Letters: KC readers discuss marking Jan. 6, democracy’s future and ‘me first’ drivers
We can’t forget
On Jan. 6, 2021, an angry mob, fueled by the myth of widespread voter fraud and a stolen election, stormed our nation’s Capitol, taking temporary possession, with the intent of negating the Electoral College certification of a free and fair election. This unprecedented event in our nation’s history, along with filing of more than 400 voter-restriction bills, are the bitter fruits of this widespread myth.
Officials at all levels, including Donald Trump’s then-attorney general, Bill Barr, affirmed the free and fair election of Joe Biden in November 2020, and all legal challenges to this election were soundly rejected by our nation’s courts.
Our democracy has entered into twilight, and now is the critical time in the struggle for its preservation.
This Jan. 6, more than 200 events nationally will mark this terrible event, declaring this must never happen again. The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition is sponsoring six remembrance/vigil events around our state, and at 6:30 p.m., the Kansas City event will be virtual because of frigid temperatures. Visit mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/434899 for details.
- Dave Mitchell, Kansas City
Keep saying it
Here is a sentence from Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic in the January/February issue: “The leaders of the Republican Party — the soul-blighted Donald Trump and the satraps and lackeys who abet his nefarious behavior — are attempting to destroy the foundations of American democracy.”
There’s more, but I hope this makes the point. It is a message that ought to be shouted from the highest hills ceaselessly.
- Robert Cocetti, Raymore
That’s just life
The author of a Dec. 26 letter to the editor (16A) wrote: “Apparently, the freedom to choose to not be vaccinated or masked trumps the freedom to pursue life, liberty and justice.” Liberty can be defined as “the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior or political views.” So those who choose not to vaccinate are literally exercising their right to liberty and pursuing their own life.
- Carmen Anthony, Stilwell
The ‘me first’ era
The Star’s Dec. 31 editorial, “Is COVID-19 why Missouri traffic deaths, wrecks up?” (8A) was absolutely spot on. I am a retired professional truck driver and am appalled at the unsafe actions and utter lack of decency shown by drivers of all types of vehicles.
I always tried to be more forgiving of automobile drivers, as they don’t drive long distances every day for a living. I also realize that most drivers of small vehicles have not received the training that professional drivers (should) have. It may be narrow-minded, but I believed that as a professional driver, more was expected of me, and I always tried my best to deliver on that expectation.
I have often wondered where to lay the blame for the unacceptable (in my opinion) behavior shown on the roads every day, and I think your take on the lack of basic courtesy is interesting and closer to the truth than any other explanation I’ve come across.
If the COVID-19 pandemic has proved anything, it’s that many people don’t care about their fellow man or woman. The “me first” mentality that permeates society spills into all facets of life, including driving. If folks won’t do something as simple as getting a free, proven vaccine to protect themselves and others, then ignoring traffic laws and driving like jerks shouldn’t be a stretch. What a sad state of affairs.
Thank you so much for all the hard work by The Star and its editorial board this past year. As Justice Louis Brandeis famously stated, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” and you folks have shined an immense amount of sunshine on an array of people and misdeeds. Kevin Strickland walks a free man today thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Star team. You guys are the best.
- Dean Guinn, Kansas City