Letters on refugees, college students, health professionals
If U.S. closes its borders, we have lost
I am saddened by the number of Kansas and U.S. citizens who cheer when political leaders such as Gov. Sam Brownback vow to not welcome Syrian refugees (Nov. 17 Eagle). The rush to stand against these people without a country is based both in fear and hatred.
I hope everyone will soon realize that this is exactly the response that ISIS is wanting. Indeed, if the U.S. closes its borders and decides to sit on the sidelines of this humanitarian disaster because of fear and hate, we have lost.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” These words provide powerful instructions to all of us. To create a better, more peaceful world, we need to begin with loving thy neighbor, and treating others as we would want to be treated. We are all God’s children.
Most of these governors and public figures who denounce the acceptance of Syrian refugees, and those who support them, claim to be Christians. However, their actions couldn’t be further from the teachings of Christ.
We cannot only follow Christ when it is easy or politically convenient. It is most important and transformative to be Christ-like when facing hardship and difficulty.
I hope we can turn things around and build community that fosters love for one another. This is our way to a brighter future.
Jeremy Mitchell-Koch, Wichita
Students in charge?
A higher education is two agreements agreed on by two voluntary understandings. Students understand that their acceptance into a college or university is partially approved because of their willingness to abide by the rules and decisions of the governing body for the school, as well as their GPA and tuition. The individual institution accepts the student based on the aforementioned information, along with other criteria.
The people in charge of said acceptance must stand firm in their decisions. That is the job of a college chancellor, president, board of regents or any others with input in how the institution should be run.
I do not know of any institution that guarantees every imaginable individual cause for every student. However, that very discussion is beginning to take place. Every student who has a cause wants to influence the overall campus, and this simply cannot be allowed. Unless it is illegal or immoral, the people in charge must stand their ground when it comes to institutional governing.
The situation in Missouri recently was just the tip of the iceberg. A football team determines the temporary course of a university. Now, anyone with any issue has been shown the way to influence what is taking place at an institution of higher learning.
In summary: If you are the one in charge of governing, then govern. If you are an unhappy student, transfer.
Gene Cook, Benton
Health thank you
Annually, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, public health organizations around the country take time to recognize public health professionals who work tirelessly every day to protect the community with national Public Health Thank You Day. From the ordinary to the extraordinary, these professionals promote wellness, prevent disease and protect the public from health threats.
Public health encompasses everything from research in diseases to preventing injury and promoting healthy lifestyles to detecting and controlling outbreaks. Public health touches the lives of the residents in our community in countless ways each day. Seat-belt laws, protection from the dangers of secondhand smoke in public places, vaccinations, and clean water and air are all examples of how public health professionals work hard behind the scenes to keep us all safe and sound.
Sedgwick County residents can live longer and healthier thanks to the efforts of public health. Even if you have never walked through the doors of a public health agency, your life has been touched by their efforts.
Becky Tuttle, Wichita
Program manager, HealthICT
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This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters on refugees, college students, health professionals."