I was fortunate to attend the Silver Haired Legislature at the Capitol recently as an observer.

The first speaker was Jack Cole, a retired New Jersey narcotics detective, who spoke passionately and with statistics to about his belief that the drug war is a total and complete failure and a whole new approach is needed.

The next speaker was Gov. Sam Brownback. He neither recognized, thanked or commented about Cole's speech. Brownback spoke about the accomplishments of his administration. When he mentioned Kansas had a $400 million surplus in state coffers, there was no applause. I believe most everyone in the chamber knew Kansas schoolchildren were being deprived of a first-class education so the governor could brag about his budget. It was nothing to brag about or applaud. As Brownback left the chamber after speaking, a lady from western Kansas approached him with a petition to legalize industrial hemp so she could grow it on her farm. She asked the governor to take the petition, but he declined. Brownback claims to be compassionate, but I feel his actions speak much louder than his words.

Topeka

[end]