Random thoughts are in full bloom

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 12 May 2009 13:28

Random thoughts as spring makes its way into summer:

I have an ideal way to stimulate the economy: have all members of Congress and all government officials checked for back taxes they might owe. Imagine how those funds would fill the treasury.

Once in a while a phrase just seems to sum things up perfectly. My favorite recession term for 2009? Toxic assets. And, how many comedians will be forever sustained by material provided by the term “stimulus package”?

Which Kansas institution of higher learning has nine national titles, two titles in a row and three titles in the past five years, and what is the sport? Answer: Wichita State University bowling teams.

Our daughter recently completed her first year of college at Eastern...

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Maybe we Kansans are hicks after all

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 07 April 2009 14:09

Kansans are often heard lamenting the fact that we are considered by other parts of the country to be hicks, behind the times and backward.

Much of that reputation is undeserved as long-time residents can attest.

But, quite frankly, some of the way we are negatively looked upon by those from the east and west coasts is deserved. As Jimmy Buffet so eloquently put it, it’s our own dadgum fault.

I know, I know. The rantings and ravings of a few loudmouths are usually not representative of all Kansans. The redneck philosophies espoused are often the extremes.

But, more and more, I am wondering if the clear thinkers in Kansas are declining in numbers or are just suffering from collective laryngitis. Where are the howls of outrage...

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It’s time to praise Marion’s assets

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 10 March 2009 13:50

I write in praise of Marion. Yes, the county seat. The town between two lakes. Rhino central. Why? Because the city to Hillsboro’s east has a lot going for it. I believe it’s time we recognize that fact and put any lingering differences aside.

First and foremost, Marion has a river running through it. I have always wanted to live in a river town. I grew up in Goessel, and, yes, we had Mosquito Creek, but that was hardly a river.

The Cottonwood slices the Stone City in half, and although there were years before the building of Marion Dam that the lazy river became a raging torrent and flooded businesses and homes, having more than just a creek gives a town a certain character. It tends to bring out the Huck Finn in all of...

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Ideas I don't want to write about

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 10 February 2009 13:58

I don’t have any ideas for a column this month. I do, however, have lots of ideas for columns I don’t want to write.

I’m not in the mood to discuss the state financial crisis. If I were, I would write that it is bush league politics at its finest to promise schools money for the year and then say, “Oops; we can’t cover what we said we would provide per pupil. Tough luck.”

At this point, where can education budgets be trimmed? A number of ideas have surfaced, including extending the length of each day and then going to a four-day school week. We already have one of the longest school days in the state here in Hillsboro.

Another idea is to stop school May 1. We could do that, but would sports continue until the state...

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