Who Rules Cincinnati?

Dan La Botz (whoever the heck that is!) just came out with a new report entitled Who Rules Cincinnati? His basic argument is that 7 big corporations based here dominate the social and economic life in Cincinnati, as well as it's civic, and cultural activities, and these corporations play a hudge role in financing and have a very large influence over local politics, to the common person's detriment. The very few rich and powerful have all of the power and the majority of people haven't got any real power (ie money).Many decades of have's and have-not's has created such a hudge stratification that we are very much like the Third World. The top three corporations involved are P&G, Kroger and Macy's/Federated Department Stores.

He goes on to state that Cincinnati is the third-poorest mid-sized city in the United States, and that the antidote to this situation is for Cincinnati's working and middle class populations to organize to speak out against this corporate control. We need to end discrimination, welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds, and most importantly change our focus in the criminal justice system. We need to stop being so punitive and focus on strengthening communities and eradicate economic and social injustice in the city of Cincinnati.

I agree with everything he is saying, but I have to say that the only way change will happen is from the bottom up. Grass-roots homegrown neighborhood organization and change is our only hope as a catalyst for change in Cincinnati. Lord knows it's not going to come down to us from City Council, the police, the Mayor, or from enacting any type of legislation.

But first of all, the masses of people have to feel the need for this change. They have to really feel fed up. People need to get up off their *&%^$$ and stop watching the television and start helping each other! I honestly keep waiting for this to happen. I thought it would happen in 2000 when Bush stole the election, but nothing. Then 911 and all of this insanity of faked evidence for going to war, and still nothing. People simply are apathetic. And until that changes, things will remain the same as they always have been. The rich will keep on getting richer and the poor will stay poor and disenfranchised.

Jake Speed at Rabbit Hash Bluegrass Benefit for Richard Young

A good time was had by all at Rabbit Hash' Bluegrass Benefit weekend for Richard Young. Richard and his wife own the Rabbit Hash General Store, an eclectic little spot here in Boone County, Kentucky right on the Ohio River across from Rising Sun Indiana. He is a master stone carver and unfortunately has been diagnosed with stage four neck and head cancer. Please visit the above link and donate generously.

The above video is of Jake Speed and the Freddies, a fabulously enjoyable band. My kids especially loved dancing to their music. My son was so into it that the lead singer wants to take him on tour! LOL

Best Playground Around

My family and I spent the afternoon yesterday at Sawyer Point. Situated under the yellow bridge that connects Cincinnati to Newport, the playground has a great view of the river, is enclosed by a fence (to keep wandering tots in), and has a floor "carpet" made of recycled tires- very squishy and forgiving to any falls.

There are 2 main playgrounds, one of which looks like a castle or fort, the other which is more of a normal modern-day playground made of metal. There is an abundance of swings on both play areas, a big plus for my kids! It seems that a lot of the playgrounds we visit these days have very few swings(???). My kids particularly enjoyed riding the tire swing. Three kids get on it and can swing themselves in circles forever! It was so wild I couldn't watch!

Bring your match box cars, volley ball, and beach toys. There is a match box car race track on the fort playground (you must provide your own cars), and a hudge sand pit with volley ball nets. My 2 preschoolers love to sit in the sand and play.

There is a restroom right near the playground, but sometimes it's closed, for no apparent reason. We were lucky yesterday that it was open!

For extended fun tote along a picnic lunch. There is plenty of lovely green grass where you can sit and eat. There is a concession stand, however it is NEVER open when we go there! Ever!

If you get hungry and didn't plan for picnicing, walk to the left of the bridge-towards Ohio not towards Indiana- (beside the outdoor skating rink!) and there is the Montgomery Inn Boathouse, famous for their BBQ ribs. For non-pork-eating folks like myself there is also plenty on the menu that is absolutely delicious.

I always heard that Bob Hope used to have their ribs flown to him he liked them so much. Oh and yes, the Skating Rink is open April-October and is very very cheap. $1 entry and $1 skate rental.

Enjoy!

Ohio Radio Host Says Islam's 'Goal' Is 'Sex with Children' (CINCINNATI, OH, 10/02/07)

The Cincinnati office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Ohio chapter (CAIR-Ohio) today called on a local radio station to reprimand a talk show host who claimed that the goal of Islam is "sex with children for eternity."



Yesterday, WLW-AM host Bill "Willie" Cunningham said on air: "The great war of this generation's time is the war against Islamic fascists. . .They do not live for life, they live for death. Only through death can they believe they can be with those 72 virgins in heaven and have sex with children for eternity, which is the goal of that religion."



TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO CLIP, GO TO:

http://www.cair.com/audio/bill_cunningham.htm



ACTION REQUESTED: Send POLITE comments to station officials asking them to reprimand Cunningham. Go to: http://www.700wlw.com/pages/contact.html



COPY all correspondence to info@cair.com"

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What I would like to know is what does this radio host want to accomplish with his slanderous, hateful comments? Ya Allah!



The words of my husband ring true once again;



"I've lived in the deep South all of my life, and never encountered any place more Racist than Cincinnati!"



This station, WLW was also recently in hot water for it's (inciting racial hatred) regarding Hispanic/Latinos with it's "The Big Juan" billboards, not to mention their one-sided (hateful) opinion regarding immigration.



The thing that really gets me regarding folks who ascribe to this way of thinking is that in one breath they will say hateful slanderous things about Mexicans or about Muslims, and then in the next breath claim to love Jesus. Jesus loved the most despised people in his Society; prostitutes and tax collectors. He not only loved them, he embraced them, and kept them in his closest circles.



Instead of Division, the citizens of the Tri-State area should be focusing on Unity.



I urge anyone who listens to WLW on a regular basis to please pray that God change your heart, and remove your feelings of hatred for muslims, mexicans, or whatever group of people it is that you despise.


I know that I will be praying for you.


It's only by reaching through and then past our hatred that we can create a world of Peace.


Ameen.

Best Friends

My 4-year-old daughter and her neighbor friend (who is 9) decided to do their nails yesterday.

This was the result.

Nice job, girls!

A Day at Rabbit Hash, KY

Skipping rocks on the banks of the Ohio River...
Exploring the "ruins"...

A fun day with Grama, who came up for a week from Florida. The best comment she made was, "Wow I didn't know there was ANYTHING to see or do up here! (meaning Kentucky)!"

We also took her down to Ft. Boonesborough, one of our favorite regional attractions. We were fortunate enough to see the re-enactors in their full glory. The blacksmith was making a betty lamp, there was a hunter who had not only hunted and killed the deer, but also had tanned the hides and sewn up the outfit he was wearing. My son got a coonskin cap (fake of course) and now thinks he's Daniel Boone!

What's with the Credit Unions?

After living for basically the last 15 years in Florida, and using their lovely network of Credit Unions, I'm aghast at how provicial the Credit Union ATM system seems to be here. Fo far, I haven't encountered any that are linked.

This means that I am charged a service fee at any credit union's atm other than my own, which is not located in Northern KY and is a royal pain in my neck to drive all the way to just to get 20 bucks.

The only Credit Union that seems to be in the year 2007 is CHACO. Last time I checked, they participate in Credit Union 24. Too bad, because nobody else around here does! The good news I guess, is that if you bank with them, then when you're on vacation anywhere in FL, you can get money at any credit union ATM and not be charged.