Newport Levee on the Rise

First its down, now the moon rising at the Levee.

Oba Makes Bond

Kabaka Oba, local black separatist was released from jail on bond. His trial is set for January 3rd.

Mallory Mistake and Biased Reporting

Mark Mallory made a mistake defending the "support" he got from the Black Fist. He should ignore the issue, let Pepper look like he is playing for Westside votes, and stay above the frey.

Putting yourself into the insignificant action of the Black Fist does two things that hurt Mallory and the City. First, they group is a hate group, spewing nothing but vile. They have no more value to society than the KKK. Second, any attention the Black Fist gets is more fuel to the campaign for division of the city. They seek separation. They more of a platform they get, the more fools who hear their message and buy into it. We don't give the KKK a platform for a reason. We should do the same for the Black Fist.

The bias on this issue comes from the Enquirer. This is not a real issue. This is a Pepper supporter's issue. The Editorial page, obviously biased in favor of Pepper in my opinion, asked about it during its interview for endorsements. How often do those interviews become news stories before the endorsements come out? This bias does not appear to be not the reporter’s “fault,” this lies on the Editors and the Editorial page. David Wells and crew passed this on to either Korte directly or to his editor. You get information, you print it. I would do the same

The question I ask is that did (or will) Korte get the same information from the Pepper meeting?

Hackett Set To Announce

Paul Hackett is reported to be officially announcing his candidacy for Senate today. This comes on the heels of Sherrod Brown changing his fund raising methods to a much more ambiguous means.

That change by Brown would follow suit with this Dispatch Story (Sub. Req.) which reports:

Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain, who had intended to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate this month, has delayed the official announcement until next month. Speculation is that he wants to see whether Issue 4 passes Nov. 8.

If it does, BrownÂ?s safe congressional district would be redrawn by an independent commission in time for the 2008 elections. If it fails, his seat would remain intact until 2012, all but guaranteeing that he would easily win re-election to the House rather than risk a challenging Sen. Mike DeWine next year.

On WVXU this morning it was reported that Hackett may even ask Brown to leave the race.

The pre-primary politics are in full swing. By year-end we should know if there will be a contested primary or not for the chance to face DeWine in 2006.

Coleman's Wife Arrested

Gubernatorial candidate and Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman (D) took a small hit after his wife was arrested on DUI charges in the Columbus area.

This is not going to be the issue to hurt Coleman. Ted Strickland’s appeal to the Southern Ohio Democrats, and thereby the moderate/conservative Ohio voters, will be the biggest issue facing Coleman.

Fangman Should Resign

What gives with Keith Fangman being, well, his usual prickley self? I am no Smitherman fan, and I too am baffled by Smitherman's support for Kabaka Oba, but Fangman thinks he should resign?

When the hell is Ketih Fangman going to call on Councilman Sam Malone to resign? Smitherman is not facing a criminal trial. Malone is facing a criminal trial.

It is so very hard to see a law and order Republican who represents, well, the union of law and order arm of the local government, ignoring a fellow Republican's troubles with the law.

This is Keith Fangman, so I expect this type of Cunningham charade of equity. I am disgusted still when the drivel is put forth in the local media.

Anti-Intellectual Bronson

OK, Bronson hates "intellectuals", and water is wet. I know, I know. You have heard this all before.

Just one point to either shatter or bullster Bronson's rant against the Intellectuals and the Ivy League:

She did not go to Harvard or Yale. She went to Southern Methodist University. So she's not a certifiable intellectual like, say, John Kerry, Karl Marx, Bill Moyers, Timothy Leary, Dr. Joseph Mengele, Margaret Sanger, both Clintons, 95 percent of college professors, the Unabomber, Gore "Lincoln was gay" Vidal, Osama (who would qualify on nearly any campus), Al Gore or Noam Chomsky, who has preached since 1969 about "de-Nazification" of America.

George Bush. Fucking both of the them when to Yale Peter!

And Osama? Come on Peter. You did not have courage to show up for the CinAd Debate, even when you accepted the invitation, and you make a really bile ridden joke about Osama bin Laden being welcomed as an intellectual at "nearly any campus?" I think Peter had better look up who has gone to Ivy League schools before he makes such a stupid joke.

Then he drags out Regan's corpse. I mean, if you want to drag out a dead president who hated Intellectuals, then Peter you have to dig up Dick Nixon. The guy was so anti-Ivy league he would have fire bombed them if their alumni didn't run every major business in the country.

It is funny that somehow Bronson bitches about Miers being nominated because she is not qualified, but bitches about Ivy League intellectuals. Dude, she went to SMU! How much more bible belt can you get out side of Liberty, or Bob Jones U?

Hackett, Attack-it

I have not yet picked up Mother Jones, yet but they have an article on Paul Hackett in the latest issue. Hackett is running to oust Mike DeWine. Any thoughts on the article? I have heard some grumblings on Hackett in the comments. Could that be from some primary foes?

Theater Heroes

Get out and see They Will Be Heroes, a new play that premiered at the Mockbee last night. It runs through Saturday the 22nd. I saw the production and very much enjoyed the intense dialogue and the drops of humor sprinkled heavily over this cutting edge production from Cincinnati Experimental Arts and the Blue Forms Group from Columbus.

The show is an original play, created as a collaboration of the actors, director, and production team. It focuses on life for Generation X. As a card-carrying member of that generation, I could relate intently to the play. Additionally I was able to relate well to the performance, in part because I know all of the actors and see the personal way they approached much of their performance, but more importantly because of the energy and vibrancy that was enthralling on the endangered Mockbee stage (The Mockbee is closing at the end of the month). The overall style of the play is very much a Blue Forms flavor, but the tone was very Cincinnati.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

You know.....Ah, nevermind. Rant on, brothers and sisters, make today a day of great platitudes and cliches fit for a King.

In other words... Open Thread!

More Endorsements are Out

Mallory got several more. What I have to point out is that both the Black Firefighters and the Appalachian Group lose much credibility in my mind when they endorsed Sam Malone for City Council. Malone is still awaiting trial for allegedly physically abusing his son. That is not the kind of thing you want hanging over a candidate you endorse. This is the kind of reason you drop the man as a candidate altogether, which many Republicans would have preferred. Why did these two groups do it? That is a mystery to me. I am sure someone out there has an answer.

The fact that the Cincinnati Right to Life PAC endorsed Malone is not a surprise. They fit the stereotype of caring more about children before they are born, than after.

Murder Rate Up

The murder rate is up over 2004 this year, and we have a ways to go. We are still under 2003, but it looks like we will pass that rate.

For the record, odds are very high that you are not going to be killed if you go downtown or to OTR, unless you go there to buy or sell drugs.

Denial

CYA baby! That is what I hear Tom Ullum telling Peter Bronson. The issue that bugs me about this case that is lost on Conservatives is not the legality. I don't want the guy locked up. I support the ruling of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, but I am willing to listen and respect the free-speech debate. The issue of concern to me is not Free Speech. The issue is a bar and a community that thinks this bar owner’s actions as "no big deal."

This is bigotry. This is a man publicly attaching a group of people. His intent, as I have said before, MAY have been a joke, but that is the CYA afterthought talking. Would it be a joke if I owned a bar and put a sign in the window that said "No Service for Christians?" Would anyone who wrongly attacks me whenever I comment on religion take it as a joke? Hell no, I would be attacked, protested, threatened, and likely put out of business by any community in the area (city or burbs).

Here Mr. Ullum gets a pat on the back from Mr. Sensitive, Peter Bronson, and likely is feeling good right now. He is being supported. His bigotry is being rewarded. That shows how much people like Bronson are in denial. They grasp at free speech/joke red herrings, but don't address the underlying problems facing immigrants. How can people fit in to a society if they are told, in so many words, "you are not welcome here?"

Power of POWR PAC

How powerful will the POWR PAC be in city politics? There endorsements skew right wing and white:

POWR PAC - "Partnership of West Side Residents Political Action Committee" - has endorsed David Pepper for mayor, along with a six-member council slate - Democrats John Cranley, an incumbent, and challengers Jeff Berding and Cecil Thomas; and three Republicans, incumbent Chris Monzel and challengers John Eby and Leslie Ghiz.

No Charter Candidates? That is a bit of a surprise. I would have thought Bortz, Tarbell, or maybe Spencer could have gotten a nod.

Bigotry Good For Business

Last weekend I wrote about the Mason, Ohio bar that put a sign up in its front window reading "For Service Speak English."

I made the argument that the community bore responsibility for creating an atmosphere where the bar owner felt he could put a bigoted sign like that in his window, while getting little or no negative response from the members of the community. I got plenty of flack for that argument. Well, today the Enquirer has a story which outlines two points, one of which directly shows my views on the community were actually underplaying the bigotry of the community. Instead of feeling pressure from people around town to take down the sign, the bar owner has had increased business.

Ullum said he has received no complaints about the sign. In fact, he said, the controversy has been good for business.

He said one woman called to say, "We've been in Mason 18 years. We've never been in your bar, but we're coming in to show support."

If Mason is a tolerant city, then why after this story has gotten so much attention have the locals either supported the bigotry or at "best" hid behind cul de sac apathy?

The other point this article brings up is one not limited to Mason. The Ohio Civil Rights commission received emails that show why bigotry, racism, and hate are still around:

"To attempt to deny an American citizen the right to speak their mind in regards to a request to Speak English reveals your fascist tendencies. ... You are a good example as to why this country is turning in to a cesspool of third world scum."

The final interesting element of the article is who is listed as a contributor: Peter Bronson. Why was Bronson on this story? Was he looking to write a column, but even he was disgusted by this and turned over his notes/quotes for a regular news article?

MIAMI 51, Akron 23

Love and honor to Miami,
Our college old and grand,
Proudly we shall ever hail thee,
Over all the land.

Alma mater now we praise thee,
Sing joyfully this lay,
Love and honor to Miami,
Forever and a day.

More Here and Here.

Kabaka Oba Indicted

Ok, Black activist Oba has been indicted. Why do read this?

Police arrested Oba, a bus driver for Queen City Metro, on Oct. 7 as he completed his route. Police said he didn't ask for a lawyer - but did ask for them to call Smitherman.

"That's what he said - have them call Smitherman. And he rattled off a phone number," said Lt. Jack Kraft.

Smitherman, who did not return several phone calls seeking comment, showed up last week at Oba's first court appearance - where Smitherman confronted Municipal Court Judge Kendal Coes in the hallway.

Coes said Smitherman walked up to him and said he was there to support Oba, but did not explicitly ask the judge for any favors.

Why is Councilman Chris Smitherman trying to do anything for Oba?

Cincinnati Advance Radio Is On The Air!

Joe Wessels is back on WAIF today 10AM to 11AM with the premier of Cincinnati Advance Radio. Joe is teaming up with Cincinnati Advance to give Cincinnati a great radio program with local, state and national guests discussing the headlines and local happenings effecting you.

This weeks lineup:

This week we welcome former Cincinnati mayors Roxanne Qualls and David Mann. They will be on to discuss what they think it takes to be Cincinnati's Mayor.

We'll also welcome Leslie Isaiah Gaines. The defense attorney and former judge has released an updated version of his 1994 hit "Shake 'n Blake" about the Cincinnati Bengals with the newer "Shake 'n Quake." Gaines says the Bengals are going all the way. With Sunday's loss, we'll see if he's singing a different tune.

To listen live online check out WAIF's website. Archives of Joe's shows will be online in the future.

Speaking of Endorsements

The following column by Peter Bronson is brought to you by the Committee to Elect Ken Blackwell. It is a badly veiled campaign commercial. Bronson is in Blackwell's corner. He wants a "a real conservative." That sounds like people who say they are a "real Bengals fan," not a bandwagon fan. It reminds me more of a person who says they are a "real Christian," not like the Catholics and Mormons.

(Let the “Brian is an anti-Christian” posts begin. They are wrong, but they will begin none-the-less)

More Endorsements Are Out

Does anyone care who the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors endorses? This is a matter of momentum and perception. The more people willing to go on the record, the better. There are a few organizations that hold more weight than others, but still, few change their minds about who they are going to vote for. Instead I think endorsements provide vindication of one's viewpoint and increases the likelihood of a person actually voting.

Cincinnati Advance Debate

Greg Korte has the review of the details. I, as a member of the main sponsor, will focus instead on praising everyone who helped put on a great debate. I will single out Barry Gee for his great work, along with Joe Wessels for the radio broadcast, Nick Spenser and everyone at alchemize for their help with the venue, Regina Russo for moderating, and Tiana Rollinson & Michael Altman for being panelists.

From CinAd I wish to single out and thank Sandy for organizing the reception, Steve for being the timekeeper during the debate, and Christa and Bridget for helping out behind the scenes. I may have missed someone, if I did, thanks to you too!!!

On the lighter political side, I introduced myself to Nate Livingston, who was out front passing out Anti-Pepper handouts, interesting. I was very disappointed though in Peter Bronson. We sent him a specific invite, and he RSVP’d that he would attend, but he did not show up. I have never met Peter, and actually was looking forward to meeting him. Maybe next time.

Well, if you were at the debate, sound off on whom you think won. I was not able to see all of it, I was doing a few things behind the scenes, and as I said before I want to say out of talking about my views on this particular debate, so don’t look for my analysis.

I was so very pleased to have both candidates at an event CinAd sponsored. I hope everyone who attended had a great time and I hope they learned something about both candidates.

UPDATE: More from Korte's Blog.

Question the Mayoral Candidates

What questions do you have for Mallory and Pepper? Cincinnati Advance is accepting questions for the Candidates at tonight's debate. If you post your name, neighborhood and your question here or on the CinAd website, I will include it with our list of questions. That does not mean it will be asked, but we will get as many fair questions asked as possible. We are not going to let things get out of control, so save the scandals for the blogs.

You can also email them to me, if you don't want it listed for all to see.

Mallory Gets Old School Republicans

Going against type Stanley J. Aronoff and Richard Finan endorsed Mallory for Mayor yesterday. Is this a crack in Pepper's GOP Armor or just old friendships cashing in?

Who Will Run Against Schmidt in the 2nd?

I doubt Brinkman will challenge her, but the real question is that since Hackett is running for Senate, who will challenge Schmidt in the 2nd congressional district? Hackett had challengers in the Dem primary, will they all be back? Do any have a chance? He had a good chance to beat Schmidt, could anyone else?

Blackwell, Strickland Lead Polls

Buried in this local news briefs page, the Enquirer reports on the Dispatch poll listing Blackwell ahead in the GOP nomination with 32%. Petro had 18% and Montgomery had 16%. That is a big lead for Blackwell. That is bad news for the GOP and for the state. The last two GOP governors to win were not right wingers. Ohio is not a right wing state. The fire breathing will not win.

For the Dems Strickland leads Coleman 22% to 19%, with Flannery at only 4%. This race is going to be a tight one. I don't know who I like better. I have not had a chance to hear both of the leading two speak. I guess I would prefer both running for statewide offices, instead of against each other.

Kabaka Oba Jailed On Intimidation Charges

Michael Bailey, better known as Kabaka Oba of the Black Fist is behind bars having been charged with intimidation of a victim in a criminal case.

The case in question is one where Oba (Bailey) was charged with aggravated menacing. In the latest charge, Oba is alleged to have intimidated the same person he is alleged to have been menacing. The original case has a compliant filed which states that Oba threatened to Kill the victim and showed the victim a handgun.

Oba was previously acquitted on an aggravated menacing charge in 2003.

Sidenote: Oba first name "Kabaka" is inconsistently spelled. Sometimes it is spelled differently in the same court document where it is listed as "Kabaca." Based on Nate's Blog I am going with the "K".

The "Welcoming" City of Mason

There are many things that came to mind when I read of the story of the bar with the "For Service Speak English" sign in the window. This is bigotry. I am sure people will bemoan me for harping on the suburbs yet again, but come on, this is just pathetic.

This is hate. No matter how much back peddling the owner is doing now, his intention was to keep his bar void of Latinos. That is illegal. Now, there could be a fine line where he will tolerate those Latinos who speak English, which I think is how he is trying to play this, and that may be where he can skirt the law. It is wrong, but the legal status is different.

I can just picture the temperament of the bar's regular customers from this:

Jim Freeze, a regular patron, said "it's the damn liberals" that are trying to infringe on Ullum's free speech.

The only thing eluding me is the verbal inflection used by Mr. Freeze. Was it uttered in a grumble or in more of a northern country twang? Or by chance was it just an Austrian accent?

When I am attacked for this post, which I will be, I have to ask people an honest question. Are the Mr. Ullum’s and Mr. Freeze the exception or the norm for the people of Mason and Warren County? I hope they are not a majority, but I think any honest answer of those living in Mason or anywhere else is that these men are not just apparitions. They are at a minimum a representation of the views of a very significant portion of the people living in Mason and Warren County. Call it veiled hate or tempered bigotry, but just call it wrong. They don’t see what they do as being wrong, but it is wrong, and the manner in which places like Mason are becoming locations were conformity and uniformity are not just desired but required, it foretells of troubled times.

UPDATE: More on this from the Enquirer's Editorial Page. What they have that is most interesting is that the complaint on the sign came offically from a Mt. Auburn group. Mt. Aburn in in the city.

And He's Off!

Charlie will not be coming down the home stretch until 2009 when his term expires as a member of the Ohio State Racing Commission.

This commission oversees wagering. Will Charlie help get casino gambling in Ohio and even in Cincinnati?

McCain Out on a Limb?

Chris Geidner links up news that Sen. John McCain, what I would call a sane Republican, has endorsed Ken Blackwell in the Primary for Ohio Governor. This makes no sense. Petro and Monty are clearly McCain type picks, not Blackwell or at least the Conservative Christian's new darling Ken Blackwell.

I respect John McCain a great deal. I would find it very difficult to ever vote for him, but I respect the man for what I think are sensible views on many issues. This endorsement is not sensible.

The Debates Rage On

We have a report from Greg Korte on this morning's debate at Seven Hills Upper School. It is great for the candidate's to be going to schools for a debate. Could they have picked a bigger school maybe with more students? It may not have been a manageable event in that case, but the more students that are exposed to real life civics the more students that will hopefully take part in real life civics.

Blah!

What are the top excuses I should have used for being late to work?

Beechmont Levee was Closed and I had to drive all over the East side was the real reason, but I could use others just in case.

I for one am in favor of doing something about the lack of a transportation corridor for the East Side. We have few ways to cross the Little Miami River and if one is blocked, like today, the rest overflow with traffic. The sooner a Red Bank/50 to Route 32 connection is made, the better.

Them

It appears that many people in Mason don't want "them" walking around their neighborhoods. The "Them" is anyone who does not belong. That means, well, anyone who is not like everyone else who live in Mason. That is, well, bigotry. That is the suburbs.

Wilkinson Joins Korte

It is good to see that Howard Wilkinson has joined Greg Korte on the Enquirer's Cincinnati Political Blog. When I worked downtown I would see him eating lunch in Skyline all the time. It is good to see him in the blog world.

Bronson Takes Sides

I don't think Bronson cares who wins the Mayor Race. His man, Nutty Charlie Winburn, lost big. This column suggests that Bronson is leaning towards Pepper. The column for some reason brings another TV show into a political column. I really must suggest to Peter, who I may meet at next Week's CinAd Debate, that he needs to start getting out a little more. He is watching way too much TV. It seems he attacks a TV show every week because they don't portray something, twice recently women, that don't act they way he wants or think they should act. Leave television shows out of it.

Pepper vs. Mallory

Things got a little bit testy last night. Pepper did at least two things wrong. First, he boosted the importance of the "Black Fist" by saying their opinion matters too anyone outside of the three members of the group. Second, he got petty and got negative. Endorsements are not substantial political issues. Actions matter, who is listed on your website is not.

I can feel Pepper's desperation like a fog in a river valley. It is as if he is reaching for anything to hit Mallory with: a stuffed animal, a feather, anything. He is starting to signal a massive move to the right. I would guess he would ride the crime issue all the way into November, but say little about how he would change what exists. What exists is his membership on the governing body of the City that has the perceived extreme problems on crime.

I don't know how much these debates change anyone's opinions. Those attending may form an opinion, so I guess more people need to attend or listen to the debates. Stay tuned to WAIF-FM 88.3. Cincinnati Advance will have their debate covered and covered in a big way.

UPDATE: Well, I was extra rushed today and bit out of it, so my bad typing and lack of proof reading was bad.

Miers for SCOTUS

In what so far seems like a pick few are happy with, I myself don't know what to make of this nominee. She appears short on experience and big on being a Bush Crony. She has no record on much of anything to suggest that she has much of a judicial philosophy formed. She seems like too much of a politico, one of Bush's people who is there because Bush wants her there, not because she is the right person for the job.

She may turn out to be a Souter or a Scalia. I think she is heading for tough questions from both sides of the aisle, which gives the Dems more room to hit her on any soft spots.

It is not unthinkable that she would not make it out of committee. That would take the right wing to do that, but that could happen. I can't imagine the Dems would want to join forces with the right wing on this, but who knows what will happen. It all depends on how much she states her views. If she doesn't, then I expect she could lose a vote on the floor and lose fairly largely. Keep in mind we are talking about the Republicans here, and if they are nothing else, they are good little soldiers.

The NYTimes has a story that does make me sick. It is amazing how BushCo has to reach out to extremists, dare I say theocratic fascists, like James C. Dobson. When Bushco has to spin like this, you know they are dealing with a group of people who are extremists:

Beginning at 9 a.m., the White House and the Republican Party began organizing a series of nearly a half-dozen conference calls with conservative organizers to relieve anxieties about Ms. Miers's views. In one call, friends of Ms. Miers, including Justice Nathan Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court, testified to her evangelical Christian faith and devoted participation in the theologically conservative Valley View Christian Church in Dallas.

Mr. Hecht, in particular, assured them that she personally opposed abortion and had once attended "pro-life" events with him, said participants in the call. (He made similar statements in an interview with Marvin Olasky, editor of the Christian conservative World magazine, published on its Web site.)

When it matters that she is a "evangelical Christian," then you know there is a problem. If there are those on the right, and I think there are MANY like this but more than will admit it, who honestly want or need her to be a particular religion, than how long will it be before our political battles become something closer to the Sunni-Shiite battles in Iraq. When I say battles, I don't mean a war of words. I sound like Chicken Little here, but the divide in this country on religion is growing. This pick may try and soothe that divide, but in the end she may just do what the extreme right wing wants out of political fear.

Hackett to Challenge DeWine for Senate

Here is your answer. This is interesting. Hackett could tap into the Southwest Ohio GOP strong hold. If He does that and carries the middle, he can win this. Poll numbers are not proof of anything but possibility at this stage of the game. DeWine is not the worst Republican in the world, but the far reaching extremism of much of the GOP in this state, may be the ruin of him and their chances. The bloody GOP governors primary will be an illustration of that. The race is on and Hackett is out with a good start, but there is a long way to go.

Hackett Over DeWine in WSJ Poll

Daily Kos reports what I frankly find surprising. Paul Hackett leads Mike DeWine 44 to 36 percent in a WSJ Poll. This is huge news for Paul Hackett and will put wind under his sails. I don't know how it plays for other Democrats looking to get in the Race. The GOP is behind mike, but with a big statewide push for Governor and Senate, the Dems have a chance to take both.

I am surprised DeWine is that far behind. Hackett's name really carried over from his strong showing down here back in August. Will he run for Senate?

Cincy Blogging & Politics

The local mainstream press is giving blogs a little attention today, but instead of discussion more about what we post on, this is more about the efforts of the Bush Administration to limit Free Speech. So this is an article about political blogging. Talk Radio is allowed to attack every Democrat out there, yet no one in the Bush administration lifts a finger. A few Dem bloggers raised a little bit of money for candidates by having a few links on their site, and WOW we have a federal case.

Leave blogs alone. We are the embodiment of Freedom of the Press for the 21st Century. You don't need a corporation or a license to be protected both under Freedom of the Press and Speech clauses of the 1st Amendment. I for one will not be changing anything that I do. I can saw that because on a local level I generally try to cover everyone. I don't do it fairly. I am a liberal and I favor liberals. I can be fair. I am far more fair to local Republicans than WLW is to Democrats. That may have to do with their willingness to bash or just ignore the City of Cincinnati. I respect most Republicans running for City Council in at least as much as I am convinced they support and like the city. They want to succeed. I think many or even most Republicans outside the City would rather see it fail, and come in and scoop up the power for themselves 10 years from now. This is why I believe Metro Government is making a push in Republican circles around here, not Democratic circles.

Council Race

Hey, does everyone remember Cincinnati City Council has an election this year? The mayor's race has been getting the ink lately, so lets at least recap who is on the ballot:

Charter:
Chris Bortz
Chris Smitherman
Nick Spencer
Jim Tarbell

Democrats
Jeff Berding
Eve Bolton
Laketa Cole
John Cranley
David C. Crowley
Samantha Herd
Damon Lynch, III
Cecil Thomas
Wendell Young

Republicans
John Eby
Leslie Ghiz
Sam Malone
Chris Monzel

And the Rest
Bill Barron
Bennie Green
Antonio Hodge
Gerry Kraus
William S. Mathews, II
Paul McGhee
Ishaq Nadir
Michael Earl Patton
Victor Phillips
Ronnie Stallworth
Curtis Wells
Robert J. Wilking
Eric Wilson
Robert Wilson

Tour of Downtown Living

Those living downtown may have had a few vistors today: The Tour of Downtown Living started this morning. Anyone go? Any views on the types of places available?

Midpoint Concert Photos by Scott Preston

Check out a wide variety of Midpoint Photos from Caribou Studios.

Things You Don't Know

A very interesting interview with Norma Rashid. I never knew why she left television, but viral cardiomyopathy does explain why.

Smoked Filled Room

The Ohio Republican party wasted no time endorsing Mike DeWine's re-election bid. You don't suppose Mike's involvement with the Gang of 14 worried GOP leaders that he might face a bloody primary challenge next year from the right wing of the party?

20 Days and 20 Nights: Photo Contest

Send a Blog Entry and Photo to the folks at ETA and you could win a membership. Details are here.

He Just Hates Gays

I will never understand the Log Cabin Republicans. In today’s political climate they are roundly hated by the power structure of the GOP. When I say hate I use it in the context that the GOP Power Structures uses the hate and fear of gays as one of the main issues they use to rally the voters.

None-the-less, the local Log Cabin Republicans have issued their endorsements for council and pick Leslie Ghiz, and to a lesser degree John Eby and Paul McGee.

What caught my eye from Korte's blog post was ending which included a quote from local Log Cabin Republican President Ted Jackson:

Not endorsed were incumbent Republican Councilmen Sam Malone and Chris Monzel. Malone, who ran the campaign last year opposing the repeal of Article XII, wouldn't even talk to the group, Jackson said. Monzel was more receptive, but stuck to his opposition to gay rights.

"That was one, for me personally, that kind of tore me up," Jackson said. "Chris is a great Republican and a good guy."

While I have never met Chris Monzel, I have heard from everyone that is a very good guy. That said, how can you really be so great if you oppose Gay Rights? Or more to the point, how can people be called a good guy by a group who Monzel believes do not deserve equal rights? He is a great guy, I guess, he just hates gays.

I guess this is crutch of many people who are not on board with support for Gay rights. This also applies to some Democrats out there, but not on the scale that it hits the GOP. People can go on about how they are good people and don't discriminate based on race or religion or gender or nationality or even to a degree on sexual orientation. When it comes to granting Gays equal rights under the law, many otherwise good people just say no.

Malone Trial Put Off

Councilman and accused child abuser Sam Malone, had his trail postponed until after the election. I don't know if this will help his election chances or not. If he is "innocent," which I personally doubt, he would gain vindication of sorts with an acquittal before the election. He would get doubly screwed if he was convicted. So, he is likely helped, as much as it can help with his horrible reputation. I seriously doubt he can be elected, even with the GOP endorsement. The GOP I think put all of their chances with getting Winburn in the top two for the Mayor’s race. Once he was crushed, so was the GOP’s chances to gain anything on council.

City Council Candidates Speak

City Council candidates answer your questions

Follow the Money

The battle for the buck

In case you missed it: David Pepper is not Adolph Hitler

Greg Korte has the full background, but evidently David Pepper is not Adolph Hitler. Mark Mallory was happy to point this out and showed humor and a bit of class in how he responded to David Pepper's overzealous campaign staff out to try and blame Mark Mallory for every bad thing said about David Pepper.

The Classy move for Mallory should go down as a classic political move:

Concerned that denouncing mean statements against David Pepper could be an on-going problem, the Mallory campaign has taken the proactive step of requesting that the Pepper Campaign send daily e-mail updates about any new mean statements made by anyone that need to be denounced. The Mallory Campaign is hopeful that all denouncements can be completed by 10:00 am daily, so that the campaign can return to the normal business of discussing real issues.

In one press release, Mallory is able to make Pepper's campaign look childish, make people paying attention like my laugh my ass off, and distance himself from Nate Livingston. Brilliant!