HUTCHINSON, Kan. - And the hypocrisy reveals itself. Many tried to warn of the duplicity in the Republican Party when it comes to immigration issues but few would listen.

When the Republican dominated Kansas legislature tried to address issues of misclassification and e-verify several years ago, it was met with strong opposition from Chamber of Commerce and eventually withered on the vine.

Now the author of the Arizona immigration laws and darling of the TEA Party, Sec. of State-elect Kris Kobach, is doing just as might be expected by fanning the flames in Kansas to resurrect these issues.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - It's easy to become discouraged listening to the litany of bad news about the economy. This is particularly true if your information is coming from the rant radio crowd. One can imagine Limbaugh at the point of wetting himself as he gleefully reports the latest figures.

However when listening to the figures relating to declining home purchases it struck me that this could be considered a very positive indicator.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Each time I relate some inane piece of information gleaned from subjecting myself to Rush's rants I get the same reaction, "How can you stand to listen to him?"

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - As if the doldrums and cold of January aren't depressing enough I subjected myself to more than an hour of Mr. Tiahrt's blather at a town hall meeting in Hutchinson this morning.

In truth it turned out to be more of a GOP rally.

He started with a attempt at humor, commenting on the frigid temperatures and complaining that Gore had led us astray with his promise of warming. I could tell it was going to be a long morning when the audience tittered appreciatively at that and his next remark about hoping to speak well without the aid of a teleprompter - snicker, snicker.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Though I've visited KFP frequently, this is my first contribution. I admit to being somewhat intimidated by the quality of work from other contributors but will do my best to deserve being included in their company.

After giving up on resolutions years ago, this year I may have hit on one that I believe to be worth the effort and more importantly, perhaps will prove to be doable.