Opinion

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Susan Lukwago, Liberal

Congratulations to J Brooks Kappelmann on winning best Cameo Performer at the 2024 Jester Awards! In fact, congratulations to all our outstanding students that were nominated.

GUEST COLUMN, Dane Hicks, Kaninfo.com

The Kansas Department of Transportation is pushing hard for public input to let the state tap federal funds for the development of a Kansas electric vehicle infrastructure plan, hoping to access millions of dollars set aside by the Biden Administration to promote EVs. But unlike the movie Field Of Dreams, the unpopularity of EVs so far questions the idea that “if you build it, they will come.”

KDOT circulated a press release this week requesting public feedback on EV charging in order to help create the state’s infrastructure plan to service electric vehicles. Each state is required to develop a national electric vehicle infrastructure (NEVI) plan, funded by the green energy elements of Biden’s massive $2.1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 2021. Kansas may receive up to $40 million dollars of those EV targeted funds over 5 years, and localities can apply for extra cash through $2.5 billion in additional discretionary programs.

GUEST COLUMN, John Richard Schrock, Library Frontlines

Despite China’s clear and 12-point detailed call for a cease fire in Ukraine, the U.S. is portraying China as a supposed supporter of Russia’s war by way of China’s trade including so-called “dual use” tools, nuts-and-bolts, standard computer chips used in cell phones and a wide range of equipment, etc.

There are two issues involved. The first is how World Trade Organization’s prior (but now inoperable) methods of resolving international trade disputes has now weaponized commercial trade for political and wartime purposes. That complex problem will have to wait for a more detailed discussion.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Starley Craig, Liberal

I can’t believe it took such a short time for our new school board members to join the old guards’ most precious activity — purchasing yet another “program” to “improve our district’s educational performance.”

This little jewel is called Reframing Behavior. It promises to “help build a positive and supportive classroom environment” and “help increase teachers’ understanding of the neuroscience of the brain” and “respond appropriately to stress and anxiety.”