Blog-IT-o ergo sum

	12/6/2004

A picture named John Hammer gag.jpg Bob Landreth gags press

At today's special swearing in ceremony for new members of the Guilford County Board of Commissions, outgoing chairman Bob Landreth used his time early in the meeting to call John Hammer out on the carpet before him. Chairman Landreth then presented Hammer with a special gag gift -- a vintage hearing aid.

That got things off to a rather festive and cheerful start and it continued that way for most of the meeting giving one the impression that a new day may indeed have dawned for the Guilford County Board of Commission.

Kirk Perkins and Paul Gibson both were impressive as new faces on the board. Perkins won the award for true sincerity and down home charm. Gibson put in a solid bid to have a sketch of himself added in the dictionary next to the word gentleman. (Editor's disclaimer: Yes, during his swearing in Kirk Perkins did ask all his supporters to come up to the front of the room with him --- even Republicans. Then he motioned to his Libertarian blogosphere supporter to join in as well, which I suppose taints my judgement.)

Everyone was in a good mood. Lots of smiles and chuckles for the cameras. Hard not to feel proud to be a citizen of Guilford County. It would have all lasted too if the newly seated commission had been able to go home without taking a vote. Unfortunately however, their first order of business was to attend to the requirement of electing a new chair and vice-chair of the commission. The single nominees presented for both positions were (as widely known already) Bruce Davis and Paul Gibson respectively. Both candidates were elected on 6-4 hand votes with no prior discussion. (Steve Arnold was the absent commissioner).

As a Libertarian, I certainly understand the concept of refusing to vote for the lesser of too evils or pre-ordained victors. Davis and Gibson though are hardly evil. Even if you are a registered Republican, this is not the general election but rather a required order of business. The phrase, "get over it," comes to mind. On their first two acts of official business on the new board, the minority board members had a one time only opportunity to show at least some token willingness to work together for the best interests of Guilford County citizens. However, they chose the not to.

Then to throw dirt on the grave they had just dug themselves, Linda Shaw asked to address the chair so she could let everyone know that she had not voted for the candidates presented, "because they had not asked for my vote." When Billy Yow was allowed the floor he wished the new chair well, but hoped that we would not be, "the first commission to have a ventriloquist act where we see Chairman Davis' lips moving but know that it is Skip doing the talking."

Well, I was hopeful there for an hour or so. Let me pass kudos to my former opponent and new Republican commissioner Mike Winstead though. He was having trouble learning his new microphone, but refrained (other than voting no) from joining in with the two other Goppers in saying anything negative or inflammatory. Trudy Wade also did not have anything to say...but she maintained a rather, "here but not here" presence through the whole meeting.

Before adjourning everyone for a complimentary, taxpayer financed buffet (which I availed myself of), one other order of business was to move the Dec. 16th Board of Commission meeting to Dec. 20th at 6:30pm. This was done so that the four new board members can attend. They are in special not to be missed training on the laws county commissioners are responsible for as taught by the Institute for Governent at UNC Chapel Hill.

I wonder if review of the U.S. and North Carolina Constitutions that all newly elected officials just swore to uphold today are included in that training. Wait a minute, I'm looking at the syllabus there. No, just looks like making sure everyone knows how to add regulations and taxes properly. I guess it's assumed that elected officials know all that Constitution stuff already from their public school and college days. Where were they supposed to get an official understanding of the Bible though that they swore an oath upon?

Libertarian outsider sidebar: Democrats won today as the friendly people that you would enjoy sitting down to dinner with. Local Goppers still need some work on the hard edges.

P.S. With the exception of Mark Binker who I missed, I think I managed to pass on thanks to all in attnedance who made my campaign a valuable expericene.

4:17:35 PM

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End of World Near

Democratic majority of Guilford County caves in to dark forces of Christian orthodoxy.

With one hand on their Bibles this morning all register of deeds employees were forced by their newly sworn in boss Jeff Thigpen to swear an oath before God to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The fallout from the apparent re-election of President Bush continues to mount.

2:43:23 PM

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