TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! AIRICK L. WEST PLEDGES TO SUPPORT THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN SEARCH OF REPRESENTATION ON THE KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD!!!

Despite an array of empty promises for change on the Kansas City School Board, local Latinos have often been shut out when it comes to public education in this city.

Last night I attended a regular meeting of the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) at which School Board Member Airick L. West spoke and answered questions. Obviously, the major topic of discussion was the recent resignation of School Board member Ingrid Burnett and the subsequent impact on the Board.

It was the first time I was able to see Mr. West in action and more than being impressed by his obvious verbal ability, it was his formidable command of facts, figures and the rules of the District that stood out most.

Two facts revealed in the meeting stood out to me:

KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT IS NOW 25% LATINO

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO LATINO REPRESENTATIVE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I knew the second fact, but in light of the first it seems even more unacceptable.

Through the course of the meeting Mr. West explained how the selection process for a new School Board Member would be carried out and provided instruction as to how the Latino community could be most effective in promoting a Latino representative. Even better . . .

MR. WEST MADE A BOLD STATEMENT BY OFFERING HIS SUPPORT OF A QUALIFIED LATINO CANDIDATE TO FILL THE CURRENT VACANCY ON THE SCHOOL BOARD!!!

I'm not sure if everyone in the room understood the gravity of what he was doing but in a town as racially divided as Kansas City . . . Advocating for more Latino representation is a big step and something few politicos are willing to publicly endorse.

I'd never heard the term before but at the meeting they spoke of a "cross-cultural coalition" and it seemed like something that just might be the first step in changing a district that has been driven by identity politics for more than a generation.

Mr. West made it clear that what happens now is up the Latino Community and realistically noted that the selection of a replacement is made long before the public meeting to review candidates.

Here's how it might go down and what needs to happen for Latino leaders in KC to get any kind of direct representation in the next 18 months:

Currently, Latino leaders in Kansas City are developing a list of names to present to Mr. West and the School Board in preparation of the selection.

There's also an effort to rally community support behind one or more people on this list and to make it clear to other school board members that there is large concern that wants Burnett's replacement to be a qualified Latino representative.

There's also a need to reach out to members of other communities and rally support behind a list of Latino candidates.

What wasn't noted aloud and only hinted at . . . Leaders in the Latino Community know that School Board President Marilyn Simmons wants this spot reserved for one of her cronies. Simmons is rumored to have run Burnett off the board. If Simmons secures a vote that she can control, it will make her role as School Board President almost untouchable.

I'm not sure Latino Leaders will be able to rally the kind of support they need to challenge the obvious power grab by Simmons. I don't like the tactic of using a list of candidates and would prefer if they just went ahead and nominated front runner Dolores Arzola who nearly won as a write-in candidate and already has a well-respected reputation of involvement with the KC Schools. Or, sending Enrique Chaurand back to the School District in a governance role is also a great idea.

However, in the final analysis, what was really inspiring was to see Latinos in Kansas City committed to a specific cause that will benefit the education of our community. The fact that Mr. West offered his help in this endeavor was exceptionally encouraging and probably one of the very few signs of hope for a School District that is usually regarded as a sinking ship.

A look at Kansas City Light Rail Opposition

I just received the following e-mail press release . . . And what's surprising to me is not light rail opposition but that it's not coming from a big money corp. as of yet. In fact, from what people tell me, the folks on this board have a record of being involved in the community . . . On the other hand, the people who own KC Light Rail.com are sill anonymous.

NEW COMMITTEE FOR SENSIBLE TRANSIT QUESTIONS LIGHT RAIL EXPERIMENT

Committee Seeks to Inform Kansas City Voters About Unanswered Light Rail Ballot Questions

Kansas City, Missouri—September 30, 2008—Members of the Committee for Sensible Transit announced today their opposition to the light rail ballot measure placed on the November 4 ballot by Mayor Mark Funkhouser and the City Council.

The Committee is an ad hoc group of civic, business and neighborhood interests representing differing political philosophies, a multitude of professional backgrounds and decades of working to make Kansas City the best, most responsible and livable city it can be. The Committee is unified in its opposition to the Mayor and Council’s egregiously expensive and short-sighted light rail experiment.

“The ballot language leaves too many questions unanswered, said Bob Lewellen, former city councilor and Committee member. “The City has not given voters the information they need to make an informed decision.”

Committee member Greg Allen also shared his concern that Kansas City’s specific needs are not addressed by the rush to build a billion-dollar light rail system. “We have not scratched the surface in implementing cost-effective and truly innovative strategies to provide better public and personal transportation. Kansas City deserves much better—something truly thoughtful and something consistent with our traditions of green and spacious development.”

Among the Committee’s other concerns are that the sales tax used to pay for the light rail development will deplete funds that could otherwise be used to repair and maintain the city’s infrastructure such as streets and sidewalks. “Let’s not forget all the compelling infrastructure needs to which we could devote one billion dollars,” Allen noted.

The Committee will spend the next few weeks presenting Kansas City voters with other examples of the concerns that remain unaddressed by the November 4 ballot question:

While the ballot language is explicit in how the city will collect taxes, it does not describe the route the light rail will take or where the stations will be built. This leaves residents and business owners unsure of what they are being asked to support, though it is clear that the proposed light rail will not go to the airport.

Proponents describe the light rail plan as regional, yet none of the neighboring communities have committed to extending the rail beyond its current 14-mile course.

The exact cost and funding mechanisms remain unclear. If the federal government does not provide funding, will the city build the light rail anyway? Will that additional funding come from additional taxes or from shortchanged bus service?

The Committee encourages all Kansas Citians to ask these important billion-dollar questions. “This proposal is long on expense and short on details,” Lewellen said.

###

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Folks at City Hall say Ed Wolf left because Mayor Funky plans to sue over the Volunteer Ordinance!!!

Here's a fact that everybody already knows but local media is too scared to note . . .

THE REASON FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF ED WOLF LEFT WAS BECAUSE OF THE MAYOR'S IMPENDING LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF GLORIA SQUITIRO!!!

Here are the reasons that City Hall insiders are citing when they spread this rumor:

Nobody, and I mean nobody leaves a $250k job at the outset of a historic financial crisis . . . This is just common sense and above all Mr. Wolf has a solid reputation as a pragmatist.

Wolf is abandoning ship not even halfway into the term. That simply looks suspicious and thankfully this doesn't seem to stem from any kind of health issue given that Wolf seems to be in good shape and is regularly spotted mowing his own lawn (sometimes on City time neighbors say).

This is important: Mayor Funky appeared frustrated today when anyone tried to press him on questions about this the surprise resignation/retirement . . . KUDOS TO THE MEDIA OUTLET THAT GETS WOLF TO GO ON THE RECORED ABOUT HIS REAL REASONS FOR PARTING WAYS WITH THE MAYOR!!!

For a long time the rumor circulated that Wolf wasn't allowed to do his job and the Mayor's wife Gloria Squitiro really functioned as Chief of Staff. The claim has never been denied or addressed but now Wolf is gone from his job for good while Mayor Funky is being cagey about what he's going to do regarding his wife.

Nearly everyone at City Hall expects the Mayor to sue. Mayor Funky thinks he's being smart by playing a stalling game . . . His tactics have now become transparent and easily predictable. Rumors that the Mayor is going to resign don't even seem that strange nowadays given that the guy has grown increasingly isolated and his public statements seem more erratic . . .

As this controversey drags on . . . Look for even more turnover among Mayor Funky's people as he continues to confuse marital loyalty with the duties of his office.

Light Rail issue puts Kansas City elite against community and neighborhood groups

The image featured above is from a handout circulated by a community group in South Kansas City that seems to be dedicating their lives to defeating the upcoming light rail initiative.

Since last week I've talked to a great many people about this topic and here's what I've learned (I would call this a TKC Exclusive but pretty much everybody already knows it):

LIGHT RAIL HAS VERY LITTLE SUPPORT AMONG GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS IN KANSAS CITY!!!

This is a shock to me because any big money ballot intuitive usually takes the time to throw some money or make promises to these groups in order to divide them and make them ineffective or at least quiet their concerns by providing the attention that people who participate in this kind of thing so desperately crave.

A general failure to address these constituencies a key weakness that I see in the pro-light rail campaign.

Recently, the endorsement of Light Rail by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce was big news but it seems to be predicated on a lot of things that just aren't going to happen . . . Like a decent time frame for building the thing and money from the Feds that will now be going to the Wall Street Bailout and should be used on KC Sewers.

Anyhoo . . . What I notice is that when this Light Rail mess started with Clay Chastain's effort - It was a grass roots effort by one wing-nut that was virtually unchallenged and ignored. Now that a few KC power brokers have bought into the deal the idea gets more credibility (because their is big money to be made) but there's even less support from the citizenry . . . Which normally doesn't make a difference but proved to be the only factor that started this thing moving in the first place.

At some point there has to be community support for light rail and so far I don't see it . . . And the middle-class begging for new toys in Waldo, Brookside and Ward Parkway aren't exactly representative of the rest of Kansas City.

Mayor Funky throws a fit at press conference and then leaves for The Netherlands

Once again Mayor Funky leaves on a bad note . . . And media watchers have to wonder if the Mayor has fallen out of favor with Star Columnist Yael Abouhalkah, are their many cheerleaders left? TV news has a far more boring take on the press conference but behind the scenes it seems as if talk of a "bunker mentality" within the Funkhouser Administration is completely accurate.

Lie about loving Kansas City and win!!!

Local tourism people are holding some kind of contest to get people to say and show nice things about this town . . . So take a photo and come up with condescending lie about your love and you'll be awarded some pricey coupons . . . Actually, it's not a bad deal and people usually have to start dating in order to freely exchange photos and lies about love.

Saving gas and fighting crime in Kansas City

Kansas City anti-crime activist Alonzo Washington is about to get a new weapon in his arsenal against crime that could prove handy given that the recent drop in gas prices is just temporary.

In an attempt to involve local businesses and the community against crime, Mr. Washington is going to be hosting another community rally and broadcast this weekend.

Here are the details:

The event will take place on Saturday Oct. 04 2008 at Motorhead's Scoot & Cycles at 3100 South 24th St. Suite D, Kansas City, KS 66106. The anti-crime broadcast on KPRS, Magic 107.3 and will start at 3:00 PM. At this event Mr. Washington will receive a new motor scooter that will be turned into a the Omega7 anti-crime tips cycle. Here's the audio promo courtesy of KPRS.

Actually, I think it's pretty cool that he's getting a kick ass and practical endorsement from a local company.



So often local companies only pay lip service to crime fighting efforts but helping to improve communities in which they do business ultimately benefits consumers and markets . . . Also, scooters are pretty cool and it's about time that the growing trend in the metro area now has a little bit more meaning to it.

Blogger Review: Beck at the Uptown Theater

Kansas City blog Bradical Mindspew provides an inside look at last night's concert with some pretty decent photos.

About KC's Aim 4 Peace Initiative

It's not much but "Aim 4 Peace" is a public health approach to crime targeting high-risk individuals in a 24-square mile area of Kansas City. The KC Currents feature on the effort is really informative but not very critical.

Kansas City Hates John McCain

I guess the mainstream media doesn't cover stuff like this but I was recently rather surprised by row of protest signs on a major Kansas City thoroughfare. I thought providing a glimpse of them on the day Sen. John McCain is going to be in town would be appropriate.

For the uninitiated, Summit leads into Downtown and is regularly traveled by a yuppies looking for a shortcut to work. For nearly a week a row of signs protesting the Republican candidate for President have dominated the street.

Here's a close-up look at some of the slogans:











The signs have been placed at the top of a lot that also serves as a community garden . . . While Obama is ahead, I still think this election is close but so far I've yet to see any spontaneous demonstration for McCain in the urban core of the metro area. In fact, my neighborhood is littered with Obama propaganda . . . IN SPANISH AS WELL!!! So, while I may not know who is gonna win this thing, I can clearly see the signs.

City Manager Wayne Cauthen Stays Winning

The KC Biz Journal Reports: Appeals court ruling favors City Manager Cauthen . . . The Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, ruled Tuesday that a city manager can be removed only with the mayor’s approval and the ratifying vote of six other council members, or, absent the mayor’s approval, with nine council members in favor of removing the city manager . . . In other words, the City Charter is upheld despite Mayor Funky's efforts to subvert. TKC still hears that Skaggs is about to drop this thing given the lack of popular support for the Mayor.

Mayor Funky has yet to follow through on his Mayors against Illegal Guns promise

Here's just a bit of fact checking on yet another effort that Mayor Funky has failed to follow up on . . . It has been many weeks since the Council voted endorse Mayor Funky joining the "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" Coalition (a step that was completely unnecessary). Yet Mayor Funky has yet to sign the initiative the he initially touted as an effort to reduce crime. Almost two months have passed since this flashy press conference with guns on the table that turned out to nothing more than a PR stunt. I don't know if the Mayor is afraid of pro-gun activists who rightfully find fault with the organization . . . Nevertheless, this is just one of many initiatives on which Mayor Funky has failed to show any follow through. In the meantime, a Kansas City toddler was shot herself in the head today after finding a gun in her living room. Personally, I don't think Mayors Against Illegal Guns would have prevented the tragedy . . . But when an elected leader of a city makes a big speech in favor of responsible gun ownership, it's important that he stand by his words . . . In this respect, yet again Funkhouser has failed his constituents.

A virtual garden Midday Kansas City links

Here are some links that are floating around everywhere. I wanted to collect them for the midday in order to justify posting yet another photo of Gemma Atkinson.

Down and out and in town: McCain To Stop In KC Today

Hey, here's a story that only reporters and politicos care about!!! Report: Bond Opposition Led To Graves' Departure

Sorry, can't even pretend to care about this one: Michelle Obama To Stop In KC This Week

Crazy ass JoCo Kid of the day: Lenexa Student Threatens Teachers, Classmates With Knife

Babies rarely make good bargaining chips: Church Kidnapping Might Be Linked To Business Dispute

At least now local companies have an excuse to under-perform: KC-area stocks drop after House rejects $700B bailout bill

Combat in KC on an expert level: Iraq Veteran Arrested for Shooting at Motorist

Local crime finally hits home for TKC: McDonald’s Robbed by 2 Armed Men

Hiding away from the world gets more popular during harsh times: Area universities report record enrollments

Finally, a preview of Gemma Atkinson's new calender was kinda cool but covers up a lot and a good look at all the photos might ruin it for those of you planning to buy it.

Kansas City Public Libraries aren't just a place for stinky homeless to look at porn!!!

Kansas City Public Library to Receive National Medal and Award at White House Ceremony . . . First Lady Laura Bush will award the Kansas City Public Library the 2008 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries, at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, October 7.

A Kansas City place to take pumpkin head rug rats the weekend

12th Annual Crown Center Pumpkin Patch . . . Saturday, October 11 is the date, with Sunday, October 12 being the rain date. The place–Crown Center Square, at 25th and Grand Blvd in KCMO. The time–10am until 4pm. FREE admission and parking at Crown Center Square. At the event, tickets may be purchased for $0.50 each, and these can be used for pumpkins, games, etc. TKC NOTE: Calling a young person "pumpkin head" every Halloween will probably create serious self-esteem problems later on in life . . . So just remember you'll pay for it later in shrink bills and be sure to get a good laugh while it counts.

Notes from the KC Serb fest

Again, this is another event in KC I would have never known existed if it weren't for the Internets. And normally this is where I offer up some kind of ethnic joke, but looking over a list of Serb stereotypes . . . I got nothing. So just enjoy the link.

Happy New Year!!!

Holy shit . . . I almost forgot it was Rosh Hashanah. I don't really celebrate the holiday but then again, as a Catholic I'm far too guilty to celebrate anything much without a lot of guilt. Still, I'm sure there might be a few TKC readers who mark the occasion and I think a photo gallery of hotass Israeli model Bar Reaeli is where we can all find common ground.

Related . . . So we can all start the new year feeling multi-cultural before we get back into old habits of blaming minorities for everything:

Tailoring tradition: Rosh Hashana in US cultural history

Here's the wiki entry on the holiday

Rosh Hashanah, the world's birthday

They say that this is a time for "spiritual stocktaking and reflection" and I've been thinking lately that I should stop being so nice.

Joke of the day: Kansas City Mayor wants a clean slate with City Council

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser will hold a press conference today, September 30, at 9:45 a.m. in his office at City Hall.

Thing is, I was thinking about going to this press conference today but there's no way I'm stepping inside that dude's office since all he has had for me is personal insults and intimidation by way of his wife (I scare easily) . . . Which is sorta funny that they would get so worked up about a lame ass blog.

This meeting seems reserved for big media, so much for Orange Revolution promises of transparency.

An insightful blogger analysis if people voted based on issues

Nick Sloan: "Will Obama Hit McCain In Kansas Over Boeing?"

The TKC sleeping schedule

I actually managed to get some sleep this morning which is strange . . . More posts on the way . . . I plan to have 20 posts up by noon but I had also planned to have a real career by now . . . So we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, I was surfing around just now and I found a gully guide from a Kansas newspaper: "7 tips for getting a good night's sleep"

Booze isn't on there . . . But it should be.

Kansas City as the bottom falls out

On the news last night every local d-bag seemed to be in a panic over the economy.

I actually know people who lost money so I'm not gonna gloat despite the fact that all of my funds ($12.50) are tied up in cash, snack cakes and G.I. Joe Action figures.

I think the thing that I enjoyed the most about today were the "experts" they dug up to be on local afternoon and evening talk shows. Thing of it is, some of the smartest people in the nation including CEOs, Investment bankers, mortgage company presidents and government officals don't know exactly how this mess started so I really doubt that a guy who has an office in a JoCo strip-mall is going to do anything but promote his own business. And that's all they did . . . I kept hearing, "It's still a good time to buy" and the requisite nonsense as if nothing has ever changed. But get it straight:

THE RULE OF THE DAY IN KANSAS CITY FOR SMALL POTATOES INVESTORS IS PANIC!!!

Panic is probably the only thing this town does well and far be it from me to deny anyone the opportunity . . . Yet, I've been in Kansas City all of my life and I'm accustomed to living in the shadow of old money who can withstand nearly any catastrophe this side of a nuclear Holocaust. So, I'm sorry if I seem a bit cruel when I don't show the right amount of sympathy and concern over the rapidly disintegrating lifestyle of Johnson County scumbags. I'm broke and living in a basement at the beginning of an economic collapse that this nation hasn't seen since the Great Depression . . . So I'm not too worried about maintaining my station in life and I'm definitely the wrong guy to look to for sympathy over the stumbling of an economy, culture and credit market that was too consumed with greed and motivated by hubris to see the consequences that were not too far ahead.

It's time to abandon the Funky ship!!! Chief of Staff for Kansas City's Mayor calls it quits!!!

Already a lot of you have sent this my way . . . Many thanks!!!

Apparently, more than $250k a year wasn't enough to keep Mayor Funky's Chief of Staff Ed Wolf on board - He called it quits today.

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has announced the retirement of Chief of Staff Ed Wolf.

Wolf was the former Director of Public Works and had retired from the City in 2003 after 36 years of service. He joined Funkhouser's mayoral campaign early and was an integral part of the campaign's success. He joined the administration as Chief of Staff.

"I was honored that Ed was willing to dedicate some of his well-earned retirement to helping me get my administration started," Mayor Funkhouser said.

Now Gloria Squitiro is officially the Chief of Staff and Mr. Wolf has to mow is lawn on his own time . . . I don't know if this is progress . . . But it's clear that Mayor Funky's closest friends are looking (running?) for cover, which should kinda make you wonder about what's coming next in the Mayor's troubled career as we see his allies move on to a hopefully happy, healthy and long retirement.

KANSAS CITY'S FUNKY FOOT LOVE AFFAIR GOES NATIONAL!!! GLORIA SQUITIRO SAGA AND VOLUNTEER ORDINANCE ON NPR'S 'ALL THINGS CONSIDERED' TODAY!!!

Our murder rate is out of control but today Kansas City's Mayor is making national headlines because of his wife and the fight against the Volunteer Ordinance.

One of the most awesome TKC Tipsters just told me that the Kansas City Volunteer Ordinance saga is going to be featured this afternoon on 'All Things Considered' which plays on KCUR (89.3 FM) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the broadcast is also available on their website.

Be sure to tune in and remember to thank Mayor Funky for the kind of publicity he is giving Kansas City . . . And then take a moment to recognize (!!!) that it's not about Mayor Funky fighting "the powers that be" or bring miraculous change. So far, Mayor Funkhouser's entire tenure has been about nothing more than his pathological stubborness and his wife's feet!!!

And just for shits and giggles . . . Thank you TKC Tipsters who gave me this info and allowed me to post it way before the last remaining, highly paid and well respected reporters at The Star who are currently reporting the same-old bland content that's on C-SPAN and cable news networks.

Kansas City Revelation!!! Racial profiling at the P&L District doesn't keep anyone safe!!!

Yet again Kansas City has grasped at straws in order to stay safe and come up with nothing but divisive rhetoric and hard feelings.

There were so many who spoke out in favor of a discriminatory dress code at the Power & Light District and turned a blind eye to the blatant discrimination which the practice of the policy aimed solely at minorities entailed.

YET A SHOOTING OVER THE WEEKEND PROVES THAT RAMPANT RACIAL PROFILING AT THE P&L DISTRICT HAS DONE NOTHING TO KEEP KANSAS CITY'S DOWNTOWN PARTY DISTRICT SAFE!!!

The weekend shooting only highlights the fact that in the past two weeks the P&L District has been plagued by the same kind of crime that has spread throughout all of the Kansas City area.

Nine instances of crime in the past two weeks puts the place at Westport danger levels and white people looking for a place to hide haven't found a safe haven in the de facto segregation that has been allowed Downtown.

It's worth repeating and all of Kansas City needs to realize (recognize?):

THIS TOWN'S RACISM WON'T KEEP ANYONE SAFE!!!

In nearly every crime story posted online there's usually some d-bag blaming every instance of violence on local minorities but P&L District problems prove that drunk white people left to their own devices will also create destruction. The idea of an island of prosperity, exclusivity and SUPREMACY in Kansas City's downtown never made any sense anyway.

Throughout Kansas City's history, the most lively and entertaining attractions have always been the most diverse. The Jazz legends who put this town on the map didn't gain noteriety by corporate sponsorship but by scores music aficionados venturing past their comfort zone and looking for a bit of Kansas City culture that wasn't in the mainstream at the time.

I don't claim to have an all-encompassing solution to Kansas City's crime problems but I do know that the current racially charged climate of fear will only make things worse. For too long this town's populace been separated and managed as if they were cattle and this strategy has been unquestioned for the most part. Hipster hangouts, "art" shows along with festivals that are little more than excuses for posing have become coded attempts to keep people of color out of the mix. The ongoing attempt to keep Kansas City's nightlife segregated must stop not only because it's detrimental to this town's well-being and because it doesn't really provide security but also because attempting to keep all of the fine ass middle-class white women hidden away only delays their inevitable foray into interracial dating and causes unrealistic expectations about the prowess of minority males which are cute at first and kinda fun but then quickly become tiresome.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! More charges that Kansas City Schools are finding new ways to shortchange students and teachers!!!

This information comes from a very reliable and awesome TKC Tipster who was appalled to learn of more alleged mismanagement by the Kansas City School District. Check it:

The School District needs to hire more special education teachers to work with students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Rather than hiring new teachers to fulfill this need, they are taking regular teachers and classifying them as 'highly qualified' and forming special education classes without explicitly using the term "special ed." Because the majority of the kids on IEP can be mainstreamed they are using this to form classes without compensating a teacher who is experienced in teaching special ed. Of course they are doing this over a month into the school year, disrupting schedules for many students, not to mention the teachers who will find their class assignments changed.

The highly trusted TKC tipster says that this is yet another instance which marks Administration bullying of teachers doing their best to deal with an ever increasing workload.

Additionally, TKC IS HEARING MORE STRIKE TALK THAN EVER BEFORE . . . As Kansas City's School District teeters on the brink of collapse and even the most reasonable Kansas City residents (not me) are hoping that rumors of a State takeover are true.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! A bright shining example that Kansas City doesn't honor agreements with minority contractors!!!

TKC has offered a great deal of exclusive coverage of the ongoing struggle to get to Kansas City to take it's minority contracting goals seriously . . . Recently, I received a public document which states the case far more eloquently than I ever could and it's even more interesting than the most recent set of Audrina Patridge bikini photos.

Folks interested in the way construction projects are really put together in this town and the argument that a great deal of development in Kansas City excludes minorities might want to check out out a PDF of a recent document put in front of the TIF Commission.

Here is the main argument of the case:

"Respondents concede, or at least offer nothing by way of opposition to, the fact that H&R Block manipulated the bid and contract process and used front and pass-through companies to underreport minority utilization by more than $11.5 million (45%) for the Project. No Respondent is even willing to discuss that.

Respondents concede that H&R Block violated the TIF Commission's Affirmative Action Policy. The TIF Commission has even acknowledged H&R Block generated and reported its utilization numbers was inaccurate and immoral."

This is important not only because it means that Kansas City's word means nothing but also because the result of this case could put money back into this town's pocket.

Unfortunately, folks who once ranted against TIF abuse have remained curiously silent when it comes to a specific case involving allegations that a company did not live up to its part of the bargain after getting a generous deal from Kansas City. For instance, Mayor Funky the so-called advocate for equitable use of TIF hasn't offered much support on this specific example of alleged TIF abuse.

Furthermore, it's also worth emphasizing that the folks at the center of this case, Kansas City Hispanic Association Contractors Enterprise (KCHACE) and a great many other minority contractors and associations, aren't seeking monetary compensation. All they're asking is that the TIF Commission enforce their own rules. The liquidated damages would revert back to the public funds.

The appellate court will review the case to see if it should be returned to the circuit court for trial. The process could take up to 6 months. Stay tuned as TKC demonstrates that politicos, the judicial system and so many parties promoting development in Kansas City are obviously intimated, weak and unable to stand up to big time developers.

KCMSD Board Member Replacement Policy

Read the Kansas City, Missouri School District policy carefully regarding Unexpired Term fulfillment and vacancies . . . There will soon be hearings which are open to the public and there is sure to be contentious debate . . . THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT A LATINO SHOULD GET THE NOD IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE DISPARITY IN TERMS OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. We'll see. Word is that School Board President Marilyn Simmons has the position locked up . . . And will use it to claim an unquestionable majority on the Board.

"Would we be handling things differently if half the victims were middle-aged whites?"

Gone Mild raises an interesting question regarding local murders.

Go Chiefs: A half empty stadium in Kansas City celebrates mediocrity once again!!!

There is some interesting and enthusiastic analysis over at Arrowhead Pride, Kansas City's best Chief's blog, regarding yesterday's victory.

However, I'd like to dwell on the negative.

Here's what I noticed about the game:

Only Kansas City could make an end to the longest losing streak in franchise history a cause for celebration.

Larry Johnson will never fulfill his potential.

This might have been the sloppiest game played at Arrowhead . . . And that includes the Wizards.

Think about it . . . This only sets up a late season defeat by the Broncos that's going to be really embarrasing.

Anybody get a look at all of the empty seats? I sure hope that Wall Street Bailout works because there just wasn't enough of a crowd in this town for NASCAR and Football . . . Real contests of consequence are played by old, rich white people in suits . . . Grow up.

On the other hand, I guess any victory is nice no matter how ugly . . . Remember that phrase because it will be a mantra for the Chiefs during what they're once again calling a "rebuilding" year.

Higher Education is no reason to stop playing musical chairs: Kansas City is on its 25th superintendent in 39 years

An interesting AP article describing a great many public education failures in this town and the rest of the nation: Urban school superintendents hard to hang onto . . . And while this may be a valid concern, it's not nearly as important as fair negotiations with LOCAL TEACHERS WHO ARE STILL WITHOUT A CONTRACT!!!

Traffic kills Kansas City po'folk as well

Homeless man struck by a car and killed in what the news is calling the "north loop" just after midnight on eastbound Interstate 70 at Main Street in Kansas City . . . Don't expect a vigil. On the other hand, I'm sure the dude's death will be utilized and compiled by the local bike/ped crowd into a convenient stat the next time some affluent cyclists meets an untimely death.

Speed Levitch in Kansas City

Present Magazine offers a quick profile of one more weird ass person in Kansas City:

Timothy "Speed" Levitch, famed New York tour guide featured in Waking Life, School Of Rock, Adult Swim's Stroker and Hoop, and subject of award winning documentary The Cruise, is now living in his hometown of Kansas City. Levitch and director Zac Eubank of Skinless Productions are producing weekly video blogs around Kansas City where Levitch hosts and reels off thoughts on his new love affair with the city.

Speed Levitch has a blog entitled "Speedisms" but isn't really updated that often. However, the first video in the series is definitely worth checking out. And something that the d-bags at The Pitch are going to pout about not discovering first . . .

For the uninitiated . . . The best introduction to the work of Levitch is from his brief turn in Waking Life which was one of the high points of the film . . . And nearly as good as an appearance by Alex Jones.

Fans might want to bookmark the "Speed Levitch" tag for future updates on Vimeo . . . Meanwhile, there's no doubt that hipster fare in Kansas City is definitely kicked up a notch by this addition to the local intelligentsia i.e. people who look homeless but are extremely well spoken.

Kansas City Kitty

Why TKC hates women - Reason #4,082

Over the weekend, a woman was smiling, giggling and obviously giddy as she approached me . . . She said she thought I deserved a little pussy. My eyes lit up, my mood suddenly improved . . . And then she handed me this bottle cap.

I can't stand this town.

1000 Reasons To Hate Kansas City

A quick video from Ron and Fez in an ongoing series . . . The reasons to hate this town are somewhat funny (not really) . . . Even better, Ron and Fez provide a glimpse as to why local radio people shouldn't fear the folks from satellite coming to steal their cheese . . . (TKC Fact Check: The BTK killer was from Wichita and not KC) . . . And I'm thinking that d-bags like these are the reason that Howard Stern is considered a "genius" by comparison . . . I kinda have to agree.

Kansas City Killing Fields & Link Fest

There really is no way to contemplate the carnage that's going on in the local streets of this small Midwestern town without looking at it all clumped together . . . Also:



THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A INCOMPETENT MAYOR COMES INTO OFFICE AND PUTS FIGHTING CRIME IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF HIS PRIORITIES!!!

Anyhoo . . . Here some crime links that you're already familiar with and some you might have missed. No jokes just links:

Man Found Shot To Death In Car

Related: KCTV5 reports: A man is shot in the neck during a rolling gun battle in Kansas City, Mo., and two people he's with leave him to die, a witness says.

Westport Shooting Injures 2

Different station, differing count: Three People Shot Overnight In Westport Area

Person Shot Near Power & Light District

Early-morning shootings injure four

Kansas City Homicides Soaring

Three People Shot Overnight In Westport Area

Charge made in pawnshop robbery

Kansas City police are trying to untangle the dramatic and brief kidnapping of a 3-year-old snatched right in front of her parents in a church parking lot Sunday morning.

Awesome, The Star tells the people of JoCo about the metro murder rate!!! Five families, five killings

Damn, most of these are fresh from no later than Saturday Night . . . And don't think that the start of the work week will end the violence, it just means that a few folks will be victimized at work instead of on the street. Stay tuned . . . Let's see what press conference the Mayor will call to boost his street cred before he takes off to the Netherlands on a private gig.

Kansas City Dog Coverage Continues!!!

Truman is the Greatest Kansas City Dog according to a Star contest that probably garnered more readers participation than any call to civic involvement . . . And don't worry, the local homicide rate is not going to distract from this town's real priorities.

Let's not forget that Kansas City suburbs are awash in violence as well!!!

NBC Action News Reports: A 23-year-old man from Overland Park was arrested and charged for a drive-by shooting in Lee's Summit early Sunday morning.

Surprise attack: I didn't even know there was a greater Kansas City Japanese festival

From the University Daily Kansan: Japanese dance groups perform at Kansas City festival

Kansas City bloggers consider local violence

The local homicide rate is the talk of the town . . . Sadly, I'm still noticing so many bloggers bickering about some presidential election that will have very little impact on their lives at the very same moment KC is embroiled in violence.

On the bright side . . . Some of Kansas City's best bloggers have addressed the subject.

Here are my favorite posts:

RDM: KC’s “Entertainment” District is popping

Nick Sloan: "Kansas City vs. Iraq"

JoCo SOB: "How long will it be before the fine residents of JOCO abandon Westport and the P&L district?"

Alonzo Washington: "9 crimes reported in the Power & Light District in 2 weeks!"

The TKC Challenge to any Kansas City blogger who wants to make their blog just a little bit more meaningful:

WRITE SOMETHING, ANYTHING ABOUT THE UPSWING IN KANSAS CITY VIOLENCE!!!

Sure, posts about kittens are fun and we all really do care about a bloggy relationship . . . However, I always read how so many bloggers want to improve their hits and garner more of that precious "blogger influence" . . . Writing about the real world that most people have ignored for years on end and the KCPD isn't even accurately reporting . . . That might be the best way to start. I know I'll do my best to link every local opinion about metro crime that I can find . . . Letting the world around you influence your writing rather than what's packaged by the mass media might be the best way for any local blogger to offer something unique to the world and provide something beyond what mainstream media broadcasts.

Trapper Keeper Redux

This nostalgic post from General Blather is one of my favorite posts on the Internets in the past 24 hours.

Artsy KC School news that's not depressing

On Friday, a group of 60 young artists from Paseo Academy took a field trip to Lexington, MO. accompanied by teachers and other metro artists . . . The Paul Dorrell gallery blog posts a nice round-up with pics.

The Return of RDM

One of Kansas City's best bloggers vowed to take a break until the Chiefs won . . . Luckily, a meaningless early season victory provides the local blogosphere with a very real reason to celebrate . . . He's back!!!

A case of the Mondays: Back to work after yet another violent Kansas City weekend

I'm thinking that this week is going to be interesting.

I'm looking forward to the reaction of The Star's Senior Citizen subscriber base will have to "news" that Kansas City is hella violent.

Even better, I'm wondering IF the Mayor has the audacity to fight for his wife's feet in the middle of all of this or whether he'll just quietly slink away to the Netherlands for a private consulting gig during a nearly out of control spike in local violence.

As always, there's a lot to cover . . . Late night TKC readers might want to start the hectic work week by reviewing this kickass NSFW photo gallery of Anan Beatriz Barros posing sexily next to an empty desk.

Remember to keep your head on a swivel . . . And stay tuned.

The TKC Saturday Night Playlist: The party is over in Kansas City's P&L District thanks to the economic downturn!!!

At some point, every great party comes to an end.

In Washington there is a panic and crisis ensuing in order to bailout Wall Street to the tune of more than $700 Billion.

If a person was to believe the talking heads . . . IF this historic spending initiative isn't passed by Sunday then the Asian markets will be sent into a tailspin and the U.S. Economy will push closer toward the brink of collapse.

This bad news relates to Kansas City because it means that the monied classes have even more reason to tighten their belts when it comes to late night good times.

For quite awhile it has been clear that the P&L District has killed a lot of other local nightlife spots.

And now, from what I hear from people who actually go out at night:

THE P&L DISTRICT IS LOSING BUSINESS AS THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS WORSENS!!!



Just as Kansas City isn't an island of prosperity . . . The P&L District should not have expected to do well in spite of what just might be global economic recession. All of this is very similar to and average dude looking at a drunken local skank when the light comes up . . . The reality of local club life isn't pretty.



On the bright side, the taxpayers are picking up the tab for the P&L District and will be forced to pick up the slack when the interest on the bonds come due . . . So unlike other KC bars . . . The structure will remain active and the public will only see a hint of the massive money loss that is currently underway.

Still, without a doubt the crowds are getting lighter and it only looks to get worse as the weather gets colder and the economic downturn continues.

To wit, the end of the P&L party and its short-lived reign over Kansas City Nightlife inspired tonight's TKC playlist:

Last Dance - Donna Summer

I've had the time of my life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

Send me on my way - Rusted Root

Good Riddance (Time of my life) - Green Day

Don't leave me this way - Thelma Houston

Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam

Save the last dance for me - The Drifters

Closing Time - Semisonic

1999 - Prince



On a closing note . . . I have to admit that it's hard to get too misty-eyed about the prospect of a place selling $9 beers going through a hard time . . .

Anyhoo . . . I hope none of this prevents TKC readers from finding a big of enjoyment . . . At least at other people's expense (the best kind).

As always, thank you for reading. Have a safe and fun weekend.

One Kansas City blogger's wish: Mayor Funky must FIGHT for Gloria's feet!!!

I haven't agreed with Dan over at Gonemild.com for a long time . . . However, today I find myself in full support of his impassioned post encouraging the Mayor to file a lawsuit against Kansas City . . . But, obviously for the wrong reasons.

I beleive that Dan wrote a scathing attack on the "powers that be" and certain elements of The Council because he wants Mayor Funky to deliver on the promises to change business as usual in Kansas City.

It is about power. The powers that be want to control the power that wants to be. They have convinced members of the City Council to pass an unconstitutional power grab, and even gotten them to lie about their motivation along the way.

I only want to note one flaw that I perceive . . . This passionate argument is predicated on the assumption that the Mayor can't make the bold sweeping changes he promised without his wife.

In fact, pushing for more fighting over the Volunteer Ordinance encourages the Mayor to go even deeper into attack mode for nothing greater than to secure the right to have his wife's bare feet parading around his office. I don't really think that limiting the influence of volunteers in the Mayor's office or the chambers of the City Council members has a direct impact on their actions UNLESS they are unable to function without those volunteers as Mayor Funky has argued. The fact that Mayor Funky and his last remaining supporters have made such a big deal about this challenge to Gloria Squitiro's feet proves that the "Orange Revolution" isn't all it was cracked up to be . . .

And if Mayor Funky can't function without his wife nearby then he was never the kind of leader that so many people hoping for progress in this town had expected.

Hallmark hates Kansas City Taxpayers

On Friday, one of the most prestigious companies in Kansas City came out in support of light rail.

The card company on Monday kicked in $15,000 to the campaign for a three-eighth cent sales tax for a 14-mile starter line that would run from near I-29 and Vivion Road south through downton and the Plaza, ending at U.S. 71 and 63rd Street in south Kansas City.

Part of the light rail route could run through Crown Center next to Hallmark where there are thousands of jobs and potentially thousands of light-rail riders.

Obviously, 15k isn't too much to pay for an almost private light rail line parked in front of their door that will ensure that members of the workforce with longer lunches will be able to make it down to the Plaza once in awhile . . . Still, this company attempting to make Kansas City responsible for hundreds of millions in construction costs simply because they want an additional perk for their workplace isn't cool . . . In fact it makes me want to write them a very nasty card . . . Better yet, an e-card, so they're really get the point about trying to mess with the future.

EKC to Mayor Funky: "Enough already"

A lot of people are saying the public is "over" the Squitiro controversey, Bruce Rodgers at EKC is one of them. Here's a snippet from his recent editorial urging everyone to move forward: "Most of Kansas City is getting sick and tired of the Funk/Gloria/City Council soap opera . . . We all know he loves his wife Gloria — boy do we know it — but believing that only she can truthfully and honestly advise him as mayor contradicts the new and expansive view this mayor is suppose to have."

Lawyers Love Kansas City Light Rail

Normally, I can't stand the d-bags at KC Light Rail but I have to admit a link they posted earlier this week was rather informative . . . The light rail enthusiasts published who is backing one of the most pricey projects in Kansas City, and it's mostly corporate lawyers . . . Which should be reason enough for any and everybody to vote against.

Odds and Ends

Just a couple of important newsy links that I didn't want to see left out:

Kansas City Vacants are still dangerous and costing this city: On Friday Morning, investigators say someone deliberately set the fire at 6600 E. 10th Street, a vacant house.

Driving a cab is one of the most deadly jobs in this town: Car Hits Taxi In KC, 2 Hurt

And because I'm an optimist, I'd also like to include an awesome link which provides a nice preview of Gemma Atkinson's new bikini calender from The Bastardly.

Back to the future in Kansas City: Streetcar Advocates start their campaign (again)

A lot of people are saying that light rail is already dead or at least the version that was put on the ballot for the upcoming election.

Already, people are talking about alternatives and for some reason . . . Streetcars keep coming up.

This week . . . A brochure was circulated around hundreds of midtown businesses touting streetcars as an alternative to the far more expensive light rail scheme under consideration:


(click the image for a better view!!!)

The idea is kind of interesting to me because Kansas City was once at the epicenter of the so-called "Street Car Conspiracy" that allegedly killed public transportation in favor of products from GM.

What's even more noteworthy is that the local media is pretty much keeping quiet about this widespread and well noticed movement in Kansas City.

It's seemingly just another example of how corporate interests set the agenda for what is seen by Kansas City voters . . . It's amazing how little substantive change there has been in this town since Streetcars once ran through the streets.

Anyhoo . . . As light rail no longer looks to be a viable system, it's good to know that there are people in Kansas City thinking about better and more technologically advanced alternatives to save energy, get more cars off the road and the hell out of my way!!!

Tony Gonzalez provides yet another bright spot in an inevitable Chiefs loss

A Canadian Newspaper reports that Tony G. needs just 50 yards to overtake Shannon Sharpe's record of 10,060 yards receiving. Already in his possession are the tight end records for touchdown catches (67) and receptions (835).

Kansas City Fed Chief: Calm Down

Even more optimism reported by The Star that may or may not prove correct: "The U.S. financial crisis rivals any in history, but the remedy must be weighed for its long-term impact, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Tom Hoenig said Friday."

Kansas City memory of Paul Newman

In 1990 I had just started high school and and there was a new movie filming in town . . .

It was a big deal because it was a Merchant/Ivory production and at the time they were known to do movies that weren't the same old schlock put out by the studios. Also, it's always a big deal when a movie films in Kansas city that isn't going direct-to-video - It only happens about once a decade.

Mr. and Mrs. Bridge was a decent movie and a nice take on Kansas City high society back when this town still mattered on the national scene.

For those who want to mark Paul Newman's death with a bit of Kansas City historical fiction, it's not a bad choice to pick up at the video store or put on a netflix queue.

Personally, I recommend renting "Somebody up there likes me" which it TKC's favorite Paul Newman flick.

TKC advice to Kansas City broadcasters: Stop letting underprivileged, missing white kids ruin important TV events!!!

Here's the good news: "Two toddlers authorities had issued an Amber Alert for were found safe on Friday night and their mother was arrested." The bad news is that during this past week not only was a football game marked by missing white children but also the presidential debate . . . Seriously, there was NOBODY in the metro who was willing to stop what they were doing and go looking for the rugrats in question (who thankfully turned up safe) . . . It's a public service that doesn't really serve anyone . . . The overkill by TV broadcasters isn't appreciated and it doesn't help. Stop doing it or risk annoying almost as many people as Dead Tree Media has . . .

Kansas City traditions can't spell!!!

State of the Line notices a funny mistake at today's American Royal Parade . . . TKC is too shy about all of the gramatical and spelling errors on this page to take much enjoyment . . . Still, it's a slice-of-life photo from this mistake-prone town!!!

TKC saves Mexican haters some time!!!

I've always noticed that Kansas City is consistently behind the times when it comes to everything from fashion trends to music to women's hairstyles.

During this whole election cycle I've also noticed that immigration i.e. Mexican hating hasn't really moved to the forefront and isn't even as important as environmental issues. Put simply:

VERY FEW PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE NOWADAYS!!!

And because most people simply take their cues from what's on TV . . . That leaves only crazy, obsessed people to talk about what really motivates their thinking and voting i.e. the fear that their daughter will starting dating a Mexican guy . . . These crazy ass single-issue voters are TKC's people!!!

Therefore, without any further ado . . . I picked out two items that can be blamed solely on illegal immigrants and anti-immigrant haters can use to engage in spirited debates with their wives and/or dogs or anybody else they can find who pretends to care. Check it, these are examples that illegal immigrants are "destroying Kansas City" only at a rate far less than legal residents:

Man Recently Deported Now Faces Murder Charge

Two area women sentenced for aiding illegals in mortgage fraud

Again, the most important thing to note here is that: NOBODY CARES ANYMORE!!!

I know, I really do feel the pain of anti-immigrant reactionaries in that I hate it when my pet issues aren't highly publicized . . . On the bright side, by connecting the dots with this information I'm offering folks another reason to watch Lou Dobbs even though he's more concerned about the economy right now and he isn't even as highly rated as boring-ass Chris Matthews.

The "best" of Kansas City Youtube content

Actually, there's lots of good stuff that's on Youtube but here's what I found most interesting over the past few days:

THIS TOWN'S GREATEST VIDEO BLOGGER RAMSEY SHOWS KANSAS CITY START-UP BUSINESSES HOW TO GET CASH DURING THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN!!!

An inside look at a local non-profit: Support Kansas City

Some dude who is VERY excited about NASCAR weekend in the KC area.

Featured above: A 7 minute clip with Rev. Al and Tony G from the hot 103 was pretty insightful and something most KC political Internet denizens (read: white people) wouldn't have heard the first time around.

WEEKEND TRAGEDY FOR KCK COPS!!!

MyFoxKC reports a tragic story from KCK that cost two police officers their lives: "According to authorities, the two off-duty police officers were involved in a vehicle accident with each other around 1 a.m. on I-70 near I-435 in Wyandotte County.

Officer Mark A. Jaramillo was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries.

KCK police say officers responded to the residence of the other officer involved, Officer Kyle Kovac, after being notified that he was distraught over the accident. Police say Kovac was dead of an apparent suicide when they arrived at his apartment."

Very few people in Kansas City are qualified to speak on Foreign Policy

And I'm not one of them . . . However, I heard that Obama won with stuff that people in Kansas City only pretend to know about . . . Note: Newsweek (or even a subscription to The Nation) does not make anyone an expert.

On the bright side, a few local bloggers provided live updates of this thing but I liked the quick hit style of The Kansas Citian the most . . . What I notice: A great many KC bloggers lean toward McCain while most TV stations obviously like Obama . . . I think that says something, I don't know exactly what . . . But something.

One last thing . . . Here's a pro-Obama look at the debate from I, Shane.

Lazy Kansas City Saturday Edition

There's oots of good links out there but nothing groundbreaking and mostly stuff I want to save and think about until Monday. That's why I was in bed (futon) today until about 1 p.m.

And yes, all TKC updates are kind of lazy in that I don't really feel like citing sources (other than links) and would just rather just post the dirt and an occasional fact and let whoever is interested do the work for themselves . . . Speaking of, I'm noticing more and more that the news media isn't interested in working the weekend either which, sadly, makes me realize that crappier weather is on the way and everybody wants to make sure they get outside while there's still a chance.

What did I miss?

Undoubtedly, there was more metro violence.

Kansas City problems like sewers, streets and schools remain mostly unfixed.

And so much of the populace want to ignore the fact that problems with the world economy WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THIS TOWN.

Hang in there . .. Allow me to prove that I'm right!!!

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! BEHIND THE SCENES OF A KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD RESIGNATION AND THE DEMISE OF THE DISTRICT!!!

There was a lot of talk yesterday regarding the impact of Ingrid Burnett's resignation from the Kansas City School Board yesterday.

The local media regurgitated PR-like statements from both sides but that really doesn't provide an accurate depiction of what's really happening.

A great local blog post on the subject provides a bit of perspective:

As usual, Ms. Simmons and Mr. Benson are in complete denial of the real issues: Mr. Benson remarks that the superintendent search is “going very well” and Ms. Simmons’ response to Ms. Burnett’s resignaton is “she has never made her concerns known to the full board.” Well — now she has. And what are Ms. Simmons and the rest of the Board of Education going to do about it? Are we the only ones who get tired of hearing “we didn’t know about it” in response to valid criticisms of the District?

Most shocking of all, is the lack of recognition that the current governance structure IS NOT WORKING.

Even more importantly, here is the exclusive info that I'm hearing:

BURNETT WAS PUSHED OUT BY SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT MARILYN SIMMONS AFTER CONSTANT BICKERING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!!!

Sources who were kind enough to talk to TKC provide a lot of background on this story:

There was basically no hope for Burnett after she lost the School Board President vote to Simmons . . . Since then there was a vendetta against Burnett and she was rarely afforded an opportunity to get a word in edgewise. This is not a big surprise to KC School Insiders but folks not familiar to the way that public schools work in Kansas City will probably be shocked that so much animosity exists for these unpaid gigs.

The resignation is extremely "demoralizing" to not only the School Board but also the Administration. Like the best elected officals, Burnett was extremely accessible and worked hard (for no pay) on behalf of the district according to a great many people in K.C.

MORE ON THIS LATER . . . But the move to find a replacement is going to be extremely politically charged AND crucial. The School Board president wants to railroad somebody into the spot that will give her a majority vote and WILL PRETTY MUCH PROVIDE UNQUESTIONABLE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SIMMONS AND HER CRONIES!!! If she has five votes in her hands, sources say there will be little chance for a real debate over important issues facing the school board . . .

Stay tuned to TKC for more info on the School Board crisis, impending takeover talk and reports of even more fighting . . . A great many thanks to TKC Tipsters and sources close to this ongoing hot mess that are keeping readers this blog informed.

KANSAS CITY'S MAYOR FUNKY RETREATS TO THE NETHERLANDS!!!

Like a child, rumor is that Mayor Funky is pouting because the City Council slapped him and his wife in public (twice).

The Star reports that things are exceptionally quiet today at City Hall and for the moment Mayor Funky and his wife plan to abide by the Volunteer Ordinance. I should note that nowhere else but Kansas City is it news that somebody decides to obey the law.

However, buried in the bottom of the article is some important information:

Starting Tuesday, Kansas City's Mayor will be attending a governing conference and giving a speech in the Netherlands. The trip is a private consulting job.

The Mayor's PR Flak went to extra, special trouble to note that the trip was not at the taxpayer's expense but that's not really true . . . As the murder rate skyrockets past 100 the Mayor might want to make Kansas City his first priority instead of high paid, overseas consulting gigs . . . In fact, that's what the people of Kansas City are paying him to do. It's also important to note:

MAYOR FUNKY'S NETHERLANDS TRIP IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF POSH, HIGHLY PAID EXECUTIVE JUNKET FOR WHICH HE CRITICIZED FORMER MAYOR KAY BARNES!!!

Clearly, this is yet another instance of the Mayor's (misplaced) priorities and I think "regular folks" would appreciate if the Mayor had a more hands-on approach instead of enjoying his newfound celebrity and trying to cash in on it.

And how would Mayor Funky's consulting or advice benefit the people of the Netherlands?

Potential topics for Mayor Funky's Netherlands Speech:

No Shoes Required: How Couples can co-exist in the workplace.

Divorce isn't the answer: Save your marriage, ruin your career instead.

The power of the catchphrase: A guide to running a city by press conference.

Tell them what they want to hear: Highly effective strategies for promising work on infrastructure but delivering only campaigns for taxpayer subsidies and light rail.

Your higher power: Using height as a substitute for real leadership.

It all sounds really captivating and I wonder if preparation for the trip will delay the next crazy ass news letter from Gloria Squitiro that everyone is waiting to see . . .

And while the Mayor is overseas (yet again), Kansas City is forced to look for other places when it comes to crime, infrastructure and so many other problems we're facing . . . I guess I still wish the Mayor (and his wife) a nice trip and I regret that I'll never get to go to the birthplace of hot ass Victoria Secret model Doutzen Kroes despite the fact that I greatly admire online photo galleries featuring the broad.

Tonight's debate is Obama's to lose

Helling at The Star wrote a pretty great guide to tonight's debate . . . And while pundits and reporters are focused on issue, they might be ignoring perception. I think most people (like it or not) regard Obama as an excellent speaker and a master debater (hehe). Meanwhile, McCain comes off more like Mr. Magoo who has now started using political moves out of the playbook of a somebody running for City Council in a small town . . . But tonight that might work to his advantage.

If McCain gets in one good point, one memorable line then the night could be about his underdog victory and not how his public persona can't compete with Obama in any respect. Unfortunately, only voters with an open mind might notice this and any post-debate analysis will probably be nothing more than partisan debate. TKC CALL: Pressure on Obama not only to beat McCain but humiliate the old man soundly and in every respect. Anything less is a McCain victory.

Kansas City Oktoberfest at Crown Center

Starts tonight and wraps up on Sunday . . . Via The KC Guy.

KANSAS CITY WEEKEND SHOOTOUT STARTS A LITTLE EARLY!!!

I don't know if the weekend tally for shootings should start after 5 . . . But then again, it's not like people letting bullets fly all over this town are really punching a clock.

Here's the first sign that this weekend will be killer:

1 Shot In Possible Rolling Gun Battle . . . On the bright side the victim's injuries weren't life threatening but then again, the incident did take place pretty close to a school.

And here's a bit more on today's Midtown standoff that started as a dispute between neighbors . . . Not exactly OneKC.

And speaking of shootings, NBC Action News had a pretty great community reaction to the local spate of shootings.

Again, in both these cases, thankfully no one was killed but they point to a greater issue of safety and livability in this town. I was at a crime rally a few weeks ago and to sloppily paraphrase Mr. Alvin Brooks . . . He pointed out that people who were shot but not killed might be viewed as potential homicides because technology and good luck helped to save them . . . It's an interesting way to view Kansas City's crime problem that puts the real scope of violence in perspective.

Shocking response to KC Crime

Personally, I don't think Tasers are a really good idea for civilians because they could easily be used against the owner and they might provide a false sense of security.

Nevertheless, the latest Kansas City trend seems to be tasering people if there's a problem!!!

Earlier this morning there was a story that a restaurant owner used a stun gun on his unruly patrons.

Now there's word that a metro shoplifter was shocked by a Taser for stealing some ugly baseball caps.

While this shocking response to local crime (ugh) is probably to be expected . . . I'm not sure if sending a few thousand volts through patrons inspires much confidence. Still, I'm surprised that Tasers are so widely available and the only barrier to entry is an online background check . . . Again, I don't really recommend purchasing one of these things unless you're comfortable with the prospect of a crook standing over you and shocking you repeatedly while giggling like some twisted, far more violent version of Jackass.

So I guess they aren't going to cut the weeds around the Bannister Mall anytime soon

State tax credits are delayed for Bannister Mall redevelopment . . . This "City that works" is slow to start on a soccer stadium that may or may not help revive South KC. In the meantime, Bannister Mall becomes even more of an eyesore, a hazard for the community and yet another sign that Mayor Funky's push for this Super-TIF didn't pay much attention to detail. Word is that nobody is mowing the lawn or maintaining the property because it costs more than 10k a month . . . And while they are waiting, South KC is stuck with a worsening situation at Bannister Mall, which nobody thought was possible.

Kansas City's Dangerous Broadway Corridor Kicks off a Killer Weekend!!!

Shots Fired Near 39th & Broadway, Standoff Ensues . . . Be careful out there folks, seriously.

UPDATE: The standoff ended this afternoon with a man in custody.

Light Rail in Kansas City could spread crime despite assurances to the contrary!!! Problems because of STL Metrolink might also arise in this town!!!

There are a great many people in Kansas City who cynically and unfairly use race baiting as a tactic when attempting to gain the upper hand on any topic . . . Light Rail proponents are the most recent group of politicos guilty of using this deplorable strategy.

When people have voiced a very real concern about crime in Kansas City potentially being spread by Light Rail, those concerns have been shouted down as "racist." It's an unfair assessment to call any concern about crime "racist" given this town's recent murder rate spike. Furthermore, a great deal of evidence indicates that rail transit has negatively impacted St. Louis in terms of spreading around a very real crime problem in that city.

A very smart lady recently sent this link my way: "Out-of-control shoplifting at the St. Louis Galleria. Violent attacks in the Delmar Loop. Is MetroLink a vehicle for crime?"

Equally informative, the most widely read blogger in Missouri, Byron Crawford, recently provided a no-holds-barred assessment of the trouble that metro rail transit has created on the other side of our state:

Here's the thing: they recently built an extension to Metro Link - the train system that connects some of the shittier parts of St. Louis to downtown - that stops right out in front of the Galleria. So obviously all of these kids are taking the train from the ghetto to the Galleria after school. I don't know if they're out there boosting, or looking for young girls to impregnate, but suffice it to say it's not like they're looking for shoes for a job interview.

In November and then again this month, there were huge gang fights that had to be broken up by the police. They were covered extensively by the local media, and I think more or less signaled to people that the Galleria had become yet another mall where white people used to shop.

The impact of the extension to the STL MetroLink might be worthy of a comparison to the last minute addition to the Light Rail route that ventures into Kansas City's Eastside.

What's more important is that Kansas City has a great deal in common with STL in terms of geography, population and crime and community issues. Light Rail Advocates want to compare this town with Portland but STL has MUCH MORE IN COMMON WITH KANSAS CITY and the recent crime problems in STL that are obviously being facilitated by light rail deserve some consideration by Kansas City voters instead of being unfairly silenced by PC thugs.

KANSAS CITY STILL CRAZY FOR TIF!!!

Council OKs Citadel Plaza redevelopment plan . . . On the bright side, this is TIF for a hopeless project in a predominantly African-American community that won't earn this town a dime and somehow that's just a little bit better than corporate welfare for billionaires . . . The Pitch had a great article on the subject earlier in the year but the story has currently disappeared from their website for reasons that everyone will lie about . . . Also, there's a much more enthusiastic and optimistic take on the subject from Verbeck at KCUR . . . Wait for follow-up from a great many local media outlets regarding how the project is broke, stalled and still a dump in about two years.

Remember that TIF reform was a great part of the "Orange Revolution" and one of the main reasons that people voted for Mayor Funkhouser . . . I'm not sure, but $90 million toward a project that has been nothing but a gigantic disaster doesn't seem like it's a move that's "smart with the money" but simply more of the same Kansas City Cash giveaway with only a few minor name changes.

Kansas City Food Fight

Okay, there's not nearly enough reporting on this local story that could be a sign that this town is really going to hell:

Police took several people into custody following a fight at a Kansas City restaurant on Thursday afternoon. Officers said a fight broke out at Humdinger's at 2504 E. Ninth St. shortly before 5 p.m. The restaurant owner got involved and used a stun gun on the aggressors.

Seriously . . . Stun guns at lunch? Maybe this town is getting more violent than I initially suspected.

Morning serving of Kansas City links

Here's a bit of what I'm reading this morning . . . Not worthy of a post but (sort of) interesting nonetheless . . .

And that's not even counting escorts and illicit drug sales: NASCAR Events To Bring In $100M To KC Area

Because a (very awesome) hometown B-list actor is the best source of political adivce: Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle returns to Kansas City to drum up support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

7 of them are completely worthless: 9 Things to Do in KC This Weekend

Helping to protect Kansas City's money losing asset (if that's even possible): U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond introduced a bill in the Senate on Thursday to rename the Liberty Memorial to the National World War I Memorial.

Missouri politics gets even weirder: Opponents of nonpartisan court plan play the race card

Actually, this link and story was pretty awesome: Dog Whisperer Shares Insight With Gary

Slight modifications in how people are allowed to get cancer in Kansas City: Kansas City Smoking Ban Changes Again

Prairie Village Vet Clinics Missing $200,000

Teen Girl Admits To Causing Deadly Wreck

Woman catches mail man cutting out the middleman: Olathe Woman: Postal Carrier Dumped Mail In Trash

Golf babe comes to Kansas City

Good to know . . . I guess:

The star of the Golf Channel shows "Big Break" and "Golf with Style" is coming to the metro.

Valeria Ochoa will be teeing off at Blue Hills Country Club, to help raise money for children suffering with autism.

I just decided to link this because I couldn't believe the news didn't use the opportunity to broadcast just a little bit of cheesecake.

Remember the good times Kansas City

KC area's GDP was $94B in 2006 . . . The article doesn't say how much this town is taking in nowadays but it has to be a lot less . . . How much does a half-eaten plate of BBQ and a condo brochure sell for?

Fact of life: A lot less support for the po-po when they commit injustices against white people in the Kansas City suburbs

A fantastic link from Crime Scene KC that provides a lot of background on this higly publicized KC Area case: "Wrongly convicted man wants Lee's Summit officerfired" . . . Personally, I like the fact that the guy is getting involved in his community and stirring up a little bit of awareness about the fact that not everybody in jail is guilty . . . Hoping people will take the next logical step and realize that point also applies to people in the urban core as well.

A couple of Kansas City Area bloggers put their foot down on Gloria

I'm sure there are other Gloria posts that I missed but these two are my favorites:

City Hall Becomes Decidedly Less Squitirofull

Game Over

Just like all real progress in Kansas City, I'm kinda glad this thing was anti-climactic and just about everybody in this town is ready to get on with their lives . . . Except for Mayor Funky, of course.

Kansas City Ghost Post Contest!!!

Moxie Mama KC comes up with a brilliant idea . . . She just might be posting a whole month of Ghost Stories on her blog, I might even submit one related to a shoeless ghoul who haunts City Council members after they ended her reign . . . Unfortunately, I don't know how it ends just yet.

Background on a recent murder

Alonzo Washington has the inside scoop on a Kansas City murder . . . Surprise, the facts may not be exactly as they were initially reported in the media according to Mr. Washington's vast array of community sources. Mr. Washington advises: "Now, I don't know if that is true." While TKC wonders why people aren't just as suspicious of media reports in much the same way they would be suspicious of every story they hear. Long story short: Don't trust anybody, secure your tinfoil hat!!!

A guide to your first weekend without Gloria

You deserve a break Kansas City. (Courtesy of KC's About.com blog which isn't at all political but still, somehow, really well informed.

Where do we go from here, Kansas City?

Lots of stuff to blog today . . . And I've got a few e-mails to send back from people kind enough to communicate with the blogger Kansas City loves to hate (think Erich von Stroheim but Latino and way more sarcastic) . . . In the meantime, enjoy this completely NSFW gallery of Playboy model Jillian Beyor hanging out in the middle of the desert for some reason.

Actually, the photo feature above kind of makes me think of where Kansas City stands in the latest Gloria Squitiro controversey . . . Things are looking good but still desolate at the same time . . . I'm honestly wondering if the Mayor is silly enough to file a lawsuit against the City Council he promised to try and work with, thereby proving TKC correct about nearly every horrible thing I've ever written about him . . . I guess we'll find out soon enough . . . Stay tuned.

KANSAS CITY COUNCIL TELLS CO-MAYOR GLORIA SQUITIRO TO GET THE FUNK OUT!!!

They did it, The Council overrides Mayor Funky . . . The Council still wants Gloria Squitiro out of the Mayor's office!!!



Saw the thing . . . It was actually kind of underwhelming . . . All of the regular talk about cooperation and what not . . . What this really means:

MAYOR FUNKY WAS SLAPPED DOWN FOR A THIRD EMBARRASSING TIME BY HIS CITY COUNCIL!!!

They lined up against him when it came to Minute lady Semler.

They beat up on him with the rest of the Community on the issue of City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

And now they slapped him and his wife in public . . . Twice!!!

Not being a politician, or claiming to be "smart with the money" is all well and good but what it doesn't take into account is that the man can't form a consensus, he's not a leader AND really . . . Nobody stood up for Gloria Squitiro.

If the Mayor has any sense about this issue, he'll let it go . . . Attempt to be some kind of statesman and do as the City Ordinance says . . . Also, I think it's important to remember that this thing goes into effect quickly . . . Like in 10 days quickly, so if Mayor Funky is going to sue, it's going to have to be quickly.

If not, and he goes forward with the lawsuit . . . The Mayor will have needlessly wasted time for the benefit of his wife . . . And by the way, what has the guy done about crime lately?

Kansas City speculation regarding the fate of Gloria Squitrio's career at City Hall!!!

I had actual real people call me wondering what's going to happen at the Council Session today . . . Is it really going to go down? Is the Council really going to override Mayor Funky's Volunteer Ordinance veto?

The safe bet is on yes but you never know with this Council . . . Everybody has a prediction, a Council member they think might sell out . . . Some unexpected and last ditch effort that might succeed.

So, if you're like I am and desperately curious as to how this thing is going to go down . . . Please take this time to make predictions that will seem horribly out of touch in a few hours!!!

Tell us what you think is going to happen if you dare . . . For some strange reason, I feel like having some Vietnamese food.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed Kansas City . . . This could be interesting (or not).

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! LIGHT RAIL OPPONENTS PLANNING LAWSUIT CHARGING RACISM!!!

There are a great number of big money interests supporting light rail but the word on the street is that the effort has yet to pay off the right people in Kansas City.

There has been a token effort to extend light rail into the Black Community but that settlement had a lot more to do with covering the backside of African-American politicos and not dealing with the real power brokers in Kansas City's minority communities.

The fact is, with hundreds of millions of dollars potentially going into light rail there is going to be a feeding frenzy in Kansas City of folks waiting to get their piece of the pie.

Thanks to some information sent my way and a (rare) bit of follow-up on my part . . .

TKC HAS LEARNED THAT THERE IS A GROUP ALREADY MAKING PLANS TO SUE BECAUSE OF ALLEGED DISPARITY IN THE PLANNING PHASE OF LOCAL LIGHT RAIL!!!

Unfortunately, for light rail advocates, this group has a bit of precedent on its side.

Take note of a bit of the detail regarding the Los Angeles "Bus Riders Union Agreement" and how it was forged:

"A contingent of minority activists in Los Angles charged that the spending of money on rail was "racist" and demanded that more resources go to buses instead of rail projects . . . They argued that spending on rail projects reduced funding for bus service that disproportionately affected poor and minority riders who were dependent on public transit, and that improvements for the bus system would be more cost effective and require less subsidy than building a rail system."

Even more recently, the topic of rail and race has been litigated in the Bay Area:

High profile example can be found in a 2005 federal court lawsuit that minority bus riders and various community groups filed against the San Francisco Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The lawsuit accused the MTC of maintaining a "separate and unequal transit system" that favored white suburban commuters.

Finally, if the hundreds of millions of dollars Kansas City could invest in light rail isn't also followed with additional investment in bus lines . . . That also opens up the potential for more litigation that could follow similar lawsuits filed in Los Angeles:

A Federal District Court judge took a further step in directing the operations of one of the nation's largest mass transit operators with a bluntly worded decision late Thursday ordering the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to acquire 248 more buses to ease overcrowding . . . Judge Hatter said the order was called for because the transit authority had failed to live up to its promises to improve bus service under a Federal consent decree signed three years ago. That order, administered by a court-appointed special master, was intended to improve the system's poor bus service to black, Hispanic and low-income residents.

And while all of this legal wrangling could be the subject of endless debate, I have to note that I'm not a lawyer and the details of this kind of stuff are not only boring but played out over years of paperwork that could potentially cost millions . . . What's more important to TKC is the realization that there are forces in Kansas City already looking at disparity in the planning of Kansas City Light Rail and they're coming up with a relatively convincing case . . . Or at least one that captivates TKC. To wit . . .

THE PLAN TO "FORCE" FEED BUS LINES INTO THE KC LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM IS NOTED AS A WEAK POINT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE EXPLOITED BY LITIGANTS BECAUSE IT NEEDLESSLY SLOWS DOWN COMMUTE TIMES FOR THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WHILE CREATING FALSE RIDERSHIP NUMBERS FOR LIGHT RAIL!!!

Put simply, folks already working on crafting a lawsuit will point out that minorities and the disenfranchised will be forced to take part in light rail and will subsequently be inconvenienced and delayed by that coerced participation.

It should be noted that these points that I've discovered don't have to be great legal arguments but just good enough to tie up local light rail and possibly (more importantly) earn a settlement or maybe just legal fees.

Of course light rail has the full support of the hipster community who don't really care about passing on the cost to po'folk in exchange for a new toy . . . However, the proper payments respect has not been paid to minority communities and quite a few activists/lawyers and leaders aren't going to gladly accept being left behind by this gravy train.

Furthermore, this is just one kind of payoff that light rail advocates don't like talking about because it sours people to fantasy of pretty new trains in this town for people who value saving the planet over showing up on time. But this is Kansas City and there has never been a big project in this town that local power brokers of all sorts haven't seen primarily as an opportunity to get paid.

The Women of the City Council hate Kansas City Co-Mayor Gloria Squitiro!!!

Interesting article this morning as the fight over the mayor's wife gets nearly as nasty as all of the bloodshed on Kansas City streets:

KC Council's women are leading the drive for city volunteer restriction

And as much as I like the idea of a catfight . . . A knock down, drag out brawl among Kansas City political career women just isn't my cup of teat (Bwahahahahaha, I'm so clever) . . . Anyhoo, I don't know if it's fair to frame the discussion in this manner given that there are only a handful of supporters for Gloria Squitiro including a metro slumlord who may or may not be curious about all of this talk regarding foot massages.

But then again I see the connection given that the women on the Council are all educated, accomplished and they all have a killer résumé despite what you might think about them individually or fantasize about Cathy Jolly in particular. So, if this is a catfight then it's not against Squitiro who is unable to compete at this level but against Mayor Funky who has run afoul of the career women of Kansas City - A dangerous mistake to make as women with clout are a key constituency that no politico can win without.

COUNTDOWN TO COUNCIL OVERRIDE (OR NOT). . . PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IF GLORIA ASKS YOU TO PRAY FOR HER, AND THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK HER TO WHOM EXACTLY WOULD YOU BE PRAYING!!!

KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CALLS IT QUITS!!! SAYS THERE'S NO INTEREST OR WILL TO CHANGE!!!

The Kansas City School District is crumbling before our eyes.

Recent news that Kansas City school board member Ingrid Burnett resigned on Wednesday makes it clear that anybody who cares about their reputation is abandoning ship.

Her excuses for calling it quits are pretty solid, I can't say that I can really blame her:

“But it’s clear to me now,” she said, “that there is not enough interest in the collective will of this board to make change.”

The board, she said, is squandering too much time in the administration of the schools and is not focusing its energy on the district’s accreditation process or its search for a new superintendent.

The district received a 129-page critical review by the state earlier this year and is required to present a detailed plan by year’s end on how it will work with the state to pursue full accreditation by 2010. The district is supposed to set up community meetings as part of the process.

“We have not had one board meeting workshop or discussion on how we will respond,” Burnett said.

As for the search to replace retiring interim Superintendent John Martin, Burnett said: “We’re making it up as we go along.”

I'm not going to gloat here and cite the fact that TKC already noted that the School Board wasn't taking their accreditation seriously . . . Because I'm a blogger I'm only going to note the obvious:

THE KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FALLING APART AND THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR A TAKEOVER!!!

By all accounts, Burnett isn't a typical crazy-ass School Board member and her lack of confidence in the supposedly "new" school board is a clear indication that most talk of change is nothing more than hype.

X-mas in Kansas City promises to be even more mediocre, lame and overrated

David Cook to flip the switch on Plaza lights

Lee's Summit School offers an important lesson in low expectations, subtle bigotry and world-class condescension

A Lee's Summit Principal apparently sent out a letter urging improvement in test scores AIMED ONLY at African-American students regardless their academic performance.

An outpouring of bright an early KC links

Here are just a few of the things I'm reading this morning:

Scaling back the American Dream in Kansas City: Builders Focus On Apartments, Not Houses

Terror Train or an acknowledgment that railroad tracks don't solve everything: A passing train conductor spotted a man's body near railroad tracks at 18th Street and Parkview Avenue.

Unions Take Notice that the KC School District obviously never learned about collective bargaining rights: Teachers Without Contracts Grab Attention of AFL-CIO

High Tech Highway: New Kan. Turnpike Exit To Be First Run By Machine

Local (Small) Arms race continues as crime skyrockets out of control: The number of people applying for a gun is at its highest rate since the law went into effect in 2005.

KC Star article describes a sense of "urgency" by Mayor Funky regarding crime but doesn't ask him for any details or an accounting of any action that his sense of urgency translates into . . . Notice that The Star still accepts optimistic data about the number of police officers on Kansas City Streets without accounting for attrition numbers.

A not-so-revealing but still shiny photo gallery of Minka Kelly is kind of a good way to start the morning.

"How not to get killed in Kansas City"

AKCB puts together a killer list with a lot of links to back it up.

Still, there are no guarantees . . . I've found that hanging out in a basement and blogging is pretty safe yet still gives me the opportunity to make a great many (harmless) politicos and newsies mad.

The TKC late night post: A look at Mayor Funky's leadership in Kansas City!!!

Late night TKC readers know that today is the day when we'll see if The City Council is able to bring the shoeless reign of Gloria Squitiro to an end.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing because the Mayor's wife has provided TKC with such great content. Still, the litany of complaints regarding racial slurs, bare feet at City Hall, inappropriate holiday letters and providing direction to paid staff would have had the lady booted from any other office in the nation. Only the privilege garnered by Mayor Funky and the clear abuse of his power have turned this into a distracting topic which has pretty much crippled him politically.

What this discussion has done is reveal that the Mayor and his wife are a package deal.

If the City Council overrides the Mayor's veto today then not only is Mayor Funky soon to be without his Co-Mayor but also he would face a third major political embarrassment a little less than halfway through his tenure.

The Mayor lost his fight to remove City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

The Mayor's effort to build regional light rail was a resounding failure.

This vote today will determine if the guy has even the least bit of clout at City Hall.

It's often noted that the role of Mayor is "weak" is Kansas City's form of government and never before has that been more apparent than during the reign of Kansas City's Co-Mayors Squitiro and Funkhouser. The man's pathological stubborness has led from one embarrasing failure to the next whether it's a member of a controversial vigilante group that he supported until she stabbed him in the back or an inability to form any kind of consensus on important issues while simultaneously holding personal grudges against anyone who questions his judgment . . . The dude just isn't much of a leader.

The bit of info that I'd like TKC readers to think about overnight . . .

TKC TIPSTERS TELL ME THAT IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE MAYOR HAS WENT TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND BEGGED PEOPLE TO TESTIFY ON GLORIA SQUITIRO'S BEHALF . . . NOT TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME OR WITH SO MANY OTHER KC PROBLEMS BUT TO SPEAK OUT IN FAVOR OF GLORIA SQUITIRO'S UNSANCTIONED PRESENCE AT CITY HALL!!!

These stories made it back to TKC and should inform everyone in this town about the real priorities of Kansas City's highest elected official and the reason that so many are hoping that the City Council can do something to end the dangerous influence of an unelected (barefoot) person wielding undue, dangerous and dumbass influence in the office of Kansas City's Mayor.

Oh, and just because I don't want anybody to get too bummed out while thinking about all of this stuff, I'd also like to share a link to a sessy photo gallery of Star Trek actress Jolene Blalock looking as serious and rather hot.

Kansas City Evening Back End Links

Here's what I'm reading tonight . . . Lots of important stuff that I might get to latter but I thought I should go ahead and post what I'm reading tonight before it go too stale. Check it:

Kansas City band runs afoul of Brit La Migra: Republic Tigers Detained by UK Immigration

KC Dude Really needed a government check nearly as bad as Wall Street guys: Man Looking For Stimulus Check Threatens To Blow Up IRS Building

KCK Connection: KCATA will start route between Downtown, Village West

KC Needs a Monopoly on Museum nobody wants to visit:Lawmakers Fight WWI Museum In Washington

Kelsey Smith's parents seek law change on cell phone companies' cooperation

Lightning crashes: Wednesday morning's stormy weather was to blame for a house fire in Kansas City, firefighters say.

Of course, I want to share some sneak peak preview photos of the new Keeley Hazell calender.

Mayor Funky wishes disaster on Kansas City

Aw damn, I was going to save this article for tomorrow but Prime Buzz blogged it about an hour ago.

While KC's paper of record concentrated on the comments related to City Hall politics and the Mayor's underhanded stab at the City Council, I thought two thing were interesting about the write up.

First of all . . .

WHY IS MAYOR FUNKY IN ARIZONA GIVING A SPEECH WHEN THIS TOWN IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOMICIDE SPIKE? HOW IMPORTANT IS YET ANOTHER CONFERENCE IN LIGHT OF A SPATE OF VIOLENCE ON KANSAS CITY STREETS AND THE NEWS THAT INFORMATION FROM THE KCPD IS INACCURATE?

Secondly, the last passage of the post stood out in my mind:

It occurred to him recently that he's had just one fun day since he took office and that was the day a tornado ripped through the city. He asked the fire chief what he should be doing, to which the chief replied, go out and talk to people. So that's what Funkhouser did, and he was stunned that citizens who'd lost everything were happy to see him. After spending hours visiting with the victims, he took a helicopter ride to view the destruction from the air. Looking down, he saw public works removing downed branches and public safety officers aiding in rescue and crowd control. "That was a city that works, and that was the best day I've had as mayor."

Think about that for a moment.

The first thing the passage reveals is that Mayor Funky responds better to orders from people who know better than him rather than taking any initiative on his own. First and foremost this reveals not that Mayor Funky isn't a politician but that he isn't a leader by nature . . . Unfortunately, his ability to learn on the job doesn't seem to be anything to brag about . . .

Secondly, maybe the article just wasn't phrased correctly but it seems to note that Mayor Funky liked looking down on Kansas City in ruins. That's either poor writing or a huge Freudian slip by this town's highest ranking public official.

There are a lot of things to be happy about as far as Kansas City is concerned but the Mayor claims that his only day of job satisfaction was watching other people in misery from far above as he represented himself as some kind of white knight . . . That's not a "City that Works," instead it sounds like a gigantic ego.

KANSAS CITY MURDER RATE KILLS LOCAL CONDO MARKET!!!

There was a time, not so long ago, in Kansas City's history when it was thought that luxury condos signaled a "renaissance" in urban development and rich white people would revive the urban core.

Just like so many other fantasies about local real estate, that rumor turned out to be a lie.

What Kansas City is left with now is a great many expensive and empty lots of vacant real estate . . . One Park Place in Kansas City is a prime example. According to a great many real estate experts in the area, the high priced condos with expensive views of the Kansas City skyline simply aren't selling. However, the few tenants who now occupy the place got quite a show last night. Because so many local newsies are new to the area, live in Johnson County or don't really care . . . There weren't many people who noted:

RESIDENTS OF ONE PARK PLACE LOOKING OUT OF THEIR WINDOWS LAST NIGHT MIGHT HAVE SEEN A MAN BEATEN TO DEATH AT PENN VALLEY PARK ALONG WITH THE ENSUING AFTERMATH OF POLICE SIRENS IN THE SHADOW OF KANSAS CITY'S MOST EXPENSIVE CONDOS!!!

News reports didn't really make a big deal of this fact but I think it's worth noting because of the connection to Kansas City's real estate market and the overall quality of life in this town. Also, the scuttlebutt (ew) on the non luxury or dog park denizens of Penn Vally Park seems to be that it's a hangout for teh ghey prostitution after dark . . . NO HOMO (!!!) for knowing that one but neighbors complain very loudly about seeing so many JoCo license plates in the southern Westside area up to no good.

In the final analysis, gentrification is harder than it looks and it seems that the urban core of Kansas City won't be re-populated with luxury condos occupied by the upper class any time soon. Instead the reality of the situation is that the out of control murder rate is one big factor out of many that's killing hope of a renaissance and people who paid for million dollar views of the Kansas City skyline must now look out upon one of many local murder scenes.

KANSAS CITY WELFARE CRACKDOWN!!!

So much fighting in this town has to do with real estate and money . . . Today there was a major police crackdown in what was described as an attempt to make a couple of buildings safer.

Police officers working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development took 27 people into custody on suspicion of welfare fraud Wednesday morning.

KMBC's Bev Chapman reported that 50 warrants were cleared, including two felony warrants.

Of course, locking up violent offenders is commendable but as Kansas City's homicide rate becomes out of control and the nation tumbles into a financial crisis . . . Locking people up for welfare fraud doesn't really seem like it's really making anyone safer.

From the looks of the photo featured above, in fact, it seems as if there's just a bunch of poor, minority women in hand restraints, suspected of getting too much money from the government at the very same time when this nation is about to bail out Wall Street players to the tune of about $700 Billion.

EXPLAINING AWAY KANSAS CITY'S MAJOR CRIME STAT SCREWUP!!!

From NBC Action News: Kansas City did not show a 22-percent decline in crime last year after all. Police now report a 10-percent increase in crime, the sharpest rise in at least 10 years. Police Chief Jim Corwin Tuesday blamed a new computer system, a change in how crimes are counted, not enough training, too few people entering data and no one person in charge of the process.

My only complaints about the coverage of this important KC Fact . . . It's being called a "snafu" and not a major oversight also . . . There's really not much detail as to how this mistake in reporting is going to be corrected . . .

Oh, and for the record TKC IS ONCE AGAIN VINDICATED BY SKEPTICISM OF PHONY STATS UNQUESTIONING MEDIA Here was my take on the subject of reports of decreasing crime a year ago: "Crime isn't decreasing, it's spreading following people out to the suburbs and evolving to fit demographic trends. The worst mistake anyone could makes is believing PR from a company that's heavily invested in the so-called downtown renaissance that has seen an increase in the kind of petty theft that plagues most shopping districts and is going largely ignored by media outlets who regularly spin stories on behalf of downtown interests and gloss over crime involving minority communities."

Meanwhile, here's a look at the Star's head nodding and unquestioning reporting from the same time period:

"Crime falls downtown and across much of Kansas City"

One look at this major mistake and it's obvious that blogs have value over big media in realizing what's happening at the ground level instead of simply regurgitating press releases like big media . . . Next time The Star waves their "credibility" in your face . . . It might be good to remember that they bought a lie hook, line and sinker.

Hard Hitting question about The Hard Rock

The KC Guy has some great questions about how the area's new casino will impact existing KC gambling operations, the future of The Woodlands (or lack thereof) and light rail . . . Any speculation is welcomed

KPRS Connection to a recent murder

Kansas City Crime Blogger and local activist Alonzo Washington relays an interesting fact regarding the recent homicide that is terrifying everyone as of late . . .

This weekend a young White lady was killed in Westport. Her uncle is one of the biggest Black men in Kansas City. He is Mike Carter the owner of KPRS/Carter Broadcast Group. A good man who allows Alvin Brooks & me to take to the airwaves to address the crime in the community. How did this happen to him? He has a White wife and the Westport victim was related to his wife. Mike has done all you could ask for a radio station owner to do to fight crime in the community and this happens to him. People just going to work are being killed.

Alonzo's blog was the first place I discovered this fact and I read just about as much KC news as anybody . . . Sadly, very little of it (from mainstream sources) points out that local crime is crossing all kinds of lines in this town including race AND CLASS . . . i.e. It's not just a problem for working poor Black people anymore, it never was . . .

Post-Modernism is alive and well: Kansas City U2 cover band plays at convenience store 50th anniversary party

Rattle and Hum KC play the QuikTrip 50th anniversary party celebrating the long standing tradition of the $6 loaf of bread long before it was popular. Link via Irish KC

KC blogger Cross Post on Star's TV blog

A cheat sheet for the home stretch of "Project Runway 5" . . . Via The Book Pusher.

Lindsay Lohan teh ghey too . . .

AUDIO: Lindsay Lohan FINALLY Confirms Relationship With Samantha Ronson . . . Not at all Kansas City related and not really that shocking.

KANSAS CITY BODY COUNT: 101!!!

Crime Scene KC reported earlier this morning that Kansas City's number of homicides has officially passed the century mark.

"KCMO's homicide count now stands at 101 for the year."

It's not even the weekend, the weather is still nice, there are 3 full months left in the year . . . Meanwhile, more reports are making their way to TKC regarding the Mayor working to defeat the Volunteer Ordinance . . . Whatever.

Let's not forget that Mayor Funky and his wife tried to take credit for an imaginary drop in Kansas City crime!!!

Upon entering office one of the things that Mayor Funky did besides calling everyone who was even remotely connected with Mayor Kay "evil" . . . He blamed Mayor Kay for crime, promoted the much maligned "broken windows" theory to fight crime the doesn't work and cited a drop in crime as the first year of his tenure went forward.

A fact that's making the rounds in Kansas City media today:

KANSAS CITY'S 2007 CRIME STATS WERE FAKED!!!

KC police now report much higher crime tally for 2007

Remember now, that the Mayor is a big part of the Police Board and this big local lie represents just another aspect of the Mayor Funky's job that he has screwed up. Good luck to Mayor Funky and his people trying to cast blame on the KCPD for this screw up when, in fact, the Mayor and his people actively tried to benefit from these misleading stats.

Al Sharpton in Kansas City

Rev. Al is in town today promoting voter registration . . . Draw your own conclusions, I certainly don't agree with the guy's stance on hip-hop, however I'll note that most of his critics never helped anybody to register to vote and are undoubtedly and unfairly critical of any and all leadership in the minority community . . . Personally, I just admire and wish he'd go back to his old school haircut and occasional gold chain wearing:

Kansas City home owner strikes back!!!

KMBC: "Kansas City police are investigating after a homeowner shot three men who he said tried to break into his house. One of the men is dead."

Kansas City conservation efforts aimed at elephants are award winning. Keeping minority males safe, not so much.

Kansas City Zoo Wins Elephant Conservation Award

A Kansas City Morning haze of links

I've already linked quite a few of these but here's a decent glimpse of the morning news and some of what I re-read today:

Just about everything in Kansas City is on the verge of a crash: An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Kansas City International Airport Wednesday morning when smoke became visible in the cockpit.

More details regarding poor customer service on the Westside: Police: Guard Shot Customer At Royal Liquor Store

Cooked: 2 Arrested In KC Meth Lab Investigation

Connection between coupons and cheapskates confirmed: KC Vietnam Vet Upset Over Coupon Book Donation Marketer Donates 50 Cents Out Of $20 To Wounded Soldiers

Future newsies learn early that sex sells: KU Student Paper Pushes Boundary With "Sex" Issue

One more metro commute: Driver of Stolen Car Leads Police on Chase

The news is mostly full of hot air (badump-bump-bump): Local Man Competes in World Hot Air Balloon Championship

Discount development really isn't that encouraging: The grand opening for the Baltimore Avenue Dime Store in Kansas City, Mo., is on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Harsh time even for folks selling hand-me-downs: Man Robs Waldo Thrift Store

Fight crime and fund all of the folks breaking into cars downtown: City Union Mission seeks donations for shelter renovations

And just to get your mid-morning started off right . . . You might try checking out one of my favorite photo galleries of Kristen Bell.

Kansas City Crime Round-up

The recent spate of violence is all over the news, there are a great many reviews of the situation in the local blogosphere, one of the best comes courtesy of the "oldfatcowboy"

Blogger Review: Seinfeld at the Midland

Kansas City bloggers are everywhere . . . And it's not a surprise they love observational humor.

BREAKING: Yes, Clay Aiken is gay!!! Also, Kansas City's David Cook has no talent!!!

It's not exactly news that Clay Aiken is teh ghey . . .

Accordingly, two of my favorite Kansas City bloggers have a couple of great reactions to the media item:

AKCB: "Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather."

General Blather: "Really???"

Other shocking facts:

Kansas City Sewers aren't exactly what they should be . . .

We're having a bit of a problem with violence in this town as of late . . .

I also hear there's some kind of mortgage trouble . . .

Oh, and there's a rumor that the Mayor and his wife might have a bit of a "weird" relationship . . .

Even better, none other than The Star's Yael T. Abouhalkah has a take on this topic that is typically pedantic and removes all of the fun out of celebrity watching while proving that the content of MSM columnists can be just as frivolous but not halfway as captivating as what bloggers come up with: "Your reaction to Aiken's coming out in the latest issue of People magazine pretty much reveals how you feel about gay people."

Or maybe not . . . Personally, I believe that this "news" of Clay Aiken's homosexuality just confirms the TKC thesis that all of the performers who have appeared on American Idol suck balls.

More panic over minorities!!! The people of JoCo should now be afraid of Muslims too!!!

Ah, on this wonderfully cloudy morning . . . Intense panic over Islam reminds me of 2002 and the smooth sounds of Norah Jones . . . Awhile ago The Star ran a typically milquetoast article about Islam in KC and the Midwest . . . Well, one of those anti-Islam blogs recently got a hold of the article and asked some penetrating questions (ew) that are just a tad more embarrasing than a tantrum of a panicked child:

This begs the question, what aspects of Islam are Muslims in the United States faithful to - sharia, jihad? And speaking of Johnson County, the Islamic Center of Johnson County’s website states, “The Islamic Center of Johnson County, Inc., unequivocally affirms the Qur’an and the Sunnah as its eternal and ultimate constitution.” Where does that leave the United States Constitution since Johnson County, Kansas is part of the United States?

Again, I thought this kind of rhetoric had gone out of style but, as always, I'm glad there are bloggers still scared of some other boogeymen besides Mexicans.

Kansas City Roller Derby Photo Essay

An LJ blogger takes some nice photos of a championship bout.

"I've become what I've beheld and I'm content that I have done right."

A Kansas Watch comparison between Al Davis and Carl Peterson reminds me of one of my favorite passages from The Untouchables . . . A great line from David Mamet which points out that anyone operating purely on principle will inevitably become corrupt. TKC FACT: Elliot Ness, struggled with alcoholism in his later years, finished his career as a somewhat of a failure and was involved in an embarrasing drunk driving accident.

The overnight Kansas City Body Count

Kansas City carnage continues . . . For me, the violence strikes pretty close to home as the TV news reports that yet another shooting took place outside of the Royal Liquor store on the Boulevard.

Additionally, the evening hours turned up a dead Latino dude in Penn Valley Park.

And as the City descends into violence that seems nearly out of control, I'm sure the most important thing we all have to consider is whether or not the Mayor can play footsie with his wife on the job.

Depressing as that may be, this overnight photo gallery of Charisma Carpenter still makes me kinda happy.

Stay tuned . . .

South KC is getting hosed on Light Rail

This post featuring Jessica Burciaga's moist bikini-clad booty is more of a preview . . .

Over some expensive coffee this afternoon it was explained to me that a long neglected Kansas City neighborhood is getting royally screwed by the upcoming light rail vote.

A well-organized and soon-to-be very vocal contingent of Kansas City politicos are set to speak out in opposition to the upcoming Light Rail vote and I was honored to be offered just a bit of a preview as to their plans.

I can share one of the main points of the contingent: South Kansas City gets absolutely nothing out of Light Rail plans!!!

I believe it's a valid point and nobody has really proven otherwise . . . If I'm wrong, please let me know but from the maps I've seen light rail comes nowhere close to this part of town and those lame ass bus lines that feed into the system don't count . . .

Anyhoo . . . As I noted previously, I just wanted to provide a peak at what's in store for voters who are paying attention while the rest of Kansas City's clueless construction cheerleaders are content to celebrate any new development despite the cost.

Stay tuned . . . More light rail stuff on the way.

Mayor Funky is noticeably quiet about Kansas City's homicide rate!!!

A few weeks ago I asked the Mayor if he had any credibility when it comes to the fight against crime . . . It turns out the answer is no given that the week's spate of murders have gone unnoticed by his Administration.

WHERE IS THE MAYOR'S TOKEN PR MOVE ON LOCAL MURDERS AS THIS CITY SLOUCHES TOWARD 100 PEOPLE KILLED THIS YEAR?!?!?!

I've long noted that the Mayor was weak on crime but even Mayor Kay had to hand the issue off to Alvin Brooks when the number got too embarrasing.

It looks like Cathy Jolly is taking the lead on this one and will apparently be fighting Kansas City's murder rate with her cuteness.

Still, Mayor Funky has yet to provide even a well intentioned (but completely impotent) press conference . . . And the "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" initiative has seemingly been forgotten after more than 11 months in the works.

In fact, word is he's still putting all of his effort into his big showdown with the Council regarding his wife and the volunteer ordinance while the rest of this town contemplates the steady stream of murders.

A local blogger examines the history of Kansas City "First Ladies"

May's Machete comes up with a great post that features a great deal of Kansas City history regarding women who have shaped this town:

Kansas City's REAL First Ladies

There are some pretty interesting stories of great Kansas City women in May's post and as far as I can tell none of them made a name for themselves by simply hijacking their husband's career, sitting around the office with bare feet writing nasty letters and using racial slurs . . .

The Mayor's staffers hate Gloria Squitiro

Recently, Gloria Squitiro was quoted as saying that the recent controversey has brought the Mayor's staff of highly paid skinny dudes and a few token minorities "closer together" . . . According to TKC Tipsters inside the Mayor's office . . . Nothing could be further from the truth.

Word is, On Friday after the veto The Mayor's office was empty until about 11:00 a.m.

TKC hears that the Mayor's people were so distraught that they just gave up the morning and let the Mayor do his thing on conservative talk radio while they slept in . . . From what I hear the folks working for Mayor Funky were simply distraught that all their work has come down to Co-Mayors Funky and Squitiro against the world.

When they did come into work . . . Their grumbling was allegedly so loud that everyone inside City Hall took note.

Squitiro was described by the Mayor's people as:

"Fucking insane"

"Total embarrassment"

"A nightmare"

It sounds like the Mayor's people have finally become bored with giving foot massages.

Word is that Ed Wolf took the day off as well, but then again, Ed Wolf is so rarely seen at City Hall nowadays that nobody knows exactly where his weekend begins or ends . . . At more than a quarter million a year, it's awesome work if you can find it.

Luckily, the Mayor sensed a bit of discontent among his troops and the entire weekend was nothing more than one pep talk after the next in support of Squitiro with phone calls at regular intervals to make sure that everyone stayed loyal . . . No word on who is going to jump ship first. The salaries are big enough to buy allegiance but then again, it's hard to put a price tag on a the relief a person might feel upon realizing that they no longer had to give "the first lady" a foot bath.

On the bright side: It has been quite awhile since anyone described Kansas City's Downtown Real Estate market as "hot"

KCMO Firefighters Battle Loft Blaze

KC Shooter said he had no choice

NBC Action News an interesting description of how a metro shooting went down last week: Derrick Pennie, 19, faces assault and armed criminal action charges in the Aug. 29 shooting of a man just outside a market at East 27th Street and Benton Boulevard. A witness told police he saw Pennie come out of the market and shoot the victim several times, according to court documents. Another witness said the victim had been punching Pennie inside the store. The two men went outside and Pennie allegedly pulled a gun and shot the victim.

No love for Palin from the liberal lady columnists at The Kansas City Star

Bottom Line Communications notices an interesting trend among the vagina-clad columnists at Kansas City's paper of record: STAR'S SANCHEZ AND LOKEMAN UNLOAD VITRIOL ON PALIN

It's an interesting write-up and if anyone really cared what women thought about topics unrelated to dinner time and laundry settings . . . It could be an astute analysis documenting the hypocrisy of Star columnists. Luckily, people only pretend to read opinion column penned by women.

Authorities get alleged Grandview shooter

Teen Suspect in Grandview Murder Arrested

Kansas City baby killed

KMBC: Kansas City police say a 6 month old baby found dead Friday is the victim of child abuse.

KC suburbs get even more pervy

MyfoxKC reports: "A 15-year-old girl was walking her dog in broad daylight when a man sexually assaulted her in Blue Springs, Mo., and her parents caught him in the act."

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! GRANDVIEW GANG PROBLEM GETS OVERLOOKED IN RECENT MURDER COVERAGE!!!

Awesome TKC Tipsters are talking about what local media could only hint at . . .

Yesterday news of a Grandview homicide was broadcast by a number of media outlets.

There was a predictable rally/vigil/memorial that contained a bit of suspicious language and a subtle clue as to the nature of the murder.

The victim's mother, Akeeta Free, joined ministers and other relatives in asking neighbors not to retaliate against the suspected killer.

"I have God on my side, and right before I came here I dropped to my knees and prayed for Him to take the hatred and the violence out of my heart," said Free.

Now a 17 year-old is wanted on connection with the homicide.

It all seems to follow the regular pattern of media murder stories except for the details that TKC Tipsters have provided:

TKC TIPSTERS ARE SAYING THIS IS PART OF A GRANDVIEW GANG WAR!!!

People don't like talking gangs in the suburbs and authorities are obviously keeping this information very quiet but the fact that rally and call for calm is so pronounced provide a hint at what the people of that community are dealing with . . .

Accordingly, TKC Tipsters also note that a high school in the area is on "modified lockdown status" which basically means that no passes are issued to any student for any reason.

Gangs in Grandview have been a growing concern in the past few years and obviously the work to avoid any retaliation is commendable . . . Sadly, folks watching the local news might not have any idea about these concerns not only because people are afraid to talk to cameras but also because local media are forced to report news only at face value.

An important point about Nelson-Atkins Museum and their encroachment into a Kansas City neighborhood

A nearby resident recently sent me an e-mail with what I think is an important point about the recent lawsuit filed by the Kansas City museum.

APPARENTLY, A LOT OF THE RHETORIC USED BY THE NELSON PR MACHINE CLAIMS THAT THE STRUGGLE IS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF A COUNTRY CLUB . . . THAT ASSERTION IS INCORRECT!!!

The TKC Tipster says:

"I don't want to seem dismissive of the club, but the club as never been embroiled in this issue and not involved at all in the ordinance - Its really been the neighborhoods. The Nelson wants everybody to believe this is just about a private club, but it's not - it's far from it it's about neighborhood preservation."

Once again, it's funny to see Mayor Funky flip-flop on this issue and he seemed to invoke the whole "special legislation" argument concerning this case in a recent interview.

Stay tuned for more coverage of this issue . . . And, just for the record, I firmly believe that the Nelson-Atkins folks should be constrained . . . At least from building more warehouse/parking garage looking structures in a historic Kansas City neighborhood.

McCain's Chief of Staff is teh ghey!?!?!

OMG!!! More Republican hypocrisy uncovered and raging in the blogosphere . . . Expect local Dems to jump on this one right away with a great deal of hard pounding on the Republican record. Ouch. (Insert obligatory NO HOMO!!! right here - heh) Here's more from the Huff Post as Democrats finally found a way to stop the Palin spike and are probably drinking in celebration . . . Bottoms up! NO HOMO!!!

White people (and their pets) find another way to poop on the Westside!!!

Half a dozen middle-class people want their dogs to run loose in Mulkey Park on The Westside. There's a community meeting coming up about the subject this week. Thursday September 25, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Aguirre Community Center. Dog Park people in Kansas City are notorious for railroading their efforts through and intimidating anyone who objects . . . Sadly, they have little interest about the environmental impact of their decisions or the fact that Parks should be for people first then pets. If they were really serious they'd try Observation Park anyway but like most Westside interlopers they want to claim only the nicest spots in the neighborhood and kick out neighbors who have been here for years.

Imagine the future of Kansas City (ugh)

A glorified Town Hall and follow-up TV special is asking: WHAT WILL THE KANSAS CITY AREA LOOK LIKE IN 30 YEARS?

Here's a bit of discussion regarding the event where folks will address this topic and many others:

Imagine KC's kickoff event will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) offices at 600 Broadway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Mo. The event will allow participants to select topics they want to discuss rather than discussing a predetermined set of topics. Participants will also lead discussions, if they choose, and participate in the discussions that interest them most. This event will lay the foundation for the rest of the project by allowing community members to determine what the priority topics of discussion will be throughout the course of the project, which will culminate April 22, 2009, with a televised engagement on Kansas City Public Television (KCPT).

For more information check out the website . . . OFFER YOUR OWN INSIGHTS INTO KANSAS CITY'S FUTURE IN TKC COMMENTS . . . OR to get a good idea of where this town is headed, simply find a current tourism guide to Denver, Seattle or Dallas and you'll see what Kansas City will be working to achieve in the distant future.

TKC Prediction: Empty condos will soon house this town's sizable illegal immigrant population. Cathy Jolly will be Mayor . . . And maybe I'll get this basement finished. See, it's not all gloom and doom.

Corporate welfare alive and well in KC

Dunn will get $2.8M from feds for new HQ . . . On the bright side, at least it's not coming (completely) from City Coffers. However, thanks to recent precedent all knew construction in this town now understand that they don't have to abide by MBE agreements.

Light Rail Q&A on KCUR

Steve Kraske, The Kansas City Star's political correspondent, is host of “Up to Date” from 11 a.m. to noon weekdays on KCUR, 89.3 FM. Today the program will feature experts participating in a question-and-answer session about Kansas City's proposed light-rail system. Please be sure to ask them why Kansas City should spend more than a BILLION dollars for this when the bus could accomplish the same thing cheaper, cleaner and far more quickly. If you miss the program, don't forget to go to the website and check out the podcast.

God damn you people, stop sending me local information that attempts to tug on heart strings!!! TKC doesn't have any.

Sam Page is running for Lieutenant Governor and he recently created a Youtube video with a message for Deaf voters.

Now I could crack on his insanely hot wife or even his mama (who is Deaf) but I'm not going to . . . This time.

Instead, I'm just going to issue a warning . . . The next well intentioned person or politico (there is a difference) who sends something heartwarming like this video my way will get to see why TKC is a force to be reckoned with in the local blogopshere. And I'll unleash the kind of mean-spiritedness, rancor, bitterness and sarcasm for which this blog has become (sort of locally) famous and will make even my long married ex-girlfriends feel a chill up their spine (or maybe the sting from spankings of years past) that will completely embarrass the sender.

Just not this time.

Remember, TKC is for hit posts, gossip and complaints . . . Go tell the "good stuff about Kansas City" to somebody who cares.

Kansas City newbies and false hope: White people still wasting time on Hyde Park

Today Steve Penn writes a wonderfully (willfully?) naive column about two suburban transplants doing their best to spruce up the Hyde Park area . . . Obviously, these folks deserve to be commended but they also deserve the truth: A renewal movement in Hyde Park starts ever 7 and 1/2 years and even appears to make progress. Then, like clockwork, a young (white) professional is senselessly killed by one of the people of color in the area. Everyone panics. People move out. Property values plummet and the whole cycle starts over again. It's nice to see people with high hopes but everyone deserves to know the facts about previous gentrification development improvement efforts and the ultimate result . . . Building a better mousetrap in the urban core is kinda tricky and this column doesn't do a good job of explaining the back story of the neighborhood that everyone who has lived in Kansas City for more than a decade understands.

Kansas City is kinda sustainable

SustainLane ranked the 50 most populous cities in 16 categories of urban sustainability. Kansas City came in at the 20th spot. KC won first place for best tap water and seventh for energy and climate policy. But it ranked 47th for planning and land use, 40th for commuting and 31st for innovation.

In other news, Kansas City also performed rather well in a study that TKC just made up which also included a bunch of loose interpretations of data other people collected and then crafted together by me in order to prove a political point. Final result: In a TKC "study" of the top 50 cities to live in should a "Zombie Apocalypse" ever come to pass . . . This town ranked number 19. Lots of hiding spaces and the sprawl helped with warning time, yet a lack of effective leadership dropped KC's rating.

1st study via The Star

Kinda Bright and Early Kansas City Links

Here are just a few of the stories I'm reading right now as I contemplate whether or not I actually want to leave the basement and get a cup of expensive coffee after all the d-bags are done making their commute:

Kansas City Crook makes early morning mistake: Man Hijacks Car with Toddler Inside

One more school district screwed up: The former superintendent of Riverview Gardens School District pleaded no contest to charges that he spent tens of thousands of dollars in district money without permission.

Show Me yet another woman complaining about shit: A Raymore woman is raising a big stink over what she says is a pile of manure.

Another crappy situation for a local business: Robbers Take Plumbing Company's Inventory

One more place to dump your dead trees: After 10 years and more than 700,000 donated books, Kansas City is growing a hooked-on-books generation.

EVERYBODY PANIC!!! KC's emergency-preparedness manager resigns

I've never seen this many people so excited for a C-team scrimmage: Hockey at the Sprint Center

Also, a kickass photo gallery of Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr is a fantastic way to start the day.

No stop to Kansas City drive-by carnage

Woman Shot In Drive-By At 54th, Highland . . . Yet another Front Porch shooting that demonstrates the Mayor's empty "Front Porch" propaganda.

Correction: Pitch writers wake up with TKC and expect accuracy out a blog!!! All cyclists are wonderful people (not really)

This is a corrected version of a post which still proves that cyclists are horrible people but only because of their condesending "do-goodiness" and not outright racism. Also, I'm the favorite writer of the d-bags at The Pitch and nearly as popular as Nadia Pflaum on a slow Thursday evening.

For a change there's something interesting from The (s)Plog . . . A typically outspoken Missouri cyclist motorist unleashes a torrent of racial epithets on a couple which evokes a nice community outpouring of support . . . There were some cyclists on the non-racist side but they're just some of "the good ones" and for the most part I think the story clearly demonstrates that folks who refer to themselves as "cyclists" are horrible, dangerous people are publicity hounds and eager to annoyingly and obnoxiously try to make the world a better place.

Kansas City's Dangerous Broadway Corridor

One more reminder to be careful while bar hopping. Check out the scary ass details of a recent Midtown hold up and rape blogged dutifully by Crime Scene KC: "The holdup began about 2:10 a.m. when two men barged into The Hangout, 3611 Broadway, through a back door that the DJ had propped open to load his equipment into his vehicle. The robbers used the victims’ shoelaces to tie their hands and demanded cash. The robbers pistol-whipped the two male employees and sodomized the female employee." Midtown regulars have long noted that this part of Kansas City has always been exceptionally volatile given the eclectic mix of people and income brackets . . . It seems as if the recent spate of violence in Kansas City is making things worse in this part of town.

Kansas City, Kansas couple provide yet another reason to avoid marriage at all costs

MyFoxKC reporter Tess K chronicles a tragic tale involving a murder for hire, a woman accidentally paralyzed because of her own plot and the ensuing conviction.

And all of this convinces me that yeah . . . I'll just go ahead and do my own laundry, make my own meals and maybe skip out on being able to cuddle whenever I want to which, as far as I can tell, is the only benefit of marriage that comes with no strings attached . . . Especially in light of the fact that fidelity, respect, love and sex are things that most people (usually women) just end up exchanging for money.

KCK Schools and Laptop follow-up

Nick Sloan notes the progress of the program and encourages further support, the following passage is extremely informative:

"High school students' scores within the five high schools in the district increased by double figures in both math and reading. Although the laptops probably were not the only factor involved, they can certainly be credited for a lot of the gains."

Finally . . . This is probably the greatest indicator as to how other, urban School Districts are leaving the KCMO district far behind.

JoCo Republicans stay losing: Indignant, unfunny white guys aren't that convincing!!!

Maybe the "Gas Pump Guy" seemed like a great idea at the time and the videos are slightly funny but something tells me that this isn't the way that Nick Jordan is going to beat Dennis Moore . . . And maybe that's because these whimsical ads will get a lot angrier as the election gets closer and while people from the Midwest might not like Nancy Pelosi . . . Nobody but the most die hard ditto-heads believe she is the devil. So far smear campaigns and scare tactics haven't worked for JoCo Republicans to win back this seat so the same strategy from a lesser known candidate just seems futile as far as convincing what is most likely the most unpredictable voting district in all of Kansas.

Link via Red State Kansas (who was far more inspired than TKC)

Sam Graves hates Goths!!!

Personally, I don't like Goths either and I've never been a big fan of the Huns but that's not important right now . . .

What is important in an elected leader and their stance on weird ass cultural trends and what that leader can do about the nervous feeling we all get when walking by the doorway of Hot Topic.

To wit, a special thanks goes out to SOTL for reminding us that Rep. Sam Graves cares so much about battling an obscure aspect of lame ass youth culture that he was willing to invest more than a quarter of a million dollars to combat depressed teens who might have discovered old music by The Cure which, in turn, would have made them realize that teen angst is not unique at all.

Thanks to Rep. Sam Graves, a Republican who represents the Kansas City suburb, $273,000 out of the Department of Education's fiscal 2002 budget will help the Blue Springs Outreach Unit take on a perceived problem for local youths.

"It is my hope that this funding will give the officers in the Youth Outreach Unit the tools they need to identify Goth culture leaders that are preying on our kids," Rep. Graves said in a press release announcing the appropriation last month.

Strangely, I thought a wedgie was a far cheaper way to do do battle against Goth Culture . . . Or maybe a mirror. Then again, on the bright side, I'm just glad to see a Missouri politico demonizing somebody besides Mexicans.

Let the KC Guy guide you through Fall

Great stuff from a local wiki as usual.

Kansas City blogger makes a Presidential car and home comparison: Obama loses!!!

I haven't seem this bit of political persuasion but I like the way "Another KC Blog" interprets it: "Look at Obama. One house? One car? Fucking loser."

Ten things worse than the Chiefs in KC

A list from an SOB that will make folks feel better about living in the suburbs . . . On the other hand, the fact that people constantly need to justify a generic, uninspired, culturally deficient existence makes me wonder.

The Days Grow Darker in Kansas City

Thinking about the reality of the murder rate in Kansas City kinda scares me.

Back in 2005 I blogged a lot about increasing violence in this town and put the blame on former Mayor Kay. Her answer was to form a commission that didn't come back with any suggestions for nearly a year . . . Essentially, I thought her response was insignificant but now that I look back I can see that. . . At the very least it wasn't as shallow or condescending as Mayor Funky's PR efforts to address crime in the metro.

Still, the politics of any anti-crime effort are meaningless . . . I've always believed there wasn't any solution that could come from elected leaders and working against crime has more to do with changing what is in people's heart on an individual basis. It's a long, slow, tortuous process and it's never completely accomplished but from what I've seen the Mayor and so many other politicos quickly complete their cycle of media appearances noting that they "stand against crime" and then move on to other topics. I can't say exactly what will solve Kansas City's recent spate of violence but I know it has very little to do with press conferences from people more concerned with winning elections.

In the meantime, I've decided that I'm going to note the murder rate on this blog, link to others who have something to say about it and throw in my two cents from time to time but always try and remember that there are real people behind those numbers . . . On this blog that pokes fun at everyone and everything, it's an important tactic to note.

And on that gloomy note, for overnight readers I'd like to share a recent photo gallery I stumbled upon which features Australian Supermodel Pania Rose in a variety of skimpy outfits and swimsuits using moody lighting.

A white guy describes the accomplishments of Kansas City's Funky Mayor and wife!!!

This is a biased blog . . . TKC doesn't try to hide a point of view.

That's why, as of late, I've been noting what other people think of the Co-Mayors.

Unlike Funk supporters I don't count the testimony of imaginary people at grocery stores who give their support to the Mayor . . . It should be noted that those same people tell me I'm awesome, good looking and smart as well.

Back in the real world . . . The talk concerning Mayor Funky and his Co-Mayor wife is far more harsh.

The Week In Review Appearance on Friday was a big deal . . . For a Mayor who is attempting to argue that his wife doesn't play a big role in his Administration . . . It was the second high profile interview of last week watched by all of the chattering class that featured the Mayor's wife . . . WTF?!?!?!

Anyhoo . . .

What struck me most was the description of Mayor Funky's so-called accomplishments.

Here's what Kansas City Star Reporter Dave Helling had to say:

"That's why the veto was so important, because it shows a degree of estrangement between this Mayor and the City Council. It is estranged to a degree that we haven't seen in a quarter century in Kansas City and I thought the most amazing thing I heard in your interview was the Mayor and his wife Gloria suggesting that they've accomplished all these things . . .

This is the Mayor with the least amount of accomplishments I can remember in 25 years of covering Kansas City.

He loses on every important vote."

Of course the emphasis is mine . . . And after Helling said this there was a bit of debate from that limey bastard Nick Haines and Mike "I need to grow back the 'stache" Mahoney. DeAnn Smith and her sexy ass Southern accent said something else that she blogged later . . .

I wanted to note the comment because it comes from a tall white guy with a lot of experience reporting on local government . . . It's not just the ranting of a basement dwelling, Latino blogger that cites the lack of any tangible results in the short, ugly and tragic tenure of Mayor Funky.

All things considered it was a pretty great discussion and I have to give Haines a lot of credit for being one of the few journalists in Kansas City able to put Squitiro on the spot and make her seem as flighty and weird as she is in real life . . .

This KC soap opera continues while the murder rate will reach one hundred maybe before Friday.

Kansas City Evening Link Look

Here are the most important links I'm reading tonight:

Store employee on Prospect strikes back: Robbery Suspect Shot by Employee . . . Killed him. damn.

A big giveaway by somebody besides taxpayers: Kauffman Foundation Grants $2.75 million

Not even close for Kay: New poll: Graves 51, Barnes 42

Covering for a tiger: The owners of an eastern Missouri exotic animal park and one of its board members have been charged with evidence tampering for allegedly trying to cover up a tiger attack on a volunteer.

Kansas City News wants you to move: Amid a faltering economy, McPherson, Kan., has more jobs than workers.

A story of commitment in KCK: Wife Convicted in Murder For Hire Plot Against Husband

Have you seen her? Missouri Highway Patrol investigators today released a composite sketch of a person of interest who was seen at a Platte County rest stop about the time of a homicide there Sept. 8.

TKC WARNING!!! DON'T BE THE THIRD WHITE GIRL GUNNED DOWN IN KANSAS CITY!!! REMEMBER THAT NIGHTLIFE IS DANGEROUS IN THIS TOWN!!!

Since there aren't any Kansas City columnists who have the guts to write it, I might as well:

IT'S OPEN SEASON ON HAPLESS, YOUNG WHITE WOMEN IN KANSAS CITY!!!

I see it all the time in this town, clueless young white broads giggling, drunk and acting as if they don't have a care in the world on an otherwise dangerous street. Sadly I might have even accompanied one of these groups at one time or another . . . So I'm not casting any kind of blame.

But, the fact of the matter is that so often young, mostly white suburbanites coming to Kansas City for a good time don't know the danger that lurks on local streets. For them, the murder rate is an abstraction and it's hard to shake off the invincibility that stable, generic suburban life instills in their privileged psyche.

Even worse, Kansas City hipsters who may live within City limits sometimes get caught up in politically correct group think that puts them in danger as well.

And of course, I'm not advising anyone to racially profile or to give in to any of the hatred that fills the Internet. But it's also important to face reality . . . Folks looking out for their safety should not be afraid to hurt someone's feelings. Live to apologize some other day . . . It's not a bad strategy.

Let's look at the facts:

The week before last there was some poor, unfortunate white broad shot in the stomach in the Crossroads outside of Madrigal Martini Bar. She is now facing huge medical bills that her friends are trying to help her with and she has endured several painful surgeries.

This weekend some white broad from Leawood was shot to death in a robbery (for gas money) after hanging out in Westport.

TKC IS TRYING TO INFORM CLUB HOPPING WHITE BROADS IN THEIR 20'S (MY FAVORITE PEOPLE) TO KEEP SAFE AND AVOID BEING THE NEXT VICTIM OF A LOCAL SHOOTING!!!

Crossroads, Westport and even the P&L District are more dangerous than anyone admits . . . For PR and Advertising purposes local media outlets don't like noting the very real danger in these places and the details of the circumstances surrounding crimes in these areas are always vague . . . MSM doesn't like showing their advertisers in a bad light. Unfortunately, that doesn't do the potential victims of crime much good. So, the white women that I love so much face a very real danger of participating in this town's night life without any information that will keep them safe.

Fortunately, it's not rocket science and even the most ditsy of white broads that I've dated could probably handle this info:

Stay with friends

Don't be afraid to be rude to strangers of every race, creed and color . . . Especially those lurking around an area that don't seem to have any business there . . .

Don't walk to your car alone

Use your situational awareness and try to anticipate trouble.

Realize that you represent nothing more than profit to any Kansas City club, bar or entertainment district . . . They really don't care if you die, they're only concerned with the amount of negative publicity that your demise will cost their operation.

Of course, if I could keep all of the good looking Kansas City white women in their 20's safe in my basement with me . . . I would. Sadly, that's only a fantasy that I indulge after watching Entourage one too many times.

Therefore citizen media, rumors around this town and simple common sense are pretty much pleading:

DON'T BE THE NEXT WHITE BROAD GUNNED DOWN ON KANSAS CITY STREETS!!!

Realize that Kansas City is dangerous . . . And like Caligula our Mayor is more concerned with his personal satisfaction than the safety of people in this City . . . So you're on your own and must realize that white, club hoppers are often regarded as targets for the disenfranchised in Kansas City at the outset of the most serious financial crisis this nation has faced in more than a generation.

TKC doesn't take any pleasure in noting these facts. Again, I just realize that the mainstream media and the Mayor tiptoe around information regarding crime trends or ignore it all together instead of accurately depicting the situation on Kansas City streets.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! Where is Sharon Sanders Brooks going on vacation?!?! Will she be taking her boyfriend?

The override vote is Thursday if the City Council folk can pull it off (heh) . . . However, there are a factors that make the vote less of a sure thing than most people think.

Still, Council people who may or may not have flipped will have a tough time justifying their vote . . . Or at least that's what I hear from people who are way smarter than me.

What I find funny is the rumor that Council Member Sharon Sanders Brooks is going on vacation during this tumultuous time in Kansas City history.

I wonder how her constituents feel about that?

Do her constituents know that as Kansas City homicides ramp up . . . Their representative feels entitled to a break?

Do they know that their representative might be ducking out on a chance to vote down the lady who referred to a woman as "Mammy" in the Mayor's office?

I think there are a lot of things about this alleged, well-timed break for Brooks that people in her district are wondering about along with the long-standing and so far quiet question that people ask (under their breath) about her alleged "main-squeeze" and the lady's voting record.

TKC understands that City Hall can be quite stressful . . . So maybe she deserves a break and maybe voters might want to consider giving Brooks even more time off the next time she runs for office . . .

97 MURDERS IN KANSAS CITY SO FAR!!!

We're at 97 murders so far this year.

Crime fighter and Community Activist Alonzo Washington has been documenting the carnage, he's garnered tips to help the police and even brought in people wanted for crimes in order assure a peaceful surrender!!!

Meanwhile, Kansas City's Mayor has done nothing but call press conferences with little follow through.

As far as I've heard, the Mayor still hasn't signed his highly trumpeted "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" proclamation or whatever . . .

Undoubtedly, Kansas City's lack of leadership when it comes to crime is a growing problem.

From what I've read, Council Member Cathy Jolly is taking up the slack (sessy) because the Mayor's leadership (once again) has been suspect.



Sadly, Mayor Funky is more concerned with his wife coming to the office than he is with any other subject in Kansas City!!!

If Kansas City's mayor was even HALF as committed to fighting crime as Alonzo Washington, maybe there wouldn't be as much death on local streets.

It's really quite ashame and speaks to misplaced priorities of the Funkhouser Administration for which all of Kansas City must suffer.

A sea of violent and sad Kansas City links

Here's what I'm reading at the lunch hour and it's not too encouraging:

Early morning starts the Kansas City massacre and yet another bullet to the head: 43rd Street Attack Leaves Man Shot In Head

Trouble on the other side of State Line as well: Teenager Shot and Killed Inside KCK House

An explanation as to why TV was annoying over the weekend: Family Friend Offers Reasons Why Mother Left with Kids

And one more Amber alert explanation: Wanted Woman's Mom Discusses Amber Alert

Now if only somebody cared: Sprint Cup Comes to Kansas City

Rougher still: Man Found In Street, Shot In Neck

Sunday Night doesn't stop the drama in this town: Double Shooting Leaves 1 Critical

Follow-up on a weekend fire: Firefighters find the charred remains of three people after a house fire in Gardner, Kan.

Oh yeah and a photo gallery of Swedish Supermodel Doutzen Kroes makes life in Kansas City seem not so depressing and violent.

Things aren't going well in Grandview

Deadly Shooting Worries Grandview Neighborhood, an NBC action news report says neighbors fear retaliation and it seems like their general living conditions nowadays . . .

More Latinos in the Kansas City Northland could lead to political change

There's an interesting article in The Star today about the Northland and Democrat moves to earn more votes in a district that was predominantly Republican.

It's a big ruckus that's is of course ignoring one fact: There are far more Latino, Asian and Arab immigrants north of Kansas City then there ever have been before . . . These people tend to vote Democrat and I know I was surprised a couple of years ago when they gave a Latino candidate a surprising number of votes . . . In fact, more than any other section of the City . . . Still, as Dems and the GOP fight for power, they might want to consider a group of people that so far they've treated as nothing more than political baggage and failed to show much respect toward. Just a thought . . .

Does anybody listen to Sonic Spectrum?

This will probably be interpreted as bloggy bitchiness but I'm actually just curious: Does anybody listen to Sonic Spectrum? See, they're having their 50th episode party and I still haven't listened to one . . . However, I hate local music so maybe I'm the wrong guy to ask but I recently looked at the blog page for the collection of local music and there isn't a single comment . . . Yet I notice that Present Mag has a great number of advertisers who pay cash to be a part of the show that doesn't seem to generate as much activity as a mildly popular blog or one of the many other local music bloggy efforts. Again, this is just curiosity but I'm wondering if more local bloggers shouldn't invest just as much time looking for money as they do coming up with content . . . It seems to work for Present Mag, despite the fact that the publication is beginning to get a bad rep for hustling for ad dollars hard core (which is their right and a good move) but then turning around and telling contributors that there's no cash . . . TKC SOLUTION . . . Start a blog people, working for free for yourself is far more rewarding . . . I think - A Republican think tank funds this blog.

Head shot at KC Area Porn Shop (ew)

KMBC: Man Shot Behind Adult Book Store . . .Witnesses Tell Investigators Shooting Was Accidental . . . Sadly, I guess this news report and several others confirm that people still can't control their pistols at the Erotic City porn store as the Internetz still looks like the safer option in order to procure smut.

Everyone hates the nasty women of INK

Bottom Line Communications came out with an interesting post over the weekend . . . Apparently, one of the head honchos over at KC Magazine noted that Ink was a rather trashy local alt-mag.

Check out the post for yourself and read between the lines because it basically implies that the broads who run INK are kind of skanky and deserve to be fired . . . This sentiment is expressed off the record from basically every working journalist in Kansas City.

Star layoff are disheartening . . . However, the fact that the women of INK (and no talent broads like Jeneé Osterheldt) are still drawing a salary makes the situation at The Star seem confused, out of control and just downright depressing.

However, I think that it's important to note that in times of great financial distress it's more important than ever to keep eye candy around the office and in that respect the ladies of INK and Jeneé probably suffice despite their total lack of talent, skill or ability. Sadly, this situation isn't going to hold up 3 years from now when all the broads peak out at 29 or the stress-eating finally takes its toll.

TKC Kansas City Bloggy Rock Out!!!

Sorry for the delay this morning . . . There are more links and "expert" analysis on the way . . . I had to deal with a pretty huge spam attack this morning . . . I just finished deleting more than 300 spam comments for some B.S. MMPORG ancillary product . . . I know I shouldn't care but it's sort of a matter of principle. If I can't make a dime off this site, there's no reason that anybody else should.

Anyhoo . . . It was actually a nice morning because I got to do a mindless, repetitive task while rocking out to some of my favorite tunes . . . The most important thing with any kind of Internetz or computer attack is not to take it personally and use your own skill set rationally as a response . . . Which for me, involves a lot of crying and panic . . . Still, this puts me at the level of most players for the Chiefs.

Actually, I've always taken spam attacks and other challenges I've faced online as a bit of a compliment, things could be worse . . . TKC could be like The Pitch blog . . . Written and read only by members of the staff and a network of freelancers. Thank you sweet baby Jesus that's not the case.

Soooooo . . . More links on the way, maybe . . . After I deal with a few more bloggy issues.

Stay tuned.

Kansas City blogs agree the Chiefs suck

If the Chiefs aren't going to make an effort to play halfway decent, I'm not even sure I should make the effort to write about them.

Luckily, a bunch of Kansas City blogs have already weighed in on the carnage and pathetic performance of the team over the weekend i.e. 12th straight loss.

Here is the best of what I've read so far:

A brave blogger commitment from RDM: "There will be no further posts from this system until KC wins a football game."

Nick Sloan: Chiefs Fans Should Root For 0-16

Ancillary Adams: "I hope today marks the nadir of Kansas City professional sports."

A fantastic missive regarding "crony capitalism" from Kansas Watch: "And How Did We Get To This Lowly State? Soap Poisoning? No, Carl Peterson"

All of these bloggers provide content much better than commentary that the mainstream media is offering because they aren't on the payroll of big media conglomerates who are dependent on corporate advertising and access . . . Even better, they don't have to beg for press passes.

Put simply, I've noticed that it's difficult for big media to capture the angst of the average fan given that they're so dependent on the organization in order to provide content . . . It's a situation that marks ever aspect of major media production and it taints the coverage on every level . . . Strangely, when it comes to sports I think people actually deserve a bit of honesty and candor in coverage that should note the mediocre, mismanaged and mostly hopeless state of Kansas City's football team.

Ramsey's Plaza Art Fair Video Post

Kansas City's favorite video blogger documents the big event on The Plaza this weekend.

A tribute to Southmoreland

The Star magazine runs a tribute to a Kansas City neighborhood inhabited by creative white people . . . It's kinda nice in that it was written by a local blogger . . . However, I'm not convinced because it seems like a good place to get stabbed in the face given that it borders a little too closely to Troost . . . Then again, there are people who appreciate being near bad art a lot more than I do . . . Still, a nice look on the bright (white?) side of this town which I guess is always cause for celebration.

Kansas City Web Radio Guide

Kansas City's Radio Man posts a great guide to a lot of local radio stations for when your mp3 player breaks down . . . Via his blog.

Gorgeous Kansas City group walk photos

While I was either sleeping or drinking, Kansas City blogger Scooter J went on a "group walk" with a bunch of his friends and came back with some amazing images, be sure to check them out.

Double Bonus: Walking through KC and KCK only turned up a photo of one dead thing!!!

A bit of perspective about the weekend Amber Alert that ruined weekend TV

There was some kind of non-news scrolling on the bottom of the TV during the weekend but I wasn't paying attention . . . Luckily, local blogger General Blather was and she has a great take on the Independence Screw-up.

Plaza Art Fair Poop Problems!!!

KC's about.com blog documents a shitty situation regarding liquor sales and public restroom accommodations at the Plaza Art Fair.

The end of the Summer of Discontent

First day of fall folks . . . I think . . . Or first week . . . Whatever.

For what it's worth I think the summer was rather exciting and watching the Mayor go to bat for another broad that everybody in the City hates was rather fun. Last time around it didn't work out to well for Kansas City's Husband-In-Chief and I don't suspect this thing is going to turn out good for his career either.

However, it's not all bad news for embattled politicos . . . I heard they found the dorks who "hacked" into Palin's e-mail account.

Anyhoo . . . There's A LOT of stuff to catch up on an I'm just getting started.

We'll see where this goes . . . In the meantime, enjoy this fond memory of summer and Danielle Lloyd baked a golden, dangerous brown in a bikini.

GOOD TIMES!!! CUTE KANSAS CITY COUPLE AT THE PLAZA ART FAIR!!!

This is a much better way to end posting for this week . . .

Big Media in this town is publishing pictures of Plaza Art Fair poseurs but the image featured above, I believe, represents the version of Kansas City that readers of this blog want to see.

This happy couple (drunk white broad on random Black dude) hanging out at The Plaza Art Fair was pleased to pose for a quick TKC cell phone photo and it looked like they were having a pretty good time already. I don't know if they arrived together but they seemed to be getting familiar as the broad was kissing the dude and just put on this guy's captain hat . . . Still, love was in the air as Kansas City came together to celebrate high art, I guess.

Actually, not even I could criticize this well-attended gathering and I even caught a rare glimpse of people buying stuff, which is a great thing in this economy . . . Best of all, I think I heard the absolute worst band in Kansas City performing covers of "Living on a Prayer" and Abba's "Dancing Queen" . . . Their complete and total lack of talent in front of a crowd of thousands made me feel a lot better about my efforts.

Again, thanks for reading. Be safe and enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

One love . . . Or whatever.