On 15 Aug 97 19:44, Wq6R wrote:
 Wq> I have attended two national NFB
 Wq> conventions, and several NFB of
 Wq> California conventions, and have never
 Wq> seen anything that resembles an
 Wq> open election, unless you consider
 Wq> elections in the old Soviet Union to be
A most neutral and intellectually even-handed analogy, don't you 
think? NOT
 Wq> open. It would be physically
 Wq> impossible to nominate anyone from the floor,
C'mon, Andy.  I must respectfully submit that you're spouting 
drivel here.  To be sure, it's tough at national conventions given 
the size of the gathering, to nominate from the floor.  But it has 
happened.  Everyone knows when elections are being held; it is 
easy to find a microphone and/or someone with lung power.
Now let's consider state conventions.  How is it impossible to 
nominate from the floor?  I've been at state conventions of the 
NFB of Oregon, the NFB of Idaho, the NFB of Washington and the NFB 
of New Mexico.  Nominations are called upon three times from the 
floor.  That fact is regularly taken advantage of in our state.  
Candidates other than those recommended by the Nominating 
Committee are regularly nominated.  Yes, most often, the choices 
of the nominating committee prevail in the general election.  
That's only because the electorate generally respects the 
leadership and those serving on the nominating committee.  The 
results are never certain, however.  I'm sure veterans of the 
movement could tell you many war stories.
 Wq> and the incumbants are already lined
 Wq> up at the podium before the election
 Wq> even starts.
Huh?  In my experience, everyone is in the audience except the 
presiding officer.
Incidentally, generally-speaking, those giving the shortest 
acceptance speeches get cheered the most in the Washington state 
affiliate.
Mike Freeman; Internet: mikef@pacifier.com; Amateur Radio Callsign: K7UIJ
President, National Federation of the Blind of Washington
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... I doubt, therefore I might be.
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