One of the most respected columnists at the Kansas City Star has been accused of bullying attendees at a recent Republican campaign rally in Kansas City in a Letter to the Editor that appeared in the McClatchy-owned paper today (Link to online letter and responses).
Charles Gusewelle, who has written books about his dogs, nature, cats and the rural life, has been a columnist at the Star dating back to 1955. He’s also a regular host on KCPT Public Television.
Gusewelle reportedly circled a recent Romney-Ryan campaign rally on Ward Parkway in his car and “gestured toward all participants,” and used “angry words” towards attendees, wrote Kathleen Callahan of Kansas City in a letter reprinted below.
“It was completely inappropriate for a man with such great visibility and stature in the Kansas City community to display such juvenile and disrespectful behavior,” she noted.
Callahan’s account was very likely true since the newspaper verifies letters before printing them. If untrue it is doubtful the letter was have ever seen the light of day.
The Star considers it a personnel issue and will not comment on his actions.
However, the Star’s Code of Ethics does warn editorial employees to “Avoid even the appearance of a conflict and immediately report to their supervisor anything that would allow a news source to call our impartiality into question.”
It also asks, “Could they or the newspaper publicly disclose the situation without fear of embarrassment or legitimate criticism?”
Gusewelle, GOP rally
I’ve always been proud to be a reader and neighbor of C.W. Gusewelle. As a mother of seven and grandmother of nine, I appreciate his love of nature and family.
That’s why it was horribly disappointing for me to witness his bullying behavior in front of our children at a recent Republican Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan campaign rally on Ward Parkway. Sadly, Gusewelle couldn’t stop with his angry words.
He proceeded to circle our group in his Smart Car and gestured toward all participants, including our children, who were there merely to support their candidates.
Regardless of our political affiliations, I know that we, as Americans, understand and appreciate the value of freedom of speech. It was completely inappropriate for a man with such great visibility and stature in the Kansas City community to display such juvenile and disrespectful behavior. What message does this give to our children?
For me, I will never read another one of his columns.
Kathleen Callahan Kansas City
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT INCIDENT
John,the newspaper may verify the veracity of the letter writer, but I don’t know they check whether the incident happened. Presumably, they did check with Charlie and he confirmed some of the details.
If true as stated, this bodes ill for a veteran reporter and columnist. He’s not a straight news reporter,so he can air his preferences, but to act in the manner in public…MOST disappointing.
BULLY IN A SMART CAR?
You would think that while driving a (not so) Smart Car, that he would be able to easily maneuver through the rally and get to his destination.
Instead, he pedaled his go-kart around the crowd.
Funny thing to me: How can one be a “bully” while driving a Smart Car?
Jerk.
SURPRISED STAR PUBLISHED LETTER
I’m somewhat surprised that The Star even published this woman’s letter, but if the details are for the most part accurate, then if nothing else it should serve as a reminder to all media types that they, too, are being watched 24/7, just like the politicians.
Perhaps Mr. Gusewelle’s next column will contain something of an apology for his behavior. That would seem to be in order here and, if correctly handled, could serve as a springboard for a valuable discussion about personal conduct, civility, respect, and a variety of related subjects.
WHY GUSEWELLE WAS PROTESTING
Yes, well Ms. Callahan left out some very important details in her letter, foremost of which is that this rally was being held on city property in which the particpants had planted dozens of romney signs, which is illegal under city ordinance. That is what Mr. Gusewelle was protesting, that they were breaking the law.
But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good story. repubs rarely let facts dictate their behavior, and in fact, the romney campaign has flatly stated that they won’t let fact checkers dictate their campaign, and that’s one promise they’ve kept.
PERMITS HAD BEEN OBTAINED
All of the necessary permits had already been obtained from the City and the Police departments. The rally was totally legal, and this was explained to Mr. Gusewelle which caused him to become irate and drive around the group flipping the bird to the Catholic grade shool children. But why let the facts get in the way of some good liberal speculative spin, right Jennifer?
The picture of Mr. Gusewelle extending his middle finger through the window of his red Smart Car (toward a little boy holding a Romney sign) has been widely circulated…and vetted by the KC Star before they published the letter from Mrs. Callahan. There were also numerous witnesses at the rally.
This was horrible behavior and sets a despicable example for the children in attendance. Jennifer, what would you tell your son or daughter if it happened to them?
DON’T EXPECT POLITENESS
Well, actually, John, the same thing I told my then 10-year-old daughter as we were getting flipped off by some — not all — passing motorists at an anti-war rally nine years ago.
Which was: When you take a public stand on a controversial issue, don’t expect everyone to agree with you, or to be polite.
If you think children will be traumatized by bad language and rude gestures from passing motorists, then don’t involve them in such rallies. The only thing that raises this to any level of interest was that the alleged “bully” happens to be a semi-public figure.
By the way, “Catholic grade school children”? Does that somehow make what Gusewelle allegedly did worse than if they were “public grade school children”?
Agreed. Public rallies can bring out the worst in both sides. And, yes, it is worse to give the finger to Catholic grade school children. They don’t learn that in their schools (only kidding).
NOT SURPRISED
I am not surprised in the least by Gusewelle’s actions. Read any of his political columns. They expose him as a hateful, bitter man.
STAR IS COVERED
The Star probably published the letter to give the newspaper cover once the order comes down to sack more employees.
UBER-LEFTISTS
Anger. Intimidation. Reprisal.
This is a common pattern of uber-leftists in their attempts to censor political opposites.
And Mr. Gusewelle is about as far left as they come.
Dang I miss Bill Vaughn.
TWO SIDES TO STORY
There are two sides to every story.. This is just one side. From what I’ve seen during this campaign, the truth rarely attends a romney/ryan rally.
RESPONSES ARE DISAPPOINTING
I am very disappointed in some of the responses to this article. If you don’t like Romney, fine. Your hatred of him or his beliefs doesn’t justify Gus running around flipping off people who are there with children!
ATTACK ON ELDERLY
Yet another Republican attack on the elderly… Tell ya what Granny Hag as Mr. Gusewelle eats how bout going on a hunger strike until The USADA bans him for life from sports. As for the rest of the Republikkkans don’t you have an election to rig?
WHAT WAS THAT?
Anyone have any idea what in the world Ike is saying?
Ike, Dude?
GUSWELLE’S ACTIONS VERIFIED
Well actually I was a participant myself at the Romney-Ryan rally, and the leader of the rally checked with the police department and the city to see if the rally was allowed to be held there. How is freedom of speech and freedom to assemble peacefully against the law? It’s not like we left the Romney signs on Ward Parkway long after the rally was over. Once we were finished, we immediately took down all signs and posters and took them back home with us.
Also, we have an actual picture that we sent to the Kansas City Star of Gusewelle flipping off the children holding the signs from his car, so yes this can actually be verified that this happened.
I will post the photo if you send it.
PHOTO
Please send your photo to John Landsberg for publication!
I have told people about Gloomy Gus’ obscene behavior and no one believes me!
GUSEWELLE’S REAL IMAGE
I realized long ago Gusewelle is not person he presents himself as to the public. Nor was he nearly as interesting and talented as he seems to think he is.
I am completely unsurprised by his boorish behavior. This is yet another example of arrogance on the part of Star reporters/columnists that alienated many thousands of now former readers long ago. I hesitated commenting given that the Star is nearly completely irrelevant now.
GUSEWELLE SHOULD HAVE RESPONDED
I’m disappointed that Mr. Gusewelle didn’t address this particular incident in his column in today’s issue of The Star, but I’ll give him another week to do so, especially if he is shown the aforementioned picture by The Star’s brass.
GUSEWELL NOT RELEVANT
Gusewelle has no relevance. His opinions have no weight. He needs to grow up. His juvenile behavior is nothing less than what I would expect.
BEHAVIOR OF STAR EMPLOYEE NOT A SURPRISE
Behavior such as this from a Star employee does not surprise. Still waiting for Diuguid to go over the edge for someone asking if he wants his coffee black.
I like one of the commenters “the truth rarely attends a romney/ryan rally” for its glimpse into the delusional lefty midset. You see, lefties have to believe that they’re the “nice” or “tolerant” or “smart” or “cool” party. No matter that the facts do not support this, it’s who they are.
If you wish to cast the “truth” stone, ask yourself why the president allowed 4 US citizens to die (for the sake of his failed Al Qaida-on-the-run narrative) and then calmly lied that the action were about a video.
PHOTO SENT TO KC STAR
Hi John,
Thank you for your responsible reporting. A photo was sent to the Star.
Hope all is well.
FIRE GUSEWELLE
Fire this guy KC Star. He started mailing it in 20 years ago anyway. No place other than faculty lounge in academia is more liberal than newsroom at metropolitan American newspaper. No doubt Lewis D. and Mary Sanchez were proud of this knucklehead’s performance.