War and Peace

War and Peace

God and countrymen: C. J. Janovy took a rather smug, condescending view of locals from Knob Noster as well as the military community at Whiteman (“Holy War,” October 25). Janovy took to her pulpit to depict the locals as some type of naive, simple-minded country bumpkins who worship the B-2. She also attempted to paint the military community at Whiteman as intolerant, vulgarity-spewing hooligans.

It is not surprising that the Pitch, like most “independent” weeklies throughout the United States, has chosen to continue its illustrious history of blind antiestablishment, antimilitary, antiauthoritarian rhetoric, even in a time of national crisis. Especially disgusting and irresponsible was Janovy’s statement that “Though they were under no illusion that their prayers would halt the bombers’ murderous missions, demonstrators proclaimed their day a success.”

The last time I checked, “murder” was a criminal act, as defined by law. What the men and women of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. government are doing is not “murderous.” Unlike the Muslim terrorists who used true stealth to murder around 5,000 innocent civilians, the U.S. government gave clear advance warning and offered an easy way for the Taliban to avoid attack. Their insistence on providing sanctuary for wanted mass-murderers is the cause of their current predicament.

It is a sad commentary on your newspaper that readers can always accurately predict your editorial positions. It comes as no surprise at all that in such a time of suffering for our nation, you have nothing better to print than an article belittling working people in Knob Noster as well as men and women who proudly serve their country. Shame on you all.

Darren Stanford

Belleville, Illinois

Two-fingered salute: Thanks for writing “Holy War.” I thought it was excellent.

I participated in a demonstration for peace on the Plaza shortly after September 11, and I was afraid of the reception we would get. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who gave us the peace sign instead of the finger.

Ann Suellentrop

Kansas City, Kansas

Laugh Riot

Def comedy slam: Please pardon my untimely response to your “Best of Kansas City” issue (October 18), but it took an extra week for me to quit laughing after I saw your pick for best comedian in town.

I suppose that naming B. Rich the best local comic makes some sense because he’s probably the only comedian anyone from the Pitch has bothered to go see in the last five years. Your publication seldom — if ever — pays any credit to the local comedy scene. (However, I am constantly informed of all the new bands who’ve been together since … last Tuesday.)

Unbeknownst to you, there are many fine Kansas City-based comedians who have been delighting local audiences for years. Comedians like Terry McGrath, Elliott Threatt, Jason Dixon, D. C. Young, James Johann, Susanna Lee and James Inman are just a few who, over the years, have scarcely received mention in your publication. This is not to mention promising new faces like Chris Porter, Tim Gaither, Justin Leon, Patricia George and Craig Tonkinson.

If your pick of best comedian is any indication as to the validity of your other best-of choices, people with even a minimal amount of taste should move immediately to another city.

In the future, I would suggest that if no one on your staff has even the slightest clue of what they’re talking about, you may want to think twice before printing their criticism or praise of local artists, restaurants, events and so on. Printing such uninformed notions proves that opinions expressed by Pitch Weekly writers are most useful in the bottom of a bird cage.

Name Withheld Upon Request

Lenexa

Band Aid

A Grand plan: Thank you for Andrew Miller’s well-written article (Around Hear, October 25). The change to have jam bands on Wednesdays at the Grand Emporium will benefit some friends of mine, so that is good for them. However, Roger Naber’s approach and reasoning are off the mark for the reggae scene. You don’t need Roger for reggae to survive; it’s always gonna be there.

I hope the better clubs in town enhance the reggae scene in KC so it can be touted in his face.

Name Withheld Upon Request

Gladstone