With relief I read in a recent Plain Dealer article (1) that Ohio Senate President Bill Harris may lead Republican legislators to skotch the $400 million slow train across Ohio. Mind you, one of the many things we need  in the U.S. to be competitive with the rest of the “advanced” world are fast passenger trains, with reduced carbon footprints, racing between major cities less than 400 miles apart.

Pre-Cleveland mayorial election (Sept. 29, 2009) head: “Despite revenue dip, city sees no layoffs and balanced budget” running above a story by PD reporter Henry Gomez which had this final paragraph: “In 2010,” [Sharon] Dumas [city finance director], told council members, “as we look at balancing our operating budget, it is our intent to do that – we're hoping – without any layoffs or service cuts,” [Metro | B3].

In the Sunday Nov. 29th Plain Dealer cover story about the Health Line Steven Litt deserves much praise for mentioning in the fifth to the last paragraph of a 32-paragraph article that somehow, “a state psychiatric hospital planned near East 55th Street could discourage development of housing and other businesses nearby.”

At least Mr. Litt said it somewhere. This soft touch on something that could be very destructive to the future of Cleveland is puzzling. There is much to look into concerning this proposal.

Today (Monday Oct. 26, 2009) the Plain Dealer ran my letter concerning the blundering approach to development along the new Health Bus Rapid Transit Line on Euclid Avenue being taken by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson.

What is sustainability for Cleveland? Recently Major Frank Jackson lead an acclaimed three-day “Sustainability Summit,” which brought together 700 excited business people, students and environmental activities in feel good optimism while the Jackson-lead city government slogs along to Cleveland’s oblivion as usual.

If you know someone who is tempted to believe the misinformation advertising campaign about health insurance reform going on now, a campaign likely financed by your health insurance dollars (if you have health insurance), send them this link to the Obama administration's recently posted "Reality Check" below. 

Of course the anti-health insurance reform campaign is wrapped up in anti-Obama, anti-government and pro-racism sentiment so someone who believes the misinformation is not likely to change through viewing this link.

Find the initial story, these comments and active links plus more at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111721651

All of the comments below had at least 11 recommendations by readers.

Grant Hurlburt (granth70) wrote:

Providing health care for all is a complicated situation. An area that needs much more discussion and advocacy is how well people take care of themselves. An old housemate of mine, Jeremiah Sable, is a primary care physician in another state. He entered the field enthusiastic to bring good health care to poor people. And he grew skeptical over time. He told me, "Even though they are told by their doctor how to become healthier many people do not change their ways and grow unhealthier." 

Who imploded the economy? Many critics point to a crucial role played by traders of exotic unregulated financial instruments which are understood by few people. Currently most of these traders at American Insurance Group remain unnamed while receiving bonuses for “safely” dismantling an investment system turned doomsday machine which happens to hold the fate of the world’s financial system.

Ed Hauser was a marathon master of ceremonies who composed his strategies and tactics like a popular big band leader. He used stanzas of law: our rights, motivating us to attend his Citizen’s Vision preservation and improvement events. These “concerts” were held at government public hearings and protest rallies.

To sweet Old Time tunes an interesting cross section of the Northeast Ohio alternative farming and energy communities will be represented at the 75th Anniversary of Coit Road Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 19th 8am – 4pm. Also, a community garden on property owned by the market across Coit Rd. will be inaugurated.

InfoWorld, the 29 year-old information technology bible has printed its 1,384th and last issue. "We're folding our print publication and focusing solely on the Web" states the 04/02/07 printed issue that arrived in the mail this morning.

At about 5:30 p.m. this evening I walked south bound on the Coventry Road sidewalk in front of City Buddha and two young teenage boys walked by me headed north. The shorter of the two stopped and pulled what looked like a pistol handle from his pocket and said, "wana see my 45?" The taller boy laughed.

From  Bill Cohen-Kiraly on Cleveland Web SIG Yahoo Group - I don't know anything about the case in question but find the question this columnist raises about who is a journalist and who is not intriging and worrisome. In an age when publishing, and through podcasts now, broadcasting, are increasingly in the hands of the people and the amateurs, who should be covered under some of the special privileges we give to journalists?