Al Brooks speaks out: 'Leawood Dead Pool'

By Greg Reeves
It's hard to make Al Brooks angry, but the "Leawood Dead Pool" has succeeded. That's the group of Leawood public works employees who made an office pool out of the final tally of homicides in Kansas City in 2005.
I spoke this afternoon with Brooks, an ex-cop who is now an at-large City Council member and mayor pro-tem. Here's what he said about the pool:

• "I thought it was the most outrageous thing that I’ve heard of in recent years. How do you play a game with people’s lives? With life and death? Have you heard what the spread was? You’ve got to have from this point to that point, like from 100 to 125. It’s 110 now. So I’ve got 110, I want it to stay at 110. But if you’ve got 116, you say, ‘Come on! We need six more homicides!’
• "That’s crazy. That is most disrespectful of the family members. Wasn’t Ali Kemp killed in Leawood? Wouldn’t it be horrible if they did this in their own community and said, ‘How many more homicides are we going to have in Leawood?’ How would Roger (Kemp, father of Ali Kemp) feel about that?
• "Regardless of the circumstances their loved one was in, whether it was drug-dealing or a prostitute or whatever the case might be, they are loved just as much as anyone else’s child is loved or loved one is loved.
• "The thing that I think bothers me the most is that you make a game with people’s lives. If it hasn’t reached your number, then you hope somebody else will be killed so that you will win the $50 pot."

Eight to 10 Leawood employees were suspended for one or two weeks in the case.

• "I think it should have been much harsher than that," Brooks said. "If that had happened on this side with some of our city employees, if I was asked, I would say they need to be looking for another job."

Comments

[Eddie]

Considering what city the betting pool took place, I'm not the least bit surprised.

[Colleen]

I don't understand what the big deal is. We are a messed up society, and to make lite of it, might make it a little easier to swallow. I cannot believe that these people actually were suspended from their jobs for this. In poor taste? Maybe, but who is it really hurting? Don't we as a city have a lot more important things to worry about? I believe so.

[Johnny T]

Oh step off Al Brooks... anything to point the attention away from the real problem right??

Was this dead pool in poor taste? Absolutely! No doubt about it. I don't think you'll find one person who disagrees. Unless you count the numerous other dead pools going on within the metro..

But lets look at the real problem...and who the blame really lies with...

Blame it on the KCMO Government. Thank Kay Barnes for your 1% income tax...now where exactly is that spent?? Urban redevelopment? Oh no!! Then we'd lose our beloved Bannister Mall!!

Blame it on the KCMO Police department. Thank them for their 2-4 hour response time to shots fired.

Blame it on the KCMO Neighborhood preservation department. Without your 2 month letter and violation grace periods the neighborhoods might have 11 crack houses per street instead of 10. We might have 3 abandoned cars in the street/front yards instead of the 5 I currently see on my way out of the neighborhood. We salute you Mr Code enforcement agent. Without you I wouldn't have a face to put with the definition of ignorant.

Especially blame it on the citizens of KCMO themselves. Your unspoken rule to not point the finger at the trigger men and individuals peddling smack has led to these murders this year. Your inability to get up off your ass and mow your grass or paint your house breeds the rot that is defining the culture within the city limits.

Blood is thicker than water...something to remember when it's your own pooling in the street because YOU didn't act...

[Tyrone Garrett]

Everybody who is out there bashing Mr Brooks has either never had a family member killed by violence or is just plain stupid. It's always funny until it happens to you.

[Michael R]

This just goes to show that much has not changed in the good old boy metro Kansas City network.This city is one of the nations most divided by race places I have ever lived. This city will never amount to anything as long as this hatred continues.Would you bring your company here or convention to a place like this?...I would'nt...Long live the good old boys of KC That's what this place is all about

[Donna W]

Most of us have seen photographs of lynchings that have occurred in this country in the not too distant past. The ones that show a mob of white men, women and children looking on with satisfaction at the burned and mutilated corpse of some black person. I've always wondered where these people who participated in lynchings are today. After hearing of the Leawood "dead pool", I think that some of them, or their descendents, may be living in Leawood.

[hypereporter]

Im with Johnny T.

You're the civic leader/former cop Mr Brooks. The majority of it is happening in your community (although parts of KCK seem quite the cesspool of death) SO LEAD! Do something more than just whining.

To me it's no surprise that a city with a history run by crooks is over run with them.

Maybe the older gentleman who told me stories of old KCMO was right - KC politics ran much smoother when the mafia controlled it rather than the white collar greed.

[Don]

Where do I place my bet? It's about money! Not race!

[Jonathan S]

Why is there more talk on this thread about KCMO than Leawood? If you're going to criticize Mr. Brooks' comments about the "dead pool," than criticize Mr. Brooks' comments about the dead pool. He mentioned nothing about KCMO and that's because the focus was on the problem in Leawood. Doesn't the criticism above bare a striking resemblance to the personal attack campaigns we all whine about every election year?

Whether Brooks' track record warrants criticism or not, he still has the right to be upset about a practice as crass as betting on people's lives. How about stressing the merit of the criticism and not the merit of the critic from now on?

Let me make another statement about this, it is sad that a city like Leawood can make pools about whats going on in Kansas City,Missouri.Crime is every you go we cant escape it, to make bets on whats going on in the black community in Kansas City, Missouri is racist.How many black people live in the city of Leawood, Overland Park, Olathe or any of these Johnson County cities.The Kansas City Metro that we call it is the most segregated place in America, and the crime rate in the black community needs to stop, but where are our jobs, good schools, and a fair system that every American can be proud of. If Leawood wants to make an apology it wont help cause the damage is already done.

[Johnny T]

Ok Don, Michael R, Tyrone and Anonymous...

I consider this to be very little about race... it's more about having little empathy for people who do nothing to help themselves!!!

KCMO's culture (note: culture being a state of mind and pattern of behavior NOT skin color) is the root cause of this issue.

Leawood and EVERYONE else's dead pools (because there are plenty going on) aren't exactly shining examples of humanity either... but to spend your time and energy pointing the finger at the big bad Leawood employees rather than taking a hard look in the mirror shows that you're a part of the problem as well.

Find the solution... don't find another reason to feel sorry for yourself..

[Scott Rader]

I have worked in Leawood for years, although I make my home in a Missouri suburb. I can tell you that I am a harsh critic of how KC runs its business, but I would never try to justify what these Leawood employees did. It isn't a question of whether there are bigger things to take care of, it is important that we set an example for our children and others. If we accept this behavior, we condone it. Working in Leawood with a lot of rich white men has been a real eye-opener for me. The jokes and the lunch conversations about race and poverty are sobering. I can't believe their attitudes toward the poor and minority population. I grew up poor but I am white so I was able to escape it.

People in Johnson county need to wake up and look at what is going on in France and realize that the same thing could happen here.

People in Johnson county don't see how they were able to build that area because of the great city that is KC.

Why can't we come together? Instead of attacking Mr. Brooks, why not help him? He is only one man and I know most people in Leawood have more money than him.

I am embarrased to live in KC.

[Michael Kheop]

This post is to all the white people who participated in the death pool. Keep betting, keep trying to win your pot of gold. You think Leawood is a fortress of whiteness and will remain untouched by the over 50 consective years of fruitful struggle against your kind by the Black world. From Africa, China, India, and all other nations of people who were oppressed in the Age of Europe (1492 -1945) your racist mentality has been crushed, and all your white supremacy dreams have become folk tales of what humans should never do. Your racist time is over. We people of color and enlightened white people will not tolerate your ignorance being amplified in the laws of our nation, nor will we allow your ignorance to become our common culture.

Mr. Brooks most of we young Black people of Kansas City feel you, and know that you care. You've fought the good fight, but you don't need to comment every time some "crakers" get together and do what they do, the racist have been gietting "high" off of our misery for over five Sinturies. Let em do what they do Mr. Brooks, and we'll do what we do. They always think they're in control. Every where in the world where white people like the death pool people were in power they've been defeated, totally destroyed, and all their ideas completely discredited. Leawood is a racist idea that is already been destroyed worldwide.

The streets are hot right now Mr. Brooks, and the murder rate is atrocious, but all is moving according to GOD's plan. We young Black people are working it out, just like all the other generations of Black people that have come before us, we shall overcome all the jealousy, envy, and hate, and we we'll unite soon and all that the "sons and daughters of guns" stole we'll be returned.

Michael Kheop

Get off your high horse.

Your comments above make you no better than the KKK or any other idiotic white power group as you're JUST as racist and JUST as biased as they are.

The vast majority of people could give a damn as to the color of your skin. Its your actions that define you.

White power/Black power... it's all a bunch of bull. Ignorant bull.

Start acting like a decent human being and be accepted as one.

Oh and Michael...

An education is key to being taken seriously...

Sinturies? Crakers?

Embarrased to live in KC? Then move...

As far as KC being "racist" and "the most racially divided cities in the country", have any of you ever been to LA or Chicago? Or any other big city for that matter? This is the best place to live, period.

[vjohnson]

Several years ago I was very ill and my co-
workers told me they were going to start a
lottery to see if they could predict the date of end of breathing. Not once did I take offense of this suggestion, what I
received from this was please wake and get
some help before it was too late. I did and
thankfully got better and still working.
That is what I received from the OP situation. So please KC wake and help yourselves before it is too late, and you can have a healthty city for years to come.

[michael pittman]

This talk about One KC needs to stop, we all know that this city will never be able to grow to its full potential.The people here are not united,not in buisness,culture, or community.This is the most backwards city in AMERICA.

Why do you move the jobs from the city of Kansas City,Missouri and take them to Johnson County where most people in the city cant get access to?

Why are they building all of these things Downtown but dont want black people or any other people of color to be apart of it?

Why the Mayor of this city has yet to speak out about the crime increase in Kansas City,Missouri?

Why when black people or other people of color get out and protest about things that effect our commmunity like racism,police brutality,and jobs we get little media, but white people can protest about a tree thats being cut down and they get all of the media.

This has to change, and vjohnson made a statement that big cities like LA,and Chicago have a bigger problem in race relations in thier cities. Yes, vjohnson that is true. But, blacks and other people of color are at least in a position to change things in those cities because black people in LA wont stand for this madness, remember what happened in Watts,and other cities in the LA area we burned it down.And in Chicago black people or demanding jobs,good schools,and safe neighborhoods.

Leawood wants to make deadpools about our people here in Kansas City,Missouri?

Then Leawood let some of our black people and other people of color live in some of those big houses,go to those great schools,and damn it get some of the money that you "Stole" from the city. PEACE..........

[hypereporter]

Mike K.

when God comes back for his children he wont be seperating us based on skin

Mike P.

Black people do live in Leawood. They are Chiefs or Royals players. Maybe you could ask them why they aren't living in one of the big houses off Benton Blvd.

[Michael Kheop]

Someone wrote that I am a racist. My words were equated with the KKK. Who did I advocate Lynching? Did I say that we young Black Kansas Citians should start a betting pool, predicting how many White Kansans will die of Melanoma? That is what racist do, they get high off of other people's hard times.

Its this thing going around Kansas City that race doesn't matter. Let me quote the Princeton Philosopher Conell West, who said, "In America everything is about race." You want to argue that racism doesn't exist because White people in the greater Kansas City say so. Do you know the history of our city? Do you know about the racial coventants that J.C. Nichols instituted? All the people who live in his developments know about it, and to this day they still honor his illegal racist convenants.

So you know how race riots start like the one going on at this moment in France? They start when folks like you tell people that the hatred they are existing under is all in their minds. Even though they are segregated physically in ghettoes, and through the use of historical white supremacy tactics; it is attempted to make them feel inferior. The young men and women of France of all colors are showing that they reject, the status quo rational that all the inhumane treatment they suffer daily is all in their minds. Thats why riots happen, to let thier nation know what it feels like to be afraid in your own country.

Kansas City can be one of the greatest cities in America and the world, instead all we got is segregated neighborhoods and segregated opportunity. So you think the problem is solved by a sly comment, "Oh and Michael a education is the key to being taken seriously..." Same ignorant American historical response to the social ills that were created Five "Sinturies" ago. Oh yea "Sinturies" is a new word to describe an old problem, it means our civiliazation has been sinning against humanity in general, and Black humanity inparticular.

Why should Kansas City suffer race riots? Its a sociological explosion that can be avoided if good people do something, and stop letting people like the dead pool people control our conversation about our issues. When the Kansas City Star starts to report how we Kansas Citians our collectively overcoming our common problems, then we will know that good people are on the move. Until that day, I'm going to keep saying the truth, and I'm going to stay on my "high horse", because the air is cleaner in the ether of justice.

Listen to Bob Marley's "War" and you will hear how many of we young Black people feel in Kansas City. Many of us are still playing by racist good ole boy Kansas City rules, but everyday more and more of us are starting to play by the rules of liberation, "by any means necessary" racism's back must be broken, and completely destroyed.

[Johnny T]

Fight the power...damn the man Michael Kheop...

You're absolutely right...suggesting 'Jihad' or riots against the repressors in Leawood/Johnson county is the absolute thing to do...*sarcasm*

Because violence begets violence right?

That's exactly the mentality that's caused a large part of the problem KCMO faces today...

You want change in KCMO and change in America? Bring forth leaders who actually LEAD. Stand up and take pride in what you do for your fellow man...not what you do for yourself. Take a stand against those in YOUR community who are doing wrong. Push for morality in your community.

Don't spend all your energy hating others for what color of skin they have... Racism is out there...and anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. Everyone is racist to an extent, and you wear the flag as proudly as those who put on the conical white hats. Racism IS unfortunately a part of America, we're still a young country and our past is still way to fresh in our minds. It is what it is, but it's getting better. We've moved a long way in the past 50 years thanks to Rosa Parks and others in the black community. Strom Thurmond is a prime example of a white leader who was for a long time a part of the problem but in his later life moved into the right direction. Others can follow, but it takes baby steps. The country isn't going to change overnight.

What do you think that rioting in Johnson County is going to do to the perception of black community as a whole? Do you honestly think ANYTHING positive can come from it?

Suggesting violence against those who haven't lifted a hand against you? Shame on you! Why don't you raise a hand against the individuals commiting the murders in your community? You (the KCMO community in general) know who are contributing to and committing these acts, yet you are either not doing anything to combat it or what you're doing isn't effective (to say the least). You want to riot and burn? I say burn down the abandoned houses used to peddle crack among the people. You want to destroy cars? Destroy the pimped out vehicles used by the bangers tearing up your streets.

I just moved out of KCMO for the reasons initially listed above. To be brutally honest I'd love to live in an older neighborhood, especially one with the physical aspects that I just moved out of. But I cannot deal with the constant crime, the complete lack of respect for your common man, and general culture that pervades a large portion of KCMO these days. If that makes me a bad person, then I guess I'll have to wear that badge.

I in no way condone or agree with the death pool. I won't even try to rationalize it. But I think we as a community (KC in general), should focus our attention on the parts of the problem that we can control. The attitudes/beliefs will follow suite given enough time.

[Johnny T]

suit..not suite ;)

[michael pittman]

I"ve talked to the community about this, black and poor whites that live in my neighborhood and all that I heard was how can people be so cold.Even though us as Black Americans have our problems with crime,we still are a strong people that never give up no matter the odds.

Black people dont let this senseless act of stupidity hold us back, we have been through a lot more than the words that came out of the mouths of these people in Leawood. We can overcome this, it will only make us stronger.

People remember their is a higher power more powerful than anything mankind can create.

I want to ask WHITE AMERICA a question im not trying to come off the wrong way?

Just look at yourselves instead of telling us to do something to change our situation,even when we try to change our situation, move to a good neighborhood for example we have to go through the same maddness.

I walk behind a white lady in Crown Center she is looking back at me like im going to rob her, why the HELL is that, I just want to browse and look at things just like she wants to.I respect women no matter what color.

I had a chance to go to Cuba even though America has restrictions about that.It was beautiful white,black,mexican,latino, all had a sense of love for each other, even though they didn't know one another it was beautiful.....

America wants to be a leader of the FREE WORLD.... SO DAMN IT LET US ALL BE FREE!!!!

Peace To Everyone

[woodylarue]

First, my heart goes out to the families of all the victims of violence in the Kansas City area. Each one of us is valuable in God's sight.

The dead-pool was very callous ... I hope that the participants have a change of heart, and decide to help others rather than taking joy in their suffering.
It would be a wonderful gesture if Leawood sent the dead-pool participants to help clean up one of the violent areas.

It is important to keep some perspective on the dead-pool participants. Public works workers aren't rich ... even the ones that work in Johnson County. They weren't the ones pulling the trigger. The callous actions of 8 don’t make an entire city racist anymore than dozens of senseless murders makes everyone in KCMO a vicious murderer.

There are racial divisions and injustices in our city, but people need to take responsibility for their own actions. We need to put down our guns, and pick up our school books. We need to stop our promiscuous behavior and stop using drugs. We need to think more about what we can give to our community, than how we can take what doesn’t belong to us.

We should not expect anyone to give a good job to a lazy, uneducated thug. We should not expect anyone to invest their money in a dirty, violent area that has drunks and drug abusers on every corner. Parents must raise their children instead of expecting others to fix the damage from their neglect.

[Johnny T]

Michael Pittman, I understand your point and don't disagree. As two men from different backgrounds, but somewhat similar beliefs can we as citizens work together to make it better for all of us?

WoodyLarue...well said!

[L Carroll]

I am really sick of all this talk about racism. Not one time did I hear Leawood employees say they were betting on how many black people would die in KC...just how many murders..period. People complain that the black community is being treated unfairly because they can't be given big houses and fancy educations in Johnson County. It has nothing to do with color.
The people living in those big houses, whether black, white or any other color are there because they worked hard and got their education. You don't have to attend a prep school or a fancy collage. If you want your education, get loans like others who really want an education and nice things for their families have done. Maybe the other communities don't have as much crime because they are working to make their community better rather than sitting around whining and blaming everyone else for their problems. I am terribly sorry for Ms Green and the lose of her loved one and I can truly understand why she would be upset, but all of these others trying to make it racial need to take a good look at themselves. This isn't about YOU. Alonzo Washington turns everything into race related problems. Get a clue! It's about people killing their own in their own community. Either take a stand against the trash and the drugs or move out so that you aren't in the community with all of the murders. Get off you dead ass, get a job and quit complaining. I think the Leawood employees should only apologize to the poeple they have hurt meaning the families and friends of the murder victims, but I do not think the mayor owes anyone an apology. Instead, Mayor Barnes should apologize to the people of KCMO for not making the city a better and safer place to live.

[Michael Kheop]

Johnny T read the whole post thread, and try and listen to the Bob Marley song. You're misunderstanding me.

[Johnny T]

Michael Kheop... then clarify your inciting words...

[Michael Kheop]

Johnny T read what I said. I am explaining how citizen rebellions happen. If you don't believe me go and read the "Kerner Commision Report" from back in the sixties when America cities were on fire. There is a way to prevent Riots/Rebellions.

What you said is indicative of White Kansas City. You guys act as if you can't be question, about issues of race or economic disparity. Your post is full of stereotypes. You say I'm a violent person because I am willing to discuss the threat of a sociological explosion within our city limits.You assume so much about me, because I told you I am a Black man. Your mentality is why people feel KC is full of closet racist. I'm not inciting a riot, the only thing I'm inciting is peace.

You mention Rosa Parks in your post. Rosa Parks challengend the racism of her time in a peaceful way, and yet all that White America saw at first was that her and her pastor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were inciting the "good negroes" to rebel. Get your mind right Johnny T, and stop assuming you know a person because of the skin color.

You live in Kansas City and you assume that all Black people on the east side are poor, and that all Black people in Kansas City know the people who are perpetrating the violence. You act as if the abandoned houses are owned by the people in the neighborhood they're in. All of this is just plain dumb. Turn off the TV. You sound like a scared White person, trying to justify your historical fears, with contemporary stereotypes. You said, "Education is the Key" then will you please become an educated person, so that you can speak from a position of intelligence instead of fear and racial stereotypes.

And if you still feel that I'm inciting a riot, then go ahead with your misunderstanding. It doesn't change the fact that Kansas City, Missouri must change. You can keep your stereotypes to yourself. Black and White Kansas City need a kick in the butt, all of this soft talk about hard problems is becoming ridiculous in light of the growing tension between the people. And in case you don't know crime is in Johnson County too, we are one city whether we realize it or not. What affects one city wil affect the other.

You left Kansas City beause of the crime. You must be one of those naive souls who believe you can run away from our American violence. Watch the movie "Traffic" Johnny T, watch the movie "Crash." Both of these of these films are attempting to challenge the stereotypes of others. You can get these movies at Blockbuster. And Johnny T let Mama Rosa Parks rest in peace. You call her name out, to support your fearful rhetoric. Be brave and start to communicate with other people young and old. Start to hear what is being said, instead of what you want to hear.

I'm a Black American and my family has been in Missouri and Kansas before they were states. I'm an original Missourian, don't let my African sir name fool you Johnny T. I speak with the authority of 8 generations who have lived in this area, and we have never ran from the tough issues that we have faced in Missouri and Kansas.

[Crime Scene KC]

Good morning everyone,
Thanks very much for all your comments in this thread over the weekend. I especially appreciate the civil level of discourse on a sensitive topic. Strong disagreements with no racial slurs.

Well, there was one racial slur, and I haven't deleted it. Michael Kheop, can we agree that your use of the word "craker" was inappropriate and should be edited out from your post, as well as from the post responding to it?

Thanks again for a lot of very thoughtful posts. I side with the optimists who see more that unites us than divides us. But I claim no special knowledge on this topic.

Greg Reeves
Crime Scene KC

[David Fruits]

It wouldn't be much of a game with Leawood murders. pick 0-5 and you will win. Leawood kids don't settle basketball games with shotguns. They have mommy sue for damages to their ego.

[Johnny T]

Michael, how does being of 8 generations of native Missourian and Kansans giving you authority on anything?

Dude I want to understand what you're saying, but I don't think you understand it yourself!! All I see is BLACK this and BLACK that!!

I hate to tell you, not once have I mentioned how much pigment is in my skin nor will I... you know why? Because I don't really care!! I don't try to seperate myself by melatonin.. I seperate myself by my actions and my deeds. If you really want to know what I am...lets just say I'm a mutt and leave it at that!

Until you can learn to do so yourself, you're just another guy on the corner waving his picket sign...

I don't disagree with you that KCMO needs to change, but it needs to change within. It needs it's citizens to look in the mirror and decide that day that they want to make a difference and that they won't live their life at substandard levels. To realize that you don't solve problems by picking up a gun, to realize that you don't find relief by puffing a joint. To realize that maybe taking pride in one's appearance and of your neighborhood is a good thing. To realize that idolizing other individuals who are so self centered that they cannot see the damage done to those around them is not living a good life. I can go on and on here....

You think I ran out of the city, so think that!! I succeeded in getting at least a chunk of my neighborhood cleaned up before I left. Rather than selling to the highest bidder, I'm selling my former house there w/ minimal profit to an individual who doesn't have alot going for him, but is trying to get on his feet. Its a small thing, but it's a big thing too.

You want leadership? Define it first, Jesse Jackson isn't a leader, he's a peacock. Al Sharpton, ditto! If you want to look at lighter skinned examples, there are PLENTY in the senate. Sam Brownback for one.

I'm drifting a bit into a slight rant, because I'm frustrated that others seem so confined to beat their chest and talk about how hard it is for them because of one thing or another...but people it's hard for ALL of us for one reason or another. Lets push for postive change in KCMO and not make this the typical yin/yang thing that some of you want it to be...

Its about people...and we all bleed red.

[Eddie]

Johnny T and woodylarue, very well said. I've been reading this discussion for the past couple of days and I have to say that it's been uh... "interesting".

Many (but not all) of the problems in the black community seem to stem from a lack of fathers. Generally one problem begats another and if you eliminate fatherlessness (not to mention out of wedlock births) I'm convinced things wouldn't be half as bad as they are. Funny how Jesse or Al hardly ever mention the +70% out of wedlock birth rate in the black community.

Stereotypes and ignorance will always exist and there will always be those among us (black, white, or otherwise) that will reinforce those stereotypes. It boils down to this: Change can only begin with the man in the mirror.

[Kradzo]

If I'm hearing correctly, only white people are racist? I've heard it with people I've worked with who were also some of the most racist people I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. Folks, it is the sad part of sinful human nature to dislike/distrust those different from you. It isn't always skin color. Personally, I don't know that the dead pool is indicative of racism as much as it is of insensitivity and perhaps stupidity.

[Kradzo]

By the way, who participates in office pools about a baby's birth or when some young lovebirds are going to get married before the question has even been raised.

Are pools okay ONLY when they are in good taste or should they be banned completely in case someone is offended by them?

[Suck it up]

In response to David Fruit's post: Although what you said is a complete generalization, Don't you think it would be better to solve your problems by suing rather than killing and using the race card to try to elicit sympathy? I'm done feeling sorry for ANYONE who uses the race card.
I do not in any way support the "dead pool" but I do recognize that it was created as a joke because of the media hype.
Put your race cards away, quit blaming all of your problems on it.

[Fed Up]

You people are f*cked up. First of all the people of Leawood never made this bet or had anything to do with it. 95 % of Leawood employees live outside the city. Yes they are YOUR neighbors simply employed by the city of Leawood. Now what? Brooks your nothing but a political puppet.