Monday, February 16, 2004

Much Ado About Nothing

Well, I was surprised to read that basically the Kerry 'intern' scandal was not much of a scandal. The woman in question is denying it. It appears this ends it. This does not mean that something did not go on, but that no laws were broken and unlike Clinton there was nothing to trap him with on an insignificant tangent in a lawsuit.

Cincinnati Post DOA After JOA Dies in 2007?

The Cincinnati Business Courier reports that most analysts think Scripps will likely close down the paper after the 2007 JOA with Gannett ends in 2007. Cox Newspapers, which owns the Dayton Daily News, was considered a possible suitor, but the article reports Cox in not interested.

I think that is mistake for Cox. They could kick the Enquirer's ass if they wanted to. With their small papers in Hamilton, Middletown, and really small Oxford, as well as other local weeklies, they could mount a strong hit on the Northern Enquirer Market if they keep the Post around and push its Northern Kentucky edition. The Enquirer is trying to muscle in on West Chester. The DDN should own that with help from the Journal-News. Cox should consider mounting competition online against the Enquirer as well as teaming up with Cincinnati based broadcast outlets. I would bet WLW would team up with the DDN the way the Enquirer does with WCPO.

Silly French Canandains Part Deux

First a boob gets American politicians in a hissy, now Conan O'Brien's is still pissing off Canadian politicians, who can go toe to toe with us Americans in the art of grandstanding.

Toronto Businessman Peter Soumalias summed up the issue with what I think to most people states the obivious:
'It's a silly puppet that tells silly jokes,' Soumalias said. 'Most people find it funny.'"
Was Triumph an agent provocateur? I guess Conan will not get carte blanche on his next trip to Quebec. I thought Conan was fairly chic for a late night show, but will this be a coup de grâce to his career? Conan pulled a great coup d'état when he took over after Letterman left NBC. I thought he was the crème de la crème, but only time will tell.

Portman for Higher Office?

Carl Weiser of the Enquirer insinuates that Congressman Rob Portman's fundraiser with George Bush the Elder this week could be a foundation builder for a run at higher office. Senator, Governor, President????? Portman is a good politician, who fits into the mainstream GOP well, but does not goose-step like Steve Chabot. That makes him more marketable in the State and the Country. He can do this, unlike Chabot, because his district is as safe as anyone's, freeing him up to work on Pension reform, a more innocuous issue that does not push many partisan buttons.

Portman is one who could be Ohio Senator if DeWine steps down. I would not be surprised to seem him run for that seat in the future, but I think Portman has the Presidential bug.

Bush National Guard Story

Kevin Drum looks at the story and specifically at allegations that former Lt. Colonel Bill Burkett made regarding Bush's campaign staff back in 1999.

Will the press let this story die an early death or find out that Bush or his backers fudged things a bit? If Burkett's allegations are true, still an if, then that is something far beyond what may have happened over 30 years ago.

Buress is Infecting Louisville

CCV President and local theocratic fascist, Phil Burress, traveled recently to the Louisville area to try and spread a little censorship. If we offer to give Louisville Simon Leis, do you think they would take the trade? I think we can add some cash to boost the deal.

Saturday, February 14, 2004

Am I a Threat?

Via Sadgirlseven I found an Enquirer article about "blogging."

Now, I understand that this was a Tempo section story, which is meant to be fluff. I understand that there are many teens with online journals. That is fine. Why would the Enquirer write about the teenagers and not the blogs with something that is more than who passed a note to whom or the boy from study hall who keeps staring?

I have no problem with a story about teens writing. I just wish this story did not come off as "blogging is for kids."