Archive By Section - Viewpoint
Right to keep and bear arms
When the framers of our constitution constructed the Bill of Rights, they did so with the gravity and attentiveness it deserved. These "limitations" to government were to protect the natural rights of property and (most importantly) liberty of American citizens.
Cuts to Ethics Commission bad idea
Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed cutting the Kansas Ethics committee budget by 9.3 percent, or about $65,000 thus eliminating one audit position.
Living the dream
Inauguration day, which is usually Jan. 20, has been moved to Monday because it falls on a Sunday. That means the second inauguration of President Barack Obama will coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Mending the net
Gov. Sam Brownback announced Thursday that his administration will spend another $10 million on mental health care. His decision was reportedly prompted by the mass murders in December at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where 26 students and teachers died.
Saving water Drought conditions change watering habits
In Florida, recently, a family has been growing a vegetable garden in the front yard. It is generating some controversy as the city of Orlando wants the homeowner to pull up the micro-irrigated 25 by 25 foot plot. The condition of the garden is well kept, but it is against city code.
Shrinkage
While Congress was trying to ease the pain of the so-called fiscal cliff, Representatives were apparently throwing their constituents under the bus.
Adopt-A-Dog If affordable for the family
A new program has begun to encourage local families to Adopt-A-Dog. It's a great program.
Bill of Rights
In a novel by Umberto Eco, a character comments on the long list of rules imposed on the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages. "From prohibitions you can tell what people normally do. It's a way of drawing a picture of daily life."
Gun control is a matter of common sense
Part of the lethality of a gun is determined by the person behind it. However, the rules governing gun control are too loose and new legislation, screening and registration are needed.
It's the End
If you're reading this, the world isn't over. But, anyone who believes the world will end today – because of "predictions" in the ancient Mayan calendar – must not be expecting to receive the next Great Bend Tribune on Sunday. Either an asteroid, or aliens, or maybe a supernova, are scheduled to bring on our destruction by midnight, or by 2018 if you factor in all of the leap years that the ancient calendar missed. ...
Debt Armageddon
On Jan. 1, our taxes will go up, the budget will be cut and the U.S. economy, we are told, will go over a financial cliff. On Dec. 21, we are told, the world's longest calendar will come to an end ... and so, some believe, will mankind. It's too bad that our lawmakers have turned balancing the budget into a Beltway version of Armageddon rhetoric. Worst-case scenario, Congress will do nothing and our trillion-dollar ...
Pearl Harbor
Seventy-one years ago today, a surprise military attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, rocked our world. Twenty-four hundred people lost their lives. Americans who had resisted entering World War II were now taking the global strife personally.
Some new taxes are good
Near the end of 2008, the stock market had crashed at a record pace, gas was fluctuating at around $4 per gallon, the big banks were in serious trouble, the housing market crashed, and the auto industry was tanking.
Papers, please
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said Thursday there were no problems with the state's photo ID requirement to vote during the Nov. 6 general election.
Black Friday: Don't forget Thanksgiving
It's Black Friday, the official opening of Shopping Season, perhaps the biggest day of the year for retail sales. The countdown to Christmas begins today, and for many people the spending scoreboard has begun to tick off the days while adding up the gifts.
Articles by Section - Viewpoint
Ironic freedom
On Thursday, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that establishes "Celebrate Freedom Week" during the week of Sept. 17 and requires schools to teach students about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence in grades K-8 each year during that week. (Sept. 17, 1787, is the date the U.S. Constitution was adopted in Philadelphia.)
Copper recycling
Copper recycling can be a good thing coming out of old air conditioning or plumbing during replacement. Copper is a non-renewable resource, and apparently recycled copper is worth nearly as much as new copper.
Lack of supervision is cause for concern
Perhaps a Congressional inquiry about the Internal Revenue Service providing extra scrutiny targeting political groups should not be a surprise.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is a founding principle of our country. Freedom of speech also comes with responsibility.
Cool/Not Cool
The Imagination Playground is coming to Great Bend and will make its public debut during June Jaunt. The portable playground is a set of oversized blocks, lightweight but sturdy enough to build with. They were designed by award-winning architect David Rockwell, who was inspired by watching his own children play.
Time to grow up
Challenges. All of us have them. And, it is easy to sit around and point fingers and blame others for our failures. It is easy to throw out exaggerated or incorrect information and hope people will listen and take up our cause because of the passion behind our words. It is easy to become caught up in distracting and destructive banter. It is easy to become a fool.
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