Jack Danforth gave us Clarence Thomas and Josh Hawley. Now he calls for common ground?
Danforth did it
Lost in all the political turmoil of recent months is the fact that one Missourian is responsible for empowering at least two individuals now at the heart of the extremist movement in our country.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is upending the judiciary, ignoring precedent and threatening to overturn rights afforded to Americans far beyond the seismic decision already rendered in reversing Roe v. Wade. Sen. Josh Hawley has launched his own assault on truth and democracy, supporting the Big Lie and efforts to overturn a fair and lawful election, as well as raising a fist in support of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists.
Jack Danforth was responsible for managing the Thomas confirmation process and working hard to elect Hawley to the Senate. Despite Danforth’s new political ads seeking moderate decision-making and common ground, the damage has been done and his handiwork will resonate in our political life for decades to come.
Let history show that Jack Danforth owns the current extremism in his party as much as he and his colleagues did the Republican Party of the late 20th century. This indelible stain on our democracy will be his political legacy.
- Jim Dunn, North Kansas City
Which is it?
My question about the Jan. 6 hearings: Does loyalty trump truth?
- William O’Neill, Columbia
On her shoulders
It’s kind of pitiful that one of the few people in Donald Trump’s inner circle to testify about the insurrection is a woman in her 20s whose life is probably going to be turned upside down.
All those old men above her must be very proud of themselves for throwing her under the bus.
- William Kenney, Kansas City
History is watching
It is the responsibility of our elected officials to uphold their oaths to the Constitution of the United States. The oath of office is not to a president or political party. The brazen, calculated, targeted attempt by the former president to subvert the will of the people and block the transfer of power must not go unpunished.
All people of this great country are under the law. No one is above it. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley must do their jobs and take action to ensure that this never happens again and that the former president and others are held accountable. All must be held responsible, regardless of title or position.
This was a willful, planned attack to undermine the free and fair election and our democracy. Congress must take immediate action, and this must not stand. Our democracy is at stake.
- Aaron DeWitt, Kansas City
It’s not a show
Although the Supreme Court ruled that a Washington state coach did not violate laws governing separation of church and state, he certainly violated the teachings of his professed religion. (June 28, 2A, “Supreme Court sides with coach who sought to pray after game”)
Coach Joseph Kennedy could have prayed silently at any time before, during or after the football games. He chose, instead, to kneel at the 50-yard line after the game — for the most visibility.
Matthew 6:1 says to be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see.
Matthew 6:5 says when you are praying, do not behave like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in synagogues or on street corners in order to be noticed.
Matthew 6:6 tells tells us to go to our room, close the door and pray to our Father in private.
Of course, it would be different if this were a religious school of any faith, but it was a public school event.
The Supreme Court fumbled this decision.
- Pat Bozich, Kansas City, Kansas
Final justice?
Even though there is no longer separation of church and state, providing a confessional at the Supreme Court would not absolve those justices who lied and took away women’s rights last week, and put our citizens in danger by lessening requirements for gun control.
Only when they meet their maker will they be judged for the harm they have done and the lies they have told.
- Carole Plesser, Prairie Village
Second-class
What’s next for American women? Burkas?
- Linda F. Wilson, Overland Park
That’s trickle-down
To all the pro-choice advocates who voted for Donald Trump in 2016: How do you like him now?
- Robert Franklin, Kansas City, Kansas
