Letters to the Editor (Jan. 31)

Trump gives Americans hope

We are failing to see the most important thing that President Trump has given us. It is not just an improvement in our economy, an increase in jobs, or a growing sense of security. He is giving us hope. An expectation that things can get better.

Fear, hate and mistrust hinder hope. There are those that promote those things to manipulate people and at the same time destroy their hope, making them more susceptible to manipulation. Some politicians, national leaders, religious leaders and their media promote fear, hate and mistrust for their own gain. It is up to each individual in this world to recognize this insidious thing and not become enslaved by it.

Dennis above reproach

To State Board of Education member John Bacon:

I don’t know you, so I may be totally off base, but why would you vote not to retain and encourage Dale Dennis — one of the finest, most honest, most dedicated public servants in the history of Kansas? Does 50 years of distinguished service mean nothing to you? Public service is not easy. Those who devote their lives to it deserve our respect and thanks, not vilification. If we want to encourage hard-working professionals who work for Kansans, the way to do it is to support Dennis and those like him, rather than disparaging his good name for political gain.

Earning respect, not as angrily

It has been suggested that Wichita State basketball needs to start “playing angry” once again to get back to our winning ways. It is, however, hard to play angry if you are not angry.

For years, we had reason to be angry — no respect. If we beat a ranked basketball team, we just got lucky. No respect. If we went through an entire season undefeated, it was because we belonged to a weak conference. No respect. Now, we know better than that, but nonetheless it was true. No respect.

That has changed since becoming a part of the American Athletic Conference. That respect we had actually deserved, we now command, hence the lack of natural anger amongst our players. Coach Marshall, I guess it’s up to you to find something for our boys to be angry about — or just find a new slogan like, “Because We Can!”

You and your team and the entire city knows “You Can” so play to win “Because We Can!”

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 4:02 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (Jan. 31)."