The Observation Deck

I've been reading the campaign literature delivered to my house and I am shocked at how pathetic Ryan Salo and Tim Carroll's mailings have become.

Salo's "Bob Taft/Kevin Butler" postcard was the worst piece I've seen since Madeline Cain's infamous "Firefighter Overtime" card. Salo is apparently mad that Butler seems to have left the Republican party. HELLO, this is a non-partisan campaign. And I'll bet you that Salo proudly voted for Taft, so what's his point? The "neo-republicans" have screwed up "The Grand Old Party" badly... I'd bail too.

Then there is Saturday's 4-page Salo offering. What a waste of good paper. It says nothing. He claims to have helped a cop move the speed trailer. Now there's a reason to vote for him. And I love the "sex offender" platform. It's this year's gay marriage mantra. Dude, NOBODY likes sex offenders. Where was the list of endorsements? Does he have any? That's the kind of information voters are looking for, not how many kids he has.

The Plain Dealer reported Mr. Salo secured a $20,000 gift from his grandmother for his campaign, including $5,000 for his campaign manager, Ryan Demro. If this kind of gutter politics are the best those guys can come up with, Salo should get his money back. He would have been much better off investing his $20,000 gift on a college fund for his kids. Why would they spend $20,000 (or even $5,000) on a $7,000 a year salary?

As far as Tim Carroll goes, his "I'm a straight Christian, and Antonio is Not" flyer is a homophobic cheap shot. About all I can say is, there are some real nice states down south that I'm sure he would be more comfortable living in.

I don't post much here or anywhere, I'm a lurker, but this stuff bothers me. For what it's worth, I don't participate in politics other than voting. I have never met either Mr. Salo or Mr. Butler.

Don't forget to vote!

Bill Davis

Bill Davis wrote:I love the "sex offender" platform. It's this year's gay marriage mantra.
Bill Davis

It is terrible that you would compare sex offenders to gays. If everyone cares so much, why haven't any laws passed to allow our police department to evict offenders that are breaking the current 1000 foot law that is already in the books?

I am not only going to allow our police to enforce current laws, I am going to strengthen the law to keep sex offenders as far away from children as possible.

You must not have any children, or you would not brush this topic off so easily. Talk to some of the residents on hall where a sex offender moved in. They will educate you on the severity of this issue.

Mr. Salo---

I detect a convergent theme of highlighting the sexual offender lifestyle along with your running mate, Mr. Carrol's theme of highlighting an aggressive (hopefully non violent) gay bashing theme.

Are you two in agreement that these are the sole issues in this campaign?

Does your primary campaign donor know that this is how your campaign finances are being spent?

If you recklessly spend your campaign money can you be trusted to use good judgment with the taxpayer's money?

Stan Austin

Stan Austin wrote:Mr. Salo---

I detect a convergent theme of highlighting the sexual offender lifestyle

Stan Austin

"Sexual offender lifestyle"? Excuse me, Mr. Austin, but why are you calling this a lifestyle? Furthermore, with 65 sexual offenders living in Lakewood, I'd vote for anyone whose platform included toughening up our laws on sexual offenders.

Anyone wishing to see where these people live in Lakewood can not only get a map but also a list at http://www.familywatchdog.us

Joe

Stan,

I still cannot make the connection between gays and those that molest 4yr olds. If you do not want me to protect our children, don't vote for me.

On another point, you obviously have not read any of my material. You really should do your own research. You can feel free to visit my website www.ryansalo.com or call me personally (216-288-9163) to chat, or you can throw mud without regard to the facts.

Bill Davis wrote:I don't post much here or anywhere, I'm a lurker, but this stuff bothers me. For what it's worth, I don't participate in politics other than voting. I have never met either Mr. Salo or Mr. Butler.

Bill Davis

If you're simply a lurker and don't do anything but vote, as you have stated, then your entire post should be disregarded by all. It amounts to a free attack ad at the 23rd hour and should be disregarded by all.
I stopped using the Lakewood Buzz website because of the trash thrown around there. Let's hope this site doesn't turn into another buzz site.

Joe

Mr. Salo:

Thank you for the privilege of a reply.

I apologize for my lack of communication skills on the Child Molester/Gay Marriage issues in my post. I was referring to easy "hot button issues" to throw into a political campaign for points. (Do you really expect us to think that your opponents are "pro" sex offenders?) Speeding is another example, as well as the trash on the tree lawn: things that are an easy sell.

I watched a discussion on FOX News today about negative campaigns. They had a rightie and a leftie discussing a New Jersey race that had turned ugly. They both confirmed that while negative campaigns worked in the past, they don't now. Voters now are turned off by negative candidates. It's too bad Mr. Demro led you down this path. You seem like a straight-up guy.


To Joseph Milan:

I said that I was a "lurker" and perhaps that was the wrong word. I am an infrequent poster, no slave to blogging, and I visit occasionally. Again, I apologize for my lack of communication skills.

All I wanted to do was establish that I was not in any way connected to an opponent of Mr. Salo. So I don’t see how my comments constitute a “free adâ€Â￾ for anyone.

As I voter who gets tons of political mail every election, I was trying to express how turned off I am by negative mailings, like Mr. Salo’s piece. I just had to respond. When I get this attack junk in my mailbox for a non-partisan Ward 1 council race, I'm outraged that it could sink that low.

See you at the polls

Bill Davis

Mr Davis,

If you truly are disgusted by negative ads and attack pieces, you should take the high road and ask the webmaster to remove your original posting in this topic.

Joe

Joe:

Open source means never having to ask the webmaster to snuff a post.

It's election time.

I am satisfied to read the lurker kernel, the partisan kernel, with real names attached on the Observation Deck.

You guys are processing campaign material and perspectives for all eyes to see, named and claimed to reveal the rough and tumble in the Lakewood polis.

I appreciate it all. I'd hate to see anything snuffed.

So thanks Bill, thanks Joe, for putting it up and keeping it up.

Kenneth Warren