To the editor:

I am personally offended by Mr. Limbaugh’s characterization of “liberal Lawrence Kansas” as “Bush haters.” That is a ridiculous accusation, and Lawrence deserves an apology.

I have lived 52 of my 70 years here in Lawrence. I consider it to be the closest thing I have ever found to embodying a quality of life and liberty of choice and thought that gives reality to the term “American Dream.”

If you would know Lawrence, Mr. Limbaugh, come to our parade of flags on Memorial Day for our fallen heroes. We are proud of our heritage and of our origin as a Free State when we joined the Union.

Let me assure President Bush that he would be welcomed here enthusiastically should he choose to come. Perhaps he might speak at our newly completed Dole Institute of Politics.

Lawrence would love having the opportunity to hear both sides before making a trip to the polls to exercise our constitutional right to vote.

When you say there is nothing to see going through Kansas, I assume you include our beautiful universities and the Eisenhower museum as well? Do Dodge City, Abilene, Hays and even Liberal have no historical significance? Could anyone deny the natural beauty of the Flint Hills with wild prairie grass belly-high on a tall horse, looking much as it did before Europeans ever arrived?

How about it, Mr. Limbaugh? I’m sure the Journal-World would publish your apology to the good citizens of this town and our state.

E.G. Hickam,

Lawrence