The late John B. McLaughlin of Newell -- who died Sunday at 82 -- was always a lot of fun to talk with. He had the earthiest drawl you ever heard, and folksy ways with some rural charm that may have made some folks underestimate him. But he had a lot of good common sense, and that rarity in public life: He'd tell you the truth.
In the summer of 1996, there was quite a bit of public discussion about how bad things had gotten, and accusations of one figure or another playing politics. John sat down and fired off a letter about it all. A few days later the Observer published the following in letters to the editor:
"It is with pleasure that I read and hear complaints about all the politicking that goes on in Raleigh, Washington and the many courthouses across the country.
"The same people who expect a professional ballplayer to play ball, expect a preacher to preach, expect it to rain on a rainy day and expect a dog to bark do not expect an elected official to politic.
"It reminds me of people who complain because ice cream is cold. How absurd and foolish can you be?
"John B. McLaughlin
"Newell"
