Also see: Not Forsaken: Reaching Sex Slaves in Mid-America, CBN News, Aug. 28, 2010.

• What We Saw at the Glenn Beck Rally in DC, ReasonTV, Aug. 28, 2010.
• ‘Restoring Honor’: The Day After Wrap-Up & Whitewash, Michelle Malkin, Aug. 29, 2010.
• Beck Crowd Count:  87,000 to 500,000, Bottom Line Communications, Aug. 29, 2010.

The lawsuit claims the process in Kansas to select a new member for the state’s high court violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause.  The lawsuit asks all Kansas voters be given an equal voice in the process.

Kansas is the only state where the state’s bar association has majority control in the Supreme Court nominating commission.

Over the last several years the Kansas Watchdog and Kansas Meadowlark have tried to shed light on the Kansas judiciary, including the many political connections:

Attorneys in KS-1 elected Supreme Court Nominating Commission member in 2010

Kansas Watchdog

2010

• July 1:  42% attorney response in Supreme Court Nominating Commission election
• June 17:  Questions about new 527 PACs, $25,000 loan unanswered. Groups support Supreme Justice Beier?
• April 20:  Supreme Court Nominating Commission election in the 1st District
• Feb. 18:  Kansas Supreme Court Justice asks Ethics Commission for opinion

2009

• Sept 25:  Background documents on Schools for Fair Funding and 2005 Flashback
• Sept 22:  Gov. Parkinson appoints state AFL-CIO board member to Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission
• Sept 17:  Only 30% turnout in July statewide election?

2009

• May 13:  “Suitable” Funding for Kansas Supreme Court?
• May 12:  Will the Kansas Supreme Court Free Judge Anderson tomorrow?
• March 12:  Who is playing politics in the Kansas Judiciary by leaking information to the press?
• March 8:  Mystery surrounds release of letter from Kansas Attorney Disciplinary Administrator
• Feb 13:  Federalist Society: Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission Lawyers 1987-2007
• Jan 20:  District Court Judges Spent Over $32,000 to Prevent Election of District Court Judges
• Jan 9:  Gov. Sebelius’ District Judge Choices: Democrat, Democrat, Democrat
• Jan 8:  Gov. Sebelius picks Obama Donor for new Kansas Supreme Court Judge
• Jan 7:  Political Profile of Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission: Gov. Sebelius stacks deck

Kansas Supreme Court in 2008

2008

• Dec 8:  Whom will Sebelius appoint to Kansas Supreme Court? A judge or Obama/Sebelius donor?
• Dec 5:  Kansas Chief Justice admonishes fellow justices for denigrating Phill Kline
• Oct 14:  Crony appointment to judicial nominating committee better than trusting voters in JoCo?
• July 6:  Gov. Sebelius appoints donor to chief hearing officer for Court of Tax Appeals
• June 30:  Political makeup of Third District Court Nominating Commission doesn’t reflect district?
• June 28:  Did $13,000 given to Gov. Sebelius play part in Supreme Court Nominating Commission appointment?
• June 5:  Gov. Sebelius appoints new District Court judge — one of her political contributors
• June 4:  Political Profile of Tenth Judicial District Nominating Committee
• May 12:  District Court Nominating Commission Works as Designed: 3 of 3 nominees are Democrats in a county with 21% Democrats

2007

• Dec 16:  Updated Political Profile of Members of the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission:  Still 6 Democrats, 2 Republicans, 1 Republican for Moore
• Dec 4:  Why did a Kansas Supreme Court Justice Change Political Parties?  Will Justice Luckert’s husband’s political contributions ever cause a conflict of interest for her?
• Dec 4:  Why all the secrecy in the Kansas Supreme Court? Will Phill Kline survive a legal/political battle with the Supreme Court in a secret case?
• Aug 7:  Governor Sebelius Rewards $13,700 Democratic Donor with Johnson County District Judgeship
• April 7:  Governor Sebelius appoints one of George Tiller’s Attorneys, Dan Monnat, to Kansas Sentencing Commission. Why?
• April 4:  Reno County Republicans miffed by Governor Sebelius’ Appointment of Magistrate Judge.  Kansas Judicial Nominating Process Flawed by Huge Political Money?

Former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius' appointments to the Kansas Courts will leave a mark for years

2006

• Aug 13:  Sebelius Replaces Appointee to Supreme Court Nominating Commission After 42 Days
• Aug 5:  Sebelius appoints former PAC Chair of “Republicans for Sebelius” to District Judge
• July 3:  Sebelius appoints wife of “dean of Ellis County Democratic politics”  to Supreme Court Nominating Commission.  Is Sebelius Concerned about Qualified Justices on the Kansas Supreme Court?
• July 3:  Political Profile of Members of the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission: 6 Democrats, 2 Republicans, 1 Republican for Moore
• April 21:  Kansas Supreme Court Justice Nuss makes “suitable” decision to recuse himself

2005

• Sept 21:  Karl Peterjohn: Judicial Abuse Authorized in Kansas
• Sept 10:  Kansas Supreme Court Discovers Education as “Fundamental Right”
• July 22:  Sebelius continues packing Kansas Supreme Court with Democrats:  5 Democrats Vs. 2 Republicans when Kansas has only 27% Democrats!
• July 2:  Kansas Supreme Court to Close Kansas Schools?
• 

  Sign at Capitol rally in 2005 when Supreme Court was deciding school spending

  June 18:  Kansas Constitutional Crisis?  Kansas Supreme Court Usurps Power of Legislature?  Kansas needs “Suitable” Supreme Court now?

• March 25:  Does Kansas Supreme Court Reflect Kansas Political Values?  4 Democrats Vs 3 Republicans
• Jan 4:  Did $750 to Sebelius help get Six the Seventh?

2003

• Nov 1:  Judge rules in Sebelius’ favor  but doesn’t disclose his wife’s contributions to Sebelius?

Think and Ink: Illegal Immigration Poker

Think and Ink:  Illegal Immigration Poker

• Mexican President Felipe Calderon: Illegal Immigrants in U.S.
• Constitution
• Rule of Law
• Gov. Jan Brewer:  Arizona Law
• President Barack Obama:  Justice Dept. Lawsuit
• Democrat Voter Registration Drive
• How could the stakes be higher?

Copyright 2010, Think and Ink, O’Hara and Hoit. Contact: Charlotte O’Hara.

• Illegal Immigration Rally: Kris Kobach and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Kansas Watchdog, July 14, 2010.
• Senate Bill 1070, Arizona Senate

I saw no one explain how the batteries in electric delivery trucks could be reliably charged only using green energy sources.  Won’t we need coal or nuclear power to charge those batteries?  How is that really “green”?

The $32 million government stimulus grant to Smith Electric in North Kansas City supports a plant that recently hired its  50th employee. That’s a lot of money for not many “green” jobs.

While the events in downtown Kansas City were not open to the public, many on the streets tried to see the President.

Line for Folly Theater fund raising event wrapped around 12th St to Broadway Blvd to 11th St

Only a few protesters were seen to greet President Obama

Someone in the crowd asked why anyone would come to see the President.  I turned on my video camera and asked for his explanation.

The unidentified man was a homeless person.  He did not want to appear on camera, and was upset with the President for the lack of  jobs and the need for more food for homeless shelters.

Some standing near 11th St & Broadway Blvd said they saw President Obama through the car windows

A small crowd formed across from the Folly Theater at Barney Allis Plaza, including one preacher at the far left in the picture

One woman's political commentary

After negotiations with police, Dr. Milton Wolf (in blue shirt), President Obama's cousin, talks with other officials to meet his relative. Reportedly a family picture was taken. The conversation must have been very interesting given Dr. Wolf's comments about Obamacare on national TV and a local Tea Party.

A mom going to the library stopped by to see the President's visit and asked the police if they would let her boys look at their equipment.

A crowd formed near 11th St and Broadway Blvd to watch the President's departure. How did I get past this police line?

Police escort for motorcade

President Obama departs Kansas City to many cheers from the crowd

efg

Kansas Senator Julia Lynn (R-Olathe) in the Lenexa Parade on Saturday: "I jump through hoops for you in Topeka!"

Nice Deb wrote about the Kansas City “Proud to be an American” Tea Party held on July 3 along state line.

Watchdogs on State Issues

• Kansas:
  • Today We Celebrate: The Declaration of Independence
  • Three congressional candidates cannot vote for themselves
  • 42% attorney response in Supreme Court Nominating Commission election
  • Starting point for next round of FEC candidate reports
• New Hamsphire:
  • JFK reading the Declaration of Independence
  • NH broadband gets $44.4m stimulus boost

  Virginia:  Who’s who among Virginia political donors

Kansas Government

• Wichita KAKE:  Statewide Ban On Texting While Driving Takes Effect

Kansas Economy/Budget/Taxes

• Kansas Reporter:
  • Kansas: beating U.S. unemployment trends?
  • Kansas, Midwest economic growth slows in June
• Wichita Biz:  Hawker sends out 130 layoff notices
• KC KCTV:  KC Economist Expects Unemployment To Stay High

Kansas Schools

• WE Blog:  School funds late — so what else is new?
• Topeka C-J:  KU students question how special tuition is spent
• Hutchinson:  Higher sales tax, other “fixes” won’t take Kansas education off budget hook
• KCK:  Lane officially becomes KCK superintendent

Kansas Campaign 2010

• McPherson Prairie Politics:  Candidate voting records
• Wichita Liberty:  Holland/Kultala ticket endorsed by Kansas Governor Parkinson
• Breitbart:  Kansas race shows earmarks are tricky business
• Wichita Eagle:  Kris Kobach: Voter fraud a real problem
• Hutchinson:  Politicians’ parade style is on display

Across the State

Blogs

• Wichita Liberty:  Kansas sales tax increase starts today
• KFL:  Citizen group free speech upheld by Court governing Kansas

News

• Hays:  KCC approves power line through area
• Hutchinson:  Kansas City, Kan., hires new police chief
• KCK:  FDIC employee sentenced for leaking information
• KC Biz:  Lenexa woman Wootton gets probation for leaking FDIC data
• KC Star:  Johnson County Commission gives OK to purchase land for new library
• KC KCTV:  Cuts Could Affect Programs For Mentally Disabled Children
• Salina:  Day camps to focus on rocketry and science
• Topeka C-J:  KSU to host constitution workshop
• Wichita Eagle:  Public comment open on proposed power plant in Finney Co

Watchdogs on State Issues

• Kansas:
  • Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Outlook for Public Education in Kansas
  • Can the Government Tell You What to Eat?
  • Judge Temporarily Halts Smoking Ban, for Some
• Michigan Capitol Confidential:
  • What is Your Share of Government Debt?
  • The Unstable Funding Myth
• West Virginia:  Effort to Appoint Byrd Replacement Turning Into Game of Clue
• Evergreen Freedom Foundation:  Not enough money for public schools?

Kansas Government

• Kansas Reporter:
  • Business owners ask judge to block smoking ban
  • State Finance Council approves borrowing $700 million
  • State revenue much lower than expected
• Emporia:  New laws taking effect
• Lawrence J-W:  Ethics complaint against Kansas congressional candidate dropped
• Wichita KAKE:  Judge Refuses To Quash Kansas Court Fraud Evidence
• KC Star:  Kansas’ new seat belt law won’t cost violators much more than a Big Mac

Kansas Economy/Budget/Taxes

• Garden City:  Good protein in Kansas wheat eases market fears

Kansas Schools/Education

• Lawrence J-W:
  • Kansas Board of Regents announces new chairman
  • KU School of Business changes oversight procedures for special tuition program
  • Baker University plans 5.5 percent hike in tuition for 2010-2011
• WE Blog:  School districts could take another funding hit
• Topeka C-J:
  • Kansas Board of Regents hands out stimulus aid [Taxes on future generations to pay for this?]
  • Seaman USD 345 discusses budget
• Hutchinson:  Hutch district eyes possible staff reductions
• Garden City: GCCC president to step down
• Sun Publications (JoCo):  Schools for Fair Funding files notice of lawsuit, local schools remain uninvolved
• Shawnee Dispatch:  Shawnee Mission USD 512 renews contract for lobbyist

Kansas Campaign 2010

• Kansas Watchdog:  Kansas Secretary of State Candidates in Republican Primary
• Wichita Liberty:
  • Few vote in primary elections
  • Kansas Chamber makes legislative endorsements
• KNEA:  Kansas NEA announces pro-public school funding candidates
• KDP Kansas Matters:  Lisa Johnston, U.S. Senate Candidate, Surges Ahead in Primary Voter Poll
• Politico:  Florida tax man cometh for Hartman
• KC KCTV:  KCTV5 Poll: Moran, Brownback Way Ahead In Primary
• Micheal Mahoney:  Hannity For Tiahrt
• State of the State KS:  Schodorf Says Pompeo’s Attempt To Limit Access To Debates Takes Democracy Away From Citizens
• Wichitopekington:
  • Kansas Chamber endorses legislative candidates
  • Hartman, Schodorf denounce debate exclusion proposal by Pompeo campaign

Across the State

Blogs

• Wichita Liberty:
  • Earmarks and Kansas elections
  • Kansas ‘pigs at the trough’ award goes to …
• KFL:  Lying about abortion: Kagan, FDA and British ObGyns

• Cattle Network:  Cattle Attacked In Johnson County, Kansas

News

• Lawrence J-W:  Census statistics
• Pittsburg (KOAM):  Tattoo shop shut down for operating without a license in Riverton, Kansas
• Topeka C-J:  Wichita water supply lines reach limit
• Wichita Eagle:  Koch official named to Fed advisory council

Watchdogs on State Issues

• Kansas:
  • Republican A.G. Candidates Give Views at Olathe Picnic
  • Info about Ethics Commission meeting not found by attending
  • Financial disclosure statements for Kansans running for Congress
  • JCCC President Responds to Kathy Brown
• Nebraska:  Big Oil Has Pipeline into Nebraska Campaigns
• Michigan Capitol Confidential:  Private Contractors Pilloried at School Union Rally
• National:  Claims of ‘balanced’ state budgets are lies

Kansas Government

• Hutchinson:  Governor has made his mark

Kansas Economy/Budget/Taxes

• Kansas Reporter:  Sales tax will add expenses for families
• KC Biz:
  • Kansas, Missouri mass layoffs rise amid national decline
  • KC Fed: District manufacturers see June slowdown
• Wichita Eagle:  Mass layoffs in Kansas rise in May
• KC Star:  Stimulus funds:  $1 million grant targets ground-level ozone [Remember:  Stimulus funds will be taxes on future generations.]
• Fort Scott:  Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation awarded grant

Kansas Schools/Education

• Lawrence J-W:  Kansas Board of Regents elect new chairman, other leaders
• KC Star: 
  • Kansas regents approve tuition increases
  • New superintendent in Olathe to earn $220,000
• Wichitopekington:  Kansas universities get more expensive: Regents approve tuition hikes
• Fort Scott:  Pittsburg State fee increases approved
• Pittsburg CollegiOnline:  Pay raise to bring classified staff on par with market

Kansas Campaign 2010

• Hutchinson:  Secretary of State rivals take off gloves
• Wichita KSN:  Controversy brewing in Kansas 4th congressional district
• Liberal:  Candidates talk issues
• Wichitopekington:  Kobach’s offer to defend Freemont, Neb.’s illegal immigration ordinance for free is rebuffed

Across the State

Blogs

• Wichita Liberty:  For Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris, raising taxes is responsible
• KFL:
  • Big win in court & labs for non-embryonic stem cell research
  • House rams passage of act muzzling Pro-Lifers, Tea Party

• Cattle Network:  OSHA Probes Deadly Kansas Elevator Collapse

News

• Hutchinson:  Supreme Court ruling could affect trial of former Westar execs
• KC Star:  How the financial overhaul affects you
• KC KCTV:  Leawood Treasurer Given Year To Pay Back Money To Mo. City
• Lawrence J-W:  Editorial:  Athletic oversight
• Newton:  Newton eyed for domestic violence study
• Wichita KFDI:  Mountain lion in Kansas

Capitol construction in mid-90 degree heat on Tuesday

Watchdogs on State Issues

• Kansas:
  • Sean Tevis announces congressional run and hints about American Nations project
  • Business Owners Ask Kansas Courts to Stop Smoking Ban
• Nebraska:  Fremont OK’s “Anti-Illegal” Law, Courts to Get Final Say
• Mackinac Center:
  • Kelo Decision Five Years Ago Today
  • Michigan’s Borrow-and-Spend Politicians Eye Kids’ Piggybanks
• Michigan Capitol Connection:  Analysis: Nominees for Top 5 Worst Government Services
• New Hampshire:
  • New Hampshire puts Monthly Spending Reports Online
  • Selling state property a tricky task

Kansas Government

• Kansas Reporter:  Kansas’ top bank regulator moves to industry job
• Wichita Biz:  Stork to serve as acting Kansas Bank Commissioner

Kansas Economy/Budget/Taxes

• Kansas Reporter:  Budget cuts hit small towns harder, KC Fed reports
• Wichitopekington:  Dire city budget includes outsourcing, layoffs and (maybe) franchised trash
• Hutch News:  2011 budget picture grim for city
• KC Star:  Johnson County economy still on the mend
• KC Biz:  Kansas City International Airport gains traffic on fewer seats

Kansas Schools

• Kansas Reporter:  Researchers debate number of student dropouts
• Lawrence J-W:  District, teachers agree to contract
• Hutchinson:
  • Interim chief has USD 308 ties
  • Schools hit with change in special ed funding
• Wichita Eagle:  Parkinson appoints 2 to Washburn Board of Regents

Kansas Campaign 2010

• Wichita Eagle:  Can’t have it both ways on spending
• Emporia:  City voting precincts consolidated
• Wichita Liberty:  Club for Growth gives slight nod to Tiahrt over Moran
• Lawrence J-W:  Haley picks up endorsement in U.S. Senate race
• McPherson Prairie Politics:
  • Huelskamp puts out new ad
  • Heffington and the CIA
  • Holland campaign implies Brownback doesn’t believe in equality between the sexes

Across the State

Blogs

• KFL:  Planned Parenthood accounting offbase, ex-director to speak
• KRA Blog:  Renegade “KRA” ordered to “cease and desist” using RNC name, lead by self-admitted domestic violence offender
• Cattle Network:  Low Prices Put Damper On Kansas Wheat Harvest

• WE Blog:  Liberal anguish is bizarre
• Kansas Matters (KDP):  Elections Need Public Money

News

• Kansas Reporter:  Small airports to receive funds
• Emporia:  A ‘pure Kansas night’
• Hutchinson:
  • Obama nominee fit eager tourist into hectic schedule
  • Report: 10 percent of Kansas wheat now harvested
• KC Star:  Overland Park man convicted of bankruptcy fraud
• Lawrence J-W:  Four Wichita business owners seek to have Kansas’ new smoking ban deemed unconstitutional
• Topeka KSNT:  Abilene Reflector-Chronicle drops Saturday edition

Watchdogs on State Issues

• Kansas:
  • Questions about new 527 PACs, $25,000 loan unanswered. Groups support Supreme Justice Beier?
  • Schools for Fair Funding’s “Notice of Claims”
• Nebraska:  Video: Early Voting Strong in Nebraska Fight Over Illegal Immigration
• New Mexico:  Albuquerque Journal Sues Gov. Bill Richardson For Withholding Public Records
• Virginia:  Lobbyist reporting in Virginia riddled with loopholes
• Michigan Capitol Confidential:  Traverse City Teacher Contract: Summary and Analysis

Kansas Economy/Budget/Taxes

• Kansas Budget Watch:  Next Kan. budget depends on extra federal funds
• Hutch News:  Kan. budget may be dealt funding blow
• Topeka C-J:
  • Employment rate remains same
  • Heavy rains damage crops
  • Impasse threatens state budget
• Lawrence J-W:  Flat salaries for public employees
• Topeka WIBW:  Kansas Unemployment Stays At 6.3 Percent In May
• KC Star:  Olathe Chamber of Commerce planning for 2011 budget reduction

Kansas Schools

• Wichita Eagle:  Kan. receiving nearly $27M in federal ed funds
• Lawrence J-W:  School board proposes freezing teacher pay for 2010-2011
• Topeka C-J:  USD 501 hires back teachers

Kansas Campaign 2010

• Dodge City:  80th District gets another candidate
• Wichita Liberty: 
  • Hartman state tax issue still a little bit murky
  • Kansas fourth district Congressional candidate forum
  • In Kansas, some campaigns for Congress face charges of hypocrisy
  • Kansas restrictive neighborhood covenants don’t apply to political yard signs
• Lawrence J-W:  Gubernatorial candidate Holland tells Kansas Chamber of Commerce he’s not interested in their support
• Dome on the Range:  Holland tells Kansas Chamber “Thanks, but no thanks”
• Topeka C-J:
  • Voter registration notices sent
  • House races offer rare chance
  • Moran cleared in ethics probe
• McPherson Prairie Politics:
  • Kobach wades into Nebraska immigration fight
  • Huelskamp attacks Mann ad/slogan
  • Huelskamp picks up Kansas CWA president’s endorsement
  • Mann goes up on TV
• Abilene:  Seadeek seeks District 68 seat
• Shawnee:  Kobach takes floor at scheduled candidate forum

Across the State

Blogs

• Cattle Network:  Bringing Vets To Rural Kansas

• Climate + Energy Project:  FERC approves SPP highway/ byway cost allocation plan for high voltage transmission lines
• Kansas Grassroots Consulting:  Clean Air Kansas featured in Health Affairs blog

News

• Ark City:  Cowley County Commission addresses degradation of roads
• Garden City:  Williams busy in role as new Lane County sheriff
• Hutchinson:
  • Judge gives small claims court tips
  • Kan. high court reverses ruling of contempt
  • One of state’s largest cities celebrates 50th
• KC Star:  Attendance drops 10 percent after Deanna Rose farmstead begins charging admission
• Lawrence J-W:
  • Federal decision should help develop wind energy industry in Kansas
  • Kansas spends nearly $650,000 tracking down college students for census
  • New solar panels to heat water at Douglas County Jail
• Topeka C-J:
  • Court finds for public defender
  • KU newspaper, TV merging
• Topeka WIBW:  Gun Owners React To Topeka City Council’s Vote On Open Carry
• Wichita Eagle:
  • Federal government OKs payment plan for wind power lines
  • JCCC will no longer sponsor Texas trip by Latino students
• Winfield:  Harvesters finally get in wheat fields