Readers react to Henry Johnson, Father’s Day and the All-Star vote
Medal of Honor
To Tara Johnson and her extended family:
Henry Johnson will be remembered not only as a national hero but also as a loving father and grandfather (6-4, A1, “Honor comes with a shock”). How else do you explain his role in the lives of so many?
A bloodline isn’t required to hold the position of parent. It is defined by the love and devotion an individual gives to a child.
There are many men who “father” a child but who are not considered fathers. Then there are those who choose to take another’s child as their own to instill their own values and keep a true family.
Henry Johnson chose to stand against the enemy and fight rather than to run and save himself. He chose to claim Herman Johnson as his own son and made such an impression that Herman worked tirelessly to make sure Henry, his father, was honored as he should have been.
The Johnson family lineage should always hold Henry Johnson as a true member of the family, blood or no blood.
William “Pat” Wigley
Blue Springs
Fathers’ great gifts
Some people are born gifted musicians. They don’t just play the correct notes and rhythms but create something special, something sublime that moves us.
All men are born with the capacity to be fathers, but like musicians, some are gifted. These fathers play the symphony of fatherhood, always from their hearts, and in so doing, inspire.
Dante Cosentino is such a man. I met my adopted father at the age of 42, when the Cosentino family opened the Price Chopper on 103rd Street.
The store was beautiful. But Dante Cosentino, the owner, was concerned for the people not the building. He took us all under his wing, from sacker to manager.
Dante could see the storm in your eyes. “What’s the matter?” Knowing I could not conceal it.
“Well, I have a problem. …” Dante would stop me.
“No, it’s our problem,” he responded. He has shared those four words with many of us.
Dante has taken so many of us under his wing and said, “This is our problem.”
I still say my prayers. And I always say, “Thank you, God, for July16, 1986, the day I met Dante Cosentino, my adopted father.”
Efi Young
Kansas City
Keep superintendent
“Say it ain’t so, Joe.” Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Steve Green should not go.
Is it the money? Find enough that he will stay.
Dirty politics? Make the bad guys go away.
Kansas City schools are standing tall. Keep the man who changed it all.
We haven’t seen much about Dr. Green leaving in the news. What is going on?
His leaving is one of the most important recent issues for Kansas City. Is there someone in the wings who can fill his shoes?
I doubt it.
Helen Johnson
Lee’s Summit
Job creators, taxes
A June 1 letter writer suggested he should get a tax credit for creating jobs. Jobs are created because the demand for goods and services exceeds the capacity of the business to supply customers.
No tax break is needed because the job is necessary to the well-being of the business. Please stop saying you need a tax break to employ people because you would do it anyway
Thomas Galbreath
Independence
Unfair All-Star vote
It’s great to see the fan support for the Kansas City Royals in the All-Star Game balloting, especially after so many years of sending one lonely guy who might or might not get to play in the game.
But along with the zeal, there has to be some fairness. I can go along with Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez. But Eric Hosmer over Miguel Cabrera? I don’t think so, at least not quite yet.
And Omar Infante over Jose Altuve or Jason Kipnis? No way.
It sort of reminds me of voting strictly along party lines in November. There’s a good chance a more deserving candidate will be left out in the process.
Gerry Leonard
Parkville
Star bullies Kansas
Definition of bullying: To intimidate, to badger, to dominate, control. To be arrogant and overbearing over weaker people.
Example: See The Kansas City Star on June 13. “On day 113, Kansas tax plan passes — barely.”
Bill Hemmen Jr.
Overland Park
Special exemption
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the Republican-controlled Legislature created a class of citizens (business owners who form limited liability companies) who are exempt from paying state income tax. It raises the question of whether this is constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
One class of citizens is being given special status while the rest of Kansas’ wage earners are required to pay their fair share of taxes for schools, roads, police and other services. Such an exemption should be challenged in the courts.
Alex Migliazzo
Leawood
Housing Court judge
A Housing Court judge is under fire by individuals who know only one side of the story from the individuals who are in violation (6-14, A1, “Housing Court judge faces a challenge”).
Most homes associations and neighborhood groups use the city as a last resort when neighbors continue to not follow the rules. It does not cost money to pick up trash in your yard, maintain your home and bushes, not park cars in yards, not store junk in yards, and the list goes on and on.
These violations affect the value of our homes. Judge Todd Wilcher has a hard job of preserving neighborhoods and being fair to violators who continue to bring neighborhoods down. There are always two sides to a story.
Thank you to a judge willing to be there to help prevent blight hurting our neighborhoods.
Carol McClure
Jerry Darter
Co-chair
Southern Communities
Coalition
Kansas City
Conservative tactics
It is ironic that the author of “Liberals tactics” letter on June 16 accused liberals of attempting “to frighten and silence dissent.” He further accuses liberals of using hate speech.
Has he watched Fox News lately? This is that cable network’s format, ridiculing people who disagree with conservative ideas.
For years liberals have been vilified for supporting unions, welfare for the poor, women’s rights, voting rights, fair taxes, environmental protection, sane gun laws, etc. Yes, liberals oppose many conservative ideas, but they don’t shy away from debate. They welcome it while conservatives run for the hills and hurl insults.
I believe in civil discourse and a fair exchange of ideas. That is how politics are supposed to work, but politeness has broken down in the last 20 years primarily because of ultra-conservative politicians who are committed to an agenda of deregulation of corporations and regulations of individuals.
Diane H. Mitchell
Kansas City
Voting investigation
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has launched an investigation into voter fraud, citing the high turnout for the Kansas City Royals in the Major League Baseball All-Star voting.
The Kansas Legislature has issued a special tax on tickets to sporting events to fund the investigation, with an exemption for owners of sports teams. Kobach has requested the Legislature to consider expanding voter-identification laws to include elections for All-Star teams, Academy Awards and beauty contests.
Smile. Just kidding. It’s another day in Kansas.
Wayne Smith
Lenexa
Sanders as president
I’ve read that some people in the opinion section think Sen. Bernie Sanders has no chance for the Democratic nomination for president. I hope by writing this letter some people will investigate this man’s ideas and realize he is the best option we have to save this country’s middle class.
His ideals of free education, health care and higher taxes for the rich are exactly what we need. He has no rich backers or political party influencing his ideas. His ideas are from his heart and have our country’s best interest as his motivation.
I am for Bernie Sanders for president.
Corky Lewis
Lee’s Summit
This story was originally published June 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to Henry Johnson, Father’s Day and the All-Star vote."