Readers react to presidential candidates, drones for farmers and Kenny Chesney
Candidates’ slogans
With the ever-expanding list of Republicans vying for the presidential nomination, they will need some catchy slogans to get the voters’ attention. I have prepared a few.
For a Carly Fiorina-Lindsey Graham ticket, “Go girls of the GOP, Vote Carly & Call Me Lindsey.”
For a Donald Trump-Ben Carson ticket, “The Donald & The Doc — Give the Middle Class a Haircut & Get Your Head Examined.”
For a Jeb Bush ticket, “JEB: With Me You get 3, But I’m the Smart One.”
On Ted Cruz, “Just like President Barack Obama, Foreign-born, Harvardite.”
With Rick Santorum, “I’ll tell the Pope to Shut Up.”
For a Marco Rubio ticket, “I Need the Dough, Don’t You Know.”
On Rand Paul, “Named for a Narcissistic Atheist, But My Dad’s Just Cranky.”
Not to forget the Democrats, for the Bernie Sanders campaign, “My Name is Bernie, not Benghazi.”
Finally for Hillary Clinton, “I’ve Got a Bridge in the City & a Server Upstate to Sell You.”
None of these is copyrighted. Watch for the bumper stickers.
Ken Strange
Kansas City
Drones for farmers
This is exactly what farmers do not need: another hyped-up technology that costs thousands and brings only insignificant benefits (8-5, A1, “Farmers’ tools will include drones”).
There are no “thousands to be saved per acre in chemical input,” as the article states. But certainly the actual involvement of the people with the land can be reduced when everything can be observed from the cab of a pick-up truck or from the office.
Naïve optimism and trust in the benefits of new technology has in the past resulted in tens of thousands of farmers driven off the land, with negative consequences for society.
Rules will not prevent accidents or even misuse by people with criminal intent.
Klaus Karbaumer
Platte City
Chesney concert
In response to the review by Timothy Finn of the Kenny Chesney concert (8-3, C3, “Chesney owns Arrowhead”), I am a big fan of Timothy Finn and of Kenny Chesney.
I remember, probably in the 1980s, before he became the star he is now, Kenny Chesney sang the national anthem before a Royals game.
I also remember saying to my husband, “That guy will be a really big star some day.”
Well, some day came shortly thereafter. I am still a huge fan of Kenny Chesney and make another prediction. He is so dedicated to his music and his fans, he will be one of those persons who will be forever young.
Thank you, Kenny Chesney. Thank you, Timothy Finn.
Ada Sparks
Lee’s Summit
Illegal immigration
Much of the growing and unending recrimination over the demographic disaster on our southern border could be clarified by a slight change in the terminology used to describe what is taking place.
The movement in population from Mexico and points south through the past several decades numbers in the millions and has included criminal and terrorist elements now operating in the United States.
Until now this movement has been called illegal immigration. A more suitable term would be “invasion.”
William H. Finnegan
Independence
Medicaid expansion
Because neither Missouri nor Kansas legislators have seen fit to expand Medicaid, we are losing federal funds and sending our own tax dollars to the states that have done so.
It seems like a no-brainer to expand Medicaid and thus should be an easy decision for our legislators. Does mean-spiritedness trump good fiscal sense?
I didn’t even bring up the subject of humanity.
Judy Sherry
Kansas City
Adults as bullies
Since the Columbine shootings, we have looked at bullying differently, recognizing its destructive force.
We’ve developed programs for schools to counter bullying, and when children are bullied, as recently happened in Independence, we wonder why it continues and point the finger at our schools.
Of course, the finger should be pointed back at ourselves.
Children see bullying every day, and they see it pay off. It is described differently, of course.
As nations we speak of our “national interests” and “collateral damage” and doing the “hard stuff” as we invade, destroy and torture.
Our corporations speak of “efficiencies” and “bottom lines” while they cut jobs and benefits, outsource and vilify those who object.
And in the political arena, it’s about “aggressive campaign strategy” and the need for “a thick skin” while attack ads do their damage and escalate to a sickening level.
Don’t we see the children are watching?
Kay Hopkins
Leawood
Kennedy, Bush
It’s always interesting to learn more about historical figures.
I see the glorification of the Kennedys not only in The Star but on television news programs. It’s an attempt to cleanse the Kennedy family’s past.
I seem to remember stories about the Bush family disparagingly using the term “dynasty” while stories about the Kennedys referred to them as continuing to serve the public.
Neither is right or wrong. Both families have served, and both have supped at the political trough.
Edward Barnes
Prairie Village
Trump’s candidacy
After he announced he was running as a Republican candidate for president in 2016, Donald Trump was second in the polls, and now he leads them.
My first thought was, they must be polling Democrats who are hoping against hope that the Republicans will actually nominate him.
Trish Hayes
Richmond, Mo.
This story was originally published August 7, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Readers react to presidential candidates, drones for farmers and Kenny Chesney."