Sports – Then and Now

December 11th, 2009

Betty Sutton Talks Sports on the Hill

Betty Sutton Talks Sports on the Hill

Congresswoman Betty Sutton issued a respectable statement concerning H.R. 390 – The Playoff Act of 2009.   Before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Sutton told Chairman Bobby Rush (D IL-1) that the committee should be focusing its efforts on job creation rather than football playoffs.

HR: 390 – To prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or practice, the promotion, marketing, and advertising of any post-season NCAA Division I football game as a national championship game unless such game is the culmination of a fair and equitable playoff system.

While I am in agreement with the Congresswoman on this issue, I am left wondering where her job creation focus was back in May.

Ohio’s unemployment numbers were on the rise when the congresswoman authored a resolution to honor basketball superstar LeBron James.  In fact, according to Ohio’s department of Job and Family Services, the state’s unemployment rate had risen to 10.2 percent by May.

Rep. Sutton, if you are going to pretend to take the high road, try not to be such a hypocrite.


December 9th: Unemployment 10.5%

Rep. Sutton Statement on the Markup of the College Football Playoffs Act of 2009

Washington, DC – As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) made the following statement about the markup of H.R. 390, the College Football Playoffs Act of 2009:

“The national unemployment rate for November is 10 percent.  While the State data for November will not be released until December 18th, Ohio’s unemployment rate for October was 10.5 percent.

“While I respect Chairman Rush and all Members of our Subcommittee, I remain focused on measures that will create jobs in my Congressional district and throughout our nation.   That is what I think my constituents expect and need.”

7 months Ago: Unemployment 10.2%

Rep. Sutton Congratulates Constituent LeBron James on Being Named First Cleveland Cavalier to Earn NBA MVP Award

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-OH) has introduced a congressional resolution congratulating her constituent, LeBron James, on recently being named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. A resident of Bath Township, James received the award from the NBA on Tuesday in his high school gym at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron where he first gained national attention.

James, 24, was born in Akron and highly touted as a basketball superstar during his years at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. At just 18 years old, he was selected as the number one draft pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was also named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2003-2004 season.

During the regular 08-09 season, he averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists to lead the team to a franchise record 66 wins. These statistics lead him to be the first Cleveland Cavalier player to win the NBA MVP award.

“LeBron James brings to our district not only nationwide attention, but also the very admirable qualities of hard work and dedication to his profession,” Rep. Sutton said. “He is an inspiration to youth all across the country. He and the Cavs give all Ohioans something to be proud of.”

Original co-sponsors of the resolution include fellow Ohio Representatives Tim Ryan, Dennis Kucinich, Marcia Fudge, John Boccieri, Zach Space, Charlie Wilson and Mary Jo Kilroy.

Ohio Recovery Prediction

December 10th, 2009

Betty Sutton's Slow Recovery

Betty Sutton's Slow Recovery

Ohio’s top CPAs responding to the seventh annual Ohio Business Poll have pushed back their earlier prediction by one year for when a sustainable U.S. economic recovery will begin.

Ohio unemployment rates have not yet peaked

About a third (36%) of respondents to the poll, conducted by The Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPA), predict a sustainable recovery to start in the second half of 2010, while 26% put the turnaround in the first half of 2011. In the 2008 poll, the overwhelming majority of poll participants forecast a sustainable recovery coming in the last half of 2009 or the first half of 2010 (62%).

In addition, 65% of CPAs responding this year felt Ohio unemployment rates have not yet peaked. Nearly half (48%) believe it could take up to four years for the state to return to pre-recession unemployment  levels of 5.8% recorded in December 2007.

Respondents were ambivalent concerning the effectiveness of the national stimulus packages at creating and retaining jobs in Ohio, with 26% saying the stimulus packages were neither effective nor ineffective and 23% responding that they were somewhat effective.

Betty “Where’s Akron” Sutton

September 5th, 2009

Betty - Where's Akron - Sutton

Betty - Where's Akron - Sutton

Well, well, well, would you look at that!  Congresswoman Betty Sutton changed her YouTube channel image AGAIN.

It’s about time!

Betty may be a lawyer capable of reading and understanding 1000 page health bills, but map reading is obviously an ongoing challenge for the representative.

Back on August 21st I pointed out Sutton’s classic Cleveland Skyline blunder.  After seeing my story, she quickly erased the Cleveland skyline and replaced it with the iconic Goodyear blimp – minus the Goodyear part.  That only reinforced my claim that our congresswoman in geographically challenged.  After all, the Goodyear blimp is from Suffield (OH-17th).

I am excited to announce that Congresswoman Betty Sutton has FINALLY discovered the great city of Akron.  Way to go, Betty!  I always knew you could do it – eventually.

Next week, lets see if you can find Lorain!

Evolution of Betty Sutton’s YouTube Header

Betty Sutton's Cleveland Picture

Cleveland, Ohio Skyline - Ohio's 11th District

Betty's Blimp Blunder

Goodyear Blimp - Sufield, Ohio - 17th District

Betty Sutton Found Akron

Akron, Ohio - 13th District - Betty Sutton Found Akron!

Betty Does Cleveland

September 3rd, 2009

Looking for Betty Sutton? Try Cleveland, Ohio.

Yet another example of why Congresswoman Betty Sutton should not make time for the concerned citizens of the 13th district.   As can be clearly seen in this video, the angry mob assembled outside Cleveland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel was out of control.  Just look at their signs, all of them covered with vicious hateful messages like: Where’s Betty? and Hands Off Health Care.

I feared for my own safety when one of the hand made signs, allegedly blown by the wind, bumped the back of my head.


The twenty or so patriots who gathered outside Betty Sutton’s event were peaceful and well mannered (as usual).  Participants came from all over the 11th and 13th districts.

I found it very encouraging to see the amount of support the protest received from passersby.  Even in Cleveland, Ohio the people are awakening to the work of our federal government.

Congresswoman, you can run and hide all you want, but we are not going away.

Betty “11th District” Sutton

September 3rd, 2009

Betty Sutton Ohio's 11th district representative

Betty Sutton Ohio's 11th District Representative

Try as they may, Betty Sutton’s schedulers have found it very difficult to make time for the people of Ohio’s 13th US House district.  In fact, the congresswoman’s schedule is so tight that the only way to meet with 13th district constituents is through a tele-town hall.

Fortunately for Betty’s constituents in the 11th district, a window of availability has opened in the congresswoman’s schedule.

US Congresswoman Betty Sutton will be addressing a women’s group at a meeting in downtown Cleveland on Thursday, September 3 from 5pm-7pm.

9.12ers from Akron, Lorain and Cleveland are planning to stop by. You too can join in the fun.

  • What: Rep. Betty Sutton Recess Protest in Cleveland
  • When: Thursday, September 3, 2009 5:00 PM
  • Where: Crowne Plaza City Center Hotel 777 St. Clair Ave. at East 9th St. Cleveland OH 44114

So you are listening?

August 21st, 2009

Betty's Local Blunder

Hey Sutton, what happened to "Goodyear" and the winged foot?

That didn’t take long.  Looks like Betty Sutton got my message.  The fix is only half right though.  I’ll give the Sutton crew points since the Goodyear blimp is an Akron icon.  But, I have to take away those points considering the Goodyear blimp is physically based in the 17th district.  Claiming the Goodyear blimp as a symbol of a congressional district is a job for Representative Tim Ryan.

One more thing, Betty.  You also lose points for removing the Goodyear logo from the Goodyear Blimp.  F.Y.I. Sutton, it’s not any blimp that is famous around here, it’s the Goodyear Blimp.

Learn the line, Betty Sutton!

Learn the line!

Again Betty, I would be more than happy to visit  your “Cleveland” or “Suffield” office to provide a free geography lesson to you and your staff.

Where are you Betty?

August 21st, 2009

…and who do you represent?

Betty Sutton is suppose to be representing Ohio’s 13th U.S. House district.  Ever wonder why she seems non-responsive to our concerns?  I’ve figured it out, Betty is confused on the location of our district’s borders.

Take a look at this picture which Betty Sutton features on the top of her YouTube channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/RepBettySutton   (Sutton’s office has confirmed that this is her official YouTube Page).

Betty Sutton Thinks Cleveland Is In The 13th

Real smooth Sutton. That's Downtown Cleveland Center Stage!

Betty, downtown Cleveland is part of the 11th district.  The 11th U.S. House district of Ohio is Representative Marcia Fudge’s territory.  Your line stops nearly 13 miles to the west.  I’d be happy to stop in your “Cleveland Office” to give you a geography lesson.

A map of the 13th district.  Yep, Cleveland is not in there.

Good Grief.