We'll start here this morning:
Did you vote Thursday? If not, why not?
Simply put, as broken as you may think the political system is, you are every bit a part of the problem if you leave your ballot blank.
It also allows you the eternally hollow 20-20 hindsight of complaints about whomever was elected.
Know this: You best voice is at the ballot box, and if you don't use that, then no matter how much bellyaching you do, you have been rendered silent.
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Value meal indeed
Last week the best story I've read in a long time was in the Daily Beast.
Written by Jeff Maysh, his tale detailed the comings and goings of Jerome "Uncle Jerry" Jacobson, who was in charge of security for the popular McDonald's game of Monopoly.
Jacobson carried the high-dollar winning pieces that were placed on burger wrappers or boxes for fries. He developed a way to seal the biggest winning cards - whether it was an instant $1 million winner or the elusive Broadway piece that also delivered a seven-figure payday - and sold them to friends and relatives across the country.
The story also showed Jacobson's growing paranoia, his strange decision to trust members of the mafia, as well as his extreme loyalty to the folks in the palm reading and tarot card industry. (To be fair, we've always wondered: if the folks who say they can see the future can truly see the future, why do they not win the lottery more often?)
Eventually Jacobson, who was a longtime police officer in Miami, according to the story, became "the head of a sprawling network of mobsters, psychics, strip-club owners, convicts, drug traffickers, and even a family of Mormons, who had falsely claimed more than $24 million in cash and prizes."
Here's betting Jacobson's story will be a movie sooner rather than later.
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A month later
This is a crazy outside-of-the-lines idea. Crazy.
Not sure how we missed it to be honest, but the New Jersey state Legislature is looking at offering state newspapers $5 million.
Say what?
We get it - believe me and my paycheck - that newspapers have gone from printing money to making sure they have enough money to print.
We believe earnestly in the importance of journalism, regardless of the convenient and lazy "blame the messenger" narrative that has become all-too familiar.
That said, the thought of public funds approved by the folks our industry is supposed to hold accountable seems like a last-ditch effort. Sadly.
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Saturday stars
Thanks to the great volunteers who have helped the PEF Camp College over the last 20 years at Sewanee move more than 1,000 Hamilton County students through the program.
There were 90 high school students who completed the three-day, pre-college workshop that offered tips and advice for the college application process.
More than 40 admissions counselors and college advisors from around the region and the country volunteered their time and efforts to help the students. The workshops included mock interviews, admissions role playing, how to write the best essay, transcript reviews and the effects of financial aid.
Well played, friends, and it's a much-needed service from some of the most-needed folks in the education system.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.