Letters on Trump’s Muslim plan, Christian terrorists, WIC program, park equipment
Trump plan violates values, wouldn’t work
Donald Trump’s proposed “plan” to keep out Muslims violates fundamental American values. It confirms a profound ignorance of American history and the guiding principles that made our country great. His anti-religion rhetoric is flatly un-American.
That aside, his plan – having people coming into the country declare whether they are Muslims, and turning away those who acknowledge they are – is based on the premise that terrorists committed to jihad would feel compelled to tell the truth. But the effect of Trump’s plan would be to keep out Muslims who are honest and proud of their faith, and let in Muslims willing to lie and do harm to our country.
The greatest risk to our way of life is strident bigotry that feeds into the ISIS propaganda machine and indicates to the rest of the world that the United States is evil and intolerant. Anyone who promotes those hateful attitudes is the threat we face to the American way of life. We are much more at risk from the threats within than those without.
Joseph Kuttler, Wichita
Other terrorists
Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohn’s determination to protect us from Islamic terrorists is admirable. I assume he’ll soon be discussing his plans to rid our community of Christians.
After all, a clear majority of domestic terror attacks are perpetrated by people who identify as Christian, from the Oklahoma City bombing years ago to the murder of Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller and the more recent attacks on police officers by extreme right-wing groups. Let’s not forget the real threats many in America still face from the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, nearly all of which are self-identified Christian organizations.
Statistics published by the FBI show that there are actually more U.S. domestic terror attacks by Jewish groups than by Muslims, and yet our leaders shamelessly continue to perpetuate the notion that all terrorists are Muslim.
The truth is that radical extremism comes in all different colors and creeds, and I have statistically far more to fear from my government-hating white neighbor than I do from the young Muslim family down the street.
Casey Barnaby, Wichita
WIC federally funded
Everyone should understand that the Women, Infants and Children program targeted by Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Richard Ranzau and others is federally funded. If we refuse to accept such funds, the monies are simply used in other areas and not a nickel is saved. Why is it so hard to help those in dire need, especially where there aren’t any savings to the taxpayers?
Larry Criswell, Wichita
Park needs equipment
I read about O.J. Watson Park getting $300,000 for a new locomotive engine (Sept. 16 Eagle). The residents near Glen Dey Park have been waiting for park equipment to be replaced.
I have seen the park equipment being upgraded on the Hillside end of Glen Dey Park. As a resident on Grove, I have been watching and waiting for the improvement to the Grove end of the park. There is no equipment for our kids to play on.
Why the disparity?
Avalene James, Wichita
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This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Letters on Trump’s Muslim plan, Christian terrorists, WIC program, park equipment."