Letters: KC readers discuss dishonoring Bob Dole, KCATA service and Auschwitz’s lessons

No Bob Doles

It is clear that Kansas’ two Republican senators seek to wrap themselves in the reflected glory of Bob Dole. Unfortunately, they are unworthy of his legacy.

Dole worked with Democrats to save Social Security, reduce hunger and protect the elderly. Our senators are shamefully on the wrong side of all these issues. He stood up to support the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. Our senators won’t even allow debate to proceed.

Most important, Dole took his leadership role as a mandate to get things done. Our senators are part of a GOP that personifies the lyrics of the Groucho Marx song: “Whatever it is, I’m against it.”

Perhaps Dole’s greatest moment came in 1996 when he conceded to Bill Clinton and perpetuated the American tradition of accepting loss graciously and without made-up lies and excuses. His famous line that Clinton “was my opponent and not my enemy” is missing from today’s politics.

Our senators should think about how they could really honor Sen. Dole.

- Theodore Prince, Leawood

Lack of respect

As a proud Kansan, I watched with deep pride as the accolades for former Sen. Bob Dole were shared during the ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. I knew Sen. Dole, and the tributes to his leadership and his love of country, and Kansas, were so moving and on point.

And then you two passed his casket, and my Kansas pride turned to disgust — as you stood before his casket, unmasked.

Bob Dole would never have chosen a hallowed, and bipartisan, memorial service to try and garner political points. Bob Dole would have respected all those in attendance and worn a mask. And Bob Dole would have certainly hoped that all attending his service would have tried to protect his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and precious daughter, Robin.

So as the service ended, I was reminded that although one of you sits at Bob Dole’s former Senate desk — and both of you received his campaign endorsement — neither of you is the senator that Bob Dole was.

Our nation and certainly the great state of Kansas are left to mourn not only his death, but the lack of character of his successors.

- Sarah Thomas, Leawood

Not universal

Wreaths Across America placing wreaths on all veterans’ graves, regardless of their religion, is not a sign of respect for their service. (Dec. 9, 11A, “Wreaths for vets’ graves are not Christian-only”) Wreaths are Christian symbols, albeit appropriated from pagan rituals. As a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, I know many veterans who were not Christian gave that last faithful service to their country.

The only thing to display over every veteran is an American flag. Flowers and wreaths are inappropriate at Jewish and Muslim funerals. It is hubris to believe that whatever evangelical Christians want is what everyone should appreciate.

I personally know Mikey Weinstein, the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation who objects to Wreaths Across America’s program. Weinstein suffered antisemitic abuse while on active duty, and I know of his patriotism and devotion to this country.

We are a nation of many faiths. We can be thankful that one religion is not able to impose its beliefs on others. Remember that the First Amendment guaranteeing religious freedom was born out of discrimination against Baptists.

Respect others’ beliefs. Wreaths are only for Christian veterans.

- Allen Parmet, Kansas City

Bus service woes

KCATA bus service has become unreliable as scheduled buses are dropped or rerouted without notice. Riders are simply abandoned. The information-line operators and the drivers of buses that do come, as the first available points of contact, absorb a lot of abuse for situations created by incompetent management.

For example, one evening last week, I was at 11th Street and Grand Avenue waiting for the southbound MAX Main bus, scheduled for 3:34 p.m. The next was scheduled for 4:04 p.m. Neither came. At 4:20 p.m., I reached an info line operator who, upon investigation, reported that because of buses leaving the garage late, the drivers had been instructed to skip that portion of the route. Some genius apparently decided no buses were better than delayed buses.

The operator managed to get the dispatcher to send a “special” bus. It was packed. People were cold. People were late for work. People were angry. Unfortunately, the operators are unavailable nights and weekends.

I have had several similar experiences in the last few months. My conversations with other riders inform me that my experiences are the new normal.

- Russell Ashley, Kansas City

Learn from this

I went to the Auschwitz exhibit at Union Station on Dec. 1 with the impassioned words of Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor ringing in my ears. The profound sadness I felt when I entered the exhibit was exacerbated tenfold by the immersive experience.

If only those who co-opt the yellow star in their anti-vaccine and anti-mask rants would visit the exhibit. If they would witness the pain of those forced to wear that star to their brutal deaths, perhaps the ranters’ hearts would be opened.

And if those of us who believe passionately in our democracy would find a way to save it and to honor our history, all of it, then the words of the Holocaust survivors would not be in vain. The survivors exhorted us to be tolerant, to open our arms to everyone, no matter how different, no matter race, color or creed. In short, to love one another.

That was the lesson those who survived the unimaginable had for us. Dare we find a way to cast aside our prejudices, our hate? They managed to do it, how can we not?

- Kay Madden, Kansas City