Governor Brownback gets spanked--and other notes from a Sunday paper

Yes, you read correctly--Governor Sam Brownback got spanked--figuratively, anyway--in print today in the Star on the op/ed page and by a "girl". By "girl" I mean by one Prairie Village local and international opera star--yes, really--Joyce DiDonato. It's a great article, too. As you can imagine, Ms. DiDonato doesn't think Kansas being the only state in the Union with no Arts Commission was or is a good idea and she rather lets Mr. "Right-wing/slash the budget 'cuz I'm running for the presidency" Brownback have it. Good on her. You can read it here: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/18/2959552/a-future-without-limits-begins.html#storylink=misearch Second note: It's sad to see all the Bishop Finn apologists/sycophants/enablers on the front page of the Star today. It's sad that there are any at all. Fortunately, there were only approximately 75 by the Star's estimate, though the picture showed far fewer than that number. Finally here today, the Department of Defense reported that 17 more American Soldiers died in our Iraq and Afghanistan wars this week, covering what was also in the Star a few days ago, that one local man, Jeremy Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake was also killed: A 26-year-old Northland soldier died Tuesday in combat in Afghanistan, leaving behind a wife and a young son. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Andrew Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake was an Army Ranger and a graduate of Park Hill High School. “Staff Sgt. Katzenberger was a phenomenal Ranger who died while leading his men in an assault against our enemies,” said Col. Michael Foster, a commander in Katzenberger’s 75th Ranger Regiment, in a release. “He died while protecting our nation and we will not forget his sacrifice.” Weatherby Lake Mayor Jerry Bos said he ordered the town’s flags to half-staff as locals mourned the death. “Everybody’s just kind of in shock,” Bos said. Katzenberger leaves behind a wife, Colleen A. (Montgomery) Katzenberger, and a 7-month-old son, Everett James, of Richmond Hill, Ga.; parents Robert and Peggy Katzenberger of Weatherby Lake; and three brothers, two of whom are also serving in the armed forces. Also killed was Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, Mo.who died June 8 in An Najaf province, Iraq when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. Additonally, it was reported out of Topeka that "A sixth Fort Riley soldier has died as a result of a June 6 incident in Iraq, making it the single deadliest attack on a unit from the post since the war started more than eight years ago." "The Department of Defense said Saturday that Spc. Marcos A. Cintron, 32, of Orlando, Fla., died Thursday in a hospital in Boston where the 1st Infantry Division soldier was being treated for his wounds." In the meantime, it was reported earlier this week that we've lost a total of 4,460 American Soldiers in Iraq since the beginning of that war. (See link below). I ask again, when will we ever learn? Links: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/16/2955672/northland-soldier-jeremy-katzenberger.html#storylink=misearch http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/14/2949472/us-military-deaths-in-iraq-war.html#storylink=misearch http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm