• Rory Ryan 20 January 2011

    Pawlenty to talk about for 2012

    “‘Our great nation is facing a crisis in part because the government’s out of control, and it’s particularly out of control with its spending,’ Gov. Pawlenty said. ‘It’s going to take us into a deep hole even further than we already are. And I hope we can get consensus on that. But our team, the ones who just got elected to the majority of the Congress, and all the other conservatives and Republicans, said: ‘Look if you elect us this time we’re actually going to do this stuff.’ Well, now we’ve got to do it.’”
  • Rory Ryan 11 January 2011
    Media fast with opinion, not facts
    The initial reporting of the Arizona shooting left me thinking of a great quote from one of my favorite writers, P.J. O’Rourke: “I’m not a liberal, so I’m not an expert on things I know nothing about.”
  • Rory Ryan 6 January 2011
    A midwinter night's daydream
    'You can argue whether the decisions they made were the correct ones or not, but you cannot argue that they failed to make tough decisions – unpopular with some – but they were needed.' – Judge Kevin Greer
  • Rory Ryan 30 December 2010
    Happy New Year's resolutions
    Simply put, there are anticipated expectations of journeymen newspaper columnists to put these annual resolutions on paper (or online). And it’s pretty much been that way since Gutenberg and moveable type. In the past two decades, I’ve penned more New Year’s resolutions columns than I can recall. The one thing I do remember is this: For each and every resolution I’ve ever made, I’ve broken all of them and 10 others I thought about making.
  • Rory Ryan 22 December 2010
    All I want for Christmas is...
    Since Santa Claus is more real than any of these requests and since not even Kris Kringle himself can possibly deliver on any of these gifts, All I want for Christmas is…Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men, and for all of you, a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for reading and thanks for letting us be a small part of your week. We look forward to having the opportunity to work with you again in 2011. All the best for the New Year.
  • Rory Ryan 16 December 2010
    Kasich dares to state the obvious
    Given that Chris Redfern chairs the Ohio Democratic Party it is no small wonder that Republicans cleaned his clock in November.
  • Rory Ryan 3 December 2010
    Senate elitists: Don't lend us your earmarks
    Once again, the elitists in the United States Senate just don’t get it. Or, maybe they just missed the results of the recent midterm election. Those results, by the way, brought about a new majority across the way in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Rory Ryan 2 December 2010
    Whippoorwill sings 'Taps' for Bill Horne
    A whippoorwill just sang "Taps" in southern Highland County.
     Believe it.
     Bill Horne passed away this week at the age of 70. He loved to hear the whippoorwills sing.
  • Rory Ryan 26 November 2010
    A clean stove and Thanksgiving musings
    Before I attempt to write this Thanksgiving 2010 column, I must inform our dear friend Lynn Neal that Colin and I are not cleaning the stove this week. The task has been accomplished by someone who hopes my annual rant, “Giving thanks for a clean stove,” has been put out to the range pasture once and for all.
  • Rory Ryan 16 November 2010
    One man's trash, another taxpayer's treasure
    If memory serves, when the Hillsboro City Schools vacated its former school buildings, public auctions were held and the schools enjoyed a bit of much-needed revenue without going to the taxpayers. The county sheriff held an auction of items confiscated by his department this past August. If it works for the state, the county and for the schools, why not the city – which reportedly could use the money?
  • Rory Ryan 11 November 2010
    Post-election political ponderings
    If the new Congress cannot find meaningful ways to rein in government spending and limit bureaucratic intrusions in the ensuing two years, voters should send the incumbents packing again. Turn the rascals out. If that doesn’t work, then, turn ’em out again.
  • Rory Ryan 28 October 2010
    Another view foisted on an unsuspecting public
    As much as I like chili, it’s become a Saturday-only thing for me. It takes me a minimum of 48 hours to “recover” from a chili day. Maybe it’s the cayenne pepper. Maybe it’s the Habanero sauce. Maybe it’s the combination of spices that I’d otherwise avoid, yet feel compelled to include in my chili – and foist on an unsuspecting public...
  • Rory Ryan 22 October 2010
    Endorsements best when difficult
    One of the things I’ve learned about choosing a political candidate is this: Talk to people from opposing political parties. In the cases of Rob Portman, David Daniels, Gary Heaton and Bill Horne, I’ve done that. Even those in the opposite parties generally agree that these are good people. The same holds true for their Nov. 2 opponents.
  • Rory Ryan 14 October 2010
    Gonzo Journalism and Eric 'The Bulldog' Deters
    As the father of two daughters who earned college degrees prior to graduating high school – one at age 17, and one at 16 – I have great admiration for those who respect higher education. Apparently, Mr. Deters does. My hunch is that his parents do, too.
  • Rory Ryan 7 October 2010
    Another pointless terror warning
    Some forewarn that this Sunday is 10-10-10 and that that may be a bad omen. Of course, the same was said four years ago on June 6, 2006 (666). Supposedly, Nov. 11 of next year (11-11-11) could be another targeted date, and we all know about Dec. 12, 2012 (the dreaded, end-of-the-world 12-12-12 (or is it 12-21-12?)
  • Rory Ryan 30 September 2010
    Political season hits crucial month
    If you haven’t noticed, it’s that time of year again. Turning the calendar to October doesn’t just usher in postseason baseball or NFL football. No, October is more than the games of the diamond or gridiron. It’s also the crucial month for the Game of Politics. Yes, the 2010 midterm political season has arrived in all its autumn glory.
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