Norb..."Even more ludicrous, On October 17, 2005, the FDA sent warning letters to 29 companies that market cherries. They warned that they had to remove the scientific information on their web sites that cherries contained such things as anthocyanins which reduce inflammation, as making health claims classified them as drugs which must have FDA approval to be sold in the United States. So, according to FDA logic, you are not entitled to know what foods are good for you.

Norb, what can I say about a man such as yourself, who takes the time to find the truth in my book, and share it without all the pomposity and venom people like myself seem to exude. No one can argue with your particular ways, as you have your fair share and more of laps around the sun, remain healthy to this day, and obviously have plenty of O2 to the brain, as you are one wise man. It would be easy to go with the flow, keeping your knowledge to yourself, and not rock the boat. I salute you, and here is my "Eyes Wide Open" award for the year 2009. Norb for President! Sincerely, Gip

Gibson Brown:

Norb, what can I say about a man such as yourself, who takes the time to find the truth in my book, and share it without all the pomposity and venom people like myself seem to exude. No one can argue with your particular ways, as you have your fair share and more of laps around the sun, remain healthy to this day, and obviously have plenty of O2 to the brain, as you are one wise man. It would be easy to go with the flow, keeping your knowledge to yourself, and not rock the boat. I salute you, and here is my "Eyes Wide Open" award for the year 2009. Norb for President! Sincerely, Gip

Gip,

Thanks for your kudo's, but being President would not be my shtick. I think anyone who wants that thankless job is nuts. When I was in the Infantry in Europe in WW2, I learned that physically volunteering for a duty was a dangerous thing to do. So, I choose to hide behind a computer firewall before turning loose my opinions on what I think that I know. But it is fun, and I think we all learn from the interplay of ideas between us. Your stuff is great, so don't try to downplay your value to the group.

Norb

Joe Campbell:

   I just hate those invisible sunrises, don't you?  

Mr. JC,

You too!  I hate it when I get up early and the sun decides to sleep  in!

Sharron Smith

Clonnie Yearout:

Good grief -- why does computer stuff have to be so confusing?  I'm assuming that it is confusing to the rest of you...  It is confusing to the rest of you, isn't it?  Please, Please tell me that computers confuse you....  I don't want to be all alone here....

Oh Dear, Mr. C,

I am not sure I will hang around for the responses from Joe M.  and David H.   They try so hard to explain solutions to computer Luddites like you and me -- I save their solutions in a special file labeled "notes from the abyss."

Sharron Smith

Sharron Smith:

PS-- I neglected to add I have been invited to participate in jury duty and the circus is returning to town next week.  Ah, the retired life!

Sharron,

Jury duty and the circus...are they one and the same?

I have had a couple of rounds of jury duty...no fun, hopefully never again...good luck to you and maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.  I know some people do.

Dave Hanson:

Yes, I'm often told I'm a different person in the fall than in the summer.

Dave,

Does that mean your conservative side comes out in the fall?

Seriously, we enjoy your contributions to this panel and really appreciate your thought-provoking questions and responses.  They keep us thinking...at least they do for me.  I've got to believe your classes are very interesting and enjoyable to anyone who enjoys history.

Marvin to Sharron..."Jury duty and the circus...are they one and the same? I have had a couple of rounds of jury duty...no fun, hopefully never again...good luck to you and maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.  I know some people do."

Marvin and Sharron, you two are such the good citizen, and your moral compass is not your friend. It is with much humility I confess my secret to you two fine people. When interviewed with the other pool of potential candidates to sit on a jury in the more lengthy projected trials, I find being honest about my chronic gas pains and relief efforts to be just the ticket home in a hurry. I'm just saying. Gip

Gibson Brown:

When interviewed with the other pool of potential candidates to sit on a jury in the more lengthy projected trials, I find being honest about my chronic gas pains and relief efforts to be just the ticket home in a hurry.

Gip, I must say that this excuse for avoiding jury duty is the best I've heard -- and I've heard quite a few in my tender years.  (I get voted off because I usually know all the lawyers and the judge!)

Leesa

Sharron Smith:

Dear Tanya and Dave,

This fall seems to have been exceedingly challenging for a number of panelists.  It has worried me that our numbers have dwindled this month and we as a group have disappointed Luanne. 

 Dear Sharon, I hope that will change for all of us and we can add a few fresh younger  "voices". 

I remember awhile back Luanne putting out a call for younger panelists.  Perhaps we need to find out what would draw them in.  What is on their mind and what questions would that age group respond too. Ideas anyone??

Our questions are always great, but not all young people would want to discuss some of those issues.  I am glad to see Allies hubby has joined us.  Hey Allie, what would draw in folks in your age bracket?  Suggestions?? 

Luanne what do you think is on the mind of our younger generation?? What would they want to discuss??

~Tanya~

Sharron Smith:

I have witnessed every sunrise that was visible since last Wednesday.  I get up at 5:30 a.m. and drive to the farm to help my mother give her cat, Goldie, an insulin shot.  Goldie was diagnosed with diabetes last week;  with Mom's limited vision and arthritis -- mastering insulin shots has been tough.  Goldie is responding well -- Mom and I not so well.  Although seriously sleep deprived, I did manage to yawn a WOW this morning!

Sharron Smith

   PS-- I neglected to add I have been invited to participate in jury duty and the circus is returning to town next week.  Ah, the retired life!

Sharon, you do have a lot on your plate.  I will say a prayer for your Mom, Goldie and you.  I friend of mind owns Comfy Catz.  She has said she sometimes has to give insulin shots to kitties she boards. 

I have only served on jury duty once, many years ago in NY.  It lasted for 3 weeks.  I was shocked by the antics of the two differing lawyers.  It was sad and comical, they were like 2 little boys going back and forth.  The maturity of these lawyers was not well developed, in my opinion and that of my fellow jurors.  I think the judge got a kick out of that, he always had a smirk on his face.  I enjoyed seeing how our system works and would welcome serving again.

~Tanya~

Leesa McGregor:

Gibson Brown:

When interviewed with the other pool of potential candidates to sit on a jury in the more lengthy projected trials, I find being honest about my chronic gas pains and relief efforts to be just the ticket home in a hurry.

 

Gip, I must say that this excuse for avoiding jury duty is the best I've heard -- and I've heard quite a few in my tender years.  (I get voted off because I usually know all the lawyers and the judge!)

Leesa

 ROFLMBO!!!  Gip, you must carry around a book of matches.  You would be amazed at how much that can help illiminate the odor.  My Dad has that problem and it almost killed my sister and I once, lol.  The smell crept down the hallway into where we were playing. We laughed so hard we both got belly aches.  I think that is how we survived that incident.  He did not belive us then, but he does now!! 

~Tanya~

Tanya Villani:

I remember awhile back Luanne putting out a call for younger panelists.  Perhaps we need to find out what would draw them in.  What is on their mind and what questions would that age group respond too. Ideas anyone??

Our questions are always great, but not all young people would want to discuss some of those issues.

 Tanya - Good to hear from you again. I know I shared some possible questions and ideas with Luanne earlier. I have spoken with my two children, both in their mid to late 20s. Since they don't live in Roanoke or keep up with our issues, participation in this local forum doesn't make sense.

I think the biggest factor for those in their 20s and 30s is TIME. College is over and they are in their professions. Some in this age group have children. After hours, people this age may participate in several team sport activities (soccer, kickball, volleyball, etc.), civic groups, volunteering, and last but not least--they have a social life. Our topics are current and interesting, but research is time consuming. Like us, people in their 20s and 30s would want to know what they are talking about too. (Yes, we do know what we are talking about!) Bottom line: time not topics are the issue in my opinion. I don't know if there are universal topics of interest, but I think Luanne has nailed it by focusing on current topics. Would a different format help lure younger panelists in? Quite possibly. I do know that this has been a wonderful forum for us--a certifiable community builder. Is there a forum that can successfully appeal to all at the same time? These are questions I don't have the answer to. I am sure Luanne and Dan will continue to strive to diversify our panel and find ways to invite others to join this fine group.

Deb

Deb Landgraf:

Tanya - Good to hear from you again. I know I shared some possible questions and ideas with Luanne earlier. I have spoken with my two children, both in their mid to late 20s. Since they don't live in Roanoke or keep up with our issues, participation in this local forum doesn't make sense.

I think the biggest factor for those in their 20s and 30s is TIME. College is over and they are in their professions. Some in this age group have children. After hours, people this age may participate in several team sport activities (soccer, kickball, volleyball, etc.), civic groups, volunteering, and last but not least--they have a social life. Our topics are current and interesting, but research is time consuming. Like us, people in their 20s and 30s would want to know what they are talking about too. (Yes, we do know what we are talking about!) Bottom line: time not topics are the issue in my opinion. I don't know if there are universal topics of interest, but I think Luanne has nailed it by focusing on current topics. Would a different format help lure younger panelists in? Quite possibly. I do know that this has been a wonderful forum for us--a certifiable community builder. Is there a forum that can successfully appeal to all at the same time? These are questions I don't have the answer to. I am sure Luanne and Dan will continue to strive to diversify our panel and find ways to invite others to join this fine group.

Deb

 Deb, thanks I really have missed this.  But as you have so graciously pointed out, how do you find the time to keep up?  It is a challenge and I am still learning about balance so that I dont neglect an area in need of my attention. 

You are so right on with those in 20's and 30's.  I am 42 and life now is so different than when I was say 25.  I am a totally different woman than I was then. If people want to contribute, they will find the time.  Look at how much time people spend twittering, blogging, texting, etc.  If you pray, they will come.

I love the fact that we are able to discuss different topics in this forum, coming from quite a diverse group of people.  I agree that Luanne and Dan will continue to find creative ways to draw in new voices.

~Tanya~

P.S. By the way, anyone know who has been picked as new commentary writer to join Roanoke times?  It would be neat to know if one of us was chosen so we can offer our support. 

To whom it may concern, I have an idea that may or may not be a good one, but I have kicked it around for a few days and still think it is. I propose we call the roster so to speak, and after the deadline(Luanne has often stated Tuesday @ 12:00 as we all know), and before Friday at noon, each member will cast their vote one way or another on the current topic of the week. Agree, disagree, abstain...or...Yes, No, abstain, or something definitive like that, where we would have our own "educated? opinion poll" in a % format on any given issue or topic. Perhaps even be used as a reference to check the pulse of the valley or such, as many polls are. It may well help participation, and would give everyone equal say and an equal vote. Throwing it out there to be considered is all. Gip

Gibson Brown:

To whom it may concern, I have an idea that may or may not be a good one...

So far, so good.

Gibson Brown:

After the deadline... each member will cast their vote one way or another on the current topic of the week. Agree, disagree, abstain...or...Yes, No, abstain, or something definitive.

What would be the purpose of such a poll? 

Now, it would be mighty interesting to conduct such a poll, anonymously of course, immediately before and after the discussion period.  This would let us (and Luanne) judge whether our discussions actually enlighten, rectify, instruct, and edify one another, or whether we're all just a bunch bloviating ideologues. 

Speaking of bloviation, the last two weeks have supported Campbell's Theory of Thought-Fatigue: "All high-minded discussions eventually degenerate into discussions related to flatulence."

JoeC