2007: End of the Cincinnati Post?

The Enquirer and Post have announced that Gannett has not renewed the JOA (joint operation agreement) with Scripps to publish the Post. This has been rumored for years. The rest of the rumor is that the Post will remain as the Kentucky Post and serve Northern Kentucky. I would not be surprised if Scripps gives this a try. I am not sure how I like it. It would be good for those living in NKY, but I don't know if it would help news coverage on this side of the river. If the Enquirer gives up on NKY, then it might help some, but I don't see the Enquirer giving up anything, so they will try and compete with the KY Post and let Cincinnati-Ohio coverage suffer. Basically the City will get screwed. The Post will cover NKY and the Enquirer will cover the suburbs, leaving the actually city of Cincinnati to be treated like the black sheep of the family. Some might say that "black sheep" is more literal than my simile suggests. I don't know, but urbanists are not the sought after demographic of the Enquirer.

Wes Flinn links to this as well and asks if we noticed anything odd? I can only assume he means that both stories are almost word for word the same article, minus the opening paragraph or two.


More Coverage: Yahoo, Editor & Publisher, WCPO, Reuters, Washington Business Journal, and CNN.

Local Dean Supporters Still Going

Dean supporters locally are strong, in spite of our city's conservative image. Dean is facing a big fight in Iowa. His support is slipping against Kerry, which is a surprise. At this point I don't see Dean winning Iowa, or at least not by much. That opens things up for Clark and keeps Kerry alive.

Slur Story Will not Die

The Secrect Service is working on this now and the City Solicitor is now getting involved. Michael at Rantophilla disagrees with my view on this issue. I of course disagree. I believe a racial slur is only as big a deal as those who make it into one. I guess I apply the "sticks and stones" principle here, no matter the history. There are other racial, ethnic, and religious slurs that are as old or older than the "N-Word," but the media and politicos do not make a Federal Case out of anyone using those slurs.

Why Maggie?

Why did Maggie Downs "review" a book by a local conservative? Maggie's column had a few timid elements of commentary, but mostly was a news story on the book. Give this to Bronson. Peter would get a woody with this kind of book. His hang up must have been the fact that his book is competing with this guy's book. Let Maggie cover Michael Moore or Al Franken. It was painful to read this story. It was like Maggie's guilt in writing it came through on each sentence. Why couldn't she come out and let this guy have it? Show how any or all of his "truths" are either false, really opinion, or just bigotry hidden in a theocratic evangelism.

Race Politics and Race Based Media Coverage

It appears that Alicia Reece is charging head first into the issue of the alleged use of the "N-word" in a taped investigation interview from 1998. The Vice Mayor wants harsher punishments for using the "N-word" than was given. I have to ask what punishment should be given for political grandstanding? In any act of political grandstanding, especially about a race issue, lying is involved. How many lies, half-truths, misleading statements were made when the Vice Mayor announced the plan to fight "black on black" crime?

This story is a gold mine for the media. It is like sex or murder; the "N-word" sells. I am as much of a sucker for reporting on it than anyone. I might stick to politicians using it instead of a police sergeant using it over 5 years ago.

Bronson Boo Hoo!

Peter Bronson is lamenting the United Way's cut in funding to the Boy Scouts. He believes that it is because of the bigoted views adhered to by the Boy Scouts keeping homosexuals out of the organization. Peter does not, I assume, that the bigoted views of the Boy Scouts are bigoted. He thinks they are either valid or their own business. If he thinks being bigoted against homosexuals is the right thing for the Boy Scouts, then well, his opinions are moot. They are predicated on beliefs that are contrary to what the United Way stand for: helping everyone. How can they help everyone when they exclude groups that exclude people based on a trait that has no bearing on what they do. It is a simple idea in play here. Bigotry is not reward or supported by the Cincinnati United Way. Politics are such that they can't punish groups totally in this region, where anti-homosexual views are common. Combined with a bigger need in other areas the United Way cut out funding for the Boy Scouts. That is life. If Peter wants them to have more money, then I suggest he and the CCV start hold bake sales.

I have to ask Peter a question, how much do Christian charities support AiDs research or support for victims? I bet most conservative Christian groups do not give a penny to help fight AiDs. I am sure there are exceptions or specific groups that do help all people dying from disease, but I mean groups that the CCV and Bronson would trumpet.

To FCC Chairman Michael Powell

FUCK YOU! Bill me.

Saying a Racial Slur Gets the Media into Frenzy

Ok, so there is a videotape and according to some sources Cincinnati police Sgt. Jeff Butler said the word "nigger" while being investigated by CPD internal affairs. I really wonder what the story here is? This happened in 1998, over 5 years ago. Beyond being the typical if it involves race then we can exploit it attitude of the media, I don't see the impact of this man's words.

Now, by saying the "n-word" he broke no law. You can think him to be a racist or bigot or idiot, but he broke no law. Plenty of other groups of people are insulted every day in the media alone, not to mention in the break rooms across the country. Why does this matter? What matters is whether this guy broke any laws, which is why he was being investigated. This got a skeptical play by WLWT, but Kathy Wilson seems to either have better hearing or has a problem with book covers. Leslie Blade lets opinion flow into her news story, but reports generally most of same facts out.

If WLWT or CityBeat wants to put on airs about hate speech, they should review the tapes from 1230 AM the Buzz and the number of incidents of hate speech would make your mind boggle.

What I have a problem with overall is the underlying theme on this issue: guilt by association. "If one guys says a word, then see, they are all racists." If this person had actually attacked or mistreated anyone because of their race, then this would be support for the contention that this man was a racist. Just because others around him don't correct him for saying a "bad" word does not mean much. If a religious person says they will pray for me, I don't like it. Sometimes they go out of their way to ask me "have you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?" I don't say anything to say that offends me. I instead ignore them. If this police officer broke the law, then lock him up. If he said a racial slur, then call him an asshole and move on.

FOX Propaganda in Action

Chemical Weapons or Chemical Explosives? Somehow in an interview with Brit Hume, Fox News foreign affairs analyst Mansoor Ijaz "reported" that "chemical explosives" were smuggled into Northern Iraq from Iran. This little tidbit then gets extrapolated without any evidence:

Now, what alarmed me about this and the reason that I felt it was necessary to get this out as soon as possible, is because I have now heard three times in the last week, from separate sources that I have been talking to that something big is being planned for Baghdad. In which the idea that is being put forward is to kill as many as 3,000 to 5,000 people at one shot; something that would be similar to a World Trade Center (search) type of attack. In that part of the world, the only way you could get that done is if you launched a massive chemical or biological attack.

Now, someone this gets translated to the front page teaser as "Terror expert Mansoor Ijaz says chemical weapons came in from Iran." Ah, no he did not say that. Chemical explosives include things like, oh nitroglycerin or dynamite. I know FOX wants spins stuff for their boy Bush, but this is just ridiculous. Mansoor Ijaz is treated like a reporter but he is an open advocate for the War. I don't get how he could let this misconception go on when you read this from his FOX News bio:

Ijaz received his Bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in Physics from the University of Virginia and received his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Damn, that's a big ass barrel of monkeys.

WMD Found? Nope!

After further review the mortar shells found in southern Iraq found by the Danish did not contain a blister agent. Sorry folks, someone jumped the gun once again. WMD's were not found. I bet it will take months for people to understand that we did not find them.

I found the announcement of finding these mortar shells just happened to occur a few days after a big report is released detailing how Iraq had not possessed WMD since the mid '90s. I wonder why someone jumped the gun? Hmmmm, very odd that a report would surface as an attempt to refute a news story. I wonder if a journalist would investigate who released that information, when the mortar shells were originally found, and how long had they been sitting on the information.

Chris Smitherman?

Something happened today with Chris Smitherman? I heard a fragment of the WLW news at 3PM, but I missed the whole story. Something about comments he was alleged to have made? Anyone???

Goth's invade Main Street

The Warehouse, Cincinnati's premier dance club for everyone who likes to be different for difference’s sake, is moving from Vine Street to the Main Street entertainment district. This is great for Main Street, but not great news for Vine Street.

Damon Lynch: Liar?

Greg Korte is reporting that on 2003 campaign reports Damon Lynch listed Timberland Drive in Woodlawn as his residence on his contribution of 1,000 to himself. Now, it is possible that this contribution was actually from Damon Lynch IV not the III. Lynch IV is now awaiting trial for theft. If his son gave him the money, then where did that money come from?

All unlikely speculation aside here, Damon Lynch should be investigated for perjury. He was under oath when he testified before the board of elections. I assume the board actually had him testify, and did not let his attorney speak for him, which would have been a brilliant move for Ken Lawson, Lynch's attorney, to make. If he "moved" back to Woodlawn during the campaign he would not have been a valid candidate.

I wonder if Mike Allen has the balls to go after Lynch. Don't hold your breath. I am sure Mike would love to put Damon Lynch on trial, but he has no intention of feeding Lynch's savior complex with tangible fodder. Allen will let this transgression pass. No one will care that Lynch was given special treatment because of who he is.

UPDATE: Greg Mann has analysis and thinks Korte and I are making to much out of mostly nothing.

Stop Wasting Money, Adams County

The pointless attempt of some in Adam's county to establish a theocracy will not happen in the U.S. Courts. The school district officials should be sued for misuse of public funds for pushing this the lawsuit to try and get the right to put Ten Commandment statues in front of public schools. One would think that the Roy Moore case in Alabama might make them give up. You don't get much deeper into the bible belt than Alabama, where atheists are more closeted than homosexuals.

Missing Kiesewetter

I for one am missing John Kiesewetter's TV & Radio column, killed by the Enquirer. I am the people of Butler country will like the extra coverage they are getting beyond the two daily newspaper's they already had covering their area. I am sure they need more and Cincinnati needs less. Damn the city and long the live the burbs?

Bronson Makes Sense?

Peter Bronson's column makes a little sense today, or rather he makes points that no one else is pointing out. In last week's council meeting Peter reports that the following council members made the following contradictions:

Newbie Chris Smitherman blasted the human relations budget, but director Cecil Thomas said nobody even called to ask any questions.

Laketa Cole insisted that slicing a quarter of the commission's budget was not a cut.

Sam Malone promised voters he would work to stop the violence - then voted to gut an agency that's actually trying.

Most surprising at all, Bronson criticized Sam Malone. I tip my hat to Peter for the across the board criticism.

Peter however made Vice Mayor Alicia Reece the focus of his scorn:

But the uncongeniality award went to Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, who introduced the sketchy idea to take $100,000 from the commission to fight black-on-black homicides. She insulted council members, then called for unity. She invited questions, then cut them cold. She shot down compromises, then complained council did nothing.

She insinuated rejection was a race thing. But white council members have thrown millions at programs to prove they are sensitive on race. They just haven't done much that works.

Her motion failed because it was a sloppy proposal presented like a ransom note. Reece is charming in person, but sometimes runs meetings like the bossy kid nobody wants to play with.

Well, in some many words Bronson's assessment agrees with mine that Alicia Reece is the Queen of political Grandstanding in the City of Cincinnati.

Chicken?

John Dowlin, according to the Enquirer, is refusing to debate Pat DeWine before the March GOP primary. Dowlin is trying to play down the importance of those supporting DeWine:

"I think we're not going to do that," Dowlin said. "It seems like an awful lot of time and effort for a small group of people."

So a few hours in a meeting hall will take you away from what, meeting for a few hours in a different meeting hall? The only difference between the two would be that the stage would not be so crowded?

Jay "Unabomber Jr." Love

I missed this today (had other things on my mind). I really don't see how or why Jay Love would read from the Una-bomber's manifesto. Ethan Hahn's comments focus on how the media reports on things they know nothing about, and it shows to us that are not quite as ignorant as Joe six-pack. Ethan use Rush Limbaugh as an example. Coincidence that today is Rush's birthday as well as mine. Hmmm????

Priceless Talking Points Memo Post

Number of days between Novak column outing Valerie Plame and announcement of investigation: 74 days.

Number of days between O'Neill 60 Minutes interview and announcement of investigation: 1 day.

Having the administration reveal itself as a gaggle of hypocritcal goons ... priceless.

-- Josh Marshall

Counterspin on Boondocks

Hesiod reports that only 300 people complained about the Enquirer canceling the Boondocks cartoon strip. He is calling for people to write in to the paper and try and have it re-instated.

Down Goes Frasier!

I just couldn't resist.

Something to get my mind of my troubles

What Classic Movie Are You?

Life Can Sometimes Really Suck

Well, I was having an OK, nothing grand mind you, birthday when our entire department was called into a meeting this morning. To make a long story short, we all got laid off. Needless to say that made for one really shitty birthday present. We have four more weeks and that is it.

Wow, we are in such a great economy now, aren’t we??????

I will be getting a severance package, but I also do have two internal job leads, which are not bad and will likely at least pay about the same as I am getting now. If I am lucky one of them might actually be an increase in salary.

If anyone knows of any job openings where a guy with a Finance/business background who can do wonders with Microsoft Access databases could be of use, please drop me a line.

I am going to have a beer now.

You Say It's Your Birthday?

Famous people born today:

1876 Jack London
1905 Tex Ritter
1926 Ray Price
1930 Glenn Yarborough
1944 Joe Frazier
1951 Rush Limbaugh (Yes, it is "ironical")
1954 Howard Stern
1955 Kirstie Alley
1964 Jeff Bezos
1966 Rob Zombie
1972 Brian Griffin

Peter Ignores the Truth

Mr. Bronson is missing something about why the Maisonette is having troubles, and I think he missed it on purpose. He mentioned convention business is not what it was. I wonder why, Peter! You don't suppose that the convention boycott started in reaction to Article XII, the anti-homosexual charter amendment? Peter, you don't suppose that gay friendly organizations that might come to Cincinnati for a convention might just be big customer for restaurants like the Maisonette?

I think Peter has more to do with the failure of the Maisonette then he would like to admit. His advocacy for groups like the CCV and their theocratic agenda helped Phil Burress get his anti-gay ballot issue passed. Also, Peter's regular laments on the crime rate in Cincinnati, and the fear mongering that follows, creating a myth that is followed by the ignorant suburbanite. Peter has done more than anyone to drive fear into the suburbs. Why would they want to be near the gays and blacks? "They" might actually talk to a Hummer Driver, and "we all" know that is just unacceptable. (Cough, Cough)

Ignorant Old Man

The Enquirer has a guest column from a WWII veteran who attacks the media for making a big deal out of the number of "causalities" in the Iraq war. Robert E. Johnson is correct when he says the number of dead pales in comparison to the people lost in WWII or the Civil War. What Mr. Johnson seems to be being missing is the media's play of "causalities." The media does report deaths in Iraq. Deaths of soldiers that is. Very little is reported on the non-fatal casualties. NPR did an excellent report, "Measuring Cost of Iraq War," on the number of casualties in the war on Iraq. I would suggest Mr. Johnson ponder for a minute the absence of the thousands of wounded men on the TV screen. We don't see the men without limbs, or men blinded. We do see a President walking around without a care in world.

For a running count of Military deaths and woundings, check out Lunaville.org. As of now 495 U.S. Military deaths (591 total) and 2,849 U.S. woundings.

Local Blog Round-Up

Notes from Ground Level: Greg Mann comments on today's Maggie Downs column. I did make some resolutions. I will try to write better, maintain my weight (lose 10 more lbs. if possible), and actually finish the outline to my novel this year. I know I will not keep these fully, but I picked things that I am constantly working on, so any effort means “success” towards these resolutions.

Rantophilia: Michael covers the up coming new space exploration initiative. I really would love to send men to Mars and back to the Moon. The Problem here is that 1) Bush knows this plan is dead in congress. There is no money for it. 2) Bush will likely make a big hoopla over it and then try to get the private sector to do it, which no private group will take on. This kind of big project will only work with government backing. No corporation can make their short-term profits (something they can’t live without) from this kind of long-term investment. I really wish I could support Bush's plan, but I see it as an election year ruse that he knows will not get off the ground, literally.

Queen City Soapbox: Ethan Hahn brings up the new immigration policy. I see this as Bush pulling a Clinton, again. He is using Dick Morris's triangulation trick. Get the far right wing pissed, but gain some of the centrist voters because you appear to be moderate. I am not sure if it will work. This act might keep some of rabid rightists at home; enough to offset any gains Bush might get from Latinos and Centrists gained from adopting this new policy.

Tasers Work?

This story seems to provide anecdotal evidence that the new taser worked well. This story sounds like it was spoon fed to the reporter like a nice ripe piece of propaganda, but other than that.....

Council Race Relations

I have a simple question: if you hold a press conference about stopping "black-on-black" crime in this city, and only include the 4 black council members, and don't give details on your plan, then how can you complain about bad race relations on council when you are segregating yourself from the rest of council based on race. I don't get how this contradiction goes on?

From the Vice Mayor:

"You do not see (City Council) working together all the time. It depends on whose idea it is," Reece said.

"What I'm seeing is a bad precedent being set," she said.

News Flash Alicia!! You are not working with all of the council. You are the only forming a black voting block on council. You are the one race baiting here, not the 5 non-blacks on council.

It seems to be that Cole and Malone might be drawn into this not so forcefully. Reece and Smitherman are the ones getting the press, or rather pushing their faces and words into the press, so they feel they need to form a power block and segregate themselves. I hope Cole does not play their game. I doubt Malone will play that game. He can't win with the GOP and that would really piss them off.

Louisville Mini-Riot

After a fatal shooting of a black man in Louisville protestors rioted and broke windows of Louisville Chief Robert White's office. I wonder if any Cincinnati boycotters/rioters joined the fray? The protest had a reported 400 people, but reports indicate that 60 had to be forced out of the area after the permitted protest time.

It is 'nice' to see that Damon Lynch's counter part, Rev. Louis Coleman of the Justice Resource Center, did little to condemn or stop the rioters:

"I admire their willingness to stand up," Coleman said, adding that he encouraged the youth to express their anger in a different way.

"The young people got us to the table tonight," Coleman said, referring to the meeting with White.

So rioting got Rev. Coleman to the table. Great thing to teach the young people: be violent and they will notice. Great plan Rev. Coleman, I am sure that will go along way to help reduce tensions. Nothing can calm racial tensions like a good riot. (cough, cough) (Nate, Make sure you copy this part of the post too... I want to make sure people know that I don't steal them from my own site and post them on yours)

Other coverage: Enquirer, WLKY, ABC-AP.

CityBeat Subpoena

Do we have a new King of Grandstanding at City Hall? Is Chris "Big Boss Man" Smitherman out of the gate with too much oomph? If the DOJ will not Subpoena Bob Novak on the Plume affair, then what good will it do to try and Leslie Blade to reveal her sources? Since Christopher is the "Boss" of the police, why doesn’t he just call in the police chief and get him to investigate his own department? Better, yet, call the FBI. The FBI will not bother being "friendly" with Chief Streicher.

I think Councilman Smitherman might be watching to Much C-SPAN. The C-SPAN bus was in town yesterday, but that does not mean they are going to broadcast the council meeting. I am not sure if Chris can really compete with the Queen of Grandstanding, Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, but if he keeps this up he might come close. He might win be default if the Queen advocates for higher office.

Pete Rose Held to Higher Standards Than Bush

Pete Rose is being crucified by many for lying about betting on baseball. Bush and his administration misled the US public and world (lied to us) on WMD in Iraq, but it seems the Bush Faithful (think Wildman Walker and the Rail Gang's view on Pete) will let the ends justify the means. The "ends" are not really clear, but I don't they care.

Eric Alterman made this comparison first and did so quite well:

If only Pete Rose had claimed he bet on baseball games and then lied about it because he suspected other teams of harboring ties to Al Qaida and building weapons of mass destruction, then the Washington Post editors would have called him a patriot and supported him down the line, even without that lame apology.

We don't even get an apology from Bush Inc. We get no acknowledgment that they were at least wrong. CNN has a story indicating that the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has issued a report that provides evidence that Iraq has not had WMD since at least the mid 1990's, and has not a WMD program beyond one on paper for just as long.

Bush supporters are going to overlook this. There was no threat from Iraq on the USA, but that does not matter. Operation Inigo Montoya will go on without consequence. How many more wars will the USA fight under a second Bush term that will be based on lies? I fear Bush supporters don't care. They are either blinded by their "savior," or they have bought into the new "red herring" in American culture: "terrorism." Communism was the propaganda tool for 75 years in American politics, but now that it has failed, something had to take its place. Fear of Islamic terrorists is driving otherwise logical people into Bush's camp of perpetual war. I don't see a cure for this brand of emotionally based political discourse. Fear is powerful, and not much can take away fear when terror alerts pop in and hatred of Islam is allowed to fester as a form of "fighting terrorism."

Race Relations On Council: Bad or Just a Means to an End?

Ok, there are various ways to spin this, but I will take a cynical view, of course. Alicia Reece is full of shit. Tuesday's debate covered in the Post during the Council Subcommittee meeting showed that playing the race card is still an old hat for some political climbers:

Some Council members were angered about the tenor of Tuesday's debate on the proposal, alleging Reece unnecessarily injected race into the political debate over its merits.

The decision, Reece had said, would be an indicator about whether Council supports Cincinnati's black community.

"It's wrong and it's unjust," Crowley said. "If in fact she persists in that stance, I think it's grossly unfair. I would hope she would tone that down."

Now, if David Crowley, the most pro-black non-black person on council, has to say that, then something is wrong. Some might even say David Crowley is the most pro-black person on council, period.

Reece's plan seems like classic grandstanding. Let's give money to some groups who claim to want to do something to stop the black on black crime. Whether or not these groups have any proven track record is beyond the point.

Reece says the "Administration" can approve who gets their share of the $100,000 to start a program. I wonder how much pressure and influence members of council will put on the individuals in the Administration to accept the proposals of people that support that councilmember. Did Reece think this kind of plan work well with LaShawn Pettus-Brown?

What I found interesting was the debate of the details of the Reece Plan. The 5 non-black council members want some details, any details would be a start. I would guess the 3 black non-Alicia members of council would also like details on this plan. Reece seemed to care more about leaping before she looked:

"We have to go where the kids are," Reece said. "This is designed to get something on the streets and get it going quickly."

What is "this" and what is the "design" of it? How Alicia Reece (or her father) thinks she has the skills to move on to higher office is a mystery. Looks are not good for as many votes as one might think. Grandstanding is the only arrow in her quiver. The more she uses it, the duller its tip gets.

Never Know Who You Will Run Into

What do you do when you put an issue of CinWeekly to bed? Well, tonight you go to the Dubliner in Pleasant Ridge and play trivia. I am a semi regular trivia player there myself and along with our crew I was just playing along when I was approached by a man.

Now, you have to realize something that might be obvious. I am a rather bland and nondescript person, well at least outside of the blogosphere. I doubt my writing tone or style matches my face. With that in mind I was approached by Beryl Love, editor of CinWeekly. He wanted to introduce himself to me and wanted me to meet the rest of the staff who were playing the trivia game in the next room.

I have to admit I was surprised to be recognized. My mug is not exactly front-page fodder, but they knew me. I was introduced to the staff of CinWeekly, traded a few friendly jabs, and went on my way. I felt a slight bit of guilt. They were of course nice folks, not so different from anyone else. I have ridden their publication fairly hard since its inception. My guilt was short lived however. Criticism is not usually personal, and with CinWeekly it surely is not.

What was more impressive was that their team finished 2nd in the game. My team finished 4th. I was hoping to rub in an opposite outcome, but I guess their ace in the hole kept them ahead. That ace was the source of their team name: "Where the hell is Tom?" Tom was Tom Callinan, editor of the Enquirer. Tom had a few problems finding the Dubliner. I think someone needs to buy Tom a map of the city, or better yet maybe Gannett can spring for an installation of OnStar in his car.

Most of the staff appears to have read or regularly read the blog, so I would have been remiss not to mention our meeting. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. I hope they don't have to work early tomorrow.

False Alarm?

I guess it was just much ado about nothing? WLW had to kill a bunch of commercials for this?

The 800-pound gorilla thinks this was a false alarm, and decided so fairly quickly.

Flight Landing Into Cincinnati with 'Persons of Interest' On Board

WCPO and WLW are reporting that a Plane from France might have suspected terrorists on board. Some reports are that fighter jets are escorting the flight.

UPDATE: "Terrorists" was too strong of a term, and was edited. This might be much ado about nothing, but no one is taking any chances. WLW has live coverage.

UPDATE#2: FOX coverage, and WLWT's report.

UPDATE#3: 3:47PM - Flight is reported to have Landed in Cincinnati. CNN's has story on the incident and reports the plane was escorted by fighter jets. Here downtown a larger than usual number of commercial jets few over downtown in the last 20 minutes.

UPDATE:#4 3:57 PM - WLW is reporting that about 12 law enforcement officials boarded the plane before any passengers deplaned. The plane is away from the main terminal towards the DHL hanger.

UPDATE:#5 4:02 PM - The Enquirer has a story. Some people are starting to leave the plane at this point, but not in mass.

First Shots are Harsh

The first shots of what will surely be a very harsh and I think eventually violent campaign have been made. Moveon.org's has as a finalist a political ad contest which allegedly compares Bush to Hitler. A group called Club for Growth Political Action Committee has an ad sterotyping Dean:

In the ad, a farmer says he thinks that "Howard Dean should take his tax-hiking, government-expanding, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Times-reading ..." before the farmer's wife then finishes the sentence: "... Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show back to Vermont, where it belongs."

This add is supposed to be running in Iowa soon.

It is 11 months before the election and we have this already. Come October how will we not have thugs in the streets battling to disrupt each other's rallies?

Blood, Blood, Blood Makes the Primary Fun!

Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich is endorsing Pat DeWine in what the Enquirer is calling his "maverick campaign to unseat fellow Republican John Dowlin."

This should be fun! It is always fun to watch an intra-party fight for office, but it is even more interesting when an incumbent faces a challenge for the party endorsement. I can't find any firm ideological split in the local GOP here. So far it is more of a battle of either the old guard vs. the new guard, or just personal friends sticking together.

What it might be is City Republicans vs. suburbanites if one takes this at face value:

"He has been a steadfast supporter on township and suburban issues," said state Rep. Bill Seitz of Green Township. "Now is no time to leave our county at the mercy of a city-centric commission."

I guess Seitz should just come out and say it what he really wants to say: "fuck the city."

Geographic political slits have historically been true on a macro level, but is this a sign of micro-geographic political battle? The City folk vs. Country folk? Westsider vs. Eastsider? Old Money vs. New Money?

This primary should prove fun.

Tracking Visitors

Michael at Rantophilia comments on the new program to fingerprint and photograph all foreign visitors not from specific strong allied countries (mostly European countries).

I myself am no overly upset of this method. We have laws on the books now limiting how long non-citizens can stay in our country. Tracking people in this manner will make it easier to find those who have violated the terms of their visa. The problems hear are appearances. One is that this looks really bad. It looks like something the Soviets would do to Westerners. I don’t like it when we look like authoritarians. The second is that the claims or more likely the implication that this will somehow help keep out terrorists are just vast over exaggerations. This will not keep people out who want to do harm. It might keep out the lone nut bent on doing something small, but if an established terrorist group wants to get people into the country, they can still do it without worrying about this new system.

The question then becomes, is this program so important? Well, I don't really think it is, but there is not a legal reason not to enforce the laws on the books in this manner.

I also have read about many countries pissed about this, namely Brazil. On this front I don't really see their gripe. Americans are not treated like saints anywhere in the world, so fingerprints or pictures of us will not matter, and it will not hurt them either.

I do however wonder what we will do with the fingerprints and photos. Will we share them with other countries? Will we keep them for ourselves? This is what scares me more: we don't care. Will we care if (or when) the Homeland Security Department does this for any domestic air travel?

More from the Enquirer.

Queen City Soapbox: Ethan Hahn Back and Blogging in Force

Please check out Ethan over at Queen City Soapbox. Ethan has been away from regular blogging, but has restarted his efforts. I bid him a welcome back!

Ethan has posts on: the Red's Faithful blog, Pete Rose, Freedom, and the cold.

Yes it is damn cold today. One must love hitting 67 one day (Saturday) and then three days latter is drops to 10.

C&C Bill Showdown

The conceal & carry bill is in limbo. It has passed both houses, but not yet gone to the Governor. Taft is threatening a veto:

Taft has threatened to veto the bill over public access to records of who has applied for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. He thinks the public should have the right to find out who is carrying concealed guns. But the House has refused to go that far, instead allowing only journalists to request permitting records by asking for individual names.

I again have to wonder why the gun owner has more rights than I do. Why can a gun owner carry around a gun in public, but I can't find out about? Why can a gun owner "protect" themself from me (quell their irrational fears to put it another way), but I can't protect myself from them? Why can't I know who has the right to carry around an machine made to kill? Why can't I know who fears me, or people like me, and then keep away from people who think I might try and commit a crime against them. I would prefer keeping away from people that I might judge as being a few cards short of full house who also are carrying around a gun, maybe in my home.

Why deny property owners the right to screen gun carriers from their property? If I am having a children's party, do I not have the right to keep parents of kids who carry a gun off my property?

Why do gun owners deserve "special rights?"

Rose Bet on Baseball

Well, this is not new information to everyone else, just Pete. I am glad he finally fessed up to what was fact to those not deluded by his bowl hair cut. I hope Pete can get into the Hall of Fame, but I hope he does not manage a team. I could stand him as a low tier coach, but not in charge of the team.

I mostly hope that once Pete gets into the Hall of Fame, his rabid fans (read Wildman Walker) will finally shut the hell up about Pete. Pete is not someone who will do much for baseball. He might fill some seats locally for a season, but the shine will wear off fast. I wonder how long he could stay out of trouble if he was highly involved with the Reds. That would be entertainment. That would not be good for the Reds though.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that this whole affair is one of the best uses of PR to sell a book in a long time. Who ever is Pete's PR person, give them a raise.

New KY Blog: Can You Hear Me Now?

I ran across another local blog Can You Hear Me Now?. The blogger lives in Kenton County and is a young 63 years old.

Back Pages?

A U.S. GI dies as his copter is shot down in Iraq and we hardly hear about it. Are people on vacation? Do we not want to disrupt the Fiesta Bowl? Is everyone just numb to soldiers dying?

No. 1

700 WLW is reporting the first murder in Cincinnati for 2004. We went just over a day and a half before the first murder. Just great.

This murder reportedly had many witnesses along Liberty Street. The victim reportedly was shot in the back twice while being chased down the middle of the street.

UPDATE: Story from the Enquirer and WCPO.

Cornhole, an Olympic Sport?

Well, not yet, but "The Inaugural Cincinnati Cornhole Classic" is a start. Mark February 20th on your calendars!

I just hope Phil Burress does not think this a Hustler sponsored event.

"Black on Black Crime" Plan

What can best be called the Cincinnati City Council "Black Caucus" has announced a plan to try and address what they are calling "black on black crime." They cite the fact that 84% of the 75 (63 of 75) were blacks. Couple that with the police chief’s contention that 90% of the murders were drug related and you see where this plan focuses. They have four main initiatives:

It proposes expanding a Children's Hospital gun violence education program into more schools and recreation centers, reinstating the police department's gang unit, choosing a Sunday for clergy to preach against violence and starting a job-finding effort for convicted felons.

The only one that will have any short term effect is getting the gang unit going again. Why did it ever go away?

The other programs are long term, but they are the just pissing in the wind, especially the special preaching by clergy. Everyone knows that drug gangs go to church and actually listen to their preacher....cough, cough.

What I don't like here is that the "Black Caucus s" is doing this on their own. They have segregated themselves into a group and are acting on their own. Now, some might see this as good. I don't see this as good. I see this as a sign that in this city blacks don't trust or just don't want to work with non-blacks. I am not say that these four believe that, but I think they are acting on their own as a "black group" because many in the "black community" would have a hissy fit if this same plan came from a white person. The status of messenger matters way to much. If people dislike or hate white people that much, then no, race relations will never improve.

Councilman David Pepper gives his solution to this problem in a guest column in the Enquirer. His ideas might actually have an impact.

And So It Begins

Welcome to 2004, an Election Year! I am not one for predictions, but on the political front I see this year more like 1968 than 1984. Blood in the streets up to my ankles? I will not go that far, but I am predicting some violence at political events. It might be something small, but if things are close come October, people will get stupid and start beating each other up.

My only resolution for the year is to use the word "fascist" no more than 5,532 times on this blog.

My Press

Incase you are really bored, you can either read online or research the mainstream press my blog has recieved. I will try and keep this up-to-date, but to be honest I will likely forget I am even doing this unless someone emails me and tells me. Well, anyway, have fun. Oh, these are not in any particular order either.

1. No blogs, no chat, no Web fun
2. Blogarithms
3. Cincinnati Magazine Feb 2005 edition, not online

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Brian Griffin? - I am a thirty something blogger living in Cincinnati. That would be middle thirty something, however. I feel old most of the time, so don't think I am old just because I may write or rant that way.

2. Is Brian Griffin your real name? - Shhhh! Yes, it is.

3. Are you a professional Journalist? - No, I am not a professional journalist. I am at best an amateur journalist, if you believe blogging is a form of journalism.

4. What is a Blog? - A contraction of the term "web log", a form of on-line writing characterized in format by a single column of chronological text, usually with a sidebar, and frequently updated. From www.samizdata.net

Blogger has this definition:

A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.

In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.

5. Where can I find out more information about Cincinnati? - Try one of the following websites: www.cincinnati.com or www.cincinnati-oh.gov.

6. What do you write about? - I write about what ever the Hell I feel like. I mostly write about Cincinnati news, politics and media, but I will venture into national politics and media coverage as well. I will dabble in culture and other random PR for friends or other groups I care to support.

7. What are you, a Democrat? - No, I am not a registered member of any political party, and I will be staying that way. I am a liberal, but don't assume a meaning of that based on your perspective, you might be wrong. I consider myself an Independent Liberal. My views on various topics vary from the typical Liberal. I would be considered ultra Liberal on personal social issues, but moderate on economic issues. I don't fear corporations, but I don't trust them either. My views can surprise people sometimes, and I like it that way.

8. How Often Do You Post? - I post everyday. During the week I try to post early mornings and then at night if I am up to it. On weekends I post when I get the fancy to write. I try to write more thought out elements on Weekends vs. Weekdays, but that is my goal, not always my reality.

9. What's the best browser to use with your site? - The most current version of Firefox works best. MS Explorer works fine, but has minor formating issues that I have yet figured out.

10. Weren't you in the newspaper or something? - Yep, I have been written about a few times in the local mainstream press. I am starting to keep track on a blog post here, so you can check out some of My Press. Geesh, I sound like a PR machine.

11. Are there other fine print items you need to point out? Why yes there are: The view points here are my own or that of the individual blogger. None of the view points expressed by Brian Griffin or any individual blogger on this site represent the view point of my employer or any organization I am affiliated with.

Got any more questions? Email them to me: cincyblog at aol.com