Don’t call it the ‘snow globe play.’ Here’s a better name for the Chiefs’ new trick | Opinion

It’s the spin

Andy Reid’s newest trick play: Ring Around Mahomesie!

- Larry Gunja, Leawood

Collier can do it

The Kansas City Public Schools board is searching for a new superintendent. Why? In my opinion, interim Superintendent Jennifer Collier should be the permanent choice.

I spent my career in public education as an administrator in urban, rural and suburban districts. As KCPS director of student assessment, I worked closely with administrators. I found Collier to be a leader who was compassionate about creating success for students and staff. Unfortunately, she was given the unenviable task of closing schools. Although it had to be done, allowing parents and staff to have input into the final decision was critical.

A successful school leader has two guiding principles: build strong relationships by listening and talking with students, staff, parents and the community; and make decisions that create a learning environment where all students are successful. This requires having “walked the walk” as a teacher and a building administrator.

Collier has been successful in both. Her knowledge of Kansas City Public Schools and her desire to continue to build a successful urban district by using collaboration, not competition, are why I believe she can be a successful leader.

- Pete Muenks Jr., Raymore

Cable not

One end of the cable news spectrum beats Donald Trump like a drum even though over the last seven years, a sizable majority of Americans has soured on him and the entire nation knows, as Senate Minority Mitch McConnell said, that Trump was responsible for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Continuing this sledgehammer approach won’t budge his die-hard fans and is off-putting to Republicans ready to move on. Preaching to the choir for higher ratings is far less important than covering the national priorities all Americans want addressed.

Meanwhile, liberals are vilified to absurd lengths. Of course, no party’s politician wants wide-open borders, inflation, high gas prices, crime, property seizures and so on, yet that’s how Democrats are characterized. Then, accusations of mental illness and deviant behavior are added for the vicarious thrill of a good horror movie. Although depicting political opponents as villains may result in higher ratings from a credulous audience, it stifles the dialogue we need now more than ever.

Viewers should expect more: more focus on what brings us together, not what sets us apart, and more problem-solving rather than assigning blame.

How about finding some common ground in the new year?

- John McDonald, Ferguson, Missouri

Some response

One certainly cannot say Sen. Roger Marshall does not answer constituents’ questions. The following is a verbatim email exchange I recently had with my senator:

Me: Please provide me with an explanation as to why you did not attend the address to the U.S. Congress by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Marshall: Dear Dr. Bodner, Thank you for contacting my office about the recent omnibus appropriations package.

I am left scratching my head, and Sen. Marshall is left without a party leader.

- Joanne Bodner, Overland Park

Great send-off

Ed “Gomer” Moody recently passed away, and I would like to honor him with a letter to the editor, as he was an inveterate writer of such himself. (Jan. 1, 25A, Obituaries)

Ed was a great American who wrote letters to the editor because of his belief in how our system works and the courage and dedication to be a part of it, even if in a small way.

I got to know him in his role as an eminence grise at Cafe Aixois over the years. Yes, his viewpoint leaned conservative, but he was open to discussion, and his comments reflected life experience and worldliness, not debating points argumentation. He was always fun to talk with.

Rest in peace, Ed, and I hope this might be included as a last letter to the editor in your memory.

- Brad Johnson, Prairie Village