Editorial: Children in need

Because most Americans are compassionate, and refuse to let children and old people suffer when it is within our power to do something about it. They may be someone else's responsibility, but we're still going to take care of them, because we aren't ready to abandon children and the elderly, yet.

January 10, 2013 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kobach wants to outlaw photographing ballots

Good to see him working hard on the real problems facing this state and nation.

November 8, 2012 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Sound Off: In a crosswalk, when the red hand starts flashing and the seconds countdown begins, is it

In Lawrence even the Police jaywalk and cross on red. I've been standing with my kids downtown waiting for the green light, and the foot patrol strolls right through a red light. My kids ask me "Why are we the only ones who wait?"

July 15, 2012 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Explosives found in truck parked near Statehouse

Crazy and dangerous is the enemy of all law abiding citizens who ever you vote for. If we keep escalating the rhetoric and political drama with the "reds are nazis" and "blues are commies" BS you can be sure we will all be in more danger from the "kill 'em all" nut jobs.

February 16, 2012 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Gov. Brownback's plan to post teachers’ rankings causes outcry; GOP senator describes plan as 'toxic'

What we really need is a website that let's us give our politicians rankings of highly effective, effective, progressing, or ineffective. Highly effective = you get a $5000 bonus. Ineffective = automatic recall.

January 27, 2012 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Behind the Lens: Dreaming up the perfect camera, digital rot and all

"Digital rot" is about selling cameras not making photographs. The camera salespeople pushed this same BS when they were selling film cameras too. They want to convince consumers that the introduction of a new model means their old camera (or stereo or computer or cell phone or car...) doesn't work anymore.

While there may be the occasional Nikon F that sells for more than it did when introduced, a quick look at the Ebay completed auctions suggests that $150 to $175 is what they are more typically selling for today. I own many film cameras, including a half dozen old, mechanical Nikon SLRs. They are all worth less now than what I paid for them used in the 1990s. My Hasselblad 500c/m and Pentax 67II, which were very expensive cameras when I purchased them, plummeted in value. Only a select few of my film cameras have retained or increased in value over the last decade. They tend to be the rare and uncommon models.

"It has been the fashion to think too much of the tools and too little of the use made of them." -H.P. Robinson, a photographer from the days when film was the new fangled technology

September 6, 2011 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence City Commission sold on trying donation meter plan

People give to panhandlers because there is a human being in front of them. Those people are going to continue to give change to the panhandlers. No one is going to use the meters. At least not enough to make it worth putting them in. People hate putting money into parking meters.

July 20, 2011 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Moderation wanes in Kansas as Brownback off to fast start

Is it the religion creating terrorists? Or is it way too many young men and women without decent jobs and education, and no prospect for supporting a family? The great thing about keeping people educated, employed, and busy putting food on the table to make a better life for their kids is that whatever their religion they aren't very interested in fooling around with bombs or making the world a more dangerous place. Take away their education, jobs, and ability to raise a family, and you've got desperate, hopeless people who become more dangerous as time passes even without political entities masquerading as religion prodding them along. When unemployment gets high enough we're going to find out right here in America whether it's religion or economics that breed terrorists.

June 6, 2011 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Fire set to rejuvenate wetlands

The best way to understand what is going on is to take some time to visit the wetlands in all seasons. It goes through a lot of seemingly drastic changes throughout the year, yet the animals and vegetation always adapt and seem to be doing quite well, as long as they stay away from the paved roads. Go out this week and see what it looks like recently burned. Then come back in a few weeks, and see how fast the grass has regrown. It'll be back to four feet tall within two months. I'm sure a few animals don't escape the fire, but in general they are like us and flee or seek cover when they see a wall of flame approaching. The fire comes and goes extremely fast; a specific location burns off in a few seconds. From the bones revealed after the fire it's obvious that winter is much more harsh. More rodents will die being eaten by hawks and owls in the week or so they are left without cover than from the fire itself. The new plants quickly reclaim the bare ground, and it all starts over again. Also remember that much of it is too wet to burn.

April 20, 2011 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach defends stance on illegal immigration at Lied Center

If you hire them they will come. It seems to me that concentrating on getting American citizens back to work would solve several problems.

April 13, 2011 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )