Readers weigh in on President Obama’s legacy, a school shutdown and the streetcar
Obama’s legacy
As commander in chief, it is entirely appropriate that President Barack Obama honor the nation’s fallen warriors.
What may not be so appropriate are some of his other recent actions in attempting to seal his legacy.
Obama is undoubtedly one of the most intelligent presidents in recent years, but one must question his motives in adding women to combat troop status. Is he really looking to equalizing women’s opportunities to be slaughtered in mostly unjust wars?
Also, does lifting the ban on weapons sales to Vietnam really serve anyone but arms manufacturers? This country is already the world leader in weapon sales. We need no more guns, planes and tanks circulating in an already dangerous world.
Finally, he made no real or clear promise or proposal on abolishing nuclear weapons during his visit to Hiroshima. He did hug some victims.
Obama is leaving office but not a legacy. His legacy seems to be bowing to the corporate interests that want to continue the history advocated by the presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
How sad, how political and how deceptive.
Karta Purkh Khalsa
Kansas City
Misguided offense
A Star reader wrote to express her offense to a recent political cartoon (6-2, Opinion). The cartoon depicted Hitler giving a speech while in the background a man was saying to a friend, “I don’t care about his policies. He tells it like it is and he’ll shake things up.”
She complained that it compared Trump to Hitler.
I think the reader missed the point. It was comparing Hitler’s base to Trump’s base, who are willing to accept what is said just because they like the way it was said.
Dan Cram
Overland Park
Shutdown fears
I am the wife of Nick Paris, who is only the second person to be honored for teaching 50 years in the Shawnee Mission School District.
The possibility of a school shutdown began to worry me in March because we depend on the district for our very good benefits from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and I have stage 4 ovarian cancer, which is being treated.
When state funding to all public schools ceased, I feared the loss of our benefits, which could cost me my life. Deputy Superintendent Ken Southwick assured me that he had planned for such an eventuality, for which I am grateful.
The Kansas City, Kan., superintendent has issued an email to her teachers. However, we have not as yet received one.
I hope we receive one soon to allay my fears.
Merilyn Paris
Overland Park
Streetcar hazards
I grew up in Chicago and can attest to the fact that the entire city was elated when we got rid of streetcars.
They were an impediment to traffic because rails were placed in the left lane and were a significant hazard to automobile, truck and bus drivers.
When using the left lane to pass, for example, you had to endure lurches from right to left in steering your vehicle as your tires slipped on and off the steel rails — and that slippage was exacerbated in rain or icy conditions.
Why are streetcars in Kansas City any different?
These represent a $100 million toy that used scarce taxpayer dollars better applied elsewhere.
I hope we employ better thinking in resolving the airport question.
Jim Kudlinski
Overland Park
White House run
I guess you could say I was raised by the establishment. My Dad was a veteran of World War II who never spoke a cuss word in his children’s presence.
My mom said, “Dammit!” on occasion but mostly performed her homemaker duties plus every office in the PTA with aplomb. My parents followed the rules of civilized conduct throughout their lives and taught their kids to do the same.
Mom and Dad valued higher education, expecting my sister, brother, and me to grow beyond what might be their own personal prejudices — their natural biases. Labeling other people, for example, was considered taboo. You didn’t call anyone a “liar,” “stupid,” “fat” or “ugly” without consequences.
And for good reason. Such names hurt. Using them sets a poor example and destroys any hope for peace among men and women.
On the other hand, “names and faces” have apparently produced huge ratings on national TV — creating another new reality show even: Primary 2016.
They’ve stolen what’s been established through the ages as good, productive behavior and are making a run for the White House.
Sue Wright
Liberty
This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Readers weigh in on President Obama’s legacy, a school shutdown and the streetcar."