# Kansas lawmaker goes full-on wacko **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 1, 2021, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141 "2021-05-01T03:30:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/21 "2021-05-01T17:35:09Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Sure, but does kneeing a child in the crotch make him a _criminal_ ? Let’s not rush to judgement here. I mean, time will tell. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/22 "2021-05-01T17:47:33Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Don’t blame me when the board’s software doesn’t perform consistently. We (the royal we, I think) aren’t blaming you, we’re explaining to you. It performs perfectly consistently as it’s just looking for things like Open Graph or oEmbed tags, which apparently aren’t included in the source of the link you posted. Those tags allow the original source to control what is shown and how it looks on the remote site that knows how to handle such tags (like Discourse). > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I think most people realise that bug. I’m pretty sure it’s not considered a bug (in the Discourse software) by the developers (Hi @codinghorror !) and I would agree with them. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/23 "2021-05-01T17:56:22Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > We (the royal we, I think) aren’t blaming you, we’re explaining to you. I took as given BigTs technical explaination of _why_ the feature is sometimes inconsistent. But don’t really give a shit about the cause, it is the effect that is the problem. (And no, it isn’t always immediately visible, on my phone at least–sometimes the link shows correctly and sometimes it doesn’t _for the same post_.) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/24 "2021-05-01T18:36:14Z")
Back on topic, our GOP-led legislature here in Kansas continues to amaze. You might recall Gene Suellentrop, the president of the Senate who was recently busted for DWI while driving the wrong way on I-70. He just voted against a bill which would give a 2.5% raise to some state workers. His reason? The recent stimuli checks “were sufficient to increase the income of some state employees by 10%.” Apparently his accounting skills are right in line with his driving abilities. > **[Kansas GOP senators firmly denounce proposed 2.5% pay raise for state...](https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/28/kansas-gop-senators-firmly-denounce-proposed-2-5-pay-raise-for-state-employees/?fbclid=IwAR0vmw8U5rVZ3gjdJ78kgqEeforhJHcRNzJRSPLW8-9r29QSvidqKj_92MI)** > > Senate GOPs irritation with Kansas' handling business side of pandemic is damaging enthusiasm for 2.5% pay hike for state employees. Also, Kris Kobach has announced his intention to run for Attorney General in 2022. > **[Kris Kobach, Former Trump Adviser, Announces Run For Kansas Attorney General](https://www.npr.org/2021/04/29/992097962/kris-kobach-former-trump-adviser-announces-run-for-kansas-attorney-general)** > > Former Kansas secretary of state, Kris Kobach, lost his race for governor in 2018 and the GOP primary for U.S. Senate in 2020. He also advised former President Trump on immigration and voting fraud. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/25 "2021-05-01T19:48:26Z")
How desperate IS this place for substitute teachers, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/26 "2021-05-01T21:24:39Z")
So, is Samsel going to announce the formation of the exploratory committee for his 2024 presidential run? Or will he try to make bail first? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/27 "2021-05-01T21:51:42Z")
> “If the Biden administration tries to take away our Second Amendment rights here in Kansas, they’ll have to get through me first,” Kobach said at an event in Wichita announcing his run. “If the Biden administration tries to relocate illegal aliens to Kansas in violation of the standards of federal law, they’ll have to get through me first.” Fear and faith. That train ain’t never late. I’ll help Mr. Kobach with his speech: _But if one of my colleagues in the State Legislature – just s’posin’ here – wants to go off on a demon-inspired, bath salts-fueled, ecclesiastical tirade, and maybe knees one of your kids in the 'nads, I’ll stump for that guy in the next election._ #Murica ! ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/28 "2021-05-01T22:02:27Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Yes. It is called “The Republican Primaries.” “The Legislators of The Corn” ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/29 "2021-05-01T22:04:53Z")
> **[Kansas lawmaker says high school battery incident was staged](https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/kansas-lawmaker-substitute-teacher-charged-with-battery-involving-student/amp/)** > > Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Kansas Rep. Mark Samsel on battery involving a student as he worked at a Wellsville school. > Kansas Rep. Mark Samsel is out of jail a day after being arrested for battery against a high school student, but he says the incident was staged. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/30 "2021-05-01T22:11:16Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I’m used to Discourse providing a summary/preview to a link. It didn’t on this occasion. Don’t blame me when the board’s software doesn’t perform consistently. I think most people realise that bug. He said that it was not even a mod note or anything. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/31 "2021-05-01T22:38:01Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > He said that it was not even a mod note or anything. Jeez. If it wasn’t a mod note or anything, then it was just some guy talking, therefore I could react to being condescended to like I was a newbie. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/32 "2021-05-01T22:47:56Z")
And, I might add, _after_ the lack of summary had been pointed out and _I had already addressed and corrected it_. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/33 "2021-05-01T22:57:02Z")
It’s better to run from prison as a martyr. IIRC, for the 2012 Democratic primary, Barack Obama actually lost the state of West Virginia to a pro-life person who happened to be running from prison at the time. The news was surprising but completely unimportant. Mr. Samsel isn’t running in a primary against a sitting president. He could actually do that. I don’t think he has the profile of Ted Cruz or Ron DeSantis though, but this could end up giving him sufficient profile. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/34 "2021-05-01T23:03:50Z")
We may need a sequel to _What’s the Matter With Kansas_. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/35 "2021-05-01T23:15:26Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > How desperate IS this place for substitute teachers, anyway? Potentially quite desperate. This is from a few months ago, and of course conditions vary. But it’s an indication of what could be going on. > **[Quarantines Leave Schools Scrambling for Substitute Teachers - Stateline](https://stateline.org/2020/12/21/quarantines-leave-schools-scrambling-for-substitute-teachers/)** > > Josephine Brewington has been a substitute teacher in suburban Beech Grove, Indiana, for a decade, but her job has grown in importance as her school district scrambles to supervise pupils whose teachers are sick, quarantining or caring for others.... ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2021, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/36 "2021-05-01T23:41:30Z")
[James M. Curley](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Michael_Curley) successfully ran for his first term as mayor of Boston while in jail. Bet the farm. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/37 "2021-05-02T01:07:34Z")
I don’t remember Kansas being quite so insane. What the hell happened to Kansas? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/38 "2021-05-02T01:20:09Z")
I don’t think it’s Kansas specific, these guys roam the Bible Belt. This place didn’t have any patience for it but any old town you run across might have been the one from Footloose and accept this kind of crap. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/39 "2021-05-02T01:40:56Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > What the hell happened to Kansas? Kansas did a sharp right turn in 2010 when Sam Brownback was elected governor. We used to have about 33% right-wing GOP, 33% moderate GOP, and 33% democrat in the state legislature. The GOP moderates have disappeared and the far-right loons have full control of the asylum. Our democratic governor stands no chance of being re-elected in 2022, at least at this point in time. As @TriPolar suggested, we’re not the only state in which this is happening. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141/40 "2021-05-02T01:49:33Z")
The guy’s [Facebook posts](https://www.facebook.com/MarkSamsel4Kansas/posts/1192905067823820) seem to be in line with his teaching style. (I don’t remember if they said what he was subbing for, but I’m _preeety_ sure it wasn’t English.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-lawmaker-goes-full-on-wacko/941141.md?page=3)