Mayor Funky caught in more Volunteer Ordinance Fighting!!!

The end of today's council session was sorta interesting . . .

Ed Ford moved to further define the Volunteer Ordinance and sought to clarify the "infrequent volunteer" aspect of the Council move that essentially kicked Co-Mayor Gloria Squitiro out of The Hall and back to Brookside and the Library . . . Ostensibly, this move was to intended to give Mayor Funky and his lawyer a harder time in their case against Kansas City.

Mayor Funky abstained . . . The vote was 11-1 in favor.

And again, all of this might not be as interesting Heidi Montag in a bikini and possibly posing nude in Playboy.

Obama Abandons Kansas City

Watching the Council session . . . They just passed an ordinance to raid the general fund and City Hall cash on hand, all the council including the Mayor was in favor.

Even better . . . One fact to light: Councilman Sharp noted that Kansas City isn't getting the Federal Stimulus dollars that all the politicos were expecting and this kind of crazy cash scheme is necessary for our cowtown to come up with it's own stimulus . . .I'm not sure about the logic of KC screwing around with cash in hand . . . But the fact that Obama's help to Kansas City is minimal is just as TKC had predicted.

Future of politics: Black women and Latinos

Thanks to a TKC reader who sent this MSNBC link my way: "Nearly one-fourth of voters in last November's election were minorities, the most diverse election ever, fueled by high turnout from black women and a growing Hispanic population, an independent research group found."

Show Me Frightened Politicos

House member Rob Schaaf, a family physician from St. Joseph made a fool of himself today . . . He suggested that school children should stay away from the Missouri Capitol to avoid spreading the swine flu across the state . . . He was wearing a mask. Best part of the Fox 4 report: "His speech was greeted with goans from some other lawmakers."

TKC Breaking News!!! Where in the world is Mayor Funky?!? Protest at City Hall today!!!

Anti-Mayor Funky advocates, Funkhouser Recall Folks are going to be protesting at City Hall today asking about the whereabouts of Kansas City's absentee Mayor.

There's also a press conference from Funkhouser Recall folks that's going to tout their numbers . . . They may be confirming 10k or even claiming 15 . . . We'll see.

Still it's good to know that some of these folks might have been inspired by TKC because mainstream media was too busy reporting the weather to relay the fact that Mayor Funky skipped out on the Precious Doe Memorial and AIDS Walk - Two important events that bring together Kansas City's diverse communities. And credit KC Star columnist Yael T. Abouhalkah with reporting that Funky was gone from an important Police Board meeting which might have been the main impetus for the protest.

Here's a quote from the press release just sent my way:

Petitioners are furious with the Mayor for his failure to show up on Tuesday at a critical Police Board meeting to decide what to cut from the public safety budget.

"Mark Funkhouser continues to thumb his nose at the citizens of Kansas City. He missed 5 of the 6 public hearings on the city's budget and then thought it was more important Tuesday to give a speech in Nebraska than attend the Police Board meeting where their budget was being passed. He ought to do himself and the citizens a favor and resign now. If he did the honorable thing, we can go directly to an election to pick a dedicated full-time Mayor who will do the job our struggling city so desperately needs," said committee spokesperson Harris Wilder.

So, the dream of a Kansas City "Orange Revolution" has now turned into not a nightmare but more of ghost pain.

In the aftermath of budget debate embarrassment Funky is MIA and while I keep hearing that he's going to shake-up the City Council . . . I think most avid political watchers are somewhat disappointed by his obvious retreat and obvious indication that he's not a real leader.

Prairie Village and racial profiling

The KC Guy brings a great perspective about racial profiling from top police officials in Prairie Village . . . That sadly, still doesn't offer much assurance.

Crying wolf gets expensive in Kansas City

On a related note to the previous two posts . . . I hate to say it, but there's even more incentive to buy a dog in this town . . . Other than the fact that they're more loyal than most people. NBC Action News reports: The Kansas City Police Department will increase annual renewal fees from $35 to $40 per false security system alarm beginning May 1.

Cracking down on The Conejo

It's already started . . . There's a climate of panic and Rumors are circulating regarding the bus from here to the border and the media begin to make life harder for the local Latino Community. Thanks to Fox4 for clearing up morning misinformation.

Swine Flu Reactionary, Racist Pigs

I won't spend to long on this one because smarter people have already addressed the subject . . . However, reaction to the swine flu from ultra-right wing pundits has been typically disappointing and sad.

It seems that a great many people never learned one of the lessons of AIDS - Which was mainly that a virus has no politics. So while a great many racists are once again making life harder for Mexicans and Latinos on this side of the border . . . They're doing nothing but repeating the same divisive, ultimately futile and ugly mistakes made by so-called conservatives in the 80's who called AIDS the wrath of God against homosexuals until the virus started taking people en masse from all walks of life and now is a very real threat to heterosexuals as well.

Kansas City doesn't get off the hook in this instance either . . . Newsies were on the Westside looking for the Swine Flu only hours before it turned up in suburban Platte Coutny.

And here's a fact that's once again being overlooked in all of this swine flu coverage . . .

RIGHT NOW RICH, UPWARDLY MOBILE WHITE PEOPLE ARE SPREADING THE SWINE FLU FURTHER AND FASTER THAN MEXICANS EVER COULD!!!

C'mon . . . Let's look at the facts . . . Mexicans are great swimmers but there's no way that dreaded illegal Mexican immigrants made it all the way to New Zealand.

And dumb talk about border security providing protection against the Swine Flu is not only dimwitted political opportunism but also fails to understand that throughout history viruses and diseases have never respected walls, gates, checkpoints or any feeble human efforts to control the movement of poor, brown people.

Sorry, the fantasy that secure borders can stop disease would have the American public locked up like Howard Hughes in his later years and STILL not protected from all of the nasty bugs out there . . . It's hard for me to believe that hiding in a basement with tissue paper boxes on your feet and anti-bacterial lotion in one hand is the so-called "Conservative" vision for the United States . . . I've tried it, it's overrated.

Finally . . . I'm officially marking the end of the "pigs fly/swine flu" joke being anything close to clever . . . Time for current events humorists to step up their game.

Links:

Why Border Controls Can't Keep Out the Flu Virus

Immigration debate a new symptom of swine flu outbreak

Swine flu prevention: No benefit seen to closing Texas-Mexico border

Funky Administration refugee doing fine

Burnetta Burtin, former office manager for Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser, this week was appointed the first female secretary of the city's park board in its history.

Life is good post-Funkhouser . . . Now go and sign the Recall.

"A day at the capitol"

The Wednesday Sun spent a day in Jefferson City to learn exactly what goes on in the Missouri legislature . . . The story is nice but has nothing to do with real life in that down and a great many of the soul crushing and horrible things that people have to do in order to stay i.e. mostly interact with folks they really don't like or fight with people they do.

TKC Public Service: How to find a missing emo/goth kid, if you had to . . .

A story of the search for missing, depressed teens who took off after leaving a suicide note isn't funny . . . But after I read it and stopped laughing, I decided that I could help.

It's all about giving back.

So, here it is:

TKC'S GUIDE TO SEARCHING FOR MISSING EMO/GOTH KIDS IF YOU MUST:

1. Have you checked Hot Topic?

2. Listen for pop sounding music with horribly depressing lyrics. Remember that there can be only one Morrissey.

3. If it's sunny outside, realize that they couldn't have made it too far.

4. Look again at Hot Topic.

5. Abandon all hope, sit around and pout, wear a lot of black clothing and only then will a place for an emo/goth kid to go in your area will come to mind.

If none of these options work . . . Giving up is certainly an option as any emo/goth kid will attest . . . And no, there is no difference between Emo or Goth no matter what that South Park episode claims.

And none of this is as important as Petra Nemcova pretending to be depressed, but still hot . . . A sure sign that she has nothing to do with either faction of suburban, white privilege angst.

TKC Diversity note: Yes, I know there are Mexican goths (Moths?), don't remind me.

Superintendent meeting mostly a bust

Just about everyone I talked to at the Kansas City School District Superintendent forum last night said it was an overwhelming disappointment. BOTH candidates are run of the mill politicos who aren't going to create much change . . . Meanwhile, local news isn't reporting that attendance was dismal . . . There was a MUCH bigger turnout when the public interviewed Amato for the job.

Payback: Former Independence Superintendent Arrested

Dr. Scott Taveau was arrested last night in Florida. NBC Action News reports he hasn't been charged with anything but he is involved in a lawsuit with the state. The State of Missouri claims he collected retirement money while working full time which is illegal. The Missouri retirement system wants him to pay back more than $245,000.

Obama metro flood control cash

Kansas City gets $28.7M in stimulus for flood control . . . Of course the projects are solid, already approved and probably needed . . . So I'm not sure what I can criticize Obama for in this post . . . Maybe his hatred of people wearing high water pants . . . ??? Not all this crap can be funny.

Clay's Revenge: Imaginary numbers and bad planning in support of light rail!!!

Transit activist Clay Chastain plans to officially launch yet another petition drive May 18 to try to bring light rail to KC and he recently provided details about horrible plan.

One more story about Downtown air quality

KMBC: Twenty-seven people were treated for possible carbon monoxide poisoning at a halfway house in downtown Kansas City.

The Star is stuck in the past

In keeping with the spirit of swine flu, today The Star is spotlighting a couple of pigs living in a $4 million condo looking down on most of Kansas City in an attempt to alienate the last remaining segment of their audience during a recession. I don't know that the point of the story was other than an attempt to make me hate the couple profiled, the author and the paper-of-record . . . If that was case . . . It worked!!!

Choke on it Kansas City

American Lung Association: Kansas City ranks 22nd-worst for ozone . . . Sadly, in the 50's our air quality would have been referred to as "rich, tasty and refreshing" at least by tobacco companies on TV.

Weather kills more Kansans than Swine Flu

WDAF: 5 Storm-related Deaths In Kansas Since Saturday . . . But it's too hard to blame Mexicans for the weather.

TKC not the worst boyfriend in town

Crime Scene KC: KC man accused of trying to burn himself, GF alive, prosecutors say

Wet morning link compilation

Here are the soggy morning links . . . Or something:

Reflections on bagels and roaches: Only memories remain for venerable New York Bakery on Troost

Placing blame is a local tragedy gets more/less complicated: Court blocks wrongful-death suit by Shipp family

Swine flu in perspective: Swine Flu is Old News for Metro Man

On the other hand panicked swine flu suckers in the metro make for better copy

About town for local crooks: Arrest in smash-and-grab case; rape in KC

In doggie news: KC animal clinic again has dogs rescued from a breeder

Stopping a shredding session in local tumor case: A judge grants a temporary restraining order Wednesday baring the destruction of any records against a company accused of dumping a toxic sludge on northwest Missouri farms.

Tigers to blame for unwanted e-mail: Two MU grads charged in spam scheme

Background on hippie bumper stickers: Jailed Indian activist Leonard Peltier denied access to all FBI files related to his murder case

A photo gallery of wet Italian babe Maria Mazza is maybe the perfect way to start the morning.

Local blog: Holland's Comet

A great compilation of opinion on all things in the headlines from this local blogger.

"The anger, frustration, fear, hate and ugliness out there against this President and the country is palpable."

PFlow gauges public sentiment against President Obama from reactionaries . . . It's not good.

The KC Late Night and nothing to do post

I've got a couple ideas for the morning round of posts . . . And one I have to save until afternoon . . . Still, this morning should be interesting . . . Maybe not as captivating as Adriana Lima & Ana Beatriz Barros posing half naked together . . . But pretty good nonetheless.

At the very least, now that the global recession killed Kansas City's warm weather entertainment and downtown during the week STILL looks like a ghost town. . . It's something to do that doesn't come with a hefty price tag. More posts forthcoming . . . Stay tuned.

Another perspective on the Big, Sexy, Chris Koster Craigslist Crackdown!!!

I'm a big fan of strong opinions from every community in Kansas City and recently via e-mail I received a unique perspective regarding Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's attack on Internet classified giant craigslist. This first person story from a TKC reader reveals that there's nothing new about dangerous hookups and to me it seems like the effort to crack down specifically on craigslist only stifles Internet and ignores the reality of human nature.

Check it:

One thing about Chris Koster looking into craigslist ads for sex, there's something that really bothers me. Like a lot of gay men, I read the craigslist m4m postings when bored but never respond to them. Too risky and I don't want an Std or worse. And the most disturbing part about them is the high prevalence of married men or men with girlfriends who are trolling for sex. It's often the ones that "can't host" or one where the girlfriend/wife is out of town or at work and they have "limited time at home to host" Eeew! Or the other common one is married or supposedly straight men who are in town on business and have a hotel where they can host.

The local married men post all the time. It's crazy what they risk exposing their wife/girlfriend to, but the sad truth is that many have boring marriages without sex so I guess it doesn't matter to them.

Besides craigslist, the married men often cruise parks and bathrooms. It's usually more closeted straight or married men since openly gay guys don't need to go around in secret looking for sex. We can find partners at gay bars, or through dating or parties. There's a site where people can report cruising places and rate them for "safety". www.squirt.org is one place. If former Senator Larry Craig had been checking out squirt.org he would have known that police were staking out Denver bathrooms. That site reports on many places in the KC metro area.

Many cities have bath houses where men can engage in sex all night long. You pay a fee and get a locker or room depending on how long you plan to stay. A room is nothing more than a bed and just for sex. When I was younger and living in another city I confess that I went to bath houses many times and often met married men and priests. That was pre-Aids however and after HIV surfaced I stayed away from those clubs.

Kansas City used to have a bathhouse on 39th Street right near Broadway. It was closed years ago. But the equivalent of one is still open and going strong. They don't call it a bath house, but instead call it a "gym". They have token gym equipment, but it's a place where men go for sex, make no bones about that. They have private rooms with doors. Like most bath houses they provide condoms and promote safe sex, but it's still a place where men can go for sex. I used to work at a company where one of my gay friends told me that before he was hired at that company, he had wild sex with the Chief Operating Officer who masqueraded as a married man, pinnacle of the community. But the guy had a very kinky side of him that he'd expose at the "gym" in Kansas City. My friend was a little surprised to see him when he was hired at the company and of course the COO avoided him like the plague. Fortunately for him he was never outed.

And Erotic City was known for its prevalent sex for years. Now it's the Strand Theatre on Troost or Bazooka's. The men hang out in the hallways, make eye contact, and then go into the video rooms for sex. And they all talk about hooking up via craigslist or other sex sites.

So the craigslist thing is nothing new. Just more public.

Live blogging Obama's press conference

Tumble-o-rama offers the most up to date KC blogger perspective on Obama's 1st 100 mistakes days.

The Gangs of Kansas City

Police, Community Look for Ways to Curb Gang Violence . . . A great story by Tess K.

Show Me Swine Flu Pigs

More on this later . . .

But, just as I expected . . . Reactionaries and racists have started to politicize yet another virus which only serves to make them look like cretins.

Sometimes my work is too easy.

Especially now that swine flu has shown up in Missouri.

Links:

Probable Swine Flu Case Reported in Platte County

Swine Flu Reaches Missouri

Yet Another Money Pit Makeover

The Kansas City Zoo is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the opening of a new rainforest exhibit . . . I hope it's much nicer than a City without cash forced to make cutbacks on cops.

City Hall Audit Follow-Up to a story KICKASS TKC Tipsters told months ago!!!

NBC Action News: City Audit Reveals Misspent Money, Workers Reportedly Fired.

I'm pretty sure they're talking about these posts that TKC readers were offered in January . . . Note, it involves a health club membership purchased with City Hall Cash:

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! AN UNTOLD KANSAS CITY CREDIT CARD CONTROVERSY!!!

TKC EXCLUSIVE FOLLOW UP!!! Kansas City's Untold Credit Card Scandal!!!

A look at the New Mayor Pro Tem: Off the record the Council says it'll be John Sharp

Mayor Funky is out of love with Northland Council Dude and current Mayor Pro Tem Bill Skaggs . . . That might be because a great many people say that Skaggs would be a better Mayor than Funkhouser.

In any event . . . Council shake-ups are on the way and off the record City Council folks are saying that it'll be John Sharp who might walk away with it.

I was hoping that the Mayor would show a bit of insight into Kansas City politics and appoint the first African-American female to the job of Mayor Pro Tem . . . Either his boo, Sharon Sanders Brooks or even better Melba Curls. This appointment would be a bit of Kansas City history and at least one first by the Mayor who has a tenure full of nothing but empty promises.

In any event, what I'm hearing about Sharp isn't good as of late. Personally, I like the guy and I think some of the social causes that he has supported offer a bit of insight into his politics. HOWEVER, he's probably the most skilled politico on the Council given the fact that NOBODY can know for sure where he stands on most Kansas City issues. He's cagey and Funkhouser appointing him is taking a real risk . . . There's word that he could be a dark horse candidate for Mayor but because of his reputation for working with folks against Funkhouser there is once again talk that Sharp just might be (yet again) the last, best hope of he Funky bunch.

We'll see . . . The Mayor Pro Tem job is not a brass ring, it's something that people want to achieve on the way to bigger and better assignments which should make everyone suspicious of the people who actively seek out the job.

Certainly, I like to keep my eye on all of the City Council almost as closely as I'm looking at recent Marissa Miller bikini photos.

JoCo Reefer Madness and a Misplaced Bag of Weed at a Bank!!!

My favorite story in the metro area today involves a clumsy, panicky pothead making an unexpected deposit at a Shawnee bank.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said, the man walked up to a teller at the Country Club Bank to cash a check.

As he reached into his pocket, a baggie containing pot and rolling papers fell to the ground, police said. The man then left without picking up the items.

The guy is later identified by surveillance tape and while they say that they have yet to file charges against the dude . . . I'm pretty sure there is some kind of award for this situation from High Times magazine. At the very least, it's interesting to note a pot head with enough cash to use a bank . . . A JoCo phenomenon to be sure.

Links:

Police: Bank Customer Drops Bag Of Marijuana

Customer Loses Pot at Shawnee Bank

Everybody Panic!!! City Council Lady takes the lead on Swine Flu Preparations!!!

Council Lady Cindy Circo relays the details of a recent Swine Flu briefing.

Lame: Kansas City Band Fight

Back to Rockville: Band members brawl after KC show

Double bonus points to the author for including the phrase "savage beating"

Cloudy Kansas City Wednesday Link Look

Wonderfully Cloudy Afternoon Link Goodness:

Crime Scene KC blogs the not so curious case of a drunk driver crashing into a patrol car for the win fail.

Brides get stiffed . . . Non-porn: Johnson County prosecutors investigate Shawnee florist

Celebrate the end of the recession . . . Or not: The unemployment rate was down slightly in March in the Kansas City area.

Normally, I'm vehemently against solving problems with bullets or a bow and arrow but this lingering JoCo dilemma is just begging for it: Deer Population Explodes in Shawnee Mission Park

NBC Action News on the next Superintendent soon to be fired.

When simply avoiding brown people is not an option: KCMO Health Director On Metro Swine Flu Precautions

A photo gallery of Helena Coelho raises my "spirits" on a cloudy day.

Gone Mild against the Funky recall

I have mixed emotions on this one . . . I'm almost glad to see Dan pro-Funk blogging again because I miss having people to argue with . . . At this point the overwhelming majority of folks are either horribly disappointed with the Mayor or actively want him gone . . . And the accusations from Gone Mild seem kind of weak

"When I noticed her clipboard, I asked her what she was gathering signatures for, and she replied, "For the Mayor."

I told her that I consider myself for the mayor, and she handed me the petition.

Of course, the petition was not "for the mayor", as she claimed, but it was for a recall of the mayor. When I saw that it was one of the recall petitions, I asked her what the legal grounds for recall were. She replied, "Uhh, he's not doing a good job. Folks, those are not legal reasons to recall a Mayor. Telling someone that it is, in an attempt to gain his or her signature, is a form of attempted fraud."

Yikes. Unfortunately, this is the best defense of the Mayor so far and it isn't that good . . . What Gone Mild doesn't mention is the affidavit attached to the petition that someone has to look at BEFORE they sign it which clearly gives the reasons for recall. Picking on some campaign worker making (maybe) 9 bucks an hour isn't exactly the change that Funkhouser supporters trumpeted.

And that's it . . . Petition volunteers and employees refusing to debate with people on the street is not perjury . . . And more importantly, the small minority of Funkhouser loyalists don't even seem too enthusiastic about defending the absentee Mayor who has spent most of his tenure out of town, working on his second job or defending the honor of his co-Mayor wife.

WyCo State Senator Steineger's Tea Party Nazi Name Calling Blunder

Sure, I thought the teabaggers were kind of racist but calling them Nazis is a little rough, overly dramatic and drastically overestimates their level of physical fitness. A conservative blogger calls out the Kansas State Senator Steineger for his gaffe.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MAST EMPLOYEES MOVE TO FIGHT CITY HALL TAKE OVER!!!

The resignation of MAST board of trustees Chairwoman Brenda Pelofsky isn't such a big deal in light of other news I'm hearing from KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS.

First of all, I thought the story was dead and there was no avoiding City Hall playing political games with the medical care of people on local streets. But with every political move . . . There is a consequence . . .

A PETITION TO KEEP MAST OUT OF DIRECT KANSAS CITY CONTROL AND AWAY FROM THE GRIPS OF THE FIRE FIGHTER'S UNION IS UNDERWAY!!!

Already there's a lot of background fighting over the proposed takeover . . . It may be a lost cause but it's still interesting . . .

Not so long ago MAST employees cried foul when a bunch of Firefighter Union sponsored letters showed up endorsing the deal . . . The letters were cited as low level propaganda but complaints about the letters just might have been turned over to the City's legal department according to some MAST supporters. Obviously, there wasn't case . . . But it's an obvious sign of how panicky people become when anyone dares to challenge Union leader Louie Wright.

And that's where things get interesting . . . There is no politico in Kansas City who can afford to openly offend Local 42 . . . However, MAST is running fine without City involvement and the fire fighter's union move to make MAST part of local government is actually a step backward. MAST is regional, quasi-private and is an international model for a local ambulance service . . . The move to take MAST under KC control is nothing more than big government and the political bullying of the Fire Fighter's Union with the only benefit being a meager savings that still isn't proven along with a downgrade is service that is almost guaranteed.

From what I'm hearing . . . A public petition to stop this move would only take less than 5k signatures . . . Look for it to get started after The Funky recall movement.

Making an example of metro movie pirate

Big media isn't playing around about fighting piracy:

Federal prosecutors announced charges Tuesday against a Grandview man accused of illegally recording a movie at a Lee's Summit theater. According to an indictment, Robert L. Henderson, 41, used a video camera to record “The Dark Knight” on July 18 at the Dickinson Eastglen 16 Theatre.

Charges from the feds are kinda steep when it comes to a crappy movie that was way too long and kind of overwrought in retrospect.

Kansas City Archbishop is a big part of the Catholic Anti-Obama Pile on!!!

Small time Catholic papers are reporting that the number of bishops who have publicly criticized the University of Notre Dame for honoring President Barack Obama has reached 48, with archbishops in Kansas City and Washington, D.C. adding their disapproval. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City wrote a scathing attack regarding the appearance in the archdiocesan newspaper, The Leaven.

Kansas City School District Superintendent forum offers grandstanding opportunity along with softball questions

A public forum is planned for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Paseo Academy, 4747 Flora Ave.

Members of the community will get a chance to question the two finalists for Kansas City, Mo. school superintendent before the school board makes its decision . . . But mostly it's going to be an opportunity for semi-professional school board associates to promote their services and contracts under the guise of concern along with the occasional embarrassingly unsophisticated comment from a random person in the crowd who didn't know that these meetings are always nothing more than setups.

Kansas City Field of Pipe Dreams!!!

The Star recently reports on the latest laughable stimulus scheme:

Officials will apply federal stimulus dollars to the existing task of mowing and cleaning about 900 blighted lots forfeited for failure to pay taxes. Fourteen of those parcels will be converted to gardens to grow vegetables and other crops useful in a tough economy.

I have no idea how the rats coming up from the sewers to eat federally grown corn on the Eastside is going to help people who live in that community . . . It gets worse . . .

"The Full Employment Council will use about $700,000 in federal stimulus money to employ up to 300 people between the ages of 16 and 24. They will assist Shawn’s Lawn & Landscaping, which on Tuesday received a $240,000 contract from the Parks and Recreation Department to mow and clean about 120 acres of vacant lots owned by the Land Trust of Jackson County.

The lots are primarily within the 3rd and 5th City Council Districts on the city’s east and southeast sides. Two lots in each of seven neighborhoods within those districts will be designated to be tilled and prepared to become community gardens."

Not only does this fat contract turn a bunch of people into government field hands but it doesn't really accomplish much once the money runs out like, oh let's say job training.

I know that people were hoping for change and whatever but if community garden silliness is all that Kansas City has to show for the sheep-like Obama worship in this town . . . Then a great many of us might have been horribly deceived.

KCPD hiring freeze will lead to fewer officers on the street!!!

Here's another reason for media watchers to be critical of most of what they read . . . EVERY newsie in this town is trying to put a positive spin on recent police cuts now that they are an unavoidable reality . . . Newsies are leading with assurances that there won't be any layoffs or reductions in hours and even that police helicopters are running . . . But the fact is, Kansas City still won't get the new cops promised so long ago and the hiring freeze in light of the natural attrition of officers translates into a reduction of the overall force . . . Happy news that doesn't highlight the consequences of the decisions that this town makes isn't helping anyone . . . In fact it only serves to keep people misinformed when reporters start quoting PR as if it was reality.

Kansas City Stadiums Stay Winning!!!

Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium will get a $277,000 makeover in a project approved Tuesday by the Kansas City park board.

I know, I know . . . It's a valuable asset to the community and whatever . . . But it's also disheartening to know that stadium funding of all varieties still take a high priority over neighborhoods . . . And the place mostly sits vacant.

KCTV5 Covers Nasty Northland Nurse!!!

I have no idea why The Pitch runs a weird kind of snarky, hostile-to-people-of-color-spin but they totally trashed a rather interesting story.

KCTV5's Investigation of alleged local male nurse molestations was sort of scary.

Here's what is likely the money excerpt:

For almost seven years, William S. Price worked in the emergency room at North Kansas City Hospital. In that time, at least two women stepped forward and accused the nurse of drugging and sexually assaulting them while under his care.

Lisa filed a police report alleging an assault in 2004, but North Kansas City Hospital dismissed the accusation and kept Price on the job . . .

Less than two years after Lisa's allegation, another woman came forward with a strikingly similar experience, saying Price sexually assaulted her at North Kansas City Hospital after locking the door to an ER examination room and administering intravenous drugs.

She later told police that Price repeatedly "inserted his fingers into her vagina" while she was drugged . . .

Federal prosecutors discovered in June 2006 that Price was using his skills as a nurse and his knowledge of hospital pharmaceuticals outside the emergency room, as well.

For more than eight months, Price drugged a 15-year-old girl inside his home and "videotaped himself molesting and raping her ... while she was unconscious," according to court documents.

According to federal documents, he was dressed only in a T-shirt that read "Making a difference. One patient at a time."

I'm sorry, I'm not a cynical hipster and I can't dismiss local drama like it's an episode of the hills. THIS REPORT WAS GOOD STUFF . . . And just another example of how the Medical Industrial Complex is screwing over patients in one of many nasty ways.

Petty environmentalism before safety in KC

KMBC reports that weekly curbside recycling will continue in Kansas City, despite budget cutbacks in other departments. Proving once again that disposing of The Star, plastic containers and cereal boxes in order to make hippies feel better about themselves is far more important than cops on local streets.

Pets finally help Kansas City people

WDAF: Mars Petcare US plans to move its research and development operation to a current production facility in Kansas City, adding 157 jobs.

Show Me Religious Persecution?!?!?

The Star: "Three men affiliated with a Missouri charity have asked a federal judge to throw out criminal charges against them, alleging they are being prosecuted because they are Muslims."

Kansas City Morning Link Collection

Here the links from mainstream media that I'm looking at this morning:

Once again suburbia has access to more resources than KC Proper: Lee's Summit Police Department Looking for New Cops

It takes teen being shot 5 times and dying to get a conversation about violence in the metro: Teen's Murder Sparks Outrage, Discussion Over Youth Violence

NBC Action News follow-up . . . Is a KC Cold Case Linked to the Tylenol Murders? . . . And apparently the story inspired a bit of reaction: Investigators: Bizarre Cold Case Reopened

Fed Money thrown by the roadside: Kansas City will use more than $800,000 in federal stimulus money to build trail sections on the Indian Creek and Blue River greenways

Making room for a KC Institution: Marching Cobras Need New Practice Space

The most recent suburban annoyance makes the news: Several Mailboxes Damaged in Blue Springs

25 year-old Mexican hottie Vanessa Claudio makes me forget about the Swine Flu for the moment.

Maybe Happy News Will Help

KCTV5 Coverage for folks for people who like to smile: "Kansas Citians Tout Positives Of City Life"

More KC Rap Cred for Hyper Sniper

Two years ago, TKC profiled Hyper Sniper and the write-up earned a great reaction. I'm glad to see the guy is still in the local rap game and recently earned a bit more publicity from The Pitch. Proving once again that haters usually fall to the wayside for artists smart enough to ignore them.

The Mark Parkinson Era in Kansas!!!

Micheal Mahoney reports that just sworn in Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson is going to try to play to the middle . . . That's a wise strategy is he follows through, while I can't get over the fact that his one time step-mom was a ho so famous that she appeared in special Playboy spread. And now I have to find more photos of her for every mention of Parkinson's name.

Kansas City Blogger Observation

AKCB shares his observations about Obama's 1st 100 days and it involves the reaction from local conservative blogs.

Kansas City Panic in 140 Characters

KCTV5 Weather now on Twitter.

The Early Morning Back Up

Depending on what The Star does or doesn't do . . . I should have a few good things for the morning update . . . Right now I'm going to get some beauty sleep and or give a KC Casino 5 bucks.

In the meantime, I'm carefully studying an older photo gallery of Kanye (no fishsticks) and Anne V which isn't hot at all now that this nation has allegedly transcended race . . . Or something.

Also, I think the scary pig and brown people plague is mostly hype for those of us who aren't dead yet.

Finally, I'm digging a new low budget promo for up and coming Internet radio station Popfreeradio.com.

And there's much more on the way . . . Hopefully.

Stay tuned . . .

POLICE CUT AFTERMATH!!! KANSAS CITY IS TOO BROKE TO BE SAFE!!!

So now the cuts to the Police are here . . . And they couldn't come at a worse time.

A well-informed TKC TIPSTER makes the following observation:

In the period May 1, 2008 - today, we have had 146 homicides, the highest 12 month total since calender year 1993--the worst year for homicides in the history of KCMO. So, we are the only, and I stress the only, large city in the US to be having a homicide rate in 2009 comparable to the "Crack Wars" of the early 1990's.

And we know that the warmer weather brings even more murder to the metro. Unfortunately, there are very few politicos dedicated to this problem and from everything I'm seeing . . . It's just getting worse. Seriously, I don't think that Kansas City politicos are going to be able to get away with their annual, end of summer anti-violence trend as homicides normally declined in the last, cold, months of the year away . . . THIS YEAR COULD SEE RECORD BREAKING KANSAS CITY MURDER AND VIOLENCE!!! And on this, I'm am hoping against hope that I'm completely wrong and Kansas City's murder rate doesn't get out of hand in the face of KCPD budget cuts . . . Because I know we're not prepared to properly address the problem if it turns out that I'm right.

Links:

Officers To Be Pulled Off the Streets This Week

Police Chief: Budget Cuts Will Impact Crime

The Spirit(s) of Kansas City

I have a horrible sense of humor . . . By far this is my favorite story of the day:

Police say a 23-year-old Kansas City man had two young children in his vehicle as he was drinking a beer during a police chase.

James E. French is charged with resisting arrest, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and driving while revoked.

According to court documents, French was driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am near Linwood and College around 9:20 p.m. Sunday when officers attempted to pull him over for an outstanding Jackson County warrant.

French did not stop and led police to 31st and Bales, where he stopped his vehicle and put his hands out the driver’s side window, police say.

But as officers approached, French drove off, stopping again in the 3000 block of Bales, where police say he got out of the car with a beer in his hand and approached officers.

French continued to drink the beer as he approached police, despite verbal commands to stop, court documents say.

Yeah, the fact that there were kids in danger kind of takes the fun out of the story . . . But they weren't seriously hurt according to the story . . . So I'm pretty sure it's okay to laugh at this liquored up local police chase.

KCPD in Mexico

Kansas City Police Officers in Mexico right now learning Spanish through an immersion program . . . Via The KC Guy

Mayor Funky's fight against Kansas City

Funkhouser's lawyer counters city in suit over volunteer ordinance

And in a bit of EXCLUSIVE news regarding Mayor Funky's litigious reign . . . NOBODY HAS HEARD MUCH FROM MAYOR FUNKY'S OTHER LAWYER AND, SURPRISINGLY, INITIAL TKC REPORTS ABOUT HIS ABSENCE SEEM CORRECT!!!

Evening Link Layout: Missing You Edition

It's really nice outside . . . Unfortunately, I have links and X-box live to deal with right now:

PANDA-EMIC FEARS REALIZED IN KCK!!!



KCKPD receives shipment of pandas . . . This is what they're talking about when the mention a pandemic, right? It doesn't look so bad horrible. Pandas are cute.

A bit of background on one of the Superintendent candidates.

KCTV5 keeps JoCo worried: Car Burglar Cruises Lots On Motorcycle

Judge yourself and others: Salaries in Kansas City link via the Star's biz blog.

If he was a politico he could have gotten away with it and called it "stimulus" or something: Man sentenced to 41 months in prison for $1.6M heist

Expensive plan from silly man: Latest Chastain light-rail plan will carry big price

Local sad occasion: Renee Pernice disappeared from her Kansas City home in early January her family is marking her birthday

One more "Kansas City on a budget" vacation article . . . Local politico slap fighting as a source of endless hours of fun.

A reminder from Stacy K: 2 years and Kara is still missing.

Tianna Ta bikini goodnes!!

Rock Chalk Deadly Drunken Walk

NBC Action News: The University of Kansas freshman who died last week was likely drinking before he fell off the roof of a girls’ dorm.

It's the second alcohol related death at KU this year I think; and this tragedy isn't funny at all but I'm pretty sure TV newsies could have come up with a nicer photo of the dead guy in which he doesn't look like the kind of party dude that would fall off a women's dorm to his death.

Kansas City Iraq War Reunion

KC Currents provides some interesting coverage of a Dinner with KC Area Iraqi Refugees and Iraq War Veterans at the Community Christian Church sponsored by the local American Friends Service Committee.

Absentee Mayor: Funkhouser nowhere to be found at important Police Board meeting!!!

Yael T. Abouhalkah offers yet another example of Kansas City's Mayor abandoning his post:

Funkhouser skips police board budget vote

Mayor Mark Funkhouser skipped Tuesday's police board meeting -- the one where the board discussed and then voted on the controversial 2009-10 budget for the department.

Funkhouser reportedly was in Lincoln, Neb., on personal business, according to a top aide.

Mind you . . . This is the same Mayor who expressed his commitment to the KCPD and the same Mayor who tried to talked over and over about priorities . . . Honestly, I hope nothing is seriously wrong with this dude . . . If not, it really looks like the guy simply isn't interested in the job nowadays.

Joe Miller's be1 report

Kansas City Author and former Mayor Funky Communications dude is still working for Kansas City . . . In fact, he seems more dedicated to grassroots issues than his old boss.

Queen Kathleen

Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas has been confirmed the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services . . . And say what you want about the Obama Administration . . . At the very least he found a way to pluck this woman out of a state where she had very little in common with most of her constituents.

Local Social Media Politicos

BlogKC compiles a list of local politicos using Facebook, Twitter and blogs in a manner where it's almost impossible to flame them i.e. Kansas City elected officials can't stand up to the same scrutiny of college students still using myspace.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY POLITICOS CAUGHT MICRO-MANAGING AT CITY HALL!!!

An important letter just made it my way . . . I'll copy and paste the text here because it demonstrates just how mettlesome Kansas City politicos can be . . .

Check it:

Office of the City Council

DATE: April 24, 2009

TO: Wayne Cauthen, City Manager

FROM: Cathy Jolly, 6th District

SUBJECT: Kansas City’s Role in International Economic Development

It is my understanding that there are pending and current international and economic development affairs that need someone representing City Hall to handle. Jo Anna “Jodi” Edgerton has handled these events for the City. Due to this year’s budget, her position has been eliminated.

There are council members who, along with myself, have expressed they would like for her to continue in this role, provided that her employment is financed with outside revenue; meaning private financing, not city funds.

It is my understanding that these outside revenues have been obtained for Ms. Edgerton to continue her service in this area.

The following councilmembers have expressed that Ms. Edgerton continue, provided that no General Revenue or other City funds are used: Jan Marcason, John Sharp, Ed Ford, and Cindy Circo. It is also my understanding that the Mayor and Councilman Skaggs have brought similar support for her efforts in other conversations.

Again, I want to state that we are supportive of her employment provided it is dependent on finding outside sources of revenue and no General Revenue funds or other City funds are used. I believe that her employment is important for Kansas City’s Business and Economic Development.

If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

There are spots for folks to sign . . . I'm not sure how many of them attached their names on the typed copy . . . But here are the folks with their name on the memo:

Cathy Jolly, 6th District, At-Large
Bill Skaggs, 1st District
Jan Marcason, 4th District
Cindy Circo, 5th District At-Large
John Sharp, 6th District
Ed Ford, 2nd District At-Large
Mark Funkhouser, Mayor

Now, what can we learn from this?

Well, the folk attaching their name to this memo, if they signed it, don't really understand the difference between governance and management . . . It's a basic lesson that's taught in most High School Civics classes.

Also, I don't know what these people owe Jodi Edgerton but she must have some major pull if she's able to leave so many Council people obviously putting themselves out there on a limb for one lady keeping a job in the face of so many layoffs at The Hall.

All things considered . . . I just don't like this memo because there are more important problems Kansas City needs to deal with besides giving day to day directives to Cauthen . . . I don't understand the line about the financing of her job but it creeps me out nonetheless . . . Also, I think it's mostly understood that International Trade Development in Kansas City is just another term for "KICKASS FREEBIE POLITICO JUNKET!!!" and I'm not sure if I want the Council managing the finer points of those kind of deals.

Mistaken identity & KC Parking Tickets!!!

Local parking problems continue to tarnish the reputation of this small time burg . . . Recently, a guy was sent some parking tickets in the mail from Kansas City despite the fact he was nowhere near this town:

Kansas TV Newsies called Kansas City officials on Smith's behalf and urged them to take a closer look at his case. After a day of phone calls and email exchanges, FactFinder 12 was informed that the case against Smith was being dropped on the grounds of mistaken identity and apparent informational errors on the tickets.

Even though the car had been sold to Carmax, Smith and his son, Scott, were still the registered owners on file with the state. Kansas City police tell us that's because dealerships aren't required to register vehicles.

There's a happy ending here (ew) but it's still just a tiny bit troubling that our Municipal Court system is the subject of one of those cheesy TV Newsie Consumer Advocacy stories . . . And we didn't even get a chance to threaten a TV crew or put our hands over the lens of the camera.

Koster Craigslist Hooker Crackdown!!!

Hey, they don't call it "Action" news for nothing . . . Mo. Attorney General Chris Koster’s office confirmed Monday night that he is investigating Craigslist -- just less than a week after NBC Action News aired a hidden camera investigation exposing

Thank TV news for shutting down one more place where people are likely to get an STD.

Wait, there are women on the Internet who aren't in some state of undress?!?!?

Chicks Who Click, a conference and networking event for women engaging in social media, will take place in Kansas City May 16.

It looks expensive and it's one of the those social media marketing things . . . And we all know that PR and media wenches are pretty much just a few paychecks away from prostitution . . . So maybe my stupid assumptions aren't all that unfounded.

Kansas City Impromptu Fountain

As long as KC's infrastructure is old and busted . . . This town will never be without some kind of water display: Water Main Shoots Large Water Fountain

Actually, the late night show in this case was rather lucky because it didn't involve sewage.

RETORTS ILLUSTRATED!!!

The Northeast News features some KICKASS local, political comics from the guy we all know as El Bryan!!!

Seriously, it's good stuff, it's pretty balanced and I like his style . . . NICE!!!

Harsh Times for KCK guy on the take

KCTV5: Former Kansas Prison Worker Sentenced . . . Prison Worker Guilty Of Accepting Inmate Bribe

TKC EXCLUSIVE FUNKY RECALL REPORT!!!

The Star claims: "Mayoral recall effort has another week to collect petitions"

In fact, the Funkhouser Recall folks are going to get the 10 day extension . . .

Even more interestingly . . . Mayor Funky's own neighborhood hates him.

Up till this point, the majority of signatures have come from the 4th district.

Now, we all know that Mayor Funky is extraordinarily litigious and he has promised to fight the recall in the same unsuccessful manner he's fighting for Co-Mayor Gloria's feet . . .

HOWEVER, JUDGING BY THE MAYOR'S LACK OF STANDING IN THE VOLUNTEER ORDINANCE ARGUED BY CITY HALL . . . IF THAT ARGUMENT HOLDS UP THIS WEEK THEN IT MIGHT ALSO THWART MAYOR FUNKY'S CHALLENGE TO ANY RECALL PETITION THAT'S ALSO PART OF THE CITY CHARTER!!!

Put simply . . . Mayor Funky might have to find (and pay) for his own lawyer in order to challenge the move to oust him . . . Depending on what a judge soon decides on a slightly unrelated case.

Meanwhile signatures are still coming in and volunteers are now looking for ways to collect the many copies that have been circulating.

Oh . . . And a great many people think that bunk story about Gloria Squitiro being in a mental hospital circulating in comment threads around town is some kind of false flag bit of political hackery intended to garner sympathy and make recall supporters seem mean . . . When in fact, I think the overwhelming majority of people think it would be best for Squitiro, Funkhouser and all of Kansas City if Co-Mayor couple simply stayed at home and left their elected office to someone more qualified and better prepared to handle the job.

SUSPECT HITS KCK COP

A Kansas City, Kan. police officer was hit by the door of a car as a suspect fled the scene of a traffic stop.

A lesson in finding the fall guy

KC school board picks two finalists for superintendent job

Seminar: Screwing your way to self-improvement!!!

I imagine that at first glance the press kit for an upcoming Kansas City business seminar looks like a middle-aged woman visiting town with her dad:

Bestselling authors Suzy and Jack Welch will visit Kansas City next month. Columnist and author Suzy Welch will discuss 10-10-10 – a powerful new strategy for making difficult decisions and clarifying choices.

Jack Welch, former Chairman and CEO of General Electric, will interview Suzy about the 10-10-10 approach, followed by a question-and-answer session.

I don't know anything about their rap but I'm thinking some of the difficult decisions might be along these lines and headlined this way by the duo:

Squeezing old, saggy ass for millions

Learning to accept being loved solely for money

Making Daddy issues pay beyond the chump change of a stripper pole

Ignoring her late night outings and weekends away from home

Intimacy with an elderly partner and finding a "happy place"

I've only been to a couple of business seminars and I think truly successful people avoid them like the swine flu . . . However, it's kind of fun that folks teaching the principles of success to the adoring masses just might be a living example of how much money can't buy . . . Then again, that's not to imply that a great many po'folk aren't stuck in relationships of convenience as well . . . In fact, just about all married people seem to be upholding some kind of lie . . . Kudos to these folks for the ability to sell tickets to it.

Gladstone protects our right to mock the dead and their surviving family members

Gladstone repeals ordinance prohibiting picketing at funerals

Only in death: Chiefs coach successfully passes

Former Chiefs Coach Frank Gansz Dies

Show Me another train annoyance

KC Star columnist Kraske will talk about a national high-speed rail system and what it could mean for Missouri.

Girlfight Gone Wrong

I don't even want to mention the disparity here, because it's obvious . . . I just want to wish this broad good luck in jail: 14-year-old will be tried as adult in deadly KCK shooting

KC morning links coming on strong!!!

Some of the more interesting links I'm going through this morning . . .

In the event of a disaster other than the typical Royals post-All-Star break meltdown: Severe Weather Plans In Place To Protect Thousands of Fans

New hotness is an old and busted cop in training: Meet the 65-year-old police recruit

One more Kansas City Chicken Problem: Armed Robbery at Church's Chicken in KC

Alleged Suburban interloper . . . Good luck in jail: Gladstone man charged in deadly shooting on Southwest Boulevard

Kansas City suffering from only phone panic for now: Swine Flu Questions Flood Hospital Call Center

Federal money for KC's longest running fly-by-night organization: Full Employment Council gets stimulus money for job training

Yet another sinking feeling in suburbia: Man Crawls from Car As it Sinks in Lee's Summit Lake

Strange move for JaxCo: County delays vote on KC inmates

Urban hairstyle will save the world: Dreadlocks Will Be Cut Off Student for a Cause

Jodie Marsh is rough and powerful sexy all at the same time.

Attack of The Kansas City Know-It-All!!!

Around every local election these people come out of the wood work . . . You know who I'm referring to . . . The Kansas City know-it-all who can quote a great many City Ordinances line by line and sadly thinks that useless talent substitutes for the money and connections it takes to have any real influence in this town.

The strange Kansas City know-it-all is best epitomized by two local blogs who have recently been involved in a mutual masturbation session involving developments on Troost.

Toellner Tells it offers a typically enthusiastic appraisal of Troost development invoking a lot of minutiae and blathering about walkability.

12th & Main started off the discussion with equally clueless remarks and speculation about yet another Troost welfare project.

Unfortunately, neither one of these bloggers noted the reality of business on Troost . . . It's a wasteland. And Government subsidized business would be a sinful waste of cash for a cause that is every bit as hopeless as the people I see walking around Troost buying liquor and Cheetos at 10 o'clock in the morning.

See . . . Just like Downtown developers . . . These bloggers are welfare cheerleaders of a different sort . . . Instead of singing the praises of corporate crooks, they're carrying the flag of non-profit agencies and the like . . .

This clueless political sect represents the same misinformed bloc of voters who would vote for a candidate based on something silly like a dog park, biking trail or community center rather than trying to discern an overall political philosophy of governance based on any kind of track record. Put simply, these are the kind of d-bags who are impressed when a politico remembers their name.

I guess I'm offended whenever anybody talks about The Eastside and forgets to mention the local homicide count . . . Right now Kansas City murders are about to run completely out of control . . . And Troost is the dividing line where death stops becoming news and is treated as commonplace. Without addressing this fact of life FIRST there will NEVER be any recovery, development or change that is sustainable.

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH SAFETY.

Ask Maslow if my style is too abrasive to be trusted.

Unfortunately, The Kansas City Know-it-All is smart enough to realize that solutions to Eastside crime are beyond the scope of some dweeb with no money or connections so they hide in meaningless issues like light rail, biking trails, dog parks, animal rights, environmentalism and Jazz in order to avoid facing any real conflict or getting to the very heart of the problem that has kept Kansas City such a third rate town for so long.

"Republicans in Jefferson City are trying their best to ruin the party forever."

A great line from a post that's otherwise filled with standard Democrat complaints . . . Still, it's nice to see that some things don't change no matter how much people hope . . . According to J-Dub, the Show-Me State Republicans are just as bad as they've ever been.

Missouri State Senator Jolie Justus: "How Are You Going to Fix Our Schools?"

State Senator Justus writes what could be the most convoluted and equivocating bit of opinion regarding Kansas City Schools I've ever read. Here's a brief sample: "real change will not come to the school district until we address the issues from the top-down AND the bottom-up."

Pardon me for being so crass, but does that sound like some old weird lesbian sh*t to anybody else?

The less politicos talk, write and communicate in general . . . The better off we all are . . . Still, I'm a fan of the recent bill put forth by Justus that's making a bit of progress. The bill makes the KC School Board more accountable to the local electorate and stops these set-up appointments that are mostly used to install cronies.

As for the philosophy of Justus on KC Schools . . . I really wish she would have cut short her polemic because it reminded me of the same kind of silly liberalism that has already contributed to a generation of Kansas City School District Failure.

And while it may sound like a sessy way to spend an afternoon . . . Nobody has time to play nice with professional, well-educated lesbians . . . There needs to be drastic, radical and quick change to KC School District that should probably come in the form of a state takeover . . . Other than that, any way for students to get out of the clutches of the mostly corrupt School Board is the second best option . . . At this point a consensus of politicos is probably the worst thing imaginable . . . Parents and students with the means have been voting with their feet for years which has translated to the ongoing steady decline in enrollment . . . As for the last, poor, remaining souls in the District . . . This town is finished listening to pie-in-the-sky hope for change when virtually every idea from the local political establishment that collaborates with the district - rather than dismantling it - Has just become another facet of Kansas City school failure.

Midwest Same-Sex Marriage Closer to KC

With the KCPD cutting domestic partner benefits . . . The gay friendliness of Kansas City is suspect despite the inordinate number of dudes wearing skinny jeans in Midtown.

Nevertheless, gay marriage is now here in the Midwest . . . Less than a day's drive away.

And if Kansas City was ahead of the game, if this town really wanted to attract a creative, professional class with a lot of disposable income (i.e. no kids for the most part) then this town would do something to welcome this change on the horizon . . . Something a little bit more progressive than grabbing ankle for the d-bag, reactionary, Republican paper tigers in Jeff City.

The TKC Evening Link Look

Just a few things I'm thinking about tonight:

MUST SEE: MIDTOWN MISCREANT FINDS THE ENDGAME FOR ALL LOCAL CELEBRITY . . . IT'S JUST AS HORRIBLE AS ANYONE COULD IMAGINE!!!

I found a favorite video from Uncle Ed Muscare's Youtube page . . . Sing-a-longs are nice.

The Uptown is always best when they go old school: On the way: Yes with Asia

On the subject of Interrogation techniques and Prairie Village Citizen Police Academy . . . Even The KC Guy advises to call your lawyer.

Man Selling Independence Business for $1 . . . If he's that desperate, then it's still probably overpriced.

FUMO doesn't have any idea what's going on with tonight's Missouri House Ethics Committee . . . But he's safely blaming Republicans anyway.

KMBC interviews a local travel agent advising folks to reschedule trips to Mexico . . . Save money, stay at home and panic.

Local photog Zach at his first wedding . . . He did a great job, by the looks of it the marriage will fail.

And a photo gallery of UK babe Roxanne Pallett will probably inspire TKC readers just as much as any of these evening links . . . Maybe more.

Local Drive-by dude wanted revenge

NBC Action News: Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting into a Kansas City House

Beating your old lady is bad for business

Domestic violence worsens in a bad economy . . . More depressing news during the recession and some info on The Rose Brooks Center.

Are Hearne's Haters weighing him down?

I hate to admit it . . . I'm a regular reader of Hearne's blog KC Confidential.

However, I've noticed some rather nasty vitriol directed his way . . . Honestly, I had to insult just about every white person in rural Missouri before I started getting anything close to the hate that was left in the comments on his site.

Saturday night there was a torrent of nastiness on Hearne's blog in the comment section . . . Looking at it now, I see that Hearne and his fellow bloggers have removed the attacks, most of which were in horrible taste. While that's good for peace of mind, it doesn't inspire active discussion . . . And that's really the interesting point here:

Hearne is no longer protected by the big media glass house and security guards from The Star . . . He's a blogger, he's on his own.

Safety, comfort zones and potential stalker issues are always a concern for bloggers . . . In my rare conversations with female bloggers, I've always wondered how they dealt with security . . . Of course, I never leave my basement so I'm good against all of the d-bags who might vehemently disagree with me . . . Also, I'm always right so that helps . . .

Still . . . With anonny editors and IT people no longer protecting Hearne, only now is he subject to the real wrath of the mob and he can see up close and personal how nasty readers can get . . . I'm waiting to see how he deals with it and while I don't like deleting comments . . . Hearne seems to be going that route.

Meanwhile . . . A great many of you d-bags have shown remarkable insight in taking TKC apart and helping to keep this blog somewhat honest . . . Which is nice in between random racial and teh ghey remarks.

Breaking: Jolie Justus reports Kansas City School District may face Missouri scrutiny!!!

Here's the tweet from the KC Lady Senator: "Senate just passed amendment that would require a committee to look at the governance of the KC School District."

Local Day-Care Scare

KMBC: Fire Breaks Out At KC Day-Care Center

Local Swine Flu Talk

The Kansas City Kansan has some advice other than panic: Metro health departments taking on Swine flu

The TKC Afternoon Link Look Update: Kansas City in collapse edition!!!

Lots of links this afternoon . . . Not all of them are dedicated to the weather and a great man noting Kansas City real estate collapse:

The KC Biz journal reports deep, desperate discounts in a once booming section of Kansas City real estate . . . Also, I guess the "Renaissance" is now comprised of mostly crappy rental property: 10 percent to 25 percent discounts on most downtown condominiums

In more local real estate collapse news: Building Collapse Blocks 30th Street

Suburban fail as well: Retaining Wall Collapses in Northland

Discounts that very few can afford: KC March Housing Sales and Prices Down

Horrific crime follow-up: Police are looking for the gunman who shot and killed a 17-year-old over the weekend.

Zeus hates suburbia as well: Lightning Hits Leawood Home

The Source reports that the speaker for Missouri Democrat Party Truman Days is a big part of U.S. financial demise . . . No, it's not G.W. Bush.

Crime Scene KC story round-up: New details in KC firefighters' murder -- did the defense have access to all of the evidence?

Show Me economic advice: Treasurer Clint Zweifel on CNBC

Damn Diora Baird looks good in her recent FHM photoshoot . . . I'm just saying.

Westside Substation fight just getting started

AN AMAZING STORY FROM KC CURRENTS: KCP&L Substation Generates Opposition on Westside

The Star wants to run The KCPD

Budget cutting suggestions from the editorial board that lives mostly in Johnson County.

Phelps Clan Apocalypse!?!?!?

The nastiest family in Kansas is preparing for the last days and maybe heading out of Kansas (God willing) for the Apocalypse . . . The downside? Bloggers are concerned that they might take innocent people with them:

Kansas Watch: "Is Topeka's Phelps' Clan Planning To Go All Waco or Jonestown On Us?"

Tumble-o-rama: "Westboro Baptist Church Planning Suicidal Exodus? - Towleroad"

That's the problem with REALLY religious folks . . . Sometimes they don't see any problem with taking a lot of folks with them . . .

On the other hand (ew), a (bad) Catholic like myself only has a religious experience when photos of scantily clad white women are involved.

"The state of Suburban Retail" at a Strip Mall in Merriam!!!

Eric Bowers comes away with a KILLER image from the Kansas City suburbs that should put all of your fears regarding recovery to rest . . . It's not going to happen any time soon.

KC Councilman Ed Ford's new blog!!!

Ed Ford's new blog has the appearance of comments . . . But no real comments. Cindy Circo's blog hasn't been updated in a half a month . . . $20 bucks to the next City Hall denizen with a Twitter . . . $20 bucks to me that is . . . Natch.

Missouri Ethics meeting not an oxymoron!!!

House Ethics Committee to meet in closed session tomorrow . . . They'll be talking about stupid statements regarding slavery rather than the current overblown paranoia drummed by The Star over a Democrat FBI investigation . . . Despite the fact the Dems are still so hopelessly out of power in Missouri they have little to offer by way of pay for play.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! MAYOR FUNKY'S FRIENDS DESPERATE TO GET ITEMIZED MAMMYGATE EXPENSE REPORT FIRST!!!

The bad news just keeps coming for Mayor Funky and his people are becoming increasingly desperate to top the downward spiral. They might even have to work 40 hours a week to make it happen.

The latest bit of bad news comes thanks to A KICKASS TKC TIPSTER:

THE CITY COUNCIL HAS CALLED FOR AN ITEMIZED REPORT REGARDING THE TIME AND MONEY SPENT ON THE MAMMYGATE CASE AND IT'S COMING SOON!!!

And just like TKC still has friends at The Star . . . So does Mayor Funky . . .

Word on the street is that Star "reporter" Michael Mansur is in a tizzy to get a hold of the report in order to exonerate family friend Mayor Funky.

Let's not forget that Mansur was the newsie who tried to exonerate Mayor Funky on campaign finance issues . . . Right before Funkhouser was fined for his sloppy bookkeeping.

So, good luck to Mansur as he is in a desperate attempt to make the Mayor's case in the news section of The Star. Meanwhile . . . A great many people in Kansas City now realize that Mayor Funkhouser's corrupt use of his office to defend his wife's big, stinky, bare feet has been one of this town's greatest embarrassments and very soon we will realize the real world cost of Mark Funkhouser's incompetence.

FUNKHOUSER RECALL AT 10K!!!

They're off and running . . . Really.

The Funkhouser Recall Folks are announcing that they've reached 10,000 signatures.

The KC Hispanic News has a great article featuring Charlie Lona . . . The headline pretty much sums it up: ‘It’s the easiest Petition I’ve ever done,’ Lona says

As of now things are looking good for the recall organizers . . . Almost as good as Maria Sharapova in a bikini . . . Almost.

If Mexicans didn't already make you sick

I should be happy . . .

At the outset of panic over EVEN MORE global pandemic fears . . . As of yet there hasn't been any mainstream overt racism or xenophobia from anyone but Internet d-bags.

In fact, smarter people are hoping that media hype doesn't lead to further panic.

The best article making fun of all this hysteria comes from New Zealand, of course:

"Swine flu panic just hogwash"

Still, I never underestimate the lengths that some people will go to in order to kick brown people out of the country.

And Monday has just begun . . . So I'm sure that scary, brown people flu will be a topic of discussion as this nation still hasn't learned to stop politicizing sickness.

The Devastating Aftermath of light rain!!!

Yes, there were disastrous storms in the Midwest this weekend . . . Some storm chasing d-bag even went out and captured some video that's not too bad.

And Bottom Line Communications reports some big numbers for the weather coverage.

But when light rain only appeared in my neighborhood and in KC Proper . . . It just seemed like unnecessary hysterics to me. And honestly, I've always wondered how much people in the middle of a storm relied on Katie Horner or any other weather newsie looking so gravely concerned and running around the studio . . . Other than, of course, the comic relief of Horner coming into the studio in her "hot soccer mom" get up in order to communicate the fact that she just came off MILF duty.

What was even funnier were the announcements by newsies noting twitter chats . . . Frankly, I was hoping that they could've taken the whole conversation to Facebook where I could have much more easily ignored it . . . And I'm sure that one of these days technology will provide the answer . . . Because regional panic driven weather coverage seems horribly outdated and part of a distant memory of when people actually cared about news that didn't directly impact their own lives.

Free Chicken Kansas City!!!

KFC is giving away of FREE piece of grilled chicken today ya'll!!! Unlike rural weather reports mercilessly dominating the TV News . . . This report is actually applicable to your everyday life . . . Also, I'm pretty sure these recent restaurant giveaways are the modern day equivalent to breadlines.

JoCo Prison Industrial Complex goes mobile

The Star: "Jail remodeling will have Johnson County inmates on the move"

The next politico to be fired in 18 months

The Star: "The finalists bidding to be the Kansas City School District's next superintendent go before the community this week."

TKC TIPSTER PROVEN RIGHT ABOUT KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT MOLD PROBLEM!!! LOCAL BLOG COVERAGE SCOOPS THE STAR BY A YEAR!!!

In December of last year TKC and a KICKASS TIPSTER offered a special feature regarding shocking images of Kansas City School buildings and their horrible mold problem.

Now it looks like The Star has finally caught up to the story.

Here's the latest from the "paper-of-record" . . .

"Schools face mold mystery"

I don't like the headline because it implies that there is a problem other than Kansas City School District incompetence.

Still . . . The story about recent findings of dangerous mold in Kansas City Schools has been out for months THANKS TO TKC TIPSTERS and only now are we starting to see some action taken to fight it . . . Meanwhile, people in KC Schools have been breathing it in this whole time.

Local Nurses Sick of Union

Centerpoint Medical Center nurses oust union . . . A story from Saturday but still significant given that the Medical Industrial Complex is killing collective bargaining as well as people without health insurance.

A Local Blogger Provides Comprehensive Kansas City Chalk Walk Coverage

Hyperblogal hit a high mark recently and provided better coverage of the return of the Chalk Walk back to the Concourse in Historic Northeast than any other news organization in Kansas City.

Eating Farm Fresh in Kansas City

A great guide to Farmers Markets to opening all around the Kansas City metro from Kansas City's About.com blog.

And while a lot of people rave about these places . . . The idea that the food is grown in the back of the Supermarket comforts me a lot more than the look of produce without the comforting chemical additives that make it look more appealing.

Local Blogger Obsession

It's hard not to look at an AMAZING assortment of paper cranes by local blogger Smeddley and feel some sort of admiration.

Chiefs Choke Before Season Starts

Expert analysis from RDM: Scott Pioli and the Chiefs get worst grade on NFL Draft day 1

The Wet and Wild Weekend

It was a good weekend, here's a bit of what I learned:

The Chiefs are going to focus on defense and LJ is as good as gone . . . Despite the fact that local TV news was mostly focused on the weather and didn't cover the draft.

Mexicans become even more dangerous.

White Rapper Asher Roth is kinda racist . . . Or just as bad or good as Don Imus for allegedly using the term "Nappy Headed Hos."

We're 100 days in . . .

More posts forthcoming . . . Maybe . . .

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! FUNKHOUSER ABANDONS KANSAS CITY!!! THE MAYOR IS A NO-SHOW AT TWO IMPORTANT LOCAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!!!

For quite some time now I've argued that Kansas City doesn't really have a Mayor.

The last remaining bit of Mark Funkhouser's political capital was destroyed during the budget debate. He was completely ignored by the entire City Council and he couldn't even get a second from his fellow politicos to listen to his proposal. In the aftermath, he was so much of a non-factor that media stopped reporting a lot of his complaints.

Folks who see him regularly say that the Mayor is looking glum and out of sorts lately . . . I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with him and it's just a case of his continued lack of good judgment when it comes to running Kansas City; because this weekend just about every major political player in this town noticed one thing . . .

Mayor Funkhouser was nowhere to be found.

First . . .

NEITHER MAYOR FUNKHOUSER NOR ANY MEMBER OF HIS ADMINISTRATION ATTENDED THE PRECIOUS DOE MEMORIAL DEDICATION ON SATURDAY!!!

We already know that Mayor Funky's staff is notoriously idle and according to a deposition from Kendrick "Lazy Bones" Blackwood . . . He doesn't spend anything close to 40 hours a week at his office despite the fact he makes 100k a year.

But this kind of neglect of one of the biggest political events of the week is really inexcusable ESPECIALLY from a Mayor who has recently espoused his support of fighting crime and keeping more police officers on the street.

Still, readers of TKC are wonderfully skeptical so I want to make sure to report how important this event was . . . We should note that ALMOST EVERY OTHER PROMINENT POLITICO AND CIVIC LEADER IN KANSAS CITY ATTENDED THE PRECIOUS DOE EVENT!!!

Let's run down the list:

Members of the KCPD - Detectives and officers attended the event in order to demonstrate their solidarity in the effort to fight crime.

Former Mayor Cleaver was in Greensburg but representatives of his office were in the crowd.

Governor Jay Nixon sent a proclamation from The State of Missouri in order to announce Precious Doe Day.

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders was in attendance and came with a proclamation regarding Precious Doe from The County. TKC NOTE: Georgia Sanders, Mike's wife, was one of the organizers of this event . . . And with Sanders in attendance . . . Maybe that was part of Funky's reasoning to skip out on the event, rather than, say, growing up and being a man and a leader.

Senator Claire McCaskill sent a letter to the event and some of her regards were read aloud.

Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee made an appearance.

And Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster was in the crowd.

It gets better/worse . . .

Former Jackson County Prosecutor and current Mayoral Candidate Al Riederer was in the crowd as well.

Sly James was in attendance and was announced as a future candidate for Mayor to the crowd.

Again, if the Mayor was really committed to fighting crime in Kansas City then he missed an important opportunity to network and express his commitment against violence in Kansas City -- Which is exactly why so many politicians chose to attend and send their regards to the occasion.

But that's not the end of Mayor Funky's incompetence and lack of dedication to Kansas City . . .

FUNKHOUSER WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND AT SATURDAY'S AIDS WALK AS WELL!!!

Kansas City AIDS WALK had a huge, grassroots crowd of people enthusiastic to donate their time and effort to LOCAL charities in Kansas City . . . This is yet another local event that needs the support of politicos . . . Former Mayor Kay Barnes regularly attended the event.

So, I've got to ask the question:

WHERE WERE YOU MAYOR FUNKHOUSER!?!?!?!

Despite the protestations of his last remaining supporters, being Mayor of Kansas City is A FULL TIME JOB!!! Funkhouser not only refuses to work at City Hall without his wife but now he's not even attending important public functions that serve to unite Kansas City.

This isn't back breaking labor . . . It's about showing support and representing the community . . . Funkhouser has failed at this task and his new, expensive, Republican political consultant doesn't seem to be helping.

This weekend Kansas City was hard at work advocating and supporting causes in order to make this cowtown a better place to live . . . And in all of this, unfortunately, Mayor Funkhouser was nowhere to be found.

Precious Doe Rally Report #1

There's a lot of news coming out of the Precious Doe Memorial today . . . Sadly, the TV stations are just covering the PR aspect . . . But there's more to the story . . .

Here's one of the worst parts that I've covered before previously . . .

INITIALLY, THE ORGANIZERS DIDN'T INVITE ALONZO WASHINGTON - THE LOCAL ANTI-CRIME ACTIVIST WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SOLVING THE CASE!!!

Thankfully, there's a glimmer of hope . . .

ALONZO WASHINGTON REPORTS THAT LOCAL LAWYER TIM DOLLAR DID MENTION HIS ROLE IN THE CASE TO THE APPLAUSE OF THE CROWD!!!

This was really one of the most important events of the weekend in Kansas City and I'm glad that Mr. Washington was able to receive at least a little recognition.

More on this even in a second . . .

Here are news links:

Park Dedicated to Memory of ‘Precious Doe’

KMBC on the dedication

March, Prayer Hour Remember 'Precious Doe'

KANSAS CITY SHOOTOUT SATURDAY!!!

The level of violence in Kansas City Proper is reaching frightening proportions and what's worse is that fewer and fewer people are taking notice . . . It's like a problem that we really don't want to put at the forefront because we're also in the process of cutting police . . . Which is a big part of what makes Kansas City mostly powerless in fighting this problem.

Early Morning Saturday hosted violence and shooting in Kansas City, in my neighborhood and it should serve as a wake up call to Latino Leaders . . .

Here's the bad part . . . TKC has warned about this place for nearly 3 years.

Back in 2006 I took a lot of heat in the Latino Community for writing about the violent crowd in front of and in the general vicinity of The Oasis on The Boulevard . . . The owners (who have won awards from The Latino Business Community and currently are in the process of selling a building to the KCPD) even took an angry, screamy meeting with my boss at the time . . . Luckily, she backed me up and it's kind of great that nobody in this town can keep Clara Reyes at Dos Mundos from publishing the facts . . . Still, it didn't stop there, I went to another restaurant they owned and they got up in my face and tried to intimidate me. Still, The meeting ended amicably and I promised to write a follow-up story about their efforts to curb violence in the vicinity of their club . . . And now here we are . . . Just as I predicted, just as I told them . . . The violence continues because they refused to address it.

Here's the link litany:

3 People Shot On Southwest Blvd.

KC Police Probe Triple SW Blvd Shooting

Man Shot In Face In KC Parking Lot

Triple Shooting in KC leaves 1 Dead

Horrific Eastside Shooting

From NBC Action News . . . Teen Shot in the Mouth in Fatal East KC Shooting - Police are looking for a suspect who killed a 17-year-old female in an early Saturday morning shooting in the eastside of Kansas City.

Suicide Saturday on KCTV5

KCTV5 offers the most morbid link of the day with a metro connection: "A book called "Final Exit" is being blamed for deaths in the metro area and across the country."

New Job at Broke KC Black Chamber

The Star reports New Leadership at The Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City . . . And hints that they're basically flat broke . . . Along with the fact that the building that houses the organization spent most of the winter with the lights off.

KC Confidential on The PETA Protest

E-mailed with Hearne about The Plaza PETA protest . . . Here's his post on the subject.

Kansas City Photo Goodness

Hyperblogal always comes with great photos and he recently captured nice images of a great old KC building in her post titled: "Corinthian Spring"

Social media dude Jeff has the final round up on the AMC promo for local Internet denizens and finds a great old school pic of the Downtown theater along with the rehabbed structure captured by Eric Bowers . . . He also shows of the guts of the place as movie patrons would see it.

WESTPORT KEEPS GETTING WORSE!!!

Police shut down several streets in Westport overnight as they attempted to arrest a robbery suspect.

Seriously, I like local entertainment better than anybody and I chose Westport everyday over the P&L District and twice on Saturday . . . BUT, the place is starting to feel like a battleground.

"Kansas And Liquor"

A fantastic photo essay featuring drunk folks from the Sunflower State from Kansas City's greatest Russian . . . And because I grew up during the Cold War, I never thought I would type that phrase . . . Felt good. Nullus.

"Women's ass study"

A great headline from Radioman that I just couldn't ignore . . . However, I think he has some kind of Internet radio come up automatically on his page and he needs to stop.

Late Saturday Morning Wake Up Links

After 3 days with only 4 hours of sleep . . . I decided to rest my eyes for about 12 hours . . . Because I'm a (bad) Catholic, of course I feel guilty about any pleasure I take from life . . . Over-share, guess I'm still groggy.

Here are some links:

Jesus loves, and apparently is great with legal bills: First Family Church spent thousands on legal fees, document indicates

An old story, but still sexy: Missouri Tax Help Call Reaches Sex Line

Power Crash: A section of Interstate 470 in Lee's Summit was temporarily shut down Friday night because of downed power lines, police said.

Slightly scarier than that Hitchcock movie, but maybe not: Airplane-Bird Collisions Jump at KCI

Post Tax Time Frustration: Suspicious Package Found at IRS Building

Suburban Tools: Home Depot Tool Thieves Caught on Camera in OP

Cowtown Art redux: American Royal Western Art Show is back

On the subject of tomorrow's AIDS WALK

Kansas City AIDS Walk is tomorrow and it's going to be amazing . . . But it's not all human interest stories about the great support this town provides.

As with anything in this town, there's a bit of controversy.

One of the most interesting points of conflict involves a competing event:

A lot of folks don't like DIFFA drawing attention away from the massive grassroots AIDS Walk event. For some strange reason they always host their annual fundraiser, "Dining by Design", the same weekend as AidsWalk. There's definitely a disparity between the two crowds, on this subject one AWESOME TKC TIPSTER writes: "For DIFFA to do their fundraiser the same weekend as AIDS Walk every year is just bizarre. Their event is a "chic" very expensive little affair with pretty people in expensive outfits - the clenched jaw set."

And while, I guess that any fundraising event is nice when it's for a cause that deserves the cash . . . There really isn't much comparison with the scale of AIDS Walk. Here's just a bit of information on the event:

Kansas City's AIDS Walk is one of the strongest in the country. They have raised much more in Kansas City last year than larger cities like Chicago did. Their goal last year for the 20th Kansas City's AIDS WALK was half a mil. They exceeded it and raised $540,000. And this year looks close to target too. The group works tirelessly on events before tomorrow's walk. Last night was the "RedLine" fashion show at Nara downtown. The money that AIDS WALK raises goes to the AIDS Service Foundation here in KC. It all stays local and goes to four charities: Kansas City Free Health Clinic, SAVE Inc. (provides housing and housing assistance for those living with HIV/AIDS), Good Samaritan Project (AIDS Service provider), and Hope Care Center (AIDS Hospice).

But concerns about the event don't stop there . . .

Apparently, The Pitch is using the effort to fight a global pandemic as an opportunity to promote their dumbass social networking site. Check out this report from another AWESOME TKC TIPSTER:

"I was down at the setup for tomorrow's AIDS WALK today and saw how the Pitch have taken out sponsorships to dominate the entire registration area for their new site. Nothing wrong with this and AidsWalk loves/needs the sponsors. Here's what seems a bit peculiar:

1) At least 50% of the walkers at AIDS WALK are churches and high school kids. Not exactly the Pitch's target market.

2) There will be tons of families with baby strollers and lots of dogs, again not their target market.

3) There will be many gay people, but I'm not sure how many really think of this Pitch site as something for us.

4) And finally, it seems a bit peculiar to promote a new dating site at a walk organized for those who have died of AIDS or are living with HIV/AIDS. I guess I've never thought of an HIV/AIDS event as a new social networking and dating opportunity.

5) Also, when people are lined up to register, their bodies will be blocking all of the LikeMeNet banners. It looks fine right now when the site is empty but no one will see the signs among the crowd of 3,000 tomorrow.

Still, despite a few frustrations and maybe just a bit of opportunism from some folks . . Kansas City AIDS WALK is one of the greatest things about this town and a NICE example of what grassroots efforts can accomplish in Kansas City . . . Be sure to check it out tomorrow.

The Friday Evening Link Offering

Here's the best of the mainstream media links I've read during the day . . . For a Friday, today's news cycle was exceptionally busy . . .

A bullet for a local good Samaritan: A man was shot in the arm Friday afternoon trying to stop a carjacking at Independence and Norton Avenue.

Keeping track of local disease: KCMO Health Department Investigating Local Tuberculosis Case

The Sprint Center only gets worse: Ticketmaster's inconvenient and costly fees

Suburban comeback: Missing Overland Park Father Found

The worst kind of KC cheapskate: Burned Baby's Parents Charged, Mother: Didn't Want to Pay for Ambulance

Crime Scene KC keeping track: Next month will mark two years since Chris Bartholomew was killed near Westport during a driveby shooting.

From Present Magazine: KC FilmFest Highlights - Saturday, April 25-Sunday, April 26

On the look out for one of many: KCMO Police Search for Dangerous Criminal

Big bucks for newfound po'folk: Kansas City's United Way "United for Hope/United to Help" campaign has raised more than $2 million to help people hit hard by tough economic times.

Simona Fusco, professional blonde, one of my heroes.

NBC Action News Headline Fun

With the following headline, it's clear the Hard News Editors had the day off at KSHB:

"Sad Day for Stoners: 600 Pounds of Pot Seized"

I won't argue with the sentiment . . . But it reads almost exactly like a blog post.

Rock Chalk Dead Body Talk

A story of a body found near one of the KU scholarship halls has been drawing attention all day . . . And comes as an unwelcome does of reality to the campus.

More on a local connection: Honors Student Falls From KU Dorm, Dies

The Jay Way: Victory is profitable!!!

Gov. Jay Nixon made a more than $400,000 profit on his inaugural festivities and is keeping the extra cash for his campaign committee.

Victory is sweet

John Landsberg is now widely regarding as the final authority on all things related to Kansas City media . . . I've only had about an hour of sleep in the past three days but somehow I as still energized by his write-up regarding TKC's recent 20k celebration.

It was one of the best things written about this blog, especially coming from a expert and well-respected media professional.

Mayor Funky's Lawsuit Smacked Down!!!

Once again . . . The Mayor is on the losing end of yet another lawsuit.

He is the King Midas in reverse of Kansas City's legal world . . . Everything he touches turns to crap.

Lynn Horsley, who I keep on hearing is a very nice woman, has the news:

City argues Funkhouser can't challenge volunteer lawsuit

City Attorney Galen Beaufort defended both the constitutionality and the common sense reasons for the volunteer ordinance.

A Jackson County judge is expected to meet Tuesday with lawyers for both sides to plan the schedule for a ruling in the case.

In his legal brief, Beaufort says that when Funkhouser took his oath of office in May 2007, he voluntarily gave up the right to sue the city over a provision of a city ordinance, approved by all 12 of his council colleagues, with which he does not agree.

“The Mayor is required to, and has the duty to, enforce all the city’s ordinances, whether they are to his liking or not,” the brief says. “The mayor lacks standing to sue."

And here's the funny part, to me at least . . .

Remember those arguments about "principle" that the Mayor once threw against the local Mexicans? Well, that same kind of rhetoric isn't going to work because by and large the principle involved in foot massages for Co-Mayor Gloria Squitiro isn't that clear. I don't know what the judge is going to decide on Tuesday but either way this Volunteer Ordinance has been a disaster for Mayor Funky's political reputation and has betrayed just about everything he said he believed in during the opening days of his campaign.

PLAZA PETA SHOWER PROTEST!!!

I am not made of stone . . . When media people promised nude women on the Plaza protesting for PETA . . . I made it a priority of this blog to attend . . .

Here are the subsequent photos.





While I was out only to get "hard" news . . . I noticed that KANSAS CITY RADIO GREAT BILL GRADY was actually taking the time to talk to these ladies . . . I think the he even reported their names and why they protested in the first place . . . That kind of thing is beyond my the scope of my capabilities interest but I'm glad there are reporters out there as good as Mr. Grady who actually put together real information even for fun Friday afternoon stories.



I didn't get this reference but pirates don't like meat I guess . . .







And here's where I feel cheated . . . The ad for the protest said these women would be NUDE . . . In fact, they were not . . . Sure, Americans waste a lot of water in order to raise, slaughter and cook delicious animals . . . But I feel like a lack of naked women wastes my time as well . . . We all have our crusades.



UPDATE: I shot a quick video of the protest . . . The showering women were very articulate and made sure to stay on message despite the fact that they were pretending to be naked.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! UNFRIENDLY KANSAS CITY MAYOR FUNKY REFUSES HANDSHAKE FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIKE SANDERS!!!

It's not exactly news that Mayor Mark Funkhouser's career is a mess.

Unfortunately, instead of showing some class, dignity or humor befitting Kansas City's highest elected office . . . Mayor Funky is continuing to act like a petulant child.

To wit, Kansas City politicos are talking up a storm about Mayor Funky's recent display of anger at the much more popular Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders.

The latest chapter in this contentious relationship took place at an awards dinner for the Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City with keynote speaker Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Here's how KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS recall the sitch going down:

Mayor Funky is hanging with a local construction dude . . . Probably talking about TIF (hehe) . . . County Exec Mike Sanders approaches Mayor Funky, says hello to the pair and offers his hand. And then . . .

IN THE MIDDLE OF A GATHERING OF PROMINENT LOCAL DEMOCRAT AND LABOR LEADERS MAYOR FUNKY REFUSES TO SHAKE HANDS WITH COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIKE SANDERS!!!

A lot of people noticed the stupidity and have been talking about it ever since . . . I guess it was just a matter of time until it turned up on this blog.

BUT MAYOR FUNKY'S TEMPER TANTRUM DOESN'T STOP THERE!!!

The KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS who provided this bit of news are saying this isn't the first time Mayor Funky has snubbed Sanders in public.

During the light rail campaign fiasco Mayor Funky also refused to shake hands with Sanders at a somewhat smaller gathering.

Still . . . I wonder if this story would have made it my way if Funkhouser didn't act so weird in a recent Council Session . . .

THIS WEEK A GREAT MANY CITY HALL DENIZENS NOTED THAT MAYOR FUNKY WAS STARING DOWN COUNTY EXEC MIKE SANDERS . . . SO MUCH SO THAT THE CROWD STARTED TO COMMENT ON IT!!!

The Mayor shooting daggers with his eyes sounds scary and I imagine it looked something like this:



This lack of courtesy by Mark Funkhouser is unfortunate and it doesn't bode well for Kansas City future . . .

Mayor Funkhouser talks endlessly about "regional cooperation" and it turns out he can't even get along with the guy across the street. Furthermore, the County and the City have to work together at some point and Funkhouser's behavior is definitely going to impede the progress of both branches of local government.

Without question Sanders comes out of this looking like the better politico and more willing to cooperate . . . Sadly, Funkhouser is still unable to understand the most rudimentary aspects of decorum in political life and it's to Kansas City's detriment that at this point Mayor Mark Funkhouser is unable to negotiate something as simple as a handshake.

The post in which TKC teaches Pitch Editor CJ Janovy something about Journalism

Very much like Lindsay Lohan I hear that Pitch Editor CJ Janovy has dabbled in the fine art of lesbianism.

I also keep hearing that she attended some AA meetings.

And, predictably, I know that she's no fan of TKC.

This is sad because I have a great interest in anything related to drinking and lesbians.

But now it's time to take the local lady to school and make her wish she stayed in Colorado.

Here's the deal . . . In a way too wordy post with a frightening lack of perspective Janovy cites some bunk textbook featuring Mayor Funky.

She quotes a passage that's yet another Funky misrepresentation of facts and attempt to stereotype bloggers and then claims ignorance about the details.

Here's the offending passage:

In a chapter titled "Blogging Blah, Blah, Blah: Geek Media Relations 2.0," for example, Walters recounts a conversation with one of Funkhouser's former colleagues in the auditing department, Michael Eglinski:

Eglinski had recently left his auditing job in Kansas City and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, and clearly there were things he didn't miss about the Big City, including the blog run by the Kansas City Star. "The whole immediacy of the Internet is driving things to the extent where the Kansas City Star city hall reporter is almost no longer reporting on the business of government," says Eglinski. "It's almost gossip. It used to be as a staffer you'd talk to reporters and figure that it was all off the record. That's completely changed. Everything is fair game."

And "everything" includes some pretty irrelevant and silly stuff. Eglinski talks about the blog posting where Kansas City mayor (and former chief auditor) Mark Funkhouser is alleged to have encountered a political enemy in city hall. Funkhouser, according to the posting, did a double take when he saw his nemesis, "fleeing" downstairs to escape.

High drama, I suppose, blogwise, but wrong. Funkhouser, whom I know very well, stands 6 feet 10 inches (at least) and doesn't back down from anybody. The real story, says Eglinski: The mayor was on that particular floor looking for a Diet Coke. When he saw that the machine was out, he simply hotfooted it one floor down to another machine. But the blog needed to be quenched, and Diet Coke, apparently, was not sufficiently fizzy to do the job.

Then Janovy goes on to play dumb or at least I hope that she's pretending.

I vaguely remember hearing this story, but several different key-word searches of the Star's Prime Buzz blog turned up nothing in its archives. If any of you guys over at the Star -- I know you're reading this -- can send me the link, I'd be much obliged. If the entry no longer exists, well, that's interesting, too.

Here's a fun fact for the corporate media editor that doesn't know how to handle a keyword search.

MAYOR FUNKY'S MADE UP DISPLAY OF BRAVADO BY A WASHED UP AUTHOR FEATURES A DENIAL THAT HE RAN AWAY FROM TKC!!!

This is how awesome I am:

Mayor Funky has to have writers lie about a run in with me.

I don't care how tall the dude is, I'm only 5'4 and The Mayor totally ran off before I had a chance to think of something clever to say . . . Admittedly, sometimes this can take a few hours.

Editor at a metro-wide alternative weekly CJ Janovy seemingly has to feign ignorance to keep from mentioning my name.

They thought I wouldn't notice but KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS came through by bringing the pack of lies to my attention.

First things first . . . Here's the link that Janovy claims she couldn't find:

Tony (yes, that Tony) and the Funk and Saundra Ross come face to face at City Hall

Blogger Tony Botello of TonysKansasCity.com joined print and broadcast reporters to witness Saundra Ross this afternoon at the City Clerk's Office receiving the petitions for her drive to collect voter signatures to recall Mayor Mark Funkhouser . . . But as they got ready to get onto the elevator to leave City Hall, you could have cued the Disney classic tune, "It's a Small World After All." That's because when the elevator doors opened on the 25th floor, coincidentally enough out stepped Ross' former Park University instructor. That would be the mayor himself . . .

Funkhouser offered a perfunctory salutatory greeting. Ross responded with a "hello mayor." He then made a visible double take before heading to the nearby stairwell.

What's funny to me is that the author and his source weren't even close to the incident at City Hall that day yet they offer their explanation of Mayor Funky's motivation.

Here's fact they might have overlooked:

Why would the Mayor leave his office for a Diet Coke when he had just installed an expensive refrigerator in his new digs?

Put simply . . . The quote from the book is nothing more than classic Funky spin that's easily disputed with a link and TKC first person reporting.

As far as Janovy jumping through hoops in what could have been an attempt to avoid mentioning my name . . . She asked for some information and I just gave it to her.

Sadly, I don't think it's going to straighten her out.

TKC at 20k

Somewhere on the front page of this blog is the 20,000th post I've filed.

I'm not going to brag but I'm also not going to be humble . . . Other than my failure to monetize this bad boy . . . I've accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed with this blog.

I've had the great fortune to meet some pretty amazing people as of late and it's all thanks to a satire site that a great many folks hate but read daily.

I've learned a lot of things with TKC.

Here are just a few:

Most people can't take a joke but love them when they're directed at someone else.

Politics in Kansas City is so completely backward that my snarky blog actually garners attention because it's one of the few efforts in local political circles not completely based on a lie.

I like other bloggers but I'm starting to realize that not everybody can create a successful blog . . .

It's not the links, it's not the commentary, it's not even the sexy ass bikini photos of scantily clad white women . . . Other blogs have more of these things in abundance.

The success of this blog in Kansas City is because of me.

That's been hard to realize but it's the only thing to explain so many other busted blog efforts in this town and the failure of the Kansas City corporate media to truly cash in on the social media phenomenon.

There is no formula.

I work harder at this than other bloggers but folks around the nation garner wider audiences with far less effort . . . Now that blogging is beginning to mature, it's no longer as much of meritocracy . . . But it's a fact that there is no other form of communication that offers as much freedom.

Nobody knows the future of this thing we call blog . . . But at this point I'm thankful for what this blog has accomplished. I look forward to the ongoing changes to the way that Kansas City gets information, news and gossip.

And more than anything else, I want to thank people for reading Tony's Kansas City.

BUSINESS WOMEN STAY WINNING!!!

I think the writing of Joyce Smith is one of the best things about the new Star biz blog. Her latest story was brief but still interesting: It started with "Brittney Taylor, 22, and Amy Jo Shelton, 26, were so successful holding shopping parties they're now opening a retail location."

Of course, her story inspired me to visit the website of Jicole designs . . . That sadly doesn't provide the address of The Store on 5616 Johnson Drive, Mission.



Owned by Brittney (L) & Amy Jo(R)

No homo for being interested in this JoCo lady store . . . In fact, it helps to know what bitches women are up to all over the metro in order to more effectively get into their head . . . And lower their self-esteem for my own benefit.

Noting the ambitions of these two women should provide some way to make any female I encounter feel "less than."

Wild, Wild Westport!!!

Four men were taken into custody early Friday morning after a high-speed chase that started when a Westport security officer was hit.

Kansas City Ice Cream Truck Shooting!!!

The increasingly warm weather is going to kill Kansas City.

No, I'm not referring to global warming and the wackos on both sides of that issue . . . Nope, this concern is more immediate.

The weather warms up and people die in this town, it's a horrible fact of life that was recently demonstrated once again by an Ice Cream Truck Shooting in Ruskin Heights.

People who don't think violence is a problem in Kansas City, who desperately cling to the cynical and racist hope that this epidemic will only impact minority communities need to wake up.

WE NOW HAVE A CLEAR WARNING THAT KANSAS CITY VIOLENCE IS OUT OF CONTROL WHEN NOT EVEN ICE CREAM TRUCKS ARE SAFE!!!

Sadly, I can only expect the absence of leadership on this topic to continue with only some kind of notice of all the KC shooting and death when it becomes even more horrible and tragic in August.

Links:

Woman In Ice Cream Truck Hurt In Shooting

Crime Scene KC: Driver of ice-cream truck is shot in Ruskin Heights

Rise Up publishers taking a legal beat down

The KC Tribune: The Star Pursuing $2.2 Million Claim Against Janice, Frank Ellis

There's no future in metro-wide daily print media. The giant media dinosaurs are now, quickly becoming extinct.

Kansas City Barbershop Robbery Blues

The Star: Two men who robbed a central Kansas City barbershop on Wednesday didn't just escape with cash and a cell phone. They also stole hair clippers from the barber's hand.

I'm not a fan of crime . . . But it's hard not to admire how decidedly cruel and somewhat funny Kansas City criminals can be . . .

Mike Hendricks is the reason The Kansas City Star Deserves to Fail!!!

There's another round of layoffs coming at The Kansas City Star, the people who are already out on the street are desperately scrambling to find another way to make an income according to a great deal of local gossip.

Out of work former Star staffers should blame the failure of their newspaper on KC Star Columnist Mike Hendricks.

Not since George W. Bush has a person so completely embodied nearly every principle of the white privilege, arrogance and incompetence that threatens to lead this country into ruin at the outset of this global economic collapse.

And yet again . . .

MIKE HENDRICKS HAS BEEN CAUGHT STEALING HIS COLUMN IDEAS FROM TKC!!!

Today's missive by Mike Hendricks - a dude who also embodies the term "garbage wrapped in skin" - tells of trouble for a camera crew capturing images of the Liberty memorial.

Here's the problem . . .

TKC RAN THAT SAME STORY ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO AND GARNERED A MUCH BETTER REACTION THAN THE JOCO THIEF MIKE HENDRICKS!!!

It's almost sad . . . Even a blogger read only by friends and family has the common courtesy, nay decency to offer a link back . . . Sadly, the thin-lipped, pink with envy thieving instincts that drive Hendricks lead him to rely on cultural appropriation as a first resort.

Mike Hendricks is the Pat Boone of the written word in Kansas City.

I'm not trying to contend that I'd like to see his family thrown out on the street, their home foreclosed as they all wait on the sidewalk embarrassed and humiliated as their JoCo neighbors look on but then turn their heads and close their widow shades to avoid the disgrace of the columnist who once earned close to 100k Big Star Bucks but is now working for a pittance and half benefits . . . I'm just noting that I wouldn't feel too horrible if all that stuff happened.

I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

Still . . . The problem is that Hendricks pretending to write without the help of the Kansas City blogosphere only shows the ignorance and ineptitude of The Star as a whole. The organization is dying and instead of cooperating with the local Internets and working to raise awareness of their product . . . They're simply hoping to survive by ignoring the transition in the media and behaving in exactly the same parasitic manner that they use to stereotype bloggers.

I didn't create the video that's at the center of this story and that Hendricks didn't even link . . . I was simply one of first in the area to share it and write about it at length . . . But I talk to enough people in the Kansas City Star newsroom to realize that so many of them are completely unprepared and unwilling to deal with a more democratic media landscape . . . In much the same way Hendricks went out to desperately recruit Latino friends after I started to eat his lunch on a regular basis.

Anyhoo . . . The point is . . . Mike Hendricks and his backward, petty, white privilege style is a big part of the reason that The Star means less and less to the people of Kansas City every day. He is single-handedly turning the paper of record into a dusty historical periodical rather than a force for change and discussion. And the worst part of all of it is that his panicked approach to dealing with and stealing from Kansas City blogs (like TKC) fails to realize that it's The Star's poor decision making and not any external forces are ultimately to blame for their impending demise.

I can only hope that this middle-aged white man who stays losing in his quickly vanishing industry is not a metaphor for the much more important fate of the United States of America.

Everyone Hates Kansas City Star Features!!!

A Homeless woman featured recently in The Kansas City Star was recently lit up with a BB gun.

Personally, I thought the piece was overwrought, self-important and just the kind of masturbatory exercise The Star is trying to pass off as "more local coverage" but I was thinking about writing a letter and not offering an on-the-street review.

Fly by Night

The City Council rejects the proposal of applying to lease Kansas City International Airport to a private operator . . . I think I remember saying this wasn't going to happen. Once again, TKC is probably proven correct.

There's always money for mostly meaningless environmentalism!!!

Weekly curbside recycling will remain in KC . . . Once again KC politicos are caught pandering to the "Green" crowd while there's no cash for cops and bulky item pickup by appointment - Something far more useful to clean up the streets of KC - is mostly an urban legend.

Kansas City Turning into a Soccer Town

While I still think the sport is horribly lame, pointless and more tedious to watch than other people's home movies . . . Soccer is quietly undergoing a Renaissance in Kansas City.

Recently, Nick Sloan reported that The Wizards have moved into first place in their conference while playing to a sellout crowd.

While this is certainly good news . . . I still don't think it'll make the Super-TIF funded stadium any more profitable . . . But it's obvious that this town is desperately looking for some kind of glory to cling to and right now the Wizards will have to suffice.

I think people know the Chiefs will ultimately disappoint this year.

The Royals have only demonstrated a marked improvement when it comes to games that don't count.

Sprint Center: Still without the pro-sports team that was promised . . .

So now, Kansas City is celebrating the favorite activity of European dudes when they aren't swapping wives and advocating for Iran.

Some would celebrate the more eclectic appreciation of sporting events in Kansas City . . . I'm not one of those people . . . And I still believe that Soccer is nothing more than an excuse for a sport propagated by housewives in order to delay the realization by their children of their inherent lack of ability, talent and determination . . . So I guess it kinda makes sense why Kansas City would embrace this sport rather than dealing with the reality of our place in the world.

Show Me the best way for reactionary politicos to create a permanent underclass!!!

Missouri Bill Would Ban Illegal Immigrants from State Colleges . . . Meanwhile, other more progressive states, are using college as a path to citizenship given that highly educated immigrants contribute greatly to the economy.

Sadly, Missouri legislators cynically pandering to the mob would rather turn away money than live with a few more Mexicans in School . . . And that's a big part of the reason why Missouri is STILL regarded by the rest of the nation as a backwater State largely populated by uneducated, toothless rapists ready to make visitors squeal like a pig . . . Rather than a place ready to do business and deal with the real world.

The Kansas City Arena that's allergic to an anchor tenant understands your pain

Gluten-Free Food Offered At Sprint Center

Come and see the person that's going to be fired for making any significant change!!!

Residents are invited to hear from the Kansas City School District Superintendent candidates during a public forum.

The Friday Link Layout Look

Here are a few leftovers for Friday Morning along with some more important links.

Check it:

Thief lawyer looses license to steal: An attorney who took money donated to a memorial fund for slain children Sam and Lindsey Porter has been disbarred.

Independence Drama Conclusion: Driver Apologizes At Sentencing

Root of the problem: Dentist Suggests Revenge from a former employee who might have been taking cash might provide another motive Independence office fire

Kansas City Train Lovers Hope for Change: KC Rail Proponents Welcome Obama Fast Train Proposal

It gets even harder to live in KCK: Discovery of hazardous substances concerns residents of KCK housing complex

The work sounds nastier than it is: Schlitterbahn is accepting applications for jobs at KCK water park

Crime Scene KC reports a bit of good news for the guy: UPDATE on JoCo man arrested for desertion

Sebelius as hatchet lady: Sebelius Vetoes Late-term Abortion Bill

At least one metro Union Station is doing well: Fritz's Union Station finalist in 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine Contest

Funky fails at attracting a crowd redux: Funkhouser Finesses Sparsely Attended Town Hall Meeting

Sobering News OR yet another reason to make the designated dork drive: KCPD plans DUI checkpoint for this weekend ... and next

A Caprice Bourret photo gallery is a perfect weekend way to close out the work week!!!

Ramsey offers everyone a lesson on Internets Personal Branding!!!

In the face of the overwhelming number of d-bags lurking in the Kansas City blogosphere . . . Ramsey has managed to not only make a name for himself but the fact that he's a really decent guy comes through as well . . . I'm glad to see he's taking this lesson to the real world where people mostly sit in fear of the Internets. Even better he offers some bloggy resources for folks to craft their online image . . .

The Jolie Justus Update

The Missouri State Senator provides an excellent rundown on everything she's been doing and it looks like the best way to keep up with her most recent activity is to check her Twitter. Or Check her out at Coffee Break this morning around 9 in the AM.

TKC Early Morning Help

Lately, I've had the chance to encourage other bloggers soon to start their internets journey . . . I have to say it's fun.

A lot of people think about world or local headline domination when they start blogging but what really encourages me is the great diversity of voices that I'm noticing in the blogooshere and on the Internets . . . I can only hope it continues.

To wit, I have a couple of new bloggers that I need to link and I'm looking forward to reading content from other creators.

In the final analysis . . . This bloggy thing really is like an "Army of Davids" in that no one person, group or viewpoint can claim to be at the forefront . . . In the end, I hope that Kansas City Blogs eschew missives about garnered solely through access and rather realize that success for any blogger is dependent on finding an original voice.

In much the same way, early morning TKC readers will have to find their own photos of Playboy model Teri Marie Harrison who has taken has been featured in images much too hot for this dump.

In conclusion . . . The best Kansas City bloggers have found their niche because what they write or reveal has resonated with a segment of the crowd . . . And I think what this blogging thing reveals is that there are so many "segments" of this community that we never knew about until now . . . So, while notions carried out at 140 characters are great, I think what distinguishes the Kansas City's blogosphere is that it's comprised of people who want to share their thoughts at length and hope that their story somehow contributes to the discourse overall . . . At the very least, the basic human instinct to compete, communicate, debate and discuss is facilitated by local blogs and it's not just content manipulated and delivered by technology . . . And being just a small part of it is pretty sweet.

The TKC Thursday Night Chat with Darla!!!

It's Thursday and that means it's time to talk with Darla about all things Kansas City . . . We'll most likely disagree but it'll still be pretty interesting.

I'll be talking with Darla Jaye on 980 Live at around 8 in the PM.

And if I'm lucky, she'll mentions suburban hookers!!!

I always try to keep things classy wherever I go . . . Natch.

Tony Gonzalez Traded to Atlanta 5 Years Too Late!!!

It's not really news . . . In fact, it's really not that genius of a decision by the new GM who strangely wins points around this town for walking around with his chest stuck out.

Anyhoo . . . Here's something for sports newsies to scream about tonight:

Falcons acquire TE Gonzalez from Chiefs

In fact, let this story serve as a reminder that Kansas City kills careers.

What's the deal with JoCo hookers?!?!?

Another day . . . Another story of suburban hookers in JoCo.

Three suspected prostitutes from Texas were arrested Wednesday afternoon in an Overland Park motel room.

This in the same week that alleged golf course hookers were busted in Perfect Village . . .

My question:

I ALWAYS HEAR THAT PEOPLE MOVE TO THE SUBURBS BECAUSE IT'S SO NICE AND SAFE AND CLEAN . . . BUT IT ALSO SEEMS LIKE THERE'S NOTHING BUT HOOKERS IN JOCO!!!

Believe it or not, I have friends in this part of the Greater Metropolitan Kansas City area and they tell me that so-called "high-class" (read: white) prostitution is simply a fact of life in this part of town . . . Now we all know that there's nothing clean about about a "high-class" hooker and frequenting these broads is just a more expensive way to get a horrible STD . . . But there's a strange perception that this practice doesn't represent vice and a sign that suburbanites are just as nasty as everybody else . . . Which now seems to be a fact given that so many skanky broads selling themselves in the Golden Ghetto are making the news as of late.

TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! CELEBRATION AS KANSAS CITY'S EASTSIDE MURDERS DECLINE!!!

A very special thanks to a KICKASS TKC TIPSTER who sent a recent Aim 4 Peace e-mail blast my way.

It seems that community activists like exclamation points almost as much as I do . . . Still, any progress against crime is a good thing.

On the subject of this e-mail, I'm pretty sure EPD stands for East Patrol Division and I guess it's a good thing that murders in KC are spreading around . . . I guess

Keep up the GOOD work!!!

EPD homicides are NOT leading as the highest recorded for more than 3 weeks now and the first time in the last 10 years. Please create and/or adapt the attached flyer and post it all over your respective zones. The word needs to be out that homicides are down in EPD, a trend that MUST continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, it's too early to break out the champagne because the murder count overall in this town is still ahead of where it was last year . . . And once again we could be facing one of the most violent year's in Kansas City history . . . So, congratulations on this stat to all those who made it possible . . . But there's still a lot of work to do.

Is Kansas City Afraid of Mayor Funky?!?!

Micheal Mahoney files a nice report here . . . And he notes that Funkhouser Recall folks are a bit frustrated because this town is full of cowards.

There is A TON of support for the recall . . . But strangely, a lot of KC movers and shakers are scared to have their name associated with it . . . And yes, they're already talking lawsuit if this thing doesn't go through . . . I've talked to a few of these same folks and what I hear is that the change to the recall process during the last time the Charter was tweaked may be unconstitutional and certainly sets the recall bar a tad to high . . .

On the other hand . . . I've also heard that the signature gathering is right on target. But if I had to guess . . . I think the Funky Recall folks need some cash to keep their momentum.

Kansas City Schools Sick As Well

East High Student Contracts Tuberculosis

Open Door Afternoon Links

Just some other stuff I'm looking at this afternoon . . .

Light Rail will never die and Clay Chastain can't seem to stay home: Light rail activist Clay Chastain calls for new plan that would go on November ballot if he gets enough signatures.

Erin Brockovich already gets action: A company that distributes a fertilizer that may have contained a cancer-causing metal has suspended the practice for now.

Scrounging for gigs in the KC Suburbs: David Cook Plays Surprise High School Concert

An Amazing Eric Bowers shot: The interior dome of AMC Mainstreet - Downtown Kansas City

No surprise . . . Royals start losing again.

Downtown just wants to be like JoCo: Johnny's Tavern coming to P&L

If you're dragging this afternoon . . . A Gemma Atkinson photo gallery just might lead to inspiration.

Mayor Funky at The Crossroads

Some of the best, most awesome KICKASS TKC TIPSTERS are saying that Mayor Funky's visit to the Crossroads last night was a complete disaster.

ALMOST NOBODY FROM THE CROSSROADS SHOWED UP TO SEE KANSAS CITY'S MAYOR!!!

With a couple of exceptions of course . . .

Funkhouser Recall petition gatherers where there to greet the Mayor.

And the Glass Etcher dude came out of whatever rock he was hiding under in order support Mayor Funky in some other place than Internets message boards.

Other than that . . . Media and paid City Staff (probably earning overtime) were the only people attending the PR event.

So I think it's safe to say that The Crossroads doesn't care for or about Mayor Funky anymore with the exception of one dude who was kicked out of some neighborhood group several months back . . .

So, if we're a "City that works" on anything . . . I'm guessing it's avoiding The Mayor's unpleasantness in public.

Kansas City without the bus

The recent bus cuts were more extensive than I imagined . . . Good luck walking everybody!!!

On the bright side . . . Local hipsters wanting a trophy for riding the bus with the rest of the po'folk must now earn their bragging rights just a little bit more . . .

Ramsey's AMC Mainstreet Theater Tour

As always . . . Ramsey's video blog regarding a new Downtown attraction is very nicely done . . . But as far as the Downtown Renaissance goes . . . Downtown KC now hosts a movie theater and a grocery store, which maybe puts us right up there with most towns in the 1950's.

And to answer your question . . . Ramsey reports that YES, THIS AMC IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE REST!!! He thinks the nicer digs justify the cost . . . I think that all sticky floors are the same . . Ew.

Natch.

4/20 Final Tally

Here's the damage to Kansas City drug culture:

Crime Scene KC reports: Police saturated areas around schools, known party houses and other areas of drug use, checking 137 drivers, 36 pedestrians and 14 residences.

Officers arrested four people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, 12 for city drug charges including possession of marijuana, four for felony drug charges including possession of methamphetamine and dozens more for outstanding warrants.

There was also a Homicide Suspect Picked Up During The 420 Sweep

I'm do not contend that this isn't important and dangerous work . . . But I think any reasonable 20 to 60 something Kansas City resident realizes that Marijuana is as easy to obtain as candy.

Big Show: TKC talks to Darla Jaye

If all goes according to plan . . . This should be a lively appearance tonight on 980 Live with Darla Jaye.

I've got a couple of stories from this week that are worth talking about . . . She has a Twitter.

It should be entertaining . . . Check it out around 8 in the PM.

Snatching Thursday KC Morning Links

Just some of what I'm reading on this Thursday:

No news on the inevitable: No Word if GM Shutdown will Reach KCK Plant

Show Me A Benefit: Missouri Tornado Shelters Could be National Model

Someday: City Hall may decide to privatize the Kansas City International Airport.

Car Hits Motorcyclist in Funeral Procession

KC Stays Greedy: A former employee of Ferrellgas Inc. has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $3.25 million from the propane company.

Even more local Obama po'folk cash: Stimulus funded Homeless Program Moves Forward at City Hall

A Jackson County jury convicted a Kansas City man Tuesday of statutory rape in the assault of a 13-year-old girl.

New Guess work for Paris Hilton features new photos and not just an obscenely high number of former partners.

"Trans Texas Corridor will move Afghan drugs and Red Chinese military from Mexico through Texas to Kansas City"

The Internet is still mostly crazy . . . Check!!!

Kansas City Missouri School District Revolving Door Spins Faster

Search for KC school superintendent picks up speed

The Fight for Mayor Funky's Wikipedia page

Any of you people who have a Wikipedia password, please delete this lie: "Then it was reported that Funkhouser began conducting a large share of city business from his home in Brookside, Kansas City, stunning members of the city council. This report ultimately proved false.

Um, NO it was reported on this blog and then confirmed by The Kansas City Star and just about everybody with City business . . . In fact, Mayor Funky is still seldom seen at City Hall . . .

And while "researching" this post i.e. using Google . . . I noticed a great passage from a Gawker Media blog regarding The Co-Mayor's . . . It's actually quite brilliant and offers a much more persuasive argument than my sexist ranting:

"That Funkhouser has not condemned his wife's actions, let alone sought to bypass a city ordinance by continuing to rely on her counsel, shows that he either considers those actions acceptable or is unwilling to treat his wife like any other city employee, which is unacceptable nepotism."

Kansas City Earth Day Epilogue: Mexicans will destroy the Planet!!!

I REALLY LIKE the Kansas Citian because sometime last year the dude went off the deep end and pretty much just posts insane right wing stuff that Michelle Malkin passes on . . .

His Earth Day opus: Mexican backpacks cause global warming . . . Literally, the dude suggests that illegal Mexicans are destroying the Earth.

Forget about the premise . . . It simply takes guts to make that kind of declarative statement. And for that he has my admiration . . . And I only hope that one day I can find the courage to make similar statements with equal conviction . . .

The divisiveness Mayor Funky has created makes shrits 30% whiter!!!

Gloria Squitiro's smudge stick is the answer to fewer cops on the street!!!

I'm not there yet . . . But I'm getting close.

Hope & Change: Not long ago Claire came to KC Latino neighborhoods begging for votes

McCaskill Calls For A Crackdown On Hiring Illegals

David Cook Downward Spiral Continues

Back to Rockville writes an update on the last remaining moments of the guy's 15 minutes: "The room was full but the atmosphere felt more like a small-town homecoming than the re-coronation of a celebrity."

Westside stays losing

Plan for West Side electrical substation advances . . . Considering how much KCP&L donates to local social service agencies around here . . . There wasn't really a chance of stopping this . . . I just hope the cash keeps coming, we'll need it to deal with subsequent problems.

Bikes Not Cops for Kansas City!!!

The local d-bag bike blog celebrates more government regs for small biz on behalf of a few bicycle-shorts-wearing hipsters like it's a good thing:

Today the KCMO City Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee approved a new development code that includes bicycle parking requirements. This would mean most new businesses and apartments would have to provide parking for customers, employees, tenants, and visitors.

Please tell me what sense this makes . . . A couple of dozen wingnuts make a fuss so rents and prices all over Kansas City increase . . . Thank you bicycle d-bags for making Kansas City just a little bit more unlivable . . . The sad thing is, these ego driven hippies think that they're saving the planet when all they're doing is raising prices.

Bravo . . . You're doing Al Gore's God's work.

Kansas City Clothes for white people!!!

New Kansas City Gaelic Athletic Club T-shirts are pretty sweet.

Improved Graduation Rates Analysis

Nick Sloan calls shenanigans on cooked stats.

Late Night TKC Charity Work

I'm a very generous person . . . That's why I try and find the best bikini babes for you bags . . . Like this recent, decent photo gallery of Jordana Brewster.

To wit, I'm looking for a few local, online charity banners to place with a couple of other things . . . If anybody has a worthy cause or sees a small banner that will fit on this page . . . Gimme a shout and send it my way.

On a similar TKC, planet saving note: Sadly, on Earth Day I forgot to post the NSFW Globes for the Globe - A witty combination of nudity and environmentalism; and a cause right up my alley.

HEY EVERYBODY!!! CELEBRATE THE UPCOMING KANSAS CITY RACE WAR!!!

Sorry . . . A double murder on Kansas City's Eastside over the weekend didn't really register on my radar.

But then INTERNETS GOSSIP AND SOME RACIST COMMENTERS CLUED US ALL INTO THE RACIAL MAKEUP OF THESE KILLINGS . . . A BLACK ON WHITE MURDER!!!

There was a firestorm when The Pitch released the mugshots of a few dudes arrested in connection with the murders:







Not so surprisingly, there wasn't as much anger revealed when The Pitch went trolling for Facebook photos of the victims . . .





And the reaction surprisingly wasn't as ardent when clever 4/20 references made it into the Pitch blog post documenting the memorials to Justin Budreau and Andrew Eli -- The white guys who were killed . . . God knows what that could have implied . . . Hint: Of course no one would suggest a drug connection . . . Stoner talk at funeral memorials is perfectly acceptable because everybody's Grandpa goes out in a blaze of glory like the freaks hanging at Jim Morrison's grave.

Nevertheless, the circumstances of the death are unimportant . . . Facts shouldn't get in the way of a good story . . . What's really fun is the racial dynamic of this tale and a bit of a real world demonstration as to why so many newsies don't include the race of perpetrators or victims of any given crime story: Because, obviously, that info only attracts dimwits with nothing better to do looking to make their own Mein Kampf perspective known to the world. I used to think offender description was relevant information in order to inspire the public help capture suspects . . . But the fact is that the overwhelming majority of media watchers aren't out there ready to make a citizen's arrest and most racial descriptions are only going to be spun to fit the perspective of a few wackos . . . So, in most cases it really isn't unimportant . . .

Still . . . I want all the information possible related to all things Kansas City . . . And in this case, it's a fact taht racist cretins have hijacked a story about a tragic double murder which CLEARLY demonstrates that violence in Kansas City, even on the Eastside, crosses all demographic lines.

Regional Jail Majority

Prime Buzz: The Kansas City Council's Public Safety and Neighborhoods committee unanimously approved an ordinance that solidifies the plan to move city inmates to Jackson County.

Not such a perfect place to live: Nasty Prairie Village Child Porn Accusations

A Prairie Village attorney has been released from the Johnson County, Kansas jail after posting bond in a sexual exploitation case involving child pornography.