Letters on ISIS, property seizure bill, Ellis photos, super slow drivers
ISIS is evil, doesn’t represent Islam
As a Muslim who has called Wichita my home for the past 29 years, I would like to add my voice to that of the entire world in condemning the horrific events in Brussels.
Recent terrorist activities are being undertaken by a small group of misguided individuals. I would be echoing the sentiments of the entire Muslim world in condemning, denouncing and rejecting the ideology that these terrorists are propagating. Our hearts ache for the families of the innocent lives lost, and we pray that the Lord helps the grieving families find peace in these difficult times.
I would also like everyone to understand that ISIS doesn’t represent Islam, and it is killing more Muslims than any other denomination. I would also like to call on the leadership in all Muslim countries and on President Obama to take swift and concrete steps in totally annihilating and eradicating the ISIS evil.
This war is not between Islam and the West; it is a war between evil and humanity. Unfortunately, there is no room for negotiation with the misguided lost souls.
May God keep America and its citizens safe. May God bless the United States of America.
Tab Khan, Wichita
Veto this bill
Senate Bill 338 has been passed by the Legislature and is on its way for Gov. Sam Brownback to consider. The governor should veto this bill.
This bill gives cities, in conjunction with their preferred nonprofit organizations, the ability to take possession of unoccupied residential houses where the property taxes are currently paid in full. This bill will clearly place vulnerable senior citizens and less affluent property owners in the position of being victimized.
Cities in Kansas have all the powers they need to deal with property issues through current law. Over the past few years, the city of Wichita has bulldozed hundreds of houses for housing code violations. Enhancing the power of cities and their appointed nonprofit redevelopment organizations to take privately owned properties without compensation is wrong.
I urge the governor to veto this bill.
John Todd, Wichita
Ellis headed upward
The March 11 front page of The Eagle Sports section had a photograph in which University of Kansas basketball player Perry Ellis seemed to be levitating off the floor to the basket rim. It took my breath away. I knew that Buddhist monks, after many years practicing in the high mountains of Tibet, could do that. But this young man from Wichita can also?
I recommend that photograph by Bo Rader of The Eagle be nominated for picture of the year.
The March 24 Eagle front page had a photograph of Ellis smiling, which he rarely does. I know this sounds far-fetched, but I swear he looked like Abe Lincoln. And I do believe that fine young man is headed as far upward and forward as God will take him.
Alan N. Reeder, Bel Aire
Super slow drivers
I know this is hyperbole, but half of Wichita’s drivers will die natural deaths behind their steering wheels because they’re not moving fast enough to get anywhere else.
David Hitchcock, Wichita
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This story was originally published March 27, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Letters on ISIS, property seizure bill, Ellis photos, super slow drivers."