McCain and Rice

Recently, Sen. John McCain seems to be arguing against the possible appointment, by President Barack Obama, of Susan Rice to be secretary of state (11-28, A1, “Senators still critical after meeting with Rice”).

Yes, this is the same John McCain whose wise personnel decision put Sarah Palin in a position to possibly be a heartbeat away from becoming president of the United States.

Sandy Salz

Overland Park

Light rail benefits in KC

I believe Kansas City needs a light rail system extending from downtown to the suburbs of the metropolitan area.

This would greatly decrease the pollution throughout downtown, which also extends to many growing suburbs.

We should not be jeopardizing our lives because of the smog and chemicals in the air caused by the vehicles driven in and out of the city.

The light rail system would help relieve traffic jams and greatly reduce the accidents between vehicles.

Light rail would make Kansas City a much safer place. Area residents could save money because there would be less need for gas.

Today, gas prices are quite high, and some drivers could empty out their savings just on gas.

Although a light rail system would be financed through taxes, it would pay off in the long run because it would make transportation in Kansas City convenient, safe, healthy and cheap.

Chaz Trujillo

Kansas City

Tax and spend

The editorial in The Kansas City Star today (11-28, Opinion, “Act quickly, cut spending, raise taxes on rich”) pushes a combination of tax increases now and some indefinite spending cuts in some indefinite future by a Congress not bound by the actions of this Congress.

This is a promise often made and just as often broken by politicians who want to increase taxes and spending.

Why should we believe this time will be any different?

Does anyone else see a pattern here?

William Nowack

Leawood

Reducing auto wrecks

Around the magical time of 5 p.m. almost every week day, something not-so-magical happens at the intersection of 75th Street and Ward Parkway in Kansas City.

I have been a resident of the area since I was born, and now having been old enough to drive myself through said intersection for about two years, I need to say something that I’m sure most of the commuters would agree with.

The signs that are right below the traffic signals clearly state no left turn during this time, but no one seems to pay any attention to the signs. So many traffic accidents could be avoided if more people obeyed the signs.

Three years ago, a woman was killed at this intersection. We shouldn’t have to lose another life because of such stupid carelessness.

Something needs to be done about this intersection.

Tom Leis

Kansas City

Stop U.S. foreign aid

Stop all U.S. foreign aid payments to Egypt and Liberia immediately. Show the Egyptian and Liberian governments there is a price they have to pay for not protecting U.S. embassies.

Stop apologizing to the Muslims. They obviously don’t care.

They hate the United States because of the U.S. support for Israel.

How many people do they have to kill before we stop this aid?

Ted Baker

Overland Park

Royals curse

Many reasons for the Royals’ disappointing season have been put forward.

However, everyone is missing the obvious reason we haven’t been doing well.

We’re cursed.

Like the Cubs’ Billy Goat Curse and the Red Sox’s Curse of the Bambino, we too have been cursed.

I call it the Curse of the “Friends in Low Places.” And I have a way to break the curse.

Although lots of fans enjoy singing along to Garth Brooks’ song, “Friends in Low Places,” the song has actually been a curse for the Royals. Check out our record since the song started playing.

Not good.

It’s not just that the song contains questionable lyrics (“Go to a bar and drink your troubles away”).

It’s the lyrics and title itself, “Friends in Low Places.” The Royals shouldn’t be hanging around in low places with Cleveland and Minnesota. We need to be associating with the leaders.

You break the curse, and we’ll be a contender.

Perhaps burning Garth Brooks’ guitar now in the Royals Hall of Fame at home plate before a game would break the curse.

It couldn’t hurt.

Bill Taft

Prairie Village

Tea party and Jesus

Tea party constitutional neoconservatives are adamant in the belief that they alone hold the political moral high ground despite the fact that they have much in common with those who lived many generations before them.

Were Jesus Christ to begin his ministry today under tea party conservatives rather than the Pharisees, it is not beyond the imagination to envision these events occurring:

• Jesus would be born in a stable. Government involvement in the private-sector economy such as housing programs is unconstitutional.

• The wise men from the East would be deported for violating immigration laws, and their gifts to the Messiah would be confiscated.

• Jesus and his disciples would be labeled as leftist liberals and socialists for having concerns for the poor.

• Jesus would be chastised for associating with sinners and tax collectors.

• Far-right conservatives would scoff at his teachings.

• Neo-conservatives would walk on the far side of the road to avoid seeing the sick and injured who might tempt them to enact meaningful health care reform.

• Jesus’ teachings to avoid being a lover of money would be perceived as an affront to American exceptionalism and capitalism.

It’s amazing how little the sanctimonious have gleaned from Scripture.

Tim Newacheck

Ottawa

Helping less fortunate

On the increase in homelessness in Kansas City, the people affected know of Catholic Charities programs, Hope Faith Ministries and the Salvation Army.

But I want to acknowledge and say thank you to the elderly couple who are up in Case Park every Sunday feeding us hot dogs out of the kindness of their hearts, even during 100-degree weather.

They are there doing their part for humanity, so thank you for your time.

Mike Neugebauer

Kansas City

Keep women’s rights

Women’s rights, which surfaced this election year, are about so much more than Roe v. Wade, although that is huge.

They are about access to birth control and the abuse of women’s privacy.

They are about some universities and corporations that act as though they don’t want women on birth control on their premises.

They are about the Michigan state representative who was silenced for saying the word “vagina” and about Rep. Todd Akin, a Missouri Republican, and his idiocy about the idea of “legitimate” rape.

They are about panels of only men making the decisions about women.

This is about controlling and silencing women in a way we fought against during our lifetime.

We made so much progress, and they’re trying to turn it back.

It scares me for my daughters and for your granddaughters. I understand how some people feel about abortion, and I respect that.

But I feel very differently and feel that we should always have that choice.

If the choice is available, women can make the one that works for them.

Karen La Rue

Kansas City

Gift at grocery store

I was waiting in line at a Hy-Vee grocery store to check out. While the clerk was scanning my groceries, I realized I didn’t have my checkbook.

I had only $13 in cash. I told the cashier I would go home and be right back with my checkbook.

This nice fellow behind me said he would pay the rest. I said, “No, I’ll go home to get my checkbook.”

He told the cashier to go and put it on his bill.

I gave him a big hug. I will repay his kindness to another person in his name.

His name is Alex.

God bless him.

Helen Horan

Raytown

Gratitude for kindness

Thank you to:

• The young mother and daughter who took my shopping cart in the parking lot of the store on Englewood in order for me not to return it.

This was when the temperature was in the 100s.

• The gentleman who gave us a discount coupon when we were eating dinner.

• The young man who helped me stand up while waiting for my husband at the bank (I was sitting in a low, soft chair).

Donna Quinn

Gladstone