KU-MU Border War, Bob Dole’s spirit, Buck O’Neil’s humor

You win, Bill Self

I loved the recollections of past Border War basketball games in what had been one of the nation’s best rivalries. (Dec. 8, 1B, “Jayhawks-Tigers basketball Border War rivalry returns”) I always thought that Missouri’s move to the SEC should not have been an excuse to terminate the relationship.

Instead, I am convinced that the principal reason the Border War was put on hold is that Bill Self was envious of Missouri escaping to the SEC while Kansas, for lack of a competitive football program, was stuck in a then-unstable Big 12 dominated by Texas.

As pleased as I am to see the rivalry resume, I bemoan the empty years and begrudgingly grant Self the last laugh now that Texas is leaving the Big 12 for the SEC.

- Robert Powell, Independence

Better focus

Thanks for publishing such a great story about Chrissy and Matt Stewart and their family. (Dec. 8, 3A, “‘So much inspiration’”) Stories such as these are greatly needed in The Kansas City Star, since lately so much of its reporting has been focused upon radicalized politics, race and anti-police sentiment.

It’s encouraging to see news folks writing stories that can inspire people to appreciate what they have and rally a community for positive and not self-serving issues. Importantly, thanks to the Stewarts for sharing their story.

- Pat Mays, Overland Park

Cared for all

When my brother Uriel Owens, a community activist in Wyandotte County, passed away in 1980 from sickle cell disease, Sen. Bob Dole visited Uriel’s wife, Elaine, his daughter Erica and our family in Uriel’s home to express his condolences. He sat with us at Uriel’s kitchen table, drinking coffee and sharing stories about my brother. In previous years, he and my brother often met to try to find solutions to important community issues.

I remember sitting next to Sen. Elizabeth Dole when she accompanied her husband to a meeting at Uriel and Elaine’s home. When reminiscing about times gone by, my brothers and sisters often speak about Sen. Dole and his genuineness. He was a good and decent man and most certainly a man of the people.

- Virginia Kirkwood, Kansas City

Buck earned it

I am among those who are delighted with the selection of Buck O’Neil to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. (Dec. 7, 7A, “How KC mayor plans to celebrate O’Neil’s honor”) I equally admire the appreciation and respect over the years accorded to O’Neil by the Kansas City baseball community honoring his legacy.

It is good to remember his words on his initial rejection from the Hall: “If I’m a Hall of Famer for you, that’s all right with me. Just keep loving old Buck. Don’t weep for Buck. No, man, be happy, be thankful.”

- Richard Hahn, Forest Lake, Minnesota

All together?

As a child, being raised within 25 miles of Washington, D.C., during World War II, I remember war blackouts. When the siren sounded, all lights and radios were turned off so that the enemy could not locate its target, the federal government. During the war, the American people did their part to subdue the enemy — not by questioning mandates, but by adhering to them, rationing tires, gas, sugar, butter and more. Not by laws but to save lives — their sons’ and neighbors’ lives.

Now as we fight World War III (COVID-19), we have politicians who sacrifice lives for personal gain. If this were a shooting war, people like Missouri’s attorney general would be branded as traitors.

Let’s win this war. Get vaccinated. Wear your mask.

- Edward Arter, Kansas City

Missouri’s gall

As backward as Missouri has become, now that Kevin Strickland has received more than $1.6 million in donations from supporters, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the state send him a bill for 43 years of room and board. (Dec. 3, 3A, “Donors gave $1.6 million to Kevin Strickland. How much will he actually get to keep?”)

Seriously though, there is no amount of money that will make up for the years he lost to a wrongful conviction. What is even more sobering is the thought that he very well might have faced the death penalty.

- Brian Steele, Olathe

This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 5:00 AM.