Letters on unity, police, racial divide, Graham, Keith, Huelskamp

Words can matter for the good

Many years ago, in an emotional speech, I told two of my children that words do not matter. Someone had said something hateful, and I was trying to make that hate go away. I’ve known for a long time now that words do matter.

I listened on the radio to the memorial service in Dallas for the five slain police officers. I heard examples again and again of how much words can matter for the good.

There were good words from the mayor and chief of police. There was a warm, loving speech from President George W. Bush. Then came the words from President Obama.

Obama stressed the importance of unity, and cited the good example of the team effort of the Dallas police chief and mayor: one black man and one white man. He, of course, stressed the racial divide in the United States. He noted that we’ve come a long way but have a long way to go.

I wish I had the words to convey how inspiring his words were. I have been moved by his remarks at other memorial services, but this one was more than moving; it was inspirational.

We must find ways to reunite our country, and leave the hate and fear in the dust.

Treated differently

I have needed help from the Wichita police many times in my 67 years and have not one complaint. I currently live in a multicultural neighborhood in which I am a white minority. This is a great neighborhood where people get along great. But I have seen the difference in how I am treated and how those who aren’t white are treated.

Because of those differences, my feelings toward the police now are summed up in lyrics of “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by Meat Loaf:

“I poured it on and I poured it out. I tried to show you just how much I care. I’m tired of words and I’m too hoarse to shout. But you’ve been cold to me so long I’m crying icicles instead of tears. And all I can do is keep on telling you: I want you. I need you. But there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you. Now don’t be sad. ’Cause two out of three ain’t bad.”

Eyes of children

When I was in the fourth grade, I attended Ingalls Elementary School. My teacher was a beautiful blonde named Margo Bruns. She invited me to her home for sleepovers with her children. We played together and never thought about what color we were, and that was in 1963.

It’s too bad we can’t see people through the eyes of children. May God heal our nation.

Failed America

My wife and I are changing political parties. She has been a registered Republican, and I have been a registered Democrat. However, both parties have failed us and failed America.

We are registering as independents, or as we know it here in Kansas, “not affiliated with a party.”

The two big parties are not the only ones who have failed America. So have the one-sided TV networks and the politicians who refuse to consider any opinion other than their own.

America has been for too long at the whims of the ultra wealthy, who can control our political system – all the while protecting their rights but not those of the public. Preachers who speak of hate, not love, divide us with false beliefs. Talk show hosts’ loud voices turn us against one another. Others, be they politicians or public figures, who refuse to negotiate for the common good have also failed America.

As columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. wrote, “America has gone mad” (July 11 Opinion). However, there is a cure: Stop supporting those mentioned above and any others who spew hate and divide us. Support those who step into the void and attempt to solve the madness.

The Good Book says, “Love thy neighbor.” In today’s world, we’re all neighbors.

Graham for Senate

Finally, voters living in the 27th District will have the opportunity to select a Kansas senator who owes allegiance to no one in Topeka.

Lori Graham has been a resident of Wichita for nearly 19 years. She has a degree in business administration and has worked in database programming for 25 years. She gives back to the community by serving as a very active volunteer with many civic and church organizations.

Graham will bring energy and common sense, which has been sorely lacking, to the Kansas Senate. She is 100 percent pro-life and supports term limits, education freedom and smart tax reform.

We’ve tried sending politicians to Topeka, and we all know how that’s worked out. I ask that you join me in voting for Lori Graham for state Senate, 27th District.

Keith for judge

I am writing to endorse Greg D. Keith for judge in the 18th Judicial District.

I am a local attorney who has practiced law for 18 years. During those years, I have represented many defendants in front of Keith in various municipal courts throughout Sedgwick County. Keith has always been fair and impartial, and shown great integrity to the courts and its officers he has served.

He has also balanced the rights of the individual with the needs of the communities, which he has served with the utmost fidelity. In other words, he has always been tough on crime and has protected the innocent while fairly balancing the constitutional rights of the individual with a eye toward reformation, rehabilitation and compassion toward the guilty.

His mastery of this delicate balance is the reason why I endorse Keith for district judge. It not only shows a level of intelligence, experience and competence necessary to be an effective judge, but also wisdom and understanding that transcend an ordinary judge into an extraordinary judge.

Re-elect Huelskamp

We were very pleased to learn that Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler/Hutchinson, had been endorsed by former presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who overwhelmingly won the Kansas GOP caucuses. In his endorsement, Cruz said he had been able to count on Huelskamp’s “principled, conservative leadership” and urged Kansans to send Huelskamp back to Washington, D.C., to “continue fighting for jobs, freedom and security.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "Letters on unity, police, racial divide, Graham, Keith, Huelskamp."