Jezebel: Ohio

Teddy Bear-Holding Children Are the Newest Weapon in the War on Abortion

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

In the ongoing battle over reproductive rights, Ohio has set itself apart with the absurd props employed in its abortion debates. The state's anti-abortion movement is kind of like the Gallagher of oppressing ladies. This is the place where the legislature was subjected to live ultrasounds of pregnant women and testimony from fetuses, but now they've truly topped themselves. This week, an anti-abortion group sent children into the offices of state legislators by themselves to deliver a message on the rights of fetuses. More »

Horrible Woman Wants 'White Only' Pool Sign Reinstated

Anna North — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:20:00 EST

In a serious case of not knowing when to shut the fuck up, an Ohio woman continues to maintain that the "white only" sign she posted at a public pool is not racist. More »

Woman Still Doesn't Understand Why Her 'White Only' Swimming Pool is Racist

Erin Gloria Ryan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST

An Ohio landlord who posted a "White Only" sign outside her property's swimming pool is requesting that the state reconsider its ruling. She totally wasn't being racist, you see, since she did it because she was worried that if nonwhites were allowed in the pool, their strange black people hair products would make the water "cloudy." See? Not racist at all! More »

Anti-Choicers Divided On Best Way To Take Away Women's Rights

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:10:00 EST

It seems like the Republican Party made a secret promise to constituents to add 50% more nuts to the 2012 election, and now their commitment to being more reckless than ever is affecting the anti-abortion movement (which really didn't need any help in that department). While traditionally anti-choicers have been committed to slowly chiseling away at abortion rights, lately some in the movement have become impatient with these tactics, even though they might actually work. More »

Two Different Moms In Two Different States Both Charged With Starving Kids To Death

Erin Gloria Ryan — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:48:35 EST

Today in awful: Fearing their infant daughter would become fat and therefore gross, one Wisconsin couple attempted to limit their child's food intake to preserve her sexy bikini ready baby physique. Now, the baby's in protective custody and they're being charged with child neglect. Meanwhile, in another neighborhood in Whattheeverlovingfucktown, an Ohio woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after starving her teenage daughter with cerebral palsy to death. Dr. Spock is spinning in his grave so fast that he's creating an electrical current. More »

Advocates Of Ohio 'Heartbeat Bill' To Begin Airing Obnoxious Ads

Erin Gloria Ryan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:45:00 EDT

Mississippi's jaw droppingly absurd Personhood Amendment is drumming up a lot of press, but theirs isn't the only kooky pro-life law poised to pass this fall; Ohio's got a bit of overreaching anti-choice legislation of its own: a fetal heartbeat bill. And supporters are about to to take to the TV airwaves to urge politicians to pass the damn thing, for the children and such. Ohioans, I hope you're ready to get the shit annoyed out of you. More »

The Man Who's Bankrolling South Dakota's Anti-Choice Campaign

Anna North — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:40:00 EDT

A fund set up to defend antiabortion bills in South Dakota against legal challenges is being increasingly bankrolled by out-of-state donors. This year, over half the money donated to the fund came from an Ohio business owner who says "my businesses belong to Jesus." We decided to learn a little more about him. More »

Gun-Toting Politico On Wife: 'She Got Upset. Girls Do That.'

Irin Carmon — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:55:00 EDT

The wife of a Republican state senator in Ohio called 911, saying "He's mad; he's got the gun." Eventually, she didn't press charges, but The Columbus Dispatch got ahold of the recording of the cops' subsequent visit. And it's really fucking creepy. More »

Casey Anthony Found Walking Around Ohio

Irin Carmon — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:00:56 EDT

Are you wondering about the whereabouts of a certain popularly-believed-to-be-murderous mom? Don't worry, the tabs have you covered. Casey Anthony is in Ohio. More »

Men Save Woman From Burning Car, Then Sue Her

Irin Carmon — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EDT

In March 2009, two men saw a burning Hummer and saved the woman inside of it. Now they want her to pay up. More »

Ohio House Passes "Heartbeat Bill"

Irin Carmon — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:50:00 EDT

The Ohio House has just passed 54-43 a bill that, if enacted into law, would be the most restrictive abortion law in the country. It's a deliberate challenge to Roe that would ban abortion after the detection of the first heartbeat. More »

What's With The Sexy Crime, Ohio Ladies?

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:55:00 EDT

Fess up: Is there something in the water in Ohio? Tuesday night, 19-year-old Andrea Musser was arrested — outside of a jail — for public indecency. See, Andrea had a male friend who was incarcerated in the facility, so she stood outside of the fence, waving and yelling to her buddy, then lifted her top and showed the dude (and, um, the other inmates) her breasts. Andrea got a 10-day suspended jail sentence and a $223 fine. But her exploits are positively mild compared to that of 36-year-old Colondra Hamilton. When Colondra was pulled over in a traffic stop in Cincinnati on Tuesday, cops discovered that her pants were unbuttoned and she had a vibrator in her lap. That's not all: More »

Ohio's "Heartbeat Bill" Is In Limbo

Irin Carmon — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EDT

Voting on the bill banning abortions in Ohio after detection of a fetal heartbeat has been delayed, as anti-abortion legislators and activists debate just how unconstitutional they want to get. The fetus that testified couldn't be reached for comment. More »

Ohio Fetus Testimony Doesn't Go So Well

Irin Carmon — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:13:50 EST

The moment of truth came this morning: The nine-week-old fetus was to testify before the Ohio legislature in support of a bill to ban abortion at the first detection of a heartbeat. So much pressure! No wonder the fetus clammed up. More »

Fetus To "Testify" In Support Of Ohio Heartbeat Bill

Irin Carmon — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:03:54 EST

A fetus is scheduled to "speak" before the legislature in support of the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" to ban abortions as early as 18 days after conception, or as soon as a heartbeat can be detected. According to the AP, a pregnant woman will go before the committee beside a color projection of her ultrasound. No word if she's allowed to talk too, or whether someone will provide ventriloquist-style commentary on the fetus's behalf. More »

Ohio "Heartbeat Bill" Attacks Roe V. Wade

Anna North — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:20:00 EST

A proposed Ohio law would make abortion illegal as soon as the fetus has a heartbeat — which can be as early as 18 days. Experts say it's a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. More »

Fraternity House Shooting Leaves 1 Dead, 11 Injured

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:10:00 EST

The shooting occurred early this morning at a fraternity house near Ohio's Youngstown State University. Police have identified a suspect but have no one in custody and have no information on whether the suspect acted alone. More »

Woman Jailed For Sending Kids To School

Anna North — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:04:00 EST

An Ohio mom will be jailed and possibly lose the opportunity to become a teacher, all because she sent her kids to a school outside their district. More »

Supremely Happy

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:05:00 EST

Columbus, OH, Jan 8: Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown speaks during her swearing-in ceremony. McGee Brown is the first African-American woman justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. (Image via AP)

Honorable Woman Becomes Your Honor

Lauri Apple — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:20:16 EST

[Columbus, Ohio, January 8: Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland administers the oath of office to Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown during her swearing-in ceremony. An advocate of children and women, she's the first female African-American justice on Ohio's Supreme Court. Image via AP.]

Golden Voice Update!

Sadie Stein — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:32:00 EST

Feel-good alert! Ted Williams, the down-on-his-luck golden voice who became an overnight viral sensation, announced on a morning radio program, "The Cleveland Cavaliers just offered me a full-time job and a house! A house! A house!" More »

John Boehner's Crying Jags Receive Their Own Times Profile

Lauri Apple — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:40:00 EDT

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This week Congressman John Boehner became the most powerful crying person in Congress. To celebrate, the New York Times has reviewed Boehner's tear-stained history, recounting some of the future House speaker's emo-est moments. Decline of manliness! More »

This Is The Face Of Violent McNugget Rage

Katy Kelleher — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:20:00 EDT

At approximately 6:20 a.m. on New Year's Day, Melodi Dushane was arrested after she punched in a window of an Ohio McDonald's. Dushane was apparently denied McNuggets on the grounds that they were no longer serving dinner items. [Smoking Gun] More »

Senior Moments

Anna Holmes — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:10:00 EDT

[Cleveland, May 25. Image via AP]

The Games People Play

Anna Holmes — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:10:00 EDT

[Kent, Ohio; April 29. Image via Getty]

Missing Ohio Mom: "I Didn't Want To Do Anything Illegal" • Black Teens Are More Optimistic, Study Says

Katy Kelleher — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EDT

• "Runaway mom" Tiffany Tehan sat down for an interview on Inside Edition - her first since she disappeared earlier this month. She recognizes that she acting selfishly when she decided to slip away from her family. She recalls thinking: More »

College Humor

Anna Holmes — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:10:00 EST

[Elyria, Ohio, January 22. Image via Getty]

Oh, Deer

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:40:00 EST

Dillie, a pet deer living with an Ohio family, has to be the most spoiled pet in America. She is fed a nutritious diet of ice cream, linguine and roses, and she even has her own bedroom. More cute: [CBS] More »

Borders Line

Anna Holmes — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST

...feel like I'm going to lose my mind. [YouTube via Buzzfeed] More »

Man Robs Woman, Then Asks Her For A Date

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Columbus, Ohio police say 20-year-old Stephfon Bennett robbed a couple in their home on Sunday with two other men, then returned two hours later to ask the woman out. She recognized him and he was arrested. [N.Y. Daily News] More »

Graffiti "Vigilantes" Create Art, Unease Among Assault Survivors

Sadie Stein — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EDT

A new wave of vigilante feminist art is making some sexual assault survivors angry. More »

Archbishop To Excommunicate All Who Aided Pregnant 9 Year Old • Manliest Men Live In Ohio

Katy Kelleher — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST

• Update: A Brazilian archbishop says that everyone who was involved in aiding the 9-year-old victim of abuse get an abortion will be excommunicated from the Catholic Church. • More »

With All This Voting Going On, Who Will Protect Our Right To Swear With Impunity?

Megan Carpentier — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:40:00 EST

If you weren't already aware, voter turnout is really high. That's led to some scattered problems, which will be chronicled after the jump. [Washington Post]
In the mean time, the fucking Supreme Court heard the fucking case about fucking swearing on fucking TV. They didn't say "fuck" once, so I felt like someone had to. [Washington Post]
A lot of people in California who really love each other rushed to get married today in case a bunch of small-minded, easily-led voters decide to make it illegal today for them to do so tomorrow. [NY Times]
Joe Lieberman "fears" for the future of this country if the Democrats gain a filibuster-proof majority today, and has vowed to join with Republicans to filibuster anything they want to show his contempt for his constituents and the Americans who decided they were okay with a Democratic Senate. [Think Progress]

Jennifer Brunner Just Wants Ohioans To Vote

Megan Carpentier — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:40:00 EST

Ohio Secretary of State won the JFK Profiles in Courage award earlier this year for her "political courage and her commitment to ensuring the enfranchisement of every Ohio citizen." Her courageous actions included making sure that primary voters got paper ballots when electronic voting machines malfunctioned and replacing said machines in time for today's general election with optical scan technology. An article about her in The New Republic notes that Brunner is likely to preside over an election that will see 80% of her state's record 8.3 million registered voters participate. Republicans in her state are, naturally, trying to shut that down. More »

Your Almost-Last-Minute Guide To Your State's Voter Supression Efforts

Megan Carpentier — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EDT

With voter registration at an all-time high, turnout expected to be close to an all-time high and more than a few absent absentee ballots worrying their supposed owners, many people are concerned that that other one might yet be able to squeak out a win — due in no small part to widespread suppression efforts, voter purges and general fuck-uppery. After the jump, a guide to what's been going on in a number of swing states. (And, don't forget our advice on how not to get caught up in it.) More »

Sarah Palin Is No More A Real American Than Any Of Us Elitists

Megan Carpentier — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Sarah Palin, in an effort to retain what little Real American Hockey Mom legitimacy she has left after her $150,000 makeover was revealed, has taken to wearing her own clothes on the campaign trail. Even as Todd gets to keep wearing his suits, she's stuck in jeans — though, with that crease, she either just bought them or irons them, so it's harder to be a Real American than even she thought. Racialicious' Latoya Peterson knows a little about how difficult it is to be considered a Real American, and, as part of the next week of pre-election rotating Crappy coverage, she talked with me about Republican strategists left strategy-less, divas, backstabbing, D.L. Hughley for VP, where to go if Real Americans really don't want us and voter disenfranchisement (for when they prove that they don't). More »

Pushing Buttons

Maria — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Remember that 15-year-old girl from Ohio who was facing felony criminal charges because she sent nude photos of herself to her friends? Well, the little jokester reached an undisclosed agreement with prosecutors and will not have to register as a sex offender. However, apparently sharing racy photos of yourself is a trend with the Teens of Today: This month a 14-year-old girl in Michigan took photos of herself that showed "her genitals and her face" and shared them with her friends, which eventually ballooned to 200 people. [Wired] More »

Voter Suppression And You: A Guide For Unreal Americans

Megan Carpentier — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EDT

There's been a lot written lately — including here — about how disenfranchising Americans is part of the GOP electoral strategy. In times like these, when the polls, the economy and possibly God Herself seem to portend against a McCain victory in two weeks, it's time to bring out the big, bad voter disenfranchisement guns. And, like the Brooks Brothers protest in Florida, they still don't care if you know about it. Both Rolling Stone and Mother Jones have extensive articles out in their new issues about what the GOP is doing (or has done) to make sure that if you're not voting for them, you won't be voting at all. Those stories — plus a look at who's being disenfranchised this week and what you can do when they inevitably come for your vote — after the jump. More »

A couple of days ago, we brought some attention...

Megan Carpentier — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EDT

A couple of days ago, we brought some attention to the issue of the GOP attempting to disenfranchise voters in order to swing the election, and used this picture from the Associated Press. Rose Carter, pictured, got in touch with us today to let us know that she's been actively voting since she was able, or she would have been if the GOP didn't keep trying to keep her from the ballot box. She wrote, "I am a long time registered and active voter. I chose to vote early for the 2008 Presidential Election, as I did in the March primaries, because I was a victim of voter disenfranchisement in the 2004 Presidential Election. Due to the underhanded tactics of then Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, and the ineptness of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, I was forced to vote through a provisional ballot though I was at the correct polling location. After I voted, I contacted the Board of Elections who confirmed that I was at the correct polling location and they offered me a very, very weak apology." So, yeah, this is what they do — and Rose's vote deserves to count as much as mine. More »

Pushing Buttons

Maria — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:20:00 EDT

A 15-year-old has been arrested in Ohio and is facing felony child pornography charges after taking a nude photo of herself and sending it to her friends. She is said to have taken the photos after a county prosecutor gave a lecture at her school, Licking Valley High, about taking nude photos of minors. According to Ohio law, parents or guardians may take or possess nude photos of their kids under certain circumstances, but there is no such exemption for minors taking photos of themselves. If convicted, the girl may be forced to register as a sex offender with the state. [Newark Advocate & WBNS] More »