Patrick Mahomes puts ketchup on steak. Who cares what Kansas City pizza he likes best? | Opinion
New food critic?
I think I have reached Patrick Mahomes overload this summer.
We have endured the Chiefs quarterback playing in two golf events. We were hit with the Netflix reality show. At the ESPYs, we heard more comments about his wardrobe choice than the award he won. And on the front page of The Star this week, we learned about his favorite pizza. (Aug. 8, “Patrick Mahomes’ favorite pizza order during training camp”)
The guy puts ketchup on steak. Do you really trust his taste in pizza?
Can’t wait for the season to start and to see him back on the field.
- Richard Johns, Kansas City
Money spoils
College basketball as we once knew and enjoyed it is on life support and found, if at all, only in non-Division I schools.
Once upon a time, college basketball players stayed for four years and graduated with a degree. Once upon a time, teams played other schools within driving distance, but now they travel three time zones. Once upon a time, there was no transfer portal, and players earned the right to be a starter at the school they first attended. Once upon a time, they were called “student-athletes” — a term that’s become an oxymoron. Once upon a time, they were considered amateurs. Now they play for cash.
The love of money triggered this transition. At most Division I schools, the coach is paid more than the university president. Once, loyalty to the school chosen was important. Now athletes play at a college rather than for the college.
We saw this coming when conferences won big-time TV contracts. But some things, such as a good education, are hard to put a price tag on.
Is this transition to lucrative college sports worth it? The players know what they are getting — money. But do they know what they have lost?
- Harold J. Schultz, Kansas City
Before trust
I supported the Independence School District levy ballot measure and was happy that it passed on Aug. 8. However, I added an asterisk to that yes, because this was a tricky one.
I firmly believe that fair, competitive compensation is one of the best ways to keep educators and school staff members in the district, far more effective than a four-day school week.
But — here comes the asterisk — the members of the Board of Education are asking us to trust them. You can’t just ask for trust, though. You have to earn it through your actions.
Sadly, our board has repeatedly held voters at arms’ length. Its members’ repeated refusal to record and broadcast meetings, to share real information on agenda items or to provide our community an opportunity to fully engage with them makes me hesitant just to trust.
But, our educators and our district support staff need this, so I supported the ballot measure. We can trust a little for the good of our staff, but the board desperately needs to make real progress in its transparency to our community in order to build that trust.
- Wendy Baird, Independence
Farm policy
I just read The Star’s Aug. 9 letter to the editor about the pathetic Royals. (8A) The Orioles lost 110 games in 2021 and now lead the American League East Division. Why? Their farm system. The Royals are ranked 27th and the O’s first.
It’s the general manager’s fault. Flush the front office and start over.
Keeping doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of irrationality.
- John Hackett, Overland Park
Read this first
I loved The Star’s Aug. 8 editorial, “GOP voters, just read the Trump indictment.” (7A) Well said, with good talking points.
I often find myself running into a brick wall with any criticism of the former president or bringing up the seriousness of the indictments he faces. In truth, sometimes it almost seems like a case of “the emperor has no clothes” with fact-based anything moving the right into into deeper denial.
Now — time for me to read the full indictment, too.
- Marilyn Schaeffer, Kansas City