The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

David Cordell

Happy birthday, Miss Hollis!

Watched the movie Yesterday last night. Enjoyed it. Interesting concept.

Lowell Tuttle

Steve, I agree, that picture does look a little like a horney toad, especially with the hair spikes and the excellent football form crouch.

David Cordell

Lowell, it looks like your hands are in a water puddle. Note that the photo of the photo was taken from an acute angle instead of straight-on. By the way,it's a shame that they let you play football without a helmet. Explains your political persuasion, though!

David Cordell

Does anyone else think that "Mayor Pete" is a bit young (37) to be a serious candidate for president? JFK was 43 when elected. Teddy Roosevelt was 42 when he became president because of  McKinley's assassination. Next yougest was Clinton at 46.

Mayor Pete (I object to the term because it seems to suggest an air of approval) is mayor of South Bend, Indiana, a city of 102,000. Richardson has 116,000.

Or maybe we should promote (former) Mayor Phil!

Steve Keene

David,

In Phil's defense, I don't think he is of the same persuasion.

David Cordell

Steve, 

Was that a play on political versus sexual persuasion???

Steve Keene

David and Lowell,

Steve Keene

Sue,

I agree that the framers did not consider a homosexual to be in consideration for becoming President.   I did not bring Phil into the discussion, I simply stated that he was of a different persuasion than Mayor Pete after David brought Phil up as a possible candidate.  Mayor Pete might be able to get a lot of traction in some closed door meetings.  The ice has already been broken on the subject when we elected Obama.

Hull Barbee

Thanks Steve for confirming who "Sue Daly " really is ................ Tommy fooled no one !!!!!!  Kind of sad really ...

Lowell Tuttle

Hull, actually, a few people were fooled, quite a few.

Steve Keene

Hull,

Thanks Hull for spotting my mistake.  I corrected it.  I do not know anything, as some of you constantly remind me.

Steve Keene

David,

I thought Mayor Pete was the mayor of Bend Downs, Indiana,Us.  Or is that a different Butt gig?

Not that there is anything funny about that.

David Cordell

"Sue" --

I am well aware that the Constitution specifies 35 as the minimum age to be President. Whether Buttigieg meets the minimum specified age is not the issue. My point is that I think 37 is too young and wondered if anyone else agreed. Likewise, the current minimum age for voting is 18, and I think that is too young also.

Hull Barbee

Ahhh Steve ........... all who believe you , stand on their heads !!!!!!!!

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

David,

I don't believe the age of 35 is too young to be President.  At 35 you are old enough to have raised children, attended college for mulitple degrees and had ample time to gain work experience.  I believe the qualification for President lies more in intelligence, managment skills and diplomacy, all of which will be revealed during the extended campaign.  It is up to the individual to demonstrate these skills by how they manage their campaign staff,  the press and lastly, but far the most important, how they communicate with the voters.   

David Cordell

Sandra, I don't know about you, but I learned a lot in the years after I turned 35. I don't think I started unlearning until recently. Buttigieg is very bright and articulate. He would be a viable candidate, in my humble opinion, in about ten years, at which time I hope to be alive to vote for someone else.

"Sue", I put your name in quotation marks because I continue to question whether you really exist. Most people think you are Tommy Thomas, and a few think you are Lance Cantor. 

Steve Keene

David,

Three Cowboy cheerleaders.  One is current and two are from our last super bowl team.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

David,

Your term "unlearning" is interesting.  I am not sure how you do that.  I forget things from time to time, like what I should pick up at the grocery store (lists help, but there is usually something I forgot to add to that list).  But "unlearn'?  I have undone knots, rewashed clothes, and reread books, but I don't think I have ever unlearned something.  Fact is, I feel quite fortunate that I am still learning.  Take Joomla for example.  That is a wiki platform for websites.  We use it for Aaron's website.  I am still learning Joomla, not that I am an expert at it, but everytime I use it, do learn something new. Hell even using the internet I learn something new each day.   If you feel that you are too old to learn something new, you probably are old.  Attitude is everything in life.  There could be distinct advantages to having a younger president, especially one with the right attitude. Health wise, it is a huge plus to be younger.  The Presidency is a high stress job and one with long hours.  Someone with the stamina, determination and strong character might better defend our country rather than an older person, who feels they have nothing new to learn, and must take constant time off to "recharge".   Bottom line is, no matter what the age of the Presidency, attitude, (an open mind willing to learn something new and take good advice) is what I value most in a candidate.

David Cordell

Sandra, I was teasing. The truth is, Sarah, that I remember almost everything that I ever knew. So, I remember you, Sally, all the way from Richardson Highlands Elementary. Say "hi" to your husband Dennis for me.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

David,

Hard to tell on here when someone is teasing or being serious!  Thanks for clearning that up Donald....er,  David.

Steve Keene

Sue

Come on down to Carl's Corner for Christmas.  We can do last minute shopping in Maypearl.

David Cordell

Lance, I never thought you were "Sue".

"Sue", I will be pleased to apologize over lunch for the quotation marks. My treat. You can name the place, as long as it is in Plano, Richardson, or North Dallas, and is unlikely to serve Caymus. I promise that I won't look through the window and be scared away. How about this Friday at 11:30? Email me at cordelldm@aol.com to specify the place. I promise to come alone, without a handgun. Bring your photo ID just so I can make sure that "Sue" is really Sue. So you will recognize me, here's more-or-less what I look like. Ignore the hand on my shoulder -- it belongs to one of my admirers.

By the way, you may be interested to know that your Forum question about firearms at the reunion began a series of events that culminated in an investigation by the UT Dallas and Richardson Police Departments. I spent two hours with a detective who advised me that he had spent eight hours on the case on the previous day. I got a chuckle out of it, but the detective wasn't humored. I can introduce you to him if you'd like.

David Cordell

When I completed that last post, I was struck by the contrast between my 21-year-old self and my 68-year-old self. Obviously, I need to re-grow my moustache.

Bob Fleming

Tommy Sue:

It is with reluctance and a great deal of fear and trembling that I have decided to post this message.  I realize that I am taking a chance here and I hope and pray our friendship will endure.

First of all, let me say that I apologize that I did not have the experience or maturity in our early years to pick up on your gender fluidity realities.  Some sixty years ago I recall a discussion in elementry school about the possibility of joining the Cub Scouts.  You replied that you thought Brownies or Camp Fire Girls looked like more fun.  At the time, I thought this was another example of your offbeat sense of humor.  Later, I considered it to be an early manifestation of your long, abiding interest in the "girls."  Now I understand it as an early expression of fluid gender realities in your life.  I am sorry it took me so long to catch on.  I think my classmates would agree that in many ways we failed you.  

Also, I want to say that I admire the fact that you posted your picture on the forum for all to see.  As a social worker by training, I admire that you have "come out" - if only partially.  I understand why you would both "reveal" your true nature while preserving an "out" by still maintaining that Sue is not Tommy.  I think I can say that therapists would urge you to go ahead and go all the way and revel in both of your identiites.

You an trust us; we are your lifelong friends.  We support you and admire your bravery in coming forward as you have.

In future, if I should meet you in your persona as Sue I promise to behave accordingly.  I would simpy walk up to you and say, "HI, I'm Bob.  You must be Sue.  How do you do?"  

This is a Jungian moment.  You can revel in your Sue persona and activate your anima or conversely, revel in your Tommy persona thus realizing your animus.  You are Janus.  An Integrated Soul.  You have realized the Highest Potentialities.  Congratulations!  Please know that we will accept you in future; however you decide to present yourself.

In closing, I hope that you take up David's offer to meet him Friday at 11:30 in Richardson.  I urge you to do so.  If it will help, I would be happy to be thee in a spirit of solidarity, brotherhood/sisterhood, and friendship.  Just say the word and I'll be there.  I say this in all seriousness.

Meanwhile, with high hopes for the future, I remain . . . your friend.

Steve Keene

Bob,

You need to make that luncheon.  Wear your referee uniform.