Classy Chiefs, annoying game commentary and Jerry Moran

A bigger win

Dear fans of the Kansas City Chiefs,

As a born and bred Pittsburgher (born and raised in Pittsburgh, exiled to Maryland), I am fiercely loyal to the Steelers and to my hometown. Unquestionably, the people and fans of Kansas City share the same devotion to their city and their Chiefs.

After the respect shown Sunday evening by the far better team, its quarterback in the postgame interview and its hometown fans toward the Steelers, I suspect strongly that the Chiefs won at least half a million new partisans for this year’s Super Bowl.

Personally, it will be a long time before I forget that sign — in black and gold — held by Kansas City fans saying “‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger: ‘See you in Canton.’” That magnanimity brought a tear to an eye or two among many of us.

Perhaps graciousness after victory is easier than after defeat. But sincerity remains a rarity in the heat of competition. We in Pittsburgh — or with Pittsburgh lingering is us — salute you, your city and your team as class acts. Good luck in the weeks ahead.

- Edward J. McDonnell III, Annapolis, Maryland

Announcer overkill

Do there need to be so many people announcing one football game? They are constantly talking, and I find it very annoying. I have remedied it by muting my TV and turning on closed captions. Now I don’t have to listen to their chatter, and, if there’s something I think I am missing, I can read it and rewind if necessary.

- Janice Masiero, Overland Park

Free publicity

On Jan. 13, the front page of The Kansas City Star pictured a gigantic Chiefs logo proudly being painted on public property, across from Union Station. The caption stated that two more logos were painted as well.

So I have to ask: Did the multimillion- (billion?) dollar Chiefs organization pay for that huge marketing boost? Did it pay The Star for the font-page ad, at front-page rates? And what was the value of the marketing exposure of the signs and the coverage in The Star? Does that go directly to the Chiefs’ already bloated bottom line?

I know I am in a very small minority when I say that I have no interest in the Chiefs. I respect the many who outnumber me who do, but really — this seems like just a bit too much obsequiousness on the part of The Star and Kansas City.

Kansas City, with its myriad claims of being on a limited budget, should be paid fairly for those signs. If that was the case, great. If not, I’m sure the city could use the money. And I am also quite sure that the Chiefs organization could afford it.

- Diana Richards, Overland Park

Editor’s note: The Star never accepts payment of any kind for placement of news stories or photographs.

Some example

Attention, Novak Djokovic: It takes more than athletic talent to make a champion. (Jan. 17, 7B, “Djokovic leaves Australia after losing appeal”)

- Marianne L. Horned, Kansas City

Future thinking

Sen. Jerry Moran published an op-ed about his recommendations for energy production in the Leavenworth Times on Dec. 10, just as tornadoes hit Kentucky, inflicting massive destruction and many deaths. This could occur in Kansas and Missouri.

Sadly, the senator’s energy policy would only enhance global warming, creating more natural disasters, destruction and deaths. He is failing the public by not combating climate change or even acknowledging it.

Moran is beholden to Koch Industries for campaign funding. We need to kick our fossil fuel addiction, not expand it. Contrary to what he implies, producers have excess capacity and could produce more fossil fuel without the Keystone XL pipeline or drilling on federal land. However, to keep their investors happy, they are not willing to increase production.

Isn’t Moran concerned about his grandchildren — their futures and their health? When we transitioned from the agricultural to the industrial age, many resisted change, even though machines were far more efficient and effective than horses. These resisters to progress became known as Luddites.

Moran needs to do his job, like Bob Dole would, for the people in Kansas.

Don’t let us down, Senator. Don’t be a Luddite.

- Norm Greczyn, Leavenworth

Visual message

Upon looking at the renderings of new projects proposed in Overland Park, (Jan. 16, 1A, “A year of change in Johnson County”) the first thing I thought was, “Are there no people of color in Overland Park who might make use of these facilities and housing options?” Everyone pictured was white. Surely the developers could have made a more inclusive depiction of their proposals.

- Paula Nigh, Lawrence