Letters: Readers discuss Hillary Clinton’s scandals, Catholics in Africa and veterans
Clinton’s faults
Your editorial slamming Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for his poor job certifying some voting machines was right on. (Oct. 16, 7A, “Voters, take notice: Kobach failed at the basics of being secretary of state”)
But a big deal? Nope.
Nor apparently was then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s State Department signing off on allowing the Russian state company Rosatom to purchase Uranium One. Nor was Clinton’s using a private email server, vulnerable to foreign hackers, for top-secret U.S. government business.
Where are The Star’s priorities? And I know you won’t print this. You run only anti-GOP letters, articles and opinions.
Joe Neuner
Leawood
Church’s aim
After reading Melinda Henneberger’s article on South Sudan, I am still proud to be Catholic, because it appears that the Catholic Church is the only help these poor people get. (Oct. 14, 19A, “‘Life here is death’: Waiting for help that may never come in South Sudan”)
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala and his good medical professionals do the best they can in their wartorn country. This is where the Catholic Church should be sending its money, rather than paying off settlements to the victims of sexual abuse and their families.
Perhaps there should be fewer promotions of bishops and cardinals. Send them to the “field hospital,” as Pope Francis called the church.
How can we help these people in South Sudan?
Pat Baker
Kansas City
Working together
City Councilman Scott Taylor’s “Revive the East Side” ordinance is a stellar example of authentic community collaboration done right. Unlike Councilman Jermaine Reed, who crafts schemes in isolation of the communities he’s elected to serve, Taylor met with numerous neighborhood groups — including East Side stakeholders and the Prospect Business Association — to gather input and guidance before writing our bold, progressive East Side Revitalization Plan.
I refer to it as “our” plan rather than Taylor’s plan because all of us played meaningful roles in its design. He didn’t come to meetings and talk about what he was going to do. Rather, he presented an idea and humbly allowed community stakeholders to help shape his concept into a workable plan that will help revitalize the East Side through increased investments and manufacturing jobs, a $10 million home-improvement fund, safeguards against gentrification, reduced illegal dumping and $3 million for housing rehabilitation.
The “Revive the East Side” initiative, coupled with the Central City Economic Development Sales Tax, moves us closer to creating one Kansas City where all communities thrive and everyone prospers.
Gwen Grant
President and CEO
Urban League of
Greater Kansas City
Kansas City
Independent time
I have always found leadership to be an interesting concept — the idea that one person, or one group of people, could inspire others to do better.
I believe Missouri and all of America need a leader who can inspire us all. I believe we need someone to help build bridges across ideologies and political parties. I believe we are long overdue for American heroes and inspirational thinkers.
I believe Craig O’Dear is that man.
When Missouri voters head to the polls in November, I encourage all reading this to consider the independent candidate to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate. O’Dear is honorable, prepared and the type of leader Washington, D.C., so desperately needs.
Visit his campaign website, compare his ideas and platform to the other candidates and ask yourself: “Am I ready for independent leadership in the Senate?”
If the answer is yes, vote O’Dear.
Pierce Bennett
Kansas City
Diminished benefit
I served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968 and was honorably discharged. In the 1990s, I was told by personnel at the Veterans Hospital in Kansas City that Congress had mandated that if veterans didn’t sign up for benefits by a certain date, which had passed, we were not eligible for drug benefits through the VA. I was, however, issued a Veterans Universal Access Identification card.
Three years ago, I presented my card at a retail store where I had previously used it to receive discounts and was told the card was no longer accepted. I went back to the VA Hospital to sign up for a new ID card. After filling out several forms and presenting my discharge form, I was told I was not eligible for a new veteran ID card because I wasn’t eligible to receive medical benefits.
I can sympathize with other veterans who honorably served our country and whom Congress and the VA have turned their backs on.
Sam DiGiovanni
Kansas City