Opinion

Knowing your rights is not illegal

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Janeth Vazquez, Liberal City Commissioner

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shown support for my recent efforts to protect families in our community, particularly those who may be vulnerable during times of deportation. The response has been overwhelming, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of a community that cares about the safety and well-being of all its members.

As a City Commissioner, my primary concern is the protection of hard-working families — those who contribute to our community every day, no matter their status. My recent social media post on my PERSONAL page was intended solely to provide guidance and ensure that families, especially children, are kept safe in uncertain times. This is not about supporting criminal activity but about ensuring that people know how to protect themselves during a difficult situation. The focus has always been preserving the safety of families, especially the most vulnerable, and not creating division.

Healthy discussions taking place, even in the trash

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Writing a column on the opinion page doesn’t come without its perils. While many of you offer support and tell me how much you enjoy the column, imagine my shock when some people didn’t agree with me.

Just for those who don’t know how to take me, that was cynicism.

Others have offered their views as well, and they have been chided and vilified as well as supported.

Traveling with Felix

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

Our cat, Felix, has turned into an excellent little traveler.

“What do you do with your cat?” we are invariably asked when we tell people we are headed off to Mexico to spend the second half of the winter.

“Oh! Felix is from Mexico,” my husband, Peter, tells them. “He’s just coming back with us!” And it is true. Felix enjoys his international status.

At SCCC, silence this week says more than words

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

It’s not unusual for people to feel a little down when winter gets as cold as it has been this year. Sometimes this feeling is called the Winter Blues, or more scientifically, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Even the most cheerful people encountered low spirits since events around the nation in January. There were fires in Los Angeles. There was terrible weather coast to coast, and plenty of political uncertainty. Then came the crash of American Airlines flight 5342.

When the bad news touches close to home, we all find it hard to smile and keep going.

That has definitely been the feeling on the Seward County Community College campus over the past week.

It could’ve been ...

GUEST COLUMN, Greg Doering, Kansas Farm Bureau

My sister called me out of the blue last week. As her name and face appeared on my cell phone screen, I immediately wondered what was wrong. She’s a busy mom shuttling three boys around to practices after school on most weeknights. I was making sure my kids had their homework done, the TV had been turned off and I was getting everyone ready for bed.

My sister and I don’t normally call one another unless it’s the weekend. If it’s a weekday conversation, it’s mostly through text.