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Replacing Vance will be challenging for DeWine

“Being a United States senator is a big deal,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said earlier this month. “It’s a big deal for the state, and we need to get it right.” Given circumstances in Ohio and the U.S. right now, “big deal” might be an understatement as DeWine is tasked with finding a replacement to fill JD Vance’s U.S. Senate seat. Many who seem like easy options to consider are not really candidates. Vivek Ramaswamy has given other work to do, for the Trump administration. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and state Attorney General Dave Yost are likely to face each other in their bids ...

Columbus Neo-Nazi march was repugnant

Letter writers to The Columbus Dispatch were spot on earlier this week with a response to a neo-Nazi march in the Short North neighborhood of our state’s capital on Nov. 16. “The variety of people living and enjoying themselves in each other’s company in this neighborhood must feel to them like a constant repudiation of their goals and fantasies. Let’s keep it up,” wrote Justin D’Arms and Joanne Goldhand in a letter the Dispatch published Tuesday. Other city and state officials rightly jumped to denounce the tiny gathering of those so covered in clothing and masks it was ...

Be an angel and help with Christmas giving

Across our communities, some businesses and retail establishments have chosen to host Salvation Army Angel Trees this season. They are tangible reminders that each tag hanging from a branch is a child who, without you, might not have as merry and bright a Christmas morning this year. But with your help, so much is possible. Each tag is a child whose parents aren’t in a position to ask Santa to fulfill a wish list so long the gifts under the tree spill over into the next room. But just maybe, with you acting as a go-between, there will be a few new toys, clothing, shoes, books, games ...

Smokeout is a great time to ‘clear the air’

Today is a good day to clear the air, so to speak. It’s the annual Great American Smokeout — marked on the third Thursday in November — when smokers, hopefully, will make the commitment to stop smoking for the day. The goal is to convince smokers that if they can quit for 24 hours, they can quit for good. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with Day 1, literature from the American Cancer Society reminds. It’s a great first step to stopping an extremely bad habit that could lead to dire consequences. Like with most efforts, there is good news and bad news to ...

Women’s Suffrage Monument planned

Ohio has played a significant role in our country’s history on many levels — from the Underground Railroad to conquering the skies (and space). It’s no surprise that Ohio played a significant role in the women’s suffrage movement, too. Salem played a big role. According to data, the Ohio Women’s Convention at Salem in 1850 met on April 19–20 in Salem — a center for reform activity. It was the third in a series of women’s rights conventions that began with the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848. It was the first of these conventions to be organized on a statewide basis. ...

Probe, fully prosecute senders of hate texts

“Other people have no First Amendment right to your phone and free speech doesn’t protect telephone harassment.” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost posted those words on social media after opening an inquiry into a series of hateful texts that reached Ohioans, which were part of a nationwide text effort that threatened Black men, women and children and implied a return of slavery was imminent. Students as young as middle school reported receiving the texts. According to a report by The Journal-News, some of the texts included instructions for reporting to plantations and mentioned ...