Letters on gun control, Trump, Big Ditch trail, candidate forum, David Dennis
Orlando shooter enjoyed U.S. freedoms
Omar Mateen enjoyed all the freedoms that being an American citizen can offer. Freedom to choose his religion. Freedom to choose his political philosophy. Freedom to travel at will. Freedom to speak his mind using any media he could find. Freedom from search and seizure. Freedom to love his family. Freedom to hate. Freedom to own a gun.
Mateen was scrutinized several times for how he chose to exercise his freedoms but in the end was allowed to continue a free man. Until the first pull of the trigger, no one could say he did anything wrong. Innocent until proved guilty, freedom under the American system.
In the past we defeated at the point of a gun the ideology of the Nazis, the communists and a misguided emperor. Now that another foreign ideology has infiltrated our society, some seem to think we should disarm. Under today’s circumstances, why is that the only freedom that should be infringed?
The problem lies not in the gun but in the brain connected to the trigger finger.
Larry Novak, Augusta
Which is Trump?
Donald Trump insists upon calling the terrorists “radical Islamic terrorists,” but he calls for a ban on all Muslims entering the country. Either he thinks all Muslims are radical Islamic terrorists, or he is proposing to ban thousands of innocent people from entering the country.
Believing all Muslims to be terrorists is inexcusably foolish, and punishing the innocent is clearly un-American. So if we elect Trump, are we getting a fool for a president or an un-American one?
Gerald H. Paske, Wichita
No Big Ditch trail
Why aren’t the citizens of Wichita enraged about any possible destruction of the Big Ditch? A handful of bicycle riders have no right to even dream about destroying our masterpiece of flood control simply so that they can have a trail (June 15 Eagle).
I’ve just about had enough of these bicycle people and their lanes and trails. Let them ride their hearts out on the miles and miles of county roads or get a hobby that fits the city in which they live.
Cathy James, Wichita
Hear from candidates
The League of Women Voters supports all present services of the Sedgwick County Health Department and would not like to see any services deleted. There has been some disagreement by the members of the Sedgwick County Commission on exactly what services the county government should be responsible for and who should receive those services.
The league believes that cuts to health services should be restored and health services available for all low-income groups. Good health care should be available to all persons; it is a matter of public safety.
There will be a health forum with the commission candidates at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Wichita Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. First St. This is an opportunity to find out where your candidate stands on county health care, ask questions and speak with the candidates.
The league believes in informed citizens. It does not support candidates or parties, but we do study issues. Health is one of those issues. A population of sick people is not good for any society.
Sharon Ailslieger and Barb Fuller, Wichita
Co-presidents, League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro
Deserve Dennis
In his second inaugural address, President Reagan observed that the American people “are not given to looking backward.” It is time for the voters to elect a Sedgwick County commissioner for District 3 who will live up to Reagan’s words and move the county toward the future.
Retired Col. David Dennis gives voters the opportunity to fill the seat with a true conservative who will concentrate on the needs of county citizens.
For the past eight years, the District 3 commission seat has been used as a soapbox to air grievances about the federal government. We deserve better. We deserve a commissioner who will give attention to the needs of Sedgwick County instead of using taxpayer resources to present PowerPoints about religion. We deserve a commissioner who is more concerned about Andale, Colwich and Goddard than Washington, D.C. We deserve a great leader like Dennis.
Jeremy Koehler, Wichita
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This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 12:03 AM with the headline "Letters on gun control, Trump, Big Ditch trail, candidate forum, David Dennis."