Keep On Slacking...

I've been pretty busy the last few days and the blog (I really, really hate that word) was moved to the back burner for a few days. Here's what going on:

• Charlie Wilson's office released a final version of his work period schedule. You can find the events in his calendar page.
• Zack Space recently wrote a column that appeared in the Newark Advocate yesterday about his first seven months in office. You can also read a recent press release on the same topic here.
• Don't try to be an environmentalist in Brazil.
• Anyone going to the Monroe County Democratic Bar-B-Q tomorrow? I'll be there.
• Dennis Kucinich's presidential run may be a joke but this isn't funny.

Zack Space To Visit All The Hospitals In His District

Think Zack Space is using the summer recess to kick back and relax? Think again. Rep. Space is planning to tour every hospital in his district before he goes back to work next month.

In the press release Space said:

“Just as my Farm Tour earlier this year gave me a first-hand understanding of the issues that farmers really care about, this Healthcare Ohio Tour will put me in touch with the issues impacting healthcare in my district. I am looking forward to taking their ideas back to Washington as we continue to tackle expand access to healthcare.

“Hospitals and other healthcare facilities play an important role for our local economy, and they are frequently the largest employer in these communities.  This industry is an essential part of job creation throughout the district, and I look forward to learning more about what I can do to help keep our residents healthy and our economy strong."

Here's the line-up:

• August 6, Holzer Medical Center, 500 Burlington Rd, Jackson, 10:00 am
  
• August 7, Pomerene Hospital, 981 Wooster Rd, Millersburg, 10:00 am
  
• August 8, Harrison Community Hospital, 951 East Market Street, Cadiz, 10:00 am
  
• August 13, Hocking Valley Community Hospital, 601 State Rt. 664 North, Logan 1:30 pm
  
• August 14, Doctor's Hospital, 1950 Mount Saint Marys Drive, Nelsonville 10:00 am
  
• August 15, Columbus Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus 8:30 am
  
• August 15, Knox Community Hospital, 1330 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, 1:00 pm
  
• August 15, Licking County Hospital, 1320 West Main St. Newark 3:30 pm
  
• August 16, O'Blenes Hospital, 55 Hospital Drive, Athens 3:00 pm
  
• August 20, Genesis Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, 2951 Maple Ave, Zanesville 3:00 pm
  
• August 21, Fox Run Hospital, 67670 Traco Dr., St. Clairsville 10:00 am
  
• August 22, Union Hospital, 659 Boulevard, Dover 1:30 pm
  
• August 24, Heartland of Chillicothe, 1058 Columbus Street, Chillicothe 10:30 am
  
• August 27, Twin City Hospital, 819 N. First Street, Dennison 3:30 pm
  
• August 28, Adena Hospital, 272 Hospital Road, Chillicothe 10:00 am
  
• August 29, Hennis Care Center, 1720 Cross Street, Dover 1:30 pm

It almost deserves a tour T-shirt...

Charlie Wilson on the "Protect America Act"

Yesterday I emailed Wilson's office asking if they had a statement on the "Protect America Vote" act. This morning they sent me this from Wilson himself:

“The bill I supported was passed on Friday night. Unfortunately that was not the bill that the Senate passed. The version left on the table was unsatisfactory, but it was better than leaving the American people unprotected for the next few months. The legislation that ultimately passed both the Senate and the House, the version that I voted for, is a temporary solution and I’m confident we’ll revisit this issue when Congress returns in September. Again, this was not my choice of bills but to leave America unprotected was not an option."

Again, I'm not asking you to like the vote. I just urge you to wait until you see what's being planned in 6 months before you pass judgement on these people.

Thanks to Charlie Wilson and his staff for getting me this statement so quickly.

In Defense Of Space And Wilson...

This post probably won't make me any new friends and I may not have all of the facts but that's never been enough to stop me before.

Southeastern Ohio Representatives Charlie Wilson and Zack Space are both being attacked for being the only two Ohio Democrats to vote for the recently passed "Protect America Act". During these attacks I've heard a lot of things that just aren't true and far worse, in my opinion, some things that are true haven't been mentioned at all. I personally don't like the act but I also think it's effects have been blown out of proportion.

This act only last for 6 months (not the permanent solution the president wanted) and, if I understand correctly, only applies to calls where all parties are outside of the U.S. but the call is routed through U.S. soil. They would still need a FISA warrant to tap calls with parties inside the United States.

Besides, when has a little thing like lack of authorization ever stopped the Bush administration?

Coming Attractions (As Of 8/5/07)

First off all this week the Ohio State Fair will be going on. It started on August 1st and will run until the 12th. This is also the first week of Congress' summer district work period that's expected to end on the 31st.

Now for the list:

• Zack Space Discusses Farm Bill In Millersburg
  Tue Aug 7 8am - Tue Aug 7 9am
• Rep. Wilson to Attend Athens County Fair
  Tue Aug 7 2pm - Tue Aug 7 3pm
• Charlie Wilson to Tour Salvation Army Facility
  Wed Aug 8
• Charlie Wilson to Tour UPS Facility
  Wed Aug 8
• President Bush (41) Campaigns For George Voinovich
  Wed Aug 8
• Zack Space Discusses Farm Bill In Cadiz
  Wed Aug 8 8am - Wed Aug 8 9am
• Congressman Wilson to Tour Selby General Hospital in Marietta
  Wed Aug 8 10am - Wed Aug 8 11am
• Charlie Wilson to Speak at Annual Meeting of the Belmont County Farm Bureau
  Thu Aug 9
• Congressman Wilson to Host Roundtable with Belmont County Mayors
  Thu Aug 9
  
• Annual Monroe County Democratic Executive Committee Bar-B-Q
  Sat Aug 11 4pm - Sat Aug 11 6pm

Click the event for more information.

Apparently things also go on outside of Southeastern Ohio, anyone want to let me in on it?

*This list is only provided for informational purposes. Events may not be open to the public unless noted otherwise on the calendar entry page.

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.

Buckeye State Blog In The New York Daily News?

It's possible that there was more than one Jerid Kurtz at YearlyKos but I think he was just quoted in the New York Daily News...

It was not clear how much impact Clinton's stance would have, even with the liberal Kos crowd. "I wish she wouldn't , but I understand why she does," said conventioneer Jerid Kurtz. "It's a structural, systemic problem."

Source: Hillary & her boo-boos on lobbyist loot