She Might Be a Giant . . .

As a watcher of Missouri Politics, I was very interested in who was going to take Charlie Wheeler's senate seat. Jollie Justus was a fascinating candidate and being partial to political outsiders, she was a favorite. (I didn't say she was "the" favorite. I also am a Jason Klumb fan, so I won't do selective memory thing and act like I would have only been happy if Jollie would have won).
Yet the progressive movement needs a strong voice in 10th senate district. There were those that were worried about her inexperience in elected office. As a minister, may I officially pronounce those worries dead! ;-)
Sen. Justus has proven herself to be an outstanding advocate and a great champion for the cause of community, peace and shalom (no, I'm not going to say the J-word! ;-) Her blog, Freshmeat, is one of the great original source materials of activities in the City of Jefferson. And, she stands an excellent standard by which anyone in Missouri could ask if their own senator has the courage and integrity which Sen. Justus does.
If your senator (or representative) can measure up to her, then cast your vote with pride. If he or she can't, you are in luck because you have over 9 months to find a better candidate. (And yes, there was wisdom when God made 9 months the human gestation period!)

Labor Pains » Blog Archive » Union-Funded ACORN Can’t Hide Fraud

Labor Pains » Blog Archive » Union-Funded ACORN Can’t Hide Fraud

Again, no one has alleged any voter fraud. ACORN was ripped offed by its employees. Could they have done a better job in quality control, perhaps. But you don't blame Red Lobster if the staff steals money from the till. Do you?

Also, an anti-organizing site that doesn't allow for comments on their blog. Telling!

They have this in their FAQ:

Is this part of a political effort?
No. The Center for Union Facts doesn't support candidates for office. We are about education.

Thank God, educational efforts are never political! I think the organizing word is "self-interest."

So, Center for Union Facts what is your self-interest? Who do you get most of your money from? And you surely don't believe that unions are a monolithic institution do you?

SEUI is one of the few unions that is still interested in organizing new workers. Or perhaps you know that already, its just they are trying to organize your workers, sorry not your workers, the workers of your funders.

Independence Redistricting plan approved

www.kansascity.com | 05/16/2007 | Redistricting plan approved: "“The dirty little secret about this debate is that it’s not about local control; it’s about re-segregating the school district in Kansas City,” said Rep. John Burnett, a Kansas City Democrat. “We are trying to take seven white schools away from a minority school district and re-segregate Kansas City.”"

Rep. Burnett is correct. You can't solve this systemic problem on a piece-meal basis. That is true segregationist thinking.

Doesn't MARC have the 1 KC Campaign? Until our school districts match the other geographic boundaries there is always going to be a problem. I'm all for 1 Independence, but then that means we need to bring back the Independence schools that lay in the eastern part of the city from the Blue Springs school district. Likewise, somehow there should be a single, Kansas City, Missouri School District.

Or, is there an another option? Growing up in Michigan we had local school districts and then intermediate school districts that served as a bridge between the local district and the state board of education. Perhaps there should be a Jackson County Intermediate School District? Or, we cab continue to wage these border wars. It worked so well in the past.

Project Vote Blog over @ Talking Points Memo Cafe

An excellent source of information on voting rights and so-called voter fraud: Project Vote Blog.

I am Waiting for the Correction, or Better Yet an Apology

I just posted the comments below at KC Buzz Blog, for once again an erroneous version of the truth was circulated about my involvement with the organization that registered more low-income and Black voters than anyone else in the state. I wrote:

I wonder why the headline didn't read "KMBC's Micheal Mahoney ambushes minister and peace activist at board of elections."

That sounds like a more interesting story, or at least it is mystory. Perhaps because "Todd Elkins" was not a member of ACORN at the time and was not authorized to speak on their behalf. Perhaps he asked not to be interviewed and offered to put Mr. Mahoney in contact with the designated spokesperson. However, under the bright lights of a TV camera, even a nice guy can say things which can be taken out of context.

Editing. Such Power in the Editing.

The solution? More content. Even better content.

The problem with most TV Media is not that it slants to the right or the left, but rather it often is shallow.

I am Elder Todd Elkins and I was there doing 1st Amendment activities that day. So was Mr. Mahoney.

He got the story wrong. I know I was right.

in my e-mailbox: Gun Guys: Using Hatred to Spread Fear

From The Gun Guys , Subject: Using Hatred to Spread Fear.

As usual, they are on the mark. One of my favorite political philosophers use to say, "Fear Not."

Crossposted at Row, Rove, Roe

Instead of Mental health think of Mental Wellness

Think Mental Wellness instead of Mental health. A better term.

Off Pitch on Wal-Mart

I love The Pitch. It is a great source of alternative news. It can conveys both light and heat. A powerful combination.

I love the iconoclast. I love the iconoclast in perhaps a way that only a faithful, true believer/radical can. Yet a recent article in The Pitch shed light on the paper's true colors.

The article was, "One Wal-Mart Ain't Enough: Raytowners prepare to spend a lot of money furthering their reputation as ... Raytowners." Now John Combest might point out that the ellipses aren't correct, yet I struggled too much with grammar in school to make such an observation! ;-)

But the real kicker is the opening line, "How's this for kooky: A city trying to shed its redneck image lays down big money on Wal-Mart."

Where do I start?

Redneck? Redneck? Or do you mean bluecollar? Or working class? There is a difference. A big difference.

I am damn tired of liberal elitist talking about how ignorant everyone else is and yet not walking the talk in their own lives. It is the easiest thing in the world to tear down someone else. We have all met bullies in our day.

The sign of a real man (and no I'm not going to be gender neutral here, because this is far more a problem for men than for women . . . in my experience) is to be able to break the cycle of bullying and be a real grown-up. An adult.

Have you been to the new Wal-mart in Kansas City? It is amazing. The floor has a soft feel to it because they used recycled rubber in the construction (for more raving see Yael Abouhalkah). Plus, if you are a night owl (as I am) it is the only place to shop at 2 am (or when you are coming off your 2nd shift).

Wal-mart isn't my favorite place to shop. It probably isn't even in my top 10, but I am not above shopping there. And for midnight shopping (which also has the advantage of missing the horrible crowds) it is the best superstore in town.

I don't mind The Pitch's slant to the left, I enjoy that. Shallow and cheap, I can't stand that.

Beware of those who ban books! (And other truisms)

A wiser woman than I has created a wonderful site that catalogs many of the banned books that someone has deemed "dangerous".

Toy assault guns at Target. Not a problem! Books. Careful. (And to be fair, they are probably right that the books are more dangerous than the silly little piece of plastic shaped as a gun).

Am I too old for Facebook, or too young?

OK, I love Facebook. I am addicted.

I hate MySpace.

Why?

Facebook has learned from the mistakes of MySpace and designed a system from the ground up. They have created a better system (not a better mouse trap, because we all know what happens to the mice when you put traps around).

Facebook has help create a system which has built-in, one of the things that their users need the most: boundaries (or whatever metaphor you would like to use: firewalls, curtains, shields).

Facebook isn't perfect. It is a human system and no matter how intelligent the design, it still falls short. I realized that today when I tried to create a Facebook account for my son, Carter. The Facebook system told me he was not eligible for an account. Fine, there is probably wisdom in that.

however, as a father, I want the first social networking account that my son has to be one that I create and approve of. If I have to explain that to you, you aren't a parent.

I will say this and it is something that is so completely obvious to one generation and may take a lot of explaining to another. There is power in whoever can come up with the social networking software that has "Facebook features" and appeals to multiple generations.

Why? Because grandparents will give anything for a good picture of their kid and his kid. (References available upon request).

Addendum: Did you know that Facebook and Myspace aren't in the Blogger Spell Check Dictionary? ;-)

ACORN & Voting Fraud

There is a great article over at BradBlog that documents the Right's attack on ACORN about Voting Rights. I was a minor player in all of this, someday I will tell my story on this, but it seems that Brad is more right than wrong.

Newsflash: Everyone Has Self-Interest!

Via my efriend, John Combest, the Columbia Tribune runs a story with the headline, "Survey: Public education is in crisis."

Newsflash!

Yet my favorite part of the article is the subheading, "Show-Me Institute has agenda, critics say."

Actually it is called "self-interest." And so do you and so do I.

Get over it.

If you want to critique the poll, critique the methodology, not the messenger.

I did learn that in public school, or was it a private college? I don't remember! ;-)

Todd 4.0

Upgrades. There is something wonderful about them (and frightening). I am upgrading Todd (I hope).

Without saying too much, this past year has been Hell for me. I've been downsized, seperated, hospitizled, divorced (almost), interviewed by the FBI and layed off (by another job).

God, my life has sucked. Sucked Hard.

Yet I have walked through the desert and have seen a glimpse of the promise land.

I believe in the Resurrection.

I believe in Hope (and no, it is not a town in Arkansas, but yes it is).

And I believe in planting a stake where you are and taking a stand.

I am here (that is not enough, but it is a wonderful start).

Fell into the Gap . . .

Sept 2006 - May 2007

I was not actively blogger during this time. Partly because of my employment situation, partly because of my personal situation.

That story will be told later. For now, know, lets just say that, "I fell into the Gap" (Yes I will listen to corporate sponsorship bids! ;-)

Baseball and True Love

I have not been as avid a baseball fan this year as some years in the past, but I find myself right now quite exhilarated. My first sports love, The Detroit Tigers, is so close to winning their division. They have already clinched a play-off spot, but I desperately want them to win their division.
When I lived in Denver, I became a big Colorado Rockies fan. I was able to have some peaceful co-existence between my favorite teams because they were in different leagues (and the prospects of them facing each other in the play-offs was slim).
Having been in the Kansas City region for the past decade, the Royals have been growing on me. I have spent many years wondering if I had three teams that I cared about, surely one of them could reach .500.
Right now, however, I wish the Royals better luck in future seasons, but the only purpose they play in my universe is to lose to the Tigers and win as many games as they from the Twins. It perhaps seems uncaring and callous, but I have gotten in touch with that 15-year boy inside of me who remembers what 1984 was like for the Tigers and his passions are overwhelming any of my rational, constructs about the possibility of an "ecumenical," non-competive enjoyment of baseball. To October!

KCUR Story--Lawsuits Challenge Missouri's New Voter ID Statute

Kansas City's NRP station, KCUR, has a great story, "Lawsuits Challenge Missouri's New Voter ID Statute" which went into effect on Monday. KCUR's news director, Frank Morris, talks with Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton, Missouri Senator Delbert Scott, Governor Blunt's Spokesperson Spence Jackson, Attorney Don Dowing and some who are have found the new law difficult to comply with.

These two groups (those who find difficulty with the law and public officials) aren't mutually exclusive. The story tells how Rep. Skelton attempted to obtain a state issued voter ID card (Skelton doesn't drive because of a disability). He left 45 minutes later empty handed. What was the flimsy form of ID that Skelton tried to use to get his state ID? His federal congressional identification card.

He was told that was not acceptable (this is from a county clerk that knew who the congressman was). Lets be thankful that the law will eliminate the huge potential of voter fraud from those who are using counterfeit congressional identification cards in Missouri.

Leaves from the Blog of a Tamed Cynic

I've decided to create a second blog, Leaves from the Blog of a Tamed Cynic, to use as place to record my thoughts and reflections on the Community of Christ. It will have a different focus and tone that this site.

The question sometimes is asked is anyone actually reading my blog (or most blogs in general). The answer is clearly yes. I traveled to Alabama several months ago for my church and met a young man who had found my blog page and been reading it. However, I'm not going to say that I have a huge audience. (I've never spent much time with website statistic/hits programs). Yet there are also sorts of reasons to blog. Leaves is, in the end, not for anyone else, but rather a chance for me to express some of the thoughts and ideas I have about my church.

I'm still debating on how much self-disclosure to post on the blog. For a wonderful blog, from an outstanding person who is willing to share, many, many things about herself, visit Janet's Blog. Janet is my sister-in-law and her blog chronicles her struggle with breast cancer. I think many people could be helped by reading Janet's blog. I also have learned so much more about her by reading the blog. But in the end, I don't know how much of writing the blog is simply about Janet needing a place to express herself.

We all need to be heard and blogs provide a new way for that to happen. When in seminary, I read an essay by Robert Putnam called "Bowling Alone." Putnam looked at the decline in civic culture and community institutions. I believe there is the possibility for blogs and other types of social networking software to help rebuild our social networks (by no means are they the answer alone).

If you are so inclined, please visit Leaves from the Blog of a Tamed Cynic (the title is a reference from a book written by Reinhold Niebuhr--see Leaves for more info) and e-mail me on what you think.

Is the The Source Closed to Comments?

It seems that some of the blog entries at The Source now have the message "The comments to this entry are closed." What I don't know if this is simply a way to keep comments limited to very recent posts, or an attempt to stop debate.

Lets be clear, one can run a website any way they want to and post the message that they wish to convey. However, I think that blogs that try to limit a real discussion fail to understand the medium and the true power of the Internet. It also seems that conservatives are more likely to want to reign in debate than liberals are (warning! huge over-generalization!)

Johncombest.com has new Look

The indispensable companion of Missouri's political junkies, johncombest.com has been redesigned. The new site is clean and attractive and powered by the blogging software WordPress. The site promises a RSS feed soon (something I've long advocated for). There is no word about re-starting his short-lived (but appreciated) podcast.

Still, anytime you want to quibble about the content on johncombest, you are reminded of the tag line of "Missouri's political news website since Oct. 2001." Every morning (I'd say like the US Postal service, but that might offend a good Republican like John!) for the past five years, he has posted links to the significant Missouri political news. It is an impressive run and the new look is a welcome development. John may have started the site for his fellow Republicans, but we all benefit.

Moving Past Church Mission Statements to the True Work . . .

Words matter. However for many in the church, time spent on congregational mission statements is a very frustrating experience. I think that is largely because most congregations are not truly ready to fully engage in that process because there are too many underlying issues in their group. The "word-smithing" of a mission statement becomes a way to fight out the larger issues in the congregation without every acknowledging they are there.
Another problem can come when the congregation comes up with a "All Babies Must Eat" mission statement--something no one disagrees with, but is just so perfectly obvious you wonder why you need to put it in print.
As I've been thinking about these issues without he church, I'm again drawn to the work of Bill Easum. He has a great article talking about "Clarifying Our Mission, Vision, and Values." All three are important and Easum acknowledges the hard work to discern where God is calling a congregation. Definitely worth a read.