Print edition: 
Say 'thank you' to those who protect
"Thank you, gentlemen." "Thanks, guys." These were comments I heard from the many members of the law enforcement community as I stood as a member of the Patriot Guard for the funeral of Brian Etheridge.
How ironic, I thought. I should be the one thanking them for what they do and what they are willing to sacrifice in the line of duty.
So this is my opportunity to say to each member of law enforcement, firefighters and other deserving members of the service community: Thank you for what you do.
And I think all of us should do the same when we cross paths with such individuals. We should not wait for things like this to happen to be reminded of what is at stake every day they go to work, and how fortunate we are to have them to protect our lives and our freedoms.
So the next time you have the opportunity, say "thank you." I promise that you will make someone's day. And you will feel good, too.
JERRY MICHAELIS
Wichita
Be more positive
We are physically built to move in the direction our eyes focus. Psychologically, we do the same thing.
I recently attended a Wichita Independent Business Association Face to Face Forum with state legislators from the Wichita area. WIBA has done a great service to its members with the Face to Face Forum series. However, there were practically no statements of positive aspirations from attendees or the legislators. Instead, people made one angry statement after another, one accusation after another.
I'm not saying that some of the complaints weren't justified. But if all we can do is talk about the things we don't like and complain about perceived offenses against us, how will we ever develop enough focus on the things we actually want so that we can improve our own lives and the prospects for our children?
Maybe it's time for a more positive strategy.
LARRY BENNETT
Wichita
Pitts wrong
Syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts does a great job of confirming what's wrong with our national news media these days ("Fox is not a credible news source," Oct. 5 Opinion). His backdoor approach to Fox News and just about any other subject he attempts to write about is typical of the left-wing media.
Where else are we going to hear the truth about the present government ties to corruption, such as those between ACORN and President Obama's administration? From Keith Olbermann or perhaps Rachel Maddow on MSNBC?
Instead of bashing the only fair and balanced news reporting available to the public today, other than maybe Lou Dobbs on CNN, maybe Pitts should concentrate on our public officials who continue to steal and be protected from prosecution.
RUSS CHITWOOD
Wichita
Pots of gold
Growing up, I do not recall our family ever having health insurance. In fact, I do not recall any family having health insurance. When we got sick, we went to the doctor or dentist, and the family paid cash or was billed for the services. Because there was no pot of gold to draw from, the service fees were reasonable for most.
Today, because not everyone has health insurance, our leaders say we need to change and insure everyone. Where does the money come from to pay for the pot of gold?
It has to come from all of us, one way or another — withholding from employees, insurance premiums for others, higher taxes for the rich, higher taxes for the insurance companies and any other means available, fair or not. The result will be a very large pot of gold.
Who will draw from this pot? The doctors, hospitals, drug companies, medical-supply companies and other related medical companies. They will charge as much as they can for everything, and even more as time goes on. We will have to keep filling the pot, until soon all of our money will go to fill the pot, and there will be nothing left for everything else in life.
Do we really want to go that route? Or do we want to go back to pay-as-you-go, as we did long ago?
FRANK SISSON
Wichita
Review off-base
Eagle reviewer David Baxter was in total disagreement with the patrons who witnessed the spectacular performance by a guest of our great Wichita Symphony Orchestra ("Symphony's opening a good start," Oct. 5 Eagle).
I have been attending the offerings of our symphony for the past 20 years and have seen most of the concerts. I believe Saturday's program was the finest I have ever heard.
Pianist Lilya Zilberstein's playing of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, along with the orchestra, was absolutely perfect. After each of the first two movements, the audience was breathless, and you could hear whispers of approval throughout the hall. I had never seen an audience erupt in such a spontaneous celebration as it did after the final note of the third movement.
In all my years of attending these concerts, I have witnessed a lot of "polite" applause along with standing ovations. But Saturday's standing ovation was not a polite one; it was in sheer appreciation of this woman's spectacular rendition of this particular concerto. Baxter's complaints about her lack of accuracy and gracefulness, along with a performance he described as "lacking," were a slap in the face to this woman, who thrilled her audience.
Also, I think The Eagle should run its symphony reviews on Sunday, so that people on the edge of deciding whether to attend that afternoon's performance may be persuaded to attend. However, in this case, they probably would not have gone anyway and would have missed out on one of the finest musical performances I have ever had the joy of hearing.
FRANK LaFORGE
Wichita
