Vote NO on Issue 1 / Save Ohio Lives

A very contentious Issue 1 will be on the ballot this November.  Issue 1 is a very dangerous issue that will weaken drug laws in Ohio to almost the weakest in the nation.  Passage of Issue 1 will much put out the welcome mat for drug users to flock to Ohio!

In addition to weakening our drug laws - the dangerous thing about Issue 1 is that instead of making these changes how they should be - through the legislative process of our elected officials - Issue 1 will make these weak drug laws part of our Ohio Constitution.  

It is important to not get caught up in the "helping the marginal user or addict that needs help" argument.  Without a a doubt some of the drug laws in our state need to be reviewed.  But we do not want to put out a welcome mat and become enablers!

Below is part of an Op-Ed from Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court... 

The lack of consequences for fentanyl possession also applies to possession of other lethal substances, (cocaine, K2, meth and heroin, etc.). Current possession felonies become misdemeanors.

What criminal wouldn’t want to set up their drug business in Ohio?

The adoption of Issue 1 will, I predict, have a devastating consequence on our drug courts. We know, through multiple studies, that drug courts are highly effective but only when they combine the "carrot" of treatment and support with the "stick" of judicial accountability, including incarceration when needed. The courts will be unable to incentivize an addict’s participation in drug court because the "carrot" of not having a felony conviction record is gone. There would be no felony!

Who would want to participate in a drug court program knowing that they only face probation for possession of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, K2, heroin, and so forth? I predict that we will see a severe drop-off in drug court participation at the very moment when it is needed most. Lives will be lost.

To make matters worse, Issue 1 would freeze our criminal drug offense laws in time. It expressly mandates that its provisions be implemented based on the laws in effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Our General Assembly couldn’t, by passing a statute, fix all that is wrong with Issue 1.

Keep in mind that out-of-state special interest groups spent more than $4 million to put Issue 1 on the ballot and will spend more to mislead and confuse you regarding Issue 1.

The proponents seek to address a very real problem: the impact of substance abuse on our society and our criminal justice system. But by taking a hammer to that problem, the proponents have set Ohio on a dangerous course of lenient drug laws. Issue 1’s passage would gravely endanger Ohioans while doing very little, if anything, to help our addicted population. Lives will be lost. Read More....

For more details on Issue 1 Click Here.

Steyn on Kavanaugh

art credit: lasvegas.cbslocal.com

Mark Steyn summed it up:

My God, the Senate is a vile and repellent institution, but even so it outdid itself yesterday. I almost vomited listening to that oleaginous Connecticut creep Blumenthal throwing in Kavanaugh's face the ancient Common Law caution on witness credibility: Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus - false in one thing, false in everything.

Is there any man who could less credibly deploy that dictum than Blumenthal? A hollow little "stolen honor" fraudster who was false on one huge big thing - that he served in Vietnam when he never went near the joint - but yet expects to be taken seriously on everything else. That was Kavanaugh's only misstep, not flinging that phrase back in his pompous halfwit interrogator's face. Other than that, he gave a raw, impassioned performance so freakishly authentic by US Senate terms that it may have saved the day. We shall know in a few hours.

Full column is here.

# # #

President Trump on Kavanaugh

Everyone was riveted to the hearings today, especially prepared remarks from Judge Brett Kavanaugh, and surprisingly (at least for me) Sen. Lindsay Graham.

Here's President Trump's tweet (h/t Sundance):

# # #

Gov. John Kasich: who knew?

A.F. Branco cartoon via Powerlineblog

S. Noble at the Independent Sentinel reports:

Governor Kasich showed his true colors in a tweet, fully rejecting the President’s agenda. Kasich is a globalist and he’s with Hillary. He is opposed to Trump’s concept of America First because he wants to have his Kumbaya moment in history with the leftists of the world.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) criticized President Trump over his rebuke of “globalism” during remarks at the United Nations, while stealing a slogan from Trump’s 2016 Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

Kasich warned Trump that his policy of “America First” could result in “America Alone.” He added that the U.S. and other nations are “Stronger Together,” a nod to Clinton’s campaign slogan.

Forget sovereignty, forget borders, and let’s lead from behind. If anyone ever doubted Kasich’s loyalties lie with the left, doubt no more.

Read more here. And as of last winter, Gov. Kasich didn't rule out a 2020 run for the Presidency? 

# # #

Bad news from Cuyahoga County Council

art credit: snopes.com

Last night, and despite considerable opposition, the Cuyahoga County Council succeeded in its latest power-grab, creating the “Commission on Human Rights.” Cleveland.com reports:

Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday passed legislation that protects the LGBTQ community from discrimination and creates a commission with the power to level fines if it finds discrimination did occur.

. . .

The legislation -- proposed by County Executive Armond Budish and sponsored by council members Dan Brady, Yvonne Conwell, Michael Houser, Dale Miller and Sunny Simon -- passed by an 8-3 vote along party lines. Republicans Nan Baker, Michael Gallagher and Jack Schron voted against the legislation.

. . .

It also creates the three-person Cuyahoga County Commission on Human Rights. If someone believes they have been discriminated against, they will be able to take that complaint to the commission, which could level civil penalties, award attorney fees, and order individuals to stop engaging in discriminatory practices if it determines that discrimination occurred.

. . .

An even larger crowd turned out for public comment again on Tuesday, with about 80 people speaking for and against the legislation as council prepared to pass it. County officials estimated that at least roughly 220 people attended the meeting.

Read the rest here. (Previous blogs here.)

# # #

Cuyahoga County Council Votes tomorrow

This follows up earlier blogposts here  from our friends at Ohio Value Voters. On Tuesday, September 25th at 5:00 pm the County Council of Cuyahoga County, Ohio will hear public testimony against Ordinance No. O2018-0009 sponsored by: County Executive Budish and Councilmembers Brady, Miller, Houser and Simon and the VOTE will take place.

TOMORROW: COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING:

Event date:  Tuesday, September 25, 2018 - (5:00 PM)

Arrive about ½ hour early.

Address:  2079 East 9th Street, 4th Floor (corner of East 9^th & Prospect).

There is free parking across the street in the 900 Tower Prospect Street garage. Proceed north on 9th Street, turn right on Prospect and the parking garage will be on the right hand side. If you park on level 5 in the garage, the bridge connects you to level 4 of the Cuyahoga County Administrative Building. Remember to get your ticket validated at the security check point.

• Your attendance at the meeting does not require you to speak. You will send a message with your presence.
• Speakers should write-out testimony to be presented to the council
• No signs in the council chambers
• Speakers direct comments to entire council (not individuals)
• Sign-in sheet at beginning of meeting is required to speak
• Speakers are allowed three minutes
• No posters

Here is a link to the outrageous ordinance==>Ordinance 2018-0009

PUBLIC TESTIMONY REQUESTED AND 

COUNCIL VOTING 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25^TH 

AT 5:00 PM

The Cuyahoga County Council has been working to establish a county-wide "Human Rights Commission" that will affect every city, resident, business, and church in the county.  The three-person commission is intended to hear ALL cases of discrimination in Cuyahoga County relative to sexual orientation/gender identity.  LGBT citizens will be provided legal assistance paid for by our tax dollars.  This piece of legislation hurts business, puts our safety at risk, and punishes people of faith. This ordinance permits biological men, who consider themselves to be a woman, to enter a woman's bathroom or locker room in "all places of public accommodation."

Lightening up for a moment

Powerline has a weekly feature "The Week In Pictures." My favorite from this week:

# # #