Letters to the editor on marijuana vote, Jeff Longwell, Michael Capps, curbing emissions, ‘Killing Jesus’ movie

Who will vote ‘yes’?

Who will vote “yes” on the marijuana initiative? Voters who want to exercise our democracy will vote “yes.” Voters who believe in justice and fairness will vote “yes.” Voters who value freedom and liberty will vote “yes.”

Voters who oppose big government will vote “yes.” Voters who value the First and Second amendments will vote “yes.” Voters who believe in forgiveness will vote “yes.” Voters who are fiscally conservative will vote “yes.”

Voters who want real criminals in jail will vote “yes.” Voters who want statewide reform will vote “yes.” Voters who think for themselves will vote “yes.”

The voters – that’s who will vote “yes.”

Voting for Longwell

I would like to put in my 2 cents’ worth on the Wichita mayoral race. I am voting for Jeff Longwell, and here is why.

A couple of years ago my mother-in-law and some of her neighbors had a conflict with a developer who wanted to put up apartments right behind them with no regard for the neighborhood residents’ needs. My mother-in-law contacted her City Council member, Jeff Longwell. He listened to their concerns. He then contacted the developer and mediated a satisfactory compromise.

This is how politicians are supposed to work. They are supposed to listen to their constituents, regardless of financial power, and help find solutions.

I don’t care what party Longwell belongs to. I don’t even have to agree with everything he says. (I’m unlikely to agree with everything anyone says.) What I want in a politician is honesty and a willingness to listen and help. That is why I’m voting for Jeff Longwell for mayor.

Supporting Capps

As a parent with multiple kids in the Wichita school district, I am excited to support Michael Capps in Tuesday’s school board election. Capps is a tested business owner who practices what he preaches – living within one’s means. He is a single parent with a son in Wichita schools.

Capps will listen carefully to all sides of any issue, asking questions that cut to the heart of the issue before voting. He favors a more friendly relationship between the school board and the citizens and taxpayers.

While his opponent voted to close six schools in recent years and is part of the culture that doesn’t encourage open or friendly dialogue, Capps is the opposite. He will work to make our district open and transparent for everyone. He will seek input from all concerned before casting a vote. He also will support and encourage teachers, and promote conditions that allow them to do what they love best – teach and change the lives of their students.

I encourage you to join me in voting for Michael Capps in the at-large race Tuesday.

War over values

This week, in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December, President Obama pledged to cut our emissions by 28 percent by 2025 (March 31 Eagle). Already, congressional Republicans are promising to undermine that pledge.

What we have is a war over values. Obama places a high value on the health of our environment and the living things in it (as well as respecting the views of scientists worldwide). He places a lower value on the profits of corporations. A number of our Republican members of Congress place a high value on the profits of corporations (in addition to scorning science) and a lower value on our beloved Earth and the life on it.

In this case, I would rather have the likes of Obama at the helm of this great ship than just about anyone else. I only hope that he is able to honor that pledge – for the sake of everyone and everything on Earth.

Movie a false gospel

“Killing Jesus,” the movie produced by Bill O’Reilly and aired recently on the National Geographic Channel, can only be called a false gospel (Galatians 1:8).

The title is appropriate, for it stripped Jesus of His deity and did not acknowledge established facts to accomplish the goal of killing Jesus (John 10:25).

O’Reilly said on his talk show that they intentionally did not include the supernatural events of Jesus’ life. Not only was the show inaccurate, it was deceptive by purporting events were planned by the disciples.

I recommend the Bible and works by Lee Strobel. Strobel is a journalist who was an atheist and was determined to prove Jesus was a false Messiah. He became a Christian because of the research and produced several books and videos, including “The Case for Christ.”

O’Reilly should apologize to the martyrs of Christ and the world. But he has bigger problems than an apology.

This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor on marijuana vote, Jeff Longwell, Michael Capps, curbing emissions, ‘Killing Jesus’ movie."