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Obama and Wright
To insinuate that Barack Obama is divisive or supports the views in the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s “made-for-TV” sound bites, like Charles Krauthammer did in his column (4/29, Opinion, “Obama hopes to distract voters from his beliefs”), is just plain wrong. Obama’s work as a community organizer belies that position. With Obama, America has a unique opportunity to come together to find common solutions to its problems.
Hillary Clinton is divisive. She will say anything to get elected, to get her place in history, even if it divides her own party. She is a fighter, not a unifier. No health-care plan was adopted in the 1990s because of this attribute.
Krauthammer also mentioned William Ayers, who lives in the same neighborhood as Obama and served on the same community board. I may choose my neighborhood, but I do not choose my neighbors.
On the other hand, Bill Clinton pardoned convicted terrorists while president.
Michael Hyde
Overland Park
So, Barack Obama has allegedly cut ties with his longtime pastor and friend, Jeremiah Wright. Let’s face facts: Obama stayed in this church for two decades raising his family and was even married by this radical racist.I am never going to believe Barack Obama doesn’t have the same beliefs, nor should the American public. He only had a supposed change of heart after coming to the realization his friend and pastor might keep him from getting into the White House.
Can you imagine if this same set of circumstances would have plagued John McCain and his campaign? I have a feeling the Republican party would be looking for another candidate, and the election would most certainly be going to a Democrat.
John Stossel of ABC’s “20/20” says it best: “Give me a break.”
Gary Gibson
Kansas City
City workers’ pensionsMayor Funkhouser made it a point in his State of the City address that he would like to bring the city’s retirement plans in line with standard business practices. What he really meant to say is that he wants to yank the rug out from under the police and fire department employees who have served their city honorably for years and, in many cases, decades.
Funkhouser failed to point out that he has already “retired” from the city and has his defined benefit pension in place and won’t be affected by this move. He basically wants to steal money from the very people who are entrusted to serve and protect this city on a daily basis.
Mr. Mayor, police and firefighting work isn’t standard business. It’s dangerous and can be deadly. We’re proud of what we do for our city, and we’ve earned what we have.
Unless you are willing to give up your defined benefit pension, keep your hands off ours.
Brian Acker
Kansas City
Thanks, Quality Hill PlayhouseAn extraordinary thing happened in the Kansas City theater community the evening of April 28.
Chita Rivera, the solo headliner who was to perform at Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s gala, became ill the afternoon of the event and was unable to perform. A somewhat anxious call was made to Kent Barnhart, artistic director of Quality Hill Playhouse, to inquire if he might be able to pinch-hit.
With little hesitation, Kent rallied the cast of his current production, “The Musical of Musicals.” Giving up their one night off of the week, Kent and his talented cast performed portions of their hilariously funny show at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus. Jumping in to save the evening showed a remarkable generosity and embodied the motto “the show must go on.”
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