Opinion
Other Editors
The Hays Daily News, on not forgetting Osama bin Laden: Those who believe there is middle ground in the cultural clash between Western civilization and the most radical of Islamic militants are simply wrong. In a new audio tape released to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel, Osama bin Laden brought the Jewish state front and center, vowing to fight so long as there is one “true Muslim” left on the planet. “We .....
full story
Obama, Clinton chart an endgame
Beth Fouhy Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Two weeks before the final primary in their marathon battle, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were campaigning hard Wednesday. Both were in Florida, but their goals could hardly have been more different — or said more about how each one hopes to bring their historic race to a close. Obama, feeling sure of the Democratic nomination, was trying to stake an early claim to a state that cou...
full story
Kansas Profile: Maria Baumgardner — Elmdale
Ron Wilson Huck Boyd Institute Help yourself. That’s a courteous way of saying go ahead and do what you need to do. Imagine a store where you could not only help yourself to the items for sale on the shelves, but you could help yourself by going to the cash register and making your own change on the honor system. I didn’t think such places still existed anywhere, but I found one in rural Kansas. It’s a store operated by a lady with a long ...
full story
Memorial Day 2008
Kathleen Sebelius Governor Monday, May 26 marks Memorial Day. It is a solemn day when we remember the courage and sacrifice of each man and woman who has given their life to further the liberty of all people in this country and throughout the nation. Every day that we live with peace and freedom at home is a day made possible by these brave soldiers and airmen. In 1868, 148 years ago, our nation held the first Memorial Day to honor those ...
full story
Letter to the editor
Questions still unanswered about city spending What do you want to bet Chanute’s travel expenses are several times that of surrounding cities? I have only a subset of the thousands of pages of expenses. Of that subset, I have calculated the lodging only expenses for less than one year, at over $25,000. This doesn’t include food or travel expenses. Often these travel expenses include valet parking, which is not a legitimate government expen...
full story
Of dollars and sense and cheap government
Leonard Pitts Tribune Media Services I think George W. Bush deserves a raise. You’re waiting for the punchline, I know. You’re figuring with a setup like that, about a president whose popularity lives down where moles and earthworms do, the payoff’s got to be a doozy. Sorry, but there is no punchline because that wasn’t a setup. I think the president should get a raise. Congress, too. And yes, I know Congress’ approval ratings are simila...
full story
Obama, oh yes, he will make us better
Kathleen Parker Tribune Media Services Chivalry is still charming, as Barack Obama proved when he recently warned Tennessee Republicans to leave his wife alone. He was commenting on a GOP Web ad that highlights Michelle Obama’s comment, made at a rally in February, that she was proud of America for the first time in her adult life. When asked about the ad Monday during an interview on “Good Morning America,” Obama said Republicans were w...
full story
Other Editors
The Salina Journal, on the new GI bill: If the new GI bill passes the Senate and survives the president’s threatened veto, it could cost as much as $52 billion over the next 10 years. That’s a lot of money. But the war in Iraq has been estimated to cost $1 trillion to $3 trillion for 2002 to 2008. Estimates are it will cost $12 billion just for this month, or $5,000 a second. That $51 billion is less than the price of five months of war. ...
full story
Where have all the thoughtful conservatives gone?
Leonard Pitts Tribune Media Services Don’t read this column yet. First, I want you to do something. Google “Chris Matthews + Kevin James.” This will bring up video of the latter, a conservative L.A. radio pundit, being questioned by the former last week on MSNBC’s “Hardball.” You “must” see this video. For the Internet deprived, here’s a recap: James goes on “Hardball” to comment on a speech President Bush gave before the Israeli Knesset...
full story
No offense, Sweetie!
Mitch Albom Tribune Media Services So what can you call someone today? When Barack Obama used the word “sweetie” in addressing a Detroit TV reporter last week, it made national headlines. He was scolded by the media. Fingers wagged. Tongues clucked. “Uh-uh-uh,” the conscience-makers said, “you’re stepping over the line.” And maybe he was. But where is the line? I’ve been thinking ever since this happened about the things we call ea...
full story
Letter to the editor
Even if it didn’t happen, it wasn’t a crime anyway I’m currently a freshman in high school, and I’m writing in response to the front page article where the “City Commission meeting gets personal.” The leaders of Chanute acted no better than a bunch of juvenile children. Whose business is it if Mr. Chard decides to drink. The last time I checked, he was a consenting adult who can make his own decisions. Also, the hate-mail comment reminded m...
full story
Other Editors
The Garden City Telegram, on storms damaging wheat crop: Rain that fell on the region in the recent days was welcome in an area that’s been mired in drought. The hail, however, was another story. Storms that recently moved into the area hammered Garden City with hailstones that ranged from pea size to softball-size whoppers. Residents of areas hardest hit were left assessing damage to homes, vehicles and other property. Meanwhile, not so evid...
full story
Gambling supporters gamble on court ruling
Carl Manning Associated Press TOPEKA (AP) — In the world of gambling, it’s about the odds. Right now, the Kansas Lottery is betting that a law enacted last year allowing it to own and operate four resort casinos and have slot machines at race tracks is constitutional. So is Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, but just to make sure she asked the attorney general’s office to get a definitive ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court to quell any doubts. L...
full story
Letter to the editor
Tree curb appeal problem solved reasonably I would very much like to express my gratitude to all of the city employees who were active in helping us to regain pleasant curb appeal in the 1100 block of South Plummer. The response to my complaint was immediate and everyone involved in the restoration worked diligently and very professionally to complete the task at hand. My gratitude is also extended to Mr. Travis Russell, along with his assis...
full story
Reunions
Krone The 63rd annual reunion of the Fred and Louise Krone family was held June 3 at the Family Life Center at Zion Lutheran Church, Chanute. Thirty-two were in attendance. The Herman Krone families were hosts. The Martha Krone (Doekpe) families will host the 2013 Krone Reunion Those attending from Chanute: Phillip Cooper, Donna Dye, Don and Betty Krone, Ella Brazil, Everett Seefeldt, Faron Morales, Tom Erickson, Irvin and Mary Alice Lassma...
full story
Biofuels and the price of food
It’s no secret I’m an advocate of biofuels. I have been for a long time, so I’m fairly accustomed to the anti-biofuel rhetoric. Even so, I was taken aback by the level of blame being heaped on biofuels this spring for rising food prices. Biofuels do have an impact on grain prices and a more modest impact on food prices. The most recent estimates I’ve heard are that biofuel production increased the price of corn by about 20 percent over the la...
full story
Democrats offer thrills ‘n’ chills
Kathleen Parker Tribune Media Services WASHINGTON — Well, at least they didn’t kiss. I was bracing myself for the lip lock Wednesday when John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. Don’t look at me. None other than David “Mudcat” Saunders, Edwards’ former rural adviser, came up with the idea when he said Obama should kiss Edwards on the lips “to kill this 41-point loss,” referring to Hillary Clinton’...
full story
Letter to the editor
TOPS really is tops as weight loss group Every week I am encouraged by my TOPS (take off pounds sensibly) and KOPS (keep of pounds sensibly) friends. We have programs to help us eat correctly and to exercise. When I have lost the weight and reached the goal my doctor has set for me, I will become a KOPS member. My goal is to always be an encouragement to others who struggle with weight issues like I do. Donna Willis Chanute TOPS is a won...
full story
Other Editors
Bristol (Va.) Herald Courier, on Paul Gregory House’s death row case: A federal judge ordered Paul Gregory House freed from Tennessee’s death row last week. With the most damning evidence against him refuted by modern science, there is little justification for a retrial. Yet, prosecutor William Paul Phillips won’t let go; he’s bound and determined to take the case before another jury. To what end? House has already served 22 years in prison f...
full story
Letter to the editor
Does behavior have effect on storms? Few people of this nation would ever believe their behavior would have an effect on the weather. The first 30 or so verses of Deuteronomy 28 tell us it does. I’ve known of severe storms from the 30s to the present, but I haven’t known of any KILLER storms until the last few years. So far we have been spared, but I doubt we are less crummier than Greensburg, southern Missouri or Arkansas or Georgia or F...
full story