Top of mind?
So it has come to this: The mass murders of innocents have become so commonplace in our country that The Star doesn’t place the story at the very top of the front page. (May 19, 1A, “10 killed, 10 hurt as gunman opens fire in Texas high school”)
Cynthia Kunz
Overland Park
Let Greitens work
I have been watching our politicians in Jefferson City trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. It appears the circus has landed and our politicians are the clowns. It appears many of them think they are perfect and do not want a non-politician running our government.
The people voted in Eric Greitens as governor. I did not vote for him, but we should follow his lead until it is proved that he did something wrong. This should be handled in a court, not by politicians.
Greitens admitted he made a mistake before becoming a politician — a mistake with a woman who is apparently being used by some politicians trying to get rid of our governor.
As for Attorney General Josh Hawley, I would not vote for him as dog catcher, much less as a U.S. senator. He jumped in the middle of this trying to make a name for himself.
It would be great if our state would pass a law requiring all politicians to pass an enormous background check, similar to the military, before being allowed into office. This would keep the clowns home.
Gerald T. (Tom)
Melton
Doniphan, Mo.
The right thing
To my sister’s killer:
On July 26, 1989, you strangled, raped and sodomized my sister, Fawn Marie Cox, in her own bed while the rest of my family was asleep downstairs.
You know who you are. I just pray that you have the conscience to come forward and own up to what you did that night.
My family could heal if you would admit to your crime. You took one life already, but you could save others if you just come forward.
You don’t know how hard it is to live life in complete fear of everything. You took away my sister, but you also took away my ability to live life feeling safe, unafraid and independent.
My spirit died when my sister died. I live a very secluded life because I am afraid of being attacked. I trust very few people because you have taken my trust away.
Step up and take responsibility for what you have done to me and my family. You could release a great burden off yourself.
Amber Cox
Kansas City
Political courage
On Thursday night I caught a political commercial urging U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri to confirm Gina Haspel as director of the CIA. The ad, running after the vote had been taken, failed to mention that Haspel had facilitated torturing prisoners during the Bush-Cheney era.
Haspel retreated from her support of torturing prisoners during the hearings. But, given her previous actions and the nature of our current administration, this reversal just isn’t credible. It seems she backed off her previous position simply to get confirmed.
It would’ve been politically expedient for McCaskill to go along and vote to confirm, but the senator didn’t take the easy route. Explaining her no vote, she said: “I need to have confidence that the person running it has the instincts and judgment to make decisions in line with our country’s moral compass.”
Given that she’s running for re-election in a state that President Donald Trump won big, McCaskill showed unusual political courage with this important vote. Our country needs her increasingly powerful voice in the Senate to counter the increasingly extremist ideology of this administration.
Gregory Cenac
Weatherby Lake
With open arms
Over the several decades I have been president of the South Plaza Neighborhood Association, or SPNA, many projects have been considered for the UMKC property south of 51st Street.
Many years ago, we were presented with a mixed-use proposal that included a large grocery anchor tenant, apartments and the UMKC student mental health and health services. This was a long and arduous project involving extensive neighborhood discussion and controversy.
South Plaza took a firm stand in support of the project and the inclusion of Whole Foods as an anchor tenant. The Whole Foods store set to open this week is a valuable addition to our community — even more so with the projected terminus of the streetcar at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard.
The UMKC-Whole Foods partnership constitutes the single largest retail investment in the South Plaza. It is a significant enhancement.
Our organization’s membership consists of homeowners, renters, residential and business property owners, businesses and institutions. Our diversity reflects the values of SPNA, resulting in successful retail development, stable residents and a vibrant place to live. We wholeheartedly welcome our new neighbor and all those it will serve.
Keith Spare
Kansas City
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