POLITICS: Racism in America

In J101 today, we saw iconic images of racism in America only 50 years ago. The focus was "Media spurred the civil rights movement." In a nutshell, whites were in denial of racism in the south until the media started covering it. I'd say overall the majority of people in America believe that there is little to no racism today, but are we missing something? What better test-case than the recent election?





With those two videos in mind from Ohio and Virginia, here is Barry Kay, Associate Professor Wilfrid Laurier, on his thoughts of racism in America and the elections.

POLITICS: List of Ohio issues on the ballot-KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE!

Check out this site: http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/States

It's a non-partisan site that describes each issue that will be on the ballot, no matter what state you're from. Each description includes pro/con arguments, supporters and external links for more background information.

I'll go ahead and list the issue on Ohio's ballot for 2008:
(from http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Ohio_2008_ballot_measures)
Issue 1-To change the deadline for submitting signatures on initiatives from 90 days to 125 days
Issue 2-Borrow $400 million for environment conservation, preservation and revitalization
Issue 3-Creates constitutional property rights along with the passage of the Great Lakes Water Compact*
Issue 6-Would allow one $600,000 resort/casino in Ohio
*The compact will take effect regardless of the vote, the question is of property rights and water

I encourage everyone to visit this site and review the links, read articles and figure out your position. Vote smart in '08!

NEWS: Ohio does even more to embarrass drunk drivers

Ohio has become a leader in embarrassing drunk drivers. It first instituted a law that forced drivers with multiple DUIs to buy a special yellow and red plate, that actually stands out pretty well in traffic.

On Tuesday, it passed legislation that made an online database of drunk drivers mandatory by the end of this year. The database will be sorted by the name, address or birthday for those who are convicted of driving drunk five times over a twenty year period. 

The Columbus Dispatch interviewed Scott Woodworth, 49 who is serving time in jail for his thirteenth drunk driving conviction. Woodworth supported the legislation saying, "People deserve to know who is a drunk around them."

Agreed. This really won't do anything to make me feel safer, but it may still deter people from repeatedly driving drunk. I supported the yellow plates simply because people can tell on the road who is a drunk driver, however I'm not sure this database will have as close of an impact. Still, those people who are dumb enough to drive drunk multiple times should be punished somehow (Scott Woodworth, remember has 13 drunk driving convictions, is only serving a five year sentence).

NEWS: Ohio Casinos

OHIO

Developers in Ohio are planning to construct a $600 million casino. Currently, Ohio law does not permit gambling despite many recent ballot attempts to overturn current legislation. 

The twist. Indiana's three casinos have attracted many Ohio gamblers for that past years. Argosy Casino specifically has taken an extreme stance against the potential Ohio vote to legalize gambling.

Argosy Casino's owner Penn National in Pennsylvania, has stated that they will be launching a $35 million ad campaign against the upcoming vote.

MyOhioNow.org is urging voters not to believe the misleading campaign that the legislation would only allow the one casino in Wilmington. The problem at hand is that Penn National can outspend MyOhioNow on their campaign. Ah, the power of money. 

Argosy reports that 50% of their profits come from Ohio, and that passing legislation would severely damage their casino. 

If Ohio is losing tax dollars now to its neighbor states because of 'immoral' gambling, then it makes no sense why no to allow gambling in Ohio. If the Ohio residents are going to gamble anyway, the state might as well benefit from its people. In a time where Ohio desperately is attempting to maintain a budget, and is struggling to do so, then it makes plenty of sense to allow gambling as an extra source of revenue. Not to mention the casino will employ more than 5,000 people and create a revenue to all 88 Ohio counties. 

NEWS: 65,000 without power

OHIO

65,000 people are still left powerless in Ohio. Energy companies and the government are scrambling to restore power to everyone in Ohio after a massive wind storm left many families without power.

For three days, my family was left without power. The only contact I had was to reach them on their cell phones. They managed to wait out the three days without power, but there are plenty of other families going on an entire week without power.

Just imagine what life is like without power.

No school (about the only plus)

No phone (except a cell which only lasts as long as its charge)

No food (maybe chips, but you can't last long on just those)

No warm water (why even shower?)

No TV (un-american)

No news (better hope you're on a paper route)

No reading this blog (WHATEVER WILL YOU DO?!?!)

Life wouldn't be a ton of fun...

NEWS: Strickland orders more budget cuts

COLUMBUS

Governor Ted Strickland has ordered a $540 million budget cut in response to the terrible U.S. economy. During an interview, Strickland seemed genuinely concerned about Ohio's economy as well as the budget.

"While it may be raining now," Strickland said in an interview with Jeff Bell. "I fear a much larger storm is looming ahead of us."

Strickland believes Ohio is one of 29 states that are projected to face continual budget cuts. He wrote to President Bush asking that Washington does something in response for the states that are being damaged by the overall economy drop off.

-What this means for us-

Though massive cuts are being made, Strickland promised that the money toward tax reduction for seniors, children's health care, college tuition freeze and funding for local schools would be untouched. 

I was not aware, and still am not of a college tuition freeze or the continual increase for school funding. When Strickland ran for governor, his cornerstone was education. Admittedly, I have been outraged at Strickland because the cost of college went up thousands of dollars before my freshman year at Ohio University and I saw my high school still making pointless budget cuts due to a shortage of funding. 

I promise to write an update when my second year of college bills begins, and we'll see if he holds to his word. Being smart about the budget is a necessity in this country, especially in these difficult times. Education should be the number one priority, always.

Students should not be forced to scrape their way through college, and parents shouldn't have to stress over $20,000 in-state tuition. Schools should be able to have paper supply rooms with actual paper and pens in them. 

If Strickland can keep to his word, uphold education in Ohio and keep it away from the budget chopping block, than I may have to reconsider my anti-Strickland stance. Thats a big IF.