Letters on assault weapons, Wichita diversity, free water at Riverfest, egrets

Ban weapons of war from the public

After all these horrible mass murders in the United States, right-wingers still stubbornly believe they have a right to assault weapons. They figuratively draw up in fetal positions when there is a suggestion of banning those “weapons of war” from the public.

After each mass shooting, there is a lot of hand-wringing by members of Congress who then make it their duty to have moments of silence … and nothing else. Perhaps banning those weapons of war won’t stop all mass killings, but wouldn’t the ban at least be a kind gesture for all grieving people who lost loved ones in these senseless murders?

To those who are still so afraid President Obama is going to confiscate all their guns: He better get busy, because his term will soon be over.

Protect yourself

After the Orlando shooting, I figured President Obama would avow that Islam was a religion of peace, that his Department of Homeland Security would declare that the attack was nothing more than a type of workplace violence, and that they and Hillary Clinton would determine that some movie or event sponsored by either Christians, the far political right or tea party people had caused this misguided individual, a victim in his own right, to lash out in a heinous manner. And, of course, I expected to hear that the way to correct the problem was to ban certain firearms and disarm me and the hundreds of thousands of legal gun owners, because the gun is always the problem, never the person holding it.

I wasn’t too far off, was I?

The truth is that law enforcement is most effective in figuring out what happened after an event has occurred but can never predict what will happen. Neither police nor the government can protect us from those who are inclined to harm us. Anyone with common sense knows it’s ultimately up to you to be aware of your surroundings and to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Model for diversity

An article about the Dockum Drug Store sit-in was certainly historically worthy (June 10 Eagle). But how Wichita and its people helped the successful outcome, and the absence of significant violence, should also be recognized.

I lived in Planeview and attended elementary school there from 1949 through 1953. The school was fully integrated, and there were no significant racial issues. In 1955, I entered Mathewson Junior High in northeast Wichita. There was a large percentage of black students, and there had been some rumors of racial problems in earlier years, but we had few such issues. This would be near the time of the Dockum event.

I consider my three years at Wichita East High as normal, and again with a multiracial student body. I played several sports with racially integrated teams. I worked in Wichita for a variety of companies from aircraft to broadcasting; all but a couple of very small offices were racially diverse.

I think that instead of profiting from and reliving past racial issues and perceived inequities, we would be better served to celebrate Kansas and Wichita as models for diversity, tolerance and understanding.

Provide free water

Two of the reasons I avoid most of the Riverfest are the high cost of vendor food and the unavailability of free water.

The Riverfest lacks drinking fountains or even a water tank where participants can get a drink. The only alternative is to purchase expensive flavored drinks, beer or bottled water. With daily temperatures in the 90s, it doesn’t take long to need water for rehydration.

How about at least asking the National Guard to provide a “water buffalo,” as it has for the Wichita air show?

I went to the first aid station hoping it would have water. It did, but only for those already under stress from dehydration. I was almost at that point.

Having a source of free water at the Riverfest would go a long way to relieve parents from having to purchase drinks for their family. It also would be great for public relations.

Wring bird’s neck

I live in the middle of the city and have a small pond. A giant egret visited and ate 16 of my 20 goldfish. I saw it leave the yard, and if I could catch it, I would personally wring its protected neck (“Deaths of 30 egrets in west Wichita are under investigation,” June 10 Eagle).

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 12:03 AM with the headline "Letters on assault weapons, Wichita diversity, free water at Riverfest, egrets."