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Jul
31
Want to follow Dimora, improve County? Then Map the Mess
Filed Under Announcements, Blogging, Cleveland+, Government, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Tech, leadership | 7 Comments
Ed Morrison has created Map the Mess:
Map the Mess is a “watering hole” for citizens interested improving Cuyahoga County.
A small group of citizen journalists is forming to map the political and business connections in Cuyahoga County. You can help by adding your voice. We welcome your participation.
Our purpose: To shed more light on the workings of business and government in the County.
Our outcome: To develop a more complete map of how local government and business is actually done in the County.
We are promoting basic democratic principles of openness and transparency. Our first step is to use social networking software to map the connections in local government that have already been revealed by solid reporting in the press.
Beyond that, we are committed to shining more light on the relationships of local government to business in order to alter the pattern of patronage and privilege that frustrates reform and productivity.
A privileged few are happy with current patterns, but most of us are getting far less government than we pay for.
The future of Cuyahoga County depends on transparency, civility and innovation (in both government an business). Mapping the Mess is a first step to creating a new future for Cuyahoga County.
You can help by adding your voice. Start by contributing your thoughts for our team of citizen journalists to follow.
Resources at the site include a blog with many links to news and a forum for messages and discussion.
Mapping the mess doesn’t have to be a negative experience. In fact, from what I know of Ed, it’s been created because of the good we can do here in Cuyahoga County.
And who can beat the title? Read more at Brewed Fresh Daily and Creative Ink.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:39 pm July 31st, 2008 in Announcements, Blogging, Cleveland+, Government, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, Tech, leadership | 7 Comments
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Jul
31
New site launched by Obama campaign: Low Road Express
Filed Under Announcements, Barack Obama, Campaigning, Elections, John McCain, Media, WH2008 | 11 Comments
Welcome to the Low Road Express. John McCain used to stand for “straight talk.” Not anymore.
These days John McCain doesn’t seem to stand for anything but negative attacks and false charges against Barack Obama. This isn’t the John McCain we used to know.
There are links to news stories, videos and other press regarding the turn the McCain campaign took when it started its ad that suggests a comparison between Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Barack Obama.
I’m guessing a few people on McCain’s staff didn’t do too well on the word association and “one of these things is not like the other” portions of the IQ tests.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:59 pm July 31st, 2008 in Announcements, Barack Obama, Campaigning, Elections, John McCain, Media, WH2008 | 11 Comments
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Jul
31
A video guide to boycotting Israel
Filed Under Civil Rights, Culture, Debates, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Jewish, Judaism, Law, Marketing, Media, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, leadership | 1 Comment
Just in case you were wondering.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:20 am July 31st, 2008 in Civil Rights, Culture, Debates, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Jewish, Judaism, Law, Marketing, Media, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, leadership | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Two days left to enter YouTube/DNCC contest: Why Are You A Democrat in 2008
Filed Under Announcements, Democrats, Elections, Media, Politics, Tech | 1 Comment
The deadline is August 1. Here are the details:
The contest asks voters to respond to the question: “why are you a Democrat in 2008?” To enter, participants just submit a short video (2 minutes or less) at http://youtube.com/
DemConvention. Not only will the winner travel to Denver for the Convention, but the winning video will be shown on the big screen in the Convention hall in front of guests, elected officials, and delegates. On top of that, the winner will also hit the campaign trail with Barack Obama as a member of the traveling press corps. We want to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to participate, so any help spreading the word would be much appreciated. You can check out two of our favorite entries here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU4gR2FVVMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eKGayNTI4Q Gov. Richardson also shared why he is a Democrat in 2008:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c4ql_KcmFx4
Emphasis mine. It doesn’t say by when on August 1st and it doesn’t tell you how many videos already have been submitted, but you can watch others’ submissions at that first link.
Good luck.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:07 pm July 30th, 2008 in Announcements, Democrats, Elections, Media, Politics, Tech | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Volunteers still needed for 2008 Platform Drafting meetings here, 8/1-3
Filed Under Announcements, Cleveland+, Democrats, Ohio, Politics, WH2008 | 1 Comment
RSVP to Cleveland Field Director for the Ohio Democratic Party and one of my favorite White House Project pals, Stephanie Howse ASAP. She says that five more volunteers are needed for this Democratic National Convention-related event:
Good Afternoon Everyone,
The 2008 Platform Drafting Committee of the Democratic National Convention will be hosting its National Hearing and Committee Meeting in Cleveland this upcoming weekend on August 1 – 3, 2008.
The Committee is in need of five more volunteers. Volunteers will be needed for participant registration, press registration, runners and door monitors. All volunteers will be invited to the Saturday night reception.
Please feel free to pass on to individuals you believe would be interested in this wonderful opportunity. If you are interested please contact me ASAP at (216) 212-6099.
Thanks,
StephanieFYI – The Platform Committee is one of three “Standing Committees” of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The other two standing committees are the Credentials and Rules Committees. The Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Democratic National Convention. Its recommendation is presented as a Committee Report voted on by the delegates to the Democratic National Convention
Sounds like a great chance to do some primary blogging too. Press credentials are available.
***Press Logistics***
Media Coverage: This event is open to the media. For credentials, please RSVP to Michael Czin at czinm@dnc.org.
Throw: 40 ft
Cable Run: 300 ftLive truck parking is on the corner of 6th and St. Clair Street. Press trucks shorter than 7.5 ft can park on the 6th floor of the garage.
Workspace available will include:
- Seating for 25
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel
- Two Internet land lines
Contact for planning and logistical purposes only: Blaine Rummel at 202-863-8148 or rummelb@dnc.org.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:28 pm July 30th, 2008 in Announcements, Cleveland+, Democrats, Ohio, Politics, WH2008 | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Browser URL history determines your gender
Filed Under Gender, Tech | 16 Comments
Well, at least that’s what the enterprising algorithm-happy person who developed this tool seems to wonder about.
One of the things that I always wanted to do but never got around to was to analyze a user’s browsing history to estimate age and gender. Of course the idea is definitely not new, in fact Xerox (of all companies??) has a patent on the whole process and I’m certain plenty of networks already do something of the sort… but what the heck, let’s have some fun!
So what I did is I modified the SocialHistory JS so that it polled the browser to find out which of the Quantcast top 10k sites were visited. I then apply the ratio of male to female users for each site and with some basic math determine a guestimate of your gender.
Go to his site and click the link to see your results.
After a few of you do that and list your results in the comments, I’ll paste in what mine were. And you can always guess.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:34 pm July 30th, 2008 in Gender, Tech | 16 Comments
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Jul
30
Elizabeth Kucinich is still 30?
Filed Under Culture, Dennis Kucinich, Politics | 5 Comments
I swear, I thought former Democratic primary candidate for president and OH-10 Representative Dennis Kucinich’s wife, #4 on The Hill’s 50 Most Beautiful 2008 she was 30, like, for, a long time. But then again, I thought my mother was 44 for about five years.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:32 pm July 30th, 2008 in Culture, Dennis Kucinich, Politics | 5 Comments
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Jul
30
Tzipi Livni getting closer to governing Israel? Olmert not running
Filed Under Announcements, Breaking, Elections, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Politics, Predictions, WH2008 | Leave a Comment
Ehud Olmert has decided not to run for the leadership of his centrist Kadima Party.
The Israeli prime minister was expected to make the annoucement during a hastily organized speech at 8 p.m. Israel time (1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
The Prime Minister’s Office did not give details of the speech, but Israeli media are reporting that Olmert will announce he is not running in primaries for the leadership of Kadima. Olmert has been the subject of a number of corruption investigations. Some of his government colleagues have called on him to step down, saying the scandals are impeding peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria.
Omert’s decision is expected to turn the spotlight on Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the second-ranking member of the party.
Livni was the subject of a lengthy New York Times Magazine profile almost exactly a year ago. I’d urge people who are following the Middle East to read it. Now.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:22 pm July 30th, 2008 in Announcements, Breaking, Elections, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Politics, Predictions, WH2008 | Please comment
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Jul
30
Carnival of Ohio Politics #128 now posted
Filed Under Announcements, Blogging, Carnivals, Ohio, Politics, Writing | Leave a Comment
I had the pleasure and honor of hosting this week’s Carnival of Ohio Politics #128. Think Ms. Pac-Man. Kind of sort of.
Thanks as always to all the contributors and readers. Feel free to post about it and if you’d like a button, let us know – we’ve got them somewhere on the blog itself if you use the search tool.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:33 am July 30th, 2008 in Announcements, Blogging, Carnivals, Ohio, Politics, Writing | Please comment
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Jul
30
Analysis, input on Obama’s Blueprint for working women & families
Filed Under Barack Obama, Campaigning, Michelle Obama, Politics, Social Issues, WH2008, Women | 18 Comments
I cross-posted a link to and intro of Barack Obama’s Blueprint for working women and families at The Moderate Voice, where I’m a co-contributor, although lately, I haven’t posted nearly as much as I’d like to.
The post has received a great deal of feedback there (unlike at WLST) and I’d like to feature just one of the 40-plus (many very lengthy and deeply analytical) comments which is written by another co-contributor whom I deeply respect:
As a woman, as a working woman, as a mother who raised children alone, as a person who went without health insurance for years, as a woman who made it through any number of monstrous obstacles, I definitely wish for more balance and fairness.
But, my effort has to be on helping people to become better educated, more SKILLED, helping women to NOT have babies so young, to make better choices early on… to point to women seriously training for high paying jobs rather than try to strangle an employer into paying them more for jobs, many of which can be outsourced at HALF the salary to people who live in other parts of the world where cost of living is less than half what it is here. Helping women to move upward to be thoughtful before the fact, those I can put my energy behind.
But to glue the same old set of fantasies all over the gateposts when someone is running for election, I just shake my head
There already are huge amounts of money, federal, state and foreign spent on cancer research and r and d seeking cures, as there are huge amounts of money given for delving the mysteries of other diseases.
Forgive me if I am overly-realistic, but frankly, there are billions of dollars wasted in every program the Feds support, daily. Daily. No one watches moneyy versus result and decides which programs are effective and which are not.
If I were President, I’d start there. Several weeks ago I went to the Feds website to read the National Budget. You would not believe how unreadable it is. Nothing is laid out clearly. Your own tax returns are logical compared to the messy and illogical way the US budget is laid out.
Aspirations are a beautiful thing. But reality? Especially when, thank goodness, we don’t have a unitary presidency, often necessitates different results and consequences.
Please add to the discussion there if you have thoughts on the blueprint, which you can read here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:44 am July 30th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Campaigning, Michelle Obama, Politics, Social Issues, WH2008, Women | 18 Comments
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Jul
29
Bush’s Gates Mills’ host loves NEOhio GOP candidates
Filed Under Campaigning, Cleveland+, George Bush, Government, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Republicans, Statehouse, WH2008 | 4 Comments
The love isn’t all that new (you can see Umberto Fedeli’s political donations at the website of the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office) or that broad (he seems to stick to Jon Husted, candidates in my state house (Josh Mandel and Jim Trakas before him in the 17th) and state senate (the term-limited Bob Spada and the term-limited now seeking the open seat candidate Tom Patton in the 24th) districts, other Ohio GA seats in the NE and other statewide races like Mary Taylor for auditor and Greg Hartmann’s run against current SOS Jennifer Brunner but having President Bush dining so close to me?
Traveling 15 minutes southeast of Euclid, his motorcade pulled into the Gates Mills home of insurance executive and big Republican fund-raiser Umberto Fedeli. The home, guarded by gates and large shrubs, includes a trattoria that seats about 100 people and features a brick oven, professional stove and bar. The private event benefits Congressional Trust 2008, an effort to bolster GOP efforts in Congress. Proceeds will also be shared with the GOP Victory Fund, which helps Republican Presidential candidate John McCain.
Tickets cost $10,000 for general schmoozing and $25,000 for up-close schmoozing. The event topped out at about 110 people.
The press were barred from the event and sent instead to the home of Chef Carl Quagliata, who owns Giovanni’s Ristorante in Beachwood, Ohio. Quagliata himself was cooking for the president and is regular at Fedeli events.
I hope the rush hour traffic wasn’t affected – I’d hate for Bush’s visit to cause a big(ger) waste of gas.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:05 pm July 29th, 2008 in Campaigning, Cleveland+, George Bush, Government, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Republicans, Statehouse, WH2008 | 4 Comments
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Jul
29
PD: Copy of search warrant, items taken during FBI, IRS raids on Dimora & Co.
Filed Under Cleveland+, Crime, Elections, Government, Ohio, Politics, Predictions, Scandal, Youth | 7 Comments
I’m particularly interested in knowing what the interests are with the Juvenile Justice Center project and this raid because I can tell you, from when I worked in the current building on E. 22nd nineteen years ago? They needed a new one before that – we were already over capacity in the detention center and I still remember the corridors and locked doors I had to go through to get to my little space for the kids I worked with.
Here’s a pdf of the search warrant, an attachment and the items taken.
Has anyone figured out, if Dimora goes, can Debbie Sutherland switch to a race for his seat? Would his seat just be filled? What happens? I haven’t seen that scenario blogged yet but Political Science 216 has a countdown on Dimora’s demise.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:46 pm July 29th, 2008 in Cleveland+, Crime, Elections, Government, Ohio, Politics, Predictions, Scandal, Youth | 7 Comments
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Jul
29
Dan Moulthrop gets all the fun: an entire hour dedicated to county raid
Filed Under Announcements, Cleveland+, Crime, Government, Law, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, WCPN/SOI, leadership | 5 Comments
I know this isn’t the best side of me, but I really cannot wait for this morning’s broadcast of WCPN’s Sound of Ideas:
Tuesday’s Sound of Ideas will have the latest on the FBI and IRS investigations into corruption in Cuyahoga County government. Up to 200 federal agents executed search warrants at the county administration building Monday as well as at homes of several county officials. Employees were told to go home. An FBI spokesman said the searches are part of a “long-term public corruption investigation” but gave no hint of what exactly the law enforcement officials are looking for. SOI will have journalists and others on with the latest developments, plus analysis of where the investigation might lead and how it might affect county government reform efforts.
Guests:
Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer
Bill Shiel, Fox 8 News
Geoffrey Mearns, Dean, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Jim Petro, former County Commissioner, former Attorney General
Hmm – if you have Jim Petro, shouldn’t you have some other Dem? And no women (why not Jane Campbell or Mary what was her name who is a judge now I can’t believe I’m blanking out)?
Oh well. I’m still as eager to listen. Some other elected officials are bound to phone in and you can too.
Listen here live or listen later here. Or, as they suggest:
Interact with The Sound of Ideas: Call in during the program: Local 216-578-0903 or toll-free 866-578-0903
Want to have the Last Word? Call us at 216-916-6397 or send an email.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:35 am July 29th, 2008 in Announcements, Cleveland+, Crime, Government, Law, Ohio, Politics, Scandal, WCPN/SOI, leadership | 5 Comments
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Jul
28
Fundraiser for OH House District 17th Incumbent, September 9, Location TBA
Filed Under Announcements, Campaigning, Elections, Government, OH17, Ohio, Politics, Statehouse | 1 Comment
From the Cuyahoga County Republican Party:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Josh Mandel Re-Election Campaign Fundraiser: TBA
5:30PM-7:30PM
TBA
You can visit the entry for contact information.
Given what happened today in the Cuyahoga County administrative offices (and homes and businesses), if I were in the county GOP, I’d be figuring out how to put a few more folks up for some seats. Given my feelings about Jimmy Dimora in particular, depending on who the folks were, I’d probably even wish them good luck.
FWIW, as residents in the suburban statehouse 17th district prepare to vote, here’s Rep. Mandel’s responses to the COSE questionnaire he completed for his race against Roger Goudy in 2006. If you were judging his performance over the last two years, in comparison to the answers provided, how would you rate him?
Here’s a regionally relevant Q&A, albeit from 2006:
How do you propose to address the flight of young professionals (brain drain) from the
Northeastern Ohio region? Please elaborate.The key to attracting young people is attracting jobs for young people. By lowering taxes and
decreasing government red tape, businesses will be able to create more jobs. It is no secret that
young professionals will be the life-blood of tomorrow’s economy and that we need them in
Northeastern Ohio today. I am a young professional and a small business owner and I have a
passionate interest in this topic.
I’d encourage residents of the 17th district, like myself, to review Rep. Mandel’s campaign website, the bills he’s sponsored or co-sponsored, and of course, you can always e-mail or call him to learn more before drawing any conclusions.
The next step after that, would be to contact his opponent, Democrat and attorney Bob Belovich to see what he would say about the same questions COSE asked, as well as have him comment on what he thinks about the incumbent’s statehouse work.
Such a compare and contrast is the only way voters should choose between two well-qualified candidates.
Added bonus: this Cleveland Magazine expose from the July 2008 issue in which Rep. Mandel discusses his future plans:
District residents who question Mandel’s dedication to them don’t have to worry about a third stint with the Marines if he’s re-elected in November. He’s looking forward to spending time with his family, particularly fiancée Ilana Shafran, a self-employed fashion consultant based in University Heights whom he’s marrying on Aug. 28.
He doesn’t see himself as a career politician.
“I’d like to work in a local small business,” he offers.
But the observation that his resume is tailor-made for political life is met with silence. When I ask how long he’d like to stay in public office, he pauses before answering.
“As long as I feel like I’m making an impact,” he finally replies, “and as long as the voters continue to put me in office.”
Also for assistance, from the NEOhio Values Voters:
Ohio House of Representatives District 17
District 17 encompasses Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Glenwillow, Hunting Valley, Independence, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights (part), Moreland Hills, Oakwood, Pepper Pike, Seven Hills, Solon, Valley View, and Walton Hills.
Rep. Josh Mandel (Republican) http://www.joshmandel.com/Pro-life and Pro-family
Voted for U.S. and Ohio Mottos in Schools
Voted for Protecting Pregnant Women from Coercion & Violence Bill
Voted for Regulation of Sexually Oriented BusinessVs.
Bob Belovich (Democrat) http://www.bobbelovich.com/
The website states the following: Bob Belovich does not believe that for profit voucher schools deserve public funding. The Republican legislature promoted for profit voucher schools as a means of reform. Instead of the reform, private school businesses have become a large drain on the state’s resources. Bob Belovich supports the elimination of state subsidies to for profit schools.
Emphasis added.
I may need to create a separate page, the way Ohio Daily Blog does, and put all the materials that residents of the 17th can consult in order to make their choice this fall in one location. It sure seems to be building up.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:24 pm July 28th, 2008 in Announcements, Campaigning, Elections, Government, OH17, Ohio, Politics, Statehouse | 1 Comment
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Jul
28
Here’s the AP article that featured that headline.
Great way to persuade people to think differently than they currently do and enshrine and cherish freedom of speech as well as freedom of and from religion. Enforcing one set of beliefs by threatening people who don’t believe what you do into silence.
Ah, those crazy family values.
Investigators described [suspect Jim D.] Adkisson as a former member of an Army airborne unit who trained as a mechanical engineer and had held jobs across the country. He had apparently been out of work since 2006, and believed liberals were taking jobs he should have, Owen said. Investigators are not aware of any affiliation with a church or with any known hate groups. Adkisson had no next of kin or family, police said.
According to a four-page manifesto police found in his SUV in the church parking lot, Adkisson believed the church to be a bastion of liberalism in an otherwise socially conservative area of eastern Tennessee.
“That church had received some publicity in the recent past regarding its liberal stance on things,” Owen said, “and that is at least one of the issues we believe caused that church to be targeted”.
The church’s website speaks of its “long and rich history of taking stands for social justice,” and said it has fought since the 1950s for racial desegregation, fair wages and equal treatment for women and homosexuals. It provides sanctuary for political refugees and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The church hosts social events for gay and lesbian teens.
Now, what is so add to me, is that President Bush instituted the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, which would see more social services be supported by government dollars but be provided by places of faith (although not spent in a way that would conflict with the freedom of or freedom from religion).
And we know that Barack Obama in fact has said that he wants to expand on or at least improve the functioning of such service provision.
I don’t understand how this gentleman believes that liberals are taking away his jobs, when it’s been conservatives’ policies that have led to outsourcing and that push free market solutions that aren’t working to create more jobs.
What exactly was this man angry at?
Jim D. Adkisson, 58, ranted that “liberals and gays” taking jobs had prevented him from finding work. He wrote that he expected to keep shooting parishioners until the police showed up and killed him, Knoxville, Tenn., Police Chief Sterling Owen told a news conference.
Owen said police recovered 76 shotgun shells after Adkisson allegedly opened fired in the sanctuary of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Three shells had been fired before church members tackled Adkisson, but two people were killed and five more wounded by the blasts before he was wrestled to the floor.
We are such a misguided society when it comes to taking action that will really impact cultural change. I think we’re afraid of what will happen if we succeed.
Okay – I just have to ask: What will the conservative talk shows say about this? If abortion clinic violence is justified in the name of protecting unborn life, is church violence at the sight of religious institutions that promote social justice also going to be found justifiable in some way too?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:27 pm July 28th, 2008 in Politics | 12 Comments
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Jul
28
Do the FBI, IRS raids in Cuyahoga County Admin offices, homes surprise anyone?
Filed Under Announcements, Breaking, Cleveland+, Crime, Government, Ohio, Politics, Predictions, Scandal | 8 Comments
Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer have a kind of live-blog (the most recent post right now is timestamped at 12:37pm) about what sound like numerous simultaneous raids on county offices this morning, starting around 9am.
Given the kookie, craziness of moves and statements by some of our county officials and the intense displeasure many residents have with the reality, reputation and perception of how some elected Cuyahoga county officials conduct themselves from what seem at times to be what they seem to treat as their fiefdoms, this news is not surprising and I would think people who are a lot closer to the action than I am might be wondering why it didn’t happen earlier.
Some other predictions (that are just predictions based on the little I know and the great amount about which I, like everyone else, can speculate):
We’ll hear that it’s politically motivated by opponents.
We’ll hear it’s connected to the journalism coverage of the county over the last few months.
We’ll hear that maybe it’s some current elected officials against others.
Or, maybe, we’ll learn that residents and voters just got so damn tired of so much old boys network crap going on and dysfunctional lack of leadership that finally enough complaining, calling and tipping off led to something.
Of course, in a situation like this, you always have to wonder: will we be any better off tomorrow, or even a year from tomorrow?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:07 pm July 28th, 2008 in Announcements, Breaking, Cleveland+, Crime, Government, Ohio, Politics, Predictions, Scandal | 8 Comments
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Jul
28
Michelle Obama unveils Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families
Filed Under Announcements, Barack Obama, Culture, Democrats, Health Care, Parenting, Politics, Sexism, WH2008, Women, Youth | 3 Comments
Read it for yourself, and later today, I’m told, there will be video of the announcement, which occurred in Chicago just about 20 minutes ago.
From the inbox:
Michelle Obama will address a gathering of Women for Obama in Chicago on Monday. There, she will discuss the campaign’s success in reaching women across the country, and discuss why her husband, Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, will be a champion in addressing the unique challenges facing working women and families. Mrs. Obama will also unveil a Blueprint for America’s Working Women and Families, detailing Barack Obama’s agenda to help women balance work and family, to keep themselves and their families healthy, and to prosper in a changing economy.
Michelle Obama kicked off the Women for Obama program in Chicago in April 2007. Since then, Women for Obama has created a nationwide network of tens of thousands of women working to educate and empower themselves on the issues that are most important to women and families. Throughout the primary, the group has played a key role in Senator Obama’s campaign through its fundraising, grassroots activity and online organizing efforts.
“We know the importance of women’s voices and votes in this election cannot be overstated, and I am so proud of the progress Women for Obama has made over the last year, bringing the issues that are most important to women and families to the center of this campaign,” said Michelle Obama. “As President, Barack will change Washington so that instead of just talking about family values; we actually have policies that value families. Policies that make it easier for working parents to support, care for, and raise their families; policies that no longer force working women to choose between their kids and their careers. Barack understands the struggles working women and families face every day, because the women he loves most in the world have gone through it. That’s why he carries our stories – and the stories of women he’s met all across America – with him every day.”
This luncheon, benefiting the Obama Victory Fund, will take place at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on Monday.
I’ve browsed the Blueprint and here’s a list of the topics covered:
- Fight for pay equity
- Making Work Pay for Working Families
- Increase the Minimum Wage to $9.50 by 2011
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Provide a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to an Additional 7.5 Million Women
- Create Automatic Workplace Pensions
- Expand Retirement Savings Incentives for Working Families
- Expand Family and Medical Leave Act
- Encourage States to Adopt Paid Leave
- Expand Paid Sick Days to 22 Million Women
- Protect Against Caregiver Discrimination
- Expand Flexible Work Arrangements
- Expand High Quality Afterschool and Summer Learning Opportunities
- Fix the Nation’s Health Care System
- Ensure All Children Have Health Insurance
- Fight Cancer
- Supports a Woman’s Right To Choose
You’ll have to read the pdf to get the meat on each of those. But, well, what do you think? Enough? Too much? What would you add? What would remove?
What more do you want to know?
And can you immediately see how John McCain is not an option if you realy intend to improve the status of women and children, on so many levels?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:50 pm July 28th, 2008 in Announcements, Barack Obama, Culture, Democrats, Health Care, Parenting, Politics, Sexism, WH2008, Women, Youth | 3 Comments
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Jul
27
Pepper, Shaker, Beachwood coming to Top 10 Jewish Neighborhoods, N. America
Filed Under Announcements, Culture, Jewish, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Predictions, Religion | 5 Comments
Don’t know if this will freak out Mayor Bruce Akers and other long-time residents of Pepper Pike in particular (the ones who didn’t want to change the blue law about no garage sales on Sunday because my family observes Shabbat), but read it and gape:
Communities to Watch
- Eugene, Oregon
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Shaker Heights/ Beachwood/ Pepper Pike, Ohio
- Maui, Hawai’i
For more information on these three neighborhoods, click here for a downloadable PDF.
Hooboy – open up that pdf and take a gander at all the Jewish-oriented locales in these three NEOhio cities!
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:52 pm July 27th, 2008 in Announcements, Culture, Jewish, OH17, OH24th, Ohio, Predictions, Religion | 5 Comments
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Jul
27
WLST 101: Anatomy Of A Threat
Filed Under Politics | 32 Comments
I know it’s a Sunday, a day of rest for many. So I’d like to offer an academic-only topic for you to consider while you enjoy the hours. Think of it as something like a law school exam question, where you have to work with whatever the instructor gives you. I’m a bit rusty with this type of writing (of an exam question), so advice on what might be missing is more than welcome.
The Assignment: To consider, analyze and compose a response for the hypothetical recipient of the following hypothetical communication:
if you continue to be this annoying regarding [fill in the blank with the name of a politician about whom you've written] (“Politician”) race, you’re in for a serious fight. just wanted to warn you before i start swinging.
Assumptions:
The person who sent the communication (“Sender”) and the person who received it (“Recipient”) know of each other but do not have any formal or informal connections other than that they both write about politics and are on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.
Neither Sender nor Recipient is a politician.
Sender does not live in or near the political jurisdiction of Politician.
Recipient lives in the political jurisdiction of Politician. Recipient did not vote for Politician in Politician’s last election (during a non-Presidential election year) which Politician won by approximately 67% to 33% of votes cast.
Analysis
The first observation in this hypothetical is that Sender’s communication announces a threat against Recipient in order to intimidate Recipient into no longer writing about Politician and/or writing about Politician in a way that Sender dislikes.
The analysis of that observation is that such a threat violates the informal but often noted convention related to blogging and political blogging in particular that, when a political candidate or elected official dislikes blog content, bloggers expect that person to respond to the content directly. This can be done by emailing the author of the content, writing about the content in the politician’s own literature (whether online or offline), or responding to the content via comments that can be attributed directly to the politician or to his or her proxies (who identify themselves as such).
In this hypothetical, Sender is not Politician and has no known connection to Politician other than possibly being members of the same political party. We can assume for the purposes of this exercise that Politician has never responded on Recipient’s blog to any of the writings Sender calls “annoying” but may have had other communications with Recipient about content written in the past.
A second observation is that Sender fails to specify what the “serious fight” will be about or what tools will be used to do the “swinging.”
So what is the threat? Let’s analyze further:
Note that Sender does not say that he or she will be “swinging” with unsurmountably excellent information about the politician.
Also note the tone of the communication and phrases like:
if you continue to be this annoying regarding
you’re in for a serious fight
just wanted to warn you
before i start swinging.
A reasonable person, similarly situated to the Recipient, could reasonably conclude that the lack of connection between Sender and Politician, the stated dislike of what Recipient writes and the implied and explicit warnings about future behavior by Sender indicate that Sender hopes Recipient feels so at risk of being hurt by this unspecified threat that the preference will be to stop writing about Politician.
A reasonable person would also call that a threat to Recipient’s First Amendment right to free speech, as well as just plain mean, nasty and unrelated to anything that has to do with Politician’s actual race or credentials.
So – let’s sum up for a minute:
A reasonable person reading the communication and the attendant circumstances outlined here could conclude that Sender is threatening Recipient and wants Recipient to feel so threatened that Recipient will stop writing about what Sender doesn’t like to read (maybe Sender should just stop reading what Recipient writes? nah – that would be too easy; maybe Sender should challenge the content of what Recipient writes with facts to counter Recipient’s assertions and opinions? nah – that would be too hard for Sender; okay – back to Analysis).
Since Sender doesn’t define the threat with any specificity, it’s impossible to know what Sender believes would actually be a threat that could keep Recipient from writing as Recipient writes, if in fact anything could achieve that.
Let’s hypothesize that Recipient’s writing is read by fewer than 300 visitors per day, which is to say that, in the scope of the millions who read political blogs, Recipient’s blog has very few readers and, statistically speaking, maybe even it could be said no readers.
Therefore, a reasonable person could conclude that Sender’s threat is unfounded (assuming the goal of the threat is to stop voters in Politician’s district who read Recipient’s blog (assumedly a tiny number) from being influencing to vote against Politician or at least re-think their choices in Politician’s district), since Recipient’s writing would, practically speaking, be incapable of influencing any statistically significant proportion of voters in Politician’s district (which, I’ll throw out this other assumption – probably isn’t populated with a lot of people who even know what a blog is, much less reads them). (And, if Sender is correct in the assertion that the writing is annoying, a reasonable person might assume that few readers ever finish what Recipient writes anyway.)
These assumptions raise the question of why Sender would bother to communicate a threat to Recipient’s use of free speech rights if Recipient’s use of free speech doesn’t matter to 99.9% of Politician’s voting district (two-thirds of which voted for Politician two years ago).
Other questions that you might ask and consider as relevant or irrelevant to devising a response to Sender:
What if Sender and Recipient are not both bloggers but rather Recipient is a mainstream media news outlet or alternative weekly or television station reporter or anchor?
Does Sender have a habit of making personal attacks rather than constructing fact-based arguments against that which displeases him?
Has Sender sent this kind of communication to anyone before?
Has Sender acted on this kind of communication to anyone before? With what results (did the Sender or the Politician benefit? Was harm done to the recipients of those communications?)?
What laws if any has Sender broken or are in danger of being broken? Civil? Criminal? Subject to restraining orders? (think harassment, stalking etc.)
What role if any does Politician play in Sender’s behavior?
You get the idea.
Resolution
Your task now is to devise a response to Sender’s communication. This response can be in the form of steps, a communication or a combination.
For example:
Should Recipient call Sender?
Should Recipient forward Sender’s communication to Poitician (and how should Politician respond)?
Should Recipient forward Sender’s communication to Politician’s opponent?
Should mail servers be contacted since they serve as conduits for the threats?
Should Recipient forward Sender’s communication to the editorial board of the newspapers and entities that will be making endorsements in hypothetical Politician’s race?
To what other entities or individuals might Recipient forward the communication?
Should Recipient write more than ever about the race in the same, usual fashion? Should others write more than ever about the race in their same, usual fashion?
Should others who blog find their blood chilling and boiling at the same time at the idea that a fellow blogger would send and use a threat of personal attacks against another blogger in order to get bloggers to stop writing about anything? What would be the consequences to all bloggers and discourse in the blogosphere if a threat of personal attacks did stop Recipient from blogging (the implication being that, just as giving in to people who kidnap and want a ransom of some type, once you give in to such demands, the demands will become more frequent and more bold)?
Given that the threat is unspecified, what if anything should Recipient consider disclosing?
Also feel free to suggest what other elements might be important for the Sender, Recipient and maybe most importantly, the innocent (or not so innocent?) bystander Politician, in whose name Sender has made these threats. For example, is there a possibility that Sender’s attempts to help Politician will only hurt Politician?
Good luck, and don’t be afraid to think out of the box.
Oh – and really, the last word: Notice how I haven’t suggested that Recipient wage a personal attack on the Sender. No recipient of such communications should ever resort to that. It will only backfire, not to mention not be what a reasonable person would do.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:59 pm July 27th, 2008 in Politics | 32 Comments
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[updated] And now, Church fun with guns!
Filed Under Breaking, Crime, Culture, Law, Social Issues, Youth | Leave a Comment
Hopefully, the sun will come out tomorrow for all seven who were injured.
Hattip NewsNet5.
Update: And now, two are dead and the suspect is arrested and held on $1 million bail.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:50 pm July 27th, 2008 in Breaking, Crime, Culture, Law, Social Issues, Youth | Please comment
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