To the editor:

First, a column by AP Writer Stephen Wilson, “China’s perfect facade cracking” in Wednesday’s Journal-World, in which he fusses about prerecorded fireworks, lip-synching, empty seats in the arenas, ad infinitum. So what? Did China claim otherwise? The opening ceremonies were the most spectacular and stunning we have ever seen.

Second, Thursday’s editorial, “Sports ‘giant,'” was pathetic. Have we become so anesthetized by politics, adultery, lies, the killing fields of Iraq and Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Westar utility increases (for, what, the third time this year?), inflation, inept city and county commissions, mishandling of budgets, ad nauseum, that we are immune to joy, pride and a sense of nationalism through our athletes? As of Monday, the U.S. has won 72 medals, 22 of them gold.

As we watch the Beijing Olympics, we observe the heart-warming good sportsmanship and camaraderie among the athletes. We realize that people of different political and religious cultures CAN exist in harmony in, of all places, China.

We should embrace a reprieve from the numbingly horrific daily news. Is it so impossible for the media to interject news of hope or pride? Must we continually be brainwashed by propaganda and fear?

I welcome this intermission. The J-W coverage of the Olympics is pitiful. You should be ashamed. No medal for you.

Barbara Paris,
Lawrence