The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind

It was dark and the house was freezing cold this morning as I stumbled out of bed. I turned on the light in the hallway as I made my way to the thermostat to crank up the heat long enough to take the chill off. I started a pot of coffee, headed to the bathroom to shave and take a quick, hot shower.
It’s 6:00 AM Wednesday morning. I’m settled down in front of the computer sipping on my first cup of coffee. To say I’m still working on this week’s column would be an understatement. I’m still trying to decide what to talk about.
I guess I’ll start out with my morning. It’s probably not that much different than everyone else’s. Our days probably start out much the same. They might start out at different times, and we all head off in different directions. But there’s one common denominator that ties us all together. A reliable source of electricity. Without it, life would pretty much suck. And that holds true for all of us. It makes no difference whether you’re liberal or conservative. A Republican or Democrat. Gay, straight, black or white, it doesn’t matter. We all depend on electricity for everything part of our lives. I hope we can all agree on at least that much.
The disagreements start with the source of this reliable source of electricity. In denying the required permits for the expansion at the coal fired, Holcomb power plant the Governor has promised us the answer is blowing in the wind. Here’s the deal. I don’t care where our electricity comes from. I just want to be able to turn on my lights when I need to and I want to be able to heat and cool my house. It’s really not all that complicated. I have no feelings for coal one way or the other. I don’t believe it’s as evil as some would have us believe. I do know it’s been a plentiful and reliable fuel source for hundreds of years and will remain so for hundreds of years to come. At least that’s way I hear it.
Let’s say it’s 15 or 20 years in the future. Coal fired power plants have all but disappeared. Wind farms have popped up all over the country. Pollution from power plants is zero. Life is good. But what happens if the wind stops blowing and the lights go out? Just wondering.
Oh by the way, last Tuesday was supposed to be a big day for the pro-life crowd. It was the day the Grand Jury finally convened to investigate George Tiller for possible violations of Kansas’ late term abortion laws. I say “suppose to be” because it was also the day that presiding Judge Michael Corrigan announced that Sedgwick County Deputy District Attorney Ann Swegle, a staunch anti-life Democrat was going to direct the investigation. Over 7,500 citizens in Sedgwick County signed this petition under the condition that a Special Prosecutor be appointed and that District Attorney Nola Foulston, another staunch, anti-life Democrat or anyone associated with her office not be involved with the case. During her 30 minute conversation with the Judge, Swegle refused to rule out the possibility of Foulston’s involvement through her during the investigation. Okay, maybe I’m over reacting.
But just for the fun of it, let’s look back at the 06 Attorney General’s race. First we had Paul Morrison promising to drop all charges against George Tiller if elected. It was one of the very first promises he kept too. We had Sedgwick County Nola Foulston racing to court to have all charges against Tiller dropped on technical grounds. She couldn’t have cared less about the merits of the charges. Her political, financial, and personal ties with George Tiller run deep. And now we’re supposed to believe her office can conduct an impartial investigation? Give me a break. Nothing like the entire Kansas legal system flipping you the bird. My question is, does anyone even care?
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net