Bill threatens ecosystems, an integral aspect of life, especially in rural regions
Rural scenery is calming for the soul and mind. They are important for attracting tourists and keeping rural communities and their neighbors happy. We have a healthy ecosystem, as evidenced by the stunning views. The ecosystems may be as small as your backyard, or as large and diverse as the ocean. It is land, water, and air.
Farmer and rancher have a special relationship with the ecosystem that supports their wellbeing. They are aware of the importance and value of the environmental connection. Healthy connections lead to healthy farms and thriving rural towns that are the foundation of resilience in the food system.
It is especially alarming that Missouri Rep. Adam Schnelting filed HB 1463 for 2022 legislative session. It states that no person or organization shall have standing to sue, or intervene in civil actions on behalf of nature and the ecosystem. What does this mean? It means that your neighbor can pollute your land, water, and air and cannot be sued. They found a clever way to misname this bill: “Protection of Missouri Farms and Private Property Act.”This is one way to trick people into believing it’s a good idea. Think about it. There will not be one person or business held responsible.
Missouri’s most important industry, agriculture is especially important for rural communities. There are more than 100,000 farms that are family-owned. This legislation threatens our ecosystem as well as the economic well-being of rural communities.
Jacqueline Farr (Warsaw)
Roger Ray is wrong in using his ‘pastor’ title to promote his political agenda
Friday’s News-Leader edition shows that Roger Ray, “Pastor”, has once more managed to ruin the title he uses to identify him. Although I have not been to his church, I am curious if he holds the same “theology” of division and disdain for his fellow men from the pulpit that he does in his columns in the newspaper.
One example is that he calls Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, both duly elected members of U.S. Senate traitors. He proudly links with other “progressives”, which would have “removed Trump” from the Oval Office in handcuffs.
I’ve often wondered why some pastors don’t take Rev. Ray was criticized for using his title and his church for political purposes. But then, it dawned on me that maybe it is because they are “pastors” in word and deed.
Bob W. Rush, Mansfield
Teach history as it was, even though it makes students uncomfortable
Officially, the history we were taught in Springfield schools in the 1950s and 1960s was accurate. However, it wasn’t too far considering that the majority of the history was about the virtues or successes of Europeans in the creation and development of our country. I was fortunate to have three strong teachers who helped me supplement this sugary tale.
Most of us, especially historians have learned, re-leaved and been taught by oppressed group about the dark side of American history over the past decades. Some Republican officeholders are calling for the suppression of information regarding unfavorable facts about our country’s treatment African Americans, women and Native Americans, Jews Hispanics, Asian Americans and gays, among other things. Schools in several states, and now in Monett, are being told not to teach controversial or divisive topics.
I would love to know what is more controversial and divisive in a supposedly educational institution than suppressing the truth. If we don’t understand the reasons behind our divisions, how will we ever be able to overcome them? An education that isn’t sanitized is not education at all.
Gary Wright M.D.
Snyder piece does not provide details about an attempt to prevent transfer of power Jan. 6
Derek Snyder’s recent opinion piece “Jan.6 wasn’t an Insurrection,” seems to give us a good legal perspective of Jan. 6. He clearly knows his American history, which is a rare thing these days. Although I am not a conservative, I agree on many of his points. He has omitted key evidence in his summary.
Yes, many of the participants were passionate citizens who attended the rally at the president’s request. It is clear that many of the participants weren’t the brightest lights and were easily influenced. Ashli Babbitt is an excellent example. Despite her past troubles, she is being treated well by her supporters as a veteran. Despite her violence at Capitol, the far right have made her a hero. While violence was evident at some of the BLM marches it is not surprising that they were violent. Those responsible for such acts should be punished, Antifa included. Portland has seen several of them arrested. I would argue that an attack against the Capitol is a much more serious crime than the relatively peaceful BLM marches.
The biggest oversight by Mr. Snyder is the presence of radicals who oppose government and democracy. These groups included the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, among others. The leader of the former group and 10 others were arrested for “seditious conspiracies.”Their goal was to stop the peaceful transfer power, which is the key to democracy’s continued existence. They and others had arms caches near their homes and intended to use force when necessary. If it is true, I would consider that an insurrection. It will, I think. It is likely that the FBI, far away from directing these groups had placed agents inside them. This was not a simple political rally gone sour.
As divided as the country is today, Mr. Snyder is absolutely correct about one thing: Jan. 6 has taken on political connotations that further divide us. Both parties need to agree on the need to crush radical groups that advocate violence, left and right. We are heading for very dark times if we don’t.
John E. Melton, Springfield
