Interior secretary visits Airstream

[Andy R]

By Larry Huffman
The Sydney Daily News
Tuesday, October 26, 2004

JACKSON CENTER – The headquarters of Airstream Inc. here played host to a high government official Monday – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.

Norton paid her visit to announce that Airstream will play a leading role in the upcoming "Take Pride in America" event scheduled next summer. The event will mark Airstream's 75th anniversary.

Image Caption:

Dicky Riegel, president of Airstream, presents U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton with a miniature Airstream RV, which he said would remind her of her childhood when her parents used an RV similar to an Airstream. Norton visited the Jackson Center company Monday. Katie Morgan/SDN photo

[fireflyinva]

Maybe it's the election season, but I would love to get a respectful discussion going regarding Ms. Norton's policies and actions as Secretary of the Interior. She has taken many controversial stands in her administration and I'm interested in reading how my fellow airstreamers perceive her leadership.

Maybe I could organize a poll on a separate thread? However, this kind of exchange would necessarily have a distinctly political dimension. Are political exchanges allowed in the TOS (provided folks don't resort to personal attacks)? Where are the TOS for that matter (I can't find them, then again, it is the middle of the night here)?

For what it's worth, I think it could be a way to understand what Airstreamers think on environmental issues--and perhaps to learn more on these concerns.

Mary

[eubank]

Originally Posted by fireflyinva

... I would love to get a respectful discussion going regarding Ms. Norton's policies and actions as Secretary of the Interior.

I'd just as soon not discuss her record. It's too depressing.

Lynn

[crazylev]

Wasn't it Jessica Simpson that told Ms. Norton that she loved what she had done to decorate the White House?

Jonathan

[thenewkid64]

Originally Posted by fireflyinva

Maybe I could organize a poll on a separate thread? However, this kind of exchange would necessarily have a distinctly political dimension. Are political exchanges allowed in the TOS (provided folks don't resort to personal attacks)?

Mary,

Discussions of this type are not prohibited. The issue is one of the conditions you mention, personal attacks. We have had political discussions before, and they for the most part start out civilized, but often spiral out of control and get personal. Some of the exchanges were filled with such hate that I was embarrassed to be part of the community.

As a moderator, I prefer that this not be a topic in the off topic forum, due to the additional work it creates, as well as the image that a thread on a divisive topic can create. Other moderators amy not agree with me on this. If you wish to start one, it will be allowed as long as it stays on topic, and not personally attacking anyone, another member of the forum, or otherwise. If posts go that direction they will be removed, and if the thread gets out of control the whole thing will be removed.

Last piece of advice, I was schooled by my grandfather that talking about politics, sex, or religion in a group situation where you are not familiar with the other members position is a recipe for heated exchange. Quite often with unintended results.

[Tarheel]

The Tidewater Virginia Unit 111 has been involved with the Take Pride in America event since the early 90's. This year we were in Hungry Mother State Park and spent several days there building and repairing picnic tables as well as other outdoor items. The women of our club helped put together historical items that had been stored for years waiting for someone to scan them into the computers and make scrapbooks. It was a fun time and we got as much out of it as did the park. Thanks to good people like Tom Kelly and Ron Sutton the public and the parks can work together for a common good.

[warbler5]

Perhaps now would be a good time to write/email Ms. Norton requesting that RV's the size of my 30' Airstream be taken into consideration when campgrounds are being constructed in our national parks