Traveling Through Trump Country

Part 5. Cleveland Scenes

Tom Johnson looks out on his city. Johnson, who made a fortune in streetcars and steel, was present for the Great Flood in Johnstown, Pa. in 1889, because he owned a steel mill there. He led the local relief efforts, and the devastation he witnessed changed his life. He turned against the privileged rich, who escaped all responsibility for the collapse of the dam and became one of the leading Progressive reformers of the era and the legendary four-term mayor of Cleveland, who spent the rest of his life fighting the city’s powerful Republican business elite.

Tom Johnson looks out on his city.

Johnson, who made a fortune in streetcars and steel, was in Johnstown, Pa. for the Great Flood of 1889 because he owned a steel mill there. He led the local relief efforts, and the devastation he witnessed changed his life. He turned against the privileged rich, who escaped all responsibility for the collapse of the dam, and became one of the leading Progressive reformers of the era and the legendary four-term mayor of Cleveland, who spent the rest of his life fighting the city’s powerful Republican business elite.

Empty StreetRoad Closed

Sidewalk Art

Sidewalk Art

The Bicycle Patrol

The Bicycle Patrol

Homo Sex is Sin

This group and Black Lives Matter were separated by a wall (of police bikes)

The Bike LineCompeting protest groups shared the same square, hurling vitriol and insults at each other, with what almost amounted to gleeful banter. Many of the protests had the air of well-rehearsed theater, although it takes only a tiny spark to ignite a fire. And Ohio is is an “open carry” state.

“It’s every citizen’s right to be able to defend themselves and their family, and I believe that an open-carry society is a much politer society.” Tim Selaty, director of operations, Citizens for Trump.

“Lock her up! Lock her up!” Good taste was often on vacation from Cleveland last week.

“Lock her up! Lock her up!”
Good taste was often on vacation from Cleveland last week.

Former Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, delegate from Tennessee who cast his vote for Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump, Jr., who did not.

Former Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe, delegate from Tennessee who cast his vote for Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump, Jr., who did not.

James G. Blaine

About James G. Blaine

Most of us undervalue what seem our tiny contributions to our communities and the world. As a result, we feel powerless, even victimized. But, like the butterfly effect in science, the lives we lead with our families, in our communities, and at work – all the so-called little things we do – collectively change the world. As I grow older, my ambition grows more modest but not less important: to participate fully and to contribute what I can. That’s my goal with this blog.