Veterans ignored by press, city - Vietnamese get meeting, coverage

June 29, 11:03 AMWichita Independent ExaminerGeoff Caldwell

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Photo credit: John Wilson ksvac.info

Every time I talk about "media bias" with people of the more "liberal" persuasion, I get the "rolling of the eyes, oh God here he goes again" look and a perfunctory "oooh, just remembered I'm supposed to be getting a root canal in thirty, gotta run."

It's one of those "We know it's there but we'd rather not talk about it" issues.  The entrenched media knows it's there, it's just that to admit it would be to endanger the sense of "we know what's best for society and we'll give you the news you need to help us shape that society, so please kindly shut up and just go along".

One of those "media moments" happened again yesterday as Wichita's "entrenched" decided that veterans voices against the proposed South Vietnamese memorial in Veterans Park would be better off silenced.  At least that's the conclusion to be reached if coverage of yesterday's recognition ceremony is to be the guide.

A quick check of the major media outlets this morning has KAKE and KWCH websites with not even a blip.  KSN has a story by Justin Kraemer that misleads the reader from the opening paragraph.  He writes: "An event designed to remember soldiers during the week of Independence Day turned into a rally against a new memorial proposed for the Veterans Memorial Park."  Yet if he had bothered to check the facts, the organizers of the event, the Kansas Veterans Action Committee had made it clear in print and on-line that the event was dual purpose.  One to honor veterans, the second to voice opinion on the placement of a memorial for foreign soldiers in an American veterans park.

At least KSN had something.  That wonderful bastion of "news", The Wichita Eagle doesn't even have a story on their website.  But they DO have a story titled "City connects with Vietnamese residents" and the following quotes from Mayor Carl Brewer:

"You're part of our community and you have made huge contributions to our community,"  and "You don't ask us for much," he said. "There is no reason you or your family should suffer because you think there's no one who can help you."

Not asking for much Mr. Mayor?  I suppose to some expecting the city to favor political correctness and personal pandering by council members doesn't seem like much, but to many, many, area veterans it cuts to their core.

The outtakes below from three speakers John Wilson, Dennis Scuffham, and Linda Kirby highlight those core beliefs:

The American Veterans do not ask for much in repayment, just to honor their memory and sacrifice. One way we do this is with memorials and parks such as this place, Veterans Memorial Park. This park was constructed to honor our heroes of past conflicts and our duty is to stand guard to protect and cherish their memory and sacrifice against others who would cause them dishonor.

OUR MISSION is To preserve, honor and protect our Veterans Memorial Park for memorials that honor men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
America owes no debt of gratitude to the South Vietnamese Army. And while, philosophically, we can appreciate and respect what they did for their own country; they did not fight for our freedoms, our country, or our way of life.

Veterans have been ridiculed by our public officials and our media as racist because we oppose a monument to soldiers of a foreign government in Veterans Memorial Park. Because of the frustrated comments of a few, Veterans collectively have been accused of being dangerous.
It is abundantly clear that we have failed to teach the value of patriotism to our community and failed to impress on a few of our fellow Veterans, and at least one City councilmember, the imperative of self-control and civility.

The full text of their speeches and additional information is posted at Ksvac documents.  I urge all to take the time to not just read the words, but hear their meaning.

And for those ready to pounce on my "journalistic ethics", yes this story is biased.  That's why it is labeled "commentary".  What irritates the hell out of me and tens of millions of my fellow citizens is how the entrenched media use their bias to squelch stories that don't further their social agenda. 

This story not only needs to be told, it needs to be heard.  Heard by the Wichita City Council that is  supposed to represent ALL Wichitans, not just personally favored special interests.  (Are you listening Ms. Miller and Mr. Skelton?)

An informational meeting for all area veterans has been scheduled for 7:00pm  this Wednesday, July 1st at the American Legion Post #4, located at 816 N. Water (Water and Murdock), Wichita, Ks.  Full detail at ksvac.info

For background and additional information:
Sunday ceremony, Wednesday meeting
Miller squashes compromise
Dream come true or nightmare re-lived?