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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tours for New Media? What does Queensgate have to hide?
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of here.
Nate Livingston, the black guy who runs The Cincinnati Black Blog, has posted a great response to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s continued spin regarding the proposal to build a great big new jail with an imposed sales tax against voter will. Specifically, he analyzes the Enquirer’s recent opportunity for its editorial board to tour Queensgate. As anyone could expect, the Enquirer found Queensgate totally inadequate, despite the fact it passed a recent state inspection and met all 62 standards.
Livingston writes:
I’d like to add to Livingston’s observations one about who gets invited to tour Queensgate. It seems that only people who already support the new jail plan are invited to tour the place. They go, without cameras (still or video), and they come back with nothing but words. Hamilton County is then asked to believe these hearsay reports about conditions in Queensgate.
Is it possible that the State would find a facility in compliance with all 62 standards for running such a facility if it were moldy, leaky, and falling apart? Sure, I guess it’s possible—but is it also possible that politicians and the sell-outs at The Enquirer are towing a line for interests other than the public’s? They have a long reputation for doing such things all the time!
Why haven’t the opponents been invited to tour Queensgate? Why hasn’t someone, like Todd Portune or David Pepper, invited people like NAACP president Christopher Smitherman, COAST leaders, and even new media advocates like Nate Livingston and The Cincinnati Beacon to take a tour of Queensgate? Why not let us take our video cameras inside, and show the whole world how we are in dire need of a big new jail?
And if the State’s minimum standards for operating a detention facility are so poor that someplace in such disgusting shape could pass all 62 standards—well what a story! What an opportunity to reform the justice system state-wide, making sure people all over Ohio are not stuck in foul places technically compliant with sub-standard standards!
So, guys, you know how to get a hold of us. We’re waiting on our invitation. We’ll bring our laptops for live blogging, our video cameras for uploading to YouTube, and we will get the real story out to everyone. The next move is on you.
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13 Jun 2007 at 09:06 am | #
Why wait for an invitation? I don’t understand. Please explain. You’ve brought us this far with the facts. Please take it to the finish line by inviting yourself for a tour and posting the video.
13 Jun 2007 at 10:22 am | #
Valid points.
But, would they present an objective evaluation ?
Or, would we hear how the white man is holding down the black man while the hispanics take control of the ballet box ?
Or, would we hear that the black man must be catered to, and reached out to, before they decide to get involved with change or party leadership roles ?
Maybe, we come from a different era (60’s-70’s), but, there used to be leaders in the black community.
Where are their candidates ?
It is a lot nicer marching with Jessie !
13 Jun 2007 at 05:17 pm | #
The country has realigned iytself entirely. but more to the point Todd Portune will be booted out in 2008 if he isn’t transparent about this. Where is that nutcase kasvonian or whatever his name who keeps attacking me on this blog.
13 Jun 2007 at 05:42 pm | #
Where is yossarion when you need him. Mr. Catch 22 and someone not worthy of the name from a book written by one of the most progressive person’s of the cenutry. Poor corrupt Hamilton County when will the cess pool ever grow up. I will bet that Tim Burke is getting a piece of the jail contract. The man has no principals and neither do any of the county wide dems or for that matter any dem in Hamilton county other then Tyrone Yates. I hope he becomes the next party chair down their. Then you would have real vision.
13 Jun 2007 at 07:09 pm | #
Freedom Fighter,
I like your style as I like Nate’s. Both of you have the courage to think both deeply and “outside the box.”
As you, FF, suggested in another post: maybe jails aren’t really the answer, but Portune and Pepper still are forging a common sense, pragmatic path.
My take is: I don’t care if this new jail proposal dies the death of a thousand cuts. Progress in society is never a straight line and never makes “sense.”
If we can stop this one--in whatever way--maybe we’ll be closer to that ever elusive “tipping point” and a complete rethinking of the criminal (in)justice system.
14 Jun 2007 at 05:49 am | #
they’re still here, they’re just not the ‘leaders’ that the whyt community would like us to have/follow, so to speak.... so, who are the ‘whyt leaders’?
14 Jun 2007 at 10:51 am | #
<i>”...they’re still here, they’re just not the ‘leaders’ that the whyt community would like us to have/follow, so to speak.... so, who are the ‘whyt leaders’?...”
Sorry, but, we don’t buy that divisionism schmidt !
Nate is an innovative leader, with valid points, yet, some(so called whyt leaders) will discard, discredit because the message delivery is viewed as race based hate.
Sorry, but, approach anyone with a valid complaint and then scream your not with us because your are whty will turn most individuals off, regardless of race.
We personally love the style, but, we are a touch radical.
Sometimes, you get more with sugar than salt ?
What efforts is the black community making to reach out to the hispanic community ? Is that their responsibility ?
Sooner or latter don’t we all have to take responsibility for our own actions ?
We have stood at polling locations only to have a gop wingnut, poll-worker, stop and engage in conversation. While we listened, the gop lady started talking about where she went to high school here the utilized verbiage was:
Hughes, Hughes, Niggers and Jews !
Now, how was that conversation appropriate ?
This green township gop party hack felt that it was.
Was I turned off, absolutely !
Now, that is the character you encourage when you march with and kiss ‘finneys fanny’ on any issue ! Would a hindlick return be desired ?
Hamilton County is one of the toughest places in the country for progression. Sometimes, one must trust your elected leaders especially when, in over 30 years, they are like minded individuals. Our humble opinion, don’t tear down the walls of innovation.
No one reached out to us.
We felt it our responsibility to get involved and seek justice.
The community can, but will they, do the same ?
14 Jun 2007 at 01:04 pm | #
I am sorry to have to be the one to bring this up--as I am relatively certian it will bring me nothing but grief.
But I feel compelled to point out that every political issue is not neccessarily a race-related issue. Because the tension runs so deep in this city, I can certainly see why race seems to be a subject of constant concern--however, the energy that seems to be wasted on this particular issue alone could be better spent.
There are various comments elsewhere on this blog that mention white priveledge. This is a subject that I am very familiar with and one that I think is incredibly important. While it seems that many of you whom comment here like to throw around concepts that echo the theory of white priviledge--if you truly understood the concept and construction of that idea you would also understand that white people CAN NEVER know what it is like to be black. The laws of the universe do not allow this--it is impossible! They have the ability to be empathetic--but that is all. You simply must accept that they will never know.
I suppose what I am attempting to point out is that I see that alot of people participating in these discussions share similar ideas and goals. The chasm that results because of race-related differences however, is making it impossible for many of you to unite resources and ideas to and align your causes.
I want to emphisize that I understand and encourage discussions on race, gender, and equality to the fullest extent--but at some point it becomes redundant and counter-productive. Are you all so blinded by your hatred that you can not see this?
14 Jun 2007 at 04:49 pm | #
Whadddaya mean everything’s not about race? Are you some kind of Commie? You better understand a few things if you want to play here. First, everything’s about race, second, nothing is about class, third, all white people are doing great and fourth, all blacks are doing bad. Oh and fifth, and this is one you really need to take to heart and weave into all opinions no matter what the subject: democrats take black voters for granted (but not any other group because no other group matters). OK and sixth, I doesn’t matter what Republicans do, they’re not part of this conversation. Those are the rules. Don’t break them.
14 Jun 2007 at 06:03 pm | #
Today’s big news- the head of the Cincinnati Business community and leader of the Banks working groups announces two things that support the black community and the Democrats;
1- The Banks project not only has adopted a minority inculsion policy for all work, minority inclusion in the residential and business development of the Banks but has paired with an African America business man to finance the Banks and INSURE that the intent and purpose of the minority inclusion starts from the top down!!!!!! Great work Portune and Pepper and the African American leadership that got representation on the Banks group—They all deserve a big hooray!
2- The same leadership announced support for the commissioners comprehensive safety plan, citing good cause and reasoning.
INCREDIBLE!
14 Jun 2007 at 07:26 pm | #
” I can certainly see why race seems to be a subject of constant concern--however, the energy that seems to be wasted on this particular issue alone could be better spent. ”
Another thing people waste their time on is the perennial quest for the ideal leader. Aristotle did it looking for the benevolent dictator. Are Jews still looking for a Messiah?
Despite their name, leaders do not lead change in society… not for the better, anyway.
Looking for a leader is analogous to looking for the “lead blob” in a lava lamp.
We should rejoice at the age of the blog, because there is where a blob of a consensus will form that might lead us into a progressive direction. “Might” I said.
14 Jun 2007 at 08:26 pm | #
Huh? Where have some of you people been? In this burg, everything is about race. We’ve got agitators who will find a way to put a race spin on each & every damned thing. It’s much easier that way instead of shouldering an equal portion of the community responsibility to get stuff done in this city.
Anymore, it’s become quite comical. Absolutely hilarious. It’s a race thing anytime, all the time.
There’s an entire segment of the population with their “Chicken Little” racism sh*t. When the sky does fall in on these Chicken Littles, they’ll be the ones who won’t have anyone to blame but themselves. That’s what makes this race baiting so funny.
Just remember, it’s a race thing.
15 Jun 2007 at 05:27 am | #
And seven, only “trickle-down” racism exists. There can be no occasion of biogotry, prejudice, bias or racism (and that one used to have some legitimacy when only whites were in power positions) by an African American toward a Hispanic, Asian, A-rab (as they’re known locally) or the dreaded and despised Caucasion. They either instigated, blew out of proportion, lied about an incident or got what they deserved if there is an offense against them by any African American--and this crosses all economic and political barriers. Every African American gets that card. Any slight by any of these groups against any African American? Of course the basis can only be racism. No other possibility. No difference of opinion can exist outside the racist paradigm. THAT’s why people can’t get along. No individual circumstances,or people. Just preconceived notions. Putting everything in that pot makes it impossible to sort out the real, damaging problem of racism.
15 Jun 2007 at 09:14 am | #
sorry but not sure what you mean by that ‘divisionism’ schmidt… so are you saying that Jean Schmidt is one of your whyt leaders?
15 Jun 2007 at 09:17 am | #
not enought, IMO....
15 Jun 2007 at 11:03 am | #
*****
“...sorry but not sure what you mean by that ‘divisionism’ schmidt… so are you saying that Jean Schmidt is one of your whyt leaders?...”
<b>PUN, sounds like ?
*****