Letters: Readers discuss DOJ and dissenters, wildlife act, Texas governor and Mahomes
Crime and dissent
Michael Ryan’s commentary (Oct. 12, 7A, “Is Biden’s DOJ coming for angry parents?”) is a gross molestation of facts and clearly intended to fearmonger anyone who feels dissent justifies whatever action they take against those against whom they are dissenting.
Ryan briefly touches on the cited Associated Press article that specifically addresses that the inappropriate behavior is concerning only when it rises to the level of an explicit threat toward a specific individual on the school board(s) or a specific body.
He “absolutely” agrees with Attorney General Merrick Garland when he wrote that “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values.”
This is where Ryan obfuscates the conversation, because the rest of the article discusses that it “feels” to conservatives as if the Department of Justice is criminalizing dissent. Ryan is gaslighting us because we’ve already established that specific threats are criminal but simple dissent is not.
The only conclusion one can draw from Ryan’s column is that a threat against a public figure is simply dissent and that not only is it not a crime, it is patriotic and a right afforded by the Constitution.
That’s dangerous and irresponsible journalism.
- Matt Navarro, Prairie Village
Wildlife backers
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is important for Kansas and the Shortgrass Prairie (basically the western third of Kansas) because it would provide nearly $1.4 billion annually to state and tribal wildlife agencies.
Thank you, Sen. Jerry Moran and Sen. Roger Marshall for co-sponsoring this bill, which would make sure at-risk species such as the lesser prairie chicken are not be placed on the federal endangered species list.
This would provide greater regulatory certainty for industries, including mining, energy, agriculture and others. It would also help create jobs.
Supporters estimate the Wildlife Act would create up to 33,600 jobs nationwide with its investments into local conservation efforts, and those conservation efforts would be compounding. By improving habitat for one species, all species benefit, including wild game such as mule deer, because they share habitat with lesser prairie chickens.
By supporting this bill, Sens. Moran and Marshall are doing their part to protect wildlife across the United States and in Kansas. Hats off to them as they help recover wild animals and their habitat on public lands and waters.
- Kurt Ratzlaff, Wichita
Deadly decision
There is a new variety of COVID-19. It’s the Gov. Greg Abbott variant. What can be more ignorant than an executive order to outlaw vaccination mandates at major corporations. What does this Trumpian governor from Texas hope to realize except the deaths of Texans and others who might fly Texas-based American and Southwest airlines?
Will Missouri and its Trumpian governor, Mike Parson, go this direction and stop vaccinations at corporations? Do we need the deaths of thousands of Missourians to prove you are Donald Trump supporters?
- Christopher L. Pirnie, Lee’s Summit
Distracted QB?
Patrick Mahomes, I am just going to come out and say it: How about you start playing quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and stop all the ad-making? Commercials for Hy-Vee, State Farm, Community America Bank and Head & Shoulders shampoo.
It has been a terrible and disappointing start to this football season for the Chiefs, and yet the ads keep coming.
- Patricia Shamseldin, Shawnee