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September 26, 2004

Columbus, OH

Columbus, OH is a midwestern oasis, and I am happily ensconced in Angela and Steve's house for a few days of recuperation time. This city has fared better than most Ohio urban areas, infusing its neighborhoods with a sense of cultural pride and individuality and actually re-investing its tax revenue into common sense development. One can still purchase a house in Columbus without having to first sell an ovary. That's a city I can rally behind! I could not acertain what manner of hope, if any, runs through Cinicinnati’s civil government. I look forward to getting a wider view of that river city the next time I come through.

The venue in which I performed last night, Cafe Apropos, is a new estabishment in a changing Columbus neighborhood. If you are in the city, I highly recommend you check it out, get a pastry or a cup of coffee. They also double as a wine merchant and have an incredible selection in the back. Plus, they’re a wi-fi establishment, bringing the world to your fingertips one byte at a time. That’s service!

The presidential campaign continues at a feverish pace and it is evident to me, as I make my way through Ohio, that the state is highly divided. Yesterday I drove through a sea of “W 2004” bumper stickers, which gave the impression that it is not much of a contest, but I refuse to be dissuaded from hope.

I was in a Target parking lot north of Cincinnati two days ago and I passed a woman who was getting into her car, a car plastered with Bush stickers. I asked her if she was going to vote for Bush and she replied, “I sure am.” I then asked her if she would mind telling me why. She replied, nearly verbatim, the promotional words written by Karl Rove, which was her prerogative, but which unnerved my faith in a thoughtful electorate. There is no point in pussy footing around the issue...I do not support our current president and I believe that he must removed from office before more damage is done not only to this great nation, but also to the international community. I know you, my dear listeners, are a smart and creative bunch and have your reasons for voting for whomever you so choose (I just hope you do, indeed, vote). But I can’t equivocate. That’s the beauty of the First Amendment!

Posted by bethamsel at September 26, 2004 12:56 PM