God, Family and Country! PLEASE CHECK THE ARCHIVE BUTTON ON THE LEFT TO SEE ALL MY POSTS
Mike's Newspaper Column
Read Mike's column weekly in the Times Community Newspaper Family, including the legendary Kettering-Oakwood Times, and posted here the following week.
Are you on “The List”? If you are, you know it by now. If you’re not, you’ll likely be wondering why after reading this. But it is open to additions (and deletions). I’m talking about the Scinto Family Christmas card list.
I’m sure there’s a master list somewhere but all I have is in bits and pieces on this laptop, or that desktop. Some of it is on my external hard drive and some is simply in Kathy’s old handwritten address book.
I’m not even privy to the origins of the list or the criteria for staying on, or being banished from, the list. So, at best, these are guesses since my sole role is creating the annual newsletter/update, printing off the labels and taking them to the post office.
I believe the very first parchment with names of the fortunate ones was penned following our wedding nearly 35 years ago. But that original list is hidden better than the Holy Grail. It somehow comes together (most years anyway) and sneaks into my database.
Once you’re on it, it’s tantamount to a lifetime appointment. I’m sure divorce, prison or death can mean an exit for you. In some cases there seems to be a two year rule; If you don’t reciprocate with a card for 24 months you’re thrown under the bus for good………or until you prove yourself worthy again; that is to the “Keeper of the List”.
I know I saw names on there this year that we haven’t heard from in a couple of decades. When I sheepishly ask her about them, I get “the stare” and go back to printing labels.
Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just delivering the message for Kathy (unofficially). I’m almost afraid to suggest it but if you’d like to make the list, you might discretely ask her. But don’t push it! Be good, try not to cross her this year and you may just have something special in your mailbox about ten months from now……..then again, you may not!
Poor Mike strained his back trying to uproot a dandelion, and we're told by Rae, whined about it. But this is our tribute to him as we're all hunched over to commiserate with Mikey.
Fax: 1-866-375-6934 Toll Free-THE BEST Internet fax service available myfax.com
For the show Friday September 26, 2008
Today on Expressions II with Mike Scinto:
**Giving teachers a bonus for passing excellent students; sounds like a great idea, right? Mike Scinto says “Find out who says it’s a bad idea……and I’ll give you a hint. It’s spelled U-N-I-O-N.
**Scientists are back with stats that say the kids who use cell phones regularly are 5 times more likely to develop brain tumors. Scinto asks “Do you buy it and are you going to back off cell phone use or make your kids or grandkids”?
**As of yesterday in Nebraska you can dump your kids, up to age 19, at a hospital emergency room and you’re no longer responsible for them. “Can you think of a more disgusting program for losers and quitters?” Scinto asks.
Voters in the Tipp City School District will be asked to approve two levies in November. The Board of Education voted unanimously to seek renewal of a permanent improvement levy and the renewal and increase of an emergency operating levy. The permanent improvement levy would be for 2 mills for five years, generating around $680,000 a year. The three-year emergency operating levy would be 9.95 mills, renewing, 7.57 average millage for $2.7 million already being collected annually plus an increase to generate another $1,015,280 annually. District officials agreed in July to pursue the levies package instead of splitting them into separate requests proposed for November and next spring.
Some brave souls who read my columns have even snuck by my home and crammed anti-levy propaganda in my mailbox and front door. It talks about everything from Dr. Kronour’s management to how moneys haven’t been spent in the most efficient manner. It’s really the typical anti-levy assault every district encounters when the school board asks for money.
If you are one of the folks who dropped it off, please know that it went straight into the large receptacle that’s emptied into that big truck on Monday mornings and then crushed. I don’t even read them. Save your paper.
You see, I have a policy; I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER vote against a school levy. I believe that those who do are tantamount to child abusers. If I had the power, those who campaigned against them would be flogged on the town square. Lucky for you we don’t have a town square. When levies fail, the students are the ones who suffer. And they had nothing to do with the problem, or perceived problem.
I have covered school boards as a journalist and a talk show host, volunteered for school boards, known school board members as friends and interviewed those representatives over the years. Some are excellent leaders, some are power-hungry citizens, some are very open to public input and some, quite frankly, don’t want to be bothered by citizens. But you know what? They all had one thing in common; they were all elected to office and could all be voted out of office……and some were. None that I am aware of had a lifetime appointment to that board seat.
In virtually every district I’ve encountered, monthly school board meetings are attended by the board members, individuals receiving awards or contract extensions, local newspaper reporters and a couple of community activists. You could fit everybody in the meeting room in a mini-van. If there is such a concern about how money is spent and programs are handled, why aren’t the parents and citizens in the audience to watch, listen and ask questions? And the last time I checked, the law said (as did board policy) that you can see the books any time you want during regular business hours. But how many whiners bother?
Every time a levy or bond issue shows up, the anti-levy crowd crawls out from under its “No New Tax” billboard. It actually gives them meaning in their lives. I wish they’d get real hobbies……or real lives!
If I sound a bit harsh it’s because I feel that way. As I said, I believe a thumbs-down vote is an attack on our kids who are merely innocent victims. If you are really bothered by the school system spending, give up a day a month and attend board meetings and speak up. Take some time to look over the books. If you are at odds with the Superintendent, who serves at the Board’s pleasure, or board members themselves, deal with it from that angle. Let the members hear from you. They’ll listen. And if you still aren’t satisfied, campaign to put in a board that will think and act like you……or run for a seat yourself. That’s the sensible, responsible way to do it. Don’t deprive our students when all they’re trying to do is get a top-notch education.
Mike Scinto is a Radio Talk Show Host and hosts the longest running show in Southwestern Ohio. You can catch him weekdays from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM on 1210-AM. Mike is a regular guest host on the national Mike Gallagher Show and is a contributor to cable’s Fox News Channel. You can visit http://myspace.com/mikescintoshow or email mike@themikescintoshow.com. You can also reach Mike by calling 937-506-4288 and visit his blog at http://mikescinto.blogspot.com .
Kathy and I at John McCain's Palin announcement in Dayton at the Nutter Center Friday, August 29, 2008 a historic date and a proud moment for the party, and the country. The sign was prepared by staff and we just happened to sit there.
Senator John McCain, the Republican Party nominee (officially as of tonight) made one heck of a choice in choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Kathy and I were about 50 feet away from the stage in her "coming out" last week right here in Dayton. While I think we both had questions initially, as soon as she opened her mouth, we both knew this was history. She attacked Obama last night(in a respectful and honest way) leaving little room from rebuttal. Her smile will knock you over and her tenacity will sweep you off your feet. Palin is the future of the party, and the country.
Those of you who have shown the exquisite taste of anticipating, and reading, my columns like pre-pubescent Harry Potter fans awaiting the next chapter of the wizard’s adventures, it will come as no surprise that I am a Dayton Dragons fan and charter season ticket holder.And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know about the recent bench-clearing brawl at 5/3 Field. I’m here to point out the hypocrisy I’m hearing when it comes to that event.
Callers to my radio show, as well as folks who stop me on the street after seeing my Dragon hat or shirt, tell me what a disgusting display they witnessed that evening.They talked about how it’s a family event and parents should have picked their kids up by the scruff of their necks, shielded their eyes and headed for the gates at the first sign of a swinging fist. In fact, I had callers who said they abhorred that violence so much that they did, in fact, leave the stands and went home. “What kind of example is that for our young future ball players in the seats?” they asked.“I hope they throw the book at the whole lot” they opined.
And now for the reality check; the fans loved it!They ate it up.While I wasn’t there that night (but would love to have been) this was getting prime rib when you ordered ground beef at a restaurant.This is what makes baseball exciting.
After addressing this with my audience, I wondered if I really was a sadist who had convinced himself this was desirable behavior or if the majority of my callers were flat out telling lies.I decided the latter was correct.
We are a rubber-necking society.That’s why the north-bound side of the Interstate slows down to a crawl when an SUV is on its roof on the south-bound side.It’s why the Star, National Enquirer and Globe are the most read weekly magazines.It’s why Hard Copy, Extra and Entertainment Tonight populate the airways around dinner time each evening. It’s why fans of hockey demand a refund if there are no fists flying at a game and why soccer fans in Europe expect fisticuffs at matches there.
Here’s the catch. We act disgusted at the slow traffic (even though we’re glaring too), make sure we’re alone in the checkout lane before we pick up one of the weekly tabloids and switch the TVto The History Channel if somebody walks into the TV room.We don’t want to appear to be as nosey as we really are.
Baseball is a boring game to watch; especially a defensive game.It gets the old adrenalin going when (Dragons Manager) Donnie Scott runs out to home plate and starts gyrating like Mick Jagger after drinking a case of Mountain Dew. A little dirt gets kicked toward the ump, fingers fly and finally the official sends Donnie to the showers.
That’s all that happened at the game in question……….plus a little shoving by the Peoria team’s acting Manager, a few very “inside” pitches at Dragons batters, one hitter seeing stars as he’s beaned by one of those tosses, an aggressive slide into second, a broken leg on the Peoria team, 15 players on each team and both managers getting the boot.Other than that, it was a pretty routine first couple of innings.
My sources tell me that not only was there NOT an exodus to the gates but that the street level fence rail had every space taken with all eyes toward the field.The scuffle was on TV screens around the country, and around the globe for that matter.Dayton got its moment in the sun.
Since I am on the media list I had my politically correct “that was disgusting” email from the front office waiting for me in my in basket shortly after the game.But inside I’ll bet all those involved with the team were cheering to beat the band.In broadcasting, as in baseball, the old saying “The only bad publicity is no publicity” is an absolute truism.
And love the antics on the field or not, let’s not forget that our Dragons are BLAZING HOT in the second half. I mean, after all it wasn’t “our” fault; the visitors started it. And if you don’t like that, come do something about it. Go Dragons!
SPECIAL NOTE: My comments on the game do not in any way condone the ridiculous, and I believe criminal, actions allegedly taken by the Peoria player that sent one fan to the hospital.
VERY SPECIAL NOTE: This Saturday (8/9) Kathy, my beautiful bride, and I celebrate 33 years of marriage.Happy Anniversary, Honey!
Mike Scinto is a Radio Talk Show Host and hosts the longest running show in Southwestern Ohio. You can catch him weekdays from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM on 1210-AM. Mike is a regular guest host on the national Mike Gallagher Show and is a contributor to cable’s Fox News Channel. You can visit http://myspace.com/mikescintoshow or email mike@themikescintoshow.com. You can also reach Mike by calling 937-506-4288.
Mike Scinto is a veteran talk show host now in his 41st year in that role. He serves as guest host on the nationally syndicated "The Mike Gallagher Show". You may have seen him offering his unique perspective on cable's Fox News Channel. Mike is also an award-winning newspaper columnist in the great tradition of free speech in America! Mike says his life revolves around God, his wife of 43 years and BF Kathy, Zak, Carly, and this great USA! Making America Great Again with President Donald J. Trump
Bengal Anthony Munoz with Zack Scinto MDA Telethon 2001
2001 MDA Telethon
Mike Scinto and Robin Mobely Broadcasting Live from 2001 MDA Telethon
2001 MDA Telethon
Mike, Zack, Carly and Don Brown 2001
The 1290 WHIO RadioTeam
Mike Scinto with the WHIO Team 1991
West Milton Optical
The Eye Guys-John (L) and Terry (R) at West Milton Optical-The best (most affordable) and most fun optical shop on the planet.....if you can get past John's jokes......937-698-4456
.jpg)
++.jpg)
