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