Anarchists in Cleveland for VP Debate

A group called Don't Just Vote: Resist! is planning a protest at the Vice-Presidential debate in Cleveland this week. Now if these idiots cause a riot, like some will hope to, I hope everyone knows, and those who read this post will, these guys are not Kerry fans. They are frankly misguided kids, looking for attention from mommy and daddy.

As a liberal I really have disdain for people who push a neo-communist agenda hidden behind one of the stupidest concepts in political history: anarchism. These kids are not really anarchists, they are just communists, but on they just don't grasp the hate intertwined with a system of government that is forced on a populace, as was done in the USSR. They might argue that they want communism 'voted' in, but how can one give up self-determination, where you own yourself under one system and then are the war of the state and not call it forced?

What I find most hilarious is when right-wingers like to label us liberals as communists or socialists, usually by pointing to groups like the one holding the protest. When liberals point out the extremists in the GOP, like the guy running for Senate in Oklahoma for the GOP, the right wing shoots back with International ANSWER website links. When the nuts are inside the party instead of out in the streets trying to break windows, I think the comparison stops dead in its tracks. The Republican Party is run by the extremists and much of their base is on the fringe of the polite society on many issues. The Dems are and have for 60 years been a party of coalitions, where difference is not only the norm, but a necessity.

Rucker vs. Deters

Fanon Rucker and Joe Deters will face off in a debate next Wednesday at high noon at Christ Church on 4th Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Last week Eve Bolton faced off against Pat DeWine and Pat took a few hits.

Voting Irregularities

We have our first Blunder in Hamilton County voting. I hope no one will submit both ballots and thus void their votes. I hope they have a simple way to understand which ballot to use and get more time to turn in their ballot if needed.

Morning After Debate Spin

Well, I am now awake and I wading through the day after spin. The FOX News Morning show for idiots had a guy on talking about watching the debate with the sound down looking at the body language. I guess the issues just don't matter to FOX.

Also, Did Bush put forth any ideas about what he was going to do Iraq? All he seemed to do was be on the defensive. Did he say anything about what he was going to do or for that matter give any detail as to what the hell was going on? That to me was where Bush failed on the issues: no plan for the future. Kerry's plan is vague and it is limited by what Bush has already gotten us into, but he talked about it and talked about what he would have done differently. Bush just repeated phrases like a parrot. Kerry hit hard, but did it in a way to show he could do anything Bush could do and do it better.

Kerry Won

Well, from all points of view or perspectives, Kerry won the debate. He won the style points, he won the presence points, and he won on rhetoric. Bush was phoning it in. He looked very bland. He did not make huge mistakes, but he was horrid. On expectations, Kerry won his most important talking point. He was presidential. He hit hard, but avoided the blow-back.

Compassionate Fascism

It was mild, by historical standards of thuggery, but who ever was acosting this high school senior should be brought up on charges. Spiting on her car? Flipping the bird? I hope most of this was from other teenagers, but the two 40 year olds should sure as hell known better than to act like brownshirts.

I loved how the Bulter Co. GOP spokesman played both sides of it. It might not have happened, but it if did, he wishes to apologize. Hmmm, that does not sound very bold, kind of waffling.

Liars

Ok, Now who is foolish enough NOT agree someone at the White House is lying:

The White House said seven months ago that it had released all the records on President Bush (news - web sites)'s stateside military service during the Vietnam War, yet new records are still dribbling out as Election Day approaches.

When Hillary's documents appeared out of thin air, people wanted her to go to jail. A court has ordered all documents released to the press. How many more are being hidden?

Bush Vs. Kerry I

Tonight is the beginning of the spin machine's zenith that lasts for about 30 days or so. I expect nothing from this debate but posturing and really trite focus group approved phrases.

Bush will say little. Kerry will hit him hard. The press will blather about style until the sun comes up tomorrow, never giving a damn about the substance. The press will onced again give Bush a pass on his Iraq policy, not challenging it, not dare speaking ill of the man that people find "likeable." After all, when fighting wars, being liked it the most important thing. I mean Patton's soldiers loved him. (cough, cough).

I plan on watching the debate at an undisclosed location (bar). I will not be playing any drinking games, but Bush mention Osama Bin Laden everyone must do about 50 shots. That is an über 'social.'

Negative News From Bronson

Hmmm, the Right-Wing gets pissed when the Media 'only' report negative stories about Iraq. Bronson regularly reports negative stories about the city, with nothing positive to say that I have noticed. I guess negative and positive is matter of perspective. It must be positive to kill the city in Peter's mind.

Much of War Support Based on Hate

Here is another example of what I fear is the reason why many war supporters wanted to get Iraq. It did not matter what Muslim country they got, just that they got "them."

Again, this is not all, but I think this is part of the reason 40% of people think Iraq was behind 9/11.

'Job Loss State'

Who is bringing up the concept that political rhetoric can hurt Ohio's economy? Who instigated the idea that prompted Carl Weiser's column? Chamber's of Commerce maybe? Groups who support Bush? The nation Chamber of Commerce is in the pocket of the GOP, so I would no be surprised that politics prompted their PR campaign.

Shawn Mummert of CT sees any buzz as insignificant:

'In the short term, I'm sure that the Chamber of Commerce has a point. Fundamentally, it creates some negative buzz,' said Shawn Mummert, a software developer and board president of Cincinnati Tomorrow, an organization that works to attract young professionals.

But in the long term, he said, the focus on Ohio's economic problems will only help. He hopes the problems will get special attention from whichever candidate wins in November.

Besides, he said, Cincinnati suffers more from its image as an intolerant, culturally deprived backwater than from anything the presidential candidates are saying.

Nick Spencer chimes in with a similar point:

And reality is reality, said Nick Spencer, founder of Cincinnati Tomorrow. Ohio and Cincinnati are losing jobs and people, respectively. Rhetoric from the presidential candidates is not the problem.

"They're not diverse, open environments to do business in," he said of Cincinnati and the Buckeye State. "Ohio is still lagging behind the innovation economy."

Edge of a Hurricane

This is what the edge of the hurricane looked like on Sunday at the beach near my parent's house. We never lost power more than a few seconds, but it did cause power outages on the beach for several hours. My parents live a couple miles inland. Farther North it caused far more damage. I can tell you that the sand really stings, unless you stand at the edge of the water.

The more freaky things was seeing the damage from Hurricane Charlie that hit last month. I was a able to see the line of where damage was bad and where it was minimal. It missed their house by less than 10 miles.

Artists For Change

From Jason Bruffy:

CineX Art Presents politically minded artists speaking out.
An organized “happening” of artistic protest

Cincinnati Experimental Arts presents artists taking part in a 24-hour artistic protest against apathy, or an “event of information” called Artists For Change. This organized “happenings” will begin at 11 am till 10pm on Thursday, September 30 and 11 am till 12 midnight on Friday, October 1, 2004. All events will take place free of charge on Fountain Square, Downtown. Artists from around the Queen City, and the Region are performing and displaying work on a variation of themes examining society and the politics of our world and our city.

“The role of artists in society is to transcend and comment upon that society; too often we find ourselves shouting in closets,” says Fringe Producing Director Jason Bruffy. “We hope that this will bring what the artists have to say to the masses.”

As part of the protest, CineX Art, the creative force organizing the event will present a staging of Only We Who Guard The Mystery Shall Be Unhappy, a new work by acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner featuring Laura Bush reading to a group of school children. Kushner’s play will be featured at 12:30 and 6pm on Thursday and 6pm on Friday. Other featured Artists include performances by: Blue Forms Group (Columbus based), SOS, Moving Art Dance Company, and Comic Revolution; musicians including Medic and Tracey Walker; and guest speakers, notably Michael Burnham of UC’s CCM.

For more info check out CincyFringe.com

An Evening with Stephen Leeper

Please come out and learn about plans for Fountain Square and development downtown.

Stephen Leeper: 3CDC CEO & President

September 29, 2004 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The NEXT Hotel
15 W. 6th Street
Downtown Cincinnati

"Whatever your passion, come connect with other Urbanists and share with Stephen Leeper your vision for the heart of our downtown. "

Bronson Circle Jerk

For some unknown reason Peter Bronson is patting himself and his fellow Republicans on the back for getting a lot of people to come see Bush speak in a town that is likely the most Republican in the state. If Bush had real power in this area he would have gotten them to come downtown, but of course the suburban GOP seeks to kill the city, or at least wall it off from their lily white cul-de-sacs.

If they couldn't do this, then Bush would be in trouble. Doing this is no great political feet. Logistically it was a challenge, but getting Fanatical Republicans to come a tent revival for St. Dubya is like shooting fish in a barrel, or selling beer at an AA meeting, or getting agreement with the comment "Down with Muslims" at the Office of Special Plans in the Defense Department.

The rest of the local coverage was of course drivel. Local Dems got a paragraph with a sentence quote from Luken. That was it. Why not at least put all of Luken's response online? This area is not 90% GOP and 10% Nazi, we have liberal voices. The coverage of this event is unfortunately evidence of why local newspapers need real competition. If we are going to have partisan papers that cater to the right wing, then we need one on the left. The newspaper market prevents that and media deregulation makes it easier for one paper towns to exist. We are barely more than a one paper town, and in a few years that is likely all we shall be.

Ken Blackwell's Imitates Katherine Harris

Dave at Radio Free Newport updates the Ken Blackwell vote manipulation story.

Bush's Visit

I don't remember any news stories about this before 2001, but did school dismiss school early so kids could see President Clinton? I doubt it. He came through town and spoke many times. There may be other Democratic towns where school days where altered for Clinton or even Kerry. If the event were at a school, fine, let the kids go. I do not think an entire school district should reduce the school day so that Bush can have a better photo opportunity. If this was in 2001 or 2002 before the campaign, I would not care so much. This is the use of public schools to promote a political candidate. I would be very proud if some of those kids where allowed to be up front and protest him. I doubt they would be allowed, and I am sure no one will let them.

This event is in Bulter County, but Warren county schools are getting out early. Lakota Schools can claim to be doing so for traffic, but no Warren County? I also hope that Lakota bands and choir members are not performing as the public school groups. Again, this is a political event. Kids are likely forced or at a least enticed to take part in the event, all to the benefit of Bush's political event.

I don't mind parents pulling out their kids, but the schools should not make it easier for Bush to hold a political event.

I hope we get some protest coverage. I hope people were let in, even though they wore Kerry T-Shirts. I hope no one was rude or broke any laws.


UPDATE: Hegmo points out that a high school band in Columbus performed at a Kerry event. That was totally wrong as well. Kids should not be used by schools or school officials for politics. Let their parents exploit them.

We Want Jimmy Part II

I said it before, but with stories like this, we need Jimmy Carter in Ohio. He is all over Florida, but Ohio is just as bad, and gets no attention.

[Via MyDD]

Hurricane Jeanne

When you are with your family on solemn business you never expect the unexpected. Well, I got just such a thing. A hurricane breezed through town (here in Florida) today. We got lucky, again, and only caught the tail end. This morning was a little bit scary, but we faced the storm head on. We did it literally by going to the beach during the Hurricane. It was intense, the most intense winds and waves on the beach here I have ever seen. The sand stung, and you could not help but get the taste of salt in your mouth. I have a few pictures that I will post when I get back to town later this week, but they don't do justice to the experience. What I find mindblowing is that we got the weak side of the storm and the winds where relatively mild compared to what the East coast of Florida got. It was an experience I will never forget.

Gone

I will be taking care of family business for several days. My ability to blog will be vastly limited. If I get a chance to post, I will. Please go to Midpoint.