Kansas
updated
11:47 p.m.
Is that what Supreme Court Justice Thomas is indicating when he never asks questions at a hearing? Is it time to question the integrity of the Court and lifetime appointment of the Judges? Where do these judges come from? They usually come up through the ranks, starting from our local courts. I have an example of where they come from. ...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - 9:23 p.m.
According to CNN , " Basma al-Khateeb , of the Iraqi Women's Network, said it was vital for Iraqi legislators of both genders to defend the Iraqi "Law of Personal Status," which protects women and families, and limits the influence of religious courts." "It's considered one of the most advanced family laws in the region. It's based on Sharia law, but takes the best (of it) for the benefit of...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - 3:42 p.m.
Last Saturday I volunteered to do a phone bank for the group Organizing for America to help in Barack Obama's efforts to pass his health care reform bill. These past few months I've grown passionate about getting this health care reform bill passed, as I've seen friends and family members lose jobs and struggle with their health care. A recent March 6, 2010 editorial of the New York Times ...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - 12:07 p.m.
Based on our many discussions about health care reform, I think all who blog here can agree single-payer is the solution, with Medicare for all coming in second. Those are the solutions if Congress actually addresses the many challenges regarding our country’s health care dilemma. From there, we diverge. Simply put, our opinions range from those who [...] ...
Prarie Populists and Progressives - 9:07 a.m.
The Senate's Lesson About Democracy David Sirota writes: "When you look past the craziness, chaos and confusion of politics these days, you still find roughly two major schools of thought that aim to explain What's Fundamentally Wrong. The first says America is paralyzed by a political system that is too democratic — too responsive to citizens' whims. This is the religion of almost everyone...
Community Bridge - 8:26 a.m.
A few weeks ago President Obama had a health care reform conference with Democrats and Republicans to try to reach a bipartisan consensus on a health care reform bill. From what I read and what I watched on youtube, some interesting debates occurred between the participants, but no real consensus was formed. I personally think that a lack of consensus was reached because the idealogical gap bet...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Sat 10:05 a.m.
Getting out of the office is always the best thing I do. It's not the most productive in terms of what needs to get crossed off my to do list, but it oftentimes feels way more productive and beneficial than checking off the list of things I need to do for work. So, I was happy to show off our programs on a tour. Guests are always impressed by the way all of our youth greet with a formal handshake...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Sat 8:09 a.m.
Every Kansan will shortly receive a form to complete for the 2010 Census. On this week's Community Bridge, Rich Gerdes of the US Census Bureau discusses key points every citizen needs to know about the 2010 Census . Next we hear a short commentary from Frank Schaeffer on the racist undertones to many of the Rights complaints about Obama. Then we welcome Elizabeth Renteria ...
Community Bridge - Sat 7:07 a.m.
From http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MAOIST_REVOLUTION : Chadli Molintas Command NPA-Ilocos-Cordille ra Region Aramid ti pakakitaan Marso 10, 2010 Dagiti nakakatkatawa a patta-patta ti Armed Forces of the Philippines itay laeng nabiit a nangisilpo iti maysa a kandidato a para presidente ken nasurok 50 politiko iti New People's Army ket pakakitaan ti nakaay-ay-ay a kinakuneng ti makinarya ...
Otto's War Room - Fri 10:28 p.m.
From http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MAOIST_REVOLUTION : Chadli Molintas Command NPA-Ilocos-Cordille ra Region Walk the talk March 10, 2010 Walk the talk March 10, 2010 Recent ridiculous allegations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines linking a presidential candidate and more than 50 politicians to the New People's Army highlight once again the apalling ineptitude of the Arroyo regim...
Otto's War Room - Fri 10:28 p.m.
According to Jezebel.com, " Natalie Randolph , former wide receiver for the D.C. Divas women's pro football team, has been named the head football coach at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School . She is the only woman to hold that job in the entire United States ." "I hate shaking hands," she said at the time, "because they walk right past me and don't realize I'm a coach." Wow, thi...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Fri 9:46 a.m.
Check out this powerful song featuring Tom Goss singing his anti-don't ask, don't tell anthem. To date, 13,389 men and women have been fired from their jobs in the military because they are gay or lesbian. We hope this song moves you to do something about it. Please make a donation to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network right now . Tom Goss will perform live on April 24th in Manhatt...
Community Bridge - Fri 5:29 a.m.
All $1.4 million awarded to President Obama in conjunction with his Nobel Peace Prize is going to 10 charities, including the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund and the United Negro College Fund. The money comes in tandem with the Nobel Peace Prize he was awarded last October for his work toward global peace. At $250,000, the most [...] ...
Prarie Populists and Progressives - Fri 4:25 a.m.
We’ve all heard Betty White is going to host Saturday Night Live on May 8th, a pre-Mother’s Day episode also featuring appearances from six “SNL” alumnae. Here’s a bit of her humor to get you primed and looking forward to seeing more of her! St. Olaf to New York: White to Host ‘SNL’ [...] ...
Prarie Populists and Progressives - Fri 4:25 a.m.
From The Red Star: Kathandu, 11 March, 2010, Hari Shankar Pariyar, the former Co-State Minister and the ex-central committee member of Nepali Congres, has entered into United Communist Party Nepal-Maoist party at the capital city Kathmandu. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Prachanda welcomed him with the other new comers in a programme organized at Perish Hill in Katmandu. The other new ...
Otto's War Room - Thu 10:23 p.m.
From The Red Star: बलात्कार गरी हत्या गरेको स्थानियवासीको दाबी - हत्याले गाउँ शोकाकुल सुर्खेत, २७ फागुन । सुर्खेतको हरीहरपुरमा नेपाली सेनाले गोली हानी ३ जना सर्वसाधारणको हत्या गरेको छ । नेपाली सेनाको ज्वाला दल गण ठाकुरद्धारा वर्दीयावाट गएको नेपाली सेनाको टोलीले गोली हानी विहीवार दिउसो एकै ठाउका दलीत वस्तीका सर्वसाधारणको हत्या भएको हो । मृत्यु हुनेमा हरीहरपुर गाविस २ वास्पानीका हरीकला विक...
Otto's War Room - Thu 10:08 p.m.
George Will and Ruth Marcus provide contrasting views on the complaints of John Roberts about the Supreme Court having to attend the Sate of the Union address. Funny: we did not hear from Roberts about the political “pep rally” when the cheerleader-in-chief was one George W. Bush. First of all, the Supreme Court justices are not required to [...] ...
Prarie Populists and Progressives - Thu 3:01 p.m. - 3 clicks 
From Jed Brandt ’s blog: Greetings from Nepal It took a bit for my time to adjust, to see things as they are coming here and where they're coming from. Not the instant back-and-forth rhythm of New York multi-tasking anxiety time. Most days the electricity is out in Kathmandu. You can hear chickens in the morning, children playing after school and quiet talk at night when the old women laugh...
Otto's War Room - Wed 9:28 p.m.
I received email discussing: Words have meanings and politicians who want to control your life know that. The text of the message addressed the fact that the switch from using “global warming” to “climate change” was not a coincidence. Well, Duh! Words were invented because sign language was rather limiting in carrying on a conversation.The switch from using “global warming” to “climate change” ...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Wed 1:00 p.m.
In 1960 when John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, ran for president, anti-Kennedy politicos warned that if he won the election, the country would end up being run by the pope. By golly, they were right. A few years later, Pres. Ronald Reagan established an embassy in the Vatican and sent an ambassador there, a practice that has continued to this day. Now, as President Obama is pushing for a reconciliatio...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Wed 12:49 p.m.
"Spurred by a warming climate, daily record high temperatures occurred twice as often as record lows over the last decade across the continental United States, new research shows. The ratio of record highs to lows is likely to increase dramatically in coming decades if emissions of greenhouse gases continue to climb." -- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder CO. Nov. 12, 2009 ...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Wed 9:22 a.m.
Recommended Audio: GRITtv - International Women's Day Monday, March 8 is International Women's Day, a holiday (in some countries--but not the U.S.) honoring the contributions of women around the world. While we pause to celebrate achievements, we also have to talk about how far we have yet to go to achieve true equality. Joining Laura Flanders to talk about women around the world are Kavi...
Community Bridge - Wed 8:40 a.m.
My to-do list never seems to end. Sometimes I have to realize my workload will never go away no matter how hard I try and recognize visiting the programs are sometimes the best thing I can do. At lunchtime, I decided to check out our LOL (Ladies Oxygen Luncheon) led by Dr. Rhonda, a pediatrician in our clinic. LOL is an opportunity for current, future, and seasoned parents to come together and t...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Tue 11:01 p.m. - 2 clicks
In today’s radicalized Republican circles, it seems anyone to the left of the John Birch Society is a “liberal.” Here’s how crazy our politics have become: Legendary Republican President Theodore Roosevelt is being called a socialist by conservatives like Glenn Beck. The man on Mount Rushmore, the Rough Rider president. Beck bases his opinion on the [...] ...
Prarie Populists and Progressives - Tue 5:40 p.m.
The first same-sex couple has been married in our nation's capital. Time for the tissues and the hankies because who wouldn't feel a tear coming on at such an event? I also have to admit that hearing the Lord's Prayer and other Christian language at Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend's wedding goes a long way towards healing my anger at Christianity. It's easy to forget that the ...
In This Moment - Tue 10:01 a.m.
Lawyers, Guns and Money: Why the Tiahrt Amendment’s Ban on the Admissibility of ATF Trace Data in State Court Actions Violates the Commerce Clause and the Tenth Amendment Colin Miller John Marshall Law SchoolMarch 2, 2010Abstract: The Tiahrt Amendment provides in relevant part that ATF trace data "shall be inadmissible in evidence, and shall not be used, relied on, or disclosed in an...
Todd Tiahrt's Folly - Tue 7:40 a.m. - 5 clicks
Raj Goyle is running for the House seat that Todd Tiahrt will give up to run for senate. If we are lucky, Tiahrt will be voted out in the primary and maybe we will see the last of him. Tiahrt can always make money as a snake oil salesman. He’s a terrific liar and scam artist. Goyle came to Wichita Saturday night for a fundraiser, “I was told ‘You can promise not to take gifts, but you know you wil...
Todd Tiahrt's Folly - Tue 7:40 a.m. - 5 clicks
Was actually yesterday. So here are some examples of extrodinary women of leftist history: 江青(Chiang Ching) She was one of the most powerful women during the late Maoist years in the People's Republic of China. She was the widow of 毛泽东 (Mao Zedong) the head of the government of China, until he died in 1975. Louise Michel She was a leading active Taking part in the Paris Commune as an...
Otto's War Room - Tue 7:28 a.m.
Those of you who have followed the stories I've written here ( such as this one ) regarding Mabel Rawlinson may remember that finally last summer President Obama signed a bill authorizing the U.S. Congress to award her with a Congressional Gold Medal. In World War II, over 1,100 women, called the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), were trained to fly for the Air Force. All 1,100 of the...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Mon 6:49 p.m. - 6 clicks
Last week the Wichita Eagle, (Wichita, KS) had two large articles on the Tea Party movement. They have given this movement way more publicity than any progressive organized group or even. At times they have completely ignore large gatherings of the local peace movement or women’s groups. They have given the Tea baggers plenty of sound-bites without ever checking them to see if they are accurate. F...
Otto's War Room - Mon 4:48 p.m. - 5 clicks
Kansas Republicans are setting a new bar for legislative lethargy. First, under their failed leadership the Appropriations Committee has yet to produce any budget-balancing recommendations. Next, not content to simply do nothing some are attempting to nullify the hard work and actions of others through the Freedom From Healthcare Act. Now, they've stopped showing up to do their job.&nbs...
Buffalo Blog - Mon 3:08 p.m. - 8 clicks
This year the Robert E. Tilton Award was awarded to longtime activist, Reno County Chairman, and First District Chair Vic Moser . This award recognizes outstanding leadership on the county level to organize Democrats, field strong candidates and work to mobilize support for Democratic campaigns. This award shall be considered the highest honor which can be bestowed to a Democratic County ...
Buffalo Blog - Mon 3:08 p.m. - 6 clicks
There are poems and there are POEMS. The kind you learned in elementary school and remain with you, for good or bad, defining, for many, a genre that should be avoided at all costs. Or the kind that hit you straight in the gut and remind you, if you are lucky enough to have gotten this far, just how powerful words can be. For those of you who are in the latter group – clinging to those gut-wrenc...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Mar 7 - 4 clicks
Last week an internal Republican National Committee document was leaked that was put together by the finance director. In the document low dollar donors are said to be reactionary and motivated by fear. High dollar donors are said to be motivated by their egos......
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Mar 7 - 2 clicks
By史蒂夫 奥托 The good news is that more conservative web sites are beginning to recognize the existence of an actual Marxist left in the US. The bad news is that they plan to link the real communist with people who are not communist at all. It’s a new attempt at modern McCarthiesm. As for the attacks on real Marxist, for some reason the focus seems to be on Jed Brandt , who is part of the Brecht Fo...
Otto's War Room - Mar 6 - 2 clicks
Winter in America: Democracy Gone Rogue Henry A. Giroux, Truthout: "Democracy in the United States is experiencing both a crisis of meaning and a legitimation crisis. As the promise of an aspiring democracy is sacrificed more and more to corporate and military interests, democratic spheres have largely been commercialized and democratic practices have been reduced to market relations, strip...
Community Bridge - Mar 6 - 2 clicks
When outgoing Republican Senator, Jim Bunning (KY), blocked unanimous consent for an extension of unemployment benefits and highway funds last week, the only explanation he would give is that the bill was not paid for. Democrats, and even many Republicans, were quick to charge him with inconsistency. In the past Bunning voted for the Bush tax cuts, the Iraq war, and many other things that were n...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Mar 6
In the Long Beach area, a grassroots and coalition campaign is taking place to clean up the air pollution and poverty in the local seaports. The air around the seaports is dirty because port truck drivers earn too little to buy trucks that would belch out fewer diesel particulates, tiny particles that contribute to cancer and asthma. The Teamsters union, environmental groups, and local res...
Everyday Citizen (Kansas) - Mar 5
Brian McLaren, author of "A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that Are Transforming the Faith," discusses the book, postmodernism, Biblical studies, evangelism, inter-religious dialogue, ecology, and social justice. McLaren is a proponent of the emerging church movement, which rejects what emerging Christians perceive to be the influence of modernism in the Evangelical church in fav...
Community Bridge - Mar 5
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c Tech-Talch - Chatroulette www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform ...
Otto's War Room - Mar 5 - 2 clicks
Community Bridge opens this week with a phone interview featuring Tim Karr of Free Press discussing Net Neutrality. Network Neutrality, or Net Neutrality for short, is the fundamental principle that preserves the free and open Internet. Net Neutrality means that Internet service providers may not discriminate between different kinds of content and applications online. It guarantees a level...
Community Bridge - Mar 5 - 2 clicks
A Google translation from the Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR): Public Statement The morning of Saturday 27 February, the Chileans we woke up to the cruel reality of a society of the third world, almost 72 hours was delayed in the current government organize aid for the cities most affected by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated large part of the country in recent days. The d...
Otto's War Room - Mar 4 - 2 clicks
From the Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR): Declaración Pública La madrugada del día sábado 27 de febrero, los chilenos nos despertamos a la cruel realidad de una sociedad del tercer mundo, casi 72 horas se demoró el actual gobierno en organizar las ayudas para a las ciudades más afectadas por el terremoto y tsunami, que asoló gran parte del país en estos días. El desastre en perdidas h...
Otto's War Room - Mar 4 - 3 clicks
For the first time the KDP Directory is available online. Click here to view or download the 2010 KDP Directory . ...
Buffalo Blog - Mar 3 - 3 clicks
Glen Beck fancies himself an expert on Communism. We need a lesson on the fringe right and left by Glen Beck? He is the fringe right. Now he wants to debate the far left. Glenn Beck Shows Video Of Jed Brandt Calling Himself A Socialist And Communist Is there as many communist and socialist as the Tea Party? That’s interesting to hear. “I never heard anything like that (bringing this c...
Otto's War Room - Mar 3
This month you and me and all of our friends will receive census forms in the mail. Even though the forms, and the census itself, will pretend that large portions of the LGBT population don't exist, the 2010 census still represents an equality breakthrough, according to the activists closest to the big count. This morning 365Gay.com published my article exploring LGBT America's twisted history ...
In This Moment - Mar 3 - 2 clicks
The same conservatives that complained our educational system was failing us 20 year ago are now trying to dismantle it. They have pushed for more basics in math, language skills and science. Now they want to strip out all liberal arts in the name of budget cutting. But cutting necessary classes, such as foreign languages, violates the compulsory education attendance laws that each state has ado...
Otto's War Room - Mar 2 - 2 clicks
From Nueva Democracia Comunistas, revolucionarios: tomar la iniciativa Chile ha sido afectado por un gran terremoto y tsunami. Todos los grandes centros urbanos del centro y sur del país tienen severos daños; prácticamente todos los poblados rurales entre Santiago y Los Ángeles están en gran medida destruidos. Nuestro país está emplazado en una zona sísmica y rodeado de volcanes activos....
Otto's War Room - Mar 1 - 2 clicks
From Nueva Democracia : A Google Translation Communist revolutionaries taking the initiative Chile has been affected by a major earthquake and tsunami. All the major urban centers of central and south have severe damage, virtually all rural villages between Santiago and Los Angeles are largely destroyed. Our country is located in a seismic zone and surrounded by active volcanoes. Eve...
Otto's War Room - Mar 1 - 2 clicks
Some cultures prefer to boil indoors; others, freeze--why do we spend so much money and energy on discomfort? ...
Heretical Ideas - Mar 1 - 3 clicks
As a recent news flash – here is a video and link for a riot that took place this week in Berkeley Street Clash in Berkeley — Preparation for State-Wide Protest ...
Otto's War Room - Feb 27
Fighting the Subversion of Our People's Sovereignty Jim Hightower comments for Truthout: "As you've probably heard, corporations are now 'people' - humanoids that are equivalent to you and me. This miraculous metamorphosis happened on January 21. Accompanied by a blinding bolt of lightning, and a terrifying jolt of thunder, five Dr. Frankensteins on the Supreme Court threw a judicial switch...
Community Bridge - Feb 27
This week's Community Bridge opens with Elliott Pujol and Gerry Craig. Pujol is a master metalsmith and is one of six receiving the 2010 Governor's Arts Award from the Kansas Arts Commission. Pujol is recognized as one of the most important metalsmiths working in the United States. With over 200 exhibitions and 18 solo exhibitions to his name, he was chosen the Master Metalsmith in 2005 by the...
Community Bridge - Feb 27 - 4 clicks
When the Salina Chamber of Commerce invited Sarah Palin to speak at the annual meeting on February 5th, a group of Salinans "instigators." who think answers to difficult questions require more than a “you betach,” organized the RNC to stage a counter event. Thus "Reality Not Celebrity" came to be. In addition to a great meal, wonderful conversation and ironical skits, the instigators were able ...
Community Bridge - Feb 27 - 4 clicks
Note: This press release was written by Spencer D. Wood, For more information contact him at: 785-532-7178, sdwood@k-state.edu. MANHATTAN — Noted sociologist Gay Seidman will be visiting Kansas State University to deliver the 10th Annual Donald J. Adamchak Distinguished Lecture Monday, March 8th (International Women's Day) at 7 pm in Forum Hall of K-State Union. The lecture is free a...
Community Bridge - Feb 26 - 4 clicks
Once again the automatons of the Kansas Legislature are positioned to ban a new herbal high called K2. This is reported to be a marijuana like substance, but without the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol,the active ingredient of marijuana). They are trying to block any health care reforms that might make people’s lives better and safer, yet they can’t wait to ban a substance that many adults may want to u...
Otto's War Room - Feb 26 - 5 clicks
The U.S. House & Senate have voted themselves $4,700 and $5,300 raises. They voted not to give a Social Security cost of living raise in 2010 and 2011. Medicaid premiums will probably go up $285.60 for the 2-years and no 3% COLA: $660/yr. The total 2-year loss and cost is -$1,600 or -$3,200 for a husband and wife. ...
Otto's War Room - Feb 24
Introduction by David P. This is a very significant (and politically astute) offer. Singh and Chidambaram will have a hard time rejecting this peace initiative by the Maoists. The terms are very simple--both sides stop military operations in order to begin negotiations. The Communist Party India (Maoist) has stated that stopping all mining operations and tearing up the MoUs in the adivasi are...
Otto's War Room - Feb 24
According to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee the Republican party has stooped to outright forgery. According to the DCCC: What do Republicans do when the truth hurts? They resort to this.Check out the despicable e-mail below that Republicans actually sent out yesterday full of lies, distortions, and even an electronic forgery of Speaker Pelosi's signature. Click on the pictur...
Otto's War Room - Feb 22
Rep. Todd Tiahrt is among those who have jumped the Republican Herbert Hoover bandwagon on doing nothing about he economy and tearing into President Barack Obama for trying to fix it. According to The Wichita Eagle: “President Obama’s year-old economic stimulus package has created one industry — that of stimulus criticism, noted Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank. He counted Rep. T...
Todd Tiahrt's Folly - Feb 21
What Are We Bid for American Justice? Bill Moyers and Michael Winship comment for Truthout: "That famous definition of a cynic as someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing has come to define this present moment of American politics. No wonder people have lost faith in politicians, in parties and in our leadership. The power of money drives cynicism deep into the hea...
Community Bridge - Feb 21
For our second hour this week, we discuss the effort to repeal the Kansas Death Penalty (SB 375) with Linda and Roger Johnson of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty. Then for American American History Month we rebroadcast an interview Tavis Smiley conducted with Myrlie Evers, wife of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers, on his show on PBS. MP3 File ...
Community Bridge - Feb 19 - 5 clicks
Community Bridge opens this week with Julie Walter and Karen Mayse from the Area Agency on Aging to discuss the impact budget cuts have had on senior citizens. For the second half of this podcast we will hear an interview with Justin Krebs, Executive Director of Living Liberally, who discusses the organization and how people can get involved. MP3 File ...
Community Bridge - Feb 19 - 3 clicks
Action Alert - Tell Rupert Murdoch: Get the Facts Straight! The Union of Concerned Scientists write: "Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is a global media company that owns everything from newspapers to television networks to film studios. The company has stated publicly that 'News Corporation is committed to addressing its impact on climate change.' They also say they 'hope to engage our aud...
Community Bridge - Feb 19 - 3 clicks
Today, State Senator Tom Holland announced his candidacy for Governor in front of Lowman Hills Elementary School in Topeka with his family and supporters behind him. He pledged to fight tooth and nail against Sam Brownback and Brownback’s assumption that this race is already over. Tom Holland is going to give him a run for his Washington establishment money. Tom acknowledged that Brownbac...
Buffalo Blog - Feb 17 - 5 clicks
Who needs independence? Not Scott Schwab. Today he revealed how he makes his decision on Election Day : Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe, questioned what was so bad about partisan races. He said partisan races help voters understand what the candidates stand for. When races are nonpartisan, he said, "that kinds of makes the election worse because then I don't know what I'm voti...
Buffalo Blog - Feb 17 - 4 clicks
Democracy and the Threat of Authoritarianism: Politics Beyond Barack Obama Henry A. Giroux, Truthout: "With the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, there was a widespread feeling among large sections of the American public and its intellectuals that the moment and threat of authoritarianism had passed. And, yet, there are many troubling signs that, in spite of the election of Obama,...
Community Bridge - Feb 15
The Washington Post's media critic, Howard Kurtz, profiles MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, and raises the question of whether a lesbian can honestly cover "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The real question is why these issues are never raised about heterosexual journalists. Everyone on this planet has a sexual orientation. Why doesn't anyone ever ask heterosexuals if they can fairly cover LGBT rights? And so it...
In This Moment - Feb 15
If you have an infinite number of rooms and they are all full, you can just ask everyone to move over one. On Earth, it's not so easy. ...
Heretical Ideas - Feb 15
On December 13, 2009, Katrina vanden Heuvel and Robert Scheer sat down with Gov. Howard Dean to have a frank discussion about the Obama administration, health care reform, and the Democratic party on the 12th Annual Seminar Cruise sponsored by The Nation. Christopher E. Renner, host of Community Bridge, thanks The Nation for giving permission to broadcast this conversation so it can be heard by...
Community Bridge - Feb 12
This is the much-watch video of the week. On Wednesday, a woman named Kitty Lambert and her long-time life partner attempted to get a marriage license at the Buffalo, N.Y., City Clerk's office. They were denied, but watch what happened next. Under the law in most of this country, all one needs to get married are two warm, adult bodies of the opposite gender, yet same-sex couples are deni...
In This Moment - Feb 12 - 2 clicks
Chris Hedges on the Zero Point of Systemic Collapse: We stand on the cusp of one of humanity’s most dangerous moments. Chris Hedges writes for Adbusters - the journal of the mental environment: "Aleksandr Herzen, speaking a century ago to a group of anarchists about how to overthrow the czar, reminded his listeners that it was not their job to save a dying system but to replace it: “ W...
Community Bridge - Feb 12
Join Kansas Democrats at the Downtown Topeka Ramada February 26th-27th for the 2010 Washington Days celebration. Washington Days tickets are on Early Bird Special until Sunday, February 14th. Reserve them online now! This year, Kansas Democrats will be joined by special guest Senior Majority Whip and DNC Vice-Chairman, Congressman Mike Honda. Washington Days is the largest a...
Buffalo Blog - Feb 11 - 4 clicks
From the Offices of House Democratic Legislative Leaders Sen. Anthony Hensley and Rep. Paul Davis: O’Neal votes for fee sweeps, contradicts himself Republican House Speaker voted for nearly 40 fee fund sweeps from 2002-2010 TOPEKA – Today, Kansas Speaker of the House Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, voted in favor of a $5 million fee fund sweep from the Investor Educat...
Buffalo Blog - Feb 11 - 3 clicks
On February 10th, 1995, exactly 15 years ago today, an editorial published by the Hutchinson News took Mike O’Neal to task for a willful conflict of interest. From the editorial: “O’Neal should never be in a position to be seen as both lawmaker… and lawyer lobbyist. The web is too tangled. There must be a way for attorney lawmakers to recuse themselves whe...
Buffalo Blog - Feb 10 - 3 clicks
Sarah Palin is coming to Wichita May 2 as a fundraiser for Bethel Life School, a Christian school serving prekindergarten through eighth grade. She will also be welcomed by most of Wichita’s Republican Party and their Pachyderm Club.There’s no doubt that Palin has her supporters here in Kansas. But this is the same state that gave us the simpleton-snake-oil-salesman US Representative Todd Tiahrt ...
Todd Tiahrt's Folly - Feb 8 - 2 clicks
On November 17, 2009, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri held a community meeting to discuss sexuality education in the public school system. In particular they discussed Comprehensive Sexuality Education. This approach teaches about abstinence as the best method of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancy. It also teaches about condoms and contraception...
Community Bridge - Feb 8
My DADT op-ed is up at The Progressive. President Obama and the Pentagon’s top leaders should be applauded for standing up for gay Americans serving in the military, but there is no excuse for leaving the crippling “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban in place one more day. Read More. ...
In This Moment - Feb 8
Reality Not Celebrity: Keynote Given by George Pyle George Pyle writes on the Kansas Free Press: "Good evening, fellow outcasts. Down in the valley, the respectable and the Republican of the community have gathered in a sports arena to hear from a self-professed maverick woman of the people. Up on the hill, we rabble of liberals and lefties are assembled in the local country club to he...
Community Bridge - Feb 8
The quick and easy answer is that The Saints won the Super Bowl because they outplayed the Colts, but I wonder if there isn't another reason. How can a team lose when most of the nation is cheering them on? I was at a Super Bowl party in Lawrence, Kan., which is decidedly neutral ground. Out of about 30 people, only three were rooting for Indianapolis. The rest of us, myself included, were hear...
In This Moment - Feb 8
“You can’t be neutral on a moving train,” Howard Zinn famously said. He didn’t believe in staying closeted in the academy, though he was a brilliant historian whose book, A People’s History of the United States: 1492 to Present changed the way many people view history. Recently, a documentary based on his work, The People Speak, brought to life the many Americans whose lives and activism w...
Community Bridge - Feb 6
Community Bridge takes up the issue of Funding Public Education with Terry Forsyth, Kansas NEA; Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards; Kathy Cook, Kansas Families for Education; and Susan Marshall, vice-chair the USD 383 School Board. Social conservatives are doing everything in their power to bankrupt our schools and damage our state's infrastructure. Our guests will discuss what is...
Community Bridge - Feb 6 - 3 clicks
Patriot Act - Eight Years Later William Fisher reports for Truthout: "After 2009 - a year when federal prosecutors charged more suspects with terrorism than in any year since the attacks of September 11, 2001 - and in today's atmosphere of heightened fear triggered by the aborted plot to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, Congress will begin again next month to consider reau...
Community Bridge - Feb 4
