Unfettered Letters

Changing the face of politics

Among the trick-or-treaters at my door Halloween night stood a group of youngsters in dark suits, white shirts and ties. I was introduced to “Senator Obama” and his Secret Service contingent.

In the history of our country, has a young man of color ever dressed up for Halloween as a presidential candidate of color?

I send a grateful thank-you to Mr. Obama and all of his supporters for advancing the face and future of American politics.

Susan Jezak Ford
Kansas City

Plenty of trick or treaters

I read with a chuckle the letter by Sam Kidd of Raytown (11/6) about not having a lot of trick or treaters at his door for Halloween.

We must have had 200 princes, witches and goblins visit our house in a settled Roeland Park neighborhood of 70-year-old homes. I am confident that very few of that army of children live in our neighborhood.

In fact, at one point I noticed a line of vans down our street. Some of those vans had as many as 10 or 12 children come out of them. I am certain there were more children than seat belts in a lot of those vans.

Though the children were playfully dressed and seemed very polite, I couldn’t help but wonder where they all came from.

William Baker
Roeland Park

In response to the letter “Halloween has changed”: In Roeland Park, where a school was closed for lack of kids, we had about 300 trick or treaters. They came by the carload.

One woman was even after goodies for her yet-to-be-born child. She was dressed as a mom to be. (No costume.)

Ron Elliott
Roeland Park

Halloween has changed

Where did Halloween go?

Halloween night I dutifully filled the treat dish, turned on the front light, corralled the black cat and waited. No goblins, no witches or other scary characters appeared, nor was a “Trick or treat!” uttered.

In the past, I shivered at the evil images they might present.

Little girls used to become fairies and witches; little boys, clowns and monsters. A peal of laughter from a little boy or girl in a costume brightened an otherwise dull day.

Again I looked up and down the street and saw no one. Reluctantly, I turned off the light, bagged the candy, petted the black cat, and fell asleep dreaming of the past.

Sam Kidd
Raytown

No costume, no treat

I have always liked Halloween. As a kid, I spent the whole month of October looking forward to trick-or-treating. As adults my husband and I have enjoyed seeing the kids in costume, especially the little ones, and we like giving snacks out.

Like I said, I have always really liked the holiday ... until about three years ago. On Halloween night, we had 29 trick-or-treaters. Nine of them were in costume. The kids in costume got the large, candy-filled bowl put in front of them to choose three or four things. The kids without costume got a small item from another bowl.

Parents: If you or your kids don’t have enough imagination to make some sort of costume — even out of old clothes and charcoal (I was a hobo several times), please don’t send them here. Starting next year, kids without a costume on will get no treats from this house.

Shireen McLaughlin
Raytown