Just Waiting for somebody to offend me so I can have a reason why I voted for ( fill in the blank)

John Kerry has offended some folks. And because he has offended some folks, those folks are going to vote Republican. It does not surprise me. Just any old excuse to support evil. Otherwise, one would be hard pressed to understand why a group of idiots still supports George Bush who sent folks to fight a war based on a lie. A lie that President went on television and told the whole world. But you don't hear folks saying, I am going to vote as a Democrat or something else because George Bush lied.

Now let me see, if I got this straight. John Kerry warned students to do well in school or they may end up in Iraq and folks got mad, but young folks are dying in Iraq and folks are not mad? Let me repeat Kerry warn students do well in school, and Bush says stay the course in Iraq while 100 soldier died in October, 2006.

Or how about the republican man that was going around stalking young men for his pleasure, but these same folks are yelling, screaming we got family values. Come on people, get real. All these folks need is just one good reason not a plausible reason, just something to say I am a conservative and a conservative I'll die voting for no matter what. What the heck, conservative is just a word, you bright, articulate, and intelligent people !!!!!

Let see to keep students from going to war and you would vote R or D or I or anything but ?

The New Sheriff in Allen County Poll

It should not come as too much of a surprise that the poll shows Ken Fries leading in the race for Sheriff of Allen County. Tina Tavino, running as a woman, period, is a uphill battle in a heavily dominated republican lead county. So, for Tavino, to get the majority of the conservative bible toting Christian males to vote for her would go against their mythical traditional family value theme.

Tavino has been one class act for the Democratic Party. Ken Fries was appointed to his new position, with the blessing of an outgoing Republican sheriff who went unopposed during the last election. Nevertheless, P.J. Smith and Tina Tavino offered some insight on how a one party led community is not a true reflection on how the whole community thinks..can we say no to consolidation? It is interesting that the poll only gives Fries 57%. Running as a woman does have it obstacles, but Tavino need only remember Linda Buskirk appeal to women, many who crossed over to vote for Buskirk in her race for Mayor.

Stay the Course-Hayhurst and Souder Poll

Hat tip to FWOB on the News-Sentinel and News Channel 15 Pre-Election Poll Results of 400 self-disclosed voters. More than likely they were not asked for their photo identification over the telephone. A nonpartisan firm was used to conduct a survey and came away with twenty-eight(28%) percent of the respondents disclosed they were Democrats, thirty-nine (39%)percent were Republicans and thirty-three(33%) percent were Independents. The gender of the voters were fifty-two (52%)percent females and forty-eight (48%) percent males.

The poll shows that women are more drawn to Hayhurst with 42% of the women compared to 38%. This makes sense because Hayhurst is a doctor, a caregiver and women can relate to him where as men would be threat by his profession and his wealth,( competitiveness).

If this ad does not take him over the top, Hayhurst might as well shake Souder hands right now.




The poll does not mention anything about race or age. Young people 18-24 do vote. Two factors that will weigh heavily in Hayhurst favor, but both candidates downplayed and takes for granted. The poll showed 74% of those called knew Hayhurst compared to the 83% that knew the long term incumbent Souder. This nine percent difference shows in the question asking the callers if they had to vote today who would they vote for and Hayhurst received 40% of the votes compared to Souder 52% and the unknown factor of 8%.


Here's a national poll on the issue found in the IndyStar.

Ohio requires photo identification for absentee voting

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was right to reverse the United States District Court granting a temporary ban on requiring voter identification for absentee ballots. Ohio is one of the state where the races will be tight. And many absentee ballots will determine the winner. Absentee ballots are handled by the election workers where fraud in some states have been documented.

And it is for that reason that a photo identification should be required. However this issue is different from the requirement of a photo identification at the polls. State officials are arguing that federal law banning the photo identification is interfering with state law in requiring photo identification for absentee voters. Eventually, The United State Supreme Court will have to rule on several issues involving photo identification for voting. The confusion with the photo identification requirements will turn away many voters unnecessarily.

Attack on Julia Carson

How the voters will vote is anyone guess. The media, pollsters and politicians are baffled on the results of the 2006 midterm election. The midterm election generally has a low turn out and generally the voters are align along party lines. But this midterm election is fraught with voter's disdain for incumbents who have failed to do the right thing for its constituents.

Several state races in Arizona,Maryland, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri and even Indiana are threatening to up seat some of the wealthy and powerful republican big business monied party members. No surprise that many of these states are challenging the photo identification law of their state, also. Mainly, my interest is Indiana.

Indiana has been somewhat silent on the threat to Republican seats. Almost totally ignoring newcomer Tom Hayhurst. Almost, because a lot of attention has been an attack campaign against Congresswoman Julia Carson. Carson is a big heavy weight with the Democratic Party in Indiana. The Republicans voters who are attacking the elder Carson, because of her health know she is a heavy weight with the Democratic Party. It is not Carson's fault that she is getting up there in age nor is the problem with her heart. I don't think there is a constitutional requirement that one must be in the best of health to hold office. I believe Franklin Delano Roosevelt, while serving as president suffered a physical illness. So what if Carson can't move as fast as she did when she was younger. Not moving fast does not mean that you are not mentally fit, check with the disabled who use the aid of a wheelchairs, or Michael J. Fox. Do you think Christopher Reeves was worried about what to wear?

This attack on Carson's health exhibit the Republicans disdain for others. The elderly, women and the disabled should be outraged at the Republicans for their attack on Carson. The voters should be wise up to this distraction to pull votes away from other candidates and has nothing to do with whether or not Carson is healthy enough to serve another term.

2006 Local Midterm Election Predictions

Predictions numbers in the works**
Hayhurst 34,000
Souder 30,000

Wyss 15000
Bynum 5000

Howell 7000
GiaQuinta 4000


Council District 1
James Ball (R) 4000
Maye L. Johnson (D) 3000

Council District 4
Calvert Miller (R)* 12,000
Richard Cline (D) 5000

Recorder
John McGauley (R) 28,000
Herbert Summers (D) 20,000


Assessor
Stacey Lopshire ( R) 28,000
Patricia Love (D)* 15,000


Sheriff
Kenneth Fries (R) 32000
Tina M. Taviano (D)28000
Paul Smith (I) 3000

Adams Township Assessor
Debbie Thomas (R) 4000
Nina Gaines-Newson (D) 2000

Adams Board (elect three)
Herbert Baatz (R)
George A. Berghoff (R)*
Frank Swartzwelder (R)*
Johnnie Morgan (D)

Jackson Township
Trustee/Assessor
Gloria E. Gerig (R)*
William L. Bowers (D)
Board (elect three)
Larry Baumert (R)*
Joseph Gerig (R)
Barry Steinman (R)
Toby Rhymer (D)

Lafayette Township
Trustee/Assessor
Patrick Lee (R)
Ellen D. Kasales (D)

Madison Board (elect three)
Charlotte J. Kaiser (R)*
Scott Renninger (R)
Neil S. Reynolds (R)
Norbert E. Molthan (D)*

Perry Board (elect three)
John E. Bracht (R)*
Duane Dickes (R)*
Michael J. Messmann (R)*
Barbara Brockhoff (D)

St. Joe Board (elect three)
Thomas Harris (R)*
W. Kunkle (R)*
Erica J. Taylor (R)*
Barbara L. Blauvelt (D)
Jane E. Gastineau (D)
Norman Greenberg (D)

Wayne Township
Assessor
Tammi McKee (R)
Beverly J. Zuber (D)
Trustee
Matthew P. Schomburg (R)*
Richard Stevenson (D)
Michael A. Reef (W)

WayneBoard (elect three)
Robert A. Armstrong (R)
Tamila Kelty (R)*
Jerry Zuber (R)
Anthony Henry (D)
Maria M. Parra (D)
Patricia Turner (D)

**Numbers are subject to change

Colts loses to somebody

You silly rabbits!!! To heck with Photo I.D.

I have a photo I.D. but I shouldn't have to show it to vote. I registered. When I decide to vote at the last minute, I better show up with a photo I.D. to exercise that right, that's not right!! And those who just got the right to vote, is crying about folks should have an I.D. get a grip.

After you get through reading the article, come back and read the rest of this post. These are elected seats already filled, none of these seats are being challenged !!!!!! Count the number of R's and then count the number of D's winner take all from the group.

Allen County
Commissioner District 2
William Brown (R)
Commissioner District 3
Linda K. Bloom (R)*

Council District 2
Paula Hughes (R)*
Council District 3
Darren E. Vogt (R)*
Prosecuting Attorney
Karen Richards (R)*
Circuit Court Clerk
Therese M. Brown (R)*
Auditor
Lisbeth Blosser (R)*


Aboite Township
Assessor
Carolyn M. Berghorn (R
Trustee
Barbara J. Krisher (R)*
Board (elect three)
Janet S. Bolyard (R)*
Keith R. Potter (R)
Bruce Westrick (R)* Adams Township

Trustee
Brian Yoh (R)

Cedar Creek Township
Assessor
Lori Hammons (R)
Trustee
Patricia J. Crick (R)
Board (elect three)
Jack Vernon Bridges (R)
Steve Herman (R)*
Norma Yoder (R) Eel River Township

Trustee/Assessor
Selma Hough (R)

Jefferson Township
Trustee/Assessor
Ronald Hakes (D)*

Board (elect three)
Danny L. Bremer (R)*
Gaylord C. Heine (R)*

Lake Township
Trustee/Assessor
Daniel F. Linnemeier (R)*

Board (elect three)
John R. Banet (R)*
Leonard C. Knipstein (R)*
Thomas R. Perl (R)*

Madison Township
Trustee/Assessor
Troy E. McDonald (R)*

Marion Township
Trustee/Assessor
Harold Kleine (D)

Board (elect three)
Herbert E. David (R)*
Gary A. Lybarger (R)*
Robert W. Griebel (D)

Maumee Township
Trustee/Assessor
Brian S. Hoeppner (R)*

Milan Township
Trustee/Assessor
Chad MacDowell (R
Board (elect three)
David Krohn (R)*
Charlie Schaaf (R)*
Dennis Schlie (R)*

Monroe Township
Trustee/Assessor
Max J. Meyer (D)*

Board (elect three)
Loren R. Grabner (D)*
Perry Township
Assessor
Angela Sorg (R)*
Trustee
Roger L. Gump (R)*

Pleasant Township
Trustee/Assessor
John D. Henry (R)*
Board (elect three)
Raymond W. Henry (R)*
Harrold Spenn (R)*
Delbert Thiele (R)*

Springfield Township
Trustee/Assessor
Bruce J. Amstutz (D)*
Board (elect three)
Brian J. Amstutz (R)*
Paul Fordham (R)*
Mark Roemke (R)*

St. Joe Township
Assessor
Timothy A. Nagel (R)*
Trustee
Richard G. Uhrick (R)

Washington Township
Assessor
Jackie Mahlock (R)*
Trustee
Robert E. Arnold (R)*
Board (elect three)
Abner E. Crosby (R)*
James B. Lefever (R)*
Douglas D. Rodenbeck (R)*

Grabill
Town Council
Lynn D. Witt (R)

Huntertown
Clerk Treasurer
Robin R. Dove-Riley (R)*

Town Council (elect five)
Bruce L. Dunwiddie (R)*
James Fortman (R)*
Susan Gongwer (R)*
John Hidy (R)*
James M. Reid (R)*
Bruce McComb (I)
Todd Sorg (I)

Leo-Cedarville
Town Council (elect three)
John Clendenen (R)*
Robert Paul Steffens (R)*
Michael Young (R)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

How many uncontested seats are left? Of those uncontested seats how many will go D and how many will go R? What difference does it make if the GOP has the majority of seats in Allen County already locked up?!!! Go back to the top, in case you forgot. Is this true representation of the people? No, it is small town way of diluting the strength of certain groups while maintaining control of the entire Allen County. And does anyone think the two party system represents the total population of Allen County? So it should not be to much of a surprise that the Chamber of Commerce is forcing the Allen County Commissioners and Council to go back to the table to take control of the city!!!

"One would think that with the abolition of property requirements and poll taxes, the enfranchisement of people of color, women, and 18-year-olds, the battle for the right to vote had been won", according to the article. NOT! For those of you who will go to the polls, these are the only candidates needing your vote..ain't that America or aint't that a shame? Keep reading, the list is not very long.

Council District 1
James Ball (R)
Maye L. Johnson (D)

Council District 4
Calvert Miller (R)*
Richard Cline (D)

Recorder
John McGauley (R)
Herbert Summers (D)
Assessor
Stacey Lopshire ( R)
Patricia Love (D)*
Sheriff
Kenneth Fries (R)
Tina M. Taviano (D)
Paul Smith (I)

Adams Township Assessor
Debbie Thomas (R)
Nina Gaines-Newson (D)

Adams Board (elect three)
Herbert Baatz (R)
George A. Berghoff (R)*
Frank Swartzwelder (R)*
Johnnie Morgan (D)

Jackson Township
Trustee/Assessor
Gloria E. Gerig (R)*
William L. Bowers (D)
Board (elect three)
Larry Baumert (R)*
Joseph Gerig (R)
Barry Steinman (R)
Toby Rhymer (D)

Lafayette Township
Trustee/Assessor
Patrick Lee (R)
Ellen D. Kasales (D)

Madison Board (elect three)
Charlotte J. Kaiser (R)*
Scott Renninger (R)
Neil S. Reynolds (R)
Norbert E. Molthan (D)*

Perry Board (elect three)
John E. Bracht (R)*
Duane Dickes (R)*
Michael J. Messmann (R)*
Barbara Brockhoff (D)

St. Joe Board (elect three)
Thomas Harris (R)*
W. Kunkle (R)*
Erica J. Taylor (R)*
Barbara L. Blauvelt (D)
Jane E. Gastineau (D)
Norman Greenberg (D)

Wayne Township
Assessor
Tammi McKee (R)
Beverly J. Zuber (D)
Trustee
Matthew P. Schomburg (R)*
Richard Stevenson (D)
Michael A. Reef (W)

WayneBoard (elect three)
Robert A. Armstrong (R)
Tamila Kelty (R)*
Jerry Zuber (R)
Anthony Henry (D)
Maria M. Parra (D)
Patricia Turner (D)

You hear me knocking but you won't let me in

I thought I could wiggle my way into the Souder/Hayhurst debate. There is no shame in my game. However, I was told that it was taped early. It is amazing to me how candidates wants your votes, but do not want to have direct interactions with the voters. Does this not shock other voters? Thanks to Indianapundit, if you didn't watch on television, click here to watch the debate.
Don't forget to click on the icon that looks like a camera once you get to the website.

Supreme Court peeks as the voter's identification problem

The Supreme Court opined in Purcell vs. Gonzalez their hands were tied in vacating a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals thus overturning an injunction requiring voters to show their photo Identification at the polls. The Supreme Court overturned the injunction and remanded the case back to the Court of Appeal to review the findings of the District Court and provide justification or an explanation to the Supreme Court as to why the Court of Appeals did not deter to the lower court.

In its opinion, the Supreme Court gave some guidance to the lower courts as to certain facts that would be of interest in issuing an opinion on the constitutionality of a photo identification law. Several issues were mentioned such as the amount or degree of disenfranchisement that would occur with the photo identification and the types of voter fraud committed by voters absence the photo identification.

The Supreme Court neither ruled on the constitutionality of the photo identification law or on the finding of the District Court, but rejected the issue based on the error of the Court of Appeals in reviewing the finding of the lower court. Suggesting that in the Court of Appeals rush to protect voters they did not follow the standard procedure of providing justification or explanation for their ruling in not deferring to the District Court.


In the rush to the courthouse steps, it as become more than just about a concern for blocking undocumented voters from the polls, who may not be in the United States, legally. Legal residents who are undocumented are challenging the photo identification law. The Service Employees International Union, Local 1199 and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless are suing the State of Ohio for guidance for all county board of elections or for the state to suspend the requirement of identification. Ohio request either a current driver's license or utility bill according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio law is not as strict as Indiana in requiring a state of federal issued identification. Those suing in Ohio suggests that the voter identification requirement is so vague that it may disenfranchise, "students, the elderly, the homeless and members of the military..," according to the article. Whereas Indiana argued a standard of review in overturning its law that was similar to Missouri law which was overturned. The Missouri Court ruled that when a fundamental right is impinged the challenge to its statute should require a strict scrutiny. This means that the state's interest in preventing impersonation fraud should be weighed against the degree of burden that it places on it citizens to exercise their right to cast their vote at the poll. The burden of a photo identification, when other types of identification are available, is too much of a burden for the citizen to shoulder.

Headline suggests: The Southside will be losing both of their YMCA

Yesterday's The News-Sentinel suggested that two YMCA branches will be closing. Kevin Leininger writes, ..city officials have said the orgnization intends to close its Old Fort and southeast family branches, consolidating them into a new branch..".
(I am still wondering what happened to the Y W C A'S)This new YMCA supposely will be built on land which had a major tire fire in 1997 and was later deemed a brownfield from many of the contaminants found in the soil.

According to the City of Fort Wayne's Website titled Phoenix Manor Groundbreaking Bowser Street Rises from the Ashes, "groundbreaking is set for 10 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2002 for Phoenix Manor, a 50 unit senior housing project in the 2300 block of Bowser Avenue. This construction is the second phase of redevelopment of the Bowser Street brownfield and is one of three planned for the community. Several homes already are under construction along Bowser Avenue and another 25 single-family homes are in the planning stages." I think there are at least a hand full of houses, not the 25 single family homes as promised, in the four years promise of hope given to African-American voters.

Back than the the land was taken by eminent domain from a private owner,"Fort Wayne’s Redevelopment Commission claimed the Bowser site four years ago, after the 1997 Labor Day fire burned 600,000 tires stored on the property. Since that time, the former Bowser Pump Plant site was designated a brownfield, allowing the City of Fort Wayne to seek federal, state and local funds for clean up and redevelopment of the land. “This latest project is a continuation of one of the finest examples of partnering between the public and private sector,” said former Brownfield Manager Greg Leatherman."

Now, "the built it they will come" dream was not successful for housings, it has morphed into a "new built it" type dream. Instead of housing, a brand new spanking new nonprofit)YMCA is the mirage. The article suggested that the land where the old YMCA is will be swapped for the land at the new location. And what will go into the old YMCA? It is to be converted into something or anything compatible with the new Renaissance Pointe project. The new Renaissance Pointe project replaces the old up from ashes theme of 25 single homes with 400 new homes.

One more question on my mind. Will the police station remain during this great transition or is the police getting ready to move into their new headquarters out at Southtown Centre?

The closer I get to you --Attack Ads

Just when you think the campaigning is coming to an end..out comes more vicious attack ads.

Black Professor reports on a negative ad on Harold Ford by the lovely republican party. What's next for the republicans, maybe using ICE-T!

Update here is the ad and an article from Black Voices.

Fort Wayne Metro Super Bowl Pee Wee West All Stars 7 East All Star 0

Fort Wayne Metro Super Bowl- Junior Varsity Lions 0 Rams 6

National Dialogue & Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church Conference

National Dialogue & Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church Conference will be sponsored by the National Action Network at Eastern Star Church, 5750 East 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218 on October 30-31, 2006.

Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., Senior Pastor – Eastern Star Church
Pastor Michael K. Jones, Senior Pastor – Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Theron D. Williams, Senior Pastor – Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church,
will host Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Mr. Dick Gregory, Mr. Charles Steele and a host of others at the National Dialogue and Revival for Social Justice Conference.

The conference will include five daily sessions:
Opening Breakfast (8:30-10:30 a.m.)
Morning Session (10:45am-12Noon)
Luncheon (12:30-2:15p.m.)
Afternoon Session/Panel Discussion (2:30-4:00 p.m.) and
Revival Service held nightly (7:00 p.m.)
Meals will be available for purchase onsite.
The conference is FREE , but registration is required.

Independents going to the polls

Left of Aboite is absolute correct about Independents playing a pivotal role in this year and also in the 2008 election. But some Independents will not just give their vote to a party that has not actively sought out their ballot. Independents will write in candidates rather than vote for the better of two evils as the Libertarians. Independents seek a party that is truly representative of the people. Seriously, I have yet to see any signs in my neighborhood written in Spanish or any other language by either party.

In Fort Wayne, both Democrats' and Republicans' leadership, on the election board, have worked hard to keep out dissenting voices for holding onto their power. This election board should have two members who do not belong to either the Democrats or the Republicans Party to show that it welcomes all citizens to participate in the political process.

Reading Political signs

Only 14 more days before the election, and I am checking out the yard signs?


The largest sign goes to Pamela martin-diaz

The most signs goes to Pamela martin-diaz

The sign most similar to another candidate sign goes to Pamela martin-diaz

The candidate with two different designs goes to Pamela martin-diaz


The least number of signs for the 15 th district goes to Michael Bynum

The least number of signs for the 80th district goes to whomever(Kevin Howell) is running against the the small number of sign for the democratic candidate(Phil, you you the son of _____( fill in the blank)) who is running for the 8Oth district.

The not running for office but I am out here sign goes to Win Moses.

I sure I noticed other signs but I found these the most interesting along with who is Tom Harris?

Obama in 2008

United States Senator Barack Obama may throw his persona into the Democratic Party cast of characters who are running for President. The lanky,lean, good-looking Obama may join the other team of lookers, Evan Bayh, and John Kerry, and the tough as nails, lone female hopeful Hillary Clinton.

Obama brings a new flavor to the Democrats. He refreshes the old tired, we shall overcome chant, of Jesse Jackson with the late Barbara Jordan's style of dialogue amongst the people delivered with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. move to action charm. Obama is irresistible. Obama serves as a beacon of hope to those who have left the party and for those who have sought a party that speaks to their needs. Obama will be the bright light that draws both African-American and religion folks back to the polls.

Obama offers the voters, a moment of hope. Hope to turn around a government bend on sending their children to war and children back into the homes of empty nesters because these children are unable to find decent job opportunities. A moment of hope in a politician who believes in peace rather than in war. A politician who believes in standing on his father rather than bending to the will of big name corporations. It is a hope for a new direction.

This first term Senator is a rising star set on a course to etch out the role that disheartening citizens must play in order to produce a more caring, and a more inclusive government in today's global world. Something that neither Hillary Clinton nor Evan Bayh brings to the table. Obama's presence at the table is non threatening to both, Bayh and Clinton in their fundraising role for the party. But neither can discount the impact that this young energetic African-American male will have on the 2008 presidential election for the Democrats.

Will Obama be the first African-American President of the United States or will join the rank of those other African-Americans who helped get a Democrat into the President's seat?

Community Vendors' Concert

The Old Fort YMCA will host the New Haven Alumni Band. This 30 plus members will perform on November 5, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. The YMCA is located on 2221 Reed Street and the concert is free. For other musical events check out the website.

African-Americans Professional Calling-Pimps, Prostitutes, Gangster Rappers

On Friday, Oct 6, 2006, CBS News Anchor Kati Couric profiled Juan Williams on the show’s Free Speech segment. Williams voiced his opinion about trends influencing the growing poverty among the black family. Williams suggested that the growing number of unwed mothers and their children dropping out of school apathetically contributed to the growing poverty within the African-American community.

Williams suggest that in addition, children coming from such an environment are unprepared to take advantage of the one readily available vehicle in escaping poverty, education. Instead these children are influenced by the images of hip-hop gangster rappers, pimps and prostitutes as a way of life. But little is said about the soft pornography of hip-hop that is being peddled in the African-American as gangster rap and hip hop culture. The industry’s marketing of soft porn to young female teenagers as a job alternative instead of working at the local low wage retail industry.
Gabcast! Fort Wayne African-American Independent Woman #8 - African-Americans Professions-Pimps, Prostitutes, Gangster Rappers

City of Fort Wayne is under the jurisdiction of the Allen County Sheriff Department

I've written about this area before on this blog, here, and here. I recently pointed out the lack of enforcement to both Mark Souder and Ken Fries. I had a reader of the blog state that my beef is not with the sheriff department, I am not looking for any beef. However, the reader is dead wrong, about the Sheriff Department authority, residents who live in the city are under the jurisdiction of the Allen County Sheriff Department. Now the sheriff's department may defer to the city in their criminal operation, but that does not mean the residents of the city are not protected by Allen County Sheriffs as as well the City Police Department.

Gabcast! Fort Wayne African-American Independent Woman #7 - Drugs in the Neighborhood