You might've seen it already...the Columbus Dispatch is back to charging for online content. I personally ran into this problem the other day, where I started reading up on local news and found I couldn't get much more than headlines.
WOSU did an interview with Phil Pikelny, Vice President of Dispatch Digital on the subject.
For me, it's a very simple decision: Even with this blog, I do not and will not use $239.88 of that website every year. I'll find alternate sources for news, starting with chipping in $10 to WOSU.
Showing posts with label NPR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NPR. Show all posts
Thursday
National View: Turn-about is Fair Play
NPR pointed out the faulty-facts at the RNC, and has done the same for the DNC. Just in case anyone needed a reminder that all politicians lie and cherry pick their truths.
Also, I think this is a good illustration of just how biased towards the left NPR is (not as much as the GOP wants us to think)--I was astounded when a FOX commentator points out Paul Ryan lies, but I'm hardly surprised this story was on the front page of the NPR website.
I also really liked these 5 Takeaways. I didn't watch any of the convention, just like I didn't watch any of the Republican convention, but what's trickling in through the media and social outlets just FEELS better to me. Less angry. Less threatening. Less smug.
Whatever. It's not secre I identify with the Democrats far more than the Republicans ;-)
Also, I think this is a good illustration of just how biased towards the left NPR is (not as much as the GOP wants us to think)--I was astounded when a FOX commentator points out Paul Ryan lies, but I'm hardly surprised this story was on the front page of the NPR website.
I also really liked these 5 Takeaways. I didn't watch any of the convention, just like I didn't watch any of the Republican convention, but what's trickling in through the media and social outlets just FEELS better to me. Less angry. Less threatening. Less smug.
Whatever. It's not secre I identify with the Democrats far more than the Republicans ;-)
Wednesday
National View: Better Off than 4 Years Ago?
Flipping through NPR's homepage, I saw an interesting little link: Are You Better Off Than Four Years Ago?
My answer to that is fortunately a resounding "Yes." That has precious little to do with Obama, however--I've taken plenty of steps in my own life to better my position.
I've changed jobs, changed industries, mated my work ethic to fortunate circumstances, gotten back to school.
One can make a healthy argument in either direction whether or not Obama has any direct effect on my improved fortune. Personally, I don't think it's as cut and dried as that--it's shades of gray, partial truths, incomplete data.
I tend to think anyone would have bailed out the insurance, auto, and banking industries had they been in the hot seat (Looking at you here, Ryan). I don't care about your stance on public debt; if you're faced with the certain downsizing of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of jobs, you're sending the cash. No President will knowingly hurt the economy, period. No President will go out on a limb if there's a chance the next Depression can be blamed on him.
What's that got to do with me? The overall health of the economy is crucial to the well-being of my industry, my company, my job. If the consumer isn't spending on luxuries, I don't have a job. If staving off total disaster was the only thing Obama accomplished this term, I'm grateful for that.
Fun Fact: when I answered the question (morning of 9/4/12) there had been 649 clicks--390 saying "Yes," 165 "No," and 94 "The same." Totally not scientific, and I wonder what effect the target audience (NPR listeners with internet access and free time) has on the results...
My answer to that is fortunately a resounding "Yes." That has precious little to do with Obama, however--I've taken plenty of steps in my own life to better my position.
I've changed jobs, changed industries, mated my work ethic to fortunate circumstances, gotten back to school.
One can make a healthy argument in either direction whether or not Obama has any direct effect on my improved fortune. Personally, I don't think it's as cut and dried as that--it's shades of gray, partial truths, incomplete data.
I tend to think anyone would have bailed out the insurance, auto, and banking industries had they been in the hot seat (Looking at you here, Ryan). I don't care about your stance on public debt; if you're faced with the certain downsizing of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of jobs, you're sending the cash. No President will knowingly hurt the economy, period. No President will go out on a limb if there's a chance the next Depression can be blamed on him.
What's that got to do with me? The overall health of the economy is crucial to the well-being of my industry, my company, my job. If the consumer isn't spending on luxuries, I don't have a job. If staving off total disaster was the only thing Obama accomplished this term, I'm grateful for that.
Fun Fact: when I answered the question (morning of 9/4/12) there had been 649 clicks--390 saying "Yes," 165 "No," and 94 "The same." Totally not scientific, and I wonder what effect the target audience (NPR listeners with internet access and free time) has on the results...
Monday
Back in the Saddle Again?
One of the things that annoys me lately, in a totally irrational way, is the way Time magazine is doing Presidential Election coverage.
Picture it: A normal TIME cover. The art. The titles of key articles. All normal, well and good. But then, two of the articles will definitely be a point/counter point written by McCain and Obama.
Part of me goes, "Wonderful. We need to know what they're thinking on issues like the war in Afghanistan."
Another part goes, "Why the hell do they get to babble about this? I read TIME for expert insight."
Yet a third part: "It's just campaign rhetoric in print. They aren't saying anything they'll actually act on. Which means they're wasting paper that could be printing useful insight."
So while I like to see the candidates' positions getting put out there to a demographic that is at least semi-informed on the topic, I'm worried about their stances being confused with news and informed analysis.
Or am I just feeling ornery?
...And Now for Some News...
No Drugs for Depression
Senate Blocks Energy Bill (The best part? The Dems added the ammendment about off shore drilling that the GOP wanted, and they STILL filibustered)
Picture it: A normal TIME cover. The art. The titles of key articles. All normal, well and good. But then, two of the articles will definitely be a point/counter point written by McCain and Obama.
Part of me goes, "Wonderful. We need to know what they're thinking on issues like the war in Afghanistan."
Another part goes, "Why the hell do they get to babble about this? I read TIME for expert insight."
Yet a third part: "It's just campaign rhetoric in print. They aren't saying anything they'll actually act on. Which means they're wasting paper that could be printing useful insight."
So while I like to see the candidates' positions getting put out there to a demographic that is at least semi-informed on the topic, I'm worried about their stances being confused with news and informed analysis.
Or am I just feeling ornery?
...And Now for Some News...
No Drugs for Depression
Senate Blocks Energy Bill (The best part? The Dems added the ammendment about off shore drilling that the GOP wanted, and they STILL filibustered)
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
Friday
To Vote or Not to Vote
So the issue is voting in the primary. Because of the Ohio voting laws, I can vote as an independent but will be affiliated with the party I vote with. For example, I want to vote for Obama for the Democratic nomination. That's fine, I can do that. But it makes my party affiliation "Democrat."
My dilemma is I don't want to BE affiliated with a party. Even for the nomination process. My girlfriend made the point today that if I don't vote, I can't complain about who's on the slate.
I usually feel ok complaining, because it's wrapped up long before I could even think about this problem. However, with the way this years race is going Ohio is a key state for the Democratic campaign. Huckabee is still hanging in there, and you should all know my thoughts on Huckabee.
While normally I'm all about the "JUST FRIGGEN VOTE" position, I can't reconcile that with becoming affiliated with a party. I do not want to support a two party system that discourages compromise.
So...I don't know. Part of me wants to vote, since Hilary seems to be making a stand here. Or maybe for McCain, just to make sure it isn't just the Evangelicals in the state (think Gay Marriage Ban) voting.
But there's another part of me that says I don't wanna affiliate with a party, because it's not what I'm all about.
We'll see how these things play out by next Tuesday. Also, now that somehow an "O" in my last name became an "A," I'm not sure I could vote if I wanted to. Meh!
...And Now for Some News...
Mourning for Sugary Refinery Victims, from NPR
Turkish Troops Enter Iraq, from BBC
Ohio Battling Emerald Ash Borer, from WCBE
My dilemma is I don't want to BE affiliated with a party. Even for the nomination process. My girlfriend made the point today that if I don't vote, I can't complain about who's on the slate.
I usually feel ok complaining, because it's wrapped up long before I could even think about this problem. However, with the way this years race is going Ohio is a key state for the Democratic campaign. Huckabee is still hanging in there, and you should all know my thoughts on Huckabee.
While normally I'm all about the "JUST FRIGGEN VOTE" position, I can't reconcile that with becoming affiliated with a party. I do not want to support a two party system that discourages compromise.
So...I don't know. Part of me wants to vote, since Hilary seems to be making a stand here. Or maybe for McCain, just to make sure it isn't just the Evangelicals in the state (think Gay Marriage Ban) voting.
But there's another part of me that says I don't wanna affiliate with a party, because it's not what I'm all about.
We'll see how these things play out by next Tuesday. Also, now that somehow an "O" in my last name became an "A," I'm not sure I could vote if I wanted to. Meh!
...And Now for Some News...
Mourning for Sugary Refinery Victims, from NPR
Turkish Troops Enter Iraq, from BBC
Ohio Battling Emerald Ash Borer, from WCBE
Monday
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
Columbus Government
Since I've moved, it's time to get acquainted with a new set of government officials. Let's start with the Mayor of Columbus and the City Council.
The city's website is pretty simple: http://www.columbus.gov/. I love it when it's that simple. The main page here has all kinds of links that are just pretty spiffy. The central features have some interesting news bites...hrm. Have to look into that.
The Mayor's Page has a lot of the same information as the main city page, but also has contact info for the Mayor.
The City Council has a main page, that branches off into all sorts of information about the council and it's individual members.
City Attorney has his own page.
As does the City Auditor.
Clerk of Courts has her own webspace.
And a list of Judges.
I think that covers it all. Now to update my sidebar links...
...and Now for Some News....
McCain, Clinton Win in Florida, from NPR
Army Balks at VA Help for Soldiers, from NPR
Afghan MPs Back Death for Blasphemy, from BBC
EU Leaders Call for Transparency, from BBC
Organizations Worried Over State Budget Troubles, from WVXU
The city's website is pretty simple: http://www.columbus.gov/. I love it when it's that simple. The main page here has all kinds of links that are just pretty spiffy. The central features have some interesting news bites...hrm. Have to look into that.
The Mayor's Page has a lot of the same information as the main city page, but also has contact info for the Mayor.
The City Council has a main page, that branches off into all sorts of information about the council and it's individual members.
City Attorney has his own page.
As does the City Auditor.
Clerk of Courts has her own webspace.
And a list of Judges.
I think that covers it all. Now to update my sidebar links...
...and Now for Some News....
McCain, Clinton Win in Florida, from NPR
Army Balks at VA Help for Soldiers, from NPR
Afghan MPs Back Death for Blasphemy, from BBC
EU Leaders Call for Transparency, from BBC
Organizations Worried Over State Budget Troubles, from WVXU
Monday
Separation of Church and State
Mike Huckabee has some good points. The weight loss thing is impressive. I've heard his tax plan is actually on the level. Anyone who can be an executive of a state has to be a capable, functioning human being, and I respect that.
But.
This little blurb on his website says it all. "My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them."
Huckabee says a lot of things on that page that are hard to disagree with. He throws in a line about being a steward of the earth. He talks about how the 1st Amendment says religion shouldn't be preferred or prohibited. But the fact he talks about religion and politics mixing at all fills me with a dull dread.
I am not comfortable with a Christian President, just as I wouldn't be comfortable with an Islamic President. Nor would I be comfortable with an Atheist President. Historically speaking, heads of state who make state decisions based on the Bible have really made a mess of things. We are a secular nation of secular laws (mostly. Why can't I buy beer on Sunday morning?). I don't want anyone's faith being allowed to change that.
Jimmy Carter is an incredibly religious Southern Baptist. I didn't know that for years. I admired him as a President and for his work post-Presidency without ever having religion enter into it. Did his faith factor into decisions made as President? Of course! Did he take instructions from the Bible and other Christian teachings? I don't think so.
The fact Huckabee is so popular among heavily Christian voters is a mark against him in my book. Those were the same people who voted Bush into office. The fact he is running on a platform that implies faith-based governance offends me.
Separation of Church and State. It's the concept that makes us not Iran.
...And Now For Some News...
Bush's Final State of the Union Address Tonight, from NPR.
Mormon Leader Dies at Age 97, from NPR.
New Unrest in western Kenya, from BBC.
Egypt Tries New Tactics to Seal Gaza Border, from BBC.
AC Units Not Safe From Scrap Thieves, from WCBE.
Busy Week for Ohio Legislaters, from WVXU.
But.
This little blurb on his website says it all. "My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them."
Huckabee says a lot of things on that page that are hard to disagree with. He throws in a line about being a steward of the earth. He talks about how the 1st Amendment says religion shouldn't be preferred or prohibited. But the fact he talks about religion and politics mixing at all fills me with a dull dread.
I am not comfortable with a Christian President, just as I wouldn't be comfortable with an Islamic President. Nor would I be comfortable with an Atheist President. Historically speaking, heads of state who make state decisions based on the Bible have really made a mess of things. We are a secular nation of secular laws (mostly. Why can't I buy beer on Sunday morning?). I don't want anyone's faith being allowed to change that.
Jimmy Carter is an incredibly religious Southern Baptist. I didn't know that for years. I admired him as a President and for his work post-Presidency without ever having religion enter into it. Did his faith factor into decisions made as President? Of course! Did he take instructions from the Bible and other Christian teachings? I don't think so.
The fact Huckabee is so popular among heavily Christian voters is a mark against him in my book. Those were the same people who voted Bush into office. The fact he is running on a platform that implies faith-based governance offends me.
Separation of Church and State. It's the concept that makes us not Iran.
...And Now For Some News...
Bush's Final State of the Union Address Tonight, from NPR.
Mormon Leader Dies at Age 97, from NPR.
New Unrest in western Kenya, from BBC.
Egypt Tries New Tactics to Seal Gaza Border, from BBC.
AC Units Not Safe From Scrap Thieves, from WCBE.
Busy Week for Ohio Legislaters, from WVXU.
Thursday
Thursday, Thursday, Thursday...
...are busy days, all three.
My paying job is being awfully needy the next four business days or so...gearing up for a vacation and trying to beat end of year deadlines. So...no thoughtful post today, and some reduced headlines!
Now for Some News...
Mitchell Report on baseball doping to be released 2pm today. Judging from what I heard on the radio, no one is expecting this to hurt the game any...at least not financially.
New EU treaty is signed, designed to radically alter how the EU operates. It looks like the treaty is going to make it more like a nation state instead of a loose conglomeration...creating a Union president, a ruling council, and eliminating veto power in many cases...could get interesting.
Liberty Township starts an interchange project that will connect it to I-75. As if there's not enough development going on out there anyway (I used to live in West Chester), the locally funded project aims to open up huge tracts of land for commericial development by extending Cox Road to the highway in the 1st phase, widening Hamilton-Mason Road in the 2nd, and adding an interchange at Hamilton-Mason Rd in the final phase.
Now I'm just grumpy. I kinda liked how there wasn't much of anything out there...pretty soon I AM going to have to live in Montana.
My paying job is being awfully needy the next four business days or so...gearing up for a vacation and trying to beat end of year deadlines. So...no thoughtful post today, and some reduced headlines!
Now for Some News...
Mitchell Report on baseball doping to be released 2pm today. Judging from what I heard on the radio, no one is expecting this to hurt the game any...at least not financially.
New EU treaty is signed, designed to radically alter how the EU operates. It looks like the treaty is going to make it more like a nation state instead of a loose conglomeration...creating a Union president, a ruling council, and eliminating veto power in many cases...could get interesting.
Liberty Township starts an interchange project that will connect it to I-75. As if there's not enough development going on out there anyway (I used to live in West Chester), the locally funded project aims to open up huge tracts of land for commericial development by extending Cox Road to the highway in the 1st phase, widening Hamilton-Mason Road in the 2nd, and adding an interchange at Hamilton-Mason Rd in the final phase.
Now I'm just grumpy. I kinda liked how there wasn't much of anything out there...pretty soon I AM going to have to live in Montana.
Wednesday
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.
Friday
The Day That Will Live on in Infamy...
Um...no. Actually, no. Good political line...but...not so much. Sorry Frank.
I just ran a little experiment, shooting a text message to everyone I knew wishing them a "happy day that will live on in infamy." The more intelligent among my friends and family assumed I had just finished my classes for the quarter. Ah well. Hopefully we can accelerate this process with 9/11...but wait, I'm not allowed to say that, since it's a fresh wound.
2333 killed and 1139 wounded and all those beautiful battleships destroyed is a deep enough wound for me to keep Pearl Harbor in mind every year. Maybe it's the Navy man I was in a past life...
Now for Some News...
It fits that the CIA would make tapes of questionable interrogation tactics, destroy those tapes, and then the public find out about it. It's a little bizarre to me, the whole thing...but another sign of one seriously dysfunctional executive branch. I do not envy the next President.
Developers want to put a huge casino resort in Wilmington, OH. The veritable middle of nowhere, and I'm torn on whether or not it'd be a good thing to have something between Columbus and Cincinnati. Either way, the state government is not making it easy for the developers to get approval from the voters.
Say what you want about nuclear power, but a large chunk of the medical field is in a panic about one of the Canadian reactors being shut down. It stops the flow of radioactive isotopes that are needed for a variety of tests and treatments, possibly dealing a catastrophic blow to the health industry.
I just ran a little experiment, shooting a text message to everyone I knew wishing them a "happy day that will live on in infamy." The more intelligent among my friends and family assumed I had just finished my classes for the quarter. Ah well. Hopefully we can accelerate this process with 9/11...but wait, I'm not allowed to say that, since it's a fresh wound.
2333 killed and 1139 wounded and all those beautiful battleships destroyed is a deep enough wound for me to keep Pearl Harbor in mind every year. Maybe it's the Navy man I was in a past life...
Now for Some News...
It fits that the CIA would make tapes of questionable interrogation tactics, destroy those tapes, and then the public find out about it. It's a little bizarre to me, the whole thing...but another sign of one seriously dysfunctional executive branch. I do not envy the next President.
Developers want to put a huge casino resort in Wilmington, OH. The veritable middle of nowhere, and I'm torn on whether or not it'd be a good thing to have something between Columbus and Cincinnati. Either way, the state government is not making it easy for the developers to get approval from the voters.
Say what you want about nuclear power, but a large chunk of the medical field is in a panic about one of the Canadian reactors being shut down. It stops the flow of radioactive isotopes that are needed for a variety of tests and treatments, possibly dealing a catastrophic blow to the health industry.
Tuesday
Tuesday
ok...so I missed one. It happens, and till I start getting paid for this gig I don't owe anyone apologies.
I'm a little themeless this week...wrapping up school, work is crunching, and I'm sick. And things were going so well...
So let's just get on with it.
And Now for Some News...
Mayors Confer on Foreclosures, from NPR
Really Neat Interview with Steve Martin, from NPR
Annapolis Conference Opens with an Anticlimatic Air, from BBC
More Riots in France, from BBC
More Over-the-Rhine Condos, from WCPO
What a Landlord, from WCPO
I'm a little themeless this week...wrapping up school, work is crunching, and I'm sick. And things were going so well...
So let's just get on with it.
And Now for Some News...
Mayors Confer on Foreclosures, from NPR
Really Neat Interview with Steve Martin, from NPR
Annapolis Conference Opens with an Anticlimatic Air, from BBC
More Riots in France, from BBC
More Over-the-Rhine Condos, from WCPO
What a Landlord, from WCPO
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
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