As everyone knows, facing a national economic crisis, a County economic crisis, and a City economic crisis—further exasperated by the tenuous City retirement system—the City of Cincinnati needs to start tightening the belt to stay solvent.  So how does half a million dollars sound?  Is that a significant amount of money?  In Mayor Mallory’s recommendations to the 2009-2010 budget, he has several line items that are near this dollar amount.  Why, then, should the City throw that much money away into a pointless system that benefits no one in particular?

If you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about the strong mayor primary election that will happen in September—an election for the City of Cincinnati alone that has never included any other item than a run-off for the mayoral candidates.  We asked John Williams at the Hamilton County Board of Elections how much this special primary will cost for the election of the 2009 mayor.

“A rough estimate for the mayoral primary is approximately $550,000,” stated Williams. 

In Mallory’s budget recommendations, he wants to eliminate the gas light fee that had some City residents upset by the extra expenditure.  That would have generated $100,000 annually.  In other words, less than the price of this pointless, special election.

It costs approximately $340,000 to keep the pools and recreation centers open.  That costs less than one expensive and obscure special primary for the mayoral race.

Here’s how ridiculous our system has become:  mayoral candidates run all summer, and then face off in a September primary about which most people know nothing.  The top two vote earners then face off for the November general election.  By why waste all this money for the extra step?  Why not just have all the candidates face off in the general election?  This will still result in the direct election of a strong mayor!

Mallory wants to create a Co-op Coordinator position to help the future of City government.  He says it will cost $61,000.  In other words, one excessive and bloated mayoral primary costs what could fund that position for eight years.

To save money, Mallory wants to cut $30,000 to the Cincinnati Arts Consortium.  But cutting the mayoral primary could provide that level of funding for over a decade!

Starting to get the picture?

Now, getting rid of this would be rather simple.  City Council places it on the November ballot and we get rid of it, saving this money from now on.  Why wouldn’t the City do this?  It is the fiscally responsible thing to do for the long-term health of Cincinnati.

This and past cartoons also available here

For the past week, we have hosted a discussion about Barack Obama’s multiracial identity, and how media like The Enquirer reports it—particularly based on things like the AP Stylebook and Gannett’s Code of Newsroom Ethics.  And while there seems a general desire to allow Obama himself to choose whether he be called “African-American” or “multiracial,” no one suggests media should refer to Obama as “white.” But shouldn’t that be a realistic option if multiracial people are truly granted their preference?  Can Obama be “white,” if he desires?

Interestingly, the AP Stylebook is relatively silent on the issue of terms like “white,” or “Caucasian”—unless to specify that the latter should be capitalized.  But how many people are seriously willing to entertain the notion that a brown skinned man with tightly curled hair could choose to be “white” if that were his preference?

Let me be clear:  I am not saying that Obama should not be given that choice.  I am suggesting, however, that the choice is not one we have, as a culture, realistically extended.  So people like Obama, or Tiger Woods, are forced to make a decision between being multiracial or African American.  But what would we do if such a person decided to be white?  Is that a decision our media, for example, would be willing to accept?

Recently, The Enquirer’s Peter Bronson found an old copy of a stylebook and he wrote about it for his column.  I found this excerpt most noteworthy:

The list of prohibited redundance includes “true facts,” “high noon,” “completely destroyed,” “blazing fire,” “loud din,” “old adage” and “invited guests.”

Under “Bromides,” Wiley advises, “Beware of the following trite expressions. They are worn out.” He lists “point with pride,” “spread like wildfire,” “like rats in a trap,” “rumor has it,” “whipped out a revolver,” “bury the hatchet,” “news leaked out,” and “hail of lead.”

“Hail of lead” is not as trite as it used to be. I guess newsrooms weren’t the only places that were more exciting in 1928.

But some things never change. “Accuracy is essential,” Wiley insisted. Still a true fact.

Accuracy.  With the case of a multiracial person like Barack Obama, it looks like modern media stylebooks have traded accuracy for preference—but I think there are some unspoken rules regarding these preferences.  I do not believe the media would refer to Obama as “white” if that’s what he said he is. 

Interestingly, we cannot turn to a place like the AP Stylebook to find an answer.  They do not have entries for “multiracial,” and their definitions for things like “white,” “Caucasian,” and even “African-American” are not totally clear and thorough in terms of providing accuracy—that essential element from newsrooms in 1928.

So, AP Stylebook editors, if you are reading this, I challenge you to update your book with a “multiracial” category—and I dare you to make clear and accurate definitions that make sense.  I’d love to know if you’d let Obama be another white president, if he felt like it.

The event is set to kick off three months of activism and awareness building, marking the passage of Ohio’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) between December 2003 and February 2004. The act, sponsored by Cincinnati state representative Bill Seitz, was passed in the state House of Representatives by a margin of 73-24 and would later be signed into law by then-Governor Bob Taft. The state statute was later reinforced by a state constitutional amendment, approved by voters in 2006. IMPACT Cincinnati believes that public perception has changed dramatically since 2003 regarding LGBTQ persons and that there is a growing consensus amongst Ohioans to grant equal protection for same-sex couples in the state, and that continued visibility, dialogue and education is the only way to continue that trend. 

The vigil on December 4 will be the debut the local WhiteKnot campaign. Gaining national prominence immediately following the JoinTheImpact.com protests on November 15, WhiteKnot.org has spearheaded a movement for people to wear a white ribbon tied in a knot as a show of support for equal marriage. From their website, “The White Knot is the symbol for marriage equality. It takes two traditional symbols of marriage—white and tying the knot—and combines them in a simple way to show support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.”

Local organizers for IMPACT Cincinnati are optimistic about future events after the tremendous success of their City Hall protest. Aside from the vigil, plans are in the works to preview the movie MILK, set to be released in Cincinnati on December 12th, travel to Washington DC to be visible Midwest activists at the Obama inauguration, participate in several local and regional LGBTQ conferences, and take a regional leadership role in a national protest planned for June of 2009. 

IMPACT Cincinnati believes that true LGBTQ equality will only be achieved when every interested person has the opportunity to engage and participate in their wider movement and community. IMPACT Cincinnati, a grassroots network of community activists, strives to energize LGBTQ and allied people in Greater Cincinnati, link dedicated volunteers to a wide range of opportunities to generate change, and supports the efforts of local organizations working for equality. All are welcome.

Judge Mock was fair. The Cincinnati NAACP cannot ask for anything more from a judge than fairness. The Cincinnati NAACP president thanks the NAACP membership and its Executive Committee for their commitment to justice for all people.  “I still remain concerned by the disparity of charges, prosecution, and punishment by the Hamilton County Criminal Justice System. It is my hope that our community will support the Cincinnati NAACP legal fund with contributions so we can expand our efforts for fighting for freedom and justice,” says Smitherman.  Freedom is not free!

Mr. Reed had been given a $500,000 straight bond for child endangerment the same week Mrs. Slaby went on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Mr. Reed’s baby was not dead, but he had served 6 days in jail. Attorney Tye filed a motion for a bond reduction and found the State had misrepresented the facts to the court. The State claimed the baby had suffered a broken leg. This was not true.  After this finding, no media reported the misrepresentation about these new facts! Judge Mock questioned the State on who had given the court this misinformation and subsequently extended an O.R. Bond to Mr. Reed. President Smitherman says, “ Judge Mock was fair in his decision. However, if the Cincinnati NAACP had not intervened Mr. Reed would still be in jail awaiting his day in court.”

The Cincinnati NAACP hopes our members will take the time out of their busy schedules to show up to court tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. to show support. President Smitherman says, “ Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Slaby are free after the deaths of their children. Mr. Reed must fight for his freedom tomorrow after spending 6 days in jail on a $500,000 bond.” The Hamilton County criminal justice system is broken. President Smitherman says, “ Freedom is not free. Stop talking and do something!”

In a recent speech, you referred to Barack Obama as an “African-American.” Since you are a linguist, I wanted to ask some questions about that decision—and if, upon reflection, you might agree that the term “multiracial” would not only be more accurate, but also more useful as a linguistic social construct.

I believe the habit of labeling as “black” people who are only partially black is a residual of the outdated and racist “one drop rule.” As you know, this concept originally appeared to discourage intermingling of the races—scaring white people into thinking their genes will become degenerate as a result of miscegeny. 

Since that time—perhaps as a result of what Henry Louis Gates, Jr. calls “signifyin” (an African lingusitic construct wherein concepts can be transformed into their opposite)—African-American culture has capitalized on the fear mongering one drop rule and transformed it into “evidence” of the superior quality of black genes.  Naturally, that concept is just as incorrect as the one drop rule in the first place.

It is no surprise, however, that Barack Obama would occasionally refer to himself as a black male.  To do otherwise would merely complicate his political campaign—a campaign where he tried to neutralize the issue of race as much as possible.  Besides, Obama grew in a world that did not really recognize the validity of multiracial identity.  The option only became available on the last census forms, for just one example.

Everyone knows that Obama’s mother is white, and therefore everyone knows that Obama is multiracial.  (I use that term instead of “biracial” as it can more broadly encompass a wider spectrum of racial mixtures.)

By referring to an obviously multiracial person as “African-American,” aren’t you perpetuating an outdated system of racial classification?  As a linguist, would you agree it more appropriate to use the label “multiracial” when referring to someone who is multiracial?

Thank you in advance for your response, and I am eager to study your reply.

Respectfully,

[The Dean of Cincinnati]
Co-Publisher, The Cincinnati Beacon

UPDATE!  Noam Chomsky responds...

Unless there’s a reason not to, I refer to people as they choose to be referred to—since these labels have no clear meaning anyway.  We’re all multiracial, to the extent that race means anything. Obama refers to himself as African-American.  I’m not sure what he means by it: maybe that his father was African and his mother American.

Linguistics has nothing to say about the matter.

Noam Chomsky

Just because Thanksgiving has ended doesn’t mean the Freestore Foodbank’s needs have been adequately met for the season.  The Cincinnati Beacon is proud to continue participating in the Battle of the Blogs.  If you haven’t made a donation yet, just follow this link and give as much as you can!  As the battle for bragging rights rages on, it looks like the top two fiercest competitors are David Pepper and The Cincinnati Beacon! It is time to step up our efforts to give David Pepper a real run for his money!

As of this posting, Pepper reports just over $6,000 (thanks to an anonymous $5,000 donation given on behalf of his blog).  Our efforts have come in at just over $1,400.  (So without Pepper’s benefactor, we’d be the clear champions!) But the game isn’t over just because Pepper got one large donation.  In fact, after receiving $500 yesterday, my hopes are renewed that we can keep the battle alive!

So if you can give today, please give today—and if you’d be so kind, leave a comment about the amount so we can add it to our tally (or email me:  dean@cincinnatibeacon.com—I’ll keep your name anonymous if you desire).

Full disclaimer:  I do not work for the Freestore Foodbank, I do not know anyone who does, and I do not get anything out of this fundraiser (except bragging rights).

But if you need a reason why to give on behalf of The Beacon, and not Pepper’s blog (or one of the other participating blogs), the answer is simple:  as the second place fundraisers, we have the best chance of catching up to Pepper.  And, since we all know Pepper is a fierce competitor, he will be forced to step up his own efforts if he perceives we have become a threat.  And that’s the whole point!  To raise more money for the Freestore Foodbank!

So what are you waiting for? Give to the Freestore Foodbank today!

Shortly after the election, we submitted a corrections request to The Cincinnati Enquirer about their headline calling Barack Obama the first “African American” president.  Because Obama is multiracial, the headline is incorrect.  Since that time, The Enquirer’s Tom Callinan (pictured to the right) has not pursued a correction, and after sending our fourth request for details he offered a one line explanation:  “Copy desk chief advises that she followed Associated Press Stylebook on this.” However, a closer examination of both the AP Stylebook and the Gannett Newspaper Division Principles of Ethical Conduct suggests that The Enquirer still has a responsibility to correct their erroneous headline.

Let us separate the issue of The Enquirer following accepted newsroom guidelines from our own individual social perspectives on the ethnic identity of Barack Obama.  While some of us may desire to classify Obama as “African American,” such inclinations have nothing to do with either accuracy or the newsroom principles to which we should expect a major daily paper to adhere.  It is not the business of major professional news organizations to pontificate a social agenda.  They should merely report the news in an accurate manner, especially when we’re talking front page headlines the day after a major US election.

The following comes from Gannett’s policy for correcting errors (my emphasis placed in bold):

Correcting errors

When errors occur, the newspaper has an ethical obligation to correct the record and minimize harm.

* Errors should be corrected promptly. But first, a determination must be made that the fact indeed was in error and that the correction itself is fully accurate.
* Errors should be corrected with sufficient prominence that readers who saw the original error are likely to see the correction. This is a matter of the editor’s judgment.
* Although it is wise to avoid repeating the error in the correction, the correction should have sufficient context that readers will understand exactly what is being corrected.
* Errors of nuance, context or tone may require clarifications, editor’s notes, editor’s columns or letters to the editor.
* When the newspaper disagrees with a news subject about whether a story contained an error, editors should consider offering the aggrieved party an opportunity to express his or her view in a letter to the editor.
* Corrections should be reviewed before publication by a senior editor who was not directly involved in the error. The editor should determine if special handling or outside counsel are required.
* Errors should be corrected whether or not they are called to the attention of the newspaper by someone outside the newsroom.
* Factual errors should be corrected in most cases even if the subject of the error does not want it to be corrected. The rationale for this is rooted in the Truth Principle. It is the newspaper’s duty to provide accurate information to readers. An exception may be made – at the behest of the subject – when the correction of a relatively minor mistake would result in public ridicule or greater harm than the original error.

As this code of conduct makes clear, The Enquirer should have corrected its headline calling Obama an “African American” due to the “Truth Principle.” The truth is that Obama is multiracial, and accurate reporting means calling him that.

Additionally, as stated in the code, the “Truth Principle” trumps the desires of the subject in question, so long as the correction does not cause ridicule or harm.  Callinan would be hard pressed to show that Barack Obama will be harmed with the truthful and accurate label “multiracial.”

But what about the Associated Press Stylebook?  After all, this is the defense Callinan provided, allegedly crafted by the copy desk chief.

The 2008 AP Stylebook defines when the term “African American” should be used:

African-American

Acceptable for an American black person of African descent. Black is also acceptable. The terms are not necessarily interchangeable. People from Caribbean nations, for example, generally refer to themselves as Caribbean-American. Follow a person’s preference.

The term “black” is acceptable for a person of the black race. (Use Negro only in names of organizations or in quotations.) Do not use colored as a synonym. See colored, nationalities and races, and race entries. (2/20/08)

Barack Obama is not an “American black person.” He is an “American multiracial person.” But to be clear on what “black” means in the context of the AP styleguide, let’s just look at the 2008 entry for “black”:

black

Acceptable for a person of the black race. (Use Negro only in names of organizations or in quotations.) Do not use colored as a synonym. See colored, nationalities and races, and race entries.

Barack Obama is not a “person of the black race.” He is a person of mixed racial ancestry, and as such he is “multiracial.”

In the interests of being thorough (a lesson I suggest for Callinan and The Enquirer), here is the AP Stylebook entry for “race”:

race

Identification by race is pertinent:

—In biographical and announcement stories, particularly when they involve a feat or appointment that has not routinely been associated with members of a particular race.

—When it provides the reader with a substantial insight into conflicting emotions known or likely to be involved in a demonstration or similar event.

In some stories that involve a conflict, it is equally important to specify that an issue cuts across racial lines. If, for example, a demonstration by supporters of busing to achieve racial balance in schools includes a substantial number of whites, that fact should be noted.

Do not use racially derogatory terms unless they are part of a quotation that is essential to the story.

While Obama’s election is “a feat” that has “not routinely been associated” with non-whites, this aspect of the stylebook supports the accurate labeling of Obama as “multiracial.” The fact that Obama’s mixed racial ancestry is so widely known makes the conclusion even more obvious.

Some may indicate that Obama has, in the past, referred to himself as black—like when he said, “If I’m outside your building trying to catch a cab, they’re not saying, ‘Oh, there’s a mixed race guy,’” or when he referred to himself as “a skinny black man with a funny name.” But he has also referred to himself as a “mutt,” specifically:  “our preference would be to get a shelter dog ... a mutt, like me.”

Obama may have as many ways of describing himself as he desires, but a professional news organization adhering to a stylebook and a code of conduct should be held to their own professional standards. 

I still await a timely correction.

Today, as families gather to commemorate the white imperialism that stole this great land from the Native Americans so we can have television shows, web sites, microwave ovens, and fast food, I thought it appropriate to pause and reflect on a number of things both local and global, and to remind myself (and others, should you be open) about topics for consideration these holidays.  This season (perhaps now more than ever) should be about love and giving, not rampant corporate economies and mindless consumerism—mindless clamoring for imported plastic goods created in toxic third world sweatshops.  Let us turn our attention, and our hearts, therefore, inwardly toward ourselves, our families, and our own community this holiday season.  Here are my meager contributions towards such reflections.

Green Friday

I watched What Would Jesus Buy? yesterday, and found it quite enlightening.  (In fact, each holiday season my thoughts turn towards Rev. Billy.) Rev. Billy’s Church of Stop Shopping knows that people will not actually stop shopping, but instead they hope to raise awareness among consumers—challenging them to consider the nature of that in which they participate each frenzied shopping season.

My family keeps asking me what I want for Christmas this year, and I really can’t think of anything.  I guess, if pressed, I’ll admit that a cheap wireless laptop so I can get online upstairs instead of coming to my basement office would be nice.  Definitely not a necessity, though.  So I’m thinking that I should take my own premise for Green Friday to heart.  Perhaps I should tell everyone who plans on spending money on me, whether I want them to do so or not, to buy a gift card to Park + Vine.  It seems the perfect way to stay local and green and to fulfill the desires of family members who want to give me something.

I imagine that many other families, like mine, have obligation spending of this sort.  In other words, there are people who don’t really need anything, but because it’s the holiday season you’ll be obliged to buy something anyway. 

Some people will use opportunities like this to give to charities on behalf of the gift-receiver.  (Hey, if you are in cyberspace reading this, and you feel inspired to give me a gift, don’t forget about the Battle of the Blogs for the Freestore Foodbank!) But I do understand that some purchasers will want to have something for the recipient to use or have or hold, or something.  So I think I’ll be introducing my family to Park + Vine this year. 

Toy Lab

Speaking of staying green and local economies, consider Toy Lab for children this holiday season.  I had nearly forgotten about Toy Lab, but my son brought it up last night when I asked him a question about Christmas gifts.

I said, “Would you rather have a new toy from the toy store, or something that someone made by hand from scratch?”

He thought for a moment, then responded, “Let’s go to Toy Lab and make a toy there.”

What a great idea!  For those who don’t know, Toy Lab combines recycling and creativity into an adventurous family experience.  There are bins filled with toy pieces of every sort—bodies, heads, arms, and other such miscellany.  For $14, you get to spend time in the lab picking out seven pieces that you have a vision for assembling into a brand new toy of your own creation.  Then the lab technicians will assemble the piece according to your vision!  So you help the environment in a small way, support the local economy, and get a one-of-a-kind toy produced by quality family time.  It’s a win all the way around!

BuyCincy’s Holiday Buying Guide

BuyCincy has promised to put together a holiday buying guide.  So before rushing to finish my own holiday shopping, I’ll wait until they get this thing public.  I’ll be curious to see what it says, and how diverse the offerings will be.

According to employees of the Hamilton County Job and Family Services (JFS) who attended yesterday’s meeting, as many as 350 jobs could be lost in this department alone.  In fact, layoffs have already begun at JFS as an estimated 80 workers have already lost their jobs.

Organizers and sponsors of yesterday’s public meeting (including Mother Paula Jackson, Rev. Damon Lynch III, and Cincinnati Progressive Action) voiced concerns over the layoffs at JFS during these times of economic hardship.  Attendees expressed concern that during times when unemployment is going to increase, the county will be eliminating workers from an agency that will be needed the most and who are most prepared to handle an increase in unemployed citizens.  In addition to the loss of jobs at JFS, attendees worried that elimination of these positions will put many of these workers into the unemployment line themselves and will actually end up costing the County more money in the long-run.

The first public hearing put together by County Commissioners was held on November 19 at the Sharonville Convention Center.  An estimated 150 citizens attended this hearing and numerous employees of the Sheriff’s Office spoke voicing their opposition to the recommended budget.  Family members of these employees also voiced their concerns about how job losses and a reduction in public safety services will affect their communities.  While the vast majority of the speakers at this first public hearing were connected to the Sheriff’s Office, members of the Hamilton County JFS were largely absent despite facing similar job and service cuts.  As the final two public hearings approach on December 3 and December 10, attendees of last night’s public meeting shared the viewpoint that more members of JFS are needed to attend these hearings to voice their opinion on an issue that greatly affects them.

With a lack of representation from JFS workers at both the public hearing on November 19 and at last night’s public meeting at the Church of Our Savior, it was acknowledged that there is work to do to both educate workers at JFS on the impact that the proposed budget will have on the agency and also motivate JFS workers to attend the remaining public hearings to give their input and voice solutions to issues raised in the 2009 proposed budget.

Some of the attendees of last night’s meeting questioned how the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are working with their members at JFS as the threat of future job cuts loom.  Based upon the response of JFS employees at the meeting, it appears that AFSCME has taken little to no action to encourage workers to either attend or speak out at the public hearings.  AFSCME even cancelled a recent meeting despite questions raised by JFS workers about this current crisis.

As the public meeting concluded, attendees called for JFS workers, all those who have been affected by the services that JFS provides, and all citizens concerned about the future of County services to attend either one or both of the remaining public hearings to voice their opinions as well as their solutions to the cuts that are included in the proposed budget.  The times and locations for the remaining two public hearings are as follows:

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
The Drake Center
Rooms F and G, Level A, West Pavilion
151 West Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45216-1096

From a recent Media Bridges broadcast.  Reposted with permission.

Just check out this article from Pittsburgh, back when Stephen Leeper (now CEO of 3CDC) was there developing needlessly in a City that couldn’t sustain it.  They were building stadiums and hotels and the City ended up going bankrupt.  That’s when Leeper left and got a job in Cincinnati.  Facing our own stadium boondoggle and an underfunded City pension system, 3CDC got control of revenue streams from places like the Fountain Square parking garage, and they also started saturating the area with condos and office space.

Anyway, overdevelopment in a time of financial crisis can lead to bankruptcy.  So why in the world are we thinking about that $200 million dollar downtown choo-choo train?  Why all the subsidies and corporate welfare for more condos and office space downtown?  What is a possible natural outcome of such behavior?

Meanwhile, Todd Portune has been suggesting the the County adopt a charter form of government. 

What happens when a City goes bankrupt? 

Enter municipal regional government.  Now it looks like Portune’s desire to implement a charter form of government, similar to the City of Cincinnati’s, could be preparation for the impending financial disaster being heralded purposefully by City Hall.  This could be, for better or worse, the next generation of regional leadership.

Too bad the County is about to go under, too!

Facing tough economic times, one must wonder what kinds of decisions the City has made, and what major players pushed for those decisions.  Thanks to people like Jeff Berding, Hamilton County is still paying for the stadium fiasco.  Due to City Council, assets like the Fountain Square parking garage were sold for a song (in a deal only opposed by then-councilmember Christopher Smitherman). 

How much garage revenue did the City lose against the mortgage to renovate the Square?  How does the money lost in such decisions take on new meaning as we face bankruptcy?

What does it mean when the City manager goes to Portland to check out streetcars, and the City is about to go bankrupt?  What does it mean when the Mayor and other councilmembers are dancing in China, while the City is about to go bankrupt? 

How much money did the City lose putting money into housing investments instead of the retirement system, and now the real estate market has hit rock bottom?

How much corporate welfare has been directed to 3CDC and other such corporations, and what has been the return on those handouts?

Who is activating clawback provisions against companies like Convergys? 

Meanwhile, City Hall threatens to charge the average citizen more for things like garbage collection.  They want to nickel-and-dime us to death while they continue to play in a sandbox of sweetheart deals.

Accepting our challenge to join the Freestore Foodbank Battle of the Blogs, Alex Triantafilou has posted this item at the Hamilton County Republican Party blog (as well as sending an email to his lists).  Despite the record losses suffered by the Republicans this last election cycle, Triantafilou seems to think he can beat us in this blog battle—and on top of all that, he says conservatives are more charitable than liberals!  Are you a liberal offended by the notion?  Then give to the Freestore Foodbank blog battle today, and leave a comment here so we can send a strong message to Triantafilou that he will not be victorious!

Triantafilous wrote:

A few years ago, John Stossell of 20/20 did an investigative report on charitable giving (click the link to read the story). He debunked the myth that liberals are more likely to help the needy by proving that, in fact, self-identified conservatives and conservative groups were much more likely to give charitably than liberals. LET’S PROVE HIM RIGHT by helping the FreeStore FoodBank and show these local bloggers what we are all about!

Well, the political landscape has changed a bit since Stossell’s 2006 report, and formerly red states have gone blue.  So, here is a chance for all you Democrats and left-leaning independents to send a strong message directly to the chair of the local GOP.  We must not let Triantafilou be victorious!

Give today!  Give tomorrow!  Show Triantafilou what it means that Hamilton County has gone blue!

NOTE: If you are a Republican or right-leaning independent, ignore this post and read this one instead.  You don’t want David Pepper to win, do you?  Give on behalf of Team Beacon!