Kansas foster case is heartbreaking, but that 3-year-old belongs with her siblings | Opinion

About siblings

I’m compelled to weigh in on the DeHaven family adoption controversy, as I see no one defending the decision to send a child in foster care to a new family that has three of her biological siblings. (Feb. 2, 1A, “Kansas girl, 3, in adoption controversy sent to new family”)

It is tragic for the DeHaven family — no one can deny this. But this little girl has three half-siblings in the world. I count my siblings as one of the greatest blessings I have.

The DeHavens have made a public spectacle of the situation, and observers seem to think they can make an educated decision for this little girl, without any experience or data in sociology or psychology. We, the public, cannot and should not do that. Neither should politicians — yes, I’m looking at you state Sen. Molly Baumgardner.

This case went through due process with professionals in the field. The adoptive parents went through a rigorous process to become qualified, remaining quiet in their pursuit, asking professionals to make the right decisions — which was done.

Now, we should all pray that the spectacle that has played out does not damage this little girl’s ability to assimilate into a loving family that includes not one, not two or three, but four half-siblings.

- Christy Londerholm, Overland Park

Lessons learned

State Sen. Mike Moon and his supporters want to pass a law to stop discussion of LGBTQ issues in Missouri schools. (Feb. 8, A, “Missouri lawmakers weigh ban on classroom gender discussion”) What they don’t seem to realize is that this discussion has always taken place at school — not in the classroom, but all around and outside the building in private.

I am 88 years old, and that was the situation in my teenage years, and maybe in Moon’s, too. This discussion was always vulgar, prejudiced, insensitive and ignorant.

With this background, it took me half my life to understand the cruelty that a majority of us were inflicting on a minority. What a difference it would have made had we and those who followed us been taught the truth when it was needed most.

Moon attended a Baptist Christian college. The most revolutionary concept that Jesus taught was to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

We can’t legislate love, compassion and inclusiveness . That leaves it up to us, and the people we elect to represent us, to eliminate prejudice and seek the truth.

- Keith Evans, St. Joseph

Character erased

I have been a resident and homeowner in the Plaza Westport neighborhood for more than 40 years. Our neighborhood’s charm, diversity and affordable housing have been destroyed by recent redevelopment that has built new houses costing up to $725,000 among the modest homes that have stood here for decades. (Feb. 3, 7A, “Don’t lose this important KC neighborhood”)

Former City Council member Aggie Stackhaus once said that our little street, Corbin Terrace, was the most charming block in Kansas City. It is now starting to resemble Lenexa more than one of the oldest neighborhoods in our city.

Preserving and honoring the Steptoe part of our neighborhood would be a step in the right direction.

I hope more of our original neighborhood can be saved, but I’m not optimistic. The developers already have plans for two more blocks in our area. But they are erasing the charm of our neighborhood and instead are focused on how much money they can make.

- Judy Perry, Kansas City

Free for what?

In the GOP rebuttal to the president’s State of the Union address, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, in part, “Most Americans simply want to live their lives in freedom and peace.” Every time I hear a Republican say “freedom,” I feel sick. What freedoms?

Not the freedom to get an abortion. Not the freedom to identify as LGBTQ. Not the freedom to get whatever books you want to read from the library. Not the freedom to learn all of our country’s history, even if it supposedly makes white people look bad. Not the freedom to practice a religion that’s not Christianity.

The only real freedoms today’s GOP seems to care about is that you’re able to have as many guns as you want and that you can carry them wherever you want without having any idea of how use them — which in and of itself takes away everyone else’s freedom to feel safe in any public place.

So again, I ask: What freedoms?

- Tom Meek, Lee’s Summit

Two Warwicks

Was it mere coincidence — or perhaps a bit of predestination — that the accomplished composer Burt Bacharach‘s first address was on Warwick Boulevard in Kansas City? (Feb. 10, 6A, “Songwriter Burt Bacharach never forgot his Kansas City roots”) Thirty-five years later in 1963, the prolific songwriter would compose “Walk on By,” one of the most evocative songs of the 1960s, for Dionne Warwick.

This popular song would, in turn, transform the singer’s career, marking the beginning of a rich musical partnership and long friendship with Bacharach. Forming a trio with lyricist Hal David, the famed team had 33 hits that reached the Billboard charts from 1962 to 1971, including seven that made the Top 10, according to Variety magazine.

I grew up in Kansas City (I’m a 1971 graduate of Shawnee Mission. East High School) listening to and being inspired by the music of Burt Bacharach in the 1960s and 70s.

And it all began in Kansas City, on Warwick Boulevard.

- Jeffrey Myers, Frankfurt am Main, Germany