Put Americans first

I find all of the hoopla about landing a car-sized robot on Mars to be pathetic (8-7, A2, “Lander is ‘safe on Mars’ ”).

After eight months’ delivery time and at a cost of $2.5 billion (that’s billion, not million), we should think about the misdirection of all that money.

Think about what should be a national compassion concerning “leave no one behind” (children and military).

Think about how much good all of that money would do for our own hungry and homeless.

As a nation, let’s take care of our own needy people before doing some crazy space exploration. People’s needs at home are immediate and visible and are a nationwide concern.

Please, America, let’s prioritize. Mars or our own brothers, sisters and children?

Really? Seriously?

Rick Leonard

Belton

Terror in more taxes

NASA says it experienced “seven minutes of terror” with the landing of a multibillion-dollar program to see whether there has ever been life on Mars.

I experience at least “seven to 70 minutes of terror” every single day worrying how the government is going to figure out how to extract more tax dollars from us and then find terrifying ways to spend it.

Bill Inghram

Kansas City

Olympic commentary

Is it just me, or are others also disgusted with NBC’s not-so-subtle attempt to inject some spice into their coverage by portraying our female gymnasts as a group of vamping coquettes?

That’s not exactly in the Olympic spirit.

Shame on you, NBC.

Jerry Ward

Leawood

Obama’s manners

With all his problems, my complaint about President Barack Obama will seem minor to most.

Every time I see him exit his helicopter or Air Force One, I cringe.

He hustles down the ladder, salutes the air in front of him and never acknowledges the salute from the Marine at the base of the stairs. A common courtesy would be to greet that Marine dressed in full-dress blues with a good morning and to look him in the eye.

That is what we were all taught as Marines.

Does this say anything about his caring for the common folk or the military?

Bill Wood

Overland Park

For-profit college pluses

A lot has been said about Sen. Tom Harkin’s in-depth report addressing concerns within the for-profit higher education industry (8-1, Editorial, “For-profit colleges get an ‘F’ ”).

We at Gragg Advertising, while understanding the necessity of such reports, feel that the media coverage lacks context and balance.

The report, being part of a two-year investigative process, has already driven a large amount of change in the industry in the past 18 months. With the addition of the Gainful Employment and Program Integrity regulations, much stricter guidelines were put into place July 1, 2011.

Furthermore, Harkin spoke at a news conference saying the for-profit sector is unique in its ability to meet the demands of the growing number of non-traditional students seeking higher education.

In its partnership with for-profit colleges, Gragg also works to help these schools meet students’ needs. Last month, I published an article for our clients that spoke to retaining students by building a strong support system.

For-profit colleges play an integral part in the higher education field, and we at Gragg are constantly striving to improve both performance and student relations.

Greg Gragg

CEO & Chairman

Gragg Advertising

Lee’s Summit

Chick-fil-A, gay conflict

I admit it, I love Chick-fil-A. And I do admire Dan Cathy for making candid remarks about his own personal beliefs without waffling or considering the political or economic cost (8-2, A8, “Chick-fil-A supporters turn out on appreciation day”).

But he’s presented me with a dilemma.

Can I keep spending my money there if that money will then be used to deny what I believe to be the “God-given” rights of others?

My beloved little sister is gay. She married her soulmate 10 years ago.

They are happy, productive, responsible, taxpaying citizens, just like Mr. Cathy’s other customers. I think they and other gay couples deserve to be in committed, legally binding, mutually beneficial relationships, just like non-gays.

What’s the difference, really? “Do unto others ....”

Now where did I hear that?

Linda Ehinger

Kansas City

College, voter IDs

It is interesting that the American Civil Liberties Union is concerned that college students would be limited by the requirement of a valid photo identification in order to vote.

If college students cannot figure out how to produce/carry an adequate ID in order to vote, how in the world would they ever be able to buy a beer?

Use the same ID maybe?

For people in college, being unable to produce an adequate ID indicates that maybe they are in over their heads.

Maybe not voting could be good for all of us until those college students figure out the ID system.

Thomas Nicks

Lenexa

Photo ID for arrest

The current discussion about the government-issued picture identifications reminded me of something I experienced a few weeks back.

I went to the Independence police station to recover some stolen property. I produced my requested picture ID and waited for my property.

The next man in line told the clerk there was a warrant for his arrest, and he wanted to turn himself in.

The clerk asked for a picture ID. The man said he didn’t have a driver’s license or anything else.

The clerk said that without a picture ID she couldn’t help him. The man looked stunned, and he just shook his head as he walked out with me.

I don’t know what the warrant was for, but it seems like his request should have been handled.

You can vote without a picture ID, but you need one to be arrested.

C. LeRoy Miller

Independence

Needless KU exhibition

Why does a college basketball team need an international exhibition-game trip (8-5, B7, “A journey with a purpose”)? Who funds such an event?

What are the benefits for participants?

How does the everyday student on the University of Kansas’ Lawrence campus react to such a treat?

So many questions, so few answers.

Ramona Kanne

Kansas City

Heavy-handed police

I am a Waldo resident who is infuriated every time I see Kansas City police officers writing tickets by the QuikTrip at 72nd Street and Wornall Road for illegal left-hand turns between 4 and 6 p.m.

Officers stand on the corner and point to cars that are then lined up seven to 10 deep while the officers write the tickets.

The traffic mess it creates at rush hour at a very busy intersection results in much more of a hazard than the illegal left turns do. I think it is a lazy way to generate income and I find it hard to believe that there are not more worthwhile traffic violations to pursue.

Someone should submit a Missouri Sunshine Law request to determine the amount of money generated by this questionable practice.

Emmy Raul

Kansas City

Taking responsibility

An Aug. 6 letter in The Kansas City Star reasoned that millions of Americans are out of work because American jobs have been shipped overseas.

I can’t disagree with that.

But what I do disagree with is the last statement: Will Mitt Romney (if elected) take care of people’s families? I’m getting tired of people asking the government to take care of them.

I’m 65 and my wife is 66, and we’ve taken care of ourselves and family, at times both of us working three jobs and not asking the government (federal or state) to help us out. We got off our collective butts and found work.

It seems today many people simply don’t know how to work unless they can sit at a computer/desk and then complain because the benefits/pay aren’t worth a darn.

Well, get a second job or a third if need be.

But quit asking me (the taxpayer) to fund your life.

Les Christians

Kearney

Kindness in aiding vet

I was recently honored to try to assist a 90-year-old World War II veteran through the Veterans Affairs health care system.

I was not having much success, and he was in need of dental care.

I found out through Ronda Sanders-Mowbray at the Kansas City Vet Center that he could receive dental care from Maria Kunstadter on a volunteer, no-fee basis.

These two precious ladies guided him through getting fillings and a bridge/plate, and now this veteran can enjoy his food without pain.

Our thanks to both of these ladies, and may good fortune come your way.

Ray Dobbins

Kansas City