It is July 10 and you know what that means: Only 168 shopping days until Christmas.

Well, let me see who has been nice and who has been naughty?

Nice:

Relay for Life:

My wish is that the organizing committee hits the goal of 55 teams this year. I have set my own challenge to shave my head at 52 teams, and guess what? Tonight is the night that many of the teams go and sign up! Let’s stomp on cancer again this year.

United Way:

The new slogan “Live United” is quite catchy, and my wish is that some city officials actually sign up for the dunk tank at the fair. It is only fair — get it, fair — because the county already has four commissioners signed up. Hey, we even have Sen. Dan Sparks coming to be dunked. You would think in this political year, we would have people who are vying for office that would love to be dunked!

Another person I would love to sign up is Roger Bok.He might raise enough money to put United Way of Freeborn County to its annual goal before the actual kickoff! Roger, if you are out there, call me and we will get you signed up. We will let you talk for as long as you want — no two minutes for you.

Call me at the Tribune or call the United Way office if you want to be dunked at the fair.

Veterans:

Anyone who has put it all on the line for our country is tops in my book. To dedicate yourself to our country and to our protection gets you every Christmas gift you deserve and more. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Front line stars:

Nurses, police, firemen, teachers, emergency personnel.

The people who dedicate their lives to protecting and educating our families deserve the best gift of all — more pay — and our support!

Tribune staff:

For putting up with me through all this last year with the remodeling of the building, the new printing presses, the new Web site design, etc. I keep pushing them, and they keep responding like the class team they are. This team is awesome, and I love working with each and every person.Thanks.

Freeborn County:

I have never seen a more giving group of people in my life. Think about it, from United Way, Relay for Life, Salvation Army, and the many golf outings that raise money for the needy to the weekend fundraisers for school, people down on their luck, etc. It is incredible what this county does for its neighbors and friends.

Naughty:

The political process:

To have so much money wasted on picking a president is just a shame. We have been listening to people running for office for more than two years. With the amount of money raised to pick a president, our nation could have chipped away at our national debt, fed the hungry, helped the homeless, or at least strengthened our national infrastructure. It really is sad when you break it all down.

Raunchy TV shows:

Why can’t we have “Happy Days,” “The Waltons,” “M*A*S*H” and other great shows on TV? Instead we get crap like reality TV shows that bare all and teach us nothing. Try to name a show on TV today that teaches us a life lesson. The only lesson that TV teaches me is to not watch it with your children and to read books instead. I miss Mayberry!

Dirtbags:

You know who you are, the people who steal, rape, break the law, and cause harm to children, the elderly. Quit it. You know you are being dirtbags. Just stop.

Gifts

OK, now that we sorted everyone out, it is time for the presents:

To all the nice people and groups, free gas for life! ( I really wish you all could have it because you deserve it)

To all the naughty people and groups, free life with gas! (The stomach kind.)

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.