Drive Home Contest

A free pat on the back goes to the person who had the longest (in time) drive home last night in the snow. Mine was about 2.5 hours.

What If Bronson is Delusional?

Peter Bronson is living in lala land. It is just not worth my time to rebut his ignorance in his column, but I had to make people away that there are still people living with the delusions that Iraq can be "won", that "the terrorists" in Iraq are trying to kill "us", and that Dick Cheney is 'right' about Iraq. The facts are that Iraq is lost. The terrorists in Iraq want the US out and are fighting the Shia, they are not out to invade the USA. They don't threaten us, never did. Finally, Cheney is just a bad shot.

Panic Sightings

I can report first hand that the White Death is starting to fall up in Mason. At this point I haven't seen any soccer moms desperately making their way to buy milk, bread, toothpaste, and the most essential mayonnaise. What snow storm is complete with out Extra Mayo?

UPDATE: The Enquirer's website has the full snow coverage overload.

Speak to the Enquirer

The Enquirer has adopted a message board like tool that allows for feed back on all stories, editiorials, and letters to the editor. In the manner they use it, does it really add a value to the reader or to their publication? Will this just be a way to yell at people? I would guess they are going to use a filter or monitor to edit out the spam and 'rude' comments. I'll be posting on the story above about my post here to see if they really want interaction or not.

Budget Battle Lingers

I have lost track of what money is going where, but either progress is being made or we have found another impasse.

Build Humans, Not Machines

The bottom line problem with the
drop off of school groups visiting the arts is the misguided education philosophy sweeping most school boards, administrators, and politicos. It is the belief that test scores are the only thing that matters. Being a well rounded student is not going to get grant money. This is not an new conflict, but one that is ugly and is the true sign of the death of culture in this country. Those in power in Ohio and Kentucky for last 10 plus years have the idea that schools are meant to turn out machines to fuel the economy. Schools are meant to turn out adult human beings and citizens who can think for themselves, reason, and express their views and ideas. The Arts are one of the best ways to do that. If schools fear time constraints, why not cut back on sports?

It's Cold

It is 1 degree outside. For people like me from the Buffalo area, yes, that is actually cold. I don't understand why schools are closed, unless the pipes froze.

Well, it was a slow news weekend, with the superbowl and all. I watched the game for the first time on DVR last night while at a friend's house. We all were going to be late to the start of the game, so we agreed to meet later at the one friend's house. It was strange knowing that we were about a half an hour behind what was really happening. I am very glad no one called to ask about the game after it ended.

Props to Prince for playing in the rain.

But It Has a Sign!!

How can Cincinnati Mills be failing? It's in the suburbs where Malls are King. It has plenty of free parking. Finally, it has a massive sign out front, which, as Larry Gross helped point out, is the key to any Mall's success.

Sign of a Change on Main?

Great news for the local theatre scene with the announcement of the New Stage Collective getting a permanent space on Main Street. They'll be using the old Jekyll and Hyde's building. They will transform the 2nd floor into a very challenging but fresh theater space. For more information on the New Stage Collective, check out their website at www.newstagecollective.com. Be sure to review the announcement of NSC's new season with more details on the new space.

County Jail in Camp Washington?

A deal on where the new Hamilton County Jail will be built appears to be complete. How we pay for it is a whole different story.

Ummmm? Bronson?

I can understand that Peter Bronson is complaining about the angst on City Council, which he help create, but other than that, I don't get his point here. The only thing I get is that he thinks the CHRC is bloated and thinks this is all about money. It can't be about power or be personal? It also can't be the fact that this is an election year and candidates need money and votes and need to get the attention that conflict brings to help get money and votes.

Downtown Hop Around Returns April 21

The Downtown Hop Around is set to skip into downtown again on April 21. Stay tuned to their website for more details.

Is CPD Doing Its Job?

If the Cincinnati Police Department is able and willing to do their jobs, then why does former police officer and current City Council member Cecil Thomas want the sheriff to patrol 5 other neighborhoods in the city?

Also in this article, one is getting the sense that Council member Jeff Berding is sucking up to the Westside:

Council member Jeff Berding asked that Westwood and Price Hill be added to the list.

The FOP is screaming about this, but frankly, who gives a rat's ass?

Loving 'The Chester'

No one is safe from young thugs

Blitzing Price Hill

The City is putting effort into cleaning parts of Price Hill using "ode enforcement officers, police officers, beautifiers and social-service agencies." Will it work? Will it be effective in the long run?

Greg Harris for Cincinnati City Council

Greg's campaign website is up and running.

Have You No Shame, Peter Bronson?

Peter Bronson must learn to leave someone like Johnny Cash and Cash's lyrics out of is trite columns.

I have to ask Peter Bronson something, and I have sent him an email asking, we'll see if I get a response. If he is so pro-freedom to allow smoking, where was his column attacking the anti-freedom anti-gay marriage ban in Ohio 2 years ago? The Text of my email:

Peter,

Question for you: If you are so pro-freedom to be against the smoking ban, where was your column attacking the anti-freedom anti-gay marriage ban in Ohio 2 years ago? It is far more "un-American" than the smoking ban, which is far less restrictive than how alcohol sales are anyway. Nice to see your selective support of freedom is still unchanged.

Sincerely,

Brian Griffin

I patiently await his reply.

More City Council Battles

The mood is getting very sour in council these days as the majority 5 are getting rather rambunctious. My question is on this section:

Since passing the budget in December, Bortz said, the city has had an additional $1 million in expenses for a police contract that will be more expensive than what council budgeted for, and he said upcoming contracts for firefighters and other city union workers are likely to add costs.

Is this a new police contract just negotiated or the same crappy one from before?

Get Out the Blind Fold

Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, is formulating a plan to draft election poll workers. No details on who would be eligible for the draft and if they could refuse or if employers would be required to give people time off if called up.

NAACP Mahem?

Nate has a very detailed description of an incident at last week's NAACP meeting were Justin Jeffre was allegedly physically thrown out of the meeting.