I've met The Kansas City Star's Mark Wiebe. He covers the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities, and he does a pretty good job. He's hammered the BPU in his columns -- and rightfully so. Wiebe seems like a pretty good guy, so I'm shocked why anyone -- let alone a Unified Government commissioner -- would call him a "Klansman." But the Kansas City Kansan reported today that UG Commissioner Nathan Barnes labeled Wiebe a Klansman in front of a couple of reporters at a meeting last Thursday.
Wiebe told the Kansan that the label was "absurd."
Still, as someone who values human rights and despises racism, I take it very seriously. Of course, I'm not a Klan member. Nor have I ever attended a Klan meeting.
I asked Barnes whether he truly meant the charge. He didn't step back from it because he believes strongly in the point he was trying to get across -- that northeast KCK is an afterthought in local newsrooms.Shhyeah, right, Mr. Barnes. Call someone a Klansman at a public meeting and in front of reporters, and suddenly it's about a whole lot more than a private conversation. I figure you probably know that, too.
Barnes said he didn't want to comment any further, other than noting his comment "was just a conversation between me and him."
Barnes' remarks to me at the meeting had no context. He made his accusation without explaining why he was making it. I could not discern any point he was trying to get across. A few days earlier, however, he expressed frustration with my February 25 column in our Wyandotte County section, a column that took a close look at a policy proposal Barnes advanced. I suspect, but cannot say for sure, that this is the true source of his frustration."
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We're not racist! All black people are, though!
(This particular black guy seems a douche though)
To get away from the bashing and focus on the positive someone in the N.E. could take time to cultivate a positive relationship with the press. There are many great things going on in the N.E. area of KCK that need to be promoted, press releases issued, follow-up calls made, photo ops designed. The Kansan has an online program that allows anyone to be their own reporter. KCK has long been frustrated by the lack of positive press coverage by local media. Most news focuses on KCMO which, as our metropolitian area grows, becomes less important to many individuals.
Black people are racist. No they do not have a right to be. I don't own slaves and neither did my grandparents. GET OVER IT!!! LET MOVE ON PEOPLE AND DISCUSS THE FACTS OF SITUATIONS.
Nathan Barnes APPEARS, IN MY OPINION, to be one of those guys that loves to shout racism or call names every time his personal sensibilities are offended. Calling the reporter a Klansman? Mr. Barnes, how about we call you a derogatory name based on your race sir? How about we call you that in a room full of reporters? What would you say to that? Because you're sure acting the part. Poor, neglected Mr. Barnes. How about you grow up and show some class and get your head out of the Jeremiah Wright's playbook (or his backside.) Maybe your district isn't getting good coverage because there's a reason. Maybe if you'd spend your time working for your constituents instead of making stupid, ignorant and slanderous comments, you'd GET positive coverage.
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