Print edition: 
Other reasons for Olympic decision
We are vacationing in England and thought folks at home might be interested in the British take on the Olympic site decision ("Chicago stunned in defeat," Oct. 3 Sports).
Rather than criticizing or apologizing for President Obama's efforts, as U.S. commentators no doubt are doing, the view we saw expressed on a morning TV talk show was that the decision rested on: The fact that America, Europe and Asia have all hosted multiple Olympics, while South America — with Brazil as a growing world power — has had none. And the fact that the Olympics are a symbol of peace and therefore rarely awarded to a country at war.
It has always been interesting to us to see our country through the eyes of others, and this is a case in point. Friends in England are always quite interested in America's actions, because they so obviously affect the rest of the world. Their words are a reminder of the U.S. role, and responsibility, as a world leader.
LARRY and SUSAN HARVEY
Augusta
Not fringe
The Obama administration can't stand the fact that the vast majority of those attending town hall meetings were average Americans who aren't going to let our "Chicago politician" pull the wool over our eyes.
The only thing the Obama left can do is point to fringe elements that populate the outer circle of any controversy and pretend they are representative. Too bad it isn't working.
GREGORY H. BONTRAGER
Hutchinson
Express gratitude
On behalf of the city of Marion, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the Brian Etheridge family and the members of law enforcement for Sedgwick County.
The senseless act that cut short his life only goes to prove that we cannot express enough gratitude for the courage the men and women of law enforcement display as they carry on their daily task to protect us.
Mayor MARY OLSON
Marion
Teach how to act
This is no consolation to the family of Brian Etheridge. However, I believe Richard Lyons' troubled life reinforces the need for mandatory conflict resolution and anger-management classes in middle school as a part of life-skills curriculum, and that the concepts be reinforced throughout the high school years.
Our teachers cannot be the answer to all our children's problems. However, these classes may provide more positive options to what is taught in the home. Introducing alternative positive behaviors at an early age could reduce the number of juvenile delinquents becoming troubled adults.
DEB TASKER
Wichita
Letter mistake
I recently wrote Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., regarding my concerns about animal welfare and overfishing of our oceans. I was rather startled by his reply of Aug. 26. It said: "Recently, I signed a letter to President Bush encouraging him to continue to oppose Japan's whaling program."
One might write this off as a clerical error on the part of his staff. But if he cannot administer his office staff any better than to avoid such a mistake, what business does he have administering the state of Kansas, in the governorship to which he aspires?
JOSEPH HENDERSON
Wichita
Plan for life's end
There has been some uncertainty and misinformation regarding the advance care planning provision in the House's health care reform bill. Uninformed individuals have described this provision as a mandatory meeting that would dictate health care choices for older Americans. This is inaccurate and has resulted in confusion surrounding the value of advanced care planning.
Section 1233 of H.R. 3200 provides Medicare coverage for a consultation with a health care provider in which the patient can express his preferences regarding end-of-life care. The patient is not required to have this consultation, and there is no mandate for the patient to complete an advanced directive or forgo aggressive treatment of a life-threatening illness.
Unfortunately, most people don't express their preferences for end-of-life care until it's too late. As a nurse working in an area hospital, I too often see a patient's family and doctors struggle to make these decisions without knowledge of the patient's wishes. End-of-life discussions cannot wait until a health crisis. I urge you to ask yourself: Who will speak on my behalf?
STEPHANIE COLLINS
Newton
Reader puzzle
As an Eagle subscriber for more than 40 years, I am very disappointed with the changes to the puzzles. Compacting the Sunday comics was a bad move, although I can understand that space is money. There seems to be no space saving by going to the New York Times crossword puzzle, only frustration. This is not New York City. Let's keep it simple.
CURTIS WHITTED
Valley Center
Happy return
I just want to say "thank you, thank you, thank you" to The Eagle for putting the movie listings back in TV Week. I'm sure I am one of many who have missed them and appreciate you returning the service.
GLADYS McCOLPIN
Wichita
