Readers share views on Israel, schools, marijuana

Israeli election

Like all evangelical Christians, I know we are positively elated at the election results in Israel (3-19, A14, “Israel faces post-election issues”). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a thrilling leader, a rare head of state today.

I am sure there is great joy in Cairo and Amman, Jordan. I would guess there is grave concern in Damascus, Tehran and, sadly, in Washington, D.C.

It would seem to be an advantage to deal with Iran in terms of strength, rather than weakness. Our 47 senators’ letter to Iran’s leaders combined with Netanyahu’s victory should strengthen our hand at the negotiating table.

Rev. Lyle P. Murphy

Leawood

School activities

Eighty percent of middle-school students participate in some type of extracurricular activity. Some parents encourage their children to participate in these activities to teach them life skills.

I agree with the parents who make their children stick with the activities.

Experts have stated that extracurricular activities can reduce behavior problems, lead to better grades, make children more disciplined and give children self-respect, self-esteem and self-confidence.

Extracurricular activities help teach young people about life commitments. In 20 years, when I have a job I have signed a contract for, can I just back out of it? No, employers force workers to complete the contract and stay with the job.

When parents make their kids stay with extracurricular activities, it makes children learn about commitments and sticking with things even if they want to quit.

Thank you, parents, for making us stick with things we hate, so we are prepared for life.

Emma Burden

Fairway

Legalize marijuana

So many fine people have been damaged in the senseless war against marijuana. So many children have been left living in poverty and uncertainty while their father or mother has languished behind bars.

This condition contributes greatly to those welfare rolls people complain about. It’s really a war against American families, and it’s time for Missourians to end it.

The war against marijuana has been perpetuated to boost police budgets and as a way for politicians to repay the private prison industry for its support of their campaigns.

All the reasons they have given for such a prohibition have proved to be false.

I urge all citizens to get behind efforts under way to end this terrible period in our history.

David Hughes

Kansas City

KCI embarrassment

I relocated back to the Kansas City area last February after a 42-year absence. I was impressed with the many improvements in the area, including to downtown Kansas City, the Kansas City Zoo and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

However, the first time I went to Kansas City International Airport I was shocked to see its rundown condition and how inconvenient it is. I was here when it was built and remember how it was state of art then.

I returned recently from Tucson, Ariz., (with a metro-area population of about 1 million) which has a remodeled airport. It is bright, open and easy to use, has big bathrooms, plenty of places to sit while waiting on a flight and multiple choices in restaurants — all after I went though security.

At KCI, I couldn’t even get ice for my cup without going up an elevator to the one restaurant after security.

People were sitting on the floor because there are not enough seats. The women’s bathroom has three stalls for several flights that deplane within a short time.

Friends who have visited me the past year have commented on the bad experience of flying through KCI vs. the great experience they have had while visiting what Kansas City has to offer.

The airport is embarrassing for Kansas City’s image.

Darlene Jerome

Overland Park

Car crash, then theft

My son and daughter-in-law were in a one-car accident on Interstate 35 near downtown Kansas City early on March 18.

Thankfully, they were not seriously injured, and the Kansas City police and the emergency medical technicians did a great job responding during the incident.

Their car was moved to the Kansas City impound lot after the ambulance took them to the hospital for evaluation. Later the same day, my son went to the impound lot to retrieve his personal belongings from the vehicle.

Upon being escorted to his vehicle and told, “You have 10 minutes to get your stuff,” he found that there was nothing in the car. The work clothes and shoes he needs for his job, a new carjack and his best winter coat — all were gone.

It is disappointing that a vehicle left in police custody, transferred by a tow service licensed by the city and received by a city-run enterprise is not secure from theft for more than 12 hours. Although these are only material possessions, to a young person who needs these items for continued employment, their loss is significant.

Shame on whoever did this.

Fred Harper

Gladstone

Mandatory shots

To me, the answer to problems with diseases such as the measles is simple. Make vaccinations mandatory.

But maybe that’s harsh. Our country has developed by allowing people freedom.

So maybe we should allow parents who do not want their children vaccinated the right to refuse. If so, for the protection of others, the school districts should provide separate facilities.

If the district has only a few students, it could go back to the old-fashioned one-room school for the elementary students. For high school, it could use a supervised correspondence-type course.

Districts would also need to provide separate buses. The teachers and bus drivers would need to be paid extra for their work.

This would mean a great deal of extra expense for the schools. This would not be a problem because the schools are apparently flush with money.

Why else would the governor of Kansas be taking away from schools to pay for his tax cuts? Missouri will no doubt be doing something along this line, also.

I still think mandatory vaccinations are the answer.

But I’ll keep an open mind, sorta.

Bill Betteridge

Independence

Students’ days off

Is the Shawnee Mission school board or the National Education Association thinking of the students’ or parents’ needs when the students are out of the classroom 35 full days and eight early-dismissal days in the 2014-2015 school year?

Imagine the choices for working parents. They can find day care, which in many cases exceeds an employee’s hourly wage, or they can leave the children at home to fend for themselves.

For the holiday break, students were out of school for 12 full days. I find this outrageous.

Now parents can worry about the three snow days that are allowed each year. That would bring the total to 38 days out of school.

No wonder the public complains about students not getting a good education. They are not in school enough to get one.

Sallie Brodhay

Overland Park

Caring for pets

I am proud to say, “I love my pets.” I have two dogs and a couple of cats, and I love them all.

My question is, why do people let their animals go astray when they are not at home, especially when it gets very cold in the winter or blistering hot in the summer?

We have heard the phrase child abuse, but what about animal abuse?

Come on, people. What is wrong with you?

Every time I see a dog or any other kind of animal outside by itself running around unattended I cringe in hopes that the owner will pick up the pet and take it home.

My pets have never been chained up. They are in the house and go out only to play and do their business. Then they are right back in the house.

They get shots when they are required.

So pet owners, take care of your pets like I do.

Remember, a man’s best friends are his animals, and they need to be respected, too. Do not abuse them, and they will always love you for taking care of them.

Tony Lordi