7 Years, and 3 terms as board member of professional association, and I'm done. Ask Me Anything!

[SPKrazy]

:woohoo:

I'm actually finished with my 3rd and final (term limited to 3) term of being a board member of my professional organization's state chapter. It has been a way for me to be politically active towards liberal causes, and serve my profession and the people that we serve.

I am a little sad to leave, but glad to unburden myself of this really! :D

Frankly, it has been a rather thankless undertaking, but rewarding at times as well.

We fought against banning gay marriage, we, and the state I think as a whole, lost that battle.

We are currently fighting to keep gay foster parents and adoption legal in the state. We are fighting against the most idiotic and cruel forces who think that children can't be loved unless they are in a two parent, heterosexual, married household. :eyes:

There have been fights to try to change our licensure, won by us without changes that were attempted.

We actively campaigned for democrats in state races, endorsed democrats (even when one of our members ran as a Republican :eyes: we didn't endorse him) We did phone banks for Kerry, and back in 2000 for Gore. I will miss all of this but I know that there are plenty of ways to stay politically active and it is time for someone else to take my job. :D

So I'm glad to be home from my last board meeting, glad to be finished with my terms of duty, and sad to leave my friends I've met there. Although I know that they are not far away and just a phone call or an email away. In fact one of them is moving to the city I live in! :woohoo:

So ask me anything or just say :hi: or whatever :shrug: :D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Southpawkicker!

Good for you, and for your service, sweetie!

I am proud of your work......

And you are obviously a gentleman of some note....

You know when to relinquish the reins of power!

Kudos, sweetie!

:toast:

[SPKrazy]

2. Yeah, when i can't run any more due to term limits!

:rofl:


thanks

:toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Well, now, you could have tried to change the rules!

But you live by those rules......

Good for you!

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

6. Fat chance!

:rofl:

that wasn't happening.

that's a long story, but let's just say that those rules won't change.

Despite the fact that my terms were supposed to be 2 years each and the last was 3, "regular" folks like me don't change those rules.

:hug:

[taterguy]

3. Whose the coolest person on the planet?

[SPKrazy]

5. Uhm, Bono?

:hide:

:rofl:


:D

[taterguy]

7. Cooler than this guy? Explain your answer or forfeit the right to post Ask Me Anything threads

[SPKrazy]

11. Well ya got me

I forgot about him :D

[taterguy]

15. Why did you forget?

And at what point are you going to regret asking me to ask you anything?

[SPKrazy]

16. It was an oversight

isn't he dead?

:shrug:

:D

[taterguy]

17. So you rely on loopholes to avoid addressing crucial issues?

Veerrrry interesting

[SPKrazy]

18. Mostly always...

:D

:shrug:

loopholes are valuable things :shrug:

[taterguy]

21. Loopholes are about short-term gratification in lieu of long-term benefits

And I deplore that as I suck on my cigarettes and drink my beers :)

[SPKrazy]

23. Yes I understand, you are certainly taking advantage of those short term

gratifiers

why you could have taken that money and invested in something wise. Like putting it in an IRA and with all the cigarette and beer money you put in one, you could retire 5 years earlier and then drink and smoke yourself into a coma without interference from silly things like work or whatever :D

:rofl:

[BarenakedLady]

8. Yay!

:woohoo:

Question: What are your plans for this evening?

[SPKrazy]

12. Well I have a meeting to go to...

then I'm home and relaxing!

and you?

:D

[BarenakedLady]

42. Babysitting

for some friends while they go see a movie.

That's about it. :)

[SPKrazy]

47. As Exciting As Mine!

:hug:

[VenusRising]

9. I'm so proud to know you!

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. :applause:

I know that you always did your best to fight for what is right. It's one of the things I love about you! :yourock:

:hi::pals::hug::loveya::*

[SPKrazy]

13. I fight, for the right to...

P A R T Y !!!!

and a few other things.

:D

:hug:

:loveya:

:hi:

[VenusRising]

36. I know one of those things you fight for is to

wreak havoc in the Lounge!

:rofl:

Troublemaker!

[SPKrazy]

43. shhhhhhh!

:rofl:

[VenusRising]

65. Yeah. Right.

Like that's a big giant secret!

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

66. Moi?

No no, I am not an agent provocateur i will have you know :D

:rofl:

[VenusRising]

71. Ummm....I'll just be over here.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:






:hug:

[SPKrazy]

72. Oh noes!

lightning!

:scared:


:hug:

[GenDem]

10. It sounds like you, along with your board, did some great things

for some great liberal causes. Three years is a good long commitment.
Thanks for your service :yourock: Even though I don't share the same state, in the long run it helps all of us in the big picture. Last night I was listening to the re-run of the Stephanie Miller radio show, and gay marriage and adoption was a big topic for much of the broadcast.

[SPKrazy]

14. I'm sure it is, there are some national organizations that are

taking on this issue in the state

there was a law passed the legislative session before last, but it was overturned by the supreme court of the state.

so there is much to be done.

:hug:

[GenDem]

19. The issue is in our state legislature right now

Our assembly just passed a gay marriage bill. It may be trickier in our state senate. Spitzer is an advocate and he is really shaking the trees.

http://www.13wham.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=0d29f7ca-d2db-470c-b2a5-b59f047ffc4b&rss=103

[SPKrazy]

29. Hmmm, well, that is good I think

it puts the republican senate on the spot, it will either force them to vote it down and show their true selves, or they will follow suit and piss off the national repubs. either way, it is a hardship for them.

Gay marriage is going to happen legally sooner or later. It is just a matter of time. The people in general are not as harsh as the radicals on the right want them to be.

Now my state, we got a long way to go. Fear and loathing in Arkansas is what it is. Fear of repercussions from the religious right. Even on something as much of a no brainer to me, ERA, the "Eagle Forum" (Phyllis Schaffley) came and scared those minority republicans and democrats even from conservative areas into not supporting a vote for it because she said it would allow gay marriage. :eyes:

1. It wouldn't, and 2. If it did, who the hell cares?

If people love each other and want to commit their lives to each other, why would any sane person be concerned about that? They wouldn't.

:shrug:

[hippiechick]

20. What's for dinner?

:shrug: :P

[SPKrazy]

24. I think Pizza sounds good,

:shrug:

:hug:

[hippiechick]

25. ... before or after the pet store?

;) :hi:

[SPKrazy]

27. I'd go after...

that way you can have dogs that are not wanting to go on a run, otherwise they will drive you crazy.

on the other hand if you are hungry NOW, then the hell with the dogs, get the Pizza! ;)

:9

[hippiechick]

28. hmmmm .... I am conflicted.

... maybe I can send the dogs into Petsmart with a list and run to the pizza place at the same time.

:shrug:

[SPKrazy]

30. That would be cool!

Okay Hank, Ray, go get your retractable leashes, and some dog biscuits :D

:rofl:

Then pay for them with your good looks doggies :P

:rofl:

I think you better do one at a time. Pizza last. Or Pizza first. Or hand the leashes to someone else and run to the pizza place :P


:hi:

[hippiechick]

31. Gawdess knows they know where everything at Petsmart is ...

... although I'm guessing if I asked them, they'd say *I* should go to PetSmart while *they* pick up the pizza (and probably a 6 pack of beer, too!).

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

32. a 6 pack a piece prolly

i think that may be why Ray is so darned slow these days :P

been sneaking out and getting a little loaded at night. :rofl:


maybe they got something. what kind of pizza would they order?

:shrug:

supreme no doubt!

[hippiechick]

33. I'm thinkin' one with lots and lots of bacon.

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

34. Bacon, bacon, bacon....

:9

bacon bacon bacon bacon bacon...

:rofl:

probably so.

:D

[skygazer]

22. What is the airspeed of an unladen European swallow?

:P

Seriously, congrats on your civic participation - good for you for taking it on. :patriot:

[SPKrazy]

26. 200 miles an hour in a steep dive (70 degrees)

:rofl:

hellifino

:hi:

[YDogg]

35. May I borrow some post hole diggers?

[SPKrazy]

39. I've got some in my garage...

you're welcome to borrow them

come on over

:shrug:

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

37. wow SPK!!

I had no idea you were such an activist :wow: :applause:

I just figured you for a keyboard Romeo :rofl:

:yourock: :woohoo: :bounce:

congrats on a job well done and enjoy your leisure until the next cause comes along eh? :hug:

[SPKrazy]

38. Next cause

find a replacement for me! :rofl:

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

40. we'll have a nominee soon enough! take a break til then

so right? so right!!

[SPKrazy]

41. hey i am not sweating it a bit...

and i will continue to be politically active in other ways.

:D

[Inchworm]

44. Southpaw!

You doing anything special for yourself in this great moment?

If you said so upthread, copy and paste lol .. I'm laaazy :D

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

45. ,,,

talking to you!

:D

:hi:

[Inchworm]

46. ..!

woot! Sup! hehe

:P

[SPKrazy]

48. he he!

:rofl:


:hi:

[Inchworm]

58. should we discuss

why it is that you roll on your back opening and closing your mouth?

[SPKrazy]

59. More importantly

where the hell did my arms go? :shrug:

:rofl:

[Inchworm]

61. Shit Fire!

Save matches! lololol

I was wondering the very thing!

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

64. Poor armless d00d

flopping around on the floor and we think he's laughing

I think this is something that should be reported to someone :D

[TK421]

49. Congratulations, buddy!!! You rock my world...

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[SPKrazy]

50. Whoa!

Thanks!

:D

:hi:

:pals:

[TK421]

51. You light up my life....you give me....oh, wait

no mushy shit here....:thumbsup:

[SPKrazy]

52. Ha ha ha!

:rofl:

:hi:

[TK421]

53. I don't get mushy, sorry...but you are one cool dude

:thumbsup:

[SPKrazy]

55. Yeah d00d!

you too!

:headbang:

:thumbsup:

[TK421]

57. ....

:beer:

[SPKrazy]

60. ,,,

:toast:

[bertha katzenengel]

54. Ask you anything? Okay: WHY?

It was all I could do to be secretary of the board of a non-profit, a chorus in which I also sang. :banghead:

How could you stand it?

[SPKrazy]

56. There were many times I swore I'd never return

and then I would

I represent the western branch of the chapter of NASW for Arkansas

I wasn't going to give up, because we needed a voice in the chapter and I apparently was it.

:shrug:

Why I thought I was it? I haven't figured that out yet? :D

[TOhioLiberal]

62. Proud to know you buddy...

...you walk the walk, etc. :patriot:

So How are you this evening?

[SPKrazy]

63. Hey woman!

I'm doing all right actually.

I think I've cornered the market on caffeinated beverages earlier but they are wearing off me finally.

:D

How are you

Oh pfffttt

I walk the walk but nothing like my hero Ava! Or lots of other DU'ers maybe even you! :patriot:

[lost-in-nj]

67. Well I am impressed

what a list of great causes to keep fighting for

I wish there was a "pat on the back" icon......
:party: :toast: :hi:

but these will have to do.......

lost

[SPKrazy]

68. Well thanks lost!

those are more than adequate

i'm glad to be done with it! :woohoo:

but, now i gotta find something new to do!

:D

:hi:

[Zookeeper]

69. Wow! 'Must be bittersweet to leave...

It sounds like a great experience!

Congratulations on successfully completing that phase of your career!

:toast:

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

70. he he!

thanks zookeeper!

:hug:

:toast: