Survey turns politics on its head - Omaha World-Herald

A recent survey of Nebraskans’ views about their U.S. senators found this: Republicans like their former governor Ben Nelson, a Democrat, more than Democrats do.

And Democrats are more fond of straight-talking Vietnam vet Chuck Hagel, a Republican, than Republicans are.

Sen. Chuck Hagel
As of 03/13/06

Approve - 59%
Disapprove - 32%

Approval among Republicans - 59/33
Approval among Democrats - 63/28

Sen. Ben Nelson
As of 03/13/06

Approve - 70%
Disapprove - 23%

Approval among Republicans - 75/20
Approval among Democrats - 69/24

Sen. Ben Nelson Approval Ratings - Survey USA
Sen. Chuck Hagel Approval Ratings - Survey USA

I almost overlooked a very interesting story in today’s Omaha World-Herald.

County treasurer suspends employee over greeting card - Omaha World-Herald

Please read the entire news story. Here are some of the highlights…

Douglas County Treasurer Julie Haney has placed one of her higher-ranking employees on paid leave after the employee signed and helped circulate a greeting card for a man convicted of embezzling from the office.

That employee’s name is Trish Lanphier. Trish Lanphier is a Democrat that has announced she is running for clerk of the Douglas County District Court. Julie Haney is a Republican.

So, how can I turn this into a Republican conspiracy? Actually, I don’t have to because Julie Haney has done that for me. Just read the news story.

On Wednesday, employees in the treasurer’s downtown office circulated the card for Cappellano, a 31-year employee who was sentenced in January to 18 months in prison.

Several people signed it - some wrote messages indicating that they were praying for Cappellano - before it made its way to Lanphier. Lanphier subsequently approached other employees about whether they wanted to sign the card.

At least one person refused to sign the card.

A few hours later, Haney’s chief deputy, Tom Zoucha, confronted Lanphier about the card. Lanphier was told to report to Haney’s office.

In the course of that meeting, workers outside Haney’s office could hear Haney yelling inside.

The next day, Zoucha escorted Lanphier out of the office.

So far, the source said, no other employee has been disciplined for signing the card. About 10 people signed it.

So, ten people signed the card and Trish Lanphier is the only employee that’s been suspended? Sounds a little fishy to me.

I can’t wait until Lanphier gets her civil service hearing on this matter. I have a feeling this story could explode in Haney’s face.

It wasn’t long ago when Justice Roberts and Chief Justice Samuel Alito were facing the Senate Judiciary Committee in their fight to bring a new look to the Supreme Court. Although both were confirmed without any serious problems, that didn’t stop the speculation among the American people about how they would rule in certain instances. The abortion issue alone gave birth to more debate than whether Brokeback Mountain was Hollywood’s attempt at destroying America (Hannity & Colmes official position: yes indeed.)

Few realized that we would get the opportunity to showcase our psychic powers so quickly. South Dakota just passed a bill that made all abortions illegal. The only exception would be if the mother’s life is in danger. The new law is in direct conflict with Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Planned Parenthood is intending to fight the new legislation which may land the case, and the controversy, in the hands of the Supreme Court once again. This would be the 39th time that abortion has made it into the national spotlight, and with 38 affirmations of Roe, this controversy is a blowout by any standard. Will the two new justices be enough to tip the scales, or are we looking at 39 decisions in a row for pro-choice America? I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out…

For the full story visit CNN.