Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hot Chicks with Douchebags: Kansas City!!!



Something horrific and devastating happened to our nation in the Fall of 2001. It was a tragic moment that has caused a great deal of suffering for millions across the globe and not just the people directly impacted by the immediate destruction: A mediocre Kansas City band released a crappy album that met with success on the pop radio charts. Nothing has been the same since the catastrophe.

Puddle of Mudd, the shitty band of which I referenced in the previous passage, is led by Wes Scantlin and some guys a few record executives tossed behind him (no homo?) after he dumped everyone he ever knew in Kansas City.

Surprisingly, after one song that corporate radio was paid to play ad infinitum, the band is still making music and Marisa Miller will be featured in one of their upcoming videos which will only to be played on VH1 at 2:30 in the morning.

Now this isn't really news that affects Kansas City but it is proof that achieving excellence, having skill or even being blessed with talent aren't prerequisites for success . . . Merely being a poster boy for douchebags everywhere is enough to put a person in close proximity to a hot piece of tail like Marisa Miller.

For more on this phenomenon, check out a wonderful website entitled Hot Chicks with Douchebags or just take a trip to the P&L District on a Saturday Night (if you're not a minority, of course).

And, to use the vernacular of a d-bag like Wes, for some scary reason bra, I find a lot of the conclusions I've come to comforting, bra!!! That's right bra, the odds are looking good for me once again Broseph!!!

Calm down, they'll never come here

Bombardier COO tours site near KCI . . . In order to better use Kansas City as a bargaining chip.

LJ in the off season living the high life

Just a couple of photos of LJ drinking and jetting off to Miami in a private plane with one of his very hot looking girlfriends . . . Probably so they can make s'mores and practice kissing their pillows given that LJ is most likely not down for anything serious and has always had a problem scoring in the clutch. He's not even a good come from behind player (ew), more of a guy who likes to take it up the middle and watch other guys pound away at each other while he slides in between. Sports are ghey.

Kansas City rejects hate radio!!!



Despite the success of Lou Dobbs . . . Randomly spewing out vitriol against brown people actually isn't good for business especially in a pretty progressive town like Kansas City proper. And that might explain why Stigall and KCMO-710 still remain in the radio gutter at least according to the latest ratings.

Still, you might notice a little bit of improvement and that's great . . . A lot of that might be due to a less hostile tone and the lack of a current racial controversy for Stigall to howl about . . . He's actually been forced to come up with interesting stuff and has been borrowing a great deal from blogger content across the country. It's a good tactic and people would think the opposite is true but there are more people tuning in when things actually aren't so tense - Controversies usually just end up attracting the same old, angry callers. I guess folks can only take so much hate . . . At least folks other than the d-bags who keep reading this blog.

Nearly naked man beaten half to death and dumped on the Eastside should remind you that your day wasn't that bad

From The Star: A passerby found a severely beaten man dumped in the middle of 23rd Street near Vine Street about 11 a.m. today.

An ambulance took the victim to a hospital, where police said his chances of survival were about 50 percent. The victim was wearing only socks, jeans and underwear.

PIT BULL ATTACKS PONY AT DAYCARE!!! STUDENTS GET FIRST GLIMPSE AT CRUEL REALITY IN KANSAS CITY!!!

KSHB reports: "A worker at the daycare says the children had just finished riding the pony and were inside the daycare when the attack occurred. The pony was grazing in the back yard of the facility when the dog jumped a fence and attacked."

Stop laughing you cruel bastard!!!

TKC's come from behind links!!!



It's strange, I've been busy and I've been blogging . . . I'm also working on 3 hours sleep. Thank you Dr. Pepper.

Here's some links that should have been on the page this morning but are too important to skip over nonetheless:

  • Science City gets 200k for an exhibit almost no one will see.

  • It may seem funny now but I actually feel really sorry for a guy accused of robbing a Kansas City autoparts store with a toy gun should he go to prison.

  • Indy Schools vs. KC School District over dollar amount for buildings. Now white separatists (hehe) want a discount and may go to court to get it.

  • More dead bodies turning up all over town.

  • HOME FORECLOSURES ARE UP DRAMATICALLY IN KANSAS CITY!!!

  • Hard luck in Kansas City . . . $20 bucks a guy stole was key in his capture.

  • Wack double shooting yesterday outside the Wax Factory record store in KCK.

  • For some crazy reason a dude bummed about his dog's death was all that was on the news last night.

  • Trial for tragic Dollar General killing started today.

  • Lots of activities for the first nice weekend in Kansas City this year, expect every dumbass to be outside. I'll be in the basement.
  • Kansas City Blogger Book Club Kickoff!!!



    Here I was thinking that Bookpusher was just B.S.ing but it turns out he's serious about getting the locals to pick up a book.

    The choice for the first annual KC Blogger book club is Crossing California by Adam Langer. Here's the description from Gregg:
    A Chicago tale that takes place in the waning days of the 1970s, this looks to be a coming of age novel featuring several families in a Jewish neighborhood. It’s a first-time author, which I figure is appropriate, and landed on several year-end best-of lists.
    It doesn't sound bad and if any of you designer folks would like to make a KC Blogger Book Club logo . . . I'm down to put it in the sidebar, I'm working on one as well. For those bloggers who want to meet and discuss it, you have until May 20th to check it out. Need inspiration to tear yourself away from the computer and read? Check out a golden oldie from the Net . . . "Read a book" from last year.

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's condo!!!



    Kansas City Urban Tour This Weekend . . . Thanks to the crappy economy and a bunch of other stuff happening in town this weekend; I think condo sellers will be exceptionally motivated and this might be just the start of bargain hunting season from affluent hipsters that just couldn't cash out during the boom years.

    Kansas City Blogger Coverage: Behind the scenes at the Jim Slattery Senate Kickoff

    Local blogger Tevis does some outstanding on-site reporting of a local long shot candidate with a nice pic to boot.

    3AM Exclusive: It's nice outside

    I guess that means I have to mow my (mom's) lawn. Damnit, let's hope this blogger is as inaccurate as most local weather people. Excluding your favorite, of course.

    Let's not study too hard Kansas City!!!



    It seems as if Kansas City isn't too anxious to look into its distribution of tax abatements.

    Looks like the politicos representing the Northland are fighting hard for their share of (mostly) white (middle-class) welfare:
    The Finance and Audit Committee today told Auditor Gary White they weren’t too keen on his proposal to answer “to what extent is Kansas City’s economic incentive investment distributed in blighted areas?” The auditor’s proposal said, “Some policy makers and other stakeholders have raised concerns that the city’s EDI programs (economic development incentives) do not adequately address some severely blighted areas of the city.” It added that comparing locations and investment could help identify areas where current efforts are not addressing needs.

    But Finance Committee Chairman Deb Hermann, a Northlander, noted that the Shoal Creek TIF in the Northland generates millions of dollars for the general fund, which can then be used for blight removal in neglected parts of the city. So even though it was built in an undeveloped area, it should get credit for blight remediation. And Councilman Russ Johnson, another Northlander, argued that the KCI TIF built roads for the Northland that the city would have had to build anyway.
    The first comment completely nails the issue: "white politicos from the 'Northland' and 'Plaza' districts don't want city auditors releasing a report on how funds are (not) used to address blighted (i.e - "the black part of town") districts."

    Sadly, that seems like an accurate take on the situation from the vantage point of many people who are justifiably skeptical of politicos. Personally, I think the Mayor's Northland contingent comes off looking the worst.

    The KC Post offers another perspective on the Cordish Contract and drinking outdoors



    Forsythe goes into the details and brings up a lot of great points in his latest post.
    But in the final analysis I have to say I think it is counterproductive that our City government is pursuing legislation that could possibly (and I'm only conceding could) have a detrimental effect on a project in which we are all so deeply invested. That MDA may have been signed by a previous administration, but we the taxpayers are left to pay for it.
    And yes, the KC Post acknowledges that Cordish should have lived up to their part of the bargain and had the place finished in time.

    Personally, I'm in favor of as many places to drink in open air in Kansas City as possible and I never had much faith in the P&L District in the first place . . . Still, I doubt we can booze our way back to prosperity but in all likelihood a lot of liquor will make the current recession (leading into a depression) a lot easer to cope with . . . I guess.

    I guess we're still supersizing: One more thing bigger than yours in Overland Park!!!

    Overland Park Boasts Largest Barometer in US . . . Strangely, it's not a barometer of douchery or one that would indicate the end of cheap fuel and food. I guess some suburbanites aren't yet aware that this kind of lifestyle, their kind of lifestyle is coming to an end.

    AWESOME!!! Sarah Steelman proves she doesn't know anything about Kansas City's finances and basically concedes votes from this town!!!

    Sarah Steelman is one of the lesser known Republican candidates for Governor . . . To start off her campaign she recently said that she wants to eliminate Kansas City's Earning's Tax . . . Sounds great right? Until anyone with a modicum of knowledge about the budget (that would be me) realizes that would basically mean closing down this town. So, I wonder if this is just a manifestation of her ignorance regarding Kansas City's finances OR does she really want this city to close up shop? Either way, anyone with a calculator can figure out that she doesn't know what she's saying.

    "How To Go Green Without Really Trying"

    May's Machete has some helpful tips for lazy environmentalism (the only kind I could ever contemplate). . . At first I thought she was offering local Indian food recommendations. (Badump-bump-bump)

    Darla takes aim at The Star and Cordish!!!



    Damn. I don't know if I'm slowly skewing to the right because there's no way in Hell I'm voting for Hillary, but I find myself agreeing with KMBZ's Queen of talk radio Darla Jaye more often lately.

    Today she completely took apart The Star and Cordish in regard to the proposed Festival District Bill and The Star's tepid coverage of the fact that nobody can get a drink outside without permission from the East Coast company.

    She made the connection that The Star doesn't like dealing with this stuff because they've received millions in TIF money tax abatements as well. That thought seems to capture the zeitgeist of what so many people following KC Development are saying under their breath.

    Even better, she gave a brief mention to TKC and KC Rag Forum when noting how late The Star was with the story and a week after she dedicated coverage to it herself.

    Here's a link to Darla's show notes, and I think if you hunt around the KMBZ site you can get free text updates as well as some audio podcasts.

    New Favorite: Bottomline Communications



    Landsberg knows everybody . . . That much is Kansas City fact. The guy is a former KC reporter reporter from Cleveland who now runs a local media outlet for folks wanting to know the inside scoop on all things media related in this town . . . His website is a must read, which is why I check out his site every morning and then "funny it up" with my stupidity and meager photoshop skillz. Favorites come and go but Landsberg has a long history of finding a story first in KC.

    New blogger once again: Damnitkage!!!

    I wondered what happened to KJ from the Big Dumb Fun Show . . . Turns out he's still kicking it on his blog which I just found courtesy of Twitter. Ah, Internet reunions are lovely. Sadly, Kage and I won't be hooking up even though he's one of the coolest guys on the local Internets.

    New (to me) blog: Spewing worthless information since 1979

    Just found this one in my comments . . . The talented lady blogger has been around since 2006 but I notice a flurry of posting lately. Love the graphic and I've been rocking out to her music selection for the past 10 minutes. Good stuff.

    KC Morning News Blog Talk on KMBZ!!!



    Just in case you forgot, I'll be on KC's Morning News this morning at 8:30 in the AM on KMBZ News Radio 980.

    There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in the local blogosphere and tons to talk about . . . So tune in so you can hear me roundup the late breaking local trends in the blogosphere and also I'll be trying to do my best imitation of Obama disavowing Rev. Wright in much the same way I've rarely had anyone admit that they read my blog regularly.

    The contentious relationship between the local Internets and mainstream media in Kansas City continues!!!



    Welcome to the club KC Talk . . . Once again a local website claims that it's getting screwed out of credit for an upcoming story - This is beginning to be a theme when it comes to the Kansas City Internets.

    Here's KC Talk's side of the story from a fantastic post by Frank:
    On Wednesday night at 10pm, NBC Action News in Kansas City will run an investigative story on a topic hot here at KCTalk for almost a year. After broken promises documented here on the forums DIRECTLY from the dealership to customers, and many unreturned phone calls, FINALLY victims are getting action.

    With over 50,000 views, and 2,000 posts between two threads, Chad Franklin Automotive AKA Legend Suzuki finally will be exposed . . . I am also giving 20:1 odds that KCTalk get NO MENTION whatsoever from NBC even though they will take information from this site...
    Seems to me that KC Talk deserves some credit since they hosted an awesome conversation on the topic for nearly a year. What do you d-bags think?

    TKC NOTE: I just wanna add that when it comes to giving blogger or Internet credit, KSHB is way ahead of the pack when it comes to the rest of the media in town, so maybe the KC Talk crew might get a surprise . . . Other than the unnatural love between Frank and Venkman, of course.

    KANSAS CITY'S DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE (OR LACK THEREOF) FINALLY KILLED THE MANGO ROOM!!!

    Buried in an article regarding an upcoming bar that I read courtesy of KC Beer blog is sad news that a great local business, with a lot more personality than the chain restaurants downtown, just went bust and is moving "out south." Yep, they gave it their best shot but the Mango room is gone and slow, often delayed P&L District Construction is to blame. Of course, there might be talk that we "just need to wait" for all of the great promises from Cordish to be fulfilled . . . I just wouldn't hold my breath. Also, the fact that the economic impact of the so-called Downtown renaissance is unfounded is now becoming apparent.

    Walking where the Natives were



    Local blogger ScooterJ recently filed an excellent post regarding an upcoming walk on behalf of the last remaining Natives and their rights (surprisingly unrelated to casinos):
    Longest Walk 2 is a 30th-anniversary commemorative walk from San Francisco to Washington, DC to raise awareness of environmental and human rights issues of concern to Native Americans.
    I gotta admit, it's interesting stuff and I can't really find anything to complain about concerning the event to ease white guilt in the aftermath of the genocide perpetrated on the Natives . . . This actually sounds like a good cause and somewhat interesting . . . Don't forget to check out Scooter's blog for the details if you haven't already . . . Still, I'm not sure about the name. I always thought the "longest walk" was trying to sneak out of a woman's house after a random Westport/P&L District/Dank bar hookup, but I guess it'll work for this event as well.

    Review: The Raconteurs at the Uptown

    Local blogger Brad brings yet another comprehensive review of a band I've never heard of . . . On the bright side, they don't seem too bad.

    "Laura and Jenna Bush in Kansas City!"

    Kansas City conservative blogger Dee writes an enthusiastic roundup of the event.

    Awesome, the threatening Cordish memo was only news a week ago!!!

    I don't mind saying that TKC broke news of a memo leaked to the press regarding a threatened lawsuit from Cordish last week . . . To be fair, the folks at the KC Rag forum had been talking about the possibility of a lawsuit for months . . . Everybody knew it was coming. KMBC and most of the local news stations picked it up later in the afternoon. Well, today The Star has the news, I'm sure most of the seniors who still take the paper are grateful.

    Kansas City bloggers know how to party



    Eh, the warm weather always encourages otherwise reclusive bloggers to get outdoors. While I would rather stay inside than deal with any of you bags, thankfully local bloggers are a lot more adventurous and they also have good info on upcoming entertainment.

    To wit,

  • My favorite blogger Mary-Anne already has a gullly list of this year's Cinco De Mayo events in the KC Area that she has published.

  • And Jay Bird reminds us that the Brookside Art Fair Annual is this weekend.

    And yes, this week has been so lame that I'm already looking forward to its end.

  • Tuesday, April 29, 2008

    Historical fiction dedicated to TKC



    A recent post I found is good for a laugh. Some d-bag is soooooooo disenchanted with TKC he (probably she) dedicated an essay to this blog full of hackneyed tricks he learned form his English lit. professor . . . It features the author carrying on a pithy conversation with his dog and all of the irony and wit that you'd expect from the kind of anony d-bag who would dedicate a lengthy post to yours truly.

    Sadly, there was a bit of a logical inconsistency . . . He chides other bloggers for not confronting me, but I don't remember this douche at all (unless he was the tall Viking) but for the most part there wasn't a peep from a blogger who really had a problem with me . . . Still, I'm flattered and I see vague hints of promise from an otherwise forgettable endeavor from a d-bag so scared of the real world that they're keeping their identity top secret and refuse to take comments.

    Not that I'm one to give advice, considering that I live in my mom's basement, BUT the real world isn't nearly as scary once it's understood that bloggers are essentially harmless and are way tougher behind a keyboard than in real life.

    Also, the author's post was about a half a week late and contains a vague threat of violence against your favorite blogger . . . But I guess any press is good press and I certainly think the dude deserves a link.

    Speaking of KC Blogger D-bags . . .

    CHECK OUT A NEW KANSAS CITY BLOGGERS SITE!!!

    I'm actually curious to see what they'll do with it.

    Will it be an open forum for ideas, discussion and debate?

    OR, far more likely, will it be yet another social club for local white people who like to hang out at bars and agree with each other?

    Where do I go for a link? Because I'm totally linking them (on my much better blogroll) and I'm actually curious as to how it'll turn out.

    STUBBORN MAYOR FUNKY SPOTLIGHTS A CON IN HIS STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH AND HAS NO REGRETS!!!



    So bitches, once again your man in the media (no homo) was proven correct.

    In a wonderful, fantastic and welcomed article DeAnn Smith provides the details regarding the couple indicted in New Jersey and then held up as an example of new business and people moving to Kansas City.

    Smith credits KCUR with discovering the story which is her prerogative but talk was already swirling around City Hall by Friday afternoon from everybody who had access to a computer.

    I'd like to note that KCUR didn't provide a link to any documents that proved the assertion, KCUR didn't provide an open forum for people to discuss the news and KCUR let that Jerkoff Joe Miller weasel out of any direct questions with the landmark statement of his career.

    "I didn't do a Google search."

    TKC did, with the help of awesome tipsters who told me to . . . And then TKC readers talked about it and shared some funny personal insults. You're welcome.

    Still, Smith works with real facts and real-live people not just rumors, Google and web pages like TKC and she clearly got all of the hard to find details into line with her report.

    Here are the juicy bits:
    Dan Engravalle was convicted and paid a $5,000 fine, court officials and records show. He said in an interview that he successfully completed probation . . .

    Funkhouser said he hopes he would have "the guts" to still include them in his speech if he had known in advance. He said he doesn't regret not "Googling" them.

    "I like the Engravalles. They are decent people. I enjoyed them when I met them," Funkhouser said in an interview. "I wish them well with their business."
    That's right, Kansas City's Mayor doesn't think it's wrong to hold up a former con as and example of this town's future.

    Personally, I know a lot of former cons and they're cool but I wouldn't want them associated with me professionally . . . Speaking of, today a client politely asked for links and jpegs to the last 3 of 5 big booby broads I posted on this blog - The Internets is so awesome when it comes to sharing interests.

    Anyhoo, this major flub by the mayor and yet another stubborn response indicates the following:

  • The Mayor's plans, challenges and initiatives are probably just as poorly researched as his State of the City speech.

  • For somebody who claims that he's not a politician, he's certainly really good at never admitting a mistake (a classic political trick) . . . If only he could get better at avoiding making all of these errors in the first place.

  • When the question of associations comes up during the next election, and it will, Mayor Funky has absolutely no credibility on yet another matter. Really, Kansas City's Mayor has worse luck than Obama in being connected to unsavory characters.

    For my part, I sympathize with the Engravalles - It's unfortunate that their past, which they've paid for, had to be drudged up by everybody with Internet access in the Kansas City area. We all know former cons, some of us are former cons and some of will be future former cons. It shouldn't be a scarlet letter but it's not the best advertising for the future of this town either . . . Just think that a mere second or two of research would have prevented the entire embarrassment for the seemingly good hearted couple and the Mayor . . . And then realize that kind of incompetence is running Kansas City.
  • A TKC EXCLUSIVE ONCE AGAIN: MAYOR FUNKY'S PLAN TO PUT LIGHT RAIL ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER SHUT DOWN BY JACKSON COUNTY!!!



    Here we are once again . . . Mayor Funky has failed in the task of creating a consensus . . . This time with officials in Jackson County regarding his current light rail scheme.

    The Mayor wants to put HIS light rail initiative on the ballot in November.

    However, according to awesome, cool, well-connected, gracious and good looking sources (that TKC will keep secret forever) the Mayor's plan to put the issue before voters by November was recently shut down by officals in Jackson County during a recent meeting. There's just not enough money for it. Word is that County Exec Mike Sanders just doesn't see it happening.

    Now let's put this simply:

    THERE'S NO WAY MAYOR FUNKY IS GOING TO BUILD REGIONAL LIGHT RAIL IF HE CAN'T EVEN GET COOPERATION FROM THE GUY ACROSS THE STREET!!!

    Once again, I think County Exec Sanders stays winning with this move because there's no reason he should go out on a limb for Mayor Funky's ego-trip that has yet to get a meaningful endorsement from any municipality. Also, there just hasn't been any plan to look at . . . Mayor Funky is waiting until the last minute to present any type of plan. His naiveté and inexperience have mislead him to believe that pushing this kind of thing will be easy and won't take a lot of planning. It's a common tactic of the inexperienced, cruel and manipulative to wait till the last minute and then demand obedience . . . I should know because that's how I treat the ladies. But I digress . . .

    Without a lot of support from Jackson County . . . There's not going to be any regional light rail by the November election deadline. And just to be perfectly clear:

    Mayor Funkhouser killed light rail in Kansas City!!!

    So, what does all this mean?

    As so many other people have noted before . . . Money is tight, the County is just recovering from layoffs, chasing a light rail scheme would be unwise . . . Again, it's a good move.

    Like it or not (I don't), Clay Chastain's petition drive was the closest this town has come to a consensus on light rail. Every loser in this city has their own proposal for light rail (including me) but so far there is no definitive mandate from the public for a specific plan . . . That's really the fallout from the Mayor's decision (Mr. Peanut's actually) to veto what the voters had already approved . . . Who knew that Chastain could provide more leadership than Mayor Funky? Ugh.

    Finally, this is yet another sign that Mayor Funkhouser has almost zero political capital in this town. He's uninterested in cooperation and still seems to be acting like king or a dictator whenever his mandates are challenged or ignored.

    Once again, Mayor Funky's inability to form a consensus or engender cooperation has cost the people of Kansas City.

    Blue Link Comeback

    Married to the mob (ties)? The latest mistake by the Mayor makes me feel old.



    Kansas City has always been connected to the mob . . . But I'm surprised this latest embarrassment for the Mayor isn't the first time talk of the mob has come up regarding the Funkhouser Administration.

    It should be noted that I'd never suggest the Mayor has any real mob ties because he's far too boring and dim for that kind of thing . . . But the talk of the mob has surrounded Mayor Funky since he first took office.

    A special thanks to the folks in the comments who reminded me that Mayor Funky's wife Gloria had a few choice quotes regarding the mob from her interview last year in KC Magazine. Sadly, the print rag doesn't provide an online version but luckily I documented the interview . . . Here's the money quote from me:
    (There was) a lot of mention of her Italian roots, they article even uses the word Mafia and she claims that "Funk would have been rich if he would have just taken some of the bribes he was offered." Classy!
    Still, this is a bit of a downer for me, until the mainstream media reports come out, because the first thing I thought of was the old movie "Married to the Mob" which I always thought was kinda cool . . .

    Turns out, nowadays when you say "Married to the Mob" folks are more likely to think of a hip(ster), urban fashion line where people pay $50 bucks for t-shirts.



    Still, officially this is Day 2 of a needless controversy stirred by the fact that media people in the Mayor's office are so incompetent they are responsible for:

    MAYOR FUNKY HONORING A COUPLE THAT WAS INDICTED AND ALLEGEDLY HAD "SELF-PROFESSED" MOB TIES!!!



    Apparently, we're a City that works . . . But not on Google . . . Oh, and when are they gonna fire Joe Miller for missing this one?

    The Star fails to realize that animals can't predict the future or else they wouldn't end up as food



    Awesome . . . Here's another example of media giving into the many attempts of middle-class white people to anthropomorphize their pets.

    If you have to eat out in Kansas City, it might as well be fresh (ugh)



    From the Kansas City Food Circle Blog: Featured Farmers Markets in K.C

    Benito says: "Gimme back my Benz!!!"



    From the Star: A former Kansas City Royals catcher has filed paperwork in federal court claiming that a luxury car seized from an upscale drug dealer is his and should be returned.

    Last month, The Kansas City Star reported that the 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL55 two-door coupe with an original sticker price of more than $115,000 was registered to Benito Santiago about the time he signed with the Royals in late 2003.


    Featured above, Ukrainian born porn star Nikki Benz . . . Just because.

    One more crackpot in Kansas City

    Ward Connerly spoke outside City Hall yesterday . . . Nothing special and not a single reference to (or about) his recruitment of hate groups in his petition drive.

    Interesting legal stuff I don't quite understand (nor do I care to). However it does involve a member of the Graves clan.

    The Kansas City Lawyers respond to State Farm’s disqualification motion in the Rigsby qui tam suit . . . Fired Up! Missouri has even more background.

    TKC come from behind links



    I have a lot of catching up to do as far as local links go . . . Here's some of the better ones that I wasn't ready to forget about:

  • Racially motivated killing in Kansas City is far more common than people think.

  • IN MEMORIAM OF A RARE MOMENT WHEN KANSAS CITY CARED ABOUT METRO VIOLENCE: Anniversary Of Mall Shooting Nears

  • Here's where the School District pretends to care what people think: Massive KC School Review Underway.

  • Another good move for the AG while Republicans are pretty clueless about every issue in Missouri except for making life harder for Mexicans: Attorney General Jay Nixon on Monday announced a higher education plan that he says would provide a way for middle-class Missouri students to earn a four-year degree tuition-free.

  • 5-Year-Old Girl Shot In Head Returns Home

  • Apparently, someone can stop Kline's snooping: Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline is not entitled to state abortion records he was seeking in his criminal case against Planned Parenthood, a judge ruled Monday.

  • Not that you'll notice but there's one less taco place on the Boulevard

  • Lamentable Local Luge Loss: Police Identify Man Killed While Street Luging

  • KC Confession: Man pleads guilty to 1985 murder

  • One of their rare crappy cards worth opening: The Hall Family Foundation pledges $6.5 million to William Jewell College.
  • Coming soon to the Sprint Center: An act that nobody can beat (anymore)!!!

    No Free Speech in Kansas City: Police cuff Catholics over immigration protest

    There wasn't much reason offered for police arresting local Catholic workers protesting anti-immigration efforts yesterday and they were only held for an hour and not charged with anything. Think what you want about immigration (you're probably wrong), the point is that yesterday it was proven that there's very little protection at the ground level for free speech in Kansas City . . . And then on the other hand, when a cop tells you to move to the sidewalk, it's probably a good idea to do what he said - I've heard that you can protest pretty much till your heart's content on local sidewalks, which explains why "Cheeseburger Jerry" is untouchable. Natch.

    There's more than one way to look at a so-called "thrill kill" in Kansas City, Kansas



    Over the weekend there was a lot of clamoring regarding a recent, alleged murder by 13 year-old and its labeling as "thrill kill" in KCK.

    The victim's family are calling for the teenager to be tried as an adult but I'm reminded of a recent video tapped beating case in Gardner that resulted in death as a 16 year-old got away with only juvenile charges . Of course, you can probably guess that the difference is the race of the folks involved and it should be noted that folks in Gardner weren't happy with the judge's decision either . . . We'll have to wait and see what happens with the case . . . But I have my suspicions and I would remiss if I didn't point out not only the obvious racial disparities in the justice system but also statistical info which shows that juveniles (of all races) forced into grown up jail actually have a higher rate of recidivism.

    Oh, and that photo above doesn't really have anything to do with this story other than the fact that April Scott had a very successful career as a young model and beauty pageant contestant here in Missouri (Popular Bluff) and then went on to have quite an impressive grown up career as well.

    Luxury items for local animals stay winning!

    Brookside Barkery & Bath a puppy spa of sorts and purveyor of "all-natural and raw pet foods" announced a recent grand opening for its third full-service location at 817 NE Woods Chapel Road in Lee's Summit.

    The Beth Payback

    Okay, I have to admit I'm liking Steve Penn's work a lot more lately . . . His recent column profiling Beth Gottstein and why she's giving her pay raise back is pretty interesting.

    There is nothing about public education in the Kansas City area that isn't screwed up

    The KC Biz Journal reports: The Kansas City Missouri School District Buildings Corp. has filed a lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court seeking a declaratory judgment about the fair market value of buildings the Independence School District is trying to recover as part of a voter-approved annexation of Kansas City School District land.

    3AM laying pipe (no homo)!!!

    It's not really news, I just liked the headline and I'm addicted to all things related to home repair (that don't involve me) . . .

    A Kansas City comic book on cable?



    Apparently, the Thunder Road guys are pitching their comic book (which started as an Internet/cell phone venture) to the guy's at Adult Swim. Even better, the content sounds pretty captivating and the TV execs don't seem to want to tone it down:
    Nobody questioned a comic that included drug use, drinking and driving, copious amounts of violence, child endangerment, cults and rockabilly music.
    Actually, I think it would be great if this local comic met with a bit of success not only because I'm tired of watching Family Guy reruns but also because it's pretty kick ass.

    What to do when you're getting kicked out of your home in Kansas City

    Sarah the real estate agent has a few helpful suggestions while I'll probably just laugh at your misfortune.

    Blogger Band Appreciation

    With the exception of a couple of great local music blogs, I rarely see local bloggers writing about their favorite bands . . . May's Machete might be the only exception as of late and her review is pretty great. Check it out.

    The knives come out in Kansas City

    RDM has a great theory, the bad economy might be causing criminals to put down their guns and take up knives instead. Call it a Freakonomics explanations of all the recent local stabbings.

    Jewel just to start the day




    Hey, I'm not into trips down memory lane but sometimes the past still looks awesome.

    I recently stumbled across some nice recent photos of Jewel and it reminded me of a time (1998) when every broad I knew was trying to play the guitar. Really, that broad's song about pancakes or whatever was pretty ubiquitous during the late 90's.

    Here's to otherwise perfect women with one tiny flaw (weird tooth or wandering eye) that makes them approachable . . . TKC wants everybody to have a good day . . . Especially this Lee's Summit couple who had 10k worth of jewelry stolen along with an exceptionally memorable piece.

    Monday, April 28, 2008

    ANOTHER TKC EXCLUSIVE: MAYOR FUNKHOUSER HONORED COUPLE WHO FACED INDICTMENT IN NEW JERSEY AND ALLEGEDLY HAD MAFIA TIES!!!



    Mayor Funky still isn't doing his research, he still hasn't learned.

    Last week the Mayor's "State of the City" speech was full of mostly BS and completely ignored crime in Kansas City . . . Or at least that's what I thought at first.

    Through my awesome investigative skill (Google) . . . And the complaints of quite a few City Hall insiders it turns out that The Mayor honored somebody who was at one time thought to be connected to the mob by the authorities in New Jersey!!!

    First, here's the passage from the media that simply reports the Mayor's acknowledgment.
    Thursday afternoon, the mayor delivered his first State of the City address. He talked a lot about quality of life issues and introduced a Northland couple who moved to Kansas City in January from New Jersey.

    The came to taste some barbeque and decided to move here and open a business.

    "I think some people don't know how good it is here," Debra Engravalle said. "Because of coming from the east coast and seeing what it is back there."
    And then with a simple Google search you'll find that the guy was indicted in New Jersey in 2005.

    Here's the heading to the details of the court case:
    DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHARGES NORTH JERSEY THIEVES WITH FENCING $1 MILLION IN STOLEN MERCHANDISE THROUGH UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION

    Operation “Enterprise” Purchased Stolen Weapons, Construction Equipment, Motorcycles, High-End Clothing & Electronics, Medical Supplies, Toys, Cosmetics, and Other Commodities...

    Brokers of Stolen Goods Maintain Self-Professed Ties To North Jersey Faction of Genovese Crime Family
    Here's the guy's listing:
    Daniel Engravalle, 32, 58 Alana Dr., Hawthorne, Passaic County. Charged with Count 1 - Conspiracy (2nd degree - 5-10 years/150,000 fine); Count 2 - Insurance Fraud (2nd degree - 5-10 years/150,000 fine); Count 3 - Theft by Deception (3rd degree - 3-5 years/$15,000 fine); Count 4 - Tampering With Public Records (3rd degree - 3-5 years/$15,000 fine);
    There's also a listing for somebody who named Debra who might also be the dude's wife. I hope not but ouch.



    UPDATE: It's them, and they even have a wedding gallery online which is cute and should give us all some insight about the difference between media glamorized depictions of life for people with alleged connections to the mob/Jersey and how they differ from reality. And for those who don't think the alleged criminal past of these people is any of our business . . . Not only is it all public record but IF the Mayor is going to use them as an example of the future he sees for Kansas City THEN how they were or weren't living large in North Jersey prior to coming here is pertinent information that the Mayor's people probably should have checked out for themselves.

    I called the Mayor's office to see if they knew . . . Surprisingly, one of the Mayor's Communication people Joe Miller (my old buddy - hehe) took my call and when I asked him about it . . . He hung up on me. Luckily, I had a very intelligent person point me in the direction of Miller's latest appearance on the Walt Bodine show this morning. When asked about the inclusion of the Engravalle couple in the speech Miller said:

    "I DIDN'T DO A GOOGLE SEARCH" he said and forgot to add the word "duh" to his response. He then goes on to say, "That was an addition that came in right in the last minute."

    It took me approximately 2 minutes to find it. Miller then goes on to stumble over his words and then try and switch the subject to Former Mayor Kay Barnes - A tried and true tactics of all Mayor Funky supporters.

    But make no mistake, this isn't speculation, the Engravalle couple were indicted and Mayor Funky's clueless staff let him get embarrassed once again.

    Somebody please fire Joe Miller!!!

    Honestly, I think if the Mayor switched up his communication staff once again and got rid of the most incompetent member of his office (Miller) there might be a little hope, Heaven knows I'd certainly see the Mayor's office in a different light.

    What does this mean? First of all Miller seems to still be holding a grudge (unlike me) and his incompetence knows no bounds . . . Also, either the Mayor is really forgiving or he's holding up people with "self-professed mob ties" as example of the kind of folks Kansas City is trying to attract . . . Or, more likely, MAYOR FUNKY AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE ONCE AGAIN BEEN PROVEN LAZY WHEN IT COMES TO DOING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH HIS ADMINISTRATION!!! He has had a year to learn and he still is so stubborn that he has yet to change . . . I'm all for forgiveness and I certainly don't think an indictment alone is enough to shun a person, but I realize that I'm a lot more understanding than most people and once again this embarrassment proves that Mayor Funky and his media people don't know what they're doing.

    TKC EXCLUSIVE: A behind the scenes look at the firing of Ed Ford as Kansas City's Mayor becomes increasingly caustic and pedantic with the Council!!!



    Recently, 2nd District Councilman Ed Ford was removed from his position as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by Mayor Funkhouser.

    They've both put out their PR regarding the matter but the rumors floating around City Hall as to how this all went down are far more interesting.

    I've heard the story of Ford's firing from quite a few people and obviously no one is going to confirm or deny any of it, but it's pretty much accepted as the "real story" among people in the know at the Hall:

    Mayor Funky asked Ford in for his review and conducted more of an evaluation as if he was grading a term paper from one of his students . . . Also, Mayor Funky asked a bunch of inappropriate questions like "How would you rate yourself as a Councilman?" as if Mayor Funky was the final authority over Ford's overall job performance . . . ONCE AGAIN THE MAYOR'S LACK OF PEOPLE SKILLS CAUSED A MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT WHEN THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED FAR MORE DIPLOMATICALLY!!!

    Anyhoo, word is that Ford resented being treated like a college sophomore and declined to continue the evaluation because of the pedantic, hostile and condescending tone set by the Mayor.

    According to most, Ford basically said: "The voters are the ones who give me my evaluation as a Council member, not you." Then Ford ended the meeting.

    Flabbergasted, embarrassed and angry that anyone had the audacity to disagree with him, Mayor Funky quickly removed Ford from his Committee Chair within the hour.

    But that's not the end of it, word has been circulating through City Hall that all of the Council folk are slightly pissed at the way Mayor Funky conducted his professor-like "evaluations."

    MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOUND IT INAPPROPRIATE THAT THE MAYOR ASKED THEM TO EVALUATE AND BAD MOUTH ONE ANOTHER AS PART OF THE MAYOR'S LINE OF QUESTIONING!!!

    That's right, the Mayor was openly pleading for dirt - A tactic that's far more familiar to a blogger rather than a much revered leader of a major metropolis. Stupidly, the Mayor believed that the Council members would take him into their confidence and reveal their frustrations. Most declined the offer from what I've heard.

    Honestly, does that sound like leadership to you? The mayor is now engaged in silly gossip games and digging up dirt on the Council rather than making any move to lead or involve them in his mostly misguided agenda. Anyone who gets in his way, questions his logic or is even regarded as unsupportive is labeled as stupid or evil - Time and time again Mayor Funkhouser has shown us that he is incapable of forming a consensus because the only opinion he cares about is his own. He mistakenly labels this tactic as "principled" but so far it has only lead to failure and embarrassment. And now we have the "principled" mayor acting like a gossipy college professor when there are serious matters that need to be addressed by his office and the City Council. Whether he likes it or not, they're going to have to work together and so far he has been incapable of doing so.

    It's all rather disappointing and as far as my evaluation for Mayor Funky goes . . . He gets a D . . . For Dumbass, dour and just downright stubborn.

    Note from TKC: Ed Ford just e-mailed me disavowing the whole conversation . . . A likely story but a decent (and professional) answer to the rumors that are floating around City Hall . . . However he did note that what the Mayor was "doing with the evaluations was counter-productive to a good working relationship with the Council."

    How's that for a verifiable quote?

    Also, I'm awesome.

    Fire on the Boulevard

    Doesn't look like anybody is hurt . . . The street is blocked off, I guess I won't be getting BBQ today.

    "Disconnected in Kansas City"

    A fantastic article in the Missourian documents a columnist losing her warm and fuzzy feelings about this town as she notices, "the people don’t seem to be as friendly and relaxed as I remember they were."

    (Crazy) Kansas City Constitution Party Convention Roundup



    I didn't know that, but the Constitution Party ranks third nationally amongst all United States political parties in registered voters, with 366,937 registered members as of November 2006.

    And come to think of it at least half the people I know shudder to think of themselves as either a Republican or a Democrat . . . But you wouldn't know that by the passing coverage that the local media gave to their convention IN KANSAS CITY last week.

    In fact, in another example of bloggy goodness and how the Internets is the premiere place for niche programing . . . ONLINE DENIZEN MIKE FERGUSON OUTDID EVERY LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET WITH HIS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE EVENT AND ITS PLAYERS.

    First, Ferguson put up an exclusive interview with Alan Keyes.

    Then the guy hosted an interesting conversation with the Constitution Party's Candidate for President this year: Chuck Baldwin.

    Check both of these dudes out on Missouri Viewpoints because you won't see them much in mainstream media coverage (or on the ballot) . . . But still, very good stuff.

    The over-sleepy wiki edition



    Aw, I am soooooooooo depressed. There are white people in this town who don't like me (or rather hate what they think is me via the representation of this blog - It's all the same to people who don't understand the way media works or haven't ever bothered to read the allegory of the cave). This makes me just want to give up and cry and stay here in my mother's basement . . . Actually, I do want to stay in my mother's basement but that doesn't mean I'm not going to blog . . . I woke up wonderfully late this morning after a "jam session" with some of my favorite Jenna Jameson clips and a few moments where I tried to convince myself that the only reason I started watching Battlestar Galactica was because of Tricia Helfer (featured above) . . . Anyway, the truth that I'm still a little bit sleepy and I have some real work to do, so we'll see how much I update the blog today Sunshine. Stay tuned, or not, I couldn't care less.

    Saturday, April 26, 2008

    The TKC Saturday Night Playlist: Blog Wars



    Okay, it's a fact that when bloggers don't have anything import to blog about . . . They blog about blogging.

    However, that's not the case today. I just got back from the Kansas City Press Club Forum dedicated to local blogs and I'm excited to report just a few details from the event.

    It was probably one of the best discussions of local blogging I've participated in during the more than 3 years I've been doing this thing.

    The discussion moderated by Steve Kaut, KSHB-TV managing editor and the featured speaker as Professor David D. Pearlmutter Ph.D.

    I was so impressed with what Mr. Pearlmutter had to say about blogging that that I immediately went to the Plaza Barnes & Noble in order to find a copy of his book:

    BLOG WARS (killer title by the way) . . . Sadly, they didn't have it so I guess I'll just buy it on Amazon.

    Thankfully, I wasn't the only representative of the local blogosphere at the forum.

    In fact, it was nice to get to hear opinions on blogging from some of my favorite authors and Kansas City Internet denizens. Here's just a quick list of the bloggy folks who participated in the discussion:

  • Bottomline Communications - John Landsberg presented a lot of great questions and I'm pretty sure the guy knows just about everybody working in Kansas City media.

  • The Kansas City Post - I was a bit disappointed that there weren't more questions directed his way but Mark totally stood up for local bloggers and talked to mainstream media people about important issues like attribution and blog influence on news stories - It exists whether people like it or not.

  • The KC Sponge was nice enough to introduce herself!!! I think she was as inspired by the discussion as I was . . .

  • XO was in the house as well, I didn't get a chance to say hi to him but I thought a brief exchange he had with Kansas City Veteran reporter Bill Grady was interesting and a great example that there is still some tension between the blogosphere and people who actually get paid to report on this town.

  • And I'm not sure if KC Meesha was in the crowd but some guy with a Russian Accent posed some great questions to me and noted that I was annoying. I couldn't agree more . . .

  • Finally, MToast was at the forum looking better than ever (sessy) and representing the absolute best of Kansas City blogging.

    The discussion was so lively that is burst right through the 2 hour mark . . .




    I think a lot of folks left with even more questions and the experience definitely has me looking forward to the next KC Press Club event no matter what the topic . . . It might actually be worth leaving my mom's basement.

    As a dedication to the diverse viewpoints highlighted by local blogs and the growing influence of "regular folks" in KC Media . . . I've decided to assemble kind of a potpourri of tunes for tonight's podcast.

    Check it:

  • Dolly Parton - "Here you Come Again"
  • Men at Work - "Who Can it be now"
  • Panic at the Disco - "Nine in the Afternoon"
  • Dana Dane - "Cinderfella Dana Dane"
  • T. Rex - "Get it on (Bang a Gong)
  • Patsy Cline - "I fall to pieces"
  • KC and the Sunshine band - "Get down tonight"
  • Snoop Dogg ft. The Doors - "Riders on the Storm"
  • Madonna - "Get into the Groove"
  • Dave Matthews Band - "Satellite"




  • It was definitely an afternoon well spent and in even better news I was happy to see that the KC AIDS WALK across the street had what seemed to be a record crowd and numbers far greater than I have ever seen at previously at the event . . . All things considered it was a good day.

    And just to try and hint to you d-bags kind enough to read on the weekend that I'm not a total heartless bastard blogger . . . I recently found a Youtube clip that provided a heartening memory of my childhood and the long forgotten spirit of proletarian unity from 70's recession era . . . It's Jesse Jackson and his "I am Somebody" chant on Sesame Street (Look for a tiny TKC in the crowd - No shit):



    Hard to believe that so many good natured ideals I had at that point have been corrupted . . . I blame Elmo. But I digress . . .

    So, as always, thank you for reading this week. Now more than ever I'm sure that blogging represents a unique opportunity for personal expression, the democratization of news-gathering and really efficient way to post photos of kittens.

    Have a fun and safe weekend.

    Your (first) KC shootout of the weekend

    Crime Scene KC reports: An Independence police officer shot a woman in the head early this morning after a car chase that ended in Kansas City . . . I guess the second one was an NKC Shooting this Saturday as well.

    Here's the next guy who will leave the Chiefs if he turns out to have any real talent!!!

    Chiefs Draft DT Glenn Dorsey at No. 5

    Kansas City blogger backlash against TKC among pouty middle-class white people who take things too personally!!!



    I want to be delicate with this post because there are real people, with real feelings whom I have pissed off in Kansas City's blogosphere.

    Apparently, the author of "Well Hell Michelle" was offended by something I had written on the occasion of Greg Beck's death.

    I noted that he was the token Black guy of KC's blogosphere (not by his choice but because of the condescending, elitist, exclusionary and supremacist attitudes among the small collection of Kansas City bloggers who like to hang out at bars) . . . I haven't changed my mind about that passage and if a few e-mails the guy sent me regarding blogger meetups are any indication . . . I don't think he was too excited about Kansas City's blogger clique either.

    But the truth is, and I've written this many times before, I didn't know the guy.

    This Michelle broad did, but I don't know her either . . . So the fact that she seems to be personally offended by something I've written seems to be strange, given the fact that we're strangers.

    And all of this relates back to my glory days as a communication theorist.

    I can't help but see some manifestation of the Uses and Gratifications Theory in media within the cadre of middle-class white people who claim to represent Kansas City blogging. These are folks who are mistakenly using the Internet to build personal relationships with strangers and they aren't really that much different than the people who troll craigslist looking for anonymous hookups.

    Let's make one thing clear: Just because you read someone's blog, e-mail them or have followed their web presence for years . . . THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU KNOW THEM!!! From what I gather, this Michelle broad had a real world relationship with Beck, they hung out . . . Meanwhile, so many more Kansas City Internet denizens attempted to turn the guy into a mascot and seemingly wanted the dude to be their long lost uncle simply because they read his web page . . . Obviously, this doesn't apply to Beck's real life friends but as a popular local media figure there were, in fact, many people who mistakenly believed they knew the dude because they read his blog and talked with him a few times - I contend, without apology, that nothing could be further from the truth.

    As for the comments which offended this Michelle broad . . . I was heretofore unaware that her sensibilities were so delicate that she's unable to accept any criticism regarding the content both she and Beck offered to the public. My bad.

    But the thing is . . . TKC ISN'T INTO THIS BLOGGING THING TO MAKE FRIENDS!!!

    In fact, it's just the opposite . . . TKC is about taking literary and metaphorical potshots at media personalities, politicos and everything else related to the culture of KC.



    Both the online content of Beck and that Michelle broad fall under one of those categories . . . If they don't (didn't) want the criticism, then maybe their blogs should be set to private. Heaven knows you d-bags don't feel the least bit guilty about sending your bile this way and I don't sit around and cry about it - TKC fires back or simply ignores the many douches who are my most loyal readers.

    Personally, I don't care. Rather than simply e-mail me and ask that her link be taken down, this Michelle lady chose to write a hit piece against my blog. That's her prerogative and I don't know the lady nor do I care to understand her motivations. I can only note that she knew what kind of blog this was back when she asked for her link in the first place.

    Nevertheless, It's more important that TKC dedicate time and resources to chasing white women who are not so uptight.



    In the final analysis, I think all of this relates to the coarse, contentious and sometimes hateful discourse that's commonplace among blogs. Anonymity and the rise of the amateur have given way to a much meaner, darker discourse when it comes to culture and politics . . . I couldn't be happier with that when compared to the Candyland offerings by the corporate media or the groupthink lovefest among the lonely locals looking for friendship online.

    Still, even though the tech is fascinating, it's not a substitute for human interaction, real relationships or the realization that the Internets is nothing like the real world. To wit, Michelle can pout over what she seemingly feels is a personal slight but to claim that any of her or the late Greg Beck's publicly offered content is beyond reproach is unfair and reprehensible in its restrictive attitude toward free speech. Bloggers need to understand that EVERYTHING published to the web is fair game for criticism and pouting because your particular demographic is held up to ridicule is not only unproductive but a clear indication that a blogger has mistaken the online world with reality.

    It's blogging, it's not personal.

    From Sean Bell to Sofia Salva



    The recent case of New York Cops who were acquitted after shooting Sean Bell has implications for Kansas City even if it seems a world away . . .

    As always, Dallas Penn does an excellent job of providing an insightful and interesting take on the subject.
    The night of Sean Bell’s murder was a cocktail of drunken poor males, and several of them had guns. The drunks with the guns also owned a ‘Get Out Of Jail’ free card better known as a police badge. This exemption is critical since it allows the police to sober themselves and corroborate their stories prior to being presented to a query on their conduct. Ultimately, it is still the story of poor people killing one another.
    I couldn't agree more but it seems to me that a great many African-American bloggers are reluctant to simply come out and note that the killing was racially motivated - After all, there were African-American officers involved in the shooting and there's the simple fact that noting any kind of racial disparity always evokes a fit of righteous indignation among white people from all walks of life . . . Luckily, I couldn't care less when blog readers get angry.

    Because I've seen this kind of thing play out time and time again it's clear to me that nearly every interaction between people of color and the police comes with racial overtones not only because of the disproportionate amount of Black people in prison but also due to the legacy of American law enforcement which historically acted as the enforcing agent for unconstitutional and discriminatory polices . . . It's a systemic problem that's part of the same Supremacy which blames victims of police brutality for the cultural logics in this society which make most minorities suspects at first contact with the police.

    For people in Kansas City, the Sean Bell case seems to have a lot in common with the story of Sofia Salva and her dead child, the refusal of medical treatment by two members of the KCPD and the backlash among folks who don't place a very high value on the lives of people of color. The basic facts are the same . . . The unfounded assumptions of police ultimately violated the rights of the victims and left someone dead; but that's not really the most important part of either case . . . Of utmost concern is how we deal with obvious instances of bias and injustice in the aftermath.

    Claire takes aim at Air Force contracts

    I don't know if this is a good move or not, generally battling with the Armed Forces is a losing proposition but then again attacking corruption is also a safe bet . . . You decide because I'm not sure whether I like the McCaskill or not (sorry I couldn't be more profound): Sen. Claire McCaskill pounded the Air Force this week for steering a sweetheart contract to upgrade the Thunderbirds air show to a favored company

    Crazy people support Phill Kline!!!

    Only Jesus, or the obnoxious supporters of the Big JC and his unborn babies could resurrect a career that's been so horribly damaged . . . Still, National right-to-life groups are urging Johnson County, Kan., District Attorney Phill Kline to run for re-election, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reports.

    Show Me Shannon Cooper's SWAG



    Missouri Republicans are also expert at making public service pay (even if it's just in perks): Shannon Cooper snags Jimmy Buffett tix and free room at Ameristar while carrying water for KC casinos

    A KC Blogger on the Sean Bell case!!!

    Sassywho posts her insightful opinion on the subject: "I am gobsmacked by the denial of justice to not only Sean Bell and his family, but also to the communities that have been paralyzed by the legacy of police violence."

    Hot dogs in motion at the K (no homo)

    A KC blogger makes an astute observation about a Royal's promotion.

    On the horizon: Kansas City weather is getting worse, like everything else



    The Kansas City Weather Podcast predicts that the weather will probably get crappier as we move into the weekend . . . Very much like my mood and my memory as TKC's 2 day festival of basement drinking is now underway. On a similarly depressing note, the local wacky weather has also been bad for business at the Legends which is just what Al Gore predicted!!!

    Friday, April 25, 2008

    One more crazy convention in Kansas City!!!



    The KC Biz Journal reports that Light-rail activist (and Kansas City's own case of political herpes given that he never goes away) Clay Chastain is proposing a June 13 summit to discuss forming a new light-rail plan for Kansas City that would appear on the November ballot.

    What to do in Kansas City this weekend when you're not laying around mostly naked



    One of my favorite local blogger Mary-Anne has THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF WEEKEND ACTIVITIES IN THE KANSAS CITY BLOGOSPHERE!!!

    The compilation she put together is definitely worth checking out rather than just being a dumbass and complaining that this city is "boring" . . . Bah, Kansas City has plenty of activities (that I'll be skipping in order to play X-box) . . .

    I AM SOMEBODY (with a subprime loan)

    Today, Jesse Jackson spoke in Kansas City about federal restructuring of home loans as a response to the ongoing subprime criss as part of a celebration of the Fair Housing Act at Bartle Hall. The act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, religion, sex or disability . . . Let's not forget that it's been proven that subprime lenders specifically target Blacks and Latinos.

    TKC Medical Fact: Cash paid to County government will keep you from getting cancer and protects the environment!!!

    Aquila to pay Cass County in deal to keep power plant built without zoning approval.

    Funkhouser's lame divide and conquer strategy now set upon the City Council



    It was clear that something was amiss when Mayor Funky no longer listed improving relations with the City Council as part of his priorities . . . The damage may now be so horrific that it could seriously cripple his Administration for the remainder of his term.

    It looks like Councilman Ed Ford is fuming and on the warpath against Mayor Funky, taking a lot of time to badmouth the Mayor openly in public . . . Recently, DeAnn Smith chronicles the kind of hostility to Mayor Funky that was formerly only whispered in City Hall Corridors.

    It turns out Mayor Funky was out to play favorites and split up Committee Chair responsibilities according to which members were the least troublesome to him. Like most everything else Mayor Funky does, the tactics are clumsy, mostly wrong and will most likely end up alienating the Council even further. Even worse, with such little political capital and low opinion ratings inside the urban core Mayor Funky has little to offer his favorite Council people in return for their loyalty.

    Murder charges for 13 year-old in KCK!!!

    Authorities have charged a 13-year-old boy in the shooting death of a man in Kansas City, Kan.

    Dogs welcome in Northland shopping district. Minorities, not so much.

    Zona Rosa will is making a move to become "dog friendly" this weekend . . . Whereas I have d-bag sales clerks following me around whenever I check out the place and try to steal things . . . I'm kidding, retailers never suspect how much I'm stealing. Again, I'm kidding . . . I don't steal. I refer to it as reparations.

    "Kemper is already $15 million in the hole"

    A perfectly good arena, WITH PARKING, gone to waste on behalf of a $300 million (and then some) monstrosity without an anchor tenant. Thank you former Mayor Kay.

    Kansas City doesn't care about Mayor Funky's "Orange Revolution" anymore!!!



    Of all the write-ups about Mayor Funky's State of the City speech The Star's DeAnn Smith probably had the most important observation:

    ONLY ABOUT 80 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE MAYOR'S ROUNDUP OF HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE!!! IN OTHER WORDS, ALMOST NOBODY CARES ABOUT KANSAS CITY'S MAYOR AND HIS EMPTY PROMISES!!!

    From what I've read of the speech, it might have been taken right out of the Bush/Cheney Playbook and even included the dopey reference to someone in the crowd that seems to be all of the rage among politicos desperate to include "regular folks" in their propaganda.

    It doesn't help that Mayor Funkhouser is the most dour, uninspiring and monotone speaker in all of Kansas City.

    And to top it all off he listed 10 new priorities in light of his failure to live up to the last set (Notice that the garbage about getting along with the Council is now nothing more than a memory) . . .

    Let's examine the Mayor's PR point by point and take apart his propaganda since nobody else in the metro is willing to do it:

  • Adequately funding basic infrastructure such as streets and sidewalks. That's kinda of funny in light of the fact that he just finished cutting funding for streets. Also, sidewalks he promised folks in Red Bridge more than a year ago are now forgotten and replaced with a plan to widen the road, subsequently decreasing home values . . . This one is nothing more than a lot of talk from the Mayor. His lack of action on this front makes that clear.

  • Bringing the city’s sewer system up to modern standards — a $3 billion challenge. - This is literally the first time in a month he's mentioned this fact . . . Hopefully he's serious but during the last year he DIDN'T DO ANYTHING to accomplish Water Infrastructure repair.

  • Building regional partnerships to fund regional amenities such as the zoo. Making JoCo people pay their fair share? Good luck.

  • Bringing municipal retirement systems and health care benefits in line with standard business practices. Here's where he cuts funding for KC Indigent care . . . Funkhouser hates the homeless.

  • Making it easier to do business in Kansas City. - Actually, that's a great idea. There are a bunch of small things the Mayor could do to advance the interests of small biz owners on this front . . . I'm actually kinda hopeful on this one but doubt he's going to mention the current Cordish bullying of small KC businesses.

  • Presenting voters with a regional light rail plan. - And here's where he keeps wasting time. Regional Light rail just isn't going to happen during this recession and truth be told this is his first priority from what I hear . . . Note: Politicos from surrounding cities actively avoid and lie to the Mayor when it comes to his regional light rail scheme - Sadly, he never told anybody he was going to be nothing more than a taller version of Clay Chastain, with even worse ideas, when he first ran for office.

  • Improving the educational system, with an education summit as a start. - A generation of failure and Funkhouser's going to fix it? Please get for real . . . However, it will be funny to see Funkhouser and his people get smacked down by the many special interests that rule the Kansas City School District when it comes time for their lovefest. Countdown till somebody (else) calls the Mayor racist.

  • Building allies in Jefferson City and Washington. - Over the past year Mayor Funky has made few allies. This isn't a bad idea but he has had little success on this front so far.

  • Creating economic incentives to promote development in economically distressed areas, starting with a May 5 symposium. - Again, Mayor Funky is coming off like some damn college professor and I thought that "incentives" that usually amount to corporate welfare are what he ran against. As always, Mayor Funky thinks he knows better than anybody else and the Super TIF that he approves (like he did for the soccer stadium - Ugh) is somehow more honorable (but just as expensive) than the same kind of deals put forth by former Mayor Kay.

  • Repopulating the urban core. - The first thing he could do here would be to ask Gloria Squitiro to put her shoes back on . . . And then figuring out how to make people buy condos during a recession would be a good trick as well.

    The most obvious thing that sticks out in Mayor Funky's list of future failures . . . With 32 murders in Kansas City already:

    MAYOR FUNKHOUSER DIDN'T MENTION A WORD ABOUT CRIME!!!

  • It's somewhat surprising that he didn't even really try to justify the fact that his panicky budgetary moves cut the additional police officers promised to Kansas City.

    As far as TKC is concerned, the his total unwillingness to even acknowledge crime in this town is proof that Mayor Funky represents the same kind of effete, elitist and misguided leadership that Kansas City experienced under former Mayor Kay Barnes. His priorities aren't about "regular folks," they're about advancing his career and his pseudo-intellectual agenda.

    The first year of his tenure marked one failure after the next for Mayor Funky and it looks like we're in for more as Kansas City's least popular politico continues to put light rail and his academic pursuits ahead of the more immediate needs of people in Kansas City.

    LET MY PEOPLE DRINK OUTSIDE!!!



    Turns out the story about the end of a City Sponsored Monopoly had legs . . . You know, the one about Cordish getting ready to sue Kansas City because other small businesses have the audacity to seek the same privilege they Baltimore company is getting.

    Let's not forget that TKC readers read it first here . . . Natch!!!

    However, news consumers who wanted stuff like facts and quotes needed to check out the real the TV news later on in the day . . . Sadly, they didn't even have any bold red type (losers).

    Without TKC Tipsters . . . I totally would have missed this story in the first place and thankfully TKC Tipsters are still eager to show the people of KC a behind the scenes look at the way corporations work in KC . . . Thanks to the folks who sent me a PDF copy of the letter that FOX4 is also hosting (It's easier to copy from my blog):

    I think it's important folks read the actual memo from Cordish that threatens a lawsuit.

    See for yourself . . . CORDISH IS OUT TO CHOKE OFF REAL COMPETITION FROM SMALL KANSAS CITY ESTABLISHMENTS BY INTIMIDATING CITY HALL!!!

    Meanwhile, the financial outlook for the place is horrible and apparently they want to drag all of Kansas City nightlife into the abyss with them.

    In one of the most naive and uninformed statements ever made by Mayor Funkhouser, he claims that a sign of Electric Avenue's success is merely that "it makes people smile." Ugh. One of the blandest attractions every to hit KC, an out-of-town company calling the shots for all of KC businesses and HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS WORTH BONDS THAT WILL NEVER BE PAID OFF . . . There's really not a whole lot to smile about in this situation and Cordish flexing their legal muscle (heh) is yet another sign that the company has far too much control over local politics.

    The noon link layout



    Here's some of the better links about this town . . .

  • Good for them!!! Looks like we won't have a bunch of broke auto workers around town . . .GM: Threatened Strikes By UAW Workers Postponed

  • Terry's Blair's life sentence made official in what has to be the quietest serial murder trial in recent memory . . . Maybe because there weren't any middle-class white women involved.

  • Another interesting item nobody is going to see: Rare Tank To Go On Display At WWI Museum

  • Elderly man stabbed on his porch in Independence

  • Construction Workers Rescued From Tunnel

  • Insert joke about bad food and weight loss here: Leawood Subway robbed

  • They really need to find an alternate description that doesn't make me giggle when it comes to concerns over bombs or hazardous material: Suspicious Package Found At Post Office

  • One more reason why JoCo is less exciting nowadays: Olathe Massage parlor owner pleads guilty
  • KC Kids in the Hall Review

    A tepid response from a local blogger . . . I just can't believe they still call themselves kids.

    Then they came for the Kansas City pool players, and I didn't really care

    Smoking Ban Pushing Pool Players Out Of KC . . . Also, that headline wasn't really a Holocaust joke per se but more like a missive on bad poetry (Explaining things makes them funnier).

    Westport Chili's Checkout is Killer

    Wild, wild Westport keeps it's reputation . . . 1 guy shot dead around 1 in the a.m. in the parking lot near Chili's.

    Not very representative of Kansas City blogging but an important gathering of middle-class white people nonetheless!!!



    It was on when I was in high school and I think they still do reruns but I've never, ever watched a single episode of Cheers . . . It's known as the single, most successful American Sitcom in the history of television but once I hear the opening piano line, I turn the channel.

    In the much the same way, I think local blogger gatherings are getting worse . . . The growing numbers of middle-class white people attending are starting to get impressive (not really) but I just couldn't imagine why anybody would take the time. I've been told before by former girlfriends that there's just something missing about me (like a steady income) but I honestly don't get it. I was gonna compare the Kansas City blogger meetups to something more current but still all white like The Hills but the age demographic and number of good looking people would be off . . . The Cheers comparison is much more accurate.

    Oh well, Spyder posts the best roundup of the most recent blogger love fest which was completely Caucasian, unrepresentative and not at all inclusive of the KC blogsphere as whole . . . Next time I suggest simply holding the thing at Mayor Funkhouser's campaign headquarters i.e. City Hall.

    Why do so many Kansas City reporters manwhore for Mayor Funkhouser?



    It's almost embarrassing how many fans the Mayor has in the mainstream media. In other cities, bigger cities, better cities . . . Reporters and columnists do their best to challenge the status quo and don't mind going against popular misconceptions. I'm reminded that the only people who hated Jimmy Breslin during his heyday more than the mafia was the NYPD. There's just not that kind of quality in Kansas City.

    In this town there are so many print writers lining up to support the mayor whether they're just passing through KC on the road to better places or from the safety of the suburban hinterlands.

    The otherwise awesome David Martin at The Pitch recently did his best to tap dance and offer a supportive post for the Mayor while foolishly attempting to justify the dude's latest pay raise.

    Mike Hendricks is human filth in pink form and his Johnson County praise for the Mayor's troubled tenure is just another example of how suburbanites take delight in the hardships of people of color in the urban core.

    It's all very disappointing and one of many reasons that print media is now becoming part of this nation's past . . . It's not entirely about the expediency of the Internets, that's only 99% of it and the other half is the corporate culture that keeps print reporting safe and mostly without any edge because it's really just an excuse to lure consumers to ads they mostly end up ignoring.

    All of the nasty Erotic City details

    The Pitch offers a pretty comprehensive roundup of the nastiness surrounding the shutdown of Erotic City.

    NBC (Channel 41) now in HD

    So we can all clearly see the perfection that is Meredith Hoenes.

    TKC Told you so: Royals still suck!!!

    RDM chronicles the latests, and not the last, embarrassing Royals losing streak.

    TKC on Twitter (heh)



    Well, I decided to wrap up my ad experiment (and it wasn't even a total failure!!!) . . . Google ads are still lame even though the features and site tracking options are a lot more advanced then they were two years ago . . . Now I think I'm going to give Twitter a try . . . Honestly I thought there would be "more to it" but I see that a lot of you bags are still using Twitter so I wanted to give it an honest effort . . . I think I'll do this for maybe a week and then quietly get rid of it . . . Like a "girlfriend" a dude might meet in Westport.

    TKC is thinking about taking more photos



    I've noticed that every amateur photog in this town is out there taking photos of local buildings from "unique" angles . . . I'm trying to avoid that kind of thing but I'm wondering what I should take photos of - Any suggestions? Your naked wife or MILF-Y girlfriend is not an option since she told me to keep those private.

    Everything is beautiful



    Longtime readers of this site know that along with a hatred for most local bands, I also have shitty taste in music. Honestly, I'm lucky that I've been such a ruthless critic of the Sprint Center or I'd be down there begging for Barry Manilow tickets this weekend. To wit, I don't really have any business criticising anything music related since I don't stray far from early 90's alt metal, disco, R&B and rap produced before 1995. Still, music criticism isn't really about music, it's about proving that you're smarter than everyone else like that stupid Kevin Bacon game that got inexplicably popular . . . As always it's better jut to make your own decisions and never listen to anyone else.

    If you're favorite song is a ballad dedicated to Leawood, so be it OR if you actually like going out and listening to local music . . . That's on you . . . Self confidence is a great thing along with divorced broads (who have none) and being comfortable with your idiosyncrasies . . . But not celebrating them like every hipster d-bag who listens to Wilco and thinks they're unique . . . (also, if you can make any sense of this post you're a genius, it's really just a starting point and an excuse to reference that Ray Stevens' song which I'm not embarrassed to admit I've been humming all day) . . .

    Thursday, April 24, 2008

    Tripp Algiers becomes Kansas City's hardest working band by offering a song a day TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE in 2008!!!



    I hate most Kansas City bands because they're shiftless, lazy and not very talented. Tripp Algiers is the exception to my negative stereotypes regarding white people playing music in Kansas City.

    As a matter of fact, TRIPP ALGIERS COULD BE THE HARDEST WORKING BAND IN KANSAS CITY!!!

    Even better, their music is worth a listen. Check out their latest promise to their fans:
    Tripp Algiers has been in the process of recording and releasing a song for each month of 2008 through Myspace.com. With each single, we offer free download of the mp3 through our myspace (for a limited time). Throughout the year, we will be releasing EPs for each season (currently available is Winter - featuring music from January through March). Each season's EP is designed by one member of the band (for more info on Ben Wachter's design visit our blog). The total number of all the EPs to be released will equal 366, matching the days of 2008. Once the year is complete, we will release all of the songs on a final album that will be part of a yearbook featuring pictures, quotes, "classes" and clubs with the band, friends and fans.
    That's definitely a noteworthy effort and if they accomplish even half of that then they've put in more work than half the casual drug users who play music in this town . . . Again, I like this group and I've embedded one of my favorite songs of theirs in this post. TKC feed readers, take a listen to "March of the Plebs" . . . I like it because it sounds alt-y but kinda like Styx as well.

    Enjoy!!!

    The Patchchord Vidcast!!!

    My favorite music blog is back!!! This time, they feature some entertaining and informative video from the 2008 Troost Avenue Festival.

    "THINGS AMATO COULD BE DOING"

    A classic post from the JoCo SOB . . . TKC's suggestions for the former KC School District Superintendent that's just hanging around picking up a six figure salary:

    1. Help clean up: Don't be ashamed, Latinos are stereotypically awesome at janitorial and low end labor . . . As a former dishwasher, I found it disconcertingly familiar.

    2. Translate: So many Spanish speaking students in the district now . . . I'm sure they need all the translators they can get . . . Especially since KC Schools have been notoriously skimpy when it comes to bi-lingual education and helping students move effectively to using English.

    3. Rattle cages: They already forced him out . . . What the district needs is an insider who can complain and bring to light all of the waste, mismanagement and corruption on the inside . . . Seriously, if Amato wanted to do everyone a favor he would speak his mind on all of the things that are wrong with the district.

    For even more insightful and more passionate analysis, check out the JoCo SOB's post.

    Blue Links are back

    Because I said so . . . And because there was no other way to fit in a very popular anti-American post that's been going around . . . Surprisingly, there's only one or two things I agree with . . . Also, I don't know if "progressives" are into gun rights and I don't care . . . I always found it odd that liberals and the like were so eager to give up their rights when it came to that basic freedom to own firearms that makes the U.S. so damn awesome and gully.

    The $14 Million that H&R Block might owe to Kansas City is getting more public reaction while the local media stay quiet!!!


    A Note from TKC: It has been quite awhile since I've had a guest post but this one was too good to pass up . . . The following e-mail was sent my way a few days ago regarding one of the many local news stories that TKC published before the local media got a hold of it. The Topic: An ongoing dispute between minority contractors and H&R Block that could be worth millions. I hope the author doesn't mind but I've highlighted a few of the more important passages . . . Meanwhile, the local media has been sitting on the topic and once again ignoring the concerns of people of color in Kansas City.
    This is in response to City Councilwoman Beth Gottstein's request that the City Manager look into the H&R Project Fiasco as was first reported on Tony's Kansas City Blog:

    Good for Gottstein! And good for the Kansas City Hispanic Contractors Enterprise organization for bringing this to everyone's attention.

    In the ensuing days, do not accept from the City leadership, the excuse that they need time to review this information. It has been said that the city has been aware of these issues for nearly two years. If memory serves, it has been about that long since KCHACE filed a suit over this very project.

    Ms. Gottstein wasn't even in office then, but Funkhouser was a city insider as auditor. It seems he should have been aware of the millions of dollars that were being recklessly doled out to developers. Did he not base his campaign, in part, on his objections to the way the TIF Commission was caving in to developers? KCHACE, too, is denouncing TIF.

    After the Semlar affair, one would think, if Funkhouser was truly regretful and desired to make peace with the Hispanic Community, that he would at least respond to a more tangible issue facing KC Hispanics than a wayward senior citizen gardener.

    But this is not solely an Hispanic issue. At stake are millions of dollars that the city could use to counter the budget shortfall. At stake are the jobs of city employees. At stake are public services that have to be cut back. At stake are worthwhile social service agencies that depend on city funds. At stake are facilities like the Zoo that we were once led to believe would be world class. At stake is this City's reputation.

    The actions of H&R Block didn't just harm the Hispanic Community. Their corporate greed cheats everyone. What's more, this is just one of many TIF projects that have been administered in the same manner. Any one think there should be a much higher level investigation, like at state or federal level?

    Now it is the time for all concerned citizens to act and demand accountability. This includes the mainstream media who has also been aware of these issues for two years and have remained as mum as Funkhouser.

    With full knowledge of JE Dunn's involvement on the H&R Block lawsuit, the City and TIF granted approval for JE Dunn's TIF handout, the east village project. Both were also previously involved in a previous H&R Block project that utilized TIF financing.

    The truth be known, H&R Block could have funded their projects out of their petty cash account. Why do they feel they are entitled to corporate welfare?

    Could it be that a leading Kansas City corporation like H&R Block and a leading Kansas City contractor like JE Dunn have so much power that they and their peers actually control City Government....and us? Are you OK with that?

    If you are not and you work for the City or TIF and you have witnessed similar violations you can step forward with what you know. The Mayor's threat to lay off city employees could have been prevented if the TIF process did not over subsidize developers. Inform fellow city employees of your discontent.

    If you care about City services, monies that could have been devoted to infrastructure maintenance and expansion were instead given away irresponsibly to greedy developers and their attorneys. You can demand accountability from City hall. Don't hold back.

    If you work for a social service agency that will now be hampered in carrying out its good works for the needy, you can and should be demanding an explanation.

    If you have pride in this city and region and you face the prospect of seeing the city you love tarnished by the pillaging that is going on then you too should settle for nothing less than an immediate reversal of the no questions asked policy that seems to be guiding the TIF Commission. Perhaps it is time to re-tool and re-man the TIF commission.

    And what about H&R Block? They are such a giant corporation and they are being sued routinely by many. Are Henry Bloch and the President and Board of Directors even aware of how the construction of their world headquarters has devastated the economy of the city in which they were founded? Someone needs to demand that Mr. Bloch and the company's top leadership (no lower level surrogates) personally be accountable.

    So, if you are not OK with the status quo, you are not powerless to act and there are many things you can do. Question is......Will you?

    TKC Guest Post courtesy of
    Trey Randolf

    No Change for Kansas City School District, same old contentious leadership in power!!!



    The news that Marilyn Simmons is the newly elected School Board President should sent a cold chill up the spine of anyone who is vaguely familiar with her reputation or the institution in general.

    Interesting facts:

  • Simmons was hand picked by her predecessor David Smith.

  • Her ties to the Urban League and other (well paid) special interests means that the feeding frenzy for School District funds won't stop any time soon as far as special interest groups are concerned.

  • Remember that she was one of the ladies that former Superintendent Amato allegedly referred to as "bitches" which makes me laugh . . . Those of you who have worked with the broad can draw your own conclusions about the veracity of slur.

  • Along with Arthur Benson, she's yet another KC School District Board member who doesn't believe that the SHAMEFUL AND TROUBLING LATINO DROPOUT RATE MERITS CONCERN. She has been silent on the issue and hostile toward the Latino community as far as any question of her authority.

  • Ever been to a School District meeting? Simmons is the mean old lady who never listens, keeps telling people to shut up, disputes every question or angrily replying without listening. It's tough to spot her since a great many of her colleagues fit the same description.

    Sorry, but for those with hope that Airick L. West would ride in on a chariot of fire and save the day . . . The election of Simmons is a far more accurate indication that Kansas City Schools are still screwed . . . As I've said before, the best option is simply finding any other alternative to this dysfunctional, corrupt and hopeless Kansas City institution.
  • Kansas City looks better on Cloudy Days



    It's just an observation but I've always thought this town looked better on a cloudy day . . . Or at least the downtown skyline. Kansas City isn't a place like NYC that looks gorgeous from every angle . . . From the east, the downtown area looks small and confused, from the west we're nearly identical to every town in Iowa. Looking North from the Penn Valley Scout is the money shot enjoyed by photogs and formerly by a lot of teh ghey people and looking south I've always thought the place looked just like an insignificant array of streetlights . . . Right now the sun is trying to poke through the clouds and I hope it doesn't get a chance . . . I don't know if it's the remains of the depression era architecture or just my general dislike for most people in this town but downtown Kansas City looks better where there are clouds overhead.

    The TKC Morning Link Layout



    I don't plan to make this a habit but the news just hasn't been inspiring as of late:

  • Admission Prices Rise At KC Zoo!!! Thankfully, The Mayor's salary increase will help those who can't afford to pay . . . Or not.

  • Casinos have trouble keeping the lights on just like their compulsive gambling customers.

  • Set them Free!!! (I'm referring to boobs): Council mulling over expansion of strip club

  • OMG: Google Maps Car Spotted In Raytown

  • You're privacy, and local ticket revenues will be slightly safer: KC Scales Back Red-Light Camera Plans

  • KCK is the next to go non-smoking

  • Show me one of many ways Missouri doesn't care about po'folk: Missouri House bill would cut minimum wage for tipped employees

  • Dumbass who allegedly killed over a drink was charged recently.

  • Ambulance Flips Over In Overland Park

  • Missouri soon to put a price tag on segregation: State to hear dispute over value of schools shifting from KC district to Independence
  • Kansas Continues Racial Profiling!!!



    KC blogger Sassywho recently filed a magnificent post documenting an obvious case of racial profiling thrown out of court without much consideration . . . Or, business as usual for people of color in Kansas without much access to the justice system . . . Unless we're talking about getting locked up.

    JoCo GOP in Ruins!!!



    Stay Red Kansas is keeping his readers apprised of how the Golden Ghetto Republicans are putting the pieces back together following Representative Ben Hodge's sudden resignation. TKC friendly advice: Maybe a platform not solely based on hatred of the immigrants who work all of the low paying service jobs in that community might be in order.

    Blogging is a bitch



    Blogger is being a bit of a bitch right now and the service has always had a bit of problem with image uploads and FTP posting . . . Still, for the most part they've been as reliable as I could hope for considering that they're free and I've managed to post more than 13,000 entries thanks with the help of the service. So I can't really complain.

    An even more devastating blogger fact is that Just Cara is thinking of calling it quits . . . She is one of the best bloggers in this City and I hope she just needs a break. TKC is always a big fan of a comeback.

    But I have to admit that the local blogging scene has suffered as of late . . . For the most part I blame it on the aging hipsters who meet up at local bars and have hijacked Kansas City's blogging community . . . Rather than share ideas, information and debate they're trying to turn Kansas City blogging into a lame social club.

    Their groupthink and lame, sorta ironic posts have sucked the life out of this town's greater blogging community . . . Except for TKC of course, who has a lot of affinity for local bloggers (no homo) who don't shy away from a real debate or serve simply to promote the lonely KC Bloggers who are really just trolling the Internet for drinking buddies . . . I'm hoping that one day soon the majority of these d-bags will simply take their inconsequential discussions to Craigslist or whatever "progressive" message board other than KC Rag forum where their self-importance and self-congratulatory discussions for doing something like riding the bus can be reinforced.

    Carhops at Sonic in Kansas City face abduction, robbery and customers that don't know if they should tip



    KMBC reports that authorities are investigating two separate abduction incidents Wednesday at Kansas City area Sonic restaurants.

    Not only do I think that's unfortunate but I'm also wondering if it will be the subject of one of their annoying commercials.



    Personally, I think if those two Sonic dudes aren't going to come out of the closet . . . They might as well talk about something of importance.

    The Star swagger jacks The Smoking Gun



    Public employees across the metro are just a little bit peeved lately given that their salaries have been put on the front page of The Star's Internet site and on the company's new Info Central subdomain.

    The revelations aren't that startling: Most public employees are broke-ass and making less than 50k.

    What's more important is the move by Kansas City's paper of record to become more of a database or an information clearing house rather than provide any kind of analysis, perspective or insight like other, more successful big City newspapers - Once again, I think it's another cowardly move on behalf of a yet another cowtown institution . . . They're offering mostly meaningless info in hopes that interested parties will draw their own conclusions - A simple computer program could offer the same service (and already does).

    On the other hand, the move makes sense . . . It's simply the Kansas City version of The Smoking Gun . . . Only less interesting, entertaining or informative. It's classic Kansas City swagger jakin only it misses the substance of what makes online databases or documents so entertaining . . . It's because they prove a larger point.

    I've seen it all before from The Star, they start out with a great idea and water it down making it essentially meaningless because their corporate, fear-based, Johnson County culture can't handle many challenges to their elitist sensibilities. In fact, whenever a lonely voice at The Star begins to break the cowardly mold they've set . . . There's always a move to quickly silence them.

    Not that it matters to me but there's a reason beyond the expediency of the Internet as to why the modern day newspaper is going the way of the dodo . . . It has a lot more to do with cowardice, bias in favor of the establishment and the corporate mandate to please everyone that has inspired cutbacks, layoffs and drops in subscriptions for newspapers.

    Springtime is for sowing seeds of bitterness



    Jared Allen is gone, 74 million dollars richer, but it looks like his crappy restaurant (or rather, the one named after him, is staying.

    Even worse, local media folk are trying to create a faux controversy over the fate of King Carl Peterson.

    Was it Jared Allen's greed that was responsible for the trade or was it Peterson's incompetence as a football GM?

    It doesn't matter . . . King Carl would have been deposed a long time ago if his job performance was based merely on the Chiefs performance . . . It's not about that and local media people don't have the courage or the skill to note that King Carl's greatest talent is sticking the taxpayers of (broke-ass) Jackson County with the bill for his mediocre brand of entertainment.

    Hard as it is for so many Kansas Citians to understand: Pro-Football isn't about wins and losses, it's about getting paid and as long as King Carl keeps the public money coming in, he's not going anywhere . . . The wins, losses, players and performance of the team is at best a forth rate concern. Chiefs fans will stay in their seats and keep watching TV as long as local media people are complicit in selling hope to unsuspecting, desperate and clueless sports fans - That routine has worked in this town for more than 30 years.

    Meanwhile, the Front Office of the Chiefs have this town in a tizzy and talking about meaningless games and mediocre players while they continue to earn hundreds of millions in (taxpayer) support for their operation that exists solely as a distraction to entertain the parasites from Johnson County while further enriching a family already worth billions.

    Wednesday, April 23, 2008

    TKC EXCLUSIVE: RUMOR HAS IT CORDISH IS GOING TO SUE IF THE P&L DISTRICT CAN'T KEEP THEIR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO DRINKING IN PUBLIC!!!




    TKC EXCLUSIVE: RUMOR HAS IT CORDISH IS GOING TO SUE IF THE P&L DISTRICT CAN'T KEEP THEIR UNFAIR ADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO DRINKING IN PUBLIC!!!

    As of now, the P&L District is one of the few if not the only place in Kansas City where patrons can take an open-container of booze outside.

    Obviously, this is a HUGE ADVANTAGE as the weather gets warmer. Recently, several small businesses have stepped up to try and level the playing field and fight for their existence.

    True to form, Cordish (A Baltimore Company) could care less about the economic well being of longtime Kansas City businesses.

    A SPECIAL THANKS TO TKC TIPSTERS WHO HAVE INFORMED THE READERS OF THIS BLOG THAT CORDISH HAS SENT OUT AN ULTIMATUM TO OFFICIALS AT CITY HALL IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THEIR EXCLUSIVE OPEN-CONTAINER PRIVILEGE!!!

    The memo has three main points that all intend to stifle any competition by working against a "Festival District Bill" that could mean more places in KC allowed to host open containers - Westport, Crossroads, etc . . .

    The details of the threatening letter are already working their way around the local, legal community . . . Here's some of the highlights sent my way:

    1. KANSAS CITY'S SUPPORT OF A FESTIVAL DISTRICT BILL COULD LEAD TO A LAWSUIT!!!

    2. While it's not written down anywhere, Cordish claims Kansas City is bound to make sure that Electric Avenue is the only place where people can enjoy a beer outdoors - That sounds fair OR like a great example of a company trying to run this town for their best interests.

    3. The final insult: Apparently, Cordish loyalists are saying that the Festival District Bill is "motivated solely by individual political contributions to individual Council persons."

    Without question Cordish is acting as if they own this town and efforts to thwart small businesses and other entertainment districts prove that they don't have the best interests of Kansas City in mind in addition to that fact that their move to intimidate legislators in Kansas City seems sleazy.

    "Smell Yo Dick" (no homo) and some links



  • Internets praise for David Cook . . . For those d-bags still watching American Idol

  • KANSAS CITY HOME SALES DOWN 16%!!!!

  • Missouri proves to be the epicenter of hate politics: Ward Connerly recruits San Diego Minutemen to come to Missouri to fight Affirmative Action . . . This cynical move provides yet another example that the Minutemen aren't about protecting the border but working against brown people.

    Crime Scene KC Brings the Details: Charges filed in KCK bartender's murder

  • Former KC School District Superintendent Amato has the sweetest job ever - Doing nothing and getting paid six figures!!!

  • One more person giving up on Kansas City's infrastructure: Acting Water Services Director is resigning

  • The Contest for The Kindest Kansas Citian . . . Would only be interesting if it was a cage match.

  • Our title track for this afternoon comes courtesy of Bol - Missouri's best blogger.
  • Sprint Stays Losing



    I'm not a Sprint Customer but something tells me that a recent biz headline translates to even more layoffs in the Golden Ghetto:
    Three of the nation's largest cable companies are quietly pulling the plug on a joint cell-phone venture with Sprint Nextel Corp., called Pivot.

    Spokespeople for Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc. and Cox Communications Inc. said Wednesday they have stopped marketing the Pivot service and plan in the coming weeks to give their Pivot customers the option of switching to traditional Sprint mobile phone plans.
    And because I'm all about optimism I must reiterate that this spells good news for guys who would like to see women formerly in middle management working the stripper pole . . . I guess.

    The Jared Allen Trade is most likely the greatest disaster ever to befall Kansas City!!!



    The scope and size of the deal is epic.
    Allen will become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. His new contract will be for six years and just shy of $74 million. Allen told Fox this includes $31,000,069 guaranteed - Allen's jersey number is 69
    That last 69 bucks is just a bit indicative that Allen's only loyalty was to himself and not this town - Not that I blame him one bit, anyone with half a brain would pack up from Kansas City post-haste for that kind of cash.

    For me, this news is great because I called this deal a couple of days ago (heh) AND now every bad thing I've ever said about Allen will be repeated by local sports columnist around the nation.

    TKC's finer talking points which will undoubtedly be put forth by so-called sports experts:

  • Allen's best playing days are behind him.

  • He's overrated - He was a standout on a sub-par team. His play never elevated the defense or his team and that's the real sign of a truly great player.

  • He looks like one of those cavemen from the Geico Commercials.

  • A fact that will go unmentioned is that he was Kansas City's great white hope. The white people of this town embraced Allen like he was a member of their own family and it's fitting that the love and adoration of so many folks in this cowtown wasn't worth the many millions from a crappy place like Minnesota.

    Actually, in his last move as a Chief, TKC wishes Allen the very best and I hope he has a long and happy career because he finally created some agreement for TKC's longstanding contention that the guy was unworthy of so much praise AND the fact that the Chiefs are (and always will be) a mediocre organization.

    The TKC Ketchup: Tasty Links

    KMBZ KC Morning News bloggy talk!!!



    I'll be on Kansas City's Morning News with EJ & Ellen at around 8:30 in the AM. Tune in to KMBZ News Radio 980 to check out to hear me try and mention and credit a bunch of local blogs.

    Thankfully, there's already a bunch of bloggy stuff happening in Kansas City so I hope I'm not forced to talk about Hillary and what her many bitter supporters must be cheering about . . . Because, it looks like I may be voting for McCain after all. Who knew?

    The Mayor and Squitiro double up on precious downtown parking spaces while City Hall employees are forced out!!!



    Here's the latest buzz around City Hall regarding executive privilege and it's impact on so many regular folks . . .

    Yet another memo went out recently regarding City Hall parking. Apparently, employees who once parked for free or had their parking subsidized will now have to pay $85 bucks. Meanwhile, THE MAYOR AND HIS WIFE ARE TAKING UP TWO PARKING SPACES (and only a day after Earth Day no less!!!) and don't seem too concerned with the plight of City Hall workers.

    Word is, morale is lower than ever at City Hall and I can't help but agree given that every day I get at least three e-mails noting how much City Hall employees can't stand Funkhouser.

    Oh, and by the way this is just yet one more example of how people Downtown are being hurt by pricey and extremely limited parking.

    Here's how Hillary will ruin Kansas City



    That's a great title but this is really just a post about how the bulk of Dems in Kansas City support Obama if strong attendance at his rallies in Kansas City were any indication . . . However, it should be noted that the elite (read: white) local Dems have always seemed to favor the former First Lady <--- I don't need a link or source for that because it's true and only a d-bag who doesn't really know much about local Dem politics would say otherwise. So far here's the best blogger reaction to the exceptionally bitter victory:

  • Now, we have to endure two more weeks of the Hillbot 2000.

  • Whereas the KC Blue Blog sees this as a win for Democrats overall . . . Which doesn't really do anyone any good.

    Feel free to add comments if you'd like but that's all of the local opinion on the matter I'm linking . . . From what I've seen Hillary is a spoiler and the worst kind of political hack in the nation right now . . . Several pundits are right to note that she's really running for 2012 and would gladly give the election away to the GOP - It's classic Clinton politics and more of the same deceit, lies and hypocrisy that keeps minority voters (and most other people) away from the polls in droves.

    On the plus side, Former Mayor Cleaver is looking a lot smarter for backing Hill-dog as of late . . . It wasn't a bad move and if she sneaks away with the nomination it should/might turn out well for his constituents. Personally, I'd vote for Ronald Reagan twice (in his current condition) rather than Hillary.


  • Finally, I feel bad for not knowing that a 61-year old blogger over at Huff Post was the one who broke the whole "bitter" debate.

    The Kansas City Shuffle: More Misdirection from the Mayor and empty promises



    Here's a small point but it's important nonetheless . . .

    MAYOR FUNKHOUSER DOESN'T WANT TO RISK MEETING WITH ANGRY WHITE PEOPLE INSIDE THE URBAN CORE!!!

    The Mayor and his witless PR people are attempting to substitute a cute, nice meeting in Hyde Park among a friendly crowd for a previous meeting they they CANCELED AT REVOLUTIONS CHURCH!!! This is obviously a move to steer clear of angry urban core po'folk and instead cater to the yuppies who would actually show up to one of his lectures in Hyde Park.

    Here's why it's important that the Mayor duck anything in the urban core right now, the meeting will feature white people yelling at him which might further sway opinion from this suburban base who are waving in their support for the "white knight" given that he has failed to keep his promises at almost every turn and relies on gimmicky political maneuvers in lieu of offering anything substantive.

    It's funny and satisfying to note this but anybody running against Funkhouser next time around must make it a priority to split the white vote since Mayor Funky has made his career by catering to this special interest group.

    Finally, the lack of a keyword search on his blog is yet another indication that guy isn't serious about communicating effectively with the public . . . Only publishing a series of PR bulletins.

    Are we all invited to the latest construction party at The Crossroads, since they want all of Kansas City to pay for it?



    Mary-Anne over at about.com is quickly becoming one of my favorite bloggers, especially since she recently snagged an invitation to one of Kansas City's exclusive tax payer subsidized parties . . . Here's the info:
    Check out her invite (via e-mail from the Crossroads Community Association)

    “Dear Neighbor,

    By now you’ve probably read the article in the Kansas City Star about our efforts to renovate another historic building in the Crossroads neighborhood. We would appreciate the opportunity to personally present to you our exciting new development for the Vitagraph Building, 1703 Wyandotte, and our long term plans for 17th Street. In May, we plan to present to the TIF Commission the same plans, but first we’d like to show our neighbors. The renovation of the Vitagraph Building will serve as the new office headquarters for the Kansas City Symphony.

    Please join us on Tuesday, April 29th at 5:00 at the Webster House, 1644 Wyandotte, so that we can share the facts of our project with you. Refreshments will be provided.We look forward to meeting with you. So that we know how many people to expect, please RSVP to Carla Corkran at Crcorkran@aol.com to let us know if you can attend.

    Thank you very much,

    Shirley Bush Helzberg”
    Obviously, this is the classiest woman who has ever invited TKC to a party . . . Most white broads who want my company merely inquire if I'll be brining the Natural Light . . . Yeah, it's that bad.

    Kansas City Culture via Youtube



    Checking my Youtube subscriptions it's rare that I can come up with a theme for all of the truly random video that local folks publish to the Internets.

    Today was a rare exception. The first clip I viewed as kinda old and back when Johnny Dare still had his Westport Bar. Sniffle. Anyhoo, the clip features a bunch of Kansas City skanks on an 8 person bike called "The Anaconda" created by a dude who is just as clever as the name of his motorcycle implies . . . I wouldn't call it a must see but there are women wearing short skirts yelling "Wooooo!" so that's plus.

    On the other the hand, The Lyric is promoting its latest show online as well.



    The Lyric Opera of Kansas City concludes its 50th anniversary season with the world premiere of John Brown by composer and Kansas-native Kirke Mechem. John Brown will run May 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11th at the Lyric Theater, 1029 Central, Kansas City, Missouri.

    And both of these local clips are nearly as captivating as all of those re-edited clips of that Angry German Kid on youtube flipping out over various Internet phenomenon OR this awesome Youtube video of two blonde, Kansas City swimsuit models greasing each other up before a photo shoot.

    Classic Kansas City Blogger Quote: "Leadership is not firing people while giving yourself a raise."



    There has always been a disconnect between mainstream media and the blogosphere but nowhere has it been more apparent than in the case of the recent ruckus over a pay raise approved by The Mayor and City Council.

    On this subject, The Kansas City Post files the definitive blog entry. Here's the money line:
    At a time when many city workers will be forced out the door to find work in a tough job market, it's more important than ever to show leadership. Leadership is not firing people while giving yourself a raise. Leadership is also not hiding in a back room while the rest of your council colleagues face the tough decisions in the light of day.
    Fact is, for the most part reporters and media people in this town are hopelessly middle-class and most of them live in Johnson County or other surrounding suburbs . . . By nature media folk are also greedy careerists for the most part, so a pay raise in the midst of others getting fired almost seems like a good thing to them.

    Public sentiment on this one is pretty clear:

    THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL SEEM LIKE HYPOCRITES BECAUSE OF THE PAY RAISE!!!

    The only point where I depart with Forsythe is that I think Beth Gottstein is doing the right thing by making a promise to give the money back . . . It's the right kind of gesture and even a simple objection to the pay raises or a NO vote would have sufficed. City Hall is facing cutbacks, the workers there are really taking on the chin (nullus) . . . This pay raise seems like a move similar to every CEO with a golden parachute and a big part of why people have very little faith or trust in their elected officials.

    Spring is time for experimenting



    After two years without, I've decided to run a small Google ad on this site. Most folks shouldn't notice it and it's in the Sidebar that I rarely like screwing with but I thought it was worth mentioning. Technically, they still owe me 19 bucks from back in the day but I doubt I'll ever collect. I'm not expecting much from it but I decided to take my graphic down because it wasn't really necessary and it generated way too many creepy Internet people wanting me to work for free. Ew.

    That's about it for site news today other than the fact that I got an invite to speak at the KC Press Club event but I'm not sure my schedule (sleeping, snack cakes and X-box) will allow. Do you d-bags think I should make the time? For the most part, reporters in this town hate me and this site is popular because I take them apart with funny (to me) personal insults and a few neglected facts from time to time. Still, thinking . . .

    More importantly, Heidi Klum is still very hot.

    Tuesday, April 22, 2008

    Kansas City suburbs no longer offer a viable "escape" from minorities i.e. more Blacks and Latinos in Lee's Summit!!!



    I'm so sorry. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to flee the city, commute thousands of miles throughout the year, live in a cultural wasteland all to avoid Blacks and Latinos . . . And then discover they're headed out your way now more than ever!!!

    KC Currents reports that Lee's Summit is undergoing a unique renaissance of their own which is bringing more people of color out that way chasing the American Dream (and possibly white women - Which is always the goal of this Latino):
    Now, new residents say they're drawn to Lee's Summit by its quiet, friendly, manicured neighborhoods. The town's population has grown in recent years to 90,000, and many of those new residents are African American and Latino. In last week's municipal election, Lee's Summit reached a landmark by electing its first African American city council member. KCUR's Susan Wilson spoke to Allan Gray, who's formerly the President of Kansas City's Friends of Alvin Ailey, about what it was like to move to Lee's Summit 20 years ago, which was long before many African Americans lived there.
    I'm curious to see how long this kind of enthusiastic diversity lasts and if Lee's Summit can avoid becoming another Raytown - A place that was once thought of a prosperous suburban community until white people moved away en masse from minorities so desperately wanting to live near them.

    It's all kind of silly and gives me an added respect for people who stay put and do their best in their own crappy neighborhood. I can assure my readers that TKC only ventures to the suburbs for business i.e. white broads.

    Sadly, this game of suburban cat and mouse has gone on for some time in Missouri suburbs surrounding Kansas City and the only people who manage to consistently profit are real estate developers and a few assorted professionals who know that there is no such thing as a diverse neighborhood, only a community undergoing a transition.

    Who robbed whom at Hannoush?

    A TKC lesson in hyperbole: Harris stays winning when opponents stand him up

    Harris’ Camp Claims Victory in First Debate - Leading Rivals for Attorney General Change Minds, Decline to Attend Truman State Debate, Forfeiting the Event . . . Here's the money quote from the Candidate that hints at elitism among Democrats (heh): "Senator Koster and Representative Donnelly’s decision to skip this debate is an example of why we have often seen a generation gap within the Democratic Party in historically in voting. I can’t help but wonder if this event had been hosted by the Missouri Bar Association or some other similar organization, that my opponents then would have made the time on their schedules to attend. Since this event was put on by the Young Democrats, they for some reason felt it was OK to snub them."

    Show Me what the Democrat comeback in Missouri looks like

    State Employees Endorse Sam Page . . . Apparently, the Communication Workers of America want Sam Page for Lieutenant Governor, Local 6355 CWA Local 6355 represents over 7,000 public sector workers in Missouri. Their public sector membership includes workers in the Department of Social Services and Department of Health and Senior Services . . . I'm only linking this because these might be the kind of people who read blogs . . . Especially all of the folks formerly belonging to the group laid off by Baby Blunt.

    While TKC is more concerned with women's underwear, a local blogger examines Kansas City's gang problem!!!



    Today, Logtar puts together an epic post that takes a look at his life and gang activity in the Kansas City area. There are a lot of useful links along with an interesting personal perspective.

    And with this post, Logtar has contributed more to the discourse regarding Kansas City gang activity than Mayor Funkhouser given that KC's Mayor came to power in the middle of a local gang war and said nothing about the topic and still remains noticeably mum when it comes to crime in this town.

    And all of this reminds me that over the weekend I read that yet another one of my childhood acquaintances has killed under suspicious circumstances that are undoubtedly tied to drugs . . . It's not like the news impacts me or even makes me feel that glum but it reminds me that even in the drug game there's a middle management level at which people become complacent; for my white friends a stalled career means putting on a few pounds and maybe having more kids while it seems that Latinos I knew from the days of way back end up dead when they're caught slipping at a valley in their career. This isn't necessarily a gang problem but yet another indication, as Cheech and Chong so eloquently put it, that "Things are tough all over" and staying interested and paranoid is how TKC stays winning when it comes to my pursuits: blogging, snack cakes and X-box.

    Are times too tough for the Urban Tour?

    Kansas City's about.com blogger Mary-Anne reminds us that The Urban tour is coming up. It's free and there are A LOT of empty condos and lofts around these parts that need a big audience of potential buyers . . . I'm just wondering if there are enough buyers and daydreamers to attract a crowd. Personally, I might check out this year's even because when real estate people get really panicked they put out free cookies.

    When Kansas City Real Estate people lose their optimism, it might be time to panic

    Kansas City Real Estate Thoughts is usually such an optimistic outlet for local housing news . . . His latest post provides a nice glimpse of reality in the local home market: "Many Kansas City Home Sellers Should Take Their Homes Off The Market"

    The P&L District has now been shot from every angle by this town's amateur photogs

    It didn't take long for every person in Kansas City with an expensive camera to capture every last inch of the place and put it on the web . . . I still haven't been there yet but now it looks as if there's no need to go. Still, this blogger posts a nice series of pics.

    NEW YORK TIMES MAKES KANSAS CITY METEOROLOGISTS LOOK LIKE IDIOTS!!!



    There's not much that I could write that would make the conclusions documented by the New York Times Freakonomics blog regarding the inaccuracies of Kansas City Weather folk any less sweet . . . Unless I noted that at least there is a verifiable way to gauge the mistakes of Kansas City Meteorologists whereas this town's print reporters keep on insisting their right regardless of proof.

    THE NY TIMES BLOG POST WHICH TAKES APART A MUCH CELEBRATED SEGMENT OF KANSAS CITY'S MEDIA ELITE IS A MUST READ!!!

    However, for shits and giggles this Springtime (tornado season) I've pulled some of the best quotes.

    The guest author, J.D. Eggleston - A local DeVry grad, genius and D.I.Y Freakonomics practitioner starts simply by taking local weather folk at their word:
    The Kansas City television meteorologists will change their mind from 6.8 to nearly nine degrees in temperature and 30 percent to 57 percent in precipitation, showing a distinct lack of confidence in their initial predictions as time goes on.
    At this point the inaccuracies just get embarrassing as far as reporting in this town is concerned:
    The prize for the single most inconsistent forecast goes to Channel 5’s Devon Lucie who on Sunday, September 30th predicted a high temperature of 53 degrees for October 7th, and seven days later changed it to 84 degrees — a difference of 31 degrees! It turned out to be 81 that day.

    A close second was Channel 4’s Mike Thompson’s initial prediction of 83 for October 15th, which he changed to 53 just two days later. It turned out to be 64 on the 15th.
    For me this is the money quote that's applicable in so many other aspects of local media as well (print people too):
    While none of Kansas City’s meteorologists are uneducated, stand-up comics, there does seem to be an unfortunate emphasis of style over substance.

    When station managers were asked about this, one said, “There’s not an evaluation of accuracy in hiring meteorologists. Presentation takes precedence over accuracy.”
    After reading all of this one thing should be clear:

    LOCAL TV STATIONS NEED TO STOP PROMOTING THEIR WEATHER PEOPLE AND INTERRUPTING PROGRAMMING BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR (A FACT) THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING!!!

    Since Kansas City's failure has been documented by a media organization that serves as the paper of record for this nation . . . I think we can all agree that I'm right and it's time for change. The alternative means nothing less than ongoing panic on the airwaves over a few inches of rain and that's completely unacceptable.

    Hat tip: KC Talk.

    KC Homos to The Star: SUPPORTING KANSAS CITY'S LGBT COMMUNITY IS NOT AN EMBARRASSMENT!!!



    Back in 2006 Mayor Kay did a very real photo shoot with CampKC.

    I thought it was a condescending move but most other people appreciated the sign of acceptance and the acknowledgment of the importance of the local Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender community.

    A recent passage from THE STAR DESCRIBING THE MOVE AS AN EMBARRASSMENT WITHOUT ATTRIBUTING ANY SOURCE FOR THE OPINION MAKES IT SEEM AS IF THE AUTHORS ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE TOLERANT GESTURE ON BEHALF OF BARNES WAS A MISTAKE!!!

    Here's the brief passage penned by Dave Helling and Steve Kraske:



    From what I've heard, the LBGT community is plenty pissed about the implication and there have already been calls for protests in front of The Star's building. All things considered the passage was surprisingly sloppy from two of the best KC Star reporters given that there are most likely a lot of teh ghey people in the 6th District along with many more who love them (ew).

    Once again, if the the JoCo folk who write The Star are taken at their word, it seems that they consider any affiliation with the many diverse communities that make up the metro area a potential source of embarrassment.

    I think a retraction is in order (at least) and in the future they should try and bend over backwards (heh) to satisfy Kansas City's ghey community.

    On Earth Day every and any blogger is better than a print reporter!!!



    Believe it or not, I don't buy a paper anymore because it's a horrible environmental waste and also because I get all my news online.

    In much the same way that reactionary immigration efforts are only successful at destroying the enviornment . . . KANSAS CITY'S PRINT MEDIA DOES A GREAT DEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE EVERY DAY!!!

    Yes, yes, there are those stupid studies that say that reading the news online and in the paper paper are the same thing but the fact is that nobody is cutting down trees every day to bring me ads that I'll never look at when I'm surfing the net from the comfort of my mom's basement . . . Also, I do more than just read the news with my computer, I also play video games, bother ex-girlfriends and compose angry letters to the greatest celebrities of the 1980's. Meanwhile, the paper has very limited uses after it's old . . . Other than use as fish wrap or a doggie toilet.

    Anyway, it turns out that THE BENEFIT OF HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING IS A MYTH!!!

    And The Star or The Pitch isn't printed on recycled paper anyway (despite a few claims from people who don't even look at the printing glass house recently constructed) . . . So, obviously any newspaper writer or reporter is a hypocrite to give any blogger crap today given THAT THEY ARE KILLING THE PLANET!!!

    So, today is yet another day when Kansas City bloggers can feel better than their print media counterparts . . . But still not as good looking as the folks on TV.

    Live Music is better when brought to you by a bank!!! I guess.

    Formerly named for Verizon, the place is now called Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone . . . In a desperate attempt to take almost every bit of fun out of seeing live music this summer at the behest of bankers.

    I got these links laying around



    Enjoy the links d-bags, I've got real (paying) work to do for the next couple of hours:

  • Yet another fight at the County, because nothing ever really changes: Ex-aide charged after scuffle outside Jackson County Legislature meeting

  • More unquestioning reporting of the case against Edwin Hall.

  • Peril and mismanagement at public schools isn't as dependent on race as most people would like to think: Liberty school board meeting draws crowd, criticism

  • Good God, Kansas City Copper Thieves Caught in a Church Yard have no shame.

  • STILL SO INCREDIBLY AND STUPIDLY STUBBORN!!!

  • Show Me women who aren't trusted to make their own medical decisions: Missouri House backs new abortion mandates

  • One More hipster d-bag going to jail, sadly it's not for playing lame music.



  • I've got to side with the coyotes on this one rather than the affluent residents of Leawood; Remember that the coyotes were there first and this town has too much concern for pets already.

  • JoCo is just as drunk as everybody else: 11 DUI arrests during OP checkpoint

  • The latest substitute for news: Lightning Sparks Fires Around KC

  • This town has talent (sorta) as a a nice compilation of some Kansas City Comedy courtesy of the Improv blog clearly demonstrates.
  • JoCo get your gun



    A great post from the Midtown Miscreant on new gun regulations in Kansas or the lack thereof: "JoCo residents latest fashion accessory, the Machine Gun."

    Local blog (KC Light Rail) got the ball moving with Google Transit in this town



    The bloggers at KC Light Rail are being stupidly humble (because it doesn't help anybody) about their move to encourage the KCATA to partner, prod and plead with Google to bring one of their features to the metro area. Their latest blog entry tells a bit of the story:
    We're not claiming any responsibility for this, but we did post in October asking KCATA and The JO to jump on board Google Transit, since it's free, requires very little technical work to join, and far exceeds the usability of most online trip planners (besides, who doesn't use Google Maps these days?). Kudos! Now where is The JO?
    Sadly, I don't use the bus and I'm guessing that a great many of the po'folk who do don't plan their trips with the computer . . . But this kind of civic involvement is still awesome!!! It just proves that if tech savvy white people with a lot of spare time push their agenda . . . They CAN make life more convenient for themselves . . . And that's the real promise of the Internets.

    3, 2, 1 . . . Until somebody sends me a nasty e-mail and makes up a story about a Guatemalan illegal immigrant woman using Google Transit to take their sick child to the hospital . . . Not that I would care either way.

    Don't count out Doc Wheeler

    State strikes Former Kansas City mayor Charlie Wheeler’s name from ballot as candidate for Missouri treasurer failed to file personal financial disclosure statements, as required by law. As usual, Jeff Roe gloats . . . Wheeler is slated to contest the action and remains one of the few politicos in this town that TKC respects.

    Former Meth Capital outdoes Downtown KC with new arena AND AN ANCHOR TENANT

    Independence Arena Plans Approved

    Even more white privilege!!!

    Johnson County libraries offer free wireless Internet access

    Yet another company connected to the downtown renaissance is doomed

    H&R Block out of Fortune 500

    Kansas City is home to the unluckiest (and worst run) 7-11 in all the world!!!



    A robber held up the 7-Eleven at 8901 Wornall Road on Sunday night, marking the seventh time the store has been robbed this year and the third time this month.

    Honestly, I'm thinking about going there and buying a lottery ticket later today . . . And then robbing the place if I lose.

    Kansas City Preschool Panic!!!



    Tess Koppelman was at the scene to capture the entire controversy: Local Church Preschool shuts down, parents left outside wondering what to do . . . Church staff calls the police on parents.

    Election season in Kansas City again?

    Here's how much credibility the Mayor doesn't have . . . Published material against him is already circulating funded by big money interests that have the wherewithals to put that kind of thing together . . . Sadly, he still has 2 more years where he shouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing . . . As I noted previously, Mayor Funky lost a lot of credibility with his pay raise . . . Luckily, there's a lot of time to repair the damage if he would stop being so stubborn and listen to someone besides his wife for a change.

    Show Me how to celebrate Earth Day

    Jeff City Blogger J-Dub has some great suggestions that also provide a fun way to bother politicos.

    Up your astrolabe Kansas City!!!

    The X-man provides some background and photos of a new(ish) Kansas City landmark and a useful way to interpret star signs . . . I only wonder if Gloria Squitiro has already taken it for a whirl (shoes obviously aren't required).

    Hearne Christopher Jr. allegedly falls at Jardine's but gets back up again!!!



    The online gossip says that Hearne Christopher Jr. took a nasty spill at Jardine's over the weekend, he may have even busted his beak a little bit but luckily The Star's health coverage is kick ass and he also happens to be one of the most resilient reporters in the metro given the fact that most people who work at his own paper don't even like him. Luckily, for the jazz club's owners the Christopher clan has almost as much money as God so there is no need to sue.

    TKC wishes the guy a quick recovery because he's one of three people at The Star I read regularly.

    Check out Bottomline for more info!!!

    JoCo Hijinks!!!

    The JoCo SOB is quickly becoming one of my favorite bloggers . . . His post regarding all of the exciting news coming out of JoCo is an instant classic.

    Eco Elvis & Earthfest Review

    May's Machete serves up some surprisingly good cuts and clips.

    Places in Kansas City you'll never see unless you're an escort or delivering pizza

    My favorite local real estate agent shows us the inside of Wallstreet Towers & The Reserve . . . Feel free to take a look, it's mostly empty.

    Earth Day Extravaganza (or not)!!!



    Today is (finally) Earth Day . . . Which basically doesn't mean much and won't even provide a respite from JoCo Commuters poisoning the air of the urban core but that doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate by making middle-class white people even more guilty.

    Here are some Earth Day links courtesy of TKC (who hopes that my huge carbon footprint correlates to my penis size - It does) . . .

  • Here's the greenest group in the city with a bunch of information about local "green" efforts and the like: Bridging the Gap

  • A contribution from The Star (Kansas City's biggest paper waster): Paper or Plastic??? It doesn't really matter as long as you wear a condom.

  • MyFoxKC asks: "How Green Are You Kansas City?" It turns out Kansas City is VERY GREEN!!! (It keeps people from asking if we're Mexican. Shhhh)
  • Monday, April 21, 2008

    Hyde Park Pictures (non-porn)



    Thanks to Happy in Bag for pointing me toward a local movie production.

    Racing Heart documents the story of two brothers, born to Laotian immigrants, and their struggle to attain the success through their fledgling racing team.

    The production even has a local blog.

    Like most people in Kansas City, the film productions is seeking funding . . . Still, they're story is pretty interesting and what they've published to the web offers an interesting and nuanced look in to local auto and immigrant culture.

    Language is culture: It sounds better when the Kansas City Royals lose en Español!!!



    There is no such thing as a country anymore . . . There are only corporations.

    Backward notions of Patriotism aren't as important as profit.

    And there are no such people as immigrants . . . Only niche markets.

    By the way, I've been checking out LosRoyals.com and it's pretty great.

    The new Spanish site launched by the Royals is just one of many indications that local companies hungry for bigger markets shares don't subscribe to silly reactionary rhetoric extolling impractical and (more importantly) unprofitable notions like English Only.

    Irish KC Exclusive: Eddie Delahunt’s Cafe & coffee shop is moving

    IrishKC provides some interesting information and history about the new location of a popular Kansas City hangout.

    Kansas City caters to cadres of affluent white people on bicycles

    Possibly to celebrate their multi-million buck bike line . . . KC Bike documents 30 bicyclists at Friday’s ceremonies to mark the beginning of construction on the new Paseo Bridge

    TKC EXCLUSIVE: JARED ALLEN GONE BY WEEK'S END!!! WHO WILL KANSAS CITY WHITE PEOPLE CHEER FOR NOW?



    Here's one that you d-bags won't believe until I'm proven right (once again) but I'm proud to be the first one to report it:

    JARED ALLEN IS LEAVING KANSAS CITY!!!

    How do I know? Other than the fact that I'm awesome, apparently the bad reputation of the Kansas City Star is once again benefiting TKC.

    Newspapers and reporters all over the nation have so much hate for The Star that they'd rather send a blog some info than share it with the reporters at a paper where a high-profile trade in question is soon to take place. A reporter at a metro-daily recently sent me this:
    "Hi Tony. I'm just reading out your blog and I notice that you're not a big fan of the Star. Neither am I after just talking with (A STAR SPORTS COLUMNIST - NAME DELETED BY TKC) on the phone. The guy was probably the most unprofessional and rude person I've ever had the displeasure to encounter. He acts as if he's working for Clark Hunt and refused to believe that Jared Allen was coming here; it's not like I made the deal myself and I understand supporting the home team but (THE KC STAR REPORTER) was acting as if I just stole something from him. Totally unprofessional. So I don't feel too bad about sharing my information with you . . ."
    The guy went on to tell me that he is COMPLETELY SURE that Jared Allen is coming to his town . . . I'm not revealing the city or the team because I'm a bit paranoid about the new e-mail popping up in my inbox (no homo) but it seems like the info is good. I'll be proven right later this week when Jared Allen is gone.

    And it's not like I needed his help anyway after a recent hint from Clark Hunt with this headline:

    "Chiefs owner Hunt puts emphasis on draft to rebuild team"

    That's just a dead giveaway that the dreams of Kansas City Chiefs fans have been dashed by Kansas City's former great white hope. This town's football team has long been in the business of selling hope and promise of next season rather than spending big money of their current roster.

    Too bad that the adoration of this town's white people isn't worth more than $70 million . . . I always suspected as much and I'm always surprised by stupidity of the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs.

    New TKC Feature: Giving the finger



    Here are people, places and things around Kansas City I'm flipping off . . . Feel free to participate in the comments:

  • The Paseo Bridge gets the bird for blocking traffic and being unoriginal.

  • The people who panicked about Chubby's being closed get the finger because Chubby's is open once again before I had a chance to miss it. . . Also, anybody who mentions the old place on Indy Ave deserves to be flipped off for being too sentimental about greasy hamburgers and sleazy clientèle - Which admittedly has always been the appeal of Chubby's for TKC.

  • Editors and newsies who don't give anywhere near enough coverage for this year's AIDS walk deserve to be flipped off!!! (Alternately, read the latest issue of Camp KC for more details and a realization that the disease is still around and in Kansas City)

  • Crooked po'folk deserve the finger for making the Kansas City area a prime example of the latest trend among losers: Copper Thievery.

  • Kansas doesn't care about old, po'folk

    Things don't look good for two competing proposals that would provide a tax break to homeowners 65 or older

    This week's example of MWWS (or not)

    KC mother missing from motel

    Sonic: If the food doesn't rob years from your life due to cholesterol, their customers in the urban core will take your cash

    Kansas City Police said the suspect walked into the restaurant at 1214 Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard just after midnight as it was closing . . . Police say the suspect pulled out a knife and held it to the woman's throat until she handed over an undisclosed amount of money . . . The JoCo SOB has a nice roundup of weekend KC crime . . . Check it out and then comment that he's a white devil, a typical uncaring suburbanite and probably a racist (don't acknowledge the first part of your comment).

    Another crappy sculptor in Kansas City



    Unlike that short, d-bag STRETCH and his shitty yard art and website . . . The work of a sculptor soon to be exhibited at the Nelson-Atkins Museum seems to have some kind of guiding philosophy . . .
    Siah Armajani (b. 1939) is an Iranian-born American sculptor. He is perhaps best known for his contemporary dwelling plans for houses built entirely from fecal waste. "Most houses are shitty anyway, why not take it a step further," said Armanjani in an interview. His 2005 work, Fallujah, is a modern take on Picasso's Guernica but has been censored in the U.S. due to its critical view of the war in Iraq
    Twelve works by sculptor Siah Armajani from The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art collection will go on display in the Bloch Building May 10 through Sept. 21, in the exhibition Siah Armajani: Dialogue with Democracy.

    Up Yours (TKC Kite links)

    I had no idea there was a local kite club . . . The X-man recently posted some great photos of the 2nd Annual "Flights of Fancy" the group put together . . . I'm guessing X-box has a kite flying game that's way better.

    "T-Bones’ Michael Vick Night Drama"

    Local blogger Brad offers a nice re-cap with some great comments pulled from the Internets.

    Blogging Life



    I've noticed a little bit less activity in the Kansas City political blogosphere now that the elections are over . . . This is normal but not a good sign.

    Typically, bloggers are only in this thing for attention, money and traffic (all noble pursuits) so when people start to turn to other avenues to satisfy those needs - That's just a slight signal that this whole thing could go the way CB radio.

    Like pimpin', blogging ain't easy.

    A lot of folks think that just because they publish thoughtful, informative or insightful content on the web they'll eventually amass an audience. Nothing could be further from the truth. A great essay on Americablog explains this kind of old school (old media) thinking: The myth of meritocracy, blogosphere edition

    And then there's the subject of style . . .



    I've long contended that blogging is like being in a gang (of nerds) . . . A more politically correct analysis contends that bloggers are like rappers. Here are two posts on the topic:

  • Slate: "Rappers and Bloggers"

  • Copyblogger: "6 Ways That Bloggers are Like Rappers"

    Notice that the former was published more than two years preceding the later so that might reinforce the overall comparison and also qualify as "biting" . . . Just to indulge the theme of bloggers as rappers for a moment, let's examine A MEMBER OF MAYOR FUNKHOUSER'S KITCHEN CABINET CONSISTENTLY TAKING POTSHOTS AT THIS BLOG:

  • Because TKC is consistently and infinitely more important than the mediocre lawyer at the twilight of his career . . . I was tempted to just ignore the whole thing.

  • However, blogger beef, much like rap feuds, are good for traffic all around and I don't mind publicly embarrassing some dumb white guy over a minor infraction.

  • The work is simple, I merely have to point out, a fact, that this guy is the online version of KC Star columnist Yael T. Abouhalkah who has time and again used his platform to bolster the sinking ship that is Mayor Funky's Administration, ignore the racial divisiveness in Kansas City that Mayor Funky has catered to and benefited from and occasionally offer insignificant overly kind admonishments or corrections . . . Put simply, Dan the Dirtbag is the Mayor's bitch and everybody knows it . . . It doesn't make a difference to me but the fact that a grown man seeks this kind favor for little in return should shame his family and professional reputation.

  • The dude, henceforth forever known as DAN THE DIRTBAG, consistently refers to TKC as a "joke blog" which, again, isn't a big deal but implies that his tiny little operation is to be taken seriously. Therefore we can infer that:

  • THE MAYOR'S KITCHEN CABINET IS SO PARANOID, DELUSIONAL AND DESPERATE TO JUSTIFY MAYOR FUNKY'S ACTIONS THAT THEY'RE AUTHORING PUBLIC SCREEDS TO ANSWER A JOKE BLOG!!!

    Dan the dirtbag can't have it both ways, if TKC is a joke blog then, as a member of Mayor Funky's kitchen cabinet he's taking time to author hundreds of words directed at correcting the assertions of the very same "joke blog" . . . Personally, I just think it's a ploy to generate traffic and unknowingly sacrifice his "credibility" as one of the most serious (along with horribly boring and pedantic) blogs in Kansas City . . . I don't mind helping out or the opportunity to rant at the political establishment in this town since taking apart some lame white guy was fun and a much needed distraction.

    Yet, I will note that Former Mayor Kay had a better class of goons watching her back. Mayor Kay had lawyers who actually had decent careers while, if the few e-mails I've received are correct - Dan the Dirtbag is simply some dude recovering from a midlife crisis who barely rates a mention among the bigwigs of KC's lawyer crowd - He's most noted for a bunch of civic volunteer work to ease his white guilt and his foray into local Dem politics via one of the many organizations which assures that KC voter turnout stays low.

    But in the final analysis, I don't think blogging is anything like rapping even thought I just schooled Dan with a diss track which should shut him up for awhile in much the same way the Mama Said Knock you Out was the last we've heard from many of L.L. Cool J's critics . . . Speaking of, I've never been embarrassed by my affiliations or my family whereas Dan the Dirtbag doesn't like TKC gently reminding people that the dude is essentially working (for free) for the Mayor . . . Also, the fact that a so-called paid professional is rolling around in the dirt and talking crap about TKC at every blogger meetup and probably in bed with his wife while I'm tearing him and his hero Mayor Funky apart from my mom's basement is one of the many gully things about running this fully armed and operational battle station blog. . . But I digress . . .

    The truth is that blogging is just writing. It's that simple.

    Like all writing or life, there's absolutely no definitive guide as to how to become successful . . . There's only people offering useless guides, envious or meaningless observations and other distractions that keep people from discovering their way on their own.

    Blogging is writing: People either do it or they don't.

    Everybody who drives a BMW is a d-bag



    Because it's more relevant, I was going to write another quick post about Smart Cars and how they're stupid looking and lame . . . Still, I realize that dorks who drive around those things are trying to do just a little bit to save the planet and are prepared to look like idiots when doing so . . . Like it or not, that's halfway admirable.

    On the other hand, for some reason I'm noticed a bunch of BMW's around Kansas City streets over the weekend. Believe it or not, I've even had friends who have driven these fine examples of German engineering (post-Holocaust) . . . And what I contend is simple: Nearly every person I've ever met who drives a BMW is a world class a-hole.

    I've never owned one, so I have no idea, but there is something about this brand of automobile that signals absolute the ABSOLUTE DOUCHERY OF EVERY PERSON WHO OWNS ONE . . . Women don't get a pass on this either, women who drive BMWs are also noticeably lacking in the qualities that comprise a decent human being.



    As I was preparing this post I stumbled upon these images and thought that they had to be some less than clever spin on BMW advertising from Adbusters or some other bleeding heart . . . Nope, they're real ads, done in Europe and they've even won awards. Here's some of the info:
    Bronze FigLeaf (2002)
    Agency: D'Adda, Lorenzini, Vigorelli, BBDO, Milan - Italy
    Advertiser: BMW Italia
    Product: Vehicles
    Ad: "Man"
    Photographer: Sesse Lind
    Headline: The ultimate attraction
    Anyhoo, normally (because I'm an adult) I don't think that the kind of products or apparel a person buys says anything about their personality or inherent worth - Many a douche goes "green" just as an SUV driver might be a total sweetheart - However, from what I've seen in Kansas City, a person driving a BMW is probably someone to avoid, someone with something missing inside, someone with a little less soul (or conscience) than everyone else. This sentiment doesn't come from jealousy, if I had the cash and wanted to give it to white people in Germany I'd much rather drive a Benz and pretend I was in a rap group . . . Nope, this is simply yet another accurate observation about life in Kansas City that I think can be replicated scientifically and stands as yet another one of my important contributions to this town.

    Kansas City remembers we have Parks



    Here is yet another bane of my existence: Kansas City people hate going to Parks in their own neibhborhood.

    Because of the 70 degree weather we had yesterday, every park in the "nicer" part of town was packed with folks from JoCo and KC's Eastside . . . Apparently, the parks in JoCo are just about as uninteresting as the people and on the Eastside the parks are simply too dangerous.

    Every d-bag and their dog were at the "nice" (read: white) KC Parks yesterday (Loose and Mill Creek), packing the place with SUVs and new model Chryslers . . . Meanwhile, I'm sure places like Swope Park were virtually abandoned.

    Luckily, these d-bags are gone at the first sign of inhospitable weather and as soon at the temperatures get above 85 at a consistent level, the parks will be once again without so many posers. Truly, these people are fair weather friends of Kansas City and I for one don't really like them (and won't miss), their pets, their hacky sack or their forced laughter and fake sense of civic unity.

    Saturday, April 19, 2008

    The TKC Saturday Night Playlist: The Kansas City area descends into drunken violence



    I've been thinking that the warmer weather might make things in Kansas City horrifically interesting . . . I know a lot of folks claim that the Midwest is boring but that's a bit of a blessing in disguise. Boring is good when the alternative is a bunch of drunk people shooting each other . . . Or worse.

    I notice that the po-po aren't having much problem finding drunken locals to pick out of the crowd . . . The expediency of harassing Kansas City drunk drivers is often debated - by people who've never lost a loved one to them . . . Still, if the angry jerks who I cut off are any indication, it seems as if there are a lot more folks who are sauced on local roads . . . Last night 35 people were arrested at metro DUI stops and almost a half a dozen were drunk - TKC Stays winning by drinking alone, in the corner of a basement (naked and crying).

    Additionally, it wouldn't be a weekend without a tragic murder in the Kansas City area and a female bartender gunned down this weekend in KCK for refusing to serve a drink seems indicates that a lot of people in this part of town can't control their temper or their addictions.

    Here are a few songs in honor of the Kansas City area's problem with booze and bad tempers:

  • Saturday Night - Elton John
  • Saturday - Drunk with Guns
  • Too Drunk to fuck - Nouvelle Vague
  • Only when I'm drunk - The Alkaholiks
  • Beer for Breakfast - The Replacements
  • Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg
  • Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet (Sorry)
  • Roadhouse Blues - The Crystal Method (The Doors)
  • Tap the bottle - Young Black Teenagers
  • Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound - Hank Williams Jr



    While I may not like (or care) about a great many of you d-bags . . . I need as many visitors to this blog as possible so as always I want to remind people to have a fun and SAFE weekend while engaging in drunken violence. Thank you for reading.
  • Thoughts on the "KC Ram Through"

    Red Bridge Story makes some important observations about governance in Kansas City - It's remarkable that the blogger still has sympathy for the Mayor after the guy left the Red Bridge folks out in the cold . . . However, his observations about being on the losing end of Kansas City politics are important nonetheless.

    KC pays a little bit of respect for the dead

    A Platte County judge has ruled that the graves of homestead pioneers (and slaves) scattered across Kansas City International Airport property will stay where they are.

    T-bones don't have the courage to joke

    T-Bones drop plans for Vick welcoming party

    Funky's Ed Ford Firing Fallout . . .



    Here are my questions about this latest Funkhouser Failure:

  • Is he setting up Terry Riley to fail? Remember that Funkhouser is a politician, just not a very good one and firing Riley next time around would be a popular move (with white people) as the election gets closer.

  • The Mayor has maybe a year to try and improve relations with the Council (his first priority) it looks as if he's really only giving lip service to that claim (lying).

  • Once again, Funkhouser offers a lame attempt at payback to his perceived enemies this move was right out of the Kay Barnes playbook and nothing less than politics as usual in Kansas City along with yet another setback for any light rail plan not endorsed by Mayor Funky - Stubborn and selfish . . . I hope others are starting to see a pattern.
  • The TKC Passover Post



    I don't know if you're supposed to wish Jewish people a "Happy Passover" or not but I thought I would be safe posting a photo of hotass Israeli model Bar Rafaeli that every one could appreciate.

    Believe it or not, I've actually attended a Passover Seder, in a capacity other than waiting tables or washing dishes, and that made me appreciate the tradition . . . Sadly, I've yet to bang a Jewish broad but if the comedy of Jackie Mason has informed me correctly, I hear that I'm not missing much.

    Still, TKC is all about celebrating Kansas City's diversity . . . To wit, I've found a couple of gully local Jewish links that you may or may not have seen already:

  • Check out the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, they've recently undergone a redesign and the site looks better than ever.

  • Also, don't forget to listen to KC Currents this weekend (89.3 FM, Sunday 5 p.m.) and hear members of the local Jewish ensemble Yachad, The Traveling Tefillah Band, talk about their music and memories of celebrating Passover in Kansas City.

  • Finally, I think that Jewish folks are a tad underrepresented in our local blogosphere and I don't link "Kansas City with a Russian Accent" often enough . . . The guy puts up some interesting content and the Russian-Jewish-American has made a bold design choice with his ironic display of the hammer and sickle . . . Definitely one of the better looking blogs in Kansas City with a lot of great writing on a variety of subjects. I hope linking him in this post isn't condescending and if it is, he can offer an insulting reciprocal link come Cinco De Mayo or on Kwanzaa - I celebrate both with booze.
  • (Another) crazy, local, bible-toting man

    Standoff recently at Ward Parkway near Arno Road involving a dude in a pickup, the KCPD and a bible.

    Don't believe the hype (or women)!!!



    Depending on how you look at it, there was a great story in the news yesterday that either proves that justice eventually prevails (with the help of science) OR that people (women) are mostly unreliable d-bags . . .
    An Independence man is out of jail after a DNA test cleared him of two sexual assaults.

    The victims in the two attacks in May and June of last year identified 20-year-old Deangilo Minor as their assailant. He spent almost nine months in jail while authorities compared his DNA to evidence found on one of the victims.

    In March the test results came back negative, indicating the DNA came from another man who was in a felon database. The cases against Minor were dismissed this week.
    In this case I'll forgo any commentary about obvious racial and class disparity when it comes to the justice system and instead just simply note, as many others have, that we all take our chances with the law from parking tickets to false accusations to Thunderdome.