Mixing Politics and Religion

Very very interesting post in the Johnson County Sun

The conflict between Archbishop Joseph Naumann, of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic, is one of those airings you would rather not watch. The archbishop says the governor should stop accepting Communion until she gives up her support of abortion. Sebelius shows no signs of complying.

Thus, at this point, the uncomfortable situation seems beyond reconciliation.

This must be most difficult for both of them. He sees a member of the flock straying from a deep-held church belief. She is being chastised publicly for her totally different take, a pro-choice position in direct opposition to that of the church.

This might not be such a public confrontation if Sebelius were not governor of Kansas. The disagreement has touched off widespread discussion and speculation. What additional action could or should the church take? Should the leader, by calling out Sebelius, step into a public issue?

I highly encourage you to click the link and keep reading

MAINdigest

TGIF

Bush for Nick Jordan while Pat Roberts works on tan in California

Biking across Kansas for Cancer

The Seblius effect

I don't even have a comment about this... sometimes you just don't know what to say.

Sirota on Colbert




How can Congress and government be more web friendly??

Full Disclosure and Full Release tells us that evidently John McCain has been diagnosed with everything there ever was.... wow...


Fun Fact about about NYTimes columnist Thomas Friedman He's married to a billionaire. OL tells us that today is the 5 year Anniversery for when Friedman said that the reason we went into Iraq was to tell Arabs to "Suck on this." I call this Bush Foreign Policy. Friedman was also the guy who said that young voters don't do anything and by golly back in his day they took to the streets .... walking up hill both ways...



Obama is apologizing for another preacher. Don't you HATE it when those secret Muslims have so many Christian Preachers around them they have to keep apologizing for!?!?

Bush is having surrogates go out and deny Scott McClellan's story about Bush's cocaine usage. Really? That's how they are pushing back? (from OL)

According to Hotline, in this week's National Journal Insiders Poll, Dems and GOPers in-the-know agree that the Democratic Party will see double-digit gains in the House in November.

Republicans said on average that the Dems would win 14 seats in the House and four in the Senate. Dems believe they'll take 17 in the House and five in the Senate, reports NJ's Jim Barnes and Peter Bell.

MAINdigest

It's what we call the news....

Claire is still a rockstar. One of these days other candidates will realize how important it is to go on these shows.



No members of Kansas' Republican Congressional delegation have gotten around to endorsing Sen. Nick Jordan in his quest to unseat popular incumbent Dennis Moore. They're very busy (though, not busy enough to keep them from endorsing a candidate for a county office in Johnson County, where neither of them live)

Those same busy schedules appear to be keeping Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Reps. Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran away from today's fundraiser with President George W. Bush.

Some of you might be saying, "See, this was a bad idea to bring the President and his record-low approval ratings."

Not so says Christian Morgan. (read rest from LBK)

Next Right says the GOP is lagging behind in web-iness. . . I would argue that that's really only in a majority of the states. In states like Kansas I would argue they are right on par if not better.

Not sure if you heard, but apparently this guy who use to work for the White House has some book out about his experience... I'm not its really not important.... (ha!)

McClellan's turn against the White House continues to dominate the media narrative about the war and the press. I'm not sure why, but perhaps it's confirmation of what has been obvious to many of us for a long time, presented by a messenger the elites cannot avoid ignoring. I've been thinking about this for some time. In The Second National Risk and Culture Study, five social scientists found that people tend to believe a story that contradicts a preset narrative they hold only when it is presented by someone who looks and sounds like them. They did this study looking for an answer to political polarization and the warring tribes of America. If you look at the DC press and political party leaders as a tribal culture, it fits perfectly. Glenn Greenwald has more, pointing to Jessica Yellin's admission that she was pressured to do pro-war stories by corporate executives. (OL)

Syndicated (except in the KC Star) columnist David Sirota will be on the Colbert Report tonight with the release of his new book The Uprising. I haven't read it yet, but if its anything like his previous best seller Hostile Takeover, then I'm on it.

There's a new Hillary Clinton boosting 527 running ads for her in Montana and Puerto Rico.

McCain is hosed, evidently.

Back in Washington, the anxiety level of Republicans is rising. "The McCain camp is now acting without much rhyme or reason," says a prominent consultant. "And it all goes to the top." Another Republican campaign strategist, in a thinly veiled reference to McCain, says, "Somebody is behaving impulsively is the point."...

Insiders are worried that reporters have too many chances to throw him off his daily talking points. "That's not how you win an election!" says a McCain associate. "McCain is about the only person left who thinks we ought to keep the bus going. Obama keeps the press at a distance. Why? Because he's trying to win!"

The Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow has an impressive list of high-profile global warming deniers on its Board of Advisors. Many, if not most of them, are also advisors to, or on the staff of, front groups that Exxon continues to fund (e.g. the American Enterprise Institute, the National Center for Policy Analysis, etc.) (from Kos)

Today's a busy crazy day.. I may have to post more as it becomes available. What are ya'll reading in the news today???

BREAKING: Kline Rejected by Judge

Phill Kline's request for a judge to defy the Kansas Supreme Court's recent ruling that Judges are allowed to testify was refused late yesterday.

Imagine what would happen if we elected judges.... Phill Kline would probably have dozens of judges lined up to cause trouble, or even be a judge himself...

“I don’t tell the Supreme Court what to do,” District Judge Stephen Tatum told District Attorney Phill Kline, who asked for the action. “When we get further direction from the Supreme Court, we will proceed accordingly.”

According to The Star, this would allow a Topeka judge to testify in a criminal case against Planned Parenthood. (surprise)

Kline argued that Shawnee County District Judge Richard Anderson should be allowed to testify because he has information “relevant” to the charges against Planned Parenthood.

Anderson oversaw Kline’s investigation of Planned Parenthood while Kline was Kansas attorney general. Anderson maintains redacted medical records that Kline obtained from Planned Parenthood under subpoena in 2006. He also has Kansas Department of Health and Environment abortion reports that Kline also obtained under a subpoena.

Those records and reports are key to the 107 charges that Kline filed last fall against Planned Parenthood’s Overland Park clinic. Planned Parenthood is charged with manufacturing the abortion reports that it turned over to the court in response to Kline’s subpoena. The charges are felonies. The clinic also is charged with misdemeanors, allegedly violating the state’s abortion laws.

The clinic denies the allegations.

After Kline subpoenaed Anderson to testify at an upcoming preliminary hearing, the Kansas Supreme Court in April ordered Anderson not to appear. The court reiterated that order May 2, when it unsealed two lawsuits related to the Planned Parenthood case.

.... just when you think you've seen it all....

MAINdigest

Good-morning! Here's what happened while we slept...

The Right-Wing discovered the internet ...

Votes indicate where lawmakers fall on a liberal to middle to conservative scale - Bob Beatty's new Cap Journal piece

GI Bill is worth it.... some say that it isn't (seriously?)

Tank of gas = more than a bucket of chicken, a pizza, and a case of beer.. what is happening to our world???

Mass-transit? Cheaper than a bucket of chicken Brings a whole new meaning to Funky Town

Ohh Scott Schwab... Sad when he is better than someone... but it IS Ben Hodge

Steve Phillips accepts award from the Drum Major Institute with good words



The Republican version of ActBlue?? Ah-la David All...

2 Voter Rights Cases, One Gripping a College Town, Stir Texas

Poor Mike Gravel... can't catch a break...

Political Lunch from yesterday




I'm coming out right now... I LOVE campaign swag Evidently I'm not alone.

Columnist Roger Cohen schooled New York Times readers about something geeks have known for a while: “More than any other factor, it has been Barack Obama’s grasp of the central place of Internet-driven social networking that has propelled his campaign for the Democratic nomination into a seemingly unassailable lead over Hillary Clinton.” Better put: “It’s the networks, stupid.”

You know those TouchTones jukeboxes that have sprung up in bars over the last few years? Apparently they conduct surveys, too, and according to a recent one Barack Obama is the candidate most jukebox users would like to have a beer with, reports MediaPost’s Gavin O’Malley. The TouchTone survey also teamed up with Rock the Vote to give participants the chance to register to vote; 10,000 did. Who knew Obama would lay claim to the jukebox vote?

When in Puerto Rico… clips of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama dancing in Puerto Rico are making the rounds. After Hillary remarks on how good the local beer is, she closes her eyes and shimmies for a couple of seconds. It makes us feel uncomfortable. Similarly, as Barack Obama walks through the streets, he mimics an off-camera dancer with some improvised moves that don’t seem to belong to any particular style. Slightly less embarrassing. Neither, however, compares to this slice of weirdness of John McCain. We’ve officially reached the dog days of the campaign.

(last three from TP last was the best though)

Have a good day - be excellent to each other

MAINdigest

Happy Tuesday - I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day and honored our soldiers and their families for their continued sacrifice.

Here's what's in the news:

Sen. Sam spent the weekend with Sen. McCain... evidently it was all about the meat. That means, however, that they both missed the Great American Bar-B-Q Festival in beautiful Kansas City this weekend. Do we honestly think that Arizona BBQ can stand up to KC BBQ???

Our own Dr. Bob and his wife Shirley recieved the Porchlight Award from the Front Porch Alliance. They did not accept the gift on their porch, however - but at a beautiful banquet at the Gem Theatre. We celebrate this award for two very deserving people.

Gender should not be a factor in the Graves/Barnes race, according to conservatives... Right, cause gender only happens in San Francisco... duah!

MO state BOE has decided that no matter HOW BAD your charter school is - you still have the right to pay money to go to it and lead your children into a life of unstable inefficiency and intellectual sewage. Party on...

The Oprah's approval ratings have dropped since her endorsement of Obama. Her favorables are now at 66 down from 74 earlier this year. And her unfavorables jumped to 26 from 17. They indicate this has nothing to do with her gaining weight from her gland problem. Also in the news both McCain and Obama would die to have these numbers....

Also, McCain and Obama's campaign finance reports are now too big for excel spreadsheets over at the FEC. No word on whose spreadsheet is bigger - McCain or Obama but I vow to keep you posted.

In an interview with McCain - the AZ Sen criticized Sen. Obama on Iraq saying

"He really has no experience or knowledge or judgment about the issue of Iraq and he has wanted to surrender for a long time."

This message comes just after Sen. McCain borrowed Sen. Clinton's notes during study hall....

HBO film Recount aired this Sunday showing a violent portrayal of GOP House and Senate staffers who chased an official down the hall and out of a building in effort to stop the recount. This news is nothing new, but still shocking. It also shows Sen. Joe Lieberman's royal screw-up on the established message set by the campaign.

Breaking News: George W. Bush is still in the White House. Also breaking, Katherine Harris still puts her make-up on with a putty knife and squandered her only chance at being an elected official in one of the most expensive mistakes ... ever. OOPS!

You can now enter the GOP Poll to see who is the VP nominee... GO WILD!

Actor and Director Sydney Pollack died yesterday at 73. I, personally, deeply mourn his loss, he was one of my favorite directors.

All I got for now... have a good day - feel free to comment and post your own news not seen here!

Congrats Dr. Bob and Shirley!

Dr. Bob Meneilly and his lovely wife Shirley received the first-ever Porchlight Award from the Front Porch Alliance at a benefit held at the Gem Theater.

Charlotte Davison, president of the board of the Front Porch Alliance, an agency working to improve conditions in the Ivanhoe neighborhood in Kansas City, presented the award to the Meneillys.

“This is the highest honor that Front Porch Alliance can give,” Davison said. “It’s about everything that we value.”

The Meneillys thanked the alliance.

“Any organization that has Patsy Shawver running it is lucky,” Shirley Meneilly said. “She’s the eighth wonder of the world.”

Shawver, the alliance’s executive director, said the Meneillys were the obvious choice. Bob Meneilly supported the civil rights movement during the 1960s and spoke out forcefully against the Vietnam War.

“Bob Meneilly just embodies everything we believe in,” Shawver said. “Village Presbyterian is such a mission-minded church. And it all goes back to him. He’s an amazing man on so many levels.”

The MAINstream coalition congratulates the Meneilly's on their service and achievements!

Ode to Ben Hodge

We were actually about to set up a pool for people to bet on which seat Ben Hodge would run for next.

Hodge to seek Senate seat from Overland Park

Goodbye Olathe. Hello Overland Park.

Former state Rep. Ben Hodge, who resigned from the Kansas House earlier this month, made it official. He's running for the Senate from Overland Park's 8th District, currently represented by Sen. Barbara Allen, who is not seeking re-election.

Hodge's former House district was located south of Interstate 435, mostly in east Olathe with only about 25 percent in south Overland Park.

The 8th Senate District is north of I-435 to as far north as Shawnee Mission Parkway and covers more of Overland Park than any other Senate district.

Hodge, 28, is one of the most conservative Republicans in the Legislature. He will file officially for the Senate seat today. He currently serves as a member of the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees.

Three politically moderate Republicans from Overland Park are thinking about filing_ representatives Tim Owens, a former Overland Park councilman, and Kevin Yoder as well as former House member Jim Yonally.

MAINdigest

Happy Friday!

Non-profit org Democrats Work and Wes Clark are teaming up with the program 'Serve with a General'. They will go to one Congressional district and jointly do a community service event. You can help pick the district here. The only one in Kansas and Missouri is for Congressional candidate Kay Barnes. The project would bring Clark to the district to conduct service projects like cleaning parks, working with Habitat for Humanity, and various other needs in the area.

Breaking news... Coal Is Dirty from DeSmogBlog launches to take on the myth of 'clean coal'.

John McCain doesn't have cancer

Affordable housing Jo Co .... uhhh not so much (pdf)... Please, keep all hands, feet, and poor people within the car at all time while passing through .... Thank you, and welcome to Overland Park...

David Sirota does good things with words in a Different Kind of Democracy. Tell me again why he isn't syndicated in the Star?? Anyone??

Elizabeth Edwards talks about cancer with regard to Kennedy and talks about health care


Gallup talks about abortion




The Columbia Daily Tribune Politics Blog writes that U.S. Rep. Ron Paul will be speaking in Branson, either before or during the Missouri Republican Party Convention.

Big Muddy Politics believes that the "greening" of Missouri is a positive trend.

Halliburton contacted Congressional candidate Jared Polis in CO-02. Polis has been sharply critical of the company, and the company's letter calls Halliburton 'an American success story'.

Steve Rose on Phill Kline in the JoCo Sun

Wow....

The following is a piece from the Johnson County Sun by its publisher Steve Rose. You can find the original by clicking WOW above.

Playing you like a fiddle

By: Steve Rose, Publisher

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 4:26 AM CDT

printable version e-mail this story View Comments on this Story

Whenever I write a column critical of Phill Kline, inevitably I receive nasty responses from readers who dismiss me as an abortionist. They don’t care about what I wrote. They just assume I am a two-dimensional cartoon character who attacks their hero as a villain.

I have never written about my views on abortion, and I do not intend to start now. But suffice it to say, I have personally endorsed many candidates who are anti-abortion, some whom you would even call hardcore anti-abortion.

But I wish the letter writers could get past it, because abortion is completely irrelevant to my feelings about Phill Kline.

Phill Kline is a scam artist. If you idolize Phill Kline, you are a sucker.

I knew Phill Kline when, as a key state legislator, he never mentioned abortion. He only mentioned property taxes, and he catapulted himself to a leadership position on the crazy, irresponsible and wildly destructive notion that we could eliminate all property taxes in Kansas and increase revenues at the same time.

State Rep. Kline did not win everything he wanted, but he won enough to virtually, on his own, dismantle school funding in Kansas. Only the Kansas Supreme Court recently overruled Kline’s damage by ultimately concluding the obvious, that the state was not funding its schools adequately. Of course it wasn’t. There was no money, because Kline had maneuvered massive reductions in the very taxes that funded schools.

But Kline knew that becoming the anti-tax champion would not take him to the top. No, to become the full-fledged darling of the right wing, he would need to champion the cause of abortion. And so, with a calculated eye on the governor’s seat, Phill Kline set about to remake himself into the leading anti-abortion crusader of Kansas. I will never forget how, when there were anti-abortion marches around Kansas, Kline pushed his way to the front of the pack, to make sure he was seen by the marchers and the media.

Kline rode that horse until he went too far. He overplayed his hand when, as Kansas attorney general, he showed himself to be, not a chief law enforcement official of the state, but a grandstander, whose efforts at obtaining private medical records sealed his fate. The governor’s seat was to be forever out of reach.

Now, back in Johnson County, Kline cannot let go of his notoriety. He connived his way into his precinct-elected role as district attorney on the promise that he would prosecute Planned Parenthood. Pro-lifers, take a deep breath. You can hate Planned Parenthood all you want, but there was not one shred of evidence that anything illegal was going on there. Kline simply bought his job for the promise of a witch hunt. This, itself, borders on criminal behavior, because abuse of power by a prosecutor undermines everything the American judicial system stands for, whether you believe abortion is all right or evil.

Kline also promised at that time he would not run for re-election. This past week, however, he said he would not rule it out. That, of course, undermines the fundraising activity of Republican candidate Steve Howe and could, ultimately, help elect Democrat Rick Guinn. But, never mind. Kline gets to be in the spotlight, and that is all that matters to him. His chances of winning the seat, by the way, are about the same as Elvis singing again.

And while this flimflam man makes national headlines, he has earned himself untold sums on the speaking circuit, all while he is prosecuting. That has been called a breach of ethics. No, that is too nice. It is a prostitution ring.

Abortion has nothing to do with Phill Kline. All that matters to Phill Kline is Phill Kline. And those who worship him are worshipping a false idol. This man is playing his followers like a fiddle. And while they are mesmerized, he is busy thinking up his next tune.

Betts Live Blogs

Congressional candidate in the KS 4th District State Sen. Don Betts is the first federal candidate in Kansas to discover how to dialogue can work when you blog. He is currently live blogging about being a Young Elected Official at Future Majority.

I commend anyone who utilizes new technologies to share, collaborate, and bring people together for collective action. This is the nature of Web 2.0 technology. It isn't just a thing... but a way of thinking about outreach as well.

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MO Sen. Claire McCaskill will appear on Steven Colbert's show as a promise to her daughter who asked for it for her birthday. Geeze... all I asked my mom for was shoes..

Kay Barnes - just ten points from Graves... who in this picture looks like that creepy guy from the X-Files.

Guess what, Jay Nixon is going to win... omg, I'm shocked...

People are all over how well Slattery is doing. Evidently someone is making t-shirts that say Slattery is my Homeboy. Way to connect with the youth Slatts!

I don't know what to say other than the fact that Lawrence has E85 at 9th and Iowa...

Men in dresses beware! Unless you're the Pope then its ok.. No word on when Graves will put this in an ad against Kay Barnes .. according to op-research reports she may have seen a picture of one once.

The National Presidential Electoral Forecast... brought to you by Chris Bowers - this is as of yesterday.

HRC blames Chad...

Geraldine Ferraro blames black journalists.... yeah... seriously...

You know you get them... viral emails that talk about Obama being a Muslim or not wearing a flag pin or saying the pledge... here enjoy this. When was the last time you wore a flag pin?? .... GASP! You don't!? You're a terrorist!!!

Interesting observation, Kos is bothered by the fact that the DNC gave 63 delegates to Puerto Rico. 63 is larger than the delegate count of 27 states in the country that actually ARE states... But do they wear flag pins, is the question...

Civil Anarchy in California... just fyi

And so it begins....

Lobbyist concerned about the lack of Lobbyists running campaigns

Along with that - a viral video that will NOT get out of your head... listen at your own risk

MAINdigest (aka GI Wednesday)

Slattery Urges Roberts to pass GI Bill

"There's overwhelming support for the 21st Century G.I. Bill among the veteran community and in Congress," Slattery said. "Sen. Roberts must put partisanship and politics aside and vote in favor of this bill."

"Members of the reserve and the National Guard are serving our country in the same way as career soldiers and they should be treated in the same way when they come home," Slattery said.

"The passage of this bill will serve to honor those who have stepped forward to serve our country," Slattery said. "It's the right thing to do." (release)

Tiahrt & Moran oppose GI Bill... so kind...

McCain gets hits for his GI Support (or evidently lack there of)


See the site: for more info


Oregon and Kentucky... Kentucky and Oregon...

A columnist writes that socially conservative Christians don't need leaders, like the late Jerry Falwell, to reduce their faith to a political movement.

Texas Polygamist Extravaganza
The Texas Senate's top social services policy writer says she fears that Child Protective Services is so strapped because of its raid of a polygamist sect last month that horrific child abuse in other parts of the state may go undetected.

Dallas Morning News

With the price tag of providing care for more than 400 children seized last month from a polygamist ranch in West Texas expected to reach the tens of millions of dollars, a legislative panel suggested Tuesday that the state explore using the religious organization's assets to recoup the costs.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Child Protective Services will not let a polygamist sect's children keep photographs of the group's spiritual leader, Warren Jeffs, or any of his instructional materials because he's a convicted sex offender, a CPS spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Dallas Morning News
(Thanks to TFN for the tips on this)

MAINdigest

Voting in Oregon begins in a few hours. Kentucky has already started! Happy election day!

In the news...

Gadzooks! James Azeltine filed to run for the District 3 Commissioner seat opposing David Lindstrom in Johnson County.

“On numerous occasions during his term, Commissioner Lindstrom has cast votes that are inconsistent with what I know about the residents of this area. In addition to voting against the most recent budget, he voted against the establishment of the Johnson County Public Art Program and Mr. Lindstrom was the only commissioner to vote against a county smoking ban,” Azeltine said in a prepared statement.

Azeltine, a Leawood city council member, said he was “bewildered” by Lindstrom’s tie-breaking vote in April to approve the funding for an independent prosecutor requested by District Attorney Phill Kline.

I'll be darn... What is it they say about paybacks?

New GI Bill passes the House.... Bloggers discuss... Politicians do photo-op:



According to the bloggers

"But of course we all know that this is not enough. This past week we learned that Army Physicians in the VA have been falsifying diagnoses for soldiers coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (see document below)."

Also in that race Lynn Jenkins says Ryun needs to move back from DC if he's going to run for office in Kansas.

“Time after time, we’re reminded just how deeply Washington changed Jim Ryun,” Jenkins campaign spokesman Pat Leopold said in a statement. “Jim spent 10 years in Washington talking a good game, but spent money on nearly everything except border enforcement.”

The Ryun campaign disputed several of the Jenkins campaign’s charges. The Ryun campaign emphasized that it doesn’t have a “branch” in Washington, D.C. — only that it uses a bookkeeping firm that has an office there — and noted that not all of its paid campaign staff “hails” from there, either.

In Missouri Robin Carnahan has become the saving grace of voting rights advocates.

In Kansas Kathleen Sebelius said no dice.

In other news:

A columnist explains how John Hagee made amends with Catholics and possibly inoculated John McCain against attacks regarding the pastor in the fall.

A Roman Catholic priest has denied Communion to Douglas Kmiec, a former constitutional lawyer to Ronald Reagan and prominent opponent of abortion, for his endorsement of Barack Obama for president despite Obama's support for a woman's right to choose. Kmiec responds in a posting on Catholic Online. (This comes shortly after a Catholic archbishop asked Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to refrain from taking Communion until she stops supporting a woman's right to choose.) No word on Brownback and the death penalty.

After the California Supreme Court ruling last week Religious-right groups are working to place a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the November ballot in California.

A conservative columnist explores the mainstream media's inadequate reporting on the overtly Christian tenor of Obama's campaign strategy. READ THIS! Seriously...

Covered on NPR yesterday and in The Hill

Democrats are battling for the right to face Sen. Gordon Smith in Oregon and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, while Republicans are looking for a candidate to replace retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.).

But the biggest battle is in Oregon, where Smith (R) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) began their campaigns early this cycle in a torrent of ads. That air war has weighed heavily on the already pitched Democratic battle between state Rep. Jeff Merkley and activist Steve Novick.

Interesting thing about this race is that the R incumbent is running like a democrat vowing to reach across party lines, opposing the War in Iraq, and being loved by democrats state wide. If he can make it through the primary - stay tuned for a safe republican seat in Oregon that may serve as the model for how Republicans can win against Democrats this fall.

Hint: Run away from the Right Wing and become more MAINstream.....

Lisa Benlon Changes Parties

Former Republican Files for Kansas House as Democrat
Lisa Benlon Seeks to Replace Sue Storm for 22nd District

OVERLAND PARK — Lisa Benlon, former Republican and State Representative from Shawnee, filed today to seek the Democratic nomination for the 22nd District in the Kansas House of Representatives following the retirement of Representative Sue Storm. The district includes a portion of Overland Park and Prairie Village in Johnson County.

“I am running again for the Kansas House because our state is at a critical juncture,” Benlon said. “Education, access to healthcare and economic development was important to me during my time in Topeka and they remain my priorities today. After being urged to run by Sue and talking to voters in the district, I would be honored to once again serve in the Kansas Legislature.”

Benlon served twelve years in the Kansas House before retiring in 2002 where she represented a portion of the 22nd District prior to reapportionment. During her tenure,
Benlon was instrumental in tightening up campaign finance and ethics legislation while keeping education as her top priority.

“I have known Lisa for a number of years and have been impressed with her dedication, leadership and knowledge on the issues that matter most to Johnson County,” retiring Representative Sue Storm said. “I look forward to seeing Lisa back in Topeka fighting for education and access to healthcare for all Kansans.”

Benlon currently serves as the Kansas Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization. She has been married to her husband, Randy, for 36 years. They have two sons, Ryan and Adam, two daughter-in-laws, Annalese and Emily, and one 10-month-old granddaughter, Delaney. The entire family is a product of Kansas public education, having received degrees from both Shawnee Mission Public Schools and Kansas universities.

Representative Sue Storm has filed for a District 2 Kansas State Board of Education seat.

The Primary Election will be held on August 5, 2008. The General Election will occur on November 4, 2008.

MAINdigest

Happy Monday morning!

Today's News:

Phill Kline who??

Mayor Funkhouser has decided that the new Light Rail will be named the FunkRail after himself...

Kennedy still under evaluation but it was not a stroke as was previously thought. Many sent thoughts and prayers out to him via social networks this weekend. And there is now a "thoughts and prayers for Sen. Kennedy" facebook group.

when in doubt... use similar ideas!

Republican Solutions and a Positive Agenda
Posted By: Tom Cole, May 16, 2008 - 9:52 AM

Families today face challenges that yesterday's laws simply don't address. We need to fix government, and one solution is to update our laws so they provide America's families with more freedom in their jobs; greater healthcare and retirement security; safer communities; access to quality, affordable education; and the ability for future generations to compete in the global economy.

McCain having a rough time connecting with young voters.. And lobbyist connection woes continue...

The first ad referencing the CA Supreme Court decision has begun airing. Republican Christian Conservative Jay Love out of Alabama talks about his kind of love...





To go along with that... Gallup asks us what is morally acceptable ....



Colbert shames Obama for not giving Edwards a Jetski

MAINdigest

Happy Friday!

Kline still not ruling out the possibility for a run .... joy... rapture....

House OKs new Army Hospital in Fort Riley

All I can say is... Ben Hodge..... Ben.... Hodge

Kay Barnes is being tied to San Francisco... stop the presses (right out of the playbook for the nationals.)


(I'm Graves and I approve this message because I look more feminine than Kay Barnes in this picture...)

When Kay attacks....



And now for making fun of everyone else....

TIME asks how healthy John McCain is... (I ask... who cares?)

TechPresidents smacks McCain for ..... long emails..... seriously, stop the presses....

As Government Reform Chair Susan Collins looked the other way. Oops...




The VA is mis-diagnosing Iraq vets on purpose so they don't have to pay for their benefits. Wow... this is so unbelievably wrong.

My favorite columnist David Sirota (author of Hostile Takeover) has a piece today about NAFTA trade and the economic wonderland of Washington... Why is it that he isn't syndicated in the KC Star is beyond me...

More about the Mississippi First race - very interesting on the ground report about the last days of the election and the kinds of attacks that proved to be ineffective




Anyone need a job??

MAINdigest

Before I start the news - don't forget if you want to attend our Political Web computer workshop please email our office to sign up!


In the news on this great Thursday Morning.....




John Edwards (former Senator from North Carolina and former Presidential Candidate) endorsed Barack Obama yesterday in Michigan. The large rally in the "No Delegates for You" state cheered Edwards on as he spoke about the two Americas and his hope to bring us all together to make America greater.

Edwards also joked about his desire for a jetski.



Not on stage at the event was Elizabeth Edwards.


Hotline's WV Wrap-up



EMILY's List vs. NARAL Pro Choice America battle it out

Voter ID law in Missouri supposedly a ploy to stop some from voting. WaPo quotes SoS Robin Carnahan:

Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan claimed Republicans were chasing "mythical problems" with a solution that would make it more difficult for people to vote.

No one besides Republican lawmakers spoke in favor of the photo ID measure. By contrast, a long line of people were still standing to oppose it when the Senate panel cut off testimony after less than an hour and voted. The committee had to quit, because the Senate was going into session.

Kansas Lawmakers split on farm bill

Kansas state regents board ok's background checks for all job applicants with the 6 regent schools

Clinton regrets racial tensions

And in a stunning statement, receded previous comments on Iraq, John McCain has now agreed with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that we can be out of Iraq by 2013. Let's not punish him for his late arrival, but rather embrace him for showing up tot he party at all.

The More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same

The following blog is from Janelle Lazzo of Roeland Park, Kansas as a response to the recent column by Archbishop Neumann.

The Catholic Church strongly endorses the separation of Church and state.

That is why it is very troubling to Catholics when a bishop uses his authority, which he possesses in great measure, to publicly excoriate one of those for whom he should be a pastor.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has gone out of her way to proclaim herself as pro-life. But she is also a strong advocate for the rights of her constituents to make free choices. As an elected leader, the protection of these rights is her responsibility, as long as Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.

As a Catholic, I resent the Archbishop’s action in publicly suggesting that Governor Sebelius keep herself from reception of the Eucharist, the center of our faith. Just as he seems to be following his conscience, so should she be allowed to follow hers. John F. Kennedy said in 1960 that he was the “Democratic Party’s candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic.”



Kathleen Sebelius is the elected leader of the state of Kansas who also happens to be a Catholic. No one should interfere with her practice of her Faith. Church and state should remain separate!

Janelle Lazzo is a Catholic member of the MAINstream Coalition. We encourage other Catholic Members of MAINstream to join Janell in posting his or her personal thoughts and feelings about this recent matter on the MAINstream Blog. Please email the office if interested.

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Happy Wednesday morning.... I bet so many folks have an election hang-over.

Not surprisingly HRC won in WV yesterday.

Surprisingly, the very close election in the Mississippi 1st Congressional District went for the Democrat. Progressive bloggers this morning are spinning it as a prediction of things to come. The race took a very racial tone when the Mississippi Republican party attacked Democrat Travis Childers with attempts to tie him to Barack Obama and Rev. Wright... the Democratic party in Mississippi hit back with accusations in a late mailing that Republican candidate Greg Davis raised money for a statue honoring the founder of the Klu Klux Klan. Oy....

With regard to the slaughter in a district that is 10+ Republican you can see why many are fascinated by what happened here and are eager to study it.

Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma is one of them

"I encourage all Republican candidates, whether incumbents or challengers, to take stock of their campaigns and position themselves for challenging campaigns this fall by building the financial resources and grassroots networks that offer them the opportunity and ability to communicate, energize and turn out voters this election."

Commentators last night on CNN think this had a lot to do with the reluctance for voters to trust someone that was talking about national issues vs. local ones.

In other news youngster Scott Kleeb won his primary in the Nebraska Senate race by like... a lot. I congratulate him and his wife Jane on their win. Republican candidate Mike Johanns easily beat former US Ag Secretary. Johanns is running on his many years of Experience... Kleeb is young, fresh, and optimistic about the future and his ability to bring people together. Something smells familiar here...

Some think that Democrats have gained more testicular fortitude ..... Oy...

Wichita adds sexual orientation to its school board bullying guidelines

Vote No to Judge Phill Kline

Remember how I've been talking about that whole Johnson County Judges ballot initiative thing???

Well they just got a big boost from the PSYCHO wing of the political establishment.

Phyllis Schlafly has targeted this as an essential element to her campaign in bringing back the 18th century in her weekly column.

"Voters in Johnson County, Kan. will have a proposition on the November ballot that could send shock waves through the tenure of state court judges.

"They will vote on the right to elect their 10th Judicial District Court judges instead of having them chosen by the lawyers," Schlafly wrote in a column this month.

"We hear a lot in the media about bringing democracy to the world. Citizens in this suburban Kansas county are asking for more democracy in the middle of the United States."

Schlafly said that the appropriation of taxpayer funds, and the raising of taxes, should be a legislative, not judicial, function.

(emphasis is mine)

Let it be known that currently the panel of volunteers that vet and submit the names of potential County Judges is not paid by anyone. To do an election means allocating a specific amount of funding for that and in the event someone steps out when it is not during an election season a special election will have to be called and additional county funding must pay for that.

If Phyllis really wants to talk about taxpayer funds... she'd be for appointments not elections... duah!

As one of the commentators said - this has Phill Kline written all over it. VOTE NO TO JUDGE PHILL KLINE!!

MAINdigest

And a happy monday to you too!

Slattery news alert dinged...

Here is why the Blue Dog Democrats are blocking veterans benefits.... yeah.. seriously. Call Dennis Moore and ask if he's one of them...

An aide to a Blue Dog said leadership made the mistake of taking them for granted.

HRC's aides yesterday "continued to insist that she will remain in the race even while confirming" that she is $20M in debt (Washington Post). Meanwhile, she "has summoned her top fundraisers to a meeting" at her DC home on 5/14 "to talk about the road ahead" (New York Daily News).

John Edwards said yesterday that Obama is the "likely" nominee and that HRC is "in a very tough place" ("Face the Nation").

Carly Fiorina, a McCain economic aide fired from Hewlett Packard for spying on board members, doesn't believe in economists. You see... in a certain season of the year a bearded man appears to give you stuff... (like an interest rate drop)

The Obama camp launched a 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive this weekend, "with 101 kickoff events across the county" (release).

McCain's convo mgr. Doug Goodyear resigned after Newsweek reported that his consulting firm was paid $348K in '02 to represent Burma's military junta ("Stumper"). Shortly after, McCain mid-Atlantic regional mgr. Doug Davenport, who oversaw the '02 contract, resigned as well ("Atlantic Online").

At the rehearsal dinner after-party on Friday, guests were "drinking Shiner Bock and Dos Equis from clear plastic cups on which 'Jenna and Henry' was written in gold," while Karl Rove did "bust a move a little bit" ("The Reliable Source").

Mitt Romney, who loaned his WH camp $35M, "has no plans either now or in the future" to retire his debt ("Washington Whispers"). Just because he's that rich. I have some student loans I'd like to talk to him about...

Tonight!!!! Bill Moyers on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central, 11 pm).

"If anything, my impact will increase with a McCain presidency" -- Rush Limbaugh, hoping (Politico).

Swoosh! GONG!

Raw Deal Fuels New Deal

This weekend Demos hosted a conference that focused solely on the economic black hole the Millennial Generation seems to be spiraling into.

"This generation of young people are engaging in politics in a way we haven't seen for a long time," said Tamara Draut, Director of the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos, author of a new report, "The Economic State of Young America," and also a book entitled "Strapped: Why America's 20-and 30-Somethings Can't Get Ahead."

"They are reeling from the effects of a decades-long retrenchment in the investments and public policies that helped previous generations work or educate their way into the middle class. This conference is the first step in building a sustained movement of young people to repair our social contract and build a better future."

In conjunction with The Center for American Progress, a recent report was released regarding the state of the economy and its specific effects and attitudes for/by young people. On the conference call linked from the CAP page above, Tamara Draut specifically says that "Millennials are having the hardest time educating themselves into the middle class."

Her recent article in the March edition of the American Prospect also says that 18-29 year olds are

"very likely to be the first generation to not surpass the living standards of their parents. Evidence of their declining economic opportunities and security abound, from widespread debt to lower earnings in today's labor market for all but those with advanced degrees."

Mike Connery's recap of the conference call and report details a fascinating point:

"The real significance of CAP's research is that all the data is compiled from long-term studies and surveys. That allows them to speak not only to the concerns of Millennials, but to compare those concerns to those of Generation X and the late Baby Boomers when they were of a comparable age. In doing so, they help dispel the myth that voters become more conservative as they age (what the study calls "lifecycle factors"), and paints a picture of a generation that is far more progressive than its predecessors ever were. The CAP report argues that this is evidence of a long-term, generational shift towards a more progressive set of political beliefs.

Paul Starr has some potential ideas for building the young middle class in his piece A New Deal of their Own:

"Beyond health care, however, the GI Bill may provide the most relevant model. It was the one concerted effort in recent history to focus public resources on expanding opportunity for young adults, and it had a big pay-off in postwar prosperity."

I wish I had some answers, but if I did, I'd probably be writing somewhere a lot less entertaining. What do you think is the worst place you are feeling the squeeze?

Crossposted from Wiretap Magazine

Selecting your next Judge

This morning I spent at the Johnson County Courthouse observing the public committee that interviews candidates for Judgeships at the county level. I did this for a few reasons.

1. There is an item on the ballot in Johnson County that would move Judgeships from being appointed positions decided by a panel of people mostly made up of lawyers, judges, and concerned civilians, to an elected positions (making Judges become candidates for office.)

2. Another reason I went was because the news media continuously gets this story wrong in saying it is a super secret process that no one from the public is able to participate in or observe. I know this because me and 2 (then eventually a third) people viewed this process all morning watching as the panel asked questions from applications for a single position available to replace a retiring civil court judge.

According to an AP report

Tim Golba of Lenexa, who led the petition drive, said he wants fair judges but also believes they should be held accountable by the public for their decisions and have to explain their positions on such things as abortion or school finance.

"The way the system is right now, it leaves the people in the dark," Golba said. "If we are a government of the people, by the people, for the people, then I think the people ought to have a say-so in that part of our government."

Clearly Mr. Golba was misinformed about the process leaving people in the dark. It was actually quite bright in the room - so bright in fact that I didn't have to use a flash on my camera when I took this picture of the panel.

Further, because I walked right into the meeting like the village idiot, the panel was very nice and asked me if I had any questions or wanted to make a statement or anything. I said no I was just there to watch and that was cool with them.

A lovely woman I met named Ann was there also observing. She said she's been coming to meetings like this for 5 years or more, recalling a now Family Court judge she watched be interviewed who was eventually appointed.

"Sometimes I rank the candidates and some of them really aren't very good, but I remember thinking that she was the best and that was who the committee went with too," Ann said.

Ann told me during a break that proceedings like these should always be open to the general public and she was surprised that more people didn't show up to observe - particularly media sources. I was certainly the only "media" there... but I told them I was just a blogger.

Another man was there, probably in his 70's who was a lawyer (I think he was still practicing). When given an opportunity he gave us a nice history of his legal career, and of history in general talking about WW2.

Once we were heard and had a chance to ask questions the leader of the panel told us that this meeting was in compliance with the Kansas State Constitution's Open Meetings Law which requires any agency to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. This was done to preserve and ensure confidentially of anonymous sources who made comments in confidence about the applicants.

I was curious about this - and later clarified the reasons they do this ... but I'm getting ahead of myself. ***

There were three questions I paid particular interest to that the panelists asked, but there were probably 10+ questions asked by each panelis