Feb

21

A Fairy Tale for Social Workers

Posted on February 21, 2010 at 10:32 am by Madrigal Maniac Under International, Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


I was interested in the remarks of a certain presenter at a Columbus festival I attended.

When I arrived at the speech there was a weird sort of vibe. Yes, some of the respected presenters and their fans were represented. But, there was also a large group of people who had helped facilitate the event and it appeared their main job was to party.

As the speakers presented their opinions I noticed something odd behind the scenes. There was a strange contest going on. In hiding, there were young men and women who were participating in a perplexing event. They would sit in huge lovely chairs with a number of tubes placed into their bodies that gave them the different realities they needed to enhance their understanding of the events of life. The ones they would like a better understanding of, and those they could give a shit about.

Spectators were kept aware of the progress by a huge technologically advanced computer monitor. This behemoth kept track of gains and losses against poverty, human rites, and international domination.

People at the festival loved it.

I happened to meet one of the young party people who had organized the event. We met on three evenings after the days events.

After the first day she said, “What a message. Haiti is on the way back… ” I said, ” I don’t think so. Haiti was poor before, this hurricane has made things worse and it would be a long time before even their former life would be preserved.” She asked, “how do you know this?”

“Because, I’m a social worker.”

Then she said, “Well at least the world is focusing more on human rites than repression.” I said, ” I don’t think so. What about Neda Soltani, a 16 student during an uprising in Iran? What about Tibet and China? Repression sill continues.”

She asked, “How do you know this?”

“Because, I’m a social worker.”

She then asked is their never a time to party and have fun and I answered, yes there is.

On days off and holidays. I said. Also, whenever you have worked for a civil rights movement that has changed the world for better.

She asked, “How do you know this……”

P.S. My sad attempt to write an album cover story like Peter Gabriel.

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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

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

8

Ohio Will Drive Indiana Casinos Out of the Water

Posted on January 8, 2010 at 9:53 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under State | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 


Evidently the passage of Issue 3 in Ohio is making Indiana rethink their casino business model. Worried about increased competition due to the four constitutionally mandated casinos in Ohio, Indiana has decided to raise the bet.

One Indiana legislator in an effort to protect Indiana goodfellas is willing to expand gambling to include off shore locations.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said Indiana’s casinos deserve to be protected because they are fairly clean and well-regulated, employ 16,000 people, and bring in about $1.1 billion in annual state and local tax revenue,

“It’s a situation that calls for allowing these people to do things that they ought to be able to do to meet anticipated competition head on,” Kenley said. Inland locations in the cities or counties where the riverboat casinos are located could draw more customers, he said.

AP

So, the goodfellas continue to spread their form of vulturous capitalism throughout the Midwest by pitting one state against another in a never ending quest to remake the United States into a gambling mecca.

P.S. I love the comment that the Indiana Riverboat Casinos are “fairly clean.” As opposed to unfairly clean? In Ohio if we must accept casinos, I would hope that they would be … You know … Clean.

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Dec

31

John Hicks Emotional Speech at his Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Induction

Posted on December 31, 2009 at 2:06 am by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


John Hicks is an Ohio State football legend. It is often forgotten by many just how great of a college football player he was during the early seventies. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting. The last lineman to do so. He won the Lombardi Award, the Outland Trophy, and was a first team All American.

John Hicks is certainly a man of class.

Sources:
Legend, John Hicks, emotional introduction to Rose Bowl hall of fame
John Hicks (American football)

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Dec

17

Columbus Wants to Give Back Money to Clean Up Casino Site

Posted on December 17, 2009 at 9:05 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


There have been rumblings by Central Ohio politicians regarding the “constitutional” casino and it’s placement in the Arena District. Now it looks like the rumblings are growing stronger.

The city of Columbus stopped talking the anti-casino talk and started walking the anti-casino walk this week when it decided to stop payment of state-approved Clean Ohio funds being used to clean up the property earmarked for an Arena District casino.

The Other Paper

I posted previously here regarding the state inadvertently paying to clean up the hazardous waste site for what they thought would be used for condominiums, retail space, and a small park. The money went to Plaza Properties and came from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund. But Penn National swooped in and negotiated rights to the site from Plaza Properties under the stipulation that issue 3 passed.

The city’s position is that because the grant was approved for a use other than what is now intended, the city should return the bulk of the grant money to the State of Ohio.

Last year, the Ohio Department of Development awarded a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to demolish the tool factory and clean up pollution from more than 70 years of manufacturing on the brownfield site.

The Columbus Dispatch

The Ohio Department of Development gives the money to the cities and not the developers. So, the city can give the money to clean up the site back to the state if they want to. Plaza Properties position is that the city approved the grant and what happened to the land after that is moot.

It appears, the City of Columbus and Plaza Properties are the main players in this fight. Evidently, goodfellas Penn National will sit this one out.

“This particular issue is between Plaza Properties and the city,” said Penn spokesman Bob Tenenbaum. “Could it get in the way of the casino development? No. We did not require Plaza to deliver a clean site. Given that, if it requires further environmental cleanup, it’s no different than any other investment in infrastructure improvements.”

The Other Paper

So, the casino may still be on track and the refund of grant money to the state may be an empty gesture by the city. Still, the city petitioned the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund on a good faith basis to improve the neighborhood. What backroom negotiations were going on between Plaza Properties and Penn National are unknown. It appears this land cleanup had nothing to do with ethical business, but everything to do with greed… Greed and a “constitutional” casino.

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Nov

18

Dispatch Series on Domestic Violence is Excellent

Posted on November 18, 2009 at 11:47 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | Leave a Comment 


The Columbus Dispatch in a four part investigative series that ended today, reported on the fear, pain, and obstacles to justice that victims of domestic violence face. A link to the series that began Sunday can be found here.

While advocates for victims of domestic violence have known the extent of the problem for years, it took an investigation by The Columbus Dispatch for Ohio politicians to start talking about it.

Senate President Bill M. Harris said he was “alarmed” by the findings of a Dispatch investigation that show tolerance and indifference to a crime with profound effects on society.

“This is a complex problem with no easy answers,” said the Ashland Republican. “I am committed to opening a dialogue with experts, advocates and legislators on any constructive ideas to better protect Ohio victims of domestic violence.”

I hope he means that and does not forget his commitment once the memory of the series fades.

Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, said he would be open to taking a holistic approach to fixing flaws in state law regarding domestic violence.

“We need to do more to protect victims of domestic violence,” Budish said. “We should be looking at whether there are adequate penalties for repeat offenders.

Some advocates believe their should be jail time after the first offense. I spent four years working with male batterers in a 40 week program. Seldom did I see any serve significant jail time.

Georgia is one of at least 16 states that require batterer-intervention counseling. Ohio is not among them.

While the criminal penalties in Ohio are woefully insufficient, at least in Central Ohio, the good news is almost every batterer I have seen has been required to complete the 40 week intervention program. The session’s are based on the Duluth Model and focus on domestic violence being about power and control and not about just “losing it.” I am not sure what other cities are doing as far as counseling, but you might want to find out.

One area I believe the series did not focus on enough is the emotional abuse victims face. It’s not always about being physically assaulted, it’s also about the psychological abuse that perpetrators will use as power to control their victim(s).

Still, It’s an excellent series.

Ohio has about eight times as many shelters for animals as for victims of domestic violence. Few other crimes touch as many lives and receive so little attention.

I suggest all Ohioans read the series to learn more about the prevalence of domestic violence in our state.

Sources:
Day 1: Repeat domestic-violence offenders get off easy in Ohio
Lawmakers call for holistic approach to domestic-violence laws

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Nov

16

Ohio State Unveils New Uniforms Pryor to Michigan Game

Posted on November 16, 2009 at 10:07 pm by Madrigal Maniac Under Local, State | Print This Post | Email This Post | 2 Comments 















The Ohio State Athletics Department has decided to change the Buckeye’s uniforms on the week of their storied rivalry with Michigan. Early returns are that the uniform does not meet the Buckeye Nation’s approval.

School officials said a slimmer, formfitting design didn’t leave room for any gray. The two white stripes on each sleeve are set off by black stripes. In letters to the editor and an Internet poll on its Web site, The Columbus Dispatch has been besieged by fans upset over the jerseys.

NBCsports/MSNBC

I don’t buy the slimmer, form fitting design argument. You plan something like this change for a while. If that was true, why didn’t OSU use it earlier, let’s say against USC.

I would suggest one of four reasons for the uniform change.

First, Nike paid a helluva lot of money to design OSU’s uniforms. Wouldn’t changing them before an OSU vs. Michigan game make a lot of sense for Nike? (That’s the one that is probably right).

Ohio State has a six-year, $11.4 million contract with Nike, which provides uniforms and equipment for the school’s athletic teams.

NBCsports/MSNBC

Second, as the Common Man pointed out on 97.1 The Fan, this could be one of Tressel’s sly tricks he always comes up with before the Michigan game. (That one’s probably not right, there is a reason he’s the Common Man).

Third, they’ve already won the Big 10 championship and are going to the Rose Bowl. Still, they can’t win the national championship, so who gives a crap. (I hope that one is not right.)

Fourth, they really want to honor the 1954 Buckeye’s (That’s actually the one I’m rooting for).

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