Why would Kansas City build a new stadium for a Royals team that’s playing like this? | Opinion
Not tuning in
With a new owner, new manager and plans for downtown baseball, you would think that the future is bright for the boys in blue. However, from my perspective, it’s more of the same nonsense we’ve seen the past few years.
Oh, yes, the Royals can hit the cover off the baseball in the Cactus League — but when the W’s start counting, the L’s start mounting.
But what really chaps my behind is the TV deal with Bally Sports. We cut the cable TV cords two years ago, and I refuse to pay for another streaming app to watch a cruddy Royals team.
Until this new owner figures out how all of his fan base can watch his below-average product, I guess I will not be viewing the Royals via TV or live at the ballpark. Go Chiefs!
- Greg Schoen, Lenexa
Stadium absurdity
The idea of spending $1 billion on a new baseball stadium and another $1 billion on the surrounding area is absolutely ludicrous. (March 30, 1A, “Backers push 2 alternative sites for Royals downtown stadium”) We need another stadium like we need a hole in the head, as my dad would say.
Just think what $2 billion could do for this city if spent more wisely. We have terribly blighted neighborhoods, streets in dire need of repair, median strips and fountains suffering from a lack of care and attention. We need jobs, food and clothing for the ever-increasing homeless population, and schools are badly in need of repairs and updating.
Come on, please: not a $2 billion baseball stadium.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am a huge baseball fan going all the way back to relaxing and enjoying a Sunday afternoon Kansas City Athletics game at Municipal Stadium — I loved it.
Let’s get a competitive team first, with at least a .500 record and potential playoff contention, before we waste all that money on a shiny new stadium downtown. Can you imagine what a nightmare the parking would be in a garage?
John Sherman and the new ownership group are sadly mistaken if they think a new stadium downtown will draw more fans. I’m afraid not.
- Don Nottberg, Overland Park
Break the cycle
Every April, we raise awareness about child abuse prevention. However, this work is ongoing and constant. We must be diligent in supporting families no matter their circumstances and recognize that parents and children need someone to believe in them.
Adverse childhood experiences include abuse and neglect as well as other household circumstances that harm children. These incidents can cause long-term trauma, but stable, supportive relationships provide lifelong benefits for learning, behavior and health.
We all have a responsibility to ensure that children have positive experiences and to help families get the resources they need, when they need them. Kansas Children’s Service League is celebrating 30 years as the state chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America. We’re proud to provide opportunities for dialogue with state and community leaders about improving the lives of families. Working in partnership can relieve some of the overload experienced by parents and caregivers.
Some actions you can take to support families are offering to babysit, mentoring a new parent and advocating for policies such as family-friendly workplaces. Let’s take action this April and all year.
Together, we can break the cycle of adverse childhood experiences and work to create stronger families and communities.
- Gail Cozadd, CEO, Kansas Children’s Service League, Topeka
Brain drain
At a recent family dinner, our nephew and his spouse said goodbye to another relative who had taken a job out of state. Among the factors in his decision to move were the laws being passed against LGBT people.
As trans/gay men, my nephew and his spouse said these laws make them feel unwanted and unsafe and that they, too, were considering moving. These are highly educated, working professionals, including a computer engineer, graphic designer and nurse.
These laws are driving away young, vibrant individuals who will choose to live in more accepting places.
- Barbara Nichols, Leawood
Today’s threat
The recent school shooting in Tennessee has brought the usual “thoughts and prayers” from the Second Amendment apologists.
Well, here’s the Second Amendment in its entirety:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
People who oppose any kind of gun control seem to ignore the first part of the amendment: the “well regulated militia” part.
Two points about this. First, without registering firearms, how are we supposed to regulate the militia? We need to know who has guns so we can form those militias. And background checks would keep loose cannons (pun intended) out of said militias.
In the colonial days, our forefathers saw that a militia was needed. We had no “well regulated” troops of any other kind. And the threats of war with the British and displaced Native Americans were real.
My second point: We don’t need a militia — “well regulated” or any other kind — anymore. That’s what our National Guard is for.
So, it seems the people screaming about their supposedly unlimited gun rights either don’t know, or choose to ignore, what that Second Amendment was for.
- Suzanne B. Conaway, Kansas City
Pot for potholes
Sometimes the obvious solution to an ongoing problem is right before our eyes. Use the newly approved sales tax revenues generated from recreational marijuana to fix Kansas City’s potholes. (April 6, 3A, “KC-area voters approve new recreational marijuana taxes”)
- Cyndi Humphrey, Kansas City
