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Hawker deal will not turn out well
As a Kansan who recently returned from living in China for two years, I join others in voicing concern over the Chinese firm Superior Aviation Beijing’s likely acquisition of Hawker Beechcraft. I have great respect for Chinese culture, but I also know that the deal will not turn out well for Hawker’s employees and future as a firm. It seems most plausible that the Chinese firm will mine Hawker for valuable technology and drastically reduce the number of U.S. employees.
It is a shame that the United States’ competitive edge and numerous jobs in aircraft manufacturing are being lost to overseas firms. Perhaps U.S. lawmakers should be more supportive in fighting for the vital aircraft-manufacturing industry in Wichita, as they have been in saving automakers in Detroit.
LAURA FREEZE
Topeka
Act now
Right now, evil is being done to many of our young black males and females.
Parents: We need your help in the community. Pastors: Your presence would change a significant number of our children’s lives. Fathers and other men: Where are you? Stand up for what is right.
NAACP: Minorities do not get equal justice in the court system. A minority can commit the same crime as a Caucasian, and the minority will get a harder punishment and the white will get only a slap on the hand.
The community has the right to speak up about fairness and unfairness in our justice system.
How do we solve this problem? Do we prevent black males from going outside after dark? Do we outlaw hooded sweatshirts?
Unless we act now, our future is already our failed past.
We need to end police brutality. We need to suffocate racism until it dies. We need to end homelessness and hunger. We need to create economic opportunity. We need to promote equal access to the best education. We need to elect and demand accountable leadership. We need to make sure minorities receive equal sentencing, equal probation, equal bond payment and equal justice.
BILLY J. WALKER
Wichita
Firework mess
“Firework fiasco” (July 16 Letters to the Editor) hit the nail on the head. It’s a mess. The noise starts at least a full week ahead of Independence Day and goes on for days after. The messes in the streets speak for themselves, as many who purchase fireworks don’t have enough respect for our country and town to clean up after themselves. The noise is a terrible bother to the elderly, many of whom are in poor health, and it’s a nightmare for those of us who own gun-shy pets. It has to change.
New laws need to be put in place. A brief framework would include allowing fireworks only on the Fourth of July. Any other day, and the infraction would result in a stiff fine. There should be no large commercial fireworks. There should be stiff penalties for even possessing those within the Wichita city limits.
Fireworks have become a serious fire and police problem as well as a terrible disruption to the peace in our city – one that goes on for countless days. I, for one, am sick of it and demand change.
DOUGLAS SIMPSON
Wichita
Term-limit solution
Election season seems to raise the subject of term limits. I have a fair solution for us in Kansas.
Federal term limits for legislators would be 12 years total. This could happen one of three ways: a maximum of six terms in the U.S. House, a maximum of two terms in the Senate, or a combination of three terms in the House and one term in the Senate.
State term limits for legislators would be eight years total. This also could occur one of three ways: four terms in the Kansas House, two terms in the Senate, or a combination of two terms in the House and one term in the Senate.
I believe our Founding Fathers did not have career politicians in mind when writing our federal and state constitutions. Yes, good and bad people would be term-limited out every election cycle, depending on your point of view. However, this could be a solution to the continuing deadlock in both Washington, D.C., and Topeka.
GREGORY REED
Wichita
Prevent cavities
Medical students often ask me why I became a pediatrician. I tell them I was happiest when I was working with children. It’s a great feeling to treat them when they’re ill. It’s even more rewarding to give them preventive care and, if possible, avoid illness in the first place.
Tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds in the United States. The bacteria and germs don’t stay in the mouth; they travel throughout the body, which can lead to other illnesses. As children grow older, the problem worsens.
Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. A naturally occurring amount already is in the water we drink. Increasing that fluoride level just a little greatly expands the health benefits for all.
Everything we can do to foster good health, including oral health, for the next generation should be a top priority.
H. DAVID WILSON
Wichita
