Marion newspaper raid coverage was just, but Gov. Kelly right not to make snap judgment | Opinion

Measured response

I disagree with The Star editorial board’s stance in its indictment of Gov. Laura Kelly’s response to the Marion, Kansas, police raid on the local newspaper’s offices and owners’ home. (Aug. 17, 10A, “Newspaper raid no time for tepid Kelly response”)

I thought the reporting about the Marion County Record raid was extremely important, and it stirred outrage in me — but I am not the governor for all Kansans.

If the governor shouts outrage from her figurative pulpit, she is scolded by those who want to wait and see what the formal investigation finds. If she remains calm and aligns with the “let the investigation take its course” approach, she is attacked by The Star. It could be that she wanted to hear the concluding facts first and be less presumptuous.

It’s tough to be a political figure these days.

- Greg Walkup, Overland Park

Facts are vital

Truth matters.

Newspapers matter.

Reporters matter.

Thank you.

- Lila Martin, Overland Park

Remember Jayden

Recently, the two little shrines were removed from the site where the body of 13-year-old Jayden Robker was found in a pond in the Northland.

So that’s it? Nothing else happens in the case? No one gets charged? We never hear what the autopsy said?

The Star’s follow-up story contained hair-raising details of an alleged abusive stepfather, a forced return of Jayden to his family and the family leaving town right after he was found. (May 7, 13A, “Teen found dead had reported abuse at home, records say”)

And that’s it?

Now that your journalists have fixed the Marion County Record (I gladly purchased a subscription), could you turn your sights and resources on the almost forgotten Jayden Robker?

- Janette Boehm, Gladstone

Their identities

I couldn’t agree more with Toriano Porter’s Aug. 17 commentary arguing that student-athletes should be paid for commercial use of their names, images and likenesses. (10A, “Why not pay student-athletes their full worth?”)

Of course, for all practical purposes, this primarily applies to NCAA Division 1 football and basketball players: That’s where the big bucks are.

Going further, I hope that in the not-too-distant future, these players who bring in colossal amounts of money to their universities are paid salaries commensurate with the income they generate for those schools — as their coaches already are.

After all, even the best coach could do nothing without the best players who, like their coaches, deserve appropriate financial compensation.

- Alan Perry, Kansas City

How we govern

Some people are saying our legal system is being “weaponized.”

Weren’t laws and punishments designed as weapons to keep people from going outside acceptable bounds? In other words, wasn’t the legal system designed as a weapon to enforce civility and acceptable behavior?

Next, some people are saying we should not enforce our laws against America’s former commander in chief. Isn’t that what every dictator in the world insists upon?

Finally, some are saying that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter are guilty of something. If so, prosecute the case legally.

Isn’t that what government by laws, not people, is about?

Many elected officials are promoting false assertions about what the Constitution says and what government by law is. When enough Americans are misguided about what our systems are, will they be governable?

- Chris Roesel, Roeland Park

AI is a helper

Recently, the media have been abuzz about the growth of artificial intelligence, stirring curiosity, excitement and perhaps a touch of apprehension. As these terms get thrown around, mingled with phrases such as “machine learning” and “automation,” it’s no wonder that confusion and even fear can creep in.

So, what exactly is AI? At its core, AI is a broad field of technology that simulates human intelligence in machines. It’s about teaching computers to perform tasks such as problem-solving that require human intelligence. AI is a toolbox of algorithms that enable machines to learn from data and adapt their behavior based on patterns.

The idea that AI will take away jobs has found its way into the conversation. While it’s true that AI can automate certain tasks, its real potential lies in augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them. AI can handle repetitive tasks, freeing time for individuals to focus on higher-value activities requiring creativity, empathy and critical thinking.

Imagine having a personal assistant that understands your voice commands and provides you with information or having AI systems that analyze vast amounts of patient data to make more accurate medical diagnoses.

The growth of AI is not something to fear just yet.

- Ethan Cox, Blue Springs

Let us watch

So many of us are unable to afford game tickets for sports, and we can barely afford satellite or cable to watch them on TV. Now our favorite teams are sometimes blocked, and the league CEOs are coming up with new ways to make us pay to watch games on streaming services.

We are not all millionaires. We are forgotten because of executives’ greed. How sad.

- Regina Wells, Carthage, Missouri