Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Dangerous Ingenuity

When I first heard about this story, I thought it was an early April Fool's Day joke.
10tv.com:
Drunk Man Crashed Motorized Bar Stool

A man faces charges after police said he crashed a motorized bar stool while under the influence of alcohol....
...According to court records obtained by 10TV News, Kile Wygle admitted to drinking about 15 beers before hopping on the bar stool and driving down the street, 10TV's Andy Hirsch reported.

Wygle apparently told police that the bar stool could reach speeds of 38 mph, but he said the contraption was only traveling 20 mph at the time of the crash....

(Motorized Bar Stool below from 10tv.com)



I think that the motorized bar stool man needs two things:
(1) counseling for his drinking problem,
(2) a job designing cars.

Monday, March 30, 2009

More Chickens in Union County???

The subject of factory farms came up during the campaign for Ohio's 15th congressional district. Then Republican candidate, Steve Stivers, had been instrumental in passing legislation that gave factory farms more leeway in choosing locations for their massive operations. Now Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy has to deal with problems from the soon to be built massive egg farm planned by Hi-Q Farms. The massive factory farm will surround a horse farm that provides therapy for autistic and special needs children.

This Week:
....The horses at Serendipity Stables are about to get some new neighbors - about 6-million new neighbors.

If the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) approves a permit, Iowa-based Hi-Q Egg Products plans to build a 6-million-chicken egg farm adjacent to Serendipity Stables on state Route 47 near York Center....

"I have sent a letter to the governor about the expansion of Hi-Q Eggs into Union County," Kilroy said. "I think it's a real serious concern with 11-million chickens, the residents, the odors, the health concerns, the watershed concerns, the devaluation of people's property. There are family farms and businesses that will be affected. This latest example is Serendipity Stables. This big corporation is coming in and taking away from what people in Union County have spent their lives to build."

Kilroy said she didn't understand why Hi-Q chose the York Center location for its operation.....

If you've seen these huge factory farms, you are aware of their ugliness as well as the potential for environmental damage (water, soil, and air pollution). Homes and property values will plummet. The only people who will profit are the owners of the factory farms.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Carl Hiaasen Gets It Right

I don't know if you've read any of Carl Hiaasen's books, but he is an awesome writer. Hiaasen's books blend his knowledge of Florida, police work, and his humor into perfectly crafted stories. His column, which appears in the Miami Herald, is truly a refreshing read. This time Hiaasen has a few choice words about John Boehner and his rich friends. Here are a few excerpts from Hiaasen's column:

...Corporate lobbyists adore the man (Boehner), and the feeling is mutual. Boehner is well known for letting private interests fly him all over the place on golf excursions disguised as speaking gigs -- to Pebble Beach in California, Green Briar in West Virginia, St. Andrew's in Scotland....

....But here's the deal. If government is serious about rebooting the economy, reforming healthcare and improving public education, everybody's going to pay for it -- just like we're paying for this brilliant, trillion-dollar adventure in Iraq (which, by the way, Boehner thinks was a swell idea.)

The difference is that much of the money spent here at home will have a measurable impact on American children, college students, seniors, veterans, working families and small businesses....

If real change is to happen, things, including the Bush tax cuts must go. Boehner and his golf buddies have to put the country before their own selfish needs.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Jim Hughes: Wasting Time in Republicanville

Republican Jim Hughes, member of the Ohio Senate, would rather waste valuable time passing laws about urine than work on essential laws to get people back to work. Why does Hughes feel the need to concentrate on one man's sick preoccupation when, as columnist Ann Fisher writes in the Dispatch...

....The system of financing just about every state-government operation is on the brink of disaster. A never-more-important-than-now transportation bill is pending this week.

Side issues have stalled crucial legislation that would address prisoner access to DNA evidence that might prove their innocence, in a bill inspired by a Dispatch series.

The list goes on and on; yet, over in the Ohio Senate this week, testimony started on a bill that would address just one man's fetish for drinking boys' urine.....

Republicans in Ohio have done this previously. They'd rather work on DOMA (the defense of marriage act) than pass bills that fix education and get people back to work. The Republican politics of distraction is at work again.

Republican Jim Hughes should be given a severe talking to about his priorities.

>>> You can contact Republican Jim Hughes at <<<
Telephone: (614) 466-5981

Email: SD16@senate.state.oh.us

Thursday, March 26, 2009

News Flash for Mike Pence!!!!!

Forbes:
....However, the federal money currently is tied up in the state's two-year $7.5 billion transportation budget proposal, which is stuck in negotiations between the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate. A number of thorny issues remain, including a disagreement over who will get eventual authority to approve a passenger rail project along major cities...

...Strickland said the money would create an estimated 21,257 jobs and go to the following projects:

_$603.5 million for 113 road projects.

_$34.5 million for five improvement projects along the state's waterways, including at the Port of Toledo.

Come on, Ohio GOP!!!! We need to get people back to work.

>>>> Call me a skeptic, but is Boehner holding up just a title page or is that a full report in his hand in the picture posted at CNN? Boehner says the whole thing will be unveiled next week. I guess that will give them time to write it.

Here is a gem from Republican Rep. Mike Pence from the CNN story:

...Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, said Wednesday he hoped Congress would adopt the GOP alternative, but admitted, "It's not likely."

But, Pence said, he will always believe "that a minority in Congress plus the American people equals the majority."

NEWS FLASH FOR MIKE PENCE!!!!!!!!

The American people voted in a huuuuuuuuuge majority for President Obama, for change, and for Democrats. The majority of the American people did NOT side with or support the Republicans. Therefore, do not, under any circumstances, count a majority of the American people siding with the Grand Obstructionist Party or Republicans.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Numbers in the News

* New unemployment statistics have been released by the state of Ohio. The Plain Dealer has a story about the numbers:

New county-by-county unemployment rates released today show that the four sharpest increases statewide are in four Greater Cleveland counties.

Lorain County's unemployment rate for February was 11.2 percent, up 2.3 percentage points since January. In Lake County, it was up 1.8 percentage points to 8.9 percent.....

In central Ohio, the February unemployment rate for Franklin County was 7.7% and 6.3% in Delaware County. These numbers represent real people losing their incomes and health insurance.

>>>> There was a surprise of sorts today. Marketwatch.com:

A surprising pickup in demand for big-ticket manufactured goods as well as the unexpected rise in new home sales last month were among the rays of hope delivered Wednesday for the troubled economy and the stock market -- and analysts say the recent rise in oil prices also underscores the potential durability of Wall Street's rally.....

The Commerce Department reported demand for machinery and other capital goods climbed in February, driving orders for durable goods up 3.4%.
Later data from the department had sales of new homes rebounding by 4.7% last month after falling to a record low in January.....

This is one small hopeful sign.

* The sad part about all of this is that the Republicans are hoping and praying that more businesses collapse, more people lose their jobs, and the country as a whole fails. The Republicans say they will be offering a budget of their own soon. Please do not hold your breath waiting for their plans.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Stuff

* A sign of the times or just some strange proposal? A panel that has been assigned ways to save money for the city of Columbus has come up with a suggestion that will have many medical professionals questioning their findings.
Dispatch:

A committee charged with finding ways for Columbus to save money has recommended that the city return to a basic emergency medical system....
.....Basic care mostly involves stabilizing injuries before a patient is transported. Paramedics trained in advanced support can administer lifesaving drugs and treat heart attacks on the way to a hospital....

Columbus Fire has some good statistics to back up their advanced system.

..For example, the national survival rate for cardiac arrest is 6.4 percent. In Columbus, it's 12 percent....

I wonder if the panel would feel the same way if their family member had been saved by the advanced emergency care. This recommendation by this panel sounds just plain stupid. If they want to save money, they should seek money-saving measures that are not related to people's lives. I'd say that this suggestion is right up there with the Reagan administration's idea to count ketchup as a vegetable for the school lunch program.

* Republican Rep. Steve LaTourette had a moment last week when he mentioned "sphincter" on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Of course, Republicans thought it was a sign of his genius to somehow use the word. If the word had been said by a Democratic member of Congress, the Republicans would have said it was inappropriate. I find it amazing that LaTourette does nothing admirable in the House for years and years but then he says the word "sphincter" and people notice some weird guy from Ohio.

* The residency question about Republican Jon Husted still has not been settled. I have a suggestion: People should start taking photographs of Husted in Upper Arlington on weekends and posting them on the internet. Those neighbors in Kettering should also post pictures of his abandoned home. Husted's arrogance in this matter is just sickening. Husted is so accustomed to getting his way that he seems unable to fathom the idea that people would question his residency or anything about him.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Encouraging Signs?

With people having greater confidence in the economy, will spending and hiring be far behind? Lots of people are watching the federal government and President Obama and hoping that things start to improve. The only things/people preventing full recovery are the Republicans who are now predicting doomsday if President Obama's solutions are given the full range.

The GOP seems to forget that their deregulation and their "tax cuts" mantra created this disaster. Instead of encouraging President Obama's policies, the GOP have become anti-hope, anti-change, anti-growth. Of course, we already knew that the GOP hasn't had a fresh idea since the 1850's.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Outsourcing

With word that JP Morgan Chase plans to outsource thousands of jobs overseas to India, people are getting angry. Blogger News Network:

....Coming on the heels of AIG’s bountiful 165 million bonuses to employees is the revelation that yet another bank bailout, JP Morgan Chase, is going to spend 400 million to outsource thousands of jobs to India.....
.....According to Jonathan Riskind of the Columbus Dispatch, Congresswoman Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D) of Ohio, along with 41 other Congressmen, all Democrats, including Rep. Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, have sent a letter to Jamie Dimon, the chief executive and president of JP Morgan Chase, demanding answers to Chase’s plan to spend 400 million to outsource thousands of jobs overseas to India....

Shame on Chase. With thousands of Americans out of work, they plan to send our jobs overseas.

The outsourcing of jobs is not just related to Chase. If you want to order a subscription to the Columbus Dispatch, you'll more than likely be sent to a call center in Manila, Philippines. No wonder the Dispatch's circulation has decreased. The Dispatch calls itself a hometown newspaper?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Same Old Song from GOP

Republican leader, John Boehner, stood before a podium that showed the Republicans' suggestion for fixing the economy-----'tax cuts.' It is soooooo obvious that the GOP is completely without any ideas except using the words 'tax cuts' with every single piece of legislation that they present. Losers!

If you know anything about history, you are well aware of the fact that President Franklin D. Roosevelt got the country out of the Great Depression by creating huge projects that put people back to work. These projects involved a lot of money. Even back in the 1930's the Republican Party spoke up in opposition to Roosevelt's New Deal. The Republicans of the 1930's and 40's were wrong and they are wrong now.

The country is on the brink of another economic depression. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by the Republicans and their criticism of the President, Secretary Geitner, and the plans/budget/programs to get people and the country working again.

Yesterday, two GOP members of Congress suggested that Geitner resign. I wouldn't take any advice from those two Republican losers. The President and Americans have work to do. If the Republicans are unable to make legitimate, workable suggestions, they'll continue to be a dying, irrelevant political party.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Republican Shenanigans

Ohio Republicans are showing their desperation in a recent posting at their website. They invite web users to join the "Ohio GOP March Madness" and their bracket game. Is the Ohio GOP so hard up for new members that they are trying to entice people to leave their name and e-mail address to play bracketology with Kevin DeWine? Are they serious?

Meanwhile, the leader of the do-nothing House Republicans, John Boehner, continues to whine, complain, and throw tantrums about being in the minority. President Obama has challenged his critics to make some suggestions, according to CNN:

President Obama urged both Democratic and Republican members of Congress Tuesday to provide him with "constructive alternative solutions" if they disagree with any sections of his 2010 budget proposal...

Who will respond to the challenge?

Ohio News Today

Chicago Sun-Times:

The Bears are going to take a closer look at a quarterback.

The team is reported to want to follow up with Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman following the Buckeyes pro day last week in Columbus, Ohio. It's believed that college scouting director Greg Gabriel may have been in attendance that day.....

Former Ohio State quarterback, Craig Krenzel, played with the Bears in 2004.

> Looks like Eddie George, Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner and former professional football player, has found a natural fit on a new show for the Big Ten Network. Eleven Warriors has the details and a video from the new program.

> The Morning Journal has information about legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown about safety rules for firefighters:

Firefighters from Avon Lake and Elyria are speaking to members of Congress today about legislation designed to make their hazardous jobs safer.

The Firefighter Fatality Reduction Act of 2009, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), would authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to survey fire departments across the country to learn how they comply with voluntary safety standards....

Sen. Brown has always made worker safety a priority.

>>> The Mayor of Akron doesn't want to use stimulus money to fix a bridge. Recordpub.com:

The mayor of Akron is opposing a plan to award $3 million in federal stimulus funding to the city of Kent for the Crain Avenue Bridge replacement project. In a letter dated March 10, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic urged a more "open discussion" at a regional transportation group meeting set for Wednesday to determine if Kent will receive additional funding for the bridge project.

A technical subcommittee of the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study Transportation Improvement Program already has recommended twice to allocate the money to Kent, but the final decision will not be determined until Wednesday....

Why would the mayor be against replacing a bridge, even if the money is provided? Shouldn't safety be a priority?



Monday, March 16, 2009

Hope?

> Democratic Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15) has been showing constituents how the President Obama's stimulus package has been helping. An article in Saturday's Columbus Dispatch explains how local health centers and the uninsured are getting help from the stimulus package.
(Note: The right wing Columbus Dispatch published this article about Kilroy on the day of the week when their circulation is at its lowest. Heaven forbid that the Dispatch should write anything positive about a Democrat!)

> NY Times:
“We’ll see the recession coming to an end probably this year.”

With those words, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke staked a marker on what he believes will be the end of the malaise that has descended upon the United States economy. And, he said on a “60 Minutes” interview that ran Sunday evening, the country will begin to recover next year — “and it will pick up steam over time.”

Not that the economy will spring back to the pre-recession days of two years ago. But Mr. Bernanke said — in a rare interview — that the economy’s problems should begin to stabilize this year....

I saw this on 60 Minutes on Sunday evening and it gave me hope!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Mathematical Formulas!!!!!!

Next on the agenda for Ohio will be redistricting. This should be interesting.
The Zanesville Times Recorder has more information about the plan:

A new Web site will let Ohioans try their hand at redrawing the state's congressional districts and then grade the results for fairness.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio, with the support of Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and a few Democratic state lawmakers, wants to show that districts can be drawn more fairly using mathematical formulas....


I can just hear members of the Ohio GOP screaming, "Mathematical formulas! This is an insane idea!" In the past, Republicans have had a good old time drawing district maps in order to guarantee their continuing control of the state.

According to the article, Republican Jon Husted, allegedly of Kettering and Upper Arlington, but a State Senator from Kettering, wants to use an old Republican plan from 2006. I have a few words for Mr. Husted, "Don't count on getting your way this time."

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Obama Answers the Critics

President Obama has had to deal with many problems left by the previous administration. Despite his moves toward bipartisanship, the only word that Republicans can say is "NO!" Dan Froomkin's Blog at the Washington Post has some reaction from President Obama from a recent newspaper roundtable interview. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post:

President Obama yesterday challenged his Republican critics to do more than just say no.

"Opposition is always easy. Saying no to something is easy. Saying yes to something and figuring out how to solve problems and governing, that's hard," he said in a roundtable interview with regional newspaper reporters.

"On this budget debate, for example, if you've got people who on the one hand say, 'We want to bring down the long-term deficit, but we don't want to cut certain programs that are important -- oh, and by the way we don't want to raise taxes' -- well, sounds good, you know, and I'd like to make sure that the Chicago Bulls win the championship every year and the White Sox win the Series. But you know, show me how you're going to do it."

The Republicans don't have any solutions or plans, but they are able to muster up the word "No." They're definitely not geniuses.

----------------------

I was watching the daily press briefing from the White House, and I heard this from Chip Reid from ABC News (from Huffington Post and You Tube): (Note: at 21 sec. Reid says "...Democrats raising their ugly heads...")



Someone should ask Chip Reid what was the meaning of that remark. Is someone showing their media bias?????


Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Where Does Jon Husted Live?

An editorial from the Dayton Daily News:

State Sen. Jon Husted, allegedly of Kettering, is not going to get kicked out of the Ohio Senate if Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner decides he might not really live there and, thus, might not be eligible to vote locally....
....Democratic Secretary Brunner, however, is required by law to break a tie vote by the Montgomery County Board of Elections — which has two Democrats and two Republicans — to settle the matter of whether he really lives in the community and, thus, is eligible to vote here and be a candidate again in the future....
.....She is in a ticklish spot. Sen. Husted is widely expected to run for secretary of state next year. Though Secretary Brunner has said she’s running to replace George Voinovich in the U.S. Senate, if she changes her mind, she could face Sen. Husted....

How can Republican Husted run for Ohio Secretary of State if we can't clarify where he really resides? He can't even recall how much time he actually spent at his empty "home" in his district. How can Husted question YOUR residency when he actually does not live in his own district but in fancy, schmancy Upper Arlington? If Husted runs for office, I believe that his residency situation will become a problem---- and it should.

I think a Republican as the Ohio Secretary of State is just what Ohioans don't want. Do you remember all the voting problems we had under Republican Kenneth Blackwell? Do you remember how Bush won the state while Blackwell was in office? Do you remember the "malfunctioning" voting machines, the long lines, the voters who were thrown off the registration books, the Republican head of the Franklin County Board of Elections receiving a bribe from Diebold, and the Republicans and their incompetence? I'm sure you do.

Voting Against Children

Two of the most successful government programs have been the school breakfast and lunch programs. Having taught in public schools for many years, I am well aware of the benefits that these programs have provided to children. A hungry child cannot learn. Most people know this. However, there are some Republicans in the House who haven't gotten the message.

You are probably wondering which members of the House would vote against a resolution that states the breakfast program is positive influence. Right? Read below:

Office of the Clerk-Roll Call Vote 110
H RES 210 2/3 YEA-AND-NAY 9-Mar-2009 6:57 PM
QUESTION: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree
BILL TITLE: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance.

NAYS:
Akin
Broun (GA)
Campbell
Chaffetz
Duncan
Flake
King (IA)
Lummis
Paul
Poe (TX)
Shadegg


These are all Republicans. I've checked and these same Republicans also voted against the final passage of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Program of 2009 (Roll Call Vote 16) on January 14, 2009. Do these Republicans just dislike helping children?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Up Front

Dispatch:
Pledging that his administration will "make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology," President Barack Obama yesterday lifted the Bush administration's strict limits on embryonic stem-cell research.....

....Citing regenerative-medicine research at Ohio State University, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy praised Obama's decision to lift the ban on federal funding for stem-cell research.

"Stem-cell research is poised to change the face of medicine," the Columbus Democrat said in a statement. "I am proud that the Ohio State University is a leader in regenerative medicine and central Ohio researchers can continue this vital work. I pledge my continued work on this issue and persistence to see that funding levels can be achieved that make curing disease a viable outcome."

The concern now is can the country's scientists catch up to other research around the world.

> Webcore Technologies is moving forward with products for wind technology. A recent story posted at 10tv.com, explains the company's plans for growth in Ohio.

> People will be talking about the latest Columbus Monthly Magazine and the front cover---"A+ The Top Public Schools" which indeed ranks public schools in the Columbus metropolitan area. After reading the cover story, I'm sure parents and teachers will be arguing about the lists.

---- Here is a Politico headline that states the obvious:

Poll: Republicans Lack Leadership

DUH!!!! Do you think the Republicans just came to this realization? More from the Politico article:

Sixty-eight percent of Republican voters say their party has no clear leader, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey released Monday. Another 17 percent are undecided.

Just 5 percent view either Arizona Sen. John McCain, the GOP’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential candidate, or new Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele as the party’s leader. Two percent see conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh in that role, and 1 percent name McCain’s former running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin....

The only thing that Republicans seem united about is their efforts to block, obstruct, and prevent any and all legislative action in the House and the Senate. The Grand Old Party has become the Great Obstructionist Party. Devoid of ideas, leadership, and a vision, the Republicans are unable to come up with any strategy to fix the country's problems. The have become the party of "NO!"

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Ohio Republicans--- Out of Touch

> The Columbus Dispatch just cut 45 of their staff, according to The Other Paper:

“Knowing 45 people are losing their jobs because of the economy and a fundamental shift in how advertising dollars are spent is gut-wrenching,” he said.

The Dispatch Publishing Company made the decision to shift some of those rare advertising dollars itself, making drastic newsroom cuts the same week it launched its posh new quarterly magazine Capital Style published by John F. Wolfe’s daughter, Katie Wolfe Lloyd....

I've seen Capital Style and I was not impressed. The magazine seems like a waste of glossy paper. Too bad that forty-five people had to lose their jobs for it.

> Here is a surprise (NOT!): The right wing, Republican-loving, Columbus Dispatch raised "doubts" about Gov. Ted Strickland in an article today. After interviewing mostly Republicans for an article, the Dispatch concludes that some people aren't happy with Strickland. True. The Republicans aren't happy with Strickland!!!!! I guess the Ohio Republicans miss having the state government as being their personal cash cow.

> Rep. John Boehner, Ohio Republican leader in the U.S. House, announced that the Republicans will step up their attacks on President Obama, according to the Washington Post. Seriously. Boner and his GOP followers haven't had a new idea in several decades but they want to attack a President who is trying to undo the disaster left by the last Republican administration.

Here is my view of how the Republicans aim to solve all the problems of the country:
----Did you lose a job? Want to end the war in Iraq? Can't afford your child's college tuition?
The Republican solution: Give tax breaks to all the wealthy people. Even though giving more tax breaks to the rich won't feed your family or pay your bills or end the war in Iraq, it will make those people who contribute money to Republican candidates feel better.

To the Republicans, talking about tax breaks is like a drug. They are addicted to the words and it represents their only cure for the disease of recession.

Friday, March 06, 2009

President Obama in Columbus Today!

UPDATE: 10TV.com has a slide show of AP pictures which show President Obama at the ceremony for the new Columbus Police Officers. CLICK HERE FOR SLIDE SHOW.
(Note: The first picture has President Obama, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), and Sen. Sherrod Brown.)

....Channel 4 (NBC4i.com) has an additional story about the President and the new police recruits.
.......The Columbus Dispatch has an article and a video on the President's visit:



-------------
Central Ohio is very excited because President Obama will be arriving this morning to attend a special ceremony for new officers for the Columbus Police Department. President Obama's stimulus package helped make this possible.
From 10TV.com:

Just a few weeks ago, the city's 2009 police recruit class was informed that it would be terminated as a result of budget cuts. On Friday, that class will graduate in a ceremony attended by President Barack Obama.

Obama is expected to arrive in Columbus late Friday morning and attend the police graduation at the Aladdin Shrine Temple. 10TV.com will live stream Obama arriving at Port Columbus International Airport, along with the police graduation ceremony, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Sen. Sherrod Brown is also expected to attend the ceremony....

Local TV will provide some coverage of the event.

* This weekend, Columbus will host the annual Arnold Classic (yes, that Arnold!). Downtown Columbus is expected to be very busy with contestants and thousands of visitors.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Ohio Political News

* Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio is proposing some changes for education for the state. However, the biggest obstacle his plan may face is the Ohio Republican Party.

Cleveland.com:
....During testimony before the House Finance Committee, state budget Director Pari Sabety said that tweaks are being considered in four areas: aid to low-wealth districts, calculations of average teacher salaries, accountability measures and the funding formula for gifted students....
... Given that Gov. Ted Strickland's new funding system was designed to respond to four Supreme Court rulings that have said the current system is unconstitutional -- partly because of disparities between high- and low-wealth districts -- the effects of the plan on poor districts have been surprising....

Nothing will get done if the Republicans continue to ignore school funding.

* The Dispatch is reporting that President Obama will be in Columbus for the new police officers' swearing in ceremony.

* There is still no resolution concerning the residency of Republican State Sen. Jon Husted. Husted spends 99% of his time with his family in Upper Arlington, while the tumbleweeds blow through his abandoned "home" in his Kettering district. The transcript for hearing by the Montgomery Board of Elections is available online (http://www.scribd.com/doc/12882405/022509-Transcript) and it appears that Husted cannot support much of his claim of residency in Kettering. If I were on that Board of Elections, I would have voted to say he was not a resident of the district.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Spineless

If you've been watching the Republicans in the news recently, you may have come to the same conclusion that I have:

The Republicans are spineless in front of their mighty, rotund, party leader, Rush Limbaugh.

Last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Keith had a list of some of Limbaugh's quotes. Here are a few more I've found (from Thinkexist.com):

Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream.”

“Women were doing quite well in this country before feminism came along.”

As a woman, this type of Neanderthal thinking is disgraceful. As a human being, it is disgusting.

The GOP is afraid to criticize Limbaugh. They are spineless and they deserve whatever happens. Let the Republicans follow their anointed leader, Limbaugh, and they'll follow him into oblivion.


Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Stimulus Money On The Way

WHIO-TV:

Lawmakers from Ohio said health centers in five cities will receive more than $6.3 million in federal stimulus funds to help provide care for low-income patients....
...Lawmakers said the funding will create an estimated 190 jobs in Ohio and help build and renovate facilities that serve many patients who have no health insurance.
Democratic Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy of Columbus said the funding comes at a critical time when health centers are serving more uninsured patients as job losses increase.

By creating jobs and helping people, the economy will move again. For every person earning a paycheck, that means he/she will be visiting grocery stores, shoe stores, and gas stations. One job can create and support many others.

and.....

* Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15th) is working to make certain that the funds from the stimulus package go to the right places. Congresswoman Kilroy's website:

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy announced today that senior field representative Andi Clark will coordinate and monitor resources dedicated to central Ohio in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Constituents, businesses and organization looking for information on these resources can contact Clark at Kilroy’s district office in Columbus at (614)294-2196.....
......The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes the largest tax cut in American history and will save or create more than 16,000 jobs in central Ohio. The package addresses the immediate economic crisis by extending unemployment benefits and sharing the cost of health care with families paying through COBRA. President Obama announced that starting today recently unemployed Americans will begin to benefit from this part of the plan.....
.....The effort was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who congratulated Kilroy on her vote for the legislation that they say “will quickly put Americans back to work and stimulate long term growth.”

Kilroy is keeping her campaign promise to help people get back to work. Thanks Rep. Kilroy for your help. This is definitely a start in the right direction!

Note: The economic stimulus package did not receive one vote from Ohio Republicans in the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Ohio Updates

- Ohioans who remember former Ohio governor, John Gilligan, may not realize that Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is his daughter. She has been nominated as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

> Ohio and Pennsylvania have joined forces to help with job training, according to the Dispatch:

Ohio and Pennsylvania are teaming up for a joint workforce development initiative involving three counties in eastern Ohio and two in western Pennsylvania.

Residents in those counties will have access to job training and other services as part of what's being billed as the nation's first Interstate Workforce Region that was announced jointly today by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.....

.....The Interstate Region includes Ohio's Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania. The designation, effective last Jan. 1, allows partners to share information and coordinate services to the region's workforce and employers.

Great idea.

> The residents in State Sen. Jon Husted (Ohio Senate-6th district-R) district are waiting for a decision about his residency. How can he represent a district in the Dayton suburbs since his spends more time with his family in Upper Arlington than in his semi-abandoned home in Kettering? Is it fair to other members of the Ohio Legislature to allow one member of their body to live out of his elected district?