"An appeal is when you ask one court to show its contempt for another court."
Mr. Dooley (Finley Peter Dunne, 1867-1936)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Voter Registration
Fifty years ago, I tried to register to vote. I met an obstacle course.
When I turned 21 and became eligible to vote, I was at the University of Mississippi. I wasn't allowed to register in that County. At my home of record, Washington County, the Registrar's office was open every other Wednesday afternoon during working hours. I also had to pay a poll tax. So I never had the opportunity to register before going off to sea.
Two years later, 1960, I was the ship's voting officer (among other duties) and had access to all of the information about registering and voting in all fifty states. I knew how to do it and what the deadlines were. I submitted a Federal Postcard Voter Registration Application to Washington County, Mississippi in ample time.
Months later, I received a reply regretting that the county had received the application too late.
Balderdash! Even if the form had been received too late (which I never believed), registration in Mississippi was permanent. There was no reason not to have sent a registration form, even if it was too late for the 1960 election.
The next time I was home on leave, I registered. This time, the Registrar could verify my complexion.
The Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act fixed the problem.
When I turned 21 and became eligible to vote, I was at the University of Mississippi. I wasn't allowed to register in that County. At my home of record, Washington County, the Registrar's office was open every other Wednesday afternoon during working hours. I also had to pay a poll tax. So I never had the opportunity to register before going off to sea.
Two years later, 1960, I was the ship's voting officer (among other duties) and had access to all of the information about registering and voting in all fifty states. I knew how to do it and what the deadlines were. I submitted a Federal Postcard Voter Registration Application to Washington County, Mississippi in ample time.
Months later, I received a reply regretting that the county had received the application too late.
Balderdash! Even if the form had been received too late (which I never believed), registration in Mississippi was permanent. There was no reason not to have sent a registration form, even if it was too late for the 1960 election.
The next time I was home on leave, I registered. This time, the Registrar could verify my complexion.
The Voting Rights Act and the National Voter Registration Act fixed the problem.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose
Democrats never agree on anything, that's why they're Democrats. If they agreed with each other, they would be Republicans.
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
On Choices
Under circumstances where you are "damned if you do and damned if you don't," I'd rather be damned for doing something than for doing nothing.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It's March 23: Have You Been Counted Yet?
Yesterday the USPS brought me a post card addressed to "Resident."
The purpose was to remind me to complete and return the 2010 Census questionnaire. Thanking me if I have already responded, the notice says "if you have not responded, please provide your information as soon as possible."
Some of you may be uncertain where to claim you live. To help you address this question, here is a quote from a briefing on election law prepared by the North Carolina State Board of Elections:
"A person may have an actual abode (residence) in one place and his permanent established home (domicile) in another, domicile being the place to which the person intends to return."
I hope my readers intend to return to Oriental.
The purpose was to remind me to complete and return the 2010 Census questionnaire. Thanking me if I have already responded, the notice says "if you have not responded, please provide your information as soon as possible."
Some of you may be uncertain where to claim you live. To help you address this question, here is a quote from a briefing on election law prepared by the North Carolina State Board of Elections:
"A person may have an actual abode (residence) in one place and his permanent established home (domicile) in another, domicile being the place to which the person intends to return."
I hope my readers intend to return to Oriental.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Principles of Finance
"High finance isn't burglary or obtaining money by false pretenses, but rather a judicious selection from the best features of those fine arts."
Mr. Dooley (Finley Peter Dunne)
Mr. Dooley (Finley Peter Dunne)
On Legislating
Legislating is hard work. The easiest thing for elected representatives to do is nothing. You make fewer enemies that way. It is also easier if you don't do anything new. Maybe pass a few proclamations recognizing the Sweet Potato Festival or Vietnam Veterans or such like.
Even in a small setting like the Oriental Town Board of Commissioners, it is hard to cobble together a majority of three votes out of the five commissioners in favor of anything new, especially if there is controversy. Think how much work it is to obtain a majority out of more than five hundred members of Congress.
Last night's vote in the House of Representatives on health care reform was an awesome accomplishment. We will all be better off as a result, as will our children and grandchildren.
Even in a small setting like the Oriental Town Board of Commissioners, it is hard to cobble together a majority of three votes out of the five commissioners in favor of anything new, especially if there is controversy. Think how much work it is to obtain a majority out of more than five hundred members of Congress.
Last night's vote in the House of Representatives on health care reform was an awesome accomplishment. We will all be better off as a result, as will our children and grandchildren.
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