A cease-fire in the Gaza war is up to Hamas. Israel doesn’t have much choice | Reader Opinion
Unilateral choice
Those among us who demand a permanent cease-fire by Israel should first ask whether it would be met with a permanent cease-fire by the terrorists of Hamas. If Hamas will not stop shooting, then what is Israel to do?
If Hamas says yes, then the war ends. If Hamas says what it has said all along, which is no, then what alternatives does Israel have?
- Rick Marien, Overland Park
USPS is vital
The United States Postal Service is under attack by local congressional Republicans. The USPS budget has been cut and innovations to keep the post office viable have been fought by GOP politicians, so their shrill faux outrage about disruption to their constituents’ mail service rings hollow.
A door-to-door, regular mail-delivery system is a cornerstone of democracy. Those who depend on the USPS have a real need.
Fully fund the postal service. Pay its staff appropriately, and fund the technology and new ideas needed to ensure the USPS’ validity.
Politicians, you need your flyers in everyone’s mailbox on time, right?
- Paul Comerford, Blue Springs
Let’s all float
I agree with guest commentary author Owen MacDonald that there will be a time when the facade of honoring, not appropriating, Native American culture cannot be sustained by the Chiefs, and the team will be renamed. But the Kansas City Beefs? (March 12, 7A, “Chiefs will have to change their name. Here’s a meaty idea”)
A better naming resource from Kansas City history would be the Kansas City Monarchs. (I know the local minor league baseball team is using that name, but I bet a deal could be struck.). If we are bold enough to use the monarch butterfly as our mascot, perhaps we could honor Muhammad Ali and be the team that floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.
And “home of the Beefs” just doesn’t resonate like “home of the sting.”
Renaming the stadium for the family that brought the team to Kansas City seems like a good idea, too. I look forward to the day the Kansas City Monarchs play in the renovated world-class Hunt Stadium.
- Joyce Keys, Olathe
Bullying disgrace
Bullies pop up regularly these days, it seems.
The Star’s excellent March 12 editorial “Beating up Biden effigy awful, awfully Trumpy” (7A) quoted more mainstream Republicans who were appalled at the bashing of an effigy of a sitting U.S. president at an official Johnson County GOP event March 8 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Just rude and crude.
But, what else to expect from the “Hang Mike Pence” Jan. 6 rabble?
The lyrics of child-molester proponent Ted Nugent — the headliner of the “Grand Ol’ Party” — capped off the disgrace enabled and abetted by this gathering. Sad.
- Sharyn Ballard, Gladstone
Move ’em out?
When I looked at the aerial photo of the Truman Sports Complex and the rendering of the proposed Crossroads Royals stadium published recently in The Star, what stood out the most to me was the total lack of parking for the new stadium compared with Kauffman Stadium. Granted, buildings might be razed to allow for parking, but I’m betting it won’t be anything like The K’s layout.
In 2007, my wife and I attended a Garth Brooks concert at what was then the Sprint Center and parked in one of the multilevel garages nearby. And that venue’s capacity is a mere 18,000 people. When we got to our car after the show to leave, we did not move for more than 45 minutes. And when we did get going, it took another 20 to 30 minutes just to leave downtown to get on Interstate 35.
And now a downtown-adjacent stadium that holds 33,000 fans? Parking, Mr. Sherman. Parking, parking, parking. And don’t get me started on the parking (or lack a thereof) at the Kansas City Current’s new CPKC Stadium.
- Mike McIntosh, Prairie Village
Saw the proof
No one listening to the State of the Union address needs to worry about President Joe Biden’s energy, ability to articulate national priorities or understanding of the bedrock practices of a working democracy.
Few younger candidates could do as well or better in speaking so long or so well in such a pressure-packed environment.
His likely November opponent, who is in the same age bracket, has not exhibited equal qualities of leadership. We have heard him speak many times, but it is always a rambling, angry, negative speech lacking class or respect for anyone or group not endorsing him. His dream of an authoritarian presidency and his claim that nothing he might do as president is illegal would launch a very different direction for our country.
Fortunately, we still have a choice by our vote about what kind of America we wish for ourselves, as well as for our children and grandchildren.
The stakes are high. Your vote is your vision of what kind of America we will live in next year.
- Harold J. Schultz, Kansas City
Be a Jennifer
“I had a great time at the DMV,” said no one ever. Unless, they happen to choose the location in Grandview.
On my recent visit there, people were contentedly waiting and smiling. There were no heavy sighs or pacing. I would consider it a work culture of helpfulness and hospitality that led to this outcome.
The Gatekeeper, Receptionist, Facilitator, Concierge, Fairy Godmother — I can’t land on the right title for an employee named Jennifer. She didn’t wait for folks to ask for help. She took all of us under her wing, made sure we had the correct paperwork and told us everything was going to be OK. Her co-workers behind the glass were also pleasant and helpful, no doubt because Jennifer creates an environment where everything runs smoothly from the start.
I stopped at her desk on my way out and shared that her customer service skills are off the charts. She smiled, extended her hand and introduced herself. What a gift she is to all who cross her path.
I challenge us all to be more kind, more helpful and more like Jennifer.
- Erin Burke Foss, Kansas City
Leave justice
As excitement subsides after the opening match at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stadium, a shadow looms over the brand-new stadium for women’s professional soccer. The American Train Dispatchers Association held a protest at the CPKC stadium to highlight CPKC’s refusal to grant rail union members paid sick leave, a matter of dignity and respect. Despite CPKC’s community commitment, it overlooks its employees’ well-being, revealing hypocrisy as it invests in stadium glamour while neglecting workers’ rights.
The protest isn’t solely about paid sick leave; it’s about societal values and fair treatment. The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association stands in solidarity with the ATDA in our fight for paid sick leave, symbolizing a fight for justice and dignity.
In this pivotal moment, reminiscent of Dolores Huerta’s words, we unite for fair play on and off the field, recognizing every worker’s worth. Let’s seize this opportunity to effect real change.
- Ed Dowell, President, American Train Dispatchers Association, Washington, D.C.
