Letters: Readers discuss KC hospitality, Super Bowl memories and debating Fox News
How it’s done, KC
We had the privilege of following the Tennessee Titans to Kansas City on Sunday. We have also had the privilege of attending playoff games in many other cities. Our experience in Kansas City was nothing short of exceptional.
We encountered friendly fans, great customer service at Arrowhead Stadium and at Johnny’s Tavern, and outstanding hospitality. Although the outcome of the game was not what we sought, our experience was the best we’ve ever received on the road: great sportsmanship and gracious and enthusiastic winners who were extremely knowledgeable.
As the head of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, I understand the importance and value of treating guests well. Kansas City has not only the loudest but quite possibly the nicest fans in the NFL (maybe just behind the Titans’).
Thank you, Kansas City. Congratulations and good luck in Miami.
- Butch Spyridon, Nashville, Tennessee
Repeat of 1970?
In 1970, I was a freshman at Tulane University in New Orleans and a Chiefs fan. The morning of the Super Bowl, a friend and I decided to try to go to the game. We had no idea what to expect but hoped to buy a couple of tickets.
We walked across campus to Tulane Stadium, and, amazingly, bought $15 tickets at the ticket window. As I recall, there wasn’t even much of a line. Our seats were about halfway up behind the end zone opposite from Otis Taylor’s catch, juke and run for a touchdown.
The Chiefs proceeded to obliterate the Vikings, basically — even better than I’d hoped for — which was really satisfying. It’s still my favorite in-person sports memory.
Coincidentally, I’ll be in South Florida on Feb. 2. I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to get another ticket for $15. Probably not even for $1,500. But maybe the Chiefs will see this letter and give me one. You know, for good luck.
- Greg Tamblyn, Kansas City
Russian waves
Since Donald Trump was elected president, we have become soft on our adversary, Russia. And this time, I think we have gone too far by letting the Russian government’s “Radio Sputnik” broadcast propaganda on KCXL every day from 6 to 9 a.m. and p.m. (Jan. 17, 1A, “KCXL in Kansas City begins airing Russia’s Radio Sputnik”)
I believe in the First Amendment of the Constitution guaranteeing free speech, but we are really on the edge here. Restricting free speech would make us more like the Russians. However, allowing them to broadcast their propaganda in the U.S. makes us vulnerable and weakens our status as a world leader.
The obvious answer is for us not to listen, but KCXL being paid $324,000 for air time proves the adage that America is the best democracy that money can buy.
As a country, we need to wake up and see what is going on. Hopefully, in time for the 2020 election.
- Robert Miller, Overland Park
No Soviet style
Shocked would describe my reaction when I saw the headline to Michael Ryan’s flagrant and sensationalist misrepresentation of a recent training session that took place at a Olathe Public Schools teacher in-service. (Jan. 18, 9A, “Olathe school district tells teachers: Fox is fake news”)
I have taught in the Olathe district for 20 years, have attended numerous in-services and have worked with the two presenters of this session for many of those years. What Ryan depicts does not in the least represent the professionalism and integrity I know.
Unfortunately, Ryan has negatively biased his readers who are not familiar with the district about the true character of Olathe Public Schools. The in-services I have attended have served only to train and support teachers to be better educators in order to educate students to the best of their potential and prepare them for their ever-changing world.
There is no “left-wing evangelism” or “Soviet-style schooling” taking place in Olathe Public Schools. Ryan’s column is an example of the purposefully misleading disinformation that the presenters warned of.
- Christine Hanks, Lenexa
Fox is fine
Thank you so much for Michael Ryan’s column about what Olathe Public Schools in-service trainers said about Fox News.
Yes, Fox News is sometimes wrong, just like all news platforms are. But Ryan is right that CNN and MSNBC are so liberal and biased that they’re extreme as well. To say we shouldn’t listen to the other side is an insult to all of us, and it’s bad for society and democracy. It’s very important to read both sides and to get your news from many sources.
Ryan is a great writer and a refreshing new voice and point of view. I’m very glad he’s joined The Star’s team.
- Jan Bentley, Kansas City