“Scoop” Keeling gets yet another Ohio news story completely wrong.
Remember how the conservative Buckeye Institute claimed that their private RICO lawsuit forced ACORN into a settlement that kicked it out of Ohio and from any voter registration or GOTV efforts altogether in the State?
Yeah, it turns out that just like the overblown allegations of voter fraud, it was completely meritless.
From the Associated Press, we learn that the settlement agreement did not force ACORN to surrender its business license in Ohio at all:
ACORN also has agreed to surrender its Ohio business license and has ceased operations in Ohio “for reasons unrelated” to the lawsuit, the agreement says.
As ACORN stated last week, it had ALREADY ended its operations in Ohio before the settlement agreement due to budgetary concerns.
Oh, and as for not engaging in Ohio in the future? All the settlement agreement requires is that ACORN “refrain in Ohio from supporting or enabling others ‘to engage in the type of unlawful conduct alleged’ in the lawsuit.”
In other words, ACORN is able to come back into the State so long as they or any group they support or enable does not engage in unlawful conduct… which of course, is something they would naturally be obligated to do as an incorporated entity doing business in the State in the first place. There is absolutely nothing in the reported settlement that prevents ACORN for conducting voter registration drives in Ohio. Nothing.
In short, this Associated Press story strongly indicates that this “settlement” was a pure “walk away settlement” and the Plaintiff’s suit actually achieved nothing.
The Buckeye Institute just got caught doing an endzone dance in the wrong endzone.
This is the funniest Ohio teabagging video NOT shot by Tim or Eric (Awesome Show, Great Job!).
Second Amendment….. YEEEEESSSS! CPA! CPA! Constitution. WHOOOO!
They’re mostly protesting Mike DeWine’s nomination as AG, but it’s being held while the Ohio GOP’s Executive Committee is endorsing David Yost over Dayton Teabagging favorite freshman House Member/CPA!!!! Seth Morgan.
And the sirens at the end? Yeah, Matt Hurley at WMD repotrs that it was the Ohio GOP that called the police over the nonviolent, peaceful Teabagging protestors:
Where is Mr. “I was Tea Party before there was a Tea Party” Kasich stand on this? Calling the cops because the backroom deal got exposed…nice! When the time comes, and believe me it is coming, there is a whole lot of folks who are going to be able to say that they didn’t leave the republican Party, the Republican Party left them behind.
Conservatives are asking why Yost is qualified for an Ohio GOP endorsement for Auditor, when the State refused to endorse in the AG’s race. Not an unfair question. And further evidence of the political collateral damage caused by John Kasich’s pick of Mary Taylor, and everyone recognizes it as such.
By the way, who’s that miserable looking Republican operative staring out the window? And where does the GOP buy their party issued blue blazers? The Constitution demands they answer! YEEEEEEAAAAA!
A firestorm is coming. Can you feel it? The women of this country are fuming, like steam in a pressure cooker the timer is about to go off, and these women are going to explode.
After a long and difficult debate on health care, The Stupak/Pitts Amendment passed The House 240 to 194 with 64 Democrats breaking from the party platform to add an amendment to the bill further restricting legal abortion. The move was underhanded, disgusting and unforgivable to the women in the pro-choice movement because it took the all important health care bill we so desperately need and turned it into a political football. The trick used is called “a poison pill”; an attempt to add inflammatory last minute language to bring down a good bill.
Betrayal. Pure and simple. Sixty percent of the women in this country vote democratic, and do so because they believe in the party platform; a platform that includes comprehensive women’s rights, not as a mere third rail, but as a major tenant of the overall concept of human rights. And these women are pissed.
Gloria Feldt of The Women’s Media Center put it quite succinctly when she said, “I’m seeing the most intense wave of anger building among women voters of all ages since the Senate’s 1991 trashing of Anita Hill culminated in the 1992 ‘Year of the Woman’.”
She’s right about that. The backlash is swelling. Women all over the country are enraged. Comments from around the internet include statements like:
“I say bite ‘em in the ankles”.
“I say you’re aiming way too low.”
“Pitchforks!”
“Let’s make mayhem, against all the opponents of Women’s rights. Throw them in one big lump. It’s what MOVEMENTS do!”
“There’s going to be a firestorm here,” Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) told The Washington Post. “Women are going to realize that a Democratic-controlled House has passed legislation that would prohibit women paying for abortions with their own funds. . . . We’re not going to let this into law.”
Kelli Arthur Hykes of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio feels the problem stems back to the “Big Tent” strategy implemented in recent years. “If we had people in office who went through the vetting process so we knew who supports the party platform we would not be stuck with anti-choice leaders.”
Political commentator and newly elected Pepper Pike City Councilwoman Jill Miller Zimon is very concerned about the ramifications of this legislation, citing how important this health care legislation will be for so many people. Yet in spite of that, as a pro-choice Democratic woman she stands firmly behind the 41 women in the House who have signed a statement vowing to vote down the bill if the Stupak/Pitts language is not removed.
“We DO need to pass the health care bill,” Zimon said, “but healthcare for all of us, and that includes our senior citizens, men, and women, not just select constituencies.”
The health care bill is so important, we can’t let this amendment get in the way of its passage, but don’t mistake that to mean its O.K. to ask the ladies to “take one for the team,” not this time. The women have taken plenty of hits “for the team” and if you haven’t noticed, the women ARE the team. Have you ever gone to a democratic activist meeting? Who shows up? Who runs the phone banks, types the letters, does the filings, buys the coffee and washes the dishes when the meeting is done? Women are often expected to do all the leg work for the Democratic Party; to host the fundraisers, print the flyers, type of the paperwork, and get out the vote, but are continually thrown under the bus when its time to legislate pro woman policy. Enough! Take one for the team? I don’t think so. Either this language is removed from the Senate bill before Christmas or there won’t be a team for 2010.
Rachael Maddow predicted a revolt, and she is right on target. Progressive groups are mobilizing with force around the Stupak/Pitts controversy and working hard to put pressure on the “big tent” DINO’s who fail to uphold party principles. It is the first spark of a firestorm and a movement on the rise… a movement that will unite Democrats not just on the level of winning elections to expand the base, but to win with candidates who vote like true progressives. That’s the Hope and Change people voted for and the spirit of “Yes We Can.”
Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy knows that the national Republicans have painted a big target on her back. She knows she’s likely facing a rematch from her ‘08 opponent in which she narrowly won thanks, in part, to a high youth turnout fueled by the presidential election that is unlikely to materialize in ‘10.
And yet, she not only voted for the House health insurance reform bill, but she also voted against the Stupak anti-choice amendment.
If you’ve got some spare change, give Kilroy some coin. If you live in the area and have some spare time, then give Kilroy’s campaign your time.
Kilroy is living proof that you don’t have to wear an uniform to show the courage of your convictions.
According to the Renewable Energy Policy Project, more than 20,000 new manufacturing jobs can be created in Ohio in the coming years with investment in and from the “green†economy. Four town hall meetings – on June 23 in Cincinnati, June 24 in Findlay, June 25 in Canton and June 26 in Cleveland – will offer community members a chance to learn more about opportunities for high-paying domestic jobs in renewable energy, clean technology and “green†manufacturing, while also discussing environmental and economic risks associated with accelerated climate change.
In conjunction with Vice President Al Gore’s We Campaign, the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club (as part of their Blue Green Alliance) are hosting the town halls. Participants will share facts on global climate change, energy independence and green job opportunities locally, as well as offer ways community members can get more involved.
Thirteen town hall meetings are being held in cities across the country this month. If you are in the vicinity, stop by, learn more and contribute to the discussion. Details on each Green Jobs for America — We Can Solve It Town Hall Meetings…
CINCINNATI EVENT
Monday, June 23, 2008, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Laborer’s Hall
3457 Montgomery Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45207 Speakers will include:
USW District Director Dave McCall
Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper
Larry Feist, Cincinnati State
Matt Ryan, SEIU
Representative from the Climate Project
FINDLAY EVENT
Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 7:00pm-8:30pm
USW Local 207L Union Hall
1130 Summit St.
Findlay, OH 45840 Speakers will include:
Dave Caldwell, USW
Kimberly Gibson, Ohio Energy Dept.
Findlay Mayor Pete Seinert
Donnie Blatt, USW (moderator)
Representative from the Climate Project
CANTON EVENT
Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Golden Lodge
1234 Harrison Ave. SW
Canton, OH 44708 Speakers will include:
Ken Riley, The Climate Project
Dennis Brommer, USW
George Calko, Blue Green Alliance
Randy Feemster, Timken Company
Bryan Bell, AFL-CIO (moderator)
CLEVELAND EVENT
Thursday, June 26, 2008, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Sachsenheim Hall
7001 Denison Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44102 Speakers will include:
Eric Schreiber, The Climate Project
Dave Caldwell, USW
Pam Rosado, Policy Matters Ohio
Marnie Urso, Audubon Ohio
Teresa McHugh, Sierra Club
Donnie Blatt, USW (moderator)
AT&T initially downplayed its heroic efforts in the War on Terror, preferring to serve in silence behind the scenes. “But then we realized we had a PR win on our hands,†noted AT&T V.P. of Homeland Security James Croppy. “Not only were we helping NSA cut through the cumbersome red tape of the FISA system, we were also helping our customers by handing over their e-mails and phone records to the government. Modern life is so hectic – who has time to cc the feds on every message? It’s a great example of how we anticipate our customers’ needs and act on them. And, it should be pointed out, we offered this service free of charge.â€
Update: I was just down and they are not officially open until Wednesday (2/13) and probably won’t have much stuff until then if then. Phone number is 612.968.7864
Expect the offices to open in Columbus on Monday or Tuesday. They are located at the following address:
No phone number as yet, but will update all on that. The campaign is looking for the following things to get up and running:
Desks (any type)
Long rectangular tables
Chairs (again any)
Folks willing to pick up and deliver furniture
Also, if you haven’t joined an Obama group yet, there are 3 main ones to join if you are in Cbus: Ohioans for Obama, Columbus for Obama, and Central Ohioans for Obama. Get busy!
If you have anything for the campaign to use please email me at eric@plunderbund.com and let me know. I might be able to pick it up for you and take down. Will advise as lists of things and tasks gets updated from the campaign.
Police have lost red-light cameras to traffic accidents but never to gun play. “This is the first one that’s been shot,” Capt. Gordon Catlett said of the wounded camera at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Interstate 640 — one of 15 camera-equipped intersections in the city.
Clifford E. Clark, 47, was charged with felony vandalism and reckless endangerment for allegedly firing at least three rounds from a .30-06 hunting rifle at the camera, knocking it out of action.
Anger management issues, dude? At any rate, not the most appropriate use of a firearm. Red light cameras kinda suck, but I’m not sure this qualifies as something that rises to the level of requiring armed insurrection.
One of the common memes I read on pro-gun websites is the overwhelming need to protect one’s self and family from violent home invaders intent on killing you and your family.
Well, in New York City – population 8 million – they are on track to have fewer than 500 homicides, and if trends hold just seventy homicides perpetrated by those unknown to the victim. That’s a measly 14% of all homicides that would qualify as “random acts of violence”, and it means that 0.000875% of NYC citizens were murdered by a random attack this year. What’s more, you can reduce your odds of being a victim of a “random” crime by avoiding risky situations and behavior, including protecting your home from being selected for invasion.
You are actually more likely to be killed by a fire than by a stranger. Even if your home is invaded by an armed thief, it’s unlikely to result in murder. So test your smoke alarms! (And lock your windows and doors too, just in case.)
The situation in Burma (Myanmar) is one we should all be watching and stay informed about. If you are behind on it, this might help to catch you up. Information is scarce and I’m going to take a stab at documenting some of the sources and a good roundup a bit later tonight. I know George Ed had a post up about the effect of bloggers on getting information out and Jeff Hess has been posting quite a bit on the disparity in coverage here in the states versus elsewhere. I’ve actually been following Have Coffee very closely on all of this. Jill Zimon also was one of the first to alert me to this.
Tomorrow, Plunderbund will be participating in an International Bloggers’ Day for Burma. The post will allow comments, but in order to create greater awareness that will be all you’ll see on PB for the entire day. Possibly a sidebar item afterward as well as more blogging on the subject.
A few things you might do tomorrow (or longer) to build awareness:
Participate in International Bloggers’ Day if you own blog. One post – all day (or at least pinned to the top)
Forum users can change their signatures to reflect the Free Burma theme
Anyone who uses email can draft a small signature with links to direct anyone reading an email to the right places
Anyone who speaks to others during the course of the day can mention it in conversation
They might not want us to know, but we know. In no small part due to very brave citizen journalists. We can’t do much, but we can show our support and continue to make sure others know.
Wes Clark is sponsoring a campaign to dump Rush from Armed Forces Radio. Seems fitting, since he thinks a large number of our soldiers are “phony”. You can get involved here.
While not “Net Neutrality” related, this underscores the potential power and abuse allowing common carriers to regulate the content transmitted on their networks would permit.
Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.
The other leading wireless carriers have accepted the program, which allows people to sign up for text messages from Naral by sending a message to a five-digit number known as a short code.
Verizon has essentially said that Party A and Party B are prohibited from discussing abortion, despite the fact that both parties are voluntarily participating in the (private!) discussion. The kind of (again, solicited) text message that Verizon is blocking? “End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.”
I know wingnuts will say “the market will sort itself out”, and I certainly hope it does (if you use Verizon, you should cancel your business with them if at all possible, and let them know in no uncertain terms that censoring private communications in unacceptable), but this act should be illegal. In fact, it is illegal to do the exact same thing to voice communications, and text messages should be protected as well.
And don’t forget, cell phones operate over a portion of the publicly owned airwaves. Their right to control the frequencies they broadcast cell signals over is granted by the public. So telling them they can’t censor traffic by content is entirely legitimate.
Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.
But the company reversed course this morning, saying it had made a mistake.
“The decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have fixed the process that led to this isolated incident,” Jeffrey Nelson, a company spokesman, said in a statement.
“It was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy,” Mr. Nelson said. “That policy, developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and adult materials sent to children.”
In her sickening tirade against anti-war actress Sally Field, Michelle Malkin indicates that she believes that there are sheep moms and lion moms. I have to admit that to a certain point, I agree with her. Some moms are more passive and docile in their child rearing. Others are more aggressive and outspoken. But only a moron would suggest that there are mothers who are protective of their children, and mother’s who are not. Do some research, Ms. Malkin. Sheep protect their offspring as fiercely as lions, or any other mother on the planet. Being against the war in Iraq doesn’t make anyone less of a mother.
The suggestion that those mothers who oppose the war in Iraq are sheepish and unwilling to stand up for their children is not only vile, it is wrong. Personally, I am diametrically opposed to the war in Iraq. But don’t make the mistake of thinking I won’t come after you with fury if you hurt my children. I will challenge anyone trying to bring harm to my kids.
Have you not been paying attention over the last 6 years? The war in Iraq has very little to do with terrorism, or human rights. It doesn’t have to do with standing up to the bully on the playground. It has to do with several very little men getting very big payoffs. America is the bully on the playground.
So, if we use your own analogy, that kind of makes you like the mom whose kid is the school bully, doesn’t it? You’re the mom that supports your child’s right to sucker punch other kids because they wear glasses. You’re the mom who wonders what your child’s classmate did to deserve the terrifying wrath of your son or daughter. You’re the mom who believes her child can do no wrong despite the black eye and bloody nose exhibited by the little girl next door. In short, you are the mom handing your child the dirt to throw in the face of people in his way.
When I first read your post, I was convinced that you must not have children. My husband informed me that, in fact, you have two. I cannot tell you how sad that makes me. I can’t imagine being raised by a mother who wants to ship me off to war as soon as I turn 18. All because she’s afraid to agree with something a liberal, left-leaning actress once said. I would suggest that you reconsider your stance on this whole war thing. It’s really OK to be against the war AND right-wing. Don’t sacrifice your children because you’re afraid to stand up for what you know is right.
In the battle for popular support, strip-club owners and dancers claimed an edge yesterday.
They turned in 120 boxes of petitions — 382,508 signatures total — to Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner’s office. Citizens for Community Values, the Cincinnati-based group behind tougher rules, submitted more than 220,000 signatures to get the legislative ball rolling early this year.
Funny that the party of “smaller government, out of your lives” feels the need to micro-regulate this. I don’t think this should be the province of state government, and instead should be a local issue. Unfortunately, I doubt voters will be able to separate their personal feelings about strip clubs from the policy issue of statewide regulation.
A poll commissioned by [Citizens for Community Values] in May showed 60 percent of Ohioans support a law making strip clubs close at midnight. About 68 percent said physical contact should be banned between dancers and patrons.
Acknowledging the typical skepticism based on the poll sponsor, I have little doubt that this law is, in fact, publicly popular. Doesn’t make it good policy.
The situation in Burma (Myanmar) is one we should all be watching and stay informed about. If you are behind on it, 
