Unfettered Letters

Save the pre-1985 books

When I was a kid, I practically devoured books — including books from before 1985, which the Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying to rid from public libraries in an effort to reduce lead poisoning in children. They are attempting to rid the library not only of old children’s books, but also books for adults. Testing shows the books to have an almost undetectable, perfectly safe level of lead. Since many libraries cannot afford the costly, redundant test to prove safety, the books will be simply thrown away. This will have a serious impact on education and child literacy.

When I have kids, I want to show them the books I read as a kid. If H.R. 1692, the bill to save the books, doesn’t find a co-sponsor, these books will be thrown away. Please ask your representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1692 to save the books!

Andi Enns
Lee’s Summit

Updike will be missed

I enjoyed John Mark Eberhart’s moving tribute to John Updike (1/28, A-1). We’ll also miss the man as a perceptive art critic. He was the rare writer who left a huge oeuvre and still crafted every sentence.

Asked about the drudgery of writing during his “In Depth” appearance on Book-TV, I remember his saying: “Even on the dreariest of days, I find that one well-written sentence will lead to another.”

John Updike is at rest. There will be no more dreary days for the Old Rabbit in front of the keyboard, but all lovers of literature will sorely miss those well-written sentences.

Larry Heffel
Lenexa

Unmasked author unmasked

Marjorie Owen (10/6, Letters) may wish to reconsider her stance against Barack Obama based upon the book Obama Unmasked because its author, Floyd Brown, is the same man who scripted the 1988 racially-tinged Willie Horton ad against Michael Dukakis. He is an author whose works few of us would be proud of using to shape our vote.

Using Brown’s own birds-of-a-feather reasoning: Brown is tied to racists such as segregationist Jim Johnson of Arkansas, the leader of the White Citizens Council. Johnson became infamous for stirring up racial hatred, which culminated in the 1957 Little Rock Central High School desegregation crisis.

This is the same Jim Johnson that Floyd Brown gave a special thanks to in the acknowledgments of Brown’s Slick Willie book. I doubt Ms. Owens would trust this author is she knew his background.

Anneta Buster
Overland Park

Why now, Scott McClellan?

The media and White House surrogates are atwitter about Scott McClellan’s new book with its revelations about the inner workings of our government (5/29, A-1, “Insider faults run-up to war”). Why didn’t McClellan speak up sooner? Why did he not speak louder, and why now? Keep in mind that McClellan’s job as press secretary was to present the administration’s point of view as favorably as possible. That he did. He was not there to critique the president or the administration.

Hundreds of others were in the same position: the Cabinet members who did not agree with many programs, the senior managers in the Pentagon and the hundreds of generals in the field witnessing the mess in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We need only look to Colin Powell, as competent a soldier who has worn the uniform, being a good soldier and going along with the program. Hindsight provides a clearer picture. The truth often hurts.

Robert W. Johnson
Olathe

Why is Scott McClellan publishing a book that bashes the administration he represented as press secretary?

McClellan has said “I fell far short of living up to the kind of public servant I wanted to be.” Was he without morals, naive, misled or stupid?

Why, all of a sudden, does he feel the need to have a public confession? Is it the need to clear his conscience or the way to stab some enemies in the back? Might be a little of both, but I doubt it. After all, he could have resigned anytime.

I submit it is for money. Now that he has joined the Bush-bashers he will sell many more books. Nice way to make millions more.

Glad he is not one of my friends. What a man to trust. I find it hard to believe he has the public’s interest at heart.

John H. Brown Jr.
Independence

Views on What Happened

Democrats and their allies in the media are claiming that Scott McClellan’s new book confirms that the Bush administration deliberately lied about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction (5/29, A-1, “Insider faults run-up to war”).

I think it’s important to keep this issue in its proper perspective. For more than a decade prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, there was a bipartisan, multi-administration and multinational consensus that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

“The consensus was the same, from the Clinton administration to the Bush administration,” said Sen. Hillary Clinton in 2004. “It was the same intelligence belief that our allies and friends around the world shared.”

Kevin Groenhagen
Lawrence

Political spin is an amazing thing. Does anyone really think that former White House secretary Scott McClellan’s memoir, What Happened, revealed something new?

The Bush administration has been spinning tales for many years now. The only thing this book does is corroborate, from an insider, what all of us “outsiders” believe to be true in the first place.

Susan F. Weiner
Overland Park

Only Bush loyalists are surprised by Scott McClellan’s charges of Bush’s mismanagement, blundering, and arrogance. While present Bush staffers and friends like Karl Rove — once known as “Bush’s Brain” — are feeling “sad” and “puzzled,” they’re not denying McClellan’s claims, such as the use of propaganda to sell this disastrous war.

Those who have never been Bush fans find Scott McClellan’s new conscience welcome but much too late.

Steve Walker
Kansas City

Scott “Judas” McClellan should go to Iran and Iraq for a book signing and express his personal guilt and give his book money to the Iran University School of Journalism and Loyalty.

He could take Obama Airlines and fly over New York City and check out the skyline and see if any buildings are missing.

While over there, he could stop and check out the Marine barracks in Lebanon. I forgot, that is gone, too, plus more than 200 Marines.

David L Davis
Leavenworth

Ex-press secretary’s book

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan admits in his new book that President Bush misled the American public on the war in Iraq (5/29, A-1, “Insider faults run-up to war; Explosive memoirs draw counterattack from colleagues who accuse him of disloyalty”). McClellan is not a politician, but rather an insider in the know.

This war has caused countless thousands of deaths of Iraqis, more than 4,000 deaths of U.S. soldiers, untold suffering and has cost the American public billions of dollars.

I cannot help but remember the fury and public outrage over former President Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. The press went crazy over oral sex and yet remains nearly silent at proof that President Bush lied repeatedly and deceived the country.

Perhaps it is the fault of you and me, who react more to an affair than an illegal invasion of another country. And perhaps it is the fault of you and me, who think that our press is not manipulated by politics.

Christopher J. Varady
Kansas City

Scott McClellan’s revelations should surprise no one. Whether President Bush was led willingly or duped into invading Iraq will be debated by historians.

The real question is the objective of those who persuaded Bush to invade Iraq. What did these people want? Were American interests secondary to their objectives? Who and why are the real questions.

Al Elton
Leawood

Plastic surgery book for kids

After reading about the children’s book about plastic surgery (5/12, FYI, “Nip and tuck hits kids lit; Plastic surgeon writes book to ease kids’ fears about their moms’ pending makeovers”), I find myself a little disturbed.

First of all, I am concerned about the fact that children are afraid of plastic surgery. Children are often described as the most honest human beings. If plastic surgery is frightening to them, then perhaps we should all take another look at the practice.

Secondly, I am very disturbed with the small glimpses I saw of the book. Lines such as “Not just different, my dear, prettier!” are particularly terrifying to me. What message is this book really sending? To me, this book sends the message that beauty is only skin deep and must be acquired by any means, even surgery.

My own mother complains of the saggy stomach she has acquired from bearing seven children. However, I still consider her a very beautiful woman. Instead of a book for children about plastic surgery, perhaps a book is needed for adults about true beauty.

Mary Clara Hutchison
Kansas City

Barbara Walters’ poor example

Apparently if everything is correct that Barbara Walters writes about in her new autobiography, Walters has fooled the world (5/2, A-6, “Walters reveals affair; Her relationship with a married black senator in the ’70s could have cost their careers, she says.”)

The “View” ladies have always limited their “shady” topics when Walters was on the set so as not to offend the prudish, proper “lady.” Now they must know that anything goes.

She and those who have been interviewing her seem proud of her illicit affair. Wouldn’t you think Walters would be more concerned about the example she could set for young journalists and leave her tales of adultery for her biographers?

No wonder Walters had trouble raising a daughter. Someone should have suggested that setting a proper example would have been the best way to go.

I can’t believe she is able to face the nation with her stories of illicit affairs. Oh well, that’s what sells books. Shame on her.

B.J. Taylor
Overland Park

Terrific Star cookbook

I’ve have read the “Eating for Life” series each week in the Food section and have tried many of the delicious recipes, which are easy to prepare and reasonably affordable. I recently received the new Eating for Life cookbook as a gift from my husband and want to pass along my compliments to Jill Wendholt Silva and The Star for producing one of the best cookbooks I’ve seen.

Eating for Life was well thought out and great attention has been given to every detail. The size of the book is perfect, the binding is fabulous and the pages are a visual treat with healthy recipes in a crisp, easy-to-read format and beautiful colors. I’m also learning a lot from the tips supplied with each recipe. It’s packed with information without being overwhelming. I highly recommend it as an addition to every cook’s library.

Janet Goss
Leawood

Educational gifts

Great teacher

I enjoyed reading the thoughtful Tribute about William Jewell College professor emeritus of communication Georgia Bessie Bowman “College teacher guided many” (12/18 obituaries) and the letter about “Books make great gifts” that appeared in the Dec. 18 Star Local section.

A great teacher like Georgia is like a good Christmas gift that can last a lifetime.

I was a student who appreciated both communication and writing teachers in 1976-79, during my education at Bonner Springs High School, and then 1979-83 at the University of Kansas. I ended up becoming an adjunct instructor in speech and English at Kansas City Kansas Community College from 1987-2005. And I have been a part-time, freelance sports journalist for more than 25 years. I believe my gifted teachers developed a gifted writer. Both are wonderful blessings to think about this Christmas.

I also think books do make great gifts, especially for children now that so many toys have become problems for families due to the recalls. Today I still enjoy laughing at Dr. Seuss, feeling tenderhearted over Winnie the Pooh, relating to all the Charlie Brown characters and appreciating many old Walt Disney stories. Stories from movies like “Bambi” and “Mary Poppins” I hope never leave the shelves.

Mark Lee
Bonner Springs

Gift of reading

How wonderful to feature the importance of reading to children on the front page! Reading together with your children at bedtime or anytime helps prepare them for success in school. Reading, talking and holding your children nourishes the developing brain, builds vocabulary and encourages self-confidence. Reading together can instill a lifelong love of reading and learning.

You are your child’s first, most important and influential teacher. Taking just 10 minutes from your busy day to explore a book with your child will make a difference. Talk to your kids when you’re riding in the car or shopping. Play and laugh with them, read with your children — enjoy the work of preparing them for lifelong success.

The Family Conservancy is committed to helping families raise children. You will find more tips for championing children’s healthy development by visiting our Web site at www.thefamilyconservancy.org.

Betsy Vander Velde
Executive director, the Family Conservancy
Shawnee