Kansas City Star: Editorials http://www.kansascity.com/340/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from Kansas City Star en-us Copyright 2008 Kansas City Star Editorials 60 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:12:16 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys feedback@kansascity.com U.S. still falling short on goals for math, science education http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/709844.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/709844.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:28 CDT College graduates with engineering, math and science degrees find jobs more quickly and at higher pay than graduates in most other fields. Many Americans need to increase retirement savings http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/709832.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/709832.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:28 CDT Many Americans are reconsidering their family budgets as prices for food, gas, health care and other essentials continue to rise — while stock-market and real-estate losses have cut into their assets. KC spirit shines in convention business http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/708120.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/708120.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:18 CDT With first-class attractions, friendly smiles and a can-do spirit, Kansas City demonstrated in recent days that it can wow convention visitors. Scooters provide great savings http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/708127.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/708127.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:20 CDT Walking, biking, taking public transit and driving less are all possible ways to save money on transportation. Now another option is on the rise — scooters. Rescue plan for mortgage giants: Risky business for taxpayers http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/706879.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/706879.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:15 CDT Given the massive risks now faced by taxpayers, perhaps the time for simply trying to coax more responsible behavior from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has passed. Interim UMKC chancellor takes over amid better relations with community http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/706893.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/706893.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:13 CDT A telling sound followed this Monday’s announcement that a Kansas City businessman will temporarily hold the top job at the University of Missouri-Kansas City: silence. Campaign finance tactics, new law shun voters' view http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/704922.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/704922.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:58 CDT Voters in Kansas and Missouri should ask legislative candidates to define their positions on campaign finance and greater disclosure. In Missouri, a new law should be amended to restore limits and improve disclosure. Bombardier decision, Anheuser-Busch sale sting Missouri http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/704925.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/704925.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:55 CDT For both sides of the state, the weekend’s events are evidence that Missouri must redouble its efforts to remain competitive in a global economy. Remove mandates for ethanol use http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/703653.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/703653.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:33 CDT Biofuels should be part of the effort to trim the use of petroleum in this country and around the globe. However, unreasonable governmental mandates favoring corn ethanol are skewing market forces in ways that create economic and environmental problems. Unnecessary legal battles over building transfers hinder education http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/703647.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/703647.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:36 CDT The School District of Kansas City Building Corp.'s lawsuit regarding the transfer of seven buildings from the Kansas City School District to the Independence School District is an unnecessary and expensive complication as the Independence district tries to get the buildings ready for fall classes. Fleshing out Kansas City's light-rail plans http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/702664.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/702664.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:28 CDT The Kansas City Council needs to concentrate on placing a starter light-rail line plan on the fall ballot, which could lead in just a few years to a regional transit system. Elderly, veterans deserve protection http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/702657.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/702657.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:29 CDT Banks must be stopped from seizing government benefits that support the lives of the elderly, people with disabilities and veterans. Mistakes by 'government-sponsored enterprises' could hit taxpayers hard http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/701810.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/701810.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:28 CDT In their continuing efforts to reassure the public about mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, federal officials on Friday discounted reports that fundamental changes might be in the works. Kansas City police hearing system has flaws http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/701808.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/701808.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:28 CDT Kansas City police board members must be gluttons for punishment. They have been burdened with particularly poor results using a new appeals process for disciplined police officers. Yet the Board of Police Commissioners now says it will fight to keep this plan intact. Northland fortunate to have strong corps of volunteers http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700366.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700366.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:28 CDT The Northland is fortunate to have a strong corps of people active in making the area a better place to live. Washington should pay greater heed to local-level officials http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700391.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700391.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:10 CDT The 3,000 visitors in Kansas City representing counties around the nation are a nostalgic group. They remember fondly a time when the White House and Congress consulted with people like them before issuing mandates that create additional expenses and burdens for county, state and city governments. World must derail threat posed by Iran http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700388.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/700388.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:10 CDT Many details concerning Iran's reported missile tests this week remain unclear, and there may be less to them than Tehran's propaganda indicates. Paving a street, then tearing it up http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/698767.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/698767.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:11 CDT Once again, a lack of coordination between city and private construction officials has frustrated Kansas City taxpayers. Obama and McCain should offer specifics http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/698752.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/698752.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:11 CDT The presidential candidates are focusing on the economy this week, pushing plans that are designed to appeal to huge swaths of voters — from college students to Medicare recipients. Money-saving plans stalled by KC City Hall wrangling http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/697205.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/697205.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:59 CDT Four months ago Mayor Mark Funkhouser offered admirable plans to save millions of tax dollars while providing better law enforcement at Kansas City International Airport. Iraqi troop withdrawal plan merits a respectful hearing http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/697185.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/697185.html Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:59 CDT U.S. troops should stay no longer than necessary in Iraq, and the Bush administration should show a healthy respect for concerns there about a long-term American “occupation.” Rating election-board Web sites: Johnson County gets top grade http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/695425.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/695425.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:48 CDT Ready to vote? The Aug. 5 primaries are just a month away, and voter registration deadlines are Wednesday in Missouri and July 21 in Kansas. Quindaro: A historic site that deserves attention http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/695420.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/695420.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:48 CDT The Quindaro ruins in Kansas City, Kansas, are among the metro area's most under-recognized and ill-kept treasures. Afghan conflict needs more U.S. troops http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/694199.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/694199.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04 CDT The United States and NATO appear to be losing ground in Afghanistan, where the Bush administration has failed to focus on the fight against the terrorist forces responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Another inquiry into a Kansas abortion provider has yielded no charges http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/694194.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/694194.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04 CDT Yet another probe of a Kansas abortion clinic has wrapped up without criminal charges being brought against an operator. Move quickly on light rail http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/693232.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/693232.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04 CDT After years of planning, Kansas City officials still will have to make a mad dash this summer to give voters a needed light-rail proposal in 2008. Conflict of interest in Missouri http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/693218.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/693218.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:04 CDT Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's suggestion that elected officials should be barred from working side jobs as political consultants is right on target. States should regulate 'ultimate' fighting http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/692387.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/692387.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:34 CDT Bloody organized fights — sometimes with combatants battling inside a chain-link cage — are attracting big crowds across the Midwest and elsewhere, operating under the euphemisms of "Ultimate" or "mixed martial arts" fighting. UMKC leader brought healing and progress http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/692398.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/692398.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:34 CDT Maybe it was Guy Bailey's linguistics background that enabled him to communicate so effectively in Kansas City. In honor of American independence, the Declaration of Independence http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/691328.html http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/691328.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:57 CDT WE hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness —