Petty Crime: Johnson County Residents Protest Kamala Harris Sign Stealing

Property theft

Superglue, rabbit repellent, thumbtacks, petroleum jelly, and zip ties sound like a Lowe’s shopping list. They are all ideas proposed by outraged citizens to deter the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz sign thieves in Johnson County. Earlier this month, people who visited the Johnson County Democratic office reported that 82 signs had been stolen from private front yards in Mission Hills alone, and hundreds more were reportedly added throughout the city.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small matter. However, it is vandalism and potentially criminal trespassing.

Stop the theft? Yes. Stop stealing signs.

– Kristin Wing, Leawood

Two big ones

Kansas City has lost two extraordinary women. Both should be celebrated. Todi Hughes, a longtime resident of the Rockhill area, was an artist. SuEllen Fried of Prairie Village was an author and advocate for spreading kindness. (Oct. 16, 1A, “SuEllen Fried, who gave joy, said we can all change lives”) Todi was my long-time friend, and although I met SuEllen in an exercise class, I knew of her work mostly through messages.

Todi was a master at igniting enthusiasm for art. She mentored many young people and created beautiful portraits. She once used the children of Operation Breakthrough as role models, who she brought home with these portraits. Todi danced at the easel while painting.

SuEllen’s books focused on bullying and its prevention. She was actively involved in prison reform and gave lectures on both topics. She received numerous awards for her work.

These two women, who were much more than I have described, will be missed by those who loved them, and the greater community will be diminished by their deaths. Each individual’s life is proof that one person can make a difference in their community. Both lived into their 90s. Never underestimate the influence of a nonagenarian.

-Karen I Johnson, Westwood

Fighting words

Vice President Kamala Harris was recently interviewed by Fox News host Bret Baier. It seems that boxers in the ring and politicians in a debate or interview have a lot in common. You are trying to protect yourself from injury. A boxer must avoid physical blows and a politician must avoid incorrectly answering the onslaught of critical questions.

Harris was like boxing champion Muhammad Ali, quick and agile on his feet. During the interview, Harris dodged, weaved, ducked and twisted with mastery and finesse. Unlike her current boss, she avoided verbal abuse or knockouts.

-Steve Shaw, Kansas City

Stand up?

You would think that a man who sexually assaulted a woman, defrauded students at his university, incited a mob that caused deaths and enormous damage to the U.S. Capitol, and committed tax fraud would be able to stand up to a smart woman speaking only what is true (unlike the man) without complaining.

But apparently not.

-Louise M. Bannister, Lansing

Forgetting Christ

I fear that we have become an anti-Christian, communist nation. Through our schools, media, courts, legislatures, and other factors, we have lost our biblical understanding. Some young people don’t know where we come from or where we are going. His story, called the Bible, has limited use today.

For many, our devices are the source of our communication and knowledge. Christians are still being persecuted, as they have been for centuries. Christians are wrongly labeled as haters. However, in the Gospel of John 1, the Father’s commission is to love his Son and to love one another.

Abortion has lost the stigma of murder. In the Psalms we read that we were joined together in the womb and fearfully and wonderfully created. The fifth commandment says that we must not kill another human being.

We will all stand before God’s judgment seat on the last day. Of course, grace is always available to those who seek Him, regardless of your past.

-James E. Rosander, Shawnee

Simple questions

If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. You let others make these decisions for you.

There are times when you have to put country over party – when a party spreads hate and lies and threatens to abolish the rule of law and destroy the Constitution.

I’m a Republican. The MAGA movement and Trumpism have taken such a dark path that I can’t believe what I’m hearing. As a Republican and a patriot, I will always put country over party.

Because I am a Republican who stands against MAGA and Trumpism, I have lost lifelong friends, some family members, and people I thought were good Christians who turn their backs on others just because of the color of their skin or their accent or because they are a woman Need for obstetric care in Missouri unless she is about to die.

Here are some simple questions, a test:

If I lie to you, would you buy me a car?

If I stole from you, would you trust me to look after your house?

If I sexually abused your daughter, would you trust her to accompany me?

Then why should you trust Trump? Don’t put the party over the country. I’m a Republican for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

-Eric Schaberg, Paola

What a season

Yay, Kansas City Royals. Thank you for an exciting year. You are the champions in my eyes.

-Lorraine Bennetts, Kansas City

Let them vote

Wendy Sullivan’s op-ed about the hurdles voters with disabilities face in Missouri was spot-on. (Sept. 27, 6A, “Mo.’s electoral system does not account for people with disabilities. Here’s what can be done.”)

In addition to inadequately trained poll workers, blind voters must also contend with the fact that not all jurisdictions in state and local elections have ballot marking devices that allow us to vote privately and independently, even though Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act clearly requires this. This means blind Missourians who want to vote by mail will have no way to fill out ballots in an accessible way.

The solution to this is electronic ballot delivery and return, a secure voting system used by military personnel and Americans living abroad. If astronauts on the International Space Station can vote in this way, there is no reason why blind Missourians should not be offered this opportunity.

-Daniel Garcia, President, Kansas City Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, Kansas City

An investment

According to the October 14 front-page cover story, reducing crime is now Kansas City leaders’ guiding principle: “Kansas City leaders release roadmap to reduce crime.”

The truth is that crime can only be reduced through education. You won’t get the immediate results politicians want, but you will get real and lasting results. Offer preschool, primary and secondary schools all year round. Take required courses at public vocational schools and colleges for free.

Build better schools today or more prisons tomorrow. That is our choice.

-Ed Stine, Prairie Village