20-04-2025
Are the American dream and the welfare of the people in jeopardy?
Forty-three Northwest Missouri State University students recently had their visas revoked by the United States Citizen Immigration Services. They were told to leave the country immediately.
So long, American dream.
- Phil Smith, Kansas City
'Salus populi suprema lex esto,' Missouri's motto appearing on the state seal and flag, translated from Latin to English is: 'The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.'
From their current actions, members of the General Assembly seem oblivious to the motto's existence and meaning.
- Nancy M. Ehrlich, Independence
Most Americans want to end the practice of changing our clocks twice a year and make either Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time permanent. But which one?
The arguments from sleep experts and the medical field are that Standard Time best aligns with our human circadian biology and is better for our physical and mental health as well as our safety. The argument that Daylight Saving allows the enjoyment of an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day is supported by the recreation industry as well as convenience stores and others.
Although that 'extra' hour of sunlight year-round might sound lucrative, permanent Daylight Saving Time was tried during the energy crisis in 1974 and was rescinded after only 10 months because of the extreme dark mornings in mid-winter. In Kansas City, permanent Daylight Saving would result in the sun not rising until almost 8:40 during the last half of December and much of January. Even the current practice of Daylight Saving for eight months of the year results in unnecessary darker mornings in early spring and late fall.
It's time to return to permanent Standard Time, which has served humankind well since time immemorial. Contact your representatives in Congress, as they will ultimately decide.
- Thomas Harries, Lenexa
In his April 14 column, 'Please keep your obvious pronouns out of my emails,' (7A) David Mastio quotes White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: 'Any reporter who chooses to put their preferred pronouns in their bio ...'
'Reporter' is a singular noun. 'Their' is a plural pronoun. Leavitt violated her own preference. The correct albeit awkward usage to follow the practice Leavitt prefers would be 'his or her.'
Pronouns are a weak part of speech, often used as a crutch to avoid clarity. Avoid pronouns at all costs.
- Michael Grimaldi, Kansas City
Contrary to what you might have heard, a Real ID is not required to drive or vote. A Real ID will be required only if you want to travel by plane. This change is designed to further reduce the possibility of terrorism with air travel.
Also contrary to what you might have heard, it's not that difficult to update your existing driver's license or non-driver ID. Just go to the DMV with your birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, a utility bill and voter registration card. You'll need a marriage certificate or divorce decree if your last name has changed. This serves as a reminder always to save such documents.
And you might as well go ahead and do it now, just in case more places require a Real ID in the future.
Let's get Real.
- Kevin Lindeman, Kansas City
Editor's note: Visit for a complete list of acceptable documentation to obtain a Real ID.
Based on the oath of office, the president is compelled to, 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.' Recently, however, the Supreme Court ruled that the president cannot be held legally accountable for actions taken in the performance of 'official duties,' in effect placing the president above the law.
The president's continued roundup and arrest of undocumented people, coupled with no judicial oversight, has resulted in an unprecedented constitutional stalemate of sorts. Since the president can't be held legally liable, the courts seem to lack authority to compel the president to legally comply. Meanwhile, a timid Congress seems unwilling to step into this constitutional crisis, while our allies express astonishment and dismay.
These events strongly suggest that all of us are at grave personal risk from a lawless and contemptible president.
- Phil Anderson, Manhattan, Kansas
