MidPoint Day One

So, I was out way too late last night at MidPoint, but I had a great time.

Hot, Hot Weather, made for some steamy bands.

The crows were thin early, but that is typical for most nights. RBC had a pretty good crowd, and Coopers was fairly packed.

Thursday is the slow night of the event, so tonight should be packed.

Who liked what shows last night? What is a must see today?

Debate Season

It's not Rabbit Season, and no one is ducking any debates (Ouch!)

Mallory and Pepper have lined up a series of debates that should prove to be as good a way to determine the positions and views of each candidate.

Keep your eyes tuned to www.cincinnatiadvance.com for information on a special Mayoral Debate.

Does Bush Owe Pro-Choice Republicans?

People talk about how Bush owes the Christian Right for his win in 2004. They were a huge part, if not majority, of his overall support. Were they really the group Bush got that on paper and in practice he shouldn't have had to be worried about?

Were not moderate and liberal Republicans really the people Bush should be kowtowing to? They are the people, although who are smaller in number, provided him with the winning edge here in Ohio. Take out the moderate GOPer's and Bush loses Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and Missouri (If not other states).

With Roberts on his way to confirmation as Chief, does Bush owe his Pro-Choice Republicans another Sandra Day O'Connor? If he sticks it to them on social issues again, will they finally wake up and jump off the Fundamentalist Republican ship?

Let Them Eat Cake

In my usually brilliantly cliché way, I must comment Bronson's latest drivel. It comes across, every so overwhelmingly that Bronson is pissed people are not more grateful for the Red Cross Donation he and his fellow White Man made to the cause.

He is pissed that people are screaming about race. I too think that many of the charges about race are overblown. There is a racial component to why people were left at the Superdome for so long, but that was not the reason I believe was the main reason.


Most of the people were poor. Plain and simple classism is why they are scoffed at by Talk Radio people like Mike McConnell. Poor people are blamed for being poor. That is a bedrock conservative value held by many in Bronson's cul de sac world. That is why they live out in the land of cultural despair. The only thing they fear more than cultural vibrancy is poor people. Add race to it and it adds a level of prejudice that makes it look like racism, but it is really about class.

With Bronson desire to hold back on paying to rebuild the Gulf Coast sounds just like a "not my problem" type response. Bronson seems to want to hold back the money, or add so many strings that no one can use it. Next thing I expect him to want is that all schools rebuilt be required by Federal law to have a chapel, complete with a baptismal tub. Yes, the roadblocks and pitfalls are his way of killing two heathens with one stone.

Kennedy Connector is Vital

East Side development hangs in the balance over the Kennedy Connector to I-71 in the Oakley/Madisonville area. The traffic congestion in the area of the Millworks is going to be heavy, and that connector will be vital to relieve the volume. Also, the Millworks area is not easy accessible from both direction of the highway. Coming from the North you have to take Kennedy to Ridge and battle horrible a bad intersection. This road would open up a new path, and with it a new flow of business into the city from the Suburbs. Instead of passing the city on their way to Newport, people in Blue Ash, Indian Hill, and Madeira will be more likely to stop off and see a movie in Oakley. If they want the River, hopefully someday they will be able to go to the Banks. Newport and Covington will always have the best views, of Cincinnati, so Oakley can’t compete with that. City Council should vote to make this connector happen. The only step now is to gain the remainder of the needed funding.

MidPoint Starts Today

The shows start tomorrow night, today has the start of the conference. Get the full details at www.mpmf.com.

Stay current with the MidPoint Music Festival by checking out Kari Wethington's CiN Weekly Midpoint Blog.

More Radio Changes

What is in store for WBOB and WTSJ after their sale? It is from one generally Religiously based company to another, so I don't see much over change. I wonder if WBOB will become less talk radio and more religious, opening up Clear Channel to move it's 55KRC farther to the right (yes WBOB was farther if you can believe it) or to seek to eat up their right wing market by changing WCKY.

Earth to Bronson

"Desperate Housewives" is a TV show. It is not a news program and it is not a reality TV show. Using it as a backdrop to contrast this group of elitist suburban wives living what is an easy life is a sign of classism from Bronson, hidden behind and riddled with an attack on Hollywood. I don't get the attack either. He blames feminists for something. I guess he is mad that it is considred good for women to value a career and use of their college education, instead of being baby factories, and being limited to jobs that he likely thinks they are meant to be in. A Part time job in this sense comes across as "women's work."

You can take the cave man out of the suburbs, but you can't take the cave man thinking out of Peter Bronson's columns.

Enquirer Removes Comments From Korte Blog

In what stated as a temporary action, the Enquirer has removed commenting from Greg Korte's politics blog after what were called "vulgar and obscene language and potentially defamatory" comments were made to his blog. As of now, other blogs at Cincinnati.com still are open to comments.

Nate has a post that I can't confirm existed, but might be part of why comments were removed, if true. If those posts were indeed true it is a sorry state that someone would post something like that, and it would be even sorrier if anyone connected to any campaign would try a gutter tactic like that.

On the other hand this could all be a stunt by someone who hates Pepper, and is trying to scam voters into believing Pepper's camp is playing dirty, so lets try and keep the politics clean from poorly made allegations and rumor.

Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati

Oh that Spaten! I had quite a few. A great event, except for Government Square being closed. That really hampered traffic down 5th street, talk about a traffic jam. Jim Tarbell really looked like he was enjoying himself.

Fairness?

It took a court settlement but Clear Channel is holding back from outright free PR and radio time for candidates, which 98% of the time ended up being Republicans. What I wonder about is how often Jean Schmidt was on Willie Cunningham's program during the campaign. I thought I heard her on myself. Why was Paul Hackett not allowed to go on Springer's show then? I can see why he couldn't host Jerry's show, but was he not allowed to appear on it?

Exhibit A

People wonder why Bush is viewed by many as heartless person bent on self-preservation over human compassion. This sounds like it would be considered a normally day in Iraq. Is that Irony or what?

Urban Mecca?

What will come from this> Who are Laura Long, executive director of the Cincinnati Business Committee, and Tony Brown, president and CEO of the Uptown Consortium and what is the background of the groups they represent?

Usual Suspects?

This situation sounds tragig. Will we get lawsuits and protests? Since it is out in the inner-suburbs, I don't see a big protest. When it comes to lawsuits, well, I think you can count on it when you see the Ken Lawson is representing the family.

Voting By Race

The numbers don't lie that certain sub demographics show a racial pattern to voting in Cincinnati. Comparing Mallory to Pepper without including Reece and Winburn I think does not tell the whole story of the primary. Also, it was the primary, with only 20% of the vote. I think the general election will be more telling, but these two candidates do not put forth the stereotypes for the racial divide in town. A Keith Fangman vs. Damon Lynch race I think would be your stereotypical black vs. white election that would show voting based on race. I could not vote for either, but that's a side issue. The council election will be a better judge. The short ticket voting and combination of choices people make I think would show more of a voting by race pattern. If you were to vote for Malone, Lynch, Thomas, Smitherman, Cole, Eric Wilson, then you might be voting by race. Same Goes for a block Cranley, Crowley, Monzel, Ghiz, Herd, Tarbell, Spencer, Boltz, Berding. Both sets have conflicting viewpoints that in most cases would not cause that type of combination, other than race, unless one just randomly punched holes. Race is a problem, but I don't see Mallory and Pepper as the poster kids for the problem. Each goes out of their way to be inclusive and don't focus on race, they focus on people.

A Pending Hissy Fit

Expect the usual foaming at the mouth from theocrats out there. Also expect a level of moderates saying "what's the big deal." If you are a religious person, I understand you don't see the problem. I think that is a problem of lack of perspective If you would not have a problem having "One Nation, Under Zeus" written into law, then I guess you don't care, which I don't agree with, but I can see your point of view. Otherwise, if you see a universal monotheism as a valid entity to praise in the pledge, then you are advocating it as it superimposes an established religion of the state. From my point of view, "god" or "God" is no different than Zeus, Allah, Odin, Vishnu, Ra, or Fred the Almighty of Plattsburg.

The bottom line problem I think people miss in this debate is over the definition of religion. Some define it narrowly, I define it broadly, but with one big point: the supernatural. It is not about just having beliefs, it about beliefs in the supernatural. I think with that level of perspective, people could see why the pledge is in violation of the establishment clause. As long as they view religion with the viewpoint of their personal understand of valid or what they might call "real religions," we will have this conflict.

Jeffre Not Done?

Will Justin Jeffre make another run for office? If he does, he should try for Council, not Mayor. One must learn to walk before you start jogging.

Was Smitherman Scammed?

Based solely on this story from The Cincinnati Post it appears that Councilman Chris Smitherman's journey South to bring home Katrina victims actually netted a crack user and a two-some that may be out to scam people. It is sad that people take advantage of individuals who are there to help them. It is not surprising that Chris Smitherman did this, and made sure to bring along the press during an election season. I wonder if he would have done this if it were not an election year.

It is good he is doing something, I don't fault that, but he can do it and not worry about letting anyone know he is doing it. When you bring the press along, it is a campaign stunt.

The Aftermath

Ok, we have two winners. What happened to the losers? Was Reece hurt by her residency controversy? Was Wiburn hurt by being a right wing nut case? (Rhetorical question there, folks)

Mallory's showing is impressive. He did it with no TV. Reece ran a similar style, but lost big.

Looking forward I would say that Pepper is in the most trouble. Mallory should gain the Reece vote, but I don't see Pepper gaining as much of Winburn's vote. I see the GOP sitting on their hands. That means that Malone and Monzel are really in trouble.

More from the Post.

Speaking of a Debate

A civil debate is something coming on October 11th. Stay tuned for more details.