Readers react to drones, Donald Trump and college costs

Drone advantages

Drones are our future technology and have the potential to not only bring joy to people but to help those in trouble.

Although some view drones as foreign aircraft and a nuisance, they can be useful for a variety of things.

In everyday situations, they can help officials direct traffic when accidents occur or inspect distant bridges, pipelines and power lines.

In critical situations, drones can assist police in missing-persons cases or help find victims after natural disasters.

Some people claim privacy is compromised by drones flying near homes using cameras and other devices. But laws protect our privacy.

Most who have this hobby follow the rules and respect others.

Another negative critics raise is how drones destroy wildlife because large birds can go after them. But logic can prevent this. Humans can stop drones if birds start flying and move drones to another area.

People fear what they don’t know. But given time, drones will become just another technology.

Kylie Phelps

Blue Springs

Trump’s wives

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claims that former President Bill Clinton was sexist when he and Monica Lewinsky had an affair. I won’t argue with that. When I was a Republican (no longer) I wanted Clinton impeached — not for the affair but for the way he disrespected the Oval Office.

However, Republicans, remember that Mr. Trump has had three wives, and the last wife in her divorce declaration (on the record) claimed Trump was so angry that he dragged her around the room and actually pulled out handfuls of her hair.

Compare that with Bill Clinton’s tryst with Lewinsky.

Is Trump the president you want representing our country? Wake up, Republicans.

William R. Park Sr.

Shawnee

College too costly

As we know, the cost for college tuition is expensive and is rising. Many people would like to go to college but can’t afford to do so.

The average annual cost of college for in-state tuition and fees is close to $10,000, not including room and board, books and supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses.

My request is that college tuition be lowered so it would be affordable to everyone who desires to go to college. Education should not be expensive.

Vanessa Blackburn

Overland Park

Union leadership

Imagine you had one chance to vote for president. After that, the president served for life, with an impeachment as the only way to put a new face in office. That wouldn’t be right.

So why is it any different with unions? To our government employees — such as teachers and firefighters — union representation looks a lot like a lifetime appointment.

These workers don’t get to vote for their unions each November. And some unions came to power so long ago that today’s workers have never had a chance to weigh in on the matter.

I’ve heard a lot of debate recently about what it means to expand worker freedom. Well, giving employees a vote expands worker freedom.

Government employees deserve to have their voices heard through regular union elections. That’s something we should all be able to support.

John Wright

Policy Researcher

Show-Me Institute

St. Louis

Everyday heroes

On Jan. 8, I was in a car accident at Missouri 152 and Amity Road. I passed out while driving.

I crossed the median and the eastbound lanes, then went down a steep hill before a row of trees stopped the car. I came to when there was knocking on my window.

I must have had several guardian angels watching over me because no one else was involved and I was able to walk away. I’m writing this letter because I was not able to thank all the people who stopped to help me before the first responders arrived.

I believe four men rushed down the hill to help me. They stayed with me until the police and firefighters took over. By the time I exited the ambulance, everyone except the police and tow truck had left.

I was never able to thank these men for their help. I hope that by some chance they read this and learn how much I appreciate what they did for me.

I had several heroes that day — the police, firefighters, EMT and these unnamed everyday heroes.

Melissa Potter

Lenexa

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to drones, Donald Trump and college costs."