MyDD :: Beijing or Cincy?

MyDD has a post up on the City Hall blogspot ban, and this blogger actually got a response to an email from Council member David Crowley:

Yes this is true. This was not something being done at the request of Council. These are decisions being made by our IT folks. I do my best to request access to the sites that I know of and usually access is granted.

David Crowley

Have any council members requested to be able to view my blog? If any of them are reading, chime in.

[Via Dave at RFN]

Question for Bronson

In research for his column today did he file a FOIA request?

Something Missing

There is something missing in this article about Private clubs, like the Banker's Club, trying to attract younger members. The thing missing when it refers to the "young crowd" is that they mean the "young rich crowd." It costs $200 to join the club and $52 per month for one of the clubs. That is hardly a wide market. It is good that these groups are seeking out diversity, based on race, but they are still based on exclusivity. It they fear they are losing money because of a dying upper class, then I have no sympathy for their plight.

I say this as a person who grew up going to a place called the "Town Club" in my small city back in New York. It was a nice place to eat, but it really was snooty for snooty's sake.

Taking Sides

With the Mayor's race heating up, things are likely to get prickly soon. With Mallory and Pepper officially declared, and Reece and maybe even Smitherman on the way soon, Democrats campaigners will have to choose sides.

What happens if things get ugly? Can the local Democrats survive the family feud if things go negative? Last election things got dirty with fake posters and dancing councilmen. This time around with more money then ever before and people with lots of loathing, things are bound to boil over into the nasty.

What happens after either the September Primary or after the election? Will Democrats unite? Will they work forward in 2006 to fill statewide offices? The Coalition that is the Democratic Party has traditionally be a glass jawed affiliation that shatters after the first spilled drink. Local races can get personal, but does everyone understand that you really have to live with your competitors tomorrow?

Here is where the GOP can play games. Like the Lynch-Linder Poster caper, someone could use that type of stunt as a means to play two or more sides off each other and appear clear of linkage. Many rumors flew around as to who made those posters. Most pointed toward a foe of Lynch inside the black community. That may have been true, but likely it was from inside the Democratic Party. The post had enough of an effect to keep Damon Lynch off council. In a strong field of candidates for mayor with either money or a platform, things might get ugly and people will get their feelings hurt. These stunts likely can’t swing a wide race, but with 3 to 5 viable candidates, the polls could be all over the place right up to primary day.

With a plugged in blog scene here in town and everyone, including me, looking to drop a bomb on the race, dropping a dime to a favorable blogger could push this campaign like no other in Cincinnati history.

UC Student Looking to run for Council

Robert Wilson, a third year UC student is running for Cincinnati City Council. He has the website up, and has already raised $1,000 towards the effort and is looking to raise $10,000. He will need every penny he can get. He faces a mammoth mountain to win. He is a suburban transplant and lives downtown, so that shows a level of commitment to the city. His youth is a killer for him. Nick Spencer was hurt by that last time, and this kid, and at 21 I hope he does not take offence at that label, will face more negatives because of his age. On the other hand he is young enough for that fact to actually gain a little press attention for just that reason. If I were in his shoes I would play up being young, and look to exploit it. It can't hurt pointing out the obvious, especially when everyone else does. Pull a Regan and beat the press to the punch on the age issue, just do it with a joke and honesty that he lacks experience. He can point out that the most people on council are not older than he is, just don’t piss off Crowley or Tarbell.

Romantic Music

Lists and lists are what everyone loves, so on Valentine's Day why not the 28 most romantic musical compositions. Well, that are at least my favorites, maybe not the most romantic. If nothing else, this gives us single folks something to do today.

1: Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller
2: Stardust - Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey
3: All I Want Is You - U2
4: Begin the Beguine - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
5: And I Love Her - The Beatles
6: At Last - Glenn Miller
7: In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
8: And the Angels Sing - Glenn Miller
9: Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
10: I Want You (She's So Heavy) - The Beatles
11: Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
12: Something - The Beatles
13: Just Like Heaven - The Cure
14: With or Without You - U2
15: An American in Paris - George Gershwin
16: Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin
17: I've Got the World on a String - Frank Sinatra
18: One - U2
19: Wink and a Smile - Harry Connick Jr.
20: The Lady Is a Tramp - Frank Sinatra
21: Alison - Elvis Costello
22: Blackbird - Beatles
23: Lovesong - The Cure
24: Cry Baby Cry - Beatles
25: Bad - U2
26: Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
27: Lullaby - The Cure
28: Where the Streets Have No Name - U2

What would you add or subtract? I don't include much current music, because well, I do listen to all that much new music. If there is something new that can top anything on this list, I have yet to hear it.

NPR offers something different from last year.

KY and a KY Teacher Violate 1st Amendment

Here is an open violation of the 1st Amendment and and of SCOTUS rulings. The article is written in a very clever way with what I believe is a pro-creationist leaning. That may not be the views of the reporter, but it is written in a way to give more than a positive light on those trying to put religion into schools. The article even goes to the kids to present a "see, no one was harmed" tone to the story. This teacher is teaching religion in public schools. This also sounds like it is staged for the benefit of the reporter. The most objectionable portion of the article is where it puts the nut case Ken Ham on par with a local college professor. Ken Ham is to science, as Snake handlers are to Mainstream Christianity. Giving him a platform is giving him standing he does not deserve. He is a nut case, and is bank rolled by many fools, including a would be local politician.

More on the City Hall Ban

An outlet called The Blog Herald has picked up the story from the Enquirer on the blogspot ban at City Hall.

Small World - Big City

I have heard over and over again how this town is small and everyone knows everyone, and you go the same places and see the same people. Now, I have experienced this myself and most it can be explained because I go to the same places over and over again. For me its the Comet, Northside Tavern, Crowley's, Milton's, and Panera.

Today though I got the chance to say hello and very briefly meet a blog reader and journalist Kelly Hudson ofCiN Weekly. I happened to be at, you guessed it, Panera Bread for the second time in two days. At least I do go to different locations of the restaurant and I should buy stock in the place for the all of the money I spend there, as the cliché goes. They have the free wifi and good food, so I have no guilt at my obsession with it.

What do people do when you see people you “know of” around town? Those are often people of note around town, sometimes called “local celebrities” sometimes chided as the elite, or the influential. I have been around town and seen other journalists, TV news anchors, sports stars, business leaders, politicians, and the occasional actually famous person and most of the time just think, hmm, cool, and then go on about drinking my coffee or beer.

Do we live in town where everyone does know everyone and ”local celebrities" who may not be the talk at the water cooler, but at least whose names are known, do not get noticed by people?

I grew up in a small city of about 35,000 people or so. There I knew or knew of every kid in town within about 3 years of my age. I still would go around town and not know people. It was almost assured that anyone I met would know someone who knew someone, etc.

Hear in Cincinnati those who have grown up here I believe think or say the same thing. As someone who has only been here just over 10 years, I can't say that. That in part may be my own fault because of my lack of the sociability gene. On the other hand most of it has to do with the simple fact, the Cincinnati Metro Area has nearly 2 million people. That is a big city. What may be our problem, partly caused by geography party by cultural choices, is that we live in a city with big divides. Suburban vs. urban, Eastside vs. Westside, Black vs. White, Liberal vs. Conservative. Bridging those divides are our challenge and the climate in the city and the country is one that favors or even promotes building moats, fences, and cultural barriers.

Banned in BostonCity Hall

This blog has been banned at City Hall. Well, not exactly banned because it is me, although I am sure the anti-homosexual councilman Sam Malone might think otherwise, but all blogspot blogs are being filtered out of the City's computer system.

The computers used by elected officials should not be filtered on any level, unless the city adopts a law filtering all forms of communication into City Hall, including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, mail, and the telephone. For that matter they should create a sound dampening system to keep out people yelling from the street.

Why wouldn't city officials want to know what citizens are saying about local issues and local politicians? On this site and others we do just that. Now, do we also discuss national issues, sure, so does WLW and WDBZ. Are those radio stations being jammed inside the building?

Greg brought up one issue in the article that smells of censorship:

The city manager's office determines which categories of Web sites are "off limits" to city employees. Those categories include pornography, bandwidth-hogging streaming video or audio, gambling sites, alternative media, hobby sites and any site dubbed "tasteless" by the software.

Two points, who determines what is tasteless, the City Manager or the software company running the filter? Second, who the hell is deciding what is "Alternative media," and way would you ever ban it? Does that include sites like the Village Voice or IndyMedia? Locally could it mean my blog and the Independent Eye?

I also don't like it when Nate and I are on the same side of this issue. That alone gives me the creeps, not just censorship.

UPDATE: Nick Spencer comments, and believes his site is not banned.

UPDATE #2 (2:20PM): The AP has the story, but so far all I have found is a Toledo TV station's short take story. It does mention "two blogs specific to Cincinnati news and issues." I would not mind a more specific mention of the blogs so the readers can judge for themselves if blogs like mine should be considered something beyond just a "message board" as we are considered now by the city's filtering software.

CityBeat: Best of Cincinnati

It is the time of year again for CityBeat's Best of Cincinnati. Make sure you vote and vote often. There is a best blog category, so, don't make me beg. Be it know that I will beg for votes. Shame is something you forego when you start blogging, at least when you start blogging in Cincinnati.

Vagina Monologues – Cincinnati

This Sunday is V-Day at the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati. Enjoy a wonderful show featuring Former Mayor Roxanne Qualls, Stephanie Dunlap, and Regina Carswell.

Hartmann In Race for Secretary of State

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, Greg Hartmann (R), has tossed his hat into the fire pit and has chosen to run for Ohio Secretary of State. He will not leave office while running for the primary, which is a shame ethically, but not strategically. That of course means he can bail out if someone else gets in the race. It also means that the People of Hamilton County do not have to have yet another person appointed to an elected office, at least for now. I have heard no other names being tossed around in public for either the GOP or Dems to run for Secretary of State. Locally people might throw out the names of Reece and Luken. I think Reece will run statewide for something, but Charlie is the wildcard. He is often perceived as damaged goods. He has the conservative Democrat rep to actually be a contender, if he had the desire and the willingness to build a strong team to run things on the ground. The Democrats in Ohio seem to me to not have the party loyalty, which I can fully understand as a registered Independent, need to when it comes to the organization working on the ground, which hurts come election time.

If the Ohio group that worked for Kerry last year, worked for a Coleman or even a Springer for Governor, then against Blackwell, Petro, or Montgomery, they would have at worst an even money chance of winning.

Sara Lee Out, This Hurts

Any loss of jobs hurts, but this type of consolidation is often unavoidable.

Hamilton County Decentralization?

What does a $70/hr consultant know about Hamilton County? The Republican county commissioners appear to believe he knows something. I don't know how. You know all governments and communities are alike, so we can just take a cookie cutter, apply the shape this man is selling and shut up and like it.

Si Leis is pissed about hiring this guy, a source indicates. Si appears to be pissed generally because his budget faces cuts, which is a common reaction, but when he talked with the commissioners recently it illustrated friction, not unity with his fellow Republicans. Now, who would not have friction with Si Leis? Other than ignorant voters of course.

What makes me nervous are the goals of Phil and Pat, illustrated by this from the article:

The contract with Roberts is written broadly enough to give him a consulting voice in reforming virtually all aspects of county government under the control of the county commissioners, including "a redistribution of responsibilities" with the city of Cincinnati.

Is this a plan to just dump down the government functions, or all those it can, from the county to the municipalities? Or in the case of Hamilton County, a way for the burbs to dump on the City?

The toxic twins of the Cincinnati GOP are already threatening to cut the funding of SORTA, will they just pull out and force the city to cover it all? There have been plans floated recently for the city and county to swap service responsibilities, but what services and who stands to gain? I can only see the Blue Ashs, Maderias, and even Norwoods looking to keep county services on things they can benefit from, not others outside their areas.

Open Thread

Running Late, Go Nuts, with a little class if you please.

Typical Bronson Yet Again

Question to Peter Bronson: What are your thoughts on how Bob Huggins was treated by the cops and how managed to keep his job coaching young adults?

Dildo Cover Takes Balls

A big hat's off to CityBeat for their cover this week. The cover story is a Valentine's Day themed montage of articles on various love related topics.

What takes balls is CityBeat going to the edge with cover art that slides in a Dildo on the end of the machine gun. It is subtle enough for the non-reader to catch while shopping at Biggs or other locations that fear the right-wing prudes (CCV) who have worked to ban CityBeat from as many places as possible.

Sam I Am

In what appears to be a text rendering of acceptance speech from Chris Monzel we lean that the newly appointed councilmember plans on working with Sam. That Sam is Councilmember Sam Malone. We are told that Monzel will work with Sam, work with Sam, and work with Sam some more. We don't read how he will work with anyone else, you know, like the other 7 members of council and the mayor. Without working with at least a few others they will not get anything done.

Why didn't this gain attention:

And during this past year, I have been asked many times by people: "When are you moving?" and "now you don' have to live in the city any more." And honestly my wife and I did think about moving out to the suburbs.

So who is asking Chris when he is moving and why? Also, WHY WOULD YOU APPOINT A PERSON TO COUNCIL WHO CONSIDERED MOVING TO THE SUBURBS? If he can't commit to living the in city no matter if he is on council or not, then he does not belong on city council.

This reads like something Steve at BlueChip Review wrote as satire. The problem is that it appears real. Steve should have made a better reference that it was a speech, not a column written specially for his publication.

Blackwell vs. Petro

Are we seeing the first blow in what I hope becomes a bloody Republican primary for Ohio's Governor?

Conforming Bronson

I see Peter lacks in originality. That might be a shocker somewhere in in China, but not to those who subject ourselves to his columns. Today he attacks both Miami University and a radical professor from Colorado which is the hottest talk-radio/O'Reilly crusade of the week. I also wonder if Steve Szaronos, the student quoted, is affiliated with the Miami Young Republicans club. It seems that Peter has a special email address just for Conservative activists at Miami. Will Peter write a column against any university who pays Ann Coulter? Coulter once joked about blowing up the NY Times building, wanted to use the US Army to convert Muslims to Christianity by force, and calls all liberals traitors. I guess dissent only counts if you are skinny conservative blonde walking pile of dung.

KKK Alive in Kentucky

In Shepherdsville, Kentucky an over zealous mother went on a crusade to protest a couple of Muslim students wearing a hijab, in technical violation of the dress code. Her child then had to wear a T-Shirt that said "FBI - Firm Believer In Christ" on it. She went to the extreme of protesting outside the school, and her protest attracted other adults dressed in White Robes wielding Confederate Flags. She denied this has racial overtones. The article made no mention of whether she denied that this had to do with her being anti-Muslim or not.

Dragging Feet?

Are Lloyd Memorial High School dragging their feet in allowing a Gay-straight club on campus? Based on the article they obviously are trying to not have to establish one. If they have any other activist groups, or more importantly, if they have any religious based groups, then they have no choice but to allow the club. If not, you can guess that bigotry is preventing it from happening. Now, honestly, I would not want to be an openly homosexual teenager living in Erlanger, Kentucky. The anti-homosexual blind hate that seethes from far too many brain washed kids is one of the worst forms of torment know to American Schools. Things may have changed some other the last few years, but has it changed in Erlanger? At least we did not have to hear the local preacher threatening the protest the school meeting. Imagine if this was in Adams County, Ohio.

More Opinion on Springer

Tom Feran, Plain Dealer Columnist, dishes up a topic filled with Jerry Springer. Has Jerry reinvented himself? I don't know. Tom couldn't help but dig up a slam on Cincinnati in the midst of his comments:

In a field dominated by conservative talkers, in a city that's been called the place where the Old South meets Germany, he's the local headliner on a station billed as a "revolution in talk radio" because it leans left.

Ouch, that smarts. Tom is right about one thing: he points out that so far Springer has not flopped. Is he setting records? I doubt it. Is he making money for Clear Channel? I think he is surely making more than oldies music.

Academic 'Freedom'

Four GOP Ohio Legislators having been reading right wing blogs and talk radio a lot and want to keep teachers in university from introducing "controversial matter and coursework that has no relation to the class’s subject of study."

Several obvious problems, this goes against local control of education, a GOP issue. This also brings up a culture police by requiring someone to define what "controversial matter" entails. It also brings up the horrid concept of watching professors in an FBI informant frame of mind. This is asking people to become McCarthyites, dropping a dime on a commie being rewarded with a gold star.

What I wonder most is that are these four legislators going to apply this to all public schools? If so, they might start with anyone trying to push creationism or its watered down version Intelligent Design on public school science classes. These two topics are without question controversial matters and neither have any relation to any science class's subject of study. I therefore suggest they start cleaning out their house, before worrying about a professor talking about ideas.

Trickle Down, Part II

Taking a page from the Bush Administration, Governor Bob Taft is set to propose a massive cut in the personal income tax and corporate taxes as well as an increase on sin taxes and a revenue tax on all areas of businesses in the state. Details are limited, but the Enquirer article does outline the basics: Cut personal income taxes:

Cut individual income tax rates across the board. The primary goal would be to reduce the top rate from 7.5 percent to 6 percent or less.

This is from Saturday’s business section, so I don't know if that is glee or not with the mention of the primary goal being the cutting taxes for the richest Ohioans.

Lawmakers are now scrambling over Taft's latest folly. How will they balance the budget? Where is the money going to come from? Once again a lawmaker, most of often a Republican, is deciding the price before he is sure what he is selling. Figure out what you want to spend it on and how much that will cost, then figure out how you will raise that revenue to get that level of funds. Instead, Taft will toil about cutting this, streamlining that, but will not tell anyone how this will help fund education or provide medical services to the poor. He will not show us how he will generate jobs, other than allow corporations to make more money and then take their service centers to India, Manufacturing centers to China, and pass every cost increase on to the customer and employee, giving the shareholder every once of immediate profit, caring not for the long term gain of all.

Yep, same old trickle down. Give to the rich and pray they will pass it along. Faith based economic was the type of drivel I expect from Bushco, not a reasonable Republican like Bob Taft.

Controversy Lingers

If those honoring troops up in Warren County want to avoid controversy:

'We didn't want this to be anything controversial,' said Regina Herbolt, Robby's mother.

'Whether we should be there or not, human lives were lost.'

After the crosses were cleared, Hesler addressed the scouts in front of what used to be the memorial - now a bare field, muddy and sunken with holes.

'I hope you guys remember the people who helped keep you free, OK?' he said. 'Don't forget them, all right?'

Why did they decided to remove them once the Iraqi "election" past? Why not at leave them up to next Memorial Day? I guess the Cub Scouts unit, Pack 452, are learning to be good little Republicans by adhering to GOP propaganda.

I know what you are thinking, the parents are too subtle to know the symbolism of what they are doing, and I say, no, they knowing chose to remove them after the Iraqi "elections" thinking that someone ended everything. They can now wash their hands and move on, just don't forget them, all right?

More Springer Speculation

William Hershey of the DDN is still pushing the Jerry for Governor meme. Unless Springer quits his TV show, he just can't be elected and with other candidates getting in the race, he will loose his name recognition advantage. He is best suited as Ohio Dem party Chair, and radio talk show host.

Good Old Nate

Here is the Nate that people know. His screed against Greg Korte, the Enquirer CITY HALL beat reporter, is classic racism from Nate:

And look how the press, especially the Enquirer's Greg Korte, treats proposals introduced by African Americans. Yesterday State Senator Mark Mallory introduced a proposal to abolish the elected Cincinnati Public School Board and replace it with one appointed by the Mayor. (I'll share my views on this in a separate blog entry.) Now, Luken and Council Member David Pepper hadn't seen the proposal but Korte called them for a comment. Of course, they both dismissed Mallory's initiative.

Why did Korte quote these two white guys? Two reasons. First, because they were white. Christopher Smitherman, Charles Winburn and Alicia Reece have all expressed interest in running for mayor. Why isn't their opinion on Mallory's education proposal important? Second, Korte always runs to a white politican[sic] who has something negative to say about a Black politician. You don't think so? Why didn't he ask State Representative Tom Brinkman for his view? Could it be that Brinkman (whose opinion counts because he has a vote on the issue) might actually agree with Mallory and you wouldn't want to see that now would you? If the issue is race or police they can find the Black candidates but they aren't interested in their views on education or finance. That's just wrong. (Before anyone gives me that crap about Pepper and Mallory being the only "official" candidates, keep this in mind -- Mallory has been an "official" candidate for months but Korte constantly seeks out Pepper and quotes him in the paper (always reminding readers that he is running).)

If Nate wants to call Korte a racist, he should just come and say it. It would be an outright lie, but hemming and hawing about something like that makes one look like they are forcing it. If you are going to play the race card, don't you at least try and look like you are not playing the race card? Also, did Nate not consider the possibility that Korte called all three people mentioned, but they didn't return his calls? Also, why doesn't Korte ask Brinkman for a comment? Simple, Korte is not on the STATEHOUSE beat. Also, shouldn't Korte have quoted Brinkman? I mean Tom is as "white" as they come around here. He is the "white man's" "White Man."

Nate might, just might want to consider that Korte gets quotes from Pepper because either Pepper has the money to pay a good PR guy or David just really has a lot of time to spend responding to reporters. The other three also have had dirty laundry raised about them by the press and likely are a bit more hesitant to talk to the press with anything not scripted grandstanding.

I think Nate was really pissed because, well, Greg didn't call him for a comment. Last I knew Greg didn't work for the AP, and therefore doesn't have Nate's number on speed-dial.

Phil Burress's Work

So Phil's folly not only oppresses homosexuals, it helps endanger women. Thanks to Phil and all of the folks at the CCV for giving degenerate men another legal defense after beating their girlfriends.

Reece Rumors

The word on the street is that she is running for Mayor and will announce it soon. For the life of me I don't know why she is running for Mayor. Is it the likelihood that she would not be picked as Vice Mayor no matter who wins the race and does not want to suffer that humiliation?

She (and her father) has her eye on something for 2006, but what good would a loss do for her this year, other than character building?

Some say say she could win? Mallory has more money, more experience, and far fewer enemies and will carry the bulk of the black vote. If anything, she makes it likelier Pepper wins.

Mallory's Education Plan

It is not just a Plan, but a rather a hostile takeover. I don't have the detail yet, but I can tell it will be a hot issue. Pepper will likely attack it, once he figures out what Mallory is actually proposing, in detail.

I wonder how the GOP will react. They gave on the CPS long ago, so I would guess they might not really care. They have the suburban and private schools, so the CPS can wither on the vine in their minds.

UPDATE: More from the Post.

For Those Who Love Dear Leader

I guess you can't stand anyone dare speak against him so I shall just give you want you want in a lyrical chant:


Praise to the Lord, Our Savior
Lead on to the promised land, see us through
Praise to the Lord, Our Savior, Our Deal Leader
Jebus ain't that bad too

Owensby Melee

It is no surprise to me that Deters will not retry Jorg in the Roger Owensby case. The same day the father and brother of Owensby got in to a shouting match in the courtroom of Patrick Caton, who was involved in a hearing about being reinstated to the CPD after being fired for his involvement in the Owensby case.

The ‘shouting match’ sounds like it was a stunt to gain media attention when you read this portion of the article from the Post:

"We were the ones calling (Caton) a punk -- murderer because that is what he is," said Victoria Straughn, one of those with Owensby.

Straughn heads "The Coalition of Concerned Citizens For Justice" which is one of the various Boycott A groups.

State of the Union

I did not watch it and I have not read it either. I have only heard the highlights on the news and some of the after speech spin. I normally watch it no matter what, but last night I turn off the TV and listened to music for an hour. I did not feel like shouting at the TV screen. Based on what I have heard so far Bush was Bush. What I have heard leads me to believe that on Social Security he has promised to pull a rabbit out of his ass. He has not said how, and has not promised the rabbit will be living when he does. That sums things up about his plan to phase out Social Security. I will post more on SSA, the lies Bush told about it, and the impending propaganda blitz in the coming weeks.

The politicizing of Iraq was complete. Last night is all about politics and spinning the Presidential Legacy. He claimed credit in both image and most clearly in tone. That was not a shock. It is his MO. Say you did something with symbolism, and trust that a lazy media and ignorant public will not bother checking or caring if you live up to what you said.

State of the City

Mayor Luken gave his annual speech to council yesterday. The text of his speech is here. The interesting point is that this is Luken's tenth such speech and he started the tradition back in 1987.

How is the city? The critics will say we are dying. I say we have potential. What we do have are a large number of apathetic citizens and two rings of suburbs who hate the city, except for the sports stadiums and the big city image they feed off of.

Feed Issues

I got an email saying I have problem with my Atom Feed. I think I have updated it, please let me know if it is working. Once it does I will be deleting this post.

More Money and Is Ghiz Not Out?

More on the Mayor/Council money from Korte. He has more on Mallory's PSA effort.

Also Ghiz has a few bucks left over, so Korte suggests we not count her out as a candidate. I don't know. I think she might be sick of it.

A new name has been mentioned as a candidate: Chris Bortz, who be a Charterite if he choose to run. Bortz is the nephew of former Mayor/Councilman Arn Bortz, a long time Charter Committee member.

Nick Spencer is also mentioned and I must admit I don't understand what he is saying about Nick's campaign finance issue. I guess it might be good news, but he makes it sound like he's avoiding trial by getting treatment for a bad memory or something.

Hartmann For Secretary of State?

The Enquirer is reporting the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann (R) plans a run for Ohio Secretary of State. He was sure nice to get elected last year to a four year term and turn around a few months later and possibly start running for another office. I hope he resigns if he gets the nomination. Who will fill his seat if he gets in?

Also, interesting fact, he has only lived in Ohio for 7 years. I did not know Republicans actually vote for outsiders. Is he from maybe Northern Kentucky or some place that is almost Cincinnati?

State SC Justice Arrested for DUI

Democratic Justice Alice Robie Resnick has been arrested on charges of DUI. If you do the crime, face the time. This is stupid, stupid, stupid. Why would a 65 year old Judge try and drive home drunk? Why would anyone let her? Call a freakin cab!

I understand that she is one of the few left of the court with an ounce of fairness for the consumer, but doing this does nothing but tarnish her career. It sounds like her career will not be affected much. That is good for her, but is it good when a Justice make such a stupid mistake? What will be sad is how she will be pounced on by her foes. Yesterday as a fluke I had on 700 WLW during part of my drive to lunch and heard Bill Cunningham mentioned it. He managed to sound almost fair in the minute I listened to it, and then it went into news, so I don't know how he hammered her after the break. She has been a big target of Business leaders in the past. She will have a big problem if she seeks re-election.

Big Money

Raising money in the race for Mayor is not going to be a problem for Pepper or Mallory, who have raised $251,870 and $111,138 respectively. Once the GOP fields their candidate and start pushing in money, this should be the most expensive Mayoral race in Cincinnati history.

Expo Store In Oakley On Hold

The Expo Store, a Home Depot division, slated to be built in Oakley looks like it will not be built at all. Home Depot is stating they are evaluating the Expo store line and will not go forward with any new locations during that evaluation period. I think that means in real terms, they can't afford to build any stores right now or it means that the Expo locations are failing a business model and either will be scrapped or retooled. The land for the store is cleared. I hope Home Depot does not hold it hostage. The new retail center going up the Oakley area needs a full allotment of big box retail as a support ring to make the shopping experience work. That is what I think makes the Easton Town Center in Columbus work well, better than Newport on the Levee.

Mark Mallory PSA?

What is with the Mark Mallory Public Service Announcements on TV? These are not something sponsored by any government agency, they appear to be paid for by Senator Mallory himself. These are not labeled as campaign commercials, but in all practical purposes they are. They talk about snow storm damages and people who may qualify for state assistance. This is a shrewd move. He might even have been able to use official state funds for this, since the purpose was basically communications with constituents. He gets his face on the air and in the minds of possible voters.

It might be wise for him to report how these commercials were paid for. They are called a PSA, so could they be virtually free from Time Warner? Only production costs? They are running quite often to be an actual PSA. I think I have seen it about 10 times over the last few days, on various cable channels.

DDN: Coleman to Run for Governor

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman will will seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. He is reportedly set to announce later on today.

UPDATE: More from the Enquirer.

Target 5 Takes Action Against Bird Shit

An actual headline from WLWT's website: Target 5 Takes Action Against Bird Droppings. Yes, bird shit is the topic of hard hitting investigative journalism in our fair city. I am just going to pack it in now, I think I have seen it all in Cincinnati Media spectrum of mindless drivel.

Cincinnati.com Blogs

There are now more than just CiN Weekly's Staff Blog from the Cincinnati.com family of blogs, including bios or intros from the bloggers:
Photographers
Tech Tipsheet -- Bio
Sports Roundtable -- Bios
Pop Culture -- Bio
Popo's Sports Blog -- Intro
The Arts -- Bios

I am holding judgment in addition to the blogroll until I see how they go. One thing you will notice that is missing, a political/current events blog. I am please they have comments on all the blogs. I hope they don't need to be approved before they are posted, but the legal department may have butt in.

Witch in the Old Mill Creek

Today is your last chance to send in comments to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers on the project to widen the Mill Creek. You can still email your comments. Be sure to add "Mill Creek" to the subject line. Or you can call: (502) 315-6769.

Pete and Repeat Were in a Boat...

In reference to my post from yesterday and a comment from said post we get a history lesson via Kevin Drum.

Kids Today Are Uneducated

Kids today are either really uneducated on the workings of a Democracy or they are misled by equally uneducated parents.

Come on, have the government approve newspaper stories? Are these kids on crack or have they spent to much time in Pastor Bob's destroy the liberals bible study class?

Xer's or Just an Unknown?

Via Rob Bernard we get an article from the Dayton Daily News announcing changes to the paper, mostly the renaming of several weekly sections with the inclusion of "X" to the title. I don't know if this is some type of a marketing ploy to gain the attention of us slacker Gen Xers or if this is meant to trick teenage fans of the Xtreme Games into thinking their business reports are featuring Tony Hawk. Either way I don't think it will do much for circulation.

Chick Rock Fest

I don't know much about this event, but when you combine chicks, rock music, and the Southgate House it must be good. Look for it on April 8th and 9th.

More at their website www.chicksrockfest.com.

Everyone Hearts Berding

Jeff Berding has officially announced his candidacy for Cincinnati City Council. At his announcement once could not find a more motley crew of local politicians. Get this list as compiled by Greg Korte: Mark Mallory, David, Pepper, Charlie Luken, David Mann, Arn Bortz, Tom Brinkman, Pat DeWine, and Pete Witte. Are the last three actually going to vote for Berding? If yes, then I will applaud all three for being non-partisan, but does that make Jeff Berding another Dusty Rhodes, who is as much of a Democrat as Bob Taft.

I don't know much about Berding. I would surmise that as part of the Bengals organization he would likely be very pro-business. The article reports he already has raised $40,000. That kind of bread at this point in time puts him in line as the front runner to fill Pepper's open seat. The fact that he is only one of two declared challengers for council might have something to do with that as well.

Will Berding keep a Rucker or Harris from running? That I hope only depends on Reece's and/or Smitherman's choices to run for mayor, freeing up their seats as well.

Private Parts

When people push the privatization of Social Security they are failing to provide the details. Now, most people don't care about the details, even though the say they want to know them. When they start to hear about COLA's, administrative policy, and PIA's their eyes start to roll back into their head.

Even with that in mind I have a laundry list of unanswered questions, problems, and issues that would have to be answered, solved, and addressed before any private accounts were established.

1. Who is eligible for a private account? What will be the cut off age?
2. What percent of individual's contributions will be eligible for contribution?
3. Will the tax status of the private account be on a Pre-Tax or After-Tax basis?
4. If it will be Pre-Tax, that creates a tax cut, how will the massive loss in revenues be made up?
5. If it will be After-Tax, will that point be made known when this is made to look like a 401K Plan?
   
6. Who will administer these accounts? Employers? The government? Are Individuals forced to go to a Financial Institution on their own?
7. Who pays the administration fees?
8. Are administration fees included in Bush's Plan?
9. What investments can be included? Private Funds? Stocks, bonds, options, futures, commodities? Anything? Who Decides what a person can invest in?
   
10. Who manages those investments? Are they owned directly or in a mutual type fund?
11. Who pays the brokerage fees? Are they straight fees or discounted?
    
12. If these are collectively owned in mutual type fund, who does the accounting?
13. If the private accounts are use, who then who votes the proxies?
14. Will lump sum distributions now be allowed?
15. Will beneficiary benefits continued to be offered.
16. How will beneficiary, minor dependent, disability, and death benefits be funded?
17. Does Bush's plan cap the level of earnings on private accounts to pay for existing and future "traditional" benefits?
18. Is Bush using the "Cash Balance" type of retirement plan as his basis for this? Those type of Plans have not yet received favorable determination letters from the IRS.
    

I could on and on with questions that are not being asked by the media and not by politicians. This issues should be debated in public, and not just on CSPAN. CNN, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, talk radio, and we in the blogosphere should be discussing the details and understand it BEFORE a lobbyist writes the bill and passes it around an hour before the final vote.

In the Wood & Acropolis Chili Lose Battle to Stay

A Judge has ruled in favor of developers paving the way for the destruction of two long time UC and Clifton Heights establishments, In the Wood and Acropolis Chili. No indications on any appeals or other avenues to allow these property owners the continued rights afford to most all other property owners.

UPDATED for the Spelling Guy

Reaction to Police Shooting

Yes, it has been muted if you measure it by the media coverage. The Buzz appears to not have had a glut of angry callers. No negative comments outside the suspect's family have been heard, but since when has Cecil Thomas been a bellwether for the mood of black activists?

Allen - Collins Settlement

Mike Allen, former county prosecutor has agreed to pay Rebecca Collins $45,000 as part of a settlement of a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. The lawsuit against the County is still pending.

Yet More Typical Bronson Blather

Peter Bronson is at it again, but this time E Goods takes him to the woodshed, not me.

Irrational Delusionists

Today is the day for the war supporters to wave their flags over their eyes, sing Amazing Grace, and blow their back slapping wad on the Elections in Iraq. It does not matter to them how we got here (no WMD) and it clearly matters not, or at least does not matter today what will happen tomorrow (civil war). Today Dear Leader was able to take a bow, and anyone who dares says "big fucking deal" is with the terrorists. How many free societies have curfews the day of elections? How many have bombers kill 25 people and would at least 71 on the day of elections?

People who feel good about today are so completely delusional about the situation in Iraq. To them it is all about Bush's policies and their support for it. This is not about them. This is not about Bush's image. This is about the people of Iraq and they are not in good shape. We, at this point, know not how many votes were cast. We don't even have any election monitors to show no fraud. We don't know who will be appointed the leaders of the country. We have so many open questions about what will happen next, playing PR cheerleaders does nothing but provide political cover for Bush on the eve of his State of the Union address. We now will not only see a pull back of the rhetoric by the Bush administration, but a pull back of the press. Iraq will become just like Afghanistan, a faceless back story where little has changed since the last dictatorial government fell.

So I guess now I am a terrorist for not waving a flag for Dear Leader.Sorry about that. Sorry for not accepting the propaganda. Sorry for not conforming to the dogma. Sorry for wanting real democracy in Iraq. Sorry for wanting people to face the reality of state of Iraq and not the PR drivel coming from Dear Leader’s minions. I am not sorry for anything I have written. If you don’t like it, then tough. If you feel the need to tell me to ‘love it or leave it,’ I think you have shown why I had to write what I did and why I can’t stand still and let PR pass as truth.

Image Boost?

As a company P&G has many, many problems, but they are a plus for Cincinnati in both attracting new people to the city as well as their sizable charitable giving to various groups including a strong commitment to education and the arts. Will their mergers with Gillette boost the image of Cincinnati across the country? In the short run I think it is simply good press, so the answer is yes. Cincinnati as a Midwestern corporate HQ center is something that has been slipping as of late with the sales of Star and Provident, and this adds a boon to the Perception of Business leaders that Cincinnati is still a white collar Mecca.

The real benefit only comes with jobs jobs jobs. P&G states that the combined company will loose 6,000 jobs, but most of that will be overseas. On the surface this sounds like a plus for Cincinnati, but a loss for Boston. Over time this insures jobs here in Cincinnati and it could expand them.

Cincinnati Police Shoot Suspect

The Cincinnati Police have shot a suspect outside a local nightclub. Information at this point that "some woman," as the WLWT article states, tipped off police that suspects in a car near by the club had a gun. The police located the car and the rest is unclear as to hot the suspect was shot twice. He is reportedly expected to live. The report indicates that the police stated a gun was found in the car. Reactions I have heard or read so far have not been irrational, let’s hope it stays that way.

No Win for Winburn

Publius at SaveOurCity believes former Councilman Charlie Winburn could win the Mayor's Race with a divided Democratic party between Mallory and Pepper. Publius is wrong. Winburn can not be elected Mayor with either Mallory or Pepper in the race. Pubis is right that it is possible, though not probable, that Winburn could win a 3 or 4 way race, but that only wins him the primary. Only the top two make it to the general election. Curtis Fuller won the primary in 2001, but lost the Mayoral race significantly a month and half later. If Winburn were to somehow win the primary then any of the three of Pepper, Reece, or Mallory would crush him in the general election.

It's Freaky Friday After All

We have a profile of the local Cragslist: Cincinnati. It is something that I fear could make Si Leis get his shorts in a wad.

Also, it is Final Friday and the KnowTheatre is performing and CA has the details and folks will be heading to Milton's afterwords.

British/Irish/Scottish Films

Here is a list of British,Irish, and Scottish films I have seen and really liked. Some of these may not have been a Hollywood production, but the topic was based somewhere from the British Isles. These are not in any special order.

1. Enigma
2. In the Name of the Father
3. Much Ado About Nothing
4. Richard II
5. Trainspotting
6. Gosford Park
7. The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill, But Came Down a Mountain
8. Four Weddings and a Funeral
9. My Left Foot
10. Waking Ned DeVine
11. Brassed Off
12. The Quiet Man
13. Shakespeare in Love
14. Elizabeth
15. Hope and Glory
16. Braveheart
17. Master and Commander
    

This is not a complete list of my favs, but a start. Anyone have any more or more importantly think I am out of my gourd on one of these actually being good?

YNTG Done?

Kathy Y. Wilson is never an easy read, and her latest column is also foggy. I guess her weekly column Your Negro Tour Guide is done. I assume, but can't quite discern that she will continue to write for CityBeat, but not with the Race handcuffs. That I think is great. I like her writing, but the limits of race issues often left the same themes and same rhetoric. For her career I think it is best.

Unless I missed something cryptic, which is very possible, I think she is staying with CityBeat. If I missed something and she is not, someone please set me straight.

Ghiz Not Running

Stephanie Dunlap has a story on Leslie Ghiz which reports two issues: Ghiz will likely not run and Sam Malone was behind the snub to Ghiz. What I hope is just her public face, Leslie still defended the Party. She is a fool to stay in the local GOP. She should not believe that only Malone wanted her out. If the local GOP wanted to be fair and not let one person control them, then should have done something. Instead, they let the anti-homosexual bigot Sam Malone keep her off council. This has the CCV written all over it.

Me Blog Good

I am pleased that Cincinnati is well above the average in an intelligence ranking of cities. I hope this is just the actual city and not the Metro Area.

El Cometa del Risque

A woman in a Chicken suit. You would think you would see that fairly very often, but for me last night it was a first. Yesterday at Drinking Liberally the Chicken suit was not the highlight, but still fun. It was not a young chick either, so I can say that the experience, which from afar, was not as exhilarating as a man like myself might wish for.

The rest of the night was almost as enjoyable. Since several bloggers where there, the issue of blogging came up and specifically on stuff to write about. I of course did not take any notes, so I can't really regale anyone with the many great stories folks told or interesting topics that were suggested as blog fodder.

The raging debate I kept having in my head was whether "Junkie Barista" would make a better name for a rock band or the title of a new Yoga position.

I can't get one image out of head though. It has to do with the topic brought up about a hypothetical columnist sorting through a box of sex toys. It is something I think everyone would find disturbing, if it were true. You might be surprised to know Funnel Cake was not responsible for such an image.

Save Our City On Nate's Claims re 'The Boycott'

I don't like to say much about Nate, and I do not have to.

Pepper is In

Councilman David Pepper is officially in as a candidate for Cincinnati Mayor. He has money and business leaders on his side. A few interest points from the article.

1. No mention of Tom Brinkman as at least a possible candidate for mayor? He has been listed previously as a possible candidate, but could he or his confidants popped that trial balloon?
2. Pepper is dating a TV News reporter/anchor? I hope she does not report on any political coverage and I don't think I have to worry much, local TV news ranks local politics only above Pee-Wee Football scores in the level of coverage.

Who else will declare soon?

Ignorance

A man who thinks a sky fairy created man now spews right wing talking points about how to being the destruction of Social Security. Peter, as the rest of Social Security destruction movement does, fails to account for how his plan will add money to the trust fun to cover shortfalls, how they will pay for survivor benefits, how they will pay for disability benefits, how they will administer such a plan.

What they are not telling you is that they are doing what corporations are doing, putting all responsibility and RISK on the participant. What will people do if in 10 years we suffer another depression? That wipes out the market and with it the trust.

Peter and the money hungry idiots need to understand something that most miss; social security is an INSURANCE PROGRAM. It is not an investment plan. We have plenty of room in the IRA, 401(K) and 403(b) plans for people to make tax free investments.

This is about providing a safety net to people. Peter plays the game of trying to make people think it is an investment that can be quantified in Wall street terms. He needs to be thinking in Hartford terms. Does Peter want to let 18 year old kids opt out of Auto Insurance? I doubt it, but you never know. He may say if you are wealthy enough, then yes, because they can afford it. I guess that might be who he is looking out. The problem is that he is ignorant and that he is think about money now, and not about security in the future. Bill Gates could die a poor man. I could die richer than Bill Gates. That uncertainty is why we want to provide a safety level of income for EVERYONE to make sure they have a minimum level of income in old age. This is not about Frat boy Johnny spending his extra beer money. This is about the 20 year old shift manage at Burger King building a net to help augment their retirement.

The issue here is the get people saving in their 401(k) and IRA's. If you fear Social Security being gone in 40 years, fear not. If you still fear it, then get your ass saving. That way, as was designed, your PIA will be gravy.

[I have been working on a longer post on SSA. I will continue working on that and try and provide an outline of what BushCo is not telling you about how it plans on destroying Social Security.]

UPDATE: 1:30 PM - Where's Mine? Clarence Paige asked that rhetorically over 10 years ago as a description of what the average voter was thinking. Based on comment to many people in favor of privatizing Social Security come across as only thinking about themselves. This is what is cause the variation. If you can't think beyond yourself, then you are missing the point. We can't have a plan that fit each person trying to squeeze out a new Benz at retirement. We can't have a plan where you can opt out if you can "afford it" because that is fool hearty.

To also answer a comment who said that my car insurance comparison was flawed because you don't have to drive. True, you don't have to drive. You don't have to earn wages in this society either. If he wants to avoid SS, I suggest he win the lottery and live off the interest for the rest of his life. The minute he is dead broke at age 85, then I wonder what he is going to do?

This sounds like to me trying to make people responsible for maintain their own street or fire department or police department.

Community Web Activitsts

A great use of technology, community web sites are great, as long as people are connected to the web. The web divide is both economic and generational. Much like cable TV, there are still those who do not have cable, and not because they gave it up, because they can't afford it, mainly installing it in their homes.

Hamilton County Loves Porn!

A great column from WaPo last month showing that despite the anti-porn crusaders of CCV and Si Leis, Hamilton County consumes more porn than the average county.

About a year after the Utah case, a similar scenario played out in Hamilton County, Ohio, a conservative Cincinnati suburb. In 2001, under pressure from an influential local antiporn group, Citizens for Community Values, prosecutors filed obscenity charges against two local video stores for selling adult videos. The Cincinnati Enquirer launched an investigation of community standards and found that:

"Last year, more than 21,000 Hamilton County residents purchased 26,000 explicit videos from one of the nation's largest mail-order companies. A company spokeswoman described those sales as typical for a community of this size. . . . In January of this year, 182,000 Greater Cincinnati residents -- an estimated 70,000 from Hamilton County -- visited an adult Web site at least once. Nielsen - NetRatings found that 21.8 percent of all residents here who went online visited an adult site. The national average for January was 21.4 percent. In recent months, Hamilton County residents bought adult movies on pay-per-view TV at about the same rate as viewers did in other mid-sized TV markets. The numbers suggest county residents are quiet contributors to the adult industry's rapid growth. And with every purchase, they change Hamilton County's long-held notion of a community standard."

The data comes from the Enquirer, but that seems to have not made much of an impression on the anti-porn zealots.

[Via, you guessed it, Funnelcake]

What Ever Happened Too: CopWatch?

Cincinnati Copwatch was touted very heavily a few years ago. They had a $13,000.00 Threshold Foundation grant. Copwatch was a group related to CONTROL(Citizens Organizing Neighborhoods To Regain Our Liberation) which is affiliated with the Nati Youth Center. The website that used to house copwatch, www.cincinnaticopwatch.org, is no longer functioning. I have so far found online only one showing of some of the footage in some type of production, but it only seems to be a 10 minute segment of a 1:48 “film.”

The group got other grants as well, for a total of around $16,300.00, including a small grant from the OTR community council. I am all in favor of independent media. What I want that media to do though is show their work. Where is this group's work? Their self proclaim job was the to watch the police and catch police brutality on videotape. It they have it, why has it not been shown? I can think of two reasons. One, is that the footage is not good. Getting close enough to tape something without quality equipment is difficult. The other reason is that they have little footage to show. That could be because limited time of staff watching the cops, or because few incidents happened that could be considered police brutality, or it could be that they are not bothering to do anything and have used the funds and equipment for other purposes. The main issue is that the group has fallen of the face of the Earth. I guess their commitment was lacking or they didn't find what they wanted to find.

3rd Time the Charm?

No, Councilman Chris Smitherman will not get approval of a ban of taser use on children. He is grandstanding or hoping beyond hope that Mayday Malone will change his vote from 2 weeks ago. I think you can bet on grandstanding when it comes to Smitherman. It will make for a good campaign issue to run on in the Mayor's race. Something to use against Pepper? Where does Mallory stand on the issue?

Goodbye Johnny

The King of Late Night has died at age 79. I can only think of laughter right now. I think of Heeeeeere's Johnny, good jokes, bad jokes, Ed, Doc, comedians, and a great entertainer. He has been nearly silent since his retirement. He will be missed.

I hope Leno and Letterman can both do a great tribute, maybe even together.

Bronson's Ultimate Hacktacular

You know things are getting bad for Bronson when he crams three columns into one. What do we get? First we get some kind of Peter hates Detroit section that really makes no sense. That then has one of the most awkward segues in journalism history to a Peter Hates Cincinnati column, but then he tops himself with the No. 1 all time worst segue. He spins this all towards an attack on Jerry Springer. Now, people can hate Jerry Springer. That is understandable. Bronson's column is nothing but a hack job. It sounds like he visited a couple of websites and wrote a column, I mean does this think he just a blogger or something? Did they guy even listen to to the show?

Now, not only does he just not include anything specific, he makes what I believe is a false impression to anyone reading the coulumn:

But the old raincoat Springer is still slinging sleaze, like this "Shocking True Life Situation" on his Web site: "They haven't had sex in over a year! To complicate matters, Shavon's gay cousin Rob moved in with them, and now Rip has to confess he's been 'fooling around' with him!"

Right next to his "Springer for Ohio" Web site, his videos are reviewed by Amazon: "Breasts and brawls. Brawls and breasts. That pretty much sums up what this volume of the Jerry Springer home collection is all about."

Bronson is mixing up websites and I fear he is doing it on purpose. First he indirectly refers to www.jerryspringer.com, but does not list it, then he refers to "Springer for Ohio" which is not even a website. www.jerryforohio.com and www.springeronradio.com are the URL's for Springer’s radio show. Bronson then adds in a Amazon.com video review. What the hell does that have to do with anything?

If Bronson is gong to hit Jerry for his slime TV show, then fine, do it. Quote a show. Don't try and link his show to his Radio show when there is no connection other than Jerry himself. If you hate Jerry, then don't listen, but to say that Springer's TV show makes him unfit to have a political opinion then that should mean that Bronson will directly slam Bill Cunningham who even as a conservative wishes with all of his heart that he could have a TV show like Springer's. Cunningham's radio show has been as close to a Springer show as any on radio locally, outside of Howard Stern. How many strippers or sexologists were on his show? All be it his night show, when it was on.

Bronson should just pick a target. If he hates intercity culture in Detroit, then attack it. If he hates Cincinnati, then attack it, as he often does while living out in the burbs. If you hate Springer's radio show, why not listen to it, write down some objectionable quotes, and then complain about it? Instead we get nothing but hookers and 'homo's' from Bronson. Hell, if you are going to hold a man down for his past, then I guess Bush's past should mean something, and Arnold's past and present as a perpetuator of violent movies should matter. They don't matter, at least not to Peter, but sex does matter.

All of this from Bronson, a guy who thinks a sky fairy played in the dirt 6,000 years ago and 'created' human beings, how can we take his views on Condie Rice, Iraq, science, Social Security, police actions, culture, art, music, movies, television, taxes, foreign policy, urban development, economics, media, or the price of tea in China seriously?

And the Wolf Cried

In case you woke up this morning expecting to have a blizzard awaiting you outside, no, you were not imagining the local TV news weather reports saying such things, they were reporting up to 8 inches today. At this point they have stepped back just a bit from that claim. We might get an inch by night time.

Damn, I freaking changed plans for today because at worst I figured we get a similar level of snow as we had on Thursday. All we have right now are ice covered car windows, for those of us garageless, and a very light snow flurry here as of mid-day.

Paint the Town Blue

I made my way down to Alchemize for the event after skipping out early on the CA After-Five Walk in Oakley.

It was a great event. The snow hurt a bit, but local Dem/Liberal politicos were out in force. I saw Pepper, Cranley, too many Mallory's to count, Jerry Springer and his manwife Jene Galvin, and I even had an awkward introduction with Brian Garry. I don't think he is my biggest fan.

Jerry was introduced to the downstairs crowd and we heard a quick but painful "Jerry, Jerry" from the crowd. I was only mouthing the words, I swear.

Kaldi's Going Dry

Kaldi’s is giving up alcohol sales and changing its hours. Gone is late night food. This should be a plus to the Diner, but a negative to the Hipsters across the city.

Transplant Blues

Maggie has a follow-up column this week relating to her column last week.

I will take this opportunity to say to anyone who is a transplant to the city, or if you lived her all your life, or if you are one of a growing number of returnees: if you have a hard time finding something to do or meeting people, you should haul your ass to the next Cincinnati Advance event. In full disclosure, I am a board member for the group, as well as a regular attendee of their events.

Laughing

Hitting close to home? I figure this Cincy Harold article pissed off the GOP a bit, but I believe Leslie laughed over it.

Praise JEEEEBUS!!!

It was an act of "God" that made this propaganda happen, not political campaigners who exploited a 9/11 victim’s kid. That's not what happened here now, is it? (Yes, the last sentence should be heard in an overly sarcastic way, complete with vocal intonations).

Typical Bronson, on the day his boy ushers us into four more years of the American Dark Age, he choose to invoke his religion as the reason for Bush winning. Yes, Peter Bronson is doing nothing but carrying the Ark of the Covenant in front of his cultural war army. Fighting us pinko commie heathens with every knock he can. I mean, looking forward on how Bush could possibly unite the country in an honest manner, not in a love it or leave it cowboy tone, might be a way to further the debate, or even depolarize the county. Instead, Peter uses a puppy to gain the prayers of the suckers to heap more praise on his new Lord and Savior.

Socializing in a Balkanized City

Ok, we've had a little 'fun' here lately with Dating discussions on a tangent level. Cincinnati has been ranked as the second worst place for singles. As a romantically-challenged stout man, quickly passing my prime, I take clear notice of such rankings. (Please spare me the personal jokes, comments, put downs, or other mocking statements that people will make even though I ask them not to.)

Now, the first point to mention is that the poll is way way off in some of the ways it ranks Cincinnati, which stems mainly from unfair comparisons to NY, LA, and Chicago. This has been hashed over in the past, so I will not dive into it.

My question: Is there a special secret to the people in Cincinnati? The elements of the ranking are moot when it comes to dating. The issue is not do singles have things to do here, we do. The issue is: what makes people here so cliquish? Am I getting back into the native v. transplant debate? Yes, I think that is part of it. The other part that plays into it is the urban v. suburban divide.

I don't 'like' the suburbs. I never want to live in a cul-de-sac. I don't like spending time there. I have no reason to spend time there, outside of my job requirements. Many or most of my counterparts living out in the burbs I believe have a similar view to the city. Why this is I will not go into, but it exists and is not changing.

How does this hurt singles in our quest to find the perfect mate (or mates)? Is there a cultural or regional divide in the area that blocks off social interaction? I could throw in the West Side - East Side rivalry inside the city that could be just as divisive. Are we regressing back to the right-side - wrong-side of the tracks type of prejudice? It is not based so much on class, but on culture. If taken to an extreme and coupled with the growing political polarization, religious division, and socio-economic differences, this type of cultural divide could build up into something more strict or costly to the society, resulting in a Balkanized metro area with a caste system or social order with signs of the olden days, but with modern twists.

We now live in a city with localized fiefdomsgovernments, how much longer before those tribal like structures take hold in social relations, not just political relations?

Also, is this something unique to Cincinnati or significantly different here than other cities?

Fact Cat or Local Pol?

New blogger Publius atSave Our City revels a little about himself in a post today. He is headed to DC for the Inauguration. Now, my guess would be that Publius is either a local fat cat Republican who is going to cash in on his campaign contributions or is a connected politico who was able to score a hotel room and tickets to something related to the Inaugural.

He could just be a guy who can afford to go the event, but that is not as interesting or entertaining.

Strickland Out of Governor's Race

U.S. Congressman Ted Strickland is not running for Governor of Ohio. Those left in contention are Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic, U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown, State Senator Eric Fingerhut, former Attorney General Lee Fisher, and Jerry Springer.

Coleman takes the lead in electability. Fingerhut has some name ID and organization, but lost big against Voinovich.

Stand Up to the FOP

Where are the union busting Republicans when you need them? The Police Union is once again trying to remove all power and control over the police from the City and keep if for themselves and their odd counterparts in crime, CPD management. I don't understand a union where your bosses get more attention and are protected more than the rank in file member. The FOP will put into jeopardy the contract negotiations for a 1,000 members because they wish to choose who becomes an assistant chief and other senior CPD managers, thus protected the jobs of a handful of people. The views of the City residents are just ignored.

This is representative of the biggest problem of the CPD, its 'us and them' mentality. A large portion of the CPD, and many many of the senior officers do not live in the city, and resent or even hate the people who live in the city. This I believe is a core reason for the bad community police relationship. Race is a factor in that. Culture and class are as well. It is a parallel to the city-burbs rivalry (feud) that exists in the county and metro area that is taking shape in the form of the new GOP cabal in county government.

A battle for county wide government is in the works and part of that is the goal of the GOP to take control and subdue the city, riding on its back on the way down into destruction.

Tsunami Relief, Inauguration Balls, & Paint the Town Blue

Queen City Forum has the lowdown on "Paint the Town Blue" an event at Alchemize sponsored by the Progressive Alliance. A night to help out people and a call to action for progressive/liberal minded people.

UPDATE: Link fixed.

Jammin' on Main, Dead

How did it die? Lack of turnout, or the cash strapped CSO?

Pettus-Brown Free

What? How the hell did this happen?

WMD Denial

Living in denial is not a great way to live:

Iraqi WMDs did, could still, exist

Regarding the letter 'Bush's Cincinnati claim proves false' (Jan. 15): A lot of people seem to be missing a significant point regarding the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There is no disputing the fact that Saddam Hussein did possess them and had used them before on the Kurds.

United Nations weapons inspectors did find that Iraq had large amounts of biological weapons and other precursor compounds for nerve gases. They also reported that Saddam willfully deceived the United Nations in regard to what they actually had.

The question isn't if he had them, it's what did he do with them? Keep in mind that some weapons of mass destruction can be so small they can be hidden in a toolbox or buried in the sand.
Steve Elmlinger, Florence

Steve, no the question is not what did he do with them, the question is either who lied to Saddam about having them or why did he lie about having more than he did. We went to war over an accounting problem. Iraq had not account for all of its weapons, which for BushCo meant that he still had them, even though 7 years of inspections, 12 years of sanctions, and another round of inspections found not evidence of anything other stockpiles. Time to admit that either Bush was lying (misleading) about WMD or he was so incompetent that he went to war with fully reviewing all relevant information. Oh, I forget though, Bush is infallible and has no responsibility for his actions.

Smitherman

Councilman Chris Smitherman has decided on whether he will enter the race for Cincinnati Mayor, but is not going to tell anyone until the end of March. Hmmm. Does this strike you as yet another amateur move by someone in way over his head? Smitherman has not a chance to win one of the top two spots if Mallory and/or Reece is in the race for Mayor. He should instead focus on being a force on council and maybe trying to get Ghiz to join the Charter Committee. Maybe in 4 years he could run for Mayor and lose then, instead.

Krings Out, Grand Old Partisans In

We now have our first set of pointless political games from Phil BurressHeimlich and Pat DeWine. HMS has a full insider's story that includes some great instants of fly by the seat of their pants actions from DeWine and Heimlich:

After the passage of the resolution, Portune asked DeWine and Heimlich (almost a direct quote), "What now, what's your plan, what is this new direction?" DeWine stammered, but couldn't (literally, could not) give any answer.

Portune next asked how they planned to conduct a search to find the next County Administrator. DeWine said that the Board would probably talk with private companies to help conduct a national search. Portune asked if they had any companies in mind, and if they'd be accepting proposals from companies. DeWine had to admit that he didn't know of any specific companies ("I don't have a list in my back pocket, if that's what you mean"), didn't know about accepting proposals, but said they would "just talk to some companies for now."

Portune then asked if they had developed a timeline in which to complete the hiring of another Administrator. Again, DeWine stammered, but had no timeline or deadline. Heimlich said almost nothing except to hastily close the meeting.

What kind of situation could exist when right wing extremist Simon Leis actually sides with Liberal County Commissioner Todd Portune?

There is a back story to this that is not being talked about. What are the toxic twins (Pat and Phil) planning? Is there plan a campaign for county regional municipal government?

Priase to 'Dear Leader' Continues

I guess we will get a story every day worshiping the 'Lord'. We don't want to make a big deal out of this event now do we? It is not like anything is going to change. It's not like we have a new leader or something. The future of freedom is as bright as a Black Hole.

Ouch, Off Point

I agree with Brendan's lunch scene and can picture the gaggle of gals he illustrates. I think he is way off point with who he links to.

Interesting Anchor

Here is a very interesting profile of Sandra Ali, Channel 5 news Anchor. She has Network written all over her. I don't envision she will be long in town. Maybe a few years, but not much beyond that. As everyone can see though, she is very photogenic.

Springer Radio

I have the Springer on the Radio on and am listening. So far, they are starting out like any other people fairly new to radio, a bit slow. Jerry is being a bit too nice. The jabs at Dusty Rhodes were hilarious though.

Anyone else listening?

UPDATE: I like his blog. It is modeled after JerryforOhio.com, which now points to the same blog, as does makeohioblue.com. I like it most because they carried all of their links to the radio show blog, which of course includes one for my blog.

UPDATE #2: The Post has a story today and the press on the show nationally is huge.

Remember MLK

The Enquirer lists events around the area, then goes into how gay-rights is not something all followers of King care about.

A reader sent me another way to remember MLK that should be read and remembered more than one time a year:

"I had a dream speech"

Read and listen. It has a value and meaning to all Americans, and all people of the world.

Enquirer's Coronation Coverage

News coverage is fickle and the Enquirer is no different than most other news outlets. What caught my eye today though was their coverage of the upcoming Inauguration of the President. As a means of comparison, let’s first look at the past:

1997 Clinton II coverage:
On the 20th we had one article and a photo. That is it. Well to be fair, that was all that is online. There was likely much more from the wire services in the actual print edition. This time period was early still for the Enquirer's web edition, so what we see here is limited. The day after there was more coverage with another photo, two Local Wilkinson articles here and here, a Gannett story, and a Borgman Cartoon.

2001 GW Bush I coverage:
On the 20th we only got a front page link to the AP Wire reports, and a Kentucky Edition local story.

On the next day we got a bit more with a photo on the front page, a happy family of Bush supporters, anti-abortion people frothing at the mouth, and another Wilkinson article, the only constant from 1997, outside of a Borgman cartoon.

2004 GW Bush II coverage:
This year things are just a bit different. It is Sunday, January 16th as I write this. Today the Enquirer has unleashed a blizzard of coverage of the Bush Inauguration as if it is a Coronation. First we get an overview Party Story. Next we get a full Inauguration Section unique to the Enquirer. In that we get a story on what to wear to the event, which local fat cats are going, where brain washed kids are doing, plus eight (8), yes eight, additional local stories, mostly profiles on people going to the event. Those stories plus AP links galore. The only mention of anything negative, at least that I was able to find, was in the main "party" story linked again here, which had a sidebar listing some websites about protests. We are told from the special section of what is planned for the rest of the week's coverage:

Thursday: Your guide to the inauguration with schedule, maps and more.

Friday: Complete coverage of Thursday's events.

The only thing missing are an actual crown and the Beefeaters, and then we would have a coronation.

What has caused this change in coverage? Not even the 2001 Bush event got this much attention. Here are my ideas/theories:

1. Real Life, Real News, Real Crap?: Retail Journalism has taken on a political meaning as well one for human interest stories. Give the people what they want to hear and what the local lemmings want is a way to show how much more they support dear leader than their neighbors do, or they just want to hear a confirmation of their faith in dear leader. That certainly got plenty of that today.
   
2. Expansion of web coverage: Yes it is possible that the print version of the prior year's issues covered much more information, and the AP wire sections may have even had plenty of profiles of people going to Clinton's 2nd Inauguration in 1997, but I doubt we saw many or any local profiles.
3. Dear Leader Worship: I still feel there is a type of deification of Bush by many and the newspaper either wants to appease that element of the community or they too suffer from the desire to have a glorious leader to worship in what they told are dark and evil times with evil doers out there doing evil in places with lots of oil or sand or Muslims.
4. Partisan Coverage: The simple answer is that the Enquirer was a Bush supporter and are giving their boy good coverage. This is not supported by the level of 2001 coverage since they pushed Bush back then too. One different factor was the general level of tension after the 2000 elections which made the whole 2001 Inauguration low key. This year they boy won with little, and in their minds, no controversy, therefore they can party it up with a bit of guilt.
   

What is it most likely? I think it is marketing. Bush people locally are fanatics and they demand to hear what they want to hear, and the Enquirer is giving it to them.

Theocracy In Action #23

A second hand statement from a judge, who I trust is not lying yielded this bit about US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas:

The 1,200-seat theater was packed with relatives and friends of new justices Tom Parker, Mike Bolin and Patricia M. Smith, and civil appeals judge Tommy Bryan.

Many stood and applauded former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore as he walked to the stage to administer the oath to Parker. Moore's action was ceremonial, since Parker took his formal oath of office Thursday before U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in Washington. Parker said Thomas told him a judge should be evaluated by whether he faithfully upholds his oath to God, not to the people, to the state or to the Constitution.

Glad to know that religion takes precedence over the Constitution in the mind of a Supreme Court Judge.

[Via Sam Heldman and Atrios]

UPDATE: Atrios has more which reportedly gives a more direct comment from the Alabama Judge, making the article comment a bit more subjective, yet still valid.

DDN Weight-loss blog

The Dayton Daily News has enlisted the help of Maggie Short in starting A little will can go a long way, a blog. Maggie is an online content coordinator for DaytonDailyNews.com. This is a great idea for niche blog. Unlike some of the short lived blogs at the Enquirer regarding the Olympics, this one looks better and is run by an IT person, who is more apt to keep current. Blogging an event requires a lot of attention and more specifically needs the right technology to keep up.

I don't know how tall Maggie Short is, but her weight is not at a level though where I would say there is a significant health issue, but of a fitness issue.