Guest Column - I'm Back

I’m back

By Jordan Pridemore

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done this (written something to be read by someone other than a professor) and I feel like I’m a bit out of practice. Sure, I can slap a subject and predicate together without batting an eyelash or whip out an MLA formatted research paper in the wee hours of the morning; but this is different.

Even though it’s been a while, I think my hiatus was a necessity. I got a chance to step back and just read, just learn. Something I’ve learned in college (not explicitly, but in more of a between-the-lines kind of way) is that anyone can write. They can use fancy words and unique sentence structure that are fun to read; but that’s not what makes a good writer.

Opinion, Special Edition - Importing Felons

Importing felons

That’s My Opinion – Special Edition

By Bob Robinson

If there was ever justification for capital punishment, it would be for the sexual predator. Rape is unforgivable, as is any crime – sexual or otherwise – against a child.

There. You have it. That is my “black & white” opinion about the growing controversy over John Graham’s Good Samaritan homes. If I was calling the shots, none of his homes would have sexual predators in them because they would – at best – be thrown into a black hole to live out the rest of their sorry lives.

Balderdash - Chutzpah

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

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Chutzpah

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

A few weeks ago, my lead balderdash was kind of tough on the ladies. I heard about it. Good natured, of course, but I got the message. So I figured I should give the other half their due. If you’ve ever thought of dumping your lady for a new model, you’d better think again…

Veronica spent the first day of her new-found freedom packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table, put on some soft background music and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar and a bottle of spring water. When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left.

Opinion - The Selfish Generation

The selfish generation

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

“Kathy I’m lost I said though I knew she was sleeping… I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why…”

One of the things us “oldsters” sometimes do is listen to the music that defined our youth. For me, it was Simon & Garfunkle.

While not as famous as “Bridge over Troubled Waters” or “Sounds of Silence,” S&G’s “America” was almost a theme song for my adolescence.

We were the generation that didn’t trust anyone over 30. Some were involved in the peace and “make love not war” movements, although I wasn’t. In fact, I was ashamed by many of the things I saw in the news. I had friends on the other side of the ocean fighting on our behalf.

Bits & Pieces - Darke County Commissioners

Commissioners June 9, 2010

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

Wednesday’s session of the Darke County Commissioners was interesting. There were the usual fund transfers, a couple of other routine items, and two bidding notices.

The hoops county officials have to jump through in order to satisfy state and federal requirements are ridiculous. One appropriations transfer actually required SIX steps to complete.

When it came time to take public comments and questions, I had two.

TEA Patriots June 8

Guests for the evening were Darke County Clerk of Courts and Republican Party Chair Cindy Pike, and Darke County Engineer and Democratic Party Chair Jim Surber. The topic requested was socialism and the U.S. Both speakers came well prepared.

Cindy did a great job of defining socialism and its history in America. Simply put, it is an economic and political theory based upon public ownership of production and allocation of resources (according to need). After telling the group that there wasn’t a single thing Cindy said that he disagreed with, Jim went a step further.

Guest Opinion - The Lessons & Values of Service

I had only recently been in contact again with Rich, one of my buddies from Texas A&M. Probably the highlight of my friendship with him was when we went “up” one afternoon and he turned my stomach to jello with rollovers. We pretty much lost contact when he left A&M to join the Navy and I started my own family.

Rich is a survivor of Vietnam who served our country honorably. He, and the millions of others who have served our country, are heroes. I asked him to share some of his thoughts as a combat veteran… he agreed to do so. What he left unsaid in his comments, he later sent to me in an email:

“I did struggle a bit to keep it short,” he said, “and light. When there are about 50 names on the wall that you know, and some were close friends, light is somewhat difficult. They died doing what they loved; so I guess we all hope to go like that.”

Don’t just remember what they do on designated holidays… remember throughout the year. When you see a veteran, thank him or her for their service.

The Lessons & Values of Service

By Rich Powell

What Bob asked me to do initially was intended to be a short dissertation on values and lessons I gleaned from my service experience, but has expanded considerably. As I began to write, it seemed important to include some context; hopefully, I have provided enough to facilitate better understanding.

Bits & Pieces - Midwife to Fish

Midwife to fish

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

Had a great time at the Cancer Association of Darke County’s annual Monte Carlo Night at the VFW Saturday… I don’t gamble (only because I never win) and I’m a life-long smoker, so I guess you could call it my “contribution to the cause”… I was a Blackjack Dealer.

The problem? As a “dealer” I couldn’t lose. After dropping thousands of “dollars” players would move to greener pastures. Even my wife would have nothing to do with me. After having the only empty Blackjack table in the place (allowing me to go outside to smoke a cigarette or two), I was told I could bribe people to my table… $500 bonus for anyone who could beat me three times in a row!

Balderdash - Three Little Idiocies

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

Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Three little idiocies

Verities & Balderdash

By Bob Robinson

Dearest Cracker Son,

I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Someone told your dad that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your home, so we moved.

I won't be able to send you the address because the last family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so they wouldn't have to change their address.

Opinion - Get Out of the Way

Get Out of the Way

That’s My Opinion

By Bob Robinson

“As we see the Obama administration unraveling before our eyes…”

These words from Newsmax commentator Christopher Ruddy… said with sadness that at a time when the American people needed someone “to assert strong, positive leadership at home and abroad, Obama is failing us.”

Ruddy talked about the BP mess and the lack of federal response, Obama’s refusal to hold a press conference for nearly a year and the alleged job offer to keep Sestak (and possibly one or two others) from running against favored administration candidates in state primaries. Then he reminded us of something Joe Biden had said while they were campaigning in 2008.

Bits & Pieces - Good Stuff Bad Stuff

Good Stuff Bad Stuff

Bits ‘n Pieces

By Bob Robinson

How many of you have seen the news report of the farm hand mistreating the cows? Everybody? Yeah, I thought so.

Think of this… we passed the Livestock Care Standards Board last year in order to keep HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) from getting its own measure passed that would destroy much of our agricultural industry, like it did in California.

Unfazed, the group still has a petition to get on the ballot this year. They are short signatures with only a few weeks to go. And this news breaks? Anyone familiar with the ag industry knows that there is something really fishy about showing an individual mistreating one animal in an enclosed setting, with no other animals in sight.

Congratulations to Darke County Seniors

Hundreds of Darke County Seniors have finally wrapped up years of hard work and are headed for new horizons. I’d like to congratulate the graduating seniors from all local school districts. Your parents, grandparents, friends and communities are proud of you.

Many are graduating with honors… National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and multiple well-earned scholastic honors and scholarships.