Congressman's absence at forum a shame

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Pittsburg State University Collegio

Staff Editorial
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Opinion


It's unfortunate that Congressman Jim Ryun didn't participate in the forum on alternative energy in McCray Hall on Monday night. The event, sponsored by the Green Gorillas and Campus Democrats, provided an opportunity for the 100 or so people in attendance to hear informed debate about energy issues affecting Kansans and the nation.

Looking beyond the "he said, he said" of why Ryun didn't attend the forum - campaign manager Jeffery Black says the congressman wasn't invited, while Green Gorillas/Campus Dems adviser Mark Peterson says he personally placed several phone calls to Ryun's campaign office, asking him to participate - it's clear that Ryun lost more than just an opportunity to connect with young and old voters, who engaged the panelists with a Q&A for more than half of the event.

He lost an opportunity to engage his opponent, Nancy Boyda, in what could have been an enlightening debate.

Politicians have a responsibility to meet with the electorate and make their views known, as well as listen to feedback and concerns from constituents.

Boyda gave people right here in our community that opportunity on Monday, and for that she should be commended.

Ryun has a satellite congressional office in downtown Pittsburg, but it was unclear from his campaign manager when the congressman had last come to Pittsburg to press the flesh.

When the Collegio requested a list of campaign stops Ryun has made throughout the state in the last month, Black refused to release that information.

Whatever the reasons really are for his absence, it reflects poorly on his campaign. While they are not afraid to lob salvos at their opponent via television ads, it would seem they are unwilling to engage in public discourse, which has been the lifeblood of our democracy.

While Ryun's office can claim ignorance of the event, and his supporters who attended the forum can grouse about Monday night's "unfriendly environment," the plain truth is he should have made it a point to be here.

As his campaign manager said, Ryun has been a supporter of alternative fuel sources, lobbying for ethanol plants here in Southeast Kansas. He should have welcomed the opportunity to come and tell the electorate how much he has supported Kansans and how much he will continue to do so if he is re-elected.

That he didn't speaks volumes.

Ryun hasn't run so fast since he was a miler. He's relied on his reputation as a conservative, family man and Christian. Well, the public is finally seeing that he's a self-serving fundamentalist asshole.

btw, my friend who lives up in the McLouth area said she noticed that a number of Boyda signs were uprooted and knocked over on the backroads from McLouth to Tonganoxie. She travels between those to cities at least twice a week visiting a relative. The signs were alright until about ten days ago. Coincidentally, this was about the same time that Ryun signs started going up. She said Boyda signs were more likely to have been knocked over the closer they were to the new Ryun signs.

Here's the good part. The relative she visits usually votes Republican. My friend told her about the signs being knocked over. A couple of days later the relative called my friend and told her that knocking the signs over upset her. The relative said she could no longer support a party that participated in dirty tricks and smearing the opponent. This year the relative is voting for Boyda.

Yea, I think Jim's glory days are over. I can buy a conservative Christian family man, but this religious freak "speaks in tongues". He truely believes he's somehow a special Christian. He also supports arranged marriages. Truely over the top.


I'm seeing Nancy Boyda signs everywhere here. Gov. Sebelius will visit locally next week. Things are looking pretty good in SEK. Just need to get the voters out.

Nancy has more support in SEK this time around than she did last time. She also has more support in some rural areas up north than she did back in 2004.

I live in Moore's district. I'm more than a mile from the district boundary but there are Nancy signs all over my area too. I think it helps. Signs in the 3CD help remind/reassure people in the 2CD that Nancy is popular and has a lot of support.

What's your perception of her support in your area? BTW, are you in Girad?