Letters to the editor on insurance mandate, animal cruetly videos, Fox News, Muyskens, evolution, Maize Complete School

Insurance mandate restricts freedom

"What's wrong with requiring insurance?" (Oct. 17 Letters to the Editor) questioned why we aren't happy that we may be forced by the government to purchase health insurance. First, no authority has been given to the government by the Constitution to restrict the freedom to decide whether to buy health insurance — so it's an issue of liberty. Second, auto insurance is required to protect others from damage you cause.

I agree that health insurance needs to be reformed. The patient needs to be returned to the role of customer instead of bystander, and government regulation should be eliminated, including the prohibition against insurance competition across state lines.

Competition works. Freedom works. Let's go back to the principles in our founding documents. Who's with me?

TAD HITTENBERGER

Wichita

Cruel videos

Although animal cruelty and dogfighting are illegal in all 50 states, the U.S. Supreme Court appears to think that the law is too broad to prosecute people who produce and sell animal cruelty videos ("Are dogfighting films free speech?" Oct. 7 Eagle). Praise should be offered to the government, which argued that videos showing animal cruelty should be treated like child pornography, not entitled to constitutional protection. I agree completely. There should be a no-tolerance policy involving animal cruelty cases.

GABRIELLA STEWART

Wichita

Lay off Fox

With the attack by the Obama administration on Fox News, it now appears as if we could be headed toward state-sanctioned television. Who are Obama officials to determine who or what gives us the news? Fox has broken many stories, including the United Nations oil-for-food scandal. It took other networks days and weeks before they ran a blip of the story.

True, Fox has opinion programming and leans to the right. But MSNBC has the Keith Olbermann program, which definitely leans to the left and proves there's nothing meaner than a liberal. Yet Obama officials aren't after him, MSNBC host Chris Matthews or other opinion-based news programming.

I find it highly offensive that Obama officials have the audacity to tell us what a news channel is or isn't. Sounds like something oppressive dictators would do.

PHIL RAY

Wichita

Deserved more

My acquaintance with the Rev. Sam Muyskens, former executive director of Inter-Faith Ministries, goes back many years. He is a gentleman's gentleman.

His professionalism and veracity are above reproach. His intellect and dedication in helping the homeless and the less fortunate members of society are second to none. His reputation is known far beyond the perimeter of the United States. He is the founder of ASAP Haiti, a project that serves the needs of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and only one of many of his noted accomplishments.

It was a shock that Muyskens was relieved of any and all responsibilities associated with Inter-Faith Ministries after 17 years as executive director. He was instructed to relinquish his keys and cell phone, denied access to his computer, and then escorted to the door.

As president and chairman of the board of a nonprofit health clinic and member of Inter-Faith Ministries, I am appalled by the manner in which those "calling the shots" made their decision. He deserved far more than he received in both manner and substance.

MENDELL (MITCH) BUTLER

Wichita

Evolution dogma

Regarding "Not 'just a theory' " (Oct. 18 Letters to the Editor): Stating that evolution is a proven theory is problematic. In reality, the theory of evolution is a poor hypothesis and not a theory at all. It cannot be proved.

Many simply believe it because they have been told it is true. It's the religion of science. True science relies on measurement, observation and repeatable experimentation. The dogma of evolution is clearly a philosophy to explain origins.

Just as creationism cannot be proved, neither can evolution. Life has never been created in the laboratory in the best possible conditions. Yet we are to believe it happened by accident in a hostile environment? Why would we believe that?

It's time that hard questions are asked about this dogma. Get it out in the open, and let it be debated publicly by reputable scientists. The reality is that many in the science community have rejected the God of the Bible. They don't want to be bound by moral laws of a Creator. They don't want their faith exposed.

CHARLES E. BISHOP

Wichita

School fits needs

I want to thank the staff and students at Complete High School Maize for a most informative and pleasant day during their recent Grandparents Day activities. I was asked to be a foster grandparent to a student who did not have a grandparent to be there. My "granddaughter" was a courteous, respectful young woman with definite goals. Students at this school probably would not be in school or wouldn't be succeeding without this opportunity. They know that if they do not follow the rules and requirements, they will not be allowed to remain.

There are things these students miss out on by not attending a regular high school. But for these particular students, there are benefits, too, such as feeling like they are part of a family. The faculty members seem to be genuinely interested in their students and are able to give them individual attention.

We hear so many negative comments about our schools and teachers that we need to be reminded occasionally just what these people are accomplishing.

BETTY HOWELL

Wichita