Letters: Kansas Citians give low marks to Tuesday’s presidential debates
School lessons
As a third-grader in Gower, Missouri, I learned what bullying was. On the bus ride home one afternoon, older boys tied me between the seats in the back of the bus. My father flagged down the bus to pick me up before my stop, and lo and behold — I couldn’t get off.
Watching the presidential debate Tuesday night, I realized I didn’t fully understand bullying. To wit: lying, interrupting, insulting, making nasty and demeaning comments, telling someone he isn’t smart, not letting one finish a thought, attacking and acting like a total jerk.
I now realize I got off easy back in the 1950s — and how much I appreciate my teachers who taught me to treat everyone with respect.
- Ed Matney, Gower, Missouri
Many losers
There was clearly no winner in Tuesday’s presidential debate. The losers, however, are clear: the citizens of the United States of America. What an embarrassing moment for our country.
I, for one, will not watch any more debates except for the vice presidential one. Let’s see if they can make us proud again.
- Edward Knapp, Lee’s Summit
One hope
Any hope I had for the future of our country was deflated by the presidential debate — or should I say debacle? There is one blessing though: The debate performance bar has been set so low, the vice presidential candidates can waltz over it by merely being courteous and respectful toward one another and the moderator. Addressing the issues would be nice, too.
- Jane Zaccardi, Olathe
Shameful act
Over the years as a history professor, I have lived and taught in four countries. At times I encountered the term “ugly American.” But it was always directed at an American tourist who behaved in a rude, crude or self-admiring manner, never at the president of the United States.
Tuesday’s presidential debate changed all that. From every corner of the globe Wednesday came comments that President Donald Trump deserved that term after his unhinged and boorish behavior in the debate. It was embarrassing and shameful to watch, not only in America but worldwide.
Never in American history has a sitting president damaged the stature of his office in a debate as Trump did Tuesday. President Andrew Jackson held that dubious distinction previously. No longer.
As a child, I always listened with respect and pride to what the president said and how he said it. Imagine children listening Tuesday night to such mocking and bullying behavior by our president.
I find it hard to understand why Trump’s supporters want four more years of that kind of presidential leadership and behavior.
- Harold J. Schultz, Kansas City
Not a debate
The so-called debate was disgrace to the moderator and both candidates. I wanted to hear a discussion but generally just heard three people yelling at each other at the same time. I turned it off after an hour, the first time I have turned off a debate early after following elections since 1952. I will not waste any more of my time listening to this folly.
If they cannot come up with a better format, I will not listen to the other debates, or whatever they want to call them. Maybe they could put the participants in soundproof rooms, and another person could turn their microphones on and off.
- Ken Landes, Blue Springs
Rank hypocrisy
In 2016, eight months out from the presidential election, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Lindsey Graham and congressional Republicans declared that it was too close to the election to allow President Barack Obama to execute his presidential privilege of appointing a Supreme Court justice. It was unprecedented.
Now, just weeks from the presidential election, those same Republicans are denying the dying wish of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an icon of women’s rights and equality, that her replacement not be named until the new president is installed.
Once again, hypocrisy reigns supreme in the GOP. It’s party before country with blatant disregard of established tradition, respect and dignity.
- Joe Zucht, Lenexa
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Letters: Kansas Citians give low marks to Tuesday’s presidential debates."