Pubdate: Fri, 18 Oct 2013
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS)
Copyright: 2013 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Contact:  http://cjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/455
Author: Bernard Heeney

GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

I was fortunate to attend the Silver Haired Legislature at the 
Capitol recently as an observer.

The first speaker was Jack Cole, a retired New Jersey narcotics 
detective, who spoke passionately and with statistics to about his 
belief that the drug war is a total and complete failure and a whole 
new approach is needed.

The next speaker was Gov. Sam Brownback. He neither recognized, 
thanked or commented about Cole's speech. Brownback spoke about the 
accomplishments of his administration. When he mentioned Kansas had a 
$400 million surplus in state coffers, there was no applause. I 
believe most everyone in the chamber knew Kansas schoolchildren were 
being deprived of a first-class education so the governor could brag 
about his budget. It was nothing to brag about or applaud. As 
Brownback left the chamber after speaking, a lady from western Kansas 
approached him with a petition to legalize industrial hemp so she 
could grow it on her farm. She asked the governor to take the 
petition, but he declined. Brownback claims to be compassionate, but 
I feel his actions speak much louder than his words.

BERNARD HEENEY

Topeka
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom