Quote of the day -- on fairness

I'm so old...

...I remember all of these: 10 Brand Names Gone, But Not Forgotten Link: http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/10-brand-names-gone-not-forgotten?obref=obinsite

Matt Damon's HQ for water charity located here in Kansas City

Another terrific effort here, this one begun by Gary White and actor Matt Damon, in an effort to get water to everyone, everywhere on the planet.

The water and sanitation problem in the developing world is far too big for charity alone. We are driving the water sector for new solutions, new financing models, greater transparency, and real partnerships to create lasting change. Our vision: the day when everyone in the world can take a safe drink of water.

Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.

If you'll go to the link below, you can get a high quality, premium water bottle and all profits go to help people in the world get access to clean water.

And check it out---by complete coincidence, the headquarters for the organization is right here in Kansas City:

Water.org
920 Main St.
Ste. 1800
Kansas City, MO 64105 USA
Phone: (816) 877-8400


(Their other 2 offices are in Tamil Nadu. India and Nairobi, Kenya.)


So here's another chance to do yet more good---maybe with a holiday gift you were going to get someone anyway.


Happy holidays, y'all.

Link:  http://gift.water.org/?r=water_sidebar

Have a beautiful weekend, everybody

The "Little Apple" hits a high national ranking

Manhattan, Kansas made a major national rating this week, coming up as it did on a list by "MainStreet ("powered by The Street", is says) showing as one of "15 Up-and-Coming Cities". Herewith: 3rd Largest increase in income: Manhattan, Kan. Change in personal income, 2006-2007: 13.7% Looking at change in personal income for the most recent years available, we find Manhattan, Kan., at number three for its 13% increase in that measure. Home to Kansas State University and not much else, Manhattan has won accolades for its desirability as one of the best places to retire young. An abundance of golf courses and cultural activities related to Kansas State have made it a popular choice for those looking for a taste of the good life in rural Kansas. It may only be the eighth largest city in Kansas, but the city’s positive numbers for income are sure to attract even more within its borders. So good on ya', Manhattan. Keep up the good work. Link to original post: http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/money/investing/15-and-coming-cities

Quote of the day---and you're still voting Republican?, Part III

Decline of the Middle Class as Metaphor for the Decline of America: 'Disproportionate' is the freighted word that shackles our society. Over the past few years some two-thirds of the gain in national income has gone to the top one percent of Americans. ...too much of our political system is bought and paid for. Too much of our political system is self serving, responsive to the wings of our two parties and indifferent to the day to day concerns of middle Americans in spite of the incessant lip service extended to them. Yes, there is limp Wall Street reform, but no clawback of the exigencies that drove the nation to the brink. Yes there is a stimulus program, but faltering shamelesly through lack of clear direction. Yes, there is an alternative energy program without clear mandates nor meaningful results as the transfer of billions to the oil providers continues unabated. Yes, there are our soldiers dying in fragmented nation states far away without a modicum of sacrifice being asked of the home front. Yes, there are moneyed interests both domestic and foreign who have access to those who govern, without limitation and a shameless Congress ready to do their bidding in spite of the promises made in Presidential campaigns to curtail their influence. Yes we have courts of law who, through judicial minutiae rather than pragmatic sense of national welfare have given these moneyed interests even greater influence by striking down financial restraints on the powerfully funded in election laws, that make the middle class even more disenfranchised. Yes, there is talk of restraining government spending while special interests with access to government and its earmarks are encumbering the nation into ever greater indebtedness. Yes, while Main Street and middle class Americans continue to lose jobs, the pay checks on Wall Street and corporate boardrooms continue in their unabated and inflated manner while middle class Americans are absorbing pay cuts or shortened work weeks if they have any jobs at all, while teachers, the backbone of the nations future, police and firemen are losing their employment. And so it goes, leaving the nation with a Frankenstein system whose core objective of governance has become self preservation of power and personal influence. This, while governing for the greater good of the nation has become a secondary and distant gerrymandered priority leaving the great body of the American electorate virtually without meaningful representation and forestalling and diminishing America's middle class' engagement with its government with every passing day. --Raymond J. Learsy, Scholar and author, "Over a Barrel: Breaking Oil's Grip on Our Future"

Stupid move but fortunately, it turned out well

More proof of why we need a good local newspaper (Tony):

From The Kansas City Star:

Armed KC robber loses fight with Starbucks manager

A Starbucks manager in Kansas City thwarted a robbery Sunday night by disarming the gunman and slashing him with a box cutter.

The 30-year-old suspect showed up at a hospital for treatment of a cut to his chest. After being released from the hospital, he was booked into jail.

The failed holdup occurred about 10:45 p.m. at the coffee house at 4140 Main St. The suspect walked into the back office where the manager was counting money and told the manager to get into a freezer. The manager refused and fought the suspect, who hit the manager in the head with the butt of his gun. The manager pulled a box cutter out of his pocket and cut the suspect. The manager took the gun away and shoved the suspect out the door.

The manager suffered a cut above his eye, which was closed with glue at a hospital.
____________________________

As I said, stupid move, as the police would tell him--the manager--but fortunately it turned out well.

Good on ya', mate.

Everyone's tired of taking this kind of stupid crap, wherever it happens.

http://www.kansascity.com/679/story/1602134.html

They want the KC P and L District to be successful?

I took my daughter last evening to Cosentino's for dinner, for a change of pace and WTF?! I couldn't believe you can't park on Main Street.

Tons of room.

"No Parking Allowed."

There used to be parking meters along Main, before the revamp of downtown.

They paid money to have them ripped out.

Then they paid money to have "No Parking" signs put up.

Let me get this straight--they want P and L to be successful?

They want us to come downtown?

Right?

But you can't park on the wide street?

(Oh, and don't eat the "Veggie Pasta" dish off the salad bar at Cosentino's, either. That was some kinda nasty. Dry. I think it had been recooked a few days, anyway. And "Veggie"--you thought that meant "vegetables", right? Well, at Cosentino's it means "without meat", that's all. It was dry, dry, dry, overcooked cheese and equally dry and overcooked pasta. Really nasty--and nearly $25.00 for 2 people. Easy advice: stay away.)