Letters: Readers discuss Warren’s censure, Greitens, U.S. intervention and hunting deaths

Warren silenced

Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran: Your colleague Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been censured by the Senate for presenting information about Sen. Jeff Sessions in regards to his confirmation as attorney general.

I am sure that you are very concerned about the usurpation of your colleague’s right to speak. As proud Kansans who represent a state born in the fight to bring equality to all people, you should recognize the grave challenge to the founding ideals of Kansas that the nomination of Sessions represents.

You represent us, citizens of the Free State of Kansas. Uphold our ideals of equality and demonstrate the wisdom that the best decisions are made with the acknowledgment of facts. Only through knowledge, facts and hard work can we reach the stars through adversity. Ad Astra Per Aspera.

Andrew Suddith

Lawrence

Missouri’s leader

In reference to the story “Missouri Senate turns down pay raise, but some criticize Greitens’ tactics,” (Feb. 1, 4A) on the tactics used by Gov. Eric Greitens to strong-arm his own party members to defeat a pay raise: What did they expect?

They ran and elected an individual whose management experience was the U.S. Navy, where orders are given and followed. In addition, information is largely restricted to “need to know,” so you can forget about his tax returns or getting any information at news conferences that he (read the commanding officer) does not want to divulge to the public (or crew).

Some of our Missouri lawmakers can only hope the governor does not decide to send his men through hell week before they can measure up to his ethical standards.

David Stevenson

Belton

U.S. interference

It appears that experts, politicians and the media — on the left and the right — are howling about President Donald Trump’s statement to Bill O’Reilly about U.S. “killers.” Of course they are.

OK, maybe we did help Belgium take out Patrice Lumumba. But we never, ever propped up thuggish killers like Charles Taylor, Joseph Mobutu, Ferdinand Marcos, Augusto Pinochet, Saddam Hussein, Papa Doc Duvalier. OK, so maybe we did. But we do not support any nation that blatantly violates human rights. Like Saudi Arabia.

Despots have been used by Democratic and Republican presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama. And so have phony pundits, politicians and media who pretend our leaders should wear rainbow-colored halos and ride unicorns.

Clyde Waltermate

Raytown

Hunting fatalities

A headline in Sunday’s paper read, “Kansas had no hunting-related fatalities in 2016” (12B). Does this mean no animals were killed?

Shirley Lewis

Overland Park

Limited ‘access’

“Access to medical care for all” is the promise being made by those trying to justify the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. It is an empty promise.

Access to medical service simply means the right to use a medical service. It has nothing to do with whether you can afford to use it.

We all have access to the finest restaurants, but most cannot afford to eat in them.

We may all have access to Trump hotels, but only a limited few can afford to stay there.

We all have access to the medicines we need, but only if we can afford to get the doctor’s prescription and then pay for the medicine itself.

Don’t be fooled. Replacing the Affordable Care Act with “access for all” leaves the neediest with nothing.

David Hoffman

Overland Park

Journalism lost

Back when I was in school in the ’70s and ’80s, we were taught the news reports the five W’s: who, what, where, when, why. Then we were able to think for ourselves and make up our minds. Now the only place I see that is on local news.

The national mainstream media have turned into editorials, where they interview employees of their own network as experts. This happens on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and so on.

Instead of the five W’s, they tell us what to think. In my opinion this is what grows the divide between the right and the left, and it has gotten to the point that we can’t have a civilized discussion.

I look forward to the day when people tune out the mainstream media, open their windows and shout out, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any more.”

Then people left and right can come out to the street and engage in civilized discussion. I may not agree with what you say, but I defend your right to say it. So let’s talk civilized.

Mike Crosbie

Leawood

This story was originally published February 8, 2017 at 8:30 AM.