Letters: Readers discuss Chiefs’ drunkenness, Watkins’ vision and Pelosi’s disgrace
Red together
As a native of Kansas City and a loyal Chiefs fan, I was eager to host a Super Bowl party in my home in St. Louis. My husband and I were beyond pleased as we watched 35 of our family members, friends and neighbors arrive wearing Chiefs red.
We were thrilled to see how the Chiefs’ athletic success could promote a statewide spirit and a coming together at a time when unity is needed.
- Lana Rainen Yunker, St. Louis
Keeping watch
To the Kansas City Police Department and other law enforcement officials who were at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration parade: Thank you.
- Barbie O’Toole, Prairie Village
Poor example
I realize my opinion will be in the minority, but I’m saddened and a little ashamed of the way some of our Super Bowl champions represented our city Wednesday. I chose to watch the parade from home, and I’m glad I did. I was surprised to see so much drinking by the players when the city had asked the spectators to refrain from drinking.
I wish we would have represented our city with more class and decorum than this. I think it was a huge missed opportunity.
I am most disappointed about the example set for all the school-age kids who witnessed this while given the day off school to participate in what was advertised as a family-friendly event. I most definitely wouldn’t have wanted myself or my kids to get sprayed with beer by Chiefs players.
I do realize the team has worked hard this season, and players deserve the chance to let their hair down and party. However, save the frat-house antics for your own, private celebration. Don’t put it on display for minors who look up to and idolize you.
Let’s improve for next time, Chiefs.
- Judy Nye, Kansas City
False comparison
The nature of political cartoons is to use a sledgehammer approach to achieve humor. No one should expect fairness or nuance, neither of which would be funny, but even a cartoon should avoid overt lies.
Thursday’s Scott Stantis cartoon (15A) comparing the Iowa caucus fiasco to the Democrats’ health care plans employs an obvious joke — but obvious only to someone who does not understand, or who wants to mislead.
Certainly, no one urges that Iowa’s volunteers be put in charge of health care. More important, under Medicare the government does not “run your health care.” Unlike private insurance, which restricts patients and forces them to get service only within networks, Medicare allows choice, does not look for excuses to deny claims and simply pays the bills. Beneficiaries love it. Can HMOs say the same?
- Max J. Skidmore, Overland Park
Affirming life
In 2018, Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District narrowly elected Steve Watkins to the House of Representatives. Watkins’ run-in with voter fraud has been widely publicized, but more than just his fraudulent behavior reflects negatively on the Republican Party.
Watkins’ voting pattern is detrimental for Kansas. His “pro-life” stance is not reflected in his treatment of others. Last year, he voted against the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act. Introduced last March, it increases protections for domestic-violence survivors, restricts gun ownership for convicted abusers and expands transgender rights.
Though the bill passed with a bipartisan majority, Watkins disregarded an opportunity to improve battered women’s lives. On his website, he states that he will protect Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Kansans. However, by voting against the act, Watkins supported domestic abusers who do not abide by our laws.
We have a different vision for Kansas politics. This vision includes politicians with integrity and expertise on what their constituents support.
It is essential that we vote for candidates who will foster an inclusive, safe future for all Kansans. That future should not include Steve Watkins in Congress.
- Grace Kessler, Kansas High School Democrats, Topeka
Showed no respect
While watching President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, I was distracted by facial and physical expressions made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
She knew very well she would be seen by people all over the world seated behind Trump. Throughout the president’s speech, she rolled her eyes, shook her head, grinned and shuffled papers. At the end, she stood and tore into pieces those papers, which most viewers would surmise were a copy of Trump’s speech.
She has disgraced the office of speaker of the House.
- Betty Swisher, Kansas City