Manage Delivery
People in charge, not gun lobby
A young man in Colorado recently legally purchased two handguns, a shotgun, an AK-47 assault rifle and 6,000 rounds of ammunition. He was not part of a well-regulated militia. It is alleged that he entered a darkened movie theater and shot, apparently randomly, 70 people. So far 12 have died. Can you imagine the suffering of all who were not killed?
This was not the first such tragedy, nor will it be the last. Today in the United States, almost anyone can buy any firearm and ammunition in any quantity.
There are many citizens who bought additional guns and ammunition based on the results of the 2008 election, some stating that was because of their fear that the federal government would come and take their guns away. Due to such paranoia, no one running for public office today would advocate any kind of gun-control law.
We live in a democracy where citizens elect the government, which makes and enforces all laws. The Second Amendment to our Constitution is believed by many to give any person the right to keep and bear arms, but the amendment’s first 13 words are ignored. Read it; think about it. We the people are in charge, and therefore responsible.
JIM McKINNEY
Derby
Ban not answer
“Citizens don’t need assault weapons” (July 25 Letters to the Editor) invited someone from the “pro-gun” crowd to respond. This would be it.
First, there is no “pro-gun” crowd. I am pro-Second Amendment, which gives me the choice of gun ownership.
Next, even if we went out and rounded up the assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, the killing would not stop. The crazies would just switch to another type of weapon. Where does it end? Besides, would the criminals turn over their weapons? I think not.
What we need are strict laws to deal with the humans who commit this carnage. There should be swift justice, including public execution. For the crazies, early detection and treatment before they drive themselves to their final outcome are paramount. I think as we delve into the Aurora tragedy, we will find that the signs were there and were ignored.
Truth be said, there are no answers for prevention of these kind of things. And there is nothing that should be done to the responsible citizens who choose to own these types of weapons, as they are not the problem but rather the potential solution.
STEPHEN TITUS
Halstead
Express opinions
The Eagle reported Thursday that Gov. Sam Brownback had closed the books on the 2012 Kansas budget with a $466 million surplus. Some are happy because government in Kansas is smaller, spending less and cutting taxes. Others are saddened at the loss of thousands of public-sector jobs, rising college costs, an underfunded public school system, the possible closing of the Judge James Riddel Boys Ranch, and an expected rise in property taxes.
Some see Brownback as a crusader against big government, big bureaucracy and big waste, and a religious, moral man dedicated to supporting traditional American values. Others see Brownback as a religious zealot bent on the destruction of a secular government and its ungodly institutions, including public schools.
Whatever we think, we will all get to express our opinions at the polls on Aug. 7. Thank you, Eagle, for all the information on the candidates and the issues.
CASEY JONES
Wichita
Revoke exemption
Summit Church on East Kellogg is classified as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. After seeing its advertisement in Thursday’s Eagle, I think the church needs to have its tax-exempt status revoked.
The ad stated that senior pastor Terry Fox would speak Sunday morning “about how the Obama administration and its socialistic agenda is making way for the Antichrist to take over the world.” Though Fox is allowed his own opinion, Summit Church as a tax-exempt organization is “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.” And “public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity,” as stated on the Internal Revenue Service website, www.irs.gov.
If Summit Church wishes to continue supporting or opposing political candidates, it needs to start paying taxes.
ERIN TOMBAUGH
Wichita
Didn’t get help
President Obama said that if your business is successful, it is because someone else helped you. I worked 75 and 80 hours a week and my wife worked 60 hours a week for 10 years until we finally got our business off the ground. Whoever was supposed to help us never showed up.
We never had to worry about the heavy hand of government 60 years ago. We would never have made it today. Obama doesn’t understand what starting a business is all about.
JOE WHITE
Kingman
School realities
Regarding “Five truths about reality of teaching” (July 15 Opinion):
Schools have changed because voters have allowed it to happen.
Students’ needs are overwhelming because parents (i.e., voters) have abdicated their responsibilities.
The demands on teachers are a direct result of federal and state interference. Again, voters allowed these changes.
Those who wish to be educators should know from the start they will not become “money rich” as a result of that choice, but they can be rich in satisfaction if they are dedicated.
The only way to gain respect is to be a dedicated, moral person who strives to help children realize “they can if they think they can” and to be an example, not a whiner. Liberals just hate that idea.
PRISCILLA RIVERS
Grenola
