Commentary from Other Pens
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2 The Goodland Daily News / Friday, March 22, 2002 commentary from other pens... Redrawn districts create desperate fights for survival The redrawing of congressional boundaries each decade often cre- ates desperate and divisive fights for political survival between incum- bents that can test party loyalties and fray longtime relationships. It’s particularly difficult when members of the same party face each other in a primary. Some members opt to run for other offices or retire to avoid facing a congressional colleague. “It invariably ratchets up the personal nature of the contest,” politi- cal analyst Stuart Rothenberg said of battles between incumbents. “You’re members of the same club. The personal overrides any other differences or issues that the candidates may have.” The primary race in Georgia between conservative GOP Reps. Bob Barr and John Linder is the battle that has drawn much of the attention. “It’s pretty intense, it’s pretty even and there’s likely to be a good deal of collateral damage for all involved,” Republican pollster Whit Ayres said of the contest over a newly redrawn district in suburban Atlanta. Political scientist Merle Black at Emory University in Atlanta agreed: “The race in Georgia has gotten really hot and rather nasty.” Barr describes the contest as a choice between an insider like Linder who stays in the background and votes conservative and someone who, like himself, who helps define the issues. Linder says people tell him the contest is like “choosing between a statesman and a politician.” The most closely watched race for Democrats is in a southeast Michi- gan district that stretches from Ann Arbor to the Detroit suburbs. Democratic Rep. John Dingell, the senior member of the House af- Thoughts on aging ter serving almost five decades, has the backing of much of the party I don’t know about you, but I’m still thinking TEEN - Only time the world beats a path to your establishment, while Rep. Lynn Rivers, who entered Congress in 1994, about age. lorna door is when you’re in the bathroom. FOURTEEN has the support of several national women’s groups. Last week I shared how I aged two years on my - If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have “This is about who has done and will continue to do the best job rep- last birthday. g. t. put them on my knees. FIFTEEN - When I’m finally resenting the people of southeast Michigan,” said Lon Johnson, cam- Now I think I’ll share these thoughts entitled holding all the cards, why does everyone decide to paign manager for Dingell, who was elected in 1955. Dingell, ranking “The Senility Prayer” by an unknown author: commentary play chess? SIXTEEN - It’s not hard to meet member and former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce “God, grant me the senility to forget the people I • expenses…they’re everywhere. SEVENTEEN - Committee, has support of much of the Democratic establishment. never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the The Rivers campaign claims to have a stronger record in the envi- the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the differ- FIVE - All reports are in; life is now officially un- depth. EIGHTEEN - These days, I spend a lot of ronment, gun safety legislation and abortion rights, said Martha ence.” fair. SIX - If all is not lost, where is it? SEVEN - It time thinking about the hereafter I go somewhere McKenna, a spokeswoman for Rivers, who’s gotten endorsements and Isn’t that great! is easier to get older than it is to get wiser. EIGHT to get something and then wonder what I’m here is likely to get moneyfrom women’s groups that support abortion rights. Here’s some more: “Now that I’m ‘older’ (but I - Some days you’re the dog; some days you’re the after.” Republican and Democratic incumbents are set to face each other in refuse to grow up), here’s what I’ve discovered: hydrant. NINE - I wish the buck stopped here; I Hey, don’t blame me. I only copied someone four districts on Nov. 5: ONE - I started out with nothing, and I still have could use a few. TEN - Kids in the back seat cause else’s words! • Democrat Jim Maloney and Republican Nancy Johnson in Connecti- most of it. TWO - My wild oats have turned into accidents. ELEVEN - Accidents in the back seat You may comment on Lorna’s column or make cut. prunes and All Bran. THREE - I finally got my head cause - kids. TWELVE - It’s hard to make a come- suggestions by writing to her email at <lornagt- • Democrat David Phelps and Republican John Shimkus in Illinois. together; now my body is falling apart. FOUR - back when you haven’t been anywhere. THIR- @nwkansas.com>. • Democrat Ronnie Shows and Republican Chip Pickering in Mis- sissippi. • Democrat Tim Holden and Republican George Gekas in Pennsyl- vania. Will priests accused of abuse be held accountable? In another district, freshman Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy of Minnesota has postponed a decision on whether he will face veteran Catholic cardinals in Boston, Philadelphia, St. sharon whom we have an accounting.” Democrat Bill Luther or move to another district. Louis and Los Angeles have admitted that dozens God rightly expects us to be responsible for our As for intraparty battles, Democrats have the Michigan primary battle of priests have been credibly accused of sexually corcoran own choices. If anyone wants to choose not to marry Aug. 6 and a primary contest May 21 in Pennsylvania between Reps. abusing children. In the mid-80s a similar outpour- and to remain celibate, it is his right to do so. But if ing of accusations resulted in a scandal that was that is too difficult for someone, he should not just Frank Mascara and John Murtha. Two more Michigan Democrats, Dale use it or lose it Kildee and Jim Barcia, are in the same district, but haven’t announced eventually put to rest, but not for long. In the years • pretend to remain celibate while abusing children. their plans pending resolution of the Michigan redistricting plan. since then, dioceses have forced priests accused 1 Corinthians 7:9 says, “But if they do not have At this point, Republicans have two primary battles of incumbents of sex abuse to get treatment and have settled God allows people to choose for themselves self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry — the Georgia race Aug. 20 and another in Indiana on May 7 between around 1,000 lawsuits out of court paying from a whether to obey his laws but makes it very clear than to be inflamed with passion.” Reps. Stephen Buyer and Brian Kerns. Final redistricting decisions may few thousand dollars to millions per victim. which practices he disapproves. The Bible does not say that only those who choose create more incumbent matchups in other states. Some people have suggested the cause of wide- 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 says, “Neither fornicators, to remain celibate can serve him properly. Adam The incumbent matchups within the same party are races usually take spread sex abuse committed by priests is the nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for un- and Eve were told to “be fruitful and become many place when the opposing party controls a state’s redistricting process. church’s requirement that priests remain celibate. natural purposes, nor men who lie with men. will and fill the earth and subdue it” at Genesis 1:28. God In Michigan, the Democratic delegation fought the redistricting that Others have said that pedophiles seek careers as inherit God’s kingdom.” gave them this command before they had sinned. pairs Dingell and Rivers. Dingell campaign manager Johnson said: priests, rabbis or teachers to have access to chil- The Bible is clear in saying some sexual prac- They were perfect servants of God and were in- “The fact these two Democrats have to run against each other is a shame.” dren. tices are wrong and that those who practice them structed to populate the planet which would cer- EDITOR’S NOTE — Will Lester covers politics and polls for The As- Both arguments likely have merit, but the real do not have God’s approval. But many people feel tainly require that they have sex. sociated Press. cause is the lack of moral conviction among people they are better equipped to decide for themselves Some of Jesus’ apostles were married and had today. The way many people are shocked and out- what is right and what is wrong. As time goes on, families. The Bible contains instruction for single raged at child sexual abuse is the way people used society becomes more permissive, more people adults, married adults and children. All people are to feel about couples that had sex before marriage engage in loose conduct, and more and more invited to serve God, not just those who stand at the The Goodland Daily News and about homosexuals. But those activities are people join in. Jesus aptly described today’s trends front of a church with a fancy robe on. (USPS No. 222-460. ISSN 0893-0562) now widely accepted. People who suggest that in Matthew 11:16, 17 when he said, “With whom Likely there are many factors causing priests to Member: Kansas Press Association such actions are wrong are viewed as old-fash- shall I compare this generation? It is like children sexually abuse children, but there is no excuse.