Biden and Trump in Jeopardy? Or on it? | Opinion

America in Jeopardy?

Yes, the contestants are older than most everyone likes. Many worry that the contestants are not quick enough on their feet based on sound bites, news clippings and social media.

Guess what, it’s not a game show.

First, the late, great Alex Trebek is not standing in front of them while the clock counts down and Jeopardy music plays in the background. The decisions of the contestants should be based on deliberations of weeks, months, even years.

Second, unlike Jeopardy, where contestants stand alone, these contestants can have the support and vast experience of cabinet members, advisors, Congress, constituents, etc. if they so choose.

So, the questions are: Who will make decisions base on careful study and reflection? Who will fully utilize the resources and expertise available to them? Who will listen to positions both favorable and contrary before acting?

We certainly don’t need someone standing alone saying “Alex, I don’t like it that you said my perfect answer is wrong. I have advised my current advisors how to advise me and therefore I’m awarding myself $2,000, claiming victory and, by the way, we won’t be needing your services any further.”

Anyone for Double Jeopardy?

Roger Stiverson, Wichita

Protect all Kansans

I am shocked and dismayed at the bills currently targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in our state and country.

At this present time, there are 411 bills up for debate with LGBTQ+ people in the crosshairs, some of which are in Kansas!

Gay people are under increasing attack, as not only are they four times more likely to experience violence throughout their lifetime, but in the latest year we currently have data for (2021-2022) hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals have risen by 32%.

We must come together as a state, as a nation, of reasonable people, and protect all of us — every single one.

Please consider voting, if not for yourself, for every single gay person out there who deserves to feel safe. Let’s get some folks in office who actually care and are willing to stand up and protect all Americans.

Meagan Alcorn, Haysville

Too much censorship

There is something worrisome happening in our state’s communities; the exponential increase in censorship occurring in our libraries and schools. Book bans are included under this umbrella as well.

More titles have been challenged in the last several years than in the entirety of our state’s history.

Kansas has no standardized process for challenging content. As it stands, community to community, individuals and groups (sometimes not even from our state) are agitating to remove content from libraries.

Without a formal process, censorship is arbitrarily happening, sometimes devoid of local community voices.

Universal access to a variety of perspectives and worldviews is imperative to our democracy.

That access is being denied to our communities. The ability to think critically and engage in civil discourse is the foundation of an effective democracy.

Proposed Senate Bill 358 addresses this issue. The bill standardizes the process, and could be implemented statewide, but also by any individual district or community that so chooses.

The process requires challenges originate locally in the applicable community, as well as detailing criteria for passing a ban.

I implore you, as fellow Kansans, invest in our state’s future, advocate for upholding our first amendment rights and the freedom to read!

John Vonagher, Wichita