Friday, December 31, 2004

Cincinnati Top Ten 2004

Based on comments, emails, and mostly my own opinion, here are the top ten people/events/groups/or whatever of the Cincinnati area for 2004.

  1. The Repeal of Article XII
  2. Mike Allen Affair
  3. Snow Storm
  4. O'dell Owens elected coroner
  5. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opens
  6. Bob Huggins has DUI
  7. Democrat Todd Portune Re-elected to Commission
  8. Marge Schott Dies
  9. Midpoint Music Festival
  10. Cincinnati Fringe Fest
Honorable Mentions: Tasers, IHOP, The Growing Cincinnati Blogosphere, Luken Out & Mallory in Mayor's Race, Voter Turnout High, and billions of cicadas.

New Year's Resolutions

You may hate them, you may try them every year and fail, but I offer up the chance to make your New Year's Resolution public, thus increasing your chances of keep it. Maggie Downs writes about how she gets help keeping hers. You also could join Brad Thacker at The Comic Resolution' s New Year's Eve show 9PM at the Southgatehouse.

I will be spending my New Years with folks from CT at the City View Tavern.

I resolve to of course loose a few pounds, so please ignore it tonight when I am drinking beer and eating hamburgers and brownies.

Enquirer 2004 Top 10 Local News Stories

The Enquirer puts Mike Allen's problems at the top of its list with Bush's win as number 2. Bush's win is not the number 2 local story. It is not even making my top 10. Now that is for two reasons, one is that that news was really bad for the whole country, but the second is that it just was not a local story. It was a huge story, but to compare it to the snow storm is just not relative. Including Iraq as well is not how I would have compiled this list. I will have my own list either later today or tomorrow.

UPDATE: The Post has a list too.

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Lemmie Irrelevant?

Greg Korte reviews the rolls of City Managers of the past and present during a city crisis. Lemmie appears to have taken a back seat to the Mayor, which bucks history.

Korte also reports on some minor minor mayoral candidates vying for the top city job.

CPD Hiding Something?

The City Internal Auditor sstates that the police have been dragging their feet in the investigation of how the CPD monitors moonlighting by police as security for private companies.

Why is City Council dragging their feet on this? Why are they not dropping the hammer on the police management responsible? Why does City Hall fear disciplining the senior police officers?

IHOP Review

Went to the new IHOP in Oakley last night for a late dinner. It was good. I think the hype got to me, or my memories of food past did. I would not rank it great, but for late night food after a night at the bars, it is ideal.

UPDATE: I guess I did not give as much detail as some wanted. Hmmmm. They serve 4 types of syrup. I had the French toast, but it was a bit too crisp to be perfect. Since it was new it was spotless inside the restaurant and there was enough staff to there to field a marching band.

The service was fine for an IHOP. The staff was very polite. Almost too polite, which is 100 times better than rude.

In comments Tom asked how IHOP differs from the Waffle House. Well, IHOP is just a down-to-earth Perkins. The Waffle House puts the grease in greasy spoon, plus they serve grits.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Blackwell Tries to Avoid Deposition

Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is seeking to avoid depositions for a lawsuit filed by voters challenging the Ohio election. I think Ken should just take his medicine and answer the questions. He is in charge of Ohio elections and he should have to answer any and all challenges to those elections. He has nothing to hide. He does not want to be forced to say anything about how he may have used his office to help Bush get elected. That might cramp his style as candidate for Governor.

No Christmas Day Off?

If I read the Mayor's column today correctly, city employees worked 12-hour shifts over the holiday weekend, including Saturday.

Snow Removal: The Private Sector

Much has been said about the City's and other area governments' efforts to clean the streets of snow and ice. What has been missed are the efforts of private companies and entities to remove the snow from parking lots. Some businesses take action to clear out the snow for customers, while others don't. My experiences have been bad so far.

I can attest that in my building's lot we have just barely one lane around the lot to drive, and the rest is just an ice patch. The Skytop Plaza on Beechmont is a jig-saw puzzle of parking spaces. I don't know who plowed it, but I would guess a rookie. The lot appears to have gotten a once over many days ago, but they seemed to cut a diagonal path across several rows of parking spaces, creating a maze where in some places people are parallel parking along snow piles, instead of in rows.

What I have not seen on the roads since my return to Ohio are the private plows, usually just a pickup with a plow on front, driving around to private businesses clearing out the snow. This has traditionally been a great way for anyone with a pickup truck to make really good money. Back in New York state nearly every other pick-up was equipped to handle a plow for the winter. The number of private plowers appears to follow suit with a low level of plows run by local governments. This is a natural result of the inconsistent snow fall that occurs in this area. What is lacking here is the small business man. This is as basic a business as one could have. Hell, even Homer Simpson did it. Where's Mr. Plow when we need him?
"Mr. Plow, that's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow" - Homer J. Simpson

Police Not Cooperating?

The Federal Monitor has stated that the police are not fully cooperating with the Monitor's staff, including refusing to hand over documents and refusing to allow ride-alongs. The Monitor was established as part of the Collaborative Agreement which included a 5 year police monitoring provision.

Have the police given up on the Collaborative Agreement? Has the CBUF also given up on it? Has everyone just forgotten what the hell it was in the agreement? I know I have. The police and the inner city communities were supposed to start to work together to try and change police and citizen actions. The police policy got the most attention. They have the formal policy to critique. The citizens have no formal policy, but have a basic public duty that should not be that difficult. Don't break the law and if you are witness to someone breaking the law at least help the police if they ask you what you know. We still have an “us vs. them” situation between the police and blacks in this city. The C.A. was to be a hopeful start of a change of that situation. Is it worse or just business as usual? I think we all can see that little has improved.

Monday, December 27, 2004

Back in Town

I have returned to balmy Cincinnati. The Airport was very busy. The flight was fine. The vacation was great. I am really tired.

Sunday, December 26, 2004

Fathom a New Club?

Kari Wethington of CiNWeeky reports on the opening of Fathom a new night club. Fathom replaces what was Spy Club located on W. 5th Street.

Sounds like a bit of a Club Clau, but with more of an open feel to it. What's their target demographic? The hipster, the college kid, or both?

Over the Top and Over the Edge


Mr. Rick Hines, publisher of Cincynation.com, has in my opinion gone over the edge of taste, honor, and credibility. He created special page with an attack on me. I can take criticism of my blog and my writing, but it is amazing how personal this guy has gotten. I criticized his website and he goes ape-shit. I know he is desperate to make every penny he can for his real estate website, but using an attack on me to do so is either an example of an uber-sensative personality or is just someone who wants above all else to create a faux feud in order to get MORE WEB TRAFFIC to his site. He also lied about how many "hits" I get per day, but I will not push that one any more than mentioning it.

What is just funny is his tabloid abuse of the Airport, Comair, and the City of Cincinnati. It would appear Mr. Hines learned more from the National Enquirer than from the Cincinnati Post. I guess a recent flight he took was delayed and he feels the need punish someone and chose to make up stuff. The funniest (but also saddest) point and one where he should list his sources is this from his website:
City gave street cleaning crews the day off

The City of Cincinnati let street cleaning crews take the day off yesterday, even though side streets were filled with 9 to 20 inches of snow. "Looking down sidestreets, it wasn't unusual to see neighbors helping to push stuck cars," said CincyNation's Rick Hines. "The city had gotten off to a slow start on Thursday because employees didn't show for work. Was letting them take Saturday off a reward for their laziness? This is just plain, stunning incompetance in this city.

"Incompetance is a chronic problem in Cincinnati and there seems to be no end in sight. It all comes down to being lazy."

Jeffrey Hines, who lives in Mason, said all streets there were cleared early and he didn't see any problems in that well-maintained city.
Who was his source about the city giving the day off to snow plowers? What was funny and sad is that he quoted himself, yes the supposed another quoted himself. Being a pseudo-journalistic Bob Dole living life in the third person may be normal for Mason, but I think the rest of country could do without that type of silliness.

What I really don't get regarding the means to his ends is that his site is "Specializing in Cincinnati real estate," but if one wants to sell homes/property in Cincinnati, why would you try to drive away potential home/property owners by constantly saying Cincinnati is "Lazy" and sucks and over-hyping everything that happens in the city?

Finally, if Mr. Hines does not like my site, then I suggest he stops reading it, or at least stop posting so many comments. Now, he won't do either, but he especially will not stop posting comments because that is why he is playing this game, more attention. I have said my piece on the subject and I think have exposed his site's shortcomings, so I shall move on. I hope he can too.

Comair Grounded

I really don't get how this could happen. How does a computer go down long enough to ground the entire fleet of planes? If over use causes a system to fail in this day and age, I think it is time for new system manager. Someone is getting fired over this one. This is not even a primary function, it is about routing and tracking the crews, so it is likely a PC based system, as opposed to a mainframe system, but with airlines you never know. Hell, try re-booting. That is the first step every PC help desk has you do, I hope they have done that already.

I am flying regular Delta tomorrow and as of now the flight is on time and more importantly flying. Needless to say I shall be monitoring it closely.

UPDATE: Some Comair flights are resuming, reportedly 10 to 15 percent, but most remain canceled.

Friday, December 24, 2004

Happy Holidays!!

I hope everyone is digging out from the snow and ice. Have a great day today and tomorrow.

Thursday, December 23, 2004

Quip of the Year

I don't know if this is really the best of the year, but it made my day. Paul McLEary at CJR addresses the "Merry Christmas" story being kept alive by FOX News and other media outlets:
So we have a suggestion for all the reporters and editors who are keeping this one alive: Instead of worrying so much about putting Christ back in Christmas, you might start thinking about putting news back in 'news reports.'
Indeed.

[Via Kevin Drum]

Tales of Brave Ulysses

Cream Reunion concerts are set for next May.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Well it is raining down in the FLA, but I understand you guys up there got a few flakes. I hope everyone is just staying home today, and by the news reports you might get a ticket if you go out to try and buy that last minute gift.

Post your snow totals if you would, I'll Start: Englewood, Florida - 0.0"

UPDATE: Rob Bernard has a post showing he got almost 13".

UPDATE #2: Nick Spencer has more on road reports and business closings. At the top of the hour we'll have news and sports.

Did Lawsuit Prompt Clerk's Office Change?

On Monday a Cincinnatian sued the County because they had a ticket posted on the website and then their identity was stolen.

On Tuesday the Clerk's Office announced that traffic tickets were no longer viewable online. The lawsuit was not reported until today. A three legged dog could have seen this connection.

UPDATE: The The Cincinnati Post reports more and draws the same conclusion I did.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Someone Just Hates Cincinnati

I read this at CincyNation.com:
Walkabout: Some downtown merchants create own problems
A restaurant on Main Street has a torn and filthy awning, and the owners can't understand why business is down. A Vine Street restaurant's employees engage in loud non-stop yapping about their personal lives while a couple try to get through breakfast.

A nearby coffeehouse has an unfriendly clerk who is slow and can't multi-task, and doesn't seem to notice a line of people, some of whom decide to go elsewhere. Sometimes, downtown merchants have no one to blame but themselves.
The website this commentary comes from is run out of Atlanta. Who is the local person writing this type of superficial opinion based on a what believe is a history of hate for the city or at least a desire to see it fail? Would this person have anything to do with the "boycott?" This is the kind of post made on that web site that really needs both an author byline and a perma-link, so it does not just vanish into thin air without anyone to back-up the claims.

Those claims may very well be true. What I don’t understand is that if you are going to attack someone on a “news” site using an editorial, the ethical thing to do is to sign your name to your work.

New Local Blog

An anonymous blogger named "Publius" has started Save Our City, a conservative leaning blog. Who is this mystery blogger and are they known to anyone? They have comments already, which I assume means they sent out an email to some people about the blog. In this city I would think most conservatives would have no problem being open about it, but there are other reasons to keep one's name out of the fray.

I welcome Publius to the Cincy blogosphere and look forward to a good discourse in ideas. I'll be adding a link to my blogroll as soon as possible.

Happy Theocracy Everyone!

The theocratic fascists are out in force this season to do all they can to require everyone to celebrate their religious holidays. They still don't listen to their prophet in chief.

Enquirer Pushes for Ghiz

The Enquirer has published an editorial supporting the appointment of Leslie Ghiz to fill Pat DeWine's council seat when he leaves for the County Commission. How much of the editorial was a targeted message to Republican voters to get out and support her, and not play into the abortion game?

How much of this anti-Ghiz movement is based on the simple fact that she is female? Some of it is based on the bigotry of Sam Malone towards Homosexuals. Lesie supports gay-rights and supported the repeal of Article XII. Malone is playing surrogate to Phil Burress. Sam did Phil's bidding on Article XII, and all other gay rights laws enacted. I would assume that Burress does not like Ghiz, therefore Sam is dragging his feet.

Fair, Balanced, or Just Ignored?

Wonkette summarized how FOX News downplayed the Mess-Hall attack in Mosul yesterday. I too was surprised not to see FOX hitting this hard. MSNBC I think held back some as well, so FOX was not alone. I guess censorship in the Holiday Season is fine. Since FOX is the official Pentagon news channel, FOX fears that the families might panic if they learned the fact that a large number of soldiers were killed.

A Minor League GOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!

Cincinnati is getting a new professional soccer team next year. The team will play at the Xaiver soccer field.

What was most interesting is that the article brought up an interesting marking stat:
In reviewing the purchase of the team, a comprehensive market research survey was conducted to determine the feasibility of successfully returning soccer to Cincinnati. Cincinnati ranks #2 in soccer participation in the United States behind Kansas City with over 100,000 youth and adults actively playing the sport in the Tri-state area.
The only issue to consider is the age of the kids playing. If they are all 5 years old and stop playing by 9, then their market view is flawed, and will fail if it is based on 5 year old kids.

Traffic Tickets Off Website

The Clerk of Courts has removed images of traffic tickets from the county clerk's website.

This action on the surface appears like a good short term solution to the problem of identity theft. A long term solution would be to change who is allowed to access the whole website. All of the records are open to the public and should stay open to public, but I think it is fair that in order to gain access to such records, you should simply have to make your own identity known to the Clerk's Office. The same thing could be done online if the Clerk's Office required registration before use of the site. The Clerk should keep who accesses the website secret, unless a subpoena is issued for such information.

I don't think the cost of a registration system would be very high. The software should be available right off the self. We could still surf for our neighbor's or political foe's skeletons, but we could be traced if we did something illegal with the information. Are there wholes in the system, likely yes, but this closes most of them.

UPDATE: More from the Post.

He Said What?

Steve Fritsch in his latest BCR Column:
Personally, I think Nate's a good guy who seeks progress for Cincinnati.
Which Nate is Steve talking about?

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

14 Year Old Teen Tased

Has there been any major fall-out from Cincinnati Police Officers use of a taser gun on a 14 year old kid? The kid reportedly is fine. Tasers have been a big topic in town this year. What would have happened if the cops had to hit the kid to get in under control? Is the use of the baton, pepper spray, or fists better or worse than the taser?

White Death Cometh

Run, hide, buy six gallons of milk and, buy 1,000 batteries, because snow is coming to the tri-state. I myself, for those who don't know, have no fears of snow. I have even less fear of this particular snow storm because I currently am in Florida. Yes, save your regrets, save your tears, save your insults and four letter words.

My only concerns now are that local officials keep the airport open next Monday, and get the damn roads cleared. I will continue remote blogging until then, so don't fear about getting your fix of my trite rantings.

Johnson to be Lt. Gov., Bradley to Treasurer

Taft has has made his movesr and appointed Lt. Gov. Jennette Bradley to Treasurer and Development Director Bruce Johnson to Lt. Governor.

Bradley was expected, but Johnson came out of the blue. I know little about him at this point. This puts rumors about Rob Portman to rest. Portman may still be in line for a post in the Bush Administration, but at this point I think that may be less likely.

Monday, December 20, 2004

WOXY Updated Website

Have a look over at the new WOXY.com.

[Via Nick Spencer]

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The first thing Bush did at his press conference today was to wish everyone "Happy Holidays." I will be waiting for the attacks of the right-wing on Bush for not pushing his theological views on others. I will not be holding my breath, I value living a bit too much.

Big Band Radio Dying

It is great to see local radio station WMKV-FM get national attention. I know radio stations formats are ever changing, and music dies with generations, but in a county this big it is sad that this the last station of its kind. We are growing into a homogeneous society, at least in terms of simple culture. That is going to make for one really boring time in the years to come.

CincyBlog 2004 Top Ten List

I am looking for nominations or considerations of the Top Ten people, events, or what ever of the year. I will be doing two different lists. One a local list and one a national list. I think the National list will be more my own concoction.

Please email me with suggestions, or if you must, post them in comments.

Pin the Tail on the Blackwell

While I agree that Ken Blackwell did everything he legally could to elect George Bush using his State Office, I don't think it hurt his chances of getting elected, unless people focus on the circus of an election he helped create, not his role in helping Bush win.

That kind of charge is far to insider to catch on. Long lines at the polling booths and election machines that failed to work correctly, that is what will damage him. The degree for which it hurts him I think hinges on the primary fight he faces. It will be bloody enough without the Dems saying a word, and they should not say a word. Let another GOPher do the dirty work. Now, if they pass on ammo to candidates, well so be it.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Spreading the Wealth?

Is Ohio such a polarized state that GOP Congressmen can coast to re-election and then Siphon money to other GOP candidates? I say polarized because that many people can afford to not only win big, but give away money to other races. This is not limited to the GOP, but I live in the district of one of Ohio’s siphoners, Rob Portman. I don't know how much longer he will be my congressman, though.

Investigation Pending?

A police cruiser crashed into a home and car parked in a driveway. Something just sounds odd:
Cincinnati police declined to answer requests for information about the accident Saturday. But Svoboda said the officer told him he was driving 35 mph and swerved to avoid several deer that had wandered into the road.

"He did a 360-degree spin, came across my lawn, crashed through the foundation of my porch, slammed into my car and pushed it into my neighbor's yard, then came to rest over the retaining wall on its nose, sticking up at a 45-degree angle," Svoboda said. "I parked my car in the driveway (Friday) night because I knew it was going to be slick and I didn't want anyone hitting it in the street."
I have seen deer in and around Mt. Lookout, so that much I can personally attest to as having happened in recent months. The speed of cruiser appears to an amateur, me, to be too slow to cause this crash.

"We Will Bury You"

Comrade Peter Nikita Bronson has announced to world in his latest column that breaking the rules to push one's religion on others fulfills the Christmas spirit. If you can't give others theocratic oppression, what can you give them?

I am not shocked that Peter will complain when a school does not teach children to follow the rules, but then when a kid breaks a rule he does not like, he writes a column praising the kid for being a thug.

The kid abused the system, broke the rules, and now seeks to gain notoriety by playing Christ in a sick and twisted media show: The Martyrdom of Eric Bast. The made for TV movie will soon be required viewing at every Fundamentalist youth group meeting.

If I was feeling really snarky I would call this kid the poster boy for a new "Hitler-Youth," but that would be way over the top.

I am sure that the Peace Loving people of the People's Republic of Cincinatus will surely push their brand of peace on all of us. General Secretary Burress will lead the way. The Dialetic will prevail. I think I need a shower.

East vs. West?

The Post is reporting that some of the right wingers in the City, mostly on the West Side, are trying to get Monzel put on council, instead of Ghiz because of abortion and homosexual rights. How mentally vacuous does one need to be to not only throw out the election results (Ghiz beat Monzel), but also to pick issues that have no significant affect on in local government? At this point I am surprised that someone has not yet been announced to be talking over the seat. We are only a few weeks away. What I would be watching is who is lining up staff. Is Monzel lining up staff or is Ghiz? Where does Pete Witte fit into this? Is he trying to be a compromise choice?

Wes Flinn has more.

Saturday, December 18, 2004

Slobberfest or CiN Weekly's Holiday Party?

Someone knows how to have a good time. This office party sounds 100 times better than mine.

More Issue One Fallout

The Toledo Blade is editorializing on the legal troubles awaiting Ohio because of the passage of the anti-homosexual Issue One.

Barrelhouse Brewery For Sale?

What does this mean for the Barrelhouse Brewery? Will it close and reopen as a new location? Is this a sale of the operating business and just a change in owners, not a change (or outward change) of the restaurant/bar? I really like the club. I don't like it when they have really load not so great bands, but that thankfully is not so often.

Friday, December 17, 2004

Ouch

I was at my office Holiday Party last night so I am slow to blog today.

Check out Maggie's column.

Check out where to get warm downtown.

Other than that, with the lack of power vested in me, I declare this thread open!

Thursday, December 16, 2004

We'll Meet Again, Don't Know How, Don't Know When

Hamilton County has hanging chads.

Faddism

What disappoints me most about the people in puff piece on religious missionary work in schools is that it is all about joining a group. It is about being in a clique. It is about conformity through confrontation. It is anti-individual and it does nothing for society. It is hollow. It is a means to an end. It is everything that I personal find worthless in religion.

It mostly is legal. Some of it is not, and if others with non-Christian religious views tried to do the same thing they would either be prevented by school officials and/or threatened or even attacked by other kids.

Hollywood got it right. This whole situation sounds like high school, where image and emotion trump reality and logic.

Oh, wait, this is high school. Nevermind.

UPDATE: Wes Flinn and Grassroots Cincinnati also comment.

Question and Answer

The Cincinnati Post asked Is Downtown safe? Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated has an answer.

Should you fear going downtown is the real question the paper is asking and no you should not. You should not fear it anymore than you do shopping in the Mall this month wear theft will be at a yearly high. For some reason I don't see Kenwood Towne Center's parking lot empty.

City Council Blinked

As expected, we have a temporary fix of the impending bus service cut, which was never really impending, just out there in the wind where a politician is at his/her weakest.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Jimmy Smits For Prez

The one television show I get pissed off when I miss is the West Wing. This year I have been very pleased with the story line. It is fresh (trite term, but it works).

I love the open ended political race they are formulating where characters on the show will be going head to head in the primary. I look forward to Jimmy Smits' character going head to head with Alan Alda's character in an election arc. Seeing the drama of the inside of a political campaign will give news/political junkies like myself countless moments of glee that only compared to a sports nut's first day with the full multichannel league package.