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[Baggins]

Oh my!  I agree with Frenchfry also!  See what happens when you SAY something instead of just the copy and paste?   

Agreed...

[The Fuzz]

I am hoping that the MEN soon comes out with their endorsements for each of the local offices/positions that will be on the ballot.  I have been watching for it, but yet to see them publish anything.

I fortunately have no personal experiences with any of the Judicial systems so I am at a lost as to who to vote for in any of the judge races and will most likely vote for the incumbents since I have heard very few complaints with any of the specific judges.

Probate Judge Arnold did stop by my house doing some door to door campaigning and I did respect that initiative to go out and speak with the constituents.  (But my goodness is he young....lol.  When I answered the door I thought it was some sort of Boy Scout fundraiser.)

I have mixed emotions on the Sheriff, other than not voting for Jan Jay.  Not sure if bringing in someone with a business background versus LE experience is a potentially good thing or not, and between the two that do have experience I'm not certain which one would be more qualified and opened to making changes in the way the department has been run in the past that will not bow to internal or union politics.

[blue2]

I think the media and other private organizations do the public a major disservice by endorsing candidates.  You have to look at who is doing the endorsing and why are the endorsing them.  It's usually political and money.   I do think I trust the Evening News more than a lot of other organizations that make endorsements.    The Toledo Blade for example only endorses Democrats.  Occasionally they will throw in a republican to make it look good.  Unions endorse candidates that act in their behalf.  I guess that is their prerogative but to many people are lazy and run with those endorsements.

[Collegekid]

I have to disagree with you Blue. A balanced paper (no comment on the Blade...) is perfect for making endorsements, they are the people that work day in and out with the elected officials and often know them better than a voter ever could.

As for other organizations, it's their business/club/organization. It's the voters job to make sure they trust the group they are getting the info from is all.

[Professor H]

The flaw in that argument is that because you work day in and day out with elected officials - you often get a biased view from your information and sources.

What reporter is going to work day in and day out with a candidate to give them that equal opportunity?

Knowing someone is a lot different that being able to discern their job performance, and what changes could be effective or not, if needed.

Sheriff has some issues to address - but changes will take years whoever is in...

Judges are mainly a popularity contest - and name recognition is vital,   

I see all kinds of ads for the Probate - very little for Circuit, 
Wonder why one seems more lucrative?

[The Fuzz]

The flaw in that argument is that because you work day in and day out with elected officials - you often get a biased view from your information and sources.

Yea, the general public that has not had to deal with these positions, nor have any experiences with them lack the information to make an informed decision.  One "should" be able to "trust" the local media to let the area know who has done the area justice or injustices.  Biased, yes possibly but where else would a voter go to find the any sort of information besides MT of course...lol.


What reporter is going to work day in and day out with a candidate to give them that equal opportunity?  Yup......I think I would still have to pick the MEN versus say a Toledo Blade since they would be closer (blocks) on covering issues.  I'd read The Blade opinions, but would be more inclined to trust the judgement of the MEN.  Again, maybe I am being naive.

Knowing someone is a lot different that being able to discern their job performance, and what changes could be effective or not, if needed.

Sheriff has some issues to address - but changes will take years whoever is in...So....that could be translated to decades should Jan Jay be elected?   

Judges are mainly a popularity contest - and name recognition is vital,   Yea, and that is unfortunate.....and the reason we have the Randy Richardsvilles's, and other personal "favorites" holding public office. 

I see all kinds of ads for the Probate - very little for Circuit, 
Wonder why one seems more lucrative? Noticed that too Prof!  How could a Probate Judge gain anything lucrative though without some sort of "word" get around that would get attention?  IDK, perhaps I'm being naive but I just don't see much "opportunity" to profit from a probate court position.

[Baby Hitler]

If I still lived in Monroe, I'd have to vote for Jan Jay, because I'd like to see a chicken BOO! in every pot, and I believe he would fight to have the laws changed so you could shoot any animal on your property!

[The Fuzz]

If I still lived in Monroe, I'd have to vote for Jan Jay, because I'd like to see a chicken BOO! in every pot, and I believe he would fight to have the laws changed so you could shoot any animal on your property!

LOL, no doubt there would be some entertainment value along with some fodder for this site!

[Collegekid]

I don't disagree Prof, but I do still think that a member of the media that works with the whoever is in the office understands the qualifications more than the "average" Joe.

As for working day to day with candidates, I do, to the extent that it made sense. I try very hard not to let incumbents in the news any more than candidates during the election cycle. It's not always possible, but it is what I strive for.

[jbs49238]

Well let's look beyond your impulse to find something to disagree about and ask specifically, what "reasons" are you disagreeing with?

Please explain how you know so much about street level drug use.

Not important.

I personally feel too many low level users that are put through the ringer unnecessarily and the prison system is bulging with those non-violent offenders.

I agree 138.72%

The sale and seizure of property without being convicted is commonplace.
 
I have never been to a forfeiture sale so I cannot really comment on whether or not the claim you make of it being "commonplace" is true.  I would have attended Monroe Cty. forfeiture auctions but I hear the stuff was pretty picked over (BAZINGGGG!!!!) like a 3rd time in 4 weeks garage sale.  But if what you say is true, and property is being sold prior to conviction, that is BAD, BAD, BAD.

To reiterate, a narrow-focused militarized drug team would be a waste of money.


We have those teams, but you missed my point in an effort to be happy I disagreed with you.  These teams could be WAY MORE EFFICIENT if they could operate independantly of dealing with street level crime. 

Have to go. I'll revisit when I can.

Big time drug dealers have made boat loads of money killing a substantial segment of our population.  Their customers are victims.