As I Approach My 70th Birthday, Consider These Enduring Mysteries of Life and Politics • Kansas Reflector

This year I will celebrate my 70th birthdayth I don’t consider myself old, but I’m getting close. As a lawyer, judge, and 24-year veteran of the Kansas National Guard, I’ve seen and done a lot. However, there are many things I see that I still don’t understand.

Here are some of them:

— If dogs are part of the family, why do people let them sit on their laps while they drive? No one would dream of having their grandchild sit on their lap or sticking their head out the window of a moving car.

—We teach our children not to lie or cheat, and to have good moral values. So why do nearly 49% of Americans vote for a criminal who is incapable of telling the truth and devoid of any morals?

—Why does a hunter have to take a 20-hour course to shoot an animal that can’t shoot back, when anyone can buy a gun to defend themselves (and shoot another human being) without having to take a safety course? Soldiers must undergo many hours of firearms training, including instruction on how to avoid shooting noncombatants and how to maintain their weapons. Joe Blow, on the other hand, doesn’t have to take any training. He can walk down the street with a gun and the safety off.

—Since we’re talking about firearms, why can someone buy a semi-automatic rifle with a 100-round magazine, when hunters in many states are limited to three rounds in their guns when hunting?

— Every day, I see people not wearing helmets when riding motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters. I am particularly troubled to see children on scooters not wearing helmets. Consumer Reports found that 78% of adult cyclists and 88% of youth cyclists who suffered head and neck injuries were not wearing helmets when they were injured, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Journal of Brain Injury analyzing 76,032 bicycle injuries between 2002 and 2012. This is troubling, given that only about 29% of adult cyclists and 42% of child cyclists always wear helmets. In 2022, there were about 43,000 personal injury crashes involving cyclists who were pedal-powered only, including 1,105 fatalities. Why are governing bodies so reluctant to enact a law requiring motorcyclists and cyclists to wear helmets?

— Why can’t Congress come up with a viable immigration policy? Millions of people are entering the United States illegally looking for jobs and fleeing the plight of their home countries. They are not thieves, rapists, or terrorists. They are looking for jobs here and a better life. On the other hand, many employers are looking to fill jobs that Americans don’t want. We should be able to put in place a system to check the records of people who want to come to the United States and connect them with employers.

— Why doesn’t Trump visit some of the families who are entering the United States illegally to find out why they are coming here and listen to their stories? Every time he goes to the US-Mexico border, he pretends to talk to those guarding the border, but never listens to those seeking asylum.

— Why would a veteran vote for Trump? He has called veterans losers and names and denigrated them while avoiding military service. His recent stance and politicization of Arlington National Cemetery shows that he does not understand or appreciate us veterans.

— Why don’t Kansas City area drivers stop at stop signs and just slow down? As a driver, it annoys me. As a runner and cyclist, it almost cost me my life. Many cyclists are even worse than motorists when it comes to ignoring stop signs.

— Why do friends and family honor a deceased loved one by releasing balloons? It pollutes and leaves no lasting memory of their loved one. Plant a tree somewhere instead. Planting a tree will commemorate the deceased long after their death and help the environment.

—Why doesn’t the Kansas Legislature pass a referendum law so citizens can ask the government to put issues like raising the minimum wage or making Medicaid available to all to a vote? I guess the legislators are afraid of democracy and of us, the voters.

I have to stop here. This list could be endless. Thank you for reading my list of questions.

Wait, I thought of other things…

Tom Arnhold is a retired attorney, judge, and 24-year veteran of the Kansas National Guard, where he served as a JAG officer. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of those affected by public policy or excluded from public debate. Find information here, including how to submit your own commentary.