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.

Portman Architect of 'DeLay Rule'

Carl Weiser reports that Congressman Rob Portman led the effort to change GOP caucus rules to allow House Majority Leader Tom Delay to keep his leadership role, even if he is indicted in Texas for corruption.

I am surprised to see this from Portman. I wonder why he did not make this known sooner. I mean who wouldn't want to vote for someone who seeks to lower ethical standards? He claims he found a compromise. I find that funny for a political party that claims to be based on consistency and never changing principle. I guess they don't change unless they have to pull strings to protect their leadership. I am sure this can be blamed on the liberals out to get the ‘Hammer.’ I mean Bill Clinton must have forced Rob Portman to do this.

'French CNN?'

Will the right wing have to come up with a new term for "Bias" for "CNN à la Francaise"? Officially it is called "CII (International Information Channel." Will they start calling it Freedom CNN? Would they not think that is an oxymoron? I think Bill O'Riley's head would explode if he were to watch it.

Liberal Radio Takes Shape in Cincinnati

Rick Bird, with his excellent Jacor connections, gives a rundown of the line-up that will be hitting the air waves on what will likely be called 1530 WCKY.

9 AM to Noon: Jerry Springer
Noon to 3 PM: Al Franken
3 PM to 6 PM: Ed Schultz

Other possible Air America hosts/shows that could make it on are:
6 AM to 9 AM: The Morning Sedition with Mark Riley and Marc Maron
3 PM to 7 PM: Randi Rhodes
7 PM to 10 PM: The Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and sam Seder
10 PM to 1 AM: Mike Malloy

There are other liberals and moderates out there, but likely these will be the main choices, unless they go for locally based shows. They have plenty of Clear Channel liberals doing music and such, so maybe we'll find another new personality to counter the other Clear Channel mouths on WLW. I vote for Duke Sinatra.

If you want to listen to what this will likely be like, check out WTPG in Columbus.

What I wonder, will Mike McConnell and Jerry Springer ever do any simulcast programs where they go head to head in a debate?

Also, who will do the news on the new 1530? FOX?

Bad Boys, Bad Boys

Because of UC Basketball Cops: Cincinnati premiers tonight at 11:00 PM on WXIX.

66 Pound Tumor Coverage

I have been avoiding posting on this story, but Channel 5's report with photos of the women before the surgery and photos of the surgery is so over the top, I had to comment. It is just tabloid coverage. This is exhibit A for why local TV news coverage is bad. Now, for Cincinnati TV stations to cover this, I really can't complain too much. This is a local story, so I am happy they are at least covering local news. I wish they would cover a little state politics instead, but it beats a car cash video from San Diego. If you do a Google search on "66 pound Tumor" check out how many of the links are Local TV stations. This is why local TV news sucks. They take these stories from other cities and show them, instead of showing actual local news.

Also, please hold the Arnold "It's not a tumor" Schwarzenegger jokes to minimum.

Half Mad Spinster

While I was Drinking Liberally this week I met Half Mad Spinster. Had a very nice time chatting up politics. A good Blog and good group.

Ah, Yeah

The paranoid side of myself has the feeling that many people think I am paranoid when I go off on the rise and intent of fundamentalists. Greg at The Cincinnati Group links to the rantings of an extremist Catholic, William Donahue, who sounds every bit of a bible thumping theocrat as Jerry Falwell or Phil Burress. I am slowly ridding myself of my paranoia.

Pushy Teenage Preachers

Glad to see this kid admit he was wrong to manipulate teachers to hand out his religious propaganda. He might want to reflect on what his religion says on misleading people into doing what you want. On the other hand, I guess his Mom is happy is just trying to push his religion on others via dishonest means. As longs as they get Jeebus, I guess it doesn't matter how they got there. Infringe on other's rights, mislead them, what ever it takes, just get the 'Lord's' propaganda in the hands and then the garbage cans of as many people as possible.

If this kid wanted to do 'God's' work, why did not take the money he spent on the letter he had created and buy food with that money and donate it to a food bank? Then verbally ask his friends or classmates to do something similar. What a crazy idea, it could actually change someone's life for the better, and he would gain praise from nearly everyone.

Jerry Radio

Jerry Springer is launching a radio show 9AM to Noon on 1530 WSAI when the station switches to a talk format next year.

Let just hope we don't get nuts calling and trying to make it into his TV show.

This article gets it from the horse's mouth on WSAI where Darryl Parks, AM programming director for local Clear Channel stations, confirmed 1530 will be changing to a Talk format. No official comment on the use of Air America, yet. I think it’s a safe bet to guess that some of Air America's programming will be heard, Al Franken especially.

Tarbell Mugged

Councilman Jim Tarbell fights crime. This is what I would call leading by example. If you are a 'victim' of crime, work with the police immediately and do your best to stick back to the criminals.

Now, the downside to this crime is that is happened in the middle of the afternoon around the area of Tower Place Mall, where a couple of the arrests were made. This is a positive take a on a negative story. Three teenage kids were stupid enough to try and rob someone in the middle of the day with a knife.

The response the police made should happen the same way if it had happened to Joe Public while in Price Hill, OTR, Avondale, or the East End. It doesn't happen that way though.

Murder Rate Down

It is not down much, but any reduction is a positive sign. It still could rise before the end of the year, so the police report may have to face the wrath of Karma, if such a thing were to exist.

Insanity

Someone climbed on stage at a rock show in a Columbus night club and shot at least one band member and people in the audience. At least 4 are dead as well as the gunman.