Posted on Thu, May. 01, 2008

The words of Rev. Wright

I watched the Rev. Jeremiah Wright in an interview last week on PBS, in his address to the NAACP on Sunday, and then again at the Press Club on Monday. It struck me how much power the media has to demonize or idealize a person. It was great to hear this man speak for himself after six weeks of those snippets.

I found the Rev. Wright to be inspirational and uplifting. His message is filled with truth. I’ve been listening to some of the reactions to him, and I regret that so many people don’t get it.

I have never been in a black church in my life, but I hear the man loud and clear. If he were a minister in this area I would be sitting on the front row every Sunday. I’m sure there are many others who are not afraid of what he has to say.

Please people, speak up. It’s time to prove to the world we really aren’t “stuck on stupid.”

Vicki Brown

Overland Park

After hearing the Rev. Wright’s interview with Bill Moyers, perhaps the reverend should remember it is God’s church. The reverend needs to remember the church is about Him, not him.

Mike Weaver

Lansing

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright speaks about black history not in an informative way but in one that inflames. I am open to learning about all races and cultures. I do not, however, like hearing about events that took place long before my time, those I wish I could change but cannot. History is the past.

I have taught my children to love all people, no matter their race. Prejudice is ignorant in any form. It is a waste of time and energy. My children believe an open mind leads to a life of love, compassion, and knowledge.

The Rev. Wright is a bit prejudiced himself, continuing to drive a wedge between blacks and whites, and with sarcasm in his voice. I am so saddened by his words. I pray his words don’t take us backward instead of forward. God made us all equal.

Pam Deghand

Roeland Park

Let Hillary lead Senate

Steve Kraske is correct. The Democratic superdelegates must get off their duffs unless they want their party torn apart and defeated in the November presidential election (4/27, Local, “When will the superdelegates speak up?”). They must end the bickering and immediately anoint Hillary Senate majority leader.

Nearly 60 percent of Americans don’t trust Hillary. They suffer “Clinton fatigue.” They don’t like hearing about all of the shady double-dealing among Bill, Hillary, the Foundation, the Library, Chelsea’s hedge fund and all those sordid big donor-investors. But senators eat this stuff up. They love that kind of action.

With moves like that, Hillary can be the most effective majority leader since Lyndon Johnson. Think of it: Hillary and Nancy — the alpha females leading both houses of Congress. They would get to tell the guys on the Hill where to sit and when to talk. They could use their nurturing and consensus-building skills to hammer out some real legislation.

Meanwhile, back at the White House, we have a fresh face and mind pushing real change.

So, superdelegates, do your duty!

Thomas Stroud

Overland Park

McCain’s economic policy

A recent headline in The Star says “McCain stresses tax cuts before balanced budget” (4/21, A-4).

This is insane economics. The national debt is out of control, the value of the dollar is sinking like a leaking rowboat, and the leading Republican advocates bankruptcy as the most important economic policy.

Has he lost his mind?

Robin O. Dorrbecker

Kansas City

Missouri 6th District race

I do not understand why “the nation is watching” Missouri’s 6th District race (4/21, A-1). It is mostly in farm country, and I don’t think they want a city slicker trying to con them.

Kay Barnes’ legacy will really surface in the future with the failure of a lot of downtown. An NBA or NHL professional team will never come to Kansas City and remain. We have seen that before.

Jack Carey

Kansas City

Thanks, Red Cross volunteers

It is National Volunteer Week — a time to recognize volunteers and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism. Volunteers freely give of themselves and contend that the reward for their work is not money but the satisfaction of helping others, involvement in the community and the friendships formed through volunteer work.

The theme of National Volunteer Week is “Volunteer to Change the World,” and that is just what Red Cross volunteers do. Without volunteers, the American Red Cross could not complete its mission to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

At the Wyandotte County Chapter, volunteers help people affected by disasters, support blood drives, teach life-saving skills and serve members of the military and their families. Volunteers are on call 24 hours a day to assist with local home fires and other events. Drills and training keep our volunteers on their toes and ready to help at the first sign of danger.

The Wyandotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross welcomes volunteers of all ages and skills. Please explore our Web site at kck.redcross.org.

Jason Williby

Executive director, American Red Cross,

Wyandotte County chapter

Kansas City, Kan.

Smithfield e-mail

I consider it highly unethical of The Star to publish an e-mail received in error. In this case no damage was done, as it showed that Smithfield was taking a well-reasoned and thought-out approach to this litigation (4/25, Business, “Smithfield to fight hog farm lawsuits”). But it did show that The Star was willing to take advantage of someone’s inadvertent error.

It is clear that you don’t subscribe to the old adage that a gentleman does not read someone else’s mail

Dan Maclean

Kansas City

Editor’s note: The Star published a box with the story explaining why editors decided to write about the e-mail message, which Smithfield Foods Inc. requested that the paper ignore and destroy.

Turn the moral tide in U.S.

How much higher can gas prices go? How many more homes can be foreclosed on? How can middle-class, working families continue to make ends meet? Many times they struggle to pay their bills and educate their children. In many families, every member works a job, sometimes two.

Our leaders can become so far removed from how the majority of us live that they do not understand the struggles many of us face.

Many people are concerned about economic issues as well as the moral direction of this nation. But many people fear to speak out because of concern that others will find out they have not lived perfect lives.

When the economic issues are amply dealt with, the middle class will not have such a struggle financially. When the moral direction is correctly dealt with, the prisons won’t be running over. May we hold fast to the dream of turning the tide for the next generation.

Deborah Solomon

Independence

‘Faith Walk’ atheist

I always enjoy reading The Star’s Faith section on Saturdays. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree. Last Saturday (4/26) as I was reading “Faith Walk,” I almost fell off the sofa. The writer described prayer as “one of the most objectively ineffective and useless forms of assistance.” He also stated that praying only makes those who are praying “feel better” and it fails to benefit those who are being prayed for.

I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen sick and hurting people healed, broken marriages become new and other miracles occur all because family and friends were on their knees in prayer. Prayer gives both parties peace and hope.

Kathy Riggs

Kansas City

I understand Chuck Lunney’s concerns about the National Day of Prayer. I, too, have concerns about separation of church and state. Faith communities for years have had special days of prayer without the assistance of the federal government.

I applaud Mr. Lunney’s suggestion of doing something concrete on this day, such as donating blood. For me, this is prayer in action.

His suggestion to donate blood could have been a uniting call, something that people of faith or no faith could join together and do. However, I found his dismissive attitude toward prayer and those who pray so darn irritating that it’s been difficult for me to stay focused on this positive suggestion.

Chuck, next time please consider your whole audience, not just your particular non-faith group, when trying to motivate people to take action.

The Rev. Cynthia Heller

Kansas City, Kan.

Words of a promised prayer may not always produce a cure, but the thought certainly conveys hope and caring. Mr. Lunney’s group may donate once a year, but most places of worship hold blood drives two to three times a year for their congregation and anyone else in that community.

And why did he mention that he did not care as to whom would receive his blood? No selfless donor asks that question or places strings on a donation.

Robert A. Smith and Barbara Smith

Co-chairs, Good Shepherd Blood Drive

Shawnee

Two letter writers to The Star (4/30) both referred to atheist Chuck Lunney’s comments as “ranting.” I would ask why his comments are “ranting” but the comments of the priests, rabbis and ministers are not?

As for their main objection that the column was in the Faith section: Coming to the rational conclusion that there are no gods is a belief. Isn’t faith a matter of belief? Thus, the Faith section is the appropriate place for an atheist to share his belief.

Richard L. Phelps

Kansas City

Helzbergs do good for KC

My high school English teacher would correct me when I said, “I am doing good.” He would say, “Only Boy Scouts and philanthropists do good.”

Kansas City’s Shirley and Barnett Helzberg are doing good. Their list of good deeds is a lengthy, ever-growing one. They have recently purchased a building to house the offices of the Kansas City Symphony (4/15, A-1, “Helzberg plans symphony offices”).

We are fortunate to have such a generous, philanthropic couple as Shirley and Barnett Helzberg in Kansas City.

Steve Katz

Leawood

Shocking anti-abortion signs

Jason Sorensen (4/21, Letters) is angered because parents have been upset about their children seeing graphic abortion images and its potential effect.

I have several children of my own as well as foster children. I do not condone abortions. However, I am just as adamant about the nasty and disgusting ways these anti-abortion zealots put their opinions out for everyone else to see.

Displaying images of aborted children to shock the public makes as much sense as displaying child pornography to shame pedophiles. All it did was make me angry, not at the women having the abortions but at the righteous individuals who feel justified in placing garbage in front of society hoping to change a few minds.

My suggestion: To change the pro-abortion views of others, find a different avenue. Make better choices, just as you would like women having abortions to do. Now there’s a thought.

Beth Williams

Olathe

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