My family took summer vacations each year to fantastic American destinations, the Grand Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Maine, Florida, we made it to each state by the time my sister graduated high school. The Griswold vacation movies hold a bit of nostalgia for me. A family that piles into a car with a pop up camper and an atlas share an experience never forgotten. For better or for worse. Most can write a book about their childhood. I'm pretty certain I could write a sitcom.

Further announcements will be forthcoming as rescheduling is determined to be feasible or not.

Since as far back as I can remember, my opinions, motivations, and actions have been arrived at through a pragmatic process. The consequence of what I thought was well reasoned pragmatic opinion resulted in some rather memorable spankings from my parents. It took me a while to learn that even though the boss wasn't always right, the boss was still the boss. Quite often, we pragmatists make spur of the moment decisions and speak without thinking. I've learned from experience that the results are not very good sometimes. Some of my childhood spankings were a result of my not thinking before I spoke or acted. Sometimes, as kids growing up, we just do things because they are fun, and be damned the consequences. Well, now and then the parents, teachers, or neighbors didn't appreciate the fun and the "damned" consequences became reality.

By now, some of you are probably thinking, what's the old codger trying to tell us. Why doesn't he just quit the prattle and spit it out.

AYF rally particpants

Still the funding never reached the levels ascribed in the Kansas Legislature's own cost study (2001 Augenblick and Myers). This study found that funding needed for Kansas schools - now nine years ago - ranged from $5,811 per pupil (large districts) to $8,541 per pupil (small districts); with additional costs for: special education: $7,400-$12,000 per pupil; at-risk: $1,900-$2,600 per pupil; English Language Learner (ELL): $1,200 to $6,000 per pupil. In order to be a "Successful School," the average base cost of $4,547 per pupil was proposed.

Yesterday, Kansas NOW testified against the amendment in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The opposition to the bill was overwhelming, while absolutely no supporters came to offer testimony in favor of the amendment. Even the fellow who introduced it stayed away. The bill was "worked" this morning and I am happy to report that the amendment was removed from the bill! Only two Senators voted in favor of the amendment, Senator Pilcher-Cook (R-Shawnee) and Senator Donovan (R-Wichita).

The following is the testimony that I presented on behalf of Kansas NOW...

With the appointment of Democrat Chris Biggs today as the new Secretary of State, this leaves only Republican Sandy Praeger, our Insurance Commissioner, as the lone Republican constitutional statewide elected official. And we could do a lot worse than Praeger. Right Wing Republican Eric Carter tried to unseat her three years ago by telling audiences: "She's not a Republican." He lost.

Republicans love to point out that all five Democrats were appointed, as if it was sinister. But the Kansas Constitution gives the Governor great power, and having a Democrat Governor these last seven years has made these appointments possible.

More than 250 members of the Kansas Organization of State Employees (KOSE) will be marching on the State House to make our voices heard and to share our concerns with Legislators. In the midst of this current budget crisis we are more vigilant than ever to protect our jobs, paychecks, and pensions. As state employees, our jobs, wages, and retirement are directly linked to what happens at the State House.

We understand this crisis calls for shared sacrifice from all aspects of state government. However, we are not about to sacrifice our very livelihoods and the well being of our families to balance this budget. We know where the real waste in government is and if we were better protected from reprisal we would bring it out into the open. That is why we support the Whistleblower Protection Act. It's time to cut government waste, not jobs!

"Chris has been in public service for more than twenty years, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our state, our citizens, and our future," Parkinson said. "Chris will bring his forward-looking vision to the Office of Secretary of State while increasing the efficiency and participation in Kansas' elections."

Prior to today's appointment, Biggs, also served as an attorney in public service, including 14 years as Geary County Attorney. Biggs is a graduate of Kansas State University and KU Law School.

TOPEKA, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, Patrick Woods. He lives in Topeka with his wife Anna, a Topeka Public Schools teacher, and their young son Zen. When not spending time with his family, Patrick works as the director of governmental affairs, Office of Public and Governmental Services for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. He began his state service in the governor's office, shortly before the special session of 2005, as the education policy adviser to then Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

MCDOWELL CREEK, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, Margy Stewart. She lives with her husband Ron Young on a ranch in the northern Flint Hills. Margy is professor of English at Washburn University, where she teaches American literature, composition, and nature writing. At Washburn, she is also coordinator of Writing Across the Curriculum. She is also founder of Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge.

LAWRENCE, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, George Dungan. He hails from the great state of Nebraska and spent his early life involved in Midwestern progressive politics. He was also recently elected by the Kansas Young Democrats as that state organization's 2nd Vice President. George is finishing a degree in political science and women's studies at the University of Kansas and will soon head to law school, possibly out of state. He promises to continue writing at KFP. Naturally, we hope he comes home when he achieves his J.D.

SHAWNEE, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, Amber Versola. A lifelong Kansan, Amber was born in Salina and grew up in Galva, Kansas. She attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where she played rugby, was active with the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center and the Oliver Hall Government, serving for one year as its community service co-chair. She's currently continuing her education working towards a bachelors in political science from Fort Hays State University.

For those who haven't heard, he is accepting money from workers compensation funds, the Kansas Bankers Association, the Kansas Realtors Association, and Speedy Cash to sue the state. These special interest groups have every right to lobby the legislature. But make no mistake about it, they try to influence legislation. And when Mr. O'Neal accepted money from these groups it sure looks like he is charging for access to his office. O'Neal may not consider this paying for access. But I do. And many other Reno County residents do.

Eight years later that unknown State Senator was elected President of the United States. Obama was cocky and foolish to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) in 2000. But Obama seems to have a habit of trying something audacious, getting crushed, but then making a comeback against all odds.

When Obama, a relative newcomer to the U.S. Senate, challenged Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democratic nomination for President, he was written off by many as an overconfident upstart. When he stunned everyone by winning the Iowa caucuses, he got overconfident in New Hampshire a few days later -- and lost.

Abortion neutral may be an elusive concept, but it remains very much alive if Congress, the White House and supporters of the overhaul effort want it to be.