letters to the editor
Homeland Security
Where do you find real professionals to work for us in Washington, D.C.? The elected bureaucrats we have don't seem to have a real understanding of current problems and how serious they really are.
We really have no idea of who is crossing our borders, and yet there are those who want to grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants who come here illegally. The Department of Homeland Security is close to having its funding taken away so the next time you fly it would be possible that there would be people who want to harm you sitting next to you.
We are told the Islamic State is a threat here so why do we even debate these issues? If Congress were to pull funds from the Department of Homeland Security, essential jobs would still be staffed, but the people who are now in those posts would not be paid.
Our leaders in Washington do what their corporate sponsors want and will do anything to get elected ... and so it goes.
Bob Blackman
Raymore
Auditor Schweich
As a mental health professional I am concerned and disturbed about the events leading to the recent death of Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich. As a human being and a citizen of Missouri, I am sickened by the loss of a politician who appeared to be willing to work in a bipartisan way to correct campaign finance issues and lobbyists’ influence in our state government.
Perhaps we should identify the real “bugs” in the Republican Party. We can start with the cockroaches who appear at night and leave their excrement on the floor only to scatter to the shadows when it is time to turn on the lights.
There are also the burying beetles, one of the few bugs known to devour their own. Rest in peace Mr. Schweich.
Susan J. Brandt, PhD
Kansas City
Tailoring education to the student
As a retired educator and current resident of Belton, I applaud the STEAM program to be implemented in our public schools. Your article was informative and shed light on the questions regarding this style of “teaching.”
I would suggest to the parents who raise concerns not to question the program (as one father said, “I’m skeptical, honestly.”), but to discover the way in which each child learns best. Educators are trained to meet the needs of each student.
Classroom problems may arise when some students need to sit still and be in a well-disciplined environment while others need to explore, experiment, brainstorm with others to grow to their potential. By letting the children function in the environment best suited to their needs, each child will experience success.
Pam Powell
Belton
Age of frustration
With so many questioning the reasons for adolescent boys and girls joining militant causes, might I suggest a book and two studies. Eric Hoffer's “The True Believer,” still a respected study as to why certain people join cults, sects, mass movements, presents certain groups that are susceptible to their calling. They are frustrated by their life situations: poverty, social misfits, the inordinately selfish, limited opportunities, minorities, boredom and feelings of guilt.
National Geographic published a study as to what affects adolescent behavior, which has been substantiated in Laurence Steinberg's book, “The Age of Opportunity.”
Both studies see teen behavior based on the:
▪ Rewards of risky behavior (rather than the consequences).
▪ Peer acceptance.
▪ A desire to get away from their families.
Perhaps using these thoughts as guidelines, we might be more alert to those vulnerable to the “siren call” of disaster.
John Nelles
Shawnee
This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 2:04 PM with the headline "letters to the editor."