Andrew Warner

Blogger seems to be giving me some trouble this past week or two. If you notice something is wrong with the site, it should pass... Hopefully.

If you notice a slow down in posting, it is all blogger's fault (though of course they are still the best blogging system).

Thank you for your patience.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 9:03 PM | Permalink | Comments   

It was good to see almost 50 people pack into Mac's Pizza Pub to meet and discuss Ohio's issues with Bob Fitrakis.

What I was particularly pleased with, other than the exceptional drink specials and excellent service (plugging one of my favorite local businesses), was that both experienced politicos and newbies alike found their way to the event. To a lot of people there, the stolen election and the consistent piss-poor performance of the two major parties was old news. But I talked with quite a few people who received their baptism into politics with Bob Fitrakis over pizza and a beer – not a bad way to enter what many consider the boring and repetitive world of American politics.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the time out of your overly busy schedules to support independent politics and a locally owned business. Thanks to my partners at the Cincinnati Beacon, the Dean and Justin Jeffre. They keep calling me the event organizer, but they did just as much as I did.

Josh Nelson did a sweet job covering the event and spreading the word all week.

It was a good starting point for the Fitrakis campaign, and independent politics in general, down here in southwest Ohio. It's only going to get bigger and better.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments   

I will be updating throughout the event for those who can't be in attenance.

The event has just gotten underway. There are about 30 patriots in attendance at 6:30. It is great to see a few people I haven't seen in a while, such as Dan Jeffre and Mark Lause. It is also fantastic to see plenty of new faces.

The Speakers:

Dean of Cincinnatti Thanked everyone for coming and mentioned that Andrew organized the event.

Josh Krekeler, Convener of SWOHGP - Announced the local green party meetings as well as the candidacy of Tim Kettler.

Justin Jeffre - Introduced Fitrakis as one of the foremost experts on election fraud. He also discussed some of the intricacies of the stolen election in 2000. Jeffre is currently speaking as I publish this. Will update in a few minutes. (Update 6:42) Jeffre has just mentioned the fact that almost all progressive changes in this country's history have started with third parties. He is now giving an overview of the 2004 election and the RFK Rolling Stone article that explained the issue. Jeffre is now building up to the actual introduction by detailing some of Fitrakis' expertise and platform for his candidacy.

Bob Fitrakis: - (Update 6:46) Fitrakis has just begun speaking, will update in a few. (Update 6:51) Fitrakis began by thanking Justin for all of his hard work and activism. He then began explaining his experiences monitoring the 2004 Presidential election. "The more you look at the evidence the more you'll see that they flat out stole the election." He mentioned one instance in which 19,000 votes came in for Kerry and the ratio of Bush-to-Kerry votes did not change whatsoever. He just mentioned that one Ohio county used fourteen year old computers to tabulate votes in 2004. (Update 6:54) He just mentioned plans for an upcoming lawsuit regarding Diebold machines in a Southwest Ohio county having modems in them on election night. (Rich Stevenson, perpetual independent congressional candidate, just walked in.) (Update 6:57) "We have to get past the denial. We have to get past the idea that it can't happen here." (Observation) Bob is an incredible speaker. He is extremely knowledgeable and is quite convincing. He just made the argument, which got a good laugh, that we are not conspiracy theorists, rather, they are coincidence theorists. (Update 7:24) Lost power on the laptop for a bit, sorry about that. The speakers have just finished at about 7:20. Bob's speech picked up a lot of momentum in the last few minutes. He spoke about Kenneth Blackwell's shady history and questionable connections with organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and people such as Dich Cheney. He exuberated his passion for the subject when he spoke of the Executive Order's he would put into action "when he is elected Governor." Among them was an encouragement for those who have been tortured or held captive illegally to take it to the courts in Ohio. Bob has a truly progressive vision for the state and he would like to make it ground zero for the fight to maintain our constitutionally guaranteed liberties. You can visit his campaign site at bobforohio.com.

Judith Powell, Fitrakis' campaign manager: Judith spoke briefly about some of Bob's accomplishments and expertise that he did not mention in his speech. She also spoke passionately about how appalled she was an African-American that Kenneth Blackwell's voter suppression efforts were targeted mainly towards fellow African Americans. I thought her addendum to his speech was a great addition and was well recieved.

Brent Gray, Democratic candidate for State Representative in district 29: Although Brent is a Democrat, he takes a very non-partisan angle on things. His primary issue is election fraud and he truly wants to make it easier for citizens to get out and vote. I just spoke to Brent for a few minutes and he stresses that he is a strong proponent of initiatives that would allow people to vote by mail or on the weekends. Gray is currently looking into the idea of setting up and independent commission to monitor elections in Ohio. You can visit his campaign site at http://grayforstaterep.org.

(Update 7:48) It is now the meet and greet portion of the event. Everyone in attendance has the opportunity to meet either of the candidates and/or purchase Bob's various books that he has for sale.

In conclusion, I had a great time at the event. I learned quite a bit and had the opportunity to meet several interesting people. I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that Bob Fitrakis is the candidate for Governor of Ohio. Do what is right for this state, support Fitrakis.

Posted by Josh at 5:42 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Bob Fitrakis is in town tonight.

Get the details HERE.

Thanks in advance to all of those who come and open their ears to the only progressive in this year's race. It will be enlightening, but with Green beer and fine locally made pizza, it should also be a pretty good time.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments   

One of the funnier and more accurate comments I have read in a long time.

Written by "Faux Facsimile" on the "Blame Nader" post at Ezra Klein:

Finally, I'm glad that we've gone back to blaming everything on Ralph. Because lord knows, it wasn't Gore's piss-poor campaign that lost him the presidency... Nor the choices of the 49 million folks who voted for Bush. Oh, no.

The Democrats could nominate a piece of chalk, and most Democrats would vote for it. As opposed to Bush, I'd agree with them. But that neither means that the Democrats are somehow back to being a real party, nor that they've adopted progressive politics. It means that Bush is a disaster. And that's all.

The fact of the matter is simple: As active citizens in a democracy, and that means all of us who blog or otherwise involve ourselves in politics, we must support candidates who represent our point of view. If there are none, we should run ourselves.

Nader stepped up as a progressive candidate in two elections where there were no other progressive options. His actions were those of a true patriot – he stood up for the beliefs most important to him in the face of never-ending scrutiny and endless guilt. But when history books are written on our era, it will be his name remembered as the man who fought for a living wage, peace, and the environment. Al Gore will be remembered as the guy who botched a gimme election to our worst president ever.

The critic will say that my views are oversimplistic. I say voting party-line Democratic, whether they put up Dennis Kucinich from the left or Joe Lieberman from further right (or perhaps a piece of chalk), is an incredibly simplistic political philosophy that boxes up otherwise intelligent people.

If you consider yourself a progressive and pull the lever for an Al Gore when there is someone who better represents what you as an American stand for - you have truly wasted your vote. It's really that simple.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Bush and Blair alienated the International community today by laying the groundwork for an international force in Lebanon.

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Friday they want an international force dispatched quickly to the Middle East but said any plan to end the fighting must address long-running regional disputes to be effective.

Many countries in Europe and the Middle East are calling for an immediate cease-fire and have deplored the impact of Israel’s campaign on Lebanon. The gap between the United States and Britain and other nations has intensified some of the diplomatic strains that have existed since Bush invaded Iraq in 2003.

Meanwhile, opinions in the Arab world are quickly shifting in support of Hezbollah.

Also in the news today, Bush plans to sell weapons and military equipment to several "moderate" middle east countries. Some of the weapons sold include Blackhawk helicopter gunships and Javelin anti-tank missiles. The company that will be handling the contract on the weapons deal contributed $5000 to Duke cunningham in 2005 alone.

I can't be the only one that sees a troubling pattern developing here. While international public opinion of U.S. policies continues to get worse, we are busy arming our allies to the teeth and severely pissing off those who already wish us harm. When Bush was described as a War President I didn't initally understand the full implication of this label. Nice work America, you voted for a war president and that is exactly what you got.

Posted by Josh at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments   

This comment appeared on an older post today, but because it has some interesting information I thought I would drag it to the top of the page. The commenter's name is "livinthedream" and he or she has some interesting insight on the Ohio Learn and Earn Campaign - from the inside.

Several weeks ago I was enticed by an ad in Craig's list to work for progressive jobs in ohio and also learn and earn.

I confess my ignorance. I jumped right in, I was lured by a workers compensation bill that was before ohio congress, essentially redesigning several important steps, the attempt was to disallow congress from voting on it by putting it to a public vote in the next election, hence the petition drive. Also the minimum wage issue,similiar situation, putting it to a vote by the people. The big issue was this learn and earn.

I was told upon making contact with the office, to come to a location I shall not disclose(not like its a big secret, but I wish to not). Upon arriving I found its nature, just what has been addressed previously. A rented office space with dozens of eager participants to make some money for collecting signatures. Innocent in the nature of the petitioners, in this time of economic employment crisis who wouldnt want 10/hour (what I was to be paid) for merely asking for signatures on these three issues.

After my interview I left eager to participate in the first two petition drives. But, I was leary of the learn and earn because of its seeming lack of disclosure of the bill. Let's face it most Ohi'ans are against legalized gambling, we seem to hold a stigma to it for whatever reason. I personally dont have a problem with it as long as it's intent is honest.

I went home and immediately began my research on this initiative and what I found was interesting. Andrew you are right, to see the front page one would think its a great drive, who doesnt want some money for college. They do go about it truthfully but you have to search to find it. It plays upon several problems I see in our culture (of which is a whole other conversation). It's right there at the bottom of the screen that you have to scroll down to see. A little link right to the language of the bill.

One must be able to interpret legaleze or be very patient. I had the benefit of a few lawyer's interpretations.

-It is set up to use already established locations as site's for these slot machine parlors.
- It state's that of the net of the profit's a percentage shall be set aside for this fund.
-The scholarships shall be made accesible to those qualified by meeting upper percentile graduation rates and partaking in curriculum designated by the state.
-there shall be a board of 3 to oversee this fund.
-Once established the individual counties may put to vote to incorporate more types of gambling.

Well I have a problem with this language: the net is after expense's what's to say that the books are altered to adjust the net to disallow a substantial sum to be allocated to this account. The locations are set so as to disallow it would appear fair competition in these establishments. Who will appoint this commission of three. Also to allow individual counties once they have been established to vote on growing what type of gambling may be incorporated.

The income would benefit the counties in which are established but beuracracies always have a way of appropriating the money in an odd ball fashion, may I remind you of the lottery commission and what has it done to improve this states education system when we have to continue to vote on budget shortfalls by tax issues.

The petition drive is an exercise of our constitutional rights. There is nothing seemingly wrong in doing so. What I find wrong is the nature of this drive, shrouded in almost secrecy.

Oh yeah, my first time out fortunately for a clerical error I wasnt able to circulate learn and earn. The next day I stated that I did not want to circulate the learn and earn petition but was enthusiastic about the latter two. I was disallowed and hence terminated. I then found progressive jobs for ohio with the same three petitions, I immediately stated I did not want to circulate learn and earn. Through the initial interview I had to remind the interviewers I would not do so. I was mocked in a sense(of which is not important). This group I feel was better suited, but after going on a disorganized petition drive, I lost the will to continue. I then found that my paycheck is being released from learn and earn llc.

Interesting, just some info for you.

Thanks for the info.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Scott Lemieux argues that Nader wanted Bush to get elected, in order to strengthen the progressive elements of the left as a whole.

Moreover, his actions in the last month were actually consistent with the goal of electing Bush to punish the Democrats and heighten the contradictions, whereas they are radically inconsistent with the idea that his goal was to get matching funds for a party he quite evidently didn't give a rat's ass about. The states for him to mine votes in the last month were where Gore was a lock, not highly contested swing states.

Electing Bush was not a random byproduct of the 2000 Nader campaign; it was its raison d'etre. I can sort of understand people not getting this in 2000, particularly before the last weeks of the campaign, but at this late date? Give it up. He announced he wanted to elect Bush, he campaigned in a manner entirely consistent with that goal, and he succeeded. There's no second verse here. (emphasis mine)

His basis for this argument comes from a June 2000 article in Outside Online:

When asked if someone put a gun to his head and told him to vote for either Gore or Bush, which he would choose, Nader answered without hesitation: "Bush." Not that he actually thinks the man he calls "Bush Inc." deserves to be elected: "He'll do whatever industry wants done." The rumpled crusader clearly prefers to sink his righteous teeth into Al Gore, however: "He's totally betrayed his 1992 book," Nader says. "It's all rhetoric." Gore "groveled openly" to automakers, charges Nader, who concludes with the sotto voce realpolitik of a ward heeler: "If you want the parties to diverge from one another, have Bush win." (emphasis mine)

Ezra Klein follows up with the argument that, if this was indeed Nader's goal, he succeeded.

The Democratic Party really has diverged from the Republican Party. Its progressive and liberal strains have amassed vast amounts of influence and organizing capabilities. The most ostentatiously, unnecessarily conservative of its members are being seriously primary'd, an effort that, whether or not it succeeds, will worry all incumbents who would break faith with the left. The party is vibrating with new health care bills, national security strategies, economic philosophies, and progressive worldviews -- most all of which explicitly or implicitly reject the rightward drift of the 90's. And Gore, the man Nader helped beat, may well be the phenomenon's most compelling example: Where in 2000 he ran a mealy-mouthed, uninspiring campaign with few big ideas and even fewer moments of real liberalism, he's become an electric voice for progressivism and conscience, emerging a hero to lefties everywhere.

The damage Bush has caused is incalculable, the death toll staggering. But insofar as Nader believed his victory would reawaken the left's progressivism, he appears to have been dead on.

As for the issue of Nader's intentions, I am unsure what to think. The most likely explanation for his candidacy that I can come up with is that he wanted to secure 5% of the vote to get his party on the ballot. I would truly like to believe that pushing the democratic party to the left as a result of a Bush victory was a secondary motivation for Ralph.

I also have to disagree with Ezra's analysis of the Democratic party's move toward progressivism. While there is some of that going on, the fact that some of the party's most influential members include Hillary and Lieberman makes me question how far the party has come in the last 6 years. In addition to this, I don't see any compelling evidence that the limited progressive shift that has occurred within the party was directly caused by the fact that Bush was elected. If anything, the shameless use of the 9/11 crisis by the Bush administration caused some Democrats in Congress to react to the situation in a hawkish manner, which is anything but progressive.

Regardless, I find this discussion to be interesting and I feel that it has potentially serious implications for the role of third parties in American politics. Kudos to Scott and Ezra for their thoughtful words on the subject.

Posted by Josh at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments   

The news just popped into my e-mail box that Smoke Free Ohio is done with their signature drive and will be turning in their petitions to the Secretary of State.

Hopefully that will be enough to get the initiative certified and taken to the people in November.

The group is also issuing warnings about other "smoke free" initiatives still making their way around Ohio – Do not sign these! (unless of course you are against smoking bans). These are deceptive petitions being circulated by the infamous "Big Tobacco" organizations (artfully depicted in the film Thank You For Smoking). I'm surprised they didn't team up with Ohio Learn and Earn; They could have been a dynamic duo of deceit.

I've noticed downtown there is an onslaught of bright orange signs speaking against smoking, part of the Debunkify campaign. Nice website, well-marketed, and "edgy" – Check them out.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments   

The Senate is once again prepared to take up the nomination of John Bolton as U.N. Ambassador.

Democrats say John Bolton is too brash and ineffective to be confirmed as U.N. ambassador while Republicans maintain he is right for the job.

Of Course Republicans approve of Bolton, brash and ineffective is straight out of their playbook.



10. Bolton doesn't have the best reputation for treating colleagues with dignity and respect.

A bully who led witch hunts to punish colleagues who disagreed with him.

9. Bolton is such a bad pick for the job that Bush's #1 lackey, Joe Lieberman, remains undecided on whether or not he is fit for the job.

8. He is a former member of the Project for a New American Century.

7. Even the plumbing gods are against him.

As the hearing was winding down, a pipe in a women's toilet on the floor above burst, sending water pouring down from the ceiling, narrowly missing Bolton and the senators.

6. He doesn't see anything wrong with Israel intentionally attacking a U.N. base in Lebanon.

5. He was an integral part of the highly suspicious Bush 2000 recount team in Florida.

4. In a 1994 speech he declared that "There is no such thing as the United Nations."

3. North Korea has already banned him from multilateral talks.

2. Bolton is widely known in the international community for his contempt for global institutions. Appointing someone of his dispositions and reputation would send the worst message possible to the international community.

1. With all of the global crises currently unfolding the U.S. needs an ambassador to the U.N. that is a true diplomat in the classic sense of the word. We need someone who can protect american interests without alienating all of our allies. John Bolton is clearly the wrong man for the job.

Posted by Josh at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments   

The super entertainment complex known as Jillian's closed suddenly Wednesday night.

Perhaps this will quiet all the Cincinnati nay-sayers for one hot minute. NKY, and Covington in particular, is not a magic formula for success like disgruntled Cincinnatians love to proclaim loudly on blogs and to the MSM when they will listen.

The way you hear our media discuss the differences between Cincinnati and NKY you'd think Covington is the destination for any struggling business trying to turn their losses into gold.

Apparently it's not.

I wonder if the owner of Jillian's will call the media and halt the presses with a possible move across the river to Cincinnati.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments   

An NBC/WSJ poll released today indicated what americans think the top priorities for the federal government should be.

Which one of these items you do think should be the top priority for the federal government.

The War: 29%                                              

Terrorism:  14%                                    

Job creation and economic growth:  12%

Energy and the cost of gas:  %11

Health care:  11%

Unfortunately, the federal government is busy making other plans.

 - They want to spy on you, legally.

The administration pressed Congress Wednesday to ease decades-old surveillance restrictions.

 - They want to make sure pregnant girls who want to get an abortion can't do so.

 - Bush would rather attend a fundraiser in West Virginia than spend a significant amount of time with the Iraqi Prime Minister.

 - Meanwhile, as the situation in the middle east gets deadlier by the day, Condi can't seem to get anything accomplished at the talks in Rome.

- Bush visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center Monday to promote his wildly unpopular immigration plan.  Maybe if he keeps at it he can successfully complete the process  of fully alienating the ever-growing hispanic population.

- The House held hearings Tuesday to tackle the extremely crucial issue of whether or not horses should be used for human consumption.

- The Senate is hard at work trying to pass a bill that would make gambling on the internet illegal.

The problem of politicians disregarding the will of the people does not start and end with Joe Lieberman.  It has become common practice for individuals in government to place the highest priority on issues that are not important to their constituents.  What the politicians don't understand is this -- in the age of people-powered politics, accountability to the voters is no longer merely a campaign slogan, it is a political neccessity.  The days of empty rhetoric, excessive pork projects and unresponsive government are coming to a close.  Those who try to escape this fact do so at the risk of having to find a new day job.

Prediction:The unwillingness to listen to the priorities of the American people will come back to haunt many incumbents in November.

Posted by Josh at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments   

This is perhaps one of the strangest interpretations of the Constitution I have ever read:

From the Washington Blade:

The same-sex marriage ban "is constitutional because the Legislature was entitled to believe that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers procreation, essential to survival," Justice Barbara Madsen wrote in the controlling opinion.

I must have skipped the part of the Constitution that gives breeders, meaning those who procreate, the exclusive right to form a lawful couple. It appears these judges performed a very selective and self-serving reading of the Constitution. The news flash for all of us is that the Constitution is no longer merely a framework for our government, but now a document that guides our evolutionary survival.

Perhaps we could engage these profoundly stupid judges in a debate and say something like this: The legislature was misguided in promoting sexual intercourse between opposite-sex couples because our social system is under too heavy of a strain to support a continually growing population. Therefore, opposite-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Yes, both arguments are ridiculous – Neither is rooted in Constitutional principles. It's just sad to continually see backwards rationalizations intended to keep a group of people stuck in the role of second class citizen.

However, today also marked the day that Lance Bass, founding member of the teenage obsession 'N Sync, finally came out of the closet. It's always good news when someone decides to share themself with the world in a real way.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Cincinnati's own Hi-Tek is already making headlines with his new album that doesn't even hit shelves until October.

Who's joining him on the album?

Snoop Dogg, Nas, the Game, Ghostface Killah, Common, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Raekwon, Slim Thug, Q-Tip and Bun B, among others.

Should be a fine moment for hip-hop and a reason for Cincinnati to be proud.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments   

I've been barraged with passionate defenses of Israel's actions since this most recent conflict "began." But what are the Israeli apologists going to say now that Israel has apparently, quite purposefully, bombed a UN observer post they promised they would leave unharmed?

Brendan from spacetropic may have posed the best question when he asked why this course of action was deemed necessary by Israeli forces. I suppose we may hear an answer when Israel stops shrugging her shoulders and playing confused.

Israeli spokesmen have vehemently denied that Israel had anything to do with the incident, but the facts tend to indicate their spin is pure fabrication.

From CNN:

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was "deeply distressed" by the "apparently deliberate" strike.

"This coordinated artillery and aerial attack on a long-established and clearly marked U.N. post at Khiyam occurred despite personal assurances given to me by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that U.N. positions would be spared Israeli fire," he said in a statement.

"Furthermore, General Alain Pelligrini, the U.N. force commander in south Lebanon, had been in repeated contact with Israeli officers throughout the day on Tuesday, stressing the need to protect that particular U.N. position from attack."

As if Israel's human rights record and heavily questionable collective attack of Lebanon weren't making it difficult for them to gather international support in the first place. Maybe this will help the otherwise blind or dispassionate citizens of the United States see the sweeping actions of the IDF for what they are.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments   

The only candidate for Governor saying the right things (just as a reminder):



Come meet him at Mac's on Saturday.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Today Ohio Learn & Earn catapults their lies from the radio and the internet to a TV set near you. At least this time their advertisement is going to mention the fact that their "scholarship program" is paid for with gambling revenue.

But just because they've changed their lie, doesn't mean they're going to tell the truth.

From the Toledo Blade:

"By dedicating part of the revenue from limited and state-regulated slot machines, we can give every child the opportunity to earn college tuition, almost a billion a year without raising taxes," says a series of ever-changing faces representing Ohio parents and their children in the ad.

Every child? That would be an impressive accomplishment if it were anywhere close to true.

From the same article:

David Zanotti, president of the Ohio Roundtable and a gambling opponent, said the ad is false advertising by suggesting that all children could benefit when, at least during the first 12 years, only the top 5 percent of graduating classes would qualify.

"Every child" does sound a lot better than advertising that only the top 5% of children will be able to cash in on the addiction of 100,000+ people. But hey, the truth never got in their way before – why let it now?

Posted by Andrew Warner at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Phil Heimlich running scared from the Dean of Cincinnati – absolutely priceless.

It's a shame that the only investigative journalism in the city comes from a couple of amateurs and a home video camera, but at least someone is stepping up to the plate.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments   

From the picture of an angry Middle Eastern woman screaming and pointing a finger at a calm Jewish man holding an "Israel must defend herself!" sign, to Lori Kurtzman's convenient omissions of pro-Israeli demonstrators aggression, the Enquirer hits us upside the head with their flagrant pro-Israeli bias.

They wouldn't admit to hitting us upside the head though – they'd say a Muslim blindsided us with a pipe.

and one injury, to an elderly woman who either collapsed or was knocked over.

I'm not sure if Kurtzman was simply not paying attention or if she is just engaging in a clear distortion of facts. The elderly woman broke through the police line, grabbed a pro-Lebanon sign (private property) being held by a teenage Muslim girl, and when the sign tore she lost her balance and fell backwards on her head.

Somehow, Kurtzman has written her article in such a way that leaves the inquisitive reader to think she hit the ground as a result of Muslim violence or perhaps the heat.

But the bias doesn't stop there.

One speaker did address the protesters. Arna Poupko Fisher, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council, looked to the demonstrators on her left and said she hoped they would one day cross the fences and "stand with us and say, 'Enough is enough.' "

If I'm not mistaken, this is the same woman who looked to the Muslim counter protestors and told them "shame on you" while being cheered on by the riotous pro-Israeli crowd. But Kurtzman spins the speaker's message to be one of unity, not the arrogant, mob-boss, intimidation speech that it was.

And of course, their picture of choice:



While the Muslim crowd made it a point to stand in their isolated section, Jewish onlookers frequently tried to break through the police line to instigate fights, destroy property, etc. The one picture they show: An angry Middle-Eastern woman verbally attacking a calm, Jewish man holding a sign about defending his country.

Personally, I would have gone with the Rabbi tackling the Dean for holding up a commandment. Or maybe a God-filled elderly woman tearing a young girl's sign in violent rage.

All my opinions aside, Kurtzman and the Enquirer failed to properly gauge the mood and tone of the event. The only question: Bias or incompetence?

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments   

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

-Martin Niemöller

Today I saw a Rabbi attack the Dean of Cincinnati for holding a sign with a quote from Moses: "Thou Shalt not Kill."

I saw an aged Jewish woman attempt to snatch a sign from a young Muslim girl's hands. Her charge towards the girl led to her tearing the sign, but as the sign ripped she lost her balance and fell to the ground. In the heat of the moment, moved by passion in a way her body will no longer allow, she knocked herself out.

In a forum where Muslims and Jews (or pro-Lebanon and pro-Israeli people) were forcefully separated by police dogs and the prestigious Blue Ash SWAT Team, there was one thing these bitter enemies, filled with passion over the concern of their families and traditions that are both under attack, could agree on: Their hatred of the Nazis who also decided to participate in the rally.

If there's a common hatred shared by the people of America, and most people in the world, the closely shaved scalps, hate-filled tattoos, and Ferrari Red shirts set off by Swastikas trigger that hatred.

If there was anything to take the participating groups minds off their hatred for one another, the audacity, chutzpah if you will, of a couple Neo-Nazis was just what the doctor ordered.

There are few things (maybe nothing) more despicable than invoking the emotions related to the Nazis and the symbols these men were wearing – especially in a crowd full of passionate, adrenaline filled, Jews.

And after they had performed the trademark Nazi march through the pro-Israeli crowd, they were arrested.

Me, I'm probably with the great majority of the world who feels that the Nazis have done nothing but horrible things for our world. There is nothing in the Nazi ideology that merits attention (in my opinion).

But today I saw a Rabbi physically attack someone – imagine for a moment if a Muslim had attacked a Jew or a Nazi had body-checked any other member of the crowd to the ground –– and an old Israeli woman destroy the property of a young Muslim girl (of course wearing the hijab, for most Americans this incites an automatic prejudice). At a peaceful protest, both of these are arrest-worthy offenses. Of course, neither member of the pro-Israeli faction received even a verbal reprimand from one of the tear-gas toting SWAT Team members.

The three or so Neo-Nazis were arrested merely for marching through a crowd expressing their opinion. Albeit an obnoxious, distasteful, and disgraceful opinion. They were then searched by a squad of officers dressed in camouflage (not sure what they were blending in with) with guns larger than many men's arms and taken away in squad cars. All for expressing the least popular thoughts in the world.

Keep in mind that the primary message of the rally was to support the destruction of a Muslim nation. The turbo-charged rhetoric included Jean Schmidt forsaking a ceasefire, one speaker quoted the Talmud by saying you must kill them before they kill you, and another lady told the counter-protesters to live in shame for their actions (primarily Muslims asking for the lives of children to spared).

And those were just the speakers who had a microphone.

Why were they not arrested for advocating the systematic annihilation of an entire country (no doubt with at least some religious motivations)?

The fact of the matter is that Nazis and Hitler, as far as American discussion is concerned, are the archetype of evil. Someone who attempts to display a sympathy towards Hitler by tattooing their body with the Swastika certainly knows that the message they are displaying proudly will not be well-received by anyone but their own clan. They probably aren't out to win popularity contests and they probably deserve the hate that comes with holding such evil opinions.

But it seems simple to me: If supporting the systematic destruction of Lebanon, in a very loud and open manner, is protected, then so too must be wearing a Swastika and marching through an open city space.

Now I don't want anyone to think that I am defending the actions or words of Nazis, because I'm obviously not. But as the poem at the beginning of this post states, I must speak up before the cops decide that arguing for peace (or insert an important issue to you) merits an arrest record.

If they are allowed to arrest Nazis for expressing their opinions in a peaceful manner, what happens when our opinions become the least popular opinions at Towne Square? Today I had a peace flag in my hand –– very unpopular with the Israeli crowd –– does that mean I deserve to be arrested?

If we do not speak up for the right to free speech and the freedom to express political opinions, especially when they are opinions that we despise with all of our being, then we do not really believe in free speech. When we begin to draw lines: "You can express all these political opinions, but not this one," we lose a little bit of what makes our country great. We sacrifice a necessary component of democracy.

If the two sides of this rally were able to agree that these Nazis were bad people, then the general public doesn't need to be shielded from their message.

As the old adage goes:

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it –– Voltaire

We can not allow the government (including law enforcement) to draw lines in our political debate. A democracy can not survive when people are not equally afforded the right to express themselves in a peaceful manner.

For better or worse, unpopular opinions can not be censored without sacrificing a piece of America's soul.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Today is the day to unite in protest over the atrocities occurring in the Middle East.

UNITE IN PROTEST!

There will be a peaceful, non-violent COUNTER-PROTEST to the Pro-Israeli Campaign rally entitled "Rally Against Terrorism"
Stand up against the collective punishment of the Palestinian and Lebanese people !

The Israeli racist regime depends on your silence and inaction while starving and bombing civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.

UNITE IN PROTEST!

When: THIS SUNDAY, July 23, 2006; 5:30-6:46pm-rain or shine
Where: Blue Ash Town Square
9402 Towne Square Ave. Blue Ash, OH 45242

Hopefully I'll see you there.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments   

By the fuss Joel Siegel made about Clerks II, it's clear that grandparents just don't understand.

I grew up a Kevin Smith fan and I knew he had returned to old form when I heard Joel Siegel couldn't even sit through the entire film – a stark contrast from the Cannes Film Festival audience who gave the film an 8 minute standing ovation.

I saw the movie, opening night of course, and I walked away thinking it was one of Smith's more complete films. It had all the dirt, grime, and shock one would expect from a Clerks movie (and maybe a little extra thrown in for good measure), but in contrast to the original, it even pulled a heart string or two. The film put the spotlight on the common sentiment that grows in each of us as we pack on the years – the fear that we have wasted our lives.

Now it's possible that the whole Siegel/Smith controversy is a well orchestrated publicity stunt (hear them discuss Siegel's behavior here), but it's more likely the generation difference between Siegel, Smith, and myself is more significant than we realize.

A film that explores the intricacies of a Donkey show and whether or not it is acceptable to go "ass to mouth" qualifies for classic status with one age group, but falls down at the starting line with another. It's not that the vulgar content causes it to be a classic, but it is part of the entire fabric of the film. It embraces our natural curiousity and our natural desire to laugh at, or explore, that which is deemed unacceptable by society.

It is surprising to me that a professional critic, who has no doubt seen incredibly violent and dirty films, was unable to see how something like a donkey show contributes to the overall plot and thematic content of this film.

But that's the nature of a conservative outlook: Why try to understand something when you can judge (and not the judging Siegel should have been doing).

Posted by Andrew Warner at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments   

With the international community calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah the United States (by way of Condoleeza Rice) has said that the violence should continue:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday rejected international calls for an early ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah extremists, saying a quick end to the fighting would only give Lebanese and Israeli civilians the "false promise" of a lasting peace.

Because President Bush sees this as part of the never-ending War on Terror (among many reasons), the United States has thrown its support behind Israel.

Worst of all, it seems very few people (especially outside of the blogs) have recognized the fact that this war is illegal and immoral – what many have dubbed the "collective punishment" of all the citizens of Lebanon, when they are only trying to seek revenge/justice against Hezbollah, is hardly an acceptable use of force.

In the early days of this war it has been primarily innocent citizens on the receiving end of Israel's aggression. And that's not right. It seems the entirety of Congress, with the exception of about 8 members voting against the support of Israel, feels that Israel deserves our financial and moral support in spite of the fact that they have a spotty humans rights record (to say it gently) and now a war of aggression on their tab.

It seems as if peace, as well as respecting international law, is a priority of very few of our elected officials.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Download the flier for *Bob Fitrakis, Live* here. Put it in the hand of everyone you know. Give it to strangers. Put it on car windows.

Just get the word out that there is someone running for Governor who isn't out of touch with the general population. There is a candidate who doesn't want the Ohio National Guard fighting in Iraq and a candidate who doesn't duck for cover when someone mentions universal health care. He even believes that your vote should actually be counted.

But... People will only know that if you tell them.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Bob Fitrakis is coming into Cincinnati to meet and greet Cincinnatians. Here are all the event details:

Fraudbuster Bob Fitrakis, Live!

Cincinnati’s very own multi-platinum recording artist and former candidate for Mayor, Justin Jeffre, will introduce international elections observer and Green gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Bob Fitrakis, at an event Saturday, July 29th, 6pm, at Mac’s Pizza Pub in Clifton (205 W. McMillan).

"Dr. Fitrakis' candidacy will give people a chance to vote for a true reformer this November," said Josh Krekeler head of the SWOHGP. "By entering the Governor's race Fitrakis is broadening the political debate to include ideas like single-payer universal health care that will really help Ohio's citizens and economy – simple ideas that Republicans and Democrats consider out of bounds."

Come listen to Fitrakis discuss the voting irregularities in the 2004 Ohio elections, or his progressive platform for Ohio. Connect with area progressives in this free event.

Specials include Green beer and other spirits in honor of the Green Party!

*Every vote in Ohio 2004 was cast or counted on an electronic device. About 15% — some 800,000 votes — were cast on electronic touchscreen machines with no paper trail. To stop fraud, we need to reform and clean up the elections process. As an elections expert, Bob is the right man to do the job. A recent report by the non-partisan General Accountability Office confirms that some widely used electronic voting machines are easily hacked. Vote skimming and tipping are readily available to those who would manipulate the vote..

I hope critics and supporters alike come out and ask Bob some good questions. I know you'll no doubt be impressed with his answers.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments   

President Bush has grown famous for abusing his powers and hiding behind "government secrecy," but one judge says no longer:

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge Thursday refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the Bush administration’s domestic spying program, rejecting government claims that allowing the case to go forward could expose state secrets and jeopardize the war on terror.

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said the warrantless eavesdropping has been so widely reported that there appears to be no danger of spilling secrets.

Legislators won't stand up to King George because they're afraid of what the opinion polls might turn up afterwards. Thank goodness for a well designed system of checks and balances and a judge with a spine.

Perhaps the courts will hold Bush, and the communications companies who sold us up the river, accountable for their crimes against the citizens of the United States.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments   

I used to think school vouchers, if distributed based on socio-economic status, were a good idea. However, over the past year or two, I've researched the issue, thought about it in great detail, and re-thought my position based on the best facts and logic presented to me.

In the real world we call that using your brain to make an informed decision. In politics, it's what critics insist on calling a "flip-flop." If I were running a campaign for president, there would no doubt be a commerical talking about my "lack of conviction" and my wishy washy ideas -- this type of judgment forces politicians to be narrow minded and muscles them into walking the line, "staying the course" if you will. In other words, it gives us George Bush... three times.

But with vouchers back in the news, being used by the religious right to promote fairy tale education, I can no longer support the idea no matter how well intentioned the program may be.

The way I used to justify the idea of distributing vouchers to the poor was saying that "if public schools are struggling, why should the poor be stuck in them while the rich have options?" Even typing that now, I start to reconsider the thought again.

But now I've seen the danger of instilling religious beliefs in people -- we've seen first hand the results of the rising theocracy. Watching stem cell research stall under the close supervision of the religious and the rights of women being torn down a little more every day, I absolutely can not accept the idea of public money, in whatever capacity, contributing to the grooming of the next generation of theocrats.

We need to train the youth to co-exist in an intellectual capacity as secular and religious (if they must go that route) alike. Giving credence to creationism as compared to evolution in a biology class will only teach blossoming minds to indulge in logical fallacy as opposed to teaching good common sense. When they go home they can say a prayer to Jesus or the Flying Spaghetti Monster as long as they don't try to build a society based on either. But I digress.

Public money should be kept in public, secular schools to insure that young minds will not be stuck in a world of fiction presented to their underdeveloped psyche as a world of facts.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Or it is already dead? Former OTR activist and bar owner Nick Spencer has declared a flat line on the entertainment district and taken his bar with him.

But this time he's not alone.

In the blink of an eye Main Street and OTR has said goodbye to Jefferson Hall, J & H, and of course, alchemize. Bar closings in OTR generally aren't really news, though the excessive coverage in the Enquirer makes it seem as if losing a club (a regular occurrence) is a bigger story than Watergate, but a large contraction like this, in any district, is enough to scare me.

Certainly the news stories about alchemize, and the alleged intense crime that plagued its existence, isn't going to help the situation of the current owners still clinging to the hope of a successful business and a revitalized Main Street.

Maybe it's time to start thinking of solutions instead of merely singing the same old mantras about the problems.

Perhaps it's time to reconsider the identity of Main Street. Nick Spencer seemed to have the right idea a long time ago when he called on other potential business owners to migrate into the district. Any community needs more than just bars. The district needs grocery stores, video stores, book stores, etc. The community needs something to attract and retain residents, not just a plan that depends on young professionals coming into the neighborhood for bars. That's a small market in Cincinnati that is already over saturated with options.

It's a shame that Spencer has decided to move his business to Covington of all places, but he is running a business that needs to make money. However, to see someone who has been so passionate for the city of Cincinnati abandon it for greener pastures is disheartening. I say this understanding that alchemize is a business, but knowing that it meant more to Nick than a bottom line. He didn't choose to put a club for hipsters in OTR for the prime real estate, he did it because he believed in the potential of the district and the faith that he could be a part of the turn-around. Obviously that belief is dead.

And like a bad break up he has left the relationship with quite a few parting shots that are bound to tighten the noose on Main Street.

Some good may come of his anti-Main Street PR campaign: Maybe city council will figure out to retain businesses in our struggling neighborhoods. Maybe they will realize we're not a blossoming big city that can afford to ignore young entrepreneurs and activists, but now a city that must compete with our ambitious little brother across the river.

Perhaps Nick will accomplish in death (figurative death of course) what he was unable to do in life. Maybe he will finally turn city council's gaze from the parking lot along the river and make them see the struggles of the neighborhoods we already have.

Maybe his peculiarly well-covered anger filled rants against Main Street will accidentally help the district survive.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments   

President Bush is set to veto his first bill in six years today.

In his plan to make sure that absolutely nothing in the world gets better, he is putting the brakes on stem cell research -- a process that is certain to tear down walls in medicine that have been blocking improvements for ages.

Why? Because of an insane belief that the soul enters an embryo upon conception. Because of an unsubstantiated "faith" that a tiny clump of cells is a human being.

Sometimes I forget that we live in a country where fairy tales trump thought.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments   

The Dave Chappelle Show is back, but with one catch: No Dave Chappelle.

Regardless, still a lot of laughs left from the lost footage:

Posted by Andrew Warner at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments   

I'm surprised it took so long for Ohio Democrats to create a community blog, but Cindy, popularly known as the Heights Mom, has made it happen with her new project: As Ohio Goes.

Cindy's one of the best bloggers in the state and she seems to have upped her initiative, building an entirely new site with what seems to be an onslaught of content.

It's good to see that Democrats in Ohio will finally have a place to discuss issues important to progressives. They have needed that for quite some time and Cindy has delivered in a major way.

Tip of the hat goes to Heights Mom for stepping up and accomplishing what other Democrats haven't -- building a forum for progressive voices.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments   

If you haven't already, grab your tickets to the Roots -- in town this Saturday.

Still the best live hip-hop in the world today, when the Roots sweep through the Nati it's like a holiday. You're unwise if you miss it.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Russell Hughlock has proven beyond a doubt that he lies in order to tear down critics of his sponsors. In his final word on his series of lies he has this to say:

Whacky Andy is yabbering on about references for some reason. Why would anyone need a reference from someone applying to be a blogger ? All they have to do, and did do, was look at his drivel and realize pretty quickly he isn't mature (or mainstream) enough. Brian Duffy interviewed him on the 19th April, OLE subsequently took a look at his blog - and decided to hire someone else - Todd hoffman.

Because I, unlike BSB, like to document truth, I will provide a screenshot of his latest libel:



Now the man who he calls "Brian Duffy," though his name is actually Brian Dunn (another simple fact Russell can't/won't get right), did interview me on April 19th. As I have previously stated, I did send my resume to field works to work in the field.

Russell is right that I hadn't written anything about OLE before my interview with FieldWorks. Before this point I was a part of the overwhelming majority who didn't even really know who "Learn and Earn" was. Keep in mind, Learn and Earn launched their blog in May and their first press release was put out in the same month. I was merely one of many sucked into an interview under the pretense of doing field work for progressive causes.

Russell's claim, which is ludicrous in itself, is that I applied for a job as a blogger for Ohio Learn and Earn. He also claims that without ever looking at either of my blogs, Brian Dunn (or Duffy as he likes to say) came out to Clifton and sat down with me for an interview (on a hunch I guess) to be the net roots coordinator for the state of Ohio.

Furthermore, as you can see from his quote above, he even has access to the exact date I sat down with Brian Dunn (is it customary for employers to send this information out to media?). That date is actually correct -- 04/19, pay attention. He also states that at this point they decided I was wacky and went with someone else. With my blog on-line, and readily available to them due to the fact I put it on my resume, he says they were not interested and would never need references for someone applying for someone applying as a blogger.

I've never applied for a job as a blogger so it may be true that references aren't needed for such a position. However, the position I sent my resume for does need references.

After an interview on the 19th of April (the only fact Russell gets correct), they offered me a job and asked for my references. I e-mailed Brian Dunn to ask for clarification on this smear campaign, but like a coward he stayed in line with OLE and never responded. Therefore, I am forced to post the e-mail he sent to me on the 20th of April (when Russell claims they already decided they were not interested):



If you pay attention to the date in the upper right hand corner, you can see the date clearly marked 04/20 . Please also notice that the job we are discussing is Field work, not blog work. For anyone that remembers, I have experience in the field in the city of Cincinnati (Nick Spencer for City Council), which is why they wanted me to help map out the local area.

Russell has failed to provide any proof of anything he's said. I have provided irrefutable evidence that Russell is not only incompetent (he can't even get a name right), but he is lying about multiple issues. I applied for field work, not a net roots position. They repeatedly contacted me after the interview on the 19th of April in an effort to give me a job. And perhaps most importantly, I didn't apply with OLE -- I didn't even know what OLE was at the time (hardly anyone did) -- I applied with an independent firm out of Washington, D.C. who promised to work on "progressive" causes in Ohio.

And of course: When I learned the campaign was an initiative to legalize gambling I didn't respond to any of their requests for references or call backs.

I would like to leave you with a series of quotes that sum up this issue nicely:

Why would anyone need a reference from someone applying to be a blogger ? All they have to do, and did do, was look at his drivel and realize pretty quickly he isn't mature (or mainstream) enough. -- Russell Hughlock, Buckeye State Blog

Please email your references at your earliest convenience.

Brian Dunn
FieldWorks
cell: (216) 235-5509
citizenbd@yahoo.com --- Brian Dunn, FieldWorks

Posted by Andrew Warner at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Then I don't know what is. This is some of Bearman's (from the Cincinnati Beacon) finest work that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible:



Bearman's a pretty moderate guy. Leslie Ghiz is a Republican. Yet we all see the same BS and we are all trying to point it out. There's nothing like a little unity to fight injustice.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Democrats and Republicans seem to agree that third parties have no place in politics (otherwise, restrictions on minority parties wouldn't be so tight).

Nader gives some needed perspective speaking about Kevin Zeese, a candidate for United States Senate:

He receives very little press as he travels throughout Maryland. After all, only one of the two major candidates is going to win, right? Foregone conclusion, right? Self-fulfilling prophecy, right?

These are mindsets that no open democracy can ever embrace. For down that road is stagnation, complacency, corruption and the stifling of any public expectation for renewal. Imagine if nature did not allow seeds to sprout or if laws allowed major businesses to block small entrepreneurs from emerging.

It is the news media's job to cover what is important, what is credible and new, not just a horse race that is now powerful, redundant, too similar and scripted day after day.

Irrefutable.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Sign the pledge to become a voter for peace:

"I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or President who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq, and preventing any future war of aggression, a public position in his or her campaign."

As the world becomes less and less stable, the need for peace increases. Use your power as a voter to make sure that happens.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Candidates focusing on their faith has become commonplace in politics these days.

As an atheist, and more importantly one who firmly believes in the separation of church and state, it is troubling to see a "faith-off" instead of a discussion about anything tangible or pertinent to the state of Ohio.

But politics are petty and dirty if they are anything. If politicians see a way to angle or leverage voters through "common beliefs," they will certainly do so -- even if their religiously charged rhetoric doesn't match their record.

Green said that there was a time, not long ago, when Ohio voters could not imagine their candidates for governor preaching Sunday-morning sermons or advertising their candidacies on Christian radio with a faith-based message.

I can only imagine what that would be like. But it must have been nice.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments   

What's the latest deception from everyone's favorite British conservative?

and we even got entertained by Whacky Andy for a short while (btw andy, if you really want someone to respond to your drivel - publish their comments instead of hiding them like a coward).

Please Russell, do you really expect me to publish links to your lies about me -- especially when you have banned me (blocking all comments of mine) from your hack blog? Blocking those who disagree with you without other reason to enforce your roll as "staff," while publishing regular lies about those who you have blocked, that is true cowardice.

That is true hypocrisy.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Bull Shit Blog (credit to the Dean) just can't stop writing about me. Even worse, they can't make sense. It's truly sad that there are people who actually think the lap dog makes any sense. For example:

So then wondering if I was somehow making a killing from this "payola" they asked what OLE pay me, I'm sure expecting thousands, I could almost hear them deflate when they learn it's only $50 a week.

Now they have to cook up another line of attack - it can't be payola, Andy had this to say

P.S. 50 bucks a week eh? You're a cheap whore aren't you?
Heh. One minute I am on the make, raking it in, then I'm cheap. At this point I don't Whacky Andy and the Dean had decided on the exact attack line to use, and i receive this email from the Dean

He is acting like he has made some point with this statement, like I have somehow changed my mind about him being a political whore on the take? Can anyone point out where I did that? I merely pointed out that he was still a sell out and he gave up his integrity for a relatively cheap price. Is this some homerun of a point?

What's more, if you look at his archives you won't find 1 single negative article about OLE before April 19th ! Not one ! Hmm, now why would that be ?! Me thinks Andy doth protest too much - and likes to project his own dishonesty onto others.

Maybe so, but how long have I been expressing my anti-gambling stance? Here's at least one post from March -- A month before I was allegedly "turned down for a net roots job with Brian Dunn." And here's me coming back from vacation in December after gambling for the first time (when I truly realized the potential damage it can bring). Fieldworks still doesn't mention gambling in their advertisement on Craig's List (posted below this entry), how was I supposed to know that they were the firm contracted for the amendment all the way back in April?

Speaking of April 19th, I have an e-mail from Brian Dunn from April the 20th asking for my references "at my earliest convenience" and wanting to tell me more about the "team leader" position he is offering me (what I've been saying all along). Mr. Dunn had already viewed my resume (which includes my websites with all my "wacky" views), and sat down with me on the 19th. Yet, he still wants to see my references and to talk to me about a position? Seems counter-intuitive to Russell's assertion that I was too wacky for the campaign.

Can Russell, who seems to be so well informed on the situation, produce my reply where I sent my references and was turned down? If so, I'd love to see it. If Fieldworks or Todd Hoffman has the copy of my references that I supposedly sent to them, then I am cooked. I grant them permission to show them on any blog to prove I am a big liar and Russell is a noble man who speaks nothing but the truth. If not, then that should be proof enough to everyone that he, along with Todd Hoffman and OLE, is fabricating "truths" to cover the fact that he tosses out lies to discredit those who don't agree with him (truly cowardly thing to do. Not surprised from the guy who blocks any naysayer from his blog).

Anyone who agrees with Russell without wanting to see proof is even sorrier than he is. To simply say "he's lying" without providing some substance is a joke and "staff" knows it. But substance isn't his mission, it never has been, it never will be.

So let's just clarify this one more time: Russell receives ad revenue from Learn and Earn. He also sends out false information with no evidence about the campaign's critics to web publishers.

FieldWorks, a DC based campaign company that I once thought worked for Progressive causes, does have a copy of my resume. That fact I've never denied. If Russell has any documentation that they turned me down for a job, I urge Todd Hoffman to get his dirty hands on it and show it to the world.

I have the e-mail, sent by Mr. Brian Dunn, that asks for my references and urges me to call him with any questions I might have about the position he offered me. If I applied for the job, they should have a copy of those references (and not just my generic internet created resume). If not, well, that's just Russell being Russell and telling more lies at the whim of those who pay him.

I'll consider this issue dead, and Russell a liar, until I see proof that anything I've said is a lie or anything less than the truth.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments   

This is not the ad I specifically replied to when I sent my resume to FieldWorks, but it gives some perspective:

Work on a grassroots campaign to take back Ohio. Fight to protect injured workers. Raise the state minimum wage. Establish a billion dollar scholarship fund. Gain campaign skills and make great friends. FieldWorks is now hiring management and campaign staff to qualify initiatives for the November ballot.

Petitioners make $8-$15 per hour, guaranteed. Team leaders and trainers earn $105/day. Most staff work Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-5pm. Evening shifts are also available. We're hiring both part-time and full-time. Fieldworks is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why I feel the need to keep defending this crap accusation, I don't know. But even today, the word "gambling" is not mentioned in their recruitment ad.

Omitting the truth is the forte of OLE and their lap dog Russell.

Posted by Andrew Warner at 7:49 PM | Permalink | Comments   

For 200 dollars a month any campaign can hire Russell Hughlock to lie and defame the character of anyone. At l