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Letters: KC readers discuss men’s role in pregnancy, vigilantism and Kevin Strickland

Not alone

When it comes to Roe v. Wade, why is there not more focus on the men who impregnate women?

Why not vasectomies at age 16? They are reversible.

What about requiring men to pay support starting at the sixth week of pregnancy? Share the responsibility at the get-go.

It takes two.

- Virginia Myers, Lee’s Summit

It’s defense

Amazing — Kyle Rittenhouse is a vigilante, according to John Crisp’s Nov. 30 commentary, “How vigilantism became linked to the GOP brand” (9A) in spite of the jury finding him innocent for defending himself. And in Georgia, Ahmaud Arbery died defending himself. Both were defending themselves.

- Tom Trost, Spring Hill, Kansas

Real public service

Dear Johnson County first responders: Thanks for doing the tough job of keeping your community safe. I am even more grateful to those of you who further protect yourselves, and the public, by getting vaccinated. Stopping COVID-19 in its tracks will make everyone safer.

As for the first responders who prefer not to get the jab, I know your health is your own concern. Understood. However, in public-safety work, other people’s safety should be the priority at times. As a young or middle-aged, healthy adult, you might indeed beat a case of COVID. However, the folks you meet in your work day might not be so lucky.

The elderly man who calls 911 after a fall, the cancer patient you pull over or the pregnant mom who reports a break-in, they all might catch COVID from you. They might be much likelier to succumb to the virus, especially the seniors.

Pregnant women’s COVID risk truly concerns me. The mother can transmit the virus to her baby in utero, with deadly results. Protect the unborn. Please think about getting a jab. It could save a baby.

- Janice Jean Stallings, Kansas City

A drab catch

The Nov. 26 story about a “cotton candy” lobster was interesting. (11A, “1-in-100-million ‘cotton candy’ lobster caught off Maine coast”) However, the picture that accompanied the article was in black and white. The same black-and-white picture was included in the eEdition online replica of the paper.

The Star has published many color photos (some oversized and repetitious) the last few weeks. Could a color photo of Haddie, as the fisherman who caught the lobster named it, be included in The Star this week? Perhaps a couple of poses?

- Mark Lanzrath, Overland Park

Group effort

Kevin Strickland’s final exoneration happened because many individuals fought for a common, just cause. I’m writing to recognize the power of the press to shine a spotlight on an unjust situation, then dispatch reporters, photojournalists, researchers and editors to gather facts, coordinate and compile a story, and publish the results.

Luke Nozicka and The Star’s other writers, researchers, photographers and staff who were assigned to this story went in search of the truth.

Thank you to all who contributed to the effort to keep this story in front of the public for well over a year so those in power, and those who are not, continued to be apprised of its progress.

Job well done.

- Christine Clare, Kansas City

At long last

I’m so happy for Kevin Strickland to be free, finally, despite the desperate efforts of our state attorney general and governor. So sad, they must be afraid of looking too soft on crime for the “Trumpers.”

All these years Strickland spent in prison — what an injustice, and no compensation from our backward state. The way people from all over have contributed money to him is so convoluted it is incredible. I think our governor should contribute to his GoFundMe.

Thank goodness for Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who did not give up, and all the others who helped free him. Thank goodness for the Midwest Innocence Project, also. We are learning more and more about the misuse of law tactics over the years and still today.

I hope Strickland lives a long life, to make up for all those lost years.

- Linda Lockwood, Kansas City