"Only a Sith deals in absolutes"

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader: If you're not with me, then you're my enemy.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

In a recent Yael Abouhalkah column it is noted that Mayor Mark Funkhouser recently said "the forces of evil" are fighting his efforts to devise a tougher policy on tax breaks.

And I'm no political expert but describing someone who has an opinion contrary to yours as "Evil" sounds awfully familiar and kind of stupid.



Yet, once again Funkhouser's stubbornness and political inexperience are far more insidious than the gaffs of President Bush because as least George W was referring to Muslims Terrorists when he spoke of a crusade or bringing justice to "evildoers." On the other hand, it's really unsettling that Mayor Funky declares that anyone who doesn't support his agenda is evil . . . Maybe all that talk of better media consultants is far too kind and the Mayor's mistakes (I believe) is really a reflection of his stubbornness, abrasive style and COMPLETE INABILITY TO FACILITATE A COMPROMISE.

As usual, Mayor Funky can count on his main cheerleader at the Star to back him up. I've decided that contempt for Yael Abouhalkah is useless because his job of entertaining and stumping for the mayor (no homo?) is really all that he can do that won't induce a heart attack in The Star's geriatric demographic. It's kind of sad really, when the opinion pages of The Star once hosted some of the most important and influential writing in the city back in the day when Art Brisbane was churning out columns but now the Op/Ed section is nothing but a limp, insipid and inconsequential cheerleading section where any real analysis of life in this City is eschewed and only occasionally will something of consequence manage to make it to the page.

However, in the last 6 months it's been nothing but Abouhalkah cheering for his favorite politico who has as little charisma as he has experience.



Now in today's column, Abouhalkah writes a list of people who he notes are NOT EVIL but do have a lot to gain in Downtown's development Ponzi scheme . . . First of all, it's strange that a small town columnist has more political acumen than this City's mayor and secondly this column once again neglects to mention that Abouhalkah was formerly one of the biggest downtown construction cheerleaders in KC and nearly always sides in favor with every tax increase (like the Stadium Tax) this town has to offer. So he's not exactly innocent.

Finally, what about the folks in the Crossroads who are also looking for some tax relief . . . By no means are these people EVIL but they are retailers of luxury goods, art and other high end products who want some help . . . Sure, they aren't corporate but they have a lot more cash than what most people would consider "regular folks." Is the Mayor calling everybody who needs (and might deserve) a tax break evil?

Probably not, but once again the Mayor's misguided statements and horrible style reveal that he's a politician who doesn't understand the notion of compromise and his slew of kool-aid drinkers so often seek to convert rather than work with people who may not share the Mayor's opinion. That's part of the reason why his administration hasn't been able to avoid some of the pitfalls that more community minded and less stubborn and inexperienced politicos would probably have avoided.