| REGISTER TO WIN | |
 |
Tuskegee Experiment
Regarding the letter by April Ward (5/15): There is no need to embellish the horrible treatment of the patients involved in the Tuskegee Experiment.
While there is no doubt that treatment was denied them, there is also no doubt that when the experiments began, the usual treatments were often toxic and unsuccessful. They were not infected with syphilis for 40 years as Ward and others claim. It is these kinds of bogeyman theories that perpetuate the ill will and black victimology that is so obvious in Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s vitriol.
So, yes, it is very far-fetched to believe the government created the AIDS virus to kill black people or any of the other crazy, kooky, absurd, paranoid delusions the Rev. Wright has preached about.
Barack Obama has clearly stated he doesn’t agree with the Rev. Wright on these subjects, and I, for one, will take him at his word.
I would like to hear less about the Rev. Wright and more about policies, plans and proposals.
Brian K. Kegerreis
Overland Park
Sebelius and CommunionAfter reading the letters (5/14) concerning Archbishop Naumann’s decision to deny Communion to Gov. Sebelius, I am convinced that a crucial distinction is being overlooked.
While the Catholic Church does not endorse candidates, it certainly does advocate for the enactment of specific legislation and policy goals, particularly through the work of state Catholic conferences. It should be of no surprise to anyone that the Kansas Catholic Conference favors abortion restrictions.
The distinction to be made is that while Gov. Sebelius was not denied Communion when she merely advocated for abortion rights in general, she was denied Communion when she vetoed a bill that was an integral part of the Kansas Catholic Conference’s legislative agenda.
One does not have to agree with this agenda to understand how a church leader should feel empowered to advocate for the core positions for which his church stands.
William J. Thomas
Kansas City, Kan.
The Catholic Church has a legal and moral right to define its own theology. But to be theologically consistent, the church needs to refuse to serve Communion to all members who support choice. (Don’t hold your breath until that happens.)Refusing to serve only opposing politicians is a political act and violates the Church’s tax-exempt status.
Dennis Maack
Overland Park
Barnes too liberal for districtKay Barnes had to go clear to San Francisco to raise money for her campaign. It was not enough that she raised a bunch of money in Missouri’s 5th U.S. Congressional District. She and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have been getting together to raise more money out of the state and the district. I hope that while she’s out there raising money for her campaign she doesn’t make statements like Barack Obama did about guns, religion and illegal immigrants.
Most of Missouri’s 6th District is rural. Many residents have weapons for protecting their property, and religion does play a big part in our lives. A bunch of folks here are very upset about illegal immigrants (lawbreakers).
So do we of the 6th District want more liberals in Congress, a Congress that has one of the lowest ratings in years?
Dale Edwards
Blue Springs
IDs prevent illegal votingI believe that the photo ID laws that are emerging as a topic of debate recently support the right to vote. Illegal aliens have no right to vote in our elections. Proving who you are at the polls is not an inconvenience. As a soldier, I defend the Constitution and the citizens of this country, not those here illegally that destroy our institutions.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.