Exclusive behind the scenes blogger coverage reveals how the news is made

Hey kids, check out HeyCameraman.net for an amazing behind the scenes look into how the coverage for the MU/OU clash in San Antonio is being put together.

Local blogger Laz is posing a ton of great pics and observations into the media event and electronic/Internet news gathering. It's a real education and it's nice to see another Latino school this town other than TKC.

KCPD CRACKS DOWN ON CRAIGSLIST!!!

Fox 4 has a very interesting report that not only signals that the people are using the Internets to get STDs but also might spell trouble for the backpages of the Pitch and all of Kansas City classified advertising now that the search for poon-tang is obsolete in print media.

Tis the season to panic

Icy Mix Set To Arrive Early Saturday . . . The sky looks clear to me but I don't have millions of dollars of extra special radar and equipment to justify.

Mayor Funky disavows his X-mas tree!!!

So much for "sticking to his principles" at least when X-mas is involved. The latest press release puts the blame for the poorly received X-mas tree on the Mayor's hosts as the Mayor's press release simply passes the buck: "A special thanks goes to Crown Center, as they are the ones that take on all the costs and the preparation for the actual tree." Additionally, reading the post it's kind of sad the way the Mayor's wife clearly avoids using the word "Christmas" and sticks with talk of the solstice holiday season . . . There's no doubt the Mayor's people dropped the ball on this one and they anticipate ruining the Mayor's Christmas Tree fund even further by changing it's focus and continuing to play politics with the event. That's why I call it X-mas . . . Because in the media and in politics, the meaning of this time of year is pretty much unknown.

Report: KC Dr. Sketchy's cited

A local blogger reports that a KC art event was ticketed for not having a liquor license . . . Because, clearly the biggest problem in Kansas City is people drawing and drinking.

The same blogger also provides a comprehensive round-up of KC/Lawrence area anti-war activities.

"Those currently serving in battle are the only ones qualified to speak to how they see their own military experience."

Local blogger Lynn lets loose with a FANTASTIC POST regarding the Youtube debate and speculation regarding troops in Iraq.

A green X-mas from a local blogger

The Jenson offers up this great link featuring pricey X-mas cards that don't kill the planet.

New low for Blunt . . . Other than the polls

Baby Blunt plays politics by invoking Baby Jesus . . . Again, it begs the question: Is a strong message about holiday greetings more important than the Gov's lack of leadership when it comes to jobs, health care and education.

I'm glad we're finally Dunn with all of the B.S. propaganda AGAINST corporate welfare in Kansas City

Nothing changes except KC money into the hands of local big corporations . . . The Biz Journal reports: KC Council OKs additional $1.1M for East Village

Light rail in Kansas City is headed nowhere

So, the City Council is taking steps to push a new light rail plan forward.

In other words they're wasting $200,000 researching a new plan instead of putting the old plan before the voters.

The problem is . . . The old plan was passed on the sneak and this new plan involves so much baggage and a bad influence from Mayor Funky - who doesn't care what voters think - that I'm not too hopeful about the project.

Also, Clay Chastain's (silly) plan was passed back when people were less aware of the looming recession.

While only a small, mostly white, minority of people vote in this town anyway . . . I'm wondering if whatever design the council comes up with will make it past voters who might be tightening their purse strings.

It's not like people are begging to pay higher taxes . . . And it's a bit of a contradiction for the Mayor to push the high tax project in one breath and warn of the worsening financial situation in this country and Kansas City with the other.

And let's not forget that every time I look at a bus in this town, it's nearly abandoned so why should people pay top dollar for a new transportation system that doesn't really transport anyone?

Contemplating violence on Kansas City Streets will induce a headache

Last night on 31st a Kansas City security guard was SHOT IN THE HEAD AND DROVE HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL!!!

The sensational story simply confirms my assertion that the people of Kansas City are tough and willing to deal with the topic of violent crime. However, our political leadership simply doesn't have the stomach for it given that Mayor Funky has been in office almost a year and hasn't really mentioned the topic of violent crime that much at all, was completely silent during this summer's gang war and ranks crime in the bottom half of his priorities.

Saucy old broad doesn't mind backwash at the group beer bong outside Arrowhead

Only at Arrowhead . . . The Chiefs suck and so do ladies of all stripes at the communal beer bong . . . Ugh.

I hope someone had a smint for the classy Kansas City lady.

Reading, writing and politics!!!

Kansas City's African-centered education movement is now expanding into this town's High Schools according to The Star.

It's not that I object to the "movement" that much . . . Despite the fact that it's backed up by doctored and unreliable stats that show some mystical, magical improvement that is so far unseen in a pathetic school district that so many people are abandoning en masse.

Inherently, there's nothing wrong with African-centered education EXPECT that in Kansas City it's basically the manifestation of the systemic bigotry practiced by the African-American elite who run the district and have all but ignored the needs of their Latino students.

Let's not forget, never forget that the President of the KC School Board has paid out a large settlement when he endorsed discriminatory hiring practices. And, word around the campfire is that the a large scale effort to oust Superintendent Anthony Amato is already under way.

Still, the constant promoting of the African-centered education "movement" begs one question: Given that this program (which supposedly works wonders) has been in place for years, why are Kansas City schools still so shitty?

The answer is: It's not about education, it's about politics.

This "movement" is a way for the Black elite who run the district to send a message to everyone that the KC Missouri School District belongs to them . . . And only them.

And this isn't the point where I argue for Latino themed education (because that's silly and given that KC Latinos have a 50% dropout rate I'd be glad if they managed to master ANY curriculum) . . . Besides, the Latino students in the Kansas City Public School District already receive a real world education that is geared toward overall trends in the culture: As a group, Latino students in KC Schools are routinely left out, discriminated against and pushed aside in order to cater to a variety of public education fads like African-centered schools which stress politics over the mastery of simple skills and have subsequently resulted in the overall failure of the District.

Bad options for Grandma in both states

KMBC: Several nursing homes in Kansas and Missouri were ranked as the worst in the nation by the federal government.

There has to be a better way of breaking up with Kansas City Broads!!!

I'm running into a lot of bad break-up stories in the news lately . . . I guess it's probably a good idea to get rid of the ball-and-chain before the holiday gift season arrives.

Still, overall it's best to avoid violence or any confrontation during a split.

For instance, in the two long term relationships that I've endured, when it was clear that I wasn't going to propose marriage (or move out of my mom's basement) . . . My former girlfriends decided to dump me over the telephone. This worked out well for everyone involved given that they avoided an uncomfortable up close and personal conversation and I didn't have to worry that they would see me dancing for joy.

Anyhoo . . . Here is an example of a Kansas City break-up that didn't go as smoothly:

KC man charged with beating, stabbing his girlfriend to death

Show me a lot of sadness

Missouri ranked among 10 most depressed states

KCPD officer caught in a lie

Here's the link from KSHB: Officer admits to falsifying statement

Go Drink for Greg

Local blogger Erin reports: "Greg's birthday is on Tuesday, December 4th, and there will be a get together at the Record Bar for it.

The Record Bar's dinner special will be Greg's Per-fuckin-fect Fried Chicken. It should be an interesting mix of bar friends, blogger friends, and family (Greg's sister and mom will stop by)."

X-mas in Kansas City

The KC kitty put together an informative compilation of holiday links and activities in Kansas City that would make the Virgin Mary herself want to take part in a mass exercise in consumerism that's a celebration of the Winter Solstice or something.

Firing a former lover

Found this amazing link via Crime Scene KC . . . For all the readers who have ever had a relationship go down in flames:

Police: Lovers' Quarrel Leads To Fiery Fight

According to a police report, "The suspect pulled out a black 9 mm handgun and put it to the back of the victim's head and told her, 'You thought your last lover was crazy.'"

The victim said she ran across the street and turned around in time to see her girlfriend coming down the stairs with lighter fluid, which she allegedly poured over the woman's car's engine block.

When the victim tried to stop her, the girlfriend turned the bottle on her.

She ran farther this time.

Police said that when they got to the scene, the car's engine was blazing and the suspect was gone.

Damn. The story makes all of my breakups seem boring by comparison . . . Still, crazy chicks are often underrated. They are usually pretty wild in the sack (nullus?) and there's always a chance of making the local news when it comes time to give them the boot.

Oh yeah, and lyric from the song regarding Kansas City hosting "crazy little women" . . . That has been and always will be completely true.

Party all the time!!!

A Kansas Senate seat is up for grabs. The Dems wanted to put incubent Pat Roberts out but their unknown choice doesn't seem to be off to a good start . . . This photo is about as interesting as it's going to get given that the unknown Democrat challenger doesn't really have a shot.

Stay Red Kansas files an excellent post which pretty much tears the guy apart with only a few questions and characterizes him thusly: "Enter Greg Orman, a young, slick Johnson County millionaire."

KMBC in action

Hint, news gathering is almost completely reliant on the Internets. A great post from the field from Heycameraman.net.

The TKC Bitch Box

I'm trying out a new feature on the blog . . . Open thread is stupid and it sounds like an old sweater.

Instead, the TKC Bitch box is dedicated to anything bad TKC readers would like to write regarding Kansas City or anything else for that matter.

This is the place to complain. Mind you, complaints are welcome on any other aspect of this blog open to comments and it's not like I'm paying attention anyway or can help you at all. . . However, I think a nice thread every couple of days dedicated to negative feedback, and insulting remarks documenting the way folks REALLY feel about this town is exactly what Kansas City needs.

I'm not sure if I'll keep this feature and I'm a big believer in the fact that interactivity isn't all it's cracked up to be . . . But at the very least I thought I'd offer you D-bags an opportunity at an open discussion with no direction from a post subject or category.

So put your complaints here and spare your loved ones having to listen to you.

They probably found the porn star's body

Media people don't have to be geniuses . . . Mentioning porn in any given broadcast automatically draws attention and the typical Missing White Woman Story involving Emily Sander got really interesting (and received much more attention) when it was revealed she dabbled in online porn.

Sadly, now it turns out that the body they found in rural Kansas is probably her.

My only interest in the story is that I hope the guy who they suspect of killing her isn't an illegal alien given that he had a Hispanic surname . . . Still, it's hard to imagine much feigned outrage from the reactionary crowd over a porn career cut shot.

Only TKC laments the passing of porn stars before their time and I'm still sad that Chloe Jones isn't around to "perform" for her fans.

Still, it's entertaining to watch so many newscasters looking as if they sucked on a lemon (nullus) when they mention porn and then wait to show photos of the barely legal broad . . . It all reminds me of a video that made it's way around the Internets a few weeks ago entitled FOX NEWS PORN, which clearly demonstrates the mainstream nature of porn coverage in the news media.

Tune in to TKC

Tomorrow morning listen to KMBZ News Radio 980 - Kansas City's Morning News with EJ and Ellen . . . At around 8:30 TKC will be talking about your blog. I'll be mentioning what a genius you are and how blogs are awesome and sometimes provide more information than just the latest breaking news on hipster hangouts.

Kansas City has a Funky X-mas

Overall, Kansas City hates the Mayor's X-mas tree. Once again, Funkhouser has messed up a trivial task and I'm surprised it had nothing to do with neglecting the Mayor's X-mas Tree Fund or his wife's alleged spooky faith practices . . . Here's my favorite quote:

“Mayor’s Christmas Tree: Tall and skinny.

“Mayor: Tall and skinny.

“Need I say more?”

Yep, an X-mas tree isn't like a white woman, sometimes it can be too tall and skinny and overall the Mayor didn't win any brownie points by picking such an ugly and wasteful display.

Once again, the Mayor screws up one of the easiest aspects of his job and can't even elicit good vibes during the season of goodwill.

Please Santa, send Mayor Funky some charm.

Flag display controversy in WyCo!!!

My uncle Jack is a great guy, a Vet and also very picky about how the American Flag is displayed.

A recent story by Tess Koppelman highlights a tense debate over proper etiquette concerning the display of the American flag.

To honor their fallen brother, firefighters all across Wyandotte County have been flying flags at half-staff but one city's mayor is refusing to participate saying that it breaks the law.

The long line outside of St. Anthony's Church in KCK shows how well-liked Tluscik was. The 48-year-old was a proud firefighter and his fellow firefighters have been honoring him since he died last week by lowering flags to half staff. But in Edwardsville, flags aren't lowered because the mayor says it's against the law.

"I understand and I sympathize with the firefighters in wanting to show their appreciation and respect for a fallen firefighter although we won't break any codes of our nation to do that," Edwardsville mayor Heinz Rodgers said.

The Firemen wouldn't go on record but they did tell Koppleman that they were "angry" over the Mayor's decision.

What do you d-bags think? Remember that Kansas City violated the same kind of flag code in order to honor the late Lamar Hunt - Who is mentioned in the Warren Report and comes from a very rich family that has a (weak) connection to the Kennedy Assassination:

In much the same way that contemporary reactionaries were criticized following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 for having incited terrorism through their antigovernment rhetoric, in the days following the assassination of John Kennedy, H. L. Hunt was castigated publicly. The New Republic editorialized that Hunt's last radio broadside on Kennedy, broadcast the morning of the assassination, was "[t]he kind of program . . . that the brooding Oswalds of the left- or right-wing listen and sometimes act on."

Ward's report -- and by extension the KGB's best estimate on "Who killed JFK?" -- probably derived from a discovery made by the FBI in late November that tied the Hunt family to the events in Dallas. In Jack Ruby's notebook, bureau agents found the name "Lamar Hunt," H.L.'s second son from his first marriage. By the time Ward's report reached Moscow, the distinction between Lamar and H. L. Hunt was lost. Indeed, for a while the US government wondered whether the Lamar Hunt connection was significant. On December 17 the FBI interviewed Lamar Hunt about Jack Ruby. Hunt denied ever having known Ruby. In jail Ruby agreed.

It's a tough call . . . Respecting the flag vs. honoring fallen firefighters . . . Somehow I think scantily clad women wrapped in an American-flag-inspired- design (which I think is also against the rules) should promote some kind of compromise.

Joel Nichols must be stopped!!!

A local teen put together this Youtube "Most Wanted" spoof video that's pretty funny and chronicles the terror and devastation committed by KMBC weather dude Joel Nichols.



Clearly, this kid is very talented and "Kansas City's Most Wanted" featuring local celebs sounds like a great idea for a crime show that doesn't focus solely on the misdeeds of minorities.

Really, I'm impressed with the young KC director and look forward to watching more of his videos.

KC Corporate welfare Dunn right!!!

The Star reports: The J.E. Dunn Construction Co. headquarters project slated for downtown, stalled by unexpectedly high land costs, is expected to receive an additional $1.1 million assist from the city.

In a fashion befitting his privilege: Blunt blames everybody else for his problems

From The Star: Blunt uses immigrants as scapegoat

Katy Trail could move closer to KC

Does anyone know why I should care?

KC Cyclists want to get closer to people living in a van down by the river

David Martin writes a damn good article that almost made me believe that local cyclists should be allowed to get close to the Mighty MO . . . Then I realized it was simply another story advocating for more taxpayer subsidies to support the hobby of affluent white people!!!

This is probably the 4th feature article regarding Kansas City cyclists in The Pitch in less than a month . . . There is no way in Hell these people (bastards) deserve this much press and the Pitch may do better to any other cause then the over exaggerated, whiny pleas from this KC contingent but I've heard that KC cyclists have their panties in a bunch over how much bad publicity TKC sends their way that they're running to the elitist and lily white Pitch in order to persuade the gullible media outlet that they represent more than a couple dozen bike riding, loudmouth hipsters who want all of Kansas City to pay for their riding pleasure. No homo?

George Brett's has seen better days

They're thinking of a name change at the abandoned Plaza eatery. They might also want to contemplate better service and more marketing to lure semi-classy blonde skanks. Ferruzza writes a fantastic article which provides some great background on the establishment's nearly forgotten history.

Think again, I will hate on Harvesters!!!

Local hipsters mistakenly think that helping glorified (unwanted) split pea dispenser Harvesters will absolve them of all the white privilege from which they've benefited.

Steve Shaw is all smiles: Brave local newsie shares his story of addiction!!!

Before TKC Coverage


After



I have to give a lot of props to Steve Penn . . . His profile of formerly drunken KC Newsman Steve Shaw is one of the most inspiring things I've read in a long time.

It's amazing to see somebody actually admit they have a problem in the media and then work, seek help and battle a substance abuse problem SUCCESSFULLY in the public eye.

Back in Kansas City for a visit last weekend, Shaw’s memories took him back to the time and place when he hit rock bottom. As he sat at Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q last Saturday, tears began to roll slowly down his cheeks.

“It’s tough understanding how flawed I am,” Shaw said. “I’ve got a lot of shame. I’ve always been so stubborn. All I can do is keep my head down and remember how bad it was. I needed the fall to be big.”

Thankfully, Shaw is back on his feet and has another reporting gig.

Strangely, Shaw teamed up with God's bill collector Rev. Jerry Johnston for awhile but that's not really important . . . The real story is that the dude is doing better.

Someday I hope to be a better person as well and give up my penchant for hating on local media figures, politicos and consuming copious amounts of Dr. Pepper and Snack cakes. But that would require . . . An effort.

Stormwater bill collections should be a rainmaker but errors lose track of loot

The Star reports: Kansas City’s stormwater bills generate about $8 million per year, but the city still loses money because the collections process is so riddled with errors, a new audit says.

Some things are far more important than Kansas City, no joke

Empire magazine recently posted some preview photos of Heath Ledger as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie.

Personally, I like the new look with the acknowledgment that TKC always roots for the bad guy at the movies and that The Joker is one of those great characters that is nearly impossible to screw up.

A Kansas City Area Farmer's Paradox

A photo of Marissa Miller and a bunch of sheep provides eye candy for a vast cross section of horn dogs that I don't even want contemplate.

Kansas City code of silence countered by pleas of family for help

The family of Kenyata Bass is challenging the local "stop snitchin" silliness in the murder and mutilation of the father of two.

Latinas having babies and other lovely links

X-tina is showing the world how pretty Latina pregnancy can be, and then here are some ugly local headlines:

Two friends from Missouri find out they're sisters . . . Immediately start stealing one another's clothes and harboring resentment.

Two lane plan Johnson Drive has residents pissed

Baby sitter charged with killing boy . . . I don't know for sure but a diary entry could prove important in the trial.

A good doggy style always survives: Troubled breeder loses dogs but stays in business

Sextuplets Hoax Couple Face Hearing

What did you think about the debate?

Conservatism with a Heart offers a great roundup of last night's snoozefest . . . I'd be lying if I said I watched enough to form a relevant opinion but I tuned out confident that the old, white guy would win.

Chiefs QB slot still in play, very much like the love of Kelli Croyle

Brodie Croyle could be sidelined on Sunday because of a knee injury . . . This might be an excellent chance for Damon Huard to redeem himself and also make my Kellie Cryole-lonely-divorced-woman fantasies that much hotter.

Hoping $6 mil doesn't buy a belly itcher

Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta agrees to $6 million 2-year deal with Royals.

The Star says "So Long" to longtime employees with a severance buyout offer as the era of print media comes to an end!!!

In college, I was basically assured by more than a few mainstream media reporters that there was no way I would ever become a newspaper columnist at a major metropolitan paper (my dream) because of my aggressive style, my penchant for entertainment and ideology over fact and because they couldn't think of one prominent Chicano who had accomplished as much . . . Obviously, they never heard of Ruben Salazar.

Anyhoo . . . Turns out that just because there is little access for loudmouth Chicanos in the mainstream press who challenge the popular wisdom and don't apologize for their identity (i.e. Mary Sanchez) . . . It's not the end of the world.

Thankfully, blogging allows anybody with an opinion and Internet access to play columnist and ironically the era of print media seems to be coming to an end as KC's paper of record is now facing cutbacks.

The Kansas City Star is the latest in a string of mid-sized metros in the United States to offer buyouts to employees, telling readers today that Star employees with 20 years of “uninterrupted service” can take the paper up on its offer, which gives 20 weeks' pay . . .

The buyout was constructed because “readership and advertising revenue from the core daily newspaper continue to soften,” the newspaper stated. The Star's parent company, McClatchy, “has suffered sharp declines in revenue at its California and Florida newspapers, where local real estate markets are under pressure.”

That's right, even as the Star reports happy news and ignores the looming recession, the staff at the paper is suffering at the hands of an economic slowdown and the inevitable decline of the medium.

Yet time after time there's nothing but reports of Kansas City's downtown renaissance or cheerleading for the Sprint Center or Mayor Funky . . . Oh well, I guess the band that played on the Titanic had to keep things upbeat as well.

Ashcroft quotes Nietzsche

TfK finds a great interview of the Missouri politico quoting some guy who went completely crazy and had a lot of his work utilized by the Nazis.

Dammit the glass is half full!!!

Ingram's put out an interesting issue this month that I'm still in the process of reading.

It's all about the so-called downtown renaissance without much mention of gentrification, lack of minority hiring or participation and the fact that a few corporations now pretty much have control over the loop.

Still, there was a bit of insight into the huge debt load this town has amassed and an interesting take on the way Kansas City's economy is evolving.

Overall the issue is a must read and contains far too many stats and cold, hard figure to count as cheerleading . . . But it's close and I just don't understand how anyone could talk about a resurgence for Kansas City's downtown without mentioning the looming recession that's on the horizon.

Link via the Cawley blog.

ID Cards for illegal immigrants in KC!!!

If Kansas City really wants to become a 1st rate metropolis, the leaders of this town could do worse than to pick San Francisco as their model.

San Francisco has street cars, world class cuisine and entertainment . . . It's obviously a pretty tolerant city considering how many gheys call the place home AND they keep the minorities at arm's length in Oakland.

Additionally, the mayor of San Francisco recently signed legislation Wednesday requiring the city to issue identification cards to undocumented immigrants and other residents who can't or won't apply for driver's licenses.

And guess what? San Francisco isn't going crumble into the ocean any time soon (at least not because of this), their hospitals won't become any more overburdened than corporate health care in the U.S. has already made them, their property values will remain far higher than KC AND their "cultural life" (surprisingly not just ghey bars) will probably always outpace this cowtown.

Put simply, San Francisco stays winning because they embrace diversity (at least in spirit, remember all of the dark po'folk still live in Oakland).

If Kansas City's Mayor had any real courage or actually believed in any of the "principles" regarding diversity he espouses he might put forth a similar measure in Kansas City. It would certainly be less costly than his failed Office of Immigrant Affairs plan.

A KC ID card for illegal immigrants is only fair CONSIDERING THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THIS TOWN MUST ALSO PAY THE EXORBITANT SALES TAX RATES IN THE AREA!!!

Yet Mayor Funky's Administration has shown nothing but empty promises when it comes to the immigrant community. The Westside CAN center is waiting for help from the guy but so far . . . The Mayor can't even muster a statement in support of the place after and their embarrassing cries for help.

Because the Mayor took sides with the Minutemen, because so far he has done nothing to help the CAN center and Minuteman recruiter Frances Semler is now frequently seen at the side of Mayor Funky at one public event after another . . . There's no denying that the Mayor of Kansas City is in league with the reactionary, anti-immigrant, anti-Latino forces which dominate a small, dreary burg like Hazelton, Pennsylvania and not a world class metropolis like San Francisco.

Yet, just because Funkhouser and his acolytes are anti-development, anti-immigrant, anti-minority . . . That doesn't mean all of Kansas City should surrender to the guy's effort to move Kansas City backward.

ID cards for undocumented workers are a great way to unite "OneKC" and prove that this town is inclusive of its Latino, Somali, Asian and Arab communities - All of which have significant factions of undocumented members . . . It would be a great way to throw off the racist image that this town has attained thanks to a few newspaper columnists, talk radio listeners and the Mayor's incompetent and downright insensitive administration.

Is it X-mas yet? UMKC laptop theft makes headlines on slow news day