Controversy won't deter cast of 'Corpus Christi'
The most perplexing element of this situation is that the play is being performed at a church. A religious group is protesting the play. A Church group is protesting another church. Has that happened before? I am sure it has happened at some point in the past, but a picket line outside another place of worship protesting their rights to use their church as they see fit. This would make a great SNL skit.

City art gallery cited for alcohol violations
Was the Enquirer scooped by City Beat? Read Greg Flannery's latest Porkopolis column and decide for yourself.

Possible Monkeypox Found In Greater Cincinnati
Please do not jump to conclusions. The odds that these are really cases of Monkeypox are on the surface very unlikely. I hope tonight's local news doesn't make this into a panic inducing ratings bonanza. I know, I know, they will. There is not a local TV news produces who would not give their firstborn in exchange for the number one rated news team. I can just picture the teaser...."Monkeypox in Cincinnati? Are You Going to Die? Find out tonight at 11."

President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat
Above is a link to President Bush's speech from right here in Cincinnati. The link is from the White House, so I doubt anyone will doubt the source. This quote is one that gets my goat:

Some ask how urgent this danger is to America and the world. The danger is already significant, and it only grows worse with time. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons today -- and we do -- does it make any sense for the world to wait to confront him as he grows even stronger and develops even more dangerous weapons?

The bold emphasis was added. First, I will not play semantics and say "dangerous weapons" does not necessarily mean WMD. The paragraph in the speech directly before this ends on a quote with the words "weapons of mass destruction." To me, that is what he meant. In the speech over all it is clear he was trying to communicate that Iraq possessed WMD, not that they just had a WMD program. If that is the case, then the questions are rather obvious:

1. If the Bush Administration knew Saddam Hussein had WMD, then how did they know it, yet not know where to find them after the war?


2. If the reader has answered #1 above with something to the effect of "they were destroyed by Saddam" or "they are still hidden" or "they were moved to Syria," then I agree those are possible, but so is the fact that they could had been destroyed before the war.


3. If Bush knew these weapons existed, ready to be used, then why is that not a bigger priority for the administration?


4. If those weapons existed then they could be in the hands of people trying to sell them. Was that not something the war was trying to prevent?


5. If you assume the intelligence on WMD was either weak or faulty or selectively filtered, then why would Bush make such a speech? My answer here is where the lie/exaggeration comes into to play as a means to manipulate public and even Congressional opinion.

The jury is still out on the WMD issue, but my concern is that people are being led into believing that the ends justify the means. Winning without honor is just losing by another name. If anyone can read the whole speech and not believe Bush did not state Iraq possessed WMD, then I will eat my hat. In lieu of not wearing a hat, I will eat my least favorite dinner for a week. Will this issue continue to gain attention? I shall continue to watch, but I do not expect truth to see much light in Bush's America.

The strategically ambiguous George W. Bush
It depends on what the meaning of "is" is, or rather in this case on the meaning of "weapons" of mass destructions vs. "weapons programs." This clear distinction is the basis of Bush's exaggeration/lie about evidence of WMD in Iraq. I hate to once again bring out a cliché, but if Bill Clinton had done this, the right-wingers would be calling him a murder of around 200 US military service members. Bush gets a pass from his flock. The media is starting to come around on this point, but will they keep up the pressure? This is more than enough for any President to be pushed out of office, but that is in terms of a non-media saturated culture. This is enough for him to lose next year. Will the media allow it to be used by the Democrats? I wonder how the beast will handle it. I have hope, but having been a sap on WMD before makes me übercynical on the media having balls.

Chris Anderson comments on Light Rail in Cincinnati. Well, it is really commuter rail using existing track. The idea is interesting, but Chris raises one big issue: the location of the track lacks population within ½ mile. Chris states that this is an important factor in establishing ridership. If people can't walk to the train stops, they are less likely to use it, and ½ mile is the conventional wisdom limit.

Run Jerry Run!
This is just sad. I wonder if the people behind Forest Gump know they have stolen a line from the movie? Quit Jerry Quit? Is that better?