Bits & Pieces - A Walter Cronkite Moment

A Walter Cronkite Moment

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

In a copyrighted story from Associated Press, published by Newmax, Pres. Barack Obama tells NBC Nightly News that he isn’t worried about people believing he is a Muslim or that he doesn’t have a legitimate birth certificate.

Stating that he is a Christian, he says “the facts are the facts.”

Stating that he wouldn’t get much done if he spent all his time chasing rumors, he says he can't go around with his "birth certificate plastered on (his) forehead."

Dick Morris on the Senate races

Election commentary is heating up... Dick Morris, former strategist for Pres. Bill Clinton, gives his take on how the Senate is shaping up two months prior to the November election.

HOW REPUBLICANS WILL WIN THE SENATE

By DICK MORRIS

Published on DickMorris.com on August 30, 2010

It gets tiresome hearing the conventional wisdom say that the Democrats will likely keep control of the Senate.  Far from it.

To gain control, Republicans must win ten new seats.

Stegall - Will the Anger Last?

Will the Anger Last?

By Mike Stegall

Republican Candidate for Darke County Commissioner

The Great Darke County Fair is now over for 2010.  This is the first fair that I have ever spent this much time attending.  Normally, my wife, Rose, and I will go the fair once or twice and that’s it.  This year, I spent an awful lot of time in the Republican tent meeting people from all over Darke County, and all over the country, really.  I must admit that the fair has never been a huge part of summer for me, but this year, meeting all the people really made it enjoyable.

Bears Mill... untold beauty

How many of you have been to Bears Mill? It's one of the few remaining operational water powered mills in the country and it's just down the road from Greenville, east on Hwy. 36, then a right on Arcanum-Bears Mill Road.

If you've been there, I hope you took "the tour" with Bears Mill Mayor Terry Clark... or maybe he's the Bears Mill Ranger... in the midst of being its Mill Master.

More Greenville Schools History

Bob Rhoades has been doing a lot of research and has discovered some additional interesting information about the service that has been performed by our historic Greenville Schools buildings.

They have served our communities well. My question? Will we serve our youth as well as these buildings have? You tell me.

http://greenvilleschoolsneedtoknowstuff.blogspot.com/

School comment...

This came from "anonymous" - I have a strict policy that anonymous comments will not be published and I'm holding to it. If you don't wish to use your name, then you can make one up. You are not required to post any private information and I moderate everything I get before allowing it to be published.

That said, I believe this comment is worthy of publication, so you can consider it being from me...

Bob
Why not try getting the land (in front of the High School from the city) and make it a new grade school then renovate the high school for the middle school. K-9 could attend. Then build a new high school 10-12 at the 121 site. This might match the state mandated acreage and all grades K-12 will benefit.

Rasmussen's Week in Review

The highlights of this week's Rasumssen Week in Review include:

More than a quarter of voters view themselves as Tea Party members or know someone who is... and they've had an impact on at least one primary.

62 percent believe we would be better off if most members of Congress are defeated in November.

Nearly half of voters believe Barack Obama's views are extreme, also Sarah Palin. Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney are believed to have more mainstream views.

Nearly half of voters favor repeal of health care bill.

There's more... check it out at:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/weekly_updates/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls

Balderdash - Life explained

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

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Life explained

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Some people are born to face a life of challenges. And some are born so that we can look at them and wonder how they will ever survive the age of cyberspace…

During a recent password audit, it was found that a young woman was using the following password: "MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofySacramento."

Opinion - Facing reality again

Facing reality again

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

“Glad you’re back, Bob.”

“Great reading you in the paper again.”

A recent conversation at the Republican tent, overheard by a friend… “You read Robinson’s column yet? It’s really good… you have to read it.”

He was referring to Wednesday’s “Paying the Price” in the Daily Advocate.

Then in the livestock area, “You need to run (for commissioner) as an Independent.”

“Can’t. Deadline was the day before the primary.”

Thomas Edison voted for Statuary Hall

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 26, 2010
CONTACT: Kristin Strobel
(614) 466-8060

Statuary Committee Recommends The People’s Choice:
Thomas Edison for Statuary Hall

Columbus – Though acknowledging it was a difficult decision, by unanimous vote, the members of the Ohio National Statuary Collection Study Committee, voted today to recommend the people’s choice – Thomas Edison – to be Ohio’s representative in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol.

“The reality is that any one of the distinguished Ohioans up for consideration by this Committee was worthy of a statue,” Wagoner said. “That’s why I think that the democratic public vote process was such a good exercise. I am not aware of any other state that asked the residents of their state to play such a major role in the process.”

Reading Fairy Contest starts again

Reading Fairy Contest starts again

Horner and Postmaster apologize for error

On behalf of the United States Postal Service, Greenville Postmaster William Judge issued an apology on August 25, 2010 to the participants of the "Reading Fairy Contest" launched by Elizabeth Horner and the friends of the Reading Fairy early part of this summer.

The contest announcement was published in Bob Robinson's blog, other local media outlets, and centers with summer programming.  A clerical error occurred and Elizabeth Horner's P.O. Box was treated as a closed box and entries to the summer reading contest were returned to the senders.

The USPS has rectified the problem but it is too late to conclude the contest and be fair to everyone, according to Horner. Participants who sent their entries or wrote to the Reading Fairy are highly encouraged to resubmit them to the same address:  P.O. Box 263, Greenville, OH 45331.

Sex offender danger in Greenville

 Is there a danger from sex offenders in Greenville?

An informational meeting has been scheduled on Sept. 2.  Use the link for details, posted by Darke County View on Advocate360.org.

http://blogville.dailyadvocate.com/?s=sex+offender+danger

Bits & Pieces - Life Support

Life support

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

Hey folks, I’d love to be the bearer of good news… I really would. But then I’d be guilty of the same things that many Dems in Washington, the top guy in the White House, and their lock-in-step media supporters are guilty of:

Creating the news and a false sense of comfort.

The people know better. My only request is that you don’t shoot the messenger.

Silky & other items of interest

Silky & other items of interest

The Great Darke County Fair is moving quickly… a little too quickly, to the end of its 154th year. I’ve made three trips, so far, and will likely make a couple more.

How about you?

Every year I see the same mistakes being made by people wanting a “free ride” but I also see some new and interesting things.

Bits & Pieces - All is well

All is well

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

“More Americans now disapprove of President Barack Obama than approve of him as high unemployment and government spending scare voters ahead of November's midterm elections, Reuters/Ipsos poll found on Tuesday.”

According to a Tuesday Newsmax report, nearly three-fourths of the American public is worried about joblessness, and two-thirds are concerned about government spending.

“The unemployment rate of 9.5 percent and the huge budget deficit are dragging down the Democrats and eating away at Obama's popularity only 20 months after he took office on a wave of hope that he could turn around the economy,” Newsmax continued.

Eagles supports Harness Racing

Eagles sponsors third race at fair

The Greenville Eagles sponsored the third race at the Darke County Fair Aug. 21. The winner was Northern Companion, owned by Mandy Jones of Greenville. 2010 is Northern Companion’s first year of racing. The purse was $600; Northern Companion’s lifetime prior winnings were $960. Among those pictured, in no specific order, were Jones, trainer Brian Jones, rider Marlin Schmucker, harness racing volunteer Tim Harless, Eagles Vice President Steffanie Baker, Eagles Past President Kerry Young and Eagles Secretary Bob Robinson. Harless thanked the Eagles for its years of support for Darke County Harness Racing.

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.

Gotcha

Gotcha

Steve Baker has been an icon of the WHIO-TV Northern Bureau for as long as I’ve been here. His work is appreciated (usually), but always respected, by residents of Darke County.

I’ll never forget the first time I appeared on Channel 7 News. It wasn’t something I was used to in the traditional friendly rivalry between print and electronic media. I asked him about it…

“I love to put newspaper editors on the tube,” he said, grinning. “It bugs them.”

I got a kick out of it. And the next opportunity I had, his mug was published on Page 1 of The Daily Advocate.

It’s been back and forth ever since, except now he has an unfair advantage. I’m no longer with the paper.

But I have a blog and he showed up at the Great Darke County Fair while I was on Gate 5… so there ya go, Steve.

Gotcha!

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

Balderdash - Thoughts on a Slinky

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

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Thoughts on a Slinky

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

If you are like me, half of the emails you receive each day are from someone you know, sending to (undisclosed). They can be heart-warming, funny, even scary.

I got this from an email friend who, I imagine, finally got one too many! This is what he said…

I want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year. I am totally screwed up now and have little chance of recovery. 


Melody Line entertains Kiwanis

Melody Line entertains Kiwanis

A singing group that has somehow eluded my attention for the past eight years, Melody Line, provided a great lunchtime show for Greenville Kiwanis Wednesday.

Opinion - The Temporary Republican

The temporary Republican

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

Good grief it’s busy these days.

I had a great trip to Florida and I’ve been paying for it ever since. I’m behind the 8-ball on just about every obligation I have.

Update…

The Republican fair tent has been set up. James McGlothlin and I arrived on time, but pretty much watched the final touches as most of the work had been done by Mike Rhoades, Wendell Miller, Joe LeMaster, Ken Wombold and David Barger. They got there early.

I have two students in Youth in Politics who want to help and learn at the political tents at the fair. One young lady is interested in the Democratic tent; a young man is interested in the Republican tent.

Delaplane thanks Youth in Politics

   Last week, Darke County Commissioner Diane Delaplane gave one of her evenings to talk to young people in the Greenville area and from Mississiniwa Valley about the local political structure, concentrating on county Townships and the Commissioners Office.
   The Youth in Politics group was interested in the responsibilities of a commissioner because they will be looking at the candidates for retiring Terry Haworth's position in the November general election.

Railroad crossing from hell

Railroad Crossing from Hell

By Bob Robinson

Anybody been on Hunter Road lately?

Do you even know where Hunter Road is? Take Hwy 49 North a little over four miles from the old North School. Hunter Road is the intersection on the right, going east.

Or you can take Hwy 118 North and turn west… except I wouldn’t recommend it.

Report - GSD bond issue... what went wrong

A little history, and a question

What went wrong on August 3?

Bob Rhoades, long time Greenville resident and retired fire fighter professional and instructor, has done some research that the Greenville School District possibly hasn’t.

And maybe should have.

He wonders if the bond issue would have passed had more time been spent campaigning and holding public meetings outside of the city.

Bits & Pieces - Dismal

A dismal picture

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these… after seeing Monday’s Rasmussen Reports, I knew it was time once again.

Two-thirds of the American people are disgusted with federal policies.

Sixty percent – the highest number yet – want the health care bill repealed. Half of them feel it will hurt the economy.

Key Club welcomes Mr. Mortensen

Two hundred and counting

Key Club service grows, and it welcomes its new faculty advisor, Mr. Mortensen

As summer approaches the highlight of the year – and the prelude to a new school year – the Greenville High School Key Club has already performed more than 200 hours of community service.

Report - Scribes support local teen

Senior Scribes support local teen

Photo by Lyn Bliss

The Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee donated $150 to Mississiniwa Valley Senior Dorothy Gilbert to allow her to attend a summer Ball State Journalism Workshop. While the Scribes program was established to create scholarship funding for graduating seniors going into communication fields, members were pleased to be able to help a student interested in journalism continue her education in a university workshop setting. Left to right: Gilbert, Delbert Blickenstaff, Bob Robinson, Al Bliss and Al Greiner.

Note: The Senior Scribes Scholarship program often requests follow-up from donation recipients as they pursue their education. Gilbert was asked to write an article for publication on her experience at the workshop. Her story is posted next.

Guest Opinion Gilbert - BSU Workshop "Intense"

BSU Workshop an “Intense” experience

By Dorothy Gilbert

Senior

Mississiniwa Valley High School

Seven days, 60 hours in class, 18 pages of front and back note taking, all for $500… not too bad if you ask me.

The recent Ball State Journalism Workshop was able to teach nearly 300 students their choice of newspaper editing, digital photography, story writing, yearbook, opinion writing and more. Students were able to indulge in seven exciting days of educating themselves to improve their school publications.

Balderdash - Livin' and Laffin'

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

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Livin’ and Laffin’

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

I have occasionally been in a position to ask for a raise, but most of the time, I was the one being asked. This is probably the most creative approach I’ve ever seen…

“Excuse me sir, may I talk to you?”

“Sure, come on in. What can I do for you?”

Opinion - Makes no difference to me

Makes no difference to me

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

“A lot of people have been wondering about you. They believed in you. They thought you were on their side. They want to know why you were saying no new taxes that our grandchildren could not pay and now you are for new taxes and a new school. And the kids that understand that they'll have to pay these taxes on property that is their inheritance now believe you deserted them. They believed you were the one adult on their side against all odds. Just thought you'd like to know.”

I remember many conversations I had with Advocate readers after I left the paper and, a short time later, announced my candidacy for Darke County Commissioner as a Republican.

Guest Opinion - Citizen Patriot

Dear Darke County Citizen Patriot,

The purpose of this letter is to respond to a question asked today and based on the question, explain to all Citizen Patriots what the DARKE T.E.A. PATRIOTS believe and hope to accomplish.  The question, asked by a long time friend, was basically – not a quote — aren’t you just another political organization?

Our Mission Statement clearly states the first part of our response to this question. 

Reds... a unique experience

A unique experience

By Bob Robinson

We were visiting Mom in Ocala, Fla., for the week. On one of the days, she suggested we visit McDill AFB. It was a 2-hour drive. We planned to eat breakfast on the way.

After about 20 or 30 minutes heading west on State Hwy. 200 she said “there it is… on the left.”

It was called “Red’s.” The building was rustic – not plastic like many of the restaurants you see these days – so I anticipated a unique dining experience.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Cedar Key

Cedar Key

By Bob Robinson

Hot. Hot and humid.

That’s the only way I know to describe Florida. We were there a week, had a cold spell one day… it got below 100. The almost daily thunderstorms kept the humidity at about 100 percent.

Florida is a land of beauty, hot and humid of course, but beautiful none-the-less. And it teems with wildlife, some enjoyable, some not so enjoyable.

Opinion Special Edition - It is past time

It is past time

Opinion – Special Edition

By Bob Robinson

Eighty votes.

I wonder what it would have taken to get just a few more people to decide that the safety of our kids is more important than the few extra dollars a month they’d have to find somewhere in their budget. A “yes” instead of a “no” 41 times would have done it.

Only 80 votes kept the district from passing a bond issue that would have taken fifth through eighth graders out of South School and the Junior High and moved them into a new facility on North Ohio Street.