Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Opinion

Letters to the editor

Pain from tragedy

As a grandfather of girls about the same age as Alexis Kane, my heart aches for her family at this very sad time. There is no good thing to come from this tragedy other than the thought that those who committed this heinous crime hopefully will be put away from society so they will never again be free to inflict this horrible pain on other innocent victims and their families.

Eddie L. Clay

Grandview

Reacting to terrorism

Journalists are gunned down in Paris. Runners are cut to ribbons at the Boston Marathon. Journalist are beheaded in Iraq, etc. When is enough enough?

The idea of using reactive methods to stop terrorist is just wrongheaded. If we wait and react to an action like a police force, we lose to the terrorists.

The act is all the terrorist want. They have won if we wait to react.

Pro-active methods are required. But, they risk being driven by rumors and half-truths that lead to arrests of the innocent.

With sleeper cells being a real possibility in the United States, I vote for pro-active actions to stop the terror acts before they occur. I am well aware that some civil rights may be stepped on.

But waiting for cold-blooded murder to occur is not smart.

Richard Blaisdell

Kansas City

Koch brothers’ money

Am I the only one insulted by the Koch brothers thinking they can change my vote by spending huge amounts of money on their Republican causes (1-27, A1, “Lofty sum to stoke campaign for 2016”)? I will not be bought or influenced by them or anyone who tries to make up my mind for me through the use of TV ads or any other media source.

It is far better for you and me to get more involved in today's issues and make intelligent decisions based on what is right for you and your family. Shame on the Koch brothers.

I hope they lose whatever it is they are promoting.

Ron Clark

Kansas City

Planet vs. profits

I'm really frustrated about Americans who say they love our country and believe God created this world. Most religious people believe we have a stewardship to take care of our environment and planet especially in the U.S.

Yet when it comes to making money, all bets are off. Oil companies pollute our seas, rivers and streams because of fracking to get the oil out of the ground.

I'm not all that well-educated, but it seems to me the huge increase in earthquakes in areas where fracking occurs should cause us to pause and tell our energy giants enough is enough. These titans of business tell us “no problem.”

It's just happenstance. It's time for all Americans to wake up and say stop. If you’re a person who loves this planet it's time to tell corporate America to be good stewards and put this creation over corporate profits.

John D. Koehler

Raytown

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor."

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