Editorial: In honor of 9/11
Twenty-four years ago today, 2,977 people arose, dressed, ate, kissed their families and went to work or boarded a plane here in the U.S. They never returned. At the World Trade Center in New York City, 2,753 were killed when foreign hijackers deliberately flew two commercial planes into the twin towers at 8:46 and […]
Editorial: Celebrating someone uniquely special
Has anyone ever considered you perfect? Loved you in spite of childhood misbehavior? Overlooked transgressions? Forgiven without hesitation? Listened raptly to juvenile prattle? Guarded your secrets? Shared your childhood dreams? Thrilled to be with you? Granted your every wish, whenever possible? The luckiest of us are born into families with devoted parents and a few […]
Editorial: Pondering labor & Labor Day
Who constitutes American Labor? The U.S. workforce. And has the overall state of labor here improved over the 201 years since America’s first labor strike? Or in the 143 years since the first Labor Day parade? Or in the 131 years since Labor Day became a national holiday? The seeds for Labor Day were planted […]
Editorial: Life after high school
K-12 students are transitioning from endless leisure to structured school-driven weekday routines. And juniors and seniors are anticipating the future in a whole new light. They’ll soon confront the reality of life after high school and preparing for the rest of their lives. Today’s seniors heading back to class this time next year […]
Editorial: Crises rally our better angels
Pivotal moments in history and headlines this week offer powerful reminders and illustrations of ordinary people mobilizing to help when disaster strikes. Today marks the 44th anniversary of the Kansas City Hyatt Regency hotel’s infamous disaster. And dominating headlines: more downpours in central Texas, flooded since July 4, hamper search and rescue. The Hyatt skywalk […]
Editorial: A symbiosis with love
What is a pet? Why have a pet? What does it take? How prevalent is pet ownership in the U.S.? A pet is a domesticated animal housed and cared for by human beings for companionship, pleasure, security or all three. Cats and dogs dominate the pet world, but other household pets include birds, fish, frogs, […]
Editorial: These tycoons want our money
Two billionaires demand help, and our state and local lawmakers have gone all out to accommodate them on our dime. Does their capitulation in the form of taxpayer-funded subsidies constitute sound economic investment or corporate welfare? For the past two-plus years, KC Royals owner John Sherman and KC Chiefs owner, Lamar Hunt have pressed for […]
Editorial: KC’s World Cup city manager
Extraordinary demands facing Kansas City’s new CEO will test his leadership skills to the max. Mario Vasquez, named the city’s latest city manager on May 8, has inherited a municipal milieu beset by formidable challenges on multiple fronts. Heading the list are preparations for hosting World Cup matches in less than a year; addressing alarming […]
Editorial: Cinco de Mayo, the holiday & the poem
For nearly three decades, April has been recognized as National Poetry Month. It was established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets to raise awareness about the nation’s “active, thriving literary culture” and poets’ essential participation in that culture. Since its inception, National Poetry Month has become “the largest literary celebration in the world […]
Editorial: Everlasting life & our glorious planet
April is dedicated to child abuse prevention and the earth, among other meaningful causes. This year, Easter falls in April, coinciding with Pascha, Eastern Orthodox Easter and the close of Passover, the Jewish holiday. They’re independent of one another, but they share an essential characteristic – they’re focused on life. Christians consider Easter “a celebration […]