Readers sound off on immigration, Secretary of State John Kerry and Wal-Mart
Flood of immigrants
With all the news concerning the thousands of illegal young immigrants coming across the border and all the ridiculous political finger-pointing, one thing never mentioned is the hundreds of miles of this latest version of the underground railway that runs the entire length of Mexico.
How are these tens of thousands of Central American young people able to travel the length of Mexico to arrive at our borders? Mexico appears to be doing nothing to solve this problem but instead appears to be making it possible for these illegal kids to arrive at the U.S. border.
If you listen, you can hear a sigh of relief with the arrival of each bus load of these illegal youngsters.
Why isn’t the U.S. government holding Mexico responsible for these masses of young illegal immigrants?
Mexico should be assuming the responsibility rather than playing like the seemingly innocent Sgt. Schultz in the “Hogan’s Heroes” sitcom who went around saying, “I know nothing.”
Taking care of these kids fiscally and physically is a responsibility of Mexico as well as the United States.
If these kids didn’t have the assistance of Mexico, they wouldn’t be at our southern border. Let’s blame all concerned for this immigration mess and hold them responsible.
Larry Bilotta
Kansas City
Kerry must go next
Since the sweeping loss by the Democrats and President Barack Obama in the midterm elections earlier this month, it is time to clean house among those implementing Obama’s foreign policy. Now that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has resigned, it is time to fire Secretary of State John Kerry.
Kerry and Obama have been played for suckers by Iran, and it’s time for new leadership in the State Department and time to put dramatic tough new sanctions on Iran. Kerry’s failure in Israeli-Palestinian talks leaves Israel at risk and U.S. foreign policy in tatters.
It’s time for Obama to admit failure and replace his foreign policy and national security team. The U.S. deserves better.
Frank Smist
Prairie Village
Argentine Wal-Mart
Argentine enthusiastically welcomed a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market to La Plaza Argentine. The store has had a significant economic impact on Argentine and Wyandotte County.
As executive director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, my primary responsibility is to revitalize the Argentine community through residential and commercial development.
The strategy with this development was to engage the community in all the decision-making. The association set goals for this project, and if you asked people, they would say they have overwhelmingly accomplished those goals.
As the Unified Government commissioner, I have three primary goals based on a community survey: Reduce the number of tax-delinquent properties by 50 percent, increase development and increase job creation.
The development of the neighborhood market eliminated a 17-acre environmentally contaminated superfund site that was blighted and property tax delinquent. It created about 95 jobs. It increased sales tax revenue, foot traffic to the site and the use of public transportation around the neighborhood.
I’m proud of our Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and grateful for the hard work of the association, the Unified Government commission, Lane4 Property Group and the community members who worked tirelessly to ensure this project became a reality.
Anne Murguia
Kansas City, Kan.
Texas, Florida tags
I was not aware Kansas City area car dealerships employed so many people. It’s amazing how many cars I see on a daily basis with dealer tags.
And these are not the dealership courtesy cars loaned to customers, either. I also see a lot of cars with Texas and Florida tags.
The Kansas City area must be a favorite place to visit for Texas and Florida residents.
Tim Patterson
Olathe
Great costs of war
“The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign relations, is to have with them as little political connection as possible.” George Washington, 1796
“We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex.” Dwight Eisenhower, 1961
The Vietnam War, “Charlie Wilson’s War” arming Afghans in their fight against the then-Soviet Union and teaching the Mujahideen to use our weapons, and President George W. Bush’s invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 all were major blunders costing untold harm and staining our national honor.
American voters are to be blamed for electing and re-electing weak-kneed, milquetoast congressmen and senators who were afraid to stand up against those with ulterior motives to have this country spend its blood and treasure for their own ends.
Does anyone remember the sage advice of our first and 34th presidents?
Al Elton
Leawood
Michael Brown case
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones,” William Shakespeare wrote in “Julius Caesar.”
We all should be aware that the ghosts of all past racial injustices haunt us still and only intensify the anger and mistrust within our society. In particular, the “no indictment” decision in the Michael Brown case will be perceived by many of the black community as unjust, even if care and objectivity were shown by members of the grand jury.
John Couture Sr.
Kansas City
Ebola precautions
Rather than banning all travelers from parts of western Africa (as some have called for), why not have citizens of those countries at high risk of Ebola apply for travel visas at least 21 days in advance? Three weeks is the far range of incubation of the virus, according to health officials.
Then screen these people before they board their flights. That would keep those afraid they have been exposed to the deadly virus from traveling to our country to be treated.
I think we as Americans do not want to keep people from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia from traveling here, but we do want to keep Ebola out.
Julie Whitley
Olathe
U.S. surgeon general
Why don’t we have a surgeon general in the United States?
A year ago, President Barack Obama nominated Vivek Murthy to fill that post, but Republicans blocked the nomination because Murthy has characterized gun violence as a major public health issue.
When about 30,000 human beings die from gun violence every year, who in their right mind can say it is not a major public health issue?
The National Rifle Association has stated it would ding any senator who voted for Murthy.
Ah, that is the reason we don’t have a surgeon general.
Murthy is a graduate of Yale Medical School, has degrees in both medicine and business, works as an attending physician and instructor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, and has contributed to vaccine development and cancer research in prestigious medical journals.
His medical credentials are solid. He should be confirmed without delay.
Judith Sturgess
Independence
Solving KC problems
I have the perfect plan to extend the streetcar that Kansas City is building downtown and pay for it all at the same time.
How about we scrap Kemper Arena and take the funds from the scrap and put it toward the streetcar?
Two problems solved.
Joe DeMarco
Overland Park
Ailey’s new honor
It is exciting that Alvin Ailey posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ailey left a deep footprint in the world of dance, especially in our city.
Patricia Gray
Kansas City
Wedding ring find
A big thank you to the lady who found my wedding ring in the grocery store parking lot and turned it in recently. She is a true blessing to me.
She will be in my prayers every day for the rest of my life. I will never forget her.
Evelyn Eastwood
Overland Park
This story was originally published November 25, 2014 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Readers sound off on immigration, Secretary of State John Kerry and Wal-Mart."