Arturo Mora

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

With the first big Senate vote set for Saturday on Senator Harry Reid’s version of healthcare reform, America inches closer to joining the rest of the developed world with a responsible healthcare system. It’s been a hard slog, but it was never going to be easy given the religious fervor in some circles about the sacred free market system. Once the task is done, however, it’s time for President Obama to laser beam on jobs, jobs, jobs. And furthermore, jobs.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

There’s absolutely no evidence that the Fort Hood case is one of organized home-grown Islamic terrorism. But, even if it was just one crazed man, if his main motivation was Islamic resentment, then it is a form of home-grown terrorism, and an issue we have to deal with. It’s a volatile question, but a natural one to ask.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist

The global warming debate has become an ideological battle of dueling facts and Web sites. Lost in all the noise is the real reason to care about the environment.

Whether you believe global warming is real or not, what matters most is handing off a better world to our children.

2012 contest?By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Any judgment of Barack Obama’s presidency based on a handful of off-year races is overstating the case. Trying to decipher the real meaning is something like reading tea leaves, and just as reliable. Still, they are clues and warnings, at least, for the national parties. My reading of the leaves: independents flexed their muscle and gave Obama a warning, passing health care reform is going to be a little harder but still in the cards, and New York voters deepened the Republican identity crisis. You could say this was in a part the opening blow of Obama vs. Sarah Palin 2012, and I’d have to call it an even match.

MVP cranks Game 6 homerBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

With a two-run homer, a two-run bases loaded single, and six RBI, World Series MVP Hideki Matsui put the nail in the Phillies coffin and sent the Yankees on the way to a 7-3 win and their 27th world championship, their first since 2000. Series vet Andy Pettitte did his part with 5 2/3 strong innings on only three days rest. It was a great ending to one of the best Series in years.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Just because President Obama is our first African-American commander-in-chief, that’s no reason to walk on eggshells. Anyone who’s made it that far has developed a thick skin, so have at it. That said, it’s interesting that most of the noise about racism and criticizing Obama is coming not from supporters, but from his critics.

U2 singer BonoBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Before the concert started, with all the hassles of lines and traffic, I was thinking, “I’m getting too old for this.” Once U2 started playing, and after two hours of dancing and screaming and singing right along with the kids, I was joyfully reminded that, if it’s still in your heart, you’re never too old to rock n’ roll.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

As astounding as it is for President Obama to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this early in his presidency, even more astounding is the knee-jerk Republcan reaction to a sitting American president winning an international honor.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

It's pretty clear, even to his most ardent supporters, that giving the Peace Prize to President Obama, this early in his presidency, was meant as nothing more than a slap at previous US foreign policy. It's ridiculous to suggest he's earned it this soon.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

I was at the bookstore the other day, and two books caught my attention. You couldn’t get more opposed political views: Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government by Glenn Beck, and The Death of Conservatism by Sam Tanenhaus.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

About six months ago I posted a piece predicting the Cubs would win the World Series. Not so much. When I wrote that, the Cubs looked great on paper. But you gotta play between the white lines, and now the Wrigley’s just look like a bunch of lazy millionaires. Don’t worry though, there’s always next year!

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009Mexico celebrates

AGUASCALIENTES—September 16 was Dia de La Patria, Mexico’s independence celebration, a year away from their bicentennial. I was there* visiting Mom (read my print column about our immigrant family), in a city that bills itself as the “heartbeat” of Mexico. It’s a place where you can get a sense of how the average Mexican lives, away from the touristy resorts on the coasts, the cosmopolitan and yet poverty-plagued national capital (Mexico City), or the relatively lawless northern border states. It’s similar to how Kansas bills itself as the “heartland of America.”

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009Rep. Joe Wilson

As deranged as he was, South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson had a point—up to a point. The concern about illegal immigrants getting publicly funded health insurance is, as usual, over the top silly, but it’s just not worth fighting. Let’s not sweat the small stuff, throw Ol’ Yeller a bone. If we’re going to say they should not be allowed to buy it, then enforce it by requiring them to show a valid Social Security number.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

American bipartisanship, traditionally defined as cooperation between the Republican and Democratic parties, is dead for now. Replacing it is a new, one-party bipartisanship, wherein national policy debates will be conducted internally, between liberal, conservative and moderate congressional Democrats, with the White House as chief mediator.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

The message last week from the House Progressive Caucus was only slightly less confrontational than it was a few weeks ago. It’s gone from “we won’t vote for a bill without a public option” to “we can’t…” Still there’s talk of a “line in the sand” and the possibility that Democrats, like the foolish lemmings they often are, will lead themselves off the cliff of defeating healthcare reform yet again.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009President Obama

I was walking down the street recently with a friend who was wearing an “Obama for President” t-shirt bought last year. A man driving by leaned out and yelled, “Hope you’re happy with Obama.” Interesting question.

Mary Jo KopechneBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

I have great respect and admiration for the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, and join in the grief at his passing. In his new memoir, he did not shy away from talking about the worst moments in his life, including the tragic 1969 accident at Chappaquiddick . However, as “remorseful” as he was about it, and as much as I celebrate the good in his life, I don’t believe Kennedy paid the proper price not just for ending young Mary Jo Kopechne’s life, but for the harm this incident did to the perception of fairness in the American system of justice.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist

This Monday is Mom’s 85th birthday. She lives in her native Mexico now, where our parents retired after 30 years in America. Gracias Mama, for all your sacrifices, including bringing us to this amazing country.

The entertainersBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

This is of course nothing unusual for either. Keith Olbermann, in a “special comment” on his show last night, said former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin should be “debarred” from ever serving in public office again, because of her now infamous “death panel” remarks.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Lost in all the shouts, threats and just general town hall obnoxiousness around health care, is that the best hope in years of reforming a broken system may be lost, if opponents have their way.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Randall Terry wrote here last week comparing his anti-abortion tactics to those of past social movements. He makes some valid points. In the end, however, he fails to recognize that there is another side to the issue, the rights of women to control their own bodies.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

President Obama and the Democratic Party are afraid of the consequences of repealing the offensive “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that boots qualified gay soldiers out of the military. And that’s a shame. It’s time for them to stop playing this game of chicken with the gay community, and stand strongly for the rights they are due.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Pat BuchananConservative commentator Pat Buchanan thinks the Republican path to victory is to paint Democrats as favoring minorities. Despite the most optimistic claims that all is well now, race is a sensitive issue Americans continue to struggle with. The last thing this country needs is a resurgence of the politics of racial bitterness.

Sessions, Leahy, greet nomineeBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Republican Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions never said the words “white male” during his intense questioning of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor today. But it’s easy enough to read into his line of questioning that Sessions was playing to the conservative base of his party, and in particular to the stereotypical white male angry and obsessed about “reverse discrimination.”

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009Palin presses the flesh

The adjectives to describe Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's resignation are just too easy to come by, unless you’re one of her googlie-eyed followers who’ve drunk her Kool-Aid. Let’s start with: irresponsible, overambitious, megalomaniac, martyr, and of course, quitter.

The one Democrats are most frightened of, though, is brilliant politician. It’s extremely unlikely, but she may just be able to do the impossible and beat President Obama in the next election.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is in trouble for saying good things about Adolf Hitler, which begs the question, why does anyone even go there, no matter what their point? Unless you’re a raving anti-Semite such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, there has to be a better way to state your case.

by Arturo Mora, Midwest Voices 2009

I prefer to remember Michael Jackson singing and dancing, though I do not deny the evil of what he was accused of. He’ll be judged now by whatever existential standard you believe in, be it God or karma or history. I don’t pretend to know what really happened, though my strong suspicion is that he was guilty of one of the most unforgivable crimes, the ruination of childhood innocence. Still….ABC, it’s easy as 123….

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

The Republicans, since last November, have been struggling to come up with a consistent theme. With the recent scandals by Senator John Ensign and now Gov. Mark Sanford, it looks like they may be on to something catchy: less government, more sex! Ironic, because most of the time their policy is less government, except when it comes to your personal life.

By Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has admitted to an extra-marital affair. Gee, what a shocker!

Mir Hussein MoussaviBy Arturo Mora, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009

This is a moment in history not for the faint of heart. This Green Revolution cannot stop halfway, because the opportunity for true democracy in Iran may not come again for decades if they fail now.