October 19, 2018
Colleen Nelson
Editorial Page Editor, K.C. Star
1601 McGee
Kansas City, MO 64108
Re: Star Editorial Board
Dear Ms. Nelson:
I have been a reader of the Star for over 50 years. With my lifelong interest in politics, I recall having my parents send the paper to me at summer camp in 1968. I would read the paper by the light of a campfire to follow that years’ cliff hanger presidential election. As an adult active in politics, I’ve tried to maintain a cordial relationship with people who write for your paper, even when I knew they disagreed with me politically.
Over time, however, I have been forced to conclude: A) that I have been blacklisted by the paper and that no one on the paper’s staff will allow my views to be heard and, 2) that the paper has tried to hurt my reputation and standing in the community in retaliation for daring to criticize the Star’s biased political coverage.
Despite the many changes in ownership and management over the years, there is a deeply rooted institutional memory at the paper which is expressed through hostility towards me and other local conservatives.
For example, in 1998 a legal client of my firm (Lathrop & Gage) invited me to attend an Ozarks folk festival. I went to Carthage, Missouri where it was held, had lunch, picked up a check for fees, and came home. Imagine my surprise when the next day there was a front page article in the Star, describing the event as a gathering of white supremacists, with me prominently identified as one of the attendees. (This characterization of the festival, before it occurred, came from the left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center, located 700 miles away in Alabama.) The article by Judy Thomas is enclosed (Exhibit A), as is my letter in response (Exhibit B).
I think my response was measured in tone and my criticisms well-reasoned. The Star’s reaction was to call my law firm, which also represented the Star, and to try to use their influence with the firm to get me fired.
A friend of mine had a chance encounter with Ms. Thomas during this same time period. When he told her that I was upset with their reporting, Ms. Thomas told him that she hoped her article had destroyed any future I had in politics. I also received a taunting, anonymous, message about her article at my office, which our law firm in-house investigator determined was sent from Ms. Thomas’s residence via fax. I don’t think these actions reflected responsible journalistic practices.
Over the next 15 years I wrote a number of letters to the editor on a variety of subjects. I also contacted individuals on the Star staff about issues I had with the paper’s news coverage.
The letters I meant for publications I carefully edited for length and clarity. I also tried to make them cover a variety of topics. Despite my efforts, none have been published since 2001. At the “Meet The Star Editorial Board” forum, Public Editor Derek Donovan said this should not be surprising, since only one out of 20 or 30 letters ever gets published.
This is an interesting figure since your sister McClatchy paper, the Belleville News Democrat, published in one year 29 letters by James Hodgkinson, the Bernie Bro. who shot Congressman Steve Scalise and four of his staff at a Congressional baseball team practice last year. Are we to believe that Hodgkinson must have submitted between 600 and 900 letters to the Belleville paper in a year to have almost 30 published?
My complaints about biased coverage and other unethical behavior by Star journalists were brushed aside or ignored altogether. When I pointed out what I thought were clear instances of political bias to Derek Donovan, he said absent conclusive proof of my allegations (i.e. a videotape or audio tape) the Star was under no obligation to investigate them. (See e-mails attached as Exhibits C,D,&E)
The other trademark evasiveness displayed by Mr. Donovan in this exchange is his insistence that any ethical strictures in the journalistic code against partisan bias only apply to reporters, not those on the editorial board-the old “news” vs. “opinion” distinction.
The dishonesty in this position is obvious. Both the Kansas City Star Journalistic Code of Ethics and the McClatchy Code of Business Conduct and Ethics state that “editorial employees” (emphasis added) should avoid political involvement to prevent conflicts of interest. These include full or part time, contract or regular employees. This would include all journalists working at the Star.
How then can someone like Judy Thomas appear before a partisan group like the MAIN stream Coalition-any group that has its own political action committee is partisan-to deliver a partisan message? (Have your sidekick Melinda Henneberger tell you about the disciplinary action the Washington Post took against journalist Janelle Ross after the 2016 election for appearing before such a group!)
How can Cindy Hoedel write feature stories for the Star while serving as chair of the Chase County, Kansas Democrats? Luddite Hoedel even boasted in print about her role in defeating conservative legislators in 2016! What about her activism against fracking, filing petitions to restrict oil & gas operations with the Kansas Corporations Commission? Is this really appropriate for one of your journalists?
Regarding the Star’s willingness to allow conservative voices to be heard, I have offered repeatedly to appear on Steve Kraske’s radio talk show on KCUR FM but have been spurned.
For instance, Steve called me in 2004 when Tom Frank’s New York Times No. 1 best seller. “What’s the Matter With Kansas?,” came out. Steve asked me who would be an appropriate conservative to appear on his program with author Frank, a well known liberal. I replied that I would be the obvious choice, since Frank interviewed me for the book and quoted me by name in five places in the book.
Moreover, Tom Frank and I became friends and I’ve attended his book talks here in recent years and had dinner with him afterwards. As I explained to Steve, this would have made for a lively but cordial discussion.
Kraske quickly rejected this, saying that I couldn’t appear on the program because I was a candidate for the Kansas State Senate at the time. However, his application of the Equal Time Doctrine (repealed in 1987) to justify not having me on was of limited scope because he ultimately invited on State Senator Karin Brownlee, who was also a candidate that year.
While she was viewed as a conservative, Karin had not read the book, did not know the author, and was not a lawyer trained in oral argument. It’s clear that is, in fact, why I was rejected and Karin invited, i.e. Kraske, like all the other Star journalists I’ve encountered, had no intention of providing an articulate conservative a platform.
Two months ago I again offered to appear on Kraske’s radio program, this time with liberal Republican State Senator Barbara Bollier, to talk about this year’s election. Even though I reiterated this offer by email, telephone and letter, I have not been given the courtesy of a response.
This is nothing new. Kraske also refused to report on a press conference I held outside a Democratic Congressional fund raiser in Mission Hills, even though other publications covered (Exhibits F & G) the event.
Not only have I become an “unperson,” subject to a news blackout, but Kraske and other Star journalists have gotten in angry arguments with me, dismissing my point of view as a form of mental illness. See my letter of 11-22-02, Exhibit H, which Kraske so described.
The irony is that other journalists, in both the national and international media (e.g. The New Republic, The Financial Times, and National Public Radio), have sought me out while my hometown newspaper has effectively silenced me as far as reaching a local audience goes.
This conclusion is based not just on my own observations but on the actual statements of people at the paper. Recently a friend had an encounter with your former editorial board member, Steve Paul. Mr. Paul reacted with an obscenity when my name came up. Asked if the Star had banned me from its pages, he sat silently on his bar stool and did not answer.
Are you surprised that people like me are angry with your newspaper?
What, if anything, are you willing to do about this unfair and unethical pattern of behavior?
You said you, “wanted to have a more balanced reflection of our city and country.” You bragged recently (August edition, KC Spaces magazine) that on this point you had “delivered.” Prove it by meeting with me to discuss these longstanding and deep-seated problems.
Sincerely,
Dwight D. Sutherland
Dwight, you are to be commended for your efforts and for this post. As a person who worked on the editorial staff of The Star from 1966 to 1972 (first as a copy boy and later as an intern reporter), I have been saddened by the lurch to the left of this once august newspaper. Although I moved away from Kansas City 17 years ago, I know many people in Kansas City who no longer subscribe to the paper precisely because of its left-wing editorial stance and the way that this stance has animated the “news” side of the business. I do not subscribe to The Star on-line for the very same reason. I predict that the current ownership and management will ride this newspaper into the ground sooner rather than later.
Interesting…
Tell you what, Saddened, during my 16 years there as a columnist – and prior to that as a reader – it was fairly obvious as to their political leanings. And behind the scenes most Star staffers were liberal to the 10th power.
That said, I thought they did a reasonable job of keeping it in their pants.
Oh sure, if someone or some organ izatvion got on their bad side, they closed ranks pretty fast both on the news and editorial side.
But these days all bets are off on anything approaching fair and balanced. And the new editorial team is so far left and so quick to weigh in on anything and everything that it’s a turn off.
I voted twice for Obama, but couldn’t bring myself to vote for Hillary – knew her too well.
The point being that I bat to all fields (including those of Ross Perot and Ralph Nader in days gone by).
And I realize that the use of the term “fair and balanced” by the Fox News of old rang pretty hollow.
Now this just in, b y comparison to MSNBC (my old fave) and CNN (that used to be pretty grounded), today’s Fox News actually is far closer to being fair And balanced than most other media.
I know, I know…go figure!!!
Hearne, when I started at The Star in 1966, I found that the higher-ranking editors (the older guys) were conservatives of a sort. But most of the reporters, and some of the mid-level editors (as well as the bureau chiefs I knew), skewed left. It has been a long time in coming, but The Star today is simply reaping what it sowed.
Jibes with my experience / perspective as well, Saddened.
If you say anything negative about the Star’s coverage on FB or their site — you will be banned. More than likely they have the author’s email address banned.
Liberals killed newspapers in the KC area.
Who’s goosing the woman on the left in the photo?
The Star’s “Shadow Banning” of Dwight is SOP for ALL digital and legacy media in America today. The choke hold on slanted, biased, information delivered to the Hoi Polloi now swings this country into a coming Socialist miasma that will burn the hairs out of our noses like the dumpster fires now ablaze in Latin America. The stench coming off of AOC, Kamala Harris and the legion of Socialist/Fascist candidates that seek an end to what is left of the Constitution in lieu of a “Living Document-Little Red Book” that conforms to the daily soup de jour interpretations of publications like the KC Star and people like Steve Kraske should send shudders up the spine of anyone who still believes in the Republic as it once was.
The Media IS the message. They are, as DJT has said, “The Enemy Of The American People”.
The media itself drives not, an agenda, but on a daily basis, proclaims it’s “Mission Statement”. I heard someone say the other day, that the Democrat Party is no longer in control of it’s own destiny, however they think perceive it and is in reality, an adjunct of the Legacy Media. That Main Stream Media, which hates Trump and all conservatives (92% of all media coverage of Trump is negative.), IS the tip of the spear and the muscle behind the crypto Fascists that control the message most Americans receive 24/7.
Silencing the opposition, or, any voice in the new wilderness that sees the folly, ignorance and unambiguated, proven stupidity of Progressive, untenable initiatives is job number one for the KC Star.
In a face to face confrontation/debate with Dwight, Kraske might actually die, his heart stopped, his breath abated and his countenance a “Silent Scream” , his exposure to truth, facts and logic rendering him asunder. To publications like the Star and vampires like Kraske, Dwight is the sun and a wooden stake through the fuckin heart.
Great letter Dwight, but it will never happen.
Do you know why media coverage is “92% negative” towards Agent Orange? Because he is an unhinged, narcissistic, delusional, lying fraud and an absolutely reprehensible human being. Rather difficult to find anything positive about the man when he unpacks all of that baggage on a daily basis.
Aside from his personal make-up, he’s dangerous. His idea of embracing dictatorial, murdering strongmen while disparaging decades old allies tells me everything I need to know about the buffoon. All his MAGA sheep couldn’t care less about this reality. Somehow, Sgt. Bone-spur convinced his small group minions that he is “one of them.” What a joke.
Whether the Twitter-In-Chief survives another 22 months is up for debate. Everyone around him is sporting pinstripes and there will be more to come. Regardless, he’s going to have the distinction of being one of the rare 1-term POTUS’. (If the country survives until then)
Enemy of the people? Goddamn right he is.
Seems a tad harsh Jimbo…
My parents and the people of Palm Beach were stuck with you-know-whom years ago and he drove everybody down there c-r-a-z-y…/
That said, crassness for the most part aside, I think it’s safe to say that many would agree he has made some pretty significant accomplishments
In any case, the few people around him have been busted for everything but anything to do with him working in concert with Russia. There have been lots of unpopular presidents in history,.
My suggestion is you take two viagra and stay away from cable news
Jimbo lost his shit. LOL! It’s typical of those whose lizard brain is excited by Trump. It causes them to lose all objectivity.
One of the more fun things I do is watch folks like Jim lose their minds whenever Trump does something outside the norm. Get a bowl of Orville Redenbacher’s finest and watch the fun!
This country has survived two world wars, a Great Depression, and a Civil War…just to name a few things. It’ll survive the Trump administration just fine, nitwits.
Where were you for the 8 long years of narcissistic, lying Obama?
If Obama had used Twitter, you’d be fawning over how creative and innovative he was being.
Hearne, did you hear about the lawsuit against the Star filed by Kansas Majority Leader Jim Denning for defamation? Steve Rose wrote the article which was published on Saturday and KCUR reported that Rose resigned from the Star on Saturday.
Yes I did, Goose…
Had a piece yesterday but got buried.
Have a couple of what I think you may find insightful takes soon as I can get loose from a pretty hectic day
Jim a.k.a. BWH –
“Do you know why media coverage is “92% negative” towards Agent Orange? Because he is an unhinged, narcissistic, delusional, lying fraud and an absolutely reprehensible human being. Rather difficult to find anything positive about the man when he unpacks all of that baggage on a daily basis.”
OK, you don’t like the guy and maybe you’re morally superior and have led a pure and perfect life, but, emotional-knee-jerk-talking-points pirated off of Stevie Colbert are a poor recommendation to others in pursuit of your cause.
“Aside from his personal make-up, he’s dangerous. His idea of embracing dictatorial, murdering strongmen while disparaging decades old allies tells me everything I need to know about the buffoon. All his MAGA sheep couldn’t care less about this reality.”
Here is a picture of one of my favorite Democrats, a local boy, who, in fact, rubbed elbows not only with Stalin (A butcher that garners at least a Top Five rating in murder throughout world history.), but some pretty unsavory folks, right here in the town you and I love so much.
https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/50/71350-004-75E35FF9.jpg
The point being, as president you seek peace at pretty much any cost with world leaders in possession of Nukes and your choices of “friends” are usually pretty limited.
“MAGA sheep”? Baaaa, baaaaa!!! 🙂 I’m not insulted, but there are those that might be, but, not me buddy!!! 🙂 BAAAaaaaaa baaaabaaaaa!!!!
If DJT was Obama and had reduced tensions with NK, taken the economy from the 1% growth doldrums to where it is, helped make us the number one exporter of oil (That “Green New Deal” should get your guys elected next time, it sounds GREAT!!!), tax breaks, rebuilding the military the list is seriously endless (The biggest deal of all, will be the China Trade Agreement-after that, next month, the economy will take off like a fuckin Japanese Bullet Train.), he would be, already, not only in possession of a Nobel Peace Prize (Yeah, your boy Obama really worked hard for that -( NOW THERE IS A JOKE!) – he would be on Rushmore!
Scoreboard buddy.
Results count.
The reflexive hatred for this guy, no matter what his many faults (And I agree, he is a churlish, ill spoken, ham handed buffoon on occasion.), are a product of that biased, myopic, Main Stream Media, that, on reflection, in my opinion, is prima facie that indeed, that same Media, “Is The Enemy Of The American People” and your irrational comment is even more evidence.
Have a great evening in a great city, in a great country, that is, in fact, being “made great again” – remove the scales buddy. Come out of the dark.
Wow, Chuck strikes an even tempered chord and comes through in flying colors!
Allow me to remind you to re-read his characterization of the president’s numerous flaws.
The picture was supposed to be one of Truman with Stalin, but, you get the picture.
🙂
My boy Obama? That’s just weird, Chuckie. I must have missed that somewhere. BTW, I’ve never watched Colbert, Samantha Bee, Rachel Maddow, et al. Try again, my friend.
Morally superior to DJT? Nah. That’s setting the bar ridiculously low. Besides, morality is all subjective. Right? Some would say banging wife #2 while being married to wife #1 or banging wife #3 while married to wife #2 or banging a porn star and a Playboy playmate while being married to wife #3 and paying them a couple hundred thousand in hush money or grabbing women by the pussy or kissing them without permission or disparaging a POW and war hero and/or Gold Star parents or mocking a disabled reporter or hiring undocumented immigrants for decades while telling the American people that all brown people are rapists and criminals or lying about your ties to a Russian real estate deal. I could go on and on about Donnie’s greatest hits, but you get the idea.
Some might see these things as a red flag and possibly immoral. Obviously, evangelicals don’t. MAGA sheep don’t. Repubs in Congress don’t. See? All subjective. Hey, to each his own.
If all these grand “accomplishments” of The Great Pumpkin are true and meaningful, surely he will be re-elected in a landslide come November 2020. I mean, sitting Presidents with a roaring economy during peacetime are Rarely one-term Presidents. Right? If so, I’d say all of your points are valid. If not, I’d say the American people value character, honesty and morality a bit more than you think.
It’s strange with everybody doing SO well in the country due to The Don’s policies, tax cuts, etc, etc that 67% think he’s doing a shitty job. What on Earth is that about?!
In regards to a “few people being busted around him”, how is this possible? He only hires the “best” people. Agent Orange claims to know everything about everything. The only thing he didn’t know is what people that he hired were doing? Come on. We’re all adults here.
Chuck, you and I could sit down over a cocktail and discover 98% of things we have in common. We differ politically. I have numerous friends the exact same way. No sense sweating the 2%, right?
I will leave you with this my friend. The smartest Democrat I ever read about, or saw on the Telly in recent memory, was James Carville.
“It’s the economy stupid.”
Best wishes.
🙂
That maxim only applies if it’s a bad economy in a Republican administration,I.e. Bush 41’s and Bush 43 ‘s. It does not apply to a bad economy in a Democratic administration (Obama’s) or a good economy in a Republican administration(Trump’s). Remember Democrats are never to blamed for bad things and Republicans to be credited for good things that happen on their respective watches. Just like Govermental shutdowns,they’re always the GOP’s fault,regardless of the actual circumstances. See the national polling data for the last fifty years if you don’t believe this. Despite the lowest jobless rate in the last half century, the public is overwhelming negative and pessimistic about the state of the nation. What are you going to believe ,the obvious prosperity you see with your own eyes or the snark of some late night comedian like Jimmy Kimmel or Steve Colbert ? Sadly ,for most people,we know the answer.
+1,000
Again, this is because, the 4th Estate, IS THE ENEMY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!