>Everyone:
>
> This discussion is silly. I like and support candidate forums in
>principle, although I sometimes doubt that they sway many votes. On the
>other hand, such forums need to be organized with care. It is bad planning
>to organize a forum with no attention to candidates schedules, and then
>expect candidates to adjust and attend. It doesn't matter what the reason
>is, a candidate always has the right to keep prior commitments and not
>attend the forum. Voters have the right to evaluate non-attendance however
>they wish. Forum organizers, as supposed neutrals in the races, have the
>obligation to stay neutral. Tom's right, the schedule can get pretty hairy
>near the end of a campaign, and the candidates have to make judgements about
>how to effectively make use of limited time.
>
> What I find most silly about this discussion is that there is a real
>forum going on right here under our noses and Tom is participating in it,
>but the questions being asked are innane. Why waste time arguing about what
>Tom's reasons were for not participating in the KUOI forum? Keep in mind
>that this Vision 2020 forum probably reaches as many real voters as any KUOI
>candidate program. Why not ask Tom what he stands for as a candidate? (I'm
>asking you Tom.) What does Tom stand for that's different from his
>opponent? Believe it or not, there are some real issues in this election.
>
> I'm delighted that Tom is participating in the Vision 2020
>discussion list. I'm delighted that Sam Scripter seems to be about to join
>us. I'd like to hear about issues from both of them, and I'd like to have
>other candidates join in. In the spirit of the Vision 2020 list, I'd like
>to see the discussion focus on local government and local planning issues
>that pertain to the Palouse. I sincerely hope that if either Tom or Sam get
>elected, that they continue to actively participate in the Vision 2020 list.
>Can you imagine actually having a senator or representative in Boise that
>you could engage in open discussion about real legislative issues?
>
> We've got the beginnings of a real candidates forum here. Lets make
>it work.
>
>Joel Hamilton
>Ag Economics, U of Idaho, and
>China Agricultural University
>Winrock - Lead 21 Program
>Beijing
>
>
Lori Keenan
110 S. Jefferson Street
Moscow, ID 83843
tel: (208)882-3923
fax: (208) 882-5098
e-mail: lkeenan@norby.latah.lib.id.us
KNOWLEDGE IS FREE AT THE LIBRARY. JUST BRING YOUR OWN CONTAINER.