Letters to the editor on domestic violence, Wichita pride, music scene, safe walking, Mojave cross, health reform

Take stand against domestic violence

Domestic violence is a problem that often remains quiet for far too long, with devastating results. The human cost is staggering. According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, 19 adults and 14 children lost their lives in domestic-violence-related homicides in Kansas in 2008.

The criminal justice response is critical both for victims' safety and perpetrator accountability. Victims must be provided protection and given the support necessary to improve their circumstances. And perpetrators must be held accountable for their violence and be given appropriate penalties that require changes in their behavior.

My office provides grants to shelter service programs across the state, along with technical assistance in their efforts to better protect and serve victims. Our Domestic Violence Unit also provides best practice training to prosecutors and law enforcement across the state, and prosecutes some of the particularly heinous cases of domestic violence that occur in Kansas.

Recently, I established a Batterer Intervention Program Advisory Board to develop effective batterer intervention programs throughout the state. We believe that developing these programs is a critical step toward improving our statewide response to domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with abuse, please seek assistance from law enforcement or a domestic violence program. You also can contact 888-END-ABUSE for assistance.

Attorney General STEVE SIX

Topeka

Be proud

I am a student at Newman University, and I am shocked by some of the negative things said about Wichita ("Wichitans' love for Wichita wanes," Sept. 29 Eagle). There is so much to do in Wichita. Not only are there places to eat but there are fun things to do and places to go, such as movie theaters, malls, laser tag, miniature golf, bowling alleys and various YMCAs.

Wichita also is a caring community and great place to raise a family.

The Old Town area develops more and more all the time, and the outer portions of the city are expanding as well.

I love Wichita. I really believe the people of Wichita should be proud of their city and appreciate the place they live.

CODY MILLER

Wichita

Need music venues

For any newcomer to the area, Wichita has a lot to offer. We have minor league baseball and a well-developed river scene. Old Town is impressive. The museums are diverse and interesting. There are three quality universities in Wichita. But in a town this size, the music venues are simply pathetic in their amount and quality.

I'm not necessarily talking about national names, although we have very few of those come through. What about the local places that deliver local and known bands on a regular basis?

The monthly First Friday music crawl gets a decent draw, but what about quality music for those under 21? With everything that goes on in Wichita, there is definitely great potential in a music scene. Why not have music integrated into the beautiful culture that is our town?

ELLEN TRAYLOR

Wichita

Safe walking

With the development of Old Town and Delano, and the January opening of the Intrust Bank Arena, it's a great opportunity for our city to create more safe walking paths.

People enjoy being outside, and this would give the community a chance to save time and money by walking to and from locations. The problem we face, however, is safety.

As the nightlife and downtown activity keep increasing, we will need more security, lights and walkways for people to feel comfortable. Also, there will not be enough nearby parking for all of the events going on, so people will have to walk. Though walking is a great way to arrive at locations, it can be dangerous at night. If people do not feel safe, they won't feel content with walking.

CHRISTA LAWLOR

Wichita

Why wrong?

Regarding "Justices consider fate of cross built on public land" (Oct. 8 Eagle): Why is it so wrong to erect a cross in a remote area in the Mojave National Preserve to honor fallen soldiers? It was erected 75 years ago, and just now the U.S. Supreme Court is noticing it? This is wrong on so many levels, and this is what the United States is coming to: no prayers, no flags, no recognition of any kind anywhere.

I believe that the United States is crumbling around us, and no one is willing to step up and say anything about it. Where have the days of respect for one another gone?

SUE PERRY

Wichita

Get reform done

As a retired nurse, I urge our representatives to recognize the importance of making health care insurance available for everyone. It's not right to have to decide what care or medicines we can have based on what insurance (or the lack of it) dictates. We need quality, affordable choices. I believe that President Obama's plan will solve this problem. It's time to get this job done.

MARGARET EASTON

Wichita

Silent majority?

I wonder where a letter writer got data on the needs of rural people concerning the health care debate ("Most to gain," Oct. 5 Letters to the Editor). The letter also asserted that a silent majority wants reform with a public option. Well, if that were so, wouldn't one expect that the proposed reforms already would be law?

There are a lot of claims in this debate that we are being asked to accept at face value. Many have publicly voiced their skepticism. Sometimes they have done so by screaming and shouting — no doubt in frustration at being ridiculed or misrepresented, or being told what is best for them.

More members of the silent majority need to speak up. They must not accept things at face value. They must make it clear that their elected representatives should fear for their jobs and for their generous health care packages if they choose to ignore the people who elect and employ them.

DOUG WRIGHT

Wichita

Delaying inevitable

Last week marked the 35th anniversary of President Gerald Ford's "Whip Inflation Now" speech, which outlined 10 initiatives, both voluntary and compulsory, that would combat the double digit inflation afflicting the economy at the time. The prescription included growing more food, producing more energy at home, reducing the burdens of government regulation, lowering interest rates, providing temporary work programs, and implementing a one-year tax surcharge of 5 percent on corporate and upper-income households.

Despite these actions, inflation progressively got worse over the next seven years until the Federal Reserve took the dramatic step of raising short-term interest rates to almost double the level of the inflation rate. Victory required 20 percent interest rates, a massive contraction of the money supply and a severe recession.

Thirty-five years later, we are confronted with a similarly obvious and entrenched economic problem — indebtedness. Even though President Obama hasn't made a speech to Congress titled "Whip Indebtedness Now," Washington's proposed solutions are just as ineffective as the measures undertaken by their counterparts in 1974. Cash for Clunkers, first-time homebuyer credits, expansion of Federal Housing Administration mortgage loans and debt-financed stimulus spending all promote more borrowing.

The solution to our indebtedness is less spending and more saving. Delaying the inevitable simply will make the consequences more severe.

ANDREW MIES

Wichita

Sweet story

Regarding the article about the man fixing up a Ford Mustang for a returning soldier ("After Iraq, a sweet ride," Oct. 8 Local & State): Thank you, Jason Prock, for your service. Thank you, Ryan Kadolph and friends, for your work. And thank you, Eagle, for publishing this heartwarming story.

SUNNY MELICHAR

Wichita