Election Day is Tuesday

The negative ads have me ready to shut off the TV, and if you know me, you know how big of a deal that is. The Republicans have a hell of a nerve. If they had any sense of propriety they would keep Sarah Palin in Alaska, cancel Fox News and beg forgiveness for everything they've done to America in the last ten years. Do they really think they are worthy of governing us? This is the same bunch of twits that:

• Started the Iraq war over nothing.
• Ran up the debt with outrageous spending and tax cuts for the rich.
• Canceled Glass- Steagall and allowed banks to act as investment firms.
• Oversaw a reduction in real wages for the middle class

On what planet does John Kasich get to claim he can govern Ohio better than Ted Strickland?  How?  It was a Republican legislature that got Ohio into a 12 billion dollar hole.  How is that Strickland's fault?   Is the Republican's argument really, "You Democrats didn't clean up our mess fast enough?"  The party of no has obstructed every initiative by this White House and now they want the keys to the bus back.

In all of this I have seen only one bright spot.  Tim Ryan's campaign has literally ignored Jim Graham.  They have shunned him like an Amish horse thief.  I keep hearing these ridiculous ads attacking Ryan and seeing Jim Graham TV spots but the only time Tim Ryan is on the air it is to promote the local Democrats.  More politicians should try the ignore tactic.  I think we would all be better for it.

Go vote Democrat and give the President two more years to finish cleaning up the Republican mess.

Eastern Buffet is Well Protected

I didn't know they served donuts at the Niles Eastern Buffet.

Why Do Good Shows Get Cancelled?

So I started streaming Netflix, which is cool because I like to watch TV when I work out. Exercise is boring and being a child of the 70's/ 80's my brain demands constant pop culture input or it will shrivel up like a raisin. Anyway, I discovered the ABC show Better Off Ted. I watched the first two seasons and looked to see when new ones were airing and BAM! I get sucker punched by TV once again because ABC canceled it.

It's Firefly all over again.

I just get into a smart, well written show and some network hooligan cancels it because only two million people were watching.

Anyway, I've linked to a Youtube clip you can watch for two minutes because no one ever takes recommendations seriously and actually hunts down that book, TV show or movie that their weird friend recommends. Just click play. Oh, by the way, this clip is most definitely NSFW. There's your warning. Don't come crying to me when your boss overhears naughty words coming from your interweb machine. It's a network show but these outtakes didn't make the broadcast print for a reason.

Scary Snickers Commercial is Freaking Me Out

This commercial is just freaking me out. I don't know if it's the weird voice, the odd mask or the villian-like caress of Mrs. Jensen's face. Why Snickers felt the need to one up Burger King in the creepy mascot contest is beyond me. Whatever the reason, Halloween needs to be over so they stop running this commercial.

Fund Raiser for Baby's Liver Transplant

Folks, little Memphis Vance needs a liver transplant and the family could use some help. A spaghetti dinner will take place from 1-6 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Hubbard VFW, 710 Liberty Street, Hubbard.  

Memphis is almost six months old, being born April 21st.  Hopefully everyone can make it out on the 23rd for this good cause.  Further information is available on Praying for Memphis-Facebook.

A Few Thoughts on What Can be Done to Help Youngstown

Youngstown is worth saving.  Let's get that right out in the open in a nice declarative statement that sets the tone for this discussion.  It has a rich history and a determination that defines the Rust Belt.  It is the center of the Mahoning Valley.  Whether you dwell in a an ABC community or points south and west, Youngstown is the largest metropolitan area in our corner of Northeast Ohio.  If it succeeds, we all reap the benefits.  Cities provide a culture you can't find in smaller towns and villages.  Youngstown attracts nice shows at the Covelli Centre and art viewings at the Butler.  I like living in a small town but I like having a larger city nearby where I can go and enjoy an evening out seeing a nice show and enjoying a good meal.  If Youngstown succeeds it attracts business and helps grow the entire region.

But none of that will happen if city leaders can't get crime under control.  It used to be said that crime wasn't that bad if you stayed out of certain areas or if you kept your nose clean when visiting.  Not anymore.  A few selfish individuals have changed that in 2010.  Daylight killings of the elderly, professionals and a church going woman have people scared to come to the city.

So what can we do?  Well, community activists like Defend Youngstown  are helping organize events like last week's vigil.  I'm setting my sights here on Mayor Williams's administration.  I believe these are some good ideas for him to employ:

• Get the People's Back- We need to take a lesson from Iraq and Afghanistan.  The city administration has to provide security for the city residents who want to live in a good place.  No one will take a stand if they think they are on their own.  This is how gangs intimidate people.  What can one man do in the face of an organized threat like a street gang?  People in Iraq were not willing to get on with life unless they felt secure.  People on the South and East side have that same mentality.  Chief Hughes may be a nice guy and effective administrator but he doesn't intimidate anyone.  The mayor needs someone to rally the troops and let the people know their back is taken care of.  Not someone who makes excuses at City Council meetings.
• Shrink the City- It's 2010 and Youngstown police are still patrolling as many roads as they were ten years ago.  Don't get me wrong.  This mayor has embraced the demolition of abandoned structures.  What needs to happen now is getting long time residents out of their homes so entire city blocks can be plowed under and the their roads torn up.  Grass needs planted over the blacktop.  The city literally needs to reduce the amount of miles it patrols and maintains. 
• Get Rid of Worthless and Absentee Landlords- In Kelo v. City of New London the Supreme Court upheld a city's right to use eminent domain laws to seize private real estate so it could be used to further economic development.  The city should use this case as precedent for seizing the holdings of absentee landlords who "invest" in Youngstown by buying properties through quitclaim deeds and other methods.  They don't pay taxes, they don't fix up properties and they make shrinking the city more difficult.  Seize the property with the intention of reducing the amount of tax dollars spent maintaining useless areas of the city.  This land can be made available for genuine economic development.

Those are some thoughts after careful consideration.  Please feel free to leave some feedback.