Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 13:38:14 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at worldnet.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Important question about the Minutes
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

At 08:10 PM 10/25/2005, Mike B. wrote:
>At 02:56 PM 10/25/2005 -0700, N Lynch wrote:
>
> >If a person does not have the guts to be identified in
> >public with words said in public, then they should
> >request that the remarks be withdrawn from the record.
> > And the request should be honored as we all say
> >things we either regret or can't stand behind.  We all
> >make mistakes or find what we might have said is not
> >the most politic of remarks.  If the move to change
> >the VA meeting place is because some people hate Lee,
> >then be honest enough with the rest of the club to say
> >so.
>
>There was no motion to change the VA meeting place.
>
>I raised the issue as New Business due to several members having stated
>that they would no longer attend meetings at the Gillilands.  Given the
>identities of some, it could have an impact on the meeting if that occurs.

No, there wasn't a motion but it did come up and was discussed.  I was
concerned at the time since it was such a small meeting but in retrospect
think that it was the right thing to do.

Which reminds me: Thank you, Ernest and Nicki, for explaining to me why my
motion to have that vote was a bad idea.  I'd made it in anger, which was
wrong.  In everything we do concerning this we should be acting with reason
rather than emotion; thank you for reminding me by your actions.

>--
>
>"In the representative system, the reason for everything must publicly
>appear. Every man is a proprietor in government, and considers it a
>necessary part of his business to understand.  It concerns his interest
>because it affects his property.  He examines the cost, and compares it
>with the advantages; and above all, he does not adopt the slavish custom of
>following what in other governments are called 'leaders'."
>
>                                 -- Tom Paine, _Rights of Man_ (1791-92)

I've disagreed with some of the things that Paine wrote, and in this am not
comfortable with the word "property" although it was the right one for the
time.  The nation has also grown immeasurably since then so leaders are
needed.  Leaders are also often needed to help organize discussion.

But those are minor compared to what he said overall.

Elspeth