Hot News!
• Proportional Representation: Christopher Smitherman v. Jeff Berding
• Portune’s Deal, Unopposed Republican Judges, and the Case for Proportional Representation
Contact Us
v mail, fax: (214) 481-6464
e mail: click here
Events
 |
|
|
Friday, July 25, 2008
HamCo Commish Prez on McCain Local Rep: “Deters ought to know better”
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
Photo courtesy of here.
Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune has condemned the behavior of not only The Whistleblower (a race-baiting rag-sheet written by GOP cheerleader Jim Schifrin, who uses the pseudonym “Charles Foster Kane"), but also Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters, who serves as a regional chair for John McCain’s presidential campaign. Chris Redfern, chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, has already criticized the McCain camp for choosing Deters due to a past filled with scandal. And let’s not forget the national headlines made when WLW big-mouth Willie Cunningham suggested Obama was a secret Muslim, an idea at least partially suggested by Deters and later repudiated by McCain. Portune’s latest comments continue a growing trend of bi-partisan opposition to Schifrin’s racist language and Deters’ personal connections.
"The WhistleBlower has no credibility and quite often falls way below the pale in its attacks and the bigoted attitudes it presents,” said Todd Portune. “Long ago I quit wasting my time by reading it.”
“Clearly the remarks made by Shifrin and Deters as quoted by you and the Beacon recently are inappropriate,” continued Portune. “Coming, as they did, in the midst of, and on the heels of, the NAACP convention and Cincinnati, Hamilton County putting its best foot forward they were an embarrassing reminder of where the city has been, and unfortunately, where it may still be if certain people get their way.”
“Deters ought to know better,” concluded Portune. “If what was published is what Joe really thinks and if John McCain is willing to overlook those kinds of attitudes and remarks the McCain campaign is in trouble. It is anyway.”
On July 16th, we received the following message from a representative of McCain’s campaign: “Your email has been forwarded to our staff members, and someone from the campaign will be in touch shortly.” Contrary to what was said, and follow-up by The Beacon, no one from McCain’s team has provided comment.
• Share This Article!
Listen to this article
|  |
Register
Anonymous comments are allowed, but you can create an account above to stamp your name and to avoid typing the anti-spam code.
If you are not familiar with our rules for leaving comments, click here! The Cincinnati Beacon is not responsible for the contents of any comments. Comments do not represent the views of the moderators of The Cincinnati Beacon.
25 Jul 2008 at 01:21 pm | #
I’ve got photos of the Mayor, Dale 4 Sale and reprobate daddy breaking bread with Howdie “hit man” Beatty and Livingston.
Why not out the Mayor for having lunch with Oba’s killer?
25 Jul 2008 at 01:24 pm | #
Uh, because this is a story about something completely different?
25 Jul 2008 at 04:21 pm | #
(Same verse, same as the first) (Something like that). Please focus on Cunningham, his ties to the Republican Party, etc. OMG, today I heard him talking about the African Americans having too many babies, on welfare, lazy, etc. How many politicians will vow to stay off WLW until they clean up their act?
25 Jul 2008 at 05:07 pm | #
Here’s the problem. It’s Deters position. If a person is not in a professional position to significantly impact others’ lives, I guess who they associate with, on their own time, is their own business. However that changes when a person is in a position of authority to say, hire, fire, make loans, decide where people can or can’t live or in Deters case, decide who and who does not get criminally charged and to what degree. It’s totally appropriate to challenge Deters association with avowed racists precisely because of his position. Not as the GOP chair. Who cares? It’s preposterous to think that he can put those beliefs aside in his professional capacity as Hamilton County Prosecutor. The situation you’ve brought up should, in itself, show that he’s unfit to be the Hamilton County Prosecutor and action should be taken to remove him. It may, however, be a plus for a top position in the Republican party.
25 Jul 2008 at 05:31 pm | #
cincysuz, I agree with you that this was an issue before Deter’s became a chair for the McCain presidential campiagn because he’s a prosecutor. But since we found Deter’s at the square during McCain’s speech to the NAACP convention, Deter’s had previously invited Willie the-national-embarassment Cunningham and McCain already had a bad record on civil rights anyway, I think it is relevant too.
25 Jul 2008 at 09:24 pm | #
Ask Joe Deters how the investigation into the Heimlich maneuver to give away Drake Hospital to his friends and financial supporters, for 10% of its value, is going. Drake was a public asset built over decades and where has it gone?
Charles Foster Kane and Mr. Cunningham are necessary to keep racial tension high. Without them, and others from the other side of color, our masters couldn’t keep us from talking to each other. We might begin to ask questions like where are the CAFR reports for 2003-2008?
The greatest fear in the south was that slaves would become educated and teach one another to read and write. This was the position the church held, and may still, for centuries. Only the priests could read latin. And the lawyers that Shakespeare addressed.
Might be interesting to see what kind of cases he pro se cutes.
25 Jul 2008 at 09:36 pm | #
I think CincySue REALLY nails it. For him to have such a personal and close relationship with someone who not only believes and supports racism, but who is in the BUSINESS of promoting racism - calls into question every case involving a black victim or defendant.
Deters is unfit to serve.
His refusal to denounce the behavior, and in fact, be a regular,public, contributor to the business of promoting racism in it’s most vile form is a disgrace to the Bar, the court system, and his office.
And McCain should disavow him
26 Jul 2008 at 09:39 am | #
Male Dallory,
They probably want the OK from Smitherman, (another active purveyor of racial tension in Cincinnati), before they tell the truth about our mayor and his family. I doubt if they will get the go ahead. I think they would rather that you just accept their view of a world, where only non black people engage in racist or unethical behavior.
Don’t misconstrue this position as support for Deters and his antics. I just wish the folks here at the Beacon would understand that racial divisiveness, whether it is perpetrated by whites or blacks, is wrong.
26 Jul 2008 at 10:49 am | #
JFD:
I agree with you. Racial divisiveness, whether perpetuated by whites or blacks, is wrong.
Now, indicate with specificity how Smitherman is racially divisive. If you do not substantiate the claim, I will no longer allow you to post the comment.
It is just your attempt at being racially divisive.
26 Jul 2008 at 11:08 am | #
Yeah JFD, I think your comments are often racially divisive and you wrongly assume that the Dean and I always share the same views. I do believe that anyone can be racist, however it is much different and more offensive when a racist has some position of power with which to exercise it.
Why don’t you and Male Dallory get off your butts and write whatever you want about “the truth about our mayor”. If it doesn’t suck we will post it for you.
26 Jul 2008 at 01:14 pm | #
I’d call advocating for special rights for black criminals, racially divisive. Smitherman went on a hunger strike in support of Marc Frissons desire to carry a military style knife, (designed to inflict damage to another person), into the Courthouse. Frisson was arrested for it, and also has an extensive criminal history that confirms his status as a criminal. Smitherman unsuccessfully tried to make the case that he was arrested because he was black.
Your archives are a great source for other examples; just look at the comments for just about any story or letter involving Smitherman. I have to wonder why we don’t see articles dissecting the behavior of non whites, here at the Beacon. Nothing to the degree they’ve gone to for Joe Deters or Phil Heimlich and his family. In fact I can’t recall any. I would love to see the same zeal applied to the Mallory family. As far as political / criminal activities go, you would be hard pressed to find a better example than the Mallorys and some of their friends.
26 Jul 2008 at 01:43 pm | #
Yeh, let’s out the Mallorys. I always hear innuendo, but never facts. Here, I’ll start with facts I know to be true:
Judge Bill Mallory is living with one woman (who happens to be white)while going to the house of another woman and having sexual relations and claiming he loves her. Every time he goes out of town, he calls her and professes his love - all the while shacking up with another woman and her kids. How many other white women is he playing, and why does he refuse to date black women.
He is cruel, judgmental and rarely associates with other blacks. He has walked away from the black community and holds his entire family in contempt. His family hates the fact that he won’t date a black woman and walked out on his wife to pursue them. His political views are more Republican than Democrat. He’s constantly trying to prove himself to be one of the good ole boys
It seems evident that he is overwhelmed with self hatred of his ancestry.
He’s a jerk!
26 Jul 2008 at 01:56 pm | #
JFD, the fact is that there is a dark under belly in the Hamilton County criminal justice center and I don’t believe that there is equal justice. I don’t think that Mark Frison was treated fairly and I don’t think saying so is racially divisive.
If you guys have something on the Mallory family bring it on. All I ever here is a bunch of innuendo and no facts. We do this in our spare time and if you think there’s an important story that should be told, then tell it. Seriously, you haven’t given us anything to go on.
26 Jul 2008 at 02:01 pm | #
I looked up the lawyer’s professional code of conduct - i was appalled to find that the ohio supreme court changed the language regarding “moral turpitude” as grounds for discipline. How ridiculous. But what was even more interesting is the limited language regarding discrimination. Here the High Court has permitted racism and discrimination by stating that they can’t be engage in discrimination “in their official capacity” --- WOW - how did they get away with lowering the bar on standards by preserving an attorney’s right to engage in racism, sexism, discriminatory actions toward the disabled—as long as it isn’t within their duties as an attorney. I thought attorneys were supposed to be held to the highest standards?
the naacp should have fought this - it’s reprehensible that the Bar now endorses racist behavior and activities - as long as it’s on their free time lolol
There was one line about behavior generally ( I can’t remember what it said though)
Anyway if I were Smitherman I would file a complaint that Deters is unfit to serve because of his support for practicing and supporting racism and so many defendants are of color. And I’d write to the supreme court to inquire about the permission for attorneys to engage privately in racist conduct.
(They also changed the rules to allow misdemeanor offenses (think Taft) and cheating on your wife and financial improprities that are private - ohio couldn’t seek low enough - they have literally changed the moral character and standards of the bar)
26 Jul 2008 at 02:32 pm | #
JFD wrote:
Provide a citation where Smitherman called for “special rights,” and provide a link. If you cannot, you will be banned from further comments on this issue, since you are just making it all up.
anon #16, that is an interesting post… Do you know about similar language in other states? In other words, is Ohio demonstrably different from our neighbors in this regard?
26 Jul 2008 at 05:24 pm | #
Jason:
Smithermans actions are doing his talking for him, and they speak louder than words. It occurs to me that you haven’t provided a quote from Joe Deters saying he supports racist web sites, yet you seem to have made the connection somehow.
27 Jul 2008 at 07:55 am | #
JFD and several anons - quit beating around the bush. Just say, that in your opinion, Deters behavior is okay. This nonsense about the mayor’s father’s girlfriends, Smitherman’s activities and definitions of racism, is more subtrafuge. If you have an argument that it’s okay for Deters--either as Republican Party official or Hamilton County Prosecutor--to hang with or as some contend, himself be a racist, make your argument.
27 Jul 2008 at 10:45 am | #
JFD:
Cite Smitherman’s racially divisive actions, without using racially divisive words of your own. Fighting for unequal enforcement of justice is not racially divisive. It is just.
Also, Jim Schifrin regularly reports having lunch dates with Joe Deters. He even reports about making racist jokes with him. When asked about the relationship, he refused to disavow it, saying that it was his “personal life.” When we threw him a real easy one, asking if he would denounce things like calling Mallory a “gay darkie,” he told us to get the camera out of his face. Somehow, Deters can’t distance himself from Schifrin—yet Todd Portune, Greg Hartman, and Alex Triantafilou all had no problem repudiating this racist language.
27 Jul 2008 at 01:08 pm | #
Wrong. Smitherman was NOT on a hunger strike for the right to carry a knife into the courthouse. That is absurd. He was protesting the excessive bail and subsequent treatment of Mr. Frison, who claimed that he had accidently left the knife in his backpack.
The security guards are uneven in their handling of such cases. Mr. Frison was the only person charged with such an offense in recent history although many knives are seized with some being returned and others being destroyed. One guard’s contention that Mr. Frison was disruptive was contradicted by testimony from the other guard who was just a few feet away.
In any event, the Constitution affirms that there is a right to a reasonable bail. That is true for both Whites and Blacks. Setting aside the question of whether or not he should have been charged in the first place, there was no justification for such a high bail.
27 Jul 2008 at 07:59 pm | #
Suz:
I said; “Don’t misconstrue this position as support for Deters and his antics.” If I need to be clearer than that, you aren’t paying attention.
27 Jul 2008 at 08:14 pm | #
Jason:
What words am I not allowed to use? Are those words going to be off limits for everyone or just me?
Jason:
Yes it is, when race is brought in as a factor, and that is precisely what Smitherman did with Frisson in this case.
27 Jul 2008 at 08:42 pm | #
Misrepresenting what Smitherman and the NAACP are advocating for is racially divisive. As MEP already pointed out, Smitherman is not advocating for special rights for “criminals”. An old friend from high school trained with Frison and spoke very highly of him. I went to the court house and saw a few cases that I thought weren’t handled fairly by the same judge. We have criminals in the White House that go unpunished and many innocent people sitting in our jails.
27 Jul 2008 at 09:19 pm | #
Justin:
Did this person also speak highly of Frissons contention that the Court system had no jursistiction over him?
Justin:
So because you think Bush is a “war criminal”, Frisson gets a free pass?[
Justin:quote]Misrepresenting what Smitherman and the NAACP are advocating for is racially divisive.
I wonder if this is simply a situation where Smitherman doesn’t understand the ramifications of his actions?
27 Jul 2008 at 10:58 pm | #
I didn’t ask.
I don’t think he is, I know he is. I assume you’ve heard of international law. If you’re going to go around labeling people “criminals”, you should certainly be fair about it.
Bush is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and he is responsible for the deaths of over 1 million innocent Iraqi people.
Frison forgot he had a knife in his back pack while going through a metal detector. He didn’t attack anyone or put anyone in any real danger. His bond was too high and the judge was too arrogant to deliver any real justice. It’s no wonder Frison and many others have no faith in the criminal injustice system. It is both racist and classist.
I heard the judge in other cases as well and I think he was trampling on people’s rights in several instances. He threatened someone with contempt of court if they were to wear a campaign tshirt again. I doubt that he would’ve said anything if it was a candidate that he liked.
28 Jul 2008 at 09:20 am | #
Interesting, that you all here at the Beacon would rather serve and defend Smithermans agenda, and ignore the wrong doing of black politicians and their accomplices. Citybeat has done some good stories with meat, but didn’t take it far enough. Sticking with Dales sordid history and leaving the rest of the family our of it could still keep you all in posts for a good long time. If Joe Deters had stolen $1000 from a community non profit, (as Dale did), you would ride him, and his career into the ground, and continue to beat it long after it’s dead; just like you did with Phil.
Here is a short but factual list of Dales crimes and ethical shortcomings.
1) Stole $1000 dollars from the West End Council a year after he was removed from office as President.
2) Appointed Howard Beatty as the West End representative to the Empowerment Corp Board. Howard as I understand it is functionally illiterate; not really the type of person the taxpayers would like to see making multi million dollar decisions about tax dollars. Oh, I almost forgot, he’s a convicted killer too.
3) Appointed George (Junebug) Beatty to the Empowerment Corp Board.
4) Dale gets hired by the Empowerment Corp, as a consultant for $40K a year, with support from the Beatty brothers.
5) Dales most flagrant ethical violation is being paid by the Empowerment Corp to secretly promote the location of Citylink in the West End, while at the same time he is president of the West End Council and says nothing to his constituents about it.
These are all facts and can be corroborated. I don’t think it will mean as much to your readers if this is done as a guest article. In order for this to hit home will require the capture of Dale laughing in your face on video while you ask your questions. I can provide some of the evidence to you, and will help locate more if you like.
The bottom line is, if you won’t pick up the ball and use the same tenacity as you had with Phil and are now showing with Deters; I would have to say you have a racial bias that works in favor of corrupt black politicians.
28 Jul 2008 at 09:28 am | #
[Editors note] On behalf of Dewey we would like to apologize for his warped and racist sense of humor.
28 Jul 2008 at 01:28 pm | #
BTW, I understand Stanley Broadnax, (Another black politician with a history of criminal and ethical violations), is after $15 Million from the Empowerment Corp. Maybe he might be a better target.
28 Jul 2008 at 03:16 pm | #
I think you’ve pretty much already said that. I would point out that I’ve been very critical of Ken Blackwell though I’ve never had the pleasure of interviewing him.
That is the most interesting post I’ve ever seen you write. I’ve heard rumors about Dale, but it’s hard to peice anything together when all you get is anonymous comments here and there. I think Dale’s story could be interesting, it’s too bad nobody is challenging his seat.
28 Jul 2008 at 05:46 pm | #
Dean, Justin - Requesting that #26 comment be deleted and a warning issued to the poster.
28 Jul 2008 at 07:03 pm | #
Justin
Theo Barnes is running against Dale.
28 Jul 2008 at 07:24 pm | #
Thanks for the update. Do you know anything about him?
29 Jul 2008 at 08:59 am | #
Not much. He is a Republican, he’s not Dale; and he has at least one vote in his pocket.
30 Jul 2008 at 05:14 pm | #
Michael Earl Patton - since this is about political parties and racism, a word on your party’s candidate for President--Bob Barr--might be appropriate. I’m sure you’ve communicated great outrage to the Libertarian Party for their pick of militia-supporting, racist Barr. You might also throw in a word about Muslim basher Libertarian Sonny Landham of Kentucky. As the Libertarian Party races neck in neck with the Republicans as the party of racists, homophobes and sexists, have you rethought your affiliation? I mean, Jeez Bob Barr? Just asking.
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=487
In googling around, I find that Ron Paul accepted donations from white racists and we know his stand on affirmative action, of course we know that Nader made insensitive racial remarks (If that’s what he says out loud, you wonder what he’s thinking) and now Bob Barr who’s had a second income for years speaking before racist militia groups. A second question: Are all current third party candidates (except the Greens) known racists?
30 Jul 2008 at 05:27 pm | #
cincysuz, FYI, accepting the endorsement of a political party doesn’t mean that you support every candidate that that party chooses to endorse.
Also I would point out that the candidate which you are obsessed with bringing up did not make any insensitive racial remarks, he merely pointed out that your candidate is pandering to the white corporate power structure which is absolutely true. He’s a corporate candidate from A to Z.
30 Jul 2008 at 06:43 pm | #
Then what is this whole post about if none of it matters? Then why is the Whistleblower’s affiliation with Deters and the McCain campaign relevant? Why bring any of it up? Nader was a sentence in my post. Hardly enough to warrant an obsession. No match for your very real and never subsiding OCD episodes over Obama. I mean, what else do you write about? Never how great Nader is, just how bad Obama is. So, wat’s your opinion on how the other third parties are doing? Are you down with Barr too?
And I think if black blogs and commentators deem Nader’s remarks, specifically addressing race and his contention that Obama is what he calls “half black,” to be at the least insensitive and at most racist, it’s not your place to say they’re wrong. Add that to his decades long indifference to the subject, only broaching it in a lame attempt to use it against Obama, and bam! smells like racism to me. Yyou’d be the first to make that claim if it were anyone but Nader mouthing such garbage. But the black experience is not your experience and neither is it mine, so I have to defer to the opinion of those whose experience it is. You should too.