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On July 21, the last day of the Republican National Convention, activists across the nation rallied at the offices of Republican politicians and corporations sponsoring the RNC to denounce the racism, xenophobia, and misogyny expressed by Donald Trump. In Columbus the focus was primarily on Trump’s disdain for green energy.

“No more coal. No more oil. Keep your carbon in the soil!” shouted a dozen young protesters outside the Columbus office of Senator Rob Portman. “Don’t give in to racist fear. Immigrants are welcome here!”

 “We’re trying to make people aware of the dangerous rhetoric that Donald Trump, Senator Portman, and the rest of the Republican Party have put into their platform: attacking the environment and not moving in the direction of clean energy,” said David Miller, organizer for NextGen Climate. “Donald Trump complains about the EPA and has talked disparagingly about the movement for clean energy. Gutting the EPA is a very dangerous position to take.”

PG&E has also earmarked some $350 million to “retain and retrain” Diablo’s workforce, whose union has signed on to the deal, which was crafted in large part by major environmental groups.

The all-female title characters of 2016’s Ghostbusters can bust ghosts just as well as their 1984 forebears. Just don’t expect them to bust a lot of guts in the process.

Despite its overall quirky charm, the original film was primarily a Bill Murray comedy. It was fun to watch the other Ghostbusters spout pseudo-scientific jargon as they tried to save New York from a spectral invasion, but what made it funny was Murray’s wry attitude to the whole thing. He was too busy trying to romance Sigourney Weaver to take his job seriously.

The main problem with the new Ghostbusters is that despite its comedically adept cast, no one is given the chance to fill Murray’s laconic shoes. Nor, unfortunately, are they allowed to take Ghostbusters in a revolutionarily new, female-centered direction. Certainly nothing on a par with director Paul Feig and star Kristen Wiig’s 2011 buddy picture/romcom, Bridesmaids.

In the wake of the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Philando Castile in St Paul, and Henry Green in Columbus, a Black Lives Matter rally was scheduled for Friday, July 8 at the Franklin Park Amphitheater. But it almost didn’t happen.

As news came in Thursday night about the shootings of Dallas police officers, the original organizers of the action postponed it, citing safety concerns. This didn’t sit well with many who planned to be there. By early Friday afternoon new plans were in place for a speak-out in the evening at the same location. About 450 people showed up.

If the 2016 election cycle of chaos has taught us anything, it’s that anti-establishment candidates are a future choice against the two political parties which have been entrenched for far too long.

Instead of holding their nose when they vote, progressives are turning away from the Democratic party. They are seeking candidates truly in line with their beliefs. Bernie Sanders, of course, has become the face of the left’s history-shattering movement. Unfortunately for conservatives, their predicament is flat-out disturbing.

No surprise is how this new-found focus for a true progressive is surging not just on a national level but locally, too.

Look no further than Olde Town East where a resident and an attorney is running for Ohio House of State Representative 18th District, which encompasses Columbus, Grandview Heights, German Village, Franklinton and the Near East.

In the wake of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ upset victory over the Golden State Warriors, a minor squabble has erupted over the 10-story tall LeBron James banner that presently hangs on the Sherwin-Williams building in downtown Cleveland. Mega-paint company Sherwin-Williams had initially intended to take down the banner and replace it with a giant company advertisement in time to welcome attendees of the Republican National Convention set to begin on July 18th. Concerned that a perceived slight to King James in his moment of triumph would send a million enraged Ohioans into the waiting arms of competitor Benjamin Moore and Co. Paint, however, Sherwin-Williams has since reversed course on that plan.  

I swapped info to set up this interview regarding Illogic’s new album, “A Man Who Thinks With Own Mind” while Aesop rock was performing.

It was heartwarming to see that some of underground rap’s finest were still friends.

“A Man Who Thinks With His Own Mind” is being released by Illogic after doing two albums with Aesop’s neighborhood friend Blockhead.

Obviously these dudes have been cutting records since Aesop’s “One Brick” off 2001 Labor Days.

Illogic and I linked up a week or so later at Fitzy’s Diner near Schrock Rd and he answered questions over coffee.

The album title stems from one of Illogic’s middle names: Korega, which literally means, “A Man Who Thinks With His Own Mind.”

This album reflects Illogic’s self-reliant cognitive abilities.

It also reflects the fact that this is the first album he has released himself. We tried to figure out how many albums Illogic has released since 1998.

Illogic quipped, “Too Many.” There was a humble answer.

Fresh Kitchen has brought healthier, tastier, sustainable vegan options to the Mill Run Shopping Center in Hilliard. From refreshing salads, to “power” bowls, to satiating sandwiches, everyone can find something for them, including vegans and gluten-free diners. The Sesame Ginger, Lemon Herb Chimi dressings and Sweet and Spicy Korean sauces are vegan. The pesto is not (dairy), neither are the smashed potatoes (dairy), Honey-Sesame Dressing, Citrus Vinaigrette, or Lemon Garlic Broccoli options (honey). Tofu is the current vegan protein option, however they are interested in adding cannellini beans for those seeking more whole foods, plant-based options.

Gov. John Kasich continued to hide from unfriendly questioners June 19 when his "interview" by Channel 4's Colleen Marshall was broadcast.

Marshall, the dean of Columbus news anchors, turned out to be another journalistic "poodle," asking softball questions and failing to hold Kasich accountable for neglecting his duties as governor for a year while he flopped as a presidential candidate and burned through an estimated $1 million-plus of taxpayer money for security and traveling expenses while campaigning out of state.

Sadly, Marshall was more interested in looking good and making Kasich look good than performing as a reporter.

She started the recorded episode of The Spectrum on that Sunday morning by bragging that hers was the first interview in Ohio of Kasich since he dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination. That was false. Two reporters from the Columbus Dispatch and cleveland.com beat her to it.

Marshall opened by telling the audience it would be a "no holds barred interview." Hardly.

Monday, June 6th, 2016 proved to be the start of a very long hot summer for the residents that live in the part of Columbus that the Columbus Police Department (CPD) have deemed “Hot Zone” areas. It also proved to be the day that another young Black man was killed by police officers “in the line of duty.”

Twenty-three-year-old Henry Green V, was shot to death by plainclothes police officers Jason Bare and Zachary Rosen. The officers were driving their unmarked car in a “Hot Zone” area. These officers were working under the guise of the city’s new Summer Safety Initiative program.  A program initiated by our new mayor, Andrew Ginther, to help decrease violence in areas that the police say have the “highest crime rate” in the city.