Print edition: 
Smear campaign wrong on facts
It comes as little surprise that liberal political bloggers, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, continue to heap criticism on the Tiahrt amendment ("On gun-privacy rights," Dec. 3 WE Blog excerpts). Now permanent law, the Tiahrt amendment protects the privacy rights of legal firearm owners and ensures that undercover agents and their investigations are not compromised.
The latest smear campaign spearheaded by Bloomberg and Mayors Against Illegal Guns brazenly casts blame on the Tiahrt amendment for the Fort Hood massacre. One of their primary solutions to prevent another Fort Hood tragedy is, of course, to repeal the Tiahrt amendment.
But the FBI already has 90 days to maintain firearm sale records related to terrorist watch list suspects and can also place holds on such transactions to allow further review by field agents when needed. The Tiahrt amendment does not affect background check outcomes, does not affect who is permitted to own a firearm, and does not restrict local law enforcement officials from accessing firearm data for criminal investigations.
Protecting the privacy of law-abiding citizens by preventing a national firearm registry, while at the same time ensuring law enforcement officers have all necessary resources to combat terrorism and crime, is the balance the Tiahrt amendment strikes. But don't expect to hear this anytime soon from those on the left who want to expand the reach of the federal government.
U.S. Rep. TODD TIAHRT
R-Goddard
Objective truths
The author of "Imposing Catholic doctrine on others?" (Dec. 1 Letters to the Editor) asserted that the Catholic Church is authoritarian with regard to matters of faith and morals, implying that the church creates standards for faith and morals on its own authority and that these can and do change. The church does not establish standards but seeks to define and teach objective truths on matters of faith and morals, and that is the critical distinction. In essence, some things are true whether or not we choose to believe them or teach them.
All Catholics are bound to live according to the truths that the church teaches. If a Catholic chooses to live contrary to those truths, he may no longer be eligible to receive sacraments such as Communion.
Politicians and those in public life have the additional responsibility to ensure that they are not giving scandal to the church and its members by living flagrantly and publicly contrary to its teachings. This includes support for legislation that goes against Catholic doctrine, such as in the case of abortion.
Rather than portray the church as a puppeteer of Catholic politicians, I would ask why these "Catholic" politicians believe it is acceptable to deny such basic teachings and doctrine, and still continue to consider themselves Catholic at all.
CURTIS RICHARDSON
Wichita
Punish all sinners
If we're going to use Communion as a political tool to punish politicians, churches need to get busy and make sure all sinners are punished ("Church correct about Communion," Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor).
For instance, while the Catholic Church advised Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., not to take Communion because of his support of abortion rights, perhaps it also should withhold Communion from Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., for his vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, which was condemned by the Catholic Church and has led to tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths of innocent human beings.
If we intend to be purists about the biblical commandment to not kill, then why limit judgment to just one aspect of killing? Since the Catholic Church does not operate as a democracy, as the letter writer stated, it should be prepared to condemn other cafeteria Catholics who like to believe that a shock-and-awe campaign against civilians in Iraq trumps "thou shalt not kill."
The rules of participation in Communion should be applied to all politicians whose votes lead to death, without rationalizations and excuses.
LEIGH CARLSON BURGESS
Wichita
Honor soldiers
Monday marks the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack left about 2,400 dead and put our country on the brink of war. By war's end, nearly 300,000 American soldiers would make the ultimate sacrifice.
If you've never stood atop the USS Arizona, or walked among the rows of headstones at Punchbowl National Cemetery, paying respects to the 13,000 soldiers buried there, or visited the grave sites of the 70 unknown soldiers, you should. The experience can change your life. You leave there with a sense of purpose and obligation — to not throw away that which so many sacrificed their lives for and so many today take for granted.
Of the 16 million American service members who served, about 3 million are still living today. Many can be found in our own community, and are heroes to this day.
My flags are flown every day in honor of those who served. On Monday, please remember those who served so valiantly then in order to keep our nation free today. And then ask yourself: What are President Obama and this Congress doing to secure the freedoms for Americans for the next 68 years? Sadly, not enough.
MICHAEL L. BURGESS
Wichita
Thanks for series
I commend The Eagle for its series beginning today on Father Emil Kapaun. I was in the Army and arrived in Korea just after the death of the dear priest. I was getting ready to go to the front lines when the assigning officer saw in my records that I was a plumber in civilian life. He assigned me to the 14th Combat Engineers to work on water purification. I am sure Father Kapaun was praying for all soldiers, and I was given a break.
JOHN J. STUEVER
Wichita
