The Mike Scinto Perspective

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Edwards Family Slammed by Conservatives

Mike Scinto

August 20, 2008

I’m really getting tired of having to apologize for my conservative colleagues in the media, and for conservatives in general. The latest rounds of attacks have been aimed at Senator John Edwards. His admitted tryst with a female other than his wife, and the dispute over who the father of her child might be, is truly an embarrassment.

I don’t support anything about John Edwards’ politics. I make no apologies for Edwards’ behavior. I don’t know (or care) if he is truly remorseful for the fling or if he simply got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. That’s not for me to judge and that’s my whole point. The behavior is disgusting and inexcusable, but last time I checked nobody had appointed me judge, jury or executioner.

It is the topic on the late night talk shows, news magazines, newspapers, tabloid TV shows and the rags on the checkout aisles at every grocery store in America. I’ll bet that makes Elizabeth Edwards feel great considering what the poor lady is already having to face. And I can only imagine the taunting the children are getting.

The responsibility is on John Edwards to be a man and step up and deal with it, both with his wife and with God. But he doesn’t owe the media, America or any of us anything.

John Edwards is not a candidate for President any longer. He isn’t apparently on the short list for VP either; and this pretty well sealed that. So what’s the need to air this tragic event in public? Have we no decency left in the world of politics, or the world at all for that matter? Don’t we care that a woman who is fighting for her life has to endure this over and over again?

I’ve been told that “he should have thought of that before his little fling”. And I can’t argue that point. But must we compound her agony by continuing to flog him publicly?

Once again, I find myself defending a Democrat from Republicans. Or maybe I’m just defending a family from the needless attacks from some in society. I’d be willing to bet a whole bundle that some of those attackers are wearing bracelets that say WWJD. I’d love to ask them what they REALLY think Jesus would do.

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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.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Excitement at 5/3/Field

Mike Scinto

August 6, 2008

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 TV to 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!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Dyslexia fundraiser hits home with radio show host Mike Scinto

Dale Huffman

October 1, 2007
Dayton Daily News (OH)
SECTION: Local
PAGE: A6

As a veteran Dayton radio talk show host, Mike Scinto is sometimes called upon to help support and publicize charity events and fundraisers. "I am always pleased to help when I can," Scinto said. "But when the folks organizing a walk to help children with dyslexia were in touch, there was no doubt I would give until it hurts. This one is close to my heart."

Scinto, who hosts a radio talk show on WDAO-AM (1210) weekdays from noon to 2 p.m., has a personal interest in dyslexia.

"My son Zak, who now is 15, has been challenged with this his whole life," Scinto said. "We knew he had a problem with words, but it was six years ago when we took him to Children's Medical Center, and they diagnosed him with severe dyslexia."

Scinto said he learned dyslexia is a language-based disorder characterized by difficulties in single-word decoding. It can result in problems with reading, writing and spelling.

"They tell me that people who suffer from dyslexia are sometimes considered to be lazy, rebellious or class clowns," Scinto said. "These misconceptions, without understanding dyslexia's effect on the person's life, can lead to rejection, isolation, feelings of inferiority and low selfesteem."

Scinto's son is a sophomore at Tippecanoe High School. "The teachers there are very helpful, but in the past we had to explain the situation to some teachers. Then they were more than willing to work with Zak and help him deal with it."

Scinto, who has been a talk show host for three decades in Dayton, also fills in from time to time for Mike Gallagher, a nationally syndicated radio talk show host based in New York City, and also is a guest contributor on the Fox News Channel on television.

"On a personal note, I can't imagine what it would be like to struggle with dyslexia, since my profession is based on using words," Scinto said. "It makes me think I really do take a lot for granted." Over a year ago Scinto's son began attending special classes for those with dsylexia sponsored by the Shriners at the Dayton Masonic Temple, 525 W. Riverview Ave.

"Students are given specialized lessons in learning to cope by highly trained professionals," Scinto said. "It is working and many young people are being helped."

According to Scinto, there is a waiting list for classes at the Masonic Learning Center. "There is a shortage of trained tutors and not enough school room space," he said.

That is why Scinto, and many other caring folks in the Miami Valley, are supporting a fundraising 5K walk to benefit the Masonic Learning Center for Children on Oct. 13, beginning at 10 a.m.

Mike Terwilliger, chief meteorologist for Dayton 22 and Fox 45 television in Dayton, and I have been invited to take part by acting as honorary co-chairmen.

Mike and I invite you to join the walk which begins at the Masonic Temple and includes a stroll through historic Daytonview and along the Great Miami River downtown.

Participants can walk at their own pace and can make a contribution as they wish. In the past, some have donated and decided not to walk.

For more information, call (937) 496-2242.

Dale Huffman wants your story ideas. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

Copyright, 2007, Cox Ohio Publishing. All rights reserved.