JoCo Sheriff Hayden says there was 2020 voter fraud — but he was elected that year, so …

Why not him too?

Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden has gone off the rails in search of supposed widespread voter fraud. (July 17, 20A, “Sheriff’s partisan election lies poison JoCo’s good life”)

My question: If there was all this voter fraud in the 2020 election, how did he and all the other Republican proponents of this supposed outrage get elected? Wouldn’t they have lost their elections? Why did it affect only the presidential race?

Since Hayden believes there was voter fraud, he should resign immediately because he was fraudulently elected. Sheriff, resign now to repair this travesty.

- Michael Hansen, Olathe

Look inside

With the acceleration and accumulation of mass shootings, it appears the summer of killing is upon us.

The Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, shootings have left law enforcement, politicians and the like dumbfounded as to what to do. There are lots of suggested solutions, but no actionable consensus on how to make it happen.

As a result, they all have become the whole of the problem and not part of its solution. It’s sad to see that paralysis by analysis is still the cause of purposeful inactivity.

Through the filters of fear and arrogance, we hear of these horrible acts, secure in the knowledge that it was not in my school, your church or our workplace. The Buffalo and Uvalde shootings have again proved there is no safe place.

There must be a change in our mentality. Much as the Bloods and Crips did, we must give up the colors that divide us. The blue-red state turf war is destroying our nation.

The time for talking is over.

The time for change is now.

The time for action was long before 31 bodies ago.

- Willie J. Cusaac Jr., Kansas City, Kansas

Selfish choice

I am a lifelong resident of Kansas City and a devoted fan of the Royals — until this past weekend, when I read that 10 of our players were not allowed entrance into Canada to play the Blue Jays. (July 15, 7A, “Talk about losers: Last-place Royals’ vaccine denialism”) Why? Because they are not vaccinated, do not intend to get vaccinated, are not being required to get vaccinated, and are risking the health of their families, friends and fans with every contact.

Have they not been meeting and greeting children and adults all season with handshakes and even probably hugs? Unbelievable.

They say, “It’s a personal matter.” Please. Why are these people not accountable to follow simple health guidelines such as getting vaccinated against a potentially fatal disease? The level of arrogance and irresponsibility these young millionaires exhibit is astounding.

How humiliating to announce to the world that these 10 men have their team’s management approval to be unvaccinated against one of the most dangerous viruses of our time. Where is management’s respect of basic human decency?

I am so astounded, I doubt I will watch another Royals game this season. I watched all those games they lost, but I cannot abide stupidity, selfishness and arrogance at this level.

- Nancy Clark, Kansas City

It’s personal

We all know The Star Editorial Board is on the bandwagon for women to be in control of their own bodies, but apparently that concept does not apply to the 10 Royals players who made the personal choice not to put a vaccine into their bodies.

- Don Homrighausen, Overland Park

Real values

Everyone, stay alert. The amendment to the Kansan Constituion voters will consider Aug. 2 has been referred to as “Value Them Both.” But how does opening the door for more stringent abortion rules actually value women who seek abortions?

How does the amendment really “value” the small number of those who received legal abortions in 2021 — more than 200 of whom were minors?

How does it “value” a woman with a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in 1 in 50 pregnancies, the March of Dimes tells us.

How does it “value” a young girl forced to carry a pregnancy to term?

Current Kansas abortion law restrictions include prohibiting the procedure after 22 weeks, prohibiting government funding of abortions and requiring a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent for minors. These regulations are a compromise, falling somewhere between the two sides of the issue.

The abortion issue is complicated. To truly “value them both,” we are challenged to look beyond the catchphrase and consider what makes sense to protect women’s health.

It makes sense to keep the Kansas Constitution as is and vote no to allowing political whims regulate the bodies of women and girls.

- Donna Neufeld, Lawrence

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "JoCo Sheriff Hayden says there was 2020 voter fraud — but he was elected that year, so …."