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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Thursday, March 7, 2008
Ohio held its primary elections last Tuesday. In my hometown of Medina, as in most of the state, there were other issues on the ballot as well. I was pretty excited about these primaries, though I would be lying if I didn't say there was more than a little fear mixed in with my enthusiasm.
For a presidential campaign as heated as this one, there were surprisingly few candidate signs to be found in Medina. The only two I saw were for Republican Ron Paul, though, outside the city, Sainted Wife Barb saw a couple signs each for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
There were far more signs in support of an additional levy for the Medina City schools, and for the County Sheriff race between incumbent Sheriff Neil Hassinger and David Centner, a former Medina County deputy. Both are Republicans and, sadly, no Democrat would be running against the winner.
I also saw several signs supporting County Commissioner Steve Hambley, one of the Republican incumbents. Like Hassinger, Hambley has been around forever and is well connected with the traditional Republican base of the rich, the powerful, and the sure to burn in Hell for all eternity. If you're catching that I neither like nor trust either of them, you're right on target. Barb actually voted as a Republican just so she could vote against Hambley...and I was tempted to vote Republican to vote for Centner. He was clearly the lesser of two mediocre evils.
The scarcity of signs might be due to the lousy weather we've been having for most of the past several weeks or it could be due to a relative lack of enthusiasm for the primary candidates and the issues. I know that between dealing with my financial woes and my winter blahs, I never got a sign for the Democratic Party candidate of my choice. Then again, weeks before the primary, I was already fairly certain how the voting would go.
I voted at the Medina City Recreation Center. In spite of icy conditions that would eventually see evening events canceled at the high school, there was a good turnout. I was especially pleased to see an African-American poll worker at the Center. That's a first for my way-too-white and way-too-Republican city.
Before Tuesday, I predicted Clinton would take Ohio and Obama would take Texas. I expressed my hope that Clinton would then bow out of the race and let the Democratic Party get down to the vital business of beating the Republicans in November. I proved myself to be every bit as capable of predicting elections as the highly-paid (some might suggest overpaid) pollsters and pundits who crawl across our TV screens.
I think Hillary Clinton would be a terrific President. When I consider her positions on the issues, I find no great differences between her and Obama. I've never understood the drooling-from-their-slack-jaws, straight-from-their-dark-souls hatred Republicans and some Democrats have for her.
When I consider this race from a strictly American standpoint, I believe having a woman President would be a more dramatic change for the good than even having an African-American President. But, when I consider the "screw you, world" administration that's coming to an end, I have to agree with my good friend Mike Gold that Obama represents a more dramatic change for the good to the entire world. Obama's diversity of heritage and upbringing celebrates the melting pot that has always been our country's greatest strength and offers the world the hope that our government can be as good and kind and peace-loving as the American people.
I voted for Obama for that reason and because I believe he's the more electable of the two Democratic candidates. I might not understand the rabid Clinton-hate, but I recognize that it exists and that it will surely rear its ugly head should Hillary win the Democratic nomination.
Clinton has earned the right to continue in the race, but I'm hoping - likely without good cause - that she will back off on the negative attack ads that could have come straight from the pages of Karl Rove's copy of the Necronomicon. More important than who heads the Democratic ticket is that neither candidate weakens the winner in the November election. Leave cheap shots and swift-boating to the GOP. Strike a contrast between the positives either Democratic candidate can bring to this country and the politics of dishonesty, fear-mongering, and personal destruction that have been the defining tones of the Bush administration.
I voted for Obama and I don't regret that vote. If Clinton is the Democratic candidate in November, I'll vote for her and do so with no regrets.
John McCain, the Republican candidate, has already proclaimed his subservience to the failed policies of George Bush, including, incredibly, the use of torture...and to the very worst elements of his party, as "exemplified" by John Hagee, the Texas televangelist best known for his venomous screeds against the Catholic Church and gays, and his insane longing for the end of the world. McCain is unfit to lead this country and he proves it more with each passing day. I may not have a great deal of confidence in the Democratic Party, but I'd like to give Clinton or Obama - and, one would hope, a Democratic-controlled Congress - the chance to turn things around for this country. If they fail to make sufficient progress, we can talk third-party candidates for 2012.
To represent my district in the House of Representatives, I voted for John Boccieri because he seemed more determined than his opponent to address the mess left behind from eight years of Bush. Republican Kurt Schuring will be Boccieri's opponent in the general election. Judging from his campaign fliers, Schuring is running on a platform of bigotry and fear. He seems to be greatly in favor of both. God save us from the likes of Schuring, McCain, and the rest of that bad lot.
For only the second time in my life, I was considering voting against a school levy. I haven't had much confidence in the school board or its superintendent. Last time out, I was planning to vote against the levy and changed my mind at the last minute when, just outside the polling place, I saw the principals of the elementary school and middle school my children had attended. They were fine people, first-rate administrators and educators. Seeing them made me realize how much my kids had benefitted from the Medina school system. So I voted for the levy.
This time, a week before the vote, I was on the fence again. My opinion of the board had not changed...until one of the board's members resigned. His replacement - and I'm amazed he was chosen - is one of the best of the good guys. He is someone who has always been ready to pitch in to help the kids and the schools. Heck, he would be the first to grab a broom and start sweeping up after the fund raisers Barb used to run. He's knowledgeable, he's smart, and he's not one of the Medina "elite" who have so often made decisions based more on what looks or sounds good than what's really needed. His appointment to the board won me over. I voted in favor of the additional operating levy.
Which failed anyway and failed real big.
10,053 to 4,469.
Frankly, I doubt dissatisfaction with the board played a large part in the loss. The economy is in terrible shape. Homeowners of modest means and older residents on fixed incomes couldn't afford the property tax increase that would have paid for this additional levy. Homeowners of more substantial means in outlining townships tend to vote against such levies as well, though many of them send their kids to our schools.
Then there's the fact that the Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that this method of funding our schools is unconstitutional. That ruling was made years ago and the Republican-dominated legislature has done nothing to address the situation. Nor have the Democratic leaders who won most of the state-wide offices in 2006 forced the issue. Were it in my power, I'd find the whole damn legislature in contempt of court and lock them up until they solved the problem. Until then, I can appreciate how some of my fellow voters might not wish to aid and abet this continuing crime.
The school board is apparently planning to put a retooled levy on the ballot in November. As a citizen wrote in the local paper, the board's time would be much better spent doing whatever it takes to get Ohio's elected officials do what our state supreme court has ordered. The voters have already spoken on this issue and aren't likely to change their minds in November.
I've a few more political thoughts to share with you, but you have already been more than patient with me today. I'll squeeze my additional comments into future TOTs, but I'll surround them with comics reviews and other fun stuff.
Tony's Online Tips is a reader-sponsored feature, made possible through your "Tip The Tipster" donations. Today's column was brought to you by John, Michael, and James...and I thank them for their generous support.
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back on Monday with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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