To many Catholics, social justice demands a no vote on Kansas Constitution amendment

It’s about control

If the constitutional amendment on the Aug. 2 ballot passes, politicians in Topeka will be able to impose religious beliefs on all Kansans, and make it more difficult for women to make decisions about their own health. Has the Legislature recently helped create an environment supporting pro-life choices by providing better health care, parental leave, Medicaid expansion and other support for poor women — or day care and child support for babies?

A church sign said, “Jesus trusted women. We do too.” As Catholic women religious, we support Pope Francis and the social justice teachings of our church. We respect all people and value life. In other states, some doctors are afraid to provide lifesaving procedures for ectopic pregnancies or incomplete miscarriages. A child rape victim in Ohio was recently further traumatized by having to travel across state lines to receive health care.

In Kansas, abortion procedures already face heavy regulations. Rejecting this amendment would not remove those or the Legislature’s authority to pass new regulations, but it would make it less likely that government mandate will control health decisions of Kansas women.

We will vote no on the amendment to preserve individual freedom, the rights of women and our democracy.

- Sister Angela Fitzpatrick and Sister Michele Morek, Roeland Park

True advertising?

If all the political ads on TV are true and accurate, none of the candidates should be elected.

- Joseph McMillian, Olathe

Buck’s grace

Buck O’Neil’s too-late induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame brought emotions, from a bittersweet happiness to anger at the Hall’s racist cynicism. (July 24, 20A, “Another way Royals can honor great Buck O’Neil”) In addition to O’Neil, the Hall inducted 17 Black players from the Negro Leagues posthumously in 2006. As the Church Lady from an old “Saturday Night Live” sketch said, “How convenient.”

How convenient to wait for all these players, including O’Neil, to pass away before inducting them. This way, the inductees couldn’t say, “No thank you — you’re a little late.” However, I can’t imagine the gracious O’Neil doing such a thing. His entire life, he carried our white fragility with a quiet dignity.

Compare this with the recent World Track and Field Championships. John Carlos and Tommie Smith were present and celebrated. On the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, Carlos took gold and Smith won the bronze in the 200-meter dash. During the medal ceremony, they raised black-gloved fists in the Black Power salute. The world gasped. The courage they showed was extraordinary. They were vilified in the world press and suspended from the U.S. team. Yet they were heroes in the Black community.

I am certain that at the time, Buck quietly approved of their actions.

- Bob Riggs, Liberty

Shine a light

Kansas entered into a secret agreement with Panasonic to build a battery plant in De Soto that allegedly would create 4,000 jobs. The deal was touted by Gov. Laura Kelly as the largest in state history.

As The Star detailed in the July 26 front-page story, “No job, pay commitments in Panasonic’s $4B battery plant,” concerns have been raised about the specific provisions of the deal and the secretive process by which it was finalized.

The secretive nature of these deals is an issue that states are trying to address nationwide. Many of these deals, like the one between Kansas and Panasonic, involve nondisclosure agreements that restrict public officials from discussing the terms publicly. As a result, community members, small business owners and other concerned parties can’t provide input or hold elected officials accountable for how they use public resources.

The solution is simple: Governments can ban the use of nondisclosure agreements in economic development deals. Bills to this effect have been introduced in several states. To learn more, check out the Ban Secret Deals website at BanSecretDeals.org

- Joseph Matye, Kansas City

In a name

In reference to your editorial about Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s rapid departure from the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, (July 24, 19A, “Jan. 6 committee video shows Missouri who Josh Hawley really is”) let me offer the sobriquet “Hotfoot Hawley” for any and all future stories on the senator.

I’d encourage everyone to share this nickname throughout the news industry and social media so it will become the permanent vernacular whenever his name appears.

- Ken Williams, Alexandria, Virginia