Val Strate

What if Dukes of Hazzard Fans had there own little Fraternity or Sorority... The name of this group would be Delta Omicron Eta... Those are the Greek letters for DOH. What it would look like is a triangle followed by a capital O then capital H. It's obvious our little Frat or Sorority's color would be orange. Our flag... what else but the rebel flag. Our theme song? 'Just a good ol' boys' by Walyon Jennings. Our motto? (This one we are working on... Any ideas?) Our mascot? The General Lee Sayings for Delta Omicron Eta; 1) Yeeehaawww! 2) Khee! Khee! 3) Oh no it's Rosco! 4) Possumonagumbush! 5) Shoot fire and save a box of matches! (Feel free anyone to add more...) You know you are a Delta Omicron Eta Frat boy when... 1) You're running from the campus cops. 2) You get pulled over by the campus cops for doing 5 in a 10 zone. 3) Your belt buckle is so big that you use it as a dinner plate! (Hey, saves on doing dishes and cluttering your dorm room!) 4) Your dorm room closet is filled with nothing but blue or yellow shirts. 5) You have more excuses on how to get out of class than Ferris Bueller. (Feel free anyone to add more...) You know you are a Delta Omicron Eta Sorority girl when... 1) You wear short tight shorts. 2) You faint when you hear the name, "John Schneider". 3) You faint when you see, "John Schneider". 4) Your boyfriend's name is 'Bo, Luke, Rosco, Enos, or Cooter' 5) You know all of Dolly Parton's songs. The classes you are taking if you are in Delta Omicron Eta are; Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive and Aviation science, Animal Husbandry 101, Law Enforcement, Political Science, Ethics, Square Dancing (for your physical education credit!) So if anyone has more to add to this, feel free. It's just something fun I thought of. Val

This is outrageous! I mean people are going to far with this Confederate flag BS. However I can believe it because when I was in high school, the high school wanted to ban all shirts, decals or any kind of appearance of the Confederate flag. The student body however fought back and won. Our argument was that the Confederate flag is a symbol and that it's interpreted how ever you want to interpret it. To some, it's a racist symbol, to others, it's a sign of heritage and rebellion that harrows the idea of freedom to fight for what you believe in, and even if you know you may loose the battle. To take that freedom of expression away from someone is just as much bigotry and hate as the idea of racism in the first place. It's also taking away a person’s right to express without harming anyone, which is the first amendment of this great nation, which so many have forgotten. I read the article from the Akron Beacon and I have to shake my head in dismay when I read this one phrase and I quote: But Edith Thrower, president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP, said she was contacted a few weeks ago by Pops conductor Erich Kunzel who told her that someone had suggested that a plan to refer to the TV show in promoting the performers' appearance would be offensive. He wanted the NAACP's reaction, she said. "I contacted our national office and was advised that it would be best if we didn't support an effort like this," said Thrower. "It's very clear how we feel about the Confederate flag and the long and arduous fight we have conducted to get rid of that symbol of a very unpleasant time in our history." Ok, hold on here, it's a problem because you feel it's a problem. That is the problem with political correctness. Sometimes political correctness is needed but when it's in extreme like this case, it's no better than its solutions! Racism and bigotry is a feeling a person has about a race of people. It's obvious that the knee-jerking political correctness crowd is no better because they are making unfair judgments about a TV show (which they probably have never watched). We Duke Fans aren't hurting anyone. Just in our theme song it even says, "Just a good old boys, never meanin' no harm...†We like the culture of the South, and for the Cincinnati orchestra to say they don't want to celebrate southern culture is just as bad as the idea that Confederate flag is a symbol of hate and everyone who displays it is a bigot. Now that is racism right there, and I tell you, racism does go both ways. Anyone who is educated on the matter should know that fact. People really need to stop being so uptight about what is and what isn't. Stick a fork in me, cause I'm done... Val Strate

Oh geez... MM that is so cute. Those quotes remind me of another one... A teacher told her first grade class to draw pictures of Christmas and what it means to them. When the class was finished the teacher looked through them and had each student explain their picture to the class. One student stood up with his picture of a nativity scene with the baby Jesus and mother Mary and Joseph by her side, with animals all around. However the teacher noticed one figure outside of the nativity and it was a kind of large round fellow. She asked the student who that was, thinking maybe it was Santa. The student's reply was, "Oh! Well don't you know...? That's Round John Virgin!"

I've only seen House a few times and I the times I have I have liked it but I'm not a huge fan of it. House is rude and abrasive. I'll totally agree with that statement. It's probably why I can't really get into the show is because he is such a sharp edged arrogant jerk. However the concepts they cover in the show are possible. The medical and science knowledge is superb. It's why I was intrigued when I have watched the show. However, I had a Genetics Professor, who got into the show as well and pretty much has an attitude like House and kind of ruined things for me. The science in it is great; however I think I'll stick to CSI. Yet it's a very good show, and has very good writers for it. For anyone who does love angst and medical dramas, House is a good one. Personally, I like it better than Grey's Anatomy, however I rather be watching CSI.

Really, what I think TV producers need to look into is the idea of a show with John and Tom in it, but they are Bo and Luke aged and makes a new generation of Dukes. Seriously, no one can really replace Bo and Luke and it would be surprisingly refreshing to see the Duke boys grown up. Plus, no one else seems to know Bo and Luke better then the guys that played 'Bo and Luke'. If TV producers want to emulate the 'Dukes of Hazzard' and keep a more raunchy or more gritty tone to it without losing the family aspect and being able to please the fans, they need to start out with new Duke boys but having them build off of their families dreams and values. Example of a plot line would be having John and Tom back in Hazzard and maybe Luke is a family man now and Bo is back from being all over and finds he has a son. Another example is taking Daisy, maybe she and Enos had a kid or two kids and Bo has a son or Luke has a son that they do or don't know about. I mean come on... The possibilities are endless for a sequel series. If someone like the CW or ABC family is reading and wants to cash out on this but needs a writer and ideas, look me or some of the other fine writers of Hnet up. Seriously... I think now the climate is right for a DOH sequel series. With the advent of Smallville and the uproar of John Schneider leaving the show, then with these two movies released, I think it's time. Plus, if you notice, there is a new show out from the Fox Network called 'Drive' and the appetite this country has for NASCAR. I mean why wouldn't this be the time? The show could have old and new characters in it, be able to get fresh new faces to the small screen but yet have some seasoned old ones that would bring in the audience as well. That's just my two cents on the whole talk about the TV series rumors. Valerie M. Strate

*Climbs up ontop of the proverbaly soap box* Hazzardites! Aren't you concerned? Isn't anyone besides me, MaryAnne and MM worried about the possibility of Hazzard going into the hands of chaos? I understand that you got control over things MM, but Brian is right you do have to sleep sometime, which means he will have time to come up with new schemes and plots. Citizens, this is serious! We need to rally to the cause and help back MaryAnne. He can't take MaryAnne's badge if the citizens of Hazzard show that we don't want it taken away! Like I called out to all my fellow Enos writers before, we must unite! Writers, it's time to write and save MaryAnne's badge! *blows in a conch shell to rally up the Hazzardnet writers* I don't care if you call yourself a writer or not, write some kind of story to send to help MaryAnne! Come on gang, we need to fight for the rite to write! Flood that mailbox! Val Strate Game Warden

Ban MaryAnne?! Brian takin' over?! Crickets and Crocs! This is outrageous! If Brian takes over, there will be chaos in the streets! The sun will shine during the night and the night will become day! The world will revolve backwards! All clocks will run counter clockwise! Cats and dogs will be living together! It's not natural! It's insane! As an upholder of nature and a fellow officer of the law, it my sworn duty to help protect the order which is here; I will take your challenge Mr. Coltrane! Don't worry MaryAnne, you have the endorsement of the Wildlife department behind ya! *Looks to the crowd* My fellow Hazzardites, we can not sit back and let this idly happen! It's time to take action! We need to preserve what we love. If you love the way Hazzardnet is, then stand up and fight for it! Write a story! Save MaryAnne's badge! I call all Enos writers out there, (and I know you're out there guys), rally to this cause! Help save Hazzardnet and MaryAnne! If Brian takes over there is no telling what will happen. Why, the whole format of the forums could change from our favorite orange and black to pink, with purple polka dots! Brian is a great leader but he's known for chaos and randomness. Help restore order! Save MaryAnne! It's time to start writing! *pounds fist into hand then looks around kind of clueless* Um... Has anyone seen my pencil? Val Strate Hazzard Game Warden

I was reading the label to some smoothie mix one time and it said on the label to clear themselves of any lawsuits and I quote exact words. "Now do we have to tell you not to put this package in the microwave" Obliviously ya do need to tell'em because you wouldn't say that if you didn't need to. Of course who puts smoothie mix in the microwave? Smoothies are drinks that are normally served COLD! Yeah, let's put it in the microwave! That will make it colder! Good idear! I swear some of these people that need these warnings should run for the Darwin awards. Val

As for Enos's family i1976, there really is nothing on Enos's family background according to the original series. I would think that the 'Enos' Series would have answers on this but I was two when the Enos series was aired and locating the series on DVD or tape is close to impossible. Many Enos fans want it out but Warner Brothers hasn't come across with the goods. As a fellow Enos fan fic writer, I would deeply anticipate seeing that come out on DVD, for background research and clues as to Enos's family life. Here are things we do know from original Dukes of Hazzard series; Enos apparently had family or 'folks' still alive up to the first reunion movie. So definition of 'folks' is a broad one but it usually means in country terms, mother, father, sisters, and brothers. It can also mean more family too but mostly 'mom and dad' at least that's how they interpret it in the rural part of Midwestern America. I don't know about the south but I assume it's the same. Trust me, I use the term 'folks' all the time when I talk about my parents and they both are still alive. He did live in the boarding house while he was deputy sheriff. A boarding house I believe is just a house that is kind of like an apartment only it's a house and you share a main living space and kitchen with other people and you have your own room. He drove a station wagon as a personal vehicle until Frank Scalon blew it up. His father was a ridge runner at one time and it's referenced in 'One Armed Bandits'. These are all facts that we have about Enos Strate. There are more things you can assume from the series as well. If you notice, he always drinks buttermilk and seems to always like corn dogs from busy bee cafe. He reads comic books all the time, especially 'Bugs Bunny' ones it seems. He's not the best at checkers. He also likes to fish. Enos himself seems very family orientate. Something interesting to note, Sonny Shroyer himself, played football in his school days. So one could assume Enos might have liked football as a kid, might not have. The possibilities are endless. As far as fanfic... There is very little Enos Strate fan fiction out there. I know, I've looked, because when I started years ago I wanted to get things right too. So, what I did was created family for Enos. I gave him a mom, a dad, siblings and cousins. Enos is fun to write for because you aren't limited with possibilities. You can make him an orphan. You can give him one parent or two. You can do what you want with him kind of. Cooter is one as well that doesn't have a lot of background information, there is some but you can have fun with it. As a writer it's fun because you know the character traits and you can build from the traits and build around the character from those traits. I have a page with fan fiction of Enos if you would like to read some of it. It's not a lot but it's some. I just don't like my characters the ones I created in my fan fiction being copied. But yeah, have fun with it. Go write Enos Strate's family out. I'd love to see someone else’s take on Enos. We got enough Enos writers out here on the boards that I've seen that we can have some 'possumonagumbush' fun! So yeah, shoot for the stars i1976. I'd love to see some good Enos fan fic out there. A tip for when writing for Enos, is to watch the episodes and study how he moves, how he acts and reacts. Enos doesn’t always have a lot of dialogue so he’s one of those characters you have to kind of watch him and gather your information from body language and expression. So I hope I could help and have fun writing. Val Strate

Today I was reading an article on corn prices in my local newspaper. According to the article it states that the demand for Ethanol would make corn prices raise. This is due to the fact that the current ethanol program has had a 3 million acreage decrease! The government doesn't plan to extend new contracts out to make up for that missing acreage. They are using the money they have to take care of the existing contracts that they have. This move concerns many of the wildlife organizations, livestock associations and several other organizations and businesses that have high demands for corn and are tied to agriculture. Wildlife organizations feel that using the dropped acreage for conservation is the wrong idea because they should be more concerned about producing more cheap clean fuel like ethanol rather than making corn prices increase. Livestock producers are concerned because it causes their feed prices to increase and cutting into their profits. I know this isn't fun, party stuff, or directly related to Dukes, that's why I put it in the Swamp area. But it kind of concerns me and I was wondering what others thought about this issue. Let’s face it, corn prices have been low in the past and the increase could give farmers that need the extra boost a lift. However, it causes ethanol prices to rise. If we're trying to get the market to buy ethanol because it's cleaner don't you think the best way to get consumers to buy it is make it more availed and less expensive? If ya ask me, it sounds like there is a 'little Boss Hogg' in the USDA when it comes to corn prices. Any comments or thoughts from the Hazzardnet peanut gallery? Game Warden Val Strate

Well, I've been snowed in for the last two days. It started sometime during Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. My area is kind of in the heart of the storm so to speak and the lake effect didn't help any dumping a good helping of snow over two days of about 10 to 16 inches. On top of that the wind here is notorious. So take heavy snow and add winds of 25 to 35 mph and you have white out conditions. Fortunately, I didn't have to drive anywhere. It was bad and I've seen some bad winters in my time but this bad. Now it's not so bad, the sun is shinning. However it's still bitter cold here and we have a lot of snow. We haven't really been hit with snow at all this year hard and now all of a sudden, WHAM! We get plastered. However the wind is what kills ya. My snowed in plans are to catch up on my reading. I'm reading a book now called 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin. On top of that, I may brush up on my chemistry so beware for more cornball jokes about carbon, and hydrogen. Val

Howdy all, Seeing the growing number of 'Enos Strate fans' out there, I was wondering if ya'll want to have a chat this Sunday the 11th. I disscussed the idea with another DOH/Enos fan on the board and it sounds like a good idea. However, due to the fact that we all have different time zones and I noticed there are many international Enos fans out there, chat time this Sunday will be 1:30pm EST. I know that's early for most people who live in EST to be online, but I set it on a Sunday so that way it's the weekend and there is an actual possibility you can work around it and attend. It's also earilier for anyone else in the US who lives more westward but that's why it's on Sunday. I've heard form one international user that they are 6 hours ahead, of EST! Which puts them at 7:30! Wow! Maybe at least they can attend for a little while. We'll see what happens. Other DOH fans are welcome to attend as well, of course more the merrier. However for those that are fan's of hearing 'Possumonagumbush' you don't want to miss this. So break out the buttermilk and get yourself a corn dog on Sunday because we'll be talking about our 'hopeful rommantic' deputy, Enos Strate in the forum chatroom.

Most likely I'd be some relative to Enos Strate (probably sister) and I would be the Hazzard County Game Warden. Yes, I would bumble through the woods looking for pouchers, giving talks to the scouts of Hazzard County, checking sales of fishing licenses, and making sure people don't litter. I would fill out reports about the wildlife of Hazzard County from my Wildlife Department office that would have a desk cluttered with papers. I would protect the enviroment of Hazzard County and all the cuddly creatures that live in it. Illegal gambling? No, no, Mr. Hogg wouldn't do that! You can bet money on that! *Smiles quick then pauses and twiddles fingers together in Strate fashion as looking naviely confused.* By the way, does anyone remember what Poison Ivy looks like? *Scratches head, holding a stalk with three tear drop shaped leaves clustered together with a redish hue against the green foilage.*

Hey! I like that! Now that's catchie! (If I could borrow a line from Bo Duke there. *chuckles*) You're right. Maybe we should call ourselves 'hopeful romantics'. I do too hate seeing Daisy paired up with characters other than Enos. However, if we didn't see that in Daisy and she just fell madly in love with Enos, would it make our interests in their romance less interesting? I mean, it gives curves to the plot line of the whole series. However at the end there it was getting to the point where yeah, she should have married him. I mean tell me the first reunion did not tick you off? She's already to marry him and they are ready to carry out the ceremony and out of nowhere come L.B.! I mean that really turned my butter when that happened. Makes you want to throw rotten tomatoes at the TV! However, if it was any consolation, I loved the way he handled it. "Daisy, I just have to wait for you to grow up. I waited this long." Perfect gentleman to the end, but it makes you wonder the private heartache that must lie underneath. Valerie M. Strate

This post sparks the question for all Enos writers out there; are we just hopeless romantics? I was browsing the forums and seen another Enos fanfic writer had posted a story about Enos's undying love for Daisy. It was a good short fic and I really got into it. However after reading the story, this question came to mind, especially after seeing the topic about Enos and Daisy. Are Enos fans hopeless romantics? I mean, lets face it... Our fanfic hero is a hopeless romantic. He has an undying love for a woman, that it's often debated on whether or not she returns his affections. Yet he loves her. He feels that she is the one to complete his very existence. I then look at most of the fiction I've written and I plan to write and I think, oh my god, I have a writing style that is often classified as romantic. It's not that I plan to write that way, it just comes out that way. I like reading and writing romance, especially romance that doesn't always go exactly how you want it or shows human flaw or reason as to why people fall in love or out of love. I mean I can write other fiction, not just romance but romance is a familiar ground for me. I also look at other Enos writers and find they have very similar styles and tastes as to how the write their fiction. So I ask all you Enos writers out there, what do you think guys? I'm using the noun 'guys' loosely here, and in most cases I've known fanfic writers are usually women. On top of that, Enos Strate fanfic writers the odds of being female are even higher. Also, let’s face it; love is like finding used chewing gum at the mall. You know sometime when you visit a mall you're going to find a lump of it. You just don't know when, were or how it's going to happen. You could step in a glob, or put your hand in it; sit in it by accident could be another way. You may not make physical contact with it at all; you may just see a wad of it. At any rate, you will find some used chewing gum at a shopping mall at some point or another. So any thoughts on this issue? Enos fans especially what do you guys think? Plus, other duke writers out there, you guys have any thoughts about this idea?

You know guys, I'm another one of those that believes 'they should have tied the knot and be done with it' fans. It seems the trend of Enos fans usually are for the idea of him being married to Daisy Duke. But who can blame us? There was serious chemistry between those two in certain episodes. One ep. I remember stated that Enos would regularly 'court' Daisy. Now tell me with that statement there wasn't something there. If you notice when you watch the episodes, most of the ones that were written by 'Si Rose' had more romantic references between Enos and Daisy. I'm not sure what was on this writer's mind when it came to Enos and Daisy but it's just an observation that I see with their episodes. I don't know if anyone else has caught that little tidbit or not but it seems that there was something there.

I know I'm late on this... but I have one. I love country music yes, but I'm also a closet metal head, and I love Metallica. The song Fuel by Metallica, is my suggestion. *hums a few bars* Fuel is pumping engines... Burning hard... Loose and clean... Oooh...And then I burn...Turning my direction...Quench my thirst with gasoline... That's just a teaser but frankly the lyrics say it all.

Well Brian, I hope you can take my word for it that I'm not the traitor or Benedict Arnold in this case. The proof is in the puddin'. Check your mailbox. That's my alibi and I'm sticking to it.

Ok, now that I am taking Chemistry I came up with some more excuses... I aplogize in advance if some of you don't get this. Trust me this is really bad Chemistry humor. Bad as in cornball humor, but hey what do you expect from me? 1) Tell your TA that you're having a dipolar moment. 2) Insist that you lost your benzene ring and that your fiancé is going to kill you because of it. 3) Say all carbon based life forms piss you off. 4) You can't come to class because you cracked your electron orbital shell. 5) Tell them you ate all the pie bonds in your molecules. 6) You can't finish the lab because you're actually counting the number of carbon atoms in a mole to see if Avogadro was really right. I know they are corny but for any chemistry nuts out there... they are for you! Val

Balsamic vinegar? Whatever happened to plain old white vinegar, malt vinegar, or apple cider vinegar? Guess you've gone health conscious on us, eh Brian?

*Now vigorously sifting through mounds of paper work at desk* Oh there is my income tax return from 05! Dang it! Only two cents! *More sifting and a high pitch cat squeal is heard.* Mmmmeeeoow! Sheesh! Hey there was a kitty in there... Ewww... so that's where my chocolate covered pickle and peanut butter sandwhich from last May went to. Yucky! *still sifting, voice comes from under a mound of paperwork* Don't worry Brian, I'm still working on it! *Thumbs up comes up out from under the papers* Val

Yes, you have some loyalists out there Bri, but sometimes we ain't very good with deadlines. *Looks around to see if the Deputy isn't listening. Then whispers.* Just take a look at the Wildlife office desk! *Thumbs back to own desk that is mile high in own piles of work.* Maybe I might have something to help you out Brian on a story but I don't know if it will be done in time. I got at least ten pages maybe more and I need a little bit of advice on how to complete it darlin', especialy ehm, your advice. The only sad thing is, it's still in hard copy format (still in handwritting)! Maybe you have a third loop hole out. Ok, call it two and a half... The way I am on deadlines. I'm suprised I haven't been tanned with a wet noodle lately, cause I know I've been slackin'. Val

There are ways to get around buying the video and still seeing it. Many of us want to see this DVD because of curiosity sake. First off, renting it with as many friends watching with the one time rental is one way to get around it. There are also things such as Limewire to watch it. Granted the image of DOH has been blurred by the WB, but any remembrance is better than none at all. For those who stereo type the show saying its just rednecks having fun, really haven't done their cultural homework. There is something deeper to the original series than the stereo type of rednecks. Let’s face it. Hollywood is too removed from the real lives of those who work the land and grew up working the land. It's sad really. To say that they will ever get it right again, like they did the first time around is very doubtful. The only way to ever see it done right again, is to see the original cast themselves in the movie again and to have them direct it. Those who made the Dukes of Hazzard we all know and love are pretty much the only ones who could correctly copy it and create that extension of squeals. So we must forgive the ignorant and be grateful that they haven't completely forgotten rural America, and thankful that our beloved following is still remembered as much as it is. Val By the way Tim, this comes from someone who was born at the beginning of the age of 'Duke'. So yes, I'm young but age is just a number and timing is just a matter of circumstance. Does that make me any less of a fan because I'm young, or because I don't own every piece of Duke memorabilia there is?

You know I better hang on to these since I'm taking Chemistry next semester. Then after that I have Organic Chemistry! Oooooo! Carbon based chemistry! How fun.

Well, one big thing that sucks about school MM. Especially if you are in college in communal living. Is when it's December, it's 20 degrees outside, and you are in a dead sleep at 3am and.... SOMEBODY PULLS THE FREAKIN' FIRE ALARM!!! That really sucks about school. Especially if you're on the top bunk and you're laying there all nice and cozy, cuddled up with your stuffed cow. You finally got the banjos in your head to quiet down for the night and you hear, "MMMMMAAAAEEEP MMMMMAAAEEEP MMMMAAAEEEP! THERE HAS BEEN AN EMERGENCY REPORTED PLEASE EXIT THE BUILDING!" Then you have to kill yourself to rush to get out of bed by almost falling from your perched bunk in a dozy state. Your body is still not awake and you stumble around to find your shoes and coat then stumble out into the snow in your pj's. Then you find out it's a false alarm only after waiting outside in the freezing cold for a half hour while they search each floor of your building. You come back in and need to use the bathroom now because you were waken out of sleep and find out that everyone else on the floor has to too. So there is a line in the women's restroom. And some how I just know it's all Brian Coltrane's fault! You just had to do it didn't you! You had to be a smarty pants and pull the alarm! *Stands in pj's with stuffed cow 'spot', bathrobe, and slippers* You couldn't resist it could you! Well, I hope you're happy! *pouts and crawls back up bunk to bed*