Posted on Mon, Nov. 23, 2009

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Dirty campaigning —Did you know Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, was a communist? No? We weren't aware of it, either, until a release from the Senate campaign of Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, pointed out that Moran has been endorsed by the Communist Party USA. Sort of. The intention of the Tiahrt camp is clear: Paint Moran as "not conservative enough," feeding on the socialism/communism paranoia that's running rampant since Barack Obama took the reins. We would like to remind those running Tiahrt's campaign that voters in northwest Kansas are not amused by the McCarthy-esque red-baiting. By the way, in case facts matter, the Communist Party USA has not endorsed Moran. It simply offered thanks to a handful of Republican members of Congress who co-sponsored a bill lifting the travel ban to Cuba. How are we ever to expect bipartisan — or, gasp, nonpartisan — politics to rule the day in this nation if candidates in the same party play so dirty?— Hays Daily News

Energy program — The new energy-efficiency program Gov. Mark Parkinson is launching for Kansans should work wonders and keep on doing so far into the future. Using $34 million in federal stimulus money, Parkinson is setting up a way for Kansas homeowners to make their houses energy-efficient and pay the cost through the savings they realize in their utility bills. Yes, all you doubters, a government program can provide win-win benefits and pay its own way.— Iola Register

School cuts — We'd suggest that school district officials who think they've already cut their own operation to the bone and have nowhere to turn may want to talk to their neighbors about the possibility of sharing services among districts. Any function that school districts perform — from payroll and purchasing to grounds and building maintenance — should be examined to determine if it can be done cheaper through a cooperative venture.— Topeka Capital-Journal

Mangino — College football isn't war, but the situation now facing the University of Kansas' football coach is reminiscent of the trials of a famous World War II general. As the debate swirls around the Mark Mangino matter — Is he a good coach? Did he mistreat some of his players? Can he control his temper? And does he enjoy the support of his superiors (athletic director Lew Perkins)? —it reminds many older local residents of the firestorms that broke out over the behavior of famed World War II Gen. George Patton. Patton was a tough warrior whose business was to win wars. He didn't pull any punches in what he said. In one instance, he slapped a hospitalized American soldier. He also led his forces deep behind the lines of Hitler's army. Mangino's business is to win football games, to train his players and to provide leadership and display the courage to lead his players into battle. He has made some mistakes, but the manner in which his superiors have timed his investigation, whether or not he's guilty of wrongful acts, gives every indication some are out to destroy this coach and his career just as some tried to destroy Patton. —Lawrence Journal- World

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