Smuggling primates amid the Prairie Village pet monkey debate | Opinion

Wild animals

Behind the pet monkey debate in Prairie Village looms a larger story: the cruelty and danger of the pet primate trade. (Dec. 17, 6A, “Johnson County city may ban pet monkeys. The only owner is fighting to keep hers”)

There has been an alarming increase in reports of infant spider monkeys smuggled across our southern border, driven by demand for pet monkeys in the United States. Poachers slaughter mother spider monkeys in the wild and steal their babies, shoving them into boxes, bags and car trunks for a brutal journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. This wildlife trafficking often occurs within criminal networks that are also responsible for drug, weapons and human trafficking, threatening national security.

If purchased as pets, these monkeys face a life of deprivation and isolation, because it is impossible to fulfill their needs in a private home. When they escape (as many have), they can become aggressive, threatening the safety of people such as the child and police officer whom the Prairie Village spider monkey reportedly scratched.

The federal Captive Primate Safety Act, cosponsored by Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids and Missouri Reps. Wesley Bell and Emanuel Cleaver, would prohibit private ownership of such primates, protecting these animals and the public.

We must pass this legislation to keep monkeys in the wild — where they belong.

- Claire Coughlin, Director, Companion Animal Program, Animal Welfare Institute, St. Louis

Miffing TIFs

Leawood residents deserve transparency and public safety — not tax increment financing subsidies for private profit.

The city recently approved a TIF district for Hallbrook North, even though it includes Leawood City Park without any planned improvements. Public funds should not be used to enrich a private developer while bypassing clear public benefit.

Even more concerning, Hallbrook North sits in a floodplain, yet the approved plan defers stormwater and flood analysis. This creates a real risk of downstream flooding for existing residents and exposes taxpayers to potential liability.

It is striking that the city opposes a stadium in neighboring Overland Park because of traffic, noise and public safety — but approves a large development within Leawood city limits that threatens the same concerns. Residents deserve consistent standards and protection from poorly vetted projects.

Kansas TIF law is intended to serve the public not developers’ profits. Hallbrook North, as approved, fails to meet this standard. The City Council should reconsider and prioritize community safety, green space and fiscal responsibility over unchecked private development.

- Lacy Bowen, Leawood

The good guys?

For many years, I’ve watched John Wayne movies about World War II and their depictions of how the Japanese torpedoed U.S. ships and then machined gunned American survivors holding onto sinking debris. This was shown to inflame Americans against the Japanese for the war.

Where are Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth in this picture? Where are we in this picture? In future movies, is America to be hated like the Japanese?

- John Lancaster, Plattsburg

Students’ needs

As a senior in the competitive Blue Valley School district, I’m surrounded by shattered aspirations. I often ask my friends : “What would you do if money didn’t matter?” Answers range from flower shop owner to engineer, which is followed by “if I were smart enough.”

It’s as if schools promote outcome instead of improvements. It’s now embarrassing to take on-level classes. It’s shameful to have a GPA lower than 3.6, and it’s frowned upon if you don’t have your life planned by 18.

Recently, friends reported an inactive club sponsor to administrators. During the meeting, they were scolded and told to be “better leaders.” My friends felt unheard and discouraged. After their meeting, they told me how disheartened they felt.

We need an environment that values curiosity and initiative over reputation-driven pressure.

- Ruth Tan, Overland Park

Priced out

I just saw “The Nutcracker” with my daughter and granddaughter. Beautiful show. What a shame that most people cannot afford to go. I was lucky and got a discount.

Trips to Disneyland and Disney World are out of reach for most people — even Worlds of Fun. In the 1950s, there were lots of things to do that were free or reasonably priced. Today, Happy Meals cost more than $5, and I won’t even mention groceries.

The world has gotten so greedy. One can’t even afford name-brand potato chips. Parents shouldn’t have to go in debt for their families to have fun.

- Margaret Kensinger, Raytown

Wrong venue

The Dec. 10 front-page “Reality Check: Federal judge rejects Missouri AG’s attempt to block anti-gerrymandering campaign” noted that Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed the lawsuit in the wrong court.

Remember to send your Christmas list to Santa, not the Tooth Fairy. Step 1 in filing a lawsuit is to select the right court. I suggest the AGs consult me before wasting the people’s money on future court filings in venues that do not have jurisdiction.

- Patrick Doyle, Kansas City