I've got mail!

PLEASE NOTE: These are not real e-mails. They are a just a literary tool and are not meant to imply an actual question or comment from anyone, real or imagined.

Things were going so well. Then - North Korea with their nuclear threats, Iran's election, and no one seems to be excited about my plan for health care. What? My approval rating is dropping? Let's forget the last few weeks, and focus on what got us here.  Want to see the official portrait of Bo? He's cute isn't he?  Yes we can! Yes we can!
B. Obama
Washington, D.C.

It is not easy being President, is it? You're doling out taxpayer money like it is going out of style (and who knows - it might be).  Just when things seem to be going your way, BOOM…things pop up quickly. Your goodwill tours started to put the US in a good light in the eyes of other countries, so I will give you a lot of credit for that. It was needed for the longest time, so change is indeed good.

Now, however, you need to step it up. Before people start thinking about whether McCain would have been the better choice, dealing with North Korea and the situation in Iran is very important. So far, you seem to have the right strategy - do not let people force you into doing something we are unprepared for.  Remember your campaign promise…diplomacy, diplomacy, diplomacy!!  Hillary Clinton should be your new best friend - she needs to start racking up frequent flyer miles.

BTW - Bo?  Sure he’s cute, but what about a real family dog…like a beagle (right Sammy)?

Did you read The Courier editorial about how communications are still not improved before city council meetings and how they brought up a few ideas to improve things? Didn’t you have a posting about something similar to this?
E.M.Gaylord
Fairfield Glade, TN

Not one to toot my own horn (I am not sure how I could do it even if I wanted), but there was a column where I did stress that communication was…oh, I don’t know…IMPORTANT!!  Seriously, can’t the city do something to take care of this issue? It seems strange (I want to use a stronger word, but am not sure I can) that our administration can council cannot take care of even the simplest tasks.

It may be asking too much for anyone to read what is placed in front of them, but it should plausible that they at least have the documentation in a timely manner. I think it shows (however minutely) how unorganized things are, and how little our officials put into short/long-term planning and preparation. Forget trying to get the big issues right…let’s get the little things corrected first before we move on.

 

I’m not a great leader, huh?  My safety director runs the city, huh? Do you think you could do any better at this job?  Do any of you? I don’t see any of you trying!  Now please excuse me - there’s a couple that wants to get married, and I love that part of my job.
P. Sehnert
Findlay, OH

I was going to respond to this e-mail until I got this next one…

Sorry about that last message. Sometimes I forget to lock the computer and the mayor starts playing around with things. He should know better than that now. I constantly tell remind him what his job is, but sometimes he likes to take matters into his own hands. You like how we ‘found’ the money in the budget to make sure the pool was going to be open this summer?  All thanks to us not buying sandbags! You better remember this when election time rolls around…how good ol’ Barker Sehnert kept your kiddies cool during the summer. That ought to be good for a few thousand votes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get on the road and head home before it gets dark. It’s a long drive.
J. Barker
Findlay, OH (sort of)

If people are so upset with how the city is being run, where are the recall petitions? If it can happen in Toledo, it could very easily happen here. I am not suggesting that is should happen - I am just questioning why there isn’t more of an outcry if the safety director mayor is doing such a poor job.  The real problems this city faces require real leadership and real ideas. So far, I don’t see much of either coming from those who are complaining.

Our budget issues are not going to go away any time soon, but here we are spending money on running a pool when there were other options available (options that would not spend taxpayer money). With the Findlay City School District and Hancock County Commissioners seeking more money, wouldn’t it be prudent to conserve as much as we can at this point? Even if it means turning over non-essential services to groups who are able – AND WILLING – to take them on?

The story in The Courier today about council revisiting the idea of becoming a charter city was very interesting. On the one hand, it is just another opportunity for our local government to really make a mess of things. How can a group of people, who cannot seem to handle what they are currently tasked with, seriously consider the idea of trying to localize power even more? On the other hand, this may be the only opportunity we have to get things changed for the better. What about it, citizens of Flag City? You up for the challenge?

Things were going so well. Then - one of my writers messes up a joke and the ‘Fire Letterman’ chants start. I get passed over for The Tonight Show again, and now I have to deal with untrue accusations and the ire of the far right? I know I don’t follow the news; if I did, I would know which Palin daughter was at the Yankee game. I am just coasting right now. I’ve only got a few years left doing this shtick, and I don’t need no headaches? Right, Paul?
D. Letterman
New York, NY

Two apologies and thousands of stories later, things seem to be dying down?  Or are they?  Want to let things go and move on, or does the controversy stoke the ratings a little bit?  I know that Conan was beating you (especially with the coveted 18-34 males), but it’s nothing a good political controversy can’t fix, right? Why don’t you work on making the show better, and leave the political commentary to others.

I believe you when you said that you were not talking about Willow Palin. You didn’t mention anyone by name, and even though the jokes were crass, I have heard worse during other talk shows. I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion - by the Palins, and then when the media latched onto it. Anytime you bring it up in your monologues now, especially after the governor accepted your apology, makes it seem like you are doing it out of self-preservation.

You are not going to be fired by CBS. Because any publicity is good publicity (especially since you have a new competitor) you may not be eager to let this go. As someone who grew up watching you on NBC, and then followed you faithfully to your new network, I have four letters for you: WWJD - What Would Johnny Do?

Honey - on your way home, please pick up a gallon of milk, some cream cheese and a loaf of French bread. I have a new recipe I want to try. And don’t forget, you promised to bag and take out the garbage tonight. Don’t be late - we still have a few episodes of Private Practice to watch.
T. Knopf
Findlay, OH

Even in a fantasy mail bag, I still cannot escape my wife.

-RSKnopfJr

Comments

[simplyplenty]

The president was aware that going into office was going to been a vry difficult task. Now, he has to find a resolution for diffusing the problems we are now experiencing.

[Fares A.]

Barack Obama needs to stop blaming the last administration for the problems we have now. He has been in office for 6 months and everytime he blames someone else for the nations problems he looks foolish.

[Mansour Aljabri]

Barack Obama has just a few months when became a president. He need more time to solve problems. As the 44th president, Obama will be faced with decisions of immense importance in the years to come, and while these may dictate his success or failure as the leader of the United States, they present all of us with opportunities for professional success provided we can learn from them, adapt them to our own situations and implement them appropriately.

[johnnny crash]

To writer of the second comment. When you go into work and the shift before you has neglected their duties, I bet you are very quick to point your finger as well! I don't think it is foolish at all to point out the mess left for you to clean up. There is a lot of weight resting on that mans shoulders, and kudos to him for picking up the gauntlet and running with it. If Obama successfully turns our economical woes around he will surely be one of the greatest Presidents in the history of the U.S. Also where was your name on the ballet during election time? As "foolish" as YOU think he may sound, it sets you back when your left with a mess. Obama has to clean up his predecessors crap before working on his own agenda.