Letters on university research, Kobach and Trump, scary campaign, transgender bathrooms, Ali

Universities punished for research success

University of Kansas chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and Kansas State University interim president Richard Myers objected to the legislative provision dictating that recent state budget cuts be based on universities’ all-funds operating budgets instead of their state general fund allocations.

I wonder if our legislators thought at length about what that would mean to university research staff members, who apply for and are fortunate to receive federal grant funds to expand research knowledge in their fields and to attract bright graduate students and new higher-level faculty to their institutions.

The 2016 roster of retirees from Kansas universities reportedly includes dozens of faculty members who have taught more than 30 years each. Through the 2016 state budget cuts, legislators showed they didn’t value faculty members or their research. Some could be taking their labs and some staff, and relocating to states that value their earned research grants.

And Kansans wonder why our brightest offspring move out of the state.

If Gov. Sam Brownback wants research universities to succeed in Kansas, he should have used his line-item veto on the budget provision that stipulates the cuts are based on all-funds operating budgets.

KU and K-State alumni who have gained from their university experiences should contact legislators and Brownback about the need for research grants.

A universal right

The First Amendment guarantees U.S. citizens the right to free speech, but free speech should be a universal right for all. Now Secretary of State Kris Kobach wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to pick up and deport any undocumented people among the protesters at Donald Trump events (June 8 Now Consider This).

Kobach and Trump are entitled to their inflammatory thoughts and remarks. They are not, however, entitled to have agents examine the identification papers of people exercising their right to free speech at such events. Would Kobach have ICE agents check people based on the color of their skin, their appearance or the language they speak?

Scary campaign

I am 59 years old. I have never witnessed a presidential campaign this strange, weird or whatever you wish to call it. I actually find it scary and misguided in every way.

I cannot believe that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the likely nominees. Our country needs a lot of fixing, as Trump says. However, he is a complete, insane idiot. Clinton is even worse – a liar, a loser and a hoax.

I have a new granddaughter, and I worry for her. I worry for her parents, and I worry for all of us. The things I’ve heard during the campaign are sick, childish and fractured thinking.

Whom you vote for right now does not matter. We are really in trouble. God bless the USA.

Toilet panic

I know that ISIS is threatening to bring down the Middle East and then turn on us. I know that global warming is a threat to this Earth and the specter of President Trump is scary. I know we can persevere and handle these threats if we try. But what are our legislators in a panic about? Transgender toilets.

President Obama suggests that people use the toilet that meets the gender that they feel is theirs. And, of course, if the president suggests it, all loyal Republicans are against it.

But what is their solution? Have a gender-screening security station at all restrooms? Have a transgender man, dressed accordingly in men’s clothes, go into the ladies’ room? Make people wear diapers or go home to relieve themselves?

Ali memories

I join the millions of people worldwide who are mourning the passing of Muhammad Ali.

In April 1974, while walking through a New York airport, my family and I unexpectedly spotted Ali with two others. Of course, we asked for his autograph, which he graciously gave.

At the time, Ali appeared young, healthy and attractive, with smooth skin and a warm, lively expression in his eyes.

As a fan, I wish he could have enjoyed his retirement with more good health. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen, but he left us all with many magnificent memories.

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Letters on university research, Kobach and Trump, scary campaign, transgender bathrooms, Ali."