Letter on Douglas underpass, Brownback, fairness in courts, Fesen, cancer information booth

Would underpass stay looking nice?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Douglas rail underpass underwent a major renovation – or “beautification” – it did not take long for vandals, taggers and the local pigeon population to utterly deface it (“Design plans for Douglas underpass revealed,” Aug. 27 Local & State). What have we learned since that time? Anything? Are there guarantees that will not be the case this time around?

Restore balance

It is with great sadness that I have concluded that I cannot support the re-election of Gov. Sam Brownback. I worked hard to elect him four years ago. I served under him in the Kansas Senate for the first two years of his term, voting with him 96 percent of the time.

Unfortunately, the governor put into his top leadership positions some people who will say anything, do anything and destroy anyone if it accomplishes their personal agenda. Dissent was and is not allowed, either within the administration or within the Legislature. The governor is responsible for those he puts into leadership positions.

This philosophy of running a government has resulted in many bad decisions and bad policies. A lot of people are being hurt. The state is being hurt.

Electing Paul Davis as governor will restore balance to our state government. Legislative committees won’t have any qualms about asking his people tough questions. Issues will be thoroughly aired in public. Compromise will be necessary, instead of the present system of “my way or the highway.”

We all want a healthy state government. A balanced government is much healthier than one that only focuses on a few people’s narrow agenda.

Attend debate

I wish to make readers aware of the gubernatorial debate at the Kansas State Fair at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Bretz and Young Injury Lawyers Arena. I hope those who appreciate the pro-life efforts of Gov. Sam Brownback will consider attending the debate, wearing pro-life or pro-Brownback shirts, hats, stickers, etc.

During his tenure, Brownback has signed several pieces of related legislation into law, including closing loopholes in the partial-birth abortion ban, requiring parental consent for minor children prior to abortion, banning sex-selection abortions, adding conscience protection for pro-life health workers, creating an ethical stem cell research center at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and adding protection for annual state-matched pregnancy center grants. Brownback’s Democratic opponent opposes such measures.

Among other possible issues to be addressed at this debate, remember this quote by former congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois: “This is a debate about our understanding of human dignity, what it means to be a member of the human family, even though tiny, powerless and unwanted.”

Legal fairness

We read in our newspaper that the judiciary feels evidence regarding honesty of law enforcement officers is an important part of the legal process (“Sheriff: Eight on staff have credibility issues,” Aug. 21 Eagle). Defense attorneys should be given that evidence for the jury to weigh, say the brilliant men and women in black robes.

A thinking person then muses why criminal records and past dishonest behavior of the defendant can be excluded from what the jury is allowed to hear, according to some of those same judges.

Reading about such brilliant legal mentality makes some of us long for the wilder and better days of yesteryear when the varmint was given his constitutional right to a speedy and fair trial before we strung him up.

Caring doctor

Regarding “Doctor’s orders” (Aug. 24 Eagle): Oncologist Mark Fesen treated my husband for esophageal cancer from 2003 to 2006. He was very aggressive in his treatment but always kept us informed on the type and dosage of the drugs.

He treated my husband with dignity and was very Christian in his visits. After treatments were stopped, Fesen called on a daily basis to check on my husband’s well-being.

If the situation arises for me, I would not hesitate to call him “my oncologist.”

Fesen has a very difficult job without media persecution based on one report. May Fesen be blessed with many more years in the medical profession.

Stop by booth

We read about the importance of healthy eating, exercising and visiting the doctor. Information about these topics can be found at the Kansas State Fair. I invite you and your family to stop by the cancer education booth, a joint effort by the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the Hutchinson Clinic.

Knowledgeable health care professionals will be available to provide the latest information on cancer prevention and early detection – all for free. You can test your body mass index, glucose levels and blood pressure, and discuss simple steps for healthy living.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation and Hutchinson Clinic are grateful for the long-standing support of honorary co-chairs Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Franki Roberts. Be sure to stop by to see us in the Sunflower Complex.

This story was originally published September 4, 2014 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Letter on Douglas underpass, Brownback, fairness in courts, Fesen, cancer information booth."