An Inconsistent Message

Kansas Viewpoint

Comments on news events, controversies, hot topics of the day, from energy issues to production to policy for Kansas farmers.

An Inconsistent Message

Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:14 PM

Today, Gov. Sam Brownback declared a disaster emergency in 21 Kansas counties that have been hard hit by drought through the fall and winter of 2010-2011. Almost all of them stand to lose most of the winter wheat crop and have insufficient moisture to plant a fall crop. At the same time, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, fired up on budget deficits and empowered by Rep. Ron Ryan's "brave" plan for budget reduction, suggest that federal funds for agriculture should be eliminated. Brownback, last time I looked, was a Republican conservative, bordering on Tea Party budget hawk and a big supporter or Ryan cuts. Is he really going to the federal trough asking for money? Is he departing from his party roots or simply recognizing that disaster is disaster, especially when it hits home? Mind you, I am absolutely NOT, repeat NOT, suggesting that western Kansas farmers hit by weather disaster should not get help. I absolutely believe they should get help. I am also NOT suggesting the Governor was wrong to declare a disaster emergency for wildfires in Stanton County on March 30 or Ellsworth and Saline Counties on April 11. Or that he was wrong in declaring a winter storm disaster in 53 counties back on Feb. 1. But I am pointing out that helping them is not consistent with the governor's stated beliefs and not consistent with what his party says we need to do in Washington, which would eliminate the budget that would pay for all of the relief that he is asking for in these disaster declarations. We ought to think about that.

Add a Comment

Recent Posts


Back to Top

Rust Threat tp Wheat Grows With Warm, Wet Weather
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Stripe rust, leaf rust both threaten wheat as weather continues mild, wet
Category: Wheat

Noxious Weed, Sure. But It Has Nothing On Bermuda Grass
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Early spring brings early weeds and in my world, Bermuda grass is a sure bet for classification as a noxious weed
Category: Farm Family Living

Generosity is Farm Value and It Is Needed Now
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Tornado, severe storm and flood victims located both in urban and in farm areas; donations for aid are sought
Category: Issues

On Farm Bill, Washington D.C. Always Offers A New Viewpoint
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:00 AM
All you have to do is visit Washington to know why understanding the development of the farm bill and communication about it is so difficult.
Category: Issues

Time to Dig in the Dirt and Plant Something
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Warm winter, early spring make annual urges to get planting come early
Category: Issues

Wheat Crop Got Just What It Needed
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:00 AM
With 3 days of rain, wheat crop is flourishing; late freeze is still a threat
Category: Wheat

Great Day With Great Farmers
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Weather is more like summer than late winter, thoughts of crop season flow easily among south central Kansas farmers
Category: Natural resources

Farms, Ranches Show Evidence of Oil Money
Posted on March 01, 2012 at 1:00 AM
So far, farm and ranch improvements are the rewards of land lease money; royalties could well be next
Category: Issues

Farm Families Could Bear Heavy Load in School Fund Cuts
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:00 AM
No matter how you slice it, reducing state funding to education hurts children and their parents, whether they are farm families or urban families
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

FCC Has Pulled Plug on LightSquared
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Concerns about interference with GPS leads FCC to rescind its contingent approval for controversial cell system to be built
Category: Issues

Immigrant Policy Provides Interesting Divide
Posted on February 04, 2012 at 1:00 AM
As Secretary of Ag seeks waiver for illegal workers, the Secretary of State backs the country's most radical anit-immigrant laws
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

Cover Crops Prove Value in Drought
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:00 AM
No-Till on the Plains speaker says cover crops keep soil cooler, conserve more moisture than they use
Category: Natural resources

Warm Weather Is Double Edged Sword For Wheat Farmers
Posted on January 24, 2012 at 1:00 AM
TV weathermen rave about 'nice' weather but farmers look at moisture loss with worry as wheat fields green up and ground cracks
Category: Natural resources

In Farm Country, Support for Light-Squared: What?!
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Farm folks are generally wary of a cell signal that voids their GPS and K-State professor's expressed support startles precision farmer audience
Category: Issues

Wheat Crop Hopes Rise on Wet December
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Moisture helps wheat condition but agronomists say lack of subsoil moisture means crop isn't out of woods yet
Category: Wheat

Thank You, Tractor Supply, For Helping Santa Out
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:00 AM
Rocking horse search has happy ending at farm supply store
Category: Farm Family Living

Christmas Cheer Is Recovering Child
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:00 AM
For more than a month, baby has been fighting mysterious infection
Category: Farm Family Living

Walking, Chewing Gum Not Always Easy
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Tripping over a toy while carrying a baby can be a bone-threatening hazard
Category: Farm Family Living

And, Suddenly, It Is Winter
Posted on December 06, 2011 at 8:30 PM
You'd think we would get used to this summer one day, winter the next, but every year it is a shock
Category: Natural resources

Sometimes, You Get a Funny Sense of Optimism
Posted on November 26, 2011 at 9:01 PM
When I learned how much a little, city boy loves farm toys, I felt a sense of elation, uplift
Category: Farm Family Living

New Drought Monitor Map Not Encouraging
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 8:19 PM
Good news is, area of "excpetional" drought is less; bad news is area of drought spreads dramatically
Category: Natural resources

It's Raining! It's Raining!
Posted on November 07, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Near-constant drizzle, dark skies and occasional downpours have given Wichita its first day of rain since Oct. 8
Category: Natural resources

Have I Mentioned I Hate Leukemia?
Posted on November 02, 2011 at 9:30 PM
With babies struggling around me, I can't ignore this horrible disease
Category: Farm Family Living

As Atchison Tragedy Unfolds, Powerful Memories Resurface
Posted on October 31, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Powerful explosion, fire at Bartlett Grain stirs strong memories of 1998 explosion at DeBruce
Category: Issues

Bare No More
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:08 PM
The winter wheat crop got enough moisture to get up and turn green, but we need more rain
Category: Wheat

It Was a Day of Dirt
Posted on October 07, 2011 at 9:05 PM
It's been hotter and drier than the 1930s and in spite of best farming practices, we have the dirt to prove it
Category: Natural resources

Shell Oil Is Back in Kansas
Posted on October 04, 2011 at 8:53 PM
The "majors" of oil exploration left Kansas years ago but new technology means big new gambles on finding big reserves
Category: Natural resources

Helping Animal Agriculture Grow Is Mission of the Day
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Governor's economic summit in Garden City focuses on how to help current business succeed, attract more to Kansas
Category: Beef

This Is What 'Instability' Looks Like
Posted on September 19, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Kansans are used to scary skies in the spring, but this time of year is a bit freaky
Category: Natural resources

It'a Husker Harvest Days
Posted on September 12, 2011 at 5:44 PM
At the show Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning; hope to run into you there
Category: Issues

Heads Up, Precision Ag Advocates: You Need to Stay on Top of This One
Posted on September 09, 2011 at 9:39 PM
LightSquared agrees to tweak its towers to reduce power of signals, but precision GPS is bigtime at risk
Category: Technology

Just in Time for Official Summer's End: Cooler Weather
Posted on September 06, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Record heat wave ends just in time for Labor Day, start of fall activities
Category: Farm Family Living

Roberts, Stabenow Show Rare Quality for Today's Washington: Congeniality
Posted on August 28, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Field hearing in Wichita shows determination for cooperation between Senate Ag Committee's Chairwoman, ranking Republican
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

Here's to Hoping Washington Gets the Message
Posted on August 24, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Sen. Pat Roberts takes a tour of drought-stricken Reno, Kingman Counties; vows to fight to keep farm safety net
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

A Kernel of Truth in Political Rhetoric
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Michelle Bachman says she'll roll gas back to $1.79 and candy bars back to a nickel
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

Triple Digits Back; No Real End in Sight
Posted on August 23, 2011 at 9:13 PM
After a few days of lower temperatures, we're cooking again
Category: Natural resources

And Now, For A Few Milestones
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:27 PM
One of things about grandkids is that a lot of things just keep on happening and sometimes it helps you feel the fear your parents felt
Category: Farm Family Living

Just When We Were Beginning To Green, Back to 100 Degrees
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:17 PM
After a couple of rains and a brief respite into high 80s and low 90s, Kansas is back in the oven
Category: Natural resources

AGCO Product Launch Is Good Show With Touching Announcement
Posted on August 08, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Amid the ceremony and showmanship of new product announcements, AGCO chairman makes touching, personal announcement
Category: Machinery

Rain At Last, But With A Price -- And Little Relief From Heat
Posted on August 07, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Storms bring two inches of rain, but also high winds, hail, power outages
Category: Farm Management

Ag Dodges First-Round Bullet
Posted on August 02, 2011 at 2:27 PM
No cuts to agriculture programs are in the debt reduction agreement, but it's not over yet
Category: At the Statehouse/Capital

The Heat Goes On
Posted on August 01, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Just about everything is wilting and there's no end in sight
Category: Farm Management

Back to the Broiler
Posted on July 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Who would guess that New Orleans at the end of July would be cooler than Kansas?
Category: Natural resources

110 Under Sunny Skies
Posted on July 20, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Driving across Kansas, the northern green is lovely but the heat is a threat
Category: Natural resources

And Here We Are For Another Week
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:31 PM
If it seems like I just posted this, I did. We arent going anywhere
Category: Natural resources

It Happened Again: The Thunderstorm That Didn't
Posted on July 12, 2011 at 6:38 PM
The wind came up; the black clouds rolled over, the thunder boomed
Category: Natural resources

Now, This is HOT!
Posted on July 11, 2011 at 7:46 AM
Wichita sets a record at 111 degrees; birthday boy still celebrates
Category: Issues

Now The Bashing Begins
Posted on July 05, 2011 at 10:41 PM
With 2012 Farm Bill hearings on the horizon, the ag detractors gear up
Category: Issues

Wheat Harvest Keeps Marching On in Blistering Weather
Posted on June 27, 2011 at 10:09 PM
As harvest moves into true drought territory, fears about quality materialize
Category: Wheat

A Little Something I Learned In England
Posted on June 23, 2011 at 11:23 PM
I was amazed to find out that the Magna Carta spent time in the U.S. during WWII
Category: Farm Family Living

Finding the Unexpected at Cereals 2011 in England
Posted on June 16, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Taking a stroll around the grounds of Europe's largest farm show, I spotted the unexpected: A bit of Kansas
Category: Wheat

Wow, I Woke Up in England
Posted on June 13, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Limagrain wheat conference starts today and I can't quite believe I'm here
Category: Wheat

Wheat Looking Better Than Expected
Posted on June 08, 2011 at 9:21 PM
Harvest is rolling full speed in south-central Kansas and the numbers are better than we expected
Category: Wheat

Governor Has Offended Key Support Group
Posted on June 07, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Gov. Sam Brownback's agreement to ban wind farm development, pursue Flint Hills tourism stirs anger
Category: Issues

We're Very Close to Time for Combines to Roll
Posted on June 03, 2011 at 9:29 PM
It won't be long until we know for sure what we suspect: This is a sad wheat crop
Category: Wheat

All Rain or No Rain At All
Posted on June 02, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Heavy rains produce flood and flash flood threat in northern Kansas while rest of state is hot, windy and dry
Category: Farm Management

It's So Fun To Be Grandma At This Time of Year
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:47 PM
One of the great things about the end of the school year is classes start showing off what they've learned
Category: Farm Family Living

Thunder, Warnings, Not Much Rain
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Very dry conditions continue as overnight storms much thunder, little rain
Category: Natural resources

Alarm Is Ringing; Help Needed Now
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Drought in western Kansas is not to be believed; these farmers, ranchers need help NOW
Category: Natural resources

A Record of the Unwanted Sort
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Wichita and much of the rest of Kansas hit 100 degrees on May 9 and shattered a more-than-100 year old record
Category: Natural resources

OK, That Precious Bundle Is Here
Posted on May 06, 2011 at 10:29 PM
If I couldn't resist talking about the granchild, how can I resist pictures?
Category: Farm Family Living

One Day's Applause Is Another Day's Lawsuit
Posted on May 06, 2011 at 10:12 PM
Siemens wind turbine factory applauds value of rail shipment -- then sues railroad
Category: Technology

Technically On Vacation, But I Can't Resist the Urge
Posted on May 02, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Grandchild will be here tomorrow; stayed tuned
Category: Farm Family Living

An Inconsistent Message
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Governor asks for disaster declaration for 21 counties; Republican Party advocates eliminating funds for disaster programs
Category: Issues

Season of Skywatching Arrives
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Too many dates stand out to ignore the very real danger of the season we're in
Category: Natural resources

Hallelujah, RAIN!!
Posted on April 25, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Welcome moisture moves across much of state; even parched southwest gets a taste of rainfall
Category: Natural resources

National Arboretum A Treasure
Posted on April 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM
Visit to arboretum is a treat for the senses and a natural treasure of germplasm
Category: Natural resources

Smoke 'Debate' Is Not An Honest One
Posted on April 08, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Burning pastures isn't the real issue; day-to-day pollution is the culprit
Category: Natural resources

How Wild Can It Get?
Posted on April 03, 2011 at 10:20 PM
86-mph wind shifts, crazy temperature drop just the way it goes in this wild spring
Category: Risk Management

Goodbye to a Kansas Original
Posted on March 29, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Buyout of Krause Corp. by French company another reminder of U.S. wealth going overseas
Category: Technology

An Awesome Evening with Awesome People
Posted on March 18, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Opportunity to honor this year's Master Farmer/Master Farm Homemaker class is rewarding, humbling
Category: Farm Family Living

It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Old man winter has taken some heavy hits but once again, he proves he won't give up easily
Category: Farm Family Living

Are There Any Family Farms Left in Kansas?
Posted on March 04, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Wheat grower Paul Penner says question on airplane reminded him that the message is still far from delivered
Category: Issues

What, SNOW! Again?
Posted on March 03, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Weather forecast saying snow makes it hard to think about returning home from balmy Florida
Category: Farm Family Living

The Question Was Not About Border Security
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:01 AM
There was a moment at the Kansas Commodity Classic when a real question almost made it to the surface
Category: Issues

It's Always Fun to Meet People Who Know How It Is
Posted on February 21, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Out-of-state visitor says he learned right away that farming is hard work
Category: Farm Management

OK, We Set a Record. Is It Over Now?
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Wichita hits 17 below zero for an all-time record. And that's NOT wind chill
Category: Farm Family Living

Too Little Rain, Too Much Cold
Posted on February 06, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Western Kansas wheat crop is in serious trouble from dry weather, bitter cold
Category: Wheat

It Could Be Worse
Posted on February 01, 2011 at 4:25 PM
I thought it was really bad outside and then I read about today in weather history
Category: Farm Family Living

OK, It's Cheesy, But I Couldn't Stop Myself; I Got An Autograph
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 5:24 PM
When you get a chance to meet an icon, you have to forget about being cool and just go for it
Category: Technology

Good News For Ethanol
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Approval of 15% blend for 2001 and newer cars opens a crack in the blend wall
Category: Corn

Whatever Weather Does, This is Doldrums Time of Year
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:42 PM
It doesn't matter where you live, if you are in farm country,this is doldrums time
Category: Farm Management

It's Snowing, It's Drifting, It's Miserable, But It Really Is Not Moist
Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:35 PM
The winter wheat crop desperately needs moisture, but this light, fluffy snow doesn't help much
Category: Wheat

You Hear About Dry, But Until You See It, You Don't Get It
Posted on January 07, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Windy day dust storm is a reminder that it's really, really dry in central Kansas
Category: Farm Management

It's Hard To Believe Snow Is On The Way
Posted on January 06, 2011 at 4:52 PM
With temperatures pushing 60 degrees, it seems like snow in the forecast has to be wrong
Category: Natural resources

Holidays Are Over; Let Education Begin
Posted on December 27, 2010 at 9:37 AM
Make plans now to be at No-Till on the Plains at end of January
Category: Farm Management

Where Did The Time Go?
Posted on December 21, 2010 at 9:25 PM
I thought there was a lot of time to get ready for Christmas, but wow, it's here
Category: Farm Family Living

The 3-Year-Old Proves Beyond Doubt that 2-Year-Olds Have Long-Term Memory
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Viist to Sternberg Museum shows 3-year-remembers spring break last year
Category: Farm Family Living

How Can Time Go This Fast?
Posted on December 12, 2010 at 10:11 PM
If you think you look up and a week has gone by, you're right on track with my observation
Category: Farm Family Living

Deciphering The Need To Light Up the Season
Posted on December 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM
The urge to light the lawn has its roots in something more than just lawn art
Category: Farm Family Living

Here's a Project That You Just Might Want to Support
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 2:10 AM
El Dorado Non-Profit Works to Feed the Hungry
Category: Issues

AgriNxt Conference Gives a Lot of Things to Think About
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 1:50 AM
Wichita conference offers variety of perspectives on future of agriculture, multitude of thoughts for producers
Category: Consumers

It is Hard to Remember Sometimes, Things Are Only Things
Posted on December 06, 2010 at 6:00 PM
The 2-year-old shattered a couple of porcelain statutes and for a little while, I almost forgot what really matters about the holiday season
Category: Farm Family Living

Driving Through Flint Hills at Sunrise is Its Own Reward
Posted on December 03, 2010 at 6:33 PM
When you have to roll out of bed at 5:30 a.m., seeing sunrise in the Flint Hills makes it worth the effort
Category: Natural resources

Just an Observation: KLA Convention Place to Be If You Love Cowboy Hats and Wranglers
Posted on December 02, 2010 at 8:55 PM
The attire of choice for the members of the Kansas Livestock Association is jeans, hats and boots
Category: Beef

Upbeat Message From CattleFax Analyst Improves Joy of Season For Cattlemen
Posted on December 02, 2010 at 8:23 PM
CattleFax analyst Randy Blach sees long period of good news for cattle producers; predicts 2011 prices in $100 to $110 range
Category: Beef

Season of Comfort and Joy Opens With a Special Joy
Posted on December 01, 2010 at 5:47 PM
First day of December proves a grand day to introduce a granddaughter to harvest
Category: Farm Family Living

Memories Come Pouring In When You Unpack the Christmas Decorations
Posted on November 27, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Was it really that many years ago that the handprints were made? And the apples painted? Or the porcelain statues first bought? Oh, the memories
Category: Farm Family Living

The Budget Numbers Tell Story of Their Own
Posted on November 19, 2010 at 11:41 AM
You can cut agriculture to the bone and forget about interstate highways, but that won't solve the budget problem
Category: Issues

It's Amazing How Fast False News Spreads
Posted on November 13, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Dairy checkoff is the latest segment to take a hit from outright false reporting
Category: Issues

Blog




Category




Archives




About The Writer
Phyllis Jacobs "PJ" Griekspoor, editor Kansas Farmer, joined Farm Progress in August of 2008 after 18 years with the Wichita Eagle as a metro editor, page designer, copy desk chief and reporter covering agriculture and agribusiness, oil and gas, biofuels and the bioeconomy, transportation, small business, military affairs, weather and general aviation. She came to Wichita in 1990 from Fayetteville, N.C., where she was copy desk chief of the Fayetteville Observer for three years. She also worked at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minn. (1980-87), the Mankato Free Press in Mankato, Minn. (1972-80) and the Kirksville Daily Express in Kirksville, Mo.(1966-70) Phyllis, who goes by "PJ" since most people can pronounce that and even spell it, loves digging in the dirt and planting stuff, rescuing the houseplants that other people have darn-near killed, spoiling her grandkids and is taking to the skies in a little bitty airplane.

An Inconsistent Message

Account

Information Center

About

Products

Toolbox


Search Site:	Wednesday, May 16, 2012 \| Bookmark This Site