Veterans like my son sacrificed their lives for the US, not for militarized weapons

Greater freedom

I am a retired teacher and the mother of a deceased Army veteran. Each Memorial Day, tributes of honor and valor memorialize military veterans. Speechmakers’ gratitude for safeguarding the sacred freedoms of the Constitution and Bill of Rights loudly echo and repeat. But no words or voice is as loud as the echo and repeat of rapid fire from a militarized weapon.

A child’s right to attend school — safely — is a sacred freedom our soldiers lose their lives to protect. Any political leader who puts a civilian’s right to own a militarized weapon above the safety of children and every other American dishonors the military service members and veterans he or she vociferously speaks to honor.

- Heather Sommer, Olathe

Our new reality

Parents are trying to figure out what to tell their kids about going to school. Tell them the truth: You have to go to school, but you may get shot. We need to go to the grocery store, but we may get shot. We like to go to church, but we may get shot.

What does any private citizen need an assault rifle for? I’d like one good reason. People say it’s for sport. It’s not sporting to shoot an animal with an assault rifle. If target practice is the sport, rent one from a shooting range. You can’t convince me there is a good reason to own one.

- Bob Dinkins, Olathe

After the fact?

“We’ve got to do everything we can to put the people who commit these kind of crimes behind bars and send the message that we are not going to tolerate violent crime of any kind,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, after the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas.

Great idea, Senator. Wait until after large numbers of people are murdered. Then, if the gunman survives, put him in jail. Close the barn door after the horses are stolen.

How about enacting the commonsense laws — which the majority of Americans want — that would keep these high-capacity guns off the streets? And maybe have stronger background checks that might keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally disturbed?

But I guess your deep-pockets buddies in the NRA don’t want you to vote on these measures, so puppet Hawley dances to their tune.

Sen. Hawley, your statement tops the list of inanities coming out of your mouth — and that’s saying something.

- Suzanne B. Conaway, Kansas City

Little thanks

I agree with the May 27 Short Take, “New grads need Thank-You Notes 101.” (6A) When I taught fifth- and sixth-grade classes in Leavenworth many years ago, I always wrote thank-you notes when I received gifts from students. Within 24 hours, I had the thank-you notes on their desks with their names on the envelopes.

I loved to watch them gently pick it up like it was something new in their life and see the little smile snake across their face as they read the short personal note inside.

There’s nothing like introducing “Thank-You Notes 101” early in life.

- Barbara Whited, Leavenworth

A healthy cut

Here is a thought about how to reduce the cost of food: Eat better and less food.

Consuming smaller quantities would result in households saving money and could help reduce global food shortages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 41.9% of U.S. adults are obese, and many others are overweight. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These diseases are leading causes of preventable, premature deaths.

The amount of food an individual consumes is an individual choice. Find a way to curb your food consumption and reduce your food costs.

- Robert Rogers, Leavenworth

Just gluttony

I was disgusted by the story about professional eaters in Friday’s Business section. (4A, “Professional eaters take on challenge at KC pizza restaurant”) Thousands of people are starving in the United States, and so are millions more around the world. These “professionals” have given a whole new meaning to gluttony.

I refuse to patronize any business that supports this type of competition. It’s not funny when people are starving here and around the world. This is no game and no profession. It’s disgusting.

- Rich Hoffman, Kansas City

This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.