Hype vs reality

I love these food comparisons. What it looks like on the package,



and what it looks like ready to eat..



Here's another.

Donald's Cafe in Lapwai

The holidays have slowed down my already sluggish posting. That plus the lack of interesting goings on in the state. As I look over the other blue bloggers, I see that the holidays seems to having an impact there as well.



I took a driving trip to Coeur d'Alene last fall, and have been meaning to post these pix ever since. I haven't broken the code on how to get the line up, but can explain them. I took highway 97 south from CdA, and boy, that's a tiny winding road. The picture shows the nonexistent shoulder. For much of the first few miles, if you leave the road, you're either in the lake, or careening downhill toward it. Exhilarating, or scary, depending on your mindset.



I stopped in PlummerLapwai for lunch, and ate at Donalds Cafe, show at right. I ordered, if I recall correctly, a Monte Cristo sandwich, shown below. It was okay, not great, kind of pedestrian. Breaded chicken breast, processed ham, barely ripe tomato. Fries were pretty good, and came with fry sauce, which is always a plus. An interesting place to stop on the Coeur d'AleneNez Perce Indian Reservation, but I wouldn't rank it among the "you really ought to stop if you're in the area" places, like the Snake River Grill in Hagerman.



Update; had the wrong town and reservation.

Feuding Republicans

I came across a letter written by Idaho Republican Party Chair Norm Semanko, actually two letters. One dated December 16, 2008 was addressed to District 21 primary voters, to bring them "up to date on an incident" that took place in Dist 21. You can see the letters below.  Click to enlarge.

Semanko is taking Stephen Ricks to task for allegedly using the Idaho Republican Party logo in his primary campaign materials without authorization. Semanko is also complaining that Ricks' materials mislead voters into thinking his campaign was endorsed by the Idaho Republican Party.

Semanko writes in the December letter "The Idaho Republican Party has a longstanding policy of not endorsing candidates in primary elections." He makes a similar statement in the September 21, 2008 letter to Ricks. If they had such a longstanding policy, and this is so important, why did they endorse Jim Risch so early, well before the primary election?

Take a moment and read the letter to Ricks. Semanko refers to allegations against the incumbents and calls them irresponsible. He says Ricks slandered some public servants. Semanko included this sentence:

If you or your supporters believe the party is exclusively populated by corrupt or dishonest people, then your voluntary decision to participate in the party calls your own character into question.

Finally, Semanko says he fears the letter "may fall into Democrat hands, who would use it against our Republican candidates in the General Election." I don't remember hearing about this, so I guess it didn't.

So, Norm! sent the letter to Ricks in September, and three months later mails it to Dist 21 voters. That pretty clearly says that the issue is still unresolved. I hope someone with access asks Ricks or Semanko about the letter.

Note to Kevin Richert

I usually read the Statesman on my lunch hour, but have been busy the last couple of days, so am behind. (Unlike Chris, who seems to read the local papers instantly.) Anyway, I just read Kevin Richert's opinion published on Monday, Dec 15.

Richert, mentioning the Unequivocal Notion, talks about anonymity in the blogosphere. Good on him for this, he says it's okay, but says jeez, we all ought to fess up to our identities, because he's "deeply troubled by anonymous commenters" who "coarsen[..] the dialog."

Well, some of us would lose our jobs if we were exposed, but that's an argument for some other time. My chief beef with Richert's opinion is that he confuses commenters with bloggers. Folks who leave some comment under a fake name on a blog aren't bloggers. Bloggers maintain a blog. Udapimp, for example since s/he is referred to by Richert, doesn't have a blog that I know of, is not a blogger. Leaving comments is not the same as blogging.

Anonymous commenters can be bomb throwers, kind of like a drive-by shooting. They [a few of them, not all] pop up and post some angry comment and move on, leaving no trail. We semi-anonymous bloggers might throw a bomb, but we have a more substantial presence by which Richert can tell "where [we're] coming from." Just read our blogs.

And BTW, Richert says he'd love to know our names. Well, how 'bout sending an email to the contact links most of us keep. I've met with DFO twice, and gave him my card. I don't mind being known to DFO, or Richert, if they'll keep the confidence and my job's not at risk. Just ask, and we may well respond.

Holy cow

Times are tough these days, but this news is surprising. Most of us have enjoyed, or at least considered, the BOGO offer. Buy one, get one free. Well, as I was looking at the auto ads today, I was shocked to see a BOGO offer. Larry Miller auto was offering a 2008 Mustang if you buy a 2008 Dodge SLT Quad Cab 4x4. You have to buy a really expensive vehicle, but, man, if you do, a new 'stang for a buck. Oh, and the $299 dealer doc(umentation) fee. A tip; tell them to shove the doc fee.

Peterson Auto also had a BOGO offer. If you buy a 2008 Escallade, Suburban, or 2500 Diesel pickup, you get a FREE 2009 (note Nine) Chevy Cobalt.

For both offers, it's limited to autos in stock. The Peterson offer says it worth up to $15,745. If you're in the market for a new car, I'd bet you get a heck of a bargain. Appears they're desperate to clear off the 2008 inventory. Go offer to pay invoice, if they show you the invoice, and insist that you keep any rebates. And ask for free oil changes for a year (something the dealership has control over). You'll probably get a great deal. If you can get financing.

And while you're there, buy an apple from the ragamuffin outside the front door. Opportunities abound in the Bush Depression.

Of course

This is a bit amazing to me.

Retiring U.S. Sen. Larry Craig came before a friendly audience Tuesday at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and received two standing ovations for his 28 years of work in Congress.

Not one, but two standing ovations. Among the things the Boise CoC thanked Craig for was help protecting Mountain Home AFB. I guess Boise benefits from MHAFB, though it seems a bit remote.

So, what do you think they were thinking? Do the CoC folks believe Craig that he just plead guilty in the sex sting case to make it go away? Or do they think he's lying about that but are so star struck that they can't help but fawn all over him? Or, do you think they think he's lying but have forgiven him for lying under oath to a judge, and have forgiven him for homosexual behavior? Doesn't it have to be one of these? Can you think of any other alternatives?

Of the three, it's pretty hard to imagine Idaho Republicans forgiving homosexual behavior.

Liberal newspapers

Folks are always complaining about the liberal media, and local folks love to accuse the Idaho Statesman of being liberal. But the facts don't support that accusation; just the opposite.

In the Sunday edition today, the Insight section has three columnists on the front page; David Brooks, Thomas Friedman, and William Kristol. Inside is a column by Charles Krauthammer. All four of these men are conservatives. There is a column by David Broder, who is widely considered to be pretty neutral, and a column by Ellen Goodman, a somewhat left-leaning columnist. Four conservatives, one moderate, one progressive.

Locals who gripe about the Statesman's (non-existent) liberal bias often point to investigative reporting by Dan Popkey, and say he always picks on Republicans. Well, who else is there to report on? Republicans have all the state wide offices, for now and for the last, what, 16 years, have all the national offices, and dominate in the legislature. Of course Popkey is going to report more on Republicans.

Maybe Popkey and every employee at the Statesman votes a straight Democratic ticket every election. Well, so? Actions speak louder than words, and judging by who they publish, the Statesman is acting pretty conservative.

3 by 2

I don't understand why this is, but here's some things I like and don't like, and they're related, so you'd think since I don't mind the one, I wouldn't mind the other.

I don't mind, and in fact kind of enjoy, doing laundry, folding laundry, and putting dishes in the dishwasher.  I hate two related tasks.   I hate putting away clothes after I've folded them, and I really, really, really don't like putting away clean dishes. Something about emptying the dishwasher is just the most onerous task for me.

I know, jeez, what a silly problem. Just putting it out there. Just sayin'.

Belief and intent

So, Larry Craig issued a statement bemoaning the Minnesota Court of Appeals' vote to uphold his guilty plea.

I disagree with their conclusion and remain steadfast in my belief that nothing criminal or improper occurred at the Minneapolis airport.

Recall, this is the guy who said "It is my intent to resign" then didn't resign. Craig knows what words mean, and he doesn't hesitate to parse them. So when he says it is his "belief" that nothing criminal happened, I take him literally. He believes that he's not a criminal.

What he didn't say was, "nothing criminal happened." This statement denies that criminal behavior occurred. The previous statement essentially admits the behavior, but denies that it was criminal.

Here's another way to look at this. "I didn't shoot the guy." Denying the behavior. "I shot him, but it was in self defense, so I believe nothing criminal occurred." Admitting the behavior, denying it's criminal.

He's pondering an appeal. Now that he can't use campaign money to fund his defense, this will be a tough decision.

Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, here's a picture you can use on the flyer announcing the forum where you want to thank Larry.

Lickspittles

Sycophants and lickspittles, the lot of 'em. The Boise Chamber of Commerce is "honoring" Larry Craig. I can't say it any better than this.

A man who lives a lie, who uses his career to wrongfully denigrate other homosexuals into second class citizens, brings shame to his wife, his friends, his family, his party and the state through criminal and hypocritical behavior, and then makes a mockery of the legal system and the constitution he's sworn to uphold is not worthy of accolades.

Sisyphus rightly asks, what did Craig ever do for Boise?

Hey, Boise Chamber of Commerce, take a look at who is representing Boise in the State legislature. Do you see a lot of folks who hold Craig's beliefs? How 'bout the mayor? You're out of touch with the people of Boise.

I chalk this up to pathetic R-worship. Doesn't matter what the R does or how he/she votes, that wonderful, mesmerizing, grace-bestowing R is by the name. All hail the R!

I've got an idea for you, Boise Chamber of Commerce. Ted Stevens will have some free time soon. Invite him over and worship at his feet. Mark Foley has some free time as well, and he seems to share Craig's values. Invite him for praise as well.

While you're at it, please take up a collection and produce a larger-than-life statute of the great man, the Right Honorable Larry Craig, Hero of Boise and Vizier of Virtue. Put the statute of the Statesman of the Century in the Boise Airport. Next to the bathroom.

Update: The Statesman is reporting that Craig's attempt to withdraw his guilty plea is rejected. So, Chamber of Commerce, you're honoring a convicted sex offender person convicted of a sex-related misdemeanor.

Later update: TVA correctly pointed out that I mistated the conviction as a sex offense, so I'm withdrawing that.

Otter's road money

The Statesman is reporting that Governor

Otter will ask lawmakers to approve higher fuel taxes and registration fees, along with a new rental car tax.

I'm glad the Gov is still pushing this, even though the economy ain't so hot. I'm hoping he'll expand the base into other areas and not raise the gas tax.

To target the revenue base to folks who use the roads, tax transportation consumables; batteries, auto parts, tires, car washes, etc. Or, even better in my opinion, get rid of all the special interest sales tax breaks, and also tax services. That would raise plenty of money.

Any by the way, I'm not sold on the idea that people who use the roads should be the only ones paying for them. Roads are vital to our economy and national defense, and every citizen benefits from them. For example, food and goods are trucked, and first responders use roads in emergencies. Big trucks that wear out roads more quickly than personal vehicles should bear a bit more of the burden, but the run of the mill Joe the Plumber driver shouldn't.

Corrupt politicians

BSU radio reported today (which probably means that the story was reported in the Statesman; BSU Radio is notorious for poaching stories without crediting the source) that former Representative Jack Noble is in trouble again.

You recall Noble. While in the legislature he tried to get legislation passed that would have benefited one of his businesses, but failed to disclose this conflict. He subsequently resigned before he could be drummed out.

Well, apparently he didn't have workers' compensation insurance for his dairy employees, as required by law and the Industrial Commission has busted him for this.

Noble seems to think he's above the law. I think this is another example of the problems with a one-party state. The party in power thinks it can get away with anything, and often does.

As Chris noted here, Idaho is ranked 44th in government integrity, and yet our Republican lawmakers reject new ethics measures (because they were introduced by Democrats, of course, since Republicans won't introduce any).

Thayn's big idea

Steve Thayn, in his quest to promote (his kind of) family values, has proposed a new plan for pre-school education. His chief goal is to keep kids at home with their mothers before going off to first grade. Here's his plan, as reported by the Statesman.

The measure, which Thayn has vowed to introduce in the 2009 Legislature, would divide up the average $4,500 per-student annual cost of kindergarten, with half the cash going to parents, a quarter going to school districts and a quarter to a fund that shores up public education during tough economic times.

Giving credit where it's due, I think Thayn is doing some original thinking. Putting money into a family's pocket, educating kids, saving for a rainy day, all good ideas. I kind of like the idea.

The one drawback I see is, what happens if the parents elect this plan, but don't educate their kids well enough to meet the standard for entering first grade? The child will be starting off behind the other students.

So, I have a suggestion to Thayn. When the child doesn't pass the test, the parents will not get the money. In that case, redirect the parent's money to a tutoring program for that child to get him or her up to speed as soon as possible. The parents will have to agree to the tutoring program when they sign up for the pre-school program.

Steve Thayn and I agreeing on some social engineering. Look out the window; you might see pigs flying.