Lions of Summer
I don't know what to make of the supposed Lion on the loose out around Mason, Ohio. The credibility of the man who is the only person to have seen the animal is a bit suspect:

Andy Lawson said he first encountered the lion Sunday night, when it made a grunting racket outside his trailer. The lion returned, sniffing around his trailer, the following night.

Video of Mr. Lawson did not ooze with credibility. WLWT's story, including video, lists a poll asking "do you believe him." There is confusion on the actual name of the person who stated he saw the lion. The UPI story quoted above reports his name is "Andy Lawson", but both the WLWT and WCPO's stories refer to him as "Casper Lawson." The Post agrees. The Enquirer agrees with the UPI. WXIX's web sit took an early vacation, with no coverage of the story. WKRC’s article only referred to the witness as a "resident." Who is right? Well, according to a search of the Clerk of Courts Web site the man's first name is Casper and middle name Andy or Andrew. I would assume he goes by his middle name. I sure would not want to be called Casper.

A simple fact in a story could in the end cause an Andrew Lawson trouble if Casper Lawson's story does not pan out, and he is discredited. Imagine what happens with a story that is more serious and more complicated, like a murder for instance. How often does this kind of fact variation happen on that type of story? A little clarity by all outlets might make sense, especially when this story goes national with the UPI and Washington Times.

Porkopolis: Ham and Fat
Greg Flannery's Porkopolis column this week is worthy of praise and rebuke. First the ham: I praise Greg’s stance in regards to the Cincinnati Progressive Action's refusal to allow the Cincinnati Post's reporter into an alleged "community-wide meeting," while allowing a CityBeat reporter to attend. Double standards are often a problem with extreme left-wing groups like the Cincinnati Progressive Action (CPA). They do not want people discriminated against, except when it comes to something they happen to disagree with, like "Corporate Media." What does the CPA have to hide? Are they plotting a Marxist revolution and don't want any “capitalist pigs” knowing in advance? If a group is about inclusion, then including everyone, no matter their opinions, should be the goal. Why would any group starving for media attention keep an outlet out of an open meeting? Fascist tactics are fascist tactics no matter which side of the political spectrum you haunt.

The fat of Greg Flannery's column came in his screed against the Enquirer’s attempt to broaden its readership. It is, I think, a well-known fact the younger generations, say - those under 40, are not consuming news much, especially daily newspapers. Why shouldn't the Enquirer go after younger readers? I don't know if this method of gaining new readers will work, but it might break up the staleness the paper often exudes. Maggie Downs is still new on the block, and passing judgment on her after one column is a bit premature. I have to laugh a bit at Greg for making fun of the use of her term "Dude." I find it pretentious to find a commonly used idiom to be "so last year." CityBeat produces a great deal of well written stories, but it is not the "arbiter of style" for Cincinnati. If the Enquirer wants to try and get a little hipper, it will not hurt anyone. Fears of what new competition CityBeat might face is a battle better fought by its product on the page, than by cheap rhetorical shots at honest actions. CityBeat can get just as stale as the Enquirer. How many more times can we read Socialist diatribes blaming all of life's ills on either business or "persons not of color"? A little diversity would do some good for everyone. Why doesn't CityBeat have any regular columnists under age 30?

Not Just Me
As a new editor I find it easier to proof read other people's work than my own. In My Miami University post below I did not proof read correctly, leaving a sentence unfinished. This is the Achilles’ heel of blogging: self-editing. When I read Peter Bronson's Column today, I was surprised to learn that I am not the only one with an editing problem. Review this paragraph from his column and tell me what is wrong:

Janet explained why gorillas walk on their knuckles - to protect their sensitive palms for food gathering - and Charlie rounded up a couple of kids to try on the "Gorilla Shirt" that has a 42-inch neck and 38-inch sleeves. They kids fit with room to spare.

In case you missed it, the last sentence seems to need some editing. If Peter wants to pay me, I would be happy to edit him. His problem would be that I might edit out many of his columns in their entirety. I am glad that I am not the only one who needs to improve on my proof reading. I would not want to be Peter's editor right now. I can sympathize. I truly can sympathize.

Miami University
I wish all of the sports reporters at the Enquirer would adopt a fair and consistent means of referring to Miami University as opposed to Coral Gables U. (University of Miami). I hope Dustin Dow starts by not referring to the University of Miami as simply Miami. The Enquirer offices are less than 90 miles from Oxford, Ohio, location of Miami University. Most readers of the Enquirer would know that Miami is in Ohio, and Coral Gables is in Florida. What could be confusing to some non-football fans is when his article headline reads: "Miami bolts, leaves Big East vacuum." I know Miami is not going to the ACC, Miami of Florida is going to the ACC, but I don't like the ignorant misinformed. This is a very simple request and a bit of respect they Enquirer could make to a local university. In the article the only references to the state of Florida are in reference to the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida.

Looking Forward and Looking Downs
This Friday's Maggie Downs column in the Cincinnati Enquirer should be interesting. Today's Enquirer had a "Looking Forward" promo in the editorial section highlighting several upcoming stories this week. The big push is for Maggie's column on her first time skydiving. They went to the length of showing her picture dressed in her skydiving uniform. She is smiling in the picture. I have to wonder, was the picture taken before, or after the jump?

She takes a good picture, even in the skydiving get-up. Ok, I am sucking up a bit, but I am usually nice to new people.

My Opening at XRay
I have two new articles up over at XRay. One is my first editorial, mostly just an introduction of myself to the Web site's readers. Myke Amend has a very funny satire flaming on the RIAA.

Fame, What Is It Good For?
Jerry Springer appears to think his fame, or infamy, derived from this television sideshow could help the Democratic Party if he is elected to the U.S. Senate from here in Ohio. If Jerry wins, I am moving to Kentucky. I will not be any better off, Jerry will not control on the State or local government, but the embarrassment of being from Ohio would then eclipse that of being from Kentucky. Wouldn’t Jerry fit in better in Kentucky anyway? Why doesn’t he run there instead?

Slippery Slope
The Cincinnati Post's editorial today covered last Thursday's Sodomy ruling. The Post wants us to listen to the screed of Justice Salia's dissent as some kind of warning that allowing the Supreme Court to trump a legislature will bring about lawlessness. The hidden problem here is a more stodgy reading of history. The Post wants to focus on the fact that sodomy was considered "wrong" historically in this country, which was true. So was slavery. So was refusing women the right to vote. So was the right of the state to control a woman's body.

The constitution is not rigid. It is ebbs and flows. It is a living and breathing document. It also is there to protect the minority from the tyranny of the mob. The right of privacy is a fundamental right of American Society. "A man's home is his Castle" is an old and true maxim. What you do in your bedroom is a not for the government to concern it self as long as no one is harmed. It is the duty of the government to prevent an oppressive majority religion from using its set of behavior rules as the basis to force the entire populace to comply with its teachings. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is not codified law in this country, but the sentiment surely applies and so does the 14th Amendment.

Nick Spencer on Racial Diversity
Charter Committee City Council candidate Nick Spencer wrote a guest column in Sunday's Enquirer. Nick comes out in strong support of diversity and in big support of the repeal of Article 12, the anti-homosexual city charter clause. Nick calls for whites to spend sometime in predominantly Black neighborhoods. I agree with this idea, it can open people up to new experiences. I suggest Blacks do the same thing though too. Many say White people do not know enough about Blacks, beyond stereotypes. I think the same is true about Blacks. They are just as guilty of only seeing stereotypes, and can use some diversity too. Everyone needs to a know more about the way other people live their lives. Once they do, I think they will discover we all generally live similar lives, with only subtle differences.

Nate Livingston and Amanda Mayes Arrested
Both co-chairs of the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati were arrested while protesting a concert taking place at the Cincinnati Zoo Sunday. WLWT reported that an altercation with a concert goer allegedly took place, which resulted in a police officer suffering minor injuries. Livingston has been charged with Misdemeanor Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly conduct. Mayes was charged with Resisting Arrest.

According to Cincinnati.com Michael McDonald and The Neville Brothers were scheduled to perform at the Wild Nights at the Zoo Concert Series.

UPDATE: WLWT's Story

Katharine Hepburn 1907-2003
There has been no better motion picture actress than Katharine Hepburn. Her best movies include:

The Philadelphia Story
The African Queen
The Lion in Winter
Holiday

One of the last giants of Hollywood's Golden Age has past. My favorite of hers will always be "The Philadelphia Story".

XRay Magazine Has New Web Site Editor
In the movie "The Right Stuff" Dennis Quaid played Gordo Cooper. Cooper's famous line in the movie was "Who was the best pilot I ever saw? Well, uh, you're lookin' at 'im. " Well, if you ask who is XRay Magazine’s new web site editor, then I would say: you're lookin' at 'im.

No, I am not the best web site editor anyone ever saw. I am just starting out, so don't over react to my movie quote. I hope to be the best that I can be, but I will need the help of the XRay Print editors and staff to help me out. What does this mean for my blog? I hope it means little. I hope to continue blogging right along side my work at XRay. I will be honest that I expect to be blogging a little less, but I will try to stay as current as I can.

The Katie Couric of Cincinnati
John Kiesewetter provides us with a fluffy profile of Sheila Gray, morning co-anchor of WXIX-TV's morning news program. John provides a nice profile of Mrs. Gray, which for a TV reporter is not out of the ordinary. He does mention her husband, Ric Robinson, and summarized his career, but John left out Mr. Robinson's horrible run as early afternoon talk radio host on WLW-AM. Ric was a horrible host. Now, I have a low opinion of most talk radio hosts, but Ric was the worst WLW has put on as a regular host that I ever heard. He lasted several months, but Bill Cunningham was moved to the afternoons, which, I hate to admit, was an improvement.

All in all Sheila is a light, bubbly person, who like Katie Couric can be very very annoying. She does what she does well. Morning shows are just infotainment now a days, but it is good that her show is local. It provides local people more opportunity to reach the local audience directly. Katie Couric can't do that. As long as people understand what they are watching is mostly entertainment, mixed with some news, then I hope 19 in the Morning continues providing live locally based content as long as Raycom finds it profitable.

Dennis Miller: Latest Horse's Ass
When did Dennis Miller loose all credibility? Is he a born again Christian now too? He once was a good comic who was on the rational side of the society, but now he has drunk the kool-aide.

I have no problem with people being conservatives, but Dennis Miller used to see all politicians as bullshit artists. Somehow Bush is not a bullshiter? I know that hardcore conservatives worship Bush, so they buy into his propaganda, but Miller had some credibility with a pox on both your houses attitude, trusting no one. How can Miller, a smart man, trust Bush? I do not get it.

His career is now toast. It is one thing to give money to the GOP, or even openly support socially moderate Republicans, but to shill for the right wing's messiah is the kiss of death in Hollywood. I don't see Miller as winning over the hard-core GOP crowd either. He was hated by the Budweiser crowd on Monday Night Football, so I don't see the hardcore Freeper crowd coming out in droves now that Dennis is Bush's toast master. I guess he will have to scrap the Ambrose Bierce and Immanuel Kant jokes, and stick with the "death to Democrats" crowd pleasers. That's the news, and I am outta here!


UPDATE: Andrew Cline at Rhetorica.net comments on Miller's addition to the campaign.

Bush Needs $incinnati
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports:

"Of the top 20 most lucrative ZIP codes for Bush's 2000 campaign, three were in Cincinnati. The one that provided the most money was 45243 - Indian Hill, the verdant home of the Tristate's elite. "

One would think this kind of support would bring more federal dollars back to this area, but it doesn't. Because this area is so one party dominated, none of the local congressman, Chabot and Portman, need to bring home the bacon. The GOP does not have to do anything to get their man elected in this reigon, beyond putting a name on the ballot, airing a few commericals, and making the Democrat look like a baby killing communist. I think GOP City Councilman Chris Monzel might be taking a page from that playbook. I expect his West Sider ploy to come up after Council's summer recess.

New Gen X Enquirer Columnist
I am guessing at Maggie Downs' age based on references in her first Enquirer column yesterday. I applaud a younger voice in the Enquirer. A vast majority of Enquirer columnists are well over 40 years old, leaving their perspective on society rooted before the rise of MTV or the personal computer. My only other comments on Maggie dealt with a story she wrote back in January for the Enquirer. My comments were not well received by at least one friend or co-worker of hers. I enjoyed her light take on Cincinnati. I look forward to reading her takes on Cincinnati culture. I hope she checks out XRAY Magazine to locate some of that culture.

Bronson's Sex Obsession
It seems like every other column from Peter Bronson lately has been about sex in one way or another. He is on a porn crusade one day, and today he is worried about "sex-offenders" living in OTR.

Enquirer Responds to FOP Charges
Well, not directly, but via a small article in their Tristate A.M. Report.

Police group says it wants reporter fired

The Fraternal Order of Police demanded the firing of a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Friday over allegations regarding local restaurateur Jeff Ruby.

The reporter, acting on a tip, had asked Ruby if he offered free meals to police investigating his son.

But Ruby never made the offer, he and the FOP said in a joint news conference Friday. FOP Vice President Keith Fangman alleged that the reporter fabricated the tip to get Ruby to comment on charges against his son.

Brandon Ruby, 19, was indicted June 10 on charges of aggravated rioting and attempted arson in connection with a Cinco de Mayo party near the University of Cincinnati that got out of control.

Enquirer Editor Tom Callinan said: "A reporter asked some questions about some rumors we had heard. But there didn't appear to be anything to the story, so we dropped it."

So the Enquirer stands by their reporter, and presumably will not fire Robert Anglen. He was doing his job and asking about a rumor. The Enquirer did not report the rumor, the FOP reported the rumor. Ruby's image has been damaged, not by the press, but by the police. I am torn by the placement of this story in the newspaper. I would have made it a bigger story; one standing alone, but keeping it low key is an interesting PR choice. I think this will put an end to the story. Fangman got his TV coverage. Ruby got is reputation as a less than honest person reinforced, and the Enquirer is slightly embarrassed. A good news day for Cincinnati.

War in Iraq
Oliver Willis provides a link to AlterNet's 10 Appalling Lies We Were Told About Iraq. Sex, lies, and WMD, what a combo. Billmon has found the king of all revisionist Historians.

A Steak for a Break II
WCPO has an updated story with an interview with Jeff Ruby. Also, the video of the press conference is here. This whole story makes no sense. Why they hell did the FOP get involved? Why did they call the press conference? The Enquirer did not even print a story on the topic. It appears Fangman has the need to stick it to the reporter alleged to be involved, Robert Anglen. According to Fangman the reporter was interviewed by the Internal investigation. Fangman is full of shit here. There is no reason to hold a press conference, except to tar the local press. Fangman has some kind of personal grudge against this reporter, his "unnamed" sources, and the entire Enquirer. Fangman must not like it when he reads stories with like these:
Police review themselves when citizens complain
Profiling settlement approved Don't shoot the messenger on that one, Fangman.
Angry crowd demands answers
Police, fire chief selection questioned
Initial findings may not support officer's actions
Feds study police practices
I guess anyone reporting anything negative about the Cincinnati Police gets attacked by the FOP. Fangman disgusts me. He lays it on thick with is weepy odes to his "fallen" detectives, that NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IF HE HAD NOT HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE.


It will be interesting to the Enquirer's reaction to this. Their comment as relayed in the WCPO story reads:

The Enquirer never published anything about what the FOP and Ruby claim happened and they released this statement saying the "reporter asked some questions and we determined there was no story...that was the end of it."

I have to laugh at one big point. What I guess happened here was that the report had a guess what might have happened and tried to fish out a response. He may have been on to something, but it was surely covered up by now. This tactic is what police and prosecutors do all the time. The lie and manipulate suspects into reacting and making a mistake. The reporter did the same thing. Anglen does not deserve to be fired for doing what police do every day. He may need to question his instincts or in case he was right, he better learn how to get his sources to be firmer, before going in to get the reaction quote from subject of his reporting.