The Toledo Area Humane Society (TAHS) closed its investigation of two incidents involving Toledo Mayor Carleton Finkbeiner and his dog, Scout, whom the mayor left in his car.

Finkbeiner received a $100 ticket from police for parking in a handicapped space, but will face no further citations from TAHS, which is authorized to charge individuals with a misdemeanor for endangering their pets by leaving them in hot cars or other hazardous conditions.

Sherri Miller, TAHS spokesperson, said that through the investigation agents found lack of evidence to pursue the case. The primary reason, she explained, lies in the fact that agents could not respond to the scene in time to ascertain the level of distress Scout may have endured. She also said it is apparent the mayor did not intend to cause harm to his dog.

“Therefore we had no firsthand information such as the temperature inside the mayor’s car, the condition of Scout, you know all the things that had we been called to the scene, we could have accurately recorded,” Miller said. “So from that point of view, we found lack of evidence, and we also feel it was lack of criminal intent. I mean, we don’t believe the mayor would have ever intentionally harmed his dog.”

TAHS agents viewed video from local news stations, and Greg Bloomfield, TAHS president and CEO, met with the mayor to discuss the situation. The dog appeared to be in good condition, even sitting up when most dogs distressed by heat would lie down and pant heavily.

Finkbeiner did, however, agree to participate in a public service announcement (PSA) warning pet owners of the dangers of heat stroke in dogs. Although hoping to produce the PSA sometime next week, Miller added, no “firm date and time” has been determined.

“The mayor is fully aware of what could have happened to Scout and knows that he was wrong in leaving him in the car …” she said.

Miller also encouraged the public to contact TAHS when encountering a dog locked in a car during hot weather. The two TAHS agents remain on duty rotation 24 hours, and after business hours anyone can call the police to report an incident, regardless of which community the violation occurs. Police either take appropriate action based on their assessment or contact TAHS representatives who respond immediately.

Finkbeiner could not be reached for comment on Friday, Aug. 31.

To report possible pet endangerment, call (419) 891-0705.

I was surprised recently when I heard to story of the guy who went around bashing windows at Fort Industry Square … you know, Downtown. When captured, the vandal apparently claimed he wanted attention … Downtown. Toledo?  He must be new in town.

Anyone from around here would know it’s tough to get attention Downtown. If there is one feature of Downtown, it’s that you could fire a cannon down the street at high noon and hit … absolutely nothing. In fact, last summer, the military came through town one weekend to practice urban warfare tactics, and except for a raised eyebrow or three at the bus stop, they had no audience at all. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they were disappointed at not having at least a few civilians to dodge around now and then.

Downtown Toledo would make an ideal movie set. It looks like a generic American city. The only drawback is not being able to find the people to populate it for the filming.  

For more than 30 years, Toledo’s Downtown has been popular with Toledoans only as a place to … no, a place where … no … OK, Downtown was never a place most of us even consider, outside of “boy, it’s too bad there’s nothing to do downtown.” Enthusiastic entrepreneurs have spent time and fortunes trying to give us a Downtown to go to. The Portside Market’s headaches have been inherited by the Erie Street Market, The Hotel Sofitel became the Crowne Plaza, Wyndham, a few others and I Think I’ve heard its back to Crowne Plaza again. Kelsey’s is now the Easystreet. But there just aren’t enough people to keep things going.

Oh, sure, there’s Fifth-Third Field on game days and the Valentine on show nights, a couple of would-be nightspots here and there, a few restaurants open days, even a Packo’s, but it’s still just not there yet. A new Arena will get a few more to come on down, but these are still one-time visitors. Offices Downtown close at 5 p.m. and the place is deserted by 5:15 p.m.; we can’t even create traffic jams. Lofts and renovations are establishing some permanent settlement, but the place is still pretty tomblike on the weekends and many nights.  

What we need Downtown is more housing, more entertainment, more shopping, more restaurants. We are still not quite to what some have called critical mass, but there might be a little momentum. For years I joked that even criminals don’t operate Downtown, so this vandal might be the first robin of spring?

When was the last time you were just Downtown? Not for something … just down here.  I mean, I know it’s easier to just gripe, but come on down, have a latte at the Beaner’s, grab a magazine at Leo’s, see the big fence and pretend there’s an arena. Have a bite at the Blarney. Take a look around. And don’t worry about that cannon down the street … it’s just a little test.

This week we venture into nature blogging, our first blog on the topic is called the Ohio Nature Blog.  It’s written by Megan and Tom and they do an excellent job both creating informative posts as well as providing some excellent photos of nature here in Ohio.

While this blog comes to us from Minnesota, one visit to Disapproving Rabbits will be enough to see why I enjoyed visiting this blog.  They are the first blogging bunnies I’ve come across in my online ventures.

Dragonflies and urban areas is the topic of this next blog from Michigan, Urban Dragon Hunters.  I had no idea there were that many different species of Dragonflies and Damselflies.  

Nature photography is the main focus of CalmPhotos where Jim Crotty shares not only some of his beautiful photographs of nature but also shares some tips for those of you interested in taking better nature shots.  This is one of those blogs you will want to spend some time visiting.  

This next blog is slightly outside of my nature theme, Eco-Ranch in the Midwest, but I thought the focus was very interesting, the blog shares the adventures in trying to convert a traditional ranch home to one that is more friendly to nature and the environment.

Last, a blog appropriate titled, Get Outside! where the advice is to get those kids off the couch and outside.  This blog has many valuable posts on resources as well as nature photographs.  

When she’s not outside enjoying nature, Lisa Renee can be found on Glass City Jungle and you can reach her by email at .  

Music Notes — Sept 1-8

Sat Sept 1
Bronze Boar
Big Blues Bob

Centennial Terrace, Sylvania
Swingmania

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Ted Nugent

Detroit International Jazz Festival
Poncho Sanchez, Brubeck Brothers Quartet, John Scofield, Kenny Garrett

Frankie’s
Ty Stone

Headliners
Fortune Favors…, Reflections in Blood, As We Crash to Live, The Fall of Adrianna, Destroy the Beauty

Manhattan’s
Josh Boyd & The VIP Band

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Sun Sept 2
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
The New Cars

Detroit International Jazz Festival
Kurt Elling, Otis Clay, Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Promenade Park
Eddie Money, The Harley Packer Band

Mon Sept 3
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Hootie & The Blowfish

Detroit International Jazz Festival
Maria Muldaur, Mavis Staples, Rick Holmstrom, James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band, Bettye LaVette

Fulton County Fair, Wauseon
Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins

Michigan State Fair, Detroit
Alice Cooper

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Tue Sept 4
Frankie’s
Sideways Smile, Luma & Chroma

John’s Korner
Rusty’s Jazz Café Orchestra

Mickey Finn’s Pub
Sick As Monday

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

The Peacock
Poetry Open Mic

Wed Sept 5
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Dar Williams, Chris Pureka

Basin St. Grille
Greg Aranda, blues

BGSU Kobacker Hall
Terence Blanchard, trumpet

Brewed Awakenings
Open Mic Night with Patrick McGee

Bronze Boar
Nathan Cogan

Howard’s Club H, Bowling Green
Sarah Donnelly, Ada Jane

The Inn
Acoustic Jam — Musicians Welcome

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Toledo Zoo Amphitheater
Counting Crows

Thurs Sept 6
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Dar Williams, Chris Pureka

Conn-Weisenberger VFW
Bluegrass Jam — Musicians Welcome

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Scorpions

Howard’s Club H, Bowling Green
Absentstar, Straight to Withdrawal

Mickey Finn’s Pub
The Dirty Damn Band, Creaky Boards, Ching Chong Song

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Papa’s Tavern
Bobby and Frankie May

Rip Cord Bar
Country Outrageously Done

Village Idiot, Maumee
Stonehouse

Fri Sept 7
The Ark, Ann Arbor
Ryan Montbleau Band

Basin St. Grille
Tim Oehler & Friends

Bronze Boar
Russel Martin & The Relics

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Buckcherry, Hinder, Papa Roach

Frankie’s
Absentstar, Downspiral, Resonant Soul

Headliners
Detrahis, Slave Nation, Calveris, Visions of Chaos

Lourdes College Franciscan Center, Sylvania
“Strike Up the Band” featuring the Toledo Jazz Orchestra

Mickey Finn’s Pub
Mike Perkins

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Packo’s at the Park
Live Friday Night Blues featuring Voodoo Libido, Harmonica Shah, Liz Presley, Ralph Richart, Ron “Crawdaddy” Crawford

Papa’s Tavern
Tom Turner Trio

Toledo Museum of Art
The Travelers, rock

Sat Sept 8
The Ark, Ann Arbor
RFD Boys

The Bharmacy, Genoa
Buddy Luv & The Pitbulls

Bronze Boar
Swamp Kings

Calvary Assembly of God
YES Fest featuring This Beautiful Republic, Everyday Sunday, Flatfoot 56, Glass City Boyz, Pawn, Keys to Eden

Civic Center Park, Auburn Hills
The Austin Lounge Lizards

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Aerosmith, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Firefly Club, Ann Arbor
Harper

Frankie’s
Unsteady Freddie’s, The Octomen, Roger & The Wraybands, The Cocktail Preachers, The Heavies

Headliners
Against Me!

Java Mill & Tea Co.
Beatles Acoustic with Elixer

Mickey Finn’s Pub
CL1, The Highnoon Hangovers

Murphy’s Place
The Murphys

Perry’s Victory Memorial Concert, Put-in-Bay
Toledo Symphony Orchestra

Ritz Theatre, Tiffin
Donny Osmond

Village Idiot, Maumee
EP3

The Playstation 2 still has great new games like this one player role-playing game continues the Persona series with quality narratives and characters that make a high level relationship based experience. If you’re new to the series, the music video beginning and initial cut scenes are incredibly interesting especially when you encounter a girl with a gun. What transpires next and in the game’s future is really the only significant reason this game is rated M (and maybe pushing caffeinated drinks).

This engaging game follows a one-year timeline with full moons (about every month) when you and your teammates find special challenges fighting the shadows at a unique building housing the antagonist element effecting society on a large scale. Most scenarios allow open-ended opportunities as you make the decisions, which affect how fast you advance and develop. The all day Sunday friend visits are the only timeline element that disappoints. Each setting gets used eventually as you explore and discover on your own. This Altus title doesn’t take itself too seriously either with some of the names (i.e. Tartarus). You also encounter special areas and objects that all types of characters mention (it is always a good idea to pay attention to character dialogue though it can get lengthy and repetitive at times, depending on the timeline). A cell phone also helps you keep in touch with your new friends, gaining invites to other events.

Persona refers to the soul power which “thrives on bonds you have with others.” Relationship connections create an amazing experience in several different settings. At school, players increase their charm with other characters by answering questions in class. You’re not really penalized for not accepting social engagements, but don’t disappoint them too much consecutively. You can also find refuge with you fellow Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) teammates at the dorm. You can find or purchase special items on your TV, save your game at the front desk and study to increase your academic skills, which takes the highest effort besides the midnight hour fighting.

The familiar fighting elements allow you pre-emptive advantage hits (for both sides) before going into battle mode. You have a definite advantage in the battles with a varied fighting cache instead of one concentrated area, which is what your teammates usually have. If you want to take strategy out, then just rush your opponent. Your teammates (on auto control) may outperform you at times, but remember it takes a while for you to “level up” with your multiple personas. The more you interact with the environment, the more information you get to make informed decisions. The interface takes some of the strategy away from the player, but also saves you hassles like wasting your time in the faculty office when you can’t do anything there anyway. The various events and voice talent kept the timeline from getting stale. Every time you get close to predicting events or tire of the same settings, a new twist or opportunity appears changing the narrative and possibly characters. The load times can be frequent and a bit lengthy, but work well given the immense content and seemingly infinite combinations/possibilities, which produce a high replay value in this title.

Persona 3 is definitely worth the higher price (many recent Playstation 2 titles have reduced prices) for hard core RPG fans who plan on completing the game more than once. Casual gamers can also find a great experience if they complete the game in smaller blocks of time (e.g. one school week a night). Players can even choose an easy level that allows continues 10 times after a character becomes unconscious. Make sure you have plenty of rest and you’ll do just fine (your support team really freaks out if any one gets tired). This quality title ‘evokes’ elements of The Sims, Harvest Moon, Final Fantasy and even Choose Your Own Adventure books while creating several original scenarios to set it apart from these similar titles. (***1/2, rated M for blood, language, partial nudity and violence)

She flirted with pop culture stardom more than four years ago, but Candice Coleman wants the world to know there’s more to her than an appearance on a hit reality television show.

“I still get a lot of people that say, ‘You’re that “American Idol” girl,’ which is kind of flattering, really,” said Coleman, a Toledo native who was one of the final 32 contestants on the show’s second season, which aired in early 2003. “There’s just a lot more depth to me than that ‘American Idol’ girl.”

For starters, Coleman, 27, has married and given birth to her second child, 4-month-old Cole. But she hasn’t given up on her dream of a career in the music industry, and recently rekindled her “Idol” flames by traveling to New York City for a taping of “American Idol Rewind,” a behind-the-scenes look at the parent show.

Though she hesitantly described her trip as “enjoyable,” Coleman said she participated in the recap show to thank producers for the opportunity to showcase her singing ability.

“I felt very blessed to have been able to make it as far as I did,” she said. “It gave me a sense of confidence I hadn’t had before that I still hold on to.”

Coleman shies from defining her musical career by the “Idol” appearance, but said, “It was a big step in the right direction.” She refrains from tying her name to the show, however, she said concert promoters tend to do the exact opposite.

“I’m actually a songwriter. That’s what I do,” Coleman said.

Marriage and having two children — Cole and 8-year-old Harrison — have slowed Coleman’s push toward a music career, she said, but they have also inspired her to work harder at reaching her goal.

“If nothing else, it’s made me more motivated to get out there,” said Coleman, who described her sound as being “anywhere from country to hard rock.” “That inspiration has been renewed since I’ve had [Cole].

“I’m going to attack this with more vigor than ever.”

Coleman recently completed a demo with hopes to produce a full-length record, and performs regularly at local venues. She said she enjoys performing, but is frustrated that Toledo doesn’t embrace original artists.

“For whatever reason, Toledoans don’t want to support original talent,” Coleman said. “I’ve even had to start playing cover songs for four hours because that’s what sells,” she said.

Coleman remains in Toledo not only because of family ties, but also because she believes in the talent of the area’s artistic community.

“Toledo has an immense amount of talent, and it’s in a relatively small area,” she said, noting she believes the city has the resources to become a music hotbed similar to Seattle or Nashville.

Too many talented musicians or artists, Coleman said, have had to leave for other areas because it’s tough to have a career in this field being based in Toledo.

“Everybody’s leaving here, and we can’t let that happen,” she said. “My number-one goal is to bring the spotlight on Toledo.”

Coleman’s top priority remains taking care of her young family, but she said she is more focused than ever on her songwriting. She said she has several projects lined up, but declined to elaborate on what those undertakings would entail. She said she would continue to pursue every avenue to someday make a living off her music.

“I’m going to keep knocking down doors until I get in,” Coleman said.

Roughly 15,000 to 20,000 people, many donning bright, pink shirts, will run or walk through Downtown Toledo on Sept. 30 to support a cause near and dear to them. They’re breast cancer survivors or family and friends participating in the 14th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Only survivors are permitted to wear pink.

The event begins at 9 a.m. near Fifth Third Field, circumventing the ballpark on Lafayette, Summit, Bush and Huron streets. The roads will be closed at 7 a.m. and re-open after the race. Post-race activities include the awards ceremony for timed participants, the Kids Run and Kids for the Cure activities in the stadium’s outfield picnic area.

Linda Hoetzl, 2007 chair of the event, is leading the coordination of a “smooth, successful and safe” race, she said. She became involved 13 years ago as a Girl Scouts leader looking for a service project for her den. Though not a survivor, she explained, she’s been devoted to the organization out of passion, committing about 20 hours per week and rising through the ranks as a volunteer coordinator and co-chair.

“Komen likes you to work a position for a couple years, then try something else and try something else,” Hoetzl
said. “And it seems like every time I tried something else, it was a little more involved, a little more work.

“It’s not quite a full-time job, but my husband would argue otherwise.”

The Komen Race for the Cure represents the largest nongovernmental funding arm for breast cancer research, according to Hoetzl, which has expanded domestically as far as Puerto Rico and internationally to Germany and Italy, where she hopes to attend one day.

She also serves as an office coordinator for the Junior League of Toledo.

“It’s a lot of work; there are wonderful committee members that put a lot of time in for the race,” Hoetzl said. “And when you see the start line and you see the sea of pink shirts as the survivors start running and the walkers and all of the families and all of the activities, it’s an awesome event.”

Walk-in registrations will be available Sept. 27 through Sept. 29 at Brondes Ford on Conant Street in Maumee.
For more information or to register, visit

www.komennwohio.org or call (419) 824-1789.

What is Toledo’s strategy regarding the extraordinary economic boom in China? In the three times I had been to China in the last two years, I saw firsthand the emergence of a gigantic economy that is changing global economic patterns and the economies of nations and cities around the world.  Literally hundreds, if not thousands, of products — large and small — are entering the global marketplace from factories in China, and the economic impact of these exports is being felt throughout the industrialized world.  

Civic leaders and public officials in Toledo have come together to create the China Task Force to lay the foundation for stronger economic ties and relationships with China that will benefit our community and metropolitan region. I believe we now have an opportunity, through the efforts and leadership of this task force, to develop thoughtful plans and strategies to maximize the economic impact from these budding relationships. I’m excited by the possibilities and potential of this important initiative.

As I sit in the meetings of the China Task Force, it is clear to all of the members that Toledo needs a thoughtful and effective “China strategy.” But it is equally clear we also need a “global strategy.” The very same questions and issues now being raised about how to strengthen economic ties with China should also be asked about other nations … nations that are also aggressively redefining their places in the global economy.

We regularly read of the “belt tightening” decisions of our major corporations and worry about the loss of manufacturing jobs in our community. We know the hardships that are being sustained because of the current trends of downsizing and plant closings. We are feeling the negative impact of globalization in manufacturing and other sectors. What is our response to these patterns of globalization and their impact on Toledo and the metropolitan area? We should begin a more organized effort immediately to find the economic opportunities that are on the other side of the “globalization coin” that will bring jobs and investment to our region.

We cannot be passive when it comes to defining our place in the global economy. We must make a place for ourselves; otherwise, we will not be a player but simply a spectator on the sidelines while other cities and regions become skillful competitors in this rapidly expanding global economy. To be a player means addressing some tough issues and answering complex questions that are not easy to answer. But we avoid them at our own peril.

With this global expansion, however, comes unprecedented business and economic opportunities if we are prepared to compete in a more strategically sophisticated way. We have a tremendous opportunity in Northwest Ohio to leverage our strengths in manufacturing, transportation, higher education, research and other sectors to attract investment from around the world. As one of our city officials said, “This is not a time for xenophobia. We should welcome these global economic opportunities.”

UT, like other major universities across the nation and throughout the world, is developing its own global strategy to become more competitive on the international stage. Our growing relationships in China are one example. But the Toledo metropolitan area also needs a “global strategy.” Toledo, too, must change and adapt as the global economy changes. It cannot be “business as usual” if we want to emerge from this fast-paced, global economic transition as a stronger, more successful regional economy.  

An idea and suggestion

Using the model of the China Task Force, we could establish similar task forces for other parts of the world that would economically benefit the Toledo metropolitan area and region. We could, I believe, have similar task forces for India, Japan, other Asia/Pacific Rim countries, Mexico, Canada, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, South America, Africa and other strategic economic areas of the world.  

The leadership of these several international task forces could form the membership of a new Toledo Area Council on Global Affairs whose mission and role would be to promote, develop, implement, and coordinate a global economic strategy for the Toledo metropolitan area and region. The goal of the proposed Council on Global Affairs would be to position and help prepare Toledo to be an active, successful “player” in the global
economy.  The Council would help guide our region onto the global stage with a positive, pro-active, collaborative strategy designed to inform and enable our area businesses, public and private sector leaders, as well as our economic development organizations to play an effective competitive role in the global economy.

Toledo is blessed to have a highly diverse population representing numerous ethnic groups, cultures and countries. This diversity of cultures and nationalities is a largely untapped asset that can be used to strengthen Toledo’s international ties, boost trade and grow our economy.  We have the diverse population, expertise and talent needed to help launch and support an effective global strategy.

How would the proposed Toledo Area Council on Global Affairs achieve its goal?

Actually, there are several possible approaches for strengthening Toledo’s global competitiveness. In addition to working closely with organizations that have good international ties such as the International Business Institute at UT, Toledo Sister Cities, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the international offices of our major corporations, and local companies currently engaged in international business, the council would create an active strategic network of sustained international relationships focused on imports and exports, trade and commerce, and foreign investment. The Council, in partnership with the Regional Growth Partners (RGP) and Strategic Education and Economic Development (SEED), would gather information on international markets and foster relationships that could be used by local businesses to strengthen our global competitiveness. 

Similarly, the Council would recommend the deployment of trade missions for carefully selected groups to strategically selected countries where business opportunities exist. As our influence grows, we could use it to promote higher environmental standards and labor protections abroad. And, equally important, the council would provide guidance on effective protocols and etiquette for hosting high-level international delegations. 

As I have traveled to Asia, Eastern Europe and other regions of the world, I’ve often found our hosts treat our visits with a much higher level of importance and greater sensitivity than when we host our international visitors. There are international protocols, ceremonial traditions and forms of etiquette that increase the effectiveness of trade missions and international visits. The more proficient we become in the use of these protocols, the more effective we will be at building global relationships that will, in turn, be reflected in greater international trade and commerce.

We have many different views about globalization. Some would like to speed it up; others would like to slow it down. Still others would like to stop it altogether. Regardless of our view of globalization, the forces that brought us to this point (e.g., The World is Flat) are unrelenting and even accelerating. Our task is to develop and implement strategies that ensure that Toledo and our region are doing all that can be done to benefit from the increasingly powerful forces of the global economy.

Perhaps there is a better way of taking full advantage of the global opportunities than creating a council on global affairs.  If there is, now is the time to roll it out and bring it up to speed. We can’t afford to lose any more ground or time.

Dan Johnson is president emeritus and university professor of Public Policy and Economic Development at the University of Toledo. E-mail him at dan.johnson@utoledo.edu.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur has serious concerns about the “downside” of trading with the People’s Republic of China related to that country’s political climate, the U.S. trade deficit, counterfeiting, protecting intellectual property, product safety, human rights and work force issues.

“For every upside there is a downside,” said Kaptur, referring to her many reasons for concern about doing business with China.

“A country’s political system is the most important factor I consider when I look at dealing with them. Business relationships exist within the political system. The politics aren’t normal with a communist country like China,” Kaptur said.

Kaptur has sponsored HR-1958, a House bill that would “withdraw normal trade relations treatment” and apply certain provisions of the Trade Act of l974 to “the products of the People’s Republic of China.”

Introduced on April 15, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means April 19 and to the Subcommittee on Trade April 25 where it remains today.

Kaptur explained that it includes a provision to establish a framework for relations
between the U.S. and People’s Republic of China. Normal trade relations may be extended to the products of China only in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Act of 1974.  

“China is not a normal economy and it does not play by the rules. They exploit labor and the workers. The human side of what’s going on there is really important,” Kaptur said.

“We need to tie human rights to trade deals with China because the government doesn’t allow dissent or respect freedom of speech,” said County Commissioner Ben Konop, who traveled to Toledo’s sister city Qinhuangdao in China earlier this year.

“When we trade with undemocratic nations, there should be standards. If we don’t maintain our standards, we diminish our own and erode our freedom,” Kaptur said.    

“China needs to raise its standards and environmental laws to compete on a more level playing field,” said City Councilman Mark Sobczak, an advocate for trading with China.

The congresswoman offers plenty of reasons supported by facts and history to support her strict stand on China.
“The trade deficit is the bottom line and it’s not good with China or Japan because it’s not a partnership with those countries,” said Kaptur.

The trade deficit has doubled since President Bush took office, reaching $763.6 billion last year. Bush’s administration has added more than $3 trillion to the national debt with the country’s debts now totaling $8.8 trillion.

The U.S. currently has a trade deficit of more than $230 billion with China. That country is also the second largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury Securities with $321 billion or 15 percent of the foreign-owned total. Only Japan owns more U.S. securities with $640 billion and 31 percent.

Fifteen years ago, the U.S. had no trade deficit with China and now it’s more than $200 billion.

“More than half of the U.S. debt is now financed by foreign creditors. America should never again allow itself to be placed in a subservient position to foreign countries or global corporations,” said Kaptur.

“I am opposed to becoming more dependent on foreign capital and goods. You drain your country’s wealth and become a debtor rather than an owner and you’re not in control. We’re trading our future away. America should stand on her own two feet.”

Failed trade policies, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Kaptur says she opposed from the beginning, have racked up the red ink. As trade deficit explodes toward $1 trillion, federal debt escalates with it, said Kaptur.

“I am apprehensive about theft of our intellectual properties and counterfeiting of our goods,” Kaptur said. “There are real issues of national security and the security of intellectual properties when dealing with China.”
Kaptur believes that China is the largest counterfeiter in the world. The Chinese violate U.S. patent and copyright laws and steal intellectual properties, she added.

“How is the University of Toledo going to protect all of the intellectual properties that it may share with China?” asked Kaptur.

China’s copyright and patent laws are completely compliant as a member of the World Trade Organization. The problem appears to be that enforcement of those laws is inconsistent.

“Enforcement is better than it was three years ago, but it is still spotty,” said Llew Gibbons, associate professor of law at the UT College of Law, who just returned from China in July.

Gibbons participated in a special program for 30 graduate students at the Intellectual Property Rights School & Center at Zhognan University for Finance and Law. China is putting more effort and resources into the enforcement of its intellectual property laws, according to Gibbons.

“The problem is that provincial governments control the local markets and the laws are harder to enforce at the local levels,” said Gibbons.

The Chinese government owns the rights and trademark for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Gibbons said it will be interesting to see how well it polices the sale of counterfeit goods then.

Rogers shares concerns

Kaptur is not the only member of Congress that is concerned about trading with China. In fact, a Republican congressman from Michigan shares her concerns and more.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich – Brighton) believes that China’s unfair trade practices continue to harm manufacturers in the U.S. “China’s cheating has cost us jobs,” he said.

“I have been a strong advocate of enforcing fair trade with China,” Rogers said. “The time has passed when we need to take off the kid gloves and get tough about demanding that China live up to the laws that put us on a level playing field.”

“We must put a stop to their counterfeit products like auto parts, currency manipulation and the outright theft of intellectual properties,” he said.

Counterfeit auto parts cost U.S. automotive suppliers $12 billion annually in sales, which translates to about 200,000 jobs lost each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FBI reports that counterfeit products steal about $250 billion in sales and 750,000 U.S. jobs a year.  

Rogers recently introduced legislation that would strengthen the Office of China Compliance to boost enforcement of international trade rules. As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Trade, Rogers knows that China ignores international trade law, using unfair practices that are literally stealing American jobs.   

“Workers in the U.S. can compete in the global economy as long as trade rules are fair and all nations abide by the laws governing international trade,” said Rogers who served as an FBI Special Agent. “China must be held accountable for its cheating and the impact on American workers and their families.”

Some observers note that what has held the U.S. relationship with the European Union together for so many years is a fundamental value consensus on democracy, human rights, liberal economics and a common destiny. Some suggest that value consensus does not apply to China and the ideological perspective of the Chinese elite, according to a study conducted by the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

The dispute between ProMedica and UT mandates comment. I am a former board member and chairman of UT — and now secretary of the Ohio Board of Regents. UT has been and is now one of our community’s most precious assets.

Merging MUO and UT has created an even stronger institution — and has forged some very clear strategic directions — one of which is to be recognized as a transformational force in the ongoing evolution of our regional and national health care system.

A strategy being pursued to attain this goal is to mature their educations, research and clinical relationships with the regional clinical practices and affiliate hospital systems in such a way that their educational programs are protected and nurtured.

In doing that, they have sought to improve the quality, quantity and diversity of their graduate medical educational opportunities in our health care system and in the region — and they have been attempting to enhance the recruitment and retention of their graduates into their graduate medical education programs.
In short, they are trying to graduate competent, well-trained physicians and keep them here in the community.

Recently, a blue-ribbon panel of four experienced and respected graduate medical education leaders presented their report indicating that:

1. Toledo has an aging physician work force. This fact, and the trends in graduate medical education, predict a physician work force shortage in approximately five years of crisis proportion.

2. Retention of medical students in UT’s own graduate medical education program is declining.

3. This crisis will be most severe in subspecialty areas where UT’s graduate medical education programs are the weakest or currently nonexistent.

4. Graduate medical education has a significant impact on health care quality. Quality graduate medical education programs  tend to product quality care.

5. Current trends have grave implications for the physician work force as physicians tend to reside and practice where they finish their graduate medical education.

6. Strong lines of evidence suggests that quality, cost and out-migration of care would be favorably affected were UT’s graduate medical education program strengthened.

The blue ribbon panel concluded their report by noting that undergraduate medical education is excellent and improving. The University of Toledo’s College of Medicine recruits students with excellent grades and tests scores who are upon graduation, recruited by excellent graduate medical education programs.

They further noted that graduate medical education programs at UT College of Medicine have not kept pace.

Careful analysis of the weaknesses discloses a recurring theme. The relationships between UT’s College of Medicine and its clinical training sites and hospital partnerships are stressed by intense competition in the health care marketplace.

These troubled relationships are larger than UT itself and therefore constitute a critical community issue.
UT’s College of Medicine must make every effort to recruit students, faculty and residents, to strengthen its programs by attention to detail and to work with its community partners to improve relationships.

This is such a serious and critical matter that the broader community of Toledo and Northwest Ohio must assume an active role regarding graduate medical education in our community. Graduate medical education is a community responsibility.

A community-wide consortium of leaders should be created to oversee graduate medical education in Northwest Ohio. This consortium should confront the issues and the people directly where necessary and move quickly to avert crisis and improve care.

The fundamental charge should be to create an atmosphere in which medical education is held harmless in the competition which characterizes health care delivery today, for the purpose of improving educational quality and averting a physician shortage crisis.

James Tuschman,
Secretary, Ohio Board of Regents