Say Goodbye...

The Legislation approved a bill that outlaws chemicals added to herms to mimic illegal drugs. These drugs, like K2, can be smoked to get the same effects as smoking marijuana. The bill also outlaws chemicals that mimic the effect of Ecstacy. The bill passed with a 37-1 voting record. Kansas had previously made it legal to purchase herbs with additive chemicals to mimic marijuana, such as K2. For some, it was fun while it lasted.

For more information on this bill see the article from The Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/25/1773911/ban-on-synthetic-pot-sent-to-kansas.html

Don't do it... resist the urge.

According to an article on cjonline.com the Kansas Senate passed a bill today,Friday, that texting while driving is illegal. The first offense would be a traffic violation and the second offense would be considered a misdemeanor along with a uniform fine of $100. The question I rise is, how are they going to know if you are texting or not? From personal observation I have noticed most people look into the laps while texting and driving, not hold the phone up in the air for everyone to see. While this bill is moving in the right direction I think it would have made more sense to ban using a phone while driving period. Most of the people not paying attention while driving are either on their phone or just so extremly old that they should no longer be driving, no offense. Kansas would not have been the first state to ban the use of a cell phone while in the car.

To read more about the new texting ban visit: http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-02-19/texting_ban_passes

Topeka says goodbye to jobs while Lenexa welcomes 220.

According to an article from cjonline.com Topeka has cut the jobs of six employees while eliminating over 36 currently vacant jobs as well. While another article from cjonline.com states that a collection agency plans to build a call center in Lenexa that would offer 220 jobs. I found these two articles very ironic. Many companies have been experiencing the impact of the recession in their business, but others are thriving. The collection agencies have their hands full with people of go after for their clients, mainly banks. I would say that both of the leads were written effectively, they both got straight to the point without giving away all the information so that the reader would continue to read. On a personal side note, layoffs are very stressful on everyone; the employer, the employees and the employees family. My dad works for Sprint, so my family has been through the ringer every time layoffs come around. This last cycle of layoffs my dad was actually told he was going to be laid off and that in two weeks it would be last day. His last week working at Sprint his boss called him into his office. He informed my dad that he would not be leaving, that they had simply made a mistake by thinking they didn’t need him. That decision, probably effective my dad and my family more than originally being let go to begin with.

To find out more about these articles visit:
http://cjonline.com/news/2010-02-11/city_cuts_jobs_more_could_come

http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-02-12/lenexa_call_center_offers_220_jobs

What the Unexpectable Brings...

As everyone has heard by now, the earthquake devastated many Haitians. But what people do not realize is the good that has come from the earthquake. The Haiti government believes that once a Haitian leaves his country and becomes an American citizen that he is voluntarily renouncing his birthplace.But now, after the earthquake, the tables have turned. The people of Haiti are relying on people that were once shunned, to come back and help rebuild their country. And even though they were once shunned, they are responding to their plea for help in masses. So while the earthquake has caused tremendous damage, it has also helped to restore peace and allow those who have not been allowed to visit their country, as anything but other than tourists, come back and unite as one to rebuild their beloved country.

More information on this topic can be find at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/us/04diaspora.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us