Letters: Readers discuss stopping endless wars, Salvy’s example and MLB cheating
All above board
I am retired and worried about the kind of future awaiting my children and grandchildren. I have had the advantage of living in a country where no one, including the president, should be above the law.
The Senate is about to decide whether the actions of President Donald Trump amounted to abuse of power or obstruction of justice. I believe that to make a sound judgment, more information — not less — is needed. Judgments should be based on values and information, not ideology.
I hope our senators abide by the Constitution, our democratic values and the rule of law.
- Ronald Szymankowski, Overland Park
Come together
Polarization has taken over our society — conflict, tension and controversy, everywhere you turn. How will we ever come together? Kansas City knows, united in affection and gratitude with one word: Mahomes.
- SuEllen Fried, Prairie Village
Pats to hats
Dear Kansas City Chiefs fans: From this New England Patriots fan, hats off to your team. Now go win that trophy.
- David Moynihan, Woburn, Massachusetts
King’s vision
The visionary leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. catalyzed improvements in civil rights and left a legacy on nonviolence. In his 1967 sermon, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” King linked continued progress on equality in the United States with rectification of the causes and effects of the war in Vietnam.
He called for a revolution of values to “say of war, ‘This way of settling differences is not just,’” and argued war is counterproductive because communism would never be defeated by bombs or nuclear weapons, only by actions that remove “conditions of poverty, insecurity and injustice.” He pointed out, “The great initiative in this war is ours; the initiative to stop it must be ours.”
Ultimately, the U.S. left Vietnam and today has bilateral relations with it.
After 18 years of war in Afghanistan that has spread into neighboring countries, King’s foresight still calls for action.
It would not be the full transformation of values King envisioned. But passing a joint resolution currently in the Senate to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran and the House’s Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act would be steps in the right direction.
- Steve Kellogg, Independence
Not just one
Just curious: Doesn’t everyone who stands 6 feet 9 “loom” over most of us — prone or otherwise — as in the words of the Thursday editorial, “KU coach Bill Self should dismiss De Sousa for unseemly brawl”? (12A)
Picking up the chair was excessive. However, this brawl was clearly a product of group dynamics, not the solitary act of a 21-year-old.
- Larry Murphy, Kansas City
Salvy’s spirit
Every American should pause and pay attention to what will take place at Royals FanFest.
The Royals announced Wednesday that six-time All-Star catcher and fan favorite Salvador Perez was to become a U.S. citizen on the main stage Friday.
Earlier this month, he passed the naturalization exam that tests knowledge of U.S. history and government and included a naturalization interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service officer.
This event represents more than baseball. It represents the values and principles the United States was founded on.
Fans have watched Perez grow not only as a player, but also as a person. During early interviews, he appeared to struggle with the language barrier. Yet he still communicated a message of appreciation through his smile and upbeat attitude. He has transitioned into a role model for those who want to take the path to citizenship.
Perez united a city in 2014 with a single down the left-field line in the American League Wild Card Game. Now he’s uniting us with a message of gratitude, patriotism and the true spirit of America.
Congratulations, Salvy, and thank you, Royals, for making this a special occasion.
- Travis R. Neely, Lenexa
Setting MLB right
Major League Baseball needs to find a commissioner like Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the very first commissioner. He wouldn’t tolerate what the 2017 Astros did. He would more than likely have banned the coaches and players for life, and then vacated their championship — which, in my opinion, is what is needed to bring integrity back to the sport.
Unfortunately, nothing will happen and it will all be swept under the rug as if it never occurred. Also unfortunately, that’s the world in which we live.
- Craig Slaughter, Kansas City