cris3429

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one. The traffic in West Chester is just as bad, if not worse, that it is in Cincinnati, and there aren't nearly as many things to do. Aside from Kings Island, and Fields Ertel, there isn't much going on there. It's just mostly overpriced suburban subdivisions. And the only way I would go to Kenwood, is if I wanted to pay $40 for a T-shirt. These places are nothing more than big suburbs. They do not have art centers, museums, sports teams, historical sights, or the overall diversity that Downtown Cincinnati offers. I have a lot of friends from Mason, and one from West Chester. They all work in Cincinnati, and most of the bars and restaurants we frequent are in downtown because it's centrally located and there are tons of places we can go. I just read in the paper yesterday that the Banks project has preliminary plans in place, even though they won't share the plans with the public. But that's understandable considering the blue prints are still owned by the developers. I'm holding my breath, but it looks like the Banks is finally going to happen. On an aside....yes the enquirer will call you if they print anything, and for whatever reason, they always want a picture.

I don't like the Patriot Act at all. It was pushed on the American people during a time of weakness and intense passion. Spying on Americans is reprehensible no matter what the situation is. Gov't secrecy is a threat to democracy! *slams fist on table* LOL....Couldn't put it better myself.

Thanks for the correction.

I don't like the Patriot Act at all. It was pushed on the American people during a time of weakness and intense passion. Spying on Americans is reprehensible no matter what the situation is.

Sorry I haven't posted recently, I've been really busy and I'm getting ready to leave for vacation, but I will repost when I get back. I just want to leave you with one thought real quick. Although I don't remember who said it, I will quote them properly when I have time. "Those who are willing to give up a little liberty for a little security...deserve neither."

And I am a Republican who is for what is right and sometimes it flows back and forth from individual to societal depending on the given topic. Easier said than done sometimes, I agree with your point however, whenever possible. Yet you asked some and they would say to not live in a "questionable" neighborhood would remove you from that positition. So because I do not wish this to be the only option, I would also like to entertain both precautionary as well as deterrent measures. Very well said. I couldn't agree more.

Huh....I guess that was a factual and accurate statement, rather than a typical generalization of what socialism is. Sorry let be a little more specific on what socialism is...you're being awfully defensive and sensitive all of a sudden. What...did I strike a nerve or something??? so·cial·ism Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[soh-shuh-liz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. Quoted from Dictionary.Com Yep that seems to fit your community and social good ideals pretty well. Am I wrong???

I don't believe I've once "flavorfully name called or generalized" on this topic.

agreed but let me throw in one more thing. I am an advocate of choice. And even after everything I have said and truly believe on the subject, neither my wife nor myself have chosen to have a conceal and carry(watch, now I will get robbed) and most people do not, but I support others right to do so. and let me clarify then that I am an advocate for the greater social good. This can be hazy at times, but I consider myself a Democrat who is not always for individual rights. I put the society before the individual almost 100% of the time. You can call me a 'Classical Republicanist'. :speech: And I'm for freedom and the power of choice. I do not need nor should I have to put up with the government dictating my life. That would be called socialism. Social good at the expense of choice or individual rights violates the very foundation that this nation was founded on.

Why do you think that crime is going down in OTR. Do you have examples of what they have done in that community to bring down crime. If you do please share them in this forum, and hopefully those same ideas and examples can be used throughout Cincinnati and that would be a huge step towards getting people back to the city.

Thank you for speaking up. That is very sad what happened to that couple, and I hope that they are able to get through it and return to living a normal life. Give them my best wishes.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the general public taking the law into their own hands. That can get out of control VERY quickly. If you notice, a couple of months ago one man shot an intruder/robber...then you immediately heard of another couple similar occurrences. All of a sudden you have people thinking they can take the law into their own hands and thats even MORE dangerous in my opinion. There is no perfect solution to this problem, but I don't think that allowing more people to carry guns (and guns made for killing people at that) is the right solution. By doing that you are just increasing the odds that people use those guns...and there is then an increased possibility that they will use them inappropriately. More violence does not fix/cure an existing problem of violence. That's not taking the law into your own hands Rando...that's called self-defense, and the law allows it. Vigilante justice or taking the law into your own hands would be like going out on your own and killing someone that did something to you or a friend or familty matter. Or going out and trying to bring criminals into jails without actually being a member of law enforcement. This type of justice I do not agree with at all. However, using a gun in self-defense to protect your self and your family is something that this country needs. You left out the part about the guy being hit in the head with a tire iron twice in the head before he shot the intruder. Take the gun out of that man's hands, and he is now the one in the morgue instead of the robber who broke into his home. Is that what you want?

So basically what you are saying is you get to enjoy all of the amenities of a major city without taking any responsibility for the health and safety of the community. If you want to select that one little piece out of everything I said and then spin it to sound like that I guess that is your prerogative. Actually, I work in the city of Cincinnati, and my income taxes do help pay for facilities and personnel in the city...so no actually your wrong. I agree with you completely on everything you just said about the city. I don't understand why people think I'm bashing the city and I hate the city, or I'm kicking it on the way out or whatever else people are saying. I've said repeatedly in my posts that I love the city of Cincinnati. All I've done is voiced my opinions on some of the problems I have seen with the city and it leaders. That's all. People in here are acting as if you can't bring up problems if you don't love the city and that just simply is not the case. I can't wait for Cincinnati to be a vibrant city that we can all be proud of. But we won't get there if we don't realize that there are problems and try to correct them.

ROFLMAO....I guess if you wanted to make a mess that will definitely do the job. look its dark, you are awakened in the middle of the night, your aim isn't going to be great, and the rounds probably won't penetrate multiple walls and accidentally kill you sleeping family. I have no problem with long arms, they fall under the second amendment, (millitia don't fight with pistols) you can't conceal a rifle, walking down the street with one is obvious. Look at switzerland, many rifles, little crime. United States many handguns, lots of crime. That's one of the most ignorant, idiotic, outlandish arguments I've ever heard. Yeah, familty values, judicial system, government, and community have absolutely nothing to do with crime in Switzerland, just the length of the barrel on the gun the people there own. You know what? I'm going to take your argument one step further using a very sensitive subject, just to shed some light on the absurdity of the argument you just tried to use. By your logic then black people are the reason for crime. Look at Switzerland...very few black people...little crime. Look at the United States.....lots of black people.....lots of crime. You're going to have to do a lot better than that buddy. :wave:

They already do have that in the judicial system...it's called a gun specification charge. I'm not saying that efforts to reduce crime are futile. I'm just saying this one is. Let's think about this logically and do a little role play. I'm a robber and you're a citizen of Cincinnati out on a weeknight stroll. Now...if handguns are illegal and I want to rob you, then I know that there is now way you have a gun hidden on you somewhere and I can come up and rob you at will. If you decide to resist, I might just go ahead and shoot you with the gun I carry illegally, or cut you, or just beat the crap out of you. However, if handguns are legalized and you carry a permit for that weapon, then I now have to make a decision. Do I risk trying to rob you knowing that you could have a gun and kill me, or do I just walk the other way. Let's say I do try to rob you. I come up to you and demand your wallet. You try to protect your property and your life by refusing, and you pull a gun on me. You just saved yourself from a robbery and possible saved your life because you had the option of using that gun. Now, I ask this question. Both scenarios suck I know that, but I would rather have the choice of protecting myself than no chance at all. Don't you agree. ;)

ROFLMAO....I guess if you wanted to make a mess that will definitely do the job. look its dark, you are awakened in the middle of the night, your aim isn't going to be great, and the rounds probably won't penetrate multiple walls and accidentally kill you sleeping family. I have no problem with long arms, they fall under the second amendment, (millitia don't fight with pistols) you can't conceal a rifle, walking down the street with one is obvious. Look at switzerland, many rifles, little crime. United States many handguns, lots of crime. Nope...your argument is flawed. If the majority of crimes commited with hand guns were by people who legally owned th gun, then I would agree with you. Unfortunately...the majority of crimes commited with guns are by people who illegally possess then. So if they're carrying them illegally in the first place, then how is making them illegal for everyone going to change that? All it's going to do is make it impossible for actual law abiding citizens to defend themselves against any intruder or punk on the street that is carrying a fire arm

ROFLMAO....I guess if you wanted to make a mess that will definitely do the job.

Ok I want you to do me a favor. Find out how many people were murdered in the city of Cincinnati by someone with a firearm that they legally possesed. The banning of firearms will do absolutely nothing for the city. The majority of people killing others with guns don't own them legally. So by banning gun ownership you are actually doing absolutely nothing. Except of course taking the opportunity for someone to defend themself out of the equation. If you honestly thing that by banning firearms crime will go down, then I have to seriously reconsider how smart I thought you were.

I'm glad you said it...because I didn't want to get into it. Oh and on a side note, the federal government has a HUGE impact on crime rates. The programs they fund and don't fund have a direct correlation to the amount of criminal activity that occurs. Not to mention crime is very much related to economics...so the more the feds screw over the middle and lower classes = more crime. The most recent example is that of Cincinnati trying to ban illegal firearms...but their hands are tied by the federal government. Now over 180 mayors from across the nation have joined together to get this changed (NYC and Boston are spearheading this effort...Bloomberg was in Cincy this morning for Cincy's announcement). What programs are you talking about specifically? What do you mean by illegal firearms? Are you wanting all firearms to be illegal, or just a certain type?

So basically what you are saying is you get to enjoy all of the amenities of a major city without taking any responsiblity for the health and saftey of the community. If you want to select that one little piece out of everything I said and then spin it to sound like that I guess that is your perogative. Actually, I work in the city of Cincinnati, and my income taxes do help pay for facilities and personel in the city...so no actually your wrong. hmm.. I guess i missed that work in the city part. Yes I do work in the city.

So basically what you are saying is you get to enjoy all of the amenities of a major city without taking any responsiblity for the health and saftey of the community. If you want to select that one little piece out of everything I said and then spin it to sound like that I guess that is your perogative. Actually, I work in the city of Cincinnati, and my income taxes do help pay for facilities and personel in the city...so no actually your wrong.

actually it is going down http://cincinnati-oh.gov/ look under quality of life index 2006, page 3 Recently something like 15-20k people magically appeared in our city after we corrected the census error. Does that have any effect on the quality of life index? Sorry Murders are going up.

Thank you for the phone number. It's now programmed in my phone as well. I do take everything I read in the media with a grain of salt, but unfortunately it's the only way I can really get any news with the hectic life I have going on with work, school, marriage, and a kid on the way. However, it does give me a good overall picture, unfortunately just not all of the nitty gritty details.

Good for you. I'm glad the city is accomodating your needs and you can enjoy the character of the city. Ok let me revise.... one major reason for people staying in the city is jobs.

Hey Atlas, this is Sean Criswell. I don't know who you are, but I got the distinct feeling you don't know me. I'm not that bright? I would love to know what falls under your definition of bright. After all I only graduated with honors in the top 25 of my class and was a national honor society member, along with playing two varsity sports. But I digress. My real reason for posting is to enlighten you and Uncle Rando a little bit. The reason I was interviewed is because the Cincinnati Enquirer put a link up on its website asking for anyone who has moved out of Hamilton County in the past couple of years to let them know why they moved. Let's see... I lived in Hamilton County and I moved.....hmmm seems like I fit the description. The journalist who interviewed me asked me why I moved. I told her I had no real intention of moving, but because my girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, is from Indiana and wanted to move back. She then asked me why I thought other people were moving. I said I believed it was crime and the ineptitude of county and city commissioners and I cited the Banks Project as an example. With that being said, my opinion actually does hold weight and should be viewed. You see, even though I live in Greendale, I work in Cincinnati. I pay income taxes to the city of Cincinnati, so I have every right to say my views on a city that uses my tax dollars. Considering three banks within a five block radius of my work have been robbed in the past six months, a woman was mugged outside of our business during the holidays, and three cars in our parking lot have been broken into, I have first hand seen the crime that goes on in Cincinnati. Not only that but the Banks Project has been a joke. It's a fight between Cincinnati and Hamilton County to see who gets to oversee the development. Let's see....I lived in Hamilton County and I work in Cincinnati....seems like I have a right to an opinion. So actually UncleRando, I have a very real connection to the Banks Project and the crime that goes on in Cincinnati. It was a nice try though really. One last thing Atlas. I could't help but notice that we are the same age, yet you graduated a year behind me. Did you get held back or fail??? Just wondering. Thx for coming on and sharing your end of the story, but my opinion still stands. The Enquirer it seems did misquote you, but it doesn't change the meat of my point. You cited crime...well how is the crime for the entire county?? Hey how is the crime for Cincinnati?? Sure the media portrays it as one thing, but if you actually do the research and educate yourself then you will realize that Cincinnati is actually no different from any other large metropolitan area. Now if you say that it is high for all of those places then fine....I've got plenty of problems with the social programs and the programs meant at correcting criminal behavior. Talk to your reps in DC and start demanding change! Don't blame the city for the federal government's ineptitude! Secondly...The Banks. Do you know anyone from the Banks Working Group? Do you know anyone from the Urban Design Review Board? Do you know anyone from AIG? Do you actually read/educate yourself on the project any further than reading the Enquirer? My guess is that the answer to most, if not all, of these questions is no. In the most recent City Beat publication it states that The Banks should be underway by this fall. When you compare the time line of The Banks to that of other comparable projects...then you will realize that it takes time, and that this project hasn't been any different from those. I would appreciate it if people starting educating themselves on topics before they simply enact the anti-city knee jerk reaction. If you find it inappropriate for me to criticize people like yourself and the others that were quoted in the article then fine...but I find it inappropriate for people like yourself to unnecessarily bash the city! If you want to move to be closer to your gf or whatever...fine; just don't kick the city on your way out! Its tacky and illustrates that you have zero class whatsoever. Enjoy your life out in Dearborn County...and I'll enjoy mine here in Hamilton. I guess I'll have to continue to have my car bullet-proofed and chain my front door shut every day. While you can skip through flowering meadows with bunnies and rainbows! I reviewed some of your posts and I must say that to see someone who is very active in their community, especially, at the age of 21 is refreshing and great to see. Also, I believe that we share a lot of the same views. Having said that, let me try and shed some light on my thoughts and attempt to alter your very skewed view of mine that you have received from a very small paragraph in a newspaper. I will try and take your points one by one. First, you are absolutely right when it comes to the crime rate in Cincinnati compared to other cities. However, does that change anything? The crime rate in Cincinnati is still going up. Does that mean people just throw up there arms and say, "Well it's happening everywhere else, guess I don't move anywhere." or do they do what has been happening for years and move to the suburbs or rural areas where crime isn't nearly as bad. This would explain the 5.4% growth rate in Butler County, 23% growth rate in Warren county and growth in Clermont county, Indiana, and Northern Kentucky. The only thing that keeps people in or near the city is jobs, which up until very recently have been outsourced to other counties or states all together. As far as social programs and programs for correcting criminal behavior, I'm having a really hard time trying to see where the federal government is responsible for the crime rate in a city. First off no one has any control over whether someone commits a crime or not other than the person who commits it. Could a city or county limit the opportunity for a crime, or seek out viable alternatives to crime for underpriviledged people. Absolutely. But there comes a point, when people need to hold themselves and their community accountable for their actions. I really don't see where the federal government comes into play there. The CPD has its hands tied by the collaborative agreement. Jails are overcrowded, and take a stroll through OTR and you will see drug deals going on in broad daylight. True this may be happening in other cities across the United States, but you are seeing the same sprawl from those communities as well. Second. The Banks.....No I do not know anyone from AIG, UDRB, or the Banks Working Group. However, I don't know Ted Strickland, Bush, Pelosi, Kennedy, or any other politician for that matter. I don't need to personally meet or know anyone to see how well they are doing at their job. That is what the press and news are for. City Beat, says work will begin in the fall. Just like work was supposed to start in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2006. If they finally do start on this project, then it's about damn time, but I'm not holding my breath. We have had countless developers pull out citing county and city squabbling as one of the reasons. They have wasted money, time, and patience with this project. I understand that projects take time, but 9 years and absolutely no progress??? Never before have a seen or heard about ineptitude from city and county government on such a large scale when it involves something that will do nothing but benefit the city. Everyone wants their hand in the pot and greed has stalled this project for far too long. Third. I am not bashing the city. If you want to perceive it that way, then that's fine. All I'm doing is stating facts. Contrary to your beliefs, I actually love Cincinnati. I go to Reds, and Bengals games every year. I have been to the National Underground Freedom Center (which is another screwup, what ever happened to not having to use tax payers dollars???), I go to the Taste of Cincinnati every year, and I go to Union Terminal once every couple of months. I want to see Cincinnati be a vibrant community where people can go and have a great time no matter what their form of entertainment may be. My brother lives in Clifton and I go up there regularly to see him and we go to many local bars and resteraunts. That is why I have stated what I have. Just because I love my city does not mean that I will not try and hold the leaders of this city accountable. I'm not kicking the city on my way out, as I have never left the city. I see it every day, but I will voice my opinion when I believe the city council is being ridiculous. If I don't have any class, which seems to be your go to word when you disagree with someone, as is evident by some of your other posts because I try to hold city leaders accountable for their ineptitude then I am guilty as charged. You call it bashing, I call it the real world. And finally, Thank you I will enjoy my life in Dearborn County. I can actually leave the windows rolled down on my car with a huge book of cd's laying on the seat, leave my front door unlocked, and go to sleep at night and know when I wake up in the morning everything will be just as I have left it. That would never happen in Cincinnati. When co-workers get their cars broken into, and get stuck up at knife point at the bus stop no less, I'm sorry but I'm not going to ignore that. You can oversensationalize all you want with the whole bulletproofing and meadows and rabbits, which i enjoyed quite thoroughly actually, but here's the facts. Is Dearborn County safer than Cincinnati? Yes it is. Are taxpayer dollars being wasted because of infighting and greed in Dearborn County. No there isn't. Are we losing residents of gaining residents? Gaining them. Are we gaining business or losing business? Gaining business. I love Cincinnati, and I'm glad you do too, but that doesn't mean that we just throw everything under the rug and not hold our city responsible for its actions. Just the same as I wouldn't turn a blind eye to something one of my employees was doing wrong. I sit them down, go over expectations, train them and coach them if I need to and then hold them accountable. Why are we not doing the same with our city.