Kris Kobach is out from under his rock again slinging more malice and vengeance. For the past four years this former Kansas secretary of state and far-right mercenary has posed as a man wronged, his ineptitude laid raw, exposed in the courts and confirmed by voters.
He lost a Republican campaign for governor in 2018 to a moderate female Democrat. Two years ago he lost a primary campaign for U.S. Senate. Since then, he has brandished a long list of grievances – immigrant floods, election fraud, conspiracy theories, corrupt courts, government overreach, Joe Biden’s socialism and so on.
Kobach wants to be Kansas’ Attorney General, the state’s chief law enforcement officer. If elected, he promises to blanket the Biden Administration with lawsuits.
The Democrats’ candidate is Chris Mann, a Lawrence attorney, a former Lawrence police officer, Wyandotte County prosecutor and assistant attorney general with the Kansas Securities Commission (2014).
Mann is assured, confident, well-versed in legal affairs. He says the state’s attorney general must focus on “public safety and public service” and avoid the distractions of joining vindictive federal lawsuits over election and immigration laws, or a president’s administration.
Kobach has said Kansas Supreme Court Justices should be elected, affiliated with political parties; oddly, he has also said nominees to the high court should be confirmed by Kansas Senate, a Republican chamber directed by campaign donors.
Mann believes the procedure for filling Supreme Court vacancies is based properly on judicial merit, not political affiliation, and emphasizes nonpartisan selections.
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Kobach’s professional and political history is soiled, to be kind. He is the failed overlord of Donald Trump’s national election fraud committee, which dissolved when it could find no fraud.
He was elected secretary of state in 2010 after raging about invading hordes of immigrants and fraudulent voters. He demanded border walls and prisons “to protect our freedoms.” Reelected, he convinced Republican legislators to write Jim Crow back into our election laws; this segregation offered one ballot to privileged voters and a lesser one to others, mostly the poor and the un-white.
In 2018, Kobach’s voting law was challenged in Federal Court by the American Civil Liberties Union, which Kobach had branded “a bunch of communists.”
During the trial, Kobach revealed his incompetence. He could provide no evidence, no competent witnesses, no justification for a law that a) required voters to produce various forms of identification simply to register, and b) established a two-tier ballot scheme, one ballot for qualified voters (as Kobach deemed them) and another for the not-quite qualified. The ACLU challenge dismantled it.
Federal Judge Julie Robinson ordered Kobach back to law school for a 12-hour refresher course in courtroom practice. The judge also fined Kobach $50,000 for violating an earlier court order to inform more than 30,000 suspended Kansas voters that they were eligible to vote.
Kobach had been fined before, a $1,000 hit in 2017 for lying to a federal judge about the contents of a document he had taken into a November 2016 meeting with president-elect Trump.
Kobach appealed but gave that task to Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who agreed to defend Kobach. (Unsuccessfully.)
Also in 2017, the state’s Legislative Coordinating Council ordered Kobach to tell just what he meant when he asserted in campaign materials the Legislature was corrupt. (He couldn’t.) The seven-member leadership panel includes the Senate President and Speaker of the House, and acts for the Legislature when it is not in session.
While secretary of state, Kobach was also under investigation by the Kansas Office of the Disciplinary Administrator for his involvement in voting cases, and his lies to another judge about the content of papers he took into that Trump meeting.
It has cost Kansas nearly $2 million to defend Kobach’s claims.
He continues his campaigns of malaise and conspiracy, having added the League of Women Voters to his list of “communists.”
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Doubts about Kobach stretch back for years. In 2014 he was denounced by Jim Concannon, a professor and former Dean of the Washburn University School of Law, who questioned Kobach’s fitness for office in a letter to Kansas editors.
Today Kobach advances his glaring impostures. If elected Attorney General, he says he will aggressively sue the Biden Administration with focus on immigration policy and Covid Relief. Only recently, Kobach resigned as general counsel and board member of “We Build the Wall,” after the organization was indicted in New York on charges of money laundering, among other counts.
Chris Mann – stable, equipped, resolute – evokes an attorney general who would argue the law on behalf the public interest, rather than bend it to serve special interests.
Fit and unfit
Miseries From Hay Fever
“Tis the season for sneezing, running nose, itching eyes, and congestion.”
It’s hay fever or fall allergy time, whatever the health nuisance should be labeled.
Whoever has had such issues knows they’re not any fun, yet those without the health problem just can’t understand it.
In early grade school days, their son’s itching eyes rubbed mercilessly initiated his parents to set up a doctor’s appointment.
No immediate family members had experienced such issues, so they thought it might be something serious. While that might be considered true for those suffering, the doctor pacified all with a drug prescription.
Uncertain how that little pill knew what it was supposed to do, but the troublesome problem soon disappeared.
Still every Labor Day or thereabouts, the same sneezing, running nose, itching eyes, tired feeling would come back again. Pills and then capsules became readily available at the drug store, or even on the grocery shelf.
High priced but worth it for an ailing one who got quick relief upon swallowing the over-the-counter remedy.
That went on for must be five decades when suddenly for unknown reason there was no hay fever. Evidently, old age had outgrown the allergy of younger days.
Then last year there was some sneezing and running nose in September, but nothing too bad. This year at the end of August, hay fever symptoms set in and continued to get worse and worse.
Life became what seemed almost unbearable with the fall allergy issues becoming nearly debilitating. Red bandanas were called into frequent usage wiping nose and eyes.
When working seven pastures of calves through the chute, young energetic hired cowboys couldn’t comprehend. The old wannabe was just sitting around sneezing, blowing nose, wiping eyes, holding a wet rag to his nostrils.
More than likely, they were smirking under their breath making fun due to lack of understanding about the problem.
Uncertain exactly the cause, but it has to do with certain weeds, pollen, native grass heads, maybe falling tree leaves. It seems when hay fever comes, about anything can set it off even household and barn dust.
In the past the problem will generally leave as soon as there’s a hard frost. Anticipating that time.
Reminded of Jeremiah 30:17; “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy distresses.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVI–41–10-9-2022
Conquering Personal Setbacks Horse Show Queen Is Dedicated To Helping Others Learn About Horses
Dedication to horses since childhood with equine activities planned for a lifetime are ingredients for a horse show queen.
Perfectly fitting the criteria, Kairi Quinn, Spring Hill, was crowned the Kansas State Horse Show Circuit KSHSC Queen at Tonganoxie.
Coronation for the 16-year-old daughter of Cale and Roxanne Quinn was highlight of the KSHSC yearend benefit show.
“I’ve had many setbacks during my riding career, but they just made me stronger and a better rider,” Kairi declared.
“The first horse I ever showed was my friend’s horse named Dom,” Kairi remembered. “He was super fun. I enjoyed showing so much I talked to trainer Erin Kratz about other showing opportunities.”
Taking lessons on the 13-year-old mare Sweetie, Kairi’s future was to be highlighted with horses. “I really never got into the excitement of showing horses until I started riding Sweetie,” Kairi admitted.
The mare wasn’t trained to be a show horse. “But with my determination and work ethic I made her one,” the queen said. “I believe this has improved my riding today.”
Kairi and Sweetie competed in western and English competition collecting local circuit awards all the way to the American Royal. “Sweetie had a huge impact on my horse experiences, and I miss her,” Kairi said. “She’s living her best life on a Colorado ranch helping another inexperienced rider.”
A five-year-old dark bay mare called Minni is considered Kairi’s mount today, although the mare hasn’t been shown that much. “I was ecstatic to show Minni last year because she is so talented and fun to work with,” Kairi credited.
However, Minni tore a suspensory ligament early in the show season. “This was rough, but my trainer Erin gave me an option that turned out quite well,” Kairi said. “I appreciate Bob Paulson letting me show his horse Dakota so we could be the KSHSC highpoint rider
“Minni is continually recovering from her injury. We are improving as a team every day,” Kairi insisted.
However, the queen is now riding a 14-year-old dark bay gelding called JR owned by her trainer. “We fit each other quite well even winning third in hunter under saddle at last year’s American Royal. That was a major accomplishment for me,” Kairi confessed.
“I’ve never had a horse as talented as JR,” the queen continued. “I’m showing him at the Color Breed Congress, Tulsa, Oklahoma, which has been my goal since I started riding. I’m so excited to see what we can do.”
Considerable credit is given by Kairi to her parents as well as her trainer for her horse achievements.
“My parents both Dad and Mom have been a big help acquiring and taking care of my horses,” Kairi acknowledged. “I really appreciate all that they do for me.”
Cale has worked at The Aldi Warehouse in Olathe 22 years with his current position a supervisor. Roxanne has a long career as a professional counselor and therapist now serving Overland Middle School three years.
“I’ve taken lessons from Erin Kratz at E.P. Training eight years improving my ability with several different horses,” Kairi said. “Erin has taught me so much not only about horses but myself as well. Riding horses has made me a stronger person physically and mentally.
“With horses sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to,” Kairi said. “It’s important that you are always flexible.”
Queen Kairi Quinn keeps even busier with her teenage life’s activities. Junior at Spring Hill High School, FFA member three years, Kairi will attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
A leader throughout her community and school, she is manager for the Spring Hill Broncos Varsity football team. With a 3.9 grade point average, Kairi has been nominated for membership in the National Honor Society.
A member of the Johnson County Sharon 4-H Club nine years, Kairi have served several offices now being club president.
She enjoys showing swine, goats, photography, and painting pictures. “I placed third in the county fair goat showmanship which was a big honor for my first year showing goats,” Kairi smiled.
An active KSHSC rider seven years, Kairi served as the youth representative, youth treasurer, and is now youth vice president.
During her KSHSC Queen reign, Kairi will attend several other horse events throughout the Midwest. “I want to spread the word about the KSHSC youth program,” she said. “I will talk to children and their parents about the benefits of riding horses.”
Near term objectives for the queen are expanding her show competitions next year riding both Minni and JR.
“I have been talking to my trainer about qualifying for the state fair too,” Kairi said. “I will only be showing in English classes at the Color Breed Congress this fall. But I plan to participate in both Western and English events to compete for the all-around award next year.”
Plans after high school are yet undetermined. “I love learning about horses. I think that horses are one of the most therapeutic things in the world. I want to do what I love,” Kairi said. “I would like to go into the equine or animal field for my career.”
She is considering being a veterinarian as well as learning about equine physical therapy, equine massage, and equine chiropractic.
“I’m also interested in the medical field working in anatomy and physiology,” she said. “At this point, I think I’ll attend Johnson County Community College and then Kansas State University. The future will tell.”
Children can “learn so much from horses,” the queen insisted. “I love helping others and especially younger children with their horses,” she said. “Owning and showing horses is a learning experience teaching you how to have strong work ethic and many problem-solving skills.”
Seeing growth for the horse industry, Kairi said, “Being around horses has truly changed my life in so many positive ways. We need more leaders and mentors to assist our younger generations.
“Though helping others is important, having them do it by themselves is also valuable,” Queen Kairi Quinn contended. “It teaches youth responsibility and accountability. Helping and teaching others not only helps them but also builds my confidence and knowledge with horses.”
+++30+++
CUTLINES
Kairi Quinn, Spring Hill, was crowned the Kansas State Horse Show Circuit KSHSC Queen at Tonganoxie.
Roxanne Quinn posed with daughter KSHSC Queen Kairi Quinn following coronation at Tonganoxie.
Dakota, owned by Bob Paulsen, was shown by Kairi Quinn to be highpoint rider in the Kansas State Horse Show Circuit last year. Kairi also rode Dakota for the KSHSC Queen coronation.
Minni has had setbacks but is considered KSHSC Queen Kairi Quinn’s main personal mount. They have big plans for competing in horseshows throughout the Midwest next year.
Sweetie was Kairi Quinn’s learning mount when she began riding horses and the pair became showring winners.
JR was ridden by Kairi Quinn to place third in hunter under saddle at the American Royal last year. They’ll be competing at the Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this fall.
Apple Pie Jam
As I begin to pen this column I’m thinking about where this recipe originated. My good friends, Willis and Irene, from Minnesota, shared this lovely recipe several years ago. They also brought me a jar of the jam, which made it even better! I plan to use this recipe in about 3 weeks when our office will be offering another canning class, for our clients and the community. When it comes to canning fall harvest items I am not a big fan of apple butter. Sure, I will eat the product, but I don’t want jars of it setting around. This will be yummy for biscuits or on the side of the plate like a little sweet chutney, super with pork or steak.
This week we brought in our big supply of canned goods for the winter months. I spent a part of Sunday organizing the extra items on the shelves, in the garage. It gave me a good sense of accomplishment and security for the winter. When it’s cold outside I truly hate sending someone to the store to get something as simple as chili beans! Speaking of chili beans has anyone tried the mixed beans at their local Walmart stores? They have like 4 styles of beans and they’re in a chili sauce. I could have eaten them right out of the can. Nice idea by the canning company.
This chatter also reminds me I need to get out to the country and pull more of our hamburger bundles back to our house. We co-own a ‘giant’ deep freeze, at a friend’s home, and we have been storing the fresh beef there. I’m getting hungry for meat loaf and Salisbury steaks, so it’s time to bring in a box. So far we haven’t made any chili or vegetable soup, but I know its coming!
This week I am proud to say I never ate out once! A small hamburger on Saturday was it. Those who cook a great deal will agree, it’s so much better when you cook at home. We actually had a couple of spectacular meals this week. One was a birthday dinner for our friend Oliver, and the next night it was creamy linguini and shrimp. Oliver even christened the ‘Blackstone’ griddle I’ve had for like 2 years. It was great with the shrimp. Mighty fine dining I must say.
I was cleaning in the garage today, wishing I was off tomorrow so I could finish the job in one day! I know everyone talks about the weather, but it has been beautiful here in the Ozarks for the last week or so. I’m enjoying every day. Oh that just reminded me, I’ve got to go pick pears one evening this week so I can make a fresh batch of pear honey. Add that to the list. Next weekend may be canning. I’ve also got frozen cherries that need to be made into jam.
Make someone’s day this week by doing something special for another. Embrace the hospitable spirit. Simply yours, The Covered Dish. www.thecovereddish.com
Apple Pie Jam
By: Irene VanNorman
St. Charles, Minnesota
4-5 apples peeled/sliced, 2 lbs.
1 cup water
5 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 pouch (3 ounces) liquid fruit pectin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground mace, optional
Combine apples/water, cover cook until tender.
Measure 4 1/2 cups apples, return to kettle.
Add sugar and butter, bring to full rolling boil, and stir constantly.
Stir in Pectin & return to full boil, boil 1 minute; stir constantly.
Remove from heat; stir in spices.
Skim off foam.
Pour hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4″ headspace.
Adjust caps.
Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.
Yield 7 half-pints.
*Irene used Macintosh apples
NIGHT BATTLES (Siblings or our pets)
As children very few of us were lucky enough not to have to share a bedroom and bed with a sibling. I had to share my bedroom and bed with my sister a lot of the time, depending on the size of the bedroom. If it was large enough for two twin beds that was the best scenario but sometimes we had to share a regular size bed.
When we had to share a bed mom had to put pillows down the middle of the bed so I could have part of the bed for myself. My sister was one of those sleepers that liked to crowd you and could kick like a mule. I did not like someone right up against me and I would get so hot I couldn’t sleep.
Things were better when we could have the twin beds. Then we could divide the room down the middle and she was not supposed to get into anything on my side of the room. Of course that didn’t always mean anything to her. When I was in school she would get into my drawers in the dressing table. She didn’t think I would know she had been in there but I always had things laying a certain way and I always knew and the fight would start again.
We had an old yellow tom cat that adopted our family. He thought he should sleep with me on my twin bed. He would sleep at the foot of the bed which was fine but he had a bad habit. If you moved your foot or even a toe and the covers moved he would jump on it. He had never learned how to play gentle when he was a kitten so the claws would get your foot when you moved.
When our black Cocker, Ms. Lady, decided she was going to live with us; I put her on the bed with me, when my husband was out of town, so I could learn her sleeping habits. She was a little snuggle bug and wanted to lay right up against my back or my side. She had to be touching me, but with her long floor length hair she was a little depot stove.
When I knew Lady would sleep through the night I made her a bed out of orthopedic foam. Covered it with a cute fabric and that was her bed from then on. Her bed was at the foot of our bed on the floor. She looked pretty sad the first few nights but would finally settle down and sleep through the night.
We lost Lady when she was 13 but about 7 months later a new fur baby needed a home and Lacy Rene moved in with us. She was the black and white cocker. She did not want to be held or cuddled as much as Lady did. So I started her out just like I did Ms. Lady. She was in bed with me when he was traveling for about a week. Unfortunately when she was sleeping she was just like Lady.
She wanted to lay right up against me but as an added bonus she would kicked like a mule when she was dreaming and made little whimpering noises. So after a few nights when I could tell she would sleep through the night she was put on her own little bed. She acted like she had been thrown away or abused the first few nights I made her stay on her bed, but she finally got used to the fact that she was to sleep there.
When my husband was home, both of the cockers would wait for him to ask them at 10:00 if they wanted to go to bed. After he took 4 honey teddy grahams out of the cabinet and got a glass of water, he asked that question and then they would run down the hall with hair flying. This was a routine they had only with my husband when he was not working out of town.
When he walked into the bedroom they would be sitting on the floor in front of their bed waiting for him. Then after the treat they would climb onto their bed and lay down. That was the last we heard out of them until about 6:30 in the morning when I would get a cold nose over the side of the bed telling me it was time to get up.
So night battles come in all sizes. Some are even covered with soft silky hair but will still put up a fight at bedtime. To contact Sandy: [email protected]
