Entertainment Overnight -- Birthday Edition

Wishing a very, very happy birthday today to one young Ben Platt, Benjamin Schiff Platt, born this day, September 24, 1993. And thank you, so much, already, for the music and memories and such great music.

Entertainment Overnight -- For Good

Entertainment Overnight -- Birthday Edition

Yes! Happy birthday today to Joel Gray, actor, singer, performer extraordinaire, born this day, April 11, 1932. And thank you so much for all the great music and performances!

Entertainment Overnight -- Best Awards Show Opening Ever

Yes, best, most fun, surprising, energetic, talent-filled awards show opening ever, hands down.

Entertainment Overnight -- Excellent Reminder Edition

Remember everyone, especially now, even in the middle of a pandemic...


Good night, y'all.

Sleep well. Be and stay safe and well.

It's Nearly Unbelievable This Man Even BECAME President

There is an excellent article out from the end of June on this President.

100 Reasons Trump Is Unfit to Be President

And it spells exactly that--100 reasons why this man, this Donald J Trump is provenly unfit to be President.  It's a stunning list, even though most all or all we are familiar with. Herein are just the first 18 which gets us only to the Fall of 2016.

1   1985-1994

Reported $1.17 billion in business losses over the decade. Trump “appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer,” according to the New York Times.

2    May 1, 1989

Took out $85,000-worth of full-page ads in New York newspapers calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five—whose convictions were later vacated after DNA evidence proved their innocence. Trump never apologized.

3   1990s

Contrary to his story of being a self-made billionaire, Trump received the equivalent today of at least $413 million from his father’s real-estate empire, much of it transferred through suspect tax-dodging schemes.

4   1991-2009

Declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy for his various businesses six times.

5   2005

Bragged about grabbing women “by the pussy” in a conversation with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush picked up on a hot mic.

6   2011-2016

Promoted birtherism against President Barack Obama—the false claim that Obama was not born in the United States, that his birth certificate was fraudulent, and that therefore he was constitutionally ineligible for the presidency.

7   2015-2016

Attacked in sexist and demeaning ways women who raised critical questions about his character. See: Megyn Kelly, Carly Fiorina, Hillary Clinton.

8   2015-present

Denies accusations of sexual misconduct, ranging from unwanted kissing to rape, by calling the women “liars” and not “his type.”

9   June 16, 2015

Announced his presidential campaign by describing America as “a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems.” Mexicans coming to America, he said, were “bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”

10   July 18, 2015

Said Vietnam POW John McCain is “not a war hero” and “I like people who weren’t captured.”

11   November 22, 2015

Claimed that “thousands and thousands” of people in New Jersey’s Arab communities cheered on 9/11.

12   2016 campaign season

Encouraged violence. Said that he’d like to punch a protester “in the face”; that his supporters should “knock the hell” out of protesters—“I promise you, I’ll pay the legal bills”; and that the police should not protect suspects’ heads when loading them into squad cars.

13   May 11, 2016

Refused to release his tax returns for public inspection after having previously promised to do so. On other occasions, he falsely claimed he could not release them because he was under audit. When, in 2019, Congress subpoenaed Trump’s tax returns, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin refused to comply—kicking off cases that went to the Supreme Court.

14   May-June 2016

Said Judge Gonzalo Curiel is unfit to rule on a lawsuit filed by Trump University students because “he’s a Mexican” (in fact, the judge is an American citizen born in Indiana). Trump would later settle the lawsuit for $25 million.

15   July 27, 2016

Called on Russia to hack and release Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails.

16   July 30, 2016

Denigrated the family of U.S. Army Capt. Humayun Khan, who was killed in 2004 while serving in Iraq, after Khan’sTrump University father delivered remarks at the Democratic National Convention.

17   July 30, 2016

Broke with U.S. policy of supporting Ukraine over Russia’s invasion of Crimea, saying: “The people of Crimea, from what I’ve heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were.”

18   Fall 2016

Before Election Day, repeatedly hyped unfounded fears of a “rigged” election. Then, after Election Day, he stated, without any evidence, “I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”

Money, ladies and gentlemen. Money, big money from corporations and the already-wealthy and then heavy gerrymandering, coast to coast, and voter ID laws and so, then, the Electoral College, all got this man, this small, thoughtless, ignorant, reckless, now dangerous man into the highest office of the land, the presidency of our United States.

To that I must one more time say, thanks, Republicans!  That's quite the guy you foisted on us all.

This is all on you. For eternity.

The Very Embarrassing Comparison of Missouri vs New York City in this Pandemic

Check this out. First, New York.

New York City sets record of 58 straight days with no pedestrian fatalities

So great for them, right?  Kudos, New York City. Way to go. No one being killed on the streets. Makes sense. Little to no traffic, so great results.

But here in Missouri?

Our own Show Me State?

Check out these statistics.

'Triple digits keep rolling in' 

Missouri troopers clock drivers speeding during pandemic

We're speeding more. And not just speeding but a lot of us out there are pushing triple digits--100 miles per hour and more.

As Missouri plans to reopen some businesses this May 4, one thing you can rely on is a lot more traffic along major interstates.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said some drivers have been using the stay-at-home order to their advantage.

"We've noticed roughly a 40% decrease statewide in the amount of traffic that's out there," said Capt. John Hotz at MSHP headquarters in Jefferson City.

With less traffic, he said drivers are using this time to test their engines, turning interstates into raceways.

"As 80 miles an hour used to be considered a high speed, we've seen quite a few speeds in the 100+ mph range," said Hotz.

Troopers across Missouri tweeted some of those speeds. One showing a motorist going as fast as 145 mph.

That's bad enough right? But then, consequently, more of us are also dying on the roads.

Missouri traffic fatalities up in 2020

Pandemic's hidden impact: 

Increases in traffic deaths

So get that?

Traffic is down and down significantly across the state. Way down. But we're SPEEDING MORE and MORE OF US ARE DYING.

Isn't that wonderful?

And sure, you can say it's not fair comparing a city to an entire state but come on. Don't you think at least ONE of these statistics should be good, improved for us here is Misery?  I mean Missouri?

We are, most all of us, not on the roads and streets and highways nearly as much and it shows and we're paying less in car insurance because of it but we're getting WORSE RESULTS? IN ALL EXAMPLES?

Insane. This is insane.

Come on, folks.

We can do better than this.

A lot better.

We have to.

Fantastic, Evaluative, Maybe Even Important Read On Where We Are Presently

I ran across this article today, this morning, online and found it very good and seemingly complete for where we are now, where we've been since maybe the Great Depression up to today and on our nation, overall. I think people might find it helpful.

Coronavirus: What this crisis reveals about US - 

and its president

It's a pretty all-encompassing, sweeping read so I'll only post a very little bit of it here--what I found to possibly be most important.

"Consequently, America's claim to global pre-eminence looks less convincing by the day. While in previous crises, the world's most powerful superpower might have mobilised a global response, nobody expects that of the United States anymore. The neo-isolationism of three years of America Firstism has created a geopolitical form of social distancing, and this crisis has reminded us of the oceanic divide that has opened up even with Washington's closest allies. Take the European travel ban, which Trump announced during his Oval Office address to the nation without warning the countries affected. The European Union complained, in an unusually robust public statement, the decision was 'taken unilaterally and without consultation.'"

Can't recommend it enough.

Be well out there, everyone.

Kansas City Gets a Brief But Good Mention In the Times Today

Yes, Kansas City gets a very brief mention and good nod in today's New York Times. So what if it comes at the very end of the article?

         The Big Myth Behind the 'Real New Yorker' 

When a Brooklyn politician tells transplants to “go back to Ohio,” what exactly does that mean?

It's an article about a public figure who lamented the gentrification of the Big Apple and all the people from "flyover country" intruding and inhabiting the city, thus driving up prices and sucking the personality of the city, out of it. How it ends:

Five years ago a school district near Kansas City, Mo., gained wide attention when a transgender student was crowned homecoming queen. Three years after that, two elementary schools in the district installed gender-neutral bathrooms.

If you are welcome where you are, maybe you don’t have to leave

So kudos to you, Kansas City. Kudos to us. We're opening our minds out there.

Most Caring Cities in America?

The website Wallethub is out with its national ranking of-

Most Caring Cities in America

And wow. It's an eye-opener.

First, the winner, the top of the heap:

Virginia Beach, VA, at no. 1.

"Boston tied with Lincoln, Nebraska, for the most residents working in the community and for social services per capita, and it was in the top five for the most teachers caring for students' well-being."

Lincoln, NE at #4. Minneapolis at #5 and St. Paul, MN, #6, Omaha, NE, #20.

We here in Kansas City...wait for it.... are at a rather lowly #66.

We were beat--trounced--by NEW YORK CITY, for pity's sake, at their number 12 spot. NEW YORK CITY, more caring than Kansas Citians??

It goes on...  Chicago at 30. Geez, folks. I thought we were better than this.

A silver lining, of sorts?

St. Louis was behind us. At 67. Small compensation.

Wichita, KS, 86.  Tulsa, 90.

Worst?

Birmingham, AL at 100.

Ow.

Kansas City's Own Joyce DiDonato in Today's NYT

Brilliant, as ever and always.

Opera's Miss Congeniality Takes On 

a Rare 'Cinderella'

Opera is “the opposite of elitist,” says the mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who stars in Massenet’s “Cendrillon” at the Metropolitan Opera this month. Credit: Vincent Tullo for The New York Times

One thing I found amusing in the article is where it describes the opera singer and star as, not coming from Prairie Village, Kansas but "...on the edge of Kansas City."

In fact, I found that pretty hilarious.

Entertainment Overnight -- You Will Be Found

Entertainment Overnight -- Two Friends

...on a perfect day



for forever

Entertainment Overnight -- Fantastic

What great satire.


I love it.



The only thing good coming from this administration.

Entertainment Overnight -- Manhattan

The Most Expensive Presidency Ever?

I saw this article today out on FB:

Trump Tower security is costing the 

US taxpayer $400000 every single day

There are so many things about this to know and keep in mind, it's pretty stunning.

That figure alone, $400,000 per day---nearly one half million dollars a day for security for the man in the White House who has not divested and who will not divest from his portfolio, Emoluments Clause or no.

Screw you, America. He has money to make.

Forget that it could--and likely would--cloud his decision making for and on the nation. He and his money are far too important to be bothered with our legality and laws.

Second, think about this. Do some math.

$400,000 per day turns out to be--wait for it--146 million dollars per year.

Just for this President. And only because he won't, again, divest himself of his business portfolio and hey, it's more fun flying back to NEW YORKE SITTY so he can be in his own tower on whatever floor, surrounded by very tacky, lowbrow gold furniture and furnishings.

New Yorkers have to love the inconvenience of having this bonehead in town, too, don't you know? Blocking the streets, making traffic yet more impassable. It must be even more awful.

Then, let's do some more math, fellow Americans.

Over four years---if, God forbid, he makes it that long, given what we've seen of the first two weeks--Mr. Trump and his very reckless, impetuous presidency would cost us, cost you and I, cost the nation 584 million dollars.

Just to keep his tower, his building and him, secure.

That's just under two thirds of a billion dollars.

For security.

For this one President.

Understand and keep in mind not just that this is unprecedented (spelled and used correctly here, please note), but how completely unprecedented this all is. No president has ever needed or required or asked for this kind of security and protection. We've never had this kind of additional, unnecessary expense before. 

This, on top of the fact that Mr. Trump never divested of his business holdings, make this one of the most dangerous and expensive presidencies in the history of the nation, without question.  It's a dangerous presidency because of the risks we incur getting him in and out of New York City but also because of those same risks just having him there, fulfilling his selfish whims.

That it's the most expensive presidency we have ever seen or will likely ever see is shown just in the math, above.

So much for Right Wingers, "Conservatives" and Republicans wanting to be the government of small spending, eh?

The Unprecedented, Even Outrageous Presidency That Already Is Donald J. Trump, One Week In

Okay, end of week one of the Trump Presidency, weekend number two and what do we have yet again?

This was last weekend.

Women lead unprecedented worldwide 

mass protests against Trump

There were, as I pointed out earlier, an unprecedented number of protests not just all across the nation, which I don't believe ever occurred before, but all across the world, as well, and on all 7 continents. 

So here we are, one week later and he's done it again. First, across the nation.

Protests Build Across the Country 

Against Trump's Immigration Order

Then, again, once again, across the world.

Global backlash grows against 

Trump's immigration order

It's important we both know and keep in mind that all of these protests are, in fact, not just unprecedented for even a US President but especially a just-inaugurated President. Two weekends in a row of protests in the home nation and across the globe and we're only 9 days in to the administration.

Lots of us across the nation predicted a Trump Presidency would be turbulent. None of us, I think it's safe to say, thought it would be this much. It seems clear it's going to be a far wilder ride with this man, this Mr. Donald J. Trump than we would have ever imagined.

Links:

In Boston, a Late-Night Victory Against Trump’s Immigration Ban

Confusion, detentions plunge airports into chaos despite 
federal judge’s order

Trump World's Alternative Reality

John McCain, Lindsey Graham lead in GOP criticism of Trump ban

Judge halts deportations as refugee ban causes 

worldwide furor

525,600 Minutes

How do you measure a year?



Talk about love...

Happy new year.

Entertainment Overnight -- In Memoriam

Rest in peace, Ms. Reynolds.

Local Newsman Remembers 9/11

From Kris Ketz'Facebook page today.

"A personal note. 

Sunday. 15 years since 9/11. And on a day when the Chiefs open the 2016 season at home - for me - who could forget that first football game after the attacks. At Arrowhead. And it was the New York Giants in town. I'll never forget walking to my seats that morning and catching a glimpse of a sign hanging from the club level. 'KC NY.'

We all loved New York for all the obvious reasons. 

Anyone or anything from the big apple was a special guest that day. I don't know about the other 79,000 fans in the stadium that day but for me it was hard to think about football - yet - it was good to see it. It was more than a game. It was a step towards returning to some form of 'normal' and at a time when nobody knew what 'normal' would be. We all wanted to see how America and Americans would respond to what happened - long term. We were all so anxious to help in whatever small way we could. 

There was a big "fill the boot" effort in the stadium thanks to members of the KCFD (at least in my section 134) who were busy raising money for the recovery effort in NYC. I may be wrong on the numbers but I think Chiefs fans raised something north of $200,000 that day and then the Chiefs matched what was raised. The singing of the National Anthem that day meant more. 

Like most fans around us there was a lump in my throat and for once we all ended by singing 'Home of the Brave', Chiefs players & coaches had American Flags in their hands. Like I said we all wanted to help. We all wanted to do something. We all wanted people in NY to know that people in KC had their back. I don't recall the final score that day but I remember leaving the stadium thinking in any other environment this would have been just another football game. 

15 years later - KC still 's NY."