Governor Sebelius, Joel Osteen on Line 1......
On May 9, Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann wrote an article in the archdiocesan newspaper, The Leaven, condemning Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius’s stand on abortion. In particular, it was her veto of the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act bill (HS SB 389). In a nutshell, he urged her to re-think her Catholic position and to refrain from taking communion until she had, among other things, apologized. From there, the story spread like wildfire for awhile. I refrained from making comments on this story because I found it disgusting. Now that it has been a couple of months, let me make a comment.
Archbishop Naumann presents some interesting comments. A primary comment worth noting is that the Catholic Church must now do a background check on all their members. If you pass the background check (no known political comments that run askew with the beliefs of the Catholic church, no murders, thievery, or general criminal mischief and mayhem), you get to fall into the “I get a communion” line. If you have ever sinned, made comments, killed, stole, or otherwise, you fall into the “I’m not worthy of a communion” line. Unfortunately, according to Naumann, our dear governor must now fall into the second category unless she apologizes and does a list of other things I grew bored of reading.
The second comment worth noting has to do with a politician’s outlook on being a politician. There are two types of philosophical beliefs attributed to politicians:
Road #1: Politicians who always make decisions that run parallel with the beliefs of the majority of the citizens they represent. If the majority of their constituents have a pro-choice stand, then it is the responsibility of the elected official to abide by these wishes. If these views or beliefs are not the same as those of the elected official, and, in fact, they may be in misalignment with their religious upbringing, then too bad. That was not what they were elected to do. That is why we have separation of church and state. I think Governor Sebelius passed this test. Oh, and by the way, the majority are not always those that yell and scream the loudest. In fact, those that yell and scream the loudest tend to be in the minority.
Road #2: Politicians who follow their own set of religious or ideological beliefs, no matter what their constituents want. I would call this the bad road. That is why electing governors like Mike Huckabee is not necessarily good, or anyone else that is a former minister or pastor or archbishop. They can’t separate their ideologies from what their constituents want.
So, Archbishop Naumann, I think Governor Sebelius did the right thing. Instead of celebrating her success, you choose to condemn her and revoke her communion. That’s okay, though. Maybe it’s time that Governor Sebelius look for a less judgmental church. I’ll put in the call to Joel Osteen. I’ll bet he would jump at the chance to give our wonderful governor communion, plus an uplifting sermon that would make her feel better about herself!
Ghost Town Etiquette
I received a nice email from a current resident of Neosho Falls. Neosho Falls is listed as one of the Top Ten Kansas ghost towns in my article. When I first visited Neosho Falls in 1978, the deserted main street had buildings that were literally full of old furniture, decaying antiques, you name it. It was as if everyone got up and walked away fifty years ago, leaving all their belongings to rot on the store shelves. I took a lot of pictures and interest in Neosho Falls remains immense. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to just take pictures. Over the years, nearly everything has been removed. Some items that I thought were too heavy were removed.
The Neosho Falls example is not an isolated one. Nearly every ghost town I’ve documented has witnessed thievery or general destruction. I didn’t think I would have to write this, but please respect property. I write about these places because I want everyone to experience what I experienced. If you take everything, it is not only illegal but ruins the experience for everyone else. Some ghost town residents have not been as nice as the person who wrote me from Neosho Falls. I’ve been cursed and almost threatened at gunpoint by residents who claim to be harassed by undesirable visitors. Two other towns, Volland and Stull, come to mind.
Metal detector enthusiasts and relic hunters, beware. Working your metal detectors on private property is trespassing for personal gain. Don’t do it. Relic hunters, scan eBay, not the ghost towns I write about. Treat these places as you would your own. Leave them as you find them. I did not write about these ghost towns so that they would get ripped off and disappear. That is all I plan to say on this right now. I better start hearing that thievery is down and personal responsibility is up.
The Best of Kansas History
Here is a brief list of some of the best in Kansas history. If you have a small shelf and very little space, keep your eye open for these gems:
• The WPA Guide to 1930’s Kansas. The Works Progress Administration and the Federal Writer’s Project was instrumental in sending writers across the state and recording or transcribing bits and pieces of local historical information. Some transcribed county records. Others interviewed old-timers and sometimes found new stories to add. The shining moment of their work was this volume, first published in the 1930’s and later reprinted by the University Press of Kansas. The 1930’s volume is a collector’s item, but this version is just as good.
• Andreas History of Kansas (2 vols.). I call this one a must-have. Published in the early 1880’s, this enormous work is important for any Kansas history writer. Andreas published several state histories, including Nebraska. This one was perhaps their shining moment. It was reprinted by the Atchison County Historical Society in the 1970s, though it is now out of print. The extensive county histories and biographies make this one a must.
• The Beginning of the West, 1540-1854. Published by the Kansas State Historical Society in 1972, this book is a tough one to read, but if you are doing any research prior to Kansas Territory, it is a must. The book is enormous, and lists everything in chronological order. Merge this one with Daniel Wilder’s Annals of Kansas and you have a chronological history of the state through 1881.
In Defense of Mayor Doug Wright
Two mayors in the last thirty years were responsible for significant changes in the direction of Topeka: Bill McCormick and Doug Wright. McCormick was mayor a long time and helped more than anyone to bring Topeka out of the long-term effects of the June 8, 1966 tornado. Wright served throughout much of the 1980’s, and he was responsible for bringing Topeka into the modern age. The development of Topeka’s west side, including Wanamaker Road; the restoration of the Municipal Auditorium; and the construction of the ExpoCentre were truly Doug Wright’s projects.
Long after Wright’s stint as mayor ended, he became embroiled in legal issues which led to felony convictions for theft and perjury. He then served several months in prison and paid his restitution for the theft charges. Recently, he had the charges expunged from his record.
Wright made a few career changes after prison, including selling cars for a living. Now, he would like to teach. He recently completed some student teaching at Highland Park High School in Topeka, and apparently both survived the experience and enjoyed it. He enjoyed it enough that he wants a license to teach in the State of Kansas.
Apparently the State Board of Education has other ideas. They are dragging him through the mud, lacking any ability to make a decision.
The bigger question here that goes beyond the Board of Education and Doug Wright is this: for those who serve felony convictions, make restitution, and turn their life around, is there any real turning back? Will our so-called charitable society ever truly forgive the felon?
Society likes to think of itself as charitable, but I don’t see much charity coming out of the Kansas Board of Education. Wright spent most of his life dedicated to the public good. His accomplishments are many. He made one bad decision, and all the good that he accomplished is suddenly thrown out the window. What sense does that make?
I remember reading the Wright case in the Capital-Journal, not once but over and over ad nauseum to the point that I felt sorry for Wright. While rapists, murderers and general good-for-nothings got a two paragraph story on page ten, Wright’s story constantly made front page headlines. Why? Because he was a local celebrity. The amount of space dedicated to Wright’s problems did not merit the amount of attention he received.
Eventually, he served his time and paid for his crime. In fact, he probably overpaid for his crime. Now he wants to be a teacher. To that, I say fantastic!! How lucky those kids are going to be to have a former mayor teaching their class. That is, if the Board of Education can get past themselves and approve it.
There are many degrees of felonies. I don’t hold theft on the same level as assault or murder. And perjury—I can’t get too worked up over that either. It is time he is forgiven and life goes on.
I have this final thought for the Kansas Board of Education: what is the greater crime, denying Doug Wright a teaching license, or watching talent wasted on selling cars? In my opinion, the fact that he is delegated to being a car salesman is a much greater, unfair crime.
Doug Wright, good luck. If those sticks-in-the-muds with the holier-than-thou attitudes don’t see the obvious, they are the losers, not you.
