Print edition: 
Electric bills keep
on increasing
I am appalled at the recent request by Westar Energy to raise its rates (“Crowd gets testy at rate hearing,” Dec. 1 Local & State).
I am retired and use a money program to manage our monthly expenses. When I read that Westar wanted a rate increase, I went back to November 2009, when I was paying $109 for using Westar’s “services.” Every bill that we received after that continued to rise by $1 to $2 a month. The latest bill was for $137. Now Westar wants another increase? Most working people don’t even get a pay raise.
I look forward to my next bill. I am sure that it will be another $1 or $2 more than my last bill.
I don’t support the groups that are “occupying,” but I do understand that many large companies are “sticking it” to people. Our populace needs to stand strong, express our views and not just accept the norm.
MIKE COLON
Haysville
Demilitarize cops
I moved home to Missouri in July, but I still have children and grandchildren who live in Wichita, so here goes:
Do you know what worries me about Wichita? The militarization of the Wichita Police Department. It was worrisome when more and more police resources started to go to expanding the SWAT/tactical units. It regularly gave me the creeps when officers abandoned their regular uniforms for the “black shirt” gear. And why? Intimidation, plain and simple. But the news earlier this fall that the department had squandered $165,000 in federal grants on an armored personnel carrier, complete with gun turret, was the last straw (“A heavy vehicle for heavy-duty policing,” Oct. 27 Eagle).
To claim that these are necessary “crime-fighting” actions begs logic. Grenades, .50-caliber guns and armored personnel carriers have no place in law enforcement.
By the way, I’m not an anti-police hack. I’ve received a “good citizen medallion” from the Wichita police chief and volunteered as a department chaplain.
SAMUEL WOOD
Humansville, Mo.
Censored exhibit
A commentary claimed that Gov. Sam Brownback’s taxpayer-funded town hall restricted freedom of speech by prohibiting the distribution of printed material and by the police bullying attendees (Dec. 2 Opinion). Other kinds of interference with speech, although not illegal, have moral implications, such as censorship and boycotting by private parties. Although within their rights, these acts have psychological, political and social ramifications.
The recent censorship of “A Child’s View From Gaza” at the Oakland, Calif., Museum of Children’s Art is a case in point. Pictures created by Palestinian children ages 9-11 depict their experiences and emotions during Israel’s bombing and ground invasion of Gaza on Dec. 27, 2008. Pro-Israeli constituents objected, resulting in the withdrawal of the exhibition. However, we have a moral obligation to hear children everywhere, especially children under siege.
For this reason, the Peace and Social Justice Center, 1407 N. Topeka, is proud to present this censored exhibition. The opening is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Maher Musleh of the Wichita Muslim Public Affairs Council is the featured speaker. Admission is free.
ALICE POWELL
Wichita
