The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas • Page 4

WEDNESDAY OCT. 28, 2009 FIRST IMBMIOT CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTip ESTABLISHMENT OF REUGIOM, OR FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OH ABRIDQINQ THE FR.EeOOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT dpIflE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF QRIE 'i Guest Editorial Wichita's struggles uddenly Wichita is the talk of the business media, and not in a good way. Long the center of so much airplane manufacturing because of Cessna, Hawker Beech- craft, Bombardier Learjet, Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing and their suppliers, it's now the poster community for the unprecedented collapse of the market. "Wichita: The next Detroit?" asked an Aviation Week cover story. Well, no.

There are distinct and reassuring differences between the River City and the Motor City, starting with how quickly defining industry froze up and how long Detroit's has been foundering. And as the magazine observed, "Wichita is not full of abandoned factories, crumbling houses or other signs of urban blight." But Wichita's loss of 13,000 aircraft manufacturing jobs in 11 months is huge news tliat cannot be ignored or glossed over. The coverage brings needed attention to an issue much bigger than Wicliita but very relevant to Wichita's future how foreign competition and off-shoring of jobs are changing the markets for both planes and aviation workers. The articles also carry a key point that inexplicably escaped President Obama and much of Congress over the past year that by condemning private jet ownership over a few owners' excesses, they unfairly maligned an industry that employs thousands of highly skilled workers and powers American business. If members of Congress want to make it up to Wichita, by the way, they could step right up and pass die General Aviation Jobs Act, introduced tliis mondi by Rep.

Todd Tialirt, R-Goddard, to extend tlie current bonus depreciation allowance for another two years. Wichita should not "fret its future," as a Wall Street Journal headline put it. But the community must prepare now to serve aircraft manufacturing's work force and other needs when tlie market rebounds. Wichita is no Detroit. But it must step up efforts to remain the Air Capital of the World while welcoming and building other kinds of business, to cushion the community blow the next time the mighty industry takes a hit.

Editorial by the Wichita Eagle The editorials represent the Institutional voice of The Hays Dally News but are signed by the author for the reader's Information. Guest editorials are from other newspapers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Hays Daily News. Other content on this page represents the views of the signed columnist, cartoonist or letter-writer. Reader Forum Nothing for seniors There are no raises coming for senior citizens in 2010 due to little or no inflation in 2009. However, there is a 14.3 percent raise coming for our illustrious leaders in Washington for the coming year.

I wonder why diey deserve a raise and we don't. After all, we did work all our lives for our Social Security They do not work. They get a raise for screwing up everything diey do. This is the last raise you will give yourselves. We voted you into office, and we will damn sure vote you out, starting in 2010.

Remember all the things you tried to cram down our throat in 2009 bailouts, TARP fund, cap and trade, health reform? Start looking for another job. Verlyn J. Schumacher 2734 Hall, Apt. 211 Web Exciusive Visit HDNews.net and click on "Opinion" to visit our new online cartoon gallery, as well as read political opinion you'll only find line. From conservative columnist Michael Reagan to humorist Will Durst, the "Web Exclusive" offerings run the gamut MNoTl IMTHE VICTIM HERE lb Marxism, communism in America, Part I Guest Column the night of Oct.

1, tlie Empire State Building, one of the most iconic American landmarks, was lit up in bright red and yellow lights to honor and celebrate die Chinese communist revolution and sixty years of communism in China. Despite local protests and tiiousands of phone calls, the celebration of communism continued. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Is there a growing trend today in America tiiat accepts and even glorifies Marxism and communism? Over tiie years, I have met several individuals who have expressed a respect for and belief in Marxist ideas, specifically communism. A few montlis ago, a repairman told me tiiat the "best system of government is communism" because of its supposed "egalitarian quality" Tliis disturbing viewpoint is more common than one might Uiink.

Wliile attending classes as a student, and later as a professor, at Fort Hays State University and elsewhere, I noticed diat some students, as well as die occasional faculty member, were strongly Marxist. A few of diem openly expressed a strong belief in class warfare, the evils of private property, the necessity of government ownersliip, etc. In die classroom, we all study the horrible atrocities committed by the Nazis, including the six million estimated deaths in die Holocaust of Jews alone. However, there seems to be littie if any mention of tiie millions of men, women, and children who have died under communist rule in the last 90 years. Why? There appears to be a great void in die educational system across die country.

Wliy are so many teachers ignoring the atrocities and oppression found in the pursuit of communism? This might explain die ignorant acceptance, or at least sympathy for, Marxist ideas in our society. For years, the communist revolutionary Che Guevera has been made into a glorified countercultural symbol. Che was an intelligent revolutionary writer, as well as a cold- hearted killer. He aided Fidel Castro in die communist takeover of Cuba in 1959. During the Cuban missile crisis, Che voiced his desire to bomb New York City and he openly expressed his hatred of President Kennedy and the United States.

He was placed in charge of La Cabana prison, where Che personally oversaw the executions and brutal torture of hundreds of people at the prison and during die purges. Today, one can find pictures of Che Guevera on T-shirts worn by high school and college students across the country who ignorandy revere him as merely a "revolutionary hero." I have even seen tiiese shirts available for sale at the Hays Mall in the past. Obviously, most of diese young people are not communists; they are simply uneducated. What is next? Will swastikas, pictures of Adolf Hitler, and perhaps Joseph Stalin, be stenciled on T-sliirts for fashion statements? This could become a reality if we keep ignoring history. In April, several Democratic members of Congress visited Cuba, meeting widi Fidel Castro and his ruling brother, Raul.

All of them seemed enamored with Fidel. On national television and in numerous articles. they extolled die greatness of the Castro brothers and one congressman described Fidel as "one of the most amazing humans I have ever met." Propagandist filmmaker Michael Moore recently released his new opus, "Capitalism; A Love Story," which became a box office success, in wliich he continues his mission to blast America and "capitalism" while, praising communism and socialism. expresses much respect for die Cuban government in his films, suggesting that we, should adopt that system here. Ironically, Moore lives in a multimillion- dollar pentiiouse apartment iri downtown New York City, enjoying the fruits of the "capitalism" he deplores.

In reality, Fidel CaStro has executed and tortured thousands' of people during the Cuban revolution, the; purges, and die rest of liis bloody rule during the last 50 years. Over the past decades, tiiousands of Cuban refugees have risked their lives on flimgjj homemade rafts sailing through shark-' infested waters toward the U.S. hoping to find a better life. These die truth about communist oppression, torture 'J anddeatii. Apparently, many members of not to mention Moore, lack tiie sufficient knowledge regarding the horrible reality of communism and are people.

The second half of this colurnn will continue in tomorrow's Hays Daily Daniel Green has a history degree and qer: tificate in ethnic studies from Fort, Hays State University and a master's degree from Ryersor( University, Tororito. He is a local resident, worked as professor of film at FHSU, and is currently for Castle Resources Inc. and Austex of Melbourne, AustraliaJ I I Searching for a reason to ralhj around Rush are gathered here today in sympa- tiiy witii our brotiier. Rush Limbaugh. As you are no doubt aware, these have been difficult days for Brother limbaugh.

There he was, happily revealing diat he was part of an investment group tiiat had submitted a bid to purchase die St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. Next thing you know, Al Sharpton is on him like ugly on King Kong, urging the NFL to reject him. And NFL players, not previously known for commenting on or even visibly caring, who owns a team so long as die paychecks clear, are saying they would not play for liim. And owners, who must vote to approve him, are telling reporters they will not.

It all came to a head last week as the talk- show host was dumped by his fellow investors. Wliose heart is so stony diat it does not weep for Brotiier Limbaugh to find himself humiliated so? Put yourself in his shoes. You're a college dropout and OxyContin junkie who somehow managed to climb to die top of the media pile. You've made yourself one of die most popular and influential voices in the national dialogue and that, in turn, has made you rich beyond dreams of avarice. How satisfying must that be.

And you're an avid sports fan, too, so naturally you jump at a chance to fulfill ev- LEONARD PITTS ery sports fan's dream to buy yourself a team. You picture yourself watching games from the luxury box witii a babe or two on your arm, evaluating talent and signing off on trades, partying in the locker room, champagne stinging your eyes, at the end of a championship game. How cruel to have it all snatched away from you. And why? Because a bunch of black African-American Negroes start making noise? Wliat reason do they have to be upset witii you? Just because you once called Philadelphia Eagles star Donovan McNabb overrated, die victim of media too eager to see a black quarterback do well? Just because you referred to Barack Obama and Halle Berry as "Halfrican Americans?" Just because you told your listeners Obania's economic program is "reparations?" Just because you called Obama "die little black nian-cliild?" Just because you said die NFL "all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips?" Just because you once told a black caller to "take that bone out of your nose and call me back?" For tliose "trifles," the sensitive pansies of the NFL don't want to have anytiiing to do widi you? Wliy do they even care? Just because 65 percent of their players are black African-American Negroes? Oh, the shame Oh, die humanity! So yes, the rest of us should rally around Brotiier Limbaugh. If tiiey can deny one rich, racially inflammatory media lout his constitutional right to own a football team, what's to stop tiiem from denying another? This is a clear and present danger.

Pat Buchanan, Glenn Beck none of us is safe while this injustice stands. And besides, what lesson does this teach our children? That there are tilings (like respectability) even money can't buy? That there are doorsj' (like the one to the owner's box) even fame can't open? That you only have one reputa -i tion and it's not stain-resistant, so you'd bet-i ter not soil it? That karma is a female dog? Do you really want your children to learnj diat sort of socialist claptrap? I don't. How dare the high and mighty NFL act like the tilings we say carry consequences? So let's stand up for Brother Limbaugh. Indeed, here and now, I am starting a legal fund to help him carry on tiie fight. I will make die first contribution a shiny new Franklin Roosevelt dime.

What about you? Wouldn't you like to see poor Rush get whatl he deserves? I Please give generously Leonard Pitts is a columnisj for the Miami Herald Where to Write E-mail addresses for Hays City Commissioners: Troy troy.hickman@hotmaii.com Ron Barbara Wasinger: Christopher Channell: Henry Schwaller: Reader Forum Policy A community Is best served when residents are willing to discuss issues publicly. Be part of ttie discussion by participating in the Reader Forum. Please limit submissions to 600 words. They will be edited for length and clartty. They must be signed and include a name, address and daytime telephone number for verification.

We reserve the right not to print a submission. We do not accept for publication on the editorial page poems, consumer complaints, business testimonials or group letters. The Hays Daily News cannot "deep-link" Into others' Web sites. Letters containing links past a commercial online publication's home page will be edited. Mail them to Reader Forum, The Hays Dally News, 507 Main Hays, KS 67601.

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