Readers react to Kansas City firefighters, gun control and KCI
KC firefighters
My next-door neighbor is a firefighter stationed downtown. It’s obvious he has a position of great responsibility.
He looks very strong, and I’ve no doubt he could remove my head with one swipe of his paw. I think he thinks about that paw swipe sometimes because I’m not always the best neighbor.
His name is Steve or Steven and says it doesn’t matter what I call him.
On Oct. 12, my wife and I watched TV in horror as a burning building collapsed onto four firefighters. It grew worse when we learned that two of those trapped had died.
We didn’t know what to do. Was Steve on duty? Was he OK?
I raced outside to my front porch and was relieved to see Steve’s car parked in his driveway. He was OK.
Then I thought about the two men who died and what their families must being going through. Their tragic loss will always be felt by those who mourn them, and I do mourn them.
I feel a little guilty that I was happy Steve was OK. Steve, I’m glad you are OK. I’m glad it wasn’t you.
Rich Howard
Kansas City
Pro-gun control
Most Americans would like to see sensible gun-control measures enacted but are at a loss for actions they can take that will truly make a difference.
In fact, few of the suggestions offered by readers can advance as long as the National Rifle Association controls Congress through campaign financing and intimidation tactics (12-8, Commentary, “On gun violence, readers weigh weapons, bullets, fear”).
A tremendous opportunity exists to generate funding to fight the NRA agenda through small donations from millions of individuals. Public awareness and financial support of organizations opposing the NRA agenda must increase.
Media outlets could assist by directing readers and viewers to the many organizations dedicated to this effort. Americans could take a few moments to perform their own research and donate to the extent they feel comfortable.
Robert Day
Kansas City
Rebuild KCI
Kansas City made itself a major town by beating out St. Joseph and getting the railroads to come through here. City fathers persuaded railroad officials to build a bridge across the Missouri River here (12-11, A1, “Study confirms a new KCI terminal is cheaper”).
What happened to that progressive leadership? We are in the middle of the U.S. We have the potential to be an air center as well a rail center. Do people not want direct fights from Kansas City International Airport?
We have an outdated airport, totally unsuited for changing flights. To me, this is a no-brainer. The new terminal should have happened a decade ago, right after 9/11.
I love Kansas City. It is discouraging to believe that this city is being held back.
William J. Moran
Leawood
Trump wins
A certain politico whose name is on many lips reminds me of the following expression that is widely attributed to P.T. Barnum: “I don’t care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right” (12-9, A1, “Trump proposal is widely condemned”).
Scott Weast
Lenexa
Christmas wish
There once was a time I’d make such a clatter
When naughty was bad and nice seemed to matter
When children wrote letters to me once a year
(A letter is something you write, starts with “Dear …”)
This written connection would soon start to fade
As high-tech connections became all the rage
It started with dial-up, and emails appeared
Then emails — bah humbug! ’Cause I.M. was here
Then buh-bye I.M.s as texting came raging
Killing all phone calls, and who recalls paging?
All sentences shunned and all words dismissed
You typed BTW, and grammar was dissed
Then what to my cataract eyes had appeared
But our mailman with nothing! No, nada, all year
Without any letters or wishes to fill
The elves have no reason to sing or to build
And reindeer won’t fly if there’s nothing to haul
So, I Skyped and said, “Dash away, dash away all”
Real human connection we all need to find
And the child inside for the good of mankind
So hear my one wish for the world on this night —
Merry Christmas to all and to all …
please write.
Ron Roecker
Overland Park
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to Kansas City firefighters, gun control and KCI."