Cincinnatians For Progress is holding a fundraiser tonight,Thursday August 25th, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Blue Wisp, 318 E. 8th St.
There will be music by Dave Hawkins. There will be door prizes from Milton's, Iris Bookcafe, Park + Vine, Segway and others. Get there and support progress for Cincinnati.
A suggested donation is $20 to the general public, or $50 to hosts. If you can't make it tonight, you can contribute online here.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Chabot Hates Open Meetings and is Ignorant About Tax Rates
In case you missed the video, check out what happened when Republican Congressman Steve Chabot's staff directed a Cincinnati police officer to seize cameras of private citizens during a Chabot Town Hall event in Avondale at a publicly owned building.
I feel sorry for the police officer, but he should know better, and should have questioned the validity of "security reasons" when two television station cameras are there. Here is a tape of this from a third camera:
Here is more from the Enquirer's political blog. (If this was Steve Driehaus, this would have been front page news).
In other Chabot News, Steve Benen of Washington Monthly has a great story discussing an exchange, at I believe the same meeting above, where Chabot was advised that Federal Tax rates are the lowest they have been in 50 years.Chabot didn't believe it. He was told this by a voter, not likely one to vote for him, but a voter none-the-less. Benen gives Chabot-the-Ignorant the truth about Federal Tax rates. I understand that in the middle of a meeting, Chabot can't Google this, but as a member of Congress who is talking about tax policy, he should know this simple fact. What I fear is that he knows this, as do most Republican office holders, but he doesn't want any else to know this. They want people to think they pay far more taxes then ever before in hopes that the ignorant public will support cutting taxes, without a worry about how much their lives will change when they are asked to buy why they can't afford, assuming they want the same service the government provided. Republicans like Chabot want to destroy more government services for the public and will lie in order to do so. That's the modern GOP way.
I feel sorry for the police officer, but he should know better, and should have questioned the validity of "security reasons" when two television station cameras are there. Here is a tape of this from a third camera:
Here is more from the Enquirer's political blog. (If this was Steve Driehaus, this would have been front page news).
In other Chabot News, Steve Benen of Washington Monthly has a great story discussing an exchange, at I believe the same meeting above, where Chabot was advised that Federal Tax rates are the lowest they have been in 50 years.Chabot didn't believe it. He was told this by a voter, not likely one to vote for him, but a voter none-the-less. Benen gives Chabot-the-Ignorant the truth about Federal Tax rates. I understand that in the middle of a meeting, Chabot can't Google this, but as a member of Congress who is talking about tax policy, he should know this simple fact. What I fear is that he knows this, as do most Republican office holders, but he doesn't want any else to know this. They want people to think they pay far more taxes then ever before in hopes that the ignorant public will support cutting taxes, without a worry about how much their lives will change when they are asked to buy why they can't afford, assuming they want the same service the government provided. Republicans like Chabot want to destroy more government services for the public and will lie in order to do so. That's the modern GOP way.
The System Works! No Thanks to Republicans on Council
So, no laws had to be changed. No, arms had to be twisted. Instead, the Republicans Grandstanding on a non-issue just needed to waste some time. None of that mattered. The Oakley Skyline Chile Restaurant has approval to expand as it wanted. If you hear any of the Republicans taking credit, ask them to explain what they did, exactly, to get his done. If they don't have anything beyond a B.S. answer, then you can figure out what stinks. If you can't smell what they say, then you have your nose up someone's behind.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Dear Chief Craig, Deters Is an Ignorant Political Hack
Cincinnati Police Chief James Craig was on WDBZ radio recently and reportedly was troubled by the comments made by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters. I can help Chief Craig here by telling him that Deters is a Republican who gets elected by making people in Hamilton County, mostly Republicans, scared of the City and of black people specifically. That's what he does. He's subtle about it, but he does it on purpose. Case in point is Deter's ignorant comments about the incident on Fountain Square, where he compared it to Times Square and claimed "It's had one gun crime in the last three years..."
Well, let me help some more and do a quick Google Search on the topic:
1. April 5, 2010: 4 Shot, 54 Arrested in Times Square Easter Melee
1. April 5, 2010: 4 Shot, 54 Arrested in Times Square Easter Melee
2. December 10, 2009: Cop kills man in Times Square shootout
3. May 1, 2010: Car Bombing Attempt
4. January 7, 2011: Journalist Found Murdered in Times Square Hotel Room
5. August 21, 2010: Police investigate fatal stabbing near Times Square
6. August 12, 2010: Wizard of Oz Character Stabs Man in Times Square
7. July 17, 2011: Attempted Rape on Time Square
So, after a really quick search, I found two incidents of gun crimes (five dead), one almost tragic terrorist attempt, two fatal stabbings, one non-fatal stabbing, and one attempted rape. All of these happened with the last three years. This is by no means a complete list, just a quick Google Search. So, yes, Joe Deters is full of shit. Times Square is a relatively safe place, far safer than it used to be. I somehow survived walking with my high school classmates through Time Square in 1989 back in the old scary days, and lived to tell about it. Time Square is still far more dangerous that Fountain Square has been or will ever be. You can't find how many muggings or thefts in the news in NYC because those don't make the news. Here in Cincinnati, sometimes it makes the news, on slow news days or when the victim makes for good pictures.
Bottom line, Deters makes stuff up to gain attention and make people scared of the City and Downtown specifically. He does so, in my opinion, to make people scared and more open to his brand of fear politics. Thankfully, I've not seen this from other Republicans in the same manner. I'm still waiting for the next council meeting, where I hope it is not used as a political weapon. Having a police chief that is willing to not ignore the comments of people like Deters and is willing to call them on it is a refreshing spirit that I hopes continues.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Around the Blogs Recently: Things you Might Have Missed
CinAwesome! may have found the cultural incubator that keeps producing douchebags.
Carrie Bradshaw is full of shit stirs up the dating world with a summary of a recent two date night that came up empty.
McCoy on Movies has a take on Ann Hathaway's new movie One Day. Editor's note: I, for the record, find Hathaway hot, but maybe not this movie, so much.
Carrie Bradshaw is full of shit stirs up the dating world with a summary of a recent two date night that came up empty.
McCoy on Movies has a take on Ann Hathaway's new movie One Day. Editor's note: I, for the record, find Hathaway hot, but maybe not this movie, so much.
Monday, August 22, 2011
False Perceptions Are Fueled By the Media, and Build Walls
The events Friday and Saturday are tragic events, but the lingering tragedy is in the fuel that burns the false impressions into the minds of ignorant people from the media coverage of these events. No, there's nothing false about the news, but it's the intensity given the story. The articles are going out of their way to give the truth about crime rates and the exceptions that these incidents represent, but people like Joe Deters are using it and will use it to build fear. All they need are the images and the words describing what happened. The headlines and the pictures are what linger in the minds of the average Joe-Q-Public. When there are three or four different headlines about the same story, an extra importance is perceived.
This results in the false perception of the city and of Downtown. It strengthens the bigotry of some and it puts doubt in the fickled ignorant, who consume news as if they are window shopping for shoes. This is a cultural state that is plaguing the public and I don't know any type of solution, short of driving around every cul-de-sac and neighborhood in the tri-state area, shouting slogans on a megaphone. That still wouldn't get the truth into minds who don't want to know anything that isn't easy and familiar.
What I am bracing myself for is the political onslaught of fear mongering. There was some from Deters in the article above. He's done it so many times I think everyone expects the same and they get the ignorance he puts out, like his ignorance on Times Square crime rates. (Hat Tip to CincyCapell).
What I am really hoping we don't get are Council Candidates using this as political fodder. I encourage council members and candidates issuing comments that are introspective or positive. We need to work together to prevent crime and we need to make people understand that our city is safe. We don't need council candidates claiming this is any type of indication or example of something that should drive future action of government. Here the system worked. No more or no fewer police officers were going to prevent a person from carrying a gun illegally in a public place. It is tragic that a 16 year old put himself into this situation. I also really hope that the police actions are allowed to be reviewed, but not used as a tool to build hate. If there are questions, they can be asked. We don't need to push fear of the police. I am looking right squarely at Chris Smitherman on this. I hope he does not play politics with these incidents. Instead I really hope he helps people understand what happened, not assume they know what happened and create more false perceptions. False impressions build walls. Many of us have tried to tear down all of the walls that separate us into conflicting factions. It is the duty of all public officials, and those trying to become public officials, to help keep those walls down and create open spaces were people and their cultures can freely blend with all others.
This results in the false perception of the city and of Downtown. It strengthens the bigotry of some and it puts doubt in the fickled ignorant, who consume news as if they are window shopping for shoes. This is a cultural state that is plaguing the public and I don't know any type of solution, short of driving around every cul-de-sac and neighborhood in the tri-state area, shouting slogans on a megaphone. That still wouldn't get the truth into minds who don't want to know anything that isn't easy and familiar.
What I am bracing myself for is the political onslaught of fear mongering. There was some from Deters in the article above. He's done it so many times I think everyone expects the same and they get the ignorance he puts out, like his ignorance on Times Square crime rates. (Hat Tip to CincyCapell).
What I am really hoping we don't get are Council Candidates using this as political fodder. I encourage council members and candidates issuing comments that are introspective or positive. We need to work together to prevent crime and we need to make people understand that our city is safe. We don't need council candidates claiming this is any type of indication or example of something that should drive future action of government. Here the system worked. No more or no fewer police officers were going to prevent a person from carrying a gun illegally in a public place. It is tragic that a 16 year old put himself into this situation. I also really hope that the police actions are allowed to be reviewed, but not used as a tool to build hate. If there are questions, they can be asked. We don't need to push fear of the police. I am looking right squarely at Chris Smitherman on this. I hope he does not play politics with these incidents. Instead I really hope he helps people understand what happened, not assume they know what happened and create more false perceptions. False impressions build walls. Many of us have tried to tear down all of the walls that separate us into conflicting factions. It is the duty of all public officials, and those trying to become public officials, to help keep those walls down and create open spaces were people and their cultures can freely blend with all others.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Republican Council Members Are Exploiting Tragedy
A Cincinnati police officer was on his way to work recently and was very seriously injured in a car accident on Columbia Parkway on the East side of the City. This is a terrible tragedy and I believe everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. Four members of Cincinnati City Council hold a press conference, along the side of the road, calling for a study of that road. They don't say how they would pay for such a study or pay for improvements to the road. They don't say why this incident is more important than other car or pedestrian or bicycle accidents that happen during their terms on different roads in throughout the city.
The fact that they held the press conference along the side of the road, likely caused enough commotion that they are lucky they did not cause another accident during the presser.
This accident happened to occur to a Police Officer. That means it will get media attention and get the attention of the type of voter that listens to the FOP (police union) when it makes endorsements for city council. This grandstanding event is designed not to improve road safety, but to increase the voter tallies for Ghiz, Murrary, Lippert, and Bortz (the Charterite of the group). That's explotation, but that is politics and these members are playing politics like conjoined quadruplets.
A functioning mainstream media needs to rip them a new on this issue the same way Kevin Osborne did on the Oakley Skyline faux controversy. Since we live in a culture where criticism of any perceived to be helping a police officer injured, we will not get much. The WLWT article linked about had some hints of reporting when they asked ODOT. Now they need to just dig further and find out how dangerous this road is considered as opposed to other roads. I've driven on it and I have driven on Glenway and Queensgate on the West side. Couldn't they be holding the same press conference over there?
UPDATE: It appears the mainstream media, the Enquirer specifically, did rip them a new one, and handed it to them. It is too bad that more people will watch the TV news clip and not read the article.
UDATE #2: You might ask three of the four (Ghiz, Lippert, Murray) if they oppose COAST's anti-rail issue. That issue would make it impossible to have any passenger rail transportation until well into the next decade. Rail transportation along Riverside/Eastern Avenues would help reduce traffic on Columbia parkway thus taking away at least one factor that increases accidents.
The fact that they held the press conference along the side of the road, likely caused enough commotion that they are lucky they did not cause another accident during the presser.
This accident happened to occur to a Police Officer. That means it will get media attention and get the attention of the type of voter that listens to the FOP (police union) when it makes endorsements for city council. This grandstanding event is designed not to improve road safety, but to increase the voter tallies for Ghiz, Murrary, Lippert, and Bortz (the Charterite of the group). That's explotation, but that is politics and these members are playing politics like conjoined quadruplets.
A functioning mainstream media needs to rip them a new on this issue the same way Kevin Osborne did on the Oakley Skyline faux controversy. Since we live in a culture where criticism of any perceived to be helping a police officer injured, we will not get much. The WLWT article linked about had some hints of reporting when they asked ODOT. Now they need to just dig further and find out how dangerous this road is considered as opposed to other roads. I've driven on it and I have driven on Glenway and Queensgate on the West side. Couldn't they be holding the same press conference over there?
UPDATE: It appears the mainstream media, the Enquirer specifically, did rip them a new one, and handed it to them. It is too bad that more people will watch the TV news clip and not read the article.
UDATE #2: You might ask three of the four (Ghiz, Lippert, Murray) if they oppose COAST's anti-rail issue. That issue would make it impossible to have any passenger rail transportation until well into the next decade. Rail transportation along Riverside/Eastern Avenues would help reduce traffic on Columbia parkway thus taking away at least one factor that increases accidents.
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