The problem isn’t the Greitens video. The problem is that it isn’t so extreme anymore

Ad is a mirror

Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ new Senate campaign ad might seem preposterous, violent and inappropriate, but it’s really not surprising. Greitens and his ad are products of the political climate we’ve all helped to create — a climate in which a candidate can act out hunting his political opponents. (June 22, 11A, “Missouri Senate leader contacted police after Greitens video”)

Our country is rife with division. It’s constantly being pulled further from the political center. The fundamental values of democracy were left weakened by Jan. 6, 2021. We’re sullied with investigations, scandals and misconduct.

Remember the evening news? The allegations? The affair? The blackmail? The divorce? I’m not talking about Donald Trump, but the guy who resigned as Missouri governor in 2018.

Greitens’ militia is dressed in combat attire and carries military-grade weapons: battering rams, flash-bangs, assault rifles complete with silencers and sights. They’re wearing American flags but aren’t our military. These pseudo-Navy SEALs show us the extreme, which isn’t so extreme anymore.

Greitens represents the division, hatred, deception and violence we experience, and his campaign embodies all that we’ve created. He’s forcing us to decide if we’ve become content with today’s America — with how things are and how we are. We only have a few months to decide.

- G.F. Fuller, St. Louis

A tired playbook

You have to wonder if Eric Greitens has a master plan with his controversial campaign video. So, is this a winning combo?

1. Make campaign video about hunting political adversaries, post on social media.

2. Wait for video to be removed or restricted by social media.

3. Make grand tour on right-wing TV and radio about free speech and so-called “cancel culture.”

4. Rake in campaign contribution bucks, since “I’m being censored!”

Sorry, Eric, this playbook is yellowed and dog-eared. Give it a rest.

- Glenn McDonald, Lee’s Summit

Missed the signs

Kansas City needs to do better marking one-way streets downtown. Many times, my husband and I have found ourselves going the wrong way down a one-way street with inadequte signage. It’s frightening. We’re new to Kansas City, and it happens nearly every time we go downtown. Help!

- Cyndy Platt, Parkville

Bad bus stop

I write to raise a concern I’ve observed at the RideKC bus stop nearest my home. The location, which is on U.S. 40, lacks a sidewalk, shelter or accessibility. Even as someone who doesn’t ride the bus, I find it baffling and disrespectful to put a rider location on a busy roadway like this without clear access for those using the services or proper maintenance.

Since there is no footpath, KCATA should address overgrown grass to improve the already-limited access, as well as provide trash bins and other ways to give riders a positive experience. I see no feasible way for a person using a wheelchair, knee scooter or crutches to safely use this stop. Additionally, the lack of shelter means riders are without cover in extreme temperatures.

Perhaps the goal is to drive down ridership to deprecate the location, but public transit services should remain safe, accessible and community-oriented, rather than haphazard and poorly selected. KCATA should consider improving this stop or relocating it to improve safety and accessibility and to provide a better rider experience.

- Alison Powell, Independence

Will they forget?

I’ve noticed a yard sign for Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara’s campaign for county chair that features the Republican elephant mascot logo. This is a nonpartisan election, including for the at-large chairperson seat. Given the recent revelations of the House select committee on the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection, I think identification with that logo would be a liability rather than an asset. We’ll see.

- Patrick McGarry, Overland Park

Show our spirit

Now that we’ve been named as a host city for the 2026 World Cup tournament, let’s greet our visitors with a display of artistic soccer balls placed around town like we did with the cows and hearts.

- Nancy Fox, Overland Park