Kansas City is hostile to bicycle riders. Can the death of a father of 10 change that?

Cyclist danger

It is with great sadness I note that Kansas City is not known for its friendliness to bike riders. This was demonstrated in the early morning hours of Saturday, when Charles Criniere, a local schoolteacher and father of 10, was mowed down on his early-morning ride. Where is the outrage?

I am not minimizing gun deaths by any means, but bicyclists are not going away anytime soon. The penalties for cyclist killings and injuries are vague and minimal, as we saw in 2007 when a grandfather and granddaughter riding their bikes in Grandview were killed by a driver who was subsequently acquitted.

Driver education needs to include sharing the road with all: bicyclists, motorcyclists and everyone else. We need to educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians not only of their rights but of their responsibilities for infractions.

I hope when this driver is found, the prosecution is swift with a substantial and punitive outcome for the crime that it is.

- Kathy Q. Peterson, Overland Park

Their humanity

I would not impugn the motives of the pro-choice male authors in the Aug. 25 letters to the editor. They seem very sincere. However, I can categorically state, after carrying four pregnancies to term, that I gave birth to living human beings, who I suspect were also living human beings before they were delivered.

- Josephine Heinzman, Kansas City, Kansas

Personal issue

A question about abortion: What’s the difference between the enforcement of a decision involving personal and confidential information in an attorney-client privilege claim and the enforcement of a decision involving personal and confidential information in a patient-doctor privilege claim? The answer: There should be no difference.

- Lilly Jones, Centerview, Missouri

IRA problems

The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Joe Biden includes punitive new taxes and regulatory red tape that undermine our nation’s ability to promote energy security for the American consumer.

Research shows that the IRA won’t reduce inflation at all and could exacerbate supply concerns at a time of high energy prices. It will not bring greater stability or help Americans with inflation.

Also, when the climate measures are evaluated under the UN’s climate model, the temperature reduction attributable to the act is 0.0009°F to 0.028°F in 2100. Why is there no discussion about how little $369 billion will achieve?

Furthermore, a study by the Joint Committee on Taxation projects taxes to go up for almost every tax bracket.

The Inflation Reduction Act is a deceptive and misleading measure flawed in numerous ways.

The most pressing risks facing U.S. companies in the foreseeable future are unlikely to be those arising from climate change or an energy transition. Rather, the factors to watch are more apt to be inflation, rising energy costs and national security threats.

The Biden administration is too focused on climate change to anticipate or deter these significant real threats.

- Edward Cross, President, Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association, Topeka

Wrong mentality

Let’s face it: Right now, the Royals are losers. They have talent, youth and athleticism. They may even be “good guys.” Their problem is that every time they take the field, they expect to lose. It doesn’t matter how many runs they score — they always give up at least one more. It doesn’t matter how few runs their opponents score — they always score at least one fewer.

As a 70-year-old, long-suffering fan, I hope I live long enough to see them play like they expect to win. Listening to them rationalize their losses gets mighty old.

Until they get their minds right, that much ballyhooed “next year” they are always talking about will never come.

- Larry Schaffer, Kansas City

International fan

Earlier this month, while in Israel, I was sailing on an old wooden King David-style boat in the Sea of Galilee along with a family from Ireland. When the father found out I was from Kansas City, he got so excited and asked me if I knew Patrick Mahomes — his favorite football player — or his wonderful coach, Andy Reid? I told him I do not know Mahomes personally, but I am a big fan, too, and Reid has spoken to many of the youths in our church. He is an amazing man, too.

Who knew the extent of our Kansas City football fan base? Way to go, Chiefs, every one of you.

- Cathy Runyan-Svacina, Kansas City