Looking back on 2011 before I forget the whole year
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
We've come to the end of another year which, for all intents and purposes, is really no big deal.
Except for newspaper columnists who are obligated – under the nefarious Gutenberg Clause of Journalism 99 1/2 – to write {Note to editor: Change to our new sarcasm font henceforth} a year-end microtome of the previous 12 months, while making rarely accurate predictions of the ensuing 366 days. (It's a leap year, don't you know.)
I may make my 2012 predictions some other other time. But looking back on the year that was 2011, there are at least 10 things that I'd just as soon forget.
By random selection, they include:
No. 10 – Senate Bill 5, which later became State Issue 2. For all the good intentions and noble efforts to reform a broken system, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and his GOP majorities in both the House and Senate fell flat on their collective faces with this legislation. The system remains unfixed. The next generation will pay for the unsustainable self-indulgences of the present.
No. 9 – The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Yes, I know, this was signed into law in 2010. But it still ticks me off. It is blatantly unconstitutional yet very few Americans even care. Instead of a Declaration of Independence, today's Americans ought to sign an Affirmation of Dependence. (Which is a nice way of saying we can no longer do anything for ourselves.) Our ancestors, by the way, would kick our butts. And we'd have it coming, too.
No. 8 – Seeing anyone talking on a cell phone – or worse, texting – while standing in a line for handouts of free food. Here's a suggestion. Instead of buying a cell phone and the contractual obligations therewith, buy your own food.
No. 7 – Mean-spirited people who would dare to point out that someone in a free food line has a new cell phone and a nice car. Things are tough all over, after all.
No. 6 – Certain local elections. (You thought I forgot that one, didn't you?)
No. 5 – Anyone who sent emails to me trying to disguise his/her identity. Nice try, but it's really not that difficult to separate the wheat from the straw men. (See No. 6.)
No. 4 – Moving Day, October 13, 2011. My back still hurts. My thanks, to everyone who assisted. And thanks to everyone who took photos of a few of us as we wheeled a heavy desk from West Main Street to South High Street. Gitt-er done!
No. 3 – Penn State football.
No. 2 – The death of Steve Jobs. I love Macs. Hate PCs.
No. 1 – My birthday. Yes, I turned 50 in 2011. The AARP couldn't wait to start sending its junk mail, either. (*$#@! the AARP.) If my daughter/editor would permit, I'd tell you how I really feel about the half-century mark. Some other time, perhaps. Suffice it to say that Pam, Caitlin, Meghan, Colin and my co-workers all know how I feel about it. How we lookin'? Not good.
As it is {end sarcasm font}, I'll just wish you a very Happy New Year. And I do mean that.
Thanks again for reading and supporting The Highland County Press. We appreciate it more than you know. Best to all in 2012.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press, the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
Except for newspaper columnists who are obligated – under the nefarious Gutenberg Clause of Journalism 99 1/2 – to write {Note to editor: Change to our new sarcasm font henceforth} a year-end microtome of the previous 12 months, while making rarely accurate predictions of the ensuing 366 days. (It's a leap year, don't you know.)
I may make my 2012 predictions some other other time. But looking back on the year that was 2011, there are at least 10 things that I'd just as soon forget.
By random selection, they include:
No. 10 – Senate Bill 5, which later became State Issue 2. For all the good intentions and noble efforts to reform a broken system, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and his GOP majorities in both the House and Senate fell flat on their collective faces with this legislation. The system remains unfixed. The next generation will pay for the unsustainable self-indulgences of the present.
No. 9 – The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Yes, I know, this was signed into law in 2010. But it still ticks me off. It is blatantly unconstitutional yet very few Americans even care. Instead of a Declaration of Independence, today's Americans ought to sign an Affirmation of Dependence. (Which is a nice way of saying we can no longer do anything for ourselves.) Our ancestors, by the way, would kick our butts. And we'd have it coming, too.
No. 8 – Seeing anyone talking on a cell phone – or worse, texting – while standing in a line for handouts of free food. Here's a suggestion. Instead of buying a cell phone and the contractual obligations therewith, buy your own food.
No. 7 – Mean-spirited people who would dare to point out that someone in a free food line has a new cell phone and a nice car. Things are tough all over, after all.
No. 6 – Certain local elections. (You thought I forgot that one, didn't you?)
No. 5 – Anyone who sent emails to me trying to disguise his/her identity. Nice try, but it's really not that difficult to separate the wheat from the straw men. (See No. 6.)
No. 4 – Moving Day, October 13, 2011. My back still hurts. My thanks, to everyone who assisted. And thanks to everyone who took photos of a few of us as we wheeled a heavy desk from West Main Street to South High Street. Gitt-er done!
No. 3 – Penn State football.
No. 2 – The death of Steve Jobs. I love Macs. Hate PCs.
No. 1 – My birthday. Yes, I turned 50 in 2011. The AARP couldn't wait to start sending its junk mail, either. (*$#@! the AARP.) If my daughter/editor would permit, I'd tell you how I really feel about the half-century mark. Some other time, perhaps. Suffice it to say that Pam, Caitlin, Meghan, Colin and my co-workers all know how I feel about it. How we lookin'? Not good.
As it is {end sarcasm font}, I'll just wish you a very Happy New Year. And I do mean that.
Thanks again for reading and supporting The Highland County Press. We appreciate it more than you know. Best to all in 2012.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press, the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]