The Observation Deck

re JOB post Tues 4/11 9:56am

Just as our rep cannot distinguish/understand the differences between facts and opinions - you seem to fall into the same hole .

Opinions = Belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce certainty , the expression of a personal attitude or judgment

Opinions - Kucinich great vs Kucinich sucks, LO best paper in Lakewood

Facts : Kucinich is 5.5 feet in height , Last LO edition sold "1234" papers .

Facts are verifiable - opinions are not

For someone like yourself who posts 1/2 dozen per day to write "paying 72 cents on every tax dollar in Interest' which is verifiable ( did you try ? ) , think what you typed? and if so still totally wrong is hard to believe .

Facts as per various websites :

Interest paid : 2005 $352 Billion , 2004 $321B , 2003 $318B , 2002 $332B , 2001 $359B and 2000 $361B via Bureau of Public Debt website

National Debt as per April 10 2006 Press release $8.4 Trillion

2002 Govt receipts $2.2 Trillion with projections for 2005 $2.4T and for 2006 $2.5T as per Citizens Guide to 2002 Federal Budget ( last hard numbers available with projections to year 2006 )

Calculations avg interest 350B
2006 National Debt 8.4T 350/8400 = 4%
2002 govt receipts 2.2T 350/2200 = 16%
2005 projected receipts 2.5T 350/2500 = 14%

Where you got 72% is beyond me - nor could /does it make any sense .

Surely a business man must understand the difference between paying 14-16% back ( as above ) vs your claimed 72% . Hard to believe you would post such mis information . Makes me concerned about your past and also future posts . Verifiable? Correct? Make Sense? etc

D.J. Kampe

Better to be a "Has Been" than a "Never Was" or "Never Will Be" -
DJK 2006

What proof have you offered? Some claim that Denny defaulting Cleveland during his run as mayor was a myth. Good deal proof there.
You refused to refute the DFAS issue.
Denny of course was no where to be found during the the WestEnd controversy.

You refuse to refute the fact that he was an absentee Congressman during his convoluted "presidential run". What a waste of taxpayers dollars.

As usual you duck the questions and consider your opinion fact. No surprise. That is the normal in journalism today. Many journalist today are nothing more than snake oil salesmen (ie Dan Rather and Mary Mapes).


Step away from the Kool Aid.

Terry

Let's work it.

West End, do you know where I stood on it?

As far as Dennis, was I upset that he wasn't involved, or didn't say something. Well I would have to say 50/50 + or minus 47 votes. If you are correct Dennis would have fallen on the sword for the money. He would have backed the mall, he would have catered to those that vote and donate. But instead he stayed a safe distance from the fire storm and let the city sort itself out. But let's be honest since the Supreme Court ruling he has not expressed an opinion one way or another. Yesterday I was at the eminent domain Conference just long enough to hear Dr. Doom speak, both Saleets, and a woman from Lorain that told a crazy story of eminent domain abuse. 14 different proposals with no developer in site. Just banking land in case they find someone!

Still, maybe it wasn't on his radar screen. Maybe he was advised to walk away. I cannot say and never asked. A chink in the armor.

I see the presidential run completely differently. first he was keeping the discussion on the war alive. He was also talking about our food system, people have no idea how bad this situation is. Let be honest, with each Mad Cow found in the USA the news repeats, "This cow did not make it into the food stream." OK that one didn't!!!!! Also these genetically changed foods are nothing like we imagine and they go through testing only by the company that produces it. This is a nightmare waiting to happen.

I see Dennis as representing all of us as a Progressive, good thinking group of people that choose with facts not with our hearts. Today just how smart we are is sadly born out in how bad the war is going. Let's face it no Democrat was getting anything done in Congress, so Dennis went on the road and built the brand. Again, we have to look realistically at what can be accomplished, and what was done.

Terry, please do not call me a journalist. I do not let my opinions cloud anything in the paper, or on the board. I am not the editor, I only see the paper briefly before it goes to the printer, and rarely read it before Wednesday, when I can sit down and look at it comfortably. Tuesdays I am out delivering the paper. I have written, but noting but short stories. I would give journalists a bad name. As the Lakewood Times Editor said recently in a revue of the Observer. "O'Bryan is a nice guy, but the paper has been known to run Press Releases as news!"

I would hope it is all true. The Lakewood Observer is not a newspaper, read the mission statement. I am not a journalist nor have I ever tried to pass myself off as one. However I am entitled to my opinion, and sometimes I might be a little loose on facts sometimes, but I am generally in the right field.

When I look at everything Dennis has done, tried to do, or represented the district on, he wins more than he looses, in my humble opinion. Way more. My single biggest complaint was the marriage that seemed like it when on for ever. Then I had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth. Believe me the District won big when they got married. She is a great person with a sense of humor and so sharp it is crazy.

Barbara Anne Ferris - I like her, she is a good person. Though yesterday I hope was just miserable advice. Still All I have heard from her and her legions are where were you Dennis. Well I not only know where he was I know what he was talking about and trying to get through. I have not heard the plans. Yesterday Congressman Kucinich not only talked of the bipartisan plan he is part of to get us out of Iraq, but was looking at how to help the Vets coming back.

Let's be honest not only didn't GWB have a plan going in, he had no plan for coming home and even worse no plan for the wounded. I was amazed to find that a guy called up from the National Guard who served in Desert Storm couldn't go to a VA Hospital. Did you?

I feel safe with Dennis Kucinich, a lot of the time he represents what I believe. In politics, that is about as good as it gets.

You have to let 47 go. Do not forget the lessons, but you have to let it go.

Jim

PS - One of those news releases that went through uncontested and landed on the front page was Barbara Anne Ferris, announcing her run for Congress. So please do not tell me I am playing favorites.

You type so much yet say do little. You are just spitting out the agenda of the Lakewood Observer. You must sing the party line there at Observer I understand. You and your paper are just another wheel in the big lie machine.

Jim

I hope you are not trying to "pull a kucinich" by hiding from defending your claim of "72 cents on each tax dollar in Interest " as per your post of Tues 4/11 9:56 am and my reply with data Tues 4/11 2:10pm .

You run on and on with more and more details concerning your opinions of " the great man " but when asked to justify your few numbers , you (like him) are strangely silent !

Once again - do you stand by your claim that 72% of our tax dollars go to pay the Federal Interest ? if not - do you have another lower/higher number and finally why would you post such inaccurate information which can be easily checked ? Surely your argument isn't that weak ?

DJ Kampe

Better to be a "Has Been" than a "Never Was / Never Will Be"- DJK 2006

The Ferris team sounds one note attack message. Give us some insight into where she or you stand on these issues.

Congressman Kucinich was right on Iraq; he was right to vote for repeal of the Patriot Act. He is right on these Ten Key Issues:

Universal Health Care
International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in
Jobs and Withdrawal from NAFTA and WTO
Repeal of the "Patriot Act"
Guaranteed Quality Education, Pre-K Through College
Full Social Security Benefits at Age 65
Right-to-Choose, Privacy, and Civil Rights
Balance Between Workers and Corporations
Environmental Renewal and Clean Energy
Restored Rural Communities and Family Farms

To read more:
http://www.kucinich.us/issues/

Kenneth Warren

You are just spitting out the agenda of the Lakewood Observer. You must sing the party line there at Observer I understand.

Terry

I'd be interested in your elucidation on the Lakewood Observer "agenda" and the "party line".
Here I thought there was just this group of mostly Lakewoodites that wanted to boost the image of the city, discuss its problems, solutions and visions.
You privy to something that the rest of don't know?
What's the agenda and who decided upon it?


Jeff "I'm just the food columnist" Endress

blank

Dennis J Kampe wrote:Jim

I hope you are not trying to "pull a kucinich" by hiding from defending your claim of "72 cents on each tax dollar in Interest " as per your post of Tues 4/11 9:56 am and my reply with data Tues 4/11 2:10pm .

Dennis

No I am not pulling A Ferris trying to change what is being talked about for a steady drum beat of what have you done for ME instead of us. Doesn't that sound silly?

This is what brought me in the attacks no constructive conversation about what she would have done. Just the drum beat of what has Dennis done in this Republican conference.

Everything I am seeing and finding would underline your numbers, but would still make my point. I guess the country couldn't use that $352 billion dollars, on top of the money being wasted on a war that did not have to be fought.

You are saying that we should not have paid the national debt off. Are you also saying that that would not have given us more money to spend on things needed here? It would seem that you are in favor of a war that has not only weakened the military but also weakened the country? So this means you are backing a war mongering person for congress that has no view, instead of a person with plans.

I have to be honest I'd take nothing over a bridge to no where that just drains this country through pork barrel projects. But Dennis isn't doing nothing. He is representing my views and dare I say the view of a majority of his constituents. At least judging by the number of Kucinich signs over Ferris signs.

I admire Ferris for her public stand on the War, Social Security, Education, the Economy, and other hot button issues. Oh wait, this has not been put forward. All I hear is what has he got through congress! Certainly nothing more than a parlor game, as one does have to do the homework to find what he has "tried" to get through congress. Still I will pick Dennis, as he looks forward not backwards and at least has plans and a clue to what is going on in this district, state, country and world. I have gone to the Ferris website. Nothing about the monetary system, nothing about the food supply, nothing but buzz terms on ecology, no plan to end the war.

But again, you must excuse me, busy week, but I will continue. there is no doubt that you raise legitimate concerns, but you really need to dig, and not repeat the mantra, put forward by Janet Jackson, "What have you done for ME lately" and think in "What has he been trying to do for US lately"

Thanks for the correction on the numbers I am sure my miss comes from a paper I had read on where the national debt was when 41 left office how low it had gotten, and where it is now. But everywhere I looked it would appear to be the $352 you quoted. We know hoe Dennis wanted to reduce that, how about Barbara Anne Ferris?

terry batdorf wrote:You type so much yet say do little. You are just spitting out the agenda of the Lakewood Observer. You must sing the party line there at Observer I understand. You and your paper are just another wheel in the big lie machine.

Terry

Write it, post it, send it in. If it passes legal, it will be printed. Ask Kate Parker. Joe Milan sent in a piece that wasn't publish as it had been deemed a "letter" not a story. We rarely run letters. But it was posted on the website and on the front page. Not even close to my view, but we posted it archived it and it can be found on Google.

No cover up no party line. I hate to say this but my focus in how we can make Lakewood better. I have all but given up on regional, and national politics. I vote, but my impact can best be used on a local level. Do I have an agenda? You bet I do! Is it secret? No! My agenda is to build Lakewood, to help home based businesses and new businesses to move into store fronts, to clean the city up, to help take some of the burden off of City Hall by giving support to local civic groups, to put a light on the non-profits and churches in this community that serve this community, and to make the city a place people want to move to, live, and raise their families in. My agenda is pretty much you agenda if you live in Lakewood.

As stated in the mission statement, and the only agenda LO has. The paper was designed to amplify artistic and civic intelligence, to help Lakewoodites know this city better than anyone knew a city. Do you really think we have failed in our mission? The Lakewood Observer is about information and building the "brand." Again, I think we are doing OK. Outside of that there is no agenda for the paper and the people taking part. People like you. Why sell that process short.

Have you ever been edited? Or deleted? Have you ever sent in an article? There are no editorial boards, no back room dealings. My post here are my post not Lakewood Observer posts, and have gone out of my way to make sure that always stays true.

As a person that cannot let 47 go. I am sure you are more than happy that we have kept close eyes on the real problem, unlawful use of eminent domain. But I have to be honest, to bring up 47 is like walking through the South Carolina Statehouse where they keep every bit of damage from Grant's cannons just to remember the civil war.

Lash out at Dennis for not taking sides, it is your right, and certainly is understandable, though I am a little more realistic. Lash out at me for preferring Dennis over Barbara Anne Ferris, who at one time last year, before I looked into it, I thought a viable candidate.

But as far as the Observer and an Agenda, read the mission statement, look at what we have done, and dare I say we have represented all sides, and allowed those sides the freedom to do it in their words, while trusting our fellow Lakewoodites to make the judgments based on their needs, and on their perspective.

It is not my city, it is our city. It really isn't my paper, it is our paper.

But you and I started this when you called Elizabeth Kucinich a "mail order bride" and that simply is not the truth, and very unfair to a very bright woman, and someone that has become a great assest and advocate for the 10th District.


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Jim Dustin wrote:Hmmm. Good questions Jeff. BTW, what is the rule on being a Lakewoodite? My dues may have lapsed, per only having done 28 years there. I don't want to be out of compliance by merely not being physically present. Thank you in advance.

Terry, I think you may be getting a clue about the LO follies. No harm - and God forbid no agendas. Enjoy!

Jim

Jimmy

Your dues have been paid in full. It would be nice to see and you Linda more often. I am glad you have jumped into the mosh pit, our views at times are very different, but I can cope. Discussion is a good thing.

As I just mentioned to Terry, the only agenda LO has, is what I stated.

The paper does not cover national politics, and for that I am grateful.

LO Follies, you know me and us too well. Agenda, it is not a secret, it is in our mission statement. We want the best for this community. The one thing you have missed living in Florida is, Lakewood has no paper, no place for adults to discuss the topics that a city needs to discuss. In this day and age in a city of 53,000 people packed into 6 square miles that is crazy.

Your dues card has been paid in full.


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terry batdorf wrote:You type so much yet say do little. You are just spitting out the agenda of the Lakewood Observer. You must sing the party line there at Observer I understand. You and your paper are just another wheel in the big lie machine.

"a·gen·da
n. pl. a·gen·das
A list or program of things to be done or considered: “They share with them an agenda beyond the immediate goal of democratization of the electoral processâ€Â￾ (Daniel Sneider)."

Terry-

As a so-called advisor for the Observer, I would share the information that "advisors" have sat together as a group on three occasions.

The only agenda upon which we could all agree (aside from the Mission Statement) was to find more writers, editors photographers and advertisers.

The Observer is an all volunteer endeavor. If someone submits a story (http://lakewoodobserver.com/members) it is assigned by a volunteer managing editor to a volunteer editor. When that editor signs off, the story is placed into a production pick-up area. Some stories need to be run through legal review. Several different people place stories for production.

Time sensitive stories are given higher priority for the newspapers. Some stories are kept in the "well" in case we don't have any submissions for the next issue. Some stories go sraight to the web.

The paper and web site are entirely dependent on advertising as well as the time banks of the volunteers.

I have made some suggestions for stories, like the police dog story or the Lakewood Hospital Nursing Scholarship story, but the writer could always tell me that he or she wasn't interested.

I understand you served two tours in Iraq and were recently interviewed for tv regarding your opposition to anti-war protesters.

I haven't checked to see what articles have been submitted, since I usually only see the articles that I am assigned to edit before the paper comes out.

I would welcome an article from you. Why not contribute?

J O'Bryan + Defender Warren et al posts re the MIA REPRESENTative Ohio Dist 10

1- I was NOT aware the 435 Congressional Reps elected AT LARGE . excuse my ignorance or old time education but I thought Each was elected to REPRESENT the views of his/her local district . Thanks for the update or is this At Large designation peculiar to NE Ohio ?

2- re the Warren Opinion Top 10 List - Prime Material for David Letterman Show . But 0 for 10 or 12 SPECIFICALLY for District 10 - Yes 10 for 10 for the Universe / World , but 0 for 10 SPECIFICALLY for residents Dist 10

3- Unaware of the "Ferris Team" Do you know were sign up sheet is ?

4- Ferris Positions - As noted to you and others on this site suggest e-mail , viewing of www.ferrisforcongress.com or calling 440-842-3600. again as noted previously - I speak/type for myself , me , aka DJK

5- "My" contribution to new speech - "pulling a kucinich" is based upon his on going MIA within Dist 10 and the 2 yr ago and earlier this week - NO SHOW " at previously scheduled public service City Club debates .

6- Have you changed your opinion re USA economics in view of the 12-14% Interest payments due vs your claimed 72% ? As a business person vs me - a technical person , the nominal 60% difference should change something in the "real world" ?

7- Don't try to interpret ie put words in my mouth as you mis-interpret what I typed - read the words not the blank spaces between the lines .

8 Finally - "clue (for djk) to what is going on locally" apparently from your perspective he reads the LO - so therefore All Perfect in Lakewood vs what he obtains from his token 2 /month visit to Dist 10 bank to cash his $165,200 / yr check .

DJK

Jim(Dustin)

I don't think you necessarily have to LIVE in Lakewood to be a Lakewoodite......You need a substantial connection which may be by way of residence, job or history. You need to care about how this community will develope and thrive. Work and discuss productively for enrichment and improvement.....So, even though you've retreated to the land of Dieney and Hurricanes, I would venture that your long history here as well as your intelligent discussion of a wide range of topics and issues still qualifies you as a Lakewoodite.


Others....well, I'm not so sure

Jeff

DK - I was NOT aware the 435 Congressional Reps elected AT LARGE . excuse my ignorance or old time education but I thought Each was elected to REPRESENT the views of his/her local district . Thanks for the update or is this At Large designation peculiar to NE Ohio ?

JOB - I thought he was sent to represent us in Congress. I did not send him there to grease the skids. I do not want a bridge to no where. right now we need to practice fiscal restraint. Again as you do not live in Lakewood 39 train a day less is a winner. His office in Lakewood a winner, and even him running for preisdent makes 10 a winner. but Congress deal with national issues as well.

2- re the Warren Opinion Top 10 List - Prime Material for David Letterman Show . But 0 for 10 or 12 SPECIFICALLY for District 10 - Yes 10 for 10 for the Universe / World , but 0 for 10 SPECIFICALLY for residents Dist 10

DK - My" contribution to new speech - "pulling a kucinich" is based upon his on going MIA within Dist 10 and the 2 yr ago and earlier this week - NO SHOW " at previously scheduled public service City Club debates .

JOB - I was given a heads up for the meeting over a month ago. I saw the group at the City Club, actually happier to see him working with the common people. I sat therough the Vets and Pre-School. I wished Barbara Anne had sat through it too, then afterwards ask why. The scene underlined potentially unstable.

DK - Have you changed your opinion re USA economics in view of the 12-14% Interest payments due vs your claimed 72% ? As a business person vs me - a technical person , the nominal 60% difference should change something in the "real world" ?

JOB - No time to pay off all debts, personal, business and especially US Government.

DK - Don't try to interpret ie put words in my mouth as you mis-interpret what I typed - read the words not the blank spaces between the lines .

JOB - No.

DK - Finally - "clue (for djk) to what is going on locally" apparently from your perspective he reads the LO - so therefore All Perfect in Lakewood vs what he obtains from his token 2 /month visit to Dist 10 bank to cash his $165,200 / yr check .

JOB - Huh?