Opinion Line (May 28)

The biggest problem with liberals is that they’ve been trained not to think more than two weeks into the future.

The president of the United States does not have the authority to unilaterally launch any kind of nuclear weapon. There are redundancies, verifications and a chain of command. There is no “nuclear trigger” or “button,” so enough of that comic-book hyperbole.

Republican faith that cutting taxes will increase revenue and balance the budget is magical thinking, and look what it’s done to Kansas. It’s an old myth that began with Reagan.

Poverty is not simply, “I deserve and want free stuff,” or “I’m lazy and do not want to work.” There are many reasons why people have to live in poverty. Hang out at a social service facility for a few months and you may see a real side of poverty.

Nobody should be allowed to live on welfare and “food stamps.” Quit expecting society to alleviate the negative consequences of your poor life choices. And quit buying electronics and whatever you want with your own money while we pick up the tab for your necessities.

Since Sam Brownback and Karl Peterjohn have become the standard-bearers for the Republicans in Kansas, I might have to actually think before I vote this November.

So the city is complaining the Kansas Star is taking convention business from downtown Wichita. Local voters created this problem when they turned down a casino for Sedgwick County. They didn’t prevent a casino from being built for this area, and missed the chance for a huge draw to downtown.

I hope the Mulvane casino strip-mines convention business from Wichita. We had a choice: build something in Wichita that would attract the masses and employ many at decent wages, or thump Bibles and worry about Tony Soprano coming to town and taking over.

I like going to the Kansas Star for the low cost of the entertainment and free parking close to the door. I will not get ripped off by high ticket prices and parking at the downtown arena, which will never pay for itself.

One of the simple rules taught by the Marine Corps: Don’t chamber a round unless you are going into hostile territory and expect an imminent gunfight. We’re not in combat here. Too many people have been killed or maimed by that round they didn’t know was chambered.

Remember when we were in a drought and the weathermen kept saying, “We’re desperate for rain”? I’ll bet they’re sorry now. Be careful what you wish for.

To those complaining about meteorologists interrupting programming to alert western Kansas of severe weather: Raise your right hand. Now reach behind your head and smack yourself. This is called a dope slap. Do this anytime you find yourself having these thoughts.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Opinion Line (May 28)."