As a member of the KC Pride Democratic Club, my first response was positive as I read the unidentified quote leading off the article: "I had hoped that we had progressed beyond just 'I need to be elected because Tim's gay and I'm gay.'" That is pure Terry Norman. He has no illusion that anyone should be elected because they are or are not gay. With all due respect to Representative Marsha Campbell, with whom Terry is close to evenly matched in platform and policy, the gay community deserves Terry's representation.
When I found that quote attributed to Van Zandt, I was saddened at Tim's suggestion that Terry's candidacy was a backward step. That only reinforces how much he has sold out a large block of his constituents. Then again, why should Tim care? He's leaving Kansas City for "bigger and better" things in Washington D.C. He got what he wanted out of us, and now his only interest is in seeing his "girlfriend" get re-elected.
Terry Norman has based his career and his campaign on the needs of people. I have tried for three years to find a place where my voice could be heard in Kansas City Democratic politics. Four Freedoms never gave me that opportunity. KC Pride has. I did not spend my evening posing for pictures. I had substantive conversations with almost every labor and community representative present at the Beaumont that night. I did not expect a glowing report of our efforts. I did expect fair reporting. I guess I had set my hopes too high.
Ken Gies
Kansas City, Missouri
All Terry said he would do is fight for social justice; then he asked for questions from the audience. I am worried that he may be elected, and then I do not see any representation for our community.
Thank you again for a clear picture of his hypocrisy.
Sandy Aguirre Mayer
Kansas City, Missouri
It's way past time Kansas City lesbians and gays had a political club that was not all puffed up with its overblown sense of self-importance. Just as the black civil-rights movement had its share of "Uncle Toms" who wished to concede and assimilate at every opportunity, Four Freedoms is viewed as "Auntie Toms," content to accept crumbs from the majority's table instead of demanding a seat.
Ironically, Janovy notes that Norman was shaking hands at the gay pride celebration while Tim Van Zandt hosted a cozy little get-together where he wouldn't have to rub shoulders with the rabble. Van Zandt is a product of the elitist thinking spawned by Four Freedoms. That's why he leveraged his time in the legislature into a cushy job after he was term-limited out instead of working to develop new leaders among Kansas City's gay and lesbian community.
Using words like best bud and girlfriend to describe Marsha Campbell, Janovy describes her as a friend of the gay community. Hmm, last time I checked my gay slang dictionary, those words were more synonymous with fag hag. Campbell voices support for the gay community but then takes donations from Hallmark, which helped sponsor the recent "ex-gay" conference in Liberty. If Campbell had any integrity, she'd return that tainted money -- but I don't think Campbell and integrity have had more than a passing acquaintance.
Van Buckley
Kansas City, Missouri
I would like to keep those decisions way out in the open and available for discussion by the public.
Mary Ellen Vincent
Kansas City, Missouri
Also, if this building is the one I am thinking of, I have often wished someone would develop it. I don't think we need a new park there!
Robin Urmanic
Kansas City, Kansas
Furthermore, it was aimed at inappropriate targets. Dr. Wourms has spent his entire adult life in the fields of conservation and animal welfare, where he has achieved a large measure of success. Conservation is one of the foundations of the Kansas City Zoo, along with education and research. Unfortunately, no zoo has discovered the secret of eternal life, and animals die there, just as they do elsewhere. Even now, some geriatric animals, crowd favorites all, are nearing the end of their natural lives. They will, however, have lived full and healthy lives.
The Kansas City Zoo, with its dedicated keepers, on-site hospital and nationally renowned veterinarian, has an estimable record in the field of animal care.
Kenneth Lee
Raytown
I was very disappointed in the moderator for the confrontational nature of her questions to Ms. Cook. That sort of bias just diminishes the credibility of the forum and serves neither the candidates nor the public. I am not surprised that Ms. Cook was reluctant to appear at another such forum.
Name Withheld Upon Request
Thankfully, the teddy bears were considerate to spare currently blighted neighborhoods from the additional burden of their presence.
Eric Rogers
Kansas City, Missouri
