Letters: Readers discuss Kansas senators’ duties, beautiful music at Rockhurst High School and voting on the streetcar
Patriots needed
Thomas Paine famously said, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Although this was written more than 200 years ago, it is truer today than at any other recent time with the events surrounding the president.
Issues surrounding the potential of the president obstructing justice by dismissing the FBI director, as well as the possibility that he may have compromised intelligence sources so he could boast about getting great intelligence, should be a concern to all citizens regardless of party.
It is time for patriots, not partisans, to exercise their constitutional duty to defend and protect the constitutional principle that no person is above the law. I am heartened to see the appointment of a special counsel to investigate these issues. I hope U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, both honorable public servants, will support this investigation. If they do not, the erosion of public trust in the presidency will continue.
This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s an issue that affects the very fabric of our republic. Not addressing this crisis is nothing short of dereliction of duty by our senators. So, I ask, where are the patriots?
Barry R. Grissom
Former U.S. Attorney
Leawood
Spectacular show
Rockhurst High School is often touted for its athletic programs, but last Thursday night I witnessed an incredible choral concert.
More than 300 young men, directed by the amazing Sam Anderson, left an audience spellbound. Standing ovations all around.
Included in the program was opera singer Sarah Tannehill Anderson and professional musicians Sascha Groschang on the cello and Zsolt Elder on the violin.
Hats off to you gentlemen. You should be performing at the Kauffman.
D’Ann Dreiling
Kansas City
Streetcar vote
I urge everyone who lives in Kansas City, Mo., to go to BeSmartKC.com and look at the map showing the proposed extension to the Transportation Development District. People living in the area shown in green and yellow would pay increased real estate taxes on their properties.
But there is a much larger area outlined in black, and that would be part of the taxing district for sales. Understand that people in the black outlined area can vote.
The city has made the voting very difficult. It will not put it on a ballot so you can go to a voting place and vote. It did that before and lost the election to expand the lines, including the east side.
You can print the form and get proof of being a registered voter on that website. Then you must fax both pieces of paper or take them to the Jackson County Courthouse to get a ballot. Make sure you have proof to settle any disputes.
All have to be in by 5 p.m. May 23. Keep informed.
Terri Cox
Kansas City
KCI inconvenience
I don’t live in Kansas City, but I use Kansas City International Airport. At KCI, you are inspected and then kept in a small space where the food and drink are high priced, with nothing to do but read or play with a computer.
In other airports, you get inspected and then can shop, walk around, eat. You’re not confined to a small space.
With a new airport terminal, there would be more shops and more jobs. Plus, other airports are brightly lit, not dull and gray.
Robert Stompoly
Lexington, Mo.
Whether or not the current proposal for a new terminal is the best, we need to realize that if we don’t do something big soon, we won’t have quality air travel from the Kansas City area.
Our current airport is dated and cobbled together to meet today’s standards. The airlines have been clear that they cannot bring newer planes to KCI because of gate space. Baggage claim is also crowded and dated.
Those who fly a couple times a year don’t seem to understand that this facility shouldn’t revolve around them.
C.J. Williams
Kansas City
Time to learn
Viewing the front page and editorial page of the May 16 Star, I am struck by the irony that “Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister” (1A) while Chelsea Manning will be released May 17 after serving seven years for releasing classified information. (10A, “Irony in Chelsea Manning’s plea for privacy”)
Should our commander in chief face a court-martial trial, as Manning did?
President Donald Trump acts as if he is above the law. A trial for his revealing highly classified information could be a great teaching moment for our nation.
Henry M. Stoever
Chair
PeaceWorks, Kansas City
Overland Park