Monday, December 31, 2012

Jim MacDnald, R.I.P

A Bayview Icon, Jim MacDonald passed away early this morning. Long time marina owner, he was once the mail boat postman, state legislator and community leader, and for many years owned and managed MacDonald's Resort now managed by his son, Gary.

During the 1950's and part of the 60's Jim ran the mail boat for 13 years, until the press of running the marina caused him to give up the job he loved.

Jim was opinionated and not everyone agreed with him all of the time, but everyone respected this gentleman of the old school. In recent years he was active to the extent that as of tomorrow, January as president of the Bayview Chamber, but he was perhaps most noted for lobbying the state to discontinue commercial harvests of Kokanee. He was one of the first to recognize that this landlocked salmon was being over fished and insisted the state do a study which resulted in the scaling down of the fishing. Unfortunately, too little, too late. Those of us that occasionally crossed swords with Jim did so with respect.

He did however, live to see the recovery of this valued specie to the extent that tomorrow, January first marks the reinstating of a limited fishery in Lake Pend Oreille after a closure of many years. After World War Two he served as the mailman for lake residents, greeting folks up the lake with his infectious grin.

During the last few years Jim was slowed way down but managed to put around in his golf cart when walking became too strenuous and kept up with the community up until the last. His retirement hobby was building bird houses in his wood working shop above the boat shop. There must be hundreds of these homes for wayward birds in the community as he never tired of producing them.

Regardless if you were a friend or not, Jim MacDonald was a giant in the community, fighting hard at times for the preservation of Scenic Bay and Lake Pend Oreille. He will be missed.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Spoiled No More

For the last seventeen years I have lived in Bayview, there have been two postmasters. Sue for most of those years retired last year. Eric who was her temporary during that period took over. Apparently he was not on the career track as a permanent postal employee and he was eliminated just prior to the Christmas rush. These two were not just postal employees. The were also friends and neighbors who knew everyone and cared about the community and those in it.

I will not mention names here, but I came down to earth with a thud when the new guy showed up. I had a malfunctioning lock on my regular mail box, so another adjacent one was assigned to me. The old box had a block on it which read deposit mail in XXX box. For months that worked quite well. ...Until the new guy arrived.

I get my medications from the Veterans Administration in Spokane, of which some are controlled substances requiring a signature. Such was the case when the VA sent a sorely needed medication December 19 which arrived at 07:28 am December 22. I had checked daily, including Christmas Eve for what should have arrived and didn't.

Finally, I called the pharmacy at the VA which had tracking numbers. They indicated that the post office received it at 07:58 am the 22nd and forwarded it later that morning. When I asked at the post office where they forwarded it they couldn't tell me. It was just out there in the ether somewhere in the system. The new guy failed to read the instructions that everyone else followed correctly. since there was mail in my box every day, one had to assume someone there knew how to do their job.

I got a call telling me that it would show up eventually. No apology, no, I'm sorry a mistake was made, just a mumbled, "I just followed policy." I had been spoiled for so long it took me a while to realize that a true bureaucrat is never wrong, and always has policy or regulations to blame for their own ineptitude. If he had owned the mistake that would have been the end of it. Some people just aren't able to man up and take responsibility for their actions. Nobody is perfect, but you are expected to express regret when you screw up.That he didn't indicates he probably doesn't belong in a small town post office.  

Monday, December 24, 2012

School Security Issue

I support the idea of having an armed, qualified person in every school. Having said that, arming teachers in the classroom is idiotic. Having a shootout inside the classroom would cause more injuries and fatalities having the kids in a crossfire. Perhaps the principal, if as a voluntary act and after training in weapons safety could be included.

The are two major issues regarding school safety. One is after an intruder attempts to enter, and the other preventative measures. Based on the entry used in Connecticut, windows next to locked entryways are alternative entries. Access through doors during school hours should be locked at all times with office control through televised entry ways. Any window accessible from ground level should be barred. Any classroom windows should, at the bottom be at least seven feet off the surface outside. If a terrorist want to shoot kids they can do so from outside shooting through windows.

As far as armed personnel, why not use reserve officers who have passed through the same training academies as serving officers. They could be hired by the respective school districts as school employees, but qualified and supervised jointly by the Sheriff Department and the schools, jointly.

These should be in civilian clothes so that they wouldn't be first targets as they would be in uniform. I am sure the schools could use these guards in other capacities than sitting by a door all day long waiting for something that may never happen.

From a law enforcement standpoint, sending patrol cars from school to school is not an efficient way to utilize manpower. Perhaps at the high school level and depending on local circumstances, school resource officers could  be assigned but probably not at the elementary level. 

That we must protect our kids is a given. Overreacting isn't. Budget be damned, this must happen even at the expense of cutting other programs. I urge our Sheriff-elect, Ben Wolfinger to enter into dialog with the various school superintendents within Kootenai County with other venues doing the same.

Athletic events, musical events and other gatherings are required to hire armed security guards. Aren't our schools, the teachers and students just as important as an athletic events?

Bayviews wishes everyone out there a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Tomorrow Is The Big Day

Do I expect the world to end tomorrow? Heck no. But at this time of year any excuse for getting out of the house is a good one.

We here in Bayview take a rather casual attitude about this and other so called earth changing or destroying episodes. It's an excuse for a party. Friday pm will will party indeed. The Captain's wheel is having an end of the earth party the evening of Friday the 21st. Featured will be DJ, Paul Celeri and end of the world draft beer. We don't know who brews it, but by the time we find out it will be over.

Obviously drinks will be priced as if it were the end of the world, as indeed it might be. For those staggering home after several hours of course, if a cop stops you, it may indeed be the end of your world. Find a designated driver, then party down. If you wake up the next morning, we'll have to think up other means of celebrating. Perhaps the beginning of the rest of your life.

We expect a good crowd. After all, if your significant other thinks this is her last chance at dinner out, resist at your own risk. Steaks and specials and wow, did I mention the real true cod dinners? Oh and fresh Salmon dinners as well.

I'll be spending much of the day in Spokane with my Son and Daughter In -Law who has promised me a grandchild within the next two or so weeks. But never fear. Herb is here for those lonely last chance ladies that show up with no prospects of a last whoopee. See you there.

Guns-- Symptoms, Not Cause

Banning any kid of gun in and of itself is a band aid. Guns, used in tragedies such as in Connecticut and Colorado are present by the thousands with more being sold every day as consumers fear they will disappear.

The real culprit is attitude. With movies, video games and many other genres promoting shoot em up blow em up plots, if that's what you want to call them, has desensitized young people about violent death.

I remember back a few years ago when a mother was looking at one of the worst ones, marked with warnings, I pointed out to her the age advisory. She went straight to an assistant manager who counseled me quickly. While I thought the corporation was sensitive regarding corrupting youth, instead I was told that I was there to sell stuff, not to moralize. (there's a moral of the story for you)

There are other causes, such as mental illness not treated, broken homes and single parenting the rule rather than the exception. I am 74 years old. During my youth in the 1940's and '50's, families stayed together.Generally the wife and mother stayed home with their kids.

Now we have working mothers, admittedly necessary in this day and age of inflation of costs without relative gains in wages, children being raised by other kids in the neighborhood.

These are the primary ills in our society, not guns. When I grew up most of our families including mine had guns. Parents taught their children not to touch them. We didn't. We didn't have the urge to grab one or more and go out to shoot up a school or shopping mall either. We considered death a tragedy, not fun.

Attitudes and training, or lack thereof are the root causes and until we correct those things that are correctable, this insanity will continue. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Horror In Connecticut

As we try to process what happened in this pastoral residential community, One has to wonder what has happened to us as a society. At age 74, I go back a long way. Never during my childhood did anything like this ever happen. The 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Nothing.

Now in just a few years we have had college campuses ravaged, schools in Colorado and now Connecticut. It can't be just the automatic weapons, as we understand it, two semi-automatic pistols were used systematically, reloading as needed to kill everyone in two classrooms.

For reasons undisclosed yet, the security system that had been installed didn't work. Either the killer was buzzed through routinely, or the front door wasn't locked. Twenty children didn't meet their parents that gathered at the local fire station to reunite. Finally, the Governor announced if you haven't reunited with your child, you aren't going to. All survivors are out of the school. In addition to the children, either seven or eight adults were also killed, some undoubtedly teachers trying to protect their students and paid with their own lives.

In the days to come stories will come out as to the grade levels that were affected and the other details involved. I would imagine that everyone in this country and beyond are wondering what happened in our society that has spawned multiple killings followed by suicides. Is it lack of mental health programs? Back in the 50's we had none to speak of and we got by. Is it lack of societal character? Has the turn away from churches toward the lack of moral values caused this? Single parented families undoubtedly contribute as the primary teachers of right and wrong, the parents are either divorced, or the economy forces both to work creating latch key kids. What? Something! We have to find out and correct what can be corrected.

I have sixteen grandchildren with another about to be born. What kind of world are we leaving them? Are we facing a total breakdown of polite society where lives are no longer sacred? No answers here, just questions.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Insulting Commercials, And Christmas Prostituted

Alright, I've had it. We have always had to put up with stupid holiday advertising. This year we have topped them all.

First, there is the Five hour Energy commercial where the children of the family gather around the tree to open presents. They are apparently thrilled with the prospect of having more energy, when the rest of us are trying to keep them from flying off into space with the excess energy they already have. The idea that children would be thrilled to receive this product that the government is still investigating as unhealthy is surreal. Perhaps in Washington and Colorado, They could have been rewarded by a lid or two.

Then there is Direct TV. In several commercials, whining ten year olds approach their consoling parent with the dismay at not being able to record more than three television  trash programs. What has happened to this, the electronic generation?

In my childhood, we celebrated KING TV, channel five in the Seattle area as the first station in black and white, the first blurry example of what was to come. 

I remember when toys were what we invented and used outside, with comic books available after dark. Hey, we even had books. Many an evening, causing sleepy classroom results the next day, I read books about poor boys succeeding through thrift, good behavior and religious lives, written by Horatio Alger, Jr. What my teachers didn't understand is that I became more of a writer, more as a communicator, by those under the covers reading sessions that sometimes lasted all night.

Enter the present. I still firmly believe that hard work and diligence will produce good results. As a result, late in life, I applied these principles. I used my God given voice to enter Talk Radio. Later, in Idaho, I had the opportunity to write an area column which created income I desperately needed at the time.

As I look back, many friends appear that I never recognized at the time. My high school years were not much fun. I was uninspired. Later, after four years in the Air Force in which I became a man, I remain a believer in Santa Claus. His name however is Jesus Christ, son of God.

Trot out those Christmas trees and statues. The US Constitution does not prohibit these things, only prohibits the government from establishing them. Somehow, someway, we have to overcome the new generation, which apparently is leaning heavily toward no belief system at all. They call that, Atheism. I feel badly for all of them. Firstly, they suffer in life having nothing to look forward too. It is sad, because they don't. I don't believe they will go to Hell, I hist think they will disappear, as their beliefs decree.

As too the companies that continue to thrust crap at us, blessed are those days after Christmas when presents and other non-religious crap is celebrated, and families and human vaues reappear.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Take All The Time You Need, Brother!

Or, Take Five. Or Blue Rondo Ala Turk. Much of the music presented in his lifetime was composed by his sax player, but hey, it WAS however, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, It was a strange group. There was the anonymous black guy on bass fiddle, The drummer that always wore dark glasses. ... Do all jazz drummers wear shades? Then there was Dave. When everyone else was doing 4 x4 time or 4 x 2 time he was doing 5/4 or 9/8. The guy was from a different planet, but oh how he could play that jazz piano.

Dave died the other day, at age 91. He died leaving a musical legacy that will probably never be forgotten. As Sachmo was the king of New Orleans Dixieland jazz, Dave will always be the father of off beat progressive jazz. He will be missed. Below is a link should you wish to see and hear the video of the original recording of, "Take Five..

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHdU5sHigYQ

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Winters Upon Us- Activities

Starting tonight, winter weather season will begin. The forecast calls for 4-8 inches of snow, then off and on through the 14th. That will suit the town's folks just fine as winter activities kick off the 15th.

The annual motorized Christmas parade will start at 3rd and Fir Streets. Look for the bonfire and participants warming both their outsides and inner selves prior to setting out on the parade which will terminate at the community center, delivering Santa for the chamber Christmas party.It is expected that the parade will then wind it's way to the 'Wheel where the party will continue. Festivities will start at the bon fire about 2:00 pm with the decorated parade heading out about 5.:00 pm, carrying Santa to the community center where the kids party will begin. The end of the parade signals the adults it is time to head for the Wheel for adult beverages.It should be a snowy landscape followed by one day of clear cold weather.

December 21, Friday, brings the Mayan world ending party at the Captain's Wheel Resort. There will be a ton of fun as tongue in cheek revelers wait for the stroke of midnight bringing on many more years of political strife and of course joy to all that live life like there will be no end. More on that later.

Christmas, December 25 will see Bayview shut down as families and friends celebrate, each their own way. 

Monday, December 03, 2012

Joe South R.I.P

Joe South left us a ton of original hits mostly written by himself. He had a distinctly different sound. Kind of a nasal deep south accent. Joe died September 6 of this year. He was well known with hits life "The games People Play," and " walk a mile in my shoes" and many others. For us old fogies that were young when he was, he will be missed. 1940-2012

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6V1N6CffDc

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Amazing Grace ... In Cherokee

I ran across this when playing around with You Tube. This, probably the worlds most beautiful song, sung in Cherokee, with Cherokee words. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_qFbNskjCI

How about Inuit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdxnnpSoiY0

Friday, November 30, 2012

End Of The World Party

December 21, 2012 is the day the world ends according to anthropologists who study Aztec and Mayan calendars. Now we don't really know whether the world will end on that day or if the Ancients just got tired to extrapolating any further into the future. To take the gamble out of the situation, the Captain's Wheel Resort is holding an end of the world party, Friday, December 21.

Just think. You can order an expensive cocktail, or several, a nice dinner, pay for your friend's as well and put it all on your credit card. According to the experts, you will not receive a statement. We at Bayviews are not sure whether that is because of the world ending or the U.S. Postal Service going out of business, but hey, let it all hang out. Due to the unusual circumstances, there will be no bar tabs. Cash machines are available, so the kited check won't work.

There will be those that are unbelievers of course.They are welcome as well, even if just to heckle those that lean toward Aztec wisdom.  The honor of having the world end in our lifetimes is nothing to make fun of. Everyone will be encouraged to fess up about all of the rotten things they have done in their lives. You can of course address these confessions to a Supreme Being, (insert religious affiliation) or just to the person sitting next to you at the bar.

The matter of moral behavior has been studied as well, and the decision reached. For just this one day it will be legal to lust after your neighbor's wife. A cautionary word however. It is not very smart to do this in hearing of her husband, or vice-versa. Come to think about it, the ten commandments do not mention a woman lusting after her neighbor's husband. This may be the root of most of our marital stress, but forget that because there is no tomorrow.

So come on down, drink a responsible amount or have a designated driver. Make passes at good looking women/men. If you get here late, the picking may be slim and you will have to settle for either an ugly person, or even the one you brung with you. Details of special events, drink specials, etc. will be announced later, but you can depend on this being  the mother of all clearance sales.

After you leave, find a warm dry place and get nekked. After all, you can't take your clothes with you anyway, and if you got lucky at the bar, git 'R done before midnight lest the world end with you in an embarrassing position. Unattached ladies are welcome to look for Herb with naughty behavior in mind.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Politics And Other BS

This morning's paper announced proudly that 69% of Democrats and 39% Republicans favor additional taxes for those making over $250,000 per year. One has to wonder how many polled make less than that.

Someone once said that when the overachievers are outnumbered by the lazy, ignorant
or underachievers, the democracy as we know it will end. Another along the same lines is, "When the people find out that congress is promising to give back money that is the property of the people to begin with, democracy will end."

Aside from maintaining a safety  net for those that temporarily are in need or are disabled, redistribution of wealth is confiscating private property, not tax policy.

Yesterday a discussion panel on TV was discussing a "wealth" tax. Not based on income or dividends, but net worth. Now there is a good definition of redistributing wealth. A government employee, (one not making more than $250,000) comes to your door threatening to water board you if you don't completely list your assets and their value. If these things occur we will have lost what made this country great. The ability to go as high and as far as your vision will allow. A country that doesn't take your hard earned money and give it to someone that doesn't work as hard.

There will always be a majority of those people not in the upper income brackets. That should never be a right of those that are under that amount, to penalize you. It appears to me that democracy as we know it is on the table. Well, you folks voted for this government, now you will reap the rewards or not.

On an unrelated topic, You will notice that the ads are gone from this blog. For several years I have a,lowed AdSense, a property of Google, to place ads on my blog in return for earned income to me. Supposedly, when the commissions reach $100.00 a check will be issued. The last time I had access to the earnings I had somewhere around $97.00 earned. That was over a year ago. Now I can't access the records and they aren't paying me. The last straw was when I posted in favor of keeping the Farragut shooting Range of WW11 vintage closed. An ad popped up declaring for gun control. I immediately shut down the HTML that allowed them access. Hey, if you cheat me, I'm not going to do business with you. AdSense is history on this blog. I've never received any answers to my many requests for satisfaction. Beware out there if you are a blogger.

Beginning immediately, I will entertain accepting ads for this blog which will appear on the right margin. These should be sized with that in mind. $25.00 per month is the cost. I reserve the right to refuse content I dont like, as it would appear that since I published it, that I agreed with the content. Send them as a jpg picture by e-mail with your name and address plus phone number by e-mail to:bayviewherb@gmail.com. In the last 6 years I have had in excess of 204,000 page views and over 145,000 visits to the blog. A counter is displayed at the bottom of the blog for the curious.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Bull Pine, Rest In Peace



I have lived here about two hundred feet from and 100 feet above Scenic Bay for Seventeen years. During that time I have suffered tweakers, thieves, loud noise, oh and the occasional murderer. This pine tree in my front yard has seen it all. It just stood there, tall as can be, quietly, except when a storm came through when it would filter the wind, causing strange sounds to occur.

A Pine or Red Squirrel lived there for a while, too. Where it came from and where it went is a mystery. I made a pet out of it hand feeding peanuts as I gradually tamed it. Last Spring, during what was probably mating season it disappeared for a week or two, then came back. Later, it disappeared again.  I then assumed it was raising a litter. I never saw it again. A neighbor walking her dog early in the morning before she leaves for work told me the squirrel was still there, scolding that dog. Then that too went away. I still have a great supply of peanuts, but they grow stale as I wait for my little friend to return.

That old tree shaded my deck just fine, except it took the afternoon sun away from my tomatoes. Every winter, when the chilly winds came through it would shed tons of dead needles, coating my deck up to six inches deep with it's litter. As the needles piled up, they held moisture from the rain and snow that was held there and my deck rotted. I hated that damn tree.

Now it is gone. Today, at my request, Scenic Bay Marina sawed it down into three giant logs. Then they burned the limbs and litter. I don't know if I'll miss that old tree or not. My neighborhood has been improved immensely with all of the old wrecks of mobile homes were taken out, the last refuge of low lives that I experienced over the years.

That old tree just plain got in the way of the revitalizing of the mobile home park into mostly an RV park from whence it came years ago. Now it lays there in pieces waiting for someone that wants it for firewood, which would take a monster log splitter to convert. That old tree is just a stump now, just a memory of shaded hot days, mixed feelings, but now it is too late for sorrow. That old tree is gone.  Just a stump now.


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving

Plan on reviewing in your mind what you have to be thankful for. There is always something. If you can walk past a grave yard instead of residing there, you can be thankful.

If you have food on your table Thursday, you have something to be thankful for.

If you have a roof over your head and it doesn't leak, you have something to be thankful for.

If you are of an age where you work and will be going to that place Monday, you have something to be thankful for.

If your candidate lost the presidential election, be thankful he doesn't have to solve the problems that the winner will face.

If you are a Christian in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon or other Islamic lands, and are alive, you have something to be thankful for.

If you have a relative or friend in the service and he/she has returned alive, you have something to be thankful for.

I'm going to show you a video of someone who is very thankful as is much worse off than you. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=q6_Zzw3SPS4 Turn up your volume for this.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and count your blessings rather than the negative things that surround you.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Turkeys Donated

L-R Eric Foti   Future firefighter, Landon Brodin
 
Professional Firefighters Local 4483 donates 100 turkeys to the Athol Food Bank just in time for Thanksgiving. The 6 career Professional Firefighters serve the communities of Athol, Bayview, Little Black Tail Ranch and surrounding areas. All 100 turkeys were purchased through the Unions Benevolence fund by way of raffles and donations from local businesses. 

I'm told that the food bank has received many smaller donations from individuals as well.

Monday, November 19, 2012

A Quiet Week

Unless something earthshaking happens soon, this will be a typically very quiet week as we segue into Thanksgiving. Perhaps it is a good time to reflect upon all of those things that you are too busy to think about. Like for instance, too, to, two. Dontcha love English? Why couldn't we use also once in a while? Or how about More and Moor

It would be wonderful if it was a bright shining day out instead of a gray drippy day with more to come. But it is that time of year. Oh well, we will have wall-to-wall sports on television and my favorite down time hobby, reading. I have a library of several hundred paperback books. This dates back to when I had a used book store in Dalton Gardens

Probably the most futile use of this week is those that are determined to continue the argument over the elections. It is what it is. Get over it and move on.(no reference to the lefty "move on.") Doing repeated post mortems on elections wins or losses is noise pollution. I have only one comment to that subject. Every Democrat thinks they are main stream and every Republican thinks the same. Ain't head in the sand wonderful?

As we head toward the seventh year of the recession that Wall Street says ended in 2009, we have to wonder if they ever get out into the real world where stocks and bonds, a recovery doesn't make. Main Street is still mired in short hours, layoffs, a ton of people that have been unemployed for so long they no longer are in the statistics. Have you noticed that what they quote is new applications for unemployment? That's because they have no way of counting reality other than that. It is like when the financial page says, "home values have increased xx percent in this city." A worthless statistic that is meaningless. It doesn't mean that every house in the neighborhood went up in value, it is just an average that could have spiked due to a new tract of higher priced homes being built. Bottom line, stats suck when you can't put food on the table.

Well, now that I have rambled along with nothing to say, have a great Thanksgiving remembering all of the positive things in your life.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Leviticus 20:13

It all makes sense now. Gay marriage and Marijuana being legalized on the same day.

Leviticus 20:13. "If a man lays with another man, he should be stoned." Apparently we have been interpreting it wrong all these years.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Farragut Range Decision Overturned.

First, there are ranges available in the area that have rural settings and don't have built up populations. This firing range was part of a world war two training facility, which closed down with the closure of Farragut Naval Training Base.

At no time, did the Fish & Game people petition the county for a conditional use permit, after federal closure. They just started using it in a limited capacity without any zoning authority. The area at the time of 1942 was isolated and wartime exceptions were the rule. Prior to the original ruling, if a shooter wanted access to the old range, they needed to get the key from the park office. That doesn't sound open to me.

For those that aren't aware that World War two is over, I suggest going back to history 101. If Fish & Game wanted to use the closed range they should have approached the county for zoning to that effect. Perhaps it is time to test other world war two issues regarding the military use. Maybe the brig museum could be used to house state felons, rather than shipping prisoners out of state. Then there is the hospital site. Maybe if another facility is needed in Kootenai County, a hospital district could be formed to reinstate that medical facility. Perhaps a Service Club should be built for serving Military/naval groups.

Better yet, why not turn this whole thing into a public park where Idaho residents and guests from other areas could enjoy the great outdoors camping, fishing hiking, skiing and other compatible uses. Certainly there are state laws against firing a weapon in a state park. Why doesn't the state follow their own rules, or can I hunt deer with a rifle as long as the authorities don't care.

I suggest that the Supreme court just doesn't treat a state agency with the neutrality it does in other matters, if in fact they do..This use without appropriate zoning is not right and lacks common sense. The use is also incompatible with other family uses.

At this point, zoning has not been addressed. I suggest that it is now. If the Kootenai County Commissioners doesn't want the range then they would have the option of refusing a conditional use permit. Apparently, the Idaho Fish  Game Department is out of control or worse yet, controlled by others, such as the organizations that have donated funds for this project. What part of the citizens in this area does the Fish & Game people not understand.

Perhaps since the temporary injunction has been removed, Judge Mitchell could then make it permanent. Another unintended consequence of this unholy partnership between Fish and Game and Idaho Parks and Recreation, could be the mass exodus of campers when they hear shots fired. What part of incompatible don't they understand.

*****Please be advised that the ad for Obama showing below was auto added by adsense. You will note that I have removed adsense and all of the ads that I control. This one is still up but I will get rid of it asap.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Rocky Watson, Sheriff

January 1 will mark the end of Sheriff Rocky Watson's  law enforcement career. I personally think he was/is one of the real good ones. He started out in the US Marines in the 1960's  in which he survived those years. The USMC was an ideal training ground for public safety as a career. The first thing they learn is to keep their head down.

He started out in the Spokane Police Department. Then with the Post Falls Police Department where he served as assistant police chief from 1970-1977. At this time he ran successfully for the office of Kootenai County Sheriff. Rocky served until 1981 at which time he started up a private security company, called the Watson Security Agency. He successfully ran that firm for 20 years, then sold out after he was appointed Sheriff to take the place of the resigning sheriff, Pierce Clegg.

Rocky was subsequently re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2008. While we will miss his steadfast dedication to public safety, we will also miss his sense of humor which was unsurpassed. Rocky could  depend on showing up at Bayview and Athol Daze, dragging a ball and chain wearing a striped  prisoner suit. He was always showing up at neighborhood events and active in the community.

After six years, the purchaser of the Watson Agency folded up to leave a vacuum in the private security business. When asked what he would do after his term as Sheriff, he replied,(paraphrased) I'm going back into the security business. Look for a rebirth of the Watson Agency.

While we are celebrating the ascension to Sheriff by a well deserved Ben Wolfinger, it is important to realize how much easier it is for Ben to inherit a well run department, of which he was no small part of that excellence. The community will miss Rocky as Ben Wolfinger, 29 year veteran of the department takes over.

Thanks for a great job., Rocky. Semper Fi.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Kokanee Fishing Returns to Pend Oreille

Last Thursday's Fish and Game meeting confirms what has been discussed for months. Kokanee or Blue Backs as we call them locally will be legal up to six fish per day. The good news is that the thinning of the schools have caused the fish to get much bigger than in the passed, as 12-14 inch 4 year fish are common.

As a result of the turn around in production, the $15.00 bounty on rainbows is eliminated, but still in place for Mackinaw. A limit of six rainbow per day is in effect also with only one over 20 inches allowed. This is an attempt to bring back the trophy fish in the lake. All of these regulations plus some other changes will be effective January 1, 2013. Get a regulations pamphlet for other changes.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

I'm Angry, But At Who?

I'm angry, but I don't know who to be angry with. There are three players in this horror story. Marquess Wilson, all time leading receiver at Washington State University, Mike Leach, the discredited coach fired at Texas Tech for abusing his players or the Sports reporting staff and editor at the Spokesman-Review.

For starters, everyone knows that Wilson walked out of an evening practice. What part of the evening was it and why couldn't the reporters complete the story with salient facts. Was it 7:00 pm? Midnight? Was it just after dinner, or were the players jerked out of a sound sleep at midnight? So many questions that have answers but not reported in this paper. These student athletes needed their study time and sleep prior to attending class the next day. They don't need to put up with a Storm Trooper clone of Woody Hayes to play football. What do you want to bet that by week end next, other schools will be camped at Wilson's door, recruiting him. If WSU has any class at all, which definitely is in question, they should release him unconditionally and petition the NCAA to allow  a transfer to an equal school without giving up any eligibility.

Many of us have serious questions for all of these entities that I mentioned above. If in fact the alleged"cowards" on the football squad deserve the name, so do the reporters and editors that soften their stories, rather than baring their teeth and going for the story.You know, like real journalists used to when they weren't homers. Just once, the TV camera in the UCLA game, panned the stands. There might have been a few dozen frozen guests that paid full price for a cut rate program headed by a Narcissistic bully.

At this point it would appear that Leach is deliberately culling his team to open space for some Texas talent for the coming season. That Leach is known for abusing football players, accusing them of being "Zombies'" naming players as gutless underachievers and a whole slew of derogatory names.

I have several questions. First, how did Wilson, still in his junior year, become WSU's leading receiver if he didn';t give effort? Have the sports writers at the S/R forgot how to dig for the real story? Or is the sports editor sitting on them, fearful of the backlash from the WSU family of graduates that bleed crimson and gray.

With the number of players leaving the program, surely the beat reporters could have interviews a few ... just one? What this area needs is accurate information, not abbreviated muted criticism of someone, but they aren't sure who. I'm starting to lose faith in the journalistic integrity of the sports department.

I want facts. Where if not the Spokesman-Review, do I get them. If we have a gigantic cover up ala Penn State with out the sex, then find out and report it. Is Moos covering his ass not willing to admit a costly mistake? The university president, too? Wilson will either transfer to another school, having one year of eligibility left, thereby racking up yardage that will brand Leach as a, well ... Leech, or he will go pro, proving he isn't a loser after all. The school is. He apparently is aptly named.

Fans are leaving the Cougs in droves. Why they may even start rooting for the cross state rival, the UW. I predict the cougars will end the season without enough players to field both an offense and a defense. To be tough doesn't mean you have to give up your dignity, nor your self respect. Wilson's record speaks for itself. So does Leach's. I'd love to see the entire team get up and walk out. They can't suspend them all if the go on strike.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Captain's Wheel Entertains

Great stuff going on at the Captain's Wheel this week. Live music Saturday night and a new feature, Tuesday dart league for the ladies, 6:00 pm. Save your plans for new years eve 'cause the Wheel is going to be there for you.

 
 

Washington Scores A Hit

 
With the passage of initiative 502 legalizing Ganja not just for medical use, but classed the same as booze, this progressive state has formalized what most people have known for years. Prohibition doesn't work. A law that is not respected by the citizens is unenforceable. Those words were used back in the day of alcohol prohibition repeal.

In examining the state map by voter approval or disapproval, a hilarious occurrence happened. Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties, a rural haven for unlawful agricultural pursuits voted in the negative against initiative 502. It turns out the the pot farmers that are prolific in the rural areas of Northeast Washington, and probably Idaho as well, voted against legalizing marijuana. Apparently the new law will put many entrepreneurs out of work since they make a good living growing and distributing their own product. One wonders if they will qualify for unemployment and food stamps. Coincidentally, most of Washington's agricultural counties also voted against the measure. Either they were upstanding law abiding citizens or they also saw one more example of state socialism putting their product in jeopardy.

On the other side of the issue, let your mind's eye drift to a Washington State ...um, Herb outlet. (Not to be confused with this writer's fist name.) At the door are Washington State Patrolmen, batons at the ready, fending off Federal DEA agents attempting to shut down what is a federal crime. This may be the first time a majority liberal faction has stood firm for states rights. Now maybe they will understand the reason for other applications of what our US constitution originally meant. The rights not specifically granted to the federal government shall reside with the states and the people. This could get very interesting.

With the prediction of a year wait for implementation, I predict the feds will have Washington State in federal court quickly, and should the state ... farm out the production, a series of raids will occur. This will be a classic battle between the US and a state that hasn't been seen since the 1860's and the civil war, or as our southern friends called it, the war of liberation.

Guy walks into a state contract liquor store. "I'll have a bottle of Johnny Walker Gold and an ounce of BC Gold, plus I'd better get a new pipe too. The old one still has illegal residue in it."

This is going to do several things. One, Doug Clark will have a ton of material for the foreseeable future. Two, it may spawn a new television reality show as the battle is joined.

A warning to all of my friends. "If you are glassy eyed and are driving east on I-90 at 25 mph, expect a suspicious Idaho State Cop to pull you over, charging you with being gasp! A Washingtonian."

Expect more as my sense of humor matures into guffaws.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

It's All Good

As the vote totals ascended during the night, democracy was speaking. Most of the races I backed didn't come in first, not even me. Of course I didn't run for any office, but I was hopeful that a deluge of write ins would have put me over the top. Alas, that didn't happen either. Still, the sun will come up from the east and go down in the west except those cloudy days that you aren't sure if the pattern is still being followed.

There are those that are gnashing their teeth, (bad for dentistry health) and others that are cheering, not realizing what a terribly foolish thing they did in getting caught up in the moment.  At best, the dollar will continue to decline in value, fuel prices will follow and at worst, China will stop loaning Obama the money to bribe the electorate.

This year, at age 74, I jumped over the traces and freed from my preconceived ideas of political philosophy, I chose to back some democrats in district two. I felt it was a classic race between whacked out ideologues and those that alas, were democrats, doomed to failure, I did this along with several candidates that really knew they had little chance of winning, but for the sake of democracy, felt they had to try. I salute them for the effort. In past years the Democrats didn't even bother to field candidates in many districts. That isn't healthy. A candidate must always give the electors a choice. Running uncontested is like kissing your sister. I'm proud of them as leading citizens failing not because they were found wanting, but because voters in our area cast their ballots for labels rather than people.

I salute the voters of Kootenai County for electing Ben Wolfinger as sheriff by a landslide. An example of a super qualified candidate that wasn't a far right republican, still piled up amazing vote totals considering he is a moderate Republican.

I have three things that I look at in a candidate. Are they qualified, is their political philosophy near my own, and does the candidate have good character. Oh, there is one more. The candidate must have complete control of their sanity. Some this year, did not pass the last one.

I am comfortable in criticizing others rather than running myself. One can only imagine the verbal gaffs that I would spout given the clear opportunity to make an ass out of myself. Actually, I sometimes do that anyway, without being a candidate, but then that's a story for another time.

For those of you that voted, congratulations on your contribution to the continuation of out Republic. Hopefully, you won't come to regret your decision. I personally think that when the Democrats nationally, run out of bribing (see Ohio) the electorate with their own money, we will return to sanity. Until then, hunker down and wait for the next check to arrive from the federal government, it's yours and you earned it. It is however, unfortunate that what they gifted to you was your own money, yet you praise their generosity.

Washington voters, lemming like, appear to be electing another democrat as governor, along with both houses of the legislature. They, like their namesakes,(see above) will be visiting bankruptcy courts in the near future, disbelieving that you have to have money before you can spend it.

It will be interesting to see the test in Washington State, where the liberals are fighting the federal government over states rights. Will wonders never cease. Of course this right turn was case sensitive. It was the legalization and taxation of Pot. May the entertainment begin.  This will be the first test of the will of the state versus the federal government regarding the legalization of pot for recreational purposes. That it should have never been listed with opiates in the first place is a direct result of hippidom during the '60s and '70s, where pot was equated with left wing war protesters and dropouts, Not medical expertise or scientific evidence. It's the only schedule A drug that is not addictive, yet alcoholic beverages which are, have been legal since prohibition was lifted. Perhaps this was the first shot fired in a new anti-prohibition war.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Swimming Against The Current

Whether or not you are a Republican or Democrat or any of those other more obscure titles, you have to hand it to the brave candidates from the Democratic Party that are pounding on the gates of legislative district 2 in northern Kootenai County, home of the Wackos.

Whether they beat the odds or not, running for election when all the cards are stacked against you is a daunting and expensive task, not only in money, but energy and emotional drain. Win, lose or draw, I admire those that have not surrendered automatically to the Republican/Constitutionalists without a fight. Give 'em hell, gang. Maybe, just maybe, enough voters are fed up with the embarrassment of those that shouldn't be representing the Republican Party. I'm a Republican, and have voted exclusively Republican since 1960, in partisan offices. I'd like to see more balance and voters that hold their candidates to higher standards.

Tomorrow I'm voting for the Democratic candidates in District 2. Better qualified and the pass the Wacko test, too. Here's a picture taken at Bayview Daze last Summer. Are they having fun, or what.

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Dodged A Bullet

Since my bout with Bronchitis a couple of months ago, my sleep/wake schedule has turned upside down. When coughing etc is usually worse in the evening, it tends to calm down in the early hours of morning. This created a stay awake all night and sleep until noon habit. I was at my computer about midnight Thursday, when I suddenly woke up on the floor. In the next either few minutes or longer, I had no concept of time, I was in and out of consciousness a few times before I woke up completely. The first thought I had was get to my blood pressure machine, the second, a phone.

The only problem with that is that I couldn't stand up. Crawling into the living room, I reached both. After taking my blood pressure I was shocked at a reading somewhere  between  70 something and 50 something. For a few years now, I've been taking pills for high blood pressure, then measuring the results after a few hours to make sure it worked.Thursday, I didn't.

I called 911 and was visited by our excellent EMT's at Timberlake Fire District. They were concerned with my blood pressure being so low, but I resisted going to the hospital, since I've never had to stay in one since childhood when I had tonsils taken out, which in the 1940's and '50s was somewhat routine. I told them I would call back if I didn't feel better.

Subsequently, I became nauseous (I won't go into detail here) and decided to get to bed, from where at least I wouldn't fall .  About 4:00 am Friday, I finally came out of my groggy state long enough to realize I was probably in trouble. I called the VA Emergency Room in Spokane and talked to a nurse, explaining as near as I could the course of events. She ordered me to get the EMT's back and have them transport me to the closest hospital.

Driving sedately down the newly opened stretch of Hwy 95, we arrived at Kootenai Medical Center sometime around 6:30 am or so. It was a quiet ride, because I instructed 911 to tell the fire guys not to code, as I didn't wish to wake up the neighborhood. I doubt that anyone in Bayview even knew I had left.

This is where the adventure got interesting. my only experience with an emergency room was this one, plus I was sleep deprived, not having had any at all Thursday evening.At first I was taken into an examining room where I was poked, prodded and stuck with various needles for whatever purpose intended. During my overnight stay, I consumed 5 bags of saline solution, had so many blood samples taken I must have been anemic. After what seemed like about four hours, having been wheeled out into the hallway, I was taken to a third floor room where about every two hours or less, I was awoken for either a blood pressure check, more blood samples or whatever interruption from several departments seemed to them to be appropriate.

My blood pressure became higher as they substituted salt water for blood volume. I felt like a fish. Numerous tests were taken, even a sonogram of my heart. They apparently found one. By this time is was Friday night. By Saturday morning all I wanted was a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. I was wired to a heart monitoring machine, stuck numerous times with needles for what, I didn't care. Just let me sleep. It wasn't to be. Early Saturday morning it became apparent that I was alright and would be sent home Saturday around 11:00 am.

Not to be. They let me sleep finally and I woke up at 11:45 startled that I should have been home by then, but apparently, the sonogram test results had not been evaluated by the heart specialist, so I cooled my heels until after 1:00 pm. After I came home, courtesy of my youngest son Brian, who lives in Spokane, I found out that Skip Wilcox, another Bayview Idaho resident also came home about the time I left. Skip had his heart practically rebuilt, tuned up and he cheated death one more time. Welcome home, Skip. Glad you made it.

I learned two things from this experience. One, you don't get to sleep if you are in a hospital. I think the night shift figured if they had to stay awake so did I. The other thing is, don't assume that your blood pressure won't change, through diet and other causes, ergo, check it before you medicate. Had I done that, I would not have suffered through a week of being strangely angry all week, and of course would not have ended up in the hospital.

All said and done, I was treated very well by the staff. I don't think anyone could get better or more conscientious care than at Kootenai.  I woke up this morning after about twelve hours of make up sleep, refreshed and determined not to assist in any medical accidents anymore.  Actually, the nurses, both RN's and LPN's were friendly, gracious and of ourse humerous which fits me well.  

Thursday, November 01, 2012

GOP Defined By Many

While Halloween can be weird and scary, an election year can even be worse. We in the GOP have our wackos just as the far left has theirs. For some reason, the far left types don't upset me as much as on the right. I suppose it's like a family member flipping out and embarrassing me.

Many of you that do not live in North Idaho and follow this blog, (and there are many) probably won't recognize some of the names that I will use in this post, so I'll attempt to explain.

Yesterday, Larry Spencer, a failed candidate and general all around political gadfly, announced unctuously, that he was going to vote for Dan English, Democrat instead of the Republican. His reason? the Republican, Morse in his mind is a "RINO," which is used by the wackos to claim that while they represent the center of the conservative movement, others are Republicans in name only, or RINOS. Translated, Morse beat Spencer's pal, Hart who was so totally discredited that several respected Republicans filed against him in the primary which he lost.

This could be construed as funny if it weren't a serious situation where political branding is very important. Spencer went on to say that while he wouldn't vote for a RINO, English, being a democrat wouldn't cause any harm in the Idaho State legislature, due to the small numbers of democrats in that body politic.

The funny part is that Larry Spencer and a few fellow travelers are so far right of center as to be on the outside looking in. As a matter of fact, many were members of the Constitution Party previously, or other stratospheric political groups. Perhaps I should have said group, since some are probably consisting of just one person.

To put this into perspective, in my view, which I do not claim any particular position in the curve grading system, Larry Spencer ranks somewhere between Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun.  For him to call anyone else a RINO is ridiculous, since he, himself is just that.

He and I do have something in common this year. While declaring his first ever vote for a democrat, and why, I am voting across party lines too. But I'm doing it because I felt that either the candidate running as a Republican was a member of the Wacko party, or that the democrat in the case of Dan English whose public service dates back years in public office and quite often in just humanitarian acts such as youth counseling and treatment.He was an original organizer of a home for disturbed or behavior challenged teens. (Anchor House) For the record, if anyone cares, it is my first vote in a partisan election for a democrat or I should say democrats, since I voted for the first time for John F. Kennedy. My reason then wasn't because he was a democrat, it was because I resented that the public perception was that a Catholic couldn't win since the Pope would then rule our country. For the record, I'm not Catholic either.

Well, he was elected, and while in his short period in office was somewhat flawed, the Pope didn't attend cabinet meetings. That is somewhat parallel to this year with Romney being LDS. Ironically, Reid of Nevada, the ultra liberal senator and majority leader and Senator Hatch, also an LDS member are about as far apart as one can get politically, proving that Salt Lake City will not become the new US capital. God love those who will vote for Obama, a black person that was raised in a Muslim world, but will not vote for Romney because of his religious beliefs. Another irony? Perhaps.

Former city council member and Kootenai County clerk, English rises so far above his opponent that Morse's only claim to fame is that he belongs to the so called Reagan Republicans.

I also have endorsed Cheryl  Stransky whose opponent, Barbieri of Dalton Gardens, urges people to remove their children from the Godless public Schools. As I pointed pout in a previous post, Yes schools are godless, but not against religion, they are simply religion neutral. We call that secular.   Those candidates that follow that far off trumpet still trying to knock down the walls of Jericho, will not get my vote, ever again. I guess by some standards I am being called a RINO, too. Well, one nice thing about our Republic is that we get to label ourselves rather than having a dictator do it for us.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Perceptions


This picure was copied on line from Fox News

The huge storm that hit the eastern seaboard and is extended way beyond to the west has raised many questions regarding the coming presidential election. I specifically said presidential because that is the one election date that is carved in stone. It is federal law that November 6, 2012 will be the election day regardless of the difficulty in getting to the polls.

There are several options open to the states affected, none of which are very attractive. For instance, remember we the voters do not elect a president. The electoral college does. How is the electoral college constituted? By the states. As is customary throughout our country, Electors are elected as a slate representing a particular candidate. But ... the electors once sent to Washington, D.C. can vote any way they want to.

In the instance where the states are mortally harmed by the storm with flooding, electrical failure, transportation failure, etc. could elect to have their respective state legislatures elect the electoral college representatives, totally bypassing the public. Is it legal? Bet yer ass it is. Of course if a state chose that route there might be a ton of recall elections following that decision.

Can a state postpone the election, say for a week or two? No. The date for presidential elections is set by federal law. Other offices could be voted upon later, but not president. This is going to get interesting, since we have just a few days for these areas to get their act together. Voter turnout will be way down in states that have been flattened, regardless of what alternative voting measures are taken. That would favor the Republicans in the east, since the northeast is pretty solidly democrat orientated, with the possibility of Massachusetts being the exception since Romney was governor of that state, but don't bank on it.

This storm has taken the economy, the foreign policy, and other issues and slammed them into the background. If you remember the hits that Bush took over Katrina, the same could happen to Obama. Even if the president can do very little to affect the situation aside from declaring a state emergency, enabling federal machinery to enter the picture. It doesn't matter. The president is blamed if the milk in your refrigerator sours due to a power outage.

On the other hand, If Obama appears to be firmly in charge, effective and essentially a hero, he will win hands down. It all depends on perception. Former polls are useless at this point. Hurricane Sandy is the new and principal campaign issue. This election year is going to prove very interesting and the results will reverberate for years to come.

If you remember that the last presidential election featuring Bush vs Gore, Florida recounted three times, the liberal leaning state supreme court reordered more and more studies, until the U.S. Supreme court finally felt it necessary to act to avoid a constitutional crisis. Some, if not many democrats still faced with all of those recounts coming out in favor of Bush, still claim the election was stolen. I guess that were upset that Chicago could not vote in Florida. Think of all of those disenfranchised tombstones.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Just One More Week


 Waves crashing into sea wall, NYC photo from accuweather online

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am really anxious to have this election over with. It will be interesting back east if power outages last through election day. We may not find out who our new president is for months.

Some of my more radical friends will turn back into real people after next week, too. I'm looking forward to that as well.

Regardless who you are for, go vote. Like I said last year, if you don't vote, shut yer pie hole if the results aren't to your liking.

I Am Sad And Dismayed

While I enjoy Football and of course am following what could be described as the perfect storm, other than the weather channel, I can't find any thing else.

We have What I thought were at least two news channels that could be trusted to bring the news. Fox and CNN. I rejected the CSNBC news channel as a propaganda source long ago.

This weekend, aside from football, nothing is being dedicated toward the disaster that is shaping up in the east and even as far west as Indiana. The Sandy Hurricane apparently is merging as it lands onshore, with two other systems.

One, a severe Nor'easter, coming down from Canada, and a deep jet stream arrow pointing down from the arctic right straight through Indiana and into Northern Kentucky. All of these will merge in the next two days, while the news channels are busy with presidential campaigns.

Of course it is important to follow political events, but if anyone out there hasn't made up their minds they probably reside in an institution for the confused. Many lives are at stake as this monster combined storm will apparently involve 18 states and land areas as far west and south as below Indianapolis, Indiana.

Political direction will decide where we go for the next four years. The same, plus extensive news coverage will decide whether many live or die.

Having been in radio, print news and a blogger currently, I can't, as a trained news person justify the incessant debates  the talking heads of our broadcast media, not to mention the more respectable sources such as the neighborhood bars.

As of tomorrow, I'm heading out to the Wheel. First, I will e-mail my brother in Indianapolis, saying he and his neighbors are doomed if they don't chain down their lawn furniture.  Secondly, I will grieve for those imbeciles that couldn't imagine anything happening that hadn't already happened during their lifetimes.

I will pray for their sorry souls, for stupidity isn't curable. For those who were two poor, (Millions) to hop in a car they don't own, or a bus that has stopped running or a subway, etc.  Many people do not have the price of a tank of gas to flee far enough west to escape this combination of storms. They will be stuck in New York City and other Ghetto areas that actually has not  had a workable relocation system since civil defense began during the cold war.

Bottom line? You cannot evacuate a city or metropolitan area the size of New York City and New Jersey in lass than two weeks minimum. Those that stay are there because they have no other choice. God Bless them.I wish them hope.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Slim Dossey 1918-2012 R.I.P.

L-R James Adams and Slim Dossey
 
I have the sad duty tor report that long time country singer, Slim Dossey, died Tuesday, October 23 just a few days before his 94th birthday which would have been November 4. Slim is survived by his son Jim, his daughter Sharon and preceding him in death, daughter Barbara, plus gal pals two many to mention.

Slim was the top country singer back in the 40's in Seattle, performing along side of legendary Disc Jockey, Buck Ritchie. He was given some good advise from a friend who said, you are a big frog in a small country=Western pond here in Seattle. Go south to California  and get with some of the well known country bands of the day.

He got lucky. He no sooner reached San Diego when an opportunity jumped up for a spot in The Town Hall Party in Los Angeles. Smoky Rogers band, the Western Caravan was losing their principle singer, who was Ferlin Huskey, later, husband of Local Betty, here in Bayview. Slim was hired to take Ferlin's place in the band. Ferlin went to Nashville where he did quite well Slim went on to stardom singing with people like Gene Autry, the Sons of the Pioneers and many others. He also released several records of his own, mostly written by himself.

I met Slim when I walked into the old Scoonerville bar in Hayden back in around 1990. I got him several gigs including the old bar at Tobler's Marina on Hayden Lake, Turtles.t Later when I moved to Bayview, I introduced him to a whole hew batch of fans at the Captain's Wheel where he became a regular at every Christmas Party. His last appearance was outdoors where he joined in with a couple of singers and sang along with them.

In later years when his memory started to fail,, his son, Jim bought a karaoke machine so Dad could have the advantage of not having to remember the words to everything.

Slim has been in poor health, battling pneumonia since last fall. He even missed the Naval reunion at Farrague last fall, as he too served there and in the Pacific during World War 11.While many younger folks from this area didn't realize who he was or what his history was, many older people knew and loved his singing and awful jokes.  He finally rejoined a huge chorus of singers from the forties and fifties, when he crossed the burning sands one last time, looking for that cool clear water.

Jim Dossey has generously shared some DVD's where Slim as interviewed at length about his areer. I am starting work on an in depth story about his career, the people he worked with and the crowning experience when he was invited to speak at the Gene Autry Museum in Oklahoma, several years ago.

There will be no services. A celebration of life party will happen in the Spring. Jim will notify everyone through this blog as to the date, time and place.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

A Real Reagan Republican

Back in the 1960's I worked closely with Ronnie Reagan on his first election run in California. I knew his daughter, Maureen and her husband then, Dave Sills who is now an appellate judge in California. I moved back to Washington Sate in 1967 and thence to Idaho in 1990.

During those days as a Young Republican and living in Orange County, we had the same problems that we have here in North Idaho. Extremism. There and then, it was the John Birch Society. They had absolutely no room at all in their philosophical basement for the rest of the party and they were overwhelmingly tossed out of office during the 1966 election cycle.

Here we are faced with the opposite of Washington State. There, the liberals control almost everything, especially on the west side. In our state, it is the opposite with extremist republicans holding most of the offices.

Either extreme is unhealthy for the politics of any state. We got rid of Hart in the primary, but still have his hand chosen buddy,  Barbieri. This guy just announced that people should take their children out of public schools, referring to public schools as Godless. Well yes, they are godless, but not against god. They simply do not mix religion with secular education.

Many democrats are also Christian, if that is a test one must pass for candidacy, but suggesting everyone pull their children out of public schools while running for public office is a bit ironic to say the least. I have decided to break ranks in two district two races. Cheryl Stransky  will get my vote and a long time public servant, Dan English, who incidentally is pro-life, and way more qualified than Morse with his only claim to fame being his membership in the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans. I am also voting for the incumbents in the NIC election. These are non-partisan positions and should stay that way. I'm not impressed with various Republican organizations trying to change that status.

I have no desire for the state legislature in Idaho to revert to Democratic rule, but I want enough representation on that side to even things up a bit. Getting ride of Idealoges is my goal. I want thinking, problem solving people representing me, not knee jerk followers of the Constitutionalist God they follow.

In other races, I will vote to retain the Luna laws as they are referred to. Until they are completely enacted and absorbed into the system there is not reason to demonize them unless of course you are a union activist. We are in the 21st century. One of electronic miracles. Let's not be troglodytes and fail to include computers in our children's education. They spend most of their free time on them anyway, we might as well use them as an educational tool. Not to replace teachers, but to supplement them.

I will vote republican in all other races, including my hope that we can get rid of Obama before he ruins our economy past the point of no return. My other wish is that this campaign year be over, so we can begin to return to normal conversations with our friends that don't necessarily think like we do.

Please, no matter how you vote, turn out this November and vote your choices.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thursday Night Football-Seahawks vs 49ers

Don't forget to check in at the Wheel where tonight's game will be seen on the NFL channel in high definition. Three large screens enable customers to not only follow the Seahawk game, but also the Pac-12 game between Oregon and Arizona State. See you there.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Free Market ... National Suicide?

Many free market advocates see less expensive products can be purchased in China and other countries with economies that allow slave labor. They go on to point out how much cheaper the products purchased at Walmart, Target, Sears, etc., etc. are for us to buy.

That is only half of the equation. The vast numbers of unemployed or under employed cannot take advantage of these bargains because no matter how good the deal is, you still have to be able to earn a living to create the income necessary to buy the inexpensive product. This is voodoo logic.

Retailers have absolutely no choice in the matter. They have to compete with each other price wise, or fail. These companies didn't send jobs overseas, the federal government did.  I will explain. There are two major factors in competing with foreign workers. One is lack of a level playing field, or in other words, no protective tariffs which our country for many years relied upon to make our factories competitive with China and others. Currency manipulation is the other. China has kept their money below where it should be so that their products are cheaper in other markets.

The other is the greed of the labor unions who wanted to vault their workers into the upper middle class, income wise. They succeeded. Except now the middle class has been dragged down rather than the laborers being elevated. Higher wages created higher prices which competitively could not match the China man making $3 dollars per day, or the 9 year old child working in a factory.

At that point two things should have happened. One, the unions should have been controlled to the extent that their greed didn't put their own members at risk. Two, Our federal, government can control what is shipped into our country by charging a duty or tariff on the item that is being built elsewhere.

If you start at the bottom of productivity, it would be mining. Mining for iron ore, copper,Bauxite, which aluminum comes from and precious metals that go into high end electronics. Our steel mills have shut down. Here in the inland northwest, Kaiser Aluminum no longer smelts the metal. They buy it from foreign sources then roll it into usable products such as aircraft parts, auto parts, etc.

While we haven't been looking, China has quietly bought up most of the copper mines in Canada as well as Australia and Africa. They also own most of the other precious metals that are necessary to our manufacturers. Recently, a product called rare earth has been cornered by China who now refuses to export the raw material needed for our use. There will be more of the same as some as China corners the market on other raw materials.

Soon, our government will wake up to the fact that control has shifted to the orient. At that point, if the only place a metal can be purchased is from China, even protective tariffs won't work. China can simply say, we won't sell any of these things to you and you can't buy them from anywhere else.

While it isn't too late, we need to grab as much in the metals market that is left unsold to the enemy. Yes, enemy. We are in an economic war and we are losing. Secondly, slap tariffs on products that we cannot match price wise, if it isn't too late already.

In a relatively short time, our country can be enslaved by China without a shot being fired. I remember when it was against U.S. law to ship computers or their technologies to Russia, China and other potential enemies. This was done to protect our lead in military equipment. Now, we buy the computers from China.

Steel beams for heavy construction are made from ore mined in our so called rust belt, shipped to China, manufactured into the finished product and shipped back cheaper than we can do it ourselves. Most lumber is shipped in from other countries. Our furniture industry is now in China as well. The bottom line is for the aforementioned reasons, we no longer make anything. Unemployed workers cannot take advantage of low prices. Food stamps have taken the place of productive workers supporting themselves.

Gasoline hasn't gone up double in the last four years. The dollar has gone down that amount in value.

Our only hope, if in fact there is one is to elect moderate Democrats and Republicans that are not locked in to a political mantra which is a box from which there is no escape. We must strike a balance between radical environmentalists and those that would pollute for profit. Medical expenses can be brought down very simply. We prohibit pharmaceuticals prices in our country from exceeding that which is sold elsewhere. We must enact tort reform. Which is to create limits on class action suits that are draining our resources and cause many doctors to flee their private practices and work for giant health plans that pay the premiums.

At least fifty per cent of a doctors overhead is related to malpractice insurance and government paperwork requirements that require large staffs just to shuffle paper, not provide hands on health care. Good luck on the tort reforms, since a majority of congress is made up of attorneys which wont vote to restrict shark like tactics in the legal ;profession.

It may already be too late to change our fate. Politicians are locked into either union funding or free trade, which large corporations donate from, both of which are extreme positions and are losers either way. We can't cure this ill by governments supporting us because the money the government has we have given them. When we run out of money, the government borrows more and more which it can't pay back. Business as usual is a doomsday philosophy. One we can't survive.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Thursday Night Footbsall

Recently, the NFL network and Time-Warner cut a deal. They will carry Thursday night football in high definition only. The Captain's Wheel Lounge is carrying the games starting tonight at 5:00 Tennesee Titans vs Pittsburgh Steelers.

Where Were The Marines?

The last week or two have seen many debates on television, in newspaper editorials and congressional hearings in which the administration first covered up that the attack on our Libya Embassy was not premeditated, but was over the anti- Muslim cartoon thing on You Tube.

Then they admitted is was an organized attack either by Al Qaeda or loyalists to the former dictator.

Now they are saying that while former security people claim protection was inadequate, that a few more wouldn't have made a difference. This from a state department that has some embassies around the world set up as impregnable forts. Hind sight isn't needed to figure out that this area is volatile, that there are many separate groups with weapons that were seized from government armories during the uprising.

What I want to know, is where were the Marines. For two hundred years we have had the U.S. Marines guarding our embassies around the world. These detachments have heavy weapons with which to repel attacks from infantry weapon carrying terrorists. Has the state department quietly replaced these troops with private security guards around the world? Of was it just in Libya.

This, in my mind is where the negligence lies. Could it be that the administration, which is more sensitive to muslem countries feelings than our own, felt marines would somehow offend the Libyans? Well, I'm offended that our diplomats were not adequately protected. I'm offended that the Marines were not assigned that job. Private security employees are for the most part not trained in combat tactics. Marines are. The administration and the state department lead by Hilary .Clinton especially, who during her husband's presidency was widely know to dislike the military to the extent of treated then extremely rudely at times.

Have we donated the ambassador's life to political expediency on the extreme left? Many of us would like these questions answered. Islam has declared war on the west and we are ignoring the fact that we are in one.

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Everything Being Equal ...

For a long time I have been bothered by inequality. Our constitution says, "Equal protection under the law." Unfortunately in both law and life it just isn't true.

Last week-end, as the ESPN announcers gleefully stated repeatedly, when star running back for Oregon, Thomas broke loose once again for long gainers making defensive players look like they were at lunch, they referred to the player as the "Black Mamba."

I reminisced about a few years ago in a similar situation on Monday Night Football, when Howard cosell said in his excitement, "Look at that little monkey run." Using an improbable stretch, the remark, instead of referring to his elusiveness and speed, equated monkeys being black, as the runner was. Cosell was fired for the so called gaff.

In law, there are many other examples. "Hate Crimes." You can beat the crap out of another person and be charged with third degree assault. Call your opponent a racial or ethnic slur turns it into a felony. Really. And we accept this enormous error in judgement and equality as alright, because after all, it's prejudicial. Since when, as distasteful as it is, is prejudice illegal?

One of my favorite memories is that of Bayview Daze a few years ago. A black man wandered into a bar that shall remain un named. It was at the time a drunken irreponsible crowd that contained a few red necks. The black man was hasstled with, "Your kind don't belong here, man." He left, not wanting to cause any trouble. The red neck followed him trying to start a fight. He took a swing at the black man. He woke up in the hospital and under arrest. I loved it. Instant karma.

But even the term "Red Neck" is a misuse of the term as originated. In hot climates as in the southern United States, a man guiding a mule and controlling a plow from sun up to sun down always ended up with a sunburned neck. Ergo, a red neck. He was just a white farmer doing what farmers do. It was picked up as a slur toward what the "equality community" defined as an uneducated white guy that was prejudiced. That in and of itself is a prejudicial term.

Here in Idaho, just where you are from is prejudicial.  "You from the city? get out of here, man. You from Los Angeles? You don't belong here. Move on. You a Catholic? Muslim? Baptist? "I ain't. Move on, Dude.'

Affirmative Action. Now there is a fine shiny buffed up righteous phrase. "Affirmative." That word suggests that it is good. Positive, rather than negative. Spin.
Choosing a person of color or of foreign birth over anyone else for a job, education, anything, is flat wrong. It's not reverse discrimination. It's just plain discrimination or by what ever ilk you wish to justify it. Equality is a simple well defined word. Why try to alter it's meaning?

Where have we gone in trying to be righteous? How did we get here? Why have we not redressed these obvious wrongs. Why are so many apologists of our society so uneducated as to our origins. Why? Why?Why? The route to enlightenment is education not  laws that are unconstitutional.

Monday, October 08, 2012

Oktoberfish Winds Down

What started out scary, when at around 4:30 pm Saturday, not fish had been reported, turned out alright. Some fish were caught later Saturday and more  Sunday. Each year the winners keep on getting smaller, but we hear the Fish and Game Department is ending the bounty on Rainbow heads and just continuing with Mackinaw.

The netting and bounty program has done it's job, with Mac numbers way down and Kokanee, or Blue Backs as we call them locally, are thriving once more.The numbers are up, the sizes are up and it looks like a limited fishing season is in the offing for next year. More about that when we confirm it.

Now, about the winners of the derby:

Trout Division

First Place           Mike Perry             11.3
Second Place       Rick McCorkle     10.3
Third Place          Rory Bergere          9.8

Mackinaw combined weight:

Winner was Ken Olson                      31.3

Pictured above from left to right first through third place with the single picture of Mike Perry, holding his trophy fish. The traveling trophy has once more travelled. It has been re;ported that among the 103 entrants, enough beer was consumed to raise the stock market for major beer brands. None of course consumed by the drivers. One boat reported sighting a Mermaid. We think that might have been someone hallucinating. But who knows. Perhaps a new legend is born.

Co-sponsors for the derby are Ralph's Coffee House and the Captain's Wheel Restaurant.

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Saturday Oktober Fish Report

As of 4:30 pm Saturday there were no fish reported caught yet, but we have it from our usual spies that a numerous cans of beer have been consumed by the 103 official ticket holders. Last night the auction was a great success with a ton of donated prizes to bid on. Pictured above is chief auctioneer and Derby Meister, Ralph Jones.

Friday, October 05, 2012

Oktoberfish Friday

Hey folks, come on down to the Wheel this afternoon for a German dinner, auction and other activities along with a last chance to get derby tickets. All proceeds go to prizes. No house money taken out.

Ralph is going to try a new approach this year. Instead of a favorite lure, he's going to emulate professional sports figures. He gonna trash talk those fish.

Come down, quaff a few brewskis and kick off the derby for the week-end. I'll be down there taking pictures for the blog,so look scroungy like real fishermen and women.

The derby starts at dawn Saturday and ends 4:00 pm Sunday. Judging at 5:00 pm. The will be a huge amount of Mackinaw available that will be given away to the public. If you like fish and even better, if you know how to smoke fish, grab some. Everything ends at the Captain's Wheel, fishing headquarters for Bayview.

Above are some disreputable fish winners from 2009.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Still Missing


TAO to the Rescue




Good morning --

You would have been proud, as I was, of the Ta' Ata Ori crew on Saturday. We were out for a leisurely sail that morning, in light winds. The usual. We goofed around a bit with the mizzen stays'l, had brunch and sort of nodded off, as the wind died around noon. (Sound familiar?)

As we headed back toward Bayview around noon, the wind picked up and slowly built to around 20 knots, from the south. I was at the helm, the rest of the crew tidying up the boat, making preparations to take the sails off and get TAO ready for the coming winter.

I noticed a small sailboat, about 1/2 mile off our port beam that seemed to be in a bit of trouble. As I watched, the boat capsized and then "turtled." (Turned completely upside down, with the mast pointed toward China.) The crew of two was in the water. (Water temp about 60 degrees)

I immediately changed course and the TAO crew went into full "rescue mode." By the time we reached the turtled boat, we had the boarding ladder down, the dinghy ready, boat hooks, life jackets and horseshoe buoys in hand and towels and warm blankets waiting. We had also used the VHF radio to alert boats in the vicinity that we were carrying out a rescue operation.

We maneuvered TAO to windward and got the shivering crew safely on board without a hitch. (They were wearing life jackets.) Father and son were sailing this boat for only the second time and things got out of hand when the wind came up so strong.

With the soggy sailors safely on board, our next thoughts were for their vessel. Louis got in our dinghy, tied a long tether line to the boat and we secured it to TAO. Now what? No way to tow a half-sunken boat with the mast in the water back to land. The wind had settled in at the 20 knot level and the waves were building steadily.

By this time, a small powerboat was idling nearby, offering assistance. Mike had the idea that they could take him back to the marina, where he would get his diving gear, come back out, dive down and attach a line to the top (now bottom) of the mast, so we could right the boat. Which is exactly what happened.

Righting the boat was quite an operation, but with much bailing, improvised hand signals and a couple of setbacks, the boat was right side up again and the waves weren't breaking over into the cockpit. She was afloat. We towed the boat back to the marina for a successful end to what turned out to be a busy day.

I have named Louis and Mike in this narrative so far, but let me emphasize how well everyone on board worked together seamlessly in an emergency situation. Gail was ready with the horseshoe buoys and boat hook, Dawn took care of the sailors once they were on board and friend Jan helped out with securing the dinghy -- plus so many other large and small actions that were critical to our success, but are now just a blur in my mind.

What a crew. I am privileged to sail with such a fine group of people, who, when it counted, "got it done."

As recent special guests aboard our beloved Ta' Ata Ori, I thought you might want to hear the story of how we wrapped up the sailing season.

Wishing you fair winds and following seas,

--Lawrence
Skipper
S/V Ta' Ata Or

***
Just learned that a catamaran flipped over yesterday, too. The boat was floating upside down at Bitter End Marina, but was removed before I got there. Gary MacDonald rescued the boat and occupants successfully. Gary does rescues on a regular basis without much if any credit. He’s always out there when the radio goes off.