Letters to the Editor (July 5)

Congressman Estes

It’s not surprising that the scourge of fake news is now producing letter writers who believe and spread fake news as truth. A recent letter to the editor actually criticized Congressman Estes for being supportive of our Kansas military troops involved in military training exercises, attending events recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of aviation employees at each of the major aircraft plants, health care professionals, and small business owners and employees, as well as welcoming constituents to the district office.

He’s obviously out interacting and listening to people where they live and where they are, touring their places of work, schools, and communities. In addition, the letter writer seemed to deride him for keeping constituents up to date with informative newsletters and for his savvy use of technology to reach thousands of people simultaneously throughout 17 counties vs. less than 100 typically present at a traditional town hall meeting. It’s obvious that Congressman Estes is working hard to represent and serve the people of Kansas well.

Big Brother

Big Brother is a fictional character and symbol in George Orwell’s novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” He is ostensibly the leader of a totalitarian state wherein the ruling party wields total power “for its own sake” over the inhabitants.

In the society that Orwell describes, every citizen is under constant surveillance by the authorities. The people are constantly reminded of this by the slogan “Big Brother is watching you.” In modern culture, the term “big brother” is a synonym for abuse of government power, particularly in respect to civil liberties, often specifically related to mass surveillance, Kobach-style.

At the behest of “Big Brother” Kris Kobach is demanding that all states supply him with the names, birth dates, and Social Security information and more on all voters going back 11 years. In his haste, he forgot to ask for identifying birthmarks.

Is this the beginning of Orwell’s prediction?

Already, 24 governors have refused to comply with the vice chairman of “Big Brother’s” Presidential Commission on Election Integrity.

Integrity! A poor choice of words coming from “Big Brother’s” tweets.

Beware! We don’t want to fulfill Orwell’s prophecy. Collectively we voters have the power to stay free. Unite in opposing “Big Brother.”

Coach-led prayers

I am neither an extremist nor an activist. I have never to my recollection written an opinion to any public forum. That said, I read the front-page above-the-fold article in Sunday’s Wichita Eagle, “Atheist group stops coach-led prayers at schools,” with disbelief.

What am I missing? I researched the First Amendment to the Constitution, and the cases resulting therefrom, including the one referenced by the “atheist group.” The First Amendment itself states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

How does one come to the conclusion that a high school coach has no right to be present at a student-led prayer, as the superintendent of Weskan contends? If the superintendent is accurate the headline itself is at best unverified, at worst incorrect. What is happening to wisdom and to common sense, to our Constitution, indeed to our country?

This story was originally published July 5, 2017 at 5:02 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (July 5)."