Geez, I actually did my best to defend the awards as what they were, and I sure didn't try to make it an issue. So much for that... BTW, if it is irrevelant, why are we posting about it? I agree that's it's not important, but we must care at least a little. :)
First of all, Neil, where did I ever assume that the majority of Coasterbuzzers are from Ohio? My statement that the site is "overflowing with Ohio folks" could be ambiguous but it was meant to imply that a disproportionate amount of members are from Ohio. But Jeff's figure shows that I was wrong and I apologize for upsetting you by making that statement (I'll take back what I said too). But as for me claiming a majority are from Ohio, that's your assumption not mine.
Thank you UCSigep for that explanation; I don't need to add much to it. I brought up the member location thing (which proved to be a mistake :)) to show why I thought two of five CP coasters made the final cut -- because CP has such a huge Coasterbuzz following. But I was wrong; see the above paragraph.
Let me repost my last paragraph concerning the awards, with emphasis added:
All in all the awards will serve their purpose -- to show what rides Coasterbuzzers (not the entire coaster-riding population) think are the best. IMO they can't be seen as the authority on coaster rankings.
It looks like you and I agree, Neil. The awards will serve their purpose -- I never claimed they were supposed to be the authority nor did I claim I was disappointed with the way they have turned out so far. As I stated, any awards system will result in the most popular candidates being chosen (I used myself as an example to show how/why this would happen IMO), and as Jeff said that's exactly what the Coasters' Choice awards were meant to be.
And for the record, that last part about the election was meant to be humorous -- I was NOT in any way comparing this awards system or Coasterbuzz to the election. I'm sorry if anyone got that impression -- that part probably shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Hopefully that will clear up any misunderstandings about my post... I think the Coasters' Choice awards are great and I've already done my voting.