signed into law divesting Kansas Public Employee Retirement Funds from Darfur. “It has been my pleasure to represent Kansans in Topeka but I believe that now is the time to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.,” said Betts. “Our nation is in an economic crisis and people are hurting – it’s time to make some choices to make our country strong again and to be fair to everyone, not just the special interests.”
-30-

Rumors, religiousity, etc..

A poster raised the spector of "rumors" about Kasha Kelley's personal life in a blog post. It was a brief mention in a longer post about other issues, so I let it go. Others asked for clarification, but I rejected the post that explained the "rumors." I will do my best NOT to allow this blog to spread unfounded rumors about somebody's personal life, even if they are elected officials.

None of us deserve that treatment — even in cyberspace.


Questioning someone's religious authenticity, however, is fair game these days with religion so embedded in political life. Barack Obama can tell you.

Palin protection

It is getting a bit strange sequestered Palinhow is from the media

Kansas presidential race

This is closest poll I've seen. Obama is enjoying a surge right now, but McCain has just pulled a possible game-changer by suspending his campaign until the bailout bill passes and asking to postpone Friday's debate. Will he look presidential by putting "country" first" or will he look desparate, because his support is slipping...

Betts in town

Donald Betts sure has been in Cowley County lots for a guy who you'd think would want to concentrate on turnout in Wichita for any chance to beat Tiahrt. Unless there's some kind of unexpected tidal waive, like in 1994 Republican Revolution, I'm doubtful of Bett's chances

Slattery sliding

New Rassmusen http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifpoll shows Slattery sliding against Roberts. Roberts has put up some effective TV ads. Haven't seen anything from Slattery.

Bluegrass voters

Interesting to see several Obama bumper stickers on cars in the parking lot at the Bluegrass festival in Winfield. Must be those tree-huggers from Lawrence. Didn't see any McCain stickers. Festival-goers lean liberal, I think, which creates an interesting dicotomy of progressive invaders into a rural, conservative region. It's the music that binds folks together....

Trickle down?

How much do you think national political winds against incumbents and the Republican Party in general will affect state races?

I haven't seen any polls on how Kansans think about the direction the state is in, but my guess is that it's not too much better than the anxious feelings people have across the country.

This could bode well for Burr against Kelley, an incumbent Republican who probably would do well to highlight independence from her party, which runs the Legislature. But it could also serve Abrams well against Goodwin. She's a Democrat, but she's is a long-time legislator and could be perceived to be part of the problem ....

Why both?

I'm having a hard time figuring out why Ark City city officials want to put both the road tax and hospital tax on the ballot at the same time. Seems to me that this gives voters a chance to pick between them. In the clutter of the general election campaign, making the case for BOTH projects will be hard to do.

I would think they would want to the take the route of school bond, for at least one of the initiatives.

If a tax increase is the only question on the ballot - esp. a mail ballot - you might be able to drive voter turnout among people paying attention and likely to vote for such improvements.

With a huge turnout for the general, you'll get people who are just there to vote for president and who won't want to raise their taxes for anything.

Probably this analysis is missing something. Interested in what others think?

County taxes

This may or may not have been the right thing to do. I really haven't studied the issue. But will opponents of incumbents Carmelita Clarkson and Gary Wilson, try to make hay of the county raising property taxes in difficult economic times?

McTruth

McCain apparently thinks all's fair in love and war AND politics.

The mediatide rises.

Sex ed

A reader writes:

I was listening to the radio and heard about the Illinois record on teaching sex education to 5-8 year olds. (I believe they state is as level 1 sex education) I was taken aback slightly. (aprroved by Senator Obama)

I pray that Kansas does not have the same requirements. As, I feel that it's a 'little too much'.

Here's afact check on this story. I'm quite sure Kansas doesn't have this policy.

Burr knocking

Gene Burr is out knocking on doors. He left a phamphlet in our door on C Street. The slogan says, "A common man who will work for the common good" It goes on to list his resume and general traits/goals he says he would bring to the office, such as good common sense, concern for education, health care for every Kansan, etc ..

What I found most interesting where the contrast statements ...has no further political aspirations, obligated to no organization or interest group, retired with no job to distract him.

These function as indirect references to Kasha Kelley, who, true or not, is believed to aspire for higher office, has been criticized, (or applauded, depending on your view) for close ties to Americans for Prosperity, and is CEO of First Intermark.

Seems like Gene is trying to define himself as an everyman with people's pocketbook needs in mind, untainted by the political process. My guess is that Kasha will tout her legislative successes (transparency web site, stalking bill) and her votes to keep spending in check and bring tax relief, which ressonate in tough political times. She also has the second amendment credentials and "marriage protection" vote to bolster her social conservative record, which goes a long way in these parts ....

Haven't seen any ads or literature of hers yet .....

Bias

From a reader:

Thought one of the goals of journalism was to be fair, balanced, & hopefully impartial.

Are you a journalist, David?


I'll explain this again. This is my BLOG. It's not the front page of the newspaper. It's equivalent to a running column and my opinions/views are part of it, as are everybody elses.

Rush to judgement?

This could settle some jitters in the separation of church and state crowd. This is also a fascinating take on the whole Christian/family values debate. She might be more ambitious than she is religious? This infoalso seems to put her more in the mainstream than first assumed.

More on Palin's religious views

Good story, although just scratching the surface, on Palin's religious background/views

The irony

No wonder people are so cynical about politics. First McCain and company deride Obama for just making good speeches. Then VP pick Palin makes a good speech, McCain supporters go crazy over her, and Obama people say it was just a speech.

Wingnut or God's agent?

Now I see why the Christian conservatives love her ...

Counter-intuitive