Corporate America, Running Amuck

If you've been paying attention at all to the news lately, especially about corporations and what they're doing and doing to us Americans, it's likely you've been disheartened. I know I have been. And I don't even have high expectations of them.

First there was this, from AT&T, last October, putting unfounded charges on their customers bills:

AT&T Fined $105 Million by FTC for 'Cramming' Charges

Then there was this, a few weeks ago, again from and about AT&T and the way they supply internet service:

AT&T Fined $100M for Throttling 'Unlimited Data'

It seems AT&T said if you got internet from them, you'd have "unlimited data." Trouble was, they didn't bother to tell those same customers that when they got to a certain level of data usage, their internet speed would slow. Nice, huh?

Then there was this, yesterday, from Google, also on computers:

Google Secretly Spying On Computer Users

Then there was this from Whole Foods last year:

Whole Foods Will Pay $800,000 for Price-Gouging

Finally, not to be done there, this came out yesterday, too:

Afternoon Bulletin: Whole Foods in Legal Trouble for Inflating Prices (Again)

So for anyone, anyone who thinks we can or should do with little or no government, when corporations and the wealthy can do these kinds of things to us, I say they must be crazy.

Or they're part of these corporations and doing these very same things to us all.

Near 90 Sunday?

You got that right. 87 degrees--nearly 90--forecast by NBC 41 Action News this evening, for Sunday's weather. I'm still dying to hear Mike Thompson climb down off his earlier "There's no such thing as 'global warming' or 'climate change'" stance. As Mr. Thompson himself pointed out this evening, this is the normal forecast temperature for--get this--July 3. Yowza. Enjoy your weekend, y'all.

This is March?

More to the point, THIS IS STILL WINTER? I saw another forecast, from another one of the local news stations tonight and they called for 72 degrees and above for the entire upcoming week. We usually don't get that, I don't think, until May, for pity's sake. Yikes. This is wonderfully mild. Have a great weekend, y'all.

News flash to local TV news outlets: YouTube crap isn't news

I mean, come on. Last evening, as an example, KCTV-5 had the nerve to put this ridiculous video from YouTube on their evening news as something we needed to see. Forget that the city has budget problems. Forget that people are being killed in town--still--in far too high numbers. Forget that we have water mains breaking all over town. Anything REALLY important? FUGGEDABOUDIT. Watch this stupid, vapid, pointless video from that fun, wacky site YouTube--it's brand new, right?--instead! At some point, wouldn't you think they'd be embarrassed? Well, it hasn't happened yet. Watch for yet more of this nonsense. And at Hallowe'en? Watch for Larry Moore to do yet another ridiculous 3 minute coverage of local ghosts or hauntings or some such. Holy cow. Why do they think we should watch what they put up as local "news", anyway? I ask again, wouldn't you think they'd be embarrassed? (As proof of their total, utter lack of shame, they even put it up on their online website. Dont believe me? Check it out here: http://www.kctv5.com/story/16917818/donkey-becomes-internet-singing-sensation). Note to local TV "news" stations: 1) YouTube isn't really news--at all--and 2) It patently isn't your job to entertain us. Yikes. I can't believe we have to say this.

Bad news for Kansas City

Word is on the street that that a certain "investigative reporter" will apparently be leaving town this year.

How we treat children in the US?

Yesterday, as famously--or infamously, really--reported across the media, Bishop Finn skated away, freely, easily and effortlessly (unless SNAP gets it's way--here's hoping) from the very appropriate charges that he ignored Missouri law in not reporting possible sexual abuse exploitation by a Catholic priest, one Shawn Ratigan. Instead of being held accountable, he and the state of Missouri made a sweetheart deal that says that , in the future, he'll be responsible. He promises. Then, across town, the baby Lisa Irwin family moved back home and are "looking for a sense of normalcy." Finally, we wait for Jerry Sandusky, at Penn State, to go to trial for sexual abuse. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not equating the seeminly clearly-guilty Bishop Finn, Shawn Ratigan and Jerry Sandusky with the Irwin family, not at all. What I am saying is that children are, at times, victims in our society and we need to do more about that. We need to all have the children's welfare first as a priority. Links: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_missouri/northland/mental-health-experts-see-short-term-drawbacks-for-irwin-family; http://www.kmbc.com/news/29766295/detail.html; http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/15/3267619/bishop-finn-avoids-indictment.html

Russ Ptacek, doing it right

 

It's been some time since a reporter got out in this city and broke real, hard news, I think. Russ Ptacek at NBC Action News, however, seems to be doing just that. Last evening he broke a story about a possibly-philandering local politician. While Steve Kraske and Dave Helling do great jobs reporting politics, it seems no one at any of the media outlets are busting anyone's chops, so to speak, should they need it. Part of the problem is the cutting of news crews' budgets, and none more than at the Star, but it seems someone out there ought to be able to do this and Mr. Ptacek is, thank goodness. So as the Australians are known to say, good on you, Russ. We appreciate the work. (He also happens to do plenty of great work, too, raising funds for charities, it should be pointed out). At this point, wouldn't it be great to see him dig around City Hall and see what he can find if, indeed, there is anything to be found? Here's hoping he can and will keep up this good work here in town. This is badly needed in this city. Right now, I'd like to see him get on the Mayor's back about the shootings in town. Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v2kamjAtcc&feature=share; http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/clay-co-auditor-willam-norris-seven-women-nude-photos-felony-papers-exposed-nbc-action-news-July2011swp; http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/about_us/staff/Russ-Ptacek---Investigative-Reporter#

Great local media coverage on Joplin's nightmare

I have to say, I'm pretty proud and happy right now with the local media covering the Joplin tornado and damage, for what it's worth.

They showed the front page of The Star last evening on MSNBC's "Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell".  Then, yesterday, the national feed of NPR aired local sage Frank Morris of KCUR, telling of the situation there.  It's always great to hear Mr. Morris--or some other local reporter, of course--on the national feed.
It's wonderful to have the local news stations actually reporting on hard news, too, rather than fluff stories no one cares about, frankly.  KCTV-5's Brad Stephens seemed to beat everyone down there with his on site reporting, if what I saw last evening was representative of the coverage.

Then check this out, yesterday the Hollywood Reporter put this up on their site telling of the national coverage the story will get:

TV News Anchors Rushes to Tornado-Ravaged Joplin, Mo.

I hope Reading, Kan. doesn't get lost in this story and coverage.

It's clearly a horrible situation down there and the news started doing a great service covering the story virtually immediately, telling people what happened, of course, but more than that, telling that going there to help would be a bad idea unless you were part of an organized group, etc.  Then, additionally, the fund-raising and blood drives have been big, plentiful and seemingly successful, all three.

It's heartening to see us all come together like this in time of such a horrific tragedy.

Face it, our government doesn't want us to vote

After the whole voter ID thing, you need further proof?

Okay, here you go:

Mo. Senate votes to eliminate 2 election dates

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The state Senate has voted to trim the number of potential election days in Missouri.
Legislation passed by the Senate would abolish the option for holding elections in February and June. It would still leave regular election dates in April, August and November, with the possibility for some elections to occur in March.

Think about it.  It's as I've said here before, if they really wanted us to vote, wouldn't it be on Saturdays, when more of us can easily get away to do it?

They want the moneyed people to vote and they want the old people to vote and that's about it.

It's disgusting.

More proof and reason we need to take and get our government back, away from the wealthy and corporations, folks.

As the saying goes, if you're not angry, you're not paying attention.

Link:  http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/missouri/mo.-senate-votes-to-eliminate-2-election-dates

First Friday is going to be HUGE this week, folks

See you there, ya'll.

Link:  http://www.nbcactionnews.com/subindex/weather/forecast/7_day_forecast

Warmest St. Pat's ever?

I mean, it's apparently not going to break any weather record but the forecast for tomorrow makes it the warmest St. Pat's Day I can remember--at least for quite some time.  

Do you suppose Mike Murphy and Bill Grigsby are up there pulling for us?

Happy St. Patrick's Day, y'all.  Enjoy.  Be safe but enjoy.

Someone told him there was a "worm hole" inside

This just out:

High-speed chase ends inside McDonald's

A 45-minute chase that went through areas of both sides of the state line ended Tuesday morning when the driver got out of the car and ran into a Kansas City McDonald’s.

Link:  

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/driver-leads-police-on-chase-through-kansas-city

Roy Blunt and his non-denial denial

I saw this first linked over at Tony's Kansas City Blog and then went to the original news site--KSHB--to see the video and get this link, above.

It seems like Roy Blunt's actions are, in fact, being badly reported.  One said he "stormed out" and if you see the video, that seems a bit harsh, if not out-and-out untrue.

But here's the flip side:  To Michael Mahoney's question of whether Mr. Blunt knew this Hispanic woman who worked for the family--a yes or no question--he says it's "desperation politics" and that his campaign "put out a statement at the time and it was accurate at the time..." and he and the statement trail off.

Wow.  Really, how much more a "non-denial denial" can you get?  He didn't say "No, Mike, I didn't know her", he just goes off in a completely different direction and doesn't answer the easy, up or down question.

The fact is, Roy, we think you're clearly hiding something here.

Between this "NDD" and the woman's statement that she did work for the family, it doesn't look good.

Come on, people, vote this clown out of office.  Don't make Roy Blunt our next, new Senator from Missouri. He's as dirty as a politician can be and still be in office.

For the love of pete and all that is good, don't vote for Roy Blunt.

In the meantime, thank God for video cameras on the campaign trail.

Links:  http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/political/blunt-rolls-through-area-on-bus-tour;
http://20poundsofheadlines.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/blunt-gets-testy-with-reporter-over-immigration-charge/;
http://www.firedupmissouri.com/content/cmon-guys-blunt-stormed-out-his-own-campaign-stop-because-he-has-nothing-hide

Police say they were ready; Mayor says it was "unexpected"

According to NBC Action News , the police say they expected some action, of one sort or another, on the Plaza this last Saturday night, they just weren't for the increased numbers of kids in the crowds.

The Mayor?

In his own words, he said that the melee' was "unexpected".

It may be "unexpected" by him and his office--not a big shock--but his own police department did expect it. There's a shock, huh?

Let's see--it happened two weeks in a row, apparently, before this weekend but his office didn't expect it.

To Mayor Funkhouser: we aren't surprised.

Coming together

With any luck, maybe we're coming together, as a city, to fight the shootings and killings in the area.

First it was Alonzo Washinton, frankly, who set up his blog and has been meeting around town to fight crime.

Then the organization CeaseFire came to town, trying to reduce the number of killings.

That's been followed, as I understand, by the AIM4Peace group that also, apparently, needs money and is hoping to get some from City Hall itself.

Now, there's a local man, a Father, whose son and nephew were killed by some of these same shootings who is trying to get the community to come together to fight the crime. He's setting up a group he's called "Operation Promise Land" , to create 'an agressive door-to-door assault on the 'Stop Snitchin' campaign."

Maybe with all this and involvement by more people and churches and other community organizations, we could get a handle on this and reduce the number of senseless, tragic killing this year.

Here's hoping.

In the meantime, is anyone paying attention at City Hall?


Additional links:

http://www.kansascity.com/news/columnists/steve_penn/story/1215899.html

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1727682.html

Protesting over what?

Wouldn't it be nice if the local clergy--and everyone else--who has their bowels in an uproar over the clothing policy issue at the downtown Power & Light District were as upset and giving as much energy to the killings that have gone on in town for the past year also?

I mean, come on. Sure, go protest about some real or imagined discrimination but if your own people are being killed in drive-by shootings and whatever, isn't the murder rate much more of an important issue than someone not letting you in a bar because of your clothes?

Let me be clear here, too. I am absolutely not defending any discrimination that may or may not be going on downtown. I don't defend anyone's discrimination, anywhere so don't accuse me of that.

I'm just saying if you're going to protest clothing, where were these groups last summer, when people were shooting and frequently killing people in their own homes and front yards?

And where will they be next summer, when it starts all over again?

Does this strike anyone as hypocritical?

Link to stories: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21621538/detail.html

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Group-Protests-Dress-Code-at-P-L-District/jK20e3uhw0unJGKxBaLbPQ.cspx?rss=764

http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1570708.html

What lots of guns are getting us in Kansas City and the United States

Watching the local news this morning, the newscasters told of either 8 or 9 Kansas Citians being shot at 2 local nightclubs last evening.

And it's the beginning of May.

It's not even hot yet and too many people are getting shot in numbers too large.

And this is exactly what lots of guns in Kansas City--and the United States--is getting us.

With rising unemployment, personal shortages of money and the possibility of fewer police on the streets this summer due to cuts in city budgets, what does this likely spell for us here in Kansas City and, again, in the United States?

A few weeks ago, someone asked, hypothetically, "where do you think the distrubances this summer are going to break out?" and "where will they start?"

I don't like the questions but more than that, I don't like that anyone here in Kansas City and the US has to ask these questions, naturally, and that they apply to us.

The point is, it's getting uglier out there and more and more guns are part of the equation.

Frankly, I'm not hopeful or optimistic about the coming summer and what this all portends for our city and country.


Associated side note: Don't go to the Kansas City Star website to find any articles about this just this moment. I don't know if it happened too late for them to cover or if they just don't have enough staff to cover it but it's not there. It's not on a few of the local TV stations web pages, either. I assume these stories will be covered eventually on these media sites later today but there is a dearth of information about them right this minute. There is one exception listed below and even it only covers one of the two shootings.

Link to story here:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/5-Shot-in-River-Market-Westport/P7lGFjxM8k6gbcQAPm3fAQ.cspx
___________________________________________

Sunday afternoon update: Now, looking at today's Kansas City Star, I see some pastors from area churches ironically and coincidentally had gotten together Saturday morning for a breakfast to organize "a citywide rally" to " send churhgoers knocking on their neighbors doors" in an effort to quell violence in the city. Murders are up 25% this year, too.

They'd better organize something, before it's too late. And it needs to involve educating people on not turning to guns to solve what they view as problems, at least in part.

Link to story:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1175594.html