Bush In Town

First I wonder if Si Leis is billing Bush for security? The President got free reign on our highways, so it certainly cost a bunch. The visit was purely political, so I hoped someone other than the government paid for hauling Bush's political team around.

Anyone rich enough to attend the event care to share any of the "speech" Bush made? Did he vamp on about DeWine or did he spew more trite propaganda?

Protesters were out in force, but kept at more than an arm's lenght.

Yea Umm?

Regular or Decafe?

Add your Open Thread goodness here:

West End Division

I would appear that things are getting a wee bit personal in the battle over CityLink. It is odd to want to ouster a community council president because he supports a project that for now won't happen. It sounds like personal conflict is made ripe from opportunity for action. Dale Mallory has enemies on the council, and they appear willing to act.

Where's the Balance

There is not any retort from anyone on the other side of the issue discussed in this article. Other than one sentence, there is no balance to counter weigh the claims of Steve Chabot. Yes, this is about abortion and your can bet there are plenty of people willing to go on record on this hot button issue. When Chabot is allowed to make a quoted claim about the law, outside speculation on the court policy, it should be required to get a quote to counter his undocumented claims that really have no bearing on the point of the article.

Step One

Step one in the effort to control women's bodies begins outlawing of IDX and D&E procedures. My estimation is that this the Federal banning such procedures will be rule constitutional, even without a health provision. It will be a 5 to 4 decision. Reproductive rights are now hanging by a thread. The 2008 election will likely decide for a generation what kind of society we shall live in, a right wing theocracy, or a democracy where individual/personal freedoms outweigh the religious conviction of others.

Hackett Should Quiet Down

From worrying about dirty tricks to making a fool out of one's self on national cable TV, Hackett needs to go back to his law practice. Chris Mathews cheaply goaded him with the Bush 'coke' question, which Hackett butchered. I like Hackett. I would have love him being my congressman, and I was not opposed to him being Senator, but he looks so very bad right now. It is true that he got screwed over because he didn't have a big enough war chest, but his lack of political experience is starting to show, and likely would have meant DeWine would have crushed him come November.

Pinko Suburbs

These community centers reek of Communism, don't they? What good red meat suburbanite would be caught dead in a place where a community comes together in a secular manner?

In all seriousness I don't have a problem with these centers. I still wonder at the psychology of those living in the suburbs. Do they just want life in a small town or do they want to live in a big city? Trying to be both looks to me like they are trying to force community out of walled off neighborhoods. How can that work in the long run?

The worst part is it in Mason, Gay families can't get family memberships, unless someone changed a policy that I don't know about.

Ira Glass Coming to Town

A great move for Ink Tank to gain writer and NPR Host Ira Glass as a speaker for their Writers Weekend, Sept. 29-30 at the Art Academy (1125 St. Gregory St., Mount Adams).

Fat Cats

Is this some kind of new way to make politics seem sexy or trendy to women? I guess I am on a gender bias watch today or something, but I find it insulting on some level that the President's visit is covered by the Tempo Section, where is painted in the MTV Cribs style, call it Pol Cribs. Fluff appears to be the only way people can understand politics. The guy with the best wine list wins, I guess.

Adding a sidebar with Stan Chesley is trying to make this a non-partisan thing. I am glad they show their house so no one confuses this extremely rich people with the common humans living in the real world.

I will mock for a second though: the wife, Margie, is listed as a "composer and lyricist." Ok, is that a hobby, like I am a writer, or has she published music?

Funny and Sexist!

The Woes of Jean Schmidt and Tom Brinkman and a cake make for humorous fodder. I wonder, honestly, if Brinkman would have made such a profoundly nasty joke right to Schmidt's face if she were a man. Brinkman is a classic conservative, who likely views women as the weaker sex. His type would lash out at any woman trying to do what he considers a man's job, his job particularly.

Jean does need to get over it, but this little episode I think shows Brinkman to be a cutthroat politician, literally. He goes for the kill, even at inane moments like cake cuttings. His desire for political conflict is a dangerous one, and more evidence of why he is not fit for public office, expect maybe as dogcatcher or Sheriff.

NKY's Sunday Challenger Dead

News coverage in the tri-state area shall take another blow with the closing of the Sunday Challenger. The Northern Kentucky focused paper issued their last edition today, after publishing for about 18 months. It will be missed.

UPDATE: More from the Challenger itself.

In the Tank Cincinnati

I stumbled on WCET's In the Tank Cincinnati today, and I am very impressed. On the CET Website they describe the show as follows:

In the Tank Cincinnati
Third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm
In the Tank Cincinnati reports on sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, sometimes bizarre happenings in the Greater Cincinnati area.

The show I saw ranged from a short piece on Woman Writing for a Change, a local Travel website owner, a local food expert, to a history of Ohio Presidents. They need a better website, but keeping to their video focus is best at this point. I would want an archive of the programs online, which I can't find so far.

The coolest thing I learned from the show is that Mt. Washington is part of the land George Washington owned, but never saw.

Nightlife?

I am a 'member' of www.zipscene.com, but at this early stage I don't see their website adding much to local nightlife. Their discount card might add a few more people going out, but this site is really a marketing tool for business. It adds nothing to me at this point. I am a bad example, since I already use several other sources to find out what is going on around town, but so far Zipscene is limited to the business who use the service, so the average user is not getting a full picture of the events going on around, just a marketing pitch from businesses with either a good marketing team or just the cash to spend on it. As a marketing tool, this kind of thing works great. As a service to the public, it has a long way to go before it gives something more than a CityBeat or Cinweekly can provide.

Cincinnati Blog: Change the Law

There is some kind of blogger hiccup going on, but this post on Malone: Cincinnati Blog: Change the Law is still around. At least I think it is.

Showdown

The battle over the banks is starting to look like a wild west stare down contest.

Will Pepper use this as an issue in the election, specifically playing Heimlich as being anti-city or unwilling to work well with others if he balks at the city's demands?

Both Sides of the Mouth

Peter Bronson is making two divergent points while trying to only make one. His article is about a religious group indoctrinating kids into becoming Christian shock troops in the media. His conflict comes plainly:

"Our hope is that someday at some moviemaker, some of our people will be in the room when they want to make an R-rated movie to say, 'We don't need to do that,'" said executive director Mike Volette.

...

The idea is not to push a Christian agenda, he said, but to have people in media who at least understand Christianity."

If the idea is not to push a Christian agenda, then what's the deal with being against "R" rated movies? Read this section:

Two-thirds of the $1.5 million invested in the UndergroundZone came from business sponsors such as Cincinnati Bell, Key Bank and Grippo's. But more sponsor help is needed to train "media missionaries," to take their message into the deepest, darkest heart of hostile Hollywood and tone-deaf newsrooms.

It sounds like hazardous work. Cartoons of missionaries in pith helmets tied to stakes or being cooked in giant pots come to mind. But maybe there's hope.

Just this year, TV shows have been canceled or rewritten after protests by Christians. "The Book of Daniel" on NBC, about a pill-popping priest and his sidekick surfer-dude Jesus, was yanked almost immediately. And ABC has agreed to cut scenes in an April 13 "Will & Grace" that had Britney Spears mocking the Crucifixion of Christ.

"Media is not good or bad," Vollette said. "It just depends on how it is used."

Now that sounds like a fruitful salt ministry.

Once again Bronson contradicts his own points within his own column. Either the guy he's interviewing believes "The idea is not to push a Christian agenda" or he's creating Storm-troopers to go out and try and get "Will & Grace" censored because a bunch of prudish Christians are too sensitive to have the religion questioned through the mass media. He can't be both. Trying to be both means you are lying to someone.

Sorry Peter, this program is all about pushing the Christian religion. What is sad, is that the kids are likely being mislead into thinking otherwise.

Target Practice

Shoot me a river of bias Faux News interviews. Otherwise:

Open Thread!!!

CAC Slammed By Idiot

What it is with idiots who walk into town for a day and think then know the facts about anything going on in this city?

I will agree that the CAC has a bunch of problems and I am not a fan of the building, but to judge the attendance and importance by what you saw on one weekday visit and to view the building as hip to only the old fogies from the 80s and 90s, you sound like a lazy inept critic who phoned in his trip to the Queen City.

The only point this guy makes worth while is the fact that membership is down to pre-move levels. Some of that is out of the control of the CAC, but one of their biggest problems is that they do little to bring people into the space. Art should be for the people, not just for a few snobs looking for a faux sense of superiority. John King, the critic, fits that faux sense with what appears to be his inanity to get over the changes Cincinnati underwent since he was an intern (kid) here 25 years ago.

Mr. King should have seen the CAC last Friday night where a large crowd enjoyed a great evening of art and lightening music from the Heartless Bastards. That event brought WEBN-FM to the CAC. Freaking white-bread WEBN! Variety is what the CAC needs and it can't be pretentious and expect anyone but art freaks to join. Cross promotions with other arts groups, like the Cincy Fringe Festival, are what a contemporary arts museum should make its priority. Anything less and this museum becomes what it was created to be an alternative to: the institutionalism of the Taft Museum.

I find I get more pissed by critics who slam Cincinnati at the drop of a hat out of laziness, personal spite, or ignorance. I think King has achieved a hat trick with all three.

Cincy Streetcar Desire

I love the idea of Streetcars in Cincinnati linking all of the tourist and entertainment districts. Would it work? That depends on how big a system one envisions. I don't know enough about how this will be financed.

Some kind of targeted and versatile mass transit should be developed to link Northside -Clifton -OTR -CBD -Riverfront -Mt. Adams -Newport -Covington -Airport. With the right structure, pricing, and schedule a route could be created by Metro. Using a special or even smaller bus would add a unique and attractive experience to make it complementary to the tourist/entertainment districts, not just utilitarian.

Newport IMAX Site To Be Filled?

With the auction of the Newport IMAX lease, the Enquirer reports that this could lead to a sale of the location. What could work on the site? The theater is a very unique structure, so what ever it is will have to be different. I would guess a bar/nightclub could work. Would a live music club work or even be economically feasible?

I think I once hear someone claim a laser tag location could work. What else?

Keystone Cops

It is something out a Marx Brother's film. The Democratic Senators leading seem to not know how to talk to candidates. No wonder people don't want to run as Democrats. To hear the harsh comments coming from politicos around the country, one wonders how any of them know shit about who would win the freaking primary. I guess it the tone, not so much the comments, but I get this feeling of Ohio and the Dems here getting our change yanked by the National party. Let us run our own candidates, you guys just send the money.

If you want a freaking smoke filled room, join the GOP. I like friendly primaries, and if power was not such a drug, good people might actual run and get elected to office.

Now the Ohio 2nd will be back to bigger long shot.

WBOB-AM To Rock As Oldies Station

DINO Dusty Rhodes is spear heading a movement to lease the radio station from a Christian Broadcast Company that will broadcast an oldies station. No word on if this will be 24 hour broadcast or a selective programming block.

Thanks Zeus it will not be more conservative talk radio.

CityLink Plan Stopped by Zoning Board

The Cincinnati Zoning Board voted 3 to 2 that CityLink would violate the zoning code. CityLink supports can still appeal the decision.

Pepper Is In

The Enquirer is reporting that David Pepper is running for county commissioner against Phil Heimlich.

Hmmm, This post is giving me a sense of déjà vu.

Hackett Out

The NY Times is reporting that Paul Hackett has dropped out the U.S. Senate race.

No word yet on Hackett's possible run for the 2nd District.

The Mayor's office somehow became part of the story. Someone needs to improve communication channels.

No News is Good News?

WSTR is dropping their local 10PM newscast. I do not like the reduction of local news coverage. I was not a fan of this or any Sinclair outlet, which had very biased national news coverage, but I can attest to their local coverage because I did not watch much of it. I will not miss what I don't watch, but I prefer media competition.

Sane Republicans Exist

Glad to know that some Republicans know when the right wing goes too far. It is so very sad that they will not do anything to keep the extremists from office.

Stupid Idiot

Miami assistant Football Coach Arrested For DUI

Hackett Pressured to Leave Race

The drum beat is rising from National Democrats for Paul Hackett to drop out of the race to face off against Senator Mike DeWine. Instead Dems seek Hackett to go again for the Congressional race here in the 2nd district. With Paul declaring for Senate would his ego take dropping down a level at this late point?

Gaby Downey for US Congress

It's offical Gaby Downey of Milford will run for the Democratic nomination in the Ohio 2nd to face against the winner of the Schmidt-McEwen-Brinkman primaripalooza.

Legislating Hate - That's Our Brinkman!

With neither courage nor ethical justice Tom Brinkman has helped introduce a bill in the Ohio House to ban gay & lesbian adoption. House Bill 515 is an abusive attack on liberty and is a hateful spew intending to legislate a bigoted belief based on a selective religious doctrine.

There are no reasons for introducing this law that can not be traced to hate. Any rationale for is based, TOTALLY, on the hate and fear of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered. I say this matter of factly, and I am sure to gain the ire of the right wing fucks out there, but I will without any hint of regret repeat this concept at any point in the future this issue arises.

What troubles me most is the devil's bargain many in the GOP have made with the religious right. There are many in the GOP who don't support and will not support this bill, but they will do little or nothing to oppose it and many even support it. When you support or just vote for candidates like Tom Brinkman and Ken Blackwell (wonder if he supports the bill, ha!), you are giving credence and resource to the forces out push hate via legislation on Ohio. This is merely the softest point for the Brinkman's to hit. The bigotry towards gays is still one of the few unfettered philosophies in America. This law has support from people who are still scared and ignorant about gays and lesbians. Otherwise good people will be suckered in by the fear and bible waving the Brinkmans will do in their coy and cryptic manner.

It is also nearly as sad that some Democrats will support this bill. Unlike gay marriage, the numbers I believe will be small, but those few who do deserve a large level of disdain and outright opposition.

For me personally it is just a matter of trying to understand the motivation. Why do people hate gays? Why do you hate gays Tom Brinkman?

Jake Speed - Songatorial

Super idea from Jake Speed & CityBeat.

Agony of Victory and Thrill of Tape Delay

I am watching the end of the Sweden vs. Russia Women's Hockey Game before I head to my coffee indulgence. Is anyone else following the Olympics? I have followed the Olympics (winter and summer) since 1980 when I was an 8-year-old kid amazed that the Russians were in my state. It didn't matter that they were at the other end of New York State, some 6 hours away, it was just a spectacle I had to watch and watch it live as soon as I was home from school. The TV would stay tuned to Jim McKay until I had to go to bed. The time issue was not a problem, so that really help peek my interest.

This year, as with the Olympics for at least the last 10 years (likely since NBC took over coverage) I have lost a lot of interest. I know that the Jingoistic American Culture cares nothing for sports, outside of watching 'America' win, but I thought that in today's modern and connected international community more attention would be paid to the Olympics. In this first day of competition, I am not feeling that community. Is anyone?

Pure Pretense

Once again Kevin Drum succinctly summarizes the Paul Pillar revelations on intelligence about WMD and more specifically the mythic Saddam-al Qaeda relationship.

But the Saddam-al-Qaeda connection is entirely different. Not only did the Bush administration manipulate the intelligence, but I don't think they even believed in it themselves. It was pure pretense from start to finish.

To quoth the Rave: Indeed.

Mean Jean: Run Tom Run!

Mean Jean Schmidt has to be cheering on the possible run by Tom Brinkman for her 2nd District seat in Congress. A three way race with Schmidt, Brinkman and Bob McEwen is how Jean won the GOP special primary the first time. Also, I am very aware of the horrible image I placed in people's minds in the last sentence with use of the term "three way" followed by three names I apologize now for what will likely be years of therapy before that image can be stricken from your mind.

A Continental

In my Radio Voice: Earthly bound citizens of Cincinnati, I give you Sarah H. Eichenberger of Queen City Forum.

This article has, for the lack of a better term, BALLS!  It hits the Continental Lounge right where it hurts: the snob gland.  On a man it's right between his balls.  On a woman it's between her breasts and where her spine meets the back of the brain.

Sarah points to the solid point that provoked me to write about the club when it was first announced: If you are a city version of a country club, ok, but don't pretend to be altruistic about it and think it will change the world, let along the city.  I mean, I know all of the world's problems would end by osmosis if we just formed exclusive cliques.

Kudos' go to Michael Altman, head honcho at QCF, first for getting Sarah on his team and secondly for running this story in light of his involvement with the Continental Lounge.  Quality journalism starts with allowing conflicting viewpoints on issues management may be connected to.  I believe this shows a level of professional maturity that other media outlets, like say the Enquirer, could learn from.

Two Nates Better Than One?

Joe Wessels ponders changing his name to "Nate Livingston." With this blog post I believe the betting can begin on how long it will take Nate to post an attack on Joe. I will start the pool with three hours.

WOW, a Fairly Unified Council

City Council voted 8 to 1 to oppose the CityLink services center in the West End. Cecil Thomas was the lone no vote. It appears from the article that what was voting on was a toothless resolution that means nothing to the actual development of the project.

What better way to gain support of the West End than to say you oppose the project, but then do nothing substantial to actually stop it.

Other than people playing the NIMBY card, I don't see why they oppose it. It has the potential of being a religious brainwashing camp, but as long as they don't get public funding, they can do that.

Pepper for Commissioner?

Ok, this blog post from Howard Wilkinson deals with people wanting David Pepper to run Ohio AG, but the more noteworthy item reported is that Pepper is likely running for County commissioner. This has been rumor and speculation for a while, but this is first time I have seen it reported (blogged in this case) as something closer to fact than rumor.

Is Pepper running?

GOP Squabbling

Hamilton County Republicans are starting the blood bath that division brings. I am surprised to see Tom Brinkman being named as an endorser of Jim Petro over Ken Blackwell.

Madison Theater Reopening Planned

The new owner of the Madison Theater in Covington plans a grand reopening for February 24th, starting with a Mardi Gras party featuring Robin Lacy & DeZydeco.

CityLink Doomed?

5 Members of City Council reportedly oppose CityLink, and plan on moving today to block the service center's development in the West End.

Who are the 5? Leslie Ghiz is quoted in the story as being part of the block of 5, but I don't see the rest listed in the article. Was anyone at the Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee meeting to know who is part of the group?

There is a Forum tonight at the Lincoln Recreation Center in the West End, 1027 Linn St. at 6PM to discuss CityLink. The Paper reports that for what ever reason the group opposing the development will not attend. That seems strange. Are they being kept out or are they being childish?

Blackwell Picks Raga

I know nothing about Raga. I find it odd to through geographic balance to the wind and pick someone from Mason. It would appear the Blackwell is righting off the Northeast completely. His plan has to be to get the religious vote and nothing but the religious vote, which lies in greatest concentration in Southwest Ohio.

Nate in a Cape?

I never would have expect to see Nate Livingston follow the lead of the Dean of Cincinnati by attacking Nick Spencer. I wonder what else Nate will do to emulate Jason. Is there a wardrobe change in his future?

Bias

Ok, a man was shot and killed in the Mason, Ohio Area (fourth item, buried at the bottom), namely near the Kings Auto Mall, and we don't get the interviews with locals saying that it is unsafe to live in Mason??? What gives? Where is the balanced reporting? The reporters couldn't find anyone to go on the record? Hell, I work within a mile or two from where this guy was killed. I would be happy to say that I will be fearing for my life every time I go to work in the Mason Area. I would be lying, but hell it is as valid of a comment as was printed by the paper when someone was killed behind Mulligan's in Hyde Park. I expect to read a follow-up story in tomorrow's paper with neighbors of this man expressing dismay and fear of the living in Mason.

I was at Mulligan's last night, by the way. I had a nice time. I felt safe. The place was a empty for the night of a Xavier basketball game.

FYI: Just to avoid the likely criticism, yes, it is tragic that a man was shot and killed. I am not commenting on that. Instead I am questioning the coverage the crime got in the Enquirer as compared to the coverage of the murders in Hyde Park. I know most readers can grasp this fact, but I am sure some commenter will be shocked that I am commenting on this so soon after a man’s death. Nothing I have stated is distasteful, in my opinion, so I suggest anyone no pleased with this type of blogging to find another blog to read.

Madison Theater Booking Acts

It has even been "officially" sold yet, but the Madison Theater in Covington is booking acts for later this month. A great venue is back. Will it gain national acts or stick with local music?

Enough of the Dean

This will be a news flash to few, but Jason Haap, aka the Dean of Cincinnati, has come out with an insane attack again Nick Spencer. If you disagree with Nick's politics, ok, I can respect that. I don't agree with some of Nick's views. To come out with this insane racist attack against Nick for the name of the event is just, well, insane. I prefer to stay away from the insanity that is the Dean, but when you make up bullshit attacks against Nick like:

So the effeminate and white Nick Spencer feels some kind of affinity towards Desdemona, who gets brutally murdered by an uninformed black man.

You do the math.

you really need to step back and ask yourself: Does wearing a cape in public mean you are "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" nutty, or just "What About Bob?" nutty? In the case of the Dean it appears to be that Jason has reached into the bottom of the barrel of tricks to try and get attention and has come up with a straight-jacket.

It is time for the Dean to grow up. When you act like an ass and get kicked out of Nick's bar, face the music and suck it up. Don't act like a three year old child and make up bullshit that sounds like it would be coming out of the mouth of Louis Farrakhan.

I will happily await the retort I get for my honest views I have ranted out here. I expect the worst bile possible, and am ready to defend my dropped gauntlet. It is sad when Nate L. comes across as more dignified than the Dean, but Hell, we are in Cincinnati baby!

QCF on The News

Queen City Forum reports on "The News."

Boehner Elected House Majority Leader

Local House Rep. John Boehner was elected House Majority Leader today by his fellow House Republicans. Will this help the people of his district or the rest of Southwest Ohio? Will he be someone that will work with Democrats or just be more of the same lockout partisan style of legislating.

Smoke Free Sitwells

With recent talk of a city wide smoking ban, we get a local business banning smoking on their own and it appears that business is not hurting at all. Sitwells does sell alcohol, but I don't consider it a bar. Could bars survive this type of self ban?

Suppressing the Vote

The intent of this law requiring ID when voting is meant to suppress the number of people voting. This is NOT about voter fraud, no matter what bullshit comes out of GOP partisan's mouths.

How better to get fewer people voting than to make it more difficult to vote? Who is this aimed at? If you said minorities than you unfortunately would be correct.

In comments you will surely hear the GOP claim that this is about "voter fraud" or some other "legitimate" reason. They will need to show how this will prevent voter fraud. There is no evidence this will do anything to reduce voter fraud, and instead it will do nothing but decrease voter turnout. Why are we taking steps backwards in society?

Desdemona Independent Arts Festival

Nick Spencer has announced the event set for Sawyer Point on June 23 and 24. This fest sound like a great event which as a center piece will put on great music. As Nick states in his post, this is just the beginning to what the whole festival will include, but save the dates, and stay tuned for details.

SOTU

I am not watching the State of the Union. I used to love watching it. I now loath it. It is a complete waste of time and nothing but over filtered boiler plate that will be ignored and forgotten in no time.

For Bush this is his last big speech where he has a real influence on the Congressional agenda, and that influence is very dampened by his horrid approval ratings. No one expect this to be a good speech, let alone produce anything to make it out of a committee intact.

Feel free to give your own blow by blow spin on the dog and pony show. I shall endeavor to read the lowlights on other blogs. Why suffer watching it live, when there are 1,000 bloggers out there willing to suffer for you?

The full text will be online somewhere before the speech, so I find myself thinking that it about time for Presidents to just go back to delivering it only in written form, and skip the pointless spectacle.

Balance?

Well, Barleycorn's closes its downtown location, and we get a news article. I guess "The News" on the corner of Main and 9th Street needs to issue a press release to get an article about it's opening? If it got one, I can't find it. I encourage reporters and editors at the Enquirer to take a walk on Main Street around 9th, you can't miss it. Well, it appears that the Enquirer did miss it. That is not balanced reporting.

One blah restaurant closes and another bigger and I hope better one opens. That is not balance, it is a net plus for Downtown.

The Bigot Brinkman

It is sad to hear Brinkman push his bigotry. The article demonstrates his willful ignorance and his bigotry towards gays. It comes across as a game, but with bigots like Brinkman you must not value directness of one's bigotry as a virtue.

Some of that blind respect came from the apathy voiced from the Chairman of the Miami College Republicans:

Brad Bailey, chairman of the College Republicans, wouldn't say whether he supported the lawsuit, but said he respected Brinkman making the discussion public.

"I do support his willingness to question whether or not what the university is doing is legal," Bailey said.

Brad Bailey needs to grow some balls and take a stand on the issue himself. If he respects Brinkman for being open about the issue, why not come out and say his views. If he can't face the music, no matter what side he has on the issue, then he has the makings for a weak kneed politician, ripe for a lobbyist's influence.

Ohio needs to wake up. The Bigots are coming, the bigots are coming. In fact the bigots are here, and Brinkman is just the tip of iceberg. Gay rights are soon to be a pipe dream. This is surely please Brinkman and his ilk. I hope those voting out there see that Ken Blackwell is backing the same issues.

Mallory's Meetings

What's the deal with the concern over meetings? I am at a loss here. How is this a big deal. Caucus meetings are a means of government that I had always assumed went on with council members. I assumed incorrectly. I very much agree with sunshine laws.

What looks bad here is that council meetings as of late have been very short, no debate or discussion. Is that good government?

Mt. Lookout Movies

Kelly from CinWeekly has a great idea for the lifeless Mt. Lookout Cinema Grill. It is so disheartening to walk by the dark building every week. Tap into a niche market, and go with it. Hit the hardcore movie fans who want to see something on the big screen. The only thing I would add in is showing TV programs as well, but that would require keeping the beer flowing. TV show watching in group form requires booze. That is a little know medical fact.

New "News" on Main Street

While downtown last night, I walked past the old Lava club location and was amazed to find it open, but with a big sign out front reading "The News: Grand Opening". Its windows were clear and inside it looked a like a restaurant with a nice bar and huge TV screens. It looked nice and inviting.

Does anyone know about this place, how long it has been open and any background on it?

UPDATE: A commenter (likely Ricky H. from Atlanta) points out that Nick Spencer posted that this place was going to open. That's great and yes I missed the one sentence mention of it in a 15,000 work post. My questions still stand, when did it open, and can anyone give any background on it?

Smoke Filled GOP

This kind of thing goes on in both parties, but this year we get the smoke filled room right out in the open. This kind of back room dealing is a sharp double edged sword. On one side this could avoid a blood primary fight, which would help the GOP in the general election. On the other side this is what is wrong with the two party system and what makes it so very undemocratic. Why bother holding a primary at all? If the rank and file GOP voter can't have a voice in who their candidate will be in November, then how can the Ohio GOP be considered a democratic organization?

On the Dems side I will say now that while I think it is foolish for someone like Eric Fingerhut to challenge Ted Strickland, I in no way wish him to get out of the primary. The candidates fighting it out I believe is a sign of a healthy democracy.

Palestinian Civil War Brewing?

Are we starting to see the start of a civil war between Hamas and Fatah? If that happens, I fear it spells doom for any short term Palestinian state. Israel will likely move its military back into the Gaza and into more of the West Bank just to keep some kind of peace, but would they be walking into the middle of a literal fire fight? Does Israel back a side in this fight? Logically I would guess Fatah is the lesser of two evils from the Israeli point of view, but do they stay out of the battle, and the chips fall?

How far away is Iraq from this type of open conflict?

The Death of Culture

For those on the far right who preach about the loss of traditional values and culture, I turn a mirror back on them and denounce the state of music in the so called "Christian Community." What I have heard of modern Christian music (also called contemporary Christian music) is enough alone, outside of my personal beliefs, to make me not be a Christian. Having grown up in a mainstream traditional Christian church, I was raised on GOOD Christian music. The traditional hymns of the Wesleys and the music of Bach are what I sang each week and that is what should be taught to kids today, if you want to maintain the traditions that are talked about and lamented in right-wing circles. Instead the kids in Christian churches are brainwashed with factory made music that has more to do with marketing religion, than it does with music. It is a sad, sad state of affairs that when the self proclaimed defenders of Traditional American Culture, can't even protect one simple accept of that culture, and in fact don't care to protect that tradition.

When I hear of a drum kit in a Church, I cringe. The only values I ever found positive out of going to church were the people and the music. The people today don't seem to be going to church to find a community of friends, instead they are looking for an identity. When the music is gone too, I see myself as seeing church as a total drain on Traditional American Culture. Rap Music, something I don't like, has far more value to society than anything one is going to hear at "Winter Jam."

Current TV

Is anyone watching Current TV? Here in town you have to have digital cable, which as a former TV junkie I of course have. It is an interesting concept for television, but when this outlet was first launched it was billed as a news channel. I just watched a piece about a super metro-sexual man learning how to wrestle professionally. After that they aired an old piece about the Israeli pullout of Gaza. Then I saw cartoon about “Godapaloza,” which was quite funny, except that they said Darwin put on the same stage with other “gods” and billed as the “god of atheists,” but their point was otherwise fine and I won’t quibble too much over the details.

What is this channel? I know they are going after the young audience who allegedly hate news, but this is news for an MTV attention span, which is not limited to the young. The stations is made up most of reports that are like mini-documentaries without timeliness or any direct information. It tends to be a hodgepodge of first person views and some stated "facts," which these individuals state but lack the credibility of experience for one to trust they are telling all of the "facts." If you use nothing but freelancers, amateurs, or outside affiliates you lack the brand name of trust and respectability that comes with the established news outlets where established reporters and anchors create a sense of brand and image to which the viewer can relate. This is clearly a new concept that is interesting, but it not information, it is hip infotainment with an unclear yet present point of view.

Wussy

I hope to hit this show tonight. I normally don't announce that to the world on my blog, but I am perplexed to find this article on the Enquirer's website. I think this might be a web only article. I don't subscribe to the print edition, so I can confirm. This is the second local music story I have seen on their Enquirer's website since their relaunch. I hope this is a trend.

Funny thing is that that I wonder if the author of the article is the same Gil Kaufman featured in this City Beat article about leaving Cincinnati. The article was from 2002, so could he have come back. Can we get a story why he came back, if this indeed the same person? Just wondering outloud.

Mike McConnell is Dense

Reading this article on WLW-AM's Mike McConnell I am so very amazed at how out of touch he is with the city and with reality. He is quoted as saying:

"In many ways, it was not tremendously more dangerous than Cincinnati. It's bombs (over there), not bullets. The Marines I stayed with weren't shaking in their boots over the violence. No one was panicked."

Mike really is a sucker. I used to think we was a fairly smart person, but he got an easy Pentagon tour of Iraq, talked to hand pick Marines, and then compares that to Cincinnati. Rethink the logic Mike, you got a fluffy clean view of Iraq while staying in the Green Zone, surrounded by U.S. Troops. Mike needs to take a walk by himself in downtown Cincinnati, then take a walk in downtown Baghdad. Since Mike would likely not live after his walk in Baghdad, we can only speculate which place he might say was worse. I think he would agree Iraq is far, far more dangerous than Cincinnati.

Fountain Square News

Fifth Third is driving the upgrade around Fountain Square. The upgrade includes a 5-year deal with Rock Bottom. Good!

Strickland to Announce Lee Fisher His Running Mate

Democratic Candidate for Governor, Congressman Ted Strickland, will announce Lee Fisher as his choice for Lt. Governor today during a press conference at 9AM in Cleveland.

Fisher is former Ohio Attorney General.

Meanwhile the GOP is still bickering. Taft is blathering and wants to increase high school dropout rates.

Detail on the Dubliner Debacle

City Beat has the details on the fall of Mike Kull's Dubliner. In what appears to be a fair article, both sides come across as a people who could use a referser in respectful business practices.

Kevin Osborne in CityBeat

Mallory's Crime Plan is not the only thing interesting in this week's City Beat. Former Post and Enquirer reporter Kevin Osborne makes an appearance as reporter in the local Alt Weekly.

New Owners Find Mess At Dubliner

Damn, looks piss poor. It is sad that it came down to what appears like sour grapes.

King George's Lackeys

It is nice to know that King George has a good number of sniveling servants willing to let him do as he pleases. U.S. Senator Jim Bunning comes across as an idiot:

"I think it is legitimate, and anything we can do within reason to stop any further attacks on the United States, I hope the president will use. ... If I start getting phone calls from al-Qaida, I hope he taps my phone, because that's what has basically been done by the NSA."

Has Jim Bunning read the Bill of Rights recently? Where does it say in the Constitution that the Bill of Rights (or any article or amendment) can be suspended or waived based on the whim of the President? Fact: It doesn't say that. It is so very clear that Bush has violated the Constitution here, and it is so very sad, that so many Republicans are willing to let Bush do it, all in the name of "fighting terrorism." Well, "fighting communism" was the battle cry for J. Edgar Hoover, and what he did to thousands, if not millions of U.S. citizens was dismissed in a similar way because of irrational fear and blind faith that people in power are not full of shit.

For those who will ride on the fact that we are in the state of War, and that gives Bush the power, well, you are wrong. A STRICT CONSITUTIONALIST, would declare that since only Congress can "declare war" that no war has been declared. An authorization for the use of force is not a declaration of war. If they are legally the same, why not use war? If there is no difference, why not use the constitution as it is written? I mean, come, isn't Bush follow a literal interpretation of the Constitution or not?

Is It All About Paperwork?

Is the sticking point over having Sheriff Deputies patrol Over-the-Rhine a matter of paperwork? IS that really what Leis is filing suit over? If adding Sheriff patrols to OTR is going to help reduce crime and we can pay for it, then what is stopping Leis from doing what ever it takes to get those patrols going? Why would he let paperwork get in his way? Just fill out the damn forms, Si.

Elliott Block: "CW will go to 64"

John Kiesewetter of the Enquirer reports on the local impact of the "merger" of the WB and UPN TV Networks. Elliot Block is the owner of local UPN affiliate WBQC. I agree that any an all logic points to the higher power WSTR getting the CW affiliation. I don't watch much of either channel, so I doubt I will change that. WSTR could stand to have better local production values, and maybe this new Network will help bring that.

Mayor's Night In

Mayor Mark Mallory is establishing a twice a month chance to talk with the Mayor. This program is not new to Cincinnati and as the article points out, Charlie Luken had it right after the riots, but after a few months it ended to lack of turnout.

Will this program last and serve as a means for the Mayor to hear the views of the citizens or as a way for individuals to gain help with working with the city? Is this means for Jane Doe to voice her views on police policy or economic development, or is it a chance for her to get the Mayor to make a phone call to a city department to get something to happen? It could be used for both, but will it be that?

More from WCPO.

Might Be?

I am willing to take a leap and say that the idiots who left a Chemical Bomb in a black man's mailbox committed a hate crime. More morons. Would finger prints survive the bomb squad's defusing of the device?

Archive of Enquirer.com Columnists

What, no chicks?

Enquirer Redesigns Website

Something new from the Enquirer. This format has been in place for NKY.com since its inception, but they have moved the format over to its older brother. The biggest add I see so far is the inclusion of a link for the Community Press & Recorder.

The details are here on what is new, including a FAQ.

Wulsin Running?

Howard Wilkinson reports that Victoria Wells Wulsin is taking steps to run for the 2nd congressional district. She was runner up to Paul Hackett in the Dem primary and would be a logical choice. She would stand a good chance of winning the primary, would she have any at beating Schmidt or McEwen?

Monty Out of Gov Race

Betty Montgomery, State Auditor, has withdrawn from the governor's race, leaving Ken Blackwell and Jim Petro in the hunt for the GOP nomination.  This is a big blow to the moderate GOP in Ohio.  Ohio once contained a moderate GOP, in case you forgot.  Taft (though he is disgraced), DeWine, and Voinovich to name a few are not right wing republicans.  I disagree with them, but they are not out to establish a theocracy, and they generally only appease the right wing extremes when they have too.  Monty's poor showing indicates either that the GOP in Ohio are totally run and controlled by the religious fundamentalists, assuming Jim Petro can't pull a comeback and win, or that so many of the party don't give a crap, and are leaving the party for GDI territory. (God Damn Independents for the ignorant).

I don't think Ken Blackwell can win as governor if he keeps up being the theocratic movement's lapdog.  I will qualify this with the fact that a large number of people are really ignorant and even though they would disagree with him on 90% of the issues he is pushing, they will vote for him because of “1” thing.  That “1” thing is something different to various voter types and individuals, but the one thing that I fear that is becoming more of an influence on the voter is peer pressure.  If you don't vote as your neighbor does, you might not be welcome anymore at the neighborhood picnic.  This is just a symptom of the polarization and sectarian nature of politics today.    

Ford Closes Local Plant

Horrible news for the region. This will hurt Clermont County big. So, where's this great economy?

Malone on Trial

This will be an interesting exhibition of law, but Sam Malone's trial on charges of hitting his son will do much for society. Malone will likely not get punished much, if at all. His relationship is likely ruined with his son, and his son is likely scared for life, literally and emotionally. All of this rests on the idiot notion that beating your kids with a belt is right. It is as wrong as wrong can be. I will never understand anyone who thinks what Malone did was anywhere near right. Malone will get support from a few idiotic conservatives and from those seeking to exploit race, but Malone's reputation is now that of a child abuser.

Brinkman to Run?

Is Tom Brinkman going to run against Jean Schmidt for congress? He has a very short window, about 3 more weeks to see if he has enough money and supporters, as opposed to Bob McEwen, who has already announced he will challenge Schmidt. Tom will not run unless he has the edge now. He can't run for two offices.

Brinkman is blowing hot air, and will not run. He wants to run, but few want him to run.

This is a going to be a nice and bloody GOP primary.

It would be nice if an experienced candidate was running for the Dems, but it appears that no well known candidates are running. No David Pepper, unless someone knows something.

No More West Wing?

Will I ever watch network TV again? Is there any reason to watch Network TV? I exclude PBS from my lament, but TV will suck more than ever without the West Wing.

I once considered myself a TV junkie. I knew when every show was on, channel, day, and time. That was 10 years ago, well it was maybe 4 years ago. Now, I don't watch much TV, but West Wing was one of the few shows I would make it a point to watch. When they moved it to Sundays, that sucked rocks. Even with the death of John Spencer, the show still had plenty of value to it, and it surely was far better than the reality crap out there now, that for some reason will just not go away. I don't think there will be much for me to watch anymore. I will likely be a better person for watching less network TV anyway, so I shall give a muffled cheer.

UPDATE: More from the Enqurier.

Taste Does Not Equate to Criminality

It is humorous to see how the conservative editorial page of the Cincinnati Enquirer frets over George Clooney, but seems to not care about the Fraud Abramoff has been accused of committing.

The question they should have been asking is not about George Clooney's father taught George, instead they should be grilling Jack Abramoff's father and ask "Didn't he teach his son not to break the law?"

Clooney's comments are a matter of taste, and don't equate to the crimes Abramoff is accused of committing. The newspaper's trivialize of white color crime is a symptom of the political gutter with which they are willing to stoop to make a weak point.

Steve Ramos Sundance Blog

City Beat's Steve Ramos gives his take on the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

For more on the Festival, check out their website.

I See Food on Fountain Square

More development happening around the Fountain Square Revamp.

2 Shot, Cookie Cutter Journalism Ensues

Fear and panic abound about a shoot out behind a Hyde Park School by teenagers. Was this about drugs? I don't know.

What I see in this story is a formula that is tired and does a disservice to the reader. We don't need to hear the fears of those living 100 yards away. Why is the reporting taking the angle that the fear caused in the neighborhood is news? The news is why the person was shot and who did it. Those are the facts. Adding in the fears of local residents creates an image that people who don't pay attention suck up like sheep that Hyde Park is somehow unsafe. Sure, report this happened, but the story is not the neighborhood reaction. That is a backstory, if and only if you get letters or outcry from residents on their own, not at the prompting of a reporter’s questions.

Mallory Crime Plan Revealed

'It won't be solved overnight'

Mallory's Crime Plan

Once the Mayor annouces his plan to curb crime, chime in on its merits. My initial question: will we have a detailed plan or will get high-level summary of a vague plan. The latter was Mallory's weakest point during the campaign.

Oppression of Women

Here comes the movement to continue the oppression of women. It is lead of course, by a man.

I hope every person who favors freedom for women from the tyranny of men, AND who votes for Bush now understand why their vote was wrong. This is all part of a plan to have laws in place once there is a solid 5 to overturn Roe. Alito makes 4. This should be the reason for every woman to vote against anyone who will appoint another Alito.

McEwen Running

In news to few, Bob McEwen officially announced he will run against Jean Schmidt for the GOP nomination in the 2nd Congressional District Race.

Mean Jean is ripe for attack and if he handles it correctly, she can be taken out easily. If he pours on the attacks, he may face a backlash. Right Wing women are Bob's primary swing votes. Are they still fearful of an aggressive woman in office, or are they finally breaking free from the paternalistic upbringing that governs their life. I don't see much freedom in the GOP in the 2nd District for woman. Jean is an aberration.

Hackett 'Preaches' the Truth

Paul Hackett speaks the truth about religious nuts 'controlling' the GOP. That sounds like rhetoric I would use, and I use it with a slight (very slight) sense of hyperbole, but that makes it no less true. Extreme religious movements have an unprecedented influence on the GOP here in Ohio. Groups like the Ohio Restoration Movement and the CCV have begun a push towards theocracy. They are using the GOP to do it, and the GOP is partnering up with them without much or any reservation. Ken Blackwell and George Bush get intense and allegedly illegal support from fundamentalist churches in Columbus, Fairfield Christian Church and the World Harvest Church, just to name a couple of churches who many want investigated by the IRS. These are merely the tip of the ice berg. The political actions of the extreme right is moving quickly inside extreme churches and the GOP is letting itself be caught up in their frenzy and mouth foaming of righteous indignation.

Hackett could have been far more critical. The GOP deserves no apology, but instead for the bigotry carried out against gays by their elected officials they should offer one up, and change their ways.

More Domestic Terrorism?

Who's phone is being tapped over this act of domestic terrorism? If I call the West Side on a regular basis, am I open to have my phones tapped? The West Side is a foreign country after all.

The AP report indicates that investigators are not making a connection to the December mosque bombing.

More from the Enquirer.

Don't Call Us....

So, who is the next guy not to get his calls returned by Mayor Mallory's Communication Director? If you guessed Enquirer reporter Dan Klepal, then you win a free subscription to the Cincinnati Blog!

New Dem to Challenge for Schmidt's Seat?

A rumor is flying, well, not flying, but I got a tip that a Milford teacher, one Gabby Downey, is planning on announcing soon her candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat.

I know next to nothing about her, and I only post this as means to stir up controversy. Hell, if this generates a little buzz for her to have the courage to run, then GREAT! We need more Dems seeking office locally, especial in places like Milford. I can't find anything about her on the web, so if there is more out there, chime in.

More Hyde Park Murder Details

There is not much additional information, but it would appear that investigators have an idea who they are after. This clears up nothing about motive, and does not rule out any theory as to what was going on in the parking lot.

Post-Riot Loans

Tough choices for City Council. Do they forgive the loans or be strict? Is it fair to business who are making payments? I recognize several on this list of defaulted loans represent businesses that are no longer in business, which makes sense why the loans are defaulted.

I work with the businesses still in operation, but go after those out of business to make sure they did not just walk away with the loan money in their pocket. Bottom line I would write off most of the defaults. I don’t know how you encourage development with people if you punish them after they stayed downtown after a riot.

Phil Heimlich Out of Lt. Gov. Race

Phil Heimlich appears to have given in to the Christian Right and through his actions has endorsed Ken Blackwell for Governor, and ruined Jim Petro's chances for the GOP nomination.

In Blackwell we have a man who will owe everything to the theocratic wing of the GOP party. Petro and Monty are not running on the back of Jesus to get the nomination. It is said that Phil did not have courage to stick with his partner. He shows he lacks conviction, and is looking out for himself, not following principle.

Dubliner To Reopen

Great News! The Dubliner will reopen with a new owner. It will close this Wednesday, and according to published reports will reopen by March 1st.

One thing we can hope they continue or bring back it stopped: Tuesday Night Trivia!

Golden Globes

Anyone care to predict the winners? Will Brokeback Mountain win big? I haven't seen it yet, but it has the buzz. I loved Good Night, and Good Luck.

More Puff for Schmidt

Jogging? Jean Schmidt's vacation jogging becomes news?