I used to call an offering such as this a "potpourri" (pronounced POT-PORY) much to the chagrin of my staff.
Speaking of which, I need to give props to T-R City Editor Kathy Vaughan who edited many of my commentaries over the years as did Managing Editor Sandy Stewart.
Sandy, who retired a few days after I left, still is reading these things and e-mails me when I need to make a correction. Anyway, without the strong editing skills that both of these women offered, I wouldn't be here today writing a blog that at least a few dozen people are reading.
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I talked with U.S. Rep. Zack Space following President Obama's speech Tuesday night and both of us agreed that Obama took a reasonable course of action by planning on sending an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
Space, who visited Afghanistan last summer, said he met Gen. Stanley McCrystal, the U.S.' top military commander there, and found him to be very credible and a strong leader.
It was McCrystal who advised the president to send re-enforcements to the war zone.
I have no problem with Obama setting a 18-month deadline (goal?) for our involvement in Afghanistan to end and believe that if events warrant, Obama will back off.
Despite some disappointment on the far left, I never believed during Obama's campaign that he would immediately end our involvement in Iraq or Afghanistan if he was elected president.
The situations in Iraq and Afghanistan are too complex and anyone who says they can guarantee a particular outcome is smoking something. For all those whose loved ones serve, let's hope the new strategy works.
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CNBC says that it won't be hiring Lou Dobbs, who has become a Bill O'Reilly wannabe. This country has become so polarized with Fox News on the right and MSNBC to the left that we need other news networks to hold middle ground.
Of course, it would be nice if someone would watch those networks rather than hearing only that it's Obama's fault (Fox) or Bush's fault (MSNBC).
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I haven't read anything in The T-R about the Dover Elks Lodge No. 975 closing, but someone ought to acknowledge that fact.
OK, I will.
The club, which had been existence more than 100 years and whose members included doctors, judges, attorneys, businessmen and others, could not meet its financial obligations and closed its doors in September.
Social clubs, including veterans clubs and exclusive country clubs, are under stress for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that young people don't see the value in such organizations.
Dover Elks had about 400 members when it closed, but only about a fourth of that number or fewer actually visited the club and spent money there.
Most people won't give a darn that the Dover Elks is closed, but it is another sign that Dover isn't the same Dover of just a few years ago. Heck, you can't even find a filling station that will pump your gas anymore.
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But there is a station in New Philadelphia that will pump your gas -- the Fuel Depot on E. High Ave. (Nice transition, eh?)
This may not mean a hoot to you, but to senior citizens (and a few others), it is important.
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That's it for now. See you next time.
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1 comment:
I am not familiar with that pronunciation, Dick. I do recall potpourri coming from the French pot-pourri meaning rotten pot. But what do I know?
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The president's decision to increase troop levels in Afghanistan is further proof that the US will fight wars in countries that pose no threat to us in the event they may or may not pose a threat to us at a later time.
The knuckle heads on Wall Street have done more damage to this country than any terrorist ever could.
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I miss the Elk's Club and the great people who used to frequent it.
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Regarding the use of motorized carts at Giant Eagle...that's not fun, Dick. That's laziness.
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