Chandra Yungbluth Named Dem Director

The Hamilton County Democratic Party has named Chandra Yungbluth as the new executive director, replacing Adam Rosenberg. Yungbluth work on the Greg Harris campaign and is native to Hamilton County. The most interesting thing, is that Googling her comes up with little. I don't know her or anything about her. The views of those who know something about her (and who I know) say she was the right choice for the job.

I am wondering if she has called anyone form the Ghiz camp. I don't see Leslie jumping ship, other than to Charter, but you don't know until you try.

Cincinnati Magazine

I am included in Cincinnati Magazine Article in the February edition. It was just published, but I have not seen it yet. Nick Spencer, who was also included in the article has reviewed it and feels it was a good article. When I get a copy I will post more. At this point it is not online and will not be. Cincinnati Magazine doesn't generally publish articles online, only in hardcopy. I hope they put this one as a special considered, considering the topic. I mean, if I can't link to story that mentions me personally, would is this blog good for anyway?

Delusional or a Liar?

When you read stuff like this from Bush do you think he comes across more as a liar or is he just living in a delusional state?

President Bush said the public's decision to reelect him was a ratification of his approach toward Iraq and that there was no reason to hold any administration officials accountable for mistakes or misjudgments in prewar planning or managing the violent aftermath.

"We had an accountability moment, and that's called the 2004 elections," Bush said in an interview with The Washington Post. "The American people listened to different assessments made about what was taking place in Iraq, and they looked at the two candidates, and chose me."

When he says stuff like this I think than man's mind is just off on a different planet or filled with a really thick haze.

Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati

If you care to help out, a local effort called Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati is having a benefit dinner next Wed January 19th at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Hall of Mirrors. The full details:

WHAT: Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati Benefit for the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Dinner by the bite, local djs, a balloon pop raffle and much more.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 19, 2005, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Hall of Mirrors 35 W. 5th St., Cincinnati.

WHO: Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati, area restaurants and businesses: Pho Paris, Cumin, Beluga, Teak, Celestial, Mt. Adams Fish House, Boca, Maisonette, Carlo & Johnny, Orchids, The Quarter Bistro, Embers, Sturkey's, Encore Cafe, Aioli, Sake Bomb, Shanghai Mama's, Vineyard Cafe, Bella, Riverside Korean, Lemongrass, Jag's, Cutting Edge Selections, Cincinnati Wine Garage, Heidelberg Distributing, Dennert Distributing, Ohio Valley Wines, Sprouts, Deux Design and more.

TICKETS: $65 per person -- suggested donation.
Available by calling 513-533-9111. Tickets are also available at Cumin, Beluga, Aioli, Jean-Robert at Pigall?s, Boca, Carlo & Johnny, and Mt.Adams Fish House, or any participating restaurant.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tsunami Relief Effort of Cincinnati
3514 Erie Avenue, 45208
phone: 513-533-9111
fax: 513-871-3287
email: yajan2000@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://www.tsunamireliefcincinnati.blogspot.com

Right now you could also check out NBC's Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope on all NBC Universial television broadcast and cable channels.

Why TV News Sucks

In this WCPO story about a rape at Cincinnati State we read in the second sentence:

As 9News was first to report, school officials said a woman was raped Thursday night while working in the 3rd floor computer lab of the school's new Advanced Technology and Learning Center.

First? FIRST? Who gives a damn if WCPO, WWE, or my back fat was first to report the story about the rape of a 21 year old person? No more whoring for ratings using rape victims, please. Hell, it is not even sweeps yet.

Yes, that is a common phrase used by WCPO and other outlets, but here it just sounds despicable.

UPDATE: To clearify one thing, this web story is just a transcript from a broadcasted story.

1530 WCKY Website Up

The "Revolution of Talk Radio" 1530 WCKY's website is up and nearly ready to go with content from Air America.

The switch will reportedly begin at 9 AM on Monday with Springer's Show. What Jerry will cover is up in the air. On a radio insiders message board discussion hovered around whether Springer will cover local issues or stick to national issues. Well, the current bio page on the WCKY site gives one answer:

He's baacck! At home and on the air in Cincinnati! No, not Jerry Springer Trash TV host, rather Jerry the lawyer turned politician turned anchorman, father, talk show host, country music singer - New York Savvy with Midwestern warmth. Along with sidekick-Jene Galvin expect the unexpected! Social activists that will cover Local, Regional and National issues that are both entertaining and topical!

What will be interesting next is to hear the outcry and rantings from the conservative media. That is, all but Clear Channel radio stations. I can't wait to hear Bill Cunnigham's story of leaving Jerry a basket of porn on his desk as a welcome gift.

Jake Speed Interview & Folk Life Benefit

Cincy Music's Venomous Valdez has an interview with Jake Speed. It is light, yet interesting.

If you have not already, make sure you pick up Jake Speed and Freddies latest album 'Huzzah!'. If you go to one of their shows you usually can get it cheaper.

Jake Speed is also scheduled to appear tomorrow (Sunday Jan 16th)at the Cincinnati Folk Life Benefit:

What: Musicians' Benefit for Cincinnati Folk Life and the Celtic World Festival

When: Sunday, January 16, 2005 3:00-11:00pm (Doors open at 2:30pm)

Where: 20th Century Theater 3021 Madison Rd (on Oakley Square)Cincinnati, OH

Suggested donation: $10 per person (at the door)

Schedule of Performers:
3:00 Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Glee Club
3:30 The Hooley Band
4:00 Riley School of Irish Music Ceili Band
4:30 Silver Arm and Celtic Rhythm Dancers
5:30 Jake Speed and the Freddies
6:30 Acappellics Anonymous
7:30 The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs
8:30 Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters
9:30 Dave Gilligan and The Flock

Cincinnati Advance

The Cincinnati Tomorrow Civic League has changed its name to Cincinnati Advance. Complete with a new website, the group is changing its name to maintain its independence as stated in the latest "Wire:"

Why the name change? We originally created the Cincinnati Tomorrow Civic League as a separate group from Cincinnati Tomorrow so that the original group CT would obtain 501(c)(3) tax status. That was intended to allow CT to do fundraising to perform more civic-minded efforts in our community. o­ne hurdle has been the name similarity of the CT prime and CT Civic League. 501(c)(3) organizations cannot endorse any commercial entities. That led to us cutting out great things like the calendar and links, not to mention limiting the type of stories we could publish o­n our main page. With the rebranding and separation of Cincinnati Advance, we eliminate this confusion: Cincinnati Tomorrow is the home of civic advocacy and non-profit projects; Cincinnati Advance has much greater latitude in doing projects like the After5 Walks, Culture Nights, and so o­n. This restructuring will allow both organizations to better focus o­n their projects and encourage their success.

To you the fine folks who attend the After-Five Walks, Culture Nights, and other events, you will not see anything different. I also will be taking a more formal position with the group as well, so look for more on what the group plans in the future.

"Words, words between the lines of age"

Is Bush starting to feel a bit guilty?

Washington- President Bush expressed misgivings Thursday for two of his most famous expressions: "Bring 'em on," in reference to Iraqis attacking U.S. troops, and his vow to get Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."

Is it possible for him to eat his words, or is this just another case of targeted audience speak, where Bush takes a page from Clinton and plays to his audience's desires, while Bush's blood lusting supporters would not be listening to this crowd anyway?

Flooding, Etc.

I drove this morning along Route 32 to Newtown and the Little Miami River has flooded all the way up to the edge of the road. The Clear Creek Park is more like a lake.

Today was renewing my car registration day. I had to get the eCheck and the nearest location is in Newtown. I was surprised on something. My car was not completely tested. I don't know why. I did not ask. It is a new enough car with a new exhaust system, so I am sure it met the standards, but I wonder why the car did not get the test where they "drive" in the car in place and measure the exhaust.

I then had to go get the renewed registration at the BMV. I got the typical wait in line. I waited for a while until I was the next in line. Then this old couple comes in and walks right up to the main counter and proceeded to ask a question in the form of telling a story about getting a ticket. Once the BMV clerk said they don't handle tickets, twice, and said they should go downtown, twice, I got my little 06 sticker and was on my way.

Post Mortem on Monzel v. Ghiz

It's official. Councilman Sam Malone, the anti-gay bigot, has appointed Chris Monzel to City Council. The man who has been appointed to council more often than he has been elected.

This should now be an opportunity for the Dems. The East Side moderates are a source that have been ignored as fickle and too willing to vote for the GOP. This episode should be exploited for all it is worth. The County GOP has for some unknown reason gone to the right to try and keep someone on council in the city. The idiots in Sharonville (Phil B. and his thugs) have cracked the party. Now is the time for the Dems to open up that crack and bring the social liberals on board.

The article indicates Ghiz may not run this year and even got a job offer from Joe Deters. She reportedly turned it down.

This is a gut check for the Hamilton County Democratic Party. If if they don't find a couple more David Peppers (not money wise, just position wise) to run for council, then they will be lucky to keep the 5 seats they have and will likely drive the East Siders into a devil's bargain with the bible thumpers in the rest of the county.

I Have No Words

Discuss, but be nice.

Vice Mayor's Pub Crawl

Vice Mayor Alicia Reece is pushing for a restaurant/bar smoking ban in the city.

First, Reece said she will launch a stop by campaign where she will make visits to restaurants, bars, bingo halls, bowling alleys and other establishments to talk with owners and citizens about the issue.

This amounts to a city sponsored pub crawl. As someone who has been on many a pub crawl, I would offer this simple advice: pace yourself. Also, prepare to feel the wrath of the smokers. I myself am torn on this issue. I don't like smoke in restaurants at all and would not shed a tear if the ban goes in.

I do have a problem with private business being forced to remove it. Having the city ban gives cover to bar owners who would want to do it, but have no juice to enforce it. I guess I would give an out to business that allow it, but make some kind of accommodation for their employees, like great air filters, or a money settlement to find another job.

GOP Chooses Anti-Gay Bigotry, (We Think)

It is nice to know who you are up against. In this city the GOP has reportedly given in to the bigots of the party and will appoint Chris Monzel to council.

What a bunch of fucking idiots.

Are these guys really this stupid? [Note: I wonder if they are were men?] Monzel lost last time, not just to Leslie Ghiz, he lost to Damon Lynch III. Unless they promised the White House to Ghiz, I would advise her to become a Charter Candidate the minute after they give it to Monzel. The only way they could insult her 2003 campaign more would be to issue a retro-active revocation of the GOP endorsement. She appears to b a loyal Republican, but can she honestly stay in a party when it is clear they did not pick her because of her support for gay-rights. Their logic is mostly likely the belief that Ghiz could win next time, but Monzel could not, unless he was on council. The logic fails because he already lost as an incumbent and he would likely loose vital East side GOP support for this debacle.

How honestly could the GOP not respect the voters? Well, that is the silliest question I could have asked. We are talking about the Hamilton County GOP.

Now more than ever I would like to know who voted on this. I would like to know more if that vote actually was for Monzel or if the bigot vote said they would raise a stink if they did not appoint their person.

Phil Burress must have a really big hard-on at this very moment. Hurting people who support gay-rights, especially in his own party, will likely now become his pet project.

[Note: official word on this has not yet come. A press conference is expected later on today.]

UPDATE: More from Wes Flinn and Nick Spencer.

UPDATE #2: WCPO reported last night that Monzel has been picked.

UPDATE #3: The Post's story brings a whole new level into this.

Although the party's selection committee favored moderate Leslie Ghiz last month in an informal straw poll, incumbent Council Member Sam Malone nixed that choice, said sources close to the process. Malone prefers conservative Monzel, who lost a reelection bid in 2003.

[...]

"It's almost certainly going to be Monzel," said one high-level party source. "That's what Sam indicated to us."

"Ultimately, it's Sam's choice," another source said. "At best, we're an advisory board, and he's not taking our advice."

So it was all Sam Malone? A personal vendetta against Ghiz? The bigot in Sam just couldn't let go.

Is it Ghiz?

The Whistleblower thinks maybe yes, if Mike Barret's votes counts, via the Blue Chip Review.

Korte is reporting that county GOP will meet today at posh 4th Street club in secret. Greg takes a shot at the smoke filled room scene:

Whenever Cincinnati Democrats meet to decide whom to endorse for City Council or the school board, they do it in an open meeting - usually at the Letter Carrier's Hall in Northside. Though anyone can watch, only precinct executives in the city get a vote.

When Republicans do it, it's behind closed doors at the coat-and-tie Queen City Club on - where else? - East Fourth Street. The county party - dominated by suburbanites - controls the process.

And so, today at 4:30 p.m., 30 to 40 members of the GOP nominating committee will meet secretly to determine who will get the City Council seat vacated upon Pat DeWine's swearing in as a Hamilton County commissioner last week.

The party of the people! Well, the rich people.

I think the only thing missing from the meeting today would 40 cones of silence to help dull the sounds of apathy coming from their suburbanite minds. Will Greg have a list of who attends? It would be good to know how many are actual city residents.

Councilman Sam Malone has the final call. Would he dare buck the local party if they want Ghiz? Does Pete Witte have a shot as a compromise candidate still? Will Malone announce his choice today or wait? Can I ask any more questions?

Mean Jene Galvin In Bed With Springer

Jene Galvin will be the side kick for Jerry Springer's new radio show starting next Monday.

I will be tuning in the first day because I will off work, but otherwise I will be missing how this program goes. I plan on being a regular listener to 1530 WCKY once it switches to liberal talk. Will Galvin have to go solo for Jerry often?

Jazz Fest Back?

Maybe. If it comes back it would be staged in conjunction with the Ohio Classic.

Game of Chicken Getting Serious

John Cranley's game of Chicken with SORTA is getting serious. Today SORTA is expected to vote to eliminate Sunday bus service starting March 6th. Cranley and Portune are working towards disbanding SORTA and moving control of the Bus service to the City.

Their plan includes possible privatization of the service.

Spencer Picks Campaign Manager

Nick Spencer, City Council candidate, has tapped Ted Jackson to be his campaign manager for his council run. Ted helped run the effort to repeal Article XII with the group Citizens to Restore Fairness. I was introduced to Ted while at the Know Theatre benefit on Saturday and anyone who was able to get the repeal passed has good experience under his belt to help Nick's campaign. This is a positive move for Nick. I don't know if Nick can tap into the same money sources Ted might have contact with from the Repeal XII campaign, but it is a good bet he will have an opportunity to tap into those.

Fumble

As stated before, Enquirer columnist Peter Bronson has moved from the Metro front Page to the editorial page. Sunday marked his first column in that spot and in doing so wrote a very revealing and interesting column. Not very often to journalists talk about the world behind the velvet ropes. Well, they talk about it all the time, but not so directly as Peter did. He talked about how he had a column spiked this year by the Editor.

When I started out as editor of the Enquirer editorial department in 1992, we almost never punted. But by the time I left 10 years later to be a columnist, it seemed like we punted all the time. I wanted to throw right, but the head coach (now gone) wanted to run off left tackle or up the middle. So we punted.

I don't do that anymore. Or at least, I try not to. Once this year, I had to punt, but that was the coach's call.

When the Mike Allen scandal broke, I wrote a column urging Allen to resign, pointing out that I once supervised the woman who accused him of sexual harassment, Rebecca Collins, when she was a clerk in our editorial department.

Editor Tom Callinan decided I should stay on the bench and avoid piling on if I might end up as part of the story. It was a good call. But I hated to punt.

I don't know how much of this inside-the-huddle stuff is interesting to readers, but thousands of e-mails, phone calls and letters have convinced me that most of our subscribers are very curious about what goes on behind the gray walls of the Enquirer Wheaties box at Third and Elm.

Now two interesting things here. First, I am torn on whether Bronson's column should have run, calling for Allen's resignation. It would a refreshingly principled position to take, but Callinan was right to not have Bronson become part of the story. Bronson in a way was, and is now with admission, shoring up his reputation as a conservative prude. Something I think he would consider a positive.

The second element of the column is nothing but a swipe at the editorial staff. He claims that the former publisher or editor, referenced as "head coach" wanted to take things to the "left," and which I read to mean that he thinks he was forced out as chief of the Editorial pages because he was to conservative. I have to ask what significant positions has the board taken which he would think are so radically off base to his views? Where will his opinions divert from the editorial board? They support Bush, and the War in Iraq. They are not keen on abortion. The only difference I can see is on gay rights, and maybe some economic policy, but Bronson rarely delves into the dollars and cents issues.

My belief as to the underlying reason for Bronon's shuffle is that he is going to write nothing but politically based opinion, which I think he prefers. Instead of the assignment articles that have been called columns in the Metro Section.

What I wish the Enquirer would do is to offer up a counter voice to the right wing views of Bronson on its editorial pages. I know they have national liberal columns there, but nothing on a local basis. We get no local retort to Bronson's attacks on the city for not letting the police rule with an iron fist. We get no retorts to Bronson's attack on teachers or on liberals in general. His conservative voice will be front and center on local issues and maybe sometimes there may be a guest columnist on an issue, but no one, unless something else is planned, will have a chance to give the paper the balance I believe they are trying to provide.

Nutty Newt?

Someone must be joking here. Could a man on his third marriage after two divorces who was run out of congress on a rail by his own party actually think he could win the nomination for president in 2008? Not to mention the man who lead the fight to impeach Bill Clinton for lying about an affair, who while he was leading that fight was having an affair with a staffer over 20 years younger. He should stick to writing books and blathering on FOXNews.

Convergys to Add 10,000 Jobs (In India)

Glad to see business is booming for Convergys, but why can't a couple thousand of those jobs be added here in the states and right here in Cincinnati?

What keeps call center jobs from being expanded here? There are no or few call center unions. Call center people get paid dirt wages. You don't need a college degree to work in a call center. The obstacles seem few. I can understand that in theory because of the standard of living differences between the US and India, the wages paid attract a more educated crowd than here in the States. That does wonders for the bottom line in the short term, but how can starving the American workforce be a good long term strategy?

Armstong Williams: K Street Bagman

Is the world to end soon? You have to wonder when Nate and Rob Bernard, and I actually agree in general on something: we all believe Armstrong Williams, an opinion journalist, was wrong for taking money from the government to promote NCLB. We might have different reasons for why it was wrong, so hopeully the sky will not fall today.

It was wrong in my opinion to use tax dollars to buy propaganda, which ends up being an indirect political advertisement. Additionally, Williams committed the cardinal sign for a journalist, selling out. Selling your opinions, even if you don't have to change them, means you are no longer a journalist, you are just a PR hack.

TPM asks the most pressing point, "Question: who else has been on the payroll?"

American Sign Museum

The LA Times has taken notice of the American Sign Museum located right here in Cincinnati. The museum is located on Gilbert Ave and is open via appointment 7 days a week. You can take a video tour,or email for info.

UPDATE: The business office is on Gilbert Ave, the actual musuem is on Essex Avenue in Walnut Hills.

Anderson Township Economy Dying?

Tumbleweeds in Anderson Township has closed, so my title I thought should reflect the same level of panic given when any restaurant or business closes downtown. The restaurant is located in the Sky Top Pavilion near Beechmont and 32, which actually is in Anderson Township, but barely. The plaza has done fairly constant business, but has had empty store fronts since the place opened over four years ago. A new fish store is close to opening up. It looks interesting, if you like fish. I like to eat fish, but not keep it as a pet.

Now, to truly put Anderson township readers at ease, I can attest that as I type this I am sitting in the Panera Bread located in the heart of the Anderson Township area and I can report that the place is packed. I love this restaurant, as I love Chipotle. Now, both restaurants are chains. Both are not faddish or cutting edge or anything to attract the dining snobs out there. They make good food. They combine a "fresh made" feel with the speed of fast-food. It works. Just based on the amount of money I spend there, they have to be doing well. What keeps these places out of downtown? The same problems that keep everyone else out of downtown?

Why

Is a there a reason for blogging? Yes, you guessed right if you look at the time of this post. It is late at night and I just got hope from a nice night out a local watering hole where myself and a great number of friends celebrated the Birthday of a common friend. It was great. It was an interaction of people out doing what we do. Drinking beer, eating food, playing pool, listening to the Violent Femmes really, really loud.

In the midst of it all I pondered why I blog, why I write, why I bother putting thought down in print. The answer: it is fucking fun! I live for this shit. Writing my ideas and thoughts and commentary on what ever the hell I want is one of the most free forms of expression known to human kind.

What is a more puzzling question to me is why people read my blog. I should not be asking this question. Does P&G ask why people buy Tide? Well, they do ask it, but they don't ask it in print on the box.

I am taking such a tact here. I am asking why. I ask why when ever I post on something, so now I am posting on myself. Think of it as the ultimate comment card from a Perkin's.

What do people like and what do you hate? Let me hear it.

Now, don't expect me to kneel down and partake in your suggestions with an open embrace. I will still do what ever the fuck I please on the blog. I do like having readers, and if your wishes coincide with mine, then I hope to give you something you will like reading, or at least like commenting about.

Generational Generalizations

As a card carrying member of Generation X I often wonder what is instore for me in relation to the other major generational groups: The boomers and Generation Y. Each of those group is vastly larger than us Xers, which causes me to consider that my generation will be lost in the game of influence as we enter into the 'prime' of our lives.

When I think about the generation differences, I define each group into crude yet descriptive terms:

Boomer Generation: The Fuck You generation - They are collective and very confrontational. The are greedy and altruistic, and yes they contradict themselves.

Generation X: The Fuck Off generation - We are skeptical and lack trust in anyone or anything. We are non-conformists, yet really just want to fit in, but are forced to fend for ourselves.

Generation Y: The Fuck Me generation - They are conformists, modernistic sheep that long to follow and get along, reacting to the older generations with quick remedies and easy answers.

Is this all bullshit, yea, as most generalities about generations are, but there are tones and commonalities which are true with the various generations on a macro-level. We certainly don't all fit into each mold. On a wide scale these are commonalities that are more true then we would like to admit.

What specific issues will cause significant generational conflict? Gay Marriage seems like one happening now. What else?

UPDATE: Via comments the idea for what we would call Generation Z: Oh, Fuck Generation.

Oh Sam? Oh Michael?

Will you guys get off your ass and appoint someone to council? Have you heard of telephones, email, paper and the US postal service? Stop the games, and bit the damn bullet. Either appease the bigots or piss off the bigots, that is your choice.

Crime, What Do We Do About It?

Stephanie Dunlap has a great column in CityBeat about a New Year's Eve violent crime. How do we rid the city of this type of crime where young adults, mostly black men and often drug related, use violence as a means to their ends? This is not a black thing, but most of those committing this type of crime are black and we can't understand why. I don't know why. Activists don't know why and are doing little to stop it. The cops appear powerless to stop it. The justice system appears weak. The local citizens who live in the area are either having their cars shot up for fighting crime, or they are sitting on their hands.

We are letting this happen. We have no solutions, only more questions as to whom do we blame for it. We are not doing anything about it, and yes, I am not doing a damn thing either, but I have a luxury of living in low crime area, so I have little motivation to do much. I really can't do much if I wanted. People like me, most people, can't change this. The people of Over-the-Rhine, City Hall, the local media, and the Police are only ones who can find and enact a solution.

Hi, I'm a Military PR Clerk and I have a Story My Boss Wants Told

This kid is the classic definition of a shill, and he is doing it for the Pentagon. His opening and the ending bio sum up all you need to know:

Something struck me as odd this fall as I watched a U.S. satellite news broadcast here in my Baghdad office.

and

Marine Cpl. Isaac D. Pacheco of Northern Kentucky enlisted in the Marines on Sept. 12, 2001, and arrived in Iraq last fall. He serves with the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad.

This kid may mean well, and I am sure he is doing his duty as a solider, but sitting behind a desk in the Green Zone does not really put him in the best place to see life for the Marines fighting in the streets. More importantly, THIS KID WORKS FOR THE PR WING OF THE PENTAGON IN IRAQ. It is his job to make the Military look good and yet the Enquirer prints this? If it was from a Marine out in the field, then I would not have commented on it at all. This is propaganda, plain and simple.

The Cincinnati Harold

New local satire site. Have a read.

CincyBlog readers might find this story of big interest.

I can attest to having met one of the writers "Blaine Chowder."

Fog

Do you have a voice that only turtles and snails can hear? Do you have to scream to be heard over the rustle of the wind through trees? Well you may just have Fog voice, yes that's fog voice.

Ok, enough of the infomercial rip off. If you have ever talked to me in a bar, which I will say many readers actually have done, you will learn that I have a voice made for print (and yes a face for radio). I have a fairly low pitch and no volume. I have to really talk loudly in a bar, at least what I consider loudly, to be heard. I was Drinking Liberally last night and my many 'brilliant' tracts on maintaining Social Security were surely lost in the Latin music.

If you are ever talking to me a bar and can't hear me, scream at me to scream back. Then you might hear me.

In all seriousness, do not scream at me, I am joking. (This means you FunnelCake)

Bronson's Column Moving

Peter's column is going to the Editorial Page of the paper, out from under the heal of the Metro section. What should we expect? More of the same reactionary bible thumping and theocratic goose-stepping. I think this way Peter maybe can avoid the touch feely fluff he has written often. I think this is he bid to be the next in the line of 50,000 right wing syndicated columnists. I think his problem here is that he is starting out a little late and he is just one more conservative in a pool gun toting bible thumping sharks who vive for every slot on FOX News they can muster.

Ego or Just Plain Nuts?

Is a suburban Judge Out of his Gourd or just pissed off at people over being sued for sexual harassment? This small town judge certainly is not ready to be appointed to any higher court.

Deters fires Collins

Firstly, how can a Deters fire anyone before he is in office? Second is it wise to fire someone who has a pending sexual harassment lawsuit pending against your office?

Piss or Get Off the Pot

Sam Malone is dragging his feet on picking a person to fill Pat DeWine's Council Seat. Malone has had a month to make his choice, but he can't find the time to meet with the county Party. Who is pulling his strings?

Wes chimes in with more.

Nick Spencer Targeted?

Nick Spencer believes his car windshield was purposely shot by someone last night. He believes it was likely the drug dealers around his bar.

CincyBlog's International Top Ten 2004

Here is my list of the top ten events/people/places/things/whatevers of 2004. The ranking is my own and uses very nonscientific methods

1. Indian Ocean Tsunami
2. American Presidential Election
3. Iraq War (including Abu Ghraib)
4. Ukraine Election Crisis
5. Yasser Arafat's Death
6. Madrid Bombings
7. Russian School Seizure
8. Sudan Genocide
9. Florida Hurricanes
10. Iran & North Korea's Nuclear Weapon Programs

Honorable Mention: 9/11 Report Issued, Reagan's Death, Marlon Brando's Death, Anti-Gay Laws Pass, Hati Falls into Turmoil, FCC goes Puritanical, Lance Armstrong with 6th Tour de France, and the EU Expansion.

Also the Top Ten stories of no importance that got way, way to much news coverage:

1. Scott Peterson's Trial
2. Martha Stewart's Trial and Jail Term
3. Kobe Bryant's Trial
4. NBA Brawl at Pistons-Pacer's Game
5. Michael Jackson's Indictment
6. The "Attack" on Christmas
7. Anything with Paris Hilton in the Title
8. Nick and Jessica
9. Janet Jackson's Boob
10. Mel Gibson

Conservative News Top Ten

Damn, FOX News never fails to show its stripes as a conservative news outlet when they for the top news stories of 2004 they include the Oil for Food scandal and have the number one story titled "W for President." They also showed their tabloid stripes by including all of the celebrity trials as a top story. We can look forward to yet another year filled with FOX's brand of right wing news.

The Diner Is Open For Business

If anyone has been there or plans to go to the Diner on Sycamore, let us know how it was or when you plan on going.

Cincinnati Top Ten 2004

Based on comments, emails, and mostly my own opinion, here are the top ten people/events/groups/or whatever of the Cincinnati area for 2004.

1. The Repeal of Article XII
2. Mike Allen Affair
3. Snow Storm
4. O'dell Owens elected coroner
5. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opens
6. Bob Huggins has DUI
7. Democrat Todd Portune Re-elected to Commission
8. Marge Schott Dies
9. Midpoint Music Festival
10. Cincinnati Fringe Fest

Honorable Mentions: Tasers, IHOP, The Growing Cincinnati Blogosphere, Luken Out & Mallory in Mayor's Race, Voter Turnout High, and billions of cicadas.

New Year's Resolutions

You may hate them, you may try them every year and fail, but I offer up the chance to make your New Year's Resolution public, thus increasing your chances of keep it. Maggie Downs writes about how she gets help keeping hers. You also could join Brad Thacker at The Comic Resolution' s New Year's Eve show 9PM at the Southgatehouse.

I will be spending my New Years with folks from CT at the City View Tavern.

I resolve to of course loose a few pounds, so please ignore it tonight when I am drinking beer and eating hamburgers and brownies.

Enquirer 2004 Top 10 Local News Stories

The Enquirer puts Mike Allen's problems at the top of its list with Bush's win as number 2. Bush's win is not the number 2 local story. It is not even making my top 10. Now that is for two reasons, one is that that news was really bad for the whole country, but the second is that it just was not a local story. It was a huge story, but to compare it to the snow storm is just not relative. Including Iraq as well is not how I would have compiled this list. I will have my own list either later today or tomorrow.

UPDATE: The Post has a list too.

GOP Candidate Wants Revote

Is the shoe on the other foot now?

Know in the News

The Cincinnati Post reports on inventive changes at the Know Theatre.

Lemmie Irrelevant?

Greg Korte reviews the rolls of City Managers of the past and present during a city crisis. Lemmie appears to have taken a back seat to the Mayor, which bucks history.

Korte also reports on some minor minor mayoral candidates vying for the top city job.

CPD Hiding Something?

The City Internal Auditor sstates that the police have been dragging their feet in the investigation of how the CPD monitors moonlighting by police as security for private companies.

Why is City Council dragging their feet on this? Why are they not dropping the hammer on the police management responsible? Why does City Hall fear disciplining the senior police officers?

IHOP Review

Went to the new IHOP in Oakley last night for a late dinner. It was good. I think the hype got to me, or my memories of food past did. I would not rank it great, but for late night food after a night at the bars, it is ideal.

UPDATE: I guess I did not give as much detail as some wanted. Hmmmm. They serve 4 types of syrup. I had the French toast, but it was a bit too crisp to be perfect. Since it was new it was spotless inside the restaurant and there was enough staff to there to field a marching band.

The service was fine for an IHOP. The staff was very polite. Almost too polite, which is 100 times better than rude.

In comments Tom asked how IHOP differs from the Waffle House. Well, IHOP is just a down-to-earth Perkins. The Waffle House puts the grease in greasy spoon, plus they serve grits.

Blackwell Tries to Avoid Deposition

Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is seeking to avoid depositions for a lawsuit filed by voters challenging the Ohio election. I think Ken should just take his medicine and answer the questions. He is in charge of Ohio elections and he should have to answer any and all challenges to those elections. He has nothing to hide. He does not want to be forced to say anything about how he may have used his office to help Bush get elected. That might cramp his style as candidate for Governor.

No Christmas Day Off?

If I read the Mayor's column today correctly, city employees worked 12-hour shifts over the holiday weekend, including Saturday.

Snow Removal: The Private Sector

Much has been said about the City's and other area governments' efforts to clean the streets of snow and ice. What has been missed are the efforts of private companies and entities to remove the snow from parking lots. Some businesses take action to clear out the snow for customers, while others don't. My experiences have been bad so far.

I can attest that in my building's lot we have just barely one lane around the lot to drive, and the rest is just an ice patch. The Skytop Plaza on Beechmont is a jig-saw puzzle of parking spaces. I don't know who plowed it, but I would guess a rookie. The lot appears to have gotten a once over many days ago, but they seemed to cut a diagonal path across several rows of parking spaces, creating a maze where in some places people are parallel parking along snow piles, instead of in rows.

What I have not seen on the roads since my return to Ohio are the private plows, usually just a pickup with a plow on front, driving around to private businesses clearing out the snow. This has traditionally been a great way for anyone with a pickup truck to make really good money. Back in New York state nearly every other pick-up was equipped to handle a plow for the winter. The number of private plowers appears to follow suit with a low level of plows run by local governments. This is a natural result of the inconsistent snow fall that occurs in this area. What is lacking here is the small business man. This is as basic a business as one could have. Hell, even Homer Simpson did it. Where's Mr. Plow when we need him?

"Mr. Plow, that's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow" - Homer J. Simpson

Police Not Cooperating?

The Federal Monitor has stated that the police are not fully cooperating with the Monitor's staff, including refusing to hand over documents and refusing to allow ride-alongs. The Monitor was established as part of the Collaborative Agreement which included a 5 year police monitoring provision.

Have the police given up on the Collaborative Agreement? Has the CBUF also given up on it? Has everyone just forgotten what the hell it was in the agreement? I know I have. The police and the inner city communities were supposed to start to work together to try and change police and citizen actions. The police policy got the most attention. They have the formal policy to critique. The citizens have no formal policy, but have a basic public duty that should not be that difficult. Don't break the law and if you are witness to someone breaking the law at least help the police if they ask you what you know. We still have an “us vs. them” situation between the police and blacks in this city. The C.A. was to be a hopeful start of a change of that situation. Is it worse or just business as usual? I think we all can see that little has improved.

Back in Town

I have returned to balmy Cincinnati. The Airport was very busy. The flight was fine. The vacation was great. I am really tired.

Fathom a New Club?

Kari Wethington of CiNWeeky reports on the opening of Fathom a new night club. Fathom replaces what was Spy Club located on W. 5th Street.

Sounds like a bit of a Club Clau, but with more of an open feel to it. What's their target demographic? The hipster, the college kid, or both?

Over the Top and Over the Edge

Mr. Rick Hines, publisher of Cincynation.com, has in my opinion gone over the edge of taste, honor, and credibility. He created special page with an attack on me. I can take criticism of my blog and my writing, but it is amazing how personal this guy has gotten. I criticized his website and he goes ape-shit. I know he is desperate to make every penny he can for his real estate website, but using an attack on me to do so is either an example of an uber-sensative personality or is just someone who wants above all else to create a faux feud in order to get MORE WEB TRAFFIC to his site. He also lied about how many "hits" I get per day, but I will not push that one any more than mentioning it.

What is just funny is his tabloid abuse of the Airport, Comair, and the City of Cincinnati. It would appear Mr. Hines learned more from the National Enquirer than from the Cincinnati Post. I guess a recent flight he took was delayed and he feels the need punish someone and chose to make up stuff. The funniest (but also saddest) point and one where he should list his sources is this from his website:

City gave street cleaning crews the day off

The City of Cincinnati let street cleaning crews take the day off yesterday, even though side streets were filled with 9 to 20 inches of snow. "Looking down sidestreets, it wasn't unusual to see neighbors helping to push stuck cars," said CincyNation's Rick Hines. "The city had gotten off to a slow start on Thursday because employees didn't show for work. Was letting them take Saturday off a reward for their laziness? This is just plain, stunning incompetance in this city.

"Incompetance is a chronic problem in Cincinnati and there seems to be no end in sight. It all comes down to being lazy."

Jeffrey Hines, who lives in Mason, said all streets there were cleared early and he didn't see any problems in that well-maintained city.

Who was his source about the city giving the day off to snow plowers? What was funny and sad is that he quoted himself, yes the supposed another quoted himself. Being a pseudo-journalistic Bob Dole living life in the third person may be normal for Mason, but I think the rest of country could do without that type of silliness.

What I really don't get regarding the means to his ends is that his site is "Specializing in Cincinnati real estate," but if one wants to sell homes/property in Cincinnati, why would you try to drive away potential home/property owners by constantly saying Cincinnati is "Lazy" and sucks and over-hyping everything that happens in the city?

Finally, if Mr. Hines does not like my site, then I suggest he stops reading it, or at least stop posting so many comments. Now, he won't do either, but he especially will not stop posting comments because that is why he is playing this game, more attention. I have said my piece on the subject and I think have exposed his site's shortcomings, so I shall move on. I hope he can too.

Comair Grounded

I really don't get how this could happen. How does a computer go down long enough to ground the entire fleet of planes? If over use causes a system to fail in this day and age, I think it is time for new system manager. Someone is getting fired over this one. This is not even a primary function, it is about routing and tracking the crews, so it is likely a PC based system, as opposed to a mainframe system, but with airlines you never know. Hell, try re-booting. That is the first step every PC help desk has you do, I hope they have done that already.

I am flying regular Delta tomorrow and as of now the flight is on time and more importantly flying. Needless to say I shall be monitoring it closely.

UPDATE: Some Comair flights are resuming, reportedly 10 to 15 percent, but most remain canceled.

Happy Holidays!!

I hope everyone is digging out from the snow and ice. Have a great day today and tomorrow.

Quip of the Year

I don't know if this is really the best of the year, but it made my day. Paul McLEary at CJR addresses the "Merry Christmas" story being kept alive by FOX News and other media outlets:

So we have a suggestion for all the reporters and editors who are keeping this one alive: Instead of worrying so much about putting Christ back in Christmas, you might start thinking about putting news back in 'news reports.'

Indeed.

[Via Kevin Drum]

Tales of Brave Ulysses

Cream Reunion concerts are set for next May.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Well it is raining down in the FLA, but I understand you guys up there got a few flakes. I hope everyone is just staying home today, and by the news reports you might get a ticket if you go out to try and buy that last minute gift.

Post your snow totals if you would, I'll Start: Englewood, Florida - 0.0"

UPDATE: Rob Bernard has a post showing he got almost 13".

UPDATE #2: Nick Spencer has more on road reports and business closings. At the top of the hour we'll have news and sports.

Did Lawsuit Prompt Clerk's Office Change?

On Monday a Cincinnatian sued the County because they had a ticket posted on the website and then their identity was stolen.

On Tuesday the Clerk's Office announced that traffic tickets were no longer viewable online. The lawsuit was not reported until today. A three legged dog could have seen this connection.

UPDATE: The The Cincinnati Post reports more and draws the same conclusion I did.

Someone Just Hates Cincinnati

I read this at CincyNation.com:

Walkabout: Some downtown merchants create own problems
A restaurant on Main Street has a torn and filthy awning, and the owners can't understand why business is down. A Vine Street restaurant's employees engage in loud non-stop yapping about their personal lives while a couple try to get through breakfast.

A nearby coffeehouse has an unfriendly clerk who is slow and can't multi-task, and doesn't seem to notice a line of people, some of whom decide to go elsewhere. Sometimes, downtown merchants have no one to blame but themselves.

The website this commentary comes from is run out of Atlanta. Who is the local person writing this type of superficial opinion based on a what believe is a history of hate for the city or at least a desire to see it fail? Would this person have anything to do with the "boycott?" This is the kind of post made on that web site that really needs both an author byline and a perma-link, so it does not just vanish into thin air without anyone to back-up the claims.

Those claims may very well be true. What I don’t understand is that if you are going to attack someone on a “news” site using an editorial, the ethical thing to do is to sign your name to your work.

New Local Blog

An anonymous blogger named "Publius" has started Save Our City, a conservative leaning blog. Who is this mystery blogger and are they known to anyone? They have comments already, which I assume means they sent out an email to some people about the blog. In this city I would think most conservatives would have no problem being open about it, but there are other reasons to keep one's name out of the fray.

I welcome Publius to the Cincy blogosphere and look forward to a good discourse in ideas. I'll be adding a link to my blogroll as soon as possible.

Happy Theocracy Everyone!

The theocratic fascists are out in force this season to do all they can to require everyone to celebrate their religious holidays. They still don't listen to their prophet in chief.

Enquirer Pushes for Ghiz

The Enquirer has published an editorial supporting the appointment of Leslie Ghiz to fill Pat DeWine's council seat when he leaves for the County Commission. How much of the editorial was a targeted message to Republican voters to get out and support her, and not play into the abortion game?

How much of this anti-Ghiz movement is based on the simple fact that she is female? Some of it is based on the bigotry of Sam Malone towards Homosexuals. Lesie supports gay-rights and supported the repeal of Article XII. Malone is playing surrogate to Phil Burress. Sam did Phil's bidding on Article XII, and all other gay rights laws enacted. I would assume that Burress does not like Ghiz, therefore Sam is dragging his feet.

Fair, Balanced, or Just Ignored?

Wonkette summarized how FOX News downplayed the Mess-Hall attack in Mosul yesterday. I too was surprised not to see FOX hitting this hard. MSNBC I think held back some as well, so FOX was not alone. I guess censorship in the Holiday Season is fine. Since FOX is the official Pentagon news channel, FOX fears that the families might panic if they learned the fact that a large number of soldiers were killed.

A Minor League GOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!

Cincinnati is getting a new professional soccer team next year. The team will play at the Xaiver soccer field.

What was most interesting is that the article brought up an interesting marking stat:

In reviewing the purchase of the team, a comprehensive market research survey was conducted to determine the feasibility of successfully returning soccer to Cincinnati. Cincinnati ranks #2 in soccer participation in the United States behind Kansas City with over 100,000 youth and adults actively playing the sport in the Tri-state area.

The only issue to consider is the age of the kids playing. If they are all 5 years old and stop playing by 9, then their market view is flawed, and will fail if it is based on 5 year old kids.

Traffic Tickets Off Website

The Clerk of Courts has removed images of traffic tickets from the county clerk's website.

This action on the surface appears like a good short term solution to the problem of identity theft. A long term solution would be to change who is allowed to access the whole website. All of the records are open to the public and should stay open to public, but I think it is fair that in order to gain access to such records, you should simply have to make your own identity known to the Clerk's Office. The same thing could be done online if the Clerk's Office required registration before use of the site. The Clerk should keep who accesses the website secret, unless a subpoena is issued for such information.

I don't think the cost of a registration system would be very high. The software should be available right off the self. We could still surf for our neighbor's or political foe's skeletons, but we could be traced if we did something illegal with the information. Are there wholes in the system, likely yes, but this closes most of them.

UPDATE: More from the Post.

He Said What?

Steve Fritsch in his latest BCR Column:

Personally, I think Nate's a good guy who seeks progress for Cincinnati.

Which Nate is Steve talking about?

14 Year Old Teen Tased

Has there been any major fall-out from Cincinnati Police Officers use of a taser gun on a 14 year old kid? The kid reportedly is fine. Tasers have been a big topic in town this year. What would have happened if the cops had to hit the kid to get in under control? Is the use of the baton, pepper spray, or fists better or worse than the taser?

White Death Cometh

Run, hide, buy six gallons of milk and, buy 1,000 batteries, because snow is coming to the tri-state. I myself, for those who don't know, have no fears of snow. I have even less fear of this particular snow storm because I currently am in Florida. Yes, save your regrets, save your tears, save your insults and four letter words.

My only concerns now are that local officials keep the airport open next Monday, and get the damn roads cleared. I will continue remote blogging until then, so don't fear about getting your fix of my trite rantings.

Johnson to be Lt. Gov., Bradley to Treasurer

Taft has has made his movesr and appointed Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley to Treasurer and Development Director Bruce Johnson to Lt. Governor.

Bradley was expected, but Johnson came out of the blue. I know little about him at this point. This puts rumors about Rob Portman to rest. Portman may still be in line for a post in the Bush Administration, but at this point I think that may be less likely.

WOXY Updated Website

Have a look over at the new WOXY.com.

[Via Nick Spencer]

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The first thing Bush did at his press conference today was to wish everyone "Happy Holidays." I will be waiting for the attacks of the right-wing on Bush for not pushing his theological views on others. I will not be holding my breath, I value living a bit too much.

Big Band Radio Dying

It is great to see local radio station WMKV-FM get national attention. I know radio stations formats are ever changing, and music dies with generations, but in a county this big it is sad that this the last station of its kind. We are growing into a homogeneous society, at least in terms of simple culture. That is going to make for one really boring time in the years to come.

CincyBlog 2004 Top Ten List

I am looking for nominations or considerations of the Top Ten people, events, or what ever of the year. I will be doing two different lists. One a local list and one a national list. I think the National list will be more my own concoction.

Please email me with suggestions, or if you must, post them in comments.

Pin the Tail on the Blackwell

While I agree that Ken Blackwell did everything he legally could to elect George Bush using his State Office, I don't think it hurt his chances of getting elected, unless people focus on the circus of an election he helped create, not his role in helping Bush win.

That kind of charge is far to insider to catch on. Long lines at the polling booths and election machines that failed to work correctly, that is what will damage him. The degree for which it hurts him I think hinges on the primary fight he faces. It will be bloody enough without the Dems saying a word, and they should not say a word. Let another GOPher do the dirty work. Now, if they pass on ammo to candidates, well so be it.

Spreading the Wealth?

Is Ohio such a polarized state that GOP Congressmen can coast to re-election and then Siphon money to other GOP candidates? I say polarized because that many people can afford to not only win big, but give away money to other races. This is not limited to the GOP, but I live in the district of one of Ohio’s siphoners, Rob Portman. I don't know how much longer he will be my congressman, though.

Investigation Pending?

A police cruiser crashed into a home and car parked in a driveway. Something just sounds odd:

Cincinnati police declined to answer requests for information about the accident Saturday. But Svoboda said the officer told him he was driving 35 mph and swerved to avoid several deer that had wandered into the road.

"He did a 360-degree spin, came across my lawn, crashed through the foundation of my porch, slammed into my car and pushed it into my neighbor's yard, then came to rest over the retaining wall on its nose, sticking up at a 45-degree angle," Svoboda said. "I parked my car in the driveway (Friday) night because I knew it was going to be slick and I didn't want anyone hitting it in the street."

I have seen deer in and around Mt. Lookout, so that much I can personally attest to as having happened in recent months. The speed of cruiser appears to an amateur, me, to be too slow to cause this crash.

"We Will Bury You"

Comrade Peter Nikita Bronson has announced to world in his latest column that breaking the rules to push one's religion on others fulfills the Christmas spirit. If you can't give others theocratic oppression, what can you give them?

I am not shocked that Peter will complain when a school does not teach children to follow the rules, but then when a kid breaks a rule he does not like, he writes a column praising the kid for being a thug.

The kid abused the system, broke the rules, and now seeks to gain notoriety by playing Christ in a sick and twisted media show: The Martyrdom of Eric Bast. The made for TV movie will soon be required viewing at every Fundamentalist youth group meeting.

If I was feeling really snarky I would call this kid the poster boy for a new "Hitler-Youth," but that would be way over the top.

I am sure that the Peace Loving people of the People's Republic of Cincinatus will surely push their brand of peace on all of us. General Secretary Burress will lead the way. The Dialetic will prevail. I think I need a shower.

East vs. West?

The Post is reporting that some of the right wingers in the City, mostly on the West Side, are trying to get Monzel put on council, instead of Ghiz because of abortion and homosexual rights. How mentally vacuous does one need to be to not only throw out the election results (Ghiz beat Monzel), but also to pick issues that have no significant affect on in local government? At this point I am surprised that someone has not yet been announced to be talking over the seat. We are only a few weeks away. What I would be watching is who is lining up staff. Is Monzel lining up staff or is Ghiz? Where does Pete Witte fit into this? Is he trying to be a compromise choice?

Wes Flinn has more.

Slobberfest or CiN Weekly's Holiday Party?

Someone knows how to have a good time. This office party sounds 100 times better than mine.

More Issue One Fallout

The Toledo Blade is editorializing on the legal troubles awaiting Ohio because of the passage of the anti-homosexual Issue One.

Barrelhouse Brewery For Sale?

What does this mean for the Barrelhouse Brewery? Will it close and reopen as a new location? Is this a sale of the operating business and just a change in owners, not a change (or outward change) of the restaurant/bar? I really like the club. I don't like it when they have really load not so great bands, but that thankfully is not so often.

Ouch

I was at my office Holiday Party last night so I am slow to blog today.

Check out Maggie's column.

Check out where to get warm downtown.

Other than that, with the lack of power vested in me, I declare this thread open!

We'll Meet Again, Don't Know How, Don't Know When

Hamilton County has hanging chads.

Faddism

What disappoints me most about the people in puff piece on religious missionary work in schools is that it is all about joining a group. It is about being in a clique. It is about conformity through confrontation. It is anti-individual and it does nothing for society. It is hollow. It is a means to an end. It is everything that I personal find worthless in religion.

It mostly is legal. Some of it is not, and if others with non-Christian religious views tried to do the same thing they would either be prevented by school officials and/or threatened or even attacked by other kids.

Hollywood got it right. This whole situation sounds like high school, where image and emotion trump reality and logic.

Oh, wait, this is high school. Nevermind.

UPDATE: Wes Flinn and Grassroots Cincinnati also comment.

Question and Answer

The Cincinnati Post asked Is Downtown safe? Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated has an answer.

Should you fear going downtown is the real question the paper is asking and no you should not. You should not fear it anymore than you do shopping in the Mall this month wear theft will be at a yearly high. For some reason I don't see Kenwood Towne Center's parking lot empty.

City Council Blinked

As expected, we have a temporary fix of the impending bus service cut, which was never really impending, just out there in the wind where a politician is at his/her weakest.

Jimmy Smits For Prez

The one television show I get pissed off when I miss is the West Wing. This year I have been very pleased with the story line. It is fresh (trite term, but it works).

I love the open ended political race they are formulating where characters on the show will be going head to head in the primary. I look forward to Jimmy Smits' character going head to head with Alan Alda's character in an election arc. Seeing the drama of the inside of a political campaign will give news/political junkies like myself countless moments of glee that only compared to a sports nut's first day with the full multichannel league package.

Street Cameras?

Cincinnati is planning on using cameras to catch traffic violators. Can they use these cameras to catch real criminals?

Winburn Appears to Be In

Charlie Winburn is acting like he wants the GOP endorsement for Mayor. He is acting like a right-wing Republican when doing it. He is using abortion and gay rights as two of his issues to 'win.' How's that for equal opportunity bigotry? Black conservatives and white conservatives working together to oppress women and homosexuals. What a wonderful step towards racial harmony. What a backwards step for humanity. Nothing brings people together like hate.

Buying a Candidate?

I guess Mike Brown would have gotten a voice on the County Commission for the low, low price of $45,000. Campaign Finance reform is not universally desired because people like the wealthy being able to buy candidates?

Mayoral Cornonation? Nope

Queen City Forum has an overview of the Mayoral Race. At this point the field is still wide open. I got a chance last week to listen to Sen. Mark Mallory speak. I came away impressed with his on the ground campaigning. He has the tools of a real political talent. So far I see him as the most skilled politician in the race. That will not be enough though, because at this point he is not ahead in the money game. The primary is going to be a hard fought race. The test will be who gets the top two spots of course and if they are both Democrats, then the knives will surely be out.

Get on the Bus

I can't imagine that Cincinnati will actually lose Sunday bus service, but has it come to this? Are we only left to endure threats? It is not a new method in government, but it is so transparent. I am as risk-adverse as anyone you could meet, but even I could hold my ground in this game of chicken.

I smell a campaign issue. Who will benefit from it? Who has a transit solution among council/mayor candidates that can work without having to try and convince the suburbs that they don't need to fear mass transit, and the bus loads of "them" flowing into their strip malls. I have not found anyone with such a plan, yet.

Here's an updated Story from the Enquirer.

New Enquirer Web Page Format

Who likes the subtly different Enquirer web page? They are using a new software to manage stories, have added RSS feeds and I think today started a new format of updating the main page with breaking stories.

Trust

Peter you have to earn trust, you don't get trust for free, and the State in the form of Ken Blackwell set out from the beginning to limit voter turnout, block voter registration, and cancel as many urban votes as possible.

Here we have Peter Bronson, mouth of a uniter not a divider, sticking his tongue out at the other side after a kickball game.

If you want to work for something constructive Peter, why not look for solutions to the long lines on election day, like say early voting or increase voting by mail. Why not call for CLEAR and FAIR laws that allow people to vote easily, instead of allowing roadblocks?

Will the recount effort affect anything? If it can show the need to change the law, then yes it will and it's cost will be worth it. Truth should not have a price.

Goodbye Tavis, We Hardly Knew Thee

Tavis Smiley is leaving NPR and Kathy Y. Wilson's latest column discuss his departure and the state of NPR. I agree with Kathy's analysis that Tavis may have personal achievement in mind, not disappoint with NPR's efforts to "attract minority listeners," as his reason for leaving the network.

I think Kathy did make one factual error:

The Tavis Smiley Show was NPR's first black show in its 34-year history, airing daily since 2002 on 87 stations. It drew NPR's largest black audience as well as its youngest audience.

Now, I will not even get into what a "black show" is supposed to be, but Juan Williams hosted Talk of the Nation for over a year in 2000 and 2001. That show may not qualify as what Kathy means by "Black Show," but Tavis was not the first black person to host a show on the Network. Kathy does point out well that NPR's programming is as culturally diverse as any human beings can possibly be in America and still maintain a solid listener base. Only the BBC World Service does a better job, mainly because of the full support the UK government.

NPR is keeping American Culture, at least what I consider American Culture, alive and kicking.

Channel 64 News: 1 Year Old

Rick Bird reports on the one year birthday of The WB64 News at 10. I have only watched it to get a general feeling early on and mostly saw stock stories or weepies from the local reporters. It was more of the same old local TV news, with stale national headlines as worthless as yesterday's NY Post added to cut costs. Once the Sinclair Broadcasting bias hit full "elect-Bush" mode, I refused to watch. I welcome competition and more voices in the media, but I am not watching it. I don't really watch any local TV news, because in case you missed the obvious, local TV News sucks everywhere in the country. It sucks because it is not broadcast journalism, it is entertainment no different than Fear Factor or Friends.

Besides that, what does everyone think of it, one year later?

Enquirer Blasts Oak Hills Student

I was surprised to read the Enquirer's editorial in which they called the suspension of Eric Bast from Oak Hills High School the right move. I am impressed, not only because they agree he violated schools rules and misused the mail system, but that he did so to push his religion onto others. Kudos go to the Enquirer.