Kansas House speaker works for ‘our Republican members.’ What about all the rest of us? | Opinion
Republicans only?
After reading the recent guest commentary by Dan Hawkins, speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, I am a bit perplexed. (Feb. 23, 9A, “The Kansas Legislature GOP ‘Commitments to Kansas’”) Hawkins outlines the Republicans’ “Commitments to Kansans” for the next two years.
I was under the impression that our elected state officials are supposed to represent all people in their districts, not just those of the same party.
According to Hawkins’ own admission, he traveled the state talking to “our Republican members.” It is truly unfortunate that Speaker Hawkins didn’t see the need to hear from all Kansans.
If the actions taken this past week by the Legislature are any indication of Republicans’ “Commitments to Kansans,” residents of this state are in for voting restrictions, tax windfalls for the top 1%, continued attacks on our LGBTQ community and more.
We can’t let Kansas fall prey to the narrow-mindedness of these legislators.
- Sally Stanton, Overland Park
Gun responsibility
In his recent column about the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle so-called “gun safety” program for children, Joel Mathis wrote “some folks think that unfairly puts the onus on potential victims, instead of gun owners.” (Feb. 23, 9A, “Silly, useless NRA program won’t teach Kansas kids gun safety”)
He is absolutely correct. In this case, the real — not potential — victims are children. Some 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety.
That means not only the onus, but the responsibility, to keep children safe from firearms injuries and preventable deaths belongs to gun owners.
Mathis uses adult drivers as an example. They must drive responsibly knowing children may not understand the dangers of crossing the street without first looking. Conscientious adults protect children, not the other way around.
When it comes to firearms, protecting children is shockingly simple: Lock up the firearms. Every gun owner should keep guns securely stored and out of the reach of children.
Do it today before any other child becomes a victim.
- Joan Jacobson, Overland Park
Just balloons
The mass hysteria over a few balloons flying over the country is truly hilarious. Look, folks, these were not ICBMs, asteroids, comets or falling space junk that might actually harm someone. They were balloons.
We have the strongest military forces the world has ever seen. Don’t think we have to worry.
The talking heads who have been trying to make political hay from this just look silly. I can’t imagine how they would react if something really dangerous actually came over the horizon.
- Graham Marcott, Fairway
Soccer audience
Major League Soccer has a new television contract, but I’m not sure it is the best for growing an audience. The teams will have more money to sign players, but will there be more viewers?
In other sports, national networks carry some games and you can see your local team on a local channel or regional sports network. You must buy a package to see most out-of-market games — see NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass and MLB Extra Innings.
MLS Season Pass now is available on Apple TV, and you must buy the whole package to see all of your local team’s games. It’s $99 for the season, or $79 if you have a subscription to the Apple TV+ service. How many casual fans will buy the package? It’s a good deal if you are really into soccer, but with games less accessible, I think the audience will shrink.
Many local fans would like to see Sporting KC games, but will they be interested in buying a package that includes the entire league?
- Richard Johns, Kansas City
Hayden’s real job
Recent news from an investigation into the Arizona Attorney General’s office reveals no probable cause for suspecting there was fraud in the 2020 presidential election in that state. (Feb. 24, KansasCity.com, “Former Arizona AG sat on records refuting election fraud”)
Here in Johnson County, Sheriff Calvin Hayden has supposedly investigated for more than a year whether election fraud occurred, spending officers’ time and taxpayers’ dollars and causing unfounded concern about our election’s security.
It all brings us to wonder: What was the sheriff’s probable cause?
I propose there is no probable cause to carry on this illusion of election fraud.
The high sheriff of Johnson County should admit it to the voters and return to the job we elected him to do.
- Clarence Abell, Olathe
KCI Airport ease
Over the last 30 years, I have flown from Kansas City International Airport to more than 50 airports in North America and Europe. Of them all, the old KCI terminals are the easiest to get in and out of.
No mile-long trek through concourse after concourse (Dallas). No interminable lines in security (Orlando). No having to dodge restaurant after restaurant and shops (Atlanta, Charlotte). At the old KCI terminals, you get off the plane, walk 40 to 50 steps to the curb and get on a bus to the economy parking lot.
The new single terminal may be fancy and supposedly more efficient, but for ease of travel — which is why most of us go to the airport — I’ll take the existing layout any day.
My thanks to the old KCI.
- Jim Cogswell, Overland Park