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~ covering government and politics in Missouri – since 2007

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Tag Archives: Kansas

It’s still snowing

15 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Kansas, snow, weather

Late this afternoon in Prairie Village, Kansas:

Rep. Sharice Davids (D) – Kansas City Women’s March – January 19, 2019

20 Sunday Jan 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#resist, 3rd Congressional District, Kansas, Kansas City, missouri, Sharice Davids

Yesterday’s Kansas City Women’s March was centered at Unity Temple on the Plaza. After the 2:00 p.m. march through the Plaza and back participants gathered for a 3:00 p.m. inside rally, this due to the extreme cold.

Reprentative Sharice Davids (D) spoke at the rally:

Representative Sharice Davids (D) – January 19, 2019.


https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ste-010.mp3

The transcript:

Representative Sharice Davids (D): …Thank you all for being here today, um, and for, well, actually it’s so much, it’s so much nicer now than any of us anticipated I think, so. Um, I’m grateful for that. Ah, so happy to be here today with all of you. Uh, this will be the third, um, march, rally, uh, that I participated in, the first time I was in Washington, D.C. and I marched with the native women rights group. And then last year, without realizing it, um, I didn’t know that I was going to be running for Congress in that moment but I got to stand on stage with Laura Kelly who is now Kansas’ governor. And now this year I get to be here with all of you.

I’m so excited about the progress that we’ve seen since twenty-sixteen although I now we have a lot more work to do. Um, certainly my victory and Laura Kelly’s victory, which was all of our victories, um, meant a lot in Kansas this last year. But, we all also recognize that twenty-nineteen is gonna be a lot of work. Twenty-twenty is gonna be a lot of work. But we’re here for it. I know we are.

I can’t express, because I’m not as amazing as the poets that stood up here before me today, the honor and privilege that I feel standing in front of you as the Congressional representative for the Third District in Kansas. But I can tell you that the reason that I ran was because I had a lot of faith in the people in Kansas in the Third District and my community. And, this year, Kansas showed up. This year women showed up. LGBT folks, people of color, people of different socio-economic statuses, people with different educational backgrounds, all showed up. And it made a huge difference. And I’m here for that, too.

I knew that we were ready for something different, something that all of us know that our communities stand for. We all want public education, regardless [inaudible]. That we want public education regardless of what zip code you live in, that you should have high quality education. It doesn’t matter who your parents are, it doesn’t matter what your background is, that you are just as deserving of a quality public education as anyone else.

That’s the same for health care. We showed up this year because we know that in the most wealthy country in the world, I heard it from a couple of other speakers, no one should go broke paying for health care. No one should put their family’s ability to have their livelihoods at risk because of something that they can’t control. We all have to worry about our health care. And no one should go broke because of that.

We showed up because we know that those are our values. We know that people, regardless of your background or your socio-economic status, that you, you’re voice should be heard in thi political process.

I ran because I know, I represent a voice that, until Deb Halland and I got elected this year, had never been heard in Congress before. But that didn’t happen because of me, it happened because of all of you. It happened because the people in Kansas showed up. It happened because people on the Missouri side showed up. I know that’s true. It happened because so many of us put our blood, sweat and tears in to this last election cycle in a way that so many of us had not done before.

And a whole bunch of people had. A whole bunch of people have been doing all of this work for so long. And their voices were not being listened to. So many people have been fighting for women’s rights, for LGBT rights, for the rights of Black women, Black men, and Black trans people. And those voices were not being listened to.

But we have started a path of change. This year that’s changing. But the work’s not done. We can clap even though the work’s not done.

We’re at the beginning of a new year that’s gonna be really hard. It already is. I did not anticipate getting sworn in to a closed, partially closed federal government and going to sleep at night knowing that part of the responsibility that I hold is that the decisions I make impact a whole bunch of people that I will never see, a whole bunch of people who are doing work right now and not getting paid for it. Which should never happen, anywhere, and it shouldn’t be [inaudible]. People who are trying to keep us safe.

And I know that a lot of you, probably there are people in this room who are experiencing that right now, that a lot of you care about, not just our federal Civil Service workers and the contractors help keeping, who help keep the federal government going, but also all the people who depend on those federal programs. People who make use of HUD for housing, who make use of SNAP and WIC, so our children and our families in our communities can be fed. All of these things are so important. And it is so heavy going to and from my office and meeting with federal employees and people who are affected by these programs. But I signed up for that.

I intentionally put myself into this process because it matters that we now have more people in Congress who actually know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. [inaudible] To have people who are making decisions that this is not a thought experiment for. It’s not a thought experiment for me to be thinking about what it’s like to not have health care. Starting February 1st, when I have healthcare for the first time in over a year.

When so many people in this country know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck and we have people in the Senate and in the White House who will never understand the pain and that feeling in your chest when you don’t know if you’re gonna to be able to make rent or pay your phone bill or pay for child care or gas to get to work. All of these things that affect all of us are not affecting the people who are sitting in the halls of Congress right now. Until this year, when we have seen so many new people. I’m happy to be part of that class.

So, I’m one of four hundred thirty-five in the House of Representatives right now. But it’s one voice that represents seven hundred thousand people. And each one of us in the House of Representatives has that responsibility. In the Senate there are a hundred of them. And I hope that they will think about the effects of not even voting on the bills that we’re passing because that is unacceptable.

I decided a long time ago that, even though it was not until nineteen twenty-four that Native Americans were recognized as citizens in this country, that, this is a copy of the Constitution. And in this little book is a copy of the Declaration of Independence. And that this is just as much my document a all of yours and the people who signed it. And since I decided that I’ve been keeping a copy of the Constitution with me, all, for like ten years. And, someone bought me this fancy one because I just got in to Congress.

So, the reason that I brought this with me is because I want to encourage everyone to remember that our government has power because the people allow the government to have power.

My favorite line in the Declaration of Independence has to do with the fact that our government derives its just power from the consent of the governed. And that’s all of us.

But recently, one of my more favorite pieces of it is the conclusion. At the end of the Declaration of Independence there’s a pledge. We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

During the campaign cycle I told a large group of people that I wanted Democracy as bad as I wanted to breathe. And right now I’m making this pledge to all of you. That my life and fortune and honor is tied up with yours. And I pledge that that will always be the case. And if you see actions out of me and that’s not the case, then you should vote for someone else.

Because I need you to help me keep on the right path to keep representing all of you as best I can.

Please stay active. I know you will. Encourage your friends and family to stay active. Because we are making progress. We’re for sure making progress or I wouldn’t be standing here with all of you. And I hope you’ll continue and join me, continuing to support each other. I’m gonna keep supporting as many of you a I can so that we can raise each other up. Because that’s what we’ve been doing these last couple of years. And it’s working. It’s gonna be a long haul, but it’s working. So keep doing it.

Previously:

Kansas City Women’s March – January 19, 2019 (January 19, 2019)

My favorite image of the year – June 22, 2018 – Overland Park, Kansas

29 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in meta, Resist

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

#change, #resist, 3rd Congressional District, immigration, Kansas, Kevin Yoder, meta, Overland Park, photo, protest, Sharice Davids

Making a choice was prompted by an exchange on social media.

I really do care. Do U?

On Twitter:

Michael Bersin @MBersin
Replying to @cathysherwin
@KurtEricksonPD My favorite image of the year – June 22, 2018 – immigration protest in front of Rep. Kevin Yoder’s (r) district office in Overland Park, Kansas. #change #YearInReview
[….]
12:03 PM – 29 Dec 2018

F 4.5, 1/400, ISO 200, 180 mm – June was a busy month for public protest.

I had read online that there would be an immigration demonstration in front of Representative Kevin Yoder’s (r) district office in downtown Overland Park on the 22nd starting at 4:00 p.m. I arrived early, parked on the street at a nearby park, and walked to the district office. I had expected a handful of protesters. By the time the demonstration was at its peak there were over five hundred people picketing on the sidewalk. There were a few counter protesters, not more than a handful.

Usually protesters face the street with their signs. Early on I noted this individual with her back to the street. I took a series of images.

It was over four months to the general election, this was Johnson County, Kansas, and over five hundred people showed up. That’s when I realized Kevin Yoder’s (r) 2018 reelection campaign was in trouble.

Sharice Davids (D) is now the Representative-elect for the Third Congressional District of Kansas.

Previously:

Protest imitates fashion (June 22, 2018)

Performance Art (June 22, 2018)

Somebody’s grandmother (June 22, 2018)

Immigration protest at Rep. Kevin Yoder’s (r) district office – Overland Park, Kansas – June 22, 2018 (June 23, 2018)

Campaign Finance: maybe they ran out of right wingnut candidates in Kansas

25 Thursday Oct 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

34th Senate District, campaign finance, Kansas, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission, two right wingnut Missouri PACs get some of that Johnson County, Kansas silk stocking money:

C171211 10/25/2018 Citizens for a Prosperous 34th Senate District Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. 11161 Overbrook Rd. Ste. 210 Leawood KS 66211 10/24/2018 $50,000.00

C180456 10/25/2018 Senate Conservatives Fund Ketchmark & McCreight, P.C. 11161 Overbrook Rd. Ste. 210 Leawood KS 66211 10/24/2018 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

What’s the matter with Kansas?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: No contest is too small… (October 22, 2018)

Campaign Finance: infinite loop (October 23, 2018)

Cargo cult

17 Friday Aug 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Donald Trump, Governor's Ham Breakfast, Josh Hawley, Kansas, Kris Kobach, missouri, Missouri State Fair, Sedalia

Outside yesterday’s Governor’s Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia:

Well, Kris Kobach (r) is certainly doing his part.

The World Is a Cargo Cult (June 27, 2017)

Kansas: “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror…”

06 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

endorsement, governor, Kansas, Kobach, Primary, social media, Trump, Twitter

Behind the scenes: Trump’s power politics
Jonathan Swan 18 hours ago

…Senior Republican officials have told me they’re holding their breath, hoping Trump won’t endorse hardliner Kris Kobach in Tuesday’s Kansas gubernatorial primary. Kobach is as far right as a Republican gets on immigration and voting rights, and Democrats view his potential victory as an opportunity to steal centrist voters…

This morning:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Kris Kobach, a strong and early supporter of mine, is running for Governor of the Great State of Kansas. He is a fantastic guy who loves his State and our Country – he will be a GREAT Governor and has my full & total Endorsement! Strong on Crime, Border & Military. VOTE TUESDAY!
10:48 AM – 6 Aug 2018

Heh.

They built that.

Immigration protest at Rep. Kevin Yoder’s (r) district office – Overland Park, Kansas – June 22, 2018

23 Saturday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

3rd Congressional District, children, concentration camps, Donald Trump, immigration, Kansas, Kevin Yoder, Overland Park, protest, Resist

Yesterday afternoon in Overland Park, Kansas, over five hundred people showed up for immigration protest in front or Representative Kevin Yoder’s (r) downtown district office.

The demonstration, scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. started as people gathered in the half hour before the start and continued beyond 5:30 p.m. Passing traffic, for the most part, expressed support with the sound of honking horns. A small handful openly expressed their support for placing children in concentration camps.

At one point, for a relatively short time, two counter protestors with signs expressing anti-immigrant sentiments positioned themselves near the end of the line of protestors.

Earlier in the protest an individual across the street who was recording with her cell phone taunted the protestors, shouting that she dealt in “facts” while the protestors were influenced by emotion. Those across the street protesting who heard her just laughed and then ignored her.

“No body is illegal”

“God loves all his children”

“No kids in prison camps”

Kansas City media.

“Nope”

Doing the right thing.

Throughout the demonstration one individual sat in the small courtyard area in front of Representative Yoder’s (r) office quietly holding his sign:

“Yoder is complicit in Facism”

“Prison is not Summer camp”

There were a number of variations of commentary about Melania Trump’s (r) attempt at social activism:

“Proud son of an immigrant”

We are all God’s children”

There are more of us than there are of them. #Resist.

Previously:

Protest imitates fashion (June 22, 2018)

Performance Art (June 22, 2018)

Somebody’s grandmother (June 22, 2018)

Somebody’s grandmother

22 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

3rd Congressional District, Donald Trump, immigration, Kansas, Kevin Yoder, Overland Park, protest

“If you can’t use profanity to describe an obscenity, when the fuck can you use it?” – Blue Girl

This afternoon in Overland Park, Kansas, at an immigration protest in front or Representative Kevin Yoder’s (r) downtown district office:

“Chinga La Migra”

When you’ve upset somebody’s grandmother this much you’ve gone too far.

Previously:

Protest imitates fashion (June 22, 2018)

Performance Art (June 22, 2018)

Performance Art

22 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

3rd Congressional District, children, Donald Trump, immigration, Kansas, Kevin Yoder, Overland Park, protest

It’s got to be. No one is really this cliché, right?

This afternoon in Overland Park, Kansas, at an immigration protest in front or Representative Kevin Yoder’s (r) downtown district office:

Two counter protesters near the end of the long line of demonstrators.

That’s got to be a genuine MAGA hat.

The counter protestor on the right held his sign in front of his face when he noticed me photographing them from across the street. That tells you something.

Ah, he must be sustained by the strength of his convictions.

Previously:

Protest imitates fashion (June 22, 2018)

Protest imitates fashion

22 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

3rd Congressional District, children, Donald Trump, immigration, Kansas, Kevin Yoder, Melania Trump, Overland Park, protest

This afternoon in Overland Park, Kansas, at an immigration protest in front or Representative Kevin Yoder’s (r) downtown district office:

I really do care. Do U?

Our nation may be going down the drain, but not without a fight and a good dose of sarcasm.

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