Eh, the Semler/Parks Board/Minutemen story got tired again real fast . . . Here are the basic facts of a story that a few talk radio hosts might be whining about tomorrow:
A group of no more than 6 KC area church and Union leaders showed up to the home of Parks Board/Minutemen Member Frances Semler in order to hand deliver a letter. Seeing the group of minorities in front of her home, Semler obviously panicked and called the cops. Obviously, the training of most Minutemen folks is to panic whenever a group of minorities are present and cry for the authorities even if said group is wearing business attire and aren't breaking any laws.
According to all the folks who were present at the mini-rally . . . The group rang the doorbell in order to hand deliver the letter and once it was clear there would be no answer, they left. Personally, I don't approve of the tactic but this group would be no different than any number of people knocking on my door in order to convert me, make sure I voted Democrat without question or sell me phony magazine subscriptions.
Nowadays, the only knock at the door I look forward to is the local tamale lady, who sells her handmade authentic Mexican food door to door - Yeah, immigration has many benefits and that's my favorite.
Anyway, if you're interested. Here are the contents of the letter:
Dear Mrs. Semler,
We are writing on behalf of the congregations, community organizations and concerned citizens listed below to respectfully ask you to immediately resign your position as member of the Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation Board. As a member of the Minutemen it is clear that you do not embrace or welcome the cultural diversity of all Kansas City residents. The KC metropolitan area should be allowed the opportunity to heal from the difficulties this appointment has caused and your resignation permits this healing process to begin.
Please contact us by August 31st to let us know that you have the best interests of all metropolitan area citizens in mind and that you will immediately resign from the parks board.
Sincerely,
Spencer F. Barrett - Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Co-chair, Interfaith Worker Justice
Dan Johnson - Teamster’s Local 41, Co-chair, Interfaith Worker Justice Organizer of Greater Kansas City.
Jessica Ayala - Sacred Heart Guadalupe Church, Organizer, Sons and Daughters of Immigrants of Greater Kansas City
Coalition of Hispanic Organizations Civil Rights Committee
Guadalupe Center
Concerned Clergy of Kansas City Missouri
Kansas City Chapter of La Raza
People of Faith for Hospitality and Justice
American Immigration Lawyer’s Association
UPDATE: Here's the Star link that also verifies that the NAACP is considering pulling their convention out of KC. Funkhouser calls the home visit "A new low" however, it was his appointment that brought the situation to this level. Also, TKC had this story first . . . NATCH!!!