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Nov

18

Ohio House leadership announcements

Filed Under Democrats, Government, Jewish, leadership, OH17, Ohio, Politics | 5 Comments

From the inbox:

Armond Budish Elected as Next Speaker of the House
Szollosi, Garrison, Heard, Goyal, Sayre Round Out New Majority Leadership Team

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) announced tonight Ohio House Democratic Caucus members for the 128th General Assembly have unanimously elected State Representative Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) as the next Speaker of the House.

“I am proud and humbled to lead our Caucus into the next General Assembly as we continue the work to turn around Ohio,” Budish said. “We partnered with Governor Strickland over the past two years to lay the groundwork for positive change. I look forward to working with him, President Harris, Minority Leader Batchelder, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue building the foundation for long-term prosperity and success in Ohio.”

Speaker-Elect Budish joined Leader Beatty to lead the Caucus as it gained as many as seven seats on November 4, securing the House majority for the first time in 14 years. It was the first time in Ohio history that a House caucus won a majority on a district map the opposing party drew.

Other members elected to leadership roles for the 128th General Assembly include:

·         Rep. Matt Szollosi (D-Toledo): Speaker Pro Tempore
·         Rep. Jennifer Garrison (D-Marietta): Majority Floor Leader
·         Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus): Assistant Majority Floor Leader
·         Rep. Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield): Majority Whip
·         Rep. Allan Sayre (D-Dover): Assistant Majority Whip

“This leadership team will work tirelessly to steer our state through this challenging time and set a course for prosperity and opportunity,” Budish said. “The voters trust them, I trust them, and I can’t wait to get started pursuing the goals and solutions important to all Ohioans.”

Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus), who will leave the House at the end of the year because of term limits, reflected on the transfer of power and the potential of the new Democratic Caucus.

“I see wonderful promise in our new House Administration to craft policies that improve the quality of life for Ohioans in every corner of our state,” Beatty said. “Speaker-Elect Budish’s priorities are in line with the concerns and challenges of our citizens, and I know he and his leadership team are committed to facing those issues head-on, in a bipartisan manner, and finding common-sense solutions.

“I am proud of the legacy I leave behind in the Ohio House of Representatives – one of service, sacrifice and success on behalf of the people of Ohio. This new majority is the perfect capper to my legislative career, and I am very confident that we will see great things in the next General Assembly.”

I’m happy that a rep from near my area who also happens to be Jewish is the House Speaker.  That is really very cool indeed.  Likewise, I’m happy to see women and minorities in the make-up of leadership.  Goyal is known most recently for teaming up with State Rep. Josh Mandel (R-17th, Lyndhurst) on a proposal to give money to college grads who choose to stay in Ohio.  Given the way the economy has turned since they made that announcement, I have serious doubts about its viability.  But never say never.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:40 pm November 18th, 2008 in Democrats, Government, Jewish, leadership, OH17, Ohio, Politics | 5 Comments 

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Nov

18

[audio] Third Rail Radio, post-election wrap-up, 11/5/08

Filed Under Elections, Jill Miller Zimon, Media | Comments Off

You can read about the other guest and the show here.

Third Rail Radio, 11/5/08

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:21 pm November 18th, 2008 in Elections, Jill Miller Zimon, Media | Comments Off 

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Nov

18

First female four-star general, General Ann Dunwoody, promoted last Friday

Filed Under Announcements, Gender, Military, Women | Comments Off

From the White House Project:

We join the nation in congratulating General Ann Dunwoody, who became the first female four-star general this past Friday.

According to McClatchy, “Dunwoody’s standing-room-only ceremony in the Pentagon auditorium drew the military’s highest ranked officers. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, presided, and three-star generals had to stand in the back because all the seats were taken.”

During the ceremony, Gen. Casey acknowledged that the naming of the military’s first female four-star general took “probably longer than it should have,” but he called Friday’s promotion something the “entire Army can celebrate and take pride in.”

There are currently 21 female general officers in the Army and just under 60 throughout the military. Gen. Dunwoody said that while she was the first, she will not be the last female four-star general. “The bench is deep.”

For more on General Dunwoody, read Campbell Brown’s column or the Army’s military news article from the original announcement last spring, and the announcement last week. From last spring’s announcement:

About 5 percent of general officers in the U.S. Army are women, officials said, adding that this includes mobilized Army Reserve and Army National Guard general officers.

“I have never considered myself anything but a Soldier,” Dunwoody said. “I recognize that with this selection, some will view me as a trailblazer, but it’s important that we remember the generations of women, whose dedication, commitment and quality of service helped open the doors of opportunity for us today. There are so many talented women in our Army today … you would be impressed. So what’s even more exciting for me is knowing that while I may be the first, I know I won’t be the last. I’m thrilled with this selection and proud to continue to serve!”

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:29 pm November 18th, 2008 in Announcements, Gender, Military, Women | Comments Off 

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Nov

18

Still time to vote today, yes, today in Cuyahoga, Cleveland specials

Filed Under Announcements, Cleveland+, Congress, Elections, Government, Ohio, Politics, Voting | 2 Comments

At 4:40pm today, I was the third voter in my precinct to vote.  That is pathetic – even though Democratic candidate Marcia Fudge is running unopposed for the Ohio 11th Congressional District (empty after Stephanie Tubbs Jones died earlier this year).

Here’s the info:

Voters in the 11th Congressional District today choose an interim replacement for the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones and voters in Cleveland’s Ward 1 and Ward 7 cast ballots for City Council candidates.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for all the races.

In the special congressional election, Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge is running unopposed to fill the remaining weeks of Tubbs Jones’ term. Fudge, a Democrat, earlier this month defeated Republican businessman Thomas Pekarek for a full term earlier this month.

In Ward 1, the Lee-Miles neighborhood, a special primary election will narrow a field of nine candidates. The two top vote getters will face off in a Dec. 23 special general election.

Nina Turner, who vacated the Ward 1 seat to fill a vacancy in the Ohio Senate, named Terrell H. Pruitt to hold the seat until the end of her term in January. The other candidates are Anthony B. Brown, Jana S. Crosby, Ken Ferguson, Tonya Jones, Pierre Nappier, Anthony W. Ruffin, Andre P. White, and Joani Worthy.

In Ward 7, the Hough neighborhood, a special general election will decide a race between T.J. Dow and Stephanie Howse. Council appointed Howse to the seat after the August death of Councilwoman Fannie Lewis.

Before taking over Lewis’ seat, Howse, 29, served as field director for the Ohio Democratic Party. Among other things, she has pledged to give residents a booklet detailing groups and representatives providing services in the neighborhood. She also wants to get residents involved with public meetings affecting the ward.

Dow, 34, is an attorney for the felony division of the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office. Among other things, he proposes more programs for seniors and youths. He also wants to attract more businesses to the ward and partner with police to improve safety.

Emphasis is mine – Stephanie Howse is a fellow White House Project grad. You go girl – good luck.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:02 pm November 18th, 2008 in Announcements, Cleveland+, Congress, Elections, Government, Ohio, Politics, Voting | 2 Comments 

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Nov

18

Bazaar Bizarre, 12/13-14, Noon-9pm – I can go this year!

Filed Under Business, Cleveland+, Culture, Holidays | Comments Off

I am totally excited – I’ve wanted to go to this event for four years (four years, right Shannon?).

From the Plain Dealer:

BAZAAR BIZARRE
Why we love it: “Not your granny’s craft fair,” indeed. BazBiz’s mission is to get people out of the mall and into fairs supporting local and regional artists. Expect a funky, alternative vibe and tons of unusual, creative options for everyone on your list. Including yourself, of course.

When we’ll go: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland (home of the former 1300 Gallery). Admission is free.

What we’ll buy: Cosy Knits from Cosette Cornelius-Bates, screen-printed totes and T-shirts from Sara Hoover of Small Screen Designs.

Details: Bazaarbizarre.org/cleveland.

So happy. Ahhh.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:47 pm November 18th, 2008 in Business, Cleveland+, Culture, Holidays | Comments Off 

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Nov

18

USPS mail service hocus pocus again

Filed Under Government | Comments Off

I wrote about how mailboxes were disappearing two years back.  Today, Lisa Renee at Glass City Jungle writes about how mail carriers are disappearing:

I read this story over on Swampbubbles, Mail misery and mix-up in zips 43609, 43614-15 and I was glad to see someone post about it, it was on my list of “things to blog about”. Our mailman was “eliminated” with Friday being his last day and my street as well as several others in my area are now considered “auxiliary routes” which means from how it was explained to me that who ever has extra time will take our streets. This means we will have no continuity of service, it was already a scenario when it was his day off that there were problems, no attempt to deliver certified mail when someone was at home, packages not delivered when expected and having our mail not end up at our house but one of the neighbors and vice versa. It became a joke among several of us that we could tell when he was not working.

There’s more there plus discussion.

I completely agree with her frustration and reasons for dissatisfaction.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 3:19 pm November 18th, 2008 in Government | Comments Off 

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Nov

18

Beau Biden won’t split self between military and political positions

Filed Under Congress, Government, Military, Politics | 3 Comments

From The Washington Post’s The Fix:

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden will not accept an appointment to the Senate to replace his father, according to knowledgeable state sources, a decision that scrambles the race to to replace the vice president-elect in the Senate next year.

Beau Biden, the eldest son of Joe Biden, removed himself from consideration even as he prepares to deploy for a year-long tour of duty in Iraq. (Biden is a member of the Delaware National Guard and is currently training in Texas before being deployed to the Middle East.)

But I don’t understand what Chris Cillizza means when he writes,

Given his military commitment, there seemed to be no way that he could be appointed to the seat in early 2009 anyway, and his decision to pro-actively remove himself from consideration simply affirms that reality.

I don’t understand that, “given his military commitment” piece – does that mean that you have to be physically present to be appointed? Or is Cillizza leaning toward the belief that it would just be unrealistic, in the sense that Biden would be appointed, but not be there?  What do others think? I can’t find anything else on the decision yet.

Oh – and make this two for two today: Beau was another one of my most favorite names because I really liked the golfer Ben Crenshaw and thought he looked a lot like Beau Bridges.


Okay – well – back then I thought they looked a lot alike.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:34 pm November 18th, 2008 in Congress, Government, Military, Politics | 3 Comments 

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Nov

18

Send good thoughts to Seve

Filed Under Health Care, Sports | 1 Comment

This is another person whose name I love to hear pronounced, but mostly, I remember thinking what a good looking guy he was (I watched a lot of golf when I was in high school):

I didn’t realize that he’s battling brain cancer, at the age of 51, until I saw a headline that said he was just getting out of intensive care.  You can read more here but thinking good thoughts for his recovery.

If you’re not familiar with him, read more here and here.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:00 pm November 18th, 2008 in Health Care, Sports | 1 Comment 

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Nov

18

On “Hard Truths with Phil Heimlich” this afternoon

Filed Under Announcements, Media, Ohio, Politics | 4 Comments

UPDATE: Not sure if this is better or worse, but there was some confusion over whether Kevin O’Brien is a blogger (I’d said that I didn’t think of him as one) and they’ve realized that for the most part, O’Brien is in fact not a blogger. So – now Kevin is on his own for 10 mins and then it will be me.  3:50pm.

Who has been demoted?

Original:

Maybe I just said yes because of my new bifocals, which are indeed, as I was warned, making me a bit nauseous. I think I can use that excuse, though, if the radio program I’m going to be on this afternoon tanks (you can click on that hyperlink to get a live-stream – I’ll be on at 3:40pm).

You also can listen live from here (WHKW 1220 in Cleveland). Yes, Mom, Dad, it’s Christian radio. You lived through my time at Georgetown – you can make it through this.

Read more here about the program. I tried to get them to have Kyle on instead of me but darn it if they hadn’t already rounded him up with Ben.  I always get the hard assignments: I’ll be opposite Kevin O’Brien of The Plain Dealer.

Wish me luck, but don’t be shocked if I pull a Joe Biden – it might be the only winning tactic:

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:09 pm November 18th, 2008 in Announcements, Media, Ohio, Politics | 4 Comments 

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Nov

18

Iranian blogfather, Hossein Derakhshan aka Hoder, arrested in Tehran as spy for Israel

Filed Under Blogging, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Politics | Comments Off

Wow.  Well – lots to review but first, the news, from the Jerusalem Post.

The Who and What:

According to a report in Jahan News, which is close to Iran’s intelligence community, quoted by the Middle East analyst Meir Javedanfar, the blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, returned to Iran about three weeks ago, having previously been based in Canada.

“Prior to his return,” Javedanfar writes on his middleeastanalyst.com Web site, Derakhshan had “started attacking [former Iranian president] Ayatollah [Hashemi] Rafsanjani in his blog. It is possible that he fell foul of a power struggle within Iran.”

But it sounds as though that was a screen for support for Israel and democratization of Iran:

He first visited Israel in 2006, when he told the Post he knew his visit here would mean he could never return to his homeland. “But it’s worth it,” he said at the time.

He blogged from Tel Aviv that “I’ve publicly come to Israel to break a big taboo and to be a bridge between Iranian and Israeli people who are manipulated by their own governments’ and media’s dehumanizing attitude, especially now that the possibility of some sort of violent clash is higher than ever.”

He subsequently posted photographs and videos of Israel on the Farsi-language blog, which was being read at the time by some 20,000 Iranians, who had to bypass a filter Iran had placed on it.

Returning to Israel in 2007, when he addressed a conference on “Reform and Resistance in the Middle East” at Ben-Gurion University, he told the Post, “Those were the first videos any Iranian has been able to see about ordinary daily life in Israel. I want to humanize Israel for Iranians and tell them it’s not what the Islamic propaganda machine is saying – that Israelis are thirsty for Muslim blood. And I want to show Israel that the average Iranian isn’t even thinking about doing harm to Israel. I want them to see Iranians who don’t look like [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad.”

I’m sure there’ll be more, but in the meantime, here are some good resources, hattip to Andy Carvin:

Global Voices Academy on the arrest which says that Hoder has reportedly admitted to spying for Israel

YNET news coverage, which includes a story about another Iranian blogger

A 2005 podcast of an interview of Hoder by Andy Carvin

Andy’s 2006 post about Hoder’s “one man peace mission” to Israel

Hoder’s English-language weblog

Hoder’s writings for The Guardian

Note this one in particular in which he says Iran does not jail bloggers.

UPDATE: Andy Carvin has a full entry here at NPR.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:54 am November 18th, 2008 in Blogging, Foreign Affairs, Israel, Politics | Comments Off 

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