Laughing

Hitting close to home? I figure this Cincy Harold article pissed off the GOP a bit, but I believe Leslie laughed over it.

Praise JEEEEBUS!!!

It was an act of "God" that made this propaganda happen, not political campaigners who exploited a 9/11 victim’s kid. That's not what happened here now, is it? (Yes, the last sentence should be heard in an overly sarcastic way, complete with vocal intonations).

Typical Bronson, on the day his boy ushers us into four more years of the American Dark Age, he choose to invoke his religion as the reason for Bush winning. Yes, Peter Bronson is doing nothing but carrying the Ark of the Covenant in front of his cultural war army. Fighting us pinko commie heathens with every knock he can. I mean, looking forward on how Bush could possibly unite the country in an honest manner, not in a love it or leave it cowboy tone, might be a way to further the debate, or even depolarize the county. Instead, Peter uses a puppy to gain the prayers of the suckers to heap more praise on his new Lord and Savior.

Socializing in a Balkanized City

Ok, we've had a little 'fun' here lately with Dating discussions on a tangent level. Cincinnati has been ranked as the second worst place for singles. As a romantically-challenged stout man, quickly passing my prime, I take clear notice of such rankings. (Please spare me the personal jokes, comments, put downs, or other mocking statements that people will make even though I ask them not to.)

Now, the first point to mention is that the poll is way way off in some of the ways it ranks Cincinnati, which stems mainly from unfair comparisons to NY, LA, and Chicago. This has been hashed over in the past, so I will not dive into it.

My question: Is there a special secret to the people in Cincinnati? The elements of the ranking are moot when it comes to dating. The issue is not do singles have things to do here, we do. The issue is: what makes people here so cliquish? Am I getting back into the native v. transplant debate? Yes, I think that is part of it. The other part that plays into it is the urban v. suburban divide.

I don't 'like' the suburbs. I never want to live in a cul-de-sac. I don't like spending time there. I have no reason to spend time there, outside of my job requirements. Many or most of my counterparts living out in the burbs I believe have a similar view to the city. Why this is I will not go into, but it exists and is not changing.

How does this hurt singles in our quest to find the perfect mate (or mates)? Is there a cultural or regional divide in the area that blocks off social interaction? I could throw in the West Side - East Side rivalry inside the city that could be just as divisive. Are we regressing back to the right-side - wrong-side of the tracks type of prejudice? It is not based so much on class, but on culture. If taken to an extreme and coupled with the growing political polarization, religious division, and socio-economic differences, this type of cultural divide could build up into something more strict or costly to the society, resulting in a Balkanized metro area with a caste system or social order with signs of the olden days, but with modern twists.

We now live in a city with localized fiefdomsgovernments, how much longer before those tribal like structures take hold in social relations, not just political relations?

Also, is this something unique to Cincinnati or significantly different here than other cities?

Fact Cat or Local Pol?

New blogger Publius atSave Our City revels a little about himself in a post today. He is headed to DC for the Inauguration. Now, my guess would be that Publius is either a local fat cat Republican who is going to cash in on his campaign contributions or is a connected politico who was able to score a hotel room and tickets to something related to the Inaugural.

He could just be a guy who can afford to go the event, but that is not as interesting or entertaining.

Strickland Out of Governor's Race

U.S. Congressman Ted Strickland is not running for Governor of Ohio. Those left in contention are Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic, U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown, State Senator Eric Fingerhut, former Attorney General Lee Fisher, and Jerry Springer.

Coleman takes the lead in electability. Fingerhut has some name ID and organization, but lost big against Voinovich.

Stand Up to the FOP

Where are the union busting Republicans when you need them? The Police Union is once again trying to remove all power and control over the police from the City and keep if for themselves and their odd counterparts in crime, CPD management. I don't understand a union where your bosses get more attention and are protected more than the rank in file member. The FOP will put into jeopardy the contract negotiations for a 1,000 members because they wish to choose who becomes an assistant chief and other senior CPD managers, thus protected the jobs of a handful of people. The views of the City residents are just ignored.

This is representative of the biggest problem of the CPD, its 'us and them' mentality. A large portion of the CPD, and many many of the senior officers do not live in the city, and resent or even hate the people who live in the city. This I believe is a core reason for the bad community police relationship. Race is a factor in that. Culture and class are as well. It is a parallel to the city-burbs rivalry (feud) that exists in the county and metro area that is taking shape in the form of the new GOP cabal in county government.

A battle for county wide government is in the works and part of that is the goal of the GOP to take control and subdue the city, riding on its back on the way down into destruction.

Tsunami Relief, Inauguration Balls, & Paint the Town Blue

Queen City Forum has the lowdown on "Paint the Town Blue" an event at Alchemize sponsored by the Progressive Alliance. A night to help out people and a call to action for progressive/liberal minded people.

UPDATE: Link fixed.