Saturday short takes
Norb Weckstein sought rational arguments
We were saddened to learn a regular contributor to our pages, Norb Weckstein, died Thursday. His byline usually read, “Weckstein, of Roanoke, is a retired GE engineer and manager, and has an MBA from Virginia Tech.” But, for a spell, he wanted it to say, “Weckstein lives in Roanoke and likes to examine both sides of issues.” …
Wikimedia Commons
A noble but difficult goal
David Flagler isn’t lowering expectations as he assumes the difficult job of executive director of the regional pound. …
Country roads . . . to Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount might have had a more auspicious start to its first venture into show business. Mayor Steve Angle had to break a string of 3-3 votes by town council this week to move forward with a plan to turn a vacant downtown building into a music performance hall….
March 23, 2013 - 7:01 AM
Norb Weckstein had a brilliant mind and a heart that made the best of it, He was a gentleman in the best sense of the word and an unfailing patriot who loved his nation and cared deeply about what would make it better. I learned a great deal from him and I respected him immensely.
Thanks for the tribute, it was well deserved.
Well, Sandi, that was nice of you. I knew Norb personally. Did you? Cannot claim we were “chums” but we did have a lengthy time some years ago where we “worked” for a common cause. He did have a great mind. I think he was far beyond just a “very smart guy”. I will also add with an affectionate grin that his political slant never changed. Deep down, I think he was very pleased to discover most of his vast consideration and research supported his basic political view. Norb was solid as a rock. Unwavering and committed and a good writer, too! Quite a character, indeed.
Sorry to hear about Norb. He was a worthy opponent during the run of Voices of the Valleys. He was certainly unwavering as described by Bubba but his description as viewing things from both sides could be categorized as a myth. He was a WW2 vet, a group that is disappearing quickly and was on the ground in Europe from D-Day onward, a true American hero. I had the pleasure of meeting him face to face at the Voices picnics and enjoyed sparring with him on the panel.
Rest well, Norb. You earned it.
That was unnecessarily unkind Bubba Greene, yes I did “know him personally”. We bonded on the “Voices of the Valleys” group, we met at the picnic Nick references and we e-mailed and were friends on Facebook as well as members of the Voices group on Facebook. I am sorry if that is not a personal enough relationship for you to warrant my comment on his passing. I did not see you in his list of FB friends.
Holden Caulfield….watching the ducks in the pond, thinking of Phoebe. That word on the wall & all (most) of the people around him including himself.
“#5 Pure empty rhetoric”.
#6…..Not so, Mrs. Saunders. I’m sure some know the point.
Voices of the Valleys…..think I saw that at the drive-in. B-horror movie? People running to the hills, hands clasped to the side of their heads?
Shoving pencils & ice picks into their ears?