The Kool-Aid Free Edition

Tough Break For The Brownies

2006-11-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

Sounds like a nailbiter! (Too bad I missed it.)

CLEVELAND -- With a flick of his wrist, Ben Roethlisberger saved the Pittsburgh Steelers from a season-crushing loss.

Roethlisberger shoveled a 4-yard touchdown pass to Willie Parker with 32 seconds left, rallying the Steelers to a 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns, who were minutes away from kicking the defending Super Bowl champions into the AFC North basement.

Oh well.

How about those Buckeyes!? I hope the national championship is a rematch...that was one heck of a game.

2006-11-19T05:52:00.000-08:00

Whatever you do, never suggest that Kim Nuesse is facing the difficulty of being a woman chief supervising a largely male police force. No, that has nothing to do with the reason she has to deal heavyhandedly with men in influential positions who undermine her authority.

According to the SR, this is not a factor in the dust up between her and Lyons. Nuesse has two strikes against her, says the SR, but being a female police chief isn't one of them.

But we also have to remind ourselves, Nuesse came into the job with two strikes against her that weren't her fault: She was an outsider, in a town and a job where you can still be an outsider after 20 years, and she was chosen over two long-serving and qualified cops. When you have to run things under such conditions, you have to make sure people know who's boss. The approach to that can be productive or destructive -- we've seen both -- but in all cases it has to be given a chance to work.

Unless an SPD officer starts offering credible evidence of incompetence, I say way to go Chief Nuesse.

2006-11-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

By now, everyone on the internet has seen Jane Skinner's "top cock" slipup on the Fox News Channel.

When Skinner wraps up the segment and sends it back to Shepherd Smith, who is waiting on the split screen they both laugh at Jane's mistake. Smith consoles Skinner by saying "I've been there Jane" referencing the time Shepherd misspoke in a news segment on Jennifer Lopez. After watching both segments, I don't know which one was more embarassing.

With DVRs, no embarassing mistake goes unnoticed and forever documented on the internet. Maybe a new type of telejournalist anxiety will start popping up in therapists offices in New York and LA: "Dr., I have recurring nightmares that my on air mistakes are set to AC/DC music by viewers with too much time on their hands."

2006-11-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

Toledo 11 is showing this footage from yesterday's Trumbull County Courtroom fight as if it's hot news. (It's been on the net since yesterday afternoon.)

Murder suspect Jason Howard gets beat down by relatives of murder victim Jamelia West. More here.

OSU V. Mich Predictions

2006-11-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

Make your predictions now...

Here's mine: Michigan rallies after their head coach urges his players to "win one for the 'bechler'" but they still lose 27-17.

RIP Bo Schembechler.

Omelette Makin' Chief

2006-11-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Mike Will and Dan Kaman for hiring the "outsider."

It takes an outsider to crack enough eggs to make an omelette.

Tazer Video

2006-11-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

What do you all think of this video?

Watch the whole thing. The student gets shocked about 6 times...it looks like he crawled out of the building with the probes still in his skin and the officers kept shocking him because he wouldn't "stand up" like the officers ordered.

Your Moment Of Zen

2006-11-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

Did you realize that if you are taken captive by jihadists, it's likely that your head will be separated from your body?

(That link leads to the movie trailer for "Obsession, Radical Islam's War Against The West," not a decapitation video, but everyone should, in my opinion, watch a Islamic jihad decapitation video once to see what jihadists would do to you just because you're an American.)

Cops, Patrol Plane Swarm Petty Gasoline Thief

2006-11-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

They destroyed a police cruiser to catch someone for not paying $20 in gas?

They burned all that fuel, endangered all those lives to catch a petty thief even though they already knew who the guy was and what he was "wanted" for? They even called in a freakin' AIRPLANE to look for this guy?! Five different law enforcement agencies...

I'm at a complete loss for words on this one. All I can think of are phrases...bits and pieces of tired cliches...

inappropriate use of force...
irresponsible use of law enforcement resources...
jumping over dollars to pick up dimes...

I bet you a $20 gas card that a few of those officers wanted to slap their supervisor for making them chase the guy after they found out what his crime was.

Knuckle Dragging Morons Make Funny

2006-11-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Fizkid

Attention All Salespeople!

2006-11-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

I have a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get into the ground floor on a new tech product called "yellowfang." It's kind of like the very popular hands free mobile phone unit known as "bluetooth," but yellowfang is less expensive. Even though it's cheaper the product is still very high quality, and crystal clear reception is guaranteed. This product will be all over the place in a few weeks, preliminary reports have shown. Yellowfang is manufactured by a blue chip company in Silicon Valley.

I can get hundreds of these new hands-free headsets at wholesale prices, but I only want to be contacted by individuals who are serious about selling them. I can be reached by interested salespeople at 419-626-1121.

If you're not sure about the product and need time to think about it, click on the link below to see the yellowfang in action. See photo

Globalization Hits Home

2006-11-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

We all see the label "Made In China" often enough to not even think twice about what it really means. But what if you were buying a piece of furniture - a $1,200 roll top desk to be exact - and above the little "Made In China" label were Chinese symbols written by a Chinese factory worker before the piece was loaded onto a ship for the United States?

Globalization really hit home as I smeared the chalk off with my fingertip...

Daily Show Knocks People Who Knock Blogs

2006-11-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

Spot on.

Clarification: That should read media people who knock blogs.

2006-11-04T04:37:00.000-08:00

I had to re-read the beginning of the article to see how old these guys were. 78 and 58 year olds fighting over parking spaces. They could've passed for a 3 and 4 year old.

2006-11-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

This looks like a pretty sticky situation. Anybody wanna offer an opinion on it?

Halp Us Mistur Kary!

2006-11-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

For me it wasn't so much the insult, (because everyone knows that the dems have low regard for the military) it was his phony explanation during the aftermath.

Update: As I said - his explanation ("it was a botched joke") was phony as hell. And if he really meant his apology, he wouldn't be linking to newspaper editorials that defend his comments as "right either way."

What a phony piece of...

school bus stop sign violations

2006-11-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

Sandusky Register on school bus stop sign violations.

Bus drivers will rarely have a good line of sight to copy down a violator's license plate, but if another motorist happens to see the incident they could help out by phoning the plate in to the police. (As a former bus driver, I witnessed one violation but the car-in-question was out of sight before I could copy the plate down and radio it in.)

On Blood Donations

2006-11-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

I've been disqualified for years because of overseas military service, but am now giving regularly. (Every 56 days to be exact) Like most people, I hate needles but have discovered that every time I give, it gets easier. The poke only lasts a second and then I get all the pineapple juice I want.

Do you give? Why or why not?

Congratulations Mona!

2006-11-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

2006-10-29T17:46:00.000-08:00

One man's opinion on Ohio ballot issues.

Open Thread

2006-10-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

For any election issues/candidates you'd like to discuss

The "Infallible" Victim

2006-10-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

Hate Ann Coulter if you want - but she makes a very good point: Liberals hide behind victims and use them as infallible, morally superior spokespersons. They do this so nobody can challenge the victim's liberal viewpoints or they risk looking insensitive.

Take Michael J. Fox for example.

He hammers away on TV in support of a Missouri stell cell research amendment but then after being challenged admits that he hasn't even read the amendment he campaigned for.

Are you a "One Issue Voter?"

2006-10-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

Here's Another Problem SR (Or is this a good thing?)

2006-10-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

...with those "Off Beat" sections you like to run every few weeks:

When Goodenow spouts his politics on the opinion page readers get a better understanding of how he's biased. This is a good thing. I like insight into how a reporter thinks - instead of being spoon fed his "reporting" and then told that he isn't biased about anything.

The Iraq war article was pretty interesting. We should do an "unscientific" polling of readers here too:

What is your opinion on the Iraq war?

Enderle Or Redfern?

2006-10-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Now that we're a little closer to the election. (This is the only race that really interests me)

Thoughts, Random

2006-10-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

When are the Buckeyes going to play a real football team?
Gnarls Barkley lyrics - or any lyrics for that matter - will not be posted on this site. (This is for the anonymous person who tried it twice.) Posting song lyrics is lame. Sure, song lyrics say something special, in a special way (I always loved Pink Floyd's Time) but if you want song lyrics, go listen to the song. I'm not posting them on this blog.
What is the problem with using adult stem cells? I don't see a problem. As long as you're not harvesting babies for it or using unethical medical practices to obtain the specimens.
I once sat at a railroad crossing (from a horizontal angle to the road) and was amazed at how many drivers do not even turn their heads to check for oncoming trains. Car/train collisions do not surprise me. Many people are careless drivers. That girl who was hit yesterday on Perkins Ave is lucky to be alive.
Campaign politics are getting nastier and nastier every day. Is anyone else getting sick of it? I blame this on the internet. I would very much like to discuss how the internet is harming society by pointing out the fact that anonymous internet activity removes all social checks from society.

Discuss. Or say something entertaining. Chances are, if you have a firmly held belief, nothing anybody says is going to change your mind anyway, so let's at least entertain ourselves.

Jesus Was A ...Democrat?

2006-10-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

I prefer to think of Him as the Savior of Man, but there's always someone who will sink low enough to use Jesus for political gain.

Jesus was a Democrat

If the Republican Party is to keep their control of the Congress, they have to rally their base, the religious far right, devout Christians who totally believe in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
It is ironic, though, that Jesus Christ, during his lifetime, believed in caring for the sick (universal health care) and raising the dead (social security benefits). He believed in rendering to Caesar what was his due (separation of church and state). He preached about the Good Samaritan (anti-discrimination). He was against the Roman occupation (anti-war). Unlike Barabbas, who believed in using force against the Romans, Jesus believed in a peaceful solution to the occupation (peace activist). He even cast out the merchants from the temple (anti-big business). If you agree to all these points and follow my line of reasoning, then only one conclusion can be made, Jesus was a Democrat.

Mike Scheeser
Sandusky

OOooookay.

There's only one problem Mike: Nobody agrees with any of your points, least of all your "line of reasoning." (Also, the real irony here is that most Democrats don't even believe in Jesus.)

2006-10-23T04:09:00.000-07:00

Wow. That's a pretty wide spread on the gambling issue. Looks like it's going down.

New Generation

2006-10-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

So how did you find this site? (It's not linked anywhere.)

Newspaper Reinvention

2006-10-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if this were true?

After decades in which local news was supplanted by national and international stories, newspapers all across America are returning to their more humble roots, covering school board meetings and rotary lunches and high school swim meets. In terms of news coverage, it's the biggest thing to sweep through newsrooms in decades, and it's part of a fundamental reevaluation of the newspaper's role in the community. Virtually every major paper is making the shift to local coverage, often as it cuts deeper into editorial operations. Only recently, the Dallas Morning News announced it was closing its national bureaus while cutting 20 percent of its newsroom staff. It was becoming a local paper again after several decades of rising stature for its national and international coverage. More than 100 people were let go. Similar, if less dramatic, changes are taking place at such papers as The Washington Post, New Jersey's Bergen Record and Herald News, and the Richmond Times Dispatch. And joining them all is Gannett, the largest newspaper chain and publisher of USA Today. "We're going to get hyper-local," says Tara Connell, a Gannett spokesperson.

Can you imagine reading the Sandusky Register and only seeing local news from front to back?

2006-10-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

How will you vote on Issue 3?

Quote Of The Day

2006-10-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

"When there is a moral dimension to a decision, it's not really a decision."

(Can't remember where I read that, but if you can attribute, leave it in the comments.)

2006-10-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

SammySandtown,

The question is: What's the best way to kill a commenting thread?

(Inside joke, sorry)

A Paragraph Inspired By Reflections On Why I Would Hate Being Amish

2006-10-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

First thing out of bed I started a pot of coffee to keep me awake. I got up late, didn't feel like making breakfast so on the way to work I stopped at McDonalds. Walking to the counter seemed like a chore so I went through the drivethru. I didn't feel like reading the entire menu to make up my mind so I just picked the first thing on the list - which happened to be a single number. (They make ordering easy.) After I idled to the pick up window, I slid my left hand to the window console and opened the window with the power window switch...and thought to myself: If I were Amish I'd still be at home stoking a fire in the woodburner instead of eating this nasty piece of sausage on a grease soaked croissantwich.

2006-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a question that's burning for an answer:

Whenever someone asks Chris Redfern his opinion on social issues, he answers with something like this: "Ohioans don't care about social issues. They care about school funding. They care about the economy. I'm working on those issues - not social issues."

I'm wondering if that's really true. (Not which issues Chris Redfern is working on, but whether or not Ohioans care about a politicos position on social issues.)

So the question is: What do you care about? What worries you? What problems do you wish the government would pay attention to, or fix?

Open Thread

2006-10-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

What's on your mind, Sandusky?

2006-10-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think about turning Amish.

The lifestyle seems pretty appealing. Conducive to family life.

Really, who needs ipods, tv's and all that uneccessary technological garbage that confuses the youth?

Low crime rate, virtually no divorce - which means every family is intact - no drug abuse, everyone takes care of each other. It's the utopia that everyone is searching for.

Utopia through simplicity.

Are Ohio schools paying for lawyers when they don't have to?

2006-10-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

From the Plain Dealer:

Northeast Ohio districts paid about $41 million in past 3 years, study finds
Sunday, October 15, 2006

Joseph L. Wagner and Patrick O'Donnell
Plain Dealer Reporters

Northeast Ohio school districts have paid about $41 million for lawyers over the past three years, despite a state law that says they can have the work done for free.

The money spent each year is enough to buy 175,000 textbooks or pay the salaries and
benefits of 275 entry-level teachers.

A mostly ignored state law that has been on the books for decades requires either the city law director or county prosecutor -- depending on the community -- to be the lawyer for most
school boards, without compensation...

NIE Saga, Part Three

2006-10-13T01:22:00.000-07:00

The latest on the NIE saga really fascinates. Note that when a member of the community complains about something that the Register agrees with, it becomes a news story. That's how a newspaper exercises bias. It's not how an article is written, it's the facts included or simply that certain subject matter is published at all.

Two: The Perkins Board will stonewall anybody who asks about NIE. The BOE has egg on their face, but in the long run it won't matter. They're in charge and they made a decision to hurt the Register. It'll be interesting to watch this play out though the Register can't do much in the way of retaliating against the school board besides inflaming the community with unfavorable coverage.

Mrs. Waters gets an A+ for effort, but she's dealing with tried and true bureaucrats. Stonewalling and confusion is their currency, and if any of that fails, they'll just ignore you.

Judges want court clerk evicted from second floor of courthouse

2006-10-13T00:07:00.000-07:00

That's a headline from the Register.

Does anyone have an informed opinion on this?

I've heard that when the Clerk's office moved a few years ago, Johnson was nowhere to be found and that her poor planning was the cause of this mess.

Is there any truth to that?

A Shot Of Curious

2006-10-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

To the small group of people still checking this site: Why do you stop in?

2006-10-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Remember that over-the-top Carl Monday "investigative" report about that poor kid pleasuring himself at the Berea library? (Sure it's wrong, but did Monday need to follow this kid around for months and harass him and his parents?)

Well John Stewart and the Daily Show gave Carl a taste of his own stick-mic medicine. Jason Jones came to Cleveland, presumably after seeing Carl's ridiculous hatchet job on this kid after Monday's hidden camera footage went viral on youtube, and every other video hosting site on the internet.

Watch the Daily Show's piece here. (Click on the video that says 'rubbing out crime.')

Also, be sure to watch what Carl does after he figures out he's the target of some national comedy: He speeds up to Jones who's standing on a Cleveland street corner and does a "dueling confrontation" with his stick-mic. Monday jumps out of his WKYC van and barks, "what are you doing in Cleveland?"

WKYC put the raw video on their site. Why? I don't know - because I think Carl still comes off looking like a dolt.

UPDATE: Just as we all knew it would -- The Daily Show clip went viral on youtube. 60,000 views and already one of the most talked about videos on the internet.

Register Still Not Getting It

2006-09-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

Watching the Register sputter on about this is entertaining. Somebody forgot to tell them that the Perkins board doesn't give a damn what they think and the public can't make informed decisions unless they report the information on which they're basing their opinions.

The Reg does this all the time. They'll report secondary facts - or a type of "follow up story" on a topic that was never reported in the first place.

They'll report that "the new road in Perkins requires a $.50 toll" without ever reporting on the existence of the road in the first place.

Also, this person seems to be struggling with the idea that the board can retaliate and there isn't anything you can do about it.

2006-09-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

There is no "truth." There is only perspective.

Except if your persective is that there is only one truth.

2006-09-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

This time you can choose as many answers as you want. Whatever you think applies...

2006-09-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

You know what's really sad?

The only person who complained about Perkins and Sandusky city school's retaliation against the Register was the husband of a lady who sells NIE sponsorships.

Because if the Register could print a supportive letter written by someone who didn't have a vested interest in the issue, they would have. Meaning, nobody else wrote in on the issue.

Really sad that either nobody thought it's an issue of importance, or they're too lazy to voice their outrage.

A Blog Or Two...Standing By...Waiting For Your Opinions

2006-09-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Sandusky Register on why nobody showed up to Chief Neusse's public forum on the status of the SPD:

Waiting for an engraved invitation? Or maybe a citizen survey in the mail? Don't wait. Let the city know what you think, whether the city asks the question or not. There are phones, faxes, e-mails, a blog or two, even the letters section of this page.

So what's stopping us?

That's a good question, actually.

Maybe it's because sharing an opinion is perceived as a waste of time because it never changes anything anyway.

But that might just be the cynicism talking.

Back to the Wild has a chance to win $10,000 from Animal Planet...

2006-09-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

but only if you vote!

BTTW is run by Mona Rutger. Their website is here.

I just got this in an email forward.

Dear Friends of Back To The Wild:

I was kindly nominated by volunteer Dorothy Flounders, for Animal Planet's Hero of the Year contest. Dorothy's essay was chosen and to our shock, Animal Planet called today to confirm that I am one of the top 10 Finalists! Please help me win $10,000 for Back To The Wild, by voting for me on Animal Planet's website beginning Monday, Sept. 25 through October 8, 2006. Even better, please ask as many friends and family as you can to vote also! If you have any questions, please contact me. Thanks so much for all your support over the years!

Sincerely ~ Mona

BACK TO THE WILD®
Mona Rutger
4504 Bardshar Rd.
P.O. Box 423
Castalia, OH 44824
Phone: 419-684-9539

mona[at]backtothewild[dot]com
www.backtothewild.com

~~~

Mona's in the lead with 39% of the vote.

Make sure you vote!

2006-09-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Is there an echo in here?

Cutting NIE ties makes no sense

I wrote a lengthy post on this topic this morning, but am not going to hit "publish" because it's tiring to state the obvious:

Register publishes something school board doesn't like. School board retaliates against Register by cutting off newspaper subscriptions for the kids.

This stuff is really simple for anyone who has their eyes open. The tough thing is: what to do about it.

That's what you should debate - not whether it's retaliation, because everyone already knows that it is.

2006-09-17T02:58:00.000-07:00

Sherri Buccieri just canceled Perkins' ABSOLUTELY FREE subscription to the Sandusky Register. This follows just weeks after Bill Pahl did the same thing for Sandusky schools. Pahl says that the Sandusky City Schools "don't have time for newspapers in the classroom," but then says that the Lorain Morning Journal will provide the local news for students. (Huh?)

When Buccieri was asked about the decision, she dished off responsibility to the curriculum director:

Superintendent Sherry Buccieri said after the school's curriculum director reviewed the content of the Sandusky Register it was determined that the paper's coverage of national and international news was not sufficient for current event curriculum standards.

Parents of Sandusky and Perkins students: Your thoughts?

2006-09-13T17:47:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard someone use "allegedly" and "absolute proof" in the same sentence? It's pretty funny, isn't it?

LaCross Forced Out?

2006-09-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register:

SANDUSKY - Sandusky Register Managing Editor Annette LaCross stepped down Tuesday from her post, the newspaper's publisher Doug Phares announced. Phares said both he and the staff of The Register wish LaCross the best. "Annette and I have discussed this for awhile and decided it was time for a change. I personally wish her well and think she has a lot to offer in this field," Phares said.

I wonder why Phares and LaCross thought it was time to move on?

"As we look to replace Annette's leadership, we will seek someone who understands what people want from a newspaper today and are likely to want in the future."

Ohhhh...that's why. Annette doesn't understand what people want from a newspaper.

Folks, tell Doug Phares what you want from the Sandusky Register - and please be realistic. (They're not superhuman or anything.)

They could start with a blog like the News Herald did. The blog could be written by an ombudsman - or somebody to handle public relations. The Register needs to handle coverage complaints in a more honest fashion instead of making fun of people who disagree with them. (Like Annette did, for example, by calling them conspiracy theorists.) That could be a start...

Any more ideas, people?

2006-09-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

I was still in bed that morning.

I worked until 2:30 am and my wife let me sleep in like she always does. A little before 9:00 the phone rang next to the bed. I picked it and my brother told me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. Then my wife yelled up to me to come down and watch the TV.

That's when we witnessed the second plane hit the other tower.

The newscaster didn't know what to say. There was much confusion, but just for a few moments - until everyone realized it was a deliberate attack.

I will never forget that day.

2006-09-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register reader forum:

Now that the strike is over, the Perkins school administration, the board of education and the Perkins Education Association will still be in the same position as they were before the strike.

Absent a plan to motivate teachers to follow the district's educational and fiscal vision for its future, we might as well brace ourselves for difficult negotiations in 2008.

The district is in desperate need of authentic leadership. We need a leader who will inspire students, parents and educators to embrace the district's vision of educational excellence.

Until our school district has that kind of leader, we will forever find ourselves in this position.

Linda Waters
Sandusky

Amen.

2006-09-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know where I can find the information on what the teacher's make? I know it was in the hard copy but I can't find it online.

Toss The Boss?

2006-09-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

2006-09-07T00:33:00.000-07:00

So they accepted the Last Best Offer?

I'm not quite getting that. Does that mean the PEA caved? Perspectives are being traded at Huron Talk, and I'm not going to restate either side when you can click on the link and read it there.

That said, here's my two cents:

"Caving" for the sake of the kids isn't bad, because it didn't look like Buccieri was ever going to cave. (You know how much she cares about the kids. Hint: Let's open the schools when we have absolutely no reason to - other than to prove that we can run several giant daycares with scabs and felons.)

Both sides were acting like divorcing parents. Buccieri was like the parent who would starve her child and then blame the other side.

You know the type.

Next in the playbook:

BOE: Sherri, we can either get rid of you or we can accept your resignation.

Big Surprise: New CP Ride Named 'Maverick'

2006-09-07T00:11:00.000-07:00

As some supposed insider claimed last year in the comments:

It's going to be called "The Maverick." In honor of Dick Kinzel who is retiring next year. I have a friend who is an exec in Houston and has ties to the company that is building it. But don't take my word for it, wait until it comes out.

I guess it wasn't any big secret.

An older park worker told me as much while I was standing in line to get my season pass. People all around me were speculating, and so when I asked an older uniformed lady who was walking by the line, said the name of the ride was common knowledge at the park. I challenged her that nobody officially released that information and how were we supposed to believe her she said, "son, when you get to be my age, you just know things."

2006-09-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tom Noe's lawyers are asking for probation. They say that Noe's crimes had no victims.

When somebody abuses a position of trust, isn't society the victim?

2006-09-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Does the Constitution guarantee the 'inalienable right to a free education?'

Just wonderin'.

Cuz I don't ever remember seeing that part in there.

Congratulations Perkins!

2006-09-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

Glad the strike part is over.

Now if the healing were so easy...

2006-09-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

Tip: A lawsuit against the SPD just got filed in federal court regarding the Davan Hahn story. Don't know anything else besides that.

The Register will probably have a blurb on this in the next few days.

Anyone with additional information can pass it along at the email address in the header and it'll get posted as time permits.

UPDATE: The article is bigger than a blurb.

Also testifying were detectives Helen A. Prosowski and Mark Volz, who asked for leniency for Fitzpatrick. The detectives, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, are accused in the lawsuit of showing favoritism towards Fitzpatrick by not pushing for rape charges. "They ignored undisputed evidence and sought special treatment for Fitzpatrick in an attempt to protect Fitzpatrick from punishment," Swansinger wrote. "(Prosowski and Volz) recklessly or intentionally ignored the admission of the use of force and, so they could charge Fitzpatrick with the least possible crime possible, failed to ask about the element of force during Plaintiff's polygraph examination. Donald Icsman, law director, denied the favoritism allegations. "If you were going to cut someone a favor, you wouldn't let your buddy sit there and confess," Icsman said.

Actually, as the officers admitted, Fitzpatrick's confession came in the form of Fitzpatrick "breaking down" and telling the investigators that the victim's version of the story was true.

Her story was that she was raped.

8 Huffmaster "Security" Officers Fired For Criminal Backgrounds

2006-08-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Dohhhh!

Very embarassing. No time to write about it though.

I've been keeping loose tabs on the Perkins talk site. Seems to be sliced right down the middle as to who is blaming who for all of this.

Shut Up Anonymous

2006-08-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ya'll see that nifty little sidebar feature that tells you if new comments have been left? It would be helpful if commenters would adopt an alias or some way to identify if the same person is leaving a comment so that some kind of debate can develop. More...

Just sayin'.

It's tough to argue with anonymous, which is why anonymous probably uses that alias. Anonymous says this. Anonymous says that. Anonymous says that anonymous' argument is flawed because anonymous, in a previous post said that anonymous was using a red herring to weaken anonymous' argument. Well anonymous 1 agrees with anonymous 2 but I think that both anonymous 1 and 2 are the same person. Anonymous 23, thanks for writing, you've been an inspiration to us all.

I'm sick of hearing from anonymous. Anonymous is a big pansy and is afraid of having his/her arguments examined and held up to public scrutiny. Anonymous wants the comfort of never having his theories challenged. Anonymous doesn't want to get sucked into a pointless time sink argument on the internet. Which is smart, but then it doesn't give us anything to read or think about - so he submits a stupid, pointless post every once in awhile in the comfort of his anonymity. Anonymous, get over it. Please realize that you're wasting your evening reading a stupid blog. If you're going to leave a comment call yourself something - something - ANYTHING - just make it entertaining. Be "surfergirl903" or "tonkatruckguy786" or "flapjack732" -- anything but stupid stupid 'anonymous!!'

Because in the few and far between instances when this blog is "useful" (like during a Perkins teacher strike and everybody wants to know what everybody else is thinking) this stupid blog is there for mere entertainment for people who are sick of watching TV. How can we be entertained by some idiot named 'anonymous?' I'd rather hear from tonkatruckguy786 some idiotic, pointless rant that isn't going to change anyone's opinion anyway!

So anonymous, I'm tired of hearing from you. Grow a pair. Stretch your imagination and use a real alias.

SR Calls On Board, Union Officials To Resign

2006-08-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

Such harsh language. (Yet agreeable.)

SR:

Frankly, the leadership on both sides -- board-administration, and teachers' union -- should resign. Let's get some people in there focused on the real job, helping our children learn.

The Perkins school system is like an ocean liner drifting at sea with nobody at the helm. (The CO and XO are both drunk on arrogance and arguing down below.)

Three Reasons To Teach: June, July, August

2006-08-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

On my way to work this morning I drove by Furry, the board office, and Meadowlawn. The locations were out of the way but I wanted to see the mood of the teachers and got what I expected: Smiling, jovial faces.

I know we can't expect solemnity and sour faces, but theoretically speaking, when you consider the damage that a strike causes - financially and in terms of community relations - dead pan scowels should've been the only thing I saw. Instead it seemed like some of these teachers were striking just to see what it felt like.

Is anybody else getting the same feeling?

Many times on this blog and in other publications (from the PEA) the teachers have stated collectively that this is not about wages and benefits. If it's not about wages and benefits what's it about, specifically?

~~~

The 7 year old neighbor stopped over to play with the kids tonight.

Me: So what was school like today?

Neighbor: Oh, it was funny. These kids were running around the classroom and one of them tripped, and...and...it was funny because a desk fell on the floor and it hit me, but it didn't hurt. We watched movies and...and...

Me: So you didn't learn anything?

Neighbor: Oh no. Not today.

Me: Did any learning take place today?

Neighbor: Nope.

And Sherri Buccieri says it's business as usual.

That's scary.

~~~

I said in a previous post that teaching is a nice gig. An anonymous reader counters me:

Then I invite you to take over my classroom for
a month...let's say in March...right before Spring Break....we'll see if you still think it's a nice, cushy gig. I've worked factories, steel mills, bars,.....NOTHING compares to teaching as far as stress, fatigue, and overall work.....on the flip side, NOTHING compares to teaching in terms of personal satisfaction.

As long as you're not teaching math I'll take over for you. Just make sure I get paid what you get paid, and that I can take Spring break off just like you.

Well There You Have It...

2006-08-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Anonymous writes:

BOE gave their last best offer, PEA approved a strike beginning at
12:01.Check www.perkins.k12.oh.us and the register for updates. The Perkins site has the latest proposals and last best offer uploaded already.

I have a student neighbor who complained to me that this whole strike business is really awkward. He wondered outloud if he'd have to cross picket lines and that he'd heard others tell him that armed police officers would be escorting students into classrooms. I consoled him: "Yep, it's ugly, but this is the real world, pal. Teachers have really nice gigs, and when times get tough people don't wanna give up what they have - even if it's at the expense of others. By the way, do you guys want a bag of these cherry tomatoes?" more...

I could write about this crap all day long, but in the end it won't change a thing. Human nature is human nature. I complained when my health insurance went from 90/10 to 80/20 but in the end was just happy to have health insurance at all. Right now teachers are the only group of workers I know who still have 100% paid - and so they'll complain extra hard until they realize how good they really have it.

Anyways, I'm tired of writing on this blog anymore and as you can see only get on here when something pressing is going on.

My offer remains open to anyone who wants to contribute to keep it more alive than I've been keeping it. Otherwise, check back every once in awhile for posts, as they'll only happen maybe once or twice a week.

2006-08-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Has anybody heard what's going on with the Perkins negotiations?

We Love The Mall

2006-08-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Did the Sandusky Mall "kill" downtown?

Of course not, says SR reporter Molly Linn, after being prompted by Managing Editor Annette LaCross. It's an "urban myth" that the Mall had anything to do with the fall of downtown, Molly says. The real monster here is...[booming voiceover] THE CONSUMER! [echo, echo, echo]

Listen to the Register spin for one of their biggest sources of advertising revenue.

Crystal Meth, Anyone?

2006-08-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register: Web cast on methamphetamine dangers planned

I don't know about you, but "Faces of Meth" is all I'd have to see to stay away from that crap. (Not that I'd use drugs anyway, but still.)

Perkins Strike Vote

2006-08-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

The SR isn't updated right now. What's the story with the strike vote? Did it go through?

Did anybody else get that yellow flyer stuck in their door over the weekend from the Perkins Education Association? The Perkins teachers sounded like a bunch of union thugs, IMO.

At this point nobody even knows what they're fighting about anymore. The newsletter admits that it's not about wages and benefits -- it's about "respect." (As in "I'm not working tomorrow because you don't respect me?")

Normally I'd be on labor's side, but this newsletter seems pretty whiny.

Post Test

2006-08-21T05:58:00.000-07:00

This is a test.

If it goes blank again, I'll restore it when I can. I've been fiddling with my template and I'm really terrible at HTML. So far I've added the "recent comments" in the sidebar and I'm also tinkering with expandable posts to minimize articles into one or two lines.

For an HTML illiterate like me, this stuff takes time and that's not something I have much of anymore.

2006-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

You're welcome Ed.

Now would you please have an editor-to-editor talk with the Sandusky Register and ask them to start a blog too?

(I'm just kidding about that, but it'd be nice.)

Whiny#$% political nitpick of the week

2006-08-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

The Democrat's tent at the Erie County Fair was positioned on a corner, giving the Democrats more thoroughfare access. The Republicans were positioned right next to them on a straighaway - which limited them to half the voter exposure the Democrats got.

I'm sure this must be related to a voter fraud conspiracy somewhere - but unfortunately the situation favors the Democrats.

So forget I said it. Never mind.

2006-08-09T19:34:00.000-07:00

All activity normally involved with a huge family wedding celebration is starting to dwindle. My house is quiet again. I turn my evening attention back to this blog.

As I clicked into my Haloscan account I saw this blistering roast of two of Sandusky's "finest."

How does Detective Volz and Detective Prosowski sleep at night? Their united purpose was to plead mercy for this felon in hopes that he would not serve any prison time at all. "Just a moment of weakness" Detective Prosowski?? My sincere hope is that your sons and daughters NEVER have to experience a 'moment of weakness' perpetrated on them by a law enforcement officer. I highly doubt that the blue wall of silence would stay intact if the roles were reversed. I agree with FizKidReturns these two detectives should be fired.

When I show up to work I never bother the boss until he's had a chance to sit down, review the previous shift's work/achievements/shortcomings and drink his first cup of coffee. Bothering him before that is regarded as bad manners.

In this instance, the boss happens to be a woman. And a police chief.

Let's give her a few weeks - possibly months - to get a grip on this place. As you all know, it certainly can be a jungle around here.

Aw hell, who am I kidding? It's like Lake Erie is contaminated with psychotic drugs that remove morality and order from all the institutions those qualities should be the strongest.

And then some.

Even our self proclaimed "civil rights activists" are nutcases, so what do you expect?

Still, give the Chief a chance to get her feet on the ground.

2006-08-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

I have company right now, but I'll be back in a few days...

2006-08-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Are there any more kook kool aid drinking trolls out there? Did I ban the last of ya?

Because I'd rather have silence than the insipid comments from some of the idiots posting here on a regular basis. If you attempt to leave a comment, but it just doesn't seem to work, I'm talking about you.

Alas, if you think I've banned you by mistake you're invited to email me at the address in the header. On the other hand, if you know you were banned for just cause, (i.e. being a troll with nothing interesting or even mildly entertaining to say) then by all means, don't email me.

2006-08-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

If you've noticed a light blue/green color in the city water, don't get concerned. An algae bloom just occurred in the lake, but the water is safe to drink. I happen to know this because I ..."know people."

Actually, I know people...who know people. I don't actually know the people who are important.

Update:

Looks like Pee. Or beer. If you like to imagine that kind of thing.

Sandusky City Commissioner To Eat Neighbors

2006-08-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register:

[Sandusky City Commissioner Dave] Waddington will be knocking on doors and talking with neighbors beginning at noon Saturday. He will start at Columbus and Hayes avenues and work his way down Hayes. At 1:30 p.m., he will go to Hancock Street.

Tell your kids not to answer the door. That goes for you too. Don't answer the door.

UPDATE: I misread that. It says Waddington will be talking to neighbors, not eating them.

Sorry.

Another Update: Look people, it's just a joke. If I didn't think that Waddington had thick skin I wouldn't insult a guy who held the world bench press record.

Link Drop...

2006-08-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting documentary on Palestinian video propoganda. Video cameras and public perception are just as important as AK-47s.

~~~

Islamofascists have a Jihad rulebook called "The Management of Savagery." See? They're even self-describing, so we don't have to. They're savages. (Thanks to Fizkid for the link. I think.)

~~~

Great White Shark full water breach. Try not to imagine that happening to you next time you're swimming in Lake Erie.

2006-08-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

Did any readers here watch "The One" on ABC?

I wasn't paying attention to the Register's articles and I don't usually watch TV.

Not that I really care or anything (apparently most of America didn't either - the show got cancelled after just two episodes) but I'm just intrigued that a major network found Perkins graduate Nick Brownell through his myspace account.

Which, incidentally, I can't find at the moment. So how did ABC find him, I wonder?

2006-08-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about opening this blog up to make it a team effort. After all, it's Erie Voices (plural) not Erie Voice.

Blogger allows the administrator to send invitations to allow others to contribute on the front page. If you're interested, let me know and we'll chat about it. (Kerry N Wood, you still around? Sammy?, BGGirl?, FizKid?) All you have to do is open up a blogger account and BAM...you're in there.

2006-08-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Don't play their game.
Please do not feed the trolls!

Perkins Police Get NVG's

2006-08-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register:

Perkins Police Chief Tim McClung announced the department's receipt of a Department of Homeland Security Buffer Zone Program grant for equipment to protect Sandusky Mall from possible terror threats. The $47,000 grant, assessed by the state, paid for night vision goggles to helmets and existing police equipment.

I'm not going to say a word.

Video: Fitzpatrick Sentencing Hearing

2006-07-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Video link to follow

The most popular thread on this site so far has been Two Storylines Are Actually One. Because of the interest in this topic an anonymous reader took me up on the request for audio/video from James Fitzpatrick's sentencing hearing.

The following video is posted with much prayerful thought. I put it together from photos posted to the internet and video and audio obtained through the public records request.

WARNING: Some of this audio is graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.

If the player below doesn't work, watch the video here.

Attack Politics

2006-07-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

On a local level.

To be or not to be? That is the question.

Is it useful? Productive in the long run? Should it be condemned? If a character issues need to be brought up, how do you do it without looking like an attacker?

Please sound off.

The Blog Campaigning Begins...

2006-07-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

In the comments, Josh writes:

...Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Chair and the current State Rep for Erie County (and Ottawa County of course). I read in another blog that he's helping other Ohio Democrats in all 88 counties to take back Ohio ... If he is going to all of these other 86 counties all the time to help other people, what is he doing for us here in Erie County but stopping by when there is a parade or a town hall meeting. Part of the definition of State Representative is to represent the people of your district. I just don't see how he can represent us if he is all over the state helping out all of his friends in his party. Obviously Ed Enderle, his opponent has a lot of ground to make up on Chris, but I am rooting for the underdog here. Ed Enderle's website explains that he wants to be a voice of the people and to me that is what being a State Representative is all about. But, that's just me.

Josh, you sound like Enderle's blog sniper - but that's okay. I think blogs are going to play an even larger role in this election than they did in the last one. It's never too early to sound off on these guys. With local elections, if you don't personally know a candidate, how would you know who to vote for?

On Redfern: I've also noticed that he does alot of running around. I'm sure he'd claim that we should be proud that our representative is in a position to influence dems all over the state - which means he has a better chance of "making change" or whatever. Right?

But what exactly does that mean? "making change" "helping" "representing?" Redfern has been in his position for a long time. The best guage on his performance is Ohio's current reality. That culture of corruption that everyone is complaing about? Well - how long does Redfern need before he does something about it? (Besides the token condemnation) I just ain't sure about career politicians who dish out alot of cheap talk. I've never personally met Redfern, but I do know that he's never held a job in the real world. That really doesn't make me feel comfortable. And I'm not just saying that because Redfern is a Democrat. I recently spoke with Bill Monaghan (Democrat commissioner candidate) on the phone and I was impressed with his background in business. I have no doubt that this guy has a firm grasp on budget issues and finances.

One more thing about Redfern: His blog is still down because of "technical problems."

What kind of can-do attitude does that display? The blog has been down for months. What would it take to call his IT guy and say, "hey, get my blog back up and running." (?)

2006-07-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Looks like Ed Shur is a little dissapointed with the lack of interest in his PC News Herald blog:

Also, I'm still interested in your opinions on the News Herald's coverage, whether you have a possible story idea, want to know how to submit a press release and photo, or if you're interested simply on what's on my mind.

Blogs blogs blogs! That's all I heard for the last three years! Somebody please acknowledge that we have this stinkin' blog!

I don't know what kind of reaction he was expecting, but there really isn't a large amount of local people even reading these local blogs. To get those people to spout off and share their opinions is a whole different ballgame. I attempt it at times, but it's hard to get "lurkers" to poke their heads out. It's just something you have to live with. For the News Herald blog, reader interaction would be the only real objective because without it, they lose their marketing tool. If people don't offer their opinions that PC's local rag sucks, and offer ways to improve it, their blog is useless (because I'm "Shur" that Ed isn't writing simply for the web traffic.)

Let's be honest here: Your average newspaper reader is not reading your blog. Unless you're going to trade traffic with the few other local blogs who are talking about similiar issues and you style your posts like everyone else does - with outgoing links to other sites - you'll have to be satisfied with the minor web traffic you get from regular readers who click on the referring link from the newspaper. (What fun is that?)

The blogosphere is a growing animal and it has rules and ettiquette just like anything else. I follow the rules too. For example: Do you think I'm going to cut and paste this entire post to Shur's blog? Or even offer my opinion on what he says when I have my own blog to do so? Nope. I'm going to post the link in his comments section, and if Shur wants the comment to appear, he'll enable my link thereby sending some of the more curious readers to my site. Or better yet, post my comments on his front page as a means to spark an inter-blog conversation. It's kind of like a free market idea. (Actually that'd be kinda like trying to get to third base on a first date, so I won't expect it.)

Not sayin' Shur is in this exlusive, narrowminded category, but overall this is the newspaper's main problem with the blogosphere: It gives a voice to those who would otherwise go unhead. Many newspapers that hold an editorial monopoly sometimes can't stomach that idea. The vast majority of newspapers don't want to legitimize bloggers because they're not sure that the referred-to blogger will refrain from offering a displeasing opinion about their newspaper. New bloggers learn all of these lessons when try to run a blog themselves. (Again, I'm not saying Shur is a part of this category - after all he did just start a blog.)

But just out of curiosity, I'll post the link to Shurshots and see what happens.

If the link goes up:

Mr. Shur, welcome to the blogosphere.

2006-07-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posting. I'm working on a short video that'll make you sick.

If I have the nerve to post it, that is.

2006-07-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

Something tells me that this Tom Jackson character is a liberal.

I don't really have time to get into it, which probably means I shouldn't say anything at all about it, but I'm gonna anyway. (It's just a freakin' blog post.)

One of his prior articles he mentioned the blogosphere and the DailyKos, and now this article about Marcy Kaptur and her sudden love affair with Ned Lamont, the nutroots' poster boy from Connecticut. Maybe I'll correct myself later, but right now my lib-o-meter is warming up a little.

You Might Be A Redneck If...

2006-07-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

Sandusky Register:

Miranda warnings followed wedding vows Saturday as a groom's rowdy wedding reception landed him in the Erie County Jail instead of his honeymoon.

Joel W. Peters is accused of punching out a car window at the reception held in a trailer park and then cursing out his bride after being arrested.

"F--- you. You are supposed to be on my side. I want a divorce," Joel W. Peters told his bride as he sat handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser, Deputy Nickolas E. Kotsopoulus wrote in a report on Peters' arrest.

Peters was drunk and profane when deputies responded to a report of a possible fight at the Habourtown Mobile Home Park at 6320 Poorman Road, Kotsopoulus reported.

"My brother is in f---ing Iraq, fighting for your f---ing freedom!" Peters is reported to have screamed. "I can say whatever the f--- I want!'

Top Ten Things You're Allowed To Say If Your Brother Is Fighting In Iraq

10. "That's a number 4, with no cheese, mother f***er. And don't get lippy neither. My brother's fightin' in Iraq.

9. This theeaaater is on f***in' fire! Ya'll get out now! My brother is in f***ing Iraq!

8. How 'bout speakin' to me with a little respect? My brother's fightin' for yer freedoms in Iraq.

7. Whaddya mean there's a limit of 40 on perch, mother f***er? I'll catch as many as I want. My brother's fighting in f***ing Iraq. For your freedom. So you can wear that badge. Pig.

6. Hell yeah, I want full service! Fill 'er up! My brother's fightin' for yer freedom in f***ing Iraq!

5. A 20 minute wait for a hotdamn table?! Bulls***! My brother's in Iraq! Fightin' for yer freedom!

4. Why doncha throw a couple of 'em in for free? My brother is fightin' in Iraq. Support the troops.

3. One hour before you can develop that itty bitty roll of film? Hell no! I'm not waiting that long! My brother's in f***ing Iraq! Dyin' for yer freedom so you can have this cushy little do-nothin' job!

2. No, you ain't gonna put me on hold, now. My brother's in Iraq, fighting for your ability to use that g**damn phone. Support the troops!

And the number one thing you're allowed to say if your brother is fighting in Iraq:

F*** you, your honor! Aww, excuse me, judge. My brother's in Iraq.

*** *** ***

Dedicated to the real life bootlace (as we referred to marines so fresh out of boot camp that they didn't yet qualify to be called "boots") who said the other day while standing next to me in Wendy's: "How about talking to me with a little respect? I just spent 13 weeks in Marine Corps boot camp for your freedom."

I wanted to smack him.

2006-07-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

CBS News will be at Cedar Point tomorrow for a special segment to air Friday.

About the network, Cedar Point spokesman Robin Innes says:

"CBS News is very prestigious."

(He means CBS News minus Dan Rather.)

2006-07-24T10:26:00.001-07:00

Video: Carl Monday’s courageous and unflinching follow up on the self-pleasuring habits of poor schmuck Michael Cooper.

If you missed the first edition of Uncle Carl's no-holds-barred undercover look at this kid getting caught being a sexual deviant at the Berea public library, see this.

Uncle Carl: Setting the world of investigative journalism on fire.

*** *** ***

For baseball fans:

I don’t know how old this video is, but it’s an Arkansas player getting ejected from the game shortly after faking an injury. He recovers - in record speed - from a fast ball to an already injured elbow just in time to strike out - and then he appropriately blames the ump.

If this kid manages to have a career in sports, this six minutes is going to haunt him for the rest of it.

Really Early Poll For November

2006-07-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

You can choose two answers, obviously, because this poll includes two races.

It's Enderle versus Redfern for the Ohio House, and Monaghan versus Weilnau for Erie County Commissioner.

*** *** ***

The unique visitor to participant ratio for this poll is pathetic. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

What's the deal? Do none of you have an opinion on these guys?

2006-07-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Executive Editor of the Port Clinton News Herald just started a blog. "Shurshots"

There's only two posts so far. One of them is about automated grocery store checkouts.

I left a comment about how those automated checkouts are the grocery store's attempt to get you to do their work for them. The irony was that the first post on the Shurshots blog was encouragement to basically write the newspaper articles for them. They want you to gather all information and send it to them in email form - and then their reporters will convert your raw data into real bonofide articles for publication! (Throw in a photo too! Our photographer is on vacation!)

Sounds like a hybrid between an ombudsman and an information gathering tool. Good idea actually. I just wonder how much Port Clintonions will use it.

The author has post approval on - which means he must approve your comment before they're seen by other blog readers. It's a newspaper blog - which means it won't be much different than the newspaper itself.

Prediction: It's gonna be milk 'n toast boring. Nothing against him or anything. That's just the way it is. Everyone with online capabilities will still read it though - just because it's a novelty. I already blogrolled him because it's an avenue to share your opinion and that's always a good thing.

*** *** ***

The concept of sharing content from "the public" reminded me of the time I tried to donate a video of the kids safety celebration at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion to Funcoast to compensate for the Sandusky Register's complete lack of coverage. I never heard back from them. (Methinks the SR could use a blogging ombudsman themselves)

Odds, Ends, Open Thread

2006-07-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

This is an invitation to all you lurkers out there to come out of the shadows and introduce yourselves. Develop a handle. Pick a side. Pick a fight. Get involved with this blog community, ya bunch of boring internet junkies. Stay anonymous. I don't care. Just say something.

BGGirl says:

Glad your back and great blog so far. Just wanted to let you know that I'm
reading.

Likewise, glad to see you're back. (She's an oldhead around here.)

I just opened up an email account for this site. It's in the header. For submissions. Or to harass me. Whatever.

*** *** ***

I, for one, was not blown away by the Zidane headbutt. Yes, it was way out of line, but I thought the victim overplayed his reaction. (Flying down and back like he got hit by a speeding locomotive.) To prove my point I offer this evidence that in the world of futbol, the Italians train their players in melodrama...

*** *** ***

What am I supposed to do with this thing?

A thermostat containing mercury

I'm serious. How are we supposed to dispose of these things? It's been sitting on my fridge ever since I went digital. Does anybody know?

Two Storylines Are Actually One?

2006-07-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

***Scroll for updates***

Disclaimer: This commentary is based mostly on prior reporting by the Sandusky Register. If their reporting was faulty, this commentary may be slighted. Be advised.

Regarding this ongoing Dave Hahn story:

It seems to me that there are plenty of questions raised by recent articles in the Register that directly link the Dave Hahn story to the James Fitzpatrick story, yet the editors at the Register have chosen not to make the connection for their readers.

James Fitzpatrick was the former Sandusky Police Officer recently sentenced to prison for having sex with a teenage student. (The young victim claimed it was rape, as you'll see below)

About Hahn. Though he's been an involved community member for as long as I can remember, when asking around about him of late, this is all I'd hear: "He's running a cult over there at his house." "He's dating a bunch of High Schoolers." "He really likes to drink beer" "he's a womanizer" etc - but what you never hear - is the fact that the source of all the rumors stem from his support of the rape victim in the Fitzpatrick case.

The person in the middle is Brittney Harrington. If you'll recall, she was the newly turned 18-year-old who petitioned successfully to have her named changed to Davan Hahn to reflect the respect she has for Dave Hahn. During the court battle over all of this she also made the accusation that her parents were psychologically abusive toward her. Her parents countered that Hahn was influencing her to change her name, yet she denies any coercion, instead leveling allegations back at her parents and successfully obtaining protective orders against them.

Some of the recent Register articles (which I must've completely missed because I only recently put two and two together) was posted in this thread and made indirect reference to the Hahn situation. A more prominent statement about Hahn's involvment would be fair because Hahn is currently under investigation by the Ohio Department of Education for having an alleged inappropriate relationship with Davan. Evan Goodenow, unfortunately, didn't make clear that the two situations were related. That, in itself, is an editorial injustice because to separate the situations is to muddle the issue of whether Hahn was involved with this young girl in a positive way instead of the widely accepted view that he was somehow harming her. After re-reading the narratives with the knowledge that Davan Hahn was the victim in the Fitzgerald sex crimes, the two stories become a whole lot clearer.

June 23rd Sandusky Register :

Holman said the sex in 2003 appeared to be consensual and that the victim
was comfortable with the plea agreement. But in an
e-mail to the Register on Wednesday, the woman insisted Fitzpatrick raped
her.

"I was threatened not to tell and would scream, kick, cry and punch to
try to get him to stop," wrote the woman, who said she met Fitzpatrick in 2001
during a police ride-along program arranged through her school. "I wish that
people could know that I didn't consent."

Police said the victim's parents prevented her from allowing detectives
to interview her. The woman, who now lives with her
former high school teacher, wrote Wednesday that her parents
tried to protect Fitzpatrick by getting him to recant, which the parents
emphatically deny.

The parents say they didn't learn of the sex for two years and were
reluctant to allow police to interview their daughter, fearing a coverup.

"We love our daughter and we hope her real identity will come out some
day," the woman's father said. "What the police officer did to her put her mind
in another world."

The "real identity" comment references the fierce battle between Brittney and her parents over whether she could continue to have a relationship with Dave Hahn - who according to Harrington on the Hahnworld website - had been a family friend since long before allegations of a cult-like relationship surfaced. The tumultuous relationship between Brittney and her parents was also made clear on the Hahnworld website, but one thing she didn't mention was the crimes that had been perpetrated against her and the fact that her parents didn't believe her and tried to get her to recant the story. (I wonder if they believe her now that Fitzpatrick is in prison?)

Up until now, we lowly Register readers didn't know Brittney Harrington was the victim of multiple rapes by an on-fricken-duty police officer! This is an important bit of information, wouldn't ya say? Since it puts Dave Hahn's involvment in an entirely different perspective, you'd think that the Sandusky Register would be obligated to report it!

Not so. I'm wondering why. Especially since Davan, as reported by the Register, is adament that she was raped by Fitzgerald and wants people to understand the truth about what happened to her (and probably the role Hahn played in the whole mess.) On the website we'd never know what she went through because she only spoke of, in a mostly childlike way, her relationship with Hahn. (In all fairness I don't know anybody who talks about rape on a family website.)

I suppose next we're going to hear that Hahn really is a good guy after all because he was the only person who stood up for this young abused girl while she leveled true sex crime allegations against a Sandusky Police Officer, even while her own parents ignored her like water in a crawlspace.

I'll be really surprised.

Really.

(/sarcasm off)

Related articles from the Sandusky Register:

Former police officer, accused of sexual contact with teen (03/28/2006)
Ex-cop admits to sex with girl (04/06/2006)
Ex-Sandusky officer sentenced to 3 years (06/23/2006)

As always, if you disagree with my perspective on this story - or any story, tactfully slam me in the comments section.

UPDATE: Sammy Sandusky writes:

This whole [Fitzpatrick rape] story is giving me a headache, who knows what is
what and which is which when you [and] the reporters at the Register are
providing the information.

Good point.

Fizkid counters:

Do your homework and check out the victim impact statement that was read in
court and is now public record. There was no consensual sex. Have you considered
the possibility that she was threatened to remain quiet? What does an 80 pound
young girl say to a 300 pound gorilla?

Another good point that relies completely on somebody's access to the source information. I used to chase down information - but I've got better things to do with my time. That being said, I would not object to publishing source documents if they were given to me. It's pretty simple and straight to the point.

Was there injustice in this case? Maybe. Who knows. What I do know is that nobody is going to change their opinions unless they can read the source documents themselves.

Cancelling AOL Is Like Trying To Beat An Ignorant Man In An Argument

2006-07-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

If you missed the story of Vincent Ferrari trying to cancel his AOL account, watch this. If you're familiar with AOL's dirty tactics on "customer retention," The Consumerist has obtained the actual manual used by AOL to keep people from cancelling.

Commenting Guidance

2006-07-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

New guideline around here:

I don't have a problem with anonymity, but if you'd have a problem making your comments publicly, it's most likely over-the-line and shouldn't be said.

Everyone has their own schedules to keep and their own lives - so this site should be treated as a round the clock gathering place where people can entertain, debate and have fun. It's not your opportunity to cyberstalk people with nasty things you wouldn't say to their faces. Make your point artfully, civilly or simply avoid making it.

Serial violators will be banned.

Please think before you post.

2006-07-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Wuzzadem has come up with a solution for our illegal immigration problem.

It involves a whole bunch of treadmills and gears attached to the national power grid.

Will you vote to legalize gambling in the state of Ohio?
	No, I will not vote to legalize gambling
	Yes, I will vote to legalize gambling

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Shaunsay Gowdy got 40 years because
	He shot at a police officer's home.
	He's black.
	The police officer is white.
	The system is inherently racist.
	Gowdy has an extensive criminal record.

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Should Sherri Buccieri resign?
	Yes, but not immediately
	Yes, immediately
	No

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Enderle Or Redfern?
	Enderle
	Redfern

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Who's your man in November?
	Chris Redfern
	Ed Enderle
	Sparky Weilnau
	Bill Monaghan

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