Energy mandates wrong

In “GOP’s mistaken attacks on renewable energy,” The Star’s March 5 editorial maligns efforts to gut a requirement for energy companies to get a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.

These mandates would not be necessary if renewable sources were economically viable. Yet, for the most part, they are not. For example, solar power costs 50 percent more than power from a conventional coal-powered plant.

Besides, thanks to the shale gas boom, U.S. carbon emissions are at the same level as they were in 1995. That is with an economy that is 50 percent larger. Our country is moving in the right direction on controlling carbon emissions.

We all want a clean environment, but government mandates are not the way to go. Toyota did not build the Prius because of a mandate but because there is a market for highly fuel-efficient cars.

Let the market work. You will like the results.

Michael Rathbone

Policy Researcher

Show-Me Institute

St. Louis

Resuscitating seniors

I understand people having advance directives and I understand that performing resuscitation on frail, older adults does not always produce the best outcome (3-5, A1, “California death stirs debate over senior care”).

What I don’t understand is why an independent living facility hires nurses. Why have medical people on your staff and instruct them not to assist someone medically during a health crisis?

Myra A. Hyatt

Leawood

Restaurant challenges

I have worked in the restaurant business for 12 years and cannot thank you enough for Mary Bloch’s March 6 article, “Dining out, updated,” especially for including the do’s and don’ts of dining out.

Although the Internet does make it easier to connect with customers, it also makes it challenging to correct issues when guests go online to “review” (complain about) their experience rather than at the time of service.

In the restaurant and hospitality business, we want you to enjoy your experience. If you don’t, we want the opportunity to correct it right away so you can leave happy and return. In my experience in the industry, I’ve been trained to go above and beyond and to do (almost) anything it takes to make sure guests have a great dining experience.

Thanks for also mentioning cellphone use in the dining room. Servers want to get you anything you need whenever you need it. When a guest is using the phone, it’s challenging to determine whether it’s appropriate to interrupt to see if anything is needed.

Thank you for bringing this to diners’ attention.

Courtney McDonough

Kansas City

Impressive attire

When I opened my Monday newspaper, I immediately took note of the nicely dressed young people, boys in ties and suits and girls in skirts, hose and heels. Gee, that is the style in which we used to dress.

I am sorry to say I haven’t seen young people dressed in that manner in years. Maybe dress doesn’t make the person, but it sure makes a good impression.

Shirley Hurst

Knob Noster, Mo.

Waiting to exhale in U.S.

Elected governmental officials from all political parties need to explain to me what math tables and logic they are using? They frighten us with the trillions of dollars in debt that they created and now allow to hang over the heads of the citizens and our country.

Their math and logic are simply unbelievable, especially when no realistic plan is in sight to alter the present trend and erase that enormous debt.

Whatever happened to that simple formula that we were taught by our parents and grandparents? Do not spend more than you take in. But if you do, have a workable plan to recover your losses. Perhaps I am naive to think our elected officials can and will reverse the present downward trend. But I am not going to hold my breath until it happens.

Richard Mehas

Grandview

College diploma mills

Rewarding universities for improved retention and graduation rates may look like a good idea. In fact, the governor is pressuring Missouri’s state universities to become diploma mills.

What many probably do not know is that the grade most frequently awarded in American higher education is an A. In fact, a high percentage of undergrad grades are As. Grading can scarcely be easier nor standards lower.

Because many students drop out before graduation, motivation and academic preparation before college seem to be the reasons. And these are matters universities can do little to redress.

A sensible move toward higher retention and graduation rates would be to admit only high school seniors whose academic qualifications suggest they are highly motivated and likely to take a degree.

Meanwhile, the reaction of Missouri business leaders to employing ever more marginally qualified graduates will be interesting to watch for.

James Obertino

Warrensburg, Mo.

U.S. citizens targeted

It is troubling to read about U.S. citizens being murdered by drone strikes. Since when do we officially condone murder of U.S. citizens by our own government without benefit of trial? How does this differ from totalitarian regimes? Where is the outrage? Is it OK just because it’s not happening on our soil? I don’t think so.

Being a citizen of the U.S. has constitutional protections afforded to all, suspected terrorist or not. Since all elected officials are sworn to protect the Constitution and laws of the United States, it would seem to me that if a U.S. citizen is purposefully killed it should be followed by impeachment of all elected officials involved and then criminal proceedings against them and everybody else involved.

If we citizens continue to look the other way, where does it stop? Are we better than totalitarian regimes only because we haven’t killed as many of our own citizens yet?

Dick Wells

Olathe

Gun limits

For some reason I have always known that shotguns were limited, legally, to three shells. I thought the damage five or eight shells could do in a public place was the reason and wondered how weapons designed for combat with 12, 30 or 100 rounds were ever allowed in the general population. In researching the answer, I discovered the limits on shotguns were enforced only for hunters to give game birds some chance at surviving an attack. Brilliant.

Too bad our lawmakers don’t consider constituents and schoolchildren worthy of similar protections.

David Quinly

Kansas City

Cursive writing

I had to chuckle when I read recent letters on cursive writing.

My mother also studied the Palmer method of writing, and she had the most beautiful penmanship I have ever seen.

Imagine her horror when I showed her a letter that had been returned by the post office, saying, “Addressee should take course in penmanship.” The next time I went home, I had a course in penmanship.

But, sadly to say, penmanship has been replaced by email and text messages. Beautiful handwriting seems to have no place in today’s world.

Face it, when was the last time you sat down and hand wrote a letter to a friend?

I have heard that some schools are considering not teaching cursive writing. I am saddened by this. Soon, a beautiful art form will be lost. For me, though, it is an important process.

Last month, I wrote a long letter to a friend of my late husband in Boston. She was so moved by my gesture she called me and said, “When I saw your letter, I made a cup of tea, curled up in my chair and read it twice.”

Alice Brandom

Kansas City