LETTERS 05/15/08

Maybe at least we would not be protecting corporate interests worldwide under the umbrella of shoving democracy down the throats of other countries. How much worse can change be?

Jerry Jackson

Liberty

I used to be able to walk through Independence Center people-watching and shopping without any difficulty. I would occasionally encounter someone rude, but usually people were polite. I saw Independence Center from a different perspective last Friday.

This was my first time out at a mall using a mobility scooter. Shoppers apparently couldn’t see me. I had to back down aisles that were very narrow. I had to wait for the elevator longer because people wouldn’t shift to let me on, and I had trouble getting off because of people trying to get on as I exited. One person actually told me to get out of the way in the pet store. I also found that many items were out of my reach. It was so frustrating.

The trip really opened my eyes and heart to all of us who are mobility-challenged and aren’t eye-level with the rest of the world. We, too, have eyes, thoughts and feelings. I don’t expect any special treatment. I do expect to be treated with the same courtesy and dignity as others.

Annette Briggs

Odessa, Mo.

I was in the Brookridge neighborhood tornado that hit at 2:02 am. There was no siren going off. We had two sirens going off earlier in the evening.

I have now learned that you don’t want to put your life in the hands of any TV meteorologist. After what we went through, I know the only hope of staying alive is owning a weather radio. Please buy one! When you are asleep at 2 a.m., it will likely be your only chance of survival.

We went to bed at 9:30 p.m. after the local weather said the risk of tornadoes was over.

Ann Sims

Kansas City

I was involved in a hit-and-run accident last Tuesday on 87th Street in Overland Park. I would like to thank all of the kind people who stopped to help and gave witness statements to the police. In this day and age, we often hear only the bad stories, but the many people who stopped, the police and the paramedics were all very kind and conscientious.

A few days after the accident, I learned that four vehicles followed the driver who hit my vehicle and blocked him in so he couldn’t escape. One witness even chased and tackled the driver when he tried to flee on foot!

I wish I knew the names of everyone who helped, but I’d especially like to thank Darla, Sarah, William, Albert, Elizabeth, Dara, Jeffrey and Michael.

I am very thankful that no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

Again, thank you to all of the people who assisted. Your concern and help meant more than you can know.

As a reminder, please, please, please don’t drink and drive.

Marilyn Taylor

Olathe

I was a first-time visitor to your town this past weekend. Here is what I noted.

1. KC is much cleaner than St. Louis.

2. KC is much easier to get around in than St. Louis.

3. KC’s City Market is unlike anything in St. Louis.

4. KC’s race relations are better than St Louis’.

5. KC is less congested than St Louis.

6. KC felt safer than St Louis.

7. KC’s Country Club Plaza has no equal in St. Louis.

Scorecard: KC 7, St. Louis 0.

Only suggestion: Improve the weather. Of course, it is no better in St. Louis.

Kerry Schumacher

St. Charles, Mo.