LETTERS 07/04/08

KC schools need decisive leader

Citizens, community groups and the federal court have played a dominant role in shaping today’s Kansas City School District. Barbara Shelly’s column (6/20, Opinion, “KC School District requires heroic efforts”) suggesting that community involvement is the district’s best hope for reforming the district is the same old failed policy of the past.

When Jack Welch took over General Electric, it was a successful corporation. He began to fire employees to prepare GE for what would become known as “downsizing,” thereby positioning GE for the future market. In doing so he earned the name “Neutron Jack” for the bomb that kills people but leaves buildings intact.

To save the children from the community that has all but abandoned them, the children need swift and decisive authority to prepare them for the future. The district’s history teaches us that such leadership is not to be found in the community.

Michael Lee Kobe

Kansas City, Kan.

Allen DeCamp (6/29, Letters) writes that “People buy for the best value and the best price.” Good opinion, but he’s misinformed.

People want value and price. “Save that money” is their mind-set. But when I buy union-made and American-made, it’s for exactly that reason.

My Ford pickup is running strong after 140,000 miles. I’ve known people who are spending four figures to repair inferior transportation. When I sent a letter to my congressman about Chinese-made products that had to be modified by me before I could even use them, I titled the essay, “Made in China, fixed in America!”

Anyone still buying Chinese after the toy scare?

Michael Knight

Fairway

Jerry Overstreet’s letter (6/26) questioning Barack Obama’s qualifications asks, “But who is he?”

Anyone who thinks that Sen. Obama achieved his status solely on the basis of his keynote speech at the Democratic Convention four years ago has been in hibernation.

That incredible speech was simply the spark that grew this great new wave of optimism. Obama was admitted to a prestigious private high school on a scholarship. He paid for his Ivy League education with student loans. Why does Obama get presented as some great mystery?

Why does Overstreet ask if Obama has ever had a “real job?” Obama was employed as a community organizer in Chicago, a private practice attorney and by the University of Chicago teaching constitutional law.

Overstreet’s implication that Obama does not want people to realize some shadowy past is ludicrous. On the contrary, he’s put it all out there for us to see. Just because he’s different doesn’t make him bad.

George Bush looks and sounds like John Q. Public, and look where that landed us.

There is a wealth of biographical information about both presidential candidates out there. Google, my man! Ignorance is not bliss. It’s dangerous.

Nancy Long

Harrisonville

I note with interest an “Obama for president” ad on television. In this ad Obama promoted his Midwest roots and his Midwest values. He even sports an American flag pin on his lapel.

Is this the same Obama who made fun of folks who wear flag pins, claiming that their patriotism needed this outside symbol while real patriots didn’t need to wear these pins?

We must be the Bible-reading hayseeds he made fun of in San Francisco.

Bob Gough

Lee’s Summit

Last weekend on the TV news was an item about a tourist in Washington, D.C., asking why Congress was not in session considering the energy crisis and the housing foreclosure crisis. He made a good point. Why has our wonderful Congress abandoned us?

The leadership in Congress is not helping us, the people, one iota, and the rest of the majority party are following like a bunch of sheep. I strongly suggest we vote this group of overpaid people out. Let them see how many other jobs let you make more than $150,000 a year for not working.

The current majority in Congress is as useless as mammary glands on a boar hog.

Dennis Tabel

Overland Park

I had jury duty at the Independence Courthouse. The people were very nice. The jury room was small and very crowded. I had to sit on a metal folding chair. The ladies had to stand in line for the bathroom. We were paid $6 a day, plus 7 cents a mile.

They came up with the money to remodel the offices at the Jackson County Courthouse and have an artist paint pictures on the ceiling. The pay that jurors receive is appalling! Gas is close to $4 a gallon. The pay must be 40 years out of date.

We do need to do our civic duty, but we could be treated better.

David L. Netz Sr.

Independence

On June 25, the anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, Korean War veterans were privileged to view the documentary film premiere showing of “Korea, the Forgotten War.”

The film was very well researched and told the truth of what the American GIs went through in the so-called police action.

On behalf of the Korean War veterans, I would like to thank the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum for providing the auditorium, the Carson-Speaks Funeral Home for sponsoring, and Larry Cappetto for researching and producing the film.

Mr. Cappetto has spent much time getting the facts straight. And I heard many veterans comment that this film should be shown on prime-time television so the younger generation would know what the senior citizens have gone through so they can live in a free world.

Carl Todd

Pleasant Hill

Karen Uhlenhuth’s article (6/30, Local, “Project aims to end child abuse”) mentions a 20-year-old mother who cannot read or write, despite graduating high school. Most Kansas Citians are unaware of the extent of adult illiteracy in our community. Some 250,000 area adults, about 20 percent of the population, read below the fifth-grade level and are considered functionally illiterate.

But there is hope for adults who want to improve their reading skills. Since 1985, Literacy Kansas City has helped more than 4,000 adults learn to read. Our phonics-based program centers on one-to-one tutoring. It is free, confidential and highly effective. Surprisingly, about half of the students enrolled in our program have high school diplomas.

You can help by becoming a volunteer tutor or a donor. As a nonprofit, we are struggling in this weakened economy. By helping reduce adult illiteracy, you can make a personal contribution to improving our community, one new reader at a time.

Please call 816-333-9332 and sign up for the next Volunteer Orientation. And visit www. literacykc.org.

Mike Kreiter

Volunteer Tutor Literacy Kansas City

Overland Park

I was offended and shocked at a disc jockey’s recent remarks made on a local FM radio station. The disc jockey kept bantering on about how he had “date raped a drunk girl this past weekend.” His statement was always followed by laughter and was repeated several times. As a civilized person, I am offended and appalled.

As a mother of both sons and a daughter, I am sickened that date rape was talked about on the air in such a cavalier way. It is, in fact, against the law, and I see no humor in it whatsoever.

I believe this requires more than just tuning it out or off. I have contacted the station, and its officials responded that I heard this out of context. However when I requested the entire segment, they did not provide it.

I fail to see how even “in context” this is appropriate and not offensive.

Mary Calkins

Overland Park

To the woman who scolded my son for trampling flowers at the park: First, he’s 2. He was exploring and probably thought the tall grass he was wading through was tickly.

Second, I support the “it takes a village” attitude, but only if this village’s members treat its youngest citizens gently and with respect. Refrain from being the villager who points in a child’s face and yells “No!” My child is a child, not a dog.

I appreciate that you planted those flowers, and because they are special to you maybe they would be better off on private property where they can be protected. Otherwise, I think you should be resigned to the fact that a toddler may be curious about that funny-looking grass.

I’m teaching my son about not walking through flowers. I’m also teaching him the alphabet. He learned neither on the first try. Young children don’t understand things, and then they do. I just choose to let him learn in a non-punitive fashion.

Maybe if we all viewed things as positively, we would have more children who retain their natural love of learning and exploring new things. Punishing exploration is not the answer. Try some gentle guidance.

Kelli Roman

Lenexa

In response to Anne White (6/27, Letters, “Oprah and Evangelicals”) who doesn’t “put much stock in the traditions of the Church,” please consider St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:2: “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.”

To make sure that the Apostolic Tradition would be passed down after the death of the apostles, Paul told Timothy (2 Tim. 2:2) “What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

He refers to the first four generations of apostolic succession: his own generation, Timothy’s generation, the generation Timothy will teach, and the generation they in turn will teach.

Read the whole Bible, Anne, not just the parts that support what you feel is the truth. You’re on the right track. Seek further. Google “Church fathers.”

Fran Cobb

Kansas City

I am not disabled, but have a disabled placard for when my 4-year-old with cerebral palsy is with me. Because she is unable to sit, stand, hold on, ride in a cart or bend, those larger spots allow me to get her safely in and out of the car.

While leaving the grocery store recently — pushing my daughter in the stroller, pulling the cart behind me and hanging onto my 2-year-old — someone started honking. Not realizing the honking was directed at me (who honks at someone with a placard?) I loaded up my kids while trying to hang onto the cart.

When I realized the honking was at me, I looked around and saw there were several open disabled parking spots. I figured the person assumed I shouldn’t be using that spot, so I decided a polite explanation was in order, to which the man told me I needed to be more considerate and move faster. I pointed out the open disabled spots, but he needed the one where I was parked because he couldn’t walk that far.

I couldn’t help but wonder who would be the inconsiderate person if someone were honking at him for not moving fast enough.

Debbie Niemann

Leawood

Royals, now that you have upgraded the team and the front office, it’s time for more changes for next year. Specifically, the TV broadcast team has to go.

Those of us who subscribe to the Major League Baseball Extra Innings package on cable get to hear so many actual professional broadcasters that we just cringe having to listen to our bush-league team.

Please, continue to upgrade our image and help save my TV. Get some professional broadcasters.

David Henning

Kansas City