Is this how the Gen Dare hamburger at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant got its name? | Opinion

Daring dish

Mike Hendricks in his fine column on Fritz’s restaurant reasonably enough doesn’t know the origin of the “Dare” part of the “Gen Dare” name of the luscious burger served at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant. (July 11, 1A, “Let’s Dish, Kansas City; Never mind the trains, Fritz’s has the best burger in town”)

Well, I can’t read the mind of the restaurant’s founder, the late Fred F. “Fritz” Kropf, but I do know that Virginia Dare was the first and probably only English baby born (in 1587) in the first attempt of England to establish a North American colony. The Roanoke Colony, and Virginia Dare, disappeared for reasons not clear to this day.

Had Fritz heard of Virginia Dare? Very possibly.

- Alan F. Perry, Kansas City

Laws don’t work

Kansas City had its 100th homicide on June 30 and is on a pace to set a record for the year. Some believe that more gun control laws are needed. Before any new laws are passed, let’s look at the facts.

Homicide can be committed with a variety of weapons and results in punishment if convicted. Murder is a Class A felony in our state and can result in life in prison or the death penalty.

A mass shooting at a recent Baltimore block party resulted in at least two deaths and nearly 30 people wounded even though Baltimore has some of the nation’s strictest gun control laws.

Maryland has “red flag” laws, expanded background checks, strict regulations on ghost guns (firearms without serial numbers), strict rules regarding assault weapons ban and licensing requirements for handgun purchases, among many other controls for guns — yet evidence shows that criminals often find ways to obtain weapons and commit crimes.

More gun control laws only restrict the Second Amendment rights of lawful citizens — and the facts show that criminals ignore these laws.

What part of “Thou shalt not kill” is not understood?

- Kevin Lindeman, Kansas City

Educational choice

If you come from poverty and your school district uses 10-year-old books with few other education resources, what are your choices?

If you come from a household where every moment is survival, what are your choices?

I started working at age 14 just to be able to pay for clothes and school supplies.

I’m not saying that everyone who takes student loans is in this situation, but we need to differentiate. Not everyone has parents who can help pay for college, or has access to jobs that would pay them enough to live and go to school.

So our children could have as little education debt as possible, my family took on student loans.

My husband and I chose to go to college when our children were young. Those loans allowed us to further our education and absolutely made our children’s future better. Our children were able to live with us while they went to school, avoiding the cost of rent, food and transportation.

I am OK paying for my student loan debt until I die, but don’t tell me I had other choices. Truly, my only other choice was to pass on the generational poverty passed to me.

- Chantel Haynes, Sedalia

Statue solution

Whatever Andrew Jackson was guilty of, his horse didn’t do it. Take Jackson off the statues at the Kansas City and Independence courthouses and leave the horse. No need for a new statue. (July 13, 5A, “Legislators take step to remove Andrew Jackson statues in KC”)

- Sandra Carter, Liberty

A baseball gem

I watched the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday night and was really struck with the stadium in Seattle. It looked very blah and kind of ugly.

Look at our Royals stadium, and there is no comparison. Do we really need to build a new ballpark? Kauffman Stadium is gorgeous and majestic. Seriously, do we need to replace it? Missouri has more pressing priorities.

- Jan Alverson, Overland Park

Debt reality

I am concerned about the prevailing viewpoint about student loans that argues, “You signed up for a loan, so you should pay for it.” This oversimplified argument disregards the complexities of the student loan crisis and fails to consider broader implications.

Economic circumstances can change, affecting a borrower’s ability to repay loans. Limited job opportunities and stagnant wages make it unjust to hold individuals solely responsible for circumstances beyond their control. Moreover, soaring education costs have outpaced income growth, leaving students with limited financial resources. Placing the burden of exorbitant tuition fees on students without relief is unsustainable.

Insufficient financial literacy education hampers new students’ understanding of the consequences of borrowing. Holding individuals accountable without proper guidance is unjust. Predatory lending practices further compound the issue, trapping vulnerable young people in cycles of debt.

Limited access to affordable alternatives leaves student loans as the sole option for many. Insisting on “individual responsibility” when no other means are available is unfair. The student loan crisis reflects systemic issues in education and finance, requiring comprehensive policy changes.

The simplistic argument that borrowers should unquestionably pay their student loans overlooks the multifaceted issue. Reasonable solutions such as loan forgiveness, affordable education and improved financial literacy can alleviate the burden.

- Tyler Zentz, Kansas City