Sane Republicans Exist

Glad to know that some Republicans know when the right wing goes too far. It is so very sad that they will not do anything to keep the extremists from office.

Stupid Idiot

Miami assistant Football Coach Arrested For DUI

Hackett Pressured to Leave Race

The drum beat is rising from National Democrats for Paul Hackett to drop out of the race to face off against Senator Mike DeWine. Instead Dems seek Hackett to go again for the Congressional race here in the 2nd district. With Paul declaring for Senate would his ego take dropping down a level at this late point?

Gaby Downey for US Congress

It's offical Gaby Downey of Milford will run for the Democratic nomination in the Ohio 2nd to face against the winner of the Schmidt-McEwen-Brinkman primaripalooza.

Legislating Hate - That's Our Brinkman!

With neither courage nor ethical justice Tom Brinkman has helped introduce a bill in the Ohio House to ban gay & lesbian adoption. House Bill 515 is an abusive attack on liberty and is a hateful spew intending to legislate a bigoted belief based on a selective religious doctrine.

There are no reasons for introducing this law that can not be traced to hate. Any rationale for is based, TOTALLY, on the hate and fear of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered. I say this matter of factly, and I am sure to gain the ire of the right wing fucks out there, but I will without any hint of regret repeat this concept at any point in the future this issue arises.

What troubles me most is the devil's bargain many in the GOP have made with the religious right. There are many in the GOP who don't support and will not support this bill, but they will do little or nothing to oppose it and many even support it. When you support or just vote for candidates like Tom Brinkman and Ken Blackwell (wonder if he supports the bill, ha!), you are giving credence and resource to the forces out push hate via legislation on Ohio. This is merely the softest point for the Brinkman's to hit. The bigotry towards gays is still one of the few unfettered philosophies in America. This law has support from people who are still scared and ignorant about gays and lesbians. Otherwise good people will be suckered in by the fear and bible waving the Brinkmans will do in their coy and cryptic manner.

It is also nearly as sad that some Democrats will support this bill. Unlike gay marriage, the numbers I believe will be small, but those few who do deserve a large level of disdain and outright opposition.

For me personally it is just a matter of trying to understand the motivation. Why do people hate gays? Why do you hate gays Tom Brinkman?

Jake Speed - Songatorial

Super idea from Jake Speed & CityBeat.

Agony of Victory and Thrill of Tape Delay

I am watching the end of the Sweden vs. Russia Women's Hockey Game before I head to my coffee indulgence. Is anyone else following the Olympics? I have followed the Olympics (winter and summer) since 1980 when I was an 8-year-old kid amazed that the Russians were in my state. It didn't matter that they were at the other end of New York State, some 6 hours away, it was just a spectacle I had to watch and watch it live as soon as I was home from school. The TV would stay tuned to Jim McKay until I had to go to bed. The time issue was not a problem, so that really help peek my interest.

This year, as with the Olympics for at least the last 10 years (likely since NBC took over coverage) I have lost a lot of interest. I know that the Jingoistic American Culture cares nothing for sports, outside of watching 'America' win, but I thought that in today's modern and connected international community more attention would be paid to the Olympics. In this first day of competition, I am not feeling that community. Is anyone?

Pure Pretense

Once again Kevin Drum succinctly summarizes the Paul Pillar revelations on intelligence about WMD and more specifically the mythic Saddam-al Qaeda relationship.

But the Saddam-al-Qaeda connection is entirely different. Not only did the Bush administration manipulate the intelligence, but I don't think they even believed in it themselves. It was pure pretense from start to finish.

To quoth the Rave: Indeed.

Mean Jean: Run Tom Run!

Mean Jean Schmidt has to be cheering on the possible run by Tom Brinkman for her 2nd District seat in Congress. A three way race with Schmidt, Brinkman and Bob McEwen is how Jean won the GOP special primary the first time. Also, I am very aware of the horrible image I placed in people's minds in the last sentence with use of the term "three way" followed by three names I apologize now for what will likely be years of therapy before that image can be stricken from your mind.

A Continental

In my Radio Voice: Earthly bound citizens of Cincinnati, I give you Sarah H. Eichenberger of Queen City Forum.

This article has, for the lack of a better term, BALLS!  It hits the Continental Lounge right where it hurts: the snob gland.  On a man it's right between his balls.  On a woman it's between her breasts and where her spine meets the back of the brain.

Sarah points to the solid point that provoked me to write about the club when it was first announced: If you are a city version of a country club, ok, but don't pretend to be altruistic about it and think it will change the world, let along the city.  I mean, I know all of the world's problems would end by osmosis if we just formed exclusive cliques.

Kudos' go to Michael Altman, head honcho at QCF, first for getting Sarah on his team and secondly for running this story in light of his involvement with the Continental Lounge.  Quality journalism starts with allowing conflicting viewpoints on issues management may be connected to.  I believe this shows a level of professional maturity that other media outlets, like say the Enquirer, could learn from.

Two Nates Better Than One?

Joe Wessels ponders changing his name to "Nate Livingston." With this blog post I believe the betting can begin on how long it will take Nate to post an attack on Joe. I will start the pool with three hours.

WOW, a Fairly Unified Council

City Council voted 8 to 1 to oppose the CityLink services center in the West End. Cecil Thomas was the lone no vote. It appears from the article that what was voting on was a toothless resolution that means nothing to the actual development of the project.

What better way to gain support of the West End than to say you oppose the project, but then do nothing substantial to actually stop it.

Other than people playing the NIMBY card, I don't see why they oppose it. It has the potential of being a religious brainwashing camp, but as long as they don't get public funding, they can do that.

Pepper for Commissioner?

Ok, this blog post from Howard Wilkinson deals with people wanting David Pepper to run Ohio AG, but the more noteworthy item reported is that Pepper is likely running for County commissioner. This has been rumor and speculation for a while, but this is first time I have seen it reported (blogged in this case) as something closer to fact than rumor.

Is Pepper running?

GOP Squabbling

Hamilton County Republicans are starting the blood bath that division brings. I am surprised to see Tom Brinkman being named as an endorser of Jim Petro over Ken Blackwell.

Madison Theater Reopening Planned

The new owner of the Madison Theater in Covington plans a grand reopening for February 24th, starting with a Mardi Gras party featuring Robin Lacy & DeZydeco.

CityLink Doomed?

5 Members of City Council reportedly oppose CityLink, and plan on moving today to block the service center's development in the West End.

Who are the 5? Leslie Ghiz is quoted in the story as being part of the block of 5, but I don't see the rest listed in the article. Was anyone at the Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee meeting to know who is part of the group?

There is a Forum tonight at the Lincoln Recreation Center in the West End, 1027 Linn St. at 6PM to discuss CityLink. The Paper reports that for what ever reason the group opposing the development will not attend. That seems strange. Are they being kept out or are they being childish?

Blackwell Picks Raga

I know nothing about Raga. I find it odd to through geographic balance to the wind and pick someone from Mason. It would appear the Blackwell is righting off the Northeast completely. His plan has to be to get the religious vote and nothing but the religious vote, which lies in greatest concentration in Southwest Ohio.

Nate in a Cape?

I never would have expect to see Nate Livingston follow the lead of the Dean of Cincinnati by attacking Nick Spencer. I wonder what else Nate will do to emulate Jason. Is there a wardrobe change in his future?

Bias

Ok, a man was shot and killed in the Mason, Ohio Area (fourth item, buried at the bottom), namely near the Kings Auto Mall, and we don't get the interviews with locals saying that it is unsafe to live in Mason??? What gives? Where is the balanced reporting? The reporters couldn't find anyone to go on the record? Hell, I work within a mile or two from where this guy was killed. I would be happy to say that I will be fearing for my life every time I go to work in the Mason Area. I would be lying, but hell it is as valid of a comment as was printed by the paper when someone was killed behind Mulligan's in Hyde Park. I expect to read a follow-up story in tomorrow's paper with neighbors of this man expressing dismay and fear of the living in Mason.

I was at Mulligan's last night, by the way. I had a nice time. I felt safe. The place was a empty for the night of a Xavier basketball game.

FYI: Just to avoid the likely criticism, yes, it is tragic that a man was shot and killed. I am not commenting on that. Instead I am questioning the coverage the crime got in the Enquirer as compared to the coverage of the murders in Hyde Park. I know most readers can grasp this fact, but I am sure some commenter will be shocked that I am commenting on this so soon after a man’s death. Nothing I have stated is distasteful, in my opinion, so I suggest anyone no pleased with this type of blogging to find another blog to read.

Madison Theater Booking Acts

It has even been "officially" sold yet, but the Madison Theater in Covington is booking acts for later this month. A great venue is back. Will it gain national acts or stick with local music?