Freedom?

I find it odd that people would go to a public courthouse to celebrate freedom of religion. Why not go to your church or private place and celebrate the fact that the government does not interfere with your religion. Instead they seek to use the government or its facilities to push their religion. Dare I say the "T" word? Dare I?

I was there for you

I remember seeing a photographer at the Enjoy the Arts/START program, but I did not expect the story to be about 'Friends.'

Follow-Up BushCo Puff Piece

Did not think Bush got enough positive coverage yesterday in the Enquirer? Well, your wish for propaganda is granted including a totally bullshit PR photo of Bush hugging a teenager. The name of the picture is even just called "hug."

"Liberal Media My Ass" is something the Enquirer should just put on its masthead. Come on! What are the editors thinking? Oh, right, I forgot, they are writing for West Chester. The rest of us just don't matter.

The New WOXY

Matt Sledge will be the new Program Director for X97.7, "New Music First." That station will have a alternative/modern rock format. I also believe the station's studios are leaving Oxford, but that tidbit I am speculating on based on some background info, that I could have totally misconstrued. Don't blame me if I am wrong on that. Well, blame me, but don't tear me a new one.

Day After Coverage

As a point of reference, I pulled out the links to compare the Enquirer's coverage of the Bush visit yesterday and Kerry's visit back on April 6th.

Here are the stories on Bush:
Bush shores up SW Ohio support
Bush says Maupin is in his prayers
What's in bus tour name? Apparently a lot
Photos of Bush Rallies
Transcript of 'Ask President Bush' event in Dayton
Transcript of 'Ask President Bush' event in Dayton

Here are stories on Kerry's Visit:
Democrat enters GOP den
Sandal whappers serenade Kerry

Do we get fair and balanced coverage here in Cincinnati? I have reported on one media outlet, you decide.

Remarks by Bush at Cincy Gardens

Here is lesson one in how bankrupt this president is, from his speech:

"We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. The culture of this country is changing from one that has said, if it feels good, do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else, to a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible for the decisions we make in life. (Applause.) If you're fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, you are responsible for loving your child with all your heart. (Applause.) If you're worried about the quality of the education in the community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about it. (Applause.) If you're a CEO in corporate America, you are responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees. (Applause.) And in the new responsibility society, each of us is responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be loved ourselves. (Applause.) "

Why hasn't Bush taken responsibility for the following:

1. Not finding WMD in Iraq.


2. Having No Plan for post war Iraq.


3. Having no clue who is going to run Iraq come July 1st.


4. Intelligence failures before 9/11 and taking terrorism seriously.


5. Identifying a CIA agent.


6. Claiming Iraq was linked to Al Qaeda.


7. Using 9/11 anger as the catalyst for a pre-emptive war.

Gay Marriage is the problem with Heterosexual Marriage after all. The culture makes you lie, cheat, steal, do anything to make a profit, even tax the middle class into the poor house.

My commute home rose from 25 minutes to 55 minutes thanks to Bush's campaign stop. Mind you it was a campaign stop, not an official Presidential visit, if there is a difference anymore.

I was surprised to hear 550 WKRC carrying the Bush Speech live from the Gardens. I am sure we will get Kerry's next campaign stop carried live on local Clear Channel Radio. (No, I will not be holding my breath on that.) I was also hope to hear from any Democrats who tried to enter but were denied entrance to the event. At one a day or so ago an old man was kept out of an event because when asked he said he was not a Bush Supporter. Best picture of Bush's trip was this one, Via Atrios, showing Bush riding in his French made bus, complete with French Flag.

I was disappointed that the anti-Kerry protestors last month got big coverage, but barely a word was said about those protesting Bush. I hope locals look and see how the media gushed over Bush here. There was not a critical word printed or said on local media (outside of the Buzz and CityBeat), any journalist.

I hope Stephanie Dunlap was let into the Bush rally, or someone from CityBeat. It would be nice to get someone point out that Bush has no plan for the next four years except "stay the course," the most clich? political image known to man, even more than kissing babies. It was funny that only really cheerful people where interviewed on WLWT on their way to the rally. I wonder if they work for the Ohio or National Republican Party.

Ohio in Play

The Post's Editorial Board leans toward putting Ohio in Play. This is from a newspaper that endorsed Bush in 2000. Yes, for the conservatives out there, your "liberal" local press were Bush supporters.

Bush's standing in Ohio depends most on how he does in Cincinnati and Columbus. He will win the rural areas, but loose the rest of the big cities. Bush must win Columbus and must clean up in the Cincinnati metro area. Bush will win our area, but if he does not get great voter turnout around here, he will find it hard to win the state.

His tour through the area will not really do much at this point. If Bush has to come to Cincinnati in late October or even early November, then he can write of Ohio and likely the election. I would guess Bush will need to be in Ohio heavily in October. Kerry better start living here in Ohio come Labor day. Kerry gets the Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown and Dayton areas, and gets them at 60% plus, he should win the state.

I see June as the defining period in politics. Most uninformed people get an image of the candidates at that point that will stick. That first image or first impression sticks, and influences perceptions, which are then attacked by the media and advertising all Fall.