November 10, 2005

• "War" Progress:

  
  

   On Wednesday - November 9th, 2005 - I had a meeting with Newark City Council President Marc Guthrie. Marc and I talked about Mom's situation, and he assured me that he will do all that he can to help us. Mr. Guthrie told me that, in his experience in the State Legislature, he learned that programs like Medicaid are hesitant to talk about certain cases - like in my mother's case - because of confidentiality. This being a result of the privacy act. Again, he promised to do all he can.

  
  

   He told me to email him all the information that I could about my mother's case, and forward him all the saved emails I have between myself and the other officials that have responded to me. Either way, I was extremely happy with the meeting, and am a proud supporter of Guthrie (more on that meeting here soon)

  
  

   On the otherhand....here's a brief update on who has joined our band-wagon:

  
  

  1) Mayor Bruce Bain (D)

  
  

  2) City Council President Marc Guthrie (D)

  
  

  3) City Councilman At-Large Tony Adams (R) [However, in January his term is over...more on that later]

  
  

  4) State Representative David Evans (R) [This is only a result of me putting pressure on him, after he had pretty much said he had no reason to help since I already had one state official's assistance]

  
  

  5) State Senator Jay Hottinger (R) [Whom has not contacted me back since I sent him all that vital information about two weeks ago]

  
  

  6) Governor Bob Taft (R)

  
  

  ....Hmm, let me see, that leaves three officials that haven't lifted a finger to help. All three Federal Government officials that I contacted have yet to even respond at all. Congressman Bob Ney, and Senators George Voinovich and Mike Dewine, are all Republicans and are all in danger of my coming wrath. I hate being ignored, and tomorrow is only 24 hours away (actually less than that). Within 48 hours...if any of them do not reply, I will write a Third Letter. I can assure you all that this third letter will not be polite, it will be very angry - no threats - and will be the final chance I give them before their individual political careers become my target !

  
  

  I'll keep you posted...

  
  

  The Reform Amendments

  
  

   On Election Day 2005, roughly 60% of Ohio's voters proved just how ignorant to the facts that they are. Either that, or they proved just how much they don't truthfully care about democracy. Either way you look at it, Ohioans failed to fix the elections system of Ohio on Tuesday. All I can say is "don't blame me because our system is still corrupted by voter disenfranchisement, big money contributions, gerrymandering, and partisan officials overseeing the counting of our votes...after all, you had the chance to end that corruption and chose not to." Who do I blame ?

  
  

   Well, first of all, I blame the media, for aiding the GOP (Gay Old Peckerheads) in labeling the Reform Amendments as a "biased liberal initiative", when it was - in fact - co-sponsored by Liberal and Conservative groups throughout the State. They helped the Repooplicans by not telling the truth about Issues 2-5, therefore the voters went to the polls, confused on the exact intention of each issue.

  
  

   I also blame some in the Ohio Democratic Party for not fully getting behind the reform initiatives. Their failure to promote these issues only helped in defeating them....

  
  

   Then...there's the role that the churches played. These "organizations" are supposed to stay away from partisan politics, however, with the help of the "Christian" Coalition, they not only violated the law, but they also could've been one of the many reasons that 2-5 went down in flames on Tuesday. Don't worry about them...I have a plan in place on how to deal with the CC and churches that distributed their literature on Sunday, and in the past few weeks. I've already reported them to the Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Federal Elections Commission. Tomorrow, I am sending a letter to the Internal Revenue Service. Either these organizations will lose their tax-exempt status, or I will start a movement to strip them of it another way !!

  
  

   Enough is ENOUGH !!

  
  

  The Good News on Election Day

  
  

  All over the country, Democrats had numerous and unprecedented victories. We were virtually unstoppable...

  
  

  ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051109/ap_on_el_ge/elections_rdp;_ylt=AtEP0CM2XelhgMHjYav.VbKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ-- )

  
  

  From the Article:

  
  

  "Democrats swept both governors' races Tuesday, with Sen. Jon Corzine easily winning New Jersey and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine taking Virginia despite a last-minute campaign push for his opponent from President Bush. ... In California, ballot measures that would cap spending and take redistricting away from lawmakers were trailing while two others targeting public service unions were ahead. All four were strongly backed by GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his power struggle with the Democratic-controlled Legislature ... (on the Virginia Election) "There's no way to spin this than anything other than a major defeat for Republicans and for President Bush," said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato. "This is a red state, he came in on Election Eve and he had no discernible effect. ... If anything, he may have cost Kilgore some votes.""

  
  

  That's not all...

  
  

  ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110900008.html )

  
  

  From the Story:

  
  

  "Iraq, Katrina, CIA leak, Harriet Miers. Things couldn't possibly get any worse for President Bush. Wait, they just did. ... Bush put his wispy political prestige on the line in the Virginia governor's race and lost Tuesday when the candidate he embraced in a last-minute campaign stop was soundly defeated. ... "The arrogance of saying, `I'm the Great George Bush. I'm coming to Virginia in the 12th hour and pulling Kilgore's bacon out of the fire.' I think he rallied Democrats with that move," said Steve Jarding, a Democratic political consultant who helped elect Virginia's current governor, Mark Warner. .... Republicans couldn't deny that Tuesday's results heightened their anxieties about the 2006 midterm elections, when much more will be at stake, and raised questions about Bush's political standing. Some blamed Bush for a low GOP turnout. ... It was a risky decision, ensuring that the president would be blamed for a Kilgore defeat. White House officials said Bush might as well go because in the current environment he would be blamed anyhow. They were right."

  
  

  HA HA HA HA HA HA !! BOOsh is going down in a big flaming pile of poo and I love it...but, this isn't the last of it...

  
  

  ( http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-110805arnold_lat,0,7268769.story?coll=la-home-headlines )

  
  

  This on Ahnold:

  
  

  "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger showed up to his Brentwood neighborhood polling station today to cast his ballot in the special election — and was told he had already voted. ... Elections officials said a Los Angeles County poll worker had entered Schwarzenegger's name into an electronic voting touch screen station in Pasadena on Oct. 25. The worker, who was not identified, was testing the voting machine in preparation for early voting that began the next day. ... The poll worker told the governor's staff he would have to use a "provisional" ballot that allows elections workers to verify if two votes were made by the same person. McCormack said the poll worker did the correct thing. ... But Kim Alexander, president of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation, said the problem highlights the need for better verification of electronic voting. "If the governor is going to have a mix-up on his ballot," she said, "it will make other voters wonder what is going to happen with their ballots.""

  
  

   Not only did the Governator's Initiatives all fail miserably, but he fell victim to a system created by his fellow Repooplicans...LMAO !!!

  
  

  ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110801211.html )

  
  

  Intelligent Design, that ignorant attempt by Neo-Con Fascists to mix Church and State is going down as well:

  
  

  "The Kansas Board of Education voted Tuesday that students will be expected to study doubts about modern Darwinian theory, a move that defied the nation's scientific establishment even as it gave voice to religious conservatives and others who question the theory of evolution. ... Eight school board members in Dover, Pa., who backed "intelligent design" were ousted by voters Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. But a spokesman for the Democratic slate that won said it would be guided by a judge's decision in a court challenge to the curriculum."

  
  

   It just seems to me that people can see unconstitutional bullcrap any time it is put in front of them...well, sometimes (of course, this is besides the bullcrap that the Christian Coalition pulled last Sunday).

  
  

  ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051109/ap_on_el_st_lo/cincinnati_mayor;_ylt=AlcTJCGkGcwyKAAIroJZ2xyyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- )

  
  

  A good turn of events:

  
  

  "Four years after riots tore this city apart, Cincinnati voters elected a black mayor for the first time. State Sen. Mark Mallory defeated Councilman David Pepper, both Democrats, in a nonpartisan mayoral runoff Tuesday to lead Ohio's third-largest city. Rioting broke out in 2001 after an unarmed black man was shot and killed by a white police officer trying to make an arrest. While racial tensions have calmed, crime, safety and revitalizing downtown remain leading issues."

  
  

   Only wish all races for political office could be like that one...

  
  

  (http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/13115752.htm)

  
  

  Sad and Good News:

  
  

  "Texas voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, making their state the 19th to take that step. In Maine, however, voters rejected a conservative-backed proposal to repeal the state's new gay-rights law. ... The same-sex marriage contest in Texas was lopsided; near-complete returns showed the gay-marriage ban supported by about 76 percent of voters. Like every other state except Massachusetts, Texas didn't permit same-sex marriages previously, but the constitutional amendment was touted as an extra guard against future court rulings. ... In Maine, voters spurned a measure placed on the ballot by a church-backed conservative coalition that would have repealed a gay-rights law approved by lawmakers earlier this year. The lawmakers expanded the state's human rights act to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, a step already taken by the five other New England states."

  
  

  At the same time that Homosexual Men and Woman are discouraged about the outcome in Texas, they are energized to keep fighting for equal rights. I, for one, am happy that the attempt by Neo-Cons in Maine failed...what a horrible proposal...attempting to overturn a law that banned discrimination of sexual orientation !! Those dispicable cowards !!

  
  

   Just go to www.ccohio.org and you will see a similar mindset. The Ohio Christian Coalition is just as evil as the rest of these Nazi-like pigs, and to think that the church that I used to love (Christian Life Center) sides with them....DISGUSTING !

  
  

   On a brighter note, on Election Day, I voted around 7:30 AM. Yes, that's early, but I was proud to do my duty. I cast my ballot with a huge smile and then went home and told my sister Melissa to go vote when she woke up. When 6:30 PM rolled around, I headed for the Democratic Party Headquarters. Shortly after I had to spend some time in the library (to pass the time), I entered the Democratic HQ and hung out there until about 1AM.

  
  

   I had a lot of fun and met up with some incredible people. It was incredible, celebrating with my fellow Democrats as we retained two of our seats in the City Council that we had to defend, and gained two more ! The gains in the City Council evened the playing field. It now stands at 5 Democrats and 5 Repooplicans.

  
  

   It was a thrill to cheer with every victory, and saddening with our five losses in the other races. The worst was the loss in Cary Rader's loss for City Treasurer. ( www.caryrader.com ) Rader is a Mathematician and a College Professor, he's not a career politician, but this man was more deserving and qualified for the job than the Incumbent/Winner Robert Lehman. In fact, I've never known or heard of anyone being more qualified than Rader for the job. I certainly hope that his loss on Tuesday was not the end of his career in politics. He worked hard, day in and day out for the job and deserves it.

  
  

   Others that lost but deserved the job were Julie Ketner Barrett, whom ran for Third Ward City Council, Jean Schafer who ran for the Fourth Ward , Nate McMann for the Fifth Ward and Jason Woodburn for the Sixth Ward. Each of these fine individuals were deserving of the office they sought to win, I hope to meet them all again.

  
  

   The winners of the night were Shirley Stare for the Second Ward (my ward !!...yay), Bill Rauch (the "c" is silent) for the Seventh Ward, Ed Houdeshell for the First Ward and Irene Kennedy for City Council At-Large (Tony Adams seat).

  
  

   Needless to say, each race was pretty close, but the Kennedy/Adams and Rader/Lehman Races were the most contested. Tony Adams (R) was man enough to walk across the street from the Repug Headquarters and congratulate Kennedy. I knew he was that kind of guy though, I could see it in his emails, he really impressed me on Tuesday, and I wish the best for him. I certainly have confidence in Irene though, and trust she will do a great job on the Council. From what I've heard, Cary Rader has said that he is pondering taking on Bob Diebold (R) next year for the other Council At-Large seat. If he does, I will support him one hundred percent, and will personally volunteer to help out with his campaign !! Go Rader !!

  
  

   I met old friends at the HQ on Tuesday including Andrea Eastman, the President of the Licking County Democratic Club (which I am a member of), Russell Hughlock (Co-Owner of Licking County Pro-Active Citizens or LICOPAC, which I am also a member of), Mike King (the Chairman of the Licking County Democratic Party) arrived late and I talked to him some, Steve Harrington (whom is a major figure of the local party), Marc Guthrie (City Council President) and made a new friend in Gene Branstool. Gene's son David was running for re-election, unopposed, as a Judge here in Licking County.

  
  

   Gene and I had a long and interesting conversation about politics. He had asked me if I had planned a life in public service, and I told him that I do. He told me how he had started in the School Board and worked his way up from there. The man advised me on some ways to start my own career, and I will honestly consider what he and I talked about. I'm grateful for having met this man.

  
  

   The next day, after my all-nighter at the HQ, I had the meeting with Mr. Guthrie. Not only did he pledge to help my mother, but he and I also talked about my life and what I plan to do with it. When I told him that I plan on being a politician, Guthrie gave me some advice. He first asked me if I had ever attended a Council Meeting. After I noted that I hadn't yet, he told me when they occur and advised that it would be a great learning experience. Guthrie told me that he had started attending City Council Meetings at age 15 when he lived in Heath. He was elected to the Council there at age 21, becoming the youngest elected Councilman in the State...probably it's history. From there, he became the Heath City Council President, then the Mayor and was even elected to the State Legislature before being elected to the Newark City Council.

  
  

   I will be sure to use the advice of both Gene Branstool and Marc Guthrie...thank you !!

  
  

  Rove Speaks, and C.I.A. Torture

  
  

  ( http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051109/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_investigation;_ylt=AkPUXlkQqwEwkInJ4rx2YayyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- )

  
  

  "Still under criminal investigation in the CIA leak probe, Karl Rove will be one of the leading speakers this week at the Federalist Society's annual convention, an influential group of conservative legal talent."

  
  

   Hmm...it seems that this man is capable of living life as if there isn't an investigation going on that could put him and his fellow co-horts in the BOOsh Regime in Federal Prison !

  
  

  ( http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/politics/09detain.html )

  
  

  "A classified report issued last year by the Central Intelligence Agency's inspector general warned that interrogation procedures approved by the C.I.A. after the Sept. 11 attacks might violate some provisions of the international Convention Against Torture, current and former intelligence officials say."

  
  

   Just sickening.... I swear, the McCain Provision against torture better pass, or crap like this will continue, get worse and further damage our image in the world community !

  
  

  Tonight's Conclusion

  
  

   What a week, I'm telling you that I have a refreshed feeling. Starting this weekend, I will begin campaigning for the the Democratic Party's Candidates on all levels of government for the 2006 Election...my first targets ? Congressman Bob Ney, and Senator Mike Dewine. Then I will target Bob Diebold and whoever wins the Repooplican Primary in the Spring for the Gubernatorial Election (Race of Governor).

  
  

   2005 was our MANDATE !!

  
  

   I will be sure to keep you posted on every issue as usual. Until the weekend...

  
  

  TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS

  • 4:47 pm
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