L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government, past chair of the Department of Government (for 20 years), and founding director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College, where he has taught since 1971. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books (several in multiple editions) including "American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction" and "Evaluating Campaign Quality: Can the Electoral Process Be Improved?"
"From Obscurity to Oblivion: Running in the Congressional Primary" chronicled Maisel’s unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for Congress from Maine. His published articles have appeared in many political science journals and anthologies, including the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, and the Legislative Studies Quarterly. Maisel has served as president of the New England Political Science Association, twice a member of the Council of the American Political Science Association, and chair of the APSA’s research sections that focus on Political Organizations and Parties and on Legislative Studies. He has twice been awarded Fulbright Distinguished Lecturer grants (to The Philippines in 1998 and to Brazil in 2012, has been a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington and at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and has served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Melbourne and Monash University in Australia, at Harvard University, and at Stanford University.
Maisel and his wife, Patrice Franko, who is the Grossman Professor of Economics and professor of global studies at Colby, live in Rome, ME.
Our guest speaker, Law Professor Richard Fallon Jr., was introduced by Rotarian David Clough.
(Photo: David Clough, Professor Fallon and President Laura Young.)
Dick Fallon is an Augusta, Maine native and Cony "Rams" High School graduate, where he played high school basketball for the Rams. His basketball experience came in handy when Fallon was interviewed for a position as a law clerk with the United States Supreme Court. When he was interviewed by Justice Byron White, a former football player and avid basketball fan, he tested him by unexpectedly throwing a basketball to him during the interview. Although Fallon didn't work for Justice White, he did get the job, with Justice Lewis Powell.
Professor Fallon spoke about the work of the Supreme Court. He explained, right now, the Supreme Court is in a "holding pattern," because of the death of Justice Antonin Scalia (who died in February), and waiting for the Senate to approve Judge Merrick Garland or someone else. As a result, the court agreed to hear fewer important cases than usual. In his review, Professor Fallon sought to put the Supreme Court in perspective.
He emphasized, however, that the Court's role is limited to ruling on only a few of the most important issues that the nation confronts. For example, the Supreme Court has almost nothing to do with the nation's economy or "to build, or not to build, a wall." Moreover, the Supreme Court justices vastly agree more than they disagree on the issues. Because the justices generally agree that the lower courts have applied the proper legal frameworks to decide cases, they normally agree to review only about 70 cases per year, out of about 8,000 in which their review is sought. Even in those cases that the court agrees to hear, they rule unanimously 40 percent of the time. Moreover, the justices tend to reach consensus over time on issues that once divided them.
Professor Fallon sought to explain some of the issues where the justices disagree, like they do about women's access to abortion and about gun rights. He said that disagreement is not always between justices who try to rule based on original intent and those who believe in a living constitution. An example comes from the Second Amendment, which guarantees a right "to keep and bear arms." In interpreting the Second Amendment, all of the justices agree that history matters, but, they disagree about what history shows. Five of the justices have concluded that the Second Amendment was originally understood to protect a private right to keep guns for self-defense. By contrast, the four dissenting justices in the Court's most important case thought that the history showed that the right to bear arms is connected with service in a "well-regulated militia," to which the Second Amendment specifically refers.
The justices tend to conclude that historical evidence supports conclusions that they think wise, sound, or desirable. Yet, while all of the justices try to decide some cases in accord with the Constitution's original meaning, all of the justices also believe it is sometimes important to follow prior rulings, or what some lawyers call "precedents." Nevertheless, all of the justices think that some precedents should be overruled. Although lower courts are supposed to follow Supreme Court precedents, the court sometimes uses test cases to reverse its own prior conclusions.
In a response to a question about the Senate approval to seat a replacement for Justice Scalia, Professor Fallon said it is possible for the Senate to withhold voting on future nominations, although doing so would not be in the spirit of cooperation intended in the Constitution.
President Laura Young welcomed 64 members, 1 visiting Roarian and 5 guests to the meeting at the Clarion Hotel. Tom Nickerson gave a thought-provoking invocation.
Bob Traill then had us pledge our allegiance to the flag and President Laura led us in singing the Star Spangled Banner. She thanked all those that volunteered at the Deering High School Financial Literacy Fair (check out the photo on Facebook or in last week's WJ issue.)
The weekly raffle was conducted by Chris Thomas with Past President Bowen doing the honors – and graciously picking the wrong card.
Past President Bowen announced an opportunity for us to purchase the Centennial picture we had taken on the City Hall steps in June. The photo is nicely mounted on a plaque and you can have your own copy for $30. (See separate article in this issue.)
Andreea Paine provided us with a Rotary Moment and skillfully blended Adam Smith’s invisible hand theory of supply and demand in a free market to what she has learned in Rotary by using the 4-Way Test. Her message could be interpreted to mean that she likes our way of volunteering and doing good in the community.
Dave Putnam gave an update about the volunteers who mentor troubled youth at Long Creek Youth Center on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. He discussed a recent pumpkin decorating visit where – as usual – volunteering for a couple of hours seems to provide him with more than what he gives.
Roger and Liz Fagan regaled us with their volunteer work during their latest trip to the Dominican Republic and their narrow escape of recent hurricane Matthew. Although it was predicted to go well west of them, it changed course and made an impact on their scheduled training of nurses. Quoting Paul Gore, Roger noted that “no good deed goes unpunished.” There is another trip scheduled in May for anyone interested. Please contact Roger at: drrogerfagan@gmail.comor 885-1545.
Julie L'Heureux and Paul Tully urged everyone to attend the Veterans' Appreciation Lunch on November 10th at the Italian Heritage Center - where our keynote speaker will be Senator Susan Collins. All Veterans are invited guests of our club and their meals are complimentary. The lunch counts as a Rotary meeting, but pre-registration is required. Excellent flyers announcing the luncheon were on the tables (thanks to Tom Talbott). Register online at: portlandrotary.orgPLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY (11:30-11:45) TO GET PROPERLY CHECKED IN.....THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN AT NOON SHARP.
Gracie Johnston led us in singing Edelweiss from the Sound of Music. She reminded us that the song was the last one in the movie and was sung by the Captain to honor Austria. Gracie confided that she sings it to honor her mother Ellie and we readily joined in with her.
Portland Rotary’s 100th Centennial photo is now available (just in time for Christmas!). For only $30 you can have a plaque which you can hang on your wall to let everybody know your proud association with Rotary....or just to gaze up at your Rotarian friends! If you would like one, please contact Elise at: portlandrotary@maine.rr.com or call 899-6342.
(The image below is a small version of the photo on the plaque.)
One of the many trips the International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be making to the Dominican Republic (DR) will be in early 2017.
The Batays in the Dominican Republic are located some 15-20 miles outside of the city, where night darkness is intense. Access to electricity is very limited and without light, the safety of the inhabitants is an issue. The 3-H team would like to take 70-100 collapsible portable lights with them on their upcoming trip and are looking for volunteer donations of $15 per light to help fund this important project.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
For further information or if you would like to help, please contact Elise Hodgkin atportlandrotary@maine.rr.comor 899-6342. You may bring your cash/check to a meeting or mail your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104. Please make your check payable to Portland Rotary Charitable Account. Make a memo note on the check: for DR solar lights.
Invocation: Alan Nye Program Reporter: Bob Martin Bits & Pieces Reporter: Dick Hall Registration/Greeter: Tiel Duncan Sell Meal Tickets: Matt Wolcott Raffle: Nick Lotfey Badge Box: None Collect Meal Tickets: Janet Butland* Song Leader: Amy Chipman Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Matt Tassey Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Justin Lamontagne
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
the end of this calendar year:
2016: Oct 28 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 4 - Clarion Hotel
Nov 10 - Italian Heritage Center Nov 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 25 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 30 - No Meeting - Happy New Year!
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
Do you have a Rotary "elevator pitch" to share when you are communicating with someone who may be interested in joining Portland Rotary? Consider editing this to make it your own when communicating with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or other community leaders: Portland Rotary is a professional, friendly, multi-generational, and civic-minded service group. We work together with the power of our networks, expertise, money, time, and friendship to do many great things via service projects in our community and internationally. It's a unique and gratifying group to be a part of - you've got to come check it out! It would be a pleasure to host you as my guest at an upcoming Friday lunch meeting. Below are some dates and the luncheon speakers who will join us - let me know if we can schedule something soon!
Oct 28, 2016, Holiday Inn by the Bay, Spring St., Portland, Sandy Maisel - Colby College, "Election Year 2016"
Nov 18, 2016 Holiday Inn by the Bay, Spring St., Portland, Bill Green - WCSH6
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
Crutches4Africa Nov. 19th
Packing Container Time - tbd
for Uganda Jan Chapman
Soup kitchen 4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30 p.m.) Oct 26th
Erik Greven
St Vincent - Serve Nov. 23rd
Thanksgiving Erik Greven
Dinner
Bell Ringing Dec. 5 - 22
Salvation Army weekdays at noon
Erik Greven
Game Night Last Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit Mike Fortunato
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor)
Stephanie Joyce Baker Newman Noyes (Kris Rosado)
L. Sandy Maisel is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government, past chair of the Department of Government (for 20 years), and founding director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College, where he has taught since 1971. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books (several in multiple editions) including "American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction" and "Evaluating Campaign Quality: Can the Electoral Process Be Improved?" .JPG)
The weekly raffle was conducted by Chris Thomas with Past President Bowen doing the honors – and graciously picking the wrong card. 
Past President Bowen announced an opportunity for us to purchase the Centennial picture we had taken on the City Hall steps in June. The photo is nicely mounted on a plaque and you can have your own copy for $30. (See separate article in this issue.)
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Roger and Liz Fagan regaled us with their volunteer work during their latest trip to the Dominican Republic and their narrow escape of recent hurricane Matthew. Although it was predicted to go well west of them, it changed course and made an impact on their scheduled training of nurses. Quoting Paul Gore, Roger noted that “no good deed goes unpunished.” There is another trip scheduled in May for anyone interested. Please contact Roger at: 
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