P&L DISTRICT HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS AHEAD

Since its grand opening, The overrated P&L District has received literally hundreds, if not thousands of complaints regarding its perceived racist dress code policies. Throughout the year, Tony's Kansas City along with Kansas City Crime Stopper Alonzo Washington have been all over The P&L dress code issue and their reporting has really shined a light on the situation at hand.

According to reports, 40% of African-Americans and 36% of Latinos have been denied entry into the P&L District this year--numbers that are just simply disgusting for Kansas City today. Adding to the situation is the fact that Kansas City is said to be hosting The NAACP's 2010 Convention.

If The P&L doesn't get its act together this could really turn out to be a long-term nightmare for the City of Kansas City, The Government of Jackson County, the people of Kansas City and the business owners at not just The P&L , but throughout Kansas City's hottest districts.

Because of that we are calling on both The Kansas City Council as well as The Jackson County Executive and Legislature to address this situation immediately.

Give the 500 plus Kansas Citians protesting in the cold as well as TKC and Alonzo Washington a lot of respect for taking this issue by the horns.

Health Care Poll Sends Strong Message To Senators

The Huffington Post writes about a new poll showing that voters across the board are not pleased by the idea of health insurance mandates without a public option or a Medicare expansion.

Conducted by Research 2000 for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) and Democracy for America (DFA), the survey finds only 33 percent of likely voters favor a health care bill that does not include a public health insurance option and does not expand Medicare, but does require all Americans to get health insurance. Slightly more Democrats -- 37 percent -- favor the idea, while only 30 percent of Republicans and 31 percent of independents do.

Meanwhile, if the public option and Medicare buy-in are added, 58 percent of people support the idea. The number of Republican supporters drops to 22 percent, but independent support rises to 57 percent and Democratic support to a whopping 88 percent.

"This poll shows voters in full-blown revolt against the Senate bill," said PCCC co-founder Stephanie Taylor. "Only one-third of voters support mandates without a public option, while nearly two-thirds want the public option and Medicare expansion. This will be a disaster of epic proportions for Democrats in 2010 if it's not fixed -- fast."

Another recent poll commissioned by the PCCC and DFA found that one third of Democrats are less likely to vote in 2010 if the health care bill does not contain a public option.


Wake up Senate. It's time you represent America. It's becoming increasingly obvious that Senators opposing health care reform which includes a public option and Medicare expansion are doing so only because of lobbyist pressure and financial support.

'Funk'ing Around TKC

Kansas City's most famous and controversial blog, Tony's Kansas City, writes about getting his hands on a Funkhouser Bobblehead.

KU Denies Rumors Of Contract Offered To Harbaugh

The Star is reporting that Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins issued a statement this afternoon putting to rest the rampant rumors about Perkins having offered the KU football coaching job to Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh.

“As we have said in the past, we will not comment on rumors about any potential candidates for the position of head football coach at the University of Kansas,” Perkins said. “Having said that, I will reiterate at this time that the process is ongoing. We have not offered the head coaching position to anyone.”

The Star reported in this morning’s edition that Harbaugh has talked with Perkins about the job and that East Carolina coach Skip Holtz and Buffalo coach Turner Gill have talked to Perkins and are still very much in the running for the job.

Why is KU backing off allegations of this potential hire? Hopefully they are just dancing around a PR nightmare. Harbaugh coming to KU would be a touchdown for the university and local sports. Likewise, being that his wife is from Kansas City, we're sure they'd love to come back for a long stay!

Say It Ain't So Tiger! Tiger Woods Takes "Indefinite" Break From Golf

The Associated Press is reporting that Tiger Woods said Friday he is taking an indefinite leave from golf to work on saving his marriage, using the word “infidelity” for the first time in a statement posted on his Web site.

The decision has come after magazines, newspapers and big cable shows throughout the world have focused on Woods' recent accident and infidelities.

Golf won't be the same without you Tiger.

Tent City Sheriff Plays Political Games With Taxpayer Money

Talking Points Memo is reporting that Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio --who has used media-friendly stunts before to gain a national reputation as a law enforcement tough guy as well as gain political importance for his racist treatment of immigrants, both legal and illegal,-- announced the filing of a criminal complaint against his latest political target: a judge, Honorable Gary Donahoe, who's involved in several of Sheriff Joe's controversial cases.


According to TPM, Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe's only "crime" might not amount to much more than having made some rulings that Arizona's Racist Sheriff didn't take kindly to.

Read the article for details. It should give you an insight into the mentality of Sheriff Joe who seems to be just another extreme right-wing Republican politician who's getting backed by high dollar Republican lawyers.

But remember, it's not about politics, it's about the law right Sheriff Joe?

Sure it is.

BREAKING: Police Report Alleges Jetton Raped Victim, Incident Not Consensual Sex Gone Wrong

In a major turn of events, a newly released police report states that the woman was not only allegedly beaten by Republican Speaker turned powerful consultant Rod Jetton, but was allegedly forced against her will, drugged, tied with a belt and raped.

Fired Up Missouri broke the story today. This is obviously a severe turn of events. Up until this point, news reports were hinting that this was a consensual sex meeting gone bad. If the details in the report are correct, this was in fact not that. The woman was raped and the details are gruesome:


A Sikeston Department of Public Safety Crime/Incident Report -- obtained today via a Sunshine request -- details gruesome allegations against Rod Jetton not previously reported.

An excerpt from the narrative portion of the report is below the break. The victim's name has been redacted.

ON 11/17/2009, AT 2341 HOURS, I RESPONDED TO [REDACTED] IN REFERENCE TO AN ASSAULT THAT HAD OCCURRED.

UPON MY ARRIVAL, I MADE CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM LATER IDENTIFIED AS: [WOMAN]

I OBSERVED RED MARKINGS AND BRUISING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF [WOMAN’S] FACE. [WOMAN] STATED A FRIEND OF HERS HAD COME TO HER RESIDENCE ON 11/15/2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 TO 2130 HOURS. SHE IDENTIFIED HER FRIEND AS: JETTON, ROD

[WOMAN] STATED SHE AND MR. JETTON HAD BEEN FRIENDS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. SHE STATED SHE HAD NOT SEEN OR TALKED TO HIM IN SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY HAD NEVER BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP. [WOMAN] STATED MR. JETTON HAD BEEN TEXTING HER AND HE WANTED TO STOP BY HER RESIDENCE ON 11/15/2009 ON THE WAY TO DEER CAMP. [WOMAN] STATED SHE AGREED TO LET HIM STOP BY TO VISIT.

[WOMAN] STATED WHEN MR. JETTON ARRIVED, HE HAD TWO BOTTLES OF WINE IN HIS POSSESION. SHE STATED THEY WERE SITTING ON THE COUCH IN HER LIVING ROOM, NOT TOUCHING. [WOMAN] STATED THEY WERE WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME AND TALKING POLITICS. [WOMAN] STATED MR. JETTON HAD GONE INTO THE KITCHEN AND RETRIEVED A LARGE GLASS OF WINE FOR HER AS THEY CONTINUED IN CONVERSATION. SHE STATED WHEN SHE WAS FINISHED WITH THE FIRST GLASS, MR. JETTON IMMEDIATELY FILLED HER GLASS AGAIN IN THE KITCHEN OUT OF HER VIEW. [WOMAN] STATED SHE REMEMBERED THE FOOTBALL GAME ENDING ON THE TELEVISION AND THEY WERE STILL TALKING POLITICS. [WOMAN] STATED MR. JETTON HAD BEGUN TO TRY TO STICK HIS HAND UP HER SHIRT AND SHE PUSHED HIS HAND AWAY. SHE STATED SHE THOUGHT MR. JETTON WAS PLAYING AROUND.

[WOMAN] STATED SHE REMEMBERED PUTTING THE MOVIE "HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT" IN THE DVD PLAYER AT APPROXIMATELY 2300 HOURS. THEY BEGAN TO WATCH THE MOVIE AND MR. JETTON ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE HER PANTS AND SHE TOLD HIM “NO”.

[WOMAN] STATED THE NEXT THING SHE REMEMBERED, SHE WAS ON THE FLOOR IN THE LIVING ROOM AND MR. JETTON WAS TRYING TO RESTRAIN BOTH OF HER HANDS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LEATHER BELT. SHE STATED SHE WAS VERY GROGGY AND UNABLE TO SPEAK BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL HER HANDS FREE FROM THE RESTRAINT. SHE STATED AT THIS POINT, MR. JETTON BEGAN TO STRIKE HER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FACE WITH AN OPEN HAND. SHE STATED AFTER THE FOURTH BLOW TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FACE, SHE BEGAN TO SEE STARS AND BLACKED OUT. [WOMAN] STATED SHE WAS UNSURE HOW MANY TIMES MR. JETTON HAD STRUCK HER AFTER SHE HAD BLACKED OUT.

[WOMAN] STATED SHE CAME TO AND MR. JETTON HAD ONE OF HIS HANDS AROUND HER NECK CHOKING HER. [WOMAN] STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO BREATH AT THIS POINT. SHE STATED SHE WAS STILL TO WEAK AND GROGGY TO RESIST MR. JETTON. SHE STATED AT THIS POINT, HER HANDS WERE RESTRAINED WITH AN OBJECT SHE ASSUMED TO BE THE BELT.

[WOMAN] STATED AS MR. JETTON CHOKED HER, SHE BLACKED OUT AGAIN. SHE THEN WOKE UP IN HER BED. SHE STATED MR. JETTON WAS HAVING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH HER. SHE STATED SHE COULD NOT GIVE ANY RESISTANCE DUE TO HER CONDITION. SHE STATED SHE WAS ON HER KNEES IN THE BED AND MR. JETTON WAS BEHIND HER PERFORMING THE SEXUAL ACT. SHE STATED MR. JETTON CONTINUOUSLY SLAPPED HER ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER LEFT LEG AND THE OUTSIDE OF HER RIGHT LEG AS HE HAD SEX WITH HER.

[WOMAN] STATED SHE DID NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ELSE THROUGH THE NIGHT. SHE STATED SHE WOKE UP ON 11/16/2009 EARLY IN THE MORNING AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE HER WHOLE BODY. SHE STATED WHEN SHE DID MOVE, IT HURT ALL OVER. [WOMAN] STATED HER FACE WAS SO SORE THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO LAY HER HEAD ON HER PILLOW. SHE REMEMBERED MR. JETTON LEANING OVER HER AND KISSING HER ON THE MOUTH AND TELLING HER GOOD BYE. SHE REMEMBERED MR. JETTON TELLING HER, "I TOLD YOU TO SAY GREEN BALLONS", AS IF IT WAS A CODE WORD FOR HIM TO STOP. SHE STATED SHE DID NOT BELIEVE MR. JETTON HAD SEEN THE INJURIES TO HER FACE.

[WOMAN] STATED DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT, SHE WAS SCARED FOR HER LIFE. SHE STATED WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT ALL THE MARKINGS ON HER BODY, SHE OBSERVED THE BRUISING AND SLAP MARKS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FACE. SHE ALSO HAD SEVERE PAIN TO HER LEFT JAW. SHE WAS HAVING TROUBLE OPENING AND LOOKING OUT OF HER LEFT EYE. HER LEFT EAR HAD SEVERE PAIN AND BRUISING INSIDE AND OUT. [WOMAN] ALSO OBSERVED BRUISING ON HER LEFT BREAST. THERE WAS ALSO BRUISING ON THE INSIDE OF HER LEFT AND RIGHT LEG. HER RIGHT ANKLE WAS SORE AND HAD SWELLING. SHE ALSO OBSERVED BRUISING ON THE OUTSIDE OF HER LEFT AND RIGHT LEG FROM MR. JETTON SLAPPING HER AS HE SEXUAL ASSAULTED HER.

I ADVISED [WOMAN] THAT SHE SHOULD SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER RECEIVING THE BLOWS TO THE HEAD AND BEING CHOKED. [WOMAN] STATED SHE HAD SEEN HER PSYCHIATRIST ON 11/16/2009. SHE STATED HE HAD TAKEN PICTURES OF HER INJURIES. HE HAD ALSO TAKEN NOTES REGARDING THE INCIDENT SHOULD SHE NEED THEM AT A LATER DATE. [WOMAN’S] PSYCHIATRISTS WAS IDENTIFIED AS: [REDACTED].

[WOMAN] WAS TRANSPORTED TO [HOSPITAL] BY A FRIEND. I RESPONDED TO [HOSPITAL] E.R. TO CONTINUE MY INVESTIGATION. LT. [REDACTED] MADE CONTACT WITH LT. [REDACTED] AND LT. [REDACTED] ADVISED LT. [REDACTED] TO HAVE ME GET ALL THE INFORMATION I COULD AND COMPLETE A REPORT. LT. [REDACTED] STATED DETECTIVE DIVISION WOULD MAKE CONTACT WITH [WOMAN] SINCE MR. JETTON WAS NOT IN CUSTODY AT THIS TIME.

UPON MY ARRIVAL AT 0100 HOURS ON 11/18/2009, [WOMAN] HAD BEEN CHANGED INTO AN E.R.ROBE AND PLACED IN ROOM [###]. I MADE CONTACT THE ON DUTY NURSE IDENTIFIED AS: [REDACTED]

[NURSE] ADVISED ME OF SEVERAL OTHER MARKINGS THAT SHE HAD LOCATED ON WOMAN]. [NURSE] WAS ABLE TO SHOW ME THE MARKINGS. I OBSERVED MARKINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF [WOMAN’S] FACE. I ALSO OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A HAND PRINT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE. I OBSERVED BRUISING ON HER LEFT EAR. THERE WAS ALSO A HAND PRINT ON HER NECK WHERE MR. JETTON HAD CHOKED HER. I OBSERVED THE BRUISING AND RED MARKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH OF HER LEGS AT HER BUTTOCKS. I ALSO OBSERVED THE BRUISING TO THE INSIDE OF BOTH OF HER LEGS. THERE WAS SWELLING AND TENDERNOUS TO HER RIGHT ANKLE. I ALSO OBSERVED BRUISING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER LEFT BREAST.

The report also states that officers collected a comforter, sheets, pillows, liquid from a wine bottle, a corkscrew, an empty wine bottle, clothes, a green wash cloth, hair from the accuser's bed, swabs from couch cushions, a bloody tissue and an iPhone from the victim's home.

We at the KC Blue Blog are urging all blogs, and news outlets, local and national to set the record straight. Many news outlets had originally taken this as a sex game gone wrong. The police report shows, this was far from it and it is the job of blogs and outlets to set the record straight for the sake of the victim in this matter.

So Much For The Christian Conservative GOP: Republican And Former Speaker Rod "Green Balloons" Jetton Allegedly Drugs, Beats And Chokes Out Woman

The Star reported and The Scott County court clerk have confirmed that a felony complaint has been filed against former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton for an incident that allegedly took place Nov. 15 in Sikeston, Mo.

According to the probable cause statement released by the Scott County Circuit Court Monday, Jetton took part in some seriously rough late night sexual relations that included using the safe word "Green Balloons".

However, after seeing the alleged victim's testimony to police detective Bethany McDermott --KY3 reported on-- things may get very serious for the former Missouri Speaker of The House. And they should. Take a look:

"(The woman) said she did not see him pour the wine because she did not follow him into the kitchen, but he returned to the living room and handed her a glass of wine. (The woman) remembers watching a football game and said once she finished the glass of wine, she began 'fading' in and out and remembered losing consciousness several times during the evening," wrote Detective Bethany McDermott in her report.

"(The woman) recalls Jetton hitting her on the face very hard. She then remembers waking up, lying on the floor and Jetton was choking her. (The woman) said she did not know what happened with her memory because she had been drunk but had never had the blank spots in her memory," McDermott reported.

"(The woman) said Jetton stayed the night with her and when he woke up he gave her a kiss and said, 'You should have said green balloons.' Jetton left the woman's residence and had not returned," McDermott added.

Casenet says the complaint was filed as a class C felony assault carrying a seven-year and/or a $5,000 penalty.


Does anyone really still buy the compassionate christian conservative lies of the GOP? Didn't think so. Just another reason not to vote Republican come election day.

Obama Can't Please Republicans And Right Wing Bloggers As They Are Only Concerned About Elections

Roy Edroso follows the right-wing blogosphere on a daily basis. This week's top post is a must read as he breaksdown Republicans and Rightwingers' manufactured complaints about Obama and Afghanistan. And he closes with a solid punch:


"What would have pleased the rightbloggers? 40,000 troops? 50,000? Some swagger, a flight suit, a call to "bring 'em on"? The short answer is nothing. We didn't hear much from them about Afghanistan this year until Obama mentioned it, and it's difficult to believe they care. The only victory they think about happens on first Tuesdays in November, far from Afghanistan." writes Edroso

Crazy Racist Alert!!! TN Mayor Russell Wiseman Goes On Racist Rant. Calls President Obama A Muslim. Promotes Eliminating Minority Right To Vote

Talking Points Memo has posted the latest Republican social networking meltdown, as a Facebook post by Arlington, Tennessee Mayor Russell Wiseman was released to the press, by a friend, due to the nature of the content.

In the post, Arlington Mayor Russell Wiseman said this week's President Barack Obama Afghanistan speech was deliberately timed to (of all things) block the Christian message of the "Peanuts" television Christmas special.

Seriously, he said that. Here's part of the post:

"Ok, so, this is total crap, we sit the kids down to watch 'The Charlie Brown Christmas Special' and our muslim president is there, what a load.....try to convince me that wasn't done on purpose. Ask the man if he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he will give you a 10 minute disertation (sic) about it....w...hen the answer should simply be 'yes'...."

And he doesn't stop there.

Later during Wiseman's extensive thread attacking the president, his supporters and Muslims, the Tennessee Republican mayor stated "...you obama people need to move to a muslim country...oh wait, that's America....pitiful."

At another point he even goes so far as to seemingly suggest returning back to the days of slavery and eliminating the right to vote for people of color as well as their right to hold office by saying, "you know, our forefathers had it written in the original Constitution that ONLY property owners could vote, if that had stayed in there, things would be different........"

This type of behavior on the part of an elected official is not only unprofessional and pathetic; it's also simply unacceptable in America today.

We are calling on the people and press of Tennessee as well as both state Democratic and Republican parties to ask Russell Wiseman to not only publicly apologize for the comments made, but also step down as Mayor of Arlington, Tennesse.

Things All 'Funk'd Up At City Hall: Mayor Releases Statement To Cauthen

"RE: Statement of Reasons for Removal

Dear Wayne, On November 24, 2009, you had hand-delivered to the City Clerk your letter demanding a written statement of the reasons for your removal from office as the City Manager and a hearing before the City Council. Both demands were made pursuant to Section 218(e)(3)(B) of the City Charter.

This letter is the statement of reasons that you requested. By separate letter, I will advise you of the date, time and location of your hearing before the City Council.

Pursuant to Section 218(e)(1) of the City Charter, I removed you from office November 19, 2009 because the City needs new administrative leadership. Six members of the City Council ratified my decision by public vote later that day."

According to The Star, that's the end of the statement.

That's how serious the mayor takes this situation and his constituents' concerns regarding this situation.

Maybe the Mayor's minor-league staff and circus "full-time volunteer" could learn a bit from this explanation by Jan Marcason. It is a good example of how an elected official should answer his/her constituents' concerns regarding their actions or vote.

The above letter/statement by the mayor is not. Did we really have to explain that to the Mayor's staff? You would think that the +$100 thousand dollars in taxpayer money going toward the mayor's staff would be used on competent and qualified individuals. Under this mayor, it's not.

BREAKING!!! KU COACH MARK MANGINO HAS RESIGNED

The Associated Press, ESPN and CBS Sports is reporting that KU Head Coach Mark Mangino has resigned two years after leading the Jayhawks to their best season ever.

As Jason King from Yahoo! Sports put it "Saturday, less than an hour before Mark Mangino coached his final football game at Kansas, associate athletic director Jim Marchiony stood on the Arrowhead Stadium sideline as the Jayhawks went through warmups.By then it had become obvious that Mangino would be gone the following week amid allegations of verbal abuse toward his players. Mangino knew it, the media knew it and so did Kansas fans – including one who screamed at Marchiony from the stands" writes King

Even after what would be his final game Mangino said he had no regrets about how he’d coached his team the previous eight years, adding that he wouldn’t make any changes to his style if he were brought back for a ninth season.

Quoting the famed Mexican Revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, Mangino told reporters “I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees,”

King put it best when he writes "At the very least, Mangino can always hold his head high about what he accomplished at Kansas, where he completely changed the culture of a program that seemed destined for eternal mediocrity.
Kansas is an attractive job again, and for that the Jayhawks can thank Mangino, who leaves Lawrence with a handful of bowl rings and coaching awards.
And hardly any friends."

CRAZY ALERT! Republican Cynthia Davis Officially Wants Guns In Churches

While there are a number of real issues to be addressed in Jefferson City during 2010, The Turner Report is informing readers of another crazy move on the part of Cynthia Davis that not only shows her inability to sanely represent voters , it will also have Missourians and voters terrified when going to church on Sundays .

Mrs. Davis has officially pre-filed HB 1232, which would remove the restrictions against carrying guns into churches.

Again this is the same Republican conspiracist and representative who along with fellow Missouri Republican Timothy Jones (R-Eureka) actually signed on as plaintiffs to a federal lawsuit questioning the nationality of President Barack Obama. (To no surprise, A federal judge has since dismissed the suit, but not before rebuking Davis, Jones and their fellow conspiracists.)

Likewise, this is the same representative that opposed subsidizing school lunches for low income children during summer months saying, "Hunger can be a positive motivator." eventhough 1 in 5 Missouri kids is living in hunger.

Seriously Missouri, enough is enough. Cynthia Davis and Missouri Republicans have absolutely lost their mind.

We are calling on bloggers, media outlets and Missourians to speak out against this bill as well as Cynthia Davis' extremely radical ( insane) representation of both her district and this beautiful state. We are calling on church leaders around the state and country to do the same.

And finally, we are calling on The Missouri GOP, as well as their state Chairman David Cole and Executive Director Lloyd Smith, to speak out against this bill, Davis and Jones' questioning the President's citizenship, Davis' failure to sanely represent the people of Missouri and furthermore their decision earlier this year to keep 1 in 5 children living in hunger.

The other crazy Republican co-sponsors of the bill are: Republican Reps. Dugger (MO-144), Ruestman (MO-133), Wells (MO-147)

Do You Know Where Your Church Donation Is Going?

The National Catholic Reporter and The Plog's Peter Rugg informs readers that Campaign finance reports from Maine show that a Kansas Catholic organization headed by Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann was among the largest private contributors to repealing gay marriage in Maine.

While it should go noted that organizations have the right to raise money as they wish as long as they are following the law, these donations raise a number of questions.

First, when this report by the NCR refers to "collections" are they referring to money donated by their congregation during church services? If so are all congregation members in attendance at the time of collection made aware that their donations were going to be used in order to oppose same-sex marriage? If not, were they made aware before or after; or at all?

Likewise, during such hard economic times, why are local churches and bishops demanding collections be used to attack equal rights, when they could be using it to heal the sick who can't afford healthcare and even feed or provide warmth and shelter for the poor and homeless; among other things?

We'd like your thoughts on the issue.

On a final note: Don't mistake the purpose of this post. We are not asking you the reader to stop donating to churches. We are simply asking you to hold your church, pastor or bishop responsible for what you may determine to be improper use of your donations.

Missouri Republicans Jump On The Crazy Train!

There's no doubt about it, the debate on healthcare reform is this week's top headline. But while Democrats around the country and in Congress are pressing hard to move our country in the right direction by making sure your healthcare costs go down while the quality of healthcare you receive goes way up, you may start to ask yourself "What are Republicans doing for America?"

The Answer: Nothing positive.

And that includes Missouri Republican extremist Cynthia Davis and Republican Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri's 2nd Congressional District--otherwise known as the guy that botched the Pledge of Allegience while leading a group of crazy Republican at a tea party for corporate friends event.

All across the country, over the last few months we have seen extremist Republicans, like Rush Limbaugh, Todd Akin, Crazy Michelle Bachman, Roy Blunt, Cynthia Davis and Glenn Beck stir the crazy pot and fule the fire of hatred and divisiveness in this country and in Missouri. Today is no different.

The same Repubican extremist website that jumped off the deep end and sponsored a billboard asking for President Obama's Birth Certificate--which has also led to another billboard (seen above) showing Obama in a turbin-- has started a campaign to send pink slips to members of Congress who are planning to vote for or have voted for this country's economic stimulus plan, the newly passed hate-crimes bill, and healthcare reform. One of the voices leading the campaign is Republican Congressman from Missouri Todd Akin.

Problem is that the pink slip (left) is a classic example of right wing extremism.

Not only does the pink slip lie to voters by saying that Health care reform is "government health care" that "funds abortions, rationing and euthanasia" (an attempt to play the crazy socialism card), it also really crosses the line by saying that the "Hate Crimes" bill (otherwise known as Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act) "protects pedophiles and sends pastors to prison for biblical positions and speech" --a quote that not only is 100% false, but also suggests that this Todd Akin approved and supported pink slip movement prefers to support extremists like Rev. Fred Phelps and Pastor Martin Ssempa over victims of hate crimes.

To top it all off, during tough economic times, the website that started this campaign charges you nearly $30 dollars to send one sheet of paper called your pink slip!



This stance and the other crazy off the deep end stances that Republican Todd Akin and Cynthia Davis have taken are nothing new to their agenda.




Back in September, at a crazy right wing conference held in St. Louis titled "How to Take Back America", extremist right wingers from around the country flew in to express their anger and hatred and learned how to fuel the fire of the movement. The conference was put on by no other than local nativist Phyllis Schlafly and The Eagle Forum (Blue Note- see: friend of Funkhouser Parks Board Appointee Frances Semler).

The main topics might scare you: Comparing Obama to facism/marxim/nazism and what they called 'The Gay Agenda'.


Local conference attendees/speakers who should definitely scare you: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) US Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), US Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), MO Rep. Cynthia Davis, as well as Missouri Republican candidates Ed Martin and Vicky Hartzler and to no surprise UMKC's very own Krazy Kris Kobach.


(Blue Note: Are you scared of Republicans yet? You should be. If not, check this out.)


The conference was so extreme that in an interview Schlafly was quoted as saying “Kitty has pointed out the parallels between the slow, incremental Hitler takeover of Austria and some of the things that are happening today,” said Schlafly, asked about Werthmann’s “How to Recognize Living Under Nazis and Communists” session. “She’s an expert on that. I see what [Obama] is doing as absolute socialism, as government ownership of the means of production.”



She of course was referring to Kitty Werthmann the 84-year-old native Austrian and leader of the South Dakota branch of the Eagle Forum who survived the excesses of the Third Reich and has made a career out of warning Americans that fascism is on its way.


Here's a piece of the conversation:



“We had prayer in school before we started class, and after class,” said Werthmann. “One day I came into the classroom and the crucifix was gone, and there was Hitler’s picture, and the Nazi flag on either side. And our teacher said, ‘Today we don’t pray anymore. We sing ‘Deutschland, Deutschland Uber Alles.’"

Werthmann explained how Hitler had euthanized mentally handicapped children, and how he’d kept lists of political enemies.

“What would you suggest we do,” asked one activist, “if we are asked to give up our guns?”
“Don’t you dare give up your guns!” thundered Werthmann. “Never, never, never!”
“Give them back one bullet at a time!” called out another activist.

And that was just the start...


Rev. Rick Scarborough, a pastor who advised Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign, pounded the podium at his Friday afternoon speech, warning of the president’s pro-gay agenda.

“The day the president put his hand on the bible,” said Scarborough, “his minions were changing official White House Website to reflect a whole new understanding of civil rights, to refer to homosexuals.” The Bible, said Scarborough, called these people “sodomites, which no one wants to talk about because it reminds them of their behavior.”

Some activists, and attendees followed this up with a breakout session on “How to Counter the Homosexual Extremist Movement,” and “How to Stop Feminist and Gay Attacks on the Military,” and also conspiracies like "The North American Union".


Peggy Carter, an Eagle Forum leader from North Carolina, was quoted saying that Obama was “anti-white,” and had only stealthily revealed that to Americans because “he can’t afford” to make it obvious.


Again folks, remember that they are talking about our President.

And then there was Missouri crazy republican Rep. Cynthia Davis, the Republican state legislator in Missouri who instead of focusing on Missouri has worked with "birther" lawyer Orly Taitz most of this year trying to find evidence that Obama isn't American. In fact, her and fellow MO Republican Rep. Timothy Jones actually signed on as plantiffs in the conspiracy case --which was to no surprise thrown out.

At the conference Davis said that lawsuits demanding proof of the president’s citizenship were chiefly about the integrity of the Constitution, and that because Obama’s father was Kenyan, Obama’s eligibility problems extended beyond his birth records.


To no surprise, The Eagle Forum speakers made fictional connections with Obama and Islam and led it to a battle with Christianity. One speaker said:


“It’s only because of intercessory prayer that we haven’t been hit again since September 11,” said Boykin. “Pray for America for 10 minutes a day. If we can mobilize millions of prayer warriors that can pray for 10 minutes a day, we can open the gates of heaven.”


The conference was closed by Former Arkansas Governor giving a speech and saying “God bless you,” said Huckabee, “and God bless Phyllis Schlafly most of all.”

We can't close this post any way other than demanding that US Rep. Todd Akin, MO Rep. Cynthia Davis, Ed Martin, Vicky Hartzler and The Missouri GOP


(1) apologize for attending this hate conference and denounce their affiliation or support of The Eagle Forum,

(2) denounce their affiliation or support of the pink slip campaign which not only misinforms voters but also suggests support for hate reverends such as Rev. Fred Phelps, Pastor Grant Swank and Martin Ssempa over the safety of their constituents,

(3) denounce their affiliation or support of World Net Daily --the sponsor of billboards suggesting our president is not American and the pink slip campaign,

(4) denounce World Net Daily's charging constituents $30 dollars in hard economic times to send a piece of paper to Washington D.C.

(5) denounce any billboard, propaganda or organization portraying our President as a "jihadist" and/or falsly portraying our President's religious affiliation (i.e. wearing a turbin when he is not Islamic).

(6) Go on the record as stating that they believe President Barack Obama is a naturally born citizen of The United States of America

(7) Apologize to The LGBT Community for attending conferences promoting prejudice, hatred, segregation and/or agression towards said community

(8) Apologize to the constituents of their district for using their elected platform to promote hate, prejudice, racist, ethnocentric or nativist agendas

(9) Openly/Publicly go on the record supporting Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the equal rights and treatment of all citizens equal rights of all men, women and children regardless of age, race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, gender or political party

(10) Openly/Pulicly go on the record denouncing Rev. Fred Phelps, Pastor Grant Swank, Martin Ssempa, The Eagle Forum, and/or any other religious, political, or private figure that opposes equal rights of all men, women and children regardless of age, race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, gender or political party.

(11) Openly/Publicly release any and all records showing financial contributions to The Eagle Forum, World Net Daily, Rev. and/or any organization or group that actively promotes an agenda in anyway similar or equal to the groups mentioned above or organizes/supports events that promote said agendas.

Sarah Palin's Book A Best-Seller, Or Just A Book People Are Buying Because Of Dirt Cheap Prices?

Media Matters writes a great piece on Sarah Palin's inflated book sales. Take a look at the introduction:

"Sarah Palin's memoir Going Rogue: An American Life has garnered attention in part because of the number of copies sold before publication. But the book has been offered at below-cost prices from major online retailers, and Newsmax has used the book as a loss leader to promote its magazine, potentially inflating the book's sales."

Rick Warren And Conservatives Have Some Explaining To Do!

Crooks and Liars as well as The Rachel Maddow Show put together must read material that discusses the ties between C-Street, Pastor Rick Warren and an anti-gay bill in Uganda. Yes, you read that correctly and the crazy part is that the connection isn't in any way far fetched. All it takes is looking at a frequent visitor at Rick Warren's One Saddleback Church in California.

Below is a quote from The Rachel Maddows Show. Take a look:

"Maddows: The government of Uganda is considering passing a law to execute gay people. Execute as in by hanging a, quote, “serial offender” or an HIV-positive person who commits same sex act. If enacted, this law would also impose a three-year prison sentence on anyone who knows of a gay person in the country but doesn‘t report that gay person to the government within 24 hours.

Who is supporting and promoting this legislation? Well, one of the proponents is a minister named Pastor Martin Ssempa. He was a familiar face to American conservative Evangelicals, because Mr. Ssempa has been a frequent guest of Pastor Rick Warren at One Saddleback Church in California..........

....(later)...Given with Rick Warren‘s deep involvement with Pastor Ssempa on matters including gay rights and AIDS issues in Uganda, “Newsweek” magazine asked Pastor Rick Warren his opinion of this proposed “kill the gays” law in Uganda.

Mr. Warren responded by distancing himself from Martin Ssempa, but also by refusing to condemn the proposal saying, quote, “It is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations.”

Really Rick Warren? But it is part of your personal calling as pastor in America to stand up against legislation that takes away the equal rights of all people or legislation that actually calls for genocide; correct?

We are calling on Rick Warren to officially apologize to America, the world and the people of Uganda for supporting Martin Ssempa's preachings as well as receiving him in his church on a frequent basis.

Likewise, we are calling on TV outlets as well as politicians from both parties, mainly the GOP as he supports them overwhemingly, to speak out against Rick Warren and Martin Ssempa.

The Far Right Is Full Of Wingnuttery! Sarah Palin Warriors Take To The Churches To Preach Politics..For Crazy People.

David Neiwert writes on Sarah Palin's fanbase-- Alan Keyes quadrant of Planet Wingnuttia.

The Wrecking Ball Continues As Squitiro Reportedly Trying To Split African-American Community By Making Promises She Can't Deliver.

TKC is reporting that Gloria Squitiro has, to no surprise, decided to jump into the mess that is Mayor Funkhouser vs. City Manager Cauthen.

In doing so TKC is reporting quote

"RUMOR HAS IT CO-MAYOR SQUITIRO HAS SUMMONED A FEW FRINGE MEMBERS OF KC'S BLACK CLERGY TO HER BROOKSIDE HOME IN ORDER TO PERSUADE THEM TO STAND DOWN DURING THE HEARING OVER THE FATE OF CITY MANAGER WAYNE CAUTHEN!!!

It's just another disappointing and silly "divide and conquer" tactic.

Even worse . . . Squitiro didn't even bother calling real leaders like Rev. Michael Brooks of the Concerned Clergy of Kansas City, Missouri or even Emanuel Cleaver III."

If this is true--TKC's tipsters are rarely wrong on tips concerning the mayor and city hall-- we have some serious problems with this for a number of reasons.

First, why is Mayor Funkhouser's staff allowing this to happen? Are they not capable of standing up and objecting to this move? Because doing so would certainly be in the best interest of the mayor.

It's absolutely clear that Squitiro is not in any way in the position to, nor capable of, negotiating anything concerning the city or the mayor. To start, she is not a Mayor staffer or a city employee in any way. Additionally, she is completely incoherent to common sense and smart politics --which explains why she has consistently taken a wrecking ball to the mayor's office as well as his political career.

Secondly, why are clergy members even attending these conversations when they know that (1) they have nothing to gain by attending conversations with Gloria Squitiro (2) Gloria Squitiro can't deliver any promises made to the clergy.

Last point we would like to make is that Gloria Squitiro's circus involvement in this matter as well as the mayor's apparent attempt to persuade the clergy on this matter further proves that there may not have been any substantial reason explaining why Funkhouser jumped the council all together and suspended Wayne Cauthen without notice-- other than pure politics.

Politics alone is not an explainable reason for the move--especially when you completely jump the council and avoid a hearing. Add that to the way that Mr. Cauthen was treated during the suspension, and what we get Kansas City is a very hefty lawsuit. A lawsuit that obviously will not result in Funkhouser having to come up with the money; because the buck will just be passed to us--the taxpayers of Kansas City.

Everything 'Funk'd Up At City Hall: Cauthen Seeking Hearing?

It's official: While we enjoy our local paper, when it comes to Kansas City political news, TKC's tipsters are starting to make The Kansas City Star look elitist and out of place (see: The Pitch). Or is it that The Star just refuses to post on the 'Funk'd up situation at City Hall?

Either way, TKC is reporting that, as expected by everyone except the Mayor's office, Wayne Cauthen may seek a charter mandated public hearing. Additionally, TKC tipsters are reporting that Mayor Funkhouser's office is seeking a judicial resolution to keep the trial from being public.

In other words: If this is the case, The Mayor is actively seeking to stop you the taxpayer from knowing the details as to why he made this move that will most definitely cost the city a lot of money.

In the post, TKC writes:

"I hoped that the City Manager would take his money and ride off into the sunset (Denver) . . . But it looks like Kansas City could get one, last good show out of the Cauthen. A public trial certainly does shed a bit of perspective on the Black Clergy mobilizing into action last week . . . And despite Cauthen's constant screw-ups I have no doubt that there will be a significant contingent of people willing to support him in public considering his ongoing support from not only the suits (developers) but also certain leaders in the African-American community.

So . . . If folks at City Hall don't succeed in getting Cauthen's hearing in private . . . The move to suspend the City Manager that was described as "secretive" and a "palace coup" could certainly backfire.

With 6 City Council people embarrassed over the Cauthen ouster and certain elements of Kansas City's political establishment feeling irrelevant or slighted . . . IF Cauthen gets a public trial, it most certainly will be ugly."


What a great post by Kansas City's most popular and controversial blogger. Fact is, this looks to turn into a real ugly situation for City Hall, and anyone could have predicted it. To no surprise the move was handled at best unprofessional and amateur--two of the defining characteristics of this mayor and his team. Which is exactly why we are confused as to why 6 City Council members backed the mayor on this one?

We understand their probable distaste for Wayne Cauthen, but did they even ask how the mayor was going to make this move? Did they not expect his team to 'Funk' it up? Did they not expect to get hung out to dry on this one? Did they really expect to gain political capital by supporting Funkhouser --who has none--on this one? Is there a solid reason why they supported Funkhouser on this one? If so, why did they choose to stay quiet on this one too instead of informing their voters of the decision they took on their district's behalf?

What were they thinking?

Reality check for the 6 City Council who 'got the Funk':
Wayne Cauthen--while not the most popular--still has more political capital than Mark Funkhouser.

Mayor Funkhouser's political capital is the equivalent of the Zimbabwean Dollar--That means you want to stay away from it like H1N1!

Let's get something straight. We aren't saying that our council members should not work with this mayor. We are saying, when it comes to petty political games, this mayor thinks about as much as a cooked turkey--in other words he doesn't at all.

Thanks to that lack of common sense, the mayor does not have a political future----we should mention his wife also helping take a wrecking ball to it. Not to mention, their ability to trust him or use him come election day is about slim to none. So why jump on board in the name of games and gamble with theirs too? Especially when they don't have solid information to take home to their constituents--or at least enough information for them to confidently speak out immediately.

BREAKING NEWS: Missouri GOP Caught Hiding $25,000 from Coal Industry At "Independent" Tea Party Rally?

The Missouri GOP is under the microscope after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch uncovered a contribution of $25,000 from the spouse of a lobbyist.

While the Missouri Republican Party filed the proper paperwork, questions surround why they attempted to hide the contributions ties to Fred Palmer, Vice-President of Government Relations for Peabody Energy, which is a Coal Energy Company.

Is it because legislation is being crafted that could have a positive impact for the coal industry?

Adding more questions is where the Missouri GOP gathered the support? Could it be that the $25,000 was given to the Missouri GOP by the Coal Industry to continue their behind the scenes efforts with the "independent" Tea Party Movement in Missouri?

The $25,000 was given to the Missouri GOP on 11/24 from The Palmers who live in Ladue, not far from Clayton. Also on November 24th, was the Republican lobbyist funded "independent movement" called the Tea Party Rally which was held in Clayton.

One of the keynote speakers, Mike Carey of the Ohio Coal Association.

Coal Company speakers at a "independent" Democrat bashing rally? Hidden Coal Company Executive $25,000 contribution to the Missouri GOP at that same "indepedent" rally?

With recent reports of lobbyist pay for play surrouding the Missouri GOP, it appears they have some answering to do.

If the Missouri GOP solicited $25,000 contributions at "independent" Tea Party rallies across the state, then larger ethical questions now loom for the Missouri Republican Party.

A Day Too Soon: Nixon 51% Approval Rating One of the Strongest In America

KY3 Political Notebook reported on Friday that Governor Nixon's approval numbers from a Nov. 23rd poll are in the low 40's and thus should "alarm Nixon aides and supporters".

The only problem is a poll by the very same company Survey USA the following day shows Nixon approval ratings at 51%, which places him as one of the two highest rated Governors in America!

What they also failed to mention is that even at the 44% approval rating Governor Nixon was still one of the most popular Governors in America.

It's a hard time to be a Governor, whether you are Republican or Democrat, because the economy is in the tank.

The fact that Governor Nixon is at 51% , far stronger than almost every Governor in the United States, should send a message to aides and supporters that he continues to lead our state out of the dark days of Republican Governor Matt Blunt.

Crazy Jane's Keep Govt. Out of Health Care By Using Govt. Mandates In Health Care Act

So just when you think she is slow to reach Cynthia Davis levels of craziness, she always surprises you. That's right, Crazy Jane is back at it with an addition to her greatest hits.

This time she is offering up the keep government out of health care, by sponsoring a legislation as a Government elected official, to put a government mandate in the Missouri constitution which governs our state, to prevent government from being involved in health care while mandating individuals can choose their health care options. Just not government, or programs such as Medicare or Medicaid as they involve Government, or else Crazy Jane will ensure that more government will tell them no government, Health care act.

Since Crazy Jane makes a nice salary on taxpayer dime, which surely goes towards any health care costs she has in life, we at the KC Blue Blog are calling on Crazy Jane to no longer take a state salary. This way there can be no confusion on using taxdollars for anything related towards her personal health care or well being.

Surely for consistency purposes she will do the right thing. Right Jane?

Dubai is in big trouble.

After the announcement of Dubai's financial crisis, Reuters is reporting that Abu Dhabi, wealthy capital of the United Arab Emirates, will "pick and choose" how to assist debt-laden neighbor Dubai, a senior official said on Saturday, after fears of a Dubai default sent global markets reeling.

Dubai's crisis exploded on Wednesday when the emirate, known for flashy lifestyles and building the world's tallest building, said it would delay payment on debt issued by one of its flagship firms, angering investors and sending global markets sharply lower.

Russia: Welcome Back To The War on Terror.

Today, CNN is reporting that investigators probing the derailment of an express train in Russia have found "elements of an explosive device" at the site and believe an act of terror caused the deadly incident.

The derailment killed at least 26 people and injured about 100, but there was no immediate word on who or what group might have been behind the action.

"One can say with certainty that that was indeed an act of terror," Vladimir Markin, spokesman for the investigative committee of the Russian prosecutor's office, told CNN.

We at the KC Blue Blog send our prayers to the families of those lost or injured today.

TKC Gives His Weekly Political Power Rankings

Kansas City's most popular blogger, who owes us a sammich for linking him so many times, gives those looking to keep up with the movers and shakers his weekly power rankings.

The Mayor Does Not Respect Voters or African-American Community, Unless He Finds It Convenient.

We know what you're thinking-- "Did they go there?" . The answer: yes we did.

It's has become more and more obvious that neither the mayor does nor his office staffers respect voters let alone any minority/ethnic community unless he finds it to be convenient for him or his staff to do so.

Or is it just that the mayor and his staffers are too stubborn or arrogant to actually apologize to anyone? Or are they simply refusing to answer questions that they are not professionally prepared to handle? Or--in this case--is there really a difference?

That's exactly what minority, religious and community leaders from around the city have been asking each other since this mayor took office--and with good reason. Today, the questions haven't changed a bit--and with good reason.

Think about all of the things that this mayor has done during his time in office that has offended voters. And then think about how many times he has apologized for them (answer: zero). Today's no different.

KSHB-TV 41's Chris Hernandez is reporting that Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has responded to recent calls for an apology over the way in which former city manager Wayne Cauthen was recently treated during his "suspension" which City Council members called "politics by ambush"; and to no surprise he refuses to apologize.

When asked if he thinks an apology is necessary at this point, the mayor answered, "No, I don't. What we did, we treated the situation with the most respect, the most dignity that was possible under the circumstances."

The Concerned Clergy group and many voters don't agree, and for that, they have asked for an official apology during next week's council meeting, along with a public explanation from council members who once supported Cauthen, but voted to force him out of office.

The KC Blue Blog is supporting that request. But, we are doing so not because we are fans of Wayne Cauthen, but because neither Mayor Funkhouser and The City Council have yet to give an explanation for the move.

Storming the City Manager's office and having him escorted out without either a previous explanation to all Councilmembers or a vote by the Council was uncalled for. Having him escorted out of the building in front of cameras was not only unprofessional at best, it was also damaging to the character of Mr. Cauthen. Again, it was a move that should have been at least explained and at best debated in a public forum.

Such a move would not only have provided voters and councilmembers an opportunity to hear the reasoning for such a move that will surely cost the city (see: taxpayers) hundreds of thousands of dollars--allowing all councilmembers an opportunity to cast an informed vote, it would have also protected both The City as well as the mayor from legal issues and community backlash. Having said that, such a move would have also shed light on the issue--giving the mayor just as much as a chance to be supported as not supported. Was that the reason for not doing so?

Either way, all we were given is the usual; no answer for days and the mayor bobbing his head while talking in front of cameras as if he were annoyed by the fact that voters dare ask for an explanation while his staffers dodge questions by doing the same.

Mayor Funkhouser and City Council members need to get one thing very clear: No elected official is above his/her constituents. Intentionally refusing, when requested, to provide them with reason for votes cast, actions taken or opinions given is clearly saying that you feel you are above them.

We are still appalled by the fact that this mayor --who has zero political capital and is about as popular as H1N1 on Thanksgiving--and his third rate staffers still clearly find themselves to be above responding to the requests of those that he is supposedly representing. You see it when you attempt to contact the office, at the town hall meetings, when they are in front of the cameras and behind them, and when they are at speaking appearances.

Plain and simple, Mayor Mark Funkhouser doesn't just owe Mr. Cauthen an explanation and apology (Which he obviously won't give), he also owes both to Kansas City.

Black Friday Turnout Seems Stronger Than A Year Ago

Good news as Reuters is reporting that Black Friday sales seem to be up from a year ago today. According to the National Retail Federation, up to 134 million U.S. consumers say they may shop for holiday gifts this weekend from Black Friday through Sunday.

Retail Analysts are saying that, while shoppers are reporting to be more selective on their purchases this eyar, they also seem to be carrying around more bags.

We're not sure if this is the sign of an economic turn around or just good retail sales. Either way, while we encourage our readers to be smart with their money during hard times, we have to admit that it's good seeing folks out shopping this weekend.

Look Out Tiger!

Local, national and global media outlets are reporting that Tiger Woods was injured in a car accident early Friday while backing out of his Florida mansion, and a local police chief said his wife used a golf club to smash out the back window and help get the world's No. 1 golfer out of the SUV.

Questions surround the accident as first reports had it serious, but later reports said it wasn't serious. Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor told The Associated Press that officers found the 33-year-old PGA star laying in the street with his wife, Elin, hovering over him. He also told reporters that Woods was in and out of consciousness and had cuts on both lips and blood in his mouth.

Good news is that the world's top golfer has been released from the hospital and is said to be in good condition.

Canadian Comedy Strikes Again. Palin Seriously Calls For Canada To End Universal Healthcare.

Apparently, while prepping for her book tour and launching a political comeback, advisers failed to tell Sarah Palin that Canada loves its universal public healthcare--over 90% of Canadians to be exact.

The Huffington Post reports that Mary Walsh and The Canadian nightly news parody show This Hour Has 22 Minutes attended a Border's where Sarah Palin --who the comedian jokingly refers to as the "Alaskan Aphrodite"-- was in attendance signing her new book.

In an attempt to bait Palin into another comedic routine, Walsh walks into the Border's, cuts in line and shouts
"I just wanted to ask you if you have any words of encouragement for Canadian conservatives who have worked so hard to try to diminish the kind of socialized medicine we have up there."

To no surprise...it worked.

While bodyguards, minor-league staffers and terrible political advisers jump in front of Walsh and escort her out of the building Palin shouts "Keep the faith" and an answer that the Canadian couldn't make out.

Later, outside of the Palin bus, in another attempt to bait the circus politician, Walsh asked for another comment as she couldn't make out the first. Again...it worked. Take a look:




If you couldn't make it out, Palin said "My answer was to keep the faith because that common sense conservatism could be plugged in there in Canada too in fact Canada needs to reform its healthcare system and let the private sector take over some of what the government has absorbed." An obvious hint that she believes Canada should end its loved and cherished universal healthcare system.

Ouch, looking back at that comment, that one is going to hit her in the gut.

Later, Walsh said "well who knew that you had to go down in the loading dock to ask questions here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I guess they were afraid that perhaps someone would ask why was every word in the book a lie or seemed to be anyway.."

She also later told the Canadian Press that "It was great fun, but also very strange," Walsh recalled. "We're in a bookstore, at a public event, in a place one would think was a bastion of free speech. And no one was allowed to ask questions. What are they afraid of?"

Turkey Thursday..Black Friday!

These deals were publicized by Michael Brim of BFads.net, a Web site that lists unconfirmed Black Friday discounts daily.

See the full list of Black Friday Bargains

Forbes.com
Associated Press

Old Navy
Buy $20 worth of apparel at Old Navy and go home with a free "Lego Rock Band" videogame.

Target
Regularly $429, a 32-inch Westinghouse 720p LCD HDTV will be available for $246. The retailer will also throw in a $20 gift card with each purchase.

Best Buy
Attention gamers: The Xbox 360 Elite 120-gigabyte game systems will be sold for $299 beginning at 5 a.m. Nov. 27. Buyers will get six games free. The retailer is limiting the offer to one per customer.

Toys 'R' Us
Though the retailer is planning scores of deals for kids' toys, there is one that may delight adults. On Nov. 27, the Sony PRS-300 E-Reader Pocket Edition Black will be available for $199. A $15 Sony Connect Card is included.

Sports Authority
Those searching for an iHome iPod docking station will save 25% off here; originally between $24.99 and $69.99, it's being sold Nov. 27 for between $18.74 and $52.49

Kohl's
One-stop shopping? The store's entire stock of videogames will be discounted 20% to 30%. Items normally $19.99 to $24.99 will be $15.99 to $19.99.

Macy's
Early risers may get the best deals at Macy's. The retailer is offering an extra 20% off cashmere, misses and petite sweaters from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 27 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28.

BlackFriday.info and BlackFriday.com also have a number of deals posted with ads scanned.

Best of luck on your holiday shopping experience!

(THE KC BLUE BLOG WAS NOT PAID BY ANY OF THE ABOVE BRANDS TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE AND DOES NOT SUPPORT OR ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC BRAND SHOWN ABOVE OR THE CONTENT SHOWN ON ANY OF THE ABOVE WEBSITES. LIKEWISE, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT SHOWN ON THE POSTED LINKS.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

THE KC BLUE BLOGGERS WOULD LIKE TO TAKE SOME TIME TODAY TO SAY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK OUR VETERANS AND BRAVE MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN FIGHTING OVERSEAS AS WELL AS ALL THE FAMILIES THAT SERVE THIS COUNTRY WHILE THEIR LOVED ONES ARE AWAY.

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR DEDICATED READERSHIP AND WISH YOU AND YOURS VERY HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Good Example Of Bad Reporting

A classic example of bad reporting is making headlines today. In the latest issue of US Weekly, "a source close to the U.N. goodwill ambassador, 34, tells" the celebrity gossip mag that Angelina Jolie "hates" President Barack Obama for being "all smoke and mirrors".

This report automatically raises questions when the anonymous "source" later adds...

"She's into education and rehabilitation and thinks Obama is all about welfare and handouts. She thinks Obama is really a socialist in disguise,"

The quote raises questions as both Angelina Jolie as well as hubby Brad Pitt spend a great deal of time getting involved in politics --politics to which both last year and this year they have gone on the record supporting Obama. While Jolie, due to her being a UN Goodwill Ambassador, has been less vocal than Pitt regarding her support for President Obama, on one occasion Jolie even went so far as to say that while there are many issues to tackle, and he will need to surround himself with a good team, an Obama Administration would be good for her family.


In the end, we're calling this report false, as should you until the actress (and not an anonymous source with their own agenda) officially goes on the record.

A Look At The Sarah Palin Book Tour

If you haven't been busy watching Fox News (and we hope you haven't), Chase Whiteside and Erick Stoll at New Left Media do a great job of documenting her fans' extreme views on the country, as well as extreme views on our President all while exposing their lack of knowledge regarding any of Sarah Palin's political stances.

Take a look:

TKC: Weekly Political Power Rankings

For those trying to keep up with local politicos. Check out TKC's weekly political power rankings.

Poll: Blunt Hurts Blunt, Nixon Still strong

A newly released PPP Poll says that Roy Blunt's chances at the US Senate are facing an uphill battle. No, not due to his ties to Abramoff and some of the most corrupt politicians in history. He is hurt due to his son, Former Governor Matt Blunt.

29% of Missourians said positive things about Matt Blunt as Governor. Yikes.

On the other hand, Governor Nixon still remains one of only 3 Governors in the nation to continue to get favorable support of their electorate. That says tremendous things about the job he is doing in office.

Inheriting a state like Missouri during these times is a task few could handle. We at the KC Blue Blog believe the Governor has had to make bold decisions in the face of economic struggles across the nation. All of this while dealing with a hyper partisan Missouri House of Representatives and a wildcard Missouri Senate.

This should bring good news to Democrats across Missouri. Few in this nation have a Governor with strong support.

Things All 'Funk'ed Up At City Hall: Did Mayor Break Charter By Sending Home More Than Cauthen?

Tony's Kansas City has been all over The Mayor's recent fiasco involving the suspension of City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

Today he is reporting that "Yesterday, before the Northland Council folk were able to get their ducks in a row. Mayor Funky made the dumb move of sending some of City Manager Cauthen's favorite City Hall employees home."

According to TKC's source, the employees were suspended by Mayor Mark Funkhouser, without consent of The City Manager, before Wayne Cauthen's suspension was even voted on.

This move will clearly open the door for appeals, reviews and hearings as no reason was given for their suspension or termination.

If City Manager Wayne Cauthen and/or fellow employees, who feel they have been wrongfully suspended or terminated, file a written complaint with The Human Resources Board within 10 business days of when the suspension or termination was handed out, a review must and will take place in timely fashion which could open the door for serious political problems not just on the part of the mayor but also for members of The HR Board.

Members of the Human Resources Board are: Alexandra Hutchings, Gilberto Acevedo and Joseph Moreland.

In such reviews, the Human Resources Board will need to request all documents pertaining to these employees' work. If there is nothing that can prove reasonable cause for suspension/termination a case could be made that they were fired for political reasons thus breaking Sec. 907 of the Charter and clearly opening another ethics investigation and/or lawsuit(s).

In the case of Suspended City Manager Wayne Cauthen, you can expect that he will invoke Sec. 218B- 3.B which states

The City Manager may, in writing filed with the City Clerk within ten days after receipt of the notification, demand a written statement of the reasons for such suspension or removal and a hearing before the Council. This statement shall be provided within ten days of the request. The Council shall hold a hearing no earlier than five and no later than fifteen days after the City Manager is provided a written statement of reasons for suspension or removal from office. The hearing before the Council shall be a public hearing unless otherwise ordered by a court

As most of this seems purely political, we recommend that the City Council use Sec. 212 and hold its own investigation into the suspension of City Manager Wayne Cauthen and the reported termination/suspension of other employees viewed as allies of Mr. Cauthen. Section 212 states:

The Council, or any committee of the Council so authorized by it shall have power to inquire into the conduct of any department or office of the City and to make investigation as to City affairs and matters of municipal interest, and for that purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel by subpoenaduces tecum, the production of books, papers and other evidence. The Council shall provide by ordinance the penalty or penalties for contempt in refusing to obey any such subpoenas, or to produce such books, papers and other evidence and shall have the power to provide by ordinance for the punishment of any such contempt.

Stay tuned as this should get interesting...

Things All 'Funk'ed Up At City Hall: Mayor Ambushes Wayne Cauthen, Moves To Suspend Him, Has Him Escorted Out Of The Building.

Here we go again folks. Tony's Kansas City reported yesterday that in an attempt to garner political capital, that he currently doesn't have, just minutes before the start of the City Council session, The Mayor placed on the agenda a vote to suspend City Manager Wayne Cauthen.

The Kansas City Star is reporting that Council members voting to support Funkhouser in suspending Cauthen were Jan Marcason, Deb Hermann, Bill Skaggs, Russ Johnson, Cindy Circo, and Beth Gottstein. Those opposing were Terry Riley, Melba Curls, Sharon Sanders Brooks, Ed Ford, Cathy Jolly and John Sharp. The measure needed six council votes to ratify, so it passed.

It's important to note that this is a suspension, not a termination, as the Council needs nine council votes to terminate Cauthen's contract--votes that Funkhouser currently does not have.

In what could be perhaps the Mayor's most unprofessional decision yet, and yet another example of this mayor and his team not having a clue at what they are doing, at 2:30pm Wayne Cauthen was escorted out by the head of city security. While being taken out of the building The Star reported Cauthen as saying
“I don’t want to comment,” “It’s similar to what’s been going on before.”

According to The Star, Funkhouser wrote a letter to The Council and was quoted as saying “As you know, I believe we need new leadership for the City,” Funkhouser wrote in the letter to his council colleagues. “As of today, I am exercising the authority given to me as the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, to suspend the City Manager, effective immediately. In the interim, the city manager has been asked to vacate the premises immediately.”

The move to no surprise stirred a heated debate as several council members who opposed the suspension said they learned about the move just minutes before the business session started--further proving this move to be purely political. Councilman Ford and Councilman Sharp were quoted as calling the move “government by ambush,” and a “palace coup.” They said the mayor should have provided some public notice for an action of this magnitude, and that the treatment of the manager was shabby at best.

During the debate, to no surprise Mayor Funkhouser and other supporters of the suspension did not provide any further explanation for their vote.

Likewise, Cauthen’s attorney, Charles Harris, said that at 1:05 p.m. the mayor came into Cauthen’s office and demanded his resignation without an explanation. Harris said Funkhouser then told Cauthen that if he wouldn’t resign, he had the votes for suspension. Cauthen was informed his suspension was with pay, but was given no clue as to its duration.

Harris said Cauthen has submitted a written demand for the reasons for the suspension, as he is entitled to do.

It's clear in our opinion that the mayor is just passing the buck as the lack of solid, informed leadership starts at his office. Both he and his staff are and always have been absolutely clueless as to what is best for this city. Additionally, it's clue that this mayor is more interested finding a political future than resolving any problem occurring in this city.

KC Blue Blog would like to know in detail Mayor Funkhouser's reasons for making such a spontaneous move without allotting time for reasonable notice or discussion before The Council. He owes it to City Manager Wayne Cauthen, The City Council, and most importantly the people of Kansas City.

Senate Democratic Leaders Deliver Senate Bill. Republicans Promise "Holy War" To Block Americans From Better Health Care.

More than 60 years ago, President Harry Truman said every man should have the peace of mind of having health insurance. This week, that peace of mind should become a reality.

The official heath care reform bill has been delivered to The Senate and will be voted on this week. The bill will cover 95% of legal Americans, cost the country less than the original House bill, drive down federal deficits by an estimated $127 billion over 10 years, prohibit companies from placing annual or lifetime limits on client coverage, prohibit healthcare companies from refusing client coverage due to preexisting conditions, increase healthcare coverage for senior citizens, cover health and wellness programs aimed to stop diabetes and heart disease, offer small business tax credits to employers offering health care plans, and will offer a government plan as well as a nonprofit plan to reduce the costs on healthcare.

Americans overwhelmingly want health care reform. They overwhelmingly want this plan. And Democrats are so confident about this bill that they actually put the 2,000 plus bill on their website: http://www.democrats.senate.gov/

So instead of supporting this bill, and supporting covering over 30 million more Americans, what do Republicans do?

They declare "a holy war" on this bill with the intent to delay, destroy or completely stop healthcare reform so that their healthcare lobbyist and corporate friends can continue getting wealthy while your health goes down and your pocketbook continues to empty.

Just another reason why Americans should completely avoid The Republican Party in every way.

Update: Look for websites to begin posting Fox News falsehoods as they are currently distorting the released Congressional Budget Office report on this bill.

Glenn Beck: An Extremist With An Extremist Guest List

Maybe it's because nobody wants to come near the guy, or maybe it's just because the guy is an extremist himself. Regardless, take a look at some of Glenn Beck's frequent visitors--white supremacist, a devout southern secessionist, a defender of slavery, and a 9/11 skeptic.

Insurance Company Denies Coverage to 12-Year Old Boy Born Without Right Arm

Anyone not in favor of healthcare reform, should read this story by The Huffington Post.

The Huffington Post Investigative Fund's citizen journalism project writes that Benjamin French was born with his right arm missing below the elbow. In his 12 years, he has been fitted with seven prostheses. His most recent replacement will cost nearly $30,000 and his doctor says he will soon grow out of it.
But, according to his insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan), the boy is ineligible for further coverage of prosthetic devices because he has already spent his lifetime maximum benefit.

Benjamin's family happens to live in Michigan, one of 33 states where insurance companies are allowed to set annual and lifetime caps on prosthetic coverage.

To no surprise, a spokesman for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan said the insurance company could not comment on individual cases.

Larry Johnson Signs With Bengals. Calls KC "Small Market". Talks Trash To Chiefs On Facebook.

As expected, today AFC North Division leaders The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Larry Johnson throughout the rest of the season for the league's veteran minimum --a move that has offended Cincinnati's local gay rights organization--the Equality Group.

In Johnson's first press conference since his days of slamming Todd Haley and the LGBT community on Twitter, Johnson and The Bengals began calling this move a new opportunity and repeated that Johnson has learned his lesson.

Tell that to Chief's fans on Facebook.

On his facebook account, immediately after the deal went down, Johnson posted that he and The Bengals are "'Gonna gallop all over the Chiefs. Cleat prints on the chests. Mud in the face."

And he wasn't the only player to speak on the issue.

Buffalo star wideout Terrel "T.O." Owens also used Twitter to take a stance on the issue and jab at Haley. “Tht’s wassup!! I’m happy Larry Johnson signed w/Bengals! He’s def n a better situation than n KC under tht HC!” wrote Owens

After Johnson fielded questions about his locker room leadership--which to no surprise he defended--when asked about why he was suspended twice for his poor on and off the field behavior if he were such a leader, Johnson said that it wasn't an attitude problem, it was “a relationship that was souring in Kansas City, and being in a small market,” Johnson said, “every little thing I say is going to be blown up to mythical proportions. (Scott) Pioli and Todd (Haley) felt it was the best way to silence the whole situation was to let me go.”

The Chiefs play The Bengals in Cinci on December 27th. When asked about the chance to play against the Chiefs Johnson said “I’d be lying if I said I ain’t looking at that game (as one) I want to definitely play in … if that happens, it would be the best Christmas gift I could get.”

KC Blue Blog Prediction: As The Chiefs have begun fighting for an 8-8 season, Don't worry too much Kansas City. Larry Johnson won't accomplish anything against us. Chiefs win 24-17.

Republicans Still Don't Get It. Their Solution For The GOP's Future: A Dick Cheney/ Sarah Palin Ticket?

It's official........ again. Republican Party leaders have no clue what they are doing or what is best for America's future. And it doesn't seem like they will catch a clue anytime soon.

It was apparent during the 2008 presidential elections as we watched The GOP circus, known as McCain/Palin, tour the country giving speeches that made the country say "What?" and millions of lifelong Republicans jump ship.

It was as clear as spring water when we watched the country, both Republican and Democrat, overwhelmingly vote for then Senator Barack Obama--sending a message of "Change" to The GOP/D.C. politicos only interested in their pocket books.

Immediately after the elections, we watched The GOP spiral into disaster as Sarah Palin began what we'll call her "Public Relations Disaster Tour" of the country preaching rhetoric only heard by the country's most extreme right-wingers.

In the end, last November we watched the country, world, Democrats, Independents and Republicans agree that 8 years of the Bush Administration was a really bad idea, and John McCain/Sarah Palin as a presidential ticket--even worse. Shortly after, Republican leaders started their elephant eat elephant media war and promised concerned party members that they would get back on track.

So what solution do GOP leaders come up with over a year later? Promoting Dick Cheney/Sarah Palin 2012 ticket.

Wow. Just another reason why you should continue voting Democrat.

TKC Delivers Weekly Political Power Rankings

For KC readers needing a frequent update on political movers and shakers, Tony's Kansas City delivers his TKC Weekly Political Power Rankings.

MISSOURI DEMS WIPE OUT DENNY HOSKINS OVER HIS TAX MESS

Tony's Kansas City is reporting that Missouri Democrats have been cleaning their GOP counterparts' clocks all day over Republican Denny Hoskins' failure to pay his taxes, lieing about how he was planning to pay them, and then magically coming up with $20k overnight.

Take a look:

(TKC Note: Speaking of Missouri politics, all day the Dems have been beating the crap out of their GOP couterparts because of a tax mess that was supposed to be taken care of by now raises even more questions. Check out their latest press release . . .)

The $20,000 Question: Questions Surround Hoskins Payment

After being caught red handed Hoskins Couldn’t Give a Deadline, Less Than 24 Hours Later He Cuts a $20,000 Check?

Jefferson City, MO—According to media reports, yesterday just before the collector’s office closed, State Rep. Denny Hoskins turned in a $20,317.89 check, less than 24 hours after being caught delinquent on his taxes. In a statement after being caught red handed Hoskins stated he didn’t have the money “due to the recession” and stated he was on a “tax installment plan” that never actually existed and is not available for delinquent amounts owed under Johnson County statute.

Today questions surround Representative Hoskins, who until yesterday refused to pay over $20,000 in taxes he was legally required to pay 11 months earlier.

“Yesterday morning Hoskins didn’t have enough money to pay a delinquent $500 invoice let alone the other $20,000 he owed; even going so far as to claim he was on a fake “tax installment plan” that isn’t even allowed by law. However by yesterday afternoon, he’s cutting a $20,000 check? Where did the money come from? Who did he get it from and were special favors requested in the terms of this loan?” asked Chris Moreno, Executive Director of the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee.

According to documents verified by media outlets, Denny Hoskins was given 5 separate invoices he was delinquent on since Dec. 31, 2008. Those invoices ranged from $500 to $9,637, all of which Hoskins knew about and stated he could not pay 24 hours ago. Instead, Hoskins tried to hide that he was on a “tax installment plan” when Johnson County doesn’t permit such plans for delinquent taxes. However, according to the Collector’s office, Hoskins could have paid any of those invoices in full, but chose not to.

“If he had it all along, why did he shortchange Johnson County for an entire year? Hoskins is on record being extremely dishonest throughout this process. The citizens deserve to finally have honest answers to these questions,” said Moreno.
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Give the people of Johnson County, Missouri a hand for standing up, raising questions and calling for a change in leadership. They deserve better.

While looking into this, we found the website to Democrat Courtney Cole's campaign. VoteCourtneyCole.com

Missourians deserve better than Republican Denny Hoskins. Help put Missouri's 121st District in good hands.

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO COURTNEY COLE'S CAMPAIGN

Republican State Rep Fails To Pay Over $20,000 In Taxes

The Warrensburg Daily-Star Journal has reported that Republican State Rep. Denny Hoskins has failed to pay over $20,300 in taxes since holding office.

Ironically, the freshman Republican is a CPA and sits on the state budget committee.

County documents show that the freshman Republican has received 5 delinquent bills from Johnson County and was issued over $4,000 in tax penalties for being delinquent almost 1 year.

The Republican blamed the recession on failing to follow the law saying:

"It's not something my brother and I are proud of, but our rental property business is struggling just like other, many Missouri businesses, and when our tenants are struggling to pay their rent due to the economic recession, we struggle to pay our mortgage payment and property taxes," Hoskins said."

So he goes on to blame everyone else but himself for not following the law?

Even worse is the Daily-Star Journal goes on to say that the Republican "offered no time line on paying his taxes".

So is the CPA State Rep saying that he is going to ignore the December 31st, 2009 deadline to pay his already 1 year delinquent taxes?

It's time this guy is held accountable. The economy is tough but word is this guy is a CPA and is about to open a new office blocks from the properties he is failing to pay property taxes at!!!

Rep. Hoskins should be ashamed for failing to take responsibility for not paying his taxes. Instead, he is blaming the economy and students renting from him for his failure to follow the law. You have to try to not pay $20,317 in taxes.

We at the KC Blue Blog believe it is apparent that this State Representative feels that he does not have to respect the law. Therefore, we are calling on him to be removed from the State Budget Committee. If as an elected official you aren't paying your taxes, then you cannot be trusted to spend our tax dollars wisely.

Fellow bloggers are reporting that there may be more coming, so stay tuned...