Roger Marshall, please join Jerry Moran and Sharice Davids and help our Afghan allies

Help US allies

As a mother, grandmother and concerned citizen, I was disappointed in the way we withdrew from Afghanistan last year. But I have been inspired by the veterans working to keep our nation’s promises to the Afghan people who served alongside them.

Afghan allies were crucial in helping our military personnel do their jobs and return home alive. Trusting our country’s promises, they risked their lives to protect our women and men serving there.

I believe in protecting those who protect our soldiers. Not only is it right for diplomacy and military relations, but it’s also right from a moral, humanitarian position.

I stand with Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Sharice Davids, who are co-sponsors of the Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 8685/S.4787), which would ensure a more permanent legal status than the policies currently in place. I call upon Sen. Roger Marshall to honor veterans and also support the bill.

Although it was dropped from Congress’ omnibus spending bill Tuesday, there is still strong bipartisan support to pass this bill by the end of the year. Our Kansas representatives can help make it happen. These allies can be protected from the danger they would face if forced to return to Afghanistan.

- Karin Thomas, Overland Park

Odd timing

Although I thank Sen. Roy Blunt for his service and wish him well in his retirement, I question why he waited so long to call for bipartisanship. (Dec. 8, 1A, “Blunt stresses importance of bipartisanship in farewell”)

Too many times, Blunt stood shoulder to shoulder with former President Donald Trump and other Republican colleagues celebrating their party’s victories with photo ops.

The country could have used much more bipartisanship during Trump’s tenure as president.

- Eddie Clay, Grandview

A 4-day folly?

The Independence School District will be moving to a four-day week. (Dec. 9, 8A, “If a 4-day school week is right, get parents on board”) I understand we must address this crisis in education. I do not understand why we are not looking at more impactful strategies than what I believe is shiny wrapping paper on an empty box.

The district can say teachers will work less, but contract hours are nearly the same. This move gives teachers flexibility to move their unpaid work hours to some Mondays, but it does not decrease their actual workload or the number of classes they must prepare. It does not increase support, provide needed supplies or treat teachers like the highly educated professionals they are.

Without systemic, deep change — everywhere in education and in the Independence district — it is shiny wrapping paper.

I hope this move helps the district recruit and keep teachers. I hope student achievement remains steady, our most vulnerable populations are cared for and no student is left out because of a lack of transportation or funds. I hope families are able to find stellar, affordable care for their children. I hope this is a win for our schools.

But once that shiny wrapping paper heads to the recycling bin, I hope the Independence School District continues the work to fill that empty box.

- Wendy Baird, Independence

Sounds familiar

Private investors will pay for the proposed new Royals stadium downtown, and Mexico will pay for the border wall.

- Richard Bogue, Independence

Fan cruelty

The Chiefs’ game Sunday in Houston against the Texans started as expected, with the Chiefs easily holding off scoring attempts by the Texans. Then, the Chiefs turned down their playing skills. It seems they play to the level of their opponents rather than at their own championship level.

I have a simple request for the team: Quit doing that. I hate nail-biting finishes.

- Terry Hammontree, Edwardsville