Readers share thoughts on guns, the Ebola virus and Gov. Sam Brownback
Guns in right hands
“Police officers gun down shopper carrying a toy gun.” Wrong and totally unacceptable.
“Individual walking down Main Street with AK-47 slung over shoulder, inducing fear in adults and children.” Wrong and totally unacceptable.
The difference? While making a horrendous decision, police officers killed an innocent man while attempting to provide safety to staff and customers in a store. On the other hand, a gunslinger threatened the public in the guise of homeland security.
A person armed, unlicensed (license not required for open carry) and most likely untrained poses far more of a threat to our community by looking for trouble.
Unfortunately, we are currently facing a situation involving a police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., that needs to be further investigated. But this is truly an isolated event on a national level.
Regrettably, incidents of citizens killing one another and our children occur far more frequently.
A private citizen open-carrying a gun does so for recognition, fame, intimidation and self-gratification. These are traits that mass murderers exhibit, and it is to be avoided at all costs.
I would rather stake my future on the police officers who are trained to handle guns and use them responsibly.
Linda Neville
Lenexa
Ebola virus, U.S.
For the teams from Heart to Heart going to Africa, will there be a plan for the people returning to the United States to be put in quarantine in order to protect our country from this Ebola virus (9-20, A4, “Heart to Heart responds to Ebola”)?
Sheila Bradshaw
Smithville
Kansas politics
While I am no great fan of Secretary of State Kris Kobach, I am slightly amused by The Star’s reflexive opposition to anything linked to him. (I say “amused” in the same sense I am amused by a small child walking around in his dad’s slippers.)
For days, The Star was ranting about Kobach’s refusal to drop Democrat Chad Taylor from the November ballot, allegedly because Taylor’s withdrawal did not meet Kansas constitutional standards.
Democrats sued and (surprise, surprise!) the Kansas Supreme Court ruled against Kobach. The Star’s latest editorial attacks Kobach, as Yael T. Abouhalkah put it, for his “bald-faced attempt” to protect Pat Roberts’ Senate seat.
OK, OK, got it. Bad Kobach!
The part that puzzles me is why I have not read one word in The Star criticizing Democrats for shamelessly forcing their own candidate to drop out of the race to make it more difficult for Republicans to take control of the Senate.
In my opinion, and that’s the only one I pay any attention to, both sides are acting exactly as I expect them to. The thing that really sticks in my craw is that while both sides are behaving badly, The Star elevates one as the last great hope for humanity while implying the other is the scourge of civilization.
Harold C. Williams
Leavenworth
Brownback’s pinch
I just got notice that my alimony payments will increase by 13 percent a month starting in September because of the chief judge’s decision. This court is going from a 10 percent to a 25 percent fee structure to collect fees that I have always remitted timely and in full.
This fee will now be shared in full between the remitter and the remittee. So, my ex, who I understood has in the past taken this whole 10 percent burden on himself, will now be taking an additional 3 percent cut in his payments, and I will be paying an additional 13 percent on my side as well.
If this increase does not amount to yet another tax on the middle class under Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s devastating income tax cuts, I do not know what does.
Sarah Douglas
Mission
‘The Roosevelts’
Once again, Ken Burns needs accolades for his production of the “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.”
It was superb.
Laura Hackley
Oak Grove
Football adornment
Football has enough reports of unprofessional, unethical and illegal actions performed by numerous players who can’t stay out of the media. Their actions are enough to make me wonder how money and sometimes self-imposed status changes so many lives.
I guess the action several weeks ago by “Johnny Football” made me angry. Why is Johnny Manziel given the status of “Football” being a part of his name by some?
His actions have shown nothing but immaturity. Taking “Football” as part of your name — self or media driven — is an embarrassment to those professionals who are far more deserving. Not only was his action showing the universal sign to the Washington Redskins (yes, I said it) totally disrespectful, it is highly unprofessional.
A fine, no matter how high, is no big deal. Remember his famous money sign on college fields?
The only consequence this kid needs is to be benched and given a dose of humble pie. Take him out of the press.
His actions continue to prove he is truly just a kid and isn’t anywhere near ready to be called a professional football player, let alone Johnny Football. That should be earned.
Stephanie Metcalf
Lenexa
Parent, kids, school
In all the education articles written over the months and years, I’ve never once seen one written about the roles of the parents and students — two important members in this education struggle. Not once have I read about the need for a child to come to school ready to learn.
Seldom have I seen help for or requirements given to parents to prepare their children to listen, respect and obey school rules.
How many parents read to their children from babyhood up?
How many interact with their children at the supper table with discussions about life topics? Or share how basic math skills are used in everyday life?
How many take their children to libraries and museums and expect their children to work hard to become good students? How many model the love of reading by themselves reading?
How many teach their children to be kind, civil and respectful so the classroom can become a place of active learning rather than a chaotic setting where no one can learn properly?
Notice how parental pressure affects student learning.
Let parents and students become responsible parts of the team.
Judy Wendt
Leavenworth
Mile-high menace
The Ray Rice mentality is not housed exclusively in the locker room. I traveled to Denver to attend the Chiefs-Broncos game with my daughter, a friend and her daughter. It was a football/girls weekend.
At the end of the game, as we stood deciding which way to exit, a young man shouted at us, “Hey ... losers.” We were four women, standing there with our red on, not doing anything to anyone.
Do you think he would have said that to four Kansas City male fans? No way.
As we walked back to our hotel, we also heard from fans as they drove by.
Denver fans are not gracious winners.
The atmosphere at the stadium was testosterone-driven and alcohol-charged. It was far less diverse than at Arrowhead, very few females, and surprisingly very few Kansas City fans.
I understand why now. I’ll never attend another NFL event anywhere.
I don’t go where I am not welcome.
Annette LePique
Kansas City
Common Core help
In the age of electronic conferencing, why are we stuck in a muddle over the expenses involved in meals, travel and hotel accommodations for the participants earmarked for these conferences (9-22, A1, “Rewriting of Common Core is off to a ragged start”)? Why should school districts or individuals be paying these unnecessary expenses?
The fact that there are ongoing delays is unthinkable when this technology is good and readily available.
Maybe someone should ask some of the schoolchildren who are so adept at using computers, tablets and iPhones how to traverse this apparently unknown wilderness for these panels.
Barbara Rodts
Leawood
This story was originally published September 24, 2014 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on guns, the Ebola virus and Gov. Sam Brownback."