The TKC End of Year review

Here are just a few insights I'd like to share before you are completely inundated with these end of year lists that substitute for content:

My first insight regarding 2006.

Steve Penn is the worst columnist in Kansas City

On January 17 of this year he noted that the murder rate was down and continued to chime the good news until the Spring. Sadly, the number of homicides is now only modestly lower than it was last year and that's not counting some of the kick ass NYE celebrations that are now only in the planning stages.

Larry Johnson is not happy in Kansas City

Sadly, the guy is much better at complaining than blocking and all signs, including his stupid hand gestures after inconsequential touchdowns point to the fact that he seems to be floundering in this town and he wants a new home team.

Kathryn Shields is an embarrassment to anyone involved in KC politics.

One scandal after the next this year for the woman who compared herself to MLK as most people who bother to read the news in this KC wouldn't really mind if she was fed to the rancor.

The Chiefs are too old to play football

One of these days Will Shields will retire and that will spell a 6-10 season for our JoCo football team. Trent Green is simply too old, broken down and frightened to play the game and the defense is just as decrepit as it has been for the past 2 years.

Women journalists are worthless

A few exceptions? Probably, but for the most part women in media make prostitutes seem honest by comparison or at least more forthright about what they are really getting paid to do.

Light Rail is a lame idea

A bad plan is worse than no plan at all. With no money and unfeasible demands for the scope of the project the next couple of years will see fans of the idea whine about how it isn't happening until they move on to their next pet cause . . . Remember, these are pretty much the same people who said that the new bus lines would save Kansas City but happily forgot about all the money that would be taken away from their beloved bus system so that they could play with toy trains.

Crime and the murder rate should be the most important issue for the local media next year

Because it was "only" Black people dying on the Eastside and because the numbers weren't record setting THE LOCAL MEDIA FAILED to address or even ask questions about the near Baghdad like living situation on the Eastside for young, Black men. Sure, it's easy to ignore from the comfort of Johnson County but the truth is that every part of this city is connected and as crime continues to move to SouthKC . . . NO REAL INITIATIVE from City Hall has been given in order to stop the violence. It's clear this problem isn't just going to go away. As I noted previously, Steve Penn and nearly every professional Black media person in KC simply let this issue pass without pursing any critical questions. But real estate speculation, risky downtown development schemes that hope to attract a crowd are ALL DEPENDENT ON SECURITY . . . It's a basic need and something that very few politicians have dared to discuss. But make no mistake, construction or redeveloping Downtown or whatever are DOOMED if the issue of the murder rate continues to get little consideration.