Catchin' Up

A few items I've let linger . . . what a better time than the weekend to catch up?

• Sen. Claire McCaskill officially introduced her "Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act," which is designed to create new standards for outpatient housing and reduces paperwork for soldiers going through the rehab process.
• The two party P.R. machines fired more shots at each other over the Fred Ferrell saga. Democratic spokesman Jack Cardetti accused Gov. Matt Blunt of "silencing the victim," and hiding details of a sexual harassment settlement from the public. Meanwhile, Republican spokesman Paul Sloca demanded that 2008 candidate for Governor Jay Nixon explain why he "abrogated his responsibility as state attorney general" to refuse to investigate the harassment allegations surrounding Ferrell. Tony Messenger thinks that political counterattack is baloney.
• Sen. Kit Bond returned from a week-long swing through Asia, where he met with officials in Japan, South Korea and China to talk about economic and security issues impacting the region. Bond said he believed China could play a crucial role in the six-party talks with North Korea. "The recent agreement is our best hope," he said. While in South Korea and Japan, Bond also discussed possible future sales of the Missouri-made F-15 and F/A-18.
• In Lee's Summit, Gov. Blunt and Speaker of the House Rod Jetton attempted to ramp up support for their plan to cut taxes on social security benefits. “I’ve heard from seniors all over the state and they keep telling me the same thing,” said Speaker Jetton. “This tax doesn’t make sense. We’re one of only 15 states that still tax this needed income. We’re in a position, as a state, to help our seniors and retirees by making what’s wrong right.”