Reader's Letters

Reimaging Union Station

Thanks for the "Reimaging Union Station" commentary in the January issue. This city has a paucity of political leadership and is making every effort to become third rate. This is the first good idea anyone has had as what to do with Science City, and as far as 18th and Vine goes, just pull the plug. Jazz is basically dead in KC but the town is still into blues. It was fun in the fifties and sixties when as a TWA'er I would come in from Boston for training at MKC or the base and for the culture on 12 Street rather than the Nelson. I left TWA years ago and am now active in commercial real estate, so I appreciate how Highwoods keeps up their properties, just as the Halls keep Crown Center up. I am encouraged to see the Crossroads and the Southwest Blvd. areas becoming alive in spite of City Hall. They do put on a great show.

Thanks again for the punditry.

Jerry Bender
Weatherby Lake, Mo.

4 vs. 2 years in the House

Your elected officials chart on page 34 (Jan., 2003) indicates that the terms of the area U.S. House members [Moore, Ryun, McCarthy, Graves] end in January 2007. While there are a lot of good reason to establish four year, rather than two year, (House terms), it hasn't happened yet. All of their terms end in January 2005.

Also, you indicate that Charles Jones is the main contact for the Douglas County Commission. He's the only Democrat on that three-person body. The chairman is Republican Bob Johnson, whose term expires in January 2005.

Thanks very much--I've been a regular reader [usually as a subscriber] of Ingram's since I worked for U. S. Rep. Jim Slattery [D-KS] in the mid 1980s. It's always interesting [despite some occasionally bizarre rants by Jack Cashill] and the Leads and Lists are always useful!

Howard Bauleke, Chief of Staff
Rep. Dennis Moore [D-KS]

Plan For Charitable Giving

In your December issue, there are several articles on charitable giving, especially estate planning. I have always felt giving of your time, talents and monies was important.

I have always enjoyed reading Ingram's magazine when I was working, Owner of The Goforth Shop from 1968 to 1996, and especially now when I have more time to fully read your magazine.

Sue Bollman, Ozanam Volunteer

Addressing Homelessness

I just finished the article on homelessness in Kansas City and I applaud Ingram's efforts to expose the truth about homelsness. I live at City Union Mission, not as a client, but as a Shelter Manager and I'm amazed at how "just like me" the homeless are. Fortunately, there is something that everyone of us can do --no matter what our financial status:

First, you can give to the homeless man on the street without worrying whether it will go on rent or booze. My husband and I buy several packages of gift certificates to local fast food chains, staple the hotline for homeless phone number 816.474.4599 on the gift certificate and write an encouraging message. You can be sure that your gift will be used for food.

Second, when you consider donating to a homeless shelter, please consider donating new or barely used items. Broken equipment and outdated technology can be expensive for the shelters to fix and update. Please consider giving your best to those in need, not your leftovers.

Third, teach your children to be kind to all people. One time I took my shelter friends to lunch near the Plaza and there was a group of High School girls pointing, laughing, and making fun of us. Making a difference in someone's life can extend far beyond volunteering at a shelter, since there are opportunities to treat people with kindness everywhere you go.

The numbers can be overwhelming--and I appreciate Ingram's painting a realistic picture of homelessness. Thank you for doing your part.

Serena Aernie, Director of Development
Avila University, Kansas City, Mo.

Do Not Forget (Perspectives of Patriotism)

I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," and asked myself, Why didn't the Jews fight back? I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, Why weren't we prepared?

Now I know why. Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

I will not be manipulated; I will not pretend to understand; and I will not forget. I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting. I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington." And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely--nor should they be expected--to show deference."

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.

I will not forget that the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications.

I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.

I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.

I will not be influenced by so called, "antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.

I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.

I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

I will force myself to hear the weeping; feel the helplessness; imagine the terror; sense the panic; smell the burning flesh; experience the loss; and remember the hatred. I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, Where did they find the courage?

Now I know.

We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living. Let us live so that we don't make the same mistake again.

Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Retired)