Betty, You are delightful. I am never disappointed with anything you say.
Next time I'm in Portland, we must have lunch, or something - and argue! Obviously, I must join the Elks - I'd be a hit. I never suggested I have the final statement on anything. I can observe, I can read, I'm not a dumbo - I got 138 in that IQ test. It's true that Lawry got 140 but he probably cheated. I tell it like I see it. I'm not a Democrat and I'm not a Republican. Probably hundreds of thousands of words have been written about Florida - no doubt with much contradiction. I think my few hundred are of some value. If I could only get a second opinion. You say: "Your response seemed to tell me that you dismiss relevant differences of opinion on individual legislation and intent, or complaints addressing questions of legal precedent as inconsequential . . . . " The law with regard to closing the polls seems quite straightforward. At 5 pm (or thereabouts) on the seventh day after the election, it shall be closed and the Secretary of State shall declare the election over. She did have discretion on that 5 pm closure. If, for example, the roads are flooded and the votes are held up, she can grant an extension. (I haven't heard anyone mention that.) Anyway, it's a sensible codicil, for climate and Acts of God can affect a human timetable. Other than that, at the statutory time it's over. Kathleen was ready to announce the results when - enter on stage left - the Florida Supremes - seven Democrats (six Democratic Appointments, one Republican). Everything else that happened followed from the antics of these people, who in no circumstances could be called judicial in their behavior. They changed the date - completely outside their jurisdiction. When that didn't work, they changed the date again. At this point, the Democratic Chief Justice got hopping mad (he was probably a secret Republican) but he bawled the others out for stumbling into a Constitutional foul-up. However, that didn't stop them. With all due respect to "individual legislation and intent" and "questions of legal precedent" - it seems to me they deserved to reprimanded by the US Supreme Court. (You'll recall they had already received a slap on the wrist for unconstitutionality. They ignored it - heck, they had a politician to elect.) One must feel unhappy at the state of the American Judicial system. One notes that the US Supreme Court is 5-4 in favor of the conservatives - a number that is said to have elected George Bush. Actually, it was 7-2, though a couple of them added a demurrer of some kind - I've forgotten what. Not a word about the Florida Supremes, who unconstitutionally started the mess. You finished that paragraph with: "or that differences in economic policy and fiscal soundness don't matter if they come from a fervent source." Fervent means "sincerely or intensely felt". Do you consider that bad? Today, some Jehovas or Mormons came to the door (I think they were Mormons) and I chatted with them. I don't believe at all in what they say, but I admire their fervency. I'm sure they get some nasty rejections - but they continue anyway. I would say that emotion is important to get you moving when you see a wrong. I think that emotion is vital when you set out to right the wrong. In between should come the thinking and emotion doesn't help there at all. It gets in the way of clear thinking. Anyway, I hope you don't take part in the Cook County elections for many, many, years to come. One thing you say - that "Politics is not just about winners and losers, but about solving problems." I'm sorry to say that politics is only about winning and losing. You may have fought a good fight, brought many issues to the fore, been brilliant in debate, and offered definitive solutions - but if you lost you are a failure. The only politicians of importance are those who have won. The major focus of an American politician is re-election. This is not a cynical attitude. It's the way things are - and understandably so. What does a Representative get now- $150,000 - $170,000 a year? I forget. I seem to remember that Nader pointed out that the "perks" were another $70,000. He is looked up to, he can do things for people - in fact people give him money to do things. He is respected. So, the morning of election, his thought is 'how do I repeat this in 2 years'. Whatever he may say to the faithful - that's the question that is uppermost in his mind. Sorry, girl, but that you must face - and enjoy politics anyway. Harry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Karen wrote: >Harry, I'm probably as disappointed in your comments, which I thought >reflected tired stock-in-trade Elks Club-like pronouncements, as you are in >my "fervent Democrat" comments. Respect for your age, experience and >usually good commentary aside, I don't think you have the final statement on >the 2000 election, and neither do the historians who will be writing about >it and the law professors teaching it. > >Your response seemed to tell me that you dismiss relevant differences of >opinion on individual legislation and intent, or complaints addressing >questions of legal precedent as inconsequential, or that differences in >economic policy and fiscal soundness don't matter if they come from a >fervent source. I guess I'm surprised you take so much of Bush's >accomplishments at face value. >Obviously, we remain as divided as the rest of the country. Thank goodness >we're allowed. By the way, most of the time I use Bush* and mean the Bush >administration and its weary Old Guard leftover Cold War warriors. Believe >me, when I attack Bush personally, you'll know the difference. >Yes, I'm a lifelong political junkie now focused on Bush* because he is the >sitting President, who is determining for good or bad, current domestic >politics and international affairs, including war. I follow politics and am >interested in how elected and non-elected representatives affect us as a >whole and individually. I wrote a bit of semi-witty commentary from a >different perspective than just he who signs the document wins. Politics is >not just about winners and losers, but about solving problems. Not all who >score, win. > > I looked through my archives for a national study that a friend shared with >me about the problem with the Texas achievement scores as they related to >the Bush* education plan to improve scores. As I recall, there was a big >disagreement about whether the state scores should be used as a standard for >promoting the national agenda, given that the state had been teaching to the >test for several years, and not much else. As a former resident of the >western suburbs of Houston (Sugarland/First Colony for anyone who cares) >with two children in good schools there, I can assure you that the Sylvan >tutoring franchises were doing very well preparing students to take tests, >and improve their study habits, but that the schools curriculum was on the >downhill slide and teachers were already complaining, 1989 - 1992. >Again, the governorship of Texas is a hybrid political post, more like >running for Miss America and being groomed in all the right categories, than >what you are familiar with in California, for example. Business, not >politics, runs Texas, and good old culture is added for spice. Bush fils >was groomed for this job, a quasi popularity contest with weekly hours. >Maybe we should ask the locals now facing health care, insurance, budget >deficits, and school credentialing and out of state college acceptance >problems if they'd want Gov. Bush back for another round of semi-finals to >the Big Tournament in Washington DC. >Respectfully, Karen - BCA >(Betty Crocker with Attitude) >East of Portland, West of Mt Hood >Outgoing Mail Scanned by NAV 2002 > > > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.394 / Virus Database: 224 - Release Date: 10/3/2002 ****************************** Harry Pollard Henry George School of LA Box 655 Tujunga CA 91042 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (818) 352-4141 Fax: (818) 353-2242 *******************************
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