Readers share thoughts on Kemper Arena, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the Royals

Kemper Arena

Kemper Arena has a beautiful, unique structure and has been home to so much of Kansas City’s recent history.

I remember when the arena was built 40 years ago and touted as a “one of a kind, totally outside-supported arena” with 18,000 seats.

It seems shameful and like a slap in the face to the architect to consider tearing it down. And when the Foutch Brothers developers have offered a detailed plan for repurposing this historic building for youth activities and sports, training and performance space, that would seem the way to go.

Remember the blue-jacketed Future Farmers of America, the rodeo performances and those wonderful horse shows that filled the arena?

The Foutch plan could benefit young people on both sides of the state line and be a catalyst for further development in the West Bottoms.

Some art galleries have already located there, and maybe the Hereford House restaurant would consider moving there.

Martha Hodson

Kansas City

Oust Brownback

The re-election campaign for Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback referred to his Democratic opponent, Paul Davis, as a “liberal Lawrence lawyer.” I take offense to this because I was born in Lawrence and I actually know several lawyers who I don’t detest.

A spokesman for the Brownback campaign explained that the phrase was used for its alliteration value, which has inspired me to respond in kind:

Brownback is a bosom buddy to big business and bashes anyone with a backbone believing in better government. Anybody but Brownback is best for Kansas.

Armand Way

Topeka

Lifetime of sweat

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is typical of left-thinking Democrats when she tried to quote conservatives, saying: “I got mine. The rest of you are on your own.”

Really? If she thinks we should all be so giving, let’s start with Warren giving her hard-earned wealth away. No questions asked.

As constitutional conservatives, it’s far more accurate to quote us as: “I’ve worked hard for what I have. You can, too. Here’s how.”

This year’s elections will be simple for me.

Vote for fair-minded, conservative-thinking, constitutional leadership and get our government back on track and out of debt. It’s time to vote these political loud mouths out of office with their giveaway programs.

I earn my money working hard every day. Others can, too.

Start with a good education, apply yourself as much as possible and mix it with a lifetime of sweat.

Rodger Bowman

Kansas City

Kansas voters

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has acted through inaction on allowing all citizens equal rights when it comes to marriage, I see that our Kansas lawmakers are vowing to continue the fight to discriminate against its own citizens (10-8, A1, “Brownback looks toward a second term”).

They put our once-proud state in the same position as George Wallace’s Alabama in the 1960s. I hope Kansas voters who have better things to do than discriminate against other citizens who only want the same rights as everybody else will remember this in November.

Also, I object strongly to our tax dollars being wasted in this manner.

Bill Pryor

Overland Park

Cinderella Royals

The Royals remind me of the old childhood story, “The Little Engine That Could.” It was about a little switch engine that no one thought capable of pulling a heavy load over a mountain.

But the little engine believed in herself and kept saying all the way up the mountain, “I think I can, I think I can....” To the amazement of everyone in the world except her, she pulled the train over the mountain — and so will the Royals.

Mike McCord

Olathe

Election choices

The choices are clear.

Vote for Republicans if you believe in gerrymandering, voter suppression, denying health care to millions of your fellow Americans, obstructionism, no compromising, denying science and voodoo economics.

Vote for Republican candidates if you agree that money is speech, corporations are people, religion should be a part of government, the state should control a woman’s body and health decisions, history should be manipulated to fit ones political beliefs and gun control is bad.

These are the policies and principles the Republican Party fights for and believes in. If you disagree with these policies and principles, the only sensible choice is to vote for Democratic candidates.

Jerry Lee

Overland Park

Better maintain KCI

I am a frequent traveler to, from and through Kansas City International Airport. Why build a new terminal when we don’t maintain those things that we already have?

Our jetways, the first thing people see upon arrival, are filthy. The terminal carpeting, the second thing seen, is filthy. The restrooms, probably the third thing seen, are filthy.

What will change with a new terminal, other than the fact we’ve spent more than a billion dollars?

F. Stephen Henslee

Overland Park

Candidates’ responses

Well, it’s election time again, and all the candidates want you to believe they’ll be responsive to the voters.

I sent 12 emails to candidates on both sides of the state line, asking their definition of a “middle-class taxpayer.” So far, four have not responded at all. Six responded with form emails that didn’t mention “middle-class taxpayer” but did ask for donations, and only two gave me a definition.

One of the form emails made me smile by using the following to ask for a donation: “Will you donate today to help Kelly tell the truth about Kevin Yoder’s record?”

If I don’t donate, is she telling the truth? (I have not donated.)

Al Mason

Overland Park

Revamp education

Elections always seem to bring to the surface the local issues most important and relevant to the community. In this case, it is money or lack of money for supporting the education system.

I am always amazed that regardless of the allocated budget, which is substantial, the money is never enough. The school systems are always clamoring for more.

I say enough is enough.

If people would look at where the money is being spent, they would see the majority does not find its way into the classroom. Rather, they would see an ever-growing budget for administrative expenses.

The growth in teacher and administration costs far exceeds the annual increase in the number of students entering area schools. Do you see something wrong with this picture?

I suggest that we drastically reduce administration costs. What value do they add to our children’s development?

It is shameful that our teachers have to reach into their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies while many of these bureaucrats earn six-figure incomes.

We don’t need more money. We need to revamp the system.

David Gerrasch

Overland Park

Women’s real choices

Once again, we hear the phrase “pro-choice” attached to political candidates.

I spent six weeks in a country with a young married couple who mourned the forced abortion of their baby because they didn’t have the approval of the government to have the child. They had no choice.

The women in America who suffer rape or have medical complications in pregnancy have reasons to consider aborting. But even they have a choice.

A woman can choose to wait to marry the man who will love and cherish her before she is intimate with him. She can choose to be emotionally and financially ready before risking the possibility of pregnancy.

And there are many methods of birth control she can choose if she just can’t wait for Mr. Right.

Abortion is not a form of birth control.

These are the choices women should be making. Then there would be no debate because there would be no need to choose abortion.

Sherry Norfleet

Harrisonville

This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on Kemper Arena, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the Royals."