 When he began to offer the first edition
of Bim's Political Prognostication for 2002, he casually strolled over and sat
down on the gas heater in the coroner of his barbershop.
"I've got to get use to the hot seat and rejection" he said. "Fire away."
His countenance displayed courage and wisdom, as he quietly responded to
the burning political questions put forth by The Hur Herald. He said "I am not
afraid, but you must remember my forecast is based on what others are
saying, not what I think."
"Sounds like you're being a weasel," I said. "I just repeat what I hear. You
know how that works in a barbershop, don't you?"
"Now, if you just want my opinion, I'll give it," he continued. "Otherwise,
you'll get what people are saying when they stick their head in the door."
"We'll settle for that," I responded, knowing full-well Hur Herald readers
have been anxiously waiting for Bim's forecast.
Bim went on to say in the four way Democrat race for County Commission,
"It seems to be a three way race so far, with Whited, Gilbert and Shock -
Sampson not being talked about much yet." He said all that could change
and he would narrow it down later in the race. Republican David Barr has no
opposition in the primary.
In the school board race, with Berdine dropping, only one of four people
would be a loser. He said so far it looks like Fitzwater and Frederick, the
incumbents, and newcomer Holbert. Harris is lagging behind.
While Bim was talking about the school board race, current board member
Burl Simers stuck his head in the door. "How did Bim's Forecast do when
you ran for board?," we asked. Simers said Bim called him a front runner,
"And I was."
"Is he really that good?" I asked, noticing the odor of burned pants coming
from the corner where Bim was still sitting on the stove. Simers said "Oh,
yes, he is that good, some of the time."
"I'm sittin' here a minute longer, just to toughen myself," said Bim. "We
prognosticators must go through fire and pain to reach our insight."
Having a lapse in memory, Bim began to say he thought Postalwait was in a
little trouble for the magistrates position. When reminded he had no
opposition, he began whimpering, "Well, he ought to."
Bim would not comment on the Fall, 2002 race between Delegate Stemple
and challenger Lyle Kerby. "We'll wait for that," he said.
He did predict the Library Levy would pass, but the issue to permit Sunday
Hunting in the county was close.
"Time to get back to work. Customers are waiting," he concluded. "Wait a
while before you come back."
The old gas stove in the corner, if you are a keen observer, has a much used
broken-down place in the middle.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Bim's forecast.
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