by George Harris Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel 2008

I really take offense at being called a “curmudgeon”, as one reader called me after I wrote about the new TixKC.com service. This service threatens the free time of everyone in Kansas City by selling unsold tickets to cultural events at half-price on the day of the program.
(“Enough already” http://voices.kansascity.com/node/2213 )

Next thing you know TixKC.com may try to set up a service to get people to donate tickets they have bought but can’t use so the tickets could be given away to special needs groups, such as group homes and senior centers. Such a service could jeopardize the very foundations of our economy, as if it’s not already threatened enough. I’ll have to get back to ya on how the threat level would actually be raised.

Well, it’s one thing to be called a curmudgeon by a reader, but I’ve also been rebuked by Santa Claus, who apparently monitors blogs to find when his name has been used. Santa, who lives in Lake Tahoe, chastised me for using his name in a blog I wrote about rating the presidential debates and for having nothing serious to say about them. (http://voices.kansascity.com/node/2148)

Here’s what Santa wrote:

“Hi, George:
You wrote, "Santa Claus moment: -1 point for a ridiculous promise by a candidate." Not cool. My legal name is Santa Claus; and, I'm a formal write-in candidate for President of the United States, permitted to run in 16 states, so far. I'm running because Obama and McCain refuse to address the plight of 2 million children in the U.S. annually who are abused, neglected, exploited, abandoned, homeless, and institutionalized through no fault of their own. There are 50 million adults who, as children, suffered from the same political indifference these children do today. So, perhaps, a better description of a "Santa Claus Moment" might be when one recalls the plight of these vulnerable children in dire circumstances and compels the candidates to help them. Or, how about a "George Harris Moment" when they can't remember anything useful to say about or contribute to an important issue. Blessings, Santa www.SantaClaus08.com

I’m sure that Santa Claus will have something to say about the frivolous waste of time that would occur if people, especially needy children and people with disabilities, were to be given tickets to go to concerts and plays.

So how about it, Santa. Join with me in protesting this TixKC program and the possible expansion of the program to give needy people donated tickets. It’s an outrage and must be stopped!