Kansas City Star Demands Contrition From Russian-Born Pianist

Let's start this post with a quick history lesson . . . 

Japanese internment camps were established during World War II by President Franklin D. Roosevelt through his Executive Order 9066. From 1942 to 1945, it was the policy of the U.S. government that people of Japanese descent, including U.S. citizens, would be incarcerated in isolated camps. Enacted in reaction to the Pearl Harbor attacks and the ensuing war, the incarceration of Japanese Americans is considered one of the most atrocious violations of American civil rights in the 20th century.

Now let's get even more real . . .

At the time THESE CAMPS WON POPULAR SUPPORT FROM MOST AMERICANS who didn't trust legal immigrants and ethnic/racial minorities.  

Today, given that The Star's rhetorical tactics are analogous to FDR's homeland inquisition, we take a moment to rebuke an editorial screed that proves KANSAS CITY NO LONGER HAS A REAL DAILY NEWSPAPER . . . 

THE KANSAS CITY STAR IS HOLDING SOME B-LIST RUSSIAN PIANIST ACCOUNTABLE FOR WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY THE RUSSIANS IN UKRAINE AND THEY'RE DEMANDING A STATEMENT OF CONTRITION FROM THE ARTIST!!!

For the record . . .

This is literally the most disgusting thing we've ever seen printed by the Kansas City Star and it's dangerously close to inciting hate against an ethnic minority residing in the United States. Once and for all this newspaper has proven it adds NO VALUE to our municipal life and has now become a malevolent force that publishes hateful politically charged talking points with no regard for their consequences. 

It gets worse . . .

Holding some artist accountable for the sins of a faraway dictator isn't just cowardly, it's tantamount to cultural blackmail and barely legal political extortion. 

The last remaining dead-tree readers needs to decide if this kind of paper is something that they want representing KC. 

Here's a passage from the screed . . .

"Some patrons of the Harriman-Jewell Series say they’re concerned at Trifonov’s perceived reluctance to criticize Russian behavior in Ukraine. Apart from a generic statement claiming “every war is a tragedy,” the artist hasn’t issued a firm declaration opposing Russian atrocities. The fact that he lives in the United States makes his reluctance to denounce war crimes even less understandable."

Here's the kicker and what reads like a veiled threat from The Kansas City Star: 

"Of course, in this country, we can’t force someone to say something he or she does not want to say. That’s where the Harriman-Jewell Series can act. It could, of course, cancel the concert. We would support that option."

To be clear . . .

Again, one more time for the cheap seats . . . 

IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNAMERICAN TO HOLD SOME RUSSIAN PIANO PLAYER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SINS OF VLADIMIR PUTIN!!!

We're absolutely certain this guy isn't giving marching orders to anyone and probably goes most days without being recognized for his talent. 

Adults understand this . . . People with any kind of common decency don't require a loyalty oath in order to play a few tunes at some low attendance show that most of us are going to skip. 

Threatening a foreigner over the politics of his native land is a disgusting tactic and it doesn't/shouldn't matter if its MAGA or "Progressives" perpetrating this heinous act of intimidation in order to advance their agenda. 

Just when we thought they couldn't get any lower . . . The Kansas City Star continues to sink to new depths and this time their taking the entire metro down with them.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Unless Russian-born pianist denounces atrocities, his KC show must not go on as usual

OPINION AND COMMENTARY With the world shocked and then shocked again by a series of Russian atrocities in Ukraine, the upcoming Kansas City performance of Russian-born pianist and composer Daniil Trifonov takes on new meaning. This is a moment that requires clarity from both the artist and the sponsor of his performance, the Harriman-Jewell Series.

You decide . . .