Print edition: 
Social media also deserve civility
I was disheartened to read the articles and reaction regarding Emma Sullivan and her now-infamous tweet, which sparked a First Amendment debate.
Aren’t we debating the wrong issue here?
Though I was unimpressed with her choice of words, Sullivan certainly has a right to tweet as she did, and I am proud to live in a country where freedom of expression will not land you in solitary confinement. I would encourage Sullivan to explore new ways of expressing her political views that involve more intelligent language and some respect for the opinions of others.
Social media afford us borderless access. As users, it’s our responsibility to discern when it’s appropriate to have a spirited conversation among friends in a private setting versus a near-public proclamation within a social-media platform. It’s time we re-examine the boundaries of our own self-expression and rediscover the concept of civility.
CAROL A. SKAFF
Wichita
Take the heat
Regarding “Student chastised after tweet insults governor” (Nov. 24 Eagle): That remark was made on Emma Sullivan’s personal Twitter page. If Gov. Sam Brownback can’t take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen. The controversy generated national interest, with most stating that the student shouldn’t apologize for the remark. By the way, I am a registered Republican and I don’t think an apology was needed or should have been expected.
ELMER A. HOYER
Bel Aire
Issue was wording
The tweet by Emma Sullivan about Gov. Sam Brownback and the reactions to it illustrate the current status of social civility, politeness and respect for others in our society.
Many have used a diversionary tactic of saying the Sullivan tweet is a matter of the First Amendment and free speech. That is wrong. The issue is the wording she used in her tweet.
This incident shows how basic respect, tolerance and politeness in social interactions — especially where controversy is involved — are rejected and ignored by a large number of people.
The reactions also showed how often victims of a wrongful behavior are vilified when asserting their rights to be treated correctly with basic decency, and the perpetrator doing the wrongful act is defended and made, as in this case, a heroine.
The inappropriate wording Sullivan used in her tweet is certainly heard frequently in public social interactions, as are a number of other sexually oriented slang words and euphemisms. But the fact that “everybody is doing it” does not make it acceptable and proper. Using such terms privately among close friends is far different from using such terms in public discourse.
ARDEN D. PETERS
Wichita
Where is outrage?
Regarding “City tries to scrape past on clean water” (Nov. 23 Eagle): Wichita City Council members discussed how to do the least possible to comply with clean-water rules? They want to hire outside lawyers to look for loopholes in environmental laws?
Does anyone remember when bald eagles were on the endangered list? Does anyone remember the industrial catastrophes that required federal cleanup funds and left entire areas uninhabitable?
Where is the outrage?
JOAN FOX
Wichita
Review drug plan
My current Medicare drug plan costs me $35 a month, with no deductible. And only one of my generic medications is on my pharmacy’s $4 generic drug list. Even if a drug is generic, it is not necessarily cheap.
My Medicare prescription plan for 2012 will cost me only $26 a month, again with no deductible. But all five of my generic drugs will be available to me at no out-of-pocket cost.
With drug-plan enrollment closing Dec. 7, I suggest our seniors inquire if a church of their religious faith has a health care worker who can assist them in their prescription-plan selection and enrollment.
RUSSELL L. MAIK
Wichita
Cain is best
Herman Cain is the conservative left in the presidential race with the best chance of getting the GOP nomination. If he doesn’t get it, I fear we will be stuck with a RINO (Republican in name only) nominee for president — Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich, at this point. I don’t see the other RINO, Rick Perry, resuscitating his campaign. Then we will be faced with the choice between the lesser of two evils, with a Republican nominee the pro-President Obama media has picked for us, like John McCain the last time.
If you fault Cain for not knowing all the answers, remember how the media did not vet Obama when he was running. He was the least-knowledgeable, least-experienced candidate who never ran anything but his mouth. Cain has a history of executive success running corporations. If you haven’t noticed, those who charged Cain with sexual harassment went silent after he hired an anti-defamation attorney.
A second term for Obama would be the end for the United States. See you at the Cain rally from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Wichita Marriott.
BRAD BENNETT
Wichita
