Letters: KC readers discuss Obama’s unpresidential graduation speech and duty to others

So unpresidential

It was disconcerting to witness former President Barack Obama offer words of wisdom to 2020 graduates on television Saturday evening.

It was anything but bombastic. Absent was blame, belittling or grievance. There was no self-aggrandizement. In fact, the focus seemed to be on the 2020 graduates themselves, as if their feelings actually mattered.

There was a call to respect one another and a lack of divisive rhetoric. The language was thoughtful and intelligent. The vocabulary was, uh, big! Tremendous! One might say no one in the history of the world has ever used a vocabulary like that.

The message was especially confusing as, after a fact-check, it appears to contain not a single lie. Obama’s words exuded warmth and positivity, and stirred long-dormant feelings of hope. To bewilder us further, he even smiled.

Let’s face it: Sadly, Barack Obama doesn’t look or sound presidential anymore.

- Boyd Bauman, Overland Park

Others’ comfort

So you don’t want to wear a face mask? I get it: Maybe you don’t like being told what to do, or you think the pandemic is a hoax. Whatever. Maybe you don’t think you are at risk.

But this is not about you. The mask is to prevent you from spreading your possibly infected breath to other people. Even if you don’t think that is true, at the very least you could make those around you feel a little more comfortable during these trying times. If you don’t even care about that, then I don’t have words to describe how selfish and inconsiderate you are.

- James Meyer, Lenexa