Blurg Ketchup (Lot No. 090907)

Or is it catchup? Definitely not catsup. Thought I'd start a recap feature weekly or bi-weekly - a chance for me to catch up on the posts that I may have started to write, but never got around to finishing. Or sometimes just stuff that I don't have much to say about, so I throwing it in here. This was a good week to start, lots of interesting stuff happened.

Schmidt plagiarizes and was exposed by Bill over at The Daily Bellwether. Props to Sloat for a good catch!

Coulter's appearance raises $26,000 for groups she's opposed to, and her speech was described as pretty tame lame. So, the NeoCons blew their money on a dud and helped raise money for groups they oppose. How lovely.

There's an ongoing controversy about a potential "Wall of Buildings" to be built in the area of the Banks. I don't think that's very likely, but Cincinnati's Planning Commission approved amendments allowing developers to build up to 30 stories. The current downtown building owners aren't too happy about losing their river view, but my question is, how do cities like New York and Chicago deal with this same issue on their shorelines?

Good Sam was named the number one hospital for births, in terms of numbers of babies born, in Ohio.

Did I mention that in the last couple o' weeks I added some new features to the Blurg? See those nifty icons below each post? They're for helping you share the articles you like via some of the more popular social bookmarking networks out there. Oh, yeah, I added Space Invaders to the right column too. Enjoy.

And lastly, it's been 10 years since the first blog was born. Happy Blogiversary!
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Republican Newsletter

In the Enquirer's online article about Gonzales' resignation, I noticed that six out of the seven politicians they quoted were Republican. Now we all know the Enquirer's editorial board are a bunch of conservative wankers, but guys, c'mon, try not to be so blatant about it. I mean, there's still like one or two people in the tri-state that still believe you're fair and balanced.

Also, most of the Republicans quoted praised Gonzales and denounced the Democrats for creating the situation that led to his resignation. Even though there are many Republicans that were happy to see him go, none of them were quoted.

The Enquirer could use the excuse that all those quoted were local officials, but they could have easily widened their coverage to get a more balanced look at the situation - it's not like they'd have had to do any more work: almost all senators and congressionals have press releases on their websites with official statements on major news like this.

(I was considering giving the Enquirer a BullSh*tMeter reading for this, but I decided most of you probably just see this as business as usual for the Enquirer.)
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Tarbell's Trip cut short

Apparently Jim's spontaneity cost him big this time. His run for school board was over almost before it began. It's a shame, because I think he could have brought some fresh perspective to the board, although what we really need are some hard core number crunchers to iron out CPS's budget issues.

Why did they start so late? Was this really a last-minute idea or poor planning? And for people so connected in politics how could they not come up with 300 valid sigs? What do you think of what's left of the candidates for the board?
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If it floats, it's a duck. Or a boat. Or a witch.

I came by this story via some posts on some other blogs (Musings and Building) and although I try not to be 'me too' with my posts, I really wanted to throw my $0.02 in and bring more attention to this issue.

My take on the boat is this: if it floats, then it floats. It's a beautiful piece of living history that's still doing what it was built to do. If it has lasted this long then I'm sure it'll last a lot longer than any of us assh*les debating its seaworthiness. If there's a problem with the boat's hull, then take it off-line and fix/reinforce it.

After reading Tony from Musing's ordeal with contacting the congressman opposing the exemption, I really considered James Oberstar D-8th District MN for an AssHatAward, but another candidate nominated himself.
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New Poll: City Council Incumbents

I put up a new poll (in the lower right column), but unfortunately it's hard to see the choices as this is a new feature to Blogger and they haven't worked out all the customizing kinks yet. I've also pasted it below, which should be more readable. Enjoy!

(Poll after jump.)

Will you vote for any of the current City Council incumbents?


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BSM & AHA: The Cincinati Beacon

Double the pleasure, double the fun... This week we have two awards going to the same person!

Oh, WAAH!! The Beacon didn't get considered for the best blog in Cincinnati on CincyTechUSA's list. It MUST be a conspiracy designed to "stop the real contenders from getting additional publicity," according to The Dean.

You've GOT to be kidding me. The Chamber made up rules to keep your blog out of the contest?! They're hiding Cincinnati's great social unrest and political dissent by keeping multi-author blogs out of the contest! It's a conspiracy. No where does he mention that many of the individual blogs listed all link to many of the local multi-author blogs in their blogrolls.

(More of Haap's BS and his AHA after the jump.)

I'm no big fan of the Chamber, but maybe the rules are just what they say they are: a way to recognize the hard work of individual bloggers? Is that so hard to believe?

Jason Haap, A.K.A., the DEAN of Cincinnati, actually posited that "the REAL top blogs in Cincinnati" were:

1. The Cincinnati Beacon
2. CityBeat’s Porkopolis
3. The Cincinnati Black Blog
4. CincyNewsAche

How about the big brass ones on this guy? The Beacon is one of the top blogs in Cincy? Of course you see the usual conspiracy theory that Jason's manufacturing: The Beacon, Cinti Black Blog, Porkopolis, they're all gonna be excluded because they're vocal critics of the Chamber. Of course he didn't stop consider that maybe it's because those blogs suck.

Porkopolis? Flannery's excuse to expose the public to more of his wacko commie pinko leftist claptrap that wouldn't fit in his column. Actually I kiid, I kiid. Usually Greg is just editing the column and the blog, but stand back when he actually does put two words together. They're sure to be memorable. The Cinti Black Blog? Don't get me started on Nate, I'll save that for another time. NewsAche is a well written blog but really, it's a one trick pony: bitch about the Enquirer. It's nice for an occasional read, but gets old real quick. Yeah we all know the Enquirer/Gannett sucks, I don't need to analyze it over and over. This guys got quite the obsession. And then there's The Beacon? One of the best?! Get real. But more on that in a bit.

Or maybe Haap's head is so far up his own ass he doesn't smell the sh*t any more... which brings me to our other dishonorable mention for this week: The Dean, AssHat Extraordinaire.

I've been reading the Beacon since it emerged and The Dean's old blog before that. At first I really thought he had some promise: he pledged to foster intellectual discourse on his site's forums. But in a short time (long before the Beacon) it became apparent that the only opinion he was really interested in, was his own.

I know, I know what you're thinking: doesn't that exactly describe CincyBlurg? Well, yes and no. In general, I do like the hear myself talk, otherwise I wouldn't bother with a blurg. I also have no illusions about that fact, nor do I describe this site to the contrary.

The problem with the Beacon is that they're a bunch of wanna-be journalists who don't treat anyone with respect and bash people if they're not willing to get sucked down into their mud-slinging. We've seen this several times, all the way back to the Dean days, but most recently with Jason's article on Joan Kaup. I'm mean, dude, get over it. She wanted to meet face to face - I applaud her for that. And making a big deal out of the missed appointment? Well he apparently dosen't spend much time conducting real business or you'd know that busy schedules can become difficult. This is yet another example of someone bumping into his fragile little ego and in retaliation Haap manufacturing a story where there is none.

Justin Jeffre and a few of the others in the Beacon crew seem like nice enough people, but when you run with a guy like Haap, you lose your credibility. Funny thing, I've seen/heard Jeffre referred to as a "Haap follower" and the Jason's "boy." For the most part anything he had done previously to his involvement with the Beacon is become a distant memory.

So this week's BullSh*tMeter reading goes to The Dean and the Beacon, who buried the needle once again. Surf's up! And he topped it off with an AssHat Award. Nice. I need to think up another award as I'm sure he'll be able to nail the trifecta in the future, again and again.
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Who cares about Smitherman anyway?

I mean, really folks... what's with all the hubbub around Smitherman? He was a wackjob the last time around, and we haven't seen him change much, so what does it matter if he's the prez of the NAACP or not? Let him stay on as prez for all I care - he'll never get elected again to Council again (I can't believe we're THAT stupid).

('nuff said.)
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Corruption Kills, or It Should

Let's start killing OUR public officials when they're convicted of corruption. LOVE the idea. We could start the death sentences at the top and work our way down. Washington would be pretty empty, but it's a good beginning. Would anyone even notice? Would there be a current politician left?
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Frequently Axed Questions

Who the hell do you think you are anyway?

Just someone who took the time to put their thoughts on the InterWeb. Don't like 'em? Don't read 'em. You got something to say, then comment. Or create your own blurg. Or shut up and do nothing like the good little sheep you probably are anyway.

Why is this blog anonymous?

Well, a girl can't be too careful these days.

What are you afraid of?

Stupid people. The prejudices of people who can't have an honest discussion/debate without turning it into a personal vendetta. Or people who take petty insults (like the ones I like to throw around for fun) way too seriously. It's the blogosphere, get over it. Mainly just stupid people. They really scare me.

Where exactly do you live?

In the city. So I'm not a hypocrite. I can vote here, so I can bitch here. You move to a suburb, then you go bitch about you little township issues. You want a stake in the city of Cincinnati, then live in it.

Wait, you live in the city but you bitch about the suburbs too. Isn't THAT hypocritical?

Bite me. My blurg, my rant.

Why are you so mean/pissed off/angry/moody, etc.? Do you hate Cincinnati/this group/that restaurant?

Well, I'm not really. Most people who know me well will tell you I'm a pretty good-natured, happy person. I just find it cathartic to bitch about stuff I see and can't stand. I wanted some of my rants to get to bigger audience in order that they may do some good by either inspiring discussion, debate, or better yet, ACTION. I don't criticize in order to put down or demoralize any one or any thing, especially Cincinnati. I LOVE this town. I complain to affect change. Without criticism there is no improvement. Hang around long enough and you'll see some cheerleadering too, I promise.

Are you M/F? Married/single? Height/weight/age? Eye color/hair color?

Why does it matter? My demographics don't determine my opinion, my experiences do. Quit being hung up on me and worry about your own sh*t. Who says I'm one person anyway? Perhaps I'm part of a vast conspiracy to spread propaganda about how you're an idiot? Or maybe you're just an idiot.

Why are you so foul-mouthed?

I watch too many movies and was influenced by heavy metal as an adolescent. I grew up around working-class people drinking hard liquor and playing cards while chain smoking and bitching about the world going to hell - swearing just came with the territory. My mother never loved me. Take your pick...What the f**k do you care anyway? Don't like it, move on to the kiddie pool.

Why are there two versions of this site?

I'm took the opportunity of building a new website to try out the latest incarnations of Blogger and WordPress, and see which will meet my needs best. Blogger won, thus you'll see I've migrated most posts over. I'm also evaluating Picasa vs. Flickr, as well as Yahoo mail vs. Gmail. I'll let you know my evaluation on the latter items soon.

In some of your posts you refer to certain comments, but I don't see those comments you're referring to?

When I migrated the site from WordPress to Blogger, I lost my comments. Don't worry, there weren't that many. But you can change that! Comment now!

What happened to the blurg? Why was it dead from September 2007 to March 2008?

I've explained that in about as much detail as I was legally advised to do in my comeback post.

Did you randomly make up these questions because you were bored, or do people really ask you this stuff?

If you actually read all the way down to this point on the page, then you're real bored or I'm a great writer - and we both know the latter ain't the truth. Get a life.

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