The Emporia Gazette

Walking out

Well, it teaches history, communications, a bit of courage, and that the First Amendment isn't just a piece of paper. For some of them, it teaches their heritage and what their ancestors had to go through to be accepted as citizens. And it gives them hope that they can make a difference, just as the original Movement did. Frankly, I consider it time well-spent and a very useful lesson.

May 5, 2010 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Attacking comments

As some have pointed out, this is a privately-owned newspaper and a privately-owned Web site. That means the owners can allow just about whomever and whatever they want on it. Frankly, I think they've been pretty tolerant up to now.

Many online forums have a moderator who has the power to "lock" a thread that's gone off topic or become toxic. I don't see that as unreasonable here.

December 10, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Nobel Prize

Wish I could say otherwise, but the belief that polar bears are at an all-time high is a myth. *One* variety of polar bear is on the increase. A quote from a site on the issue:

"At the most recent meeting of the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group (held in Copenhagen in 2009), the world's leading polar bear scientists reported that of the 19 subpopulations of polar bears, eight were declining, three were stable, one was increasing, and seven had insufficient data to make a determination. "

It's also been determined that, if present climate trends continue, two-thirds of the polar bear population could be gone by 2050. So even if things are better than they seem now (of which I'm not convinced), they're not going to stay that way.

October 22, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Friday Thoughts

You know what they say, Chris. Those who fail to pay attention in History are condemned to repeat it ... and math, and science, and English. Good luck!

October 9, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

A travesty

Those visiting this letter first should note that The Gazette did consider John Mallon -- and that Mallon turned the newspaper down. The details can be found at http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...

August 26, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Friday Thoughts

Not just France, either -- rabbit is popular in both England and Germany (ever hear of hassenfeffer?). I'll be curious to see what Dr. Haught says; knowing him, it'll probably be suitably tongue-in-cheek.

August 14, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Biodiesel plant announces proposed consolidation

Is it just me or is this starting to sound like the Ingenium project?

May 13, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Turn on your lights

Good advice, everyone, but I'll just add one thing -- remember to use your low beams. In rain, fog and snow, high beams can blind the driver.

September 23, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Friday Thoughts

It never fails, does it? But don't forget that there's a former Gazette employee that now runs a gymnastics studio. Do you think David would give you a discount for bringing all three kids?

August 15, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Losing on the right

"Aren't newspapers supposed to be unbiased ...?"

Only in the news coverage. In the editorial columns, it's expected that a newspaper will take a side. That's what the editorials are for.

On the "bible literalist beaten by a woman" comment: yes, i thought that was a little out of line. Some literalists would be embarrassed by it, others wouldn't. With Ryun, there's no way to know.

The overall tenor of the piece seems reasonable, though. Put simply, it says that moderate Republicans may be gaining strength, but that the conservatives aren't out of the game yet. That's a little different in Kansas, but it's hardly "The Communist Manifesto."

August 7, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )