HeightsMom

DeWine pulls ad

2006-07-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Good. I hope it costs them alot of money to remake it.

Sen. Mike DeWine has pulled an image of a burning World Trade Center from a campaign commercial attacking Rep. Sherrod Brown's record on national security because the image was a fake, a campaign spokesman said Wednesday night.

Instead, the 30-second ad, which began airing Friday, will show a picture of the World Trade Center before the attacks, DeWine spokesman Brian Seitchik said....

"Mike DeWine distorts images like he distorts Sherrod's record," said Brown's spokeswoman, Joanna Kuebler. "Instead of being honest, he is exploiting an American tragedy and now we come to find out he is using shameful, fake images."

Minimum Wage and Business Growth

2006-07-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

A lot has been said about the social justices and moral issues behind the campaign to raise the minimum wage. Let Justice Roll and others are promoting the minimum wage during thier Faith in Action week. This Sunday, Churches and people of faith will be talking about the importance of raising the wage, passing around petitions and holding rallys in support of raising the minimum wage to $6.85 all over Ohio. They’ll quote Martin Luther King and the prophet Amos stating that the minimum wage law is just the “right thing to do”.

They are probably right - the Minimum Wage raise does seem like the right thing to do morally but what will be the eventual consequenses on businesses and the already devasted Ohio economy? Well - A recent study found that:

States with higher minimum wages have generally performed as well or better economically than states with lower minimums since 1997. This is in keeping with most recent empirical research on the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will help 719,000 Ohio workers better support themselves and their families, and is unlikely to lead to aggregate employment loss, payroll loss or establishment closure among small business. A high minimum wage is consistent with a thriving economy that works better for all Ohioans.

Which does seem to make sense. Why wouldn’t the economy grow? Workers who earn more spend more on the goods and services that grow the economy and make the community successful. This hold especially true when you consider that a 1999 study found that a minimum wage raise has spill over effects to higher paying jobs while having little effect on the basic cost of rent and other necessities.

Perhaps these studies were performed in 20 states that are already well performing and Ohio won’t have the growth effect that these studies claim. I doubt it. But, while noone can see the future - These studies do seem to point in a positive direction and makes the minimum wage opponents claims of “certain economic ruin” seem preposterous.

Sometimes the “right thing to do” benefits everyone in the community - including the business owner.

More facts and bullet points from the study at AsOhioGoes:

Tags:[minimum wage], [economic growth], [dayton]

AsOhioGoes.com

2006-07-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

I will be posting most of my political stuff at the community blogging site AsOhioGoes.com.

From the site:
Everyone is welcome to participate, all you need to do is register and you will be able to post diaries.

Whether it is a simple press release, event annoucement or a news article you'd like to pass on, detailed anaylsis of a recent poll, your opinion on an issue, legislation or politician, or a report from an event or grassroots activity - We'd be happy to read it.

And as you read - remember - Ohio has voted for the winner of every presidential election, with only one exception, since World War II. Hence - As Ohio Goes, So Goes the Nation.

I hope you will join me there. Thanks!

Tags:[Cleveland], [Columbus], [Cincinnati]

Al Gore Couture - Al Gore is so hot right now

2006-07-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacobs new clothing line features Al Gore. The line includes t-shirts, tote bags, and trucker hats.

They are about $20 a t-shirt. You can see the line at MarcJacobs.com. Unfortunately, I do not think we have a MarcJacobs store in Cleveland and they are not for sale online :-(

Tags:[Al Gore], [Fashion], [Save Us Al]

Hackett and Brown together

2006-07-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

REP. SHERROD BROWN AND PAUL HACKETT CO-HOST CINCINNATI RALLY

CINCINNATI - Congressman Sherrod Brown and Iraq War veteran and activist
Paul Hackett will co-host a Democratic Unity Rally in Cincinnati at 3 p.m.
Monday, July 10, 2006 at Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park
at 1101 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati.

This event is open to the media.

TIME: 3 p.m.
DATE: Monday, July 10, 2006
PLACE: Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park at 1101 Eastern
Avenue, Cincinnati.

Tags:[Sherrod Brown], [Paul Hackett], [Cincinnati]

Frances Strickland @ OD Women's Caucus w/ Slideshow

2006-07-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Meeting of the Cuyahoga County Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus went well. A big crowd (a little under 100) attended to hear guest speakers Frances Strickland and Lew Katz.

Debbie Klien spoke about the Prevention First Initiative (teen pregnancy prevention, sex eductaion funding). She noted that 250 women had traveled to Columbus to testify against HB228. HB228 is the horrible abortion ban legisation that would make it illegal to have an abortion even if the life of the mother was at stake -taking the decision out of the hands of the family and into the hands of government.

Jane Shapiro spoke about the Voter Action Initiative by Ohioans for Democratic Values. An effort to encourage and enable citizens to talk to thier friends and neighbors about the democratic candidates they are voting for and why. This is like the Neighbor to Neighbor canvass we did during the primary. It is a fun way to get out the word and get to know your neighbors.

The Minimum Wage Petition went around the room. If you haven't signed it already, please do. I have a petition if you need to sign it - just email me.

Lew Katz from the 14th District gave a great speech. He is very inspiring and will make a wonderful congressman. The 14th current Congressman, Steve LaTourette, continues to betray the citizens of the 14th district by voting for legislation that hurts the regions families, workers and students. Lew Katz would help the 14th and the rest of Ohio by putting Ohioans needs ahead of Washingtons wants. Visit his website for more info. I'll try to get his speech up - which is so much better than anything I could say.

The highlight of the evening was Frances Strickand. She just seems like the nicest most genuine woman - I am happy she is on our side. She presented a slideshow on "A Million Voices for Change". Which seems to be a more structured style of a word of mouth campaign. I am excited to learn more about this and see how it grows.

Frances kind of reminds me of that gentle but fun teacher in junior high. Her presentation was filled with smiles and humor. She played the guitar for us again (here is video of the Strickland Bio Song), this time she played a new song called "Who ya gonna vote for Republican?"

She also talked about the mud slinging tactics of her husbands opponent and the Republican party in general. She said, She and Ted would stand up to any negative campaign ads and would not be "swiftboated". It is unfortunate that Ken Blackwell and his ilk have to delve into such nastiness to garner attention. At the sight of the first ugly campaign ad against the Stricklands, we should all speak out on how unnesccessary and dispicable his tactics are. Politics doesn't have to be that ugly. It just pushes everyone away.

She also said that the Culture of Corruption the Republicans have created, hurts the Dems more than it helps them, by alienating people from all politicians. Democrats have to stand up and show themselves for the honest, everyday people that they are, not just the issues and policies they believe in and stand up for.

Here is the slideshow from the meeting:

The next meeting is August 3rd. I hope more of you can make it.

Tags:[Frances Strickland], [Democratic Women], [Lew Katz], [Cleveland]

Blackwell's Anti-Voting tirades will be challenged

2006-07-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

From The Plain Dealer -

The suit will request an injunction, claiming a reform law passed by the General Assembly last year, followed by rules Blackwell's office drafted, have all but ended the groups' voter-registration activities in Ohio.

"At this point, the effects are chilling," said Donita Judge, a staff attorney at the Advancement Project, a Washington-based voter-education group, and co-counsel in the suit being filed in Cleveland. "It's just killed voter registration," she added, resulting in an all-but-certain "dilution of the minority vote." ...

The lawsuit will claim that the registration and training requirements violate the free-speech rights of low-paid registrars by burdening them with the responsibility of personally returning registration cards and imposing potential felony penalties for failing to do so.

It also will claim that Ohio's attempt to impose an "anti-bundling" policy violates the intent of the National Voter Registration Act, which was to increase voter participation.

Judge said the effects of the law and rules disproportionately affect voter-registration drives in minority communities, where many residents don't have transportation, lack the technological skills to register on-line and are, in some cases, "functionally illiterate."

Tags:[Ken Blackwell], [Voting Rights], [Columbus]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-07-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.
-- Barnett Brickner

Well, I really think he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all.
-- Charles Rangel, African American congressman on President Bush

It is not moderation that redresses the great injustices.
-- Anna Quindlen

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [Charles Rangel], [cleveland],

Free Bumperstickers "Grand Oil Party"

2006-07-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

MoveOn.org is giving away bumperstickers.

What will putting these stickers on your car do? Marketing experts call it "counterbranding"—taking a well-known name and giving it a negative association. Together, we'll remind folks everywhere that the Republican party is tied to big oil companies—and that's part of the reason that gas prices are so high and it's why we're not doing anything about global warming.

If thousands of us post them (and give some to our friends) we'll be able to keep our message in front of millions of people on the road all over the country. Can you help out by ordering a free sticker—or a 10- or 100-pack to give out to your friends and neighbors?

Click here to get yours.

Democratic Events in NE Ohio

2006-07-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

ODWC - Thursday, July 6, 2006: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m

Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus

Frances Strickland

Lew Katz

Meet the Candidates - Sunday, July 9, 2006: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Tags:[ted strickland], [Sherrod Brown], [Cleveland]

Fiscal Accountability, Performance Based Budgeting and the Ohio Dems

2006-06-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

By now, we all know that Republicans are not fiscally conservative. But - what are the democrats doing to further solidify the reputation of "Fiscally Responsible" started by the Clinton Administrations balanced budgets.

In Ohio, House Democrats recently offered admendments to eliminate government waste and help officials make wise choices.

The first admendment, Senate Bill 321 would require performance audits and a system of performance budgeting for every state agency. Performance based budgeting, would require state government to develop performance measures and benchmarks so policy makers are better equipped to determine whether programs are actually producing results. The concept has yielded hundreds of millions of dollars in other states, such as Washington. Budgets based on performance? Too sensible for Ohio Republicans, whom voted down the admendment.

Another admendment, HB 61, would immediately sunset existing tax expenditures (which currently cost Ohio taxpayers $6.3 billion each year), and require all new tax loopholes in the future to be renewed every five years.

“It’s time we get beyond election year gimmickry and start offering real fiscal discipline here in Columbus,” Driehaus said. “These are two common sense proposals that could save state government money without deep cuts to education or health care. They deserve to be taken seriously”...“Being a wise steward of taxpayers’ dollars means concentrating our resources on efforts that truly will move Ohio forward,” Strahorn said. “It means making tough, intelligent decisions – a trait that’s been short supply here lately.”...“If these tax breaks are accomplishing a legitimate public purpose, then by all means, let’s renew them,” Driehaus said. “But we are talking about some enormous holes in the tax code. We have a responsibility to at least take a look at them.”

In a state as economically depressed as Ohio, we rely on our lawmakers to be responsible. Investing in coins and creating loopholes for thier campaign donors is what the corrupt Ohio Republicans have given us instead of responsibility. It is time Democrats take firm grasp of the term "Fiscally Responsible" and make sure every voter realizes that Republicans are no longer the party of balanced budgets and a tightly run government - But the Democrats are. It is thoughtful and responsible Democratic iniatives that will Turn Around Ohio and the nation.

Tags:[ted strickland], [columbus], [performance based budget]

Fox news continues slide to bottom

2006-06-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

From Broadcasting and Cable Magazine

So far during the second quarter, the No. 1 cable news channel’s primetime schedule has dropped 22% in its core 25-54 demo and 8% in total viewers. The first quarter was even worse.

Apparently, they are looking for new "talent".

Exactly.

2006-06-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

It is summer and a lot of people are busy with family stuff but that isn't stopping Ohioans from doing some excellent blogging -

The underhanded tactics of the Learn and Earn petition drive to allow gambling in Ohio has made it into many Ohio diaries as more and more bloggers have negative experiences with the underhanded practices of these petitioners. See "Big Money Campaigns Seek to Hijack Blogs", "Casino Backers Still Using Underhanded Tactics" "More fun with Learn and Earn", "Burning My Cookies", "Learn and Earn Campaign Dishonestly Circulating Petitions" "Blogosphere and Credibility" "More Hardball in Ohio" "The Proposed Gambling Amendment is an Abomination" and numerous comments on other blogs to get a sense of the how widespread the deception is.

Corrupt, Self-Serving, Republican, Congressman Bob Ney scandal updates here.

I would have liked to have met this guy.

Should universities be able to control their student’s access to the internet?

Feagler = CrustyOld Man.

Those cut-and-run Republicans can't make up thier mind on Iraq. On Thursday, they voted to stay the course rejecting Democratic proposals on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, (at the same time they didn't vote to condemn granting amnesty to terrorist that kill soldiers), and then yesterday they adopted the democrats exit strategy as their own. What changed in two days?

It is God, Guns and Gays in Ohio but this week it was mostly guns, guns and guns.

Bush admistration cronyism at Dept. of Labor - Heckuvajob Chao!

Thanks Everyone. Enjoy the day.

Tags:[Gambling], [Bob Ney], [Cincinnati]

85-100 Iraqis abducted

2006-06-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Via BBC

Gunmen have abducted at least 80 Iraqi factory workers from a fleet of buses just north of Baghdad, officials say.

The abduction took place at a state-owned factory complex at Taji where dozens of insurgents commandeered buses taking employees home after work.

A source quoted by Reuters news agency said the number of those kidnapped was at least 100 and possibly many more.

It is the latest of a series of mass abductions of workers in Iraq, many of whom have been ransomed or killed.

In other developments on Wednesday:

* The US marines were set to announce murder and other charges against seven marines and a navy sailor over the killing of an Iraqi civilian in April, US officials said

* One of the main lawyers defending former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Khamis al-Obeidi, is abducted from his home and shot dead

* Two people are killed and six wounded when a car bomb explodes in a crowded Baghdad market

* Iraqi and US forces announce the capture of Noori Abu Hayder al-Oqabi, described as a high-level insurgent and leader of a Baghdad "assassination cell"

* Insurgents in Iraq announce their intention to kill four Russian diplomats being held hostage, according to an internet posting.

Complete story here and here.

You just can't keep up with all of the bad news coming out of Iraq. So much for Al Zarqawi capture changing everything :-(

Tags:[iraq war], [zarqawi], [al queda]

Bob Ney's Unfortunate Ad Placement

2006-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Saw this on DU.

Tags:[Bob Ney], [Jack Abramoff], [Ohio Corruption]

Cats that look like Hitler

2006-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

What happens if you spend too much time on flickr - A whole blog devoted to the phenomenon of Hitler Cats.

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

I was up alot with the little ones last night. One was gassy and the other was a little jealous of the attention the newborn was getting. So - I am a bit tired but still happy to have some free time to check out the Ohio blogosphere.

Here we go..

This MDAC submission is the "must read" so far this week. It is from a reader who testified in Columbus on the proposed Ohio anti-abortion bill.

The Progressive Toledo blog has really grown. They now have over 20 writers conributing to the site.

John at WorkingWithWords takes a look at Washingtons Lobbying Culture in a four part series.

Nascar and whiffle ball at PsychobillyDem.

Admission of illegal torture tactics from the military makes ClarkStreet mad, mad at the administration and mad at the media.

Sutton is up in the polls and Cheney is a dick at the ChiefSource.

Lisa reminds us of those soldiers captured and Missing In Action over in Iraq.

Andrew looks at the 2nd Amendment, "it may be the murkiest water in the Bill of Rights".

More Ohio Corruption.

We need to put the brakes on... "Yesterday, a federal judge in New York ruled that the government could detain non-citizens purely on the basis of their race, religion, or country of origin, and hold them indefinitely without explanation."

Remember when Lord Blackwell decided what he really wanted was power,so he broke his oaths and turned on the other Jedi?

Thanks Everyone. Enjoy the day.

Tags:[Ted Strickland], [Ken Blackwell], [Toledo]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes (extended dance mix)

2006-06-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

The current administration could turn the most milquetoast moderate
into a radical.
-- Dana Spiotta

Silence is not a winning strategy.
-- People For the American Way

A nation that increases spending on war and reduces investment in
education, a nation that rolls back taxes on the wealthy and cuts
back help for the elderly, the disabled, the impoverished, is a
nation that has lost its way.
-- Rev. Jesse Jackson

A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.
-- Holly Sklar and Rev. Paul Sherry

Nukes breed nukes. As long as some nations continue to insist that
nuclear weapons are essential to their security, other nations will
want them.
-- Mohammed ElBaradei, 2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner

No group is enjoying a greater high right now than the nation's
testocrats, as students across the land finish up another year of
test-driven education.
-- Colman McCarthy

We are meaning-seeking creatures. Dogs, as far as I know, do not
agonize about the canine condition.
-- Karen Armstrong

Virtually every federal agency is now captive to the corporate
interests it is supposed to regulate.
-- Russ Baker

We are in our sixth year of government by gonads.
-- Francis Wilkinson

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [jesse jackson], [cleveland],

Womens Rights deteriorating in Iraq - worse than "Iran at it's most conservative"

2006-06-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Iraqi women have substantially less freedom today than before we invaded.

From the official report from the US embassy in Iraq.

Let's see , women can not drive cars or use cell phones and they should expect to be threatened if they are not wearing full abaya and a veil. Sounds more like Afganistan under the Taliban than Iraq. How could the Bush adminstration fail to plan and protect these women?

The report has a lot more information on a variety of topics including male dress restrictions, people getting thrown out of thier homes because they are the "wrong" religion, only 4 hours of power a day in 116 degree weather, Fuel Shortages (12 hour line for gasoline), Kidnappings, Security forces (being paid by the US) misusing thier power to expose and threaten those working with the embassy, Iraqis working with the embassy have to keep thier employment secret even from thier families for fear of thier lives.

Another interesting revelation in the report is that the US is perceived as just like Saddam by the majority of the population.

It is just depressing. And it is not getting any better.

This week, the Iraqi government pushed a proposal to pardon insurgents who have killed U.S. troops. Ohio Senator, Mike DeWine failed to condem the proposal.

Where is the accountability? When can we bring our troops home? What is the plan?

Hattip BSB

Tags:[Iraq], [Mike DeWine], [Womens Rights]

Brown Pushes Progressive Vision

2006-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Via CQPolitics

... Thinking Globally, Aiming Locally: Brown addressed a panel entitled “The Global Deficit: Good Jobs in a Global Economy.” That was fitting for Brown, who is best known in Congress for his staunch opposition to trade pacts that he says have sent Americans’ jobs overseas, battered the nation’s manufacturing sector and worsened the trade deficit.

More generally, Brown said that “progressives” should take definite stands rather than blurring differences with GOP opponents on policy issues. Brown dismissed that as “Republican lite,” and instead exhorted liberals to highlight their differences with their opponents. “Make the sharp contrast between what they have done and a bold, progressive version of what progressives can do,” Brown said.

This is not a risk-free pronouncement for Brown, who is running for the Senate in a swing state that narrowly favored President Bush in the 2004 election. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, in a statement Wednesday, said that Brown “must feel right at home with the liberal elites at the conference” but that his “liberal credentials” would not play well in Ohio.

Brown argued, though, that his views on a host of issues — supporting an increase in the minimum wage, overhauling the Medicare prescription drug program and opposing the Iraq war — actually are in the mainstream of political thought.

“On issue after issue after issue, I’m exactly as progressives are, exactly where the public is,” Brown said

Tags:[sherrod brown], [iraq], [cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Wednesday)

2006-06-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

Just a quick one today, we are pretty busy.

What does Ken Blackwell stand for??? Flip flops on CAT, TEL and now abortion.

Truth, for a change links to a very funny video commenting on the Bush Administration and the current crop of self serving Republicans.

Lack of disclosure takes away from real issues

Pho posts on the problems of the current abortion ban, and the Prevention First Bill.

On Blackwell, Strickland andhttp://psychobillydem.blogspot.com/

Rove Attacks Rep. Murtha and Sen. Kerry

Johns book reviews are in the CSMonitor.

The 'Gun Lobby' Dilemma.

Prissy links and comments on the My Take on The Rove Announcement by emptywheel.

BWC probe expands into pensions

I am going to publish this and then enjoy my day. I am thinking about going to the Produce Auction in Homerville. They should have lots of Strawberries!

Here is a new photo of our new little bug. He is doing very well.

Thanks Everyone!

Tags:[Ted Strickland], [Ken Blackwell], [cleveland]

Ohio Poll Numbers - Looking good, Brown takes lead

2006-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Via WKYC:

A state-wide poll shows Democrats Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown leading in their races against Republicans Ken Blackwell and incumbent Mike DeWine.

In an election for Governor of Ohio today, June 13, Democrat Ted Strickland defeats Republican Ken Blackwell, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted for WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WYTV-TV Youngstown.

Strickland, currently representing Ohio's 6th District in Congress, gets 53%. Blackwell, currently Ohio Secretary of State, gets 37%.

Strickland gets 89% of Democrat votes. Blackwell gets 72% of Republican votes. 20% of Republicans cross over and vote for the Democrat.

Independents prefer Democrat Strickland by 19 points. Strickland leads by 4 among men and by 27 among women, a 23-point Gender Gap. Blackwell runs even with Strickland among voters under age 35, and in Western Ohio. Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Taft is term-limited. The election is in 5 months, on 11/8/06.

In an election for United States Senator from Ohio today, June 13, Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown ousts Republican incumbent Mike DeWine, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted for WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WYTV-TV Youngstown.

Brown, who represents Ohio's 13th District in Congress, wins by 9 points, 48% to 39%. Brown gets 85% of Democrat votes. DeWine gets 73% of Republican votes. Brown wins by 14 points among Independents. Brown wins by 2:1 in Eastern Ohio. DeWine leads in Western and Central Ohio. Brown leads by 21 points among low-income voters. Other income groups are tied. DeWine leads by 13 among the youngest voters. Brown leads by 22 among the oldest voters.

The election is in five months, on November 8, 2006.

Survey questions

1 If the election for Governor of Ohio were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican Ken Blackwell? Democrat Ted Strickland? Green Party candidate Bob Fitrakis? Libertarian Bill Peirce? Or some other candidate?

37% Blackwell (R)
53% Strickland (D)
1% Fitrakis (G)
2% Peirce (L)
4% Other
2% Undecided

Asked of 507 Likely Voters

Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.4%

2 If the election for United States Senator were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican Mike Dewine? Democrat Sherrod Brown? Or some other candidate?

39% DeWine (R)
48% Brown (D)
11% Other
2% Undecided

Asked of 507 Likely Voters

Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.4%

Sponsoring News Organizations: WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, WYTV-TV Youngstown

Filtering: 1,000 Ohio adults were interviewed 6/10/06 - 6/12/06. Of them, 844 were registered to vote. Of them, 507 were judged to be "likely" voters. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.

Tags:[strickland], [blackwell], [dewine]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-06-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

On to the Ohio Blogs....

I Miss Bill, too

If you grow meat (muscle fiber) in a lab - can Vegetarians eat it since no animals are harmed???

Truth, for a Change gets some fan mail from the right - "blogs" are just a bunch of little spineless butt-nuggets"

Watch the video of Bill Bennett getting crushed by Jon Stewart in a gay marriage debate.

A little Toledo history a little Newark history.
Grandpaboy runs for office...
Some things you do not just for self-interest. You act from your heart. That's how I feel about my house and my neighborhood. I want to join the commission to work for the Hilltop and continue the work you all have begun.

Blackwell's Draconian Voter Registration Restrictions Draw Fire

There are some people you don't like but you'd shake their hand. And then there are others to whom you'd love to be able to say, "Sir/Madam, I do not shake hands with your ilk." Here is a short list.

This blog never pulls any punches

Bush admits to mistakes?

House Bill 228 (criminalize all abortion – whether to save the life of the woman or to end pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.) is pandering to the base - not governing.

Mike Turners Bull**** on expanding jobs in Dayton exposed.

Ann Coulter, plagiarist?

State Representatives Must Answer to God.

Chaos Theory, revisted... We can’t wait until October to start beating the drums and flapping our wings –- we must start now to build the momentum and the depth of effort needed to win big this fall. Send a candidate some money!

Tags:[cleveland], [ann coulter], [ken blackwell]

Ohio State Senate Dem Pick up Opportunities

2006-06-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

From micha1976 on Dailykos

...Ohio has 33 senate seats, currently occupied by 22 Republicans and 11 Democrats, so it would take a 6-seat-swing for a Democratic majority. That would be difficult enough, but it's even worse as in every election only half of the senate seats are up for reelection for a 4-year-term. In 2006 the odd-numbered senate seats are up, 9 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Every senator is term-limited to 2 terms.

I consider the following competitive:

13th district:
Our best pick-up opportunity is without a doubt the 13th senate district. Sen. Armbruster is term-limited, so this is an open seat. In 2002 he ran for reelection as an incumbant against nurse and SEIU leader Susan Morano and won with 50,2%/49,8% with exactly 372 votes.

This year Susan Morano - runs again, this time against Ohio Board of Education member Martha Wise. In the primary, Martha Wise was unopposed and received 14.464 votes. Susan Morano ran in a contentious primary and received 19.885 votes, her primary opponent received 8.257 votes, a combined 28.142 Democratic votes. Of course a contentious primary leads to higher turnout, but you have to consider, that the major primary race was the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The Democratic races were far less competitive.

The 13th district combines Huron and Lorain Counties as well as the eastern parts of Seneca county. The Ohio SoS website (yes, Blackwell...) doesn't provide information about election results for the Presidential election in a legislative district or even cracked down to precincts, so I only have county-wide results. Bush won Huron County 58,0%/41,3% and Seneca County with 58,9%/40,6%, but the most populous county in the district in Lorain County, which was carried by Kerry with 56,1%/43,5%. I don't exactly know, how much of Seneca county is part of this district, but I think it's fair to say that Kerry carried the 13th district.

Lorain County is the home county of Sherrod Brown, so it's his base for the competitive senate race, which should boost Democratic turnout. Part of Lorain belongs to his 13th congressional district, that (open) race is at least semi-competitive. The rest of Lorain county belongs to the 9th CD of Rep. Kaptur (D), Huron and Seneca counties belong to the 5th CD of Rep. Gilmor (R).

The last fundraising report showed a cash-on-hand advantage for Sue Morano, she had 72.155,62 $ CoH, Martha Wise 1.523,03 $. Sue should win this hands-down.

27th district:
The 27th senate district is represented by Rep. Kevin Coughlin (R). He won in 2002 with 52,9%/47,1%. In the primary however, he was unopposed and got 17.151 votes. His opponent will be college instructor Judy Hanna (D), who got 15.527 votes in the Democratic primary. Judy Hanna - had an opponent in a contentious primary, who got 11.667 votes. A combined 27.194 Democratic votes. Also in this race, some more Democratic votes are understandable, as the primary was competitive, but there were almost twice as many Democratic votes as vote for the incumbant. Not that bad, I would say.

The 27th senate district contains the northwestern part of Summit County, which went 56,7%/42,9% for John Kerry (here no district-wide information either). Those parts of Summit County belong in smaller parts to the 17th CD of Rep. LaTourette, who has only token opposition, and to the 17th district of Rep. Ryan, who is totally unopposed. The biggest part once more belongs to the open 13th district, which Betty Sutton should retain from Sherrod Brown.

It seems to be extremely difficult to fundraise on a state level against an incumbant, as all challengers have great disadvantages in CoH, Sen. Coughlin has 45.554,31 $, Judy Hanna has 3.575,99 $.

29th district:
The next possibly competitive district is the 29th district currently held by Sen. Kirk Schuring (R). He won in 2002 with 57,8%/42,2%. In the primary he was unopposed and got 24.839 votes. His opponent will be Thomas West (no HP!), who gott 23.397 votes in another unopposed primary race. As I said the primaries were largely overshadowed by the gubernatorial race between SoS Blackwell and AG Petro for the Republican nomination without a counterpart on the democratic side. I think that numbers bode well for the general election.

The 29th district contains most of Stark County which Kerry won with 50,6%/48,9%. Stark County belongs to the 16th districts of Rep. Regula (R). He doesn't face serious opposition in november. Turnout relies on the statewide races for Gov. and Sen., hopefully Democrats will try to turn-out their base in Stark County.

Without a website or any other information about Thomas West it's extremely difficult to decide whether he is a serious candidate, but the number of his votes in the primary seems to indicate he is. Moneywise, Sen. Schuring has 35.507,46 $ CoH, Thoas West has 2.199,38 $.

3rd district:
Another possible pick-up is the race in the 3rd SD held by Sen. David Goodman (R). He won in 2002 with 56,8%/43,2%. In the primary, he got 20.860 votes unopposed. His Democratic opponent is Emily Kreider, who was unopposed as well and got 14.014 votes. Emily Kreider - is a business woman in the social services sector. She is pro-life and has some links to the chamber of commerce, on the other hand has lots of union support. I think her resume sounds pretty impressive, even if her website looks less so.

The 3rd SD contains the eastern part of Franklin County, which went for John Kerry with 54,5%/45,2%. The district mostly belongs to the 12th congressional district held by Rep. Tiberi. While Rep. Tiberi himself doesn't face an all that strong challenge, Franklin County is the home of County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, who runs against Rep. Pryce in one of the most watched congressional races in Ohio in the 15th CD. Next to that, the Democratic candidates for statewide races should heavily rely on turnout in Franklin County (Columbus).

Sen. Goodman has 36.624,02 $ CoH, Emily Kreider has 2.802,22 $.

17th district:
Only marginally competitive and a possible pick-up only in the case of a huge Democratic wave seems to be the 17th SD of Sen. John Carey Jr. (R). He won in 2002 with 53,9%/46,1%. In the primary he was unopposed and got 20.195 votes. His opponent will be April Howland, who got 12.043 votes in an uncontested primary. April Howland doesn't have a website, all I know is that she is from Chillicothe in Ross County.

The 17th SD contains of the eatern part of Lawrence County, the western parts of Pickaway County and Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike, Ross and Vinton Counties. Bush won Lawrence County with 55,8%/43,7%, Pickaway with 62,0%/37,5% and the rest of the district with 60,3%/39%. So this should be solid Republican territory. Parts of the district belong to the 2nd CD of Rep. Schmidt (you know her), the 3rd CD of Rep. Turner and the 7th CD of Rep. Hobson. Other parts belong to the in 2006 highly competitive 6th and 18th CD of Rep. Strickland, who runs for Governor, and Rep. Ney (you know him as well). These races and Sen. Carey's moderate winning margin in 2002 are the only reasons this race is listed here.

Moneywise, it seems to become a blowout, Sen. Carey has 107.498,01 $, no information about April Howland. Sen. Carey comes from Jackson County, which is part of Bob Ney's district. Perhaps his coming successor?

5th district:
Even in what seems to become a Democratic year, we have to play defense as well. The only district that seems to be competitive on the Democratic side is the 5th SD currently held by Sen. Tom Roberts. He won in 2002 with 52,5%/47,5%. In the uncontested primary, the Assistant Minority Whip got 11.473 votes. His opponent Trotwood Mayor Donald McLaurin (R) got 11.185 votes. Both candidates are african-american, the city of Tretwood, where both candidates reside, is >80% african-american.

The 5th SD contains of Miami County (Bush 65,7%/34%), the southeastern part of Darke County (Bush 69,5%/29,8%) and the northeatern part of Montgomery County (Kerry 50,6%/49,0%). Obviously Montgomery county is the base for Sen. Roberts, the Republicans found a candidate who could cut into that base. The 5th SD belongs to the 8th CD of Majority Leader Boehner.

Moneywise, Sen. Roberts has 84.145,62 $ CoH, I have no information about Mayor McLaurin.

Given the current political climate esp. in Ohio, we should win at least one seante seats from the Republicans. Three to four other seats are in play. We won't take the Ohio state senate in this general election, but with a good performance this year, we could do it in 2008, when there are 13 Republican and only 4 Democratic seats in play.
But our candidates are in serious need for money. Most are almost broke where 10k $ should make them competitive.

Go Emily!

For the rest of this story and some interesting comments/discussion follow this link.

Tags:[ohio], [lorain], [Emily Kreider]

Parade The Circle & a sad reminder on a summer day

2006-06-12T09:02:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful (if a little chilly) summer weekend. Our family enjoyed every little bit of it, spending every moment we could outside. One of the highlights was the Annual Parade the Circle event in Wade Oval. This entry (photographed below) reminded us that 10's of thousands of Iraqi Families and 2708 American families can not enjoy thier summer.

A Tank on the streets of Cleveland

Mothers crying, holding thier dead children

Faceless men in suits, carrying briefcases of money(?), turn thier backs on the helpless families.

Pretty powerful. I think the entry was by Ohio Peace Action - but, I am not sure.

Tags:[iraq], [deaths], [parade the circle], [cleveland]

Sherrod Backs Net Neutrality, Votes Against Final Passage of COPE Bill

2006-06-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

From SherrodBrown.com

I thought you'd like to know that Sherrod voted for the Markey Net Neutrality Amendment, which failed, 152-269, and voted against the COPE bill, which passed last night 321-101.

He said this in favor of the Markey Amendment on the floor of the House:

Mr. BROWN of Ohio: Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Massachusetts for his leadership on all of these issues.

Net neutrality would maintain the free and open Internet that exists today. This bill simply does not protect the right of consumers to a wide array of information and entertainment sources.

The Markey amendment would provide those essential protections by outlawing sweetheart deals between network operators, like the phone or cable companies, and Internet content providers.

Without net neutrality, buying company A's phone service might restrict you to Google and deny you Yahoo, might deny you CNN.com and only give you FoxNews.com.

American consumers deserve choice, whether they choose to use the Internet giant Google or the new start-up search engine. This amendment is about consumer choice. This amendment is about market competitiveness.

I urge you to join me in support of the Markey amendment in opposition to the bill.

Tags:[sherrod brown], [net neutrality], [cleveland]

Ohio Democratic Womens Caucus Photo Slideshow

2006-06-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! What energy. A line out the door and standing room only at the Cuyahoga County meeting of The Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus. Connie Shultz and Councilwoman Nina Turner gave amazing speeches, Pippa Carter introduced speakers on Putting Prevention First, TEL Law and the importance of the Minimum Wage Admendment. A wide range of women attended - Candidates, Gold Star Mothers, Concerned Citizens, Activists, Bloggers and even Marc Danns mom enjoyed the evening.

I'll post some speech highlights later! Enjoy the day, it looks like another wonderful summer afternoon. I am going take the littlest one out for a walk. Take Care.

Tags:[Ohio Democratic Women's Caucus], [Cleveland], [Connie Shultz]

(video) Frances Strickland Sings About Ted

2006-06-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

Frances Strickland Sings About Ted

One of the highlights of the evening, they seem like such a fun couple.

Tags:[columbus], [ted strickland],[francis strickland],

Sen Obama and more of the ODP Party

2006-06-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the invigorating audio of Sen Obamas speech to the 2500+ guests at the ODP dinner party. It is outstanding! Also check out AmericanStreet for more blogosphere/ODP party/ Barack goodies :-)

Now I am going to go for a long walk with my beautiful baby! He is over 8.5 lbs now. Wow! And...while we are talking about weight - I've lost another 5 lbs! I can't wait to be my normal size again - (I guess I should lay off these brownie bites) :-D

Listen to Sherrod Browns Speech for the ODP Dinner Party Guests

2006-06-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is the majority of the Sherrod Brown speech (I did not make it to the stage that quickly so a little at the very beginning is missing). I hope you enjoy it. I am pretty sure this is a HeightsMom exclusive since most of the other bloggers with recording capabilities have already made up thier mind about Sherrod Brown and I suspect stopped listening to his speech when he started talking about workers rights - heck - I bet they stopped listening after Sherrod talked about how wonderful and talented his wife was! :-) Ahhh bloggers!

Some quotes from the speech...
100 years ago a child born in this country had a life expectancy of about 45 years. Today we live... 3 decades longer becuse of what progressive government has done - workers compensation, minimum wage, mine safety, medicare, social security, safe drinking water laws, clean air laws, prohibition of child labor - all of the things progressives in government have fought for. All the things the civil rights movement fought for - and the womens movement and the trade union movement - and the enviromentalist. From people of faith who fought for a better government and pushed thier government to move forward... We live thirty years longer partly because of high tech medicine and partly because of miracle drugs but MOSTLY because progressive Democrats have fought to help people live longer healthier lives...

Let me for a moment tell you for a second about this race for the Ohio Senate..we are rasiing money... we have started phone banking in many of the counties that John Kerry lost... but I've noticed the way the media covers this race is they keep talking about "POOR MIKE DEWINE" ... the iraq war is going bad, medicare is going bad, energy prices are up, Tom Noe is going to prison, it is "POOR MIKE DEWINE" to be in this situation. But, let me tell you something about "POOR MIKE DEWINE" from the moment that he was sworn in in January of 01, when George Bush was sworn in that same month - Mike Dewine has been a Rubberstamp for Gerge Bush. On the Iraq War - Mike Dewine is "you got it Mr. President! and energy bill written by the oil companies - you got it Mr President RUBBERSTAMP, on the prescription drug bill written by the drug companies - Mike DeWine says you got it Mr. President. RUBBERSTAMP! One rightwing judge after another rightwing judge Mike DeWine says you got it Mr. President. Whatever you need. No Raise in the minimum wage - No oversight and NO ACCOUNTABILITY! But you know what Mike DeWines reward for that is? A 1 million dollar fundraiser in Indian Hills Cincinnati. You know what else his reward is ...DIck Cheney coming in to (Ohio) to campaign, Ken Mehlman coming in to campaign, Karl Rove sitting in on his strategy meetings and helping Mike DeWine - POOR MIKE DEWINE!

Thats why this race is so important.

I think this is a very important race and like Obama said:

"we are operating in the real world and if we've got a situation where we've got a high quality candidate with progressive credentials, who has decided to run and is moving forward against someone whom we know is entirely supportive of George Bushs agenda then we've got to get on with it"

Tags:[ohio democratic dinner party], [mike Dewine], [sherrod brown], [columbus], [barack obama]

Flickr Photo Slideshow from the ODP Dinner Party

2006-06-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Tags:[ohio democratic dinner party], [ted strickland], [sherrod brown], [columbus], [barack obama]

Listen to Barack Obama at the Bloggers Table

2006-06-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at audio recording and publishing so forgive any newbie errors. Barack and Pho are interrupted a little in the beginning of the audio by an autograph seeker but then it goes a little more smoothly.

Pho would like to know where Barack thinks blogs are going in the political landscape...

Barack says ..."he believes in bottom up politics, blogs have the potential of tapping into that grassroots energy in a way that other media doesn't have because it is interactive...and when I look at what happened in my race..the ability of the internet to spread the word about a campaign for a candidate that wasn't that well known it was absolutely critical. It gave people confidence, it reinforced the possibilities to win - the meet ups ended up being a great tool - not only for candidates like me but - they formed great communities of people, that overtime would help elect other candidates and work on other issues- so I think that is the potential.

Now, .. I think the danger of the blogs..(interruption)..is we are only talking to ourselves and people who agree with us. That means then -that ovetime we are just reinforcing our own preceptions and we are not opening up to other ideas and other points of view. So, one of the things I am always trying to figure out, if possible, is how to get different bloggers and different points of view communicating and... so it is continuely a conversation and dialogue, not just all of us cheering each other on. Which is important - but ultimately, we got to make sure we are opening up the entire process to everybody.

Chris asks something along the lines of this (it is a it garbled by background noise)..the senate primary bought out the best of blogs and the worst of blogs..

Sen Obama responded ... some of you guys know - I write and taught before I got into politics and the world is perfectable when you write. You can imagine the perfect candidate, the perfect world and the perfect policies and when I am writing - I do not have to vote on some stupid piece of legislation that is one half bad and one half good. So, what happens then is , there is a tendancy for us to get really frustrated, if a candidate, a party or a platform is not subscribing to our ideas ...about where we should go and some of that is useful. I think the blogs have become a useful conscience to the Democratic Party. Where they (the party) start splitting the difference with Republicans over and over - pretty soon they start moving the goal posts way over here and blogs have been a useful corrective to that.

But, I think it is also important though - for every blogger to recognize that "Hey - look - we are operating in the real world and if we've got a situation where we've got a high quality candidate with progressive credentials, who has decided to run and is moving forward against someone whom we know is entirely supportive of George Bushs agenda then we've got to get on with it"

Listen to the sudio for the complete recording. (I've transcribed about half)

Thanks Everyone - Cindy

Updated to fix some spelling errors!

Tags:[columbus], [ODP dinner party], [Barack Obama]

Obama!

2006-06-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be amoung the bloggers chosen to meet Sen. Barack Obama. The bloggers attending the ODP dinner all contribute outstanding progressive commentary to the Ohio blogosphere and I look forward to meeting them almost as much as Sen. Obama. I just wish more bloggers could join us.

The opportunity to meet Sen.Obama is by far the best thing that has come out of this little blogging hobby I have. Sen. Obama is an impressive man and I just hope I don't embarrass myself in front of him. (things that could go wrong: I could freeze up, laugh uncontrollably or spill something on his suit and let's not forget break a heel!)

Since being asked to attend I have found out a little bit more about Sen. Obama. Here is a great quote from him. What is extra neat about it is that I found it on a site for Moderates and Conservatives

From Sen. Barack Obama's forthcoming book The Audacity of Hope: Reclaiming the American Dream. Due out in October, the Senator writes that "Too often our political discussions focus on the things that divide us, but there are a lot of things we all have in common as Americans. On issues of faith, race, foreign policy or the economy, if we start with recognizing what we have in common, we can arrive at a politics that isn't as partisan and a little more productive.

I agree with that quote wholeheartedly and I look forward to an America where I can easily talk to my more conservative friends again without pulling out my hair or biting my tongue. It was easy before the dividing politics of the Bush administration perhaps it wil be easy again with Mr. Obama in a higher office? hmmm Well, regardless - the sentiment is very positive and can only help.

Jeff at Ohio2006 touches on this and Sen Obamas ability to "disagree without being disagreeable" at his blog.

So, I look forward to this event and I look forward to telling you all about it when I return! I'll get some photos and post as soon as possible.

As far as the controversy over bloggers recieving gifts - My husband and I have donated the price of the ticket to the ODP. I feel it is the least we could do since we would have paid for the ticket anyways. I did not donate out of journalistic integrity, I just did it because I thought it was the right thing to do.

Thanks everyone. See you soon.

Tags:[Barack Obama], [Ohio Democratic Party], [Columbus]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Friday)

2006-06-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

Ugg - more rainy weather. Yuck. No playground today :-(

On to the Ohio Blogs....

Ted Strickland busy accepting endorsements from Ohio’s most powerful black Democrats including - Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge. Via Openers.

Ohio2006 visits Jennifer Brunner at Democratic City Club meeting and gives a great write up of The Sec of State candidates speech.

Many Ohio bloggers followed the Tom Noe (another Republican criminal) story including Democratic Veteran, LawDork and PrissyPatriot.

The controversy over Andrew Warners "Letter to Ted Strickland" post has been officially elevated to Blog Drama. Lisa sums it up here.

ChiefSource comments on "The Deciders" decision to cut terror funding in NYC.

Hypothetically Speaking is up and posting again with a great post - "Terry RICO is cooperating"

Another big story covered by many was the Rolling Stone Article "Was the 2004 Election Stolen?" For more insight Truth, for a Change has a nice post.

Thanks Everyone! Enjoy your weekend.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ted Strickland], [Election Fraud]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-05-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

The War on Terror will never end, nor is it meant to end . . . The
Long War will eternally justify what are ostensibly temporary
measures: suspension of civil liberties, military expansion,
domestic spying, massive deficit spending and the like.
-- Allan Uthman

We are all atheists with respect to Zeus and Thor.
-- Sam Harris

During the Vietnam War, Abbie Hoffman announced that the new high
was banana peels taken rectally. So then FBI scientists stuffed
banana peels up their asses to find out if this was true or not.
-- Kurt Vonnegut

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [Kurt Vonnegut], [cleveland],

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Wednesday)

2006-05-31T05:44:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

So, the newborn is sleeping, the 2.5 year old is engaged in "Little Bear" and I think I have just enough time to sneak in a "Round Up".

Lets see what's going on in the Ohio Blogosphere...

Yikes! Andrew Warner is dissing Strickland! What happened Andrew - you seemed like such a nice boy? :-) Renee at LiberalCommonSense adds her perspective on third party candidates and Andrew's tongue in cheek Open Letter to Ted Strickland.

Congrats to Robert Hewitt at the Chief Source for getting quoted in the Columbia Journalism Review! That's awesome.

At Psychobilly Dems, Famine comments on a Nebraska Sex Offender who avoids prison time due to his height.

Pho lets us in on What Memorial Day is like at the UU church.

Both DemocraticVeteran and Dispassionate Liberal comment on Andrew Sullivan

Hughes for America is in a troll war!

Openers has Paul Hackett (back to being a lawyer) representing a Marine officer whose troops are accused of shooting Iraqi civilians last November in Haditha.

YellowDogSammy and Plunderbound both went to Memorial Day Parades and come back with some interesting observations.

MCDAC writes "Rumsfeld's Troop Decisions Come Back to Haunt U.S"

WorkingWithWords follows the Richard Cohens career and the 'The Monetizing of the Public Man'.

Thanks everyone! Hopefully - I'll get back to a more consistent schedule but with the nice weather and adorable children - who knows!

Tags:[cleveland], [Paul Hackett], [ohio blogs]

Partying & Politics for women's reproductive rights in Shaker

2006-05-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this invite to "Let's Get Social on Larchmere : A time to Celebrate Who We Are and What We Believe" on June 4th!

I thought I'd pass it on - Looks like fun.

Please join Preterm on June 4th for our "Let's Get Social on Larchmere," a Sunday afternoon of partying and politics to support women's reproductive rights. This event is a collaboration of Preterm, Cleveland's foremost clinic providing safe and legal abortions since 1974, and other community groups and businesses. Activities will run from 12 noon until 4:30 pm. Event proceeds will help Preterm keep our services affordable to all women, regardless of their resources.

You're welcome to join any or all of the festivities. Check Ticket Information for details.

It begins with a champagne buffet brunch at Boulevard Blue from noon until 2pm. Models with a message will introduce you to Larchmere's wearable art.

Between 1 and 4pm stroll the sidewalks to enjoy music, kids' entertainment, concessions, special shopping opportunities at Larchmere merchants, and a sneak prevew of Parade the Circle.

At 3pm join us at Loganberry Books for a reception and dramatization. You’ll have the rare opportunity to hear the voices of women and their families sharing their thoughts and feelings around the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Based on excerpts from journals collected in Preterm’s waiting rooms, this presentation will touch your heart and mind. At the same time, we’ll treat the kids to story hour and a tour of Loganberry’s extensive collection of children’s and illustrated books.

Tags:[reproductive rights], [prochoice], [Shaker Heights],[PreTerm]

T-shirt Humor

2006-05-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-05-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Artists are often the canary in the coal mine.
-- Robert Atkins

One of my greatest pleasures in my writing has come from the thought
that perhaps my work might annoy someone of comfortably pretentious
position. Then comes the realization that such people rarely read.
-- John Kenneth Galbraith

What does it tell us that men's most terrified reaction to the idea
of prison is the fear that women experience all the time?
-- Stan Goff

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [cleveland], [liberal],

Konrad is home!

2006-05-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

We had a few minor complications and did not get out of the hospital until today.

Konrad was born at 5:07pm on Friday the 12th. The C-section went very smoothly and my husband actually watched a lot of it, peeking over the curtain in the operating room. I guess, it is pretty gross but interesting.

Stats:
weight: 7lb. 12oz.
length: 19.5 in.

Konrad had some difficulty breathing. There are several potential causes of this: TTN - something normal that happens with some c-section babies, pneumonia, or respiratory distress syndrome (immature lungs). The doctors don't know which one it was since all causes have the same symptoms but they seem to be leaning toward the TTN .

Konrad was on a slight mixture of oxygen that he recieved through a tube attached to his nostrils. He did not have to go on a ventilator -- which is a good thing.

So, here are the photos..

It looks a lot worse than it was. There were many babies in the Special Care Nursery that were really small and having a much rougher time than Konrad. He actually did very well and might have even come home sooner if they did not have to finish his complete round of antibiotics (just in case it was pneunomia). I am very grateful for his strength and good health.

My husband and I were allowed to board in the hospital so we could be close to Konrad and so I could breastfeed as soon as he was able. The hospital also loaned me a very nice breast pump to keep my milk supply steady.

The nurses and staff at Hillcrest were very nice. I think thier understanding and ability/willingness to communicate with me really eased my situation by decreasing a lot of stress. The ability to board at the hospital also really helped my mental state - having to leave the hospital without my son would have been pretty devestating. So, I just want to thank all of the nurses that go above and beyond to care for moms like me.

I think that is all I have for the update today. We'll have to wait and see how quickly I'll get back to blogging on a regular basis.

To everyone that sent emails, called or left comments wishing me well - Thank you. I appreciated it - it is especially nice when my "imaginary" internet friends become a real part of my life. Thanks.

This is the week

2006-05-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'll be in the hospital most of the week. I tried to get one last post up but - it just isn't going to happen. :-) Tomorrow is my amnio and then if babys lungs are fully developed - Wednesday is my C-Section. (I have to have one due to a myomectomy.) Hopefully, everything will go smoothly and next time I blog you'll be able to see some baby photos of Konrad!

I think he is going to be a big baby. His sister was 8lbs 10oz and she was three weeks early! I think he is going to be even bigger. We are very excited and can't wait for you all to meet him!

While I am gone - check out Jill and Jeff at AmericanStreet.

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-05-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone does better when everyone does better.
-- Jim Hightower

There are two types of power. Organized money and organized people.
-- Linda Jeffers

If we could slap corporate logos on politicians, like NASCAR drivers
do with their cars, we could get to the bottom of where they really
stand on the issues.
-- AlterNet

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [nascar politicians], [liberal],

Anything but that!

2006-05-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Primary Edition)

2006-05-03T05:37:00.000-07:00

Results...

For a complete list of results the best source is Ohio2006.

Problems at the Polls

Blogesque blogs "Diebold + Primary = System Error"

Distracted Mind had a rather uncomplicated experience but expresses concerns over paper reciepts and voters with disabilites.

A diary on DailyKos is tracked Voting Problems Today in Ohio. Thanks Cincinnati News and Swing State Ohio

Psychobilly Dem and the Chief Source both kept a close eye on the Summit Machines tracking readers experiences.

PeanutButterKnife documented his Summit County voting experience with photos.

Some Early Analysis...

Adam T at DailyKos offers his analysis of the Ohio Primary, which notes that Republicans had a slightly better turnout.
Pho comments on his baby Ohio13 with this late night post "Pre-Decision 2006 Postmortem PT. 1: Ohio 13" and "Pre-Decision 2006: The Results"

The People Choose Mallory, Reject Hatemongers at CincinnatiBlackBlog

Ohio 2nd blogs "The Day After" which states "On the Republican side of things, they are done. Schmidt has raised and spent most of her money."

Word of Mouth follows up on the blogospheres favorite race Ohio13th.

Faminehorse does a little late night results round up and quick impressions.
Progressive Toledo states "Ben Konop Wins... Proving that most of Toledo agrees that we need to move forward"

Then there was Blackwell...

The Real Fight begins Today.

This DailyKos diary tracks results and comments on the Larkin article "GOP follows Blackwell like a herd of lemmings"

Don't forget this one Republican Ken Blackwell is Scary, Very Scary

I am sure more and more will be blogged throughout the day but this should get you started.

Tags:[Ohio], [Diebold], [Cleveland]

Ken Blackwell thinks urban radio listeners are stupid.

2006-05-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

Blackwell ad implies that Petro will ban HipHop music.

I read this in the PD this morning and thought it was just screwy. How dumb does he think people are? Petro and Blackwell are running for Governor and are not part of the FCC so - they can't ban a single thing! Anyways, Openers has the story up too. It also looks like Blackwell is race baiting as well. Can't they win on thier merits? Oh yeah ....They don't have any :-)

"If you want to protect your right to listen to vulgar songs on the radio, you might want to vote for Ken Blackwell tomorrow.

So say radio ads airing on behalf of the front-running GOP gubernatorial candidate.

In one version of the radio spot - heard last weekend on a Columbus hip-hop and rhythm-&-blues station - actors portraying a Democratic couple discuss who they will vote for in Tuesday's primary. The ad conveys the message that registered Democrats can request Republican ballots "with Ken Blackwell's name on it."

The ad is apparently a riposte to a commercial aired by Blackwell's opponent, Jim Petro, calling the family-values Republican a "hypocrite" for once owning and profiting from "radio stations that played songs full of violence and vulgar language." The couple in Blackwell's ad concludes that voting for Blackwell will assure their choice in radio music won't be censored.

A similar ad ran on two Radio One stations in Cincinnati:

"When Blackwell's opponent attacks Ken's values, he's attacking every one of us that listens to this radio station," the announcer says. "If his opponent becomes governor, he would want to change what you listen to."

Complete story at Openers.

Here is a DailyKos dairy that has more info:OH-GOV: Radio-One and Blackwell

Tags:[Ken Blackwell], [Petro], [Hip Hop]

200 election workers refusing(?) to work due to new voting machines

2006-05-02T05:09:00.000-07:00

Via NewsNet5

The polls are open throughout Ohio for residents to cast their votes on various issues and candidates.

NewsChannel5 reported that about 200 election workers will not work the polls because they were confused over the new voting machine.

A resident attempting to cast her vote at Woodberry Elementary School in Shaker Heights left extremely frustrated after growing confused over the machine.

NewsChannel5 is On Your Side with helpful information on how to use the new machine.

Tags:[voting], [diebold], [cleveland]

Kuncinich confronts TowerCity over Mifunes right to Free Speech

2006-05-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

Letter from Congressman Kucinich to Lisa Kreiger, general manager, tower city mall:

Lisa A. Krieger
General Manager
Tower City Center
1100 Terminal Tower
Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2207

Dear Lisa,

I am greatly concerned about actions taken by the management of Tower City Center to censor the band Mifuné and infringe on their First Amendment rights.

It is my understand that during a performance yesterday, Friday, at Tower City Center the management of Tower City Center abruptly halted Mifuné's performance and forced them to suspend their show because of T-shirts some members of the band were wearing.

Rights protected under the First Amendment, including the freedom of speech and expression, are the bedrock of our democracy. I believe actions taken yesterday by mall management violated the band members First Amendment rights and run contrary to our community's long-standing tradition of respecting many different points of views.

I hope you will reconsider your actions, and allow Mifuné to play again at Tower City,

Sincerely,
Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress

More info here, original pdf here and original diary "Tower City Mall Security ejects TriC JazzFest Band for Anti-Bush tshirts " here.

Tags:[Dennis Kucinich], [Anti-Bush], [Cleveland]

Lessons from the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day

2006-05-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

"Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day." Howard Dean

This Saturday, April 29th, was the Democrats "Neighbor-to-Neighbor National Organizing Day" or the 50 state canvass. Millions of Democrats walked from door to door handing out a doorknob hanger that stated the "Democratic Vision - a bold new direction for a secure America". The vision was bullet pointed out into six categories: Honest Leadership & Open Government, Real Security, Energy Independence, Economic Prosperity & Educational Excellence, A Healthcare System that Works for Everyone and Retirement Security. Each point had a sentence or two to back it up and then the flyer asked the "neighbor" if they'd like to become more involved.

I signed up to host a canvassing party in my home via the Democratic Party Events website. The number of people who signed up and their enthusiasm surprised me. I was also learned a few lessons that I think can benefit all of us.

The Democratic Party really is a BIG TENT Party
In my little home was people from all walks of life wanting to participate in grassroots level politics. It was exciting. The majority of these people I did not know and I tried to speak to each of them a little before they left to canvass. We had young and old, rich, middle class and not-so rich and several different races and religions. Each was concerned about the direction of Ohio and our great nation and each had their own idea on how Democrats could work to fix it. Although many came in support of candidate x or y everyone agreed on the basic premise that we needed to get more Democratic politicians elected to move our nation forward and unlike the Bush or Taft administration - government should be committed to the common good and put the public's interest above the privileges of the few.

Maybe we need to work on the message a little more.
We had several people who were very new to politics (as I am) and one in particular raised some flags for me. She was an older woman who just didn't get what the Democratic candidates stood for. She knew they were against the Bush administration and the corrupt system of Ohio politics but she did not know how to articulate the Democratic stances. As a blogger, I naturally seek out information, constantly read different political news sources and try to get a better understanding of what is going on. This sometimes leaves me unaware of how Democrats are viewed outside the web and liberal blogosphere. I think the "Democratic Vision" handout is a step in the right direction but as I looked through the other candidate brochures and flyers - hard info was a little lacking.

The Ted Strickland brochure was beautiful and focused on telling his story. I think this will help him identify with many people but his TurnAround Ohio plan was only briefly noted in 2 small paragraphs. Turnaround Ohio really sets Ted Strickland apart from his corrupt Republican counterparts and their failed and misguided plans. I think it should be highlighted more not less.

The other flyers were mostly candidate photographs and phrases like "Fighting for Change" and "Vote for a Better Ohio". I suppose this is fine for a primary but I don't think it is ideal. I would like to see simple bullet points like those on the Democratic Vision doorhanger (hopefully even better) and I'd like to see them repeated over and over again. This would have helped me and it would have made it easier for my new friend to feel confident as she canvassed the area.

Still a little disorganized...
The Kerry campaign bought in a lot of new volunteers and as I meet these volunteers many complain of the lack of organization within the party. (That phone banks called the same households over and over and the general sense that it was hard to get things accomplished.) Maybe this was just bellyaching after the loss, but as I tried to put this event together, I did run into some of the minor difficulties these people warned me about.

First though - The national level people were easy to deal with but took a little more time to correspond - the Democratic Party website, especially the events section, was extremely helpful. Unfortunately, the local level (although nice) seemed especially confused at times.

I tried for weeks to get the door hangers from the local party without a solid answer on whether I would receive them or not. What was the big fuss about? Apparently, they did not even know that the door hangers existed and instead wanted me to distribute the "Official Democratic Party Ticket". That is what they eventually dropped off at my house the day before the event. I repeatedly told them that National had emailed me and said I was to receive the "Democratic Vision" doorhangers , "that the event was centered around the doorhangers" but they still seemed confused. It was frustrating. Finally, I got hold of Jessica Utovich and she made sure that the Doorhangers were at the Strickland camp for me to pick up. I went to pick them up Friday afternoon but encountered more confusion! I could not believe it. Fortunately, everything worked out and I received the doorhangers. Thank goodness for Jessica!

I do not understand how anything as simple could be made this difficult. This kind of "run-a-round" does not encourage people to work for you. I do think the National Party was better organized and the Democratic Party website is extremely helpful but Cuyahoga County and Ohio State - still seem pretty disorganized. How can we fix that?

On the right track...
I was very pleased with my participation in this event. Our group was enthusiastic and eager to get involved, that means some people understand what a Democratic win could mean for our states future and they want to assist. The Democratic Vision doorhanger is also a step in the right direction - Simple bulletpoints and a straightforward message make it easier to sell the Democratic Party - not just a single candidate or issue. The organizational efforts on the national level and the 50 State Strategy are all pushing us to become more involved in our party and pushing the party to invest more in us.

The canvassing event was easy for me to participate in. I would quickly volunteer to do it again. I really enjoyed meeting my neighbors and the other active Dems in the area. I suspect they enjoyed themselves too. Hopefully, this will allow our party to grow, our members to become more active and allow the Democratic message to spread to those that may not have otherwise been aware of it.

To learn more about the 50 State Canvass and the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing day click here.

This diary is crossposted at AmericanStreet.

Tags:[Cleveland], [50 State Strategy], [Howard Dean]

New Poll shows Ohio is ready for change (Brown edges forward)

2006-05-01T10:33:00.001-07:00

Now, generally speaking, do you think things in this country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things are pretty seriously off on the wrong track?

Right direction 22 percent

Wrong track 68 percent

Don't know 10 percent

How would you rate the job being done by George W Bush as President -- excellent, good, just fair or poor?

Excellent 8 percent

Good 21 percent

Just Fair 21 percent

Poor 50 percent

Don't know 0

How would you rate the job being done by Mike DeWine as United States Senator -- excellent, good, just fair or poor?

Excellent 5 percent

Good 29 percent

Just fair 39 percent

Poor 14 percent

Don't know 13 percent

Overall, do you think Mike DeWine deserves reelection as United States Senator, or do you think that someone else should be given a chance?

Deserves reelection 30 percent

Someone else 48 percent

Don't know 21 percent

In the election for United States Senate, if the candidates were (READ AND ROTATE), for whom will you vote? (IF UNDECIDED) Well, if the election were held today, and you had to decide right now, toward which candidate would you lean (READ AND ROTATE)?

Democrat Sherrod Brown 45 percent

Republican Mike DeWine 44 percent

Still undecided 11 percent

These questions are from a survey of 800 likely general election voters conducted by The Feldman Group April 24-April 27 for the Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate campaign. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Sample base is 2004 general election voters selected by the random cluster method from the Ohio voter file and screened for likely participation in the November 2006 general election.

Tags:[Sherrod Brown], [Mike DeWine], [senate poll][cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Monday)

2006-05-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

I am really busy today so just a quick Round-Up. This week I start a regular Monday dairy on AmericanStreet. I am honored to have been chosen with Jill Miller Zimon and Yellow Dog Sammy to represent Ohio on this national blog. Henry Gomez wrote a nice diary on our selection at TechLink.

Anyways - on to the very best diaries in Ohio Liberal Blogosphere...

Ohio 13 updates and some silly blog drama...

The ongoing saga of Word of Mouth blog, Emilys List and some unkind photos of Capri raged for several days. I think Faminehorse at Psychobilly Democrat summed it up pretty well. Especially useful is a remark by YellowDog in the comment section. Pho also has a worthwhile diary on the drama and what it means.

Everyone is following the race to replace Sherrod Brown but Ohio13Votes follows the district very well and updates us on all the controversies, polls, endorsements and campaign strategies. In fact, the district is so popular that 2 blogs focus exclusively on the race! If this is your district - I'd suggest reading Ohio13 blog too. I am sure district OH13 will remain interesting even after the primay - so if you haven't already - there is still time to visit these blogs.

The Attorney Generals race is also a hot topic.

Marc Dann is focusing on the "Pain at the pump across Ohio" on his "Blog for Ohio". He is introducing a bill that:

1. Empowers the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute price fixing and market manipulation in the oil and gas industry.
2. Allow the Attorney General to seek punitive damages payable to consumers who are victims of the oil and gas industry.
3. Give the Attorney General the ability to file a class action lawsuit against these corporations on behalf of Ohio consumers.

Subodh Chandra, still behind in the polls, speaks the truth in a letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch. Red-State.com has a great wrap up and prediction of this race (and others) which includes:
"Opinion polls consistently indicate that Marc Dann will defeat Subodh Chandra for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Chandra started out the race with several handicaps: lack of elected office, limited union support, a difficult name for most Ohio voters, and failure to gain the state party endorsement. But he has really been the breakout candidate in this primary season: sharp, witty, engaging and energizing. Yet he is unlikely to show much for it. Unfortunately, Chandra was very quickly dismissed -- and generally ignored -- by the media, who were far more familiar with Dann."

Heightsmom proudly supports Subodh Chandra but I do think Dann will do a fine job in the AG position (I just like Subodh more). If you're still undecided - go ahead and give that vote to Subodh. If anything, it helps send a message that will encourage new and outsider candidates to participate in the system.

Ohio also focused on National Stories with Tony Snow and the $100 gas bribe being favorites...

Dispassionate Liberal blogs on "Tony Snow: Extremist" Clark Street blog also has something to say about Tony Snow: "I predict that he will be the most highly regarded press secretary ever" The ChiefSource sums it up with this diary " It's Snowing Garbage at the White House".

Both Andrew Warner and Truth, for a Change point out that the $100 gas bribe is just a "band-aid" solution that both Republicans and Democratic citizens should be insulted by.

Thanks - Enjoy your day!

Tags:[cleveland], [betty sutton], [ohio blogs]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-04-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Corporate polluters, their phony think tanks and political toadies like to marginalize environmentalists as tree huggers, or radicals. But there is nothing radical about clean air or water.
-- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The death penalty is the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights.
-- Irene Khan

The Gay Republican: Oxymoron, or Just Moron?
-- Gene Stone

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [kennedy], [liberal],

Push Polled by Blackwell

2006-04-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Robot call: Do you think Ohio would benefit from having a strong african american role model as governor?

Me: Click.

The number was out of VA (571)-522-6585.

Tags:[Ken Blackwell]

Tower City Mall Security ejects TriC JazzFest Band for Anti-Bush tshirts

2006-04-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

From TimRoff

The Tri-C JazzFest is one of Cleveland Ohio's most venerable traditions, drawing world-class musicians for 9 days of Jazz, Bebop, Swing, and Gospel. It has taught thousands of high school and college students in the greater Cleveland area about improvisation, harmony, irregular time signatures and much more, while entertaining hundreds of thousands of festival goers during its 27 year history. This year's festival features Manhattan Transfer, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and Diane Schuur among others.

So at noon today, Mifune, a ten-piece modern jazz group went to take the stage at the Tower City Center Jazz Fest stage for a free, lunchtime concert. They set up their instruments, chatted with fans and the security guys, then stepped on stage in matching t-shirts featuring a picture of the President behind a "No" circle/slash, and started performing their jam-style jazz improvisations. 20 minutes into their set, an irate man identifying himself as a member of the mall's corporate office stopped the show, and demanded that the band remove their t-shirts.

Read the rest of the story here.

Wow - who knew that TowerCity was doing so well that it could afford to piss off the majority of it's customers. (snark) I enjoy shopping there mostly because I want to support the city center but "the heck with'em". If this is the stand they choose to take - I guess I'll take one too = Boycott TowerCity.

Tags:[cleveland], [free speech], [tower city]

Canvas Cleveland Hts Event Reminder (Updated)

2006-04-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have heard, I am holding a Cleveland Heights Democratic Canvassing Event. If not - you can find the info here:

http://www.democrats.org/page/event/detail/4v5f7

Saturday, April 29th at 11am.

We will have the Dem Sample Ballots, and *hopefully* the very nice "Democratic Vision" doorhanger, and some Strickland lit.

AG candidate Subodh Chandras campaign staff will be there and if you have not already met Julian Rogers- he will be stopping by too.

This event is for Cleve Dems to get a chance to meet each other. It is for spreading the Democratic Vision and getting more people involved - you can choose which material you'd like to drop off to your neighbors (some, all or none) You may just want to meet some other active Dems - nothing will be pushed on you.

I hope you can make it. We have about 25 people RSVP'd. If the weather holds out it should be great fun. Think of it as a progressive party with a purpose :-) I'll have some light refreshments available - I was thinking donuts and coffee.

Here is the complete event details from the Democratic Party website:
http://www.democrats.org/page/event/detail/4v5f7

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Cindy at urbancode dot com

Thanks -

Cindy

UPDATE: We have received all of the distribution material including the very nice Dem Vision doorhangers and some beautiful Ted Strickland brochures. Candidate for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division Joe Young is stopping by to meet us all. If you can not find parking - there is a lot on Grandview Ave (one road over by Giant Eagle). Hopefully this beautiful Cleveland spring weather will continue on Saturday. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and getting out for a nice walk.

Tags:[cleveland], [Julian Rogers], [subodh chandra]

Ted Speaks about the Net Neutrality vote

2006-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

"On Wednesday, I voted for an amendment to the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Efficiency Act of 2006 (COPE) to ensure "net neutrality" which ultimately failed. I also voted for the final version of the COPE Act
in committee.

"My vote for the COPE Act was an effort to facilitate competition in the video market so that consumers have more choices and can benefit from lower cable prices. This bill, despite the regrettable exclusion of net neutrality language, will provide consumers with choices and savings that were, to this point, very difficult to realize under current guidelines.

"I continue to strongly support efforts to ensure net neutrality, and would stand with any effort to ensure fair and comprehensive access to the internet. There is still time to fight and win this battle, and I will be a voice on the front lines fighting to preserve equal access to the internet for all consumers and content providers."

More Info Here and Here.

Henry Gomez is following this closely and will feature it in his Sunday PD column.

"I'm not sure that supporting this bill -- and let's remember, Strickland and Brown are only supporting the right to have a full House vote -- negates support of rural broadband. Plus, remember, this is far from over. I spoke with Bill Callahan for almost 40 minutes this morning, and even he agrees there will be plenty of horse-trading in the coming weeks. Oftentimes committee members say they vote legislation out of the committee and onto the floor to give the full body a say.

That's possibly what happened in this case. Either way, if COPE bothers you, an organization called Save the Internet has information here. I'll have more on this topic in my Sunday column."

Tags: [net neutrality], [Ted Strickland], [Cleveland]

Blackwell "accidently" releases millions of Ohio voters Social Security numbers

2006-04-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Identity Theft Anyone? Via WBNS:

"Millions of Social Security numbers are now in the hands of people who aren't supposed to have them.

It's a big mistake leading straight back to one of the men running for Ohio Governor. The private records were mistakenly released by the Secretary of State's office.

Voter lists are crucial to political parties. They give campaign workers an efficient way to target potential supporters. The lists usually consist of the names of registered voters, their addresses, their party affiliation, and whether that person voted in the last election.

Social security numbers aren't supposed to be revealed.

But they have been because of a mistake by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's campaign."

Corrupt and Incompentent - I'd expect nothing less from a modern day Republican.

HatTip: AmericaBlog

Tags:[Ken Blackwell], [Identity Theft], [Columbus]

Bill Ritter Campaign distributes anti-gay attack piece (update)

2006-04-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

From Stonewall Dems:

Mike Foley is Stonewall's endorsed candidate for State Representative in Ohio's 14th House District.

(The 14th House District includes Cleveland Wards 19, 20, & 21 + Brook Park + Parma Heights. Mike Foley is seeking election to the seat recently vacated by Dale Miller, who was appointed to the Ohio Senate.)

Here is an excerpt:

"Mike Foley was asked if he was 'For Gay Marriage?' Mike said 'YES' he supports gay marriage. 'UNLIKE MIKE' this concerns me since I DO NOT want this to become a state law. I feel a Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN. That is the WAY I WILL VOTE in Columbus! In FACT Mike Foley has been ENDORSED by the STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, who are a GAY/LESBIAN political action committee. His endorsement is largely because of His Support (sic) of Gay Marriage."

We must work to ensure that these nasty tactics are not rewarded with a victory for Bill Ritter on Election Day next Tuesday, May 2.

The Cleveland Stonewall Democrats must work to make the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates accountable to our issues.

ACTION ALERT:

Please help the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats respond to this anti-gay attack on Mike Foley.

VOLUNTEER FOR MIKE FOLEY!

a. Saturday, April 29 @ 10 a.m. / Meet at Pizza Hut parking lot in
Kamms Corners: 3788 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland

b. Saturday, April 29 @ 2 p.m. / Meet at Pizza Hut parking lot in Kamms
Corners: 3788 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland

c. Sunday, April 30 @ 2 p.m. / Meet @ parking lot for 5555 Smith Rd,
Brook Park

d. Election Day: Tuesday, May 2 -- ANY TIME THAT YOU CAN SPARE for
poll coverage or "Get Out the Vote" calls

TO VOLUNTEER:

Contact Patrick Shepherd via e-mail: president at clevelandstonewalldemocrats dot org

Encourage your friends and family to vote for fair-minded Democrats like MIKE FOLEY.

MAKE A DONATION TO MIKE FOLEY'S CAMPAIGN

Visit http://www.foleyforohio.com/donate/index.html for more information.

Thanks in advance for your help. Patrick Sheperd

For more of the story please visit FaggotyAssFaggot

Tags:[Mike Foley], [cleveland], [Bill Ritter]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Wednesday)

2006-04-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

More news from the 13th...

Betty Sutton gets an official endorsement from Pho (who , if need be, would settle for "Whoever Can Beat Cafaro"). In the end, he gives some strong reasons for why Betty is the one for the 13th.

Psychobilly Dem confirms that Suttons staff remains intact - contrary to the rumors spread at another blog.

Sawyer and Grace both are failed to meet the financial disclousure statements filing deadline. It's only a fine - But I'm sure they could have found better uses for that money.

Other Local Issues...

"Summit Voting Sucks Like Blogger, You Never Know When Your Content Will Be Eaten" says the Billy who've been following the Debacle.

Bryan Flannery, caught pandering to the Christian Coalition, changes his views on abortion to fit the audience points out Modern Esquire.

Lisa Renee at LiberalCommonSense mourns GrowOhios potential and hopes for a replacement. "I think we do need a place where grassroots supporters can meet to discuss Ohio with specific areas set up for our parts of Ohio."

State Representative Dan Stewart will be holding a Town Meeting this Thursday, April 27, from 6:30 to 8pm at the Shelter House in Westgate Park - Grandpaboy can't make it but maybe you can.

More partisan censorship from big media - PeopleHaveThePower blogs that "WCMH NBC4 refuses to run MoveOn ads". Aren't these the same people that refused to play the UCC Church ads?

Sen. Obama is going to be at he Dem Dinner and John Glenn will be at the coalition wide post primary event - more info at UAPA

Now for a little National Stuff...

Dispassionate Liberal asks "What do you do when the President's approval ratings reach the freezing point of water -- 32º?" Snow Balls! as in Tony Snow :-)

Andrew say we can add Vermont to the list of states calling for the impeachment of Bush. He also notes that "Bush is speaking out both sides of his mouth"

"Gas prices at record highs. Oil company profits at record highs. Bush’s poll numbers at record lows. Is there a correlation here? You bet." states Truth, for a Change in a nice diary looking into high gas prices.

Stubborn Liberal leads us to some interesting news stories including one from newsday where the Janet Woodcock of the FDA states that contraception could lead teenagers to "sex based cults". Do they really believe this stuff? What world are they living in?

There are also some Ohio-focused diaries on DailyKos:

NonPartisan Redistricting in Ohio? by KTinOhio

"OH-18: Taking on Bob Ney... this primary is a dog fight?" byKpalmi

While I was at Kos I found this humor diary - "For True Progessives ONLY" by pico. It put a smile on my face. Which is always a good way to start the day!

So, I guess - I'm on a roll this week, somewhat consistent posts and I fixed blogroll! I reorganized and I added some new blogs: TheDonkey (Lake County), LibraryTavern, ClarkStreet, SwingStateOhio, and Modern Esquire. If you think of any I missed - feel free to email me at cindy at urbancode dot com. I suppose we can chalk up the extra screen time to bad weather - it was freezing yesterday!

Thanks - Enjoy your day!

Tags:[cleveland], [betty sutton], [ohio blogs]

The Slippery Slope of Outsourcing or Why Trade Matters.

2006-04-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this article on CNN Money. Basically the article is a propaganda piece about how great it is to send jobs to India. These kind of articles are trendy in business mags right now so - nothing too exciting - until I spotted this:

"Another key customer is Cisco (Research), a 10-year customer with whom HCL is now embracing another form of innovation - shared risk. Since February, HCL has been completely responsible for engineering one Cisco product..."

The competitive advantage of Cisco (and companies like Cisco) has always been their engineering. If they outsource their research and engineering, their "family jewel" then what will they have left? A brand and maybe some market clout? This example demonstrates that it is not just the low level jobs that are being outsourced to other countries - it is also high level, strategic stuff. Once you give this stuff up it is hard to get back and eventually the slippery slope might be the demise of the great Corporate America.

That is why trade is an important, if not sexy, issue. Senate candidate and Congressman Sherrod Brown stated on Lou Dobbs that 100's of thousands of Ohioans have lost jobs to outsourcing:

"...in the first part of the last decade, we saw continued job loss in manufacturing jobs.

And I remember during NAFTA in 1993 the debate that we were told over and over that, if you get more education to prepare for this, then we'll just ship out the low-skilled jobs, but there will be plenty of jobs for people as they get educated more. But we're seeing more and more that we're losing computer engineers. We're losing radiologists. We're losing all kinds of white-collar jobs, all kinds of jobs in addition to manufacturing jobs, which we're losing by the droves in my state.

We're losing all kinds of higher-tech jobs and all over the place."

He's right. Every year we lose a few more types of jobs - and everyone always thinks their job is safe. I don't think any of our jobs are really "safe". There has to be some kind of stopper put into place, something to level the playing field - where instead of workers all over the world competing against each other for less and less Corporations recognize the sacrifice of their employees and use profits to bring more and more people onto a higher ground - Not just creating golden parachutes and higher salaries for executives. A real American company would not be dismantling all of the labor standards we have worked so hard for in the US, but instead would be bringing some form of these rights to other populations. You know - spreading democracy. Wouldn't that be patriotic?

So what can be done to reverse the current trend of profits over people?

Economist Suzanne Berger at Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes that "outsourcing poses a real risk to employees; but ... a 'race to the bottom' can be avoided if companies accept that employing cheap labor is not the most effective way of responding to global competition."

Amen.

Here in Ohio - we are lucky to have Senate Candidate Sherrod Brown. Not only does he have a Congressional record of voting against unfair trade agreements Sherrod Brown wrote the book on the Myths of Free Trade!

From Amazon review:
"Brown, a Democratic congressman from northeastern Ohio’s steel belt, is a veteran of legislative battles—described here in gory, arm-twisting detail—over NAFTA, GATT and other trade agreements, and in this impassioned polemic, he rebuts the usual rationales offered by free traders. Our current free trade agenda, Brown insists, is an un-American departure from a history of tariffs and government intervention aimed at developing the nation’s economy and protecting workers and the environment from the excesses of the market. He contends that free trade doesn’t promote growth in either developed or developing countries, but simply shifts well-paying American jobs to Third World sweatshops. There, miserably underpaid workers, denied workplace safety regulations or the right to unionize, can’t buy the products they make, which creates imbalances of supply over demand and thus contributes to global economic stagnation. Rather than spreading American values around the globe, he argues, free trade buttresses the power of authoritarian regimes like China’s. Indeed, in Brown’s view, no one benefits from unregulated trade except corporations and rich investors, eager to deploy their assets wherever labor and the environment are most profitably exploited. Although not systematically developed, Brown’s fact-filled argument is a cogent critique of American trade policies in a punchy left-populist style that is rarely heard in Washington these days."

His website offers up some solutions:

Revamp U.S. trade policy to reward corporations that create jobs at home.
Invest in small businesses that help build strong communities.
Pass fair trade initiatives that protect workers at home and abroad. Raising living standards in developing nations not only makes us more competitive and more secure, but gives foreign workers purchasing power to buy U.S. made goods.

So, although it might not be sexy - Trade does matter. The current Republican adminstration rewards corporations that give our jobs away, sacrificing the good ole American work ethic for common greed. If we are really interested in "spreading democracy" giving every worker basic rights would be a good start and looking out for the little guy wouldn't hurt either.

Tags:[Sherrod Brown], [Outsourcing], [Fair Trade], [Cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Tuesday)

2006-04-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

Local Candidates - Scandals and more...

Debra Pryce was caught red handed - a diary highlighting the connection between the $100,000 that Representative Pryce received from big drug companies and her vote for the awful Medicare bill. More on this story at UAPA. While your at it check out her opponent Mary Jo Kilroy. Her website also has some interesting things to say about Debra Pryce and her inability to put her constituents ahead of the GOP/Bush Administration and it's ties in Bug Business

Many bloggers commented on the recent Ohio Senate Poll by Rassmussen. PeopleHaveThePower calls the race "pretty much tied".

Pho questions Betty Montgomery's Odd Legal Research. The fix is in!

The uninformed voter run rampant in the Toledo County Commissioners race with Glass City Jungle noting that many in a recent poll believe they are voting for a dead man.

Julian Rogers , who is running for Ohio’s Ninth House District State Representative, has a new Online ad up. Ohio 2006 pointed us to it at his weblog - which is always filled with all the latest candidate news!

The always interesting Dem. AG Primary race was all over the blogs. LawDork noted that "Sen. Marc Dann raised three times as much in the pre-primary reporting period than his primary rival, Subodh Chandra." 3 times as much - that is a lot and they still have to go after Betty. PSD points out how silly the Plain Dealer claim that "Betty has already won the race" is.

The Ohio 13th race was making news - Psychobilly Dem offered up an endorsement for Betty Sutton in Why We Heart Betty and Know Our ABCs. The Chief Source gave thier endorsement to Tom Sawyer. Both blogs gave compelling reasons to vote for thier candidate of choice. The Chief Source keeps it interesting though by also offering up who they think is The Fightin' 13th's Worst Democrat! Yikes! :-)

The Misdeeds and Corruption of the Bush Adminstration kept everyone busy writing too...

Democratic Veteran wants us to wake up and spread the word that "Congress is going to hand the operation of the Internet over to AT&T, Verizon and Comcast" That's huge. He'd like all of us to help by blogging this subject, telling our friends and calling our congressmen.

The New McCarthyism targeted CIA analyst Mary McCarthy partly because she donated to the John Kerry campaign and to the Ohio Democratic Party. Visit Dispassionate Liberal to find out more about the witchhunt.

Liberal media bias is a joke! Don't I know it. And so does Andrew Warner who gives us another great read about the growing support to impeach President Bush on the state level and the medias refusual to even comment on this pretty dramatic move by Illinois and California.

Ohio ranks in the top 5 states for job losses and Blogesque points out that "Neighborhood revitalization is pointless without jobs"

Chief Source has a nice list of current Republican scandals in "A Mountain of Republican Problems" It is hard to keep track of everything - so this is a fun read plus these scandals seem to all be new for this week! :-) Wow!

Health Savings Accounts are a scam. Every once in a while someone tries to sell these to our company and they are just a horrible idea for our employees and ourselves. Truth, for a Change, takes this issue head on in a diary titled "Another boondoggle for corporate America" He offers up a unique perspective and a lot of good information on Health Savings Accounts.

Well, that's a lot for today. If you have time and want something a little less political try AtheistMamas book review of "The Bible of the Good and Moral Atheist" or if thats not your thing - John at Working with Words has a short but interesting post on Prayer and Healing.

Now I'll leave you with a photo of my two year old and my big belly! Only two weeks left!

I'd like to let everyone know how much I appreciated all of the encouraging comments on the "Censorship at BSB" diary.

Thanks Everyone! Enjoy your day.

Tags:[ohio blogs], [debra pryce], [cleveland]

City Club Debate 13th Congressional District (Free Tickets for NEODFA members)

2006-04-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday at noon the City Club in downtown Cleveland is hosting the debate for the 13th congressional district. The Cafaro campaign has made tickets available for NEO DFA members who want to attend.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 12:00 PM
Debate - Democratic: Congressional District 13
Capri Cafaro, Norbert Dennerll, Bill Grace, Gary Kucinich, Michael Lyons, Thomas Sawyer, Betty Sutton and John Wolfe

Tags:[Capri Cafaro], [Gary Kucinich], [Betty Sutton], [Cleveland],

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-04-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

God help us all if he bombs Iran.
-- Cenk Uygur

War is a coward's escape from the problems of peace.
-- Rev. William Sloane Coffin

Why are millionaires getting big tax breaks while Congress cuts
tuition aid for kids whose families can't afford to pay for college?
Why are millionaires getting tax breaks while soldiers are killed
and maimed in Iraq for lack of adequate armor?
-- Holly Sklar

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [iran], [liberal],

The Problem with Censorship at BuckeyeStateBlog (update 4-22)

2006-04-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

BuckeyeStateBlog really is a great idea. A community site dedicated to "allow a full and free discussion of Ohio Politics". Where "Everyone is welcome, including office holders, candidates and their staff." We could really use something like that in Ohio. If these anonymous fellows who call themselves the BSB "staff" (I'd love to see an "about page" with bios like on DailyKos) have the time and energy to keep something like this going - more power to them. I know it is a full time job.

Unfortunately, it just does not live up to it's aspirations. The "community" pretty much consists of about a 7 person mutual admiration society. Nothing wrong with that really - just a little one-sided and boring. (1 reason I do not visit often) But - what I found strange recently, is that comments from others outside of this mutual admiration society often get deleted. So much for a free and full discussion huh? Oh well.

Then today, I saw this diary by thirdwaydem:

(link to full screen capture here)

This post was deleted by the time I refreshed. I wonder what else has been deleted? It is bad enough that they spend most of thier talent and time attacking democrats, thier wives, journalists, anonymous commenters, and other dem bloggers now - they censor? Pitiful.

I realize that telling most of you that - Russo and the anonymous and misguided bloggers that follow him are perhaps "hypocrites" is nothing shocking. But to be so shallow that they can not even follow their own mission statement? That is really a new low.

To be a community blog, you have to let stuff like this stay up. They have enough people in thier little clique to just attack this blogger in the diaries comment section (something they frequently do on other blogs), or they could have just ignored it and let it slide away. What are they afraid of? Hopefully, it is not the truth.

Update (4-22-06)
This is how BSB and Plunderbound have decided to respond. Check it out - Creepy huh? For the record- that is not me. They just hijacked my name. So much for his argument of being so Politically Correct that he just couldn't stand to have something that could even remotely be construed as racist on his site. This example proves beyond a doubt that when it serves them, they will not only promote racist and sexist material - they will even engage in it.

You are judged by the company you keep and once again this bunch really puts the progressive blog community in a negative light.

Tags:[BuckeyeStateBlog], [Censorship], [Cleveland]

Lee Iacocca on GW Bush Management Style or " The Joys of Elderly Tourette's Syndrome"

2006-04-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

Via ISteve:

Q. "What sort of CEOs do you think George W. Bush and his administration make?"

Lee Iacocca. "I make speeches for the Washington Speakers Bureau, get $75,000 for 30 minutes, and all I ever say is, "Here's what management is about. Hire good people and set some basic priorities and objectives" Well, let's see how George Bush qualifies. The people that surround him are just friends, and I think most of them just schmucks, because I know a lot of them. Who runs the country? Cheney, is getting old and sick and had this hunting accident. And "Rummy," Rumsfeld, whom I know real well -- they've been together forever, and they run the country. They had Condoleezza Rice for lunch. I don't know what she's got on Bush, but, boy, he believes in her. Other than those three, the mastermind of them all, the boy genius, is Karl Rove -- slime bucket that he is. You've got to know him to see how slimy he is.

Tags:[Management], [GW Bush], [Lee Iacocca]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-04-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

The immigration issue is mainly hurting the Republican Party, which
is divided between those who want to expel immigrants and those who
want to exploit them.
-- Paul Krugman

American women are 40 percent more likely than men to be poor.
-- Jessica Valenti

We used to be Catholics. Now, as Confucian-Druid-Nietzscheian-Pan
worshipers, Sunday mornings are pretty much our own.
-- Jerry and Joe Long

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [Paul Krugman], [liberal],

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Monday)

2006-04-17T05:12:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

There was a lot of good stuff going on today but two diaries really stood out...

MCDAC puts out a great diary on " People Who Hate Government Shouldn't Run Government". Something I feel very strongly about. How can you do anything correctly if you despise it?
This is the simple message that Democrats need to carry to the American people: you wouldn't turn your family, your home, or your church over to someone who hated it, why should you do that to your government?
This isn't as much of a diary as a comment on another diary (about Social Democracies) but it is worth a read for these last two paragraphs alone. It also has some interesting history tidbits in it, too! -
The simple fact is that the attempt at "unrestrained" capitalism as practiced by the current Bush administration has been shown to be an abject failure. An economic surplus has been transformed into a three trillion dollar debt that will be visited upon our great grandchildren unless the disastrous Bush tax cuts are repealed. At this current moment, 46 million people are without health insurance, the vast majority of which work full-time jobs and still can't afford it, and that number is growing rapidly. An entire city, arguably the cultural jewel of the South, was destroyed by a natural disaster and heading into the next hurricane season insurance companies, claiming poverty are cancelling hurricane policies left and right. And. most enjoyably, the Republican party is tearing itself apart as the unapologetically xenophobic wing fights with the rabidly pro-business wing over the issue of illegal immigrants.

It is time to give up the myth of the bootstrapper and relegate the notion that each and every one of us may someday become as rich as Bill Gates and deal with the realities that face us in this new century. We need a base level of education including a college education for each and every child in the world so that they can compete in a new global economy. We need to ensure a minimum level of health care for every citizen so that a single stay in a hospital won't automatically lead to destitution and indentured servitude. There are certain ideals that we should all be able to agree upon whether we are liberal or conservative and stop quibbling over these ignorant and outdated labels that serve only to divide us. Unfortunately, for conservatives, that means coming to the realization that there are some things that require a social democratic solution, because the market doesn't always provide what we as citizens require. (read the rest at TheAlarm)

And Some Candidate News...

Blogesque reports that Bill Conner will be challenging Dave Hobson in OH-7. Noting that even in heavily Republican districts Democrats have some worthwhile candidates and Mr. Hobsons mix of conservative, moderate and liberal views fix the district well.
Tom Sawyer leads in the 13th according to SurveyUSA. ChiefSource and Psychobilly Dem discuss the race.
GlassCityJungle offers up a little campaign fundraising trivia plus a little controversy.
Meet the Democratic Candidates at the UAPA Democratic Candidates Forum April 23rd.
"Petro Position Changer" fans are being offered by the Anonymous Chocolatier. The fans say "Create some wind and Petro's position will blow with it" according to Openers.
Ohio2006 has a nice roud up of all the latest campaign news including: Ohio Sen 27th: Hanna (D) Wins Key Endorsements and Ohio House: By The Numbers.

And not to be left out...

Truth,ForAChange has "America appears to be suffering an Alzheimer’s moment"
Ohio Citizen Action points out that "Ohio high court looked to Nixon case in ruling on secrets" as Taft wins power to shield discussions; critic calls decision 'a license to cover up. and the ACLU is challenging Ohio Patriot Act’s Oath Requirement

Democratic Veteran comments on our incompentent MBA president.

Argghh - What a frustrating morning after a wonderful weekend. I returned home yesterday with about 15 new blog comments all SPAM! (why do people do that?) Yuck. What a mess. So, I put comment moderation back on. Then blogger was very slow to get started. Overall - not smooth blogging but the weather looks nice, my tulips are blooming and I have a full day planned. I am still messing around with updating the format of "Morning RoundUp". I am trying to make it a little easier to read, and a little more organized and selective. I planned on updating Blogroll but never got around to it - too busy decorating eggs - hopefully, I'll finish that this week. Maybe after the baby goes to bed!

Take Care! -Cindy

Tags:[Jim Petro], [Cleveland], [Ohio Blogs]

Absolut Corruption

2006-04-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Don't Like Liberals?

2006-04-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

Field & Stream says Bush Admin bad for hunting and fishing

2006-04-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Before I go out and enjoy the sunshine here is a link to Field and Stream about the Bush/Cheney whitehouse effects on hunting and fishing. (hint: the effects are pretty devestating)

The winners are the energy companies, which have been able to acquire their leases for as little as $2 per acre. The casualties are big game, upland birds, cold- and warmwater fisheries, the traditional interests of hunters and anglers, and the economic welfare of communities whose livelihoods are based on outdoor recreation and ranching...

Peter Dube, an outfitter from Buffalo, Wyoming, has already felt these impacts firsthand. “My ranch is out in the sticks,” he says, “60 miles from Buffalo, 45 miles from Gillette, and I’ve had to wait to pull onto my county road because the truck traffic is so bad—with smog like L.A.” Pronghorn and mule deer habitat has become fragmented, and his hunters have lost what Dube calls “the aesthetic experience” of being in a remote and quiet landscape.

Tags:[hunting], [fishing], [Bush]

NEOBean - Great Idea - Great Blog! plus a rant on the politics of breastfeeding.

2006-04-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

I just found this awesome blog/organization called NEOBean. It is dedicated to increasing breastfeeding rates in North East Ohio. Many of you will think, well - I see what this has to do with parenting but politics - I don't see it. Stick with me...

Breastfeeding is very political. First, In the obvious way - many legislatures and employers would like to control when, where and how a mother can feed an infant. The government has no place telling an infant it can not drink mothers milk in public and an employer should not be allowed to prevent a new mom from pumping breastmilk. It is the most natural, healthy and soothing for the infant and government should not limit the newborns freedoms just because someone is hung up on partially exposed breasts (which you usually cannot glimpse when the infant is nursing anyways!). Second - the formula industry is very powerful and works hard to inflitrate hospitals and homes to prevent breastfeeding. If the formula companies can convince a young mother that they need to suppliment with formula, that the baby doesn't need breastmilk and formula is just as healthy or that breastfeeding is a hassle then - they have succesfully created a little addict for themselves. It only takes a short while for a mothers milk supply to dry up if an infant isn't feeding regularly. (breasts respond to the infants needs and will stop producing milk if the infant isn't eating) If the mother is told to suppliment then her milk supply will drop. Formula companies often give away free formula to new mothers in hospitals and send out dozens of coupons and freebies via the mail - just to get a family hooked.

The other important part of breastfeeding and politics is that breastfed babies are healthier babies. Breastfeeding not only helps in physical health but it also promotes a strong mother child bond. These two factors can contribute to creating a better community in mulitiple ways even economically.

So, for those reasons - I am extremely excited to find NEOBean! Cuyahoga County and Ohio in general have low breastfeeding rates. We need advocates like this to help new mothers/families make knowledgable choices when it comes to feeding thier newborns.

More about NEOBean:

NEOBEAN is a network of individuals representing a diversity of perspectives who share a commitment to increasing breastfeeding rates and exclusive breastfeeding duration in Northeast Ohio. The co-facilitators of the network want to help participants in the network to become more intentional about using their connections with others in the Northeast Ohio area to make our individual and joint efforts at breastfeeding education and advocacy ever more effective.

Our belief: That babies were born to breastfeed, and that portraying breastfeeding positively and supporting mothers’ desires to breastfeed wherever their babies are hungry is a key to sustaining our residents’ long term good health.

NEOBEAN activists will be pursuing four initiatives this year.

1) Fundraising to support the purchase of breastfeeding videos and books for all of the neighborhood branches of Cleveland Public Library, and display materials for branches to use in August during World Breastfeeding Week.

2) Cooperation with WIC to make breastfeeding support groups possible in neighborhood libraries, community centers, churches, or other nonprofits that are willing to donate space where new mothers can meet with trained breastfeeding peer mentors.

3) Building connections with local workplaces which employ large numbers of women, and conducting research on different ways of encouraging pregnant women to initiate breastfeeding and sustain it with workplace support after they return to paid work.

4) The development of continuing education workshops for hospital administrators, nurses, midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, and family medicine doctors to bring nationally-recognized breastfeeding educators to Cleveland. A workshop will also be developed for human resources professionals so they can learn how breastfeeding-friendly practices can save companies money. The workshops will grow a support base for ongoing efforts to move more local hospitals toward baby-friendly certification, and more local workplaces toward family-friendly and breastfeeding-friendly policies and practices.

Would you like to help with one of these initiatives?

...contact Sandy Piderit by phone at 216-368-4642.

Exciting huh?

Tags:[Cleveland], [Breastfeeding], [NEObean]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Thursday)

2006-04-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

More Lies from the Administration (and a little Ohio Corruption)....
Truth, for a Change points this out in a diary about the "biolab trailers" evidence that was used as "proof positive" of WMD in Iraq. I gotta admit - I was fooled by this, I wanted to believe our adminstration, I wanted to believe Colin Powell.

PrissyPatriot follows the lies and gives us this great cartoon.

LICOPAC has "Had Enough!" of the corruption in Ohio but he's not so sure that the rest Ohioans have. I'm with him. I think that many Ohioans will allow themselves to be suckered again.

Democratic Veteran points out that "He (Bush) can't stop lying can he?"

Fear in America...
Stubborn Liberal follows Jonathon Alterman in a diary about how the Republicans have changed the famous FDR quote "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" to "The only thing we have to do is fear." This is a great diary. I have thought this myself for a while and even have this bumpersticker on my minivan:

Well, that's it for today. Short and Sweet. :-) I am going to update my blogroll and add a few new blogs over the weekend - if you think of any of have missed add a comment or send me an email. Thanks! Enjoy the weather.

Tags:[cleveland], [ohio blogs], [corruption]

Neighbor to Neighbor Day (Canvass CleveHts Event) with Subodh Chandra & Julian Rogers

2006-04-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I am taking part in the April 29th Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day. (more info below) I'd like to use this diary to invite more people to participate and let everyone know that candidate for Ohio State Representative for District 9 Julian Rogers has confirmed to meet with us and it looks like Ohio Attorney General Candidate Subodh Chandra is going to visit our event as well. So - that should be very exciting!

Canvas Cleveland Hts (April 29 Canvass)
Please join us Saturday April 29th

"Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day." Howard Dean

Volunteers will knock on doors, present or leave a single flyer that spells out why we are Democrats, and recruit other volunteers from the precinct.

All materials supplied. Wear your walking shoes.

Light refreshments served before. (mmmmm donuts!)

email me at Cindy@urbancode.com if you have any questions.

Thanks to everyone for signing up for the event and for the great input. If you have already signed up - Don't forget to Save the Date!

Tags:[50 state strategy], [Julian Rogers], [Subodh Chandra]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Sick Week Version)

2006-04-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs - with a little different format today since I missed so much while I was sick.

Many bloggers were concerned/amused by Capri Cafaros decision to sue anyone who mistates her immunity deal.

John at Ohio13 called it "harsh but understandable"
The ChiefSource questions whether it will help the Cafaro campaign or hurt it even more
Pho agrees "dropping the lawsuit bomb over a statement as innocuous as this shows such a lack of understanding of fundmental political strategy that does give me one more reason to vote against her."
PsychobillyDem gets a little more emotional with "When I saw this I was stunned at the audacity, the nerve, the brazeness, and the shallowness."

I wasn't the only blogger who was sick or decided to take a break - Ohio had a lot of nice weather and some great personal posts from local bloggers. (not necessarily politics but fun)

Athiest Mama established more street cred for her moniker with her "War on Easter" diaries
WorkingWithWords is fighting against the bobos with the dairy "Dunkin' Donuts Finds Moving Upscale Is More Complicated Than Expected"
Grandpaboy ponders blogger ethics and click thrus (I just follow bookmarks and blogrolls)
PeanutButterKnife set up an MP3 hosting account so now we can listen to all of the songs he writes about. (Thats a great idea! Thanks)
Last but not least - YellowDogSammy of Ohio2006 has a new yellow dog named Stella

The national political scandals were all over our local blogs while I was sick...

Libby testifying that Bush ok'd the Plame leak was all over the place including: MedinaDAC (Bush is Guilty of Obstruction of Justice), Dispassionate Liberal (Immaculate Declassification) and the PrissyPatriot (Bush did it! Dick did too! Are They Leakers? Or Just Drips?)
Truth for a Change offered and interesting diary "Does the Constitution allow for a President to be removed by reason if insanity?"
I appreciated the Led Zepplin segue to GOP immigration fluff in the DispassionateLiberals diary "We Are Your Overlords -Zeppelin"
StubbornLiberal was "All About the Numbers" in a diary following the rise in military casualities in March and in another about gas prices.
DistractedMind is kinda angry about the so-called "War on Christianity" and how the Republicans have stolen her religion:

"These so-called “wars” on Christmas, Christianity and now even Easter are nothing more than frontal assaults on the intellect of the American public."

As expected most bloggers focused on local candidates and Ohio political events.

Andrew Warner and the CincinnatiBeacon covered the controversy surrounding
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Pro-War Propaganda Blog, moderated by “Grandma” Suzanne Fournier.
ClevelandAFL-CIO comments on Mayor Jackson and the cleveland film commision
LICOPAC says Bob Ney "Can run but he can't hide"
UAPA had tons of great information including some info on free DFA night school training and inside the 50 State Strategy - Ohio.
GlassCityJungle live blogged the Lucas County Commissioner Debate.
Blogesque supports Stephanie Studebaker for OH-3 and he backs it up with a diary about all of the candidates
And last, but certainly not least - LawDork points out the idiocy (my word) of the local yokels complaining about others having a mutual admiration society. I think Law Dork calls it irony but as you know, I just think they are a bunch of hypocrites.

I think I am caught up now. Thanks for the great diaries.

Tags:[Ohio blogs], [Capri Cafaro], [Cincinnati], [Cleveland]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-04-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to post these this weekend, So- here ya go! (The Al Franken one is pretty funny.)

Watching a true American hero hang a For Sale sign on his principles is a profoundly sad thing.
-- Arianna Huffington, on John McCain selling his soul to George Bush and Jerry Falwell.

Today, the average American's share of the national debt is $27,000 and rising . . . Every day we ignore the problem, we increase the chances that the problem will have severe, if not catastrophic, consequences.
-- John F. Ince

I was just talking to Newt Gingrich the other day. And I said to him, "Don't you want for a gay couple what you had with your first wife? Don't you want that bond that comes with the pledge of fidelity that you had with your second wife? Don't you want what comes with that lifelong bond that you may or may not have with your third wife?
-- Al Franken

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [Al Franken], [liberal],

Yikes.. Overheard at lunch and Downtown Baghdad Blues

2006-04-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone. Sorry I have been absent for so long. First - my two year old was sick and then I got sick too! Yuck. It was horrible. You just don't bounce back very quickly when you are in the home stretches of pregnancy. I am pretty much better now.

My husband took a day off work yesterday to give me a little break with the toddler. It was nice. He took her to playgroup and then we went out for lunch. Pretty relaxing. We went to lunch at a Mexican place in an eastside cleveland suburb. (which is much more red than Cleve Hts but still in Cuyahoga County) I had to get everything mild due to heartburn but I still enjoyed it.

While I was waiting at the table I overheard 2 nicely dressed middle aged women talking about what seemed like a common /aquaintence/relative (perhaps a daughter) who was in college and had a new boyfriend. Apparently, the boyfriend was introduced to both of them at a recent event and they commented on how nice and handsome he seemed. Blah. Blah. But then..... the mood changed and one woman said, "Yeah, but he's is a Republican". (In a way that conveyed that maybe the whole "nice thing" was an act and she didn't trust him completely.) And then the other one said "Well, she's young". Ha! I thought that was funny. Of course, there are "nice" republicans but the whole lot is getting dirtied by the disgusting politicians that currently represent them.

Then the other day, I was listening to "Left of Center" on Sirius and I heard this great song. Downtown Baghdad Blues. It is from an Irish band called Black 47. It is a celtic protest song. Here are the lyrics-

Downtown Baghdad Blues
Got a buddy in Najaf, he’s playing it straight
Prays to the Lord Jesus Christ every night
Got a homey in Samarra goin’ up the walls
Every time he hears an Islamic prayer call
Me, I don’t care much for Jesus or Mohammed
They don’t stop bullets to the best of my knowledge
Later for the both of you, catch you in eternity
Hopefully, toward the end of this century

I didn’t want to come here, I didn’t get to choose
I got the hup, two, three, four Downtown Baghdad Blues.

I wish I was back home rootin’ for the Padres
’Stead of dodgin’ bullets from Mookie El Sadr
I wish I was back in the land of Guiliani
Instead of takin’ heat from Ayatollah Sistani
Don’t know what I’m doin’, but one thing is clear
Twenty years old, I can kill but I can’t buy a beer
Keep your head down, don’t get your brain cells fried
You’ll be home by Christmas, dead or alive.

I wish I was back in the US of A
Instead of dodgin’ rockets in Fallujiay
There’s a lady with my tattoo on her so special
Dream of her and me out in the desert
She ridin’ round in her Daddy’s Ford Explorer
I’m kickin’ in doors, hey, I thought this war was over
Got sand in my nose, sand in my eyes
But the sand can’t cover up the sights of a
Sniper with my number, got his finger on the trigger
Hope my baby’s okay, I’m still waitin’ for a letter
All I get are emails, so much left unsaid
It’s hot here, baby, but it’s so cold inside my head.

Mission accomplished, yeah, up on deck
Got no armor for my Humvee, I’m left facin’ this train wreck
Shia don’t like me, want Islamic Revolution
Sunni say civil war is part of the solution
Maybe someday there’ll be peace in Fallujah
McDonald’s on the boulevard, Cadillac cruisin’
I’m tryin’ hard to keep this whole thing straight
But will someone tell me what am I doin’ here in the first place?

I am a little slow when it comes to music nowadays so I wouldn't be surprised if many of you were aware of this song but if you haven't already heard it -
You can listen to it here:
Downtown Baghdad Blues - Black 47

So, hearing that song reminded me of the Bright Eyes song - When the President Talks to God. It is not very subtle but it sumed up my feelings pretty well when it came out last year. Here are the lyrics-

"When the President Talks to God"

When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women's' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends

When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God

When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?

I doubt it

I doubt it

You can watch him perform the song on the Tonight Show here:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2005/05/when_the_presid.html

If you know of any other Bush Administration protest songs I should check out - leave me a link. Like I said, I am a little slow with music so it is exciting for me to find something new.

Anyways...That is what has been going on with me. I'll get back to "Morning Round Up" tomorrow. It seems like I have missed alot. So, if I have time - expect a "Best of the Week" type blog as I get caught up on what everyone has been talking about lately.

Take Care and stay well!

Tags:[Black 47],[Protest Songs], [Republicans], [Cleveland]

Why We Fight.

2006-04-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

A reminder from NCO:

"Why We Fight" film at Cedar Lee through Thurs., April 6th,

WHY WE FIGHT by Eugene Jarecki

"Jarecki's nimble and brilliant docu-dissection of the
military-industrial complex, unearths the deepest roots of
our scariest political realities. I defy anyone not to be
staggered by it." - Owen Gleiberman, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"A stunning film that lines up the evidence to explain not
only how we got into Iraq, but how corporate forces have
propelled us into wars for the last 50 years."
-Sean P. Means, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

"An even-handed interrogation of war's financial
implications."
-Chris Vognar, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

If you haven't seen WHY WE FIGHT yet, there's still time...

This may be the film that convinces those who have not yet
been convinced and make the turning of the tide complete...

WHY WE FIGHT is showing through this Thursday, April 6,
2006, at the Cedar Lee Theater, 2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland
Heights; showings each day: 2:25pm, 4:50pm, 7:20pm, 9:40pm

WHY WE FIGHT, the new film by Eugene Jarecki which won the
Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, is an
unflinching look at the anatomy of the American war machine,
weaving unforgettable personal stories with commentary by a
"who's who" of military and beltway insiders. Featuring
John McCain, William Kristol, Chalmers Johnson, Gore Vidal,
Richard Perle and others, WHY WE FIGHT launches a bipartisan
inquiry into the workings of the military industrial complex
and the rise of the American Empire.

Inspired by Dwight Eisenhower's legendary farewell speech
(in which he coined the phrase "military industrial
complex"), filmmaker Jarecki (THE TRIALS OF HENRY KISSINGER)
surveys the scorched landscape of a half-century's military
adventures, asking how - and telling why -=EC a nation of, by,
and for the people has become the savings-and-loan of a
system whose survival depends on a state of constant war.

The film moves beyond the headlines of various American
military operations to the deeper questions of why - why
does America fight? What are the forces - political,
economic, ideological - that drive us to fight against an
ever-changing enemy?

"Frank Capra made a series of films during World War II
called WHY WE FIGHT that explored America=92=C4=F4s reasons for
entering the war," Jarecki notes. "Today, with our troops
engaged in Iraq and elsewhere for reasons far less clear, I
think it's crucial to ask the questions: "Why are we doing
what we are doing? What is it doing to others? And what is
it doing to us?"

Visit www.whywefight.com for more details on the film,
trialers, video clips, etc.

This film should be mandatory viewing for everyone.

Tags:[WhyWeFight], [Cleveland], [Eisenhower], [Military]

Who do the Independents like? Regionalism, CrossOver Appeal, Brown, Dewine and more!

2006-04-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Suffolk Poll had the questions broken down into numerous formats. Some of these were how a respondant answered according to thier party affliations, income, location, age, sex, ect, ect - You get the picture.

Anyways - here is how the Independents answered the favorability questions (Is your opinion of candidate X generally favorable or generally unfavorable?):

Who do the Independents like?
Crossover appeal in paranthesis

Mike DeWine - 53% Favorable with I’s (34% with D’s)
Jim Petro – 38% Favorable with I’s (21% with D’s)
Ken Blackwell - 33% Favorable with I’s (17% with D’s)
Ted Strickland 33% Favorable with I’s (31% with R’s)
Sherrod Brown – 29% Favorable with I’s (29% with R’s )
Paul Hackett – 12% Favorable with I’s (17% with R’s)

Not very surprising. The Republicans certainly have an edge with Independents. But as far as crossover - DeWine, Strickland and Brown all had more crossover appeal than I expected them to have, especially DeWine. Brown had a higher crossover number than Petro, Blackwell or Hackett. It seems important to point out that respondants did not have to choose one candidate over another. So, in primary races the respondant could have answered "favorable" to all candidates.

Who do the Independents dislike?
Dislike within own party in paranthesis

Ken Blackwell - 31% Unfavorable with I's (21% with R's)
Jim Petro – 26% Unfavorable with I's (20% with R’s)
Mike Dewine - 24% Unfavorable with I's (17% with R)
Sherrod Brown – 14% Unfavorable with I's (16% with D’s)
Paul Hackett – 9% Unfavorable with I's (12% with D’s)
Ted Strickland - 7% Unfavorable with I's (7% with D’s)

Ted Strickland looks really great here. Brown seems to fair a little better than DeWine. Funny how the Republicans were both the most "Highly Favorable" and the most "Highly Unfavorable" with I's. As far as inside party discontent, all of the Republicans had more "unfavorable" marks from within thier own party than the Democratic candidates.

This Favorability question in the Suffolk Poll could have been answered 4 ways - Favorable, Unfavorable, Undecided and Do Not Know" the candidate. Between 15 and 20% of respondants answered "Undecided" for all of the candidates. Who they answered "Do Not Know" the candidate for - surprised me a little, at least, the region where it was coming from.

Who Didn’t Anybody Know?
55% Didn’t even know who Paul Hackett was. (It broke down 47%D, 57% both R &I)

I expected Mr. Hackett to be less known than other candidates since he hasn't really run or held statewide office before but - this number was much more than I expected. Of the 55% who did not know who Paul Hackett was - by far the highest concentration was the Cincinnati/Dayton region! How could respondants in the Cincinnati/Dayton region not know who Paul Hackett was? Isn't that where he ran? This seems weird to me. I had really expected Paul Hackett to be doing better here. In contrast, only 9% did not know who DeWine was. This poll was taken in March, right after Hackett dropped out of the race. ( Hackett was getting a lot of press and had been in the blogosphere nonstop since the special election.) I just assumed, he would be better known than that. I guess, I am a little isolated in my own blog world.

Some other things that I didn't expect from the Hackett question were that NE Ohio gave him the highest favorablity marks. Toledo and the NW portion of the state knew him the most but were also the most undecided about him. Also, respondants whom stated they were voting for Sherrod Brown gave Paul Hackett the most favorability marks.

57% of the Suffolk Poll was comprised of people who proclaimed themselves as Unenrolled in a party, Independant or Undeclared. The rest of the respondants were pretty equally D's and R's.

Another shocking revelation:
Jim Petro was the candidate most popular with the ladies :-) Yikes!

Sometimes, I get a little caught up in internet and blog politics and I forget the rest of the world is set at a different pace. This poll offered me a little insight on the true make up of our state. It also makes me ponder whether political bloggers are trendsetters, running a little ahead of the pack or just isolated in an internet clique. My conclusion so far - a little bit of both.

Tags:[Sherrod Brown], [Paul Hackett], [Ted Strickland]

Education most important issue to Ohio Republicans according to Poll

2006-04-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

I recently went through the Suffolk University Poll on Ohio Politics that was released in early March. The poll was quite extensive with over 210 pages of data and analysis. I was surprised by some of the findings in the Poll including :

Q11(A-F). How important is this issue:

Health care? 90% very important
Education? 89% very important
Terrorism? 73% very important
Ethics in government? 69% very important
Unemployment? 68% very important
Taxes? 64% very important

I would have suspected it to be a little different. Now, if you seperated it by Party affliation it plays out like this:

Q11(A-F). How important is this issue:

Health care? 90% Total 87%R - 95%D -89%I
Education? 89% Total 90%R - 92%D -87%I
Terrorism? 73% Total 87%R - 66%D -71%I
Ethics in government? 69% Total 74%R - 74%D -65%I
Unemployment? 68% Total 50%R - 76%D -70%I
Taxes? 64% Total 69%R - 59%D -64%I

So, the most important issues for all Ohioans regardless of party is Education and Health Care. That sounds pretty progressive to me.

Ted Stricklands Turnaround Ohio plan really focuses alot on Education. It's number one component is "Provide every child a fair start through access to high-quality early care and education". This seems like a solid plan.

Recent findings have found that investing in early-childhood education programs is key to ensuring solid economic growth in a community. With every tax dollar spent on early-childhood development, $17 will be returned to the community through the increased earnings of the child in the future or by eliminating potential spending on special-education and correctional institutions.

The plan also addresses technology in education and increasing enrollment in our higher education programs.

Ken Blackwell offers the 65 cent solution which would put restrictions on how schools could spend money. Schools would be unable to repair buildings, provide busing, provide food service, have support staff or in house nurses and counselors if 65% of the schools funding didn't go to in the classroom activities (which oddly but thankfully included field trips and athletic programs). This initative is popular in conservative circles and has been defeated in many states including Texas.

"There's no guarantee (this proposal) would put more money in classrooms, especially if you leave it to administrators, who're more likely to cut valuable and necessary support services rather than their own salaries," said Ohio Federation of Teachers President Tom Mooney (no relation to Tim Mooney).

The Republican establishment has decided to move this agenda forward, not to help education in Ohio but to obtain "political benefits" according to this memo circulated amoung Republican lawmakers.

The memo, first published by the Austin American-Statesman last month, says the proposal will "create tremendous tension" within state education unions by pitting administrators against teachers and will divert spending on other political goals of the "education establishment."

This seems typical of Ohio Republicans who seem to be more interested in their own futures than the future of our state or our children.

Jim Petro offers only one platform on Education on his "Vision for Ohio" section of his website. This article focuses on his P-16 approach. From what I can tell, this plan would like to create a more centralized governing approach by shifting power to the State Board of Regents away from the independent board of trustees for 2 and 4 year colleges. He is also interested in creating Charter Universities which he feels would shift funding away from state sources. In the end, Mr Petro seems wishy washy even on these vague proposals. His website states that these are "nothing more than ideas" and in the end he fails to commit to our children.

So for being the number one issue to Ohio Republicans - the Republican candidates really come up short on innovative ideas and planning. Mr. Blackwell opts for the plan that will offer him the most "political benefits" and Mr. Petro concedes that he has some ideas but no real plans. That is depressing.

On the other hand, the Strickland/Fisher Turnaround Ohio plan seems to be solid and offers creative approaches backed by research and experience. He has a background in education and was awarded entry into the UofK Education Hall of Fame in 2000. Among the many education laws he helped author are the National Service Act and the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB 2001).

If Ohio Republicans truly believe that Education is a very important issue in Ohio - they'll have to look seriously at the Strickland Plan. It offers a proven return on investment minus the risk, politics and big government of the other candidates plans.

Tags:[Ted Strickland], [Ken Blackwell], [Jim Petro][ohio Education]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs (Monday)

2006-04-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

ClevelandAFLCIO - French Fighting for what Americans Lack
DemocraticVeteran - On or off his meds? Orrin Hatch.
TheChiefSource - Torture, Apocalypse Now and The National Uniformity of Food Act. (The new food act is especially scary, well - they are all scary!)
LICOPAC - Dann v Chandra (One night only at Ohio State!)
StubbornLiberal - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly and When Right Wingers Attack.
LawDork - Finishes a half marathon with his family. Great photo
Openers - Ney one step closer to jail? and Blackwell forgets to pay bill
AStraightShotOfPolitics - The Faces Of Worry And Pain and an Evening's Smorgasboard at Der Dutchman!
PrissyPatriot - Get Outta My Life, George!
PeopleHaveThePower - CoinGate goes Washington.
DispassionateLiberal - Snow And Noe (Speculation on where CoinGate could go) and Immigration Battle - When The Right Fights.
BobNeyWatch - Abramoff free, despite sentence
UAPA - Brown offers criticism of health insurance bill
Pho - Weekly Reader Educational News
AtheistMama - Freethinking Women Jamboree 2

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [Jim Wallis]

Great start to spring (Visiting a red county)

2006-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went out to my folks house. They live in a somewhat "red" county and I usually get slightly disheartened by the number of Pro-Bush bumperstickers. But, this time - something was different. First, on the way out, not a single Bush/Cheney sticker to be seen. Then on the second page of the local paper was DeWines ugly mug grinning at me. What was he grinning about? Why - it was an anti-DeWine ad proclaiming his recent votes on privatizing Social Security. Wow! That was exciting. It was paid for by the local democratic club. So far so good.

Could it stay that way? I went to the post office. Only one person working and they were listening to talk radio, but what was the radio saying? That global warming was something to worry about! Now, I am not sure if that was Progressive Talk or not but - the message seemed right. I'll take it.

We finally drove into the main town and ultimately ended up seeing a few Bush/Cheney stickers (and even a Bob Ney sticker). But there was definately less than usual and we did see a "Proud Democrat" sticker too! My day was topped off by the sighting of a Subodh Chandra sticker. WOW! I feel like the tide may be turning. Now, if someone would get rid of that nasty large Bush/Cheney and Voinovich posters on rt 71, I'll be happy. Although, it might be more poetic to watch them rot.

Tags:[Bush], [Medina], [Progressive]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Life is a long lesson in humility.
-- James M. Barrie

Whatever a movement to abolish torture will achieve for society, it
is clear what participating in it means for each of us as
individuals. It means above all that our children and grandchildren
will not remember us with shame.
-- Fred Branfman

Unless we look out for everyone, no one is secure.
-- Ronald Aronson

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [liberal] [Fred Branfman], [liberal], [James M. Barrie]

Maybe we should do this :-) Unprecedented 50 State Canvass

2006-03-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

Unless you think Ohio is in the bag :-) Thanks for the inspiration GrandpaBoy!

Dear Fellow Democrat,

Are you ready to make history?

Thanks to the overwhelming support from thousands of Democrats, who donated to get the literature for the canvass printed and shipped, we're on schedule and gearing up for the unprecedented Neighbor-to-Neighbor Organizing Day on April 29th.

On that Saturday, thousands of volunteers will recruit hundreds of thousands more Americans committed to changing the status quo this year during door-knocking events in communities across America.

Democrats have a clear vision for America, and we're going to get the word out by making personal contact with our neighbors. And along the way we will build new relationships among volunteers on the ground, a network that will have an impact beyond a single day.

Whether you've never volunteered or you're a seasoned door-knocking veteran, it is crucial that you take part in this historic organizing push.

Please RSVP for an event near you:

http://www.democrats.org/50statecanvass/find

In many states, Democratic Party staff on the ground have already put together staging areas for massive voter contact events on the 29th. Thanks to donations from people like you, hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature are being printed and shipping in bulk to those locations right now.

If there isn't an event near you, don't worry. Some state parties will have canvassing events on alternate dates, or have other important events that planned for that weekend.

You can still plan your own canvass in your community. Our online tool makes the planning process easy, and if you create your event before April 10th, we will get doorhangers to you in time for your canvass on the 29th.

You can create your own event here:

http://www.democrats.org/50statecanvass/create

Whether you're attending an event or hosting your own, we have also put together materials on the web to help you make your canvass as effective as possible.

The online package includes tips on canvassing, a suggested script for when you get to the door, and the doorhanger itself in various formats for you to print extras on your own.

Here is the online resource center:

http://www.democrats.org/50statecanvass

Two-thirds of Americans reject this president and the Republican leadership -- and they are waiting to hear from us.

We are all members of one American community and it's up to us to make sure that our country has a government as good as its people.

Democrats have a big task in November. We will only win if every one of us takes responsibility for the outcome of the election now -- while there is still time to build our operation.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary grassroots push.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

Okay - I signed up to host an event. Cleveland Highlanders please join me. For those interested: I'll try to get some Subodh Chandra and Julian Rogers info too. If you have any other ideas I am open to suggestions.

What I'd really like to see is an event in Medina and other outlying counties. (Hear that MDAC!) :-)

Tags:[Cleveland Hts], [Medina], [Political Event]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs. What a wonderful spring day after you are done reading these great diaries go out for a walk and enjoy yourself!

PeanutButterKnife - Urban Coyotes in Akron and a little sidenote on MySpace.com
PeopleHaveThePower - The House Race to get behind: Kilroy v. Pryce
Truth,ForAChange - Conservative Christians: We’re taking the “Christ” out of Christianity WP.
Pho - The Summit in Summit pt5: Chris Redfern speaks. Pho comments on the difficulties of the 88 county strategy.
DispassionateLiberal - Jill Carrolls release offer the administration some "free" good news to spread as opposed to the 1.62 Billion being spent on propaganda campaigns and Al Franken on immigration: Careful Al.
LICOPAC - The diary "Wallis bets on Youth" is a summary of the Wallis speech at OSU. It offers some great quotes and thoughts on Christianity and Politics including:
and a link to President Carters op/ed in the

...Wallis made it clear that he finds any reasonable reading of the Good Book reveals the Christian message is all about peace and justice and reducing hunger and poverty.

UAPA - Audio of the Wallis/Johnson debate: a dialogue between a leader of Christian conservatives in Ohio, and a national leader of evangelicals who take more liberal view of things.
AthiestMama - No politics but a nice diary that lets you see inside the recent life happenings of Cassandra.
MedinaDAC - The increasing cost of tuition at public colleges in Ohio.
StubbornLiberal - Rice turns up the rhetoric on Iran
Openers - ODP hires statewide coordinater, a position they didn't even have 4 years ago! (Well, at least we are moving in the right direction, Best of Luck Richard)

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [Jim Wallis]

Jennifer Martinez Atzberger running as an independent

2006-03-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Way to go Jennifer!

The Court of Appeals has denied candidate Jennifer Martinez’ request to order the Board of Elections to place her name back on the ballot as a candidate in the democratic primary election for Juvenile Court Judge. The Court of Appeals held that despite the fact that it was undisputed that the protest was time-stamped after the deadline there was not clear and convincing evidence that the Board’s decision to hear the protest was a clear disregard of the applicable law. In its opinion the court reasoned that although, “[c]learly, the Board lacks the authority to uphold an untimely protest,” that neither the parties nor the court had been able to identify what the definition of “filing” meant in the context of a filing with the Board of Elections. The Court further held that despite the fact that fifteen out of the nineteen exhibits presented regarding the use of Ms. Martinez’ name contained the name Martinez, or were solely under the name Martinez, that Ms. Martinez had abandoned the sole use of her maiden name upon marriage. The Court failed to comment on the second part of the McLaughlin test which required proof that the use of such name was to gain a political advantage

Ms Martinez and the Committee to Elect Jennifer Martinez for Judge have decided to begin seeking signatures to file as an independent candidate in the same race, running using both her maiden and married name of Jennifer Martinez Atzberger.

Ms. Martinez states that, “As an attorney I have to respect the Court of Appeals decision and the legal process. However, I strongly disagree with the ruling, and I think it should be challenged. All women, regardless of their marital status, should be allowed to run for office using their maiden name; the current rules are archaic and sexist. My primary goal right now though, is to find a way to be part of the election process, and if that means running as an independent candidate under the name Martinez Atzberger, then that is what I intend to do. I am the same person, with the same qualifications, regardless of whether I use one last name or two, and I would like to let the voters of Cuyahoga County decide whether or not I should be a Juvenile Court Judge.”

Ms. Martinez Atzberger and her committee are currently in the process of getting the required signatures for petitions to place her name on the ballot as an independent candidate in the November 2006 election. The required number of signatures is almost 4000 for an independent candidate, compared to the required 50 signatures for primary party candidates. If successful, she will be challenging the Democratic and Republican candidates for the Juvenile Court open seat, term commencing January 3, 2007.

More info here.

Tags:[Jennifer Martinez], [Juvenile Court Judge], [Cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-29T06:18:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

GrandpaBoy - Catching up with an old book, an interesting diary about an Iranian author who lives in 1950's Germany with some insights on todays politics. Also, Bush and the Reds.
TheChiefSource - When Morons Speak! Rumsfeld gives Iraq a D or D-, The new Memo that reveals Bush fierce determination on invading Iraq, and dumb comments from Tom Delay plus a little about the Andy Card resignation.
Openers - Schmidt stretches the truth on her resume and gets caught and Voinovich teams up with Petro against Blackwell and TEL.
LICOPAC - Zack Space reception info and an interesting first hand account of the 18th District race.
PsychobillyDem - A Hazardous Few Days to be a Republican
Pho - The Summit in Summit: a 4 part diary on the Cindy Sheehan, PDA event in Akron also Pho promises to further explain his Iraq position in a diary.
StubbornLiberal - Why does Limbaugh hate women and minorities? and a nice link diary of recent news stories of interest to Progressives.
AndrewWarner - Smitherman is In!
TruthForAChange - Bring us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses… ‘cause Corporate America needs cheap labor.
LawDork - McCain losing respect
UAPA - Abusive Priests Get Legal Break From Republican House plus a screening of the Peak Oil movie "The End of Suburbia"

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [DeWine]

More Opportunities to Meet Candidates in Cleveland

2006-03-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

From NEODFA:

Primary season is upon us and we can not emphasize how important this election is to our state, our country, and our world. We all know the road to the White House goes through Ohio.

To that end we have two big events coming up over the next week. First this Saturday at 9:30 AM at the AFL-CIO hall (3250 Euclid Avenue) DFA is co-sponsoring a candidates forum featuring Gubernatorial Candidate Ted Strickland (who has been endorsed by DFA), Auditor Candidate Barbara Sykes, and Attorney General Candidates Subodh Chandra and Mark Dann.

The second event is our Meetup on April 4th at 7PM at Trinity Commons, where we will decide our endorsements for candidates in contested races. In the last meeting we endorsed Ted Strickland, Sherrod Brown, and Jennifer Brunner. At this meeting we will have State Rep. candidates Julian Rogers and Mike Foley, Renee Cafaro (sister of Congressional Candidate Capri Cafaro), and representatives of Congressional Candidate Lou Katz and Supreme Court Candidate Bill O'Neill. We are also working on getting Supreme Court Candidate Peter Sikora. So come on down, meet the candidates, and weigh in on who DFA should endorse.

Can't make the meetings?

Feel free to signup for the campaigns we have endorsed:

http://www.sherrodbrown.com

http://www.tedstrickland.com

Both campaigns have events coming up and need volunteers.

Hope to see you all Saturday and Tuesday!

Tags:[Cleveland], [Candidates], [DFA]

Friends don't let friends vote Republican!

2006-03-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

Funny little email I recieved:

Things you must believe to be a Republican today:

Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals, non-Christians and Hillary Clinton.

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony and free trade.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iran.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without interference or regulation of product safety to the consumer.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

Rebuilding Iraq is humanitarian but rebuilding New Orleans and its levee system is a stupid waste of taxpayer money.

Giving the super-rich tax breaks is good for working people but providing child care to a single mother so she can work is government handouts.

A president lying about an extramarital affair is a impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages, eavesdropping on citizens, and censoring the Internet.

The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George & Laura Bush's driving record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, but the Attorney General can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the 1980s is completely irrelevant.

It's wrong to be a "tax-and-spend" Democrat but OK to be a "cut-taxes-and-spend-big" Republican.

Feel free to pass this on. If you don't send it to at least 10 other people, we're likely to be stuck with more Republicans in '06 and '08.

Friends don't let friends vote Republican!

Tags:[Republicans], [Cleveland], [Humor]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-28T04:38:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

TruthForAChange - Be careful what you say: A great diary about NSA technologies and how they effect us, includes a great quote from Sen Frank Church of the Church committee.
ClevelandHomeless - Enters into a debate with Anthony Fossaceca (Ohio City Dev. Corp)Homeless and Ohio City.
Pho - Weighing in on Iraq as a progressive on domestic policy who is not a pacifist on foreign policy.
LawDork - On religious tolerance: LawDork attended the Jim Wallis - Russell Johnson debate
LiberalCommonSense - On the Illegal Immigration Issue: Is it all a matter of money?
PeopleHaveThePower - Consequences of stupidity and bigotry, the rightwing has legalized the abuse of women.
PrissyPatriot - NeoRepublicans...Are They All Crooks?
DemocraticVeteran - Death Squads as Foreign Policy.
TheChiefSource ->Who needs a bomb? On Iran.
Openers - DeWine votes 92% of the time with the President and tries to portray himself as an independent

"They may not have been able to afford the $10,000 price of admission, but with the click of a mouse, the hardworking men and women of Ohio can finally see what voting with the President 92% of the time got Mike DeWine... lots and lots of money," said DSCC spokesman Karl Frisch

GrandpaBoy - Central Ohio Leads the Charge on Congress (Bob Shamansky Meets The Bloggers)
Ohio2006 - Chandra endorsements, plus campaign news and polling results
UAPA - Ohio's Bob Ney Wins House Bracket In "Filthy Four" (Worth the click for the graphic alone)
StubbornLiberal - Republicans Are At It Again! On sweaters, illegal immigration, Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell
PeanutButterKnife - 7 Blunders of Cleveland: Part 1, Attitude & Indentity

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [DeWine]

They want my money

2006-03-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

Between the emails, phone calls and letters - I get a lot of requests for donations. I don't know how some of these organizations even found me. Did I get on some kind of sucker list? I really don't mind them asking, I guess that is their job but it does irk me occasionally. (to get back at them I use thier address labels without even thinking about sending them money :-) !)

I suspect they have found me from online organizations reselling my info. When I signed up to start recieving updates from The Family Research Council, I wanted to know exactly who they sold my name to so - I used my folks address and a different name. What happened? Well, they sold my name to lots of psychics and chain mail type folks. Amazing. They don't think very highly of thier supporters do they? And you'd think that psychics would go against their belief system but - who knows?

Anyways, for the new year I have pledged to only give to candidates. I have limited funds and need to be mindful about where my money is going. When the issue oriented groups call, I tell them about my pledge and they don't disagree that perhaps my money might be better used helping more Progressive Candidates win. Of course, they'd like me to have enough for both issue and candidate but I don't. I think supporting candidates that have a history of working for progressive causes will have a greater impact than giving the money to the issue groups themselves (at least I am hoping). It may seem safer to give to NARAL if you want to be assured your money will work to protect womens reproductive rights but it just seems safe - I don't think it actually is. Of course, no candidate is perfect on all issues but if my tiny donation could help get more Progressive Dems elected my pet issues will do better in the long run and I suspect the country will do better immediately if enough of them get elected.

I just want a country that is run effectively by people who appreciate the importance of government and work for citizens not corporations.

So - Who am I giving money too?
Subodh Chandra
Sherrod Brown

I am also a Democracy Bonds holder. I give them a very small monthly amount and it goes to help enact Howard Deans 50 State Strategy. (Which I am a great believer in)

Who do you donate to?

Tags:[campaign fundraising], [Family Research Council], [Subodh Chandra], [Cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-27T05:19:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

MDAC - Republican Efforts to Cut Off Democratic Funding (It always comes down to the money with the GOP)
Pho - Blackwell's stealth campaign
LiberalCommonSense - Lisa is shaking her head over recent polling results, plus scientizing prayer and Blackwell refusing to debate.
PrissyPatriot - Draft rumors, soldiers going without food or water in Iraq and some great graphics.
AStraightShotofPolitics - No politics today -just a great fashion lesson.
Openers - Blackwells staff laughing at BSB, Kuncinich to endorse Subodh Chandra and Stricklands new TV ad.
UAPA - Moral Values of Religious Right in Ohio Questioned in Debate
TruthforaChange - The Unitary Executive (an idea from the Nixon era that all executive authority in the government is centralized to the President, and the Executive branch has the authority, at its discretion, to bypass the checks and balances of the other two branches of government) and how this President interprets it.
PeoplehavethePower - Wait, I thought they hated lawyers? On Lawyers, Montgomery, Petro and millions of dollars.
WorkingWithWords - From First George W to Current George W: A Study in the Decline of Presidential Vision
AndrewWarner - The house always wins, Casinos in Ohio
TheChiefSource - 2 Weeks Later: Bush Family Still a Bunch of Scumbags
DispassionateLiberal - Buckham's Bucks Flowchart, DeLay/Abramoff/Ellis scandal in flowchart ease and a diary on the Ben Domenech's fall from grace.
StubbornLiberal - 5 examples of Stupid, but True
AtheistMama - Oglala Sioux Tribe may come to the rescue of SD women

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [Blackwell]

Why the Left is Right - Liberal Quotes

2006-03-26T04:49:00.000-08:00

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay
an invincible summer.
-- Albert Camus

We liberals need to make a distinction between attacking politicians
who see their faith as a necessary part of them and those who want
to see that their faith becomes a necessary part of us.
-- Andrew Hammond

Don't call everyone you don't like, Hitler. Bush is not Hitler. For
one thing, Hitler was a decorated frontline combat veteran. Also, in
the election that brought him to power in 1933, Hitler got more
votes than the other candidates.
-- Bill Maher

From the book The Best Liberal Quotes Ever - Why the Left is Right.

Tags:[quotes], [liberal] [cleveland]

4th Admendment shipping tape - Clever and Informative :-)

2006-03-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

The 4th Admendment:

"The right of the people to be secure in thier persons, houses, paper and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and No warrants shall issue, but upon probabale cause, supported by Oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Printed on shipping tape - Brillant.

Tags:[4th admendment]

"The Only Moral Abortion is My Abortion" - When the Anti-choice choose.

2006-03-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

Via ck4829:

When the Anti-Choice Choose
By Joyce Arthur

Abortion is a highly personal decision that many women are sure they'll never have to think about until they're suddenly faced with an unexpected pregnancy. But this can happen to anyone, including women who are strongly anti-choice. So what does an anti-choice woman do when she experiences an unwanted pregnancy herself? Often, she will grin and bear it, so to speak, but frequently, she opts for the solution she would deny to other women -- abortion.

In the spring of 2000, I collected the following anecdotes directly from abortion doctors and other clinic staff in North America, Australia, and Europe. The stories are presented in the providers' own words, with minor editing for grammar, clarity, and brevity. Names have been omitted to protect privacy.

"I've had several cases over the years in which the anti-abortion patient had rationalized in one way or another that her case was the only exception, but the one that really made an impression was the college senior who was the president of her campus Right-to-Life organization, meaning that she had worked very hard in that organization for several years. As I was completing her procedure, I asked what she planned to do about her high office in the RTL organization. Her response was a wide-eyed, 'You're not going to tell them, are you!?' When assured that I was not, she breathed a sigh of relief, explaining how important that position was to her and how she wouldn't want this to interfere with it." (Physician, Texas)

"Recently, we had a patient who had given a history of being a 'pro-life' activist, but who had decided to have an abortion. She was pleasant to me and our initial discussion was mutually respectful. Later, she told someone on my staff that she thought abortion is murder, that she is a murderer, and that she is murdering her baby. So before doing her procedure, I asked her if she thought abortion is murder -- the answer was yes. I asked her if she thought I am a murderer, and if she thought I would be murdering her baby, and she said yes. But murder is a crime, and murderers are executed. Is this a crime? Well, it should be, she said. At that point, she became angry and hostile, and the summary of the conversation was that she regarded me as an abortion-dispensing machine, and how dare I ask her what she thinks. After explaining to her that I do not perform abortions for people who think I am a murderer or people who are angry at me, I declined to provide her with medical care. I do not know whether she found someone else to do her abortion." (Physician, Colorado)

"We have anti-choice women in for abortions all the time. Many of them are just naive and ignorant until they find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. Many of them are not malicious. They just haven't given it the proper amount of thought until it completely affects them. They can be judgmental about their friends, family, and other women. Then suddenly they become pregnant. Suddenly they see the truth. That it should only be their own choice. Unfortunately, many also think that somehow they are different than everyone else and they deserve to have an abortion, while no one else does." (Physician, Washington State)

(More testimonials here)

Although few studies have been made of this phenomenon, a study done in 1981 (1) found that 24% of women who had abortions considered the procedure morally wrong, and 7% of women who'd had abortions disagreed with the statement, "Any woman who wants an abortion should be permitted to obtain it legally." A 1994/95 survey (2,3) of nearly 10,000 abortion patients showed 18% of women having abortions are born-again or Evangelical Christians. Many of these women are likely anti-choice. The survey also showed that Catholic women have an abortion rate 29% higher than Protestant women.

From a clinic director in a mid-western state: "One of the most remarkable cases was a woman who came [from another part of the state] and said she was the Right-to-Life president in her county. 'But,' she said, she 'had become pregnant and had to have an abortion.'"

The medical director of an Indianapolis clinic recalled one prospective patient who phoned to ask whether the clinic had a back door. He said no. How, she asked, could she get inside without being seen by fellow picketers outside? Pointing out that two orthopedists practiced with him, the doctor told the woman "she could limp and say she was coming to see the orthopods."

Many anti-choice women are convinced that their need for abortion is unique -- not like those "other" women -- even though they have abortions for the same sorts of reasons. Anti-choice women often expect special treatment from clinic staff. Some demand an abortion immediately, wanting to skip important preliminaries such as taking a history or waiting for blood test results. Frequently, anti-abortion women will refuse counseling (such women are generally turned away or referred to an outside counselor because counseling at clinics is mandatory). Some women insist on sneaking in the back door and hiding in a room away from other patients. Others refuse to sit in the waiting room with women they call "sluts" and "trash." Or if they do, they get angry when other patients in the waiting room talk or laugh, because it proves to them that women get abortions casually, for "convenience"...

(There is a section here about denying the procedure to anti-abortionist, you can read it at the original source)

At times, clinic staff understandably become frustrated and angry when they have to deal with abusive, hostile, or hypocritical patients. And it is rare for anti-choice women to express appreciation for the service they've received. But most clinics perform abortions on anti-abortion women because they feel it's their obligation to help all women. They provide more thorough and specialized counseling to these women to ensure they take ownership of their decision, as far as possible. Here's a couple of examples of counseling techniques:

"When a patient comes in with my 'favorite' sentiment: 'The only moral abortion is my abortion,' I try to expand her understanding that a few more of us have had and deserve a 'moral' abortion. When a woman expands her need for care beyond herself, you no longer have an 'anti'." (Clinic Administrator, Louisiana)

"Sometimes I say to patients who have that 'I have no choice, I know I'll regret it, just do me' attitude: 'You may not care, but we do. We only do abortions on women who want our services. We will not knowingly contribute to any possible trauma of any woman.' They seem surprised that we care how we do our work, but they also accept it." (Counselor, New York)

These are just excerpts from a much longer article. Please read it in it's entirety here. Some of the comments on Kos have been pretty right on. I especially liked these:

"Like so many things the neocons and theocons think they are Special, and that the rules they'd like to apply to the rest of society don't apply to them.

your abortion is wrong. Mine/my daughter's has a good reason...

your extramarital affair is wrong. I had a good reason for mine...

your lying to the public is wrong. My situation is complex and not what the liberal media makes it sound like...

your homosexuality is wrong. Me, I'm not gay- I just like getting blown by strangers in dark rooms or no-name hotels. I love my wife..."

When someone asked how these women could go back to picketing someone replied:

Here's how it works: First, they lay on the guilt. Then, they show you how to transfer the guilt:

"Yes, you killed your baby, but weren't you pressured to do so? They didn't really tell you about all your options, did they? And they never told you about the real consequences, did they? You're not really a killer, you're really a victim. Good, now hold this sign and shout at those women over there."

Anyways - I thought this was interesting enough to pass on.

Tags:[abortion], [Pro-life], [Pro-choice]

Volunteer Opportunities with Subodh Chandra

2006-03-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

Come out and show your support for Subodh Chandra’s campaign for Ohio Attorney General! Volunteers are needed to help pass out literature and bumper stickers at the following community and candidate events:

Cleveland
Tuesday, March 21, Eastside of Cleveland -
Cleveland Candidate’s Night at 6pm

Monday, March 27, Eastside of Cleveland -
Public Officials Reception at 1pm

Saturday, April 1, Downtown Cleveland -
Statewide Candidates’ Forum at 9 am

Columbus
Thursday, March 23 through Saturday, March 25, Columbus -
Ohio Boys Basketball Tournament,
Thursday, Friday or Saturday at 10am, 1 p.m., 4:40 pm or 7:45 pm

Akron
Sunday, March 26, Akron -
Statewide Grassroots Forum from 1 pm - 5 pm

Montgomery County
Tuesday, March 28 in Dayton -
Dayton Democratic Party Fundraiser at 6 pm

Geauga County
Sunday, March 26, Bainbridge -
Geauga County Democratic Party Candidates Forum at 1pm

Portage County
Saturday, April 1, Kent - OYD State Conference at 12:30

Mahoning County
Tuesday, March 21, Poland - Candidates’ Forum at 6 pm

Darke County
Thursday, March 30th, Greenville -
Darke County Democratic Party Spring Dinner at 5:30pm

Muskingum County
Sunday, March 26 in Zanesville -
Candidates’ Forum at 2pm

If you can attend, please contact Kathy at Kathy.Berta@ChandraForOhio.com or by phone at 216-533-2211 for the event details and to get materials to distribute.
Thanks you for your help. We look forward to seeing you!

Kathy Berta
State Field Director
Subodh Chandra for Ohio Attorney General
(216)533-2211
http://www.chandraforohio.com/

Tags:[Subodh Chandra], [Attorney General], [Marc Dann]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-23T04:13:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

Ohio13 - Did Tom Sawyer write the script? Ignoring Tom Sawyers shortcomings while focusing on Capri Cafaro.
DemocraticVeteran - "Big Words from a man who can't seem to convince a single member of his own extended family of the value of military service in the CENTCOM theatre of operations, either Afghanistan or Mess O'Potamia."
LICOPAC- Campaign Training in Columbus
TheChiefSource - Tax Pains
Openers - More Republicans jump on the "Anybody but DeWine" bandwagon
LiberalCommonSense - It's DARE time once again
ClevelandAFL-CIO - Guest blogger Michael Charney blogs about "The hidden issue in the 2006 election tax giveaways"
AtheistMama - On trial for being a Christian in Afganistan (so much for freedom and religious tolerance huh?)
DispassionateLiberal - The first rule of "Civil War Club" is to never talk about "Civil War Club."
Truth,ForaChange - Honey, have you seen my anthrax? I know I left it here somewhere.
UAPC - Video of the Daily Show Spoofing Bush's Cleveland Appearance
PsychobillyDemocrat - More Republicans incumbants refusing to be seen with the VP, they'll take his money but not a photo.
Pho - Phos Back! Yay. Glad to hear he is feeling better.

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [Ohio Politics], [Tom Sawyer]

Funny Baby Diversion

2006-03-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

Horrifying

2006-03-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Iraqi children being executed by US forces...

Iraqi police have accused American troops of executing 11 people, including a 75-year-old woman and a 6-month-old infant, in the aftermath of a raid last Wednesday on a house about 60 miles north of Baghdad.

The villagers were killed after American troops herded them into a single room of the house, according to a police document obtained by Knight Ridder Newspapers. The soldiers also burned three vehicles, killed the villagers' animals and blew up the house, the document said...

The report identified the dead by name, giving their ages. The two men killed were 22 and 28. Of the women, one was 22, another was 23, a third was 30 and the fourth was 75. Two of the children were 5 years old, two were 3, and the fifth was 6 months old, the document said.

Complete story here.

And another story of Iraqi children being executed by US forces -

After a roadside bomb killed a U.S. Marine in western
Iraq, American troops went into nearby houses and shot dead 15 members of two families, including a 3-year-old-girl

Complete Story here.

Horrible and sad.

Tags:[Haditha], [executions], [Iraq]

Free Campaign Training in Columbus and Cleveland

2006-03-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to invite you to free campaign trainings that are being sponsored by the America Votes coalition, Blue 88, and allies.

Join us in Columbus on April 1st and Cleveland on April 22nd for skills development that will help strengthen Ohio's progressive community.

Each training will have three tracks:
(1) Voter Contact --- Methods and Targeting;
(2) Communications --- Building Relationships with the Media and Message Development; and
(3) Fundraising --- Strategy and Legal Considerations.

Sign up here today for the trainings and an America Votes staffer will contact you to determine which track you would like to take. The events are open to anyone at no cost, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. In May, a training will also be conducted in Cincinnati.

Details will be sent in the coming weeks about that opportunity, as well.

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Paid for by Blue 88 PAC, P.O. Box 992, Westerville, Ohio 43086-0992, Micah Berman, Treasurer.

Central Ohio Campaign Training
April 01, 2006
From: 09:30 AM until 04:00 PM
Address
The Ohio State University, Ohio Union 1739 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43210 Parking: 1780 College Drive (OSU lot)

Register Here.

Northeast Ohio Campaign Training
April 22, 2006
From: 09:30 AM until 04:00 PM
Address
The Doubletree Hotel 6200 Quarry Lane Independence, Ohio 44131

Register Here

Tags:[Campaign Training], [Columbus], [Cleveland]

Morning Round Up of Ohio Progressive Blogs

2006-03-22T04:55:00.000-08:00

The best Progressive Blog diaries this morning with a focus on Ohio State Liberal Blogs.

AtheistMama - Baghdad Burning and the 3rd anniversary of the war in Iraq.
LiberalCommonSense - Wants the Libertarian on the ticket.
TheChiefSource - Is Iran Next? and that Damn Liberal Media.
PsychobillyDemocrat - Bush at Cleveland City Club (or Why Bush should Run for Mayor of Tal Afar)
AndrewWarner - Lame Duck President No Longer Cares, with this little nugget of information:

One small piece of truth is the near $250 Billion that the American tax payer has spent on a war that was unjust from the beginning. Go to costofwar.com and get some perspective on how much money that really is. A few examples of what that money could have been used for:

Over 12 million college scholarships
Health insurance for 150 million children
Over 2 million housing units for the needy
10 full years of completely fighting world hunger

There is a lot the government could do with the money that has been spent on a war the country doesn't even believe in.

PeanutButterKnife - On CEO presidents...
ClevelandAFL-CIO - DeWines Doublespeak:

On television this week, DeWine claims he is a "true champion for children." The problem is last week, DeWine was the deciding vote on a bill that let insurance companies eliminate health care for newborns and children for well-childcare, immunizations and juvenile diabetes supplies (the Health Insurance Marketplace Moderinization and Affordability Act (HIMMA). The bill preempts over 100 state laws covering health care coverage.

By voting to slash health care for children, DeWine sided with insurance companies instead of health care advocates like Families USA.

Openers - Boehner's -- and others' -- booze bills also DeWine and Bush both favor cheap illegal labor for corporate farmers over enforcing border control and proper immigration channels
UAPA - Cordray Calls for Strong Measures on Predatory Lending

If I am missing your Ohio blog please feel free to email me at cindyREMOVE@urbancode.com. (Delete the word "remove" from the email address)

Thank you.

Tags:[cleveland], [political blogs], [DeWine]