 |
 |
Friday Program: "2008 Race to the White House, the Candidates & Possibilities," Richard Young, Professor Political Science, Seattle University | Preliminaries | Walkathon Update | BBRC Annual Retreat Questionnaire | Mark Hough Returns from Afghanistan | Preserve Planet Earth Project, April 19 | | New Members Proposed: Castleberry & Pedersen | Web Fun
 |
Chris Ballard, 8 yrs
Wendi Fischer , 8 yrs
Scott Hildebrand, 7 yrs
David Bolson, 5 yrs
Curtis Cummings, 4 yrs
Chris Rasmussen, 1 yr
Wendi Fischer , 8 yrs
Scott Hildebrand, 7 yrs
David Bolson, 5 yrs
Curtis Cummings, 4 yrs
Chris Rasmussen, 1 yr
Ron Healey, 22 yrs
Bob Vallat, 22 yrs
Rick Klobucher, 21 yrs
Alan Bohling, 18 yrs
Larry Gill, 17 yrs
John Sheeran, 14 yrs
Paul Juul, 12 yrs
Steve Roberts, 9 yrs
Bob Vallat, 22 yrs
Rick Klobucher, 21 yrs
Alan Bohling, 18 yrs
Larry Gill, 17 yrs
John Sheeran, 14 yrs
Paul Juul, 12 yrs
Steve Roberts, 9 yrs
Steve Peters, 04/08
Tim Moriarty, 04/16
Chris Ballard, 04/22
Paul Chapman, 04/22
Wendi Fischer, 04/22
Colin Radford, 04/28
Terry Baker, 04/29
Jonathan Koshar, 04/30
Tim Moriarty, 04/16
Chris Ballard, 04/22
Paul Chapman, 04/22
Wendi Fischer, 04/22
Colin Radford, 04/28
Terry Baker, 04/29
Jonathan Koshar, 04/30
THIS FRIDAY
"Navigating Change,” Reverend David Tinney. David has been the Pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Bellevue. David has recently been assigned to a new church in Vancouver, WA. The Methodist system gives pastors and churches no say in whether they make a move. Although this will be a good change for David, it has prompted him to create a 5-part sermon series on change. It’s been very inspirational and will be an amazing message for our club members.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Blessed are the Young, for they shall inherit the National Debt.” ~ Herbert Hoover
President Phil called the meeting to order, reminding procrastinators that the tax deadline was rapidly approaching. Tom Helbling provided the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Diane Gamache introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.
Candy Igou introduced the Four Way Test Teams led by Jim Carney of the TRUTH Team; Chip Erickson of the GOODWILL Team; Ernie Hayden of the FAIRNESS Team; and Candy’s BENEFICIAL Team. This was a gentle reminder that many teams of eight people each are needed for the April 26 Event. Each team will be responsible for a $500 donation to fund the BBRC’s community efforts for next year.
Registrations are coming in and now is the time to contact persons who haven't yet responded to your earlier emails, calls and letters to encourage their participation. Please work to get young people to turn out. The goal is 20 walkers recruited by every Rotarian. That's over 2000 walkers!
Volunteers are needed! Margie Burnett and Diane Gamache can use three or four people to help pass out T-shirts and handle other registration duties. Steve Luplow is looking for 10 people to help with logistics. Tim Johnstone needs some help with the first aid stations. A couple more people are needed to help with parking.
If you can volunteer the day of the event, please plan to staying after this Friday's Rotary meeting to put your name down and learn about your assignments. With everyone's help this event will be a roaring success!
Margie Burnett asked that each member fill out a Retreat Questionnaire online to help her plan for next year’s retreat. Click here to complete the questionnaire.
Mark Hough reappeared after a three month leave of absence. Mark spent the last three months in Kabul, Afghanistan, working for the Afghan Rule of Law Project of USAID. The project has been strengthening the Afghan Legal System, with programs to improve judicial training, court administration, legal education and the role of women in Islam. Mark appeared no worse for wear for his experience, and allowed that he would like to return to Afghanistan.
Chip Erickson reminded members about the Preserve Planet Earth Committee project set for April 19, Earth Day. This is the first-ever tree planting project with the City of Bellevue, and it will be in the Forest Park Open Space (on Forest Drive SE near the intersection with Highland Drive). Details are below:
Project starts at 8:30 am, so please make sure everyone in your group:
1. Dresses appropriately for the weather. We will be working rain or shine!
2. Wears hiking boots and/or brings rubber boots. The planting site is wet in a few areas and will be really wet if it's raining.
3. Brings a pair of gloves
4. Brings a shovel (if they can)
PARKING:
Please, please, please carpool!
The project address is 5800 Forest Drive SE. Parking is roadside, on the north side of Forest Drive. Click here for directions to the site.
CHECK-IN:
Don McQuilliams, from the City of Bellevue, will be working with us at the project. He will be on-site when we arrive. His cell phone number is (425) 864-2021.
Unlike the Adopt A Highway project, family members of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, and everyone is invited to Lewis Creek Park after the project for other festivities. The work party should wrap up by 11:00 AM.
Please email Chip Erickson if you plan to attend in order to give the City of Bellevue an idea of how many volunteers to expect.
Sergeant At Arms Harrelson levied some big fines in a short period, dinging Howard Johnson simply for rooting for Kansas in the NCAA tourney and hammering Tom Smith and Jenny Andrews for not showing up at the New Members’ meetings. Go, Tom, go!
Joseph Castleberry
Joseph is the new President of Northwest University. He previously worked for Assemblies of God Theological Seminary for five years, and he is an ordained minister. Joseph lives in Kirkland with his wife Kathleen, and they have three children, Jessica, Jodie and Sophie. His sponsor is Jim Owens, and his proposed classification is “Higher Education Administration.”
Kaj Pedersen
Kaj (pronounced “ka-i” as in “kite”) is Chief Operating Officer of Pendo Systems. He is a charter member of the Engineering Council and the British Computer Society, and he is an active participant and board member-elect of the Village Volunteers. Kaj lives in Bellevue with his wife Clare and their son Sebastian. Kaj is sponsored by Wendi Fischer, and his proposed classification is “Software Engineering.”
"2008 Race to the White House, the Candidates & Possibilities," Richard Young, Professor Political Science, Seattle University
Margie Burnett introduced her neighbor, Richard Young, a professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. Dr. Young focused on the upcoming Presidential Election which he described as a critical one that any of the three present candidates could win. His message was sobering.
Dr. Young described the present situation as one of drifting into a semi-world war, drifting into a possible global economic collapse and drifting into an ecological collapse. He used the words “drifting” to convey the apparent lack of control over our destiny.
Professor Young first assessed John McCain, based on what he has said and written. He described him as having an exceptionally likable personality. That attribute, coupled with his willingness to spend time with reporters covering his campaign, while the other two candidates have largely remained aloof from reporters, has led to a lack of serious scrutiny of McCain’s views on many issues. Reporters simply have not gotten tough with him.
Dr. Young stated that although John McCain has been very critical of the current Administration’s handling of the Iraq war, he shares President Bush’s view that the Middle East must be transformed to protect US economic stability. McCain also views Syria and Iraq as threats to that process and is not in favor of engaging them in dialog to help lead to a solution to the fighting in Iraq. He has stated that we will need a large military presence in Iraq for many years. The threat of war with Iran by the US under either the present Administration or a McCain administration is significant, as is an attack on Iran by Israel. This will require a massive military build-up.
McCain’s conservative views favor a cut in social programs and he has stated that he is not particularly a student of economic matters. His conservative views favor less government intervention in the economy. This all comes at a time when the world economy is weakening.
Dr. Young stated that these realities demand a public policy debate among the candidates that has yet to take place. He was clearly prepared to continue with an assessment of the other candidates but time ran out. Dr. Young did stay for some period of time afterward to discuss these matters in more detail and he left members with much food for thought.
Courtesy of Phil Salvatori ...
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad.'
With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.
Dear Dad:
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with mom and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, and tattoos, and tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...Dad, she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ours elves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
Love,
Your Son John
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you. Call me when it's safe to come home.
VOL 20, NO 39, APRIL 15, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE:
