OK, please stop with the communism and fascism stuff. Hitler built the Autobahn that America copied and communist China uses private companies to finance its highway system while capitalistic America's is almost wholly government financed. There is no one approach that means it is communist, fascist or capitalistic. It would be nice and simple if everything fit into such neat and tidy categories. But the world doesn't work that way. It is messy, a myriad shades of gray between black and white, and requires us to ponder the inconsistent meanings of each issue. That is something I'm afraid the CAVEmen (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) are missing.

...and you are the only enlightened one!

Issue 9 will be the topic on channel 12's Newsmakers show Sunday at 11 AM. Mr Hurley will talk to Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls & Nosferatu, Tom Luken.

Cincinnati planners have had a series of public meetings discussing with citizens, what would make Cincinnati better.

When asked "if you could shape the future of the city, what’s the one thing you would do to change the city?"

Luken’s response was, “Nothing. I like it just the way it is. Status quo.”

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2009/10/16/tom-luken-being-tom-luken/

The Newsmakers taping didn't go so well for Tom Luken.

I was at Findlay Market today and saw some No on Nine signs up, one at a vendor in the market house.  Findlays "Market News" newsletter was being handed out and it seems like they are very pro-streetcar.

On November 4th, be sure to head out and collect said signs and dispose/recycle them. One of my pet peeves this time of year...

 

Campaign signs are not recyclable.

The Newsmakers taping didn't go so well for Tom Luken.

 

 

Watching now.... this is a trainwreck for him.

 

err, no pun intended.

agree. he's having a half hour long senior moment.

The Newsmakers taping didn't go so well for Tom Luken.

wow

I kinda hope he doesn't remember that.

I see a Phony Coney post coming soon called "More lies from a senile old man."

 

Luken said that construction costs for projects like these "usually" double, meaning that the Streetcar would cost about 1/2 billion to build.  (Not only is the statement that they double incorrect, his figure is incorrect too.)  He said that council has been kicking around the Streetcar project for 2 years and they have gotten "nowhere."

 

Luken mentioned SORTA's budget deficit.  Dan Hurley said, "you know that capital money can't be used for operating expenses."  Luken said, "I know no such thing."

 

Luken was mumbling and stuttering the entire time, and accusing Hurley of not letting him finish. Hurley was constantly correcting Luken when he lied.

 

I was originally nervous about the selection of Qualls to debate this issue, but she came across cool, calm, and collected. She made it clear that Issue 9 would affect all rail projects. She mentioned that voting every rail project would be equivalent to voting on every road or bridge project, such as the Kennedy Connector or Western Hills Viaduct.

 

Hurley and Qualls really hit on the representative democracy aspect.

 

This did not look good for Luken.

 

Watching now.... this is a trainwreck for him.

 

 

 

Stop the trainwreck.

Vote 'NO' on Issue 9!

I see a Phony Coney post coming soon called "More lies from a senile old man."

 

I think CAAST may have beaten them to it: http://caast-usa.blogspot.com/2009/10/tom-luken-doesnt-want-anything-to.html

I was originally nervous about the selection of Qualls to debate this issue, but she came across cool, calm, and collected.

Hurley and Qualls really hit on the representative democracy aspect.

This did not look good for Luken.

Luken was on council when Qualls was mayor. Debates between the 2 went on all the time. This was almost a blast from the past !

This time, tho, Luken was wandering all over the place rather than just rambling.

I don't like Luken and I didn't like Reagan but nobody should have to suffer Alzheimer's. The Luken family should keep the guy inside.

I am not saying that to be humorous.

Yeah, I just watched that on Tivo, that was almost painful watching him bumble through the show.  Best thing that could have happened to the pro-streetcar side!

10's of people have now changed their opinion on the streetcar after watching Sunday morning local TV!!

^ Haha.  Gotta hand it to you Dan, that's pretty funny.

Chris Finney and Christopher Smitherman are both in the "Elite Eight" in the "Biggest A--hole in Cincinnati" contest on a local blog.  Help vote them into the Final Four!  Looks like a close race between Finney and Bill Cunningham:

 

http://thecincinnatiman.com/2009/10/can-you-call-it-an-elite-eight-biggest-asshole-in-cincinnati/

After having met Chris Finney last week... I'd have to go with him for every option.

Chris Finney and Christopher Smitherman are both in the "Elite Eight" in the "Biggest A--hole in Cincinnati" contest on a local blog. Help vote them into the Final Four! Looks like a close race between Finney and Bill Cunningham:

 

http://thecincinnatiman.com/2009/10/can-you-call-it-an-elite-eight-biggest-asshole-in-cincinnati/

 

How is Brad Wenstrup an A--hole?  I met the guy and he was one of the most down to earth politicians I've ever met.  Can we vote for the writer of that blog as a write in perhaps?

^ The writer was in the field in the earlier rounds, but he was beaten out (I forget who beat him).  I think Wenstrup's place in the field is based on his policies, not necessarily his personality.

After having met Chris Finney last week... I'd have to go with him for every option.

 

Agreed. In terms of awkward dinners, I'd rate that experience somewhere between this

 

 

and this

 

The blog's author was beaten by Tom Brinkman (founder of COAST) in the second round.  Also, just to show there is no favoritism, Mayor Mallory was beaten in the first round by Paul Daugherty.

SORTA endorses a NO Vote on Issue 9: http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/sortametro-vote-no-on-issue-9/

>Best thing that could have happened to the pro-streetcar side!

 

No, Luken still won.  That's the magic of a career politician -- he can bullshit his way through a wall of bullets -- that's why he was so active in politics for so long and served in congress. I can absolutely guarantee all kinds of old ladies around town watching that same broadcast would believe Tom Luken won the debate and that Hurly and Qualls were picking on him. Luken is a master of convincing suckers that anyone debating him is the crazy one and any facts they present came out of thin air. My own old relatives are convinced that that the streetcars are a bad idea because Tom Luken is against them.  They've been snookered by Tom Luken their whole lives and will go to their graves being snookered by Tom Luken.

Brad Wenstrup endored Issue 9 on the Enquirer's live chat today at 1:00.  At the same time he said he would be open to an additional vote after Issue 9 passes to ammend the language.  If he doesn't like the language, why doesn't he vote against it the first time?

Quotes from Brad Wenstrup on Issue 9:

 

"I am against the streetcar.  I have concerns with the wording of the issue as written but I am going to vote YES."

"I would be willing to change the wording if the amendment is in fact successful."

 

...if issue 9 is successful...

"We can present another amendment for consideration by the voters with revised language."

 

I expanded on Cincinnati's failures in my latest entry -- which isn't a negative jab on anything. It expands on my half-completed thought from earlier in this thread on why we have so many failures, and why external forces are competing to deliver us yet another failure. It's not for a lack of will, that is for sure!

 

Cincinnati transit and transport failures

With the great debate revolving around the Cincinnati Issue 9 Anti-Passenger Rail Amendment, I thought it would be great to highlight why Cincinnati has had more transit and transport failures than most other cities in the United States. Feel free to add to the list if you can!

 

• Whitewater Canal
  
• Cincinnati Subway
  
• Union Terminal
  
• Passenger operations on railroads
  
• Riverfront Transit Center
  

How about the urban design mindset for how many years now which has designed everything around the needs of 4 wheels, rather than two legs. A bad habit that its time has come to be broken.

^ The writer was in the field in the earlier rounds, but he was beaten out (I forget who beat him). I think Wenstrup's place in the field is based on his policies, not necessarily his personality.

 

Yeah, I just had time to look over all the history.  I guess it's the bias of the average blog reader that got him there.  Seems everyone with an ® next to their name won in landslides.

 

As for Wenstrup and his Issue 9 opinion, I was a little upset with it, but he made the case that it was the only way he believed the streetcar plan could be stopped from going into action immediately; he went on to say how likely it is to have 7 or 8 current council members back, so even if he's elected he'd be powerless to stop the plan.  It's a justifiable position, I just don't and can't agree with it. 

Next to the corner of Clifton and Ludlow, facing Hosea, you will now find two "No on 9" yard signs prominently placed on the 3rd floor balcony of the Herford Building. 

 

Heavy lunch and dinner crowds heading from Dewey's Pizza and Skyline Chili will undoubtedly see it.

 

I was in the bank today, and I overhead a teller comment on the signs I recently picked up:  "I don't want my money going to jobs" or something like that.  Even though it felt strange to have a conversation about politics or ballot issues in the bank, I told assured him that his money would absolutely not be involved with Issue 9 in any way.  I said that although there are a few issues on the ballot that *do* call for small tax increases (or renewals), Issue 9 will not.  He flat out said that he probably wouldn't have looked into it.  So, I told him that he could view all the ballot issues on the Board of Elections site, where he then asked me to direct him.

 

One of the most important things to tell people, about this issue and any other issues, is to have them look into what they're about before they vote with the false impression they've carried with them all the while.  No matter what issues you're for or against, tell everyone you know where they can find a listing of all this year's ballot issues in the State of Ohio.  I really think that is even more urgent than trying to sell people are particular issues.  At least then there's a greater chance that their votes will reflect their views instead of their instincts.

Mr. Lewis summarized the current lack of an amendment like Issue 9 as "Having an abortion without discussing the pregnancy first." An awkward silence followed this remark as many, this author included, wondered how that comment was supposed to reflect a reason to vote "Yes on 9."

 

From the UC debate last Thursday: http://thephonyconey.blogspot.com/2009/10/report-from-10-15-09-richardlewis.html

I just noticed my first Yes on 9 sign yesterday.  It is right before the new Walmart heading north bound on Red Bank Rd.

I noticed a few on Glenway Avenue in Price Hill over the weekend, but other than that it was all "No on 9" signs.

 

 

See: City of Cincinnati Streetcar Proposal Video

That's great.  I think the best new fact out of that video is an additional $80 million to public schools.

Are there plans for any of these videos to be on television?  They are very good, but are probably not reaching the right people on the internet.  More preaching to the choir, rather than converting the skeptics.

Great video. It's probably too long to condense into a single 30-second TV commercial spot, but it's the perfect length for an entire block of commercials during the evening news on a given night. The only thing needed is the funding to buy up that much airtime.

I just noticed my first Yes on 9 sign yesterday. It is right before the new Walmart heading north bound on Red Bank Rd.

 

AHAHAHA, of course there's one by Wal-Mart.

Great video. It's probably too long to condense into a single 30-second TV commercial spot, but it's the perfect length for an entire block of commercials during the evening news on a given night. The only thing needed is the funding to buy up that much airtime.

Media Bridges is giving candidates air time. Saw a recorded Amy Murray last night. Are they giving issues time, too ?

Great video. It's probably too long to condense into a single 30-second TV commercial spot, but it's the perfect length for an entire block of commercials during the evening news on a given night. The only thing needed is the funding to buy up that much airtime.

Media Bridges is giving candidates air time. Saw a recorded Amy Murray last night. Are they giving issues time, too ?

 

Chris Smitherman was on last night....a real gem!

Minor nitpick to a couple of bloggers out there:

 

This photo of mine has been making the rounds on a couple of blog sites, which is erroneously credited to Gordon Bombay.

 

You're welcome to use the photo, and no disrespect to GB who is a great photographer and good guy, but I'd appreciate credit for the photo. Thanks.

Great video. It's probably too long to condense into a single 30-second TV commercial spot, but it's the perfect length for an entire block of commercials during the evening news on a given night. The only thing needed is the funding to buy up that much airtime.

Media Bridges is giving candidates air time. Saw a recorded Amy Murray last night. Are they giving issues time, too ?

 

Chris Smitherman was on last night....a real gem!

 

Smitherman's ramblings were probably right up there with the 9/11 "Truthers" who are are down at Media Bridges every Wednesday night.

...and back on topic, folks.

"No on 9" sign now on the Mt. Adams Pedestrian Bridge over Columbia Parkway (facing East for all those morning commuters)

...and back on topic, folks.

 

Streetcar's are pretty.

So a priest, a rabbi, and a streetcar walk into a bar...

....and the bartender says, "What is this, some kind of a joke?"

....and the bartender says, "What is this, some kind of a joke?"

 

 

Hahaha, that killed me.  Nice work.

Via @CincyStreetcar: Only 12 days until election! Your support is critical and every little bit helps! Help get the word out, NO on issue 9! http://bit.ly/KkapS

 

Just made my modest pledge to the cause via the link above.

Got my "No on 9" sign today.

 

Thanks to whomever dropped it off.