Just who, exactly, does this mayor get along and/or work with?

Remember the funny complaint teachers used to make about kids that we all joked about? The "doesn't get along with others" complaint? Yeah, that one. Doesn't it seem to apply especially well to this current mayor? Who, exactly, does this guy work with? I mean, unless it's some businessman (think Rex Sinquefeld) who throws money at him. Here's the latest: "...the mayor and police chief are butting heads on two major issues that could affect how well the department is funded and how its officers are disciplined. And this clash could threaten the future of the city’s quarter-cent public safety sales tax." So once again, this mayor is going against another authority in town, furthering the notion that he doesn't "work well with others" and jeopardizing the very tax he wants to see passed. The guy's a regular rocket scientist, as we know, right? Have a great weekend, y'all. Link to original post: Read more: http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/corwin-and-funkhouser-break/#ixzz0vBTHtbqP

Behold the common and ever-present coward and bully

The report this morning from The Kansas City Star is that all was well again last evening on the Plaza.

And of course it was.

Because that is precisely how the bully and the coward and the cowardly bully all operate--they pick on the smaller person, the more helpless, and, in this case, the unarmed, the defenseless and those who aren't expecting any trouble or that they should have to defend themselves on the Country Club Plaza on a mild, otherwise pleasant Saturday night.

Couple having coffee, as they stroll the area?

Knock the coffee out of their hands.

Potted planters to decorate the area?

Pick them up and break them into pieces.

etc., etc.

Cowards. Bullies, all.

So they knew there would be a big police presence on the Plaza last evening. I guessed that they'd not show precisely because of this cowardice and I was right.

But, knowing this is how bullies and cowards act, naturally we can't assume this has taken care of itself.

Chief Corwin and the KCMO Police Department will have to, at least for a while, if not forever, prepare themselves for any possible "flash mob" like this, in case they decide to converge again on a spot and on people and be the bullies and cowards they've shown themselves to be.

Sad, pitiful and tragic but true.

This is the reality we'll have to live in, at least for a while, if not permanently.

Fortunately, the police surely know this.

On today's KCMO Police Summit at 1 pm

I just read on the Star's website where this "Police Summit" is taking place with Chief Corwin leading it today at 1 pm at their headquarters.

First, good for him. We need this to happen.

Second, I wish more notice had been given and that it were in the evening so more Kansas Citians could attend but hey, we can't all be there I guess.

A few thoughts on the column, one by one:

No. 1: "Councilman John Sharp said several adult witnesses had told him police pepper-sprayed some crowds of African American youth who were not misbehaving."

Yes, and what's your point, Councilman? I don't get it. I was there and if the police pepper-sprayed anyone, it was because they were misbehaving and out of control. They didn't do it because of their color or race.

No. 2: "Councilwoman Melba Curls urged police and city leaders to reach out to youth as they explore solutions. She said that too often, Kansas City adults meet amongst themselves without engaging the youth on solutions to problems and concerns."

Well, yes, but come on, Councilwoman Curls, since when do these kids hang around City Hall, asking to be let in on meetings? It's not like they're being intentionally excluded. How, in fact, do you "include" these kids who actually created these problems Saturday night? That's a tough one to solve, at least.

No. 3: "Councilwoman Cindy Circo agreed and said she and others are starting to work on a youth master plan for the city. Circo said other cities have this while Kansas City does not. It would identify resources and services and where the gaps are."

Okay, Councilwoman Circo, what cities are these? And what plans do they have? And while we're at it, why didn't you or some other Council person bring up these plans before now? Finally, would you get on this and get back to us on it as soon as possible, please?

And another point on this, actually the claim that there's "nothing to do in this town" is more than a little specious.

What about those movies on the Plaza? Why isn't that "something to do"?

And no one, to my knowledge, has yet mentioned the new, beautiful and expensive community center the city built in Swope Park that is big and surely full of things to do. Why weren't these kids there, doing things with their friends, instead of creating a melee' on the Plaza?

And then there's the center on Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. I don't hear that mentioned, either. Why weren't they there? Or at one of their homes playing games or something?

Finally, No. 3: "Circo also noted that, with new social media networks, kids today have a whole new way of communicating and congregating that can avoid adult supervision or intervention. Kansas City leaders need to make a concerted effort to involve them in any new approaches, she said."

With all due respect and no sarcasm, what, exactly, is Councilwoman Circo talking about that a city can do to "involve them in any new approaches"? Is she talking about the city texting the kids or something, or what? And let me reiterate, I'm not being sarcastic here. What is she referring to?

Hopefully we're on a road to some good solutions here.

And now we wait for Saturday evening (or the next flash event)

If I were a restaurateur or restaurant manager of a Country Club Plaza establishment, I'd be coming up with all kinds of extremely lucrative specials for my clients--all my clients--for this Saturday evening, if possible.

That is, I would do that if I had already spoken with the Mayor, KCMO Police Chief Corwin and Highwoods Properties Management and Security, to see if there really is a new, strong, workable, viable plan for everything to be under control this Saturday evening.

It's going to be a peculiar, fascinating weekend, here in Kansas City, in a few days, I think.

Hopefully a quiet one.