To the editor:

I just read about the ad to appear in Times Square promoting Kansas and literally laughed out loud. I have been living within 50 miles of New York City for nearly three weeks and can tell you that people here think of Kansas as a joke! I have gotten remarks such as “Hey, where’s Dorothy?,” but most of the criticism has come from sound reason. I keep getting asked about, as they put it, “this whole Creationism debacle.” I have tried to explain, unsuccessfully, why it is that Kansas goes to such extremes. Honestly, I just don’t know why.

I have realized how much of a fool Kansas is making of itself. People in urban areas of the East Coast are not staying away from Kansas because they feel it is boring or flat or not sophisticated enough; they are staying away because of the facts they see on the news and in the papers.

I have lived in Kansas all my life and will return in the fall. I love my state. It is my home. Yet, when I see the image we have projected to the rest of the country, I can’t help but understand why no “urban families” would want to spend their hard-earned vacation time and money here.

On the bright side, Kansas did get something for their $40,000. I fully intend on spending my tourist dollars in Times Square and I will watch their commercial.

Brook Rentz,

Lawrence