In defense of American Indian mascots and other thoughts | Letters to the editor

Mascots an honor

Mascots are supposed to bring good luck!

So it makes sense not to upset your mascot.

Treat it with respect — they may have more power than you think.

A school team would logically consider a mascot that is known for: cooperation, courage, leadership, determination, and spirit to name a few.

In regard to American Indians; Braves, Warriors and Chiefs, all display the above traits. These are the three highest compliments an Indian can receive.

Now, if a team wanted to use a tribe’s name they should formally ask their permission. The Seminoles where proud to have their name used by Florida State and they said so in a formal resolution.

You would be hard pressed to find an Indian in Kansas or Missouri that didn’t support the Kansas City Chiefs.

The broad-brush exclusion of American Indian Mascots is not right. What are they trying to do, file us away in the historical ash pile? Teach the true history of our United States of America and before.

Hollis Stabler, Wichita; member of Omaha Tribe

A wise decision

I almost made a bad decision. After being hit with several monthly bill increases — including a 23% higher homeowners insurance policy — I decided to hit back.

I started eliminating “unnecessary” monthly charges. My newspaper subscription was on my hit list. After much anxiety, I decided to keep the newspaper subscription.

It was a wise decision. Recently, the paper’s editorial page answered my concern about why I did not receive a mail-ballot application for the mid-term election.

The answer made me aware that one of the county political parties had intentionally deprived me of that mail-ballot application.

Fortunately, I was able to vote in person. But how many others could not vote in person and missed out due to not getting the application in the mail?

Yes, I made a wise decision in keeping my newspaper subscription.

Now, if only the paper would investigate my 23% homeowners insurance policy premium increase!

Eddie J. Thomas, Wichita

Protect democracy

The current 50-50 split on the legislators’ attempt to grab power from the governor is an alarming message of a continuing and major threat for a possible overthrow of our democratic form of government.

We must maintain our constitution’s separation and balance of power between the executive, the Legislature and the courts.

History tells us that when one of those branches is weak, conditions are ripe for a takeover of our government.

Don’t tell me that I am an alarmist if you have been alive and rational for the past six years.

Since so many Kansans apparently do not recognize the threat of the Legislature’s grab for power, I believe there must be something critically missing from our educational system. That is, democracy has been and is vulnerable and we must protect it by eternal vigilance.

Les Ruthven, Wichita

Moment to reflect

I join many conservatives in being disappointed with the Value them Both defeat in August, and the size of the “red-wave” this past week.

But we have elections for the people to express their will, and they did. It’s a moment for all to reflect.

I hope that the reflection turns hearts and minds.

Many have declared the message we are to take from the election results. Messages, as voters, are more complex than can be summed up in a single conclusion, or demographic summary.

As we head into 2023 and 2024, there are important groups to understand.

Summaries, tags, and stereotypes don’t often help.

I voted for Donald Trump for the policies, judges and economic environment he advanced, not for his tweets or his frequent misguided words.

I will consider the candidates standing for election and choose the one I believe best embodies the closest thing to the biblical values of respect for all life, truth in human sexuality, personal responsibility, private property, limited government, strong defense, and civility, etc.

I don’t prefer Trump. I don’t worship Trump. My hope is not in Trump. And I look forward to a better alternative in 2024.

May we find a better way together.

Cary Humphries, Wichita