In case you're a fan of nationally syndicated Orlando Sentinel columnist Charley Reese and you didn't know this, he is set to retire from the paper next month.
Reese, who is syndicated in 157 papers nationwide, will clean out his desk at the Sentinel July 27, according to the paper. Also, he is thinking about writing novels instead of political columns after his syndication contract expires next February.
Love him or hate him (I fall in the former category, by the way), Charley has, for years, provided some of the most direct, to-the-point, no-nonsense and, yes, decidedly conservative punditry since 1972.
That kind of style is admirable and appreciable, regardless of which side of the political tracks you inhabit. Would that many of our politicians be so direct and less spin-minded.
Here are just a few of the latest and greatest provocateurs from Charley:
There is more – much more – but these few journalistic gems far and away make the point that Charley Reese, as one of the first and last plain-spoken editorialists, simply cannot – and won't be – replaced. You may not have always liked what he said – he was admittedly blunt and reveled in his bluntness – but you damned sure knew how he felt and where he stood.
In a time when doublespeak, spin, verbal jousting and the linguistic artful dodge technique are all employed by journalists, pundits and politicians alike to avoid the simple and straight answer, Reese is one of the few writers who has the uncanny ability to slash through the "horse apples" and get at the real meat of the truth.
Charley, your writings have encouraged me and your ability to tell it like it is has inspired me. I, for one, will truly miss you. But I wish you well, nonetheless.
Thank you for articulating my own feelings about so many issues, so many times over the course of your career.