Page 2 - September 2017 Voices

EDITORIAL Publisher

Defending the Eclipse Phyllis Harmon, DTM

by Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM Associate Publisher
Editor/Publisher Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS

Senior Editor
In ancient times—before the internet— solar eclipses Phyllis Harmon, DTM
were seen as harbingers of impending doom. They were
blamed for all kinds of disasters such as the overthrow of Associate Editor
political systems, stunted vegetables, and farm animals Leanna Lindquist, DTM
running amok. Never mind the fact that the demise of Layout/Design
bad politicians was just a matter of time, vegetables relied Phyllis Harmon, DTM
on fertile ground and sufficient water, and farm animals
spooked at the slightest opportunity. 2017-18 Officers
I believe that solar eclipses are the victims of innuendo,
urban rumor, and—let’s face it—guilt by concidence! Even District Director
today (enlightened though we 21st-century humans are Donna Stark, DTM
supposed to be), solar eclipses are blamed for earthquakes, Program Quality Director
floods, and hurricanes - and, of course, shifting political John Rodke, DTM
whims, undernourished veggies, and those pesky farm Club Growth Director
animals trampling through said vegetable gardens! Emilie Taylor, DTM
But what if solar eclipses were just benign, natural
phenomenons with no ulterior motives? What if they just Finance Manager
Karen Sempervivo, DTM
occurred every so many years, like clockwork, regardless
of what we did, or said, or thought? (Shocking!!) Administrative Manager
They would still be worth the trouble we go through Crystal Pugh, ACB, ALB
to view them. Landowners could still make a year’s Public Relations Manager
income renting out 8 x 8 patches of ground to pitch a James Wantz, DTM
tent, sell sunglasses “guaranteed” to let us stare at the ++++
sun during the entire event wthout going blind, and gas
station owners would still be able to sell regular gasoline Cover photo provided by Harvey
at premium prices. Schowe, DTM, Taken on August 21,
2017 around 11:33am MDT
The only difference is that we would quit blaming at Rexburg, Idaho, Potter Park.
solar eclipses for stuff they couldn’t possibly know or care The weather was clear and no
about. In fact, this sounds like the perfect HPL project. haze or clouds. ANikon telephoto
lens 200mm to 500mm with a 1.7
With the right team of innovative thinkers, the blame teleconverter and a Nikon D7500.
for disasters of any magnitude could be shifted away Voices! is published monthly by
from the poor, misunderstood solar eclipse to the real District 7 Toastmasters. First issue
harbinger of distaster—the blue moon! published August 2014. Submit
articles or contact contributors at
voices@d7toastmasters.org

2 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER, 2017