In what has to be some of the most cowardly reporting during the post-election season the Pitch digs up campaign finance reports and asserts that the "contributions hint at the extent to which Denver businesses have infiltrated City Hall."
Thing is, I don't doubt this is true at all but the subtext of the overly picky piece which completely downplays the role of Burns & McDonnell in the City's Capital Improvements Management Office (CIMO) is nothing more than a hit piece on Wayne Cauthen and further indictment of Alvin Brooks . . . Again, I'm sure all of it is deserved but it's not like this report is really going out on a limb in order to beat up on two guys who are already on their way out.
What this is piece really is after is to quell some of the buyer's remorse that people are already starting to express with the Funkhouser Administration. The article attempts to play sleuth running down sketchy campaign contributions but doesn't delve into some of the big money that floated into Funkhouser's coffers as well . . . Additionally, not once during the election did the Pitch criticize the Big Media Blitz run by the Star to inundate Kansas City with pro-Funkhouser propaganda. Again, I'm asking: If this town's "alternative" press is going to unquestioningly stand behind the candidate that was put over the top by white suburbanites and KC's liberal power-elite then what exactly are they an "alternative" to???
It's also noteworthy that buried toward the end of the article is a quote from Funkhouser which seems okays most of the alleged malfeasance that that the reporter portrays as scoop: As city auditor, Funkhouser looked at CIMO in 2005 and concluded that Cauthen's decision to hire consultants was "reasonable."
Still, I can't deny that it's fun to kick a guy when he's down and out and that's exactly the kind of reporting that The Pitch has offered to this City's minority community in one issue after the next. Really, I've heard before that this tactic is a part of all New Times publications but it's clear to me now that these hipsters only show their teeth when the reputation of a person of color is in question . . . Well, that and mocking someone's religious beliefs . . . Which I can respect even if follows a formula.
Finally, while most of KC's media watchers on the net celebrate the imminent ousting of the most powerful Black guy in City Hall for whatever reason . . . I can't help but wonder what kind or representation the Funkhouser Administration will offer minorities given that his support comes almost completely from white people but his success hinges on at least faking a sense of cooperation in this community . . . Which he has done poorly so far.
T. How come the Pitch hasn't done a story on all the money that came in from the Wizards owners to Funkhouser 48 hrs before the election. I'm sure Funkhouser didn't return those contribuitons. Don't count on a soccer stadium at Bannister requiring anything less than huge public subsidies.
ReplyDelete"Which he has done poorly so far."
ReplyDeleteLast I checked he doesn't take office until May 1st. And you neglect to acknowledge that the Hispanic community came out big for Funkhouser-67% big. It seems when the race game isn't a simple black vs white it is a lot harder for you to play the race card. Give it up already.