Letters: Readers discuss Bill Vaughan’s ‘Christmas,’ holiday travel and honoring King
Just the words
I appreciate The Star’s annual tradition of printing Bill Vaughan’s “A Story of Christmas,” especially because it reminds us of the reason for the season. However, I must say that the illustrated version sometimes used in recent years is but a pale shadow of Vaughan’s emotional prose. (Dec. 22, 1C, “Tell Me a Story of Christmas”)
Please consider always publishing the original column instead of the cartoon version in the future.
- David Markus, Kansas City
Travel helpers
It’s the time of year when those who travel for business begin to wind down work trips to spend more time at home and when personal travel increases as people head out to see family and friends.
I fly regularly for my job, and with trips to 22 campuses in 15 states, my travel takes me all over the country and sometimes keeps me away from home for weeks at a time. While each of the cities I’ve traveled to is very different, there is one constant at every airport: the people who work tirelessly to help things run smoothly.
I’m not talking about the pilots and flight attendants, although they are a very important part of travel. I’m talking about the crews of people who clean and stock airplanes, ground crews who help load and unload luggage in the most inclement weather and unforgiving conditions, and those who work at airports across the country cleaning restrooms and terminals as millions of travelers move through them daily.
To those of you doing the jobs that help us to do our jobs, thank you.
- Karen Cox, President, Chamberlain University, Kansas City
Future investment
I am so proud of The Star for the intensive and deep journalism about the foster care system in its “Throwaway Kids” series. As a former social worker and foster parent, I know how important an excellent child and family care system is — not only for the struggling families and children, but for all of us.
Your work unearthing the high percentage of former foster children in prison is breathtaking. Not only is excellent care good for the children, but let’s talk about crime reduction.
We all need to insist that our state governments address the need for family support and excellent foster care. Along the way, it is also important to lift up models that do work.
In Missouri, some foster kids heading to adulthood are given access to independent living with housing, medical care, counseling and help toward college.
Let’s be sure that our children — and they are all our children — get the best help possible to become adults who will help us build a better world for all.
- Jane Fisler-Hoffman, Raymore
More than streets
In response to the conversation about Kansas City’s desire to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — an objective that I believe is necessary and overdue — I would like to suggest the establishment of a downtown “justice district.”
This zone, including City Hall and the Jackson County and federal courthouses, could easily be designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Justice District. Special honorary street signage (while keeping the official names of streets), a sidewalk “Walk of Peace” with placards memorializing the life of King and other recognitions would be appropriate elements of the district.
A justice district would unquestionably be a significant, creative and relevant solution for our civic aspirations honoring a great American who struggled for racial equality and social justice.
- Mitchell Dorris, Kansas City
Shocking kindness
Last Thursday, I was in a department store finishing my Christmas shopping. I found what I needed: canisters of popcorn for grandkids and a few friends.
I had an armload and asked the clerk behind the counter if I could leave them at the register while I awaited my turn to check out. He said of course, so I put them down and proceeded to the back of the line.
As I waited, a lady in line asked me, “Isn’t that your popcorn?” I looked at the counter to see the clerk ringing up the canisters. He then motioned for me to come up front.
As the cashier put the popcorn into bags, he said, “This man just paid for your popcorn.” I looked at the gentleman, tried to blurt out, “Thank you!” and immediately burst into tears. If you have ever been “gobsmacked,” you probably remember you could not find the right words.
I’m not quite sure I actually thanked him, but if I didn’t and he’s reading this letter: Thank you for being so kind. I wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a blessed new year.
By the way, I will pay it forward.
- Susi Shaw, Olathe