[Rich, 10:53]
I certainly hope the experience of the Patriot Act debate sinks any thoughts of using a two (or three) microphone system again anytime soon. Just about everything I thought was bad about it came true. There was a rush to the lines (good luck to any older person or person from the back rows who wanted to talk), there was Mr. Ruderman standing in the "No" line (because it was shorter) for the tactical reason of killing debate, even though as the roll-call vote showed, his true opinion was "Yes", there was confusion about whether the people who were standing in line when the motion on the previous question carried were doubting the vote or not, and so forth. It was a good idea to have used this approach on non-business like a resolution and not on something substantive. Now we know not to use it for anything substantive.

I've been a TMM since Spring, 1996. The Patriot Act vote was the 3rd roll-call vote I can remember. Unfortunately, while I know I've been in two other roll-call votes, I can't remember what they were. Someone said he believed one of the was a few years ago on a vote to reconsider a decision not in favor of a retired policeman. That may be so. I am very sure the other one (which I think was in my first or second year) had something to do with land use or zoning (maybe even something to do with Symmes) but cannot remember the details. Anyone know? Thinking about rare events also brought to mind the time the counted vote tied and the Moderator had to vote to break the tie (as Town Meeting Time recommends, the Moderator, even if a TMM, only votes to either break a tie, or, if the side he is against leads by a vote, he can vote to create a tie and thus defeat the motion). Again, I can't remember what the vote was actually about.