Hooray For Me!

Seriously, thanks to everyone who voted me Best Blog, I appreciate it.

Thanks to City Beat for having the new category.

Blame the Judges

Since I am now the anti-Bronson shall I just say blah blah blah and move on? I think Peter needs to stay a bit more current. Let it go. This column does give fodder to those who would like to attack the judges in the this case, literally.

It is insane how anti-civil law the right wing has become. If it is not "god's" will, than it is just damned. This case is only a poster-child for tabloid media and shameless grandstanding politicians. The Judges, ALL OF THEM INCLUDING SCOTUS, were the consistent and judicial group, who dispensed fair and valid justice.

Harold Now Dealer

With surprise, the satirical (yes they are fake news) website the Cincinnati Harold has changed its name to the Cincinnati Dealer. The change was not by choice, but to avoid legal issues. This actually is not a joke. They were forced to change their name because of the Cincinnati Herald. They could have fought this, and may have won in court, but they don't have the money to mess with it. I didn't think the Cincinnati Herald had much money to sue in the first place. Well, Harold will surely be pissed he no longer has the site named after him. Harold's Dealer is ecstatic.

"African Corridor?"

In his official campaign announcement Damon Lynch put forth an idea that has an odd feel to it:

"As a city we have been stung by corporate aid and corporate giveaways," Lynch said. "We need leadership that will learn from that. We need vibrant a downtown, but more importantly we need vibrant communities."

Lynch said he is working on a plan to create an "African Corridor" in Over-the-Rhine similar to Chinatown in other cities. Lynch said he also has plans to address violence and the city's financial problems.

I am lost as to what and how an "African Corridor" would be formed. Chinatowns formed because of segregation. Ethnic neighborhoods were created in general out of either segregation, bigotry, or a desire for isolation. What good would this do to reduce the isolation of the people, especially the black people, living in OTR? Does Lynch want isolation? Is he playing to the self-segregation crowd that has significant, if not major, support in the "black community?"

If he wants to put money into poor neighborhoods, that is generally positive. If is looking to pump money into areas in hopes of building up one particular race or ethnic group, that is racist and/or bigoted and it does nothing to live up to his campaign statement, "Cincinnati can become a city of hope where everybody can prosper and a city where we can live in peace."

"Family Values” Strategic Ploy

In case you missed it from yesterday's story on the Dewine/Brinkman announcements, Brinkman said:

Brinkman, 47, of Mount Lookout, is a third-term lawmaker.

"Family values to me are the No. 1 issue," he said.

That was a shot across the bow, if there ever was one. Brinkman is of course, oh so subtly, alluding to Pat DeWine's broken marriage and his relationship with a lobbyist. Throw the fact that DeWine is dating a black woman, and a whole new element will be talked about, in so many words.

If you see a picture of the two of them (Pat and Betty), then you will know why. This is hardball. It will be a subtle slam at first, but leaving your wife for a lobbyist is going to be Brinkman's main attack. He will use code, as he did in the quote above. The Race issue will not be strongly used. It would backfire if used out in the open, but the undertone will be mentioned behind closed doors. That is how things are done on that type of horrid point.

Brinkman may do more to help the Dems, than win himself the seat. With a crowded field, it will be mayhem.

DeWine opens himself up to the family values issue when he allows his kids to be used as props.

Drinking Liberally

Wow, what a motley crew we pulled in last night at Drinking Liberally. We had Robert Wilson, the announced candidate and announced guest at the event. We also had Paul McGee, another candidate for council make an appearance. In tow were the Dean and Steve Fritch. Most interesting was Greg Harris, former Congressional candidate, who is not running for office, any office, for now.

No one seemed to know if there was going to be a primary for the Portman's seat, or just an open election. I think it just an open election, assuming it can't happen by May. I don't know. If I had time I would comb the laws, but I am instead going to ask someone else to do it and post it. If there is a primary and the GOP is can push only one in the special election, then they are the favorite to win. If it is an open race with DeWine, Brinkman and a Democrat on the ballot, all bets are off.

Damon Lynch to Announce Today

Damon Lynch III is to announce running for City Council this morning. No word on any party endorsement. With support from the Democrats, and a weak field this year, Lynch would be a leading candidate to get on council, his 10th place finish last time is enough to ensure that, but with Pepper and Reece out from in front, he starts as the 8th highest vote getter in the race.

Brinkman and DeWine Are In

It's Official, Tom and Pat are both in the race on the GOP side for Congress. This opens up the GOP's endorsement for Mayor, for now. Brinkman has until I think around the end of May to get into the Mayor's race. Who else will the GOP put up for slaughter? Pepper is jumping for joy right about now.

UPDATE: Portman? What was I thinking. The title was changed in case you are paying attention.

"Mongo only pawn... in game of life"

Yes, I met the Dean last Friday night. The moment felt like a summit. It was like being in Iceland or maybe even Yalta. I want nothing to do with the Dean-Spencer spat. The picture is funny though.

Theocracy on the March: Episode #323

Ken Blackwell appears to be the darling of the extreme right wing of the GOP for the Governor's race. I did not know Blackwell was willing to become the theocrat's bitch. Ken struck me as a Republican, but not a reactionary. If he hangs his hat on religious extremists, he will loose the primary and the general election

Not only does this article talk about Ken Blackwell, it goes on to discuss bigot Phil Burress and his new "movement" to push theocracy on Ohio. The Ohio Restoration Project is just a few synonyms away from Christian Reconstructionists.

Drinking Liberally Welcomes Robert Wilson

Council Candidate Robert Wilson will be joining the folks at Drinking Liberally tonight to discuss the issues facing the city. 7:30 PM at the Comet in Northside.

More from HMS.

Brinkman Running for Congress

Steve Fritsch of Blue Chip Review is is reporting the Ohio House Member Tom Brinkman will run for Rob Portman's seat in Congress.

No other details are out there and Steve indicates he got it from the horse's mouth. This makes for an interesting choice for the GOP. Do you run DeWine and make for a big party fight? My vote, Hell Yes! Let the blood letting begin!

Slow Day

The day is starting out slow. People I suppose are not back from the holiday yet. Hope the Easter Bunny was kind.

Nope

To answer Wes's question: "Y'think...
...the Enquirer will spend an entire Sunday Forum on what Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists think on their holy days?" Answer: Never. Which is what really makes all of the talk about religion in this society so sad. Those who push it do so for profit reasons and/or for religious reasons. There is nothing altruistic about covering a particular religion, especially in a publication that tries to be mainstream, appealing to everyone across the board. Religion is the thing that should not be based on majority rules, therefore all shall follow. Religion should be kept in your home and place of worship. It does nothing but offend people when it is made public. Those who think that the media talking about it will somehow attract new converts prove my point that the motivations are not about journalism, but about religion.

This goes deeper than the media. It happens in the corporate world in a similar way. Most major corporations go out of their way to keep religion out of the activities of the company. This pisses off those who seek to push their religion everywhere they go, but it ultimately works best in a country where religion is not a monolith.

Now, I am sure that I will piss off some whack job who has not yet read this far in the post. It they haven't then they will miss a big point. The Enquirer has every legal right to run the forum section they wish. Corporations can go fairly far legally as well in promoting religion. They don't have as much leeway as what is printed in a newspaper when it comes to employee relations and discrimination, but they still can freely promote religion. Where you can't do it is in the government and government agencies.

What I wish people would do however is to think about how life used to be, at least how it used to be in the stories of old. Religion was not something polite people discussed in public. Why did they not want to push their religion? Well, simple, you don't want to piss people off. You don't want to go on and on about how your minister and all men of the cloth should get married when talking to a Roman Catholic. That is rude. In the same vein, it is rude to assume everyone is religious at all and act as if everyone agrees on the subject when at work or at organizational functions. It is rude to speak of a god when it can be assumed that some don't share the belief of such. When you are in your house or your place of worship, you don't need to assume to do anything. If religion were kept personal and private life in a modern media world just might be a bit easier.

Showdown: FLA

The lengths that Jeb Bush was willing to stoop to in order to win what has become the season's biggest media event is amazing. I wonder if he was planning on using tear gas or maybe tasers on the local police department.

Puppy Killing Can Actually Be Funny

If of course it is fiction and part of political satire. Some of those spoofed reportedly found it funny. I don't know if Pepper did or not.

Let it End Soon

I truly hope the abuse and exploitation of Terri Schiavo by Jeb Bush and Randall Terry ends. Dying today however would, as a friend said, be the first step in her beatification. That would really make a mess out of a horrid situation.

Keating for Kongress?

Bill Keating Jr. is reportedly considering a run for Portman's seat. DeWine is also make more noise about running. DeWine works at Keatings's law firm. Interesting office politics in the making there.

More on the race from the AP, which reports

Other possible candidates for the 2nd District seat include former U.S. Rep. Bob McEwen, now a Washington lobbyist; WLW talk-show host Bill Cunningham; Hamilton County treasurer Rob Goering; state Reps. Tom Brinkman of Cincinnati and Tom Raga of suburban Dayton; and former state Rep. Jean Schmidt of suburban Cincinnati.

Keating must have tipped of the Enquirer directly after reading this AP article yesterday. I still am laughing about Cunningham. I actually would love it to be him. He would actually make it far easier for Springer to run for Governor. The GOP would have to eat their words if they complain about putting Talking "Trash" into office.

Great News For Maggie Downs

Glad to here that Maggie Downs is OK and does not have Cancer. Maggie, if you are reading this I think all of your friends and readers are happy to know your lump was "nothing." Keep up the smiles and keep drinking the Guinness.

Independent Eye Re-Launch Party

The magazine Independent Eye, formerly X-Ray Magazine, is re-launching the publication with the name of the original Cincinnati alternative news magazine that first published back in the late 1960s.

Steve Novotni, top cat at the Eye, has announced a re-launch event this weekend:

WHEN: 8pm-12am March 25th and 26th
WHERE: Upstairs at Alchemize, 1122 Walnut St. Cincinnati in downtown Cincinnati