Opinion

GUEST COLUMN, Ursula Billings, Kansas Informer

A new law requiring age verification for pornography web sites which Governor Laura Kelly allowed on the books on Friday without her signature was criticized for its potential to infringe on Kansas internet users constitutional rights, but the impacts of pornography on children and teens was never explored outside committee hearings or in Kansas media reports of the bill.

Kelly allowed Senate Bill 394 to become law without her signature, saying in a statement the bill was well intended but was vague and would likely encourage litigation. The bill was sent to the governor March 26th, and became law after the 10-day statutory limit for the governor’s action expired. It requires in-state internet users to verify that they are at least 18 years of age before accessing websites that contain “material[s]…harmful to minors” that appear on “25 percent or more of the web pages viewed on such website,” according to the bill brief. Age verification will be conducted through a viable, “commercially available database.”

GUEST COLUMN, Dave Trabert, The Sentinel

If Benjamin Franklin were alive today, he might say there are three things you can count on – death, taxes, and the Kansas Association of School Boards putting a positive spin on declining student outcomes.

A March 26 column by KASB’s Mark Tallman touts state assessment results at USD 489 Hays as exceeding projections, calling them “some of the highest student success results in the state when considering its enrollment and student demographics.  Based on the actual data, that’s like saying a baseball team’s batting average on cloudy days for left-handed hitters is a little better than expected.  The characterization is meaningless, which is how KASB and many education officials want it.  No specific outcome data, just hard-spun generalizations.

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

AUTHOR’S NOTE — We are thankful that this newspaper has collaborated with us since 2007 to run weekly articles. The following is adapted from one first printed May 2, 2018.

For years I was an active member of an inter-racial, ecumenical prayer group, and several times I spoke at community gatherings made up of people from several different denominations or ethnic makeups. We've also attended or conducted funerals and have been impressed at how folks travel hundreds of miles to pay tribute and come together for support. At each place, there are differences in worship styles, but agreement in the essentials.

As Jesus faced his arrest, trial, and death on the cross, it seems our Lord’s main concern was that there would be unity in his Church.

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

The fact is, I am spoiled.

I never get sick. I’ve never spent a night in a hospital since I was born (and then, my mother stayed with me). I’ve never broken a bone. I’ve never had a major operation. I am absurdly healthy, and I can take no credit for any of this. So, naturally, when I get sick, I am insufferable.

It always starts in the same way. I get a sore throat. First, I ignore it. I have found this is the best way to deal with imminent disasters. When I used to drive old cars, I would turn up the radio when I heard an ominous noise. Loud music and deliberate ignorance can take you for many miles.

But then my throat gets worse. I feel my glands. They are a little swollen.