Letters: KC readers discuss greedy Mahomes, mental health needs and masks in JoCo
Uncontroversial
Renaming the fountain in Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza will likely elicit multiple and varied suggestions. Acknowledging that many sides brought about removing J.C. Nichols’ name, it seems that a single word would suffice: Peace.
Surely such a simple yet profound choice would represent the hope and intent of all proponents, as well as a resolution for former opponents. If there’s a vote, that’s mine.
- Mary Wiggins, Prairie Village
That’s too rich
Patrick Mahomes is out of this solar system as a quarterback — perhaps the best in NFL history — and I greatly respect that. However, his contract is absurd. He is a real jerk for asking for so much money, and the Chiefs were kind of forced to pay it.
Hey, Patrick, can you not leave some for your teammates? The money pie is only so big, and you just took a good chunk of it.
Hopefully, some day you will have children, so let me ask you this: When they sit on your lap at age 10 or so, what are they going to ask — “Daddy, can I see your $400 milllion-plus contract?” or “Daddy, can I see your Super Bowl rings again?”
The idea that “the best gets paid best” is baloney. You are the best even if they paid you $70,000 a year, which is more than most of your fans make. Stats reveal the best, not money.
I guess you know how much money it takes to make you happy, and to hell with your teammates.
- Jerry Davis, St. Louis
No absolutes
Wearing a mask is not about personal freedom. It’s about loving your neighbor. Wearing a mask is more than personal protection for oneself. It’s a selfless act of kindness and respect for others.
There is a delicate dance between freedom and responsibility. Many years ago in my eighth-grade American History class, I learned that absolute freedom is a myth. It does not exist.
In any civilized society, my freedom ends where someone else’s rights and well-being begin. The freedom of my fist ends at someone else’s nose. We don’t have the freedom to yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater.
Wearing a mask is a religious, political and patriotic statement — an act of maturity. Strong, compassionate and resilient communities are built on shared sacrifice for the common good as well as the freedom to think and act, which is relative.
- Jerry D. Rees, Leawood
Help needed
Reading the July 6 news story about Ky Johnson broke my heart twice. (6A, “Family: Man who shot KC officer was in mental health crisis”) Any time one of our brave police officers is harmed protecting lives, it is tragic. Prayers for the officer and his family.
My heart also breaks for Johnson’s family members. They are victims as well, victims of serious mental illness.
Mental illness affects 1 in 5 people in this country. Awareness has increased, but we are not being aggressive enough in finding answers to the whys and hows the illnesses have raised. There is still stigma, still injustice, still secrecy.
Even some health care workers fail to see mental illness as a physical illness, a brain disorder. Yet we clearly see the effects of poor mental health: increased suicides, deep depression, increased homelessness, more violence, more people in crisis.
What we need to see is more research, more funding for care and treatment, more and better facilities, expanded training for people dealing with those affected, better communication with families and greater understanding.
This is an issue that can no longer be put on the back burner. This is an issue that needs to be addressed now.
How many more tragic endings does it take before action replaces words?
- Rosemary Pappert, Roeland Park
Public safety
Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown did the right thing for the wrong reason last week. (July 3, 2A, “Johnson County votes to mandate COVID-19 masks in public”)
Brown called for a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners to address the governor’s statewide mask public order. His passive-aggressive behavior during the meeting was an embarrassment to his colleagues, the medical community, county staff and the people of Johnson County. Despite the most definite recommendation of county health officials, Brown ignored these experts. It was obvious he had his agenda and would not consider the evidence.
I am most thankful that the majority of the commission had the good sense to take the advice of the health experts and approve the motion to follow the governor’s mandate.
Brown’s behavior only served to stir the emotions of those who believe their rights have been violated. Wearing a mask in public is no different from wearing a seat belt when driving.
- Pat O’Donnell, Olathe
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM.