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Jail allegations are outrageous
The allegations of routine physical, emotional and verbal abuse of mentally ill Sedgwick County Jail inmates are outrageous (“Documents: Officials knew of jail abuse,” June 10 Eagle). If the conditions are as described, our sheriff must take his share of the blame in allowing this kind of behavior to be the norm, and the deputies and jailers in question should be terminated at once, their dishonor noted on their employment records and their pensions denied.
How would they want a mentally ill member of their own family to be treated? As described in the court documents, the deputies involved are nothing but bullies.
MARY AKIN
Wichita
Hold until morning
After the shooting death of a local mother of three kids in northeast Wichita, it was disclosed the suspect had been arrested earlier in the evening near Hutchinson at a weekend saturation checkpoint (“Boyfriend charged in weekend shooting,” June 6 Local & State). The suspect was booked, bonded out and released in about one hour. The suspect then returned to Wichita, where he allegedly shot the mom that same night.
I find it unconscionable that the Reno County Sheriff’s Department would arrest someone on suspicion of DUI and then release him without an overnight stay. Common sense would dictate the arrestee be held until morning. If saturation checkpoints fall under the public safety umbrella, how does releasing possibly still-impaired arrestees protect anyone? Three young girls are now left without a mother.
This tragedy might have been avoided if public safety actually had been enforced earlier in the evening.
P. SULLIVAN
Wichita
Bike trail welcome
I wish to thank the Wichita Park and Recreation Department and the Wichita City Council for approving the off-road bike trail at Air Capital Memorial Park (June 6 Local & State). Having an off-road bike track on the west side of town is very convenient for those of us who like to test our skills at off-road bicycling. We don’t have to drive out of our way to visit the east side of town or drive out of the city.
Having it close means we will ride our bikes to the trail. Having more bike trails open to the public helps enhance Wichita as a bike-friendly city.
I can’t wait until it opens. My family and I certainly will ride the trail.
AUSTIN PEREZ
Wichita
Beliefs evolve
There is no intelligence in the ridiculous reoccurrence of arguments advocating the inclusion of intelligent design in science classes. The arguments against that subject have been clearly made. However, the facts are out of the comfort zone of most religious-right folks. They do not pay attention to anything that might jar them out of complacency or long-held but irrational beliefs.
Through the years, religious conservatives eventually end up on the wrong side of history. A few of the many examples: Hundreds of years ago the argument that the world was round was disconcerting. Later they denied (often violently) that the sun was the center of the solar system. And today they think evolution is some sort of liberal plot.
Strong scientific research and education have helped people let go of cherished beliefs as they become comfortable with undeniable facts. I hope that cool heads prevail when the subject of intelligent design invariably comes before the State Board of Education.
Eventually, the theory of evolution will be accepted by the most conservative among us. I wish it could happen soon. I am weary of friends from out of state poking fun at our fair state.
PHYLLIS STANLEY
Augusta
Obama’s record
President Obama cannot run his re-election campaign on his own record. It’s disastrous in every area.
The economy is horrible. He has spent more and borrowed more than any previous president. And he continues to borrow trillions of dollars from China, leaving an all-time record debt for future generations to pay.
Because he cannot reflect on anything positive he has done, the president has to use smoke screens such as gay marriage, which he flip-flopped on in order to raise more money from gays. The newly invented “war on women” is another farce.
The Obama administration’s mandate requiring health insurers to offer birth-control coverage is unconstitutional and cannot stand. If the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t overturn the current health care law, life in America will never be the same for this or any generation to come.
This is the most important election in American history. Even though many of us may not agree wholeheartedly with GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, we must support him with our vote – before this beloved country goes bankrupt.
Since our country’s inception, God has most generously blessed America. May He have mercy on us once more, before it’s too late.
MARABETH JOURNAGAN
Wichita
GOP tyranny
The more I see of the modern Republican, the more I am reminded of a Bertrand Russell quote: “Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.”
I miss the days when the Republican Party at least pretended to care about the middle class.
ROBERT DETWILER
Wichita
