News opinion 2008-07-28 Andanh.com

Fire protection a simple choice Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:20:00 EST
With the economy slumping and tax dollars ever harder to come by, it's growing increasingly vital for elected leaders to focus on providing the basics.

Letter: No excuses: Go vote Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:20:00 EST
On Aug. 5, we will vote on state and local issues, candidates and judges. There will be no snipers on the roof, no armed guards at the door keeping you away.

Letter: We deserve better Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:19:00 EST
Don't be fooled by the front page article June 19 with the district attorney's talking against our law enforcement officers, and the last minute political editorials he will have people write for him.

Letter: Make the difference Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:19:00 EST
I write in response to two wise gentlemen who have written expressing the sadness each feel at the loss of young men to violence in our community.

Letter: Original plan sound Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:19:00 EST
John McCain said, "Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today. And that is a disgrace, and it's got to be fixed."

Letter: Proven record Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:19:00 EST
As a beneficiary of the life-changing power of a strong public education, I am thrilled that former Topeka Board of Education president Carolyn Campbell has decided to seek election to the State Board of Education for the District 4 seat, representing Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Douglas and Osage counties.

LEONARD PITTS: SLAVERY DID NOT STOP AFTER CIVIL WAR Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

This is how John Davis became a slave: He was walking one evening from the train depot in Goodwater, Ala., when a white man appeared in the road and demanded, "Have you got any money?"

The white man, Robert Franklin, was a constable. He claimed Davis owed him. This was news to Davis.

"I don't owe you anything," he said.

But what Davis said did not matter. He was arrested that night and summarily convicted. A wealthy landowner, John Pace, paid the alleged $40 debt and a $35 fine in exchange for Davis' mark -- Davis was illiterate -- on a contract binding him to work 10 months at any task Pace demanded. For all intents and purposes, the one man now owned the other. For all intents and purposes, John Davis was John Pace's slave.

This was September 1901, 36 years after the end of the Civil War.

Chinese Dir