In order to witness firsthand Andy Ginther’s show of force and willingness to “spend whatever it takes to make our city safe” I walked the sidewalks of the Short North for nearly one hour on Friday night.

The police presence was overwhelming. I was informed that 150 members of law enforcement were present. Motorcycles, bikes, foot patrol, horses, canine units, helicopter, and cruisers. And it was also reported that drones were used. And I am certain that many Short North residents were not thrilled about the hours of constant noise from a helicopter. One officer told me he was being paid double time. $120 an hour. And although the Short North was probably the safest place to be in Columbus last night, the excessive use of law enforcement along with the sound of a police helicopter overhead presented a feeling of uneasiness.

What did all of this accomplish and was it worth the cost? Did the Short North business district warrant heightened police presence after back-back weekends of violence? If I were Mayor I would agree. But to the extent of Friday night? No way.

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Monday May 22, 2023, 2:30 PM and Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 5:00 PM

In anticipation of next month's United Nations Security Council talks on reforming the inherently archaic and dysfunctional political body, China’s foreign policy chief, Yang Yi stated his country's demands. 

Men looking intense

You might already know why the BlackBerry failed; if not, you can always search for the reason on your iPhone. Instead, I recommend watching the biographical comedy-drama directed by Matt Johnson, which cleverly blends sharp wit with insightful intelligence that delivers a highly entertaining exploration of the rise and fall of the smartphone that shaped an era.

"BlackBerry," tells the story of two unlikely partners, the innovative inventor Mike Lazaridis and the fiercely competitive businessman Jim Balsillie, who collaborated to create a global sensation in just over a decade. They were the driving forces behind the BlackBerry, a revolutionary mobile phone that altered how people worked, played, and communicated. A handheld sensation that, for the first time, allowed email, text messaging, web browsing, and, not to mention, phone calls. The integrated keyboard was a game-changer of its time. I can't say how much of the movie's narrative sticks to the actual facts, but it doesn't detract from the story's wit, charm, and compelling depiction of risk, reward, and fall from grace.

By Colemanville, I refer to undemocratic, unrepresentative ragged-edged principality of Columbus’ power elite dominated by the now more powerful former mayor Michael Coleman and his self-appointed Columbus Downtown Development Commission; the Columbus Partnership (whose leaders live outside the city): their promotional agents the Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Metropolitan Club, who dictate commands to Andy Ginther and the now minority-majority city council. They undemocratically rule the City but willingly remain almost completely unknowledgeable about it.

(Against all understanding, council president Hardin and now President pro tempore Dorans dizzyingly declare this unacceptable cosmetic change to be a genuine advance in Democracy, if not democracy, if I understand them correctly. It is often difficult to do so.)

Together, these self-appointed dictators maintain the power of the few, all profiteering private interests who pay for play in the long traditions of The Columbus Way. Together with the mayor and city council, they neglect the publics of Columbus. They rule by secret collusion and weak anti-factual slogans.

"As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.” The Buckeye State was once considered the ultimate bellwether in electoral politics. While the state has trended conservative in recent years with Republicans, on average, out-performing Democrats in the state by a 54-46 percent margin, the State Legislature’s composition gives the illusion that Ohio is overwhelmingly in the Republican camp.

We lead off our 137th GREE-GREE Zoom with the great KEVIN KAMPS of Beyond Nuclear, WHO gives us the bad news about the licensing of a nuclear waste dump in New Mexico, soon to be heavily opposed by voters and government officials in NM..  
Long-time No Nukes stalwart MYLA RESON adds her unique view on how to stop this latest nuke madness.
WENDI LEDERMAN reports on the insane idea of spreading radioactive wastes on Florida’s highways…and other Ron DeSantis madness.
SHAWNA FOSTER updates us on her campaigns for democracy and ecological protection. 
RON LEONARD tells us about Dow Chemical’s purchase of four (4) new mini-nukes.
Gun Control hero JOHN ROSENTHAL gives us our first MONDAY MASS MURDER REPORT.

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