Use of torture, attention to tech and Afghanistan quagmire

PoTAYto, poTAHto

As the new head of the Central Intelligence Agency is being selected, it should be noted that one person’s enhanced interrogation is another person’s torture.

Thomas Sewell

Lenexa

Ditch the gadgets

There is an unrelenting decrease of creativity in our society. Our brilliant thoughts are fading and being replaced with basic creative ideas as the new norm, weakening in each generation. All of this is because of our overuse of technology and the failed exchange of wisdom between adults and adolescents.

Research has shown time and again that technology damages our ability to remember and to create, harming our bodies and our brains in the process. However, many adults also deprive children of the desire and ability to create. With adults ceasing to impart wisdom to adolescents through any conversation, let alone intelligent conversation, young minds are prevented from growing and uncovering innovative ideas.

Instead of spending true, undivided time with the young, adults sit children in front of television screens as entertainment. But this is unhealthy for children and diminishes the creativity in their minds.

To stop this widespread deprivation, we need to put down all unnecessary technology and focus on the family. We need to work together to encourage adult-and-child discussion where youth discussion is included and promoted, never discouraged.

Anna Handza

Platte City

Costs to come?

As a Kansas City taxpayer, I was dismayed to see that Jackson County Executive Frank White announced Darryl Forté as interim Jackson County sheriff. (May 11, 4A, “Retired KC Police Chief Forté named interim sheriff”)

It’s not just because the homicide rate and other crime rose significantly while Forté was police chief for Kansas City, but because we can’t afford another taxpayer-funded, non-budgeted $500,000 payout such as the one he took for accrued vacation, sick and comp time when he retired from the police department last year.

How much will it cost taxpayers when Forté leaves the sheriff’s office?

David R. Niebur

Kansas City

Water priorities

Candidates for Kansas governor and House of Representatives this year need to factually debate funding of Kansas Water Plan projects. The current Kansas Legislature is continuing years of grossly underfunding these projects as water issues continue to multiply.

Kansas’ long-term water vision states: “Kansans act on a shared commitment to have the water resources necessary to support the state’s social, economic and natural resource needs for current and future generations.” To realize this vision and to enable 14 regions to achieve their supporting water goals, candidates need to “act on a shared commitment” to obtain adequate, stable and long-term funding of these projects.

In 2017, the Kansas Blue Ribbon Funding Task Force stated that about $55 million is needed annually for full implementation of the state’s vision. It recommended one-tenth of 1 percent of the existing statewide sales tax be dedicated to implementation.

Given the continuing financial problems of state government, an alternative would be a fee to extract raw fresh water. Owners have paid a Kansas fee to extract crude petroleum and natural gas for years.

Voters can act on their shared commitment by requesting candidates to debate project funding. Learn more by doing an internet search for the Kansas Water Office and reading the information on its site.

Allyn Lockner

Topeka

Good to be tough

Am I the only one confused by senators who say CIA chief nominee Gina Haspel is too tough on suspected terrorists?

After they killed 3,000 people, how can you be too tough? Next, they will complain about being too tough on hackers and child molesters.

The Democratic leadership is enamored with socialism. This is certainly a new time. Maybe hatred of President Donald Trump is clouding their judgment.

Chris Anderson

Basehor

For all mothers

As Mother’s Day approaches, there are many who have lost their mothers, some long ago and some not so long ago. Let us not forget there are others with holes in their hearts.

And as we remember and miss mothers on this special day, let us not forget the pain of those mothers who have lost and miss a child.

Ron Grover