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Results to be determined

The race is on, and there goes — the incumbents Donna Barnett and Bob Simpson; both are on the track in the quest for re-election.

The race is on, and there goes — the incumbent MLAs, Cariboo-South, Donna Barnett and Cariboo North, Bob Simpson; both are on the track in the quest for re-election and because of that, where you would normally be reading what one or the other of them had to say in this space — in the quest to maintain political correctness —  you have Cattle Fodder instead.

For perspective, I recall an anecdote my younger brother once related to me, of a chance meeting (in the street) with an old friend of his, unseen and unspoken to in years.

After an exchange of general greetings, my brother jumped in with, “So, how’s the wife?”

The curt reply, “We’re divorced.”

After a long silence and with a wrong foot already firmly wedged, my brother gently inquired, “So — is that a good thing, or a bad thing?”

And, in both election matters, Tribune reader opinion — the vote is also still out with the outcome yet to be decided. The results hinge on the popular-choice of the general electorate and in the opinion of general readership (Tribune) to be determined over the coming days and weeks.

Other similarities are shared by politicians and newspaper journalists/columnists; both have to be assured (or brave) enough to state their position (on current issues, government policy, other concerns) publicly, on record, both tough enough to accept (and handle) any criticism and dissent.

Some of which is constructive and listened to when calmly and politely verbalized (written) but, alternatively can be just nasty and uninformed. So much so that one must develop (it takes time) a little thicker skin or the innate ability to let yucky-stuff roll off your back, making the truly ugly stuff less likely to leave a life-altering scar.

Sometimes it’s a lot easier just to blend in and be one of the herd!

Liz Twan is a rancher and freelance columnist for the Tribune.