Letters on refugees, Muslim reactions, marketers of fear, Gardenhire

Kansas has tradition of stoking fear

Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer recently visited Jordan, echoing Gov. Sam Brownback’s concern over the security risk posed by Syrian refugees. These sentiments continue the proud Kansas tradition of stoking fear over theoretical possibilities rather than responding to actual threats and present dangers.

Comparing the differing responses to the crisis in Paris and a crisis in Kansas will illustrate my point.

Earlier this year, three Kansans died after ingesting listeria-tainted Blue Bell ice cream. That’s three more Kansans than were killed in Paris or by Syrian refugees. Yet where was the executive response to this public health catastrophe? Where was the order sealing the Kansas borders to Blue Bell trucks and denying funding to any state organization that served Blue Bell? Where were the veiled threats aimed toward Blue Bell vendors?

The answer to all of these questions is “nowhere.” There was none of the vocal, knee-jerk hysteria that greeted the events in Paris. The lack of perspective would be comic were it not so tragic.

Some celebrated

Regarding the controversy surrounding alleged celebrations by Muslims on Sept. 11, 2001: I lived and worked in Boston at the time. Driving home from work the day of the attack on the World Trade Center, I stopped by a gas station where I had traded regularly. The two Muslim attendants were, in fact, celebrating, loudly proclaiming, “We really showed them this time!”

This happened before it was determined who was responsible for the attacks. I never traded there again.

Marketers of fear

I’m in the advertising and marketing business, and I have clients all across America, so I understand how to motivate people. Many of our leaders and elected officials understand motivation as well. They just tell the folks they are in danger and attack cooler heads for lack of patriotism.

There have been those in power who have used this approach in the past. Now we have, in our own backyard, Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohn (“Peterjohn’s ugly rant was unproductive,” Nov. 20 Eagle Editorial).

These people know how to use demagoguery, seizing on the public’s anxieties, insecurities and prejudices. Don’t surrender your democratic values or your Christian values to these blowhards. They are building their brands on empty promises.

Before, after polling

I would like to see some polling data on how many American citizens are in favor of Syrian immigration currently. Then I’d like more polling on that same topic after the next terrorist attack in the United States.

Then we could analyze the correlation between the two rounds of polling results.

Dynamic woman

There are people of significance who have accomplished many things; however, we become more strongly aware of their contribution after their passing.

Wichita recently lost a dynamic, yet humble, woman: Jo Gardenhire.

Even though she worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and understanding, she sought no praise, honor or recognition. She loved people, not for reason of reward. Rather, it was her faith to “love one another” without expectations.

During the civil rights movement, she was a strong voice in our community as she taught classes at Wichita State University. She knew how to draw the good and positive qualities out of the individual and to know our humanitarian equality.

As a true educator, she never stopped learning, seeking truth and sharing. Those who knew her celebrate the heritage of her life and gift to Wichita history.

Jo Gardenhire was a magnanimous personality.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on refugees, Muslim reactions, marketers of fear, Gardenhire."