Both chambers in the state Legislature have passed a strict ban on smoking in buildings open to the public. The days of smoking in bars and restaurants in Kansas are gone, starting this summer.
Yea
Neither local elected official, Kelley nor Abrams, supported this bill. Although Kelley said she supports a ban, but no this one. Read the story to find out why.
Ark City will not have to vote on the issue, unless they want to impose more strict rule against smoking.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Stubborn facts cont...
Leonard Pitts laments the loss of accepting "facts" in political discourse today. This has become a campaign of his. It was the theme of a speech he made at KU after receiving the William Allen White journalism citation award.
He's on to something. If you show me some cold stone facts that refutes my opinion or point of view, I should at least concede the point. That doesn't mean an entire argument is lost, just that perhaps the other argument has validity, too.
But today is seems like people aren't interested in truths. We are interested more in shouting out our world view, even making stuff up (like death panels) to poison the debate and drown others out.
It's like a video game where total destruction is the goal.
He's on to something. If you show me some cold stone facts that refutes my opinion or point of view, I should at least concede the point. That doesn't mean an entire argument is lost, just that perhaps the other argument has validity, too.
But today is seems like people aren't interested in truths. We are interested more in shouting out our world view, even making stuff up (like death panels) to poison the debate and drown others out.
It's like a video game where total destruction is the goal.
Rainy Day Fund
Should the state ad a constitutional amendment to create a rainy day fund, or reserve fund that sets aside a certain amount of revenues?
Sounds like it's worked pretty well in Okla., where they have a $600 million banked for emergencies, and are going to use some of it to avoid more drastic cuts to services.
The one thing about changing the constitution is that voters would have to approve it. Why couldn't the lawmakers pass a law requiring them to do it and not go the trouble of messing with the constitution? Probably because they might find away around the law .......
Sounds like it's worked pretty well in Okla., where they have a $600 million banked for emergencies, and are going to use some of it to avoid more drastic cuts to services.
The one thing about changing the constitution is that voters would have to approve it. Why couldn't the lawmakers pass a law requiring them to do it and not go the trouble of messing with the constitution? Probably because they might find away around the law .......
To text, or not to text?
That is the question state lawmakers are debating in a bill that bans texting while driving.
Makes sense to me, especially for teenagers, who can't drive anyway. Some will cry "nanny state," but if were up to them, we'd not have seatbelts, baby seats, or airbags.
Makes sense to me, especially for teenagers, who can't drive anyway. Some will cry "nanny state," but if were up to them, we'd not have seatbelts, baby seats, or airbags.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
More stubborn facts
The CBO, a non-partisan government accounting agency, on whom both Democrats and Republicans cite to evaluate legislation, concluded that the stimulus has worked, in that it's created jobs and helped economic growth.
And yet, the American public thinks it's been largely a failure. The word "stimulus" has blended with the bailout of the banks and in general with the overall loss of jobs to the economy. Political opponents of the President and Democrats have very effectively conflated these issues, while supporters have a hard time convincing people that "things would be worse" without the stimulus.
But economist after economist says the stimulus, which is both tax cuts and spending, has had its intended affect.
You could find probably dozens of jobs in our area, from teachers to city workers to nonprofit agencies to small businesses employees who got low interest loans, that show successes.
Certainly there are good arguments to be made that we could have gone a different route — nothing but tax cuts to stimulate growth. Or do nothing and let things take their nature course. But to say the stimulus didn't create or save jobs, or help spur economic growth, is just flat wrong. In today's world though, where facts get in the way of justifying our pre-conceived ideology, or promoting our political agenda, lies and spun reality take the place of stone cold truth.
And yet, the American public thinks it's been largely a failure. The word "stimulus" has blended with the bailout of the banks and in general with the overall loss of jobs to the economy. Political opponents of the President and Democrats have very effectively conflated these issues, while supporters have a hard time convincing people that "things would be worse" without the stimulus.
But economist after economist says the stimulus, which is both tax cuts and spending, has had its intended affect.
You could find probably dozens of jobs in our area, from teachers to city workers to nonprofit agencies to small businesses employees who got low interest loans, that show successes.
Certainly there are good arguments to be made that we could have gone a different route — nothing but tax cuts to stimulate growth. Or do nothing and let things take their nature course. But to say the stimulus didn't create or save jobs, or help spur economic growth, is just flat wrong. In today's world though, where facts get in the way of justifying our pre-conceived ideology, or promoting our political agenda, lies and spun reality take the place of stone cold truth.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Town Hall
Rep. Kasha Kelley and Senator Steve Abrams will host a town hall meeting Saturday, sponsored by the Kansas Chamber. Kelley will speak about the budget and Abrams will focus on vocational education, but all topics are game based on audience questions.
Town halls this summer became a place for frustrated citizens to vent at lawmakers, especially democrats. Things at the state level are a bit more civilized — the partisanship and political divide isn't as bitter.
But certainly Kelley and Abrams represent the budget hawks, less government the better wing of American politics, which has some wind under its wings with the growth in government at the federal level.
But at the state level, a good debate is taking place about whether the state should make further cuts and/or raise some revenue (tax increases) to prevent further cuts, especially in education, corrections and medicaid.
Town halls this summer became a place for frustrated citizens to vent at lawmakers, especially democrats. Things at the state level are a bit more civilized — the partisanship and political divide isn't as bitter.
But certainly Kelley and Abrams represent the budget hawks, less government the better wing of American politics, which has some wind under its wings with the growth in government at the federal level.
But at the state level, a good debate is taking place about whether the state should make further cuts and/or raise some revenue (tax increases) to prevent further cuts, especially in education, corrections and medicaid.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Wingnut of the Week
Goes to .... lots of choices this week with the conservative conference, CPAC, going on in Washington, D.C. But Liz Cheney goes off the deep end in a deadly serious way by saying Obama's "incompentence" is getting people killed.
If Obama is incompetent fighting the war on terror, then her Dad and his boss George Bush would be what? "grossly negligent""terrifyingly terrible" "utterly awfully" — Iraq war, letting Osama bin Laden get away, allowing Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan. All of which costs thousands of lives.
Obama is, literally, tasked with cleaning up the messes her father left behind.
If Obama is incompetent fighting the war on terror, then her Dad and his boss George Bush would be what? "grossly negligent""terrifyingly terrible" "utterly awfully" — Iraq war, letting Osama bin Laden get away, allowing Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan. All of which costs thousands of lives.
Obama is, literally, tasked with cleaning up the messes her father left behind.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Drug awareness meeting tonight
The Cowley County Drug Task Force will host two drug awareness presentations. The first meeting will be 7-9 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Wright Room at the Brown Center on the campus of Cowley College, 215 S.
Law enforcement and treatment experts will be there to inform the public about drug problems and be available to answer questions about drug use and activity in the community. This should be an interesting meeting, in light of the big bust last month.
Law enforcement and treatment experts will be there to inform the public about drug problems and be available to answer questions about drug use and activity in the community. This should be an interesting meeting, in light of the big bust last month.
Death penalty poll
This arkcity.net poll result is a bit surprising.
Do you think the death penalty should be abolished in Kansas?
Yes
334 votes 55 percent
No
262 votes 43 percent
No opinion
8 votes 1 percent
Again, this poll is unscientific but still a bit surprising. You'd think the death penalty would have high support in this area. I believe it still has majority support in the country as a whole, but dwindling because of cases where people have been released from death row due new DNA evidence, and other arguments against the death sentence.
Do you think the death penalty should be abolished in Kansas?
Yes
334 votes 55 percent
No
262 votes 43 percent
No opinion
8 votes 1 percent
Again, this poll is unscientific but still a bit surprising. You'd think the death penalty would have high support in this area. I believe it still has majority support in the country as a whole, but dwindling because of cases where people have been released from death row due new DNA evidence, and other arguments against the death sentence.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Drinkin town
Winfield has come a long way since I grew up there. A few years ago they permitted liquor stores for the first time in decades, and now they're going to expand where you can drink and even the sale of alcohol at the fairgrounds. Winfield's identity as a dry town where temperance reigns is pretty much over. But then again, that image probably never matched reality, at least in modern times.
Tiahrt over Moran
I don't have the exact results because the poll has been taken down, but the last Courier online poll showed Todd Tiahrt with 56 percent of the vote, as I recall, comfortably ahead of Jerry Moran, in their primary for U.S. Senate. The funny thing is the number of responses. They totaled in the several thousands, which is a stratospheric increase from normal response amounts. Supporters of the politicians send lists of people and other supporters to the site to vote on the poll. Of course an online poll is unscientific, although the results could be a measurement of organization and media response.
Finally, a Democrat
State Senator Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, has Democratic Party leaders in Kansas behind him to take on Sam Brownback for Kansas governor. I almost wrote "challenge" Sam Brownback because it has seemed he's gov. in waiting, for lack of any serious challenger in the primary and general. Holland has a business background and is coming out swinging against Brownback. Not sure how much of a chance he has at defeating Brownback, who has money, clout and grassroots support statewide, having been a U.S. Senator. But Holland sure has his attack message honed already, casting Brownback as the Washington insider in a throw the bums out election year. Be interesting to see how much Brownback responds, or whether he waits to see if Holland gets any traction.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Performance audit
Looks like the city commission wants to straighten out City Hall. Elected officials aren't saying so directly, but after the computer mess and the water billing confusion, there seems to be a loss of confidence in leadership inside City Hall.
This whole things goes back to the departure of Doug Russell, a professional city manager who was selected through a rigorous vetting process. He got cross wise with Kuhn, Smith and Margolius. They wanted more direct control over operations and spending, while Russell wanted them to let him run the city. He also pushed the TIF/Lowe's project, while they opposed it.
Russell saw the writing on the wall and left. Steve Archer was promoted to city manager, but I think Steve was placed in a difficult position, asked to run the city but knowing the commission would get involved in the details. We now have a new commission, and the lack of an empowered city manager position may be part of the problem.
In defense of the former commission, the one led by the three amigos, they're "core services" mantra came in handy when the budget shrank, and they did get the hospital and street taxes on the ballot and approved by voters.
Also, the pressures of budget cutting are probably coming to bear on folks at City Hall. Fewer people doing jobs others once did can cause problems.
This whole things goes back to the departure of Doug Russell, a professional city manager who was selected through a rigorous vetting process. He got cross wise with Kuhn, Smith and Margolius. They wanted more direct control over operations and spending, while Russell wanted them to let him run the city. He also pushed the TIF/Lowe's project, while they opposed it.
Russell saw the writing on the wall and left. Steve Archer was promoted to city manager, but I think Steve was placed in a difficult position, asked to run the city but knowing the commission would get involved in the details. We now have a new commission, and the lack of an empowered city manager position may be part of the problem.
In defense of the former commission, the one led by the three amigos, they're "core services" mantra came in handy when the budget shrank, and they did get the hospital and street taxes on the ballot and approved by voters.
Also, the pressures of budget cutting are probably coming to bear on folks at City Hall. Fewer people doing jobs others once did can cause problems.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wingnut of the week
Goes to Washington, D.C.
Despite two feet of snow, the politics and gamesmanship did not abate. Some Republicans decided they would play politics with national security issues but didn't get their facts or their own pasts straight. Democrat leaders, seemingly out of spite, torpedoed a bipartisan jobs bill in the Senate that might have actually gotten legislation through and helped create a functional climate in Congress.
The dysfunction is enough to want to turn the whole thing off.
Despite two feet of snow, the politics and gamesmanship did not abate. Some Republicans decided they would play politics with national security issues but didn't get their facts or their own pasts straight. Democrat leaders, seemingly out of spite, torpedoed a bipartisan jobs bill in the Senate that might have actually gotten legislation through and helped create a functional climate in Congress.
The dysfunction is enough to want to turn the whole thing off.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
More stubborn facts
This article shows that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were a small player in the subprime mortgage lending frenzy. Investment houses and mortgage companies, which fell outside credit regulators, ignited the bubble that eventually burst.
And lets say that Fannie and Freddie, and the mission they served — encouraging home loans to lower income and minority residents traditionally left out of home ownership — were part of the problem. That basically makes the argument that lack of standards and backstops for providing credit was the core problem.
And lets say that Fannie and Freddie, and the mission they served — encouraging home loans to lower income and minority residents traditionally left out of home ownership — were part of the problem. That basically makes the argument that lack of standards and backstops for providing credit was the core problem.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Revisionist history
Ray at Commonsensepoiltics.blogspot.com writes in a thread about economic policy:
....I agree about the whole credit card deal, but you can't tell me that gov. policy had nothing to do with that. When the federal government dictates to lenders that they have to extend credit to some who have not earned it, you get massive credit defaults. Thats what happened in the housing market, it happened in the credit crisis, and it will not change unless the regulations mandating poor credit practices stop. I also believe that the individual took advantage of these poor policies and therefore once again proved that when the government intervenes in the free market it will most likely be disasterous.
Come on, dude. This flies in the face of reality. Fannie and Freddie made loans targeted to low-moderate income people but those were NOT the subprime, easy credit loans. The overwhelming problem was regular housing loans that turned into a credit free for all. Those loans, many of them subprime, were then packaged, sold and borrowed against on Wall Street and beyond. It was basically a get rich quick ponzi scheme. Is THAT the government's fault? Makes sense that tighter controls and regulations might have prevented that. Conservatives have to take SOME responsibility that an unregulated, or deregulated lending and financing system create this mess. Even some conservative economists are readjusting their views in light of what happened. This New Yorker article is a fascinating take on the shake-up in conservative economic intellectual thought in light of this recession.
Fox News and Republican talking points point to Fannie and Freddie mortgage companies as causing the problems. Here's a good article that says they might have played a small role but that far greater role was the bad lending practice, and the securitization of those loans, that caused the problems.
....I agree about the whole credit card deal, but you can't tell me that gov. policy had nothing to do with that. When the federal government dictates to lenders that they have to extend credit to some who have not earned it, you get massive credit defaults. Thats what happened in the housing market, it happened in the credit crisis, and it will not change unless the regulations mandating poor credit practices stop. I also believe that the individual took advantage of these poor policies and therefore once again proved that when the government intervenes in the free market it will most likely be disasterous.
Come on, dude. This flies in the face of reality. Fannie and Freddie made loans targeted to low-moderate income people but those were NOT the subprime, easy credit loans. The overwhelming problem was regular housing loans that turned into a credit free for all. Those loans, many of them subprime, were then packaged, sold and borrowed against on Wall Street and beyond. It was basically a get rich quick ponzi scheme. Is THAT the government's fault? Makes sense that tighter controls and regulations might have prevented that. Conservatives have to take SOME responsibility that an unregulated, or deregulated lending and financing system create this mess. Even some conservative economists are readjusting their views in light of what happened. This New Yorker article is a fascinating take on the shake-up in conservative economic intellectual thought in light of this recession.
Fox News and Republican talking points point to Fannie and Freddie mortgage companies as causing the problems. Here's a good article that says they might have played a small role but that far greater role was the bad lending practice, and the securitization of those loans, that caused the problems.
Terror-ible
Mark Halperin, an ABC News political reporter/commentator who normally stays pretty objective, calls out the GOPers trying to politicize terror arrests.
Sometimes the facts get in the way of a good political grandstand.
Sometimes the facts get in the way of a good political grandstand.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bushed
In this spirit of bipartisanship, this post is an effort to balance out the previous post highlighting Palin's flaws. This one pokes fun at Obama.It is almost as funny as the Gibbs jab at Palin. Except when you start to really think about it and are reminded that Bush left two unfinished wars and the worst recession in 80 years.
Sara-larious
This bit from Robert Gibbs is LOL funny. Before anyone screams 'how dare they?' this was after Palin bashed Obama to a friendly crowd for an hour, with mocking tones.
Can someone please enlighten me on how anybody can take Sarah Palin seriously as a national political figure? (Without resorting to bashing somebody else to make their point.) If it weren't for the media propping her up to stoke conflict and catchy headlines, she'd might still be gov. of Alaska.
Can someone please enlighten me on how anybody can take Sarah Palin seriously as a national political figure? (Without resorting to bashing somebody else to make their point.) If it weren't for the media propping her up to stoke conflict and catchy headlines, she'd might still be gov. of Alaska.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Computer conundrum cont.
My effort at trying to stop the finger pointing in last week's Traveler View. I'll admit that it seems like the commission should not have had to step in and get as involved as they did, but in the end things seem to work out, at least for now.
Cuba in Kansas
One REAL difference between Moran and Tiahrt. Course Moran sounds practical while Tiahrt sounds ideological.
Medicare for all
This bit on Politico.com zeros on the problem. Continuing the current system means 10, 20, 30 even 40 percent increases in health insurance every year, eating into incomes and making us all poorer, not to mention larger and larger numbers of uninsured.
This country needs to stop dickering around and just create a national health care system.
And please don't tell me that people don't want government meddling in their heath care. That is hyperbole based on scare tactics about non-existent death panels and fantasies of bureaucrats sitting in hospital rooms over ruling doctors.
Throughout this whole debate, the public has shown support for a public option, or government run insurance plan meant to lower costs and expand coverage.
They don't like the current plan because it's too complicated, too full of horse-trade, and been run through the legislative grinder.
This country needs to stop dickering around and just create a national health care system.
And please don't tell me that people don't want government meddling in their heath care. That is hyperbole based on scare tactics about non-existent death panels and fantasies of bureaucrats sitting in hospital rooms over ruling doctors.
Throughout this whole debate, the public has shown support for a public option, or government run insurance plan meant to lower costs and expand coverage.
They don't like the current plan because it's too complicated, too full of horse-trade, and been run through the legislative grinder.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wingnut of the Week
Goes to the leaders of Iran for executing government protesters, found guilty of "waging war against God."
The extremes of religious fundamentalism are scary.
The extremes of religious fundamentalism are scary.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Legalize it?
This bill won't go anywhere, but it is also a sign of the times as the trend is toward legalization of marijuana, at least for medical purposes, across the country. In cases where it's happening you don't hear of horrible societal affects. Society seems to be embracing it more and more. The pro-legalize folks claim it's less harmful, even, than alcohol? It's a pretty good argument, considering all the damage drinking does to our society, and philosophically it's hard to be for one drug that can be used recreationally and not another. But whenever I picture a world where marijuana is sold like alcohol, I picture Chech and Chong, or Spicholi in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and I just can't get myself to approve. Then again, they probably function better after a joint than after a six pack. (Those reference certainly date me. I'm sure readers can list the more modern stoner movies)
Clearning the smoke
This is interesting - the push for a smoking ban statewide could undo some of the more restrictive local bans, like the one in winfield, because of the exemptions in a bill moving through the House.
All the loopholes sound like it would defeat the purpose of creating clean air in public places. The people who hold out in opposition to smoking bans cling to the freedom and liberty argument. But they're getting overcome by the tide of feelings that smoking infringes on other people's rights, and that people have a right and should have be free of toxic chemicals in the air they breathe. It's just a matter of time.
All the loopholes sound like it would defeat the purpose of creating clean air in public places. The people who hold out in opposition to smoking bans cling to the freedom and liberty argument. But they're getting overcome by the tide of feelings that smoking infringes on other people's rights, and that people have a right and should have be free of toxic chemicals in the air they breathe. It's just a matter of time.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Smoked
Jerry Campbell, who is leading the smoking ban effort in Ark City, forwarded this email exchange between him and Senator Steve Abrams, to several people, including media. Certainly not surprising that Steve Abrams is not on board.
Below are the two email messages in their entirety, with emails and contact info redacted:
TOO BAD, HE WILL NEVER GET MY VOTE. JC
----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Abrams"
To: "Jerry Campbell"
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 4:20 PM
Subject: RE: I urge your support of a strong smoke-free law without exemptions.
Mr. Campbell,
I don't smoke, and further, I had a grandfather that died of emphysema and a father-in-law that died of complications from smoking. They both knew that smoking was killing them and yet they continued. They made the choice.
I am not of the opinion that government can or should control more and more details of a person's life. At some point, we should all be responsible for our actions.
It is a bad habit, yet I believe that businesses should be able to determine how they want to run their own businesses.
I will oppose mandating smoke free businesses.
Thank you for your communication,
Steve Abrams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
________________________________________
From: Site Administrator n Behalf Of Jerry Campbell
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 5:18 AM
To: Steve Abrams
Subject: I urge your support of a strong smoke-free law without exemptions.
Feb 1, 2010
Senator Steve Abrams
Kansas State Capitol, Room 544-N
300 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1504
Dear Senator Abrams,
According to a recent American Cancer Society poll of frequent Kansas
voters, 71% say they would favor a statewide law that prohibits smoking
in ALL indoor workplaces and public facilities, including public
buildings, offices, restaurants and bars.
You see, anytime I hear from someone about the tragic addiction they,
or a family member, or perhaps it was a friend, have suffered from
tobacco products consumption or exposure, it generates an even greater
passion to rid our society of this scourge. I have experienced the
loss in my immediate family in 2000, (here in Ark City) of tobacco
induced cancer. A co-worker having a portion of his lung removed to
save his life made an impact on me forty years ago and helped fuel my
passion. Experiencing a neighbor expire from throat and mouth cancer
in California and the hardship it brought to his spouse, only added to
my passion. I have a friend that lost her sister last year resulting
from years of tobacco consumption (and yes for you doubters, it was
medically confirmed), and the grief she is experiencing, further
incites my passion.
I am part of the vast majority of Kansans that support a strong
statewide bill. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean indoor
air. I am writing today to urge you to support comprehensive smoke-free
legislation.
Help make Kansas a better place to live and breathe by helping to pass
a STRONG smoke-free law this session.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jerry Campbell
Below are the two email messages in their entirety, with emails and contact info redacted:
TOO BAD, HE WILL NEVER GET MY VOTE. JC
----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Abrams"
To: "Jerry Campbell"
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 4:20 PM
Subject: RE: I urge your support of a strong smoke-free law without exemptions.
Mr. Campbell,
I don't smoke, and further, I had a grandfather that died of emphysema and a father-in-law that died of complications from smoking. They both knew that smoking was killing them and yet they continued. They made the choice.
I am not of the opinion that government can or should control more and more details of a person's life. At some point, we should all be responsible for our actions.
It is a bad habit, yet I believe that businesses should be able to determine how they want to run their own businesses.
I will oppose mandating smoke free businesses.
Thank you for your communication,
Steve Abrams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
________________________________________
From: Site Administrator n Behalf Of Jerry Campbell
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 5:18 AM
To: Steve Abrams
Subject: I urge your support of a strong smoke-free law without exemptions.
Feb 1, 2010
Senator Steve Abrams
Kansas State Capitol, Room 544-N
300 SW 10th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612-1504
Dear Senator Abrams,
According to a recent American Cancer Society poll of frequent Kansas
voters, 71% say they would favor a statewide law that prohibits smoking
in ALL indoor workplaces and public facilities, including public
buildings, offices, restaurants and bars.
You see, anytime I hear from someone about the tragic addiction they,
or a family member, or perhaps it was a friend, have suffered from
tobacco products consumption or exposure, it generates an even greater
passion to rid our society of this scourge. I have experienced the
loss in my immediate family in 2000, (here in Ark City) of tobacco
induced cancer. A co-worker having a portion of his lung removed to
save his life made an impact on me forty years ago and helped fuel my
passion. Experiencing a neighbor expire from throat and mouth cancer
in California and the hardship it brought to his spouse, only added to
my passion. I have a friend that lost her sister last year resulting
from years of tobacco consumption (and yes for you doubters, it was
medically confirmed), and the grief she is experiencing, further
incites my passion.
I am part of the vast majority of Kansans that support a strong
statewide bill. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean indoor
air. I am writing today to urge you to support comprehensive smoke-free
legislation.
Help make Kansas a better place to live and breathe by helping to pass
a STRONG smoke-free law this session.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jerry Campbell
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Moran v. Tiahrt
New poll shows Moran widening his lead of Tiahrt. Tiahrt had closed the gap, and is still better off than he was several month ago when Moran's lead was double digits.
Moran spoke last night at the Winfield chamber's annual banquet. He's friendly, authentic and didn't get too political, other than to state his general conservative philosophy toward government and opposing to spending and bailouts going on in D.C.
Tiahrt has run far to the right, pulling Moran sometimes along with him, in this Republican primary battle. Moran, last night, talked up his anti-D.C. credentials, reminding folks that he never moved to D.C. and comes back to Hays every weekend.
Tiahrt is running as a Tea Party candidate, releasing cries of socialism and anti-Americanism and generally caught up in the ideological battles in D.C. Moran appears to be staking out a more of a down-to-earth anti-incumbent space, trying to cast Tiahrt as a politician wadding in the muck of D.C. What helps this a bit is Tiahrt being subject of an ethics investigation for relationships with a lobbying firm whose clients received government contracts.
Moran spoke last night at the Winfield chamber's annual banquet. He's friendly, authentic and didn't get too political, other than to state his general conservative philosophy toward government and opposing to spending and bailouts going on in D.C.
Tiahrt has run far to the right, pulling Moran sometimes along with him, in this Republican primary battle. Moran, last night, talked up his anti-D.C. credentials, reminding folks that he never moved to D.C. and comes back to Hays every weekend.
Tiahrt is running as a Tea Party candidate, releasing cries of socialism and anti-Americanism and generally caught up in the ideological battles in D.C. Moran appears to be staking out a more of a down-to-earth anti-incumbent space, trying to cast Tiahrt as a politician wadding in the muck of D.C. What helps this a bit is Tiahrt being subject of an ethics investigation for relationships with a lobbying firm whose clients received government contracts.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Drug awareness meetings
Great to see the Drug Task force take community concerns seriously and respond with a public meeting about the problem. No reason to wet the bed over drug problems, we all know they exist, but getting information out and conversation between public and it's leaders can go a long way to engendering trust and maybe even curbing problems.
Wingnut follow
Ray at commonsensepolitics takes issue with me calling Roeder and his terrorist brethern who justify killing abortion providers, Wingnuts of the Week. I think we've had this discussion before, but it's worth noting the definition of terrorism.
Here's dictionary.com
"The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes."
This is pretty much an exact fit for Roeder and others trying to wipe about abortion through murder/violence.
My post could be read, I'll admit, to suggest that I called anybody who believed his actions were justified, a terrorist. I did not mean this and probably should have phrased it better. There's a clear difference between supporting or condoning terrorist actions and committing an act of terrorism.
That said, those who do condone or justify what Roeder did walk a fine line. Words choice and language mean something and can create an atmosphere where wingnuts fly loose.
So...
Roeder and those who kill abortion providers to stop the practice commit a terrorist act.
Those who support such activity, but don't actually do it, are not "terrorists" but sure are contemptible.
Here's dictionary.com
"The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes."
This is pretty much an exact fit for Roeder and others trying to wipe about abortion through murder/violence.
My post could be read, I'll admit, to suggest that I called anybody who believed his actions were justified, a terrorist. I did not mean this and probably should have phrased it better. There's a clear difference between supporting or condoning terrorist actions and committing an act of terrorism.
That said, those who do condone or justify what Roeder did walk a fine line. Words choice and language mean something and can create an atmosphere where wingnuts fly loose.
So...
Roeder and those who kill abortion providers to stop the practice commit a terrorist act.
Those who support such activity, but don't actually do it, are not "terrorists" but sure are contemptible.
Computer conundrum
Looks like the city has decided on a course of action — much cheaper than the $250,000 proposal for a new computer system that staff advocated. This makes sense in a tough financial times. If you can fix it and stave off a big expenditure, at least for a while, that's the way to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
