Political group believed to be inactive / LJWorld.com

City Hall

December 28, 2006

The Progressive Lawrence Campaign, a political force that helped get City Commission candidates elected during the last two campaigns, has been quiet lately.

City Commissioners David Schauner and Mike Rundle, who both ran under the PLC banner, said Wednesday that they believe the group is no longer active.

"If it is, I'm not aware of it. I don't think they'll be a factor in the campaign at all," Schauner said.

Melinda Henderson, PLC coordinator, said she was not ready to speak about the group's future. Wally Emerson, who has been a leader of the group, also declined to comment.

Schauner said he believed the group had run out of steam.

"It is tough to keep an all-volunteer organization active," Schauner said. "It is tough to find the time and the money and the energy to keep something like that active for the long haul."

That was also Rundle's assessment of the organization's status.

"I think the key players have had their energies drawn elsewhere," Rundle said. "It is obviously a volunteer commitment, and unfortunately there is not volunteer energy waiting in the wings."

But Schauner praised what the organization had accomplished in its four-year existence. He pointed to the creation of a new development code, to increased discussion about the need for good planning, and to efforts to give neighborhoods a greater voice as issues that the group has successfully lobbied for.

"I think one of the missions of the PLC was to begin a community dialogue about what the future is going to look like," Schauner said. "I think they were very successful in that."

The organization served as a political action committee during the last two City Commission elections in 2005 and 2003. The group accepted contributions from area residents, then spent money and worked to elect candidates who represented the group's thoughts on growth, development and the need for more progressive planning.

The group took the Lawrence political process by storm in 2003. The three candidates it supported - Schauner, Mike Rundle and Boog Highberger - swept the top three spots in the election, creating a majority on the five-member commission.

In 2005, the group was successful in helping Schauner get re-elected, which preserved the three-member majority on the commission.

Schauner is up for re-election again in 2007. He said Wednesday that he is still contemplating whether to run for a third term. Highberger and Rundle also are up for re-election. Rundle said Wednesday he's still exploring the possibility of running again. Highberger previously has said that he's leaning toward seeking re-election. Attempts to reach Highberger on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

City Commission elections will be April 3. Candidates have until noon on Jan. 23 to file for election. If more than six candidates file, there will be a primary election Feb. 27.

Discussion

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28 December 2006
at 2:44 a.m.

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lunacydetector (Anonymous) says…

is it safe to assume some of the 'players' have formed other fringe type political action groups or will do so in the near future?

does the majority really want to live like people did in the late 1800's (including a lesser population), except without cigarettes - but marijuana is okay? if there is a continuation of the so-called progressive idealogy, should we brace ourselves for continued downfalls like: lawrence's continued higher than johnson county housing prices?; more restrictions on any business someone could conceive?; higher taxes?; no place to shop?; no new employers?; but millions of dollars spent on bicycle lanes for every street for the 1/2 of 1% of the people who use them? that's right, growth never pays.

if the three amigos somehow get re-elected (if they choose to run), should we expect gigantic murals of their likeness adorning the downtown - to go along with a red hammer and sickle flag waving in front of city hall? lawrencians would be deserving if it were to happen again.
28 December 2006
at 3:25 a.m.

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TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…

This is merely a stab in the dark, but as a person with many progessive tendancies, I would hardly call the in- office performance of any of the three “progressive,” perhaps with the exception of Mr. Shanuner. In fact, Boog was willing to sell out the living wage ordinance the moment he took office. Perhaps the volunteers still have a sour taste in their mouth. Heck, Mike Amyx is more palatable, as he does have good common sense and isn't what one would call a right winger. Truly progressive folks don't involve themselves in fringe issues like the Dada movement or Yuppie-attractive, quaint roundabouts. Any true progessives out there who are willing to take a swing at the plate?
28 December 2006
at 4:58 a.m.

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yankeelady (Anonymous) says…

I hate to point out the obvious, but the smoking ban didn't originate in Lawrence, and now there are many places that have instituted a ban on indoor smoking. I won't go into a place that allows smoking anymore. And before you all start screaming, I smoked for 30 yrs 2-3 packs per day. I quit before the bans gained popularity, on my 3rd or 4th attempt. It isn't a civil rights issue, it's a health issue. And I have seen many people with end stage lung disease or lung cancer—it isn't pretty.
The other issues, well it is probably time for a change, but the last few commissions have been pretty average. You can't make everybody happy.
28 December 2006
at 6:53 a.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

The PLC is dead. Long live the GRA!
28 December 2006
at 6:57 a.m.

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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…

I sure will miss Dada Daze. Or not.
28 December 2006
at 7:45 a.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

Goodbye Rundle you gotta go mio myo
son of gun gonna have some fun on the Lawrenc'o

seriously though, Naw forget it !

Good luck with your career out side of screwing up Lawrence!!
28 December 2006
at 8:50 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

I read the heading and thought the LJ World just got the news there are no more Whigs.

28 December 2006
at 9:09 a.m.

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goodcitizen (Anonymous) says…

I fully support the smoking ban. (ready for slings and arrows, though before you hurl them please think about your own motivations—just try it, I have)

I was irked about the roundabouts at first, but really, you have to admit, when people use them correctly, they make intersections like 19th and Barker soooo much easier to navigate. I remember sitting at the 4-way forever during rush hour. Here's all you need to remember first, slow down, then “Look Left”—that is where the traffic that is already “in” the circle is. If there is noone on your left (not right) then go (at a reasonable 15 MPH as posted). Easy.
I admit some of the traffic circles and “calming” devices have not been as effective and as a community we should garner public comment and rethink certain aspects.

So, why I support the PLC?…. This job is difficult, it is a big and getting bigger every day task to keep everyone happy. There are bound to be conflicting interests in any community. Boog, Mike, and David are doing a public service by serving in this “part-time” job. I believe they have the overall good of the entire community at heart. In the past, I could not say that of the development interest candidates/commissioners.
28 December 2006
at 9:58 a.m.

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TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…

I didn't mean to trash the three completely. After all, those of us who have lived here for thirty years plus know that this great town was once not-so-great when it was controlled by the Chamber of Commerce and their developer friends. Perhaps the tremendous changes in the last 15 or 20 years have spoiled us. Just wanted to suggest that we don't have a group of radicals in there as some folks think. Rather, they are more like limp-wristed liberals incapable of developing a full vision of what true progressivism actually is.

Okay, they are okay, but their fixation on certain issues, such as downtown, and their cowardice in failing to modernize our police department—polluted by buzz headed kids with authority problems (their own)—is deplorable.
28 December 2006
at 10:30 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

It is time to clean out City Hall:

http://www.rivercitytalk.com/forum/ga…

Thanks.

Marion.
28 December 2006
at 10:32 a.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

so, I guess there just wasn't enough enthusiasm for the PLC's new city commission candidate: bigfoot.

***
PLC: don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'!

or, is GRA just the same players and the same crazy ideas under a new name?
28 December 2006
at 10:42 a.m.

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consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

I see the warm and fuzzies are awake and ready to save the marshmallows at city hall. Must be nice to sleep til 10 am and then tell the rest of the world how to take care of themselves.
28 December 2006
at 10:49 a.m.

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commuter (Anonymous) says…

I am glad to hear it. I personally would rather only having two of the “progessives” and Amyx and Hack. The fifth commissioner should have a level head like Amyx but not be afraid to vote against the grain.

Do I think the three commissioners are all bad, No but I am really tired of the Wal-mart lawsuit and bashing.

I am already getting tired of living wage and increasing the mininum wage. The people that are proposing this work foir the city and KU. maybe one day they will wake up and have to make it in the real world.

The bad thing is they want to increase oit for 24 employees or more but not require the city, county, KU, school district and smaller businesses. To me this is targeting larger companies. I personally feel these people do not like big compnaies because they scare them.
28 December 2006
at 11:32 a.m.

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ModerateOne (Anonymous) says…

Lunacy said, and moderate one said:

My agenda:

I'd like to see marijuana decriminalized in Lawrence, Ks. In addition, I'd like marijuana enforcement to receive the lowest priority of the police department.

translation: i'd like to see everyone who makes decisions about where to expand and bring jobs think of lawrence as a place where few people work hard and the pasttime of choice is hipping out with a doobie.

I'd like to see the minimum wage increased.

translation: i'd like to see new and existing jobs go to topeka and ottawa.

I'd like to see the city designate more green space for low maintenance parks with bike trails.

translation: neutral.

I'd like to see more bike trails on streets.

translation: neutral.

I'd like to see higher impact fees on development so that taxpayers are not asked to fund private investment.

translation: i think housing prices in lawrence are too low.

I'd like to see Massachusetts Street, between 6th and 11th become a pedestrian mall.

translation: neutral.

I'd like to see the city collaborate with our government entities to develop a homegrown industry and expertise that specializes in making old homes and buildings energy efficient. Lawrence has the making of a perfect laboratory for such efforts.

translation: i support corporate welfare as long as i get to choose the corporation.

I'd like the city to work hard to ensure that East Lawrence does not become a blighted area over the next decade

translation: neutral.
28 December 2006
at 11:44 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Marion -

Plug.

Plug.

Plug.

And no one still visits your hack site.

28 December 2006
at 12:10 p.m.

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JOEHAWK (Anonymous) says…

Nice post Mod1, couldn't agree more.

These people want the government to pay for rehabbing old buildings, they don't want Compton to tear them down. Funny thing is, there is no profit in it. That is why Compton doesn't want to rehab, he wants to rebuild.

These doobie smoking people want to have us big taxpayers pay for their quaint little town. I don't want Quaint if it costs us jobs, raises our taxes and attracts other doob-heads.
28 December 2006
at 1:02 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

“I'd like the city to work hard to ensure that East Lawrence does not become a blighted area over the next decade”

That is the responsibility of the people who live there.
28 December 2006
at 1:06 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

“I'd like to see the city designate more green space for low maintenance parks with bike trails.”

That means you would have the developers set aside more of their land for parks, thereby pushing up the cost of new housing,

or,

That means you would have the city condemn the land you want for your greenspace, pay market price for it, and fund the purchase with higher taxes.
28 December 2006
at 1:09 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

“I'd like to see Massachusetts Street, between 6th and 11th become a pedestrian mall.”

…..and build a giant underground parking lot to accomodate all the cars that can't park on Mass. More taxes.
28 December 2006
at 1:20 p.m.

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ilovelucy (Anonymous) says…

Logrithmic: you are positively laughable.
28 December 2006
at 2:20 p.m.

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budwhysir (Anonymous) says…

Right or left handed baseball is all played on a piece of ground that has a center field. Just to clear things up.
Thanks
28 December 2006
at 2:56 p.m.

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budwhysir (Anonymous) says…

I have yet to see a green space in the winter time. And parking garages are not needed with all of the mass transit we have around town.

Politicaly speaking, we have a political issue that has become clouded with non political, left and right wing, center beliefs that are dictated thru a canvas of green trees and green grass.
28 December 2006
at 3:54 p.m.

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TheOriginalCA (Anonymous) says…

Lawrence is a Liberal Cesspool totally intolerant of anything different than Liberal. If you thihk that I am spouting off aimlessly, just send a quiet conservative child to Central Junior High and watch him be continuously ridiculed JUST for being a Christian and a quiet Christian at that. My son could not even BEGIN to state an opinion without the granola kids shutting him up before he could get two words out. Isn't that called censorship?

28 December 2006
at 4:30 p.m.

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kshiker (Anonymous) says…

Thank you for your public service PLC!

Your misguided and paternalistic policies towards economic development and growth management in the City of Lawrence have reenergized pro-growth voters in this city.

Whereas in 2003 they were not aware of the significant amount of damage a group of uninformed and belligerent anti-growth hippies could do to sound public policy in the city, they are now motivated to participate fully in city government and use their electoral clout to deny an extremely vocal minority the continued opportunity to further damage our city's promising future.

Thank you and good riddance! 2007 is going to be a banner year for moderate pro-growth and pro-business candidates in the City of Lawrence.
28 December 2006
at 4:55 p.m.

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TheOriginalCA (Anonymous) says…

Logrithmic..

I don't listen to any of the Conservative talk shows. I don't need any of them to tell me how to think.

Let me ask you this. Do you think it is right for Olathe to be intolerant of Liberals? I think not. I am the father of a child who is severelly ill with childhood onset schizophrenia. Trust me, when I say I know all about being on the wrong end of intolerance, I know what the heck I am talking about. I have learned the hard way that you have to tolerate the intolerant. On the flip side, I have to be sure that I tolerate everyone. With my other son being a former CJHS student, his classmates made fun of him JUST because he goes to church on a regular basis. He minded his own business, but for some reason, he got lumped in with the smaller percentage of Christians who think they can strong arm people into believing.

So, is Olathe right? Is Lawrence right? is one more right than the other? Is the intolerance of my neighbors towards our well supervised mentally ill son right? Is their intolerance wrong for others but right for me because I am a conservative christian and therefore I deserve this type of justice? I get the feeling that this “If you are wearing blue shoes on odd numbered Tuesdays” arbitrary mentality of society in general is causing a lot of hypocrisy. The odd thing is, I live in a neighborhood that is predominately Liberal where people talk about acceptance and tolerance, but yet they say things like “That kid is coo coo in the head.” these are adults saying this mind you. They say this while knowing that he has been hospitalized 13 times in thee years.
28 December 2006
at 5:10 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

“BTW, Rush Liimbaugh, Billo Oreilley, Sean Hannity - just a few of the Conservative windbags that truly censor their guests.”

What's the matter, logo, did one of them hurt your wittle feewings?
28 December 2006
at 5:50 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Logrithmic wrote:

“Christians are naturally intolerant. They start out with a premise that everyone that does not believe as they do will spend eternity in hell.”

Christians believe, first, that if THEY do not believe in Jesus THEY will spend eternity in hell. That is why they are Christians. They are then concerned about the future of non-believers.

People who do not believe the above are not Christians. And, unless they are Jewish or Islamic, or Mormon, they do not worry about hell because they do not believe there is such a realm.

My question is, if you do not believe there is a hell, why are you so concerned that others might think you are going there?
28 December 2006
at 5:54 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

This article is about the demise of a progressive political group. The discussion of the article has devolved into a slam on Christians by one of the most pro-PLC posters on this forum.

Whassup with that?
28 December 2006
at 6 p.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

The PLC may have gone inactive but they have been brain dead for years. Like Terri Schiavo it's time to starve them of their food and water (Lawrence tax dollars and check books), the sooner the better. It will be really peaceful, they will feel no pain, and they will be in a “better place.”
28 December 2006
at 6:15 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Shadower, how can questioning your logic be considered harrassment?

Again, if you do not believe in Hell, why does it bother you that others are concerned that you are going there? Who cares? If you do not believe, you do not. Period. Let it go.
28 December 2006
at 6:25 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Like those of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, photos of the PLC have been difficult to find until now!

I found a very recent pic of the PLC and have linked to it here:

http://www.rivercitytalk.com/forum/ga…

Thanks.

Marion.

28 December 2006
at 6:26 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Shadower, not that it is anyone's business, but, I am not a practicing Christian. I was raised as a Christian, and that no doubt has influenced my thinking. But I do not even attend church, I do not tythe, I do not evangelize. I question. I am a conservative, not by birth, but as a result of life's hard knocks.

Again, why is simply asking you why you give a f**k what some Christian thinks about you considered “hammering”?
28 December 2006
at 6:41 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

logrithmic, stop worrying about what Christians think about you. They do not even know who you are. They are not singling you out to persecute you with their Christmas lights and churches. They are simply expressing their own identity. If you cannot stand to observe that expression, that is your problem.

Your insecurity is your own private “hell.”
28 December 2006
at 7:02 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Poor Logrithmic. His insecurity is showing again. He, at one turn, claims that Lawrence is the bluest of blue, and next proclaims that Lawrence is moderate.

Is Logrithmic trying to re-define extreme liberalism as “moderate”?
28 December 2006
at 7:25 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

gee, Logrithmic, if you have a house with a gate, you must be one of those rich people you despise. No wonder you are tormented.
28 December 2006
at 7:27 p.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

CW, if they are abusing the contact feature of this website be sure to notify the LJW web so that they can put an end to it. A good place to start is here:
http://ljworld.com/site/feedback/

Realize that anybody who challenges the faith based Liberal Theology of the PLC (or the born again GRA) is going to be ridiculed in the most juvenile of terms by the PLC supporters. Logrythmic is their typical supporter, sad but true. The good news is that no thinking person on this board pays even the slightest notion to those attacks and they alienate moderate liberals from supporting the current PLC Kommissioners.
28 December 2006
at 7:36 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Sweet dreams, Logrithmic. May your government tax others to bring riches to you, as well.
28 December 2006
at 8:14 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Logrithmic, skin color and race cannot be changed.

Improvement in socio-economic status is a challenge for many, yet not proscribed by society. Asserting that one is prevented from improving one's socio-economic status in the US refutes reality.

Having a political or religious viewpoint, growing long hair, smoking doobies, being a socialist or communist, working for oneself, working for a corporation, working for government, belonging to a union, being an atheist, or believing in christianity, judaism, islamismm, or being a hindii, or buddhist, or wiccan - these are all choices, and we all should be aware that there are social repercussions from our choices.

BTW, you do realize that my wish that you get all the government money you want was sarcasm, right? That is just the choice I have made to be a conservative, speaking out loud.
28 December 2006
at 9 p.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

When I said 'typical' PLC supporter I was speaking of intellectual, mental, and emotional maturity, not physical characteristics.

28 December 2006
at 9:01 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

Wow,
Sigmund, I see this discussion has certainly wandered far off track.
the originalCA was talking about two different sons it seemed, and in both son's examples he was trying to say that the PLC-type liberal people really have blinders about their own prejudices. how's that for a summary.

then, we get a whole lot of spew in anti-christian biggotry, including likening belief in the Christian faith to racism, etc. damn, all that on a thread about the sad demise of a misguided political action committee?

finally, Logi in his/her own words demonstrates those liberal “tolerance NAZI” prejudices, by assuming a particular race for me since I am conservative and a Christian. that is, in another form, racism too.
if you met me Logi, you'd be awefully surprised!
28 December 2006
at 9:56 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

If Lawrence were divided into precincts, the probability of the success of an agenda-driven group like the PLC would be diminished.

Lawrence city government should not be held hostage to a political agenda; it should be about fixing, maintaining, and, yes, even growing, our city.

Bye, bye, PLC. And, No! to GRA, or whatever reincarnation you create in an attempt to cover the negative tracks left by the nefarious PLC.
28 December 2006
at 10:25 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Bye, bye, Miss American Lie!

Thanks.

Marion.
28 December 2006
at 11:04 p.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

“Drove my recumbent bicycle to the greenspace on Clinton Parkway”…….

That doesn't rhyme.

Doesn't even make sense.

Kinda like the PLC.

Thanks.

Marion.
28 December 2006
at 11:39 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

Godot,
absolutely correct! we need wards, precincts, parishes, or whatever you call it. I think 7 would be a good number. one for north lawrence, one for east lawrence north of 19th st. etc.
let's do it!
29 December 2006
at 12:14 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

“Them PLC Boys were smokin' ditchweed and crack

Singin' this will be the day we back….

This will be the day we come back!”

Thanks.

Marion.
29 December 2006
at 7:48 a.m.

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budwhysir (Anonymous) says…

Who is this group we read about, I have not heard much about them.

Politicaly speaking I am part of the silent group. The left wing activists stuck in the middle and comprised of mostly right handed leaders. I am so confused what would ORILEY do???
29 December 2006
at 8:03 a.m.

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BrianR (Anonymous) says…

“Bye, bye, Miss American Lie!”

I think it needs a hip hop beat.

29 December 2006
at 4:32 p.m.

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rednekbuddha (Kelly Powell) says…

john brown lives…… If John Brown was alive today, he would be pals with phelps and would be blowing up abortion clinics…..Just because the man had one right idea(abolish slavery) did not make him a admirable rolemodel.
31 December 2006
at 9:46 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

Bearded Gnome, we, and others who agree, need to work together to accomplish this.
31 December 2006
at 9:53 p.m.

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Godot (Anonymous) says…

And, we will invite budwhysir to come along, just to keep things in proper perspective.
31 December 2006
at 11:23 p.m.

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budwhysir (Anonymous) says…

Thank you godot.
31 December 2006
at 11:24 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

yes, however Bud will cause a mental phase shift of 35-degrees.
31 December 2006
at 11:28 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

You are correct Godot. let's organize to this effect. we do need better city commission representation. imagine, if there actually were a commissioner, alderman, or whatever for North Lawrence. some things would be different. a commissioner for East Lawrence would be the best way to protect East Lawrence, I think. yes, let's do this.

Happy new year!
1 January 2007
at 12:09 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Happy New Year!

May the upcoming year bring the best to you and yours!

Thanks.

Marion.
4 January 2007
at 7:58 a.m.

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Atreides (Anonymous) says…

redneck: Indeed, using John Brown as role model is a bit specious of anyone.