Some Zack Space Events Coming Up Soon

It seems he's managed to pack quite a few events into the coming weekend.

***HARRISON COUNTY***

WHAT: Addressing the Harrison County Retired Teachers Association

WHEN: Friday, July 20 – 12:00 pm

WHERE: Ourant School, Route 328 in Nottingham Township, east of Deersville

_______________________________________________

(THIS ONE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S PRIVATE.)

***MORGAN COUNTY***

WHAT: Addressing the Malta VFW and Invited Guests

WHEN: Saturday, July 21 – 12:00 pm

WHERE: Morgan County VFW Post 4713, 235 Front St NW, Malta, OH

_______________________________________________

***COSHOCTON COUNTY***

WHAT: Addressing the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Breakfast 

WHEN: Monday, July 23 – 7:30 am

WHERE: Coshocton Town and Country Club, 925 Cambridge Rd.

(This event is $8 with a reservation or $10 at the door. )

_______________________________________________

(This event is confirmed as NOT open to the public)

WHAT: Inaugural Connecting Appalachia Broadband Task Force Meeting

WHEN: Monday, July 23 – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

WHERE: Conference Room, Coshocton Memorial Hospital, 1460 Orange Street, Coshocton, OH 43812

It seems like all these events are all not really open to the general public but it's still good to see that he's keeping busy. I also think its safe to assume that there'll be some public events over the fast approaching summer recess.

This post mentions an item in the Political Calendar. You can view the calendar as a webpage here or subscribe to it through RSS or iCal feeds.

Still More On Zack Space's Broadband Bill

I guess there's no letter writing needed after all because Space's bill was just added into 2007 Farm Bill by the House Agriculture Committee.

“All this bureaucratic red tape is limiting the ability of providers to access a critical source of support for expanding service into rural areas.

“We have to make it easier for companies to provide broadband access or we’re never going to connect Appalachia.  This proposal, which was included in the Farm Bill markup, helps alleviate those legal and financial barriers.  It will make it a lot easier for companies to expand this vital infrastructure, and will attract new businesses and new jobs.”

-- Zack Space

The 2007 Farm Bill is to replace the 2002 Farm Bill that expires this year.

Wilson And Ryan Secure Funds For Coal Gasification Plant

Yesterday (I'm running behind) I got a press release from Charlie Wilson announcing that he, in cooperation with Tim Ryan, had secured $2.25 million in federal funding to aid in building a coal gasification plant in Columbiana County.

I'm a little dismayed about this (But then I'm never happy, am I?) because of the problems that coal gasification presents. For one thing it may not even be cheaper or cleaner than using traditional diesel. It's also a major step in the wrong direction environmentally because it will prolong our dependency on fossil fuels. 

For further reading on the controversy surrounding coal to gas conversion I recommend checking out West Virginia Blue's category on the topic.

More On Zack Space's Rural Broadband Bill

I promised to have more on Zack Space's "Rural Broadband Access Enhancement Act" and here it is. I finally got around to looking up the full text of the bill from the Library of Congress and I wasn't surprised to see that the bill lives up to what the press release promised.

So now I guess it's time for all of us rural folks to start writing our Representatives and asking them to sign on as cosponsors.

Why The Filibuster Is A Good Thing

Today the Republicans in the Senate have successfully filibustered an amendment that would require a troop withdrawal from Iraq. It must be noted though that their victory today would not have been possible if Bill Frist and the Republican leaders of the previous Congress had gotten their way and succeeded to bring the so called "Nuclear Option" into mainstream politics.

The filibuster will always be a constant thorn in the side of the Senate majority and though it may have hurt us today, it is this adherence to the rules that will become the ultimate victory (and legacy) of the Democratic majority.

BREAKING: Sherrod Brown About To Speak To Senate

C-SPAN 2 is listing Sherrod Brown on the top of it's list of upcoming speakers.

Update: It's over.

Buckeye State Blog Interviews Bill Richardson

With all the things I've had to do today I completely forgot that Jerid posted his interview with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

The interview is only about 5 minutes long and it sounds like Richardson was reluctant to talk to an Ohio blogger (and lost some of my respect because of it) but it's still worth a listen.

Read More: 5 Minutes With Ohio: Bill Richardson | Buckeye State Blog

ODP Throwing An All-Nighter Tonight In Columbus

I just got home so here's the email:

Just last week Congressman John Boehner resorted to calling Senator Voinovich a "wimp" for speaking out against President Bush on the Iraq War, but speaking out isn't enough, it's time for Voinovich to put his vote card where his mouth is. American troops have been on the front lines for more than 4 years while Senator Voinovich has consistently voted against a new direction in Iraq.

Tonight, the U.S. Senate will conduct a full night of debate on the Republican filibuster to the Levin-Reed amendment that would reduce U.S. forces in Iraq by ending the policing of the civil war and switching the focus to fighting Al Qaeda and terror related missions.

>From 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM tonight, the Ohio Democratic Party will start its 'Up All Night To Do What's Right' campaign by hosting a candle light vigil at Senator Voinovich's Columbus office.

Voinovich's Central, OH Office:
37 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

If you cannot make it to Columbus, join us in our virtual vigil online. Click here to join ODP's virtual vigil.


10:00 PM starts our 'Up All Night To Do What's Right' campaign calling on action from Senator Voinovich. We will post updates on ODP's blog every hour on the lack of Voinovich's leadership on this issue and hold him accountable for his vote. We challenge other organizations to join us and stay 'Up All Night To Do What's Right' and hold Voinovich accountable for his political posturing.

Throughout the night we will be encouraging Ohioans to call Senator Voinovich and tell him to support the Levin-Reed amendment. You can call him at his DC office:

Washington, DC Office: (202) 224-3353

And don't forget to join us for our virtual vigil. Click here to join ODP's virtual vigil.

The lights won't turn off tonight as the Ohio Democratic Party fights for our troops. We will have guest blogs throughout the night and other fun treats on our website www.ohiodems.org.

Of course like every typical American that has a life I'll be spending the night at home watching C-SPAN 2. I'm looking forward towards their blog posts though.

So Apparently Zack Space Is Loaded...

But he's going to need every penny he's got and more.

If freshman Democratic Rep. Zack Space of Dover is going to face a big GOP challenge next year, he will go into the fight armed with a lot of campaign cash.

The man Republicans consider an accidental congressman because he won in the wake of the political flameout and corruption conviction of former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Heath, raised more than $316,000 during the year’s second quarter.

Since the 2008 cycle began, Space has raked in more than $571,000 and had more than $439,000 on hand as of June 30, according to his Federal Elections Commission report. At least three Republicans have begun raising money for a run at Space. The most flush with campaign cash as of June 30 was Paul Phillips, a former B-1 bomber pilot who retired last year from the Air Force to take over his father's Chillicothe law practice, with nearly $56,000 on hand. Also raising money, though in smaller amounts last quarter, are Republicans Jeanette Moll of Zanesville and Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association.

If you'd like to help Zack Space continue to help his constituents you can contribute through Left of Ohio's ActBlue page.

Source: Congressional campaign cash piling up already (The Daily Briefing)

Looking For A Southern Ohio Campaign Job?

From BSB:

Who likes to talk to voters? Who wants to work in areas in Southern Ohio? Who wants to get paid some $$$bling$$$?

I've got some good entry level jobs for y'all. You know the drill send me an email if you want more info. After that, if you're still interested I'll forward your resume.

Of course if you're a Southern Ohio resident interested in politics what you really need to do is start a blog. The pay is nonexistent but it's so much more fun.

Source: More Ohio Campaign Jobs! | Buckeye State Blog

Charlie Wilson Posts Streaming Audio, I Can't Listen To It

I give up, my internet connection just isn't fast enough...

Remember when I posted Charlie Wilson schedule for the Fourth of July recess? Remember how it included a conference call with veterans? Well the Wilson people have made available streaming audio of that call here (direct link to stream). Unfortunately nothing I've done has allowed me to listen to more than the first 60 seconds of the stream so I really can't comment on it like I hoped.

It's still great that Wilson's people posted this stream but it's also another example of how rural areas are being left behind.

Zack Space Wants To Name Post Office After John Glenn

It may not be the most exciting bit of news today but Zack Space is trying to name the Cambridge, Ohio post office after John Glenn. Cambridge is Glenn's birthplace.

Co-sponsoring the bill are:

• Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-12)
  
• Rep. Steve Chabot (R-01)
  
• Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-02)
  
• Rep. Mike Turner (R-03)
  
• Rep. Jim Jordan (R-04)
  
• Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-05)
  
• Rep. Charles Wilson (D-06)
  
• Rep. David Hobson (R-07)
  
• Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-09)
  
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-10)
  
• Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-11)
  
• Rep. Betty Sutton (D-13)
  
• Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-14)
  
• Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-15)
  
• Rep. Ralph Regula (R-16)
  
• Rep. Tim Ryan (D-17)

I guess John Boehner was too partisan to honor John Glenn.

Well This Isn't What I Wanted To See...

It seems that Matt Dole at Lincoln Logs Blog has closed up shop to move on to bigger and better things. 

I never really knew you Matt but (to paraphrase Brian Williams' announcement of Katie Couric going to CBS) I wish you the best of luck... up to a point.

Read More: Writes Like She Talks: Lincoln Logs scrubbed clean, Matt Dole moving on...somewhere