Luanne,

This week I'm unable to write anything that has not already been written better by many others.  There are so many great responses this time, perhaps an expansion of the page is in order.

 That's simply to funny, lmao!......If he makes it, maybe he'll be the first to take intelligent life to outerspace! U go Gip....keep'm straight !

Duane

Gibson Brown:

Dr. Phil Deb, you forgot to say "How does that make you feel?" You could have been a Psychiatrist, with your even keel and educated "mellow" ways.

 

Gip,

That was some post you had this morning Gip!  Now you know we are here to listen and opine. If I had said, "How does that make you feel" when we were discussing the 2-party system, it would have been too much like "sharing"-- and we know how much Clonnie and others dislike that!!

You lost me on the German Club (is this a Hokie thing?) but I know you are very excited about watching those Tar Heels visit the Hokies in person Thursday night. I am fine with not discussing the game afterwards as one of us will be disappointed. My hope is that UNC has been saving up all of their football skills for this game and that must explain some of their easy losses earlier:)

So I have your and Clonnie's vote for Secretary of State. Hmmm...I am leery of the bait! 

Let's talk about this "Truth ticket" that you promote. If you don't want much from either of the major parties, what are you left with exactly? You have to admit that the major parties are fairly identifiable based on their common stands on issues...one knows what they are getting with each of them. With a truly independent ticket, wouldn't it be a free for all? Wouldn't it be difficult to maintain a loyal base and quality leaders? What could one count on? Just curious!

Deb

Deb..."So I have your and Clonnie's vote for Secretary of State. Hmmm...I am leery of the bait!" Let's talk about this "Truth ticket" that you promote. If you don't want much from either of the major parties, what are you left with exactly? You have to admit that the major parties are fairly identifiable based on their common stands on issues...one knows what they are getting with each of them. With a truly independent ticket, wouldn't it be a free for all? Wouldn't it be difficult to maintain a loyal base and quality leaders? What could one count on? Just curious!

 Norb! ...Harlan!  Either of you want to take this one? No more questions? OK...the German Club is like many fine clubs on campus's or the more proper and official term campi around this great country. This particular club happens to be across the street and down a hill to Lane Stadium. Location, location, and tailgating. I promise not to whine nor gloat if it helps, win or lose. Thursday night Tech games at Lane Stadium are my "Super Bowl." I have a grass root buddy up Boston way, we triple dated and played tennis for years growing up at Stonegate Swim Club, and annually we play "yahoo pick-em" with the college football games, and the NCAA March Madness hoops, enjoying mostly the daily razzing give and take. We send a trophy back and forth, along with "bragging rights." His name is Charlie Crouch by the way, went to Glenvar in the late '70's, Air Force/computer guy, and I'm up by 14 yes fourteen games after 8 weeks. I can't wait to send him this page. To Charlie...bijjjiddy bijjjiddy...wait for it...bujjj! Gip

PS...Deb, I will kick around your fine questions, and get back to you on the matter. Gip

 Gip......I'm slow.....had to read your instructions twice, couldn't imagine what in the world you all were talking about and on the third read, I have not stopped laughing my A__ off.....That is one on those awesome lines that you'd see Jay Leno do.   You should send it to him.....By the way...What's the brand?   I'll be checking mine and have you considered writing the Mfg. an suggesting they read their instruction and pause and think about it.  I'm going to a meeting tonight and can't wait to open it with this line.....U R 2 funny !....E. Duane

E. Duane Howard:

 That's simply to funny, lmao!......If he makes it, maybe he'll be the first to take intelligent life to outerspace! U go Gip....keep'm straight !

Duane

Now,  let's not get carried away!

Joe Campbell:

Folks, have a look at the One Vote Fallacies page at Snopes.com.  It begins:

"Regardless of the value of casting a ballot, the fervor to incite others to vote doesn't abrogate the need to be factual in the claims used as prods. The falsities listed above routinely find their way into the media, most likely because they have so often been circulated as part of larger lists detailing incidents where one vote made an important difference that this year's inciter doesn't think to question them."

 

Joe, you're absolutely right.   I never thought to check as those "one vote facts" appeared on so many web sites, including some so-called "educational" sites.  My bad!

Joe Campbell:

¹I look forward to your explaining (preferably in person) your opinion that the article "arguably [...] protected the equal representation of the citizens of each state in the Congress, not "states rights" per se."

Senators are elected by the people; they are not appointed by governors or chosen by state legislatures.  Mark Warner and Jim Webb represent the citizens of our state, not the state government of Virginia. 

If you accept the social contract theory, state governments serve at the pleasure of the people,  as does the federal government, not the other way around.  There are no inalienable states rights because states don't have rights, the people do.

If you want more, or to discuss it in person, you'll have to wait 'til I complete my business in Florida this week.

Keep up the good work with the discussion, everyone!

Gibson Brown:

I may or may not use deodorant. Ever since I read the directions on the deodorant, I use it much less..."remove cap, and push up bottom" is what it says. I don't know anything. Gip

Thanks for sharing with us, Gip. 

"May or may not?"   "use it much less?"   

So, you're saying you do still use the product as per the directions -- at least occasionally?  Do you realize I'm never going to be able to look at your picture the same again?  Hmmm... He's smiling there -- or is he grimacing?  Wonder if he's happy -- or was he "using" on the day that picture was taken?  

Priceless, Gip! My hat's off to you.  My cap's still on (and may stay on forever, now), but my hat's off to you.   

Dave Hanson:

Mark Warner and Jim Webb represent the citizens of our state, not the state government of Virginia.

My Congressman, Rick Boucher, represents me in Washington.  (I'm using the word , "represent," fairly loosely here, but nevertheless, Mr Boucher became my representative by winning the election in my House district.)  If Virginia's Senators are also representing me, then either they or Mr. Boucher is(are?) redundant.  Oh, I know that the 17th amendment provided for the direct election of Senators, but my argument is that the original intention of the founders of having them appointed by the state legislatures was better and kept power less centralized in Washington.  If Senators do represent the people and not the interests of their respective states, then their total number should be based on population.  Why should low population states like Wyoming, Alaska, or Idaho get the same number of Senators as New York and California?

I know that your argument represents the way it has come to be (dare I say, "evolved?"), but my argument is that "the way it is" was not the original intent of the founders.

P.S.  Wish I had a nice, soft, cushy job so that I could vacation at will along various sunny coasts. 

Sandy Light:

Joe, you're absolutely right.   I never thought to check as those "one vote facts" appeared on so many web sites, including some so-called "educational" sites.  My bad!

It's all, good, Sandy.  Joe is our resident fact checker here on this site, and a darn good one too.  I worry that this panel's expertise will cause him to get bored, so I occassionally insert some "mistakes" so that he'll have something to do.  I know that this slightly damages my record of perfection, but I'm such a tender, caring person that I'm compelled to share my gifts with my fellow panelists.

Clonnie..." Hmmm... He's smiling there -- or is he grimacing?  Wonder if he's happy -- or was he "using" on the day that picture was taken?"

Clonnie, with a little practice, and a no fear attitude, you too can permeate any room or function with the fresh whistle of the "old spice" theme song. Think of the pride you will feel knowing you are doing your part to make our blue marble a better place. I used to say "pardon me" when practicing my cramp relief exercises, now I say proudly and loudly with a smile..."You're welcome!" I'm a proud man! Gip

On a more sane and serious note, my wife, rowdy friends, and myself, are attending the below event on Nov. 11th @ 7:30, and I was hoping some of you would attend as well. It is being advertised @ roanoke.com, will be at Roanoke College(where my awesome girl was recently accepted, and may attend), and in the friendly and very humble little city of Salem. Tell them you know "Gip," and you can get up to 6 tickets free. You can not mention me, and still get up to 6 tickets free is the truth. Hope you can make it. Gip

.

Nicholas Carr Lecture - “The Shallows: Mind, Memory, and Media in an Age of Instant Information” on November 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM
https://webapps.roanoke.edu/tickets/buytickets.cfm?event=179&utm_source=roanoketimes&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=carr

 

Tanya Villani:

 

We vote people into positions of authority within our state and local governments.  I envision the day when we won’t have career politicians. Their many years in public service have allowed them to promote their agendas and not benefit those who voted for them. 

 

 So much truth in that perspective  - thanks, Tanya!

I think of those citizens who have made it possible for me to vote and to live in a country where my vote does matter!  The idea of not voting squanders the right and the privilege we have.  Voting is my most meaningful chance to convey my opinion - it is the only way that really matters!

Fine Panel. Pardon my rambling lately. I fear that I shut down the topic o' the week back and forth between you folks, when I go off the trail like I often do. That "old spice" bit was killer, I don't care who you are, but I think "voting" was the topic, and I do "see" that I can hop topic's a bit. Working on it. "Awareness is the first step," or some krap like that. Anyway, I'm good until Friday, so the floor is open, enjoy your noise free day and a half...that's all I can swear to. I sure enjoy this forum for the record, I'm better for having the pleasure of knowing you folks, and I consider you friends. I'm putting on my game day-eve VT boxer shorts as I type, and the victory ritual is underway. Back at you Friday, and please know when I say "Thanks" to you people, I mean it. Gip