Graham, who has spent a very substantial part of his professional career in the US, teaching Mathematics (he holds a Doctorate in that field), opened up with a quite interesting basic fact: the US has 435 members in the House of Representatives, and 100 Senators (2 for each state). So, the immediate question that arose in your editors mind was "why has Australia 12 Senators per state plus two from each territorry??"
The US system of electing a President is quite complex actually, in its origins going right back to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where, in principle, it was decided tht the President should be elected by groups of delegates from each state. A 'Council of wise men', consisting of 538 delegates, form the Electoral College. The number of delegates vastly varies, depending on the state's total number of representatives in the House and the Senate. For example, California has 55 delegates, whereas several smaller states (in population, not geographical size), such as Dakota, have only 3. Additionally, the District of Columbia (the location of Washington), gets another 3 delegates. Each state can designate the way these electors are chosen. These electors then cast votes for President and Vice President.
It gets more complex than that. If you are interested, go to this link on Wikipedia and read all about it... You'll learn about stuff like "Super Delegates"... At present we go through the primary elections which determines the nominee for each party. At the national convention of each party, the nominee will chose a Vice President (running mate). Then the real race begins. To win the Presidency, the candidate needs to win 1/2 of 538+1, e.g. 270 Electoral College Votes. This is often quite decisive, such as in 2012, when Romney won 206 against Obama's 332. But for example, in 2000, Gore got 48.38% of the popular vote, whilst Bush was below that on 47.87%. But Bush still won, due to the final (challenged) vote in Florida.
"As Ohio goes, so goes the nation": a popular saying, and with good reason: for the last 11 Presidential elections, the winner of Ohio has gone to the White House. But then, just to confirm that the exception proves the rule: Kennedy won without winning Ohio.
Can Trump win? Well, a recent article in The Australian newspaper stated that (outgoing President) Obama is more popular than either Clinton or Trump. Figure that... But then, in the considered view of Graham Jones, "(Bill) Clinton is one of the best Presidents the US ever had". So, the question arises: Would Hillary be able to emulate her husband? [as an economic manager, I mean, not in some other aspects... Ed.]
Gerald East: If the Suns Horizon program is no longer going on in its previous format, that means you will now have to pay to attend their games...? Mario Fairlie, you are not limping, are you? Franz Huber, how come that, as you are the one who sets the roster, has put yourself into it to be Chairman? [pure, unadulterated selflessness... ☺] Ray Higgs, are you making up for being late? What, no "profit" today? Just have a look at all those checkered shirts today! Graeme Isaacson, you might as well put in as well: whilst you have a white shirt, you are wearing a checkered tie... Terry O'Shea, are you nailing people to do something? And, last but not least: Al Sirovs, visitors don't get fined, but we'll make an exception!
Ray Higgs was at the door Franz Huber was Chairman and Ian Mayberry was (Deputy) Sergeant.
We had apologies from Geoff Croad, Andy Bell, Mitch Brown and Chris Thurtell.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and guests Al Sirovs (guest of Doug Lipp) and our guest speaker, PDG Graham Jones (see separate story further on). Paul advised that nominations for RYPEN close on 13th April.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson advised that he has been approached by Channel 10 in reference to a potential TV broadcast of our wheelchairs project. Daryl also expressed sincere thanks to Mark Twyford for his capable assistance last Saturday at the Wheelchair factory, helping to disassemble bikes.
Doug Lipp advised that his son Greg "stars" on a new program on ABC TV, Keeping Australia Alive (8:30 pm on Tuesday). Well worth watching!
Gerald East advised that the Gold Coast Suns 'Horizon' program may not happen in the way it was conducted in the past - they are going for crowd funding.
Larry Murray, our President Elect Nominee for the year 2017/18 (same year when Darrell Brown will be District Governor), asked for this list (in relation to activities to coincide with the Commonwealth Games) to be published:
A few things to consider for 2018 (no time to procrastinate)
1...Picnic on the beach
2...A ticket to Tipplers a music concert on Tipplers for all tastes amateur and professional arrange ferries etc.
3...A very fancy fancy dress ball ( THEME!)
4... I still think the sunflower has some prospect ( the sunflower festival)
5...A mini world fair to welcome the athletes ask the embassy's of the athletes to showcase their country by sponsoring a stand and get the athletes to man it
6...Organise a committee made up of all the gold coast Rotary clubs to gain a consensus for a major event
7...Food and wine festival incorporating cuisine from each competing country and highlighting Australian delicacies
8...An open air non-denominal church service someone will have to pass the plate around
9...Help for the paralympians (not sure how we can make this one pay) but a very nice gesture
10...Can we talk to someone at the Marina/boatyard and arrange for cruises on one of their boats( good marketing profile)
Organise a proposal and ask the council for financial help as we will be showcasing the Gold Coast and raising the profile of Tom Tate
If you never have looked at anything to do with the Winter Olympics, this would have missed out on one of the most remarkable stories of "flying" on skis: Eddie the Eagle. Now they have made a movie about it, which also includes Hugh Jackman in a leading role.
This is another Polio Plus fundraiser, Gold Coast Arts Centre at tomorrow Thursday 14th April at 6:30 pm. Usual fee of $20.00 per head - first come first served!
WHAT IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION’S “DISTRICT DESIGNATED FUND”? At the end of every contribution year, each Rotary district’s contributions to the Annual Fund are divided into two funds. 50 percent is credited to the District Designated Fund (DDF). The District Designated Fund is allocated by the District to fund the Rotary Foundation programs in which it chooses to participate, such as District Grants, Global Grants or Polio! DDF even receives a 100% match from our Foundation when used in a Global Grant. IT IS THIS FUNDING FORMULA WHICH TRULY MAKES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION AN INTEGRAL PARTY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL IN OUR HOME COMMUNITIES.
I feel the Presidential Election should be like a multiple choice test:
C) none of the above
“Elections are highly-publicized puppet shows. Many puppets in the show are handled by the same owner, and regardless of their different costumes and voices, their agenda is one and the same. The man with the most puppets in the show usually wins the audience.”
Graham, who has spent a very substantial part of his professional career in the US, teaching Mathematics (he holds a Doctorate in that field), opened up with a quite interesting basic fact: the US has 435 members in the House of Representatives, and 100 Senators (2 for each state). So, the immediate question that arose in your editors mind was "why has Australia 12 Senators per state plus two from each territorry??".jpg)
Gerald East: If the Suns Horizon program is no longer going on in its previous format, that means you will now have to pay to attend their games...? Mario Fairlie, you are not limping, are you? Franz Huber, how come that, as you are the one who sets the roster, has put yourself into it to be Chairman? [pure, unadulterated selflessness... ☺] Ray Higgs, are you making up for being late? What, no "profit" today? Just have a look at all those checkered shirts today! Graeme Isaacson, you might as well put in as well: whilst you have a white shirt, you are wearing a checkered tie... Terry O'Shea, are you nailing people to do something? And, last but not least: Al Sirovs, visitors don't get fined, but we'll make an exception!
Larry Murray, our President Elect Nominee for the year 2017/18 (same year when Darrell Brown will be District Governor), asked for this list (in relation to activities to coincide with the Commonwealth Games) to be published:
