Wow.
Sweet.
And now I have to go smack myself in the head considering that the reasoning of a recent Star editorial calling for Minuteman Frances Semler's removal is pretty sound. Also, their accurate representation of how this appointment went down is pretty impressive. The only thing that I would have (crassly) added is this: Rumor has it that the Mayor's wife was really the one behind this incredibly bad deal and now it's clear that she needs to get out of the Mayor's business not only because no one elected her but also considering that, in addition to the current debacle, Gloria Squitiro had a major role in the Honda Civic sponsorship dust-up as well - She could be single handedly ruining Mayor Funky's career.
Anyway, here is my favorite part of what was written:
Kansas City ought to work on building an image of an enlightened, welcoming area for people of all races and ethnicities. Instead, we’re risking being linked with a fringe group over a board appointment that should never have occurred.I like the Blue Blog's take on this somewhat surprising stance from The Star.
Many well-qualified people applied for the park board. Frances Semler was not among them. She simply got a position on the board as a reward for her work during Funkhouser’s campaign.
Worse, Funkhouser failed to properly research her background and didn’t even know she was a member of a troubling group called the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.
Then, incredibly, Funkhouser refused to accept Semler’s offer to resign from the park board.
Now two major civil rights organizations are standing up for their principles, saying they won’t patronize a city that honors a member of a group linked to vigilante actions along the country’s southern border.
Illegal immigration is not the issue here. Everyone is concerned about illegal immigration and the host of problems it brings.
The issue with the Minutemen is their insensitive rhetoric and tactics that inflame ethnic tensions.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Forsythe had some great insights on the situation as he noted the Mayor's sly change of language directed toward Semler suggests that he's backing off his previous unequivocal support.
So, maybe the sweet old broad can take a hint.
We'll see . . . But what I've taken from this controversy is that the undue influence of bigoted suburbanites on the inner workings of Kansas City, Missouri is a powerful as ever. It has been SO OBVIOUS that the huge outcry supporting Semler has mainly come from IMMORAL suburbanites who want their political will carried out but don't have a stake in Kansas City Proper and the convention business that the Sprint Center and Electric Avenue desperately need.
Hold on everyone.
ReplyDeleteI hear Gloria has contacted David Duke, former president of the National Association of White People and "political activist," about moving to Kansas City and filling a soon to be open position on the parks board. He is a little busy denying the Holocaust with some new friends in Iran, but he is considering it because he really hit it off with Gloria. They found out that they both like loose fitting white clothing.
Of course I am kidding but Gloria is a menace.
Can anyone report on what it is like at The Star's offices since this decision was taken? There must be some tension between the columnists who poured gas on the fire and the Editorial Board. Mikey, Barbie and Yael-ie must be pissed at the reversal after they used their bylines for the cause. Was there pounding of conference tables? Were Lattes thrown? Did Yael cry?
Also, how far back in the archives did The Star have to dig to find that photo of Semler that they ran with the editorial? It looks like it deserves a Kansas City Times photo credit caption.
The watchful waiting begins.
I can't believe how many of you D-bags are picking on this granny who showed support to an organization who's only goal is to enforce our laws. Continuing to call the minutemen vigilantes is total horseshit, but then again you people refuse to call illegal immigrants for what they are.
ReplyDeletei guess the only thing that can be said is the naacp along with la raza makes it an embarrassment to claim that you live in kc. maybe a bunch of whites ought to get together and give tonys mom a taste of her own medicine. im just glad smeler didnt have a heart attack from there little prank called black mail, im a mexican-america and im embarrass of the way things are going
ReplyDeleteThe Star is a rag.
ReplyDeleteIf Semler is removed from the Parks Board by the Mayor,what is next? Would all future appointees on every city committee be subjected to personal background checks? What political or personal affiliations would cause a person to be eliminated from consideration? Who would conduct the background checks? What consideration would there be for civil rights or personal privacy in these background checks? Would a former Black Panther be eliminated from consideration? Would a member of MEChA be eliminated from consideration?
ReplyDeleteIn short, to what extent would the personal life or beliefs of any Kansas Citian be subjected to scrutiny if they wanted to serve the city in any capacity?
If the precedent is set that Frances Semler is not fit to serve as a member of the Parks Board, what is next?
NAACP-NEGROES AGAINST ADVANCING COLORED PEOPLE!
ReplyDeleteThe worst thing about the appointment is that it has exposed a lot of Kansas Citians for the bigots they are. Including Funkhouser.
ReplyDelete...including Tony and his mom
ReplyDeleteThe reputation of the KC Star is a losing battle. They print stories that are not accurate. Why would this story be any different.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the Mayor or Semler will back down by the Star's intimidations.
You lose again Tony
I guess the Star is making sure that people don't want to move back to Kansas City because it's totally controlled by racist special interests. That's a shame.
ReplyDeleteActually it looks like The Star is having a hard time justifying the loss of millions of dollars for KC.
ReplyDeleteSemler shouldn't continue to place her own personal agendas above her public position on the parks. Noone else on the body speaks out about their public agendas, including John Fierro, so neither should she.
ReplyDeleteThe KC star is doing the right thing. Funkhouser needs to so he can go on to be a decent Mayor.
EVERYONE is a bigot!
ReplyDeleteThere is NO way that we will ever be a planet of single minded people until a group of aliens from another planet decide to kill everyone on this planet and we band together and stop them
Until that happens we will always be bigots.
Fuck I'll admit I hate the stupid and anyone who supports them.
*Mark Forsythe voted for Alvin Brooks.
ReplyDelete"But what I've taken from this controversy is that the undue influence of bigoted suburbanites on the inner workings of Kansas City, Missouri is a powerful as ever."
Same thing the Homosexuals said when Gay Marriage came before the ballot box.
I applaud the Star for standing up. This isnt about immigration, this is about vigilante racism and our city. She clearly said in her Star opinion that she plans to push the Minutemen mission through her work on the Parks Board. The Minutemen clearly are racist vigilantes. Many people on both sides of the line have said this including our President and Gov. Schwarzenegger.
ReplyDeleteExactly Mark Collins. This is about Racism and the politicians using it to pick up votes. He could easily take her off and put a conservative face on there that won't push a racist agenda. Kick her off along with the klan and neo nazis groups that she supports.
ReplyDeleteThats funny, tony commenting on his blog.
ReplyDeleteYou're wrong Mark Collins. We would like the illegal immigrants to go thru the same channels as everyone before them to get US citizenship.
ReplyDeleteHow is that racist?
If you are white you are automatically racist if you even question any other group. Other folks like Tony can make remarks against you, but if you respond you are a racist.
ReplyDeleteIt's like a minority card that can be dropped anytime you do something wrong.
Remember... if you oppose secure borders, you are a racist.
ReplyDeletemaybe tony pissed because funky hasnt kissed his moms ass like barnes did. so you all dont think la raza is racist. well they got the wool pulled over your eyes. listen to tonys mom speak and you will tell whos the racist. why dont we find where tonys grandma lives and a group visits her and see what happens
ReplyDelete"why dont we find where tonys grandma lives"
ReplyDeleteGood for you Tony, you're obviously doing an awesome job writing your opinion because now the racists and Nazis are making threats against your family.
Everyone knows Rita is a wonderful political activist around Kansas City for many causes, I've worked with her on a healthcare board and talked with her work with the Kansas City Latino Police officers. I'm sure that she can take care of herself.
However, I don't think Tony's grandma has every made any political statements or is a public figure at all but the racists are threatening her now.
Way to show your true colors.
Keep the the good fight Rita, TKC and whoever opposes racism.
This is not what Kansas City stands for!
You know what. I didn't now how I felt about this issue until I heard the supporters of Semler. They are the worst kind of bigots and I don't want to share their company. So I agree that she must resign or Mayor Funkhouser should do just the right thing and dismiss her.
ReplyDeleteTony is even steven
ReplyDeleteThis isn't even about immigration as much as some folks want to make it about that. This is about racism and a hate agenda. HEres a link where you can watch the Klan Minutemen and their Neo Nazi conterparts in front of the National President in most all videos saying racist, prejudice, and sexist things. They are vigilantes. They are racist.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.minutemenunvarnished.com/minutesite/home.html
Poor "Frankie" Semler. When she read The Star article, she took a big shit in her Depends. Then she took her big gun from her dresser drawer and fondled it, imagining that she had just shot a few more immigrants trying to cross the border. Then, as her reverie got more intense and in her fantasy she was using an Uzi to mow down hundreds of illegal aliens, she realized that she smelled bad.
ReplyDeletehey d girl i suppose that if smeler had a heart attack by the actions of rita and her croonies that would be ok with you. if so whats your address and see how you take it when a bunch of blacks show up and beat on your door.
ReplyDeleted girl rita haas the wool pulled over your eyes also she is as racist against whites as anyone. no wonder she isnt married.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, "d-girl", maybe since you are such a KC original on par with Jazz and Bryants, can you enlighten us as to what "Kansas City Stands For".
ReplyDeleteD-grade. At best.