Happy New Year Kansas City

This is the 24th year they're running Holiday Cab the number to call is 816-276-7899. The first available cab will be sent to the bar or restaurant to provide a ride. Rides will only be provided from public places, such as restaurants and bars, and the driver will only take the person home, not to another bar or restaurant.

The ride is free for the first $25 worth of fare, or about 16 miles.

Right now it's drizzling and wet and they say it's gonna get cold so wear a good rain coat and a condom as well . . . Just to be safer.

I'm thankful that I was able to write the blog this year and I'm even more grateful that you read it. KC is the best town in the world and this blog is proof that so many people can/can't take a joke around these parts . . .



Evidence of this fact can be seen lately on local cable TV where Kathryn Shields is running a frightening NYE message for mayor that nearly makes me want to move . . . Nevertheless, this is my favorite place in the world because it's home to nearly all of the people that I love, hate or would like to see hit in the face with a banana cream pie.

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.

Call in the militant wing of the Salvation Army

The Kansas City chapter of the Salvation Army is about $1.4 million short of the holiday fundraising goal.

Could the fact that the Salvation Army is in dire straights (not the band) this time of year have anything due to do with the Healthcare Foundation denying fundraising requests because the charitable organization refuses to ring it's bell for the ghey community?

Who knows but I guess it's important to note that we live in a town where a great many people believe that the common good has more to do with ensuring that ghey folks get first class treatment rather supporting a group that helps the truly needy.

He always had wood

Herman Sutherland, lumber company executive, longtime civic leader and philanthropist, died early Thursday at his home in Mission Hills, family members said.

Couldn't care less about the contractors

Support the Troops . . . Of course, without question (at least as far as everybody at the rank of Captain and under is concerned) but try as I might I can't muster any sympathy for the contractors, especially for the security contractors, even if they are from KC, even if they are being held hostage and even if they left a heartbreaking message that's on par with some of my drunk dials as far as frightened and scared displays go.

Sorry, but even if these guys are former military . . . They aren't there for patriotism in the capacity of getting paid big bucks to protect Halliburton and KBR property.

While I hope everything works out for the dude, it's not exactly the human interest story that some of the local TV stations were playing it up to be last night. In fact, I think I feel more sympathy for mall security guards who actually have it pretty tough considering their salary.

Survey says why women can't be trusted

WOMEN are far more unfaithful than men, a survey reveals.

Forty per cent of females cheat on lovers, compared with 34 per cent of males.

It's Huge

The author behind Local blog Pomegranate Pretty pens one of those great big posts that has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. She's a great writer and the descriptive narrative of her life is a must read. No doubt you'll probably be captivated by even the most mundane details of what Pom has been up to . . . Check it.

Blind Item: Big Mouth Bares Her Teeth

If you read this blog regularly, you know who I'm talking about, if not then you can have fun guessing. Here's the (unimportant) question of the day:

Which local politician is calling up local Latino and community newspapers asking if I write for them and in the same breath mentioning buying ads AND THEN mentioning how offensive and unprofessional she finds TKC?

Funny thing is, this aspiring politico has worked in the Hispanic community and should know how much we all love gossip so word got back to me within a day of these vaguely threatening phone calls.

And it hasn't affected my freelance work one bit considering that I haven't been doing much because I'm busy with other (better paying) projects.

Now, if this woman (Why God why is it always a woman who gives me problems?) . . . Anyway, if this woman finds a way to turn Ebay and online poker against me then I'm really screwed but for the moment she is simply doing a great job of making herself look like a joke for taking a two bit blogger way more seriously than she should.

Time is past due for Kansas City to take out the trash

Trash and recycling collection will be delayed next week by one day because of the New Year's Day holiday and here is some info for getting rid of your X-mas tree . . . That's cool. Actually, I was referring to incumbents on the City Council.

"Because when we want to talk about amoral and/or incompetent assholes, we go all out, baby!"

This blogger does a better job than any of the local media in explaining all of the recent controversy surrounding Phill Kline.

Holiday Aftermath: Mom snitches on Son who got grandpa

Tough choice for a local mom who obviously doesn't listen to much cRap music.

Aiming at the Gas Meter to cause an explosion? That's cold.

Gun toting thugs in KC seem to be getting more inventive. KCTV5 reports: "Someone shot up the house at 52nd and Agnes and seemed to be aiming at the gas meter. The homeowner believes the shooters were tryinig to cause an explosion."

Joe Lauria predicts "snew"

All media people in Kansas City hate each other, they hate each other probably more than the general public hates them . . . This, I think it their only redeeming quality.

A recent post on the Gateway City Message Board points out how two local radio personalties who were ripping on one of their colleagues because he had a cold or an accent or probably just because they could.

Boy did Shannon and Parks take Joe Lauria apart on yesterday's show. It was funny. They kept (rightfully so) mocking him for predicting "snew." Not snow but "snew." Over and over again. I took it those guys don't like Lauria too much but I'll have to admit. Take an Ambien and wash it down with NyQuil and you got Joe Lauria.

Thing is, I never understood the (mostly covert) animosity among reporters until I realized that they were all fighting over the same bus ticket out of town.

"One of the many problems Michael Bushnell faces is he has competing interests."

While most of you may not like this blogger, he raises some very interesting questions about the role media plays in redevelopment. This blogger contents that the publisher of the Northeast News is shilling for developers nearly as much as The Star.

Sorry, the thing still isn't going to make any money

Liberty Memorial is breaking attendance records with the opening of the acclaimed National World War I Museum. But supporting itself is a long way off (meaning never).

Condescending KC Star

Newsflash: Not all African-American victims of violent crime are simply getting what they deserve according to The Star.

Whew, glad we settled that one.

Additionally, The Star highlights the following passage and tries to explain why their bias is showing . . .'This is not a gangster' One victim is called "a family man who just went out with a friend." Witnesses are urged to speak up.

Same old song, pro sports fails to benefit KC

Here is yet another example of how Pro Sports basically gives nothing back to this town with the help of politicos . . .

"More than a decade ago, the legislature enacted a law calling for half of the income taxes paid by out-of-state athletes and entertainers who worked in Missouri to be put in the newly established fund. According to the Symphony's lawsuit, the legislature has allocated only a fraction of the money called for under the statute. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, it says, it allocated nothing. The Kansas City Symphony seeks to force the legislature to come up with the funding, which it says is mandatory, not discretionary. As one of the biggest arts organizations in the state, the Symphony stands to be a major beneficiary of the fund."

Thing is, the Symphony is something that enriches this community and is something more than just a commercial beer fest . . . Yet this town's culture or the institutions which define KC mean very little to politicians all across this state who are too busy chasing the pandering to any and everything having to do with pro sports with little or no payoff for the community at large.

New Brews from Boulevard

Honestly, this is best news I've read all week:

Thanks to a major company overhaul. In August, the Boulevard Brewery opened a $25 million expansion at 25th Street and Southwest Boulevard. The new brewery allowed the company to increase production from 120,000 barrels a year to 700,000.

The rest of the article goes on about some fruity ass beers that the brewery will also work on but honestly, they can do whatever they want as long as the supply of Boulevard Wheat is assured.

And I admit, I once wrote it off as a hipster beer until I realized how good it was BUT NOW I realize that nearly all my fantasies regarding Heaven (that don't involve NSFW fantasies about group sex with the Playboy's Next Door broads) somehow relate to having a swimming pool of Boulevard Wheat, an inner tube and a straw.

Lawrence wondering how to control college kids without the help of their parents purse strings. Good luck.

Lawrence Mulls Ways To Quell Bar Violence

I did not know that Country Club Kay was "planning" to destroy KC Neighborhoods and create mountains of debt for this town

The American Planning Association selected Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes to receive the 2007 National Planning Leadership Award for a Planning Advocate.

In other news, I thought only real estate agents won awards for advocating for Loft and Condo dwellers.

Scientists want to employ KC citizens, even if they aren't a fetus!!

Local life sciences industry is hiring

Show me harebrained projects and lots of potholes

Missouri sets records for transportation projects

Happy Chrismakkah!!!

Cute looking pics from Pensive Girl. I'd post my Kwanzaa photos but it's basically just me sitting alone in a four cornered room eating a wing dinner and looking confused.

Driving South on Burlington

Picture perfect pics from pomegranate.

TIF times Twenty

Candidate for City Council Mark Forsythe (4th in-district) reacts to the latest TIF travesty as featured in a thoughtful post by BlogKC. Sadly, this kind of stuff is only big news to the 2 or 3 dozen people who follow City politics closely but even the casual media watcher can see that this Council has gone too far in handing out tax exemptions and Bonnie Sue "Corporate Tax Cut" Cooper desperately needs to realize that the X-mas season is over and her insane spirit of giving is mostly wasted on the corporate interests hounding City Hall for more welfare.

Internet fame is as fickle as a motherfucker

The folks at KC Proper advise their featured performers on how to behave once the show has catapulted them to net divas. Personally, I think there's far too little emphasis placed on sexual favors. However, all TKC asks of you (or any broad who isn't a fattie) is nude photos.

"Yes, God is Black"

Artist and blogger Parrish Baker posts an amazing panel on his blog that tracks various spots in the Kansas City area which have provided him with inspiration. It's the kind of insight into a local artist that you won't find anywhere else but on the Internet. Take a look, great stuff.

"SCIENCE VS. PHILOSOPHY VS. GOD"

Great blog post title about a quote under discussion at Heretical Ideas.

If things seem kind of slow around here

I know, I hate blogger excuses as well but Tony gotta make money to eat Chinese food as well. Lots of stuff in the works as some of it might actually make this place a little nicer to visit. Stay tuned, or not . . . Really, this is just a reminder to myself about a couple of features for TKC that I'm working on . . .

The Best of JDouble P

One of my favorite local bloggers posts a pretty gully "best of" list at Patchchord.

The only thing you should reveal to your girlfriend during an argument is that you've always thought she was a whore

Don't ever think you can trust a woman with anything. There are plenty of examples of this but none which clearly illustrate the vindictiveness of women better than the story of a local dude who robbed a Subway, told his girlfriend about it during an argument and was subsequently turned in by the treacherous broad.

David B. Hudson, 45, was picked up after his 36-year-old girlfriend called police to report that in the midst of an argument Hudson told her he had robbed the Subway at 3550 E. Truman Road.

The robbery was recorded on surveillance video, and detectives determined that Hudson matched the physical characteristics of the robber, according to court documents.

Honestly, this reads like a typical woman from Kansas City who isn't just happy to bite the hand who feeds her but also wants it tied up in the legal system and imprisoned.

Alonzo Gets Over on American Gangster

Sprint is the second major sponsor to see the light and end their sponsorship of American Gangster thanks to the work of Alonzo Washington. Here's the magnitude of this, here is the headline I would write . . . Popular Myspace Blogger Costs Cable Company Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars.

Sure, Alonzo Washington isn't just a blogger and he's worked for many years in and around KC in order to advocate for the Black Community but the fact remains that in terms of this issue . . . He started his initiative against the stupid BET show with something as simple as a blog post.

Local activist Alonzo Washington has a big problem with BET’s “American Gangster” series, setting his sights on those companies that have advertised on the show, including Verizon and Sprint.

And Washington has been successful, in a way. Both wireless companies say they have declined any further participation in the series, which Washington says glorifies a culture of violence in the African-American community.

What's more, for the most part Washington's efforts are merely what he chooses to do with his spare time . . . Stories like these are one of many reasons why I'm excited about blogs and why I think this type of media has the unprecedented potential to level the playing field between the Mainstream media and the man on the street.

Beth Gottstein and her Iowa plates

I wonder if my favorite cocktail candidate, Beth Gottstein will finally bother to drive around a car with KC plates by the time the primary comes around? The fact that Gottstien is VERY RECENTLY from out of state really isn't that big of a deal given that so many political opportunists pick KC as their starting point but it might be a good idea for her to finally settle down (in many ways) and make with the local plates if she wants to represent KC.

Additionally, thanks to the commenter who left me the info on a recent blog post. After asking around, I found that it was true and one of those priceless petty facts that our JoCo media often fail to report. Anyway, for the moment or until very recently Gottstein had not really settled on KC from the appearance of her shiny red car.

Democracy is not really working in Northeast KC

All fight you can probably blame this one on the influx of immigrants as well but I couldn't really make a choice between a nice place to eat dog Korean food or high voter turnout but regardless it seems that nobody in Northeast cares about voting. A recent title by the Northeast News proclaims that Northeast voters are voting less.

Here's the damage:

Less than a third of its registered voters came to the polls or sent in an absentee ballot in the most recent general election.

Out of 12,674 voters from the 40th Missouri representative district area, only 3,966 of them cast ballots November 7, 2006 – a turnout of 31.29 percent.

In the City of Kansas City overall, the turnout was 42.43 percent.

And again, I have to wonder about the supreme arrogance of the people behind the Iraq war given the fact that, clearly, Democracy barely works here . . . Think I'm being hyperbolic? Nope, there is no other way to explain the career of Kathryn Shields.

If cops can't save on construction costs, then how are they going to save the city?

The Kansas City police academy under construction in the Northland has its problems, including cost overruns of more than $8 million and millions more for unplanned road costs.

Strange, it seems like $8 million over-budget is some kind of crime.

Another reason why the landlady shouldn't believe you were looking for a job

The Kansas City area had an estimated 40,046 job vacancies in May, according to a survey conducted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis Public Policy Research Center.

Isn't it time you adopted a Mexican?

For something other than lawncare or maid service, of course.

New program helps refugees bridge cultural divides

A church-based program is taking hold in the Kansas City area.

The program, called Haven, is run by Catholic Charities and links church groups with refugee families from all religious faiths. Participating churches make a one-year commitment to guiding the newcomers through what is often the most difficult part of their journey — adjusting to life in the United States.

A nice story indeed, in the fast food world they call this effort "The Management trainee program."

Somali immigrants still hungry in KC

I know that folks have a tendency to look down on violent criminals and justifiably so but a recent report which actually went to the time and trouble to note the motivations behind a metro crime puts things in perspective . . . For me at least.

First the news portion of the story: Northland Robbery $45,000 taken Friday has been recovered: Two Somali men charged in bank heist

But here's the most interesting detail: 'Mohamed has not recently had enough money to even eat,' FBI Agent Michael G. Mrachek wrote in his statement.

Gallagher Deux

Apparently, people in Branson don't like Gallagher . . . Which still puts them about 20 years behind the rest of the nation.

Gallagher was to perform at the Moe Bandy Theatre from June 16 through Sept. 4, but his shows were canceled after a July 22 performance in which theater employee Marcy Kowalski alleged that Gallagher used profanity and bruised her arm when he pushed her back into her front-row seat.

Kowalski, one of about 40 people attending the July 22 show, filed a complaint with the Branson Police Department three days later, but it was dropped after she settled with Gallagher for an undisclosed sum.

Now that I think of it, maybe using the sledge-o-matic on people in Branson was some kind of comeback effort. I know that would gain my interest and given a chance that kind of show actually might provide some decent entertainment or at least do the world a great service by removing the folks who look to that the rural areas of this state for their entertainment.

Town Topics: Your daily roundup of shocking displays

Stabbed Baby Dies: A three-week-old infant who police said was stabbed by a mentally disturbed relative last weekend has died.

The early bird gets parole: Repeat offenders in Missouri to get chances for earlier paroles.

It's okay to be shocked about all of the asshattery going on at The County Courthouse but being stunned is completely unacceptable.

Sad: SouthSide Senior found Dead

Standoff solved

Nightclub shooting makes for even more depressing last call for 2 at prospect nightclub.

Eastern Jackson County is "on the cusp of a renaissance" . . . I know I see racism everywhere but is this a nice way of saying that all the Black people are moving out and the neighborhood is out of the "Dark Ages?" I know, it's a stretch but nothing is out of the question as far as Star headline writers are concerned.

Everything is okay as long as all crime stays in the womb or has to do with conception . . . JoCo folks soon to have a prosecutor who (like me) doesn't really care much about what's happening any other place than a woman's vagina. Today's embarrassment for Kansas Republicans: Attorney General Phill Kline will go before a judge today seeking the reinstatement of criminal charges against Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller.

Noland Road littered with frustration: When did they start calling mullets "frustration?"

Coach Herm's new column will guarantee even more sources for flimsy explanations regarding The Chief's play

Celebrate Kwanzaa with slightly less vigor than Madonna

Certainly, if you have the means, I don't want to dissuade you from adopting an African kid given the fact that the Chinese are tired of Americans stealing their babies.

However, not all of us can deal with that level of commitment. Therefore it's important to know that this year's Kwanzaa celebration is already underway and a week of events have been scheduled at The Gem Theater in order to honor African culture.

Part of the celebration is explaining Kwanzaa for the 1 millionth time given that there are maybe 7 people in this country who understand it. And yes, two of them are white and the rest are Asian hip-hop reporters.

Blogger Backtalk: Commentary, comments and crazies

Getting linked by TKC might send some hate mail your way!!!!! This my personal favorite and vote for angry blog comment of the day: "I'm glad the Internet exists so that idiots can post their idiot teen-angst rants, and be linked to by cockwads like Tony. Hooray for America!"

More praise for the man behind Posthuman Blues: "One of the best examples of the "new" sort of thinking on anomalies that is the hallmark of good fortean, nay skeptical writing. Tonnies drops all predetermined opinions about Mars, and asks us to do the same."

Is there a cure for a Petroleum hangover? Probably not, and here's some more bad news: "We're addicted to oil, and withdrawals are going to suck."

My vote for best Awesome bloggy family

I'm so sorry but I love to read how your X-mas sucked: "Christmas came and went like a small, localized natural disaster."

TKC's local model of the day

Local model Tara has a ton of friends on Myspace and some AMAZING photos. She's already starting her campaign to be one of Maxim Magazine's hometown hotties next year (which I think should be the goal of every woman) . . . So, for posting some great photos of herself and generally just for being more attractive than most of the population . . . I think you owe it to her give her your vote.

Dare to be stupid

I don't care how many reports of Turkey Fryer Fires the media wants to serve up during the holidays. I want one of these things if only because the prospect of being burnt alive during the holidays isn't that bad if it means I can feed the whole family with a dead bird on a stick.

Eyebrows are overrated.

The Whorehouse that never was in Westport

Now here's an example of an unrealized dream of development in Kansas City that I think might have really made life interesting in this city. An amazing post by Death's Door imagines what life might have been like if skanks hadn't been completely confined to America's Pub and were allowed to be a little bit more . . . "enterprising" is what I'm calling it. Additionally, the following passage makes me miss the long gone era when this city actually had some night life worth mentioning and nearby neighbors might have even frequented a local pub rather than just complaining.

Remember, back then Westport was nothing like it was now. You had Kelly's, Blayney's, Buzzard Beach and a few other small bars and restaurants. You still had homes and apartments scattered throughout the area, and in the center of all this was a huge fucking bread factory.

The Westport I remember as a kid had fewer JoCo folks and a lot more drunken locals. While the quality of skanks (as much as I can remember) may not have been what it is now . . . Somehow they seemed more friendly.

Blogger Backlash

I link to a bunch of stuff I read in the local blogosphere . . . It's what I do. As much as I feel like ignoring a bunch of anti-Mexican stuff from The Hip Critic (a recent and much appreciated commenter on this blog) I feel like his recent string of posts might be a good example of somebody losing their patience with Mexicans OR maybe an opportunity for local blog readers to watch a meltdown in real time.

Either way, it's entertaining.

First, take a look at a recent set of questions to future City Hall candidates and Mayoral prospects. Actually, I admire the focus of this post. Sure, Kansas City has ongoing problems with crime, potholes, debt, sewers, storm drains and some insane light rail scheme but the most important thing is to make sure that there aren't too many Mexicans in town. However, ya gotta look at the dude's perspective; he's from Northeast where the Mexicans have not only brought the most amazing burritos on the planet, small businesses and a new tax base (don't forget sales and property) but also their own brand of crime given the fact that I've yet to meet a Mexican who understands that prostitution is illegal . . . Life is give and take.

Then one of my favorite local bloggers (because I'm racist) gets a rather nasty message from the guy.

Of course, I wouldn't dare cry foul. I've written enough nasty things on this blog to realize that everyone and everything is fair game as far as blogging and politics goes . . . I only have one request . . . Make it funny. Far too little alliteration or (attempts at) racial humor in these posts . . . In fact, in most of the racist and misogynist posts I concoct (no homo) I make sure to have no less then three (bad) jokes. While this should prove to you that people of Latino decent work harder (even at murder) it should also serve as inspiration to make your racist blog posts better!!!

Bullets only slightly more deadly than the fries

A man shot at a KCK McDonald's died from his injuries yesterday. And this is as good of a time as any to remind you that not only will fast food kill you but also it will kill you sooner than you think.

Kid knew the meaning of X-mas but not the value of money

This stale, holiday left over story reports: An 11-year-old boy who found hundreds of dollars in cash and gave it back does not want a reward because he feels it was the right thing to do.

"Northland has a big stake in light rail"

Clearly, they have to figure out exactly how far to step back in line as the concerns of their burgeoning community once again take a backseat to one of Kansas City's vanity projects.

Front and Center

This year, 2,900 of the star-spangled streamers wave . . . Each 12-inch flag represents a service member killed in Iraq; last year there were 2,000. With five friends helping, it took three hours for the man in charge of this Overland Park display to cover the lawn at 6520 W. 106th St. The flags will remain for three weeks.

Secret Santa's example and elves save the day

Just in case you haven't experienced your holiday cheer OD yet.

Sacrificing your computer to fight Child Porn

While no sane person would ever argue that child porn is anything but disgusting, it seems as if the increasingly harsh laws and resources dedicated to fighting the problem are reported by many in the local media as nothing more than propaganda to encourage a pathological fear of the Internet.

However, first it's important to realize that there is a large scale trend to crack down on Internet pervs and it seems as if online surveillance plays a huge role in the process.

Building on an aggressive interpretation of federal child exploitation laws, prosecutors recently laid out an ambitious strategy to coordinate federal, state and local investigations and prosecutions throughout western Missouri.

The coordination envisioned by Project Safe Childhood could reach far beyond law enforcement, said assistant U.S. attorney Jeff Valenti, who heads a computer crimes task unit. Authorities are working with social service agencies and child and women's advocacy groups to uncover child exploitation cases.

'We have to get the word out that the federal government believes that child exploitation is incredibly important,' Valenti said.

Prosecutions here have mushroomed in the last five years and are promising more robust growth. The Western District of Missouri ranked sixth nationally among 93 federal districts last year in child exploitation prosecutions.

While I could care less about what pervs do or how they go to jail . . . There is a broader context to this effort that is underanalyzed by those in the local media. Namely, that authorities now seem to be going after computers rather than first person testimony in their attempt to catch online predators who may hurt children. While this is a seemingly advantageous goal, anyone who has had any contact with law enforcement knows that there is always room for mistakes and missteps . . . And when something as serious as child molestation is under discussion the repercussions of false accusations or undue profiling are potentially life altering.

Additionally, not once have I ever heard any reporter covering the topic draw a clear description of what constitutes child pornography given that some questionable photographs might depict - legally - not children but young-looking adults.

Finally, the issue of so-called overzealous prosecution of child porn online isn't just directed at pervs or folks with questionable taste but also at social networking sites like Myspace and Friendster and even lowly bloggers with comment forums or message boards which could be required to report some of the sleazy stuff that gets posted.

And while it's impossible to argue with anyone claiming that they are attempting to "Defend children" it's clear that a great deal of these concerns about kids are political as well as representative of the somewhat overwrought hysteria regarding the true scope of the child porn problem in this country. Put simply, while child porn is nasty, disgusting stuff it's not exactly commonplace . . . Whereas the risks to your privacy and the integrity of your computer seem to be constantly under attack.

SHOCK: Broads Breeding Less

"Our research leads to the notion that for some women, childbearing might not have even been part of an equation"

What did you learn this X-mas?

Nice post from this local blogger full of some cool images as well. Along with a Journey quote . . . Truly, this is the season of giving.

The Honkey Hump

Nice video, I'm sending away for my dance lessons right now.

"Christmas is over...thank goodness!"

By God, bloggers always put it best.

Favorite local model of the day

This broad's name is Jen Michelle and I guess she does some modeling around the area. Check out her page for a bit of more bio information, and more importantly more pics.

Sophia Wharton of KCTV5 is pretty damn sexy (skanky?)

I've gotta hand it to KCTV5 when they aren't reporting stories about how everyone else in this town is pervy, they are getting pretty nasty themselves.

Nice to see one of their very hot ass reporters (Sophia Wharton) getting up close and personal with a mic at a local radio program (The Kenny and Ozone show - bleh). Additionally, reports on my one of my favorite local message boards (Gateway) indicate that quite a few local media people were full of holiday cheer . . . If by holiday cheer you mean booze, stories of casual sex with strangers, other bawdy talk and booby flashing.

Here's a link to Wharton's professional bio.

And here are even more informative pics of her skanking it up and providing exclusive, late breaking coverage of her loose fitting thong.

Additionally, I never want to get another e-mail from a pissed off lady reporter questioning me as to why I have such little respect for women in general and female journalists in particular.

"Kansas City and its suburbs had a higher rate of violent crime last year than Denver, Minneapolis and – yes – St. Louis."

Once again, KC wins another I-70 series. Rock on.

Goodbye James Brown

I'm sure there will be a ton of hipster posts today with oh, so witty reference but honestly I hope that one day James Brown will be remembered for his innovation and musical genius rather than simply his legal troubles.

He was a musical pioneer who also brought forth not only funk but also hip-hop in some sense . . . Anyone who listens to popular music is hearing his influence. Almost in a biblical sense . . . Brown was the earliest and greatest among a generation of R&B singers (Gaye, Wilson, Redding) which influenced Michael Jackson who begat New Edition who begat N'Sync and now we live in the age of Justin Timberlake. It's all connected . . . And mostly to Brown's music.

Additionally, don't even try to pretend like you weren't excited as a little kid when Kansas City was included in "Living in America" which was featured in the soundtrack to one of the silliest Rocky movies ever made.


James Joseph Brown, Jr. (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006)

Plants are far more important than po'folk

In a recent editorial The Star urged that the "City should find a way to add plants downtown." However, I'm not completely against the idea given that the homeless always need a place to pee.

Even I feel sorry for bargain basement players wasting their time with the Chiefs

Jarrad Page has been making a lot of headlines lately. Now is the time when most reporters covering the Chiefs start focusing on next year's season because this one is all but mathematically over . . . Still I feel sorry for a talented guy like Page because he's going to waste a lot of time here and always runs the chance of getting hurt. Clearly, even if the guy was a 7th round pick . . . The best move he could make now is to get out of town and find some team that puts winning ahead of finding a good bargain.

Only Oprah can save us

Since 1988 Northland residents have been working to save the Benjamin Banneker School. Now (like nearly all lost white people) they are turning to Oprah for help. Considering the place was Built in 1885, made with bricks laid by Park College students and was once a one-room segregated school for black students . . . There's a slight possibility for some interest considering that the story is one of white people working to do something nice for Black people (other than live anywhere near them) . . . However, I suggest that volunteers start small and neglect their wives while verbally abusing them in order to get on Dr. Phil's program first.

You probably didn't expect a "Happy X-mas" message from me anyway

And that's good because you're not getting one. Thing is, it's not even that original to loathe the X-mas season . . . I find that the only thing creative to do with the holidays is to enjoy the special moments that don't take place during any other time of year.

I always find it entertaining to watch people cry in the parking lot of shopping malls because of bad credit, stolen items or simply the fact that an 82 year-old woman driving a Cadillac just gave them the finger and told them to burn in Hell.

The family get togethers are nice even if every bit of conversation is forced. This year my Grandma talked about getting a white boyfriend if only to grab some respect during her golden years and get the cops off her back . . . She's legal but doesn't look it.

Playing "which one of your nephews is obviously the ghey" is always a fun activity and odds are you're always right.

Finally, it's nice to run into old friends during the holidays . . . Sure, they'll probably treat you horribly simply because you're carrying a cardboard sign and asking for change but for a moment that glance you might share which signals that both of you are glad that the other one isn't dead . . . That's what X-mas is all about . . . Other than benefiting from the labor of Chinese toddlers who built all of those cost friendly presents, of course.

Anybody could win the KC Mayoral race

I've been writing the same thing for the past 3 months but Dave Helling makes it much less interesting with a bunch research and examples.

What to do with an old KC relic? Other than have it run for political office.

A piece of aviation history is now sitting in a maintenance garage at the Wheeler Downtown Airport. A few folks are trying to figure out what to do with the thing and it seems that the airplane has a great deal in common with the namesake of the airport given that it's a piece of history, was a fine piece of work in its day but now would be better off in a museum.

Everybody in KC is worried about crime but political candidates

I am rarely proud of people in this town but the fallowing quote renewed my faith in humanity during this Hellish Holiday Season:

Kansas City was the only metro area in which half the respondents said they didn't trust people in general.

The article was about crime and how so many people (who don't hold public office) are concerned about it in Kansas City. In fact, crime ranked as one of the top concerns for many people in KC which is why the fact that our Mayor's tenure seems to have been devoted to luxury goods and living spaces seems all that more misguided.

So long to Dave of The Stagecoach Inn

Old news but worth a mention considering that the place is a far too underrated KC Institution.

There is no money for light rail

If you translate this from the silly business speak the following statement basically means that KC will have to play for light rail on its own before it gets any help from the feds: "In a brief look at Kansas City's light-rail plans, Roeseler said the New Starts program would require the city to maintain its bus program while securing federal money." However, if you want sunshine blown up your ass you could visit the very nicely designed and throughly optimistic the KCLightrail blog for your daily allowance of B.S. and other cheerleading commentary.

KCP&L has the power!!!

KCP&L gets $50M rate increase OR, why you and your loved ones will be sweating it out this summer.

Rain dance

It only takes 16 years for TIF money to actually start making a difference! Or that should be the conclusion that you come to after reading a recent article which notes that a storm-water drainage system along Universal Avenue in northeast Kansas City is set to begin construction in 2007 after the Universal TIF plan, approved in 1991, called for the plan's taxes to flow into a new pump station, but the station wasn't built. On the bright side, the construction isn't at the behest of any KC Citizens but rather to make sure that a local company doesn't have any hardships due to flooding. The people of KC might be better advised to look for a good price on a boat.

Bigfoot at the Block Artspace

Cryptozoology at the Kansas City Art Institute's H&R Block Artspace received a mention in a recent Star column regarding notable images around town this past year. The exhibit featured the elusive "Bigfoot" or some facsimile thereof . . . It's good to see the Big guy still has fans in Kansas City, especially considering that finding evidence of his existence is much easier than actually proving that Downtown redevelopment benefits anybody who doesn't have the cash to afford half a mil for a condo.

Have yourself a conservative X-mas

Great post from The Chatterbox Chronicles even though I think the true meaning of a "Conservative X-mas" is downlow ghey rubdowns.

"Someone in KC spotted a brown box on a newspaper machine and since no one was around it naturally thought Al Qaeda was involved."

Fantastic essay regarding stupidity in our lovely City.

Suggestions for The Scout

A local blogger suggests a better way to do things on the roads of KC other than taking the bus. "We have these giant signs on the highway - KC Scout - that are supposed to be there to warn you of accidents, construction, breaking news stories, whatever. The problem is, if you're already on the highway it's usually too late."

When you only want to buy the best regrets

I know, I know, this time of year it's easy to feel lonely (if you're a pussy) but it might still be a better idea to play World of Warcraft or something rather than searching for hookups on the Internets. This message is brought to you by nobody in particular but I guess in order to stay on my "don't buy anything kick" it should also apply to booty. Actually, the only purchase I endorse for this time of year is booze.

Nightlife is poppin' on Prospect

Even though I'm late linking this story . . . I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention the recent shooting at an Eastside Club. While the gunfire affected no less than 9 people it may, in fact, be a sign that nightlife in KC is undergoing somewhat of a resurrection . . . At least we hope so, given that so many people are winding up dead.

South KC Sentiment Spreads Across the City

I got a look at this "ANYONE BUT EDDY FOR MAYOR" sign early this morning and was happy to see that folks across Kansas City are taking note of Chuck Eddy and his ruthless campaign to destroy Red Bridge Road and the surrounding neighborhood in order to help the trucking industry. The banner is displayed in front of a home on Ward Parkway so it's nice to see some of the more well to do citizens help their working class neighbors. When it comes to Eddy and his blood lust for KC homes . . . It may take the whole city to quell his appetite.

Countdown till Mike Hendricks gets fired

Here's the thing, I've had quite a few people tell me that the Star's editorial board has absolutely no say in what the columnists employed at the paper write. These are the same kind of people who also believe silly things about weapons of mass destruction, the innocence of their daughters or the Chiefs playoff chances in September.

With the exception of one or two articles, nearly every one of The Star's columnists has been a cheerleader for downtown development . . . Until today.

Strange that the subject of cooked pig rouses the emotions of so many people in KC like this town was some kind of kosher picnic. Still, it's nice to read Hendricks ask some tough questions about downtown development in defense of Danny Edwards' Famous Kansas City BBQ and its tacky titty pink decor.

Money line: "Private property rights mean squat to the powers-that-be at City Hall."

Strangely Homoerotic line: "Yet what are guys like Edwards getting but the shaft?"

He-he.

Anyway, while I thought the columnist included far too many qualifiers, his take on Downtown development is absolutely correct. But even Hendricks had to note that The Star is in the middle of the TIF crazed, downtown building boom with a $200 million investment into their glass house that doubles as target practice for homeless people . . . Therefore, you can forget any nonsense about the paper's vantage point being that of an objective observer.

Still, Hendricks argues what most people in Kansas City (other than real estate developers) have now come to believe: That so many of the things that make this town unique are being redeveloped right out of existence. Yet, just like Edwards' restaurant Hendricks is seemingly getting in the way of the development that is boosting the property value of his employer and if he's not careful he may share the inevitable fate that awaits downtown's only authentic barbecue joint under a bulldozer.

Still, Hendricks saving grace might be his inherent optimism that actually gives the re-development in KC a fighting chance whereas history has proven that most things based on a lie end up failing in the end . . . Very much like the war in Iraq or your parent's marriage.

Something about Canyons

I've heard about the Arikaree Breaks and they're supposed to be nice but whenever someone mentions Canyons all I can think of is the star of my first stolen porno; Chrisy. Here are a few details about the boring by comparison nature vid:

The 20-minute film focuses on the Arikaree Breaks, an expanse of canyons 15 miles north of St. Francis. The canyons cover much of northern Cheyenne County in the northwest corner of the state on land owned by several farmers and ranchers.

It sounds okay, with nearly as much shrubbery as all of those early 80's porn flicks.

Town Topics: Just a few surprises

Santa hates environmentalists and gives a few lucky folks cars for X-mas

Baby Come Back

It's easier to get something silly on the ballot than it is to pay for it. KC faces stiff competition for light-rail dollars.

A life free from nagging but also in jail for the rest of it . . . Life is give and take.

Another citizen silenced, sadly, this time by somebody other than City Hall.

One of many X-mas gifts this year was not da bomb.

Westport Rapists gets life . . . No such luck for Westport skanks.

Blogger Backtalk: An ass out of you and me

GREAT POST, on the subject of why folks around these parts could care less what you think: "I find the condescending meddling by east-coast and west-coast hypocrites to be extremely off-putting."

SECRET SANTA SADLY TOO SICK TO SEE HE COULD BE GIVING CASH AWAY TO SCUMBAGS . . . The Hip Critic knows a lot about what's going on in Northeast and he seems to recognize the recipients of some high profile charity . . . Also, this once again proves the point that so many people would be better off trying to change the system (Damn the man!) then trying to simply help people (sometimes undeserving) stay above water for a few more weeks.

Drunken Christmas Story - Part II . . . You already guessed it would be a nifty post from IrishKC . . . You prejudiced little monkey.

Brownback Mountain (Ewwww)

Here's the thing . . . No matter how hilarious I find the ghey dudes to be, I don't dwell on it, not only because there are only so many jokes that swing that way without seeming like an obsession but also because I know that dudes who are the ghey work out a lot more than I do and probably dance better than I could ever hope. We all have our talents.

Anyway, a recent post on the much more popular Americablog got me thinking that a few people in Kansas are finding it hard to get over their ghey hatred even though it's clear that the now left leaning JoCo and the rest of the state seem to think there are far more important subjects to wrestle with . . . No Homo.

Sam Brownback wants to be the leading gay basher in the Republican party. This year, he's been harassing a federal judge nominee who attended a same-sex commitment ceremony in 2002 . . . This is what Brownback thinks it takes to lead the Republican party. His inquisition should serve as a notice to any Republican who sends a baby gift or goes to a baby shower for Mary Cheney. Sam Brownback is watching you.

And somehow I think that the whole ultra conservative line is a part of an attitude which suggests that if the U.S. can't win in Iraq then they might as well do their best to subjugate people at home . . . Which would make for a really hard time if you're the ghey and a Mexican . . . So I better call up a few of my cousins and tell them to tone it down lest they get deported to South Beach or some Manhattan club.

Don't buy anything for X-mas

I got a look at an insane video featuring a couple of undercover cops keeping everybody at the mall in check with some pretty intense gut shots and a lot of wrestling. Dallas Penn posted the video with comments more insightful than what I can come up with but I agree wholeheartedly with his point.

X-mas is bullshit and there is no need for you to support businesses, the SLAVE diamond industry or buy any kind of garbage you don't need during this time of year simply because TELEVISION TELLS YOU SO.



This horrible time of year always gets me thinking about our stupid Plaza Lights Tradition which is really nothing more than a nice civic get together promoting the notion that you need to spend a decent portion of your income during the holiday season . . . It (the Plaza and most of the local holiday cheer) is just greed at the behest of a company which helped to create the legacy of segregation that still haunts this city.

J.C. Nichols was instrumental in providing an example for creation of planned neighborhoods all over the nation, thus the racial covenants he helped create were copied by many cities in the United States. In the Kansas City Metropolitan area, Nicholes helped structure these covenants to exclude the sale of the property to African Americans, Jews, and other ethnic "undesirables." Subsequently, these covenants "ran with the land." Some covenants restricted ownership by African Americans, Jews, etc. Others, especially those in Johnson County, Kansas, were even more restrictive. These used the so called "one-drop" rule or anyone who had 1/4 blood of "Semitic races." The language also targeted Armenians, Turks, and a host of Middle Eastern ethnic groups.

So, I just don't get it . . . I understand that all of the holiday cheer is intended to help sell things and benefit those who got rich by exploiting people in this town but what I don't understand is why people buy into it with few if any questions.

Bitch better have my money: Where is my $19 Million?

Great looking out from this reader who sent an interesting e-mail this way. I'm posting the whole thing . . . And I get about two of these thing everyday but this one happens to be pretty well researched and another example that I think everyone in this town wants to slap Kathryn Shields. Enjoy:

****************************

Interesting video you should see... again.

Click on the video above to hear Katheryn Shields herself say just 3 weeks ago that she was "leaving the county with a $19 million surplus."

Micheal Mahoney wasn't the only one who heard it. She first made the statement to the Legislature as they were lauding her three terms in office. Then she talked to Mahoney. I think she also made the statement to at least two other reporters, DeAnn Smith and Rhiannon Ross with the Examiner. The video is right there.

...But now she's running around telling everyone who will listen that she's a "scapegoat" and she "warned everyone this would happen". Which is it? She can't have it both ways. Is her point that we should have known WHEN she was telling us the truth, and when she wasn't???

But this isn't new for Shields.

Remember, back in July she put out a press release saying Sanders had raised his office budget 52%. Remember this Aug 3 editorial in the Star?:

"On July 18, Wheeler told The Star Editorial Board that Sanders had boosted his office budget by 52 percent the last four years. However, a week later, Shields acknowledged to me that her staff had made a huge error, and the actual gain was 21 percent. That's higher than the 13 percent increase in the county's budget, excluding bonds, according to Shields.But this slapdash mistake harmed the credibility of the Wheeler camp on what might have been a major issue."

And just last week, another press release from Shields declared an audit exonerated her from all wrongdoing in spending bond funds. But oops, the audit wasn't finished, and the auditor said Monday that Shields answers didn't make any sense -- and now they weren't getting any cooperation. The audit STILL hasn't been released... but Shields' release is still up on the county website declaring victory (dated Dec. 15, 2006) www.jacksongov.org

...Along with the latest misdirection attempt: "County Executive Responds to Budget Deficit".

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Note: I don't think anyone bought her misdirection attempt and if anything it only secured the fact that she's THE WORST POLITICIAN IN KANSAS CITY.

KC Mystery: A facial downtown that didn't take place in a condo or loft

Police continue investigating a highway shooting near downtown . . . By now you've probably heard that the guy was shot in the mouth . . . They say it might be road rage and not a sniper which would make sense because I always thought that exchanging money or at least a nice dinner was required before you could deliver a shot to the mouth to anyone downtown.

Fine with me

They gave and now it hurts . . . Still, The Federal Election Commission on Wednesday fined Freedom Inc., the Kansas City political club, $45,000 for its involvement in Emanuel Cleaver's 2004 race for Congress . . . It's a pretty bad mark for a politico but hopefully Cleaver can get himself and his suporters clean again with a visit to his old car wash.

Simply the best

Local Music blog Patchchord ends the year with one of those dreaded "Best of" lists that really isn't so bad.

Richer than God

A man who told airport security in Kansas City that the $70,000 in cash causing his pants pockets to bulge were Muslim "prayer books" could soon face charges of mortgage fraud. The guy later admitted he was Christian but still refused to let security personnel touch his prayer books.

After security supervisor Lowell Brashears recommended White put the prayer books in a tray, let the tray go through the X-ray machine and then get them on the other side, White agreed and stepped up to the X-ray machine, court documents said.

Officers said White then took off, ran out of the terminal and into traffic. He was arrested soon after with the cash in his pockets.

Federal agents claim he told them that the money came from a mortgage fraud scheme in the Kansas City area where loans were obtained using inflated property appraisals. He declined to give more details on the alleged scheme, the court records said.

In other news, this kind of f-'d up news is why I don't think I'll ever fly on a plane again. The only way the guy's story could have been more weird is if Jesus had personally escorted him though airline security with a bag of weed and potato chips. Anyway, I'm glad that somebody is making money with religious material. Sadly, I've lost out on too many easy robberies and skanky women because of the same kind of books . . . I didn't know that I was simply supposed to use the bible as a prop for a crime and not actually read the damn thing. Well, we learn what is really important every day . . . It's still money in case you were wondering.

Beth Gottstein: Cocktail Candidate for City Council

Beth Gottstein is the worst kind of cocktail candidate that could ever get her clutches on a council seat in Kansas City.

I'll link and quote this recent post by Dan only because it points out how deceptively cunning Gottstien can be and she's obviously lured Dan into her web of lies and garnered his support for her evil cabal . . . Give her enough time and anybody who supports her might also back a U.S. invasion of Iran launched from City Hall and maybe taking back the Gaza Strip or possibly the fact that diamond mines where workers are basically indentured servants really aren't that bad. Additionally, you should never trust anyone who has Raven black hair but isn't a fan of The Cure. On the Internets, we call this blogger brainwash:

I support Beth Gottstein because she is a bleeding heart, in the proudest tradition of the word. She is the sort of person who notices when there are no minorities in the room, and she knows the entire city. Too many politicoes know the Ward Parkway corridor, because that is where the votes come out, but Beth knows the Northland issues, the Eastside issues, and on and on. She is a smart, committed, involved do-gooder, and, while we all like to be cynical and call people names, Beth is not like that. She won my admiration forever by backing a candidate I sharply opposed in a recent election. When I would take potshots at the guy, she would write me sincere, factual emails addressing my charges in a calm, friendly fashion. Our exchanges convinced me that her sincerity and integrity distinguish her from almost any politician I've met.

Thing is, I'll let you make up your own mind on this one as the campaign goes on . . . In one appearance after the next Gottstein disappoints when there is not a drink in her hand. In addition to this, her community involvement comes down to less than seven years in this town and a slew of glamor gigs which require short skirts and a smile in order to achieve success. Put simply, this broad is perfectly fine for a good time but not someone you'd want to make a commitment to . . . Interpret that any way you'd like . . . But don't expect Gottstein to address any of your concerns that you can't fit on a cocktail napkin.

Blogger Backtalk: What do you know?

Most common sentiment you'll hear from East Coast hockey fans this holiday season . . . "Fuck Pittsburgh: I hope they win the next decade of Stanley Cups for another city."

This blogger knows Jack.

When Radical Christian fascism comes . . . It'll probably be in the butt because they don't believe in the other way until after marriage.

Christmas is NOT a Christian holiday . . . Well, fuck! Jesus is gonna hate that Clock Radio I bought for him then.

Take a look at the dog of Nick Davis . . . Safe for work, perv.

F Bombs drops this bomb . . . "What's another 100 billion? who cares!"

Today's BRILLIANT BLOGGER POST: Corruption: It's Not Just for Kansas City Anymore . . . "Klepto Kathy" or "Katheryn 'Kickback' Shields,"

Hipsters hate X-mas

Not much holiday cheer from the dorks at The Pitch but I have to say it's a pretty decent issue given the fact that most other local reporters are already phoning it in and retreating back to JoCo or whatever suburb they're from . . . Here's the round up:

Nadia Pflaum tempts fate and writes a holiday faux crucifixion story featuring some guy who looks like a stunt double from that movie Powder. If word count was an indication of quality then I would recommend the lengthy article. However, the whole story seems as childish, irresponsible and lost as its subject.

A PETA princess takes on Burberry at the Plaza and the Pitch is there to both encourage and mock her with an indecisive write up that may or may not demonstrate that casual drug use and the abundance of holiday parties might unintentionally produce some mixed messages on the part of Pitch staffers.

Finally, some quick movie reviews offer a glimpse into the extraordinary white guilt felt by the folks at The Pitch as they wholeheartedly endorse Spike Lee's preachy, disjointed and did I mention preachy docudrama "When the Levees Broke." Strangely, if watching the film did any good considering that KC's "alternative" paper has done a decent job in assuring that few minority reporters flood past their reception desk.

So long Chuck

What was once taken for granted as a somewhat of a hipster and film geek Kansas City tradition, sadly The Chucky Lou AV Club is coming to an end. An adoring write up from The Pitch sums it up nicely:

The late-night movie series that's had more fun with exploitation than anyone since the days of United Fruit. He's shown Black Vengeance and Viva Knievel, put on drive-in triple features and programmed gobstopping anthology shows — old, racist cartoons or collections of movie trailers so sleazy that audience members had to line up for tetanus shots afterward.

The guy behind the campy film fest is/was Gary Huggins who is retiring the endeavor in order to concentrate on his own film projects like his recent short First Date.

Hail Santa!

Nice . . . Another episode of KC Proper is online, this one is dedicated to Satan or maybe Santa . . . I can't figure out which one but I think it might be the best show yet. The tunes the guys picked for this show are all pretty great as well . . . With an awesome, haunting song from the Cavaliers being my favorite. No homo. I should also mention a nice tune from Soundsgood so I don't look like the ghey for overlooking a local favorite hip-hop group.

Anyway, I can't write enough good things about the show. Give it a listen.

Money line: "Then fuck you, I gotta a better thing going with the mailman!"

Note to Tony or anybody else reading: I've gotta try to get an interview with these guys before The Pitch writes their article and then takes credit for every good thing that happens them ad infinitum and subsequently demands their first born to be sacrificed at the behest of the Tall Israeli media . . . Or maybe things will run their usual course and The Pitch will merely use ANOTHER ONE of my ideas without a mention, a thank you or a nude photo of Nadia Pflaum.

Admitting you listen to the Buzz will get you flamed

Lawrence blogger and journalist Joel Mathis was lit up today for admitting that he listened to The Buzz.

Sadly, the guy didn't even get a bit of hipster cred given that popular, lefty DJ Lazlo is back on the air.

The subject was brought to my attention by one of my favorte bloggers J.D. over at Evolution, who gives Joel a good chiding without as much of the vitriol usually reserved for the annony Internet trolls.

And while Mathis originally contended it was the user generated content that made him tune in, his hipster cred was seriously called into question as it was rightfully pointed out:

The radio station KRBZ-FM, broadcasting at 96.5MHz out of Mission and known as "The Buzz", sucks. There's nothing like tuning in to a radio station to hear "new music" I heard three months ago on my Sirius satellite radio. Their DJs have the same faux-hipster affectation that those at nearly all radio stations that claim membership in this hipster club.

KRBZ is owned by Entercom Communications Corp. of Pennsylvania, which also owns radio stations in 26 American cities including Overland Park. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The station is at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Metcalf in Mission — in a strip mall. The only thing that would be better is if Lazlo's mom gave him a ride to the strip mall in her minivan (after, of course, commuting in from my apartment).

Yeah, it's pretty easy to have your hipster cred dispelled by the mere fact you have a blog and this small Kansas dust up is yet another example of why I neither brag nor lament the fact that I only listen to cRap music made before '95 or the smooth sounds of the 70's. Rock on, stay smooooooth.

Condo developers don't want to hear about a neighborhood association as they stake claim to the old Telephone Company Building

You heard right, the Condo craze has now spread to Independence Ave. in what seems a step backward given that street hookers aren't nearly as unsavory as real estate people. Still, it sounds like what they're building is a fortress and not a condo structure: "The variances being sought to move forward with the renovation of the 1906 Kansas City Home Telephone Company building are related to set-backs, fence heights and the overall height of a residential building." Therefore, I'm not sure it's a case of "here comes the neighborhood" but rather an urban outpost or stronghold where real estate people can hatch their next gentrification scheme.

Rededicated

A nice profile of the $4 million worth of improvements at Fire Station 23 at 4777 Independence Ave. Bonus: Awesome old school photo of what the place looked like back when it was first dedicated in 77.

Pointless political gesture of the day

Sebelius basically gives Kline the finger in what is most likely an answer to your question, "Why is the term bi-partisan a joke??

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius refused Wednesday to endorse recently defeated Attorney General Phill Kline's selection as Johnson County district attorney, but Kline's appointment became official nevertheless. State law denied Sebelius the power to block Kline's appointment once GOP activists in Johnson County settled on it. However, it is unusual for a governor to forgo the formality of signing a certificate of appointment.

The Democratic governor said she refused "out of a deep and enduring respect for the will of the people." In the Nov. 7 general election, Kline received 41 percent of the vote statewide but only 35 percent in Johnson County.

As always, it's nice to know that somebody is looking out for the interests of people in Johnson County. However, the final FU directed toward Kline this year doesn't really seem to mean anything other than possibly reminding the man why he hates women and why they don't deserve power, or privacy . . . Also, remind me never to get in trouble JoCo for the next few years or I'm pretty sure the Crazy Kansas will have me aborted.

A wise choice, bring yet another struggling team to KC

According to the Star: Kansas City's chances of bringing the Pittsburgh Penguins to the new Sprint Center next fall greatly increased today thanks to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.The seven-member board denied awarding a slots license to Isle of Capri Casinos, which had pledged to commit $290 million toward a new arena that would replace the Penguins’ antiquated Mellon Arena, and unanimously granted it to PITG Gaming.

19 sexiest singles in KC

I recently checked out the latest issue of KC Mag and its endorsement of local hotties, sadly the online version is really just an ad. Still, the article (related to a fundraiser so it's not all bad) held no word on how many of them have STD's but you really just have to do the math and out of all those "sexy" young, single folks there has to be at least one regrettable hookup or a blister they'll always remember.

If you must drunk dial during the holiday season, don't bother your ex-girlfriends

Yellow Cab continues holiday cab program

Kansas and Missouri are okay in terms of supporting working women

The Biz Journal reports: "Missouri and Kansas rank near the middle nationally for the degree to which their economies support women, according to a study the Institute for Women's Policy Research released Wednesday." Personally, I expect the ranking to go up with the fact that lap dances have no more legal boundaries and because a great deal of skanky broads will stoop to disgusting depths for a nice X-mas present, an engagement ring, a new house, a nice car, a raise, shoes, dinner at a decent restaurant, rent, etc.

The view from Kansas

I've been reading the Kansas City Kansan today because Grandma porn just isn't holding my interest and I was intrigued by the top story which reported a guy getting 121 months in a pot bust case. And that reminded me of the real estate scam artist I read about this morning who stole $6 million . . . It would be silly to point out the disparity but the two stories make me wonder which one is worse: A big time pot dealer or someone who can depress the housing market of an entire community? Arguably, they both do the same thing AND people stupidly engage in casual drug use as well as casual forays into the real estate market that only serve to get them in trouble so my moral compass is pretty confused at this point.

The only thing for sure is that I like the (somewhat) new Kansas City Kansan site and it's kept me interested in the news out of our (ugly) sister city for the moment.

Other interesting news from the less interesting side of the State Line:

They are developing more than barbecue sandwiches in the Rosedale neighborhood. OR, how the WyCo building boom hopefully won't follow the same path of getting rid of po'folk as it does in KCMO.

And

KCK Schools seem to be much better than their KCMO counterparts OR look what happens when you let Mexican kids read!!!

Top 10 Dangerous Intersections in KCMO

Sadly, you have to watch a commercial before they let you view the video so I guess the intersections aren't that dangerous or at least not as important as the ad for tampons (an Escalade actually) or whatever they're selling by using scare tactics.

However, you can click on the PDF and turn you're head sideways in order to get a quick few of the killer traffic stops. Or, just scroll down:

Top 10 Dangerous Intersections in KCMO:

I-470 & Blue Ridge Blvd
I-435 & 71 Highway
64st & Chatham Rd.
Barry Rd. & 69 Highway
Front St. & I-435
Gregory Blvd & Oldham Rd
Truman Rd. & 71 Highway
103st & St. Line
I-70 & Sterling
Bannister Rd. & 71

Actually, this is just November's list of crashes from I don't know who but I would guess the police department. The point of the list seems to be that 71 will kill you even though there were no fatalities during November on 71 according to the list. Still, you probably don't need another excuse to avoid going anywhere near the Eastside.

It hurts to resist the urge to bitchslap whiny liberals

"It hurts to be an American" is the worst headline for a decent column with a few good ideas. EKC's Bruce Rodgers laments the lack of news coverage for the Iraqi Task Force or the American Friends Service Committee and their particular brand of (far too precious for this world) leftist beliefs.

Feeding the KCK Building Boom

To be fair, this means more McJobs for more McMexicans but even though I like the headline "State Avenue McDonald's super-sized" I have to admit that the thought of all the McFood might slow down any building boom and make it somewhat lethargic or at least in need of a nap.

KC Crime interferes with traffic so that suburbanites might pretend to care for a second

Shooting Shuts Down Part of Downtown Loop: The southbound east side of the downtown loop at the I-70, I-35 split is shut down in Kansas City, Missouri. There's been a shooting in the area of I-70 and I-35.

Inevitable UPDATE: Hooray! It's open again!

"Jumping on the case" or how The Call is currently straining their credibility by printing this garbage?

This or that?


Steve L. Wright Jr. was known as "Moody" as a member of the 51st Crips and throughout the streets of Eastside KC. An article from The Pitch last year described him as the most notorious gangster in the city's recent memory.

Of course, his family considers him completely innocent if the content at FreeSteve.org is any indication. Save the righteous indignation given that apparently, if you know someone personally then that automatically makes them innocent of every crime they've committed as the friends of Esmie or the folks behind Justice for Ben have proven.

Yet, I always thought that the job of the media was to help call bullshit on people who were completely misguided and spreading dangerous falsehoods rather than just giving them a forum to spew forth whatever garbage they happen to believe . . . Once again, I've been proven wrong as The Call shamelessly prints a diatribe which argues for a convicted killer to be set free in a foolishly titled letter urging people in KC's Black Community to "Be wary of the Justice System." It's hard to argue that the hip-hop community is completely to blame for the stop snitching movement when the fact that wingnut notions contained in this letter are given credence by the fact they are published by what was once a beacon in KC's Black Community. Here's a highlight of the recent letter:

We realize that Steve has made poor choices, and we agree that individuals who commit crime should be rightfully punished. However, Steve has been unjustly convicted because he was a nuisance. There is evidence to support this.

We should encourage officials to use federal dollars to design rehabilitation, career, and educational centers in the urban cores throughout the country.

These facilities should be decently designed and not dilapidated putting our communities more at risk.

Our goal is to protect our neighborhoods and our families, and not allow innocent individuals to be wrongfully convicted. There are many people in Steve's situation.

Now, here's a bit more of the background on the case from the Star:

Five men were killed and at least 12 others wounded in a bloody wave of gang violence that plagued Kansas City streets in 2000 and 2001.

Federal prosecutors say Steve L. Wright Jr. was in the middle of it all.

He was the "common denominator" in crimes that stemmed from the drug business and gang rivalries, assistant U.S. attorney Charles Ambrose told jurors Thursday as Wright went on trial in U.S. District Court in Kansas City.

Now 23, Wright was in his teens when he and other members of a gang centered around 51st Street battled a rival gang from the 33rd Street corridor of east Kansas City, according to the evidence Ambrose outlined Thursday.

Wright was the triggerman in four murders and present at the fifth, Ambrose said.

What's disputed here is that the prosecutors used jailhouse testimony (read: snitches) to convict Wright. However, the following passage from The Pitch article should dispel any notions you had about Wright's innocence or the slim chance that he was really choir boy brought in on false charges:

Wright's indictment reveals that between July 17, 1999, and November 19, 2002, he was charged with 14 felonies after police recovered drugs and guns from his vehicle during traffic stops or raids on his home. Police say Wright was holding or had stolen 100 grams of PCP, 600 grams of cocaine, 140 grams of marijuana, 11 grams of Ecstasy and 18 doses of prescription medication. Police recovered more than $40,000 in cash during arrests and raids on the homes of Wright and other 51st Street Crips. Over that time, investigators confiscated 12 handguns and three assault rifles and traced four of the guns to the scenes of aggravated assaults.

Clearly, we're not talking about Nelson Mandela here . . .

And the thing of it is, there are enough people unjustly imprisoned or executed by the police in this country that we don't need to waste time campaigning for the Steve Wright's of this world.

Moreover, printing this letter advocating Wright's innocence with the insane headline intact is indicative of why the Stop Snitching movement still (obviously) garners influence on the Eastside and why the blame for the neighborhood's ongoing concentration of homicides and lack of police cooperation not only rests on the shoulders of certain elements of cRap music but also with much of the (elite) leadership in KC's Black community (but mainly The Call and their tacit endorsement of Wright's cause) which has failed to challenge these dangerous conceptions.

Today's reminder that anything connected with downtown luxury living and the Chiefs is a ripoff

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon Obtains $100,464 Judgment Against Directors of Nest Egg Raffle, which sold thousands of $25 tickets to people who hoped to win big prizes, including complete ownership of a downtown Kansas City loft with each room decorated by a different Kansas City Chiefs player.

The Sign Says

I was wondering when someone was going to snitch on the Stop Snitching Broadway Billboard.

More cash thrown down this town's money pit

KC panel endorses higher zoo subsidy

On the subject of why TKC aspires to be a white collar criminal

Stealing big money and getting very little jail time is just one reason why nearly everyone thinks committing crime in a suit is classy. The KC Biz Journal reports: Phillip D. Thomas, 50, was sentenced before District Judge Gary Fenner to 24 months in prison and was ordered to pay $6,309,277.20 in restitution, Thomas pleaded guilty April 27, 2005, to three charges, including conspiring to fraudulently obtain about 177 loans on properties in the amount of more than $12 million from mortgage companies between May 1999 and June 28, 2002, in Kansas City and Lee's Summit. Special Bonus: He only had to pay half back? Nice. I doubt many bank robbers or gangsters have 6 mil waiting for them when they get out of the can.

Legislative logrolling is worse than lap dances

Thing is, when strippers try to con you it's almost endearing. However, legislators trying to mislabel and misrepresent their intentions in order to railroad their political aims past everyone isn't as cute given that politicos aren't much to look at . . . Therefore, I'm glad to see that the government won't soon be getting in the way of local skanks getting their grind on.

The Missouri Supreme Court struck down a state law Tuesday barring nude dancing and touching between strippers and customers.

Because of the bill's unconstitutional title change, the court's unanimous ruling said it did not need to address the broader policy question of whether the restrictions infringe on free-speech rights.

Also, I have no idea about the priorities of the Christian right in this state but I think that the potholes that make Missouri's roads the worst in the nation are a little bit more important than the hoes who make traveling on I-70 just a little more entertaining.

Best titled blogger post of the day: "My pink is hotter than yours"

I didn't get a chance to read it all, the second I saw the passage: "The sun was reflecting off of its semi-glossy, mostly lackluster hood in all of its hot pink glory." I needed a towel. I'm still not sure what the blogger is posting about but my imagination made up for my lack of comprehension.

Ageism at City Hall

One more reason why this town needs a youth movement . . . Which means that it's time to let the 60's somethings take over for Wheeler and his ilk.

Hikers more important than homeless

An interesting essay from this local blogger regarding why the government won't spend millions of dollars and countless man hours looking for you if you're a poor, broke, bum and not a rich, Christian adventurer.

Disgusting image of the day: Queen Kathryn Shields fingers everybody else

Proving once again that SHE IS THE WORST POLITICIAN IN ALL OF KANSAS CITY. Jabba the Hutt Kathryn Shields is attempting to blame anybody but herself for the recent $6.2 million dollar shortfall at the County. While I'm no defender of Dieter Mike Sanders, all of the raises he approved for his homeboys come nowhere near accounting for the millions of bucks missing from the County's coffers. Recent statements by Shields are nothing more than a silly Jedi Mind Trick that nobody is falling for . . . Confusing the role of journalist with stenographer, it's hard to believe that local reporters would let her make this kind of dumbass statement without any question as to its validity SO I'm only hoping that KC voters will answer this horrible woman with a cold shoulder come time for the primary.

From another blogger: "Queen" Katheryn: "It's his fault"

Local media report drug dealer deaths with extra snark

Drug dealers killing each other over cutting in line is hilarious when it's not in your neighborhood. While it's an interesting detail of a local homicide I rarely see this kind of detached thrill when local press people cover other stories . . . For instance, I wonder what brand of sawdust they used to fill Lamar Hunt but nobody says. Inquiring minds want to know!

My challenge to you: Remain cynical during X-mas

A story about a girl dying of cancer whose last wish was that other sick children have toys to play with is sweet enough to give you juvenile diabetes and possibly make you forget that the healthcare and insurance industry profit from your death.

Because the term "educator" in KC no longer makes anybody feel good about themselves

A group of teachers went outside the classroom to help children and families in Kansas City on Tuesday.

Kansas City Food Not Bombs

(Via Another blog is possible)
In order to answer your question: "How could we combine two lost causes?"

KC Buzz Blog not exactly setting the world on fire

Wow, the site stats for the KC Buzz Blog aren't exactly what I expected them to be, I would have thought the crowd for Dave Helling alone would double these numbers.

Because I don't owe you crap, I'm not gonna show you my stats but believe me (why wouldn't you?) they're somewhat comparable . . . Actually, they're a little bit less to be honest but I've heard that Site Meter is somewhat generous when adding up visitors. I use StatCounter which is pretty decent and I'm somewhat happy with my traffic so I don't really care . . . I just thought all of you might be interested because I'm guessing this kind of traffic is completely attainable for a great number of local bloggers out there who didn't go to J-School and don't have a multi-million dollar media empire backing them up. I'm guessing that a few cleverly posted boob or booty photographs from a female blogger could match these kind of stats.

I should note that I'm actually a fan of the Buzz Blog (I need to link it soon) but these numbers lead me to believe that Greg Reeves is making up at least half of his comments.

Finally, to be even more honest, I've noticed a fall off in my traffic. You folks don't exactly seem to be digging the longer posts? I think I'm going back to more blue link entries but now is your chance to say otherwise . . . Eh, blogging is a paranoid business (not a business) but it's the one I love.

X-mas is a time for cuts

After weeks of crying wolf and nearly threatening to hold kids hostage if they didn't get their money, the LINC folks look as if they might compromise.

A renewed collaborative spirit was the theme at the hastily called meeting to resolve a controversy that was threatening their long-standing partnership. leaders with the district and the Local Investment Commission - known as LINC - pledged Monday to work together to satisfy the needs and concerns of families, whatever shape the programs take.

It might mean restoring LINC as the manager of some or all of 15 sites that were going to be transferred to district management.

It might mean that the district would dip into its financial reserves to bridge any funding gaps.

While personally, I'm in favor of slash and burn when it comes to most public school programs that seem to only do a good job warehousing students, I guess sometimes a compromise is necessary.

On the bright side, the time of season where underutilized KC Schools are soon to be shut down is soon at hand.

Fortunately, there is no room for compromise on the issue of school closings given the continued falling enrollment rate for the KC School District and the high cost of maintaining those old buildings. This change has been years in the making and parents, teachers, and middle management administrators must go along with it if they want the District to remain viable in any way . . . Which is a long shot given the fact that some believe the best way to fix public education in this country is to completely start over.

Dick in a box

Let's forgo all of the obvious jokes about small packages (nullus) and whatever and instead focus on the fact that the dick in a box is probably the perfect gift for most broads out there if it's wrapped properly and presented in the right manner . . . Which is maybe, something like, in a secluded parking lot or before dinner.

A bit of theatrical news

The Granada in KCK is pretty much a bust but the owner (Butch Rigby) has yet to give up hope as the area around Minnesota Avenue receives a lot of attention from politicos and developers in hopes that the district still might be "the next Crossroads."

In other news involving a second act, even after voters have drawn the curtain, State Sen. Matt Bartle, a Lee's Summit Republican, and state Rep. Jim Lembke, a St. Louis Republican, said they will tour the state Tuesday to launch their effort to undo a recent constitutional amendment to allow broad stem-cell research in Missouri. Strangely, I think the only thing this political trick will manage to do is clone the defeat that the Republicans took during the midterm election given the fact that a few of them clearly haven't learned to abandon their sense of entitlement that comes with holding the majority.

Ugh, now I'm done with trying to be clever . . . And scene.

We must wait for sexy time? Very nice!

The Jackson County legislative auditor recently asked for more time in order to figure out how Kathryn Shields lost an ass load of money among other things.

Auditor Kelly Markham Stegall said she needed more time to complete her review of County Executive Katheryn Shields' use of more than $2 million in bond funds.

The extra time might allow County Executive-elect Mike Sanders to figure out where budget cuts are going to come from in order to possibly balance the $6.2 million dollar deficit which I'll now lovingly refer to as Kathryn Shields' huge, unfortunate crevice.

Cautioning that the numbers were preliminary, Sanders and his transition team forecast cuts of 5 percent to 7 percent for all county operations, if the burden were to be spread equally.

Sanders promised to try to produce a more detailed budget document by Jan. 8. He would not speculate when asked later whether that could mean any job cuts.

Actually, trimming a little (a lot) of fat at the County isn't necessarily a bad idea, I only feel sorry for all of those assistants who once belonged to Queen Kathryn but now might have trouble getting similar work as chauffeurs.

How to catch women lying on Craigslist

Recently, a local message board featured a nifty chart that allows you to decode a woman's personal ad. It's a good idea but from what I've read you can safely assume the following things when looking for love online:

The person you're chatting with is either a cop, a man or a ghey man or all three.

Just like an offline love affair, assume you're going to get hurt. Then, because it involves the net, expect photos of the experience to be floating around until the end of time.

There is no such thing as a "causal" hookup . . . In that respect it's important to remember that skanks on Craigslist may seem like an easy way too score booty but the trouble you find yourself in afterwards may negate any savings. Also, you don't pay a hooker to show up, you pay her to leave.

Well, does she look like a crackhead? Does she?!!!!!

Someone, like myself, really needs to get to the UMKC Comm. Studies Department and the UNews and tell these students not to write rhetorical questions that only serve to make people laugh. Yes, blogs are notorious for meaningless slice of life posts but I don't think it was the blogger's intention to make me laugh as I read her story about taking an offer for drugs too personally. Here's a quick recap of how the young blogger was offended:

Out of the blue this guy walks up to me and asks me a question. I'm like what because I didn't really hear him. Then he pulls out several little baggies of weed in one hand and several baggies of powdered crack in another. And the only thing I can think is, Do I look like I smoke crack; Do I look like I buy drugs? He's all like, "I've got that dust, too" while lifting up his pants pocket and pointing to something stuck in his sock. I didn't know what to say so I made a get away from me now face and averted my eyes. The guy quickly went away. I don't even know what to say about that experience other than Whoa that's never happened to me before . . . I keep thinking about that guy and his crack. What about me made him think I was interested in his drugs?

Again, I think we all need to learn how to take this stuff in stride. I get asked a lot of dumb questions throughout the day as well but if I spent my day dwelling on all the instances where someone asked me the best place to get a burrito, I wouldn't get any work done trying to sneak undocumented workers across the border. I kid, I kid! Pancho's on Main is the best place to get a burrito and the only thing I know about the border is that I always get a ticket when I cross the one that leads to Kansas.

Anyway, I just wanted to make it clear that all of the bloggers out there who have yet to complete college shouldn't feel too intimidated by the competition.

And by the way, the answer is yes, but only because the suspected crackhead was so emotional in response to the offer and knew not to ask for a discount.

Bloodbath in Kansas City

Fox4 was the first station on the ball with this story as all of the stupid early year predictions about the decreasing violence in Kansas City now seem to be blissfully naive and dangerously wrong. Over two days 10 people have died under violent circumstances in Kansas City.

In just two days, 10 people lost their lives in the Metro. In all, four children and six adults were killed. It started Saturday when Hershel Isadore admitted to relatives he killed his cousin, his long-time girlfriend, and his four children before killing himself. The same night, across State Line, police said two men beat another man to death. Then Monday morning, two men shot four people during a home invasion in the Northland. Two died.

Last year, the issue of violence in KC was passed around like a hot potato and the only thing that resulted were a few lame public service announcements and a commission with even sillier suggestions. Sadly, not even candlelight vigils are going to solve this problem. The issue of violence in KC effects everyone in this town even if most of the murder resides solely in the poor and minority communities. None of the grand plans that this city has contrived stand a chance if there is no guarantee of security. Sadly, the same lesson holds true in Iraq . . . And yet few people tend to care about the casualties as long as it doesn't affect their neighborhood.

No more Black unity for Larry "sore loser" Johnson

Only a few weeks ago Larry Johnson told us all that Herm Edwards was the only guy who understood him because they were both Black. Now, with a string of losses and some downright unimpressive performances by Johnson . . . The running back is starting to place blame regardless of color.

"They need to fix it. I'm getting tired of this. It's tough running against a brick wall until you break it open, you know? You see other teams do different things; you see different teams react differently. Like I said, you don't have to bang your head against a brick wall hard enough to crack a hole in it. There are other ways of doing different things."

Johnson said opposing defenses have made adjustments to what the Chiefs like to do and the Chiefs haven't responded.

"When you do the same things over and over again, a good defense ... they're going to do things to stop you," Johnson said. "If you don't switch it up, if you don't do different things, that's how it goes. It's a good defense. We played them a lot of weeks ago, and they see what we do on tape, you know, we never changed a bit of it, and that's what happens."

So I guess what we should learn here is that the kinsmanship one might feel with a member of their own race and someone who has gone through a similar struggle only lasts for a few losing games and that's when all bets are off and it's time to start telling someone else how to do their job even though it's painfully obvious that you can't do yours. Cool, because that's exactly how it works with everybody else across cultural and racial lines . . . It's important to break down myths about other cultures even if it means no more sexy stereotypes about penis size or sexual stamina (which I'll have to uphold all on my own . . . TKC is strong like bull).

Anyway, the point is that throughout the season I've taken time to note Johnson's poor character as evidence by his silly celebratory hand gestures, his penchant for beating women along with the fact that he's overrated and NOT a team player. And as this season unfolds to its sad and inevitable conclusion . . . I've been proven right. Johnson is the worst kind of selfish, egotistical, overrated, crybaby NFL player and he has lived down to every expectation I've ever had of him. And just as there is no hope of the Chiefs making the playoffs this year, there is also little evidence that Johnson will contribute to the team when it really counts. Finally, this hypothesis is supported by all the time that feeble old man Trent "Please retire" Green spent on his back given that Johnson can't or won't block.

Happy 500 to Caroline in Kansas City

I always like to celebrate the achievement of local bloggers, even when I'm jealous of them so I'd like to send a shout out to Caroline in the City (much better than the failed TV show) as the local blogger reaches her 500th post. Her entry marking the occasion celebrated this year's Plaza lighting ceremony and asked for a word to describe her blog. Friendly was the first adjective that came to my mind but you should probably check it out for yourself as yet another local blogger begins to build a significant audience.

Country Club Kay tells you how to dress today

In one week, Mayor Kay has already slapped local Vets in the face by improperly displaying the flag and now she somehow thinks she can tell this town what to wear.

Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes has issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Dec. 19 as "Red Tuesday" in honor and memory of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt. The proclamation encourages all Kansas Citians, even those not attending memorial services for Mr. Hunt, to wear Chiefs red.

And like so many other things, this is the point in this town where the overblown sentiment and hero worship finally becomes too much to bear. Seriously, if you see someone wearing red today who does not directly draw their income from the Chiefs then you are looking at a world class douche bag. Everyone in this town has lost someone close the them and there is little or no fanfare and barely a break from work yet this town is expected to get all misty eyed for a guy who had enough money to buy almost any Asian country. It's all just too silly and these Egyptian-Pharaoh-like string of tributes have gotten me scared that this town will bring back the Stadium Tax if only to make sure the guy has a suitable monument in his honor for his journey to rich man's heaven . . . Which wouldn't be so bad if they promised to bury Jared Allen in it with him along with the rest of the KC defense.

Finally, it's worth noting that if you're watching today's fanfare . . . Very little of it is being provided by the local media as rumor has it that the Hunt Family has pretty much shut local reporters out of the proceedings.

So you can stop complaining about how the Mexicans took yer job for a second

In great local economic news, GM recently announced a $208 million investment in the Fairfax assembly plant.

GM officials, representatives from the United Auto Workers union, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Rep. Dennis Moore D-Kan., and Mayor Joe Reardon attended Monday's announcement at the plant.

"This investment is a testament to the hard work of the Fairfax employees, the UAW and local and state elected officials to make the plant and business environment competitive," Larry Zahner, GM North America manufacturing manager, said in a news release.

That's a pretty big investment, even considering the fact that GM bonds are now rated as "junk". Still, it's nice to see more economic opportunity opening up for the locals with only bad management or the Japanese and their awesome cars to blame if the thing goes sour.

My taste in public art probably differs from yours

I'm all in favor of cultural expression and public art and I even think it benefits this town nearly as much as it enriches the art collection of Herb Kohn. Thing is, I don't think your average citizen knows how, when or where to contribute to the discussion about what is paid for and displayed by this city therefore most of the art that this town finances merely represents the pet projects of this town's upper crust. So while I'm not ideologically opposed to the idea of public art, in practice it becomes yet another elitist plaything even if the 1% program started out as a good idea as a new local exhibit clearly demonstrates.

Kansas City's 1% for art program is one of the more than 350 public art programs across the country. It's now 20 years old. A new exhibition called Art City: Twenty Years of Public Art in Kansas City displays the artwork created over the years, from the Sky Stations atop Bartle Hall to a light sculpture in a downtown parking garage.

And then we come down to the question of taste . . . I always thought public art in KC skews toward the nerdy and abstract. I'd like to see some other schools of artistic expression come into play rather than the usual childish B.S. like Mackenzie Thorpe. Instead, I think this town deserves at least one Boris Vallejo mural to remind us that sometimes art isn't just about being creative . . . It's about kicking ass and gawking at the naughty bits of bodybuilder chicks while listening to hair metal. Rock on.

Town Topics: Headlines getting ugly at the end of the year

Best Headline related to pro-sports in this town 2006: KC Going Nowhere

Suburban baby brained bad

Kathryn Shields is a big, powerful woman but she's also $6 million short . . . And don't dare think this story is over since it's only going to get bigger and uglier like a politico who has stayed much too long in office.

This story is years in the making but "Eat it and beat it" is soon to buy it or will most likely get condemned in the process.

Guys in deadly Northland shooting have been identified as this town plays catch up with last year's murder rate in a mad dash to New Year's Eve.

KC's Great Pallet Fire of 2006

KSHB enthusiastically reports: "A pallet fire at a Kansas City pallet and skids dealership has firefighters battling a raging blaze. The fire broke out around 2:15 p.m. at 4900 Stilwell in Kansas City." In actually it seems like more smoke than anything else.

Links from The Kansas Guild of Bloggers

A ton of great links compiled by TfK on all things Kansas, politics and Evolution. Definitely worth a read.

Here's where everybody in the County says it was Kathryn's fault and they were just taking orders

The "just following orders" excuse didn't work for the Nazis so I hope that voters hold all of the incumbents at the County responsible for the $6.2 million dollar deficit. They're going to have to cut the budget 5 to 7% in order to get it balanced or maybe just the lack of parties and paintings in honor of Kathryn Shields will make up for it.

The Pitch vs. The Star vs. BPU: Not so thrilling Threeway

Here is an annony e-mail that came my way with a lot of good links and it's better written then most of the garbage that I turn out so I decided to post it in its entirety since all of the links seem to be somewhat relevant even if all I know about power companies is that they like to raise prices. Read about the most recent feud between the Pitch and the Star and how a local power company is caught (eating) in the middle (which explains the pic in addition to the fact that I'm nasty):

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A battle to the death

Those familiar with the long-standing feud between the Kansas City Star and The Pitch Weekly probably won't be surprised with recent coverage of the Kansas City Kansas Board of Public Utilities.

On November 30, The Pitch published an article highlighting some pretty outrageous spending among top officials at the KCK utility. Apparently, it's not too difficult for two people to spend more than $150 on lunch . . . If you're going to the Cigar Box and the Savoy Grill.

But the Pitch running a hatchet job on the BPU is like conservatives bashing the liberal media – nothing new and an all-to-common practice. Animosity between the Pitch and the BPU seems to run high, as evidenced here, here and here.

Not wanting to be left out, on December 10, the Kansas City Star did its own piece on the BPU's high-dollar lunches, but only made a passing reference to the Pitch's article on the same subject. The Star's editorial board even chimed in a few days later about the excessive lunches. Never mind the fact that, had the Pitch never gone to print with their piece, chances are the Star wouldn't have either.

The Pitch stayed on the story, but it appears that it did so for no other reason than to remind readers that it broke the news. An article covering the BPU Ethics Commission on Dec. 14 fired the latest salvo:

"Nobody from the BPU has responded to Price's two-week-old request, even though the documents have already been handed out to the Pitch and, more recently, to other newspapers."

While the spending on the lunches by BPU officials seems excessive, both articles point out that the spending was within spending limits. The real issue might be executives from the KCK-based company spending rate-payer dollars across the state line. Surely there are $20 a plate diners at Outback Steakhouse and Ted's Montana Grill at Village West…

Given the recent revelations about the excessive lunches, the BPU has reduced the rate increase proposed for 2007, from an original 6 percent to 1.96. Is anyone really surprised?

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Again, I have no idea who sent this my way BUT I also have no problem believing that The Pitch and The Star are every bit as bad or even worse than businessmen who like expensive lunches.

DMC doesn't have much money

This doesn't have much to do with Kansas City other than the fact that there are a ton of struggling wannabe musicians in this town . . . However, I was amazed when I came across an article (via Nah Right) citing the fact that DMC of RUN-DMC didn't make enough money from his music to support himself which would explain a horrible song on VH-1 I saw him performing with Sarah McLaughlin.

Actually, the news that DMC is nearly dirt broke was pretty astonishing for me because I can't think of any guy around my age who doesn't know the lyrics to at least one RUN-DMC song to this day. Also, I think the point at in my life when I heard "I leave all suckas in the dust, those dumb motherfuckers can't mess with us" was probably the instant that I knew that artistic expression could be powerful and emphatic and not just the boring garbage I was listening to on the radio or watching on TV.

Anyway, it turns out that the royalty checks paid to DMC and other founders of Rap music are paltry at best. And this reminds me that Russell Simmons (former RUN-DMC manager, promoter, producer) is probably making pretty good money, having never rapped at all, as a spokesman for the diamond cartels.

And all of this even further reminds me that from Ice Cube (who now is an actor in family movies) to Ice-T (TV cop) virtually every one of my childhood idols sold out in some form or another and the ones who didn't are now broke because of that choice.

The only bright spot that I can find in all of this is that more artists (even the local ones) might learn to maintain the copyrights over their music (even if they give it away on the net) and if they must sell out to the highest bidder . . . They should at least ask for a decent price.

Here is the best story I've seen regarding Jay McShann and the long dead Jazz era in KC

KC Currents files an awesome story about the soon to be dry Mutual Musicians Foundation and how it completely differs from this town's corrupt roots.

Most painful mug shot of the day

Here's the guy that was arrested in the local baby stabbing case. A few reports indicate that the dude is mentally challenged (obviously) so I'm not gonna make fun but the photo does a good job of illustrating the human tragedy of this car accident of a case/story/crime and I can't look away.

New place for KC kids to learn about plague, tribal war, corruption and economic exploitation

The Kansas City School Board plans to open an African-centered high school, grades 6 through 12. The so-called "ACE" program is not a charter or magnet school, but rather an experiment. Also, other than getting their ass kicked in the hallway it's yet another way teach a lesson to the few remaining white kids and the future Latino dropouts in the KC School District.

Football, life and death

A fantastic up close and personal post regarding some surprising side effects from last night's Chiefs loss. Make sure to read the killer quote at the end of the entry.

The land rush up north

Ever the optimists and keeping with their traditions . . . Local white folks move North in an attempt to continue avoiding minorities while annexing (stealing?) land along the way. Here's some of the damage reported by The Star: The population and development boom that began in the 1990s has Kansas City's northern suburbs and exurbs scrambling to annex county lands in hopes of securing tomorrow’s tax revenues.

No fewer than six Northland communities — Kearney and Liberty in Clay County and Platte City, Tracy, Weston and Riverside in Platte County — contemplated, initiated or completed annexations this year. Another, Parkville, doubled its size through annexation in 2001.

Johnson County is going Commie

Not really but they aren't quite conservative anymore . . . Frankly, from what I've read from a lot of great JoCo bloggers like Justcara . . . It's not as much a trend as it is simply a lack of decent candidates and a lot of healthy Republican infighting. Anyway, it's a pretty decent article nonetheless.

I would be remiss if I didn't blog about baby stabbing

I don't have anything useful to add other than the fact that the story is sad enough to make nearly any day seem brighter by comparison.

What's the use of running for elected office in KC if you can't abuse power?

Outgoing County Executive Kathryn Shields is under investigation for using her staff for political and personal purposes . . . Actually, I can't think of one politico who doesn't do this but I'm sure Shields' case was simply to big, slimy and obnoxious to ignore.

It's not a hand out, it's a hand job

Someone much smarter than me once said: "Society could make no greater mistake than asking charity to do the work of social justice." But then again, Ozzy Osborne also said: "Sharon, wh&**&, up $$#@$$& bleep **~%% yeah and *&*@@??%??????"

Still, I have a lot of contempt for a local radio program entitled: "Hope for the Holidays" airing on the Johnny Dare show. My attention was drawn to the program by my girlfriend who started to cry while listening to one of the pitiful "contestants" (or whatever) on the show and their sob story. So I had to give the program a listen as I politely reminded her that my chicken pot pie was getting cold.

I'll just point out a few f-'d up things about the charity segment on the show in order to provide background:

*I'm living proof that minorities love to rock out with some of the tired music that Johnny Dare plays . . . However, I have yet to hear any minorities on his show getting handouts. The program is clearly a case of his white audience helping fellow white folks with problems that they obviously deem more worthy than the fact that more young Black guys are in prison than college or all of the cheap labor by illegal immigrants that makes their lifestyle possible. I know, I shouldn't expect any more but I'm hoping for a brand new set of race cards for X-mas since I use mine so frequently they're starting to wear out.

*Cancer kills 1 out of 7 people . . . It's not a tragedy or some special circumstance that folks are screwed over because of a cancer related illness during the holidays (it happens year round all over the nation to more people than you could imagine) . . . It would serve Johnny Dare's audience better if the host spent some time explaining why we need reform the Healthcare and Insurance industry instead of patting each other on the back for giving up some of their disposable income that would otherwise be spent on Miller High Life and women who are still using too much hairspray.

*I think the segment is a rip off of the old "Queen for a Day" format with the public only getting to contribute to the most pathetic story. To innovate and in order to get with web 2.0's emphasis on user generated (unpaid) content I think the public should get to see all of the entries.

In that respect, I've snagged the most pathetic entry I could find in need of X-mas assistance and placed it here for your entertainment:

Dear Tony,

I'm writing this e-mail to you with the one finger I have left. Earlier this year I was involved in a tragic incident and I hope that your audience will find it in their hearts to help me during this holiday season.

Currently, I work three jobs and the only benefits I'm given are free Spanish lessons during my break time. I'm still trying to find out what the word "pendejo" means since my coworkers constantly use the term to refer to me but I'm guessing it's a sign of respect since they usually say it to me and then smile.

Anyway, in June of this year an "industrial" accident blew all but one of my apendages off my body . (As I previously noted, sadly it was my only my finger that survived and not a more useful, similarly sized appendage) It's not important that the accident happened while trying to manufacture Meth . . . What is important is that the accident threatens to ruin my X-mas. While we've always had an "open" marriage of sorts, since I have become incapacitated my wife has decided to give interracial dating a second chance . . . Often, in our martial bed while I'm still awake. Additionally, my children have not learned from my mistakes and continue to cook meth using my colostomy bag as a mixer for the chemicals. While a good mix often alleviates some of my constant pain due to the backwash . . . I just don't think it's the right path for them to take . . . Also, I have a number of "debts" due to various biker gangs and white supremacist drug rings (both in and out of prison) who continue to hound me and search for my location given the fact that I was forced to testify against them in open court in exchange for a box of Krispie Kreme Doughnuts and carton of cigarettes offered by local authorities.

Please Tony, I'm in dire circumstances and I really believe that if your audience could get together in order to buy me a 50 inch LCD HDTV monitor . . . All of my problems would be solved or at least the world would seem less cruel when viewed through the luxurious looking glass of my pro-football player quality tube.

Save me, Tony. You're my only hope!

Touching stuff and every bit as meaningful than those poor saps paraded in front of the public by Johnny Dare in hopes that a few bucks will dig them out of a situation created for them by a slew of bad choices, hard times, a poor educational system and the fact that local DJ's would rather spend time making their audience feel good than providing any kind of information about the root causes which make life so hard for so many folks.

Also, I think Dare needs to play more Dio and less crying from po'folk which is really more important than all of the details concerning this subject.

Apparently, it's hard NOT TO kill people during the holidays

I've never been known for holiday cheer but then again, I've never turned a gun on a whole bunch of people and killed them either. I treat all of the X-mas celebration the same way as someone farting in public . . . You give them a spiteful glance of acknowledgment and then step away.

Still, I notice that this year's holiday season has already been marked with a number of nearby murders with the latest coming from Kirksville where 7 people were recently found dead. Let's not forget that the holiday season probably contributed to the "depression" that caused a KC man to kill two women and four of his own kids over the weekend.

And all of this makes me wonder why anybody bothers paying attention to this time of year. I'm pretty sure it's common knowledge that this holiday has nothing to do with the birth of our Lord and Savior so I'm not even going to belabor the point. However, what I've seen increasingly year after year is that the stress from watching all of the junk people can't afford on TV and all of the pressure that folks add to this time of year with whatever pet cause they're hyping is literally enough to drive some people insane.

So you need to find ways to relive stress (so that you don't shoot your family). As always I'd like to help. These tips are fun, legal ways to let loose without taking anyone's life:

Go to the mall, find one of those Santa photo stands and yell "LIAR!" and point the jolly old man sitting on a thrown of deception then calmly walk away.

Buy everyone, EVERYONE (your mom too) sex toys for X-mas. If they're offended simply tell them in can substitute as an egg beater . . . It probably can, anyway.

Force yourself to laugh during those pathetic radio spots this town is running with every broke person in town calling in, giving their sob story and begging for money. (This is probably easier for me than some folks but it's worth a try and far more entertaining that what local DJ's are phoning in during the holidays)

Give the fat woman at the Strip Club (there's always one) a bigger tip. Money better spent than on any "real" charity.

Celebrate Kwanzaa. Yelling "Harambi!" at the top of your lungs is actually quite therapeutic, especially if you don't mean it. And nothing will remind you that this time of year is a silly, man-made concoction better than this political spirit fest.

And if none of this works, you can simply console yourself with the fact that at least you're merely one of those people having to watch everyone financing a great portion of this world's suffering by purchasing diamonds rather than one of those poor bastards forced to dig the things out of the ground.

Listen Up

KC Proper episode 8 came out over the weekend. It's their holiday episode and since the show is comprised of two white guys, I'm hoping to hear how one of them challenged their mom to a fight and told their dad they were the ghey but no matter what I'm sure it'll be entertaining. As always, the show features a variety of local bands and funny commentary. Also, they're set to start churning out even more podcasts soon.

Blogger Backtalk: So how was your weekend?

I didn't know that reading a menu counted: KC is somewhat literate.

"Yeah, 2006 SUCKED" . . . If only all end of the year reviews had this much candor.

Hootie's Hearse or How to properly mourn local heroes you'd previously never heard of.

Chuck Eddy is KC's Grinch

More amazing photos posted by Parrish.

BEST BLOGGER QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The latest Chiefs loss should be a slap in the face, a kick to the groin and a wag of the finger, to everyone who supported giving a multi-million dollar sports owner money to fix up a stadium only to showcase the lack of desire and talent it takes to win a Super Bowl."

This blogger wonders by President Bush sleeps so well.

A great lesson about yard signs as the political season gets underway.

LT far better than LJ as Chiefs give FU to Lamar Hunt's memory

Watching LaDainian Tomlinson run 85 yards into the end zone nearly untouched, it was easy to see that the Chiefs were outclassed as is nearly always the case during the final games of the season. The LH sticker on the back of the team's helmet should have simply been substituted for a giant L above their face mask.

This one wasn't even close so I don't wanna waste much time writing about it. However, it's worth mentioning that the NFL engaged in nearly as much hero worship as KC with their tributes to the late billionaire owner of the Chiefs. Still, it made more sense for the football guys to pay their respects given how much loot they owe to the guy . . . But I can't understand why people from KC are so sad, given the fact that they'll be paying Lamar's family every time they buy something in the city limits for the next generation. Eh, I'm getting tired of beating a dead Hunt horse.

So now the Chiefs need nearly every other team in the AFC to die in a plane crash in order to make the playoffs and the remaining games this year will be used only to drum up demand for next year's silly season ticket holders and also to make sure the team is out of decent draft position.

On a final note, Trent Green is too old, feeble and scared to play quarterback in the NFL; he was nearly as incompetent as the Chargers QB only with a weaker arm. The team needs think about drafting another quarterback for next season AND thinking up a way to fire Carl Peterson since it's obviously his management that has found this team impotent and ineffectual at the end of every season for the past decade.

Who authorized lowering the flag for Lamar Hunt?

My Uncle is a great guy and knows a lot of stuff, he recently e-mailed me and told me a few more things that I didn't know already . . .

Apparently, he noticed that the flags had been lowered for Lamar Hunt at City Hall on Friday. He called and asked why and was told that the Mayor and City Manager had given the order.

Well, and all Veterans know this, the only person to give the authority to lower the flag at government buildings is the President who then tells the governor who in turn lets others know. Here is a link regarding etiquette related to the flag that proves his point.

With soldiers still serving and dying in Iraq, with so many veterans who have served their country living in KC, in my opinion, this improper display by City Hall was a slap in the face to those folks as Mayor Kay and City Manager Wayne Cauthen seemingly wrote their own rules in order to honor a billionaire sports team owner. I don't think that I'm the only person that might feel that way either as this careless act is yet another example of the misguided priorities at City Hall.

The cruel facts as Queen Katheryn's Reign comes to an end

An amazing e-mail just came my way regarding the last days of the scandal ridden era of Queen Katheryn. I think the final kick in the face to Kansas City will happen Monday when the County's audit finally comes out . . .

Anyway, this e-mail was so good, I'll let it speak for itself and all that I can add is that every one of these facts should guarantee that no one in their right mind would support her for Mayor:

No matter what "excuses" Shields creates from the Audit to be released
on
Monday, these facts, all from the original story will remain:

FACT - "In 1997, Jackson County told the public that it would spend $6.1 million in
bond money for courtroom improvements. But more than $2 million of that money has been spent or is planned to be spent on anything but courtrooms."

FACT - "A review of county contracts... shows that County Executive Katheryn Shields has used $1.3 million of the bond money to buy computers, software and furniture, and plans to spend an additional $1.1 million on a conference room and fire sprinkler system. County legislators, already alarmed by Shields spending at the end of her tenure, said they had no idea that those projects were coming from courtroom bond money."

FACT - Several legislators and Prosecutor Mike Sanders, the Democratic nominee
for county executive, vow to kill the ($532,000) conference room. But Shields, without their knowledge or approval, already has issued a $26,000 architectural contract for the conference room.

FACT - "The Star's review of Shields personal service contracts also found she spent $15,000 from the bond money on a contract in August to help with the troubled implementation of new finance and human resources software and hardware."

FACT - "Of the total, $6.1 million was for courtroom improvements. According
to the bond indenture agreement, that money was to be spent on 'the expansion, renovation, remodeling, improvement, furnishing and equipping of courtrooms
for the county in Kansas City, Missouri, and Independence, Missouri.' Anything left over was supposed to pay off the bonds early, according to the bond agreement."

FACTS ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY WENT - - About $1 million to purchase new hardware and software for finance and payroll.

- About $365,000 for sheriff's office renovations.

- About $120,000 for computers and furniture for the assessment department.

- $80,000 to overhaul the Kansas City legislative chambers (including 4 emergency no-bid, marble-top tables for $19,500).

- $15,000 this year for the consulting contract to help get the finance
and payroll systems operating.

- $4,000 this year on salaries of temporary workers to do filing and
data entry work.(the last two are thanks to Finance Director Gloria Fisher's
"competence")

FACT - "Shields concedes she failed to tell legislators or circuit judges that there were leftover bond funds...'I was under the understanding that the money was no longer available,' said Jackson County Presiding Judge J.D. Williamson, who wanted more capital improvement projects in the courts. 'We have been making inquiries for years,' Williamson said."

FACT - Shields' spending (some with bonds, some not) included three parties in October alone, at a cost of almost $10,000.

And even if the fine print says none of this secret bond spending was "illegal," no one can argue that it was right. Shields was wrong, wrong, wrong. And everyone with a brain knows it.

ONE FINAL FACT - (this one from Shields herself)"It might irritate people but I am county executive until Dec. 31."

######################

Mind you, this stuff is pretty well researched so it's most likely from one of her political opponents but that still doesn't mean it's not true and Shields has done a great job of making herself a big, easy target.

KC Carnage

Seriously scary story, no joke. KCTV 5 reports:

Man Kills 5 Before Fatally Shooting Himself

A man killed five people, including three of his children, before fatally shooting himself Saturday morning, Kansas City police said. A fourth child was in the hospital with life-threatening wounds.

Police Capt. Rich Lockhart said the man, who has not been identified, killed one woman around 8:30 a.m. Saturday before going to a different home and shooting his longtime girlfriend, their four children and then himself.

Tony's Bro breaks ground with his blog

My bro is at MU doing graduate work. He has a blog but instead of writing stories about how I used to beat the shit out of him, lock him in the closet and find the thing he loved most in the world and then destroy it he makes videos about his life in the middle of Missouri and writes about whatever current events catch his interest.

However, my family has a tendency to piss people off and recently he was involved in a bit of a controversy over the content he decided to post and what role the University had in dictating what he could write. None, thankfully.

Recently, the Columbia Tribune did a story about his vloggy activities along with some other people in the area and what they're doing on the Internets.

The story is the second article to detail the incident and provides a great recap of the situation but what they don't tell you is that my bro was under a lot of pressure as all of this went down during the end of the semester and he was forced to defend his right to free speech, study for finals and entertain bitches during the whole dust up.

Thankfully, my bro doesn't back down and I heard he did a pretty great job defending himself against a number of faculty members that were definitely going after him with bad intentions.

Tony's Bro, an MU graduate student, didn't think there was anything objectionable about one of the eight videos he has on YouTube, but MU officials didn’t agree. Titled "When girls get guns," Tony's Bro 46-second video featured three friends shooting each other with plastic dart guns, laughing and cursing.

After it was posted, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, an MU student group Tony's Bro and his friends are active in, requested the video be removed because the girls were clad in HALO T-shirts and the group worried about public perception.

Tony's Bro discussed removing the video with the girls, but the group refused, citing that it contained a disclaimer, it was free speech and that the video was out of the group’s jurisdiction because it was on a personal, non-university site.

"I think it went downhill from there," Tony's Bro said.

Tony's Bro met with an MU official about the video and then posted a parody of the conversation on his blog. Although the parody did not contain names, officials saw it and convicted the 26-year-old from Kansas City of violating the university's standard of conduct against "disruptive or disorderly conduct or lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct of expression."

"I thought 'You've got to be kidding,' " Tony's Bro said. "There was this underlying absurdity that anyone was upset over an online diary."

After organizing a 135-page rebuttal that cited MU's policy for off-campus conduct and lack of policy for blogs, Tony's Bro took the conviction - which would have involved writing a research paper, a fine and an official warning - to the Student Conduct Committee this month.

It was overturned.

A phone call to the Department of Student Life was not returned Wednesday.

"There is a new creative medium that nobody knows how to regulate," Tony' Bro said. "I think this is something that gives that creative control back to mass bodies of people, and I think that's awesome."

Despite Tony's Bro tiff, the university isn't against YouTube - Michelle Froese, a spokeswoman for the University Bookstore is embracing it. Of the more than 100 million videos the site showcases each day, users can find one from the Brady Commons shop.

Like I noted previously, I'm very proud of him and glad that he didn't get kicked out of grad school for something as silly as a blog. Lord knows there's only enough room in my mom's basement for one of us. To show him how impressed I am with his recent trials and tribulations I'm thinking that I should refrain from questioning his sexuality and making fun of his expensive clothes but then again, it wouldn't be X-mas if I stopped doing my best impression of a Chicano Grinch.

Holiday Catalog of Bumming was nearly as entertaining as watching those folks freeze to death

I have to hand it to the folks at The Pitch, this week's cover story is pretty good. During the holidays season it's going to make it that much harder not to punch these people in the face while realizing that most of them make more than most entry level workers. Also, the article even profiled a Chicano beggar which as a nice touch given that most Mexicans would gladly kill for the guy's residency status in order to work 12 hours a day for minimum wage. Anyway, lots of nice quotes and philosophy but when you check out what these guys are racking in (and I don't think most of them are lying) versus what you take home on any given day you'll never have to ask yourself why people hate the homeless again.

Independence is boldly taking measures against loan sharks and protecting poor, dumb people from themselves

Hooray for Independence, which is now working to protect their citizens who never figured out how to calculate interest rates. KSHB reports: "The number of quick-loan businesses in the city, from pawnshops to title loans, has increased six-fold over the past 10 years. Independence has enacted a temporary cap blocking more such businesses from opening, and the city is considering a permanent ban. The industry has a reputation for targeting customers who might not qualify for loans elsewhere and charging extraordinary interest rates. Those rates can be anywhere from a low of 342 percent to an even steeper 443 percent annually."

If you've noticed local reporters are anxiously awaiting the X-mas holiday as well

Examples: A bomb threat at Fort Osage High School makes headlines today and on a national scale an insignificant number of arrests related to immigration makes for high hopes among the xenophobic crowd but doesn't really mean much given the fact that employers won't have to pay any significant fines and the crackdown has only pointed out that yet another industry in the U.S. is dependent on the low wage labor of undocumented workers along with the added bonus of making meat prices higher.

Oak and Walnut Trees cleared for new Southeast Community Center won't be wasted

Are they making them into coffins? It's about time the folks in charge of Swope Park were as "resourceful" as their neighbors.

Mike "Corporate Hack" Hendricks wants to play the nickname game

Here's the thing about nicknames, they are best when they are cruel, descriptive and used to humiliate their subject.

I've always thought that poor people were best at making up nicknames given that the monikers given to rich folks sound something like high end liquor brands; Rummy, Scooter, Dubya and the like.

The best example I can point toward in recent popular culture is the The Wire which followed a group of young, fatherless Black kids (tough to find any other kind) and their downward spiral toward drug dealing, prison and bitterness. For me, one of the more intriguing characters was Duquan Weems who was appropriately named Dukie because he parents were crackheads and he didn't have a place to bathe. However, I should note that I think the spelling should have been "Dookie" which means shit and would have been an even more advantageous moniker considering the smell and the implications about his inherent worth.

Anyway, in today's column Mike "Hell if I don't think I'm Dave Barry" Hendricks tries to decide on nicknames for the mayoral candidates. The only one I think he nailed was "Who The Heck Is" Henry Klein if you can believe that a grown man would use the word heck.

Hendricks starts his column with his insights about Stan Glazer whom he refers to as "The Mouth" and then goes off into some Grammar Nazi routine about the difference between infer and imply which is probably lost on anyone who never pretended to take interest in one of those insufferable English major types.

However, everybody in KC knows that it's Stan "The Man" Glazer. At first the title seems complimentary until you explore it's racial and alpha male connotations . . . Which I whole heartedly endorse. Who's the man? Stan's the man and the name evokes a strong reaction from every side of the aisle.

BlogKC cleverly coined the title given to the Internet's favorite technocrat and it's not "Funky" Mark Funkhouser which only implies the guy stinks . .. It's Mark "The Funk" Funkhouser which is more soulful and references the most unifying and uplifting form of music known to mankind.

There are some more obvious errors that Hendricks makes and I'll point them out quickly:

No nickname rundown would be complete without a mention of Country Club Kay Barnes or Condo Kay which clearly denotes the fact that she should have run for this city's top real estate agent and not Mayor.

Hendricks treads lightly when discussing the outgoing County Executive because she scares everyone in her immediate vicinity but I've heard a lot of people call her Queen Kathryn Shields. I've always had a penchant for Jabba not only because I'm a Star Wars nerd but also because the recent County budget crisis could be solved when they discover Han Solo frozen in carbonite somewhere under the Courthouse.

Jim "The Man with the Plan" Glover . . . Hardly, it's Jim "Why so glum?" Glover for a guy with a lot of experience but absolutely no personality.

Chuck "Craves to Destroy (eat?) KC homes" Eddy will have to do for now until the folks over on Red Bridge Road are finished with even more meetings intended to distract and exhaust their cause called by Terry "My District is a trash heap in ruins" Riley.

Janice "The Resume" Ellis is way too nice and I think Janice "Black Elite" Ellis is far more descriptive.

Obviously, this exercise could go on ad infinitum but I just wanted to note how far off the mark Hendrick's list seemed to be, in my opinion, his monikers are as lame as most of the pro-any-and-every-tax-from-the-comfort-of-Johnson-County editorials published by The Star.

What is a reasonable cause for shooting a dog?

Does it have to be a better excuse than shooting a guy for a bringing you a warm beer? Somehow, sadly, I think so. Solution: Become a police officer and then you don't have to explain why you shot anybody . . . As long as they're brown.

Drug pushers in training leaving KC for suburbs

Sad news, but I guess it makes sense to follow all of the pill popping suburban housewives: The American College of Clinical Pharmacy, an 8,500-member professional society, will move its headquarters from leased space in Kansas City to space it bought in Lenexa for a new headquarters.

Note to crooks: (If you must) Rob sheltered women and not women in shelters

Someone (who surprisingly wasn't a guest at the place) stole $1200 bucks from the Lighthouse, where pregnant teenagers are probably getting accustomed to the idea of constant disappointment. My guess: The Democrats have already gone mad with power and are now openly inducing young women to get abortions.

Show Me The Winners!

Missouri Roads Among Worst In Nation

Three weeks in the life of a local blogger

Interesting, funny stuff . . . Whereas my list would have involved more porn and fast food.

"One of the cool and unexpected things about living in an old ass house"

Nice photos of an Italian army rifle from 1896 . . . And some people wonder why the Antiques Roadshow is the most captivating thing on TV.

You know you're in trouble when Henry Rizzo questions your integrity

"She's a liar," he said. "This is typical Katheryn Shields' government." Everyone knows that County spends money like a bunch of drunken sailors. This story will play itself out as it always does . . . Folks at the County will pass the hot potato and a few people will pay attentions THEN the public will lose interest after awhile until the next embarrassing blunder, fistfight or inevitable report of fiscal irresponsibility.

Second Class Basketball rebounds in KC

After 13-year absence, NAIA moving back to Kansas City. Kansas City officials said Thursday they plan to provide the NAIA with $500,000 over five years for marketing services. And on an upbeat note, it's nice to see this town stealing back from the suburbs: Tim McKee, executive vice president of economic development for the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, said it too ran into problems as many donors said they were more interested in revitalizing downtown Kansas City.

40×20: The Irish/Mexican/Kansas City connection

An excellent post from IrishKC describes a bit of the history that will be on display as The Athletic Club in Overland Park, Kansas at 10440 Marty, hosts the USHA National Juniors Four-Wall Championships from December 27-30.

Please God, don't let it snow

Mark Funkhouser weighs in on the fact that KC basically no longer has a budget for snow removal. So here's hoping that Al Gore was right about that Global Warming thing.

Kansas Condo City

That's it, this town is too disgusting for me for the rest of today given the fact that the only thing this City seems willing to support are luxury condos and sports arenas for beloved billionaires.

Here's the latest news regarding how Kansas City is in now completely in the clutches of get rich quick con(struction) companies. The Biz Journal reports:

The Tax Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City on Wednesday approved a request to use taxes produced by a $49.3 million condominium tower at 19th Street and Broadway in an existing TIF district.

Never mind that the first 10 years of property taxes could be abated under the plan and forget that the Accardo's pretty much sneaked this thing under the radar of all of the neighbors . . . The development of YET ANOTHER CONDO TOWER in KC is a distinct reminder of where the priorities of this city lie . . . Not even half of that kind of money is available to do anything about the constant news of dead Black guys on the Eastside, or this town's sewer system in desperate need of repair along with antiquated underground pipes that burst during every cold spell.

No, the people who hold elected office in this town and their donors want everyone to think Kansas City's future is dependent on attracting rich people while running out the poor and brown folks who already occupy the place. Thing is, this strategy is a recipe for failure that's done nothing but create a speculative market and a slew of politicos for sale in this city.

These condo contingent plans for urban renewal have failed time and again when they neglected to address the underlying problems that created so-called blight in the first place.

And I'm not going to call for anyone to "realize this" or "recognize that" . . . I'm a big believer in the free market and as the war continues as gas prices creep upward as housing grows increasingly overvalued the market will/always has found a way to straighten itself out . . . and we'll soon find out if empty condos can finance a city that has sold its soul so that developers could make a quick buck.

While LINC welfare pimps administrators would like to argue, academic programs are much more important than babysitting funds

The Star reports: "In a tense end to its board meeting, members voted to put on hold Superintendent Anthony Amato's decision not to allocate funds to the Local Investment Commission, known as LINC, to help it operate 53 after-school programs in the district. Amato decided to shift $1.4 million that had gone to LINC and use it for academic programs instead."

Again, this is yet another example of the School Board caving to political concerns rather than focusing on the well being of the School District (their job) as they push to provide $1.4 million with no questions asked to LINC and fight nearly every significant change to their deficient schools that comes their way.

Union Station banks on Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit

Here is what passes for good news from the emptiest and most expensive attraction in KC: The place had a shortfall that was more than $1 million less than projected. However, I wouldn't give much credence to these financial projections given that the tomb like quietude of the place is perfect for an ancient exhibit that only a few dozen history buffs will enjoy. Example: Here's a fascinating article about how ancient people's poop relates to the documents. Captivating stuff that's sure to draw of crowd of at least four people.

City Hall continues to string along Red Bridge folks

A plan to widen Red Bridge Road and replace the bridge over the Blue River came to a standstill Wednesday in the Kansas City Council's Operations Committee. Terry "World's Worst Overpaid Trashman" Riley gave the trucking industry equal time while Chuck Eddy is sending cryptic messages like "I have the votes!" in his attempt to destroy South KC homes.

Big mouthed Beth Gottstein isn't very impressive

Today, Yael Boom-shaka-laka writes a rundown of local candidates for City Council or rather a lukewarm review of the recent Citizens Association picks.

No mention of Mark Forsythe but he is a proponent of tragically named Deth Im (who has a blog) which makes sense since Bom-shaka-laka usually endorses killing KC by way of taxes anyway.

By the way, Vote4Deth would be an awesome blog name if the guy was fronting a heavy metal band.

Anyway, here is the most intriguing portion of the column:

Least impressive showing

Citizens Association members raved about the written questionnaire of Beth Gottstein, 4th District at-large candidate. But she was much less impressive in actually answering questions from board members.

I know what he means, I've met tons of hot broads who instantly ruined their appeal the second they opened their mouth (to speak). Clearly, if Beth "Big Mouth" Gottstein can't impress people with her oral ability (and what Jewish broad can other than Monica Lewinsky?) then she should just stay quiet, not move, tilt her hips, hold it there for just a second, yeah, just like that . . . And leave quietly.

Best recent local blogger post: A slice of life in KC's Ad Industry

Amazing post by Pensive Girl not only proves (reminds me) that the local ad folks are fun but also that ADVERTISING AGENCIES IN KANSAS CITY DON'T HIRE MINORITIES. Nice lily white photos of people laughing makes me glad I got out of marketing with a quickness. Additionally, don't forget to check out this "Have you ever been to Ireland post?" from Irish KC which answers one of many stupid questions people have in this town.

Amato Meet and Greet

I can sense that the Star is already making the case of the guy's dismissal as they claim he is "hard to reach." However, I'd rather have him slashing budgets and closing schools than attending cocktail parties and catering to the Black elites who have destroyed the school district along with the help of the local white media.

Cougar caught on camera creates alliteration craze comprised of headline writing cockboys

Cat caught on camera is confirmed as cougar: Mountain lions in the middle of Missouri.

KC Council set to prove that you can't get cancer by smoking in a Casino

Council to form task force on smoking ban

Most important question of the day: Is vandalism against Black Santa a hate crime?

There are a ton of X-mas vandalism stories and I always admire the kids who kidnap Baby Jesus just because of the Karma risk that they take in the process. However, a recent story about a kidnapped Black Santa is the most heinous acts of holiday hatred since that time I dated a young Jewish woman and had totally pretend like I wasn't happy during X-mas time and eat bland food for seven nights in a row.

Deborah Wiggins had a black Santa Claus displayed in her front yard, but when she woke up Wednesday morning, it was gone.

She told KCTV5 News the same thing happened last year and at first, she thought it was just some kids pulling a prank.

This year she has changed her mind.

Wiggins said, "I'd definately say racism. Nobody bothered the other things in my yard, the reindeer, the sled."

Police recovered the Santa from a dumpster late Wednesday night.

Actually, now that I think about it . . .Attempting to destroy dark skinned icons and imagery because they don't support a lily white worldview probably is racism but it also reminds me of the history of Christianity so at least it's apropos for this time of year.

Overland Park is expanding faster than a suburban housewife's ass

One of the biggest development booms in Overland Park's history is just beginning following Monday night's City Council approval of three high-profile projects. A. Nelessen Associates will develop a community vision plan for Metcalf from I-35 to 123rd Street, about nine miles. Sprint Nextel and Overland Park (I guess) are building yet another shopping complex and the city is planning to build 12 tournament-caliber soccer fields north of the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.

All of the construction is soon to get underway whereas the realization that it won't alleviate the emptiness, isolation and uniformity of suburban existence is a little ways off.

Someone has to pay for natural disaster other than your faith in God and po'folk in the rural part of the state

Nixon Sues Ameren, Seeks Compensation and Punitive Damages for State for Taum Sauk Disaster. Here's a photo gallery in case you forgot about a tragedy that you couldn't blame on radical Islam.

Surprise: KU Kids aren't completely funded by their Daddies

5,000+ KU Students Receive Privately Funded Scholarships

Hospital staff out to kill you in ways more frightening than neglect

Serial Murder of Hospital Patients a Startling Problem . . . When these people want to start murdering people on an even bigger scale I've heard they try to attain a career in the insurance industry.