Overvaluing Mahomes, cartoon imbalance and Kanye’s joke bid

Not the time

I love that the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year. But why wasn’t Patrick Mahomes’ photo on the front page of the Sports section of Tuesday’s paper rather than on 1A? Plastering his photo on the front page with the headline of “The $500M man” during an economic crisis for so many Americans was beyond insensitive.

Paying athletes outrageous salaries is nothing to celebrate while our teachers, firefighters, police and other public servants struggle. Let’s not celebrate our misguided values.

- Laura Marcus Mountjoy, Kansas City

Easy access

In all that has been written about Ky Johnson’s death and his alleged shooting of a Kansas City police officer, no one has mentioned where this man with a serious mental disease acquired a firearm. (July 6, 6A, “Family: Man who shot KC officer was in mental health crisis”)

Without that gun, there would likely have been no shooting and no injured policeman, and a man loved and cherished by his family members would be with them today.

Anyone who wants to pack a gun can easily buy one. There are few restrictions on who can purchase one legally. Plus, the black market is well supplied with stolen firearms for those who want them — no questions asked.

Until we demand and get change, the tragedy of Ky Johnson is bound to be repeated again and again.

- Keith Evans, St. Joseph

Horrid image

I am a daughter of a World War II veteran, and I am writing to convey my disgust with the Kansas newspaper editor who created and published a vile cartoon that compares science-based public health policy to Nazi mass murder. (July 7, 8A, “Kelly says not to politicize ‘common sense’ measures”) The image that was published is reprehensible.

My father, who was part of the great generation who fought to preserve our values, did not serve in vain. The Republican Party of Kansas should be ashamed to be associated with this evil, hate-filled image.

- Susan A. Mulligan, New York, New York

What’s patriotic?

President Donald Trump’s speeches are more and more hateful. His Friday speech at Mount Rushmore makes him the man who poisoned patriotism. (July 5, 2A, “Facing many crises, Trump calls for monument garden”) In his worldview, if you don’t share his venomous convictions, you can’t be a patriot.

- Mary H. Dyer, Independence

By the numbers

Quit using William Rockhill Nelson’s quote: “A Paper for the People.” Your Opinion section’s ideological bias was obvious in the week ending July 4. Of the nine cartoons I surveyed in the section that week, five lampooned President Donald Trump, his supporters or Attorney General William Barr. Three were not ideological, and one celebrated July 4. None showed any criticism of Trump’s presumptive election competition, Joe Biden.

- Roger J. Davis, Lee’s Summit

Don’t fall behind

On July 4, Kanye West announced he is running for president. But let’s chill before we begin carving a fifth spot on Mount Rushmore.

Might he steal a few write-in votes? Sure. But West has already missed ballot access deadlines in several states and needs tens of thousands of signatures in a matter of days to meet others. He has not even registered with the Federal Election Commission. At this point, he is no more a candidate than perennial write-in favorites such as Chuck Norris and Harambe the gorilla.

Yet in some ways, the hurdles faced by a candidate such as West mirror those faced by voters. Much as there are obstacles to the Louis Vuitton Don running for higher office, there are hurdles we as citizens face in participating. Registration deadlines, much like ballot-access deadlines, run well in front of election days. Deadlines to register to vote in the general election are Oct. 7 for Missouri and Oct. 13 for Kansas.

So get on it. You don’t want to end up like Kanye. Late registration is a great option for throwback jams at a summer barbecue but is not recommended when it comes to voting.

- Matt Harris, assistant professor of political science, Park University, Kansas City

Responsibility

Here is my solution for coming to an agreement with people who say it is their right not to wear a mask or social distance: Allow them to register with the federal government and carry a card recognizing that right. But if they test positive for COVID-19, they will not be admitted to any hospital and will be denied any care or treatment. That seems fair.

- Rick Schultz, Independence