Dark money force
Guest columnist Dan Caldwell’s defense of dark money is hilarious, if sad. (Aug. 24, 13A, “Greitens is right to protect private polical donations in Missouri”)
No, it’s not about free speech. It’s about money. It’s about power.
It’s about money and power and influence peddling and corruption.
It’s about the subversion of our republic by forces too cowardly to show their names in public.
There is no free speech for “anonymous.” It should be for only those who truly put their lives on the line for freedom.
Jim Hopwood
Spring Hill, Kan.
Whining umpires
Sam Mellinger really nailed it with his commentary on whiny umpires. (Aug. 24, 1B, “Umpires should cut whining, get better”)
Back in the day, umpire baiting was part and parcel of the game. Cries of “Kill the ump” were almost a given.
But, of course, in today’s namby-pamby approach to the ultrasensitive wussies, you would probably be cuffed and jailed without bail for uttering these words.
Man up, you glorified judges of the strike zone.
And be thankful the players do not chew tobacco any longer. Watch a rerun of Billy Martin or Tommy Lasorda going face to face with a mouthful of brown juice as an example of what an umpire once had to endure.
If you want quiet and serenity, get a job in the public library.
William Ramm
Overland Park
A welcoming place
I read with interest the story about the Ethnic Enrichment Festival (Aug. 20, 6A, “Ethnic festival celebrates KC’s strength in diversity”) The article points with pride to the diverse and friendly crowd in attendance.
There is a similar environment each weekend at the River Market, also known as the City Market, in downtown Kansas City.
Whether you are there for the museum, the farmers’ produce, the live family-friendly entertainment or the restaurants, I am confident you will love the vibrant atmosphere of the market.
Dan Fitzgerald
Kansas City
Our history
I have given a lot of thought to the people writing in about ridding the city of reminders of racism. Good idea.
So let’s close and demolish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. What a symbol of racism this is. Black baseball players could not play with whites. Every time I pass or go by the place, I am reminded of the racism those players had to deal with.
So it’s time for it to go.
Just kidding. But all of you who want to do away with these Confederate statues are opening yourselves up for this type of thought.
So be careful.
When I hear former basketball player Charles Barkley say that 90 percent of black people couldn’t care less about those statues and monuments, I know this is just another PC thing dredged up by the far left.
David Whitaker
Overland Park
Flood blame
As a civil engineer, I think your readers should understand that “He who builds his home in the river gets wet.”
Readers can see expected flooding in their areas by consulting FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center under “Navigation” at fema.gov.
Taxpayers have very limited responsibility to help flood victims. Flooding is predictable.
Probability of flooding should be taken into account when a person decides to occupy a certain property.
David Blasiar Sr.
Overland Park
Why it’s gone
I was disappointed to see The Star partially attributing the removal of the Daughters of Confederacy monument to the graffiti that was sprayed on it. (Aug. 21, 1A, “Vandalized Confederate monument in KC boxed up”)
The monument has been a symbol of racial hatred, white supremacy and terrorism since it arrived here more than 80 years ago. If it was ever vandalized, I doubt that would have prompted anyone to remove it.
What did prompt the city to remove it, however, was ordinary people, like the man from Prairie Village who brought it to the City Council’s attention, speaking out about the harm it has caused and ways it continued to poison our understanding of each other.
The announcement of a rally, which materialized with hundreds of local folks in support of love and the removal of this statue, was also instrumental in its removal.
Please, Star editors, don’t write caring people out of history, lest this event that produced a significant and positive change in society becomes lost on our children.
Michael Rebne
Roeland Park
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