McEwen Running

In news to few, Bob McEwen officially announced he will run against Jean Schmidt for the GOP nomination in the 2nd Congressional District Race.

Mean Jean is ripe for attack and if he handles it correctly, she can be taken out easily. If he pours on the attacks, he may face a backlash. Right Wing women are Bob's primary swing votes. Are they still fearful of an aggressive woman in office, or are they finally breaking free from the paternalistic upbringing that governs their life. I don't see much freedom in the GOP in the 2nd District for woman. Jean is an aberration.

Hackett 'Preaches' the Truth

Paul Hackett speaks the truth about religious nuts 'controlling' the GOP. That sounds like rhetoric I would use, and I use it with a slight (very slight) sense of hyperbole, but that makes it no less true. Extreme religious movements have an unprecedented influence on the GOP here in Ohio. Groups like the Ohio Restoration Movement and the CCV have begun a push towards theocracy. They are using the GOP to do it, and the GOP is partnering up with them without much or any reservation. Ken Blackwell and George Bush get intense and allegedly illegal support from fundamentalist churches in Columbus, Fairfield Christian Church and the World Harvest Church, just to name a couple of churches who many want investigated by the IRS. These are merely the tip of the ice berg. The political actions of the extreme right is moving quickly inside extreme churches and the GOP is letting itself be caught up in their frenzy and mouth foaming of righteous indignation.

Hackett could have been far more critical. The GOP deserves no apology, but instead for the bigotry carried out against gays by their elected officials they should offer one up, and change their ways.

More Domestic Terrorism?

Who's phone is being tapped over this act of domestic terrorism? If I call the West Side on a regular basis, am I open to have my phones tapped? The West Side is a foreign country after all.

The AP report indicates that investigators are not making a connection to the December mosque bombing.

More from the Enquirer.

Don't Call Us....

So, who is the next guy not to get his calls returned by Mayor Mallory's Communication Director? If you guessed Enquirer reporter Dan Klepal, then you win a free subscription to the Cincinnati Blog!

New Dem to Challenge for Schmidt's Seat?

A rumor is flying, well, not flying, but I got a tip that a Milford teacher, one Gabby Downey, is planning on announcing soon her candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat.

I know next to nothing about her, and I only post this as means to stir up controversy. Hell, if this generates a little buzz for her to have the courage to run, then GREAT! We need more Dems seeking office locally, especial in places like Milford. I can't find anything about her on the web, so if there is more out there, chime in.

More Hyde Park Murder Details

There is not much additional information, but it would appear that investigators have an idea who they are after. This clears up nothing about motive, and does not rule out any theory as to what was going on in the parking lot.

Post-Riot Loans

Tough choices for City Council. Do they forgive the loans or be strict? Is it fair to business who are making payments? I recognize several on this list of defaulted loans represent businesses that are no longer in business, which makes sense why the loans are defaulted.

I work with the businesses still in operation, but go after those out of business to make sure they did not just walk away with the loan money in their pocket. Bottom line I would write off most of the defaults. I don’t know how you encourage development with people if you punish them after they stayed downtown after a riot.