Cincy Fringe Going Strong

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival has another full week to go!

Last night I saw Karoake Knights, a One-Man Rock Opera by Tim Mooney. What is so cool about Fringe is that I had that chance to meet Tim earlier in the week at the Bar Series and some friends even helped him pack up his set for the night. I was able to chat with him about his show and his other works later on at the Greenwich. The turnout at the Greenwich was excellent as well. Many artists nearly all of the staff and lots of volunteers came out to the Walnut Hills mainstay.

Shows I still want to see:

1. A/ThePostModernLoveStory by the BlueForms Theatre Group
2. Britney Spears, and All the Other Shit We Deal With! by Odds & Ends Productions
3. A Comment from the Peanut Gallery by Les Kurkendaal

'If Watergate Happened Now'

Jonathan Alter pens a what if column for Newsweek discussing what would happen if Watergate were to have happened during today's political and media climate. His points are dead on. There would have been no Watergate or rather it would have been a short lived moment the lazy media of today would have not wanted to touch 'in time of war.' I will be very interesting in hearing the conservatives try and say otherwise, much like Peter Bronson tried to do today with his idiotic notion of equating Bill Clinton getting a blow job to Dick Nixon's political foot soldiers committing B&E on the DNC Headquarters, which was just the tip of the iceberg. Nixon's crimes from Cambodia to Ellsberg and beyond far out weight even the bullshit of the crackpots trying to nail Clinton made up.

That's Mr. DeWine, If You're Nasty

Are there nothing but Children in the Anderson Township Republican Club?

DeWine was booed soundly by the crowd in Anderson Township Wednesday night, and walked away from the GOP club's candidate forum with a rating of "not qualified at this time'' while club members voted McEwen "highly qualified.''

People who all surely voted for Pat DeWine for County Commissioner and who agree with the guy on most issues was booed? This is like Junior High.

A mud slinging fest means to me that this race is tight. Polling is likely difficult because of the regional activist bias that seems to be sprouting up where one local group, like in Anderson Township, have on the surface a group think tone, if not actual consensus. At this point I don't see a clear favorite, but Brinkman is not getting ink, so either he is saving up for a late charge with a big media blitz or it comes down to McEwen and DeWine, with the others being the difference in who wins.

Live Music Cinci Style

Jake Speed and the Freddies Live at the Northside Tavern
Great night, great music, and great band. I had to step out before the third set, but as usual the band was on. J-Dog, mandolin player Justin, needs to sing more often. He was adding some harmony on a song and it was great.

Accountant's Don't Know Shit

Retired Accountant Roy Tate Jr. of Reading has a guest column on Social Security today and he makes what I find to be the stupidest presumption:

If past Social Security taxes had been invested in personal income-producing asset accounts, this national debt would not exist, and taxpayers would not be forced to repay what Congress has "borrowed" from taxpayers retirement funds.

First, with all due disrespect, unless this old guy is younger than my mother, which I doubt, then he did not have his retirement age increased and therefore is getting more money back than those younger than us are. So when he wants anyone else to take risks so he can get his higher level check until he dies at age 101, then he can just stuff it.

Second, he wants to say that since we have not had a depression where investors literally lost their shirts since SSA was started, therefore we will not have one tomorrow and that is reason enough to assume that in the future we should put all of the risk on the individual is just idiotic. A bean counter does not know a thing about risk. Yes, I am letting my Business School Rivalry show. Investing is not a science. You can’t predict how the market will be in an hour or a day and surely not 20 years.

In his contention he of course looks at this at a globally collective investment level. Sure Bill Gates would have made money or just not have cared if did or not, but the Stock Market is not a win-win situation. Stock prices just don't rise for everyone; the 10% market assumption is over time and is collective. In that measurement for every guy who made 20% there are plenty more who made 0%. If he instead used a model that had the government investing the money in the market where the losses would be outweighed by the gains and everyone would benefit or lose from both, then he might have an idea worth considering that does not put individuals at risk. It has other problems, but it would not be as lame brained.

Like the rest push to end Social Security he seems to not know the difference between a defined benefit plan and defined contribution plan. Risk matters.

Religion in Politics

The 2nd District GOP primary is now focused on religion. It may or may not be focused on which brand of Christianity the candidate partakes in (there will never be a non-Christian Republican elected to office in this district in my life time), what we have here is who is more religious than the other guy/gal. Being religious to the conservative Christian is no longer just about going to church on Sunday. Today it is about believing and pushing the 'Moral Values' issues, which are not dogmatic rules of the religion, but have become de facto scripture to the theocratic movement.

It is sad and it has crept up on the society. The GOP party activists are almost exclusively conservative Christians. You don't find many of the Wall Street Republicans or the Libertarian Republicans at party meetings, at least not the ones who don't either accept the religious litmus test or who accept it as a reality of power. Where is this leading the country when one political party is becoming a religious party?

"Jesus Built My Hotrod"

A Ministry song from college days rattled through my head while reading Maggie Downs latest column. Many things are rattling in my head these days, but that song with its loud sound fits the emotions surrounding the tragic murder in Hyde Park. Will anyone ever walk by the fountain there and not think of the killer washing his hands there? Nice cheerful though, eh?

Non-Hack on Politics

Michael Altman's latest I Don’t Mind Telling You column is out and dives into the 2nd District race with a look at Pat DeWine and Paul Hackett. Also on the council race we get a little background on the GOP's new candidate John Eby.

Problems for Maisonette Move?

Is this a big snag or just a Hiccup as the article suggests?

Fringe Day Two

CityBeat has a great article on Fringe and has a special online section on Fringe which will provide updated reviews on the performances.

Also, the organizers of Fringe, CinEX, has started a Fringe Blog. You might just a see a familiar name there blogging along.

Fountain Square Plan

At the YPCincy event last night I think many were impressed. I was impressed with the plan for revamping Fountain Square. I think it will be good for the city overall. There are issues out there and realizations that people need to make:

1. This is a Done Deal. There will not be much changed to the design and look of the square. The changes will be by City Council to the lease plans and the finances, but they will be minor.
2. 3CDC is planning on privatizing the management of Fountain Square. The garage I believe is currently operated by an outside firm, but in this Plan 3CDC as a private entity would run the actual Square for the City. The City would own the entire Square and Garage, but would not gain the revenue it has now.
3. The Fountain will move. 3CDC CEO Stephen Leeper could not push that more. It was almost the obsession of the presentation. The way he sold it makes sense on the surface, but it assumes a level of deterioration of the garage that I did not know is established as fact.
4. What is the target market for this development? It appears like they are going for as wide a market as they can. They throw out the classic "family friend" phase that generally makes me cringe. It was not dwelled upon, which at a Young Processionals meeting of mostly single or childless couples was wise. I was floorws when they threw in as a regional attraction the Kentucky Speedway. Are NASCAR Dads really going to come downtown in large numbers?
5. The issue of who controls the public stage is a rather large civil rights issue. What was not clear to me was who was going to decide who gets to use the square for rallies, protests, and other gatherings. Will commercial interests get preference over the average Joe? Will the lease with 3CDC give them the right to keep certain people out?
6. There will be a small performance stage or platform set up permanently, but with little room. 3CDC would have more portable staging, but how and when it could be used would likely cost more and limit non-profits from their use, without donation of the fees likely to be tacked on.
7. Parking fees will go up in the garage. Right now for the evening it only costs a buck. That price would rise to 3 bucks. This is not really going to change that many minds, but it will not improve the perception that it costs money. It compares to what is in Newport at the Levee, so if you would go there and pay, this should not deter you.
8. Finances are somewhat foggy. It appears that the city would not have that much to cough up, but the level their revenues would drop is unclear.
9. Something missing from the presentation was the timeline for the retailers/restaurants to open up shop in the area. This I think is a concern. This project is going to start this year and open next summer. I don't see the retailers/restaurateurs moving in for up to a couple or more years after that. Talks with companies may be further along than I perceive, so their construction may happen while the redesign is ongoing.

What matters most for this entire project, as one reception attendee put it, is the perception that something is happening in downtown. There has to be a buzz and some action must be visible. If that happens this could snowball other projects, making them happen. If that does not happen, that is where I believe the Banks, Vine Street, Main Street, and the rest of the plans out there will not be realized.

GOP Endorse Alleged Child Abuser

Well, I guess they figured the image make-over will work for him or that the Child Abuser vote is a cornerstone of the GOP voting block, but according to the Post, the Hamilton County Republican Party endorsed Sam Malone for City Council, despite his pending criminal charges of child abuse and despite him admitting that he hit the kid and making no refutation of the allegations that he hit his son with a belt on the arms, back, chest, and buttocks. A really shameful display of arrogance and cowardice combined. They appear to think that people will not care about it, don't pay attention, or like it. I think they are also fearful of pissing off the Charlie Winburn voting block who have praised Malone for beating his child.

The GOP only has four (Sam Malone, Chris Monzel, Leslie Ghiz, and John Eby) so far and at most seven will get the endorsement. That is a far cry from 2003 when they fielded 9. As it stands now the Party appears to have given up on the city, which I think reflects the attitude of the Party on more than just the prospects of getting someone elected.

Ghiz is likely to get on council, but the others will need to work hard to win.

I am surprised they don't want to support Winburn yet. Time is running out on him to get into the race. He stands no chance at this point of winning, no matter what a few have speculated on, but I would have thought that the GOP would have wanted to avoid the type of humiliation they faced in 2001 when they did not field a candidate.

Fringe Starts Today!!!!!

Get off your ass and go to a show. The press is good and the shows will push the limits of ideas. I wonder if Peter Bronson will actually go to show this year, instead of bitching about the festival and not seeing a performance.

Check out the Fringe Bar Series. I will be there for sure tomorrow night and likely many nights over the next few weeks, having a 'few' brews. Say hello if you make it out.

Fountain Square Grumblings

People are talking up a storm over the plans for Fountain Square. I have concerns not so much about the plan, I like the plan. I fear the motives, goals, and desired market. I also fear that this will be it. The City will say they have their entertainment district that is plain and geared towards those who are as plain as a diet vanilla milkshake. The spice of the City needs cultivating and that was what Main Street was. It seems to be nothing but an afterthought. That will be a waste and a mistake. Fountain Square may be good for Business, but I still don't see how it build the downtown community. I hope to learn how tonight at the YPCincy event. I am hopeful, but very very skeptical.

Taste of Tar

I can personally attest that it was as bad as reported.

Image

Does Sam Malone improve or tarnish his image when a profile appears in the newspaper about him the day he is due back in court. I wonder if his judge is reading the newspaper as I type this?

Was the article fair or was it a puff piece with a sprinkling of reality put in?

The Plan for Fountain Square

The Enquirer has a heavy coverage of the Plan for Fountain Square. It will be formally issue to City Council later on today.

I like the idea, but I am torn on this being the real way to bring back downtown. I think this signals that Main Street and the Riverfront are not going to be the focus of the City for now. The Riverfront has not taken off and will likely stay what it is, an occasional used area, mostly for special summer/fall events. Main Street loses big here, and without support from the city, it will lose out. Fountain Square will cater to the Suburbanite who now may stay downtown after the baseball game. That is fine, but will it do anything to increase people moving to the city? It just makes a few Suburbanites feel like they are adventurous because they went to Fountain Square, oh the danger that brings.

Taste of Politics

On Sunday to my visit to the Taste of Cincinnati the politicos were out in force. I saw council candidate's David Crowley and Jeff Berding. I saw a group of Alicia Reece supporters. I saw this big sign from Paul Hackett. I did not see to many Republican candidates, other than a stray DeWine sticker sticking in the nasty tar on Central Parkway.

Oktoberfest is when the political fever pitch hits its high note, but this weekend was the kickoff of the political season. Opening day back in April was like spring training, but now the real games begin. The race for mayor should make this a hot summer.

WOXY X97.7 is No More

A formatting change has taken place and yet another corporate radio station has gone to the dogs. The former home to 97X will now become a "variety hits" station, which will likely make Q102 look appealing.

The worst part is that Station Program director Matt Sledge is out of a job. If anyone in radio land is looking for a good radio man, Matt is your fella.

UPDATE: Just make one thing clear, 97X (woxy.com), the only on the web station, is still going strong. The over the air station that replaced the Oxford signal is changing from Alternative music to variety hits.

McEwen Over Brinkman

The extreme right wingers are lining up to support Bob McEwen for Ohio Congress. Dobson, Burress, and Tony Perkins are a theocratic fascist Axis if there ever was one. With guys like these three supporting him, that actually makes Brinkman look pretty good. Tom got the Gun Owners Association, but that is all I found referenced on his website. I think Tom is a Catholic. Could that have anything to do with why the über anti-abortion Ohio Legislator did not get Evangelical Protestant leaders' support? Yes, I am throwing gas on a fire.

Violent Femmes Play Cincinnati June 17

The blisters in the sun may flame up with the Violent Femmes playing outside in downtown Cincinnati in the alley behind McFadden's. (You are so welcome for my cheap attempt a pun). Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Somehow I think I have a culture night idea for Cincinnati Advance that could plan itself.

I heard a commercial for this as I drove back from Dayton. I had heard nothing about this previously and was cheering in my car.

I saw the Femmes back during college when they opened up for the Grateful Dead up at Buckeye Lake near Columbus. It was an odd mix of bands, but the crowd dug the Femmes very enthusiastically.

For the record: I am there! Who is with me?

Looting the Food King

"For God's sake, they're looting the Food King!"

I had to take a trip to the store on Saturday whilst I was attending my niece's graduation party up in Tipp City. I actually went twice, so I took a picture. It is a very old store, badly in need of new check out lanes. They have old carts that are tall and shallow. The name is what just got me. When I was asked to go to Food Town, I was waiting for someone to break into song and sing me a peppy jingle instructing me on a balanced diet.

Evolution Gains Yet Again

A 370 Million year old Arthrodire was found in Clark County Kentucky. Shhhhh! Don't tell Ken Ham and the other nutty Young Earthers that science is proving him wrong yet again.

Stem Cell Research

Yea to the Post for calling out Bush's mistake on Stem Cell Research and point out that his compromise was a fallacy. I applaud those in the House who passed support for government funding of Stem Cell Research. Bush is saying he will veto it. This is the issue that makes me truly HATE Bush. He tried to be Solomon and ending being a stooge of the extreme right wing. On every other issue, even the war, I can respect him as a human being for having a different view. I will hate those views and call him a wanker for having them, but still understand he would be different. On this I can't. It hits me personally, my Dad has Parkinson's disease, so I care about it and am not without emotion on this issue.

There is no reason that anyone can object to this. None. If you whine about not wanting your tax dollars used on something you disagree with, then I will point you to a WAR that killed 100,000 people and remind you that millions of people in this country disagreed with that one too. I didn't see Bush veto funding for the War.

If Bush wants to save lives, then provide REAL funding for Stem Cell Research. He does that and finally understands that he does not need to get reelected by the religious zealots, he might salvage his image a sliver.

Hamilton County Dems Endorse Hackett

As expected Hamilton County Dems endorsed (2nd item) Paul Hackett for Congress. Will this piss people off enough to hurt Hackett?

This is How You Play for the Right Wing

Pat DeWine appears to be fearful of being targeted by those pissed at his dad for being sensible. How does the family man act? Well, he chooses to appease the right wing and oppose his father. Now, isn't that a violation of the 10 Commandments? Will not the right wingers get more pissed? Oh, wait, you say they will not hold the violation of the 10 Commandments against DeWine? Well, at least not the one about honoring your parents.

Hmmmm

Maggie Downs I believe is telling it like it is to a segment of single society. As a member of that society I don't see all that much of that side directly, so I can't speak to it first hand, just by proxy. She is right. Sex, money, power, or just companionship is often either the driving force or the only thing involved in a relationship. That "L" word, or even just affection, doesn't creep in as often as most of us would like. A little emotion is a good thing. A lot of it scares us off sometimes. Fear drives us from love or what we think is love.

Following Washingtonienne was I think is a lower degree of being Washingtonienne, for which I am a poster child. I was glued to Wonkette for weeks. Titillation sells, and I was buying. We are animals, and we like it.

Fringe Volunteers Still Needed!!!!!!

We still need your help as a Cincy Fringe Volunteer

Be at Mulligan's tonight at 7 PM for Orientation and you can sign up there, or head down to McFadden's on Saturday at 1 PM for Orientation.

Don't let anyone say you are not in touch with the culture. Be apart of the art.

If you can't volunteer than make sure you attend at least 20 shows!

Is Hackett the Dems Choice?

The primaries are not until next month, but Howard Wilkinson's is reporting that support for Paul Hackett as the Democratic Nominee for the 2nd district is growing and he may be the man to beat. Key elements of his success may rest on his resume and not much else. He is new to most people, but is already getting big endorsements, like Democratic Party in Pike County. Hamilton County Dems, according to the article, are leaning towards endorsing Hackett. This is causing a small stir in the party, but I think nothing more than a show of loyalty to long time candidate Charles Sanders, who many, including me, do not want to see get the nomination. He is a long time loser in this race and new blood is the way to gain excitement and new votes.

Shorter Pete Bronson

Per request, I will sum up Peter Bronson's column today in terms to save everyone time.

Pity me for being a right-winger, I get nasty emails.

[Insert outdated cultural reference here.]

[Insert laundry list of current events references here that have no connection to each other.]

I have nothing much else to write about, so in case you missed it, this column was a quick one before the long weekend.

Hope that works for everyone.

Is He Writhing in His Chair?

I figured Nate Livingston would be having a hissy fit over Greg Flannery's Porkopolis column. Next me, Greg has to be Nate's favorite.

Add Greg's column to the heavy editorial from Kathy Y. Wilson and if you didn't know better, you would say based on Nate Livingston's views on beating your children would say he lives out in Adams county, not Over-the-Rhine.

Answers in Ludicrous

The Cincinnati Dealer: Are You Fucking Kidding Me?: No

Eastside Roads

It is great that Portman got 16 Million for roads in the current highway bill. What are the chances we will get any of it? With Portman gone and no congressman in the seat for at least 2 and a half months, what will stop congress from cutting the bill at the point of least resistance?

Foutain Square Details

Some details are starting to filter out about plans for Fountain Square. In the article it reports that planners are going for a model with only 10% public financing. The question is, 10% of what? How much will a video screen sign over Macy's cost? This plan sounds interesting, and I am hopeful, but I wondering if this is worth it? Will it bring people downtown? Will suburbanites just stay away because of irrational fear no matter what is built?

Sad

This sad story from Hyde Park has to be horrible for the family. I hope very much that the vultures from Court TV, Dateline, and the rest stay the hell away.

DeWine Helps In Filibuster Compromise

Mike DeWine is not going to be winning any new friends in the extreme right wing for helping pull back from a possible Senate Shutdown. I am pleased that a group of sensible Senators were able to forge a deal to keep things going. On paper I don't know who got the better deal yet. With the attacked from the extreme right wing hitting these GOP Senators already, I think the right wing feels they lost an opportunity. I am hoping they did.

Will this have any fallout for Pat DeWine? I think the social conservatives are already out to get him, so this might actually gain him a little moderate support, if he gets out of the primary.

Division on Iraq

A very interesting debate arose at the GOP candidate forum over Iraq. In one corner was Veteran Eric Minamyer who advocates getting out of Iraq. This is a guy who as been called up for service 5 times since 9/11. In the other corner was everyone else, spouting BushCo Speak. Brinkman played the pretend maverick by saying in so many words that while he is a Bush man, he is not his bitch.

I think Minamyer would have been able to mount a third party charge with that kind of a stance. He is going to lose a lot of support in the primary race for daring to not spout BushCo propaganda, especially to the choir at an event like this. No one can doubt his courage or his ability to be his own candidate. That will not get him many votes when you take the opposite stance as Dear Leader in a district with a large majority in support of the war. Bush is losing much of his shine, but around here I don't think they care much. They drank the kool-aid and will not look back.

Anti-PC Bronson

Fucking Peter Bronson is making a pisshead bigoted desire for hate to be demonstrated by Hollywood. Peter, they are just fucking TV shows. I mean, Jesus Fucking Christ, why would he care who the bad guys are in a God Damn FICTIONAL TV SHOW?

In case you are wondering, yes, I am making sure to swear a fuckload in this post. I do this mock the original Politically Correct movement. Yes, that would be the conservatives and cultural prudes, who don't want to be offend by swear words or sex. It is politically incorrect to say fucking-A-bubba on national TV because that might offend some tight ass fundamentalist, but when a TV network dares to try not offend a group of people by NOT perpetuating stereotypes, Peter Bronson, the anti-PC crusader, goes apeshit. PC is fine for prudes, but not fine for racial or ethnic groups.

Oh, and it is funny when ever Bronson mentions anything about "Balance" in the media while writing in the Enquirer, where there is no local columnist to balance out his biased views. "Balance" has become the word of variable meaning. It now means just means "conservative" instead of meaning coverage that is objective. FOX news is the most unobjective TV News network around and that is the fucking truth.

SW: Episode III Round Up

I have not seen Star Wars: Episode III yet and I don't when I will get the chance. Maybe this weekend, maybe not. Anyway, everyone and their first cousin are blogging on this around town. Here's a summary:

Wes
Seriously, WTF
One Step Back
Last Ten Days

I am missing some, so chime in with your reviews and plot problems. I don't mind knowing, I know how it ends after all. If others don't want to know, then don't read the comments.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

Nick Spencer took action this weekend against crime in his neighborhood. If more people did this in OTR, crime would fall. Why are more people in OTR not doing this?

Laketa Cole's Blog

It is more of the norm now for candidates to have a blog and council member Laketa Cole has hers. She calls it the "Laketa Cole Newsroom," which seems like an odd title, but she has a blog as well as a professionally created web site. That tops her last campaign alone.

Faux Balance

There is no reason to do yet another story on the nut jobs in Boone County who think the Earth is no more than 10,000 years old. Someone at the Enquirer has the hots for Ken Ham and the fundie sheep he tends.

This story makes an attempt to present the opposing view of creationism, but it is done in a style that puts creationism on an equal foot with evolution. That is a faux type of balanced journalism, something FOX news is famous for. In science there are facts. Evolution uses facts to form its basis. Creationism uses religion. Treating these as though they are both credible concepts creates a cover of validity to Creationism that it does not deserve. It would be like giving equal time on a panel discussion on pedophilia to NAMBLA.

GOP Walking a Tightrope

The GOP either got lucky or are timing things closely with the reported date of June 1st to release their list of endorsements for Cincinnati City Council. I say they are cutting it close because Sam Malone's next court date is May 31st. One could logically determine they are hoping something is resolved by then, so their choice can be made for them, and they are not forced to eat crow and dump Malone. If Malone pleads guilty and then drops out of the race, then the GOP leaders will have dodged a bullet. If they are forced to either dump him, or for some insane reason stand by him, then they will piss people off, and lose votes.

s p a c e t r o p i c: Spread the Alarm

I second Brendan's call for action to keep free speech alive on the web. Send an Email today!

Changes to WVXU

What was expected appears to be happen WGUC gutting the bulk of local programming on WVXU. May guess is that most of the local talk shows will likely get the axe, as well as most of the old time radio. What we will have left is NPR. The only bright spot I got from the article is a plan to hire a News Director, which signals an effort to create original local news, something that a combine station function could improve. WVXU was trying to expand local news and made a good effort, but if both local news budgets are combined, that should mean more local news programming on WVXU, with none on WGUC. It will be sad to see WVXU torn apart, but as another article suggests, combination of the two radio stations may have helped kept the WVXU signal away from religious and what I would boring programming, that would get dismal ratings, present yet another conservatively biased news source, and provide no community service.

Drink UP!

It appears to fall on the smokers to bear the brunt of sin tax increases. I will not be shedding a tear in my beer for them.

New Blog: The Ohio 2nd

Have look at the Ohio 2nd Blog which is just starting up and looking for contributors, let me know if you are interesting and I can pass along your vitals, or just check out their "Help Wanted" post.

Stand By Your Man, But Not To Close

Michael Barrett proved to us that he is gutless and will not pull the plug on the Malone campaign, at least not now.

He even comes close to defending Malone in his column, which is sad, oh so very sad.

A reporter recently wrote about the faces of abuse victims. The same stares of hopelessness can be seen in prisons and rehab centers across our state on the faces of prisoners and patients. Who or what could have made a difference in their lives? Could tough love have prevented them from ending up on the human scrap heap? I don't know the answer, but I do know that there is no bright-line test for parenting, and whether fair or unfair, the ultimate measure is the child's achievement or failure.

Mr. Barrett, can't we all agree there is a BRIGHT-LINE TEST when it comes to beating your children with a belt? That line is simple, DO NOT DO IT OR GO TO JAIL.

Sure, Sam gets his day in court, and will not likely go to jail, which if the facts are true, I think is a shame because he should spend a least a little time in jail. The community's reaction to him, and certainly his party's, should not be to provide cover for his actions, but to enact a social punishment. That punishment is simple; he should not be given help by his Party, or anyone else, to get back on council. Malone is in a state of denial, and thinks beating your children with a belt is just great, Therefore his classless move of not resigning form council and which would make it easier on his family, friends, and party is additional evidence of why he is unfit for office.

Anyone that gives money or time to the local GOP with Malone as a candidate is in my personal opinion supporting a child abuser and a person with a questionable state of competence to be an elected official, and how is that right? Personal lives are personal (see DeWine and Clinton), but when you beat your kids, you cross that BRIGHT-LINE. Based on the past week of blogging and columns from most around Cincinnati shows that people on both sides of the aisle understand that BRIGHT-LINE that Barrett seems to be missing. I hope the rank and file GOP can help Mr. Barrett find that line.

Cats and Dogs Living Together

I understand where Mark Mallory is coming from here. He is a clear supporter of the library system, and does not fear the government. What gives with Brinkman? This guy hates paying taxes for anything Why does he want to fund public libraries, but not support funding public schools? Will Brinkman's money come with strings? Will he seek to ban all books covering sexual education and use of condoms? Or will he stick with banning books that discuss the rational reasoning behind keeping abortion legal, and choice for the mother?

There ARE Dems in Them Their Hills!

There is a group of Dems out in Warren County. Check them out and lend some support for the Congressional special election if you can.