Blogcritics Author: Kevin Surbaugh

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.

The Great Mural Wall Project Of Topeka

Kevin Surbaugh — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 05:15:51 EDT

For the past few months, I have been involved with a project to help beautify my neighborhood and my city and, in the process, creating a tourist attraction for my city and state. Yesterday, other community leaders and I kicked it into high gear and took our plans to the public.An article in the Topeka Capital Journal tells the story, The city of Topeka and the Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) kicked off fundraising efforts Thursday to paint a series of murals reflecting Topeka's heritage along a plain, white wall about 800 feet long and 11 feet tall near the Kansas Expocentre."When finished, this Great Mural Wall will be the pride of the Chesney Park neighborhood and the city of Topeka," said Tom Benaka, president of the Chesney Park NIA. "It will be a tourist destination and seen by thousands who visit the Expocentre."Benaka was among about 20 people who appeared at a news conference to kick off a campaign to raise $30,000 to finance this year's first phase of the project, which Topeka public works spokesman David Bevens said is targeted at "transforming the white-washed carcass of a now-defunct 10-million-gallon water reservoir into a colorful piece of public art." World-renowned muralist and Lawrence, KS, resident David Loewenstein is to supervise the project's design and creation by a team of young artists that hasn't yet been formed. The $30,000 being sought for the fundraising campaign that kicked off Thursday should cover the costs of administration, materials, and stipends for artists to help create the first 60-foot long section of the mural, with completion targeted by November. Additional murals, which would complement each other, are to be added to the wall during the next two or three years. City Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz, whose district includes the site of the mural wall, announced at Thursday's news conference that she was donating $50 to the effort. She challenged all other council members to give at least that amount, and all city employees to donate $1."You may laugh about that, but we have 1,300 employees," Ortiz said. Like Sylvia, who was one of the candidates that ran against me for the city council position, I would like to challenge every reader of this article to send at least $1 to the project.The author of this article, Kevin Surbaugh, is Vice President of the Chesney Park NIA.Checks should be made payable to "Chesney Park/TCF," Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 S.W. 29th, Topeka, 66614. Donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt.

D. Kevin Surbaugh, of Topeka, KS is owner of KevinsView.com and Debt Free Forever, and is an ordained minister (12/97) who spent 2 years (1995-96) with the ministry of Jesus People USA, which runs Cornerstone Festival in western IL and operates Grrr Records at its headquarters in Chicago, IL. In addition, Kevin has owned several business' since he was 19, he is currently a supervisor at a major regional supermarket.

XXXChurch and The American Bible Society

Kevin Surbaugh — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 22:00:23 EDT

Okay, here is a story that I became aware of while reading my friend Chris Rice's blog. Like him, I was familiar with xxxchurch.com, the website set up to minister to the porn industry, and likewise I had not really visited and studied the site. The site has been the topic of many news articles, both in the Christian and secular media. A recent story, however, is one that I had missed before reading his blog and subsequently visiting the website. It seems the ministry was seeking to print up some New Testaments but a Bible publisher, in the words of a popular game show said, "No deal."The American Bible Society (ABS) defends their decision at ChristianPost.com. While committed to making the Bible available to all persons, the Bible organization wrote in an official statement that it saw the cover words proposed by Fireproof Ministries as inappropriate to clothe Scripture."The American Bible Society commends Fireproof Ministries (which runs xxxchurch.com) for its outreach to those addicted to pornography and informed Pastor Craig Gross that the American Bible Society supports his ministry's initiative to share the Gospel with those who are so addicted," read the statement released Friday . "However, out of a sense of propriety, ABS felt that the wording 'Jesus Loves Porn Stars' was misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament cover." I can agree with the ABS when they state that the cover's words could be interpreted as condoning such activity; in fact, that was my first thought when I heard about this. However, I also agree with Fireproof that Jesus loves you regardless of your profession, which is the central message of the gospel.I also agree with Chris, when he says in his blog, "It could have been a lot worse. They could have had Wally the Wiener, the giant blow-up penis on the cover. They use this gimmick with the sign in front 'Do you have the balls enough to quit viewing porn?'"I don't know about all of you, but like Chris, I would much rather see the words "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" rather than this image on a Bible. The two ministries "affirmed that Jesus' love is extended to all people and that he 'came to invite sinners' to be his followers and 'to save people who are lost,'" but differences on the Bible cover remained unresolved. Despite this, the American Bible Society reassured the public of its commitment to making the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford. It is my hope that the differences between these two ministries can be resolved and that the Bibles are soon printed.

Kansas Legislature Overrides Governor, Allows Concealed Guns

Kevin Surbaugh — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:03:14 EST

A day after the Kansas Senate voted 30-10, to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' veto of a conceal carry gun bill, the House did the same.Voting 91-33, gave supporters of the measure seven votes more than the two-thirds majority necessary.According to the Topeka Capital Journal: The new law takes effect July 1, but it isn't yet clear when the first permits will be issued. The law will permit U.S. citizens 21 and older living in Kansas to obtain a four-year concealed-carry permit issued by the attorney general's office. ... Legislators' action capped a decade-long debate, which saw Kansas remain part of an ever-dwindling group of states that didn't allow residents to carry hidden weapons. Only Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin are still on the list, and the Nebraska Legislature is considering a concealed weapons measure. "It proves the determination and persistence of the NRA and our members in Kansas. It's been a nationwide effort that's gone on for over a decade," said Chris Cox, of the National Rifle Association, the group's chief lobbyist at its headquarters in Fairfax, Va.Sebelius became the first Kansas governor to have a veto overridden in 12 years. She vetoed a similar bill in 2004, as did her predecessor, Republican Bill Graves, in 1997.In her veto message Tuesday, Sebelius cited oppositions from law enforcement officials and business leaders, questioning whether the measure would make Kansas safer.

Breaking News: Federal Limits On Funeral Pickets Proposed

Kevin Surbaugh — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:55:31 EST

This has been a year when several states have taken up restricting picketing at funerals. At least six states have placed limits on when and where the protests can take place and similar measures are pending in at least 12 more states. Now the U. S. Congress is taking up the issue. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said Wednesday he plans to introduce the Dignity for Military Funerals Act, which would require protesters to stay 300 feet from a funeral and is modeled in part after similar limits in six other states, including Indiana.According to the Associated Press:"Bayh's legislation would limit the area where protesters could gather an hour before and after funerals as well as while the services are under way."Meanwhile, Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., and Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., and Jeff Miller, R-Fla., announced separate plans to introduce legislation in the House that would require protesters to stand 500 feet from funerals."It is outrageous, appalling and indecent for an American citizen to commit perversions against a military family grieving at their loss," Buyer said in a statement.But attorney Shirley Phelps-Roper, a member of a small Kansas church that has protested at several military funerals, said such a measure would infringe on First Amendment freedoms. Kansas already has some limits on protests within 100 feet, but several states and, now with this annoucement, the federal government as well, have begun to look at expanding such limits to 300 feet. The Phelps group plans to go to Washington, D.C., next month to picket Congress.

Fraternal Order Of Police Vs. The City Of Topeka

Kevin Surbaugh — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 18:22:14 EST

Does a person's First Amendment rights cease when they are hired by the police department? That is what is at issue in a suit that was brought against the City of Topeka (Kansas) and acting Police Chief Steve Harsha.Fraternal Order of Police lawyer, John Frieden is representing two Topeka police officers who were disciplined after they responded through e-mail and a letter to the local NAACP president's newspaper column. He filed suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court against interim Police Chief Steve Harsha saying he breached their right to free speech.According to the Topeka Capital Journal, Ken Eaton, a 21-year police officer, was demoted from detective to patrol officer and received a 15-day suspension. Detective George Campbell, a 27-year officer, received a one-day suspension, Topeka attorney John Frieden, who represents Eaton and Campbell, said Tuesday. Frieden said, "Police officers don't leave their constitutional rights at the door when they are hired."Frieden said Eaton and Campbell also don't disagree that Glenda Overstreet, president of the Topeka branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a columnist for The Topeka Capital-Journal, has a right to express her opinion.The lawsuit "has nothing to do with racism. The issue we've raised in federal court and in arbitration has to do with the right of freedom of speech," Frieden said.Overstreet said Tuesday that she didn't have any response to the lawsuit "other than I was totally unaware of it. They have every personal right to do what they think is best."In her Feb. 17 column, Overstreet suggested that Shawnee County District Courts are "racist," Frieden said.Overstreet's column included "her questioning the justice involved in the sentencing of a young African-American male on drug charges since no other African-Americans were involved in the young man's sentencing, including the jury, judge and attorneys involved." The column included an e-mail address where Overstreet invited public comment, "not just comments that are favorable," Frieden said. Campbell sent an e-mail from his residential account on Feb. 19 to Overstreet, who responded two days later. On Feb. 22, Eaton sent an e-mail from his "TPD e-mail account at his home" to Overstreet and two police officers, the lawsuit said. Harsha disciplined Campbell and Eaton on March 3, saying they violated administrative regulations."The real reason discipline was administered related solely to the content of the specific comments made" by Eaton and Campbell, the lawsuit said without going into specifics about the e-mails.Eaton also responded to Overstreet's column with a letter that was published in The Metro News on Feb. 24, in which Eaton said, "Mrs. Overstreet must also be a 'street lawyer' because her legal advice to anyone accused of anything (even if you are innocent -- wow) is to 'remain silent so as to not harm your case.' Incredible. It sure looks better if you are innocent, to remain silent and not help out so the 'guilty' party can be found. Is that what you told Cortez? It appears to me that you have an axe to grind, and just so you know, I won't be reading your racist articles any longer and your credibility as a journalist and your NAACP branch no longer exists. Yeah, I used the word 'colored.' If you don't like it, change what the fourth letter in "NAACP" stands for."He concluded his letter with, "Ms. Overstreet, because of the color of your skin, you are not better than everyone else."The lawsuit seeks a court order instructing Harsha to reverse Eaton's demotion, to rescind the suspensions and award back pay.The lawsuit doesn't specify a monetary amount the two police officers are seeking, but the two are asking for compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs.Patrolman Artie Gonzales, FOP chief steward, expressed the FOP's support for Campbell and Eaton. The two officers have much experience and are held in high esteem by other Topeka police officers, Gonzales said."We are not going to debate this in the press," Gonzales said. "We are going to exercise our lawful rights in the court system and through our contractual rights, and then when this is overturned in arbitration, we will make a statement at that point." Regardless of what they said, this is America; they were off the clock, and they are entitled to their First Amendment rights of free speech. I understand that Overstreet may not like that her son went to jail, and she likewise had her right to free speech as well. If she didn't want opinions different from her own, she should not have asked for public comments; better yet maybe she should have chosen a different topic for her column.

Is Iraq On The Verge Of Civil War?

Kevin Surbaugh — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 14:04:19 EST

When we went into Iraq a few years ago I wondered why we were so eager to keep the country together as one, with the Kurds in the north not being liked by either the Shiites or the Sunni's. It made sense to give each 1/3 of the country and set up 3 governments, much like when the former Soviet Union split. However, I was optimistic that the American style "melting pot" might work. Pat Buchanan said last year that at some point he believed that there indeed would be a civil War: "no guarantee Iraq will remain one nation, no guarantee there will not be chaos and civil war." [Worldnetdaily.com] With some his anti-Semitic comments and outlandish claims about the mideast, this is one of the few things I have to agree with him about.Then this week we have been seeing in the news: Fighting erupted in several western Baghdad neighborhoods Friday evening after the expiration of a curfew that had been imposed throughout central Iraq after widespread religious and ethnic killings the day before.While U.S. and Iraqi leaders continued to call for calm, there was broad uncertainty about the next steps to prevent Iraq from sliding into civil war.Hours after Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said in a televised address that the government had secured religious shrines throughout the country, two rockets struck the tomb of Salman Pak, also known as Salman al-Farisi. Salman Pak was a seventh-century companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and Shiite Muslims revere his tomb.Although the tomb has far less importance than the Samarra shrine that was bombed Wednesday - touching off the latest round of violence - Friday's attack raised fears that Shiites would ignore the orders of their religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, to refrain from violence. Maybe now is the time for America to forget trying to set up the new government and train the new police. Maybe now is the time to just cut and run. America does not need to be involved in a civil war, and it appears within a month Iraq will be embroiled in a huge civil war between at least 2 of its 3 factions. The question is, will the Kurds join the fight? Which side will they join? Or will it be a three way war? Even the Iraqi President has said the negotiations this week between the Sunni's and Shiites do not look good. Mr. President, get our troops away from this Civil War. It is not our fight.

DVD Review: Unlocking The Mysteries Of Life

Kevin Surbaugh — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 05:55:46 EST

A few weeks ago, a friend asked if I would review an animated DVD called Unlocking the Mystery of Life. I really didn't want to; I felt and still do feel grossly under-qualified to discuss the issue that this DVD dealt with. However, almost begrudgingly, and because I knew how important the topic was, I agreed. Unlocking the Mystery of Life is the story of contemporary scientists who are advancing a powerful, but controversial, idea -- the theory of "intelligent design." It is a theory based upon compelling biochemical evidence. Unlocking the Mystery of Life starts by describing Charles Darwin's trip to the Galapagos Islands and how it influenced him to write his On the Origin of Species describing natural selection as an explanation for evolution.With interviews with scientists that question the traditional evolutionary thought, that are brought to life with state-of-the-art computer animation and microscopic photography of living systems. The viewer is transported into the interior of the living cell to explore systems and machines that bear the unmistakable hallmarks of design. Amazing animation footage of the bacterial flagellum provides the viewer with a detailed tour of "the most efficient machine in the universe."This DVD, quotes both Darwin and Michael Behe, both of which were/are evolutionists. Behe wrote Darwin's Black Box, which was published in 1996. In 2005, Behe told the New Yorker, He hadn't meant to imply that irreducibly complex systems "by definition" cannot evolve gradually. He also says, "I quite agree that my argument against Darwinism does not add up to a logical proof." It may be necessary to view this DVD several times to get past being amazed by what the producers did and actually listen to the logic of the arguments being made. A teacher could spend months trying to convey how genes are transcribed and translated, a task achieved by the producers in minutes using three-dimensional computer-generated graphics. Anyone planning on using this DVD in biology classes should do their lecturing on transcription and translation first if they want students to be listening. After seeing it, students will have a firm grasp on the topic.Unlocking the Mystery of Life gives a clear and fair explanation of Darwin's ideas, which must be understood first if one is to understand why they do not account for what we see in nature. Concepts like irreducible complexity, molecular machines and the amazing information content of cells are masterfully presented. Unlocking the Mystery of Life represents a powerful educational tool in the arsenal of those seeking to promote clear thinking when addressing questions about the origin of life.In short, no matter what your view is on evolution and intelligent design, this is a DVD that everyone should view. I highly recommend this 65-minute DVD.Five out of five stars

Price Chopper To Enter Topeka Market

Kevin Surbaugh — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 04:59:18 EST

Here is another story that I have been sitting on for several months. Why? As an employee for one of the stores, I have heard a lot of rumors, and separating fact from fiction can be difficult. As an employee I can't repeat everything I know, so I was glad when I finally saw this story released to the media. I was surprised at how much detail has been revealed a month ahead of time. According to the Topeka Capital Journal, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) of Kansas City, Kan., owner of Falley's/Food 4 Less stores in Topeka, plans to convert four Food 4 Less stores in Topeka to Price Chopper stores, company officials announced this morning. The conversion to Price Chopper in mid-March will increase employment in the four Food 4 Less stores in Topeka to nearly 800 from 600 employees, said John Rolfe, director of perishables for the Price Chopper group in Topeka.You may remember I wrote a few months ago about AWG merging two of its subsidiaries into one. This is the final move of that action. The company got rid of all but 8 of the 45 employees at the Falley's corporate office. While the rest of the grocery operation is operating out of the Oklahoma City office of Homeland stores (HAC, Inc), the remaining employees in the corporate offices in Topeka will oversee Price Chopper operations in the Topeka and Saint Joseph area. Last fall, Associated Wholesale Grocers decided to merge Falley's/Food 4 Less corporate offices in Topeka with AWG's Homeland Stores in Oklahoma City. Several corporate functions, including accounting, moved to Oklahoma City to the Homeland Stores group. The number of employees in the Falley's/Food 4 Less corporate office in Topeka fell to eight from 45, Rolfe said. He said the remaining employees would oversee the Price Chopper operations in Topeka. Price Chopper, which has some national name recognition, was founded 27 years ago in Kansas City, and employs more than 8,000 in its home market. Kansas City-area Price Chopper Stores are owned by five local families. The Topeka and St. Joseph stores are owned by Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation's second-largest grocery cooperative. In addition to owning the stores to be converted, AWG also supplies all the Price Chopper's in the Midwest as well as owns the name.

Buffett To Retire From Coca-Cola Board

Kevin Surbaugh — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 20:50:23 EST

Stuff.co.nz reported this morning that, Billionaire investor Warren Buffett will step down as a director of Coca-Cola Company this year because of time constraints after 17 years on the board of the world's biggest soft-drink company.Buffett, 75, told Coca-Cola that he did not plan to seek reelection to the board that he has sat on since 1989, the beverage giant said.The announcement brings to an end a controversial episode in Buffett's illustrious career, which saw him steer the company away from the acquisition of Quaker Oats, delaying Coke's entry into the lucrative sports drinks market.Buffett's departure got a positive reaction from Wall Street. "On the whole it is a plus for Coca-Cola. Their board is stale," said Marc Heilweil, president of Spectrum Advisory Services in Atlanta, which owns about 130,000 shares of Coke.When I read the headline this morning my heart kind of sank. I remember when some institutional owners in Coca-Cola were trying to mount a bid to vote the "Oracle of Omaha" off the board. I, however, being a true Coke fanatic and a follower of Buffett's, voted with the majority for the best-known shareowner. After reading the article and seeing he was the one responsible for Coke dropping their attempt to acquire Quaker Oats (which owns Gatorade), allowing Pepsico to acquire it and the number one sports drink, Gatorade, I thought the move was stupid. I had never understood why Coke would look at such a great investment, and then just walk away. One has to wonder if the Oracle has lost his touch.Still, even though Pepsi had acquired all of Quaker's products, Coke still outsold Pepsico quarter after quarter; that is until the announcement of the figures for the most recent quarter. Pepsi may have lost the cola wars, but who cares? While Coca-Cola remains a beverage company, Pepsico has grown into a snack foods company that just happens to sell beverages, and as such is beginning to beat Coke in other markets, namely the sports drinks market. Maybe with poor judgments like those, it is time for him to retire and allow a fresher, younger voice to sit on the board. I wish Mr. Buffett the best of luck, and I am sure we are going to continue to hear from him for many years to come.

Congress Planning to Shut Down Third Parties

Kevin Surbaugh — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 03:42:46 EST

I first learned of this from a Green Party press release. While I disagree with most of the Greens' issues, or at least don't agree with them to the extent that they push them, I have to say this is an issue that I support. Not because I am Republican, I have flirted with Conservative third parties, but because of the 2 power hungry sides in my party that don't care who they step on and hurt. It sometimes is so bad, that someone like me who wants to bring the sides together is likely to get hurt, because neither side claims you and both sides call you a member of the other camp. But, that's not what this article is about.This article is about the Democrats trying to pass a bill (HR 4694) that effectively seeks to ban any and all third parties, basically making it so only the Republicans and Democrats will have access to power. It's already difficult for an independent or third party candidate to gain ballot access, but this new bill would make it almost impossible. HR 4694 ("Let the People Decide Clean Campaign Act") would mean that the official nominees of parties (i.e., Democrats and Republicans) that had averaged 25% of the vote for House races in a given district in the last two elections would get full public funding.All others (i.e., third party and independent candidates) would be required to submit petitions signed by 10% of the number of people who voted in the last election to get partial funding, and 20% petitions to get full funding.The press release gives an example of the 2nd district in Missouri, where 10% of that district would be some 35,000 signatures, just to spend anything at all, including your/his/her own money.This is a bill that people of all parties should be concerned about. It prohibits the exercise of free speech, which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Sure the Green Party may have siphoned off votes from the Democrats, but lest we forget Perot did the same to Republicans a few years before. If anything we as voters should vote third party more often so that we can get give a chance to some other ideas that the big two ignore. So no matter what party you belong to, I encourage you to write your Congressman and tell him or her to vote against HR 4694. It doesn't matter if you belong to the Green, Libertarian, Constitution, Democratic, Republican or any of the other parties out there or no party at all, this is an issue that we must put down. If you believe in free speech then this is something you have to fight.