Ted Varney - thought so. Chatting on the internet and wasting your vote on clever politicians that have convinced a scant few that they’re principled Statesmen instead of media seeking megalomaniacs. Now that’s going to change the world.

By cincysuz on 05/15/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

White Male: The best thing about that descision is that Justice John Paul Stevens voted with the majority in the 6-3 ruling.  Did he wake up that morning and realize that he is a Republican and should have been voting along those lines for the past 30 or so years?

Silly me. Until now, I assumed the Supremes were intended to be above party politics. White Male, thanks for clearing that up and for allowing us the opportunity to observe your thought processes. Be sure to share more of your insights after you get home from the bund meeting tonight. And remember - vote Zirkle!

By Tony Zirkle Jerque on 05/14/2008
In the article 'A Felony of the Fifth Degree: Election Falsification in Hamilton County? '.

You are very correct in that I am not just an undercover Republican. I am overtly a republican (small “r” intended), and no way in hell would I attempt to “grab votes” for ththis current batch of Republicans.
There are no longer any “parties” from which to choose, to vote for as evidence of one’s political beliefs. We have only diversions within a coherent agenda, supported and, in fact, in my mind at least, scripted by the mainstream media.
You seem to be asking, fairly enough, why we cant see the logic of supporting the Democratic candidate, for, in your mind, and apparently in that of many others, he is far superior to the choice on the Republican side, and display the feeling that any criticism of the Democratic side is evidence of pandering for the Republicans. Your passion is clear and admirable. But, We the People must stop allowing them to manipulate those passions to their benefit or to facilitate their ends.
When I first heard Obama speak over a year ago, I too, became excited. I saw in him the potential for more options and a man who might be willing to discuss core issues as he was alluding to initially. But, over the ensuing 6 months I witnessed his rhetoric sculpted down to fit within a party line, as if the intent of the script there was to grab the attention of those asking, and those beginning to ask, the question, “WTF is going on”, and pull them back into what is, in effect, a two-party irrelevancy.
Locking us in this “two-party system” is how “they” do it.

Does criticism of certain Democrats necessarily mean that this criticism is designed to convert a Democrat vote to a Republican vote? Hardly. I see the evil nature and immoral agenda of the Republican Party, globally, nationally and locally, for the most part, as a given, I guess, and see those criticisms of the Democrats rather as a clear attempt to stimulate me to explore “other” options, or, to think, if you will.
Until we deal with the macro issues of American Imperialism and Militarism scripted and conducted via Central Bank (Federal Reserve) hegemony, necessitating an examination of Corporate Personhood and other obfuscations, eliminations and denials of the Constitution, the rule of law and outright contradictions to and ridicules of common sense, none of the issues currently being allowed (health care, immigration, et al) to be discussed by the mainstream media, can ever be dealt with effectively (since decisions relative to these issues are decided by the corporations via Congress, rather than We the People via Congress) and, therefore, will only continue to serve as diversions.
If, in fact, we are allowed an election in November of 2008 and we are not subjected to Executive Order 51 as the result of some new “Catalyzing and Catastrophic Event”, a new “911”, and should we be able to provide oversight of the elections sufficiently to be able to say that the results were real, and Barack were to become the new President, what, without a 2/3 majority in Congress, do you believe that he would be able to accomplish?
My personal fantasy, if Barack were elected, is that in his Inaugural Address, he would lay out for the American People, in honest and no BS terms, and as a complete and utter surprise to both parties and the media, the core issues, as I have laid out above, to the American people. To continue this fantasy, Barack would then, even using some of the bogus and illegal “powers of the Presidency” co-opted by McBush, if need be, reverse all of the FCC rulings of late (20 Years), force the Corporations to divest themselves of their monopoly of the media ( Oh, I forgot, there are already laws against such monopolies and, oh yes, the airwaves DO belong to The People, but, then, this is my fantasy so I can continue) and publically calls for the revelation of just who it is who own and operate the Federal Reserve. My fantasy is that he would begin, since he would be President and could not be ignored, as are Nader and Paul, who ARE discussing these issues, discussions between the American People such as “Why, if the Congress has the power to print fiat currency, are we having to pay interest to a bank when we print fiat currency?”, or “How did we get to a state where our corporate directed foreign policy now has us defined by most of the rest of the world as the new Nazis?”
But, this is just a fantasy, for were he to begin discussions as I presented above, his life would be not be worth (as the Kennedy brothers were to find out), in the old proverbial, a plug nickel. I would be willing to bet, Suz, that that would also be your initial, knee-jerk response to my fantasy, and that, in itself, would be ‘nuff said.
There are no panaceas, no quick fixes.
Returning government to the People within the framework of the Constitution is the solution (Legislative). Eliminating corporate influence of that government is the solution (Executive). Eliminating corporate personhood is the solution (Judicial).
How we work toward these solutions is our dilemma.
Education and awareness and refusing to be sidetracked by irrelevancies is our avenue.
Communication, one on one, the internet, while we still have it, and getting out on the streets and voting your conscience and for principled Statesmen (not politicians) is our vehicle.

By Ted Varney on 05/14/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

Oh, the ‘definition’ ploy.

MM.  Gee, never seen that around here before (cough, cough).  But why not.  Here goes.  Here’s how you define ‘Left’, Justin:  Make a list of the top ten problems that you think ‘average people’ have to deal with in their lives, whether they are in Cincinnati or anywhere else in the world.  Then make a list of the best solutions that you think would alleviate those problems.  If more than five of those solutions involve using taxation of other people and the use of a central government to make them work, then you are on the Left.  Sorry.  (But why aren’t you proud?)

Beacon discussion usually consists of center-Democrats, left-Democrats, Socialists, Marxists, faux Libertarians (on social behavior issues, always) and other varieties of radicals arguing amongst themselves about who is the big mean person on the Right.  Which usually only means Right of Them.  Some of the cincysuz “contradictions” illustrate that nicely, when you do the forensics.

Fascism is the ultimate manifestation of the belief that people really don’t know what right for them, so it becomes necessary to force it on them, and everyone else.  It’s the final removal of personal liberty in the name of fairness.

By xxxyyxxx on 05/14/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

I never misrepresent your words. You post them. You write them. I comment. I haven’t demonized you for criticizing Democrats. I don’t fault Republicans for attacking Democrats. Peter Bronson, Willie Cunningham, Chris Finney, Tom Brinkman, Rush Limbaugh, et. al. don’t give me heartburn (except for Brinkman’s gay bashing which has never been an issue at the Beacon). That’s their job.

And criticizing Democrats is the primary theme, focus and purpose of this blog. Admit that instead of claiming to be progressives. If you read real progressive publications like Mother Jones, Truthout, etc. there’s plenty of criticism of Democrats but the primary focus is where it should be: Republicans, George Bush, Rumsfeld, Rove, Rice, Cheney. The Beacon outswiftboats the swiftboaters when it comes to their mission to ruin Democrats.  Do a Fairness and Accuracy in Media type analysis on yourselves and see how your biases play out. It is what it is.

JJ you agree with White Male much more than you’d like to admit. Is it that you’ve come together only to pile on the common enemy? Me. Or a deeper philosophical and political connection? You just had another moment over on the Dann thread. I think it’s the latter.

By cincysuz on 05/14/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

Here’s the next question ...

How many of you heard long-time Republicans BRAGGING about going to the primary and perjuring themselves in order to vote for Hillary?

This election is turning out to be the biggest mess since ...

Well ...

The last two ...

By Axinar on 05/14/2008
In the article 'A Felony of the Fifth Degree: Election Falsification in Hamilton County? '.

Dean:

Maybe I missed something, but I don’t think anybody was asked to sign anything in my precinct.  Do you have proof otherwise?

By Mr. Scott Ryan on 05/14/2008
In the article 'A Felony of the Fifth Degree: Election Falsification in Hamilton County? '.

From Anon....12:25 pm
The Supreme Court ruled that Indiana has the right to refuse the votes of anyone who doesn’t have an official state ID to ward off voter-induced frauds that they could not document a single case of in recent history

The best thing about that descision is that Justice John Paul Stevens voted with the majority in the 6-3 ruling.  Did he wake up that morning and realize that he is a Republican and should have been voting along those lines for the past 30 or so years?

By White Male on 05/14/2008
In the article 'A Felony of the Fifth Degree: Election Falsification in Hamilton County? '.

cincysuz tries to misrepresent things we say and accuses us of being inconsistent just about everyday. Is it really an attack to point out that she has been inconsistent? She has tried to demonize us for being critical of her precious corporate Democrats, but it wasn’t very long ago that she was very critical of them too. And yes it did surprise when she wrote those things, but then she went back to towing the line for her corporate party. She says I’m a evil Republican because I support Nader, but she voted for him in 2000.

It’s not often that I agree with White Male, but I do think that cincysuz takes someone disagreeing with her or being critical of her corporate Democrats as a personal insult. She claims Nader isn’t a real candidate, but supports Kucinich. I like them both, but they are both too progressive to get fair coverage in the corporate media.

Further evidence why true fascism always comes from the Left.

xxxyyxxx, you obviously have no idea what fascism is. Please give us your definition of “fascism” and the “left”. Thanks!

By Justin Jeffre on 05/14/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

You gotta love the Beacon.  Like all good conspiratorially-minded activists they have a long memory.  Never forget:  Dissent will not be tolerated, and loyal readers are subject to attack!

Further evidence why true fascism always comes from the Left.

(And don’t doubt for a second that they pore over every IP address to identify their enemies.)

By xxxyyxxx on 05/14/2008
In the article 'cincysuz: Profile from the Peanut Gallery '.

I don’t have a problem with people switching parties for the primaries (even if it is with malicious intent).  Quite frankly, it’s disturbing that the parties are in control of the nomination process like they are and that you have to announce party affiliation.

Now that you need valid photo ID to vote, the next issue is going to be proof of citizenship.  (because those people that aren’t citizens are likely to go to a polling place and draw attention to themselves)

It’s too bad that we’re allowing these sorts of practices to continue.

By NtotheC on 05/14/2008
In the article 'A Felony of the Fifth Degree: Election Falsification in Hamilton County? '.

Just another in a long line of much-ado about nothing from the Dean.

By Zo on 05/14/2008
In the article 'Mill Creek Pollution? '.

What was his sidekick’s role? Kabaka and everyone else knew what was going on. Did you? You were in the “inner circle” at that time.

I really have no idea what she means.  What “inner circle” is she talking about?  Does she mean I was on the short list of people hated by Joy Rolland? 

I do not, nor have I ever, had a particularly intimate relationship with Nate.  I don’t really know much about his private life other than what everyone else knows.  I knew he worked for Lawson.  That’s it.

Did I answer the question?

By The Dean of Cincinnati on 05/14/2008
In the article 'Bill Sloat: Nothing to see here! '.