Bobert Deimler

Recently, A friend known by his crazy wife as Bobert, had a massive stroke, then fell and hit his head. On top of that, he was diagnosed with throat Cancer. He was flown to Harborview in Seattle, where he is not expected to  recover. The Docs told wife Debra he would not ever walk again, or talk. Essentially if he lives it will be in a vegetative state.

I talked to Debra yesterday. She is at Bobert's side, hoping for the best, whatever that might be. Please say a prayer or send good vibes to Debra. She is alone, and obviously upset. The Deimler's lived in a 5th wheel next to my single wide mansion on the hill. We did a lot of things together in those days. If you wish to call her, let me know and I'll give your phone number to her. I am at 683-9107

** Update. Debra told me minutes ago that Tomorrow, the Doctors are removing both the feeding tube and the ventilator, essentially ending the ordeal. Obviously, Debra is very upset.

** Update May 1, 2015  Bobert died on his own prior to being disconnected, which probably was better, avoiding the guilt of having to end it for him. His body will be cremated and the ashes shipped to Wife, Debra. She is returning to Bayview late tomorrow, as Sandy from J.D.'s will pick her up tomorrow.

** Debra has returned and is in the process of rebuilding her life. She is a brave person and is in better shape than most in her situation.

POLITICALLY CORRECT

I thought political correctness had finally reached it's limitation of the freedom of speech, but no. It continues to flourish with the belief that no one or group should be criticized, nor described in a way that might be hurtful. That we, the United States of America, the world leader in human rights, the freedom of speech have fallen into the bottomless pit of self imposed guilt.

Gone are all of the ethnic jokes. No longer can we tease about how many (insert national origin or ethnic group) it takes to screw in a light bulb. The (I believe this is the current correct name, African American has been renamed so often you have to consult reference material for the correct term. Some changes were good. Calling someone a Nigger or Kike, etc. wasn't nice and thinking people eschewed the terms. So Nigger was changed to Negro, which now is the second banned "N" word. Then, even though some black groups such as the NAACP which spelled out  National Association for Advancement  of Colored People, another out of use term are offended by the name they themselves  chose. The term Black isn't universally correct since people of color come in all shades of tan, brown almost black and black. Some of my grandchildren are either half Caucasian or half black. We have a black caucus in congress, but woe to a white person starting a white caucus.

My position on this matter is the only time a term is impolite is when it is intentionally used to insult or degrade. To ban the use of terms that are in context telling a story is over the top, yet the national press  and TV networks couldn't allow themselves the use of an "N" Word this past week.

Now we have additional no-noes.Some black, tan, African Americans are pissed because the term Thug is being used to describe the burning, looting, assaults. Well then what would you call it. Yesterday I wrote a comment on Huckleberries on line, the spokesman=Review North Idaho blog that discussed this topic. It was killed for the examples of the N word as a descriptive attempt. It didn't matter that it was done in a way that wasn't degrading anyone, but just recording a human condition. It didn't matter. I used two of the banned words and Discus deleted the comment.

So censorship is the new freedom that has evolved as left wing bigots once again show us the path to their brand of enlightenment. In the clash between freedom of speech and politically correct censorship, alas, but censorship has been declared the winner. No contest. We no longer live in a country that has upheld liberty and justice for all. We have allowed censors to bully us.

Before everyone jumps in with the "R" word, I don't deliberately offend anyone, but I defend the right of freedom of expression. And please, if the hyphenated people of this society would settle on  a name for themselves that is both  polite, and doesn't describe themselves as African-American when they nor their parents or grandparents ever lived there.

So then, I have figured out the formula, if it isn't changed tomorrow. These people that do thuggish things are just misunderstood, mistreated model citizens that just want justice. Burning cars that belong to others is wrong. They should burn only the ones they themselves own ... If they have one.   

DEMOCRACY, FINALLY

Last night, a candidate night was held in the Bayview Community Center. Routinely, the Lakes Highway District candidates, and not so routinely, the Bayview Water & Sewer District Board candidates. One candidate for Water & Sewer called me this morning to suggest that the evening earthquake was the result of the tumultuous battle to  open the board elections to all. The two incumbents, while fine people, were essentially appointed, as election dates were publicized only in the legal notices, which met the requirements of the law, but certainly not the spirit. If anyone out there reads the legal notices regularly, I'd be amazed.

Not so with other issues. Annual audits with transparency for the members/customers have not been performed as an annual requirement. New board members would appear as appointed, carefully choosing those that would quietly fit in opposed to free thinkers.

Not so this year A couple of enterprising educators wrote down the term dates and are now actively campaigning, not to denigrate the opposition who blatantly ask that the "incumbents," be elected, but not really reelected, as they are both quasi appointees. Most of us realize that it is the process, not the personalities that are at risk. If we are to keep the incumbents,  then let it be by an open to all election not people appointed by the president for life.

This year's example hopefully will in the future be routine. If even one new member, not a member of the supposedly clique personally advertises for each election then transparency will exist, albeit shoved down the throat of the power brokers. Either way it goes, a lot has been accomplished. Please vote, May 19 for your choice of candidate. Two are running, two hope to retain their seat. Vote for independent responsibility by all members of the board.

Good

I am delighted that the incumbents are named and that they finally have to run for office. Stand up, Let the community decide who they want rather than a closed circuit appointment

I can not find any problems with any of the candidates Finally, we have a democratic process.  That was the critical issue with me.Privatizing the water & serer department was wrong. I want to thank the brave folks that stood up to the power brokers.

SEWER &WATER DISTRICT ELECTION

An election will be held at the community center May 19. Why should you care? First, this will be the first open election since the Water & Sewer District was created. The problem comes from dedicated people that have served for a long time. The only notice that an election will be held in about two lines in the legal notices. Long time board members tend to feel ownership, which creates a lack of growth.

The reason we don't have participation is simple. No effort by the sitting board has been offered in addition to the required legal notice. This causes  apathy as long as faucets give water, and the toilets flush. I personally get the impression that input by interested citizens is considered interference rather than contributions.

The lack of timely audits,  and above all else, transparency is sadly lacking. We as resident customers have no way to see where our money is, or how much money is in reserve, if any. The bottom line is not all state laws pertaining our water & sewer district are being followed.

Other venues, such as in Athol, reminds us that regardless of the integrity of our current board members, stuff can happen.
 
Two dedicated residents are running for the two board positions. both are college professors with knowledge of how businesses are run. Sharon Meyer (you can't possibly avoid seeing her signs) is running for one position and Stephen May, a veteran entrepreneur, the other. They took the time to make sure we all are aware of this date, Tuesday May 19 at the community center.

Bayview is growing and we need some fresh ideas so that the district can move ahead with our town. You can tell pretty much who is supporting these candidates by prominent people having yard signs.  

Summertime

I woke this morning to two things. One the sun was out and I didn't have to wear a coat to fetch my paper. As I gazed out my picture window overlooking Scenic Bay, I witnessed a flock of Swallows flying in for their nesting season.

Yes, just as in San Juan Capistrano, they arrive as a group. I haven't kept track, so I don't know if they arrive on the same day or not. 

Summer people are drifting in to open up a float house or the family yacht. People are hitting their favorite restaurant or bar.  Actually, most of us stay here because we cannot afford to go south for the winter.

Still, where in this country of ours can you afford to live at or near a lake, with fishing now much better than the last few years.

So welcome back to the Summer people and come on down for the visitors.

WESTSIDERS...BAH, HUMBUG

It is always a pleasure to see the team that beat you make it to the top. Makes you feel warm all over, it does. There were several reasons that Gonzaga bit the big one.

First, one of the best three point teams in the nation couldn't hit beyond the three point line with a seeing eye dog. Guys like Bell and Pangos that could thread the needle all season  long had a bad day on the wrong night. Even Wiljer was cold.

Then there were the turnovers. Once great at ball control, Duke regularly stole the ball from the great back court of the Zags. The third thing that stuck the knife  Zags, Even though on different nights, the West Siders rooting for Krzyzewski's Blue evil Blue devils snuck a bunch of K rags into the Clink, then had the audacity to bring them into the Mariners home field  waving them wildly as they celebrated the downfall of our sainted Bull Dogs during last night Mariner's opening night victory over the cussed Angels.

First, shouldn't a last name of 10 letters have more than 3 vowels? God should have kinds helped out. After all, these Gonzaga Bull dogs had priests and Nuns rooting for them, while Duke just had the Devil. Makes you weep at the injustice.