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<DIV>
<DIV>Regardless of where folks stand on the MCA debates -- which I think were a
sincere and valuable attempt to engage the community in dialogue -- I'd like to
tell you that when Mark speaks in his second paragraph below of his willingness
to present himself to any assembly regardless of agenda or affiliation,
he speaks out of conviction.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Friday afternoon, the students and faculty of New Saint Andrews held their
regular disputatio, where "contrary thinkers" are invited to discuss issues of
faith, philosophy, government, science and other topics. I was eager
to hear how any candidate would do in such a forum, particularly with taxation
and the funding of public schools as the topic. Given that NSA and
Christ Church recently have undergone a bit of controversy regarding
taxation, along with their very vocal opposition to public education, the
disputatio could easily, I think, be considered a forum not altogether eager to
embrace the things Mark likely would have to say. In fact, it would
be hard to find a room full of people more disinclined to accept taxation in
support of public schools, and I doubt that many politicians would jump at the
opportunity to address them. While the students and faculty
moderators were polite and respectful, Mark impressed me not only with the
content of his message and the resolve behind his answers, but also with his
candor and his obvious respect for those he spoke to. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I happen share Mark's concern for community, belief in taxation
justice and passion for public education, but even the most virulent
opponent would have to concede that Mark Solomon spoke courageously, wisely, and
competently, and I want to take this opportunity to thank him. Well done
-- you did it well, and I'm impressed that you did it all.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>keely emerine mix</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>From:</B> <A
href="mailto:msolomon@moscow.com">Mark Solomon</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
href="mailto:vision2020@whale2.fsr.net">vision2020@whale2.fsr.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, October 25, 2004 1:33
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Vision2020] Fwd: MCA
Debates</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>What Mr. Trail continues to avoid discussing is whether he is
willing <BR>to debate UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I have twice proffered the
<BR>invitation to debate under mutually agreed upon terms. On the first
<BR>occasion he refused, then he reversed himself and agreed to meet in
<BR>the MCA debate, then reversed again and withdrew. He has yet to reply
<BR>to my second invitation, preferring to hide behind his party's smoke
<BR>screen generated to confuse the issues regarding the MCA event.<BR><BR>I
have never concerned myself with the organizational/partisan <BR>make-up of
any group willing to host a discussion of issues of <BR>concern to voters of
this county. I will gladly present myself in <BR>front of any assembly no
matter what their agenda or affiliation <BR>(schedule permitting). All are
citizens who vote in this district and <BR>grasping fully everyone's concerns
and questions is a most important <BR>aspect of representing this district
fairly in the Legislature.<BR><BR>Still waiting, Tom.<BR><BR>Mark
Solomon<BR><BR><BR><BR>At 12:08 PM -0700 10/24/04, Tom Trail
wrote:<BR>>>>Visionaries: There has been a great deal of
discussion concerning the<BR>><BR>> MCA debates. This
is my reply to Bruce
Livingston.<BR>><BR>>>><BR>>>>Bruce--It has been an
trying time I believe for everyone involved in trying<BR>>>>to work
out arrangements for the MCA debates. We have the greatest
respect<BR>>>>for MCA and it's goals. However, it is the only
organizing group <BR>>>>with a specific political agenda. MCA's
charter clearly states <BR>>>>that one of
the<BR>>>>organizations goals is to sponsor and endorse
candidates. All of the other<BR>>>>organizers of the other 15
other debates are non-political.<BR>>>><BR>>>>Even the
Presidential Debates are organized by non-political
<BR>>>>organizations with<BR>>>>no political aims unlike
MCA. The Moscow League of Women Voters is a
good<BR>>>>example. Even with a non-political sponsor, the last
Presidential debates<BR>>>>took considerable time and at least 30
pages of agreed upon <BR>>>>protocol. So one<BR>>>>of
our concerns was the "political" nature of MCA. We recommended
that<BR>>>>Nathan Alford and the Daily News serve as the organizing
sponsor <BR>>>>of the It is my understanding that Mr. Alford and the
Daily News <BR>>>>accepted.<BR>>>>This would have met our
criterion of a truly "independent" <BR>>>>sponsoring
organization. However, the criticism from MCA was that
<BR>>>>Mr. Alfred and the<BR>>>>Daily News was "too
independent." I talked with Nancy Chaney, a
<BR>>>>MCA member over a week ago, and she said having Mr. Alford and
the <BR>>>>Daily News handlethe debate sounded like a good idea to
her.<BR>>>><BR>>>>The situation became complicated with MCA
President Lois Blackburn <BR>>>>questioned<BR>>>>the
integrity of Jeff Harkins and the Moscow Lions Club for
<BR>>>>sponsoring two debates. Jeff specifically asked Mark
Boehen of <BR>>>>the Moscow Lions Club to serveas the moderator to
avoid any <BR>>>>possible conflict that might have been perceivedas
partisan. I've <BR>>>>been a member of the Moscow Rotary Club
for 30 years and all<BR>>>>of our service clubs are
non-partisan. Ms. Blackburn's response <BR>>>>further
mudded the waters. Mr. Harkins integrity was questioned,
<BR>>>>and he has been<BR>>>>threatened that he would lose
votes if he didn't participate. I've also<BR>>>>received several
similar phone calls. The last caller simply said, "If
you<BR>>>>don't participate, we'll get you." I will not be
participating in <BR>>>>the debate<BR>>>>because of the
reasons outlined above, and with threats of <BR>>>>punishment for
not<BR>>>>attending. Mr. Bennett will also not be
attending.<BR>>>><BR>>>>The entire affair has not been well
managed and we have been unable to agree<BR>>>>upon the protocols
which would allow us to participate in the debate.
Rules<BR>>>>for debate format orginally conveyed to GOP candidates
were <BR>>>>changed. Exclusion of unopposed candidates was also
not <BR>>>>acceptable since they as elected officialsaddress the same
issues <BR>>>>as candidates with opposition. I hope we have
learned a lesson <BR>>>>from this experience. Both Mr. Harkins
and<BR>><BR>> I have continued to get harassing phone
calls.<BR>><BR>>>><BR>>>>Rep. Tom
Trail<BR>><BR>>--<BR>>Dr. Tom Trail<BR>>International
Trails<BR>>1375 Mt. View Rd.<BR>>Moscow, Id. 83843<BR>>Tel:
(208) 882-6077<BR>>Fax: (208) 882-0896<BR>>e mail <A
href="mailto:ttrail@moscow.com">ttrail@moscow.com</A><BR><BR>_____________________________________________________<BR> List
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