Thursday, April 08, 2010
Reds 2, Cardinals 1
The Reds get their first win, courtesy of a walk-off home run by Jonny Gomes. The Reds thus avoid being swept in their first series of the 2010 season. An encouraging sign for the Reds: Bronson Arroyo turned in a stellar outing, pitching eight innings and giving up just one run on four hits.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Fewer People On Death Row In Ohio
Last week, the Columbus Dispatch reported that as executions become more frequent and death sentences become less frequent, the number of people on death row in Ohio is down to 160, from a high of 204. Only one person (Anthony Kirkland, by Hamilton County) has been sentenced to death in Ohio this year, and only one (Hersie Wesson, by Summit County) was sentenced to death last year. The Dispatch's article is based on Attorney General Richard Cordray's 2009 Capital Crimes Annual report, the full text of which is available here.
According to Cordray's report, 51.25% of death row inmates are African-American; 44.38% are white. Of the offenders' victims, 32.3% are African-American and 61.7% are white. Only one of the 160 death row inmates is a woman. The average age of a death row inmate is 45.95, and the average length of time spent on death row for current inmates is 14.48 years.
Hat tip: Professor Douglas Berman, who offers this interesting observation:
According to Cordray's report, 51.25% of death row inmates are African-American; 44.38% are white. Of the offenders' victims, 32.3% are African-American and 61.7% are white. Only one of the 160 death row inmates is a woman. The average age of a death row inmate is 45.95, and the average length of time spent on death row for current inmates is 14.48 years.
Hat tip: Professor Douglas Berman, who offers this interesting observation:
In this post yesterday, I suggested that the number of death sentences are rising in California during its de facto moratorium on executions because California jurors in capital cases (justifiably) consider their vote for death to be largely symbolic with little or no practical consequence on the likely fate of the defendant they condemn. I think these Ohio data reflect the other side of this coin: [because of] the frequency of executions in Ohio in recent years, Ohio jurors in capital cases (justifiably) consider their vote for death to be very consequential and thus it seems these jurors are being especially cautious when decid[ing] who should be condemned to die.
Monday, April 05, 2010
New Lunch Menu at Mayberry
I've meant to post this for the past several days, but haven't had a chance.
Last Monday, Chef Josh Campbell (see my previous panegyric) unveiled Mayberry's new lunch menu. I knew the new menu was coming, and viewed this with not a little trepidation. You see, I don't subscribe to the notion that change is generally good. In fact, when I find a restaurant I like, there's usually two or three (or sometimes just one!) item that I'll order on a regular basis. At Mayberry, that had been the tuna melt and the chicken Caesar salad, both of which are casualties of the change to a spring/summer menu.
So what's on the new menu? Replacing my chicken Caesar, there's a spinach salad with berries (that can be ordered with chicken). If you like a spinach salad, this is a good one! There's also a hot dog. That was an interesting experience for me. I've not yet been to the Senate because of its $9.00 hot dog. (Yes, the same reason that everyone goes is the very same reason that I stay away.) I'm generally of the opinion that the only reason to pay more than a couple bucks for a hot dog is that it's accompanied by a baseball game. Nonetheless, I tried Josh's $7.00 hot dog.
And....it was great. It's a quarter-pound dog that comes with apple-bacon-fennel slaw. I don't like cole slaw, and particularly don't like letting it ruin a good hot dog, so I wasn't sure I was up for this. But this slaw is nothing like cole slaw. No cabbage--that's replaced by the fennel, which is perfectly balanced by the apple and bacon flavors. Had you set a bowl of the slaw in front of me, I'm pretty sure I could have eaten it for lunch.
There are other items, too, most of which I've forgotten since I waited too long to post. A very good sandwich with apricot mustard. A new pasta salad that I thought was quite good (though my friend thought it was a tad over-dressed.) And some of the old favorites, like the burger and the "Sloppy Josh" (which a friend describes as having a crack-like addictive property), remain on the menu, as do the tater tot casserole and the mac-and-cheese.
So if you haven't been to Mayberry in a bit, definitely check out the new menu!
Last Monday, Chef Josh Campbell (see my previous panegyric) unveiled Mayberry's new lunch menu. I knew the new menu was coming, and viewed this with not a little trepidation. You see, I don't subscribe to the notion that change is generally good. In fact, when I find a restaurant I like, there's usually two or three (or sometimes just one!) item that I'll order on a regular basis. At Mayberry, that had been the tuna melt and the chicken Caesar salad, both of which are casualties of the change to a spring/summer menu.
So what's on the new menu? Replacing my chicken Caesar, there's a spinach salad with berries (that can be ordered with chicken). If you like a spinach salad, this is a good one! There's also a hot dog. That was an interesting experience for me. I've not yet been to the Senate because of its $9.00 hot dog. (Yes, the same reason that everyone goes is the very same reason that I stay away.) I'm generally of the opinion that the only reason to pay more than a couple bucks for a hot dog is that it's accompanied by a baseball game. Nonetheless, I tried Josh's $7.00 hot dog.
And....it was great. It's a quarter-pound dog that comes with apple-bacon-fennel slaw. I don't like cole slaw, and particularly don't like letting it ruin a good hot dog, so I wasn't sure I was up for this. But this slaw is nothing like cole slaw. No cabbage--that's replaced by the fennel, which is perfectly balanced by the apple and bacon flavors. Had you set a bowl of the slaw in front of me, I'm pretty sure I could have eaten it for lunch.
There are other items, too, most of which I've forgotten since I waited too long to post. A very good sandwich with apricot mustard. A new pasta salad that I thought was quite good (though my friend thought it was a tad over-dressed.) And some of the old favorites, like the burger and the "Sloppy Josh" (which a friend describes as having a crack-like addictive property), remain on the menu, as do the tater tot casserole and the mac-and-cheese.
So if you haven't been to Mayberry in a bit, definitely check out the new menu!
Strickland Signs Criminal Justice Reform Legislation
Today, Governor Strickland signed into law Senate Bill 77, which provides for significant reforms in three key areas of criminal law and procedure in Ohio:
The legislation was supported by (I believe) the entire southwest Ohio delegation to the House and Senate. Local legislators who provided important leadership on this law include Eric Kearney; Tyrone Yates (now of the Hamilton County Municipal Court); Connie Pillich; and Bill Seitz.
The Enquirer's coverage of the law (which I read only after drafting this post) is here.
- Eyewitness identifications: Law enforcement agencies are now required to adopt "double-blind" identification procedures, which means that the officer who conducts a lineup (whether "live" or via photographic array) is unaware of the identity of the target suspect. A court must take into consideration failure to comply when considering a motion to disallow the identification at trial, and if it permits testimony regarding the identification, must instruct the jury that it may consider the noncompliance.
- Custodial interrogations: If law enforcement agencies record interrogations from start to finish in the most serious crimes, confessions will be presumptively voluntary. (However, the failure to make such recordings is not grounds for suppression or inadmissibility.)
- DNA: SB 77 expands the mechanisms available for convicted felons to obtain DNA testing and requires the preservation of DNA evidence in all serious crimes. The law also requires the collection of a DNA specimen from anyone arrested for a felony offense.
The legislation was supported by (I believe) the entire southwest Ohio delegation to the House and Senate. Local legislators who provided important leadership on this law include Eric Kearney; Tyrone Yates (now of the Hamilton County Municipal Court); Connie Pillich; and Bill Seitz.
The Enquirer's coverage of the law (which I read only after drafting this post) is here.
Root, Root, Root for the Reds Team
Today marks the Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds. You will not find a better tradition of community in Professional Sports in the Country. People from across the city, country, and entire tri-state area come together to celebrate. Yes, we drink too much and eat too much, but that's what makes it a celebration! What makes it community is that everyone (most everyone) no matter what the political bent or affiliation, shares the same focus, even for just one day.
No matter who is in the line-up, on this day fans have at least some hope for a good season. What I really wish they would hope for is to have fun at the games. Like the song says, sure, it's a shame if they don't win, but it's a game. Games are meant to be fun. Enjoy it, whether you sitting in the outfield bleacher seats or along the third base side in a luxury box. Have a couple of beers, eat a brat or pretzel. Have some Cracker-Jack and have a good time! Baseball is a game best watched with friends. It is the most social of all sports for fans. You can have the best conversations in between pitches. Don't waste those great moments worrying about trade deadlines or endorsement deals.
Baseball is poetry. It has the drama of life: the anticipation, the long drawn out periods of monotony and tedium, but then has excitement that happens in a flash that is worth the time, no matter where your seats are.
Unlike other sports where you are put into a meat-grinder of intensity, Baseball has grace. Most importantly, Baseball illustrates America's core principle, the Individual and the Team both matter. Neither can exist in the game with out the other. In other words: E pluribus unum, Out of many, One.
We all live here. We need to find some common ground. How about a ball game?
No matter who is in the line-up, on this day fans have at least some hope for a good season. What I really wish they would hope for is to have fun at the games. Like the song says, sure, it's a shame if they don't win, but it's a game. Games are meant to be fun. Enjoy it, whether you sitting in the outfield bleacher seats or along the third base side in a luxury box. Have a couple of beers, eat a brat or pretzel. Have some Cracker-Jack and have a good time! Baseball is a game best watched with friends. It is the most social of all sports for fans. You can have the best conversations in between pitches. Don't waste those great moments worrying about trade deadlines or endorsement deals.
Baseball is poetry. It has the drama of life: the anticipation, the long drawn out periods of monotony and tedium, but then has excitement that happens in a flash that is worth the time, no matter where your seats are.
Unlike other sports where you are put into a meat-grinder of intensity, Baseball has grace. Most importantly, Baseball illustrates America's core principle, the Individual and the Team both matter. Neither can exist in the game with out the other. In other words: E pluribus unum, Out of many, One.
We all live here. We need to find some common ground. How about a ball game?
Friday, April 02, 2010
Some of You People Are Way Too Serious....
For those of you who are satirically challenged, yesterday's post was brought to you courtesy of April Fool's Day.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Commission Candidates Reveal Priorities
Because this is still primary season, the candidates to fill David Pepper's seat on the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners are busy building support amongst their respective parties' bases. But I contacted them all and asked a simple question: If you are elected, what is the first resolution or motion you will pass? Each has responded.
Chris Monzel, the Republican Cincinnati Councilman who kicked off his campaign by announcing that he is a "son of the suburbs," has a plan for Hamilton County: The Wall. Monzel explained that upon election, he will immediately begin construction of a Berlin Wall-style barrier separating the City of Cincinnati from the suburbs. He said construction of The Wall would generate dozens, if not hundreds, of jobs. "We might even get stimulus funds for it; it's a 'shovel-ready' project, after all." Monzel also said that he would provide funds for Sheriff Leis to hire back several of his laid-off deputies to stand guard on The Wall round-the-clock. Monzel argued that the problem with Hamilton County's economy is the presence of Cincinnati. "We can't get rid of Cincinnati, but at least we can keep its residents out of our communities," he said. Monzel's plan also includes the relocation of all county buildings to Blue Ash. "The worst part about being on Council," Monzel said, "is having to be in Cincinnati all the time. Once I get elected to the Commission, I shouldn't have to endure the city any longer." When asked in a follow-up email about suburbs that are surrounded by the city, like Norwood and St. Bernard, Monzel replied that their residents should have relocated years ago. "I actually considered a series of tunnels that would connect those cities with other suburbs. That way, people from Norwood could get to Delhi or Cheviot without ever setting foot in Cincinnati. But that sounded too much like mass transit to my friends at COAST, who threatened to withdraw their support if I wouldn't take it out of my plan. What choice did I have?"
Jim Tarbell, who seeks the Democratic nomination, will enact the "More Me Initiative," or MMI. Tarbell explained, "We need to get our local economy moving. I'm the region's greatest cheerleader. What could be better for Hamilton County than more giant murals of me?" MMI would include adding paintings of Tarbell on all county-owned buildings, as well as offering free exterior paint to any property owner who would devote one full wall of his or her building to a Tarbell mural. Tarbell remarked, "Everyone got really excited when that Fairy Shepherd guy came to town. But the mural he painted doesn't really even look like me. What happened?" Tarbell speculated that both of the current commissioners would likely be receptive to MMI, as "I'm more photogenic than either of them."
Leslie Ghiz, the West Virginia native who majored in English at WVU, announced a sweeping social agenda. According to Ghiz, a Republican, she will immediately instruct Clerk of Courts Patricia Clancy to begin issuing marriage licenses to first cousins. "Because of long-standing but reprehensible bigotry," Ghiz tweeted, "first cousins in Ohio have been denied the right to wed for too long. That must change." When Ghiz was asked why her quest for marriage rights did not extend to brothers and sisters, Ghiz answered, "I'm from West Virginia, not Kentucky. We have to draw a line somewhere." Ghiz added that she had an additional, unrelated cost-saving measure to sell all county buildings and move all county offices and courts into trailer parks. "There's nothing like a good double-wide," Ghiz said. While the courthouse may look nice, according to Ghiz, it's expensive to maintain. "All that electricity and running water is a burden to the taxpayers. Our judges and other elected officials will have to learn to do more with less."
Cecil Thomas, the former Cincinnati police officer seeking the Democratic nomination, has a plan to re-expand the ranks of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office: send all county employees to OPOTA (Ohio's police academy). Thomas's plan is that instead of taking ten "furlough" days, every county employee would instead spend ten days as a patrol or correctional officer. "I was a police officer for years," Thomas said. "If I can do it, anyone can." He added, "Plus, we're not talking about them taking over for CPD in Over-the-Rhine. How hard can it be to write the occasional speeding ticket in Green or Anderson Township?" Thomas suggested that he would personally oversee parts of training for the county, including Taser training, which requires participants to experience a Taser shock before being certified to carry a Taser.. He understands that some people might be slower than others. "For instance, I might need to tase Greg Hartmann [the only Republican on the Commission] four or five times before I feel he's fully qualified. We'll just have to see."
When Hubert E. Brown was contacted for this post, he revealed that he was among the 98% of Hamilton County voters who didn't realize that he is running in the Democratic primary. "I'm running for office?" he mused. "How'd that happen?" Brown thought for a moment, and then remarked, "If I'm elected--and really, let's not fool ourselves, it's not going to happen--I'll come up with something. I don't know what, but it'll be something that will make the voters remember who Hubert Brown is."
Chris Monzel, the Republican Cincinnati Councilman who kicked off his campaign by announcing that he is a "son of the suburbs," has a plan for Hamilton County: The Wall. Monzel explained that upon election, he will immediately begin construction of a Berlin Wall-style barrier separating the City of Cincinnati from the suburbs. He said construction of The Wall would generate dozens, if not hundreds, of jobs. "We might even get stimulus funds for it; it's a 'shovel-ready' project, after all." Monzel also said that he would provide funds for Sheriff Leis to hire back several of his laid-off deputies to stand guard on The Wall round-the-clock. Monzel argued that the problem with Hamilton County's economy is the presence of Cincinnati. "We can't get rid of Cincinnati, but at least we can keep its residents out of our communities," he said. Monzel's plan also includes the relocation of all county buildings to Blue Ash. "The worst part about being on Council," Monzel said, "is having to be in Cincinnati all the time. Once I get elected to the Commission, I shouldn't have to endure the city any longer." When asked in a follow-up email about suburbs that are surrounded by the city, like Norwood and St. Bernard, Monzel replied that their residents should have relocated years ago. "I actually considered a series of tunnels that would connect those cities with other suburbs. That way, people from Norwood could get to Delhi or Cheviot without ever setting foot in Cincinnati. But that sounded too much like mass transit to my friends at COAST, who threatened to withdraw their support if I wouldn't take it out of my plan. What choice did I have?"
Jim Tarbell, who seeks the Democratic nomination, will enact the "More Me Initiative," or MMI. Tarbell explained, "We need to get our local economy moving. I'm the region's greatest cheerleader. What could be better for Hamilton County than more giant murals of me?" MMI would include adding paintings of Tarbell on all county-owned buildings, as well as offering free exterior paint to any property owner who would devote one full wall of his or her building to a Tarbell mural. Tarbell remarked, "Everyone got really excited when that Fairy Shepherd guy came to town. But the mural he painted doesn't really even look like me. What happened?" Tarbell speculated that both of the current commissioners would likely be receptive to MMI, as "I'm more photogenic than either of them."
Leslie Ghiz, the West Virginia native who majored in English at WVU, announced a sweeping social agenda. According to Ghiz, a Republican, she will immediately instruct Clerk of Courts Patricia Clancy to begin issuing marriage licenses to first cousins. "Because of long-standing but reprehensible bigotry," Ghiz tweeted, "first cousins in Ohio have been denied the right to wed for too long. That must change." When Ghiz was asked why her quest for marriage rights did not extend to brothers and sisters, Ghiz answered, "I'm from West Virginia, not Kentucky. We have to draw a line somewhere." Ghiz added that she had an additional, unrelated cost-saving measure to sell all county buildings and move all county offices and courts into trailer parks. "There's nothing like a good double-wide," Ghiz said. While the courthouse may look nice, according to Ghiz, it's expensive to maintain. "All that electricity and running water is a burden to the taxpayers. Our judges and other elected officials will have to learn to do more with less."
Cecil Thomas, the former Cincinnati police officer seeking the Democratic nomination, has a plan to re-expand the ranks of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office: send all county employees to OPOTA (Ohio's police academy). Thomas's plan is that instead of taking ten "furlough" days, every county employee would instead spend ten days as a patrol or correctional officer. "I was a police officer for years," Thomas said. "If I can do it, anyone can." He added, "Plus, we're not talking about them taking over for CPD in Over-the-Rhine. How hard can it be to write the occasional speeding ticket in Green or Anderson Township?" Thomas suggested that he would personally oversee parts of training for the county, including Taser training, which requires participants to experience a Taser shock before being certified to carry a Taser.. He understands that some people might be slower than others. "For instance, I might need to tase Greg Hartmann [the only Republican on the Commission] four or five times before I feel he's fully qualified. We'll just have to see."
When Hubert E. Brown was contacted for this post, he revealed that he was among the 98% of Hamilton County voters who didn't realize that he is running in the Democratic primary. "I'm running for office?" he mused. "How'd that happen?" Brown thought for a moment, and then remarked, "If I'm elected--and really, let's not fool ourselves, it's not going to happen--I'll come up with something. I don't know what, but it'll be something that will make the voters remember who Hubert Brown is."
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