jdembski's Blog

The game will be between the Portland Trailblazers and the Atlanta Hawks.  It will take place on Friday night 10/10/08 at 7pm.  Tickets go on sale this Saturday August 9th at 10am.  The tickets will range from $10-200.  It will be a homecoming  for Portland's Raef LaFrenz who played at KU.

It was fun watching last night's news.  I was expecting Godzilla to show up at any time.  The sound was not in sync with the mouth last night and I thought I was watching something from Kung Fu theatre.

Did anyone else notice it?  I switched channels to make sure it wasn't my satellite but it was just Fox 4. 

It was kind of funny.

I was watching Fox 4 last night and they were showing the parade for the Boston Celtics.  The feed had the camera on the players and the crowd but there was a large sign that said, "Kobe is a b--ch".  Except for the blanks were filled in.  It is in reference to a female dog.  I was surprised that the sign was visible plain as day and not blurred out.  I was watching it on the DVR and had to rewind to see if that is what was really on there. 

It's not a really bad word, but was surprised that no one in editing blurred the word out.  Had to laugh about it.

David Cook will be singing the National Anthem tonight before game 3 of the NBA Finals.  For those that can't get enough of David Cook and feel like he hasn't gotten enough attention of late, the coverage of the game will begin on ABC at 7:30pm.

Last week you all took that gas guzzling vehicle of yours out to western/central Kansas to storm chase.  It was reported by your station there were roughly 100 storm chasers in the area.  My question is why would you take such a gas guzzling vehicle out there when gas is approaching $4 a gallon?  It had to cost a pretty penny to not only drive back and forth but all around the area.  With so many other spotters out there, was your presence necessary?

It seems not only to be a waste of money but a bad example of how wasteful Americans can be with fuel.  It's this type of waste over the years that Americans should realize has helped push the gas prices to $4 a gallon.  I could understand if the storms were in the immediate viewing area and served a true purpose for your viewers but it seems you were looking to capture video or photos as a way to promote the station.  Seems like a costly adventure with no real purpose.  With all the severe weather that has been around, it is not like there hasn't been enough storms to chase a little closer to home.

But that is just one viewer's opinion.  I enjoy the station otherwise but found this to be a little extreme.

I am not sure why Fox4 has not done more with this story.  This could have a major impact on the Kansas City area. Here's why:  American plans to cut 11 to 12 percent of its domestic flights in the 4th quarter.  Most of those flights will be reduced by  the MD80 aircraft.  This aircraft is one that is maintained at the KC overhaul base.  American also discussed thousands losing their jobs.

If American plans to make cuts, I can see them cutting jobs at the KC overhaul base or shutting it down all together.  The other bases will likely be less affected because they are in Tulsa and Dallas (two main hubs for American).  The KC overhaul base was inherited when American acquired TWA so it is the step child of the bases.

The loss of the overhaul base would be 1000+ Kansas City jobs from American and possibly more with any support positions that support American Airlines.  That would be a major blow to the KC economy coupled with jobs losses from Sprint, the city of KC, and others.

The fuel expense is the main driver behind this.  American has actually been turning positive in its earnings once you remove the increased fuel expense.  This is not greed but a fight for survival.

I would like to see someone from Fox4 contact the local union rep, overhaul base rep, city and state representatives, and corporate officials of American on this possibility of a base shutdown.  Again, this could potentially be a major blow to the KC economy and should be front page material.

This is excatly why people don't get involved when it comes to crimes being committed.  A lot of thanks this guy got.

Roseville gas station employee fired for attacking robber  

A local gas station employee is out of a job after he thought he was helping save someone’s life.

Mark Beverly was one of two employees inside a Roseville Super America when a robber came into the store on March 26.

Beverly was cleaning the bathroom when he heard the store clerk cry out. He came out to find a robber attacking the female employee.

"I just jumped on his back and trying to hit his head and pushed him over the counter. I jumped back over and he was out of there," he said.

Later that day, Beverly returned to work only to be punished for his actions.

"I didn't think I was going to get fired for it," he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Super America issued a statement, saying that ‘employees are never to take action that could endanger themselves or others. It’s regrettable this happened.’

Beverly was given a robbery prevention packet, but he says he got it after the attempted robbery.

"I didn't care about the money, I know Super America is insured. But I thought he was attacking her, that's why I jumped on him," he explained.

The Roseville Police Department has not made any arrests regarding the robbery. Beverly has been denied employment with Super America.

He is in the process of an appeal.

There have been some people on this blog site that have criticized people making a big deal about David Cook coming to town and the hoopla that surrounded it.  Some people were harsh in their comments and my guess is that many of those people have never even watched American Idol.  I am writing this to clear a few things up.  For those that have nevered watched AI, when the contestants have been reduced to the final 3, those contestants go to their hometown and footage is shot of their welcome home.  These contestants have been in Hollywood for several weeks and have not been home during that time.  AI encourages the hometown to have a parade, have a "David Cook Day" etc.

Since Fox 4 is the local affiliate to the network that airs AI, they will be encouraged to follow the day's events.  So yes you will get some overload of information about the hometown person.  It is not unique to KC and happens wherever the final 3 contestants call their hometown.  This year the KC area was fortunate to have a local talent like David Cook make it to the final 3.  I say fortunate because it does have an economic impact on the area.  People did travel from miles around to catch a live glimpse of David Cook.  These are diehard fans of the show and I can't be critical of any of them because I have my own things that I love to travel elsewhere for (hockey, airshows) to name a few.

There were some people saying our service men and women deserve more of an honor when they return.  I don't disagree with that statement but again most of this is encouraged by AI and some cities gain exposure by following suit.  The men and women who serve our country do deserve more recognition than what they get.  However, most of them are not looking for that recognition.  Mainly, they want their families to be taken care of in their absence and want to be taken care of if they are injured while serving.  This is where I see a true disservice to those that serve.  Some of them suffer from financial or marital ruin because they served.  Some are injured in the line of duty but get poor care when they come back.  Our country should do more for them and they deserve better but don't blame David Cook , Fox 4, or American Idol for that.

My point in this blog is to clear up some of the misconceptions of why there was a parade and hoopla, but to also make people understand that honoring a musician from AI is by no means meant to disrespect those men and women that serve this great nation.

The defense department has been audited and there are some disturbing findings about how much the defense department is spending on items that are many years late in production, not up to the specs requested, and some just all out failures.  Here is one example from the hearing that I heard today.

The defense department has paid $25 million in bonuses to General Dynamics for performance bonuses.   These bonuses were suppose to be for completing the project on time and under budget.  The prototype they were to build was suppose to be completed by 2003.  It is now 2008, and it has yet to be completed.  So it is over budget and definitely not on time but $25 million in bonuses were still paid.

This type of corruption in our political system is what will bring our country into a third world status.  This is only one example of waste.  Yet, we have people losing their jobs, losing homes, going hungry, and really feeling the pinch of a bad economy.  These arrogant SOBs sit back, fat and happy because they feel they don't need to be accountable.  I am glad these hearings are going on and hope that people are held accountable, lose their jobs, and are convicted for stealing from the American taxpayers.

Again, this is only one example and from one department.  How many billions do you think are being wasted or stolen from the American taxpayers every year?

Early Sunday morning there was what was called a "rolling gun battle" on Interstate 70 near the Blue Ridge Cutoff.  One woman was killed and three others injured.  The reporter for Fox 4, I believe was Bob Stepanich.  He tried to glamorize the story as being even more serious because it was near the stadiums and there were thousands there for a Royal's game.  The problem is this gun battle took place early in the morning and I believe the Royal's game had been over for several hours so unless there was some serious post game tailgating, I am guessing most of those people were long gone.  It's just another way where these reporters try so hard to make a situation seem much worse than it really was.  It amazes me how these reporters will glorify a story to try to make it more than it is.  What next, the floods in Southern Missouri were dangerously close to Kansas City metro area that we should have had our sand bags on alert.  Totally ridiculous

Well not completely but it appears they are headed that way.  In this article it talks about the new stadiums being built around the world and how the focus is more on suites and premium seating.  All of this to pull in the $$$.  The greed of sports franchises around the world is that same greed that turns people off about corporate america.  I love to watch sports and love to watch them in person (especially hockey and baseball).  However, the owners of these sports teams are well on their way of alienating those who love to come and support their teams.  Eventually, even the corporations are going to say enough is enough and they can't afford to pay the high prices because they have a bottom line to be concerned with.  At that point, who will be buying the tickets and filling the seats?  I guess making millions of $$$ just isn't enough.  These ego maniacs need to make billions because you are a considered a poor man's elitist with only millions in net worth.

Personally I am sick of the greed and will not contribute by paying the high prices and will spend my money on better things to fill my entertainment needs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ys-forbesstad
iums040208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Enjoy the excess crime that will come with these guns Kansas.  I am not against someone owning a firearm but this is a little extreme.  Heck why not allow Weapons of Mass Destruction as well?  They fell just short of allowing that.

Do people really need to own automtaic weapons and sawed off shotguns?  I know that criminals will get a hold of these weapons whether they are legal or not but doesn't this make them more readily available to be obtained whether they get them legally or not?

Bill allowing possession of machine guns passes Kansas House The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. | Individuals could own machine guns, other fully automatic firearms, sawed-off shotguns and silencers under a bill the House has passed.

The vote Friday was 105-18.

The measure is the House's version of a Senate-passed bill meant to clarify state laws dealing with who can sell semiautomatic weapons to law enforcement agencies and officers. In December, the attorney general issued a legal opinion saying some dealers might be barred.

The Senate's version deals only with that issue. But in the House, a committee added amendments to remove the restrictions on individual ownership of other weapons.

The House's change will become an issue when the two chambers negotiate over the final version of the bill.

I know the issue has been debated until we're all blue in the face but this week I went to two restaurants that previously had a smoking section and now is all non-smoking.  It was refreshing to sit through my dinner without the annoying smell of a cancer stick.  It was also refreshing to walk out of there and not have that smell embedded in my clothes, hair, and skin.  It was also refreshing not to be congested and feeling like I just inhaled an ashtray in my nose and lungs.  It was also refreshing to not have to be asked if I would like smoking, non-smoking, or first available.

Amazingly, these restaurants were still busy.  Smokers even ate there and had their cancer sticks outside when they needed a fix.  I find it funny that smokers can fly several hours without a cigarette but they can't go one hour without one during dinner.  Please!

Last night I went to a restaurant that isn't within the non-smoking city limits and they were no more busy than the non-smoking ones.  However, I did have to answer the smoking versus non-smoking question.  Even though I sat in non-smoking, I still was congested by the end of dinner,  my clothes and hair smelled like smoke, and while eating as a waitress would pass by, it would pull in some of the smoke from the smoking section.

The current city ordinance did some good on Monday but Question 3 takes it a step further.  Vote yes for Question 3 on April 8th.  Your lungs, clothes, and hair will appreciate it.

Another politician and another scandal.  It amazes me how arrogant these people are and think they won't be caught.  You can see some of the media bias when this first broke, because there was no mention of him being a Democrat.  Eventually, they started releasing that.  I don't care what party they are from, if they break the law, they should be prosecuted and removed from office.  Right now these are allegations but serious ones.  All the facts are not in but it doesn't look good.  If they are in fact true, he needs to resign.

Politicians wonder why they can't be trusted and its issues like this that lose the public trust.  I know its an oxy moron but I would really like this country to get back to honest politicians.  We claim that our political system is the best in the world yet scandal after scandal arises at the federal, state, and local levels.  The hypocrisy is no only with these politicians but it may also be with our country thinking our system is the best. 

I am not saying this to be mean or critical but with the frequent changes of our weather, the long range forecast at this time of the year is rarely correct.  Does it really add value to go beyond a couple of days?  In the summer, the weather seems to be very stagnant and easier to forecast but the systems that pass through this time of the year are so fast and unpredictable that it seems silly for a 7-day forecast.

If I recall, there was a meteorologist that was predicting 50's for today or tomorrow with the temperature pushing 60 on Friday or Saturday.  This prediction came last Friday.  I know things can change quickly around here but that is my whole point of the blog.  Does it really add value for a 7-day forecast?  It seems it sets the meteorologist up for criticism  rather than what the intended use is meant for.