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Ignorance comes back
to bite us
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson
Dec. 3, 2010
After my special opinion Sunday, Both Sides of the Story, I got the
following comment:
“Bob,
“Your position on an issue from either the right or left perspectives
matters less to me than your providing a truthful reporting of what is
happening concerning local issues. We have plenty of pundits to take
care of the state and national "news".
“What we really need in Darke County is someone willing to keep local
politicians accountable for their decisions. We need someone to ask the
hard questions and demand that the public gets good answers. Our local
school boards, village and city councils, and our county commission,
all make decisions that impact our lives and our future.
“What we receive from local media is a reporting of what took place at
a meeting but there never is a questioning of officials as to "why"
something was decided. There is no questioning of local officials
regarding the ramifications of their decisions. In the absence of
accountability local elected officials are not challenged to make the
best decisions rather than expedient decisions.
“So Bob, I would suggest that you be less concerned about "right" and
"left" and more concerned about "good" decisions and "bad" decisions.
This would be your greatest service to your many loyal readers.”
The comment was “anonymous” so I couldn’t post it. At the same time,
what this individual said is appreciated… and far too important to
ignore.
He/she is right and he/she is wrong.
“Right” and “left” are unacceptable terms. For instance, I’ve been
accused of being “left” on some issues, “right” on others. I plead
guilty to both.
The issues are typically more complex than that. These labels, however,
are the only publically recognizable way I know to distinguish between
the plethora of blogs and news items typically found on the
“cyberspace” network.
I totally agree about local issues and holding local representatives
accountable.
My first observation is that our public officials (both Democrat and
Republican), and even the citizens driving some of our local issues,
are typically more “right” than “left.” I sometimes – okay, maybe often
– disagree with their decisions; occasionally to the point of believing
their logic misguided. However, I also believe that, from their
perspective, they are usually based on what they think is best for the
communities they serve or live in.
Regarding our elected officials, someone is going to be hard pressed to
convince me that in Darke County, Ohio, we elect people who are “social
agenda” driven, either left or right. They are too busy trying to do
their jobs in the midst of the mire of state and federal regulations.
You can take it from a “furiner and a snake in the grass” that our
communities have elevated the performance of the proverbial grapevine
to a fine science. I’ve lost track of the rumors – no matter how
outlandish – I’ve tracked down, both during and since my tenure at The
Advocate.
Ask the tough questions? Yeah, we can ask them. I’m not going to speak
for anyone else, but I do it. And I’ll continue to do it whenever
possible.
I’ll be posting an interview with Commissioner-elect Mike Stegall next
week. You decide if I’ve asked the right questions.
I stand by my performance. In the past, now and in the future.
However, keep in mind it is a three-way street. The Fourth Estate –
that’s still me, I guess – has to ask them. The subject of the
interview has to be candid with his or her response. And the readers
have to read and pay attention to what they say.
The ball has often been dropped, but not always by the media. We can
all do better.
Regarding the left and right, state and national news and commentary,
I’ve fought this battle before and will continue to fight it.
What our representatives do when we send them to Washington and
Columbus have an impact on our everyday lives in Darke County!
Our official unemployment rate is 10 percent – unofficial is 18 to 22
percent – thanks to those who govern us at these levels. We have
impossible demands imposed upon us by those who believe Big Brother
should think and care for us. State and national bureaucrats tie the
hands of our local officials, often to our detriment.
Decisions that impact our lives and our future?
How about our kids stuck in a state educational system – with federal
mandates – that is designed not for their education, but for the
continued empowerment of adults with their own agendas?
Ask a teacher or administrator what kind of restrictions or guidelines
he or she has to follow sometime.
I will continue to search out the agendas outside our collective
hamlets and offer you those that I think deserve our attention.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t try to give you all perspectives,
left and right. Ignorance can - and does - come back to bite us.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
Bob Robinson is the
retired editor of The Daily Advocate, Greenville, Ohio. If you wish to
receive a daily notification of his comments, opinions and reports,
send your email address to: opinionsbybob@gmail.com. Feel free to
express your views.
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