Readers react to guns at schools, the Kansas City Zoo and KCI
Guns at schools
As a high school senior, I have realized how my school and schools across the nation could do more to improve safety.
Whom do we trust to protect the children of America? Teachers and administrators, of course.
If there were a fire, the staff would help get every student outside and accounted for in minutes.
Now, what is done if a shooter targets the gun-free school? Police respond as fast as they can.
What if the staff at schools were armed? Would parents feel safer sending their kids to school knowing that the minute some lunatic with a weapon targeted their kids the staff could instantly subdue the threat?
Schools are targets of rampages because they are gun-free zones. For a criminal, the sign stating that no weapons shall be on school grounds does not deter.
An armed school staff would add trust for myself and parents. Gun-free zones are not making me feel safer but rather make me wonder what more could be done.
Vance Howerton
Liberty
Treats at KC Zoo
We recently attended Boo at the Zoo. The day was beautiful, and my grandkids, son, daughter-in-law and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
The decorations at the Kansas City Zoo were terrific. Bales of hay and pumpkins decorated the zoo.
Tables were set up to hand out candy, coloring books, tattoos, etc., and all had friendly people staffing them. The zoo employees, as always, were friendly and helpful.
Well done, Kansas City Zoo. We have one of the best zoos in the nation.
Joan Flamm
Lee’s Summit
Remake KCI
I just wanted to voice my support for a new single terminal to serve the travelers into and out of Kansas City International Airport.
I have worked for one of the largest carriers at KCI for more than 17 years. Day in and day out, I hear how atrocious our airport is, how cramped and dingy.
The limited food and bathrooms beyond security are the largest frustrations.
I have heard from several friends, family members and co-workers who avoid KCI because of its unique design.
The baggage carousels frequently break. The elevators and escalators are in and out of service for maintenance.
The design of the airport prohibits airline growth. The mold and dust caked in the ventilation ducts are a health concern to many of my co-workers.
Please move forward with a new KCI. It would better serve our city and allow airlines to grow, and maybe would attract new airlines.
A new, single-terminal airport would be a much-welcomed change for us and the city and show visitors that we are a “real” city and are proud of it.
Brian Lea
Kansas City
Committee’s value
In response to an Oct. 22 editorial, “Republicans should disband discredited Benghazi committee,” if the Benghazi Committee had not been created, America wouldn’t know:
▪ The president’s administration immediately knew al-Qaida was responsible for the terror attack that killed four Americans — with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admitting this to foreign leaders and her family — but blatantly misled Americans, claiming the attack stemmed from a video.
▪ The State Department received more than 600 pleas for help, but Clinton never saw a single one. Despite growing requests, the State Department refused to provide additional security personnel.
▪ No government official has so much as received a reprimand for the failure that cost four Americans their lives.
The list is much longer, but space prevents a complete recitation of the facts learned by the Benghazi Committee. I hope The Star will realize the importance of getting to the bottom of this tragedy so we can make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
Rep. Mike Pompeo
Select Committee
on Benghazi
4th Congressional
District, Wichita
Benghazi tales
The post in Benghazi was not abandoned or reinforced not because of Congress limiting funds but because neither action would have supported President Barack Obama’s contention that al-Qaida was on the run. Pure and simple.
As for the money fairy tale, are people so stupid that they don’t think some support could be had if there were the will?
Wes Jones
Smithville
This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to guns at schools, the Kansas City Zoo and KCI."