Local Productions .

This week Steve Glorioso sits in for Yael.

WHILE YAEL’S AWAY …
Taking advantage of Yael’s absence and Steve’s presence, we will talk briefly about the public spat between Yael and the mayor over the August 7th sales tax. Because of Steve’s unique experiences (as a public official and as a journalist), we will talk first about some of the benefits and consequences of “feuds” between a pundit and a public official. This is not meant to be a discussion about this specific disagreement, but about general dimensions of the phenomenon.

CHICK-FIL-A AND THE RIGHT TO PRAY
The Chick-Fil-A controversy rolls on. The company’s CEO says he “fears God’s judgment” on this country because of the growth of “non-traditional,” i.e. “gay” marriages. Both critics and supporters have emerged in large numbers. We can look at several questions: Is the quality of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches enhanced or diminished because of the CEO’s views of marriage? Were you outraged at the initial reactions of the mayors of Chicago and Boston who threatened to block the company‘s expansion in their cities? Are we likely to see more of these kinds of issues emerge as our culture changes?

SHOW ME THE MONEY!
The extent of education funding is a key issue in the conservative-moderate battle for seats in the state senate. The two sides of the same Republican party have distinctly different views and that plays a role in who endorses and funds their campaigns. A Kansas City Star story cited examples of candidates supported by two major Kansas groups, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas National Education Association.

TO EXPAND OR NOT TO EXPAND
Under the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act, states have the right to opt-out of the Medicare Expansion portion. It’s not yet clear what Missouri and Kansas will do. Those who support expansion cite a couple of reasons: 1) The number of people covered will increase and 2) The federal government funds it, at least initially.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

A SHAKEN AKIN
Whatever happens between now and Thursday at 2 p.m. will be the discussion topic. The first question will deal with how the state election and the national GOP are being affected and will be directed to Woody.

CAUGHT WITH HIS PANTS DOWN
Kansas Congressman Kevin Yoder has apologized for taking a brief nude dip into the Sea of Galilee last year. He was one of several freshman members of congress who were on a fact-finding trip to Israel last August. The report of the escapade became public last weekend. Yoder is running without opposition in the fall election and no taxpayer dollars were involved.

END OF THE MIDDLE?
In a wide-ranging article, writers Steve Kraske and Dave Helling discuss the decline of moderation and compromise and the increase of partisanship and polarization in our political process. The two suggest these developments have set the country on a dangerous path.

“CLASS” ACTIONS
Classes are back in session for Kansas City, Missouri, School District scholars. Enrollment appears to be higher. A state report showed some modest gains. And a court case designed to clarify transfer policies seemed only to complicate things.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

Steve Mirakian sits in for Woody this week.

MISSOURI ELECTIONS
We can discuss the key issues and races that are being decided today. They include, but are not limited to: Kansas City, Missouri, sales tax and sewer questions; 5th District GOP House race; and Republican race for U.S. Senate nomination.

KANSAS ELECTIONS
This discussion will focus on the races for the state senate, especially those in Johnson County, and the impact they will likely have on Governor Brownback’s agenda. Please note the New York Times article on Kansas politics that you will receive. It’s likely to be raised by me as a discussion question.

A “CRUZ” TO CAPITOL HILL?
Texas Republicans have nominated the underdog candidate for the U.S. Senate. Ted Cruz overcame a 14 point deficit to defeat the state’s Lt. Governor and the party establishment. Cruz is a “hero” of the Tea Party.

A FREIGHTQUOTE “QUOTE.”
We can discuss the planned move of Freightquote from Lenexa to Kansas City, Missouri, and the ongoing battle over “poaching.”

ROASTS AND TOASTS

TOPIC 1: RATING THE HOME TEAM
After a year of planning by Kansas Citians, the All-Star game is soon to be history. Community leaders have been hoping the game and attendant activities will enhance Kansas City’s coffers and national image.

TOPIC 2: MISSING LINK
One thing missing for the All-Star game festivities was light rail transportation to the stadium. Recently, Star columnist Steve Kraske observed that there is not now–and likely never has been–a consensus that light rail should be a local priority.

TOPIC 3: BLABBERMOUTH QUIETED
The “Blabbermouth” website has been roundly criticized for printing names, addresses and pictures of Johnson County residents who have recently been arrested. The site owner has also sent letters to those people offering to remove them from his website for a $200-dollar fee. After news accounts of the website, the owner says he is changing formats, no longer asking for money and maintains “Blabbermouth” and similar sites are deterrents to crime.

TOPIC 4: JUST ADD RICE
Conservative columnist William Kristol, who was the first to predict Sarah Palin as the GOP vice-presidential nominee in 2008, now opines that the ticket may contain a woman this year, as well. Kristol is basing his view on public comments from Ann Romney who says a woman (or women) is among those under consideration for Mitt‘s V.P. Kristol thinks that Condoleeza Rice is the female candidate receiving the closest scrutiny.

Roasts & Toasts

TOPIC 1: TRYING TO MAKE THE SALE TO YAEL
A Twitter conversation between Mayor James and Yael (detailed in last Thursday’s column) reveals Yael is undecided about supporting the August 7th sales tax proposal. At one point, the mayor asks Yael if has a better idea about how to get things done.

TOPIC 2: THE VOTE FRAUD SQUAD
The August 7th primary will be the first large-scale test of the photo I.d. law in Kansas. Critics claim there’s no need for the law and it’s simply a GOP ploy to suppress the votes of some Democratic constituencies.

TOPIC 3: EXTREME PUTDOWN!
The op-ed pages of the Star last Sunday were replete with pleas to Kansas voters to support “moderate” candidates on August 7th. In addition to the Star editorial, there was also a column by Steve Rose on a similar topic. Rose says electing moderates to the Kansas Senate is the only way to stop “extremism” by “radicals” in the Kansas House and supported by Governor Brownback.

TOPIC 4: POLL-ARIZED
A new Gallup Poll shows confidence in television news at its lowest point since 1993. And, the poll was taken before two major networks misreported the Supreme Court ruling on Obama care.