Ramos in Sundance 2004

CityBeat's Steve Ramos is at the Sundance Film Festival and has an online daily diary of his misadventures.

Ohio Senate Approves Gay-Marriage Ban

Blah! All that is left is for Tedious Taft to sign it, which he eventually will. Theocracy on the March, with bigotry in tow.

Mockery of a President

When you read this section from Bush's SOTU last night it can be nothing less than astonishment, and nothing better than laughable:

Some in this chamber, and in our country, did not support the liberation of Iraq. Objections to war often come from principled motives. But let us be candid about the consequences of leaving Saddam Hussein in power. We are seeking all the facts - already the Kay report identified dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations.

First, Bush knows well that everyone in the chamber supports the liberation of Iraq. What many, including me, disagreed with was how Bush went about doing it. He did it by lying to the American public or at least misleading us. He gave the finger to the rest of the world for not doing what he wanted. He failed to plan for both the after-math of victory and for the strain the Iraq war had on the "War" on terrorism.

The most outlandish and greatest SNL moment came from his "WMD-related" quote. He basically used WMD as an adjective to try to link what stuff they found to his trumped up reason for the war. It is laughable to me how people just don't care, or don't notice, how Bush uses language creep to back peddle from his initial claim. First Iraq had WMD, and then they had WMD programs, now they have "weapons of mass destruction-related program activities." I guess downloading this from the internet could be called WMD-related program activities.

Ohio General Assembly's Bigotry

It appears that the anti-homosexual sentiment in the Ohio Senate is strong. It is amazing how homophobia drives politicians. They may not be homophobic themselves, but they fear the level of homophobia by voters who would turn on them if they did anything to give equal rights to homosexuals. This movement is led by conservative Republicans, but there are many Democrats who are doing nothing or sitting on their hands. Social Conservative blue collar Democrats and religious blacks are keeping elected Democrats from making the fair and just decision to fight the anti-homosexual bill.

I would like to encourage that people hit the GOP for pushing this, but don't give the Democrats a pass if they don't stand up for the rights of gays. Ask Mark Mallory and Steve Driehaus what they are doing and where they stand on equal rights for homosexuals, including marriage or civil unions.

Driehaus's (D) from Cincinnati prior comments include:

Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Cincinnati, has reservations about the bill, which he said could send the message that Ohio lawmakers are intolerant toward the gay community.

Still, he says he'll vote for the marriage act because he believes his constituency defines marriage in a very specific way.

"My constituents believe marriage is a union between a man and a woman that is held sacred," Driehaus said. "We should respect that."

Nice to know representatives will submit to the bigotry of their constituents.

Where in the World is LaShawn Pettus-Brown?

California is the place you ought to be. This is hilarious. Pettus-Brown is allegedly trying to join a Dennis Rodman BB team in LA. He is wanted by the Cincinnati Police and FBI, but he is hanging out in LA with tons of media around Rodman who will stake out a celebrity's house to determine if they wear boxer's, but they will not look into who might be wanted by the law and standing right next to them.

Bush Declares His Bigotry

I am sure the conservative readers will disagree, but last night in his SOTU Bush declared his bigotry towards homosexuals

Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

His endorsement of an anti-homosexual constitutional amendment was not a shock, but was a move that will draw political lines. Bush did not even have the courage to just come out and say he was for the amendment. He instead had to use the quote above which danced around the issue and prevented him from sounding like Pat Robertson.

UPDATE: Wes Flinn Comments.
I was surprised he did not even mention abortion. Not even in passing part of a laundry list of issues. I guess he can't use that as a big issue this time around. It is a no win issue in the country. Its only value is to drive out turnout. Raising the issue will not change anyone's mind.

Theocratic Fascism At Home

The Fascist in Chief of Hamilton County Speaks.

Leis spoke about crime and the courts, obscenity and pornography, abortion and same-sex marriages - issues he feels plague America.

His theme: Over-tolerance propagated by a too-liberal media is wrecking the family values of Cincinnati and America.

"As prosecutor and sheriff, I enforce obscenity laws, and on many occasions I have been made an object of ridicule by the media," Leis said. "I will never compromise my beliefs on this issue."

Well, I for one don't to disappoint the expectations of the sheriff. As a fledging member of the media I openly mock you Simon Leis. You are a bigot, fascist, oppressive jack-booted thug out to force your religion and your own laws on Hamilton County. Keep your theocracy to yourself, and instead of attacking those you are supposed to protect (like me), why don't you work to make new friends, instead of alienating those of us who don't share your brand of fire and brimstone. Be the sheriff, don't be a crusader.

GOT A JOB!!!!

Well, it took me just over a week to land a job. I was able to find a job within the company. The only negative is that I will be working out in Mason, not Downtown. Can't have everything. I will start out there in couple of weeks or so. I am very glad to be staying where I am and in the general field I was in.

Back to the Future?

Ok, here is a story from Reuters via Yahoo. It was dated 2 hours, 51 minutes ago as of 910: PM EST. It lists quotes from Bush's SOTU Address. As I write this Bush has only been speaking for about 3 minutes. I know they put out the speech to the press before hand, but long enough to give a 3-year lead in story? It was written in past tense, which seemed really odd.

Ohio GOP: Law Breakers?

It appears the Ohio GOP is refusing the advice of Ken Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State, and keeping a campaign finance fund that Blackwell says is in against the McCain/Feingold campaign finance law. I love it when the GOP can't follow the law and a fellow Republican has to call them on it. This will end up in court, which is likely why this dance is going on.

One More Step Towards a Brokered Convention

With Dean falling flat in Iowa, things are really getting interesting. There is a real divide in the Democratic party among several candidates. Dean, Kerry, and Clark have a shot at being the nominee. Logically after New Hampshire one two will be left. I don't think this will be logical. I think we will see varying surges by all three candidates, with Joe Liberman hurting someone for a while. John Edwards has made his case for the number 2 spot.

The problem for Democrats is the sense of anti-Dean feelings that are growing. This tone will turn off the powerful group of Dean supports who are KEY to beating Bush. The Dems best hope is that they want to get rid of Bush enough that they will support and work for who ever the Dems put up.

UPDATE: Some anti-Dean gloating from neo-Republican, and 800 pound blogging gorilla, Glenn Reynolds.

UPDATE#2: Kevin Drum also is using the brokered term in describing what may happen come summer. Well he does use "semi-brokered" to be exact, but close enough for me to mention it.

Ohio Key to GOP

Bush has to win Ohio or he is toast. That will become evident on Wednesday when Bush visits Ohio first after the SOTU. Here is Bush's Danger summed up by Rep. Steve Chabot:

Bush will urge Congress to restrain the growth of federal spending, something Rep. Steve Chabot says he hears complaints about from his constituents all the time.

"I think we've allowed spending to grow at far too rapid a pace. And that's a danger," said Chabot, a Westwood Republican. "Thus far the Congress hasn't been willing or able to face up to it. The president has also been remiss in emphasizing controls on the spending."

Bush and Chabot can't honestly blame the Democrats for this. I am sure they will try, and I am sure they will claim the Dems will increase spending more than they will, but that might be a moot argument if the public finally grasps the 500 billion dollar deficit created by Bush and the GOP Congress.

Maybe someone can give Peter Bronson a lesson in trickle down economics: When the Federal government cuts revenue to the states, caps services, then guess what falls on the states? If Blackwell gets his cuts, then the cities and counties will bore the expenses. I guess Peter's goal is once he gets the wall build around West Chester he can put off ever having a municipal income tax by keeping out the poor people.

Theocracy on the March!

It is so "nice" to see more small town theocrats chosing what religion everyone else must follow. What is most interesting is that a single councilman allegedly paid for and put the one ton 10 commandments slab on in the Town Hall. He allegedly did not have permission from council. It is nice one man taking this kind of action without even voting on it. That is how theocracy is supposed to work! Glad to see this man does not disappoint.

Wait Just a Minute

My favorite BBC radio comedy show is back from hiatus: Just a Minute

XRay Magazine's 3rd Anniversary Party
Please join everyone January 24th at 8PM at Jacobs On the Avenue 4029 Hamilton Ave in Northside (Map).

The party will feature music by Pay Up Smartie and the Blue Rock Boys. Other acts TBA. There will also be an exhibition of XRay's archives of Everybody's News and the Independent Eye. The cover charge is only $4.

For More Information, Contact:Stephen Novotni (513)841-9729 or mailto:Steve@goxray.com

The Battle for Districts Begin

I am perplexed by how voting regions are drawn for district representation in the City of Cincinnati. 12 difference maps have been drawn for a breakdown of 6, 9 or 15 different districts. I am troubled why race is such a factor here. Why is it so important to have a "fair" number of majority black districts? Why do we have to have "X" number of black or white members of council? Any rational for requiring a quota of seats is either bigoted or racist or just too static in my opinion. Race only matters to those it matters too.

The State of the Union Address Drinking Game 2004

SOTU Address Drinking Game 2004 is a must for all true hardcore political watchers. If you are unable to drink alcohol, you can at least play with water. The first one to piss loses.

BBC Quiz on U.S. Presidency is Wrong

In a quiz on the U.S. Presidency the BBC asked:

Which of these packages is NOT among the perks of being president of the United States?

A: A masseur and a pet of choice
B: A salary of $200,000 per year and pension
C: A chef and an aeroplane

The answer was A
The president is entitled to a $200,000 annual salary and a pension on retirement of $63,000 per year (taxable). The president has a place in the country - Camp David, a personal plane - Air Force One, and a chef. Masseurs are not included in the package, nor are pets, although they are welcomed at the White House.

The answer A and B are correct. The BBC does not know that the President's salary went up to $400,000 a year in 2001.

More on Boondocks

A Dallas Morning News column has more on why the Enquirer dropped it. (3rd item)

More on Police and the "N-Word"

Peter Bronson writes today on Police Officer Jeff Butler and his alledged use of the "N-Word." Bronson goes on with a personal experience of meeting the officer and going on patrol with him 10 years ago. He claims the word in question is not even the "N-Word." I don't know what the truth on that is, but it is funny how his take is so different.

I was most amused by Peter's attack on CityBeat:

Councilman John Cranley said different versions of the tape may not be as clear. So he invited me to listen to the Smitherman tape, which came from the cop-bashing alternative weekly CityBeat. It sounded like the tape I got from the Cincinnati Police. I still heard "native.''

"Cop-bashing"? How exactly does that figure? CityBeat dares to question the actions of police and they are "cop-bashing?" Now, CityBeat is not a conservative publication. They are very leftist. That is not questionable, but to call them "cop-bashing" just because they don't get on their knees for the police? Maybe when (or if) Peter stops bashing homosexuality, he might be taken seriously.