LETTERS 05/17/08

The argument that IDs are too expensive for some people to attain is weak and flawed. Identification is required for cashing checks, picking up tickets at a baseball game, gaining entry to government facilities, applying for credit, driving a car, riding on a plane and living our lives.

I sincerely hope that the lack of identification will lessen the numbers of illegal voters at the polls. Illegal aliens do not have the rights that professional citizen soldiers have died to defend.

Jon Beddall

Fort Leavenworth

I would like to echo the wise words of Helen Aufranc (5/12, Letters, “Troop deaths front-page news”). Our country is engaged in a war that we often take little notice of. Oh, we think about it occasionally, reading about it in the back pages.

We have been at war in Iraq longer than we were engaged in war with Korea, World War II, World War I or the Civil War. After five years, our nation suffers from war fatigue.

Our front page leads with news of the economy, politics and superstars because that is what we readers want — anything besides what is going on thousands of miles away in Afghanistan or Iraq in a war that many feel helpless to either understand or to end.

Yes, indeed, let’s put the names of the war dead on the front page. Let’s honor their ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of their families and the sacrifice our nation is bearing. Maybe names on the front page would lead us away from complacency and toward action.

Sara Sautter

Founder, JuliasVoice.org

Overland Park

Be proud, Blue Springs. Everyone knows your “American Idol” finalist and your great community. We are proud of you, too.

When David Cook wins, I hope he shaves and combs his hair. But what do I know? He ain’t “Ol’ Blue Eyes.”

Bob Brooks

Grain Valley

It continues to amaze and dismay me that so many Democrats are willing to vote for someone who has proved herself to be corrupt, dishonest, untrustworthy and a dedicated and deliberately repeated liar about many things.

Amazing.

Charles Burright

Lenexa

Look folks, here are the facts. This country is not nearly in as bad a shape as the bleeding heart liberals want you to think it is. George W. Bush has protected us from terrorists. The economy is not in that bad shape considering that America sold itself out long before Bush was in office. Much of this sell-off was on Bill Clinton’s watch.

The Iraq war is justifiable, and we should seriously consider bombing Iran.

If you want hell to rain upon this country, elect a Democrat and fill the House and Senate with Democrats. The problem is the vast majority of liberals don’t know what they want, don’t know what the candidates can give them and don’t know the issues.

Careful what you wish for; you might get it.

Greg J. Graeff

Raytown

Harry Truman was smeared with the Pendergast brush throughout his political career. The Star called Truman’s election to the Senate a “triumph of machine politics,” while others simply called him “the senator from Pendergast.”

Reporters asked Truman why he continued to maintain a close relationship with the Kansas City crime boss, even in his waning days. “Tom Pendergast has always been my friend,” responded Truman, “and I don’t desert a sinking ship.”

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