Well, the Columbus Dispatch has it's poll out. For what it is worth since polls are not a final indication of what voters will do what I found interesting.
13% of those voters polled are either not paying attention or think someone like Merrill S. Keiser (who would like to see gays killed) is worth voting for. I suppose we should be at least appreciative of the fact that it's not like Lucas County where voters are selecting one of the Lucas County Commissioner Candidates because they think they are selecting the dead uncle instead of the candidate in question. Maybe that 13% is sending a message to Sherrod. I'd like to believe that over anyone picking Keiser based on his statements.
71% of those polled don't seem to care that Chandra has become the darling for some on the blogosphere and are instead picking Marc Dann. (Who I think will be getting my vote.)
65% feel William O'Neill is a better candidate than A.J. Wagner for the Supreme Court (I agree with the majority)
Yet Ben Espy and Peter Sikora are tied in the polls.
On the Republican side, it's not surprise Montgomery is in the lead but it is an almost a close race for Treasurer which is not a race talked about much. 53% selected Jeanette Bradly and 46% for Sandra O'Brien.
For Governor...Strickland is wiping the floor with Flannery with 86% of the vote. (Neither one of these two is getting my vote in the primary.)
And it's close for the Blackwell V Petro battle - the dispatch is claiming "Blackwell is leading in double digits but the reality is 56% to 44% is not a commanding lead given the structure of the poll
Then if you check out the Cleveland Plain Dealer there Blackwell has 50% and Petro 29%. With varying combinations of hypothetical match ups.
I'd also point out this article by Brent Larkin who I think deserves a moment of {{{applause}}}
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Comparing al-Qaida to Bloggers?
I don't normally listen to ABC's nightly news, Aubrey had the station on watching some Saturday Movie so I didn't change channels.
While it's not part of the print story listed on their website, they had Richard Clarke as a part of the television spot and he made a statement that al-Qaida was more like "terrorist bloggers" rather than a "terrorist organization".
Excuse me? No matter how he meant the comparison it is another diss on blogging. Face it Richard Clarke and ABC news...blogging is not going to fade away nor is it all just empty talk.
Yes, I wrote ABC news, will I get more than an automated "Thank you for your blah blah blah"? Probably not.
:-)
While it's not part of the print story listed on their website, they had Richard Clarke as a part of the television spot and he made a statement that al-Qaida was more like "terrorist bloggers" rather than a "terrorist organization".
Excuse me? No matter how he meant the comparison it is another diss on blogging. Face it Richard Clarke and ABC news...blogging is not going to fade away nor is it all just empty talk.
Yes, I wrote ABC news, will I get more than an automated "Thank you for your blah blah blah"? Probably not.
:-)
Friday, April 28, 2006
Looks like he was selling more than slush puppies...
The carry out we used to live across the street from made the news. I went there a few times a week with Aubrey and never even had a reason to suspect drug sales were going on.
A Springfield Township carry-out owner was arrested by the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force this morning after authorities said he was selling prescription drugs and cocaine out of his North McCord Rd. store. Guirguis Ragheb, 34, 3290 County Road J, Swanton, was charged with 12 counts of trafficking in drugs during a bust about 6:30 a.m. at the store, Chablis Quick Stop at 1801 North McCord.
The arrest comes after a more than year-long investigation by the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force, in which authorities purchased drugs over the counter. Authorities also found additional drugs and between $40,000-$50,000 at the store during a search this morning.
Only thing that comes to mind is the carry out was robbed shortly before we moved and I thought the large amount of cash that was listed as stolen was pretty high for a carry out.
A Springfield Township carry-out owner was arrested by the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force this morning after authorities said he was selling prescription drugs and cocaine out of his North McCord Rd. store. Guirguis Ragheb, 34, 3290 County Road J, Swanton, was charged with 12 counts of trafficking in drugs during a bust about 6:30 a.m. at the store, Chablis Quick Stop at 1801 North McCord.
The arrest comes after a more than year-long investigation by the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force, in which authorities purchased drugs over the counter. Authorities also found additional drugs and between $40,000-$50,000 at the store during a search this morning.
Only thing that comes to mind is the carry out was robbed shortly before we moved and I thought the large amount of cash that was listed as stolen was pretty high for a carry out.
Causing trouble elsewhere...Cinco De Mayo
With the primary election coming up I was busy this morning over on Glass City Jungle, then I happened to stop by a local message board and discovered a request that we boycott Cinco De Mayo to protest illegal immigration. Several posts went on discussing some of what we have here in the past and I almost didn't bother to respond until I saw one phrase.
So I responded, with:
While I do agree that illegal immigration is a problem and think there is not enough focus on punishing/dealing with employers who are the real issue and create the very reason illegal immigration exists...This comment:
take jobs away from Americans
I had to address. Where are the Americans lining up to work in the fields and the numerous fruit groves, the meat packing plants and the landscaping jobs that will work for no benefits, crappy wages and questionable working conditions? I have yet to see any Americans step forward interested in performing these jobs for that rate of pay. Which is why the businesses hire them in the first place.
Despite all of the chest beating about dealing with these illegal immigrants if the under lying issues which include who will do these jobs and are you willing to pay what it would take to attract legal Americans to do them for you will have to be addressed.
Then the logical nature of the numbers of those who are legal americans who are currently unemployed versus the number of illegal immigrants who are working in this country. If every illegal immigrant were removed, and every single unemployed American somehow relocated to be in their place, we would not have enough workers. Look at the numbers of how many Americans are unemployed, look at the various estimates of how many illegal immigrants are working in this country.
That is why this issue will never be addressed and why it will continue. No one is willing to make the very hard decisions or take more than fluffy type PR arrests in front of the camera from time to time. I highly recommend no matter which side of this issue you are on to watch the movie "A day without a Mexican". While parts of it are cheesy it does present something everyone should think about when discussing illegal immigration.
I don't support a boycott of Cinco De Mayo because it is not a day that has anything to do with illegal immigration. It to me is as silly as demanding a boycott of Christmas because I don't like what evangelicals are doing to religion or boycotting Thanksgiving because Indians were not treated fairly. Cinco De Mayo traditionally here is a day to embrace another heritage, just like St. Patrick's Day when everyone is "Irish", just like many of us attend the German American Festival or eat paczki on Fat Tuesday.
Now I realize I didn't cover the various other issues, such as living conditions in Mexico or the few industries that do pay illegal immigrants wages that are considered above the living wage standard. So, how do you feel about boycotting Cinco De Mayo?
:-)
So I responded, with:
While I do agree that illegal immigration is a problem and think there is not enough focus on punishing/dealing with employers who are the real issue and create the very reason illegal immigration exists...This comment:
take jobs away from Americans
I had to address. Where are the Americans lining up to work in the fields and the numerous fruit groves, the meat packing plants and the landscaping jobs that will work for no benefits, crappy wages and questionable working conditions? I have yet to see any Americans step forward interested in performing these jobs for that rate of pay. Which is why the businesses hire them in the first place.
Despite all of the chest beating about dealing with these illegal immigrants if the under lying issues which include who will do these jobs and are you willing to pay what it would take to attract legal Americans to do them for you will have to be addressed.
Then the logical nature of the numbers of those who are legal americans who are currently unemployed versus the number of illegal immigrants who are working in this country. If every illegal immigrant were removed, and every single unemployed American somehow relocated to be in their place, we would not have enough workers. Look at the numbers of how many Americans are unemployed, look at the various estimates of how many illegal immigrants are working in this country.
That is why this issue will never be addressed and why it will continue. No one is willing to make the very hard decisions or take more than fluffy type PR arrests in front of the camera from time to time. I highly recommend no matter which side of this issue you are on to watch the movie "A day without a Mexican". While parts of it are cheesy it does present something everyone should think about when discussing illegal immigration.
I don't support a boycott of Cinco De Mayo because it is not a day that has anything to do with illegal immigration. It to me is as silly as demanding a boycott of Christmas because I don't like what evangelicals are doing to religion or boycotting Thanksgiving because Indians were not treated fairly. Cinco De Mayo traditionally here is a day to embrace another heritage, just like St. Patrick's Day when everyone is "Irish", just like many of us attend the German American Festival or eat paczki on Fat Tuesday.
Now I realize I didn't cover the various other issues, such as living conditions in Mexico or the few industries that do pay illegal immigrants wages that are considered above the living wage standard. So, how do you feel about boycotting Cinco De Mayo?
:-)
Thursday, April 27, 2006
It's link lovin Thursday and if you believe in fairies...
Then clap your hands...which is about the same belief necessary to buy what Congress and the President is trying to sell the American public on the gas cost issue.
Cnn Moneyline reminds us of several things:
Terminals need to nearly empty their tanks to accept supplies of summer gas, which will arrive by May 1, said the American Petroleum Institute's Al Mannato.
Anyone remember the switch to ethanol?
Making the change is hard because ethanol, unlike MTBE, absorbs water and therefore can't be transported by pipeline, which is how most gasoline moves from refineries to regional markets, Mary Rose Brown, a spokeswoman for the refining company Valero (Research), told CNNMoney.com earlier this week.
So ethanol needs to be transported separately by truck or railcar from the Midwest, where it's produced, to the pipeline terminus, where it's then blended with gasoline as the gas is loaded onto trucks for delivery to gas stations, said Brown.
Then Congress urging the President to temporarily stop deposits to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
"It's less than 30,000 barrels a day in a country that consumes 21 million. That's not even rearranging a single deck chair on the Titanic," said Peter Beutel, president of the energy risk management firm Cameron Hanover. "But psychologically, it has some effect."
You can however, get better smiles per post thanks to OTA, if you need to know what to do? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns infact that's how you can really contribute to saving energy. Stay home and blog, and don't forget to use this link for maximum efficiency.
:-)
Diane's Stuff stops by to share Holy Grail Found In Kentucky
And it’s plated in 24K-gold. Oh wait a minute. It seems I have my facts skewed. It’s not the Holy Grail, it’s the cup the mint julep comes in that will set you back $1,000 at this year’s Kentucky Derby, proceeds of which will supposedly help to raise awareness about the needs of retired thoroughbreds.
7 Deadly Sins writes about the same topic, A half-hearted attempt to reaffirm my conservative bona fides (Gas Prices)
A half-hearted attempt to reaffirm my conservative bona fides
Tor's Rants shares a post that I highly recommend, Maine Web Report Author Lance Dutson Sued by Maine
Of course, the point of this lawsuit is not to win a jury trial. It is to get Lance to stop doing his privilege and duty as a citizen of the State of Maine, namely, criticizing government and its contractors when he perceives that they are doing wrong. This is known as a SLAPP suit, which the First Amendment Project describes as follows...
123beta stops by to share Companies To Allow Workers Off For May 1st March
Large U.S. meat processors, including Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc and Seaboard Corp said they will close plants due to the planned rallies.
Pure Gum Spirits would like you to know about Then: Hog Butcher For The World
Now: slave to politically correct fashion. Chicago bans the sale of foie gras in restaurants.
Planck's Constant dropped by to suggest If you can find a lawyer you like, give him this gift
Lawyer Gift - The Billable Hour - Clever Timepieces for Lawyers:
There is also a timepiece especially made for clients of lawyers but you have to bend over to get the time. And there's no certainty that it would be the right time.
Cnn Moneyline reminds us of several things:
Terminals need to nearly empty their tanks to accept supplies of summer gas, which will arrive by May 1, said the American Petroleum Institute's Al Mannato.
Anyone remember the switch to ethanol?
Making the change is hard because ethanol, unlike MTBE, absorbs water and therefore can't be transported by pipeline, which is how most gasoline moves from refineries to regional markets, Mary Rose Brown, a spokeswoman for the refining company Valero (Research), told CNNMoney.com earlier this week.
So ethanol needs to be transported separately by truck or railcar from the Midwest, where it's produced, to the pipeline terminus, where it's then blended with gasoline as the gas is loaded onto trucks for delivery to gas stations, said Brown.
Then Congress urging the President to temporarily stop deposits to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
"It's less than 30,000 barrels a day in a country that consumes 21 million. That's not even rearranging a single deck chair on the Titanic," said Peter Beutel, president of the energy risk management firm Cameron Hanover. "But psychologically, it has some effect."
You can however, get better smiles per post thanks to OTA, if you need to know what to do? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns infact that's how you can really contribute to saving energy. Stay home and blog, and don't forget to use this link for maximum efficiency.
:-)
Diane's Stuff stops by to share Holy Grail Found In Kentucky
And it’s plated in 24K-gold. Oh wait a minute. It seems I have my facts skewed. It’s not the Holy Grail, it’s the cup the mint julep comes in that will set you back $1,000 at this year’s Kentucky Derby, proceeds of which will supposedly help to raise awareness about the needs of retired thoroughbreds.
7 Deadly Sins writes about the same topic, A half-hearted attempt to reaffirm my conservative bona fides (Gas Prices)
A half-hearted attempt to reaffirm my conservative bona fides
Tor's Rants shares a post that I highly recommend, Maine Web Report Author Lance Dutson Sued by Maine
Of course, the point of this lawsuit is not to win a jury trial. It is to get Lance to stop doing his privilege and duty as a citizen of the State of Maine, namely, criticizing government and its contractors when he perceives that they are doing wrong. This is known as a SLAPP suit, which the First Amendment Project describes as follows...
123beta stops by to share Companies To Allow Workers Off For May 1st March
Large U.S. meat processors, including Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc and Seaboard Corp said they will close plants due to the planned rallies.
Pure Gum Spirits would like you to know about Then: Hog Butcher For The World
Now: slave to politically correct fashion. Chicago bans the sale of foie gras in restaurants.
Planck's Constant dropped by to suggest If you can find a lawyer you like, give him this gift
Lawyer Gift - The Billable Hour - Clever Timepieces for Lawyers:
There is also a timepiece especially made for clients of lawyers but you have to bend over to get the time. And there's no certainty that it would be the right time.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Bashing Gays to win election in Ohio
I know this has been talked about on the blogs, Buckeye State Blog as one example has discussed Blackwell's choice of campaign ads. Yet I wanted to relate something personal then go a bit further on this topic. Most of you know I have five children, Aubrey is my youngest and she is eleven years old. Last night I was catching up on blogging and she was watching television, the Blackwell add called "Traditional Family Values" came up. The ad came to this screen:
Aubrey said to me, "Mom, you're a liberal but you aren't a lesbian."
Which left me having to explain to my eleven year old why some Republicans and some Democrats are campaigning on trying to bash gays. She doesn't get it and I hope she never does, I hope she remains believing like I do that someone who is gay should be able to make the same decisions I can make.
Then today's Toledo Blade provided even more reasons why I don't want someone like Ken Blackwell to even be in office let alone the Governor of our state. In the article this quote stated not far from where I live in 2004:
Mr. Blackwell referred to same-sex marriage and said, "Farmers know if you want eggs to eat you don't produce them with two roosters or two hens. You need a rooster and a hen.
"The notion that a same-sex marriage can carry out the function of procreation or replenishing the human race defies not only human logic but barnyard logic,'' Mr. Blackwell said.
Barnyard logic...let's take a look at that for a moment. What happens when in the barnyard a baby animal is born that is deformed or has some other health issue. Most times the mother lets it die, or it can't survive fighting it's litter mates in getting food. Now, in your wildest dreams would Ken Blackwell stand up infront of an audience declaring that "barnyard logic" as something he felt should apply to us as humans? Of course not. Humans are not farm animals, our ability to love and nurture others isn't based on "barnyard logic", it comes from the heart.
One Democrat in particular has also made his feelings against gays a part of his campaign. Brian points out Bill Riter of Cleveland is promoting the fact that he doesn't support Gay Marriage and implying that because Mike Foley who does, should not be elected.
Simple solution, if you don't like homosexuals? Don't be one, then whatever they do has no bearing on you. Worry about making your own marriage work or finding the right person or raising your children, adopt more children, make your own life the best it can be. Concentrate on making Ohio a better place for all people to live in, no matter their sexual preference.
As an update: The Plain Dealer reports that thanks to Brian's blog and those like Eric at Plunderbund, attention on this matter has gotten the attention of not only the media but several groups who endorsed Ritter.
Aubrey said to me, "Mom, you're a liberal but you aren't a lesbian."
Which left me having to explain to my eleven year old why some Republicans and some Democrats are campaigning on trying to bash gays. She doesn't get it and I hope she never does, I hope she remains believing like I do that someone who is gay should be able to make the same decisions I can make.
Then today's Toledo Blade provided even more reasons why I don't want someone like Ken Blackwell to even be in office let alone the Governor of our state. In the article this quote stated not far from where I live in 2004:
Mr. Blackwell referred to same-sex marriage and said, "Farmers know if you want eggs to eat you don't produce them with two roosters or two hens. You need a rooster and a hen.
"The notion that a same-sex marriage can carry out the function of procreation or replenishing the human race defies not only human logic but barnyard logic,'' Mr. Blackwell said.
Barnyard logic...let's take a look at that for a moment. What happens when in the barnyard a baby animal is born that is deformed or has some other health issue. Most times the mother lets it die, or it can't survive fighting it's litter mates in getting food. Now, in your wildest dreams would Ken Blackwell stand up infront of an audience declaring that "barnyard logic" as something he felt should apply to us as humans? Of course not. Humans are not farm animals, our ability to love and nurture others isn't based on "barnyard logic", it comes from the heart.
One Democrat in particular has also made his feelings against gays a part of his campaign. Brian points out Bill Riter of Cleveland is promoting the fact that he doesn't support Gay Marriage and implying that because Mike Foley who does, should not be elected.
Simple solution, if you don't like homosexuals? Don't be one, then whatever they do has no bearing on you. Worry about making your own marriage work or finding the right person or raising your children, adopt more children, make your own life the best it can be. Concentrate on making Ohio a better place for all people to live in, no matter their sexual preference.
As an update: The Plain Dealer reports that thanks to Brian's blog and those like Eric at Plunderbund, attention on this matter has gotten the attention of not only the media but several groups who endorsed Ritter.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The loss of what Grow Ohio could have been...
I can't help thinking back to when Tim Tagaris first emailed me about Grow Ohio, back in July of last year:
Congressman Sherrod Brown publicly launched a new website today after requests from his constituents in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Since the 2004 election, the people of Congressman Brown’s district have asked him to take an active role in electing like-minded Democrats across Ohio, specifically tapping into the promise and potential of the Internet. Using the Internet also provides an effective mechanism for two-way communication between Congressman Brown and the people of Ohio.
Both sites will be information rich and Ohio specific. Grow Ohio allows users to contribute content and information directly to the site, allowing for a direct conversation with Congressman Brown, and each other, with no filter. In the near future, the site will also allow users to plan and promote local and statewide events.
Then yesterday this news came out:
General Election Changes
posted by Chris Stelmarski on 04/24/2006, 6:49 PM EST
Dear Grow Ohio readers and diarists,
With little more than a week left before the primary, we are shifting gears to focus all our energy on the general election.
Starting tomorrow, Grow Ohio will be redirected to our campaign website SherrodBrown.com. Existing content will be archived and original links preserved.
We are proud of the role played by Grow Ohio since last summer. Thank you very much to those who have posted, commented or contributed otherwise. You have changed the face of Ohio politics forever.
We hope you will join us on the campaign trail as we fight for progressive change at all levels of government.
I supported the idea of Grow Ohio when it was first created and I'll be honest, I only stopped when the Hackett V Brown stuff started. I decided as a Hackett supporter it was becoming more of a pro-Sherrod site than what the original basis for creation of it was. Recently I started visiting again but by then the site was already declining as far as posting.
I still support the initial concept behind Grow Ohio and hope that someday either it returns or something similar. I think we do need a place where grassroots supporters can meet to discuss Ohio with specific areas set up for our parts of Ohio. Northwest Ohio especially could use Grow Ohio with it's initial idea of helping candidates to be elected.
I truly hope that we did help change the face of Ohio politics forever, and for the better.
:-)
(This article was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by the wonderful Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net, make sure to stop by and visit him tomorrow to see what some of Ohio's best bloggers have on their minds)
Congressman Sherrod Brown publicly launched a new website today after requests from his constituents in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. Since the 2004 election, the people of Congressman Brown’s district have asked him to take an active role in electing like-minded Democrats across Ohio, specifically tapping into the promise and potential of the Internet. Using the Internet also provides an effective mechanism for two-way communication between Congressman Brown and the people of Ohio.
Both sites will be information rich and Ohio specific. Grow Ohio allows users to contribute content and information directly to the site, allowing for a direct conversation with Congressman Brown, and each other, with no filter. In the near future, the site will also allow users to plan and promote local and statewide events.
Then yesterday this news came out:
General Election Changes
posted by Chris Stelmarski on 04/24/2006, 6:49 PM EST
Dear Grow Ohio readers and diarists,
With little more than a week left before the primary, we are shifting gears to focus all our energy on the general election.
Starting tomorrow, Grow Ohio will be redirected to our campaign website SherrodBrown.com. Existing content will be archived and original links preserved.
We are proud of the role played by Grow Ohio since last summer. Thank you very much to those who have posted, commented or contributed otherwise. You have changed the face of Ohio politics forever.
We hope you will join us on the campaign trail as we fight for progressive change at all levels of government.
I supported the idea of Grow Ohio when it was first created and I'll be honest, I only stopped when the Hackett V Brown stuff started. I decided as a Hackett supporter it was becoming more of a pro-Sherrod site than what the original basis for creation of it was. Recently I started visiting again but by then the site was already declining as far as posting.
I still support the initial concept behind Grow Ohio and hope that someday either it returns or something similar. I think we do need a place where grassroots supporters can meet to discuss Ohio with specific areas set up for our parts of Ohio. Northwest Ohio especially could use Grow Ohio with it's initial idea of helping candidates to be elected.
I truly hope that we did help change the face of Ohio politics forever, and for the better.
:-)
(This article was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by the wonderful Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net, make sure to stop by and visit him tomorrow to see what some of Ohio's best bloggers have on their minds)
Sometimes I am a ditz
I was once again reminded today that it really doesn't do a person any good to buy one of those pill minder things if they don't remember to actually put the pills in the pill reminder.
The adventure of even buying the pill reminder was a funny one. Yes, I kept forgetting then didn't like the ones that I did find. I finally found one that was what I wanted but then of course have to remember to actually use it. Almost reminds me of when my daughter Emily bought one of those ginko formulations that was supposed to help her memory yet kept forgetting to take it...(She can blame memory ability on me as hereditary after making this post public - lol.)
So this morning I was once again faced with the "Did I take my pills?" question...I try to take them around the same time each day to lessen the chances of me forgetting. I then noted the date they were refilled, and counted off on the calendar to see how many pills should be there.
Okay...I forgot to take them. I did however fill up the pill reminder boxy thingy so for at least the next 7 days? I'm good. Maybe I need to buy this one with the timer....
:-)
The adventure of even buying the pill reminder was a funny one. Yes, I kept forgetting then didn't like the ones that I did find. I finally found one that was what I wanted but then of course have to remember to actually use it. Almost reminds me of when my daughter Emily bought one of those ginko formulations that was supposed to help her memory yet kept forgetting to take it...(She can blame memory ability on me as hereditary after making this post public - lol.)
So this morning I was once again faced with the "Did I take my pills?" question...I try to take them around the same time each day to lessen the chances of me forgetting. I then noted the date they were refilled, and counted off on the calendar to see how many pills should be there.
Okay...I forgot to take them. I did however fill up the pill reminder boxy thingy so for at least the next 7 days? I'm good. Maybe I need to buy this one with the timer....
:-)
Houston...we have a problem
Yesterday as most of you know that have blogger, most of us could not post because the publisher portion wasn't cooperating and I guess some of you also had problems with commenting not working.
That seems to be resolved now but my dsl decided to have technical issues yesterday afternoon. Supposedly this would be "fixed" sometime between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. Well it's almost 9 a.m. so I don't think that's going to happen. I can't wait to hear the next time frame once that has passed.
So yesterday I didn't want to hassle with re-establshing dial up and somehow the assorted members of the house managed to survive one day without the internet. Posting might be a little lighter while I am back in dial up land.
:-)
That seems to be resolved now but my dsl decided to have technical issues yesterday afternoon. Supposedly this would be "fixed" sometime between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. Well it's almost 9 a.m. so I don't think that's going to happen. I can't wait to hear the next time frame once that has passed.
So yesterday I didn't want to hassle with re-establshing dial up and somehow the assorted members of the house managed to survive one day without the internet. Posting might be a little lighter while I am back in dial up land.
:-)
Sunday, April 23, 2006
So much for dreams of popularity
Any illusions that I was special has now been destroyed thanks to George at Brewed Fresh Daily who picked up a post by Faminehorse at Pyschobilly Democrat
It seems those hits from government sources in Washington DC and Langley aren't fans of mine who happen to have stumbled upon the excellent content or discussion that happens here. It's data mining...
The new Open Source Center (OSC) at CIA headquarters recently stepped up data collection and analysis based on bloggers worldwide and is developing new methods to gauge the reliability of the content, said OSC Director Douglas J. Naquin.
"A lot of blogs now have become very big on the Internet, and we're getting a lot of rich information on blogs that are telling us a lot about social perspectives and everything from what the general feeling is to ... people putting information on there that doesn't exist anywhere else," Mr. Naquin told The Washington Times.
(Yes I am joking as I knew they weren't visiting long enough to actually read here but who knows if we write about them enough maybe...)
:-)
It seems those hits from government sources in Washington DC and Langley aren't fans of mine who happen to have stumbled upon the excellent content or discussion that happens here. It's data mining...
The new Open Source Center (OSC) at CIA headquarters recently stepped up data collection and analysis based on bloggers worldwide and is developing new methods to gauge the reliability of the content, said OSC Director Douglas J. Naquin.
"A lot of blogs now have become very big on the Internet, and we're getting a lot of rich information on blogs that are telling us a lot about social perspectives and everything from what the general feeling is to ... people putting information on there that doesn't exist anywhere else," Mr. Naquin told The Washington Times.
(Yes I am joking as I knew they weren't visiting long enough to actually read here but who knows if we write about them enough maybe...)
:-)
Saturday, April 22, 2006
A lazy ice cream cone kind of day
No, it's not a very healthy lunch but it was very good, for some reason today just seems like that kind of a day.
I'm playing around with a software program that can edit parts of mp3's, thanks to Jason. I know I've raved about Jason before but so far he's always been able to help me when it comes to internet technology stuff. I've learned a lot thanks to him and his blog, The Glitch
:-)
Friday, April 21, 2006
Twenty two candidates running for Mayor...
Who will move on in the New Orleans Mayorial race or will someone win it...Many are saying that this election will result in the first white mayor being elected in over 30 years. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held on May 20.
Sixteen are Democrats, Two are Republicans, Two are listed as "Other" and Two are listed as No Party. Seven have been identfied as the top candidates and took part in a debate. Out of that seven, five are white. Poll results show that the race is between three candidates; incumbent Ray Nagin, Audubon Institute CEO Ron Forman and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. Landrieu is currently in the lead according to a recent Tulane University poll.
Now, is this really about race or is this about people not being happy with the way current Mayor Ray Nagin handled the hurricane and the aftermath.
How many will come back to New Orleans to vote and what affect the changes in polling locations will have on this election is too early to tell. It could very well play a factor if people have not been given enough information. It appears from a media standpoint and a candidate standpoint that they have tried to do their best to inform people.
Sixteen are Democrats, Two are Republicans, Two are listed as "Other" and Two are listed as No Party. Seven have been identfied as the top candidates and took part in a debate. Out of that seven, five are white. Poll results show that the race is between three candidates; incumbent Ray Nagin, Audubon Institute CEO Ron Forman and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. Landrieu is currently in the lead according to a recent Tulane University poll.
Now, is this really about race or is this about people not being happy with the way current Mayor Ray Nagin handled the hurricane and the aftermath.
How many will come back to New Orleans to vote and what affect the changes in polling locations will have on this election is too early to tell. It could very well play a factor if people have not been given enough information. It appears from a media standpoint and a candidate standpoint that they have tried to do their best to inform people.
Walk for Wishes
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northwestern Ohio is sponsoring a Walk for Wishes on Saturday, May 20. Yes, this blogger is going to see if all of that walking she's been doing can get her thru a non-competitive 3.5 mile walk.
The Toledo Free Press has created a team for this event and I've been welcomed as one of their team members. I have a webpage that is set up thru the Make-A-Wish Foundation for those of you who can or are interested in helping to donate.
Click here
Thru the online system you have the ability to donate thru a secure server directly. For those of you who don't like making online donations, there is a link to print out a donation form.
There is of course no obligation, and if anyone (like my kids) who would love to try to beat Me in raising funds for this fantastic organization? Bring it (lol). There is a link to sign up if you want to volunteer as an individual. I'd love to be the one who raised the most amount of the money for Team Toledo Free Press. So if you can donate? That's fantastic, if you can't? Warm wishes hoping that I will not be the last walker to straggle in are just as fantastic.
:-)
The Toledo Free Press has created a team for this event and I've been welcomed as one of their team members. I have a webpage that is set up thru the Make-A-Wish Foundation for those of you who can or are interested in helping to donate.
Click here
Thru the online system you have the ability to donate thru a secure server directly. For those of you who don't like making online donations, there is a link to print out a donation form.
There is of course no obligation, and if anyone (like my kids) who would love to try to beat Me in raising funds for this fantastic organization? Bring it (lol). There is a link to sign up if you want to volunteer as an individual. I'd love to be the one who raised the most amount of the money for Team Toledo Free Press. So if you can donate? That's fantastic, if you can't? Warm wishes hoping that I will not be the last walker to straggle in are just as fantastic.
:-)
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Something I've never seen before....
I was reading History Mike's blog and saw an article about the NSM going to Lansing. I haven't visited Bill White's blogspot in a while so decided out of curiousity to see what he was blogging about.
This came up:
CONTENT WARNING
Some readers of this blog have contacted Google because they believe this blog's content is hateful. In general, Google does not review nor do we endorse the content of this or any blog. For more information about this message, please consult our FAQ.
Then you have the option of selecting "I do not wish to continue" or "I understand and wish to continue".
So I "consulted the FAQ"
Special Case for Hate Speech
When the community has voted and hate speech is identified on Blog*Spot, Google may exercise its right to place a Content Warning page in front of the blog and set it to "unlisted."
Bill hasn't updated the blog since January, so there wasn't anything new there anyway but that's the first time I've come across a content warning. Once you click to continue you don't get the message again.
So then I searched "Blogspot Content Warning" and discovered a few other blogs that had also been treated the same, most of which who are anti-islamic in nature. I always wondered if that little "flag for objectional content" really did anything, I guess it does. Personally if I find a blog that objectable, I just don't visit there or link them to give them more hits.
:-)
This came up:
CONTENT WARNING
Some readers of this blog have contacted Google because they believe this blog's content is hateful. In general, Google does not review nor do we endorse the content of this or any blog. For more information about this message, please consult our FAQ.
Then you have the option of selecting "I do not wish to continue" or "I understand and wish to continue".
So I "consulted the FAQ"
Special Case for Hate Speech
When the community has voted and hate speech is identified on Blog*Spot, Google may exercise its right to place a Content Warning page in front of the blog and set it to "unlisted."
Bill hasn't updated the blog since January, so there wasn't anything new there anyway but that's the first time I've come across a content warning. Once you click to continue you don't get the message again.
So then I searched "Blogspot Content Warning" and discovered a few other blogs that had also been treated the same, most of which who are anti-islamic in nature. I always wondered if that little "flag for objectional content" really did anything, I guess it does. Personally if I find a blog that objectable, I just don't visit there or link them to give them more hits.
:-)
Perhaps reading before signing would be a good idea
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nobody expects to get a letter from a member of Congress that ends with an expletive.
But that's what happened when Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., recently corresponded with a resident of her southeast Missouri district.
The letter ended with a profane, seven-letter insult beginning with the letter a - "i think you're an. ..."
copy of letter
Yes, it says "i think you're an asshole".
What makes it more difficult is she added a personal note to the end of the letter as well as signing it. So far no one has come forward and admitted they added the comment, but logic tells you since it was a legitimate letter being sent to a constituent that it was someone on the staff. Unless there is some roving criminal word processor roaming around adding statements to letters...
:-)
Me4President wants to share a post that got my attention entitled "Explosive Orgasms and Sharing"
Excerpt: If you are shaking your heads also, try reading someone else to clear your minds.
But that's what happened when Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., recently corresponded with a resident of her southeast Missouri district.
The letter ended with a profane, seven-letter insult beginning with the letter a - "i think you're an. ..."
copy of letter
Yes, it says "i think you're an asshole".
What makes it more difficult is she added a personal note to the end of the letter as well as signing it. So far no one has come forward and admitted they added the comment, but logic tells you since it was a legitimate letter being sent to a constituent that it was someone on the staff. Unless there is some roving criminal word processor roaming around adding statements to letters...
:-)
Me4President wants to share a post that got my attention entitled "Explosive Orgasms and Sharing"
Excerpt: If you are shaking your heads also, try reading someone else to clear your minds.
Sssssnakes and link lovin Thursday!
NEW YORK (AP) -- A new fossil discovery has revealed the most primitive snake known, a crawling creature with two legs, and it provides new evidence that snakes evolved on land rather than in the sea.
Since it's Thursday and we have evolved to where OTA exists...you know what to do, and if you don't? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns where you will find information...and no snakes...
:-)
Tor's Rants would like you to stop by and visit to read, "The Buddhist I Ching: No Error"
Excerpt: With this post, I'm inaugurating a new feature that I hope will augment my Buddhism to Everything Else posting ratio. Once a week, initially Thursdays, I will generate a random hexagram from the I Ching, read the commentary by medieval Chinese Buddhist meditation master Chih-hsu Ou-i (as translated by Thomas Cleary), and try and apply it to anything current.
Since it's Thursday and we have evolved to where OTA exists...you know what to do, and if you don't? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns where you will find information...and no snakes...
:-)
Tor's Rants would like you to stop by and visit to read, "The Buddhist I Ching: No Error"
Excerpt: With this post, I'm inaugurating a new feature that I hope will augment my Buddhism to Everything Else posting ratio. Once a week, initially Thursdays, I will generate a random hexagram from the I Ching, read the commentary by medieval Chinese Buddhist meditation master Chih-hsu Ou-i (as translated by Thomas Cleary), and try and apply it to anything current.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Interesting article on illegal immigration
The above yahoo news link of an article from the Christian Science Monitor makes some valid points as we have discussed here in the past on the topic of illegal immigration.
Some selected portions:
The 1986 reform called for criminal and civil punishment of employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers. But laws and fines are meaningless unless they're applied.
Republicans and Democrats alike have buckled under pincer like pressure from businesses which rely on cheap labor and from advocacy groups which watch out for illegals.
Sanctions against violators have dropped steeply, with the feds notifying only three employers of fines in 2004. And hardly anyone's walking the worksite police beat - just 65 federal agents were assigned to worksites in 2004. Considering the roughly 7 million illegal aliens working in the US, that effort isn't laughable, it's a crying shame - and a taint on employers who play this game.
Enforcement to me is important, punishing those who come here looking for work isn't a solution and hasn't worked. It will never work, the only way to deal with illegal immigration is to deal with the source of the jobs. Reduce the hiring of illegal immigrants and you reduce the reason for their coming here in the first place.
(OT - Yes I got thru my dad's birthday without being a wreck this year and was busy being prolific on Glass City Jungle. I finally got my new prescription so hopefully will be an even more focused and pain free me in a day or so...look out (lol)
Some selected portions:
The 1986 reform called for criminal and civil punishment of employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers. But laws and fines are meaningless unless they're applied.
Republicans and Democrats alike have buckled under pincer like pressure from businesses which rely on cheap labor and from advocacy groups which watch out for illegals.
Sanctions against violators have dropped steeply, with the feds notifying only three employers of fines in 2004. And hardly anyone's walking the worksite police beat - just 65 federal agents were assigned to worksites in 2004. Considering the roughly 7 million illegal aliens working in the US, that effort isn't laughable, it's a crying shame - and a taint on employers who play this game.
Enforcement to me is important, punishing those who come here looking for work isn't a solution and hasn't worked. It will never work, the only way to deal with illegal immigration is to deal with the source of the jobs. Reduce the hiring of illegal immigrants and you reduce the reason for their coming here in the first place.
(OT - Yes I got thru my dad's birthday without being a wreck this year and was busy being prolific on Glass City Jungle. I finally got my new prescription so hopefully will be an even more focused and pain free me in a day or so...look out (lol)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
My two Ralphs...
Tomorrow is or would be depending on how you view it, my father's birthday.
I still miss him because he was such a huge part of my life, someone I counted on and the void that was created by his death will never be filled.
This was my grandmother's favorite picture of her two "boys" my father, Ralph and her husband, Ralph.
It's my favorite picture of the two of them as well, my grandfather went out to visit my dad while he was working at Toledo Express Airport. At that time my dad was working on trying to become a pilot and worked fueling planes. Eventually my father reached his dream and became a corporate pilot.
Happy Birthday Dad!
:-)
I still miss him because he was such a huge part of my life, someone I counted on and the void that was created by his death will never be filled.
This was my grandmother's favorite picture of her two "boys" my father, Ralph and her husband, Ralph.
It's my favorite picture of the two of them as well, my grandfather went out to visit my dad while he was working at Toledo Express Airport. At that time my dad was working on trying to become a pilot and worked fueling planes. Eventually my father reached his dream and became a corporate pilot.
Happy Birthday Dad!
:-)
Ohio Democratic Catholic Caucus Endorsements
As a Catholic I support the four of their general principles, I can't support number 4 as I explain below:
1. Promote Catholic Social Teaching and values as they relate to public policy.
2. To foster and encourage Faithful Citizenship within the Catholic community and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States.
3. To encourage Catholic participation in public life and promote the common good for the interest and welfare of the community.
4. To provide a mechanism by which aspirants for political offices may be heard; evaluated, endorsed or not for political office at all levels of government.
5. To promote a consistent ethic of life, where all life is considered of value and equal.
Yet, groups like this make me pause because I don't believe religion should enter the realm of politics. A candidate is supposed to be able to do what is best for all of the residents of his or her district, not just what the Catholics of his or her district would support. Sometimes what Catholics support is not necessarily going to be the majority. I would hesitate to vote for someone who would hold their religion (even if it is the same religion as mine) over the needs of the rest of the community they were elected to serve. Should endorsements even be made? I wonder, as it is getting to the point where every group seems to feel it needs to issue endorsements.
Do we need further division with in the Ohio Democratic Party? The Ohio Democratic Catholic Caucus is a part of the Ohio Democratic Party, yet not all of these groups follow the same endorsement policy. As an example, the Ohio Democratic Party endorsed Marc Dann for Attorney General. The Stonewall Democrats have endorsed Chandra. There are even two women's groups listed on the Ohio Democratic Party website. One proclaims to be "TRUE BLUE DEMOCRATS", what does that mean the other womens Democratic Caucus is?
So I wonder, in a group that proclaims to want to include everyone, why the necessity to have division? Isn't the better option to have everyone have a seat at the table, a voice to be heard? By splintering the support groups into sub groups how does that help make more unity? Or should I just shut up and form my own "Ohio Democratic Bloggers Caucus"...
:-)
This was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by the amazing Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net.
1. Promote Catholic Social Teaching and values as they relate to public policy.
2. To foster and encourage Faithful Citizenship within the Catholic community and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States.
3. To encourage Catholic participation in public life and promote the common good for the interest and welfare of the community.
4. To provide a mechanism by which aspirants for political offices may be heard; evaluated, endorsed or not for political office at all levels of government.
5. To promote a consistent ethic of life, where all life is considered of value and equal.
Yet, groups like this make me pause because I don't believe religion should enter the realm of politics. A candidate is supposed to be able to do what is best for all of the residents of his or her district, not just what the Catholics of his or her district would support. Sometimes what Catholics support is not necessarily going to be the majority. I would hesitate to vote for someone who would hold their religion (even if it is the same religion as mine) over the needs of the rest of the community they were elected to serve. Should endorsements even be made? I wonder, as it is getting to the point where every group seems to feel it needs to issue endorsements.
Do we need further division with in the Ohio Democratic Party? The Ohio Democratic Catholic Caucus is a part of the Ohio Democratic Party, yet not all of these groups follow the same endorsement policy. As an example, the Ohio Democratic Party endorsed Marc Dann for Attorney General. The Stonewall Democrats have endorsed Chandra. There are even two women's groups listed on the Ohio Democratic Party website. One proclaims to be "TRUE BLUE DEMOCRATS", what does that mean the other womens Democratic Caucus is?
So I wonder, in a group that proclaims to want to include everyone, why the necessity to have division? Isn't the better option to have everyone have a seat at the table, a voice to be heard? By splintering the support groups into sub groups how does that help make more unity? Or should I just shut up and form my own "Ohio Democratic Bloggers Caucus"...
:-)
This was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by the amazing Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net.
Support your local Air Traffic Controller!
I'm not typically a pro-union person and most of you who visit regularly know that. However, my father was a corporate pilot who had the utmost respect for those who make flying the skies happen.
What is happening to the Air Traffic Controllers needs to be stopped. It's not an easy job, it requires someone of skill and the pay should reflect that.
Please visit the above link for more information or visit here and if it is something you can join me in helping to support?
Thank you...
What is happening to the Air Traffic Controllers needs to be stopped. It's not an easy job, it requires someone of skill and the pay should reflect that.
Please visit the above link for more information or visit here and if it is something you can join me in helping to support?
Thank you...
My first response? Please....not again....
Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post believes that there should be another Kerry run for the White House.
To which I respond....HELLO! John Kerry could not beat George Bush who around the time of the Novemeber election had under or close to only having a 50% approval rate. Even Sherrod Brown when he was here in Toledo had this to say about John Kerry:
(Sherrod) he said his record on trade and other economic issues made him a stronger candidate in Ohio than John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate who narrowly lost here in 2004.
"John Kerry couldn't carry a populist message to the people of Ohio," Mr. Brown said, adding: "If he windsurfed, he should have done it on Lake Erie."
I have seen nothing new from John Kerry that makes me believe he would perform any differently in 2008, unless of course the Republican Party puts someone out there worse than George Bush...which would be pretty hard to accomplish...
No, I am not a fan of Hillary or Russ either for that matter. Are there any of the names mentioned that I do like? Yes, I still am following what John Edwards is up to and hoping someone who has the ability to inspire decides it's worth what we the public puts them thru to decide to run.
To which I respond....HELLO! John Kerry could not beat George Bush who around the time of the Novemeber election had under or close to only having a 50% approval rate. Even Sherrod Brown when he was here in Toledo had this to say about John Kerry:
(Sherrod) he said his record on trade and other economic issues made him a stronger candidate in Ohio than John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate who narrowly lost here in 2004.
"John Kerry couldn't carry a populist message to the people of Ohio," Mr. Brown said, adding: "If he windsurfed, he should have done it on Lake Erie."
I have seen nothing new from John Kerry that makes me believe he would perform any differently in 2008, unless of course the Republican Party puts someone out there worse than George Bush...which would be pretty hard to accomplish...
No, I am not a fan of Hillary or Russ either for that matter. Are there any of the names mentioned that I do like? Yes, I still am following what John Edwards is up to and hoping someone who has the ability to inspire decides it's worth what we the public puts them thru to decide to run.
Monday, April 17, 2006
It started with a paper clip
There are times I wish I was this creative. Lord knows I'd love a house or even a car that wasn't ready to fall apart.
Kyle MacDonald had a red paper clip and a dream: Could he use the community power of the Internet to barter that paper clip for something better, and trade that thing for something else — and so on and so on until he had a house?
His blog One Red Paper Clip takes you thru his journey so far.
:-)
Kyle MacDonald had a red paper clip and a dream: Could he use the community power of the Internet to barter that paper clip for something better, and trade that thing for something else — and so on and so on until he had a house?
His blog One Red Paper Clip takes you thru his journey so far.
:-)
Phelps to bring his hatred to NW Ohio...
GIBSONBURG -- Around ten protesters are expected at a funeral Tuesday for a fallen U.S. soldier. Army Spec. Bob Clark, 32, died over a week ago in a motorcycle accident in Colorado.
The protesters are from Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. They say American soldiers are dying because the government harbors homosexuals.
Clark was a Patriot Guard Rider. More than 100 bikers are expected to surround the funeral home and drown out the protesters.
Clark is survived by his wife and two kids. Clark's family considers the church a group of terrorists.
Patriot Guard Website has some additional information about Bob Clark's death:
Bobby was killed when he struck a truck that failed to yield at a stop sign. The driver was legally intoxicated. Bobby was on the way back from Canon City to Colorado Springs so he could meet up with his VFW Warriors brothers and ride up to the vigil for Sgt Matt Maupin in Morrision, CO.
The protesters are from Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. They say American soldiers are dying because the government harbors homosexuals.
Clark was a Patriot Guard Rider. More than 100 bikers are expected to surround the funeral home and drown out the protesters.
Clark is survived by his wife and two kids. Clark's family considers the church a group of terrorists.
Patriot Guard Website has some additional information about Bob Clark's death:
Bobby was killed when he struck a truck that failed to yield at a stop sign. The driver was legally intoxicated. Bobby was on the way back from Canon City to Colorado Springs so he could meet up with his VFW Warriors brothers and ride up to the vigil for Sgt Matt Maupin in Morrision, CO.
Jury Selection begins...Blade's Yonke predicts drama
While I am interested in this case and I am following it as closely as I can, I'm more interested in seeing that the truth is discovered rather than being "entertained":
Thanks to the popular CSI television programs, today's juries expect a show in the courtroom - and prosecutors in the murder trial of the Rev. Gerald Robinson don't plan to let them down.
The prosecution is expected to augment its case with plenty of visuals, including the use of charts, videotapes, and high-tech "smart boards" that integrate the display functions of a laptop computer and an erasable whiteboard.
I can't help wondering how honest people will admit as to the question of bias for or against the Roman Catholic Church. If some of the recent polls in this area are an indication, as well as some of the previous discussion on message boards it's clear there are quite a few people in this area that are anti-Catholic, more than that are vocal about being pro-Catholic. That's one of the downsides to a jury trial for something like this. You have to hope that the jurors will be honest. Given the behavior of several past juries when it comes to cases that are known are going to be high profile I hope this jury is focusing more on the case rather than what type of interview deals they can make after it is over.
(If you are following this trial, I have created a companion blog that will contain a mirror of all of the posts from here on the Father Gerald Robinson Murder Trial)
Thanks to the popular CSI television programs, today's juries expect a show in the courtroom - and prosecutors in the murder trial of the Rev. Gerald Robinson don't plan to let them down.
The prosecution is expected to augment its case with plenty of visuals, including the use of charts, videotapes, and high-tech "smart boards" that integrate the display functions of a laptop computer and an erasable whiteboard.
I can't help wondering how honest people will admit as to the question of bias for or against the Roman Catholic Church. If some of the recent polls in this area are an indication, as well as some of the previous discussion on message boards it's clear there are quite a few people in this area that are anti-Catholic, more than that are vocal about being pro-Catholic. That's one of the downsides to a jury trial for something like this. You have to hope that the jurors will be honest. Given the behavior of several past juries when it comes to cases that are known are going to be high profile I hope this jury is focusing more on the case rather than what type of interview deals they can make after it is over.
(If you are following this trial, I have created a companion blog that will contain a mirror of all of the posts from here on the Father Gerald Robinson Murder Trial)
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Euston Manifesto makes top five Technorati search terms
I'd read about the Euston Manifesto a few days ago because History Mike wrote about it, signed it and joined the group.
I didn't, as I wrote in the comments on the thread I had some concerns about other written material by some of those listed and I'm not sure I agreed with their concept of the two State solution for Palestine and Israel.
Media is of course now picking this story up, as well as the blogosphere. When I clicked on the search results for it, I discovered Guardian commentary that surprised me with the degree it took issue with this group. Some highlights from the opinion piece:
Much of the Euston Manifesto is comprised of worthy banalities, assertions about rights, equality and critical thinking that are a good deal less contentious or novel than the authors think. The document only really bristles when it comes to its enemies on the left. And the only significant parts of this remarkably pompous, vague and prolix declaration are where it proudly "draws a line" between itself as an "authentic carrier" of the left's democratic traditions and the anti-war, anti-occupation left that it claims has abandoned it.
"The deliberate targeting of civilians is a crime under international law and all recognized codes of warfare," declare the manifesto authors, "and it cannot be justified by the argument that it is done in a cause that is just". I agree with this and without qualification. Which places me in a different camp from them, who between them have said not a word about the slaughter of civilians by occupying forces in Fallujah and numerous other Iraqi towns and cities. Here the manifesto authors are themselves guilty of what they denounce as "the cultural relativist view according to which ... basic human rights are not appropriate for certain nations or peoples".
Finally, it's very hard to feel sorry for the authors when they complain about the opprobrium and "excommunication" they have suffered at the hands of the left. Over the last few years, they've dished out the bile and the misrepresentation pretty lavishly in their own columns and blogs. Frankly, their vision of the world is a self-serving fantasy. Which won't stop it getting far more publicity and being taken far more seriously than it deserves.
There's a lot more at the link, I'd also recommend Phil's blog post at Actually Existing. He put a great deal of thought into was this something he could support or not. Blairwatch has some thoughts, a lot of links and shares an interesing version of the 'real' Euston Manifesto...I had a hard time finishing after reading this part:
We espouse a generally egalitarian politics, but as a group of largely middle class, middle aged white men we wouldn't want to push things too far.
We look forward to progress in relations between the sexes (until full gender equality is achieved, bless 'em), between different ethnic communities, between those of various religious affiliations and those of none, and between people of diverse sexual orientations — as well as towards broader social and economic equality all round (no riff raff though)
I don't think I'll be signing that one either....not sure about the "Conservative" version either though I do admit these two promises are tempting even for this left leaner:
We will not make any damn manifestos.
Ceci n'est pas un manifesto, pour le sake de fuck.
:-)
I didn't, as I wrote in the comments on the thread I had some concerns about other written material by some of those listed and I'm not sure I agreed with their concept of the two State solution for Palestine and Israel.
Media is of course now picking this story up, as well as the blogosphere. When I clicked on the search results for it, I discovered Guardian commentary that surprised me with the degree it took issue with this group. Some highlights from the opinion piece:
Much of the Euston Manifesto is comprised of worthy banalities, assertions about rights, equality and critical thinking that are a good deal less contentious or novel than the authors think. The document only really bristles when it comes to its enemies on the left. And the only significant parts of this remarkably pompous, vague and prolix declaration are where it proudly "draws a line" between itself as an "authentic carrier" of the left's democratic traditions and the anti-war, anti-occupation left that it claims has abandoned it.
"The deliberate targeting of civilians is a crime under international law and all recognized codes of warfare," declare the manifesto authors, "and it cannot be justified by the argument that it is done in a cause that is just". I agree with this and without qualification. Which places me in a different camp from them, who between them have said not a word about the slaughter of civilians by occupying forces in Fallujah and numerous other Iraqi towns and cities. Here the manifesto authors are themselves guilty of what they denounce as "the cultural relativist view according to which ... basic human rights are not appropriate for certain nations or peoples".
Finally, it's very hard to feel sorry for the authors when they complain about the opprobrium and "excommunication" they have suffered at the hands of the left. Over the last few years, they've dished out the bile and the misrepresentation pretty lavishly in their own columns and blogs. Frankly, their vision of the world is a self-serving fantasy. Which won't stop it getting far more publicity and being taken far more seriously than it deserves.
There's a lot more at the link, I'd also recommend Phil's blog post at Actually Existing. He put a great deal of thought into was this something he could support or not. Blairwatch has some thoughts, a lot of links and shares an interesing version of the 'real' Euston Manifesto...I had a hard time finishing after reading this part:
We espouse a generally egalitarian politics, but as a group of largely middle class, middle aged white men we wouldn't want to push things too far.
We look forward to progress in relations between the sexes (until full gender equality is achieved, bless 'em), between different ethnic communities, between those of various religious affiliations and those of none, and between people of diverse sexual orientations — as well as towards broader social and economic equality all round (no riff raff though)
I don't think I'll be signing that one either....not sure about the "Conservative" version either though I do admit these two promises are tempting even for this left leaner:
We will not make any damn manifestos.
Ceci n'est pas un manifesto, pour le sake de fuck.
:-)
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Ten Commandments
Yes, I know the movie almost by heart but it is a tradition for me. Something I watched for years with my Dad. Yes, just like It's a Wonderful Life. Of course I don't have my Dad anymore but blogging will be done probably till tomorrow since it is starting now and won't end until 11:30.
:-)
:-)
More information on the Father Robinson Murder Trial
The Toledo Blade has an article this morning that outlines the statements of a woman who approached the Church wanting reimbursement for costs related to her therapy necessary because she claims she was abused by several priests several decades ago.
While the Blade article doesn't warn you that her claims are somewhat disturbing, I will warn you...Some of what is below might disturb you:
In the fall of 2003, the victim, now in her mid-40s, delivered a four-page typewritten letter to the Toledo diocese detailing her allegations in hopes that church officials would pay for her therapy bills.
In her testimony, she described being subjected to Satanic ceremonies in which priests placed her in a coffin filled with cockroaches, forced her to eat what she thought was a human eyeball, and penetrated her with a snake “to consecrate these orifices to Satan.”
She also alleged that the group of clerics killed an infant and a 3-year-old child, performed an abortion on her, and chopped up dogs during the rituals.
This was what opened up the cold case investigation into the death of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl because the woman claimed that Father Robinson was one of the priests involved in this. Father Robinson has not been convicted as being a part of that nor charged. Nor have any of the other priests that were claimed to have been involved identified.
John Connors, a former seminarian who retired after 25 years as a police officer, was hired by the Toledo diocese to investigate the woman’s allegations.
“I think she told the truth,” Mr. Connors said flatly this week. “I interviewed her, almost 20 hours’ worth, and I got a pretty good feel for it.”
No one has stated anything about a missing person's report on the three year old or the infant that was claimed to have been killed, nor has much more of John Connor's statement's been covered so I'm not exactly sure how or why he feels she was telling the truth. You would think if two children had also truly been murdered there would have been an attempt to resolve that situation rather than just a claim for monetary damages to reimburse someone for counseling. Even if a person had gone thru something that traumatic why would they focus just on money rather than trying to get some type of justice for a young child and a baby being murdered? That part of I'll never understand, as well as why no other priests were publicly identified.
Not to be graphic, but the whole concept of being penetrated by a snake is a common myth yet logically anyone who has handled a snake knows how difficult that is to even imagine as a possible event. I'm not going to present myself as an expert on Satanic rituals, however, a coffin full of cockroaches is not something you would normally expect, it is more along the lines of the television show Fear Factor which did do that back on March of 2002.
I'm not the only one that finds part of this statement as to be questionable. Religion News Blog has a post on this as well. People do take this seriously, most people do not probably remember that back in 1999 the Government of Kenya took such claims of ritual abuse seriously to the point of establishing a Presidential Commission on Devil Worship.
While slightly off topic, this brings up one of my main issues with the Catholic Church, their willingness to pay off people who claim to be victims which creates the assumption of guilt. While I'm sure in some cases some of these people really have been abused, I am just as certain that some have not been or not to the degree described. Even if every person who claims to have been abused was, you don't make it go away by paying people off, and if there are claims made like this one where children were murdered, something more should have been done. With that amount of killings and bloodshed involving babies, children, dogs, etc., surely even after all of these years some forensic evidence could be located.
This article by New House News contains some information the Blade article does not, including this:
The allegations of dark rituals have aroused interest, and antagonism as well.
"That's just a ... smokescreen," said Dave Davison, a retired Toledo police officer who was the first to see the body.
It is one of the few points of agreement between Davison and retired Deputy Chief Ray Vetter, who was in charge of detectives at the time.
Davison accuses the city's heavily Roman Catholic police department of colluding with the diocese.
Robinson was a suspect from the beginning -- probably the only other point on which the two former cops agree.
"This officer (Davison), he's come up with an awful lot of outlandish stuff," Vetter said in a telephone interview. He agreed there were no signs of any ritual and that Robinson emerged as the main suspect.
The suspect list narrowed down to Robinson "because we didn't have anyone else," and because of his close association with the dead nun, Vetter said. Deception by the priest also heightened suspicion.
While the Blade article doesn't warn you that her claims are somewhat disturbing, I will warn you...Some of what is below might disturb you:
In the fall of 2003, the victim, now in her mid-40s, delivered a four-page typewritten letter to the Toledo diocese detailing her allegations in hopes that church officials would pay for her therapy bills.
In her testimony, she described being subjected to Satanic ceremonies in which priests placed her in a coffin filled with cockroaches, forced her to eat what she thought was a human eyeball, and penetrated her with a snake “to consecrate these orifices to Satan.”
She also alleged that the group of clerics killed an infant and a 3-year-old child, performed an abortion on her, and chopped up dogs during the rituals.
This was what opened up the cold case investigation into the death of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl because the woman claimed that Father Robinson was one of the priests involved in this. Father Robinson has not been convicted as being a part of that nor charged. Nor have any of the other priests that were claimed to have been involved identified.
John Connors, a former seminarian who retired after 25 years as a police officer, was hired by the Toledo diocese to investigate the woman’s allegations.
“I think she told the truth,” Mr. Connors said flatly this week. “I interviewed her, almost 20 hours’ worth, and I got a pretty good feel for it.”
No one has stated anything about a missing person's report on the three year old or the infant that was claimed to have been killed, nor has much more of John Connor's statement's been covered so I'm not exactly sure how or why he feels she was telling the truth. You would think if two children had also truly been murdered there would have been an attempt to resolve that situation rather than just a claim for monetary damages to reimburse someone for counseling. Even if a person had gone thru something that traumatic why would they focus just on money rather than trying to get some type of justice for a young child and a baby being murdered? That part of I'll never understand, as well as why no other priests were publicly identified.
Not to be graphic, but the whole concept of being penetrated by a snake is a common myth yet logically anyone who has handled a snake knows how difficult that is to even imagine as a possible event. I'm not going to present myself as an expert on Satanic rituals, however, a coffin full of cockroaches is not something you would normally expect, it is more along the lines of the television show Fear Factor which did do that back on March of 2002.
I'm not the only one that finds part of this statement as to be questionable. Religion News Blog has a post on this as well. People do take this seriously, most people do not probably remember that back in 1999 the Government of Kenya took such claims of ritual abuse seriously to the point of establishing a Presidential Commission on Devil Worship.
While slightly off topic, this brings up one of my main issues with the Catholic Church, their willingness to pay off people who claim to be victims which creates the assumption of guilt. While I'm sure in some cases some of these people really have been abused, I am just as certain that some have not been or not to the degree described. Even if every person who claims to have been abused was, you don't make it go away by paying people off, and if there are claims made like this one where children were murdered, something more should have been done. With that amount of killings and bloodshed involving babies, children, dogs, etc., surely even after all of these years some forensic evidence could be located.
This article by New House News contains some information the Blade article does not, including this:
The allegations of dark rituals have aroused interest, and antagonism as well.
"That's just a ... smokescreen," said Dave Davison, a retired Toledo police officer who was the first to see the body.
It is one of the few points of agreement between Davison and retired Deputy Chief Ray Vetter, who was in charge of detectives at the time.
Davison accuses the city's heavily Roman Catholic police department of colluding with the diocese.
Robinson was a suspect from the beginning -- probably the only other point on which the two former cops agree.
"This officer (Davison), he's come up with an awful lot of outlandish stuff," Vetter said in a telephone interview. He agreed there were no signs of any ritual and that Robinson emerged as the main suspect.
The suspect list narrowed down to Robinson "because we didn't have anyone else," and because of his close association with the dead nun, Vetter said. Deception by the priest also heightened suspicion.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Grow Ohio isn't growing...
I realized without Drew it was going to be less interesting for me personally, because I am a fan of Drew's from before he worked for Sherrod; but I like Chris Stelmarski...I had the chance to meet Chris a few months ago and we had a fun discussion.
Where are you Chris? Come on Grow Ohio...Grow...you don't want to get less daily visitors than me.
:-)
The Father Robinson Murder Trial starts Monday
Toledo is once again in the headlines for news that isn't necessarily something to be proud of our area for. Most of the local media has already started to focus on the trial with WTOL already taking the lead on capitalizing on this and has a special graphic announcing the trial and have announced that nation wide media including Court TV will be here. A special room for the media has been set up. Gee I wonder if as a blogger I could qualify as media...
There is the Time line for the murder, WTOL has also taken a look at all of the key members of the prosecution and the defense as well as a few of those expected to testify.
If you need further evidence that WTOL is trying to become the "Father Robinson News Source" they even have a poll asking how Toledo residents feel about him wearing his clerical collar to court. Rather ironic given they even refer to him as "Father Robinson" and he is still a priest. I guess the concept that someone is innocent until proven guilty has no bearing on it.
Locally the discussion has been on that topic and the recent escapades of SNAP members Claudia Vercellotti and Jon Schoonmaker who had their attempt to cash in on some publicity almost diminished by a Diocese Staff member ,who refused them entry with the Blade reporter making his bias pretty obvious with this statement:
Ms. Stein stood patiently but impassively, reciting her statements coldly and impersonally.
How dare Ms. Stein try to stop them from their moment in the cameras. Realistically Claudia got more mileage from the "rejection" and one can't help but wondering what is wrong with the postal service or the many other services out there that will deliver letters with proof of delivery. If the real intent was to deliver a letter rather than to be infront of the cameras...
Is Father Robinson guilty? I have no idea, but I am willing to do something really unique these days. Not pre-decide because he is still innocent at this point. Many things don't make sense about this and the harder those out there try to pre-determine his guilt the more I decide there is more to this. Will that come out thru this trial or will it end up being like so many other cases that the truth is never known.
That's what we will find out in the days to come. Yes, I'll continue to post about the trial, and update as more happens. I guess the one "detective" who was posting all over the local blogs earlier this year claiming that this case would never make it to trial because they would make some kind of a deal that allowed Father Robinson to walk was wrong. Let's hope the rest of the trial is based on more reliable information than what he claimed was a certainty.
As a full disclosure...I am Catholic and I don't have a lot of admiration for those who have tried to destroy the Church rather than focus on the victims. Priests who abuse children should be punished, the same as the larger numbers of abusers of children should be. So, if you are one of those that feels that all or a majority of Priests are pedophiles and you "know" Father Robinson is guilty? You probably won't like my blog coverage.
:-)
However, even though this site focuses on "Clergy Ritual Abuse" even titling the webpage this information is listed on with "Priests of Darkness". It does contain a lot of the information from the Toledo Blade and other sources for those looking for more background information.
Also worth pointing out the Toledo Blade reporter, David Yonke has an upcoming book on this case. Which is due to be released in September. I'm sure he'd appreciate the publicity.
There is the Time line for the murder, WTOL has also taken a look at all of the key members of the prosecution and the defense as well as a few of those expected to testify.
If you need further evidence that WTOL is trying to become the "Father Robinson News Source" they even have a poll asking how Toledo residents feel about him wearing his clerical collar to court. Rather ironic given they even refer to him as "Father Robinson" and he is still a priest. I guess the concept that someone is innocent until proven guilty has no bearing on it.
Locally the discussion has been on that topic and the recent escapades of SNAP members Claudia Vercellotti and Jon Schoonmaker who had their attempt to cash in on some publicity almost diminished by a Diocese Staff member ,who refused them entry with the Blade reporter making his bias pretty obvious with this statement:
Ms. Stein stood patiently but impassively, reciting her statements coldly and impersonally.
How dare Ms. Stein try to stop them from their moment in the cameras. Realistically Claudia got more mileage from the "rejection" and one can't help but wondering what is wrong with the postal service or the many other services out there that will deliver letters with proof of delivery. If the real intent was to deliver a letter rather than to be infront of the cameras...
Is Father Robinson guilty? I have no idea, but I am willing to do something really unique these days. Not pre-decide because he is still innocent at this point. Many things don't make sense about this and the harder those out there try to pre-determine his guilt the more I decide there is more to this. Will that come out thru this trial or will it end up being like so many other cases that the truth is never known.
That's what we will find out in the days to come. Yes, I'll continue to post about the trial, and update as more happens. I guess the one "detective" who was posting all over the local blogs earlier this year claiming that this case would never make it to trial because they would make some kind of a deal that allowed Father Robinson to walk was wrong. Let's hope the rest of the trial is based on more reliable information than what he claimed was a certainty.
As a full disclosure...I am Catholic and I don't have a lot of admiration for those who have tried to destroy the Church rather than focus on the victims. Priests who abuse children should be punished, the same as the larger numbers of abusers of children should be. So, if you are one of those that feels that all or a majority of Priests are pedophiles and you "know" Father Robinson is guilty? You probably won't like my blog coverage.
:-)
However, even though this site focuses on "Clergy Ritual Abuse" even titling the webpage this information is listed on with "Priests of Darkness". It does contain a lot of the information from the Toledo Blade and other sources for those looking for more background information.
Also worth pointing out the Toledo Blade reporter, David Yonke has an upcoming book on this case. Which is due to be released in September. I'm sure he'd appreciate the publicity.
Brad Sucks
No Emily not your Brad, but I've been playing with tecnology and failing today trying to get a moment of sanity with the girls home to get this mp3 player thing working to share a song that I found that I really liked with you.
So? Since that failed and I probably have about 1000 more gray hairs today you'll have to visit the site and click on the song "Dirtbag".
It's not really appropriate for today being Good Friday however, it kind of hits a resonance with the way some of the things on the local front have been.
:-)
So? Since that failed and I probably have about 1000 more gray hairs today you'll have to visit the site and click on the song "Dirtbag".
It's not really appropriate for today being Good Friday however, it kind of hits a resonance with the way some of the things on the local front have been.
:-)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Now this pisses me off...
I'm a member of the Life, Liberty Property Community. I headed over this morning to visit the main page to see what was going on.
I see this:
A challenge from Raskolnikov for all the enlightened, relative Liberals. I don't know if "progressives" include this in their mandate but I know what's in mine. You touch my son I touch you.
So I visit to find out what's going on, and then I discover this:
I eagerly await your defense, in the name of free speech and progressive ideas, of course.
Just when you thought My Blahg was the lowest the blog world could sink:
I'm not even going to link the blog in question here, because I am not going to create more hits for some yahoo's that are preaching that they have some right to develop relationships with underage boys based on the greek philosphy of "Pederasty".
Why would you want to promote a blog like that? What would make you even assume that this is something that a Liberal should even want to defend? Oh yes the whole "Liberals support tolerance".
Of consenting adults yes...This whole tired of line of if you support homosexual unions or even homosexuality you support people marrying animals; children being raped; parents marrying their children; polygamy involving children; is crap.
I don't paint all Republicans, or Conservatives, or those who are more Religious than I am with a broad brush. I realize that we are all individuals and just because we have attributed a particular political label to ourselves that we feel most closely identifies us politically does not mean that to believe in tolerance you believe in this kind of violation of the a child.
I even question if that blog is for real as I commented over there. What proof do they have that this is even legitimate? That it wasn't written to create fake outrage. I asked really, logically what type of idiot would post a blog about something like that and not expect law enforcement to be watching their every move? Yet since it can be used negatively about those darn liberals let's just trot it out there and blog about it.
I don't often get angry, I'm usually the one who's out there trying to see both sides of an issue or trying to find a common ground, or even agreeing to disagree. There is no agree to disagree this time. There is no trying to see why any blogger would promote that site or make a challenge to Liberals to defend this crap. There is no defense in trying to imply that Liberals or Progressives would agree with this.
I see this:
A challenge from Raskolnikov for all the enlightened, relative Liberals. I don't know if "progressives" include this in their mandate but I know what's in mine. You touch my son I touch you.
So I visit to find out what's going on, and then I discover this:
I eagerly await your defense, in the name of free speech and progressive ideas, of course.
Just when you thought My Blahg was the lowest the blog world could sink:
I'm not even going to link the blog in question here, because I am not going to create more hits for some yahoo's that are preaching that they have some right to develop relationships with underage boys based on the greek philosphy of "Pederasty".
Why would you want to promote a blog like that? What would make you even assume that this is something that a Liberal should even want to defend? Oh yes the whole "Liberals support tolerance".
Of consenting adults yes...This whole tired of line of if you support homosexual unions or even homosexuality you support people marrying animals; children being raped; parents marrying their children; polygamy involving children; is crap.
I don't paint all Republicans, or Conservatives, or those who are more Religious than I am with a broad brush. I realize that we are all individuals and just because we have attributed a particular political label to ourselves that we feel most closely identifies us politically does not mean that to believe in tolerance you believe in this kind of violation of the a child.
I even question if that blog is for real as I commented over there. What proof do they have that this is even legitimate? That it wasn't written to create fake outrage. I asked really, logically what type of idiot would post a blog about something like that and not expect law enforcement to be watching their every move? Yet since it can be used negatively about those darn liberals let's just trot it out there and blog about it.
I don't often get angry, I'm usually the one who's out there trying to see both sides of an issue or trying to find a common ground, or even agreeing to disagree. There is no agree to disagree this time. There is no trying to see why any blogger would promote that site or make a challenge to Liberals to defend this crap. There is no defense in trying to imply that Liberals or Progressives would agree with this.
Anything to make a buck? And it's Link Loving Thursday!
I read the above linked Washingon Post article about the recent proposal made in Congress to start charging a one dollar admission fee to the Smithsonian. Granted it is only a dollar, but I can't help wondering would it stay at a dollar? Wouldn't a donation system where visitors could donate if they wanted to be the first option? That could potentially create more than a 24 million dollar profit.
So while I understand the desire to reduce federal spending to support the Smithsonian, I also remember why it was created in the first place..
an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men
If you want to share what you are posting about, you know what to do, if you don't know what I'm talking about? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns where that information will not cost you a dollar.
:-)
Tor's Rants would like you to read "China and the World Buddhist Forum"
Excerpt: As a nonsectarian American Buddhist, it's hard to gauge the current tenor of the relations between China and Tibetan Buddhists in exile. In reading the Washington Post, one assumes that the exiled Tibetans are dismissive of the proceedings:
Jon Swift wants to hear your thoughts on "Let's Not Nuke Iran-Yet"
Excerpt: While nuking Iraq sounds like a great idea, I don't think we should rush into things before we take care of some unfinished business.
So while I understand the desire to reduce federal spending to support the Smithsonian, I also remember why it was created in the first place..
an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men
If you want to share what you are posting about, you know what to do, if you don't know what I'm talking about? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns where that information will not cost you a dollar.
:-)
Tor's Rants would like you to read "China and the World Buddhist Forum"
Excerpt: As a nonsectarian American Buddhist, it's hard to gauge the current tenor of the relations between China and Tibetan Buddhists in exile. In reading the Washington Post, one assumes that the exiled Tibetans are dismissive of the proceedings:
Jon Swift wants to hear your thoughts on "Let's Not Nuke Iran-Yet"
Excerpt: While nuking Iraq sounds like a great idea, I don't think we should rush into things before we take care of some unfinished business.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
THE IRAN PLANS
With a curtsy to Don and Jeremy over at the Nookular Option I found out about the above linked New Yorker article written by Seymour Hersch.
While some of the sources of information for this article are un-named, I feel this is an article that should be read and some of what I read really concerned me, as an example some selected paragraphs:
Bush and others in the White House view him as a potential Adolf Hitler, a former senior intelligence official said. “That’s the name they’re using. They say, ‘Will Iran get a strategic weapon and threaten another world war?’ ”
A government consultant with close ties to the civilian leadership in the Pentagon said that Bush was “absolutely convinced that Iran is going to get the bomb” if it is not stopped. He said that the President believes that he must do “what no Democrat or Republican, if elected in the future, would have the courage to do,” and “that saving Iran is going to be his legacy.”
“This is much more than a nuclear issue,” one high-ranking diplomat told me in Vienna. “That’s just a rallying point, and there is still time to fix it. But the Administration believes it cannot be fixed unless they control the hearts and minds of Iran. The real issue is who is going to control the Middle East and its oil in the next ten years.”
There is much more in the article...
While some of the sources of information for this article are un-named, I feel this is an article that should be read and some of what I read really concerned me, as an example some selected paragraphs:
Bush and others in the White House view him as a potential Adolf Hitler, a former senior intelligence official said. “That’s the name they’re using. They say, ‘Will Iran get a strategic weapon and threaten another world war?’ ”
A government consultant with close ties to the civilian leadership in the Pentagon said that Bush was “absolutely convinced that Iran is going to get the bomb” if it is not stopped. He said that the President believes that he must do “what no Democrat or Republican, if elected in the future, would have the courage to do,” and “that saving Iran is going to be his legacy.”
“This is much more than a nuclear issue,” one high-ranking diplomat told me in Vienna. “That’s just a rallying point, and there is still time to fix it. But the Administration believes it cannot be fixed unless they control the hearts and minds of Iran. The real issue is who is going to control the Middle East and its oil in the next ten years.”
There is much more in the article...
The American Bloggers for Inclusive Debates
Why I joined and why you should consider it...
Let's face it, quite a bit of discussion on the blogosphere surrounds the "one" issue topics that while should not be ignored also have a way of allowing some of the harder questions to be asked. I've tried most times here to not focus just on abortion or immigration or same sex marriages but to look at deeper issues and to point out where both Republicans and Democrats could use some improvement.
American Bloggers for Inclusive Debates doesn't require you be of a particular political belief, only that you want to move forward beyond the talking points we have heard over and over again.
Visit the link above and if you agree with me? Looking forward to seeing your blog name on the blogroll.
:-)
Let's face it, quite a bit of discussion on the blogosphere surrounds the "one" issue topics that while should not be ignored also have a way of allowing some of the harder questions to be asked. I've tried most times here to not focus just on abortion or immigration or same sex marriages but to look at deeper issues and to point out where both Republicans and Democrats could use some improvement.
American Bloggers for Inclusive Debates doesn't require you be of a particular political belief, only that you want to move forward beyond the talking points we have heard over and over again.
Visit the link above and if you agree with me? Looking forward to seeing your blog name on the blogroll.
:-)
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Marc Dann and the Phillips case
Most of the Ohio newspapers have written about this, The Columbus Dispatch:
Phillips’ attorney, Randi Barnabee, said Dann’s law firm never should have taken the case because Dann and the judge in Phillips’ second importuning case informally discussed his sentence in the first case. Barnabee said it wasn’t enough for Dann to hand over the case to a colleague in his firm.
The Toledo Blade
"Unlike my opponent, I don't have to face allegations as he did last week that he advised a client to plead guilty to a nonexistent crime that had been struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court," said Mr. Chandra, referring a case filed against Mr. Dann's law firm for inadequate representation.
So if you know me you know what happened next. I got curious. I found a blog that mentions the original lawsuit that was filed in 2003. This was posted on Bill and Kent's place on November 24, 2003, it was stated as from an article from the Gay People's Chronicle that appears to be no longer an active story link when I searched for a direct link.
Yet, this blog raises some details that made me wonder. One as an example was discovering that Phillips cousin is Columbus criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Berndt. He obviously didn't know about the change in the law either since he didn't advise or do anything when his cousin was improperly convicted of the first charge or the second charge.
The link also gives some more detailed information as to both the first and the second charge that Phillips faced:
Phillips’ troubles began when he was charged December 16, 2002 with importuning after a 17-year-old co-worker complained that banter between him and Phillips had become too crude.
Not knowing the measure no longer existed, Phillips, then 20, appeared before Gysegem without a lawyer and pleaded no contest to the charge.
Gysegem gave him a 180-day suspended sentence, a $600 fine, and five years probation including sex offender courses--paid for by Phillips--and monitoring of his computer.
A second importuning case in April was affected by this one, and Phillips had to serve four months in jail. He was released August 14.
In the second case, Phillips was arrested at work following a report that he had solicited a 14-year-old boy on April 11.
This case has various twists and turns from what I've read, and while I can understand why Phillips would be rightfully upset/angry that he served four months in jail based on a prior conviction that was not legal, I don't see how Marc Dann is to blame. I have to assume that Chandra would know all of the facts in this case or at least have access to them so I really question his using this as a way to defeat Dann.
Unfortunately it's getting to the point where the longer this primary goes on the less I think of both Dann and Chandra as candidates.
(This article was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net)
Phillips’ attorney, Randi Barnabee, said Dann’s law firm never should have taken the case because Dann and the judge in Phillips’ second importuning case informally discussed his sentence in the first case. Barnabee said it wasn’t enough for Dann to hand over the case to a colleague in his firm.
The Toledo Blade
"Unlike my opponent, I don't have to face allegations as he did last week that he advised a client to plead guilty to a nonexistent crime that had been struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court," said Mr. Chandra, referring a case filed against Mr. Dann's law firm for inadequate representation.
So if you know me you know what happened next. I got curious. I found a blog that mentions the original lawsuit that was filed in 2003. This was posted on Bill and Kent's place on November 24, 2003, it was stated as from an article from the Gay People's Chronicle that appears to be no longer an active story link when I searched for a direct link.
Yet, this blog raises some details that made me wonder. One as an example was discovering that Phillips cousin is Columbus criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Berndt. He obviously didn't know about the change in the law either since he didn't advise or do anything when his cousin was improperly convicted of the first charge or the second charge.
The link also gives some more detailed information as to both the first and the second charge that Phillips faced:
Phillips’ troubles began when he was charged December 16, 2002 with importuning after a 17-year-old co-worker complained that banter between him and Phillips had become too crude.
Not knowing the measure no longer existed, Phillips, then 20, appeared before Gysegem without a lawyer and pleaded no contest to the charge.
Gysegem gave him a 180-day suspended sentence, a $600 fine, and five years probation including sex offender courses--paid for by Phillips--and monitoring of his computer.
A second importuning case in April was affected by this one, and Phillips had to serve four months in jail. He was released August 14.
In the second case, Phillips was arrested at work following a report that he had solicited a 14-year-old boy on April 11.
This case has various twists and turns from what I've read, and while I can understand why Phillips would be rightfully upset/angry that he served four months in jail based on a prior conviction that was not legal, I don't see how Marc Dann is to blame. I have to assume that Chandra would know all of the facts in this case or at least have access to them so I really question his using this as a way to defeat Dann.
Unfortunately it's getting to the point where the longer this primary goes on the less I think of both Dann and Chandra as candidates.
(This article was written for the Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net)
The personal responsibility factor in protesting
As I was reading the news this morning, this caught my eye from WTOL:
Fifteen immigrant women who missed work to attend an immigrant rights rally last month have been fired.
The general manager of a Detroit meat packing company says the women were warned they would lose their jobs if they skipped work on March 27th.
The workers say they received no such warning.
I then remembered hearing about this
ENNIS, Texas — As many as 130 students were barred from Ennis High School's senior prom on Saturday evening for taking part in immigration protests earlier in the week, school officials said.
Students at Ennis High School, Ennis Junior High and the Sixth Grade Center were suspended Friday, a day after they marched to protest federal immigration proposals that call for a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Many students were upset that the suspensions, which end Monday, would preclude them from attending the prom.
The students were warned that they would be suspended if they participated in any protests, school officials said.
This one particular statement that is being repeated by many is what made me decide to write about this:
"We got suspended, and we're not allowed to go to prom for standing up for something that we believe is right,"
Where is the personal responsibility in all of this? No matter how you feel about the immigration issue this has come up in the past as far as protests and most likely will in the future. If you knowingly violate school or workplace rules, chances are you are going to face consequences.
You have alternatives, if you are a student they could have easily arranged to have their own protest/demonstration after school hours. If you are a worker who cannot arrange to take the day off the same thing applies,
Or you deal with the consequences of your decision proudly, if it was that important to you to protest and you missed the prom or you were fired if you were truly warned, which in the case of the students we do know did happen, it almost makes it appear that the cause you felt was important enough to leave school over obviously wasn't important enough if there was a real personal sacrifice.
If it turns out the workers were not warned and that this is a punative action that would not have happened to a worker missing a day for another reason then they should be re-instated and be subject to whatever the normal process for missing a day of work would be. If they were warned?
Sometimes standing up for what you believe in comes at a personal price.
Fifteen immigrant women who missed work to attend an immigrant rights rally last month have been fired.
The general manager of a Detroit meat packing company says the women were warned they would lose their jobs if they skipped work on March 27th.
The workers say they received no such warning.
I then remembered hearing about this
ENNIS, Texas — As many as 130 students were barred from Ennis High School's senior prom on Saturday evening for taking part in immigration protests earlier in the week, school officials said.
Students at Ennis High School, Ennis Junior High and the Sixth Grade Center were suspended Friday, a day after they marched to protest federal immigration proposals that call for a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Many students were upset that the suspensions, which end Monday, would preclude them from attending the prom.
The students were warned that they would be suspended if they participated in any protests, school officials said.
This one particular statement that is being repeated by many is what made me decide to write about this:
"We got suspended, and we're not allowed to go to prom for standing up for something that we believe is right,"
Where is the personal responsibility in all of this? No matter how you feel about the immigration issue this has come up in the past as far as protests and most likely will in the future. If you knowingly violate school or workplace rules, chances are you are going to face consequences.
You have alternatives, if you are a student they could have easily arranged to have their own protest/demonstration after school hours. If you are a worker who cannot arrange to take the day off the same thing applies,
Or you deal with the consequences of your decision proudly, if it was that important to you to protest and you missed the prom or you were fired if you were truly warned, which in the case of the students we do know did happen, it almost makes it appear that the cause you felt was important enough to leave school over obviously wasn't important enough if there was a real personal sacrifice.
If it turns out the workers were not warned and that this is a punative action that would not have happened to a worker missing a day for another reason then they should be re-instated and be subject to whatever the normal process for missing a day of work would be. If they were warned?
Sometimes standing up for what you believe in comes at a personal price.
Monday, April 10, 2006
How I survived capture..
Actually it was just irony that was my last post. A combination of health stuff and other family things happened that made me take a few days break.
I'd like to say I'm refreshed and back to me, but that would be lying. So I'll use my grandmother's favorite line. "Any day you wake up and you are breathing, it's a good day".
:-)
I'd like to say I'm refreshed and back to me, but that would be lying. So I'll use my grandmother's favorite line. "Any day you wake up and you are breathing, it's a good day".
:-)
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Welcome special visitors....
I was going over my visitors for today and someone from the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C. stopped by as well as someone from the FCC and the Library of Congress. Another interesting one I've never seen stop by before was the Communication Authority of Thailand.
Should I rejoice that I'm being read by people from there or should I start looking for the black helicopters....
:-)
Should I rejoice that I'm being read by people from there or should I start looking for the black helicopters....
:-)
Share some link love Thursday and I had no idea people liked teapots that much
As I was checking out the internet news I watched a video on CNN that was about congressional pork, focusing on the $500,000 that is being given to Sparta, North Carolina for a Teapot Museum. I am still an anti-pork person and I believe if something is really deserving of funding there are ways to do it and feel very strongly that given some of the cuts being made to other programs there should be a better system of priorities. Yet, reading the following from Carolina Journal surprised me:
Woodie said a traveling exhibit of many of the Kamms' teapots at museums around the country has "spectacular attendance." An economic impact study determined that the project would attract 61,000 visitors annually and $7.5 million in new tourism spending.
The museum is expected to cost roughly $10 million to build. As many as a dozen employees would be hired, and the proposed annual operating budget would run between $800,000 and $900,000.
Besides the state grant, the teapot museum has been awarded $380,000 out of the state's tobacco settlement money through Golden LEAF, and $25,000 from the AdvantageWest regional economic development partnership. Woodie said the museum has also received about $500,000 in individual private contributions and $78,000 in grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
UNC-TV has alot more detail about the North Carolina budget issues for those interested.
Now...on to sharing some of that link love! If you don't know what to do? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, I also recommend visiting her main page to keep abreast of the latest P.E.R.V. developments....
:-)
Woodie said a traveling exhibit of many of the Kamms' teapots at museums around the country has "spectacular attendance." An economic impact study determined that the project would attract 61,000 visitors annually and $7.5 million in new tourism spending.
The museum is expected to cost roughly $10 million to build. As many as a dozen employees would be hired, and the proposed annual operating budget would run between $800,000 and $900,000.
Besides the state grant, the teapot museum has been awarded $380,000 out of the state's tobacco settlement money through Golden LEAF, and $25,000 from the AdvantageWest regional economic development partnership. Woodie said the museum has also received about $500,000 in individual private contributions and $78,000 in grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
UNC-TV has alot more detail about the North Carolina budget issues for those interested.
Now...on to sharing some of that link love! If you don't know what to do? Visit The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, I also recommend visiting her main page to keep abreast of the latest P.E.R.V. developments....
:-)
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Suddenly I don't feel so secure....
According to the title linked Cleveland Plain Dealer article:
MIAMI (AP) — A deputy press secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was charged with using a computer to seduce a child after authorities said he struck up sexual conversations with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Brian J. Doyle, 55, the fourth-ranking official in the department's public affairs office, was expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon in Maryland and also to be placed on administrative leave.
It's not just the fact that this is a Government Official doing this, but this part that if true, was especially troubling:
Doyle found the teenager's profile online and began having sexually explicit conversations with her on the Internet on March 14, the sheriff's office said in a statement.
He sent her pornographic movie clips, as well as non-sexual photos of himself, officials said. One of the photos, released by the sheriff's office, shows Doyle in what appears to be DHS headquarters. He is wearing a Homeland Security pin on his lapel and a lanyard that says "TSA."
The Transportation Security Administration is part of the Homeland Security Department.
During online conversations, Doyle revealed his name, who he worked for and offered his office and government-issued cell phone numbers, the sheriff's office said.
On several occasions, Doyle instructed her to perform a sexual act while thinking of him and described explicit activities he wanted to have with her, investigators said.
It's one thing to try to have an on-line relationship with someone like this if you believe they are over 18, however it appears in this situation Dolye was under the impression that it was a 14 year old.
CNN has additional details as well.
The Washington Post adds this even more disturbing bit of information:
Doyle was online at the time awaiting what he thought was a nude image of a girl who had lymphoma, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in an interview with Fox News' "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren." "We wanted to make sure he was using that computer and talking to detectives at the time of the arrest," Judd said.
As a parent, I would never ever ever let my child have or use a webcam, on top of monitoring their web usage I can't see a logical reason to let a child use or have a webcam. I can't really see a logical reason for an adult to use one let alone a child.
MIAMI (AP) — A deputy press secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was charged with using a computer to seduce a child after authorities said he struck up sexual conversations with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Brian J. Doyle, 55, the fourth-ranking official in the department's public affairs office, was expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon in Maryland and also to be placed on administrative leave.
It's not just the fact that this is a Government Official doing this, but this part that if true, was especially troubling:
Doyle found the teenager's profile online and began having sexually explicit conversations with her on the Internet on March 14, the sheriff's office said in a statement.
He sent her pornographic movie clips, as well as non-sexual photos of himself, officials said. One of the photos, released by the sheriff's office, shows Doyle in what appears to be DHS headquarters. He is wearing a Homeland Security pin on his lapel and a lanyard that says "TSA."
The Transportation Security Administration is part of the Homeland Security Department.
During online conversations, Doyle revealed his name, who he worked for and offered his office and government-issued cell phone numbers, the sheriff's office said.
On several occasions, Doyle instructed her to perform a sexual act while thinking of him and described explicit activities he wanted to have with her, investigators said.
It's one thing to try to have an on-line relationship with someone like this if you believe they are over 18, however it appears in this situation Dolye was under the impression that it was a 14 year old.
CNN has additional details as well.
The Washington Post adds this even more disturbing bit of information:
Doyle was online at the time awaiting what he thought was a nude image of a girl who had lymphoma, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in an interview with Fox News' "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren." "We wanted to make sure he was using that computer and talking to detectives at the time of the arrest," Judd said.
As a parent, I would never ever ever let my child have or use a webcam, on top of monitoring their web usage I can't see a logical reason to let a child use or have a webcam. I can't really see a logical reason for an adult to use one let alone a child.
Gawking or Stalking?
Even thru their own title Gawker.com calls it "Stalking" and their graphic as well.
According to several news sources, George Clooney is asking that people flood the website with fake tips on celebrity appearances to make that portion of the site of no value to those who feel they have to know the every waking movement of some of these stars.
It brings up an interesting question though, do Celebrities or Politicians for that matter have a right to privacy? What about family members? Is this unspoken code that if you are a star or are running for an elected office or elected for an office that every tidbit of information on you and all of your family members immediately becomes "the public's right to know"?
My personal belief is that we don't need to know everything, especially when it comes to family members. Our political decisions should not be based on which candidate has the most attractive spouse or debated as to which hairstyle looks better. Nor should it surround candidates children, which I would also extend to celebrities children as well.
I also think Clooney's way of dealing with this sitution is a very creative one and it appears it is working:
our inbox was indeed flooded with hundreds of sightings, almost all of which were of George Clooney. We’re sure that’s exactly what he meant.
According to several news sources, George Clooney is asking that people flood the website with fake tips on celebrity appearances to make that portion of the site of no value to those who feel they have to know the every waking movement of some of these stars.
It brings up an interesting question though, do Celebrities or Politicians for that matter have a right to privacy? What about family members? Is this unspoken code that if you are a star or are running for an elected office or elected for an office that every tidbit of information on you and all of your family members immediately becomes "the public's right to know"?
My personal belief is that we don't need to know everything, especially when it comes to family members. Our political decisions should not be based on which candidate has the most attractive spouse or debated as to which hairstyle looks better. Nor should it surround candidates children, which I would also extend to celebrities children as well.
I also think Clooney's way of dealing with this sitution is a very creative one and it appears it is working:
our inbox was indeed flooded with hundreds of sightings, almost all of which were of George Clooney. We’re sure that’s exactly what he meant.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Sorry guys
Some stupid idiot keeps spamming the blog with his hatred, over 18 posts in the past few minutes and he's been asked before to stop. I have his ip address, I've filed a complaint and I'm going to set up haloscan comments so I can ban his ip. So if you use the Haloscan where it says "thoughts" you can immediately comment, if you opt to use the blogger comments "?" that will be moderated for the next day or so.
Maybe I'll get used to the haloscan ones, it is cool that you can edit comments and use emoticons.
:-)
Maybe I'll get used to the haloscan ones, it is cool that you can edit comments and use emoticons.
:-)
My first reaction was replaced with...
I was reading the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Openers, You can be pro-environment and a Republican
I do know this, I realize all Republicans are not gunning to drill every last bit of land they think oil can be found on. I was surprised at how poorly most of Ohio's Republicans did on the Republicans for Environmental Protection Scorecard.
Mike Dewine scored the highest with a 47, which means after reviewing their score standards he voted on 7 out of 15 bills (12 bills for House members) that this group used to come up with a score. George Voinovich, John Boehner, Bob Ney, Mike Oxley and Jean Schmidt scored 0. Steve Chabot got 21; Steve LaTourette, 17, and Paul Gillmor, Dave Hobson, Deborah Pryce, Ralph Regula, Pat Tiberi and Mike Turner each got 8.
Being curious I wondered more about this group, then I started reading one of the speeches by Martha Marks who is the President of this organization.
Here's what got my attention, and those of you who have visited my blog will immediately know why:
The one comment I always hear, no matter where I go, is that the very notion of Republicans for Environmental Protection is an oxymoron. People often say that as if they think they’re the first ones who ever thought of it. I’ve gotten pretty good at making a joke out of that oxymoron crack. I like to chuckle publicly about being president of the world’s funniest oxymoron. It gives me a reliably humorous and self-deprecating way to begin my speeches.
I plead guilty to doing initially what has been done to me when I named this blog "Liberal Common Sense". So Republicans for Environmental Protection, I salute you and your effort to go beyond what Publisher Weekly stated, people who vote for Bush but shop at Whole Foods.
We do all share the same earth and the environment should be a bi-partisan affair.
Oh, and if you are curious to know how Sherrod Brown would have done using the same votes used to determine the Republicans for Environment Scorecard? I looked up his voting record. He would have scored 100.
:-)
(This post is for the 17th Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net, make sure to stop by tomorrow morning and see what some of Ohio's best bloggers are writing about)
I do know this, I realize all Republicans are not gunning to drill every last bit of land they think oil can be found on. I was surprised at how poorly most of Ohio's Republicans did on the Republicans for Environmental Protection Scorecard.
Mike Dewine scored the highest with a 47, which means after reviewing their score standards he voted on 7 out of 15 bills (12 bills for House members) that this group used to come up with a score. George Voinovich, John Boehner, Bob Ney, Mike Oxley and Jean Schmidt scored 0. Steve Chabot got 21; Steve LaTourette, 17, and Paul Gillmor, Dave Hobson, Deborah Pryce, Ralph Regula, Pat Tiberi and Mike Turner each got 8.
Being curious I wondered more about this group, then I started reading one of the speeches by Martha Marks who is the President of this organization.
Here's what got my attention, and those of you who have visited my blog will immediately know why:
The one comment I always hear, no matter where I go, is that the very notion of Republicans for Environmental Protection is an oxymoron. People often say that as if they think they’re the first ones who ever thought of it. I’ve gotten pretty good at making a joke out of that oxymoron crack. I like to chuckle publicly about being president of the world’s funniest oxymoron. It gives me a reliably humorous and self-deprecating way to begin my speeches.
I plead guilty to doing initially what has been done to me when I named this blog "Liberal Common Sense". So Republicans for Environmental Protection, I salute you and your effort to go beyond what Publisher Weekly stated, people who vote for Bush but shop at Whole Foods.
We do all share the same earth and the environment should be a bi-partisan affair.
Oh, and if you are curious to know how Sherrod Brown would have done using the same votes used to determine the Republicans for Environment Scorecard? I looked up his voting record. He would have scored 100.
:-)
(This post is for the 17th Carnival of Ohio Politics brought to you by Paul Miller of Northwest Ohio Net, make sure to stop by tomorrow morning and see what some of Ohio's best bloggers are writing about)
Selective Outrage
I realize as political bloggers we are naturally going to focus on good news on candidates we do like and the bad news of the ones we don't like. That's human nature. Yet a few events recently I think are worth pointing out to demonstrate how this selective outrage hurts both sides.
Most recently, the Toledo Blade article on Sherrod's Florida travels has been used by both the right and the left. Back in March I wrote two blog articles about this information from a different source that focused on all of Ohio's congressmen. The second one which included car leasing expenses in addition to travel costs was featured in the 14th Carnival of Politics.
Yes, I know everyone does not read my work, guess this goes to show you should (lol), seriously though, making this just about Sherrod if you are a Republican isn't smart if you bother to take a look at who the top ranked trip takers are, and for Democrats? Sherrod's not the only one enjoying jetsetting.
Next, a blogger had an experience where she was not treated very nicely by some anonymous commenters on a conservative blog; at least one of them went as far as to pretend to be her in the comments. She and a few others blogged about what happened to her.
Then that local GOP chair called her to apologize for what happened. I have no problem with that. Yet on one of the very same threads where she was harassed there were innuendo accusations made about Ted Strickland and his wife.
Why wasn't that addressed? Which is more serious for a party chair to apologize for if he is going to get involved in apologizing for comments written on a blog that is not his? The comments where the person impersonated her have been deleted but as of this morning, the innuendo comments were still there which stated in part:
Once the Republicans continue to expose Strickland's homosexual past and present that Flannery has started, Strickland's toast.
The innuendo is going to fly this year, including Strickland's wife, (who does not live in Ohio), more to come on that later. Dagmar Celeste anyone?
Who cares about a Tom Noe friend when your other choice is a pervert??
It's pretty much common knowledge in C-Bus, it extends to Strickland's wife also. She lives in Tenn., not even in Ohio, lives with a woman, has been for a while.
Sometimes, I don't care if it is Blackwell or Petro, just not the homo loving wimp married to a lesbo!
No one seriously rebuked any of the commenters on this. As far as I can tell I'm the only one who's written about this as being something that should be addressed. There was the statement and a later request for where could this information be confirmed:
...that is definitely an ugly post if there is no substance to back it up.
I'm not disputing that calling her was a classy move, but to be blunt, leaving rumors like the ones being spread about Strickland out there is to me a lot more harmful. Infact it gives even more attention to these comments because people are naturally curious, they are going to seek out that blog to see what happened.
Yes, I am bringing attention to it too, because I think this should be addressed. I am not naming names and linking blogs to keep the personality aspect out of it and try to address these innuendos. Those involved know who they are. Why is this important to me? So when the next person brings it up or has already brought it up elsewhere people know what is true. For something like that to be posted on the internet someone is out there stating these things and that to me left undressed is something that there should be outrage over. If nothing else, if someone searches out these innuendo's they have a chance of finding this post and seeing I have a problem with it.
Most recently, the Toledo Blade article on Sherrod's Florida travels has been used by both the right and the left. Back in March I wrote two blog articles about this information from a different source that focused on all of Ohio's congressmen. The second one which included car leasing expenses in addition to travel costs was featured in the 14th Carnival of Politics.
Yes, I know everyone does not read my work, guess this goes to show you should (lol), seriously though, making this just about Sherrod if you are a Republican isn't smart if you bother to take a look at who the top ranked trip takers are, and for Democrats? Sherrod's not the only one enjoying jetsetting.
Next, a blogger had an experience where she was not treated very nicely by some anonymous commenters on a conservative blog; at least one of them went as far as to pretend to be her in the comments. She and a few others blogged about what happened to her.
Then that local GOP chair called her to apologize for what happened. I have no problem with that. Yet on one of the very same threads where she was harassed there were innuendo accusations made about Ted Strickland and his wife.
Why wasn't that addressed? Which is more serious for a party chair to apologize for if he is going to get involved in apologizing for comments written on a blog that is not his? The comments where the person impersonated her have been deleted but as of this morning, the innuendo comments were still there which stated in part:
Once the Republicans continue to expose Strickland's homosexual past and present that Flannery has started, Strickland's toast.
The innuendo is going to fly this year, including Strickland's wife, (who does not live in Ohio), more to come on that later. Dagmar Celeste anyone?
Who cares about a Tom Noe friend when your other choice is a pervert??
It's pretty much common knowledge in C-Bus, it extends to Strickland's wife also. She lives in Tenn., not even in Ohio, lives with a woman, has been for a while.
Sometimes, I don't care if it is Blackwell or Petro, just not the homo loving wimp married to a lesbo!
No one seriously rebuked any of the commenters on this. As far as I can tell I'm the only one who's written about this as being something that should be addressed. There was the statement and a later request for where could this information be confirmed:
...that is definitely an ugly post if there is no substance to back it up.
I'm not disputing that calling her was a classy move, but to be blunt, leaving rumors like the ones being spread about Strickland out there is to me a lot more harmful. Infact it gives even more attention to these comments because people are naturally curious, they are going to seek out that blog to see what happened.
Yes, I am bringing attention to it too, because I think this should be addressed. I am not naming names and linking blogs to keep the personality aspect out of it and try to address these innuendos. Those involved know who they are. Why is this important to me? So when the next person brings it up or has already brought it up elsewhere people know what is true. For something like that to be posted on the internet someone is out there stating these things and that to me left undressed is something that there should be outrage over. If nothing else, if someone searches out these innuendo's they have a chance of finding this post and seeing I have a problem with it.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Dear God, I am very sorry...
I just got this letter:
From: Mrs Lilian Jones
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USED IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Dr.Harry Jones who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2000. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 10Million Dollars (Ten Million United State Dollars) with one finance/security company in Amsterderm Holland.
I'm sure you can guess the rest of the letter.
So, I sent the following reply:
Dear Mrs. Jones:
Wow, that makes me so happy! I am trying to raise enough funds for my coven of witches!
Thank you!
:-)
From: Mrs Lilian Jones
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USED IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Dr.Harry Jones who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2000. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 10Million Dollars (Ten Million United State Dollars) with one finance/security company in Amsterderm Holland.
I'm sure you can guess the rest of the letter.
So, I sent the following reply:
Dear Mrs. Jones:
Wow, that makes me so happy! I am trying to raise enough funds for my coven of witches!
Thank you!
:-)
Marry or Move?
I saw this story on CNN it's one of their "video only" ones so I was looking for a print link for those of you who didn't want to watch the video.
According to St. Louis Today as linked above:
Shelltrack and Fondray Loving, her boyfriend of 13 years, were denied an occupancy permit because of an ordinance forbidding three or more individuals from living together if they are not related by "blood, marriage or adoption." The couple have three children, ages 8, 10 and 15, although Loving is not the biological father of the oldest child.
This has been going on for quite some time in Missouri according to the St. Louis Today article as well as the court ruling:
In 1985, the city of Ladue sued a couple for violating a city ordinance prohibiting an unmarried man and woman from living together if they were not "related by blood, marriage or adoption." A year later, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the ruling against the couple, who had lived in the home since 1981.
In listening to the CNN Video, I transcribed this exchange:
Norma Mitchell, Black Jack Board of Adjustment:
May I ask, if you've been together for 13 years, why you have not married in 13 years?
Fondray Loving:
It's a choice we both made. There's no law that says we have to be married is it?
Norma Mitchell:
I do not see her advantage of living with a man without a marriage license.
Recently another family was told to marry or move, Inside Edition reported in March:
Andrea Hyde and her long-time boyfriend Chelsea Jarrell lived in Black Jack with her sons from a previous marriage, until they were forced to leave their rented home last fall by town officials. Jarrell says officials asked her question after question about her marital status.
According to Salon even People Magazine wrote about this story (guess I'm behind on my People magazine reading):
According to People, most proponents of the ordinance say it is "designed to safeguard residential neighborhoods from everything from fraternities and group homes to crack houses." Yet, this kind of rule easily crosses the line into discriminatory zoning. Black Jack Mayor Norman McCourt, who strongly supports the ordinance, insists that "it's about overcrowding, and has nothing to do with family values or religion." Sure, if by "overcrowding" you mean gay families or immigrants who rely on living in larger groups to afford housing, and who fall outside of Black Jack's economically and heterosexually biased definition. And it seems unlikely that the Shelltrack-Lovings -- a family of five -- would be overcrowded in a four-bedroom home.
But before we get all high and mighty, we should all check our own city zoning codes. Many towns have rules like Black Jack's. They just aren't enforced. Hartford, Conn., land-use attorney Dwight Merriam told People that he estimates "five to ten percent of households in this country are in violation of the local definition of 'family.'"
I can't help but wonder how many couples have decided to get married thru this almost shot gun marriage type approach rather than to move.
According to St. Louis Today as linked above:
Shelltrack and Fondray Loving, her boyfriend of 13 years, were denied an occupancy permit because of an ordinance forbidding three or more individuals from living together if they are not related by "blood, marriage or adoption." The couple have three children, ages 8, 10 and 15, although Loving is not the biological father of the oldest child.
This has been going on for quite some time in Missouri according to the St. Louis Today article as well as the court ruling:
In 1985, the city of Ladue sued a couple for violating a city ordinance prohibiting an unmarried man and woman from living together if they were not "related by blood, marriage or adoption." A year later, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the ruling against the couple, who had lived in the home since 1981.
In listening to the CNN Video, I transcribed this exchange:
Norma Mitchell, Black Jack Board of Adjustment:
May I ask, if you've been together for 13 years, why you have not married in 13 years?
Fondray Loving:
It's a choice we both made. There's no law that says we have to be married is it?
Norma Mitchell:
I do not see her advantage of living with a man without a marriage license.
Recently another family was told to marry or move, Inside Edition reported in March:
Andrea Hyde and her long-time boyfriend Chelsea Jarrell lived in Black Jack with her sons from a previous marriage, until they were forced to leave their rented home last fall by town officials. Jarrell says officials asked her question after question about her marital status.
According to Salon even People Magazine wrote about this story (guess I'm behind on my People magazine reading):
According to People, most proponents of the ordinance say it is "designed to safeguard residential neighborhoods from everything from fraternities and group homes to crack houses." Yet, this kind of rule easily crosses the line into discriminatory zoning. Black Jack Mayor Norman McCourt, who strongly supports the ordinance, insists that "it's about overcrowding, and has nothing to do with family values or religion." Sure, if by "overcrowding" you mean gay families or immigrants who rely on living in larger groups to afford housing, and who fall outside of Black Jack's economically and heterosexually biased definition. And it seems unlikely that the Shelltrack-Lovings -- a family of five -- would be overcrowded in a four-bedroom home.
But before we get all high and mighty, we should all check our own city zoning codes. Many towns have rules like Black Jack's. They just aren't enforced. Hartford, Conn., land-use attorney Dwight Merriam told People that he estimates "five to ten percent of households in this country are in violation of the local definition of 'family.'"
I can't help but wonder how many couples have decided to get married thru this almost shot gun marriage type approach rather than to move.
Toledo Blade writes about Sherrod's traveling...
Today's Blade article as linked above focuses on Sherrod's January trips to Florida.
For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, you'll remember reading about those Ohio representatives who like cars and travel.
Jim Tankersley based his information on a different source:
The watchdog group PoliticalMoneyLine ranks Mr. Brown 69th of 640 current or former congressmen in the number of privately funded trips accepted. Mr. Brown's likely November opponent, incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, ranked 445th.
My source, written by Steve Henn:
Listed Sherrod Brown at 51 and Mike DeWine at 437.
For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, you'll remember reading about those Ohio representatives who like cars and travel.
Jim Tankersley based his information on a different source:
The watchdog group PoliticalMoneyLine ranks Mr. Brown 69th of 640 current or former congressmen in the number of privately funded trips accepted. Mr. Brown's likely November opponent, incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine, ranked 445th.
My source, written by Steve Henn:
Listed Sherrod Brown at 51 and Mike DeWine at 437.
I hate time changes....
The clock may have said 7:00 a.m. but my body wasn't buying that one this morning. So as I grumble to myself...Rick from the Real Ugly American sent me an email this morning about another interesting interview he's done, this time with Buck Sargent from the American Citizen Soldier Blog.
Buck Sargent also has a video that he's made that I just got done viewing. He talks about it in his interview with Rick, but here is the direct link to it.
I just finished some research for an article on Glass City Jungle, and I'm working on another story based on some innuendo I've heard on the blogosphere. Trying to separate fact from fiction that will probably end up being my Carnival of Ohio Politics piece for tomorrow.
As well as the usual myriad of ideas floating thru my head one or two of which will end up being blogged about later.
:-)
Buck Sargent also has a video that he's made that I just got done viewing. He talks about it in his interview with Rick, but here is the direct link to it.
I just finished some research for an article on Glass City Jungle, and I'm working on another story based on some innuendo I've heard on the blogosphere. Trying to separate fact from fiction that will probably end up being my Carnival of Ohio Politics piece for tomorrow.
As well as the usual myriad of ideas floating thru my head one or two of which will end up being blogged about later.
:-)
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Puppy Time!
It's been a while since I put a picture of Quilla up. She was waiting for a treat after having her bath, Liono decided to do a sniff test to see if Miguel had done a good enough job with bath time.
:-)
:-)
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Keeping with the theme of racism and the humble concept
This came up as a mention by liberal_dem in the comments but I've been reading quite a bit about the Cynthia McKinney incident. Then I came across this. It's been a while since I read America Blog but I think John Aravosis makes some valid points. Since in the past I've pointed out where I disagree with John, I felt it was appropriate to point out this time I tend to agree with him.
I wondered why McKinney wasn't wearing the lapel pin. To me it seemed as if you wanted to be clearly identified as a member of Congress to speed up the process you would wear one.
According to this semi unflattering article by Slate, some information concerning that is revealed:
In August 1993, during her first term in office, a Capitol Hill police officer tried to prevent her from bypassing a metal detector, as members of Congress are allowed to do. For years afterward, The Hill reports, the Capitol Police pinned a picture of McKinney to an office wall, warning officers to learn her face because she refuses to wear her member's pin. (And because officers are innately suspicious of a black woman with braided hair and gold shoes.) Five years later, she blasted White House security after guards thought her 23-year-old white aide was the congresswoman.
First, according to CNN McKinney regreted the incident:
"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, and I appreciate the work that they do. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now," she said.
Today, the Washington Post is stating:
"Let me be clear: This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman," McKinney said. "I deeply regret that this incident occurred."
Race is now supposedly a factor. In an updated CNN article:
Civil Rights attorney, James Myart said his client (McKinney) was "assaulted" by a Capitol Police officer, whose name the department refuses to release.
"Because she was assaulted and placed in impending fear of her safety, she responded," he said. "This case has just begun and we're going to fight, and we're going to use the U.S. Constitution."
However, she has two lawyers, the second one:
Michael Raffauf, downplayed the possibility of pressing charges against the officer, saying, "Not every assault deserves to be criminally prosecuted."
She also states:
"The pin is not the issue," the six-time congresswoman said. "The issue is face recognition."
I disagree, the pin is the issue anyone could be made to look like her, face recognition alone should not be enough to allow someone to bypass metal detectors. Frankly I think all of them should have to go thru the metal detectors just like everyone else. Sure create a special line because God forbid one of them be treated like the rest of America but no lapel pin? Sorry...back of the line like the "rest" of us. There seems to be some discussion as to Congresspersons being advised to not wear the pin so that they cannot be easily "marked" by terrorists, so if that's true they still have Congressional ID, and the process should be clearly defined. All a "terrorist" would have to do is to do the same "face recognition" that is being used now so that to me isn't a logical excuse. Some have gone to say the security guard should have said "Congresswoman" rather than "Ma'm" to get her attention. Umm duh moment here but if he knew she was a Congresswoman he would not have been trying to stop her.
I'd also point out that if the Democrats don't want this to be used by the Republicans perhaps press conferences claiming she was "inappropriately touched" or "assualted" with Danny Glover might not be a wise thing to do. If you don't want it to be made a big deal? Don't make it one.
:-)
I wondered why McKinney wasn't wearing the lapel pin. To me it seemed as if you wanted to be clearly identified as a member of Congress to speed up the process you would wear one.
According to this semi unflattering article by Slate, some information concerning that is revealed:
In August 1993, during her first term in office, a Capitol Hill police officer tried to prevent her from bypassing a metal detector, as members of Congress are allowed to do. For years afterward, The Hill reports, the Capitol Police pinned a picture of McKinney to an office wall, warning officers to learn her face because she refuses to wear her member's pin. (And because officers are innately suspicious of a black woman with braided hair and gold shoes.) Five years later, she blasted White House security after guards thought her 23-year-old white aide was the congresswoman.
First, according to CNN McKinney regreted the incident:
"I know that Capitol Hill Police are securing our safety, and I appreciate the work that they do. I have demonstrated my support for them in the past and I continue to support them now," she said.
Today, the Washington Post is stating:
"Let me be clear: This whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman," McKinney said. "I deeply regret that this incident occurred."
Race is now supposedly a factor. In an updated CNN article:
Civil Rights attorney, James Myart said his client (McKinney) was "assaulted" by a Capitol Police officer, whose name the department refuses to release.
"Because she was assaulted and placed in impending fear of her safety, she responded," he said. "This case has just begun and we're going to fight, and we're going to use the U.S. Constitution."
However, she has two lawyers, the second one:
Michael Raffauf, downplayed the possibility of pressing charges against the officer, saying, "Not every assault deserves to be criminally prosecuted."
She also states:
"The pin is not the issue," the six-time congresswoman said. "The issue is face recognition."
I disagree, the pin is the issue anyone could be made to look like her, face recognition alone should not be enough to allow someone to bypass metal detectors. Frankly I think all of them should have to go thru the metal detectors just like everyone else. Sure create a special line because God forbid one of them be treated like the rest of America but no lapel pin? Sorry...back of the line like the "rest" of us. There seems to be some discussion as to Congresspersons being advised to not wear the pin so that they cannot be easily "marked" by terrorists, so if that's true they still have Congressional ID, and the process should be clearly defined. All a "terrorist" would have to do is to do the same "face recognition" that is being used now so that to me isn't a logical excuse. Some have gone to say the security guard should have said "Congresswoman" rather than "Ma'm" to get her attention. Umm duh moment here but if he knew she was a Congresswoman he would not have been trying to stop her.
I'd also point out that if the Democrats don't want this to be used by the Republicans perhaps press conferences claiming she was "inappropriately touched" or "assualted" with Danny Glover might not be a wise thing to do. If you don't want it to be made a big deal? Don't make it one.
:-)
The ability to be humble....
The title linked Washington Post article struck a chord with me as I read it, not just from the religious aspect of it even though I know a large portion of the article is about faith and the biblical actions of Jesus.
Polly Chamberlin in the article is quoted:
"How can we really care about them when we don't even know them?" she asked. So she and others started washing the feet of the city's poorest every Friday before lunch, as a way to break the ice. The goal was to bond with their patrons in a profound way, show them someone cared and, by doing so, recapture the spirit of Jesus.
Even for those who don't believe in the existence of God or Jesus, this act is done to restore a feeling of balance by those who feel society looks down on them. Granted there is a historical background to this that is religion based shown here but there is also the historical welcoming aspect.
I couldn't help wonder if the photo op situation didn't exist what would happen if those who can't manage to be civil to each other were to do this. What if all of the Republicans in Congress washed the feet of the Democrats and the Democrats washed the feet of the Republicans. Granted they would probably spend so much time arguing over who would go first and the exact procedure that must be used that it would negate any real result.
Yet what if this ability to be more humble at times was one we all had. Personally I think the world could use a bit more of it at times...
Polly Chamberlin in the article is quoted:
"How can we really care about them when we don't even know them?" she asked. So she and others started washing the feet of the city's poorest every Friday before lunch, as a way to break the ice. The goal was to bond with their patrons in a profound way, show them someone cared and, by doing so, recapture the spirit of Jesus.
Even for those who don't believe in the existence of God or Jesus, this act is done to restore a feeling of balance by those who feel society looks down on them. Granted there is a historical background to this that is religion based shown here but there is also the historical welcoming aspect.
I couldn't help wonder if the photo op situation didn't exist what would happen if those who can't manage to be civil to each other were to do this. What if all of the Republicans in Congress washed the feet of the Democrats and the Democrats washed the feet of the Republicans. Granted they would probably spend so much time arguing over who would go first and the exact procedure that must be used that it would negate any real result.
Yet what if this ability to be more humble at times was one we all had. Personally I think the world could use a bit more of it at times...