MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

I believe because Jesus believed. My beliefs are not just statements; they are the lens through which I see my past, present, and future. His faith shapes everything. In John 14:9, Jesus said, “’Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’”

Jesus believed He was the Son of God, and this profound conviction is at the center of my life. When He died on the cross, He provided forgiveness and opened the way to reconciliation with God. God raised Him from the dead, validating what He said and did. The Holy Spirit makes the promised relationship with God possible in our daily lives.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, James C. Dodge, Liberal

I write in response to the recent letter signed by a group of Kansas attorneys endorsing the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. While supporters portray the measure as an expansion of voter choice, it raises serious concerns about judicial independence and the growing role of politics and money in Kansas courts.

Kansas did not adopt its current merit-selection system by accident. It was created in response to the infamous 1956 “Triple Play,” when a series of political maneuvers allowed former Gov. Fred Hall to obtain a seat on the Kansas Supreme Court after losing a primary election. Public outrage over that episode led voters to establish the Supreme Court Nominating Commission in 1958 to reduce political influence and restore confidence in the judiciary.

L&T Publisher Earl Watt

Some believe since we don’t vote for U.S. Supreme Court justices, we shouldn’t vote in Kansas, either.

Here’s the difference:

The president, nominates a justice, and then the Senate has to confirm the choice. There are 100 U.S. senators.

Both the executive branch and legislative branch have to agree on a legislative appointment.

GUEST COLUMN, Don Scott, Liberal and former Seward County Attorney

I have practiced law in this community for more than 30 years, primarily as your county prosecutor. I have appeared before the Court of Appeals and the Kansas Supreme Court close to 100 times. I take this opportunity to share some thoughts on the proposed amendment concerning election of the Kansas Supreme Court justices.

The function of judges and the legislature are very different. Legislators are expected to have and express opinions and positions on views of the day. We are able to select them based on whether their opinions and views coincide with ours.