Treating mental illness best 'fix' for gun tragedy

Opinion

Written by Gary L. Malone, MD Wednesday, 05 June 2013 12:35

 

As the horror of the Sandy Hook massacre and the Boston Marathon bombings begin to fade, the country and politicians are debating what they feel are the “real” issues behind this tragedy.

Lip service has been given to the lack of mental-health funding, weak mental-health-commitment laws, and battles between liberals and conservatives over gun control vs. second-amendment rights.

Meanwhile, the fixable causes are ignored. All the gunmen in the recent shootings had active and untreated psychiatric disorders at the time they committed the acts. Lack of mental-health funding (conservatives) and weak commitment laws (liberals) prevent adequate care.

I prematurely released two psychotic, paranoid patients with access to weapons...

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Budget approval brings long session to an end

Opinion

Written by Don Schgroeder Wednesday, 05 June 2013 12:29

The legislative session ended in the early hours Sunday morning with agreement finally reached on a budget and tax adjustments. It certainly ended as one of the most unusual sessions for many of the veteran legislative members.

The House had the first try on the budget. Of course, it’s a negotiated budget, so everyone is happy with parts of it and unhappy with other parts.

Several of the more objectionable items for many people were fixed so it passed without any extra votes. K-12 education was left at about the same funding level as last year, and higher education was cut by 1.5 percent.

Most departments and agencies saw additional cuts in their budgets, but many of those were relatively minor compared to the past few years.

An...

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Father Kapaun showed what courage means

Opinion

Written by Sen. Jerry Moran Tuesday, 28 May 2013 10:31

“Father Kapaun has inspired many with his unshakable faith and relentless courage. His story of self-sacrifice demonstrates that the strength of our nation lies within its people. Only when each citizen feels the duty to do his or her part will our nation be strengthened. This won’t come as a result of our individual successes, but in what we accomplish together.” —Sen. Jerry Moran Courage is often talked about but seldom witnessed. On Memorial Day each year, America comes together to remember those courageous souls who inspire us all—those who answered the call to serve our country and laid down their lives for our freedom.

One such soldier, Father Emil Kapaun, was born in Pilsen in 1916 and served our country on the battlefields of the Korean War as a chaplain for the 8th Calvary Regiment of the First Army Division. Father Kapaun’s courageous actions in Korea saved countless lives as he risked his own to drag the wounded to safety while dodging explosions and enemy gunfire. When he was taken prisoner in 1950, he continued to live out the Army Chaplain motto: “For God and country.”

In the bitter cold...

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House, Senate still stuck on state budget solution

Opinion

Written by Don Schgroeder Tuesday, 21 May 2013 15:56

Day 80 has come and gone and we still have not finished the critical parts to finish the legislative session.

We normally are allowed 90 days, but the original goal was to finish in 80 days to save some money and get back to normal life. However, we all understand making good policy takes time.

I talked extensively about the tax possibilities last week. The tax plan is still the sticking point, but there is some movement. As I write this, agreement has not been reached, but offers are being made between the House and Senate.

I obviously do not know what the final plan will be, but the measuring stick is a plan that will cause people to want to live and raise their families here in Kansas. It also needs to be something that is fair and...

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