Voice For Liberty in Wichita

My page of coverage of the general election for Wichita and the surrounding area is available. Click here to view it.
I don’t think I have all the candidate websites listed yet, so if I’m missing any, please send it to me though the contact page. I’d prefer an email message rather than a comment.
[...]

[Read more →]

I think I say this almost every week, but I’m amazed at some of the blogs that people create just to showcase and report on their own personal interests. This week it’s Dave Knadler, who is a professional writer. His blog Dave’s Fiction Warehouse deals with books and writing and movies, and also his assorted [...]

[Read more →]

There won’t be a Kansas blog roundup today. I’m in Scottsdale, Arizona attending the State Policy Network conference. We’ve been busy from dawn to way late at night, and there just hasn’t been time.

[Read more →]

This weekend I’m helping out at the Kansas Taxpayer Network booth at the Kansas State Fair. The booth is in the Meadowlark building, north aisle.
I’ll be there from 4:00 to 10:00 today, 9:00 to 4:00 tomorrow (Saturday), and 3:00 to 9:00 Sunday. Stop by and say hello.

[Read more →]

I created a Flickr photo set that holds all the header images that I use on the Voice For Liberty in Wichita. To see the images in full size, click on any image, then along its top, click on “All sizes.”
To view a slide show of these images, click here.
I took all these photos myself.

[Read more →]

In Kansas this week, blog coverage of local issues is a little light, partly due to the holiday, but also the Republican convention.
A local blog I’ve just become aware of (but has been around for a few years) is Book Nut. It covers, naturally, books. It’s always amazing to me to see the effort that [...]

[Read more →]

An interesting site someone just showed to me is Web Map of Wichita, a useful collection of Wichita-oriented web sites presented in an unusual way. This comes from 2Wichita, a new site (at least to me) that appears to be a useful resource for learning about all sorts of websites in and around Wichita.
Also useful [...]

[Read more →]

Kansas bloggers were hard at work again this week, covering a wide variety of topics.
A Wichita blog that’s been around for a while but has recently undergone a change in direction is Wichita Art Directory. This blog contains wonderful images of the works of many Wichita artists. Also useful is an extensive list of links [...]

[Read more →]

In Kansas this week, some blogs are quiet, but others pick up the slack with some worthwhile posts.
The Kansas Progress questions the actions of the Kansas Traditional Republican Majority in Actions by liberal group denounced by state GOP.
The Kansas Republican Assembly blog has a two-part series of posts covering how Kansas has become the first [...]

[Read more →]

No overarching theme emerged this week in Kansas blogs. Follow-up from the August 5 Kansas primary and Wichita school board action proved popular with readers.
A new (to me, anyway) and interesting Kansas blog is Jewish Simplicity, which blogs about “… simplicity, frugality and sustainability from a Jewish perspective …” Douglas and Main is a great [...]

[Read more →]

Some people have asked if I’m on Twitter, and the answer is yes. Here’s a link to my Twitter profile, from where you can choose to follow me.
I don’t use Twitter as much as a lot of people do. I don’t have a mobile device like a Blackberry. I have a regular old-fashioned cell phone. [...]

[Read more →]

Yesterday afternoon I was performing some maintenance on my server. I deleted a test installation of a WordPress blog that I used for, naturally, testing.
I thought I deleted the testing database that belong to the testing WordPress installation, but I actually deleted the production database that runs the Voice For Liberty in Wichita. Oops.
I restored [...]

[Read more →]

The August primary exposed some ugly behavior in the Kansas Republican party. And from its senate leadership, no less.
While not, strictly speaking, a blog, Kansas Liberty is a great place to read about Kansas politics. The article Senate Leadership PAC supporting Republican liberals over conservatives in primaries: Conservatives protest GOP contributions to liberal Republican [...]

[Read more →]

I’ve noticed two new Kansas blogs this week. One, Blog For Kansas, displays the disclaimer “Paid for by Jim Slattery for Senate,” so this appears to be, and not only for that reason, an official campaign blog. Keep that in mind while reading.
The second is Douglas and Main, obviously located in Wichita, maybe right downtown. [...]

[Read more →]

It must be the heat, or maybe our upcoming primary elections, or something, but it’s been a fairly quiet past two weeks in the Kansas blogosphere. Some new blogs, however, make their appearance.
There is a new political blog in our state — sort of: Kansas Watch by Todd D. Epp, who appears to be a [...]

[Read more →]

Kansas bloggers were hard at work this week after returning from vacation.
The “Boondoggler” at Wichita 259 Truth notices the low attendance at four public events hosted by Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education, a group that supports the Wichita school bond issue: Sarah Olson makes Chicken Salad.
Have you wondered What’s your contribution to statehouse renovations? [...]

[Read more →]

Even with a holiday-shortened week, there was quite a bit of activity in Kansas blogs.
At the Kansas Republican Assembly blog, the post Sebelius: Slattery needs help raises questions about U.S. Senate candidate Jim Slattery’s acquisition of certain email addresses, and the etiquette of using them. In Democratic delegate shunned for endorsing McCain over Obama, the [...]

[Read more →]

Due to a change in the underlying software running the Voice For Liberty in Wichita (coupled with my mistake), my readers who rely on rss or atom feeds haven’t been receiving updates since Monday. My subscribers on FeedBurner and FeedBlitz, since these services rely on a site’s feed, haven’t been receiving updates either. In fact, [...]

[Read more →]

As you may know, this week I switched the Voice For Liberty in Wichita from using Drupal to WordPress for its underlying software platform. Everything went pretty smoothly — or at least I thought so. But just now I realized that Drupal and WordPress use different names for their rss and atom news feeds.
This means [...]

[Read more →]

A pretty busy week for Kansas blogs, even though summer has set in.
At KSSmallBiz.com, read Ken Daniel’s notes on his presentation to the Kansas Health Policy Authority in Kansas Health Policy Authority.
At Wichita 259 Truth, the “Boondoggler” again provides valuable analysis of the Wichita public school system and the proposed school bond issue. The article [...]

[Read more →]

“While the left convenes for their annual meeting of the tin foil hat wearers, I invite all of you to take part in a conservative gathering that will be going on just across town.”
Thanks, Eric Odom, for the invitation to RightOnline Summit.

[Read more →]

Here at the Voice For Liberty in Wichita I’ve made the switch from Drupal to WordPress as my blogging platform. There’s really nothing wrong with Drupal; it’s just that WordPress is very good, and after four years with Drupal, maybe it was time for a switch.
A few things may not be working, but I’ll get [...]

[Read more →]

When reporting on Kansas bloggers, a trip to The Kansas Meadowlark is just about the best place to start. This week the Meadowlark reports on SamSphere Kansas, an event hosted by the Sam Adams Alliance. I myself had the pleasure of attending this event and even spoke for a moment to the group. Thank you to Sam for hosting this event.

Internet sources say Gov. Kathleen Sebelius attended Bilderberg 2008 Conference reports on the governor’s trip to this event. What is this group? The Wikipedia article for it has section headings “Mainstream Criticism” and “Conspiracy Theories.” You be the judge after reading the short article.

Both the Meadowlark and I have some issues with judges in Kansas, and the post Kansas 2008 Judicial Accountability Report Card: C- introduces a study that reinforces that impression.

Stay Red Kansas thanks Todd Tiahrt and Pat Roberts for their work in the protest of the Boeing tanker decision in Got Boeing? There are some who disagree, including this writer in Is Boeing Tanker “Victory” Good For America?

The Joyful Cynic writes about Unused Pavement and Wasted Yellow Paint, describing a patch of road where no one can legally drive. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

The Kansas Republican blogs on “the looming State Senate primary civil war” in these posts: Who Heads Candidate Recruitment?, Huelskamp’s Foolish Rants and the Need for Pragmatic Politics, and Is Kobach Complicit in Huelskamp’ Senate Purge? In the last post Custer proclaims his own blog as “Kansas’ most prominent Republican blog,” which seems a tad overlaced with hubris, considering these three posts take Kansas Senator Tim Huelskamp to task for perceived uppityness.

The Kansas Trunkline, the official blog of the Kansas Republican Party, reports on more travel by Kathleen Sebelius in Chapter 2: Where in the world is Kathleen Sebelius? This article also reports on her speaking engagement before Earth justice. The link is here: Earthjustice presents Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. A quote from the page promoting the event: “Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will appear June 26 in downtown Denver at an Earthjustice program to tell the story of how her bruising fight with coal power interests has helped create a national clean energy agenda.” Too bad this event is sold out.

The Kansas Republican Assembly Blog announces its new president and makes endorsements for Kansas house and senate primary races in KRA Board announces preferred candidates and new President. The article Source: Slattery campaign gains KDP email list asks the questions “Why is the Slattery campaign getting access to email lists from the KDP but not Lee Jones? Both are Democrats and running against Pat Roberts, so why is one candidate getting preferential treatment?”

The Quite Conservative is worried that “defenders of traditional America are sleeping” in While You were Sleeping.

The mysterious “Boondoggler” at Wichita 259 Truth comments on Wichita school board member Betty Arnold in The Wisdom of Betty Arnold. Also: insightful commentary on the confusing relationship between the Wichita school board and Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education (CARE), a citizen group that supports a school bond issue in Wichita School Board Abdicates.

At Voice For Liberty in Wichita, home to the Kansas blog roundup, find more analysis of a faulty economic impact report the Wichita public school district relies on in Wichita School Bond Issue: Is Economic Impact Real? The author also explains why surrounding suburban school districts have newer facilities than the Wichita district: their enrollments are growing, while Wichita’s isn’t: Wichita School Bond Issue: Surrounding Districts Are Growing and Building New Facilities. Regarding a loan the City of Wichita is making to a prominent businessman, the writer laments that Wichita City Manager’s Warning is Too Late.

While Bob Weeks can’t take credit for inventing an artful phrase, he does take the Wichita school district to task in Wichita Public School District’s Taxation Without Information. He also spots an unfortunate bias for government and its institutions in an otherwise fine Wichita Eagle article in the post The Wichita Eagle’s Preference For Government.

Finally, what are some Kansas politicians’ true motives in challenging the Boeing tanker decision? Find out in Is Boeing Tanker “Victory” Good For America?

[Read more →]

At The Kansas Meadowlark, read about a Kansas state representative’s use of franked mail: State Rep Rardin’s FOURTH franked piece to kick-start his re-election campaign. This post inspired a few rather heated comments.

At Right-Wing Agenda, Kevin Mark Smith write about risk and reward in choosing a career path in The demise of the American Dream began with the 40-hour work week.

The Joyful Cynic contributes two interesting and helpful articles for young people looking for a job: Advice to a Young Person Looking for a Job, Part 1 and Part 2.

Custer, writing at The Kansas Republican, takes on Phill (there are two l’s there) Kline and his ego in deciding to run for reelection as Johnson County District Attorney in Phil Kline is Not Pro-Life. In Fact, He’s Planned Parenthood’s Dream. Wild Bill spots inconsistencies in Nancy Boyda’s claims and her actions regarding fundraising in Despite Claiming She Stays Out of “Whole Fundraising Shtick,” Boyda Banks Washington Lobbyists’ Cash. Wild Bill also reports on claimed plagiarism by Boyda in Boyda’s Plagiarism Mentioned In DC’s Politico. Still No ‘Mystery’ Press Release. Comments to this post claim to “out” a comment-writer as Shanan Guinn, Boyda’s Chief of Staff. I think these comment wars over exposing the identities of posters or comment-writers are unfruitful. On the Wichita Eagle blog, sometimes entire threads consisting of perhaps hundreds of comments are devoted to just that, so I guess they must be fun for some people. But when the authors of a blog are anonymous, as are the authors of this blog, I guess we can’t expect comment-writers to identify themselves.

Also: commentary on a Washington Post article on Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and her limitations as a possible vice presidential candidate: Sebelius’ National Security Credentials Slammed in Washington Post.

The Kansas Trunkline wonders about Kathleen Sebelius’ travel schedule in What’s the Governor trying to hide?

The Kenig Konnection reports on a campaign stop by Nick Jordan in Nick Jordan’s grassoots campaign, Ryun’s “positive” pledge…

The Kansas Republican Assembly Blog reports on a couple living in Lawrence who plan to travel to California to marry, and then seek recognition of that act in Kansas: Lawrence residents to ‘wed’ in California, seek recognition in Kansas.

The Quite Conservative comments on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Elevating Enemies of the State to Favored Status.

The mysterious “Boondoggler” at Wichita 259 Truth contributes some fine analysis of a situation in the Wichita public school district in Wichita School Board - “Go Along to Get Along”

The Voice For Liberty in Wichita (that’s me) was largely quiet this week due to the author taking a few days of vacation and attending a conference.

[Read more →]

At Voice For Liberty in Wichita, guest author James Barfield contributes Wichita City Manager Search: Look Before You Leap, urging Wichita to be wary of the presumptive new city manager, Pat Salerno. Mr. Barfield has done some investigation on his own, and uncovers some troubling facts. An abridged version of this post was printed in The Wichita Eagle.

The Kansas Meadowlark continues coverage of the controversy surrounding the visit of notorious abortion doctor George Tiller to Cedar Crest, the home of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius: Did Gov. Kathleen Sebelius violate Kansas ethics laws by donating auction items and not reporting them? No, not if they were personal donations. At The Kansas Republican, Will Bill contributes Sebelius, Tillergate, Communiongate, Hyperion, NBAF, etc.

The Kansas Meadowlark explores the wisdom of appointing district court judges in Johnson County (rather than electing them as we do in Sedgwick County, but that has its own list of problems) in Political Profile of Tenth Judicial District Nominating Committee and Gov. Sebelius appoints new District Court judge — one of her political contributors.

Also the Meadowlark reports on some problems with voters potentially voting in both Kansas and Missouri in Prominent Kansas City Star staff member, registered to vote in Missouri, can still vote in Kansas thanks to Gov. Sebelius’ veto of voter ID law. (Someday I must speak to the Meadowlark about these lengthy post titles!)

At The Joyful Cynic, Sharon DuBois reports on being a delegate to the Libertarian Party national convention: Conventioneering and Conventioneering Odds and Ends. Also: Is it depressing to belong to a political party that doesn’t have a chance of winning the presidential election? The answer is here: Throw the Libertarians to the Lions.

At Right-Wing Agenda, Wichita lawyer Kevin Mark Smith reports on a trip to a convention of home schoolers: Guess what? You are probably more qualified to teach your kids than their “government” school teachers.

At The Kansas Republican, Custer reflects on the state of the Kansas Republican Party in The Kansas Republican Party- a Time for Reflection. Some of the comments to this post are worth reading. Will Bill offers some coverage of Kansas campaigning and some fishing news in Slattery and lobbyists, Jenkins Kick Off, Six, Tiahrt and Bass Fishing.

At The Kansas Trunkline read about Jim Slattery’s lobbying activities (really the lack of knowledge about them) in Slattery: Concealing Facts Kansans Deserve to Know. Also Moore and Boyda: How bad on taxes are they?

The mysterious “Boondoggler” at Wichita 259 Truth exposes the several problems with a letter from a Wichita school bond supporter printed in The Wichita Eagle in the post BOE Meetings and Letters.

Wichita Eagle reporter Brent Wistrom reports on some seemingly-lavish spending by Wichita when it entertained presumptive city manager Pat Salerno in City spent thousands welcoming Salerno.

At Voice For Liberty in Wichita, these posts may be of interest: Support the Wichita School Bond Issue For Our Community, The Smoking Ban in Wichita, Tax Abatements in Wichita, and Wichita School District Economic Impact, which reports on defects in an economic impact study that the Wichita school district relies on.

[Read more →]