Some news on the activist front.
The Ohio Democratic Party is organizing a protest to be held during Bush's visit to Ohio this Thursday !
They deserve some credit and support for this, not only organizing it, but also spreading the word via their regional organizers and contacting the Ohio Blogosphere.
I also have what i think is the last word on the Lucas County Democratic Party office break-in
The protest details and the rest (plus some possible interesting info to specualte on) below the break.
[BREAKING NEWS in the extended too]
A Coingate Protest is being organized for President Bush's visit to Ohio this Thursday !
President Bush is coming to town - and refusing to give back all of Tom Noe's dirty campaign money!
Help tell Ohioans that the days of 'pay-to-play' politics are over!
When: Thursday, June 9th 9AM-11AM
Where: 740 East 17th Avenue across from the Ohio Expo Center (if this location is blocked due to securtiy, please go to the secondary location: The McDonald's at the corner of Clara Ave and E. 17th Ave) - Columbus
WHY: A counter event (protest) to President Bush's visit.
There will be lots of pre-made signs to wave at the site
Come along if you live close by or have nothing else better to do ! Should be a hoot and help push the national press into the story.
The Break-in. I now firmly believe that this was NOT poltically motivated.
direct from the Toledo Cops
We had a "crack head" suspect that was a brother of one of the volunteers that worked at the headquarters. The volunteer, a female who worked there several years, was the one who contacted us about her brother having some stolen computers. After the story broke, the female was fired (she believes for political purposes) and then refused to help us anymore. We heard that the computers were destroyed, so we had no evidence to arrest the brother.
Now the speculation.via Bring Ohio Home
rightangleblog.blogspot.com :
Strong rumors are swirling around political insiders' circles that State Auditor Betty Montgomery has received an offer from the White House to assume a role in the administration. Offers, and rumors of offers, often fly around major political figures, however, what makes this rumor unique is that it states Ms. Montgomery, one of the leading GOP gubernatorial candidates, is strongly considering the offer, and has even visited with officials concerning the position. If Ms. Montgomery takes a role in President Bush's administration, she will have to pull out of the 2006 race for Governor, leaving GOP'ers with three remaining choices: Blackwell, Draganic, or Petro. Will Ms. Montgomery be the first candidate to withdraw from the 2006 race? Is the President working hard to keep Ohio Republicans from having a "bloody" primary? Only time will tell. In the meantime, this is a very interesting rumor that this blogger has heard from two reliable sources.
If this is true, it might be an attempt by the Administration to prevent a blood bath as the above mentions. Betty is the least likely to win the nomination, and the most likely to blow the whole thing up (she isnt that bright) for the GoOpers.
It's also interesting that Bush is coming to Ohio Thursday "Shilling for Patriot Act II". I wonder who else will arrive on Airforce One with him, and take a quiet road trip a few miles to Toledo ? Sounds bogus to me. Is Patriot Act II really this high on the agenda, to come to Ohio of all places ? I don't think so.
BREAKING NEWS - HOLY SHITSVILLE
BWC lost $215 million in high-risk fund
MIKE WILKINSON and JAMES DREW
BLADE STAFF WRITERS
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation admitted today that it lost $215 million in a high-risk fund that few people knew about.
The bureau had invested $355 million with a Pittsburgh investment firm, MDL Capital Management, beginning in 1998.
But last year, after diverting $225 million into a fund that works like a hedge fund, the fund lost $215 million. Although the bureau has known about the loss since last year, Gov. Bob Taft was notified about it today.
"There are investigations going on, including the [Ohio] Inspector General," bureau spokesman Jeremy Jackson told The Blade.
The news came to light as a handful of agencies are looking into the bureau and its dealings with Toledo-area coin dealer Tom Noe. The Ohio Ethics Commission on Monday said it was looking into other investments held by the bureau, the agency charged with providing assistance to injured workers.
At the center of the MDL deal were Terry Gasper, the former chief financial officer for the bureau, and Jim McLean, the chief investment officer. In a memo to the governor, Tina Kielmeyer, acting bureau administrator, said Mr. Gasper did not notify former bureau Administrator James Conrad about the investment.
In the wake of the growing Noe scandal, Mr. Conrad resigned two weeks ago and left the agency on Friday. Mr. McLean was put on paid administrative leave today pending a management review of the situation.
The bureau last year asked the Ohio Attorney General to appoint special counsel in the case and ordered Mr. Gasper to either resign or be fired. He resigned Oct. 6, 2004.
This makes TOm Noe looks like small beans !