The Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) invested $50m in rare coins, $13m of which is so far "lost".
On Monday, the State Controlling Board approved Attorney General Jim Petro's request for funds to hire attorneys in the lawsuit. The approval, which covers this year's costs only, brings the total legal bill to about $7.3m so far. Added to the "lost" money, it brings the total cost (known) of corruption to about $20m.
The article also mentions "another $1.9 million for workers' compensation lawsuits not related to the scandal." I wonder what that's about. Is it normal for the BWC to be sued for millions of dollars every year? How much of that is recouped (the BWC can ask for repayment of legal costs if it wins, apparently)?
I don't know if this case is typical, but in this case the legal cost of corruption is fifty cents on the dollar.
31 August 2005
Parade to be Happy but not Gay
Diversity Dayton, a group for people “interested in actively promoting the civil rights of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community through advocacy and publicity,” has been denied a request to march in the Kettering “Holiday at Home” Labor Day Parade.
The foundation that sponsors the parade did some investigating into Diversity Dayton and found that it had begun as a local extension of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization “working for lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual equal rights.” The foundation president said that an organization working for “human rights” in the broadest sense might have been fine, but the fact that Diversity Dayton represented just one area, and that area happens to be a “hot-button” issue, was reason for denial.
He explained that a Diversity Dayton sign would be as much of a hot button to some as a “Right to Life” sign would be to others.
Diversity Dayton understands that it is legal for them to be excluded from the parade and is discussing other plans.
In terms of a civil rights issues, would this situation be different if a group of women wanted to march in a 1900 parade for suffrage? Or a black group marching in 1950 for civil rights? If so, how?
The foundation that sponsors the parade did some investigating into Diversity Dayton and found that it had begun as a local extension of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization “working for lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual equal rights.” The foundation president said that an organization working for “human rights” in the broadest sense might have been fine, but the fact that Diversity Dayton represented just one area, and that area happens to be a “hot-button” issue, was reason for denial.
He explained that a Diversity Dayton sign would be as much of a hot button to some as a “Right to Life” sign would be to others.
Diversity Dayton understands that it is legal for them to be excluded from the parade and is discussing other plans.
In terms of a civil rights issues, would this situation be different if a group of women wanted to march in a 1900 parade for suffrage? Or a black group marching in 1950 for civil rights? If so, how?
30 August 2005
Sick and Tired of President Bush's Liberal Views?
Then you've probably seen this website, which has one page for Christians and another for non-believers.
But what if you want the dish on Bush? What's the real scoop that the liberal media won't tell you? You'll find all that here, with horrifying headlines like:
BUSH AGAIN ENDORSES OTHER RELIGIONS!
BUSH PRAYS TO ALLAH AND PRAISES ISLAM
BUSH GIVES DEATH BENEFITS TO HOMOSEXUALS
BUSH PRAISES OZZY OSBOURNE AT WHITE HOUSE DINNER
Ladies and gentlemen, your Republican base.
But what if you want the dish on Bush? What's the real scoop that the liberal media won't tell you? You'll find all that here, with horrifying headlines like:
BUSH AGAIN ENDORSES OTHER RELIGIONS!
BUSH PRAYS TO ALLAH AND PRAISES ISLAM
BUSH GIVES DEATH BENEFITS TO HOMOSEXUALS
BUSH PRAISES OZZY OSBOURNE AT WHITE HOUSE DINNER
Ladies and gentlemen, your Republican base.
More Pay-to-Play from Statehouse Republicans?
From the Right Angle Blog comes word of a Plain Dealer article linking state contracts with campaign contributions. The article states:
In accordance with the GOP playbook, Petro’s office sidestepped questions and accused critics of playing politics. And then they went on to point out that over half of the firms been given contracts for years, going back to a Democratic AG.
This is another classic Republican reaction: well, the Democrats used to do it, so you’re not allowed to say anything about it now. All this illustrates is that both major parties are corrupt and under the influence of special interests. It does not exonerate the Republicans from culpability or the appearance thereof. If there is the appearance of impropriety, then the office should open itself up to a transparent investigation and either exculpate itself or accept fair punishment.
Unless you’re in Kentucky…
Four of every five dollars requested by Attorney General Jim Petro for special counsel contracts for this fiscal year will go to law firms that have given money to his political campaigns.
…state Democratic leaders said 41 of the 57 law firms receiving contracts on Monday have given Republican Petro more than $800,000 since 1998. Those same firms yesterday were awarded $15.4 million in contracts.
In accordance with the GOP playbook, Petro’s office sidestepped questions and accused critics of playing politics. And then they went on to point out that over half of the firms been given contracts for years, going back to a Democratic AG.
This is another classic Republican reaction: well, the Democrats used to do it, so you’re not allowed to say anything about it now. All this illustrates is that both major parties are corrupt and under the influence of special interests. It does not exonerate the Republicans from culpability or the appearance thereof. If there is the appearance of impropriety, then the office should open itself up to a transparent investigation and either exculpate itself or accept fair punishment.
Unless you’re in Kentucky…
For Boone County Residents
An opportunity to have your say in land use policy:
Boone County Planning Commission will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday in courtroom 3A of the Boone County Administration Building on Ky. 18.
The commission is seeking input for its comprehensive plan, which affects future land uses for unincorporated Boone County, Florence, Union and Walton. It includes information on population, environment, economy, business activity, housing, recreation, agriculture, historic preservation, public facilities, transportation and land use.
(from the Enquirer)
FOP Joins Winburn on Planet X
Charlie Winburn, the neoChristian candidate who performs exorcisms and said only born-again Christians should hold office, has been endorsed by the FOP, report the Enquirer and Post.
According to FOP president Keith Fangman, Winburn supports the police and could make the city safer.
In other words, Winburn would do nothing to improve the problem-laden police system. The police have consistently resisted investigations and changes, so it is fair to assume that they want a mayor who will not want to change or even question their lousy attitude and behavior. Their endorsement implies Winburn is that man.
The 10-member endorsement committee voted unanimously to endorse, and said “support for our officers” was the top reason. This is code for “don’t make us change.” More evidence is in the FOP’s citing of the 2002 police contract as one of the decisive issues.
Winburn’s only crime initiative is his build-more-jails plan. Besides the fact that David Pepper suggested this months before, jail-building is not a crime solution. Intelligent people know this. It is like building another band-aid factory to deal with the hemophilia problem. Yes, band-aids are needed, but preventing a cut in the first place is the best solution (and the cheapest, long-term). That is why more jail space is only a part of Pepper’s plan.
Winburn’s plan does not reduce crime; it provides temporary storehousing of criminals at a cost of millions of dollars every year. It is a long-term tax/spending increase, and that’s what it should be called.
According to FOP president Keith Fangman, Winburn supports the police and could make the city safer.
In other words, Winburn would do nothing to improve the problem-laden police system. The police have consistently resisted investigations and changes, so it is fair to assume that they want a mayor who will not want to change or even question their lousy attitude and behavior. Their endorsement implies Winburn is that man.
The 10-member endorsement committee voted unanimously to endorse, and said “support for our officers” was the top reason. This is code for “don’t make us change.” More evidence is in the FOP’s citing of the 2002 police contract as one of the decisive issues.
Winburn’s only crime initiative is his build-more-jails plan. Besides the fact that David Pepper suggested this months before, jail-building is not a crime solution. Intelligent people know this. It is like building another band-aid factory to deal with the hemophilia problem. Yes, band-aids are needed, but preventing a cut in the first place is the best solution (and the cheapest, long-term). That is why more jail space is only a part of Pepper’s plan.
Winburn’s plan does not reduce crime; it provides temporary storehousing of criminals at a cost of millions of dollars every year. It is a long-term tax/spending increase, and that’s what it should be called.
Want to Try Diebold's Voting Machines?
Then head up to Van Wert County (west of Lima) for the county fair, Sept. 1-7. The Van Wert Independent reports:
ANY questions? What if people ask how they can trust a machine made by someone who promised to deliver Ohio to Bush in '04? What if they ask how they can trust a company whose owner was a Bush "pioneer"? What if they ask how they can trust a machine that has repeatedly failed security tests? What if they ask how they can trust a company that not only won't use open-source software, but has used uncertified software at least twice (once illegally, in Maryland)?
More news and information about voting machines is available at this page from CASE, the Citizens Alliance for Secure Elections. And VerifiedVoting has a page called "The Verifier" where you can look up the voting standards for any county in any state.
Van Wert County residents will have a chance to try out the new touch-screen voting machines prior to the November general election at this year's county fair. The County Board of Elections will have the new machines on display in the Administration Building from noon-5 p.m. Thursday, September 1, through Wednesday, September 7. Local residents can view the machines -- and even have a hands-on opportunity to try out the new touch-screen voting system. Representatives from Diebold Election Systems, maker of the machines, will also be on hand to answer any questions residents may have.
ANY questions? What if people ask how they can trust a machine made by someone who promised to deliver Ohio to Bush in '04? What if they ask how they can trust a company whose owner was a Bush "pioneer"? What if they ask how they can trust a machine that has repeatedly failed security tests? What if they ask how they can trust a company that not only won't use open-source software, but has used uncertified software at least twice (once illegally, in Maryland)?
More news and information about voting machines is available at this page from CASE, the Citizens Alliance for Secure Elections. And VerifiedVoting has a page called "The Verifier" where you can look up the voting standards for any county in any state.
28 August 2005
Sandra Queen Noble is Seriously Quite Abnormal
Kudos to Dan Hurley’s show Newsmakers (Saturdays 11 a.m., WKRC) for giving equal time to this year’s independent mayoral candidates, Sylvan Grisco, Justin Jeffre, and Sandra Queen Noble.
Unfortunately, those of us who watched the show will have to come to terms with the fact that we will never get those 30 minutes back. One way we can do this is by recognizing the value of witnessing three unqualified candidates. This can be useful. I would make this point with an analogy to the time someone recommended the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” Sounds good, I said, but wouldn’t it also be a good idea to write about habits of highly ineffective people? I mean, you don’t know what not to do if you don’t know you’re doing it, right?
In a similar vein, it is nice to contrast qualified candidates with unqualified ones just to see the contrast and get an idea of what not to want in a candidate.
For those who think Alicia Reece is a case in point, I say get ready to chortle a-plenty. Sandra Queen Noble makes Reece look like a Rhodes scholar. She is, unfortunately, not a credible candidate for any office at any level. A normal human does not show up for a television forum wearing curly, green giftwrapping ribbon all over her hair, and a shiny, gold stetson on top of that (seemingly plastic).
No, I am not making it up. Also, she can’t answer questions.
According to the SmartVoter guide, Noble lists her occupations as fashion designer and "law enforcement" (she used the same phrase on the show). And she lists her education as "Jim Crow/George Wallace."
Her response to the SmartVoter question "What are your qualifications for office?" was:
And her response to "What plans do you have to address your top three priorities?" was:
(There were actually 5 questions, but that's 3 too many in this case).
There’s a bit of a guilty feeling in harping on Ms. Noble, since she clearly isn’t playing with a full deck. But she put herself out there. If you want a spectacle, go see Ms. Noble. If you want a mayor, don’t.
Unfortunately, those of us who watched the show will have to come to terms with the fact that we will never get those 30 minutes back. One way we can do this is by recognizing the value of witnessing three unqualified candidates. This can be useful. I would make this point with an analogy to the time someone recommended the book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” Sounds good, I said, but wouldn’t it also be a good idea to write about habits of highly ineffective people? I mean, you don’t know what not to do if you don’t know you’re doing it, right?
In a similar vein, it is nice to contrast qualified candidates with unqualified ones just to see the contrast and get an idea of what not to want in a candidate.
For those who think Alicia Reece is a case in point, I say get ready to chortle a-plenty. Sandra Queen Noble makes Reece look like a Rhodes scholar. She is, unfortunately, not a credible candidate for any office at any level. A normal human does not show up for a television forum wearing curly, green giftwrapping ribbon all over her hair, and a shiny, gold stetson on top of that (seemingly plastic).
No, I am not making it up. Also, she can’t answer questions.
According to the SmartVoter guide, Noble lists her occupations as fashion designer and "law enforcement" (she used the same phrase on the show). And she lists her education as "Jim Crow/George Wallace."
Her response to the SmartVoter question "What are your qualifications for office?" was:
Currently a presidential candidate running for the Mayor of Cincinnati 3 times candidate for President 5 times for City Mayor Candidate Congress and City Council Candidate once
And her response to "What plans do you have to address your top three priorities?" was:
Power and compassion; the right to protect children; when you take from the land of native people respect the people of the land you take from.
(There were actually 5 questions, but that's 3 too many in this case).
There’s a bit of a guilty feeling in harping on Ms. Noble, since she clearly isn’t playing with a full deck. But she put herself out there. If you want a spectacle, go see Ms. Noble. If you want a mayor, don’t.
27 August 2005
So Why Did Eric Minameyer Support Schmidt?
The Smoke Eater reports that Eric Minameyer, the man responsible for swiftboating Paul Hackett, is now taking Hackett's position on Iraq on his (Minameyer's) blog:
Smoke Eater pointed out to Minameyer that this is pretty much what Hackett has been saying for several months, to which Minameyer responded that he, too had been saying it for several months. Minameyer then attempted to cast his view as something totally different by parsing minor differences and then-- and I am not making this up-- he accused Hackett of inciting insurgents with his rhetoric. Maj. Hackett still has 5 months left to serve, by the way.
Here is the new Republican viewpoint on Iraq: We need to get out, but if you say we need to get out because we were wrong to go in, then you are wrong and are inciting insurgents. If you say we have to pull out but we were right to go in, then you are right and down with Jesus.
We need to exit ASAP, by which I mean as soon as sufficient Iraqi security forces exist to defend the constitutional government. The cost to our economy, in the lives of Americans, and in the loss of unity of the country are too great to extend the mission past that.
Smoke Eater pointed out to Minameyer that this is pretty much what Hackett has been saying for several months, to which Minameyer responded that he, too had been saying it for several months. Minameyer then attempted to cast his view as something totally different by parsing minor differences and then-- and I am not making this up-- he accused Hackett of inciting insurgents with his rhetoric. Maj. Hackett still has 5 months left to serve, by the way.
Here is the new Republican viewpoint on Iraq: We need to get out, but if you say we need to get out because we were wrong to go in, then you are wrong and are inciting insurgents. If you say we have to pull out but we were right to go in, then you are right and down with Jesus.
Who Reads What?
Okay, it's not a "real" who-reads-what. It's a funny take on the readership of the U.K.'s newspapers I picked up on Deepak's blog out of Melbourne:
So what similar assessments would you make about our newspapers?
Daily Mirror - Read by people who think that they run the country.Guardian - Read by people who think that they ought to run the country.
Times - Read by people who actually do run the country.Daily Mail - Read by wives of those who do run the country.(Remember at the time when Yes Prime Minister was being screened in UK, the Government predominantly had more males in the service compared to females)Financial Times - Read by those who actually OWN the country.Morning Star - Read by those who think UK should be run by another country.Daily Telegraph - Read by those who actually THINK that UK is run by another country.
So what similar assessments would you make about our newspapers?
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