Escalation

Bad Move. I want to call Bush Don Quixote for his charging at wind mills, but he is just not a noble person.

Witch Hunt

Well, the Enquirer smells blood and are going after Paul Hackett too. Why don't we get any questions as to who and why this was put before the Grand Jury?

On the other hand, Hackett sounds like a bit of a hot head for allegedly keeping what was described as an "assault rife" load and within reach at 4 AM. If Paul wants to become a moderate Republican (some say he is), he might get nominated for something again in rural Ohio.

They Don't Have Metal Detectors

For all of the fear of Cincinnati Public Schools that exists outside and inside the City, a small fact needs to be known: CPD schools currently don't have metal detectors. I say this to make sure people know that the schools have been existing through riots, through poverty, and through much troubles, but they have protected students successfully without them. Monday's incident includes effort brave effort from Assistant Principal Dixon Edwards who did not shy away from his students and was put at risk for it.

I don't want metal detectors in our schools. If it saves a life, it may be needed, but I want to make sure people know that before the debate on getting them begins in earnest, it is 2007 and we don't have them. Other school districts in this country have had them for more than 20 years.

Playing Politics?

Someone is looking to nail Paul Hackett for allegedly showing a gun to a pack of dumb ass young adult males. These same young punk kids reportedly were in a car that hit and damaged Hackett's fence. This happened two months ago and is just now coming to light. It sounds like some parents over protecting their kids or trying to score a political point by pushing or likely exaggerating something to hurt Hackett.

If Hackett did this, well he'd be a putz.

Loving the Nati

Joe Wessels column from Saturday points us to some positive thinking about Cincinnati. It comes not from someone who has lived here their entire life, but instead only 18 months.

Check out Maggie Van Cantfort's Love Letters to Cincinnati project. Add your own thoughts about what you love about your city. If you hate the city, go back into your cave and cry some more.

A New Day For Ohio

This morning Governor Ted Strickland took the oath of office and ended the long rein of the GOP. It will be a long road to improve Ohio, but the Governor has the right attitude. How he is able to work with the GOP control legislature will be is true test and with them where the fate of progress rests.

Default Answer on Arts Funding

I've been left wondering about the details of the "Fiscal Five's" budget in regards to arts funding, but this article spells out what has been rumor. The City Budget cuts funding for arts programs to a sum of around $400,000. That money is, according to the article, going to be made up through a private grant from the Ralph and Carol Ann Haile Foundation. I hope this new foundation is open to all types of arts organizations. The article raises the most important question, will the city use this as a future excuse to permanently reduce funding?