NO ON OHIO ISSUE 3!!
This is one of those really irritating and offensive aspects of politics. It is so ridiculous that this proposal is even on the ballot to be part of the Ohio CONSTITUTION. The proposal should be in the form of a law not a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENEDMENT to grant a monopoly on casino business to a few people. The people of Ohio would receive only a few drops of benefit from the flood of profits into the bank accounts of a few private businesses. It's so unbalanced that clearly those responsible have some ownership interest in these few businesses that would benefit. Let's have a look...This amendment to the Constitution would: Permit up to 31,500 slot machines at seven horse racing tracks and at two Cleveland non-track locations. Permit expanded gaming in the four Cuyahoga County locations if approved by the county's voters.

A state constitution is not meant to bestow a benefit (or detriment depending onhow you look at it) onto a select few of its residents. Look at this carefully, slot machines will only be allowed, by CONSTITUTIONAL LAW at 7 horse racing tracks and 2 non-track locations in Cleveland and 4 locations in Cuyahoga County. Since this is the Constitution, that is the maximum number of slot machine locations Ohio will ever have. If you live anywhere else in Ohio and wish to enter the casino gambling business at some future point, it will take a Constitutional Amendment to allow a slot machine to be placed in another location other than the 13 specified. Not because gambling is illegal in Ohio, because it won't be, but because it can only be done in 13 specific locations.

By CONSTITUTIONAL LAW the revenues would be distributed as follows: 55%to the slot and casino owners and operators. 30% to the Board of Regents for college scholarships and grants to eligible students andadministration of the program. The remaining revenues to be divided among local governments, race tracks for purse money, gambling addiction services, and The administration of the Gaming Integrity Commissioncomprised of five members appointed by the governor and the majority legislative leaders. The moneys provided by this amendment are to supplement and not supplant existing and future constitutional obligations to post-secondary education and local governments.

Proponents say: Arguments for passage:1. Ohioans are now going out of state to gamble, and Ohio is losing taxrevenue to neighboring states. This amendment would keep such revenues in the state. 2. Scholarships for higher education in Ohio would help to offset the high costs associated with earning a degree. 3. Eight percent of the gross proceeds would go to local governments for economic development activities. 4. One percent of the gross proceeds would support gambling addiction services. 5. Funding for scholarships and grants provided through this amendment is intended to supplement, not supplant, funds the General Assembly is obligated to provide for such purposes.

Let's look at all of these arguments in turn:
1. Proponents are unable to see the forest for the trees. How much of an impact will these gambling revenues have on Ohio? 55% of the revenue goes to the casino owners. 55%! More than half! What's more, these revenues, all 55% of them, go to the casino owners tax-free! (Free of state and local taxes.) The Constitution will specifically deprive the state of Ohio of its richest revenue source from by handing out revenues tax free to a few specific companies. Are those companies even located in Ohio? Will they be spending their revenues in Ohio?
2. Education! Ohio kids need help paying for college! Yes, they do, but the scholarships provided for with the money, 30% of revenues less administrative costs, will be available only the top five percent of students graduating from accredited public or non-public high schools. Only the top 5%. The ones who have the best shot at scholarships anyway. 95% of Ohio high school students will receive no benefit from the tax revenues.
3. Local governments will get 8% of the revenues for economic development (of low-paying jobs for the high school grads not in the top 5% who can't afford college??). Which local governments? All Ohio local governments or just those where the slot machines are located? I suppose this is to take the place of the state and local income tax we are foregoing on the 55% of the revenues the casino companies get. So, 55% to private casino owners. 8% to government/people of Ohio.
4. But it will help the very people pouring money into it! 1% of revenue to gambling addiction programs. So, 55% private owners, 8% government/people, 1% gambling recovery.

Ohio does not need a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT to benefit a few casino owners. I'm not opposed to legal gambling in Ohio, but I am opposed to a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT that will benefit only a few people who may not even live in Ohio.
It is telling that a few casino owners and 2 Cleveland business men have put over $25 million into the campaign to pass Issue 3. Clearly they see a return, to themselves, of well over $25 million from the Constitutional monopoly they would gain from this. The Ohio Constitution should be for all Ohioans. Not a few business interests.

I took a long weekend and went to Ottawa, Canada to visit my brother, sister-in-law and my 4-year-old niece. It's nice to get away for awhile, even if the weather isn't terrific. I always look forward to the entertaining antics of a four-year-old and shopping at Roots. Why is it that we are so often seized with the urge to shop when away from home? Even if the stores are different, most clothing is at least similar in style. Whenever I go to Ottawa, I must stop at the Roots clearance store, not far from their house. Roots is a Canadian clothing company which makes very nice sportswear and casual clothes. The prices at their clearance center are merely reasonable - nothing like the bargain basement prices at the Gap outlet. But, hey, its hard to find Roots here and there clothes generally are very nice and well made. But then, as I was packing for the trip, I found the Ikea gift card my sister-in-law had given me for Christmas. Since Cincinnati lacks an Ikea for the time being, we had to go shopping there, too. Reasonable enough since I don't otherwise have easy access to Ikea. (Yes, everything is available on the Internet, but its not the same.) But that was it! Ikea and Roots. I didn't come here to shop. Well P(my sister-in-law) had to return something at Winners - a Canadian TJ Maxx with slightly nicer stuff. So I browsed while she returned and found a lovely corduroy blazer. And since we were in the area she wanted to check Carriere for some new clothes for the office. Carriere is one of those stores where you go straight to the sale racks in the back. She didn't find anything, but I got a lovely pumpkin-colored wrap sweater.
On Monday I went downtown for the afternoon, intending to visit some museums, something else I seem to do more of on vacation than at home. The photography museum was temporarily closed due to construction but the exhibits were on display at the National Gallery for the time being. I vaguely remembered where the National Gallery was, but also thought that, since I'm in the nation's capital, if I walk around long enough I'm sure to run into a museum eventually. My instincts were right and past Revenue Canada (like the Canadian IRS) and the American Embassy, I came upon the National Gallery. I was a little put off by the giant sculpture of a spider in front, but started across the plaza anyway. But wait, what does that little sandwich board sign say? The National Gallery is closed on Mondays! My artsy, non-shopping, afternoon was not meant to be! Downtown Ottawa has a lovely shopping and entertainment area called The Market. In addition to farm and flower stands, there are casual dining places, souvenir shops, restaurants and boutique shopping. The latter category includes another favorite Canadian company, LUSH. (www.lush.com) Lush sells "fresh handmade cosmetics." They are really fresh. And rather than cosmetics its mostly soaps, shampoos, bath bombs and other yummy things I don't really need. And although I didn't need anything, of course I had to look, and looking leads to buying. I really did not come here to shop! Luckily, by the time I went into The Bay and the huge adjoining mall, I was no longer in the mood. The only thing I went into the bookstore for was a coffee (bookstores are really bad places for me to not shop) and it was time to go.
Besides hanging out with my family, my niece is soooo cute, travel to Ottawa is special in other ways. Returning to the US is easy since US Customs is located at the Ottawa airport and you clear it all before boarding the plane. This used to be an important timesaver when I had connecting flights but now, Delta flies direct from CVG to Ottawa. Thank You Delta and its new affiliate ASA! I love direct flights!
One more bit of travel advice from this trip...don't bring a snowglobe in your carry on bags. There is that whole restriction on liquids thing now, and it completely slipped my mind. Luckily, security, after consulting 3 other people, didn't think I was a threat and let me keep it. (FYI - it was a birthday gift from my niece to her grandpa.) Sometimes it pays to look so sweet and innocent.

I found this article on CNN 3 days after the Crocodile Hunter's death:

Irwin's death strikes a chord POSTED: 8:56 a.m. EDT, September 7, 2006 By David
WilliamsCNN (CNN) -- "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin is being remembered for a
personality that was larger than life, much like the giant posters outside of
his Australia Zoo, where a steady stream of fans have left hand-written notes,
flowers and stuffed animals since hearing news of his death.
Irwin's
willingness to swim with sharks, grab deadly and often cranky snakes by the tail
and wrestle with crocodiles -- armed only with a goofy grin, khaki shorts and a
pair of well-worn work boots -- won him an international following.
Media
expert Robert Thompson said he was a little surprised by the media's focus on
Irwin -- especially given the glut of long-anticipated celebrity news, such as
Katie Couric's debut anchoring the "CBS Evening News," Rosie O'Donnell's arrival
on "The View" and the first photographs of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes'
daughter, Suri.
"I think of the many great television personalities,
and they die and we hear an obituary. And for about 12 hours there are reports
and acknowledgements, and you see clips of their shows and all the rest," said Thompson, the director of Syracuse University's
Center for the Study of Popular Television. "This broke on Monday, and it's
already Wednesday and there's no sign of it stopping."
Thompson said that
part of the interest comes from the "extraordinarily dramatic" nature of Irwin's
death.

My immediate reaction was: It's because the Crocodile Hunter is someone we actually care about!! Someone who actually deserves news coverage!!
I don't know exactly what makes someone a "media expert" I guess maybe he is an expert on the media's behavior and reporting. Then maybe his surprise is understandable - if he is only viewing Steve Irwin's death from the media viewpoint. For the rest of us, the continued "coverage" is quite understandable. Steve was a celebrity but not like most. He wasn't a star, he certainly didn't go for that glamorous image or worry about keeping up appearances. (Khaki, anyone?) He was one of the most genuine, caring, personable celebrities there ever was. He didn't care about his next role, or self-promotion. He cared about his animals and teaching us to respect nature. That's what made him famous and THAT is why everyone loved him and will miss him and why it has taken days for us to let go. And as long as The Animal Planet keeps airing The Crocodile Hunter, we will surely continue to miss him.
Katie Couric is a news anchor. And she moved from a morning show to the evening. I can't really understand why that is such a big event. Sure, it is news. Is she the first female evening news anchor? Even if she is, so what? Women have been reporting the news for ages. Why wouldn't they anchor the news? I can't comment on her actual performance. I rarely watch the evening or local news. It's usually too dumbed-down. Granted they are working within some time constraints, but usually I have to object to the content and what they deem to be newsworthy.
Which leads right into those pictures of Suri Cruise. Here it is, Sep. 14, and I still haven't seen them. And I really don't feel like there is anything missing in my life because of it. I'm sure Suri is quite adorable and I hope she has a healthy, happy life, but why is her picture such a big news event?? She hasn't done anything but be born! To famous actors, sure, but lots of children have been born. When Suri grows up and does something to make a wonderful impact on the world, then let us know. Same with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. I've seen pictures of the magazine cover, but only because that has made it into mainstream news! I have not even browsed the magazine on newsstands. I have not sought out information about these children, and yet I know their names.
Steve and Terri Irwin had children: Bindi Sue and Bob. I know their names because they joined Steve's show. Not for Steve to show off or to make millions of dollars. Steve and Terri had practically invited all of us to be part of their family and so we met their children also.

And Rosie O'Donnell has been allowed back on network tv and has joined The View. That is sure to shake things up a bit. I won't really know. I work during the day and might only see The View on holidays. I used to like Rosie's morning talk show, but when that ended she seemed to become so mean. Maybe she'll go back to her old self? When I have the rare chance to watch morning talk show, I love Ellen DeGeneres. She just has fun and wants her guests to have fun. She's kind of how Rosie used to be. Only better. I hope Ellen never joins the View. She is too good to share her time with all those other women trying to talk over each other.

I wonder how long the outpouring of grief would continue in the news if Katie Couric, Tom Cruise or Rosie O'Donnell were to meet a sudden and untimely death? I wonder if the "media experts" will ever figure out why Steve Irwin's death will be mourned for so long?

Gosh. I had so much to say just awhile ago and now that I'm here with this blank page, its all gone. I intend this blog to be about my thoughts on the news headlines and media, pop culture, and what's going on in and around Cincinnati. I used to be one of those people that complained there was not enough to do in Cincinnati. No more! There was something going on every week since June. Now its September and I thought I finally had a chance to schedule a purse party, but it turns out that Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is this weekend! Luckily I can do both.

Today I'm going to talk about my hometown Cincinnati. (New motto: Cincinnati - its really not that bad!)
If you are one of those Cincinnati residents with nothing to do, here are some of the highlights you might have missed out on over the summer:
In June, Club Red - the Young Professionals group of the Cincinnati Red Cross - hosted a wine social at Chateau Pomijie in O'Bryonville. We sampled four different wines, had snacks from Andy's Mediterranean and What's for Dinner and music by Dave Criddle and Jude Hayden from the band Leisure. It was a beautiful night, perfect for sitting on the deck.
Speaking of the band Leisure, in August they played a command performance of their Ziggy Stardust show at the Southgate House in Newport. I'm so sorry you missed it because it was an awesome show. The guys nailed the unique Bowie sound. After the show, I simply had to go out and buy a Bowie cd.
Every Friday was Rockin' on Walnut. On the patio at Bella and in the Contemporary Art Center, music, food, drinks and tons of fun.
In August there was the Bikers Ball. This is a big fundraiser for the Cincinnati Red Cross. Instead of a black tie gala, its a black leather/black t-shirt dress code. Even if you don't have a hog, just dress like you do. There was plenty of fabulous food and exotic auction items. It's an annual event so you can still go next year.
Also, every second Sunday of the month brings Second Sunday on Main. Each month has a different theme and Main Street is turned into a street festival with vendors, food, entertainers, and wine tasting. The best one was on August 13. It was the International Bazaar with many ethnic dance troupes. And belly dancers. They were fabulous! (O.K. I have to admit I'm a little biased there.)
Now that summer is almost past, the Cincinnati Art Museum begins One World Wednesdays. The first was Sep. 6 featuring the city of Dubai. In the past, each party focused on a certain country. This year it will be certain cities. Again, the belly dancers were terrific!

Speaking of the Art Museum, how could I forget the Ibiza party to celebrate the 125th anniversary. The Museum stayed open 25 hours and in the evening recreated the club scene of Ibiza. Can you believe it? The place was filled to capacity. There was an hour wait to get in. Food, drinks, and a dj turned the courtyard into a dance club. Hundreds of people dancing and throbbing to the club music. I stayed until 2 a.m. so that I could go on a ghost tour. Some people had shown up in their pajamas, ready to spend the night. Do other cities turn their Art Museums into dance clubs for the young professional set?