Letters: KC readers discuss defending the Scouts, taking on the NRA and Trump’s orders
Useless rules
I’ve belonged to a gym in Olathe for nine years. There is lax enforcement of Gov. Laura Kelly’s mask mandate for public spaces. I wear a mask at all times. The gym’s management told me it’s bad for business, so it isn’t requiring the masks.
Why issue a mandate if it’s toothless?
A fellow gym member has contacted the Johnson County district attorney and was told the office will look into it. Nothing has changed. If the DA doesn’t care, why is there a mandate?
I know deaths are climbing, positive test cases are increasing and Kansans are required to quarantine if they want to visit many states — all while the Legislature and governor spar over whether COVID-19 is serious and who should decide how to handle it statewide.
I expect better from our elected officials.
- Patrick O’Malley, Overland Park
A common thing
It is fairly common for lobbying groups to provide talking points to politicians. That seems to be what Kansas City Councilwoman Teresa Loar was implying about fellow council member Melissa Robinson’s speech. (Aug. 8, 14A, “Group demands mayor remove committee chair over racist speech”) Why is that such a big deal?
- Rex D. Nowland, Kansas City
Not costumes
I was tapped into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say at Camp Geiger in St. Joseph in 1963. I am an Eagle Scout, as are my son and grandson.
In my opinion, the Boy Scouts of America’s use of a Native American cultural theme is not cultural appropriation. (Aug. 11, 7A, “Area Boy Scouts’ Tribe of Mic-O-Say program demeans Native Americans”) It is our way of honoring the strong sense of loyalty, family, community and reverence to our creator that Native American culture exemplifies and instilling those ideals in our youth.
H. Roe Bartle could have picked any theme to pattern the tribe after — pirates or cowboys, for instance. He chose a Native American theme because he recognized the values present in Native Americans.
If you think Mic-O-Say is a group of kids dressed up in costumes and dancing around a campfire to the beat of a drum, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Everything in Mic-O-Say is about guiding young people along the pathway to adulthood. Every activity, every ceremony, every requirement for advancement — building a costume, learning a dance or reciting a script — is centered around teaching the disciplines and strengths one needs in life.
They say scouting builds character. I say Mic-O-Say builds deep-rooted strength of character.
- Robert Eaton, St. Joseph
Playing the game
In his Sunday op-ed, “Liberals should not want the NRA targeted like this,” (17A) Bloomberg Opinion writer Noah Feldman got very close to what New York Attorney General Letitia James desires.
When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United in 2010, it decreed that corporations are people, too, and doggone it, they deserve a voice: dark money. Some people laughed at the joke and said, ‘Yeah, I’ll believe a corporation is a person when Texas executes one.”
That day has come, and the National Rifle Association, because of its egregious behavior, both in terms of politics and in human dealings, deserves to be the first to die by legal injection under the concept of “what’s right is right.”
James is using the legal system the way it was designed. The state of New York has standing in this case because at the time the crimes were committed, the NRA resided in and was present in the state.
Feldman got so close to a landmark opinion piece. Good try. Keep at it.
- Gregg Gehrig, Overland Park
Tables turned
I remember well when Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt and many other Republican senators flew into high dudgeon over President Barack Obama’s executive order creating DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. “Unconstitutional!” they intoned in grave seriousness.
Back then, these senators presented themselves as somber-suited defenders of limited government and separation of powers.
I am waiting to hear similar outrage from these Republican senators regarding President Donald Trump’s recent COVID-19-related executive order and memorandums, which bypass Congress’ constitutional powers.
Where are the serious Republican voices of opposition? Their commitment to conservative principles? Their fidelity to their oath of office?
I’m waiting. Waiting.
I am also waiting for Nov. 3.
- John B. Veal, Kansas City