It seems someone in the Ohio House of Representatives finally had heard enough and told the religious right to tone it down. Lest anyone get excited about any of the local Republican representatives doing anything requiring a spine, the someone was House Clerk Laura Clemens. (more…)

What a fitting tribute to the late Rev. Jerry Falwell the Ohio House of Representatives sent up last week. Even after his death, even with the demise of control over the Republican Party the religious right supposedly has, we can count on members of the Ohio GOP to keep on turning religious beliefs into law. (more…)

Few people in this part of the country celebrate Ford Motor Co.’s ongoing struggles. Most of us know people who work for the automaker or one of its suppliers. Ohio catching Michigan in terms of auto-related jobs, the demise of any automaker is going to hit where we live.

Still, I can’t find fault in one association taking great pride in celebrating Ford’s financial problems — and its members thinking they’re helping cause the distress. (more…)

A minister last summer wondered out loud why church seems to be less important than it was 50 years ago. Why those in the pulpits seem to matter less in the overall conversation?

Of course, not all churches are losing members, not all church messages are going unheeded. For example, some here have made quite a fuss over the potential of a casino/resort, and the faithful have turned out demanding action — or inaction, as the case may be.

The numbers those flocks have put up are impressive, but one wonders if the message in the long run won’t hurt those doing the preaching — and if it isn’t already adding to my minister friend’s concern. (more…)

I realize this is going to cause some problems with the local religious community, certainly among the evangelical crowd and perhaps a couple others, but when did church leaders get so cozy with government?

I ask this question because of the opposition from some members of the local clergy to the possibility of a casino in Lima. If your particular brand of Christianity opposes gambling, it’s a no-brainer you’re going to preach to members the need to resist a casino. Anymore, though, opposition seems to mean some local religious leaders believe their message isn’t strong enough to persuade the faithful to stay away. (more…)

Ohioans probably should get used to the idea that this state is going to see an American Indian casino sooner or later. The public process began when the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit to reclaim land.

Like it or not, don’t be surprised when American Indian casinos arrive in Ohio. It is surprising, however, that Allen County officials appear willing to reject a potential windfall just because Lima is involved.

Because, if casinos eventually will be in Ohio, why would local officials settle for them being just down the road? Couldn’t this community use the revenue, the jobs, the visitors?

Lima officials are trying to bring a casino to town. Ignore for just a moment that it is a casino. It would be a $300 million to $400 million investment, thousands of jobs, a hotel, and shopping and entertainment options that would make this area a regional superhub while also drawing people from a much larger area.

County officials normally would be falling over themselves to bring such a development.

The commissioners might have the chance to sell a good chunk of land bought specifically to sell to businesses — at the price the commissioners want — but they appear willing to balk. (more…)