Letters on Wichita, open carry, Norton, Trump, Cowtown cat

Put Wichita forward before yourself

Wichita is different. We are a unique facet of America whose time has come.

On this prairie, rural values are observed in urban settings. Liberal and conservative values blend. Our roots grow deep. Let’s foster our city’s unique ways. We are who we are.

If we strive to be a big city, let us not become like all of the others. We are different, have been different, and will be different. Embrace this charming quality.

I challenge you to put Wichita forward before yourself, put Kansas before yourself. Do not shy away from our Midwest identity. Dwight D. Eisenhower came from this state – a great president who observed Kansan values during his leadership.

Forget the West, East and Gulf coasts. We are who we are.

We can, in our own way, set an example of collaboration despite differences. Of course we will not all agree on values or politics, but why should we let national discourse separate us?

Let’s work together and make our city, our state and our country a better place. History deems us the capability.

We are Wichita, we are proud, and we will make this wonderful place even greater.

No open carry

OK, so it finally happened. I took my grandson and his friends to a local fast-food restaurant, and in line was a man with a semi-automatic pistol on his hip. Because Kansas is now an open carry state, anyone can do this.

I waited to see if he was going to stay in the restaurant or leave. If he chose to stay, I planned to take the boys elsewhere for lunch and let the manager know why we were leaving. I didn’t know this man and had no idea what his intentions were, so why in the world would I trust him, especially with the kids? The man left with his order, so we stayed to eat.

I really hate that our country has devolved into a society with such overwhelming paranoia and fear that people think they need to carry weapons everywhere they go. I hope that others will join me in complaining to managers and not patronizing businesses that allow open carry. Our children’s safety is more important than someone’s right to carry a gun.

Vote for Norton

The battle to protect the Sedgwick County Zoo is half done. The David Dennis victory Tuesday over Karl Peterjohn was the first step. The second step is voting for Tim Norton in November.

A change in the power structure at the Sedgwick County Commission should also mark a return to cooperation between the city of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Remember – your vote counts.

Bully president?

I am an educator. The worst day of my professional career was the day I learned one of my students had committed suicide – a victim of cyberbullying.

As teachers, administrators, students and parents are trying to eradicate bullying in our schools and our communities, the Republican National Committee is asking us to take seriously a bully for president.

The good news is that young people care. My students care about global warming, gay rights, inclusive education and high standards. They don’t want to build walls and keep people out. To do that would mean that they would lose the cutest, funniest, brightest, most talented students in their classes or their best friend.

They are not afraid to say what they think. They are thoughtful, caring and sincere. Should I expect less from a nominee for the highest office in our land?

As a teacher, I would not be doing my job if I did not speak up against bullying in my school. As an American, I would not be doing my job as a citizen if I did not speak out against electing a bully for president. I am speaking up. I’m with her.

Trump is unfit

“I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier.”

Hearing of Donald Trump’s response after he was given a veteran’s Purple Heart medal, I thought of my husband, an army medic during the Vietnam War. He was posted to the Fort Sam Houston base hospital in Texas, where he treated burn victims who had served in Vietnam. Those men suffered pain and disfigurement because they lacked the ability to get the deferments that Trump got.

Those who were drafted, including my husband and my brothers, did their duty. Trump, during his campaign for president, has managed to insult a veteran who was a prisoner of war and one who gave his life in the service of his country. How anyone who values the service and sacrifice of those in the military can support Trump for president is beyond me.

Those who say they won’t vote for Hillary Clinton because of Benghazi, or because she is a “liar,” should look at Trump’s record of lying to and cheating his business partners. They should also count how many Americans lost their lives in foreign countries under Republican administrations.

Trump is not fit to be president.

Cowtown’s loss

If you are a true fan of Old Cowtown Museum, then you have missed seeing him this summer. Normally he is busy cruising the boardwalks, greeting guests and “officiating” at gunfights. He also had an important job to do – helping to keep the rodent population under control.

You may have guessed by now that I am not talking about a human but about Bandit, the big black-and-white cat that “owned” the streets and buildings of Cowtown. He had a way of just appearing sometimes and getting in the middle of whatever was going on.

As happens sometimes with cats with white noses, Bandit ended up with a tumor from so much sun exposure. Sadly, Bandit’s tumor, combined with his advanced age, got the best of him. He has peacefully made his journey to kitty heaven, accompanied by many tears from those who loved him.

Happy trails, Bandit. Till we meet again.

This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Letters on Wichita, open carry, Norton, Trump, Cowtown cat."