Newspaper Ad Revenues Lowest in 62 Years

"The decline in print newspaper advertising to a 62-year low is amazing by itself, but the sharp decline in recent years is pretty stunning,” noted the report. “Print ad revenues fell by almost 50% in just the last four years, from $37 billion in 2008 to less than $19 billion last year; and by 66% over the last decade, from $56.3 billion in 2002."

Ah. So that's how the eebil Koch Bros. plan on crowning themselves media moguls: buying red ink dead tree recyclers. Too crazy by half clever fox. Or something.

From Alex Halperin at Salon.com: Koch Brothers eyeing Tribune company; Tribune owns the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and several large regional newspapers.

Value Diversity, Define it Broadly

I say hogwash. Diversity for its own sake is no accomplishment, and in fact, only highlights division.

David  Stoeffler, in an editorial at the News-Leader, offers up the usual goldilock multi-cultural bromide about the 'value of diversity:' not too European; not too Catholic; not too rich, but ju-ust right, so we 'reflect the community.' But not until he assails us with a tale about his sheltered small town boyhood with all those White people where he grew up, and how Black folks were either Cassius Clay or Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Oh, and a family of Jehovah's Witness, too.

Mr. Stoeffler elaborates:

"Race and ethnicity are key aspects to any honest commitment to diversity — particularly given the changing demographics in our country — but they are not the only factors. The key is to recognize the value of all types of differences, including gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, physical disabilities and socioeconomics. Differing political values also should be recognized."

Differences, differences, and more differences, said the multi-culturalist.

Odd. We, as a nation, spend billions per year on higher education at university (unity from diversity), only to be indoctrinated with the demand for diversity, which is merely a mutated relativism, disdainful of morality, conservatism, and human nature, yet claims the mantle of tolerance. It all sounds so double plus un-good.


Diversity for its own sake is no accomplishment, and in fact, only highlights division. Unity of virtue is common ground for all people and societies: honesty, charity, patience, hard work. And it matters not what the color of your skin or where you where born in order to embrace these ideals; only the content of your heart.

Or was that just crazy talk from some guy many decades ago which liberals conveniently disregard??

College of the Ozarks Encourages Debt-Free Students

Nicknamed 'Hard Work U,' the College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian liberal-arts college located near Branson, Missouri. The college offers over 30 academic majors, and degrees in Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Tuition at the college is paid for via a student work program and charitable donations.

From the Joplin Globe:

"It’s definitely a lot of hard work,” said Gregory, who is majoring in animal science and agriculture business. “You’re just working for your education so you don’t have to pay it off. Just to know that you’re graduating and you can focus on getting a place to live, or a job, and you don’t have to pay (your education) off — you can focus on other things, like a car. We will have more freedom than being tied down to debt.”

During a time when most students are graduating from college with loan debt, College of the Ozarks, a private, four-year school of nearly 1,400 students near Branson, is swimming against the tide. It has long discouraged student debt by not participating in any federal or state loan programs, and its president, Jerry C. Davis, recently announced that the college will no longer honor private bank loans for students.

“Basically what we’re saying is if you want to borrow money, go somewhere else,” he said. “Trust me, there are plenty of colleges that will loan you money. This is not one of them.”

Many college students graduate other 4 year schools with an average of $26,600 in loan debt.

The College of the Ozarks website is here.

*KC Street Scene from 1938

It's from an issue of LIFE magazine. I'm not sure who is the photographer.

Judging from the landmarks of yesteryear, I'd guess we're looking east, standing near the corner of Walnut & 12th street (note the street car congestion!).

Dead center of this photo is the quasi-gothic tower of the Tower Theater located between McGee & Grand on 12th st.

Further off in the hazy distance, just a little to the right of the Tower, is the monolithic county courthouse building.

Near the middle left protrudes an old KATZ drug store sign. Isaac Katz started the iconic drugstore chain in 1917. OSCO - later renamed CVS Pharmacy - bought out the Katz Bros. in 1981.

The most famous KATZ store was built during the great depression in 1934. It's empty now, auctioned off last year, but the Art Deco building is located in Westport at 3948 Main Street.

TY KCwtRA

*repost

Choke 16: KU Jayhawks Loose to Michigan Wolverines in OT, 85-87

From the AP via Fox Sports KC:

'Trey Burke scored all 23 of his points after halftime, including a long, tying 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation, and Michigan rallied to beat Kansas 87-85 in the South Regional semifinals Friday night.

The fourth-seeded Wolverines wiped out a 10-point Kansas lead in the last 3 minutes of regulation, and Burke gave them their first lead since early in the game with another long 3 to open Michigan's scoring in overtime.'

Oh, well. Maybe the Lady Jayhawks have more stones: Kansas women prepare to face No. 1 seed Notre Dame in Sweet 16. From Mike Vernon at CJ Online:

'For the fourth time in KU history, and the second time in as many years, the Jayhawks are playing in the Sweet 16. At 11 a.m. Sunday, Kansas (20-13) will play No. 1 seed Notre Dame (33-1) in Norfolk, Va., for a chance to go to the Elite Eight.'

Good luck, Ladies!

Archeologists Find Obituary for Jesus of Nazareth

Of course it's not a photoshop...

Obviously, the reports of His death have been greatly exaggerated.

Sweet 16: Bill Self Kicks Roy Williams Butt (again), 70-58

OK. That's not the real headline, but it's close enough.

Before Missouri headed South East in 2012, whenever KU & MU met on game day, fans went fanatical over the 'border war' - you know, ala pre-civil war raiders and bush wackers - except the modern incarnation has more beer and less blood.

Needless to say, folks in these parts carry a grudge for a while, so they're still a bit PO'd at ol' Roy for doing his double-talking yo-yo impersonation and sneaking off to North Carolina in 2003. But Bill Self has helped heal the rift.

From Rustin Dodd at the KC Star:

'The No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks had buried No. 8 seed North Carolina with an emotional second-half comeback, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year with a 70-58 victory. And the coach, Bill Self, had vanquished former KU coach Roy Williams and his Tar Heels for the third time in six years.'

Missouri's Tigers were shot down and out in the 1st round last Thursday by Colorado.

Dang it.

Kansas City Broadcasting Icon Walt Bodine Dead at 92

His legendary catch-phrase was “What Do You Say to That?”

RIP

Early Spring Snow Storm Pummels MidWest to Eastern Seaboard

Global warming. Is there nothing it can't do?

From the Kansas City Star: 

'A winter storm warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday till 7 p.m. Sunday for the Kansas City region.

The National Weather Service at Pleasant Hill forecasts snow accumulations of between 8 and 12 inches across much of eastern Kansas and western Missouri.'



The entire winter weather advisory extends from Colorado to New Jersey, and is in affect until Monday.

Snow from this storm covered the field in Commerce City, Colorado, during most of Friday's World Cup qualifier, as the U.S. soccer team beat Costa Rica 1-0.

The calendar says 'spring,' but has anyone told Al 'jazeera' Gore, yet?

Until Further Notice

I enjoy, appreciate and champion the ideological message embodied in Chris Muir's 'Day by Day' cartoon series, normally featured here.

 Also, I enjoy the female form as much as the next man, but this blog does try to remain a family friendly venue - so until Chris Muir veers away from the titillating (soft pr0n) graphics overtly displayed in his recent graphics, 'Day by Day' will be suspended from this blog until further notice.

8 Secrets of Sexually Satisfied Couples

Mrs. Locomotivebreath - that curvaceous raven-haired beauty whom I'd marry all over again - is a very happy woman. We both agree that the most erogenous zone in the body is the mind, and foreplay begins long before the bedroom door closes.

This Woman's Day article doesn't really say those words, but it does remind us loving adults to be realistic about our daily lives together; be pragmatic in accommodations; and most of all, have fun with each other. And that makes me a very happy man.

Achieve bliss in the bedroom by applying these real-world tips.

Seattle Mariners end Kansas City Royals’ Win Streak at 11

The 'surprise' in Surprise couldn't last forever, but it was a nice ride.

From Pete Grathoff at the KC Star:

"A Seattle split squad roughed up Guillermo Moscoso for five runs in the fourth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie, and the Royals never recovered as they lost 12-2. They are now a symmetrical 11-1-1."

For far too many seasons, the KC Royals have been a 2nd rate major league team, with last year being downright dismal. So, up until Thursday, who could blame our ol' buddy Joe Posnanski, apparently giddy with spring training fever, when he cautiously dubbed them 'The Unbeatable Kansas City Royals':

"Now, let me make this clear: I believe this 10-game spring training winning streak means almost exactly nothing. It means about as much as an NBA player making 20 three-pointers in a row during warmups or an NFL kicker making a 68-yard field goal in pre-game. It might buoy the confidence a bit. It might sell a couple more early season tickets. It might help create a more positive atmosphere in the clubhouse. But that’s it. The Royals began last year by losing their first 10 home games in the regular season — THAT means something.

But … hey winning 10 in a row is better than losing 10 in a row. And there is something exciting about this team. That exciting thing is, paradoxically, something kind of boring: For the first time in what seems like forever, the Royals don’t enter a season needing miracles..."

 Indeed.

&&&

Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Modernization Spurs Voluntary Worker Layoffs

In 2012, the federally owned, but privately managed, munitions plant near Independence, MO. delivered its 2 billionth round of 7.62-millimeter ammunition to the U.S. Army. It currently employs 2600 people, and it's unclear how many will be offered the voluntary layoff option - or if a round of mandatory layoffs will follow.

From the Kansas City Business Journal:

"The layoffs are not related to sequestration, the automatic federal budget cuts, said Bryan Kidder, a spokesman for Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK), which operates the plant for the federal government.

“The workforce reduction is the result of a multi-year modernization effort at the 72-year-old facility and recent draw downs in military actions,” Kidder said in a written statement. “ATK will update employees as more information becomes available.”

Employees who choose a voluntary layoff will be provided with a separation package based on the number of years of service, Kidder said in the statement."

Since taking over the plant in 2000, ATK has increased the production rate of 7.62mm ammunition five-fold through expansion, automation, and modernization programs.

Bank Employee with CCW Shoots Would-be Robber in Jaw

Now that's how you write a headline! Clear. Concise. Factual.

When finally apprehended by police, the would-be robber sputtered, "You guys going to let me die?"

From DeAnn Smith at KCTV5:

"TRIMBLE, MO (KCTV) - A First Security Bank employee with a conceal-and-carry permit shot a would-be robber in the jaw, authorities said Monday.

Michael Stephen Oliva, 34, of Liberty, was charged with attempted bank robbery on Monday by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Oliva allegedly was carrying a realistic-looking fake plastic gun when he tried to rob the bank about 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Oliva was arrested after a chase in which speeds exceeded 100 mph. According to court records, a bleeding Oliva asked, "You guys going to let me die?" when he finally pulled over on Interstate 435 in Kansas City."

Now that's how you write a news story. Clear. Concise. Factual. And highlights the swift and brave intervention of an armed citizen to thwart a would-be robber from stealing other people's hard earned peace of mind, along with their money.

Contrast the above news story with the KC Star's narrative about this poor guy's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, and we all hope he's learned a valuable lesson:

"Oliva’s purported adventure began about 1:25 p.m. Friday, when he invited bad karma by parking in a handicapped-accessible spot before entering the bank. Pulling on a black mask, Oliva allegedly pointed a plastic replica handgun at a teller and demanded money.

The teller instead dropped to the floor, crawled away and yelled for help, according to court records. When Oliva leaned over the counter to wave his plastic gun at her some more, the teller heaved a plastic trash can at him.

At least that missed."

 Got that? The would-be robber had an 'adventure,' and ' invited bad karma by parking in a handicapped-accessible spot'!! But, dang it, some mean ol' employee with an evil gun shot the guy instead of heaving another plastic trash can that would miss him.

Oh, the humanity - of being a cub reporter working for this rag.

I have to hurl.

Publisher Parrish Thanks Her Little People at the KC Star

A memo from the publisher: Whiteout didn’t deter newspaper’s work.

I have to add that Mi-Ai Parrish ain’t no Roy Roberts, but all in all, despite the rapid malignancy infecting the dead tree media across the globe, and Parrish’s heavy-handed people skills, and the Harlequin-esque style of writing memos, I’d say Mr. Parrish has managed the affairs of this organ rather well.

Another Brutal Global Warming Event Prompts Extreme Heat Warnings for Kansas, Missouri

 

Oh. Wait. 

I think it's another snow storm. Is there nothing global warming can't do? Call this one 'son of snow-mageddon,' but we're still going to get upwards of a foot of snow - just over a longer time frame from Monday night to Tuesday morning.

From Rick Montgomery at the KC Star:

"Expected snow accumulations, beginning around 6 p.m. today(Monday), to range from 6 to 10 inches across much of northeastern Kansas and western Missouri. “But there’s likely to be a narrow area of much higher amounts, where we could get a foot,” said (meteorologist Scott Blair of the National Weather Service station in Pleasant Hill).

The weather service on Sunday issued a winter storm warning lasting 24 hours for the Kansas City area starting with light rain around 3 p.m. today.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback warned that the coming storm could be worse than the last one because of strong wind, ice and heavy snow accumulations. Kansans were urged to restock home and vehicle emergency kits with food, water, blankets, flashlights and medicine."

There are no official school closings, as of yet, but the city of Kansas City has alerted residents to park their vehicles off-street so as not to impede the snow plows, and I recommend PTO on Tuesday for those with a job/jobs. Obama voters can go beg a snow shovel will probably demand tax payers subsidize pizza delivery  and satellite TV, or something.

(graphic courtesy the Weather Channel )

MidWest Braces for Brutal Global Warming Event Masquerading as Severe Winter Storm

From a stoic AP:

"Winter storm warnings were issued from Colorado through Illinois. By midday Wednesday, heavy snow was already falling in Colorado and western Kansas.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jayson Gosselin said parts of Colorado, Kansas and northern Missouri could get 10 to 12 inches of snow. Dodge City, Kan., was bracing for up to 16 inches of snow. Further south, freezing rain and sleet could make driving treacherous."

From the KC Star: Preparations under way as ominous winter storm bears down on KC.

 "Parts to the north of Kansas City could get a foot of snow in the 24 hours after midnight, with heavy amounts now expected to begin possibly early Thursday morning. The heart of the area is looking at 6 to 10 inches of snow with a mix of ice and sleet. Perhaps a quarter inch or so of ice is taking aim to the south.

All of this with winds of 30 mph or more. Most everyone with a stake in weather safety was prepping for the worst."

But all is not lost, citizens!

"The longfaced new Secretary of State, John Kerry, delivered his first major address today. It was not on the recent North Korean nuclear tests or the ongoing strife in the Middle East or the rise of China. It was on global warming aka climate change."

OK. Now come shovel my driveway, skippy.

Graphic courtesy the Weather Channel

Goldberg: Leave liberal Hollywood to the liberals

 "The point isn't that Hollywood has no influence. It's just that its influence is agonizingly hard to predict or dismiss as unthinkingly liberal. Studies of "All in the Family" found that viewers in America, and around the globe, took different lessons from the show based on their politics and cultural norms. Despite Norman Lear's liberal best efforts, many found Archie Bunker more persuasive than his "meathead" sociologist son-in-law. HBO's epic series "The Wire" was a near-Marxist indictment of urban liberalism and the drug war, making it quite popular among many conservatives and libertarians. The popular BBC series "Downton Abbey" is shockingly conservative in many respects. The aristocrats are decent, compassionate people, and the staff is, if anything, more happily class-conscious than the blue bloods. And, yet, as far as I can tell, liberals love it."

Perhaps. But I´ve never understood why elite, lavish and erudite productions about elite, lavish and erudite people amid elite, lavish and erudite backdrops require the taxpayer subsidized efforts of PBS.

And for an industry whose pretty people principals frequently volunteer for others to 'pay their fair share,' why did Congress grant Hollywood a $430 MILLION tax loop hole amid the fiscal cliff deal last year?

Gina Goes to the Movies: 'BEAUTIFUL CREATURES'

"The new movie "Beautiful Creatures," a teen paranormal romance, does what I never thought any movie could do. It makes the "Twilight" movies look halfway decent."

I've never heard of this movie, nor am I familiar with the series of books which spawned the movie, but Gina Dalfonzo at Break Point has read all the books and reviewed the movie. To be blunt, it's not beautiful. She proclaims, "... the books at least managed to tell a fairly entertaining story. The movie strips out most of the interest and nearly all of the coherence from that story. It's such a jumbled mess that it's depressing to see stars of the caliber of Jeremy Irons and Viola Davis wasting their time on it" (It also casts Emma Thompson as a 'Mrs. Lincoln' - the town's prominent hate monger Christian busy body).

Later in her review, Gina cuts straight to heart: "But most of the scenes dealing with religion are so over the top as to be cringeworthy."

Hollyweird. Go figure.

&&&

Jack Goes to the Movies: 'DIE HARD 5'

There are no 'metamucil' product placements in the fifth installment of this perennial Bruce Willis franchise. Jack Poessiger says it does serve up non-stop action, but little else, despite the father-son headbutt sub-plot.

Like most franchises, the 1st installment is usually the best. IE: rooted in a common reality and shared humanity to make the audience care, yet twisted enough with the extra ordinary to give all a white knuckle thrill of satisfaction about the price of admission. Sequels are, more often than naught, simply a lame, over-produced excuse for the studio and actors to laugh all the way back to the bank.


I haven't seen 'Die Hard 5,' but this strikes me as bloody violent Tarantino wanna-bee - except in place of 'N' words, horses, 6 shooters, and a gratuitously gory pogrom against whitey, there are 'F' bombs, airports, machine guns and snappy repartee - amid a gratuitously gory pogrom against Muscovites.

Other than that, it might be OK. 

And, most assuredly, the next time a metro cop goes all full-auto machine gun on some suspect, Columbia University Professor Marc Lamont Hill will praise him/her as a hero - like 'John McClane' in a 'Die Hard' movie. 'Cause, apparently, proglodytes love that gun justice stuff.