Guest Speaker Gets Guest Support
After fourteen Rotarians and six guests recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang Amazing Grace, President Nicole asked for a moment of silence in memory of a family member of one of our Rotarians. Guests were then introduced: Colby Tuller, our guest speaker, members of his family, Christopher Tuller, Colin Tuller, Shelia Fuller and Lester Fuller and Patty Conly, Director of the Danville Historical Society.
Since Last We Meet
No birthdays or anniversaries.
On this day in history: In 1961 the Peace Corps was established by the U.S. President John F. Kennedy by means of his Peace Corps Act. In 1936, after five years of construction, the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River at the Arizona–Nevada border was completed; it is the highest concrete arch dam in the United States.
A Constitutional Moment
DG Caroline’s focus was on Amendment VIII of the U. S. Constitution: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.” The “cruel and unusual” part of the amendment was the most controversial. What does it mean for a punishment to be “cruel and unusual?” When the United States Constitution was first ratified by the states, it did not contain a Bill of Rights and it did not prohibit cruel and unusual punishments. These protections were not added until after the Constitution was ratified. Debates occurred while the states were deciding whether to ratify the Constitution. The controversy continues today with such questions as what standard should the court use in deciding whether a punishment is cruel; the standard of 1791 when the Constitution was adopted; contemporary public opinion; or use its own moral judgment, irrespective of whether it is supported by societal consensus? As usual DG Caroline leaves these questions and several others up to us--the citizen. She encouraged us to continue to be aware and to formulate our own opinion of the issue.
And as usual, a lesson well done. Thank you very much DG Caroline!
Logical Fallacy
Loren took center stage to present us with another Logical Fallacy, Ad Hominem: Tu Quoque. This fallacy states: Charging your accuser with hypocrisy rather than reflecting on the truth of the idea or accusation. An example would be: “Smoking is terrible for you” when the accuser is a smoker. One should focus on the content, not on the hypocrisy of the one making the remark. To “flip the script,” Loren recommended sticking to the argument and not focusing on the person making it; remembering that some ideas or advice are given from experience; and reflecting on your own advice and whether you are sticking to it. Why it matters: Is it the truth? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Thanks Loren for increasing our knowledge of logical fallacies.
Announcements
President Nicole announced that there will be no regular meeting next week (March 8), but instead members, friends and family are invited to join in the fun at Game Night at the Aldrich from 6 pm-9pm
. Bring a snack/ finger food to share and a game if you like. Thirty games will be available. The winner of the first round of this area’s Speech Contest will be giving her second round speech and so other Rotarians will be in attendance. A fun time will be had by all!
DG Caroline reported that sponsors are needed to help Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans come to the U.S. for up to two years and apply for work authorization. Contact her for further information.
DG Caroline also announced that she has posted information about RYLA on Facebook and Front Porch Forum and hopes for several applications.
President Nicole announced that Barre Rotarians will be asked to donate two pies of the same kind for Pie for Bunch; one for selling slices and another for the pie tasting contest.
Happy and Sad Dollars
DG Caroline gave a Sad Dollar in memory of daughter Abby who passed away a year ago and a Happy Dollar for all the support and love that our Club showed her during this difficult time.
Tony gave five Sad Dollars in memory of his sixteen year old who died last week.
Eddie paid a one dollar self-imposed fine for being late and gave a Happy Dollar for receiving a District Social Media Grant for $400.00.
Joe split a dollar for being happy and sad for several different things.
Bringing Addison Preston’s (Danville’s Most Famous Civil War Hero) Uniform Home
Tom introduced our guest speaker, Colby Tuller, a member of the Vermont Civil War Hemlocks.
Colby provided a history lesson for us chronologizing the life and career of Addison Prescott, a Lt. Colonel in the First Vermont Cavalry during the Civil War. He was born in Burke, but moved in early childhood with his parents to Danville. After high school, he attended Brown University for a brief time and then sailed to Australia and California. Prescott returned to Danville and was engaged in business when the war broke out. He enlisted in the First Vermont Cavalry and was chosen Captain of Company D. During the war, he commanded a regiment and had a reputation of a good disciplinarian who took good care of his men. As a fighter he was brave to a fault, impetuous and ready to go himself wherever he sent his men. He was wounded twice and was about to be promoted to full colonel when he was killed at Hawe’s Station on June 3, 1864 at the age of 33. He is buried in Danville
Green Cemetery. The non-profit Vermont Civil War Hemlocks, founded in 1963, is partnering with the Danville Historical Society to purchase and display Lt. Col. Addison Prescott’s dress uniform, sword, boots and leathers. They have a few items from Prescott’s daughter and will be purchasing the uniform collection from the Horse Soldier, a military store in Gettysburg, PA. If you would like to donate to this endeavor, here is the link: gofound.me/04978b441.
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