Lots of political billboards in the news this week.
First, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the figureheads of the Democratic Socialists of America, strolled off to the Met Gala with a "Tax the Rich" message emblazoned in red across the back of her white gown. Her message shocked next to no one. And considering a ticket to the Met Gala starts at $35,000 - seriously - and Miss AOSocialist is on the taxpayers' payroll, she must be looking for a pay raise.
(Side note: When she realizes that the font of her backside billboard made Southerners think of Chick-Fil-A, she's probably going to demand a refund.)
Then there was the story that a former state senator in Pennsylvania bought several roadside billboards with a photo of Joe Biden and the caption, "Making the Taliban Great Again."
Scott Wagner, who served one term and failed in a gubernatorial run, rented a dozen billboards at $15,000 each to speak his piece.
Not to be outdone, some knucklehead decided to put up a billboard in North Georgia putting Donald Trump in the Holy Trinity. I wish I were kidding.
Truth in advertising, huh?
What's in a name
A story went viral last month about an English baby with an unusual name.
The child was named Lanesra, and the mother admitted to The Sun that she loved the "unique and romantic" name.
Well, it may read that way, but it was hardly the intent. As the little girl's mom Clare wrote, "It wasn't till [Lanesra] was 2 that my husband told me it was actually his favorite soccer team - Arsenal - spelled backwards!"
How many of us know at least one person who is at this moment wondering if he can convince his wife to name their next child Slov?
Hall of Fame?
Yes, today's kids have a technological head start that will always leave our generation playing catch-up. Admit it: When you have a computer problem, you ask your teenager for help, right?
Well, if you want to really feel old, check out this year's finalists to be in the next class of the Toy Hall of Fame: There's the Cabbage Patch Doll and the fire truck. (Seriously, how is the fire truck not already in there? C'mon people).
And there are a few board games, like Risk, Battleship and The Settlers of Catan. And the long-time family favorite, the piñata.
And sand. Really, sand.
Is sand even a toy? A bucket or a shovel for the sand, sure, but sand? Not so much.
Obit observations
J.C. Carter's 99 years ended Tuesday, and it sounded as if he lived all of them with a true dedication to everyone and every purpose he committed to.
He was a patriot, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and at Normandy.
He was a loyal employee after military service, spending 65 years with what is now known as Trotter Buick.
He was a true family man, living a storybook 73-year marriage blessed with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Rest easy, J.C., and thanks - for your service and dedication.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
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Jay Greeson