By Yael Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

The Gloria Squitiro sideshow at City Hall has serious consequences.

Sure, it’s politically entertaining to see Mayor Mark Funkhouser ardently defend his wife’s unpaid role in his office.

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

The lead-up to the start of classes in the Kansas City School District is especially hectic this year.

School board members are still trying to get a handle on which principals are assigned to which buildings. Knotts School, which serves grades K-8, is having to relocate students due to a mold problem. I've fielded phone calls from teachers complaining that they done yet know their schedules or their school calendars. (That's due to contract negotiations with the teachers union being up in the air.)

Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008

Back in the 1970s when I was in college at Nebraska, the drinking age was 19. It meant I could legally drink my sophomore year. Did I drink before that? Sure. There were a lot of fraternity parties and girls got free Purple Passion.

Is there underage drinking in college and in the military now? You'd better believe it.

Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008

When I got my first job out of college in Chicago's Loop, a colleague gave me a safety tip. He said when he rode the subway alone at night, he talked to himself and people avoided him. Sadly, he was right. Our cities have too many unfortunate souls who need help wandering city streets muttering to themselves.

Today, however, you need to look for a blue glow in their ear before you worry about their mental health.

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius seems to have made the "final four" in the vice presidential sweepstakes--at least on the lists of most pundits.

The resignation of Pakistan’s president, Pervez Musharraf, raises new concerns about the future course of Pakistan, one of the most important theaters in the war on terror.

Over time, the departure of Musharraf could allow Pakistan’s democracy to deepen, but the near-term outlook is deeply troubling.

By Roger Merryfield, Midwest Voices 2008

Liberal media members love to quote those national polls asking people if they think the country is on the right or the wrong track.

Then they're quick to point out that since 80% or so say we're going in the wrong direction, it means that 80% are fed up with George Bush.

In the last few days, Mayor Mark Funkhouser has lashed out at the colleagues he needs to work with to effectively lead Kansas City government.

The mayor is upset that a council majority has proposed new rules that would require extra training for volunteers and restrict them from working with relatives. The rules would prohibit Funkhouser’s wife, Gloria Squitiro, from volunteering in his office.

By Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Muslims keep trying to fit in to America, but too often they face people who push them away.

A hurtful case appeared to come from the Democratic campaign of Sen. Barack Obama.

Speaking of loopy college presidents (see item below), even younger kids will like this college prof.
By Dwight Heath, Professor of Anthropology at Brown University

As we muddle through the dog days of summer, government data tell us that more young people try alcohol for the first time during these months than at any other time of the year. Uncle Sam has been vigilant about trying to keep alcohol out of reach for young, inquisitive hands.

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

As further evidence that the ivory tower syndrome is alive and well, about 100 college presidents are asking lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.

The academics say that the prohibition on drinking in the early college years leads to "a culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking."

By Ross Balano, Midwest Voices Columnist 2008

Presumptive presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama participated in a forum hosted by Pastor Rick Warren at his Saddleback Church.

McCain clearly got the better of the evening. His answers were quick, precise and to the point while Obama was halting and appeared to be trying to make sure he didn’t say anything that would offend any of his core base.

By Matthew Palcher, Kansas City Star Editorial Board Reader Advisory panel 2008

It is deja vu all over again for the citizens of the Caucasus. Sights of tanks trekking down the streets of Georgia had to rekindle painful memories of Soviet expansion and imperialist ambition. The world has witnessed similar events this past century: Moscow in 1917, Warsaw in 1939, and more recently, Kuwait City in 1990.

As a presidential candidate eight years ago, George W. Bush essentially argued that the government should not even try to pay off its debt.

He characterized that as somehow cheating taxpayers.

Another school year, another reading program.

With classes set to begin Monday, the Kansas City School Board is contemplating throwing out the literacy program that teachers and students have used the last two years. The board’s education committee last week refused to renew a contract for training and materials to continue the “Success for All” program.

By Mary Sanchez, Kansas City Star

To all those who fear the invasion of our shores by foreign languages — I’m speaking to you, stalwarts of the "English Only" movement — seriously, you need to travel more.

Perhaps they simply have not experienced signage such as these doozies from China:

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

Say it isn't so.

I don't mind copying the Europeans on a lot of things. The croissant, for example, is an exemplary import.

But let us not go the way of the European Union and lift the ban on cell phone use while flights are in the air.

Denise Tiller, Midwest Voices Panelist 2008

I just got back from Air Force Week in Omaha and I wish more people would have the opportunity to experience events like this.

The airshow is thrilling and you get to tour some interesting aircraft. The Tops in Blue musical group also gave a fantastic performance. But more importantly, you get to see the men and women who serve our country up close.

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

Mayor Mark Funkhouser is making some stunningly ignorant attacks on his colleagues and undermining his staff -- all to defend the honor of his wife Gloria Squitiro and her continued daily work in his office.

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

More people are hopping on fuel-sipping motorcycles in Kansas City and around the nation, thanks to high gasoline prices. But that also means more irresponsible and careless motorcycle drivers are on the road. No wonder fatality rates are skyrocketing.

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

Phyllis Harris of Kansas City died Saturday. But she still's campaigning for Barack Obama to become the next president.

Nina Hogue lived in her car for nearly five months after she became homeless. Going without food regularly and having no safe place to put her head down were tough. She was only 18 years old — and alone.

I lived in a travel trailer in college, and I've lived in apartments that I never again want to see. But I've never been homeless. I've always had someplace to go to at night where I could close the door and feel safe. It's hard to imagine life without a place to call home.

Jerome Corsi’s smears against Sen. Barack Obama are classic gutter politics: unsupported and sometimes ludicrous claims stated so boldly that gullible people may assume there must be something to them.

By Laura Scott, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Carl DiCapo remembers vividly the woman he found sobbing loudly one day inside the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

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

Mayor Mark Funkhouser is close to going off the political deep-end with his irresponsible behavior toward the people of Kansas City and the City Council, all in defense of his wife Gloria Squitiro.

By Jonathan Bender, Midwest Voices panelist 2008

It’s been hard giving up nights and weekends. And I’ll admit there were times in the past four years when I wasn’t sure that all of the rigorous training was worth it.

Ah, strolling on the Country Club Plaza, past gorgeous statues, bubbling fountains and stunning shop windows. It’s a big piece of what makes Kansas City stand out, an area that thousands of residents and visitors enjoy every day.

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Jerome Corsi's attempt to discredit Barack Obama has been found to be thinly researched and rife with errors. But it's at the top of the New York Times non-fiction best-seller list, so it must have some literary merit, right?

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

Turns out Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins used and abused KC and the Sprint Center to get a new arena in Pittsburgh.