Strange Local Crime

What makes people stupid enough to kidnap someone for ransom. Real life isn't the movies, so 7 people are likely going to learn the hardway. Interesting tidbit from the article:

"This is the first kidnapping for ransom that Hamilton County has seen in more than 30 years."

In a city this size, I would have thought that there would have been more than 1 kidnap for ransom case in 30 years, but since it is the type of crime you can almost never get away with, that then makes sense.

Kudos for McConnell

Something I give rarely, but I say Kudos for Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky for helping prevent the anti-free speech flag burning amendment from passing. Every once in a while a Republican, who is not up for reelection, will avoid puffing his chest on faux issues of patriotism. It only makes sense though, anyone who thinks spending money is free speech, logically must agree burning a flag is a well.

The concept of property rights should've made the GOP against this bill anyway, since it is illegal now to burn a flag that does not belong to you. What is being talked about is my right to burn the flag that I own. Next will they try and make it a crime to write swear words in my bible.

Radio Swap

Clear Channel is swapping station formats for 1530 and 1360, with sports going to 1530, and Liberal talk radio moving to 1360. For dramatic affect, Rick Bird is trying to paint this as some big sign of Liberal Radio doom.

We're in Cincinnati. It is surprising that the Liberal Talk radio is even on the air. It is obvious that sports is going to be much more popular and far easier to sell ads on, than political talk plagued with groups trying to get it off the air. This change will likely make Clear Channel money, which is what they are after, above all.

We're Not Dead Yet

I applaud the Enquirer Editorial Board for their call for a revitalized Main Street. Questions abound, however:

1. Why is it time now, instead of a year ago to help Main Street?
2. How do we help Main Street?
3. What kind of Main Street does the collective 'we' want?
4. Who are we trying to help?
5. Is Main Street where we want marquee 'Entertainment District?'
   

Mostly I find this as kind of a 'throw a bunch of stuff on the wall and see what sticks' type of column, bully with calls for actions, but short on specific solutions or even goals. It strikes me as a sense of nostalgia for 1999 Main Street. It's not looking forward, it is looking back, and not learning.

When a few bars close, why are we worried about it? When bars close in Mt. Adams, we don't get editorials lamenting the death of Mt. Adams. Also, in Mt. Adams when bars close, we don't have the police/county/city letting the empty places go to hell with bums, crime, and derelict landlords.

In the tone of the editorial I still get a sense of their notion of morose of the Cincinnati Urban Culture. That notion brings out the negative attitude the Enquirer regularly puts on the city. The article is 'positive' in the sense that the editorial board understands that the city needs an entertainment district with vibrant/hip/edgy activities, but I get the sense that they really don't like having to need it.

Much like my regular laments against the soulless culture of the suburbs, I will repeat that the city is still around, still fighting against the bland and insipid boundaries of the suburban culture, which is being imposed on urbanites by much of the local media. If we are to remain an overall vibrant society progressing forward with new ideas, we can't pretend that we want a vibrant urban core. Instead we must find solutions to make one.

Ok, Then Why?

Why can't gays and lesbians experience and live in a marriage?

UPDATE: Did Peter Bronson even try and save Nick and Jessica's marriage?

Who is Milton Dohoney?

I know that some on City Council are not huge fans of Milt, but who is the guy? Joe Wessels of the Post gives a short profile.

Shocked!

I am shocked to learn that Peter Bronson is highlighting the efforts of Westwood Concern, a group with the reputation of being lead/founded by, well, racists.

What is left out of this article is the overt "guess who's coming to the neighborhood" theme. Westwood Concern may or may not be pushing subtle/overt racism, but their tone and methods strike a tone of bigotry that can't be denied. They don't want their neighborhood to "change." When Bronson talks about crime as the concern, I think he's not translated from Westside Speak the concept that crime = poor blacks to many who live in that area. It is not surprising that Peter looks past that kind of bigotry. It is sad.