Anyone See This?

I ask if anyone saw the people having sex in the Central Parkway Median, but I understand that you may be filled with too much of a mix of disgust and uncontrollable giggles to reply. I would also surmise the "couple" was not very attractive, so that might have left witnesses with haunting images that they would rather forget.

Seriously, what the hell were these people thinking? When people say "Get a Room" in this case I don't think he could have had more of a poignant meaning.

Brinkman Called a Criminal

State Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr.(R) was chastised by Republican Judge Ruehlman for his culpability in the election fraud two women plead guilty to on Thursday. Brinkman and his CCV allies have faced harsh criticism for the false signatures submitted in an effort to remove the City Ordinance protecting Gay and Lesbians from discrimination. Here is what the Judge had to say about Brinkman:

“He’s the real criminal,” Ruehlman said. “What he did is terrible, almost defrauding. A layer of foundation of our democracy is voting and free elections. To cheat the voting system… he’s a state rep on top of that…”

Now, if for some strange reason Tom gets into the race for Congress, I expect to see the phrase "He’s the real criminal" repeated again and again and again.

CityBeat Fires Back

Kevin Osborne fires back in the ongoing disagreement over whether Chris Smitherman is allowed to run and hold office while President of the local NAACP.

If he is allowed to or not by the National NAACP is in the end a red herring. The fact that Smitherman wants both jobs is a clear sign he is not a good candidate for either position. Pick your battles and pick your focus.

WOXY Going HD with WVXU

Great news for Indie music radio fans with the announcement that WOXY.com will be broadcast on HD Radio via WVXU's HD signal. Yes, like Kiesewetter stated in the post, I went right on-line to price out HD radios. They are not cheap and there are not many I found that are not built for your car.

More from Mike Breen at CityBeat.

P-Ridge Council Kinda Fishy

Things up on the Pleasant Ridge Community Council look a little bit strange with the ‘Endorsement’ of Fischer in council's newsletter. Non-Profits are not allow to do that. I don't know how you punish this group or if you really want too. It is almost the type of slap on the wrist thing that hits no one personally. The issue to consider is what Fischer himself new about this article. He should be asked about it and fess up if he knew it was being published.

The Cincinnati Post Makes It Official

To no one's surprise the Cincinnati Post announced they will end publication December 31st. The paper has been slowly bleeding off staff for the last three years, but this town will lose out on good media competition. The Enquirer has become nothing but fluff filled and will continue to not care about reporting news, and instead care more about giving shallow people something to talk about at the gym.

Eating Their Own Kind

It is very fun to watch Republicans attack other Republicans. What is say is that one of the Republicans has finally woken up about the War in Iraq. The other Republicans are so insanely blinded by blood lust they cling to myths of why we got into Iraq and the simple fact that the Iraq War has created 1,000 times more terrorism than it has prevented.

It should be a shock that this comes from Peter Bronson. I honestly think the man takes some kind of mind treatments ever night before he has his warm milk. Maybe its just the warm milk that makes him so delusional? Either way it is clear that John McCain does sound insane, based on Bronson's rumor spreading. Glad he is not going to be President.

Schmidt In Trouble?

All Phil Heimlich really needs to beat Jean Schmidt in the primary is enough money. At this point he has more than Schmidt and so do both Democrats.

Getting Nasty

Inside the Jail-tax pro-ballot issue camp, things are getting very heated.

Counting

It appears someone has a problem with math.

Midpoint: First Wave of Bands Listed

The 2007 Midpoint Music Festival has posted the initial listing of bands for this September's festival. The final listing is expected this month.

Additionally, the festival schedule is out and two pre-party events have artists: Friday Night - Forget Cassettes, Saturday - Oh My God. The artist showcase schedule is not posted yet.

Keep an eye on www.TheConveyor.com for fresh perspectives on this year's Midpoint.

George Zamary's Website Is Up

Council Candidate George Zamary has his campaign webiste up and running.

Council Predictions - As of Now

Nate Livingston analyzes the race for city council and categorizes the candidates into the likelihood of getting elected.

I disagree with Nate on two big fronts. First I don't see Winburn and Fischer are as big a locks as he thinks. Charlie Winburn has a good chance, but I put him in the pack at best even with Monzel and Ghiz. I still see Fischer as another Barb Trauth, with all the money and no message.

Secondly and more importantly, this race is far more open than he infers. In 2005 vote difference between the #3 spot and the #9 spot was less than 3,000 votes. The top two(Cranley and Tarbell) won far and away. That leaves the rest in a very narrow pack. None of the rest are stellar returning candidates and they all have negatives. I think they all have an advantage over the non-incumbents, of course, but I don't see any of them with a leg up at this point over the really strong group of endorsed challengers.

I'm also not sure why Nate but Mitch Painter into the higher tier candidates. Both Thomas and Malone have a far better chance than the rookie. His name will help in a small way, but when people see a young guy standing up to speak at forums, I don't know if they are going to take him seriously.

I myself at this point think we will have at least 3 new faces on council, maybe more. Which 2 or more incumbents will lose is the 100,000 dollar question.

Why Move the Ohio Primary?

I find no good reason to move the Ohio Primary to January. Sen. Eric H. Kearney's rational for why we should move it hollow and weak:

"I believe it is critical that Ohioans have a voice in who the presidential nominees are before it is a foregone conclusion,'' Kearney said.

A voice? When about 10 or more states have either moved or are planning on moving their primary to January, Ohio's voice would be part of a choir and we would have to scream. Leave the primary where it is.

If Kearney which to increase Ohio's voice, I suggest he work to make it easier to register to vote and help get people to the polls on election day.

Were Any Signatures Forged?

The number jumped pretty high in a day from what was reported. I guess someone was holding some back from the media to try and make a bigger splash or does someone have writer's cramp really bad this morning?

It would be very interesting to see what group got more signatures, the Greenies/NAACP side or the COAST side of this marriage made in Hell.

Dunk Berding

Today 12:30 PM at 5915 Ridge Road during the Pleasant Ridge Parade and Festival Councilman Jeff Berding will be sitting in their dunking booth. Get in line now!

Hashers On the Loose!

Do We Need a New Jail?

In the jail-tax debate we have lost track of this question. Is there any debate on this? I honestly do not know if we need a new jail or if Si Leis just wants another toy to play with.

If we need a new jail, we need funding for it. If we don't need a new jail, we don't need the funding for it. That to me makes the tax issue moot. If we need the jail, we need the tax increase. If we don't need the jail, we don't need the tax increase. We can debate the details of the tax increase and who it impacts for 100 years, that still doesn't get to the fundamental issue.

I honestly do not know if we need one or not? Anyone want to speak to this?

Local Costume Maker Destroyed By Fire

Horrible news for the Cincinnati Costume Co. which had a total loss at their University Heights warehouse.

As Rick Pender notes, The Cincinnati Costume Co. provided costumes to many local theaters. A benefit at Jersey Productions take places. More details are here.

UrbanCincy: The NEW Downtown Cincinnati

UncleRando at UrbanCincy has a great post summarizing the massive wave of development happening in Downtown Cincinnati. People are starting to wake up. About a week and a half ago I was down on Fountain Square after a Reds game on a Saturday Night. It was filled with people watching a movie at 10 PM. filled with lots of families! On the way home I walked by the massive line at the Cadillac Ranch. Things are changing and there is more come.