Letters on Century II parking, Carson, bad candidates, Royals, newspaper changes

City not treating visitors well

I recently attended the Wichita Industrial Trade Show for the fourth time. It is a large event that draws local and regional attendees to see the latest in manufacturing technology and equipment. Vendors come from all over the country to display new products and technology.

As a typical vendor, I incur travel expenses to get to Wichita, which include air or ground transportation, hotel room and meals for the better part of a week, gasoline and incidentals – not a small investment. Multiply this by the number of vendors, and then add in the attendees, and the WIT Show brings in a substantial amount of revenue. That’s the good news.

The bad news: Parking for Century II is woefully inadequate, driving vendors and attendees to sometimes improvise. I did so, along with others, by parking on the fringe of the “free” lot in an unmarked spot. We did not block anybody or restrict traffic flow in any way. However, I was ticketed.

When I left the show for the final time the next day, I walked along the fringe where I had been ticketed. There were at least 20 vehicles with citations on their windshields. This paints a wonderful picture of how the city really feels about visitors.

In my humble opinion, the parking meters should be turned off for a few days, and enforcement rules relaxed, to accommodate the large number of people who are visiting Wichita and spending a lot of money. It is sad that Wichita is so willing to bite the hand of those who willingly feed it.

Reclaim what?

When GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson and his followers say they want to get back to the Constitution, I am puzzled by what it is they want to reclaim. What I know of the history of the U.S. Constitution is that without the amendments that have been added over the years, several people would have no liberties.

For example, only white male property owners would be able to vote and serve on juries. It would be constitutional for white property owners to count black people as their property. Also, without the 22nd Amendment, President Obama could run for any number of terms.

As for Carson “bringing back faith” to America, if people are lacking faith, that’s not the fault of the Constitution. No one has forced people to give up their faith. However, thanks to the Constitution, no one may force his faith on those who don’t share it.

Of course, if we followed the Constitution to the letter, only those in a “well-regulated militia” would have the right to bear arms.

Carson is unlikely to become president. However, those who see him as a savior might be careful what they wish for.

Slim pickings

Now that the third Republican presidential debate dust has settled, there are some personal remarks to make to the candidates. Gov. Chis Christie: It is a matter of government concern about fantasy football because it is a national game of chance and skill. Ben Carson: What exactly is your tax plan? You could not explain it well. Why do you think you have the practical knowledge to be president? Sen. Marco Rubio: Questions about your personal finances and Senate attendance are very much in order. Carly Fiorina: Your time with Hewlett-Packard is your only qualification, and it did not end well. Why would you make a good president? I don’t think you would.

Christie and John Kasich are sitting governors. They need to finish their terms and do the jobs they were elected to do. The same goes for Rubio and Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. Mike Huckabee: Give it up. Donald Trump: What about the tunnels under your big, beautiful wall?

And on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is a national disgrace, just as much as her husband.

In a nation and democracy with two powerful political parties and 322 million people, is this the best we can find?

We are Royalty

Whenever, wherever people come together to play or watch a game, they usually leave behind their worries and cares, and sometimes something wonderful happens.

Each fall, the best players in baseball play. They remind us that magic can happen. Lightning really does strike twice, and we are all Royalty.

Missing features

How disappointed I am in the new layout of The Eagle’s amusement page. To begin with, the Billy Graham column is gone – one of the few positive articles in the paper.

Of course, Dear Abby is still there, so we can read how sick and sad some of our people are.

My favorite word game, Cryptoquip, is gone, too, replaced by Celebrity Cypher, which is not good. I find the new crossword more difficult and time-consuming.

I haven’t decided yet if I will continue to subscribe. If it weren’t for the sports coverage of our Wichita State Shockers, I definitely would end my 40-plus years of being an Eagle reader.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on Century II parking, Carson, bad candidates, Royals, newspaper changes."