Change we can believe in

Armories and military offices world wide have a wall featuring the chain of command. Here is a picture of part of the one in my building. Note the guy to the left of Governor Otter.



Rank goes lower as you move from the left side to the right. The Commander In Chief is on the far left, of course. Also, I think it's pretty neat that in our system, we prominently display the civilian leadership of the military.

Update; fixed some odd syntax about rank.

This dog won't hunt

Rep Raul Labrador has an opinion piece in the Statesman, in which he chides supporters of a local option transportation tax for not being willing to compromise. He said the opponents of the tax bill compromised when they offered a constitutional amendment that, if passed, would allow such a local option tax. Labrador is amazed.

The proponents of local-option taxes, however, chose to vote against this compromise rather than accept less than 100 percent of what they wanted. Amazingly, these individuals not only rejected the compromise but now complain that conservatives are too rigid and not willing to work with them to solve the problems of their local communities. They will not even acknowledge that conservatives tried to meet them halfway on the local-option sales tax.

Well, I’m also amazed, because Labrador either actually believes that he offered a compromise, or he is lying and he thinks we’re stupid enough to believe it.

The constitutional amendment was a poison pill provision designed to kill the local tax option. A constitutional amendment is inherently difficult to pass, needing to clear both houses by 2/3ds majorities, then be ratified by voters. That’s not a compromise, that’s a ploy to kill the bill while still trying to take some credit for compromise.

The conditions for the bill - single jurisdiction, super majority approval, and targeted spending - can all be imposed in legislation without amending the constitution. The only thing an amendment might do is make it harder to take away the ability to levy the tax should a later legislature change its mind, because the constitution would have to be amended again to strip away the power granted in the first amendment. I do not believe that opponents of the local option tax sincerely offered a measure that would make it harder to oppose the tax.

Has anyone heard an explanation for the “need” for the amendment? If the idea is to ensure that local voters can’t be taxed easily, the super majority requirement would address that. What excuse is offered for requiring an amendment? Labrador offers none.

Given that the constitutional amendment is unnecessary and counter to the conservative position, it seems clear to me that it was offered solely as a poison pill. Labrador was therefore either deluded, or lying. Or to put it another way, he was either naive, not very smart, or dishonest.

Is there any other explanation?

Gov (President?) Kempthorne

Mcjoan at Daily Kos has a post about Dirk Kempthorne exploring the possibility of running for President in the next election. She's pretty critical of Kempthorne in the piece.

My big disappointment with Kempthorne, when he served as Senator, was that he was indistinguishable from Larry Craig, politically. As near as I could tell, they were exactly the same. I had thought that Kempthorne would be moderate, but he wasn't able to get out of Craig's shadow and orbit (Same problem with Mike Crapo). Voted very conservatively.

I will always admire something about Kempthorne, nevertheless. My Guard unit was mobilized in June 2004, and the Gov Kempthorne was very supportive of us. And not in just easy political ways. On Thanksgiving in 2004, the Brigade was lodged in what were essentially huge chicken coops in Alexandria. LA. Kempthorne, Paul Revere, and others came to visit us.

Beginning afternoon on Thanksgiving day, Kempthorne, Revere, and various officers, including me, began to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the soldiers, about 2,000 of them. The last soldier was served around 6:30 PM, and by then the turkey, steak and some other side dishes, had run out. We servers ate after everyone else was served, and I had a plate of mashed potatoes and green beans. As did Kempthorne.

What impressed me was that Gov Kempthorne stood on that hard concrete floor, serving mashed potatoes the entire time. He took not a single break. Everyone else rotated in and out of the serving line, but not Kempthorne. Kempthorne had had back surgery just before his visit on Thanksgiving, and was clearly uncomfortable standing there that long.

About midnight on Thanskgiving we all boarded buses to the airport, got on planes, and flew to Kuwait. The planes departed around 2:00 AM. Gov Kempthorne was there, standing at the bottom of the stairs, shaking the hand of every soldier as he or she boarded the plane.

Here's what I wrote in my milblog at the time, 25 Nov 04. (BCT = Brigade Combat Team).

It is Thanksgiving day today. Last night the entire BCT went to a free concert by Paul Revere and the Raiders. Some pretty good songs, oldies, and lots of laughs. It is a funny show, and we all enjoyed it, although the guys from Pennsylvania booed our governor when he got up to speak. Gov. Kempthorne personally arranged for the free concert, so it was pretty classless for them to boo him. I was disappointed in the leadership for not stopping it. I think I'll say something to them about it.

We are having a feast today. 1,000 pounds turkey breast, 1,000 lbs of sirloin, and all the usual trimmings. 1/2 lb of meat for each soldier. Lots of donations from Alexandria of pies and pastries. Paul Revere, Gov Kempthorne, and others are serving the dinner. First group through; Pennsylvania. So, the guy they booed last night is serving them today.

I had to say a final goodbye to my loved ones today. I will not be able to call them, except infrequently, once I leave. It has been my most emotional day yet. I am not worried about what I am getting into, just am going to miss my loved ones I have to leave behind. Sad, not excited.

Idaho's Governor Kirk Kempthorne is here seeing the BCT off as we leave. In addition to arranging the concert, and pledging to shake every soldier's hand, he has spent the day serving mashed potatoes to the soldiers. He started at 1300, and is still there, at 1700. He plans to stick it out until about 1830 or so when everyone has been served. Paul Revere has been right there next to him, serving turkey, the entire time. Five and a half hours.

I don't much agree with the Governor's politics, but I am tremendously impressed with his support of the soldiers. Serving meals is kind of fun, as least for a while, but you're standing and it's hard on your back, and after a while it's not as fun as it was. I lasted only 1 1/2 hours. For him to stand there and, literally, serve soldiers is a real gesture of support. It is not a hollow photo op, like holding a fake turkey to get a few pictures taken. It may not seem like such a big deal, serving mashed potatoes, but I know I really appreciate it. So, my kudos to both Governor Kempthorne and Paul Revere for such a selfless act.

Otter's sartorial splendor

KTVB aired a segment on a new technology campus that is being developed between Eagle and Star. The footage showed Gov Otter outside hammering in a symbolic stake, and showed him inside addressing the gathered crowd.

I was struck by what he was wearing. Otter was wearing jeans, cowboy hat, tan Carhart coat, black leather vest, boots of course, and what appeared to be a silk neckerchief tied around his neck. He was also wearing, incongruously, a white shirt with French cuffs and cuff links.

The silk scarf and Frenchified shirt kind of worked against the rugged cowboy image. Looked sharp, though.

DINO?

Walt Minnick yet again voted which his new BFF Mike Simpson, and opposed the release of the second half of the TARP funds.

Walt is walking a difficult and tricky path.  He's trying to be conservative enough to win reelection in Idaho, so he joined the Blue Dogs in congress, and he's been voting accordingly. Part of the problem for him is folks like me.  You see, I voted for a Democrat, not a Republican.  I want Walt to support President Obama, and to advance progressive interests.

I understand that Walt has to be a conservative Dem, but he still needs to be a Dem.  It's one thing to take conservative positions and stick close to Idaho issues.  That's fine.  Oppose the hell out of gun control, or argue for delisting wolves.  But it's a different thing when he votes in a way to obstruct the President or a progressive agenda.  Voting against releasing the TARP funds, while probably meaningless given the circumstances,  is obstructionist.

So I'll be watching his votes.  And if he won't support the President or progressive issues, I won't support him.  He doesn't have to vote progressive blindly or every time, but he's got to support the important stuff.  I like to have Idaho represented by a Democrat, but not if the Democrat is going to support Republicans.  Don't take my D vote for granted.

Good luck with your balancing act, Walt.  But remember, if you lean too far one way or the other, left or right, you'll fall.

Virus alert

The last two times I clicked over to Adam's Web, my virus alert system kicked up an alert. It says it detected a Trojan virus, JS/Psyme. Apparently Internet Explorer runs some script when I log onto Adam's site, and it contains a virus.

So, Adam, you might want to check that out.

Fischer; off the deep end

You know when you're arguing with someone and they say, "it's not about the X," then it's definitely about X. "It's not about the money" means it's about the money.

Well, Bryan Fischer has gone overboard, and I hope that the Statesman and DFO take this into account the next time they're tempted to quote Fischer or otherwise give him any of the oxygen of publicity he needs to live on.

Chris noted that Fischer put up yet another odious post, but this time Fischer has gone too far. He writes about "Eerie parallels to Germany in 1932," and publishes a letter that forewarned about Hitler's rise. Fischer then bolds certain passages that he thinks apply to our brand new President, Barack Obama.

Fischer writes

I am not, in urging you to read this letter, suggesting that President-elect Obama is the next Hitler.

But of course, that is exactly what he is suggesting. Fischer is trying to conflate Obama with Hitler, even before Obama takes office. If you doubt this, look at the screen shot below taken from Fischer's post. (click to enlarge) Yes, that is a picture of a Hitler Youth waving a Nazi flag, with a swastika in the background. So, if Fischer isn't suggesting that Obama is Hitler, then why the Nazi imagery?

The Idaho Values Alliance motto is "Making Idaho the friendliest place in the world to raise a family." I guess they ought to be honest and just add "white" before family.

Fischer doesn't cite a single fact or example tied to Obama, just offers up the Nazi imagery. I think this is outrageous. Fischer should apologize for this despicable attack, and his supporters should think long and hard about Fischer's version of tolerance. I think that continuing to support Fischer is supporting intolerance and borderline racism.

Fischer has recently been on Zeb Bell's radio program (h/t Mountain Goat Report). I guess he's learning some of Bell's tricks.

In search of sun

My sweetheart and I have grown weary of the unrelenting fog, so went in search of the sun. First up on Saturday, South to Murphy, which is kind of remote.



No sun there, but we did stop and eat lunch in the Murphy General Store.



They serve a decent meal, but the menu is pretty limited. Basically burgers, a few salads, and a special of the day.  Here's the basic burger, nice trimmings and the parsley sprig was a surprise.

On Sunday we drove North, past Banks, toward Garden valley.  We were beginning to despair of seeing the sun, but finally, gloriously, blue sky.



The Bald Eagle seemed to be enjoying the day.  We also saw a Golden Eagle eating a road killed deer carcase.



We went into Crouch for lunch at the Longbranch.  In addition to stuffed and mounted Jackalope head, the bar sports this chandelier made of antlers.



The menu is much more fully realized. I had the Rueben, nicely done on Marbled Rye bread. Here's the side salad. The pic of the sandwich turned out too blurry to post.



We saw some deer just above a campground.



We also saw some deer and elk together.



And some folks looking at the elk, and the elk looking back.



The elk as they departed over the hill.

Tara spanks Adam

Tara has a great post taking Adam Graham to task for his Ad Hominem attacks on her and MG.

Adam's pace of blogging demands much material but doesn't seem to allow time for much research or spell checking. He tends to pile onto what ever the R reactionary wing is griping about at the moment, and doesn't hesitate to make personal comments. They're not as mean as they could be, and not as mean as many leveled at him, but still, he does tend to attack the messenger in an effort to discredit the message. Standard winger tactic.

And no, I'm not putting up any examples. Read his site; examples abound. Tara cites a few in her post.

Why do geese hate us?

People are calling the pilot who landed the Airbus in the Hudson River a hero, and some are saying he should get a medal.

I don't think that landing the plane in the river makes him a hero. Frankly, I expect the pilots of any aircraft I ride in to have sufficient skills to land other than under perfect conditions.

Granted, landing a large jet on water took incredible skill, and I am in awe of that accomplishment. But it doesn't make him a hero. He did what he had to do, and was fortunate to have the experience and talent to pull it off.

What did make him a hero, I believe, is that he walked the length of the plane, twice, to ensure that all passengers were off. He was the last person to exit the plane. He put his life at risk to do his duty when he didn't have to. That made him a hero.

Chesley Sullenberger: True American Hero.

Where to eat in Idaho Falls?

I'll be in Idaho Falls for business on Friday. Any recommendations for a good lunch? Non chain please. I'm familiar with Smitty's and it's my fall back position, but I'm looking to find a new (to me) place.

Potholes over people

My advice to Idaho Democrats over that slogan, and the political position behind it is, drop it. For two reasons.

First, we need money for roads and transportation and Democrats should support any opportunity to obtain it. It will be difficult to accomplish in any year. Republicans hate to invest in our economy and infrastructure, so when you have the Governor pushing for transportation money it’s a rare opportunity that must be seized.

Yes, the budget cuts will affect people, including, famously, Spencer who only gets 22 hours of therapy instead of 30 a week. But bad transportation affects people as well. Just this morning a crash occurred on I 184 (the connector) which backed up traffic, made people late for work, burned up gas due to idling along, raised blood pressures, and made the commute miserable. It is important to continue to invest in education and other human capital/infrastructure, but in this tight money year choices have to be made.

Both education and roads are never-ending needs. In a year when you have the Governor pushing one issue, help him out. If you don’t and his effort fails, he might give up, or he might just get only a pittance.

Second, Democrats are playing the politics wrong on this issue. Every year Democrats talk about education, and in every campaign they make it a key issue. I agree that Democrats should support education, and fight for it in the legislature, but stop talking about it and making it a centerpiece of legislative efforts.

Most Idaho Republican voters believe that Idaho Democrats are captives of the dreaded “teachers union.” The union does support Democrats, and Democrats should repay that by supporting education. But in constantly making it the signature issue, Democrats reinforce the Republican talking point about the over influence of the union. This allows Republicans to dismiss the Democrats when Democrats raise education issues.

Have you ever heard a Republican, other than Steve Thayn, say that education is bad and we should do away with schools? Of course not. Republicans support education, somewhat. Enough to allow them to say that they support it sufficiently and that any more support is just throwing money at the problem.

Because Democrats tend to be a Johnny One Note about education, and because Republicans have successfully convinced voters that Democrats just want to make the teachers union happy, Democrats have little or no credibility on the issue.

Bashing Gov Otter’s budget and his roads initiative reinforces the perception that Democrats are not credible. Again, Democrats make this the key issue every year. So, how’s that working for you? Riding a tidal wave of electoral success? Gaining seats every election?

You’re politicians; make a smart political choice. What is better: always trying to do the right thing, which ensures that you will stay out of power and unable to actually accomplish the right thing, or laying off it for a while and gaining power that will eventually allow you to get the right thing done? The old hippie conundrum. Do I compromise my ideals and join the system so that I can work within it to change it, or do I remain ideologically pristine, on the outside, and ineffective in bringing about change?

If you want to exercise some power, join with the Governor and support his initiative.

Petty politics

Legislators, like every else, have egos. It seems, though, that Idaho's legislators let their egos get in the way of doing the right things for the people of Idaho. Nicole LaFavour wrote of it often, as in the excerpts below.

This week will be about force. These last days are. The big boys fight, take hostages and dare each other to kill bills. It sometimes is as if no issue is attached to the legislation. Like Governor Otter vetoing a substance abuse budget line. You never know if its about policy or personalities. Did the sponsor make him mad? Was there a political rival who would benefit. Did he have other designs for the money?

And we could stop the foolish amendment but the house Republican leaders have kept lots of Senate bill as hostages. They will commence a grand game of chicken to see if the Senate will cave and give them what they want.

And today the Statesman reports that Rep JoAn Wood

She said she's not forgotten Otter's knock on lawmakers for lacking the "political courage" to act on transportation funding in 2008.

And she said

We would be way farther ahead if he'd taken the $68 million, said Wood, R-Rigby. That made me upset.

Ahh, did he hurt your feelers? Jeez. Would it be so much to ask that you put ego aside and do the people's business?

Bill Sali's next job

Now that Bill Sali is no longer a congressman, he's going to need a new job. He wasn't exactly prospering as a lawyer before going to DC. After all, he had to work three jobs; lawyer, legislator, and musician.

I'd guess that an unpopular 1-term congressman isn't going to be a prime candidate for a lobbyist or consultant job.

So, I wonder if Gov Otter will toss ol' Bill a bone and give him a state job. I know of one that's coming open in a few weeks at an annual salary of $89,711.

The Idaho Industrial Commission, which administers Idaho's workers compensation system, has three commissioners. By statute and tradition, one is a union guy and represents labor, one represents employers, and the third is an attorney. Only two of the three can be from one political party.

Currently the Commission consists of union guy R.D. Maynard, employer rep (and Mayor of Fruitland, also a former state representative) Thomas Limbaugh, and attorney James Kile, formerly of Simplot.

Kile has served two 6-year terms, but was recently notified that he's not going to be reappointed. He will stay until Feb 09. So, this will open up a lawyer slot that perhaps Gov Otter can fill with Bill Sali. Maynard is a D, Limbaugh and Kile are Rs. Almost certainly Kile's replacement will be a Republican.

While at Simplot, Kile knew worked with, Butch Otter, and later Otter was Lt Gov when Kile got the job.

To replace a commissioner, the Gov either wants to put someone in and has someone in mind, so the sitting commissioner gets pushed out. Or, doesn't like the work of the Cmsnr and axes him without necessarily having a replacement in mind. I don't know which is at play here.

In the 90s Gov Bill Batt appointed former legislator Rachael Gilbert. She was so polarizing that she only served one term. I'd expect that Otter is aware of the effect of appointing such folks, and would not appoint Sali.

I'd also be surprised if Otter wanted to help ol' Bill, given that Bill helped shove out Otter's guy Sullivan from the head of the Idaho Republican Party. But, you never know. Also, Larry Craig is looking for work, but I don't think he's a lawyer. Knowing anything about work comp is not a particular requirement.

A great idea, dead in the water

Jon Marvel has a Reader's View in today's Statesman, in which he suggests that water users in Idaho should pay for the water they use.

Marvel notes the expense of administering water issues and describes how the cost can be borne by all water users, including homeowners and farmers. He notes advantages of the plan, such as raising revenue in tight budgetary times and encouraging conservation.

As a water user, I'm not so partial to paying more for water, but as a taxpayer I like the idea that folks who use a State resource ought to pay for that use. In fact, failure to charge the big users while simultaneously funding a state agency to sort out issues related to the big users is, plain and simple, a subsidy.

This is "marvel"ous idea. Unfortunately, it's likely to go nowhere. Our R friends in the legislature are deeply beholden to farmers and ranchers (in fact, in many cases are one and the same) and won't be keen to impose new fees. Farmers and ranchers are exempt from the sales tax. I believe they can buy untaxed farm fuel They get advantageous tax rates on farm ground. And on and on. The legislature takes care of Idaho's farmers and ranchers.

So, I don't expect this to go anywhere, but I'd like someone to raise it for discussion. Perhaps one of our safe Boise legislators, or even Clint Stennent. It won't pass, but talking about it could expose political fault lines and perhaps some hypocrisy. If we're going to raise fuel taxes to raise money from people who drive, then why not raise some water tax from people who use water, especially people who use water to make money.

Marvel says

One consequence of this free water policy is that the majority of the Idaho Department of Water Resources annual budget of $26 million comes from the Idaho's general fund, even though most of the work of the agency has to do with administering water rights and studying the relationship of groundwater and surface water.

$26 mil shifted off the general fund would go a long way to easing our budget issues or toward helping rebuild our transportation infrastructure.

Lt. Gov. Little

Gov Otter has appointed Sen. Brad Little to replace Jim Risch as the Lt Gov. Little to replace the Angry Gnome. I guess you can't say he has big shoes to fill. Har!

Lt Gov Little says he wants to help spur Idaho's economy, and get it "boiling." I hope he does; that's an admirable goal. But I wonder, how? What power does the Lt Gov have to boost the economy?

Anyway, congratulations to Sen/Lt Gov Little, and best wishes. He's always struck me as part of the moderate wing of the Idaho R party, so I'm happy to see him appointed for that reason. Also, Adam is exhorting his readers to mobilize now to get a true conservative in place to challenge Little in the next election before Little can build a solid base for a run at Governor, so Little must not be a winger.

And of course, the next fascinating power struggle will be over who backfills Little. Folks are already jockeying for position. I'm hoping Thayne throws his hat in the ring. And Pro-Life.

Who are we going to lose?

Adam has made various predictions about the upcoming year, one of which concerns Idaho blue bloggers.

With the Bush Administration gone, two liberals Idaho bloggers will exit the blogging scene for good by this Summer, while another begins to have doubts about Obama and “progressivism” as a whole. This blogger’s doubts will lead them to vote for the Republican Nominee for President in 2012.

So, I'm curious who he has in mind. Which two will depart the scene for good? Who will become disillusioned and go over to the dark side?

Predicting is a dicey business. Adam also predicted the Super Bowl:

The Minnesota Vikings defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 26-23 to win the Super Bowl.

I think both the Vikings and the Colts are out already, so that one isn't going to come true.

Otter housing stipend

The Statesman's Kevin Richert opined that Gov Otter ought to give back his $4,500 monthly housing stipend, given the hard times and all. (I'd link to this, but can't find it on the Statesman's website.)

I'm of mixed minds on this. On one hand, I understand that the stipend is designed for governors who don't live nearby, so they don't have to maintain a second home at their own expense. Otter, who lives in Star, doesn't have to maintain a second home, so him accepting the stipend is a bit like Sarah Palin charging Alaska a per diem to stay in her home.

On the other hand, I think at least part of the stipend is to allow a governor to have a place to entertain in association with official state functions. A state reception or dinner, or the like. I believe that Otter has used his home for this, though I can't say for sure. (Perhaps I'm remembering a Republican Party function there, which is troubling if true, given that the stipend could be seen as supporting this function.)

On the third hand, I don't really like the idea of asking state employees, even ones at the top, to bear the brunt of budget shortfalls. People vote for fiscally conservative legislators, and they accordingly try to keep the budget lean. When state employees don't get raises, or take days without pay, they still deliver the services of the agency they're working for, so taxpayers don't experience the effect of budget problems.

If we just eliminated some service altogether, so that taxpayers felt the effect of fiscal conservatism, perhaps they'd vote to return the service. This is kind of a spiteful "I'll show you" idea, and will probably not happen. But it illustrates my point, that state employees tend to be used to perpetuate the political status quo. And so, if the Gov is entitled under the current law to a stipend, I say let him have it. If we don't like that, change the law to exclude Governors within commuting distance, but don't game the system by asking Otter, or any state employee, to make sacrifices that aren't asked of others.

More food blogging

While I'm waiting for some local political action to comment on, here's another food blog.

Last fall I went to Donnie Mac's, a trailer park themed eatery here in Boise. They used to have great breakfasts, but stopped serving breakfast for some reason. Here's a pic of the location. They've done a nice job with the trailer trash theme. You can even eat inside an old car if you want.



I ordered the bratwurst with 'kraut, shown below. I was pretty disappointed. At $6.95 I expected something more than a usual dog. The hot dog vender at the Home Depot serves up a better brat and 'kraut for $2.50. I guess I paid $3.50 for the fries.



My son ordered the PBJ, below. Pitiful. The bread wasn't interesting, they didn't put much PBJ on it, and the presentation was lacking. Just a plain sandwich on a plate.



Given all the restaurants in Boise that are going out of business, with this kind of fare, I'd bet Donnie Mac's isn't far behind.

A banner night for the ACSO

86 unfortunate souls were incarcerated in the Ada County lock up between 6 AM on the 31st and this morning, most for DUI. A few for public intoxication. I don't quite get the latter charge; seems like that would apply to thousands of people in Boise on New Years Eve.

As for me, I went to a friend's home to enjoy some authentic turkish cooking. I'll post some pix, if I can get past some technical difficulties I'm experiencing.