My girlfriend recently asked me what earmarks were, in relation to pork barrelling. I was a little surprized that she didn't know. And I figured, "If someone as smart as her doesn't know, then...how many others don't?
What Is the Pork Barrel?
Wikipedia gets a lil smart with us, saying that it's a barrel you keep pork in. Luckily for those clowns, they go on to say it's more often a political metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for projects specifically designed to benefit a constituency or campaign contributor.
I like the Wikipedia article...it does a good job explaining it, and detailing it, and putting the term into context (really, not all appropriations are pork. Money spent on the I-35 bridge in the Twin Cities would have been money well spent, but that damned bridge in Alaska is totally pork).
Basically, it's when the Congressman from Columbus makes sure money in a Federal transportation bill gets funnelled to the Columbus Dept of Public Works, so they can replace all their signs. He does this so when election time comes around, he can say "Look, I got you money for new highway signs! I'm not useless!"
(I'm not implying that the Congressman from Columbus is useless, or that he does these things, or that he's even a man, necessarily. I know my end of Columbus has a Congressman, and he's been pretty responsible--if amazingly conservative).
What is an earmark?
Wikipedia is a lil complicated on this one, starting with the public finance definition. Long story short? It's when money is singled out for a project, or a specific exemption is made from a tax or fee. Earmarking is how pork happens, for the most part.
There's two types of earmarks: the hard type that's written into the legislation, and the soft type included in the reports of Congressional committees. Soft ones aren't binding, but in that "one hand washes the other" sort of way, they're acted on as if they were. Hard ones become law.
That's the basic pork barrel process! Not all earmarks are pork, and neither are all appropriations (remember, I-35 bridge needed money to be replaced or renovated = good earmark, useless $230 million bridge to replace a functioning ferry = pork).
The biggest issue is that earmarks are generally not handled out in the open. They don't get debated or defended...they just get passed. Anything you can't discuss on the floor of Congress probably doesn't need to have my money spent on it, is my opinion on pork.
...And Now for Some News...
Two-Prong Fed Move: Rate Cut & Bear Stearns Sale, from NPR
Terminator Has a Heart: California Lifers Getting Paroled, from NPR
Kosovo Violence Forces UN Out, from BBC
China Issues Deadline, Holds Protestors in Tibet, from BBC
Southside of Columbus to Get new Medicla Center, from WCBE
Cincinnati Snow-Removal Budget in the Red, from WVXU (All I gotta say is, Duh)
Showing posts with label Cincinnati. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cincinnati. Show all posts
Monday
Welfare State?
Taxes piss me off as much as the next person. At least income tax...taxing money before I can use it is just offensive to me. It sucks my income. Tax my property, my transactions...but let me USE my whole earnings, please.
And it does grate on me to think people are living off my tax dollars, when they could just go out and work.
But...I actually employed those people. The types who worked at a breakneck pace all day long serving ungrateful people, just to get $352.80 every two weeks. Do the math...that's $705.60 each month.
I pay about $400 for rent on my apartment, on the edge of the sketchy part of town. That'd leave $305 for car payments, gas, food, utilities, etc...
Try raising two or three kids on that.
And yeah, I know..."If you can't afford kids, DON'T HAVE THEM." I know. And it sounds great on paper.
But what about the family that got started when Mom and Dad were making $18/hr at the sock factory? Did they become bad people when the factory moved to Honduras, and the only open job was a closer at Wendy's for $7/hr?
Black and white arguments scare the hell out of me, and all the arguments against Welfare and other assistance are black and white.
I was reading this post and comment thread from the archives of Scalzi.com on what it means to be poor...and it reminded me that no matter how hard you try to prevent the lowest common factor from cheating a system, all you really do is screw the honest people. Cheaters will always find a way.
So...I support Welfare, within limits. I think some key policies can be used to protect our investments in those down on their luck, who deserve a chance to get over their troubles and without being screwed for life.
...And Now for Some News...
"No Country for Old Men" Wins Four Oscars, from NPR (it WAS a good flick)
Ruling to Shut Down Leak Website Called Censorship, from NPR
Russia Pledges Support to Serbia, from BBC (I Paraphrase Billy Joel: Haven't they Heard we Won the Cold War?)
Pakistan's Top Army Medic Killed in Bombing, from BBC
Bringing Back Streetcars Discussed in Cincinnati, from WVXU
Only Two Key Issues Being Worked in Columbus, from WVXU
And it does grate on me to think people are living off my tax dollars, when they could just go out and work.
But...I actually employed those people. The types who worked at a breakneck pace all day long serving ungrateful people, just to get $352.80 every two weeks. Do the math...that's $705.60 each month.
I pay about $400 for rent on my apartment, on the edge of the sketchy part of town. That'd leave $305 for car payments, gas, food, utilities, etc...
Try raising two or three kids on that.
And yeah, I know..."If you can't afford kids, DON'T HAVE THEM." I know. And it sounds great on paper.
But what about the family that got started when Mom and Dad were making $18/hr at the sock factory? Did they become bad people when the factory moved to Honduras, and the only open job was a closer at Wendy's for $7/hr?
Black and white arguments scare the hell out of me, and all the arguments against Welfare and other assistance are black and white.
I was reading this post and comment thread from the archives of Scalzi.com on what it means to be poor...and it reminded me that no matter how hard you try to prevent the lowest common factor from cheating a system, all you really do is screw the honest people. Cheaters will always find a way.
So...I support Welfare, within limits. I think some key policies can be used to protect our investments in those down on their luck, who deserve a chance to get over their troubles and without being screwed for life.
...And Now for Some News...
"No Country for Old Men" Wins Four Oscars, from NPR (it WAS a good flick)
Ruling to Shut Down Leak Website Called Censorship, from NPR
Russia Pledges Support to Serbia, from BBC (I Paraphrase Billy Joel: Haven't they Heard we Won the Cold War?)
Pakistan's Top Army Medic Killed in Bombing, from BBC
Bringing Back Streetcars Discussed in Cincinnati, from WVXU
Only Two Key Issues Being Worked in Columbus, from WVXU
Electronic Voting
So Cuyahoga County has an idea where it will have everyone fill out a ballot card, collect them at all precincts, then send them into a central location for scanning and counting. That's all a result of the issues they've had in the past w/ the on-site machines being FUBARed.
The ACLU is against this idea basically because it doesn't allow voters a chance to correct their ballots if they mess up. They suggest scanning them immediately at the voting site. That's how I've voted in the past...fill out the paper ballot w/ ink, then feed it into the scanning machine. That provides the paper trail AND the ease of electronic votes.
I think the ACLU has a good point. I'd hate to find out (or not, rather would be the case) that I'd messed up my ink job and lost my vote. Revolutions have started over things like that. The best solution is probably for Cuyahoga to get on the ball like the rest of the state, give up their touch screens, and scan the ballots at the voting stations.
Some people just don't like the idea at all...they don't trust the machines, the software, any of it. They think the old punch cards work better. Personally, I think the electronic ones DO pose a slightly higher risk for fraud (look at "Man of the Year") but then again, paper ballots let George Bush steal the election.
It's like anything else electronic, in my opinion. People assume the worst, that never happens.
...And Now for Some News...
Wisconsin Next Battle Ground for Hillary and Barack, from NPR
911 turned 40 Sunday, from NPR
Pakistan Parliamentary Elections Today, from BBC
EU to Meet in Response to Kosovo Independence, from BBC
Ohio a Do-or-Die State for Clinton, from Ohio NPR via WCBE
Cincinnati Fire Dept Accredited to Train Paramedics In-House, from WVXU
The ACLU is against this idea basically because it doesn't allow voters a chance to correct their ballots if they mess up. They suggest scanning them immediately at the voting site. That's how I've voted in the past...fill out the paper ballot w/ ink, then feed it into the scanning machine. That provides the paper trail AND the ease of electronic votes.
I think the ACLU has a good point. I'd hate to find out (or not, rather would be the case) that I'd messed up my ink job and lost my vote. Revolutions have started over things like that. The best solution is probably for Cuyahoga to get on the ball like the rest of the state, give up their touch screens, and scan the ballots at the voting stations.
Some people just don't like the idea at all...they don't trust the machines, the software, any of it. They think the old punch cards work better. Personally, I think the electronic ones DO pose a slightly higher risk for fraud (look at "Man of the Year") but then again, paper ballots let George Bush steal the election.
It's like anything else electronic, in my opinion. People assume the worst, that never happens.
...And Now for Some News...
Wisconsin Next Battle Ground for Hillary and Barack, from NPR
911 turned 40 Sunday, from NPR
Pakistan Parliamentary Elections Today, from BBC
EU to Meet in Response to Kosovo Independence, from BBC
Ohio a Do-or-Die State for Clinton, from Ohio NPR via WCBE
Cincinnati Fire Dept Accredited to Train Paramedics In-House, from WVXU
My Ideal Candidate
Now that we're in the same year as the election, I'm taking a harder look at who could be President. I've made my picks for each party. But really, I feel like they're just compromise positions.
That's partly because they're career politicians. Someone who makes government a living doesn't really know me and my life. I'd be happier with a business man or a doctor or a lawyer or even a machinist taking time out of his life to serve.
It's also partly because they're all chosen by the same old republican system. No, this is not a conspiracy theory...that's Hilary's thing. I mean "as in a republic."
The way the nomination process works thru party delegates allows the party machines (and thus) big money to have a bigger say in things than any number of votes. Let's look at the debates, how only "viable" candidates are allowed to participate (Where was Mike Gravel??). Let's look at a thousand other ways candidates not ahead in the polls get zero media coverage.
My ideal candidate would be elected by me. Or my neighbor. From start to finish. I don't want that candidate to be nominated by Iowa. I don't want them financed by the local party machine. I don't want them chosen by professional political junkies for me.
My candidate would elected, not pre-approved.
...and Now for Some News...
Cuban Migration Spikes, from NPR
Archivist Arrested for Stealing Documents, from NPR (Yet another reminder to NOT DO ILLEGAL STUFF ONLINE).
Columbians Protest the Farc, from BBC
High Heels Equal Better Sex Life?, from BBC
Sherrod Brown Working to Secure Federal Dollars for Utility Upgrades, from WCBE
Parts of Old St. George Church to Come Down, from WVXU
That's partly because they're career politicians. Someone who makes government a living doesn't really know me and my life. I'd be happier with a business man or a doctor or a lawyer or even a machinist taking time out of his life to serve.
It's also partly because they're all chosen by the same old republican system. No, this is not a conspiracy theory...that's Hilary's thing. I mean "as in a republic."
The way the nomination process works thru party delegates allows the party machines (and thus) big money to have a bigger say in things than any number of votes. Let's look at the debates, how only "viable" candidates are allowed to participate (Where was Mike Gravel??). Let's look at a thousand other ways candidates not ahead in the polls get zero media coverage.
My ideal candidate would be elected by me. Or my neighbor. From start to finish. I don't want that candidate to be nominated by Iowa. I don't want them financed by the local party machine. I don't want them chosen by professional political junkies for me.
My candidate would elected, not pre-approved.
...and Now for Some News...
Cuban Migration Spikes, from NPR
Archivist Arrested for Stealing Documents, from NPR (Yet another reminder to NOT DO ILLEGAL STUFF ONLINE).
Columbians Protest the Farc, from BBC
High Heels Equal Better Sex Life?, from BBC
Sherrod Brown Working to Secure Federal Dollars for Utility Upgrades, from WCBE
Parts of Old St. George Church to Come Down, from WVXU
Wednesday
Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday
I'm listening to Mike Huckabee tell me he has more voters than Evangelicals. *shrugs* Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. But if he does by a chance end up in the White House, I may consider Canada.
At any rate, I'm trying to get this blog (and a couple others) under better control. The general format is going to stay the same...a political or in-depth lil article up here, and some news links below the break. I think the posting will be cut back to M-W-F schedule, to give me some time to research posts better.
Personally, I'm a little fed up with the Democratic Party (see my last post), so the fact Romney won Michigan and opened the race on the GOP side back up makes me pretty happy. Now I'm awfully interested in Saturday's South Carolina primary.
Now For Some News...
Romney Wins in Michigan, from NPR
After 5 Years, D.H.S. Hasn't Won Everyone Over, from NPR
Militants Overrun Pakistan Army Post, from BBC
US Economic Slowdown Lowers Price of Oil, from BBC
Senator Brown Working to Get Federal Food Bank Funding, from WVXU
Freedom Center, County and City Working Out Land Dispute, from WVXU
At any rate, I'm trying to get this blog (and a couple others) under better control. The general format is going to stay the same...a political or in-depth lil article up here, and some news links below the break. I think the posting will be cut back to M-W-F schedule, to give me some time to research posts better.
Personally, I'm a little fed up with the Democratic Party (see my last post), so the fact Romney won Michigan and opened the race on the GOP side back up makes me pretty happy. Now I'm awfully interested in Saturday's South Carolina primary.
Now For Some News...
Romney Wins in Michigan, from NPR
After 5 Years, D.H.S. Hasn't Won Everyone Over, from NPR
Militants Overrun Pakistan Army Post, from BBC
US Economic Slowdown Lowers Price of Oil, from BBC
Senator Brown Working to Get Federal Food Bank Funding, from WVXU
Freedom Center, County and City Working Out Land Dispute, from WVXU
Wednesday
I actually slept this morning, and the BBC wasn't airing on WVXU last night for some reason. After Echoes went off the air, it was just...silence. Very odd. I'm willing to bet it's tied into a plea for money, but that's the risk you take with not-for-profit news.
I'll send them money as long as they don't behave like Fox News. It's a good trade.
Yesterday's post came up this morning because...I had it sort of in my head to write it all up, then edit and revise the next day. Sort of like a newspaper. But then it dawned on me last night I don't operate on anywhere near the same schedule as a newspaper...and all holding back the publishing of my posts would do is date my material.
So forget that. Besides, why should I behave less like a blogger and more like a respectable person?
Pretty soon, I'm gonna post about the primary system...but I need to research a little bit first. I'm not 100% sure I get it myself, which is frustrating when people ask me about it.
Now For Some News...
Huckabee Ahead Before GOP Debate. This disturbs me because while I don't really believe in the LDS' teachings, I care even less for Baptist teachings. The same conservative Christians who think the nation should be run according to the Bible support Huckabee, and I am NOT comfortable with that.
What's wrong with a nation run by the Bible? Take a hard look at Iran and then you can tell me.
DNA Ethics Debate. When you leave DNA behind (think spit in a coffee cup, or hair, or dandruff), it's been traditionally fair game. The courts have said little so far, and NPR is investigating into this legal gray zone.
The Arctic ice caps could be totally ice free during the summer by 2013. Does that make anyone else a little sad, and a lot frightened? When exactly do we as a nation pull our heads out of the sand and start running damage control on the environment?
True to their word at Annapolis, Israel and Palestine have started peace talks for the first time in seven years. The same old routine, Palestinians demanded a halt to all settlement growth, and the Israelis declared not enough was being done to crack down on militants. They did, however, agree to meet again and that's very nice.
Cincinnati could start using red light cameras, just like Columbus and Dayton. The city almost started using this technology in 2005, but Charlie Luken vetoed the plan. Mark Mallory, current mayor, is trying to postpone the debate on this issue until the formal, two year budget is discussed next year. Also mentioned by council members was the use of cameras to catch speeders.
I'll send them money as long as they don't behave like Fox News. It's a good trade.
Yesterday's post came up this morning because...I had it sort of in my head to write it all up, then edit and revise the next day. Sort of like a newspaper. But then it dawned on me last night I don't operate on anywhere near the same schedule as a newspaper...and all holding back the publishing of my posts would do is date my material.
So forget that. Besides, why should I behave less like a blogger and more like a respectable person?
Pretty soon, I'm gonna post about the primary system...but I need to research a little bit first. I'm not 100% sure I get it myself, which is frustrating when people ask me about it.
Now For Some News...
Huckabee Ahead Before GOP Debate. This disturbs me because while I don't really believe in the LDS' teachings, I care even less for Baptist teachings. The same conservative Christians who think the nation should be run according to the Bible support Huckabee, and I am NOT comfortable with that.
What's wrong with a nation run by the Bible? Take a hard look at Iran and then you can tell me.
DNA Ethics Debate. When you leave DNA behind (think spit in a coffee cup, or hair, or dandruff), it's been traditionally fair game. The courts have said little so far, and NPR is investigating into this legal gray zone.
The Arctic ice caps could be totally ice free during the summer by 2013. Does that make anyone else a little sad, and a lot frightened? When exactly do we as a nation pull our heads out of the sand and start running damage control on the environment?
True to their word at Annapolis, Israel and Palestine have started peace talks for the first time in seven years. The same old routine, Palestinians demanded a halt to all settlement growth, and the Israelis declared not enough was being done to crack down on militants. They did, however, agree to meet again and that's very nice.
Cincinnati could start using red light cameras, just like Columbus and Dayton. The city almost started using this technology in 2005, but Charlie Luken vetoed the plan. Mark Mallory, current mayor, is trying to postpone the debate on this issue until the formal, two year budget is discussed next year. Also mentioned by council members was the use of cameras to catch speeders.
Tuesday
So It's Tuesday
I've spent the last couple mornings listening to Morning Edition from NPR. Driving home from Sarah's on Monday was pretty nice, I got to fill up on the usual NPR plus the news from two ends of the state. Then this morning, I got up at 6am with the sole purpose of listening to the radio and waking up slowly...which kinda backfired, but hey. It's all good.
The issue tho, is it's almost depressing to get to hear all that news. Not in the usual, "Oh the world's going to hell" sort of way, but in the "Man, I wish I had time to lookup the Cincinnati budget" or "I wish I had the time to go to the County Comissioner's meeting and see if they say anything else about the zoo levy." I wish I had the time to just...spend, doing this blog, for one thing. As it is, I've had to cut back drastically because once I start blogging in the morning, it's VERY difficult to stop...and that's just bad for business.
So I'll be trying to figure out how best to work around this time management crisis. Stay tuned, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel.
Now for Some News...
The CIA interrogation tape scandal is just gearing up. NPR had a chat with a former Senate Intelligence Comittee Chairman Bob Graham. It was a little chilling to hear how difficult oversight can actually be when it comes to things like this, and how much like a rogue operation the CIA can still be.
The gunman in Colorado was an interesting story, considering I lived in Colorado Springs for a while and think I know where the New Life church is. It's a sad story, with the guy apparantly wanting revenge...but he seemed more than a little unsettled upstairs. I think the only lucky thing about this is only 4 people were killed. While it had appeared the security guard killed the criminal, it turns out he had killed himself.
Algeria had a couple of bombings...no one claiming responsibility, no apparant cause. The MO is apparantly consistent with the local branch of al-Qaeda, and the explosions took place near the Supreme Court and UN offices, respectively. 13 UN workers missing, 62 counted dead so far on the whole.
Cincinnati Schools approved 2 levies that could be placed on the March ballot. They had to approve them now to keep their options open, and so could still decide to put both or none on the ballot. One is an operating levy worth nearly $8 million, and the other a permanent improvement levy worth $3 million. The district needs money, badly, and after the last levy was shot down so thoroughly...I worry. If the citizens aren't willing to pay for education, where is the future going to come from?
Police Chief Streicher and the City Manager say they will follow the council's directive to spend $1.5 million on overtime for extra, high visibility police patrols. Streicher maintains he was able to provide the patrols last year without using overtime, and complained about not being able to stay flexible enough to react to trends.
The public hearing on the City's budget for the upcoming year took place Monday night. 80 citizens spoke their mind on a variety of issues, from desiring the city to keep funding humanitarian projects to asking the city to help fund sheriff patrols in OTR. Another large issue was the proposal to eliminate the building and inspections department, splitting up its duties among other departments. Council is expected to finalize a budget by December 19th.
The issue tho, is it's almost depressing to get to hear all that news. Not in the usual, "Oh the world's going to hell" sort of way, but in the "Man, I wish I had time to lookup the Cincinnati budget" or "I wish I had the time to go to the County Comissioner's meeting and see if they say anything else about the zoo levy." I wish I had the time to just...spend, doing this blog, for one thing. As it is, I've had to cut back drastically because once I start blogging in the morning, it's VERY difficult to stop...and that's just bad for business.
So I'll be trying to figure out how best to work around this time management crisis. Stay tuned, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel.
Now for Some News...
The CIA interrogation tape scandal is just gearing up. NPR had a chat with a former Senate Intelligence Comittee Chairman Bob Graham. It was a little chilling to hear how difficult oversight can actually be when it comes to things like this, and how much like a rogue operation the CIA can still be.
The gunman in Colorado was an interesting story, considering I lived in Colorado Springs for a while and think I know where the New Life church is. It's a sad story, with the guy apparantly wanting revenge...but he seemed more than a little unsettled upstairs. I think the only lucky thing about this is only 4 people were killed. While it had appeared the security guard killed the criminal, it turns out he had killed himself.
Algeria had a couple of bombings...no one claiming responsibility, no apparant cause. The MO is apparantly consistent with the local branch of al-Qaeda, and the explosions took place near the Supreme Court and UN offices, respectively. 13 UN workers missing, 62 counted dead so far on the whole.
Cincinnati Schools approved 2 levies that could be placed on the March ballot. They had to approve them now to keep their options open, and so could still decide to put both or none on the ballot. One is an operating levy worth nearly $8 million, and the other a permanent improvement levy worth $3 million. The district needs money, badly, and after the last levy was shot down so thoroughly...I worry. If the citizens aren't willing to pay for education, where is the future going to come from?
Police Chief Streicher and the City Manager say they will follow the council's directive to spend $1.5 million on overtime for extra, high visibility police patrols. Streicher maintains he was able to provide the patrols last year without using overtime, and complained about not being able to stay flexible enough to react to trends.
The public hearing on the City's budget for the upcoming year took place Monday night. 80 citizens spoke their mind on a variety of issues, from desiring the city to keep funding humanitarian projects to asking the city to help fund sheriff patrols in OTR. Another large issue was the proposal to eliminate the building and inspections department, splitting up its duties among other departments. Council is expected to finalize a budget by December 19th.
Wednesday
Day Before Thanksgiving
So here's another one...I'm thankful that there's finally some oversight happening in Washington. That's about all that's happening, since the Democratic Party has just as much trouble compromising as the GOP. But still, it's good that people are asking questions again instead of blindly submitting to the White House. I'd much prefer to have nothing happening in Washington than to have everything Bush wants happening. Eventually it'll break and compromise will HAVE to happen.
Now for Some News...
French Railway Sabotaged, Strike Talks Start, from BBC
Putin Calls Opponents "Jackals," from BBC
Bush blocked from Recess Appointments, from NPR
White House to Convene Mideast Talks in Annapolis, from NPR
Free Store Distribution Goes on Amid Power Outage, from WVXU
Metro Wants Fare Increase, from WVXU
Now for Some News...
French Railway Sabotaged, Strike Talks Start, from BBC
Putin Calls Opponents "Jackals," from BBC
Bush blocked from Recess Appointments, from NPR
White House to Convene Mideast Talks in Annapolis, from NPR
Free Store Distribution Goes on Amid Power Outage, from WVXU
Metro Wants Fare Increase, from WVXU
Tuesday
Tuesday Stuff!
I'm thankful today for the fact my sisters made it out this week...so just a quick one today.
Now for Some News...
New Stem Cell Research Could End Ethical Worries, from NPR
Rare National Buzz Help Obama Decide to Run, from NPR
Teachers and Civil Servants Join Transport Strikers, from BBC
Pulitzer Winning Photographer Accused of Terror, from BBC
U.C. Won't Get to Host Presidential Debate, from WVXU
County Workers May Not Get Raises, from WVXU
Now for Some News...
New Stem Cell Research Could End Ethical Worries, from NPR
Rare National Buzz Help Obama Decide to Run, from NPR
Teachers and Civil Servants Join Transport Strikers, from BBC
Pulitzer Winning Photographer Accused of Terror, from BBC
U.C. Won't Get to Host Presidential Debate, from WVXU
County Workers May Not Get Raises, from WVXU
Monday
Monday Monday Monday
So...it's a holiday week...so I plan to do a brief lil "Thankful" theme this week.
So...I'm thankful for...hrm...having real checks and balances in my government. As much as President Bush insists that he knows whats best for us, and that his administration is the only thing that will keep us safe from the terrorists, you don't see him contemplating a run for the Senate in order to hold onto power. No matter how much Bush wants to ignore the Constitutional rights of our citizens in the name of security and tap all their communications because there may be probable cause, you don't seem him simply suspending it and firing the Supreme Court.
I'm thankful the democratic process in the United States has enough juice left to keep the government from completely becoming one man's puppet.
And now for some news...
Musharraf Cleared for New Term, from NPR (With a stacked court, who's surprized?)
Bangladesh Cyclone Toll Hits 3100, from AP via NPR.org
Homeland Security Adviser Resigns, from AP via NPR.org
Fountain Square Busy, but Exact Number is Unknown, from WVXU
Millions Cut from Budget in City Manager's Recommendation, from WVXU
Israel to Release 450 Prisoners, from BBC
Kosovo Warned by EU on Independence, from BBC
So...I'm thankful for...hrm...having real checks and balances in my government. As much as President Bush insists that he knows whats best for us, and that his administration is the only thing that will keep us safe from the terrorists, you don't see him contemplating a run for the Senate in order to hold onto power. No matter how much Bush wants to ignore the Constitutional rights of our citizens in the name of security and tap all their communications because there may be probable cause, you don't seem him simply suspending it and firing the Supreme Court.
I'm thankful the democratic process in the United States has enough juice left to keep the government from completely becoming one man's puppet.
And now for some news...
Musharraf Cleared for New Term, from NPR (With a stacked court, who's surprized?)
Bangladesh Cyclone Toll Hits 3100, from AP via NPR.org
Homeland Security Adviser Resigns, from AP via NPR.org
Fountain Square Busy, but Exact Number is Unknown, from WVXU
Millions Cut from Budget in City Manager's Recommendation, from WVXU
Israel to Release 450 Prisoners, from BBC
Kosovo Warned by EU on Independence, from BBC
Wednesday
How to Contact the Governor
Just a quickie today...but I thought we should touch on what might be an obvious character, the state Governor.
http://www.governor.ohio.gov/ is the webpage for Ted Strickland. Once you're there, you can check out all kinds of nifty stuff, not unlike the White House website. In order to contact Governor Strickland, click on the "Constituent Affairs" link towards the bottom of the page. This will get you a web contact form, which even lets you flag your message as needing a reply.
If you're looking for a phone number or mailing address, go to the sidebar on the left-hand side. Find the link that says Contact Us. There you are!
Now for Some News...
I think Wednesday's I'll try and focus on environment/sustainability news. Which makes most of Marketplace's show yesterday (this whole week, really) pretty applicable.
Effects of a Consumer Culture on Bhutan
A small Indiana Town Shoots for Energy Independance
Discussion: Public Solutions or Private Enterprise?
All three of the above from Marketplace, an American Public Media operation.
Headlines...
FBI Finds Blackwater Shootings Unjustified, from NPR
Congress to Vote on Another Iraq Spending Bill with Troop Drawdown Attached, from NPR
French Strike Brings Travel Chaos, from BBC
Another Pakistani Opposition Leader Arrested, from BBC
Reds Lose Chief Operating Officer and Executive VP, from WVXU
Ohio Prison Population Hits 50,000, from WCPO. (I heard on the radio version on WVXU they blame the short term, 1 year or less drug convictions for most of the over crowding. Also, the prisons are projected to be at 52000 by this time next year).
Tune in next time, when we'll take a look at the Ohio State Legislature!
http://www.governor.ohio.gov/ is the webpage for Ted Strickland. Once you're there, you can check out all kinds of nifty stuff, not unlike the White House website. In order to contact Governor Strickland, click on the "Constituent Affairs" link towards the bottom of the page. This will get you a web contact form, which even lets you flag your message as needing a reply.
If you're looking for a phone number or mailing address, go to the sidebar on the left-hand side. Find the link that says Contact Us. There you are!
Now for Some News...
I think Wednesday's I'll try and focus on environment/sustainability news. Which makes most of Marketplace's show yesterday (this whole week, really) pretty applicable.
Effects of a Consumer Culture on Bhutan
A small Indiana Town Shoots for Energy Independance
Discussion: Public Solutions or Private Enterprise?
All three of the above from Marketplace, an American Public Media operation.
Headlines...
FBI Finds Blackwater Shootings Unjustified, from NPR
Congress to Vote on Another Iraq Spending Bill with Troop Drawdown Attached, from NPR
French Strike Brings Travel Chaos, from BBC
Another Pakistani Opposition Leader Arrested, from BBC
Reds Lose Chief Operating Officer and Executive VP, from WVXU
Ohio Prison Population Hits 50,000, from WCPO. (I heard on the radio version on WVXU they blame the short term, 1 year or less drug convictions for most of the over crowding. Also, the prisons are projected to be at 52000 by this time next year).
Tune in next time, when we'll take a look at the Ohio State Legislature!
Monday
Get to Know Your Elected Folks!
Or mine, anyway.
And a side note for anyone who may have been looking for post action this weekend...I don't do that. I've spent just about all my working life to date working weekends, and...I don't anymore. Sorry.
So this week, we're gonna track down and add to the sidebar my elected officials. Because...I'm curious, for one. And it'll make it easier to find and decide on news. Since we've already found the United States Senators from Ohio, now we'll find my Congressman.
And a side note for anyone who may have been looking for post action this weekend...I don't do that. I've spent just about all my working life to date working weekends, and...I don't anymore. Sorry.
So this week, we're gonna track down and add to the sidebar my elected officials. Because...I'm curious, for one. And it'll make it easier to find and decide on news. Since we've already found the United States Senators from Ohio, now we'll find my Congressman.
- Go to http://www.house.gov/. That's the House of Representatives home page. It's got cool stuf, which we'll check out later.
- This one is so easy. Look at the upper left hand corner...there's a place that advises you to find your rep by punching in your zip code.
- In my case, this brings me to a page where Jean Schmidt (did not get my vote in '06) is shown, as well as the Ohio 2nd District. Jean's name is linked...let's click it!
- Now we see her official webpage, with all kindsa neat goodies on it. Including possibly the most important, her contact info. This is important because we'll be discussing how to inform your elected reps when their views are either (a) appropriately reflecting your own or (b) decidedly offensive.
So to my neat lil side bar of knowledge, I'll add a neat lil section for Jean Schmidt.
Tune in tomorrow, when we tackle possibly the most obvious of all, the White House!
Now Some News...
Thursday
2007 General Election Results
I know anyone who cares has already found these results, but there they are (and a couple editorial comments) anyway.
Municipal Court District 1 Judge:
Municipal Court District 1 Judge:
- Dwane K Mallory, 50.25% ; John H Burlew. 49.75%. 11199 Votes Cast.
- Fanon A Rucker, 100% (unopposed) 6278 Votes Cast
- Nadine Allen, 76.53% ; Rosalind C Florez 23.47%. 21269 VC
- Ted Berry, 71.76% ; Kendal M Coes, 28.24%. 24245 VC
- Julie Stautberg, 100% (unopposed) 19441 VC
MCD 5:
- Heather Russel, 66.02% ; Greg Cohen, 33.98% 27807 VC
MCD 5 (Unexpired Term):
- Brad Greenberg, 100% (unopposed). 22056 VC
MCD 6:
- Richard Bernat, 68.35% ; Lawrence Lindgren 31.65%. 29819 VC
MCD 6 (Unexpired Term):
- Bernie Bouchard, 66.97% ; Norma J Davis 33.03%. 30552 VC
MCD 7:
Melissa Powers, 100% (unopposed). 16076 VC
Villiage of Marriemont:
- Mayor: Dan Policastro, 100% (unopposed). 930 VC
- Clerk-Treasurer: Paul J Tontillo, 100% (unopposed) 938 VC
- Council (Vote 2): Kimberly Sullivan, 37.70% ; Dennis Wolter, 31.51% ; James H Ferguson, 30.79%. 2085 VC
- School Board (Vote 2): Marie C Huenefeld, 51.62% ; Denise Walter, 48.38%. 3557 VC
Tax Issues:
- Mariemont Operating Levy Renewal: For, 72.88% ; Against, 27.12%. 1239 VC
- Cincinnati School Levy: Against, 58.11% ; For, 41.89%. 66393 VC
- Mariemont School Levy: For, 56.21% ; Against, 43.79%. 2907 VC
- Issue 27 (Referendum on Public Safety Resolution): Against, 56.05% ; For, 43.95%. 191391 VC
- Issue 28 (Mental Health Levy): For, 55.13% ; Against, 44.87%. VC 190304 VC
- Issue 29 (Senior Services Levy): For, 69.45% ; Against, 30.55%. VC 190783 VC
All taken from the Hamilton County Board of Election's results page. Don't see your election? Probably because I didn't vote in it. Look here.
As for comments...I'm amazingly, incredibly disappointed the public safety levy didn't pass. Voting against that levy was essentially voting against law enforcement and for criminals. The day after it was shot down, the county is already talking about cutting sheriff patrols in Over the Rhine. That's exactly where we need to pulls cops from. I'm predicting some serious crime upswings and further migration out of the heart of Hamilton County.
I'm similarly disgusted by the short term view taken by voters on the Cincinnati school issue. Yes, the district has it's problems. But it's also falling apart, understaffed, and under funded. While we'd love to be able to give money to only good school districts, witholding it from a bad school does immeasurable damage. Watch the size of the city continue to shrink, because the children who go to the public schools are deprived of an education. When you link the effects of an unsupported school district and an unsupported law enforcement community, you get a slum.
That's all I have...except for we had 34% turnout this time around. I think that number speaks for itself.
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