Posted on Mon, Aug. 11, 2008

John Edwards’ infidelity

We are all sinners. When will we admit it? To see the smug satisfaction with which the sexual betrayals of members of either party are viewed by some members of the other is always disheartening, but the lip-smacking delight with which pundits hungry for a new story are greeting the news of John Edwards’ infidelity presents America at her worst (8/9, A-1, “Edwards confesses infidelity; The former senator admits his affair with Rielle Hunter, who produced videos for his campaign”).

No one should be saying, “How could this have happened?” Sin happens where human beings gather.

What we should be wondering is where Elizabeth Edwards will get the superhuman strength it will take to handle still another devastation. First her health and now her partner have let her down.

We are always looking for models. I propose that we take the spotlight off Mr. Edwards as we acknowledge him as a fellow sinner, and instead place it on Mrs. Edwards and all the heroic women like her who not only stand by their profligate spouses but become models of personal grace as they do it.

Janelle Lazzo

Roeland Park

After dinner Friday, I settled into my easy chair, picked up the newspaper, and turned on CNN to see what late-breaking news I’d missed in the previous few hours.

As I was doing the male version of multitasking, some talking head speculated that a prominent Democrat’s narcissistic behavior might threaten Barack Obama’s election chances. Paying more attention now, I was surprised to find out that said leader’s surname was not Clinton.

As CNN fleshed out Sen. Edwards’ saga, listeners learned that he would probably not be speaking at the Democratic National Convention. No word yet on whether all speakers there will have to swear that they have never been involved in an extramarital affair.

If both the GOP and the Democrats allowed only speakers with perfect marital fidelity records, would either party need the scheduled four days to complete its business?

Michael Oldfather

Manhattan, Kan.

John Edwards, Paul Morrison, Bill Clinton? Well, there’s one thing in which the Democrats can beat the Republicans pants down.

Ben Nicks

Shawnee

Give us a break, CongressOn Friday, Aug. 1, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, adjourned the House of Representatives before noon, to get an early start on their five-week vacation. It was unfortunate that they didn’t take the time to vote and allow us to drill for our own oil.

Passing this legislation would have dropped gasoline prices, and the poor among us might be able to take a driving vacation to somewhere farther than Parkville.

Democrats are the majority in our Congress at this time, and this was their decision. You would think we would not vote for these leaders again and punish them for causing our pain.

On Aug. 5 we went to our voting booths and voted for Emanuel Cleaver and Kay Barnes, members of the No Drilling for Oil Democrats. We deserve our high price of gasoline because we elect the stewards on this ship of fools.

Reith R. Busby

Kansas City

Congressman Dennis Moore (8/2, Letters, “Energy crisis is bipartisan”) said the American people should not suffer while our government bickers. I suppose it’s OK for us to suffer while you take a break for five weeks without even debating the energy issue with your “colleagues.”

I’m a registered nurse. What if we used the same commitment to our patients as you do to your constituents? Sometimes it’s a matter of doing what is right.

If you claim the energy crisis is bipartisan, get back to work.

Shannon Bates

Overland Park

I had to laugh when Rep. Dennis Moore wrote that our nation is facing a great energy challenge that needs to be addressed “now.”

Isn’t this the same Dennis Moore who just took off on a five-week vacation while regular folks are still driving to work every day, paying nearly $4 a gallon for gas, as the Democrat-controlled Congress does nothing?

Patricia Keaton

Shawnee

Who’s Bush to bash China?

I’ve read that President Bush has chastised the Chinese for their human rights abuses (8/7, A-13). This from the man who attacked another country under false pretenses, approved the detention of prisoners for the purposes of illegal torture, approved the use of illegal torture himself, held people in prison without charge or hope of release, conducted staged press conferences and employed media personalities to propagandize the public, prescreens audiences in order to avoid protest, restricts protesters to remote sites so they cannot be heard, and on and on.

I believe the president will look into the hearts of the anti-democratic thugs who rule China and see men of like character.

D.A. Christian

Kansas City

Obama is ‘biracial’

I have been listening to all the political movers and shakers and to Barack Obama himself talk about the possibility that he may be the first African-American elected president.

Obama’s father was black, and his mother was white. How does that make him the first African-American presidential hopeful? Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say he is the first “biracial” hopeful? I thought the term “African-American” referred to individuals with two black parents whose ancestry is traceable back to African origins, and most likely their ancestors came to America as slaves.

Is this a tactic to get sympathetic African-American votes in November? Personally, if I were Obama’s mother and maternal grandparents I’d take those comments as slaps in the face, since they are the ones who raised him. His father left and went back to Kenya.

Joe Maddick

Kearney

Europe is not anti-American

David Brooks’ column (8/6, Opinion, “No world cooperation when power is divided”) on global power offers an intelligent contrast to the right-wing comments of Jim Byrd (8/5, Opinion, “Pro-con: Was Barack Obama’s overseas trip a political success?”).

Byrd says Obama was received enthusiastically in Europe because European nations despise America and want America to fail.

Brooks, on the other hand, notes that the United States does not enjoy the concentration of economic power it had in the post World War II period. This means the United States can accomplish foreign policy objectives only with the cooperation of other nations. To get the cooperation of democratic nations, their public must support the policy.

Byrd fails to grasp the fact that Europe is not anti-American; it is anti-Bush. Pew Foundation polls have shown that in 2000 the United States was extremely popular in the world. Today the United States ranks much lower throughout the world because of the Bush administration policies.

Bush’s economic and foreign policies have bankrupted us in both economic and moral terms. Instead of trivializing Obama’s success in Europe, Americans should be enthusiastic about the opportunity to return ourselves to a respected leader among Democratic nations.

Bond Faulwell

Overland Park

Praise for Pickens’ energy plan

Regarding Tim Bower’s letter (8/7 “T. Boone Pickens’ energy plan”): Know of what you write. T. Boone Pickens is Big Oil. T. Boone Pickens is a conservative Republican. He called America’s dependence on oil an addiction.

Mr. Pickens sees alternatives to oil drilling. That does not make him a member of the “liberal no-drill crowd.”

I don’t for a minute believe the Pickens plan is being suggested only for the good of the nation. There is a profit in it for Mr. Pickens. He is a good businessman. He has, after all, made billions in the oil industry.

The Pickens Energy Plan has merit. Because it does not involve drilling does not make it a part of some liberal agenda.

Mary Rietbrock

Warrensburg, Mo.

Fake bags, real crime

Lisa Gutierrez’s piece on so-called purse parties (8/6, FYI, “Fake bags, true love; Replicas of designer purses are illegal yet irresistible to the women who buy them at parties and on the street”), trivialized the theft of intellectual property as inconsequential and even fun.

Would Ms. Gutierrez feel the same if someone plagiarized her writing — her intellectual property — because they thought it was harmless entertainment? Or attached her name and reputation to opinions and ideas she finds objectionable? Her article not only told readers where they could buy counterfeit merchandise. She also provided something far worse: permission to purchase them.

Theft of intellectual property is a serious crime, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue to enforce those laws.

Tim Counts

Spokesman, U.S. Immigration

and Customs Enforcement

Bloomington, Minn.

Get tough on scrap-metal dealers

I don’t understand the constant articles about robbery by scrap metal thieves (8/6, Local, “Scrap-metal thieves strike cars, lights; Police say they are seeing increases in stolen copper wire and catalytic converters”). It seems like nothing is done to prevent these obvious crimes.

The thieves have to sell the metal to junk dealers, who, I am sure, are aware the metal often has been stolen. Things like catalytic converters are cut out of the car in working condition and then offered to the junk dealers as scrap.

It would seem to me that the junk dealers should be checked periodically and promised very strict penalties if caught. Something like a huge fine might stop the thieves. There are enough problems with the economy without this.

Abe Bucksner

Overland Park

CEOs’ greed costs U.S. jobs

Studies of job losses in both the manufacturing and service sectors fail to point to the true reason for increased unemployment.

That reason, known to everyone, is the greedy and self-indulgent nature of the CEOs who outsource our jobs to foreign countries.

Randy Maddox

Kansas City

Simplify the language of math

I couldn’t agree more with the MU math professor when it comes to appropriate standards for K-12 education (7/31, Opinion, Needed: a strong math program). Real math is necessary in real life.

By the way, please campaign hard to have language we can all understand in public life. Really, who of us knows what is meant by “describe multiplicative relationships in context” and “represent different contexts using integers?” How many teachers or graduates of Missouri schools can readily explain those in common language?

Jim Naylor

Lee’s Summit

Preventing child abuse

“Jessica’s Story” of sexual abuse and neglect, as told by Eric Adler in The Star’s recent four-part series (7/13-16, A-1) and Laura Curry Sloan’s “As I See It” column (7/26, Opinion) regarding the local Child Protection Center’s important work with young victims of sexual abuse reminds us just how critical prevention of abuse is.

Preventing abuse can start with each of us understanding these three basic facts:

•Child abuse can happen anywhere and in any segment of society.

•Signs of abuse include frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries, abrupt, dramatic changes in personality and unusual uneasiness of physical contact.

•If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child, contact the child abuse hotline (Kansas: 1-800-922-5330 or Missouri: 1-800-392-3738).

The Children’s Place is a prevention and treatment center in Brookside that provides valuable resources to young children and families who have encountered abuse, neglect or trauma in their lives. We encourage everyone to know the facts about child abuse, learn to recognize the signs of abuse, and report suspected abuse to the statewide hotline.

Volunteer opportunities are available in Kansas City for anyone interested in child abuse prevention. Please contact The Children’s Place for more information: 816-363-1898.

Susan M. Ball

Chair, board of directors,

The Children’s Place

Kansas City

Phill Kline’s future

Tsk-tsk Phill. Better luck next time. Oh, wait a minute: You can still sell those rose-colored glasses.

Laura Maliwat

Lee’s Summit

What I’d like to read …

Two stories I would like to read in The Star:

•The salary scale for KU professors.

•An announcement by Bill Self that he was establishing a scholarship fund of $1 million dollars annually for 10 years for students of merit who can not afford to attend the University of Kansas.

Marie Watson

Prairie Village

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