Kansas City Playlist: Local Dividing Lines

Forgive us . . . But tonight we revisit a familiar theme with one caveat and something to consider as the nation prepares for midterm election screaming matches . . . 

Our takeaway this evening . . .

Given abortion debate, sick leave bickering and now outrage over redistricting: Missouri and, even more interestingly, Kansas City might serve as the centerpiece of progressive pushback against Prez Trump. Sadly, if this seems familiar . . . It happened before in a small nothing of a town called Ferguson. 

And so  . . . 

We're keeping our fingers crossed that KC proper and the entire metro can avoid serving as a national flashpoint for political unrest . . . But we shouldn't rule out the possibility. 

And so . . . Here are a couple more news stories on the topic we're sharing for context . . .

Redistricting wars: Map shows how many seats could change before midterms

Over a dozen states are locked in a standoff over the maps that could decide which party takes control of Congress in 2027.

Missouri Latest State to Weigh House District Gerrymandering Ahead of Midterms

Missouri looks to follow the lead of Texas, California in considering gerrymandering U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.

And now . . .

This evening our www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist concerns songs about lines and how they impact our lives . . . We encouraged the musically inclined to share any additional suggestions other that the obvious TOTO song that we skipped posting again. Here we go . . .

Jet Airliner by The Steve Miller Band is a nice place to start because the track features AN EXCEPTIONAL beat and speaks to our love of travelling music and the perilous political journey we're all about to undertake.

Borderline is a wonderfully awful song by Madonna which satisfies our need for Saturday nostalgia and might also be applicable toward the ongoing immigration debate that threatens to mute a great deal of progressive complaining . . . Given that polling still suggests support for the crackdown despite so much heartache reported via MSM.

Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke is now a "classic" that inspires mixed feelings but remains a decent dance track, introduced us to Emrata AND garnered Marvin Gaye's family yet another payout.

For the bridge, "Right Down The Line" by Gerry Rafferty is a yacht rock smooth music classic that TKC enjoys even if we've never met a woman who liked the tune which that's actually about devotion and commitment.

Finally, "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash is a low-key protest classic that still holds up amid the eternal struggle of American working-class that hasn't changed as much as we'd like to think.

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