Letters: Readers discuss Josh Hawley’s military parade, mass shootings and citizenship

Instead of a parade

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, apparently a huge fan of President Donald Trump, believes Trump’s military parade would be great on the Country Club Plaza or near the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

In an email blast, he gushed: “What a way to honor veterans, what an incredible way to thank active duty soldiers.”

Actually, it would not. If Trump and his supporters truly want to honor the military, they would give our active duty personnel a decent pay raise. They would ensure our troops and their families had access to good housing and medical care, regardless of where they are stationed.

We still have too many homeless vets and too many other issues Congress has continually turned a blind eye to (such as Agent Orange). The VA is not functioning as well as it could because of lack of leadership and support from our government.

So, Mr. Hawley, thanks for thinking of us, but no thanks for a parade.

Brian Marrs

Kansas City

Is this why?

Americans have owned guns for hundreds of years. However, mass shootings have become much more common in the past few decades.

Have there been any parallel recent changes that may have a causal relationship? In a “for what it is worth” category, here are possibilities:

1. The development of horribly violent video games

2. The proliferation of assault weapons

3. The rise of single-parent families

4. The rise of double-income families

5. The rise of violent rap “music”

6. The rise of polarized politics in Washington, D.C.

7. The rise of extreme government subsidies and entitlements

8. The rise of extremely violent movies

9. The lack of confidence in our neighborhoods

10. The rise of social media and internet use

11. The increased lack of discipline in families and schools

12. The importance of being politically correct

Certainly, these are not all legitimate reasons for the increase in mass shootings. However, I intend this to be food for thought.

Andy Fisher

Pleasant Hill

Good citizenship

I have been teaching high school students since 1964. One of my main concerns is that students become registered, informed, participative voters.

This last week, one of my students asked me to help him write to his senator to share his concerns about the minimum wage. We did so and heard back almost immediately from the office, saying it would contact him with more information. Hopefully, a thoughtful response will arrive quickly.

Your Feb. 16 editorial “Will our elected officials take on the NRA?” offered an excellent overview of lobby organizations and how they can directly affect the lives of young people. (10A)

At the start of the semester, my student did not understand this about his representatives and lobby groups, and he saw no reason to be involved in government. With the help of articles such as this, he has current contact information.

Now he can make an informed decision about his views on the subject and share those views with his elected officials. As a newly registered voter in March, he will actually be able to make his voice heard.

Thank you for helping us enlighten students.

Constance Hays

Kansas City, Kan.

Sad proposal

As we mourn yet another school shooting, I have a suggestion for Congress.

Since legislators seem unable to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines because of their allegiance to the National Rifle Association, there is an alternative: Pass a bill requiring U.S. flags to be permanently displayed at half staff, so everyone is prepared for the next mass murder. And, oh yes, flags should be displayed upside down in the universal message for distress.

Amrita Burdick

Kansas City

A simple question

I’m beginning to suspect the NRA is a Russian-backed organization. The NRA’s political strength is based on money (which Russia can easily provide), and it’s one way for Russia to influence our elections.

The NRA is doing exactly what Russia wants by fueling political turmoil and an infighting dynamic, thus depriving our nation of compromise and achievement. The Second Amendment argument is a nationally internalized concept of freedom that significantly divides us — exactly what Russia wants.

It is obvious that the majority of our citizens want reasonable gun control. Where are our elected representatives?

Are they being influenced by a Russian-backed NRA?

Hugh Taylor

Overland Park

This story was originally published February 18, 2018 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Josh Hawley’s military parade, mass shootings and citizenship."