BS: Ordinary Heroes

Subject: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Amos
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 10:16 AM

Without a lot of glamour, the California secretary of state, Kevin Shelley, is fighting a heroic battle for decent elections.

Here's the story from the New York Times.


By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

"Kevin Shelley is a big and voluble Irish politician, the son of a former San Francisco mayor, and not the sort you would figure for the
heretofore semi-obscure job of California secretary of state. But Mr.
Shelley, who was elected to the post in November 2002 after a career as
a state legislator, has adapted the job to suit his style, taking the
arcane matter of voting machines and turning it into a hobbyhorse that
some predict he could ride to the governor's office.

Mr. Shelley, a Democrat, has gained national notice for his skepticism
toward touch-screen voting and his insistence that voters be able to
look at a paper record inside the voting booth to verify their ballots.

He says such paper trails are crucial if government wants voters to have confidence that their ballots are being counted correctly.

As a result, he has ordered that after July 1, 2005, no county in
California can buy a touch-screen system without a paper record that is verifiable by the voter, and as of July 2006, all touch-screen systems here must be equipped with paper trails, regardless of when they were bought. Until the machines have that capability, he wants people who do not trust them to have the option of voting by a traditional paper ballot."

There's a lot more to it -- see above link.

This thread is dedicated to ordinary heroes who have standards, wherever they may be toiling.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 04:33 PM

Here's another story of genuine heroic conduct not particularly called to attention by media.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 09:32 PM

Who do you know who has continued to live up to heroic standards whether quietly or not, instead of media-induced self-aggrandizement?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 10:57 PM

My mother, who raised four kids pretty much alone after their father died when the oldest was five and the youngest three months.

Every other person who does what needs to be done so that their kids grow up to be decent adults, putting their own wants on hold while they raise 'em up. Every schoolteacher who cares about his or her students. Every cop who scares the bejesus out of a kid instead of running them in because they want to give the kid a decent chance. Every firefighter. Every soldier who gives a kid a treat, even when that kid's brother or father is going to try to shoot the soldier later. Every nurse, every doctor, every EMT who tries like hell to save someone or even just to soothe a scared kid with a nasty cough or cut. Everyone who reads for Talking Books. The guy who takes a chance and gives a street kid a responsible job.

I could go on, but I won't. You get my idea of heroism.

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Amos
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 11:05 PM

There ya go. I'd like to hear about more individuals.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: mack/misophist
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 01:23 AM

What's a hero, anyway? How about a man who dropped out of grade school to help support his family? Then ended up putting 6 kids through college (4 of them not his own)? Probably the finest man I've ever known. A nobody. Does he count?

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 02:01 AM

I reckon so.

I am not trying to be glib about it. The trashy twofacedness that fills our lives from Washington on down is very depressing; it takes this kind of man to turn around and show people what living by genuine values is. All the glamor and bushwah that got thrown out for two solid weeks in Washingotn over Reagan's passing is just smoke compared to that kind of effort and focus.

That's the kind of person I apply the word to, anyhow.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Ordinary Heroes
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 03:00 AM

My mother's middle sister was the coquette and flirt of the family. Lived her life merrily till about 38 or so, then looked to marry. She eventually snared a man that the rest of the family considered far inferior to her, with no decent job, not intellectual, too old for her etc. But hey, she was used goods, and at least she managed to get someone, they thought.

This man proved the best husband anyone could wish for. Treated her like a queen, accepted her moods and put-downs and always put himself last. And when she was struck by Alzheimers in later life, he looked after her personally for 10 years, the last 6 of which she was a vegetable that could not move, feed herself, speak, think or show gratitude. And when the rest of the family (by now recognising his true worth) were urging him to think of himself, all he would say was:

"But I do it because I love her."

Not out of a sense of duty or obligation, not for any other reason.

Uncle Euripides is my hero.