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This Veterans Day, I ask that you don't thank me. I've been thanked for things that I'm not entirely sure I should be thanked for. I'm a citizen now. What I've done in my past is just that, past. I ask that you take $5 and donate it to a charity. Aside from that the only way I can say that you can really thank us is to join us. -
November 11th is Veterans Day in America. Originally it came from Armistice Day, which we celebrated the end of the Great War (now just called WWI) which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918. Interestingly enough the last casualty recognized in the war was actually an American which was the last country to enter the war. In terms of tonnage used one can easily argue that not only one but several nuclear bombs were dropped over the Western Front in the form of weeks long artillery barrages. Gas Warfare, Trench Warfare, Disease, unbelieveably high casualty rates, all but forgotten when just 20 short years after the war ended Germany decides they want round 2. Read on at the Madness of the Combat Medic...
First and foremost, congratulations to President Obama for winning a second term. I truly hope that he finds ways to work across the isles to create working solutions for our troubled nation. I also congratulate all those who won their “seats” and pray for the all the leaders – old and new – that you will lead our great nation to the promise and prosperity that we all dream of.
I am avid reader of the Wall Street Journal either in print or on one of my electronic devices, but must admit that I’m old school and love nothing better than pouring through the paper version every morning. One of the reasons I enjoy the paper version is the pictorials are so much more powerful than a small framed electronic version. The morning edition of the WSJ didn’t disappoint with a map of the United States by county showing the margins of victory shaded lighter or darker blue and red based on the voting tallies for President Obama and Governor Romney.
As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words!
Outside of a few pockets - the Northeast, some border areas, and the left coast – President Obama’s concentration of voters were in the larger more populous cities vs. Governor Romney picking up a majority of everything else. If you were to look at this map not understanding the Electoral College, you’d sure think that RED is it. Those that watched on Tuesday night and understand the voting process in the United States know very differently.
The voting polls heading into Election Day showed a race too close to call – virtually every poll had either President Obama or Governor Romney winning depending on which way the margin of error went. By now we all know which way it went.
The other observation that an “outsider” might have is a nation’s voting of nearly 50-50 split is a well-balanced nation. Here’s where I think we have troubles as a nation. As we move closer and closer to 50-50, the more polarized as a nation in our beliefs for the direction of the country we become. Regardless of which side of the 50 you support, you cannot argue that the last 4 years represented the most polarized term in our history. With a split Congress setting up for the foreseeable future, I suspect we’ll see more of the same over the next 4 years with each side digging in harder and harder versus working towards the middle – I hope I’m wrong!
We don’t need to look too far from Clermont Country understand our own polarization with nearly 70% of Clermont Country voting for Governor Romney, yet Hamilton County going big for President Obama. I for one drove back and forth to work each day, choosing a different route to count yards signs mentally keep track. Romney-Ryan signs out-numbered Obama-Biden signs as many as 27 – 6 on one route home. Again, election results proved very different.
What can we learn from all of this? I, for one, need to be much more aware of my surroundings and understand what makes up that polarization in my community or more likely in my own mind. We are definitely a country that is divided, but how big is the real gap? Mainstream media doesn’t help matters – you’ll never hear Chris Matthews or his cronies on MSNBC give a compliment to Governor Romney and conversely I doubt you’ll hear Sean Hannity praise President Obama. However, I do believe as a nation we have much to learn to understand the gaps. As an American, I’m not asking anyone to pick sides and dig in for the next four years, I am suggesting that we all need to listen and learn what the other side is saying – are there ways for each side to moderately move towards each other – radical thinking I know!
This past election we have President Obama who sits very far to the “left” as the most polarized president in recent times versus Governor Romney who sat about as far to the “right” as to completely counter the Democrats. So what do we get in a 2-party country……about a 50-50 split! As I reflected Wednesday morning on the debates, the campaigns, the election and the results, I asked myself what I’d do if I were in charge of either party. Regardless of which side I debated, I came to one conclusion – we need to close the gaps that exist across our great nation with more moderate positions that represent the country regardless of demographic. We need candidates that provide solutions and appeals that address America – not just the rural and suburbanites – and not just the urban dwellers.
Is it too hard for each party to grow more moderate in their thinking? Must each side continue with the hard-line historical stereotypes? I certainly have my opinions and views of where our nation should go, but this is not the time for debate of those. Rather, I believe we all should spend some time learning the understanding where our nation can come together versus becoming more divided as we have over the past few years. My challenge to each of you is to learn the “other side” and be educated on your opinions and not just think along the stereotypical party lines. You have just under 4 years to get educated! GO!
Proud American,
Steve Max
(Editor's Note: Steve Max left this comment for readers after reading Loveland Magazine's election rusults that were published Wednesday morning.)
Loveland, Ohio - "Thanks for serving our country," is the answer Ralph Dunnigan gave when asked why Paxton's Grill has offered a free meal to veterans for so many years on Veterans Day.
Dunnigan said, "Breakfast, lunch or Dinner."
There is also a book at the restaurant where veterans can sign their name, note their military service, and perhaps leave a personal note.
Paxton's is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Loveland along the Loveland Bike Trail at 126 West Loveland Ave.
On the menu for veterans is: Chicken Caesar Salad, Chef Salad, Pulled Pork Platter, Chicken Wrap, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Hamburgers, or Ham or Turkey Sandwich.
As a nation we have the right to decide our own affairs, to mould our own future. This does not pose any danger to anybody. Our nation is fully aware of the responsibility for its own fate in the complicated situation of the contemporary world.
- Lech Walesa
Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist.
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The show features over 100 oil paintings by local Landscape Artist DEIRDRE DYSON. It includes local scenes from Loveland and around this area plus work painted on location in Florida, New Mexico and many other locations.
Browsers are welcome and encouraged at any time during show opening hours.
Directions: Half a block east (towards River) of traffic Light at Wall Street and West Loveland Avenue. Next door to Quilt Shop. Parking in rear.
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Loveland, Ohio - This is Bethany Casey at the Loveland Magazine TV Studio in the
Loveland Artists Studios on Main. She is rehearsing the
numbers she will sing during a fashion show this Thursday night at the studios at 529 Main Street.
The Loveland Arts Council is holding the charity event, Art 2 Wear.
Thursday night's opening reception starts their auction of art that area
artists have crafted for the show. The fund raising benefits the Arts
Council's scholarships that are given annually to graduating seniors.
"Exceptional Art to Wear from the area's Wearable Artists."
Silent auction of "Joint Venture" pieces. Jewelry and wearable art pieces created by a collaboration of artists.
Art 2 Wear Exhibition
Thursday, November 8th from 6 to 10 PM
Fashion show featuring mixture of vintage clothing and wearable art. Wine tasting, appetizers, and more
Second Saturday Open Studios
Saturday, November 10th from 6 to 10 PM
Featuring the Art 2 Wear show and a CCM steel drum band
Meet Resident Artists and Shop Locally
CCM’s Steel Drum Band explores the traditional sounds of Trinidad while incorporating the modern sounds of pop, folk and reggae. See these talented pannists (the technical term for steel drum players) improvise and be transported to the tropics by the soothing sounds of calypso.
Watch this YouTube video of them playing...
Morrow, Ohio - Adult voters weren’t the only ones standing in lines to cast their ballots this elections season. The hallway outside Little Miami fifth grade teacher Marci Goodrich’s class was also jammed with voters Monday as Goodrich and her students ran a mock precinct for the presidential election.
More than 700 fifth and sixth grade students in Little Miami Intermediate School made their way to Goodrich’s polling place to cast their vote for either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney one day before the national presidential election.
Students ran the precinct, checking class list “voter rolls” to check off voters, handing out ballots, and manning the ballot box. Voters even received handmade “I Voted Today” stickers as they exited the precinct.
“I want them to understand the importance of voting,” Goodrich said. “I hope they will be thankful that we live in a country where they get to choose.”
The election was the culmination of an entire unit on the political process that included an issues presentation on Nov. 2. The class was split into Romney and Obama camps and then students researched four key issues: the economy, education, health care and war. They then presented their candidates’ view on the issues at a grade-wide presentation.
This is the fourth time Goodrich has done such a project with her students. At the end of the day, 731 students had cast their ballots. Mitt Romney won with 518 votes or 70 percent; Barack Obama won 213 votes, or 29 percent.
Wednesday November 7 at Noon, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly opened Grandma's Pizza located at 390 Loveland Madeira Road. 513.677.1234
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