Chaz in Boston

Mean Jean Galvin provides us a campaign photo in the making of Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken at the DNC National Convention.

Haunting Chads

The ACLU is suing the State and local officials over the balloting method used in three counties. The good old Punch Card system is on trial and Hamilton County is at the center of it. We still are using the Punch Card and are scheduled to use it again this November. Have local media outlets determined how many ballots were not counted in recent elections because the machines did not read them? The last council race was close, was every vote counted? I would bet Damon Lynch would have liked to push that issue a bit farther than he did.

Bold Fusion

I did not attend Bold Fusion, the Chamber of Commerce event, which sought opinions of "Young Professionals." My reasons for not attending were rather simple: I had to work and paying for people to pick my brain is just wrong. Nick Spencer attending and gives a full recap of the event.

I don't think that a good enough cross section of people attended the event. Those who were able to attend either have really flexible jobs or are self-employed. I ultimately I view this as a waste of time, other than the powers that be figuring out that young professionals really don't see changing Fountain Square as important.

The Enquirer had a story and an editorial. Included also was the full text of UC president Nancy Zimpher's keynote speech.

There also was more from the Cincinnati Post

DNC Convention

Ohio is getting a front row seat for the DNC convention and the GOP will likely follow suit. Inside the hall the script will be tighter than any DNC convention I have ever seen. To be honest, it will really suck. Convention floor fights or at least a nutty speak or two makes from something entertaining. What America has grown to expect from the Dems is being raucous. I actually look for more boos of speakers at the GOP convention, than this week in Boston.

On the other hand I hope this is not a sign of things to come:

The two groups crossed paths at an intersection and exchanged angry words. A brief scuffle broke out between some of the peace demonstrators and a man carrying a graphic anti-abortion sign. The man was pushed to the ground and his shirt was torn but he appeared unhurt.

This makes it likely that the protests at GOP convention will be more ugly.

Racism Still Breeding Scum

The NKY Sunday Challenger has a good follow-up story on the cross burning and racial intimidation incident. They report that the idiot teenagers and alleged criminals wore hoods when they burned a cross in the yard of a black family. I would like to find out about their families. What could have motivated these morons to do such a thing? Did the apple fall near the tree or are just the one bad one in a bushel.

Also the Challenger has an Editorial Cartoon

Cincinnati Tourism Flourishing

A positive report on Cincinnati as a tourist destination. This is something I have not seen first hand. I don't see people from out of town everyday, but I am not hanging around downtown much. Driving past the riverfront last night though there were a lot of people out and about.

Voters Purged in Hamilton County

Jean Galvin reports about comments made on Air America that Hamilton County was purging voters. Jean indicates that appears it is true and that it is being done according to the law. If you don't vote for so many elections in a row, they send out a mailing to basically make you re-register. If you don't reply, then you get purged. This is part of the process that happens all the time when you move to a different county or state.

That sucks as a process, but it is legal.

UPDATE: The Hegmo has already been purged.

Where's the Apostate?

Is the Apostate's blog down or has he stopped blogging?

97X Moving to Longworth Hall

Independent Internet radio station WOXY is moving to Longworth Hall in Cincinnati, according to a source.  Longworth Hall is down along the river at 700 W. Pete Rose Way.  The soon to be old location up in Oxford is up for sale.

No news as to when this will take place or what the new studio will look like.  The last information that I had was that it would take place before the end of the year for sure, but this information may mean that the move may happen by the early fall.

UPDATE: Nick Spencer updates how the move of 97X came about.  Nick also apologizes for his early comments on this post, which I fully accepted.  Nick was not my source, in case anyone is concerned.

Where's the Passion?

The Cincinnati Post reports today that the CCV, the theocratic fascist organization bent on oppressing homosexuals in any way they can, has been forced to hire people to gain signatures for the anti-gay marriage amendment they are trying to get on the ballot to changed the Ohio Constitution.

Porn Führer Phil Burress has been out getting his network of religious fanatics to put up the cash and pay for the $2 a valid signature earned by the company hired to get the needed signatures.

Money and outsiders are doing this. The CCV are unwilling to get their own Jackbooted thugs to stand on street corners and market bigotry. Where is the passion for their cause? Where's the courage? Where's the true lust for the oppression of gays that we have come to expect from Burress and his minions?

For Berger Haters

Kevin Drum covers it enough for me. Hmmm, I guess the wheels of justice move faster if you are outside the government, and of the other party.

Peace and Harmony Through TV

I don't agree with Maggie on this one. I don't disagree that TV can bring people together, especially in bars where chatting about TV shows or movies can lead to wonderful, yet simple, conversations. The shows that are mostly popular today are reality based, and reality based TV is killing any idea of intelligent culture. Having mindless fun is just peachy, but when your only options are mindless fun and then watching two rich bleach-blonds driving big camper, well that is just beyond hope. We need fictional shows to return on TV.

Where are "Friends" when we need them? They'll be there for us, my ass.

Why, Not How

This article asks: How do you move a 109-ton fountain? I am still asking WHY you move it.

Miss Me???

I just returned from a Business Trip in Chicago.  Never willingly fly out of O'Hare airport if you can avoid it.  You will always be delayed.  I had one flight cancelled and then a second delayed twice.

It is good to be home.  I hoped to blog earlier, but I can't control Delta.

Wedding Amendment?

Why is this titled Wedding amendment nears deadline? This is not about weddings, this is about marriage. It is legal for anyone to have a wedding ceremony. That happens at some more enlightened churches now.

Plum: Shakedown Street

Mark Mallory is still expected to announce a bid for mayor today and if he does many believe it will shake up the race. Korte reports that if Mallory runs Painter will not run. It sounds like Reece will not run for mayor and will instead go for either Mallory's seat or statewide office. Pepper is in for now and so is Luken. Winburn could still be the GOP pick, which would likely help Pepper by splitting the black vote from Mallory. Things are going to be wild. Charter could still field a candidate, but whom? With Mallory in, Lynch will likely stick to running for council.

Racism

This is racism.

Wasting Money

Jim Siegel is giving false hope with his
article on court rulings on posting the Ten Commandments. His implication is that the courts have been all over the map on this one. Well, I think he is wrong on this one. When Moore got knocked back by the SCOTUS refusal to interfere it sends a big signal that he would ultimately loose. Adams county schools should stop wasting their money.

Political Fluff

Was somebody just so bored with opinions on Iraq or Taxes or Campaign Finances that they instead went for a Today Show angle instead?

Mallory Running For Mayor

Mark Mallory, Ohio Senator, is reportedly running for mayor of Cincinnati. The announcement is expected tomorrow. Well, it now gets interesting. The names we have of those who are or are expected to want the job are Luken, Reece, Pepper, Painter, and now Mallory. The field is getting crowded. Someone on the Democratic side will have to drop out. I would bet on Reece. Mallory will get all of her money, so unless she gets in now, she will miss out on much of it. Pepper still can compete. Luken looks like he will loose and will waste his money trying.