MAUREEN DOWD: National House of Waffles
Ms. Dowd is getting to the meat of it. Sorry to disappoint the followers of the Church of Dubya, but George is no better than Bill Clinton. Semantics is not a defense. Intentionally manipulating the public into a war by misleading them as to the gravity of the threat is unconscionable. It is my opinion that deception can be the only conclusion. Trying to claim incompetence is just a head fake. The question is traction. Does this have the legs to carry the media forward? Sunday's talk shows should be an indicator. If no high-ranking Bush officials are on to defend their stance, then the blood is in the water. The question still remains, will the media smell it?

UPDATE: Josh Marshall also advises checking the Sunday talk shows.

UPDATE#2: The Washington Post reports that the CIA had the Uranium reference cut from Bush's October 7th, 2002 speech here in Cincinnati. I love it when Cincinnati can serve a positive purpose.

David Crowley in the Springer Camp?
Gene Galvin's post at RunJerryRun.com makes that implication with a picture of Cincinnati City Councilman Crowley and Springer at events surrounding the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers conference. I am sure both know each other from Jerry's time in town, but I wonder if Crowley will endorse him in the Democratic primary for U. S. Senate. Can Springer count on his Cincinnati connections to pull in the local primary vote?

You can call him Mini-Dean?
Adam over at the Nick Spencer Campaign Blog posted this interesting list:

5 Reasons Nick Spencer is the "Local Howard Dean."

1. Both campaigns are building a grassroots network of support that engages new voters and volunteers.
2. Both Spencer and Dean are strong supporters of GLBT rights. Spencer has taken a visible stand against Article 12, and will be an advocate for the GLBT community on Council.
3. Both are using the internet to mobilize support. The spencer2003.com site was modeled heavily after Deanforamerica.com, and we'll be adding even more content and features in the coming weeks.
4. Both support ending corporate welfare and focusing back on people.
5. Both Spencer and Dean are not afraid to criticize politically powerful special interests when they act against the best interests of the people.

Now, I don't mean to disparage Nick with the Mini-me reference in my title, but I would bet Adam would be dying to use it, if they were not in the middle of a campaign. Local or Mini, they both work, right?

Howard Dean in Cincinnati
Both Dean and Gephardt were in Cincinnati today courting union votes. Gephardt won. My coverage of the event is over at GoXray.com, including a photo.

Food on the Brain
In her latest column the Enquirer's Maggie Downs brings to the table a new group called Food Chain, dedicated to bring people together across cultural/ethnic groups through food. A cross section of people meet around town and sample different and unique foods at local ethnic restaurants. I was not surprised to see a little spillage of last week's column in this week's edition with this quote referring to the founder of Food Chain:

She even wants to head global with the Food Chain project. So, for example, if someone was taking a sky-diving trip to Europe, they could easily locate natives willing to grab a meal and share in conversation.

Ms. Skypunk has something on the brain.

Did the Worm Turn?
CBSNews has this headline "Bush Knew Iraq Info Was False" concerning the State of the Union the "Africa connection." Atrios has this story in depth. With Bush out of the country things are still fluid, but the CBS story appears very firm.

There are three options that come to a focus in the overall analysis of the issue of WMD. They are basic and simple, assuming the facts are known.

1) Bush Lied (or exaggerated depending on the semantics)
2) Bush and Company are incompetent and/or lack good judgment
3) Pray to Zeus that significant WMD agent stockpiles and warheads are located in Iraq.

Time passing and a lack of a full scale no holds bared search leaves #3 more and more unlikely. That leaves 1 or 2. One could argue both if lying is the outcome.

Kevin Drum has the line though most relevant: "What's the definition of 'is'?"

Springer to Run, Technically
Jerry Springer will file papers to run for Senate by Friday. Check out my posts on Polstate.com and GoXRay.com to read more.

Nick Spencer Hits the Blog Trail
City Council candidate Nick Spencer has introduced a blog to his campaign website. Nick, along with his team, plan to update the blog daily with news from Nick's travels. A campaign blog is a great idea. It is not only easy to update, it is a great way to keep people coming to your website. I am sure I will drop by most days, but I hope the blog keeps to the tone of most regular blogs: truth minus the dogma. Reading campaign slogans day after day will not keep me coming back. Listening to stories from Nick's adventures or just mentioning people he has met along the way, kind of a "shout out," will keep my interest. This will also be a great way for Nick to respond to the issues of the day with quick rapid response, while other candidates might have to filter their responses through an html editor. I wish Nick and his blogging crew good luck. I may have to keep them in line, hopefully only on blogging etiquette, not on the issues.

Fascists on the March!
I have been using the word a lot this week, so I will surely get grief again, but Phil Buress is back with a letter to the Enquirer, and his theocratic brown shirted movement fits the word. Burress writes:

"Citizens for Community Values agrees that adults should decide what is sexually explicit,..."

What he is not telling you is that the adults he is speaking about are the members of CCV, the local "Sheriff", Peter Bronson, and the Prosecutor’s office. The people be damned! We don't share his religious guidance, so I guess we know not what we do when we believe in the freedom of speech. Phil, the people have spoken. Most don't want to prosecute Larry Flynt. Most people believe porn is protected speech. They don't want it sold in the open on the street, but it can be sold. Let the individual adult decide what they care to buy or not buy, Phil, we can take it. We don't need you to tell us how to live our lives.

Bronson: Hypocrite
Peter Bronson's column today lambastes the voters for daring to control the police. Peter defends the police union from attacked from City Council and the supporters of Issue 5. I never knew Peter was a pro-union man. I thought Peter believed, as most conservatives do, that the employee should be grateful to his employer for having a job. Peter has repeatedly attacked Teacher's Unions for daring to ask for higher pay and stable jobs. I know expect to hear Peter’s defense of the next teacher’s strike when they expect fair pay and adherence to their contracts, even in the face of newly elected conservative school board members.

Peter has chosen to defend a perpetual contract with police. How is a contract valid when it is made after a new law is passed, dictating rules required in the contract? Why would anyone agree to a contract that violated the new law? Why doesn't Peter address this simple concept? Why isn't the police contract published online? This issue leads to the top. I will look at the role of the Mayor, City Manager, and Police Chief in this scandal in a later post. I might even mention the word "recall." Opps, did I just do that?

A Cowardly Lion?
The search for the Lion out in Deerfield Township has been called off. Police are not sure if there ever really was a lion. I am wondering if the person who claimed to have seen the lion have stopped smoking grass, and put a shirt on.

Old News From FOX News
FOX has caught up with Cincinnati's now 3+ week old ordinance requiring panhandlers to register. I wonder if they will cover Pete's Rose's suspension from baseball next?

Early Democratic Presidential Primary Politics
Donald at All Deliberate Speed has taken the latest 2004 American Presidential Candidate Selector quiz.

My results were as follows:
1. Kucinich, Cong. Dennis, OH - Democrat (94%)
2. Sharpton, Reverend Al - Democrat (84%)
3. Gephardt, Cong. Dick, MO - Democrat (82%)
4. Dean, Gov. Howard, VT - Democrat (80%)
5. Kerry, Senator John, MA - Democrat (79%)
6. Edwards, Senator John, NC - Democrat (76%)
7. Lieberman Senator Joe CT - Democrat (69%)
8. Moseley-Braun, Former Senator Carol IL - Democrat (66%)
9. Graham, Senator Bob, FL - Democrat (63%)
10. Bush, George W. - US President (4%)

I would have guessed I would have been closer to Dean or Kerry, not Kucinich and Sharpton. I am for the record not a registered Democrat, and I will not be participating in the primary for president. I like my status as an independent liberal. I think this selector is not very accurate in its classifications. I would like to see how a conservative placed.

Queen City Soapbox Back
Ethan Hahn has commentary on Bush, Vietnam/Korea, and Iraq.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane....No, It's a Bronson
Ok, I was close with my very prophetic quip about Peter Bronson bungee jumping. In Sunday's column Peter describes his experience in a WWII era fighter.

I tried to find someway to use the classic "Underdog" opening, but I just could not find a good rhyme with Bronson.

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog!

Fascist
I seemed to have attracted a little attention from www.cincynation.com. I would only note this definition of "fascist" from M-W.com:

2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control

Last I checked when someone in power dictates what is considered "obscene", and then acts on that determination, I think using fascist as an adjective is most applicable.

The People & Larry Flynt Vs. Simon Leis
It appears now that a clear majority of local residents agree that the Flynts should be allowed to sell porn videos in their store in the county and that our fascist sheriff should not be pursuing his personal crusades against the Flynts, while hundreds or even thousands of crimes with real victims go unsolved.

Ms. SkyPunk
Maggie Downs has taken one small step for a columnist, one giant leap for all writer kind. I am impressed. That jump took guts. I could never jump out of a working plane. I don't even like roller coasters. I am amazed that Maggie has now become a skydiving enthusiast. She will be jumping from the Carew Tower in no time. She is already a virtually solo jumper, so people eating lunch on Fountain Square better keep one eye in the sky.

The video of her jump was funny. From the initial nervous tension to the Charlie’s Angels pose, a nice presentation. There was one major problem with the video, the soundtrack. I don't know who produced the video, or who chose the sound track, but it could have used some pumping up:

1. Prodigy's “Breathe” would have captured some of the tension.


2. ”Ride of the Valkyries” is always a crowd pleaser, and could have fit in as the plane took off.


3. The Foo Fighters' “I'll Stick Around” might have fit in.


4. Sly & The Family Stone's “I Want to Take You Higher” was simply a must use. It works on so many multiple levels.


5. Jimi' Hendrix's “Gypsy Eyes just sounds cool, and should be used more often on video soundtracks everywhere.

Over all, the soundtrack could have used a little more fun.

Speaking of music, I have a great idea for the Enquirer promotions department. I propose they produce a TV commercial for Maggie's column. The commercial would be a spoof or take-off of the Musical/Movie "Chicago" and use the song "Roxie" with Maggie doing a Broadway style number around the city. They would have to go full boar on the production with dancers, and a re-recording of the song, replacing "Roxie Hart" with "Maggie Downs" in the lyrics of the song. The syllables work out perfectly. They could start with a newsroom shot, cut to the baseball stadium, Main Street, Mount Adams, the Zoo, UC, and end up on Fountain Square. It would be classic. Think of the opening sequence of the "Drew Carey Show" using Cleveland, but just insert Maggie for Drew.

You don't think they would go for it? I think it would work. If Maggie can skydive, she surely can do a Broadway number.

I do have to ask another important question. Why didn't Peter Bronson or Laura Pulfer skydive too? I want to see Peter Bronson try bungee jumping.


Note: In case you wonder whom the original Skypunk was, read this report of his unfortunate death last year and his history here in Cincinnati.

Lions of Summer
I don't know what to make of the supposed Lion on the loose out around Mason, Ohio. The credibility of the man who is the only person to have seen the animal is a bit suspect:

Andy Lawson said he first encountered the lion Sunday night, when it made a grunting racket outside his trailer. The lion returned, sniffing around his trailer, the following night.

Video of Mr. Lawson did not ooze with credibility. WLWT's story, including video, lists a poll asking "do you believe him." There is confusion on the actual name of the person who stated he saw the lion. The UPI story quoted above reports his name is "Andy Lawson", but both the WLWT and WCPO's stories refer to him as "Casper Lawson." The Post agrees. The Enquirer agrees with the UPI. WXIX's web sit took an early vacation, with no coverage of the story. WKRC’s article only referred to the witness as a "resident." Who is right? Well, according to a search of the Clerk of Courts Web site the man's first name is Casper and middle name Andy or Andrew. I would assume he goes by his middle name. I sure would not want to be called Casper.

A simple fact in a story could in the end cause an Andrew Lawson trouble if Casper Lawson's story does not pan out, and he is discredited. Imagine what happens with a story that is more serious and more complicated, like a murder for instance. How often does this kind of fact variation happen on that type of story? A little clarity by all outlets might make sense, especially when this story goes national with the UPI and Washington Times.

Porkopolis: Ham and Fat
Greg Flannery's Porkopolis column this week is worthy of praise and rebuke. First the ham: I praise Greg’s stance in regards to the Cincinnati Progressive Action's refusal to allow the Cincinnati Post's reporter into an alleged "community-wide meeting," while allowing a CityBeat reporter to attend. Double standards are often a problem with extreme left-wing groups like the Cincinnati Progressive Action (CPA). They do not want people discriminated against, except when it comes to something they happen to disagree with, like "Corporate Media." What does the CPA have to hide? Are they plotting a Marxist revolution and don't want any “capitalist pigs” knowing in advance? If a group is about inclusion, then including everyone, no matter their opinions, should be the goal. Why would any group starving for media attention keep an outlet out of an open meeting? Fascist tactics are fascist tactics no matter which side of the political spectrum you haunt.

The fat of Greg Flannery's column came in his screed against the Enquirer’s attempt to broaden its readership. It is, I think, a well-known fact the younger generations, say - those under 40, are not consuming news much, especially daily newspapers. Why shouldn't the Enquirer go after younger readers? I don't know if this method of gaining new readers will work, but it might break up the staleness the paper often exudes. Maggie Downs is still new on the block, and passing judgment on her after one column is a bit premature. I have to laugh a bit at Greg for making fun of the use of her term "Dude." I find it pretentious to find a commonly used idiom to be "so last year." CityBeat produces a great deal of well written stories, but it is not the "arbiter of style" for Cincinnati. If the Enquirer wants to try and get a little hipper, it will not hurt anyone. Fears of what new competition CityBeat might face is a battle better fought by its product on the page, than by cheap rhetorical shots at honest actions. CityBeat can get just as stale as the Enquirer. How many more times can we read Socialist diatribes blaming all of life's ills on either business or "persons not of color"? A little diversity would do some good for everyone. Why doesn't CityBeat have any regular columnists under age 30?

Not Just Me
As a new editor I find it easier to proof read other people's work than my own. In My Miami University post below I did not proof read correctly, leaving a sentence unfinished. This is the Achilles’ heel of blogging: self-editing. When I read Peter Bronson's Column today, I was surprised to learn that I am not the only one with an editing problem. Review this paragraph from his column and tell me what is wrong:

Janet explained why gorillas walk on their knuckles - to protect their sensitive palms for food gathering - and Charlie rounded up a couple of kids to try on the "Gorilla Shirt" that has a 42-inch neck and 38-inch sleeves. They kids fit with room to spare.

In case you missed it, the last sentence seems to need some editing. If Peter wants to pay me, I would be happy to edit him. His problem would be that I might edit out many of his columns in their entirety. I am glad that I am not the only one who needs to improve on my proof reading. I would not want to be Peter's editor right now. I can sympathize. I truly can sympathize.

Miami University
I wish all of the sports reporters at the Enquirer would adopt a fair and consistent means of referring to Miami University as opposed to Coral Gables U. (University of Miami). I hope Dustin Dow starts by not referring to the University of Miami as simply Miami. The Enquirer offices are less than 90 miles from Oxford, Ohio, location of Miami University. Most readers of the Enquirer would know that Miami is in Ohio, and Coral Gables is in Florida. What could be confusing to some non-football fans is when his article headline reads: "Miami bolts, leaves Big East vacuum." I know Miami is not going to the ACC, Miami of Florida is going to the ACC, but I don't like the ignorant misinformed. This is a very simple request and a bit of respect they Enquirer could make to a local university. In the article the only references to the state of Florida are in reference to the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida.

Looking Forward and Looking Downs
This Friday's Maggie Downs column in the Cincinnati Enquirer should be interesting. Today's Enquirer had a "Looking Forward" promo in the editorial section highlighting several upcoming stories this week. The big push is for Maggie's column on her first time skydiving. They went to the length of showing her picture dressed in her skydiving uniform. She is smiling in the picture. I have to wonder, was the picture taken before, or after the jump?

She takes a good picture, even in the skydiving get-up. Ok, I am sucking up a bit, but I am usually nice to new people.

My Opening at XRay
I have two new articles up over at XRay. One is my first editorial, mostly just an introduction of myself to the Web site's readers. Myke Amend has a very funny satire flaming on the RIAA.

Fame, What Is It Good For?
Jerry Springer appears to think his fame, or infamy, derived from this television sideshow could help the Democratic Party if he is elected to the U.S. Senate from here in Ohio. If Jerry wins, I am moving to Kentucky. I will not be any better off, Jerry will not control on the State or local government, but the embarrassment of being from Ohio would then eclipse that of being from Kentucky. Wouldn’t Jerry fit in better in Kentucky anyway? Why doesn’t he run there instead?

Slippery Slope
The Cincinnati Post's editorial today covered last Thursday's Sodomy ruling. The Post wants us to listen to the screed of Justice Salia's dissent as some kind of warning that allowing the Supreme Court to trump a legislature will bring about lawlessness. The hidden problem here is a more stodgy reading of history. The Post wants to focus on the fact that sodomy was considered "wrong" historically in this country, which was true. So was slavery. So was refusing women the right to vote. So was the right of the state to control a woman's body.

The constitution is not rigid. It is ebbs and flows. It is a living and breathing document. It also is there to protect the minority from the tyranny of the mob. The right of privacy is a fundamental right of American Society. "A man's home is his Castle" is an old and true maxim. What you do in your bedroom is a not for the government to concern it self as long as no one is harmed. It is the duty of the government to prevent an oppressive majority religion from using its set of behavior rules as the basis to force the entire populace to comply with its teachings. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is not codified law in this country, but the sentiment surely applies and so does the 14th Amendment.

Nick Spencer on Racial Diversity
Charter Committee City Council candidate Nick Spencer wrote a guest column in Sunday's Enquirer. Nick comes out in strong support of diversity and in big support of the repeal of Article 12, the anti-homosexual city charter clause. Nick calls for whites to spend sometime in predominantly Black neighborhoods. I agree with this idea, it can open people up to new experiences. I suggest Blacks do the same thing though too. Many say White people do not know enough about Blacks, beyond stereotypes. I think the same is true about Blacks. They are just as guilty of only seeing stereotypes, and can use some diversity too. Everyone needs to a know more about the way other people live their lives. Once they do, I think they will discover we all generally live similar lives, with only subtle differences.

Nate Livingston and Amanda Mayes Arrested
Both co-chairs of the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati were arrested while protesting a concert taking place at the Cincinnati Zoo Sunday. WLWT reported that an altercation with a concert goer allegedly took place, which resulted in a police officer suffering minor injuries. Livingston has been charged with Misdemeanor Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly conduct. Mayes was charged with Resisting Arrest.

According to Cincinnati.com Michael McDonald and The Neville Brothers were scheduled to perform at the Wild Nights at the Zoo Concert Series.

UPDATE: WLWT's Story

Katharine Hepburn 1907-2003
There has been no better motion picture actress than Katharine Hepburn. Her best movies include:

The Philadelphia Story
The African Queen
The Lion in Winter
Holiday

One of the last giants of Hollywood's Golden Age has past. My favorite of hers will always be "The Philadelphia Story".

XRay Magazine Has New Web Site Editor
In the movie "The Right Stuff" Dennis Quaid played Gordo Cooper. Cooper's famous line in the movie was "Who was the best pilot I ever saw? Well, uh, you're lookin' at 'im. " Well, if you ask who is XRay Magazine’s new web site editor, then I would say: you're lookin' at 'im.

No, I am not the best web site editor anyone ever saw. I am just starting out, so don't over react to my movie quote. I hope to be the best that I can be, but I will need the help of the XRay Print editors and staff to help me out. What does this mean for my blog? I hope it means little. I hope to continue blogging right along side my work at XRay. I will be honest that I expect to be blogging a little less, but I will try to stay as current as I can.

The Katie Couric of Cincinnati
John Kiesewetter provides us with a fluffy profile of Sheila Gray, morning co-anchor of WXIX-TV's morning news program. John provides a nice profile of Mrs. Gray, which for a TV reporter is not out of the ordinary. He does mention her husband, Ric Robinson, and summarized his career, but John left out Mr. Robinson's horrible run as early afternoon talk radio host on WLW-AM. Ric was a horrible host. Now, I have a low opinion of most talk radio hosts, but Ric was the worst WLW has put on as a regular host that I ever heard. He lasted several months, but Bill Cunningham was moved to the afternoons, which, I hate to admit, was an improvement.

All in all Sheila is a light, bubbly person, who like Katie Couric can be very very annoying. She does what she does well. Morning shows are just infotainment now a days, but it is good that her show is local. It provides local people more opportunity to reach the local audience directly. Katie Couric can't do that. As long as people understand what they are watching is mostly entertainment, mixed with some news, then I hope 19 in the Morning continues providing live locally based content as long as Raycom finds it profitable.

Dennis Miller: Latest Horse's Ass
When did Dennis Miller loose all credibility? Is he a born again Christian now too? He once was a good comic who was on the rational side of the society, but now he has drunk the kool-aide.

I have no problem with people being conservatives, but Dennis Miller used to see all politicians as bullshit artists. Somehow Bush is not a bullshiter? I know that hardcore conservatives worship Bush, so they buy into his propaganda, but Miller had some credibility with a pox on both your houses attitude, trusting no one. How can Miller, a smart man, trust Bush? I do not get it.

His career is now toast. It is one thing to give money to the GOP, or even openly support socially moderate Republicans, but to shill for the right wing's messiah is the kiss of death in Hollywood. I don't see Miller as winning over the hard-core GOP crowd either. He was hated by the Budweiser crowd on Monday Night Football, so I don't see the hardcore Freeper crowd coming out in droves now that Dennis is Bush's toast master. I guess he will have to scrap the Ambrose Bierce and Immanuel Kant jokes, and stick with the "death to Democrats" crowd pleasers. That's the news, and I am outta here!


UPDATE: Andrew Cline at Rhetorica.net comments on Miller's addition to the campaign.

Bush Needs $incinnati
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports:

"Of the top 20 most lucrative ZIP codes for Bush's 2000 campaign, three were in Cincinnati. The one that provided the most money was 45243 - Indian Hill, the verdant home of the Tristate's elite. "

One would think this kind of support would bring more federal dollars back to this area, but it doesn't. Because this area is so one party dominated, none of the local congressman, Chabot and Portman, need to bring home the bacon. The GOP does not have to do anything to get their man elected in this reigon, beyond putting a name on the ballot, airing a few commericals, and making the Democrat look like a baby killing communist. I think GOP City Councilman Chris Monzel might be taking a page from that playbook. I expect his West Sider ploy to come up after Council's summer recess.

New Gen X Enquirer Columnist
I am guessing at Maggie Downs' age based on references in her first Enquirer column yesterday. I applaud a younger voice in the Enquirer. A vast majority of Enquirer columnists are well over 40 years old, leaving their perspective on society rooted before the rise of MTV or the personal computer. My only other comments on Maggie dealt with a story she wrote back in January for the Enquirer. My comments were not well received by at least one friend or co-worker of hers. I enjoyed her light take on Cincinnati. I look forward to reading her takes on Cincinnati culture. I hope she checks out XRAY Magazine to locate some of that culture.

Bronson's Sex Obsession
It seems like every other column from Peter Bronson lately has been about sex in one way or another. He is on a porn crusade one day, and today he is worried about "sex-offenders" living in OTR.

Enquirer Responds to FOP Charges
Well, not directly, but via a small article in their Tristate A.M. Report.

Police group says it wants reporter fired

The Fraternal Order of Police demanded the firing of a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Friday over allegations regarding local restaurateur Jeff Ruby.

The reporter, acting on a tip, had asked Ruby if he offered free meals to police investigating his son.

But Ruby never made the offer, he and the FOP said in a joint news conference Friday. FOP Vice President Keith Fangman alleged that the reporter fabricated the tip to get Ruby to comment on charges against his son.

Brandon Ruby, 19, was indicted June 10 on charges of aggravated rioting and attempted arson in connection with a Cinco de Mayo party near the University of Cincinnati that got out of control.

Enquirer Editor Tom Callinan said: "A reporter asked some questions about some rumors we had heard. But there didn't appear to be anything to the story, so we dropped it."

So the Enquirer stands by their reporter, and presumably will not fire Robert Anglen. He was doing his job and asking about a rumor. The Enquirer did not report the rumor, the FOP reported the rumor. Ruby's image has been damaged, not by the press, but by the police. I am torn by the placement of this story in the newspaper. I would have made it a bigger story; one standing alone, but keeping it low key is an interesting PR choice. I think this will put an end to the story. Fangman got his TV coverage. Ruby got is reputation as a less than honest person reinforced, and the Enquirer is slightly embarrassed. A good news day for Cincinnati.

War in Iraq
Oliver Willis provides a link to AlterNet's 10 Appalling Lies We Were Told About Iraq. Sex, lies, and WMD, what a combo. Billmon has found the king of all revisionist Historians.

A Steak for a Break II
WCPO has an updated story with an interview with Jeff Ruby. Also, the video of the press conference is here. This whole story makes no sense. Why they hell did the FOP get involved? Why did they call the press conference? The Enquirer did not even print a story on the topic. It appears Fangman has the need to stick it to the reporter alleged to be involved, Robert Anglen. According to Fangman the reporter was interviewed by the Internal investigation. Fangman is full of shit here. There is no reason to hold a press conference, except to tar the local press. Fangman has some kind of personal grudge against this reporter, his "unnamed" sources, and the entire Enquirer. Fangman must not like it when he reads stories with like these:
Police review themselves when citizens complain
Profiling settlement approved Don't shoot the messenger on that one, Fangman.
Angry crowd demands answers
Police, fire chief selection questioned
Initial findings may not support officer's actions
Feds study police practices
I guess anyone reporting anything negative about the Cincinnati Police gets attacked by the FOP. Fangman disgusts me. He lays it on thick with is weepy odes to his "fallen" detectives, that NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IF HE HAD NOT HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE.


It will be interesting to the Enquirer's reaction to this. Their comment as relayed in the WCPO story reads:

The Enquirer never published anything about what the FOP and Ruby claim happened and they released this statement saying the "reporter asked some questions and we determined there was no story...that was the end of it."

I have to laugh at one big point. What I guess happened here was that the report had a guess what might have happened and tried to fish out a response. He may have been on to something, but it was surely covered up by now. This tactic is what police and prosecutors do all the time. The lie and manipulate suspects into reacting and making a mistake. The reporter did the same thing. Anglen does not deserve to be fired for doing what police do every day. He may need to question his instincts or in case he was right, he better learn how to get his sources to be firmer, before going in to get the reaction quote from subject of his reporting.

Enquirer Weekend Memos
Let it be known for ever that Linda Cagnetti, Enquirer Editorial Board Member, does not support the right to choose:

"As long as abortion on demand is legal, the more informed everybody is about it, the better. Women making this 'choice' especially need to know everything that's known. "

Ms. Cagnetti supports the recent efforts of Norma McCorvey to try and restart the Roe v. Wade case. McCorvey was the "Roe" of that case, seeking an abortion. She has since become the poster woman of the fanatical anti-abortion movement. There is nothing to debate, at least rationally, about abortion. The positions are well known. What Ms. Cagnetti seeks to do is to put the issue in the media and then have the propagandists do their job. That is not debate, that is verbal mud wrestling.

Sticks Nix Blix Fix
Most people in middle America of the conservative persuasion have a low opinion of U.N. inspector Hans Blix. The Cincinnati Post, on the other hand, thinks Blix was not the fool the Bush Administration and its supporters supposed he was.

A Steak for a Break?
Did Jeff Ruby try to bribe police officers into dropping charges or overlooking actions by his son Brandon? WCPO reports that a reporter from the Enquirer has a source or sources inside the police department stating that Ruby offered police officer(s) with gift certificates to his restaurants in exchange for dropping the charges against his son. Lincoln Ware of 1230 the Buzz stated on his radio program that the Enquirer reporter indicated that Ruby offered 2 detectives the gift certificates. No information on the names of reporter's or the detectives/officers in question.

The big oddity that caught my eye was that Ruby and the FOP held what appeared to have given a joint press conference to deny these allegations. Why would the FOP get involved? Is Jeff Ruby a big FOP booster? My only speculation is that the officers in question did accept the gift certificates for reduced charges, but not a full walk. Why would Ruby hold a press conference when WCPO indicates, "Ruby has filed a complaint against the officers." If Ruby has filed a complaint against any officer, why is the FOP helping him?

Kudos goes out to WCPO's web reporters for adding this caveat to the story:

Disclosure: The Enquirer is the television and Internet partner of WCPO.

In the world of media consolidation and partnerships, it is good to see some honesty prevails to help uphold the ethical standards journalism.

Brownshirts Love Art Too
Not only do local police have a thing for porn, but Steve Ramos reports in CityBeat about the police raid on the Semantics Gallery. Police were out looking for a Rave, to bust, and found a group of artists and art lovers drinking beer. What a crime. What kind of artist drinks beer? If they had been drinking wine, we would never have read about this. If the police don't waste man power on keeping the arts community in line with their stereotypical drink of choice, who will?

Corporate Blackmail Works
The Cincinnati Post reports that City Council has approved a deal to build a $15 million dollar parking garage for use by Kroger's downtown HQ. Kroger had, in so many words, threatened to leave downtown if their parking problems were not solved. I guess their ploy worked.

Playing Chicken with Concealed-Carry
It looks like the all or nothing gun rights lobby wants to keep the issue alive to raise money and go for a special rights bill for concealed gun carriers. Punt now, and hope to elect more right wing crazies to the Ohio Senate or Governor's Mansion.

Cincinnati's Worst Racist/Bigot
No, it is not the police Chief, nor anyone in the Police Department. It is not the Mayor, who is gets a bad rap from "activists." The worst racist/bigot is not even white. There are several local racists who are as bad in their beliefs, but they not as much of a concern because they are not taken seriously by anyone. The worst racist/bigot in Cincinnati wrote the following letter to the editors of City Beat:Gay Play Should Be Condemned
The gay community in Cincinnati wants special rights and wants to be accepted as a new race. A lot of people say, "OK, that's cool, to each his own. It's about tolerance -- if you tolerate my lifestyle, I'll tolerate yours. Hey, that's equal and equal is cool."

But with the play Corpus Christi, the gays have gone too damn far (The Play's a Protest, Too, issue of June 18-24). I can't tolerate this shit -- excuse my French -- portraying Jesus and the disciples as gay. I'll have you know that Jesus is a black man, and He sho' ain't gay!

The nerve of those assholes organizing that play. It should be condemned by Christians and Muslims alike. I condemn it as a black militant, and that's why there's been a protest every day of the play's run.

Who will they portray as gay next? Will it be Moses, David, Solomon or Mary the mother of Jesus, or will it be Dr. Martin Luther King?

The gays have gone too far, and they can kiss my ass. No, I take that back -- they might enjoy that. We will not tolerate the Anti-Christ.


-- Gen. Kabaka Oba, The Black FistKabaka Oba is the worst racist/bigot in Cincinnati because he can write this letter, but feel little heat for his views from other blacks, especially those in the black community seeking "social justice." I think Oba is considered a joke privately by nearly everyone in the city, but he makes great video for the media, great audio for radio, and great copy for the newspaper, so he is only condemned by the likes of Peter Bronson, Mike McConnell, and yours truely. You will notice 2 of the 3 are conservatives and only 1 (me) is a liberal. That is a sorry example for an ideology that claims to be the leader in fighting bigotry and racism. Jay Love recently began openly chastising Oba, but others on his radio station still give him airtime without rebuke. Other media outlets have allowed Oba to stand out as an activist, but when the KKK comes to town they are reported as evil incarnate. We have someone as bad as the KKK in our media weekly, but he is treated with legitimacy that allows his messages of hate to grow.

Newest and Youngest Charterite?
Mike Goldman, Charter Committee President, greeted Nick Spenser as the most recently Charter-endorsed Candidate for Cincinnati City Council with this comment reported in Greg Korte's Inside City Hall column:

"He's extremely young, there's no doubt about that."

The quote did go on to praise Nick's campaign organization, but the opening blurb is hardly a great moniker for Nick to wear. Will Charter get more than one person on council this year? I don't think Nick has the money or the reach to win a seat, but a good campaign could pave the way for him to move up the Cincinnati political ladder into a good job and eventual political office.

A Little Problem to Overcome
Woe is the UC basketball program. Yet another Huggins player has his day in criminal court. This time NBA prospect Donald Little has pled guilty to assault, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. All of this just 2 days before the NBA draft. Little, who is 25 (a bit old for a senior), may have to take any contract put before to him, and be thankful for it. The crime victim is reportedly suing Little for 1 million dollars. That is a big chunk of change, even for a professional basketball player. He is lucky he pled to a lesser crime. He was charged with kidnapping and felonious assault. Councilman David Pepper's kidnappers got around 8 years for their crime, and Pepper was not injured. Little should serve his time, and get out of Dodge, and be glad that he will still get paid to play a game.

Rest of the coverage: Post, WCPO, WLWT, and WKRC.

The Preacher Who Cried Wolf
The Rev. Damon Lynch III is crying racism in Forest Park. His son, Lynch IV, got a speeding ticket. That's right, a speeding ticket. He was not shot. He was not assaulted. He was not threatened with physical harm. He was asked to exit his car, and it was then searched. Jay Love, of 1230 the Buzz, said on his radio show today that Rev. Lynch was crying wolf. Jay Love lives in Forest Park. Jay Love knows of no one who has been racially profiled by the Forest Park police. Damon Lynch III is "pimping" his son for a payday. More than one caller on Jay Love's show asked if Damon Lynch would be protesting the next time someone else's child was stop by police in Mason or Blue Ash. I would expect Lynch to sit on his hands, unless he can grab some free money, or at least a little free publicity.

All Deliberate Speed has full coverage of several of today's SCOTUS decisions.

Trent Lott No-Show
Trent Lott was missing from Senator Mike DeWine Ice Cream Social yesterday, but that did not keep the Boycott B from protesting in full force, all 5 of them. The Dayton Daily News covered the event and talked with the protestors. A "Nathaniel Lewis" was quoted “We tried to get here earlier, but there was a lot of traffic,” trying to explain their late arrival to the event. I am not sure if "Nathaniel Lewis" is Nate Livingston's new nom de plume or if the reporter has bad hearing. The event was nothing special, and without Trent Lott, DeWine saves a little face. I wonder if Lott did not show, or if DeWine asked him not to show. We will never know that. I wonder if the Boycott B gang was able to all fit into one car or since they all are leaders of there own little "groups" they each drove separately. Nothing about them surprises me anymore.

Walnut Hills High School
WCPO's I-Team has a follow-up their story from last month where they claimed the Principal, Marvin Koenig, was not operating admission standards according to Cincinnati Public Schools policy. The new report brings up fresh allegations about grade changing by the Principal, another violation of policy. Reporter Stephen Hill also brought forth the charge that one student got into the highly regarding Walnut Hills High School in part to a financial donation the student’s family allegedly made to a new building addition at the school. According to the I-Team, CPS Administration officials may release more information on these allegations as soon as this week.

I do not know what to make of this incident. This is, after all local TV news. The issues appear to be singular actions. No evidence of wide spread violations was provided. Only a handful of occurrences were aired, so any violations reported are small and in any reasonable school system are understandable. Rules are not absolute. Sometimes things change for reasons that may make more sense than the dramatic I-Team music would lead you to believe. This issue of the possible quid pro quo is a serious question that if proven true should cost someone their job.

DONALD at All Deliberate Speed has added me to his blogroll, for which I thank him. I have to correct one thing about his comments. I live on the east side of Cincinnati, not the west. I don't fit in with the "stereotypical west sider." I am to the left of most of the City of Cincinnati in political terms, far to the left on social issues. I agree with him that Cincinnati is an important gauge of opinion in the Country. Cincinnati is basically the Mecca of mainstream Conservatism. We have our share of freakish reactionary conservatives, but most of them are Bush style Conservatives. I am not a fan of Bush at all, and most of his policies I find horrible, but Bush is not a reactionary. That does not mean he is not dangerous, just not as dangerous as the Free Republic crowd.

Calling All Local Bloggers!
I am compiling a list of local blogs from the Greater Cincinnati Metro area. I will eventually have a page of links listing all of the blogs categorized by category. If you are a blogger out there, please send me an email, or add a comment, with your blog address, email address, and a general description of what kind of blog you write. I will be happy to include anyone who may not think they are in the official Cincinnati area, so don't be bashful. Also, don't hold back. If you want people to read your blog, you have to promote it. If anyone wants to suggest another blog, please send that along too. I am not trying to create a master list of blogs, just those from the Cincinnati, Tri-state, or even greater Ohio area.

Enquirer's Concealed-Carry Coverage
The Editorial Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer has gone all out in coverage of the concealed-carry law that is slated to become law. Their editorial on it is a cheerleading call to action to try and reconcile the two bills passed in each in respective chamber. I will never know why people want this so much. Why do people feel the need to carry around a gun? How many people will ever have to draw their gun? I hope the number is small. If you never draw your pistol, why did you need it? I think the answer is that you are afraid. That is reasonable. We are all fearful of something, but most of us not to the point that we feel the need to carry around a deadly weapon.

The paper provides a good summary of the law passed by the senate, which has the governor's support. The Enquirer also provide two oddly opposing views on the subject. From Chuck Klein they get an extremist gun nut's point of view. Chuck is pissed that the Senate law tries to protect children. He wants an open shooting range so much that he is not even willing to compromise on the law and agree to a simple restriction involving children and guns in cars. Toby Hoover provides the safetly prospective in opposing the law all together. I agree with Mr. Hoover on his stance on the law and I think that carrying around guns on our streets does nothing but increase the ego of the gun carrier. If there is a reasonable need for an individual to carry a gun on their person, I am open to laws allowing people to carry a gun. Reason could be as part of the their job, like deliver persons who are targets of robbers or people who have been threatened with physical harm or have specific types of restraining orders issued for protection.

The Cleveland Suburban newspaper The Morning Journal had an interesting editorial on Friday. They raised this point in their title:

"State lawmakers in Columbus can't manage to help more Ohioans carry a college degree, but they're hard at work to help Ohioans carry concealed weapons. How stupid. "

Indeed.

Riot News Coverage
During the 2001 riots here in Cincinnati, with the exception of the on the spot coverage of 1230 the Buzz, local news media stayed well behind police lines, limiting coverage of the most intense periods of the actions. If you listened to first hand testimony or listened to the police scanners, you hear a war zone. The decriptions from a reporter for the Herald Palladium about the recent riots in Benton Harbor, Michigan confirms what the local press may have faced if they had ventured deep into the riots back in April of 2001. Some limited stories of bottles and bricks hitting news vans were reported, but nothing compared to what reporter Kim Strode went through just trying to report the story. As a side note the Herald Palladium, the local St. Joseph-Benton Harbor, Michigan newspaper, has an interesting editorial about the police officer involved in the chase that instigated the riots.

Last Gasp or New Future for the Post?
The Cincinnati Post reports on itself today indicated they are consolidating their news rooms into the downtown Cincinnati location. From a business perspective, I wonder why this was not done years ago. I understand that Northern Kentucky residents was local coverage, and the Kentucky Post does an ok job of providing that, but being just over the border is a superficial element, that was only a symbolic tradition. I hope this buys E. W. Scripps some time to stabilize the paper. Rumor has the Cincinnati Post closing down once the Joint printing agreement with the Enquirer expires, keeping the Kentucky Post alive, but focused almost exclusively on Kentucky. If the FCC rules on ownership of newspapers and local TV stations stays in place, could the Post be sold to someone like Clear Channel? A news room connecting WLW, WKRC-TV and a new Cincinnati Post would be a conservative's dream. Would it bring new competition against an Enquirer/WCPO-TV alliance or just homogenize 3 news organizations into one? It is nothing but speculation, but is it plausible?

HERE IS Stonewall-Cincinnati's take on the Van Kuiken Removal from the Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church for marrying gays and lesbians. Small critique: this document needs a date published listed.

Bush Says Iraqi Weapons Sites Were Looted
So let me get this straight. Bush is now admitting that we know the weapons were looted? WTF? So the oil fields were more important to protect, than the WMD? We sent special teams to secure the oil fields, but no special teams in to protect the WMD sites? Do people have barrels of VX in their basements right now? How secure is that? This sounds like the worst attempt at spinning I have ever head. Bush did not even have to the balls to say in a more covered speech, he choose the routinely meaningless weekly radio address. This did not even make the 11:00 AM CNN or MSNBC top stories. Mike Tyson's arrest made it, but not Bush on the alleged looting of WMD. Nice, folks, nice. I guess Harry Potter was just to "big" of story to cover last night, so all of the reporters are sleeping when Bush breaks news.

Yet Another Religious Zealot
A letter to the Editor (4th) in Today's Enquirer got my dander up:

"Humanist ethics are subjective"

The letter ("Ten Commandments defenders don't get it," June 12) is part of the reason the United States faces a moral dilemma today. When the letter writer rejects the biblical foundation of morality that was used by our founding fathers to frame much of our government, he instead lays the foundation of subjectivity. He is only partially right when he says that "...Similar values and morals (found in the Ten Commandments) can be praised and taught in the secular humanist arena."

People should realize some of the things that humanism is offering as a replacement to what had been taught in American schools for over 200 years: Institutions with authority, such as governments, the United Nations, and the American Humanist Association can pick and choose what values should be taught. If that doesn't sound a little arbitrary, they can also modify, discard or acquire new ones whenever they like. That is the nature of situational ethics.

To make this system of morality more acceptable to the man who doesn't happen to like the 10 suggestions that some authority has forced upon him, he is free to make up his own commandments to live by. One is perfectly within the letter writer's humanist rights to do this, especially if they break with old traditions. But, if they are recognizably religious or old-fashioned, then you'd best keep them to yourself.

Paul McDorman, Mason

I hate to break some news to Mr. McDorman but morality and morals are subjective. How do I know this? Simple, I do not share Mr. McDorman's morals. His morals or belief system includes conformity, blind obedience, and well just plain old ignorance. I fall back into those states, but I try like hell to get out of them. I prefer not to conform because my religion tells me to for no reason I find valid. I do not trust a 2000+ year old books as anything more than fiction akin to Aesop's Fables or Le Morte d'Arthur. I sure try to reduce my ignorance at nearly every chance I get. Mr. McDorman on the other hand is missing a few things. Christianity is not the basis of our government. There is no democracy in the Bible. There are monarchies, kingdoms, lords, and masters, but no democracies, unless you want to count the Romans, but in the Bible they are the bad guys. The United Nations was created not by secular humanists, but mostly by Christians (USA, UK, and France). Life is made up of situations. They all differ. How I look at them and how Mr. McDorman looks at them differ. I would guess Mr. McDorman would handle a robber in his house differently than I would. He might shoot him, where I would try and stop him without killing him or seriously injuring him, using deadly force only if attacked. If I differ from you Mr. McDorman, how can you deny that ethics are subjective? We have laws to try and keep order in this society. Not everyone agrees with every law. Does that mean we should not have laws? Of course not. Should we have religious laws? Of course not. If you want to practice your religion Mr. McDorman, go right ahead, no one will stop you, as long as you don't force it on others. Teaching religious morality in schools is forcing it. I also remember something else that was subjective. For over 200 years people in this county own slaves. Because that happened for a long time, and worked well (for the slave owners) should we bring it back? Of course not.

BUZZ Boycott?
The Cincinnati Business Courier is reporting that WIZF-FM (100.9) and WDBZ-AM (1230) will be moving their offices and presumably their studios to Centennial Plaza on Central Avenue, which is across from City Hall. The move is slated to take place in October. The problem this brings is that both radio stations will be in the boycott zone. Will the Boycott Groups (A and/or B) modify their moving target boycott and not call for a listening boycott of the BUZZ and the WIZ come October? Is this a plot by the "man" (I guess I am one of them) to break the boycott? Is the BUZZ merely a pawn in the white man's oppression of the black man? (cough, cough). It couldn't have anything to do with Lincoln Ware wanting to save gas money by not having to drive to City Council meetings, could it?

Trent Lott's Ohio
How soon do we forget? Senator DeWine`s Annual Ice Cream Social is detailed as follows:

Date: June 22, 2003
Time: 1PM-5PM
Special Guests: Senator and Mrs. Trent Lott
Location: DeWine Farm, Cedarville
Contact: Barbara Schenck (937) 376-3080

The Boycott B (CJC) has issued a press release stating they will be protesting the event. Nate has invited the likes of Rev. Al. Sharpton, Kweisi Mfume, Jerry Springer and Ohio Senate candidate Eric Fingerhut, to join the protest. Odds are that Sharpton, Mfume, and Springer will be no shows, but if Eric Fingerhut wants the black vote in the primary, he might do well to go. This will be a long haul for Nate and company. Cedarville is northeast of Xenia, but is located relative close to Central State and Antioch, both schools might actually provide a significant number of protestors, assuming a large enough population of kids are still on campus. If the protests only amounts to the usual suspects from the Boycott B, then it will be a laugher, and attract no attention. The most ironic thing is that racists are protesting a man accused of being a racist. Lott's statements are tame compared to those of the "Black Fist" and other CJC allied groups, who are admitted black nationalists/separatists and racists. The boycott B's tactics do take a new low from their press release:

”CJC leader Nathaniel Livingston, Jr. also questions Senator DeWine’s commitment to family values. Livingston has filed suit to gain access to the divorce records of Senator DeWine’s son, Pat DeWine, a member of Cincinnati City Council. In the Complaint, Livingston accuses Senator DeWine of threatening a local television reporter, John Damschroder, for attempting to report on Pat DeWine’s extramaritial [sic] affair with an African American woman.”

Nate has reached a whole new level of scumbag with that kind of action.

Back to DeWine and Lott. It is very unseemly for Mike DeWine to be hanging around with Trent Lott. DeWine just perpetuates the GOP's reputation as being soft on bigotry. There are 50 other Senators DeWine could have asked to visit, in place of Lott. If Mike thinks he has to get out the KKK vote to help Voinovich beat Jerry Springer, then I think he might be a bit paranoid. At this point Springer is a weak candidate and Voinovich is moderate/libertarian enough to hold on to the middle of the road voter. The Democrats should be all over this, but will they drop the ball. The question that should be on everyone's lips: will State Senator Doug White join his compatriot in shame Trent Lott? White's comments about Jews placed in the same league with Lott, but it did not cost him his leadership position. Will the two of them cost the GOP any votes? I wonder....

UPDATE: Link to the CJC's press release.
UPDATE#2: The Ice Cream Social made the Dayton Daily News, but no mention of Trent Lott, not even a mention. A cancellation or an omission?

DeWine Has a Point?
It is an election year for Cincinnati City Council. That of course means that City Council members will be doing and saying things to try and get elected. Pat DeWine is clamoring about the method in which Council plans on paying for the cost of settling the "racial profiling" lawsuits. DeWine's beef is that instead of fitting the cost into the budget now, most on Council want to issue bonds for it now, and after the election offset the cost of the bonds against unknown budget items. For once I agree with DeWine. If council is going to settle the lawsuits, they should announce to the city what is going to be cut to pay for it. If certain programs, summer jobs programs for example, have to be cut, then let us know now. I am sure the money being to spent to keep Kroger downtown will no doubt drive the boycotter's bonkers, as well as the transnational progressives over at CityBeat. They should be thankful that Kroger is not going to walk away. The nearly 1,200 jobs at the Kroger HQ would be impossible to replace, and so would the tax revenue it creates.

Living in a Van, Down by the River
Pearl Jam's concert slated for tonight was cancelled. I will now wait for the Boycott B groups to issue a press release claiming to have caused the flood of Riverbend Music Center. I guess they either have a lot of buckets, or they drank a lot of beer. Chalk up another “victory” for Nate and the gang. I am sure fans will instead look inward and see the error of their ways. What kind of a person goes to a rock concert, when there are racist groups boycotting the city? What kind of person indeed.

Doug Trapp's Last Tango
In a biting CityBeat Editorial Doug takes on the ills of Cincinnati. Doug is off to Africa as part of the Peace Corps.

CityBeat: Trafficking in Peace
CityBeat News Editor Gregory Flannery is a free man. It appears the Prosecution had limited evidence to convict Greg, and might have wanted to avoid a high profile case with a member of the media. Extra attention is not something a DA wants, unless it can get him reelected.

OK Corral
Since Governor Bob Taft is backing the concealed-carry bill, I wonder if he is going to back the Boot Hill funeral fund?

A Pepper Burn
Greg Korte of the Enquirer reports that City Councilman David Pepper was recently slammed by the GOP for an old photo-op in front of a theater with Developer LaShawn Pettus-Brown, who is wanted by the FBI on fraud charges for misappropriation of funds in the renovation of that theater. Pepper's response was:

"Are they talking about the theater that Ken Blackwell stood in front of and said, 'LaShawn Pettus-Brown doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk?' "

Ken Blackwell is currently the Ohio Secretary of State, and a Republican. Ken also was formerly mayor of Cincinnati. I wonder when they are going to start in on each other's mother?

Our Men Flynt
Überfascist Simon Leis and political social climber Mike Allen are off wasting time with a needless prosecution of the Flynt brothers. Last I checked we had countless cases of burglary that have yet to be solved. Why haven't these crimes been solved? Hmm, I wonder if media attention has something to do with it? One last windmill charge for the old sheriff. Here's a summary of that media coverage.:
WLWT, WXIX, 12 WKRC, WCPO,Enquirer, and the Cincinnati Post.

Church tosses defiant minister
The bigots had the votes. Little anyone could do.

Sheriff's deputies seize Hustler videos
Jack booted thugs are off on another snipe hunt again. When will Leis stop his crusade? We have had how many shootings in the last week and the Sheriff’s manpower is wasted on this non-crime? We have real crime going on in the rest of the county. Why does Leis start working some theft cases? Surely fighting theft is more important than working about a few harmless videotapes. Well, I guess in Leis's mind, since he is not aroused by porn, no one else should be either. Nottingham is getting restless. I hope the CAC hides the topless pictures.

West End Community Members Push For Private Security
We have a police force. If there is a special need in a neighborhood, then add more police coverage. If people want private protection, then local businesses can pay for it themselves like every other business does. When bars have off duty cops working outside most of them are paid by the bar or local business association. Set up something similar, but don't use public funds to pay for it. If only public funds are available, then instead hire more police. Outsourced police forces will not fly. The other idea that is often floated to quell West End or OTR crime/violence is hiring the Nation of Islam's private security firm to patrol the streets. Subsidizing a hate group is the last thing the City of Cincinnati should be doing. The bad apple bigots in the CPD are bad enough. Adding racists will just increase the racial conflict. If people only want "black" security firms because they think only "blacks" can secure “blacks”, which some have professed, then those people are professing racist beliefs. Appeasing that racism will become a permanent City policy. I hope the racist vote is not such a big key to Mallory’s or Cooper’s successful political future.

Post Editorial: Weaponsgate?
Compare this to the Enquirer's editorial on this subject. Odd split of local opinion. I like the name, "Weaponsgate", but I would also consider "WMDgate", "Intelgate", or even "Iraqgate". I wll settle for a full-scale investigation with full media attention.

Councilman breaks up fight in Corryville
Tarbell gets involved. Good for him. I find it funny that Jay Love of 1230 the Buzz feels Tarbell should just had called the cops and wait for them to break up the assault. If Jay were watching a murder take place, would he let the person die while waiting for the police to arrive?

Theater protest only grows
So do ticket sales, which this article promotes. I wonder if Peter Bronson has seen the play yet, or is he busy burning porn?

Enquirer Editorial: Ten Commandments
On the issue of erecting a monument of the Ten Commandments on a public school the Enquirer is correct to support the court ruling requiring their removal. They are however wrong in their contention:

There is nothing wrong with exposing children to the moral truths embodied in the Ten Commandments. Teachers are free to explain the moral underpinnings of the commandments and how they influenced the development of our laws and society, just as they free to explain the principles and historical contributions of other religions. But public schools must not show deference to one religion over another, and that is exactly what the stone markers in Adams County were meant to do.

There is something wrong with teachers trying to explain morals to children. Whose morals are you going to choose? I do not want my future children taught that the first four commandments are "moral." The remaining six are in most incarnations good rules to live by, the "Golden Rule" being a better one, and are covered to varying degrees in criminal and civil law. The problem is that how do you teach these rules? Do you teach a kid that killing is wrong, and then ignore the death penalty?

Religion should not be taught in schools beyond the scope of the cultural impact it played in various societies and nations over time. This is useful in understanding history, social studies, and other similar disciplines. One can't study European History for example without understanding the influence of the Roman Catholic Church or the various reasons for war, which often had a conflict of religions element to it. That does not mean the teacher advocates the "morals" taught by a particular religion.

This editorial is a crafty one on a PR basis. The board took the valid legal and logical position of the court ruling, but did not want to come across as "anti-Christian" that stance is perceived to have by fanatics. They therefore chose to raise the issue of a pantheistic type approach to religion in school, which is in my opinion still unconstitutional. A pantheistic approach from a Christian perspective all to often is really a monotheistic approach, where monotheistic religions are acknowledged, while polytheistic and non-religious perspectives are ignored. If not monotheistic, then an institutional religious perspective is the bias, where individual religious beliefs or other minor religions are ignored or viewed as "nutty." The nearly never ending string of possible set of religious beliefs, not to mention the lack of religious beliefs, makes teaching their principals difficult, except in specific historical contexts. Keep moral lessons in the home and/or place of worship. Let teachers stick to the secular world.

Answers for Rob Bernard About WMD
Rob had a few questions for those who are concerned about the US not finding WMD in Iraq yet. I'll leap to a conclusion this might have been a rebuttal to my questions from Thursday. I'll take a stab:

1. Would you concede that Iraq had WMD before Gulf War I?

Obviously yes.:

2. Would you concede that a large number of these weapons were unaccounted for when the inspectors left in '98?

Unaccounted based on UN inspectors, yes. Whether this was true or not, this was the paper accounting.

3. What do you suggest Iraq did with those weapons? Do you really think Iraq destroyed them and just decided not to show us just to be petulant?

These are the possibilities:

1. Iraq overstated its WMD program before 1991, therefore the 1998 accounting was overstated.


2. The accounting of WMD materials in 1998 was wrong, for reasons other than listed in #1.


3. Iraq destroyed its WMD at some point. Could have been anytime after 1998 right up to now.


4. Iraq transferred its WMD to another country or terrorist group.


5. The WMD were looted in the chaos following the fall of the Regime and could be anywhere.


6. The WMD are still hidden somewhere in Iraq.

Rob’s questions confirm the problem of revisionism that has gripped the Bush Administration and its supporters. Bush made the claim that Iraq possessed WMD. He claimed that his administration had clear and certain evidence that Iraq possessed these weapons. Possession of WMD was the tantamount threat to the USA, US interests, and US allies that was made as the basis for going to war. What is becoming more clear is that the only evidence Bush had was circumstantial, at best.

Current efforts at find WMD in Iraq support two conclusions. One is that the US did not have any firm knowledge of where the WMD were located. Also, the low priority of the search indicates that now the unguarded existence of those weapons must not be a threat, because no actual weapons currently exist. This is where the lie/exaggeration/manipulation arises. Bush used the imminent threat of WMD as the focal point for going to war. We were under a threat, and had to defend ourselves. He claimed such, but it is clear now that were we not under such a threat. We may find some WMD, and we will surely find evidence of a WMD Program. Having a program is not an imminent threat to the US. If it were we would have declared war on half a dozen other unfriendly nations. Bush could have just used bad judgment, which will be his defense. The CIA will undoubtedly be the scapegoat, but may end up being Brutus in the end. Bush may have relied on faith-based intelligence. This possible lapse in judgment is a factor and action that a President should not shirk from. He should take it beg forgiveness. He should suffer the defeat at the next election. If Bush did knowingly put forth this threat of WMD without any reliable support, then I have to wonder if anyone can say lying about the reasons for going to war is not an impeachable offense, but lying about a blowjob is. Bush still might get lucky. He might find a bunker full of chemical weapons that could have been used on the US military. If he does, then everyone, including me will have cake on their face. Short of that type of find, I will personally remain angry. I trusted that Bush would not lie about WMD. I assumed Iraq still had a significant cache left. If Bush or anyone in his administration knew before hand that this was not the case, Nixon will begin to look like a light weight.

A crime beyond words
Well, Peter found a few words to use for his column. Is this fire and brimstone week at the Church of Bronson? Peter's false leap in this column is right from the CCV's fascist in chief, Phil Burress. Peter claims pornography causes or leads to "kiddie porn." This is totally unsubstantiated, and completely false. Peter brings out this old and trite propaganda:

Porn peddlers who get filthy rich on it often get away with the myth that "it's a victimless crime."

Peter, "kiddie porn" is horrible. Those are messing with it should be locked up for a long time. Those producing it should be locked up for good. Using the victims of kiddie porn as your tools in your puritanical crusade against pornography is sickening to me. Peter, if you want to attack the scum who abuse children, I will applaud you. If you want to exploit those children's victim hood for an unrelated cause, I condemn your callousness, as well as your closed minded moralizing. If you can't find the words, Peter, I think you should refrain from writing.

Unguarded WMD?
If there are still weapons of mass destruction or the components needed for making them lying around in a bunker someone isn't that rather dangerous? Couldn't someone just walk away with them? Maybe they already have. Isn't that sort of a problem? Isn't that our worst nightmare? Could Hamas have chemical weapons as I type? Hasn't the war increased the danger of WMD? Well, not if Saddam has destroyed them, and not if they were mostly all destroyed by the inspectors in 1998 and before. But WMD are really meaningless, right??? We don't have to fear any terrorists getting hold of them now. We don't need every qualified inspector from around the world to help comb the country as fast as possible, thus preventing anyone stealing the WMD. Those are not fears we should have. We should just sit back, relax, and wait for the dividends to role in.

Imax Theater at Levee closes
Is the Newport Levee not strong enough for big attractions? Is it just a nice mall? I have yet to set foot in the place. All reports are that it is a wonderful place to go, but how much is now empty there? Will the ShadowBox Cabaret be able to survive?

Animal linked to monkeypox went to Edgewood school
If there wasn't any panic before, I bet there is now. I hope the pediatricians are willing to work overtime this weekend.

Dog Day Afternoon
A reader sends a request via email.

I am writing to you in hopes to gain more exposure in helping out a local
dog who needs a good home. She is eight years old, so the local rescue places will not consider her as a candidate; apparently in the dog world she is considered a senior! Her owner passed away last month and the owner's son and I are now taking care of her, though it's a challenge. We live in a small apartment with two cats and two kids, and the dog is not adapting well to the environment.....

A dog needs a good home. Here is another site on the pooch down on its luck. Email the current caretaker here.

Controversy won't deter cast of 'Corpus Christi'
The most perplexing element of this situation is that the play is being performed at a church. A religious group is protesting the play. A Church group is protesting another church. Has that happened before? I am sure it has happened at some point in the past, but a picket line outside another place of worship protesting their rights to use their church as they see fit. This would make a great SNL skit.

City art gallery cited for alcohol violations
Was the Enquirer scooped by City Beat? Read Greg Flannery's latest Porkopolis column and decide for yourself.

Possible Monkeypox Found In Greater Cincinnati
Please do not jump to conclusions. The odds that these are really cases of Monkeypox are on the surface very unlikely. I hope tonight's local news doesn't make this into a panic inducing ratings bonanza. I know, I know, they will. There is not a local TV news produces who would not give their firstborn in exchange for the number one rated news team. I can just picture the teaser...."Monkeypox in Cincinnati? Are You Going to Die? Find out tonight at 11."

President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat
Above is a link to President Bush's speech from right here in Cincinnati. The link is from the White House, so I doubt anyone will doubt the source. This quote is one that gets my goat:

Some ask how urgent this danger is to America and the world. The danger is already significant, and it only grows worse with time. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons today -- and we do -- does it make any sense for the world to wait to confront him as he grows even stronger and develops even more dangerous weapons?

The bold emphasis was added. First, I will not play semantics and say "dangerous weapons" does not necessarily mean WMD. The paragraph in the speech directly before this ends on a quote with the words "weapons of mass destruction." To me, that is what he meant. In the speech over all it is clear he was trying to communicate that Iraq possessed WMD, not that they just had a WMD program. If that is the case, then the questions are rather obvious:

1. If the Bush Administration knew Saddam Hussein had WMD, then how did they know it, yet not know where to find them after the war?


2. If the reader has answered #1 above with something to the effect of "they were destroyed by Saddam" or "they are still hidden" or "they were moved to Syria," then I agree those are possible, but so is the fact that they could had been destroyed before the war.


3. If Bush knew these weapons existed, ready to be used, then why is that not a bigger priority for the administration?


4. If those weapons existed then they could be in the hands of people trying to sell them. Was that not something the war was trying to prevent?


5. If you assume the intelligence on WMD was either weak or faulty or selectively filtered, then why would Bush make such a speech? My answer here is where the lie/exaggeration comes into to play as a means to manipulate public and even Congressional opinion.

The jury is still out on the WMD issue, but my concern is that people are being led into believing that the ends justify the means. Winning without honor is just losing by another name. If anyone can read the whole speech and not believe Bush did not state Iraq possessed WMD, then I will eat my hat. In lieu of not wearing a hat, I will eat my least favorite dinner for a week. Will this issue continue to gain attention? I shall continue to watch, but I do not expect truth to see much light in Bush's America.

The strategically ambiguous George W. Bush
It depends on what the meaning of "is" is, or rather in this case on the meaning of "weapons" of mass destructions vs. "weapons programs." This clear distinction is the basis of Bush's exaggeration/lie about evidence of WMD in Iraq. I hate to once again bring out a cliché, but if Bill Clinton had done this, the right-wingers would be calling him a murder of around 200 US military service members. Bush gets a pass from his flock. The media is starting to come around on this point, but will they keep up the pressure? This is more than enough for any President to be pushed out of office, but that is in terms of a non-media saturated culture. This is enough for him to lose next year. Will the media allow it to be used by the Democrats? I wonder how the beast will handle it. I have hope, but having been a sap on WMD before makes me übercynical on the media having balls.

Chris Anderson comments on Light Rail in Cincinnati. Well, it is really commuter rail using existing track. The idea is interesting, but Chris raises one big issue: the location of the track lacks population within ½ mile. Chris states that this is an important factor in establishing ridership. If people can't walk to the train stops, they are less likely to use it, and ½ mile is the conventional wisdom limit.

Run Jerry Run!
This is just sad. I wonder if the people behind Forest Gump know they have stolen a line from the movie? Quit Jerry Quit? Is that better?

IF YOU WANT the typical fundamentalist's screed on art questioning religion, then Bronson's your man. I myself am tired of responding to his drivel. Does Peter have a deal with the Corpus Christi producers? He raises a stink and they sell more tickets. Hell, I hope they made such a deal. The more people that see this, the more likely it is quality plays will be performed here. What I really have to wonder about Bronson: has he even seen the play? If not, then why is he trusting the propaganda of others? Come on Peter, buy a ticket for yourself and see what all of the fuss is about. My guess is that he might even enjoy himself. He will feel guilty about it, but hey, he can always become a Catholic and then feel guilty all the time.

'Shame the Devil': Hal McKinney and the shooting at Junker's Tavern
An ingaging column from Kathy Y. Wilson of City Beat. Kathy gives a thickly rich taste of Hal McKinny the "Northside Vigilante." Kathy paints McKinny as an honest man with a crystal focus against crime in his neighborhood. He comes across a little sad, and very creepy. I want to say he is obsessed, but Kathy's tone is a relaxed one, and she seemed to be a bit impressed. I think she expected him to be the devil, but instead pulled the curtain to find just a man, flawed yet credibly wise. The bulletproof vest would have been to much for me to handle, even more than having guns lying around a house with 6 year old kid. Needing a vest is not the kind of life I would want, and not want to be around. Kathy gets extra credit for courage in that regard.

Two indicted in Clifton 'mini riot'
The Ruby family is made for a TV movie. Being a Cincinnati restaurant magnet does not mean you are free from scandal. First Mrs. Ruby has a run in with the law, now the son. Brandon's case will undoubtedly get a fair share of scrutiny from those who think his family name might get him a slap on the wrist. That scrutiny includes me, but also I suspect includes some individuals in the boycott. Will Mike Allen push for jail time? Brandon was released on his own recognizance, which is an interesting occurrence. I would have guessed that 2 felony charges might warrant some kind of financial bond. Surprises happen, so he could walk free, or get hard time in state prison. You have to ask yourself one question: when does Mike Allen go up for reelection?

Neoliberal at Your Service
Tom Friedman's column today puts forth a good definition of "neoliberalism":

Neoliberals believe in a muscular foreign policy and a credible defense budget, but also a prudent fiscal policy that balances taxes, deficit reduction and government services.

What I find lacking is the stance a neoliberal would take on social issues. Is a neoliberal closer to Bill Clinton and the DLC on social issues? If that is the case, I am not a neoliberal. Otherwise, that definition fits me fairly well. Throw in a very liberal social freedom belief system and I am hooked, otherwise I have to qualify it with yet another subsection. One of to do items is compiling a listing and a chart on micro political ideologies. This little project is not high on my priorities, but I guess I can label Mr. Friedman without much flack.

My latest Polstate.com post is up.

OH: Springer Creates Exploratory Committee
Talk show host Jerry Springer has announced the formation of an exploratory campaign committee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican George Voinovich of Ohio. Full Post

Yes, it would appear Jerry is going to run. This is great for bloggers, comedians, news junkies, and professional journalists. It may not be good for the Democrats. Jerry has three positives: money, name recognition, and an untapped constituency.

Commandments removed amid protests
Next day's update on this debacle. The Post reports a total of 35 where "arrested," but according to one protestor none of those arrested were put in hand cuffs or put in jail. Prosecutors were alleged to be determining today whether the protestors would be charged with any crimes. I expect no charges to be filed. The county prosecutor would be toast if he tries for reelection after putting local preachers in jail for trying to enact a theocracy. Small town justice at its best, well, worst.

Dear Diary: These blog readers hang on my every thought
A nice piece on local bloggers. If you read this you might find one blog missing. Well, if I had responded to Lance a bit quicker, I might have been mentioned. He caught me while I was on vacation, and I was late in responding. Oh, well. I got the Enquirer mention last week, so I guess I can let Lance spread the wealth around a bit. (cough, cough)

Removal of Commandments Protested in Ohio
Another update on this story. All 4 stone structures were removed and a total of 30 people were temporally taken into custody. At this point no charges have been filed. I have to ask, how can they not file charges? What kind of hick town is this that the preachers can break the law and get away with it? Is this Boston or something?

U.S. Bank Arena Awaits Dixie Chicks
I wonder how the handful of protestors will be covered? I bet they get some face time on local TV news. I am surprised WLW is letting the Dixie Chicks go through town without a PR stunt. Is Darryl Parks on vacation or something? He lives for that kind crap.

Matt Weiler: Color the Times impressed
Matt has comments on the New York Times review of the CAC's new building. Matt also has few observations on the local reaction to some of the art on exhibit.