Pop culture and politics
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
If we go down, then we go down together;
They'll say you could do anything;
They'll say that I was clever;
If we go down, then we go down together.
Let's show them we are better.
From “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
How’s that for a bit of 2017 Top 40 pop culture? The reason I ask is that earlier this week my knowledge and familiarity with pop culture was called into question by a dear friend and fellow godparent.
Here’s our Quote of the Week: “Rory, Sadly, you are lacking in popular culture; is this a sign of too much time spent on political high jinks?” – Ms. Hap, April 26, 2017
Prior to getting into the heart and substance of this week’s offering – possibly numbering close to 2,000 by my count – let me just say this about popular culture. In the information age, ignorance is a choice. (Thanks, Barb Cole.)
It’s not that I am ignorant of what passes as popular culture, it’s just that much of it bores the hell out of me. I’d rather spend time reading a book, drinking a beer or catching a fish. Unless the former and latter get in the way of the median.
What started the recent conversation was my initial lack of familiarity with one Ryan Gosling, who appeared in last year’s movie “La La Land,” which did not win the Oscar for Best Picture as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway incorrectly – and infamously – announced two months ago. That award belonged to “Moonlight.” Sorry, Bonnie and Clyde.
After mentioning the attack on my cultural character, I was reminded that I did, in fact, know Ryan Gosling. Not from “La La Land,” but from a really good movie a few years – or decades – earlier, “Remember the Titans.”
Gosling played T.C. Williams High School (Virginia) linebacker and Buck Owens aficionado Alan Bosley, who sang along with Owens to “Act Naturally.” (They’re gonna put me in the movies, and all I have to do is Act Naturally.)
Gosling’s wife, Eva Mendes, as I have learned, is equally talented and regarded in the arena of popular culture.
* * *
While I did not see “La La Land” or “Moonlight” from the 2016 top films, I did see and enjoy “Hacksaw Ridge,” about the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss, a U.S. combat medic who was a Seventh-day Adventist and became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa. Now, that was a good movie.
I also enjoyed “Fences,” directed by and starring Denzel Washington and written by August Wilson, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
“Deepwater Horizon” was another 2016 film that starred Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Kate Hudson that I liked. It was based on the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
I have just a few very simple rules for watching movies without John Wayne – if it’s a John Wayne movie, I’ll watch it, period.
There must be some stimulating or intriguing action, adventure, suspense, humor or dialogue. Keep the music down so I can hear the dialogue. And the good guys have to win. Is that too much to ask?
I do not watch a weekend movie just to feel worse than I did. If pop culture purveyors don’t get it, I can always go fishing.
* * *
The Kasich book tour
And then there was this in my morning email from Team Kasich – info@johnkasich.com:
“Rory, Gov. Kasich continues to be the responsible voice within the Republican party. His message about how we can strengthen our communities and heal the divisions in this country is resonating. We have some copies of his new book and for a limited time only, would like to send you a copy as a thank you if you'll make a generous contribution to help us spread his message.
• Chip in $50 now, receive a copy of the book
• Chip in $150 or more, receive a signed copy of the book.
How about this, Team Kasich, I’ll do my “chipping in” on local causes and you can put your book where it’s most comfortable. By the way, please let Ohio residents and taxpayers know how your personal book tour does one damned thing to help the state of Ohio, which, as you have said, is entering another recession. Maybe you can “chip in,” and I’ll let you know what your party brethren really think of you.
Indiana’s Mike Pence one-upped you on the Trump VP nod, didn’t he?
* * *
Hello, Lee Koogler, my number is 937-764-1341
To the best of my knowledge – with Hillsboro City Council President Lee Koogler as the source – members of Hillsboro City Council met in a special session April 26 to discuss real estate in executive session, and to discuss funding for sidewalk projects.
In a column two weeks ago – http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/Opinions/Rory-Ryan/Article/-Leading-by-example-/4/83/38212 – I asked of President Koogler’s city council regarding this year’s city invoices for sidewalks to property owners in a very select portion of the 100 block of South High Street: “How many of you (on council) have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk? Moreover, how many city administrators and employees have written checks to the city for new sidewalks after receiving a mandate from the city to do so? (Maybe the city auditor can provide those records.)”
I then sent a follow-up to Council President Koogler, as follows:
“Mr. Koogler, Perhaps you missed it, but 10 days ago, I asked this of your city council regarding the city invoices for sidewalks to property owners in a very select portion of the 100 block of South High Street. How many of you have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk? Moreover, how many city administrators and employees have written checks to the city for new sidewalks after receiving a mandate from the city to do so? (Maybe the city auditor can provide those records.) Surely, no city official would have the unmitigated gall to send a bill for $11,648 to a property owner unless they, themselves, have first paid for their respective sidewalks. Surely, they are not akin to members of Congress who exempt themselves from the onerous laws passed on "the rest of us." While other communities budget and appropriate accordingly for infrastructure through existing taxes and/or Community Development Block Grants, the city has a new approach: Bill the property owners. Selectively, of course.”
I realize Mr. Koogler is very busy in spite of his occasional absences from city council meetings. After all, according to Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, Mr. Koogler billed the county $55,721.40 in 2016 for legal fees for taxpayer-funded services to indigent defendants in 2016. This was up from Mr. Koogler’s billing of $52,784 in 2015. According to the county, Mr. Koogler submitted the highest totals in each of the past two years for these taxpayer-paid expenses.
Obviously, he is a very busy man.
But for those of us being forced to pay thousands of dollars for new cement on South High Street, the very least Mr. Koogler could do is answer a simple question: How many of you on city council have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk?
Is that so difficult?
Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.
They'll say you could do anything;
They'll say that I was clever;
If we go down, then we go down together.
Let's show them we are better.
From “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
How’s that for a bit of 2017 Top 40 pop culture? The reason I ask is that earlier this week my knowledge and familiarity with pop culture was called into question by a dear friend and fellow godparent.
Here’s our Quote of the Week: “Rory, Sadly, you are lacking in popular culture; is this a sign of too much time spent on political high jinks?” – Ms. Hap, April 26, 2017
Prior to getting into the heart and substance of this week’s offering – possibly numbering close to 2,000 by my count – let me just say this about popular culture. In the information age, ignorance is a choice. (Thanks, Barb Cole.)
It’s not that I am ignorant of what passes as popular culture, it’s just that much of it bores the hell out of me. I’d rather spend time reading a book, drinking a beer or catching a fish. Unless the former and latter get in the way of the median.
What started the recent conversation was my initial lack of familiarity with one Ryan Gosling, who appeared in last year’s movie “La La Land,” which did not win the Oscar for Best Picture as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway incorrectly – and infamously – announced two months ago. That award belonged to “Moonlight.” Sorry, Bonnie and Clyde.
After mentioning the attack on my cultural character, I was reminded that I did, in fact, know Ryan Gosling. Not from “La La Land,” but from a really good movie a few years – or decades – earlier, “Remember the Titans.”
Gosling played T.C. Williams High School (Virginia) linebacker and Buck Owens aficionado Alan Bosley, who sang along with Owens to “Act Naturally.” (They’re gonna put me in the movies, and all I have to do is Act Naturally.)
Gosling’s wife, Eva Mendes, as I have learned, is equally talented and regarded in the arena of popular culture.
* * *
While I did not see “La La Land” or “Moonlight” from the 2016 top films, I did see and enjoy “Hacksaw Ridge,” about the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss, a U.S. combat medic who was a Seventh-day Adventist and became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa. Now, that was a good movie.
I also enjoyed “Fences,” directed by and starring Denzel Washington and written by August Wilson, based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
“Deepwater Horizon” was another 2016 film that starred Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Kate Hudson that I liked. It was based on the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
I have just a few very simple rules for watching movies without John Wayne – if it’s a John Wayne movie, I’ll watch it, period.
There must be some stimulating or intriguing action, adventure, suspense, humor or dialogue. Keep the music down so I can hear the dialogue. And the good guys have to win. Is that too much to ask?
I do not watch a weekend movie just to feel worse than I did. If pop culture purveyors don’t get it, I can always go fishing.
* * *
The Kasich book tour
And then there was this in my morning email from Team Kasich – info@johnkasich.com:
“Rory, Gov. Kasich continues to be the responsible voice within the Republican party. His message about how we can strengthen our communities and heal the divisions in this country is resonating. We have some copies of his new book and for a limited time only, would like to send you a copy as a thank you if you'll make a generous contribution to help us spread his message.
• Chip in $50 now, receive a copy of the book
• Chip in $150 or more, receive a signed copy of the book.
How about this, Team Kasich, I’ll do my “chipping in” on local causes and you can put your book where it’s most comfortable. By the way, please let Ohio residents and taxpayers know how your personal book tour does one damned thing to help the state of Ohio, which, as you have said, is entering another recession. Maybe you can “chip in,” and I’ll let you know what your party brethren really think of you.
Indiana’s Mike Pence one-upped you on the Trump VP nod, didn’t he?
* * *
Hello, Lee Koogler, my number is 937-764-1341
To the best of my knowledge – with Hillsboro City Council President Lee Koogler as the source – members of Hillsboro City Council met in a special session April 26 to discuss real estate in executive session, and to discuss funding for sidewalk projects.
In a column two weeks ago – http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/Opinions/Rory-Ryan/Article/-Leading-by-example-/4/83/38212 – I asked of President Koogler’s city council regarding this year’s city invoices for sidewalks to property owners in a very select portion of the 100 block of South High Street: “How many of you (on council) have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk? Moreover, how many city administrators and employees have written checks to the city for new sidewalks after receiving a mandate from the city to do so? (Maybe the city auditor can provide those records.)”
I then sent a follow-up to Council President Koogler, as follows:
“Mr. Koogler, Perhaps you missed it, but 10 days ago, I asked this of your city council regarding the city invoices for sidewalks to property owners in a very select portion of the 100 block of South High Street. How many of you have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk? Moreover, how many city administrators and employees have written checks to the city for new sidewalks after receiving a mandate from the city to do so? (Maybe the city auditor can provide those records.) Surely, no city official would have the unmitigated gall to send a bill for $11,648 to a property owner unless they, themselves, have first paid for their respective sidewalks. Surely, they are not akin to members of Congress who exempt themselves from the onerous laws passed on "the rest of us." While other communities budget and appropriate accordingly for infrastructure through existing taxes and/or Community Development Block Grants, the city has a new approach: Bill the property owners. Selectively, of course.”
I realize Mr. Koogler is very busy in spite of his occasional absences from city council meetings. After all, according to Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, Mr. Koogler billed the county $55,721.40 in 2016 for legal fees for taxpayer-funded services to indigent defendants in 2016. This was up from Mr. Koogler’s billing of $52,784 in 2015. According to the county, Mr. Koogler submitted the highest totals in each of the past two years for these taxpayer-paid expenses.
Obviously, he is a very busy man.
But for those of us being forced to pay thousands of dollars for new cement on South High Street, the very least Mr. Koogler could do is answer a simple question: How many of you on city council have ever written a check to the city of Hillsboro for a new sidewalk?
Is that so difficult?
Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.