Letters on Planned Parenthood hearing, abortion, musical gems, Health Strategies

Arrogant lawmakers have no decency

The members of Congress who conducted a hearing to question Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards need to be disciplined. They were arrogant and confrontational. Why ask a question if you do not have the courtesy to listen to the answer?

No one asks that a representative has to believe the answers given. But to interrupt is disrespectful, rude and an insult to Congress and the nation.

The best question to ask these congressional leaders is the same thing Joseph N. Welch asked Sen. Joseph McCarthy: “Have you no sense of decency?”

Misleading study

Reference was made in “Regretting abortions” (Sept 26 Letters to the Editor) to a British study showing a number of harms from abortion, including suicide. The American Psychological Association’s Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (2008) concluded that “there is no credible evidence (from peer-reviewed studies) that a single elective abortion of an unwanted pregnancy in and of itself causes mental health problems for adult women.”

The difference between these conclusions may be the result of the omission in the studies used by the Brits of co-occurring risk factors such as poverty, prior experience of violence, a history of emotional problems and drug and alcohol use, prior unwanted births and mental health problems after an earlier pregnancy. Failure to control for these factors creates misleading conclusions.

In addition, the use of personal stories tells us nothing about what the group as a whole is experiencing.

Musical gem

Wichitans, we have a pearl of great value in our midst. Sunday last, I was invited to the Delano Wind Ensemble concert. I was not expecting much. More than pleasantly surprised at the concert, I was stunned. It was fantastic.

I had no idea we had such musical talent in our community. I will return to the Delano concerts. That gem of an organization deserves our support.

Review operas

I am sorely disappointed that The Eagle did not review Wichita Grand Opera’s staging of “Don Carlo” on Sept. 25 and 27. The Eagle should understand the importance of supporting purveyors of art and creativity in our community.

This is the second time this season that a Wichita Grand Opera performance wasn’t reviewed in The Eagle. The first snub was the spectacular production of “Turandot” in August. A Kansas City Star review called the Wichita Grand Opera’s performance of it at Johnson County Community College a “magnificent spectacle.” What will it take for The Eagle to support the arts in our community?

I appreciate the coverage The Eagle provided before the performances, but it should have followed through with a review. If the newspaper doesn’t tell the community what it’s missing out on, why should it care?

I think having our own opera company greatly enhances the culture, economy and tourism in this area. I hope The Eagle can see the value of supporting such an important facet of our city by reviewing the next show in October.

Impressive play

I recently attended a production of the play “Almost, Maine” presented by the theater department of Wichita Southeast High School. I was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

These young people had the audience in the palm of their very capable hands. From the efforts of the stage crew to the precision timing of the actors, this production seems like it could serve as a how-to for high school theater productions.

Also, I had never been in the Southeast auditorium. It is beautiful and comfortable, and the acoustics were perfect. Despite my partial hearing loss (Ted Nugent concert – don’t ask), I still heard every word the actors said and all the sound effects. The school halls were clean and bright. The students, although excited for their show, were warm and respectful.

So be proud, Wichita community, because I believe that there are gems, like my experience at Southeast, throughout our public schools. And to the Buffaloes, I say a big “bravo!”

Fond farewell

After many years of going to Health Strategies for exercise and interaction with our peers, we are now facing the closing of this facility. We will have to go our separate ways, probably to never cross our paths again. Thank you for all of the good times we have shared with both old and new friends. I just hope many of our friendships continue as we find our ways to other facilities. I do not see how they can match what we already had, but good luck and a fond farewell to the many friends and acquaintances we have met in these many years.

This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on Planned Parenthood hearing, abortion, musical gems, Health Strategies."