The KC Blue Blog

BREAKING: Freedom Inc. Endorses Both Carnahan and Blunt?

2010-10-19T01:39:00.007-05:00

BREAKING: Sources in the room tonight tell the KC Blue Blog that members of Freedom Inc. face meltdown as BOTH Robin Carnahan AND Roy Blunt are endorsed!!

A coalition led by Sen. Yvonne Wilson and President Craig Bland was sure to have a shoe in after agressively pushing for the endorsement of Democratic Sec. of State Robin Carnahan in the lead up to tonights meeting.

Enter the Freedom Cancer known only as "The Bishop" James Tindall.

The members of the Tindall coalition led by former Councilwoman Carol Coe, shut down the meeting and publicly endorsed Republican Roy Blunt.

Some will fault Tindall for selling out the community, afterall, he is a crook . They have every reason to place blame his way.

Blame should also be placed on Freedom for not seeing this coming early on. Tindall selling out the community was as obvious as a Kevin Smith Movie.

Blue Tipsters are ranting and raving about the visits by Roy Blunt into the African-American community during this campaign. While nobody in their right mind believes them to be remotely genuine, money talks. So does presence.

How Carnahan allowed Roy Blunt to turn her into the problems of Washington D.C. is a question many will be asking for years to come. If she loses any significant amount of votes in the inner-city, it will be a campaign failure that could top the likes of the Lt. Governor race by Sam Page.

Roy Blunt is from Springfield and represents all things not in the interest of Kansas City's urban core. Many say the problem is that Robin has taken this campaign head on as a typical St. Louis statewide official, ignoring every part of Kansas City.

In this election cycle and political climate, far too many local Democrats are popping the bubbly and snacking on party favorites. They haven't quite come to grips on how severe it could be this November.

If caught asleep at the wheel, major upsets could take place here locally and across the state.

Adding the Jackin' to Jackson County: Hookers Spotted After Hours?

2010-10-17T11:26:00.007-05:00

Tipsters have been sending e-mails for weeks about this matter but honestly we didn't believe it. Then last week, a blog with an obsession for Sheriff Sharp, brought the issue front and center forcing us to talk about it.

Rumors are circling the county halls that an important Jackson County official was put on personal leave for several weeks as damage control after county staffers allegedly spotted the individual taking a hooker into his office.

Blue Note: we are talking about the county and one can easily mistaken dozens of individuals selling themselves out for a county contract as a hooker.

If true, the natural follow up would be to ask, who in the county is so important someone would provide them a hooker??

Here is what we are hearing. Tipsters and rumors all focus on one person and it rhymes with spoons.

While we may never know for sure who it was. What we do know is that the hooker is reported to be female, which immediately removes Calvin Williford and County Legislator James Tindall from the list.

Stay tuned....

Mississippi Republican Governor Busted Telling More Lies On Southern Racism

2010-09-03T23:21:00.003-05:00

Mississippi Governor and presumed Republican Party Presidential candidate Haley Barbour attempted to tie southern racism to the Democratic Party this week.

In doing so he stated that his generation had moved beyond racism and that he attended a desegregated high school and never thought twice about race.

This would be welcoming news, but as Rachel Maddow points out, it's not true. The school he claimed was desegregated was Yazoo City High in 1964 and 65. History points out that Barbour is off 5 years. Yazoo City was segregated until 1970.

Apparently, Barbour is now trying to become the only man in America that honestly believes southern, racist Democrats never fled to the Republican Party after the civil rights legislation passed.

The Republican Tea Party is shining with bright ones.

Human Trafficker Is Major Donor to Republican Party

2010-09-03T23:13:00.003-05:00

BREAKING: Associated Press is reporting that a Los Angeles based man arrested this week for human trafficking of 400 individuals from Thailand is a major Republican Party donor.

A frequent contributor, Mordechai Orian recently gave $11,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

This is the face of the new ~~kkk~~Republican Tea Party.

Governor Fail

2010-09-03T23:05:00.002-05:00

We previously posted a clip showing the worst opening statement in debate history by a sitting Governor.

Well today for weekend entertainment we are posting a clip following the debate. If you go to 2:05 of the clip and watch, Governor Brewer is boxed in by reporters demanding she take back the false statement she made this summer claiming there were beheadings in Arizona.

Apparently, Gov. Brewer has made it appear so violent that many in Arizona are claiming she is the core reason for economic disaster due to her negative, false rhetoric.

Blue Note: This is what not to do when being asked the same question by every reporter in the room. Governor fail.

Dumb and Racist Are Two Qualities Of A Tea Party Leader

2010-09-03T09:23:00.006-05:00

Running a state is not easy work in these economic climates. That is why electing leaders on substance and not rhetoric is key.

Enter Arizona Governor Brewer.

It is no secret the Republican Party has been hijacked by Tea Party wackjobs looking for their rising star. These individuals get in front of a crowd yell key talking points that include mentioning patriotism as many times as possible, cursing liberals and demanding change in Washington by electing the very same Republicans that led us into mass corruption and waste.

With the election just around the corner, the GOP is beginning to wonder if they created their own monster. Debate season is upon us and that means the underdog crazies that proved victorious in Republican primaries across the nation will now be placed on national tv for the first time.

When a Governor fails to display any knowledge of a few good things that have been accomplished in their state you have to ask: what type of people is the Tea Party trying to promote?

See for yourself:

Chick Fight: Peter Kinder Calls Women "Tramps" On Twitter

2010-09-03T08:57:00.004-05:00

Our friends over at Fired Up Missouri broke a story that has the Lt. Governor on quite the pickle (Blue Note: we had to say "on the pickle", can you blame us?).

It appears the Lt. Governor on Twitter decided to promote the "Top Twenty Tramp Stamps". The post linked to pictures of young women showing their lower back tatoos, some of which were noticeably naked.

Now there are some major problems with this tweet, which is no surprise. When Lt. Governor Kinder logs into Twitter it is almost an expectation he will get into a political disaster.

Why is the Lt. Governor tweeting pictures of naked young women showing tattoos?

More importantly, the Lt. Governor must answer why he referred to women as "tramps" on his twitter account.

We at The KC Blue Blog believe the Lt. Governor is trying entirely too hard to prove he doesn't like men, which is fine. That still does not justify calling women "tramps" just because you are forced to pretend to like them.

Stay tuned to Fired Up Missouri as this story develops...

BREAKING: Questions Surround Taxpayers Unlimited and Henry Rizzo Campaign Following Finance Reports

2010-09-02T23:33:00.005-05:00

Our Blue Chip Tipsters are all over this story today flooding us with many e-mails.

The KC Blue Blog is reporting that very serious questions surround Taxpayers Unlimited President Sherwood Smith, Local 42 President Louie Wright and County Legislator Henry Rizzo following campaign finance reports.

Every Democrat in Jackson County is well aware of the primary race beating delivered to Henry Rizzo by children advocate Crystal Williams.

Our tipsters point out that the 30 Day After Campaign finance reports show that Taxpayers Unlimited paid a total of $21,345.47 to media outlets in Kansas City (we assume for this commercial promoting Henry Rizzo) while failing to file an in-kind contribution to his campaign.

They also point out that Henry Rizzo's hand scanned report also fails to report any in-kind contribution made to his campaign.

There are now two major questions being asked by tipsters regarding these reports:

Did Taxpayers pay for these ads instead of providing a direct contribution to Rizzo to avoid showing a conflict of interest regarding legislation Henry Rizzo sponsored and was later forced to back away from?

More importantly, by failing to file an in-kind contribution, did Taxpayers and Rizzo attempt to hide from the KC Star a 48 hour report which should have been filed showing a contribution of over $5,000 to Rizzo days before a vote on the matter was originally scheduled to take place?

Specifically on 7/26/10 Taxpayers Unlimited Reports paying $14,987 for ads which clearly exceeds the 24 hour reporting guidelines and none of which is filed in-kind to Rizzo.

They also report in 7/30/10 purchasing $3215 in air spots, none of which is filed as in-kind to Rizzo.

Reports show that Rizzo only raised $29,500 which means Taxpayers should have provided an in-kind contribution the very same month legislation was to pass showing a jawdropping 73% of the total raised by Rizzo the entire cycle.

As a side note, Henry Rizzo paid President Harry S. Truman $400 on 7/31/10. Dead Presidents are allowed to vote in Jackson County, right?

Blue Tip: The KC Blue Blog tipsters report this may be the center of serious problems facing Louie Wright and Sherwood Smith...developing.

Felons for Life. Missouri Right to Life Endorses Felon in St. Joseph

2010-09-02T22:19:00.002-05:00

The Christian based Missouri Right to Life is seeking to broaden their coalition of ethical Republicans this week by announcing their endorsement of Jason Gregory, the Republican running for State Representative in the 27th House District (St. Joseph, MO).

Gregory will be the first member of the Felons for Life caucus and joins an elite group of individuals the MRL believe represent the finest Christian values in the state. See for yourself:

Gregory admitted back in January to the St. Joseph News-Press that he pled guilty to a felony offense in 1994 for "unlawful practices" in connection to his role in scamming senior citizens out of an estimated $48,000. His business partner received 4 years in prison. Gregory served 4 years probation.

We at the KC Blue Blog are calling on the Missouri Right to Life to remove their endorsement of Jason Gregory. Supporting a candidate that admits to scamming senior citizens is not a good position to take. Many of those senior citizens were likely pro-life and a mix of Republicans and Democrats.

It gets better. According to the Missouri Right to Life website, Gregory failed to even fill out a survey!

Endorsing Gregory, who has previously pled guilty to a felony charge, will make a great addition to their Republican endorsed candidates with morals such as Brian Nieves (under investigation for allegedly assaulting a campaign staffer), Denny Hoskins (who notoriously failed to pay $21,000 in taxes) and Steve Cookson (has faced MSHAA investigations into recruiting practices).

These endorsements are insults to Missouri Christians statewide. We call on the MRL to remove their endorsement of Gregory immediately. They should also strongly consider removing the endorsements of the other individuals named above.

Bad Week for Hermann Gets Worse

2010-09-02T16:57:00.004-05:00

Yesterday the City Council voted down Mayor Funkhouser's veto of a proposed change to the charter that would allow a fair and legal process to redistricting.

In an 8-4 vote, leaders from south of the River stood up against a move by Republican hacks to redistrict the city council in favor of the Northland.

The vote should be seen as a complete loss for Deb Hermann, and as we previously stated, she is starting to face mass exodus from her campaign by Democrat supporters.

She originally supported the measure because it is the smart thing to do. Following e-mails from and campaign threats from Republican donors in the Northland Hermann flipped her stance and cast THE vote to kill the measure. After gaining a new life, the measure passed and was vetoed by the Mayor at the advice of his Republican campaign staff.

Today's vote slapped that move down and has tangled this process badly for Hermann. Forward Kansas City, a Northland group that agressively pushes for a strong Northland voice, will now file suit via Chris Byrd (a top Republican hack).

Now Hermann has walked Governor Nixon into a political fight with The Greater KC Chamber and labor leaders Louie Wright and Duke Dujakovic over the Earnings Tax.

The KC Blue Bloggers continue our call on Hermann to do the same for the Republican elected officials in her own City Council district that have each received thousands from Billionaire Rex.

"Double Talk" Deb has had a very bad week.

Republican Flunky Leads Charge for Redistricting

2010-09-01T17:37:00.003-05:00

Republican hack and political flunky Chris Byrd is making a comeback from the total beating he faced by Attorney General Jay Nixon 60 to 37.

Byrd will be leading the fight for Northland Republicans in their attempt to gerrymander the city council districts to increase power for their ~~southern Republican values~~ Northland.

We at the KC Blue Blog couldn't be more excited about the Northland showing their true colors in this fight. Hiring Chris Byrd signals their real intentions and should rally Democrats in the north and voters in the south around any map but theirs.

In the end, this is one more bit of bad news for Northland Republican darling Deb Hermann.

Kander Ethics Reform Becomes Law

2010-09-01T11:59:00.004-05:00

This week starts the beginning of a new era in Missouri politics thanks to Kansas City All-Star State Rep. Jason Kander (D-Kansas City Brookside-Waldo).

Kander also known as "Mr. Ethics" fought aggressively for a bi-partisan ethics reform bill to pass the Missouri legislature. The bill which started as an underdog with a 1 in 1 million chance of passing, began to grow new life due to the hard work of Democrat Jason Kander and Republican State Representative Tim Flook.

To put it mildly, they refused to let it die. Every week Kander was on radio, television, in the newspaper and blasting out e-mails to blogs like ours with the goal of making the GOP leadership act.

This is bill placed the name Jason Kander statewide and we are excited about that. Kander is the kind of individual and leader the Democratic Party and our state needs!!

His resume is filled with genuine public service to his country and his hard work has reignited a sense of energy inside the Brookside-Waldo neighborhoods. Something that is key to Democrat success statewide.

We at The KC Blue Blog salute Rep. Jason Kander. Keep up the good work.

Hermann Attempts Trojan Horse On Gov. Nixon

2010-08-31T14:38:00.006-05:00

In a letter leaked to the press, ~~northland~~mayoral candidate Deb Hermann has formally asked Governor Nixon to host a summit on the E-Tax in both Kansas City and St. Louis.

There is no reason to have such a forum and Hermann knows this. Nixon has yet to take a public stance on Prop A which would phase out the E-Tax over 10 years and we agree with his position of neutrality to date. We will explain below.

Blue Chip Tip: We have received a lot of information from tipsters in the lead up to this letter. It appears Deb Hermann received a lot of pressure from her Republican support in the Northland over redistricting and the potential impact it could have on their power on the city council. Specifically, the fear is PIAC and TIF money would move south. Also the phase out of the E-Tax would force Kansas City to develop the urban core to compensate any loss of tax revenue.

To sum it up, she wrote this letter to catch the Governor in a hotbox on the E-Tax issue to appease those Republican supporters upset with her!!!

Playing politics with the Earnings Tax does not solve the very serious concerns facing Kansas City. The truth is, Deb knows this is not Governor Nixon's fight and for her to pull him into this street brawl is the best way for pressure to come off her as chair of the Finance Committee.

If Hermann is so concerned about Prop A passing and its impact on Kansas City then she needs to answer the following questions:

- Why has she not focused on fundraising to combat Prop A instead of fundraising for her own campaign?

- Most importantly, why has she not personally sent public letters demanding action to the Republican elected officials in the KC Metro area which have received tens of thousands from Rex?

Specifically Rep. Ryan Silvey (Northland), Rep. Jerry Nolte (Northland), Rep. Bob Nance (Northland) and Sen. Luann Ridgeway (Nothland).

(Blue Note: When looking at their MEC reports look for any committee with Jefferson City PO Box 1901 and the St. Louis PO Box 23200)

Deb Hermann's attempt at a trojan horse on Gov. Nixon, while failing to publicly challenge Republican leaders IN HER OWN COUNCIL DISTRICT, should be a red flag to every Democrat supporter in the Northland!! Look for her to have serious campaign problems. Her D.C. consultants just drove her campaign into road spikes!

Because of this we at The KC Blue Blog are calling on Deb Hermann to publicly answer these questions or this move will be seen for what it is.

Surprise. Surprise. Another "Anti-Gay" GOP Leader Comes Out of The Closet.

2010-08-27T12:14:00.006-05:00

According to the Huffington Post, Ken Mehlman, who headed the Republican National Committee between 2005 and 2007, has come out in an interview with the Atlantic's Marc Ambinder:

Once again we have another GOP leader, who worked against the equal rights of the LGBT Community, come out of the closet.

Congratulations Mehlman. Now explain why you spent the better part of your career limiting the civil rights of your community.

Glenn Beck Mocks The Civil Rights Movement

2010-08-27T10:59:00.004-05:00

No surprise here. We have all watched as GOP has spent every minute of the last week crying on camera about how insensitive a group of people are for building a mosque near the 9/11 site.

So how is it that Glenn Beck and the GOP can cry about insensitivity in New York but hold an anti-civil rights rally at the site of MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech on the speech's very anniversary?

It doesn't get any more pathetic than that.

Jon Stewart takes on Glenn Beck here.

Kettle Meet Burke

2010-08-26T20:28:00.013-05:00

In November of 2009 we stated that Mike Burke vs. Sly James could be a great Mayoral campaign "unless 7 others enter the race at which point it will turn into one of the best reality tv shows in history". Fortunately, we were correct that the candidate field will expand to 7 or more which we hoped would lead to an election cycle filled with great posts. Unfortunately, we didn't enter a formula that could have included some of the lamest candidates Kansas City has to offer.

Enter Mike Burke.

We know him to be a really nice guy, always smiling. What we didn't expect was for him to run one of the most coma induced campaigns to date. In fact, the only thing keeping Mike Burke from entering the Janice Ellis 2007 wealthy campaign abyss is Jim Rowland.

Jim Rowland for Mayor is the biggest Kansas City let down since Steve Deberg and Ventures. Those were horrible days.

Today the Burke Campaign issued a press release calling on Funkhouser to drop out of the Mayoral race because 2010 citizen surveys have declined since 2007. They then closed their release stating "join me in telling Mayor Funkhouser not to run again. We want to build our city together and not be witness to it torn apart through infighting, poor leadership and inexperience."

Normally we would allow for anybody in this city to trip Mayor Funkhouser because of his complete incompetence. So you can imagine how angry the KC Blue Bloggers were when we had to collectively decide to defend him for the very first time.

Burke has time to issue a press release attacking Funkhouser and send an e-mail in support of the Northland PIAC money but he only has time to make facebook statements on key issues facing Kansas City such as the close call regarding our KC based Ford Claycomo Plant, out of control crime in Kansas City and Hispanics disenfranchised during the redistricting process?

If Mike Burke is concerned about "infighting" and wants to display leadership, where was he criticizing Northland supporters that threatened to secede from Kansas City?

Bottom line when it comes to holding Northland campaign supporters and residents accountable for their actions, Mike Burke remains silent.

Other questions he could answer would be the alleged $800,000 received by his law firm King Hershey for their role in a development deal involving millions of tax dollars. In fact, the KC Blue Blog has received several tips and documents that we will be combing through regarding Burke's role in numerous TIF contracts with the city.

If the Mayor were wise (Blue Note: He is not) he would respond stating taxpayers are tired of their dollars being wasted by the many TIF projects and unchecked spending that this individual and his law firm have defended over the years, running our city into record deficits and leading to the decline in morale by residents.

Kansas City deserves more leadership and less cheap shots at a Mayor that is already down the toilet. Unless that individual is worried about Mayor Funkhouser spoiling his/her party? Which is the more likely scenario.

In an anti-incumbent environment Mayor Funkhouser still stands a strong chance at making it to March simply due to the field having so many geographically clumped candidates. Anyone that is willing to write off Funkhouser now for Burke, James or Rowland is either from the Northland or has the last name Glorioso.

We have purposely left Hughes and Hermann off this list as he is the only candidate not from the Plaza or Northland (though he has yet to raise serious money) and she is the only female placing both in their own catagory.

Blue Note: The best news for Funkenstein in over two years is having a development attorney tied to failed TIF projects attacking him. Mayor Funkhouser should consider sending a chocolate TIF bar to Burke for jumping his poll numbers five percent following this press release today.

KC Blue Blog Warning: If the Mayor actually tries to do this his staff should consider hiring a stunt Mayor to purchase the chocolate and deliver it to the post office in order to avoid him screwing it up.

Like The 80s We Are Back By Popular Demand!!

2010-08-26T09:03:00.006-05:00

After many e-mails from our beloved Blue Readers, a few trials now complete, a brief stint climbing the Andes Mountains, a few successful businesses launched, sixty pounds lost between us and amazing vacas to the Bahamas, Italy and Alaska , our KC Blue Bloggers have reunited together like The Eagles and are back by popular demand!

All things 80's have nothing on this blog. We have more dish than Tony Botello's ex-girlfriends and we are locked and loaded for another election season!

What we have accomplished to date speaks for itself. We initiated the nickname Ed "Bunch of Mexicans" Martin onto the national scene forever placing him into the racist hall of fame. We successfully forced Ed "Bunch of Mexicans" Martin, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Matt Blunt, to resign. We warned Kansas City in March of 2007 about the disaster that would be a Funkhouser Administration in our post titled "If you want the funk, drive past Front Street". We broke the story on Mayor Funkhouser's campaign mismanagement purchasing numerous I-Phones and using a city hall office for a campaign line. We even led the fight to bring a national boycott to Kansas City until Semler was removed; and along with TKC (who was key to this story) in the end successfully removed France Semler.

But that's not all.

We placed on the national scene the names Bradley Schlozmen, Thor Hearne, voter caging and the fake St. Louis based GOP group "American Center for Voter Rights" that was deeply involved in the purging of voters under the Bush Administration. We broke the news regarding the Texas based Missouri Political News Service, which seeks to push GOP agendas in Missouri and highlighted the influx of Texas oil money financing the MOGOP under Matt Blunt. We coined the nickname "Hong Kong" Hulshof for his votes in support of flooding Chinese imports into Missouri while exporting Missouri jobs during the 2008 Governor's race--a post which led to a commercial showing a Chinese flag flying behind "Hong Kong" Hulshof. We even highlighted the amazing story of a military veteran and candidate named Jason Kander who defied the political elite to win his district when others said he didn't stand a chance.

That is just some of what we have done. Now we start a new chapter. Hopefully it is one that is just as fun as previous election cycles but we doubt it. In the end, we will just settle for Tony's Kansas City finally making us our sammich.

Prayer Vigil for Nieves After Demon Posessed Him to Beat Up Staffer

2010-08-16T22:29:00.002-05:00

A prayer vigil at Riverfront Park was held this evening by supporters of right wing lunatic Republican Brian "Nutjob" Nieves.

The vigil was put together by a group of supporters in order to remove the demons from Republican Nieves after he allegedly choke slammed a former House Republican staffer against a wall and used him as a human mop across campaign headquarters into his office.

The victim then reported that Nieves pulled out a pistol and placed it on the desk and made the staffer call his wife to apologize.

No word on whether the staffer had to apologize for being forced to take his shirt off in the office or for the many alleged affairs Nieves had in Jefferson City.

This would have to be the only reason any group of individuals would come together in prayer for someone like Nieves. It has been reported Nieves did attend the vigil, not to pray for himself but possibly as a "vigil crasher" in order to pick up more women in the name of the Lord.

BREAKING: AP Reports Video Used By Jeff Roe and Republicans Was Shot 1 Hour After Racial Attacks

2010-04-13T17:37:00.007-05:00

The Associated Press has reported that a video being circulated by Jeff Roe and fellow Republican activists as "proof" that racial slurs never took place, was actually shot 1 hour after the attacks actually happened.

That's right. It was the wrong video.

Now Republican Sam Graves and JoAnne Emerson must publicly address how they, as members of the Missouri Congressional delegation, have allowed their campaign manager and political hack Jeff Roe to publicly call one of the victims Congressman Emanuel Cleaver a "liar" who "invented a racial situation to further his political agenda".

Since the incident, Roe has posted numerous times showing the video as evidence that the attacks never took place. He even went so far as to post scenes from tv comedies where individuals were spit on, asking "is this racist?"

Enough is enough. It is time for Congressman Sam Graves to address the matter and publicly apologize on behalf of his campaign for allowing his top strategist to attack a Congressman who did nothing but try to walk to the capitol to cast a vote.

Using The High Road, Rep. Cleaver Hits Back. Silences Conspiracy Theorists. Gives Community Another Positive Lesson.

2010-04-10T09:56:00.005-05:00

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, in response to critics, takes the usual high road and writes his special to The Star where he teaches us all a lesson in politics, debate and civility.

Repost of Emanuel Cleaver's Special to The Kansas City Star.

By Emanuel Cleaver, Special to The Kansas City Star

It is hard to imagine what future generations will make of the last few weeks in American history. Certainly they will evaluate the effectiveness of a health care overhaul bill now only days old. My colleagues and I have stood behind podiums to declare that it will be transformative legislation. History will judge whether we are right.

Of far greater concern is that without a change in course, my granddaughter will read in her history books that these were the days the basic fabric of our tenuous relationship with our own republic began to fray and tear.

What will she think as she reads of the ill-mannered ending to the House health care debate and its untidy aftermath? Certainly the incident that befell her grandfather should not warrant writing or recalling. But what will it say about us and our time, that on the heels of a monumental achievement so many were transfixed on the transgression of one yelling protester who unapologetically splattered my cheek with saliva?

For some, blinded by partisan fervor, nothing I can say here will thwart their conspiracy theories of the unfortunate episode. For those looking for a play-by-play account of the day, it won’t happen. There is no benefit to me or the nation.

The incident was trivial; the anger it represents is not. These are trying and serious times and call for thoughtful and serious people of all political persuasions to build our national community rather than tear it apart.

Some pundits and politicians suggest that a higher degree of bipartisanship is needed. While I agree that bipartisanship has its value, it is not our problem. Partisanship is a vital component of a democracy. There is a difference between healthy partisanship and disingenuous rancor. Neither party has the market on truth. Our nation and its laws are made better by active and aggressive minority opposition.

However, we in Congress have gone too far. We have abandoned any pretence of civility. Both sides are guilty. No responsible parent would instruct a child to watch Congress in action on C-SPAN to learn the American art of debate without debasement.

Some blame the 24-hour news cycle and talk radio for politics turned ugly. That’s the cheap way out. Our behavior is our choice. Accountability used to be a watchword. Now, elected officials claim righteousness while their campaigns simultaneously push smut and lies.

The president and members of Congress are supposed to lead the band, not just blame them for the shrill sound of the music. We must become the national example of decorum.
Democratic members of Congress must retreat from the notion that all tea party members are crazed hooligans. To accept and push that view is not only divisive, it is diabolical. As an African American, I have been caught in the net of the, “they all are” mentality.

Republican members ought to stop accusing Democrats and the president of laying the foundation for a socialist takeover. That is not true and they know it. Their constituents, however, may not.

This is not the first time in our history that our heated rhetoric has threatened to tear us apart. But in this age of instant gratification, gain without sacrifice and perpetual victimhood, our political parties and leaders are fanning flames of frustration and turning genuine fears into bonfires. Americans should be able to disagree with one another without painting the other side as un-American.

The rage is real. I have felt it first-hand. The risk to our republic is real as well. Members of Congress from both parties would be much more towering and statesmanlike if they would present more vision and fewer nightmares.

We are a better, more compassionate and caring nation than our current behavior portrays.

Our nation’s strength is completely dependent on our ability to conduct civil conversations about our shared future.
That starts with Congress, and I will do my part.

Emanuel Cleaver represents Missouri’s 5th U.S. House district. He served as mayor of Kansas City from 1991 to 1999.

"Go For It.": President Obama And Blue Collar Midwest Americans Tell GOP That They Won't Turn Back

2010-03-25T14:22:00.006-05:00

Give this President a lot of credit. When talk radio, 24-hour cable news and almost every pundit around the country wrote him, Democrats and healthcare reform off for 2010, instead of putting his head down he stands up for what he believes in and delivers. Make no mistake about it, while the country is still divided on the healthcare issue--thanks to the year long 24-hour campaign by Big Pharma Republicans courtesy of FOX News and talk radio-- history and reality tells us that many opponents of the bill are already beginning to come around.

Perhaps it's the fact that voters are actually looking at the bill instead of FOX News and Glenn Beck's description of it? Perhaps voters, as historically shown, regardless of their previous position just want to step up and support the President now that the legislation has been signed by him? Or Perhaps voters are beginning to see more of what the so called "Tea Party" movement is really about and have decided to support the millions of blue collar Americans supporting this bill; like the thousands we saw at the President's Iowa Rally today?

Maybe it's a combination of all of the above, but one thing is for sure, regardless of how long Republicans try to take away our reformed healthcare, it seems millions of Americans and The President of The United States have decided that they are not looking back.

Today, at a rally in Iowa President Obama moved thousands of Americans while speaking to them about the positive changes healthcare reform brings. Likewise, President Barack Obama stepped up to critics of the new health-care overhaul in a campaign-style stop here Thursday, challenging Republicans to try to repeal the two-day-old law.

“My attitude is, go for it,” the president told hundreds of people at the University of Iowa Field House.

You have to really admire his courage in the face of massive talk radio and cable news attacks. Perhaps it's because he realizes that Republicans talk a big game but are still completely out of touch from the average working class American. Regardless, President Obama stood in front of a crowd of over 3 thousand and sounded like a president who didn't just talk the talk, but on who has already walked the walk.

In fact, Thursday’s event was clearly reminiscent of the campaign rallies the president held all across the state on his way to winning the presidency in 2008.

The crowd roared when he was introduced, and the president greeted them with the first half of the familiar chant that marked his campaign before the caucuses.

“Are you fired up?” he asked.

We know we are.

Kinder Urges Folks to "Fire Money Bomb" Nancy Pelosi

2010-03-24T01:40:00.000-05:00

As national news outlets are expressing concerns over a new RNC website that has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrounded by fire, Missouri's top Republican Peter Kinder is joining in on the madness.

Tweeting today from his official account, Lt. Governor Kinder urged everyone that there is "12 hours left for the Fire Pelosi Money Bomb" and links the URL to the website that has the House Speaker up in flames. In fact, he links at last 3 times to that website depicting the Speaker in flames.

We at the KC Blue Blog have to express serious concerns about any elected official, let alone the Lt. Governor, using "fire" and "bomb" in the same sentence when speaking about another elected official.

Let's all be grown ups for a second. This is not a coincidence that the GOP has placed Speaker Pelosi in flames. It is not a coincidence that JoAnn Emerson was energizing a crowd to keep up the chaos in the capitol after violence and racism occurred.

The GOP leadership has pulled the oldest, ugliest political card in the book. One from the days of the civil rights era of the 1950s and of the workers rights era of the late 1800s: when you have no plan, scare people to act. We all know the results that follow.

America Sees It's First Corporate Campaign Ad As Bitter Republican Uses Company To Attack Candidate

2010-03-24T01:00:00.006-05:00

Remember when The Supreme Court made the decision to allow corporations to take part in our elections, and the GOP while celebrating behind closed doors came out and said that Democrats were just inventing rhetoric to scare you?

This week, the first corporate campaign ad has been published; and with the new healthcare reform bill signed into law it will surely be the beginning of massive corporate participation in the upcoming election.

Note that there's no attempt to hide the funding source as the ad takes the form of a letter signed, "Sincerely, KDR Development, inc." Apparently, the president of KDR Development, which bought the ad, had previously run against the incumbent state representative and lost.

Sam Graves Should Apologize and Fire Jeff Roe

2010-03-23T09:33:00.006-05:00

Of all the people in Congress who would lie about being spit on and called racial slurs, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver isn't one. He is a Pastor, raised in poverty in the deep south. Yet that isn't stopping fellow Kansas City area Congressman Sam Graves chief adviser and campaign manager Jeff Roe from making the statement.

In his recent post, Roe alleges that Cleaver "invented a racial incident to promote his political agenda and hide his bad votes". To prove his case he shows a 48 second You Tube video of some of Cleaver's colleagues first started walking through a crowd. What he didn't show, was at the top of the steps shortly after that 48 second clip, was Emanuel Cleaver being spat on.

Well Congressman Graves, we have a clip of the Rep. Cleaver being spat on and now it is time for you too, to publicly apologize and fire your campaign manager. Below is the video, it will show a series of clips as Rachel Maddow speaks, including a clip of Congressman Cleaver stopping and pointing to the man that spit on him his lips reading "You just spit on me. You just spit on me!"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Enough is enough. Instead of saying sorry to an old friend, Missouri now has two members of the Congressional delegation directly involved in this incident. One, Rep. JoAnn Emerson, was reported to have held up signs energizing the crowd to continue with their antics. The other is now Congressman Sam Graves Campaign Manager saying on his blog that Rep. Cleaver "invented a racial incident to promote a political agenda".

This is shameful and disgusting. In the political arena, there will always be dispute. However, the great joy of our democracy is that throughout those trying times, Democrats and Republicans, have mostly worked together in a professional, adult manner through civilized debate. That is no longer the case for some of the GOP members of Congress that urged protesters to break House rules by protesting in the gallery during debate.

Emanuel Cleaver has a history of being a man of God. Someone who treats you with deep respect whether Republican or Democrat. He may not agree with the politics you believe, but he will still treat you as a friend. And this is how he is treated by you Rep. Emerson and Rep. Graves?

It's time The Kansas City Star and all media outlets demand action by Rep. Sam Graves for this disgusting display of disrespect by a consultant that makes a living being as ugly as he can be.

BREAKING: Despite Racial Attacks On A Missouri Congressman, Peter Kinder Moves Closer to Tea Party

2010-03-22T10:35:00.003-05:00

Despite national news reports now linking Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson to one of three congressional members confirmed to have been firing up a crowd of protesters that attacked minority members of Congress, Peter Kinder has moved himself closer to that crowd.

All weekend long, while the Missouri budget is all but paralyzed, Peter Kinder tweeted and tweeted about "obamacare", playing to the fears of the far right and linking every tweet to the Tea Party.

Meanwhile, Emerson, Kinder and the Missouri Republican Party have sat silent as we at the KC Blue Blog, Gone Mild, now other media outlets broke the news that Emerson (Blue Note: Peter Kinder's Congresswoman), was tied to the crowd, that spit on and yelled racial slurs at, a fellow member of the Missouri congressional delegation, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City).

This should have Missouri up in arms. If Peter Kinder can spend all weekend tweeting updates on health care reform, he certainly would be aware as the head of the Missouri GOP, that a Missouri Congressman was spit on and called the "N" word, by a crowd that Emerson was firing up. That's why we are calling on Peter Kinder and JoAnn Emerson to make a public statement on her involvement in this crowd of protestors and issue an apology.

BREAKING WaPo: Emerson Was Waving Signs, Tommy Sowers Calls Out Emerson

2010-03-22T08:15:00.001-05:00

The Washington Post has posted a story online that will haunt Rep. Joann Emerson for weeks to come.

We at the KC Blue Blog first broke the story that Congresswoman Joann Emerson (D-MO) was part of a small group of Republican elected officials firing up the Tea Party crowd that was involved in racial chants at minority members of Congress, including spitting on a fellow Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City).

Cleaver, once reported he had a friendship with Emerson that often involved faith, saw the ugly face of hate. Which makes this part of the story even more disgusting considering he saw her as a friend.

The latest story states that Emerson not only spoke to the crowd but came out with a "trio" of legislators waving signs "Kill" "That" "Bill". She was directly involved in continuing to energize a crowd that had already went to far.

Emerson's opponent, an 11-year Army Veteran, Tommy Sowers issued a statement saying,

Sowers demands Jo Ann Emerson apologize for encouraging hateful protest
Yesterday, Congresswoman Emerson was involved in encouraging protesters at the Capitol. Instead of contributing to the debate, she offended her office and the people she claims to represent. This supposed moderate chose to incite the same voices that used racial slurs and spat on lawmakers (including Emanuel Cleaver, a fellow member of the Missouri delegation) on the steps of the Capitol.
Sowers said, "I call on Congresswoman Emerson to issue a formal apology for inciting these protests. As an 11-year veteran, I defended the Constitution and the right to protest, but lending support to a group that has spit on and called lawmakers racial slurs is beyond defense. This may make sense to a DC politician trying to grab headlines and score political points. But this is not the kind of representation that the Founders intended, nor what the people of Missouri and America expect."
Shortly after Emerson's protest, Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen told reporters: "I think it is bad taste for people to go and encourage them. I can see this crowd getting out of control and they are being encouraged."
The Sowers campaign couldn't agree more. Congresswoman Emerson must immediately apologize and disavow association with protestors that use hate and racial slurs.

We at The KC Blue Blog will continue to urge Congresswoman Joann Emerson, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and the Missouri Republican Party to make a statement and apology to Missouri and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

CALL REP. JOANN EMERSON AND DEMAND SHE APOLOGIZE TO MISSOURI AND REP. EMANUEL CLEAVER TODAY!

Washington DC

District

2440 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

(202) 225-4404

The Federal Building
339 Broadway
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

(573) 335-0101 (tel)
(573) 335-1931 (fax

BREAKING: Congresswoman Emerson and Republicans Seen Firing Up Crowd Yelling Racial and Homophobic Slurs At Democrats

2010-03-21T13:45:00.004-05:00

In a major breaking story, Congresswoman Joann Emerson was one of a handful of Republican representatives, spotted energizing a Tea Party Protest crowd in the Capitol yelling racial and homophobic slurs at Democrats.

This is the same crowd that reportedly yelled racial and homophobic slurs leading to House Democrats walking through the halls of the capitol locked arm in arm in what was called a "chaotic scene".

The breaking news is coming very fast. However, this is a clear tie to the Republican Party having Congressional members directly firing up these protestors as they acted in this behavior.

Congresswoman Emerson is the US Congresswoman of Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, seen as the leader of the Missouri Republican Party.

We at the KC Blue Blog are now calling on Congresswoman Emerson, Lt. Governor Kinder and the Missouri Republican Party to publicly apologize for being involved in such insulting, shameful behavior.

BREAKING: Pro-Life Democrats Reach Agreement With President To Support Health Care

2010-03-21T13:37:00.003-05:00

BREAKING: Congressman Bart Stupak and the Pro-Life Democrats have reached an agreement with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama to support comprehensive health care reform.

According to Politico and MSNBC, the agreement will include an Executive Order stating that the Hyde Amendement will be protected in this bill.

The Hyde Amendment states that federal tax dollars will not fund abortions.

Pro-Choice groups are also reportedly at the table and are in support of this agreement.

BREAKING: Congressman Cleaver: "N" Word "Was A Chant"

2010-03-21T13:32:00.003-05:00

BREAKING: The Republican Party is stating that racist comments were "isolated" incidents". Congressman Cleaver states the "N" Word was clearly "a chant".

Having a Missouri Congressman spit on and called the "N" word by Republican Tea Party members is a shameful incident. As the Republican Party tries to now distance itself. After making public statements that clearly address this national issue, Lt. Governor Kinder must make a public statement, as head of the Republican Party in Missouri that is clearly endorsing this movement, and apologize to Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for what has taken place.

BREAKING: Cleaver Spit On and Called the "N" Word By Tea Party

2010-03-21T08:50:00.003-05:00

The face of the Tea Party is shown for what it is.

Yesterday, as Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-KC) and Rep. John Lewis enterred the capitol to work on health care legislation, Cleaver was confronted by a group of Tea Party members screaming.

National reports are now stating that those members began yelling racial slurs, including the "N" Word to Cleaver, who was then spit on.

The scene is right out of the ugly days of the civil rights movement and forces us to ask, all of this over health care? Seriously?

Showing the face of the Democratic Party, Cleaver chose not to press charges. Those that know our Congressman know that even in the face of evil, he always forgives. That's a true leader in times like this.

Shame on the Tea Party for their racist agenda and shame on Republican leaders in Missouri for supporting such right wing activists.

We are calling on the Missouri Republican Party to make a public statement apologizing to Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for the situation he faced. If the Missouri Republican Party leadership can waste taxpayer dollars passing legislation rejecting health care reform, and the Lt. Governor can publicly speak out in rejecting health care reform, then they have to own the actions of their party's final attempt to block it.

That includes racial slurs and spitting on minority members of Congress.

A Moment In History: President Bound To Be True. Gives Historic Speech To Congress

2010-03-20T21:44:00.004-05:00

President Obama just finished delivered what will be looked at as one of those moments that define a president's time in office. One of those moments that define history. The night before one of the most important votes in American social policy, President Obama calls on Congress to "Not be bound to win." Instead "be bound to be true."

Take a look:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

You want Roy Blunt to Be Your Voice? It Will Cost you $10,000

2010-03-19T08:44:00.006-05:00

Great job at FiredUp Missouri for catching this story in the very last line of the article.

In a speech to hundreds of Wall Street Bankers, Republican Senator Richard Shelby urged everyone in the room to "send Roy Blunt $10,000", claiming that as US Senator he will block any efforts to curb financial fraud on Wall Street.

Each night on television we hear about another Wall Street company on the brink of collapse, asking for assistance from the US Government, while paying their executives hundreds of millions in bonuses.

Meanwhile, here on main street Missouri, businesses are folding, farms are struggling, jobs are leaving and credit is minimal.

This couldn't serve as a more clear message about this US Senate race. Roy Blunt is for Wall Street Bankers and DC Lobbyists. Robin Carnahan is for Missouri families, farmers and small businesses.

If you don't have $10,000 to give Roy Blunt, he's not going to be your voice. Sorry to break the news to you. Don't take our word for it. Take theirs.

BREAKING: Blunt's Lobbyist Campaign Manager Illegally Parks (The Sequel)

2010-03-18T10:32:00.006-05:00

We reported yesterday about Roy Blunt's Big Insurance / Big Tobacco Lobbyist Campaign Manager illegally parking in a fire lane all day on Tuesday at the state capitol in Jefferson City.

Our story led to a lot of feedback via e-mail from tipsters at the captiol who say that Roy Blunt's lobbyist campaign manager always parks in a fire lane.

Well, apparently this is true because one of those tipsters e-mailed us a picture showing Roy Blunt's Lobbyist Campaign Manager parked illegally yesterday in the same spot AGAIN!!

Honestly, if you are lazy enough to park in a fire line, why not park right in front of the steps instead of 10 feet down?

We at The KC Blue Blog are calling on the press, and our great blog friends, to begin demanding Roy Blunt apologize and answer why his lobbyist campaign manager (and son) feels he is above the law?

We are also calling on legislative staffers, lobbyists and press to have some fun and take a photo each day of where Roy Blunt's Big Insurance / Big Tobacco lobbyist Campaign Manager Andy Blunt is parked.

BREAKING: Roy Blunt's Lobbyist Campaign Manager Thinks He Is Above the Law

2010-03-17T10:03:00.005-05:00

Houston (Missouri), Roy Blunt has a problem.

The lobbyist campaign manager of Roy Blunt apparently thinks he deserves special treatment at the Missouri state capitol building in Jefferson City.

A tipster sent us these photos from the capitol of Andy Blunt, proudly displaying a Roy Blunt for Senate campaign sticker, illegally parked in a fire lane outside the steps of the capitol yesterday.

(A special thanks to one of our awesome Blue Blog Tipsters)

Despite receiving an orange ticket, his truck remained in the fire lane all day (where sources say he habitually parks when he comes to the capitol) while he lobbied Republican leaders for special favors in the budget.

We at the KC Blue Blog are calling on Roy Blunt to apologize to taxpayers and emergency responders in Missouri for his lobbyist campaign manager thinking he is above the law and deserving of special favors at the state capitol. Parking illegally in a fire lane is not only lazy, but an insult to our emergency responders and capitol police who work hard everyday, no matter who you are. The fact that Roy Blunt is running for US Senate and his lobbyist campaign manager is doing this sends a poor example throughout the state.

Below is a list of Roy Blunt's Lobbyist Campaign Managers Clients, including big health care companies. That's right, Roy Blunt's campaign manager is the lobbyist for health care companies while Roy Blunt votes on health care in Congress. A conflict? We think so.

Blunt Andrew B ALTRIA- PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., JOHN MIDDLETON CO., AND U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO CO.
Blunt Andrew B MILLERCOORS, LLC
Blunt Andrew B MEDSOLUTIONS
Blunt Andrew B MOTOROLA, INC.
Blunt Andrew B APS HEALTHCARE, INC.
Blunt Andrew B PYRAMID GROUP
Blunt Andrew B AGP
Blunt Andrew B MISSOURI COALITION OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS
Blunt Andrew B ACS HERITAGE, INC.
Blunt Andrew B BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY
Blunt Andrew B MISSOURI HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
Blunt Andrew B MISSOURI AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION
Blunt Andrew B FARMER COMPANIES
Blunt Andrew B TICKETMASTER
Blunt Andrew B SYSTEMS & METHODS, INC.
Blunt Andrew B SERAPH, INC.
Blunt Andrew B SCHREIMANN, RACKERS, FRANCKA AND BLUNT, L.L.C.
Blunt Andrew B AMERICAN AIRLINES
Blunt Andrew B BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Blunt Andrew B AT&T, INC., AND AFFILIATES
Blunt Andrew B COMPUTERIZED VEHICLE REGISTRATION

BREAKING: Funkhouser Charging Groups for Speaking Engagements As Mayor

2010-03-17T09:01:00.004-05:00

He's at it again. This time the failed Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser is charging organizations and businesses throughout Kansas City and the world, according to his website, a minimum of $5000 to $7500 plus travel expenses in order to hear him speak.

The contract on his website also charges a flat fee of $500 for meals and lodging.

A lot of questions should now be asked of the Mayor. Is he also charging the city for these travel expenses? Are taxpayer paid for employees used to staff the Mayor on these paid speaking engagements? How many organizations in the Greater KC Metro Area have been charged to hear the Kansas City Mayor speak?

We are calling on the area bloggers and press to demand that the Mayor answer these questions immediately.

MRA: Blunt's Moral Compass Is The True Compass Of Missouri Republicans

2010-03-15T08:29:00.002-05:00

The Springfield News-Leader has a great story that all Democrats should be using this election season.

The Missouri Republican Assembly, which bills itself as the "Republican wing of the Republican Party" has endorsed D.C. resident and lobbyist candidate Roy Blunt saying "his moral compass points true north".

We at the KC Blue Blog wonder if the other seven candidates running against Blunt would agree that he has a moral compass that is the true direction of the Republican Party?

Afterall, Congressman Blunt's moral purity even earned him the honor of being named "One of the 13 Most Corrupt Members of Congress". In fact, he was #2 on the list for trying "to insert provisions in bills that benefited a client of his lobbyist son, Andrew Blunt and the employer of his lobbyist girlfriend turned wife."

Thanks to the Missouri Republican Assembly for drawing the moral sand in the line for the Republican Party. Now every Republican elected official and candidate should go on record as to whether their moral compass is as "true north" as Roy Blunt.

Airport Bathrooms, Green Balloons, Hot Tubs and More Hypocrisy

2010-03-13T14:44:00.004-06:00

This week you probably caught the Associated Press and Brock Vergakis headline 'GOP leader's skinny-dip confession stuns Utah'.

Upon reading the title you probably just thought it was another story about a GOP member who plays Jesus by day and Hugh Hefner by night. It was. But the article tells a much more serious story:

"A late-night confession by Utah's House majority leader about sitting nude in a hot tub with a minor 25 years ago has shocked this conservative state's political establishment but has not prompted calls from party leaders for him to resign.

Rep. Kevin Garn, 55, acknowledged the indiscretion late Thursday immediately after the Legislature adjourned for the session. He said he paid the woman, Cheryl Maher, now 40, $150,000 to keep quiet about the episode when he unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2002."

If this isn't the poster child for Republican hypocrisy, then we don't know what is. Yes, this was 25 years ago. But we are talking about an elected official not a dishwasher at your local restaurant.

While today's reports show that Rep. Garn has resigned--a move anyone could have predicted--we want to know why party leaders were not immediately calling for his resignation?

Anyone else wondering how Garn was able to pay $150,000 to this girl in exchange for her silence?

Anyone else wondering what happened to the faith, morals, values and compassionate conservatism being preached everyday in GOP political circles?

Whether it's in airport bathrooms, harrassing the local page, paying an undercover police officer, raping your fellow young republican, getting a DUI after leaving a gay bar after voting numerous times against gay rights, playing with 'green ballons', or any of the dozens of other scandals it's pretty clear that the GOP can be defined using many words; none of which are compassionate, conservative, moral or ethical.

Finally, with these scandals as well as the bribery and pay-to-play scandals hitting states like Utah and Missouri, who is holding The GOP leadership accountable?

Afterall, at best they stayed quiet on this issue and at worst they helped finance this Utah Republican so that his hidden secret would stay in the dark.

Think about that.

Just more reasons to Vote Democrat this fall.

BREAKING NEWS: CHIEFS SIGN VETERAN PRO-BOWL RB THOMAS JONES

2010-03-09T22:53:00.000-06:00

It seems The Chiefs' new front house is going to invest in success. As many began to question their lack of activity during this free agent offseason, Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Jones, who rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2009 and has rushed for over 1,000 yards in 5 straight seasons, has signed a 2-year $5 million contract with Kansas City.

The signing of Jones not only gives Kansas City the best backfield in The AFC West, it also means that Kansas City is looking to take the load off of Jamal Charles, who rushed for 1,100 yards in 2009, in order to keep him healthy and compete for years to come.

Additionally, The Chiefs also protected their passing game this week and by announcing that they have also re-signed veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers. The former Dolphin and Charger stud wide receiver caught for over 600 yards in just a few games and has more than 7,000 career receiving yards.

Are you excited about 2010 yet? As this seems like a sign of more agressive off season activity to come, we think you should be.

Republicans And Tom Delay "It's The Truth" That People Are Unemployed And On Unemployment Because They Want To Be

2010-03-09T19:43:00.003-06:00

There you have it Blue Readers! Tom Delay, the former leader of The GOP and still one of the most popular people among Republicans, goes on the record saying that "It's the truth" that people are unemployed and on unemployment because they want to be.

Hear it for yourself:

For all of you who may be unemployed or know someone who is unemployed, how does that make you feel?

Things haven't changed in The GOP. And they won't change as long as the same people run the party.

Don't be fooled. Just another reason to Vote Democrat this election season.

It's Funk's Party And He'll Cry If He Wants To. Funkhouser Has Fit. Embarrasses Fierro. Has He Lost Park Board?

2010-03-08T17:17:00.010-06:00

Here we go again Blue Readers. Matt Campbell of The Star is reporting that this week Mayor Funkhouser "lashed out" at his Park Board for "showing insufficient support for his agenda and accused one of them of corruption".

During the mayoral fit, Funkhouser made a number of comments that offended members of the board including President John Fierro.

In fact, Fierro was so offended by the comments that he even reminded the mayor of when he (Fierro) stood by Funkhouser during the controversy over the appointment of Minutemen member Frances Semler to the park board early in his term saying quote.

“I chose you over people I have known for 20 years,” Fierro quickly reminded Funkhouser.

But Fierro wasn't the only person offended. It seems Funkhouser may have also lost the support of Commissioner Meg Conger, Aggie Stackhaus and others by criticizing them and making comments like "Good God,” “It would have been nice for you guys to have sent somebody to testify. I was just stunned."

If that wasn't enough he even went as far as to call one of the commissioners he appointed corrupt in front of a reporter.

Can it really get any worse than this?

Park Commissioner Conger said she and her colleagues have worked hard to promote the park department’s interests by talking with city council members and other members of the community.

While The Star didn't report on The Mayor's reactions to these responses, it would've been nice to have seen them.

This should have come as no surprise given The Mayor's previous temper tantrums, his lack of common sense and his all too frequent pompous-elitist behavior .

Montee Shows Real Leadership

2010-03-01T00:07:00.002-06:00

While Auditor may be the most boring statewide job (editor's note: we are bias because we hate math) when handled correctly it can show real leadership. State Auditor Susan Montee is doing just that.

Auditing the Kansas City Missouri School District takes real guts. Marilyn Simmons and company have driven the district off a cliff and into the water, only to hit a rock upon impact. Now the district is looking to cut $50 million this budget cycle.

Our new Superintendent Covington has made his proposal known to the public including closing up to 31 schools. That also takes guts. No matter what, in proposing a tough budget, it is in the best interest of the KCMO School District to have this audit.

If it comes back and shows minimal fraud, it will answer some critics. If it comes back showing massive fraud, it will confirm what many have expected.

Montee's initiative to take a look into the KCMO schools and St. Louis Schools shows she isn't afraid of the failed buddy system that has plagued these districts for decades. Instead of acting in the best interest of the students and families it serves, the KCMO School District has continued to act in the best interest of some of the people it pays. Usually that means you have to be loyal to the Simmons Regime.

So it is fitting that the audit starts as Simmons has compiled a "slate" ran by a former field organizer on the Obama campaign. That slate is the same failed business as usual. Hopefully for the best interest of our district and the families it is to serve, the elections will bring about change. After that change takes place, we hope the audit will uncover a clear path towards success.

Garza-Ruiz Takes On The Good Ole' Boys

2010-02-26T16:53:00.006-06:00

Over the last week or two we have been hearing a lot about Theresa A. Garza-Ruiz.

Make no mistake about it, since taking office in 2007, the legislator representing Jackson County's 1st District-At-Large has become the quintessential pain in the backside for some of the good ole' boys who walk the county hallways--which has indubitably been a good thing.

But taking on some of the county's knavish sycophants sometimes comes with a cost. This year, Henry Rizzo smacked Jackson County residents in the face when he took Garza-Ruiz off of The Justice & Law Enforcement Committee, eventhough she chaired the committee for three years and holds two degrees in Criminal Justice, and to no surprise gave the post to convicted felon James D. Tindall --a move that leaves us all ill regardless of who you support.

This week, in her Independence Examiner Column, Garza-Ruiz not only finds herself having to defend a vote that most of the county supports during these tough times, but also calling out Legislator Henry Rizzo for cheating the system and allowing Garza's primary opponent to cut in line and land first on the ballot.

Take a look:

------------------------------------------------
Shenanigans continue in Jackson County

By Theresa Garza Ruiz
Special to The Examiner
Posted Feb 24, 2010 @ 12:39 AM

Blue Springs, MO — I was going to write about the MyArts program, but two items have occurred since my last article that I would like to address.

The first item deals with a recent vote regarding funding for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Due to our current budgetary constraints, I have indicated that I will continue voting against any non-county functions. We have laid employees off, cut department budgets, and made cuts to outside agencies that provide needed services and programs to our residents. It passed 5 to 3 with one absent. Yet, we continue funding events that do not even fall under county services.

Additionally, one of my colleagues indicated that the funding goes to Harvesters. There is nothing on the request for proposal that states the money does in fact go to Harvesters. Instead, the RFP states that the money goes to the Kansas City Police Department for security along the parade route. If that’s the case, then why doesn’t the county use our own law enforcement agency? I can’t imagine the Sheriff’s Department not wanting additional money due to the cuts they’ve already received.

The second item deals with candidates filing for office. On Tuesday, I officially filed for re-election. Over the past three years, folks have shared with me their frustration with the shenanigans of county government, especially with the candidate filing process.

In the past, candidates would camp out all night on the steps or in their cars; sneak into the building after hours and camp out in an office or their own office if they are the incumbent; or be escorted through security early in the morning before official filing hours started by county staff or politicos. On Monday at our legislative meeting an announcement was made that a new procedure would kick in at the close of business.

Starting at 5 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy would be located at the west entrance to take the names of candidates filing for office. The list would determine the order of filing for Tuesday morning. No 24-hour notice was given to the public. Plenty of time was not given for everyone to know how the process would work so questions could be asked or concerns raised.

A few years back, I filed a bill that would have changed this entire debacle. It would have moved us to a lottery system similar to what they use at the state level. A large percentage of states, counties, and municipalities utilize the lottery system for first-day filers in order to present a fair process and level playing field. It was defeated in a 7-2 vote. The shenanigans known as county government continue.

Colbert Again Takes On Sarah Palin And The Hypocrisy Called "Tea Party" Movement

2010-02-11T23:28:00.004-06:00

Take a look at The Colbert Report takes on the circus that is Sarah Palin.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Sarah Palin Uses a Hand-O-Prompter

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Skate Expectations

Seriously. It's amazing that an organization would pay $100,000 to hear anyone speak, let alone Sarah Palin. Where are those made for TV anti-wasteful spending Tea Party supporters now? But that's the whole point right?

Crazy Cynthia Davis Insults African-American Witness, Trashes Low-Income Families and Embarrasses State, GOP and MO House During Health Hearing

2010-02-03T18:21:00.004-06:00

We're one month into the year and in prime time for Crazy Cynthia Davis to get back to her all too typical circus as Missouri's Craziest Republican ---believe us when it takes a special craziness to take that prize as there are lots of them in Jefferson City.

Fired Up! Missouri is reporting that Davis' comments during a hearing "left fellow representatives and the crowd aghast as she shared her thoughts with a witness -- who happened to be an African American -- about the nutrition habits of 'your people' and 'your community.'

Davis reportedly questioned the witness about her faith background, and then expressed concern about what she perceived to be poor choices made by food stamp recipients, making multiple references to white milk being preferable to chocolate milk."

One witness wrote to the blog saying "I was there for the hearing and can confirm that those statements were said and that there were jaws on the ground as she (Davis) was saying them. The Chair, Rep. Cooper was wholeheartedly embarrassed and was seen visibly laughing at the absurdity of one of his members. He was so nervous about what else she might say, when the next witness came to testify, he cut off questions at the time it was Davis' turn to open her mouth again.

The committee members with nearly no exception were embarrassed and uncomfortable as she backhandedly insulted a witness of the committee.

In all the years I've been doing this, it was one of the most appalling moments in a committee ever. Truly amazing."

Remember Cynthia Davis is the Republican elected official that spent most of 2009 touring the country trying to convince people that our President is not a U.S. Citizen---now that's crazy!

And for most Republicans and Democrats in Jefferson City, Cynthia Davis is seen as a complete joke. But for The KC Blue Blog we take her incompetence and all too frequent race, religious and social class prejudice seriously.

Each month, over 867,000 Missourians that receive food stamps and thousands of children in Missouri receive subsidized child care. While it may be a surprise to Rep. Davis, it's no suprise to the rest of the state that these men, women and children in need are not part of one or two demographics. In today's economic climate, these Missourians belong to every single demographic imaginable. So why was Rep. Davis in the meeting singling out members of the African-American community?

In a state with over 768,000 African-Americans this type of racism and prejudice has no place in our capital.

In a city where over 2,000 African Americans currently call home--and hundreds of thousands live in surrounding area--, where 39% of the population is under 24 years of age, where the fastest growing demographic are the Hispanic/Latino and Indo-European communities (source), and where over 1,200 families have a household income of less than $20,000 (source) we don't think that Davis' comments or representation of Missouri or O'Fallen are in any way American, professional or acceptable.

Because of this as well as the extensive list of previous racist and prejudice filled remarks, we are calling on Rep. Cynthia Davis to step down from office. Similarly, We are calling on both Cynthia Davis, David Cole and Lloyd Smith to not only give a formal apology to the witness she insulted before The Missouri House of Representatives, but to also give a public formal apology to the African-American communities around the state. Additionally, we are calling on Rep. Davis, David Cole and Lloyd Smith to formally send a letter to the 2,000 African-Americans living in O'Fallen as well as the 1,200 plus families currently earning less than $20,000 per year formally apologizing for her unprofessional--and disgusting at best--comments, behavior and overall lack of understanding and representation.

To Contact The Missouri GOP and demand the same, please call and e-mail the following:

204 E. Dunklin Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 573-636-3146
Fax: 573-636-3273
Email: info@mogop.org

To Contact Crazy, Racist and Prejudice Cynthia Davis, please call and e-mail:

Rep. Cynthia Davis
201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 112
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Cynthia.Davis@house.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-9768
636- 240-6369

AIG Just Doesn't Get It

2010-02-03T10:20:00.006-06:00

Everyone give a standing applause to AIG for continuously taking the award for one of America's most unethical corporations. As Americans, it seems like every year their actions just make us want to vomit and in 2010 our nausea won't be going away.

This year, in the middle of a financial crisis, AIG will be giving out over $100 million dollars in bonuses to members of its financial division. To understand why Americans are really upset over this, please allow us to walk you through part of AIG's recent financial history.

On September 16, 2008, AIG suffered a liquidity crisis following the downgrade of its credit rating. After a 52-week high of $70.13, AIG's share prices had fallen over 95% to just $1.25. The company reported over $13.2 billion in losses in the first six months of the year.

In what was the largest government bailout of a private company, that evening the Federal Reserve Bank's Board of Governors announced that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York had been authorized to create a 24-month credit-liquidity facility from which AIG could draw up to $85 billion. AIG drew down US$ 28 billion of the credit-liquidity facility on September 17, 2008. On September 22, 2008, AIG was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average. An additional $37.8 billion credit facility was established in October. As of October 24, AIG had drawn a total of $90.3 billion from the emergency loan, of a total $122.8 billion.

The following week, AIG employees and distributors participated in a California retreat which cost $444,000 and featured spa treatments, banquets, and golf outings.

It was reported that the trip was a reward for top-performing life-insurance agents planned before the bailout. Less than 24 hours after the news of the party was first reported by the media, it was reported that the Federal Reserve had agreed to give AIG an additional loan of up to $37.8 billion.

AP reported on October 17 that AIG executives spent $86,000 on a previously scheduled English hunting trip. News of the lavish spending came just days after AIG received an additional $37.8 billion loan from the Federal Reserve, on top of a previous $85 billion emergency loan granted the month before. Regarding the hunting trip, the company responded, "We regret that this event was not canceled."

An October 30, 2008 article from CNBC reported that AIG had already drawn upon $90 billion of the $123 billion allocated for loans. On November 10, 2008, just a few days before renegotiating another bailout with the US Government for $40 billion, ABC News reported that AIG spent $343,000 on a trip to a lavish resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

By March of 2009 AIG had already received over 150 billion dollars in bailout money but yet the spending spree was just getting started.

In the exact same month, AIG announced that they were going to pay out $165 million in executive bonuses and that total bonuses for just the financial unit could reach $450 million while bonuses for the entire company could reach $1.2 billion. Let's not also forget that before getting fired Joe Casson, former President of AIG, was earning $280 million in cash with about another $40 million in bonuses.

Other points to watch out for is the end of AIG's sponsorship contract with the global soccer powerhouse Manchester United. While AON Corporation seems to be the principal sponsor of the team, AIG's could make a move to sponsor this club again costing the company another 100 million dollars.

And yet, today the company has again announced over $100 million dollars in bonuses--again allow us to remind you that this is just for the financial division of the company.

What was that George W. Bush quote "Fool me once. Fool me twice..rrrruh rurrughblah"?--err something like that.

While paraphrased instead of a direct quote, that one still doesn't apply to this situation. Why not you ask?

Simple. Because it's time someone from AIG goes to jail.

President Obama Silences Republican Talking Points

2010-01-29T17:30:00.005-06:00

Today, President Obama attended the Republican Retreat where, as promised, he took an hour long Q&A session from right-wing elected officials. As the day arrived, Republicans gathered family members, staff members and went out of their way to bring national media outlets to the event --salivating at the thought of embarrassing our president before a live audience.

As you will see below, that was a mistake.

Watch as President Obama walks into the Republican Retreat and not only talks tough to Republicans, but also does an amazing job at utterly refuting every single Republican talking point used today.

We The Corporations? I Don't Think So.

2010-01-29T10:46:00.002-06:00

Repost of Babarba Streisand's Column from Huffington Post

I felt like I was in suspended animation as I read the Supreme Court decision which essentially enables a corporate coup d'état of America's Democracy.

Our country's Founding Fathers never intended for monarchs or the business establishment to rule our nation. No, the Founders of our country began the Constitution with the words, We the People of the United States...

That sentiment was again expressed when President Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg Address said it simply but powerfully, that our government was of the people, by the people and for the people.

Corporations are not people nor are they individual citizens. They are chartered by states to conduct commerce. And while I certainly don't pretend to be a constitutional scholar, I have been reading a lot about this and thankfully, many brilliant minds do agree with me.

While I have always been a longtime believer, defender and supporter of the First Amendment guarantee of the right to free speech, the signers of our Constitution certainly did not intend for that to mean that corporations should be able to spend unlimited amounts of money in order to influence the outcome of our elections. Justice Stevens said it perfectly in his dissent of this recent court decision:

"Corporations are not actually members of [our society]. They cannot vote or run for office. Because they may be managed and controlled by nonresidents, their interests may conflict in fundamental respects with the interests of eligible voters. The financial resources, legal structure, and instrumental orientation of corporations raise legitimate concerns about their role in the electoral process. Our lawmakers have a compelling constitutional basis, if not also a democratic duty, to take measures designed to guard against the potentially deleterious effects of corporate spending in local and national races."

The conversations regarding what to do are just beginning. Many efforts to undo and modify the damage of this 5-4 ruling will probably take shape. There will be attempts to pass a campaign finance reform bill that has merit and will survive the Supreme Court test. Hopefully, Congress will mobilize and pass legislation that prohibits the political contributions of any company that receives government funds and I hope they will also pass legislation that requires companies to get approval from their shareholders before a corporation can spend money on electoral activity.

And maybe, with deep grassroots popular support, organizations will even push for a constitutional amendment to undo this terrible decision. In our democracy, that is the only opportunity that the framers provided us to change Supreme Court opinions. While amending the constitution will not be a short term fix, it may be necessary if we are to preserve the democratic values that we cherish.

Sadly, we really shouldn't be surprised by what has happened. During George W. Bush's presidency, Karl Rove made it clear to all that he was laying the groundwork for the corporate-backed Republican Party to maintain political control for decades to come.

Although President Obama convinced the American public in 2008 that the United States was headed in the wrong direction, we should not take for granted that Rove's plans would immediately unwind. By laying the ground work over eight years with the political appointments of judges, Rove and his republican allies knew that their efforts would pay off down the line... and with this ruling, they have succeeded.

With so much of concern going on, we can't savor the success of the last presidential election; we can't opt to sit on our couches and opt out of important elections that will define the direction of our country for years to come.

As voters, we need to support candidates and policies that will promote health care reform, campaign finance reform, comprehensive financial regulation, and strong environmental legislation. We must not allow special interests and their paid corporate lobbyists to block our efforts.

As we work toward change let's remember that it will also require patience... all the fights for fairness and equity in our country took a long time. The labor movement, women's rights and civil rights all required years of organizing, marching, lobbying and campaigning till their voices became the law of the land.

I wish this conservative Supreme Court that supposedly exercises judicial restraint and supports legal precedence had not flip-flopped for the second time in ten years (the first being Bush v. Gore) and become the most activist court in recent history. By reversing well-established election law, their judicial activism has set the stage to possibly erode the very fabric of our country.

But now that this has happened, it's our turn to send a message to Washington. We must support progressive candidates and turn out to vote for them. We must let both the political and media establishment know that we will not let our democracy get taken from us. As we organize, advocate, legislate, litigate, vote and govern, we must stand up to corporate power and speak truth to the American people so that...we the people and not...we the corporations prevail.

4th Quarter GDP Tops Predictions. Shows Best Growth In 6 Years. Market Should Start Running.

2010-01-29T10:18:00.005-06:00

Just days after the State Of The Union --spelled out because we hate the SOTU usage-- Stephen Bernard is reporting that "stocks rose moderately Friday after the government's gross domestic product report showed that the economy grew at its fastest pace in six years.

The Commerce Department said GDP grew at an annual rate of 5.7 percent during the fourth quarter, easily topping economists' forecast of 4.5 percent."

Look for the strong GDP report to give the market another rally--one that could reign in more support for President Obama's economic plan.

O'Keefe Taps All The Reasons Why Republicans Have Future Problems and Can't Be Trusted To Do Anything All While Learning A Lesson In Politics

2010-01-27T09:51:00.004-06:00

The Associated Press and New York Daily News are reporting that James O'Keefe, the nerdy Young Republican turned conservative psycho ACORN stalker, has been arrested with 3 other friends --one of whom is allegedly the son of William J. Flanagan: the acting U.S. Attorney in Shreveport--for entering a federal office under false pretenses with intent of committing a federal felony. That felony: tapping a Senator's telephone.

The move is yet another example of how far the far-right will go to gain political ground and how dishonest, corrupt and unethical they are in their everyday activities.

If you don't recall, O'Keefe became a darling of the right and a favorite of Fox News' Glenn Beck last year for his "undercover" ACORN videos and has even been referred to as a "Conservative Icon". --which not only had us bothered, but should have given you a clear understanding of the type of people that are running the Republican Party.

Given that the Republican PACs around the country have financed O'Keefe's circus and have made him the person that he is, one would think that they would run to his support? Right? Wrong.

If you thought that, you are acting as though you've never met a Republican. Now that O'Keefe has made the felonious mistake of biting off more than he could chew, Republicans all over the place are distancing themselves from the upper-class, extremely conservative malefactor.

The was supposed to be the keynote speaker at a Salt Lake County GOP fundraiser on Feb. 4 But county GOP Chairman Thomas Wright told the Salt Lake Tribune: "We'll be announcing a new speaker shortly." and told the Washington Post "He doesn't necessarily represent the Republican Party."

Michelle Malkin, a well-known hypocritical-conservative mouthpiece and self-obsessed columnist, wrote late Tuesday that O'Keefe's intent to expose wrongdoing is not an excuse to break the law, and that O'Keefe's alleged actions should be taken seriously.

"Let it be a lesson to aspiring young conservatives interested in investigative journalism: Know your limits. Know the law," she wrote. " Don't get carried away. And don't become what you are targeting."

Rick Moran, host of a conservative talk radio show, told his listeners that it appeared that O'Keefe had ignored the requirement that journalists be objective.

"It appears to me that all of this notoriety went to the kid's head and he began to see himself as some kind of avenging angel for the right. . . . But this guy is no journalist -- conservative or otherwise. He's a glory hound."

Ouch. Expect more Republicans to come out against the 25-year old "glory hound". In the meantime, while he should be proud that in his incompetence he still managed to make it this far in the GOP --which in itself speaks volumes--, let's hope he's learned the long lesson in politics that so many before him have also learned. Today, James O'Keefe is no longer the toast of Republicanville, he's just toast.

GOP Should Not Forget That They Are Nowhere Close To Controlling Balance Of Power. Media Outlets Should Report The Same.

2010-01-25T17:05:00.009-06:00

Republican leaders should take that title as good advice. In fact, they should probably pay us for it too.

Ever since a nude model turned part-time real-estate lawyer and full-time corporate legislator won a special election in Massaschusetts, media outlets all over the place have been acting as though Democrats actually lost a majority. In fact, click here and you will see that the Philadelphia Metro actually printed that falsehood. Here CNN reports the same. Here Twitter buzzes that local NBC news outlets in New York also reported the same, and here ABC follows suit

But reality tells a different story. While yes, the country --as well as Massachusetts and all that Ted Kennedy fought for-- would have been better off with someone that actually represents mainstream America and working class Americans, voters should understand that Democrats still hold a commanding 59-41 majority in The Senate. Similarly, it is the duty of media outlets to help them understand just how commanding a 59-41 majority lead in the Senate is.

The majority that Democrats currently hold in the Senate has not been matched for almost 20 years. To even come close, you would have to go back to the 1993-1995 Senate where Democrats held a 57-43 lead. To find a 58-41 lead with 1 Independent, you would have to go back as far as 1979-1981. (Source: US Senate Archives).

So spare us the talk of Democrats losing a majority. Someone please tell Michael Steele and the GOP to stop mailing census forms that are as real as a Chinese DVD. Someone tell global media outlets that a McDonald's Big Mac in the middle of Texas faces more danger than a Democratic majority in D.C.--which is exactly why a Republican controlled Supreme Court causally opened the door for unlimited foreign-run corporate participation in our electoral process.

BREAKING: Vicky Hartzler Has Went Insane, Opposes Billions to the 4th Congressional

2010-01-09T08:06:00.004-06:00

Republican congressional candidate Vicky Hartzler has always been two steps from the coo-coo nest, but today she actually made public that she has gone insane.

Ok, not really. But close enough.

In a press release, Hartzler stated that Ike Skelton is weak on national security due to his support of liberal economic policies. This the very same week that Skelton brought billions to Missouri's military bases inside his Congressional district.

Skelton is one of those blue dog moderate Democrats that has always supported national security and military spending to the very end, even under President Bush. Obviously, Hartzler has no experience on national security matters. In fact, it may be safe to say that national security could be breached if Hartzler is elected Congresswoman. She has that less knowledge on issues of national security and the economy compared to Skelton.

We at the KC Blue Blog call on the Missouri Republican Party to public distance themselves from Vicky Hartzler after such comments. We also call on the press to hold Hartzler accountable for such ludacris statements. In these tough economic times, billions to our military bases locally, sparks a return in the economy that this state desperately needs. At this point Hartzler has become as credible as a pre-schooler when it comes to knowledge on issues facing this state and nation.

P&L DISTRICT HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS AHEAD

2009-12-21T00:06:00.003-06:00

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

2009-12-18T12:12:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-11T18:46:00.004-06:00

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

2009-12-11T18:34:00.004-06:00

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

2009-12-11T18:30:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-11T13:39:00.004-06:00

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

2009-12-09T18:36:00.001-06:00

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

2009-12-08T22:10:00.011-06:00

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

2009-12-08T21:50:00.009-06:00

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

2009-12-05T14:21:00.011-06:00

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

2009-12-03T23:59:00.006-06:00

"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

2009-12-03T19:28:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-03T14:38:00.004-06:00

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?

2009-12-03T14:07:00.009-06:00

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!

2009-12-03T10:40:00.001-06:00

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?

2009-12-02T20:37:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-12-02T20:05:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-12-02T19:22:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-12-01T15:01:00.004-06:00

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?

2009-11-30T16:16:00.010-06:00

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?

2009-11-28T22:45:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-28T22:25:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-28T22:22:00.004-06:00

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.

2009-11-28T10:31:00.003-06:00

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.

2009-11-28T10:13:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-27T21:27:00.003-06:00

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.

2009-11-27T19:07:00.006-06:00

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

2009-11-27T18:07:00.002-06:00

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!

2009-11-27T18:02:00.004-06:00

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.

2009-11-26T18:25:00.010-06:00

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!

2009-11-26T18:06:00.005-06:00

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!

2009-11-26T17:31:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-26T12:58:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-24T00:15:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-21T10:35:00.002-06:00

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

Poll: Blunt Hurts Blunt, Nixon Still strong

2009-11-20T17:16:00.003-06:00

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?

2009-11-20T14:36:00.005-06:00

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.

2009-11-20T05:21:00.000-06:00

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.

2009-11-19T10:45:00.005-06:00

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

2009-11-17T22:23:00.003-06:00

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

2009-11-17T22:12:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-11-17T19:45:00.003-06:00

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?

2009-11-15T15:06:00.008-06:00

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

2009-11-15T14:47:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-13T18:59:00.009-06:00

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.
-----

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

2009-11-11T21:59:00.006-06:00

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...

Mattie Rhodes Center Celebrates Thursday 115 Years of Brightening Lives And Building Futures

2009-11-11T16:31:00.001-06:00

When people think about community organizations they mention a number of groups. Most of them do really good work. One of those groups at the top of the list in our opinion is The Mattie Rhodes Center.

Founded in 1894 by a group of friends who called themselves the Little Gleaners with a $500 donation from friend/Little Gleaner Mattie Florence Rhodes who passed in 1890, the Mattie Rhodes Memorial Society was born.

In its early years, Mattie Rhodes Memorial Society provided daycare for children of working mothers and began providing shelter and basic necessities during the Great Depression. Throughout the 1900s Mattie Rhodes added mental health and social services programs and became one of the first social service centers in Kansas City to commit to hiring bilingual and bicultural mental health and social service professionals to better serve the needs of various communities.

Over the years , thanks to both private donations as well as public assistance thousands of people's lives have been changed for the better. With these funds, not only were great programs implemented but great leaders and great teachers were brought in. One of those people is Luis Cordova, MS, CSAC II, Mattie Rhodes' Director of Community Programs. Anyone who has met Cordova knows that this guy knows exactly what he's talking about when it comes to mental health and bettering Kansas City's troubled communities.

When meeting Cordova, we instantly saw that his education and experience combined with his passion has driven this former California law enforcement officer turned mental health professional/community director/University of Central Missouri Professor to be the best at what he does.

Unlike a lot of people who we have met that are involved in COMBAT, Cordova's only agenda is bettering youth and bettering Kansas City. He doesn't play the political games that limit progress; not in the least bit. Instead, regardless of whether he's in the roughest of neighborhoods or teaching university students in Warrensburg, Cordova quietly listens to those he knows, meets or teaches and challenges them to think outside of the box, silence their personal prejudices or agendas and open doors that promote unity, education and progress.

His work and the work of many others at The Mattie Rhodes Center is exactly why we encourage you to attend The Brightening Lives, Building Futures Luncheon, Thursday November 12th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Count Basie Ballroom at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel (200 W. 12th Street) and is open to the public through reservations; please call 816-581-5622 for more information.

There is no charge to attend the luncheon however a fundraising appeal asking attendees to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the agency will be made at the event. Donations made at the event will be matched by the Adelante Fund of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation; the Fund will match up to $30,000 in donations.

If you can't make it, go here to donate and help better Kansas City's communities.

THE KC BLUE BLOG THANKS OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES FOR THEIR SERVICE

2009-11-11T13:11:00.003-06:00

In celebration of Veteran's Day, The Huffington Post gives 5 things you may not know about our veterans and dozens of ways that you can help. Take a look

Brad Blog Tea Party Express "Rise of the Tea Bags" Is A Must Watch

2009-11-11T01:58:00.003-06:00

We at The Kc Blue Blog believe that this hillarious series is a must see for all Democrats. Brad Blog has taken himself on tour on the "Tea Party Express: Rise of the Tea Bags" to get live video footage of the outrage across America by tea baggers upset at President Obama for...well...um...you know...

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