KC Star & Hendricks Owe Funkhouser an Apology

Web Staff (Bottom Line Communications) – It is almost commonplace today for newspapers to decry the lack of civility in politic discussions.
This is often done in response to conservative comments from individuals like Rush Limbaugh and others when it is felt they have crossed a line of civility in political discussions.
In the case of the Kansas City Star, it now looks as if it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Veteran Star columnist Mike Hendricks may have taken incivility to a new low with his ugly and personal comments regarding Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser.
In his column (10/20) Hendricks’ referred to Funkhouser as having a “horse-face” and “having a face only a mother could love.”

It is common knowledge since Funkhouser’s election that the Kansas City Star has gone from initially being somewhat supportive of his efforts as Mayor to outright hatred. In fact, the newspaper even retracted its original endorsement of him in what might have been a first in the long history of the paper.
In fact, the Star has not just attacked the Mayor, but the Mayor’s wife has routinely became fair game for ridicule. The newspaper’s venom toward the pair almost knows no bounds of decency.
One can only imagine the response if the Star attacked former Mayors Kay Barnes or Emanuel Cleaver in such a personal and humiliating way.
It is unthinkable that another public figure would be ridiculed over his/her appearance.
These are difficult times at KC’s largest newspaper. Several layoffs the past few years have eliminated many quality reporters, columnists and copy editors.
Hendricks himself was reduced to part-time status.
By his nature, Hendricks is not generally a mean-spirited columnist. He is a proud liberal who is not afraid to stand up when he feels an injustice has been done. Most of his columns are light-hearted.
However, when you know the people giving you your paycheck despise someone it might seem like a good idea to join in the attacks. Writing anything positive about the Mayor is not a wise move for journalists hoping to keep their jobs at the Star.
No matter what the circumstance, Mike Hendricks crossed a line of civility and fairness in his column.
It is fine to disagree with the Mayor about his policies, but mean-spirited personal remarks about his appearance have no business in a major newspaper.
An apology to Mayor Funkhouser is in order. It is the right thing to do.
Mayor Funkhouser told Bottom Line he will not respond to the personal name-calling.
Hendricks has not responded whether he will apologize or not.