Read a good book lately?

Opinion

October 20, 2007

By Stoney Hardcastle The McAlester News-Capital Sat Oct 20, 2007, 01:58 PM CDT

Books, books and thousands more books in every genre to fit every reader’s appetite, from romance to how to make a nuclear bomb. Yet the biggest sellers flooding the market are “tell all” books by politicians and celebrities, written by ghost writers. Most of these books are half-truths, structured for revenge or to assassinate someone’s character.

With promotion from radio and TV talking heads, many become best sellers almost overnight. Most are overpriced and difficult reading, yet they are pushing most entertaining books of fact and fiction by professional writers off the market. Several of these books are so obscene they make Playboy magazine look like a Sunday school quarterly.

One of the best recent books, just released by Alan Greenspan, respected former director of the Federal Reserve, is very informative and is worth reading. He states that Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton are the only two presidents, including the present one, who understood our country’s complicated economy.

Recently, data was released that shows Oklahoma has slightly more than 40,000 state employees. There are several strange job titles: Personal grooming specialist, several golf greeters and the kicker is 13 boll weevil trappers drawing salaries.

I made some phone calls, trying to find out why we needed so many boll weevil trappers and what they did in the winter when the boll weevils are in hibernation. The Republicans said it was the Democrats’ fault that we were overstocked with boll weevil trappers and the Democrats said it was the Republicans’ fault. And the Independents, to remain neutral and not tarnish their image, held a cotton sock burning.

A 20-year-old Tulsa man was speeding. When the red light came, he tried to outrun a traffic cop. After a short distance the young man lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole. When the officer asked him why he didn’t stop, the young man answered, “I woke up having a bad day.” We can assume the young man will have a worse day when he faces the judge.

Trick or treat? Start stocking up on goodies, Halloween is just around the corner.

Stoney Hardcastle is a novelist and retired creative writing instructor from Eastern Oklahoma State College who lives in Wilburton.

Text Only

Opinion

Inhofe: Military cuts negatively impact nation, state
The President continues to gut our military and national defense as an offset to pay for his liberal domestic agenda. Cuts or increases in military spending should be based on strategy. Instead, it seems we’ve developed a strategy to fit Obama’s budget cuts.

January 27, 2012 1 Photo
Good night, Carol
There is a song from one of my favorite Broadway musicals — “Wicked” — that is called “For Good.” The words are between two friends. “Because I knew you I have been changed for good.” Today I say goodbye to someone who definitely changed me for good.

December 6, 2011 1 Photo
James Earl Scott
James Earl Scott, 67, of Clayton, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, in Antlers.

November 16, 2011
Capitol report
The legislative process is long and complicated.

November 15, 2011 1 Photo
Ida Mae West
November 15, 2011
Letter to the editor: Thanks for continuing the tradition
Editor:
As a nation we celebrate our military heroes past and present on Veterans Day.

November 12, 2011
Standing up for our rights
Editor:
In reply to the letter from Patsy Lott Oct. 12 stating, “Believers have rights too,” thank you Patsy Lott for standing up for our rights

October 18, 2011
Letter to the editor: Pay toilet in McAlester?
Editor: My wife and I hadn’t visited a Mexican border town in about 10 years so we stopped in Nuevo Laredo on our vacation travels.

October 17, 2011
Letter to the Editor: What about other beliefs?
To post the phrase “In God We Trust” in the county courthouse excludes all Pittsburg County residents who don’t believe in a god or who believe in many gods.

October 8, 2011
In our view: Check yes 3 times on Tuesday's ballot
Tuesday’s McAlester election is all about money.

October 8, 2011
More Opinion Headlines

It's awards season? Which 85th Academy Award nominated movie for Best Picture is your fave?

Opinion

Search Results

Read a good book lately?

It's awards season? Which 85th Academy Award nominated movie for Best Picture is your fave?

Site Map

Contact Us