Jan

29

The Brady Center Gives Obama a Failing Grade

Posted on January 29, 2010 at 3:25 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under National | Print This Post | Email This Post | 3 Comments 


This from the president of The Brady Center.

We know that President Obama supports sensible measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children.

Unfortunately, in his first year in office, the President showed no signs of leadership on the issue.

We understand that the President had a lot of important issues on his plate. However, he has a responsibility to speak about the serious problems facing our nation. And gun violence is a major problem. More than 110,000 people are killed and injured each year by guns.

Time after time, however, President Obama evaded this issue. In fact, he signed into law more repeals of good gun policies than President George W. Bush. That is why we gave him a failing grade for the first quarter of his term. Click here to read the report.

Please e-mail the President to urge him to join with us to solve the problem of gun violence.

The year started with statements being removed from the White House website that repeated support for gun violence prevention laws Candidate Obama had expressed during his campaign.

Then, after horrific, high-profile shootings last spring, President Obama and his staff studiously avoided any mention of guns.

When his cabinet members, Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder, expressed support for reasonable gun laws, they were quickly muzzled and backtracked from those statements.

In May, President Obama, without any indication of concern, signed legislation letting people carry concealed weapons in national parks. This fall, he signed legislation that allowed guns in checked luggage on Amtrak trains.

President Obama can still improve his grade by taking action to make our families and communities safer, but he needs to hear from you.

Please e-mail the President to urge him to join with us to solve the problem of gun violence.

Sincerely,

Paul Helmke, President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Here is a summation of Obama’s Brady Center report card.

Brady Background Checks: F
Gun Show Loophole: F
Gun Trafficking: F
Guns in Public: F
Federal Assault Weapons Ban: F
Standing Up to the Gun Lobby: F
Leadership: F

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Jan

27

Strickland Must Have Been a Lousy Psychologist

Posted on January 27, 2010 at 11:03 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under State | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 


Yesterday, Governor Ted Strickland ( I thought I voted for a Democrat) once again ignored metal health and addiction issues in his State of the State address.

Before the speech, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Janetta King, Strickland’s policy director, spoke in a conference call with health and human-services advocates. The advocates were told that while they are appreciated, they would hear nothing from the governor about help for their struggling programs.

If you appreciate someone you do not slash their budgets. Substance abuse services have taken large budget cuts under Strickland, but mental health services have been decimated.

In the past two years, mental-health programs have been among the hardest hit by state budget cuts. As a result, thousands of people have been cut off from services from local mental-health agencies…

This is foolish. The research is overwhelming regarding treatment and prevention. It saves money in the long run.

Pamela S. Hyde, former Ohio mental-health director and newly appointed by President Barack Obama as administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, said such cuts are costly in the long run…

…Hyde said $1,500 spent on mental-health and substance-addiction treatment can result in $11,000 in avoided taxpayer costs down the road. Typically, those costs result from emergency-room care, hospital treatment and imprisonment.

But Strickland is a psychologist and should know this. Maybe he was a really lousy psychologist and that’s why he became a politician.

Source: Mental-health advocates upset Strickland’s speech omitted them

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Jan

26

One in Five Central Ohio Households Face a Food Hardship

Posted on January 26, 2010 at 11:45 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, National, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


A new report by the Food Research and Action Center states that one in five Columbus area households faced a food emergency in 2008 and 2009. A “food hardship” is defined as not having enough money to buy needed food. The question pollsters asked was, “Have there been times in the past twelve months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed.”

In Columbus 19.9% of respondents answered yes.

Youngstown was #3 at 24.2% while Toledo was #13 at 20.8%. Cleveland and Cincinnati did not make the top 25.

Nationally, 18.5% of respondents answered yes.

I found it interesting that nationally, the highest month of food hardship was November. The month of the Thanksgiving feast.

You can find an adobe document of the research here.

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Jan

25

The U.S. Air Force Responded to Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove

Posted on January 25, 2010 at 11:45 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under International | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


It was a different time. There was no internet, no cable, and the Cold War was in high gear. It was 1964. I was eight years old and still remember a drill where we dove underneath our desks in case of a nuclear attack from the “Russkies.” I guess my school desk had some sort of anti-radiation properties.

Let’s set the stage. In 1964 Stanley Kubrick released a movie called “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb.” It is an anti-war and anti-nuclear film. If you haven’t seen it you should. It’s a Cold War classic black comedy.

Here’s the famous seen with Slim Pickens riding a nuclear bomb horseback.

According to the McClatchy Newspapers the U.S Air Force filmed a response. It was discovered by William Burr, a senior analyst in charge of the nuclear-history documentation project for the National Security Archive, an independent research organization at George Washington University. There is no evidence the film was ever released to the public.

A link to the site can be found here. This is the video in three parts.

Again. It was a different time. It’s just that I am not sure the times have changed that much.

P.S. I’m guessing somewhere Stanley Kubrick is smiling.

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Jan

24

Opposition to Moving Columbus Casino Starting

Posted on January 24, 2010 at 1:25 am by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


Already some in the State of Ohio are upset that Columbus is trying to change the site of their casino that was foolishly written into the Ohio Constitution. I remember after the vote, there were some who opposed Issue 3 who said it was over and were willing to give up the fight. I disagreed. Columbus was the sole city slated for a casino that voted against issue 3. I sensed a seething discontent in Columbus over having this thrust down our throats.

Interestingly, opposition seems to come from those not linked to Columbus.

In an online article that I suspect will appear in the paper today The Columbus Dispatch reported this.

In the Mahoning Valley, where they rejected last fall’s pro-gambling constitutional amendment, there’s lingering resentment that Youngstown isn’t on the list of casino cities.

Toledo is not happy either.

In Toledo, which did make the list, some online pundits have questioned why Columbus is the only city getting a second look at locations.

Here’s my quick flippant answer. We were the only one of the four cities slated for a casino to see the deception. Gambling interests which had seen four ballot initiatives fail in the past used the specter of a bad economy and the promise of jobs to create a perfect storm that allowed Issue 3 to pass.

One of my favorite bloggers said this in The Columbus Dispatch article.

“Some here feel if there is going to be a ‘do-over’ that one should be allowed to happen here,” Lisa Renee Ward, who runs a Toledo-based blog called Glass City Jungle, said via e-mail.

I hope this is a ‘do-over’. It’s chance to revisit a terrible decision by Ohio voters that was secured by a campaign of fear, money, and unsubstantiated promises.

A new constitutional amendment should appear on the next ballot that actually reflects the sober reflections of the Ohio electorate.

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Jan

23

West Side Hopes Casino Relocation Will be a Boon

Posted on January 23, 2010 at 11:14 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 


Penn National has agreed to move it’s casino to the west side where the abandoned Delphi plant is located. Cheryl L. Grossman, the Ohio House of Representative from Grove City where the casino will reside has created legislation that will allow for a vote on a constitutional amendment to allow this to happen. Initially, Grossman opposed Issue 3.

While I was an opponent of Penn National and against Issue 3, I am encouraged by Penn National’s actions and responsiveness to the concerns of central Ohio since Election Day.

The legislation I am co-sponsoring in the Ohio House would put a constitutional amendment on the May 4ballot to allow the casino to be built at the Delphi plant. Now is the time for the General Assembly, the residents and leaders of central Ohio and the voters of Ohio to support the relocation of the casino, as it serves the best interests of everyone involved.

Many on the west side are hoping this will invigorate a blighted part of the city that has suffered greatly over the last 20 years.

“It’s all about jobs,” said Dru Bagley, a member of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission. “People in this community, they have to make ends meet.”

Still, others are not so sure.

… Walker and William R. Eadington, an economics professor at the University of Nevada-Reno, said any enthusiasm should be tempered.

“It is most analogous to bringing in a big-box store,” said Eadington, who also directs the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the university.

He said studies show that gamblers are willing to drive 100 miles to visit a casino but aren’t interested in spending money at nearby businesses once they arrive.

I continue to be against a casino in Columbus.

There is still the issue of the low price for the casino licenses and the meager tax rate. It is unclear whether Representative Grossman’s constitutional amendment addresses this, but it should.

That said. If I have to live with a casino, the Delphi site is certainly better than the Arena District.

Sources:
Backers of casino gave a bit; now it’s our turn
Casino issue keeps moving
West Side hopes for gains from casino

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Jan

23

Columbus Public Health Employee Info Stolen

Posted on January 23, 2010 at 10:45 am by Madrigal Maniac Under Local | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


This from The Columbus Dispatch.

Columbus police are investigating why a person possessed financial and other personal records of city health-department employees that could be used to commit identity theft.

The person had so many employee records that “We don’t know exactly what that information is,” said police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner.

Names and Social Security numbers were among the information stolen, Columbus Public Health told its employees in an e-mail yesterday.

Here is a copy of that email. It contains valuable information for anyone whose identity may have been stolen.

Our department was notified earlier this week that Columbus Police recovered stolen financial records and papers from Columbus Public Health as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. We are collaborating closely with our partners at the Division of Police and our city attorney’s office.

Since this is an ongoing investigation, the details we have are limited. We know the stolen records included personal identifying information, so we wanted to notify you immediately so you may choose to protect yourself. Since learning of this, we have reviewed our safety and security procedures to ensure our employees are protected. Unfortunately, even in organizations with strict security, there may always be a level of risk as in this case.

Because we have no knowledge how this information has been utilized, we suggest that you take some preventative measures. Because we believe your name and social security information was available in the documentation stolen and to help safeguard you from misuse of your personal information, we have arranged for you to receive 12 months of identity protection under the Debix Identity Protection Network at no cost to you. Further information on this service will be forthcoming in the next day. Additionally, you may take steps to check your own financial records. This includes:

1) Checking your financial statements. Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking closely for charges you did not make.

2) Check your credit reports. The law requires each of the major nationwide consumer reporting agencies provide you with a free copy once every 12 months. You get these through www.annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

3) Placing a fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before they open any new accounts or change your existing accounts. Call any one of the three major credit bureaus to begin. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts.

w Equifax 800-685-1111

w Experian 888-397-3742

w TransUnionCorp 800-916-8800

More details about these and other steps are available at The Federal Trade Commission’s website at http://www.ftc.gov (select “Identity Theft” from the Quick Finder). For a copy of Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft, please go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm.

We will be following up with you in the next few days as more information becomes available. If you have evidence that your personal information was breached and used fraudulently within the last three years please contact the Columbus Division of Police Economic Crime Unit at 645-4910. We are deeply saddened by this breach of trust. We are quickly exploring how CPH can further help staff to deal with this situation and will continue to share more information as we receive it.

I do not blame Columbus Public Health (CPH), I blame whoever stole the information. It appears the police and CPH are doing what they can and are offering assistance to CPH employees. Still, I hope this leads to new safeguards to protect public employees.

P.S. I did edit the post to delete the address of the email author.

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Jan

22

When Will the Freshwater Hearing End?

Posted on January 22, 2010 at 11:21 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 


Is this Freshwater hearing ever going to end?

John Freshwater is the teacher fired by the Mt. Vernon school district for teaching creationism and burning crosses into students arms. By state law he is entitled to a hearing before the firing is final.

The final decision was supposed to be handed down today. But, then KnoxPages.com reports this.

MOUNT VERNON – The contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater faces postponement until Feb. 11.

My first post on this was October 31, 2008. How long does it take to fire a science teacher who burns crosses into students arms, violates the separation between church and state, and teaches intelligent design while denigrating other religions?

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Jan

21

Kevin DeWine Demeans Social Workers

Posted on January 21, 2010 at 10:31 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under National | Print This Post | Email This Post | 1 Comment 


Recently I posted about a CNN study that said Social Work the most stressful underpaid job in America. Yet these dedicated individuals continue to offer help to those most in need.

Still, Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine said the following regarding Governor Strickland’s selection of Yvette McGee Brown for Lieutenant Governor.

He’s had nearly a year to make this selection, and the best he could come up with in the face of an unprecedented fiscal emergency is a social worker with no experience in public finance or state government.

It is a cheap political shot that demeans an honorable profession whose sole purpose is to help.

Anyone who knows Yvette McGee Brown is aware that she is a talented committed citizen. To try and taint her with the moniker of social worker is an honor not a liability.

With a General Assembly that is filled with businessmen and lawyers who helped create this fiscal catastrophe, maybe it’s time we looked outside the box and added legislators who actually understand the needs of average Americans.

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Jan

15

Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot Again

Posted on January 15, 2010 at 9:53 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under International | Print This Post | Email This Post | 4 Comments 


O.K. Conservatives. Defend this.

On his show Wednesday, Limbaugh was asked by a caller about the president urging Americans to go to Whitehouse.gov to contribute to the Red Cross to help Haitians.

“Would you trust that the money is going to go to Haiti?” Limbaugh said. “Would you trust that your name is going to end up on a mailing list for the Obama people to start asking you for campaign donations for him and other causes?”

Limbaugh added, “besides, we’ve already donated to Haiti. It’s called the US income tax.”

First of all, I’m sure if you contribute to a cause supported by Limbaugh, your name will end up on a mailing list as well.

Obama has asked former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to join together to help oversee the administration of the massive relief effort now descending on Haiti.

A link to the Clinton Bush relief effort for Haiti can be found here.

Rush is a huge Bush fan. If you don’t believe me read this transcript from Limbaugh’s web site that details a call he recieved from Bush congratulating him on 20 years of broadcasting.

If Rush believes American’s should not contribute money to the Haitian relief effort, how does he explain one of his personal heroes spearheading an effort to do just that?

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