Because this is just ridiculous...

While surfing the web over the weekend, google, in its infinite wisdom, popped up with this sponsored link:
Where is the Red?

It seems that the College Republicans are making a last ditch effort to seem relevant. A team (squadron?) of them are driving across the country to prove that one could drive from coast to coast without ever leaving a Republican held seat. If you check their map, it seems they're going to try to go to Topeka, because they describe Kansas as a "Republican stronghold". Have they checked the map lately? First, I'd like to see how they're going to reach Topeka without touching the Kansas Second or Third, not to mention the many democratic seats in Missouri. Second, this state hasn't been such a stronghold lately, if you look at, oh say, the Governor's mansion, or recent polling. But god knows, Republicans have never let facts stop a good PR event.

What's more telling is that the CR national committee thought in a summer of record gas prices the best way to connect with real young voters would be to drive across the country. Who, exactly, is paying for this little joyride? Exxon? I can promise you that our YD national committee will never do something so facetious. To start with, they have jobs. Now, to be fair these are college republicans, but still, most of us had to work during the summer months, not take off on extravagant road-trips.  More importantly, our national committee is focused on winning this fall, not making YouTube videos of their best Kerouac impersonations. 

But I encourage this little excursion by the College Republicans. I hope they've got a violin with them, because they're fiddling while Rome is burning.

PS: How are they going to navigate California? Probably by avoiding all minorities.

On patriotism

As the Fourth of July draws near, it is natural for Americans to commemorate the United States, and marvel at the beauty of our democracy. Whether it takes the form of cold beer, grilled burgers, or mortars, American's unite on the Fourth for what is ostensibly a celebration of freedom and a renewed commitment to patriotism.

For some Americans, however, Old Glory waving and trumpets blaring makes them uncomfortable. Some Americans feel a tad reserved with this wave of patriotic display, for various reasons. For Democrats, especially, there is often a powerful association of fireworks and picnic blankets with the GOP.

This wariness is often unnecessary. You may, and should, feel proud to be an American, and a progressive American at that. It's alright to join in at the rendition of the National Anthem. This doesn't preclude you from reflecting on the atrocities of Abu Grahib. March in the small-town parade; next month, you can march on in opposition to the Iraq war. Indulge in your blueberry pie and all the warm & fuzzy American feeling it embodies.

Patriotism should never be equated with complacency. Rather, patriotism is recognizing and attempting to remedy America's flaws. Patriotism is fully present in a critical, democratic citizenry. If only perfect governments merited patriotic sentiments, the world would be a treacherous lot.

Use your voice and embrace your freedom this July 4th; that is, while it lasts...

Faith: the national factor

We heard it in 2004: social issues, "faith-based" voters, gay marriage, abortion and an enumeration of all the issues that supposedly divided voters of faith and more secular voters.

The time has come for the Democratic Party to stress the universality and national scope of religious voters and values. People of faith aren't confined to red states, secularists aren't exclusive to blue states. In anticipation of the 2008 election, it is time to embrace the atheist in the cornfields in Kansas, the Hindu surfer in Florida, the Orthodox Jew in New York, and the personal spirituality of numerous Californians. The Party can't survive, nor would it want to, without the inclusive support of religious voters.

Leaders in the Democratic Party have taken notice of this dire need. Perhaps most notably, Rev. Joseph Kitchen has spearheaded a movement to obtain official approval from the Young Democrats of America's National Committee as an official caucus. To this end, Rev. Kitchen and staff have created a website to mobilize and inform voters about the groups goals and priorities: www.youngfaithdems.org.

The group cites four priorities:
1) Ending Poverty
2) Ending the Genocide in Darfur
3) Fighting AIDS/HIV
4) Protecting the Environment

These priorities are such that people of faith and non believers alike can herald them as just and worthy. The Democratic Party cannot survive more divisive politics. The time for caustic divisiveness is over. It is time to unite-Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Mormons, Protestants, Lutherans, Baptists, and everything in between- and succeed. Success in 2008 depends on it.

Talitha Hazelton, Atchison.

An Example for Congress

As appeared in the May 15 issue of the Topeka Capital-Journal:

Letter: Example for Congress

On May 3, Rep. Nancy Boyda visited Valley Falls as part of her 2008 listening tour called "Congress on Your Corner." She is back in the 2nd District nearly every weekend, listening to what folks have to say and helping people get results from federal bureaucracies where difficulties persist.

I am always amazed how hard-working and genuine she is. In Valley Falls, Rep. Boyda and our community had in-depth and candid discussions on issues ranging from supporting veterans, continuing middle-class tax cuts, immigration policies that are enforced and work, sound trade policies that strengthen the United States and difficulties within Social Security and health care.

I was thoroughly impressed when Rep. Boyda stated that she and her husband, Steve, declined the stellar health care plan offered to her as a member of Congress. Instead, they pay gobs of money every month out of their own pocket. The reason: they couldn't accept this benefit in good conscience when so many of us here in the district struggle to obtain and/or pay for coverage. This is a bold example that other members of Congress should follow.

After the session ended, townspeople had an opportunity for one-on-one time to get help battling bureaucratic obstacles. Then, she was off to Fat Jack's on Broadway for ice cream and antique browsing.

She had a few minutes before heading to her next stop, so she stopped by the home of a Valley Falls woman who has been battling health problems and didn't have the strength to make it to the event.

What an excellent example Nancy Boyda is.

CRAIG GUNTHER, Valley Falls

It's anyone's game

No one will claim that Jim Slattery has a walk in the park, however, the latest Rasmussen Reports' survey of Kansas voters found Roberts leading Slattery by only 52% to 40%. Yes, in November 52% equals a clear victory for any candidate, but this is May.

Slattery leads Roberts by three points among unaffiliated voters. Each candidate can expect support from their own party's base, but from an ideological perspective, the candidates are tied at 46% among moderate voters.

So what does this all mean? It's anyone's game in November.

Kline for DA?

Both the Kansas City Star and Nebraska.tv are running stories of a possible Phill Kline run for JoCo DA. And just when the people of Kansas had come to believe he was history... Not only did Kline lose statewide in 2006, he lost Johnson County. It was the JoCo GOP who "elected" him to complete Paul Morrison's DA term. Voters as a whole were outraged.

Since becoming JoCo DA, KCTV (Kansas City's CBS affiliate) aired an investigative report on Kline. Turns out, he didn't really want to be back in JoCo. Instead, Kline and his family remained residents of Topeka, in violation of Kansas statute.

When he wasn't refusing KCTV-5 access to the courthouse (in retaliation), Kline was waisting time and tax dollars to further his personal crusade against legally obtained abortions. This month, the Kansas Supreme Court unsealed documents which revealed that Kline had spent much of 2007 in Topeka responding to two lawsuits filed by former AG Morrison and Planned Parenthood, who sued Kline to retrieve evidence.

With all these points against him (and that's only a year and a half's worth), should Kline run? Why not? Already in the race are Republican Steve Howe and Democrat Rick Guinn, former Johnson County prosecutors. Howe has secured most of the heavy endorsements on the Republican side, ensuring that to be in the general election, Kline will likely file unaffiliated. If that splits the Republican base in JoCo...well, you can just imagine those November results.

Step Up for the GI Bill

Today, hundreds of Young Democrats and young veterans are asking Congress to fulfill the promise we make to always stand by every man and woman who puts on the uniform in service to our nation. Young Democrats are urging immediate action on the Webb-Mitchell "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act," a bill that will expand educational benefits for the men and women who serve in our military.

"As both a student and a veteran, I know first-hand how important veterans' benefits, especially educational benefits, are to our service men and women coming home from overseas," said Cole Hickman, an Army Reserve Sergeant and Iraq war veteran who serves as Chair of the Young Democrats of America's Veterans and Military Affairs Caucus and President of the Young Democrats of Arizona. "This new 21st Century G.I. Bill will give America's newest veterans the support they need to become engines of our economy, improve our communities, and continue their service to our nation while at home, just like the greatest generation did after World War II."

"An investment in our veterans is an investment in America. For less than the cost of fighting in Iraq for one week, this legislation significantly expands benefits to our veterans," said Young Democrats of America President David Hardt. "We urge Congress to include this important legislation in the Iraq war supplemental bill."

Currently, educational benefits for veterans are dispensed based on a law designed for peace-time service -- a law that insufficiently handles all the veterans currently serving in a time of war.

The 21st Century G.I. Bill will:

• Make benefits available to all members of the military who have served on active duty since 9/11/2001, including activated reservists and National Guard.
• Provide benefits for tuition, housing, and books for up to 36 months of education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
• Link amount of benefits to amount of time served on active duty.
• Increase amount of time after leaving active duty to collect educational assistance to fifteen years compared to ten.
• Allows additional payments for tutorial assistance as well as licensure and certification tests.
• Create a new program in which the government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive than the maximum assistance provided.