Letters: Readers discuss greedy MLB, disputing a Star editorial and why people march

So long, MLB

It looks as though there will be no Major League Baseball this summer. Blame it on overpaid, overrated, greedy players, all too many greedy owners and one of the worst baseball commissioners in the history of the game.

Anyone for soccer?

- Bob Tobia, Lee’s Summit

Missed the point

The Star’s Thursday editorial, “Why review Kobach’s racist voter law?” (10A) was either purposefully inflammatory or woefully uninformed.

Despite The Star Editorial Board’s perpetual obsession with castigating Republicans, the Kansas proof-of-citizenship statute was enacted by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the Legislature. It passed 111-11 in the state House of Representatives and 36-3 in the state Senate, with votes from many Democrats, including Sen. Barbara Bollier and then-Sen. Laura Kelly.

Some politicians now oppose the law they voted for and want me to abandon its legal defense, but changing state law is the Legislature’s job, not mine. Opponents of the law have had nine years and 12 legislative sessions to repeal it but have not done so.

As attorney general, my job in this case is to defend Kansas against a lawsuit that argues the state is federally prohibited from enacting a law like this. Our position is that whether Kansas should have such a law is for the Legislature and governor to decide.

It is true, as the editorial somewhat breathlessly points out, that Kansas is appealing after lower courts ruled against it. But that is so in every appeal that reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, since the purpose is to determine whether lower courts correctly applied the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

- Derek Schmidt, Kansas Attorney General, Topeka

Took an oath

Gen. Mark Milley,

Before your nomination to the chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, you spoke of the importance of “disciplined disobedience.” You said that it is the duty of an officer to disobey an order if following that order would not achieve the goals of the mission.

Remember, as a commissioned officer, you swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, as I did before I was commissioned in the United States Army.

If you receive an order that stands in opposition to your oath, something about the Insurrection Act for example, it is your duty to disobey that order. Just as you had earlier stated.

- Richard J. Randolph III, Lenexa

Keep it printed

There has been talk about our hometown paper, The Kansas City Star, discontinuing its daily printed edition and going online only. I pray not.

This newspaper has been a part of our city for a lot longer than my almost 80 years. It was a part of my upbringing. It has provided faithful comfort and consistency as well as being a part of our morning routine for so many. We need its faithful appearance on our doorstep, especially now with all the news of tragedy and suffering in our city. We need its current, accurate and well-written reporting.

I do not believe that many in our older population will read the paper on a computer screen any more than they would read a book on an iPhone or iPad. You need to hold a newspaper or a book to feel its soul.

Perhaps the powers that be could offer lower subscription rates and allow the paper to expand its readership while keeping all those dedicated newspaper people employed in a business they love in these hard times. I pray so.

- Mary Pat Miller, Overland Park

Now I get it

We have all seen the disturbing images of the Minneapolis police officer suffocating George Floyd by placing his knee on Floyd’s neck with other police officers by his side.

As a middle-aged white man, I now more fully understand why Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem struck a chord with so many. It is a reminder of what justice looks like for many black Americans.

As a white man, I have never felt the uneasiness of a routine traffic stop. I have never felt unwelcome in a bar or restaurant on the Plaza. I never worried about what it might be like to walk into a store wearing my coronavirus mask and have other people wonder whether they should be worried.

I have never had a conversation with my children or grandchildren about how to protect themselves from the potential for trouble in situations like these.

I applaud the peaceful protesters of all races taking to the streets to demand change. I applaud the Kansas City police officers. I applaud our mayor, Quinton Lucas, for making his presence known and for showing empathy and compassion.

Now is the time for change, people. If not now, when?

- Craig Splan, Kansas City