Balderdash - A guy with heart

“Verity - the quality or state of being true or real; Balderdash – nonsense.”

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

A guy with heart

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

It’s ditty time again. Enjoy.

A guy is 84 years old and loves to fish.

He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, 'Pick me up.' He looked around and couldn't see anyone. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, 'Pick me up.'

He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog.

The man said, 'Are you talking to me?'

The frog said, 'Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up, then kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!'

The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front pocket.

The frog said, 'What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride.'

He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, 'Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog.'

With age comes wisdom.

Opinion - As Ohio goes

As Ohio goes

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

Fed up yet?

It seems the bad news for our struggling president never seems to stop.

Now we have a security leak about our efforts in Afghanistan surfacing on Monday. By evening it was all over the news. The information dates back years but is just now being released.

The White House is attempting damage control with announcements that this was not new information to the administration.

Teens looking for you!

“A Few Good Teens are Looking for YOU!

Have you ever had a desire to help youth but didn’t know how?  Can you spare 90 minutes a week on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm?  Hope in Recovery is in need of a Co-Facilitator to help with its “Hope for Teens” program. All you need is compassion for our youth and a desire to listen.   You can make a huge difference in the life of a teen through this volunteer position.

“Hope for Teens” is a faith based recovery support group for teenagers 13 – 18 years of age who struggle with addiction or compulsive behavior.  Possibly, their lives are being affected by family or friends dealing with their own addictions.

Maybe you grew up in this type of environment and you are looking for an opportunity to give back.  If you are interested in helping our kids, please contact Art at 548-9006 for details.            

Letter from a TEA Patriot

Dear Family, Friends, and Fellow Americans,

            I am writing about a story that simply amazes me. For the past two days a few of my friends, and I were passing out flyers. These flyers are basically our Tea Party Mission Statement. We also were passing out little cards that had what President Ford once said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is a government that can take everything you have.” 

Delaplane to talk to Youth in Politics

Delaplane to talk to youth group

Youth in Politics will meet Aug. 12, 6 p.m. in the Brick Room of Brethren Retirement Community. Public is invited.

Darke County Commissioner Diane Delaplane will talk to the Youth in Politics group about the duties and responsibilities of the commissioner’s office at its Aug. 12 meeting. The group will be inviting candidates for commissioner over the coming months to find out how they plan to address the office if elected in November.

Report - Sex crimes mostly family related

Sex crimes mostly family related

By Bob Robinson

“Are we doing it the right way?”

That’s the concern of Darke County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Mike Burns regarding John Graham’s sex offender program. While acknowledging Graham’s program is a city issue, he said the problem is countywide.

He added there is no doubt there is a need to deal with offenders, but is concerned about the lack of community involvement.

“There’s a right way to make it fit,” he said. “But that won’t happen without the community behind you.”

Key Club starts summer with Annie

GHS Key Club kicks off summer with Annie Oakley

Support GHS Key Club with its fundraiser car wash Friday from 11 to 3 at Dave Knapp Ford. A great car wash is free, donations gladly accepted.

An aggressive summer activity program started with the Greenville High School Key Club’s first appearance in the annual Annie Oakley parade.

A dozen teenagers braved the heat Saturday morning, nearly half of them walking the entire parade route. Three hundred brochures, plus several bags of candy, were handed out along the parade route and members were excited over the response.

Guest Opinion - Elizabeth Horner... a Vision for Darke County

A Vision for Darke County

By Elizabeth Horner

            When I think of Thomas Edison, I also see Miss Sure Shot and that image of Edison filming Darke County's Annie as she repeatedly took an aim at her targets --- and Annie's motto that practice, practice, and practice will eventually make you hit the bull's eye of success.  Thomas Edison himself said that a genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration. 

Special Opinion - Fading Memories

The Darke County TEA Patriots held a rally Saturday at Annie Oakley Park. It was a hot and windy afternoon, but those in attendance listened to patriotic music provided by Rockin’ Robin, sat through three presentations from speakers, then took a tour downtown to show their support for the cause. I was privileged to be on of those speakers.

Fading Memories

By Bob Robinson

I’d like to thank Chris Zuccharo and the Darke County TEA Patriots for inviting me to speak today.

Someone once told me that Annie Oakley is a fading memory.

“My mother remembers her,” this person said, “along with a few others of her generation… but today? They don’t care.”

Walking in Pink - We reached our Goal!

Thanks to my supporters

For those who missed it, I thought I’d give you a couple of photos from Saturday’s Walk in Pink, including a couple on the “inside” before we hit the streets.

Guest Opinion - Elizabeth Horner on a new school

Why we need a new school

By Elizabeth Horner

Eleventh grade student of Greenville City Schools, Elizabeth Horner who is an advocate for youth skill development, particularly programs that promote reading and writing to young people, speaks out on why it is important to build a new school building for Grades 5-8.

News Report - Breaking... More to Come

Annie Oakley Days...

Key Club scores a new first with its appearance in the Annie Oakley Parade and... uh... so who's the... uh... lady?

More later!

Verity - We've Come A Long Way

“Verity - the quality or state of being true or real; Balderdash – nonsense.”

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

We’ve come a long way

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

This is a weekend of celebration… celebrating the life and times of Darke County’s favorite daughter, Annie Oakley. As I went through all of my V&B’s to see what I had to offer, I found nothing appropriate to her or the gift she left us.

Guest Opinion - Stegall, Two Cans of Pop

Two Cans of Pop

By Mike Stegall

Republican Candidate for Darke County Commissioner

Whenever there is a complex problem or a real controversy, the most enjoyable part of the solution to me is trying to put the solution into words that people can relate to.  By doing this, I think it makes what I am trying to get across simpler to understand.  The biggest controversy in the Greenville area right now is the school bond issue. There is so much emotion on both sides of the argument that sometimes the actual facts get lost.  This is a very important subject to a lot of people and needs to be looked at rationally.

Opinion - The Lessons Annie Taught Us

The lessons Annie taught us

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

I owe two people a huge apology, Greenville High School senior Paul Reitz and Darke County Commissioner Terry Haworth.

Reitz made an excellent presentation to Darke County Youth in Politics a week ago yesterday and Haworth made a similarly excellent presentation to the Darke County TEA Patriots two days earlier.

Both were deserving of special stories to be posted on my blog, but they haven’t been written yet. No excuse… simply not enough hours in the day.

Guest Opinion - Don Wright on Greenville Schools

The Sting

Editor:

Do you people remember an old movie with Paul Newman and Robert Redford where they conned a criminal out of a lot of money? The Greenville School Board and Susie Riegle is using the same tactics on Senior Citizens and parents to get votes for the new school.

Does anyone believe that the new school will have a five thousand square foot senior center? If it did the school board should be horse whipped down Broadway on Saturday afternoon.

What the hell does a senior center have to do with educating children?

Report - Walls is Miss Annie Oakley 2010

Meet Miss Annie Oakley 2010

Ruby Jo Walls

Ansonia freshman, Ruby Jo Walls, 14, took the shooting competition in the 14^th round at 90 feet.

Report from Reason Magazine - Teachers Unions vs Online Education

http://reason.com/archives/2010/07/20/teachers-unions-vs-online-educ

Reason Magazine

Teachers Unions vs. Online Education
Kids live on the Internet. Why aren’t they learning online too?
Katherine Mangu-Ward from the August-September 2010 issue

I know a 3-year-old who’s a master of online multitasking. Give him an iPhone, and he’ll cheerfully chat you up while watching YouTube cartoons or playing an alphabet game. In 2010, toddlers start consuming digital information not long after they’ve started consuming solid food.

Report - 9/11 primary cause of DARE demise

9/11 primary cause of DARE demise

By Bob Robinson

“The things you taught us were exactly right… I was able to stand up to it.”

“I should have listened to you… I lost my wife, my kids, my freedom, my cash… due to my heroin addiction.”

Sgt. Mike Burns, Darke County Sheriff’s Office, said Sept. 11, 2001, was the primary cause for the DARE program being dropped by the county.

“The program was proactive… our resources had to be shifted more to reactive.”

Burns told Greenville Kiwanis at their Wednesday meeting that the program “limped” along for another six months after 9/11, then was gone.

Report - Annie Oakley finalists, best costume

Kramer wins ‘Best Costume’ in Miss Annie Oakley Competition

Finalists vie for title at 6 p.m., Darke County Fairgrounds.

Fifteen-year-old Kari Kramer took “Best Costume” in the Miss Annie Oakley 2010 semi-finals Wednesday evening at the Darke County Fairgrounds, and five finalists remain out of the 11 contestants competing for Miss Annie Oakley.

Left to right, the five finalists who will “shoot it out” tonight are: Ruby Jo Walls, 14, Kramer, Marie Blakely, 15, Molly Magoto, 15, and Terah Colby, 15. Far right is 2009 Miss Annie Oakley, Leah Metzger.

Of the 11 contestants, two were removed from the competition in early rounds, two more in Round 8 (60 feet), and two more in Round 9 (65 feet). The final rounds will begin at 70 feet.

Enjoying the contest and festivities are Wesley, “The Mustache Kid,” and Jenna Dowler (left), Miss Annie Oakley 2008.

Bob Robinson is the retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports, send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to express your views.

Citizens 4 Change Mission

Citizens4Change

Unity in our Community

Citizens4Change Mission seeks to improve our community in Greenville, Ohio through action plans for change, which contribute to the health and vitality of the community.

The purpose, for which Citizens4Change is organized, is to serve as a forum to enable citizens of our community to openly and honestly discuss issues that concern our city, Greenville, Ohio and to find common ground in order to take action on projects that ensure an economic, social, and safe sound future. .... Citizens Change is a bipartisan group, affiliated with no political party.

Wii Fun in the Darke

“Wii Fun in the Darke” fundraiser to benefit CAP seniors 60+

Staff members of the Brethren Retirement Community (BRC) are partnering with Darke Co. Community Action Partnership (CAP) to raise funds for CAP’s Senior Programs Activities. Jan Teaford, Director of Development at BRC, along with Audrey Plessinger, Activities Director at CAP, have initiated a social media campaign to include the youth of Darke Co. to raise enough funds for a flat screen TV, a Wii system, games, extra controllers, a DVD player and movies for seniors 60+ to enjoy at the CAP location in Greenville.

News Report - Ribs & Blues event a success

First annual “Blues” event a success

More than 200 people gathered at Eagles Park Shade Road Friday evening to enjoy great food and a mixture of Blues and Rock from Ray Fuller & The Blues Rockers.

News Report - Dozens brave heat, tour South

Dozens brave heat, tour South

By Bob Robinson

Safety of the students a primary concern

“It’s been pretty much non-stop traffic since about 8:45,” said Administrative Services Director Jon McGreevy.

Greenville Schools opened South School for tours at 6 a.m. Saturday to give “doubters” a chance to see the facility prior to voting for the bond on Aug. 3.

Robinson marches for the cure... donations requested

Robinson marches in “pink” for the cure

The schedule is full for Annie Oakley Days Saturday… Breast Cancer Awareness, Key Club & T.E.A. Patriots

Bob Robinson has agreed to dress up in the most outlandish pink and purple dress and accessories he can find. You’ll find him marching down South Broadway – along with several other “macho” guys – at 9 a.m. Saturday morning before the Annie Oakley Days Parade.

He is, however, doing it for a worthy cause: Breast Cancer Awareness.

Robinson said he’s asking his friends to “make a donation” to see the show.

Guest Opinion - Mike Stegall, The Problem with Problems

The Problem with Problems

By Mike Stegall,

Republican Candidate for Darke County Commissioner

                Turn on any newscast or radio broadcast, read any paper, get on the world wide web, or go to any social gathering and all you hear about are the problems we are having.  It is widespread.  Social Security will be broke in a few years. Medicare and Medicaid are already insolvent. More money is needed to bail out this.  Not enough money went to fix that. The economy is tanking, and no new jobs are being created.  It is a never ending deluge of bad news and unsolvable problems.  Most of our problems are problems that have been around, or brewing, for decades.  How did we get in this mess?  The answer is really quite simple. This mess wasn’t fixed when it should have been!

News Report - Graham, C4C controversy continues

Graham, C4C controversy continues

By Bob Robinson

“Steven was fired because of this group,” John Graham said, holding Steven’s picture in front of him. “I worked with him for six months, mentoring him. He was working. He was getting his life back together.

“Because of them, he lost his job, had no means of support. The state put him on a bus, took him back to Findlay and dropped him off in front of the post office there.

“I am angry!”

Graham didn’t say this incident was the catalyst for an Advocate article that attacked his critics as a “hate” group. He left it for members and guests of the Darke County Republican Men’s Club to draw their own conclusions Saturday morning.

Two hours later, Kathy Beam, one of the leaders of Citizens 4 Change, meeting in Shelter 3 at Greenville Park, said that to her knowledge no one has lost a job as a result of their efforts.

Guest Opinion - Sermonizing in the appropriate form

John Graham’s recent article in The Advocate, An offering to God, created a stir among many who have supported (at least to some extent) what he is doing with his “sex offenders” program, as well as those who oppose it. One individual has already responded, “It was insulting.” Graham defended it at Saturday morning’s Republican Men’s Club meeting – story soon to be posted – however, this letter has been submitted for publication.

Sermonizing is best limited to the appropriate form

Public sermonizing and the invocation of the name of God is not an effective tool when dealing with secular issues. Constitutionally it is referred to as “separation of church and state.”

Bits & Pieces - Rasmussen Reports

Rasmussen Reports

Bits & Pieces

By Bob Robinson

Over the years I’ve expressed my opinions about polls… there are polls and there are polls and they seldom say the same thing.

The only “poll” that counts is the final vote after an election.

Polls are like statistics. You can pretty much make them say whatever you want them to say. With statistics, it’s how you choose the data (ie what’s important and what isn’t)… it depends on your agenda.

With polls, it’s how you ask the question, and of whom.