Opinion > Letters to the Editor

Posted on Wed, Nov. 04, 2009

e-mail	print	RSS	reprint
AIM	Digg it	del.icio.us	Facebook

Letters to the editor on carbon emissions, health care, Obama's jet, Bible quotes, volunteer help

Support limits on carbon emissions

Regarding Jonah Goldberg's column "Save planet without having to give up dogs" (Oct. 30 Opinion): Goldberg rightly acknowledged the increase in global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels and the need to take this dangerous trend seriously. However, a look at the facts can lead to very different conclusions about how to respond.

The increase in global temperatures caused by CO2 presents a real threat to our agriculture, energy security and economic survival. The gravity of the challenges we face is reflected in a sobering map recently made public in the United Kingdom showing the effects of a 7-degree Fahrenheit temperature increase: less crop production, more flooding and more forest fires.

Goldberg cited the Pew Research Center's polling on American views on climate change but not its findings of "more support than opposition for a policy to set limits on carbon emissions." Even more Americans (56 percent) think the United States should partner with other countries to address climate change at the United Nations Climate Summit in December.

When the world gathers in Copenhagen for the summit, the United Kingdom will be pushing for the most ambitious deal possible. We hope all other countries do, too.

JAMES F. CLARK

Consul general

British Consulate

Chicago

Open the doors

To a Congress that has changed locks and excluded others in discussions regarding something as important as health care, I say: Open the doors for a discussion of best solutions for everyone.

Thank goodness for Blue Dog Democrats — I call them "Blue Angels" — who have our interest regarding corrections that need to be made.

You don't have to shoot an ant with an elephant gun. You do not need a thousand pages of "reform" when people are mostly satisfied with what they have.

If we are ignored, we may have to let some lawmakers go via the November 2010 elections.

DOLORES BAUM

Wichita

Health care right

I cannot discern any reason, other than worship of the golden calf, why we as a nation should deny health care to any of our citizens. I believe supporting a single-payer system comes under the "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" language in our Declaration of Independence. Without health, none of the rest is possible.

MARIE KING

Wichita

Jobs for Boeing?

President Obama, who discredited private jet ownership as excessive, should stop to consider that he acts as a CEO and commands a private fleet of very expensive airplanes — so he is guilty of that which he ridicules.

In just a few months, Obama has jetted all over the country and the world. These junkets are extremely expensive and are being paid for by laid-off aircraft workers.

Still, we in the aircraft business know that flight hours accumulate rapidly to the point that the airframe (and especially presidential aircraft) requires extensive inspection and maintenance. I would hope that can be done at Boeing Wichita. There is the possibility that the president would request new airplanes and that Seattle and Wichita would benefit from increased employment.

But there is also the fear that the president might decide to redistribute some wealth by ordering aircraft from another country.

JOHN P. THOMPSON

Wellington

Out of context

"Final judgment" (Oct. 29 Letters to the Editor) was a perfect example of the absurd way that pro-life zealots take Bible verses out of context to try to promote their agenda of guilt and fear. The letter claimed that Jesus will say at the final judgment, "When you did it to the least of my children, you did it to me." The actual Bible verse says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Christ's words in this instance have nothing to do with killing unborn babies or any side of the ongoing abortion issue.

LES TAYLOR

Wichita

Thankful for help

We are senior citizens who needed the exterior of our mobile home and out-sheds painted. Neighborhood Connection (part of Senior Services Inc.) organizes volunteers to help seniors with projects they can no longer do. Volunteers from the Countryside Christian Church did an excellent job of painting — we are very pleased with their work and very thankful for their efforts. They are "professionals."

May God bless these two great organizations.

BILL and ELAINE RUDOLPH

Wichita