GOP Pick Winburn For Mayor

So sayeth the Cincinnati Post's Kevin Osborne. His article points out issues that make Charlie Winburn not only look nutty, but sounds like a snake salesman:

Winburn is the founder of the Encampment, a College Hill church where he often preaches and performs exorcisms.
......
Winburn is the author of a book about Biblical economic principles entitled, "Releasing the Money Anointing: You are Anointed to Receive Money!"

The power of Christ compels me to paint Charlie Winburn as a looney tune.

More should be out on this later on today.

Ok, this is Freaky

Man accused of shooting into downtown crowd. It was at 6th and Vine, Damn.

Question for Brinkman

Will Tom Brinkman run for Mayor of Cincinnati? Will Charlie Winburn instead get the GOP endorsement? If Winburn is going to get it, what are the GOP bigwigs waiting for, other than Brinkman making up his mind?

Schmidt vs Hackett

Hackett is no shock, but who was thinking Jean Schmidt was going to win? Did she even think she would win? How did she pull this one off?

This should be an interesting race. Hackett needs a lot to win, but it is not impossible.

DeWine just tanked. How do you waste a million dollar war chest? It proves that few moderate Republicans voted, or just that few, if any, exist in this district.

More from the Enquirer.

Dealer on Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Fred Pastry needs to fess up on the elaborate displays of Dog Porn that 'someone' was lusting for on a daily basis during Fringe, instead of dreaming of Jason Bruffy's "Mr. Willie." When you lust for dogs in thongs, you can't hide it for long. Please roll over and admit your addition Fred.

Primary Results

I am heading out to Drinking Liberally, so feel free to post the primary results. If you would rather a few beers, come on over to the Comet in Northside at 7:30 or so!

Speaking of the Square

Council is ready to rubber stamp the Fountain Square plan. Let's get it done and get going. If they city can get this going it can put attention on Main Street (all the way down to 6th street) and let the county hang out there with the Banks project.

Turf War?

The battle over the Banks comes to a head with city council lashing out. This has the hands of the County's toxic twins (DeWine and Heimlich) all over it. They have been out there running their own little show behind closed doors. They want the city out of it. Why? Why was 3CDC left out of the process? Who is making money on this deal and whose back is being scratched?

June is Busting Out

You may have missed the news, or you really may not because I don't think anyone has reported anywhere they fact that a new restaurant has opened up downtown. Rise and Shine has redone the former Frisch's Restaurant on 6th Street and is open and running. It is a part of a significant change to the lower Main Street area with Mana's going strong and the rehab of the Fort Washington Hotel. This is making the area behind the Arnoff center into yet another up and coming area with strong retail, residential, and restaurants. I wonder why you have not read about that.

Heartless Bastards on NPR

The link on NPR is not up yet but the Heartless Bastards were profiled this morning on NPR's All Things Considered Morning Edition. A local band is on the way up. They are listed as playing Alchemize on July 23, but they may not be back through town as much with a record deal and national attention. Good for them!

UPDATE: Here is the link to the story.

Blame City Council?

Nick Spencer points out another positive step going on in Covington's MainStrasse. Covington officials are considering shutting down traffic in the MainStrasse area on weekends and allowing opening containers in the streets. This is an idea Nick and CT had a while ago for the Main Street area here in Cincinnati. That idea was just dropped like most efforts the city was considering for the Main Street area. This is what I mean when I say that they city can't focus on more than one thing, and the Fountain Square Plan is all they have right now on their minds. They are not taking steps to keep a vital and vibrant area from growing in favor of building up an area that caters to a static population.

Fringe 2005 Ends! Long Live the Fringe!

Jackie Demaline has a nice closing article on this year's Fringe Festival which ended last night. I wish to personally thank those from Cincinnati Advance who represented our growing organization very well. I had fun myself volunteering, even when I wasn't on a shift I pressed myself into service to do a little bit of heavy lifting. Let me tell you, the bases for lighting beams are freaking heavy when you take them up a flight of stairs in the dying heat of Memorial Hall.

The shows were great, the performers where great, and it was best to be able to walk right up after a show and shake their hands and talk about it. That is the part of Fringe most people don't take advantage of, but that was there every night at the Bar Series. I went to all but 2 of the bar series events, and let me tell you, I am damn tired. I can't imagine how tired those who did 1,000 times more work during the Festival than I did feel.

I look forward to next year's event and hope those who came out to volunteer or see a show will be back next year and keep up their involvement with the Community. We would love to have you all take part in any or all of the Cincinnati Advance Activities.

Death of TV?

With the 800 Pound Gorilla in advertising saying they are cutting back on TV ads, does that signal the beginning of the demise of television as the number one media type? Has the Internet and other direct networking conduits finally taken a chunk out of the boob tube?

Down to the Wire

Today will be a very heavy day for the 2nd Congressional District candidates. They will be out and about all over the district begging for votes.

Who is going to win? Since I am not a registered member of either party, I will not be voting tomorrow. I don't like telling people who to vote for by giving endorsements. I would normally say who I am voting for, but since I am not voting, I am not saying who I would vote for. Instead, I offer predictions and invite others to chime in with theirs.

The Democrats: Paul Hackett will win. Sanders is the only other person with any possible chance, but I think with the Dem organizations backing him, Hackett will pull away with a solid margin.

The Republicans: This one is tough. There are four who could win: DeWine, Brinkman, McEwen, and Schmidt. Even with Schmidt's Enquirer endorsement, I think she will finish fourth. Even with his rabid support on this blog, I think Brinkman will finish third. It is tough to then pick the winner. DeWine should have won easily with his funding and organization, but he has big time enemies. McEwen is as much if not more of an opportunist than DeWine and should not really be a factor, he has no fresh ground team. I believe it will be very close between the two, but that to the surprise of the right wing conservatives, DeWine will win.

Yet Another Quiz: What is Your World View?

I am not one for online quizes, but I saw this one on Shwango and it was interesting.

You scored as Modernist. Modernism represents the thought that science and reason are all we need to carry on. Religion is unnecessary and any sort of spirituality halts progress. You believe everything has a rational explanation. 50% of Americans share your world-view. Modernist 88% Materialist 88% Postmodernist 81% Existentialist 75% Cultural Creative 38% Romanticist 25% Idealist 13% Fundamentalist 0% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

UPDATE: I took it again and am something different. I am just fickle? No, not really, the same top four I had are the same top four again, just in varied order.

You scored as Existentialist. Existentialism emphasizes human capability. There is no greater power interfering with life and thus it is up to us to make things happen. Sometimes considered a negative and depressing world view, your optimism towards human accomplishment is immense. Mankind is condemned to be free and must accept the responsibility. Existentialist 81% Modernist 81% Postmodernist 81% Materialist 75% Romanticist 56% Cultural Creative 31% Idealist 25% Fundamentalist 6% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

Enquirer Endorsements Are Out

The Enquirer has made endorsements in both 2nd Congressional District's Primaries set for Tuesday.

For the GOP they picked: Jean Schmidt. This is a bit of a surprise to me. I would said they would have gone with McEwen or DeWine, but it appears both men's negatives of being opportunist office seekers turned of the Board.

For the Dems they picked: Paul Hackett. This was not a surprise. Hackett has been the favorite to win the primary for quite a while now. This just helps further that end.

Even More on the Banks

The Enquirer is pushing the Banks Project again today.

This time we get inside the developer chosen by the County. Korte's descriptions is of a political player who knows how to grease the wheels, but who has a track record with some past bumps. This effort seems hasty. Will there be follow through? I am very skeptical that we will see the plan executed to the maximum. Something will happen, but how long will it take? If the county pushes this forward, then great. I think the City should stick to Fountain Square until that is done, then just hop on to the Banks if things work out. They already look like they are on the outside of this project, so why no stay on the outside and just reap the benefit of it getting done, if it gets done?

More on the Banks

This article gives a very positive spin on the Banks and the movement to getting it going. How the City/County will work together is still something in flux.

In the Wood Closes

Long time UC mainstay bar/restaurant In the Wood has settled their Eminent Domain case with the City. The owners ended up getting $1.6 Million. It was only a matter of time and of money.

What Is This?

Is this piece by Barry M. Horstman a news article or an opinion column? It might be considered News Analysis, but this superfluous anecdote it leans more towards a column:

And for the superstitious, there's this: At one forum, as a party strategist laid out an exceedingly optimistic scenario for a Democratic victory, a large sign saying "Hamilton County Democratic Party" loudly fell from a wall. Talk about bad omens.

That is news worthy? Why not mention that the Miami University Young Republicans had a sign that misspelled "Republican?"

Pick of the Fringe Venue Changes

The shows remain the same, but the locations for two of the performances have changed. Each show will be maxed out with the number of seats that can fit in the venues. The final show especially will have lots of space, so you still can join Fringe at the last minute. There is even a reception before the final show at 7 PM at Memorial Hall Sunday. Make the effort and see great theater!

Does 'The Banks' Have Legs?

With the County and the City not working together are we going to get a half finished development? Will the county's motion get the City in gear? Can the city focus on both Fountain Square and the Riverfront?

More From Amy Salloway

It is great to hear from a performer with praise for Cincy Fringe. Amy's performance was steller. Please try and check it out on Sunday at the CAC.

When Did the Governor Know?

Questions are now being asked about when Governor Bob Taft's Office knew about the Losses incurred by the Ohio Bureau of Workers? Compensation Fund. This fund's losses included rare coin investments, some of which are considered "missing." Taft's office may have bee informed of the problem six months ago, not just recently. Does this matter? Not politically, but it make me wonder if someone is lying or covering something up.

Even Bronson is pissed about investing in coins. Taft really has no fans at all.

Michaels Buys Liberal Show

The man who helped kill AM radio as we know it has purchased "The Ed Schultz Show," a liberal/populist radio show heard locally on 1530AM. Schultz is the biggest liberal radio talk show host out there and his star is rising. I have heard his show and I am not a big fan of that brand of radio. He not only sounds a little bit like Rush Limbaugh, but his tone sometimes strays into Rush's area. Not the content, just in the delivery.

I laugh a little every time I hear his name because in the town where I grew up, Ed Schultz was a big Auto Dealership. My best friend's dad used to work there.

2nd District Too Hot to Handle

The GOP primary race for the 2nd Congressional District is building to a fever pitch. Even Bronson’s column today gives off that lesser of two evils vibe to it when he leans on the scale in favor of McEwen over DeWine. Schmidt and Brinkman are still out there and they have a following. Will they both stick it out? At this point there is little reason not to, except that as Greg Korte reminds us in his column today that the GOP still have not endorsed anyone for Mayor, yet. It is Winburn by default, but does Brinkman still want it? Is he in position to take it from Winburn?

More on blogging the race from WaPo.

Pick of the Fringe

Even though it had already gone to press, getting the Midnight Announcement at the Cincy Fringe after party at Arnold's was fun:

On Sunday, June 12, these three 2005 Picks of the Fringe will receive one additional performance. These performances not only recognize the artists' hard work, but also ensure the existence of the next season's festival: all proceeds from these three shows go to the 2006 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Critics' Pick of the Fringe:
"Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?" by Amy Salloway
2pm, Contemporary Arts Center

Producers' Pick of the Fringe :
"Slow Children Playing" by Anna Marie Agniel
5pm, Contemporary Arts Center

Audience Pick of the Fringe :
"A/ThePostModernLoveStory" by Blue Forms Group
8pm, Contemporary Arts Center
(also with one last regular performance June 11, 3pm CAC)

Tickets to these shows will go fast, so reserve them through the Cincinnati Arts Association (513.621.ARTS).

Reports are that Amy Salloway will be able to make it back for the performance. If she does, make sure you get your tickets now.

Lily Tomlin

I didn't go to see Lily Tomlin at the Arnoff last night, but I did see the large crowd file in from my art gallery post. From the article I found this interesting:

The winner of six Emmys, a Grammy and two Tony Awards also did her homework. Her famous character, Ernestine the telephone operator - famous for her "One ringy dingy, two ringy dingy" line - held a fake conversation with City Councilman Jim Tarbell. Marge Schott, the Bengals, Reds and Bearcats were the butt of other jokes.

This is interesting to me because of a quick anecdote I heard while at the art gallery. It appears that like all great comedians, Lily Tomlin does her homework. I hope this does not sound like revealing a magician's tricks, but during the day I am told she spent quite a bit of time chatting with some of the Arnoff staff about Cincinnati, which is where I presume she got some of her references. Jim Tarbell if he was lucky maybe got to have dinner with Lily, but that is just a random guess.

This is just like a classic story from college days I was told during Freshman Orientation about Red Buttons. On his visit a year or two before my Freshman year (a long long time ago....) he spent the afternoon walking around Uptown Oxford talking to people, visting places, and getting a feel for the town before he went on stage for a Parents Weekend show that night. His show referenced local places and people that ads that special touch to the audience that makes the difference between just having an act and being a performer.

2nd District Fashion Endorsements

The Cincinnati Dealer gives us the neckwear and their picks for the primaries.

More on Amy Salloway

Jacki Demaline announces in her article today that Cincy Fringe show "Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat?" by Amy Salloway has won the first Enquirer Acclaim Award, which recognizes excellence in Cincinnati Theater.

The big rush is to get Amy a flight back to Cincinnati for Sunday's "Pick of Fringe" which illustrates the three best picks of the festival. If you have some Frequent Flyer Miles to spare, this wonderful playwright and actress could use your help. Call up Jeff Syroney from the Fringe at (513) 542-0195 to help.

Project Lily Pad: Wi-Fi

Keep your eye on this Wi-Fi project from the folks at Give Back Cincinnati. It has great potential and as a laptop owner the more free Wi-Fi there is, the more I will get out of my apartment.

Response to Challenge From Peter Bronson

Peter was very kind to respond to my email regarding my challenge to him:

Thanks for the note. Question: How many times can the Fringe Fest be on
front pages of the Enquirer before it loses Fringe status and becomes
Mainstream?

Just kidding. I'll check out your challenge and consider it. Pretty
jammed up right now, but it sounds interesting.

Best wishes,

Peter Bronson

I don't want to call Peter a Chicken or anything, but well I would bet he's CHICKEN. It is not like I want to goad him into coming to a Fringe event. That would be just too much for a busy guy to do. It is not like he has all week to do it, with shows running through Sunday.

Brilliant Show from Amy Salloway

At the Fringe last night I was privileged to see Amy Salloway's one woman performance of Does This Monologue Make Me Look Fat? It was a fabulous show. Hilarious, touching, a little raunchy, three things that make it wonderful. The last show is tonight at 9 PM at Memorial Hall. It was nearly sold out last night and tonight it may be standing room only. Get your tickets early and get down there early to see what may be one of Fringe's best productions for 2005.

Best thing, she even reads and posts on my blog. That is cool!

WLW leaving ABC for Fox

I am shocked, shocked I tell you that conservative radio station is picking up conservative radio news.

Visual Fringe: Challenge to Bronson

It gets less attention but there are two art galleries at the Cincy Fringe Festival. The Post gave a little attention in Friday's edition. I myself will be staffing one of the Galleries Tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday Afternoon. If you would like to find out which one, you will just have to visit both of them, do that or make it to the bar series and I am sure you will see me there. This news may instead make the Art Galleries biggest days Thursday and Friday.

My Challenge is simple: I want to see Peter Bronson at the Galleries he attacked in his column last year. I want to discuss with him, in a very friendly manner, what he thinks of art and why he hates it so much, well all art outside of Dogs Playing Poker.

If you want to help push him on a bit, use the little mail icon on this post and email it to him at pbronson@enquirer.com.

I hope someone at the Enquirer might be able to pass this on too.

I am not looking for a showdown, I would just like to see how or what he finds wrong with the art and people's person expression. I want him to see some of the performances. I really think he and everyone would enjoy them.

WVXU Staffing Details

Some details on who is staying and who is leaving WVXU after the sale to WGUC.

Cincy Fringe Going Strong

The Cincinnati Fringe Festival has another full week to go!

Last night I saw Karoake Knights, a One-Man Rock Opera by Tim Mooney. What is so cool about Fringe is that I had that chance to meet Tim earlier in the week at the Bar Series and some friends even helped him pack up his set for the night. I was able to chat with him about his show and his other works later on at the Greenwich. The turnout at the Greenwich was excellent as well. Many artists nearly all of the staff and lots of volunteers came out to the Walnut Hills mainstay.

Shows I still want to see:

1. A/ThePostModernLoveStory by the BlueForms Theatre Group
2. Britney Spears, and All the Other Shit We Deal With! by Odds & Ends Productions
3. A Comment from the Peanut Gallery by Les Kurkendaal

'If Watergate Happened Now'

Jonathan Alter pens a what if column for Newsweek discussing what would happen if Watergate were to have happened during today's political and media climate. His points are dead on. There would have been no Watergate or rather it would have been a short lived moment the lazy media of today would have not wanted to touch 'in time of war.' I will be very interesting in hearing the conservatives try and say otherwise, much like Peter Bronson tried to do today with his idiotic notion of equating Bill Clinton getting a blow job to Dick Nixon's political foot soldiers committing B&E on the DNC Headquarters, which was just the tip of the iceberg. Nixon's crimes from Cambodia to Ellsberg and beyond far out weight even the bullshit of the crackpots trying to nail Clinton made up.

That's Mr. DeWine, If You're Nasty

Are there nothing but Children in the Anderson Township Republican Club?

DeWine was booed soundly by the crowd in Anderson Township Wednesday night, and walked away from the GOP club's candidate forum with a rating of "not qualified at this time'' while club members voted McEwen "highly qualified.''

People who all surely voted for Pat DeWine for County Commissioner and who agree with the guy on most issues was booed? This is like Junior High.

A mud slinging fest means to me that this race is tight. Polling is likely difficult because of the regional activist bias that seems to be sprouting up where one local group, like in Anderson Township, have on the surface a group think tone, if not actual consensus. At this point I don't see a clear favorite, but Brinkman is not getting ink, so either he is saving up for a late charge with a big media blitz or it comes down to McEwen and DeWine, with the others being the difference in who wins.

Live Music Cinci Style

Jake Speed and the Freddies Live at the Northside Tavern
Great night, great music, and great band. I had to step out before the third set, but as usual the band was on. J-Dog, mandolin player Justin, needs to sing more often. He was adding some harmony on a song and it was great.

Accountant's Don't Know Shit

Retired Accountant Roy Tate Jr. of Reading has a guest column on Social Security today and he makes what I find to be the stupidest presumption:

If past Social Security taxes had been invested in personal income-producing asset accounts, this national debt would not exist, and taxpayers would not be forced to repay what Congress has "borrowed" from taxpayers retirement funds.

First, with all due disrespect, unless this old guy is younger than my mother, which I doubt, then he did not have his retirement age increased and therefore is getting more money back than those younger than us are. So when he wants anyone else to take risks so he can get his higher level check until he dies at age 101, then he can just stuff it.

Second, he wants to say that since we have not had a depression where investors literally lost their shirts since SSA was started, therefore we will not have one tomorrow and that is reason enough to assume that in the future we should put all of the risk on the individual is just idiotic. A bean counter does not know a thing about risk. Yes, I am letting my Business School Rivalry show. Investing is not a science. You can’t predict how the market will be in an hour or a day and surely not 20 years.

In his contention he of course looks at this at a globally collective investment level. Sure Bill Gates would have made money or just not have cared if did or not, but the Stock Market is not a win-win situation. Stock prices just don't rise for everyone; the 10% market assumption is over time and is collective. In that measurement for every guy who made 20% there are plenty more who made 0%. If he instead used a model that had the government investing the money in the market where the losses would be outweighed by the gains and everyone would benefit or lose from both, then he might have an idea worth considering that does not put individuals at risk. It has other problems, but it would not be as lame brained.

Like the rest push to end Social Security he seems to not know the difference between a defined benefit plan and defined contribution plan. Risk matters.

Religion in Politics

The 2nd District GOP primary is now focused on religion. It may or may not be focused on which brand of Christianity the candidate partakes in (there will never be a non-Christian Republican elected to office in this district in my life time), what we have here is who is more religious than the other guy/gal. Being religious to the conservative Christian is no longer just about going to church on Sunday. Today it is about believing and pushing the 'Moral Values' issues, which are not dogmatic rules of the religion, but have become de facto scripture to the theocratic movement.

It is sad and it has crept up on the society. The GOP party activists are almost exclusively conservative Christians. You don't find many of the Wall Street Republicans or the Libertarian Republicans at party meetings, at least not the ones who don't either accept the religious litmus test or who accept it as a reality of power. Where is this leading the country when one political party is becoming a religious party?

"Jesus Built My Hotrod"

A Ministry song from college days rattled through my head while reading Maggie Downs latest column. Many things are rattling in my head these days, but that song with its loud sound fits the emotions surrounding the tragic murder in Hyde Park. Will anyone ever walk by the fountain there and not think of the killer washing his hands there? Nice cheerful though, eh?

Non-Hack on Politics

Michael Altman's latest I Don’t Mind Telling You column is out and dives into the 2nd District race with a look at Pat DeWine and Paul Hackett. Also on the council race we get a little background on the GOP's new candidate John Eby.

Problems for Maisonette Move?

Is this a big snag or just a Hiccup as the article suggests?

Fringe Day Two

CityBeat has a great article on Fringe and has a special online section on Fringe which will provide updated reviews on the performances.

Also, the organizers of Fringe, CinEX, has started a Fringe Blog. You might just a see a familiar name there blogging along.

Fountain Square Plan

At the YPCincy event last night I think many were impressed. I was impressed with the plan for revamping Fountain Square. I think it will be good for the city overall. There are issues out there and realizations that people need to make:

1. This is a Done Deal. There will not be much changed to the design and look of the square. The changes will be by City Council to the lease plans and the finances, but they will be minor.
2. 3CDC is planning on privatizing the management of Fountain Square. The garage I believe is currently operated by an outside firm, but in this Plan 3CDC as a private entity would run the actual Square for the City. The City would own the entire Square and Garage, but would not gain the revenue it has now.
3. The Fountain will move. 3CDC CEO Stephen Leeper could not push that more. It was almost the obsession of the presentation. The way he sold it makes sense on the surface, but it assumes a level of deterioration of the garage that I did not know is established as fact.
4. What is the target market for this development? It appears like they are going for as wide a market as they can. They throw out the classic "family friend" phase that generally makes me cringe. It was not dwelled upon, which at a Young Processionals meeting of mostly single or childless couples was wise. I was floorws when they threw in as a regional attraction the Kentucky Speedway. Are NASCAR Dads really going to come downtown in large numbers?
5. The issue of who controls the public stage is a rather large civil rights issue. What was not clear to me was who was going to decide who gets to use the square for rallies, protests, and other gatherings. Will commercial interests get preference over the average Joe? Will the lease with 3CDC give them the right to keep certain people out?
6. There will be a small performance stage or platform set up permanently, but with little room. 3CDC would have more portable staging, but how and when it could be used would likely cost more and limit non-profits from their use, without donation of the fees likely to be tacked on.
7. Parking fees will go up in the garage. Right now for the evening it only costs a buck. That price would rise to 3 bucks. This is not really going to change that many minds, but it will not improve the perception that it costs money. It compares to what is in Newport at the Levee, so if you would go there and pay, this should not deter you.
8. Finances are somewhat foggy. It appears that the city would not have that much to cough up, but the level their revenues would drop is unclear.
9. Something missing from the presentation was the timeline for the retailers/restaurants to open up shop in the area. This I think is a concern. This project is going to start this year and open next summer. I don't see the retailers/restaurateurs moving in for up to a couple or more years after that. Talks with companies may be further along than I perceive, so their construction may happen while the redesign is ongoing.

What matters most for this entire project, as one reception attendee put it, is the perception that something is happening in downtown. There has to be a buzz and some action must be visible. If that happens this could snowball other projects, making them happen. If that does not happen, that is where I believe the Banks, Vine Street, Main Street, and the rest of the plans out there will not be realized.

GOP Endorse Alleged Child Abuser

Well, I guess they figured the image make-over will work for him or that the Child Abuser vote is a cornerstone of the GOP voting block, but according to the Post, the Hamilton County Republican Party endorsed Sam Malone for City Council, despite his pending criminal charges of child abuse and despite him admitting that he hit the kid and making no refutation of the allegations that he hit his son with a belt on the arms, back, chest, and buttocks. A really shameful display of arrogance and cowardice combined. They appear to think that people will not care about it, don't pay attention, or like it. I think they are also fearful of pissing off the Charlie Winburn voting block who have praised Malone for beating his child.

The GOP only has four (Sam Malone, Chris Monzel, Leslie Ghiz, and John Eby) so far and at most seven will get the endorsement. That is a far cry from 2003 when they fielded 9. As it stands now the Party appears to have given up on the city, which I think reflects the attitude of the Party on more than just the prospects of getting someone elected.

Ghiz is likely to get on council, but the others will need to work hard to win.

I am surprised they don't want to support Winburn yet. Time is running out on him to get into the race. He stands no chance at this point of winning, no matter what a few have speculated on, but I would have thought that the GOP would have wanted to avoid the type of humiliation they faced in 2001 when they did not field a candidate.

Fringe Starts Today!!!!!

Get off your ass and go to a show. The press is good and the shows will push the limits of ideas. I wonder if Peter Bronson will actually go to show this year, instead of bitching about the festival and not seeing a performance.

Check out the Fringe Bar Series. I will be there for sure tomorrow night and likely many nights over the next few weeks, having a 'few' brews. Say hello if you make it out.

Fountain Square Grumblings

People are talking up a storm over the plans for Fountain Square. I have concerns not so much about the plan, I like the plan. I fear the motives, goals, and desired market. I also fear that this will be it. The City will say they have their entertainment district that is plain and geared towards those who are as plain as a diet vanilla milkshake. The spice of the City needs cultivating and that was what Main Street was. It seems to be nothing but an afterthought. That will be a waste and a mistake. Fountain Square may be good for Business, but I still don't see how it build the downtown community. I hope to learn how tonight at the YPCincy event. I am hopeful, but very very skeptical.

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?

Sad

This sad story from Hyde Park has to be horrible for the family. I hope very much that the vultures from Court TV, Dateline, and the rest stay the hell away.

DeWine Helps In Filibuster Compromise

Mike DeWine is not going to be winning any new friends in the extreme right wing for helping pull back from a possible Senate Shutdown. I am pleased that a group of sensible Senators were able to forge a deal to keep things going. On paper I don't know who got the better deal yet. With the attacked from the extreme right wing hitting these GOP Senators already, I think the right wing feels they lost an opportunity. I am hoping they did.

Will this have any fallout for Pat DeWine? I think the social conservatives are already out to get him, so this might actually gain him a little moderate support, if he gets out of the primary.

Division on Iraq

A very interesting debate arose at the GOP candidate forum over Iraq. In one corner was Veteran Eric Minamyer who advocates getting out of Iraq. This is a guy who as been called up for service 5 times since 9/11. In the other corner was everyone else, spouting BushCo Speak. Brinkman played the pretend maverick by saying in so many words that while he is a Bush man, he is not his bitch.

I think Minamyer would have been able to mount a third party charge with that kind of a stance. He is going to lose a lot of support in the primary race for daring to not spout BushCo propaganda, especially to the choir at an event like this. No one can doubt his courage or his ability to be his own candidate. That will not get him many votes when you take the opposite stance as Dear Leader in a district with a large majority in support of the war. Bush is losing much of his shine, but around here I don't think they care much. They drank the kool-aid and will not look back.

Anti-PC Bronson

Fucking Peter Bronson is making a pisshead bigoted desire for hate to be demonstrated by Hollywood. Peter, they are just fucking TV shows. I mean, Jesus Fucking Christ, why would he care who the bad guys are in a God Damn FICTIONAL TV SHOW?

In case you are wondering, yes, I am making sure to swear a fuckload in this post. I do this mock the original Politically Correct movement. Yes, that would be the conservatives and cultural prudes, who don't want to be offend by swear words or sex. It is politically incorrect to say fucking-A-bubba on national TV because that might offend some tight ass fundamentalist, but when a TV network dares to try not offend a group of people by NOT perpetuating stereotypes, Peter Bronson, the anti-PC crusader, goes apeshit. PC is fine for prudes, but not fine for racial or ethnic groups.

Oh, and it is funny when ever Bronson mentions anything about "Balance" in the media while writing in the Enquirer, where there is no local columnist to balance out his biased views. "Balance" has become the word of variable meaning. It now means just means "conservative" instead of meaning coverage that is objective. FOX news is the most unobjective TV News network around and that is the fucking truth.

SW: Episode III Round Up

I have not seen Star Wars: Episode III yet and I don't when I will get the chance. Maybe this weekend, maybe not. Anyway, everyone and their first cousin are blogging on this around town. Here's a summary:

Wes
Seriously, WTF
One Step Back
Last Ten Days

I am missing some, so chime in with your reviews and plot problems. I don't mind knowing, I know how it ends after all. If others don't want to know, then don't read the comments.

Taking a Bite Out of Crime

Nick Spencer took action this weekend against crime in his neighborhood. If more people did this in OTR, crime would fall. Why are more people in OTR not doing this?

Laketa Cole's Blog

It is more of the norm now for candidates to have a blog and council member Laketa Cole has hers. She calls it the "Laketa Cole Newsroom," which seems like an odd title, but she has a blog as well as a professionally created web site. That tops her last campaign alone.

Faux Balance

There is no reason to do yet another story on the nut jobs in Boone County who think the Earth is no more than 10,000 years old. Someone at the Enquirer has the hots for Ken Ham and the fundie sheep he tends.

This story makes an attempt to present the opposing view of creationism, but it is done in a style that puts creationism on an equal foot with evolution. That is a faux type of balanced journalism, something FOX news is famous for. In science there are facts. Evolution uses facts to form its basis. Creationism uses religion. Treating these as though they are both credible concepts creates a cover of validity to Creationism that it does not deserve. It would be like giving equal time on a panel discussion on pedophilia to NAMBLA.

GOP Walking a Tightrope

The GOP either got lucky or are timing things closely with the reported date of June 1st to release their list of endorsements for Cincinnati City Council. I say they are cutting it close because Sam Malone's next court date is May 31st. One could logically determine they are hoping something is resolved by then, so their choice can be made for them, and they are not forced to eat crow and dump Malone. If Malone pleads guilty and then drops out of the race, then the GOP leaders will have dodged a bullet. If they are forced to either dump him, or for some insane reason stand by him, then they will piss people off, and lose votes.

s p a c e t r o p i c: Spread the Alarm

I second Brendan's call for action to keep free speech alive on the web. Send an Email today!

Changes to WVXU

What was expected appears to be happen WGUC gutting the bulk of local programming on WVXU. May guess is that most of the local talk shows will likely get the axe, as well as most of the old time radio. What we will have left is NPR. The only bright spot I got from the article is a plan to hire a News Director, which signals an effort to create original local news, something that a combine station function could improve. WVXU was trying to expand local news and made a good effort, but if both local news budgets are combined, that should mean more local news programming on WVXU, with none on WGUC. It will be sad to see WVXU torn apart, but as another article suggests, combination of the two radio stations may have helped kept the WVXU signal away from religious and what I would boring programming, that would get dismal ratings, present yet another conservatively biased news source, and provide no community service.

Drink UP!

It appears to fall on the smokers to bear the brunt of sin tax increases. I will not be shedding a tear in my beer for them.

New Blog: The Ohio 2nd

Have look at the Ohio 2nd Blog which is just starting up and looking for contributors, let me know if you are interesting and I can pass along your vitals, or just check out their "Help Wanted" post.

Stand By Your Man, But Not To Close

Michael Barrett proved to us that he is gutless and will not pull the plug on the Malone campaign, at least not now.

He even comes close to defending Malone in his column, which is sad, oh so very sad.

A reporter recently wrote about the faces of abuse victims. The same stares of hopelessness can be seen in prisons and rehab centers across our state on the faces of prisoners and patients. Who or what could have made a difference in their lives? Could tough love have prevented them from ending up on the human scrap heap? I don't know the answer, but I do know that there is no bright-line test for parenting, and whether fair or unfair, the ultimate measure is the child's achievement or failure.

Mr. Barrett, can't we all agree there is a BRIGHT-LINE TEST when it comes to beating your children with a belt? That line is simple, DO NOT DO IT OR GO TO JAIL.

Sure, Sam gets his day in court, and will not likely go to jail, which if the facts are true, I think is a shame because he should spend a least a little time in jail. The community's reaction to him, and certainly his party's, should not be to provide cover for his actions, but to enact a social punishment. That punishment is simple; he should not be given help by his Party, or anyone else, to get back on council. Malone is in a state of denial, and thinks beating your children with a belt is just great, Therefore his classless move of not resigning form council and which would make it easier on his family, friends, and party is additional evidence of why he is unfit for office.

Anyone that gives money or time to the local GOP with Malone as a candidate is in my personal opinion supporting a child abuser and a person with a questionable state of competence to be an elected official, and how is that right? Personal lives are personal (see DeWine and Clinton), but when you beat your kids, you cross that BRIGHT-LINE. Based on the past week of blogging and columns from most around Cincinnati shows that people on both sides of the aisle understand that BRIGHT-LINE that Barrett seems to be missing. I hope the rank and file GOP can help Mr. Barrett find that line.

Cats and Dogs Living Together

I understand where Mark Mallory is coming from here. He is a clear supporter of the library system, and does not fear the government. What gives with Brinkman? This guy hates paying taxes for anything Why does he want to fund public libraries, but not support funding public schools? Will Brinkman's money come with strings? Will he seek to ban all books covering sexual education and use of condoms? Or will he stick with banning books that discuss the rational reasoning behind keeping abortion legal, and choice for the mother?

There ARE Dems in Them Their Hills!

There is a group of Dems out in Warren County. Check them out and lend some support for the Congressional special election if you can.

District Two Race

Howard Wilkinson appears to be the Enquirer’s man on the Congressional Special Election and has round up of the campaign inter-workings.

Enquirer on Malone 1991 Incident

The Enquirer catches up to the Post with Malone choking his mother story.

Bronson is an Ignorant Cuss

My praise of Peter Bronson was not going to last and his next column shows why. Peter is either an ignorant fool or a blind shill that he just can't think outside of what he hears other conservatives say.

How the hell is the filibuster issue about religion? The only ones making it about Religion are the Right Wing. They (and I mean "they") are stating that the those who oppose Bush's judges (and oppose Bush) are anti-Christian, just as Bronson is saying:

You don't have to know a filibuster from a Philly cheese-steak to know what he meant. The debate about even allowing a debate on Bush's nominees has been mangled beyond recognition by pundits and politicoids, but this much is clear: Some attacks on the nominees reek of anti-Christian bigotry.

And bigotry is like obscenity. You can lawyer it, deny it and spin it all you want - but we know it when we see it.

Senate Democrats, far-left lobbying groups and their echo chamber in the press have made "deep religious beliefs" a fatal disqualifier, like a DUI - judging under the influence of God.

So, How many non-Christians and non-Jews has Peter Bronson EVER VOTED FOR! If he can name more than say 1, he has a long way to go to show how religious bigoty is not a bigger problem for the Christians as it is for others.

Just so to educate Peter on the past: how many Clinton nominees were NOT ALLOWED to be debated on the floor of the Senate? The number is over 200. I did not hear Peter or any other Republican crying about that. They instead were happy as school kids. Why? They were happy to keep out liberal judges? Why? Well lets take a guess: maybe in part they want judges who were going to only live by "god's" word and stick to strict Conservative Socal Values®.

I think Nate is starting to rub off on Bronson with the ending of the column

The filibuster is being used to keep Christians off the courts.

Just insert blacks in place of Christians and "White Privilege" in place of filibuster and you might something Nate would say. I have to ask Peter something, does he only want Christians on the court? How many on the Federal Court, at all levels are not Christian? There are surely Jewish people. I doubt there is a single Muslim or Hindu. There certainly is not any Wiccans and no known public atheists or agnostics. I guess he only cares about getting more Christians on the court. How many non-Christians has Bush appointed to either the Bench or even to positions in the government, especially senior positions? If you want to expose religious bigotry, that would be a place to start looking for it. Stop bible-baiting Peter, you look like an cuss.

Sam Malone Charged in 1991 with Hitting His Mother

According to the The Cincinnati Post, Councilman Sam Malone was charged with hitting and choking his mother back in 1991 at age 20. the article states he was allowed into an alternative treatment program:

A mental health evaluation recommended treatment for Sam Malone, and he was ordered to attend the YWCA's Amend Batterers Intervention Program. That is an outpatient treatment program that offers individual and group counseling for batterers and their victims.

The program tries to show abusers alternatives to violence. Also, it demands that abusers take responsibility for their actions and learn to handle the anger that often leads to attacks.

It appears Sam did not learn enough through this program. Question: why would a 20 year old get a mental evaluation after a relatively minor offense? What signs where there to warrant such an action?

CiN at Taste of Cincinnati

CinWeekly has collected up free MP3's of the bands appearing on the CiN stage at the Taste of Cincinnati. I will plug up the KY Struts live. I don't know original stuff, but their live set at Jammin' On included some rock-a-billy standards (at least I think there were) and it kicked.

Going up to Country

It appears that the hinterland has pull in the race for the 2nd Congressional district. It has pull more in the GOP primary, where extremists in Adams County are applying a rather insane litmus test:

n Adams County, the Rev. Ken Johnson, a United Methodist minister from Seaman, was the leader of the pro-Ten Commandments forces. Today, he is being courted for his endorsement by most of the 11 Republican candidates for Portman’s seat.

So far, he hasn’t given it.

“All I can say is that any candidate who comes into Adams County and says he is against having the Ten Commandments displayed on public property is not going to get elected to anything,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the upcoming primary presents a “difficult choice” for conservative Christians because “most of the Republican candidates are pro-life, pro-Ten Commandments, against gay marriage. They’re on the right side of the issues.”

But Adams County voters, Johnson said, “will vote on more than the moral issues. We have a lot of economic issues in this county that are important too.”

I am most sickened that his theocratic fascist, (yes folks those words of mine are back), is a United Methodist minister. I grew up in that church, and it never, never got political. It goes without saying that I am sickened by his bigoted stances, but this guy is a lightning rod, and illustrates the motive behind erecting the Ten Commandment stone displays in front of school: for religious purposes.

The key to know how much influence the rural areas will have is to simply look at population and voting patterns. I have no idea where the population centers are, outside of the Hamilton County area. If our side of the district dominates the population, its issues will dominate the election, but a primary fight could show divisions.

On the Dems side it should focus on issues and electability. I don't see Dem rural and urban votes being in conflict as much as the GOP's.

I have never been to Adams County (Praise Zeus!), but I am fairly sure the water does not taste like wine.

Diner Shuts Down

The Diner has closed. I never made it there. I just walk past there last Saturday night and it was not busy. I think its problem is that it tried to be a bar, more than a restaurant, and a higher end restaurant than I would have expected from what has been billed as the Diner. If you are going to go upscale, you can keep the decor of the diner, but the name makes you think of a greasy spoon. My impression is that it was better than that. It is still a great location. I hope it can rise from the ashes again.

Council Race Runners

The number of people running for City Council appears to be at 21 so far. 9 Dems, 6 GOPers, 4 Charterites, and 2 Independents, with 2 other possible Independents. This breakdown assumes that the GOP does not wake up and dump Sam Malone like they should.

The favorites, as usual, are the incumbents. I think only two returnees are locks: Cranley & Cole. The rest have possible vulnerabilities.

Good Column From Bronson

I can't complain much about Peter Bronson's latest column. He has a reasoned fair stance on this that I think most can agree with. What is missing is Bronson's call for Malone to resign from office. That is a failing. He may be waiting, as may be the editorial board, until he is convicted, but in this type of situation I think the public has more than enough evidence to judge him unfit for office and Malone would do the city, and most importantly his son good, by resigned office and removing the media spotlight.

Huggins

As a Miami fan, I can want nothing more than UC sports to lose, I really am torn Huggins' contract woes. I think he is part of what is wrong with college sports. He is running a professional team and cares more about winning than about educating. He is not unique among college coaches, so he should not get more scorn than others, but he is here and he has the drinking and driving problem that got him nothing more than a wrist slap. He should have taken the buy out and gone. The only way he stays beyond two years is win the Big East, which would give him a shot at a better program in the East.

Malone Playing the Fool

Yesterday we had the first Council appearance from Councilman Sam Malone, and we got what I believe is the rationalization of violence and illustrates how child abuse is not limited to drunks, but also in those who appear to be a straight-laced as anyone.

I think Malone is in denial. It is likely many people who were beat like this by their parents are in denial, especially those who are defending Malone.

You don't beat your kids with your belt. If you do you are abusing them and you are doing no one any good. If you want to punish the kid, you don't strike terror in him. I feared my father. I was never hit by him and NEVER felt like he would ever hit me. I was as good a kid as a parent could hope for, which yes mean I was a good two-shoes for the most part. Malone has hurt his child more than just the beatings. He put terror into him. So much terror that he went to the police. That is not what child does, that is what a victim does.

Monzel really looked like a weasel, giving Malone a really awkward hug on TV that appeared more staged than a prize fight. Reece is playing the angles here and I wonder how long before we get Malone or a boycott or other activist proxy out the playing the race card. Will we see anyone in the GOP outside of Charlie Winburn hint at or push the race card as a political tactic? Will a Ken Blackwell weigh in on the issue?

It is most odd that I have not heard anything from Malone's friends in the CCV. I thought they were buddies, what gives Phil Burress?

When will Malone start pretending to the be the victim?

The Enquirer's Editorial is right on what it said, but it fell short. What is holding the Enquirer back from calling for Malone to resign? The paper also prints excepts from the transcript of the child's 911 call.

Details on Malone Incident Start to Surface

More details of the alleged child abuse by Sam Malone come from Malone's former wife's sister. She states that another young person called police and that she and other family members took him to the hospital. Malone's lawyer hints at the early stages of a defense by mentioning that the aunt was on the losing end of a custody battle over the boy three years ago. It sounds like as of now Malone is going to stand his ground. He will go down on this and bring his party with him.

Americans are Culturally Dead

Kevin Drums points to a Top Hundred Americans list from the Discovery Channel, like was done by the BBC and CBC in recent years. I am so very astonished by the complete ignorance Americans have. We don't know anything about our own culture; we know only what has been in our minds in the last 15 minutes. Beyond that, we have no recollection.

2nd District Candidates Set

The primary candidates are set for the 2nd district special election. The Democratic Barber didn't make it. Those to watch are DeWine, Brinkman, Schmidt and the wildcard Minamyer for the GOP. The Dems only hope I think is Paul Hackett, based almost solely on his resume. None of the candidates, outside of Saunders, has any experience in politics.