I’ve had 2 catalytic converters stolen in 4 months in KC. Lawmakers, you must act now

Car crimes

On April 11, the catalytic converter was stolen from my car while parked in a downtown lot. It was the second time in four months I have been the victim of this crime. The thieves needed less than five minutes, start to finish. As I understand it, there are valuable metals inside a catalytic converter, including rhodium, which sells for about $19,000 per ounce.

On that day, my repair shop received nine automobiles like mine. The police were sympathetic, but there is not much they can do. Same response from my insurance company. Repair costs totaled more than $3,000 each time.

I am writing to encourage others to shout out if they see suspicious activity. More important, I want to urge our legislators, at both the local and state levels, to ban the resale of catalytic converters. That is the only way to end this kind of crime.

- Elizabeth Darr, Kansas City

Step up, Nevada

If you have friends or relatives who live in Nevada, please ask them to call, write and text their legislators to introduce a law requiring all men to have vasectomies after having fathered two children. Nevada is the only state where women control the majority in the legislature. It’s about time for women to stand up to the anti-abortion male legislators across the nation by demonstrating how it would feel to have women make decisions about men’s reproductive rights.

Think about it: It would lessen the need for so many abortions, so it would make lots of people happy. It would keep expenses down for birth control. There would be less need for expensive child care. Schools could lower their budgets for student lunches. Fewer teachers would be needed, and school buildings could be smaller.

The trade-off could be to make the vasectomies free. Planned Parenthood already offers this minor surgery, in addition to its role helping women make good reproductive decisions.

It is time for men to have some “skin in the game” and accept responsibility for their part in creating pregnancies.

- Sue Thompson, Mission

Royal hopes

I think the Royals are going to be better this year than last year and might even make the playoffs. Now that we have Bobby Witt Jr. and Zack Greinke, and with Brad Keller coming into his prime, I think we have the most talent we have had since 2015. Even with our below-average pitching staff and a slumping offense, I think we will get into a groove later in the season and start to win some games.

- Austin Baker, Overland Park

Let him play

I am a staunch and vocal supporter of the Ukrainian people in the defense of their country. Nonetheless, I am disappointed with The Star Editorial Board criticizing pianist Daniil Trifonov for not openly condemning his home country of Russia. (April 17, 19A, “Unless Russian-born pianist denounces atrocities, his KC show must not go on as usual”)

He has harmed no one, yet you would punish him economically and block people from enjoying his performance just because he hasn’t made it clear whether he completely subscribes to your (and, in this case, my) political opinion.

It is his right to express himself in the fashion he chooses. Indeed, it may be he has relatives in Russia and fears retaliation.

I would not condemn him for declining to take a stand.

- Gregg Lombardi, Kansas City

Aided the attack

During the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, more than 140 officers were assaulted and injured by an inflamed mob — a mob encouraged by Donald Trump.

An accessory in criminal law is a person who, though not present at the commission of a crime, becomes a participator either before or after the commission. “Accessory before the fact” refers to a person who aids, abets, counsels, commands or encourages the commission of a felony without actually being present at the scene. Such a person is also guilty of the crime.

Trump is an accessory before the fact to the criminal assault on police officers at the Capitol.

Justice is way past due.

- Larry Swanson, Lee’s Summit

Teachers need more

Kansas recently passed a bill that includes a $250 tax credit for teachers who use their own money for classroom supplies. How insulting. As a retired teacher, I know how difficult teaching has become. Teachers need real support, and a living wage is just part of the solution.

If this pathetic tax credit is supposed to attract teachers, forget it. Go back to the drawing board.

- Mary Roddy, Roeland Park