Party Raider
Portrait of the artist as a young woman: I enjoyed Deb Hipp’s recent article on Peregrine Honig (“Panty Raider,” April 3). She draws beautifully and has been an asset to the city. However, I would like to speak on my own behalf, as I apparently played a small, though negative, bit part in her rise to notoriety.
I am mentioned in the article as a “prominent art collector” who booted Ms. Honig and her fellow students from my house for crashing a party for my friend Pam Joseph. As a graduate of the Art Institute myself, being described as an art collector somehow produces a wave of nausea and is, additionally, a lot of horseshit. Next, after I learned John O’Brien or somebody had invited her to the party, I believe I was pretty cordial. Kathleen Collins, president of the KCAI, was also a guest and objected to having students present while Art Institute staff were drinking, an apparent legal problem and definite reversal from my days at the ‘tute, where faculty, such as Jim Leedy, taught us to drink. I can’t remember if I reluctantly had to ask her to leave.
In her visit to our house, Ms. Honig produced and left with us an absolutely charming caricature of our now-departed terrier Gabriella, which we still treasure. I thought she was pretty charming herself.
With a war and a few other disasters going on, you and your readers have a lot more to consider than the above mewlings from the class of ’69. Nonetheless, I really try to support young artists and don’t like being depicted as a mean old fart who would stand in someone’s way.
Dick Hollander
Kansas City, Missouri
Cult Following
She of little faith: Allie Johnson’s story “Heaven Is Hell” is a very deep subject (March 27). I feel sorry for the young lady who was caught up in the cult. I knew about them and their ways, but if they are starving young children and stealing from the government, they are a cult. I really hate to hear something like this about black people doing things that are not legal. We hurt ourselves when we don’t believe in Jesus Christ.
This is a time to pray for the world, and especially Kansas City, Kansas. Kansas has never wanted to help the black people up anyway, and when we learn about the system, we join the white crooks in doing the wrong thing. Black people can’t get away with anything, and I don’t know why people try to.
We need prayer everywhere. I am so hurt to hear all this dirty laundry being put out for folks to realize that there is only one God. God bless everyone, and I truly mean it.
Name Withheld Upon Request
Don’t covet thy neighbor’s story: What a terrific piece of reporting! I wish it had run in our paper. Congratulations to you all.
Betsy Abeles Kraavitz
Worcester, Massachusetts
Lay Off
Phone tagged: I’m pleased to see that layoff whining has finally hit the Midwest. As a recent transplant from Austin, Texas, I have seen a stream of articles about layoffs and the destruction they have caused to employees’ lives. I am very glad to see that Casey Logan’s article and your editorial choice of title, “Screwed by Sprint” (November 21, 2002) took an unbiased look at Sprint’s layoffs.
Let’s see if I have the formula correct: new employee starts with high expectations, employee becomes frustrated, employee is laid off in a callous and patently unfair manner. Don’t forget to add some anecdotal evidence of personal slights (e.g., perceived computer illiteracy, “no standing on the grass,” etc.). As an alternative newspaper, the Pitch should attempt nothing less. That’s why it has been a nice replacement for my beloved Austin Chronicle.
However, let’s make something crystal clear for your readers: The fates of companies and their employees are intertwined. When the markets flounder and layoffs abound, the truly exceptional workers are able to provide value to the company and find challenges to overcome. Those who cannot are asked to leave.
Of course, I should state the reason I moved to Kansas City three weeks ago: To start working at Sprint. I guess they’re not screwing everybody.
Robert Pearse
Overland Park
Bar None
Don’t tell me you love me: Love Jen Chen’s Night Ranger column. At first, I was like, “Wow, an article dedicated to ‘Sister Christian’ and ‘You Can Still Rock in America,’ or maybe just a weekly homage to mullets and bitchin’ Camaros.” But tragically, as I soon found out, I had to make do with bar reviews. Oh, well. I am over that now, and with the help of my 12-ounce therapist, I will go on.
Keep the good articles coming. Her Stanford and Son’s one was, again, dead on (April 3).
Scott Spillman
Overland Park
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it: Many attempts at being clever were voted down and edited for content (or lack of it). Really enjoy Night Ranger. Always on the lookout for Research Assistant openings. Too old for “word” (April 10), so “peace out”?
Dan Compton
Overland Park
