PRIMARY ELECTION DAY HODGEPODGE!

     Yesterday was the primary for the upcoming mid term congressional election. There were also primaries for candidates for statewide offices. SWMBO and I were proud to exercise our franchise together.  Also today is Wednesday and therefore it is the Hodgepodge. Joyce has come up with another series of questions to challenge us. Enjoy!

1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way?

     I generally watch a retrospective on the attacks with any new information that has been learned since the attacks. I pray for the families of those who lost their lives in the attacks, particularly those brave police and firemen who ran towards those burning buildings against the tide of humanity that was running away. I sit in quiet contemplation on how we have changed as a country, as a people since the infamous day in September 2001.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?

     Yes, I still listen to a radio. I set my clock radio alarm that's on my night stand. I still rely on paper maps because sometimes when you're travelling you get into these locations that have no cell service. A paper map never goes down. I haven't watched a videotape in a long time but we still have a VCR and videotapes. I haven't used a phone book in awhile but I still keep one around, just in case.

3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

     It depends upon how you conduct yourself. If you are overbearing or condescending then things will get ugly fast. However, if you're able to present your point of view without being demeaning to the stranger it should be perfectly fine. Also, if you see that the stranger is getting annoyed you can always back off and change the subject to something less controversial.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?

     For me it's corn on the cob. I hope to get some before September goes into the history book.

5. What's something you know nothing about?

     I know a little about a lot of things. I know a lot about a few things. I know nothing about everything else. To be specific, I know nothing about particle physics.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?

     I do like classical music. I do not have a favorite piece. When I listen to classical music I  hear a piece that I like but I don't know the identity of the piece.

7. What's the oldest thing you own?

     Several years ago I reconnected with an older female cousin. She was the daughter of my mothers sister. We saw each other fairly often growing up but we lost track of each other when we grew up. She gave me some photographs of relatives who lived two plus generations ago who she did not know and referred to them as "the Ancients." I don't know any of these people either but the photographs are really old...much older than I am. The people in the photographs are related to us somehow but we just don't know how. That has to be the oldest thing I own.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
     You know, despite our problems this is the greatest country on the planet. I am truly impressed with the wisdom, foresight and intelligence of our founding fathers. I am saddened by the cavalier attitude and the way many of my fellow citizens fail to participate in the system. We are a government of the people, by the people and for the people. However, many of the people don't care enough to participate.
     I have already mentioned that yesterday was primary election day in New Hampshire. The voter turn out was low, something on the order of twenty percent of the registered voters came out to vote. 
     Our government derives their just power to govern by the consent of the people governed. If only twenty percent is giving consent on behalf of the remaining 80 percent who could not care less, that's a problem and we get the government that we deserve and not the government that we need.
     This Nation only works if the people do their part. The people are not doing their part. May God help us!