LETTERS 08/18/08

A ‘disproportionate’ attack?

Regarding Russia’s response to Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia, President Bush, in an interview, used the word “disproportionate”— on his first try no less (8/11, A-1, “Russia intensifies blitz; Bush administration suggests offensive’s objective is the ouster of President Mikhail Saakashvili”). I am not sure he knows the meaning of such a big word, but the definition would fit perfectly to:

•Shock and awe, or an unprovoked invasion.

•A brutal 5 1/2 -year occupation.

•Warrantless wiretaps.

•Denial of habeas corpus.

•Torture of suspects.

•The brutal deaths of (by some counts) 1.2 million innocent Iraqi civilians.

President Bush, trying to make a moral point, would be just laughable if it weren’t for all the crimes committed in our names.

David Quinly

Prairie Village

Lee Judge’s political cartoon “We’re Hypocrites!” (8/13, Opinion), in regard to Russia’s attack on Georgia, is another case of an America-bashing editorial stance by The Star.

Worse, it disregards the stark contrast between a democratically free nation attacking a brutal dictatorship intent on harboring and funding terrorists and a brutal regime invading a democratic country intent on providing freedom and human rights to its populace.

But I guess that’s a distinction that’s lost on Mr. Judge, The Star or others intent on sending the “wrong message” to readers.

Mark Miller

Overland Park

I am amazed at those who say they don’t know Barack Obama or his approach to fixing the economy and other problems affecting the country. I learn quite a bit about John McCain and Barack Obama by reading The Star and watching CNN.

McCain spent 26 years in Washington working with lobbyists and Big Oil men. In the past eight years he voted 95 percent of the time with President Bush. Would that experience make him a better president than Obama?

McCain graduated near the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. When touring in the Mideast, he didn’t know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni until Sen. Joe Lieberman corrected him, and he didn’t know that the country of Czechoslovakia no longer exists.

What Obama lacks in experience he more than makes up with sound judgment and intelligence. He graduated near the top of his class in Harvard Law School and received many accolades from his professors. Like President Kennedy he has instilled enthusiasm, as shown by the excited crowds that hear him speak.

When watching the two candidates speak, it seems to me that Obama speaks from the heart and McCain speaks from his notes.

Bill Scott

Kansas City

The way that I see it, Barack Obama’s “change” for America has three points:

• A massive increase in the size of government.

• The further redistribution of wealth in American society.

• More government control of my life with less individual accountability and responsibility.

Now that smells like communism to me!

Terry Love

Shawnee

If I had a dime for every time a Republican made a self-righteous uninformed comment, I wouldn’t care about the cost of gas!

Scott Green

Lee’s Summit

Since retiring after almost 25 years of active-duty military service, including combat, and as a life member of the VFW in the 6th District, I have spoken with many of our veterans. Veterans in the 6th District are supporting Sam Graves in his campaign for Congress because of his record of standing up for veterans.

We have seen over the years how Sam has faithfully stood by us. From supporting the individual cases of our veterans and their surviving spouses and children, to co-sponsoring Wounded Warriors legislation ensuring our veterans receive the care they richly deserve, Sam has stood by our veterans and our country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines now serving here and over there.

Sam Graves has always stood by our veterans. We need to stand by Sam Graves.

Bill Flynt

Kansas City

Michele Chambers (8/13, Letters) writes: “Sam Graves understands the hard-earned money of the people in the 6th District should not be taken by increased taxes.”

I beg to differ. Graves does not understand anything about the hard-earned money of the people in the 6th District, or the nation for that matter. Have you filled your gas tank lately?

In February, Exxon Mobil gave Graves a $2,000 contribution, and 14 days later he voted against H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act. This bill would redirect tax breaks away from big oil companies and toward renewing the tax credit for wind farms and creating a new tax credit for ethanol. Only 19 members of the U.S. House received more than $2,500 in contributions from Exxon since the last election in 2006.

Looks like to me like Graves understands Big Oil and its concerns, not those of hardworking people who are sacrificing in every area of their lives just to get to work (if they still have a job.)

What Washington needs is someone who will stand up against Big Oil companies and the speculators who drive up gas prices. That someone is Kay Barnes.

Karen Payne

Blue Springs

My first participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was overwhelming. Being part of a crowd of more than 24,000 people connected by the terrible disease of breast cancer was emotional on several levels (8/11, Local, “Thousands seek to defeat breast cancer; 25,000 runners and walkers at Union Station help to raise $1.2 million for research, education and treatment”).

My first emotional response was to my own family’s fears for a family member who is just 35 years old and facing a bilateral mastectomy soon.

Then I was hit by the numbers — this many people who are either directly affected or inspired in some other way to take part.

It was a bizarre feeling to be in a mob of people walking up the middle of Main Street. The survivors’ parade inspired a confused feeling of jubilation and fear.

I couldn’t help but wonder, in the midst of all the hoopla, the corporate tents and trailers, if cancer has become too big to be cured. It’s a disaster, and it’s also a very big business.

Roberta Hammer

Excelsior Springs

It is time that The Star and its readers help take a stand against a word that has gained popularity in culture but is offensive to so many. The “R-word,” or “retard,” has found a place in common language and seems to be accepted by many. In fact, it is said 16 times in one scene in the new film “Tropic Thunder.” The word hurts, even if it is not directed at a person with intellectual disabilities.

For too long, people with intellectual disabilities have had to overcome society’s stereotypes. It is time for a change, and you can help show Hollywood that it is time they understand the impact of their actions.

To learn more about how you can be a fan of dignity, visit www.r-word.org.

Nancy Walker

Grandview

Larry Seitter (8/14, Letters) is right with regard to his comment about the “evil” plastic bag being full of plastic-packaged items.

I can’t change corporate America’s method of packaging their goods. I can, however, do my part to “think green” whenever the opportunity presents itself. I carry paper bags and reuse them until they are worn out, then they become birdcage liners.

Do you want more dollars coming out of your wallet to pay for a new or expanded landfill? I don’t. So, be it ever so humble, I will do what I can to help the environment and my wallet.

Did you know you get a nickel, and at some places a dime, for each bag you bring?

Plastic is not “evil.” It’s just not the intelligent choice today.

Bonnie Meeks-Collins

Overland Park

Unfortunately, Larry, we aren’t able to buy margarine, milk, cheese and laundry detergent in bulk by bringing containers to the store to fill with these products. But we are easily able to bring canvas bags when we go shopping, and not just to grocery stores.

Diane E. Capps

Kansas City

Tom Strongman’s article (8/2, Automotive, “Mazda’s compact van is small yet roomy”) featured the Mazda 5 touring minivan. I noted it was built with a “2.3 liter, 153 horsepower, four-cylinder” engine. It presumes to be rated at 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

I certainly consider this poor gas mileage for such a small engine. I wonder what happens when one has to step on the gas when traveling at a rapid speed.

I can get 30-plus miles to a gallon driving my 2006 Cadillac DTS sedan on the highway and, in a pinch, it has real acceleration ability.

I much prefer to drive American automobiles.

R.D. Shelden

Kansas City

John Gamble (8/7, Letters) had a comment about light rail that really made sense. He brought up a transportation system made by Unimodal Inc. called Skytran, an elevated system of trams that would run on rails suspended from poles.

I did some research on the Web and was astonished by the benefits of the system. It’s just what Kansas City needs to fulfill the majority of the transportation requirements of the whole metro area. It would take the place of light rail and bus systems also.

I am not a Kansas City resident, but I do reside in Jackson County. All of the light-rail and rapid transit ideas brought out so far are a complete bust, as far as I am concerned.

If any of the existing plans come up for a tax vote in Jackson County, I would be the first to vote against them. But the Skytran system, if laid out right, could be the draw Kansas City needs to bring tourists to town, as well as meet the needs of workers.

I recommend the residents of Kansas City do their own research on this system before voting for something that will just not work here.

Robert McClellan

Independence