Olathe City Council Might Want You! (or Your Property, Anyway)

......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.27.06.....The Olathe City Council has started eminent domain procedures to acquire the Butternut Bread building and land at 216 E Santa Fe. They have no plans for it, but think they might use it in the future. Or just resell. it. Now, tell me that isn't abusing the eminent domain law!!!! One interesting twist to this is that the land belongs to one of the council members, Bob Montgomery. The City Council also approved issuing a letter of support for Overland ventures to develop a 55 and up project for low-income individuals. They have not decided on a site yet and city staff are aiding in looking for a location. Watch out Olathe residents! It could be you neighborhood and where you house stands now.

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.26.06.....I like Cashews. And salted peanuts. And there's a lot of other nuts I enjoy. Some nuts bother me. Like, for example, Reverend Fred Phelps from Topeka, Kansas. The "Reverend" from the Westboro Baptist Church has been picketing funerals of gay and lesbians for years. Now they are picketing funerals of soldiers who die in Iraq. Funerals, of course, are for the living....and help the bereaved in getting closure in their time of grief. So, Phelps, who is shaped like a Walnut, and his group are adding to the pain. Even though their picket signs say things like "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" or "God Hates Fags," most people just become angry because of the nuts carrying signs. Phelps says it is because God hates America because it has embraced homosexuality and because of the military's "don't ask don't tell" policy. New laws that may get passed in Kansas and Missouri may stop that. The new laws are intended to stop picketing at funerals. Interestingly, only the American Civil Liberties Union has come to Phelps' aid on the matter. But "no legislation is going to prevent us from causing America to know her abominations" says an attorney and member of Westboro Baptist Church. (The attorneys name also happen to be Shirley Phelps-Rogers). If you are looking for Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, just look for the big "Planters" jar with the steeple and the congregation is inside.

Blunt and Sebelius May be Coming for YOU!

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.25.06.....

Kudos to Senator Kevin Engler of Farmington, Missouri and Representative Frank Miller from Independence, Kansas. Both have introduced legislation to stop the use of eminent domain in their perspective states. On the other hand, both Governor Blunt and Sebelius don't want to go that far. They both send out a political message that maybe the Supreme Court stepped to far in their federal decision on eminent domain, but still think it should be used. Sebelius touts the Kansas Speedway as an example of how eminent domain worked for the good of the community, even though 150 families were dislocated. Money first. People Second. Apparently that is the Blunt and Sebelius motto.

Manhattan Kansas

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.24.06.....Let's see. You have the chance to ask the President of the United States a question in person. Out of 9,500 people in attendance, you are one of about a dozen who get to address a question in person. There are so many important issues: terrorism, Iran, social security, taxation, etc etc etc. You step up to the mike and ask "Did you see "Brokeback Mountain?" That's what happened at Kansas State University in Manhattan yesterday when President Bush addressed about 9500 people there. And I though Beavis was just a cartoon.

Jackson County Legislature Presumes Upon Voters

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.23.06.....The election hasn't happened yet. It won't happen until April 4th. Those pushing the issue are so sure they are going to win, that they have been hiring all kinds of contractors and advisers. Of course, I am referring to the renovation of the stadium. David Glass, owner of the Royals, said he was eager to see voters approve the plans on April 4. "We just need to get on with it so that we can relax and enjoy watching the Chiefs and Royals play in renovated facilities rather than agonizing over how to do it." The Jackson County Legislature is also sure of victory and planning accordingly. The greatest thing I can think of happening is that the measure lose. That would teach them....especially the Jackson County Legislature, to presume upon the citizens. They see money. That is their motive. They are gong to sell it to voters as something we need for entertainment. It will come at the expense of education, housing, healthcare, etc , which could use the money far more than a stadium built to entertain at a high price (Oh yes...ticket prices are gong up, too). David Glass and Lamar Hunt have money in their teams. Let them invest in their own business. Either that, or fire both of them and hand the control of the teams over to the Jackson County Legislature since they think they need to feed and cloth the teams anyway.

I Read the News Today! Oh Boy...1.22.06

.......[c]2006 by Richard L Zorek......1.22.06.....
Notes I made as I read the Kansas City Star:....
Nine Osco Drug Stores in Kansas City area have added walk-in clinics. They have a medical adviser to do some checkups at the drugstore. Next up: they will be at the drive thru and maybe they will check your tire pressure also..............There's a few help wanted ads for bill collectors. Mentions benefits, wages, and even the possibility of training. Doesn't mention that you only need to have the IQ of a wicker basket and the temperament of a pit bull. Oh yes, rude and obnoxious people get top priority for these job openings. Isn't that discrimination? .............The automotive section spotlights a 1956 Chrysler Imperial owned by an Overland Park couple. Beautiful car. Built back in the days when they made them to last. And if you ever hit your head on this dashboard you would definitely feel it for many days or else they would have to hose you off of it. And it has the good old Chrysler size: like boats with wheel on them. They probably have to take in every few months to clean the Toyotas out of the fender wells........MoveOn.org is demanding an investigation into NSA wiretapping activities. They are still angry about not carrying any weight during the last presidential election.....Harry Belafonte used to be a singer of high regard. His career has been over for awhile and I guess he can't remember what he used to do. He has become a critic of "anything to do with Bush." Lots of incoherency and rambling. Time to get on the Banana Boat and go home.............A flyer for Verizon shows the new "Razr" cell phone. You can get them attached to sunglasses. Great. Now we will be seeing people walking around stores with sunglasses appearing to talk to themselves, instead of the few obnoxious ones who wander through stores talking aloud now with their hand stuck to their ear. Don't get me wrong, I think cell phones are fine and useful. But I have seen people do the stupidest thing with them. It's like chewing gum and walking: some can't talk or drive and be on a cell phone at the same time....