Post the 10 Commandments in schools? What about the Quran, Vedas and the dharma? | Opinion

Not freedom

The Kansas City Star has recently covered a Missouri lawmaker’s bill that would require posting a copy of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. (Dec. 25, 11A, “Would Jesus vote for Ten Commandments in schools?”) As a Christian and a retired public-school administrator, I have no problem with it, as long as copies of the Quran, the Vedas and the dharma are also posted.

In the Kansas City area alone, the Top 10 foreign languages spoken include Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Amharic and Somali, with tens of thousands of immigrants speaking these languages. Students at Kansas City Public Schools’ East High School speak more than 25 languages. And these students follow Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism, among other beliefs. If the U.S. believes in a separation of church and state, then we cannot allow one religion to dictate its beliefs, especially in Missouri public school classrooms.

I strongly believe if America wants to remain a country where freedom is the highest priority, then it is best practiced by allowing its citizens to practice their religions of choice. Please remember, the U.S. was and continues to be a country of immigrants. One of my grandfathers is an example.

- Pete Muenks Jr., Raymore

Deep background

Is anyone else confused by professional football players choosing to introduce themselves on NFL telecasts as being from their high schools rather than their college affiliations? Is Nick Bolton ashamed to admit he played at Mizzou?

- Jim Carney, Kansas City

Backup plan

As a longtime Kansas City Chiefs fan (though not a flag-waving, tomahawk-chopping one like some), I am aware that our team played in a somewhat mediocre manner much of the season, particularly the offense — not to mention the incredibly serendipitous results in close games.

While I hope the Chiefs arrive at the Super Bowl in February, if we do not, I am happy to support the Buffalo Bills in their quest for a championship. In fact, I predict that if the Chiefs are not there, the Bills will beat Detroit (or Philadelphia) 31-28.

Go Bills! This is your year (only if not ours).

- Geoffrey Allen, Lee’s Summit

Keeping secrets

The House Ethics Committee did its due diligence and found several incidents of wrongdoing by Matt Gaetz. (Dec. 23, 3A, “Ethics report accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, using drugs”) But because he was a candidate for U.S. attorney general, the committee initially deemed it appropriate to quash the report. Now that he is no longer a nominee, the committee deemed it appropriate to share its findings and expose the truth.

The hypocrisy of the members’ actions is outrageous and a betrayal of the American people.

- Lorre Dysart, Overland Park

Gun jumped

I was surprised to receive a mailing from Sen. Jerry Moran describing himself as “chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.” Maybe that will be his role next month, but for now, I think that title and honor belong to Sen. Jon Tester of Montana.

- Ted Prince, Leawood

Never the time?

I’m a little confused here. David Mastio ridicules not only President Joe Biden but Democrats in general for proposing commonsense gun control measures after the most recent school shooting. (Dec. 20, 7A, “After another school shooting, Democrats are still on autopilot”)

Really? Does he think that such talk is mere posturing and so ineffective that it shouldn’t even be brought up? Why might he think that? Well, it could be that the barn door has been left open for so long that the horses, cows, chickens and even the bats have fled that lonely shack. The U.S. is so awash in guns of every magnitude that, yeah, I guess it is kind of pathetic even to talk of trying to limit this calamity. Of course, the fact that proposed gun control measures on the House or Senate floor are invariably dead in the water, so to speak, might have something to do with it.

When inevitable shootings occur and a politician suggests that perhaps something might be done about them, Republicans scold, “This is not the time.” Trouble is, the right time never seems to come along. Grieving families do not want thoughts and prayers from lawmakers — they want laws.

But take heart, Mr. Mastio. The incoming administration will make everything better.

- Shane Smith, Olathe

Sowing distrust

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe both thought Eric DeValkenaere should be out of prison. That’s what happened when Parson commuted his sentence on Dec. 20. (Dec. 22, 17A, “With clemency, Parson mocks justice system”)

DeValkenaere, a former Kansas City police officer, shot and killed Cameron Lamb on Dec. 3, 2019. Lamb, a Black man, was backing his truck into his garage. DeValkenaere, on Lamb’s property without a warrant, killed Lamb within nine seconds of arriving. Lamb was unarmed and posed no threat.

After two years, the case finally came to trial. In November 2021, DeValkenaere was convicted of manslaughter and armed criminal action. Multiple appeals upheld the verdict. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to hear the case.

In October 2023, DeValkenaere began a six-year prison sentence. Parson and Kehoe wanted him to be home for Christmas.

Cameron Lamb did not make it home for Christmas. I’ve heard no word from Jefferson City on this.

We wonder why people don’t trust the justice system.

Perhaps this is what Kehoe meant when on the campaign trail he said as governor he would let police be police.

- David D. Bradley, New Franklin, Missouri

Turn it around

I am appalled that Gov. Mike Parson has commuted the sentence of Eric DeValkenaere. The notion that he feels DeValkaenere needs to be home with his family lets me know just where he and the incoming governor stand on the issues.

Shouldn’t Cameron Lamb be home with his family? He’s not because DeValkaenere shot him to death. What if the situation were reversed? Would Lamb be thought about in the same manner?

We all should be so fortunate to have “friends” who can circumvent the law for us.

- Terry Harden, Kansas City

Two birds

Given that Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall’s primary residence is in Sarasota, Florida (Sept. 29, 1A, “Roger Marshall calls cabin home, owns $1.2M Florida house”), Kansas residents should encourage Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint Marshall to the U.S. Senate to fill the opening left by (likely) departing Sen. Marco Rubio.

This would provide Florida with a conservative senator and allow Kansas the opportunity to fill Marshall’s vacant position with a senator who cares enough about Kansas to reside here.

- Julie Herrmann, Overland Park