Letters: Readers discuss thankfulness, KC firefighter deal, Chiefs’ Fenton ‘shooting’
Thankful feelings
Why I am thankful this holiday season:
I am thankful for my eyes that follow the red-orange morning sun as it rises from the horizon into the light blue sky that has a trace of pink.
I see leaves barely hanging onto branches. I see fallen leaves in colors of brown, ocher and yellow.
I am thankful for my ears that bring the sounds of a far-off train.
When I was a young girl, I lived near railroad tracks. As I lay in my bed, the hum of train engines assured me I was not alone. The train’s whistle and movement sounds gave me a feeling of trust that all was well. They still do.
- Betty Stinar Swisher, Kansas City
This deal stinks
Some things are just plainly wrong. The secret deal approved by the Kansas City manager allowing a former firefighter to remain on the city payroll while working in Washington, D.C., is a good example. (Nov. 14, 14A, “City cut secret deal allowing firefighters union chief to work in DC”)
That deal is so wrong it stinks. Residents of Kansas City should demand the resignation of City Manager Brian Platt.
Further, the union contract should be reviewed in regards to the number of firefighters who can be excused from duty to work on union business. The current number — eight — is so far beyond reasonable it also stinks.
Maybe it is time to review the complete workings of the fire department to see what other sweet deals are included in the union contract.
- David Eldon Ward, Overland Park
Outstanding care
Our Chiefs are 7-4, but our Chiefs ground crew is 32-0, giving our players an outstanding, safe playing field with an all-pro surface that is the best in the NFL, while giving the fans in the stands and watching on TV a beautiful field. Let’s all stand up and give head groundskeeper Travis Hogan and his professional crew a sincere thank-you, along with a long, standing ovation — and then some.
Having been very close to the late owner, Lamar Hunt, I know that he is looking down on the field from heaven and he is very, very proud.
- George P. Toma, Pro Football Hall of Fame 2001, Westwood
Awful conduct
The Chiefs’ Rashad Fenton displayed unsportsmanlike conduct when he mimed pumping and shooting a shotgun at the Cowboys and at the crowd during Sunday’s game. He should have been ejected — never mind waiting for a second offense.
What horrific behavior in what was once a professional sport. Can you see Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana or Joe Namath doing this?
If I or anyone else did that in corporate America, we would have been fired. On the spot. Are the Chiefs not a business? Who is in control of the corporate culture?
The NFL commissioner needs to change the rules. Taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct should result in immediate ejection or a penalty that takes away scores. Penalizing yards on the next play is nothing to these players, it appears. Accountability lies with the corporate and coaching staff.
What motivated Fenton? Whom was he aiming at? Professional? No.
What about setting an example? The game is totally out of control. The players’ self-adoration is deplorable. A DVR with fast-forward controls is the only way to watch a game today.
- JoAnn Gagain, Venice, Florida
Share the trails
A Nov. 19 letter to the editor (8A) addressed bicyclists who are sometimes not vocal enough when passing walkers on multiuse trails. One solution is for pedestrian traffic to walk on the left facing traffic, as one might on a city street. One could see bikes approaching, not be surprised by them and allow a little extra room, momentarily, if necessary.
I do ride on some trails but try to avoid those with lots of foot traffic, and I always ring a bell when approaching walkers. Cyclists do need to exercise more caution because of their relative speed and because dogs, children and even adults can be unpredictable sometimes.
I have often thought the city should post signs along heavily used paths to at least encourage people to think about a more sensible approach to sharing the road (or trail).
- Jon Joseph Wahrer, Overland Park
This story was originally published November 25, 2021 at 5:00 AM.