Letters: KC readers discuss NFL protests, hippies’ culture war and fireworks fright
Out of proportion
Wednesday’s story on former Planned Parenthood CEO Laura McQuade referred to the organization in the first sentence as an “abortion provider.” (4A, “Former CEO of KC-area Planned Parenthood steps down from NY job”)
Although that term is technically accurate, abortions account for a small fraction of Planned Parenthood’s services, which include cancer screenings, birth control and general health care for women. The story wasn’t even about abortion, but rather about accusations of abuse by McQuade.
Using this description out of context is akin to describing The Kansas City Star as a provider of sports statistics, which is correct but misleading. I hope that in the future, Planned Parenthood will be more carefully portrayed.
- Sam Bennett, Kansas City
About free speech
As a Vietnam vet, I had difficulty accepting the history lesson in a Tuesday letter to the editor whose author completely missed the point of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem. (7A)
It wasn’t a lack of reverence for his country. It was a protest against police brutality, and it still is. He took a knee to protest a San Francisco police officer shooting Mario Woods at least 20 times in 2015 — overkill, and I don’t mean that as a pun.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was wrong about the situation from the very beginning. Kaepernick was simply expressing his First Amendment rights. It took Goodell a long while to realize it, making me think that his latest statement is just as expedient as his first to protect the NFL.
- Bob Miller, Overland Park
Hippies’ legacy
We are at war — a cultural one, not political.
Some of this is a result of the hippies of the 1960s, who are now reliving their glory days with a bunch of undereducated sheep who don’t work, depend on others and have never been accountable to anything because their parents are afraid to hurt their feelings.
This is a direct result of failed personal responsibility, which grows failed communities. We are excuse-makers. Coveting others’ success. Unwilling to make it on our own. We aren’t proud to be American. We’re without a compass, doing nothing worth emulating.
Do we not see how our country is dying? No morals. Destroying history. Godless.
We went to church with our kids. They should “get it.” We pat ourselves on the back for giving them good foundations. Surely they won’t follow the sheep off the cliff.
Oh, wait. We’re the same. Complacent. Complicit. Let someone else solve it. We soak up the lies. Allow worldliness to seep in. Just let everything be.
What can I do about it? Mustn’t rock the boat. Well, it’s sinking. But we can’t offend anyone. Tear down, rename, cancel it.
Why learn from the past? Does it matter anymore?
- Cindy Cox, Lenexa
Historical context
Melinda Henneberger’s Tuesday column on the topic of how we revere historical figures was spot on. (7A, “Blunt, Hawley wrong about honors for Confederate traitors”) Her words were sharp-witted and factual.
Sen. Josh Hawley’s demeanor is one of intellectual superiority, and he consistently demeans any interpretations other than his own. Yet this man who has professed that he is not just another politician climbing the ladder to a presidential campaign in 2024 exhibits all the characteristics of exactly such a man.
What would the world think if Germany glorified itself with monuments to Adolf Hitler?
Thanks to The Star for publishing commentary that illustrates the crisis of conscience we all face today.
- Clarence Abell, Olathe
Don’t blow it
The Fourth of July is rapidly approaching. Many cities have canceled or curtailed large public events. In light of that, more people are purchasing fireworks for at-home displays.
If you do so, please remember a couple of things:
Not everyone or everything enjoys loud bangs and explosions. If you have veterans in your neighborhood, there’s a good possibility these explosions bother them.
Animals, both domestic and wild, get scared by the noise. There is a huge increase in the number of lost pets over the Independence Day weekend. So keep your pets in, and if you take them out, use a leash, even during daylight, because people set off firecrackers all day.
Finally, if you live within the city limits of Kansas City or many other area communities, fireworks are against the law. You can be ticketed and fined.
- Mary Ballard, Kansas City