OK, let's make it short and sweet. Our illustrious dementia-in-chief just authorized a prisoner swap of a basketball player for a Russian arms dealer. Yepper, he gave back an individual who sold military hardware to various entities that we had been fighting against.
What he didn't do was to include a former marine who is in a soviet prision. An individual who fought aginst some of those same entities, putting his life in danger for his country. What has that basketball player done for her country? Is she willing to fight and maybe die for this country? No, she won't even stand for the National Anthem.
Why did Biden make this trade? Let's be real and not shy away from the truth. He wanted to curry favor with both the gay and black communities. What a sorry SOB he is.
What are the odds that the "Merchant of Death" will now go back to his old business and sell military hardware to entities that we fight against, basically killing American warriors?
Three days ago we held elctions in this country. Basically, the sytem worked. It did not work because of politicians. It did not work because of elected officials. It did not work because of government bureaucrats. It did not work because of sanctimonious, holier than thou media pundits (written, TV or otherwise).
It worked because over the years millions of America's men and women took an oath "........that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;............"
Many served when there were no conflicts, but they stood at the ready, willing to back up that oath. Many served during times of conflict. For those that returned home they brought with them in many cases physical and/or mental scars. For those that did not return home, they maxed out that blank check that every American servicemember writes payable to the People of the United States for any amount up to and including their life.
Gonna talk numbers. Gonna kep it short and sweeet.
These are the numbers that I think folks will wake up to on Wednesday Nov. 9th, 2022.
The U. S. Senate will be 55 Republican and 45 Democrat
The U S house of Representatives will become 230 Republican and 205 Democrat
The Republicans will gain 5 governorships and and wind up with 33 of them. The two that I am looking forward to are right here in Kansas where we can send Laura Kelly packing and in NY where Hochul needs to go bye bye.
Also, across the country you will see parents taking back control of their children's education as you see progressive woke socialists on local and state sxhool boards be given their walking papers.
As our dementia-in-chief continues to come up with outrageous statements (he just said the other day that gas was $5/gal when he took office), we need to cure this country of the disease of Bidenism.
He, and his "down ballot' sycophants will destroy this country. The economy, inflation, crime and on and on. He is destroybing how the rest of the world looks at us. Yes, Trump may have been a loud mouth, boorish, individual, but, the rest of the world knew he was no pushover. Biden has destroyed our petroleum industry, it will be a disaster this winter for folks heating their homes, then goes begging the OPEC countries for help. Trump had us self sufficient in this area. We had prosecutors that didn't kiss the asses of criminals to the detriment of victims, and future victims. We had a border that was becoming more secure every day without millions, yes millions of illegals coming across and the problems they create. Terrorists, coming, drug shipments increasing and American citizens being held hostage to pay for the Biden's failed policies.
OK, let's help to cure the disease of Trickle Down Bidenism on election day. Kick Sharice Davids and her 100% of any thing Biden to the curb. Dump her ass. Also, the same goes for Laura Kelly. This state cannot survive four more years of her as governor. The dementia-in-chief gets strength from having all these sycophants at lowere echelons of government (city councils, county commissions, school boards, state legislators, etc). If they are a Biden acolyte, use your ability to immunize your part of the world against them by voting them down.
Interesting, when Nolan Sunderman resigned as city manager he left out two piecs of info from his letter of resignation. Normally, when an individual at that level resigns from a municipal job they usually state for the record where they are going and what they will be doing. He didn't do that. Shows how much respect (or lack of it) he has for the govrning body AND the people of Shawnee that heave been paying his bloated salary all these years.
Anyway, the employees of the City of Olathe were notified real quick about his new employment. We have a KORA request in to Olathe to get a copy of their internal correspondence announcing his move to that city.
Now, I don't think the Shawnee Mision Post published his entire letter of resignation. It's interesting that his primary reason for leaving is that the vision for Shawnee that the governing body has is not the same as his vision. He needs to learn who works for who when a person is a city manager. Did he ever give any thought to the reason that there were some major changes on the governing body at the last election may have been because the citizens did not like the way the governing body was going. It is a city manager's job to take direction from the governing body. He never really understood that.
Hmmmm, did the city of Olathe hire an individual for a newly created position of Director of Strategic Development?
If so, what is it? Sounds like a position that is bereft of any supervisory responsibilities and in all probability a position that has at least one level between it and the governing body. Maybe even two levels. Wonder what it pays? Guess we'll have to submit a KORA request for that one.
Perfect fit for someone who has problems understanding their position in relation to a govrening body.
Last night City Manager Nolan Sunderman resigned his position effective Nov 1, 2022.
Good riddance.
Maybe now we can finally get a city manager who understands that he/she reports to the city council.
Most recently, the council wanted to see at committee budget presentation a 2 mill reduction and he presented it with a 1/2 mill reduction. That got changed. He didn't listen and that is not the first time. Cancelling meetings without conferring with the council.......naughty, naughty.
I can't say that I'm sad to see him go. Was the council looking at saying sayonara to him? Did he beat it to the punch? We will never know.
Sanctuary city mayors (in NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, let's toss in Martha's Vineyard) are having a fit.
They are also showing that they are all talk. Remember when their cities were declared sanctuary cities? They claimed they were willing to provide a shield for illegal immigrants so that they couldn't be jailed or deported or whatever.
Now, the governors of Texas, Arizona and Florida have sent busloads of these illegals up north. Yepper, these are the ones that most have those notices to appear for a hearing and then get lost in the woodwork.
Anyway, these "sanctuary city pieces of trash" now want federal assistance via the National Guard and other agencies to help them with what has been sent to them. I say, BS!!!!!! Cities/towns all along the southern border have been putting up with this problem for years, and it has gotten worse under dementia-in-chief Joe Biden. The small towns along the border are getting hit with thousands of these illegals weekly, millions during the fiscal year. And these sanctuary cities are now screaming they can't handle them? Tough. Time to back up your BS about being a sanctuary location. Heck, Martha's Vineyard, a playground for the rich and famous liberal left, (including former President Obama), is handling their planeload of 50 folks by shipping them off to a military base on Cape Cod. Disgusting. Obama has an estate of approximately 29 acres. He could literally house thousands of these immigrants. Just like we use sports stadiums etc., in times of natural disasters.
The governor of California wants the DOJ to investigate the governor of Florida for kidnapping these immigrants and shipping them north. Well, as one political pundit pointed out, if they do, then they better investigate Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas because these two incompetant, anti-American pieces of s**t have been doing the same thing for almost two years. Yepper, transporting illegals into the interior on late night flights.
OK sanctuary cities, time to put your money where your mouth is. Time to walk the walk. But all they will do is piss and moan about these illegals being transported to their cities. Double standard BS.
Sidebar: Got a phone call yesterday. Some solicitor wanting me to vote for Sharice Davids for Congress. That Biden sycophant. Told the caller I wouldn't vote for that expletive deleted if he paid me. Then I hung up.
Let's get our country back on the right track. Let's bounce the liberal left out of office come the November election.
Do you want to kmow where your noney is going? What it is being spent on,. What are the sources that go into the city's budget, etc.
Then attend the city's Budget Open House. From the city's web site:
You also should know you will be receiving information in the mail in August from Johnson County about the revenue neutral rate. It can be a confusing topic but it will impact the way you view your property tax. We would be happy to explain it to you in-depth at any of the upcoming budget discussions.
Wednesday, August 31
Civic Centre at 13817 Johnson Dr.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There have been a series of meetings and presentations leading up to this and you can view all of those, as well as all upcoming dates, at cityofshawnee.org/budget. You can find more information on the estimated tax notice coming in the mail from Johnson County, as well as the revenue neutral rate, at jocogov.org/estimatedtaxnotice.
Are ya ready for this one? I get a text from some clown pushing her campaign for reelection. I replied.
See the screen shot below: (click on it to view it larger)
Let's look at what this individual said. She is focused on fighting corruption in D.C. That's a joke. What has she done about Biden's son Hunter and the trails that are leading back to his father. If that had been one of Trump's kids she would have been all over it like stink on feces. And what about Biden himself? Where's the investigation on him? We spent $32 million dollars on an investigation of Trump based on a phoney dossier. But, in this case there are emails on Hunter's laptop implicating his daddy. What are they waiting for? I know, they are waiting for an official determination that he is mentally incompetent to stand trial (impeachment).
She is fighting inflation? Horse s**t. She's going along with Biden's "Inflation Reduction Act". That's a joke. The Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan research office of Congress has determined that not only will that legislation not help inflation but it could make it worse.
For an individual that comes from a family with a military background ya didn't hear anything from her about what happened in Afghanistan did ya? She has made statements to the effect that ICE should be defunded (and eliminated). Gee, let's have another 200,000 illegal aliens cross the border this month. Yes, they are illegal, not undocumented. They are breaking the law, and being allowed to do it.
Do we even want to talk about what she is trying to do along with "Uncle" Joe to our second amendment rights?
She has supported Joe Biden 100% of the time.
She needs to buy one of those t-shirts I saw advertised on the web..........."Instead of Build Back Better Why Not Leave it the Way You Found It"
Support her? Hell no, drive her out of office at the election in November. Show her the door. Kick her to the curb. Tell her sayonara, auf wiedersehn, good-bye, so long, ciao, get lost, stick your woke cancel culture where the moon don't shine.
Hmmmm, maybe I'll text that idiot back again and give him a link to this blog......LOL
I'm sick and tired of the BS generated by the Democrats.
That's right, the Mueller investigation has filed its final expense report. $32 million shot to s**t based on what was a phoney dossier. $32 million shot to s**t by that info being financially supported by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC
What about the NY Times columnist who was unmerciful in his blasts about Donald Trump who has now had to publicly admit, that yes, it was all a hoax.
What about the lies told by the current administration? How about the one that Donald Trump did nothing about COVID? Said it before, will say it again. Where would we be if he didn't start Operation Warp Speed? And that senile old man (Biden) trying to take credit for it.
What about our dementia driven President going begging to the Arab world for more oil? And they basically told him to stick it in his ice cream cone. We didn't have that problem with Trump. Trump didn't shut down pipelines or cancel drilling leases
It has been pointed out by Tulsi Gabbard that while Steve Bannon has been found guilty of contempt of Congress, Clapper, Brennan and others that lied to congress have never been prosecuted. The Dems weaponization of the DOJ continues at full throttle. They condone the riots, arsons and assassinations of LEOs. Why? Because it fits their anti-American, anti-Democratic socialist ideas.
They want to have complete control over your children's minds from Kindergarten on up.
Free speech? The Dems give lip service to it, but it only matters to them if the speech follows their dictates. How many Republicans/Conservatives have been shut down from speaking at various venues? How many have been physically attacked (like Rep. Zeldin in NY)? How many have been chased out of social situations? And all of this with the tacit and sometimes overt encouragement of Dem "leaders" like Pelosi, Schumer, Waters and even Uncle Joe Biden. Is he related to Uncle Joe Stalin?
All those who voted for Biden and all of the other radical left wing, anti-American, lying to the public Dems, I hope you are happy with how they are working to destroy this country. And if your boss gives you a raise will it keep pace with inflation? What does your grocery bill look like?
Elections are coming. If they are Dem and in office they have to be elected out. If they are Dem and trying to get into office, they need to be losers at the ballot box.
My last question for today, is one I've asked before: Would Putin have attacked Ukraine if Trump were President?
Oh, and regarding gun control..........and the possibility of banning certain weapons, what a joke. When the previous ban was allowed to sunset in 2004 FBI statistics even showed that for the 10 years the ban was in effect it had no appreciable effect on violent crime. Anybody who thinks a criminal or somebody who wants to create a horrific event is going to care about some stupid law that will only negatively impact law abiding citizens, is in a dreamworld.
We have to start right here by insuring that the Biden Butt Kisser Sharice Davids does not get reeleccted.
In case you haven't heard, at the July 25th City Council meeting the council voted for a 2 mil decrease in property taxes. This new council does care about the citizens.
No longer will the Council be a rubber stamp for a city manager. At the meeting, the city manager had a presentation showing only a 1/2 mil levy reduction. Ironically, at the previous council committee meeting the council was very specific about wanting a 2 mil levy decrease. So, what happened? The city manager in an insubordinate manner went ahead and presented the 1/2 mil levy decrease. This is probably a method that he learned from his predecessor. She did what she wanted and the council just blindly rubber stamped it. Up until 7 months ago the council that was in place was basically a rubber stamp for the city manager also. That all changed with the election of the new council.
Basically what it boils down to is that the current city manager needs to realize he works for the council, not the other way around. Actually, IMHO he needs to go bye-bye.
This council is showing that it does care for the citizens. It is not adverse to spending money, it just wants to do it in a reasonable manner and not just to ingratiate itself with a select few, but rather it does truly care about the citizens of the city.
Our dementia addled President has signed a new federal gun control bill.
One particular part of it worries me. This, as quoted on Fox News "The bill would provide funding for states to create programs that could keep weapons away from people who are a danger to themselves or others, often called red flag laws."
That may sound good to many folks, but are they aware of the implications and potential for abuse and misuse of a red flag law. Some states already have them. Here is the simple explanation: An individual feels that another person is a danger to that individual or to themselves, and indicates that that other person has guns. The petition goes to a judge, who will rubber stamp it and law enforcement is then called upon to remove the guns from the individual's possession. After the removal of the guns there will be hearings to determine if that individual is in deed a danger to the other person, or anyone for that matter.
If the person is not deemed a danger, then they can get their guns back, maybe, or after a long drawn out process.
So, let's see what transpires. A person has property confiscated, solely based on the statement of another, and with no hearing up front. Hmmm, I smell a bunch of abusive filings coming up. Ya don't think so? How about protection orders. Sounds like guilty before being proven innocent. Yes, there may be valid reasons for some, but how many folks have misused the system just because they don't like somebody or are angry with them? How many divorces have one parent or the other claiming the other parent sexually abused the child(ren) just to make life difficult on them, have them branded as deviates and then aftr long drawn out processes proven that they didn't do anything wrong?
How could that happen with a red flag law and guns? Easy. Not all neighbors get along. Joe is upset because of the way Bill's tree is overhanging into his yard. Bill tells Joe to kiss off. Joe thinks to himself, "Aha, I know how to fix him, he owns guns, I'll just go down to the court and say I feel threatened by him. Then he can fight to prove that he is innocent of the allegations.
I can see other scenarios creating red flag laws. They pass one for booze and driving. So, ya go to court, say your neighbor gets boozed up and drives and the authorities come out and confiscate their car, until they can prove the allegation is false.
As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July I am forced to change what I would have posted. I have gone from patriotic to political and patriotic.
I love this country. I served this country, and I'd do it again.
I'm getting a little sick and tired of hearing the left wing, liberal socialist, misanthropes (Biden, Harris, Schumer, Pelosi, the rest of the liberal left, et al) try to say the Republican party is out to destroy our democracy.
To the contrary, it is the liberal left wing that has shown that it is really them that want to do that.
Who condoned and even egged on rioters, looters, arsonists, and yes, assassins in major cities? The liberal left!!
Who condoned and even egged on law breaking individuals who violated federal law by their actions at the homes of Supreme Court justices? The liberal left!! Backed up by King Socialist Biden and his lackey of an Attorney General who has done nothing about this.
Who has called the Supreme Court illegitimate? The liberal left!! Who wants to pack the court? The liberal left!!
Who are the hypocrites who only three years ago said we should never get rid of the Senate filibuster, and now they want to do that? The liberal left?
Who has pushed for indoctrination in our schools of young children with CRT and then trying to shut down parents from getting involved against those policies? The liberal left!!
Who is gradually killing our economy with inflation, gas prices soaring, and food shortages? The liberal left!!
Who has killed our oil/gas independence by shutting down pipelines and cancelling oil/gas drilling leases? The liberal left!! And then who has gone begging to OPEC countries to produce more oil/gas? The liberal left!! Who has misguided thinking that renewable, sustainable energy can be created overnight? The liberal left!!
Who wants to pass laws under the misguided term of "common sense" that would be highly restrictive of and punish law abiding citizens from possessing firearms? The liberal left!! Who thinks that pieces of paper will stop criminals? The liberal left!! If gun control worked, Chicago would look like Mayberry RFD. Who wants the above, while maintaining armed security for themselves, but who doesn't want law abiding citizens to be able to protect themselves? The liberal left
Who has created cities that have rampant criminal activity, including homicides, because of policies that hinder the prosecution of criminals? The liberal left!!
Who overstepped their authority by the manner in which they "locked down" areas of the country and society? The liberal left!! And who has been caught ignoring their own policies? The liberal left!!
Prior to today's holiday who (including major politicians) have been calling for "burning this Go----n country to the ground" and "F--k the Fourth"? The liberal left!!
Going forward, locally, if you are a liberal, left wing, socialist piece of trash, out to destroy this country, I will do everything within my power to legally prevent you from being elected or reelected to public office. Even if you are running in for a so called no party affiliation office, which in reality is a farce. And that starts with Congresswoman Sharice Davids and Governor Laura Kelly. BTW, there is an ad out there saying Governor Kelly eliminated the food tax. Heck, if it wasn't for the Republican majority in the state legislature the bill would never have reached her desk.
I know some might be disconcerted about what I have written above on this great day. A day to celebrate the founding of our great country. Sure, we have never been perfect, but damn it, we've been a whole lot better than others. Those who want to see how liberal left wing socialist policies including excessive government control can do to a country just look at Venezuela, that not too long ago had a thriving economy. Now look at how their people suffer. Should we even mention Cuba?
Well, as I said at the beginning of this rant, I love this country, I served this country, and yes, "I'd gladly stand up, next you and defend her still today".
For this next video, you are probably sitting in front of a computer. Please, do not be embarrassed or ashamed to stand. It's only for 2 minutes and 21 seconds, less time than you'd spend standing in line at a sporting event.
Please see my post, below, of June 16th. I had emailed Brad Bergsma, President of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Association of School Boards asking him when would the his organization sever its ties with the National Association of School Boards, as have 26 other state associations. That is the group that sent a letter to Washington asking that parents be declared domestic terrorists for speaking out at local school board meetings. The loser US Attorney General Merrick Garland even sent a memo to the FBI directing them to look into the situation.
Apparently Mr. Bergsma feels that is beyond him to respond to a query from someone who indirectly is paying for the functioning of his organization. How is that you might ask? Easy!! The state association here in Kansas gets its money from the membership fees of the local boards. The local boards get their money from taxpayers (whether or not they have children in the school district). I personally feel that his refusal to respond is an indication of his arrogance about his responsibilities.
So, what can we do? That question is also easy to answer. Johnson County taxpayers need to put pressure on the local boards here to withdraw their membership form the state organization. As such, reducing the monies that the state organization receives from local boards. Also, let the taxpayers of Kansas in other counties know what is being done and ask them to also get their local boards to withdraw from the state association. Let's shut down the state association and send Mr. Bergsma to the unemployment line.
Local district boards are:
Shawnee Mission School District
Blue Valley School District
De Soto School District
Olathe School District
Spring Hill School District
Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees
Check each organization's web site and start showing up at their meetings demanding that they withdraw from the state organization. Tell them, don't ask them............they work for you, you don't work for them.
The following was sent to Brad Bergsma, President, Board of Directors Kansas Association of School Boards. It is self explanatory.
The KASB must sever its ties with the NSBA. To support an association that has no regard for the parental or constitutional rights of those that it supposedly serves is wrong.
This is what was sent:
Good morning Mr. Bergsma
As of yesterday the school board associations of 26 states have severed their relationship with the National School Board Association.
The reason for this is simple. It has to do with the letter that the NSBA sent to the President asking that parents attending local school board meetings be treated as domestic terrorists. What is worse is that the AG, Merrick Garland sent a memo to the FBI asking them to get involved. The original draft of the letter even had statements that the NSBA was suggesting that the National Guard and its military police units be activated for school board meetings. The NSBA has shown that they do NOT value parents of students to have a say in their education, nor do they want them to exercise their constitutional rights at local board meetings.
Your web site has this statement concerning the NSBA "KASB is part of the National School Board Association(NSBA). This venerable association - established in 1940 - empowers state school boards associations and their more than 90,000 local school board members to lead and advocate for public education. NSBA believes education is a civil right, and public education is America’s most vital institution."
When will your organization join those states (including our neighbors in Missouri) and sever your ties with the NSBA? That is a very direct, specific question and deserves a very direct specific answer.
To provide complete transparency, this email to you will be posted on my blog at https://shawneeray.blogspot.com Rest assured your reply will also be posted there in it entirety.
OK, I've about had it with folks who call the AR-15 an assault weapon. It is NOT an assault weapon. It is a semi-automatic rifle which requires the user to pull the trigger each time to fire it. An assault weapon would fire multiple rounds just by holding the trigger down.
Obama referred to the AR-15 as a weapon of war. Dumba$$ Kamala Harris calls it a military weapon.
Some of the anti 2A folks are finally showing their colors when hey refer to it as a military "style" weapon. That is more accurate, it may look like one, but it DOES NOT FUNCTION like one. Ask any Marine or Army infantryman if they would take an AR-15 instead of an M-16 into battle. They'll look at you like you are nuts.
If a woman is going to a fancy affair with her significant other and wears a dress that is low cut, split up the side, etc. is she a hooker? What about the person that drives a little two seat car. Like the Mazda Miata. Are they driving a sports car? Hell no.
School shootings are an abomination. No doubt about it. But these folks who clamor for "common sense" gun laws don't understand the term "common sense".
Allowing schools to be soft targets is wrong. An 8-1/2 x 11 sign on the door saying no guns allowed is not going to be a deterrent to a person wanting to cause havoc. How many police can be put in the schools to protect them (or any soft target). The Ohio governor just signed a bill authorizing teachers and staff to carry, but only after proper training. Other states have done that too. The first line of defense in a mass shooting are the people on the scene.
Let's follow the Israeli concept of how to provide appropriate security for schools.
Banning certain weapons is NOT the answer. Common sense should tell these folks, that again, a person wanting to cause havoc will get their hands on whatever they want.
This is all a plan to disarm the American public except for those who want to be in power.
The characterization of the AR-15 as an assault rifle is just wrong.
For the heck of it: Approximately 32 people are killed every day by drunk drivers. Do we ban automobiles? Bring back prohibition? Read he FBI crime stats. See how many folks are killed each year by blunt force instruments. Let's ban baseball bats, lead pipes and a variety of other "weapons".
Sidebar: June 14th is Flag Day and the 247th birthday of the U S Army......."This We Will Defend"
To many, those five names strung together mean something. There are others that have no clue what they mean. They are the five beaches on the Normandy coast that saw the largest armada bring the invasion force that truly started the liberation of Europe, 78 years ago today, June 6, 1944.
For those who know what those names mean and what they stand for, it is imperative that you try and teach those who don't know, what they mean.
There was a book, and then a movie about that day, "The Longest Day". That was not a made up name. Approximately 6 weeks before the invasion, while inspecting the German coastal defenses Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had much to say, including: "The first twenty-four hours of the invasion will be decisive…for the Allies, as well as Germany, it will be the longest day." Spoken to his aide, Hauptmann Helmuth Lang, 22 April 1944.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (yep, didn't have his 5th star yet) had these words for the troops that were going in on that day. Read them by clicking here.
Two statements, that some find old.........but others will say they are very true, and should never be forgotten or taken lightly.
Freedom isn't free......and......all gave some, some gave all.
We must be forever vigilant, that no enemy, from without or within, destroys what those who have gone before us have done.
A lesson in responsibility: General Eisenhower drafted a speech should the invasion have been a failure:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops," Eisenhower wrote. "My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone." Fortunately, for the world, he did not have to deliver that.
Folks will be enjoying BBQs with friends and relatives. Some will be going on mini vacations. They will be engaged in a variety of activities. That's fine.
The only thing that I would ask is take 5 minutes away from all of that. Five minutes away from the dogs, brats, burgers on the grill. Five minutes away from casting that line into the water. Five minutes pulled over in a rest stop along the highway.
Use four of those five minutes to explain to folks, especially the young ones, what memorial Day is about. Why they have the day off. Why they can get with friends to BBQ. It's about remembering those who gave their all for this country, "their last full measure of devotion", so that we could do those things. It is not to celebrate the service of our veterans. That comes in November.
The Shawnee city council, which saw three new members sworn in for the current term is apparently on the right track to do positive things for the city.
For the heck of it, I will mention, right now, just three of those items:
1. Sundance Apartment complex: It's location did not appear to be right for Shawnee. It appears that it would have been an abomination to be located in the single family residential area. The plans were nice, but it just didn't belong there. Some of what came out of that meeting was reported by the Shawnee Mission Post and is quoted below:
Councilmember Tammy Thomas compared the project to Lenexa’s City Center, which has retail and entertainment surrounded by apartments. City Center is far more attractive to young professionals, she said. But no such options exist near the Sundance project, she said.“What you’re offering and looking for young professionals don’t match. They simply do not match,” Thomas said. Thomas and others referenced Shawnee’s history and ranking as a hot market for single-family homes.“I’m not saying this is a bad development. What you’ve designed, I’m not saying that’s bad. This is a single-family residential area. And there’s a lot of history right here we’re about Shawnee. We’re about history. We’re about moving and maintaining and appreciating what other people did before us,” she said.
Council President Eric Jenkins said the project was just too dense for him. “This destroys the character and neighborhood,” he said. “I think this council really feels strongly about protecting our community and our citizens and doing what’s best. Something we hear every meeting we go to is they love the hometown feel. Okay, well, I love the hometown feel, too. That’s kind of what puts Shawnee on the map.”
Some of these infill projects just don't make sense.
2. Purchase of land for the parks department: Just prior to his retirement city Parks Department director Neil Holman tried to convince the council to authorize the purchase of two parcels. Rounding off the numbers one was for $600,000 and the other one was for $1,000,000. The smaller item was approved, especially since the money for it was coming from a fund that could only be used for items such as that for the Parks Department. The larger parcel would have been paid for out of the general fund. Smart move by the council as this is not the time to be spending money out of the general fund that is not needed to be spent.
3. No more whispering on the dais: This si something that has bugged me for many years. The city manager and the city attorney used to sit on the dais on either side of the mayor. Shawnee was the only city that had this set up. In other cities those individuals either sat in the gallery with the rest of the staff or at a separate table in the well. If comments were needed from either one of them they could speak from the podium, or if at a separate table, with a mic hookup. That gets their comments on the record. Many times, one or both would make comments to the mayor in such a manner that those comments were not heard by those of the public attending, other members of the governing body, the stenographer, who could then not make them a part of the public record. Our mayor was asked numerous times to change that. She didn't (actually she wouldn't). It did not require an ordinance, a resolution or anything else, except for the mayor to say "Go sit somewhere else, the dais is for the elected governing body." The new council did. Now comments from all of the city staff will become part of the record.
The make up of the council has been a positive change. With regards to new development they are not against it. They just want it to be appropriate for the city at the location that is being considered. (Unlike IMHO what I have dubbed the Starship Nieman. Personally I think it looks out of place. The previous council that approved it thought otherwise) Also, the new council probably would like to see more effective and equitable means of using incentives so that they have a positive effect on the city. And are not one sided. Example: The project that the previous council approved for 75th and Quivira is not what the developer originally presented in his song and dance routine to the council. Lofty and grandiose concepts that got cut way back. And for this, the city gave up an alphabet soup of incentives to include even giving up our sales tax. Don't even ask about Belmont Promenade. Fortunately that issue is now dead. Basically in both of these cases the developers' mouths wrote checks that their tail ends couldn't cover.
There, I've said it. And if you are not sure of what you read in the headline, I'll repeat it, "Let's Go Brandon". Now, if that offends anybody, tough. You don't have to read this blog. And if you are on the email list, just let me know and I'll be happy to remove your name.
"Let's Go Brandon #1": Baby formula!! The health of American babies is on the line. This is an outrage. Recently a member of the US Congress released pictures of fully stocked shelves of baby formula intended for the illegal immigrants crossing the border. What? "Uncle Joe" Biden's admin says that there is a law requiring us to make sure those in that situation are properly fed. Gee, what about the law that prohibits intimidation of federal judges. Damn it. Feed our kids!!! Would Trump have allowed this to happen? He would have called the manufacturer's in and created another operation Warp Speed like he did for the coronavirus. Did you vote for "Uncle Joe" Biden because you didn't like Trump? Do you have infants in your family or know folks who do? Are ya happy?
"Let's Go Brandon #2": Gas prices. How do you like paying double than what you did when Trump was in office? So, what has "Uncle Joe" Biden done? Let's see, he shut down the XL Pipeline, cancelled drilling leases on fed property and basically stuck it to the American people. He never heard of the expression "America First".
"Let's Go Brandon #3": Inflation..........do I really have to expand on this?
"Let's Go Brandon #4": Afghanistan............another one that do I really have to expand on it?
"Let's Go Brandon #5": "Uncle Joe" Biden's Disinformation Governance Board. Wow, a government agency designed to determine what info on line is disinformation? Holy fecal matter. What an attack on our constitutional rights, and with a top dog that could easily be mistaken for Joseph Goebbels. And what about some of "Uncle Joe" Biden's recent tweets. Ya know, like the one that there was no COVID19 vaccine available until he took office. And Twitter still has that one up there.
"Let's Go Brandon #6": Contrary to what Nancy "Dumba$$" Pelosi says, it is the Democratic party, not the GOP that is leading this country down the road to destruction. And it is the Democratic party that would work to destroy our constitutional rights. Their far left socialistic agenda if it is allowed to continue will work to curtail our basic rights, which leads us to.........
"Let's Go Brandon #7": An Attorney General who would rather go after parents, as domestic terrorists for speaking out against CRT at school board meetings (a right) but not go after those who violate federal law about judicial intimidation. Wow, the Republicans were sure correct in blocking this jerk's nomination to the supreme Court...............and now...............
"Let's Go Brandon #8": Our southern border. What a mess. Over 200,000 a month. Many of them being transported under covert conditions into the interior of our country. Who will support these folks? The American taxpayer is going to get the bill, but then "Uncle Joe" Biden is tilted so far to the left he might just lose his balance and fall completely on his face. His approval ratings are one indicator. And his Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security needs to be impeached (for the border and creating the Disinformation Governance Board).
And, I'll ask again, those of you who voted for "Uncle Joe" Biden, because ya just didn't like Trump, are ya happy? Any Democratic office holder that does not publicly denounce Biden and his policies, needs to be turned out of office. Here locally, that is Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Govern Laura Kelly and State Rep. Susan Ruiz. As a matter of fact, whether they denounce his policies or not, they need to go as they have condoned his actions.
BTW, folks have been referring to Biden as Uncle Joe for many years. It might be appropriate that another political figure of the 20th Century was also referred to in that manner. His last name was Stalin.
Seems like our Divider in Chief and his Attorney General lackey are very selective in who they go after.
From the article linked to above:
It is against the law to protest and intimidate federal judges, witnesses, jurors. Federal law — Section 1507 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code —clearly statesthat it is unlawful to protest near a “residence occupied or used by [a] judge, juror, witness, or court officer” with the intent of influencing “the discharge of his duty,” adding that anyone who “uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
The reason is simple: It is obstruction of justice. Just as it is against the law to tamper with witnesses or jurors by intimidating them or their family, it’s unlawful to tamper with a Supreme Court justice by coming to their home to threaten, harass or coerce them to influence their vote in a case before the court. And these demonstrators get egged on by Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Those two need to be charged with inciting riots. But of course not, just go after Donald Trump.
But, Attorney General Garland had no problems with directing the FBI to investigate parents who spoke at school board meetings (which is not a violation of federal law). They weren't even protesting. They were speaking on topics during their allotted time to do so.
Will our Member of Congress, Sharice Davids, speak out against those individuals who are violating federal law? Probably not, because she is of the same mind set as Biden, Schumer, Pelosi and probably the infamous "squad". Toss her sorry rear end out of congress in November.
It is amazing what they hypocritical crybabies in the Democratic party have come up with.
Many of them (including their mainstream media cohorts) have claimed that Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter is the end of free speech. Huh? Who has been censoring free speech for over 4 years now? Remember, it was Twitter, aligned with the Democrats who sat on the Hunter Biden laptop story, for almost two years. They blocked the NY Post from posting about it. Guess what? It looks like the Post was 100% correct. Even the Democratic propaganda machines (NY Times, Washington Post) have had to back track on their not covering the story. Heck, if it had been one of Trump's children they would have been all over it like stink on s**t.
Speaking of which, what about the coverage these hypocrites kept getting on the supposed Russian collusion with Donald Trump? Remember that? So, what has happened? The Mueller investigation found no collusion and now the Durham investigation is showing that the discredited Steele Dossier (the basis for the collusion claims) was not only fabricated but funding came from the DNP and the Hillary Clinton campaign. Now it looks like Michael Sussman, an attorney for both entities is in deep doo-doo. Will he fall on his sword or will he open up? Or will he end up like Vince Foster? (For those too young to remember, just Google "Vince Foster, Clinton, Whitewater"). Oh, we can't forget Adam "pencil neck" Schiff and his numerous statements that he had irrefutable evidence of collusion between Trump and the Russians.
The Democrats and Joe Biden are killing this country. Inflation, lack of staples at the grocery store (baby food is one) a totally leaking southern border, DAs in dem controlled cities giving hardened criminals get out of jail free cards and no prosecution. Individuals whose answer to what they perceive as problems in society is too burn cities, loot businesses, assault and even kill, and the worst part of that, is getting away with it. Here's an interesting set of numbers at this site. The combined number of deaths of law enforcement officers for 2020 & 2021 was equal to the total for the FIVE years prior to then. Then of course we have miscreants screaming to defund the police. Golly gee, I don't remember any LEO organizing riots, destruction, looting etc. because of those numbers.
Elected officials who support Biden and his nefarious policies need to be voted out of office. Locally we need to start with Congresswoman Sharice Davids, State Rep Susan Ruiz, Governor Laura Kelly and a host of others.
The Congressional elections are going to be here November of this year.
IMHO, Sharice Davids, who represents Kansas' 3rd Congressional District needs to be shown the highway.
Speaking out against her will cause some folks to make the following comments about me:
That I am a racist.......big time not true. If one knows my family background this would never even come up.
That I am a misogynist.....big time not true. Have supported many women over the years for public office. Also, unlike a recent Supreme Court appointee I do know the difference between a man and a woman.
That I am anti gay....definitely not true.
Why does she have to go bye-bye? Because she has supported every program, 100%, that has been put forth by Joe "My Son Makes Money Off Of My Name" Biden. Joe Biden is driving this country into the ground. The democrats are destroying it, in many ways. Ironically, it is democrats that are saying under republicans that democracy would disappear. No way. The democrats have done everything they could from trying to indoctrinate elementary school children to supporting more and more criminals rather than protecting the public. Our southern border is a cesspool of illegal migrants bringing untold numbers of problems and criminal actions with them. Catch this: now the Biden administration wants to give these illegals cell phones so they can track them and make sure they show up for their court dates. Stupid is too nice of a word for this plan. Are they so naive as to believe that these illegal immigrants (yes they broke the law when they came here) won't toss those phones in the trash, and there will be nothing that can be done because they are being scattered all over the country by the current administration. Now they are also talking about diverting health professional from the VA to the border. Heck, the VA is hurting right now for staffing to provide medical care to our veterans. There would be no need for this idea to even come up if the democrats would do the right thing, shut the border and deport all illegals currently in the country (if they can find them now).
We do not need a representative in Congress who supports these policies. She needs to be voted out of office at the upcoming election.
Sidebar: Two more weeks of twice a week cardio rehab (Mon & Wed) and I should be able to start attending council meetings on a more regular basis, and posting more often.
I had a few comments about Biden that I was going to make today but considering the situation in Ukraine I will go there instead.
First, what Biden did in the way he pulled us out of Afghanistan was, IMHO, an impeachable offense. He has tried to blame Trump saying he was using Trump's plan. The only problem there was that Trump's plan had "fail safe" points, and they weren't met (and Trump even stopped a pull out because of that).
Look at the billions of dollars of equipment that we abandoned there. Gosh, I wonder if the Ukrainians could have used those items. How much of that ordnance was sent or sold to other countries for reverse engineering?
Biden's wimping out to Putin makes me wonder what the Chinese are thinking? Are they going after Taiwan realizing that Biden is a wimp? Completely lacking in metallic spherical lower anatomical appendages.
Now, let's bring that situation closer to home. What did you pay for a gallon of gas today? What did you pay when Trump was in office? Big, really big difference. San Francisco has already seen $5 a gallon pricing. When will it hit us? Why is this important? Because Biden has literally shut down the fact that we had been energy independent under Trump. Now what? With all of his hyperbole about sanctions he refuses to sanction Russian oil imports. We are bringing in over 600,000 barrels a day of that stuff. Is that helping Putin finance the carnage in Ukraine?
Even Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla says we have to go back to being oil independant and sanction Russia about that item. He has even said that sustainable energy, like what he is working on cannot immediately replace the oil/gas industry.
Now, to add insult to injury he is sending VP Kamala Harris to Europe to talk with our NATO allies about the situation. That joker is a waste. What has she done about our southern border since he appointed her the border czar? Absolutely nothing. When asked if she ever visited the border she had replied that no and she had never been to Europe either. Well, now she gets her chance, and we will suffer for it.
Now, what about the Russians capturing the largest nuclear power plant in the world. Shelling even started a fire near it. If that baby blows it will make Chernobyl look like a firecracker, and we know how much trouble that situation has caused.
It is hypothetical to ask, but, do you think Putin would have pulled this move if Trump was still in office? Personally, I doubt it.
Went to the council meeting last night. First time since the heart attack and surgery. It actually felt good. Got a chance to voice my opinions about some of the changes to PS-7. Even offered some suggestions, and the council accepted one of them.
The Exception:
Actually it was today when I read the tweets from Alex Welch a novice at attendance at government meetings, but someone who definitely has an inability to state some things correctly. At one point in the discussion of PS-7 this youngster says "Erlichman demanded his second five minutes". Heck, she was sitting behind me. If she was honest (is that possible?) she would have tweeted "Erlichman raised his hand and asked "Can I have my second five minutes." Dumb girl. If I had demanded anything that would have been a negative in the discussion about disturbing and disruptive. Oh well, maybe she'll grow into it.
Going Forward:
Looking to getting back in the groove and attending meetings again. Stephen Powell is leaving us as Deputy City Manager. I would like to wish him well in his new endeavor. He has definitely been a wealth of knowledge about the city and has always been very helpful. He will be missed.
Well, ya didn't like Trump......he was loud, obnoxious, xenophobic, racist, etc etc etc.
Well, it appears that he was the only president who went out of his way to honor his promises.
Let's see what you din't like about him. You didn't like the gas prices you paid for your car when he was president because he was making us independent of foreign oil. You must love what you are paying now at the pump. Biden has killed American pipelines and yet removed sanctions so Putin could continue to build Nord Stream 2 (whoops sanctions are now back, hello Ukraine). And Biden has asked oil producing countries to increase their output so as to reduce gas prices.........
Xenophobic? Racist? Yep, that's what folks said when he wanted to tighten our southern border. Are you happy with the over two million incursions since Sleepy Joe has been in office? The fact that illegal immigrants are being flown from the border area to the interior must make you very happy. What about the possible terrorists from non-Latino countries that are coming in? And all of theses illegals......who is going to feed, clothe, provide medical care for them?
Before he was elected he voiced opposition to the NAFTA agreement that was in effect, saying it was a lopsided agreement. He was raked over the coals by the Dems and the liberal media: Ya can't talk about our neighbors that way. Wait, what happened? A new agreement was reached.
Oh, and what about NATO? Yep, he even threatened to pull us out. Why? Because we were paying the bulk of its upkeep and other countries were not contributing what they were obligated to by the agreement. Oh man, he's terrible the Dems and liberal media said. Those are our allies. Guess what? Shortly after his comments, other NATO countries kicked in billions that they were behind.
Inflation!!! Is Biden now going to lead us down the road to financial ruin?
What about the BS about Trump being in collusion with the Russians? All based on what has now been proven to be a fake dossier.............and yes the road is definitely leading to the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign. And pencil neck Adam Schiff said he had irrefutable evidence that Trump was in collusion. What a joke
BTW, how many of Hunter Biden's $500,000 paintings have you bought?
The 75th Street redevelopment project has been approved at the last council meeting. With some interesting actions by the city council.
There were two versions of the bid. One was for the project itself, and the other was for the project plus a wall at Nieman and 75th Street to block the horrible looking wooden/barbed wire fence on the Southern Star Property.
The wall was priced at $600K, with $200K coming from Southern Star and $400K coming from city debt. That does not include future costs since the wall would be built in the city right of way and as such the city would be responsible for any repairs etc.
Now the wall itself would be approximately 10% of the cost of the entire project. With inflation going rampant right now and costs of other items spiraling upwards would that be an appropriate amount to spend at this time?
Seven members of the council used some common sense (something lacking with some members of the previous council). They approved the project without the wall, and then voted 7-1 to have staff dig a little deeper to see if a wall could be built for less. Was the original wall supposed to be one of those "art" type of projects? Or was it supposed to be something that looks good, hides the wooden abomination, at a reasonable cost?
The wall is not a dead issue (one is needed). The only thing that the council (at least 7 smart members) want is for staff to see if it can be done at a substantially lower price. Nothing wrong with that. The only council member voting against staff looking at an item that might cost less was Jill Chalfie of Ward IV. Just shows that this holdover from those who believed in just willy nilly spending has no common sense. Tell us Ms. Chalfie, what's wrong with staff looking into the possibility of saving some money?She won't answer me since I once told her in an email that I thought she was useless. As a matter of fact, even though I live in Ward IV she ignores my emails.
In case anybody was wondering why I had not posted anything since Dec 11, 2021, the answer is simple.
I had a heart attack on the 13th and then underwent a quadruple bypass. Home recuperating. Figuring another 30-60 days before I'm really out and about.
Good news: For those who enjoy my commentary be ready to see it really start up again in that 30-60 day time frame. Should be able to attend council meetings again and get involved as before.
Bad news: For those who do not enjoy my commentary please see comment above.
The one thing I do know is that the Shawnee City Council now has a whole new look. Be prepared to see a council that will give true meaning to the expression "transparency" as opposed to just lip service. Be prepared to see development in the city without the burden being placed on the taxpayers via an alphabet soup of giveaways.
Be prepared to see positive things happening within the city.
