Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Well it is raining down in the FLA, but I understand you guys up there got a few flakes. I hope everyone is just staying home today, and by the news reports you might get a ticket if you go out to try and buy that last minute gift.

Post your snow totals if you would, I'll Start: Englewood, Florida - 0.0"

UPDATE: Rob Bernard has a post showing he got almost 13".

UPDATE #2: Nick Spencer has more on road reports and business closings. At the top of the hour we'll have news and sports.

Did Lawsuit Prompt Clerk's Office Change?

On Monday a Cincinnatian sued the County because they had a ticket posted on the website and then their identity was stolen.

On Tuesday the Clerk's Office announced that traffic tickets were no longer viewable online. The lawsuit was not reported until today. A three legged dog could have seen this connection.

UPDATE: The The Cincinnati Post reports more and draws the same conclusion I did.

Someone Just Hates Cincinnati

I read this at CincyNation.com:

Walkabout: Some downtown merchants create own problems
A restaurant on Main Street has a torn and filthy awning, and the owners can't understand why business is down. A Vine Street restaurant's employees engage in loud non-stop yapping about their personal lives while a couple try to get through breakfast.

A nearby coffeehouse has an unfriendly clerk who is slow and can't multi-task, and doesn't seem to notice a line of people, some of whom decide to go elsewhere. Sometimes, downtown merchants have no one to blame but themselves.

The website this commentary comes from is run out of Atlanta. Who is the local person writing this type of superficial opinion based on a what believe is a history of hate for the city or at least a desire to see it fail? Would this person have anything to do with the "boycott?" This is the kind of post made on that web site that really needs both an author byline and a perma-link, so it does not just vanish into thin air without anyone to back-up the claims.

Those claims may very well be true. What I don’t understand is that if you are going to attack someone on a “news” site using an editorial, the ethical thing to do is to sign your name to your work.

New Local Blog

An anonymous blogger named "Publius" has started Save Our City, a conservative leaning blog. Who is this mystery blogger and are they known to anyone? They have comments already, which I assume means they sent out an email to some people about the blog. In this city I would think most conservatives would have no problem being open about it, but there are other reasons to keep one's name out of the fray.

I welcome Publius to the Cincy blogosphere and look forward to a good discourse in ideas. I'll be adding a link to my blogroll as soon as possible.

Happy Theocracy Everyone!

The theocratic fascists are out in force this season to do all they can to require everyone to celebrate their religious holidays. They still don't listen to their prophet in chief.

Enquirer Pushes for Ghiz

The Enquirer has published an editorial supporting the appointment of Leslie Ghiz to fill Pat DeWine's council seat when he leaves for the County Commission. How much of the editorial was a targeted message to Republican voters to get out and support her, and not play into the abortion game?

How much of this anti-Ghiz movement is based on the simple fact that she is female? Some of it is based on the bigotry of Sam Malone towards Homosexuals. Lesie supports gay-rights and supported the repeal of Article XII. Malone is playing surrogate to Phil Burress. Sam did Phil's bidding on Article XII, and all other gay rights laws enacted. I would assume that Burress does not like Ghiz, therefore Sam is dragging his feet.

Fair, Balanced, or Just Ignored?

Wonkette summarized how FOX News downplayed the Mess-Hall attack in Mosul yesterday. I too was surprised not to see FOX hitting this hard. MSNBC I think held back some as well, so FOX was not alone. I guess censorship in the Holiday Season is fine. Since FOX is the official Pentagon news channel, FOX fears that the families might panic if they learned the fact that a large number of soldiers were killed.

A Minor League GOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!

Cincinnati is getting a new professional soccer team next year. The team will play at the Xaiver soccer field.

What was most interesting is that the article brought up an interesting marking stat:

In reviewing the purchase of the team, a comprehensive market research survey was conducted to determine the feasibility of successfully returning soccer to Cincinnati. Cincinnati ranks #2 in soccer participation in the United States behind Kansas City with over 100,000 youth and adults actively playing the sport in the Tri-state area.

The only issue to consider is the age of the kids playing. If they are all 5 years old and stop playing by 9, then their market view is flawed, and will fail if it is based on 5 year old kids.

Traffic Tickets Off Website

The Clerk of Courts has removed images of traffic tickets from the county clerk's website.

This action on the surface appears like a good short term solution to the problem of identity theft. A long term solution would be to change who is allowed to access the whole website. All of the records are open to the public and should stay open to public, but I think it is fair that in order to gain access to such records, you should simply have to make your own identity known to the Clerk's Office. The same thing could be done online if the Clerk's Office required registration before use of the site. The Clerk should keep who accesses the website secret, unless a subpoena is issued for such information.

I don't think the cost of a registration system would be very high. The software should be available right off the self. We could still surf for our neighbor's or political foe's skeletons, but we could be traced if we did something illegal with the information. Are there wholes in the system, likely yes, but this closes most of them.

UPDATE: More from the Post.

He Said What?

Steve Fritsch in his latest BCR Column:

Personally, I think Nate's a good guy who seeks progress for Cincinnati.

Which Nate is Steve talking about?

14 Year Old Teen Tased

Has there been any major fall-out from Cincinnati Police Officers use of a taser gun on a 14 year old kid? The kid reportedly is fine. Tasers have been a big topic in town this year. What would have happened if the cops had to hit the kid to get in under control? Is the use of the baton, pepper spray, or fists better or worse than the taser?

White Death Cometh

Run, hide, buy six gallons of milk and, buy 1,000 batteries, because snow is coming to the tri-state. I myself, for those who don't know, have no fears of snow. I have even less fear of this particular snow storm because I currently am in Florida. Yes, save your regrets, save your tears, save your insults and four letter words.

My only concerns now are that local officials keep the airport open next Monday, and get the damn roads cleared. I will continue remote blogging until then, so don't fear about getting your fix of my trite rantings.

Johnson to be Lt. Gov., Bradley to Treasurer

Taft has has made his movesr and appointed Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley to Treasurer and Development Director Bruce Johnson to Lt. Governor.

Bradley was expected, but Johnson came out of the blue. I know little about him at this point. This puts rumors about Rob Portman to rest. Portman may still be in line for a post in the Bush Administration, but at this point I think that may be less likely.

WOXY Updated Website

Have a look over at the new WOXY.com.

[Via Nick Spencer]

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The first thing Bush did at his press conference today was to wish everyone "Happy Holidays." I will be waiting for the attacks of the right-wing on Bush for not pushing his theological views on others. I will not be holding my breath, I value living a bit too much.

Big Band Radio Dying

It is great to see local radio station WMKV-FM get national attention. I know radio stations formats are ever changing, and music dies with generations, but in a county this big it is sad that this the last station of its kind. We are growing into a homogeneous society, at least in terms of simple culture. That is going to make for one really boring time in the years to come.

CincyBlog 2004 Top Ten List

I am looking for nominations or considerations of the Top Ten people, events, or what ever of the year. I will be doing two different lists. One a local list and one a national list. I think the National list will be more my own concoction.

Please email me with suggestions, or if you must, post them in comments.

Pin the Tail on the Blackwell

While I agree that Ken Blackwell did everything he legally could to elect George Bush using his State Office, I don't think it hurt his chances of getting elected, unless people focus on the circus of an election he helped create, not his role in helping Bush win.

That kind of charge is far to insider to catch on. Long lines at the polling booths and election machines that failed to work correctly, that is what will damage him. The degree for which it hurts him I think hinges on the primary fight he faces. It will be bloody enough without the Dems saying a word, and they should not say a word. Let another GOPher do the dirty work. Now, if they pass on ammo to candidates, well so be it.

Spreading the Wealth?

Is Ohio such a polarized state that GOP Congressmen can coast to re-election and then Siphon money to other GOP candidates? I say polarized because that many people can afford to not only win big, but give away money to other races. This is not limited to the GOP, but I live in the district of one of Ohio’s siphoners, Rob Portman. I don't know how much longer he will be my congressman, though.

Investigation Pending?

A police cruiser crashed into a home and car parked in a driveway. Something just sounds odd:

Cincinnati police declined to answer requests for information about the accident Saturday. But Svoboda said the officer told him he was driving 35 mph and swerved to avoid several deer that had wandered into the road.

"He did a 360-degree spin, came across my lawn, crashed through the foundation of my porch, slammed into my car and pushed it into my neighbor's yard, then came to rest over the retaining wall on its nose, sticking up at a 45-degree angle," Svoboda said. "I parked my car in the driveway (Friday) night because I knew it was going to be slick and I didn't want anyone hitting it in the street."

I have seen deer in and around Mt. Lookout, so that much I can personally attest to as having happened in recent months. The speed of cruiser appears to an amateur, me, to be too slow to cause this crash.

"We Will Bury You"

Comrade Peter Nikita Bronson has announced to world in his latest column that breaking the rules to push one's religion on others fulfills the Christmas spirit. If you can't give others theocratic oppression, what can you give them?

I am not shocked that Peter will complain when a school does not teach children to follow the rules, but then when a kid breaks a rule he does not like, he writes a column praising the kid for being a thug.

The kid abused the system, broke the rules, and now seeks to gain notoriety by playing Christ in a sick and twisted media show: The Martyrdom of Eric Bast. The made for TV movie will soon be required viewing at every Fundamentalist youth group meeting.

If I was feeling really snarky I would call this kid the poster boy for a new "Hitler-Youth," but that would be way over the top.

I am sure that the Peace Loving people of the People's Republic of Cincinatus will surely push their brand of peace on all of us. General Secretary Burress will lead the way. The Dialetic will prevail. I think I need a shower.

East vs. West?

The Post is reporting that some of the right wingers in the City, mostly on the West Side, are trying to get Monzel put on council, instead of Ghiz because of abortion and homosexual rights. How mentally vacuous does one need to be to not only throw out the election results (Ghiz beat Monzel), but also to pick issues that have no significant affect on in local government? At this point I am surprised that someone has not yet been announced to be talking over the seat. We are only a few weeks away. What I would be watching is who is lining up staff. Is Monzel lining up staff or is Ghiz? Where does Pete Witte fit into this? Is he trying to be a compromise choice?

Wes Flinn has more.

Slobberfest or CiN Weekly's Holiday Party?

Someone knows how to have a good time. This office party sounds 100 times better than mine.

More Issue One Fallout

The Toledo Blade is editorializing on the legal troubles awaiting Ohio because of the passage of the anti-homosexual Issue One.

Barrelhouse Brewery For Sale?

What does this mean for the Barrelhouse Brewery? Will it close and reopen as a new location? Is this a sale of the operating business and just a change in owners, not a change (or outward change) of the restaurant/bar? I really like the club. I don't like it when they have really load not so great bands, but that thankfully is not so often.

Ouch

I was at my office Holiday Party last night so I am slow to blog today.

Check out Maggie's column.

Check out where to get warm downtown.

Other than that, with the lack of power vested in me, I declare this thread open!

We'll Meet Again, Don't Know How, Don't Know When

Hamilton County has hanging chads.

Faddism

What disappoints me most about the people in puff piece on religious missionary work in schools is that it is all about joining a group. It is about being in a clique. It is about conformity through confrontation. It is anti-individual and it does nothing for society. It is hollow. It is a means to an end. It is everything that I personal find worthless in religion.

It mostly is legal. Some of it is not, and if others with non-Christian religious views tried to do the same thing they would either be prevented by school officials and/or threatened or even attacked by other kids.

Hollywood got it right. This whole situation sounds like high school, where image and emotion trump reality and logic.

Oh, wait, this is high school. Nevermind.

UPDATE: Wes Flinn and Grassroots Cincinnati also comment.

Question and Answer

The Cincinnati Post asked Is Downtown safe? Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated has an answer.

Should you fear going downtown is the real question the paper is asking and no you should not. You should not fear it anymore than you do shopping in the Mall this month wear theft will be at a yearly high. For some reason I don't see Kenwood Towne Center's parking lot empty.

City Council Blinked

As expected, we have a temporary fix of the impending bus service cut, which was never really impending, just out there in the wind where a politician is at his/her weakest.

Jimmy Smits For Prez

The one television show I get pissed off when I miss is the West Wing. This year I have been very pleased with the story line. It is fresh (trite term, but it works).

I love the open ended political race they are formulating where characters on the show will be going head to head in the primary. I look forward to Jimmy Smits' character going head to head with Alan Alda's character in an election arc. Seeing the drama of the inside of a political campaign will give news/political junkies like myself countless moments of glee that only compared to a sports nut's first day with the full multichannel league package.

Street Cameras?

Cincinnati is planning on using cameras to catch traffic violators. Can they use these cameras to catch real criminals?

Winburn Appears to Be In

Charlie Winburn is acting like he wants the GOP endorsement for Mayor. He is acting like a right-wing Republican when doing it. He is using abortion and gay rights as two of his issues to 'win.' How's that for equal opportunity bigotry? Black conservatives and white conservatives working together to oppress women and homosexuals. What a wonderful step towards racial harmony. What a backwards step for humanity. Nothing brings people together like hate.

Buying a Candidate?

I guess Mike Brown would have gotten a voice on the County Commission for the low, low price of $45,000. Campaign Finance reform is not universally desired because people like the wealthy being able to buy candidates?

Mayoral Cornonation? Nope

Queen City Forum has an overview of the Mayoral Race. At this point the field is still wide open. I got a chance last week to listen to Sen. Mark Mallory speak. I came away impressed with his on the ground campaigning. He has the tools of a real political talent. So far I see him as the most skilled politician in the race. That will not be enough though, because at this point he is not ahead in the money game. The primary is going to be a hard fought race. The test will be who gets the top two spots of course and if they are both Democrats, then the knives will surely be out.

Get on the Bus

I can't imagine that Cincinnati will actually lose Sunday bus service, but has it come to this? Are we only left to endure threats? It is not a new method in government, but it is so transparent. I am as risk-adverse as anyone you could meet, but even I could hold my ground in this game of chicken.

I smell a campaign issue. Who will benefit from it? Who has a transit solution among council/mayor candidates that can work without having to try and convince the suburbs that they don't need to fear mass transit, and the bus loads of "them" flowing into their strip malls. I have not found anyone with such a plan, yet.

Here's an updated Story from the Enquirer.

New Enquirer Web Page Format

Who likes the subtly different Enquirer web page? They are using a new software to manage stories, have added RSS feeds and I think today started a new format of updating the main page with breaking stories.

Trust

Peter you have to earn trust, you don't get trust for free, and the State in the form of Ken Blackwell set out from the beginning to limit voter turnout, block voter registration, and cancel as many urban votes as possible.

Here we have Peter Bronson, mouth of a uniter not a divider, sticking his tongue out at the other side after a kickball game.

If you want to work for something constructive Peter, why not look for solutions to the long lines on election day, like say early voting or increase voting by mail. Why not call for CLEAR and FAIR laws that allow people to vote easily, instead of allowing roadblocks?

Will the recount effort affect anything? If it can show the need to change the law, then yes it will and it's cost will be worth it. Truth should not have a price.

Goodbye Tavis, We Hardly Knew Thee

Tavis Smiley is leaving NPR and Kathy Y. Wilson's latest column discuss his departure and the state of NPR. I agree with Kathy's analysis that Tavis may have personal achievement in mind, not disappoint with NPR's efforts to "attract minority listeners," as his reason for leaving the network.

I think Kathy did make one factual error:

The Tavis Smiley Show was NPR's first black show in its 34-year history, airing daily since 2002 on 87 stations. It drew NPR's largest black audience as well as its youngest audience.

Now, I will not even get into what a "black show" is supposed to be, but Juan Williams hosted Talk of the Nation for over a year in 2000 and 2001. That show may not qualify as what Kathy means by "Black Show," but Tavis was not the first black person to host a show on the Network. Kathy does point out well that NPR's programming is as culturally diverse as any human beings can possibly be in America and still maintain a solid listener base. Only the BBC World Service does a better job, mainly because of the full support the UK government.

NPR is keeping American Culture, at least what I consider American Culture, alive and kicking.

Channel 64 News: 1 Year Old

Rick Bird reports on the one year birthday of The WB64 News at 10. I have only watched it to get a general feeling early on and mostly saw stock stories or weepies from the local reporters. It was more of the same old local TV news, with stale national headlines as worthless as yesterday's NY Post added to cut costs. Once the Sinclair Broadcasting bias hit full "elect-Bush" mode, I refused to watch. I welcome competition and more voices in the media, but I am not watching it. I don't really watch any local TV news, because in case you missed the obvious, local TV News sucks everywhere in the country. It sucks because it is not broadcast journalism, it is entertainment no different than Fear Factor or Friends.

Besides that, what does everyone think of it, one year later?

Enquirer Blasts Oak Hills Student

I was surprised to read the Enquirer's editorial in which they called the suspension of Eric Bast from Oak Hills High School the right move. I am impressed, not only because they agree he violated schools rules and misused the mail system, but that he did so to push his religion onto others. Kudos go to the Enquirer.

Portman Architect of 'DeLay Rule'

Carl Weiser reports that Congressman Rob Portman led the effort to change GOP caucus rules to allow House Majority Leader Tom Delay to keep his leadership role, even if he is indicted in Texas for corruption.

I am surprised to see this from Portman. I wonder why he did not make this known sooner. I mean who wouldn't want to vote for someone who seeks to lower ethical standards? He claims he found a compromise. I find that funny for a political party that claims to be based on consistency and never changing principle. I guess they don't change unless they have to pull strings to protect their leadership. I am sure this can be blamed on the liberals out to get the ‘Hammer.’ I mean Bill Clinton must have forced Rob Portman to do this.

'French CNN?'

Will the right wing have to come up with a new term for "Bias" for "CNN à la Francaise"? Officially it is called "CII (International Information Channel." Will they start calling it Freedom CNN? Would they not think that is an oxymoron? I think Bill O'Riley's head would explode if he were to watch it.

Liberal Radio Takes Shape in Cincinnati

Rick Bird, with his excellent Jacor connections, gives a rundown of the line-up that will be hitting the air waves on what will likely be called 1530 WCKY.

9 AM to Noon: Jerry Springer
Noon to 3 PM: Al Franken
3 PM to 6 PM: Ed Schultz

Other possible Air America hosts/shows that could make it on are:
6 AM to 9 AM: The Morning Sedition with Mark Riley and Marc Maron
3 PM to 7 PM: Randi Rhodes
7 PM to 10 PM: The Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and sam Seder
10 PM to 1 AM: Mike Malloy

There are other liberals and moderates out there, but likely these will be the main choices, unless they go for locally based shows. They have plenty of Clear Channel liberals doing music and such, so maybe we'll find another new personality to counter the other Clear Channel mouths on WLW. I vote for Duke Sinatra.

If you want to listen to what this will likely be like, check out WTPG in Columbus.

What I wonder, will Mike McConnell and Jerry Springer ever do any simulcast programs where they go head to head in a debate?

Also, who will do the news on the new 1530? FOX?

Bad Boys, Bad Boys

Because of UC Basketball Cops: Cincinnati premiers tonight at 11:00 PM on WXIX.

66 Pound Tumor Coverage

I have been avoiding posting on this story, but Channel 5's report with photos of the women before the surgery and photos of the surgery is so over the top, I had to comment. It is just tabloid coverage. This is exhibit A for why local TV news coverage is bad. Now, for Cincinnati TV stations to cover this, I really can't complain too much. This is a local story, so I am happy they are at least covering local news. I wish they would cover a little state politics instead, but it beats a car cash video from San Diego. If you do a Google search on "66 pound Tumor" check out how many of the links are Local TV stations. This is why local TV news sucks. They take these stories from other cities and show them, instead of showing actual local news.

Also, please hold the Arnold "It's not a tumor" Schwarzenegger jokes to minimum.

Half Mad Spinster

While I was Drinking Liberally this week I met Half Mad Spinster. Had a very nice time chatting up politics. A good Blog and good group.

Ah, Yeah

The paranoid side of myself has the feeling that many people think I am paranoid when I go off on the rise and intent of fundamentalists. Greg at The Cincinnati Group links to the rantings of an extremist Catholic, William Donahue, who sounds every bit of a bible thumping theocrat as Jerry Falwell or Phil Burress. I am slowly ridding myself of my paranoia.

Pushy Teenage Preachers

Glad to see this kid admit he was wrong to manipulate teachers to hand out his religious propaganda. He might want to reflect on what his religion says on misleading people into doing what you want. On the other hand, I guess his Mom is happy is just trying to push his religion on others via dishonest means. As longs as they get Jeebus, I guess it doesn't matter how they got there. Infringe on other's rights, mislead them, what ever it takes, just get the 'Lord's' propaganda in the hands and then the garbage cans of as many people as possible.

If this kid wanted to do 'God's' work, why did not take the money he spent on the letter he had created and buy food with that money and donate it to a food bank? Then verbally ask his friends or classmates to do something similar. What a crazy idea, it could actually change someone's life for the better, and he would gain praise from nearly everyone.

Jerry Radio

Jerry Springer is launching a radio show 9AM to Noon on 1530 WSAI when the station switches to a talk format next year.

Let just hope we don't get nuts calling and trying to make it into his TV show.

This article gets it from the horse's mouth on WSAI where Darryl Parks, AM programming director for local Clear Channel stations, confirmed 1530 will be changing to a Talk format. No official comment on the use of Air America, yet. I think it’s a safe bet to guess that some of Air America's programming will be heard, Al Franken especially.