Kansas abortion amendment is not about religious guilt. It just gives women a choice

Not her choice

In their June 1 letter (14A) responding to Theresa Prenger’s May 6 Star guest commentary about being forced to undergo a protracted and risky labor during a miscarriage in a Catholic hospital, (8A, “I was forced to obey men’s decisions in my miscarriage”) representatives of Shawnee’s Catholic Health Care Leadership Alliance demonstrate the very same patronizing and controlling approach toward women’s reproductive health that Prenger decries in her piece.

Prenger’s point is that she was not treated with dignity and consideration during her miscarriage. The letter writers don’t even address Prenger’s account of her experience and instead insist that through the teachings of their Catholic faith, they know what is best for women — even, it seems, in cases where the women themselves would disagree.

Moreover, the letter writers presume to know how all women feel after an abortion — guilty, of course. However, what most women feel after terminating an unwanted pregnancy is not guilt, but relief.

I urge all Kansans who believe that women should make their own choices about reproductive health and abortion to vote no on the so-called “Value Them Both” state constitutional amendment in the Aug. 2 election. If that amendment passes, there are many men and some women who will be glad to make your choices for you.

- Lyn Elliot, Kansas City

Royals woes

We are more than a week into June, and as of Wednesday, the Royals had one win to show for it — and they’ve suffered three shutouts. Firing the hitting coach sure made a world of difference, or not.

I’ve got to thank owner John Sherman for bungling the telecast availability of Royals games. We don’t need to witness this. Now let’s move the games to a new, taxpayer-looting stadium downtown where parking will be a nightmare and public safety will be more problematic.

It was only seven years ago that this team was in consecutive World Series and reigned as champions, every game televised and available to most fans through several outlets. That seems like a lifetime ago. It makes me nostalgic for Charles O. Finley, or even Arnold Johnson.

- Steve Porter, Cleveland, Missouri

Redirect it

The other day, I was thinking about the high gas prices and I wondered, why does anyone care about the price of gas? Because of the spread-out nature of Kansas City, you’re going to need gas no matter how much it costs.

I think we should redirect the energy we put into whining to something more helpful, like thinking about how you could carpool to work, or how we’re boycotting Russia to help Ukraine win their war.

Why put yourself through the pain of caring about the gas prices?

- Elijah Osborne, Kansas City

What sacrifice?

The body of 9-year-old Uvalde, Texas, massacre victim Maite Rodriguez was so mutilated that she could be identified only by her green high-top Converse shoes.

Jesus sacrificed his life for you. Will you please sacrifice assault weapons for his children? Please?

- Thomas Krause, Kansas City

Joplin cares

We grieve with Rezwan Kohistani’s family and the Webb City and Joplin communities on his death. (May 30, 1A, “School had trouble finding support for refugee student”)

Despite his family’s unimaginable ordeal fleeing Afghanistan, Rezwan had friends at school, positive interactions with teachers and administrators, and was making remarkable advances with English. His death was a complete surprise to his family, friends, the school and the community.

Overwhelming community support — from the mosque to landlords to health care clinics — allowed the Joplin nonprofit RAISE to welcome 148 refugees from November to February. Because of that support, all families were placed in rental houses upon arrival in Joplin, and each was welcomed by 10 to 20 vetted, dedicated community members who set up houses, picked up families at the airport and provided community orientation and transportation, a best practice to replicate across the state.

Rezwan’s death is devastating. It gives us some solace to know devoted communities across the state embrace the refugees who come to call Missouri home.

- Paul Costigan, Missouri State Refugee Coordinator, St. Louis

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.