He's giving back the hybrid (more accurately, not accepting it according to Fox4) . . . Also, He may be one of the weakest Mayors in recent KC history in terms of political leverage.
Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser has announced he will no longer accept the free use of a Honda Civic hybrid car.Honestly, I thought he was going to get away with the hybrid thing because it didn't seem to inspire that many people . . . So, here's hoping that he also reconsiders accepting the Semler resignation as well . . . But I wouldn't count on it. It's a lot easier to dismiss minority communities than to avoid the scorn of The Star and a lot of other supporters.
The new car from Honda of Tiffany Springs caused controversy last week because critics said the free ride would force the mayor to help the dealership down the road. The car is worth $23,000.
The dealership had offered Funkhouser the use of the car during his term as mayor. At the time, Funkhouser said the offer was a great deal.
But, Tuesday he announced he was declining the offer. Instead, he'll continue to drive his own 10-year-old Toyota Corolla.
Anybody else hear about the recall talk? I'm guessing this does a lot to allay that kind of speculation but again I was honestly surprised to hear it.
More thoughts on the subject: What a total Quaid to go back and have to drive the same dumpy Corolla . . . Seems like he would have been better off just taking the dorky car that Country Club Kay picked out for him . . . She has no chance in Hell of beating Sam Graves but I bet she's laughing her ass off over this one, seeing how Funky's "regular folks" pose got him smacked down less than two months into office.
Also, this doesn't bode to well for his ardent supporters who really stuck their neck out for him and then were betrayed . . . Screw everybody who thinks politics is fair.
This whole dust up has been just plain funny . . . Also, does this count as flip-flopping since he initially rejected all criticism on this front as well? I'm sure his apologists will come up with another clever term.
Tony:
ReplyDeleteThe 2-7 offsuit is the worst hand (most likely to fold) in poker, not necessarily the 2-4 suited.
http://www.indexstock.com/store/GetThumb.asp/ImageNum=1033391&VOLID=3710&gc=gc1&ss=1/Poker-1033391.jpg
It's all about being well-rounded.
I would rather witness someone trying to learn the ropes in honest fashion then see a polished politician pull the same old bullshit.
ReplyDeleteWhile he has not done anything yet he has shown he is not the typical asshole. I will reserve judgement for now.
Apparently Tony just want's more of the same old bullshit.
Oh Bullshit, if one of the "same old politicians" announced they were accepting the gift of a FREE CAR we, and you, would be calling for their heads (and rightfully so). Gifts to politicians, and Funk is one now like it or not, should be viewed with GREAT scepticism by the public.
ReplyDeleteFor the Funktastics to spin his "giving back" the car as some form of enlightened moral action is just pathetic. He got hammered in the press for being stupid, so he gave the car back. BTW, I've seen politicians do this type of stuff thousands of times before.
would you consider it a "fold" if he called for Frances Semler's resignation?
ReplyDeleteExactly 4:20. I want to address a comment 2:51pm made:
ReplyDelete"..he is not the typical asshole."
That is a bunch of crap. Tell that to the Latino leaders that he told to shut up behind closed doors for coming to a meeting that he called. All for not compromising values for his politics.
Tell that to the autoworkers that he snubbed during campaign season and after when they asked him to drive a local car.
The guy is an obvious asshole that has surrounded himself with a bunch of yes men and will keep being an asshole as long as his base fails to hold him accountable for wrong doings.
5:58pm His appointment (after being warned and given other options by Northland Elected Officials) of a racist involved in not just The Minutemen; but Eagle Forum and FAIR was ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it holds the main problem and concern has 10 folded because of his lack of care, common sense and judgement. He doesn't care about anybody but Mark Funkhouser.
can someone explain to me the $600 a month he recieves in car allowance? I'm not sure I get it but, if the $600 amount is the same no matter what car he drives, I think I'd rather him drive something nicer than having the cash just go to him.
ReplyDeleteHe needs to get Gloria out of the office, and she needs to get a life of her own.That office must be creepy--employees trying to please all the members of the mayors family cant be good for business.
ReplyDeleteLegal Hispanic Said:
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, a seasoned member of the ruling Kansascitian caste, of which the Latino political shock troops are part of, would NEVER have announced the use of a car to the public. Case in point, the council member who got nailed for the creative financing on a property last year. There are more in the last couple of decades to make this appear as the tempest in a tea-cup that it is.
So why would Funhouser want to please an ethnocentric group of idiots who, instead of trying to address the issue on the QT, went on a PT-Barnum Circus act and only when the political hyperbole failed them opted for what should have been their first card to play. I too would have told them to sleep in the bed they made.
Have you driven a Ford Lately? (pun intended) Suuuuuuuuuuucks!!!! Let's see, if he drove a v-8, he would then be accused of being a hypocrite on ecology. If he took an SUV or Pick-up, he'd get nailed for the same. When the US gets the handle on building quality, gas-thrifty, economic vehicles maybe this will have footing for an argument. Until then, Funkhouser may have seen it as a way to save some moolah.
Having seen the reactiion of the "Westside Cabal of Power", I'm not too sure that Latinos should be in control of any staffing or procurement options as they may be nound to engage in cronyism... Here's a devil's bargain: Semler goes, but so does John Fierro, to be replaced with an adequately qualified African American. The truth is that it may not happen as Semler and Fierro will be afforded the opportunity to perform and be graded on their performance.
The Torrequemadas of the West-side and the "Roofers marketplace" in the Independence St. John ethno-alley will have to muster a bigger display of power than thirty persons (including the press) to make a display of power. To date, all they've shown is a hive mentality of siege and intolerance much at home with the Spanish Inquisition from which they seem toget their cues.
The Latino Cabal of power swung; and whiffed. Go back to the dugout and await the next at bat... Maybe defending some of the COHO member organizations.
Hey Legal Hispanic, your mom is one hell of shock troop if you know what I mean ;)
ReplyDeleteTony, thanks for the link, but I don't feel betrayed or screwed after defending Funk on this one.
ReplyDeleteDan is so much of a Funky sell out that he can't even get pissed off when he gets stabbed in the back.
ReplyDeleteActually, Legal Hispanic get your facts straight. The Hybrid Ford Escape is not a "V-8" that would make him a "hypocrite on ecology". It is a V-4, that is just as ecologically sound as the Honda Civic.
ReplyDeleteQuit making excuses for the guy. A Locally built enviornmentally sound car, built by locally employed autoworkers was offerred to him before the Honda Civic and he turned it down.
Funkhouser opposes autoworkers and locally built cars because of pure stupidity and he has made it more than apparent in his very ridiculous statements them.
"went on a PT-Barnum Circus act and only when the political hyperbole failed them opted for what should have been their first card to play"
ReplyDeleteActually Legal Hispanic before that Press Conference of leaders and elected officials from all corners of the community that you call a "Circus", very prominent business leaders of the Hispanic Community met with Funkhouser about the situation and were told to shut up in the most disresepctful, egotistical fashion.
Before he even appointed Semler, members (caucasian) of the Northland, presented their reasons for opposing her nomination, which included among other things, experiences with Semler in which she offended them with her comments. They also provided a list of more qualified individuals. They were told the same.