Regarding Lee Judge’s memorial to George Carlin (6/27, Opinion): People, before you start getting bent out of shape and start expounding about Judge’s lack of respect for our dearly departed, remember that cartoons equal humor.
Carlin would love it!
Paul Rola
Kansas City
The astounding contradictions of human nature could not have been more graphically illustrated than on the front page of The Star’s Local section on May 25. The joyful dance of Kerry Magana and her brother, Nelson Ponce, contrasted dolefully with a heinous story announcing that an anesthesiologist has joined Missouri’s death row inmate execution squad.
Even the most skilled philosophers have never satisfactorily explained why joy and evil both rest in our hearts. As for me, I will remember the dance of Kerry and Nelson.
Robert Marrin
Kansas City
My heart goes out to those parents who are finding out that their brave soldier son or daughter has been killed by friendly fire. It is tragedy enough to lose a loved one under any circumstance, but to be told that your child was killed unnecessarily is more than one should have to accept.
I was a machine gunner in World War II when, one dark night on the banks of the Rhine River, my best buddy decided to repair a warning system made of a string of cans stretched a couple of hundred feet in front of him. It had been hit by an enemy shell. He notified the line of riflemen in both directions and then went out to repair it. While there, he made some noise, and someone who didn’t get the message killed him.
His parents were notified only that he was killed in action, period.
I know of several who were killed by friendly fire. War is killing, sometimes by friendly fire. Loved ones need not know.
Robert H. Mabes
Lenexa
I want to thank the staff and volunteers at Kansas City Hospice House for their care and support of our family while my father, Dr. Ottis Grounds, was in his last days with us. They had actually provided care for my father in his home for some time prior to this last week when he was in their facility.
The staff is the most caring, supportive, and giving that we have encountered in the medical field. The primary nurses were truly angels. Their names were Beth and Robin, and they meant more to our family than they would ever know. Janet, who is the chaplain, was, of course, a great spiritual support and comfort.
The hospice is supported by a group of dedicated and sincere volunteers whose mission is to provide support and kindness to families that they never have met. Now I have experienced the grace of God.
Rory C. Grounds
Lee’s Summit
I would like to echo the wise words of Helen Aufranc (5/12, Letters, “Troop deaths front-page news”). Our country is in engaged in a war that we often take little notice of. Oh, we think about it occasionally, reading about it in the back pages.
We have been at war in Iraq longer than we were engaged in war with Korea, World War II, World War I or the Civil War. After five years, our nation suffers from war fatigue.
Our front page leads with news of the economy, politics and superstars because that is what we readers want — anything besides what is going on thousands of miles away in Afghanistan or Iraq in a war that many feel helpless to either understand or to end.
Yes, indeed, let’s put the names of the war dead on the front page. Let’s honor their ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of their families and the sacrifice our nation is bearing. Maybe names on the front page would lead us away from complacency and toward action.
Sara Sautter
Founder, JuliasVoice.org
Overland Park
Some individuals who are so enamored with the dead bodies exhibit at Union Station, “Bodies Revealed,” have suggested that those of us with more discerning tastes just ignore it and not complain.
That’s easier said than done: I find it necessary to close my eyes while driving to miss the billboards around town, and I turn off the TV to avoid all the promotions about it. Neither is very much fun.
I guess not having an “open mind” means you don’t have any rights not to be subjected to this stuff.
Terry Clevenger
Leawood
I have a complaint with The Star’s coverage of the deceased soldiers’ names and addresses. Why is this list placed in the far back page of the paper? Sometimes it is hard to find. It should be on the front page every day.
I am 91 years old, and during World War II I spent time in Red Cross work. One of my tasks was to notify families of the death or capture of a loved one.
I do hope to see a change.
Helen Aufranc
Dearborn, Mo.
Regarding the letter form Judy Walker (4/14, “No choices in hospice care"), imagine this: Not only have you been diagnosed with terminal illness, but you are now lying in a hospital bed for the last two or three days of your life and you have to be moved from one bed to another (exactly the same as the first) because hospice has been called on board and they now require you to use their equipment because they get paid by insurance. With no regard for the comfort of the dying patient, it has to be their way.
In this particular case, the cancer patient passed away within 48 hours.
I belong to a group called Franklin County Cancer Foundation, and we formed 10 years ago. We help with bills, provide Ensure, Depends and any kind of medical equipment you would need. We are funded only by donations, memorials and fundraisers.
We are all volunteers, so our money and comfort concerns are for the cancer patients.
Karen McIlvain
Ottawa, Kan.
As a veteran of W.W.II and Korea, I have been trying to get people to send letters or boxes so the troops know that somebody cares.
The reason they are committing suicide is because no one cares. I have been there.
Henry Weaver
Kansas City
Imagine: You have just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. You and your physician decide that hospice care is appropriate to manage your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
You confer with the skilled facility where you reside, only to learn of a corporate mandate that dictates which hospice provider you must use, regardless of any personal or religious preference you might have. You must either comply or move out.
Sadly, this scenario plays out routinely in Kansas City as our health-care community turns a blind eye to patient choice in favor of the bottom line.
These facilities and their staffs should be ashamed for allowing profit-driven corporate initiatives to interfere with very personal end-of-life care decisions. As health-care professionals, they know better.
As a community, we must stand together and demand that choice be given and respected, particularly at the end of life.
Judy Walker
Lenexa
In the article “Deaths of U.S. military hit 4,000” (3/24, A-1), nowhere is there any mention of the maimed, the wounded. Why wasn’t it reported that tens of thousands of Americans had their arms and legs blown off? Or were left blind?
As a World War II Veteran, I am appalled by the way we ignore the wounded. Don’t they count?
In past wars, the wounded did count.
Harold Kalicak
Blue Springs
It was announced recently that we had reached our five-year anniversary in Iraq. What can I say? I am speechless, especially when the clip was shown of a Navy carrier with a “Mission Accomplished” banner after nine weeks of occupancy.
Just six weeks ago I had a huge dinner party for my nephew, whom I love as if he were my own son. The weekend was full of laughter, a first birthday party and baptism for his son, and tearful goodbyes. The dreaded call had come; he was leaving the next day for the Middle East.
I called to assure him with love, candles lighted with prayers and what I would do for his family. His voice cracked, and the call ended with “I love you.” I began to sob.
We are just one family. There are thousands.
Frankly, I only care which party in this election can bring him home faster. Just bring them all home.
I want nothing more than to take my nephew, his wife and son to go feed the ducks at Loose Park as I did 37 years ago, when he was small. He’s an incredibly beautiful light in my life.
Debi Dreiling
Kansas City
In his TV appearances, President Bush seems to be having the time of his life, despite the fact his approval rating is so low. The Iraq war must be one reason for the low poll numbers.
Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed. Couldn’t our president show a bit of penitence for this huge loss of life?
Wayne Sangster
Prairie Village
The Star advertised for “Bodies Revealed” by placing a large picture of one of the bodies on the front page (1/29). Deciding to skip reading that section, I turned to Local, only to find another body revealed. This is no less a freak show than what circuses did years ago, exhibiting persons with extra arms, etc.
I spent a year at a forward operating base on a surgical team. If one really wants to see bodies revealed, then spend a year serving the military in some medical capacity, or in a mortuary affairs position in Iraq or Afghanistan. You will see all the bodies you want to see. You will also see what happens when shrapnel hits the body, tears apart muscles and bones and leaves the body mangled.
In answer to Wendy Lund (3/2, Letters): I agree that seeing anatomy is a must for medical students. I don’t understand going to see a bunch of bodies that were supposedly donated to science in order to see the inner workings of the body. This could be done at a medical college or teaching hospital.
I wonder if the people who donated their bodies to science knew they would be on display.
Jeanette Birdsell
Kansas City, North
I am a graduate of human biology from the University of Kansas, and I fully understand how important the studies of the human body can be in understanding physiology, chemical reactions, how medicines work within the body, etc. Much valuable information can be obtained. No argument. Agreed. But in the right context and for the right purpose.
Displaying the bodies for public view is disturbing. Each of these persons on display housed a human soul, and therefore, deserves respect in death, as in life. Displaying the remains in this manner serves no educational purpose save curiosity and cannot render to these souls the respect they deserve and should be given in death.
Heather Nicole Hamtil
Leawood
Several years ago, while on vacation to Santa Fe, N.M., my wife and I visited the nation’s oldest house. On entering, we saw a skeleton in a pine box. After seeing the box, one lady exclaimed, “Now that is why I want to be cremated. I do not want any anyone looking at my bones.”
Anthony Frank
Overland Park
I made a bank deposit recently and noticed the flag at the bank was at half-mast. I asked the teller who was being remembered. She said a soldier from Eureka, Kan., had been killed.
This remembrance would never happen in Berkley, Ca. With a lump in my throat, I told her to tell the people in charge that “it was a good idea.”
The bank was Capitol Federal Savings and Loan, home office in Topeka.
My praises go to all those who honor our military.
Vince Santa Maria
VFW member
Overland Park
It seems like every day someone is writing in to express their outrage over the upcoming “Bodies Revealed” exhibit coming to Union Station. Many feel that these bodies have been desecrated or mutilated in some way.
This exhibit is a wonderful learning experience that has been viewed in many great cities across our country.
Most people have no idea what a wonderful gift their body is, which is clear based on the number of people who are obese, on drugs, smoking or drinking in excess.
If this exhibit, which showcases the amazing human machine, manages to make one person decide to treat their body with the respect it deserves, then it is well worth it.
Stop looking at this as a desecration, and start to look at it for what it really is: an unequaled learning experience. These people who lost their lives are giving a great gift to all of us if we choose to accept it.
I, for one, am thrilled with the opportunity to see this exhibit. Thank you, Union Station, for bringing this to our city.
Marla Battles
Personal trainer
Independence
Many people are disgusted by the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at Union Station. If you are, you should stay home. Yes, those are people’s sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. My grandmother could be one of them. She donated her body to science when she died so that others could learn from her.
John Hoskins
Blue Springs
I have no idea whether the “bodies” exhibit my family went to see this past summer is the same one coming to Union Station. I do not know for certain whether those bodies were donated or were acquired. But I certainly did not once think the exhibit I attended was disrespectful.
I also do not think the exhibition’s intent is just to make money. I hope the true intent is to educate people. My family felt it was worth the price and the time spent. We found it to be extremely educational, highly interesting and very respectfully and tastefully presented.
Even if some of the bodies might be prisoners who died or, even more sad, unclaimed bodies, I would like to believe that as a last act these human beings would in some way be honored that in death they were able to contribute to educating people about the miracle of the human body.
Just like the movies, if it offends you, then you don’t have to go. But I think most people who decide to attend will come away with a greater appreciation and respect for this wonderful body our spirits are given birth into, we live every day in and, yes, finally leave behind in death.
Deni Brinkmeyer
Overland Park
My husband and I are firm believers in medical research and education, and we support anyone who wishes to donate their body to science. However, we have decided not to attend the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit coming to Union Station after seeing the “20/20” report regarding the origins of the bodies in the exhibit.
Premier Exhibitions and their practices give us pause. They say the exhibit in KC will display bodies willingly donated. However, their other exhibit “Bodies: The Exhibition” displays bodies that were unclaimed.
We have two clear issues with this. First of all, how are we to believe that the bodies coming to KC are not unclaimed bodies as well? Second, Premier Exhibitions’ use of unclaimed bodies is appalling and unethical. They are using human bodies without informed consent, plain and simple.
The Star reports that Andi Udris, Union Station’s CEO, wanted a greater comfort level about the origin of the bodies coming to KC, which Premier was unable to provide. Yet, the exhibit goes on. It is now up to the citizens of KC to decide whether monetary gain has blurred the line between the unethical and that which is just and humane.
Shellie P. Vadnais
Prairie Village
I am so glad I live in a society that allows all kinds of ideas to be valued. The “Bodies Revealed” exhibit coming to Union Station has generated a lot of ideas and letters to the editor. I doubt if any of the writers have actually seen the exhibit, but they have strong feelings that somehow the dead are not being honored and that it will be a spectacle that is not civilized.
I am not only looking forward to seeing the exhibit, but I have volunteered to be a helper for others who come to see it. George VanDyne (2/18, Letters) does not have to see it. That is his choice based on his strong feelings. I have known people who donated their bodies to science because they believed that others could learn things from viewing and dissecting the “tent” they no longer needed.
I thank Union Station for bringing this to Kansas City so the incredible complexity and beauty of the human body can be seen and appreciated by those who wish to see it.
Mary Eick
Gladstone
My, oh my — all this concern about the sanctity of human bodies as displayed in Union Station’s “Bodies Revealed” exhibit. I have not seen this widely acclaimed exhibit yet, although I intend to. I am perplexed, however, about the response.
From my perspective, once I have no further need of my body, and the organs or parts that may benefit someone else have been removed, I am not concerned about the state of my remains. Matter of fact, I’d prefer them to be of some benefit, whether educational, economical or simply entertainment, as opposed to becoming a pile of ashes sitting in an urn or slowly decaying in a concrete encasement in the ground.
Ida Mayor Clayton
Lake Waukomis
One of the major tenets of civilization is how it respects its dead. Namely that they should be honored by the very fact that they were at some time someone’s…
Mother or father.
Son or daughter.
Sister or brother.
Uncle or aunt.
Cousin.
In other words, a human being.
To have their bodies put on exhibition as a spectacle is not only uncivilized, it is pandering to the greed that some will go to, just to make money.
I feel that Union Station has acted despicably by bring the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit here.
George VanDyne
Kansas City
I’ve been reading the obituaries about eight months now. I had never taken much of an interest before. Isn’t it fascinating to think of a life lived and the people we get to meet?
Upon reading the obits and the Tribute on Jan. 28, four people jumped off the page. Aletha Rinehart was a “Rosie the Riveter” in World World II. Homer Eccles cherished his friends and kept his childhood alive collecting toys and antiques. Mittie Schirmer was a pilot in the Women’s Air Service when we were fighting the Nazis.
The obituary that led me to tears was of Nancy Holt. This first half was written in the first person. What a unique, surprising and touching way to be remembered, and to remember. Nancy spoke of the love she had for her family and lifelong friends. She was blessed.
Her self-history struck a chord in me. I wish that my mom had done something similar. My mom led quite the life. She had several friends of 50-plus years, danced with soldiers in the USO, was married almost 50 years, got her master’s when she was almost 60, and loved her children without condition. My mom died a week before her birthday a few years ago. I still miss her every single day.
Carol Lyons (Shirley’s daughter)
Kansas City
I read with interest Mike Hendricks’ column about “dead pets” (1/28, Local, “Dead pets mourned like part of family”). On Sunday our beloved 9-year-old Golden Retriever Bette -- four weeks after 18 months of chemo for lymphoma and three days after an encouraging prognosis from our veterinarian -- passed away from a stroke.
We proceeded to suffer all of those emotions and hurt that Mr. Hendricks belittled in such an uncaring fashion. We experienced the sadness of losing a companion and a family member who asked only for love, warmth and food, and gave back to us without hesitation.
Fortunately we had our own support group who rallied around and cried with us: our family and friends, our veterinarian and staff, and our neighbors who knew and loved Bette as we did.
Others who are not so fortunate must reach out to those who have also suffered this loss and know how to comfort them. For Mr. Hendricks to put down such support groups is revealing of a person who has little true love in his heart and is undeserving of the love of a pet companion.
Let individuals grieve in their own way, Mr. Hendricks. They do not need your approval, sarcasm or comments.
Dave Parsons
Kansas City, Kan.
Regarding Mike Hendricks column about the dead pet business: Give me a break! You know what they say about a fool and his money. What’s next, the “Church of Dog”? “Reformed Feline Congregation”? And about that spider that just got smashed, no memorial service? The United Arachnids won’t be too pleased.
It’s no wonder that more and more the world is laughing at the U.S.
Jim Svetlecic
Liberty
My husband passed away this year, and my daughter and I went to his grave in White Chapel Cemetery on Christmas Day.
I turned around, and there was a Jehovah’s Witness handing out literature (“Death: Is it Really the End?”). I was so shocked. I just couldn’t believe anyone would do something like that. She was going to everyone in the cemetery.
I attend church regularly and don’t appreciate them at my door — certainly not in a cemetery.
Have they no respect for a person’s feelings?
Shirley Votipka
Kansas City
Gene Meyer’s “Home is where the heartache is” (10/21, Business) was interesting and thorough.
Having read about, and seen firsthand, the struggle that families face cleaning out and selling a home after a parent dies, I have to commend the people who take things into their own hands, sorting through their possessions and selling their home while they’re still young and healthy enough to do it themselves so that their children don’t have to face such an overwhelming task after they’re gone.
There are resources available, such as the National Association of Senior Move Managers, as well as local programs. I work at a full-service retirement community in Overland Park. We not only offer resources to help people downsize and prepare their homes for sale, but we also offer a person who will help coordinate the entire process — from providing downsizing tips to orchestrating the moving day process.
In the short time that we’ve been open, we’ve heard from so many people and their families about what a huge help these services have been, and who are thankful that they made the choice to get things in order while they still can do it themselves.
Suzanne P. Cole
Director of sales and marketing, Tallgrass Creek-Erickson Retirement Communities
Overland Park
Thanks to the news media and Jacqueline Hemphill herself, we were able to share in the short life of her conjoined twins, Joy and Joya (10/2, Local, “Love of twins consoles family; The grieving mother and family recall conjoined girls’ seven days of life”).
So much of today’s culture suggests that children are disposable commodities, so it is especially heartwarming to see Ms. Hemphill’s courage and determination to give her beautiful little girls the love they deserved in their short life.
Also, credit should be given to all those who supported her decision — her family, friends, medical personnel, Alexandra’s House and, most important, her faith.
What an example of courage this lady has been to all of us.
Mary Hecht
Kansas City, Kan.
Kudos to Lynn Franey and The Star for their coverage of Jacqueline Hemphill and her conjoined daughters, Joy and Joya (9/27 and 9/29, Local).
The many volunteers and supporters of Alexandra’s House greatly appreciate Ms. Franey and The Star for bringing this little-known entity to the attention of the people of this area.
Alexandra’s House (www.alexandrashouse.com) came to exist as a result of the tireless efforts of Patty Lewis, RN, and Eugene Pearce, MD, who were prompted by a movement in the field of obstetrics known as perinatal hospice. This is an alternative option for women, and their families, who are pregnant with a gestation that has a genetic or structurel abnormality that is likely to be lethal to the newborn.
Prior to the availability of this much-needed service, mothers with these tragic pregnancies had the option of delivery of their newborn without any emotional and physical support or termination of the pregnancy. For many facing these unpalatable options, either choice often resulted in long-term or permanent emotional difficulties.
Again, thank you for showing Kansas City that this service is available for those with a tragic pregnancy complication such as the one that Ms. Hemphill experienced with her beautiful daughters.
Peter B. Greenspan
Associate chairman, assistant professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMKC School of Medicine
Kansas City
There is a saying that the eyes are the portals to one’s soul. The photo of Tina Porter on the upper left-hand corner of the Wednesday issue of The Star (9/26, A-1) shows so much misery, hurt, heartache and terror, yet one can see the hope there also.
I hope this tortured and terrorized soul can find peace and relief. May God hold her close and give her comfort all the rest of her days.
C.D. Rinck Sr.
Mission
God bless Jacqueline Hemphill and those beautiful baby girls (9/27, Local, “.‘Give me time just to hear them cry’: A mother enjoys every moment with her babies, knowing the conjoined twins may not live long”).
In this throw-away society, she had the courage to say yes to God when she found out that her babies were conjoined and had little chance of survival after delivery. She gave them the right to be born and did not try to play God herself.
She put herself and her daughters into God’s hands saying, “Let it be done,” the same as Mary uttered when she was told she would be giving birth to the Messiah. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
And the Word was made flesh and lived among us.
The Word lives among us today through the witness of those like Jacqueline Hemphill and organizations like Alexandra’s House. May their reward be great in heaven.
Therese Myzer
Overland Park
I agree with Wade H. Dexter, who wrote to Letters a few weeks ago. I am a patient of Northcare Hospice. I have been for more than three years. I left them once for a couple of months. I gladly went back to Northcare.
Those other hospices might be OK for other people, but they weren’t right for me. I want my last days on earth as pain-free and carefree as possible, and with Northcare Hospice and Palliative Care, I get that. I only wish other people were as thoughtful. Thank you again, Northcare, for all your love, understanding and support.
Anita Nelson
Independence
I am Michael Maybrier’s aunt by marriage. As an additional and remarkable facet to the story you published on his unjustifiable death on July 20 (8/21, FYI, “What happened to Michael?; Smart, friendly, beloved, a 20-year-old plummets to his death”), this happened:
The day Michael went to Liberty Memorial, another person who had an unusual day off from his work in Wichita was visiting the memorial for his first time. He rode the elevator to the top where Michael was. Later, as people got off of the elevator at ground level, they were told that someone had just jumped.Because he is a Catholic priest, he asked if he could help. Father Michael Maybrier gave Michael his last rights, not knowing this was his second cousin. They had never met until then.
Father Mike is my second cousin. He called my mother-in-law the day after Michael’s death to ask if they were related.Father Mike also was at the funeral service and told his story at the pulpit.
Sarah Maybrier
Kansas City
I want to thank the author, Eric Adler, and The Star for the terrific — and terribly sad — article on the young man, Michael Maybrier, that was in your FYI section (8/21, “What happened to Michael?”).
Just to look at the pictures, let alone reading of Michael’s life, it was hard to believe what transpired.
Thanks, and our sympathy, also needs to go to the family members who spoke to your writer. This is just too important a message not to get out.
Kevin Evans
Kansas City
I want Star readers to know of my gratitude to NorthCare Hospice & Palliative Care for the excellent at-home care their staff provided for my wife, who slipped away recently, a victim of Alzheimer’s disease.
They made my job as her caregiver much less stressful by providing equipment, medications and supplies as needed. They supplied professional medical support in the form of a registered nurse who visited Joyce twice a week and advised me in the care I was able to give her, plus a certified nurse assistant who came every Monday through Friday to give Joyce a daily bath.
Other professionals who assisted in her care were a social worker, a music therapist, a physical therapist, a message therapist and a chaplain, all of whom cared for Joyce with love and compassion.
I honestly don’t know what I would have done without these helpers. I know I can say that NorthCare Hospice enabled me to care for my dear wife at home instead of having to place her in a nursing home. For that I shall be forever grateful.
Wade H. Dexter
Liberty
The display of more than 3,000 flags at 96th and State Line Road reminds us of the big picture when it comes to the human cost of the Iraq war. It provides a poignant visual image that compels us to think beyond the statistics. While the media give us daily figures on the rising death toll, there is less focus on the personal sense of loss.
When newsworthy events such as the Virginia Tech tragedy occur, coverage of the heartbreaking aftermath is extensive. We are moved by the images of stricken families. We observe friends clutching one another in a desperate attempt to comfort and to be comforted. We view makeshift memorials and look at the sea of tear-stained faces at candlelight vigils.
Surely the same acute sense of loss is played out across our country when Americans die in Iraq. Given the numbers (a tragedy in itself), it would be impractical for the media to relate each loss personally. We are not allowed to see caskets coming home. The display on State Line Road clarifies the collective loss of life and prompts us to consider the significance of each individual flag.
Mary Mikkelson
Kansas City
You love your dog and he returns that unconditional love tenfold. You’ve taken care of him since he was a puppy. Suddenly he becomes desperately ill. You take him to the veterinarian and you’re told that nothing can be done for him and that he must be euthanized. You cannot do this.
So you take your loving treasure back home and try to console him by giving him treats and patting him gently. But your dog’s pain gets worse and you can see that he is suffering day and night. You take him back to the doctor and finally concede. Your dog is put to sleep and his suffering is over. But a life is a life, whether it be that of an animal or a human being.
Is the veterinarian a murderer, or is he a humanitarian? Should he not serve a prison sentence, guilty of murder? After all, isn’t that what happened to Dr. Kevorkian?
George Robb
Kansas City
The coverage of the recent National Right to Life Conference has been a campaign of misinformation. It is neither an elitist movement without concern for humans after birth nor is it an extremist religious movement unwilling to compromise.
We work tirelessly to help mothers care for their children. We adopt, campaign for better child care, promote flex time and work in hospices.
The movement is, at its core, a civil rights movement.
It is a perversion of the Constitution to create a class of “nonpersons,” based upon stage of development, for the purpose of denying them the basic rights of life and liberty.
This has happened before in our history. A class of “nonpersons” was created based on the color of their skin.
No sane person would now argue that those abolitionist “extremists” didn’t do enough to compromise to make slavery “legal but rare.”
Ann Raab
Weston
The Star’s pro-abortion bias is evident in the June 11 article on the National Right to Life convention (6/11, A-1, “Abortion fight in the KC spotlight”).
You use the term “anti-abortion” 10 times and refer to Right to Life “branching into areas” such as (embryonic) stem-cell issues and euthanasia. Right to Life is about defending human life at all stages, not just about abortion.
Also, the story includes three quotes from different pro-abortion groups. The article sounds like an op-ed piece on what pro-abortionists think about Right to Life. Would a news article on an NAACP convention feature quotes from white supremacist organizations?
Your “news coverage” also toes the pro-abortion party line in its reference to “the procedure they labeled ‘partial-birth’ abortion.” When a baby is entirely delivered except for the head when it is killed, what else would you call it?
David Greb
Merriam
I was watching the media with interest after Dr. Jack Kevorkian was released from prison. I expected to see a lot of coverage and debate on this controversial figure, but interestingly, not very much was said.
Ever since I have become aware of Dr. Kevorkian and what he was doing with doctor-assisted suicide, I have thought about the topic quite a bit and wondered why more people do not see the similarities between assisted suicide and abortion.
If a woman can unilaterally decide to end the life of a fetus growing inside of her, simply because our society’s laws say it is legal for her to do so, then why do our society and its laws not allow a terminally ill, conscious adult to take his or her own life with the help of a medical doctor?
I am not saying I do not respect a woman’s right to choose, but if that’s the case, shouldn’t a seriously ill adult be allowed to choose as well? Or for that matter, using the current logic regarding abortion, the adult should not even have to be terminally ill to have a medical professional assist him or her in suicide.
Terry Mire
Kansas City
Some people identify him as “Dr. Death,” but I identify Dr. Kevorkian as “My Hero.”
At last he is out of prison for disobeying a law that he felt was unjust and cruel. That he was so strongly committed to his convictions to risk going to prison is a story in itself, but by making this sacrifice he certainly has brought attention to a situation in our legal system that needs to be changed.
Does it make any sense that we are required throughout our lives to make decisions and we are guaranteed the right to make these decisions (providing they do no harm to others), until it comes to dying? Then we have no choice.
Unless we refuse food or commit suicide, we have no choice except to wait. Simply wait, and wait and wait! Regardless of how extreme our suffering or how much we truly want to die, we must wait, until our body shuts down. So long as our hearts are beating, we are forced to live. And wait.
Thank you, My Hero, for putting your life on the line so that some day, some way, we here in our United States will have the legal right to choose when and how we die.
Ida Mayor Clayton
Kansas City
