By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
Some KC Council members are angry that Mayor Mark Funkhouser is evaluating their service on council committees. He might change some appointments soon. So talk of revolt is in the air at City Hall.
By E. Thomas McClanahan, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
He wants to trade with Cuba, but not Colombia. Is there a pattern here?
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
When my daughter goes off to college this fall, she won't be carrying a Glock or any other kind of gun. But some students, after the Virginia Tech shootings a year ago, want to be able to pack heat on campus. It's a bad idea.
E. Thomas McClanahan, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
... looks a bit like a herd of cats.
As police and troops captured more and more Mahdi Army members, and facilities ... it became rather obvious that this "army" consists of many independent minded factions, and many of these are basically criminal gangs, trying to pass as secular militiamen. This, and the heavy damage to the Mahdi Army (several thousand members killed, wounded or captured in the last month) caused army leader al Sadr to consider disbanding the organization.
By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial board
From where I sit, Barack Obama's uncharacteristically klutzy remark about "bitter" voters is nowhere near as offensive as the politicos and commentators who spend their careers convincing people that they ought to be bitter.
By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
If Mayor Mark Funkhouser shakes up the City Council's committee structure, what are his options? Prediction: Big changes are not ahead.
By Ross Balano, Midwest Voices Columnist 2008
Presidential candidate John McCain has proposed that the federal government suspend the federal tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for the summer.
Granted, it’s a slow year in Jefferson City, what with the governor’s office essentially vacant and the economy offering no room for maneuvering.
But surely lawmakers can find something more productive to do than persist in pointless attempts to curb the authority and independence of the state’s judges.
Consumers are paying too much at local gas pumps. That’s a given, right?
But this time the story has a twist.
As The Star’s Steve Everly reported Sunday, some retailers are charging more money for mid-grade gasoline than for regular even though they have the same octane ratings. The upshot:
Do you pay attention to octane levels when buying gasoline? Leave your comments here.
By Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008
Last night, I attended a hearing of the Johnson County commissioners about the incorporation of Stilwell. It was democracy in action...except for the fact there is no democracy involved. Stilwell residents have no vote in their future.
Ron Trewyn, K-State's vice president for research; Jerry Jaax, K-State's associate vice president for research compliance; and Tom Thornton, president of the Kansas Bioscience Authority will meet with members of the Star's editorial board regarding the importance of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility.
By Steven O'Hern, Reader Advisory Panel 2008
Not too many vets have fought in both Vietnam and Iraq, but the Air Force is flying one. A C-130 transport aircraft that flew supplies into Khe Sanh during the 77 day battle in 1968 when the North Vietnamese Army cut off most supply routes is currently on duty in Iraq. Built in 1962, the airplane is older than most of its crew members.
