Kansas City Playlist: Taxpayer Funded Anti-Gun Campaign Protest

Not all but most of the groups demanding gun reform in Kansas City this weekend are supported by generous funding from 12th & Oak. 

And no . . . We didn't get to vote on it.

Nevertheless, without delving into cynicism it's important to document the message/demand confronting the public and subsequent reporting of local activism that isn't quite as "grassroots" as it seems and is certainly politically connected.

Check the word from a local media outlet that also garners a portion of their funding by way of taxpayer subsidy . . .

"Nearly 200 parents, local and state lawmakers, activists and children from Kansas and Missouri rallied on a cold Saturday afternoon just steps away from where 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan was gunned down and 22 others were injured after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade shooting at Union Station on Wednesday.

"They were angry about what they described as empty platitudes from conservative politicians and the lack of urgency from Missouri lawmakers to pass sensible gun legislation in the wake of the tragedy — despite the state having the seventh-highest gun death rate in the U.S."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Hundreds rally in Kansas City for gun laws after Chiefs parade shooting: 'How many more?'

Nearly 200 people rallied at Washington Square Park on Saturday afternoon to call on Missouri lawmakers to pass legislation to help prevent future mass shootings like the one that killed one person and injured 22 more across the street on Wednesday.

Moms Demand Action hold gun violence awareness rally near Union Station

Around 100 people attended the rally.

Gun violence rally held after shooting at Chiefs Super Bowl parade

People gathered Saturday afternoon at Washington Square Park for a gun violence prevention rally in response to the shooting after the Chiefs Super Bowl Victory parade Wednesday.

Over 100 people gather at Moms Demand Action Rally to End Gun Violence outside Union Station Saturday

Over 100 people gathered at a Moms Demand Action Rally to End Gun Violence at Washington Square Park near Union Station on Saturday, just days after the Chiefs rally shooting.

And so . . .

We refuse to delve into cynicism and merely work to share our vantage amid so much "advocacy" in the midst of a bitter election year. 

Instead, today's exchange merely inspires our TKC playlist on the topic of campaigning, human misery and the eternal search for meaning.

This is as good of a place to start as any. Long, long ago The Rat Pack covered "High Hopes" for JFK. The former Prez who was also a victim of gun violence.

Panic! At The Disco is a more recent selection and we admire this song if only because it proved that "mayo" Pete Buttigieg was kind of a bad joke when his campaigners were clowned for choreographing a "flash mob" dance number using the "High Hopes" track.

Vote For Me From The Specials isn't a great song but the video is amazing and it captures our spirit of well-deserved skepticism.

As always, we present one of our 90s-era faves for the most loyal TKC readers who enjoy this playlist tradition. 

Tonight we listen to a cover of a Simon & Garfunkel classic — Mrs. Robinson by The Lemonheads. The immensely talented Evan Dando fronted this world-class band but desperately needed a surefire hit to back up their much better but far more obscure work. The timeless 60s-era track was a great choice given its sense of desperation with a back beat that's still melodic and fun.

Finally, "Don't Stop" from Fleetwood Mac once served as the anthem for Bill Clinton's presidency. It's a hopeful song from a surprisingly simpler and more sinister time before the Internets helped to ruin our sense of wonder. Even more interestingly, the campaign collaboration is of the last tunes that mainstream musicians allowed politicos to borrow for a campaign.

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.