Tired of hearing about Taylor Swift in Kansas City? Don’t take it out on the Swifties | Opinion

Need to calm down

The discourse in American politics has long been nasty and seems to worsen daily. I’ve likely been guilty of contributing to that myself. Unfortunately, the rancor has spread far beyond politics.

Taylor Swift’s stadium tour, including two shows this past weekend at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, has not been spared. (July 11, 10A, “Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ‘enchanted’ Kansas City for 2 nights at Arrowhead Stadium”) The performer has been the subject of much derision — but worse, so have her fans. Some of the negative commentary has merely been implied, but much of vitriol directed toward the Swifties has been explicit.

If you don’t enjoy Swift’s music, don’t listen or attend her shows. If you are annoyed with the extensive media coverage of the Eras Tour, simply don’t read about it.

I would probably never attend a Taylor Swift concert, but I have witnessed firsthand the joy of fans, some of whom weren’t even able to attend the shows, celebrating that the popular entertainer was in our Kansas City.

In the words of the great American philosopher Rodney King, “Can we all get along?”

- Tom Witwer, Overland Park

Religion’s value

I found Gillian Richards’ July 2 commentary “Americans’ dismissal of religion doesn’t bode well for the republic” (17A) insightful and spot-on regarding the decline of virtue and morality in our day. I disagree with the two letters to the editor in response that painted with a broad brush a cynical and condemning picture of Christianity and the church, even questioning whether they could be considered a legitimate source for morality and virtue. (July 6, 10A; July 9, 16A)

Christianity does have significant blemishes as part of its history, but the positive effect religion has had on civilization far surpasses any negative impact. And while some strains of Christianity and the church have regretfully become too political, the vast majority of Christians and churches continue to seek virtue and moral truths from the ultimate source of God’s word.

Perhaps a contemporary illustration of the thrust of Richards’ commentary would be the countless families with children who spend Sunday mornings on sports fields or tailgating at a stadium rather than attending church and Sunday school as in a former day.

Aren’t we already seeing the results of that kind of dismissal of religion in the decay of virtue and morality in our society?

- Rev. Thomas Harries, Lenexa

Taxing realities

There is a way to reduce the shock caused by the new reassessments of Jackson County property values. The county says it’s only following the law, while officials with the cities say, “Don’t blame us — that’s the county’s job.” This causes residents to get hostile with county officials. And homeowners have a right to be upset.

To make assessed property values more fair, local taxing districts should lower their tax levies. Instead, they happily accept the increases in funding without even a thank-you. These taxing entities include the school districts, Kansas City, the library, Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City and others.

Someday, you might be happy with the higher assessed value of your home when you sell it. For now, put the blame for higher taxes where it belongs: your local taxing districts.

- Larry P. Bilotta, Kansas City

Art of the self-deal

In his July 11 commentary “Things haven’t quite turned out the way Garland had hoped,” (7A), National Review’s Jim Geraghty wrote: “The 2024 presidential election is shaping up as a rematch between a president whose relatives have been cashing in on the family name for years and collecting generous fees from shady foreign business executives, and a challenger who sees federal law enforcement as an enemy to be destroyed.”

These are perfect descriptions of Donald Trump in both instances. Geraghty must be confused and think that Trump is running against himself.

- Keith Roehl, Ottawa