Taste of Tar

I can personally attest that it was as bad as reported.

Image

Does Sam Malone improve or tarnish his image when a profile appears in the newspaper about him the day he is due back in court. I wonder if his judge is reading the newspaper as I type this?

Was the article fair or was it a puff piece with a sprinkling of reality put in?

The Plan for Fountain Square

The Enquirer has a heavy coverage of the Plan for Fountain Square. It will be formally issue to City Council later on today.

I like the idea, but I am torn on this being the real way to bring back downtown. I think this signals that Main Street and the Riverfront are not going to be the focus of the City for now. The Riverfront has not taken off and will likely stay what it is, an occasional used area, mostly for special summer/fall events. Main Street loses big here, and without support from the city, it will lose out. Fountain Square will cater to the Suburbanite who now may stay downtown after the baseball game. That is fine, but will it do anything to increase people moving to the city? It just makes a few Suburbanites feel like they are adventurous because they went to Fountain Square, oh the danger that brings.

Taste of Politics

On Sunday to my visit to the Taste of Cincinnati the politicos were out in force. I saw council candidate's David Crowley and Jeff Berding. I saw a group of Alicia Reece supporters. I saw this big sign from Paul Hackett. I did not see to many Republican candidates, other than a stray DeWine sticker sticking in the nasty tar on Central Parkway.

Oktoberfest is when the political fever pitch hits its high note, but this weekend was the kickoff of the political season. Opening day back in April was like spring training, but now the real games begin. The race for mayor should make this a hot summer.

WOXY X97.7 is No More

A formatting change has taken place and yet another corporate radio station has gone to the dogs. The former home to 97X will now become a "variety hits" station, which will likely make Q102 look appealing.

The worst part is that Station Program director Matt Sledge is out of a job. If anyone in radio land is looking for a good radio man, Matt is your fella.

UPDATE: Just make one thing clear, 97X (woxy.com), the only on the web station, is still going strong. The over the air station that replaced the Oxford signal is changing from Alternative music to variety hits.

McEwen Over Brinkman

The extreme right wingers are lining up to support Bob McEwen for Ohio Congress. Dobson, Burress, and Tony Perkins are a theocratic fascist Axis if there ever was one. With guys like these three supporting him, that actually makes Brinkman look pretty good. Tom got the Gun Owners Association, but that is all I found referenced on his website. I think Tom is a Catholic. Could that have anything to do with why the über anti-abortion Ohio Legislator did not get Evangelical Protestant leaders' support? Yes, I am throwing gas on a fire.

Violent Femmes Play Cincinnati June 17

The blisters in the sun may flame up with the Violent Femmes playing outside in downtown Cincinnati in the alley behind McFadden's. (You are so welcome for my cheap attempt a pun). Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Somehow I think I have a culture night idea for Cincinnati Advance that could plan itself.

I heard a commercial for this as I drove back from Dayton. I had heard nothing about this previously and was cheering in my car.

I saw the Femmes back during college when they opened up for the Grateful Dead up at Buckeye Lake near Columbus. It was an odd mix of bands, but the crowd dug the Femmes very enthusiastically.

For the record: I am there! Who is with me?

Looting the Food King

"For God's sake, they're looting the Food King!"

I had to take a trip to the store on Saturday whilst I was attending my niece's graduation party up in Tipp City. I actually went twice, so I took a picture. It is a very old store, badly in need of new check out lanes. They have old carts that are tall and shallow. The name is what just got me. When I was asked to go to Food Town, I was waiting for someone to break into song and sing me a peppy jingle instructing me on a balanced diet.

Evolution Gains Yet Again

A 370 Million year old Arthrodire was found in Clark County Kentucky. Shhhhh! Don't tell Ken Ham and the other nutty Young Earthers that science is proving him wrong yet again.

Stem Cell Research

Yea to the Post for calling out Bush's mistake on Stem Cell Research and point out that his compromise was a fallacy. I applaud those in the House who passed support for government funding of Stem Cell Research. Bush is saying he will veto it. This is the issue that makes me truly HATE Bush. He tried to be Solomon and ending being a stooge of the extreme right wing. On every other issue, even the war, I can respect him as a human being for having a different view. I will hate those views and call him a wanker for having them, but still understand he would be different. On this I can't. It hits me personally, my Dad has Parkinson's disease, so I care about it and am not without emotion on this issue.

There is no reason that anyone can object to this. None. If you whine about not wanting your tax dollars used on something you disagree with, then I will point you to a WAR that killed 100,000 people and remind you that millions of people in this country disagreed with that one too. I didn't see Bush veto funding for the War.

If Bush wants to save lives, then provide REAL funding for Stem Cell Research. He does that and finally understands that he does not need to get reelected by the religious zealots, he might salvage his image a sliver.

Hamilton County Dems Endorse Hackett

As expected Hamilton County Dems endorsed (2nd item) Paul Hackett for Congress. Will this piss people off enough to hurt Hackett?

This is How You Play for the Right Wing

Pat DeWine appears to be fearful of being targeted by those pissed at his dad for being sensible. How does the family man act? Well, he chooses to appease the right wing and oppose his father. Now, isn't that a violation of the 10 Commandments? Will not the right wingers get more pissed? Oh, wait, you say they will not hold the violation of the 10 Commandments against DeWine? Well, at least not the one about honoring your parents.

Hmmmm

Maggie Downs I believe is telling it like it is to a segment of single society. As a member of that society I don't see all that much of that side directly, so I can't speak to it first hand, just by proxy. She is right. Sex, money, power, or just companionship is often either the driving force or the only thing involved in a relationship. That "L" word, or even just affection, doesn't creep in as often as most of us would like. A little emotion is a good thing. A lot of it scares us off sometimes. Fear drives us from love or what we think is love.

Following Washingtonienne was I think is a lower degree of being Washingtonienne, for which I am a poster child. I was glued to Wonkette for weeks. Titillation sells, and I was buying. We are animals, and we like it.

Fringe Volunteers Still Needed!!!!!!

We still need your help as a Cincy Fringe Volunteer

Be at Mulligan's tonight at 7 PM for Orientation and you can sign up there, or head down to McFadden's on Saturday at 1 PM for Orientation.

Don't let anyone say you are not in touch with the culture. Be apart of the art.

If you can't volunteer than make sure you attend at least 20 shows!

Is Hackett the Dems Choice?

The primaries are not until next month, but Howard Wilkinson's is reporting that support for Paul Hackett as the Democratic Nominee for the 2nd district is growing and he may be the man to beat. Key elements of his success may rest on his resume and not much else. He is new to most people, but is already getting big endorsements, like Democratic Party in Pike County. Hamilton County Dems, according to the article, are leaning towards endorsing Hackett. This is causing a small stir in the party, but I think nothing more than a show of loyalty to long time candidate Charles Sanders, who many, including me, do not want to see get the nomination. He is a long time loser in this race and new blood is the way to gain excitement and new votes.

Shorter Pete Bronson

Per request, I will sum up Peter Bronson's column today in terms to save everyone time.

Pity me for being a right-winger, I get nasty emails.

[Insert outdated cultural reference here.]

[Insert laundry list of current events references here that have no connection to each other.]

I have nothing much else to write about, so in case you missed it, this column was a quick one before the long weekend.

Hope that works for everyone.

Is He Writhing in His Chair?

I figured Nate Livingston would be having a hissy fit over Greg Flannery's Porkopolis column. Next me, Greg has to be Nate's favorite.

Add Greg's column to the heavy editorial from Kathy Y. Wilson and if you didn't know better, you would say based on Nate Livingston's views on beating your children would say he lives out in Adams county, not Over-the-Rhine.

Answers in Ludicrous

The Cincinnati Dealer: Are You Fucking Kidding Me?: No

Eastside Roads

It is great that Portman got 16 Million for roads in the current highway bill. What are the chances we will get any of it? With Portman gone and no congressman in the seat for at least 2 and a half months, what will stop congress from cutting the bill at the point of least resistance?

Foutain Square Details

Some details are starting to filter out about plans for Fountain Square. In the article it reports that planners are going for a model with only 10% public financing. The question is, 10% of what? How much will a video screen sign over Macy's cost? This plan sounds interesting, and I am hopeful, but I wondering if this is worth it? Will it bring people downtown? Will suburbanites just stay away because of irrational fear no matter what is built?