Eric Kearney: Out of the Blue

Did anyone think that Senate Dems would pick Herald Publisher Eric Kearney to fill Mark Mallory's Senate seat?

I am not impressed with the pick. He is a good compromise pick that can fill the seat until a primary race, but I don't see him as a long term Senator. He may be great at it, but I don't expect greatness from a fairly reserved person.

Was he on anyone's list as a possibility?

West End Vote on Social Service Center Delayed

Voices were heard, and the community council delayed its vote on the center until at the earliest their next scheduled meeting. The delay allows the community council’s development group to study the proposal. One would think they would have already studied it before this meeting and that it will not take a month to review. It appears to me that the West End council punted.

State Senator Pepper?

The Enquirer is reporting that Councilman David Pepper is seeking Mallory's Senate seat. I don't live in that district, but I like the idea. David is a good politician and gets into the details. I don't know if the powers-that-be in Columbus or in Mallory's district want Pepper. He may be better suited to challenge one of the East side Republicans. Hell, I vote that David move and Challenge the nutty Tom Brinkman for the Ohio House. That could be a springboard to run for Congress in the 2nd district.

Add Me To This List

O'Reilly has long thought to be a buffoon by most, but this is just amazing. It reminds me of Pat Robertson's drivel.  I guess Bill can't take being out done by a preacher.    

Principle Ok, Hanging With Bigots - Bad

There is something very, very wrong when people cross the line between supporting someone because of principle and support them when what they do with that principle is horrible.  In the case of the Pleasure Inn and the support given by the Blue Chip Republicans we see a point where a group has gone over the edge.  I am willing to support the right of racists to have free speech, but I am not going to go hang out with them.

If you think the issue is a free speech issue for a business owner to have the right to post any kind of sign in his business, then I can understand and respect it.  I can’t respect going and cheering on a business owner who obviously does not want Hispanics hanging out in his bar.  He can go on and on about how he doesn’t turn away anyone from his bar, but that is meaningless.  He has to say that.  Saying you don’t like Mexican’s is legal.  Denying them service at your business, only because they are Mexican, is illegal.

If the the owner wants to force his language on others and shuns those who don’t comply with his jingoistic views, then that makes him a bigot.

If the BCR wrote a letter to the editor in support of this guy, fine.  When you go there, buy beer and food from him and then write a pat on the back story about him, that is horrible and it is directly supporting bigots for being bigots.

West End NIMBY

Where should the poor go?  When I say the poor, I don't mean the lower class or the working class.  I mean the homeless and those is dire need.  This is a big issue and one facing the new council and new Mayor.  It is not working in OTR.  This project does not seem to want to replace the Drop-in Center or other type services.  If those services stay where they are, then OTR deveolpement will stall.  Do we move them?  If yes, why, if no why not?    

Cameras in Federal Courts

For once I agree with Rep. Steve Chabot on cameras in Federal court rooms. I don't want free range on TV getting to broadcast court room's live, but video taping, done discretely, will not interfere with justice and will improve trust and understand of the Courts.

The political motivation of this is unclear to me. Since this is just not a big issue to anyone, I don't know why Chabot is bringing it up. I assume it might be a way to "expose" judges that Chabot and the right-wing do not like, but there is no know indicator of that type of motivation.

Targeting the Banks

Why do all of these big ideas for the Banks seem like they will fail?  I don’t want failure, I just want the Banks to have a comprehendible theme.  Is it going to be a new neighborhood with unique living spaces and businesses?  Is it going to be a tourist area?  Is it going to be an entertainment district?  I think the answer I would be given would in so many words say it is going to be everything to everyone. That will fail.  The Banks must pick a niche and build around it.  It can’t pick a developer and let him sell out the slots to the highest bidders.  That only works if the demand is there.  The demand to live, work, play on the river is not at a high.  Targeting a workable concept is the only way to make this work.  I doubt we’ll get that.

Will the Right Wing Denouce This?

Will people on the right-wing who profess to be Christian come out and denounce the insane rantings of Pat Robertson?  I know the guy says things that are insane all the time, but this one is rather specific about voters and Intelligent Design, views that otherwise normal and sane conservatives champion.

First, I thought ID was not supposed to be religious and not be akin to creationism.  Well, I know that ID is the way to get creationism in the backdoor, but supporters of ID try and say it is not religious, which it appears diverges from Robertson's views.  ID is religious.  ID is a philosophical argument for the existence of “god,” namely the Teleological Argument, modified slightly for PR effect.

Second, Do people really think that if a national figure says that because of the way you vote you are going feel the wrath of "God," that it is just no big deal?  Where is the outrage from the right wing?  Where also are moderate Republicans?  I know they don't like Robertson any more than I do, but why are they not pushing this nut down?

I put this to Peter Bronson.  I know, I know, some people hate it when I blog about Bronson.  Here though I honestly feel he should write a column about this incident.  In principle Bronson should be applauding the voters of this town in Pennsylvania for doing what Bronson would not want anyone but the voters to do.  This area of PA is a GOP stronghold, so it is not like liberal forces did this alone. Where is the outrage when citizens live up to the democratic values of the country, but then are attacked when Bronson's religious kin Pat Robertson invokes his religion as the basis for the voters being wrong and worthy of the danger of dieing their actions are to have caused.  If you can’t keep your nuts on a short leash, then you are going to be painted by their words.  Bronson, Bush, and Robertson will be linked under the ID banner as long as the two former allow the latter to go unchallenged.

Another Reason

Here is another reason, or yet another reason, to find Bush to be a horrible president. What does he do on Veteran's Day? He plays politics with the War in Iraq. He is in denial or is still lying about it, but that is another topic, worthy of a completely different rant.

When you say "Democrat" in the context he did, in the setting he did, you must see him for the craptapular President he has always been. Use of the military for political purposes is supposed to be something the GOP finds horrible, but it is something they do every chance they get. I would like to know in advance why he will be defended for this though, on this blog and likely by the right wing in general for exploiting the U.S. war effort in hopes of cleaning up his dirty image.

Cincinnati Advance Radio: Next show 1 p.m. Friday Nov. 11 live on the Internet

Join Joe Wessels for a live web streamed show. This week Joe has

Xavier University political science professor Gene Beaupre. Dr. Beaupre will talk about Cincinnati’s historic election of a new mayor and four new faces to City Council...

PLUS…

Cleveland-based author Jill Miller Zimon talks about “Stories of
Strength,” a book inspired to support Hurricane Katrina relief.

Listen in on the web at 1PM today at http://waifstream.com/ or check him out on a podcast via iTunes, podcastalley.com or podcast.net.

Council Race Analysis

Howard Wilkinson reports on why the council has four new members. He focuses on why Thomas won (conservatives via POWR PAC), and why Malone and Smitherman lost (Eastside said no). What was missing is why Damon Lynch lost. I would say he lost because he took for granted his base was big enough for him to win and would come out and vote for him. He did little to change his image, other than appearing at council forums everywhere. If you have an image as someone who led a boycott to hurt the city, you can't change that image unless you come out and say you were wrong, or at least put it past you. He didn't do that on a wide scale, if at all. He may have given private assurances to the party to gain endorsement, but that does not get you votes.

Mallory's Replacement???

He has not yet taken office, but the race for Mark Mallory's Senate seat is already in full jockeying mode. If any of the names getting mentioned, outside of Reece, then the dominos will begin falling for their State House seats. Who will fill those?

Election Night Observations

Overall I really enjoyed being down at the Board of Elections last night. It was my first time hanging out there. I usually skip that part and go hang out with folks afterwards. I recommend everyone doing it at least once. Honestly, it just felt good. The people there were exited and then some where very blue. The bottom line though everyone cared about their community.

It really took a long time for the ballots to start to come in. I figured it would have not taken so long. We did not have 100% until nearly 11PM.

The first etiquette error of the new council goes to Leslie Ghiz. Her emotions were touching, and she was really positive, but she was dressed more for going out for coffee or to a movie than for a candidate on election night. I was in jeans myself, but I am just a bleeping blogger. I really wonder if she thought she wasn't going to win, and just wanted to relax. It was obvious to me she was going to win, and the early absentee returns had her very high and that made her a lock. I am sure she will be all business today and going forward. She worked very hard and deserved to win.

On the other side I was nervous Malone was going to win. I am very glad he lost, but it was far too close. Malone back on council have been very bad. Why he came so close will trouble me. I will be paying very close attention to ward and precinct breakdowns, once I can get a look at them.

All council losers should remind themselves, life is not really that bad. At least you don’t have a pending criminal trial to look forward too.

BOE Photos

Local journalist Joe Wessels has a great collection of photos from the Board of Elections last night. Joe also has some thoughts on election night on his blog.

Joe was also responsible for introducing me to Peter Bronson. If the world had ended, it would have been Joe's fault.

World Did Not End

Last night while I watched the election returns come in, life as we know it nearly came to an end. Matter and anti-matter met and existence itself was in the balance. {Cue dramatic music}

I met Peter Bronson.

Yes, you read that correctly. I, "City Beat's anti-Bronson blogger of the year," met Peter Bronson. There were no explosions, no fire, no brimstone. We shook hands and chatted a little. The subject matter was very simple and banal. We each tried to make a joke, and for the most part failed. I was concentrating too much on not letting either of us cause the end of world. We succeeded!

The man is very pleasant in person. I still oppose his views on nearly all issues, and will keep up my retorts to his GOP Talking Points.

A New City Council

Things happened close to what was thought. The surprises included Smitherman's loss, and Monzel's strong win. Thomas was the stealth candidate who pulled it out. The scary point tonight was that Sam Malone only lost by 1,285 votes. That frankly shows that either people are ignorant on the man's pending criminal charges, or the right winger's didn't care and voted the way their Cincy RTF voting list said they should. Here are the results:


No. Choices Votes
1. John Cranley - 34899
2. Jim Tarbell - 31809
3. Leslie Ghiz - 29251
4. David C. Crowley - 29222
5. Laketa Cole - 29151
6. Jeff Berding - 27832
7. Chris Monzel - 27464
8. Chris Bortz - 26865
9. Cecil Thomas - 26507
10. Sam Malone - 25222
11. Christopher Smitherman - 24028
12. Damon Lynch III - 21918
13. Wendell Young - 21070
14. Eve Bolton - 19324
15. John Eby - 16074
16. Samantha Herd - 13937
17. Nick Spencer - 9274
18. Paul Mcghee - 5271
19. Gerry Kraus - 4628
20. William S. Mathews II - 3832
21. Robert J. Wilking - 3689
22. Ishaq Nadir - 3087
23. Eric Wilson - 2982
24. Michael Earl Patton - 2708
25. Curtis Wells - 2392
26. Robert Wilson - 2259
27. Ronnie Stallworth - 2175
28. Bill Barron - 1785
29. Bennie Green - 1741
30. Victor Phillips - 1638
31. Antonio Hodge - 1218

Mayor Elect Mallory!

Wow, just freaking wow! Mark Mallory won in the last seconds of this race. It was looking bad until Bond Hill came in, finally. That put Mallory over the top to stay. I am personally pleased with the win for Mallory. I think this is a great day for the city.

I congratulate David Pepper on a great race. I don't know what is next for him, but I will put out an idea: run against Jean Schmidt for congress in the 2nd district.

Honk, Baby, Honk

Honk for Crowley was the word of the early afternoon in Mt. Lookout. There were three adults and two little kids holding signs and working the drivers for David Crowley. Yesterday morning, there were Ghiz folks out along Beechmont Ave.

Do these last minute pushes work? There is still a large portion of people out there who don't know when to go vote. Hell, one of the guys holding up a huge Crowley sign had a second smaller sign that just said "Today" in red on it. Are people that stupid, even in affluent Mt. Lookout? Yes, yes they are.

MIAMI Hockey Number 10

Love and honor to Miami,
Our college old and grand,
Proudly we shall ever hail thee,
Over all the land.

Alma mater now we praise thee,
Sing joyfully this lay,
Love and honor to Miami,
Forever and a day.

Miami hockey team ranked No. 10. (This was in the the Enquirer! Wow!)