The ongoing debate over redistricting in Ohio highlights a critical issue within the democratic process: the manipulation of ballot language by people in power to influence voter perception. This tactic is part of a larger national trend where biased ballot language is used as a tactic to defeat citizen-led initiatives. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is attempting to exploit the Citizens Not Politicians ballot language in an attempt to consolidate power and limit democracy.

On Thursday, civil rights leaders and advocacy groups released the following statements to the media condemning the biased ballot language released by LaRose: 

“Public service should be a calling, where elected officials honor the sacred trust instilled in them, but the language presented to the Ohio Ballot Board on redistricting is another sad example of politicians abusing their power.  This is another obvious attempt by Secretary of State LaRose to use his power to mislead voters, and as civil rights organizations, we believe the public will not buy it.” – Bria Bennett, Communications Director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

Since July 18, Columbus Mayor Andy Ginther has downplayed the severity of the city’s data base being hacked. He has basically told the media and public not to worry. Everything is hunky-dory and under control. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

A mayor’s spokesperson stated, “City officials have been ordered by someone not to disclose publicly the totality of computer outage or its cause.” He waited weeks before sending City employees with credit monitoring information. In late July, several Columbus Police officers contacted Fraternal Ordr of Poice (FOP) officials claiming that their data may have been compromised, including retired police officers. And the number of officers “continues to multiply.”

VINNIE DESTEFANO shares the miracle & joy of Julian Assange walking the beach, a free man, with his wife and kids.

TATANKA BRICCA reminds us that we still must free Leonard Peltier.

The great homeless activist SUSIE SHANNON rallies us for activism to solve this horrible human nightmare.

WENDI LEDERMAN adds her own heart-felt dimension to the tragedy of many fellow citizens living on the street.

MYLA RESON then introduces SETH & EMILY of Walk the Walk, which helps with funding for grassroots election activism.

EMILY LEVY follows by sharing the activities of her great Scrutineers organization.

At the one-hour mark we’re joined by GREG PALAST to talk about his “Vigilantes” film & this year's massive disenfranchisement of voters of color.

RAY MCCLENDON of the Atlanta-based Communities United for Justice describes the looming attack on Electoral College certification in Georgia.

Legendary journalist LUCIAN TRUSCOTT IV adds his unique perspective on the litigation of 2020 to what may happen again in 2024.

I stroke the unknown . . .

Bear with me as I finish my short walk. I was ambling through my neighborhood the other day, wielding a pair of walking sticks, “forcing myself,” you might say, to enjoy the beautiful afternoon but actually just plodding forward, in a hurry to get back to the house and be done with this bit of exercise.

But then, oh so briefly, I paused in my hurry-upness, took a deep breath and continued slowly, deliberately on my way. Suddenly I was no longer in a pointless hurry, but, my God, surprisingly awake and present in this beautiful moment of sky and grass and sidewalk concrete. I felt the air fill my lungs and revered every step I took, knowing that one of them — someday — would be my last.