Letters: Readers discuss Tomahawk Chops, qualified immunity and Roy Blunt’s good work
Give it the chop
My request to the Kansas City Chiefs and my earnest plea to the fans: Please, stop doing the Tomahawk Chop. During this turbulent awakening to the stark reality of racism through Black Lives Matter and in solidarity with Native Americans who have long taken exception to this city’s callous and warped use of the drumbeat, chant and arm flailing: enough.
Please, stop the chop.
- Sarah Whitman, Kansas City
A deep problem
The facts of George Floyd’s death are outrageous and tragic. But sadly, they’re not just the product of a single bad actor or law. On the contrary, they reflect a law enforcement and judicial system that’s structurally broken at almost every level.
One step in the right direction would be for the courts or legislators to abolish the doctrine of qualified immunity.
Qualified immunity protects police and other officials from consequences even for horrific rights abuses, prevents accountability for “bad apples” and undermines public faith in law enforcement. To restore this faith, public officials need to be held accountable for their actions, like everyone else. Eliminating qualified immunity would be a step in the right direction.
Recently, qualified immunity has come under attack by both liberal and conservative justices. But courts are not designed to respond to pressing social issues such as this. Consequently, legislators need to step into the void to reform or abolish qualified immunity once and for all.
The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill that would eliminate qualified immunity. To help prevent more tragic deaths like George Floyd’s, lawmakers need to act now.
- Ben Stelter-Embry, Prairie Village
Thanks, Roy Blunt
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act, marking a historic win for our national parks and public lands. This legislation addresses the National Park Service’s $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Our nation is facing many difficult challenges, so this bipartisan effort is encouraging for Missourians and Americans alike.
In Missouri, the outdoors has a rich history. Natural areas and public lands help bring in tourism and stimulate our economy. Our public lands are important to me, a young Missourian who grew up camping, fishing and trapping, and to the culture of our state. I am proud our leaders chose to ensure that these areas are properly maintained and protected for generations to come.
As an original co-sponsor of this crucial legislation, Sen. Roy Blunt has proved he is an advocate for our beautiful public lands. His leadership is greatly appreciated by Missourians like me, who love our nation’s natural beauty and want to see it preserved for years to come.
- Dalton Archer, Missouri state coordinator, American Conservation Coalition, Columbia, Missouri
Consider source
After reading The Star’s Thursday guest column by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, ( 11A, “Trump’s leadership will help US recover from this recession”) I wanted to remind readers that Ross allowed Fortune magazine to erroneously publish his net worth as $2.5 billion for many years. When Ross applied for his government position, he had to list his real net worth of about $600 million.
Mr. Ross doesn’t have the bona fides to opine upon what it will take to fix our economy.
- Holmes Osborne, Independence
Unjust honors
President Donald Trump is right again about changing the names of those military installations to get rid of the names of generals who fought for slavery. I served for two years in Germany about 20 years after World War II, and I wouldn’t have minded going to work every day in Fort Hitler.
- Robert Unger, Holt, Missouri
Light them up
Fireworks displays bring people together, but there won’t be many this Fourth of July. Why?
If it’s just concerns about people gathering in large groups spreading the coronavirus, displays could be set off at a variety of places throughout the metropolitan area without letting the public know where beforehand, so people wouldn’t have the chance to congregate.
It would be inspirational to see fireworks light up the night sky from our homes. We need to celebrate who we are and not let roadblocks deter our celebrations. I understand we don’t want to put lives in danger, but thinking it through, maybe we can come up with ways to make it work.
- Tommy Ferraro, Sugar Creek