I don’t know why anyone would want to be president of these United States.
First of all, these states are far from being united … held together by a thin cord of laws stemming from the Constitution to state legislatures all over the country. Recently, a couple of county sheriffs have said, “We’re not going to uphold these new gun laws, and you can count on that.” There are no new gun laws at this writing, and those local yokels have no authority in defying laws passed by Congress. So, they have nothing yet to defy, and probably will not have.
And then there’s the case of Chuck Hagel, ex-senator from Nebraska, a Republican good ol’ boy of the biggest good ol’ boys’ club in the world, the United States Senate. He, obviously, has made a terrible error in wanting to serve his country beyond his time in the Senate. And how does this ex-senator from Nebraska dare to take his Republican credentials and stand to serve this leftist-leaning president? He has upset the sanctimonious balance. It goes back to bigotry, stupidity and just plain ugliness for things and people who are not like us. The First Lady is one of the best that has graced the White House … well educated, Harvard Law School, and critics are looking for things to criticize (the NRA’s advertisement on TV criticizing the president because his daughters have Secret Service guardianship). Someone asked the other day why I criticize the right-wingers, and I flippantly replied, “They … make it very easy.”
A recent flap was whether the president actually did skeet shooting. Oh my gosh, you would have thought he had cursed in church. And just before I sat down to write this, the White House released a picture of the president aiming and shooting a shotgun. Frankly, I miss Harry Truman because Harry would have told them to stick it. With social media so pervasive, it’s a wonder anybody can do anything without screams, hollering and somebody accusing you of something.
I’m reminded every day you don’t have to tell the truth on the Internet. In fact, the Manti’ Te’o situation has proven, without a shadow of a doubt, you can hurt people by just telling a big, fat lie. In “Mein Kampf”, Hitler advised his readers to tell big lies because everybody tells little lies and, to get them believed, you must tell bigger ones. (Don’t look for me on Facebook.)
Anyway, the president constantly faces a pile of monkey manure shoveled at him by those who are, evidently, unhappy with this democracy. In the meantime, I’ll subscribe to this old advice … I’ll keep my head down, keep my powder dry, and I would advise the president to do the same.
Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.
Opinion
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Discussion
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
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It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
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Display the flag
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
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RONN MOTT: The ‘wilds’ of Collett Park
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EDITORIAL: Fix fraud, don’t punish needy
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READERS' FORUM: June 7, 2013
Thanks to those who helped VYFL
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