Mean Jean: Don't Show Me Being a Puppet!!

Mean Jean Schmidt is writing letters to Dr. Victoria Wulsin claiming that rules covering sitting members of Congress somehow apply to non-members of Congress.

In the letter referenced on Atrios, Schmidt states that "use of footage from official proceedings of the House of Representatives is forbidden in political ads."

She then goes on to say "..it is a dangerous thing when political figures decide for themselves which rules and laws they will honor."

Mean Jean needs to learn the difference between a House Rule and a law. There's a slight (and by that I mean MOTHERF-ing HUGE) difference. I would have thought that a year in office might teach her that. I guess not.

She begs the question however: What about President Bush? Why didn't Mean Jean Schmidt write a letter to President Bush when he decided for himself that the U. S. Constitution does not apply to him? Schmidt is contemptible and is showing her ignorance. The Post is right!

Heartless Bastards Getting More Buzz

Glad to see the Bastard's tour getting some media attention. If you have not bought their first two albums, Do it NOW!

OK, WOW!

SurveyUSA poll has brown up 20 points - 57% to 37% over DeWine. That is an amazing lead in a race I always believe would be close down to the wire. Time is not over, but the money reportedly is not coming in for Mike DeWine.

UPDATE: On Kos we learn that the GOP is just throwing in the towel.

Bigots in Mason, Still

Once again we see hate spill into public in Mason. Mason school board member Jennifer Miller is a theocratic fascist. Yes, boys and girls, Mr. Griffin has said the magic words! Sorry to disappoint anyone, but the first line of the article makes the point as a matter of fact, not one to debate.

To make matters worse, she spewed religious bigotry as a sitting school board member during a school board meeting:

We are a Christian nation, not a Muslim nation," Miller said Wednesday.

"Our Christian values have declined and yet we allow other faiths besides Christianity to have precedence in our schools," Miller said.

This is an elected official who wants to limit the religious freedom of students in the school district she is supposed to be helping run. What is she all pissed about? Well, Mason High school accommodated the religion of some of its Muslim students. During Ramadan they were allowed to meet in a different room during lunch time while they fasted for Ramadan.

When I was a child, one kid in class would be excused from class and went home when ever we held any parties, especially a Halloween party. He was a Jehovah's Witness follower. Where was the anger by the Jennifer Millers, then?

Giving these kids a private room to fast is not only fair to their and everyone else's religion (or lack there of) but it also keeps kids from acting like idiot kids.

If people want full equality, then school will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, on Christmas, and no one is excused on Good Friday.

If you have a practice, that does not involve advertising your religion to others (preaching, putting up religious signs, etc) then you have a right to personally practice that religion.

Students have the right to pray in school on their own time as they see fit, no matter what lies people like Jennifer Miller tries to say.

Guess what this is like, anyone who knows how the ADA accommodations work, they should understand how religious accommodation works. Both of those (or similar laws) apply to schools.

What Christians like Jennifer Miller must understand, you don't have the right to advertise your religion to others. Individual rights to act are what is protected. You generally don't have the right to act as a group and practice your religion. In the case of the Fasting, it ending up working best to allow the kids to do this in one place, away from the lunch room.

Side Note: To Branden at Spacetropic: You totally mischaracterized my views. When the government requires you attendance or participation in something, it must make accommodations. If they made you go to school on Sunday mornings, Christians would have to have their ability to practice their religion. Since we have Sunday's off, you don't need any accommodations in schools.

Issues 4 & 5 - WTF?

I really hate it when people play games with ballot initiatives. Issue 4 likely will supersede Issue 5, even if both pass. Both issues are going to be messy. We need one initiative and one vote. I don't know how voters will react to the confusion both of these issue cause for some.


Updated due to lack of sleep

We Deserve Better Than Mean Jean

The Big Dog In Town

Former President Bill Clinton made his stop in support of John Cranley today. He made a stop a the Columbia-Tusculum Starbucks. I hope he was smart enough to get the female barista's phone number. (I kid, I kid)

Anyone actually seem him out and about or at the Cranley event?

Republican Enquirer

Just to make sure people are paying attention but the The Enquirer is a Republican Newspaper. They may not be a paleocons, but they are conservative and they are all about the GOP. If you doubt the bias on the editorial page, then you are just not paying attention. We can debate how that conservative slant from the editors makes it to the news sections, but it is without doubt that the Enquirer will Endorse mostly Republicans. The exception will be where a strong Democrat incumbent is running. They do like incumbents a lot too. Pepper was were the claim to be independent, but if Pepper lived in Cleveland, or New York State he would be a Republican.

Hartmann Debt Not Covered By Enquirer?

I can read about the $29,000 Debt Greg Hartmann has outstanding in the Post and WCPO, but where is it in the Enquirer?

Issue 3: Gambling - Selectively

Issue 3 will allow slot machines at select locations in Ohio. This issue was bought and paid for by certain special interests. I don't like that fact about it. I am not opposed to gambling, but I don't like this law's selectivity. I likely will vote against it for that reason. If a better amendment was being considered to allow either anyone under a directed and regulated structure the ability to have casino gambling in Ohio.

Plus, only allowing slot machines sounds like abuse of little old ladies.

Will this pass or not?

Eating Habits of the Domestic Lemming

It is like they like they don't grasp the concept of finding someplace new. The Discovery Channel is rumored to be doing a documentary on this. Why don't they just stay home and order freaking pizza! You don't suppose they could take the time they would wait and drive someplace, call for a reservation on the way? (Gee, try going downtown!!!)

Enquirer Board's Insanity

Every election people talk about holding your nose when you vote for a candidate. Well, this year it appears that the Enquirer has removed their conscience and then endorsed Blackwell for governor.

In an editorial filled with the hallow rationalizations, the Enquirer Board sums up, very publicly, what is wrong with politics today. To them leadership is meaningless, all that matter is giving more money to rich or the business community and then abortion. They didn't come out an mention abortion, but with this board's history, it is always a factor.

It disgusts me that they chose a man who has shown he is not worthy to hold public office. It is like they are in a state of denial as to what he did is no big deal. They also show no class. They likely feel like most of us, that Blackwell is not going to win, so they will not feel any guilt for this endorsement, since it won't get him elected. That is not honorable.

It is obvious that Blackwell would do this type of thing over and over again if elected. Blackwell feels that use of bigotry and hate to get people to vote for him is justifiable. Now, when I say use of bigotry, I don't mince words. Blackwell through his campaign pushed the FOX News Transcripts where Bill Cunningham alleged Strickland was Gay. Let's be clear, that is done in hopes that those who are bigoted towards Gays will fear Strickland and either come out to vote or switch votes. Using bigotry as a means to gain votes is immoral.

The Enquirer's acceptance of Blackwell's bigotry is sickening, no matter how much they try to praise and chide Blackwell at the same time.

I can't wait to read their endorsement of Mean Jean Schmidt, and see how they rationalize her attack on Rep. Murtha.

Cincinnati Gets 2008 NAACP Convention

Mayor Mallory has issued a press release:

Mayor Mark Mallory issues the following statement about the NAACP deciding to hold its 2008 convention in Cincinnati:



“The entire Cincinnati Community should be extremely proud,” Mayor Mallory said. “Today’s announcement is the result of a lot of hard work by many people throughout our region. This says a lot about the direction that we are going in our community, and I am excited about what this could mean for the future of our city. I want to especially thank the President of the local chapter of the NAACP, Edith Thrower; her leadership has a lot to do with us getting this convention.”

Great News!

Shot a Man in Reno

Cin Weekly'?s editor, Beryl Love, is leaving town to become editor of the Reno Gazette-Journal. Beryl is a really good guy, he shall be missed.

Who is going to replace him?

Cunningham's Slander, Blackwell's campaign an Accomplice

Deuchebag Willie Cunningham slandered Ted Strickland on FOX News:

At Blue Ash, Blackwell had at his side two conservative talk show hosts - Sean Hannity of Fox News and Bill Cunningham of 700 WLW. In their speeches to the crowd Thursday, neither one mentioned the sex charges Blackwell has leveled against Strickland.

But the two talked about it on national television Wednesday night when Cunningham appeared on Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" talk show.

Thursday, Blackwell's campaign distributed harsh comments by Cunningham related to Strickland's sexuality and about a former Strickland campaign aide arrested in 1994 for public indecency. The Blackwell campaign reprinted a transcript from Wednesday night's Fox News show and sent it to Ohio reporters.

During the TV broadcast, Cunningham, who hosts an afternoon talk show on WLW, questioned the Democratic congressman's sexuality. At one point during the Fox News interview, Cunningham said, "After the (1998) election, Ted Strickland flies off to the shores of Naples, Italy, in order to enjoy a little fun with this 26-year-old boy toy."

Carlo LoParo, Blackwell's campaign spokesman, said the campaign had no qualms about alerting the media to the Fox program.

They have no class. By the way, in case you haven't figure this out, Blackwell thinks being Gay is evil and hope people think Strickland is thought of as evil. Can we say Baring false witness against your neighbor?

Question for the Conservatives Christians out there, which is a "worse" sin: being gay or breaking one of the TEN COMMANDMENTS?

If the next poll doesn't show Blackwell closing, and when I say closing I mean within the margin of error, then if he doesn't stop this crap he is just a vindictive ass.

First Hand Blackwell Smear

Here's the video of Ken Blackwell lowering himself into (or rising up from?) the gutter.



Blackwell is a scumbag. Yes, it has come down to name calling. He has earned it. This wasn't by proxy, it was from his own mouth. When you lack character to this extreme, you are nothing but a scumbag. Do you catch a sense of disgust in my post? Well, yea, I am disgusted. Any Blackwell supporter who is not disgusted by this act, and I mean any of them, including his family, should look themselves in the mirror and ask themself if the Golden Rule applies. It is that simple. Blackwell claims to be a Christian here, and can't live by the Golden Rule. It is sickening and sad.

Red Cheetah Closes, Local Hussies Weep

I don't like any bar or club closing in the Main Street area, but I will not miss the crowd that Red Cheetah attracted.

That building is is too big and to ripe for a club to sit empty for long.

I wonder about something, why does a club closing get a second story, but a club opening next door to this club only gets a mention in the last paragraph? There's not, say, a bias by the editors? Hmmm?

Blackwell Is Scum

There is no low Ken Blackwell does not know.

Cranley - Direct to Voter Video

Interesting concept. Honest, frank, almost down homesy in a 21st Century way.

Come On

Oxford is a freaking idiot zone filled with lame ideas.

Lets ban standing on one foot while standing in a loading and unloading zone while we are stupid laws.

WCPO Live Blogging Lucas vs. Davis

I think this might be a first for WCPO, but check out their Kentucky 4th Congressional District Debate Live Blog anyway.

Brown Ahead

Quinnipiac's Oct 10-15 poll shows Brown leading 53 to 41 over DeWine with a 5.9 margin of error. That's a big margin of error, but that's a good size lead for Brown.

The race is still close, but this poll show clearly it is not as close, with Brown having an advantage.

Blackwell Shows He's a Son of a Bitch

Nikki Giovanni is being denounced for her poem that called Ken Blackwell a "son of a bitch" and a "political Whore"

Well, Ken Blackwell sure acted like a cheap-shot political whore last night at the debate. You can't get more desperate than to try and tie Democrat Ted Strickland to the Republican Congressional Page Scandal. Blackwell is beyond desperate, he is willing to do or say anything to try and win, no matter what.

Fountain Square Re-Opens

I missed the opening ceremony, but I made it down later to the celebration and I was impressed with the look of the square.

I will be very impressed when it is fully complete and the news businesses around it open.

Who else made it down? What are you thoughts on the Square?

GOP Group Writes Off Blackwell

At least one GOP grouphas written off Ken Blackwell's Chances to win the Governorship.

Everything That is Wrong with College Sports

Thugs - the players, the crowd, and the announcers. Pathetic.

Wulsin's First TV Spot

This spot hits the airwaves today.

Wulsin Leading

In what I think is a first, Wulsin leads Schmidt 48 to 45 (pdf) in a poll taken from Oct 8-10. The most interesting item was Bush's approval rating was only 43% in the 2nd district, with 50% disapproving. Bush got 64% of the vote in the 2nd in 2004.

Wulsin is really contending. She has Murtha coming to town on Saturday, who attracts much needed attention. If she can get the money, she has a real shot. If Schmidt doesn't have the money already, she may have big problems. With a large local dislike for Mean Jean inside the GOP (See the Brinkman crowd), the impending Democratic wave actually may keep hardliners on their hands Nov. 7th. The CW is that a Tom Brinkman-like candidate would then run against Wulsin in 2008 and clean up. As many in the GOP hate Brinkman as they do Schmidt, so the CW is likely not going to pan out in 2008 when the GOP runs a Portman clone instead.

News on Universal Grille?

Can anyone report on the level of damage done to Universal Grille?

I Think I Saw Nate Explode From Mt. Lookout

While sitting in my coffeehouse haunt, I think I saw Nate L. explode after reading this.

Blackwell is Toast

It is not even going to be close, Strickland will win with ease. It will be closer than a 28% spread, but Strickland will not be sweating it out on election night.

Is Bronson a Preacher or a Columnist?

Oh, that wacky, Bronson.

When do we get the same story about Russell Johnson of Fairfield Christian Church, the theocrat supporting Ken Blackwell? I wonder if the happy touchy feelings come out the same way. (Yea, no, it won't)

Long Live the Future of Rock and Roll

BAM! WOXY is back from the dead.

Where was Chabot During the 2001 Riots?

You know you are worried about losing when you trot out a race baiting TV commercial about the 2001 riots.

Korte's article is entitled "What did Cranley do during the 2001 riots?" The real question should be put toward Steve Chabot: Where was Steve Chabot during the riots and what did he do? Answers: He was in Washington and did NOTHING!

It is so very sad that Chabot has to play the race card in hopes of getting the racist voter to jump to attention. It's a double edged sword. It makes Chabot appear to be a racist. To the racist it reminds them that Chabot didn't do anything when the Justice Department came to town to investigate, which perpetuated the Collaborative Agreement.

Steve should be asking why the FOP orchestrated a police slowdown, that continued for 5 years, and many would say continues today. With the Sheriff patrolling OTR, prima facia is staring right at you.

Dan Fielding Moved to Hamilton Ohio

If you...ever wondered, wondered what ever became of Dan. He's living along the banks of the Great Miami, Butler County-Prosecuting Attorney.

No reports on if this actually was and official Night Court, or rather if its just a private session of "Night Court." There is no truth to the rumor that photos of Markie Post were found near the suspect.

Liquor License Solution

It might be just this easy, but Council considering making the Fountain Square area an Entertainment District. That designation is a legal one, which opens up more liquor licenses. The City is maxed out at the number of D5 licenses we are allowed to have.

Xerox Jean

A great new video spot from the Wulsin campaign:

Tall Stacks Day 2

I made it down last night for the Del McCory Band and Rosanne Cash. It got cool, but not bad.

Tonight I hope to see Delbert McClinton, Ricky Skaggs, and if I can stay up that late John Hiatt.

Chris Finney Is a Whiney Baby

I don't know what would get into someone who chairs public advisory committee to make a fool of himself in an attempt to make a candidate running for office against a buddy of his look bad.

Finney was at the Ivory Dale factory. While there he should have washed his mouth out with soap. Hell, I swear like a sailor, but to say that to a reporter?

He acted like a whiney child. He needs a time out.

Sign of Blackwell Fade?

When he money dries up that usually means people think you are going to lose. The other big sign is to see who is coming to campaign for Blackwell. If Bush isn't coming, then Blackwell has been written off.

DeWine will get Bush to Ohio, and not just Laura.

Anyone see the debate last night? How was it?

Get Them Foreigners!!!!!

Everyone who voted in this law need to be rounded up and deported! Jeesh, I will be very surprised if anyone denies that this law is a Republican attempt to oppress voter turnout. I know they'll try to deny it, but I think that will be just be damage control. It is sad, very sad, that they would stoop so low. As I have said before, it is not a shock.

Tall Stacks Day One

Anyone make it down to Tall Stacks last night? Al Green was the headliner.

I missed last night, but I was lucky enough to get a ride on a preview cruise on Tuesday night. Riding along the river on a nice evening was as soothing as it was exhilarating. I felt like a little kid looking out the windows, then climbing up to the top deck for the best view of the riverbanks. I recommend taking a cruise if you can get a ticket. The evening cruises are what I would do again.

Uh.....Uh...Uh...........?

Open it Up and say it. Don't be idiots. Zeus knows where you live.

Enquirer Editorial Board Blogging

I welcome the Enquirer Editorial Board to the blogosphere and I applaud inclusion of comments. How long will that last?

What does it Take?

Coining a phrase like predatorgate is shear genius. On the whole Foley thing I am going to sit back and watch. The House GOP leadership is looking as bad as bad can be.

The only thing coming to mind is a quote that I am sure many are thinking of

"[I could not lose unless I was] caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy." Edwin Edwards.

I think in this case it appears to me that the House GOP leadership was attempting to prove this wrong, but failed.

Live From Kaldi's......

As the arrogant bastard I am, I shall declare myself the official blogger of the Downtown Hop Around, seeing that I am right now sitting at Kaldi's with friends. Stay tuned for updates throughout the night.

UPDATE 6:30 PM: Ok, got a beer, going to order soon. The crowd is light, but the sun is still up.

UPDATE 7:40 PM: Dinner was good. A meatloaf sandwich might scare people off, but the horseradish sauce that comes on it really is freakin good.

We are playing Uno, or rather everyone else at my table is playing while I am watching/blogging/drinking.

UPDATE 8:40 PM: The Uno game has expanded. I am feeling the coolness just ooze out of me!

UPDATE 9:22PM: Things have picked up a little bit, but the Uno game goes on!

I am not pleased about being here and having to pay for wifi. I thought lily pad worked here, but not tonight.

UPDATE 10:08 PM: We are now debating the strategic elements of the game of Uno. Hop Around is technically done, but we all may be hoping someplace else.

Northern Main Exposure

20/20 kicked off last night and I spent a large portion of the evening hanging out in a very large RV parked on Main Street. It was a rather surreal experience, with Gothic Hula Dancers keeping me inside the RV with their sidewalk performance blocking the doorway. I passed the time chatting, marveling at the long sleeve monkey-face t-shirt I wanted to buy, watching TV, and listening to every Techno satellite radio channel available.

The consensus among those hanging out in RV put the night on par with a Northern Exposure Episode.

Watching the dancers do a routine which included a headhunter theme and something akin to light saber fight added a flair to the night.

20/20 is about the arts and the individual expression of ideas. You have 19 more days to experience it. Get out there and going.

Downtown Hop Around

Get out tomorrow night and check out Downtown. Cincinnati Advance is YP Ambassador at Kaldi's, so drop on by and say hello. You can't say there's nothing to do and you prove you are not a panic stricken ninny who watches too much local TV news and fears leaving your driveway.

Do What I Say, Not What I Do

Let's first review:

From Answers.com: Plagiarism: "Using ideas, plots, text and other intellectual property developed by someone else while claiming it is your original work."

So what is bad for students is ok for Politicians. If I had bought a term paper from someone in a different high school, then turn it in, that is fine according to the Enquirer! Oh, wait, its, not ok to them. It's OK if their choice for Congress does it, but kids shouldn't do it. So, "do what I say, not what I do" should become Jean Schmidt's new campaign slogan?

Yes, this is bad. It shows Schmidt is lazy, lacks a thought of her own, has a badly run campaign, and sets a bad example for kids.

And finally, let's talk about skipping over the issues....Why did the Enquirer skip over the big issues of misleading the public over the War? Instead of running trite stories like covering dumb kids wearing scandals at a campaign rally, we might have learned about Bush's lies to the American public. Those lies continue to the this day, but the Enquirer doesn't care about lies. Well, unless you lie about a BJ. When Clinton comes to town on October 24th, you know you are going to hear about that. You will not hear about Chabot's negatives, they will be filtered out. Clinton will be headline news on October 25th's newspaper, mark my words. (Now, if I should be wrong, I'll gladly claim someone at the Enquirer was trying to spite me. LOL)

Inside Take On MidPoint

Sean Rhiney gives his take on this year's Midpoint from the organizer's perspective. He ends the article with the good news, they will be back in 2007. Where Midpoint will take place will be a much pondered notion for the next 10 months or so.

More on the WOXY Return

The Enquirer - Investor tries to save WOXY

Bill Clinton to Appear for Cranley

The Dems are making a big push in the fight to boot Chabot.

My Fountain Square

I really like the Fountain Square website. It shall be a new link on this page shortly! Check it out. They do need a mailing list I think.

Transference

Why would anyone want to transfer their grief over their son's tragic murder into a misguided political campaign? The father here needs to avoid trying to quell his emotions by seeking revenge against innocent people who had nothing to do with his son's murder.

Calling this "internal terrorism" is just sad.

I can understand a parent emotionally reacting over a child being murdered, as I am sure most of us can. If he is doing this alone, then he needs counseling. He made need counseling even if he is not. It is far more likely that he is being exploited by others for political/personal gain. Those using this man and his son's murder to pursue a campaign based on bigotry and racism possess no sense of decency, honor, or sense of respect for humanity.

WOXY Lives On!

City Beat is reporting that WOXY has found a White Knight and will be returning to the air. Great News for Indie music and great news for Cincinnati.

Puppet Schmidt

The Schmidt campaign reportedly states itself that an editorial publish in newspapers under Rep. Jean Schmidt's name was not written by Schmidt, and instead was written by the House Republican Caucus.

Does Schmidt have any opinions of her own, or is she just a puppet congresswoman for the GOP?

Bodyguard Showdown Looming?

City Council is starting to push back on Mayor Mark Mallory. The Finance Committee has passed a motion making the mayor include his full time bodyguard, police officer Scotty Johnson, in his office budget, instead of in the police budget.

This will come for a vote before the full council and will test Mallory's support.

MidPoint Summary

The Enquirer has an overall roundup of the festival. I had fun. That is what the festival is for afterall. I was not blown away by any of the acts I say, especially on Saturday night.

The rain really hurt and I think made the Saturday night gun shy. This year Midpoint Staff did a monumental job just getting the festival off, but stepped up even more with the hurdles thrust at them.

I am concerned how it will work next year. Where it will be is going to be a question that shall linger all year long. For now, play the CD's you got from your favorites, keep supporting local original music, and get out and see some more shows this weekend.

Heimlich-Pepper Debate

The debate happened last week. Did the debate have a clear winner? Local debates rarely affect races much, but might sway a few attendee's views.

DL Hosts Happy Hour for Kos

Join Drinking Liberally this Friday Night for a Kos Happy hour. Nationally known blogger Markos Moulitsas is in town and DL is bring the blogger to the people. Local candidates will be hanging out as well fighting to gain his counsel or a little more attention on his blog. The details: 5-8 p.m. at O'Bryon's Irish Pub, on 1998 Madison Road in O'Bryonville.

Midpoint Day Two

The Night was wet...and that's an understatement. My golf-size umbrella came in handy. While dodging the rain, I got to see several bands. Top of the list were the States and ..:SHIROCK:...

Tonight, not sure what I am up for. The Hiders, Apollo Up!, and Ellery look interesting.

CEA's Nominations For Music Are Out

CityBeat's Cincinnati Entertainment Awards Nominees for Music were announced last night. The Heartless Bastards and IsWhat?! Led the nominations with 4 each including Album and Artist of Year honors.

The Bigot Bar Owner in Mason Carries On

Anti-Muslim Hate boils just below the surface in much of American society and this juvenile statement from an adult in age only is a prime example. That hate of Muslims stems mostly from 9/11 and is an under current of what is a common held sense in many circles (high in conservative circles) of wanting to get revenge on Muslims. It's a tribal or clan like reaction. It is not a civil reaction and is being exploited by the Bush Administration as well as many Republican policy makers.

Midpoint Day One Recap

Lauren Bishop has her take on day one here.

I was most impressed with singer/songwriter Ellen Cherry who appear upstairs at Neon's. She had a sharp wit, is really cute in the coffeehouse gal kind of way (to mimic Lauren: not a slam at all), and her red polkadoted top reinforced her girl next door visual image. That image played that took me in played me for a fool, her dry sense of humor sharp songs give you a multi-level gut twist.

Tonight I'll be starting off at the Cincinnati Advance Midpoint Fire-Up! Party. Please come on down and support us. We made City Beat with it, twice!

Going to Midpoint Tonight?

What bands are you going to see? Note their locations and times if you can. I don't know who I am going to see tonight, yet, so I would love some suggestions.

CinAd - Midpoint Fire-Up on Friday!!!

Get Fired Up on Midpoint Friday!

On Friday September 22nd, join Cincinnati Advance for a Midpoint Fire-Up party at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati . From 6PM to 8:30 PM warm up with a drink and dinner by the bite from VINYL and Washington Platform before you engage in a night of cutting edge original music. Take the time to converse with your fellow music enthusiasts and plan out your night of shows, while partying in an actual Midpoint Venue. We'll start the night of music with the sounds of DJ Empirical (www.myspace.com/djempirical ). Cost is a low 5$ with a Cash Bar. Please note that admission to the party does not include the cost of admission to Midpoint. The Details:

What: Cincinnati Advance Midpoint Fire-Up!
Where: Know Theatre of Cincinnati - 1120 Jackson Street
When: Friday September 22, 2006 - 6PM to 8:30PM

Food Sponsors: VINYL and

Venue Sponsor :

What are some of the bands playing Midpoint Music Festival Friday September 22?
Kim Taylor @ Know Theatre 10:15 p.m.
Triage @ Blue Wisp 12 a.m.
Ryan Adcock @ Kaldi's 12:20 a.m.
Fairmount Girls @ Guido's Corner Tap 10:15 p.m.
Jake Speed & The Freddies @ Arnold's 12:15 p.m.

CinAd members are looking forward to Midpoint. Some of our favorites on Friday Night:

Bridget Huseman: "I'm looking forward to seeing the Fairmount Girls on Friday night. They opened for the Heartless Bastards at Southgate and are pure fun. I want to see more of them!"

Brian Griffin: "I really enjoy Jake Speed, so I'll try to see the Freddies at Arnold's, but at Midpoint I don't want to waste my chance to see bands I can't see often, so I'll try to see The States at the Know Theatre."

Jay B. Kalagayan: "Triage is a great blend of funk, jazz and motown. It's a musical treat to catch one of their rare performances."

For a complete Midpoint Music Festival Schedule, CLICK HERE.

Starting Early

Craig Scheidler is learning the hardway that politics is about money. He has personally helped raised over $2,000 for Dr. Victoria Wulsin who is running the Ohio 2nd.

Help Wulsin and in turn Craig's effort to be a good citizen and get rid of a bad Congress person.

Oh, My

The hair style is not something I'd keep.

Hartmann's Answer a Sign?

Is how you answered a question on a job application for a public job a sign of your trustworthiness? Yes it is. Is it a big one? Likely not a big political issue, because the Republicans will contradict themselves again on points of legality, dismissing them as unimportant. We all know what that is. Well, we do if we can remember the meaning of "is."

Is Fairfield Safe????

Is it safe for you and your children to walk outside a bar at 2 AM? Tune in tonight to see how you can avoid being shot on the tough streets of Fairfield.

Daily Kos at the Mercantile Library

Great news for blogging fans:

Markos Moulitsas, the man behind the world famous Daily Kos blog, will be appearing at the Mercantile Library on Friday, September 29th at noon in order to speak about his new book. The event is FREE, but we do ask that you RSVP (click here to send us an e-mail, or dial (513) 621-0717 if you prefer the old timey telephone device).

I am unable to make it, but add that to Ira Glass coming the next day, and you have a great representaive of the progressive media in America visiting Cincinnati. Wonder if the Enquirer will notice Kos's visit?

100 New Cops?

Adding more cops will not change anything now, it's a long term issue. To affect crime now, police need to act more now. Citizens need to act more now. Adding more cops in the future is not going to do anything but make City Council appear that they are doing something, something other than their basic job of coming up with a budget.

Retreads? That's All They Have to Offer?

If all the Democrats and Republicans have to offer as candidates for City Council are former members of council, then someone at the parties needs to start screaming. What human being could vote to endorse Sam Malone for a GOP nomination? Yes, I know, saying the GOP are humans might be a stretch. Seriously, are they that callous to endorse the guy, just because he can get the child abuser vote?

Interesting Article On Shadowbox

I haven't been for a while, but Shadowbox is making a few waves by using a better business model. No radical changes, just improved efficiencies.

Local Blogger Gets Mention

Mario Delgado, of Porkopolis, got a mention in Tech Trends.

Ghiz On Film

Council Woman Leslie Ghiz is featured in a documentary about the 2004 election. I don't know how the film premiered, or if it will show in Cincinnati. If it plays the Esquire, someone please let me know!

Remembering 9/11

How are you remembering 9/11? I plan on trying to avoid all politicization of the subject (which includes pushing terrorism at this time) and I plan on avoiding the faux patriotism.

I will remember the bravery of Firemen and Police Officers who ran into the WTC Towers.

Jack Quinn's Closes

Why didn't Jack Quinn's proper? Claims in the article include:

Lack of parking, worries about safety, the scarcity of nearby attractions and competition from Newport on the Levee and the Crestview Hills Town Center all contributed to Jack Quinn's demise, Bowles said.

That sounds kind of weak. The Covington of Mayor agreed:

Covington Mayor Butch Callery disputed that. He blamed the once-popular pub's demise on poor management.

It is a great building. It hopefully will find a good use.

City Beat: "Where’s Phil? Indian Hill."

Kevin Osborne from City Beat exposes the outright snobbish gall of Phil Heimlich. Hamilton County Politics 101 states you DO NOT skip the Harvest Home Parade to hold an Indian Hill Fundraiser with fat cats like Bob Castellini and John Barrett.

If you are a blue collar Republican from the West Side, this is the reality of the GOP. Yes, Pepper is the kid of a rich fat cat too, but he marched in the parade.

'Homeless" Showdown

I am going to take a hard line here with those being described as homeless living by the river. The term "homeless" has a meaning in society which means something different to various people. To the guys who run the Drop In Center, it means anyone without a home. To others, like me, there is a difference between a homeless person and a bum The guys living on the river sound like bums. I have little sympathy for bums. They need help, true, they don't need to be coddled like children. Worrying about hurting their feelings shouldn't be a concern when their lives are intruding on others, as is the case with living by river and dropping a load where ever you want.

I don't want a showdown. I want quiet, professional action. Ask them to leave and offer them help. Most have addiction or mental health issues. If they refuse to leave, be more forceful about asking. If they still will not go at the end of the day, move them by force. Do NOT use kid gloves, if they are not going to go willingly. Sure, it sounds brutal, but sometimes you have handle people when they are unable to handle themselves.

Some activists will howl at the moon over this. City Beat and Brian Garry likely will rumble a bit. At the end society will have a better run Tall Stacks, the bums with hopefully get the help they need. If not, they'll be crapping someplace else until they bother somebody else.

Alchemize Review

Brian Butts from the Enquirer chimes in on opening night at alchemize. I haven't made it out there yet. Hope the sound is as good as Brian says. Parking is never wonderful in Northside. Anyone else made it out?

(If you are going to comment on Nick, save it. I will delete your tripe, and mock you if applicable.)

Smoking Hot Soccer Mamas

Soccer Moms Plead No Contest To Drug Charges.

Purgatory Closing This Weekend

I actually thought the club had closed a while back, but learned otherwise after recently seeing ads for events there.

Boycott Still Dead

The Enquirer reports today thatRev. Jesse Jackson to headline event at Freedom Center.

We Are Safe

We are safe folks, you are not going to be killed in Cincinnati. When I say "you" I don't mean you if you are buy or selling drugs. Murders happen to innocent people very very infrequently. Foster Parents are not going to kill their foster Children, just because it happens, does not mean it will happen to you. Fear mongering is not going to make things better, unless your goal is to drive people away.

Blackwell vs. Strickland Round 1

Any take on who won the first debate? Did anyone pay attention to make it matter?

POWR PAC Shows True Stripes

No matter how many times Pete Witte bob and weaves, he can't deny that in the end POWR PAC is a Republican Group. They dance around that by backing city council Candidates like Cranley and Thomas because they have no other choices. The GOP has given up on the City, not backing enough candidates to even take a majority on Council.

POWR PAC is burning bridges here. Is this group about the West Side of Cincinnati Residents or is this about National politics? Steve Chabot isn't doing anything for anyone in the 1st district. Putting your weight behind him shows they are not about City Politics and working together. Instead they are about being foot soldiers in the national political fight.

Local Democratic candidates should denounce POWR PAC's actions and they should not seek their endorsements in any local elections. That will fall on deaf ears. It shouldn't, but it will.

Public Service Announcement to the President

You can't remind the U.S. that the country is at War when Congress never declared war. There is no state of War. We are not on a War footing. This is not 1944. If Bush is going to throw around words like War and Freedom, I wish he would do it without trampling on the U.S. Constitution. I mean, Hell, if Bush is a literalist on the matters of the U.S. Constitution, as his love of Supreme Court Justice Scalia suggests, then he should be first to admit that his administration is claiming powers reserved for the President during a declared war. These powers have only been used in the time of actual war, which by the way, the last one ended over 60 years ago. If he wants to be FDR or Lincoln and ignore the Constitution in time of War, then he better get of his bum and ask Congress to declare one.

20/20 Line-Up Announced

20 Days and 20 Nights has been announced. Look for more information here: www.20days20nights.com.

Live Blogging Riverfest

The Enquirer has reporters on scene giving frequent updates on the crowds, sights, weather, and traffic surrounding Riverfest.

Interesting idea for the Newspaper to do this type of thing. I give them credit for trying something new. Much like showing the fireworks on TV, I wonder how much of an audience there is for this. Live Blogging other events that a lot of people don't go to might be a better way to expand reach of the Enquirer's blog, and actually give a reason why you need to visit their blogs over just watching TV.

Heartless Bastards Show Rocked

With the biggest Southgate House crowd I have ever seen, the Heartless Bastards played a great set at their CD Release Party. My vantage point from the balcony was excellent. Erika's voice was strong and is wonderful on the new album's songs. The live set of the new album's songs are much harder then the studio versions.

I could have done without the guest violinist, though.

Long Live WOXY

WOXY is going silent on September 15th. There is reportedly a very small chance someone might buy the Internet radio station. I expect this is end of the future of rock and roll. Sad.

Pellet Gun Halts Mail Service

How does what sounds like a few kids cause mail deliver to be halted for three weeks for portions of three streets in Evanston? I know that pellet guns are not in the famous phrase:

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

, but come on. Get a police escort while delivery in going on. Just park the officer on the street. I would think that would suffice.

Gambling Effort Falling Short

The ballot initiative that excluding Cincinnati from opening a casino has fallen short of the number of signatures needed to be placed on the November Ballot. They have 10 days to get more.

I didn't sign it, and advise you not to sign it. If it had included Cincinnati, I would have signed it.

'Some of Our Best Candidates Are Black'

Race in politics is a thorny, but not a complicated issue to figure out:

"'Our candidates would not engage and have not engaged in race-baiting, and it is disingenuous for Democrats to suggest otherwise,' said party spokesman John McClelland, who pointed out that the GOP's candidate for governor, Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, is black."

I am sure that party spokesman John McCelland has lots of black friends too.

What John and the GOP are lacking is in telling the truth. Yes, the GOP is race-baiting black voters in trying to vote for Ken Blackwell because he is black. They are playing the same game they accuse Democrats of doing when the Dems run minority votes, which happens with much, much greater frequency.

Lawdog Loves Tasers

Local Lawyer Ken Lawson seems to have found a way to try and buy himself a new boat.

Strickland Still Up Big In the Polls

Another month of polls like this showing Ted Strickland up by 20 plus points and Ken Blackwell maybe in a hole beyond help.

The knives are going to have to come now. Blackwell has to attack and hit with big money. If he can't get his face on TV over the next month and turn the polls around, then he is going to lose the faith of his backers. No matter how many conservative preachers exploit their religious role by endorsing him for office, he still can't win without big money.

Sad and Sickening

Why do these types of missing child situations turn into twisted movie of the week?

It sounds like other people may be charged in the attempted cover-up.

It's Not News

No, it is not news that Peter Bronson wants you to know that it is likely that the Pakistanis used torture to gain information from alleged terrorists. It is not news that to Bronson and those like him the "ends justify the means." It is not news that honor and principle don't matter if a white person's life is in the balance.

If a 100,000 civilian Iraqis die, that is justified because it was in revenge for 3,000 9/11 murders (which were totally unrelated) and helped make the 336 billion dollars of profit for oil companies, not to mention big profits for war industries. Honor and principle matters when the Bronsons of the world are thumping their bible in church. They matter when it comes to protecting their own or their own purse. It's not news when the Bronsons of the world talk out of the both sides of their moralists mouths. Beating a man is fine with Bronson. It isn't news that torture is wrong.

Forbes: America's Drunkest Cities

I don't know how you actually rate cities on their level of drunkenness, but somehow Forbes Magazine has done it. Cincinnati ranks 16th. Columbus and Cleveland were 3rd and 7th respectively. Ohio can drink.