Join our Mailing List!
Please click the link below to sign up for your community paper mailing list. Stay up to date with all the events going on in your community as well as the latest news.Sign Up Today!
Playing you like a fiddle
By: Steve Rose, Publisher
Whenever I write a column critical of Phill Kline, inevitably I receive nasty responses from readers who dismiss me as an abortionist. They don’t care about what I wrote. They just assume I am a two-dimensional cartoon character who attacks their hero as a villain.
I have never written about my views on abortion, and I do not intend to start now. But suffice it to say, I have personally endorsed many candidates who are anti-abortion, some whom you would even call hardcore anti-abortion.
But I wish the letter writers could get past it, because abortion is completely irrelevant to my feelings about Phill Kline.
Phill Kline is a scam artist. If you idolize Phill Kline, you are a sucker.
I knew Phill Kline when, as a key state legislator, he never mentioned abortion. He only mentioned property taxes, and he catapulted himself to a leadership position on the crazy, irresponsible and wildly destructive notion that we could eliminate all property taxes in Kansas and increase revenues at the same time.
State Rep. Kline did not win everything he wanted, but he won enough to virtually, on his own, dismantle school funding in Kansas. Only the Kansas Supreme Court recently overruled Kline’s damage by ultimately concluding the obvious, that the state was not funding its schools adequately. Of course it wasn’t. There was no money, because Kline had maneuvered massive reductions in the very taxes that funded schools.
But Kline knew that becoming the anti-tax champion would not take him to the top. No, to become the full-fledged darling of the right wing, he would need to champion the cause of abortion. And so, with a calculated eye on the governor’s seat, Phill Kline set about to remake himself into the leading anti-abortion crusader of Kansas. I will never forget how, when there were anti-abortion marches around Kansas, Kline pushed his way to the front of the pack, to make sure he was seen by the marchers and the media.
Kline rode that horse until he went too far. He overplayed his hand when, as Kansas attorney general, he showed himself to be, not a chief law enforcement official of the state, but a grandstander, whose efforts at obtaining private medical records sealed his fate. The governor’s seat was to be forever out of reach.
Now, back in Johnson County, Kline cannot let go of his notoriety. He connived his way into his precinct-elected role as district attorney on the promise that he would prosecute Planned Parenthood. Pro-lifers, take a deep breath. You can hate Planned Parenthood all you want, but there was not one shred of evidence that anything illegal was going on there. Kline simply bought his job for the promise of a witch hunt. This, itself, borders on criminal behavior, because abuse of power by a prosecutor undermines everything the American judicial system stands for, whether you believe abortion is all right or evil.
Kline also promised at that time he would not run for re-election. This past week, however, he said he would not rule it out. That, of course, undermines the fundraising activity of Republican candidate Steve Howe and could, ultimately, help elect Democrat Rick Guinn. But, never mind. Kline gets to be in the spotlight, and that is all that matters to him. His chances of winning the seat, by the way, are about the same as Elvis singing again.
And while this flimflam man makes national headlines, he has earned himself untold sums on the speaking circuit, all while he is prosecuting. That has been called a breach of ethics. No, that is too nice. It is a prostitution ring.
Abortion has nothing to do with Phill Kline. All that matters to Phill Kline is Phill Kline. And those who worship him are worshipping a false idol. This man is playing his followers like a fiddle. And while they are mesmerized, he is busy thinking up his next tune.
printable version
e-mail this story
I have never written about my views on abortion, and I do not intend to start now. But suffice it to say, I have personally endorsed many candidates who are anti-abortion, some whom you would even call hardcore anti-abortion.
But I wish the letter writers could get past it, because abortion is completely irrelevant to my feelings about Phill Kline.
Phill Kline is a scam artist. If you idolize Phill Kline, you are a sucker.
I knew Phill Kline when, as a key state legislator, he never mentioned abortion. He only mentioned property taxes, and he catapulted himself to a leadership position on the crazy, irresponsible and wildly destructive notion that we could eliminate all property taxes in Kansas and increase revenues at the same time.
State Rep. Kline did not win everything he wanted, but he won enough to virtually, on his own, dismantle school funding in Kansas. Only the Kansas Supreme Court recently overruled Kline’s damage by ultimately concluding the obvious, that the state was not funding its schools adequately. Of course it wasn’t. There was no money, because Kline had maneuvered massive reductions in the very taxes that funded schools.
But Kline knew that becoming the anti-tax champion would not take him to the top. No, to become the full-fledged darling of the right wing, he would need to champion the cause of abortion. And so, with a calculated eye on the governor’s seat, Phill Kline set about to remake himself into the leading anti-abortion crusader of Kansas. I will never forget how, when there were anti-abortion marches around Kansas, Kline pushed his way to the front of the pack, to make sure he was seen by the marchers and the media.
Kline rode that horse until he went too far. He overplayed his hand when, as Kansas attorney general, he showed himself to be, not a chief law enforcement official of the state, but a grandstander, whose efforts at obtaining private medical records sealed his fate. The governor’s seat was to be forever out of reach.
Now, back in Johnson County, Kline cannot let go of his notoriety. He connived his way into his precinct-elected role as district attorney on the promise that he would prosecute Planned Parenthood. Pro-lifers, take a deep breath. You can hate Planned Parenthood all you want, but there was not one shred of evidence that anything illegal was going on there. Kline simply bought his job for the promise of a witch hunt. This, itself, borders on criminal behavior, because abuse of power by a prosecutor undermines everything the American judicial system stands for, whether you believe abortion is all right or evil.
Kline also promised at that time he would not run for re-election. This past week, however, he said he would not rule it out. That, of course, undermines the fundraising activity of Republican candidate Steve Howe and could, ultimately, help elect Democrat Rick Guinn. But, never mind. Kline gets to be in the spotlight, and that is all that matters to him. His chances of winning the seat, by the way, are about the same as Elvis singing again.
And while this flimflam man makes national headlines, he has earned himself untold sums on the speaking circuit, all while he is prosecuting. That has been called a breach of ethics. No, that is too nice. It is a prostitution ring.
Abortion has nothing to do with Phill Kline. All that matters to Phill Kline is Phill Kline. And those who worship him are worshipping a false idol. This man is playing his followers like a fiddle. And while they are mesmerized, he is busy thinking up his next tune.
Comments on "Playing you like a fiddle"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Steve Alberg Esq wrote on Jun 4, 2008 3:58 PM:
" I am a republican and I can't believe the powers that be put PK in Johnson Co after his loss for the AG position...what were they thinking..what did he have to get it? A major blunder.. Anyway, Rick Guinn is simply a good guy and a highly qualified Attorney..lets forget the past and go for Rick Guinn next time around... "
Randy wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:51 AM:
" Thank you for your column. It is sick to see this man as the Prosecutor using he office for his personal vendetta. "
Mike from PV wrote on May 28, 2008 5:10 PM:
" Phil Kline has destroyed the D.A's Office and broken the good working relationships Law Enforcement has come to expect with them. Forget abortion, forget that he does not even live in Johnson County, forget he has no stake in Johnson County, but remember this: He does not serve us, he uses us!!! "
Jack-Ov.Pk wrote on May 25, 2008 5:24 PM:
" Although I don't always agree with your views this time you got it right. Many people also forget his radio show with ack Cashill. If you ask hm about any of his previous views ie:the property tax issue his reply is usually "that was a long time ago." He is conveniently blessed with selective short term memory loss. The man is a menace to the U.S. Constitution. Thanks again Steve "
Lando the Great wrote on May 24, 2008 3:07 PM:
" Emanuel said this:
//How about this: underage girls were getting abortions...meanting they were impregnated by someone who was committing statutory rape.//
That's an incredible logical leap. He completely skips over the possibility, nay, the likelihood, that said girls were impregnated by males in their own age group.
Yes, Emanuel, teenagers have sex. And yes, they do it willingly. "
//How about this: underage girls were getting abortions...meanting they were impregnated by someone who was committing statutory rape.//
That's an incredible logical leap. He completely skips over the possibility, nay, the likelihood, that said girls were impregnated by males in their own age group.
Yes, Emanuel, teenagers have sex. And yes, they do it willingly. "
John B wrote on May 23, 2008 4:37 PM:
" News flash - politician accused of self-promoting behavior.
Say it isn't so!! "
Say it isn't so!! "
ksmms wrote on May 23, 2008 10:29 AM:
" PK is a megalomaniac. It doesn't matter to him which issue gains him the most notoriety, as long as he gets the adulation he craves. "
ginny rigney wrote on May 23, 2008 9:46 AM:
" thank you mr rose. we must also question the integrity of the politicians who paraded him around during the last election. "
John B wrote on May 23, 2008 9:34 AM:
" I am a moderate Republican and have been active in the party since I was a freshman at Washburn 20 years ago.
In college I met Phill Kline who was running for Congress. He was fresh from law school with idealism AND enthusiasm.
One of his core issues was abortion. For Steve Rose to say his discussion of abortion is recent and politically motivated is silly.
Steve, either you have failed to listen for over 20 years, or you are now being less than genuine. As I have witnessed this before with you, my presumption is the former.
That being said, I am tired of the continuing saga of the Kline/Morrison debacle. I have voted for and worked on both their campaigns and I am disgusted with the actions of both.
Steve, if you feel Phill is in it for Phill, then cut off his life blood - attention in the media.
You only continue to feed the beast every time you write about him.
If you created him, then you can kill him! "
In college I met Phill Kline who was running for Congress. He was fresh from law school with idealism AND enthusiasm.
One of his core issues was abortion. For Steve Rose to say his discussion of abortion is recent and politically motivated is silly.
Steve, either you have failed to listen for over 20 years, or you are now being less than genuine. As I have witnessed this before with you, my presumption is the former.
That being said, I am tired of the continuing saga of the Kline/Morrison debacle. I have voted for and worked on both their campaigns and I am disgusted with the actions of both.
Steve, if you feel Phill is in it for Phill, then cut off his life blood - attention in the media.
You only continue to feed the beast every time you write about him.
If you created him, then you can kill him! "
Emanuel Goldstein wrote on May 23, 2008 7:26 AM:
" Oh, I see my comment has to be approved...well, so much for free speech. "
Emanuel Goldstein wrote on May 23, 2008 7:25 AM:
" Steve, its hard to say that there is "no" evidence since we don't know that the Prosecutor really got a chance to view it.
How about this: underage girls were getting abortions...meanting they were impregnated by someone who was committing statutory rape.
Whatever, all the perverts are safe.
As to planned parenthood, my problem with them is that they were founded as a Eugenics Organizaton by Margaret Sanger, who called non whites "human weeds".
www.waragainsttheweak.com "
How about this: underage girls were getting abortions...meanting they were impregnated by someone who was committing statutory rape.
Whatever, all the perverts are safe.
As to planned parenthood, my problem with them is that they were founded as a Eugenics Organizaton by Margaret Sanger, who called non whites "human weeds".
www.waragainsttheweak.com "
james wrote on May 22, 2008 8:00 PM:
" Wow, not only is he the villain that tries to prosecute Tiller but now he's the reason our schools suck too?
Thanks for clearing that up Rose. I had a flat tire the other day, I'm pretty sure that's Kline's fault too. "
Thanks for clearing that up Rose. I had a flat tire the other day, I'm pretty sure that's Kline's fault too. "
LP wrote on May 22, 2008 6:28 PM:
" Thank you for speaking the truth about Phill Kline. His self-promotion is obvious except to those who chose not to see. Johnson Countians cannot afford to continue this embarrassment. "
Skeptic wrote on May 22, 2008 6:11 PM:
" Nice to get a little historical perspective. I've been unable to find anything Kline has done since before his '86 Congressional campaign that possessed any shred of honesty. "
Dan Beyer wrote on May 22, 2008 4:16 PM:
" ...and journalism has nothing to do with Steve Rose.
So I guess you're one of those weak minded individuals that swallows everything the Star tells you right Rose? The fact that Planned Parenthood Inc. is doing everything in their power to stop this case from going to open court doesn't raise any suspicions to you?! That a District Judge as well as a Forensics Expert with the Police Dept. agreed that the 23 records were forged which is a felony. That Planned Parenthood Inc. has been documented across the country for years not reporting child rape as well as other crimes are "not a shred of evidence"?!
I've read your narrow-minded, immature, name calling, hit pieces before Rose. I've never been impressed.
If Planned Parenthood Inc. is so completely innocent while the records have been redacted, wouldn't it make sense that they would go in to open court and show everybody that Steve Rose and the Star knows what they're talking about? That Phill Kline who has beaten the KS Supreme Court before the US Supreme Court(Kansas v. Marsh) doesn't know what he's doing?!
Let's hear your great wisdom why they don't want to go into open court. "
So I guess you're one of those weak minded individuals that swallows everything the Star tells you right Rose? The fact that Planned Parenthood Inc. is doing everything in their power to stop this case from going to open court doesn't raise any suspicions to you?! That a District Judge as well as a Forensics Expert with the Police Dept. agreed that the 23 records were forged which is a felony. That Planned Parenthood Inc. has been documented across the country for years not reporting child rape as well as other crimes are "not a shred of evidence"?!
I've read your narrow-minded, immature, name calling, hit pieces before Rose. I've never been impressed.
If Planned Parenthood Inc. is so completely innocent while the records have been redacted, wouldn't it make sense that they would go in to open court and show everybody that Steve Rose and the Star knows what they're talking about? That Phill Kline who has beaten the KS Supreme Court before the US Supreme Court(Kansas v. Marsh) doesn't know what he's doing?!
Let's hear your great wisdom why they don't want to go into open court. "
John P. Gerstle wrote on May 22, 2008 1:43 PM:
" Well said. Add my name to any list of support you may need in opposition to Phill Kline, or any utterance attributable to Phill Kline.PS. I am actually supporting and fund-raising for Ric Guinn, out NEXT and QUALIFIED DA for Johnson County "
Jeff of Olathe wrote on May 22, 2008 10:58 AM:
" A legend in his own mind. "
Ray wrote on May 22, 2008 9:06 AM:
" Concise and to the point; well written. I'm an abortion opponant however, Phill's actions have most certainly been unethical, and at worst illegal. His time will come. "
Peggy M wrote on May 22, 2008 8:39 AM:
" Absolutely, spot on. Mr. Rose! Great article. Wake up Johnson County, the school system you held so dear is slipping away! "
Ellen wrote on May 21, 2008 11:09 AM:
" Thank you for today's column on Phill Kline. You've said what I've been thinking for years! "