Defensive Blitz
You don’t know Dick: Once again, Greg Hall seems to be jumping the gun. But I guess when your job is to get uninformed and impressionable sports fans riled up at the local teams, you have to pull out some Jerry Springer-like tactics.
Last year, he wrote a column about Quin Snyder and Gary Pinkel not getting the job done at Missouri (“In a Pinkel,” August 30, 2001; “Tiger Lilies,” February 7) — prematurely, I might add, since MU made the regional finals in basketball and has a young man who will be touted as a possible Heisman Trophy winner running the show on the football field. Both of these things happened as a direct result of having Pinkel and Snyder around.
Now Hall spews his venom on Dick Vermeil (“Dicking Around,” October 31). All that Vermeil has done is bring in the players, coaches and the system to transform a one-dimensional, boring and predictable offense that could never get the Chiefs to the Super Bowl into an exciting, nearly unstoppable offense that is clearly capable of winning Super Bowls. He has accomplished this by bringing people and players into the organization that do things with class, character and teamwork. If you polled Chiefs fans, you would find that the majority of us are not only excited about the direction the team is headed but also by the way they are getting to where everyone wants them to be.
Hall brings up Marty Schottenhiemer out in San Diego and the wonderful things he’s doing. Does that team remind anyone else of the Chiefs of the ’90s? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Hall was just as critical of Schottenhiemer at the end of his Kansas City tenure.
Jeff Werner
Kansas City, Missouri
Jugga Jugga Burnin’ Love
Sick and Twiztid: Regarding Geoff Harkness’ “Down With the Clown” (October 31): Very interesting piece. I find it very strange and bizarre how these people can get so obsessive over a music group. I am also a fan of some of the music, but it is absurd how the diehards act. It is just a sick, twisted game and a way to make a buck. Why can’t they see that?
Angie Peed
Kansas City, Kansas
Indian Bizarre
Out to lunch: In response to Name Withheld’s overlong letter about Ruchi (Letters, October 31), I can’t help but wonder exactly what kind of a buffet he expected to find in an Indian restaurant. Did he expect hamburgers and french fries? Mexican food? Chinese?
I haven’t been to every buffet in the Kansas City area, and I’m loath to acknowledge that Johnson County has the best of anything, but I heartily agree with the Pitch on Ruchi’s lunch buffet. It’s so good, I stay away to avoid eating too much.
Larry Roth
Kansas City, Missouri
Rah rah Ruchi: To the anonymous reader who complained about Ruchi’s designation as Best Lunch Buffet: Yes, the Pitch failed to mention specifically that Ruchi is an Indian restaurant, but come on! “Indian Muzak,” “curry,” “nan,” “pakoras”? Even walking in, it’s quite obvious that it’s an Indian restaurant.
And a “humiliating demonstration”? Every time I’ve eaten at Ruchi, the employees have graciously explained how to eat their food — to me and to others. They are proud of and eager to share their culture and cuisine. Tolerant people don’t see this as a personal affront.
It’s unfortunate that Ruchi must be berated for your ignorance. Don’t like Indian food? Fine. It’s not for everyone. But don’t unfairly judge an outstanding Indian restaurant. But then again, what would one expect from someone who seems to think TCBY is haute cuisine?
Antoinette Smith
Lawrence, Kansas
Fresh Approach
It’s a rap: I just wanted to say that Geoff Harkness’ article on Approach was awesome (“Ultra Mega KS,” October 24). I work with Approach, and he’s one talented person who is very dedicated to his art. Not being a huge fan of hip-hop, he has opened my eyes, my ears and my soul to a form of music that never had a place for it. I love the fact that he incorporates such rhythm and soul into every piece of his music without the necessity of foul and brutal language.
He is far more talented than his age and has a beautiful career ahead of him. I thank you, Geoff, for showing KC and the surrounding area that Approach is more than just a name but a person whom KC should be proud of.
Lisa Burlington
Kansas City, Missouri
