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Mayoral Candidate Andrew Ginther and “The Big Lie”

Current city council president and Columbus Mayoral candidate Andrew Ginther has pulled out all the stops as he seeks to deflect from his record of incompetence related to the Columbus City Schools data scrubbing scandal, using a technique that can best be described by what leading propagandists described as “the big lie.”
  In response to other candidates bringing up what they call his record of failure on the school board that they claim led to continuing fraud, Ginther declares he is proud of his service on the school board and for his work chairing the Audit and Accountability Committee. Going further in defense he states that once he became aware of data scrubbing allegations he immediately launched an investigation and kept it going even though the school administration tried to end it, and that the investigation was on-going when he departed the school board for council in 2007.

"Old law prisoners" subject of demonstration

Group of protestors with signs

There was a demonstration at ODRC Friday, April 24, 2015 demanding justice for old-law prisoners. There were approximately 30 people there, a very good attendance for a prison issues demonstration. The demonstration was "In memory of Gerald Loomer" sponsored by "First Thing's Smoken" and "In the Name of Justice."  Gerald Loomer, died in an Ohio prison in February. On February 9, Darlene Loomer Moore Bendenritter posted on Facebook (page Release Gerald Loomer): "There was a demonstration at ODRC today demanding justice for old-law prisoners.  I counted 30 -- very good attendance for a prison issues demonstration.

Washington Journal: Reporting Watergate and Richard Nixon’s Downfall by Elizabeth Drew

Book Cover with photo of Nixon doing peace signs
As someone who has a master’s degree in political science, I am somewhat embarrassed   to say that my first reaction to the congressional hearings on Watergate was one of extreme   annoyance: the networks cancelled all regular programming in favor of televising the hearings.   This meant that all the soap operas I watched were effectively cancelled for weeks. But my late   father was home in the afternoons a lot that summer, and I began watching the hearings with him.   I was soon quite fascinated at the spectacle.   Although the break­in at the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate, a complex of   offices, stores and luxury apartments, on June 17, 1972, happened as I was heading into my junior   year in high school, I don’t remember much about it. I do remember that it was an election year,   and having been a supporter of Robert Kennedy and then Hubert Humphrey in 1968 with some of   my classmates at Hilltonia Junior High, I wasn’t particularly interested in the 1972 election.

Sexy robot at center of suspenseful sci-fi tale

Once again, a sci-fi flick is asking the burning question: Is romance possible between man and machine?

In 2013, Her made the prospect seem inviting, especially since the machine was represented by the warm (if disembodied) voice of Scarlett Johansson.

Ex Machina offers a darker look at the same topic. This time around, we can see the machine, a personable and gorgeous robot named Ava (the FX-enhanced Alicia Vikander). But the protagonist meets her under circumstances so threatening that he’s justifiably leery of giving in to the feelings she arouses.   

Writer/director Alex Garland (28 Days Later…) has devised a suspenseful film that keeps the protagonist—not to mention the viewers—guessing until the final moments.

Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is a young computer geek who has won a contest thrown by his company’s wealthy owner, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). His prize is a visit to Nathan’s secluded estate and the chance to take part in a scientific breakthrough.

Civilian Review Board Petitioning Begins

If you care about stopping excessive force, use of deadly force,  unlawful arrests, racial profiling, and  militarization of the police; you should attend the petition training this Saturday 2-4pm @ OSU Community Extension Center 905 Mount Vernon Avenue .    A civilian review board has the potential to stop the cruel and ineffective policing practices we hate and desperately want to change. First, we have to get it on the ballot and that requires circulators to gather the necessary signatures. The agenda will be as follows:   1. Discuss the model you are circulating  2. The need for fundraising and donations 3. How to fill out the form and voter registration card 4. Assign petitions  5. Assign petition locations and events to canvas   Hope to see you there!

ACLU, PETA Foundation Settle Lawsuit Against School District’s Treatment of Teacher Board of Education Acknowledges Employees’ Right of Free Speech

SMITHVILLE, OHIO—The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Foundation have settled a lawsuit on behalf of teacher Keith Allison against the Board of Education of Green Local School District in Smithville, Ohio.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that upholds the First Amendment rights of public school teachers, such as Keith Allison,” said Joseph Mead, an ACLU cooperating attorney representing Allison. “The settlement vindicates Keith for his Facebook post and affirms the school district’s obligation to permit its employees to freely express their opinions on community concerns outside of work.”

At its Monday meeting, the board of education approved a statement in which it acknowledged its employees’ right to speak out on matters of public concern. Additionally, the board agreed to a financial settlement to compensate the plaintiff for back salary and pension contributions, pay out-of-pocket expenses to the ACLU and the PETA Foundation, and cover attorney fees.

"Rai$e ColumbU$" - May Day Rally and Celebration

On May 1st, (May Day - International Workers' Day), we will be celebrating the collective strength of workers and voicing the call to "Rai$e ColumbU$" by respecting the dignity of workers here in the city.

For the past several years, a coalition of labor unions, community organizations, immigrant justice groups, students, and people of faith have come together to celebrate May Day. May Day, also known as "International Workers' Day"), Mayday is celebrated marking the victory of the 8 hour work day; a long struggle in the labor movement. Labor has since made great strides and continues to intersect the issues we all face as a community.

Join the event here and watch for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/442420695912606/

An April of Calypso

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working on a Calypso album. I don’t have any sort of a reasonable explanation for it, and the demos so far are not very promising. It’s probably a waste of time, although it has provided a break from my regularly scheduled activity of composing mediocre piano ballads. But I’ve done the homework, including watching insufferable drum instructors (is there any other kind?) demonstrate the Calypso beat online, so I think I ought to have something to show for it.
  Nobody’s singing in an accent, super-promise, but this is more to minimize annoyance than avoid accusations of culture theft. Hey, why is it that everybody gives Sting a hard time for faking a Jamaican accent while the Beatles get a pass for faking an American one?

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