Kansas Jackass

Introducing Forward Kansas

2009-08-31T00:47:00.004-05:00

Dear Loyal KJ Fans,

After much work and much consideration we have finally launched the new statewide blog for Kansas. Forward Kansas will be a number of writers, capitol reporters, videographers, and all around online troublemakers united under one site.

We are also excited to also feature a diaries section for anyone and everyone across the state who wants to write on the site and submit their own perspective on the issues. Your participation on KJ has been so great for the past year, and we are excited to launch something bigger, stronger, and more unifying for our online community.

You may join the email list here, the twitter page, the facebook page, and start a new account here.

Cheers!

Gone Fishing....

2009-06-25T09:03:00.004-05:00

Loyal KJ Readers,

The Kansas Jackass blogging team has gone on a much needed hiatus. While we appreciate your continued dedication to the cause, many of us have done exhaustive work as volunteers, and this summer, nothing is more enjoyable than spending the day on a cool Kansas lake.

Have a very happy summer, stay cool!

New from JibJab: He's Barack Obama

2009-06-19T21:23:00.002-05:00

Supremely fantastic new video from the folk at JibJab!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Where Are Pompeo, Kelsey, Huelskamp, Barnett, Wasinger, etc. on the Supplemental?

2009-06-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, every Republican in the Kansas delegation to the United States House of Representatives joined every other Republican in the United States House of Representatives (save five brave souls) in voting against a $106 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill to cover the costs of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan- not because they want to see those wars ended, but because they didn't like one of the items in the bill that amounted to less than 5% of the total cost.

In other words, because they didn't support a tiny, tiny portion of the bill, the Republicans all voted against making sure our men and women on the battlefield have the tools they need to stay alive and fight the war until they are able to come home.

Think for a moment what would have happened if the Democrats had done that en masse when the Republicans were in the majority. They would have been called traitors, they would have been called unpatriotic, they would have been called un-American, and the Republicans would have been screaming from the rooftops about how awful it is for either party to play politics with the lives of hundreds of thousands of American service men and women.

Hypocrites, the lot of them.

With all of that said, two of the Kansas Republicans who voted against the wartime supplemental this week aren't going to seek re-election to the House. Because supplementals like these will continue to come up as long as we have men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to know whether the folk who have tossed their hats in the ring as of yet to replace both Representatives Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran would have towed their party's line and voted against the troops or if they would have bucked leadership and voted for the supplemental.

Unsurprisingly, none of the people running in either the KS-01 or the KS-04 have said publicly how they would have cast their votes. That cowardly, but they're Republicans, so who's surprised?

Because I like mobilizing activists, I'd like to encourage each and every person who reads this blog to call each and every one of the folk who have announced their running for Congress in the KS-01 and KS-04 and ask them how they would have fallen on the vote on the supplemental. Or, if you don't want to call them, call your local newspapers and ask them to make the call instead.

Web site and information for each announced candidate follows:

KS-01:
Jim Barnett (Barnett doesn't have a campaign web site yet, so call his home: 620-342-5387)
Tim Huelskamp (email: Huelskampforcongress@rurallink.net)
Rob Wasinger (email: media@robwasinger.com)
Tim Barker (no contact for this cat at all...not that it really matters...)
Sue Boldra (at least she has a contact page...)
Tracey Mann (OK, this dude has a phone number, 785-829-0055, and email for press inquiries: press@mannforcongress.com and a fax machine!)

KS-04:
Dick Kelsey (email: dick@dickkelseyforcongress.com or 316-771-7310)
Mike Pompeo (campaign-related phone number is: 316-680-7311)

Write them e-mails, call them on the phone, however you want to do it, but just ask them if they would have voted with their party to defund the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan while our troops are still in harms way or if they could have bucked their party leadership and voted with the Democrats and President Barack Obama on the president's supplemental war funding request.

If you do manage to get a response, post it in the comments here or e-mail it to me at kansasjackass-at-gmail.com so we can all get a little insight in who might represent us in Congress.

KDP: Everyone Loves a Good Survey!

2009-06-19T15:15:00.000-05:00

In an effort to use the interwebs more effectively (other than just pointing to Facebook and saying "Look, we've got 2,915 in our Facebook group! Ha!) the Kansas Democratic Party has hired a dude named Mike Nellis with the specific task of directing our party's online presence.

(After a phone call chiding me for calling him a "dude," my friend Mike Nellis wants me to say he's awfully exited about working in Kansas and hopes to bring his experience from the Scott Kleeb for US Senate campaign in Nebraska and all sorts of other online endeavors to our state party. He also encourages me to not call him a "dude" on the blog again, because it's a weird way to describe someone. OK, he didn't really...but it's still true.)

From the Kansas Democratic Party:

The KDP is undergoing some changes this year as we get ready to compete in the 2010 elections. Part of that process will be an aggressive online organizing campaign to help build our party throughout Kansas. I will be acting as the point person for this effort as the party's Online Director.

As we saw during the 2008 elections, the Internet can be a powerful tool to create change and provide accountability. That's why it's important we use these tools effectively over the next year.

In that very spirit, we've put together a brief 1-2 minute survey about our previous and future online efforts that we'd like you to take. The information you provide us with will be crucial to our success.

Please click here to tell us what you think about the KDP's online organizing efforts.

Thanks for all that you do,

Mike Nellis
Online Director -- Kansas Democratic Party

You read it! Click the link and fill out the survey. While Democrats in Kansas and all over the nation are hella better at the Internet than our be-trunked and gray counterparts, we can't just take that for granted and we need to keep on our toes.

Tell the KDP want you want. Yay people-powered democracy!

Anti-Choice Goups Complain of Death Threats

2009-06-19T14:33:00.005-05:00

From the Lawrence Journal-World:

Three Wichita-based anti-abortion groups say they have received death threats in response to last month’s killing of abortion provider George Tiller.
For years, Operation Rescue has received threats, but the number increased dramatically after Tiller’s killing, the group’s president, Troy Newman, said Thursday.
Some of the threats have been aimed at anti-abortion activities planned in Wichita this weekend, Newman said.

While I know everyone who is a friend of women is angry at the anti-choice nuts right now- lord knows I'm angry- but it's wrong of us to sink to the same level they have been on for so, so many years. Threatening their lives is wrong, and certainly committing acts of violence against them is wrong. However wrong you believe Troy Newman is, he doesn't deserve to die or to be hurt in any way.

Again, don't stoop to the level of the people who called Dr. Tiller "Tiller the Baby Killer."

Stimulus Money on the Way to Help Kansas Unemployed

2009-06-19T14:04:00.006-05:00

As we learn unemployment figures in Kansas jumped again in May, we also learn the $69 million entitled to the state from the economic recovery bill is already on its way.

From the Lawrence Journal-World:

Kansas officials were notified Thursday that the state will receive $69 million in federal stimulus funds for unemployment benefits.
“It was less than one month ago that I was joined by aviation and business leaders in Wichita, signing the legislation that qualified Kansas for these funds, and already, we’re seeing how swift action can achieve swift results,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson. “These resources will help out-of-work Kansans put food on the table while they learn new skills for a new job, and that is a critical step in turning our economy around,” he said.

This is the unemployment money you heard Republican governors and legislators all over the country complaining about and even try to block. In Kansas, though, the final vote in favor of making needed changes to draw down the money was almost unanimous (see this post for details on the morons who voted "no"). I'm thankful the vast majority of Democrats and Republicans in the Statehouse recognized the utility of keeping people who are actively looking for a job above water in an increasingly bad economy.

KS/MO YouthBuild Program for At-Risk Youth Gets Boost

2009-06-19T09:06:00.002-05:00

The US Labor Department's program YouthBuild is designed to provide assistance to at risk youth who are behind in skill level with alternatives to education in efforts to ensure they finish high school.

"The primary target populations for YouthBuild are adjudicated youth, youth aging out of foster care, out-of-school youth, and other at-risk populations. "

According to a release from the Labor Department 183 groups dedicated to YouthBuild services throughout the country received $114 million.

"This amount is an initial increment for two years of grant operations. A remaining increment may be awarded pending the availability of additional funding. Among today's awardees, 62 are current Department of Labor YouthBuild grantees, and 121 are new to the department."

One such program in Columbia, Missouri schools students for half of the day, and the rest of the day shows them how to build homes that then help disadvantaged families. A new program in Phoenix will fund the first ever green building project done by youth. The Phoenix students will build two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified houses in older neighborhoods.

Right here at home, the Kansas City program received nearly $700,000.

Wendell Maddox, CEO of United Way of Wyandotte County, said the YouthBuild program usually receives $1.1 million for the 30-month grant. However, he said the program typically receives 50 percent of the funds for the first 15 months, rather than 63 percent. Maddox said the stimulus money also requires the program to start spending the funds by July 1.

“That group of kids, they really need the support of this program,” Maddox said.

The KC program typically has a many as 65 students involved and Maddox said that more than half get their high school degree or GED and at least 45 will enter into job opportunities or internships that help them progress forward.

"President Obama and I are delighted to be able to increase funding for this promising program, which does so much for youth and their communities," said Secretary Solis. "The YouthBuild program not only assists young people in obtaining education and skills, but also gives them a sense of accomplishment and empowers them as they give back to their communities."

The release also says that $47 million of the total program budget came from the stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year. With all the no votes for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 one would think it was filled with useless and meaningless projects - clearly this is yet another real world example of the lives impacted by this year's Congress.

Back on The Jeremy Taylor Show!

2009-06-19T06:45:00.001-05:00

Same as every other Friday, I'll be the guest from 9-10 a.m. this morning on The Jeremy Taylor Show, which airs on 1320 KLWN AM radio out of Lawrence, America.

We'll be talkin' the news of the day and whatever else that pops into our heads.

For more about the show and to listen live, go here- or just spin that dial to 1320 AM if you live in northeast Kansas.

Name My Summer Speaking Tour!

2009-06-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

This summer, I'm embarking upon what I'm rather grandiosely terming a "speaking tour"- I've been invited to give remarks at four or five Democratic Party functions all over the state and just might find myself invited to a a couple more if I hold my mouth just right...

Anyway, what's a speaking tour without an awesome name and an awesome graphic? Since the graphic will be determined by the name of the tour, that's where I need to start- and that's where I want your help!

At the top of the column to the right, you'll see a poll with potential tour names I selected out of a whole herd of suggestions submitted by my followers on Twitter. Those are the ones I liked the best, and I want your help to pick the one that I ought use.

The poll will be open for the next 7 days. I think you can vote once every single day, but I don't really emember (I don't do polls very often). But, heck, do whatever you want to game the poll. I'm a liberal, what do I care about rules? ;-)

While this doesn't matter...*I* voted for "The Talking Ass Tour." Just a teeny-tiny hint...

Brownback Still Unenamoured With Sotomayor

2009-06-18T10:31:00.001-05:00

This is from last week, but I think it's good to make sure folk know how both of their US Senators feels about a potential member of the Supreme Court.

From the Topeka Capital-Journal:

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback said Thursday he wasn't swayed by a one-on-one meeting with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

"I wanted to hear more from her as I have serious concerns about her philosophy as it relates to an activist judiciary," the Kansas Republican said. "Unfortunately, I did not hear anything in our meeting that allayed those concerns."

Brownback, who voted against Sotomayor's nomination in 1998 to the U.S. Court of Appeals, said a Supreme Court justice should be an impartial umpire of legal affairs.

"I am afraid Judge Sotomayor wants to be more of a player than an umpire," he said.

Fairly typical baseless talking points for a fairly typical Republican ideologue. After Senator Pat Roberts' "I'm votin' no" announcement, here's betting both Kansas Senators play their usual roll of useless contrarians and cast big ol' "NO" votes on Judge Sotomayor's confirmation.

At least they're predictable, right? I mean, that's got to count for something...

On the Radio: Croucher to Discuss LGBT Rights on Community Bridge TONIGHT

2009-06-18T09:37:00.003-05:00

Tonight from 5- 6 p.m., I will be on the radio program Community Bridge on KSDB 91.9 FM in Manhattan, Kansas.

Our topic will be the 40 year aftermath of the Stonewall Riots and how the LGBT rights movement has changed in the four decades since that night in 1969.

I'm sure some of my younger readers don't know much about Stonewall- here's something very brief:

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when gays and lesbians fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted homosexuals, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

I'd encourage everyone, whether you want to listen to the radio program or not, to read the full Wikipedia entry on the riots

I would, of course, encourage everyone to listen in live. If you're in the Manhattan area you can tune into 91.9 FM or anyone anywhere can listen online here.

If questions you'd like answered, please e-mail them to renner@ksu.edu.

Help Counter the Anti-Choice Event at Tiller's Clinic Saturday

2009-06-17T15:32:00.003-05:00

From Kansas NOW:

ATTENTION ALL PRO-CHOICE ACTIVISTS! ACTION ALERT!

Anti-choice groups are organizing a prayer vigil outside of Dr. Tiller's clinic to "pray for an end to abortion". Beyond this being unacceptable due to Dr. Tiller's recent murder, we find it hypocritical since the organizer of this event (Rev. Patrick Mahoney) stated after Dr. Tiller's murder, "No one should use this tragedy for political gain." And yet that is exactly what they are doing.

We're fighting back! Come stand with us and help us use their own words against them. We are going to be silently counter-protesting them at Women's Health Care Services with signs quoting their own inflammatory rhetoric.....that same rhetoric that they use to incite violence against abortion doctors.

Here's what you need to know.....

If you want to join us, email Nicki Schied at nicki2377@ymail.com . She will need your name and email address so that we can give you updates and information as this progresses. She also needs to know whether or not you want to purchase a shirt (read more below).

On Friday June 19th at 7pm, there will be a pre-protest meeting at the First Unitarian Universalist Church located at 7202 E 21st St. N in Wichita.
At this event we will distribute t-Shirts and discuss the details of the counter protest to take place the following day.

*Note that the Unitarian Church is NOT A CONTACT for this event. If you have questions, contact Trina Wheeler (contact information above).

We are asking everyone to wear their Dr. Tiller shirts to the counter-protest if they have one. You can also purchase one at the pre-protest event for $20.00. If you want a shirt, you must come to the meeting with money ready. We took a hard hit financially during the Martyr Guard in relation to the shirts. We could do it once, we cannot do it again. No shirt will be given without getting payment for it first. If you want a shirt, but cannot afford the $20, then let Nicki know when you email her to sign up, and she will contact me about getting someone to help pay for your shirt.

(Visit Kansas NOW for information about ordering a shirt- Jason)

If anyone has quotes of Randall Terry, Troy Newman, or Patrick Mahoney that show their inflammatory rhetoric towards abortion providers, please send them to me at coordinator@ksnow.org as I am compiling a list to be put on signs.

Parking for the Counter Protest: Planned Parenthood has agreed to allow us to use their parking lot on the day of the event, June 20th. We will arrange for shuttles from the PP parking lot to the Clinic beginning at 11:00 AM on June 20th. PP has about 30 spaces in their lot. 2226 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS‎. We are working to get another parking area arranged, and will send that information out when it is finalized.

See you Saturday!

KS-02: DCCC Statement on Jenkins War Funding Vote

2009-06-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

Pile on, ladies and gentlemen:

Hypocrisy Watch: Representative Lynn Jenkins Puts Politics First on Supplemental Funding

Today Congress voted on the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, which includes funding for American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as money to fight the H1N1 flu pandemic. When she had the choice, Representative Lynn Jenkins sided with Republican leaders in playing politics with this urgently needed money.

“Republicans never hesitated to criticize any Democrat who voted against the previous supplemental bills, but now that they are trying to score political points, their stance conveniently changed,” said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Today, Representative Jenkins chose to play politics with this important money for the troops and to fight the H1N1 flu pandemic.”

Jenkins and the rest of the Republicans in the the United States House of Representatives are doing nothing but playing politics with our men and women in uniform- something as unconscionable as anything a politician can do.

It does come down to this, though, folk: If Lynn Jenkins has gotten her way, our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan would find themselves on the battlefield in September without support. She'd rather continue voting the way her leadership tells her she must than do what is right for Kansans serving abroad. Think what you want about the wars- I want them over today, too- but this is a shocking course of action from a women with two military bases in her district.

JoCo Democratic Women Mtg: Featuring Me!

2009-06-17T11:27:00.001-05:00

It seems I'm going to have something of a summer speaking tour of county parties and rallies- the first of which is this coming Monday before the Johnson County Democratic Women.

Deets:

The JCDW meet on the 4th Monday of every month. June meeting will be June 22nd. Our speaker will be Jason Croucher of the terrific blog, Kansas Jackass!
It is our goal to fill Topeka and Washington with Democrats, educate Women, encourage Democratic women to run for office and serve our community. Dinner is available. Please join us! Chat and get to know women of like mind.

WHEN: Monday, June 22 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

WHERE: Cafe Augusta, 12122 W. 87th Street, Lenexa KS

Driving directions at link below: Cafe Augusta.

CONTACT: For more info contact Mary Kay Ziegler (913-221-4893)

JCDW gathers progressive women who seek to make a positive difference through political action, equips them with information and training at regular meetings, and organizes them to advocate for democratic issues and to work for the election of Democratic candidates for state and local office.

I do hope any of your good folk who are JoCo area readers (WyCo and Leavenworth Co...LvCo?...) can make it out. I'm sure I won't be allowed to speak for the full 2 hours, so don't worry about that. ;-)

Sleazy: Anti-Choice's to Host Vigil, Ask for End of Violence INSIDE Abortion Clinics at Tiller's Clinic

2009-06-17T10:35:00.007-05:00

File this under "S" for sleazy:

Abortion opponents plan to return to Wichita this weekend to conduct a prayer vigil at the now-closed clinic where slain doctor George Tiller performed late-term abortions.
The prayer vigil and what is being called a memorial service at the former Women’s Health Care Services, 5107 E. Kellogg, will be held at noon on Saturday during a “prayer walk” extending the length of Kellogg through Wichita, organizers said in a prepared statement.

“As members of the pro-life and faith community, we are coming together for a time of prayer and remembrance,” said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, which is based in Washington, D.C. “We will be praying for the Tiller family as well as asking God to bring healing to the city of Wichita.

“We will be asking God to end the violence both inside and outside of abortion clinics. Specifically, we will be praying that Wichita respects human rights and social justice and that no abortions would ever be performed in the city again."

While this might have been classified as kind but misguided- I'm guessing the family and friends of Dr. George Tiller won't want "pro-life" people praying for them or hosting vigils for them anywhere- but it took a repulsive turn when Rev. Patrick Mahoney said they'd be praying for an end of "violence both inside and outside" clinics.

Let the man and his family rest in peace- you all successfully got him killed, what more do you want to squeeze from him in support of your agenda?

KS-02 Lynn Jenkins votes to Defund the Iraq, Afghanistan War

2009-06-16T17:44:00.001-05:00

Today, moments ago, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins voted to defund the war in Iraq.

She, along with every other Republican in the United States House of Representatives today made the decision to oppose approving any more money for the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan because of disagreements amount to 5% of the $106 billion spending measure. Regardless of their uniform "no" vote and a number of progressive Democrats voting no on principle, the measure did pass 226-202.

Think, for a moment, about what Republicans told Democrats when they worked to defund the war in Iraq as recently as last year.

From The Hill:

House Republicans are preparing to vote en bloc against the $106 billion war-spending bill, a position once unthinkable for the party that characterized the money as support for the troops.

For years, Republicans portrayed the bills funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as matters of national security and accused Democrats who voted against them of voting against the troops.

In 2005, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) went so far as to say sending troops into battle and not paying for it would be an “immoral thing to do.” And just last year, more House Republicans voted for the war supplemental bill than did Democrats, who opposed the legislation because it did little to wind down the military effort in Iraq.

Today, though, the rhetoric from the Right that a vote against the supplemental is unpatriotic or immoral is gone, replaced with political gamesmanship that has nothing to do with the wars, our troops, or what is right for America.

The Democratic aide charged House Republicans with “hypocrisy” for opposing a bill because of the IMF funding, which amounts to less than 5 percent of the proposed spending in the legislation.

“It seems like they’re putting the interest of the Republican Party and the ability for them to develop a campaign narrative ahead of the interest of the troops,” he said.

I know my progressive readership is probably not with me on this, but I wouldn't ever in a million years vote to cut off money that supports our troops in the field. Now, I wouldn't want to vote for a bill that didn't include a timetable for withdrawal from a conflict like the ones we are in, but I would ever, ever consider just saying, "Nope, sorry, no more cash." The logistical nightmare that would cause is simply more than I could do.

But, in the end, that's exactly what Congressman Todd Tiahrt, Congressman Jerry Moran, and my Congresswoman, Lynn Jenkins, did today.

Dear Kansas Liberty: You Are Tasteless SOBs

2009-06-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Kansas Liberty,

I'm writing to you today to say that, while I wouldn't ever consider paying to read your "Fair and Factual" spinmeiser lie rag, I do periodically visit to check on what the Radical Right is saying to each other from their perch that is so far out of the Kansas mainstream I wonder if you're all based some where offshore.

Today, when I made my weekly clothespin-on-nose visit, I found starting back at me one of the singularly most offensive graphics I've seen in the weeks since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller on an article about Dr. LeRoy Carhart's hopes to continue providing services to women in Wichita.

The graphic looks like this:

Now, I realize you're owned by State Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, who, if left her own devices, would have me airdropped into North Korea with "Kim Jong Il wears women's sunglasses" tattooed across my forehead, but leadership by a loony doesn't give you carte blanc to publish horribly, horribly tasteless images of a man recently killed by a radical Christofacist with the words "LeRoy Carhart: Hoping for the good old days!" splashed across the image.

I understand you're trying to make some kind of ham-handed point about late-term abortion and the glee I'm sure you think Dr. Tiller took and Dr. Carhart takes in being "abortionists." But in your attempt to being witty or humorous or whatever the hell else you thought you were doing, you were simply inappropriate and crass. While LeRoy Carhart might not be "hoping" I'm sure he is "wishing" for the good old days. Why? Because I'm sure he wishes his friend was still alive, you tone-deaf shills.

The Radical Right in this country is defined by one thing and one thing only- a total and complete lack of respect and regard for anyone with whom they disagree. They hated Dr. Tiller, they hate Dr. Carhart, and, in that blind hatred, will produce crap like this that I'm sure made them awfully proud of themselves. If they'd only find some of the compassion they have for fetuses for people who are already in this world we'd all be better off.

LeRoy Carhart: Hoping for the Good Old Days! Of course he is. Of course he is.

Do the right thing, Kansas Liberty and Senator Pilcher-Cook. Do the grieving members of Dr. Tiller's family and his friends the favor of taking this offensive attempt at political commentary off your site and apologize publicly for your ridiculous gall.

Thank you,

Jason Croucher
Editior-in-Chief
KansasJackass.com

Lynn Jenkins: "Closing Guantanamo Bay is Unnecessary"

2009-06-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins has returned from her Monday trip to the American detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and it seems even jet lag doesn't break her of her rote commitment to the talking points of the Party of "No!"

From the Topeka Capital-Journal:

“The tour yesterday was eye-opening because what I saw were our military men and women putting their lives on the line to protect our nation and carrying out their mission in a responsible, safe, legal and transparent manner," she said. "Closing Guantanamo Bay is unnecessary and doing it without a plan to relocate the detainees is irresponsible. I will continue my fight to keep suspected terrorists from being transferred to Fort Leavenworth.”

"Unnecessary." It's "unnecessary" to close down what has become an international symbol of of American torture. Lynn Jenkins, in her hyper-partisan mind, can't put down her own politics of fear to recognize that every single moment the camp stays open al Qaeda can use it to recruit new terrorists intent on killing innocent people around the world. Jenkins' "fight to to keep suspected terrorists from being transferred to Fort Leavenworth" is a fight that actively puts more and more Americans at risk of terrorism for absolutely no reason.

Also, does that line about closing the camps "without a plan to relocate the detainees" being irresponsible mean she thinks the Obama Administration has designs on, or has ever intended to, just shut the camp down and turn the detainees loose on the streets of American cities? I know that's the talking point Party Leader Rush Limbaugh is pushing, but Jenkins has got to be smarter than that...or, perhaps, she just hopes her constituents aren't. Just some of fearmongering showing again.

Our men and women in uniform are able and honorable and find torture to be exactly as abhorrent as every American should. I wish their good work now could wipe clean the stain actions directed by the previous administration made, but they can't. Now, we've only one option: Regardless of how well the camp is run today, it was once a hot bed for one of the most disgusting and despicable chapters of American history and it must be shuttered.

KS-Sen: Poll Puts Moran, Tiahrt in a Dead Heat

2009-06-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

In a poll conducted by SurveyUSA for KCTV-TV Kansas City and KWCH-TV Wichita, we see evidence of a tremendously divided Republican electorate over the question of who their next nominee for the United States Senate should be.

From the Wichita Eagle:

Asked who they would vote for if they were to vote today, 40 percent of Kansans polled said they would vote for Moran and 38 percent said they would vote for Tiahrt.

Another 22 percent said they were undecided. The election is more than a year away.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.

There are some interesting facts inside of the numbers in the poll. First, the younger the likely
Republican primary voter is, the more likely they are to be leaning toward Todd Tiahrt (which is horrifying), but they do make up the very smallest sampling in the poll. Winning any age-group is good, but the 18-34 year olds are the only demographic group age-wise Tiahrt is leading is among- Moran leads with everyone over 34.

Self-identified "conservatives prefer Tiahrt 44%-34% with 21% undecided (shock of shocks, right?), while self-labeling "moderates" would rather have Moran 47%-32% with another 21% undecided. As a part of the sample, conservatives made up 59% with moderates clocking in at 35%

Two more- they broke the folk in the survey into "Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice," with 63% of these likely GOP primary voters calling themselves the former and 35% the later. Tiahrt wins the "pro-life" vote 44-32-24, while Moran wins the "pro-choice" vote 53-30-17. That's another interesting one- the only group that gives Moran a higher margin than pro-choice folk are the people of western Kansas.

Tiahrt wins in Wichia while Moran dominates in the west- what does it look like in northeastern Kansas? Moran in the lead- 38-30-31.

These numbers are awfully interesting, of course, but keep in mind that SurveyUSA actually only managed to find 453 who were "likely" 2010 GOP primary voters, so this isn't what you call "board-based." I'm not saying it makes the poll bad, I'm just wanting y'all to be aware.

This is good news again for Congressoman Moran, but Congressman Tiahrt need not lose hope- with 20-odd percent of the electorate unreduced this is still anyone's game.

KS-02 Jenkins Staff "Obsessed" with This Blog

2009-06-16T09:59:00.000-05:00

Whenever I write something about my Congresswoman, Lynn Jenkins, that isn't just me being a crazy liberal and is actually something bad she'd done, someone comments that I'm only writing the post because I'm "obsessed" with her- thus doing what they can to blunt my criticism.

It's one of those "kill the messenger before anyone listens to the message" kinds of things.

I certainly don't know for sure who it is who writes comments- I've always imagined it was someone exactly as "obsessed" with the congresswoman as I am, so probably a member of her staff. So, this morning, right after I got a comment on my "Jenkins Tours the District without actually touring the district" that read:

The obsession continues...

..I decided to look at my hits. Lo and behold:

12. 16 June 09:15 KOCH INDUSTRIES, Wichita, Kansas, United States
13. 16 June 09:15 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia
14. 16 June 09:17 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia
15. 16 June 09:17 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia
16. 16 June 09:18 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia
17. 16 June 09:19 Mediacom Communications Corp, Baldwin City, Kansas
18. 16 June 09:20 SBC Internet Services, Wichita, Kansas, United States
19. 16 June 09:21 Cox Communications, Wichita, Kansas, United States
20. 16 June 09:23 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
21. 16 June 09:25 Cox Communications, Wichita, Kansas, United States
22. 16 June 09:25 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
23. 16 June 09:26 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
24. 16 June 09:27 CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, Madison, Wisconsin
25. 16 June 09:28 Cox Communications, Topeka, Kansas, United States
26. 16 June 09:28 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia
27. 16 June 09:30 SBC Internet Services, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
28. 16 June 09:33 Road Runner, Overland Park, Kansas, United States
29. 16 June 09:33 America Online, United States
30. 16 June 09:34 Road Runner, Overland Park, Kansas, United States
31. 16 June 09:36 Mediacom Communications Corp, Baldwin City, Kansas
32. 16 June 09:36 Mediacom Communications Corp, Baldwin City, Kansas
33. 16 June 09:37 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
34. 16 June 09:37 Road Runner, Overland Park, Kansas, United States
35. 16 June 09:38 Mediacom Communications Corp, Baldwin City, Kansas
36. 16 June 09:39 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
37. 16 June 09:40 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
38. 16 June 09:40 Time Warner Telecom, New York, United States
39. 16 June 09:42 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, DC
40. 16 June 09:43 SBC Internet Services, Topeka, Kansas, United States
41. 16 June 09:44 Craw-Kan Telephone Coop., Girard, Kansas, United States
42. 16 June 09:45 State of Kansas - Division of Systems and Communic, Topeka
43. 16 June 09:45 Cox Communications, Wichita, Kansas, United States
44. 16 June 09:48 Democratic National Headquarters, Washington, DC
45. 16 June 09:48 Qwest Communications, Olathe, Kansas, United States
46. 16 June 09:48 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Falls Church, Virginia

Of what is this evidence? Nothing, really...other than someone who works for the United States House of Representatives has been to my blog 13 times in the last 30 minutes. Could it be staff from any member's office? Why, sure- but since I haven't talked about any of our other federal officials in the last several days, I really am guessing someone that works for Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is "obsessed" with my "obsession."

Seriously, kids, I'm flattered you're reading, but, Christ, I'm not paying you to do it!

I'm Bill Kurtis...and I'm not running for Governor

2009-06-16T09:22:00.004-05:00

After re-reporting a rumor that Bill Kurtis was considering a run for Kansas governor as a Democrat that Steve Kraske originally wrote in the Kansas City Star this weekend, I'm here with the sad news that frequently comes with such rumors: It's bunk.

A source close to Kurtis says the former CBS newsman has absolutely no intention of running for Governor and doesn't have any idea how the rumor he might be interested got started. He's awfully flattered, of course, it just isn't true.

So, there's that.

KS-02 Jenkins Show Goes on the Road...Apparently Sans Jenkins

2009-06-15T17:19:00.001-05:00

Our prayers have been answered: Lynn Jenkins is returning to Earth and visiting the peons!

From the Topeka Capital-Journal:

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins staff will embark on a "Congress to Kansas" tour starting next week.

Beginning June 22, the Republican's staff will set up mobile offices throughout the 2nd Congressional District.

“With high gas prices and a tough economy, folks can’t always make it to my offices in Pittsburg and Topeka, so we are bringing our offices to their communities," Jenkins said in a news release.

Well. How sweet of her to walk amongst mortals.

No...wait...read that again:

Beginning June 22, the Republican's staff will set up mobile offices...

Staff? No one wants to talk to frickin' staff, they want to talk to their Member of Congress!

Do we all remember the fact Frm. Congresswoman Nancy Boyda came home every single weekend and had public meetings all over the district, some of which lasted hours to accommodate all the people who wanted a chance to talk to their representative in Washington? They were unscripted and open to anyone who wanted to attend and people in every party praised Boyda for them- yes, even Republicans thought she was at least trying to do something good. Jenkins, on the other hand, prefers the safety of the Beltway. It makes it much easier to say on the message being fed to your by leadership, though, if you're never more than a few dozen miles from the hill.

Interestingly, Boyda's very first "Congress on Your Corner" was in Osage City...but it was in frickin' February...and the Member of Congress was actually there.

The full schedule of stops is as follows:

Monday, June 22

Osage City
Osage City Hall, City Council Chambers: 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Burlington
Coffey County Courthouse, Conference Room A: 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Ottawa
County Annex Building, Commission Chambers: 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 23

Hiawatha
Brown County Building, Commission Chambers: 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Atchison
Law Enforcement Center, Commission Chambers: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Leavenworth
Leavenworth County Courthouse, Lower Level Conference Room: 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 24

Columbus
Cherokee County Courthouse, Commission Chambers: 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Parsons
Labette Community College: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Neodesha
Neodesha City Hall, Commission Chambers: 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 25

Rossville
Rossville City Hall: 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Wamego
Wamego City Hall, Commission Chambers: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Manhattan
Riley County Courthouse, Second Floor Conference Room: 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Friday, June 26

Ft. Scott
Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Center: 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Iola
Community National Bank: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Chanute
Chanute City Hall, Commission Chambers: 3:00-5:00 p.m.

I will go to visit with staff when they're in Osage...if only to make sure none of them try to steal the nameplate off of my chair.

Bowed out of Guv race, Thornburgh will not seek another term as Sec. of State

2009-06-15T14:01:00.002-05:00

When Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh announced this morning he was withdrawing from the GOP primary against Senator Sam Brownback for Governor, the buzz instantly began on whether he would instead run for another term as SoS against already announced Republicans JR Claeys and Kris Kobach.

We've got an answer, and it's a big fat "nope"

Jesse Borjon, a spokesman for Thornburgh, said he will not run for re-election either as secretary of state. Kris Kobach, a former Kansas Republican Party chairman, has said he will run.

Borjon also told us quite bluntly exactly what pushed Thornburgh out of the race:

Of the governor’s race, Borjon said, “It comes down to money and recent poll numbers. The odds are just not with us at this point.”

Like I said- blunt as a spoon, that one.

Thornburgh did not endorse Brownback today, but that could happen at any later date...or not.

KS-02 Jenkins and Kumar Go to Gitmo

2009-06-15T13:31:00.000-05:00

My dear Member of Congress finds herself in Cuba today, touring the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay.

From the St. Joe News:

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins represents the Northeast Kansas district that includes Fort Leavenworth. She is familiar with the military detention barracks there and believes them ill-suited to handle the transferred terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On Monday, the Republican lawmaker will get a ground-level view of the other end of this discussion.

While I'm pleased Jenkins is making the trip south herself, it is only going to feed her fearmongering flames. She'll come back and tell us she has looked evil in the face and that we can't, in a million, billion years let any of those men- untried and unconvinced of any crime- out. When she says that she won't just be being un-American, but just a generally bad person.

These men held at Gitmo, the ones who actual did something to the United States or to our troops, are criminals and need treated as such. They aren't any worse than anyone housed in Leavenworth right now today in any of the various Parisians already in the town, and they aren't don't pose the people of Kansas or the people of the United States any danger house in jail...at least not any more danger than any other criminals do. And, then, of course, there's the fact Gitmo itself is a recruiting tool for the terrorists- but I can't expect Republicans of any stripe to believe something as manifestly obvious as that.

I'll make sure you keep you posted regarding the gems she really does utter upon her return.