Missouri, start 2023 with a show of restraint: Stop the execution of Amber McLaughlin | Opinion

No killing

“Thou shalt not kill.” The simplicity of the statement belies the profundity of its message. Indeed, the message makes it clear that we belong to one another. We are one another’s keepers. We are called not to take the life of the other as a means of protecting life in general.

“Thou shalt not kill.” Though the source of such a statement is religious, its utility is profoundly humane. If we want to survive as a species, we can’t kill one another.

Killing is an existential problem. Yet, we have multiple killings scheduled around our nation. Some might call them executions, but the truth is that they’re killings.

The start of a new year understandably fills us with hope. There is an expectation that we will make this year better than the last. That process must begin with confronting our comfort with killing. Surely, we’re better than this?

“Thou shalt not kill.” Maybe this will finally be the year we make it a reality and come to be defined by our restraint — not our bloodshed.

Amber McLaughlin, scheduled to be executed in Missouri on Jan. 3, would be a good place to start.

- Jeff Hood, Little Rock, Arkansas

Resolve right

It’s that time of the year again for New Year’s resolutions. You have heard them all:

▪ Lose weight.

▪ Exercise.

▪ Quit drinking.

▪ Quit smoking.

▪ Cut back on Starbucks runs.

The new year reminds me of reviewing, clearing and purging items in my closet and drawers. However, the items are not clothes in the closet or drawers. They are elements of my character. What could I have done to be a better person in the past year?

This evaluation of self focuses on honesty, humility, forgiveness and love for our family and friends. And don’t forget forgiving yourself.

It also is a time for the purge and to identify what not to carry over into the new year:

▪ Resentments.

▪ Negativity.

▪ Anger.

▪ Bitterness.

▪ Hatred.

I’m wishing a happy new year to all in 2023

- Elizabeth Allen, Nevada, Missouri

Boost reading

Thank you for showcasing Kansas City’s local Black authors. (Dec. 29, 1A, “KC authors create children’s books depicting Black kids”) As a leading children’s literacy organization, Lead to Read KC is proud to partner with some of the authors featured in the story, as well as others whose books focus on positive mental health and wellness.

In response to the youth mental health crisis and increases in childhood obesity, Lead to Read KC’s Reading for Life program hosts dozens of engaging, interactive presentations by local Black authors at elementary schools and provides thousands of young readers with free books. We are planting the seed for children to turn to books and reading not only to see characters who look like themselves, but to problem solve and develop positive mental health and wellness habits for life. To learn more, visit leadtoreadkc.org/reading-for-life

- Pauly Hart, Executive director, Lead to Read KC, Leawood

Where’s the law?

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, no one is above the law, but in reality we have two justice systems — one for the wealthy and well-connected and another system for everyone else. Case in point: Donald Trump.

Trump is facing multiple criminal and civil investigations, including:

▪ Mishandling classified documents he allegedly pilfered from the White House.

▪ His extensive efforts to overturn the election results, including asking the Georgia attorney general for additional votes he needed to win the state.

▪ His role in inciting the violent Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

Nearly 1,000 of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists have been found guilty of federal crimes, but Trump — who instigated, planned and incited the riot — has not been held to account. Nearly two years since the Capitol siege, Trump has defied subpoenas, evaded the law, delayed and taken his cases to the Supreme Court.

Trump is the most corrupt president in U.S. history. If he is not held accountable, it sends the message that presidents are above the law. If the DOJ doesn’t hold Trump responsible, it should be renamed the Department of Injustice.

- Ann Geraughty, Overland Park

Airline pain

The Star’s editorial board expressed appropriate outrage at the meltdown of our aviation system. (Dec. 28, 12A, “Deregulation got us cheap flights and KCI nightmares”) Unfortunately, it missed the underlying causes.

Regulation traditionally served as oversight to safety and economics. Since airline deregulation — almost 50 years ago — safety has been well-served because the federal government retained that function. The major exception was when regulators thought their job was to assist Boeing, rather than the flying public, in prematurely certifying the 737 MAX.

Economic regulation was developed as a policy to ensure excess capacity was available in times of national emergencies. This was achieved by granting monopoly licenses and overseeing pricing on a rate of return basis. Deregulation eliminated the monopoly licenses, and closed markets became competitive — with lower prices.

The big “miss” was that deregulation was not intended to suspend monopoly oversight — a point that Alfred Kahn (considered the father of airline deregulation) pointed out when fortress hubs arose after airline mergers. This concern is common in other asset-based, network operating industries: railroads, utilities and telecommunications.

The editorial also ignores how these issues — like all the recent supply chain issues — were inevitable. However, our government ignored them for decades.

- Theodore Prince, Leawood

Simple negligence

I wish The Star would stop referring to the “accidental shooting” of a child. Anyone who leaves a gun where a child can reach it should be charged with negligent homicide. Maybe if people who leave their guns where children can access them were charged, they might start storing their weapons in a safer manner.

- William Kenney, Kansas City

This story was originally published January 1, 2023 at 5:00 AM.