Even more importantly, the total income of OTR residents keeps rising. So one new professional class resident equals 4,5, or even 6 old OTR residents in purchasing power and taxing potential. In an increasingly unequal society, all people are not equal.

On this one, they are practically urging people to vote yes on 48 if they are against the streetcar. Which is strange, because in their voting guide they urge people to vote no on 48 even if they are against the streetcar. They are literally talking out of both sides of their face. But why? It's totally inexplicable. Are they just that poorly run?

 

They are playing a balance game. They want Issue 48 to fail, but they want to continue to fan the flames of the streetcar debate. It's a major revenue source for their dying brand.

Exactly! Hamas and Iran would have to struggle to come up with another pretext for their terrorism if Israel were to dissappear today. COAST will always need a pretext for its attacks if they definitively lose. That is why we need to do just that so they are undermined.

So did Luken make it to the Enquirer chat today?  Or did he have "transportation" (read: Jack Daniels) problems again?

 

The Enqurier ran another Horstman piece on the poll today, in which he talks about how there is voter "confusion", then confuses them some more.  And as I predicted, just like Issue 9, COAST is complaining about the ballot language, and The Enquirer fails to mention that THEY WROTE IT. 

 

 

So did Luken make it to the Enquirer chat today?  Or did he have "transportation" (read: Jack Daniels) problems again?

 

I see no video and the link on the front of Cincinnati.com is gone.. Per Carl Weiser's Twitter account: "Apologies. Some tech difficulties on #streetcarchat.  Tweet ur qs using tag n I will try to ask."

The debate between Tom Luken and Rob Richardson is finally online:

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/17/sides-clash-in-issue-48-debate/

 

 

Just heard Tom Luken go

 

"Issue 48 is...an issue"

Any mention of the pork chop?

Watching it now.  Good grief -- why is the image quality so horrible?  The Enquirer's grasp of how the public uses the internet is non-existent. 

 

Luken mixing up details when he isn't lying.  The Big Dig was in Washington?  Now saying Issue 48 wouldn't prevent light rail from the airport to downtown.  Queen City Metro earnings tax approved in 1971?  No, in 1973.  Richardson told Luken to look at the website, and Luken said "the backside?".  Luken said the city has only passed one pro-transit issue in 100 years.  I can name four others without looking them up: 1916 subway bonds, approval of ordinance 96-1917, 1946 subway lease, and defeat of 2009's Issue 9. 

 

Editor Carl Weiser created this monster.  He's the same person who wrote to me asserting that Barry Horstman actually walks 6mph. 

 

Rail opponents had a really bad day at the big debate today. Film at 11:00.

At one point Mr. Louis was talking about a $2 billion project. Any idea where that came from?

Washington DC Metro to Dulles?

At one point Mr. Louis was talking about a $2 billion project. Any idea where that came from?

 

I'm guessing that is COAST math for the build and operation of the "big picture" (spurs to the east, west, north neighborhoods).

At one point Mr. Louis was talking about a $2 billion project. Any idea where that came from?

 

Maybe he was thinking of the bridgedoggle.

The video from today's event hasn't been made available but the Enquirer's Barry Horstman has had his say:

 

 

Streetcar's merits debated at Downtown forum

 

Cincinnatians who dislike the proposed streetcar but do not want the city to perhaps be left out of other rail plans for nearly a decade will have to pick the lesser of two evils in next month's Issue 48 election, a political scientist told a forum Wednesday.

 

That remark by Jane Anderson, an adjunct associate professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati, crystallized the difficult choice facing many voters who on Nov. 8 will have to weigh their conflicting feelings about the streetcar and Issue 48's broader rail ban.

 

"You have to decide which is the greater concern for the long term," Anderson told an audience of about 100 at the Aronoff Center, Downtown, during a forum sponsored by Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and the Urban Land Institute Cincinnati.

 

Cont

 

 

Checking the comments, I've noticed lately that COAST (most likely Mark Miller) has usually been the first to comment on any Enquirer streetcar article.

^ Mark Miller has too much time on his hands these days.

Stephen Louis is a quiet racist, kind of a failure, and even being in the same room with these guys precipitates such a level of awkwardness and discomfort because it feels like they are always just a sentence away from segueing into some conservative political grievance.

 

I don't mean to resort to character defamation, but I think it's important to understand that this small group of men are politically active in large part because they are angry and frustrated with their own lives.

Every high school seems to have an awkward kid with a unibrow and bad acne who spends most of his time in his parents' basement, listening to Rush's 2112 album, and masturbating to Ayn Rand novels. In his rare social interactions, he somehow finds a way to hijack any topic and turn it into a rant about the evils of socialism and about how much better we'd all be if society ran according to the principles of libertarianism. Eventually, other people get tired of him and stop inviting him to social events.

 

Most teenagers outgrow that stage when they go to college and spend a few years out in the real world. The few that don't, however, go on to become COAST members.

>a level of awkwardness

 

You're right.  There is always tension in the room when these guys show up.  They are the sort you would never notice in your daily rounds if you didn't know who they were, what they have done, and what they are capable of doing.  They are usually capable of an okay first impression, and that's how they hook all kinds of people.  They always hook honest old people because honest old people don't believe that someone is capable of being such a profound liar.   

...listening to Rush's 2112 album...

 

Really no reason to bash Rush like that.

They are playing a balance game. They want Issue 48 to fail, but they want to continue to fan the flames of the streetcar debate. It's a major revenue source for their dying brand.

 

Hey, cranky old white men in the suburbs have to have something to read while waiting for the Metamucil to kick in!

 

To me, the Enquirer often produces the same end product as Metamucil....

 

 

 

BTW, this MetroCincy tweet from Wednesday evening is priceless:

 

Streetcar systems are multiplying across the country, while newspapers are closing. Guess which side of history @CinciEnquirer will be on.

I don't mean to resort to character defamation, but I think it's important to understand that this small group of men are politically active in large part because they are angry and frustrated with their own lives.

LMS

A short exchange w/ Enquirer editor Carolyn Washburn on Twitter:

 

Me: Enquirer refers to issue 48 as "streetcar" in headlines, buries fact it'd block rail.

Brad Thomas: if headlines need to be concise, rail is five characters shorter than streetcar. And more accurate.

CarolynWashburn: rail is in stories.

Me: Article was titled "Voters' guide to the streetcar"…other rail projects weren't even mentioned until 18th paragraph.

CarolynWashburn: Reality: immediate city issue IS streetcar. Thats why it's the primary word in headline but rail is also in story.

CarolynWashburn: My practical reality: few words in hedline. Citizens' responsibility: read more than 5 words to learn issues.

 

They seem to be unable to see beyond the "immediate city issue" and understand that Issue 48 would likely prevent any rail from being built in Cincinnati for the next 15 years or so (if we can't even study it for the next 10 years).  So they will consistently refer to 48 as the "streetcar issue" and bury all discussion of other rail project deep in the articles .... yes, I actually counted, it was not mentioned until the 18th paragraph of the "Voters' guide to the streetcar" article.

After a long day of bashing the streetcar, it's great to get home and watch Traffic again to get a current picture of all OTR dwellers' daily lives.

Things are getting heated. I know not everyone can count on the Enquirer to get it's facts right but it doesn't mean people should resort to personal insults... This is a public forum after all AND I know people from paper do read this page. So please be a bit more mindful. Thanks.

I've deleted the post in question. Apologies for letting my anger get the best of me.

I've deleted the post in question. Apologies for letting my anger get the best of me.

 

Don't apologize here. Apologize to Carolyn Washburn. We need to build relationships, not burn bridges. That's what COAST does.

Apology sent via twitter.

 

Contrary to how it might come across, I don't hate newspapers or journalists. In fact, I have a great deal of respect for journalism and I recognize its crucial role in educating the public and holding public figures accountable. That's why I have high expectations for news coverage of civic issues like the streetcar, and why I get upset when I feel like those expectations aren't being met. If I didn't care, then I wouldn't get angry. That said, I shouldn't have made it personal.

 

Anyway, moving on....

Apology sent via twitter.

 

Contrary to how it might come across, I don't hate newspapers or journalists. In fact, I have a great deal of respect for journalism and I recognize its crucial role in educating the public and holding public figures accountable. That's why I have high expectations for news coverage of civic issues like the streetcar, and why I get upset when I feel like those expectations aren't being met. If I didn't care, then I wouldn't get angry. That said, I shouldn't have made it personal.

 

Anyway, moving on....

 

I'll be glad when this is over. And it will be over on November 8th. I'll see you in Arnold's Courtyard that night. We'll have a lot to celebrate.

... We'll have a lot to celebrate.

 

...AGAIN! 

 

 

Looks like COAST and their supporters spent the last couple days on the Enquirer poll boosting their side. The results are now on the side of the streetcar opposition after being more 50/50. http://desktop.websurveyor.net/analysis/generatepublicreport.aspx?esid=359959&subaccountid=89350

^Instead of finding work, some people in the opposition seem to use their free time to vote the same way on every computer in every library. Classy.

... We'll have a lot to celebrate.

 

...AGAIN! 

 

 

 

Until the next proposed amendment. Should this wretched amendment fail, theyll try every trick in the book to delay the project.

^ It's true- Smitherman has implied to me he would collect signatures again.

^ It's true- Smitherman has implied to me he would collect signatures again.

 

I've heard rumblings as well that this will be the case. 

 

I honestly dont know what will happen with this election in regards to Issue 48 passing or failing.  I don't know if  the constant bombardment of the Enquirer and 700wlw have done serious damage.  I don't know if people are voting emotionally.  I don't know what the FOP turnout will be.  Does Chris Smitherman have everyone hoodwinked? Hopefully people take a step back from the soundbytes and "Trolly folly" slogans to look at the issue objectively. 

 

So far this year, Ive had a guy yell at me on the elevator "Kill the trolly folly boondoggle to nowhere!". I've had a cop say 'The streetcar is taking money from us'.  We've all collectively seen Chris Smitherman restrained from attacking a woman in City Hall, Chris Smithermans campaign throwing citybeat articles away, COAST members putting bullet hole stickers on the streetcar signs, 700wlw putting advertisements over the streetcar signs, etc.  The big media in this town refuses to call them out.  Now, the misinformation campaign has been and continues to be in full force.  How will it effect the vote?  I guess we'll find out.

I hope that once again people will realize that Issue 48 is bad legislation no matter how you put it. Also, it's a yes means no situation, which I think is intentional on the part of the likes of COAST, et al.

They want the issue to fail so they can keep coming back to it. If Issue 48 fails, we'll be fighting this same battle in a year or two even if rails are going into the ground. I would bet cash money on that.

 

I can say this. If Issue 48 passes...I'll be looking to take my YP self, and my YP wife and disposable income elsewhere.

If Issue 48 passes, I will start a repeal petition 1 week after election day. 

 

Or- we can all take yard signs, all volunteer to phone bank or canvass for No on 48, and make sure it fails :)

So If issue 48 passes. All the money gained for the streetcar will have to go back to the sources. Which will not help gain more police and firefighters.  The loss will be so far into the negative it will make people move away. There will be no chance of a regional light rail project. wow

 

You better vote no city residences.

 

If Issue 48 passes, I will start a repeal petition 1 week after election day. 

 

Or- we can all take yard signs, all volunteer to phone bank or canvass for No on 48, and make sure it fails :)

 

Or work the polls on election day. It can make a huge difference. For example, the CBD had two polling places in 2009. We staffed the one at the Library intensely, the one at Christ Church not at all. Result: the "No" votes at the library were ten points higher than the "No" votes at Christ Church. It's good to be the last person someone talks to before they vote.

I hope that once again people will realize that Issue 48 is bad legislation no matter how you put it. Also, it's a yes means no situation, which I think is intentional on the part of the likes of COAST, et al.

They want the issue to fail so they can keep coming back to it. If Issue 48 fails, we'll be fighting this same battle in a year or two even if rails are going into the ground. I would bet cash money on that.

 

I can say this. If Issue 48 passes...I'll be looking to take my YP self, and my YP wife and disposable income elsewhere.

 

Well, that's fine if you choose to leave if it passes, but please do everything you can to help defeat in over the next 17-18 days.  Otherwise, you should feel guilty for letting it pass.  As John has said here time and time again, this sort of issue is won with small gestures.  Working the polls on election day, phone banking or canvassing.  Even if you do these things just one time you can at least say that you did everything you could to help out.  I helped with canvassing and working the polls last time around and I can tell you that its easy and very rewarding to know that you're helping to defeat bad legislature and to help keep Cincinnati from being run by a bunch of crazy people (COAST).

Please, before you start making plans to move away, take your anger and frustrations with this issue and go door to door or go volunteer to phone bank first!  Sounds cliche, but its true...If you get just one person to go out on election day and vote no that might be all it takes to win this! 

700WLW news giving tons of free press to COAST and Smitherman today by announcing COAST's endorsement of Smitherman as a news item every half hour. 

 

How much does a 15-second spot cost on 700WLW?  $1,000? 

 

 

For a number of reasons I no longer get the Enquirer. Can anyone tell me if the pro-streetar people have placed any ads about  voting for the streetcar?  thanks!!

700WLW news giving tons of free press to COAST and Smitherman today by announcing COAST's endorsement of Smitherman as a news item every half hour. 

 

How much does a 15-second spot cost on 700WLW?  $1,000? 

 

More like $250 - 300. No ads placed in the Enquirer. A fair amount of radio running.

 

 

Of course, running a radio spot only once is practically useless. People need to hear it like seven times just for it to register and more times in order to act. So, bringing up COAST all the time in the news accomplishes that.

Another day, another quote from a COASTer on the front page of the Enqurier (this time Jason Gloyd, who had his house foreclosed two years ago, complaining about property taxes) and another anti-streetcar letter from an old-timer warning that neighborhood boys will pull the trolley pole off the wire.

 

How is Vine Street not covered with nails all the time with all these mischievous moppets running around?

700WLW news giving tons of free press to COAST and Smitherman today by announcing COAST's endorsement of Smitherman as a news item every half hour. 

 

How much does a 15-second spot cost on 700WLW?  $1,000? 

 

More like $250 - 300. No ads placed in the Enquirer. A fair amount of radio running.

Howabout cincinnati.com?

How is Vine Street not covered with nails all the time with all these mischievous moppets running around?

 

These little gremlins only emerge at election time...  :roll:

Meanwhile, new light rail lines keep getting built in other cities, and people have been making great time-lapse videos.  The Enquirer, apparently, is incapable of linking to them from their website. 

 

LA Gold Line:

 

New Salt Lake City line:

That Mid-Jordan line sure is a promotional line -- an historic name given to rail transit routes built to promote development in an unpopulated area. The video runs for a minute in time-lapse before you start see any meaningful developed areas.