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On May 17, I wrote a column titled “How Whaley Beats DeWine.” It contained my advice to Nan Whaley, the Democratic nominee for governor, on how to pull the upset of incumbent, entrenched Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. ColumbusMediaInsiderPoliticalOutsider: How Whaley Beats DeWine | ColumbusFreePress.com

At the time, 75 days ago, I gave Whaley 1 chance in 10 of pulling the upset. After the Roe decision threatening women’s right to choose brought many motivated women into the political marketplace, I revised my forecast to 3 chances in 10. I think the decision boosted Whaley’s standing by 3 percent, but it still leaves her 12 points behind (she was 15 points behind in the only post-primary poll) with 100 days to go. I give Whaley only 2 chances out of 10 of winning at this writing.

I am going to review each category I cited in my original analysis (first take) and tell you where I think Whaley stands (second take).

UNDERSTAND THE VOTERS

First take: Election after election show that Ohio voters are evolutionary not revolutionary.

Indivisible OH12/Central Ohio Welcome & Information SessionMonday,
August 1, 2022, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us to learn how to get the most out of our group and how we can help you make a difference. We will introduce you to Vote Forward letters & postcard campaigns; our voter registration efforts; opportunities to canvass, text, and make calls; how to make a difference even if none of these fit for you. All welcome, especially new members! Register for the zoom meeting HERE. 

Do the Mayor, City Council, and senior staff need a map of Columbus? A walking tour? A bus tour of their “Opportunity for a Few City”? They cannot turn to Columbus Partnership whose CEO lives in New Albany, the Downtown Development Corporation which does recognize the actual downtown, Columbus Police Department who does not know one area from another, or the Department of Public—that is, Private—Service who sells public space to private interests indiscriminately. I personally give walking tours of the University District to City Neighborhood staff but I recognize my limits. City government does not know the city.

The Mayor’s and Council’s obsession with protecting private property in the Short North—the only area where their actions even vaguely resemble a policy—that is, a set of somewhat related actions rather than random undeveloped and unvetted stabs in the dark—and with environmental damage to the Scioto River Bank with private development convince me that our undemocratically selected “leaders” do not know the locations or the socio-economic geography within Columbus whose history and identity remain unknown.

Sunday, July 31, August 31, and September 11, 2022, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Are you part of a Jewish community that is looking for strategies to keep your community safe and police-free? Join SURJ Faith for a three part series, led by Jewish activists and safety experts, to prepare and train congregations to make community safety plans for the High Holy Days and beyond.  

Whether you are interested in making your first safety plan or are already deeply engaged in this work, come meet fellow activists and learn hands-on skills. We encourage you to sign up with a small group from your community, if possible. The final training will be open to people of any faith who want to learn de-escalation skills to support their own congregations as well as support Jewish community safety teams. Sliding scale donation ($0-$54).

Director Baz Luhrmann (“Romeo+Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge” and “The Great Gatsby”) dials the notches up to 11 to tell the chaotic and electric story of Elvis Presley’s (Austin Butler) rise to unprecedented super-stardom to sudden tragedy in this exuberant biopic “Elvis.” Delving into the many stages of Elvis’ career, from a hip-swiveling sex symbol to a B-movie superstar, to an irrelevant has-been, to the comeback King of Las Vegas, and finally to his tragic death at the young age of 42. Demonstrating the rollercoaster ride of a career. This film will leave you falling in love with Austin Butler’s performance as the king.  

"Developers get handouts, kids get sold out!" rang out from the crowd gathered in front of the office of the Board of Education for Columbus Public Schools on Wednesday evening, July 27.

Members of the Columbus Education Association (CEA), a union representing more than 4,500 teachers and staff members of Columbus City Schools, have mounted a series of demonstrations this year as tensions have escalated between the union, the school district's administration, and the city government. With time running out before the start of a new academic school year in Columbus and negotiations between the union's membership and school officials stalled, members of the union have called for a vote to recommend a strike.. That recommendation could come as soon as August 4.

Saturday, July 30, 4-7pm
Maroon Arts Group Boxpark, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Featuring stand-up comedy showcase with Nef Johnson

As the US Senate prepares to vote on next year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), take action NOW to tell your US senators to stop financing deadly police and military repression.  

In El Salvador, prisoners are being denied basic human rights, including food, while journalists have recorded at least 56 people having died in custody due to violence, torture, or a lack of medical attention. There are also many instances of “forced disappearances,” where families have no information on the whereabouts of detained relatives.

Since Bukele came into office, he has dramatically expanded the size and scope of the military in direct violation of the 1992 Peace Accords, including securing a military budget higher than any point during the 12-year civil war. Despite all this, the U.S. continues arming and training the police and military as the largest foreign supporter of Salvadoran security forces. 

This is an excellent, probing analysis of the US nuclear weapons program and what must be done to step back from the brink of possible nuclear war with Russia and other players in the unthinkable game.  https://popularresistance.org/open-letter-to-president-biden-from-veterans-for-peace/. 

All codependent relationships cause collateral damage. In the case of a failing marriage with children, the parent’s spawn tend to bear the brunt of the damage. In the case of the City of Columbus and big business, our people bear the brunt -- and many while accepting our lot as business-as-usual. In the meantime, our housing crisis puts increasing pressure on our most vulnerable populations. Often those in positions of power and specifically equipped to handle these crises are too far removed from them to understand their urgency on anything but an academic level.

During a podcast interview a few years ago, Council President Shannon Hardin described the nature of his position in business terms: The City of Columbus, in his view, is a corporation. The Mayor is our CEO and the Council President is our head of the Board of Directors.