Heartland Men’s Chorus, Bill Clinton’s lies and our climate

Spirits brightened

There are so many opportunities to hear live music during the holidays from any number of excellent Kansas City performing organizations that it can be difficult to choose.

Those that have delivered high-quality performances in the past are always secure bets. But every once in a while, a group stands out in a way that portends the arrival of a new era. I witnessed this Sunday with the Heartland Men’s Chorus’ “Making Spirits Bright” concert at the Folly Theater.

I have attended many Heartland Men’s Chorus concerts over the years, and I’ve always been impressed by the group’s entertaining, energetic programs and the loyalty of their devoted fans. This one was different, though.

I was no longer applauding the laughs, the dancing, the musical pranks and the silly vignettes. It was the sound of the voices that caught my attention: balanced, in tune and beautifully blended. The technical aspects of the show were professional, creative and artistic enhancements.

For me, this year’s Heartland Men’s Chorus Christmas show clearly reflected the culmination of hundreds of concerts and thousands of hours of rehearsals over the years, which have resulted in an elegance of delivery that matches the equally resonating message.

- Stephanie A. Henry, Kansas City

Bill Clinton’s lies

With all due respect to the author of a Monday letter (7A) that implied Bill Clinton was impeached for his Oval Office romps with Monica Lewinsky, that is incorrect. Clinton was impeached because he lied to a grand jury (a felony), lied in a deposition regarding the Paula Jones matter and encouraged someone to lie in testimony, among other charges.

While the march of time can cloud our recollections, the facts remain unchanged, and it is unfortunate that anyone would misrepresent history.

Members of Congress should look on the impeachment of President Donald Trump with great skepticism. After such review, let the voting out of representatives who favor impeachment begin.

- Reed Plate, Overland Park

Torn apart

When Donald Trump was elected president, I said he was the worst thing to happen to the country in its history. He has proved to be worse than I ever imagined.

The biggest disappointment is the blind partisanship Republicans are showing to support such insanity. This includes close friends and relatives.

I had trouble voting for Hillary Clinton, but there was no choice. At least she was no threat to democracy or our relationships with our allies.

I don’t support socialist proposals such as “Medicare for All,” but I do favor the government helping with health insurance for those who can’t afford it. Expand Medicare in some fashion, but if we continue to be a totally partisan nation, I doubt anything good can happen.

I’m glad I’m 77.

- Jerry Putnam, Overland Park

Not the real words

I just read a Wednesday letter to the editor stating that the “transcript” of President Donald Trump’s phone call with Ukraine’s president exonerates Trump. (16A) It was not a transcript.

What the White House released was a memorandum, or summary. This is clearly written at the top of the first page, as are the words, “CAUTION: A Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation (TELCON) is not a verbatim transcript of a discussion.”

Facts still matter, even in MAGA fantasy land. Trump repeating a lie over and over doesn’t make it true.

- Linda Christian, Greenwood

Time running out

A segment about the “genetic information age” on this past Sunday’s “60 Minutes” showed how science is working to make us immune to all viruses, eliminate genetic diseases and even reverse the aging process.

It’s ironic these advances may arrive just as climate change eliminates all life on Earth.

- Steve Barnhart, Kansas City

See through it

I sent an email to my senator, Roy Blunt. I asked him how it is OK with him that some people seemingly don’t have to honor congressional subpoenas or give documents to the House impeachment inquiry. (He did reply, which I certainly appreciate. Most often, my other senator does not reply.)

In the reply he said: “Given the seriousness of this issue, the president, the Congress, and the American people have every right to demand a more fair and transparent process.”

So I’m asking Blunt: What part of transparency is it to withhold documents and testimony? I am also asking for him to stand up for our Constitution and integrity, not just lemming-lock-step along the Republican Party line.

- R. Lorraine Steed, Gallatin, Missouri