Thoughts of an Old Guy
To all the folks that know me and maybe even some that don’t
By Al Bliss 
October 26, 2011 

As an old guy that is deeply saddened by having to put a loving friend of about ten years to rest – her name was Cherokee, a big old husky that was trusting and full of love. My responsibility to her does not / did not make the task any easier. 

Because of the way that I feel right now, I am going to take this opportunity to clear the air --- get some things off my chest/out of my mind or just plain rant for a few minutes. 

Last night at the League of Women Voters Candidates Night I was either impressed or disappointed by the following mini events: 

—  The very surprising withdrawal of Pastor Joe Payne from the Board of Education election process. A well presented position and a loss to the School System but understandable. 

—  The accusation of nepotism and lying by Jesse Green would have been grounds for a duel two hundred years ago but now the reaction by Judge Monnin was a smile and acceptance of lack of professionalism and civility. A very poor showing by Green and the basis for losing at least one vote. 

—  The effort by Jim Sommer, incumbent School Board member, trying to justify/explain why the school board has allowed or supported elevated school administrator salaries. Plus the claim of recognition for attending OSEA training sessions. It is interesting that the Ohio Education Association and each school’s teachers group such as the Greenville Education Association actively negotiate against the School Boards and the interests of the voters and taxpayers. 

—  In spite of the presentation of the rules to be followed during the evening regarding applause, the displays twice by folks in the center section during the Municipal Court Judge candidates speeches and the lack of polite conduct by the evacuation of the room by the same people demonstrated the lack of upbringing by each and every person involved. 

The suggestion that there is any similarity between Tea Party people and the Occupy Wall Street group is either based on absolute stupidity or simply an outright lie. 

•  Look at the cleanliness of the Washington D.C. Mall after the 9/12/2009 event versus the inauguration 

•  Look at the cleanliness of the Lincoln Memorial after the 8/28/2010 event versus after the subsequent event two weeks later by Representative Rangel (the attendees were bused in and paid). 

•  Compare the number of Tea Party members arrested – ZERO - versus the Occupy Wall Street protestors/thugs. 

•  Compare the source of funds for the Tea Party members [by each member] versus the source of funds for the Occupy Wall Street protestors [George Soros, SEIU, Democratic Party, etc] 

The disappointment that the great majority of Darke County people who sincerely believe that our county is the greatest and that we love and will defend it BUT are either afraid or just a little shy and so decline to stand and be counted as a strong proud American. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU???