Cargill salt ponds, Bonaire

Let's not forget that what we see here in NEO isn't what most people see - these flamingos have their heads under water pecking for brine shrimp - to keep their feathers pink.

There is a world much sunnier, much bigger than Cleveland out there!

This positive, upbeat viewpoint is dedicated to Frank Giglio who lost his house today.

Perhaps it’s heresy here in NE Ohio, but I'm wondering how the auto industry bail out will succeed. Ultimately, the car companies need to sell more cars, but no one is forecasting American consumers are going to be in a better position to buy a year or more from now. If so, why aren't the big three going to be just as vulnerable next year as they are now, with the US squandering what few resources we have in the interim?

In a discussion on Friday’s Dick Feagler TV show, Plain Dealer editor Susan Goldberg mentioned the possibility that newspapers might drop Monday and Tuesday editions, starting the week with Wednesday when they have ads, usually from the supermarkets.

I’ve thought of that too.

IT IS TIME TO REDUCE REGRESSIVE TAXATION IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY; IT IS TIME TO STOP TAXING LOW INCOME PEOPLE FOR HIGHER INCOME DESIRES.

 We are too busy to remember that the taxes discussed below are relentlessly collected every day, hour and minute on required purchases by all of us. 

This morning two of my friends and I bumped into Frank Giglio in front of his home on West 14^th Street, in Tremont (Cleveland), Ohio. Mr. Giglio pulled up along the sidewalk in his car while we were walking by (with Tucker, the dog). Mr. Giglio had a cup of hot coffee balanced in his lap below the steering wheel, and through the open car window I could see the steam rising up out of the half consumed coffee cup as we spoke. I felt kind of bad realizing that any conversation we had was going to result in that second half of the Sunday morning coffee being cold.

They didn’t have to do it that way, did they?

Editorial people from two newspapers sent e-mails to me about how layoffs were handled at their newspapers.
It differed from how the Plain Dealer handled its exit for loyal employees.

In both case layoffs, they said, it was done by seniority. (Somehow the newspaper guild at the Plain Dealer gave away its seniority rights.)

Ed Hauser chose this plot (for his mom and his brother Tom) in the All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, Ohio.

This afternoon at 2:00 in a cold wind blown December snow, Ed joined them.

"Revolutionaries do not make revolutions. The revolutionaries are those who know when power is lying in the street and then they can pick it up." - Hannah Arendt

You could watch two of the most pathetic Americans of our time on television tonight trying to evade responsibility.

President George W. Bush tell us, “We are in a recession…This is in large part because of severe problems in our housing, credit and financial markets, which have resulted in significant job losses.”

Apparently, Frank Giglio's house in Tremont was demolished today. So much for sharing and caring and community and holiday spirit in NEO.

Can you say, “Let’s give some money away?!”

Apparently, the Ohio House of Representatives, particularly Republican members, love to say it.

Now they want to give “film makers” tax credits, capped out at $100-million.

Hey, what’s $100-million anymore when we taxpayers are giving away tens of billions of dollars to thieves on Wall Street?

How badly handled was the layoff plan at the Plain Dealer?
Very badly, I’d say.

It seemed designed by lawyers to set tensions at the high level.

If you're feeling cold, here's a little video from Irven Lewis to start your blood flowing: click here to Ignite

See addition below article (also note that Damian Guevara took the buyout and wasn't relieved of his job, as also taking buyouts were April McClellan-Copeland and Jesse Tinsley).

Plain Dealer editorial staff dressed in black today, according to staff members, as the news dribbled in that colleagues had gotten the dreaded call that they were no longer needed.

It may seem odd that there’s so much attention paid to those being laid off at the Plain Dealer when so many others are losing their jobs by the hundreds and by the thousands.

However, there is something different about the news media because of the importance of news to a democracy. We are dependent upon these sources for the information as citizens.

"Currently, Cleveland's airport line attracts only about 300 riders a day, but airport and RTA officials are working on a joint marketing program to promote the rapid, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month.

The following is the message to Plain Dealer reporters from Editor Susan Goldberg that will mean 27 people will find out with a phone call that their services are no longer required.

It gives privacy, says Goldberg, not to mention a cold message of job loss. Couldn't it have been handled more humanly?

Here's the message:

Colleagues:

Cranbrook is a magical place.* For the privileged, it is childhood suspended in time with whimsical design and enchanted sculptural gardens and everywhere flowing water.

Thanks for support for the fund raising event with the Cleveland Food Bank. As a result of some confusion, the sponsors have had to change the location of the event, which is now hosted by HubBub Custom Bicycles, located at 8005 Mayfield Road in Chesterland (800) 888-2027; (440) 729-2499).

“There’s bad blood in the city room” says a veteran Plain Dealer reporter as the PD editorial staff awaits more employee cutbacks.

No wonder, the ranks soon will be much thinner. Many are looking over their shoulders, not knowing which will soon not be employed by the newspaper.

In college, I studied biology and found myself puzzled by altruism. Why do some animals/people act selflessly in society? Of course, biology's answer puts a genetic spin on it--altruism benefits the species, right?