TKC IN STUDIO!!!

Since most people in Kansas City will be stuck in traffic because of President Bush's visit tomorrow morning . . . They might as well listen to TKC.

I'll be on KC'S Morning News with EJ and Ellen at around 8 in the A.M.

I hear that I'll be on with New Radio 980's Mike Shanin verbally kicking my ass AND there may even be time for a call-in where local folks get the opportunity to call me a racist!!!

Be sure to check it out . . . The topic is Mayor Funky, so I expect all of Johnson County to come out in full support of the guy. Natch.

KCFD fight crooks too

Alright, give us a break. Normal dudes really don't stand a chance competing against these guys when they're saving lives AND fighting crime. KC Firefighter = Poon tang magnet no matter how cheesy their mustache looks. Whereas blogger = Detractor to the opposite sex or any living organism but kittens.

Funky Recall moving forward

There's lots of ways to report news . . . The Star and most media outlets have a bit of anti-recall bias but that's cool because it doesn't look like that's stopping any of the people supporting the thing. The latest on the Recall . . . The petitioner and her supporters haven't backed down amidst a wave of criticism.

Larry Johnson: Kansas City Chiefs running back, worst person in the NFL and proud owner of a 300k watch!!!

The Chiefs were/are the worst team in professional football. In fact, they were probably a lot worse than most local high school teams.

Still, take one look at Larry Johnson and it's clear to see that he isn't sweating his lack of success on the field last season.

This serial woman beater is in high style as of late. Check out Larry Johnson showing off a $300,000 watch to the Sporting News!!!

I guess the watch is worth it . . . LJ certainly couldn't spend the money on a decent performance in the clutch, a personality or cure to the curse of 400 carries.

Special thanks to N-dog who sent this my way!!!

Local scary, sad molestation case

Crime Scene KC has the details.

Cleaver as Clinton's #2?

Helling reports that Kansas City's former Mayor is touting himself as a vice prez . . . It's a bit easier to understand his support now considering how many of his constituents support Obama . . . Spare me your phony stats.

Best local bar tour

ScooterJ recently posted his tour of Kansas City bars and I'm thinking it should be some kind of Olympic event. Take a look at his marathon trek and your liver will thank you for not going.

Kansas City Fights FARC!!!

While the young woman featured above is kinda hot, the legacy of the Colombian group FARC is rather frightening.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People's Army (in Spanish Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo), also known by the acronym of FARC or FARC-EP is a self proclaimed Marxist-Leninist organization, although is considered as a terrorist group by more than 31 countries.

It was established in 1964 as the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party. While the FARC originated as a purely guerrilla movement, the group became involved with the illicit drug trade during the 1980s,[4] which caused an official separation from the Communist Party and the formation of a political structure it calls the Clandestine Colombian Communist Party.[citation needed] The FARC-EP still claims to be a guerrilla movement. With an estimated 16,000 members[5], the FARC-EP is present in 25-30 percent of Colombia's territory, most strongly in southeastern jungles and in plains at the base of the Andes mountains.

Proving that the local Internet is the premiere "place" for political organization . . . A local blogger is leading an area contingent of folks supporting an international struggle against a group of narco-terrorists who are known for terrorizing the Colombian people.

The effort is called "A MILLION VOICES AGAINST FARC" and they have a facebook listing as well.

Apparently, there's going to be a march in Kansas City as part of an International day of awareness to protest FARC.

JOIN ONE MILLION VOICES AGAINST FARC - Feb. 4th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain.

TKC Computer fix tip #8

The computer I primarily use for blogging is powered by a hamster running on a wheel and dreaming of a better day. Sadly, the internet is awash in nothing but viruses, tracking software and browser hijackers. Normally, I could care less and I'm horrible at computer maintenance but from time to time my computer (or rather, the hamster inside of it) starts coughing and has obviously become infected with some kind of Internety virus. Normally, I solve this problem with a baseball bat and a garbage bag but I'm thinking that better spyware software might also provide a solution.

I normally use the free version of Ad-Aware but I've been noticing that it's been wonky as of late . . . Nobody told me but they discontinued the old school version I was using and now require a mandatory upgrade for folks who want to receive updates to try and counter the new spyware and nasty stuff that's out there (a necessity).

Anyway, I picked up a free copyand it seems to be running okay (if not a little slow). This computer is still probably as dirty as the men's bathroom at Kelly's . . . Still, for now it's working okay or at least well enough to maintain this dump. Final note, advertisers are ruining the Internet.

Minorities in Kansas City Must Keep Quiet!!!

The reaction to recall petitioners yesterday once again clearly pointed out that Kansas City is a racist town and it's getting worse under Mayor Funkhouser's leadership or lack thereof.

Let's get it straight: Media people were justified in uncovering the background of petitioners. The info regarding voter registration was relevant and anybody who steps into the public forum has to be prepared to take criticism. The world is full of bitter, anonny talk radio callers and Internets commenters but even those d-bags serve to increase traffic and drive discussion.

What's more troubling is the vehement animosity toward any person of color willing to take a political stand in Kansas City.

White media watchers from across the metro and mostly in the suburbs throw preemptive accusations of "racism" in the direction of minorities opposed to Mayor Funky's policies in a desperate attempt to clear their own conscious and justify their constant attacks of people of color active in this town's political discourse.

Then there's the obligatory reference to minorities of different opinions. This schizophrenic mode of thinking both acknowledges and dismisses the topic of race in reference to any political issue . . . A proponent of this tactic decries "racist" motives of people of color with whom they disagree and then touts other voices from the minority community who share similar viewpoints with the majority; essentially this argument employs the same racially focused mode of thinking which it decries. This tactic is a staple of a hypocritical world view that really isn't interested in garnering any kind of real consensus or understanding on the the subject of race relations but merely wants to win a debate.

Yesterday, among the citizenry of this town outright slurs were hurled against the petitioners and constant mention of their race and supposed racist motives was encouraged by members of the media (talk radio mostly).

It is quite telling that supporters of Mayor Funkhouser have now openly begun courting the most reactionary and vicious elements in Kansas City's political sphere in order to attack their opposition. Put simply, Mayor Funkhouser is playing to the crowd who has consistently expressed their consistent opposition to both the Latino Community and the Black Community in Kansas City based on nothing more than the topic of race.

A wise person once said: "We are the company we keep" So far Mayor Funkhouser has had few minority leaders in his corner while he continues to surround himself with some of the most reactionary and right wing elements of Kansas City's discourse.

As always, anecdotal evidence abounds but Mayor Funky has openly admitted his strategy to cater to the Northland. In doing so the Mayor has missed an opportunity for real leadership. Rather than working to unite Kansas City, he has engaged in and encouraged some of the most racially divisive politics this cowtown has seen in years. His employment of conservative talk radio in his defense is a cynical and dangerous attempt to force mob rule from the outskirts of Kansas City given that his influence over the urban core and Midtown grows weaker every day.

The racially based attacks against Recall petitioners were a clear sign that Mayor Funkhouser is using the emotional and hot button topic to advance his agenda and save his neck.

What's clear is that Mayor Funkhouser is and has been using the race, class and economic differences in this community to his advantage but in the end this dangerous reliance on identity politics will only prove to be his downfall. At some point, his throng of supporters from the Great White North and the surrounding suburbs won't be there for him and he will have to face a great number of Kansas City residents whom he has treated like an enemy.

The Brooksider Bans Hip-Hop Attire

I was amused to see the new dress code regs at the Brooksider.

No baggy or saggy clothing
No bandanas or do-rags
Baseball hats are allowed, but no stickers or price tags can be showing
No men's tank tops, sleeveless shirts or white T-shirts
Untucked T-shirts cannot exceed arm's length
All necklaces must be tucked inside a shirt
No sports jerseys after 10 p.m.

On the surface this seems like a fair way to thwart knuckleheads who have been responsible for a plethora of police calls to the place (42 times in the last 6 months).

But c'mon . . . We all know who these regulations are aimed toward: Hardcore rappers!!!

Apparently, there is a overwhelming number of famous, cutting edge rappers at the Brooksider and they just had to keep them in line with some kind of regulation.

Eminem, Tupac's Ghost, DMX and that other fruit who recorded the porno song for young people to unknowingly repeat throughout the summer.

Anyhoo . . . I guess the Brooksider is just inundated with award winning "gangsta" (ugh) rappers and these new regulations will be applied equally to every patron of the bar in order to thwart the infestation of Grammy Award winning artists, right?

Because a middle-class white guy wearing a baggy sports jersey to a sports bar represents a clear and present danger to everyone in the immediate vicinity.

Unlucky: Day 13 and still no explanation of the missing 80k!!!

Damn, we're coming up on two weeks without an explanation of the missing 80k from Funkhouser's campaign funds.

That's not exactly the transparency the Mayor promised his constituents during the campaign. Luckily, the local media seem to have forgotten about the issue but local internet chatter, a few bloggers and TKC still pose the question.

It's not an accusation (yet) just a call for any kind of reasonable account as to where more than 25% of Mayor Funky's Campaign funds ran off to . . . So many are still waiting for what seems like a suspiciously long time.

DAY 13

The Kansas City School District and their African Drum Disaster!!!

Here's an exclusive, tasty TKC inside scoop (or something):

Recently an interesting budget item approved for Kansas City Public Schools was brought to my attention.

Remember - part of the reason the School Board booted/pressured Mr. Amato had to do with some of the pricey programs he installed.

Turns out that in his absence the District spent BIG BUCKS (thousands upon thousands) on just a few African drums.

Of course I'm familiar with the African-centered curriculum that has won such high praise from the media but hasn't really translated into better test scores or any quantifiable improvement in the District overall . . . Still, the big bucks spent on this endeavor seems kind of disconcerting.

Actually, the HUGE AMOUNT paid for a few drums brings back bad memories of Russian fencing coaches and useless Olympic sized swimming pools . . . Clearly, the District's appetite for luxury items hasn't changed much.

I'm sure they'll makes use of the SUPER EXPENSIVE DRUMS but when folks learn the amount we're talking about they might think twice . . . KC Schools haven't prepared their students for much but I hope that their idea of success is something more substantial than the d-bags who make a nuisance of themselves at the Loose Park Drum circle during the Summer.

Citadel Plaza: A Kansas City place so nice, developers get paid twice

Turns out "double dipping" is a much bigger deal than simply a freaky faux pas . . . Federal housing officials say it was “inappropriate” for a developer to be paid twice — with roughly $6 million in federal and city funds — for the same costs on the Citadel Plaza project.

KC Granny Gets Payback (non Semler)!!!

Kansas City grandmas stand up!!!

This town seems to be home to some of the toughest old broads in existence:

An 80-year-old woman lost her purse in a struggle with an armed robber, but she ended up with the attacker’s gun, and an 18-year-old suspect ended up in custody.

The robbery occurred Tuesday in the 4100 block of Scarritt Avenue in Kansas City when a man with a shotgun under his arm approached the victim on her porch. He grabbed the purse hanging from the woman’s shoulder, and got it away from her when the strap broke. But he dropped his gun, which the woman picked up. She threatened to shoot but didn’t.

While some may see this story as inspiring, it actually raises my fear level given that we now know that Kansas City area Grandma's have yet another weapon at their disposal other than guilt and passive aggressive personal insights.

Don't go digging up the past, baby

Johnson County grand jury seeks abortion recipients medical records

Everyone loves Obama until it's time to vote

Steve Penn writes the requisite accolades regarding Obama's Kansas City appearance. Typically, KC came out in full force for a guy they'd never vote for in much the same way that nowadays few people have anything bad to say about Alvin Brooks.

Prez Bush cares enough to send Kansas City the very best (I guess)

Bush will speak about the economy at Hallmark on Friday . . . Greeting card economic policy??? Hummm. That's a step up. I always thought Bush & Co came up with all policy decisions on the back of a matchbook.

Personally, I think it's all a big conspiracy and Hallmark cards will be used to deliver stimulus checks that come in for form of gift coupons that are only redeemable at casinos, liquor stores and shopping malls . . . You know, the places that drive the economy (other than hookers and drugs).

"Crutch Bandit" caught in Kansas City

A man suspected of using a crutch in a New Mexico bank robbery has been nabbed in Kansas City after surveillance video was posted on YouTube

The Star: The recall effort was sloppy

No argument here. Everyone's first try is always ugly.

KC's Friday wedge issue extravaganza!!!

This Friday Kansas City will see the face off between a couple of hundred Minutemen vs. a group of hippies & Anarchists leading the Latino Community . . . The smart money notices that neither group hosts many people who could readily be identified as "successful." I'll be in the basement if anybody needs me.

Bone Chilling

For the most part my eyes glaze over when I see Flickr camera nerds taking cutsy photos of Kansas City covered in snow.

However, a local Photog Blog has some exceptional shots of this town during the winter months.

My favorite shots feature Kansas City looking as ominous, unwelcoming and cold as this town has become toward concerns from the minority community.

Cool It Now

TKC is so damn tired of the cold. Still, it turns out we're not going to get as much snow as was earlier predicted.

Eternal winter in Kansas City . . . It's not that depressing if only everyone else wasn't so damn pleased with themselves for braving the 2 minute walk from their car to the mall or whatever.

Still, the chilly weather makes hard economic times seem that much harsher, which is kind of cold.

Nothing ever changes with the School District . . . Shady real estate deal just another sign that KC Schools are screwed

Nice to see that the School Board took little time to show all of Kansas City how desperate and sleazy the situation is in KC Schools.

The story of a questionable real estate deal is probably the most important topic this cowtown has to discuss in regard to one of KC's biggest embarrassments . . . Our schools.

Crime Scene KC has the details that should remind everyone to abandon all hope if nothing else.

Big questions about school sale from Fox 4 . . . Specifically, the old Faxon School at 37th and Paseo in the Kansas City School District. The station says the district accepted a bid of $76K for the building, even though it was offered much more by other bidders -- as much as $200K, the station reports.

Nice. At least somebody is getting a bargain when it comes to education in Kansas City.

Even worse, the details about the folks involved with the deal and their connection to KC School Board members make this story a precursor to a lot more ugly accusations and bad publicity for Kansas City Schools . . . Maybe Amato was lucky he was forced out.

In all the confusion I didn't forget about the missing 80k, did you?

Still no easily understandable, transparent explanation about Funkhouser's missing 80k in campaign funds . . .

Day 12

DeAnn Smith clearly has a crush on TKC, does damage control for Mayor Funky and just might be delusional

I'm glad somebody likes to listen to me on the radio . . . Normally the only feedback I get is from d-bags who read this blog constantly and then call me a racist.

Note: White people calling me racist make me laugh and brightens my day.

Anyhoo, just when TKC thought he didn't really have any fans I notice that DeAnn Smith put together a nice post that referenced my appearance on KMBZ and a funny comment by one of the hosts, EJ.

This is encouraging, most female reporters find TKC repulsive but if I can garner favor with DeAnn that means I might not have to pay for the dead tree edition delivered to my basement door or maybe those dumbass Star salesmen will stop calling me when I'm trying to watch Oprah.

EVEN BETTER, turns out DeAnn is losing her mind as she writes a quick post today about Funkhouser, MLK and their "mutual stubborn streak." It's not a comparison but more of an allusion in much the same what that I could compare myself to Tom Brady given that we both enjoy breathing oxygen.

Still, it's well know that TKC has a penchant for white women losing their mind. I know this broad is always in search of the scoop so I need to somehow convince her that there is relevant and controversial info in my underwear . . . Which I haven't changed for three days.

So, DeAnn . . . Take those glasses off, forget that brunettes are neither inherently smarter nor feisty and let me show you how riding the Mayor's political corpse is really accomplished . . . This way, slower, no teeth and don't forget that the Mayor's stupid quotes are even better when they are challenged.

The End of a Kansas City Ice Age

Lee was formerly a local blogger but today he comes back to Kansas City for just a bit to bring some bad news for those of us who care about this town's history.

Lee documents the demise of the American Ice building nicely:

The American Ice building hasn't held any actual ice for many years. Word has it barbecue baron Ollie Gates who owns the land has plans for commercial development in the area . . . The American Ice building was also reminder of the turn-of-the-20th, corrupt-expansive, meat-packing-City-Beautiful Kansas City that has been slowly crumbling away, as these things often do, especially in a city as demolition-happy as is the City of Fountains.

Kinda sad and makes me fret that the condo boom couldn't actually save something worthwhile . . . Still, there's a lot of great photos to enjoy while a remembering a time when even the warehouses in this town looked a lot better than prefab parking structures.

Covering Kansas City is dangerous

KSHB photojournalist hit by car

"Racist or Sexist?"

Choices for the Dems now that Edwards is out: Stuck between a rock and a hard on . . . Hillary is the hard on. Local blogger Nicky D. files a fantastic post regarding who will serve the same cup of soup.

More on the meatless blogger

Shane's quest to go without meat continues (No Homo) we wish the guy luck and hope that one of these days TKC finds enough spare change to add a bottle of BBQ sauce to his purchase of a cow for 3rd world po'folk.

It was fun while it lasted!!!

A few of the recall folks may not be registered to vote in KC proper. The petitioners promise to refile if the thing is rejected . . . I think they should use TKC's list of Mayor Funky's faults for their affidavit. Reason #11: City Hall is a place to wear shoes!!!

Funkhouser couldn't care less about Recall: Top 10 reasons to sign the petition

I'm kind of disappointed that Mayor Funky refuses to listen to his own constituents and stubbornly promises to stay on the same path.

Even worse, a recent headline says that he's not taking the effort to recall him seriously:

Funkhouser: 'I am not worried about being recalled'

The reasons for the recall according to the petitioners:

Breached the public’s trust by attempting to terminate Cauthen without the council’s support, violating the city charter.

Cost the city millions through the loss of the two national conventions that pulled out to protest the park board appointment of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps member Frances Semler, who resigned last week.

Is committing nepotism by allowing his wife, Gloria Squitiro, to volunteer as a personal assistant. The affidavit cites Squitiro allegedly calling an African-American employee, “Mammy.”

Has failed to deliver on promises to revitalize the inner city.

That's great. It's interesting to note that Mayor Funky could challenge the recall effort in court even if the group gets the petitions. Furthermore the crowd the folks who didn't win the blessing of The Star for their run for Mayor now have a chance to get in on the action:

If enough signatures are obtained, then the council would have to call an election for June or August and candidates would have the opportunity to file to appear on the same ballot to replace Funkhouser.

Nice.

And while I expect a few silly posts and columns filled with righteous indignation in defense of the dude . . . Today, TKC is offering the top 10 reasons to sign the petition.

1. C'mon, Kansas City doesn't need a Co-Mayor.

2. 3 more years of bare feet in City Hall? No thanks.

3. Anybody seen that 80k?

4. It'll make Joe Miller's next book way more interesting and probably a lot less complimentary of Black people.

5. What would Jesus Do? He probably wouldn't endorse a neo-pagan or whatever strange tarot card inspired faith Squitiro practices. TKC doesn't want to hear any complaints by people citing religious intolerance who also haven't hugged a Muslim today.

6. Not every white person in Kansas City lives in the Northland and hates minorities. In fact, this doesn't even describe most of the Northland.

7. Kansas City deserves a Mayor whose crowning achievement in politics isn't the fact that he's tall. Richard Berkly is 5 foot nothing but he was the best Mayor Kansas City had in the modern era . . . Tall people as leaders are overrated.

8. It's actually going to take 17,000 people to convince this stubborn man he's on the wrong track.



9. A recall is a completely sanctioned Democratic practice of representative government. It's not outside of the system or some revolutionary method . . . A RECALL IS PART OF KANSAS CITY'S DEMOCRACY!!! Scammers on the other side want to decry the right of frustrated people to use the completely sanctioned practices guaranteed to them; the employment of this argument in order to thwart recall is reason enough to sign the petition.

10. Let's keep racial slurs where they belong . . . Muttered privately in Brookside and in Johnson County suburbs.

Worst case scenario, the petition drive doesn't go through and Mayor Funkhouser joins the esteemed Saundra McFadden-Weaver who also beat a recall effort. There's always good company to find in OneKC.

Links unrelated to the Funky Recall

C'mon, there are lots of things unrelated to the current political unpleasantness (I think).

#2 is the fact that (thankfully) Mangino is still alive: Governor announces 8 Wonders of Kansas

Kansas City crooks come prepared, a local purse robbery far too scary to mention the word overkill: Police arrested a man Tuesday after he allegedly used a shotgun to rob an 80-year-old woman on her back porch.

Few willing to fight for Kansas City School: Only one KC school board seat is contested for April election

Local Republican reaction: McCain Wins Florida--Life Sucks!!

Yet another sign that Bannister is doomed: Tolbert Basically Admits to Not Having Signatures

Reaction to the controversial resignations of last week on KC Currents: Reactions to Parks Board Resignation and Reactions to KCMO Schools Superintendent’s Departure

Money line from the X-man about a pretty amazing dream team ticket that might not ever happen: We need all three of them, Obama, Sebelius and Richardson all out there as a team talking to voters for the next year explaining how they can put America back together, bring republicans and democrats together, and put our international relationships back together.

RDM starts the "Save the Funk" Coalition!!! Really!

Who said the Northland doesn't have a heart?: Northland Man First In US To Use Experimental Pacemaker

At the time this seemed important: Gas leak sparks evacuations in Olathe

He must be hungry for another pricey local biscuit: President Bush to visit KC Friday

Group wants police officers firings upheld

Celebrating something other than the racial divisions up North: The Northland Fountain, at Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway, will turn 25 this year.

Task force kills Northeast light rail

Danny Cox fund raising recap

Justus and Equal Rights (for broads)

The latest communiqué from Senator Jolie Justus: "Yesterday I filed a concurrent resolution calling for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution."

Very nice, almost as liberating as women willing to forgo bras and panties, which is also nice and much more productive.

Karma in Kansas City

Kansas City is quickly learning a lesson in Karma; no, not the crappy Westport Club . . . But the fact that what goes around comes around and the consequence of ignoring the Golden Rule that the big JC referred to right before he broke into a hippie song and dance number if "Jesus Christ Superstar" informed me correctly.

Anyhoo, I was thinking that this recall effort is led by a group of professional Black women. They don't have a lot of political experience but I've heard about a few of them and they seem decent, well educated and all of them hold better jobs than TKC.

In the Kansas City area, Black women have been unfairly given a lot of hassle as of late. Sophia Salva was pregnant and bleeding but police officers refused her right to get medical treatment. A KC Principal was also pregnant when she was forced to the ground by Independence officers on the side of the road. And let's not forget that the Mayor's wife is accused of repeatedly using racial slurs against a City Hall employee.

So, it's more than poetic justice that a group of African-American women are the ones to lead Kansas City out of one of the most racially divisive and contentious eras of Kansas City politics.

More power to them.



I haven't been as big of a fan of Black women since back in high school when the broads from En Vogue still looked good in mini-skirts.

Remember way back when Mayor Funky used to like "regular folks?"

I notice the typical politics of personal destruction starting to creep up against the folks who are behind the Recall Effort . . . But luckily The KC Blue Blog puts things in a much better perspective:

It's always good to see normal everyday Kansas Citians, like those that filed the affidavit, getting involved in the political process.

A City that works? Not exactly, not yet but it's nice to see that once again Mayor Funky has inadvertently achieved his goal of getting "regular folks" involved in KC.

All of the gossip from the Obama Rally that the media in Kansas City won't report

Here's something they don't like telling j-school students: The future of digital news gathering is mostly reliant on cell phone cameras.

The recent Kansas City Obama Rally was the biggest sign of this fact . . .

This cowtown came out in full force for Obama, a recent vid from the crowd shows throngs of cheering and screaming fans WAITING OUTSIDE IN THE COLD for the guy. The clip captures grainy footage but it's interesting to note no less than a half dozen cell cams in the shot.



Next up . . . It's nice to see some people in Kansas City coming up with a pretty clever way to mock the Phelps Clan. The counter demonstration against these wackos out to push their insane agenda at the Obama rally in KC is somewhat amusing and almost as effective as simply ignoring them.



Finally and most importantly, a great local blogger Dh5 lets us know that Democrat disrespect for Mayor Funkhouser is at an all time high.

Funk had to stand on the floor next to the stage (and wasn't even mentioned) while Alvin Brooks was on stage directly behind Obama.

A special thanks for this on the scene reporting that no other media outlet noticed or bothered to broadcast. Nice to see that local bloggers provided coverage of the event that was every bit as insightful as what the local media offered.



UPDATE: RDM confirms it!!! Meet Mayor No Friends!!! What was the dude saying about getting regional light rail, when he can't even get a good seat on a stage!!!

Mission Accomplished Mayor Funkhouser

There will be a lot of theories about the current Recall Effort underway in Kansas City . . .

I'd like to propose one . . . It was the Mayor's own arrogance that created the situation.

Allow me to quote a column in the Kansas City Star dated January 17, 2008 written by Mike "My Gosh you have a wonderful prostate Mr. Mayor" Hendricks:

Funkhouser concedes that the job of doing all this would be easier if the Semler mess would go away.

“But it doesn’t keep me from doing it,” he said.

Neither is he especially worried about future distractions, such as a rumored recall campaign.

“Bring it on,” he said.

There ya go.

When President Bush spoke these words, the U.S. had just been attacked, he was Commander in Chief over the most powerful army in the world and his approval rating was the highest of any President since the salad days of Reagan.

Mayor Funky won by less than 900 votes and his time in office has seen one horrible public relations disaster after the next. His major accomplishment so far has been a flip-flop on a Super TIF that so many have tried to spin - On the campaign trail Mayor Funky railed against TIF but as Mayor he simply wanted to get Kansas City "a better deal" . . . Not exactly inspiring considering the it once again helps the Billionaire Hunt Family and a team always at the lower end of attendance ranking in the MLS.

Anyhoo, in this instance the Mayor got what he asked for . . . His indignant pose is disingenuous considering that he, literally, brought this on himself.

TKC on the radio at a new time

Hey folks, for those of you up in the A.M. who like to listen to local blog talk . . . Check out TKC's new appearance time on KC's Morning News.

This morning I'll be talking with EJ and Ellen at around 8:35 and noting local blogs. I assume the name Funkhouser might come up as well but no guarantees.

Anyway, for the latest on what's happening with the local blogosphere check out KMBZ News Radio 980 and feel free to send TKC a shout about what you're up to on the local Internets as well . . . Other than porn, of course.

RECALL THE FUNK!!!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO A TIPSTER WHO SENT THIS MY WAY!!!

The recall effort is real and it has nothing to do with the Internets except that Kansas City online forums were the first place where frustration with the Mayor Funkhouser arose.

I'm sure Funkhouser's latest response will be a lot more cleaned up than his first reaction.

In a Mike Hendricks column, the same one that pissed off Semler, Funkhouser was quoted as saying "Bring it on" to recall efforts . . . I wonder if he will change his tune now that the prospect is real.

Also, can somebody get me one of the petitions? I want to sign, it would be a nice way to start the day since I just woke up.



Update: Here's the link from Prime Buzz for the details.

One of the most important issues I think the recall addresses is nepotism - A constant complaint from even the Mayor's close supporters which he has stubbornly ignored.

Where do I sign? And TKC would love to get some signatures as well. I doubt the blogosphere will have a big role in this since most local bloggers live in Johnson County and KC suburbs.

More local news outlets on the Recall which include Mayor Funky's statement this afternoon:

Affidavit filed to recall Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Effort Launched To Recall KC Mayor

Residents Seek Recall Of Kansas City Mayor

Recall effort against Funkhouser begins

Damn, Democracy is awesome!!!

Show Me a Shameful Slaughter: More African-Americans are Killed in Missouri per capita, than any other state!!!

TKC and so many other smarter and more important people have raised this issue time and again and so often, in return there's nothing but reactionary, racist and over simplified criticism of the communities affected in return.

Still, it's worth it to keep on mentioning the ongoing violence in Missouri's Black Communities despite the fact it's an issue that never seems to be on the mind of politicos or on the agenda in the news media.

Here are some frightening stats from a stellar report by Cynthia Newsome:

Missouri is leading the nation, but not in a good way. A new report from the Violence Policy Center shows more African-Americans are killed in Missouri per capita, than any other state.

Missouri’s rate is nearly 33 per 1,000 people. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin finished second and third.

In 2005, there were 127 homicide victims in Kansas City. 86 of those were African-American. In 2006, there were 115 homicides, with 94 of the victims were black. In 2007, out of 94 homicide victims, 64 were African-American. And, so far this year, out of 9 homicides, 7 victims were black.

Again, this issue isn't about identity politics . . . It's nothing less than a crisis in Kansas City and across that state that's being ignored in favor of MWWS, lies from politicos and sports scores. In any other area code, the National Guard is shipped in the face of these numbers. Sadly, neither a blog post nor accusatory reactions will fix this long neglected crisis.

Obama in KC on the web

Every news station in Kansas City covered it . . . Thankfully, FOX 4 was the only station smart enough to put video directly on the web and pretty easy to access.

Local NAACP stands up for the rights of unborn babies and Black women

Crime Scene KC reports . . . Local NAACP: Don't reinstate cops in Salva case

Nobody liked Sebelius

Neither side of the aisle liked what they heard last night . . .

From Stay Red Kansas: Kathleen Blows Golden Opportunity

From The Pitch: Sebelius Blows Nationwide Exposure with Her Uptight Ways

Still, I'm glad to see that nothing much has changed in politics or personal relations as Sebelius is yet another white woman saying she's in love with Obama. Nice.

Local Ad Folk as Stormtroopers

The comparison is actually pretty apt . . . However, one of the best ad broads in the City posts some gully photos that make me want to curtail my "KC Ad folk are evil" rant.

All of Kansas City is excited to learn that the Co-Mayor is (slowly) coming up with an explanation for the missing 80k!!!

Put simply, Gloria Squitiro . . . The Co-Mayor of Kansas City is working on getting the campaign finance records for the Funkhouser Administration in order.

Gloria Squitiro, the mayor's wife and current campaign treasurer, has promised to correct the campaign's poor bookkeeping. A volunteer accountant has been poring over campaign records and resubmitting reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

So far, he's filed four amended reports but should have at least three more to file.

This should be interesting and hilarious . . . I know I'm anxious to see some inexplicable receipts on this one since Chiefs tickets and Iphones were the last couple of items that seemed out of place for "a City that works."

Sad that the books of A FORMER CITY AUDITOR are so out of whack that a simple explanation wasn't available in less than 2 weeks time . . . In fact, this recent report (press release) from the Star doesn't really count as an explanation and certainly isn't a transparent communication for "regular folks."

Therefore the countdown continues . . . Just because they said the word "accountant" doesn't really matter. So far, we're on:

Day 11

Still, it's sad to see that the TV news really hasn't picked up on this story. 80k worth of missing cash makes for pretty dramatic questions and insinuations. However, Mayor Funky's lack of communication on the subject might be a problem for camera crews.

As of now there's still no clear resolution to the discrepancy . . . With this latest missive I doubt there will be any kind of substantial answer to a simple question by the end of the week:

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 80K, GLORIA?

Opposition to Wal-Mart: One more thing Gloria Squitiro doesn't understand

A Missouri blogger takes apart Kansas City's Co-Mayor in regard to recent talk regarding a Wal-Mart in the urban core . . . Money line: "Gloria thinks the reason progressives oppose Wal-Mart is because of TIFs. She couldn't be further from the mark. Progressives don't like Wal-Mart because we want our fellow citizens to have access to jobs that pay a living wage and benefits."

An important question regarding Kansas City schools asked 10 years too late

Can the Kansas City Schools be saved?

One more Latino taking yer job

Coalition says Hispanic former Deputy Police Chief Vince Ortega should replace Semler

Much more important than anything happening in Kansas City

The latest episode of Yacht Rock was released yesterday . . . The Story of Kenny Loggins writing Footloose.

Keep the fire.

Start snitchin' AND slashing

At an area Quick trip customer followed a robbery suspect to his getaway car about a block away. As the suspect started the vehicle, the customer slashed both tires on the passenger side.

Because Bureaucrats will win the drug war!

Director and new commission will be created for Jackson County's COMBAT anti-drug program. And let's not forget that Jackson County will soon have a part-time judge appointed to hear violations of ordinances in unincorporated parts of the county . . . And all of this might actually create a 10 minute delay in the availability of Meth.

Buses are the better option for mass transit in Kansas City and not just because they take more people out of the way of my car

For only the third time since 1993, riders boarded Kansas City buses at least 15 million times in 2007.

Missouri Dems ready to inform everyone that Obama isn't a Muslim

The Missouri Democrats who support Barack Obama are starting a "truth squad" to stop any attacks on their candidate.

Once again attention paid to cyclists represents political failure and wasted time

Great analysis from Fired Up! Missouri: With unemployment soaring, why is Kinder diverting job creation money to bike race debt?

Yep, I couldn't agree more . . . Local cycling efforts are usually a disaster and politicos who pay attention to this cabal of hobbyists clearly have trouble setting priorities.

Limitless possibilities in the Golden Ghetto (for drunks)

Johnson County Man Arrested For Fourth DUI

Local bloggers can eat it

Local blogger Pom is pleading with people to join Yelp - Some kind of food reviewing site.

I'm not really that curious as to what local bloggers are putting in their mouth (ew) . . . However, new foodie trends are important in tracking the progress of the local Internet.

Also I've worked out an equation regarding restaurant reviews:

Tattooed server + pricey = Excellent

Tattooed server + affordable = Corporate Swill

Mexicans in the kitchen = Everywhere

I might sign up for the thing as well if only I ate something other than Fast Food and/or snack cakes.

State of the Union from Kansas City

Lots of bloggers did a lot of writing about what was said last night . . . Sadly, I didn't listen very closely but I heard it had something to do with the failing economy, which The Star says is just fine.

Anyhoo, here are some of the best links I could find:

state of the union

State of the Union pre-blogging

Sebelius was so excited to deliver the address is very simple - she wants to live in Washington sooner rather than later

"Of course, our President is my first disappointment this evening."

Stand up...Sit down...

I Adore President George W. Bush!

Tony Gonzalez: Homo?

Lots of bloggers are noting a recent report the Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is a vegan.

I'm sure it's a healthier diet choice and not the ghey in the least (I think) but since we're examining the guy's lifestyle choices lets look at his career: An obviously talented athlete pretty much wasted his playing days with a team that never had a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. I'm sure the Pro Bowl is nice but it's probably not as good as even one playoff victory.

In the end, he squandered his career and there will always be a questions as to how good he really was given that other players without his astonishing numbers are much more celebrated because of their help in the effort to win big games . . . Something Gonzalez has never done.

So, given that he is the centerpiece of the worst team in the NFL, is without any major post season wins, and undoubtedly on the downward slope of his career . . . Is his choice to become a vegan a testament to the health benefits of the diet or just another one of his questionable decisions? I'm sure that a super Bowl winner who ate Fast Food would be preferable to a loser enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

"Just Win, Baby!" - Al Davis.

Change Up

So I hear that the weather is going to change, there's a cold front (or something) headed this way.

Given that we only got a couple days of sunshine after a few weeks of Kansas City as Ice Planet Hoth . . . That makes me just a little angry. Almost as angry as the fact that Gary Lezak calls the people who comment on his blog . . . Bloggers. The preferred nomenclature is d-bags and/or dumbasses.

Still, I don't go outside anyway so it's not like the weather matters to me. It's always 68 degrees and dank here in my mom's basement . . . The winters are remarkably mild and I'm always prepared during Springtime tornado season when local weather people really earn their keep.

And speaking of cold . . . Check out "The Last Time" if you haven't seen it already. It's a bit schlocky but the look into the sad, sad world of sales is refreshing along with the story of a downwardly spiraling company . . . It seemed apropos given the recent mass layoffs in Kansas City and more on the way.

Kansas City's Little Prince Attacks TKC!!!

Awhile ago during Mayor Funky's Prostate exam X-mas letter fiasco a local Internet denizen let me know that Andrew Squitiro was talking smack about TKC.

I decided to let it go because I wasn't sure about the validity of the claim and fretting over young dudes is for the d-bags at The Pitch. However, checking the blogger ID of the young doofus who recently sent me a nasty digital note, it's obviously him or somebody hijacking his current photos and willful ignorance about the reality of his dad's tenuous reign as Mayor of Kansas City.

Sadly, it turns out that the Funkhouser/Squitiro clan are just as awful as they seem and they can't deal with any form of dissent even when it comes from a satirical blog.

Bigfoot Gloria uses racial slurs and Tara the Tart prances around City Hall wasting everyone's time . . . Now Kansas City has to deal with "Little Prince Squitiro" upset because somebody had the audacity to question his old man. I had hoped to give the kid a pass, but he's an adult and in a school much better than any I even went to, so he should have known better . . . If he's gonna talk trash to TKC, he'll now learn that this fully armed and operational battle station blog strikes back.

Here's what I found in TKC comments among a few great insights and mostly unreadable crap by people who have an even worse grasp of spell check than me:



Here's my response:

Young Andrew, PLEASE don't make me (metaphorically) smack you in public.

So far you've been given a pass from TKC because you're young, dumb and in college.

I know you're whole family has a problem keeping their mouth shut (mine does too) but since you're benefiting from white privilege, your Dad's new job courtesy of Yael Abouhalkah & The Star and a new book contract for Mayor Funky you might just want to keep your thoughts on the down low and concentrate on your studies.

One last thing . . . I don't feel out of line writing this since my Mom is often a topic of discussion on this blog . . . But please tell your mom to put on her damn shoes when she's at City Hall!!!

One more last thing . . . Since you're defending Mom and Dad. By any chance did they tell you where the MISSING 80K in campaign funds went?

Fact: Kansas City can never have enough Latino Influence

After Minutewoman Semler threw a hissy fit and publicly embarrassed the Mayor it's clear that appointing any member of the Minutemen to a position of responsibility is a bad idea given that they seem unstable. Note: The sordid personal life of Minutemen leader Chris Simcox along with his 2003 Federal Gun Conviction is evidence enough of that . . .

But Kansas City still needs to move forward . . . That's why the best way for the Mayor to do this it to appoint ANOTHER Latino to the Parks Board.

Local Latino leaders made their suggestion today.

A group of Kansas City civil rights leaders said today they hope Mayor Mark Funkhouser appoints retired Deputy Police Chief Vince Ortega to replace Frances Semler on the park board.

Mayor Funky said he's looking for a Northlander, Ortega lives up North. He's obviously pretty qualified and as a former cop it's pretty hard for reactionary anti-Latino forces to claim that the guy isn't all about law and order.

We'll see what the Mayor does . . . Personally, I'm still more interested in what his campaign did with the missing 80k.

How to Pee in Kansas City

Forget urban exploring, the Internet Celebrities Dallas and Rafi have offered a guide on how to get some relief in the big city . . . This info is applicable anywhere given that most public telephone booths are now used as toilets.

Tolbert Changing Tactics (a bit)

The KC Biz Journal reports that Richard Tolbert said the Save Bannister Group's new initiative will seek to give the group title to the south Kansas City mall and tax increment financing.

Historic, epic failure of the Kansas City School District in perspective

A National Review article makes a lot of dumb conclusions about Obama but buried inside the article is a nice insight about the KC School District, the only thing worth mentioning about the piece: The theory that spending a ton of money gets you "good schools" was tested to destruction in Kansas City, 1985-97. All that KC got out of it was the most bloated and corrupt educational bureaucracy since Imperial China's (and increased dropout rates to boot!

Obama Girls Abound in KC

Okay the "Obama Girl" thing seemed kind of fake to me but the unbridled affection so many people show the guy is strange for a politico.

Still, it makes sense in Kansas City where even a modicum of celebrity elicits public adoration and the illusion of accomplishment - Yes, I have an autograph from Cheeseburger Jerry as well, it cost me 75 cents.



Anyhoo, there are so many Obama mentions today in the local blogosphere that I'd be remiss if I didn't link a couple:

Obama Mania Coming to KC

Barack Coming to KC

And I mean, c'mon . . . If Ted Kennedy says that I should vote for the guy then I guess I don't really have a choice.

I'll probably vote for him based solely on the fact that he's a Black guy and that's the way that so many (most) white people choose their political allegiances in this town given that Mayor Funky had NO EXPERIENCE (and it shows) when he ran against Alvin Brooks, a fixture in the KC political scene and anti-crime efforts for decades.

Anyhoo, for the moment a lot of people in Kansas City are excited about the Obama visit and I can't say that I blame them . . . Like it or not, he's a lot more inspiring than the other choices and even if that's an affectation is still beats the pose struck by the other candidates. It's like a Stephen King movie only without all of the plot holes!!

Still, Obama gets my vote out of spite . . . But I don't think that counts as an endorsement.

Double Bonus and I'm surprised I haven't mentioned this yet. Obama's campaign slogan "Yes, we can."

That's dam close to the "Si, Se Puede" Others have noted this but folks in Kansas City are usually so ignorant of Latino culture I assume that it went over most people's heads.

KC bloggers consider the missing 80k

The KC Blue blog offers a great post on the subject, a lot of foot references included for your reading pleasure.

Stealing from Jackson County (not the Chiefs for a change)

A former Jackson County court employee has plead guilty to charges of stealing computer equipment and other stuff from the county.

Abandoning Ship at The Star

I celebrate most bad news I read about The Star but for the record I'll note that anyone who uses the phrase "The Falling Star" isn't creative, clever and probably needs a refresher course in basic astronomy. Falling stars (meteoroids entering the Earth's atmosphere) are beautiful and some people even make a wish on them . . . Whereas the downfall of print media is just another ugly corporate consequence of an outdated industry failing to adapt to the digital age and going the way of buggy whip companies.

Why can't Cleaver just support Obama?

Here's my top political question of the morning:

Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver was Kansas City's first Black Mayor. He led the City through one of its most violent eras and as he left office crime actually dropped. During his two terms, minority representation and power in City Hall skyrocketed. I've always been especially pleased that Cleaver has been a friend and advocate to the Latino Community:

So why is the guy supporting some old white lady instead of Obama?

Now all my Democrat hating JoCo readers feel free to weigh in on this one without any real knowledge of the situation but people in the know have been sending me e-mails for a week begging me to tackle this subject.

I have heard the cries of my people. But all I have to offer is disgust and one observation . . .

The answer is: This isn't about qualifications, it's about nasty Democrat Party Politics.

Some would say The Hillary vs. Obama fight is a Status quo vs. Progressive debate but that's a tad too optimistic for my taste.

It's simply a case of one set of connections vs. the other and typically the Kansas City part of this story is especially convoluted. It seems that Cleaver is a member of the Clinton crew and somehow he must owe the former Prez and his old lady some kind of favor . . . Maybe they invited him to lunch and gave him one of the those coveted "get out of jail free cards" that all high ranking D.C. politicos covet - Shout Out to Gary Condit!!!

But in the end Cleaver backing Hillary just looks ridiculous as long as Obama has a shot. So many of Cleaver's constituents are saying the same thing if anybody bothered to ask them.

And yet again the topic of race comes in to play . . . Sadly, Latinos seem to favor Hillary not only because we all love white women but also because in Spanish a lot of us embarrassingly offer our observations about a Black guy in the White House.

And I don't want to hear crap about how Hillary is more qualified to serve as President and that's why Cleaver is supporting her . . . I think everyone can agree that neither one of these douchey politicos is qualified to lead the way out of a wet paper bag . . . And the only reason I'll vote for one of them is because Mitt Romney wants to deport me after I'm done cleaning his lawn.

Anyhoo, I just thought I'd quickly discuss this silly display of party/faction loyalty that makes absolutely no sense and makes Kansas City's most recognizable Black leader seem like an embarrassing Morgan Freeman character in b-movie . . . Luckily, soon the point will be moot and we'll only have two choices as to which professional liar will be next in line to serve the same bowl of soup.

A nice shot of the stacks

Waldo Oiseau at her local library . . . A nice photo and comforting proof that places like that aren't just for homeless people.

Home invasion: The Kansas City Welcoming Committee

Gunmen invade Kansas City home

Do we learn where the 80k went this week?

DAY 10

Still not a word but assurances from the Funkhouser Administration regarding $80,000 missing from their campaign funds.

I'd imagine there would have to be some kind of explanation this week.

Maybe not. Maybe this is a city that can work without accounting for close to 25% of the Mayor's campaign funds gone missing.

Sadly, keeping Kansas City in the dark FOR TEN DAYS doesn't seem to live up to the promises of transparency and accountability that Mayor Funky campaigned on . . . Never mind the fact that it looks really bad for a former auditor to have such screwed up books.

I guess the missing 80k isn't a matter of "principle" for our Mayor.

Still, there are A LOT of people who are wondering where it went and only repeated questions all over the local Internet have been providing evidence of the concern since the media has stopped reporting on the matter almost completely.

TKC will keep asking as long as humanly possible until Mayor Funky offers some reasonable explanation that goes beyond taking the word of his wife, chief political adviser and campaign treasurer.

Better billing is about as close as Kansas City comes to fixing longstanding water infrastructure problems

Kansas City home owners who don't get their water meter updated will be hung out to dry.

The Sebelius Family board game: "Don't drop the soap"

Crime Scene KC has all the detail about a bawdy game developed by the son of the Kansas Lady Gov . . . Whereas I'm just glad to see that TKC isn't the only political family embarrassment out there, just the best.

Questions about Kline's Cash

Ethics commission looking at $5,000 Kline spent

The Monday Ketchup: Tasty KC links

One Jackson County hole to worry about despite the end of the Shield's era: Dispute over pit in Jackson County park still not settled. That was mean, sorry.

Warning . . . A Tax Rebate Scam that doesn't originate from The Bush Administration. FBI Warns of Tax Rebate Scam.

KC Topic for discussion: How can we most effectively hand over the presidential elections to the Republicans . . . Obama To Hold Town Hall Meeting In KC

Show me decrepit politicos: McCain, Clinton tops in Mo. in latest poll

Kansas City renters don't escape housing crisis crunch

TV show helps Kansas native drop 150 pounds . . . I know watching The View Makes me lose my appetite.

We're not all Meth and Mullets!!! Independence businesses fight recent headlines

Pondering more senseless murder in Kansas City: Two more people charged in connection with KC murder

Let's see, how could we increase bankruptcies in WyCo: Sands submits revamped casino plan

Politicos planning on ruining dinner of a citizenry that mostly doesn't vote: Dems get organized (with phone banks) as caucus nears

Another wild weekend in Northeast

Four street robberies reported in Northeast area

Get Blotto with Jared Allen on the Blvd!!!

Jared Allen is opening up a Sports Bar on Southwest Blvd. There aren't nearly as many checkpoints in the urban core. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Buy TKC a Funky Breakfast

I recently stumbled across an interesting item:

KCPT is auctioning off breakfast with Mayor Funkhouser.

And since I'm the greatest, most relentless and gully of all the Mayor's critics I think it would only be appropriate if one of the rich d-bags in this town won the action and gave the prize to TKC in order to benefit the entire City.

I'm sure our early morning conversation would be interesting.

I'd ask him how he slept and and if Gloria's feet haunt his dreams.

I'd ask him to pass the coffee and then account for the missing 80k.

Maybe I'd order the "Moons over My Hammy" and then tell him I said "Hammy" not "Mammy" . . .

The possibilities are endless and so far the bidding is only up to $130.

So give a gift to all of Kansas City and help to arrange a meeting with the Mayor that doesn't include an excruciating amount of ass kissing.

Breakfast with TKC is an option that most sensible women don't want to contemplate but forcing the mayor to share his morning meal with TKC could be one of the greatest insults directed at the guy since somebody listed a Bigfoot sighting in Brookside.

Let's put the past behind us

Lots of talk about bygone politicos over the weekend.

TKC isn't interested in the past, I'm all about the new.

Still, a photo set of hot ass actress/model April Scott featured on The Bastardly.com recently caught me eye.

Scott is a Missouri native and apparently she's kinda smart. She was the valedictorian at the College of the Ozarks and like everybody with any real ambition, she quickly moved from the Midwest upon completion of her education. Now she's doing amazing things with her life like posing for Maxim and staring in that direct to DVD release of The Dukes of Hazzard.

Show Me Big Dreams!!!

The TKC Saturday Night Podcast: Kansas City's Week of the Quitters!!!

It's hard to take a stand for something. I know.

My relentless pursuit of white women has often left me broke, sad, fearful of a restraining order and utterly unfulfilled. But yet I press on . . . Sadly, not everybody has my stamina or stupid self-confidence.

This week will go down in Kansas City history as a time when formerly strident area politicos got tired of the grind and gave up their principled stand.



The meltdown of the week belonged to Frances Semler. Her crazy, bitter, mean and spiteful resignation letter made news across the nation. In the end she didn't have courage of her convictions and she proved that her main loyalty was to a group of extremists and not the residents of Kansas City. TKC wishes her well with whatever endeavor she takes on in the future, but I'm glad she's gone from the Parks Board.



Blunt said bye-bye on Youtube. For once he realized that the Internets isn't a completely conservative-free zone even if it seems like it on most days. I don't think we've heard the end of this guy and he may run for some other office someday. Luckily, there was just no getting around his horrible record of failure in leading the state. Jay Nixon wins Gov. hands down, Blunt's replacement candidates have even worse records than the boy Gov only without as much name recognition or connections.



Kansas City School Superintendent Anthony Amato said adios under pressure from the worst school board in America. I was always disappointed he didn't really reach out to Latino leaders in order to back his Administration. Nevertheless, his departure signals an absolute absence of hope for Kansas City public schools. There was a modicum of slow progress under his tenure and now few want to waste the time with a district that has seen nothing but failure since the late 1960's



Still, it's important not to linger in failure and loss. The racially divisive atmosphere in local politics as of late is hard for anyone to endure for too long . . . Sadly, it's easer to call it quits than rise above it. Anyhoo, it's sunny outside right now and there is always hope or white women to gawk at . . . Always acknowledge a loss but never linger in self pity or else you're no better than the average blogger.

Therefore tonight's podcast is dedicated to quitters, losing and redemption.

Thank you for reading this week folks.

Have a safe and fun weekend.

TKC : The Comic Strip

Thanks a lot d-bags. Nobody told me I was in the Pitch this week featured in the Zeigler comic strip.

Apparently, the comic was a parody of the important work TKC does in addressing and helping to resolve Kansas City's racial divisions. Since the Pitch employs so many minorities (1 Asian broad) obviously they are well equipped to take the moral high ground when it comes to the topics of diversity and race relations.

Still, it's nice to be noted for this fully armed and operational battle station blog.

Sorry I didn't note the mention earlier but I always start reading the backpages of the Pitch first in order to keep up to date with local prostitutes and then I make my way to the front and the content . . . Kidding, I get all my news online and through TV like everybody else.

Kansas City Against the Minutemen

Against my better judgment I'm going to post this flyer my friend Tino sent me.

I still have my reservations about this march. I'm afraid that violent and irresponsible Anarchist influence might risk Latinos getting involved in a fight they didn't start.

Overall, I object to the liberal white women at the head of this march. Latinos have more at stake on this issue and they should be leading this effort - THEY ARE NOT.

Still, I'm all for NON-VIOLENT protest against a group extremists like the Minutemen.

And it's worth noting that, as of now, this isn't an action that has it's roots in the Latino community . . . This effort is led by mostly white people, liberals and anarchists whom I don't like. TKC inside info: There's no permit for this march.

No one knows if this effort will garner wide spread support from the Latino community but I can say for certain that it's not an effort that TKC "Kansas City's Most Important Latino" is comfortable completely endorsing.

Ramsey and the weather

The weather was so damn nice it had to be documented. Sadly, TKC was unable to venture outside at all because it scares me and I think my mom "accidentally" locked the basement door. Luckily, I have a 3 month supply of snack cakes to sustain me and one of Kansas City's best vloggers Ramsey captured a nice clip of the beautiful scenery for all of us virtually chained to a computer monitor today to enjoy. Good stuff, now I gotta go teach these fools a life lesson about pain and humiliation on Xbox live.

"Brown-bagging it in Shawnee"

Killer post from RDM on efforts to save the world from the safety of the Golden Ghetto.

She wishes: McCaskill on Obama

Missouri's good witch endorses Obama . . . McCaskill: Obama a leader of vision and courage

It's too nice outside for Irony

2 shot near Independence Target

I guess the 80k didn't show up this week!!!

Time without any explanation of missing campaign funds from the Funkhouser Administration:

DAY 9

Maybe we'll get an answer next week. Maybe more media outlets will start asking.

During the winter months Kansas City is (STILL) a cultural wasteland!!!

Kansas City is pretty worthless during the winter (and most other seasons as well) . . . And that's not just TKC claiming as much, the allegation comes from this town's paper of record.

There’s not much going on here during these winter months besides the usual movies, live theater and shopping. It’s as if the community bunkers down and goes into hibernation. Call it the winter blahs.

The article goes on to suggest that things might improve but that's just happy talk. The truth is that (decent) entertainment options are limited during this time of year unless watching the Mayor's demise counts as a pastime (it does) or measuring how fast the ass of a significant other expands can serve as entertainment.

Ranting against Mexicans is a lot easier than fixing the economy or Iraq

Here's an ominous headline from The Star intended to scare white people with the prospect that their daughters will soon be dating their gardener:

Missouri and Kansas are pushing tougher laws on illegal immigration

The truth isn't so bad. Kansas is actually going after people who employ illegal immigrants and the second they start dishing out fines, support for these kind of measures will almost completely erode . . . Already Immigration concern has fallen behind anxiety over the economy, Iraq, health care, education and the environment. Again, it makes a great media topic but politicos who put their faith in this issue ALWAYS end up disappointed.

Matt Blunt's mission against Mexicans garnered little support and ultimately ended with him deciding not to seek re-election.

Nationally, McCain has surprised everyone by demonstrating that a candidate who isn't vicious when it comes to Latino can come out ahead.

And with an estimated 20 million illegal immigrants in this country already (more than half are Mexican) and furiously dropping "anchor babies" (i.e. U.S. Citizens of Latino decent) the genie is already out of the bottle.



Therefore the debate is entertaining and sometimes incites harsh feelings but the world isn't coming to an end simply because there's a growing number of people of color in Kansas and Missouri.

The legacy of citizenship in this country is that it's a privilege that affluent, established white people have always tried to avoid giving to minorities both ethnic and racial.

Ultimately it's clear that populations migrate, there is no border in human history that has ever been permanent and chicken enchiladas are delicious.

NOBODY WANTS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD!!!

There were few filings for the upcoming election. There's only one race for an at-large seat (Airick Leonard West) . . . Incumbent Duane Kelly was the only filer in the 3rd Subdistrict. No one filed in the 1st . . . "There's virtually no one lining up to serve" Plain and simple: The Kansas City School District is this town's most embarrassing failure and it's simply not getting better. State takeover is a pie in the sky solution . . . They don't want to deal with it. Better to simply tell the truth to everyone: It's a broken institution, incapable of change. Anyone who really cares about their students wouldn't let them attend one of the worst organizations in this City (other than the Royals).

Chubby Chicks in Kansas City get a chance at self confidence today!!!

Bill Clinton is in town!!!

Union Station still a Mickey Mouse Operation, only without the fans

Disneyland exhibit's visit to Union Station is canceled

Drugs and dog fighting seem like a good time until the po-po come knocking

Drug bust leads to recovery of suspected dog fighting materials

Banking in KC: "unsafe and unsound"

FDIC closes Douglass National Bank

Local anti-immigrant douche backed only by some dude with big bucks

From Blog CCP: Rep. Nolte Bankrolled by Pro-Voucher Multi-Millionaire

The Weekend Thaw

It's warming up this weekend, Thank God. I was getting tired of Kansas City as ice world Hoth.

However, there is news in KC just not much that I find interesting . . . For instance the story of a few white kids getting their Ipods lifted at gunpoint was good for a laugh (since no one was hurt) but there's no way this story belonged in the first five minutes of the news.

So . . . Blogging will be probably be light but only because I want to go outside for the first time in two weeks.

Kansas City serves up brand new slurs!!!

Apparently, this town's reputation as reactionary and bigoted place is growing every day. Recently, Kansas City earned a mention in a Canadian Newspaper for coining a moderately amusing term to describe cheapskates:

A similar case in Kansas City was reported last year on a Listserv, or electronic mailing list, used by linguistics experts. A University of Kansas linguist said that a waitress friend reported that "fellow workers used to use a name for inner-city families that were known to not leave a tip: Canadians. 'Hey, we have a table of Canadians.... They're all yours.' "

I've always known that Kansas City was creative with insults but garnering international noteriety for our rudeness is somewhat gully. Thanks to the increasingly racially divisive climate in this town I'm sure there will be more noteworthy slurs to follow. I, for one, never thought that the term "Mammy" would make a comeback but here were are . . . As Kansas City loses jobs, conventions and recognition as a progressive town it's nice to see that our cynicism and razor sharp tongues show no sign of calling it quits.

TKC Friday thought: "This Mexican kid is irritating me"

Not KC related but funny nonetheless. Some Christian lady loses her shit in a coffee shop.

Via Fazed.

KC Drag Dude gets his due

CampKC has quite an interesting feature this month. (No homo)

There's an interesting profile of Female Impersonator Carl Glorioso.



Glorioso has been performing in Kansas City for 10 years and his character Victoria DePaula is popular among folks who would know about that kind of thing . . . No homo.

Anyhoo, Glorioso is a part of a documentary that recently premiered at Slamdance.

The Pageant follows five dudes in drag as they compete to become the 34th Miss Gay America®

And, of course, no homo on this whole post but it's a pretty interesting story that involves struggle, acceptance and a bunch of dudes in drag competing to be the best: Kind of like Paintman's life story only a lot more glamorous.

In addition to the overall lack of nutritional value, eating fast food on the Eastside is getting even more dangerous

Police think a group of serial robbers are taking down fast food joints on the Eastside.

Detectives believe a group of serial robbers is at work in Kansas City.

There's a pattern of three men using similar weapons and actions against at least three businesses, police said.

Police believe they held up the Wendy's at East Meyer Boulevard and Troost Avenue.

Also hit within the last week, police believe they've hit the Taco Bell on Independence Avenue and a beauty supply store at East 55th Street and The Paseo.

Even worse, they're wearing disguises. Unfortunately, there a little bit more serious than this guy who is always one of the first suspects that TKC always has in mind whenever there is a fast food robbery:



In any event be careful and watch your surroundings while ordering fast food. If you're lucky the cholesterol and Sodium nitrite will kill you before any armed gunman.

Keeping kids safe (from their crazy parents)

Jackson County Prosecutor, Tina Porter Push Parental Kidnapping Bill

People actually read Kansas City Sports columnists and follow the Royals!!!

From a sports blogger: Joe Posnaski Singlehandedly Pushes Kansas City Into The (Johan) Santana Chase

"When is a Smoking Ban Not Really A Smoking Ban?"

Cooking in KC seems to be boiling over just a bit with a straight to the point post about the folks behind the recent smoking ban as the luster of the new Council also seems to be fading.

A Kansas City Tradition: Drinking and listening to mediocre music

Booze is back with music at the Mutual Musicians Foundation . . . Oh, boy another overrated local event I'll never attend!!! It couldn't possibly be as exciting as a Royals game, could it? Except for the preponderance of losers in the vicinity, of course.

Keeping more Kansans in prison and promoting the prison industrial complex

New legislation promises tougher "Three strikes" penalties. Meanwhile, there are more than 7 million people in jail representing 1 of every 32 adults in the United States.

20k a month to the dude who benefits from a Kansas City School Board Coup

John Martin came from a school district in St. Louis School . . . And we all know how great STL schools are doing. Nevertheless, this was never about schools or students . . . It was always about money and who was getting the right consulting contracts. The new guy is more apt to pay off the right people, but he probably won't last long either. And don't look for a State takeover . . . I've heard they don't want anything to do with KCMO Schools. So Kansas City's greatest embarrassment continues . . . The only smart move is to avoid the train wreck altogether and help others do the same.

Kansas City's Shame: Few wanted free boobs

Big booty broads in Kansas City would rather have traded in for a tummy tuck than received free boobs at a recent promotional event which was a huge bust . . . HA! At least I crack myself up with this blog.

Roades raffled off a free breast-augmentation surgery January 13 as part of the Wide Open magazine publisher’s Kansas City bike show. St. Louis-based Fantastic Plastic Surgery agreed to do the work, and Roades called the odds of winning the $6,000 surgery better than going to a casino.

He was right. When the time came, only 140 women signed up.

Still, I don't know if anybody would want someone working at a place with the word "Fantastic" in the title in charge of a surgical procedure. I used to get haircuts at "Fantastic" Sam's and they usually sucked.

Nick Jordan Could Beat Dennis Moore if only all of that campaign money mattered to the po'folk and minorities in WyCo

Stay Red Kansas provides a well informed, throughly researched review of the Dennis Moore's challenger who has raised quite a bit of spare change without gaining much name recognition in the process. Money can't by love . . . Unless were talking about white women.

Kansas City political race war continues OR Transparency at City Hall = Everyone can see through the smear campaign against Terry Riley

The Northlanders aren't the only folks with access to the media any more and I'll venture to say that most, if not all, blog from Kansas City's Northland suck. Therefore Deb Herman and the Funky Bunch out to beat up on Terry Riley seems like cheap stunt that's inspired only to keep everyone's mind off of the $80,000 that Gloria Squitiro still hasn't accounted for . . . The Mayor's henchmen should think long and hard about raising questions about financial impropriety until their house is in order. But I guess some Chiefs tickets and a couple of charming calls from an Iphone can inspire anyone.

Oh, am I making an racial issue where none exists, d-bags? Or does anybody really care about City Document Management contract?

It's good to be a Donkey

At least someone benefits from a failed war, a faltering economy and a racially charged atmosphere . . . Other than bloggers and the rest of the media, of course.

Ramsey: One of Kansas City's best vloggers across the board

Just like most bloggers I'm filled a lot of with jealousy and angst (and snack cakes) . . . However, I'm cognizant of the future and it's clear to me that this whole Internets thing is headed toward a video dominated enviornment.

Luckily, Kansas City bloggers are already out in front of this trend.

Community Activist/Blogger/vlogger Alonzo Washington is making a lot of waves about crime in Kansas City on Godtube. He's at the point now where the audience that he commands is just as big as some of the smaller media outlets that he once had to ask for coverage.

On the social networking side of things, I've been a big fan of Across the Board for a long time and blogger Ramsey has the right idea by making vid blogs a part of his presentation. I look forward to reading Across the Board every day and I was just a bit disappointed with his announcement that he'd be taking a few hours away from blogging (sacrilege for any true blogger) but then he used a Youtube clip to display AN AMAZING NEW COMPUTER and dual monitor set up and I instantly started to hate the guy and stereotypical blogger envy started to kick in . . . (Not really)

Ramsey video blogs a lot of local events and isn't that political but his clips are one of the best examples of the way that personal publishing and social networking keep changing in Kansas City.

Kansas City blogs on KMBZ

Once again, if you're up this morning and near a radio check out TKC on KC's Morning News at around 8:00 in the a.m. - KMBZ News Radio 980.

I'll try to mention as many local blogs as I can because I don't think they'll let me talk about Gloria Squitiro's feet - Always my topic of choice.

Kansas City's (fake) smoking ban

I love this town. Only in Kansas City could local politicos and business leaders fail to agree that cancer is a bad thing.

Once again the media watching public was recently treated to another Kansas City Compromise: Nobody wins, nothing is accomplished and there's a lot of hard feelings.

Very nice.

Yesterday the City Council passed a smoking ban with more loop holes in it than a trech ring convention.

It wasn't a real ban . . . It was just a really bad and obvious way for a couple of council people to show that they were elected by bar and restaurant owners. Obviously, Bill Nigro runs KC's concern (or lack therof) about your lungs.

Here are a couple links concerning the topic:

KC council approves smoking restrictions

KC Council Passes Smoking Ban

Next up is the April 8th ballot option that I believe is a bit tougher but still not perfect . . . What exactly makes smoking and second hand smoke safer on casino floors? Again, TKC's smoking ban proposal is the only one worth mentioning: No smoking for everyone but really hot skanks. It's a public service that everyone can get behind. Natch.

Town Topics: Is any of this as important as Amy Winehouse smoking crack?

We're all broke: A lot more folks in Kansas City are taking the bus.

First bitches now bums: Mike "JoCo's biggest douche" Hendricks throws another slur at the school district, this time they probably deserves it. Note the change in tone in his published column, the Pitch did a nice job of pointing this out earlier.

Your most recent Kansas City murder: Shooting at apartment complex leaves 1 dead

More people got involved in a controversy over putting down granny's dog than ever cared about KC murders, homeless or the people in this town that aren't as cuddly as pets.

Chairman of the Jackson County Legislature Dennis Waits paid his property taxes late.

And speaking of late . . . Anybody hear about that missing 80k yet?

Blogger Backtalk: Waking up with Kansas City bloggers (ew)

Kansas City's new Coffee blog: KC Perky . . . Ah, caffeine the drug we can all agree is awesome and a vital part of our day, like booze.

The quest for KC’s perfect fish and chips continues.

Best blogger headline of the day: When Love out weights Death

Powerful poem by Pensive Girl: the dark.

CUTTING EDGE COMMENTARY FROM RDM ON A RECENT MURDER CASE IN THE NEWS: "They will roast that darkie" (His words, not mine, but damn)

Blunt finally learned to use the Internets

With Gov. Blunt's recent announcement that he won't run, I was thinking that one aspect that was overlooked (just a bit) was his use of Youtube to tell the world that he was almost 20 points behind Jay Nixon in the real polls that they don't show the media.

However, the dude's last real move as Governor impressed the hell out of TKC . . . Especially since it didn't involve reprisals against Mexicans.

The Governor published his weird resignation message via Youtube and FINALLY let the Internets do the work for him. Of course he could have called a press conference but that would have involved either straight up lying to reporters or risking the details being leaked to the media. Truth is, Blunt finally learned that the Internet is the best way to communicate DIRECTLY with the public autonomously.

No middleman, no questions . . . Just the message. Very much like the early days of hip-hop that Beck described: Two turn tables and a microphone. In this case . . . A video cam and an opinion/information.

I've noted for nearly a year now that vlogging is the way this whole thing is going to go . . . People want to watch, not read for the most part.

Speaking of, maybe Blunt took a cue from a very successful Missouri vlogging effort . . . You might remember TKC noting Rick Ryan's World as an area vlogger to watch for: He's getting crazy hits on Youtube for his stripper interviews and strip club reports. Personally, I think it's great that he's talking to single mothers from across the bi-state area. Just like the soon to be ex-gov and his first youtube vid . . . It's nice to see somebody paying attention to Missouri poles or something like that.

Wild Week, looking forward to the weekend

Damn. It has been an eventful week . . . A TON of local news throughout the week and not just about house fires, kitty photos or stories concerning MWWS. Speaking of, a recent photo shoot of hot ass Playboy model Jennifer Walcott is probably the most important thing happening in the United States right now.

Anyhoo . . .

For once I'm actually looking forward to the weekend, where the only thing we'll have to worry about is being killed in a senseless Kansas City homicide. Good times.

TKC talks local blogs on KMBZ

Big news for Kansas City bloggers . . . TKC is taking to the airwaves for a bit of an extended segment on KC's Morning News.

Tomorrow at 8:00 in the a.m. I'll be IN STUDIO at KMBZ News Radio 980 and on the air for a bit longer than usual or until Darla Jaye has me deported.

The topic of discussion . . . Of course every topic of discussion with me relates to how awesome I am . . . However, I'M GONNA BE MENTIONING A HELL OF A LOT OF LOCAL BLOGS.

So if there's some post or link from a local blogger that I might have overlooked, feel free to send it my way. It'll be a Kansas City Blogger Extravaganza!!!

I'm gonna try to talk local blogs as much as time permits along with a few other topics. So be sure to check it out because I'll be mentioning all of the awesome bloggers I can remember along with some of the more insightful opinions on the local Internets, so I guess I won't get to talk that much about myself after all. Sad clown :(

Deb Herman calls the Municipal Ethics Commission . . . On Terry Riley

I would say that a kerfuffle involving the Municipal Ethics Commisson was the end of Council Unity . . . However, it's Deb Herman who is raising questions about the involvement of staff members and an unnamed city council member (Terry Riley) in the competition for a document management contract on behalf of a company called Perfect Output . . . And Herman is nothing more than a member of the Northland Funky Bunch. Side note: TKC told everybody "they" were out to get Terry Riley . . . And speaking of ethics, any word on the missing 80k yet?

Cleaning up Erotic City: A sad day for pervs and strippers with stretch marks

Erotic City in Blue Summit has shut down its porn video booths and upstairs strip bar in the wake of a new Jackson County ordinance regulating adult entertainment. Alas, there isn't a place to look at a single mother's cooter for a dollar any longer in the Kansas City area. Thankfully, the glory hole hangout of most commenters on this blog is gone as well.

Blue links are better

I'm just reminding myself that the blue link posts I use are a much more effective way of sharing info and links on this blog . . . Like a gully post from the KC Beer Blog on the 75th Street Brewmaster's Dinner. Compilations are nice, blue links kick ass. So much time blogging and I'm still learning . . . Like everything in life (and related to beer).

¡Adios Amato!

Superintendent Anthony Amato resigned last night after weeks of pressure from the Kansas City School Board.

Rather than write some overzealous polemic, it's important to put the news in perspective.

This is par for the course from The Kansas City School Board.

First I'd like to give a modicum of attention to concerns that were raised against Amato and answer them:

1. Some of the programs Amato tried out were pricey. Raising this issue against the guy once again demonstrates the hypocrisy and arrogance of the School Board considering that over the years this town has thrown away BILLIONS to no avail on one failed school program after the next. From "magnet schools" to fencing coaches to African drum classes the district has presided over so many failures. I like Ladysmith Black Mambazo just as much as anybody else, but there's no hard evidence that listening to it improves test scores.

2. Amato, supposedly, had a brash style. This was just propaganda. Amato actually seemed soft spoken the few times that I met him. Still, I invite anyone to go to a school board meeting and check out the culture and brashness of that group . . . Adopting to that "culture" would be a difficult task for anyone. I wouldn't deny that Amato had trouble getting along with his board, but I wouldn't fault him for it either. It's just disappointing that his attitude was always the topic of discussion and not the fact that he was making progress in slightly improving test scores.

3. Amato, allegedly, called two School Board Members bitches. - This is a tough one for me because I actually don't think there's any place for derogatory language in the office (It belongs on blogs). Just like Gloria Squitiro's "Mammy" comment, if the allegations were proven true then Amato deserved to be reprimanded. However, nobody went to the trouble to provide evidence of the allegations. Unlike Mammy-gate the slur allegedly didn't occur face to face, and I think it's appropriate to call the entire school board a bunch of beyotches considering how many BILLIONS of dollars they have wasted.

But the pressure for Amato to leave wasn't about facts or really anything he ever said. And I don't necessarily agree with the resignation, it make sense from a career standpoint but I've never liked quitters. Normally, this is the part of the post where I would assign blame to "the Black Middle Class," "The Black Power Structure" or note that the Kansas City School District is basically a "Black Middle-Class Employment Agency" And I don't really disagree with any of those statements but that's language intended to incite and inspire (Believe in your dreams!!!) and not the crux of the discussion today.

Unfortunately, the facts in this circumstance are monetary rather than racially inflammatory. Amato is out because he messed with the wrong people's money. A bounty was placed on his head when he cut funding for the LINC program. Even worse, if local reporters do their research they might uncover that Amato canceled a bunch of lucrative consulting contracts held by some of the same outspoken critics against him.

Still, none of this inspires me to get really worked up. This is business as usual for the School Board. New elections aren't going to help, new School Board members think they're going to make a difference but they aren't and any righteous indignation would be wasted.

Some people have experience in a situation like this and others don't . . . Essentially, the Kansas City School District is like a skank that a decent guy shouldn't dare to date or try to change. Think Pretty Woman or Hillary Clinton. The District has chosen it's lifestyle, it will have to deal with the consequences and anybody who gets involved will suffer the same fate. With BILLIONS wasted, an incomprehensible string of decisions to date and a slew of silly statements the district is comparable to Kansas City's Paris Hilton . . .



Her lifestyle is NEVER really gonna change and the day when she (the District) is found dead in a bathroom somewhere is inevitable.

So I'm not angry with the District, the facts might be a tad depressing but in the end the community that supports their decades of failure get what they deserve. What's more important, what I can (continue to) do, is inform anyone who crosses my path that the Kansas City School District isn't any place for kids that people actually care about . . . In particular, Latinos with any income to spare have long since escaped the clutches of the deplorable institution. My parents worked their ass off in order to insure that my siblings and I never had to endure the place. And the word has been out for years in the Latino Community, among almost every strata: "If you can get out, GET OUT!" In Spanish that sounds much nicer.

All of this reminds me of a conversation I had years ago with a former School Board Member, a Hispanic. After years of frustrating service with little progress whatsoever the politico decided not to run again . . . I asked why. The answer was plain and simple, "Tony, the District could care less about Latinos or any kind of education really. It's about power and political favors and the crooks in the Administration. Latinos need to just look somewhere else. It's one of the most dysfunctional places I've ever seen."

I was surprised by the answer for someone who had worked so diligently on behalf of the District. I then asked if there was even the slightest possibility of change, again I received another straight forward response. "There's not a chance in Hell that place will ever change."

Just starting out as a freelance reporter for a small community newspaper my youthful optimism let me ignore the comments and I didn't include them in my story. But I always remembered the conviction with which the words were uttered. This person didn't believe any of the annually circulated talk of reform or turnaround for the district and foretold that they would be in the same place despite so much effort and money.

The conversation took place nearly ten years ago.

Further Reading:

Amato resigns; KC district seeks another superintendent

Amato out, locals tout temporary replacement

Amato To Step Down As KC Superintendent

Amato Out As KCMO Schools Superintendent

BLOGGER REACTION:

Amato, Buh-Bye

Midwest Voices - Shame on the school board.

Who must go....him or them?

Tony Amato being run out of KCMO Schools?

General Blather: School's Out Forever

THE KANSAS CITY POST: Breaking up is hard to do

Please send me a link if you've posted on the topic!!!! :)

Local links that are worth a look

Yup, there are things happening in this town that are even more exciting than Eva Mendes, topless in Maxim.

A MUST READ NEW YORK TIMES ANALYSIS FEATURING KANSAS CITY: Voters Show Darker Mood Than in 2000

Economic times are tough but they'll always be hard for the incompetent: Northland Thieves Steal, Then Ditch ATM

Downsized from Sprint, Cerner or H&R Block? Don't worry! You can still make a living serving TKC a soda: Job Seekers Flood Power & Light Job Fair

Light Rail Wastes Money, Report Says

The oncoming recession is Ford Tough: Ford offers more buyouts

A different kind of outsourcing debate in JaxCo: Proposal to fund outside agencies divides Jackson County legislators

MAX bus to come to NKC?

TKC Recommendation, show everyone in traffic you don't think women should be allowed to make important decisions: Judge says Missouri must issue license plate with 'Choose Life' message

New Leader for losers: Chiefs hire Eric Price as wide receivers coach

God help us. Here's a nasty quote from a KC gathering: "In Wal-Mart We Trust"

Uptown celebrates 80 years . . . Hopefully, they'll have 80 more but not with any money from people who don't like to party with the Minutemen.

Note to Frances Semler: John Fierro deserves an apology!!!

In the wave of reactionary support for Minute-lady Frances Semler one thing was left out of the discussion of her bitter and spiteful resignation letter.

Semler made indictments against the National Council of La Raza and then goes on to write the following about a fellow board member:

John Fierro, President of the Kansas City Park Board, has been connected with this same group. This Coalition is associated with La Raza, led by Janet Murguia, who was pictured on the front page of the Kansas City Star with fist raised. Are these paid positions and are our tax monies involved?

Not only is her stab at Fierro unwarranted but it also ignores a simple fact.

JOHN FIERRO SPOKE UP FOR FRANCES SEMLER AND HER APPOINTMENT DURING THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE CONTROVERSY!!!

In return for going out on a limb for this woman, taking the opposite side from longtime friends and associates and supporting her silly claims of "Freedom of Speech" and "Freedom of Association" all he got for it was a public rebuke.

Initially, a press conference was held to decry Semler's appointment by many Latino, Christian, Civil Rights and Union leaders . . . On that same day Fierro stood by the Mayor and clearly stated that he did not object to the appointment and that "he could work with her."

He gave her the benefit of the doubt and in return all he received was a kick in the teeth.

Sad but true:

No matter what side of the immigration issue Latinos stand, they are destined to lose at the hands of groups like the Minutemen who make this topic a incendiary wedge issue.

If anyone should feel "betrayed" by this controversy it's not Frances Semler, who had her day in the sun, the Minutemen who were backed by the Mayor or even Latino leaders who gained unity and noteriety from the debacle . . . In the end it was only John Fierro who was stabbed in the back.

Even TKC was guilty of giving the guy a bit of a hard time. And while I won't apologize because I think it's kind of funny. However, Frances Semler should definitely retract her vicious statement against a former colleague and try showing a little class.

Both sides from the Pitch hipsters

Not a horrible issue from The Pitch this week . . . A few things that are actually worth reading:

White people and folks who forget about the Internets always lament that nobody is reading: A Eulogy for Bloomsday is sad tale about the closing of a beloved (by rich folks) Kansas City bookstore. The truth is that more people are reading now than ever before, they're just doing on-line and they will never feel obligated to pay for it.

Shauntay Henderson talks with Nadia Pflaum, they have more in common than you'd ever imagine and that's not just because of their love of hip-hop.

FERRUZZA reviews Mama's 39th Street Diner . . . A nice review but fails to note that hipsters ruin Kansas City history.

Still, more important than any of this is that advertising supported content put forth by the print media is nothing more than a means to convey the goods and services offered by the sponsors . . . I call this the TKC "pay me first bitch" critical theory of mass media production.



So the news offered is really just an enticement to get folks to check out MenagesKC - "Kansas City's new premiere upscale adult lifestyle club" OR that latest place in the metro where swingers and all manner of skanks can dispense a few STDs.

Wrap it up people and I'm not referring to the faux alt-news.

KCPD Calls on Blue Thunder (kinda)

The KCPD Needs New Helicopters, Cool. They are currently working with Vietnam-Era Equipment. Sad. It's gonna cost. $6 to 8 Million worth of federal funds.

This is probably a good idea given that new helis will most likely prevent dangerous police chases on the ground even if the choppers seem ominous overhead (in "the Black part of town") and along 71 is where I always take note of the antiquated equipment of the KCPD.

Even more important . . .The story reminds me that I have to find my copy of BLUE THUNDER which is my favorite helicopter movie of all time. From the bygone days of 80's B-movie, action classics this flick captures Roy Scheider at his best and with the same 80's pilot glasses that so many hipsters wears ironically nowadays.

Fighting crime is fine but doing so with classic fashions and cool catchphrases is even better.

Price for Murder in Kansas City: $5 and pills

No this is not my mugshot!!! Close but I don't wear glasses.

However, porkchop here is alleged to have offered $5 and a bit of Oxycontin for a hit on the girlfriend of some dude he had a crush on . . . His mug shot was posted today . . . KMBC has more on the story . . . I ignored the news earlier but stumbled upon it again at Palabra Jot's blog.

Blogger Backtalk: "Up to here" with insight

A lot of amazing posts on the local Internets as of late. Here are some of my favorite links:

A MUST READ FROM THE X-MAN: The Fallacy of Borders

ANOTHER MUST READ FROM HAPPY IN BAG: The merits of so-called extremism . . . Local blogger Bill files a fantastic report from an MLK rally at the KC Art Institute.

Congratulate Just Cara (if you haven't already), she just made the big leap. You go girl!!!

A bit of interesting insight from Branson: Matt Blunt's announcement leaves Missourians in shock

Missouri State Senator Jolie Justus gets scientific.

Don't forget to help this guy buy a cow for po'folk

Your Local Anarchist Bookstore - A nice review from local blogger May.

We're still waiting!!! One week without an explanation of the missing 80k!!!

Hey, did you forget about the missing $80,000 worth of campaign funds from Funkhouser's coffers? I didn't. It has been one week already since the story broke and no word. Do you think one of the "regular folks" that Mayor Funky is so fond of invoking would get to go a week without explaining whereabouts of a missing 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS???!!!!

I doubt it.

Nobody wants light rail in KC anymore!!!

Spivak posts the latest polling info from the Star:

In recent polling of Kansas City residents, only 42 percent of respondents supported a 3/8ths-cent sales tax increase for a light rail starter route in the city. That compares to another light rail poll done last fall in which a higher percentage – 46 percent – supported a ¼-cent sales tax increase for light rail.

I'd like to thank Mayor Funky and Clay Chastain for this bit of good news!!! People were eager to support any kind of stupid plan for light rail until they got a good look at the behavior of the folks involved in the process . . . In very much the same way that folks who want to remain blissfully unaware of the ugly truth should never peek in the kitchen of their favorite restaurant or see their girlfriend without makeup.

Good to see her bouncing back!

Unlike some folks like that scumbag Bill Skaggs, I don't think inappropriate chain e-mails are the end of the world and only deserve a slight reprimand as long as they're not something really awful - Like info on a vacation to Oklahoma.

Anyhoo, LaTrisha Underhill was chased out of her job for simply hitting the forward button but it's good to see her land on her feet as a local blog now reports that she's already found a new gig; which is a pretty amazing feat in this crappy economy. Telling the Truth Kansas City says she has been hired at local Advertising and PR firm Trozzolo.

It's a solid company and I'm glad to know that any local communications firm hired a person of color - Another Kansas City Miracle!!! Best of luck to "LT" as she moves forward in an industry home to a lot more creative thought and expression than City Government.

Jump in bed with TKC

Here's an offer that other blogs have extended and I'll do the same, mostly just because I needed an excuse to post a photo of Hot Ass Model Mercedes Terrell.

Anyhoo, it takes a lot of time to build up readership to a blog and some folks (unlike TKC) have better things to do.

That's why TKC is now accepting opinion posts from the public.

This site is all about cutting edge opinions and alternative points of view. If you have one and don't feel like taking the time to build a blog with a decent sized following - LIKE TKC . . . Then send that opinion my way and I'll post it. I'm accepting a variety of different opinion posts of nearly any length (min. 200 max 1000 words) and a submitter doesn't have to agree with TKC to be featured.

Here are a few guidelines:

I need to know your real name and a real e-mail address (No hotmail or the like). OF COURSE you can post under a pseudonym but I won't be accepting any opinions to feature on this blog that are anonymous. A bit of trust is involved but I've never revealed a source to date and I don't plan on it EVER.

TKC will do only a bit of editing and add an appropriate photo. Feel free to suggest one but headlines and dumbass re-purposed photos are an area where my skills are unmatched.

Make it interesting. TKC is about opinions and perspectives that aren't available anywhere else in Kansas City. Forget the Bill O'Reilly or Lou Dobbs routine. Jokes are better, a new approach is best.

Benefits:

For a person who just wants to put an idea out there I think this could be useful and it'll save a lot of time wasted on posting mindless stuff that most blogs need to keep in order to keep an audience . . . Let TKC do the work for you. My opinion will always be the main feature of this blog but I don't mind and would enjoy sharing the tiny niche I've created.

NO MONEY!!!! I don't get paid for this blog so neither should you. If this blog ever makes a buck I might consider sharing the wealth (really) but as long as this is blog isn't making dime one (indefinitely) I don't feel obligated to pay anybody else.

So that's it. TKC blog is updated throughout the day so there will always be a reasonably sized audience and I have more than enough writing of my own to promote but I figured I would offer an even greater forum than simply the comments. Jump into bed with TKC on the main page if you'd like . . . If not, I've never had a problem entertaining myself.

Submit to TKC (no nude photos - yet) at: I too, have an opinion!!!

Kansas City School Board Stays Sleazy

Amato is out . . . More on this later. After reading the news I feel the overwhelming urge to take a shower. Folks who know me understand this is a (really) rare occasion. Ew.

Sleep well Kansas City. There's school tomorrow and it's never too early to learn that nothing ever changes in this cowtown.

Little Satisfaction in Kansas City

According to a recent Spivak post, Kansas City doesn't stack up very well to the suburbs in terms of Citizen Satisfaction.

This is hard for me to imagine since we've had almost a whole year of Mayor Funky at the helm of our tiny, disappointing, but still feisty little burg. However, these are 2006 numbers so I'm sure that a year of racial animosity and almost no progress on steel street covers has made people a lot happier with their town!!!

Kansas City, Mo., had the metro area’s lowest level of citizen satisfaction in more than half the quality-of-life and city services questions reviewed by The Star.

So I wonder if living in KC is still less satisfying than life in the burbs . . . Like most everything else in the metro area . . . Maybe higher levels of suburban bliss are due to the fact that folks from that area (white women at least) are getting "satisfied" in KC Proper.



Sadly, I'm curious to see if people will be more satisfied with Kansas City as time goes on given our impotent Mayor who not only can't keep his appointees happy in their positions but also shoots blanks when it comes to attempts to impose his will on all of the City.

In fact, now that I think of it the only person who seems to be satisfied is Gloria Squitiro as she describes her husband getting a prostate exam . . . And while that may be entertaining, I'm not sure if all of Kansas City is ready to submit to her will and the invasive practices of "Dr. Sausage Fingers."

And speaking of unsatisfied . . . THE BUDGET DISCUSSION BEGINS!!! Even Mayor Funky sounds ominous about this one.

Kansas City still hates the homeless

Fewer people are giving money to City Union Mission this year.

In fact, the Kansas City charity is running far behind in their fundraising goals.

Usually, the cold weather inspires people to give out of a sense of gratitude . . . However, during the last year Kansas City politicos and business people have attempted to cast their problems onto the less fortunate in this town. Let's not forget that local homeless folks were labeled "visual blight" last year and then there is the ongoing effort to kick the poor, dirty scumbags out of the loop.

All things considered, Kansas City could care less about the homeless and it's starting to show. But I would advise against ignoring this resilient section of Kansas City's populace. Somehow these frisky, crazy folks manage to survive the cold months and given the current economic climate they might prosper in the P&L District when a soup line replaces all of the luxury destinations. Also, the Sprint Center would make a nice shelter for this town's homeless since we're no closer to getting an anchor tenant.

Quindaro: The Play

Actually, this sounds kind of interesting . . .

“Quindaro,” is an original play commissioned by the graduate theatre program of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and presented with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will run at Union Station from Feb. 13-24.

Even better, they're going to enlist an actor people would actually recognize in the production.

Bill Cobbs . . . The crazy old guy from New Jack City will be the featured performer.



Here's more from the press release:

In order to protect runaway slaves who would cross the sometimes treacherous waters in their desperate search for a better life, Quindaro was formed with land provided by Wyandottes and economic resources of local white abolitionists, and became an important stop on the underground railroad.

A few of these families, white, black and Native American, still live in the area today, proud of the contributions made by their ancestors to the cause of freedom. For through these people, a special town was created in the true spirit of the American Dream. It remains today as an important marker in time, a shining chapter in American history that we should never allow to be forgotten.

And that's great but I don't really know if the play can capture the true spirit of the Quindaro area (street) that I know . . . A place where people are completely comfortable sticking with the best hairstyles of the 80's.



For instance, there's this photo that was just taken last year of a very handsome KCK family.

Anyhoo, check out more historical info online . . . Or, like TKC, just continue making dumb generalizations:

Quindaro, Kansas on the Underground Railroad

Note to Mayor/Professor Funky: Kansas City is not your classroom!!!

In yet another misstep, Mayor Funkhouser put his foot in his mouth when commenting about what many hope to be the end of the Semler debacle.

Mayor Funky describes in rosy terms a Kansas City controversy that left political alliances torn apart, lost Kansas City millions in revenue and paralyzed his own administration . . . Take a look at KC's Clueless Mayor's comments:

However, he said ultimately the heated and "honest" debate on immigration that the Semler appointment incited was needed for the community on such a divisive issue.

“The conversation we’ve had in the community was difficult, but I think it’s one we needed to have,” he said.

Once again the Mayor shows that he wasn't listening to local Latino leaders.

THE OBJECTION TO SEMLER WAS NEVER ABOUT IMMIGRATION, IT WAS ABOUT A MEMBER OF A HATE GROUP HOLDING A POSITION ON AN INFLUENTIAL KANSAS CITY BOARD!!!

The fact that the Minutemen oppose Latino culture in all it's forms and want to ship away my Grandma (a citizen) isn't really important . . . It's the nasty rhetoric they use (returned with full force on this blog) and the fact they carry guns and promise to racially profile local brown people (many of whom are citizens) that led to the backlash. If a group used the same tactics in order to advocate for welfare reform, better schools or a shorter work week . . . The same response would be appropriate.

Sadly, it's only when the subject of Latinos comes up where guns are allowed to be drawn in order to make a point and generalizations are the order of the day.

But Mayor Funky still doesn't understand.

He thinks this discussion "needed" to happen . . . It seems that he gladly threw away his support from the Latino Leadership.

No remorse.

No regret.

Not even an apology to a community that warned him of the mistake he was making.

In the end he was let down and publicly humiliated by his own appointment.

Sadly, the Mayor didn't learn anything from all of this . . .

The stubborn man is still continuing along the same path.

Beating up on Mexicans is bad for business

Recently, news in Kansas City has revealed that using immigration as a wedge issue ruins careers.

It makes sense.

People have bigger problems than worrying about who is washing their dishes.

Here's a quick list of things that are way more important than hassling Mexicans:

The Economy

The War in Iraq

Health Care

Education

The Environment

While I disagree with most people about the solutions to these problems - My solution to everything is more hot, half-naked white women . . .



Still, the topics cited above obviously resonate with the public far more than the war against Mexican heritage.

Look at the facts:

Fred Thompson wasn't too fond of Latinos and he garnered little support and a campaign that just couldn't get off the groud.

Matt Blunt made a last ditch effort to blame all of his failures on immigrants but that still couldn't save his career. He was forced to call it quits because it's hard to blame 4 years of Republican failure on less than 3 percent of the population.

Finally, Frances Semler blamed Latinos and everyone but her self for FOR HER OWN RESIGNATION!!! Let's get this straight, her argument is that it's someone else's fault that SHE QUIT? Everyone else is being really nice to the old lady so I don't feel obligated to treat a grown woman like a child . . . But the lady's letter was clearly a missive from a crazy person and represents the typical victim-mentality of anti-immigrant, anti-Latino forces.

The point here is that racially divisive tactics on the subject of immigration obviously aren't helping win any votes or further political careers.

In fact, it's clear that exploiting the topic of immigration for political gain is a desperate strategy that is the precursor to a press release from a very frustrated politico informing the public that they're quitting.

In the media the topic plays well but anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric just doesn't move the crowd . . . Sure, it's a popular topic among d-bag bloggers and media folks craving attention but obviously IMMIGRATION IS NOT THE HOT BUTTON ISSUE OF 2008. In fact, it's mostly a topic of folks with a lot of "issues" who would make life harder on immigrants rather than dealing with their own problems.

Call me a jerk but I'm really psyched to see the next Batman movie now

Other folks may not share my gift for always finding the silver lining but the next Batman flick is going to rock!!!

However, not everybody shares my enthusiasm about the recent celebrity news.

The Midtown Miscreant provides a more reasoned approach concerning the fate of the guy who played The Joker with a nice touch of Kansas City cynicism:

Not Another Heath Ledger Tribute

The D-Rules tackles the subject as well.

Rep. Sam Graves: An "at-risk" incumbent

A really smart round-up of the congressional race from Stuart Rothenberg at Real Clear Politics.

Of course they deserve TIF money!!! Kansas City Wizards, RAPISTS?

From an MLS soccer blog: Kansas City draft pick Eric Frimpong, Found Guilty of Rape.

From the Santa Barbra Independent: The Kansas City Wizards draftee, Eric Frimpong, a former UCSB Gaucho midfielder has been convicted of the February 16, rape of a 19 year old UCSB student and now faces 8 years in prison.

Another local money fight worth watching: CIMO vs. The KCPD

An independent audit finds fault with KC's Capital Improvements Management Office and their dealings with the KCPD. And there's also the question of a "discrepancy" over $886,000.

KCK man stands up to gun toting crooks to save his mama's car!!!

Other people may overlook this story but I think it's inspiring: A 52-year-old man filling up his mother’s car with gas wrested a handgun from a carjacker Saturday

In the end, the machines will screw all of us

A computer glitch in the jury selection process negates a Jackson County sodomy conviction

One more thing that'll never happen in Kansas City: Eastside light rail

A citizens task force, working with Kansas City Area Transportation Authority light-rail planners and consultants, recommended Linwood Boulevard or 47th Street as a possible eastern branch of a light-rail starter route.

Tiny and Ugly in Kansas City

Suddenly, I don't feel so inadequate . . . The announcement that Smart Fortwo Car Rolls Into KC isn't really that inspiring. In fact, never before has there been such a visible reminder of this town's shortcomings.

No Turning Back!!! Kansas City Lost The La Raza Convention For Good!

Some things can't be undone, like stretch marks or the embarrassment of eating at a vegan restaurant.

And pointless political bickering is a great excuse to lose millions in revenue for Kansas City during a recession, right?

Whatever.

Anyhoo, here's yet another postscript to all of the pointless Semler debate: It's too late for La Raza to reconsider moving their convention back to Kansas City.

Here's apress release from the group. Also, it's nice to see a national political leader slam Kansas City's Mayor:

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. , said it regrets that the mayor did not act sooner to accept the resignation of Frances Semler from the Kansas City Parks Board. “Unfortunately because of the mayor’s lack of leadership and sensitivity to the Hispanic community, it is now too late for NCLR to bring its Conference to Kansas City in 2009,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. At the request of its Kansas City Affiliates, NCLR removed its 2009 Annual Conference from Kansas City after Mayor Mark Funkhouser appointed Semler, an active member of the extremist Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, and refused to accept her resignation when she first offered it.

The Minuteman, a self-avowed vigilante group, is listed as a “nativist-extremist” organization by the Anti-Defamation League. Chris Simcox, one of the Minuteman’s founders, was convicted in 2003 of carrying a weapon into a national park while searching for undocumented immigrants.

“The Minutemen advocate division and intolerance, and their members openly harass and intimidate Hispanics solely based on their appearance. The Kansas City Hispanic community did not accept the mayor’s tacit endorsement of such policies, and we supported their views,” said Murguía.

“From the beginning, the mayor has consistently refused to act on this issue and failed to take direct action,” added Murguía. “We thank the community partners in Kansas City who stood with us, including our Affiliates, the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the religious community.

Again, I'd like to note that this is a classic "Kansas City Compromise" which deserves to be noted. In this KC Compromise everybody lost: This town lost convention business, was labeled as racist, suffered through needless controversy all to benefit of some old broad who backed down in the end. Everybody lost out and it's impossible to see this sad series of events as a desired outcome. Welcome to Kansas City!

Surprising fact: 2 Judges in Kansas City seem to hate Black women and their babies

The lack of respect for life from 2 local judges is surprising. I guess after sending so many minorities to jail, Kansas City judges have stopped caring about the humanity of people of color in this town: Judge recommends 2nd officer keep his job in Salva case

Missouri Republicans think losing to Jay Nixon will be a good thing

Like Obi-Wan Kenobi's final battle, it's nice to try and pull some small victory out of a defeat but Missouri Republicans attempting to portray Gov. Blunt's early concession as some kind of inspiring move are probably delusional.

And what was Kraske smoking in reporting this obvious and clumsy spin without many questions?

They're talking up Jim Talent as a "strong candidate" (WTF???) - The guy couldn't even beat a woman and that's the typical measure of a man's strength in Missouri.

The no name candidates with zero recognition across the state, little support and few connections don't really stand a chance.

This isn't a even a race anymore . . . Mean spirited Republican mismanagement of Missouri politics has finally taken it's toll. This isn't a call for Jay Nixon to get complacent but unless he suddenly reveals that one of his ancestors was a Mexican . . . The guy is going to be Missouri's next Governor.

Turns out TKC was right about hard times in Kansas City (Thank you Tipsters!!!)

This lowly gossip blog reported the news of another bad break for Kansas City's economy days ahead of most media outlets in Kansas City thanks to local business folk who know not to believe corporate PR: H&R Block says it will cut jobs as part of spending review

We haven't forgotten about the missing 80k

Kansas City talk radio, the Internet and almost every media outlet in this town was abuzz with news about some old lady who needed constant assurance.

But questions about $80,000 of missing campaign money directed toward the Funkhouser Administration are a lot more important.

It's day six, still no answer . . . Do they think everyone has forgotten?

TKC NOTE: The Countdown started last week when the Funkhouser Administration promised a documented explanation of a matter . . . They have yet to deliver.

Local bloggers on Semler (Ew!)

Quite a few bloggers took note of the Semler resignation yesterday, here's a round-up of what white dudes were were thinking:

The KC Blue Blog on the subject: The bottom line is her reasons were race based and partisan.

Angry white guy in JoCo: KANSAS CITY MISSOURI HAS BECOME A JOKE

All of the X-man's best writing is a (mostly wrong) reference to TKC.

Semler, buh-bye

Getting Semler off (ewe!) of the all-powerful KCMO parks board is a huge victory for the racist west side Latino lobby.

Frances Semler resigns from KC Parks Board

Semler Resigns

I'd be glad to post any other opinions, please send them my way . . . Special consideration for opinions from anyone else but affluent white males . . . They have cable news (and most of the planet) so they don't need any help from me.

A University Academy lullaby

RDM considers yet another instance of a child being left behind by a Kansas City School.

Do Soccer Fans Hate Black Leaders?

The rhetoric among local soccer fans has been kicked up a notch given that the Save the Bannister Mall crowd is still pushing their hopeless cause. While TKC only sees two plans that are doomed to failure . . . The disparate treatment that these groups are getting is obvious.

The group blamed the low signature count on a newspaper campaign urging people not to sign the petition, along with an incident Monday night when mall security kicked them off the property. They say supporters of the $1 billion project received different treatment when they rallied outside the boarded-up mall.

"Well, they had a rally last Sunday and had 300 people," William Woodruff commented. "We had a rally yesterday. They locked us out. That's not fair."

And just like a soccer ball, it's a round world and not much has changed in Kansas City. Once again, this town is about to go forward with a HUGE TIF and oppositionis being railroaded by corporate interests and derided by fans of losing teams.

White people in power are whiny quitters!

Local blogger Dee provides a nice re-cap of powerful, affluent white people frustrated that the public doesn't follow their dictates without question. It's just not fair!!!

Cracking down on Erotic City

Mike Sanders and Jackson County legislators recently followed through on promises to crack down on one of the nastiest spots in the metro (other than than Chiefs games).

Anyhoo, the new regulations on local adult businesses are probably a good thing considering that places like Erotic City been unregulated so far and Kansas City strippers already have too much attitude just because the purple lights hide their bruises and injection points.

With unusual swiftness, the Jackson County Legislature on Tuesday passed an ordinance that puts immediate new restrictions on adult entertainment businesses.

The 38-page set of regulations applies to any business in unincorporated Jackson County but is aimed at Erotic City, 8401 E. Truman Road, which has 26 booths for viewing pornographic videos and nude dancing at a nonalcoholic bar.

Erotic City has existed for many years, but the recent federal felony conviction of a man for having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old girl there got the county’s attention. In addition, a 16-year-old boy told authorities he was sexually assaulted last week outside Erotic City.

Thankfully, I don't think this is a "slippery slope" situation where silly censorship is the next step . . . There's nobody arguing in favor of the sleazy and sometimes illegal antics at Erotic City. And besides, paying for sex is wrong!!! Getting a mid-level management job and a surprisingly affordable luxury sedan is the only socially acceptable way to offer a signal to women looking to exchange poon tang for expensive entertainment and pricey gifts.

Hendricks: JoCo gasbag, another delusional white dude in love with the Mayor

Here's the way the Mayor's vast legion of Johnson County supporters are spinning the yesterday's drama: "He lost a political liability without caving in to pressure." I guess this makes sense during the middle of a Funkhouser prostate massage. I wouldn't know. However, there's a significant contingent of other voters IN KANSAS CITY PROPER who see yet another Funky supporter who says she was betrayed and the Mayor's fumbling causing this town even more embarrassment. Still, I don't know how things look to world class d-bag Mike Hendricks, it's no surprise he can't see things clearly from so far away.

Let's move on

Of course I'll keep posting about the aftermath of the Semler controversy but for the next 2 hours I don't want to hear a thing about it.

Therefore I'm posting the only kitty photo I've seen on the net that I find somewhat funny.

Good Day.

SEMLER RESIGNS!!!

Who says that political pressure doesn't work?!!!!

KMBZ is reporting (broke the news) that Frances Semler, the controversial Parks Board Member sent her resignation letter last night.

Apparently, the poor old broad was getting tired of the political fighting and debate. I'll admit, her tenure was probably the roughest of any Parks Board official in the history of Kansas City.

I wish the broad well and I hope she keeps up with her gardening and her Minutemen political activity. Truth be known, there's a place for the Minutemen JUST NOT IN CITY GOVERNMENT. Some will say that this old bird didn't have any courage but I think the opposite is true, she simply had enough, her resignation shows that she has more sense and bravery than our Mayor who stubbornly stuck by his own will and not any kind of overriding political values. If anyone was making a stand on principle: It was Frances Semler, not Mayor Funkhouser.

Still I don't agree with her or the Minutemen and I'm sure it's yet another disappointing defeat for the crew . . . But I'm not going to gloat (today). Instead, I think Frances Semler deserves a bit of credit for her bravery in calling it quits. We'll see if Mayor Funky begs her to come back but I'm betting that the old broad has had enough and her official resignation is long overdue and should have been accepted by Mayor Funky in the first place in order to avoid a lot of needless controversy.

One last note before a break . . . Mayor Funkhouser promised that he wouldn't accept Semler's resignation if she gave it so this there might be a bit of news (and controversy) still left in this thing.

Hooray!!!

In an interview on Fox 4 this morning, Semler noted that she read an article in the KC Hispanic News and she felt the Mayor didn't really support her and only kept her around to appease the Northland . . . So, she didn't really feel like she had the guy's loyalty.

More details coming . . . Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Here's a copy of Frances Semler's resignation letter:

ENOUGH, I am resigning.

Any individual or organization who speaks with concern of the impact of the well-organized invasion of illegals in this country is subjected to being called terms such as bigot or racist. Many citizens are reluctant to do so for fear of being subjected to the destruction of their character as I have been.

As a United States citizen I have always felt able to express my views freely. Out of respect for the Mayor, I have allowed my voice to be stilled. No longer

Yes, as a member, I have associated with men and women members of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. I have found them to be dedicated to the belief that laws must be respected and enforced. Accusations against this organization have been unfounded and unjust. Members advocate for protection of all borders and enforcement of our laws. A report by the American Legion includes these same concerns.

The controversy regarding my membership in MCDC was fueled by Kansas City Star reporters and the President of the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, Rita Valenciano. John Fierro, President of the Kansas City Park Board, has been connected with this same group. This Coalition is associated with La Raza, led by Janet Murguia, who was pictured on the front page of the Kansas City Star with fist raised. Are these paid positions and are our tax monies involved? Reverend Charles Steele Jr., President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, has threatened to “shut” the city down. It has been my experience that many of those supporting illegals are immigration lawyers, also paid with taxpayer funds.

Members of the City Council of Kansas City have made vicious, false, and irresponsible claims about me. One member has publicly, with arrogance, expressed her support for “open borders.”

Have the 12 to 20 million illegals in this country made an impact on the economy of Kansas City? Estimates are as high as 40% unemployment in some areas of this city. The invasion of illegals willing to take low wages for long hours has resulted in the income of working men and women being depressed here and nationwide.

Yet, we have a police chief who has publicly boasted about the protection of illegals at the Westside Can Center, staffed by Linda Callon. Chief Corwin spoke to this at a forum held at Penn Valley Community College sponsored by Missouri State Legislators. He was challenged by State Representative Gary Dusenberg for not upholding the law as he had pledged to do. Dusenberg is a former Missouri State Highway Patrolman. Kansas City is not designated officially as a “sanctuary city,” but it is.

It was with great enthusiasm that I accepted the responsibilities of the Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation Board. I do believe I have been a positive asset. There are many projects I eagerly wanted to pursue, but after reading the Mike Hendricks article in the January 17, 2008, issue o the Kansas City Star quoting the Mayor and the untrue statements made by Gloris[sic] Squitiro in a recent January publication of the Kansas City Hispanic News, I feel BETRAYED.

Frances Semler

>>>>>>>

Ouch, Semler lies and slanders her fellow board member and a lot of KC people on her way out.

She also slams:

The Mayor
His wife (the co-Mayor)
The City Council
And the KCPD Police Chief!!!

CLASSY!!!!!!! Still, it's important to keep track of another continget betrayed by Mayor Funky . . . Damn, turns out we all have something in common . . . Disappointment with Mayor Funky.

And on second thought . . . I shouldn't give credit for Semler's resignation to civil rights leaders. TKC is the most important Latino in Kansas City so I deserve credit for Semler's resignation, NATCH!!!

Check out TKC's Frances Semler Controversy Timeline for a round-up of the whole nasty situation.

No Second Term: Baby Blunt backs out!!!

Our statewide nightmare is over. This is really a surprise. It must be day of the quitters or something.

GOV. BLUNT WILL NOT SEEK SECOND TERM

Shocking. Although it does save time.

Sex with Kansas City Bloggers (sorta)

Hey! HERE'S A POST THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEEP RACIAL DIVISIONS IN THIS TOWN!!!

In fact, when it comes to variety . . . Leave it to local bloggers in order to spice things up.

My favorite recent posts from the ladies of the blogosphere are related to sexy media.

General Blather contemplates all the bad puns and possibilities regarding the story of a sex toy thief in Springfield.

And Kansas City blog Well Hell Michelle find a few sexy ads a bit disconcerting on a recent trip.

Good stuff!!! And unlike local political news, sex blogging won't leave you chaffed, frustrated, angry and disappointed with life in Kansas City.

I hope.

An open letter from Alonzo

Local blogger/activist and civic leader Alonzo Washington recently wrote an open letter to the judge who backed police officers who denied a pregnant woman medical treatment. Check it out . . . It makes a lot of great points and offers a bit of insight into the details of the case . . .

Judge William Mauer:

I am contacting you to express my outrage about your ruling in the Sophia Salva case. I can't believe you support the actions of the two police officers that allowed a baby to die. There was nothing professional about the way the officers degraded Miss Salva. Particularly officer Melody Spencer's response when Ms. Salva told her that she was pregnant and bleeding. Officer Spencer stated, "How is that my problem. Its called a menstrual cycle honey."

I will be frank. I think your decision was 100% racist & unjust. Rulings like this are what continues to divide the Black & White communities in the metro area. These type of issues create a mistrust between the Black community, the judicial system & the KCMO Police Department. I am a activist that has been using my advocacy to help police solve murder cases and increase tips in the metro area. I have been successful with both efforts. I have helped the KCMO police solve the Precious Doe & Jeffery Dunham murder cases. I helped get the tip that led to the capture of accused gang leader & murderer Shauntay Henderson. Moreover, my efforts to get the community to come forward to help the police has increased calls to the Tips Hotline & to the poilce department.

If those two cops who did not assist Ms. Salva are allowed to rejoin the KCMO police force I will stop seeking tips in KCMO crime cases for the rest of 2008 in protest. There is no room for racist cops on the KCMO Police Department. Maybe you can't see the racism of this case because you are a older Caucasian male who grew up in a time period where it was socially acceptable to hang Black people and deny them of their rights. Your judgment of this case was completely without merit and will only divide our community more. Please take a look at the following articles about my advocacy to improve this community.

Regards,

Alonzo Washington

Even the Jesus biz is buckling

2 companies run by First Family Church ministers close down

Cop shot during Northland gun battle

Things are clearly getting rough in "The White Part of town." Check it:

An off-duty police officer was shot in the Northland overnight.

The officer was shot while trying to track down two robbers at an apartment complex, police said . . . Police said a taxi driver reported being robbed and injured around 11 p.m. Monday by a man and woman at the Englewood Apartments near Northwest Englewood Road and Northwest Waukomis Drive.

The taxi driver found two off-duty policemen and pointed out the couple to the officers.

Capt. Rich Lockhart, of the Kansas City Police Department, said, "During the pursuit, there was an exchange of gunfire between at least one of the suspects and the officers. During that altercation the officer was hit by the suspect's shots. One of the suspects was hit by the officer's shot."

Damn, that's pretty rough. Both people shot have non-life-threatening injuries so that's cool but it doesn't offer any further incentive to go see the great cultural wasteland that is the Northland of Kansas City.

Local home invasion

A woman came face to face with three gunmen inside her house near Lone Jack on Lee's Summit Road in a rural part of Jackson County Monday morning, right after they broke through her basement door, police said. She and her husband barricaded themselves in a bedroom while the crooks went through their house, stealing a computer, an Xbox and a flat-screen television. Nobody was hurt.

New blog: The JoCo SOB

A white guy with an opinion!!! Not exactly groundbreaking but the dude's blog is worth checking out nevertheless. A lot of links and commentary with a few jokes in between. Good stuff and if you're still curious about what white guys think after watching cable news commentary shows.

Still a case for recall?

I think so . . . But then again, sometimes I yell at chestnuts for being lazy. Anyhoo, Recall the Funk.com posts a couple of great thoughts about the Semler controversy today.

The Star: Expect resiliency in 2008!!!

Market Crash this morning . . . However, there's good news . . . The fed cut rates a lot to respond. So if you have any money, it'll be easier to borrow more.

Fed cut shows depth of concern: economists

Stay warm Kansas City!!!

A local blogger signs his own death warrant

A local blogger writes: "Chuck Norris is an idiot." Wow, I think that Chuck Norris can kill you with his mind just for thinking that . . . Too bad, I liked the guy's blog while it lasted.

"Reflections by Dee"

Great conservative round-up from KC's premiere conservative blogger.

Kendrick Blackwood for Mayor

It's worth noting a simple fact about the Mayor's contribution (or lack thereof) to racial understanding in Kansas City:

Funkhouser skipped out on MLK celebrations in Kansas City!!!

However, in a good move he sent the better PR guy in his crew and Kendrick Blackwood did quite a good job in addressing the crowd at St. Stephen Baptist Church last night.

When Blackwood read a proclamation from the Mayor there was audible disgust from folks in the audience. I could hear the "whatevers" and "yeah right" from the crowd with no trouble at all. I thought the guy was going to lose it but he kept his cool. When Blackwood began to speak he talked about the importance of the day and King's legacy, the crowd suddenly lost it's edge. It also helped that Rev. Thompson urged the crowd to be respectful.

Now, this wasn't a political victory for Mayor Funky but a sign that at least one member of his posse isn't completely clueless. It wasn't a political miracle, just one of the Mayor's people reminding everyone that they were in a church and their political angst might not be completely appropriate. Once again our Mayor missed a real opportunity for reconciliation with Kansas City's Black Community. Furthermore, Mike Sanders picked up a lot of cred by being the most prominent Kansas City politico in the crowd - His role as the guy with less political fumbling in KC is a virtual goldmine. Nevertheless, the crowd was still displeased and/or disappointed with Mayor Funkhouser after his PR guy was finished speaking.

However, people had a lot more respect for Blackwood . . . In fact, Blackwood appeared much more competent than his boss.

Time to think about a new ISP in KC

Time Warner Cable will experiment with a new pricing structure for high-speed Internet access later this year, charging customers based on how much data they download, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Gloria, do we learn about the 80k today?

So, today is the first business day of the week after the King Holiday. Mayor Funky promised a verifiable explanation for missing campaign funds on last week before he left town with his wife . . . Then nothing.



Now, we're at day five. I'm hoping Kansas City will get some kind of proof today and I wonder if your average d-bag would be allowed to leave town and go so long without a word if a similar amount of loot went missing from their job . . . I doubt it. Still, Mayor Funky would clear everything up by showing some receipts today for $80,000 worth of missing moolah from his campaign account. No word today, with documentation and not just promises, and I would think even a reasonable person could claim that he's officially stalling.

We'll see.

More Kansas City Layoffs!!! Heads are going to roll at the H&R (Chopping) Block!

I wonder if The Star Business Section is still talking resiliency . . . I stopped reading them awhile ago, mostly because they're irrelevant.

Still, a very well informed source just told TKC that layoffs are coming soon at Kansas City's beloved H&R Block!!!



Without a doubt just about every aspect of life in this cowtown is going to be hit hard by a global economic recession.

Here's the most gloomy and appropriate bit of financial news I came across today:

"Stocks plunged in Germany, Hong Kong, India and Brazil, and U.S. index futures dropped on mounting speculation that the global economy is slowing and company defaults will rise."

Wow! This sounds like a perfect time to open a luxury shopping district!!! I can't wait for Electric Avenue and I'm anxious to see the development before it is summarily boarded shut.

But it gets worse, Kansas City is still on the hook for P&L District bonds no matter what the fate of the luxury shopping and restaurant district. Meanwhile folks in Kansas City are going to be lucky to keep their jobs, never mind the much touted prospect of a downtown renaissance fueled by JoCo folks spending extravagantly far from home.

Worse still, everybody expects a bit of a stock market crash and an official bear market sometime before the end of the week and maybe as soon as the opening of US markets tomorrow.

Stay warm Kansas City!!!

UPDATE on Tuesday 3:35, almost a full day after this post was first published: Heh, turns out TKC was right once again. Natch. A special thanks to TKC Tipsters!!!

H&R Block warns of job cuts

New Funky Winter Fashions!!!

The latest offering from Recall The Funk.com: RECALL GLORIA GEAR!!!

Looks like good stuff. I'm going with the green t-shirt but it makes me wonder if we'll get an explanation about the whereabouts of the missing 80 GRAND in campaign funds by the time St. Paddy's Day rolls around . . . Either way I like the green shirt and the message it sends. If anybody would like to buy it for me, I wear the same size as Gloria Squitiro - XXL. And if the tee turns out to be too big, I can always use it for pajamas and dream of an inspired electorate that didn't narrowly appoint co-Mayors.

KC Baby love on MLK Day!!!

Human rights even for the unborn, even if they happen to be minorities . . . It's a nice concept to ponder today as a group of Kansas City folk took to the street in order to voice their outrage and encourage KCPD Chief Corwin to fire officers who refused to give medical treatment to a pregnant woman who pleaded that she was bleeding:

A group of black Kansas Citians is speaking out against a judge's recommendation that a Kansas City police officer get her job back.

The police chief wants to fire Officer Melody Spencer after she refused to get medical help for a pregnant black woman who repeatedly requested it. The woman later suffered a miscarriage . . .

Half a dozen people gathered in front of the Martin Luther King mural to urge police commissioners to terminate Spencer and her partner, Officer Kevin Schnell.

Actually it's the counter arguments that really interest me. People unquestioningly supporting the officers often note the suspects criminal history and thereby imply that neither she nor her child deserved medical treatment because of the lady's misdeeds - It's a horribly cruel, incorrect and morally repugnant position to hold but, as the protesters point out, if the lady in question would have been white there would have been no end to public outrage . . . Also, it's nice to see some folks can see through the racial angle of this story altogether and realize that, in essence it is very much a "right to life" case.

Top Ten Reasons the NAACP will join a national minority boycott of Kansas City

This isn't a prediction (because I'm usually wrong), it's just an analysis and when I'm proven right I'll offer it as evidence of my genius.

Anyhoo, today seems like as good of a time as any to talk about why the NAACP will join forces with a growing group of minorities already boycotting this town.

Here are the top 10 reasons:

1. This is bigger than Kansas City. The opposition to the Minutemen and racially divisive tactics (employed by Mayor Funkhouser) is part of a national effort of minority constituencies to build coalitions. The NAACP and La Raza are predominantly Democrat minded organization and in this election The Latino vote will play prominently in determining the next president. Democrats definitely want to secure the Latino vote . . . Standing against Mayor Funkhouser is an important gesture to remind Latinos ACROSS THE COUNTRY that coalitions of minority organizations and Democrats have their best interests at heart. This isn't pretty, it's politics and in an overwhelmingly Democrat town, Funkhouser aligning himself with Johnson County Republicans was a stubborn/stupid mistake.

2. Generally, Black people in Kansas City don't like Mayor Funky. Only anecdotal and completely biased evidence is offered to contradict this fact while election results and numerous polls prove TKC's point.

3. Less than 900 votes is not a mandate that would support The Mayor's arrogance on any topic which suggests that he may be wrong.

4. A direct Funkhouser quote: "Bring it on." The quote was regarding a recall but a boycott is simply