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09/27/19 09:38 AM #6209    

 

Frank Ganley

Mary Ann how was mrs clinton robbed of the the election. She only won a few of the west coast states and new york. Yes she did win the total amount of votes thanks mainly to new york and mostly california who have more votes in those states than the rest of the country combined. If you are advocating the abolishment of the electorial college that would amount to accepting the fact that your vote ifnot cast in california washington, oregon, and  new york  you might as well stay home! Your vote is useless, unheard, and did not matter. The founding fathers figured out if you won new york and pennsyvania no matter what the other states did it mattered not. Abandoning the electorial college would be devasting. So now MaryAnn how was it stolen from her. Perhaps people were tired of crimes committed by her and her husband bill. Perhaps she thought the fix was in and she didn’t have to campaign in some states like much snd wisc.  Perhaps they thought Trump was better. Regardless of any of your argument hillary lost and trump won. Get over it. I know all you libbers think trump is this ,that, and everything else to make him evil but get over it. Stop all these witch hunts which hold less liquid than a bounty towel. Your reps are quite similar to my dad who though he found i did nothing wrong i would still get a whack or two because even though he found i did  nothing i was punished for what he missed. Of all the president who have been impeached both were democrats , nixon quit begore he could be impeached and all the repubs who were being investigated were found not being able to pass. Dems trying to fix. It would be great if congress started to take on immagration, taxes, etc than continue to investigate trump for what they don’t know but sure if they look hard enough they will find a needle in that haystack


09/27/19 11:13 AM #6210    

 

Michael Boulware

 

 

Frank, ( history lesson).   The Electoral College was a compromise between Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians.I hope this does not bore people!!!! We could not decide how to elect a president and the creators of the Constitution compromised when they could not solve a problem. We even compromised the slavery issue (3/5 compromise).

Hamilton wanted the president elected by wealthy, male land owners. He felt that only the educated , elite could make the proper choice.

Jefferson felt that the more democracy; the better off we were. He wanted the president elected by a popular vote.

The compromise was- Electors from each state would be elected by a popular vote. The amount of electors would equal the number od members in the house and the senate. The Electors would then elect the president

This compromise came about because most  voters  were uneducated and votes could be possibly purcchased with some moonshine, promise of a job, or a couple of bucks. The common person's vote was not trusted.

Currently, we have an educated populous. Many of us feel that The Electoral College is an outdated means to elect the president.  

 

 

 

 


09/27/19 11:59 AM #6211    

 

David Barbour

I do believe we need a little more MIKE!!!  Thank you, sir.

 

DB


09/27/19 02:35 PM #6212    

 

Mark Schweickart

As a follow up to Mike B's history lesson, I would add that I think Frank is totally misunderstanding the intentions of those who are in favor of eliminating the electoral college. It would do the exact opposite of what he is worried about. If we went to a simple whoever has the over-all majority of votes wins, then it does not matter in the least whether you live in California or Montana or Rhode Island, it's the overall count that counts.

Oh, and need I say, that if this had been the case in 2016, Hillary would be President. However, no matter who wins in 2020, I doubt we will see any electoral college reform addressed. Unfortunately, we have far more pressing issues at hand. First and foremost of course is removing our wannabe-Vito-Corleone from the White House. Then we can tackle the issues of climate-change, healthcare, properly taxing the extremely wealthy, eliminating the burdens of student debt, physical infrastructure repair, and speaking of repair, how about repairing our relations abroad? The list goes on and on. But job one is getting out from beneath the horrible dystopian cloud that grows larger by the day under our current administration.


09/27/19 04:34 PM #6213    

 

Michael McLeod

Frank:

I don't think your father whacked you enough.


09/27/19 04:56 PM #6214    

 

David Mitchell

Thanks Clare,

I never knew Bob's father. To be honest, I barely knew Bob back in the day. But over the last year and a half, we have gotten to know one another and have enjoyed one of the most interesting (email) conversations I've ever had. A lot of our conversation revolves around who we were back then, and how we all gravitated to our own "circles" of friends, based on teenagers perceptions of our own social backgrounds. Bob and I are polar oppsoites on several deep issues, but it's been a really rewarding journey towards a new friendship.   

Bob had been telling me that his father was on short time. I hope the family finds peace. 

 

 


09/27/19 06:03 PM #6215    

 

David Mitchell

Mike B,

Welcome back!  

I concur with you and Mark that it's time we let the Electoral College go.

 

But to your point about Jefferson and Hamilton's intentions - it is my understanding that it was Jefferson who preferred that the power rest with with a "landed aristocrocy", much like himslef, and that the economy be an agricultural one. I was under teh impresssion that Hamilton wanted to create a "business" economy, where merchants, shop keepers, and small businessmen would flourish. It was to that end he created our banking system. I seem to recall reading this specific point a few years back in Smithsonian Magazine. Perhaps I mis-read it?  

That same article also brought attention to a large cache of letters and writings, previousy unknown that shed more light on Jefferson's treatment of his slaves. He has long been considred a more benevolent slavemaster, but the article cast a very different light on that subject. It clearly showed that his use of whippings was much more the rule than the exception.

An example: Among the many business ventures he ran from Monticello, was his "nail foundery" -  a small, (for profit) nail making factory if you will. One of the daily chores was to have a group of young slave boys go into the foundary early each morning and light the fires for the forges. On cold mornings, the boys would often want to stay in the warmth of their beds, and would be late to light the fires. For this there were many frequent whippings - of small boys! 

And he had a dumbwaiter that brougt the food up from the kitchen to the dinning room, where the food trays could be served by white servants, so that they would not have to suffer the indignation of Africans in the diining room. 

Of course his fathering of two families - six free white children, and six black slave children, casts quite a blight on his moral character.

 

For a man who called slavery "moral depravity", he profitted handsomely from his "use" of slaves.   

 

* And It is a bizarrre twist that he hired "professional slanderers" to ruin the re-election chances of his own president (and once best frend) John Adams, so that the could be elected in 1801. John Adams had loved him like a son. They reconciled years later and died within hours of each other on the day before the 4th of July 1826. It has been speculated that the courier riders, carying the news to one another's homes may have passed each other at some point, going in opposite directions from Virginia to Massachusetts. 

-------------------

p.s.

Not sure how long you've been "away" from the Forum. Hope you enjoyed my post a few months back - the huge  "mega headlines" from the Clintonville Booster about two young athletes from Watterson High School. (one on skis, the other on the gridiron)  LOL.

 


09/27/19 07:34 PM #6216    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Serenity

"The serenity of a clear, blue mountain lake..."

      - A line from "Rocky Mountain High"

Have a great Autumn Weekend, everyone!

 

Jim

 


09/28/19 11:23 AM #6217    

 

Michael McLeod

Gotta tell you, Frank, a word like "libbers" - a slur, a personal attack -- just reminds me that you are the kind of guy that compares a beauiful woman of color to an ape.

And it's yet another reason for me to regard you, and anything you say, with the knowledge that it's coming out of the mouth of a hateful human being.

I keep hoping we can address each other with respect here. You make that very difficult.

 


09/28/19 12:36 PM #6218    

 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

For my OLP friends:

https://youtu.be/YReP8tDMp8s


09/28/19 01:34 PM #6219    

 

David Barbour

Thank you MM.  Can't help but remember Father Foley and Sister Maccaria.  It'll be a little while

to erase those images.  What about it, Dave M.?

DB


09/28/19 01:46 PM #6220    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

I meant to give some kudos to Larry for those excellent close-ups of the flowers and that dragonfly (nice bokeh behind that critter). And your detailed sketches were also very artistic.

MM, cute video! Great promo for Catholic schools. You OLP'ers should be proud of your Alma Mater.

Bob, my sympathies on the death of your father. Another of the Greatest Generation has been lost. 

Jim 

 


09/28/19 01:57 PM #6221    

 

David Mitchell

Thanks Mary Margaret,

What a sweet video. Brings back memories - good and bad. The bad was the frighteneing horror of Father Foley and his violent temper tantrums. To the good side were the Tom Litzingers, the John Jacksons, Keith Groffs, Kevin Ryans, Tommy Swains, and always laughing Mike Del Bianco, and shy quiet David Barbour. And somewhere in the middle we "tolerated" those yucky, dumb girls like Nina, and Barbara Boggs, and Kathy Shannahan,,,,,,and her captivating, freckles. Oh, those gorgeous freckles!   

 

Back then we were all-white, had mostly Dominican nuns, and no such thing as personal computers.

 

Told this before: I remember when the present church was finally built. The parish had to start over raising funds from scratch after it was learned that Father Foley had sent all those years of Sunday collections to be invested by his (stock broker) brother in Boston. And his brother had cleaned out the account and "retired" in the Bahamas. It was assumed that that was what induced Fathr Foley's fatal heart attack.

What you see shown briefly as a Gym was the ugly church I grew up with. But even before that, our church was a quansett hut down near the front of the property on High Street. 


09/28/19 02:20 PM #6222    

 

David Mitchell

 OLP memories - almost forgot . 

How that parish got by with that one stupid nervous kid serving early Mass. The one who fainted all the time.

I repeat - ALL THE DAMN TIME!

I think between 5th and 8th grade I actually fainted on the alter while serving Mass about two dozen times!  I am not making this up. Maybe John Jackson can see this and verify it. My list of witness "references" would include, John Jackson and Tom LItzinger, Kevin and Kerry Ryan, Jim Shannahan, Dave Monfort, Jim Rivers, Jim Chubb, Jerry Staluka (now Father Staluka), two of the Donley brothers, and Jerry Cox, who once deleiberately got me sick by swinging the incense under my face at a Holy Thursday service. 

One time I was serving with Janie Connor's oldest brother Dan, a big tall guy who was in high school at St. Charlels at the time. I went plunk on the carpet while we were serving communion. Father Grimes had noticed me beginning to wobble. He quickly grabbed the patton out of my hand before I went down.  When I hit the carpet he said under his breath to Dan, "just get him out." Dan reached down under my waist, lifted me with one arm, and carried me like a sack of potatoes into the sacristy and laid me in the floor. 

At a yearly banquet dinner for all of the Alter Boys at the end of 8th grade, Father Foley patted me on the back and said, "Mitchell, you've done a fine job. We won't be needing your services in the future." (high school alter service). I was being given "early retirement". 

 


09/28/19 03:28 PM #6223    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Dave M.

I knew a WWII B-26 Martin Marauder pilot who memorized the visual chart in order to pass the eye examination when he enlisted. What I am wondering is how, with your medical history of recurrent and frequent syncopal episodes, did you ever qualify to fly helicopters? Did they not do "Past Medical Histories (PMH)" during physicals on recruits in the Viet Nam era? Even flat feet disqualified some from service back in those days.

Curious minds want to know...frown

Jim


09/28/19 05:05 PM #6224    

 

Frank Ganley

here is a list of all the electoral votes for each stat. If a candidate were to win only the 12 largest states and their electoral votes, they are:
California 55
Florida      29
Illinois      20                            as you can tell the count is 12 states out of 50
New York 29                             thanks Bull for the history lesson but this is why they came out with the
Penna      20                            college. If we had not had a ectoral college Bubba Clinton lost the popular 
Texas       38                             vote. Each state is it's own voice. That's one reason we are a Republic,
Mich         16 
Georgia    16 
New Jer    14 
 N.Car       15
Virginia      13
mass          11
total          276

The table provides a list of U.S. electoral votes by state.

Total: 538. Majority needed to elect the president and vice president: 270.
Electoral votes by state
state number of votes state number of votes state number of votes
Alabama 9 Kentucky 8 North Dakota 3
Alaska 3 Louisiana 8 Ohio 18
Arizona 11 Maine 4 Oklahoma 7
Arkansas 6 Maryland 10 Oregon 7
California 55 Massachusetts 11 Pennsylvania 20
Colorado 9 Michigan 16 Rhode Island 4
Connecticut 7 Minnesota 10 South Carolina 9
Delaware 3 Mississippi 6 South Dakota 3
District of Columbia 3 Missouri 10 Tennessee 11
Florida 29 Montana 3 Texas 38
Georgia 16 Nebraska 5 Utah 6
Hawaii 4 Nevada 6 Vermont 3
Idaho 4 New Hampshire 4 Virginia 13
Illinois 20 New Jersey 14 Washington 12
Indiana 11 New Mexico 5 West Virginia 5
Iowa 6 New York 29 Wisconsin 10
Kansas 6 North Carolina 15 Wyoming 3

This article was most recently revised and updated by John M. Cunningham, Readers Editor.   

To Mr Mcleod, I don't use libbers as a slur its a class of voters but you who must be politically correct etc, I apologise for a slip. In reference to a beautiful black woman my brother is married to one of the beautiful black woman, forget she's black, 2 masters and a mba. so as far as that comment goes it holds no water. As far as a reference to a former first lady, nothing will change my mind as to how low of a person I think she is. A forum is where ideas and thoughts are exchanged not villified. All those on this forum who hate our GREAT president, all your remarks are so unfounded and biased, hateful is beyond belief. Your opinions will not change!, Your disregard of the laws and workings of our great country you wish ruination of the USA. Open borders, anyone can vote, no voter id required. One of the most precious gifts of this country is the right to vote. One vote but with no voter id how can we not have fraud. And then your parties view on abortion, disgusting. As vile as you find me I am amazed. I have supported this forum both with participation and a large cash donation to help ensure that it would and could continue. So to my friends of the class of '66 I bid you a fond adieu, to those that find me disgusting and hateful thank God He is my judge and there fore no more fodder for you outpouring of hate. 


09/28/19 09:20 PM #6225    

 

John Maxwell

We're all hippos rolling down river, sometimes we can't touch the ground. Like hippos sliding in the water sometimes we're messin' around.

09/29/19 09:13 AM #6226    

 

David Mitchell

David,

Wow, I forgot about Sister Macaria. It was only about 15 years ago that I learned from Kathy Burk, that the little bottle of "holy water" that she kept in her desk drawer and took occasional sips out of, was actually Vodka.

------------

Jim

Good question. I actualy fainted several other times from the sight of blood. Then in basic training in "Fote Poke" (Fort Polk) Luzianna, I fainted while standing at attention. I begged the doctor not to put it on my record - told him I was gong to flight school. That also happend again in pre-flight school in Texas. After a very hot day playing basketball on an outdoor court, we heard Taps come over the post loudspeakers and that means stop everything and come to attemtion. While standing at attention, I wilted like a flower in an oven.  (and layed there until taps was finished and then the guys helped me inside)

So Jim, I really think it must have been my charming personality. I assume when they saw me in my flight suit and helmet they were so captured by the dashing figure I cut, that they just could not resist me. 

On a serious note, I never once fainted flying in the Delta, not in 18 months and over 1,400 flight hours, mostly pretty high stress stuff, with some pretty wacky type of flying - at times like a circus clown. I did describe (way back in the Forum) how I got sick at my stomach during my first three days in training in the "observer" seat of the cockpit. That was mostly due to all those noises and gryrations but without being at the stick (not being the one at the controls).

I did faint once during a non-flying incident. It was something gross that happened to one of my buddies one night in one of our "regularly scheduled" monthly mortar attacks. He got hit. Seeing him like that got to me - I fainted and got sick - 'nough said.  

I Just realized nothing I have said here answered your question.

Okay, it was tests, tests, and more tests. They sent me and two other guys out to Lockbourne AFB for a full day of testing, mostly visual stuff.  A lot of it in the form of comic books (seriously) - with page after page of "quizzes" and "puzzles" about visual acuity, depth perception puzzles and -- it went on for hours! There were also many live excercises to gauge our reactions. Lights and sounds and guys suprising you by waving  something from behind you, in front of you, beside you. All designed to distract us while doing a task. Finally they diluted our pupils for an eye exam and when they had finished, they gave us these super dark sun glass "thingys" and made us stay on the base for two more hours before they said we were free to drive home. I think we were there for about 10 hours.


09/29/19 10:34 AM #6227    

Lawrence Foster

Thanks to you all folks who commented publicly and privately about the Kenilwoth Aquatic Gardens photos and sketches I posted recently.   Over on the User Forum I just posted 14 more photos from that visit I made there back in 2013.  There are more dragonflys, a turtle and a frog - Oh, my! - so I hope you enjoy. 


09/29/19 12:47 PM #6228    

 

Michael Boulware

Dave,

You obviously have a love for U.S. History and are knowledgable about the subject as well. You are accurate about the fiscal policies of Jefferson and Hamilton. Their political differences evolved into our two party political system. Hamilton favored a federal bank, strong central goverrnment, government should help stimulate business because strong businesses provide jobs for everyone, trade with England, and his support centered mostly in New England. This political philosophy became the Federalists.

Jefferson favored staes' rights; a loose union of the states, he favored an agrian society, the more direct elections (pure democract) the better, he favored trade with France, and his support came from the south and west. This political philosophy became the Anti-Federalists.

New immigrants sided with the Anti-Federalists. In order to survive, the Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts that extended the time for citizenship to 14 years9Alien Act), and if you spoke against the government (sedition) you could be prosecuted. Eventually the Supreme Court declared these laws unconstitutional. 

Lets see, Federalists did not like immigrants ( 'Build a Wall"), and we should not say anything against the government (" Fake News, Witchhunts") . History repeats itself ?


09/29/19 02:16 PM #6229    

 

Mark Schweickart

Frank's bidding us all a fond farewell is why earlier I had lobbied to keep our political views to ourselves rather than expressing them on this Forum. I feared it would degenerate into hard feelings, and so it has in his case. It's not that I am going to miss Frank's rants, not at all, but my point was that it was clear to me early on in our political discussions, way back when, that none of us were making a dent in the opposing viewpoints, so what was the point beating that dead horse? It is not that I embrace censorship, it's just that there is plenty of room on Facebook to do that sort of arguing, whereas, when this Forum sprang up a few years ago, it gave us a nice place to reconnect, reminisce, plan future gatherings, etc, so it struck me as being a bit of a shame when we let our angry, political selves into the mix. On the other hand, I suppose without Frank's particular form of abrasiveness present to make our heads explode, maybe the rest of us can continue to argue our positions without it degenerating into personal attacks that result in hurtful name-calling. 

Speaking of future gatherings, is there truly interest in a number of us meeting in Barcelona next year? I have never been to Spain, so I would certanly be interested. I read somewhere recently that Barcelona is so inundated with tourists in the summer that there is talk of actually instituting a tourist tax to try to keep the crowds down during the summer. I am sure Donna can speak to this. If this is correct, what would be a good time of year to visit?

 


09/29/19 02:31 PM #6230    

 

David Barbour

Thank you, Mike, you're a gem.  Don't ever leave us.

DB


09/29/19 06:43 PM #6231    

 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Relax and Take a Walk in the Park(s)

If you have not yet checked out Larry's other photos of Kenilworth Aquatic Garden in D.C. which he posted on the User Forum, I recommend you do so. They are some of the best close-ups I have seen. Tom McKeon did and suggested it looked like a nice place to take a walk. I agree!

We all have the need to refresh ourselves away from the stresses (and politics) of the day and I think a nice communication with nature is a good way to start. Those of you who live in the Columbus area have some beautiful places to accomplish this and the best time of the year is in October: not too hot, not too cold, not too rainy and those deciduous tree leaf changes are fantastic. Although not true this year, I have found myself in Columbus in the fall several times in the past few years and visited some of my favorite places with camera in hand. So, take a deep breath of that fresh, crisp autumn air, forget about what irritates you the most and visit these places. And they are all FREE!

 

(Unfortunately this gallery of pictures did not hit at the precise peak of color, but they were close.)

 

Indian Run Falls Park in Dublin

The vegitation here is so thick that you feel like you are in a jungle.

 

Highbanks Park

The paths lead back to a 100 foot drop down to the Olentangy River (which you can barely see through the yellow leaves in the first picture below).

 

 

Hayden Falls Nature Preserve

A gem of a ravine that empties into the Scioto River. If it is wet the wooden staircase that leads down to the walkway can be slick. We old people need to be careful!

I will add something about Hayden Falls: it is my most visited of these three places. I have had the opportunity to photograph the falls itself during various seasons and  everthing from zero (dry), frozen, full flowing and soft flow. I have shared some of those images with you on this Forum in the past. One of my favorites was chosen by NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) to be on the cover and the month of June in their 2020 calendar. I entitled it "Teardrops".

Since this calendar was distributed to NARFE members across the country, in a way I hope more people can discover this Preserve but, on the other hand, it's solitude has always been one of it's best attributes.

And, while you are seeking out the colors of fall, don't forget those Clintonville Ravines from Overbrook on the north to Walhalla on the south!

Jim

 

 


09/29/19 11:53 PM #6232    

 

David Mitchell

Mike B,

Your post was terriffic! You gave much more clarification on these two men and the heritage they each left to us.

I was not taking a position, only trying to relay my understanding of your earlier post. 

 

Without going in too deeply, or without getting too political, I strongly oppose buidling a wall.

(In fact, I think it's simply nuts - an utter boondoggle!)

As I mentioned almost a year ago, I think the money could be far better spent to combat the "problem" by realistic an practical assistance at the very sources - such as the desperately poor Hondurans of the northern provinces of Honduras (mostly Mayan descendent minorities -  who are neglected, mistreated, and almost completely unrepresented by their own government.

(added later - AND HUNGRY!)

 

And today, there is so much power in the hands of the local gangs, that those people live in nightmares not unlike thoe of Syria and Iraq - only the type of weapons and the scenery are different.

One young congressman has argued that both sides of the "wall issue" should shut up and just go stop the gangs. Worth pondering.

 

It's my understanding that Honduras, Guatamala, El Slavador, and to a lesser extent, Nicaragua have become such poor, crime-ridden, corrupt, and violent cultures because of generations of our own meddling in their socio-political economic systems. Back in the early 20th century, we let companies like United Fruit Company deal ruthlessly and without regulation in the raping and profiteering of those people for the priviledge of making profits from the banana trade. I beleive we actually assised in assasinations of freely elected leaders (whose only crime was to want their own country), and helped place the control back into the hands of Mafia "Robber Barron" families like the Samozas of Nicaragua - who did nothing more than rape and pillage their own countires - under the guise of being "opposed to Communism". 

But as a reaction to that, we have left the door open for the left-wing guerilla movements of those areas, such a s Daniel Ortega, the former Sandanista leader, who, as the present leader of Nicaragua, (who also fought a corrupt and violent right-wing goverment) now poses as a "democrat", but holds power over the entire governemental apperatus.

 

I have a good friend who is in and investment group that plunged a lot of money into a real estate development in Nicaragua back when peace had "broken out" (when was that? back in the 80's? - the lady in the wheel-chair that got freely elected ??). He tells me how the Ortega Goverment has blocked almost everything they try to do. They have come to a complete standstill and had to lay off hundreds of well-slaried employees. And meanwhile Ortega pays for hundreds of buses to bring the poor people in from the rual villages, feed and house them for a few days during the elections, and surprize, surprize - re-elect him. He has completely strangled the economy, while he resides in a huge mansion in the capital. 

 

In these countries, we see examples both on the left and on the right, all serving themsleves at the expense of their own working class citizens. 

It is my opinion that politics and power can be so corrupt - on either side -  that merely trusting the so-called "party line" over facts and real solutions, will ultimately lead to more severe division, more government waste, and failure. I have always felt that somewhere between the extremes of "Left" and "Right", exists a hundred small points of truth that might actually be worth trying.  

In case you have misunderstood me;

I think I have made myself quite clear in past posts (trying to get away from that topic), I have no respect for, or allegience to, a narcisistic "whore-mongering draft dodger". I may lean somewhat to the conservative side on most issues (not all) - and less so than I once did before a man named Cheney broke my trust. But my fundamental principles of basic morality are not for sale, not even for "thirty pieces of silver".

Not even if it means "winning".


09/30/19 12:09 AM #6233    

 

David Mitchell

Larry,

I also enjoy your art work. But as I suggested before, I think your black and white line drawings are superb - somehow more powerful than the paintings.

There is just something about them?   


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