Bubba: A pink driver and a green jacket

Shrimp is the food of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. …There's shrimp kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan-fried shrimp, deep-fried, stir-fried… There's pineapple shrimp and lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp... Shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp in potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That, that's about it.

– Bubba Blue

Just as that famous underdog, Forrest Gump, needed a shrimp boat partner named Bubba (Benjamin Buford Blue, if you please), professional golf needed a Masters champion named Bubba.

Bubba Watson, indeed, won the 2012 Masters at Augusta, Ga., on Sunday.

Afterward, Bubba Watson seemed almost as humble as Bubba Blue.

“I've never had a dream get this far,” Bubba said, “so it's not a dream come true."

If, as many observers believe, professional golf has moved into the post-Tiger Woods era, players like Bubba Watson will go a long way toward building on the sport's momentum which was revved up by Woods and a few others in the past decade.

Fans celebrated Bubba's green jacket victory – perhaps as much because of his "Bubba" handle, his General Lee car, and his pink driver – and many will look forward to his quest for future majors.

So, if a Rory (McIlroy) couldn't win the Masters this year, I suppose a Bubba will suffice. (Not that you could live on the difference between a Rory and a Bubba, which happens to be one of my son's nicknames.)

Keep 'em in the fairways, Bubba.

* * *

Obamacare: A win is a win,
but a loss is a bigger win?

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard at one of those obligatory industry events that most of us detest, but are nevertheless required to attend.

Mr. Barnes was the keynote speaker on this particular afternoon in Columbus.

As it turned out, I enjoyed listening to the long-time national political columnist and have since read many of his Weekly Standard editorials over the years.

This week, Barnes offers a rational argument to the Left's latest rant (fueled by James Carville) that, regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Obamacare, Obama wins.

Really?

If Carville and his ilk truly believe that, then the question arises: Was Obamacare really about providing medical insurance for all, or was it little more than a political campaign strategy in which a win is a win and a loss is a bigger win?

That strategy sounds eerily similar to his secretary of state's political heyday. It works all too often in politics, but never in life – or in sports. Imagine a Major League Baseball manager attempting to explain to his team owner why losing is a good thing. In fact, it beats winning. He'd soon be an ex-manager.

Rest assured, Obama needs a victory in the High Court. He needs that victory if he wants a bigger victory in November. The fact that his party is already spinning the issue is nothing more than pre-emptive damage control.

As Barnes sums it up: "This is pure political hooey. If Obamacare falls, it will be a devastating rebuke to the president. The crown jewel of his presidency will have been repudiated as unconstitutional. His pretensions of uniquely knowing how to get things done in Washington will be shattered. Obama will be a diminished political figure. He will become a lesser president, far from the top ranks where he has envisioned himself.

"The opposite is true if the Court upholds Obamacare. Obama will be able to crow that he has succeeded where presidents over the past century failed. He has brought about universal health care coverage. He has counseled hope and brought about change. Republicans will be demoralized."

Barnes also points out that "If Obamacare is invalidated, we’ll hear far worse. Chief Justice John Roberts will be blamed for letting politics reign on the Court. But hypocrisy this thick will crumble under its own weight. And if the Court does the right thing, America will be fully justified in rejoicing."

* * *

Randy Mustard a
true public servant

This week started with a rather unfortunate telephone call. A family was – and is – in need of some help. They live in Paint Township.

Randy Mustard is a Paint Township trustee.

After making a few calls and recommending some local agencies that provide the type of assistance the family needs, I called Randy, just to let him know what was happening.

After I explained the situation, Randy assured me he would take action and let me know what he could do. We probably had four or five phone calls in a two-hour time frame trying to find a way to assist.

What struck me was Randy's genuine interest in trying to help a family that was in dire financial straits. This was not about politics; it was about trying to serve the community.

Randy's willingness to step in and help was both honorable and, no doubt, appreciated by the family. Paint Township residents are fortunate to have a representative like Randy Mustard.

* * *

Community mourns
losses of Ray Houk
and Dane Iseman

Our community lost two outstanding business and civic leaders this week – one from Greenfield and one from Fayetteville and St. Martin.

Ray Houk died Friday, April 6 at the age of 72.

Mr. Houk was the CEO of Ray Houk Realty and a lifetime member of St. Martin Chapel of St. Angela Merici Parish.

My family used to live in both Fayetteville and St. Martin. Ray and my dad were friends and always enjoyed sharing a few humorous stories, back in the day.

Mr. Houk and his wife, Agnes, were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 12.

There are a number of memorial funds set up in Mr. Houk's name. You can find them on our website or by visiting the Turner and Son Funeral Home's site at www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.

* * *

In addition to the Houk family, our condolences also go out to Dr. Steve Iseman and his family.

Steve's father, Dane E. Iseman, passed away Saturday, April 7 at the age of 89.

The Greenfield native was involved in the operation of the family business, the Greenfield Grain and Hay Company, for 40 years. He became the owner in 1960 and retired in 1985. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Home Building & Loan beginning in 1974 and served as president from 1984 until his retirement from the board in 2011.

In addition, as part of America's Greatest Generation, he was an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a navigator in the European Theatre during World War II.

Memorials in Mr. Iseman's name may be made to the Edward Lee McClain High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 396, Greenfield, Ohio 45123.

Condolences may be sent to www.murrayfettro.com.

Our community has been diminished by these losses, but will always be stronger for their presence.

Godspeed to their respective families.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.