From the monthly archives:

March 2006

Blogger ID Theft: Doesn’t Even Write Like She Writes!

by Eric on March 31, 2006 · Comments

Update: It appears the offending comments were removed and a post calling for commentary to be “toned down”. Tone down. I like that one. I wonder if the IP has been blacklisted or the identity of the idiot will be made public?

Something is amiss at this thread over at Right Angle Blog. It appears Jill of Writes Like She Talks is not talking or writing much like herself. Jill, Jill…is that you? From comments:

As a lawyer and a mother, I can tell you that even my nine year old and four year old can tell, state, herald that these results are totally, unequivocally, without question or hesitation, accurate as a postal scale that weighs Nostradamus.

I once write a brief about polling data and it’s accuracy and after reading the newspaper account and what Matt and Paul and Jerry said at their blogs, I know that this guarantees a dem victory in the two most important, significant, noteworthy state wide races.
Jill | 03.31.06 – 3:00 pm | #

Flat out impersonation. First clue? She got the ages of her own kids wrong! LOL. Hopefully the RAB will get this sorted out and the IP addresses of the people responsible will come to light and we’ll figure out who pulled the bullshit. Was the polling so bad as to make righties this desperate? Wow.

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Blackwell: We Got His Attention

by Eric on March 31, 2006 · Comments

(from BSB and UAPA)

Seems we are getting to Ken, as are the most recent poll numbers (he’s gettin’ hammered!). At his blog:

Left-Wing Nut Cindy Sheehan Opposes Ken Blackwell

So Cindy Sheehan is taking her crusade to Ohio to oppose Ken Blackwell’s candidacy. Her tactics and rhetoric should even make the whiney group of liberals at BuckeyeStateBlog uncomfortable.

Haha. You gotta love this. Bad polling day Kenny? I love it when we get to these guys. November is gonna be such great fun! Some rightie bloggers are freakin’ out as well…more on that later – maybe lots more!

Again, we aren’t whining Ken. We are yelling! I think it pretty clear that you are beginning to hear us. It won’t get any better my man. You better cowboy up!

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Delaware Area Canvass Tomorrow

by Eric on March 31, 2006 · Comments

I’m not sure if it’s an April Fool’s joke, but it seems everybody and their brother scheduled something for tomorrow. I’m trying to figure out how to divide up the time and also keep my family sane. Hopefully I’ll be able to get out and walk a bit.

When: Saturday, April 1st 1:30 pm

Where: Mean Bean, 2 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH

What: Canvassing Delaware 4-A, 4-C armed with sample ballots and encouraging Democrats to vote in the May 2nd primary. It is important to reach these people now, because if we can get them to the polls on May 2nd, we know we can count on their support in November!

Added bonus: Both Richard Cordray (Ohio Treasureer candidate) and Bob Shamansky (12th District Congressional candidate) will be at the event. Come meet your future congressman and treasurer and help get out the vote!

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Latest Zogby: Brown Leads DeWine, Flannery Leads Blackwell

by Eric on March 31, 2006 · Comments

Really? Really.

It seems the grey blob (could they NOT find a photo of Ms. Sherrod Brown, the black Congressman from Ohio?) is leading by a good clip now – 9 points.

brown over dewine

Strickland still leads all, but Flannery is putting out press that Strickland is in trouble due to his lead slipping. I still don’t think Flannery gets the Dem nod, the numbers just seem to indicate that Ohio is going to break for a Democrat Governor.

strickland leads all

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Paul Hackett Keeps Teaching – Anyone Listening?

by Eric on March 31, 2006 · Comments

(hat tip OH02)

Paul was featured in Cincy’s CityBeat, where he does the usual routine of pointing out things Dem leadership needs to pay attention to. Whether or not they will is up for debate. I’m guessing no:

Hackett sneers at what he heard from Hamilton County Democratic Chair Tim Burke and other party leaders after dropping out of the Senate race.

“Where the disconnect begins is when the Democratic Party, like Tim Burke, says, ‘Come back and run (again) for the 2nd Congressional District,’ despite the fact that I told the folks that hopped into that race that I would not get back in that race,” Hackett says. “And their response is, ‘Oh, that happens in politics all the time.’ To which I say, ‘That doesn’t mean it’s right.’ I just think it’s poor form, because that was what happened to me in the Senate race. Right or wrong, politics or not, if I give my word, my word is my bond.

Now everybody can spin it how they want to spin it. Fuck it, man. If I just jump back in that race, it’s like shit rolling downhill. It gets on everybody and it makes a mess. If we, as a party, want to encourage new blood and participation in this process, we have got to stop doing that kind of thing.”

Then there’s this:

“It’s what makes me most unhappy about the Democratic Party, as a party on the national level and to some extent locally,” he says. “They are apprehensive to rock the boat. Guys, the boat’s sinking. Let’s not be afraid to fight about this. Let’s be the opposition party. We are not going to be successful if our strategy is to simply hope that the Republican Party self-destructs.”

Hackett says he wants his party to return to its roots — support for working Americans and the freedoms that define America, standing up for individual rights. He wants to do it by redefining some conservative language.

“We’re the party of fiscal responsibility,” Hackett says. “We’re the party of limited government. We are the party of strong national defense … that wants our military used intelligently and wisely, that wants to support our military. We’re also the party of fair trade … that fought against off-shoring the middle class as best represented by NAFTA and CAFTA.”

During his campaigns Hackett formed the opinion that the base of the Democratic Party “doesn’t get” those four statements.

Bingo. The magic of Paul’s message that Dems are the party of limited government is something completely missed by most Dems running. My feeling is it is the most brilliant frame we could advance…but Dems won’t do it. I would also add that Dems are the party most aligned with the teachings of Christ, but Dems won’t go there either. They are, like Paul said, content to surrend those to Republicans and await their self destruction. They are giving them a pass that just might get caught with a gay marriage ban hail marry. Wake up.

Note: Hackett is sitting in for Jerry Springer right now (9-noon) and I’m recording it all and should have available sometime today. So far he is talking immigration and has already completely destroyed a caller who claimed we need to oust Dems who have caused the illegal immigration problem. Funny stuff.

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Faithful Ohio – Taking Back Religion from the Right

by Eric on March 30, 2006 · Comments

I just added a new link to the blogroll – Faithful Ohio. I did so because I think what is discussed there and what should be discussed here and on other blogs is the taking back of religion from the extreme right and reclaiming the true meaning of Christian faith. I grew up Catholic and now practice Zen Buddhism, but I understand the impact of Christianity on politics today and the need to curb what I see as non-loving agendas that are fueled not by the love of Christ but by the fear of man.

Renee has a great post about the Jim Wallis event at OSU, a story of which I hope she won’t mind me using here:

I was asked to speak at Sing Sing prison in upstate New York. I asked, when do you want me to come, and the prisoners’ representative said, “Well, we’re free most nights! We’re kind of a captive audience here!”

I was given a room in the bowels of Sing Sing, this infamous prison, and I was left in a room alone for 5 hours with 80 guys. One of the prisoners said, “You know, Jim, all of us at Sing Sing are from just about 4 or 5 neighborhoods in New York City. It’s like a train you get on in my neighborhood when you’re 9 or 10 years old, and the train ends up here, at Sing Sing.

But he had a spirtual conversion inside those walls. The New York Theological Seminary offers a Masters of Divinity program inside the walls of that prison. You become a preacher inside the joint–you graduate when your sentence is up. And he looked at me and said, “When I get out, I want to go back and stop that train!”

I was in New York a few years later, and guess who I saw, back home, leading a town meeting on poverty…trying to stop that train. That’s what *I* mean by faith-based initiatives.

Please bookmark/blogroll that site as well as Renee at Howard Empowered.

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Tough Talk from Dems over Clergy Sex Abuse

by Eric on March 30, 2006 · Comments

(from Dispatch)

First is Redfern:

“I have never felt more ashamed of my church than I do today,” said Rep. Chris Redfern of Catawba Island, a Catholic and chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. House Democrats tried to return the look-back provision to Senate Bill 17, but majority Republicans defeated it in a party-line vote.

Then there is Dann:

“The House took the side of people who rape children,” said Sen. Marc Dann, a Democrat from the Youngstown area.

He also shows some fight:

“We speak, we fight, even if there is a risk we might lose,” he said. “I’d rather stand up to a bully than let him intimidate us.”

Republicans caved to the church once again. Victims and families are rightly outraged. Husted and company are attempting to spin it like they are wanting to catch more clergy who do this in the future, but you can’t deny past acts at the same time guys – not gonna work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether or not state Republicans were cowards or not, consider this:

Before yesterday’s House session, members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests formed a line outside the chamber’s main entrance, holding pictures of themselves as child victims, yelling at a handful of Republican members who passed by on their way inside.

“Shame on you! . . . Please don’t sell the kids out! ”

But most GOP lawmakers chose to enter the chamber through side doors.

The answer would be yes.

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God Doesn’t Reject People Ad (video)

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

Wow. Unreal how simple and resonating this ad is. Too damned bad networks won’t run it!

This is precisely what I’m talking about when I say Dems need to reframe God and religion. Would this ad not resonate with those of faith in terms of the many issues the right uses against us?

Update: You can take action here

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The Fool Ain’t Foolin’

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

Is anyone else sick of the Bush speeches in front of repetitive phrase wallpaper?

Not Foolin'

RJ Matson

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Abramoff Gets Nearly 6 Years

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

…but how loudly will he sing?

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — Disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was sentenced Wednesday to five years and 10 months in prison for a Florida fraud case.

That’s a shame…

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Sheehan: Pacifist Extremist

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

I read Pho’s coverage of the Sheehan appearance yesterday and gritted my teeth. I read Tim’s praise this morning and began hammering on keys.

First, I value both voices, but sense there are times that Pho and I diverge – sometimes quite drastically. Still, the voice is valued, even when our positions form a Y in the road of progressive thought.

Tim’s comment that someone should buy Cindy a timeshare on the beach so she can get over herself is, well, pure Tim – and one I find offensive. While I value his political voice, opinions, and experience, Tim could spend a bit more time practicing empathy and a little less time on the ego…but I digress.

Underlying all of Pho’s critical commentary on Sheehan is a vein of discomfort with being seen as “extreme”. I think the term “extreme pacifism” was even used, which struck me as funny. What is extreme pacifism? Is this like hard core compassion? Or maybe it is akin to death metal jazz, I’m not quite sure. When reading the phrase, though, I was struck with the beauty of it. It makes as much sense to me as “wage peace”, which Pho also seems to poke at when making reference to Kucinich’s Peace Department (not sure if it’s poking, just seemed that way).

A sign of this “extremism” is picking on Colin Powell. I’m sorry, but Colin Powell did go to the UN and knowingly mislead them – something he has publicly said he regrets. Why do we not hold Colin to a higher standard and expect him to resign over such a serious thing as leading us into war on false pretenses? Give him a pass because he tried to be a voice of reason? Right. I dont’ find anything extreme about calling him on this.

I think the point was missed on “patriotism” versus “matriotism”. If you think more deeply on this it makes more sense than something you can conveniently and tritely dismiss as mad talk from a looney toon. The underlying premise would be that we need more mothering within foreign policy and less fathering. More reason and less blunt force trauma. Sure, the father may be respected…but this respect might come out of fear. The mother, on the other hand, is respected out of love and understanding which I would argue is a deeper respect. Respect from fear is paper thin. Respect born from trust is much stronger. I think what Cindy is saying is that we need to earn respect based on trust, understanding, and good will. NOT from smart bombs and Humvees. But I guess it easier to just say “yes she really said that” and dismiss it as some nutty pacifist comment, which dovetails fine with the overall theme.

Which is more radical? Embracing peace or supporting war as a necessary evil? Some might argue that there are times when you can’t have peace without war, but I would argue this is not one of those times. There was nothing about the current war even remotely close to last resort. Peace: a new radical idea.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy? – Mahatma Gandhi

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Flannery: Drop The Football Angle Already

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

You’ve already got one of the worst political ads I’ve seen EVER. Don’t continue the mediocrity by sending out press releases containting endorsements from famous football coaches. Or do – I do need more humor in my life.

LEGENDARY FOOTBALL COACH ENDORSES FLANNERY FOR
GOVERNOR, APPEARS IN STATEWIDE PHONE MESSAGE

(Cleveland) Former Championship Football Coach, Lou Holtz of the University of Notre Dame, today joined his former players, Bryan Flannery and Frank Stams, in a recorded phone message that will begin airing statewide this week.

Uh, how can i best say this? WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN! Is this state really that nutty for football that they’d pay attention to this? Now that I asked that outloud (OK talking to myself and typing), I’m not so sure. Lou freakin’ Holtz. They even got a Woody Hayes reference, of course – which I’m sure they’ve been just dying to do! Where does Lou live again? Why should Ohio care again?

I’m not thinking even if I did live back in my home state of Kentucky that I’d want Pat Riley as my Governor. So stop it already!

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GOP Family Values at Work

by Eric on March 29, 2006 · Comments

Husted and GOP “leaders” sell out the kiddos:

Abusive priests get legal break

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Victims of sex abuse by priests were livid yesterday after majority Republicans in the Ohio House closed a oneyear window that would have allowed the victims to sue for abuse that occurred up to 35 years ago.

Why you ask? Well the power of the church of course:

“The influence of the Catholic Conference is so much greater than ours; that’s what it comes down to,” said Barbara Blaine, president of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

She and other victims said Speaker Jon A. Husted, R-Kettering, betrayed them by going back on his promise to get tough on sex offenders.

As GOP leaders met behind closed doors before the committee vote, Blaine said, “If the speaker wants to sell out kids, he needs to do it in the light. No more back-room deals.”

So the next time you hear a Republican talk about family values. Remind them of Mr. Husted and the Catholic Church and tell them to go to hell!

So what does someone do who makes a back room deal to sell out victimized kids in favor of big religion? Why run away of course:

Moments later, Husted emerged before disappearing down a hallway, avoiding victims who were pleading their case to a swarm of reporters.

“There he goes,” a man yelled, prompting some to give chase. Husted eluded them.

Is anyone else wondering why we are even having this conversation and why there is need for legislation on this? I sure am! How the hell did these guys ever lay claim to the moral high ground anyway? My hope is that strong Dem leaders will reclaim religion – something I’ve been thinking about alot and will probably post on soon.

There is no time limit on the damage that is done to kids at the hands of those they trust as spiritual mentors. Not 30, not 40, not 50 years.

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George Will Misses The Point

by Eric on March 28, 2006 · Comments

George Will weighs in on the Senate race in Ohio and pretty much completely misses the point on trade. I mean Dick Cheney quail hunting misses.

A serious student of trade policy, Brown notes that the trade deficit for 1992 was $39 billion, but was $724 billion last year. He wants U.S. trade policy to force “stronger labor and environmental standards” in less-developed nations. He says the point is to “bring up their living standards.” Oh, please. The primary point is to reduce the competitive advantages of nations with lower labor costs and lighter environmental regulations – nations that many Ohioans believe have caused their state to lose 222,800 manufacturing jobs in the last 10 years.

How offensive is it to describe underpaying and mistreating workers in other countries as a “competitive advantage”. It is likewise to position “lighter environmental regulations” as another business “competitive advantage”. Yeah, George, we want to remove those “competitive advantages”. You know, the ones that let employers in other countries exploit their poor and pollute our environment for the benefit of multi-national corporations.

So you don’t think that the people of the world deserve labor and environmental protections long sought after here in the U.S.? Oh Please!

Now, this all begs the question of whether or not the voting public gives a damn about “trade”. They probably should, but whether they do is left open for question. George focuses on it because Sherrod does. I’m not sure if this is something that someone can be elected on solely. What I do know is that Sherrod gets it right and George gets it wrong.

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Shamansky Nabs Politics1 Site of the Day

by Eric on March 28, 2006 · Comments

(link) SITE OF THE DAY. Our Politics1 Site of the Day winner is Bob Shamansky for Congress (D-OH) — clean design, lots of content, good use of interactive resources.

Kudos to Drew and Bob for deserved recognition. Several of us Ohio bloggers have noted since it launched that the Shamansky site was one of the best.

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