Wednesday, August 09, 2006
It Ain't Over 'Till It's Over (And Not Then)
Moderates flexed their muscles in the Kansas primary election last week dealing a blow to the hopes and dreams of the religious right.
Still, Thomas Franks, a Kansas native and the author of What's the Matter with Kansas, writes in a New York Times Op-Ed that, "it is far too soon to write the obituary for the godly radicals."
Franks believes the religious right suffered a setback because its "faction may have chosen lousy candidates this time around, and their public appeal may have dissipated thanks to the preposterous issues (evolution, stem-cell research) against which their leaders have lately been hurling themselves, but the movement is deeply ingrained in Kansas culture. The conservatives will undoubtedly be back."
We agree.
That's why all of us have to understand that the school board election victory must be followed by more education, more organizing, more fundraising, and many more election victories.
This is a battle that's going to be with us for a long time.
The ultimate victory -- if there is such a thing as ultimate victory -- will go to those who understand best the protracted nature of this struggle and vow to fight as long as it takes.
In the long run, a 6-4 moderate majority on the Kansas school board isn't enough. In November, we need to defeat right-wing radicals John Bacon and Ken Willard by helping Don Weiss and Jack Wempe. Then we need to get started on 2008.
Still, Thomas Franks, a Kansas native and the author of What's the Matter with Kansas, writes in a New York Times Op-Ed that, "it is far too soon to write the obituary for the godly radicals."
Franks believes the religious right suffered a setback because its "faction may have chosen lousy candidates this time around, and their public appeal may have dissipated thanks to the preposterous issues (evolution, stem-cell research) against which their leaders have lately been hurling themselves, but the movement is deeply ingrained in Kansas culture. The conservatives will undoubtedly be back."
We agree.
That's why all of us have to understand that the school board election victory must be followed by more education, more organizing, more fundraising, and many more election victories.
This is a battle that's going to be with us for a long time.
The ultimate victory -- if there is such a thing as ultimate victory -- will go to those who understand best the protracted nature of this struggle and vow to fight as long as it takes.
In the long run, a 6-4 moderate majority on the Kansas school board isn't enough. In November, we need to defeat right-wing radicals John Bacon and Ken Willard by helping Don Weiss and Jack Wempe. Then we need to get started on 2008.
