CityBeat has announced it's picks for Cincinnati City council this year and is doing something differing, only picking seven candidates. The list is:
Kevin Flynn
Nicholas Hollan
Roxanne Qualls
Laure Quinlivan
Jason Riveiro
Chris Seelbach
Wendell Young
This list, one might argue, is short on African-Americans. Two other candidates that could have filled that role would have been Cecil Thomas and Yvette Simpson. Thomas is not a surprise, but skipping Simpson in favor of Young or Flynn is surprising for CityBeat.
I'm not a fan of short ticket voting, which many groups, including CityBeat, are advocating. It might be a valid 'strategy,' but for all of the increase in the value of a single vote for a candidate it makes, short ticket voting takes away from the voters overall power to pick the nine they want.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Lippert Pulls a Romney
Cincinnati council member Wayne Lippert appears to be channeling the tone and actions of Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney with his flip-flop yesterday reversing his vote after being told to change for political reasons.
Romney was busy yesterday flip-flopping on Issue 2 (SB5) where was now for it, but previously he would take a stand on the issue when appearing at a political office of the Anti-Union Issue 2 campaign on Tuesday in the Cincinnati area.
Romney was busy yesterday flip-flopping on Issue 2 (SB5) where was now for it, but previously he would take a stand on the issue when appearing at a political office of the Anti-Union Issue 2 campaign on Tuesday in the Cincinnati area.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Enquirer Rips Jeffre With Snark
Journalists do not often get the chance to add analysis or a little opinion in news stories. Well this article including reference to Justin Jeffre's, former boy band singer, arrest as part of the Occupy Cincinnati protests gave this gem of a quote
Going to jail could be a good career move for Jeffre. Spending time behind bars inspired many blues and country artists to write some of their best material.Coffee nearly shot out of my nose after I read that. Snark is a joyous thing, especially about this topic.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Quimbob Sums Up Problems With OccupyCincy
As I write this, Piatt Park is the scene of possible confrontation as speculation mounts that protesters who have been 'occupying' the park for over a week will be forced to leave, or face arrest. I generally agree with some of the 99% and OWS movement, but I share the view of Quimbob at Blogging Isn't Cool, who criticizes the group.
The means of the protesters in the park is part of their problem: a failure to follow the rule of law. They may not like the law, but they must follow the law. That is basis of our democratic republic. If you don't like the law, you must change the law via the open process of our political system. If you don't like our government, then you are going to face the wrath of the 99% who make want to change part of the way our government and political system works, but agree it works.
Another issue that has also killed support for this group is the folly of its members in listening to people like Josh Spring of the 'Homeless' Coalition. If you think Josh believes in the 99%, then I think I have a life-size test model of the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you. He, and others like him, are about their own 1% and nothing else.
Now, we just need a respectful and calm resolution and for everyone to go home safe.
UPDATE: Some of the protesters are getting wind of the problems with dealing with the Homeless Coalition. Here's the classic retort to a report that homeless people are disrupting and stealing from the occupy movement:
UPDATE #2: The Enquirer reports that around 1 AM police came to the park and very peacefully arrested 23 protesters who refused to leave the park. Another report is here from Sentient Cincinnati. Also, there's more from WCPO.
The means of the protesters in the park is part of their problem: a failure to follow the rule of law. They may not like the law, but they must follow the law. That is basis of our democratic republic. If you don't like the law, you must change the law via the open process of our political system. If you don't like our government, then you are going to face the wrath of the 99% who make want to change part of the way our government and political system works, but agree it works.
Another issue that has also killed support for this group is the folly of its members in listening to people like Josh Spring of the 'Homeless' Coalition. If you think Josh believes in the 99%, then I think I have a life-size test model of the Brooklyn Bridge to sell you. He, and others like him, are about their own 1% and nothing else.
Now, we just need a respectful and calm resolution and for everyone to go home safe.
UPDATE: Some of the protesters are getting wind of the problems with dealing with the Homeless Coalition. Here's the classic retort to a report that homeless people are disrupting and stealing from the occupy movement:
News 5 did ask the Homeless Coalition about the problems at Piatt Park. The station was told it boils down to simple personality conflicts.It would appear Josh Spring seems to not want any laws enforced. Theft and threats of violence are just personality problems, not crimes, apparently....
UPDATE #2: The Enquirer reports that around 1 AM police came to the park and very peacefully arrested 23 protesters who refused to leave the park. Another report is here from Sentient Cincinnati. Also, there's more from WCPO.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Ghiz Conflict of Interest?
I did not see this mentioned in the the Leslie Ghiz and Wayne Lippert's grandstanding letter protesting the protests, but Leslie Ghiz's law practice is located on Garfield Place, right across the street from the protests at Piatt Park. I find that to be a huge conflict of interest. Is Council Member Ghiz acting as a member of City County or as the owner of a business affected by the protests?
She should not take any additional action on this issue. Let those without anything to gain from prosecution of the protesters to act on behalf of the City. We also don't need arrests. That will not do the city any good.
Further more: a vote of no confidence? Seriously, Ghiz and Lippert want to talk about confidence? I am sure no one has foreclosed on either of Leslie's or Wayne's Glass Houses.
She should not take any additional action on this issue. Let those without anything to gain from prosecution of the protesters to act on behalf of the City. We also don't need arrests. That will not do the city any good.
Further more: a vote of no confidence? Seriously, Ghiz and Lippert want to talk about confidence? I am sure no one has foreclosed on either of Leslie's or Wayne's Glass Houses.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
What The FOP Forgot About Chris Smitherman
While I am still unable to find an official listing of Cincinnati FOP endorsements (CityBeat has a list posted yesterday), I must point out what I would think was a clerical error. Chris Smitherman is listing the FOP as one of his endorsements for Cincinnati City Council. This is what I would expected if we lived in Bizarro World, where pigs actually fly. Instead I will collectively pinch everyone and confirm that you are dreaming.
That in mind, I will just have to assume that someone in the FOP must have broken in the evidence locker and took out a truck full of weed and drove it over to FOP headquarters before they picked their endorsements. What I am sure the FOP didn't bother to do was vet Chris Smitherman before his endorsement, other than to determine if he would pledge not to fire anyone on the the police force and for his No vote on State Issue 2 (SB5).
If they did, they might have dug up this article from Greg Korte in the Enquirer about some of the antics Smitherman pulled right after taking office as a Council member in 2003. As soon as Smitherman had run a 'moderated' campaign as a Charter Committee endorsed candidate, he came right out of the shoot attacking the Cincinnati Police Department. He demanded a list of where all police officers went to high school. He was so loved by the FOP back then former FOP President Keith Fangman had this to say:
No matter how much of a Republican Smitherman claims to be, which he should do as he's getting praised by the likes of Chris Monzel, not to mention COAST and Charlie Winburn. I really don't understand how the local NAACP can just abandon it's principles under the ruse of getting one man more power. Making deals with the 'devil' will do nothing but ruin you in the end.
That in mind, I will just have to assume that someone in the FOP must have broken in the evidence locker and took out a truck full of weed and drove it over to FOP headquarters before they picked their endorsements. What I am sure the FOP didn't bother to do was vet Chris Smitherman before his endorsement, other than to determine if he would pledge not to fire anyone on the the police force and for his No vote on State Issue 2 (SB5).
If they did, they might have dug up this article from Greg Korte in the Enquirer about some of the antics Smitherman pulled right after taking office as a Council member in 2003. As soon as Smitherman had run a 'moderated' campaign as a Charter Committee endorsed candidate, he came right out of the shoot attacking the Cincinnati Police Department. He demanded a list of where all police officers went to high school. He was so loved by the FOP back then former FOP President Keith Fangman had this to say:
"Chris Smitherman is the master of illusion," said Keith Fangman, the Fraternal Order of Police vice president. "He hoodwinked the voters into believing he wanted to improve police-community relations. And he has done the exact opposite."So, I guess the FOP has now been 'hoodwinked' into giving an endorsement. If Smitherman is elected, I would make a bet at what parts of the CPD he would start targeting.
No matter how much of a Republican Smitherman claims to be, which he should do as he's getting praised by the likes of Chris Monzel, not to mention COAST and Charlie Winburn. I really don't understand how the local NAACP can just abandon it's principles under the ruse of getting one man more power. Making deals with the 'devil' will do nothing but ruin you in the end.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Gruesome Playground Injuries at Know Theatre
See this show! I saw it on opening night and it a great cast, great director, great staging, awesome use of video, and tremendous story. it's playing Thursday to Saturday until November 5th. Go to www.knowtheatre.com for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)