Nov

25

Lieberman Tries to Make Amends

Posted on November 25, 2008 at 6:47 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under International, National | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman gave a speech today to try and make amends with his Democratic colleagues. However, he seems to have a selective memory and to minimize the consequences of his actions.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman took another step Tuesday toward mending his relationship with Democrats, saying that Barack Obama’s actions since winning the presidency have been “just about perfect.”

I agree. But what about before he was elected? When he declined to vote for a war of choice against a country that did not attack us and had no weapons of mass destruction. That turned out to be “just about perfect.” You voted for it and changed our defense policy to one that allows preemptive wars.

Lieberman, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, was re-elected to the Senate in 2006 as an independent but continues to caucus with Democrats. He supported Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign, going as far as to criticize Obama and make a speech at the Republican National Convention.

You had to run as an independent because you could not win your state party primary. You then went and campaigned for McCain and spoke at the Republican convention. When Hillary lost her quest for the presidency, she did not leave the party she has been a member of all her life and run as an independent. She simply went to work for her parties candidate, Obama. That is why she is a statesman and probably the next secretary of state, while you are facing a possible censure.

Lieberman said he believes the rift between himself and the party stemmed mainly from his support of President Bush’s policy in Iraq and will close as that becomes less of an issue. “It appears to me that the war in Iraq is coming to a successful - I don’t want to say conclusion yet, but it’s moving in a way that it will not be a divisive issue either in the Democratic Party or between Democrats and Republicans in the time ahead,” Lieberman said. “And therefore, I think we’ll return to more normal times, which I welcome.”

Define divisiveness. Certainly it divided the politicians. However, the American people were not divided, they overwhelmingly turned against it. And what about the world? It has been us and Great Britain against the international community. That does not sound like divisiveness to me. Other countries, who would have never dare criticize our policies in the past no longer look at the United States as the moral leader of the world, just a gun-toting arrogant cowboy. There is even talk that America’s hegemony is over. Define success. Because the best thing you can say is that the war appears to be coming to an end. The conclusion is a success, the war itself was certainly not.

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Nov

24

Great Sports Weekend for CBus

Posted on November 24, 2008 at 10:53 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, Sports | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Twenty years ago if you would have asked me if a weekend like this would happen in Columbus, I would have asked what you were smoking and could I have some. However, I no longer use mind altering substances, so I’m pretty sure this weekend happened.

1- Ohio State kicks Michigan’s butt by a score of 42 to 7 for its fifth straight win over the maize and blue.

2- Our NHL team, that’s right we have an NHL team, beat Atlanta 2 to 0 as rookie goalie Steve Mason recorded his first shut out.

3- The Columbus Crew win their first MLS league championship.

OK, we know were not New York or Boston. But at least we’re not Cincinnati.

P.S. I love Cincy and am a long-time Reds fan, so please no hate mail.

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Nov

24

Looks Like DeWine Survives

Posted on November 24, 2008 at 10:28 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Several days ago I wrote about comments made by deputy chairmain Kevin DeWine that may signal a return to a more open Republican Party. This angered some conservatives who questioned whether DeWine should be the state party chair. It appears he has weathered the storm.

Despite an intraparty furor caused by the deputy chairman’s postelection comments about the future of the party, Republican leaders doubt that he will be seriously challenged when the Ohio GOP’s 66-member central committee meets in January to elect a new leader for the first time in 20 years.

“I think Kevin is pretty safe,” said David W. Johnson, chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party and an influential member of the central committee.

The Columbus Dispatch

DeWine pointed to his stellar record of votes against abortion rights. While he may survive, he had to get in another jab at those in the state Republican party he believes to be intolerant.

“Unfortunately, my inbox is full of angry, hateful e-mails from people who did not hear this argument in context, and I’ve been called everything from a coward to a Democrat as a result,” DeWine wrote. “It’s not hard sometimes to see why many people don’t feel welcome in the Republican Party.”

The Columbus Dispatch

Nothing like losing an election to bring out the knives. Full article here.

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Nov

22

Soldiers Substance Abuse Counseling Needs Go Unmet

Posted on November 22, 2008 at 9:21 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, National | Print This Post | Email This Post | 1 Comment 


An article appeared in yesterday’s USA Today stating that soldiers substance abuse needs are going unmet.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The number of soldiers seeking help for substance abuse has climbed 25% in the past five years, but the Army’s counseling program has remained significantly understaffed and struggling to meet the demand, according to Army records.

If these men and women do not get treatment, they are going to take these problems home with them. Unfortunately, they will find the same issues here. Governor Strickland slashed the budget for the Ohio Department of Drug and Alcohol Services (ODADAS). In addition, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is poised to cut the alcohol and drug program at Columbus Public Health by a third. In Columbus, most programs have long waiting lists just to get an assessment to see what treatment is needed. Other programs have scaled back services as well.

It is a shame the way we treat our soldiers. Not only will soldiers have substance abuse problems many will have mental health disorders as well. As someone who works in the field I can tell you we are not ready. We are not adequately taking care of the population we have now. If politicians do not act soon and restore and even enhance funding for substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, we are going to have more than a financial crisis on our hands.

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Nov

20

Are Social Conservatives Losing Clout

Posted on November 20, 2008 at 10:48 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, National, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Two articles caught my eye today regarding social conservatives. One called Giving Up on God by usually conservative Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker. The second an article at The Other Paper by Lyndsey Teter called Gay Old Party?.

Parker’s article suggests the Republicans need to loosen the grip Christian evangelicals have on the the party.

Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.

I’m bathing in holy water as I type.

To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn’t soon cometh.

Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth — as long as we’re setting ourselves free — is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that.

Later she describes the base of the Republican Party.

Suffice it to say, the Republican Party is largely comprised of white, married Christians. Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can’t have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting.

Wow! A conservative who tells it like it is. I have not always agreed with Parker, but she is smart and has guts. She states in the article, she is not against religion at all. She thinks it is beneficial to living a full and happy life. Evidently though, she understands the meaning of separation of church and state.

The article at The Other Paper suggests that comments made by future Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine are a sign the GOP may be more sensitive to other points of view.

“We need a tent that’s so large and so expansive that everyone feels welcome,” Dewine said in an audio recording of the press conference in question posted on the Dispatch’s website. “We’ve done things as a party that shuns voters and actually turns people away. We need to focus on the issues that matter to the masses.”

Social issues will divide the party, Dewine went on to say, and it’s hard to unite around a divisive issue. “But when we can address kitchen table issues that face the average Ohioan … when we find solutions to those issues, we’ll be successful.”

The problem is the social conservatives got to DeWine and he has since backed off of those comments. However, Parker and DeWine are right. The right wing Christian evangelical movement has hijacked the party. Whether the GOP can break its stranglehold is probably the best predictor of its success in the future.

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Nov

19

Missions Accomplished

Posted on November 19, 2008 at 11:11 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under National | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


I have been struggling over the last few years to explain why Bush is the worst president of all time. I have been successful on some occasions, not so on others. But here from an unlikely source, The American Conservative, comes this.

When Bush wreaked havoc on American’s, apparently that included Republicans as well.

Thanks to Man With the Muck-rake for turning me on to this.

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Nov

19

Colemen’s Budget Perplexes City Council

Posted on November 19, 2008 at 8:23 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Mayor Coleman presented his initial budget to City Council last night. However, Council members were surprised he did not include in the budget possible pay raises for city workers who are currently negotiating contracts.

Last night, City Council members questioned a decision by Mayor Michael B. Coleman to ignore the possibility of pay increases for more than 3,000 workers whose unions are negotiating new contracts.

Negotiating the same 3 percent raises agreed to by other city unions this year would add millions in costs and require deeper cuts from a budget that already includes 130 layoffs, reduced services and elimination of some programs.

The Columbus Dispatch

Council member’s were also concerned about the lack of specificity regarding those being laid off.

Council members also questioned a lack of detail from the administration on the 130 proposed layoffs. Councilwoman Charleta B. Tavares sought a breakdown of the layoffs by department, but Taylor said the numbers are “fluid in the sense (that) what it is today may not be what it is a month from now.”

The Columbus Dispatch

As in years past, the budget will be revised many times. It does seem odd though, not to account for possible wage increases. To read the full article click here.

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Nov

19

Social Workers to Aid People with Financial Problems

Posted on November 19, 2008 at 8:10 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under National | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


CNN reports that there is movement among Social Workers to help those who are having financial problems. Social Workers were always trained to help with the emotional problems stemming from money issues. But, they were not trained in basic financial management. Now many schools are giving Social Workers training in this area. Positive results are already happening.

Among the beneficiaries is Sharon Mercer, 41, a single mother of nine children ranging in age from 4 to 17. She was jobless, destitute and reluctant to turn to the county for help out of fear that her children would be taken from her, but the response surprised her.

“It wasn’t about just giving me a check — it was about building my confidence,” she said in a telephone interview. “I said, ‘No, I can’t.’ They said, ‘Yes, you can.”‘

Mercer was urged to take a volunteer job at first, embraced it, and subsequently has progressed to a full-time, paid job with Wilson County’s maintenance department.

CNN

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Nov

18

Some Budget Cuts May Cost Columbus More

Posted on November 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 


Times are tough all over. I understand the sacrifice needed to get our nation, our state, and our city budgets in line. A sacrifice the Bush administration was not willing to ask Americans to make when it started a war of choice and gave tax breaks to the rich. Now that sacrifice needs to be made on the watch of someone else. Like Barack Obama. Like Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman.

A 2009 budget that is $54.5 million less than the amount needed to provide the same services offered in 2008 will require residents to come together as a community and to make sacrifices.

That’s the message Mayor Mike Coleman shared with the city Friday, Nov. 14, when he announced his 2009 budget proposal, which will next go to City Council for consideration.

The Columbus Dispatch

In the case of Mayor Coleman’s budget, I think it is important for all citizen’s to review it’s specifics. Some programs being cut may be penny-wise but pound-foolish.

For instance, a cut to the neighborhood health centers will mean that those without insurance may be denied medical care. If they cannot find treatment, it is possible their conditions may worsen and in the future lead to higher hospital costs as their health issues become life threatening. Moreover, the alcohol and drug abuse program is facing significant cuts. I must admit I have a vested interest in this program. Regardless, almost all of the research shows that treatment is a less expensive alternative to hospitalization, jail, or prison.

Still, I applaud Mayor Coleman for making the tough choices and challenging the community.

“I’m asking us to all take on more responsibility because the city will be doing less,” Coleman said. In the wake of Hurricane Ike, “I saw people doing things they normally would not do because it was a crisis,” he said. Columbus residents will need that spirit in the coming years, he said.

This week, there was a headline with a picture of Obama on the November 17-24, U.S. News & World Report. It said “promise to keep.” I disagree. It should have said “work to be done.” Work by politicians like Obama in a bipartisan atmosphere, but also work by American’s. We share some responsibility for the situation we find ourselves in. Let’s hope we continue to have politicians who challenge our better nature.

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Nov

13

Ballot Challenges Show Party Differences

Posted on November 13, 2008 at 10:56 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, National, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Just a quick thought. Two stories regarding lawsuits and ballot challenges caught my eye today. Minnesota Democrat Al Franken has sued for access to data on voters who had their absentee ballots rejected. In other words, he is trying to make sure someone was not denied their right to vote. On the other hand, Ohio 15th District candidate Steve Stiver’s is trying to deny absentee voters their right to vote.

A new lawsuit has been filed against Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner arguing that she is telling the Franklin County Board of Elections to count provisional ballots that state law says should be rejected.

The Columbus Dispatch

Once again, Democrats are trying to get out the vote, Republicans are trying to suppress it.

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