Kansas City Star: Columnists

Predatory plants: Is that a reach?

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

My wife's flower room doubles as my home office, which is a bit like saying a bathroom might double as a kitchen. Some improvisations just don't quite work.

It's 2012, and we're arguing about birth control

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Oh, dear, what is that baying? It sounds like the religious right has let slip the dogs of culture war.

A homey lesson for all hooligans

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

The furred members of our household display commendable manners where issues of territory and nourishment are concerned. And some of the more disagreeable populations and regimes that occupy this planet could profit from their example.

We can't ignore the suffering in North Korea

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

In this time of economic distress at home, the idea of a humanitarian handout to so antagonistic a mendicant country will not be universally popular. But the obligation is clear. Millions of North Koreans cannot be allowed to suffer and perish as punishment for a crisis not of their own making -- the result of having been wickedly and incompetently ruled.

Heavenly particle has a high price

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:00 CST

Science never was my strong suit. But I do have to confess some interest in the pursuit of what's popularly called the God particle, much to the dismay of particle physicists who prefer the term Higgs boson.

A crimson sky and thoughts of spring

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

I woke on that morning three weeks ago today, went downstairs to give the dogs their run, opened the south-facing door to the fenced back yard ... and was met by a sky on fire.

Backlash against Kris Kobach on immigration is growing

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00 CST

Backlash built this week against Kris Kobach for gallivanting state-to-state, drumming up support for laws bent on driving illegal immigrants out. But the rebukes aren't coming from his usual critics. Supporters of the Kansas secretary of state are barking back now.

Jim Caccamo put the kids first -- always

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Jim Caccamo's example is a lesson to those who take unfair jabs at Catholicism, painting all of its faithful in a negative light because of the scandals. The church is its people, those who fill the pews. And Caccamo, who is resigning as chairman of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese's Independent Review Board, is among the finest.

War against drug cartels needs new focus, strategy

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

A bit of respect, please, for the drug cartels. For their ingenuity, technological shrewdness and ability to adapt their products and services to a changing marketplace.

Kansas avoids the real issue in food-stamp controversy

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 CST

Kansas is running out of excuses. Social and Rehabilitation Services officials are digging in their heels, defending a change in how food stamps are allotted. Kansas used to handle the benefits in a morally responsible manner. Now, hundreds if not thousands of U.S.-born children have been severed from aid.

Dave Helling | Be both wasteful and efficient

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Tuesday's weird, doesn't-really-count Missouri presidential primary came in the middle of Missouri's weird, doesn't-really-count winter, two facts that help illustrate Helling's first axiom of politics and government, which may be stated thus: Most government endeavors are wasteful. Until they're essential.

Steve Kraske | Missouri primary debacle is costly

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

Missouri, we look like fools. We have a presidential primary on Tuesday that doesn't matter, but it's going to cost taxpayers millions.

Joe Robertson | Chronicling lives brings rich rewards

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

My father proposed to my mother on an October night in 1951 bearing seemingly heavy news. "I want you to marry me," he said. "But before you answer me, you need to know we'll never have a place to call home."

Dave Helling | KC faces a taxing decision

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

We're going to spend this year arguing over government spending and taxes. As the discussion moves ahead, though, we may want to talk about how we collect our money, as well as how much.

Steve Kraske | The knives come out against Gingrich

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

We learned in Iowa that Newt Gingrich can't take a punch. It only makes sense that he can't take a flurry of them either.

Christine Vendel | Assault against officers tricky to prosecute

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00 CST

Missouri's assault law requires that a suspect "knowingly" attempt to hurt an officer, or use a weapon or cause serious injuries. In some cases, prosecutors think none of those applies. Police think it's unfair.

Dave Helling | Take a deeper look at truth

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00 CST

The commentariat may want to think a bit harder before handing reporters all the keys to the Kingdom of True. It could turn out badly. But more importantly, deciding what is and isn't true in a political context can be a very slippery endeavor.

Alan Bavley | Numbers make you wonder

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00 CST

How is a proposed oil pipeline like a cancer research center? They both come with glowing predictions of bountiful jobs and economic development -- predictions that may come from the very same people.