Letters: Readers discuss the Afghanistan quagmire, Star arts coverage and political compromise

Afghan endgame

As a Vietnam veteran, I’m alarmed by our continued involvement in Afghanistan. We’re told if we weren’t there, Islamic extremists would overrun one country after another.

This is the same domino theory that kept us tied down in Vietnam. Yet when South Vietnam finally fell, the rest of southeast Asia wasn’t overrun by communists.

The current Afghan government is as corrupt and ineffective as was that of President Nguyen Van Thieu in South Vietnam.

I find myself wondering if somewhere in the bowels of the Pentagon or the State Department, there are classified studies that probably reveal the same types of false statements that misled America to justify our involvement in Vietnam.

From President George W. Bush through President Barack Obama, and now continuing with President Donald Trump, we are repeatedly told that if we only expend more of our tax dollars and the precious blood of our armed forces, victory will someday follow.

This thinking didn’t work for the British more than a century ago or for the Russians at the end of the 20th century — and it isn’t working for America either.

The time has come for the United States to acknowledge the futility of our involvement and get out.

Clayton Chittim

Blue Springs

Arts coverage

I’m concerned that The Star’s sports coverage has increased disproportionately compared with reviews of deserving recitals, concerts, movies, books, gallery showings and live theater.

For example, the American Spiritual Ensemble at the Folly Theater on Jan. 13 featured 20 highly credentialed singers whose soul-stirring renditions left a lasting impression — but there was no review in The Star afterward.

How about replacing a couple of sportswriters with thoughtful arts reviewers and substituting a couple of pages of mundane sports recaps and stats with their work? Make room too for insightful columnists who run only periodically now, i.e. David Brooks, Leonard Pitts Jr. and Paul Krugman. I miss Lee Judge’s spot-on cartoons.

An avid football fan over six decades, I rarely watch pro and major college games anymore knowing that, per a growing number of studies, many of these athletes have the onset of CTE and will eventually face its devastating impact on them and their loved ones.

I’m surprised there hasn’t been an onfield fatality during a televised game given players’ increased size, strength and speed.

For long-suffering Chiefs and Royals fans who pay dearly for tickets, parking and concessions, I commend our city’s vibrant arts scene. Prices are usually more affordable, participants don’t suffer torn knee ligaments or hold out for bigger bucks — and you invariably leave feeling a winner.

Skip Stogsdill

Overland Park

Precautionary?

Since when have you ever seen the entire White House staff lawyer up over “fake news”?

Yeah, me neither.

Jim Burkhart

Kansas City

Don’t oversell

I would suggest that we use the term “weather event,” not “storm,” to describe many lesser snow situations more accurately. “Storm” might be reserved for when 4 or more inches of snow fall.

Pam Auerbach

Lenexa

Reject extremes

America will not be “great again” until our legislators agree to compromise.

In days of yore, laws were passed to benefit citizens of all stations, and Americans remained united behind their government.

Today, the laws enacted benefit a small minority, and the tone is very divisive.

My wish for 2018 is for both political parties to move from their extreme positions toward the center. Work to find common ground, and pass laws that actually take into consideration the welfare of the American people and the best interests of our country.

Mona Glazer

Overland Park

This story was originally published January 20, 2018 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss the Afghanistan quagmire, Star arts coverage and political compromise."