Dear Mayor Mallory and Members of City Council:

I am writing this as a follow up to a previous letter, emailed last Monday and hand-delivered to your offices on Wednesday (just to make sure you all received the communication).  A growing number of citizens are becoming concerned about the City’s involvement with a cult-like group of religious zealots, and we would like to hear your response.

Consider the “character qualities” posted on the web page for the Greater Cincinnati Character Council.  The first quality is listed thusly:

In itself, this may not be particularly troublesome.  But these 49 qualities are copied almost directly from Bill Gothard’s website:

If you are wondering why it is problematic to support anything associated with Bill Gothard, perhaps you should check out this I-Team series from WISH-TV in Indianapolis from 2002.

Finding information about Gothard’s organization—particularly its cult-like behavior, its oppression of women, and its abuse of children—is easily discovered.  Check out this article from an online publication entitled “Talk To Action.” Spend just a little time analyzing the links provided by the various comments left at that posting.

If any of this sounds even partially alarming, then take a look at the number of endorsing organizations listed at the Greater Cincinnati Character City website.  It includes “City Council of Cincinnati,” and even “Cincinnati Public Schools.”

The proposal for “character education” sounds rather bland on its surface.  Who can disagree?  But these organizations are really just a secular front for a cult-like and abusive form of religious zealotry.  How can the City of Cincinnati continue to maintain any kind of relationship with such an organization?

I eagerly await to hear your reply.

Respectfully,

The Dean of Cincinnati
http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com

Socializer!

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1. Springtime for Blackwell says:
   21 Jan 2006  at  09:50 am | #

   Phil Heimlich is a messianic Christian who set up the Cincinnati “Character City” program, a Gothard front, in 2000. Heimlich was keynote speaker at the recent 2005 Oklahoma City “Character” convention and is mentioned in the recent In These Times cover story, “The Cult of Character.”

   Then there are the shoutouts that Phil Heimlich, a conservative pro-lifer and former Cincinnati city council member, gives to...Gothard at the IACC’s “Building Cities” conference.

   Secretary of State Ken Blackwell appears to be another closet Gothardite. He was keynote speaker at the Oklahoma City “Character Cities” 2004 conference:

   Blackwell started an “Ohio Center for Civic Character” program which is run by Assistant Sect’y of State Monty Lobb. Lobb is a former Cincinnatian who was founder of Citizens for Community Values. Lobb made his reputation as the point man trying to shut down the Robert Mapplethorpe photo exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center. Lobb was portrayed in the Showtime movie, “Dirty Pictures.”

   Blackwell is now the subject of an IRS investigation for his involvement with two Ohio evangengelical mega-churches. Last week he appeared at a bizarre campaign rally in which a photo of Hitler was displayed.

   Speaking of Hitler, listen to a Monty Lobb speech at his alma mater, Olivet Nazarene College (IL), in which he says, “As Americans, high character is in our DNA, it’s in our genes."(time 12:12)

   Elswhere in his speech - which is a blend of scriptural references blended with Americanism cliches and delivered in the style of a management training seminar - Lobb says that everyone who works in the Secretary of State’s office wears “Character” lapel pins. (time 8:30)

2. pants around ankles says:
   21 Jan 2006  at  01:32 pm | #

   Keep it up Deano! You have them backed into a corner. They don’t know how to get out unless there is a closet w/ a light and a prayer book! Reminds me of a Queen song- “Under Pressure”.

3. Quim says:
   21 Jan 2006  at  03:55 pm | #

   C’mon, Spring, read the friggin’ article.
   The Hitler reference was condemning the Brit PM for being conciliatory to a known bad guy.
   Blackwell & Heimlich suck enough on their own. You don’t have to drag Adolf in.

4. Springtime for Blackwell says:
   21 Jan 2006  at  08:05 pm | #

   You don’t have to drag Adolf in.

   I didn’t. They did.

5. Rove says:
   21 Jan 2006  at  08:39 pm | #

   I think they should respond. The police and their training have been an issue in this city for some time.

6. Nubian Oracle says:
   22 Jan 2006  at  09:02 am | #

   When the Nazis arrested the Communists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Communist. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Social Democrat. When they arrested the trade unionists, I said nothing; after all, I was not a trade unionist. When they arrested the Jews, I said nothing; after all, I was not a Jew.

   At this meeting Ken Blackwell spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to be more than observers.  He said Christians must be on the front line, causing change. They must bring behavior in line with what they say they believe.

   I.E. Not Only Talk the TALK but Walk the WALK

   Restoration Project founder Russell Johnson warned that Christians have allowed a ``secular jihad’’ to remove prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Bible from public places.

   He [Johnson, not Blackwell] likened it to Nazi Germany, where church congregations would sing so that they could not hear the passing of trainloads of crying Jews headed for a nearby concentration camp.

   Too many Christians lead ``Neville Chamberlain lives,’’ Johnson said, referring to the British prime minister who signed a neutrality pact with Adolf Hitler.

   A picture of Hitler and Chamberlain flashed on the screens.

   This is a fact.  Get yours right. 
   ``We’re calling God’s people to pray, to serve, to shine and to be salt and light,’’ he said.

7. Springtime for Blackwell says:
   22 Jan 2006  at  10:33 am | #

   Nubian:

   My statement: Last week he appeared at a bizarre campaign rally in which a photo of Hitler was displayed.

   1) You stated that I should get my facts “right.” What was incorrect about my statement?

   2) It’s noteworthy that you neglected to express any concern regarding Ken Blackwell’s or Phil Heimlich’s ties to the Bill Gothard cult. Do you consider these alliances to be acceptable?

   3) Do you consider it acceptable for the Secretary of State’s office to sponsor and promote a statewide program that is nearly indistinguishable from the “CHaracter Cities” programs which are fronts for the Bill Gothard cult? Do you consider it appropriate for the Secretary of State’s office website to provide links to a front organization for a cult?

8. Springtime for Blackwell says:
   22 Jan 2006  at  11:51 am | #

   Clicking on Nubian Oracle’s name in the post above leads to the Cincinnati Change web site.

   Nubian:

   Please advise if your comments reflect the official position of Cincinnati Change and its chairman, Frederick Hargrove Sr., who has posted elsewhere on the Cincinnati Beacon.

9. Nubian Oracle says:
   23 Jan 2006  at  04:32 am | #

   1) You stated that I should get my facts “right.” What was incorrect about my statement?

   Context! The greatest lie is a half trutht and it is you right, and I have spent far to much time on this, but I’m hooked. A photo of Hitler was displayed in the context that we dont want to apease people like this, which has happened.

   2) It’s noteworthy that you neglected to express any concern regarding Ken Blackwell’s or Phil Heimlich’s ties to the Bill Gothard cult. Do you consider these alliances to be acceptable?

   A cult is a cohesive group of people devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream.  Now you may consider five fold ministry out of the mainstream.  Million’s of Amerians do not.

   Beginning in 2001, Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell and the Ohio Center for Civic Character began reaching out to local, state and federal candidates who run for elected office in Ohio by recognizing their courageous and sacrificial act to run for office.

   How would you stop a officially regestered not for profit that encourages candidates to conduct their campaigns with a commitment toward high character, forsaking the negativity and questionable tactics the public often associates with campaigns in general.

   Further, for those who win elected office, Blackwell encourages them to make decisions and conduct their lives and official responsibilities in a positive and ethical manner—one to be modeled to others, and affirming the confidence and trust which they were given.

   Seems to be what we would want of our elected officials.  What principles would you promote?

   3) Do you consider it acceptable for the Secretary of State’s office to sponsor and promote a statewide program that is nearly indistinguishable from the “CHaracter Cities” programs which are fronts for the Bill Gothard cult? Do you consider it appropriate for the Secretary of State’s office website to provide links to a front organization for a cult?

   Again that cult question see answer to 2. A religous group with a non religious front non profit group - oh where have i seen that?  Links to a cult, if so he’s running for Governer and bring it on and let the people decide.

   My comments do not reflect the official position of Cincinnati Change and its chairman, Frederick Hargrove Sr., who has posted elsewhere on the Cincinnati Beacon. This is the official position of Cincinnati Change, which is a not for profit organziation not a 501(c)3 so we can Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk.  This what we believe:

   CINCINNATI CHANGE knows that the Tristate politically fragmentation and segregation is by race and class. Many poor Cincinnati residents have a high degree of desperation and hopelessness along with the belief that things can’t change.  Cincinnati Change was created to change this perception by action; we will walk the walk, not talk the talk - join us in changing Cincinnati NOW.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that Americans once again face a grave threat to our security – internal as well as external, and we will give top priority to mobilizing the resources needed to meet and defeat our enemies. The founders of CINCINNATI Change believe the most fundamental test of leadership today is the willingness to declare your position then stand up and fight for what is right for people.

   Thats why we will be on the steps of city hall on monday at 10;00 AM.  Working for peace in the HOOD with Jobs in the HOOD.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that America must lead the world through progressive internationalism—the bold exercise of U.S. leadership to foster peace, prosperity, and democracy. Working with allies and international institutions makes us stronger, not weaker.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom and in the faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, justice and peace in the world.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that America must lead the world and through its cooperative domination create solutions that serve the needs of Americans and those people who join in the freedoms enshrined in our constitution. The central mission of our time is to defend America’s security with the ideals and aspirations enshrined in the creation of the United States of America and ideals embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law and through the creation of organizations to protect those who cannot do so themselves.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between people and that through CINCINNATI CHANGE the founders will create the capacity to be a instrument in creating the initiatives that will make it happen that will benifit the people of Cincinnati.

   CINCINNATI CHANGE believes that we who are citizens of the United States of America which has enshrined in it’s constitution the right of the people to address grievances to our government - it is a government of the people and holds forth the belief that the holders of political office should be responsive to needs of the people did on June 19th 2005 create CINCINNATI CHANGE.

10. Springtime for Blackwell says:
    23 Jan 2006  at  06:45 am | #

    Nubian, Your statements are in italics:

    A photo of Hitler was displayed in the context that we dont want to apease people like this, which has happened.

    1. Specifically, which “people like this” are you referring to? That is, who are the ones “we don’t want to appease”? And who is “we”?

    Cincinnati Change Inc. is an Ohio corporation registered by Wanda J. Lloyd-Daniels, Fred Hargrove Sr., and Robert J. Arany.

    2. Since you state that you are speaking on behalf of Cincinnati Change Inc., would you please identify yourself?

    3. Does Cincinnati Change Inc. endorse the teachings of the Institute for Basic Life Principles?

    4. Would you please describe the relationship, if any, between Cincinnati Change Inc. and the Institute for Basic Life Principles, the “Ohio Center for Civic Character,” and the “Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky”?

11. Springtime for Blackwell says:
    23 Jan 2006  at  06:59 am | #

    Nubian, a correction to my recent post:

    2. Since you state that you are speaking on behalf of Cincinnati Change Inc., would you please identify yourself?

    Sorry, my error. You stated: My comments do not reflect the official position of Cincinnati Change

    In any event, I’d welcome knowing the official position of Cincinnati Change Inc. regarding my questions.

12. Nubian Oracle says:
    24 Jan 2006  at  01:35 am | #

    We will apply the principles, in our own fashion, as a member as soon as this weekend when our board of trustee’s met, in person. Already we have approved the folowing here.

    Our board does not have a problem with the meanings as by the following statement as carried on a public web site.  We invite you to put words into action by joining us at 1301 E. McMillan this Sunday at 9:00.  We are going to start a face to face talk that will be later carried through the internet to the world through our web site on each of these points being used in the public debate on crime and our neighborhoods.  (And yes we know the site is a work in progress - help is always welcome - .)

    It will be based on the copyrighted works included below and drawn from over 100 other sources.  One of our goals is to create a global communications network based on patented technology that one of our officers has the rights to purchase.  This will create jobs and one of our missions if to bring about peace int he HOOD by bringing Jobs in the HOOD.

    When done in der Nati it will create 1,000 new businesses and 9,000 jobs along with 20,000 homes.  This would happen because we would be the network operations center contained in over 100 million square feet of newly built buildings.  Each of which would be connected using a technology grid that is based on a fiber to the homes system. 

    As a Competitive Local Area Network we would create a global communications grid interconnected to over 100,000 miles of fiber by the end of 2007, based from a headquarters at 2439 Auburn.  This grid would have over a million state of the art CPU’s connected though a metropolitan Cincinnati grid by 2008.  By 2009 we would pass by over a billion people and service 20 million clients. 

    All of our multimedia content will be able to carry advertising, but users can opt out by paying a fee.  All of our business relationships will be guided by principles like those exposed below. 

    We believe that if God can bring upon the king of his chosen people Evil.  An Evil that turned out that was good for the kingdom, then, we can see no wrong in the words spoken by the Secretary of the State of Ohio by his action in endorsing the ideals and concepts contained herein.  They come at their root from the greatest book ever written, in our opinion.  If you have a problem with the messenger let us not forget the message.

    The above is an official policy statement of a majority of the Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Change.  We stand ready to debate the question online at our blog (see Jason got it right) or in person starting this Sunday at 9 AM at 1301 E. McMillian.

    The Critical Importance of Truth:

    SEEKING WISDOM: Ethical or high-character people courageously seek something greater than intelligence or knowledge (knowing what is); they seek wisdom (knowing what is right or true). Wisdom must logically culminate in the identification of conscience-convicting truth to be intellectually honest. Hence, the relentless pursuit of truth, its source and its compelling advocacy is the moral objective of ethical, character-building people. (Observable Virtues: principled, prudent, contemplative))

    Many of us are veterans and as such have pledged our life for the freedoms in these American States United.  Many of us hope to see the days that Dr. King saw on the mountaintop.  We pledge to work for safe communities and bring about change NOW, prudently in a manner that is contemplative and principled based on the Judo Christian Traditions of our parents, parents on all sides.

    Applying Truth First to Ourselves:

    FIDELITY: High-character people courageously strive to be what they say they are. Their behavior matches their beliefs. As a result, they resist the temptation to sacrifice “what is right or wise” for “what might work or be popular” and overcome private and peer temptations that would render them hypocrites. Only those who strive after what is true and then first apply this consistently to themselves, are capable of authentically creating order and building trust (the prerequisites to relationships) within their organizations, marriages, families, fellowships, friendships, teams, etc. (Observable Virtues: courageous, sober, reflective, selfaware, single-minded)
    Applying Truth in our Relationships:

    INTEGRITY: High-character people do what they say they will do. Because of their habits of wisdom and fidelity, they demonstrate the courage of their convictions by doing what they say they will do even when there is great pressure to do otherwise. As a result, they do not manipulate anything or anyone at any time. (Observable Virtues: consistent, predictable, orderly, faithful, guileless)

    COMPASSION FOR OTHERS: High-character people are compelled by wisdom, fidelity and integrity to extend unmerited kindness to others as an act of the will. They are compelled by an operative conscience (rather than their emotions alone) to be genuinely benevolent and sacrificially giving. They abhor meanness, cruelty and neglect of others. Actof- the-will compassion makes loving the “hard-to-love,” possible. (Observable Virtues: kind, gentle, patient, benevolent, generous)

    HONESTY: High-character people speak the truth with compassion. Ethical people speak up, present their facts with thoughtful accuracy, and do so with compassion. They are not avoiders; they are carefronters: they confront because they care. They clearly qualify their yes and no and thereby minimize misunderstandings. They do not deliberately mislead or deceive others by misrepresentations, overstatements, partial truths, selective omissions or other intentional means. They take responsibility and do not shift blame. To avoid confusing others, high-character people break habits of sarcasm and cynicism. To avoid inflaming others, they avoid sanctimonious and condescending tones. (Observable Virtues: discrete, discerning)

    JUSTICE: High-character people uphold truth, expose error and correct wrongs. Just people are diligent in weighing evidence. They contend for truth and perform vigorous and unbiased examinations of individuals and information. Just people do not oppress powerless persons, or condemn innocent persons; they protect them. In the process of affirming good and reproving evil, they strive not to be harsh, exasperating or manipulative. Just people strain to objectively determine what outcome, however difficult or painful, is right. (Observable Virtues: upright, bold, diligent, decisive)

    ACCOUNTABILITY: High-character people scrutinize themselves and welcome the scrutiny of others. They acknowledge that human nature compels us toward independence. Our preference for independence results in isolation from one another. Isolation breeds temptation to unethical conduct. Highcharacter people resist this chain reaction by adopting transparent life- and work-styles that invite inspection. They place themselves in relationships that motivate self-examination and encourage constructive critique from others, particularly those they serve. (Observable Virtues: an open, up-front, disclosing spirit)

    RESPECT: High-character people treat others as they would want to be treated. They have an accurate view of the human condition; namely that every person is capable of both dignified and depraved conduct. As a result, they weigh the intrinsic worth of others as exactly equal to their own worth. This is why people of character are convicted by the Golden Rule. This conviction makes valuing diverse roles, giftedness, skills, style, personality, race, religion, and genders logical if not irresistible. Respect leads diverse people to value the dignity of others while having the liberty to passionately disagree with their opinions (opinions that can be influenced by our depravity). (Observable Virtue: an inclusive, engaging and honoring spirit)

    PROMISE-KEEPING & TRUSTWORTHINESS: High-character people do not break their word with others. Because they prize interpersonal trust, they do not make promises lightly; they are candid in supplying relevant information and they are diligent in fulfilling their commitments. They make every reasonable effort to fulfill the letter and the spirit of their promises. They tirelessly maintain a promised confidence. They do not interpret agreements in any unreasonably technical or legalistic manner in order to rationalize non-compliance or to justify escaping their promises. (Observable Virtue: faithfulness)

    EXCELLENCE: High-character people strive to be their best knowing that this enables them to do their best every day. Ethical people experience good “being” that fuels great “doing.” Excellence is the result of high character merging with high competence. Excellence is a high task achieved virtuously. When high-character people collaborate, they produce a “culture of excellence.” True and enduring organizational excellence, therefore, is only sustainable by people of high character. (Observable Virtues: selfcontrol, discipline, enthusiasm, pureness of heart, persevering spirit)

    SERVING-LEADERSHIP: High-character people sacrifice themselves for those they lead. Serving-leaders model and mentor high-character conduct and produce an inspiring environment in which their sacrificial example of serving others produces relational harmony, principled reasoning, effective communication, clear mission, constant learning and character- rich decision-making. Leaders of high character produce cultures of character where followers increasingly manifest virtues rather than vices. (Observable Virtues: courage, humility, selflessness)

    UNITY: High-character people strive to build relationships that foster oneness among others who are bound with them to a common promise, mission or purpose. Ethical organizations seek uniformity in their people`s shared character ethics and unity among their otherwise richly diverse people. Without a persevering commitment to shared character ethics, there is no hope for sustainable unity. (Observable Virtue: reconciler)

    FORGIVENESS: Because they know they are far from perfect, people of high character are humble and they extend to and receive from others, unmerited acceptance. Character breaches separate people. Separation injures conscience. High-character people forgive and genuinely seek forgiveness to reconcile or restore their relationship with any person to whom they have committed a character lapse. Seeking forgiveness requires a confession of error by the offender. Rendering forgiveness is a radical act of undeserved understanding (or grace) by the offended. High-character people are thankful when forgiven and are motivated to forgive inevitable offenses against them. They forgive others and seek the forgiveness of others intentionally. (Observable Virtues: humility, patience, gratefulness, long-suffering)

    HONORING AUTHORITY: All people are imperfect, requiring boundaries for behavior. High-character people willingly yield to the authority of those who are charged with upholding those boundaries. They help shape and then abide by the legitimate laws, rules and boundaries established by legitimate authorities and strive to live within those boundaries for the betterment of all people. When those given authority violate conscience-convicting character ethics, high-character people take wise action to justly hold them accountable. (Observable Virtues: yieldedness, submission / “aligned with the mission”)

    LIBERTY: High-character people preserve their public rights by fulfilling their personal responsibilities. In order to preserve public freedoms, every person must exercise private restraints. Therefore, free people embrace self-control so the need for public controls is minimized. As a result, high-character people communicate and live out character ethics and intentionally exhort others to do likewise as an active act of preserving liberty for everyone. (Observable Virtues: temperance, self-control)

    LEARNING & MENTORING: High-character people are lifelong wisdom-seekers and wisdom-advancers. They have both a teachable and a teaching spirit. They impart truth to the uninformed. They reduce ignorance by illuminating the disenfranchised. They multiply character-based people and leaders. They nurture teaching relationships in order to maximize the character and competency of others: they are mentors. Mentors endeavor to invest their lives in others in order to help them help others to attain their greatest potential. (Observable Virtues: curiosity, creativity, teachability, inspiration)

    STEWARDSHIP: High-character people live as if they will eventually reap what they sow. They actively identify with the role of trustee or steward rather than owner. They perceive their function as a resource or role “caretaker” for a limited time. As a result they regard “positions” and “possessions” as “conferred in temporary trust.” Therefore, they care for their respective positions and possessions diligently and seek to add value to every role and every resource to which they have been entrusted. Ethical people have a high regard for multiplying the value of their “accounts” for the purpose of serving others and benefiting those who follow. (Observable Virtues: humility, orderliness, carefulness)

    SEEKING COUNSEL: High-character people seek wise counsel, particularly when confronted with issues that cause tension and/or confusion between two or more character ethics. Because they are guided by their tireless pursuit of truth, they regularly seek the wisdom of others of high character. After they weigh this counsel, they act. The goal of this process is wise action (what is right), rather than popular action (what would make one appear good) or pragmatic action (what might appear to work). The result of a decision made with wise counsel is a clear conscience and the fruit of a clear conscience is contentment. (Observable Virtues: thoughtfulness, patience, discernment, confidence)

    Our Ability to Change:

    SUBMISSION TO TRUTH: Truth transforms people only when we submit to it. People who seek truth cannot not transform. Eventually everyone confronts the power of truth. When people of conscience are confronted by what is true, they feel convicted to replace or “put off” their lower character by pursuing and “putting on” high-character ethics. Taking action on this choice can occur over night or over a long and often painful period.

    VALIDATING TRANSFORMATION: Over time, high-character people exhibit consistent hope-giving and conscience-affirming character virtues that are the outer proof of inner-character ethics. Virtues and vices are simply the observable fruits that spring forth from either healthy or corrupted roots of character ethics. Therefore, character builders must make the lost language of character ethics their first language. Moreover, since it is fueled by one’s daily responsibilities, not in the serenity of relaxation, character builders must adopt an accurate view of the benefits of suffering.

    Relevance to Our Daily Lives
    Persevering as a character-builder is the only thing that is truly 100% within our personal control. This means there is hope for personal change today that is not dependent on change in others or in our circumstances. Our conscience drives our convictions. These convictions generate courage and this courage drives our conduct, regardless of our past, our current circumstances, or even cultures or settings that are hostile to high character.

13. Yadda Yadda says:
    24 Jan 2006  at  07:33 pm | #

    We invite you to put words into action by joining us at 1301 E. McMillan this Sunday at 9:00.

    Considering how many words this guy posts, guess we can expect plenty of action.

    Dean, all the ad copy posted by this guy mucks up the discussion. A little filtering maybe? Thanks.

14. Rove says:
    24 Jan 2006  at  08:46 pm | #

    Ken Blackwell helped Dub ya steal the 2004 election in Ohio. Please read Congressman John Conyers report on “What went wrong in Ohio”. It documents most of the anomilies that occured and have not been accounted for by Mr. Blackwell. It is his duty to account for the many troubling discrepancies. Exit polls have never been so far off the mark, well beyond the margin of error. Greg Palast reported on many of these issues on the BBC.

    We wouldn’t be accepted in the EU based on our election system alone. We don’t even meet the criteria for the Carter Institute to oversee our elections, as they have done for so many countries in the third world.

15. Nubian Oracle says:
    24 Jan 2006  at  10:06 pm | #

    Look, Conyers is much talk but when we needed him in the Nati he sent us Dr. Ron Daniels of the Center for Constitutional Rights who convened a 12 hour public hearing to provide a forum for airing complaints and finding facts about the state of police-community relations in the city with Dr. Ron Daniels at it’s core. 

    They issued a report called The Boycott in Cincinnati: A National Hearing on the Underlying Causes of the Crises Affecting Black Communities. We did follow up with the meeting panel to try to get them to understand we had the tools just not the right users of the tools and nothing came of it. 

    During the public hearing we told the panel that in Cincinnati the people could create their own police force and had over a billion dollars in assets they could use to improve their condition.

    Congressman Conyers has “causes” like his standing on the election, but even the candidates (both senators) didn’t stand up for themselves.  He has good intentions, we think, but no follow through that gains us what we needed – at least in der Nati.

    Who wants to be part of the EU?  We are Americans, at least the founders of Cincinnati Change, who live in the oldest living constitutional republican democracy in the world.  The EU can even pass a constitution. Carter? Come on. 

    We have just got through sponsoring a candidate for president in Liberia and can tell you about third world politics (if you make a mistake not only you but your family may die).  Been There Done That, have you?

16. Nubian Oracle says:
    24 Jan 2006  at  10:10 pm | #

    As to action coem and see we have been doing it with the Hip Hop Summit in der nati in October with over 1,000 kids. Our mission now is to bring together people in a movement that will create businesses in the Empowerment Zone.  we have been about it and helping to write the 2002 OTR plan.

    As to the length of the words they were the basis of the posts.

17. Yadda Yadda says:
    25 Jan 2006  at  01:30 pm | #

    As to the length of the words they were the basis of the posts.

    Posts which have nothing to do with the subject that’s being discussed. It’s better ‘net etiquette to include links to your lengthy materials rather than making eerybody slog through them here to get to the next posts. Nobody’s trying to stifle you, but just because you’re enthusiastic about your program doesn’t mean it’s relevent to the current conversation

18. Nubian Oracle says:
    25 Jan 2006  at  05:34 pm | #

    I thought those points where the current thread...my bad.

19. Rove says:
    26 Jan 2006  at  12:58 am | #

    Nubian,

    “Who wants to be part of the EU?” The point is our election system sucks, most people don’t believe their votes matter or even get counted. That’s why we have the lowest voter turnout in the western world.

    The Carter Institute oversees elections around the world. (Mostly the third world.)

    Yes, I’ve been to the third world, places like Guatamala where we’ve overthrown democratically elected governments and imposed brutal dictatorships. We do this in the interest of big bussiness. United Fruit co., now Chiquita was who benefited from this banana republic. This has been our policy in southeast Asia, the middle east and all over latin america, most recently in Haiti.

    “We are Americans, at least the founders of Cincinnati Change, who live in the oldest living constitutional republican democracy in the world.”
    You know women didn’t get the right to vote until the 1920s and blacks in the south didn’t get it until the mid 60s, right?

    Blacks still have problems in Florida and Ohio. Who cares if he couldn’t make it to Cincy, what does that have to do with anything?

20. Nubian Oracle says:
    26 Jan 2006  at  12:18 pm | #

    He was in der Nati for many years now he is back home.  See that’s what we will be good at spreading a working Democracy that gave women the right to vote and preserved the Union. 

    Here what we believe - Affirmative Action means to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race. In 1565 the colony of Saint Augustine in Florida became the first permanent settlement in North America and included a number of African slaves. That means 2005 is the 40th year from 1965, when America recognized that since 1565 African Americans needed to have past wrongs addressed. African American businesses have the same right.

    Our take is the only way to change global poverty that will happen if we get global businesses in on that change.  Bill gates and His Wife have given away $25B.

    Cincinnati Change will have equity in our real estate and technology developments.  What we look to do is to make Cincinnati a tourism development that will have over 100 multimedia production studios that will be tied to a content network of 100M users by the end of 2006.  We can do that because we own the rights to buy a patent to dynamic bandwidth that was developed for P & G, here, with it the first Digital HDTV broadcast was made here in 1995.

    You want in on the issue then join us as we put the city to the test as in if you can do it in der Nati you can do it anywhere.

    Oh, we are for renewing the Voting Rights Act.

    By the way read about the new presential policy and if you disagree then lets see what we can agree on and act on it.

    And by the way just because people don’t believe in something doesn’t mean its not true.  I challenge you to come out this Sunday at 9:00 at Peoples corner, email , in Walnut Hills at the CVS store.  March with us to start to register people to vote for good government.  If you will, we will, and lets register 50,000 people who can agree that we need to end poverty in this city by using all of the resources we have including the 200 acre airport we (residents of the city) own.

21. Yadda Yadda says:
    26 Jan 2006  at  06:26 pm | #

    and if you disagree then lets see what we can agree on and act on it.

    Okay, how about we agree that your posts have nothing to do with the subject of this thread, Bill Gothard’s connections to Cincinnati?

22. says:
    27 Jan 2006  at  08:44 am | #

    Dean, has the Mayor’s office responded back to you, yet?
    Do you expct a response?  Has the Chief’s office blocked you out?
    Do you know many officers personally that you could speak to them?

23. says:
    27 Jan 2006  at  09:18 am | #

    I had a message on my answering machine last night from the Mayor’s office, but I don’t know yet if it was this issue that inspired the call.

    I have not contacted the Chief.

    I do not know any officers.

24. Nubian Oracle says:
    27 Jan 2006  at  10:44 am | #

    Again I ask is it the messanger or the message that brothers you so much?

25. says:
    27 Jan 2006  at  11:28 am | #

    What in the hell are you talking about?

26. Yadda Yadda says:
    27 Jan 2006  at  11:02 pm | #

    Again I ask is it the messanger or the message that brothers you so much?

    Since “the message” is incomprehensible, it must be the “messanger.”

27. Nubian translator says:
    29 Jan 2006  at  09:52 pm | #

    Nubian,
    How many people did you register?

    Did you educate them too, or just say support one crooked party over the other?