3 May 2009
3 May 2009
3 May 2009
2 May 2009
WHAT THEY SAY…
1519 by Jeff HessRoldo Bartimole writes:
The Plain Dealer made another big story out of nothing with the spin that Cleveland is city on the verge of becoming… what… Hollywood?
All in the continuing effort to give Tower City a chance at the Medical Mart & Convention Center.
Will this shamelessness ever stop?
The interesting part of the story on the PD web site isn”t the story. It”s the comments from readers. They see right through the humbug. Continue Reading »
2 May 2009
2 May 2009
WHAT THEY SAY…
0817 by Jeff HessRoldo Bartimole writes:
Cleveland Foundation and Gund Foundation push inequality again with two grants to the Greater Cleveland Partnership for a road to by-pass poverty. The game goes on. You pay because they say.
Let”s zip by those poor folk and get them to pay for it.
The two foundations, which often work in tandem, are giving the Greater Cleveland Partnership $200,000 over two years for Opportunity Corridor uses.
It”s a very, very expensive short road with a PR name to hide a deformed purpose. Can we credit Chris Ronayne? I believe so. Continue Reading »
2 May 2009
WHAT IS IT WITH BRITS AND GINGERS…?
0756 by Jeff Hess[Update — 3 May 0710: Gingerism and why red is ginger.]
(313): I was about to buy asher roth’s album and then i realized he was a ginger. can’t support
2 May 2009
2 May 2009
2 May 2009
2 May 2009
THEY CAME TO TORTURE ME AND NOBODY CARED…
0718 by Jeff HessA Daily Dish reader writes:
First they tortured in ticking time bomb cases but I didn’t mind because it was a clear and imminent danger.
Second they tortured “slow-fuse” high value detainees and I didn’t mind, because you never know what might happen.
Third they tortured Iraqi and Afghan prisoners who weren’t high value, but who might have had useful information, and I didn’t mind, because they were acting in good faith.
Fourth they tortured prisoners to establish a link between Al Qaeda and Saddam, and I didn’t mind, because surely there must have been such a connection.
Finally, they came to torture me, and nobody cared, because if I was being tortured, I obviously deserved to be tortured, and, as Peggy Noonan says, some things are just mysterious and it’s best to just keep on walking.
2 May 2009
WHAT THEY SAY…
0707 by Jeff HessThe Plain Dealer circulation figures continue an unfortunate dizzying decline in the tens of thousands over a short period of time. No answers seem available to stop the drain.
Editor & Publisher reported a Plain Dealer decline in daily circulation of 11.7 percent with an 8.15 percent drop for Sunday circulation. Total newspaper sales were reported at level of 291,630 daily and 393,352 Sunday. The figures account for newspaper circulation during the six months ending March 31, 2009. The percentages compare this year to the same period a year ago.
The figures are compiled by the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Other major newspapers suffered circulation declines, according to the report.
But it is just more bad news for the Plain Dealer. Circulation figures from 2007 show a more precipitous and alarming fall in the Plain Dealer”s readership. Continue Reading »
1 May 2009
SHABBAT… UH… SHALOM…?
1536 by Jeff HessFrom a news cycle standpoint, releasing potentially harmful, embarrassing or just plain painful news on Friday afternoon makes perfect sense. By noon every reporter in town is in weekend mode and by the time they’re back on the job on Monday, two more days of news has rolled onto the news desks.
But when you’re the public face of Judaism in a community, why the feck would you send this news out as the people you represent are preparing for their sabbath peace?
Dear Friend,
As you”ll recall, just over a month ago the Federation underwent a reorganization and retrenchment process in order to address some of the challenges presented by the economic downturn. At the time, we indicated the actions were only part of a long-term plan.
Today I am writing to share with you additional financial measures the Federation is taking to secure our organization and the future of the Jewish community.
After several years of evaluating our retirement plan, we have concluded that the current defined benefit plan, which covers Federation employees and over 2,500 people who work at our 15 partner agencies, is simply not sustainable. On Wednesday, the Federation”s Board of Trustees approved a resolution to freeze all benefits at their current level and establish a new 403(b) defined contribution plan. Each agency will have the opportunity to participate in the Federation plan and will have flexibility to determine the amount, if any, of agency contributions. Participants in the current plan will not lose any of the benefits previously accrued.
This shift is consistent with a national trend and is a prudent decision in the current economic environment. Moving to a defined contribution plan preserves jobs and will allow the Federation and its agencies to fulfill their mission to provide vital programs and services to the community.
In yet another step, Stephen H. Hoffman, President, has volunteered to take a 10 percent reduction in his pay, and Daniel S. Blain, Sr. Vice-President, and Barry Reis, Sr. Vice-President and CFO, have volunteered to take a five percent reduction in pay. Additionally, the Federation is freezing the salaries of all its employees.
We face unprecedented times. The Federation has worked hard to prepare for these challenges to ensure our community remains vibrant well into the future. I appreciate the impact these measures will have on employees of the Federation and our agencies, and thank them for their collective efforts on behalf of the community.
I also want to thank you for your continued support of the Federation and the Cleveland Jewish community. Together, we will continue to go from strength to strength.
Sincerely,
Harley I. Gross
Board Chair, Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland
Understand, please, that I do not fault Gross or the Federation for its decision. He is acting in the best interests of the institution. But Harley, couldn’t you have waited until Saturday evening or Sunday morning to send the emails? It’s not technically that hard to do.
1 May 2009
1 May 2009
LET THE GAMES BEGIN…!
0819 by Jeff HessFrom this morning’s Washington Post:
Justice David H. Souter, the Republican-appointed New England jurist who has become a reliable member of the liberal bloc on the Supreme Court, has told friends that he plans to retire, according to a government official.
1 May 2009
1 May 2009
MY COMMENTS…
0712 by Jeff Hess1 May 2009
1 May 2009
JUST DON’T PRESS SEND…
0649 by Jeff Hess(714): OMG I just tried to text you something dirty but accidentally texted the obama campaign.
1 May 2009
LIVING THE GOLDEN RULE…
0636 by Jeff HessBut it remains a fact that white evangelicals are the most pro-torture of any grouping.
As Andrew notes, John, 11:35 is most appropriate here.
