The Wichita Eagle editorial board wants higher taxes. Relying on its data and arguments will lead citizens to misinformed and uninformed opinions. In a recent op-ed, the Wichita Eagle editorial board writes: "From the moment the budget was first proposed in July, city leaders made a point of emphasizing the city’s mill levy -- the rate by which property is taxed -- hasn’t been increased in 25 years. The 25-year figure wasn’t followed by exclamation points of pride or emojis of sadness. It’s just a fact: For one reason or another, the city’s mill levy hasn’t been increased." [1. Wichita…
Another nonsensical editorial from the Wichita Eagle. This is contained in an editorial urging Sedgwick County government to "stop messing" with the zoo.[1. Holman, Rhonda. Stop messing with Sedgwick County Zoo. Wichita Eagle, July 20, 2016. Available at www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/article90624332.html.] Nor is there any justification for a “non-disparagement clause” in the proposed operating agreement about the zoo director’s public statements, including a prohibition against doing anything to bring the county or society “unwanted or unfavorable publicity.” Even if the county is right -- and the society wrong -- about the constitutionality of such a gag rule on a public employee, it’s…
An event in Wichita that made national headlines has so far turned out to be not the story news media enthusiastically promoted. When two Wichita State University students -- one a Muslim and also a student leader -- reported they were victims of a hate crime, national news media took up the story. A Washington Post headline read "'Trump! Trump! Trump!' attacker allegedly yelled as he beat Hispanic man, Muslim student." USA Today headlined with "Muslim student claims attacker yelled 'Trump, Trump!'' From the Wichita Eagle: "A Muslim student at Wichita State University says he and a Hispanic friend, who…
If you've ever wondered when is the time to start ignoring Wichita Eagle editorial cartoonist Richard Crowson, perhaps the time is now. Here's what Lawrence Reed had to say on the topic of this cartoon: "The fact is, one can scour the Scriptures with a fine-tooth comb and find nary a word from Jesus that endorses the forcible redistribution of wealth by political authorities. None, period." For more from Reed on this topic, see his essay Rendering Unto Caesar: Was Jesus a Socialist?
The Wichita Eagle shows how its adherence to ideology misinforms Kansans and limits their exposure to practical solutions for governance. In an op-ed posted the day before election day, the editorial board of the Wichita Eagle wrote of the problems it believes the next Kansas governor will face: The candidates vying to be Kansas governor have lofty-sounding goals and campaign promises. But here’s the grim reality: Whoever wins Tuesday will spend the next several years trying to fill a budget hole. And that hole keeps growing deeper. ("Budget hole awaits winner," November 3, 2014) The state has to make changes.…
A recent Wichita Eagle editorial penned by Rhonda Holman took Governor Sam Brownback to task for a mistake made in reporting Kansas spending numbers. (Eagle editorial: Brownback ’s numbers are suspect.) Specifically, Holman wrote: What’s going on here is clear: Brownback is embracing and repeating numbers that help promote his agenda, including what he sees as the need to push back against a court order for more state funding of public schools. But Kansans need to trust that what they hear from their governor, especially again and again, is rooted in truth, not cherry-picked, spun or flat wrong. So let's…
A Vince Corbett of Wichita makes the case for riding an electric bicycle to work instead of driving a car. ("Biking saves," August 30, 2009 Wichita Eagle) Unfortunately, the letter contains a mistaken fact and an unreasonable assumption. To make his case, he outlines a commuting trip that someone might make: " ... from 29th Street North and Woodlawn to Douglas and Main to work and to return -- a distance of about 32 miles ..." Google maps reports the one-way distance between these two intersections as 7.7 miles. Bing maps found a shorter route at 7.2 miles. Mr. Corbett's…
Detail of Wichita Eagle building on East Douglas. (For a larger version, click on the photo, then click on "All sizes.") The Wichita Eagle building is saying something to me, but I can't quite figure out what. In a series of four tiles facing Douglas Avenue, it appears that the history of mass communications is described. But I'm not sure of the precise meaning of each diagram. Can someone help?
Sometimes the Wichita Eagle Opinion Line makes me wonder. Here's something from today's collection: "Wanda Sykes should be given a $400 million contract and radio airtime opposite Rush Limbaugh. Let the free market and capitalism work, and we'll see which one America really supports." The writer wants the free market to work. At the same time, the writer seems to be saying that someone should give the subject Wanda Sykes $400 million. (I think that's the same amount as Limbaugh's recent contract.) Where I think this writer is confused is that Limbaugh was not given anything. He earns his pay,…
Some comment-writers to this blog make very good points that deserve more visibility. This is the case with the following comment left anonymously to the post In Wichita, let’s disclose everything. I mean everything. It looks like Wichita Liberty has broken another unreported story and has exposed the fact that a portion of the Wichita Eagle’s editorial board operates under a pen name. Perhaps "Ms. Holman's" editorials should be placed next to the equally anonymous opinion line comments. I must note that the anonymous comments appearing in the Eagle are usually much more pointed than the signed editorial commentary. I…
