"Miles Gets Open"

The latest from Miles Bonny . . . Street level footage of this town in natural lighting always looks wonderfully depressing. I really like this video.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! DOES MAYOR FUNKY HAVE AN OCCULT CONNECTION??? MYSTERIOUS CRYSTALS SHOWN IN KANSAS CITY'S HIGHEST OFFICE!!!

Stories of misguided faith in Kansas City are not uncommon and especially sad.

Long before Mayor Mark Funkhouser took office, a trusted source told TKC:

"You know his wife is a Wiccan, right?"

At first I thought it was gossip but over the past year evidence has mounted regarding Gloria Squitiro's wacky religious beliefs. Last year, Hearne Christopher quoted Ms. Squitiro saying that she didn't subscribe to any organized religion and had several conversations with her higher power several times an hour . . . Needless to say, this wasn't exactly comforting.

Yesterday, a great many Kansas City residents were disturbed over an e-mail touting a concert & workshop of a Native American shaman closely affiliated with Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

A reporter from Kansas City's paper of record quickly backed off the story at the behest of Mayor Funky's PR flack but still stood by a great many of the initial details. Generally, matters of faith are very carefully, condescendingly reported by the mainstream media. For better or worse, my Catholic school upbringing coupled with my subscription to the Skeptical Inquirer won't allow me to take the same kind of faux-objective pose.

WITH THE HELP OF KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS, THIS BLOG PROVIDES A BIT OF PROOF AND CONCERN FROM CITY HALL DENIZENS THAT GLORIA SQUITIRO'S ADHERENCE TO WITCHCRAFT, THE OCCULT AND VARIOUS FORMS OF MYSTICISM ARE REGULARLY MANIFESTED AT CITY HALL IN THE FORM OF CRYSTALS COMMONLY USED BY NEW AGE WACKOS!!!

The sad thing is, I'm not the first to take notice of these crystals which are placed carefully on the windowsills of the Mayor's office. TKC has talked with 2 other Kansas City reporters at major media outlets and they also confirmed the careful placement of three crystals by the Mayor's windows. MSM in Kansas City decided that this detail wasn't important or relevant to bring to the attention of Kansas City. It's either fear or bias that has kept them from asking a simple question so far . . . In this instance, they act as gatekeepers, they decided what was important for the public to know rather than letting the public make their own decisions.

And at this point I think it's important to express a little bit of love for all of the world's major religions and even a few of their spin-offs. TKC is especially fond of snake handlers because it seems like a pretty good show. This isn't about who has the true faith but more about honesty . . . Well, that and I think New Age philosophy is dangerous, misguided, lame and has awful music.

Nevertheless, TKC isn't completely claiming that people don't have the right to whatever superstition they choose but the subterfuge carried out by the mainstream press, especially The Star is disgusting. Sadly, yesterday's affiliation with a Native American shaman isn't the first dalliance with the occult for Mayor Funky. Longtime TKC readers might remember one of Funkhouser's first public embarrassments was willingly sharing the stage and providing a nice introduction for a Wiccan priestess.

And of course, there's the flimsy argument that the crystals are simply ornamental or decorative. I wouldn't even doubt there might be some phony geology loving excuse cooked up and then taken without question or study by lazy reporters . . . But then why are the spooky crystals placed so methodically? Do they have any relation to Squitiro's other strange religious beliefs since they are commonly used in New Age Faith practices? Like it or not, these stones seem to be the same kind of pseudo religious relics that some quacks claim can cure cancer. Also, the "decoration defense" can also be used for The Ten Commandments, The Islamic Star and crescent or a satanic pentagram. Most people with any kind of sense or a respect for the Constitution opt to keep religious symbols and bad decorations far away from City Government. Sadly, I doubt they'll ever be any kind of follow-up.

And I guess I have to be as forthright as possible on my humble jokey blog:

I don't really have any respect for people who are into this New Age Crystal garbage or at least those serious enough about it to lay cash down and buy the merchandise.

TKC's opinion notwithstanding:

IT IS A FACT THAT MYSTERIOUS CRYSTALS WITH A NOT SO INSIGNIFICANT (PHONY) RELIGIOUS CONNOTATION ARE ON DISPLAY IN THE OFFICE OF KANSAS CITY'S MAYOR!!!

This fact just might shed some light on so many rumors circulating about the weird beliefs of Gloria Squitiro and her subsequent influence at City Hall.

It's a fact that was unreported by The Kansas City Star.

The placement of these alleged New Age crystals also demonstrates the lack of decorum and professionalism still at work in the office of Mayor Mark Funkhouser.

I'm sure that the last remaining Funkhouser acolytes might jump to his defense without using their reason but it's my contention that support for Mayor Funky and his wife is support for mysticism and false idols.

Strangely, I think this is the kind of thing that happens when people put all of their faith in politicians . . . They quickly discover that their trust was misplaced and has only been used to support arrogant, stubborn personal ambition and in this case, an even worse alleged devotion to inappropriate and phony religious icons in Kansas City's highest office.

Kansas City's Mayor snubs Obama!?!!

Steve Kraske brings us news of the big crowd at Obama's Kansas City campaign headquarters grand opening. But that's not the whole story.

YET ANOTHER KICKASS, AWESOME AND WONDERFUL TKC TIPSTER NOTICES . . .

Kansas City's Mayor Mark Funkhouser was nowhere to be found at the hope filled, well attended event!!!

Most of the City Council was present, lots of local leaders but Mayor Funky is apparently a no show . . . Tell me again why is Mayor Funky considered a liberal Democrat?

It's disappointing nonetheless for folks hoping for party unity and a true testament to Mayor Funky's popularity or lack thereof.

Serving up tasty, cool Kansas City links on a hot summer afternoon

Please enjoy these links . . . They're quite tasty, good, delicious and awesome . . . Just like Lucy Pinder's boobs (I guess):

Crime Scene KC reports that the fallout from Kansas City's Killer rap battle continues: 2nd conviction in Fat Tone homicide case

Local lawyers making us proud: Outburst Lands KC Lawyer 120 Days In Jail

Another fantastic Midtown story (obviously involving guns)!!!

PLEASE FORGET ABOUT KANSAS CITY SEWERS!!! Starter line ordinance advances to full Council

Geek out with Kansas City blogger Nuke!!!

Hooray!!! Power is back on in Raytown!

It's getting increasingly harder to get out of Kansas City: Fewer Holiday Flights Leaving KCI

And, of course, in order to cool down . . . Please enjoy these NSFW photos of Brit model Lucy Pinder pretending to serve ice cream. Silly rabbit, supermodels don't have to work!!!

KANSAS CITY'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSE CONTINUES AT CITY HALL!!!

There wasn't an inordinate amount of rain . . . Over the past days Kansas City just experienced a slightly unexpected Summer downpour. Sadly, because of this town's busted water infrastructure . . . Near disaster has ensued.

A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER NOTES THE FOLLOWING:

The City Hall Law Department has assigned staff to deal with the back log of complaints and claims.

Private companies have now been contracted to clean up Kansas City basements.

As best as they can, the City is relying of the "Act of God" defense but is still paying out a lot of cash.

Good news: If a property owner can legitimately claim a health hazard due to flooding (thanks to Kansas City's lousy pipes) then Kansas City will quickly pick up the tab and send a local company (probably affiliated with Service Master) to sanitize, remove carpets, etc.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANKS TO NEGLECT OF KANSAS CITY'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE WHILE MAYOR FUNKY IS PUSHING FOR LIGHT RAIL . . . THE COMING INCREASE IN WATER AND SEWER BILLS FOR THE AVERAGE KANSAS CITY PROPERTY OWNER WILL BE AT LEAST $1,000 BY NEXT YEAR!!!

Unfortunately, Kansas City voters thought they elected someone who would address local infrastructure concerns but has instead worked harder to put forth a ridiculous light rail scheme.

Cheech and Chong Return!!!

This has nothing to do with Kansas City . . .

But it's probably the most important news of the past 24 hours.

CHEECH AND CHONG REUNITE!!!

It's nice to know that, granted enough time, we can all put aside our differences. It's good to see TKC's biggest comedy influence back in action.

Life is good.

Life is still rotten in Raytown

Power was knocked out Thursday morning to thousands of KCP&L customers in Raytown

Midwest relations with mainland China: They took yer jobs, but you got the dead bodies of their dissidents!!!

KS, MO lost 62,000 jobs to China 2001-2007 . . . Be sure to see Bodies Revealed because it's nearly empty and hasn't done much for Union Station's bottom line!!!

Personal responsibility vs. liability: KCPD urges club owners to babysit barflies!!!

You know, it's a big responsibility pushing the last legal drug that's not in pill form.

That's why I'm not surprised about a crackdown underway on local clubs.

Members of the department met with tavern managers and employees in the popular Westport nightclub district to discuss a wide range of laws that apply to bars, clubs and other facilities that serve alcohol. Then they tried to clarify some of the gray areas woven into those regulations . . .

Apparently, the KCPD is putting out a warning that managers and employees are accountable for the behavior of their patrons.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing but then again I only drink in a basement corner, alone and usually crying . . . So none of this really applies to me.

On other hand, this might be good news for neighbors of Club Zen and the surrounding chaos in the parking lot which TKC exclusively reported.

OR Maybe not . . . P&L District reps are always noticeably absent from any discussions regarding conduct at Kansas Clubs even though sources tell TKC that it's pretty much anything goes as far as liquor code enforcement in the lily white serfdom of the Cordish Group.

An interesting fact revealed in the article is that clubs could be held accountable for assaults against women even after they've left the premises . . . And that really is news to me because I thought everyone simply blamed women who were date raped for their own misfortune.

Killing Friends in Kansas City!!!

From The Star: Jackson County prosecutors accused a 23-year-old man Wednesday of shooting “one of his best friends” in the head several times while in a park Sunday night

KANSAS CITY STAR WON'T COVER THE INTERNETS EVEN THOUGH IT'S WHERE THEY GET HALF THEIR STORIES!!!

Heh, turns out that story about the nasty Mike Sharp e-mails was true . . . For people who vote based on what kind of e-mail gets sent out by a candidate, this is big news. But here's the more important fact:

THE KANSAS CITY STAR IS INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING THEIR READERS WHEN THE FAIL TO MENTION THAT THE EVIDENCE IN THIS STORY APPEARED FIRST ON KANSAS CITY BLOGS!!!

The Star lamely says that the evidence appeared on two websites but then fails to even provide the address of Sharp Unmaksed.com . . . Where most people got the info.

Also, THREE OTHER BLOGS HAD THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS STORY FIRST:

I doubted the validity of the story and the images but at least TKC offered people the opportunity to judge for themselves i.e. links are awesome!!!.

The KC Blue Blog also analyzed the Sharp E-mails

Jeff Roe curiously noted the Democrat drama as well . . . TKC assumes that all sleazy campaigning in Kansas City comes from Jeff Roe but I don't even know if he's backing anybody in this race.

At this point it's clear to see that The Star is guilty of a clear bias against the Internets and the local blogosphere.

SADLY, IF THE STAR REFUSES TO REPORT ON KANSAS CITY BLOGS AND THE DISCOURSE THAT'S ALREADY TAKING PLACE THEN THEY'RE ONLY REPORTING HALF OF THE STORY!!!

It really is a shame to watch The Star take up a bunker mentality when it comes to the local Internets when they should be working to cooperate, collaborate and co-opt web publishers who are so much faster than this town's paper of record.

Then again, this kind of thing makes me a lot less sympathetic when they talk about even more layoffs . . .

Harsh Times in Kansas City when women aren't even safe to wash dishes!!!

The Star reports that a kitchen ceiling collapsed on a 27-year-old Kansas City woman and her sister Wednesday as the woman washed dishes.

Thankfully, the lady was not seriously hurt . . . However, recent rains seem to point out that Kansas City is about as structurally sound as the currency of a third world nation . . . So I'm advising wonderful, honorable and Kansas City ladies who are washing dishes, making me a sandwich, changing the oil in my car or doing my laundry to be VERY CAREFUL!!!

A factoid from The KC Guy: "Like almost every place in KC now, they have a patio so that you can smoke and sweat."

The KC Guy notices an interesting Kansas City phenomena in his kickass review of The Foundry.

In the aftermath of Jared Allen

RDM provides a great post dedicated to all of those inconsolable fans of Kansas City's former great white hope . . . Who never helped with the team's record overall.

Kansas City Political Yard Sign Battle!!!

KSHB reports: "A taxpayer claims a volunteer for Rachel Townsend's campaign offered bribes to display her yard signs." And this is really my favorite part of campaign season . . . Local news tends to indulge people who think that yard signs are anything but visual clutter. TKC Note: Yard signs don't influence anyone except for the fact that they signal the owner of the property is a d-bag.

Walt Bodine enjoys malt, most other Kansas City newsies can suck it!!!

A recent blog post featuring Walt Bodine enjoying a malt at Fox’s Drug Store in Raytown is probably the most kickass thing featured in The Pitch this year. Of course it comes from Ferruzza's foodie blog "Fat City" which I was formerly unaware of . . . Great photos, fantastic interview . . . And all without wasting a forest. It's nice to see both Kansas City's past and future in blog format.

Via KC Talk.

LOCAL WHITE PEOPLE ARE SCREWING UP PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL!!!

Governor Matt Blunt requested that State Auditor Susan Montee conduct a special audit of the Liberty School District

KICKING OFF KANSAS CITY'S KILLER WEEKEND JUST A LITTLE EARLY!!!

A drive-by shooting on 41st and Tracy killed one person and injured three others early Thursday morning.

Present Magazine: "Why I love America"

Present Magazine is running a pretty interesting feature entitled: "Why I love America"



There doesn't need to be a holiday in order to be patriotic . . . Be sure to check out the eloquent answers in the two part series about love for this nation - TKC's first response is usually "white women" but then again, I don't like people asking me questions or questioning my motives which is a quintessentially American trait.

Good looking Kansas City Summer Links!!!

There are so many more talented people in this town that aren't taking part in a corporate contest: Idol Hopefuls Compete In KC Idol Live!

Another bad idea from Mayor Funky: KCI Cops vs. KCPD still under consideration

Rich adult from the family who owns H&R Block provides tips about how to have a rewarding life . . . Having Billionaire parents is a good start!!!

OneKC works as far as stabbing is concerned: Olathe provides the latest metro stabbing

A bit of relief for people who have brats: Tax-Free Shopping Holiday This Weekend

Slightly less privilege: Vandals Scorch Lee's Summit Children's Playground

I keep telling you that Junk food will kill you: Detectives are inspecting surveillance video, hoping to find more clues in the robbery of a Kansas City Taco Bell

Finally, these photos of Michelle Marsh in September's Loaded Magazine are NSFW but probably the best thing on the Internets!!!

Suburban people without a place to put their ponies put on television and called news!!!

Last night Channel 9 ran a story about the stables at Shawnee Mission Park . . . Please stop acting like disparity in media coverage is a myth.

Koster's crazy ass wife!!!

Credit to Blog CCP, I could care less about the politics of the whole thing but a local political blog is doing a much better job of keeping a story interesting than the paper of record. Check out Blog CCP's take on the messy Koster divorce!!! While we're on the subject you might want to check out the latest anti-Koster ads.

Kansas City homicide count!!!

Alonzo Washington is doing an excellent job of not only garnering a lot of tips and information about local crime but also keeping track of this town's rapidly rising murder rate . . . He counts 62 so far, sadly there will be more to report this Summer and even this weekend.

Celebrate Mayor Funky's empty promises: Basic Services aren't getting better in KC!!!

Kansas City's About.com blog makes an insightful observation about local urban lore:

I'm never really sure when bulk trash pick-up is in my neighborhood and have pretty much chalked it up to an urban myth.

She also provides a bit more information on how to prove the existence of rarely sighted aspect of Kansas City's services that is becoming more ever more elusive.

Hey, but at least we're getting light rail!!! Who needs the trash collected regularly?!?!?!

Also, enjoy even more bikini photos of Bar Rafaeli that are seemingly ubiquitous around the Internets.

KCK isn't too crazy about McCain

A Nick Sloan Exclusive: Wyandotte County Republicans Not Big On McCain

Kansas City's great, white hip-hop hope performs in front of half empty venues

PopFree Radio is a bit more positive about Mac Lethal (post-Eminem era hopeful) and provides a glowing review of what seems like a poorly attended show.

Not really the news, last month's TKC content reported on Prime Buzz!!!

Prime Buzz says that Settlement talks under way in lawsuit against KC mayor . . . TKC reported as much last month (with the help of kickass TKC tipsters). The case against Gloria Squitiro still underway . . . I love giving soon to be laid off and retired reporters at The Star poop but in this case, it's deserved (and extra smelly).

Running a tight ship

TKC is hoping to do 20 posts today . . . Thanks to KICKASS TIPSTERS I have a few good items on the way.

As interesting as Fergie's ass in Spandex? Possibly.

There's (hopefully) good stuff on the way with a lot of important links to Kansas City News and blogs as well.



So, thank heaven for women who make bad decisions . . . And stay tuned.

Hollapalooza '08

You'll be hearing a lot more about Hollapalooza on this blog . . . Or at least you'll see this jpeg a few more times.

It's shaping up to be THE GREATEST HIP-HOP EVENT IN KANSAS CITY THIS YEAR!!!

Seriously.

Reach is slated to perform along with DJ Shad and quite a few other acts at the event on August 16 from 1 - 8pm . . . The best part, Hollapalooza '08 will be held at the Kansas City Repertory Theater.

So start making arrangements now. More to come . . .

KANSAS CITY SHIT STORM!!!

Okay, I didn't really blog the rain earlier because I didn't think it was a big deal.

Once again, I was wrong but mostly because my basement was dry . . . Thank you God.

A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER tells me that City Hall was FLOODED with calls this afternoon about basements overrun with water and sewage . . . Another TKC Tipster (thanks guys) tells me that THE SITUATION IS SO DESPERATE THAT KANSAS CITY IS LOOKING AT IT AS A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM!!!

That makes sense considering that backed up sewage isn't something that the average home owner is prepared to deal with . . . Meanwhile, I hear that light rail is making a lot of progress and the debate and extending the starter line is really important!!! Never mind all of the other shit Kansas City should deal with first.

AGAIN, THANK YOU TKC TIPSTERS THIS POST (AND THIS BLOG) WOULDN'T BE HALF AS ENTERTAINING WITHOUT ALL THE INFO YOU SEND MY WAY!!!

Kansas City Co-Mayors and the Shaman!!!

Everybody sent this to me at the same time (THANK YOU). . . KC Media picked it up too!!!

It's nice to see the learning curve of the first couple hasn't changed at all. Here's the latest press release from a Coyote Wisdom website!!! WTF?

The note starts off:

Brule Native American Concert LIVE
and Coyote Wisdom Workshop:

Native American Techniques for Healing
Body, Mind and Spirit
Hosted by KC Mayor Mark Funkhouser

It gets worse.

Check it:

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser and his wife Gloria are bringing you an amazing inspirational weekend workshop presented by Native American healer, shaman, physician and author, Lewis Mehl-Madrona. The Native American music phenomenon Brule and AIRO (American Indian Rock Opera) will kick off the weekend Friday evening with a wonderful concert at Unity Temple on the Plaza.

Somehow, this seems even creepier than their rumored pagan roots!!!

Also, TKC knew their anti-Mexican stance was popular but I don't know how effective it is to run on a mysticism platform.

On a personal note, I hate walking away from the blog on 13 posts but the Mayor's earth worshiping ways make me realize that I need to abandon my superstitions.

Your mileage may vary on this one . . . And while most may want to turn this into a debate among healthy people about the merits of (silly) atheism . . . TKC has to side with major organized religions who don't try to cure cancer with crystals or dream catchers.

Natch.

Kansas City light rail hates Black people!!!

Recently, Gwen Grant created quite a ruckus over her comments regarding light rail.

Now, Grant is a classy lady and would never stoop to playing Identity Politics with such an important issue related to Kansas City's future. Full Disclosure: Last time I looked on Main Street, I think she's still running for Mayor . . . Nope, that was Janice Ellis. Grant is actually with the local chapter of the Urban League.

Nevertheless, the topic of light rail extending into what Mayor Funky and his wife once called "The Black Part of Town" is becoming exceedingly important.

Gwen Grant, president of the Urban League, is another starter-line critic who welcomed the change for the East Side. “It’s great movement in the right direction,” she said. “It certainly makes it more palatable.”

The 12-mile starter line proposal extended from Vivion Road in the Northland, through downtown to the Country Club Plaza, then east to Watkins Drive.

In addition to Sharp, council members Terry Riley and Melba Curls had publicly criticized the lack of light rail for the East Side.

And since everyone is hinting at it and nobody will just come out and say it . . . TKC must note the following:

KANSAS CITY LIGHT RAIL IS RACIST!!!

For a moment, let's just examine just a bit of the political posturing regarding the Eastside and light rail because it's not that important. Of course Eastside leaders should want major concessions for their communities, it's only in the best interest of the districts they represent. If the Eastside extension or the general lack of involvement of Kansas City's Black Community really does become a hot button issue (doubtful) then expect "leaders" to jump out of the woodwork demanding inclusion and mostly settling for donations . . . Which is the way things have worked in Kansas City since the days of Pendergast, up to the establishment of riverboat gambling and even now. But, that's just politics as usual and not really important.

A far more pressing issue is the lack of minority participation in any publicly funded Kansas City construction project.

Plain and simple and despite guarantees to the contrary . . .

KANSAS CITY HAS A TRACK RECORD OF CUTTING OUT MINORITY OWNED CONSTRUCTION FIRMS WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT!!!

Let's not forget the H&R Block project that still may owe Kansas City millions because of an alleged attempt to exclude and misrepresent minority business participation.

Of course, this legacy of Kansas City discrimination will go mostly unmentioned when it comes time to vote due to whatever political deals are agreed upon. Still, the fact remains that whether it's the P&L District and their de facto policy of excluding young, minority males or just a basic and consistent oversight . . . Minorities in Kansas City are excluded from development more often than not. Light rail is no exception.

Kansas City Old Man Hates Ice Cream!!!

Here's what I love about this town . . . There's little room for sentimentality or stereotypes regarding kindly old folks. Nope, for the most part the old people in Kansas City are pissed off. The latest victim of Kansas City Senior outrage: Ice Cream.

A Tasty Treat ice cream truck was hit with gunfire from an angry resident Monday.

Kansas City police report a 70 year-old man was charged for unlawful use of a weapon.

Thankfully, no one was hurt but sunshine, lollipops and balloons should be on the lookout as well and steer clear of angry Kansas City Seniors with guns.

Double Bonus . . . KC Uber blogger James Heart over at Crime Scene KC got this one way before I did (as usual) . . .

So lemme add onto it with some of the top links I'm reading from this morning:

Not a flood of consciousness: Flooding Briefly Closed Downtown Loop

Don't let anyone kid you, Kansas City has a lot of culture: KC Symphony reports record revenue, attendance

One more exciting venue to drive up bankruptcies: Kansas Speedway and the Cordish Company are still moving forward to bring a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to the area

Kansas City loves Mexicans!!! At least when it comes to cheap labor: Roofing Company Hired Illegal Immigrants

Holla if ya hear me: Kansas City police board members Tuesday approved spending $4.2 million of public safety sales tax money to buy new police radios.

Slightly damp City of Fountains notice

They're fixing Kansas City's oldest fountain, it's not amazing news but a decent enough excuse for me to use one of my favorite photos of Marissa Miller:

Kansas City park officials will break ground at 11 a.m. today for the restoration of the city’s oldest fountain, which hasn’t worked for years.

The 1899 Women’s Leadership Fountain at Ninth Street and the Paseo will be restored along with the August R. Meyer Memorial and pergola at 10th and the Paseo and the William T. Fitzsimons Memorial Fountain at 12th and the Paseo.

The project will cost $2.67 million and is to be completed by Fountain Day in April.

On second though, more than 2 mil is a lot to pay for wet tributes to women leaders. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie? Badump, bump, bump!!! Tip your waitresses.

Light Rail will solve all of Kansas City's problems, except for transportation!!!

KSHB recently reported: "The Area Transportation Authority held an open house at UMKC Tuesday to invite public comment on proposed cuts to service along the #55 Rockhill route. The ATA says it does not have enough buses to accommodate all the new riders on its most popular routes, so it is considering taking buses away from less traveled routes like the #55."

Show Me a lot more support for a Democrat in Missouri than I've ever seen

2,000 Line Up For Tickets To Obama Event In Rolla . . . Anybody remember the state-wide reaction John Kerry ran? Me neither.

Jesus, this Kansas City Couple is dirty!!!

By far, my favorite Kansas City story of the past 24 hours is that tale of Jesus appearing among the dirty clothes of a Kansas City couple:

A Kansas City couple says they've made a miraculous find in their bathroom. Dewey Clark said his wife tossed a dark t-shirt on a pile of towels. A few days later she called him into the bathroom. The couple said they can see the face of Jesus in the folds and shadows of the shirt.

Miraculous? No, especially considering that most of my dirty clothes can walk by themselves when I'm finished with them.

NO ANCHOR TENANT FOR THE SPRINT CENTER IS A SUCCESS!!! HIGHER TAXES KEEP KANSAS CITY'S FAILING INVESTMENT AFLOAT!!!

The Sprint Center is supported by car rental and hotel fees (i.e. taxes), those not so insignificant additions to bills make people just a little bit less likely to come back or at least find some suburb where prices aren't as exorbitant (good luck).

Substituting the word "fees" for taxes is a common misrepresentation used by politicos and today The Star is helping their efforts by claiming that The Sprint Center is a "rockin" (ugh) success!!!

NEVER MIND THAT THERE'S NO ANCHOR TENANT AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ONE ON THE WAY!!!

That's not to say that there haven't been some bright spots. Garth Brooks attracted a great crowd even though his voice was gone for the last week of performances in Kansas City. And all the glass used in the building was manufactured in China so I'm sure that will provide more funds to crack down on dissidents who may in turn end up on display in exhibits like "bodies revealed" at Union Station!!!

Sadly, none of the promises regarding The Sprint Center as an "economic engine" or part of the "Downtown Renaissance" have been even close to coming true.

Here's a bit of a reality check regarding claims of The Sprint Center's success:

A great many downtown establishments have closed their doors since the opening of The Sprint Center . . . Sure, the smoking ban helped kill them off but there also wasn't the great downtown business revival promised.

NO ANCHOR TENANT!!! I can't stress this one enough . . . It's a sporting arena, this town was promised pro-sports . . . I hear we may get the Arena Bowl and I guess those three fans might tell another three fans and so on and so on . . .

And let's not forget that The Sprint Center openly violates the Kansas City billboard ordinance!!! Again here, the trick is in the definition of terms . . . They call it a marquee instead of a billboard even though it has the same design as their other billboards and overlooks the highway like a billboard.

No, the fact that The Sprint Center has a virtual serfdom downtown, makes its own rules and is funded by "fees" (ahem, taxes) on local businesses is a sure sign of success!!! Now that the luster of the place is beginning to fade I'm sure that booking the greatest bands of the 80's is a winning strategy that will power urban core for years to come . . . Forget about pro-sports, apparently Kansas City is happy with the marketing strategy for the Time/Life back catalogs of music. It wasn't what was promised but if the paper of record goes out of their way to define the place as a success, then it must be true coming from a source, right across the street who gets their own great big tax abatement from Kansas City.

Faking it in Kansas City!!!

The Kansas City Post shares some great thoughts about fake tags in the metro this morning.

Kansas City, like many other metros has a growing segment of people who are choosing to subvert the costs by taking part in an underground economy that funnels hundreds of thousands of dollars away from public coffers on a yearly basis. Counterfeit temporary license tags.

I can't say that I disagree with him at all . . . However, I will add that a great way to keep even more documented drivers on the road is to follow Utah's lead and issue Kansas City Driver's Privilege cards that way a great many undocumented folks could claim personal ownership of their property and properly register their vehicles rather than bothering their relatives who are here legally . . . Because, face it, they're staying here one way or another.

Still, as always, The KC Post raises an important issue that's worth considering. Check it.

The wet look and the ways of the blogger!!!

I always like to have a new post up around 5 in the AM so here here is a photo gallery of Kelley Monaco and a bit of blogger analysis (No homo):

Bloggers are always wondering how to make their site more popular or make money off of their online efforts, that's why a blog like Problogger.net is so widely read; it provides a lot of decent answers to the most commonly asked questions of people regularly trolling the Internets.

But as far as news blogs go . . . So many people fail to realize that news organizations are the biggest money losers for TV networks so the success of newsy online efforts is just as dismal. The New York Times makes most of its money from a fashion/culture magazine which in turn powers the political reporting. TV stations have far more financial interest in broadcasting reruns of Seinfeld than they do worrying about the latest local murder . . . Local news is almost a public service and I think in the future we're going to see a lot more journalism coming from the non-profit route - Which is to say institutions that are funded through grants and donations rather than just the constantly revolving corporate parent who keeps losing money on The Star.

Anyhoo, there are folks who still make a dime and a nickel putting out the news and their methods are usually the same:

Hyperbole - If it's in the news, it must be a big deal right? Because you normally sit around the house wondering which attractive, affluent white woman disappeared today.

Bias - Frustrated politicos claim liberal or conservative all of the time, I always thought there was more of an elitist bias but nevertheless skewing the reporting one way or another regularly boosts interest and attracts viewers.

The power of the image - Studies have shown the most people simply read the headline and the leade, TV news stories are regularly only 250 words long. Pictures and images are more important than anything else.

As for bloggers . . . The successful "newsy" sites I've seen also follow the same formula . . .

Hyperbole - Everyday bloggers complain about THE GREATEST INJUSTICE KNOWN TO MAN!!! And while I do report an lot of information before local media has the guts or their sources in line, every now and then I throw in the "EXCLUSIVE!!!" tag just to piss off reporters.

Bias - I think brown people, especially Mexicans are awesome!!!

Sexy broads - Really, there are blogs out there without bikini pics but blogging should at least be about pursing your personal interests . . . Mine all revolve around scantily clad supermodels. Also, even halfway attractive women daring/desperate enough to post photos online will regularly garner a bigger crowd than some dude ranting about his pet peeves.

So, there you have it . . . The difference between bloggers and journalists or any other news organizations aren't as great as most people like to think. And let's not forget that the public in general regards most media people as despicable liars.

The difference between journalists and bloggers? If The Star layoffs continue at this pace, there won't be much difference anymore.

TKC EXCLUSIVE: THE STAR DOESN'T HAVE A MINORITY AFFAIRS REPORTER AT THE MOMENT!!! SHE "QUIT" TO BECOME A SCHOOL TEACHER . . . GOOD LUCK TO HER, THE WORK SEEMS MORE REWARDING, IT PAYS MORE AND THERE IS FAR MORE CAREER STABILITY!!!

Natch.

Not dating advice: Pig races in WyCo!!!

Nick Sloan does a nice job of rounding up the adventures of Lindsey LoHam, Barack O’Hama and Sarah Jessica Porker.

Blogger Advice for McCain

CWH has a great list of ideas for McCain's campaign . . . TKC Tip for all Republicans: Start realizing that Latinos are now the deciding swing vote in American politics.

Kansas City Blogger Backtalk backup

I'm reading lots of great blogger posts today . . . Tons of blogger stuff to link but it is far too wonderfully rainy to put much effort into blogging . . . Better to spend time napping . . . Still, here's a quick look at the best of the best of what I'm reading from Kansas City blogs:

The very awesome Ancillary Adams helps to keep Show-Me State candidates honest!!!

A kickass reader recommendation from May's Machete: "Jesus Made Me Puke"

Home improvement and real life from Jay Bird!!!

A kickass confessional and missive about blogger isolation and cults from Fate's Thoughts.

Alonzo Washington still on a roll with a lot of local crime updates!!!

Irish KC: Bono Performs History of Rock at KC Irish Pub

And we must all take a moment to comtemplate Kim Kardashian's big ass!!!

Maybe this ugly ass Kansas City women deserved to be rundown by a car?!?!?!

A special thanks to yet another KICKASS TKC TIPSTER (STAND UP!!!) who caught Kansas City's paper of record (hopefully) making another mistake in matters of life and death.

What was that mainstream media claim about blogger accuracy again?

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! From Grain Valley to Kansas City!!! Mayors Helping Mayors Defend Racist Language!!!

Thanks to even more lazy reporting by The Star and KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS (STAND UP!!!) I'm the only local media outlet who bothered to note that the lawyer representing Gloria Squitiro is also the Mayor of Grain Valley.



I don't know why The Star omitted this important detail in their reporting but a simple cross reference of the name of the law firm representing Squitiro (Gepford Law Group LC) and the Mayor's name (David Halphin) turned up all of the Internet evidence I needed. . . Thank you Google!!!

Here are a few guesses as to why no connection was made:

This sort of demonstrates that nobody in Kansas City Proper wants anything to do with the Gloria Squitiro and her bare feet.

The Mayor-on-Mayor action is the closest that Mayor Funky is going to get to regional cooperation . . . Remember that Grain Valley is the fastest growing suburb in Missouri!!!

The rural Missouri "city" is Republican dominated and therefore this once again shows Mayor Funky relying on Republican support, which is nice but doesn't bode well for Kansas City which is almost completely dominated by the Democrat establishment.

Mayor Funky claims to be a liberal Democrat citing what credentials exactly?

Again, from the looks of it . . . All of Mayor Funky's friends are either Republican or from out of town . . . Usually both.

Today's Amber Alert

Everybody else is posting it . . . Check it.

Update: Kid found safe, mother in custody.

Kansas City rappers take note: Critical appreciation usually kills careers

On the bright side, a recent interview of Tech N9ne by KCUR is one of the most comprehensive and informative media stories I've ever heard regarding a (sort of) local rapper.

However, on a practical level . . . With only a few exceptions the white audience is rather fickle when it comes to their appreciation of hip-hop acts and today's celebrated artist (Kanye West) will undoubtedly be tomorrow's punchline (MC Hammer, Young MC, Digable Planets et al). In other words, "mainstream" (a.k.a. white) audiences will listen to the Rolling Stones, The Eagles and The Ramones for the rest of their lives but all but a few great rap artists enjoy that kind of longevity and usually end up destroying their reputation for recklessly chasing after mainstream appeal . . . Nelly, we're all looking at you.

Not that Tech N9ne has ever sold out or ever will . . . But the danger of mainstream appeal is compounded for hip-hop acts.

Summer break, sinking ship and The Star

Today is probably the worst edition of The Star I've ever seen . . . There's almost nothing for me to steal appropriate for my own use.

Here are a few stories that were reported somewhere else first and more interestingly, and now that means that I'm gonna have to do my own deep digging (sessy):

WOW, THE STAR SERVES UP A STORY TO ITS DEAD TREE READERS THAT IS ONLY A FEW WEEKS (MONTHS MAYBE) OLD!!! CHECK IT: Novice politician raises money fast through his Web site

GOP budget leaders criticize Nixon's health care plan . . . As opposed to their plan which involves cutting everybody off.

KC Repertory Theatre's managing director resigns. I'm sorry, who?

Politics reportedly tainted Justice Department hiring . . . Actually, this is a big political story reported with all of the life sucked out i.e. Star style.

More local Goodwill going down in flames

A donation trailer was found burning at a Goodwill store loading dock early Tuesday morning. A passer-by spotted smoke behind the Goodwill store on Highways 7 and 40 in Blue Springs. Coincidentally, here's another KCTV5 link from the same hood: "Burglars Torch Blue Springs House"

Coming to terms with KC's Union

KSHB: "Kansas City officials have reached a tentative three year pay agreement with Local 500. The local union represents about 1,700 Kansas City municipal employees. The new three year pay plan would be retroactive to May 1 and would extend until April 30, 2011. The proposal calls for a 1.75 percent annual raise to the minimum salary in each pay range, and a 1 percent annual raise at the top of the range, each year in November."

Bodies Revealed still a bust!!!

Personally, I don't care what Kansas City does with its spare time but I would like to note that the hot weather and the abundance of other local activities have revealed the controversial Bodies Revealed exhibit to be an overall disappointment in terms of generating revenue for one of Kansas City's most expensive white elephants. Of course, in a couple of days The Star might play games with ticket numbers BUT TKC SOURCES WHO HAVE A BIT OF INSIGHT INTO UNION STATION FINANCIAL NUMBERS NOTE THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH OF AN INCREASE IN REVENUE FOR THE PLACE!!! In other words, so far Bodies Revealed has been a bust and if Kansas City likes to see the stolen bodies of Chinese dissidents, then they don't really feel like eating afterwards.

Kansas City vlogs and "celebrities"

Kansas City video blogger Ramsey was in NYC lately and he ran into Taylor Hicks otherwise known as David Cook 1.0, check out the video and some pretty decent footage.

We must be more careful with boobies!!!

A Missouri woman gets millions after a medical mistake with her mammogram . . . TKC is offering to examine the boobs of all women aged 25-50 (I'm not picky) as long as they wear tight clothes, don't mind a dimly lit "exam" room with candles and allow me to play Sinatra tunes in the background.

Pitch: Star prints Sprint's paid for reviews

This time The Pitch takes apart the credibility of The Star's reporting. TKC Long Story Short: Only journalists care about so-called "credibility" whereas the public regards nearly all reporters (and bloggers) as scumbags with little distinction between any media outlet.

HOTTEST LADY BLOGGER IN KANSAS CITY WANTS TO TALK TO TKC!!!

Okay, I remember linking the KKFI news blog a while back . . . BUT I DIDN'T REMEMBER THAT THE BLOGGER WHO RUNS THE THING IS A VERY HOT LOCAL BROAD!!!

Dayum!!!! She left some comment and halfway invited me to some kind of debate . . . I'm kind of soured on the concept of live radio but I'm all about HOT FEMALE BLOGGERS. I hope she didn't just lift that photo from somewhere else but if she did then that would still make her a genius as well.

This is an important lesson to all aspiring digital publishers: FEMALE BLOGGERS IN KANSAS CITY MUST BE ATTRACTIVE FOR ANYONE TO TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY!!!

Thank God men don't have to abide by that same standard or else we'd all be reading Bradical Mindspew (NO HOMO) . . . Anyhoo, here's what she wrote in a recent comment that deserves some attention I guess:

Wow, Tony. Have you heard about the waste management issues in KC? I sent you a personal email about this before the petition came out. I was blogging and doing research for my internship on KC MEDIA WATCHDOGS. If I remember correctly, I thought you blogged about the filter at city hall in 2006? (Maybe not - but if so, why the change of heart?) I'm pretty sure I wrote you an email with actual facts and nothing about race. You never responded. Why? I'm white-skinned btw, I hope that is not an issue. I'm not sure where you were going with that, but it seems so unrelated. (Kate Corwin was on 90.1 in an interview about GreenWorks. Have you heard of it? I think you'd change your racist statement if you knew more about this program). We have a meet and greet for the community radio station 90.1 FM KKFI in about an hour at McCoy's. You should try to make it. Let's talk about it in person. You can read my original blog on the filter and how bottle water is related at www.kkfinews.blogspot.com. Basically we have a big problem with KC waste management. Our $18M system could increase to an additional $12M in a worst case scenario - where we don't have a plan and don't take actions to reduce waste. Cities across America have banned bottled water purchases (with tax dollars) at city buildings because it does save money and reduces waste. 13% of the space in our regional landfills contain plastic that could have been recycled or reduced in the first place. One of our four landfills has closed and the other three will start to expire in the next ten years, while KC residents have generated enough waste to fill more than three Arrowhead Stadiums. Building a new landfill will take at least 10 years and costs quite a bit of money - that you and I will be paying for. If City Hall has a filter system that you and I paid for so that the water can be consumed, why would any of us be upset if the council passes an ordinance that curbs the wasteful spending and consuming of plastic water bottles. (What did your picture have to do with KC, btw)? So I'll be back to comment. If you could come to the Meet and Greet and talk in person, that would be great! It is short notice, but let's chat. 7 pm McCoy's I don't know if I could actually get you on the radio show that I intern with, but I'm helping with a show on Thursday about sustainability and "green" issues. Want to talk about it? I want to be fair and give you a chance to back up what sounded like serious racism.

Thank you,
Elizabeth (Lizzi) Sexton
KC MEDIA WATCHDOGS, intern
90.1 FM KKFI
www.kkfinews.blogspot.com
www.kkfi.org

Oy, and her last name is Sexton . . . It just doesn't get much better than that . . . Okay, I've got some more scoop on KKFI coming up today so we'll have to table that discussion (Did anybody actually take the time to read that comment, I only did because the broad is incredibly hot) . . . Also, I blog way too many things about TKC to take a personal interest in much . . . However, here's a hint for folks criticising TKC:

WHITE PEOPLE, YOU DON'T GET TO CALL ME RACIST AND WHEN YOU DO IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER!!!

See, there's no such thing as racism against white people because we live in a society that currently upholds the systemic and residual effects of hundreds of years of rape, murder, slavery and exploitation of the world's brown people at the hands of and for the benefit of white people.

That's not to say that we don't all experience bigotry, even white people, but the term "racism" is often misunderstood and rarely reflects the realities of the unspeakable carnage inflicted by people Louis Farrakhan once referred to as "blue eyed devils."

Put simply, white people have as much business using the word "racism" as they do using the "N-word."

But none of this is as important as the fact that there is a NEW, HAWT BLOGGER IN TOWN and that makes her page a must read!!!

And don't any of you white broads dare mention the hegemony not only because white women pretty much hijacked the Civil Rights Movement but also because thoughts about brown women having it bad are usually only stuck in the mind of liberal, affluent ladies when they get bored from enjoying all of their white privilege.

AGAIN, HAWT FEMALE KC BLOGGER ALERT!!!

And all of this reminds me of the best feminist theme song to come out of the early 90's: "What Could Be Better, Bitch?" I know the track inspires me, let it inform your day as well.

Kansas Political argument: "NO, I hate brown people more!!!"

There's lots of misinformed and mostly wrong statements presented in a recent article regarding the Jim Ryun, Lynn Jenkins debate . . . However, a quote from the end was somewhat surprising coming from rural, Red State Kansas: "If they are coming up here to work, why not?" said construction worker Russell Torrey. "I think they should reform it and give them some form of citizenship. They are coming across anyway." And who says white, Republican dudes are all bad? Not me.

Suburban Pregnant Pizza Street Attack!!!

The latest crime in Shawnee should spoil a few more false assumptions about safety in Kansas City suburbs. KSHB reports: "A pregnant employee was the victim of two robbers at a pizza place at 73rd Street and Quivira Road in Shawnee. On Sunday night, the Pizza Street employee had just got into her car and was heading to the bank to make a deposit when several robbers attacked her." Not so surprisingly, the lady held on to the cash and scared her attackers away with a car horn . . . So maybe suburban crooks aren't that frightening after all.

With Kansas City "Friends" like these . . .

I've long contended that folks met online are not your "friends" but that doesn't mean that they're not good folks and far more entertaining that anybody you know in the real world . . . Just don't count on them to help you move.

Still, I've been meaning to do this post for awhile . . . Here are some new blogs and folks that I'm following or I've found through the miracle of e-mail, Twitter and Google Search:

Chris Kamler

Bob Deck's blog - Unfortunately, not as dirty as it sounds.

Kelly's Creative Corner

The KC Sports Blog

Hey, let's not all forget that JustCara just got a Twitter account!!!

And so many more . . . All things considered, front to back, the Kansas City Internets is full of great content and quite a few original voices.



Be sure to check back, I'm finding a lot of new blogs a lot faster than I can keep up with . . . If you have one that you'd like me to link be sure to hit me back through my e-mail address on the sidebar.

"The system and the current White House administration doesn’t care about blacks."

An insightful and informative post from RDM on the guy waiting to die at a Ft. Leavenworth Prison. While you're at RDM's site be sure to check out his latest post about dining options East of Troost as well: "Fast food joints aimed at taking out blacks?"

"If KCMSD comes out of this looking like assholes, it's because they earned it."

General Blather posts a well reasoned response of a previous TKC post . . . In the end, I think this kind of post clearly demonstrates that there is very little sympathy for for the plight of KC Schools and their top heavy administration . . . Deservedly so.

Kicking The Ass of Critical Mass

If you're a bicycling d-bag then you've no doubt already seen a "controversial" clip of an NYPD officer handing a Critical Mass Bike Rider his ass quite recently.

Of course, this is a horrific case of injustice and persecution in New York City History!!! It's most likely worse than 9/11 and that time the NYPD lit up some guy for showing his wallet.

Certainly, we all must fight for the right to illegally block the street and stage protests on a whim without regard for traffic or saftey . . . For more info on how you can fight his injustice . . . Contact the local affiliate of Critical Mass in Kansas City and for Gawd's sake wear a condom.

Defending The Star

I criticize The Star regularly on this blog because I think most of their writers are useless, there are a few exceptions of course but for the most part they are the antithesis of journalism and mostly serve as a corporate gatekeeper, filter and defender of the status quo . . . But I link to them so that you can judge for yourself. Of course it would be much easier for me to simply swipe the information they provide without providing any links or references but that's just not right and I've found that the ethics of bloggers are very often much higher than the corporate media . . . And with more cat photos!!!

Recently, I criticized The Star's Prime Buzz for completely burying the story of John Edwards and his love child. But then Gawker tells us that the story of the Edwards love baby hasn't even made it on his wiki page . . . So is this simply a case of liberal bias OR do we not like embarrasing details about baby's mama drama? I remember that the local press loathed referring to the many children of Derrick Thomas, so there is a precedent for this kind of self-imposed censorship.

Nevertheless, I'd like to think better of information distribution, even if it comes from the blogosphere reporting stories twice!!!

As for defending the honor of The Star, I think it's cute and it reminds me of how much I enjoyed the music of Amy Winehouse before she started to self-destruct.

By the way, AN EXCLUSIVE TKC SOURCE SAYS THAT THE SECOND ROUND OF LAYOFFS AT THE STAR IS COMING SOONER THAN ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO THINK AND WAY BEFORE X-MAS BONUS TIME!!!

A bit more efficiency in Kansas City

When I was in college, late 90's, I had a d-bag professor who insisted that we put "multi-tasking" on our résumé. Not long after it was revealed that multi-tasking is nothing more than silly corporate speak that actually just represents an inefficient way of doing things and wastes more time than anything else.

Today I read yet another essay reminding me of the multi-tasking myth.

And all this is simply a way of noting that lately I've been concentrating more on accomplishing tasks one at a time with a lot more efficiency than I'm accustomed to . . . It turns out there is enough time in the day for reading a full issue of Maxim AND playing X-box for 3 hours. Who knew?

So let this information guide you, because taking work advice from a guy who lives in his mom's basement is always the best choice.

And to help you with your new found productivity . . . Here's a nice photo gallery of Jessie Burciaga in all of her "former Hooters waitress" glory. Enjoy!!! The world is yours!!

Second (KCI) thoughts for Skaggs

A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER provided a bit of insight for me earlier this morning.

Basically, the whole flap regarding which police force controls KCI comes down to the Cauthen vs. Mayor Funky debate once again.

However, the inside scoop the Tipster dishes (and what's not widely known) is that Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Bill Skaggs is a supposedly a big supporter of the KCI Police force and their Chief.

So there's no telling how this is going to play out . . .Skaggs has been forced to tow the line for Mayor Funky at every step but this move might interfere with his constituency AND cause him to split with old friends.

Rumor has it that Skaggs is already hinting at "NO" if this thing should ever come to a vote . . . And once again Mayor Funky seems to be on the verge of failure as he still doesn't seem to understand the way neighborhood politics works or even the simplest forms of consensus building.

TKC Evening Links: No nutritional value

Mama Drama: Taylor Marquez pleads guilty

C-list restaurant robbery: Man robs TGI Friday's in OP

Legal run down: Accused Ward Parkway Hit, Run Driver Pleads Not Guilty

Mac is back: Representatives in the John McCain campaign have told NBC Action News that the Arizona senator will be back in Kansas City on Wednesday.

Falling Out: UMKC dental school dean resigns

Like a porno, only scarier: Jurors view video of Richard Davis' confession

All lit up: Burglar Steals 85 Cartons of Cigarettes in Overland Park

Of course, here's a photo gallery Kim Kardashian at McDonald's 40th Big Mac Party.

The Star is for blog debunking!!!

Because TKC is a much more talented writer (even with typos), funnier and far more insightful that 9 out of 10 hacks at The Star . . . Whenever they've attempted to correct me, I've battled back with jokes, facts, cursing and a lot of bluster. Then they get embarrassed and refuse to link me for a couple of weeks . . . But this blog is aboutentertainment not trying to influence a political system that most people find far too boring to even take part. So, I wonder what the outcome of their recent correction of Jeff Roe will be . . . In The Star's dead tree world, attacking credibility would be embarrasing and might cause folks to stop reading because the cost, time and space taken up by a real world publication wouldn't be worth the effort if the source wasn't credible . . . However, in the digital world (because of nearly limitless and cheap bandwidth) the reference (good or bad) simply stirs up traffic and interest . . . To battle this, The Star has taken the childish way out and didn't provide a link to Roe's blog and thereby demonstrated their own lack of Internet ethics.

Once again, The Star's dead tree mindset doesn't really discredit anyone but only serves to demonstrate that they don't understand the way that media will work in the future.

Stimulating Kansas City Small Business!!!

Normally, I can't wait to take umbrage with Kansas City blog Toellner Tells It, but in a recent post about the local economy I totally agree with his tactful line of reasoning:

If Kansas City wants small businesses to start up to help stimulate growth in the city, and to stimulate the job market, they should make it easier on small business owners. Fewer rules. Fewer restrictions. In fact, encourage small businesses to open. Encourage entrepreneurship. Make the rules few, and easy to follow. Allow people to be able to open a business without needing to get a lawyer to wade through all the forms and paperwork.

Sadly, since the Kay Barnes era local business has been the last in line as far as City Hall is concerned and there is little that's happening right now to remedy that situation.

On the bright side, small businesses anywhere near downtown have faced almost every impediment that local government could devise and the fact that they still manage to exist is a testament to their strength and should make the reality of the long, arduous recession ahead somewhat less scary.

MyFoxKC first big media outlet to start actively using Twitter!!!

A few media outlets were "experimenting" but the local Fox affiliate is the first to actively tweet throughout the day . . . TKC Suggestion: MORE LOCAL NEWS MIGHT ACTUALLY MAKE ME WANT TO FOLLOW!!! Also, local news in Tweet form would spare me from having to navigate their crappy link architecture

Just got the Nag Newsletter

One of the best sources for information about neighborhoods in Kansas City . . . Check out their website, ask for a subscription, their blog should be updated soon. Also, TKC is about sharing information and the spotlight. Dead Tree Media people always wonder about links and constant references but fail to realize that the web is the ultimate self-referential, post-modern medium and links to anywhere only help bring links back. One day the dead tree dudes might realize this . . . If they're lucky it might be before they're laid off.

TKC should go into politics: 110k for AG Candidate Jeff Harris in three weeks!!!

Columbia - Today Representative Jeff Harris' campaign for Attorney General will report raising more than $110,034.99 in his 8-Day report with the Missouri Ethics Commission. This impressive total comes on the heels of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch poll which showed Harris winning the Democratic primary by 10 percentage points.

KANSAS CITY MEDIA CELEBRATES SEGREGATION, FAILS TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF PARTICIPANTS IN INDEPENDENCE EXTREME MAKEOVER!!!

It wasn't so surprising that all of Kansas City media went ga-ga over a well publicized clean-up project for newly "liberated" Independence Schools.

From nearly every news organization in town the reporting was celebratory and largely unquestioning.

The Star's silly missive even featured folks shedding tears of joy at the newly remodeled schools.

Even clueless bloggers made lame comparisons between school districts that don't stand up to economic, social and cultural considerations.

What they didn't report, what no one asked is the subject of a recent e-mail sent to TKC by a KICKASS TIPSTER!!!

APPARENTLY, A GREAT MANY "PARENTS" PARTICIPATING IN THE "EXTREME MAKOVER" DON'T EVEN HAVE KIDS GOING TO THOSE SCHOOLS AND WORK MAINLY AS REPUBLICAN POLITICAL VOLUNTEERS AND ASSISTANTS TO THE INDEPENDENCE POLITICOS INVOLVED IN GETTING THE SCHOOLS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE KCMO DISTRICT!!!

Everyone knows that I'm not a big fan of the KCMO School District but apparently there were a lot of familiar faces that were otherwise noted by the media as nothing more than volunteers but were actually political operatives.

So, folks who didn't ask a lot of questions and just took pictures or just took the word of political spokesmen wouldn't know . . .

THE CLEAN-UP WAS MORE OF A POLITICAL RALLY AND NOT AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT!!!

I can forgive a bumbling blogger for overlooking this fact/rumor/assertion but local media either got played or willfully ignored the inherent racism and disparity of covering this event with such zeal.

Other, more critical journalists might have noted:

KCMO Schools also host parents who help clean-up local buildings and tirelessly give their time to local schools . . . When was the last time those instances were featured in local media? Answer: Almost never given that those stories aren't put forward by media flacks justifying the defacto segregation of a local school district.

In the final analysis, local newsies were taken for a ride by Independence PR people. I don't know if the weekend reporters are just lazy or willfully ignorant but in the end:

This kind of unquestioning media coverage only helped to reinforce incorrect stereotypes about the level of parent involvement at Kansas City Schools along with systemic racism inherent in all forms of segregation that is the result of the Independence School Split.

See, you don't need to really be a genius to practice even the most rudimentary forms of cultural studies or deconstruction (as TKC proves everyday) . . . All that's required is to look at things from a skeptical/critical point of view. For instance, TKC sees the world according to disparity along the lines of Race, Class and Gender . . . Which reminds me that I need a busty, sexy broad for this post:



Anyhoo . . . It's clear that rather than thinking critically, Kansas City media just reported press release as fact without many questions or any thinking that challenged the assumptions inherent in the one-sided nature of the PR event.

The not-so-secret underlying contention here is that white people make school districts better, they take part in their children's education more often and ultimately care more about their public schools i.e. the media seems to say that white school districts are better and without any ethical dilemmas even though the financial situation in the Liberty School District proves otherwise.

Sadly, pesky facts rarely make it into "reporting" that is mostly intended to reaffirm misguided notions of Supremacy while ignoring the subject of disparity when it comes to systemic racism and one-sided media representation.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S RACE GETS EVEN STUPIDER!!!

Eh, sometimes I lament the fact that online gossip, name calling and mudslinging is where TKC is virtually unmatched in Kansas City.

Nevertheless, I feel obligated to link this website which CLAIMS to reveal porno e-mails sent by Jackson County Sheriff candidate Mike Sharp:

Sharp Unmasked.com

The important part to remember, without anybody going on record as sending or receiving dirty e-mails this is nothing but probably a bunch of easily photoshopped images put together as a hit piece to influence folks who don't know much about how computers work by a guy with a phony STL domain registration.

In other words:

THE ONLY RELIABLE FACT ABOUT THIS WEBSITE IS THAT IT'S A GREAT INDICATOR OF THE COMPLETE LAMENESS OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S RACE!!!

I would note that this is a disappointment as far as local politics goes . . . But so far, this is pretty typical for the exceedingly nasty election.

Pussyfest in Kansas City!!!

TKC cannot stand cats, not even as a substitute for chicken in Korean food. Cats really are the worst animal on the planet. Nevertheless . . . This upcoming local event seems somewhat important (not really) despite my misgivings about the animals mostly because they remind me of women but don't respond properly to threats of domestic violence.

Here's a bit of info on the upcoming show . . .

The Midwest region's largest cat show themed "Ragtime in Kansas City" is featuring the Ragdoll Breed and will host more than 300 purebred cats on exhibition, representing more than 35 breeds presented by more than 150 exhibitors from all over the United States. In addition to the judging of cats in eight rings, this two-day event will have several outstanding vendors selling cat toys, teasers, cat trees, furniture, fine jewelry, clothing, and collectibles.

The event is sponsored in part by the Mo-Kan Cat Club, Inc. and will take place at the Overland Park Convention Center on Saturday, August 9th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 10th from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

Finally, I should note that the local group helping to put on this event is a member of the national "Cat Fanciers' Association" which, judging only by the name, could a group even more teh ghey than the Log Cabin Republicans.

KCPD "Trail of Heroes"

KCPD forgoes 500k in construction costs and instead builds a trail memorializing officers who lost their lives in the line of duty with the help of local construction crews and volunteers.

Kansas City reason #3,421 to let you friends drive and then turn your cell phone off

Checkpoint on Wornall Road nabs 14 suspected drunken drivers

TKC Profiles in Courage!!!

This important "news" is being carried by CNN and syndicated by KCTV 5:

Meet Japan's 73-year-Old Porn Star

Nevertheless, I think I've found a new hero . . . After Ron Jeremy of course.

Fatal Weekend Kansas City Catfight!!!

A woman trying to protect herself is dead after fighting with another woman according to a recent KSHB story.

Remember, Catfights are only funny when:

Nobody dies.

Nipple slip!!!

Broken up by embarrassed boyfriends.

They clearly demonstrate that women are neither kinder nor gentler sex.

Are performed in water, Jello, gravy, hot oil and sometimes pudding.

Kansas City Movable Murder Feast!!!

KSHB reports: A murder investigation is underway after a man’s body was found on a picnic table early Monday morning.

Kansas City area gardening tip: What makes the grass grow?

Man Found Dead in Independence Yard . . . Locals might remember that there have been quite a few local dudes showing up dead in yards as of late . . . Hopefully, this isn't the local answer to the garden gnome.

Today's local home invasion

Men Invade Home with Rifle and Bayonet . . . Police said a 19-year-old living at the home could have been the target. No one was harmed, but a shotgun and the mother's purse was stolen. The suspects fled on foot.

Never underestimate the power of a Kansas City white lady on her high horse!!!

Apparently, water bottles cause a lot of pollution and a Kansas City white lady wants it to stop or at least doesn't want City Hall to sponsor it anymore. I won't bother to point out that this mostly inconsequential act of nitpicking won't really save the planet . . . The word "green" automatically makes everything good!!! Sucking on bacteria filled water reusable water bottles is a small price to pay for the good of the environment. Sadly, this photo featured above shows that this woman alo has no regard for the footwear choices of 3rd world folks . . . Still, here's where you can join her effort:

No Plastic Bottles.Org

Simply, overlook more important problems facing the world, sign the online petition and let the smug feeling of environmentalist self-satisfaction power you throughout the day!!!

Typical Racial Disparity in terms of sentencing now a part of tragic Kansas City, Kansas Killing!!!

KCK Girl, 13, May Face Adult Charges In Slaying . . . TKC urges folks to remember the case of a JoCo student caught on tape killing a classmate and then getting juvy charges.

CHECK IT so that you don't make any typically misinformed comments: "Report says racial disparities exist in juveniles serving life"

Kansas City baseball great mocked even in death!!! Sports Media doesn't care!!!

Buck O'Neil's Name Misspelled on Monument . . . TKC Question: It'll be fun seeing if the guilty conscience of white people can be transformed into righteous indignation.

Kansas City blogging dynamic duo

I've got a lot of other blogs to link but these are the first two on my list:

The Old School - Whom I've linked before but deserves another just because of an awesome Salma Hayek photo gallery.

Just the Tip

These are two KICKASS KANSAS CITY BLOGS that I'm sure you'll enjoy if you aren't already.

Link them, add them to your blogroll, remember this informative announcement post!!!

Nobody cares about Kansas City blogging more than TKC . . . (That's not a good thing)

Kansas City Day Trip

I can't help myself, I always enjoy seeing the way other people look at this town.

Kansas City Kings?

I love Internet speculation . . . Apparently, the team performed like crap when it came to recruiting free agents and the rumor is because they might be moving to Kansas City. This will only be fueled by the pre-season game they're playing here and the fact they're an AEG owned team. But even the author of this rumor doesn't give it much of a chance.

Kansas City keeps silent about light rail screw ups in other cities!!!

Whenever somebody questions light rail in this town, development cheerleaders quickly whine about disparate criticism but always fail to answer any question directly.

So far, light rail has proven to be exceedingly expensive and the mention of problems with light rail planning in other towns have come up with absolutely no answers from local advocates. Here's a few examples:

Inevitable cost over runs . . . Seattle's light rail budget is growing out of control. Kansas City is a town that's always rather "creative" with construction numbers . . . What's to stop that same kind of exorbitant cost overruns from happening here? Most likely the answer to this question will be something along the lines of "$150 million isn't a big deal!!!"

Big ideas about transit rarely add up to big ridership numbers . . . Light and heavy rail transit in Los Angeles carries a VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of commuters in that town and ridership is stagnant. Light rail transit has proven to be very ineffective as a transportation solution in sprawled areas (like the Kansas City metro area) . . . This isn't opinion, please check the link to actual studies and stuff where it turns out that people just don't use the light and heavy rail transit option when they have other alternatives (like cars).

Now Nick Sloan points out that Light Rail Destroys Neighborhoods too with the following link and news article . . . Light rail could cause havoc for neighborhood, traffic in Arizona: "Some worry that the light rail's final stop in the East Valley will cause precarious situations for the neighborhood, and for an elementary school that abuts the park-and-ride lot at the old mall site near Dobson Road and Main Street."

There's virtually no response to any questions about light rail in Kansas City. There has only been head nodding at Mayor Funky's sparsely attended public forums where the audience is comprised mostly of his acolytes . . . The backers of this plan mostly rely on subtle identity politics and rarely talk about the details of their light rail dream but mostly revel in the middle-class, mostly white, environmentalist pose that doesn't like to question the aims of politicos, construction companies or architectural firms that will benefit by millions of dollars when this thing is pushed through.

Put simply, my name is Tony Botello, I was a community journalist and I'm now a raconteur, blogger and kickass X-box player . . . With only one, notable, honorable exception, The folks at KC Light Rail don't sign their posts and the owner of the site is secret.

Kansas blogger takes apart Sean Tevis hype!

Actually, J.D. takes a very even handed approach but with the guy earning links on Boing Boing, Daily Kos and the like . . . Some critical analysis of the dude is long overdue. Here's the money link: "I can’t tell whether he’s actually a fresh face or another Moderately Moderate Moderate of Moderation. I’m leaning toward the second one." In other news, I'm just thankful that simply having a good website/blog or social networking strategy is a substitute for actually standing for something.

EVERYBODY PANIC!!! Kansas City Orange Alert!!! (Regarding Crappy Air Quality)

BlogKC: "Monday is the region’s first Orange Alert of the air. That means sensitive groups like kids, elderly, and asthma sufferers should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure." Everyone else should be very quick about topping off your SUV, blowing smoke at your waitress despite the imaginary ban and farting into the wind.

Advertising Recession: Kansas City media people!!! The Internets wants yer jobs!!

Lest TV people get all high and mighty about the death of dead tree media, this recent quote from a portfolio manager (who could buy and sell us all) claims that things are looking bad for all media people in this quickly evolving digital landscape: “What we’ve got here is a recession in advertising. It started in local media – radio and newspapers – and is now spreading to TV.”

The culprit, as usual, this darned thing we call the Internets: "The slowing economy is clouding the outlook for US media groups at a time when many are seeing their businesses strained by technological changes and new forms of digital distribution."

On the bright side, we can only hope that this means more local d-bags who work at ad agencies will be fired. The skanks who work in client relations (or pretend to do creative) we're all looking at you and want to know which strip club you'll be appearing at next.

TKC tastes better in small bites (or something)

Welcome to Monday . . . For some reason, it's early in the morning and still as swampy and steamy as City Hall tile under Gloria Squitiro's bare feet (sorry).

Anyhoo, once again today I'm gonna try and keep things brief but witty, concise but still as contentious as possible . . . In other words, as always, I'm gonna try and fail to cover as much ground with as little effort as possible so that I might enjoy more quality time playing video games. That's not to say that there aren't some meaty and important posts coming up that you can really sink your teeth into . . . nhjic (No Homo Just In Case).

In the meantime please enjoy this photo gallery of soap "star" Marcy Ryan that's not at all revealing enough.

TKC EXCLUSIVE AND THE SATURDAY NIGHT PLAYIST!!! LEAVE KCI ALONE!!! FUNKY'S PLAN DOOMED TO CRASH!!!

I'd like to start off this post with my longtime contention that the KCPD is the best local law enforcement agency in Kansas City especially in contrast to all the suburban smokies who only live to racial profile and set up speed traps for TKC.

Nevertheless, Mayor Funky's plan for the KCPD to take over KCI security is simply a misguided effort.

Already a lot of folks have taken notice that the duties of Airport police aren't even close to what KCPD officers are confronted with . . . Airport cops go after lost bags, they're pretty much EMTs and a great deal of their job consists of helping when somebody falls down. Sadly, Yael Abouhalkah is so in the bag for Mayor Funkhouser that he resorts to using 9/11 scare tactics in order to back the so called money saving decision that's not going to save any money at all.

Furthermore, here are three important items that are part gossip and mostly fact when it comes to the proposed takeover:

A lot of folks are gossiping that one of the motivations for the proposed takeover is because of bad blood between the KCI Police Chief and KCPD Chief Corwin. Under their breath, critics of this deal claim that this is "empire building" on behalf of Chief Corwin and doesn't represent the best utilization of KCPD officers.

The sordid topic of coin: KCPD salaries are bigger than KCI cops . . . Few people have mentioned compensation in this debate. AIRPORT POLICE GET PAID FAR LESS THAN WHAT THE AVERAGE KCPD OFFICER TAKES HOME!!! So where will the so-called savings come from? Mainstream media does (quickly) mention that critics say this plan loots a lot of airport resources that will be subsequently put at the disposal of the KCPD off site.

Most importantly, there's little talk of the end result of this takeover. Remember that Kansas City doesn't completely run the KCPD. If the takeover goes through that means The State of Missouri will be running a Kansas City resource. I've heard that this fact stirs the City Council more than anything else.

In the final analysis, I'd like to simply point out:

THE AIRPORT IS NOT A HIGH CRIME AREA AND KANSAS CITY NEEDS MORE POLICE ON METRO STREETS NOT AS A PART OF A BUDGET CUTTING PLAN!!!



True to form, Mayor Funkhouser is backing this failure of a plan that has little foresight. Once again, his panicked budget cutting is proving to be a serious detriment to services provided to the people of Kansas City. A simple look at the details of this move would reveal that it does a disservice to visitors to KCI and KCPD officers who (I've heard) would much rather work against fighting crime than retrieving lost baggage. Instead, Mayor Funky is helping to assail the character and job duties of KCI police who have kept the place safe long after the attacks of 9/11 and during so many changes and upgrades in airport security.

There is a lot more to this story and I can't believe that I'm telling folks to check out Chris Stigall's program on 710 AM on Monday at 7:30 where KCI reps will hopefully be given a chance to tell their side of the story.



In the meantime, here is my playlist dedicated to airports, flying and all things aviation:

Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band

Bomber - Motorhead

Leaving on a jet plane - Peter, Paul and Mary

Enola Gay - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Aces High - Iron Maiden

Astrud Gilberto - Fly me to the moon

Come Fly with Me - Michael Bublé

Fly by Night - Rush

Aeroplane - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Fly like and eagle - Steve Miller Band

In any event, thanks for flying (and reading) TKC this week. Have a safe and fun weekend!!!

All white, all right: The Star endorses immigrant hating lady with no ethics

The Star is set to endorse Lynn Jenkins in the Kansas 2nd District Republican Primary tomorrow.

I was hoping they'd take the high road and go with Jim Ryun but I guess that was hoping for too much.

Strangely, the Star didn't do very much reporting about two big issues in this race:

Jenkins and her spiteful and misinformed attacks over ads launched by a PAC.

Jenkins and her part in promotion which she should have thought better of and was referred to as an "Unethical campaign ads being paid for by people Lynn kindly awarded with a multi-million dollar state contract."

So yeah, I'm guessing that The Star likes her because she's a lady who seems to love taxes and taking advantage of her position despite ethical concerns.

As for the lady and her constant cry to "defend the borders," she would do well to mind her own lack of integrity rather than worry about protecting her district from cheap labor, dishwashers and low prices.

KANSAS CITY MUST STOP THE PERSECUTION OF AFFLUENT, WHITE MALES ON BICYCLES!!!

Even Mayor Funky promises that Kansas City will go from "Worst to first" when it comes bicycling safety and support for a special interest group comprised completely of mostly arrogant white dudes who want complete control of the road . . . Meanwhile, the matchup between eco-friendly (i.e. teh ghey) cyclists and hummer drivers (i.e. douche nozzles) is being played out in big media with far more d-bags wearing biker shorts (ugh) willing to go on camera and whine.

Hat tip (nullus): Missouri Bicycle News

TKC NOTE: IT'S AN ABSOLUTE INSULT TO ALMOST EVERY VICTIM OF VIOLENT CRIME IN KANSAS CITY THAT THESE D-BAGS ARE TALK FACING MURDER WHEN SO FEW BICYCLISTS ARE KILLED COMPARED TO THE OVERALL NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN KANSAS CITY!!!

The Kansas City Condo Boom Continues (kinda): Don't stop believing, keep buying!!!

Sarah Snodgrass: "Contemporary Downtown Condo in Wallstreet Towers" Pretty pictures, a lot of great points about the property . . . Po'folk (most TKC readers) don't bother clicking the link unless you have lottery money.

Celebrate Kansas City MILF Jazz!!!

NPR recently posted a fantastic feature on a local jazz great that's a must read for anybody interested in the local music scene:

"Karrin Allyson Sings For Kansas City"

While I crack on Jazz quite a bit, TKC has a lot of respect for performers like Allyson who endure and earn accolades while participating in a form of music that not only doesn't get a lot of airplay but also isn't really a part of the pop culture zeitgeist. On the other hand, I've heard from people who actually care about this stuff that Jazz is a lot like theater in that a live performance is the only way to really understand it.

Anyhoo, Allyson's birthday is tomorrow. Her Wikipedia page claims that, like Gloria Squitiro, she performs barefoot . . . However, in Allyson's case I'm sure it's just a tad more classy.

Local Neighborhoods last in line: Kansas City procrastinates when it comes to housing issues again!!!

Another great piece in the ongoing series regarding housing from The Call: "According to a recent news report by THE CALL, the City of Kansas City has until September 1, to have a housing plan before HUD so that the HEDFC receiver can release the City’s assets." The smart money contends that the City won't have a plan put together by that time.

Out of Jail, living in Missouri and killing Kenny Hulshof's political ambitions

Fired Up posts a death blow by Sarah Steelman in the form of a Youtube clip(hehe) regarding Helshof's record.

Vacants still plague KC Metro

A quick link from Alonzo Washington demonstrates how failed leadership on both sides of the State Line lets vacant houses attract crime and hurt local neighborhoods.

Nobody on Prospect gets a brake

Mother, Child Hit By Car crossing 30th Street and Prospect Avenue.

Enter the Dragon!!! Or not, considering the nasty water in Kansas City's Brush Creek

Kansas City's Dragon Boat Races at Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza has been postponed

Show Me the high price of higher ed

The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved a $1 billion appropriations request for fiscal 2010, a 19 percent increase over this year . . . TKC Note: They'll be making this request with their pinky finger to their mouths like Dr. Evil.

Kansas City Could Win Fake Football Final!!!

Kansas City could host ArenaBowl . . . For some reason, I don't think this sorry, sad, excuse for an event is trying to leverage Kansas City for a better place. Mayor Funky and others should make some kind of effort to secure this deal since it's the only brass ring within this town's grasp at the moment. Sigh.

An ominous omen starts Chiefs season

Storm disrupts Kansas City Chiefs' first workout

Screw the homeless, take a gamble on a dog

Okay, since these mutts have been chewed up and spit out by the local gaming industry I have a little more sympathy for them then the average dogs that deserve to be Korean food . . . So, the fact that Greyhounds Need Homes After Woodlands Shutdown should elicit sympathy from quite a few folks who wouldn't consider giving a handout to a human.

Kansas City Lawyers FINALLY cash in . . .

The lawyer who now represents Mayor Funky and a couple of other local legal eagals were finally paid from an old dispute in Jackson County.

The decision came after two years of meetings and public hearings that cost taxpayers more than $25,000, records show. The commissioners have expressed repeated frustration that the process dragged on . . .

The fees were owed to lawyer James Wirken, who filed the suit against Stringfield on behalf of the legislators after Stringfield sued them for violating the open meeting law. Stringfield’s former aide, Bob WitbolsFeugen, filed a complaint saying the countersuit fees should be paid by the legislators, not the county. The ethics panel agreed, and both suits were eventually dropped.

The additional $25,000 in legal fees through last month that have been incurred at county expense include $2,200 to pay John Turner, the legislators’ legal counsel, and $23,000 to special counsel Jack Pletz, who represented the commission.

In a sense, this closes the door on even more of a legacy from the Kathryn Shields Days.

Still, one thing is clear: Whenever incompetent politicos dominate, Kansas City lawyer stay winning!!!

Happy Kansas City Summer Afternoon Links

Here are a few links I'm looking at this afternoon along with a photo gallery of Michelle Hunziker who is famous but I've never heard of until 5 minutes ago:

Oxycontin-tastic: Guilty plea in $11K pharmacy burglary in Northland

Comeuppance: A Kansas court rules that Westboro Baptist Church has to pay taxes on the truck it uses to travel to protests.

Suburban backlash: Shawnee Neighbors Sue Over Eminent Domain

Sweat in summer heat while celebrating diversity: The 29th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Swope Park scheduled for August 15-17.

City to the east gets sleazier: Independence man charged with sexually assaulting boys on overnight stays in his home

(Stuff TKC likes) Underwhelming Roller Derby Review: "Worth the price of Admission"

TKC local Band Website pick: Far Beyond Frail . . . They actually seem pretty good along the same lines of late 90's Sarah McLachlan. Even better, their website is easy to navigate. Criticism: Their instrumentation is great, now they need to work on lyrics.

P&L District Destroys another downtown business: Studio now closed!!!

The Beer Blog finds the following sentiment which directly contradicts what most downtown cheerleaders have to say . . . From somebody on Myspace associated with The Studio: "The Power and Light bars and smoking ban bullshit really hurt us. (thanks assholes) . . . Boycott the out of town owned P+L yuppie shitbags!!!!!!"

Best shortcut in Kansas City Back!!!

Scooter J celebrates: "Beardsly is Back" Please forget that you ever read this post OR if you use this shortcut that means you love Mexicans considering that it runs through the Westside.

Going ga-ga over Glenn Dorsey and forgetting that defense doesn't win games!!!

Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, the fifth pick in April's draft. According to reports, Dorsey's contract includes $22million in guaranteed money. Great for the highlight real but won't result in a decent season without a quarterback.

Giving the bird to Bird: Kansas City's greatest Jazz Man soon to be forgotten

Jazz.com says that the legacy of Charlie Parker is facing steep decline as far as musical influence is concerned.

Personally, I'm not a fan of a death cult no matter how talented an artist was . . . Especially if a great deal of that talent was thrown away on drugs. So, from Kurt Cobain to Jim Morrison there's always an asterisk as far as brilliant tortured souls who died because of substance abuse since that pose is now trite given that the legacy of such tragic behavior is Amy Winehouse.



So yeah, to quote They Might Be Giants . . . "I hope I get old before I die" should be a common goal for all those who aspire to greatness . . . Because arguing about your influence for as long as possible is the always the key to success.

Winston Churchill once said: "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." And that logic is hard to beat from a guy who wished death upon Gandhi.

Hat Tip: Happy in Bag.

TKC Sleep in Saturday

Wow, it feels amazing to get more than 5 hours of sleep in 48 hours.

I feel all awake and alive and stuff. Coincidentally, I have a few interesting posts prepared for today along with a bunch of other stuff . . . But I got up late and have a great many people to e-mail back and catch up with . . . So, stay tuned and enjoy some photos of a much too covered up Jessica Alba in bed from a GQ photo shoot she did a few years ago.

Jessica Alba is in GQ

TKC's RAPIO Talk!!!

This afternoon at the MARC building downtown I did a quick talk for RAPIO . . . Which, unfortunately isn't as dirty as it sounds.

Rapio actually means: Regional Association of Public Information Officers.

I wasn't as polished as I would have liked even though I put at least 3 hours of prep time into it . . . But I thought it turned out well and what was very encouraging to me is that this group had a real interest in local blogging and its impact on the discourse in the Kansas City area.

My favorite part was the question and answer period . . . Unlike most Kansas City bloggers, these folks weren't at all embarrassed to ask advice as to the best way to build traffic, engage the local blogosphere and create captivating online content.

We talked about a great many subjects but I felt like folks were most interested in:

Efficient ways to follow blogs like Bloglines.com

Folks who use blog as one of their main sources of information and how users in general find information on blogs i.e. Google Blog Search, Technorati et al.

And there was some basic wonderment about how much time I spend writing this blog and tap dancing for you d-bags.

It was fun time and I learned a lot as well . . . I might have another speaking gig coming up in a few more weeks but, surprisingly, getting out of the basement and talking to people about blogs in Kansas City was exceptionally fun.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THIS GROUP FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH THEM!!!

Tragic: Kids, Guns and KCK

Crime Scene KC: 13-year-old girl charged with KCK teen's murder

Ewwwwww!!!! INSANE old people around Kansas City as of late

What the hell is wrong with older folks around this town . . . These two stories are just nasty:

"Man, 62, Charged With Statutory Sodomy"

"KS Woman Admits To Porn Video With Grandkids: A suburban Kansas City woman prosecutors said helped make a graphic videotape of her two visiting grandkids has pleaded guilty in a child pornography case."

That does it, I'm no longer helping anybody cross the street . . . Not that I ever did in the first place.

A quick look at Kansas City evening links

Busy day but I still had time to check out these stories . . .

Buck O'Neil Statue Unveiled At Hall Of Fame

KANSAS CITY POLITICAL FOLKS WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BILL DRUMMOND?!?!?!?!

Kansas City Water Infrastructure still broken, but nobody mention it until AFTER the light rail vote: A major thoroughfare on the south side of Kansas City is closed Friday due to a water main break.

More crime that Kansas City doesn't like to mention: Two invade home in south KC

One more area crazy defense . . . Davis' attorney to focus on mindset in death-penalty trial: A defense attorney today told jurors that he would not dispute all the strong evidence that Richard D. Davis beat, tortured and raped two women before killing them.

Whiskey Tango Shooter Walks: Suspect In KC-Area Slaying Freed

A Kansas City Class Act, best hairline in local television: City Recognizes Kris Ketz For 25 Years At KMBC

Patchchord.com and Pipes

Patchchord is one of my favorite music blogs in Kansas City . . . His recent post on Yahoo Pipes is geektastic and full of great advice and info!!!

Like TKC, Yahoo Pipes is a great tool that's infinitely useful and actually powers both widgets on the sidebar of this page.

I expect to see more experiments with Pipes all over the Internets and Patchchord provides a great starting point for the rest of you d-bags to get started.

A bit of blogger talk this week

A few bloggers noticed TKC not on KMBZ . . . They were kind enough to link me so I thought I should link back. Here's what they wrote:

Bottomline Communications: TONY DUMPED BY KMBZ

Alonzo Washington: TKC has been deported from KMBZ!

The Kansas Citian: KMBZ and TKC Part Ways

They're all pretty interesting posts and it's a bit weird to be on the other end of the bloggy gossip scene . . . However, I noted that bloggers were pretty accurate and nice so I didn't experience the full brunt of blogger wrath which will come when I unveil my latest get rich quick scheme (think MLM but with comments . . . Kidding . .. ???)



A lot of other people noticed as well and I'd like to thanks folks for taking notice, offering e-mails and a bit of consolation . . . As I wrote previously, I thought it was all pretty amicable but I appreciate the concern, I guess is the right word for it . . . And then on the other hand, I was thinking that the whole thing gives me a bit more license to be even nastier, so when Britney flashes herself to the world again . . . Be sure to check TKC for live, late breaking "news" of the important event!!!

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Kansas City Infighting: Are the Dems Kicking Kander to the Curb?

Better than anyone else, the Kansas City blogopshere has reported all of the drama in the Democratic primary in Missouri’s 44th House District.

What I'm reporting exclusively today is some pretty passionate charges thrown at Jason Kander.

Also, The thing I love about Kansas City is that Democrat infighting is FAR MORE SPIRITED than anything witnessed in elections against Republicans.

I'm going to list some examples of some charges thrown at Kander which attest to that fact:

The relationship that The Kanders had with Michele Lahr and the assorted troubles of the Heartland Democrats is a big talking point that's going around in South KC Democrat gossip. Real talk: There are a lot of people saying that the Ivy League educated Kanders should have known better than to bring in somebody who was eventually (embarrassingly) arrested at Kansas City political function.

Going to the days of way back . . . There's also the allegation that Kander was part of the Dem group backing Jamie Metzl which launched various attacks against Cleaver in their 5th District Congressional race. I can provide some insight on this one given that there was/is a Kansas City contingent of about half a dozen Democrat white guys who desperately wanted Cleaver out of that spot and ran a silly white knight campaign that was the precursor to the Funkhouser "Orange Revolution" . . . This small cadre of white dudes is sometimes on point (as was the case with criticisms against the Stadium Tax) but mostly give off the impression that they're soooooooooo much smarter than all of the people of color who vote Democrat. I don't know if Kander is part of this clique but he does dress with the same kind of blandness and he had good teeth like the rest of 'em.

And then there's just a lot of talk about Kander being an opportunist which is supposed to ring true because of a great deal of political activity on his part over the years.

Anyhoo . . . The "exclusive" (hehe) part of this blog post is that top Democrats in Kansas City are kicking the ass of Kander all over the Internets and in local Democrat gossip circles. By the way, TKC gets double bonus points for coining the phrase "Kicking the Ass of Kander."

Here's what is funny to me . . . The Afganistan Vet probably could see this coming and will have to continue shaking hands with these same Dems after the primary. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST REPUBLICANS WHO DIDN'T SUPPORT THE TROOPS. It's all a lot of Kansas City Dem infighting that's essential but still rather hilarious at times. That's not to say that Kander doesn't have a lot of ardent defenders and promoters of his candidacy but the chatter against him is growing increasingly loud along with notice that a few of his former supporters are notoriously silent . . . CCP crew, we're all looking at you despite your endorsement of the British nanny-like Amy Coffman.

Eh, the gossip always goes on but what's notable here is that Internets chatter is a great indicator as to who is winning this race . . . At least among the dozen or so people who still vote in South Kansas City.

INFOWARS (sorta): Kansas City's P&L District doesn't care about your privacy!!!

A pretty kickass post from David Martin at The Pitch reveals that:

"Zip codes and other basic demographic data is compiled and used internally to determine the effectiveness of the marketing and advertising" by those damn scanners at the entrances to the P&L District."

This is pretty damaging information and could persuade people who care about how their personal data is used to stay away from the mediocre Kansas City entertainment zone, it's nearly as infuriating as $8 beer that's sold in the lame ass bowling alley and a few other establishments at the taxpayer funded hangout for affluent hipsters.

On a similar note, a recent story on KSHB about de facto automatic DNA convictions for home break-ins on the Eastside didn't inspire much confidence. It's exciting the the KCPD is using new technology but the O.J. case and several others prove that DNA doesn't mean an automatic conviction and the unquestioning use of this kind of evidence not only leaves a lot of room for error and misinterpretation but also takes the essential human element out of the important work of assuring justice for all of those who are innocent until proven guilty. DNA as another tool at the disposal of law enforcement and prosecutors is awesome but DNA evidence used as an automatic ticket to jail just seems like nothing more than genetic profiling.

A salute to local links: TKC Loves America but has a lot of other things to do today!!!

Here's a morning link dump because I've got some other stuff that I'm working on right now . . . Maybe check back in the late afternoon (post nap):

Suburbs still scary: An investigation is under way after seven people were held hostage in a warehouse early Friday morning, Lee's Summit police said.

KANSAS CITY PLAYS MR. FIX IT: KC will resume taking applications for retooled home repair program

Northland provides yet another reason to avoid eating at Subway.

In real life, pervy nurses are nasty: A former nurse is accused of sexually assaulting patients at a Johnson County, Kan., hospital.

The Countdown to inevitable disappointment: Chiefs training camp starts

MAKING WHITE PEOPLE PAY (their parking fines): Olathe Recruits Boot to Kick Parking Problem

Tess Koppelman files an excellent report regarding the debate in the medical community with some psychologists (who have never played GTA) contending that gaming is just as addictive as drugs or alcohol.

It's never too early for cheerleading: Most recent light rail report

The lawyer as bodyguard is a bad idea: Mother Suing After Bully Attacked Son

Mayor Funky has declared war on weeds . . . Actually, it's the council and it's probably a good idea but will invariably make life harder on a few po'folk along with slumlords. TKC would like to see a city-wide battle against Garden Gnomes.

Finally, here's a rather patriotic (I guess) photo gallery of Carmen Luvana featured in the headline pic for this post.

KSHB AND A NEW HOPE: KANSAS CITY BLOGGERS CHANGE MEDIA COVERAGE!!!

Usually, this blog is dedicated to the worst news in and about Kansas City.

Today, strangely, I have something amazing to note.

Last night there was an astonishing turnaround in local media coverage of crime in minority communities . . .

KCK police say Scott Sappington, 16, was gunned down outside his grandmother's house, the suspect remains at large. What's so important about this story is that a vigil dedicated to the victims of this murder actually received decent coverage from Kansas City's media, especially KSHB.

The story went on for at least five minutes and is comparable to at least one of the nights of Kelsey Smith coverage.

Other media outlets noted the vigil as well. And for one brief moment there seemed to be a sign that the constant mention of MWWS by bloggers along with the notable work of activist/blogger Alonzo Washington actually made a bit of change.

Of course, today there is little mention of the important metro case in The Star whereas the largely political end of the Smith case received 24-point bold type front page coverage by Kansas City's paper of record yesterday.

But real change takes time and thanks to bloggers like RDM who also noted the disparity . . . Strangely, it seems like there be some hope for the way people of color are depicted by Kansas City media . . .

Kansas City to keep away ex-boyfriends!!!

The Star reports that Kansas City Councilwoman Cathy Jolly introduced an ordinance Thursday to strengthen the city’s ability to prosecute people who violate orders of protection in domestic violence situations.

This legislation makes a lot of sense and is a good move for Council lady Jolly.

In that same spirit, I wonder if there's anything the council can do about ex-girlfriends who regret getting married to a rich Asian dude and then find weird excuses to call but somehow refuses to have phone sex in the middle of the day, at lunch . . . Every dude has this problem, right?

PHILL KLINE SET TO RIDE THE CORPSE OF KELSEY SMITH INTO OFFICE!!!

The Kansas Citian notes that that parents of Kelsey Smith Rave About Phill Kline . . . I'd like to note that the headline of this post is not an attack against the bereaved parents. We all deal with grief in different ways . . . Some of us cry and others offer an endorsement of a Republican Candidate for District Attorney. Ms. Smith is dead so I doubt she cares about any of this while I think it's wonderfully classy of Kline supporters to use this tactic to back an unpopular candidate who had bungled the case up until the point the defendant quit.

TKC NOTE, first person to feign outrage please remember that I begged you to stop reading last year.

STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE KANSAS CITY BLOGGERS!!!

While I was getting my beauty sleep, yesterday a few Kansas City bloggers were kicking the ass of The Star.

First . . .

JoCO Everyman skewered Mike Hendricks . . .

Even the dude from Will Not be Televised (who previously threatened to break my hand) had a decent post on the matter taking The Star to task. Here's the nearly indecipherable post from that d-bag blogger: "ke-rist, what a bore. is he done yet?"

Bottomline Communications offers an interesting perspective as well: OPINION: SAD DAY AT KC STAR...

Best of all, Nick Sloan points out a perfectly timed counterpoint to claims of big media accuracy over bloggers:

A day after a columnist for the newspaper of record in this city attacked a very-good Kansas City blogger for getting it wrong and pompously riding his high horse as a "newsman," that very same newspaper had to correct a news item regarding the Sprint Center.

In the end, KC Star Columnist Mike Hendricks and his petty complaints about accuracy quickly were thrown back in his face.

Personally, I think he missed the point of blogging and so many people don't understand criticism of the medium either . . . At it's simplest level I think it's about ANYONE and EVERYONE having a potential global audience to publish (express) themselves to the world and even if it's only photos of kittens, corporate media seemingly hates that kind of power because it makes their job as filter, gatekeeper and opinion maker useless.

LATINOS LOVE OBAMA!!! (Ugh . . .)

For some reason I have a stupid sense of self-confidence that that makes me not only care less about criticism but also gives me little need for a politician disguised as Savior.

A recent poll suggests that Latinos love Obama by a huge margin. I don't dispute the results at all and in fact that kind of thing might even be good for inter-racial relations (or at least picking up hot-ass Black chicks) . . . HOWEVER, I should point out that Mexican-Americans (the largest segment of Latinos in this nation) also love Menudo. Menudo is made with tripe and I'll be damned if I ever eat another bowl again. Sorry Grandma. But tripe is tripe whether it's unquestioning mass hysteria over the coming of the Black messiah or cow stomach served on a Sunday morning. Therefore, I think the judgment of "these people" should be examined critically like everything else. It also kind annoys me that a quite a few Dems welcome this news but then duck for cover when any kind of immigration issue comes to light in the Midwest.

So, I don't know who I'm going to support yet but I can say for certain that any kind of identity politics news story isn't going to impress me. Put the vaguely brown Bill Richardson on the ticket and I'm sold . . . Anything less is the media and politicos trying to sway opinion citing group think.

Summer in Kansas City: Kinda Nice!!!

I was thinking that last summer, what with the whole racist Semler debacle, was kind of a pain in the ass. I had tons of stuff to blog but I wasn't in such a great mood thanks to the Mayor backing a racist lady and her small gang of vigilantes in training.

This Summer, however has been remarkably pleasant by contrast. Sure, there's the same old ineffectual leadership but not nearly as much acrimony from people who pretend to understand macroeconomics or geopolitics (I include myself in that group) . . . Anyhoo, that was just a pleasant thought I was sharing with this homeless guy who stumbles down my block every evening. Of course he agreed with me but I had to give him two bucks. He also says that the Downtown Renaissance is going brilliantly and yesterday a JoCo white woman (my guess) gave him a fin right before he had a really great bowel movement (a rarity) in a downtown alley.

Things certainly are looking up!!!

To wit, please enjoy this photo set taken last summer of Brit Lad Mag model Danielle Lloyd showing her love for Jesus and her awesome fake boobs in a bikini.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! BUS FARE INCREASE AHEAD AS LIGHT RAIL DEBATE IGNORES TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF PO'FOLK!!!

High ranking sources have told TKC that a bus fare increase in Kansas City is soon on the way sometime after a bit of this light rail garbage gets sorted out. Maybe after November, maybe later but gas prices (despite a slight recent decline) are breaking the KCATA.

A scheduled summer fare decline got people talking about pricing earlier this year and the result has been a great many who are looking at increased bus fare as one of many ways to fight against a shrinking budget and more enthusiasm from politicos like Mayor Funky to push an impractical light rail plan.

Put simply . . .

MAYOR FUNKHOUSER'S PIPE DREAMS JUST MIGHT COST THE PEOPLE WHO RIDE THE BUS!!!

Of course, peak oil, President Bush, the Chinese and the House of Saud also share some of the blame . . . But locally, Mayor Funkhouser's failure in leadership in an attempt to chase after an unproven vanity project is already costing the people of Kansas City a great deal . . . If the light rail plan goes through, consider slightly higher bus fare just part of the $1 BILLION price tag that goes unmentioned by reckless development cheerleaders.

Kansas City Ignores John Edwards Affair

A great many political bloggers in KC are advocates above anything else . . . There's nothing wrong with that but it's a state of mind that sadly ignores juicy scandal. Unfortunately, the Kansas City media seems to be taking the same approach and that's just another example of bias.

Without a doubt, The National Enquirer caught John Edwards cheating on his wife and the story is getting a lot less play in the mainstream media than the toe tapping antics of Larry Craig.

The John Edwards love child story is no less salacious . . . Think about it, a Vice Presidential contender is cheating on a wife stricken and possibly dying of cancer. That's classic political scandal that a great deal of mainstream media in Kansas City is ignoring.

A recent post by Gawker has the best take I've read on the glaring omission so far:

It's important to keep in mind, when reading this odd answer, that traditional news media used to have something of a lock on the dissemination of information, and allowed themselves to be convinced that they had a bizarre duty to filter even accurate information of interest to their audiences, and to do so in the service of reinforcing various social institutions and norms, even though their jobs, their Constitutionally-protected jobs, were to do just the opposite, to disseminate information and challenge long-cherished moral codes.

TKC contends that this is just another example of arrogance and elitism that keeps this story off of even the Star's political blog Prime Buzz as of this posting.

In this case, it's clear that inquiring minds in Kansas City want to know more about the love child scandal and the corporate media is attempting to play gatekeeper while curiosity drives media consumers to simply get the information from some other venue.

TKC TOLD YOU SO: GREEN PLAN FOR KANSAS CITY SEWERS WAS NOTHING BUT A STALLING TACTIC!!!

Kansas City has received a six-month extension to submit its plan to federal authorities for overhauling its sewer system. The plan was originally due at the end of this month.

Politicos don't want voters thinking about light rail and sewers at the same time. They'll make a little bit of progress on the Sewer plan around January when pipes all over town are bursting . . .

VOTE FOR REACH!!!

I can't stand contests but I hate to admit that The Pitch Music Awards are a pretty big deal . . . Since most young people don't vote in Kansas City (along with most everyone else) this could be a great opportunity for folks to see what Democracy looks like if hipsters ran the world i.e. A great soundtrack and very little else . . .

Anyway, the voting is open until August 7th.

Here's the TKC suggestion list with a few misinformed comments based on categories garnered from the alt-rag's ghey ass music blog:

Avant/Experimental
The Sperm - They should win simply based on name alone.
This Is My Condition
Mythical Beast
Mr. Marco’s V7
Monta at Odds
Bacon Shoe - TKC VOTE . . . Their sound is actually pretty great.

Blues/Soul
Levee Town
Trampled Under Foot
Angela Hagenbach
The Wild Women of Kansas City
Billy Ebeling
Ida McBeth - TKC VOTE . . . Not even a question with this lady on the ballot.

Country/Bluegrass
The Wilders
Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys
True North
The Last Call Girls - TKC VOTE: ??? Again, I have no idea I just like the name.
Drakkar Sauna
The Roseline

DJ: Dance
Tactic
Nomathmatics
DJ Just
Kiko De Gallo - TKC VOTE: When in doubt I always go with the name that has the most vowels
J Fortune
Spinstyles

DJ: Hip-Hop
Miles Bonny
Beatbroker
Leonard Dstroy
DJ Fresh
DJ Sku
DJ Shad - TKC VOTE: This guy gets the TKC badge of approval because of the one sided nature of the Club Zen posts where he spins.

Folk/Americana
Sal Retta
Barclay Martin
Pendergast - TKC VOTE: How could I not vote for that name?!?!?!?
In the Pines
Chad Rex
The Afterparty

Hip-Hop
D/Will
Cash Image
REACH - TKC VOTE: Still the best thing about Kansas City Hip-hop.
Empire
Heet Mob
CES Cru

Indie Rock/Pop
Ghosty
The Republic Tigers - TKC VOTE - They were on Letterman.
Namelessnumberheadman
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Lights & Siren
Olympic Size

Live Act
The Pink Socks
It’s Over
The Rich Boys
The Ssion - TKC VOTE: I don't really have a preference but it'll piss off a commenter who always mentions their name for some reason.
The Beautiful Bodies
American Catastrophe

Metal
Hundred Years War
Out of the Suffering
The Cast Pattern
Sicadis
At the Left Hand of God - TKC VOTE - Again, this is based on nothing but the fact that I like the band's name.
Molech

New Act
Dri
The Fourth of July
Rockesh
The Jen Say Kwahs
Expassionates
The Noise FM - TKC VOTE: I think I punched somebody in the face while getting coffee because of this act. Or not, they might have just stepped on my sneakers.

Pop
The ACBs
Abracadabras
Life in Jersey
Josephine Collective
Paper Cities
Dead Girls Ruin Everything - TKC VOTE: They're great and I agree with the sentiment.

Punk
The Black Tarantulas
Bent Left
We’re Fucked - TKC VOTE: Okay, turns out this is nothing but the TKC likes your band's name list . . . Or, even someone who loves white women has their limits on how much white people culture I can handle.
Dark Ages
The Sixteens
The Hopeless Destroyers

Rock
The Life and Times
Roman Numerals
The Federation of Horsepower - TKC VOTE: Alright, On this category I'm more informed. I've heard a few of these bands (but not all) and this one is the best by far.
The Belated
The Pedaljets
Super Black Market

All-Star Award
Mac Lethal - TKC VOTE: I'll make a deal with you white people. Vote for Reach and I'll vote for this guy because he's probably the only one who will show up to collect his prize (A date with Nadia Pflaum I think).
The Architects
Flee The Seen
Split Lip Rayfield
Tech N9ne - TKC VOTE: C'mon, he's from here, he's great but Tech N9ne is in Cali most of the time. If it's supposed to be at least somewhat of a music showcase, let's pick people who show up here for more than press.

And there you have it . . . My votes, like most others, were based on little more than name recognition and a bit of prejudice. STILL, REACH is the best in his category by far . . . Good luck to all the contestants, this contest will have a great impact on your career and is your springboard to super stardom . . . Or not.

If you have a moment, please offer any factoid or recommendation regarding these bands. Honestly, I haven't heard of more than half of them which still makes me a Kansas City music expert as far as most people voting in this thing who were usually far too buzzed to make an informed appraisal of local bands.

Find the Kansas City Blogger!!!

The Midtown Miscreant had a pretty great guessing game post . . . Also, Pensive Girl found a kickass bloggy collage generator. I tried to create one but the words "Pussy" "Funkhouser" and feet came up too often to make it interesting.

The Kansas City 48 Hour Film Project

For the most part, I think a great deal of the excitement that surrounded Independent filmmaking in Kansas City peaked during the mid to late 90's back when people came out of nowhere with great movies like Clerks or El Mariachi . . . It's odd because the distribution mechanism for Independent movies (the Internet) is so much better nowadays but completely unprofitable . . . SO that might explain the downward trend. Nevertheless, there are a lot of great outlets for local Movie Makers and the 48 Hour Film Project is a national contest on tour to a bunch of cities that might be a great excuse for local creative types to actually use their video cameras for something other than sex tapes.

Kansas City Chalk and Walk 2008

Featured above is the Kansas City Chalk and Walk 2008 video. The clip contains a lot of awesome street drawing and some pretty good photos, the initial title "Hipsters and children" must have been taken. But still a mostly nice KC event. You'll smile for about 12 seconds and then flip to something else.

TKC Question: Is it right to use the KCPD as baggage clerks simply to save a buck?

Opposition to a plan to replace airport security with the KCPD brings up a good point about the very different job duties that Airport Security Officers and police perform: Mark VanLoh, the city's aviation director said handling lost property, such as luggage, accounts for about half of the airport police work at KCI. Much of the other half includes responding to medical calls or patrolling illegally parked cars. TKC contends that there is a very real possibility that this plan might not save as much money initially suspected and will most likely result in a lot of overlap with KCI security officers staying on to handle lost bags and the like. OR there could also be a serious decline in service at KCI which wouldn't surprise me either . . . You tell me, should the KCPD work as baggage clerks?

Glorioso now called "Barnes mgr."

If true, The Source has a pretty good scoop on the inner workings of the Kay Barnes for Congress Camp . . . The Source claims that some douche from Move On.org is ineffectual and KC Political Mover and Shaker Steve Glorioso is really in charge. None of this is really that much of surprise given that NOBODY brought in from the outside could ever have a chance of understanding Missouri politics.

Possibly a new place for Plaza de Niños at Penn Valley

Penn Valley child-care center to close in September talks with Guadalupe Center are underway . . . Which also means that some choice downtown skyline real estate might soon be available . . . It's all about real estate kids.

Jackson County Property Tax Plunge!!!

A recent article about Jackson County speeding up assessments got me thinking about property taxes overall.

Despite the clueless business writers at The Star OR the overly optimistic ravings of local politicos, this recession is hitting hard and property values along with revenue for local government will soon face (is already facing) a steep decline.

In other words, the wallets for local politicos are soon to take a hit . . . As TKC hinted not so long ago, that's why raising the earnings tax for Kansas City is clandestinely on the table but in the meantime that means local government in this town will also face a consistent cash crunch. Of course layoffs have been an option for both Kansas City and Jackson County but things are going to get even worse (as always).

Here are TKC's Top Five suggestions for how local government can save or raise more money:

Mike Sanders must pay an additional tax on his hair gel.

Every time a politico uses the stupid term "pro-active" they will be taxed $200

Big Media should have to pay for that stupid, official looking shot on Courthouse or City Hall steps.

Three words: Bathroom Stall Meters

Weekly dance off with cash prize awarded to local government coffers

There, I've done it . . . Solved this town's financial woes. Blogs are brilliant. Natch.

Choke on the lofty ideals and hobbies of upper class white people in Kansas City

Kansas City's climate protection plan will be heard to day by the City Council . . . Meanwhile, the Co-Mayors still take two cars to work along with the fact that an unpaid volunteer gets a plush parking space. Remnants of the "Orange Revolution" are still chocking off the progress of Kansas City.

Even better, most environmentalist garbage is simply yet another affectation from the upper class as a recent article from the British press details: "Poor people can't worry about global warming"

Not so different from Ink after all

This week's Pitch cover story: "Power & Light vs. Westport" . . . College journalism students take heart, the competition is entrenched but not as tough as you thought given this kind of sophomoric coverage . . . Also, think about getting a blog. That goes for all print media writers given that even NY Times profits are plummeting.

Kansas City Tuba Thief Caught!!!

File this one under: Working with the po-po is actually very productive . . .

A police sting handcuffed a suspected tuba thief, giving a University of Missouri Kansas City grad student a second chance at graduation . . .

Two months ago, thieves stole two custom-made tubas from Heston's car. It forced him to miss a spring recital and delayed graduation until Wednesday night.

Only NBC Action News was there when police, with help from Heston, caught a man trying to sell one of Heston's stolen horns in a midtown music repair shop.

And on this one I'm just going to forgo any bitching about disparity in terms of race, class or education. In fact, I think this story of the police helping a UMKC grad student is sweet and one of many examples of how that institution in no way helps to prepare their students for the real world.

Coming soon to Joco: Loud shrieks from people other than suburban housewives

World Predator Calling Champion to be Crowned at World Predator and Hunting Expo at the Overland Park Convention Center

Price for light rail skyrockets in Seattle

Voters should know that there is no real set price tag for light rail . . . Recent events in Seattle prove that funding light rail is kind of like giving local government a blank check. Certainly, there are differences between light rail in Seattle and KC but politicos, construction companies and architectural firms that want more money are universal. Via Nick Sloan.

Skater dude was not criminal mastermind

A 19-year-old business owner is under investigation after Shawnee police said they found videos of vandalism posted online . . . And here I thought all of the dumb skater dude jokes I made as a youth were nothing more than stereotypes, who knew that they would serve police so well.

Blogger stats revealed

Frighteningly Uncommon Sense is an old school blog regular and she has a rather brave post revealing the number of monthly visitors to her site. I've been following her blog for years and I was impressed with the number of readers she has garnered, even more so because it's an accomplishment her wealthy family didn't pay for . . . Which is a miraculous achievement for any woman living in JoCo.

Great Internet Marketing or Hand of God?

Those of you really into looking for Kansas City links . . . (All three of you) might have noticed that a great many web stories and blog posts have been dedicated to the World Revival Church. Apparently, there are rumors of an unusual upswing in attendance (no word on donations) recently. The clipping are even filled with talk of healings and the like . . . I'm busy looking for more photos of bikini models so I'll leave it to TKC readers to figure out whether God is at work in Kansas City OR some local church just figured out the Internet.

Best blog post illustration of the day

KJ provides a sexy, old school, kickass and classy jpeg in a nice post about a Summer night. TKC HINT: And I thought all illustrations of orgies included lava lamps.

So how long will 710 stand by Savage?

Speaking of being dropped by radio stations . . . It occurred to me local radio station 710 is hosting twisted reactionary Micheal Savage who is facing a bit of national backlash.

A Mississippi radio network dropped Savage's show along with several advertisers.

The latest controversy over Savage handing down phony medical advice and mean spirited comments about kids with autism seems to be the last straw with profit driven talk radio stations.

And this comes after so many his alleged gay bashing and derogatory comments about Muslims.

Personally, I could care less because I only listen to Darla Jaye and then Maybe Shanin and Parks while taking a walk . . . HOWEVER, IT SEEMS KIND OF FUNNY TO ME THAT KANSAS CITY IS BEHIND MISSISSIPPI IN TERMS OF GETTING SOMEBODY THAT OFFENSIVE OFF THE AIR!!!

Again, for the most part, I don't listen talk radio because folks farting out of their mouths isn't that interesting of a trick . . . However, it would be nice if the dude's show was challenged in Kansas City considering that the ratings that it pulls down aren't that great and there's enough pseudo science around here thanks to the proponents of Intelligent Design in Kansas .

Global warming = More pussy

According to an article at the KC Infozine: Global warming could cause a boom in kittens given that the hot weather sends female cats into heat.

Truly, this could be a reason why I would actually care about global warming and stopping it . . . Because I can't stand cats . . . And here I thought all that global warming entailed was women wearing fewer clothes and a slight competitive advantage to brown people. Turns out, the future it gets even scarier than that . . .

Edwin Hall: Guilty!!!

This afternoon, last year's hysteria over a very tragic case of MWWS came to an end:

Edwin Hall, 27, of Olathe, pleaded guilty to capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, rape and aggravated sodomy in the June 2007 death of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, who was taken from a Target store parking lot. The Overland Park teenager's body was found four days later in a Missouri park.

So I don't know how much political mileage Phill Kline can get out of this one considering there was a lot of alleged blunders on his part. But the important thing here is that a year long interest in the tragic murder of a single white woman has eclipsed most talk of Kansas City murders yet again. And I still think he looks like Elijah Wood.

Update: The Kansas Citian sees it as a Kline victory. He also posts an even weirder Edwin Hall photo.

"God Bless America, Kansas City and its blogosphere."

A kickass blogger treatise from Nick Sloan. A MUST READ FOR EVERY KANSAS CITY BLOGGER!!!

Kansas City Dinner Links

In the photo featured above . . . I have no idea why Jodie Marsh is in a kitchen. But it serves as an "exciting" visual metaphor for the link compilation I've cooked up this evening. Ugh.

Kansas City Teacher battle getting surprisingly little coverage in Kansas City: Teachers Protest Board of Education Meeting

Man Shot To Death In KCK

The local economy isn't getting better: The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reported a moderation in growth for June and early July compared with a month earlier in its latest issue of the Beige Book

Paper dolls in Kansas City and doll events

Getting coffee in Kansas City counts as experience in the movie biz: Award Winning Film Director Needs KC Crew

From Crime Scene KC: KC woman accused of beating boyfriend's little girls for eating, drinking water

Kansas City Moped Rally Photo Set on Flickr

Show me State Sponsored Killing

The state of Missouri is planning its first execution since 2005.

Vote how they tell you!!!

CCP Endorsements

Mayor Funky at the pump (ew)

So did anybody see the Mayor today on Main?

Mayor Funkhouser will pump gas at a Midtown gas station tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23, to build support for transit alternatives. He will be at the QuikTrip at 43rd and Main St. at 10:45 a.m. filling motorists’ tanks and urging attendance at several public hearings regarding transit. The Mayor will be joined by Councilman Russ Johnson and has invited regional leaders to participate.

It's a cute but completely uncreative publicity stunt. The high price of gas vs. light rail is a non nonsensical argument given that simply building light rail won't guarantee ridership as it hasn't in other cities AND it overlooks the nearly $1 BILLION price tag of even a modest light rail plan that won't transport that many people or even the vast majority of commuters in Johnson County.

I'd much rather he ride the bus instead of engage in yet another PR pose.

Killing a Kansas City neighborhood: Chiefs promote chaotic Club Zen!!!

In between half naked women selling beer and/or truck commercials during football games, players usually bring out some unfortunate youngsters in order to support the notion that professional athletes are a benefit to their communities. I've never paid much attention to these PR efforts because they're mostly half truths but more importantly they overlook the fact that a great many NFL players are horrible people who could care less about Kansas City.

To wit, the ad featured above promising Chiefs players at Club Zen touched off a nerve of many nearby residents and Midtown neighborhood leaders. Regular readers might remember that TKC documented a great deal of displeasure with the place on the part of neighbors last month.

Over the Summer the situation hasn't become any better and nearby neighbors are still beset with booming stereo systems, shady characters and near brawls almost every night.

Now, adding insult to injury, the appearance of Kansas City Chiefs players undoubtedly promises even more rowdy nights. Judging by details that neighborhood people are providing TKC . . . THE SITUATION IN THE PARKING LOTS SURROUNDING CLUB ZEN ON MOST NIGHTS IS A POWDER KEG!!!

The Chiefs contributing to this mess is a slap in the face considering how much tax money from Jackson County helps to keep them in a nice stadium. Sadly, somebody is going to have to get killed in order for folks to take notice of this dangerous situation that neighborhood people have continually raised, TKC has blogged and everyone who has ever seen the crowd after closing has acknowledged. Normally, I love telling people "I told you so" but some dead, hip-hop club patron probably isn't going to acknowledge my brilliance in any significant way.

Smoking Ordinance tickets coming soon to a struggling Kansas City business near you!!!

The Star reports that since June 21, the Health Department has received about 50 complaints of alleged violations in Kansas City bars and restaurants. Tickets so far have been issued to the Southside Optimist Bingo Hall on Blue Ridge Cutoff, Patrikios on Holmes Road, JC’s Sports Bar on Vivion Road, Shooter’s on North Oak Trafficway and Neighbors Lounge on Blue Ridge Boulevard. The folks in charge of enforcing the ordinance are understaffed but with a little luck they'll probably wipe out all smoking related cancers in the metro area in the near future or at least make proponents of the Nanny state breathe easier. Not that I endorse cancer merchants but it seems like all of these places cited are lucky to be in business at all . . . So taking away any revenue would likely choke off the last remaining bit of their profits.

Grenade gets the morning going in KCK

Grenade Threat Brings Out KCK Bomb Squad

When the world thinks of a long, lost, dead art form . . . They think of Kansas City

Kevin Mahogany at Colorado Jazz show a performs a tribute to Kansas City

Craigslist catches JoCo Pervs!!!

Lenexa, Kansas police officers posted on ad for sex on Craigslist.org. The ad told customers to meet at a Lenexa motel. When customers arrived, they were arrested according to a recent report on KMBC.

And while I don't see this as much progress in the fight against the world's oldest profession . . . What is interesting to me is that the po-po used relatively new technology instead of the backpages of The Pitch which is where pervs once turned to as a reference for all things smutty in the Kansas City area.

Already Craigslist is taking millions of profits away from the newspaper industry and this latest bust seems to signal that the zeitgeist as far as paid sexual encounters is concerned has long ago moved away from local alt. rags to the Internets . . . That can't bode well for hipster, liberal reporters . . . And, to be fair, I should note that The Pitch is doing better than their NY counterparts at the Village Voice in terms of ad sales. However, I'm not sure if that is due to any outstanding managerial skill or just the fact that Kansas City is always a few years behind the times.

No Surprise!!! The Paper Edition of The Star is for publishing old Internet stories!!!

Today, The Star is running a story about the role of Union Station in light rail.

And for awhile I thought I was inside that crappy Bill Murray movie they play 300 times in a row on TBS during the winter because I've seen this idea before . . . In fact, just a quick Google Search and I found that . . .

New, Local, Internet News site The KC Tribune had written something about this story: "Union Station Won’t Work as Transit Hub"

And BlogKC also filed a post on the topic: "Realizing that Union Staton may not be able to serve as future transit hub"

And once again, proving that The Star doesn't have an inkling as to how the new media works . . . There is not a single link or line acknowledging that this discussion started on the Internets. Surprisingly, this move comes not too long after a Star columnist did his best to attack some minor details in an Internet story and decry Citizen Media . . . It's a nice, pompous and elitist stand to take but overlooks the fact that so many local bloggers and Internet publishers are REGULARLY publishing news BEFORE Kansas City's so-called paper of record and proving to have just as much influence over this town's discourse and constant whining is nothing more than a gut reaction from journalists who are facing layoffs from an institution on the decline.

More importantly, a photo gallery of Audrina Patridge who is famous for God knows what is proof that new is better, or something.

Kansas City Link Lineup

Here's just a few of the local links I'm looking at . . .

Scary theme music, constant promos and nice graphics for a summer investigative story about even more discrimination in Kansas City: "Disabled At The Pump"

Shot in the face in the Northland

Meth addicts don't care if you burn to death: Thieves Seeking Scrap Metal Target Fire Hydrants

More hard times for hookers and other assorted folks who probably need substance abuse help as well: Police crack down on Independence Ave. criminals

Kansas City, Kan., police are investigating a shooting just off Parallel Parkway last night.

Mother of the Year, maybe not: A Wyandotte County woman was charged after police said her four children were found home alone on Monday morning.

Overturned Semi Blocks Traffic On I-70

Finally, if this day is even half as awesome photos of Joanna Krupa modeling a bikini than I'll be pleased.

The Dangerous Streets of Shawnee!!!

Not really but here's that latest crime news that's causing panic on TV concerning the JoCo suburb:

"Investigators in Shawnee said online video clips are now being considered evidence in some vandalism cases."

"Graffiti in Shawnee Skatepark linked to online Web Site"

It's almost a quaint if people didn't actually think that the preceding links actually constituted a crime problem.

One more thought on Independence from The Kansas City School District

A Jackson County judge decided the lingering fight between the Independence Schools and the KCMO Public School District.

This story seems to be regarded as some kind of triumph for the people of Independence and for white people in general . . . I can respect that but the reactionary attitude kind of overlooks the reality of the change. Independence Schools will now host a great many Latino students who require ESL services and so far Indy Schools are woefully unequipped to provide any of that . . . Even worse, I'm guessing that Indy schools will be just as culturally insensitive to the needs Latino students as the KCMO School District - In this instance, as always, Latino students will undoubtedly go from being treated as second class by Black people to virtually the same conditions under the new regime . . . So, thinking of it now I guess not that much will change after all . . . (My bad)

And then there's the long standing, depressing state of Kansas City Schools. The finality of this decision once again reinforces the perception that schools in this City are a place to escape . . . And, in the end, overlooking the influx of Latino students to Independence (which is what everyone is doing anyway) this decision leaves the Kansas City School District even more segregated.

Overall, for people who really care about KC proper, this decision isn't anything to celebrate but another sign that the Kansas City Schools are nothing more than a constant embarrassment and an impediment to this town's progress.

Consequences of a Kansas City demographic shift: The better looking, more politically connected Italian-American challenger can't win in Northeast

Northeast News Reports: State Rep John Burnett, since the beginning of the year, has raised more than $40,000 as he seeks reelection for the Northeast state seat. Challenger John Rizzo, on the other hand, is relying more on loans to himself as he reported to the state that his campaign had only raised $18,975 in his bid for Burnett’s seat. However, of that amount for Rizzo, $18,000 of it came from Rizzo himself in the form of three separate loans to his campaign.

Even with the backing of County Exec. Mike Sanders it's hard to believe that this guy



Can't beat this old dude . . .



But the reality of demographic change in Kansas City makes me hopeful that in about 14 years . . . The Northeast might finally get a Mexican-American representative considering that this group comprises most of the population in Northeast and has very little in common with either of these politicos.

Local blogger political endorsements

There's no denying that Dan has some pretty solid endorsements in a recent blog post . . . Sadly, I can't find much to disagree with but then again his picks were pretty much all in heavily favored Democrat races with only few exceptions. If I can find something with which to mock any of these folks (without doing much work) I'll certainly have more to blog but for the most part I have to agree with his reasoning.

To the Westport broad with the bad tattoo

Reading KC Infozine I recently discovered that women are more likely than men to want their tattoos removed . . . This confirms my suspicion that tattoos on women are simply a wonderful visual cue as to bad judgment. And that makes so many local bar babes who wear them that much more attractive.

Summer in Kansas City isn't so bad after all.

Show Me a smart move against Missouri Republicans who have proven that they don't care if po'folk live or die

Nixon's $1 billion plan would boost health care

The Sleazy Side of Sears at Antioch Center

KMBC: A mother said she caught a man peeping into her daughter's dressing room at Sears at Antioch Center.

A knitting tour of Kansas City's Northland

It's not my cup of tea but niche bloggers are the heart and soul of the local Internets. And, actually the quick list of local knitting spots up North might come in handy given that my recent foray into granny porn (ew) has taught me that from MILF on upward, women just tend to get even more wild IF Internet video can be used as an accurate gauge of the sexual prowess of older ladies . . . Here's hoping!!!

"This wonderfully cultured midwestern metropolis no longer has a classical music critic at its newspaper of record"

Affluent white people and the folks who write for them are still lamenting the decline of the daily paper all over the nation. A blog from The Orange County Register is the latest to cry crocodile tears because of Paul Horsley's departure from The Star . . . Even better, they suggest that the guy should get a blog (which isn't that bad of an idea).

"It looks like KC won’t be the only city shelling out money for racist behavior"

RDM files an AMAZING post regarding a recent lawsuit involving law enforcement in Minneapolis and uses a great many Kansas City examples.

"Alienation" in the blogosphere

J.D. writes a perfect post describing an all too common mood in Kansas as election time approaches.

They can still smell B.S.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser will hold a town hall meeting, tomorrow July 23rd at Alphapointe Association for the Blind.

I'm counting on the Blind Community to report whether or not Gloria takes her shoes off just because nobody was looking . . . I'm sure they'll smell the difference.

Never a slow news day in Kansas City

I'm reading a lot of great local blogs right now . . . I also have a some IMPORTANT INFO sent from KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS that I need to write up today.

There's a lot to cover despite the fact the corporate media wants to justify their vacations and intentionally slow down the news cycle. Face it, so much of what you read, watch and listen to is being CONTROLLED . . . But until there is some horrible and frightening development in regard to net neutrality, the blogosphere is the last bastion of free speech (i.e. we're screwed) . . . So enjoy the semblance of Democracy while it lasts.

More posts forthcoming . . . Stay tuned.