Greetings, one and all, and welcome! Thanks much for joining me. There’s plenty of mail to ponder so I’ll spare you my own thoughts in order to leave as much room as possible for yours. It’s time to hear from The Roiling Hundreds!

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n The battle of the bands was an enjoyable time, but I’m hoping the judges picked for the competition at the amphitheater have a background in music, are from out of county and aren’t connected to the bands involved in any way. Seems like it would be more fair that way.

n I was enjoying pizza with my family when a local teacher came in and made a spectacle of himself by yelling at his daughter (even calling her the “B” word). I felt so bad for the little girl being embarrassed in front of her friend. I wish I had had a tape recorder. Good example for his students to see. (Parents should never direct profanity at their children. Shame on the individual involved. kg)

n I really think it would be good if you had some college under your belt before you were hired as a substitute teacher. I think the children would benefit.

n Vandalism in the city parks continues except in the new park south of Water Street. If all the city parks were as well lighted and had the same constant attention as that park the problem would be solved. Then again, the other parks don’t provide the politicians the opportunity to make speeches all summer long in front of people gathered to see free entertainment.

n Canceling your trip to Florida because of high gas prices? Say the price was $2.50 per gallon and you’re making a 1,500 mile trip. If the price of gas is $3.25 per gallon and your car gets 25 miles per gallon you’re canceling your trip because of an extra $45. Do the math before you overreact.

n Committing adultery is a sin. God knows.

n Somebody is getting richer from these gas prices. There’s no shortage or any other reason they should be so high. One minute it’s one price and the next minute it’s 10 cents higher. Some people are at the point where they either buy gas to get back and forth to work or buy food to feed their families.

n I sure wish someone would step up and help business in Rush County. F-Ten leaving is a very hard thing to see. No one is coming in, they’re all leaving. What a shame. I believe God will step in soon. He’s seen too much. (God helps those who help themselves, or so the story goes. Seems to me Rush County has too many armchair quarterbacks and not enough people willing to step up, get involved or even support existing local businesses. kg)

n Speaking of musicians denoted, did you hear about the lazy composer who still had several scores to settle?

n Beatles? Are they someone I should get excited about? They aren’t relevant anymore. I listen to today’s top talent, like Fergie, Pink and Ashlee Simpson. (Do you seriously think anyone, even you, will still be listening to Fergie, Pink or lip-synchin’ Ashlee Simpson 20, 30 or 40 years from now? The Beatles changed rock-and-roll music forever; the acts you mentioned will almost certainly be gone and forgotten by the end of this decade, having made no significant impact on anything but their own bank accounts. kg)

n There is such a big stink over seatbelts, what about school buses? Oh, and it is so safe to ride a motor bike without a helmet. NOW WHAT?

n The lady who almost drowned had an illness that caused her to black-out and fall into Hodge’s Branch. I think it is terribly rude to take away from the kind act a Good Samaritan made in pulling her out and also to act as if it is funny. Get some manners! (Thanks for the follow-up. Given that Hodge’s Branch usually doesn’t have more than a couple of inches of water in it there were many people wondering how someone nearly drowned in it. I, for one, am glad the lady involved is OK and I applaud her rescuer. kg)

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Don’t forget to write down your rants, raves, and/or random thoughts and to send them to me. You can do so via the U.S. Postal Service (Rushville Republican, Rants and Raves, P.O. Box 189, Rushville, IN 46173), fax (765-932-4358), e-mail (kevin.green@rushvillerepublican.com or rushvillerepublican@rushvillerepublican.com), through our Web site (www.rushvillerepublican.com – just “add a comment” to any posted story and it’s fair game), or drop your legibly written comments off here at the office (306 N. Main Street, in the heart of downtown Rushville!).

Until the next time, I’ll leave you with this:

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” — James Madison

Be good. kg



Look for “Rants, Raves and Random Thoughts” on Mondays and Thursdays. Add a comment to this column by visiting www.rushvillerepublican.com.