Letters: Readers discuss Russia, Sen. Jerry Moran’s town halls and Clay Chastain’s rail proposal
Time to listen
The Republican Party is in the thick of deciding how to replace or repeal the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran for having the interest and courage to meet with constituents at a town hall meeting in Palco, Kan., as well as in his office in Overland Park during the legislative Independence Day break.
He listened, exchanged ideas and stated that he was against the proposed Better Care Reconciliation Act, making it clear what needed to happen before he would vote for it. This is a stark contrast to how many of his Senate colleagues are racing to push through the act, which would place health care coverage for millions at risk.
Sen. Pat Roberts offered no town hall meetings. I called his local office twice during this time and was told that no meetings were going to be held and that no explanation could be given as to why.
Has Roberts forgotten he has a responsibility to listen to and serve constituents who elected him — and that affordable, accessible health care for all is a human right?
Monica Whitaker
Kansas City, Kan.
Read the map
All roads lead to Russia.
Jim Kilen
Kansas City
Ride time
How many people would want to ride from Vivion Road to the Kansas City Zoo? Not many, I would guess. (July 8, 4A, “Chastain pitches petition for 25-mile rail”)
By my calculation, this trip on the latest Clay Chastain nightmare would take nearly an hour and a half one way. Just the streetcar portion of his proposed “hybrid” rail system would take perhaps 25 minutes.
To be useful, the other 23 miles would have at least 12 stops. Assuming 250 feet of travel for deceleration and 250 feet to accelerate to 45 mph, the 12 stops would take at least three minutes and 500 feet.
Now on dedicated light rail, the remaining 20 miles would take about 26 minutes more with a lot of uncomfortable acceleration and deceleration, making for a total trip time of 87 minutes.
Clay, it’s time to ride off into the sunset.
Irvin V. Patterson
Lee’s Summit
Now that’s art
In his July 5 guest commentary, “Why I’m running as a Republican for U.S. Senate,” (13A) Austin Peterson wrote that his “vision for America is one where gay married couples can defend their marijuana fields with fully automatic machine guns.”
What? It’s a shame Norman Rockwell isn’t here to paint this image, or possibly Grant Wood, best known for his “American Gothic.”
You can make up your own mind about this gentleman’s qualifications to hold such high office. I have made up mine.
Thomas Moran
Belton
Dog training
A July 9 letter writer bemoaned the U.S. Postal Service’s refusal to deliver mail to his house because of his dog’s behavior. The American Kennel Club provides 10 reasonable guidelines for responsible dog owners and well-mannered dogs. I am guessing the post office might agree with these common-sense recommendations:
1. Accept a friendly stranger.
2. Sit politely for petting.
3. Permit someone to check its ears and front feet.
4. Walk on a loose lead.
5. Walk calmly through a crowd.
6. Sit, get down and stay in place on command.
7. Come when called.
8. Behave politely around other dogs.
9. React appropriately to distractions.
10. Behave well in a supervised separation.
Ross Freese
Kansas City
Carriers’ rights
I agree there should be an appeals process for dog dangers to U.S. Postal Service carriers. But let me give another viewpoint.
While I was a mail carrier for 100 days, I was bitten by a dog that was unleashed and unfenced. I sprayed perhaps three dogs with repellent. I pulled out my spray about 10 times, all because of dogs that were unleashed and unfenced in front yards and the street.
Once a man in Independence actually threatened me as I was getting ready to spray his unleashed dog in his front yard. I didn’t want to get bitten on the leg. I never reported the owner.
I was under pressure — like a boot camp — to use my time efficiently as a carrier. There was no time to slow down because of dogs. I think these unleashed and unfenced dogs should be punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail for negligence and endangerment.
I have bled. I have had my pants torn. I have been threatened.
Don’t letter carriers have a right to be indignant — and nonetheless safe?
Mark Seeger
Kansas City
This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Russia, Sen. Jerry Moran’s town halls and Clay Chastain’s rail proposal."