Sunday, October 12, 2008

I am Back

Hello everyone. As regular readers have probably guessed by now, I have been on an extended vacation for the last couple of week. As a practical matter, I do not make public announcements of when my home will be vacant for extended periods of time. For the curious, my wife and I toured the Northeast to watch leaves change color. We also spent some time in Boston. It is a magnificent city. While in Boston I learned to use their transportation system. For instance, we took a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts (where the infamous witch trials were held). It is about a 50 mile trip through heavily populated areas near the seacoast. To get there, we walked one block from our hotel, took the subway (with one change in trains), to the commuter rail station, and then rode the train to Salem. Incidentally, Boston does not have light rail. But what they do have is extremely efficient, economical and a pleasant way to move about their city. The round trip cost us $8.00 in subway fares and $10.50 for the commuter rail. That is a combined total of $18.50. Sure beats taking a cab or renting a car. Back to Business . . . Before I left for vacation I had not received any reports from the Finance Committee about the budget they were working on. I have had discussions with our City Administrator of the need for getting back on track with regards to our street maintenance, increasing the number of streetlights, and my thoughts on how the city should best manage its assets. From what I have read on this blog, the Finance Committee has recommended that police personnel be given free memberships to a health club. I am also very curious as to how much has been set aside for street improvements. It has been two years since the city did any serious street overlay. We have a lot of catching up to do. I am sending the City Administrator an email to find out the particulars on these and other issues and will share them with you as soon as he replies. Of course, I will jump in with my thoughts on those and other budgetary items at that time. On a more personal note . . . A writer who identifies himself as “Jack” has written that I am the cause of the city’s budgetary woes. This is precious. I have requested of both the present and Mayor and his predecessor to place me on the Finance Committee. Neither of them did so. In fact, former Mayor Sue Frank, switched both myself and former City Councilwoman Sandy Hartwell against our wishes (Hartwell to Finance, Walters to Municipal). As anyone reading this blog can tell you, I am not part of the majority holding the reins of power at city hall. Though I have had some success in areas, such as recycling, reversing the city’s policy on new street lights, neighborhood zoning, etc. Jack, I don’t know who you are, but I doubt you would vote for me if I were the only name on the ballot. If you want to point fingers at who is to blame for the mess at city hall I suggest you start with your friends on the city council. They have had their way for many years – do not even think about saddling me with their record. I agree with regular contributors like Pat Casady and “Doc” Summers. You should crawl out from under that rock where you are hiding. Make your statement. Sign your name. If it has some substance it will cast a shadow. If it does not, the light of day will make it disappear. To my regular readers, check this page by Wednesday evening. I should have answers to your budgetary questions at that time. In closing I believe that vacations were created to make you appreciate your home. It is good to be back!

62 comments:

Andy Whiteman said...

Greg, it was pretty obvious you were on vacation when you missed the BOA meeting. I don't believe in announcing an absence except on a need to know basis.

I said on the last thread that our lives are unmanageable. Actually the city of Raytown is unmanageable! It is to big to manage efficiently but also small enough that one group has control. There is no way that Greg can be the proplem. I think he puts forth what he thinks is best for the people (except we will never agree on animals). I have seen times at the BOA when Greg was not allowed to speak or interrupted by someone with an opposing view. At the last meeting Jim Aziere was not allowed to discuss the smoking ban. I don't know if it was because of disagreement or the fact we listened to almost an hour of Mahesh reading his resume under the guise for accomplishments of last years budget. Actually it sounded like his resume. Totally irrevalent: We all know what had NOT been accomplished. The only significant input was from Jeremy Wilmoth.

I liked the way Jeremy presented the budget in an easy to understand manner. That is basically the same format that I used when I managed the budget of a fire district.

How to fix Raytown? I doubt that is possible the way 7 or 8 aldermen spend money like they can charge it and never pay it back. When I was treasurer of a fire district since we were on a cash basis, I could make a statement, "There is no money for this item," which would end the discussion unless there was a decision to start budgeting for it the next year.

The Finance Administrator should be a board member if someone with that skill is willing to donate their time. I suggest that at the next election each ward evaluate who is running for reelection and find a frugal person with common sense to be the opposition.

The logical solution is to unincorporate and let the county manage city services or be annexed. I don't know who would want to annex Raytown. KCMO is much worse especially with the conflict over the mayor's wife. As far as I know KCMO rarely repairs streets, has no snow removal in resenditial areas, and needs an almost complete replacement of their sewers since many date back to the early 1900s or before. I know knowthing about Independence and Lees Summit except Lees Summit seems to be only for rich people.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Gerg is absolutely not the problem with the bugdet. He votes no more often than he does yes on most items. Especially if he cannot get the answers to his questions. In the past it was sometimes very difficult to get those answers. I'm not there now but I can only imagine it has not improved.

As an example. Greg, Jeff Kniman and I all voted NO to refinancing the First Baptist Church more than 3 years ago. The rest of the BOA would not hear of that because that was what the powers that be wanted. Look where we are now more than a million dollars later and still growning with the cost of removing the building. It is your tax money are you happy now with how it is being spent?

I could list many more, enough to fill this blog, that Greg has tried to stop that have turned out to be a shameful lose to the tax payers. Greg cares about this city and how your money is spent. He wants to know that every penny is spent for the betterment of all it,s citizens. I know that sometimes he does it in a way that makes some of you mad but I'ed rather have him on my side when they are spending my tax money than not to have him.


Sandy Hartwell

Anonymous said...

I hate to rain on Greg's homecoming parade but I've watched the last 27 years of city politics. He was on the BOA for 25 of them. Admittedly he has emerged as the best elected official at present. that tells you how sad the state of local politics is. I remember when he wouldn't have been in the top ten. So Greg you have some responsibility for what's happened. If anyone has noticed it has been going south since Jack Nesbitt. That's three republicans as mayor in a row and they just get worse. Republicans have no understanding of we regular folks problems. Greg has always been good at constituent services but has never been a big picture thinker. He reminds me of Sarah Palin and her phony populism. Since overlay was always Greg's bugaboo where is our special overlay tax? In the WalMart parking lot.

Anonymous said...

Greg,
You flip flop on issues. In one of your commentary you wrote censorship: never. Now you delete the comments that you don’t like.
Let’s not make statements like you should crawl out from under that rock where you are hiding. Make your statement. Sign your name.
Let’s fix it and don’t allow the anonymous to write whatever they want to write. I can write my name, which may not be real. If there is no point to give out identity then let people express whatever they want. By having anonymous post their comments on this blog makes it bogus.
I respect Pat Casady and his thoughts. Andy Whiteman is a different story. Lot of people thinks he represents a true Raytown image. The fact is he wants to get out from here. So why we care what he writes? Welcome back and fix this anonymous thing. To make my point, Yes, I am not signing it either.

Anonymous said...

I like the comments from anonymous 5:33 p.m.
Greg has never been a big picture thinker. How many time he ran for the Mayor and lost?

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love the anonymous writer who has decided to use this blog to go after Greg Walters?

He throws around terms like "big picture thinker". Blames everything wrong on one Alderman and then slithers back into the hole from where he came.

His belly aching is liking blaming Obama for the Bush administrations failings!

He has been watching city politics for he last 27 years? What a coincidence! That's the same time Greg first ran for office. I guess one day he woke up and decided to track Greg's political career in Raytown.

At least Greg filed and ran for Mayor. I don't think Mr. Big Picture will. Unless, of course, they change the law and allow people to run for public office annonymously.

Anonymous said...

9:17 don't see your name where your mouth is either. If you could read you'd see that I didn't blame Greg for everything. I also said it was the republican mayors who have put this town in the tank. Go back to the crown field in the land of Oz until the wizard grants you a brain.

Anonymous said...

9:35 don't think those were compliments you were leveling at Mr. Walters, were they?

Go slither back under the rock from where you came.

Anonymous said...

See ya there!

Anonymous said...

There hasn't been a good Mayor in a long time in Raytown. Nesbitt, Frank, and this Bower character have all been losers. The problem is that all the really good people that should have run for mayor DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. THEY GOT TIRED OF THIS MESS AND MOVED AWAY.

Anonymous said...

I am a retiree who lives in Raytown. A lot of my income comes from stocks that pay high dividends. The current tax rate on those dividends is 15%.

The value of my stocks has dropped dramatically. But the dividends are still being paid.

If Obama gets into office he has said he will raise those tax rates. Does anyone know how much he plans to raise them?

Pat Casady said...

I must admit I didn't care or even think about city government
until they started talking about stealing my property and putting
all of us out of business on our block a number of years ago.
That's when I started going to the City Council meetings.
That's when I found out that Greg was a friend of the people and cared what and where our tax dollars were spent.
Only one or two others were concerned about how the businesses
and people were being treated over the years and I learned to respect Greg.
In all the times I attended these meetings it was basically the right side of the room was always against anything Greg suggested. Even if it was a great idea they shut him down. Nothing has changed. Maybe a few
faces have changed but the attitudes haven't.
Frankly, I don't know why Greg still tries. I would have given up along time ago and just let them take the town down more than they have.
I'm not saying Greg is all knowing but one thing I can guarantee, the rest of them sure as Hell aren't! There isn't a one of them that should be re-elected. But I know there are people out there that think just like you do,
and then there are the rest of us just waiting for the rest of it to hit the fan so we can tell you, we told you so. But that won't help fix Raytown's problems will it?
So "Anonymous" you can blame Greg for all of Raytown's problems.
It just shows you are the one without a clue. In fact you are probably one of those others on the board. You seem to think just like them.

Andy Whiteman said...

Anon Oct 12, 2008 6:43 PM is correct that I want out of here but he neglected to state the reasons are the miserable climate and high cost of living from outrageous utility expenses due to miserable climate. My Physician's Assistant has a concern that I am unable to heat my house and suffer from cold related issues.

Yes, I want out of this State of Misery. I have been looking for a house for 6 years. I may never find one. So since I may be trapped in this State of Misery for quite awhile. Nevertheless I would like to see Raytown improve.

If a writer wants to be credible, he/she needs to sign their name. The newspapers do NOT publish unsigned letters. I can understand reasons for not signing such as being a city or school district employee. Some employers don't allow posting. (When I worked in one Post Office, a new clerk wrote a weekly article about people in the village in the county paper. She was told she could no longer write the article due to conflict of interest.)

Actually this blog is difficult to follow with the unsigned writers commenting back and forth. They seem to recognize each other but I am unable to tell it if it is the same or a different writer. It would be nice if the anonymouse writers would each pick a pseudonym. I don't know who the Salamander is, but I recognized him as an identified writer. (By the way, where is the Salamander?)

I just read in the KC Red Star the latest blogging issue is writers are being sued including blog masters who delete articles! That is another reason for not signing. But I still feel that if I want anyone to pay attention to my comment, I should sign my name.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Stocks are up today, so what the liberals are going to do.

Anonymous said...

Yes, one should have to pay taxes on income, even retirement income, and even if you have over 250,000 a year. Republicans are always trying to get out of paying taxes because of the higher income bracket that they are in. Fair is fair, pony up and pay your fair share.The more that you make or earn, the more taxes that you should have to pay. That is why I vote for the democrats. They make everyone no matter what tax bracket that you are in pay taxes on earned income.

Anonymous said...

Market still down 29% for 2008. Bush approval rating at 27%. A record low by they way, even Richard Nixon was not this low at the height of the Watergate scandal. This really makes me want to vote for some more Republicans.

Anonymous said...

obama stated on the cnn interview(which i dont watch...that they would raise to 30 or 33% and that he would add a tax to new home sales..dont remember the amount i turned it of after that...what about the pelosi ,harry reid congress...i thin k it approval rating is in the teens...like 17%.

makes me wanna tow the union line and vote for a dem....naaaa

doc summers

Anonymous said...

Fireman Summers reminds me of the Nextel phone ad. If firefighters ran the world. More taxes for new firefighter digs? Yes. Better streets? Aye. Clean water? Yea Mindless? You bet. Germany 1930s.

Andy Whiteman said...

Hey Doc Summers, Are you OK? That post doesn't sound like you.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Yeah, he has a guaranteed job. so why should he vote to keep his job and side with labor? Eight years must not be enough huh? Don't even bother to show up at the polls Doc! Don't waste your time.

Anonymous said...

i thought i would see what kind of rise would come from my last post...Andy,yes all is fine..i do not have a guaranteed job..i do have some protection via the union but if i do not do my expected and outlined job i can a will be severed from my employment from the fire district....and for your information i have voted for al gore and william jefferson clinton...i also have reaserched john macain and sara palins views on union and the right to collective bargaining..i also am aware of senator biden views on collective bargaining and i also have reaserched senator obamas votes related to workers rights....i also think there are more things to think about when you pick the leader of the free world than which way they vote on one issue...i take some exception to the germany reference...the nextal commercial is kinda funny....both sides will raise taxes if you dont think that then you need to read more of both plans dems and republicans..i love it that different opinon warrents a dont show up at the polls...is that a threat?...kinda funny i would say....look i want the best for all people including my wife and kids....and i will vote as i have voted in every election that i have been of voting age...people have paid for my rite to do that from valley forge,gettysburg,bataan,corrigedor,midway,sword,juno,utah beach,,korea,khe sanh,grenada,somalia,bosnia,and in the gulf..so yes i will vote....THIS IN NO WAY REPRESENTS THE VIEW OF THE UNION OR THE FIRE DISTRICT..THIS IS MY OPINION AND MINE ONLY...I WELCOME DISCUSSION WITH FACTS AND WILL RESPOND..I WANT TO HERE WAYS TO FIX RAYTOWN...EVERYONE HAS A OPINION AND IT WILL PLAY OUT IN 3 WEEKS SO LETS MOVE ON...i am here to answer questions related to the firefighters and our jobs...and thanks to the 100 or so people that showed up at our open house it was nice to hear from people that were interested in our operation...thanks and everybody smile a little and enjoy the day....
doc summers

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of talking with a Raytown Policeman the other night. He was taking a report from me on some destruction of property. We were talking about the new Wal Mart and his comment was we are going to hate to see that thing open because it will bring MORE crime to our city. So here is to destroying our city and thanks to those ole bitties who got up every council meeting singing prasies about Wal Mart and You know who you are I think your nothing but a bunch of trouble makers.

Andy Whiteman said...

I don't have facts other than my own observation of other Walmart locations and I agree. Look at the Walmart by Hy-Vee. Quite frequently a police car is there!

The Walmart on Hillcrest had a KCPD mini-station on site. I suggest the new Walmart have a Raytown PD office on site. Officers could use it to fill out forms, public contact, and to cut down on response time.

I forsee Walmart as a problem in both law enforcement and sales tax collection.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Any union member that votes Republican needs to have their head examined. Glad Doc was just joking with us!!!

Anonymous said...

Don't think so. He's a fire captain. What they make? $50K-80K a year? He should be a Republican.

Anonymous said...

how does my yearly paycheck dictate my vote..im not sure i understand the statement...look i am a union officer and have been for almost ten years...i have alot of beliefs in god and country,right and wrong and both parties seem to have their best intrest at stake and not my families nor the people i represent...just a little scary with two young children at home at what world they will have in twenty years...i hope it all works out and yes i make a decent wage thanks to the fire district the board and our collective bargaining contract...but i also work a second full time job to pay for the family vacation and sports for the kids and school for my wife....and the odd box of hockey/football cards i buy...as always...
doc summers

Anonymous said...

Wow! some people have two full time job and still have time to read and write on this blog.

Anonymous said...

its called time management and i excell at it.......
i also want to reply to the germany 1930s....today the federal govt bought stock in most of the big banks(bank of new york was the first to sell the stock)..we will have federal govt with hand in the banking system,next year we will have govt envolved in the health care system and a redistrubution of wealth...now what does that sound like..?
i have come to the conclusion and after discussing it with several people that entering into barb trading contest does not serve any greater good....so if there are any questions related to the service the firefighters provide..i will answer them...i will no longer share my political opinion or choices with anybody....
i enjoy posting here and i enjoy answering good questions related to my job.......Andy,Pat you both seem like really good people with big hearts and the real desire to see some change in the city....i hope it does.....and i want to thank you for the support that you have expressed for myself and my colleages including the police and ems services....and i would like to say hi to lee gray and thank him for his service to the community and more for the service to his country...i wish i would have known that 15 years ago i would have thanked you then...
thanks
doc summers

Anonymous said...

Obama is a marxist! He will gut this country from both ends....

Anonymous said...

Lee Gray here...

Don't know what prompted that, Doc, but you're welcome. Thanking me is unnecessary. I come from a family where you weren't thanked for doing what you were suppose to. You were thanked for going way above and beyond that.

It's like director Spike Lee's movie: "Do the right thing (only because it's the right thing to do)."

Of course there are a lot of gradations about what is "right" based on the intelligence and moral fiber of each individual.

Whatever source your counsel was --- advising you to keep your political opinions to yourself --- was wise. Especially here...and because of your job.

There's so much ignorance and intolerance expressed here (see the above comment about Obama and Marxism), that I --- like I said a week or so ago --- am pretty much determined to just ignore this blog.

But, I'm as susceptible to human nature as everyone else. Desiderata: "...even the dull and ignorant have their stories too."

To Greg's credit, providing this site is an historical Raytown media exercise: It's a combination of The Tribune's Tapes and The Raytown Post's editorials of twenty years ago. Too bad it doesn't result in more positive results. But since there is no worthwhile local media, it is what we have.

People, generally speaking, didn't care much for what I had to write/say back then. And I was okay with that.

On this blog, the same has been true most times. And that bothers me --- not one bit.

Whatever impact or influence I've had over my 21 years here has pretty much been temporary. And, that too, does not bother me at all.

Spike Lee had it right.

Lee

Andy Whiteman said...

Thanks for the good words, Doc. I, like Lee, was not thanked for doing what was expected or appropriate, but only for above and beyond. That also applied in my job when I worked.

My father told me NEVER to discuss politics or religion because the other person already had his mind made up hence it is an arguement not a discussion. I, also, will not address national or state politics here because this is a local Blog and Democrat/Republican doesn't apply to city government. True a city official may belong to any party he/she wants, but that is noone's business since the city ballot is not divided by political party.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Andy, that's what wrong with our city government. It's been controlled by "closet Republicans", (those who don't want you to know their politics), for far too long. The Republicans have made a mess here in Raytown just like they have in Jefferson City and Washington. That's the first thing I ask a city candidate when they come to my door asking for my vote. What's your political party? It's time to clean the Republicans out of city hall. Don't be afraid to ask them this question.

Anonymous said...

The poster above is correct. One's political party affiliation reflects one's political philosophy. And thus how all issues and others are treated.

Anonymous said...

www.raytownradius.com

Lee, now thats some "worth while media."

Anonymous said...

Lee here...

Thanks. Checked it out. Boy do I stand corrected! ha ha

By the way...I spent over 30 years in the newspaper business... even taught college journalism for several years...but I need someone else's vast knowledge of the field: What is a publishing editor?

Anonymous said...

They edit what is published, like censorship.

Andy Whiteman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andy Whiteman said...

From the paper copy of the Post, I, too, was wondering what a Publishing Editor was. That is a new term.

El Maguey was on TV (or maybe it was the Red Star) too. From what I understand Walmart is in much the same situation; however, it has not gone to the point of contempt.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

What situation????? What??? Contempt??? What are you talking about?????

Andy Whiteman said...

Anon 3:58 AM, please go to:
www.raytownradius.com
click on El Maguey under business. That is what I am talking about. I also saw it somewhere else. I can't remember if it was TV or the KC Red Star.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Lee,
I assume by your comment above you truly do not believe in opinions or free speech unless they fit your own personal views?

Remark I am referring to is "obama is a marxist" which I believe you responded was ignorant & intolerant...when in fact it is an opinion you do not share, correct?

As for the person putting the blame on the Republicans/ Democrats/ Independents...AREN'T WE ALL TO BLAME?
I think it is about time we all took a good look in the mirror and did a check of consciousness....I did this morning and could only come up with me and the rest of us are too blame....
As I see it..........

Anonymous said...

Andy, you want to find out the politics of your aldermen? Go by their houses and look at all the Republican yard signs you will find.

Anonymous said...

christ its always the republicans fault......funny how you are upset when they want to listen to wire taps....but you are okay with them managing health care...see how we are in a couple years after the obama wave....

ward 2

Anonymous said...

Can someone tell me what is going on up at city hall? I was up there the other morning and I swear half of the employees were not in. The Mayors area was empty except for the lady who answers the telephone.

I was only there for about half an hour, but it was painfully clear that no one is minding the store at city hall.

Anonymous said...

The employees are making a run for it just like the dept. heads did. By the way our new Dept. Head of pPblic Works is a mechanic from the Street Dept. I can only imagine his new pay increase. I bet he is thinking did I ever fool those fools.

S.B.

Anonymous said...

must be a republican..anybody check his yard for a macain sign?

Anonymous said...

So what is your problem.

Anonymous said...

S.B.
Go back to.........

Anonymous said...

Hang on to your ass! I just got my 2008 personal property tax, went down about a 1.50, WOW! Would have went down more thanks to the WORTHLESS Raytown School District passed levy. Wait till you get your real estate taxes, you will flip! Hang on to your wallets again, another school levy wanted again in 2009!

Anonymous said...

Don't forget those HUGH fire stations that we are paying for too. Never seen such a waste of space.

Anonymous said...

i think huge is spelled with a e on the end...at least they are working and if you need them you can always find them.... right doc?

Andy Whiteman said...

I am glad we have the fire stations. The firefighters and EMS respond promptly and professionally (as do the Police) when called. That is ONE tax increase that I supported. I can't comment on the size since I haven't seen one.

Everyone the next time there is a school tax election, PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR TAX BILL WHEN YOU GO TO THE POLLS!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

yes we will always be here and i thank all who supported the fire district before,during and after the election..we just returned from back to back to back calls for service and i wanted to see what was new.....have a great weekend...
doc summers

Anonymous said...

doc..............

Anonymous said...

yes..........
doc summers

Anonymous said...

10/16 11:19

Fact is that Obama is not a Marxist. Any opinion that he is is ignorant.

Now...hope about the opinion that George W. is a socialist? I can support that opinion starting out with the "bailout" and the "stimulus checks."

Please bring your political science degree to the discussion. I have mine.

And I've noticed that Mark whatshisname, who argued with me a couple of months ago about what constitutes a recession, has certainly been quiet of late.

Lee Gray

Anonymous said...

Lee,
Your premise that one needs a poly sci degree to hold an opinion on someone who holds 'marxist' views is irrelevant. How can you prove it is a fact he is not a Marxist? The opinion is he is a marxist, since I made the assertion and you claim it is not a fact, prove it.

As for George W, in my opinion, nothing separates the president from the presidential candidates in terms they are all pushing to the same socialistic/marxist end, some are just more overt then others. With time we will all become one.

Now for you personally Lee. What I find interesting is you were a newspaper man. Newspapers, along with other reporters, were/are supposed to be objective according to their own, it appears to me that on this blog your opinion may have affected your objectivity...of course your newspaper years were a few years ago, but I find most leopards cannot change their spots...just curious did you?
as i see it.....

Anonymous said...

I believe Raytownradius.com online news has more useful information than this bogus blog from Greg. Check it out. At least their story has some truth. Greg twist stories to satisfy his ego.
Andy
Do you agree on this?

Andy Whiteman said...

I subscribe to the paper edition of the Raytown Post. You may see something on the web before publication.

I have complained to the Post for not stating rate increses per unit. They quote for an "average user" which I am not. I don't understand why they can't or wont publish the real rate not a rate for an "average" user. This is not an accurate story when they do that. I think that is how the School Tax got passed. People saw that it was only a few dollars but didn't consider what they are paying now.

I read in Money Magazine that property taxes went up over 50% from 2000-2007.

I view the blog as mostly opinion. Per Lew Tice (New Age Thinking), "truth is reality AS WE PERCEIVE it." Maybe be have different perceptions. I am sure Greg writes an article as he perceives it. Since I didn't witness what happened, I can't confirm or deny a twist by Greg. One thing I will say is that Greg puts things in this blog you would never see in the paper. If it wasn't for this blog, much would be in secret at and by City Hall.

Greg is on the inside and obviously has more knowledge of happenings at City Hall that is not available to the media or general public.

All the Post will have is Media releases, minutes of meetings, etc. unless a reporter goes to the meetings or does an investigative report.

I can't say one is more accurate or reliable than the other. I really think it depends on which source you want to listen to.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

TO: As I See It...

First you state "Obama is a Marxist."

Now you say, he's someone "who holds Marxist views." Big difference. But you offer no proof of that either.

Of course you don't need a poly sci degree to express "uninformed" opinions. And "ignorance," by definition, is a lack of knowledge.

I'm not going to waste a lot of the other readers' time here, but bottomline: You make a statement and then ask me to prove you wrong when you've never provided any information to prove your point. Apparently you've also never taken debate.

Regards my "objectivity," and view of free speech...the only thing that has changed is my tolerance for ignorant, uninformed opinions.

Read Karl Marxist's "five theorems" and at least then you'll know what Marxism is. Or do I need to read them for you...and then tell you what you think? (And I'm being generous with the word "think.")

Lee Gray
Sorry...I've become a grumpy old man --- ha ha

Andy Whiteman said...

"If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the
newspaper you are misinformed." -Mark Twain.

Anonymous said...

The Kansas City Star is a having a field day with Sarah Palin. They have redefined the term character assassination in their coverage of her.

Talk about a negative press.

I used to think Andy was exagerating when he referred to them as the KC Red Star. Maybe they deserve the nickname.

Their editorial board should be ashamed for what they are doing.

Hasn't changed my plans to show my support for her candidacy.

As for her countepart, Joe Biden, his plan for divding Iraq into three countries sounds like some real deep thinking that belongs in a comic book.

I wonder how he would have handled our own Civil War? Divide the country between north and south?