Readers react to compromise, President Barack Obama and Gov. Sam Brownback

Artful compromise

Everyone compromises. If there is one steadfast law on earth, it’s compromise. You cannot survive without it. All life is a series of compromises.

Anyone who contends he does not compromise is living in a state of self-imposed blind denial. To deny compromise is to deny life itself.

If there is more than one person in a room, all must compromise to remain in the room. No other solution is possible.

Politics is the art of compromise. If you want to get something done that includes anyone else in your group, you must compromise. Otherwise, forget it.

Even a dictator must compromise or he ends up leading a nation of one.

Every person who has ever lived has compromised. Every war ever fought has ended with compromise. Every government is based on it.

Uncompromising values do not exist. Every value, regardless of motivation or authority, must pass through the filter of compromise.

So when anyone tells you he never compromises, you know beyond a doubt, by that very statement, that person cannot be believed nor trusted.

Reggie Marselus

Lenexa

Obama in Cuba

President Barack Obama’s parting speech this week in Cuba was excellent. He touched all bases — reflecting on history, yet with a positive focus on the future. He praised and challenged both nations.

He delivered his words with dignity and encouragement, always with a let-us-do-this-together attitude. He firmly, yet openly, stated America’s style of government while not degrading Cuba’s.

Thank you, Mr. President, for one of your finest presentations of the past eight years.

I watched your talk on a split screen next to the devastation from Belgium.

Those two pictures showed despair and hope. I focused on hope.

William W.

McDermet III

Raymore

Kansas governor

Folks, we’re thinking about our governor in Kansas all wrong.

He’s not delusional. He’s auditioning for his next job, which no doubt will be a million-dollar payoff as a spokesman for one of the Koch brothers’ front organizations — Americans for Lobbyists’ Prosperity or some other fanciful name.

Two predictions I guarantee for the future: By 2020, 5 million people will claim to have been at the 2015 Kansas City Royals’ World Series parade, and 5 million Kansans will swear they didn’t vote for Gov. Sam Brownback in 2014.

Also, maybe Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach should house the voter-fraud violators in the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I’m afraid we Kansans may not be safe with the three 60-year-olds in our state prisons.

Dave Herdman

Lenexa

Fox propaganda

On March 23, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton gave a major policy speech regarding terrorism that was telecast live on CNN and MSNBC.

What was on Fox News? An image of Clinton in a small box in the corner.

The Fox News coverage was of two beautiful, blonde heads bantering back and forth about her tone, her weakness and her lack of passion.

But could Fox News watchers actually hear what Clinton was saying to perhaps form their own opinions? Not a chance.

As always, the Republican propaganda machine of Roger Ailes continued its effective job of keeping viewers ignorant of facts and reality.

Don Fisher

Kansas City

Global warming

The March 23 article, “Climate peril is far worse than earlier predicted, scientists warn,” explains how scientists have determined that global warming is greater than previously thought.

But it should be noted by supporters of Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz that he stated in December that there is no scientific evidence of global warming.

That brings to mind a quote of H.L. Mencken: “No one in this world ... has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people.”

Dennis Courser

Merriam

Graves’ reality

Regarding the March 24 editorial, “Congressman attacks KCI plan but gets some key facts wrong,” on Rep. Sam Graves, he has consistently spewed incorrect information about Kansas City International Airport and what travelers “love about it.”

Also, in his last news release he mentioned that KCI consistently ranks as one of the most convenient in the country. In reality, our airport has been dropping precipitously in customer satisfaction indexes for several years.

James Gilligan

Independence

Gifts for Easter

Every year, our team of animal-rescue volunteers picks up dozens of abandoned ducks from area ponds, and many unwanted rabbits are either left in parks or turned over to shelters.

People who bought them for Easter for their kids and grandkids get tired of the mess and believe that the animals will survive if turned loose.

Despite what the seller might have said, domestic rabbits, ducks and chickens cannot survive for long in the wild. They can’t fly or run away from predators and usually fall victim to hawks, dogs and coyotes.

Very few survive a single winter.

Don’t use the antiquated tradition of giving live animals for Easter.

If you are a concerned parent, do not buy a gift that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says should not be handled by young children because of salmonella exposure.

If you are an animal lover, don’t buy an animal you don’t plan to keep for 15 years.

If you are a Christian, do not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with an animal that will probably die.

Please, stick with toys and treats in your Easter baskets.

Make the smart choice: Don’t buy ducks, chicks or rabbits for Easter.

Julie Burge, DVM

Grandview

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to compromise, President Barack Obama and Gov. Sam Brownback."