Then a group of hotties wearing almost nothing sat down at a table across from me and I forgot what I was typing. I’m pretty sure they’re at least 18.

In a beautiful display of God’s sense of humor, lightning struck the Spirit One Christian Church today, blowing out windows and destroying part of the roof. I’m sure if God was on earth today, he’d be familiar with the term douche-bag when describing such “Christians.”

“Attempt to get the pastor to mention”
“Attempt to have reception as close to service time and as close to church as geographically possible… If out before 12 noon, make starting time before that time.”
“Get the pastor to invite 5 ‘money people’ who he knows can help. As much as possible get the pastor’s commitment to attend and to get these 5 people there.”
“Goal is to walk away with contact information, money and volunteers and a committee in each church.”
“Push freestatemedia, etc.”
“Get me out. I should not be the last of our campaign to leave an event. Usually we end with a plea for help. Someone from the campaign should stand up and say that they will remain to pick up pledge sheets, etc. someone should be assigned to get me out the door. I am spending too long at these events.” (Get the money and run, eh?)
“Work with Bob to try not to leave gaps in the schedule. If there is a gap — get me to a quiet place so I can make phone calls or write; feed me Slimfast.”
“Please try to get literature into every one’s hands. Check and work with pastor to see what is comfortable. In most instances we should be able to place materials under the windshield of cars. An invite and palm card? Can set up volunteers at or near exit of church to give out yard signs. We must heighten our profile as much as reasonably possible.”

In the end, I usually end up voting, regardless of political party, for the person that appears most likely to have a portion of his or her soul remaining, much like voting for the lesser of possible evils. In a state whose elected officials routinely and reliably become the icons of idiots everywhere - and an attorney general that supports them - the divide between the two evils is as large as ever.

As a post script, note the freestatemedia comment as an amusing mis-nomer. The “media” is typical sophomoric political bashing of the opposing political party, void of any author names and filled with 404 errors. They also have a funny video (25M) of Kline speaking to the background of angels singing.

A concerned parent said, “I want to see something good portrayed to our youth because they are at a critical decision making age in their life.” The rest of the news story goes on to say there’s a parent petition going on, which is going to amount to squat due to the Kansas Student Publications Act - the act protects the free speech of student publications.

I’ve never been able to shake the image of Derby as a “white flight” suburb of Wichita. I remember when I first moved to Kansas seeing a news story about a cross-burning on someone’s lawn in Derby. I thought I left hate-crimes behind in Indiana. Anyway, my white flight perception of Derby is supported with demographic data:

Wichita median household income: $39,939
Wichita racial makeup: 75.20% white
Derby median household income: $58,508
Derby racial makeup: 94.02% white

Note I’m not anti-suburbia in any way - cities will always expand - but in the mostly white, upper-middle class suburb it appears as though some parents felt the town would be a safer, more wholesome environment to raise a family. They hoped none of Wichita’s teen pregnancies, teen body piercings, and nerd-friendship would corrupt the minds of those “at a critical decision making age in their life.” I think this goes to show that, no matter where you choose to live, reality can’t be avoided.