Behind the headlines
The old curmudgeon, disabled veteran, editor emeritus, and frequent visitor to the coffee shop continues having ideas to share — thoughts behind the headlines that never made it into print, until now.
Our World War II organization comprised of combat veterans continues to have reunions, as the ranks thin. A few years ago they couldn't consider a hotel with banquet room seating fewer than 1,200. Today they look for locations that'll accommodate 500. Next year it'll be less. Perhaps they eventually can come to Wichita. That'd be handy.
In the meantime the 99th Infantry is going to Biloxi, San Antonio, and considering places like Buffalo and Montreal. Somebody said 99th Infantry veterans won't go out of the country. Well, they did once, their meeting place was in foxholes across Europe.
Our politicos are at it again in Topeka, wondering whether or not to raise your property and sales taxes. Colorado has approved a measure which keeps the government from raising taxes without a vote of the public. That makes sense. The answer is to lower spending, not increase taxes. Kansas government spending has increased 1,119 percent during the past 30 years while workers' wages have gone up 348 percent.
The destination-based collection of sales tax continues to be debated. It has passed the Legislature, however implementation is delayed. Otherwise the state would be in chaos. Readers who are not aware should get informed on this issue which could be devastating to retail businesses in its present form. The only answer, we believe, would be to eliminate all local sales taxes and raise the state tax in order to rebate municipalities and counties on an alternate and equitable basis. But, you who are old enough for senior discounts at the grocery on Wednesday surely recall when we Kansans voted to repeal our Constitution that called for "fair and equal" appraisal of property. And you can see what we got.
It's like the guy who solicited a prostitute, offering $5. She was insulted, saying her price was $50, and walked away in a huff. About that time his wife returned from the restroom and joined him as they walked outside. The "lady of the street" saw them and hollered to the man, "See what you get for $5."
What's wrong? One wonders. House Bill 2889 has been endorsed by major newspapers and some of the smaller ones (like this). It is a compromise, agreement, of the Open Meetings laws and would be good for Kansas. The House passed it 123 to 2. The Senate won't act. At last look it continued to be stalled in the Judiciary Committee (where it never should have been in the first place). What's going on, or, what's not going on? Behind the headlines: The compromise calls for opening some records that the Senate Judiciary Committee wants to keep secret. It's the same old story.
A news story in a major publication compared America's most patriotic songs. "America," based on "God Save The Queen" and Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," were the most popular songs among those who mourned the 9-11 tragedy. Both songs make reference to God. Congress didn't object.
Our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," is the song Americans can't sing (the high notes) but brings goose bumps to arms and runs a chill up the spinal chord.
"America the Beautiful" is inspiring. The words and music are meaningful. It should be designated as our National Hymn.
But Berlin's "God Bless America" is the song of the people. When crowds gather for a cause they invariably break into the lyrics and tune of Berlin's masterpiece. Did you know that he wrote it for Kate Smith and donated all proceeds of the copyrighted song to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America?
"God Bless America" is a stirring, meaningful, and patriotic song. And we of limited vocal ability can sing it.
— BILL MEYER
