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By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The steering committee for regional transit, formed last week, could become the most important player of all in what happens to light rail this November in KC. Look at the scenarios:

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Sen. Barack Obama obviously wants to turn red (Republican) states blue (Democratic) in this fall's presidential election. What better place to start than in Missouri, home of Obama loyalist, Sen. Claire McCaskill?

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

As I noted earlier today, there's a possibility that KC voters will get a chance to endorse light rail in 2008 and regional transit sometime in the future. Now it appears City Council member Russ Johnson at least agrees with me.

The troubling allegations in a lawsuit filed Wednesday against Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser and his wife Gloria Squitiro inevitably will divert the mayor’s attention from important city business.

Up to now, the local debate over light rail has been hampered by an implied either/or choice: a Kansas City-only “starter” line, or a larger regional transit system favored by Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

Diary of a future flyer:

Arrive at airport three hours early, as required for a domestic flight.

Notice heavy security in the terminal. Travelers look grim, anxious or resigned. Some are pulling clothing and sundries from their baggage, handing items off to grinning people with shopping carts.

On Thursday, June 12th, those who don't believe in the much-propagated theory of man-made global warming are invited to throw off all restraints and drive, barbecue, smoke, turn the air conditioner down, and drink bottled water to their hearts' content. You can get more information here. Although I don't subscribe to the theory, I won't be participating in the event, mainly because I'm just too cheap to pay for the gas, the electricity, and the bottled water.