Want to really be patriotic? Here's your chance!

[Pete Hanlin]

Having observed the resurgence of patriotic displays since 9-11-01 (flags flying, singing God Bless America, etc.), I sincerely hope everyone participates in what is perhaps the most meaningful and lasting way to demonstrate patriotism...

Namely go to your polling place and vote!!!
This "experiment in Democracy" in which we all live was founded on the principal that the PEOPLE should have a voice in how they are governed! Every two years, we are given the opportunity to express our patriotism (and preferences) by electing a brand new House of Representatives (and about 1/3 of the Senate).

In addition, you will doubtless be voting for either governors, state reps, school board members, and other local issues! Regardless of who you vote for (or why), go vote! It is your right, your priviledge, and your duty- and IMHO, the best way to show the world what America is truly all about.

Don't buy into the cynicism that says "it doesn't matter" if you vote, or "they're all crooked anyway, so who cares?" The truth is, corruption can only exist where we allow it, and- regardless of what you may hear from the media- there ARE candidates out there (Democrat and Republican) who are trustworthy and who seek to serve the public good (thus the name "public servants").

Well, that's my rant for the week. Sometimes I think we spend so much time worrying about the dangers of external threats that we ignore the internal threat that apathy poses (after all, government of the people, by the people, and for the people is surely lost if the people refuse to participate)! Pick up your paper, visit the internet, watch PBS (or whatever else you need to do to become informed) and then express your patriotism by voting on Tuesday, 5 November!

[Chris Ryser]

To bad as Canadians we can not vote across the border, but we for sure be watching the results on US TV as the whole world will be.

Chris Ryser

[Rich R]

I agree with you Pete, voting is the only real way we are heard.
I hear on TV that they expect less than a 50% of voters to vote.
I became a citizen way back in 1967, and one of the reasons was for the privilage of voting.
Hope we have a strong turn out after all our country has gone through since 911.
Rich R

[Laurie]

FOR BILL MCBRIDE!!

: )

[Pete Hanlin]

FOR BILL MCBRIDE!!
Dargonit! Here I was trying to be all non-partisan and all, and there you go and put something like this out there!

Since we are obviously voting for opposing candidates (RE-ELECT JEB!!!), why don't we both just stay at home tomorrow and call it a wash? Heh, heh... now, if I can only make this same agreement with five more Democrats!
;)

Enjoy voting for your candidate. McBride seems to be a sincere enough fellow. However, since I enjoy the opportunity to actually put my paycheck in my bank account instead of the state's, I'll vote to re-elect our current, and IMHO terrific, Governor Jeb Bush.

What I'm really curious about is how you intend to vote on the "pig referendum!" For those of you who don't live in Florida (count your blessings), one of the more than a dozen referendums on our ballots tomorrow will concern whether a constitutional change should be made specifying what kinds of pens pregnant pigs can be kept in! Ain't Democracy (technically, a Representative Republic, but that's another issue) grand???

In the end, no matter for whom (or for what) you vote, just vote! (And as they say in West Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, Vote early and vote often!

PS- Rest assured I will be voting against retention of those silly Florida supreme court justices who couldn't take a hint from the US Supreme Court concerning their ludicrous interpretations/alterations of election law in the last general election (of course, judges are almost always retained- no matter how horrible- but it'll feel good voting to cast them out)!

[Chris Ryser]

Pete,

If you send the Floridian Optiboarders to the poll on the east coast then the democrats will win...........go encourage the south west coast

And by the way I heard that these fancy dancy super voting machines in florida were built according to a patent filed by father Edison. You think they will not break down by 4.30 pm?

As a Canadian i follow with interest.

Chris Ryser

[hcjilson]

Dear Chris,

The machines will break down ONLY IF the democrats are leading at 4:30 PM!
vote early-vote often-
harry j

[chip anderson]

Chris:

Canadians, Dead People, illegal aliens, unregistered people can vote in the U.S! They are called Democrats. Just slip over into Chicago, or Minnesota you will be given several ballots, free eats, free transportation and a host of other benefits.

Chip

[Johns]

Chip:

You forgot about the free smokes !!!!!!

Johns

[John R]

Pete Hanlin said:
s the most meaningful and lasting way to demonstrate patriotism...

Namely go to your polling place and vote!!!
then express your patriotism by voting on Tuesday, 5 November!

Oh what a day to vote on Bonfire night...The celebration of Guy Falks attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliement......If only he had done it....

Pete, the only problem with your idea is folks have to get off their fat butts and do something......Not the done thing these days is it....
:hammer:

[Chris Ryser]

chip anderson said:
Chris:

Canadians, Dead People, illegal aliens, unregistered people can vote in the U.S! They are called Democrats. Just slip over into Chicago, or Minnesota you will be given several ballots, free eats, free transportation and a host of other benefits.

Chip

Thanks guys,

As Candian, or any dead people I would prefer to flip to Florida specially since we got a white cover on the landscape since yesterday.
More action in Florida on voting days and specially after.
One problem.....the airlines call a transborder flight an international flight and take DOUBLE of what they are taking to go to London or Paris
Chris Ryser

[Pete Hanlin]

Hmmm, everyone (myself included) seems to have gotten caught up in all the muck the past few elections have created...

Happily enough, when I cruised by my polling place this morning (I didn't get to vote yet, they aren't open when I go by in the a.m.), there were about 20 people waiting for the polls to open... Looks like we might have a record turnout for a mid-term in our area! I'll be getting my "I voted" sticker later today... for now, I'll "enjoy" listening to NPR's "objective" coverage of election day.

Happy Guy Falk Day, John (and the rest of you Brits). Enjoy your bonfires and effigies...

[Chris Ryser]

Pete Hanlin said:
Hmmm, everyone (myself included) seems to have gotten caught up in all the muck the past few elections have created...

Happily enough, when I cruised by my polling place this morning (I didn't get to vote yet, they aren't open when I go by in the a.m.), there were about 20 people waiting for the polls to open... Looks like we might have a record turnout for a mid-term in our area! I'll be getting my "I voted" sticker later today... for now, I'll "enjoy" listening to NPR's "objective" coverage of election day.

Happy Guy Falk Day, John (and the rest of you Brits). Enjoy your bonfires and effigies...

Pete,

What optical stands " NPR" for ??????

Chris Ryser

[Steve Machol]

Chris Ryser said:
What optical stands " NPR" for ??????

National Public Radio - presumed by Conservatives to be under the control of the Liberal Elite&#153.

[Chris Ryser]

Thanks Steve,

I see if I can tune in, but we have a big dispute in Canada, it is supposed to be un-lawful to listen and watch foreign direct radio and TV signals. .........we should pay for having them being re-transmitted by a Canadian station.

Chris Ryser

[Pete Hanlin]

.........we should pay for having them being re-transmitted by a Canadian station.
Don't worry, NPR is liberally available to all within the reach of its signal!

Steve,
I didn't realise the Libs had finally formed a corporation! Actually, I knew they had one, but I thought it went under the moniker of CNN. (Sorry, that just begged saying...)

Neo-socialist
Political
Rhetoric

Actually, I'm listening to Bach on NPR right now... NPR really is a great resource for civilized discussion and music (although the very name "All Things Considered" rings just a bit sanctimonious and presumptuous in my ear). Unfortunately, most of its funding comes from the same group of "we're wealthy, and we feel guilty about it" individuals that make up the bedrock of the Democratic National Party (as opposed to the "we're wealthy and we want to stay that way" group that makes up my own GOP).
:)

Now, how DO you make the little "TM" and "R" marks on your posts, Steve???


Chris,
Is Canada a territory of the UK, or a member state (like Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland), or what? I've always wondered why the Queen is on your currency (do you have representation in British Parliment?).

[Laurie]

I beg your pardon Mr. Hanlin,

We are not a group of "we're wealthy and feel guilty", but are of a mindset: "we're wealthy and thankful for our gifts in life, and will share with others less fortunate"...



Laurie

[Steve Machol]

Pete Hanlin said:
Steve,
I didn't realise the Libs had finally formed a corporation!

Yep - this was in response to Conservative Reactionary™. :D

[Chris Ryser]

Pete,

For your information Canada is a country of its own with its own constitution but is still holding on to the Queen as an imaginary head of state. The conservatives are still hanging on to Royalty which is purely for pictures only.

Canada much larger than the USA, territory wise, consists of Provinces instaed of States like the USA. Most Canadians think of themselves first as citizens of one of the Provinces before they are Canadians, and I find that sad.

I look across the border and see United States citizens being American before anything else, which in my book is the right attitude.

I wish Canadians could be like that !!!!!

Chris Ryser

[John R]

Pete Hanlin said:
Happy Guy Falk Day, John (and the rest of you Brits). Enjoy your bonfires and effigies...

Will do our best....Maybe you should start doing the same in Florida...All them spoilled ballet papers......Should have enough now to burn all florida...

Ah Canada..Seems they like our queen more than we do...They even hoped that the boat breaking down in the middle of the river would keep her there....Bet she wishes it had now....

[Chris Ryser]

John R said:
Will do our best....Maybe you should start doing the same in Florida...All them spoilled ballet papers......Should have enough now to burn all florida...

Ah Canada..Seems they like our queen more than we do...They even hoped that the boat breaking down in the middle of the river would keep her there....Bet she wishes it had now....

I hear you'r having the biggest fireworks ever tonight,,,is that the case?????

Chris Ryser

[optispares]

:Dplentyoffireworkslately..
but more a case of what the butler saw than anything to do with guy fawkes ( who incidentley was a yorkshireman with the right idea) to blow up parliment.:angry:

[John R]

Chris Ryser said:
I hear you'r having the biggest fireworks ever tonight,,,is that the case?????

Chris Ryser

Yep...My sprog had 8 sparklers this year......and i didnt have to pay for them either.....
plenty going off outside....Dam waste of money if you ask me....

Wonder if you can Burel into the palace tonite.....

[Chris Ryser]

Time to go home, started at 6.30 am EST.

IN 30 minutes the voting machines in Florida should start breaking down if the status quo prevails. Wanna see that on TV and then listen to O'Reilly at 8 pm or (20.00 h for the Brits)

Have a nice party tonight all you

Republican and Democrats
or
Democrats and Republicans

We will be watching from up north

[Chris Ryser]

Fox news just said 7pm or 19.00 h that they are having voting machine problems in Jacksonville (thats in Florida in the case the Brits dont know) If they vote for Bushes competition the vote goes for Jeb Bush......imteresting nobody took on my bet

Chris Ryser