A few thoughts from an old-timer
Sometimes I get to thinking — a bad habit I picked up years ago — and get the urge to set "them" straight. For many years it was a weekly exercise, but now I am on the trash heap for writers, I come down off that heap to say a few things about politics and life.
Not because it is the most important thing going on in the USA, but it's my first thought. What is the deal with everybody getting on Martha Stewart's case? Is she such an ogre that it is a good national pastime to put her down? She is accused of "insider trading" or something like that. However, what is she supposed to do when information comes to her that some company's stock will go down in price and she is holding a nice block of it. Is she supposed to just sit still and take her loss? That's what you would do, of course. Sure you would — and gladly too. And so would all of those government officials and news commentators who are bleating about Martha. You know it, don't you!
I notice that Kansas Republicans are all set to screw up again and elect a Democrat governor. First, they have a primary election with questionable candidates for governor. Then they elect one who will have a big problem winning the general election, instead of nominating Senator Kerr or even Bob Knight.
Now many of them are saying they "vote for the man — or woman" and so they may vote for Kathleen Sebelius in the fall. One hopes they will remember the last time they voted for "that nice Democrat lady." At least that mistake proved to Kansans that they really don't need a governor at all. If they elect Sebelius, they will have four years of gridlock, and we certainly don't need that now. She may be a lovely woman and smart enough, but she will be at odds with the legislature because she will try to promote a Democratic agenda, and little will be accomplished. Her platform is a good one for the insurance commissioner, but not much for governor. Her greatest claim to fame is that no-brainer of a decision to not let some Indiana outfit purchase Kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Even Mrs. Finney would have made that one correctly.
And now for the big stuff!
The talk show folks are beside themselves about the Iraq situation. They "report" daily on what the president and his helpers are saying about a war with Iraq, and "splits" they imagine in the administration over this matter. The "split" is just another example of folks speaking out on their personal views.
Yeah, sure! And President Bush doesn't know a thing about their speeches before they make them. They all know that President Bush will make the decision in his own time, and it will be the right one. If he can con old Saddam into pulling off some stunt, it will make it that much easier to convince the Saudi's, and the rest of the world, that Saddam is a beast and needs to go.
The football season is upon us, so Sunday afternoon will now be the husbands' TV time. The Chiefs are looking more promising, and KSU won their first game (KU didn't) and the Cats look like a good team this year. They still are shuffling quarterbacks, but Dunn will get it done, and Robertson will rob some highlights when he comes in. The committee of quarterbacks may be such a long time thing that it won't really matter this year.
Now for my hint of the week. Don't worry about those telephone calls from telemarketers. Do as I do. Listen politely and throw in an occasional grunt or clearing of the throat. Then when he finally runs down and wants your name and credit card number, say — oh so politely — "Thanks for bringing me this message, but I never buy things over the telephone" and gently hang up. This wastes their time and frustrates them and you will soon see fewer and fewer calls coming in.
-Bill Krause
