By Mike Scinto
Columnist
Appearing in the Kettering-Oakwood Times-Times Community Newspapers
Here’s my mandatory “commercialization of Christmas” and “the REAL meaning of Christmas” columns consolidated into one writing. But isn’t that the way the whole season is headed anyway; convenience, expedited shopping and over-simplified celebrations? I’m saddened and accepting at the same time. I am saddened because our children and their children may never have this holy season in its proper perspective, and accepting because rolling back the clock, I’ve decided, just might not happen.
I just saw on the news that “Black Friday”, the huge shopping day after Thanksgiving, and the day after Christmas (the two largest traditional retail days), have been combined this year by many retailers and are starting now to allow money strapped shoppers to enjoy those savings before the crowds hit.
QVC (where my wife is on a first name basis with the hosts) starts their Christmas in September now; and that’s following a “Christmas in July” special. I’m sure the other cable shopping networks do the same. The holiday buying season is factored into the projections and reactions by leading economists and is even taught in advanced business and marketing classes at top business schools.
As I perused the stores at the beginning of September, squeezing out the Halloween decorations were aisles of Christmas ornaments; in September!
But wait! From a Faith, or religious standpoint, isn’t it about a poor Jewish family who couldn’t find a place to sleep on the eve of the birth of their Son? And from a traditional, albeit a less religious standpoint, isn’t it about a nice old bearded man who gives little children a simple, but special toy that lights up their eyes and brings a tear to the eyes of their parents? Simplicity is the common denominator in each.
Somewhere we’ve let this thing get way out of control. I hate to start with “Back in the day…….” but I will. When I was a child, not that many decades ago, we sat around the wood-fired stove in my grandparents’ 4 room former share-croppers house watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in black and white and on a 20” fuzzy screen. When it was over we’d head up in the woods, cut our tree, carry it back and trim it as a family. We would share Christmas stories; yes the birth of the Baby Jesus story was the main focus. We’d then fall asleep as we watched Clarence save George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. On Christmas Eve, having grown up Catholic, midnight Mass was a special, emotional and spiritual time for us to fully take in this Gift from God. I know time and memories tend to romanticize our recall, but I assure you I remember it as if it were yesterday.
Now today it’s become providing parents with catalog numbers of what kids want, watching some rock concert that is airing Christmas Eve for some reason, pro and college football classic games on the 47” big screens we got last Christmas and pre-fab meals to go for the whole family allowing them to eat and run, having to spend as little time as possible away from their X-Box Live or PlayStation 3.
This is not a “holier-than-thou” lecture. I’m as guilty of falling into the whole commercialization trap as everybody else. I am just as quick to suggest maybe we don’t have the time for traditional Christmas stories this year. I find myself wanting to take the lazy way out, since there’s so much to do anyway, and sit out Christmas services. While I try to hold on to those old traditions and meanings of the holiday, I sometimes wonder why I should bother since it is an uphill battle and it seems like I’m the only one. But what a self-defeating attitude!
As long as a single one of us remembers the real meaning of the season, realizes that it’s okay to give and receive gifts as long as they aren’t the central focus of the holidays and as long as we continue to carry on the traditions, maybe we will get to a point where we all understand that there’s much more to this time of the year than great bargains, new “toys” and eating and running. It’s a season of real potential personal and spiritual growth. We just have to slow down long enough to see that!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Critical Decision Is Just Days Away
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times-Times Community Newspapers
It’s time for all of us to make a decision that will shape the lives of our children and grandchildren. The choices you make will affect the value of your home, your investments, your job, your health and the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed; a lifestyle that is being challenged by a socialistic team in Washington that wants to rewrite the Constitution, or sidestep it altogether. When you boil it down, it’s a choice between turning your money over to Big Brother to make sure that it’s distributed “properly”, or keeping your hard-earned dollars and deciding for yourself where and how that money should be spent, saved or shared.
As a result of Obamacare, and a stimulus package that was neither needed nor used effectively, our future as a nation has been put into hock. We are borrowing and printing money like it’s going out of style; and actually it is. The dollar is not viewed globally as the powerful currency it was in past generations.
If you cut through all the political rhetoric, quite simply we are going about it in totally the wrong way. You establish lasting jobs and create a flourishing economy by keeping money in the hands of those who have a track record of business success. You don’t penalize those individuals and corporations by overtaxing them just so the government can hand the money out to individuals, who quite simply can’t, or won’t, have the initiative to make it grow. It’s tantamount to planting seeds in a well-tilled, fertilized soil versus casting the seeds out in a weedy field. Some plants will grow in that field for a short season, but the well-groomed field will likely produce a harvest that will feed many. I have never been hired by, or employed by a middle class individual. My bosses/owners have always had plenty of capital to allow the operation to grow and flourish.
Before I get emails from folks who read into that statement that I am somehow putting down the poor or those who don’t have huge bankrolls, I am clearly not doing that. There are individuals with the skills and wherewithal to lead, and others are good followers. Each have their own distinct rolls, neither being undesirable, but those who lead need the recourses with which to lead effectively, for the greater benefit of all.
We in Ohio, and more specifically the greater Dayton area, are literally Ground Zero for this upcoming decision. As goes Ohio so goes the nation. Tuesday is Election Day. While this election is considered a mid-term election, I believe it is every bit as vital to our viability as any Presidential year. Your choices are very straight forward as well. We can continue with double digit unemployment, selling our economy to the Chinese and taking away individual, constitutionally guaranteed rights or we can vote Republican and, hold the feet of those elected to the fire and watch this nation achieve its status as the greatest nation on the planet. The choice is yours; make it a good one!
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times-Times Community Newspapers
It’s time for all of us to make a decision that will shape the lives of our children and grandchildren. The choices you make will affect the value of your home, your investments, your job, your health and the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed; a lifestyle that is being challenged by a socialistic team in Washington that wants to rewrite the Constitution, or sidestep it altogether. When you boil it down, it’s a choice between turning your money over to Big Brother to make sure that it’s distributed “properly”, or keeping your hard-earned dollars and deciding for yourself where and how that money should be spent, saved or shared.
As a result of Obamacare, and a stimulus package that was neither needed nor used effectively, our future as a nation has been put into hock. We are borrowing and printing money like it’s going out of style; and actually it is. The dollar is not viewed globally as the powerful currency it was in past generations.
If you cut through all the political rhetoric, quite simply we are going about it in totally the wrong way. You establish lasting jobs and create a flourishing economy by keeping money in the hands of those who have a track record of business success. You don’t penalize those individuals and corporations by overtaxing them just so the government can hand the money out to individuals, who quite simply can’t, or won’t, have the initiative to make it grow. It’s tantamount to planting seeds in a well-tilled, fertilized soil versus casting the seeds out in a weedy field. Some plants will grow in that field for a short season, but the well-groomed field will likely produce a harvest that will feed many. I have never been hired by, or employed by a middle class individual. My bosses/owners have always had plenty of capital to allow the operation to grow and flourish.
Before I get emails from folks who read into that statement that I am somehow putting down the poor or those who don’t have huge bankrolls, I am clearly not doing that. There are individuals with the skills and wherewithal to lead, and others are good followers. Each have their own distinct rolls, neither being undesirable, but those who lead need the recourses with which to lead effectively, for the greater benefit of all.
We in Ohio, and more specifically the greater Dayton area, are literally Ground Zero for this upcoming decision. As goes Ohio so goes the nation. Tuesday is Election Day. While this election is considered a mid-term election, I believe it is every bit as vital to our viability as any Presidential year. Your choices are very straight forward as well. We can continue with double digit unemployment, selling our economy to the Chinese and taking away individual, constitutionally guaranteed rights or we can vote Republican and, hold the feet of those elected to the fire and watch this nation achieve its status as the greatest nation on the planet. The choice is yours; make it a good one!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Real Heroes in Chile
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
Well, I can see the email now, before the fact, beating me up for being heartless, unthinkably devoid of feelings and a general buffoon. “Boy, you’ve gone too far this time, Scinto!” the emails will go on. But I’m simply making an observation about an event that mesmerized the world.
I sat, as billions around the world, watching this past week as the 33 Chilean miners trapped in a cave-in for 10 weeks were brought to the surface one by one. It was breath-taking and had us on the edge of our seats. It couldn’t have been scripted any better by a reality TV show producer. It seemed every miner, and his family, had a new layer of amazing stories to pass along.
So far, so good! Nobody has thrown any eggs my way yet. What could I possibly have to whine about?
Before the last rescue worker hit the surface, the miners were getting checks for $10,000 each, offers for book and movie deals, iPods, TVs and great job offers. But there was something missing here. The tables were a bit turned. You see, the miners were victims of circumstance. Admittedly it was a miraculous event for them, but God used some very special hands and minds to make this miracle happen.
I believe the real “heroes” in this were the folks who planned, drilled, designed and ran (for hours on end) the rescue operation. They’re the ones who should be getting the job offers, free vacations to Disneyland and Graceland. Were it not for their ingenuity and wherewithal, this story would likely not have a happy ending.
While what transpired in the mine during those 2 ½ months would be interesting, the real TV movie, mini-series or reality TV show would be coming up with the means to rescue them, and then carrying it out to its happy ending.
So don’t be mad, I’m just here to think out loud. As I said, this was a miracle. We are all thankful for the lives saved but let’s keep the rescue and the rescuers in the proper perspective.
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
Well, I can see the email now, before the fact, beating me up for being heartless, unthinkably devoid of feelings and a general buffoon. “Boy, you’ve gone too far this time, Scinto!” the emails will go on. But I’m simply making an observation about an event that mesmerized the world.
I sat, as billions around the world, watching this past week as the 33 Chilean miners trapped in a cave-in for 10 weeks were brought to the surface one by one. It was breath-taking and had us on the edge of our seats. It couldn’t have been scripted any better by a reality TV show producer. It seemed every miner, and his family, had a new layer of amazing stories to pass along.
So far, so good! Nobody has thrown any eggs my way yet. What could I possibly have to whine about?
Before the last rescue worker hit the surface, the miners were getting checks for $10,000 each, offers for book and movie deals, iPods, TVs and great job offers. But there was something missing here. The tables were a bit turned. You see, the miners were victims of circumstance. Admittedly it was a miraculous event for them, but God used some very special hands and minds to make this miracle happen.
I believe the real “heroes” in this were the folks who planned, drilled, designed and ran (for hours on end) the rescue operation. They’re the ones who should be getting the job offers, free vacations to Disneyland and Graceland. Were it not for their ingenuity and wherewithal, this story would likely not have a happy ending.
While what transpired in the mine during those 2 ½ months would be interesting, the real TV movie, mini-series or reality TV show would be coming up with the means to rescue them, and then carrying it out to its happy ending.
So don’t be mad, I’m just here to think out loud. As I said, this was a miracle. We are all thankful for the lives saved but let’s keep the rescue and the rescuers in the proper perspective.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Make a Real Difference in America
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
This column will be short and sweet, direct and as neutral as I can make it; but it is vital. It’s about doing what I believe is a responsibility of every American over the age of 18. That, of course, is casting your ballot in a little over three weeks. But along with that responsibility is the need to be educated about the candidates and issues.
Most view non-Presidential elections as not being as important as the “big ones”. Never in most of our lives has that been any less true than this year. The outcome of this vote will affect the direction of this great nation more than any in the recent past. It will chart the course of you, your retirement years and the lives of your children and grandchildren.
This will likely sound hokey, and may travel in one ear and directly out the other without lodging in any of your brain at all, but I have to say it. Sometime before Election Day, maybe the weekend before, sit down with family, friends, church group and especially young voters (as we plan to do with our 18 year old son, Zak), folks who haven’t voted in a few years as well as “regulars” at their precinct. Go over the ballot, issue by issue, candidate by candidate and make sure you don’t have any questions. The Internet makes that very simple. Separate fact from fiction by explaining that campaign ads are marketing tools, not fact sheets.
I can’t tell you the number of times callers to my radio show have said, after the fact, they saw this issue or that, or one candidate or another they knew nothing about. In fact, they didn’t have a clue they were even on the ballot. With instant access to answers to all your questions available by moving a mouse, there’s no excuse for not knowing what/who you’ll be choosing when it’s your turn.
Talk about the lives that have been lost, as well as the lives in harm’s way as we speak, to protect our right to cast those ballots. Realize the billions on the planet who don’t enjoy that freedom.
Nothing angers me more than to hear somebody stayed home because their “vote didn’t count”, they’re “just a bunch of crooks anyway” or they had “better things to do”. They are what I refer to as the real “ugly Americans”. If the shoe fits, wear it! And don’t give me this “it’s my right NOT to vote” garbage.
So, in the coming days and weeks educate yourself, help others understand and map out what you want your future to look like starting this November. If you are so inclined (as I am) pray about wisdom to make the right choice. See you at the polls!
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
This column will be short and sweet, direct and as neutral as I can make it; but it is vital. It’s about doing what I believe is a responsibility of every American over the age of 18. That, of course, is casting your ballot in a little over three weeks. But along with that responsibility is the need to be educated about the candidates and issues.
Most view non-Presidential elections as not being as important as the “big ones”. Never in most of our lives has that been any less true than this year. The outcome of this vote will affect the direction of this great nation more than any in the recent past. It will chart the course of you, your retirement years and the lives of your children and grandchildren.
This will likely sound hokey, and may travel in one ear and directly out the other without lodging in any of your brain at all, but I have to say it. Sometime before Election Day, maybe the weekend before, sit down with family, friends, church group and especially young voters (as we plan to do with our 18 year old son, Zak), folks who haven’t voted in a few years as well as “regulars” at their precinct. Go over the ballot, issue by issue, candidate by candidate and make sure you don’t have any questions. The Internet makes that very simple. Separate fact from fiction by explaining that campaign ads are marketing tools, not fact sheets.
I can’t tell you the number of times callers to my radio show have said, after the fact, they saw this issue or that, or one candidate or another they knew nothing about. In fact, they didn’t have a clue they were even on the ballot. With instant access to answers to all your questions available by moving a mouse, there’s no excuse for not knowing what/who you’ll be choosing when it’s your turn.
Talk about the lives that have been lost, as well as the lives in harm’s way as we speak, to protect our right to cast those ballots. Realize the billions on the planet who don’t enjoy that freedom.
Nothing angers me more than to hear somebody stayed home because their “vote didn’t count”, they’re “just a bunch of crooks anyway” or they had “better things to do”. They are what I refer to as the real “ugly Americans”. If the shoe fits, wear it! And don’t give me this “it’s my right NOT to vote” garbage.
So, in the coming days and weeks educate yourself, help others understand and map out what you want your future to look like starting this November. If you are so inclined (as I am) pray about wisdom to make the right choice. See you at the polls!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Farewell “Gift” From Liberals
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
Liberal Democrats in Congress have shown their final act of cowardice; they are taking their fall “campaign” break without facing a decision on one of the biggest points of contention facing this administration, and this session of Congress. The Bush tax cuts expire next year if they don’t receive an extension. To boil it down, the administration wants tax cuts for those who make less than $250,000 a year and Republicans say tax cuts needs to be across the board.
The Bush tax cuts were enacted in 2001 and 2003 and will end, if not extended, on December 31 of this year. Some liberals have said they should expire, Obama wants a new series of cuts for those making under $250,000 and, since most growth comes from investment, job creation and manufacturing from upper income individuals, Republicans see the need to extend those cuts rather than send the economy into an even deeper downward spiral.
Extending the cuts would not be an instantaneous solution to our economic woes but rather would allow for long-term, gradual and steady growth.
What liberals just don’t get is that the tax cuts didn’t drive us into our recession. It was the outrageous and ever-growing entitlement program menu that, rather than encouraging growth and prosperity, encourages more hands sticking out looking for freebies from Uncle Sam; meaning the “deep” pockets of hard-working taxpayers.
Lawmakers owe it to taxpayers (voters) to let them know exactly where they stand BEFORE this crucial election. While we can see a fairly accurate chart of who will vote for what, a real man (or woman) of integrity would let the voters know where they stand without question.
Yes, this Congress’ leadership, Reid and Pelosi, have shown where they stand in the area or honor and integrity; should we have expected more, or less, from these political hacks and their band of hooligans? On the bright side, those of their ilk will be out after the first of the year. On the down side however, how many more of us will be victimized before their departure (and beyond)?
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
Liberal Democrats in Congress have shown their final act of cowardice; they are taking their fall “campaign” break without facing a decision on one of the biggest points of contention facing this administration, and this session of Congress. The Bush tax cuts expire next year if they don’t receive an extension. To boil it down, the administration wants tax cuts for those who make less than $250,000 a year and Republicans say tax cuts needs to be across the board.
The Bush tax cuts were enacted in 2001 and 2003 and will end, if not extended, on December 31 of this year. Some liberals have said they should expire, Obama wants a new series of cuts for those making under $250,000 and, since most growth comes from investment, job creation and manufacturing from upper income individuals, Republicans see the need to extend those cuts rather than send the economy into an even deeper downward spiral.
Extending the cuts would not be an instantaneous solution to our economic woes but rather would allow for long-term, gradual and steady growth.
What liberals just don’t get is that the tax cuts didn’t drive us into our recession. It was the outrageous and ever-growing entitlement program menu that, rather than encouraging growth and prosperity, encourages more hands sticking out looking for freebies from Uncle Sam; meaning the “deep” pockets of hard-working taxpayers.
Lawmakers owe it to taxpayers (voters) to let them know exactly where they stand BEFORE this crucial election. While we can see a fairly accurate chart of who will vote for what, a real man (or woman) of integrity would let the voters know where they stand without question.
Yes, this Congress’ leadership, Reid and Pelosi, have shown where they stand in the area or honor and integrity; should we have expected more, or less, from these political hacks and their band of hooligans? On the bright side, those of their ilk will be out after the first of the year. On the down side however, how many more of us will be victimized before their departure (and beyond)?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Keep the Pledge Alive
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
“I pledge allegiance to the flag”; that doesn’t mean you worship it as a god. It simply means you support it in all legal ways and are willing to defend it, even with your life. “…..of the United States of America”; that’s self-explanatory.
“….and to the Republic for which it stands”; this is one of the most misunderstood, mislabeled concepts about this county. We are NOT a democracy, we are a republic. There is room for debate over whether or not today a true democracy could or would work, or if the republic is still the best type of government. We do not directly decide on laws but they are decided by our representatives in our state capitols and in Congress.
“……one nation”; even with our divisions, state, political parties and ideologies we are still one nation.
“….under God”; of course ruled unconstitutional by following a charge by an atheist in the liberal 9th District Court in California. It doesn’t mean religion will be shoved down your throat. It doesn’t mean you even have to have a religion. It simply means that the majority of the citizens of this great country believe God is at the helm and has blessed the USA.
“…indivisible”; does that mean we don’t argue, squabble, debate and challenge? Of course it doesn’t. But what it means is, through those challenges, we still come out united and steadfast behind our leaders.
“….with liberty and justice for all”; here’s where some of the greatest descent arises. This doesn’t mean everybody will have the same wealth, or poverty. It doesn’t mean we are “entitled to” handouts from the government. It means that each of us, regardless of race, creed, religion or heritage have the same opportunities; and more than anywhere else in the world. Are we all truly “equal”? Of course we aren’t. But the leveling of the playing field isn’t through laws or edicts. It’s through self-determination, our own good judgment and good old fashioned guts. We also need to have faith in God, and a network of friends and family, to hold us accountable and keep the fire built under us when the flame starts to flicker.
With an attitude of “political correctness” today we need to start our day, every day, at home or at the office reciting this reminder of just how great this nation remains. It isn’t hokey or corny. It is an oath to stand firm for this country that cost millions their lives to protect. God Bless America!
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
“I pledge allegiance to the flag”; that doesn’t mean you worship it as a god. It simply means you support it in all legal ways and are willing to defend it, even with your life. “…..of the United States of America”; that’s self-explanatory.
“….and to the Republic for which it stands”; this is one of the most misunderstood, mislabeled concepts about this county. We are NOT a democracy, we are a republic. There is room for debate over whether or not today a true democracy could or would work, or if the republic is still the best type of government. We do not directly decide on laws but they are decided by our representatives in our state capitols and in Congress.
“……one nation”; even with our divisions, state, political parties and ideologies we are still one nation.
“….under God”; of course ruled unconstitutional by following a charge by an atheist in the liberal 9th District Court in California. It doesn’t mean religion will be shoved down your throat. It doesn’t mean you even have to have a religion. It simply means that the majority of the citizens of this great country believe God is at the helm and has blessed the USA.
“…indivisible”; does that mean we don’t argue, squabble, debate and challenge? Of course it doesn’t. But what it means is, through those challenges, we still come out united and steadfast behind our leaders.
“….with liberty and justice for all”; here’s where some of the greatest descent arises. This doesn’t mean everybody will have the same wealth, or poverty. It doesn’t mean we are “entitled to” handouts from the government. It means that each of us, regardless of race, creed, religion or heritage have the same opportunities; and more than anywhere else in the world. Are we all truly “equal”? Of course we aren’t. But the leveling of the playing field isn’t through laws or edicts. It’s through self-determination, our own good judgment and good old fashioned guts. We also need to have faith in God, and a network of friends and family, to hold us accountable and keep the fire built under us when the flame starts to flicker.
With an attitude of “political correctness” today we need to start our day, every day, at home or at the office reciting this reminder of just how great this nation remains. It isn’t hokey or corny. It is an oath to stand firm for this country that cost millions their lives to protect. God Bless America!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Last Graduating Class of the Turbulent 60’s Reunites!
By Mike Scinto
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
I just witnessed (and was part of) a living, breathing slice of America, at its best and worst. It was potentials realized and denied. I mourned for losses and celebrated accomplishments. I saw reflections of my youth I hadn’t seen in decades. I thought about how blessed I am and how we are so touched by those around us, especially in our youth. In case you haven’t figured it out, I attended my high school reunion this weekend. It was eye-opening and fun.
I attended numbers 10, 20 and 25 so it had been a good 15 years when I drug Kathy, kicking and screaming, to my 40th reunion for the Fairborn High School Class of 1970. And I can certainly understand why she didn’t want to go. While we’ve been married 35 years (August 9th-see I remembered) these were those special, relational, growing, maturing, changing years of friendship that remain with you throughout life. I’d be sharing my memories with people who, while she knows them and we are friends, can only identify by the events we shared back then.
And those memories came flooding out. We all left our daily lives and traveled back to days that we probably couldn’t wait to end while living them, but now hold onto as an integral part of who we’ve become. Geeks are professionals, class clowns are military officers, jocks are accountants who never played more than video games after high school and loud, obnoxious fools became talk show hosts.
I must say, at the risk of offending some classmates, the women, to the person, held up a whole lot better than their male counterparts; or sure hide it well if not!
At the 10 year, it was like coming back from a long summer break. By the 25th we realized that we really had grown up and sprouted lives of our own. Now at the 40th it’s bittersweet. We’ve lost classmates and/or their spouses or family members. The talk isn’t about the exiting careers ahead but looking back at what is now behind us; pending retirement or the increasing costs of college for our own grown kids. Don’t get me wrong, those attending aren’t in rockers waiting for their next Social Security check but for the first time as a group, we know those days are coming and will likely have arrived for most, if not all of us, by our next gathering.
But for those few hours we relived the pranks, teacher memories, relationship ups and downs (a number of attendees were in fact high school sweethearts), classes we all loved or hated and how we often lived on the edge doing things we dreaded the thought of our own children ever trying!
But we lived through it. It’s part of the process. Some of our lives are better because of those four years, and some really never changed. But I don’t believe, to the person, anybody came out worse for the experiences.
Your high school graduating class keeps you in check. It truly is a slice of America; especially this particular school. The greater Dayton area, of which Fairborn is part, is considered one of the true cross-sections of this nation when it comes to marketing and product testing. Fairborn, in those days, was a huge military town. There was a real mix of students who had lived all over the country and world, as well as some good old Midwesterners. And I think what we’ve accomplished, attempted, contributed and shared reflects the great American Dream.
So if your reunion is coming up and you haven’t been for a while, or have never been, please go. Your classmates will love seeing you. Although I will say one of my dear “friends” (who is a liberal and a lawyer-explains a lot)did take out a restraining order against me and presented it to me there, signed by an actual judge, barring me from being obnoxious and loud, or even coming within 500 feet of the reunion participants. I respected that court order about as much as I did every other rule while in school. The “lawyer”, and it’s questionable whether he actually passed the bar, was of course unable to keep me in check. And should you run into attorney Mike Falleur, (who voted for Nixon), at work or play, let him know that it takes more than a court order to shut me up!
As you can probably tell, I had a blast. We had a fantastic committee that organized the three day event and an absolutely amazing web page for our graduating class for us all to keep in touch. We had over 500 in our class who graduated and my guess is close to ¼ made it. That’s great!
My ONLY regret is that I had to show up with my body that was much like my physique in high school while others had shown the effects of the years. I can only hope they’ll forgive me. I did, after all, try to make myself look as bad as possible.
Appearing in Kettering-Oakwood Times and Times Community Newspapers
I just witnessed (and was part of) a living, breathing slice of America, at its best and worst. It was potentials realized and denied. I mourned for losses and celebrated accomplishments. I saw reflections of my youth I hadn’t seen in decades. I thought about how blessed I am and how we are so touched by those around us, especially in our youth. In case you haven’t figured it out, I attended my high school reunion this weekend. It was eye-opening and fun.
I attended numbers 10, 20 and 25 so it had been a good 15 years when I drug Kathy, kicking and screaming, to my 40th reunion for the Fairborn High School Class of 1970. And I can certainly understand why she didn’t want to go. While we’ve been married 35 years (August 9th-see I remembered) these were those special, relational, growing, maturing, changing years of friendship that remain with you throughout life. I’d be sharing my memories with people who, while she knows them and we are friends, can only identify by the events we shared back then.
And those memories came flooding out. We all left our daily lives and traveled back to days that we probably couldn’t wait to end while living them, but now hold onto as an integral part of who we’ve become. Geeks are professionals, class clowns are military officers, jocks are accountants who never played more than video games after high school and loud, obnoxious fools became talk show hosts.
I must say, at the risk of offending some classmates, the women, to the person, held up a whole lot better than their male counterparts; or sure hide it well if not!
At the 10 year, it was like coming back from a long summer break. By the 25th we realized that we really had grown up and sprouted lives of our own. Now at the 40th it’s bittersweet. We’ve lost classmates and/or their spouses or family members. The talk isn’t about the exiting careers ahead but looking back at what is now behind us; pending retirement or the increasing costs of college for our own grown kids. Don’t get me wrong, those attending aren’t in rockers waiting for their next Social Security check but for the first time as a group, we know those days are coming and will likely have arrived for most, if not all of us, by our next gathering.
But for those few hours we relived the pranks, teacher memories, relationship ups and downs (a number of attendees were in fact high school sweethearts), classes we all loved or hated and how we often lived on the edge doing things we dreaded the thought of our own children ever trying!
But we lived through it. It’s part of the process. Some of our lives are better because of those four years, and some really never changed. But I don’t believe, to the person, anybody came out worse for the experiences.
Your high school graduating class keeps you in check. It truly is a slice of America; especially this particular school. The greater Dayton area, of which Fairborn is part, is considered one of the true cross-sections of this nation when it comes to marketing and product testing. Fairborn, in those days, was a huge military town. There was a real mix of students who had lived all over the country and world, as well as some good old Midwesterners. And I think what we’ve accomplished, attempted, contributed and shared reflects the great American Dream.
So if your reunion is coming up and you haven’t been for a while, or have never been, please go. Your classmates will love seeing you. Although I will say one of my dear “friends” (who is a liberal and a lawyer-explains a lot)did take out a restraining order against me and presented it to me there, signed by an actual judge, barring me from being obnoxious and loud, or even coming within 500 feet of the reunion participants. I respected that court order about as much as I did every other rule while in school. The “lawyer”, and it’s questionable whether he actually passed the bar, was of course unable to keep me in check. And should you run into attorney Mike Falleur, (who voted for Nixon), at work or play, let him know that it takes more than a court order to shut me up!
As you can probably tell, I had a blast. We had a fantastic committee that organized the three day event and an absolutely amazing web page for our graduating class for us all to keep in touch. We had over 500 in our class who graduated and my guess is close to ¼ made it. That’s great!
My ONLY regret is that I had to show up with my body that was much like my physique in high school while others had shown the effects of the years. I can only hope they’ll forgive me. I did, after all, try to make myself look as bad as possible.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Inconsistent Drew’s Law
By Mike Scinto
Abortion is wrong under any and all circumstances. There, I’ve said it. I believe it and nothing could ever change my mind. I also know that it is such a divisive argument that I’m unlikely to change your mind about it anymore than you’ll persuade me to change mine. I’m very aware that the opening sentence will have people firing off emails to me asking me just who I think I am to force my beliefs onto them. That’s why you’ll rarely hear me address the issue in print or on the air. My efforts are through prayer. Having said all that, this column isn’t about abortion but rather about consistency and fairness in our laws.
I remember a case a number of years ago in Ohio, one of the first in the country, that dealt with a drunk driver and the death he caused a pregnant lady in the car he hit as well as the death of her unborn baby. As I recall it was near Cincinnati and, short of winning an appeal, he is doing time for both killings. Fast forward to yesterday; Drew’s Law (Drew was the unborn son of a couple who was killed by a drunk driver) took effect in Indiana. The Hoosier State became the 37th state to increase penalties to varying degrees when an unborn child is killed as the result of a crash with a drunk driver.
Now part of me wants to say “Hooray, it’s about time”! The rational, analytical side of me says there’s something wrong here. Without arguing the morality of abortion, I’ll simply concede that it is, after all, the law of the land.
If Drew’s mother, or the mother of the unborn baby near Cincinnati or any of a number across this country since then, had chosen to go into an abortion clinic and terminate their pregnancy, the resulting aborted fetus would simply have been thrown out. So an action that is considered an aggravated felony in 37 states would make the payments on a physician’s Mercedes in those same states when done in a different setting.
My argument is really quite simple no matter on which side you find yourself; either it’s an unborn child deserving the full protection of the law in every case, or it’s just some tissue that happened to be destroyed by deliberate, or accidental, means. You can’t have it both ways.
It’s amazing that people’s emotions are controlled, not by the true victims of these deaths, but rather by the intent of the individuals bringing about the deaths. In one case an outcome of bringing about this end of life is rewarded by monetary gain, in the other by revocation of all freedoms of the “robber”. Yes, these laws are as irrational as the emotional battles over abortion. Perhaps if we all; lawmakers, pastors and parents sat down and talked, prayed and took a step back from the rhetoric we could come to a conclusion that respected all life, and punished all those who stole it. And just maybe my opening paragraph of this column about the “great divide” wouldn’t be relevant after all.
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