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Make election about economic justice

This year’s presidential primaries have highlighted the importance of people of color to the Democratic Party coalition. Hillary Clinton’s lead in the party’s nomination race comes almost entirely from her strength among African-Americans and Latino voters. When people of color favor one candidate by large margins, they make the difference.

That will be true in the general election as well. Democratic nominees win if people of color vote in large numbers. If turnout is down or the vote is split, Democrats — who regularly lose the majority of white voters — will lose.

This reality means that African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans can make political demands. Politicians must compete to win our votes. The power of this can be seen with the Dreamers and the Democrats’ embrace of comprehensive immigration reform, with Black Lives Matter and Democratic candidates putting criminal justice reform at the top of their agendas. Voting rights and equal rights under the law also gain traction.

Socially Just Dining: Condado

Vegan Tacos, Hominy Thai Tofu, taco with jicama cabbage slaw, red cabbage and salsa verde with a side of cilantro lime rice.

Condado is taking the Short North by storm with the best selection of tasty vegan taco options ever seen (by me anyway) in this part of the country. Thai Chili Tofu, Portabella Mushrooms (standards) Hominy and Jackfruit (specials) have been featured plant proteins. Exotic toppings such as jicama cabbage slaw, pineapple salsa and all vegan and gluten-free options are clearly marked. According to owner Joe Khan, other socially just considerations are that they use recycled/unbleached paper towels, and recycle all the cardboard products. No Styrofoam! Another awesomeness; the only things that are fried in the fryer are the chips, taco shells, and the Thai Chili Tofu, so you can safely indulge in the full Monty and have no risk of being unpleasantly surprised by the cross-contamination tastes and smells of fish or other animals.

ColumbusMediaInsider: Pressure to back Kasich may have caused Meyer to 'jump the shark'

View of Downtown Columbus Ohio OH from North Bank Park Pavillion on Scioto River

Two weeks before the Ohio primary, OSU head football coach Urban Meyer was having none of that endorsement stuff. He said he was not going to run that play.

Coach Meyer had been burned in 2013 when he apparently was pressured by Columbus' big money dilberts to endorse the Columbus school levy. The tax measure went down in the flames.

Bad play. Don't run it again, coach.

Meyer may have stuck to that playbook until Donald Trump said at a rally in early March that Meyer had “said good things about him (Trump).” Trump did not claim an endorsement but the implication that Ohio's most popular public figure was in Trump's corner was inescapable.

New Constitution Blocks Popular Politicians & Majority Rule


BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's coup-installed military regime
announced a new constitution Tuesday allowing for an appointed Senate
including six seats for the security forces, plus a possible unelected
prime minister and other blocks against popular politicians forming a
government based on majority rule.
   The junta said it will permit about 50 million eligible voters to
decide for or against its constitution in a referendum on August 7,
but anyone who criticizes the charter too strongly could be jailed for
10 years.
   If the constitution is approved, nationwide parliamentary elections
could be held in 2017.
   "The important thing about this constitution -- although there is
no statement that people have the power -- everybody has rights,
everybody is equal, everybody is provided with protection," said
Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the junta's appointed Constitution
Drafting Committee (CDC), displaying to reporters the 105-page,
279-article constitution.
   The junta, which seized power in a May 2014 coup, calls itself a

Editorial License: No Easton for North Campus

Apartments buildings hit by wrecking ball labeled media

After increasing pressure from North Campus residents, the high-end apartment developer behind The View on Pavey Square has drawn up another redesign. The developers said while previous designs were a mismatch, this new design complements Pavey Square, which is arguably one of the city’s most historically organic and visually distinct areas. Some of the North Campus activists, or the group Protect Old North, say this is another victory considering the developer, JSDI Celmark, has come back with several redesigns in response to their push back.


Some with Protect Old North have told The Columbus Free Press their position has always been that all development plans follow the University Area Plan, which calls for a maximum height of 45-feet for this area of High Street.


But does their position truly protect North Campus?

The April 30 Citizen’s Grassroots Congress is canceled and will be rescheduled a a later date

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Old North Residents to City Council: Stop Runaway Development in Our Neighborhood

Houses lining a street

In a functioning democracy, all residents of a community should have an equal say in decisions that affect the entire community. But this hasn’t been happening in the Near East Side, Short North, Weinland Park, University District, and other Columbus neighborhoods.

With the blessing of a city government that is friendly to gentrification, developers and wealthy property owners have been on a frenzy of redevelopment in these areas — tearing down family homes and historic buildings to make room for luxury housing. Soaring housing costs in these neighborhoods have forced thousands of low- and middle income residents out of their homes.

Better living or death trap?

WalMart logo

You just got off of work and need to stop at a place where you can make a bank deposit, pick up a gallon of milk, find a new blouse for your interview the next day and printer ink so you can print off your child’s permission slip for his class activity.

Where can you accomplish all of these tasks at one place? Walmart. That’s right, Walmart the place where you can “Save money” and “Live better.” I’m not going to get into the “save money” aspect of their motto because I personally don’t believe that their food prices are lower than any other food chain.

Celebrate Earth Day and get involved!

People in a garden planting


Rally for Climate Action at the Ohio Statehouse

Good Grief! Rising stars Lucius have Ohio roots

Two women with red hair and black outfits leaning towards each other

Rolling Stone calls them “the best band you probably haven't heard.” Economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman gushes about them on his blog. And by the time they play their just-added July 26th show at the Newport Music Hall, the place may just be too small for them.

They are Lucius, and they are something special. And they have roots in the Buckeye state. Fronted by flamboyant look-alike singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, Lucius treated the joyous, swooning sold-out crowd at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom Friday night to their unique sonic and visual onslaught. It was a triumphant homecoming for Laessig, who grew up in Fairview Park (And no, she had no idea who Tom Cousineau was when I dropped his name).
 

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