Sunday, August 31, 2003

Fireworks and XRay
I am set to go to the fireworks tonight, weather permitting, and I have to gear up my writing for www.goxray.com, so for the next couple of days blogging will be light. I might do a really short post or two, or just something silly. It is a holiday weekend so my regular audience is likely out on holiday too. Hope everyone has a safe Labor Day!

Saturday, August 30, 2003

Mixed Messages at MLK III Rally
Our esteemed editor over at XRay Magazine, Steve Novotni, has written up an excellent article on the rally last Thursday in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the March on Washington. The story is excellently written and has facts you will not hear much about in the rest of the media, especially the disappointing views espoused by former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
Corporate Extortion
Kroger is playing hardball. How close does this threat to move out of the city unless they get a parking garage really come to extortion?
§ 2905.11 Extortion

(A) No person, with purpose to obtain any valuable thing or valuable benefit or to induce another to do an unlawful act, shall do any of the following:
(1) Threaten to commit any felony;
(2) Threaten to commit any offense of violence;
(3) Violate section 2903.21 or 2903.22 of the Revised Code;
(4) Utter or threaten any calumny against any person;
(5) Expose or threaten to expose any matter tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or to damage any person's personal or business repute, or to impair any person's credit.(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of extortion, a felony of the third degree.
(C) As used in this section, "threat" includes a direct threat and a threat by innuendo.
Bold Added.

Now, a creative person could construe a "person" to include the government. Kroger is arguably "threatening" to leave the city, unless they can obtain parking garage from the city ( a thing of value). Kroger's threat to leave the city it will cause the city government to be hated, be ridiculed by every media outlet, open up the city to other corporations looking for hand outs, and damage the city's credit rating by hurting city tax revenue if it does leave. Their are legal and factual reason why Kroger is not really extorting the city, but I have no idea what they are.

Wes Flinn comments on Kroger, as does Barry at CincyTomorrow. Here is the Post's article.

Friday, August 29, 2003

A Cadaver Search?
A little birdie sent me an email today with a link to the Gannett's job postings. The Cincinnati Enquirer is seeking a writer, copy editor, designer, and assistant editor "for its soon-to-be-launched weekly publication targeting readers age 25-34. "

I am torn. If they had an opening specifically for a "blogger", I would updating my resume as we speak, but I just do see this publication being anything other than "Enquirer lite". If they are only adding 1 writer, does that mean that most of the content will be wire copy or syndicated articles from other Gannett papers? Will they be just sponging off the rest of the main paper's staff for most of the local content? I am still not seeing the added value to Cincinnatians, especially us 25-34 year olds.

In case someone at the Enquirer is reading this (which at least one or two do) a serious suggestion: Create a separate web page for the new weekly publication, separate from Cincinnati.com, but make original online content. Make it a "group blog". Let all of the Age 35 and under writers at the main paper post their "unedited" comments on whatever topics they want. This works great for the Dallas Morning News Editorial Page staff. To maintain control hire a blog editor to keep the blog in check, filter out the daft commenters, and keep it up-to-date. Now, who has experience editing a blog? (cough, cough)
MLK Rally
Ok, two things from this rally. First, What the hell are Amanda Mayes and Nate Livingston doing? Can there be any doubt that their cause is one of self aggrandizing, greed, and hate? They protested MLK III !!!. That would be like Archbishop Daniel Pilarcyzk picketing a visit from the Pope.

The second issue is choice of the speakers, especially former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. McKinney was defeated in a primary fight last year and blamed her loss on "the Jews." I don't have a full report of the content of her speech at the rally, but I am concerned it is straying from what I have perceived as MLK's message. I will not bother to go into Harry Belafonte. Mr. Belafonte's views on Colin Powel are well known, and most offensive. Including these two speakers in an event such as this would in my opinion cause Martin Luther King Jr. to spin in his grave. Dr. King fought against bigotry and racism. I wish his son could have chosen people to commemorate him, who do not have animosity towards people who are not "people of color."
Downs' Town
Glad to see Maggie doing another meaty topic this week. Downtown is a safe place for people to visit. Now, it is not crime free, but if you really want a sterile community, stay in your subdivision. If you want be in the City, come downtown. I can also attest that the Main Street area has a little bit of everything for everyone: for the hipster, for the hottie, and even for geeks like me.
Residency for Sale?
The Post reports that Damon Lynch III's Woodlawn house has a for sale sign in the front yard. Is this his plan? Move now and forget his alleged lie of the present? It is odd that he claimed to live in East Price Hill for 2 years. I wonder if there are even enough bedrooms there for his entire family. Where is Greg Korte on this issue? Can't he expose the lies? Is there a reason why the Enquirer has not slammed Lynch for his residency? Larry Frazier certainly has been slammed for his troubles. Why hasn't Lynch faced the piper?