Here's the deal . . . When hear talk about Council Dude Terry Riley, I'm always disappointed with how dehumanizing people can be simply for the sake of a Jackson County office.
Riley is described as a thug or a bully and faced with constant charges of criminality WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE.
As for the first two references, nothing could be further from reality and rough descriptions speak only to the delicate sensibilities of so many privileged folks who occupy the Kansas City political scene. These people don't know what a real "thug" is and their use of the term is kind of insulting.
Last night I met Fred Arbanas and I genuinely believe he's a good guy and he doesn't buy into all of the thinly veiled racism at play in this election. But that doesn't mean certain elements involved in this contest don't mind playing on the prejudices that always seem apparent in Kansas City politics.
Also, I talked with a hottie older blonde at the Arbanas Rally last night and actually got a laugh out of her when she asked why I seemed to be supporting Riley for The County. I immediately quipped, "Because I thought he was Irish" and she cracked up. Sadly, my chances were ruined because this Summer I've had little time to do anything other than "sweat like a whore in Church" whenever I step foot outside of my mom's basement and the hottie blonde lady was nice to politely endure my dropping wave after wave of sweat into her drink without freaking out as I would have . . . The things people will do for politics . . .
Anyhoo . . . Speaking of friendly interactions and the main point of this post, I wanted to note that Terry Riley is up on Facebook and quickly gathering friends.
This is important because the pics, posts and info do a lot to give a glimpse into Riley as a person and offer information that runs contrary to so much dehumanizing Internet chatter. Riley's Facebook profile is also a great way to keep track of his tireless campaigning and interactions with so many different communities all around Jackson County.
Like him or not, Terry isn't a thug or a bully. He's actually a somewhat soft spoken guy who is a great dad. Feel free to attack his politics but some of the personal stuff is so off base that it's obviously politically motivated and not based on any real world experience.
And because I'm all about breaking down stereotypes in this post I won't even go for the obvious joke and claim that Fred Arbanas wouldn't know Facebook from the phonebook. In fact, it would be nice if the guy did get profile on the social networking site IF ONLY because it would be one of the few connections available to a winning Chiefs player.
Fred Wins!
ReplyDeleteI like ice cream.
ReplyDeleteHa!
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points here Tony and you even gave Fred ample time on this post. I think considering Terry as a person instead of just an idea will lead to a better understanding of whether or not he is qualified. He is a good man even if I don't agree with him more often than not.
ReplyDeleteA good man that likes to TRY to intimidate people. He may not be a "thug" but he's stated that "he runs this city", maybe more like a Corleone type, perhaps?
ReplyDelete1:32 - you obviously don't know Riley, or you're just another one of those who comment from their taxpayer-funded computers at the courthouse, in which case I hope you get smoked on August 3rd with the rest of your types.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you say I don't know what I'm talking about when the man said those words to my face with witnesses. Keep your head in the sand though. ALL of the Council needs to be replaced as well as not voted in to any other seat. They're all corrupt, bought, sold, and paid for.
ReplyDeleteEvidence or no, Terry is a smooth talking DB and you can tell the minute you meet him. I don't want snake oil, I want someone smart.
ReplyDeleteTerry < smart
Clean your ears out ..... don't you hear what people are saying.
ReplyDeleteRiley is a THUG.
He is just buttering you up so you will keep supporting him on your blog. He/s just kissing your a** right now because he needs you.
And this FB thing is crap, who cares what he's doing - it's all an act. The union representatives know the real Terry Riley and it's not good.
Shoot, there went a campaign of substance.
ReplyDeleteRiley has my vote if only for the fact that until this election cycle I was unsure of who Mr. Fred Arbanas represented. The county boundaries are sort of confusing and, by and large, the County is rather obscure. Just what do they do? It was a kick in the teeth to hear that this guy purportedly represented my area for 40 years. 40 years.... and he is seldom seen in this part of town. I always thought he was JUST way Eastern Jack.
No, I can not vote for Fred Arbanas. For the record, I never vote for anybody who runs unopposed. I have never actually voted for him, he is just there.
This Waldo resident is voting for Terry Riley. Call him a thug and you better show me the hard evidence, or shut up.
We all knew you were clueless, Tony, but this post confirms it beyond all doubt. You meet people for a couple minutes, sweat in their drinks, make some "clever" small talk, and magically you can judge someone's character. And even better, the guy has a FaceBook page where anonymous people sho have never met him and be his friends.
ReplyDeleteIf this is how people make decisions as to what folks they elect to public office, it sure explains alot about where we are and how we got here!
got it now since the star didn't endorse him and the editorial page smacked Riley for misleading the citizens of our city - he came crying to you, begging for you to make him feel better and you fell for it. He is only using you just like he uses every one else. He is not to be trusted - wake up
ReplyDelete3:16 Hello Pat Gray!! I would have guessed O'Phoney Baloney Riley, except your contrived, yet boring monologue isn't laced with expletives. Do you get paid by the comment or by the word?
ReplyDeleteArbanas has been on the County Legislature through every single crime and backroom deal since it was started. There are two possibilities. One is that knew about them, and was smart enough to avoid getting caught. The other is that he was too dumb to realize they were going on. Either way, smart or stupid, he needs to go.
ReplyDeleteVote for Terry Riley.
This is sad. TKC/Pat Gray having to pitch for O'Rong's FB page. Is Riley even literate? His grammar is atrocious.
ReplyDeleteI am Not Pat Gray. I consider that an insult. I am just an average voter. I am voting for Terry Riley. No curse words, just a well reasoned decision. Why the hate? Average voters make the final decision every election. Stop berating the average voter.
ReplyDeleteHow about voting for neither. Want smaller government?? Stop voting!!! Especially stop voting in tyrants!
ReplyDeleteThis average voter, and the majority, is voting for Terry Riley. NO ONE should be in office for as long as Arbanas. Why the f*ck aren't there term limits in the county????
ReplyDeleteLOVED Terry's mailer.
I do agree with 4:38. Arbanas is part of the problem, and Riley is part of the solution. He and Garza and Williams could do some big things in shaking up this fucked-up excuse for a County. I became an Arbanas hater when I saw some County legislative meeting wherein he acted like he was so superior to everyone else.
Did anyone notice that some guy named Rizzo was making twice as much as Obama in some little California town? As a City Administrator? Like $800K a year? Wonder if it's Henry's relative.
This average voter, and the majority, is voting for Terry Riley. NO ONE should be in office for as long as Arbanas. Why the f*ck aren't there term limits in the county????
ReplyDeleteLOVED Terry's mailer.
I do agree with 4:38. Arbanas is part of the problem, and Riley is part of the solution. He and Garza and Williams could do some big things in shaking up this fucked-up excuse for a County. I became an Arbanas hater when I saw some County legislative meeting wherein he acted like he was so superior to everyone else.
Did anyone notice that some guy named Rizzo was making twice as much as Obama in some little California town? As a City Administrator? Like $800K a year? Wonder if it's Henry's relative.
Terry and Fred are both good candidates but it's Terry time. Fred's had his era.
ReplyDeleteDirty Tricks Pat Gray paid by the word because only a campaign manager could say anything good about "Fake Irish" Riley.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tony. Fred will lose this race for one simple reason: Pat Gray. The richest loser to ever touch political campaigns.
ReplyDeleteWhat will happen with Riley's seat on the council?
ReplyDeleteI was on the receiving end of Cm. Riley's thuggish bullying, so Tony, I think my experience invalidates your lack of it.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm still gonna vote for him because I want to see incumbents scared.
Thugs and girl gangs is just what the county needs? Voting for best qualified candidate regardless of race or gender or amount of $$ in their coffers. Arbanas for sure
ReplyDeletePat Gray sure wrote a lot of crap for his pennies.
ReplyDeleteThe Truth Shall Set Fred Free..ly in the Winners Circle!!
ReplyDeleteNo Scandle Arbanas v. Terrible Sham Riley w/ Coe & Company! How're things at Kingston? Where they poison Latinos? ASBESTOS? It's the same in any language. Even the ones Sham Riley & Coe try to mumble out.
ReplyDeleteTerry Riley = RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD RACE CARD
ReplyDeleteTerry Riley - Perfect Output KCMO Copy Contract - Riley plays THE RACE CARD!!
ReplyDeleteTerry Riley - Redistricting - Terry Riley Plays The Race Card!!
ReplyDeleteEwww! I see why he wears that stupid hat. And why somebody said he was arrested at the Liberty Memorial.
ReplyDelete^
ReplyDeleteLast nine comments sound very desperate. The guy doing this is not helping Arbanas. Only making him look, well, desperate.
Cha chink! Pat Gray earns 20 cents!! Five more words and you might have had a whole quarter - from Douglas Bank? - cause Racist Riley is already being garnished. Care to debate that Pat?
ReplyDeleteTell the folks who live by the Citadel environmental disaster how great Sham Riley is Penny Poster.
ReplyDeleteHey whitey blow back hurts.
ReplyDeleteTony have you been living under a rock? Watch Riley on Channel 2. Listen to a few people who have had direct contact with him and been threatened by him. Pay attention and maybe, just maybe, you'll quit being Riley's pimp.
ReplyDeleteArbanas will clean his clock.