Street Cameras?

Cincinnati is planning on using cameras to catch traffic violators. Can they use these cameras to catch real criminals?

Winburn Appears to Be In

Charlie Winburn is acting like he wants the GOP endorsement for Mayor. He is acting like a right-wing Republican when doing it. He is using abortion and gay rights as two of his issues to 'win.' How's that for equal opportunity bigotry? Black conservatives and white conservatives working together to oppress women and homosexuals. What a wonderful step towards racial harmony. What a backwards step for humanity. Nothing brings people together like hate.

Buying a Candidate?

I guess Mike Brown would have gotten a voice on the County Commission for the low, low price of $45,000. Campaign Finance reform is not universally desired because people like the wealthy being able to buy candidates?

Mayoral Cornonation? Nope

Queen City Forum has an overview of the Mayoral Race. At this point the field is still wide open. I got a chance last week to listen to Sen. Mark Mallory speak. I came away impressed with his on the ground campaigning. He has the tools of a real political talent. So far I see him as the most skilled politician in the race. That will not be enough though, because at this point he is not ahead in the money game. The primary is going to be a hard fought race. The test will be who gets the top two spots of course and if they are both Democrats, then the knives will surely be out.

Get on the Bus

I can't imagine that Cincinnati will actually lose Sunday bus service, but has it come to this? Are we only left to endure threats? It is not a new method in government, but it is so transparent. I am as risk-adverse as anyone you could meet, but even I could hold my ground in this game of chicken.

I smell a campaign issue. Who will benefit from it? Who has a transit solution among council/mayor candidates that can work without having to try and convince the suburbs that they don't need to fear mass transit, and the bus loads of "them" flowing into their strip malls. I have not found anyone with such a plan, yet.

Here's an updated Story from the Enquirer.

New Enquirer Web Page Format

Who likes the subtly different Enquirer web page? They are using a new software to manage stories, have added RSS feeds and I think today started a new format of updating the main page with breaking stories.

Trust

Peter you have to earn trust, you don't get trust for free, and the State in the form of Ken Blackwell set out from the beginning to limit voter turnout, block voter registration, and cancel as many urban votes as possible.

Here we have Peter Bronson, mouth of a uniter not a divider, sticking his tongue out at the other side after a kickball game.

If you want to work for something constructive Peter, why not look for solutions to the long lines on election day, like say early voting or increase voting by mail. Why not call for CLEAR and FAIR laws that allow people to vote easily, instead of allowing roadblocks?

Will the recount effort affect anything? If it can show the need to change the law, then yes it will and it's cost will be worth it. Truth should not have a price.

Goodbye Tavis, We Hardly Knew Thee

Tavis Smiley is leaving NPR and Kathy Y. Wilson's latest column discuss his departure and the state of NPR. I agree with Kathy's analysis that Tavis may have personal achievement in mind, not disappoint with NPR's efforts to "attract minority listeners," as his reason for leaving the network.

I think Kathy did make one factual error:

The Tavis Smiley Show was NPR's first black show in its 34-year history, airing daily since 2002 on 87 stations. It drew NPR's largest black audience as well as its youngest audience.

Now, I will not even get into what a "black show" is supposed to be, but Juan Williams hosted Talk of the Nation for over a year in 2000 and 2001. That show may not qualify as what Kathy means by "Black Show," but Tavis was not the first black person to host a show on the Network. Kathy does point out well that NPR's programming is as culturally diverse as any human beings can possibly be in America and still maintain a solid listener base. Only the BBC World Service does a better job, mainly because of the full support the UK government.

NPR is keeping American Culture, at least what I consider American Culture, alive and kicking.

Channel 64 News: 1 Year Old

Rick Bird reports on the one year birthday of The WB64 News at 10. I have only watched it to get a general feeling early on and mostly saw stock stories or weepies from the local reporters. It was more of the same old local TV news, with stale national headlines as worthless as yesterday's NY Post added to cut costs. Once the Sinclair Broadcasting bias hit full "elect-Bush" mode, I refused to watch. I welcome competition and more voices in the media, but I am not watching it. I don't really watch any local TV news, because in case you missed the obvious, local TV News sucks everywhere in the country. It sucks because it is not broadcast journalism, it is entertainment no different than Fear Factor or Friends.

Besides that, what does everyone think of it, one year later?

Enquirer Blasts Oak Hills Student

I was surprised to read the Enquirer's editorial in which they called the suspension of Eric Bast from Oak Hills High School the right move. I am impressed, not only because they agree he violated schools rules and misused the mail system, but that he did so to push his religion onto others. Kudos go to the Enquirer.

Portman Architect of 'DeLay Rule'

Carl Weiser reports that Congressman Rob Portman led the effort to change GOP caucus rules to allow House Majority Leader Tom Delay to keep his leadership role, even if he is indicted in Texas for corruption.

I am surprised to see this from Portman. I wonder why he did not make this known sooner. I mean who wouldn't want to vote for someone who seeks to lower ethical standards? He claims he found a compromise. I find that funny for a political party that claims to be based on consistency and never changing principle. I guess they don't change unless they have to pull strings to protect their leadership. I am sure this can be blamed on the liberals out to get the ‘Hammer.’ I mean Bill Clinton must have forced Rob Portman to do this.

'French CNN?'

Will the right wing have to come up with a new term for "Bias" for "CNN à la Francaise"? Officially it is called "CII (International Information Channel." Will they start calling it Freedom CNN? Would they not think that is an oxymoron? I think Bill O'Riley's head would explode if he were to watch it.

Liberal Radio Takes Shape in Cincinnati

Rick Bird, with his excellent Jacor connections, gives a rundown of the line-up that will be hitting the air waves on what will likely be called 1530 WCKY.

9 AM to Noon: Jerry Springer
Noon to 3 PM: Al Franken
3 PM to 6 PM: Ed Schultz

Other possible Air America hosts/shows that could make it on are:
6 AM to 9 AM: The Morning Sedition with Mark Riley and Marc Maron
3 PM to 7 PM: Randi Rhodes
7 PM to 10 PM: The Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and sam Seder
10 PM to 1 AM: Mike Malloy

There are other liberals and moderates out there, but likely these will be the main choices, unless they go for locally based shows. They have plenty of Clear Channel liberals doing music and such, so maybe we'll find another new personality to counter the other Clear Channel mouths on WLW. I vote for Duke Sinatra.

If you want to listen to what this will likely be like, check out WTPG in Columbus.

What I wonder, will Mike McConnell and Jerry Springer ever do any simulcast programs where they go head to head in a debate?

Also, who will do the news on the new 1530? FOX?

Bad Boys, Bad Boys

Because of UC Basketball Cops: Cincinnati premiers tonight at 11:00 PM on WXIX.

66 Pound Tumor Coverage

I have been avoiding posting on this story, but Channel 5's report with photos of the women before the surgery and photos of the surgery is so over the top, I had to comment. It is just tabloid coverage. This is exhibit A for why local TV news coverage is bad. Now, for Cincinnati TV stations to cover this, I really can't complain too much. This is a local story, so I am happy they are at least covering local news. I wish they would cover a little state politics instead, but it beats a car cash video from San Diego. If you do a Google search on "66 pound Tumor" check out how many of the links are Local TV stations. This is why local TV news sucks. They take these stories from other cities and show them, instead of showing actual local news.

Also, please hold the Arnold "It's not a tumor" Schwarzenegger jokes to minimum.

Half Mad Spinster

While I was Drinking Liberally this week I met Half Mad Spinster. Had a very nice time chatting up politics. A good Blog and good group.

Ah, Yeah

The paranoid side of myself has the feeling that many people think I am paranoid when I go off on the rise and intent of fundamentalists. Greg at The Cincinnati Group links to the rantings of an extremist Catholic, William Donahue, who sounds every bit of a bible thumping theocrat as Jerry Falwell or Phil Burress. I am slowly ridding myself of my paranoia.

Pushy Teenage Preachers

Glad to see this kid admit he was wrong to manipulate teachers to hand out his religious propaganda. He might want to reflect on what his religion says on misleading people into doing what you want. On the other hand, I guess his Mom is happy is just trying to push his religion on others via dishonest means. As longs as they get Jeebus, I guess it doesn't matter how they got there. Infringe on other's rights, mislead them, what ever it takes, just get the 'Lord's' propaganda in the hands and then the garbage cans of as many people as possible.

If this kid wanted to do 'God's' work, why did not take the money he spent on the letter he had created and buy food with that money and donate it to a food bank? Then verbally ask his friends or classmates to do something similar. What a crazy idea, it could actually change someone's life for the better, and he would gain praise from nearly everyone.

Jerry Radio

Jerry Springer is launching a radio show 9AM to Noon on 1530 WSAI when the station switches to a talk format next year.

Let just hope we don't get nuts calling and trying to make it into his TV show.

This article gets it from the horse's mouth on WSAI where Darryl Parks, AM programming director for local Clear Channel stations, confirmed 1530 will be changing to a Talk format. No official comment on the use of Air America, yet. I think it’s a safe bet to guess that some of Air America's programming will be heard, Al Franken especially.

Tarbell Mugged

Councilman Jim Tarbell fights crime. This is what I would call leading by example. If you are a 'victim' of crime, work with the police immediately and do your best to stick back to the criminals.

Now, the downside to this crime is that is happened in the middle of the afternoon around the area of Tower Place Mall, where a couple of the arrests were made. This is a positive take a on a negative story. Three teenage kids were stupid enough to try and rob someone in the middle of the day with a knife.

The response the police made should happen the same way if it had happened to Joe Public while in Price Hill, OTR, Avondale, or the East End. It doesn't happen that way though.

Murder Rate Down

It is not down much, but any reduction is a positive sign. It still could rise before the end of the year, so the police report may have to face the wrath of Karma, if such a thing were to exist.

Insanity

Someone climbed on stage at a rock show in a Columbus night club and shot at least one band member and people in the audience. At least 4 are dead as well as the gunman.

Free Press Restored!

It appears that the Warren County Governmentwill allow a free press at the BOE. That is they will let it happen next time. We still don't know why someone in the County's Emergency Services Department thought the Warren County BOE was being threatened. Ohio Homeland Security and the FBI did not issue a warning for Warren County. It might have been nice, you know truthful, for the County to come clean with the threat information they relied upon. I'll be dutifully waiting for a press release letting me know.

Forgotten By the Powerful

MIA/POW Soldier's Family Asking For Help

Theocracy In Action

The Bush Administration is supporting the posting of the 10 Commandments in courthouses. Ah, where were they on the Roy Moore case? This is red meat for the fire breathing fundies out to establish a theocratic state. It gets little attention, mostly because the courts will not rule in their favor, unless they continue to put extremists on the bench.

I'm Shocked!!!

In a poll commissioned by David Pepper, David Pepper won. In other news a dog bit a cat.

Is this the same phone poll that called Tom Brinkman?

Marked Man

This young kid is undoubtedly being demonized by the right wing. What will be missed by most are any answers or investigation of a point the man made:

An American seeking to become the first U.S. soldier granted refugee status in Canada after refusing to serve in Iraq told immigration officials Tuesday that the Army was drilling its soldiers to think of all Arabs and Muslims as potential terrorists.

"We were being told that it was a new kind of war, that these were evil people and they had to be dealt with," said Pfc. Jeremy Hinzman, 26, who fled from Fort Bragg, N.C., on Jan. 2.

"We were told that we would be going to Iraq to jack up some terrorists," Hinzman told the Immigration and Refugee Board on the second of his three-day hearing for political asylum.

Most of the right wingers who will likely come close to call for this man to be shot on sight, share the view that all Arabs and Muslims are potential terrorists. That is viewed as truth rather than at best an opinion.

This is the bottom line psychosis that I believe is the basis for much of the support of Bush and of the War in Iraq: hatred of Muslims for the attack on 9/11. Revenge is a powerful tool in the fighting of war. It being used for Iraq is not a shock and I wonder how many will doubt it is being done.

Mike Allen, Esq.

Mike Allen reportedly will enter private practice as a lawyer once he leaves the prosecutor's office next month. What kind of law will he practice? Will we see civil law or criminal law? I would assume a former prosecutor would make a great criminal defense lawyer. Maybe a Deters v. Allen capital murder case will happen.

Fighting Terra

Guest Columnist Tim Holloway pens a plea to fight "terrorism."

Every day terrorist-sponsoring nations such as Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya and North Korea work to undermine and threaten the security of Americans and freedom-loving people around the world. They do this through genocide, supporting terrorism, and proliferation and development of weapons of mass destruction.

In the list of countries we seem to be missing someone: Saudi Arabia. He also might want to revise his list with recent changes in Bush policy towards Libya. Got to get in line with the man now, don't we?

The Diner to ReOpen?

The Cincinnati Post is report that the Diner on Sycamore will reopen this month or early next year.

Gadgetman

I think someone needs to let Peter Know that TiVo is not a "WayBack" machine.

Also Peter, Merry Fucking Giftmas! I know how you love to embrace your fellow Jews this holiday season by trying to shove Jesus down their throat. I guess they are not grateful enough to show praise to your deity. Sorry. I guess that is why you're going after the retailers this year. I guess attacking a company originated mostly by Jewish merchants is your way of showing how much you love Jesus.

4 Years

When will the usual conservative suspects start attacking Don Rumsfeld for stating he foresees an American pullout from Iraq in 4 years? It seems to me that someone else said something similar and was lambasted for 'aiding the enemy.' I guess the bad guys can just hold the ball for four years and then win? Oh, sorry I guess those are 4 years in Republican Time, not Democratic Time. Republican Time is like biblical time, where six days is about 500,000 million years each.

Fundie is as Fundie Does

Yes, I take these things seriously. It is not just my paranoid rantings, smart people actually agree with me.

Dusty Rhodes Is Being Dumped

John Kiesewetter, who is back reporting on the media, is reporting that Air America is coming to WSAI. His source is Dusty Rhodes, Hamilton County Auditor and part time DJ at WSAI.

I don't know how official this makes it, but Dusty Rhodes likely would not make this up, unlike Bill Cunningham.

Dutsy comment was not very becoming:

"As a Democrat elected in this county, I don't want my party to be seen as the Al Franken party," says Rhodes, who turns 65 Monday.

Well, Dusty is a leading Democrat, leading in voting for Republicans. I for one hope Dusty just gives in and goes to the Dark Side. Just because you are stuck in 1958, does not mean the rest of us are. Dusty needs to get with the party or just leave it.

This was buried in the paper. I still can't find it via search but thanks go to Grassroots Cincinnati.

Take That, Larry Redwine

Ann Thompson goes off on Larry Redwine who wrote a mind numbing column last month claiming victim hood for all conservative 'Christians'.

Ann did a great job of illustrating the fire and hate from people Larry Rewind would likely call political comrades.

Ann does go way over the top claiming that the Democrats are holier than thou. I agree with the Dems on most issues, but as a party they play hardball too. The claim that the GOP is hypocritical when it plays dirty and then says they are good little 'Christians' is added disdain I think they earn, but the Dems are no angels.

Air America in Cincinnati?

Axinar is reporting that WLW sensationalist Bill Cunningham believes liberal radio network Air America will be coming to Cincinnati, specifically to AM 1530.

I have to say: no way in hell. I think this is a Cunningham stunt or just his usual make-stuff-up-just-to-gain-attention type of comment. What is sad is that I think Cunningham is unable to not act like his on air personality in public anymore. Cunningham I think is just trying to scare anyone he can into fearing, "the liberals are coming."

The fairness doctrine is dead. Conservatives hated it and now they could not stand to have to live by it. The FCC may certainly become a prudish nirvana, but it will not become fair to public access to the airwaves.

Now, Clear Channel may instead be willing to try something radical, like offering real variety in programming. 1530 is owned by Clear Channel and their oldies music may not be making any money, or rather not enough for their desires. Conservative Talk programming actually does have a physical limit at the moment. There are not enough programs to fill up all of the hours of the day on yet another radio station.

I disagree with two points Axinar made on other radio programming in town. I would not call NPR liberal. Air America is liberal. NPR caters to urban taste and culture certainly, but I know many Republicans who regularly listen to it and really like it. NPR is called liberal by hard right conservatives because it caters to urban taste and culture, which they find evil, different, and inpure, which is what they call liberal. Also, while I would agree that the Buzz is a distinct alternative to WLW and the other conservative radio stations around town, I would not call it 24 hours of liberal programming. It has some liberal hosts, but on many issues would not carry the water of mainstream liberals, especially on many social issues. Also, the station has Lincoln Ware in a leadership role and Lincoln is a Republican. A different kind of one, but still in that camp on most issues.

I think Air America would be great for the city. What I don't know is whether it would make money.

Miami Accepts Independence Bowl Bid

Love and honor to Miami,
Our college old and grand,
Proudly we shall ever hail thee,
Over all the land.

Alma mater now we praise thee,
Sing joyfully this lay,
Love and honor to Miami,
Forever and a day.

Miami's season was not all that I wanted, but they really bounced back from some early set backs. Details here.

Also, Senior Football player Michael Larkin was involved in a altercation last night.

And So It Begins

This is just the begining.

What's Missing From This Article?

We are treated with a puff piece on Answers in Genesis about putting dinosaurs outside their re-education camp in Boone County Kentucky. We get the facts about how the group had to get zoning approval. We learned about how much they are funded. We learned that they have a 160 seat "classroom." We learned that they take the bible literally.

What we don't learn is that every educated scientist, scholar, and rational person finds that this group’s contention that the earth is 6,000 years old to be totally and completely false. It is a fact that the earth is billions of years old. I am sure they would rebut that, but I think my 9th Grade Earth Science professor presented enough information on rock formations, how rivers are formed, and carbon dating to suffice anyone willing to use logic instead of emotion. What was missing from the article was a simple sentence, after the telling of AIG's mission, stating that every other credible scientist believes that most of their claims are totally without merit, or something to that affect. I sent an email to the reporter asking some general question as to why this story was writing and how did the Enquirer become aware of it. If I get a response I will post it. I don’t expect one, but you never know. AIG gets heavy coverage by the Enquirer and from what I can find very little, if any, is negative.

One can disagree on the origin of "life," but anyone who thinks the Earth is only 6,000 years old is either incredibly stupid, ignorant, or just insane.

[Link via Wes Flinn]

GOP Self Congratulations

The GOP is dancing for joy at making a slight gain in the number of blacks voting for Bush. How did they do it? It was rather simple, appeal to anti-homosexual bigotry:

'But we are clearly gaining ground because our platform has placed a specific emphasis on social issues, which appeal to the black faith community,' he said.

When we hear "specific social issues" here in Ohio, we don't need any more detail about what they are talking about. There is a vocal anti-homosexual strain in the black community and it was exemplified by Fred Shuttlesworth. Picking off a few of the wealthy anti-homosexual blacks is like shoot fish in barrel. Invite them in and they go in freely. They fit in like a hotdog in a bun.

I don't believe this group of black Ohio Republicans won Ohio for Bush. They were as needed as every other vote was needed. This is no great feat for the GOP. This group is more conservative than half of the Bush supporters. What keeps them weary of the GOP is the racism and bigotry that still lives in significant numbers in their ranks. These particular blacks can afford to hold their noses with their wallets and stand next to people they might find repugnant. It is no different than the socially Liberal conservatives who gladly took the votes for Bush from theocratic anti-homosexual bigots. The smell of money overpowers the smell of Fascism, I guess.

Crime Story

Nick Spencer has chronicled yet another crime his bar has suffered. Nicks states that they got relatively lucky with this, but that is as he says "…as lucky as you can with a window busted out at 7 in the morning." Nick puts the issue in clear as day language:

For those keeping track, we've been open two months now. We've now been broken into, one of our employees' had their car stolen, another two cars broken have been broken into, not to mention all the drug dealing and prostitution across the street, and its negative impact on business.

Crime is just out of control down here right now. Period.

Now, what I hope people say is, "See man, Downtown is not safe." Downtown is safe. This is OTR. OTR has huge problems. Not the level of problems those who fear Downtown thinks it has, but enough to disrupt life of those who live, work, and do business there. What OTR lacks is a solution. The problem I believe rests with police-community relations. The cops have given up leaning hard on criminals. They fear being blamed for what ever happens. I can understand that. What they have to understand is that they can't go on thinking that they are superheroes who should be kowtowed to every time their contract comes up. They should allow bad cops to be fired by reduced the binding arbitration that keeps bad cops on the force. The leadership of the police has to eliminate their attitude of classism, bigotry, and on a small level racism by a few.

On the community's side we must root out the criminals. We can't let them run the streets. This is where the boycotters have let down their own constituents. They have created the same us vs. them attitude that the leadership of police have created. Ego, pride, bigotry, and racism are what is allowing drug dealers to go unpunished.

What I think I would advocate would be for a private group/company/person to mount video cameras outside their places of business and tape the crimes going on. If drug dealers camp out on a corner, then tape them doing their business and pass a copy along to the cops. If you also get some license plate numbers of drug customers I would pass those along to the media.

If the government were to do this without cause, I would oppose it. If a business owner were to do it from their property, I would have no problem at all. What keeps this from happening more is cost, in both dollars and time. That is where the city might be able to offer loans of some type to help. I don't think they could pay for them outright. That might raise issues of the property owners being agents of the police, opening up possible legal defense issues.

The citizens need to fight crime, not be bystanders.

Another idea could be a take back the streets initiative. A neighborhood watch type program. It could start with a gathering in the effected areas. If 500 people are standing around where the crime is happening, one would think less crime would happen. This would be met with fear though. It comes close to vigilantism, something which I absolutely oppose. The problem with any action like this is that most people don’t given a damn. Now, they care about it and will give support for helping with it, but actually doing something, that is a different story. I can speak from personal experienced. I would be right there with those doing nothing, sitting on my fat ass watching TV. We all must do more, but I think we will not get out and get involved. A head in the sand is so much easier than sticking out a neck.

Greg Hoard Leaving TV

WXIX Sports Director Greg Hoard is leaving the station at the end of the year. The sports on WXIX was the best element of the station. Both Hoards made a great team. The article points out that Greg Hoard often felt out of place on TV. Looking back I would agree that was the noticeable something about his style. It was like he really did not want to be doing what he was doing. I hope WXIX takes Dan Hoard quick. He is likely to be picked up soon as a play-by-play guy by someone full time. He does a good job with the UC games on the radio.

Oh the Symbolism

One can't look at the picture accompanying this article and not see it as some type of symbolic sign from Zeus.

[Via Kevin Drum]

Sidewalks

I would guess this ranking is based on some type of pedestrian death rate as compared to the volume of sidewalks. What I wonder is does this count the entire Metro area or does it count just Downtown or inner-city areas? the mean streets of Mason actual are rather mean. You can't walk them.

As with safety, the Cincinnati Metro area is one of the safest places to live in overall. We also I believe the Metro area suffers from the most fear of non-whites of nearly any city I have ever visited. The fear that keeps the chickens in the suburbs is only real in their perceptions. That creates the Balkanized community in which we resided.

Drinking Liberally

Maggie Downs has 'outted' Drinking Liberal to Cincinnati. Will conservatives or Republicans (not always the same thing) start showing up? I would say no. The bar is kind of on the West Side, but still in a neighborhood that would strike fear in the hearts of your typical Conservative. They don't have the courage to show up. (cough, cough)

Is this Local TV News or a Newspaper.

On the front page of the Enquirer Website we see a headline reading "P&G sex patch under scrutiny." When we click on the link we get a story with the title "P&G sex hormone under scrutiny" No where else is it called a "Sex Patch" and the news article does not even have the same title. Who changed it? Was that used in the print version or was it only on the web? Why was it changed to a title that is more titillating?

Waiting to Attack

The CCV and its allies are reportedly waiting before filing suit against same sex benefits offered at 5 Ohio public universities

Again, for the ignorant, those who voted for Issue and knowingly did so are bigots. If you voted for it, you voted for a ban on public benefits or other allowances of any actions that could acknowledge a marriage type situation on a non-married couple. That is wrong. If you can't understand that, or still live in denial, then please watch the actions of Phil Burress and his 'partner' in theocratic fascism David Langdon.

Voice Discrimination?

This is obviously the text version of the Channel 5 story, so I have not heard the voices of the people involved. What I do know is that the terminology is way off. This is not "voice discrimination", this possibly is racism based on the sound of voice. Voice discrimination is something that people with speech problems would face. As a person with a speech impediment, I can attest that such a thing exists, but is not considered significant in society. Calling this voice discrimination is misleading. It is race or ethnic discrimination based on the voice, not discrimination because of the voice. A fine line to some, but not from my perspective.

In this case the problem I have is the distinction of why these people were allegedly denied housing. Were they denied housing because the landlord thought they sounded "black" or other minority, or were they denied housing because their speech indicated a lack of education or ignorance and thus considered a less desirable tenet? Again, I did not hear these people speak, so I don't know how they might sound. It may be bigoted to deny someone a house because they are not educated, but I don't think it is illegal.

Portman, Taft in Denial

Both Portman and Taft deny they are leaving their current jobs early. Speculation and rumor suggest Taft will leave the governor's job for a Federal Job and after some maneuvering Portman would take over.

This rumor, fueled here and elsewhere, is thin. Ken Blackwell and about 50 other Republicans are itching to become the next governor. Portman would be someone no one could beat for the GOP nomination if he were running as the incumbent.

UPDATE: Another Denial.

That was quick

Cincinnati Public Schools chief Frailey is leaving after being here only two years. He is going back to Texas. Reportedly he is leaving to spend more time with his children. I find it odd that he did not bring them with him, but I assume he is divorced.

Frailey I believe made progress with CPS, but his dent in the problem was not close to making the schools an option for all again.