Morning Fizz
Inconclusive in Their Potential
Caffeinated News & Gossip. Your daily Morning Fizz.
1. Of 63 crime prevention programs at the city, a city auditor's report concluded this week, just 17 "significantly resemble or are replications of programs with either strong (5) or moderate (12) potential for effectiveness at reducing crime."[pullquote] The audit found that 35 programs, representing $3.8 million in city spending and about 72 employees, were "inconclusive in their potential for reducing crime..."[/pullquote]
Those programs represented about $2.9 million in city spending and about 21 staff positions. In contrast, the audit found that 35 programs, representing $3.8 million in city spending and about 72 employees, were "inconclusive in their potential for reducing crime, and that three city programs, representing about 13 employees, have the potential to actually increase crime--including a truancy program, a school emphasis officer program, and a gang prevention program.
Read the whole report here.
2. In July, Capitol Hill’s Cupcake Royale had to register as a political committee in order to sell a promotional cupcake named “The Gay” to support R74, the pro-gay marriage measure on this November's ballot.
It turns out there are two other local foodie favorites registered as committees in support of R-74 legislation thanks to their pro gay marriage menus.
After raising around $3,000 in August in support of R-74 with its "Savage Love Burger" (they donated 25 percent of the proceeds), Blue Moon Burgers is reprising their promotion this month with September’s “Modern Family” burger, featuring a grilled chicken breast with spinach, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and a relish made of red peppers and artichokes.[pullquote]Fizz thinks President Obama missed an opportunity to broaden the Democrats' rejoinder to the GOP's "We Built It" theme last night.[/pullquote]
Additionally, Columbia City Bakery has registered as well, selling vibrant shortbread “Equality Cookies” that put a dollar a pop towards R-74 (as they did in 2009 in support of the “everything but marriage” R-71.).
3. Fizz thinks President Obama missed an opportunity to broaden the Democrats' rejoinder to the GOP's "We Built It" theme last night—one that Democrats such as U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) articulated at the convention by talking about social services like student loans and worker training.
There's something else the government does besides social service spending to bolster American opportunity, though: $900 billion in defense spending. And the GOP's rugged individualist theme seems dismissive of that public commitment.
Obama came close last night when he said: "Tonight, we pay tribute to the Americans who still serve in harm’s way. We are forever in debt to a generation whose sacrifice has made this country safer and more respected. We will never forget you. .. When you take off the uniform, we will serve you as well as you’ve served us."
However, we think Obama should have gone further by making a direct connection (and a direct hit) to the GOP's oblivious mantra—a mantra that seems insulting to the Republicans' own military constituency.
1. Of 63 crime prevention programs at the city, a city auditor's report concluded this week, just 17 "significantly resemble or are replications of programs with either strong (5) or moderate (12) potential for effectiveness at reducing crime."[pullquote] The audit found that 35 programs, representing $3.8 million in city spending and about 72 employees, were "inconclusive in their potential for reducing crime..."[/pullquote]
Those programs represented about $2.9 million in city spending and about 21 staff positions. In contrast, the audit found that 35 programs, representing $3.8 million in city spending and about 72 employees, were "inconclusive in their potential for reducing crime, and that three city programs, representing about 13 employees, have the potential to actually increase crime--including a truancy program, a school emphasis officer program, and a gang prevention program.
Read the whole report here.
2. In July, Capitol Hill’s Cupcake Royale had to register as a political committee in order to sell a promotional cupcake named “The Gay” to support R74, the pro-gay marriage measure on this November's ballot.
It turns out there are two other local foodie favorites registered as committees in support of R-74 legislation thanks to their pro gay marriage menus.
After raising around $3,000 in August in support of R-74 with its "Savage Love Burger" (they donated 25 percent of the proceeds), Blue Moon Burgers is reprising their promotion this month with September’s “Modern Family” burger, featuring a grilled chicken breast with spinach, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and a relish made of red peppers and artichokes.[pullquote]Fizz thinks President Obama missed an opportunity to broaden the Democrats' rejoinder to the GOP's "We Built It" theme last night.[/pullquote]
Additionally, Columbia City Bakery has registered as well, selling vibrant shortbread “Equality Cookies” that put a dollar a pop towards R-74 (as they did in 2009 in support of the “everything but marriage” R-71.).
3. Fizz thinks President Obama missed an opportunity to broaden the Democrats' rejoinder to the GOP's "We Built It" theme last night—one that Democrats such as U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) articulated at the convention by talking about social services like student loans and worker training.
There's something else the government does besides social service spending to bolster American opportunity, though: $900 billion in defense spending. And the GOP's rugged individualist theme seems dismissive of that public commitment.
Obama came close last night when he said: "Tonight, we pay tribute to the Americans who still serve in harm’s way. We are forever in debt to a generation whose sacrifice has made this country safer and more respected. We will never forget you. .. When you take off the uniform, we will serve you as well as you’ve served us."
However, we think Obama should have gone further by making a direct connection (and a direct hit) to the GOP's oblivious mantra—a mantra that seems insulting to the Republicans' own military constituency.
