You know, I liked it better when...

I would like to point out a few things. While the All about SoWal forum should be about the SoWal area, as it is described beneath the title, I really don't want to sort through the threads regarding about National Business, Goods and Services, nor National Dining and Food, nor National Employment, nor National Nightlife, nor National Real Estate and Development, and think that the National topics should remain in separate forum, where it is easier to sort scan through. I do think politics is a great thing to discuss, and realize that State and National issues may affect us locally, but I would prefer the non-County issues to be located in that other forum, too. As for the sports category, I could care less, but it would certainly be easier for people looking for local sports and activities to find such if they were separated.

exactly why i proposed a child board right here.

On another board that I frequent on a daily basis they have a "Current Events" section where we can discuss all those newsworthy things that we hear about from the media. But that board has many members from other places all over the world so it gets kinda hairy in discussions there. But it is very informative when you are talking to folks from Israel, Hong Kong, Australia, and just about anywhere else you can think of.

exactly why i proposed a child board right here.

...I'm in!

What started this was that I saw TV interview yesterday. There's a new book called "The Second Civil War" - the author's name is A.J. Something or other...

It's about the divisiveness that has overtaken national politics in the US. I guess I'm just disappointed that same spirit seems to creeping into a previously local forum.

No censorship desired or expected on my part. For those who find the discussion of national and world issues entertaining and informative, I'm happy for you. I just think we've lost something.

So yeah, Kurt, count me in as one who would go for a National and World Issues section.

FYI, the author is Ron Brownstein formerly a reporter for the LA Times. Books covers the last 100 years of American politics.

That's right. A.J. Somethingorother wrote a different book. Sorry for the confusion.

I guess I'm just disappointed that same spirit seems to creeping into a previously local forum.

I just think we've lost something.

So you would rather this be a place to come and discuss benign things and to be able to have an escape from the real world? To gossip about who/whats going on specifically in SOWAL and nothing else? WoW...I had the impression this was a place for "neighbors/full or part time residents" to talk about things that mattered to them without having to leave the comfort of their home. Since I am fairly new to this forum, scratch that...wrong word to use.. I guess that I will go elsewhere to be a participating member of society and only come here to catch up on the latest rumors floating around. But to be honest with you, I havent seen the "divisiveness" (read :trolls) you speak of. I just see a bunch of folks voicing their opinions on relevant things that dont always stick to the local area but yet evidently capture the attention of one or more persons that have something to say on the matter. The very nature of these forums takes care of topics that have no importance to anyone as they just fade away to page 6+.

So you would rather this be a place to come and discuss benign things and to be able to have an escape from the real world? To gossip about who/whats going on specifically in SOWAL and nothing else?

I think that overstates my point. I'm certainly not looking for this forum to be Disneyland, nor do I expect SoWal to BE Disneyland. I'm not asking to eliminate posts on larger issues. But for me, what separates SoWal.com from the rest of the pack is that it focuses on where I live.

Then why not just read what you want and ignore the rest instead of trying to change the entire flow of the board?

I ignore a lot of posts, but have no problem with them being there for others to enjoy or participate in....

...what separates SoWal.com from the rest of the pack is that it focuses on where I live.

here?

jodiFL, don't you dare go away! :nono1: You belong here too.

TreeFrog, just curious, would you consider the privatizing of walton county beaches by a select few as only a local issue or would it be a state issue as well? I don't know but it just feels kind of political.

I just click "new posts" and never pay any attention to what forum the threads I'm interested in are posted under...

What started this was that I saw TV interview yesterday. There's a new book called "The Second Civil War"...

The next civil war( in some fashion ) will be over water rights:

Legislators: Hands off our water
Two House members from Michigan demand no diversion of the Great Lakes to other states

November 9, 2007

BY TODD SPANGLER

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Two Michigan members of Congress fired a stern warning Thursday to colleagues in faster-growing, drought-stricken parts of the nation:

Don't even consider using a seemingly harmless bill to study the nation's water usage as cover to begin a process aimed at taking Great Lakes water.

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"I don't think I'm being too alarmist about this," said Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican. "Do not look to the Great Lakes to solve the nation's water problems."

Her Michigan colleague on the House subcommittee on water resources and environment, Grand Rapids Republican Vern Ehlers, predicted what might happen if anyone attempted a water grab.

"I would suspect we'd call up the militia and take up arms," Ehlers said. "We feel that serious about it."

Their comments came Thursday during a discussion about legislation called the 21st Century Water Commission Act, which would authorize a study of how the nation uses water, where it comes from and how long it will last.

But worries are high among some in the upper Midwest that dry states could look to solve their problems by going after the Great Lakes and their vast supply of fresh water, despite laws already in place allowing the region's governors to block any attempt to divert water and the massive public works undertaking such an effort would entail.

The dry context

Fueling those concerns are global warming, a decade of drought in the West where population has grown enormously, and recent news reports of a faltering supply of fresh water in the southeastern United States.

Last month, Democratic presidential contender and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson touched off a controversy when he said the upper Midwest (specifically Wisconsin) is "awash in water."

Richardson's staff later made it clear he wasn't in favor of any federal move to transfer water from the Great Lakes.

On Thursday, Rep. John Linder, the Georgia Republican proposing the water commission for the third time, also tried to allay fears that Great Lakes water would be diverted or that states' rights would be trampled.

"This is not to establish any new federal policy to tell the people of the Great Lakes what to do with their water," said Linder, adding that the commission is more about getting people to talk about conservation -- how to capture and reuse water.

Miller wasn't buying it.

She noted that the panel talking about the legislation included speakers from Arizona, Georgia and Texas -- and none from the Great Lakes region.

And she noted that the commission and a possible national water policy were being proposed by Linder, who represents a drought-stricken area.

So, Miller said: "Forgive me if I, as a representative of the Great Lakes State, become concerned when I hear people promoting a national water policy or strategy. But the only logical conclusion I can come to is that such a commission is subversive attempt to divert water from the Great Lakes to other parts of the United States.

"And I do not intend to let that happen."

Against the flow

She may not be able to stop the commission, though.

Similar legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress, over Miller's objections, but got bottled up in the Senate. This year, it was included in an energy bill approved by the House, though the Senate, again, hasn't taken it up.

Miller asked the bill's supporters if they would be willing to add a provision specifically saying the commission wouldn't recommend diverting water from the Great Lakes.

Some supporters were somewhat in agreement, though they generally were against taking any point of discussion off the table.

That wasn't good enough for Miller.

"I'm very parochial about this," she said.

I post "national" issue threads because I want to get other people's opinions on them and see the variety of reactions. They may not be about issues that are just in Sowal, but they are still issues that affect our lives.

Yes, the media reports on those issues, but I want to hear the opinions of REAL people, not the sensationalized teaser, packaged sound bite, or poll based on the opinions of people who willingly answer a telephone pollster's skewed questions.

Maybe a separate political forum since there will probably be more national political posts with the coming elections etc.?

Thanks! I have let things evolve. I have resisited my nature to subdivide.

After looking at the front page of the political forum I agree that local issues should be on the main board - All About SoWal. I saw this coming - starting a political forum is like opening a can of something. Is it worms, spam, or whoop ass? :scratch:

It's all about harnessing the energy of frustration. Maybe one day we may heat our homes with this vibe.

It's all about harnessing the energy of frustration. Maybe one day we may heat our homes with this vibe.

Seems we may burn them down.

Thre roof, the roof, the roof is on fire....

Thanks! I have let things evolve. I have resisited my nature to subdivide.

After looking at the front page of the political forum I agree that local issues should be on the main board - All About SoWal. I saw this coming - starting a political forum is like opening a can of something. Is it worms, spam, or whoop ass? :scratch:

I just click the New Posts button so I don't ever pay attention to where its posted, unless I start the thread and then it must be in the right place because it made the most sense to me.

Oh where to post you
My kernel of great wisdom
Ignorance is bliss

The local information news on SoWal is invaluable to get a glimmer of what is going on in local politics and government. From heads up on meetings to unfiltered South Walton opinions, this message board is critical. We really need a daily radio/tv news show to compliment this message board. Currently, our county commissioners and other elected officials offer very little real news or quotes on important and controversial issues. Their PR guys have instructed them to lie low. The ones running for reelection are also trying to keep a low profile by not campaigning early or attending public events where they might be questioned. Over the last four years, you might have seen a puff pet project piece, but they don't return calls on important issues like the blue signs, taxes, insurance, the budget, seawalls, state of the local economy, bankrupt issues, developments in default, etc. Reporters should insist they get quotes from elected officials on these important topics. Reporters should not let the county staff or their assistants take the heat off or answer for them. Cindy Meadows has been in the news on real topics more than others. She must return phone calls to reporters or constituents.

I, for one, know Commissioner Meadows returns phone calls and answers emails, even some as trivial as the ones I sometimes ask about. It will be a great loss to Walton county when she is no longer on the Commission. If we are fortunate enough to get someone half as good as she has been to replace her, we will be extremely lucky. I will listen very carefully to what the candidates to replace her have to say. The way our local government is now structured, the fate and future of South Walton will depend on who sits on the county Commission. Please follow this and other Commission races very closely and when once elected, hold the Commissioner's feet to the fire regarding what they said and promised during the campaign.

On another board that I frequent on a daily basis they have a "Current Events" section where we can discuss all those newsworthy things that we hear about from the media. But that board has many members from other places all over the world so it gets kinda hairy in discussions there. But it is very informative when you are talking to folks from Israel, Hong Kong, Australia, and just about anywhere else you can think of.

I would love to have the address of this site. Nothing more enlightening than a truly different point of view. I reccomend "Link TV" if you have access to Direct TV (satelite). They have newscasts from all over, including the middle east.

Thanks, Kurt, for separating the local politics from national. I think it will be a plus in supporting the lively debate and activism that have sprung out of the forum.