Back To Blogging, And A Shout-Out

Those of you who pay attention to who posts what know that I've not blogged much (if at all) in the last week or so.  That's because for most of that time, I've been feeling pretty sick.  We don't do much personal blogging here, but I wanted to share what's been up, and also to thank a very talented group of people who are responsible for me being back to the blog.

Since last weekend (at least), I'd not been feeling well at all.  I'd tried to convince myself it was the flu or a cold (or even the bubonic plague), but by this past Thursday, I finally had to get real about what was going on.  My heart was constantly racing, and walking more than a few yards at a time made me short of breath (by which I mean feel-like-you've-run-a-mile-short-of-breath).  And finally Thursday, I thought I felt a couple of twinges of chest pain.  That's what finally sent me where I should have gone days earlier--to the emergency room at UC Hospital.

Going to the hospital was the right thing to do.  But it also initiated what was the scariest couple of hours of my life.  When you walk into the ER of a major, urban hospital, you're supposed to have to wait for a bit.  But upon hearing my complaints, taking my pulse, and noting how pale I was, the nurses took me right back (in a wheelchair, no less).  I was immediately connected to a heart monitor.  More scariness:  the alarm on the monitor was going off.  And I'm far from a medical expert, but I knew a pulse of 165 was a bad thing.  My mind wasn't put at ease when I realized that "pacing pads" were stuck to my chest, just in case my heart needed to be shocked back to health.  And having oxygen administered (just the tube that runs into your nose, not the full mask) doesn't exactly make one feel healthy.

Through it all, though, the amazing group of doctors and nurses on duty that day made the situation bearable.  They explained to me what was going on, what was concerning to them, and what they thought might be wrong.  And when they decided on a course of treatment (an intravenous medicine designed to "reset" the heart rate), a cardiologist explained the reasons for the decision, the possible side effects (hearing the words "shockable rhythm" applied to yourself is a singular experience), and exactly what was about to happen.  Just in case that "shockable rhythm" came about, a team of at least six doctors and nurses was standing by.  Knowing that was in equal measures terrifying and comforting.

It turned out that I was suffering from a cardiac arrythmia.  It's not life-threatening.  It'll probably recur, and usually it will fix itself.  (And when it doesn't, it's unwise to wait several days to see a doctor:  I realize now I'm quite lucky I didn't pass out.)  The doctors and nurses had me fixed up and back on my feet in a few hours.  I was able to walk back to my friend's car without having to stop to catch my breath.  And that night, I slept amazingly well.  (I hadn't during the time I was in the arrythmia--imagine trying to sleep with your heart beating about twice as fast as it should.)  And finding out that I hadn't had a heart attack (a blood test of my "cardiac enzymes" was fine, as was my blood pressure) was a tremendous relief.

Early into my ER visit, I'd become convinced I was gravely ill, given my symptoms and the attention of the staff.  I wasn't.  But I could have been.  And if I were, I cannot imagine a place I'd rather receive medical care.  The doctors and nurses were great.  They treated me (and all the patients with whom I saw them interact) with a great deal of respect and compassion, even laughing at my truly lame jokes.  After a normal heart rate had been restored, an ER doc and two cardiologists each took the time to explain my condition, what to do about it in the future, and preventative treatment options.  Thanks to all of them, I've been able to spend the last couple days making up for lost sleep.  (I'd almost forgotten what it was like to sleep for more than an hour at a time without waking up to your own heartbeat.)

I also need to thank a couple of very good friends who helped pick up some slack at work for me over the last week (even though I was in denial about my health), and who were responsible for getting me to and from the hospital.  You guys know who you are.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

So this weekend, I'm grateful to have some great friends who were looking out for me.  I'm also pleased to be living just minutes away from UC Hospital, where a bunch of people are always looking out for all of us.

CincyFringe - Big Brainer IV is Here

There is no Time to not waste on this, but Your Future depends on going back and there is no escape from this really unfunny comment.

CincyFringe Big Brainer III

There is way to much Fruit in this one.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Frog

No, it's not Wonderdog, it's Shadow Hare!

Why can't I stop thinking of "The Tick!"

Spoon!

Triantafilou is a Gutless Wuss

The Enquirer's Political Blog has the original graphic used on the Hamilton County GOP Chairman's Blog post, where Triantaflilou pictured a bald cancer survivor (Sen. Arlen Spector) compared to Mike Myers as "Dr. Evil." Now the attack post on Sen. Arlen specter now has a graphic with a big read "Censored" on it. This change of graphic came after Triantafilou rightfully came under attack for making fun of Specter's hair loss after cancer treatment.

Stop misleading the public, Alex, YOU CENSORED YOURSELF. Blogger.com did not force you to do anything, unless they felt a copyright violation occurred with the use of the "Dr. Evil" picture which you likely used without permission. Pretending that someone else censored your blog is a joke, which is clearly your intent.

In all seriousness, how sad is it for a local political leader to be so petty as to make a childish post in the first place? This isn't an Ohio Senator, so the impact locally is non-existent. Instead of taking the time to post about national politics, why doesn't Triantafilou think about local politics? If he had the time to waste on this, no wonder the local GOP can only field 5 candidates for council and haven't put up a Republican for Mayor.

If this all the GOP political leaders can do, write blog posts, then I would suggest they are done in Hamilton County. This might be a good time for the local GOP to find someone else to run their party. If they don't, well, they can keep the egg on their face, and keep losing city and more County elections to Democrats.

Streetcars Guest Column

Check out a very positive column for Streetcars in the Enquirer.

Berding Not in the CIA or FBI

I know the masses out there kinda assumed there is something odd going on with Councilman Jeff Berding, but I think we can trust this statement from his office declaring he is not part of the CIA or FBI, no matter what Chris Smitherman cares to speculate on the radio.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Chris Smitherman make some other nutty claim. What is next? Is the Mayor part of the KKK? Is Jim Tarbell really a member of the Real IRA?

'Good Guys' Loitering

How well is this type of effort going to work in the long run? Does this just drive the trouble makers someplace else? In this case can people tell if the bad element generally lived in Westwood, or were they coming in from other areas? If they are local, this may have a lasting effect. If they are not from Westwood, then that bad element will find someplace else to go.

I like this idea, but how much time does it take to make a lasting effect? Once this group stops, will the street corner just go back to the way it was?

COAST Gets NAACP Contribution

So the Cincinnati Beacon has the PAC Campaign Finance Report from last year for COAST, the extremist conservative anti-tax and what I call anti-government group. On that report it lists a contribution of 3,000 from the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP last November. This contribution was made last October, according to the report, which was during the issue campaign that both COAST and the NAACP worked together on for the failed Charter Amendment to enact Proportional Representation in Cincinnati.

Does this constitute an endorsement of COAST by the Local NAACP? Or is this just evidence of the collaboration effort which was much more intertwined than average members of each group would have been told?

MidPoint Indie Summer On the Square

The Midpoint Music Festival is teaming up with Fountain Square for the Indie Summer Music Series and CityBeat has announced the initial list. Highlights for me are

June 5th - Lions Rampant at 9PM
July 10th - Pomegranates at 9PM
July 17th - Wussy at 10 PM
July 24th - Bad Veins at 10 PM for their CD Release Show.

This music series is one of the best things on the Square and I personally look forward to nearly every Friday walking down to the square for a few beers and some great local music.

Keep your eyes on www.myfountainsquare.com/indiesummer or their MySpace Page for updates.

Findlay Market Modifies Hours

Historic Findlay Market shifrts weekday hours to 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday to Friday, which adds on Tuesday. They are also adding an hour on Sunday Mornings, Weekend hours are 6 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.

Bankers Club Closing

I am sure the economy will be blamed for the closing of the Bankers Club, but who under 40 would rather go to an old fashioned stuffy club over someplace like Nada or Via Vite?

More from the Enquirer.

Song Remains The Same

Once a name for something has taken hold, it sticks. This is not a surprise in the least. If the name "The Banks" was so horrible, then it should have been excluded. I actually voted for the River District. Is that any better? No. If the County put it up to vote to rename Great American Ball Park and Great American Ball Park was included as an option, then when it would win, there shouldn't be any shock. The Banks was branded and just ask a steer, that branding doesn't go away.

CincyFringe - Big Brainer Episode II

It is starting to get a little hot in the Big Brainer House. I'm wondering who is going to be condemned to death first.

Great American Tower Impact On Reds?

Last weekend, I watched the Reds beat the Pirates, 2-0, from a sun-soaked, right field seat. As the back of my neck burned, I couldn't help but notice the crane, which is installed for the Great American Tower construction, looming over the ballpark.

And I wondered: will the Great American Tower impact games at Great American Ballpark? Is it close enough to block wind from the north (keeping balls from carrying out to right on a day they otherwise might do so)? Or instead, will the wind move around the Tower and become stronger (some sort of wind tunnel effect) by the time it gets to the stadium? Or will the new building have no impact at all, apart from giving folks in the sun deck something to look at between innings?

And speaking of looking at the building, will all that glass create a glare/reflection during day games that could distract a right-fielder (or first- or second-baseman) trying to catch a pop fly?

Anyone have any answers? And how cool would it be to watch part of a game from the "tiara"? (That is, of course, once we come up with a more manly word for the top of Cincinnati's tallest building than the tiara....)

UC Law Holds Steady In New Rankings

Several websites are reporting that the 2010 US News & World Report law school rankings have been leaked. Assuming the authenticity of the reported rankings, the University of Cincinnati College of Law will be ranked the 52nd program in the nation (it received the same ranking for 2009). While normally a ranking outside the top 50 would be (and for the past several years has been) a disappointment for UC, holding serve is likely a relief, given the school's horrific 2008 bar results.

Other top-100 law schools people around here might care about: Kentucky will be 55, up 4 spots from last year; Ohio State will be 35, down 3 spots; Indiana will be 23, up 13 spots; Pitt will be 72, up 2; Case Western will be 55, up 8, and Louisville will be 98, down 2.

Ohio's six other law schools (Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Capital, Ohio Northern, and Cleveland-Marshall) all sit outside the top 100, as does Chase (NKU).

(Hat tip: TaxProf Blog.)

DHL Express Going Back to CVG

Business is tough on communities. Wilmington, OH has been facing tough times, but Northern Kentucky is getting a boost. Almost 4 years ago DHL Express moved out of CVG in favor of Wilmington, a consolidation of DHL operations. Northern Kentucky knows how Wilmington feels. In today's world, businesses can and often have to move where they can make better profits. They don't have to look at the big picture of a community. It is a cold way of living, but in the end businesses are not people, they are owned and managed by people, but those people don't have to face living next door to anyone losing their ability to make a living.

I am glad 800 jobs are moving here. I feel bad for Wilmington. I would feel worse if those 800 jobs went out of the area. What communities, mainly small communities, have to deal with: don't be a one one horse town.

"Sex Offenders": Another Approach

We've been discussing (both here on the blog and throughout our community) what to do with convicted sex offenders once they've served their time. California is one of a slowly growing number of states to decide that with respect to a particular subset of sex offenders--pedophiles--the best course of action is to declare them mentally ill and place them in a "hospital" for treatment. Here's a report on one of these facilities.

To be clear, I'm not advocating this approach: I just found it in interesting in the wake of recent events and debate.

(Hat tip: Althouse.)

Is Issue Five Being Tested?

Something odd is happening in the top ranks of the Cincinnati Police Division, and it's not clear to me that anyone really has a handle on it. I also haven't seen anyone asking some important questions about how what's happening comports--or conflicts--with the City Charter.

Jane Prendergast blogs that Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher has created a new job for Assistant Chief Richard Janke. The move was made because Janke allegedly raised his voice to another assistant chief and was disrespectful towards Streicher himself.

Ordinarily, a little rearranging in the upper police ranks wouldn't be too interesting. But assistant chiefs aren't like captains or lieutenants. That's because assistant chiefs are appointed by the city manager, not the chief. That's a result of the passage of Issue 5 by city voters back in 2001. (When Chief Streicher leaves his post, he too will be replaced by the city manager.) This is spelled out in Article V, Section 5 of the Charter. (We've previously discussed Issue Five here.)

Until Chief Streicher's unilateral decision to reorganize the department, CPD had five bureaus (Patrol, Resource, Administration, Investigations, and Information Management) each headed by an assistant chief. Lt. Col. Janke previously headed the Administration Bureau, but is now being moved to something new called a "Special Projects Bureau" in an effort to limit "the necessity for him to interact with his peers and subordinates." Remember: if Chief Streicher simply demoted Janke, leaving the position in charge of the Administration Bureau vacant, his replacement would be appointed by Milton Dohoney (and perhaps "burdening" the Chief with an assistant he likes even less). Instead, the Chief has radically redefined Janke's job duties, ostensibly leaving no assistant chief vacancy.

To me, this all raises the following questions:

• Does the Chief has the authority to change the organizational table in this way? A knee-jerk response would be "of course," but I'm not sure it's that simple. At the very least, the number of assistant chiefs is fixed by Council; we have five chiefs only because the City--not the Chief--created an additional position in 2004.
• Assuming the Chief has this authority, at one point does he so limit the authority of an assistant chief that he's not really an "assistant chief" any longer?
• If the Chief has, in fact, made Janke a de facto non-chief (albeit with the rank of lieutenant colonel), can the City Manager declare the creation of a vacancy and use his authority under the Charter to fill it?
• Finally, is Janke grieving this or otherwise appealing it through civil service laws (since--I believe--he was grandfathered into his position and is not himself subject to Article V, Section 5)? Or is this a non-grievable, non-appealable decision in that it (apparently) doesn't impact Janke's rank or pay?

This could quickly become a messy, thorny thicket. The charitable part of me wants to believe that Chief Streicher, while dissatisfied with Lt. Col. Janke's work, wants to spare him (given his decades of service to CPD) the embarassment and financial cost of demotion. But my more cynical instincts suspect that the Chief has essentially ended Janke's tenure as an assistant chief, but done so in a way to deprive the City Manager of the ability to make an appointment.

Or maybe there's nothing at all going on here, and I'm just procrastinating rather than organizing my messy desk on a Saturday.

UC Law Alum Gets Promoted

Cris Collinsworth, a 1991 alumnus of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, has been named as John Madden's replacement on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

Perhaps an even more impressive honor for Cris: on May 10th, he will be the graduation speaker at UC Law's 2009 Hooding Ceremony.

UPDATE (4/16/09 at 7:00): Fifth word of the post corrected to limit the shame I caused my high school Latin teacher.