Readers share views on horses, voting and security
Protecting horses
In January, the Bureau of Land Management began again rounding up American wild horses and placing them in unsheltered holding pens, where they will likely live out their lives.
The agency claims there are too many wild horses and no predators to control the population.
Currently, only about 30,000 wild horses remain free on public lands that they share with more than 1 million head of privately owned cattle. Cattle ranchers lease public land for low rates, and then use their own land to grow hay to use or sell.
Housing our wild horses is costing thousands of taxpayer dollars every year, and horses languish there unless they are adopted. With 50,000 wild horses to care for, the cost is in the millions of dollars.
This situation continues to worsen as Congress moves forward to use public land for fracking and oil drilling.
The American people need to realize that with millions of acres of public land, there should be plenty of room for wild horses to be included, especially considering how many cattle are allowed to use it. The horses are supposed to be protected by law.
Ask your congressman why a million head of cattle is not overpopulation but 30,000 wild horses are.
Jeanne Brummet
Joplin, Mo.
Safeguard voting
Win at all cost. The end always justifies the means. The good of the party is first and foremost.
This appears to be the mentality of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
I get that Republicans love their party and stand by their principles, just as Democrats do. What I don’t get is how good, honest men and women of the GOP can stand idly by and watch while Kobach uses gutter politics to rob Americans of their precious right to vote.
After all, right is right and wrong is wrong, regardless of what political party one belongs to.
In my opinion, any governor, congressman or president who allows Kobach and others like him to work on their behalf, using underhanded tactics to disenfranchise voters, does not deserve to hold public office.
Eddie L. Clay
Grandview
Graves, security
Thank you, Rep. Sam Graves, for voting against the budget extension for the Department of Homeland Security. Good to see you’re really concerned about the safety of our country.
Jim Gleason
Liberty
All votes matter
I am a junior at Liberty High School. Throughout this year I have become very interested in politics and found myself paying more attention to what is going on in this country.
I write this to ask the public to watch and form opinions on what people want in a U.S. president. Currently, we are seeing the presidential nominee field become packed with contenders who all offer their own spin on what the U.S. should do as a country.
The problem is political participation is not very high, and that bothers me.
This is not a fifth-grade student council election. This is to elect the leader of the free world. This determines how we go about dealing with radical Islam, health care, abortion and many other controversial topics.
If you don’t care, then by all means go about your own business. But if you later find yourself complaining about something the president is doing, just remember you chose to not participate.
Finally, I ask you to pay attention and get out and vote in 2016.
Vance Howerton
Liberty
Deadly politics
I have Republican friends who have said about Jeff Roe: “He is nasty and rough, but he wins, and I will use him.” Please, no more (3-4, A1, “‘Bully’ tactics faulted in death”).
If you are a bank robber or Islamic State member, you cover your face because you are afraid to reveal your identity to the world.
If you are a political strategist who hides behind a front organization with a lawyer secretary who has been suspended for unprofessional conduct, it shows that you are not proud of the work you have done or the tactics used to achieve your goals.
I have heard about candidates being intentionally scared during parades, and then immediately seeing a photographer take their photos to be used as a negative picture in the follow-up campaign mailer.
When Jeff Roe’s children ask him someday, “How did you make your first million, Dad?” I hope he will give them an honest answer.
In the future, I will do my due diligence remembering Auditor Tom Schweich as I research candidates. I will never vote for any political candidate who uses Jeff Roe’s Axiom Strategies.
Sandra Reeves
Trimble, Mo.
Tom Schweich
Many years ago, I met Jeff Roe and found him to be a ruthless political campaign manager for Rep. Sam Graves. Jeff used tactics completely absent of facts and specialized in unnecessarily smearing his client’s opponent.
I learned early on to vote against anyone or any issue that employed him. Who you associate with is a sign of your character.
In Jeff’s mind, I’m sure he thought Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich was what he called him. Jeff Roe should be run out of town.
Norm Beeman
Parkville
Guns galore in Kansas
I do not agree with the current legislative attempt to eliminate the need for a concealed-carry permit in Kansas. Education and training should never be replaced.
That said, there are probably more people walking around illegally carrying concealed firearms right now than would be added to the numbers carrying because of this legislation.
Remember, criminals do not care what laws are passed. They are going to do whatever they feel like doing.
Law-enforcement personnel must already presume that everyone they come in contact with is carrying some type of weapon.
Michael Costello
Olathe
Immigration reform
Politicians spend countless hours and tax dollars advocating changes to the immigration laws rather than enforcing them. Some try to convince us the laws need to be more lenient for humanitarian reasons.
However, no politician or groups supporting these changes have provided environmental and economic impact studies detailing the effects of 11 million illegal immigrants upon this country’s assets, including our tax dollars.
America’s resources are not infinite, but these folks don’t care because their goal is to change the law now, disregarding any long-term consequences.
Financially supported by special-interest groups, their real intent in chasing illegal immigrants is to secure votes by whatever means necessary, including dangling the carrot of benefits (paid for by taxpayers) and the right to vote.
My ancestors immigrated to this country through great effort and sacrifice, but they came in legally through Ellis Island. By allowing and rewarding those who enter illegally, the values of those who obeyed the laws in seeking citizenship have been disrespected.
This is a slap in our faces.
Charley Green
Overland Park
Support school arts
As my final weeks at St. Teresa’s Academy approach, I begin to look back on my time spent at the beloved school.
From day one, I was supported and loved by everyone around me, even though I was not involved in “traditional” high school activities.
Many of my artistic friends attending other schools feel minuscule in the large, sports-centered, environment.
This is where St. Teresa’s differs.
At the academy, all activities are supported and given equal attention. Just a few nights ago, almost the entire student body attended the annual St. Teresa’s vs. Notre Dame de Sion basketball game. Students also attended a concert supporting our award-winning chamber choir on its way to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association.
This attitude of support and acceptance of all activities needs to be spread to other Kansas City area high schools.
Teenage years are tough enough. Make them a little easier by giving that quiet kid in choir the same opportunity to shine as the star football player. Support the arts.
Sophia Hall
Lee’s Summit
This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers share views on horses, voting and security."