FRIDAY HONEY MOON FR fDAY 13

I glanced out my window tonight just in time to see a magnificent display of a full moon. High in the sky it dared us to come visit again. Here are a series of photos I took in Bayview, Idaho.  Actually, the full moon officially was Friday June 13 and is known as a Honey Moon. And that is the rest of the story.

FOR SAIL

It is time for me to retire from sailing. At 76, crawling around on the deck handling lines, hoisting sail is just not in the cards anymore. This is a 21 foot Venture. Included is the trailer it sits on. The boat has three sails. A main that needs replacing and two jibs. This is a perfect boat for beginners, or just someone that's wanting an inexpensive way to get out on the water.

You may contact me at either bayviewherb@gmail.com, or by phone, 208-683-9107. A main sail would cost between $400 and $700 depending on whether you buy used or new. The cockpit has a raised hatch so that there is standing room below deck. The price is at a no bargaining amount of $1200. I have been advised that it is under priced, but need to move it as my storage space is going away.  I'm available most days and would be happy to show it at your convenience.

WILL LAKE PEND OREILLE FLOOD?

Watching the lake come up rapidly, and with reports that downstream of Albeni Falls Dam, there is flooding, I decided to ask the experts at the dam.

First, they informed me that the high country snow pack is still 125% of normal, with rivers running full. Secondly, the prediction is still with Mother Nature. If temperatures suddenly get hot, yes we will have a lake flood. On the other hand if temps stay lower, and with current night temps below freezing in the high mountain regions, probably not.we'll know in about two weeks.

We are at about 2061.0 now with full pool at 2062.5 I was here when the national guard was called out in 1997. Now that, was a flood. Float houses drifted off with the water topping the pilings. Docks went visiting other docks. 

 I ran across a post that I featured in 2011 when we last flooded.

Here is the link: http://bayviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/will-pend-oreille-flood.html

CNN LYNCH MOB

Before even medical and psychiatric exams have been completed, CNN is beating the drums for desertion. Countless interviews with those he served with and others in the command structure all point at guilty before proven innocent.

While there doesn't seem to be any disagreement with some of the basic facts, yes he did walk away from his encampment after his shift on guard duty ended. The why is the dominant question. Or should be. If he flipped out and became mentally unstable, he certainly wouldn't be a deserter, nor would he be the first in that theater to go bonkers. Suicides have been rampant, as well as other manifestations of out of balance behavior.

Until these issues are explored and become known, inciting to riot is not news, nor is it even faintly fair. His return home has been thoroughly poisoned without having heard his side of the story. To me, and I am a veteran, his story is of a mentally ill person who tanked mentally under the constant pressure of insurgent combat. To have to face the enemy without military uniforms or any other way of identifying them until they pull out a weapon has been catastrophic to many others in the war against essentially everyone. 

We ought to hold CNN to a higher standard than this display of mob rule and conviction in the media.

ps: The heckler that has been wasting a good deal of time on me has been blocked as spam.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Most of the education conversation is about K-12 these days, but with a college education out of reach financially for most in our area, I have a suggestion.

This thought was triggered when I read of a program in Coeur d'Alene in which a student can take college credit courses while in high school up to within one credit  of an associate degree.

I would like to see an optional 13th year added to our high schools with a fully funded degree program. With this head start, some of our brighter students can then attend Lewis and Clark for the final two years necessary for a degree, or even turn NIC into the top two grades, instead of the first two.

As baby boomers kids have for the most part grown up, there looms an underutilization of space in many of our school districts. This program would encourage teachers to advance their own qualifications for teaching college level  courses. Along with that we would have a stay at home opportunity for advancement past high school.

Then turn NIC into a Junior-Senior school, accepting high school graduates of the enhanced program with the need for a third and fourth year facility.

Revolutionary? Of course, but while K-12 is getting all of the attention, we are experiencing a brain drain of epic proportions. Most of our highly educated people are imported from other countries that have placed a higher degree of emphasis on higher education.

Not since the great depression has education taken any giant steps forward. We once made one room K-8 schools obsolete. Why not another large jump.

REFLECTIONS

It has been a week since I was a participant in an electoral drubbing. Two things popped out at me after a few days reflection. One, was with no experience in running for office and unable physically to walk the precinct and knock on doors, I was in a difficult spot. The second was running against a well prepped caucus. Extremists of both the left and right tend to be highly dedicated to their cause, even if that cause is off the rails as a practical matter.

I actually gave a sigh of relief when it became obvious that the entire slate I was wedded to was soundly thumped.  I wouldn't have wanted to serve in a minority role where attending county meetings without the opportunity to effect change would have been in vain.

Although as a astute observer of the political wars, I just didn't think dirty tricks and lies, half truths and outright fabrications were issued against me recklessly and often, would happen in a neighborhood like ours. I was wrong.

Mysterious e-mails,  comments that came to my blog of which I didn't post, indicated that I was several things I hadn't thought I was. The town drunk. I would wager that in the last year I have visited bars about 8 times, always leaving after a self-imposed limit of three beers and often as not, just two.

A leftist. I was brazenly told that I was left of Barack Obama and that I made Obama look like a tea party enthusiast. It seems that the big lie is fair game for out local Wackos. For the record, In other than local elections for mostly non-partisan offices, I have voted straight Republican since my first one which was for Barry Goldwater, 1964. Since through Nixon, Reagan three times, (once for governor) etc. etc.

Fifty unbroken years in which I have voted this way. If this is leftist, then perhaps my labeling of the Wackos is pretty benign. 

Whether I run again is too far ion the future for me to say. I will be 78 next time around and may not be in good enough health. But if I do, all the stops will come out and I will win. One comment laughed at me over the 91-50 vote loss, claiming I was the better known candidate. Yes, but through the years of writing both in the Spokesman-Review and nine years of blogging, I undoubtedly have offended some, as I have never been shy of offering an opinion on almost anything.

That said, and since I didn't have the advantage of being on the winning side with the losses across the board, I consider 50 votes as a plus, and then the large number of people that I number as friends were not in some cases, not even aware that the 20th of May was the election date.This accounts for why the totals. I choose to take from this experience the positives and I want to thank each and every one of you fifty, that knew me and had faith that if elected I would do a good job. Fifty votes from an electorate that was so moved that only 22% chose to cast their vote, yet without a doubt will be the first to bitch about a government they didn't help choose.

ROOSEVELT QUOTED

My brother, after reading my last post, sent this. I thought it worth sharing.

Herb--Sorry to hear you lost, but you should have no regrets.  As they say, you left nothing on the playing field, having given it your best shot.  I am reminded of a favorite quote from Teddy Roosevelt about daring to get into the ring:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

To those that sent hateful things, I deleted your vitriol. Hate is a disease that overtakes the hater, not the hated .

STUNNED ...

It wasn't so much my defeat at the precinct level that was so stunning. After all, this was my first attempt to run for any office at any level. But the total repudiation of all of those candidates, some very qualified, others not so much that surprised me. Even Matt Roetter, arguably one of the hardest workers of the Reasonable Republicans went down.

Tondee I expected to lose. It seems that county commissioners stay just long enough to piss off a majority of voters that after all, don't much care for government anyway. But for some of the others to lose, many much more qualified for office than the winners, suggests that litmus tests of what degree of political philosophy one has is the only test for success.

Sims,Souza, Brannon, Nonini, all marginally qualified, but speaks the ultra-conservative mantra, won. Brannon's last job was working the counter at a surplus building supply outlet spoiled loser in other elections and probably the worst County Clerk we have ever had, won.

Because it wasn't a win here a loss there, I don't think it had much to do with personalities. What I believe because of the consistency of the losses, is that the frustration the voters have toward Obama and his minions, they collectively flipped out and went hard right.

Having met and worked with some fine people in NIPAC, I am more upset about their repudiation than my own loss. I lost with a 40 % margin to a little known person that apparently fit the mold for the new age in Kootenai County Politics. The moral here is, if you have momentum on your side, and you work harder and spend more than your opposition, you are likely to win.

It will be an interesting few years ahead. but sometimes the pendulum swings abruptly as it has this year. We could see coming from this, a rejuvenated Democratic Party. But not just yet. If the Rally Right people don't govern well, it will open the door for liberal causes to fill the vacuum.

And finally, I want to thank those that voted for me and mourn those that couda, shouda and didn't.

ELECTION DAY

Tomorrow is the primary election. One that could be historical in it's results. I will not bore you with electioneering today. Many have posted absurd last minute allegations as to their beliefs and that of their opponents. Poor manners, but I guess if it didn't work, nobody would do it.

Have a great day and be sure to vote tomorrow.

Herb Huseland

SOME FACTS

A few minutes ago I opened a comment made in rebuttal to my column of yesterday. In it, which I din't publish, though I might have if the person didn't hide behind "anonymous." This person objected to my use of the words, "Kook" and "Extremist." He went on to suggest that I was left of Obama. Go figure.

I'm posting some stuff from NIPAC website that proves interesting. First, a link to how the Kootenai County Central Committee voted last fall when they apporved a resolution tabling the vote indefinitely, to remove the 17th amendment plank from the state party supporting the repeal of the 17th amendment. For those that haven't much luck remembering numbers, that was when after the early years of our country, when distances were difficult along with communications, U.S. Senators we elected by state legislators. The 17th gave the vote to individuals. Apparently, comfortable with control of the legislature, they want the control to extend to choosing Senators. In other words, you vote to give up the vote. This link tells you which precinct committeemen (women) voted which way. For the record, my opponent for precinct 4, Clay Leander voted for the resolution to be tabled along with a majority of the committee.

KCRCC_17th Amendment Vote Minutes_November_26_2013

This site also gives recommendations for reasonable republicans if you wish to use it to guide your vote. f you don't know the candidates, the next best thing is to ask someone you trust.

http://northidahopac.org/?p=139

The only way the extremists can hold control is if you and others don't cast a vote. The election is upon us. Next Tuesday will tell the tale.

VOTE    VOTE    VOTE

LETHARGY HELPS EXTREMISTS

Extremists tend to be much more activist than people that actually have lives. This minority gets their voters out, when many busy with jobs, raising families and other pursuits sometimes cause folks to think that their votes don't matter. They do.

When the three school districts got together for a shared tech training school, an improbable vote was set up. In order for the school issue to work, all three districts had to approve it.  It was approved here in the Lakeland School district by 5 votes.

If you want the county and state to continue to be run by fanatics that want a return to the gold standard, nullification, which voids federal laws in Idaho and the most odiferous of them all, repealing of the 17th amendment.

For those of you that get the numbers mixed up, the 17th was when after 125 years of U.S. Senators elected by state legislatures, the broken system was fixed. The 17th. Now we can vote directly for our senators. For those that like trivia, that is where the term Statesman came from. Now these boobs expect you to vote for the right to not be able to vote.  The 17th was approved by 36 of the states. How many of you think those states are going to turn the clock back?

These issues are not even probable if they were local and state issues. They are non-starters. Yet these people howl at the full moon and yearn for yesterday. Even my opponent for precinct committeeman voted to repeal the 17th amendment in the County Republican Central Committee. Why they took such an asinine vote shows the control over which the former Constitutionalist and severe libertarians have dominated out area. Realism has deserted many of these stalwart Wackos.

Whatever you vote, do not let the extremists win due to low poll numbers. Get out and vote even if you favor the wackos. Just participate. Oh, and vote for Herb Huseland for Precinct Committeeman. I like the constitution just fine the way it is.

WHEN YOU GET OLD

I just realized that some things, you do different when getting old. A few minutes ago, with my face full of computer, I thought I heard rain on the roof. So ... I call up accu- weather.  Now I could have just got up and opened the door, but I'm so used to weather forecasters that don't, that I emulated them by heading for on line weather.  It said it wasn't raining, so I ignored the sounds.

Then there are the trips to the refrigerator. I struggle up out of my recliner. Don't get addicted to those things. Ya can't get out once you have sunk into the bliss of one. I think it might be something like alcoholism. An afternoon nap is too much and  and a few minutes isn't enough. Living in a recliner is a bit restricting, yet the same amount of time spent free in the recliner as you might have spent in a bar is an amazing financial difference.Back to the refrigerator.

How many times have you got up, walked to the kitchen, peered into the fridge and can't remember why you got up, let along what you wanted in the fridge. I do this a lot. When I was a teen, it was a serious foraging trek. Now it is looking for something that is tasty. I spend over $150 per month at the store, fill my freezer, yet there doesn't seem to be anything good. Loss of appetite strikes too.  The only good thing about that is when you eat out, you can take the next day's meal home with you in a go box. That of course if you can afford to eat out.

When I was younger, my mail had all kinds of ads for pre-approved credit cards. No all I get is pre-rejected ones. My junk mail tends toward stuff like hearing aid ads, advertisements for assisited living, and of course the obligatory ads for Viagra, Cialis and stuff. First, any couple that are bathing in separate bathtubs, can't be very romantic. I'm not very good at throwing a football through a tire swing either. Besides, none of these pills find ladies for you.

Interest rates are interesting, too. When I was younger, a card with a $7000 limit was 7.5% interest. Now they proudly claim that regardless of the 25% interest rate, you get money back with every purchase. If people buy into that it's no wonder why they have to charge that much.

Mornings. To working people, mornings are a time of waking, drinking a quick cup of coffee and rushing out the door to work. This all happens before 7:00 am. To a retired person, mornings are a time to get up to pee. Then if you can, you roll over and go back to sleep. Morning, noon or night mean nothing other that when your favorite TV show are on.

My cable powered telephone can now call Mexico too. Free. Do I get a refund if I don't know anyone in Mexico? No. I think I do know people in Yuma and Phoenix, but they slyly go to my blog to find out what I'm up to  without having to talk to me.

Getting old is aches and strange pains in places you never found them before. Your body begins to deteriorate. I go to the doctor and complain about stuff. He kindly says, it's just getting old, Herb. I tell him I'm going to check in with him anyway, since I have no previous experience being old. The only thing good about my age is that I made it this far without expiring. There are those however, that will dispute that.

You see, once you are old, your opinions get clearer, truth is evident in your every thought and you become very wise and all knowing. Do you suppose that is why my phone never rings? Even from Mexico?

CANDIDATE NIGHT

Don't forget candidate night at the Captain's Wheel in Bayview, Idaho. Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm.
Candidates that are attending are: Ed Morse, Fritz Wiedenhoff-State Legislature. Tim Herzog, County Commissioner. Don Pischner, Kootenai County Clerk. Laurie Thomas, Kootenai County Treasurer. Oh and I almost forgot. Myself, Herb Huseland, precinct 4 committeeman. Mike McDowellwill be present as well.

This will be your only chance to meet candidates in Bayview. The event is invitational regarding candidate speakers, but the public is of course invivted to hear and ask questions of all.

If you come early, have dinner at the Captain's Wheel. It would be our way to thank them for their donation of the space and time.

The primary election is coming up soon. May 20. Your polling place is at the Bayview Community Center. I am supporting NIPAC candidates for the most part. We are trying to take back the Republican Party from the successful attack of 4 and 6 years ago by re registered Constitutionalists and Libertarians

The County Central Committee is made up of the 70 precinct committeemen/women. When a vacancy occurs as it did upon the county clerk, Cliff Hayes's recent death the central committee apppoints 3 candidates. This list is then used by the county commissioners to select from. This is how we ended up with Brannon as interim Clerk. He is from the "Rally Right" group of ultra-conservatives that changed from the Constitution party to Republicans  for the purpose of controlling the local party.

NIPAC, North Idaho  Political Action Committee is represented by these candidates, for the most part. If you are not registered to vote, or are registered as un-affiliated, you can register as a Republican when you go to the polls May 20. We will help you with that when you come to the Wheel Wednesday night. Be There.

REASONABLE REPUBLICANS ONLY

To clarify matters, which I have managed to confuse, there will be a Republican candidates meet & greet at the Captain's Wheel in Bayview, Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM. It dose not include Rally Right, recent converts from the Constitution Party, nor libertarians.

The previous plan was to hold it at the Community Center, but with the provision that everyone had to be invited. The Community Center cancelled due to a lack of candidates. Again that was my fault, due to the wrong list of candidates invited, some or most of which weren't in our legislative district.

Since this  became a private gathering, I was able to limit the participation to those that are "Reasonable Republicans" not whacked out on issues uch as repeal of the 17th amendment to the US Constitution, back to the gold standard, Nullification . For those not familiar with the jargon, Nullification would prevent federal laws from being enforced in the state of Idaho.

While obviously, improvements could be made between the ever growing federal government and the ever shrinking authority of the states, none of the above rants represent reality. The Civil War was fought over nullification. The confederacy lost. End of argument.

For those of you that do not remember which amendment the 17th is, it took the early U.S. out of selecting senators by the state legislatures, and gave people to right to vote individually for those offices. A extremist legislature would most likely end up electing other extremists. Bottom line is very few people with any sense at all, would vote to lose their vote.

The guests that will be appearing, are: For legislature, Fritz Weidenhoff and Ed Morse. County Commissioner, Tim Herzog. County Clerk, Don Pischner, Kootenai County Treasurer, Laurie Thomas and myself running for precinct 4 committeeman. Precinct 4 is Bayview, Cape Horn and most of the land between Farragut State Park and Hwy 95, or to make it simpler, if you vote at the Bayview Community Center you are in Precinct 4.  Many of you probably don't know that while county clerk, Dan created precinct 4, eliminating the need to drive to Athol for voting

Come on down to the Captain's Wheel and get to know these candidates that either are or may be serving you in an elected capacity.Oh, I almost forgot to mention a guest of honor that used to be a democrat and County Clerk, Dan English. Dan and his wife lived on a float home in Bayview for several years. Dan isn't running for anything currently but you never know.

Kootenai County Precinct 52

Nevada has it's Area 51 with strange mysterious things alluded to. Kootenai County has it's counterpart in Area ... er, Precinct 52, where strange and mysterious things are happening. It all started when Bjorn Handeen moved to that precinct from Minnesota where he was associated with fringe political groups. He joined the Constitution Party in 2003 and moved to Kootenai County at the same time as several other Constitutionalists and Libertarians also relocated here, 2007.

Apparently Idaho was considered the new battleground to save the world through super patriots taking control. Well, they have. In 2010 the local Republican Central Committee was caught off guard while these fringe players walked the precincts looking for support as precinct committeeman. Most voters are interested in county, state and federal elections but seldom pay any attention to precinct committeemen.

That little box at the end of the ballot usually has a name few recognize and many skip over it. I know I have been guilty of that myself. It is however, the vital heart of the party. It endorses candidates, raises funds for campaigns and most importantly, names replacements for all offices vacated during a term. An example of that is our new county Clerk. The previously voted in clerk suddenly died leaving a vacancy.

Our law requires that the party to which the predecessor belonged to must submit three names to the county commissioners from which they picked from. Three guesses. All were of the same extremist ilk.
Several of us looked for someone that would actually be qualified to serve. None in our opinion did. They were more interested in control than quality government.

A vast majority of traditional Republicans or what is becoming more in use, "Reasonable Republicans," suddenly realized that the central committee had been hijacked by these newcomers from other states that took time only to remove their coats before embarking upon changing things around so thy would have control. They did and it worked.

Word on the street is that nobody would run against the entrenched recent republicans/constitutionalists. We don't know the why, but do know that he was unopposed at filing deadline.

Some of the well known goals of these people, repeal of the 17th amendment to the US constitution. For those  of you that have forgotten, at the beginning of our nation, with distances being great and transportation slow, The state legislatures picked the senators, which is where the term "Statesman" came from. Back in the early 1900's it was decided that all of these problems were in the past. A bill was passed by congress and ratified by the states for the people to have the vote instead of congress where in many cases, Tamany Hall in New York, many other areas had corrupt legislatures, too easy to buy off in picking the senate.

Now these charitable people want you to vote for people that will take away your right to elect senators.

Another issue is what is called "Nullification." In a nut shell, (no pun intended) is to take the right of the federal government to apply federal law to the states. You may remember that last time that happened. South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter and the Civil War began. Then there is a wish for the return of the gold standard.

By this time if you have read this far the thought comes to mind, "where are their minds. They are out chasing their tail with issues that have not a chance of succeeding. As elected officials instead of doing the people's business, they are chasing a pipe dream. Handeen has even accused our party as having Stockholm Syndrome, or loving your captors.

Comes now a woman, who lives in precinct 52. she, Susan Manthey is the mother of three including a 21 year old Marine corporal. She, hearing from her son at Camp Pendleton, was urged by her son to participate. Filing had closed, but Susan couldn't live with representation by a 17th amendment repeal, gold standard and nullification advocate.  Party members were contacted and a write-in candidacy was born. Her name is Susan Manthey. If you live in Hayden Lake are area and are in precinct 52, this is important and you can make a difference. She will appear on the ballot as a write-in. Be sure that in addition to her name, check the box too. MANTHEY.

Labrador, Nonini

Raul Labrador will be hosted by Bob Nonini at a meet and greet Friday to be held at the Post Falls American Legion Post. The event will start at 11:30

Candidate Meet & Greet

We are holding a meet and greet with several candidates that are running in the primary election May 20. We will meet at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm in Bayview.

This may be your only chance to meet new candidates and some old ones too. Ed Morse will be there along with Fritz Weidenhoff, Laurie Thomas, Tim Herzog and whoever else shows up. Other than Morse, these are candidates for county offices.

The importance of getting to know not only the canddiates, but the issues as well cannot be understated. The "Reasonable Republicans," or traditional if you prefer is attempting an all out campaign to oust the Constitutionalists or Rally right extremists from  local offices.

We got rid of Phil Hart, who had disgraced himself and embarrassed the Republican Party, but there are more. These people want to repeal your right to vote for US Senator and hand it back to state legislatures as it was during the nation's early days. This is know as the 17th amendment to the constitution.

They also believe in returning to the gold standard and "nullification." Nullification is the term for shedding federal government from the state of Idaho. This would mean civil war, as it did during the 1800's. Obviously none of these issues will win out, but while other office holders are dilligently doing their jobs, these kooks are addressing issues that require a constitutional act which is somewhere between a waste of taxpayers time and money, and an impossible dream.

The candidates attending this meet and greet are all reasonable republicans. Come on down and let them tell you what's happening.

CAMPAIGNING WE WILL GO

I was greatly surprised that when logging on to spokesman.com/blogs/hbo Friday, there at the top was a ringing endorsement of my precinct committeeman campaign. Along with the very nice things said about me, was a photo of my campaign signs which I had shared with Dave Oliveria, moderator of the blog.

Aside from an ex wife or two, I seem to be gathering some momentum here. You may ask, why such a big deal over a bottom rung office of precinct committee person? Here's why. The 70 precincts in Kootenai County form as a group called the Kootenai County Central Committee. Since four years ago, reasonable republicans, or traditional if you wish, were bushwhacked.

A large contingent of the members of both Libertarian and Constitutional party members, realizing that they were in the minority by a bunch, invaded Kootenai County, entered the precinct races pretty  much unopposed,  then re-registered as Republicans. Kind of like the wolf in sheep's clothing of nursery rhymes fame.

The central committee had successfully been invaded and occupied. Some of their issues are, repeal of the 17th amendment to the U.S Constitution. This is to reverse a citizen's right to vote directly for U.S. Senator. The good old boys in the state legislature want to take that right back that was only popular in early days of our country because of ancient travel and communications problems.

Then there is Nullification. Don't recognize the term? Nullification is what the south fought the civil war over. The right of a state to overrule the federal government. Actually we already have the right to self rule in those areas that the states haven't ceded their authority to the feds.

These are state and county candidates for office, not for the U.S. house or senate. While being paid to do the state or county business, they are tilting at windmills in a way not seen for over 100 years. Wasting the public's time on issues they cannot win. These are what I sometimes refer to as Wackos. People who have lost track of reality.

There are other issues, but this one is why I am seriously running for precinct committeeman along with a ground swell of traditional party members that want to reclaim their party. I'll have more as we approach the all important closed Republican primary, which is another issue.

If you still think you don't make a difference then this is what your legacy will be.

BLANCHE JONES, R.I.P.

I read her obituary today and just didn't see Mom there. I called her Mom, but she was actually the mother of Ralph Jones, owner of Ralph's Coffee House and Eatery in Bayview, Idaho. Since she moved to Bayview from her prior home in California she has been a fixture in Bayview.

She loved to gamble at the Coeur d'Alene Casino, watch Mariner games and just hang out at Ralph's. She hit a jackpot for several hundred dollars just days before she was felled by Pneumonia, and went quickly with her family at her side. Just three days previously she was holding court at Ralph's Café.

People that didn't know her would be in a world of hurt if they spoke ill of son Ralph when she was present. They were either very brave or very foolish. Mom was extremely loyal and in addition to being Ralph's Mom was was also his best friend and cheer leader. In her mind Ralph could do anything.  She was usually right.

Mom died at a ripe age of 90 years old.  She smoked incessantly throughout her life, but it never affected her health until of course the end. Blanche will be carried home to California by her son Ralph later this week where she will spend eternity next to her husband Bryon who died in 1984.

Up until I first met Blanche I never called anyone Mom but my own. Somehow it just seemed natural. Mom, you will be missed by many.

HANK AARON & THE KKK

Yesterday's declaration that those in the GOP are all KKK members or sympathizers was a sorry end to a great athlete's career. How any objective person come up with this conclusion says litle about logical conclusions and perhaps more about dementia of an 80 year old.

I have been a fan of three great players, all of which played during my adult lifetime. Hammering Hank, Willie Mays and most of all, Jackie Robinson. They were/are all black. I have never thought about race when picking favorites. That he spun this frustration and bitterness, however deserved, does not do him as proud as the career he had under, yes, some terrible racial prejudice.

That many on Huckleberries chose to either spin it into another area, rather than objectively stayed on the issue, was  sad. I thought there were more sensible people on the blog than were observed.

I did not question his great career, nor his fight against racial prejudice. The point was, "are all Republicans that oppose President Obama members of KKK." That so many thought to dodge this in favor of shooting at the right is a testimony to the rank prejudice of the left against any beliefs other than theirs even to the extent of falsifying an issue.

I am a Republican. I am not a racist. I have never belonged to, or sympathized with the KKK. I dislike the president on his own lack of merit, not the color of his skin. This was the issue, not any other that some chose to spin. Disagree with me? Fine. Call me names? not fine.

Yesterday and today showed that there are more people that need to get a life than I ever thought before.

OUTRAGEOUS PC

The co-founder of Mozilla, a very successful internet  entity, Firefox was forced out of his position as Mozilla CEO. Brendan Eich who's imagination and tenacity made Firefox the nation's most popular internet window was forced out because six years ago, 2008, he donated $1000 to a political group that supported heterosexual marriage.

It was pointed out by a conservative wag tonight that even Obama in 2008 favored only a man and a woman as a legitimate marriage. This, fascist, lynch mob attack on an honorable man not because he didn't perform his duties properly, but because he fell to the groundswell of righteous same sex proponents of marriage.

I am not coming out in favor of banning any marriages between two consenting adults. (with a possible exception to marriages between brother and sister.) How about  the church of later day saints. Will they explore a return to poligamy? After all, the U.S. Government forced Utah to ban pluralistic marriages as the price of statehood.That principle is out the window for sure.

It isn't good enough for these people that won their fight for legality to just marry. Now they are hell bent for apparently outlawing the rest of us. Attitudes change, but in one generation we are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. What gave the liberal press and their ilk the right to essentially change everything that has gone before in order to achieve liberties that our founding fathers would have not even thought an issue.

Sudenly families don't matter, regigious people are being ridiculed and values no longer count. I would bet that a majority of homosexuals and lesbians would be aghast at the ouster of this inovater just because he donated money where his values lie.

The danger here isn't Mr. Eich's beliefs. It is that an entire civilization is teetering at the abyss, throwing out long standing values without a new road map to take it's place.  I am totally against, not persons of non-standard sexuality. I believe these folks were born this way and did not choose.  Having said that, they do not have a license for revolutionary war either. And is it they that did this, or was it the ultra-liberal mantra that pervades in silicon valley and the rest of that pit of  revolutionaries.

The sixties have caught up with us even more disruptively than we thought back then. The permissive attitude that ;prevailed carried on to parenthood, now nothing is sacred anymore. Not even the sacred.

Flight 370

The constant press coverage of the loss of flight 370 has kind of turned into a hysterical need for news. that the entire search is being held in ridicule due to the old "Calling Wolf," syndrome.

The coupling of diverse countries not used to coordinating, has made the search even more bizarre.

Finally, the hard news of the frequency of the pings from the flight recorders has everyone cautious.
The frequency of 37.5 is one that is not replicated in any other use. If the Chinese ship picked up the  signals from this place, it is a known factor, not a rumour. This frequency was chosen so that other radio influences and biologicals would not interfere.

The bottom line is how helpful the Chinese are in sharing specific coordinates. The world wide use of the satellite system of navigation is very precise. Triangulating signals should not be a problem, unless, the Chinese use this as a political tool. We have only 2 or 3 days before the batteries will have died.

We can only hope that the Chi-Coms do not have an unusual plan.

NIMBY

It seems that the neighborhood between Howard Road and Lone Moose Road, are up in arms over an attempt by Verizon to erect a cell tower. It seems that regardless of the need of others, these people are aghast that They might glance over and see the blinking lights on the tower.

Another issue is the proximity of an air field on Howard Road. The obvious danger to aircraft in the area is real.

What isn't, is the attitude of the cellular company. The residents of Bayview and other areas nearby are starving for cell service. Recent offers by both Bayview Sewer & Water District and land owner, Dick Hansen reveal a willingness to have such a tower on their land.

In the mean time, the Log B & B plus neighbors are still bleating over having a cell tower blend in with their trees. I see a smidgen of selfishness here, but hey, I live in Bayview.

KOOTENAI COUNTY CLERK

Jim Brannon is the Kootenai County Clerk, a position he was recently appointed to after the preceding clerk suddenly died. There are many sub-departments under the clerk but I am going to zero in on just one.

The county clerk is  in charge of elections. This position by it's very nature must be very neutral regarding candidacies. I have heard from several very reliable sources that Brannon is running for precinct committeeman and is also running for election to the office he was appointed to and now serves.

Perhaps the most egregious acts reported to me is that he is offering to walk precincts with precinct committeeman, in favor of what ever candidate he and the committeeman are in agreement with'

Another point is why is this elected official electioneering on county time?

I am ot sure about the legal issues,  not being an attorney, but I am slam dunk sure it is a moral one. If this man wants to be elected to this office, it would be real swell if he checked his moral compass. 

WE'VE LOST SOME GOOD ONES

It seems that the last dog days of winter finds the grim reaper ready and able.

We lost two huge citizens in the recent past. Not huge in size, but in stature.

First Lanny Spurlock, who was often referred to as Mayor for life in Athol, indeed was, since he died in office after nineteen years as mayor. He was a gentle common as an old shoe kind of guy. No big shot in him at all. He recognized the need for Athol to stay small due to the preponderance of  lower priced homes in the city. Folks that couldn't have kept their homes if they had to pay for sewers.

H stood firmly against expansion, knowing that the one place in the county that lower income people could live, was Athol. The septic  system they are on is at about capacity for today's rules.

When I first announced the Athol Daze parade, he dropped by to appoint me as announcer for life. He apparently thought I did a passable job, and he liked lifetime appointments. I'll be there again this Summer, in honor of Mayor for life, Lanny Spurlock, as long as I'm able and wanted.

The second was a tragedy, involving one of Coeur d'Alene's finest attorneys. He tried many cases that were high profile, such as rhe federal trial of Sheriff Frank Crnkovich. for racketeering. He was charged with ignoring gambling and prostitution in the County. Yes he did. Those vices were long a tradition in this mining community where the young single miners outnumbered the population's families. For over 100 years these things were woven into the fablic of Wallace life. In several cases, the madams donated to community causes. He was acquitted.

Sam Eismann, attorney was once a U.S. attorney, a state legislator and practiced law for almost 50 years as a criminal defense specialist. He was a boon to prison overcrowding. Sam died March 16 early in the morning of hypothermia and subsequent drowning, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff Department. Sam owned a float home in Bayview which he stayed in regularly and from which he drowned. He loved Lake Pend Oreille and the village of Bayview, and Bayview loved him back.

CAR REQUEST

With great pleasure, I can announce that the needy couple has obtained a car with the help of their church, family and others, including the seller.

Good will is definitely not dead yet. The margin was so close, that they had to get my help for gas so they could make it home.

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN (WOMAN)

Until I threw my hat into the ring, I didn't connect apathy with the radical slant of the Republican Central Committee. I now realize how they got control. Half the precincts didn't have candidates and voters wouldn't have recognized the name most likely anyway.

What happens is people either check the box for a person running unopposed, or skips it entirely. Here comes the good part. If a precinct doesn't have a committeeman, the Central Committee appoints one, ergo perpetual control of county politics.

I am running in precinct 4 opposing a man that I understand was appointed in that manner. Well, if the folks in Bayview want a more representative person they now have me on the ballot. I am what is sometimes called moderate, though compared of the old days I would be right in the middle of the traditional conservative position.

Now however, we have a power grab which happened not long ago, in which radicals from the far right such as Constitutionalists and  other anti-government groups.

I believe in property rights. The right of a property owner to not be down-zoned, killing value, nor the right to stay rural if the neighborhood wants it that way.    Sometime back there was a tremendous fight over Sanders Beach. The city wanted to steal it and the people across the street that had paid taxes on waterfront wanted to keep their ownership. Sounds logical, yet many progressives went along with this power grab. They even swore that the lake in front of Sanders Beach had a different high water point than the rest of the lake.

These are some of the abuses that government can use in the public interest without the property owner agreeing. This is just one of many issues that I will cover in this blog relating to my core beliefs. I believe a committeeman should represent the electorate, not control anyone.

Above all, even if you don't agree with me, participate. You will have a choice this spring in the May primary. Please support me.Here is a link to a previous blog post which was also published in the Coeur d'Alene Press.  http://bayviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/political-extremism.html

PLEASE HELP

I'm looking for just one generous soul that is in a position to gift a car to a young couple. Let me explain. There is a disabled young man that recently married his sweetheart, a woman that had given birth to a what is now a 2 year old.

This couple, burdened with a sick child, has no transportation. They are on foot, unable to take the child to a doctor, unable to shop for groceries, unable to work even part time, due to lack of a car.

There is always a person out there that has an older car, that has been replaced, only to reside in the driveway doing nobody any good. If you have such a vehicle and feel either through Christian Charity or just because you are good people, please contact me at: bayviewherb@gmail.com or by phone, 208-683-9107.

This young couple will be blessed, as you will be by passing forward your own good fortune to another, in a never ending circle of giving which actually benefits you more than them. I know. I gave away a car I didn't need to someone who did. I still feel good about doing that. So will you.

PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN

Today I received a call from a prominent Republican that participates actively in Kootenai County politics. Here is what I derived from that conversation.

People all over the county gripe about the Republican Central Committee being to radical. There is a good reason for that. Radicals are driven by God only knows what, but in short, the reason why they control Republican elections in Kootenai county is simple. Radicals work harder at campaigning, so they win by default because the rest of us have lives, and don't need the power trippers.

It all starts at the grass roots, where each precinct elects a representative called Precinct Committeeman. Most of us pass right by that position on the ballot which in many cases is someone you have never heard of.

This campaign started with that knowledge and fully intends to field candidates in the several precincts that then elect the central committee which I have already elplained, controls the whole shoe. An example of that is when the County Clerk recently died, this body was asked to submit three  names for consideration. The law then requires the appointee comes from those three names.

It doesn't take much imagination t realize that all three names were well known ideologues of the far right. obviously,  a balanced list would have included Republicans from several levels of partisanship, with hopefully, sees the public service, not a power trip.

I live in Precinct four, Bayview. This center/right group, which I fit into comfortably, is attempting to replace the Wackos with more moderate representative. I have been asked to run for that office in this election cycle and have agreed to serve.

If you, like many others in our area agree that more reasonable representation is vitally needed. Right now, the Democrats are primarily so far left you can't find them without a guide dog. The same applies to Republicans. Only you and your neighbors can make this change in the way we govern ourselves. I will appreciate your support in this endeavor. So next election, be sure to go to the polls, and when you do you will see "Herb Huseland," on the ballot. Please vote for me.

SPRING IS HERE

As I looked out my back door this afternoon, more snow was falling on top of the already 10 inches from before. I looked out over the berm created by our erstwhile road guy. You see, in parking my car across the road, I never thought that a gigantic berm would stand between me and my car. The back door opens kinda, and as I look longingly toward my car, I realize that it can move without a problem. The issue is that I can't get out of my house to get there.

So I trekked out the front to get my morning Spokesman-Review. I had to plow my way through the front yard to the paper box only to find that he had left a Coeur d'Alene Press instead. No problem, since the S/R on Mondays is even skinnier than the rest of the week.

I went back inside and decided to take action. Control. Activity. So I poured another cup of coffee and settled down to read the paper, such as it was. Then as my routine requires, I sat down at my computer. I couldn't get online, so I called Time-Warner. Most of you are aware that even with hearing aids, my ability to hear clearly is limited. Especially with accents. People who speak English without the benefit of an American accent are just mouthing gibberish. I lamented to the tech that I couldn't understand why the company had to use Indian on-line help. He informed me that He was Filipino. OK, now that I have his accent placed, I still can't understand him. He was mouthing syllables with no meanings.

Finally it turns out that in either Microsoft updates or McAfee updates, someone had jiggered my IP. I essentially in the eyes of the world wide net didn't exist. Finally, after much chagrin, I understood that I had to reboot by turning off the computer. All is well now. I have reclaimed my identity and am in good standing on the net, which is a real good thing, because I sure as hell am not going anywhere until some of this shit turns to water again which of course means flooding.

Oh happy day. Spring time at last.

OLYMPICS REVISITED

A great week of entertainment ended Sunday with the end of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Several events stood out, but it seemed that the projected winners lost and unknowns won which of course is why they play the games.

I thought the most outstanding example of bravery was Justyna Kowalcyzk. Skiing the ten kilometer cross country, she competed with a fractured foot and won. there were others. Bodie Miller, trying one more time for the gold at age 39 and winning a bronze. The Russian solo figure skater that was a national hero in Russia, taking a huge lead in scoring, only to be injured  in practice and forced to withdraw.

A group of young skaters from the United States that showed great promise for the future and many others. But it still wasn't the "Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, that marked the years that ABC televised the games.

The woman that interviewed Bodie Miller and pressed him when he became emotional, probably interviews Mothers having lost their children in an accident with questions like, "how did it feel."

The worst of all was Bob Costas. A sports reporter that constantly lectures and editorializes as if he were  Walter Cronkite reincarnated. His well known for scathingly attacking Bodie Miller in the past, who was by example a free spirit. Still in character, he felt it necessary to jump on the band wagon of critics. I remember back when He was branded a rebel when he, as an adult, balked at sleeping in a dormitory during the circuit.

Perhaps his worse gaff though was in an Olympics that sprouted sportsmanship from every angle, suddenly in interviewing the Russian Olympic President  burst out with, "Yes but what about the horrible human rights record Russia has." It wasn't a proper question in the context of the interview and I t was asked of the wrong person. He wasn't interviewing Putin after all. Once again showed his frustration in not being a news commentator. Perhaps he gets his inspiration from watching MSNBC.
The final Sunday was to me a disappointment. The two events left were, the 50 K cross country and the finals in four man bob-sled racing. First the announcer when becoming excited, started to scream to the point it was difficult to understand. Secondly, the favorite American  skier, Hoffman, was never identified by number. Throughout the race I tried to figure out which skier he was to no avail. Then the constant reminders that coming up next was the bobsled finals. This coming up next lasted over an hour while NBC tried to stretch two hours of events into five hours, constantly misleading listeners.

In all I would give this Olympics a great grade for competitiveness and NBC a poor grade with Costas.  

MARIJUANA TAXES

With Washington And Colorado legalizing Marijuana, several things pop out of my mind.

 Historically, Two things were strictly outlawed. Three if you include prohibition. First gambling was considered sinful and quick way to break up families. Then they figured out how to tax it. Suddenly it wasn't so bad after all. So the states jumped in, no longer piously  against it and even promoting it.

Now we come to Marijuana. This is still classified as a hard drug by the Federal codes. It isn't even addictive, yet holier than thou types still lie to themselves and to us. My take on this government blumder is that the Viet Nam War and the protests that accompanied it were part of the drug culture, therefor anything connected to protest had to be horrible.

Zoom to the 21st century and suddenly the states that have legalized it are dry washing their hands in anticipation of a tax bonanza. Washington states that there are three levels of taxaion. The grower, the processor and the retail sale. At each level a 25% tax is imposed. This is not just 75%, because it compounds and ends up at about 94%. Whoopti doo. Now the state is competing against the Mexican private enterprise to the extent  that legal pot may end jp being more expensive that state controlled product.

This could end ju[ being a bidding or price war between the legal growth and sales and the existing underground sales. I think that the greed of the respective governments outweighs any moral objections.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting. 

TRAINS VS PIPELINE

It would appear that President Obama has painted hmself into an energy corner. Sitting on an authorization for the Canada to Texas pipeline and trains carrying crude from the oil sands in Alberta.

First scenario, His political base of rabid ecologists keep opposing the pipeline not based on clean pipeline routes, but the ecology in China. While it is commendable to help in the fight for clean air, this opposition doesn't stop China from using coal or oil in their industries. This outrageous interference with China's right to self  determination. Opposing the pipeline is parallel to using the spotted owl to interfere with logging. It was about not cutting any more trees anywhere. Still, it was an issue wholly within our territorial limits. In the case of activists lobbying against the pipeline this is not going to stop China, it will just hurt our neighbor, Canada. Oh and our selves as well.

Second scenario, we ship all oil from the region by train. Well, it seems like the crude from tar sands has more volatility than our domestic product and is a danger to the  citizenry from derailments. In three lurid examples of derailed oil trains, One blew the center of a town up, causing 41 deaths. Railroads were originally designed to connect cities with each other, so products and services could connect them. Rerouting trains through rural areas in high population areas, is impractical and beyond  any sensible investment.

The choice between the two solutions is not the only one, however.. If we force Canada to build their own pipeline from scratch rather than just connecting with our domestic system, and trough terrain that makes construction problematic. If our government chooses either there are dire consequences. For one, we get a large percentage of our  oil and natural gas from Canada. There is nothing to stop Canada from refusing to ship any petroleum products to this country.  A boycott would prove that our natural gas industry to come to a screeching halt.

By your intransigence, we are between a rock and a hard spot. Get off the dime and choose which method to use, but remember, our good neighbor Canada has no barrier unusable. Shooting urselves in the foot is not the answer.

DIAMOND CUP DIFFICULTIES

The recent unauthorized disclosure of some of the inner workings of the Diamond Cup principals has caused confusion and dismay for some supporters and in some quarters a desire to face the music.

The motives are unclear at this time, but I am guessing that it was well meaning fund raising that went awry. To the person that ultimately sent the material to the Coeur d'Alene Press, I find it more difficult to be magnanimous. I find it difficult to suggest an act that smells of disjointed thinking or worse, sabotage, motives are suspect.

In talking  with Doug Miller, the president of Diamond Cup Racing, LLC, He explained that the disclosure told only part pf the story.   First, the letter, which I do not have, quotes Sam Cole, President of H1 Racing, the organizer of these events across the country as saying that the committee must respond to several conditions and that time is running out for these to be met if a race in 2014 is to be held.

One condition, a deposit of $5000 to the H1 account, has been met, which happened Friday of last week. Another, that a performance bond be issued guaranteeing the race funds to the sponsoring authority.

The sound of the NSF check in the amount of $71,000 be made good.  Deliberately writing a bad check with criminal intend is doubtful.   It is my understanding that the principals in this matter wrote the check against a line of credit that the bank pulled back citing the first year shaky financial conditions  that prevailed at that time.

Those issues yet to be resolved, are being addressed currently.

The largest culprit in this melodrama is the public taking advantage of the open Centennial Trail, where thousands of freeloaders skated past the necessity for the funds to be raised in order to pay for the expenses necessary to hold the race. I believe that only 3200 tickets for shore viewing were sold, yet an estimated 52,000 actually attended. Perhaps lacking the experience of communities with a more recent racing history, caused the committee to over estimate the honesty of the viewing public.

Had all viewers, including the log boom paid the admittance fee, no financial problem would exist. Those items are being addressed, with closing the trail for the race days and looking with askance at local homeowners that coincidentally held parties that week-end with up to 60 passes for entrance to their homes.

Secondly, there is plenty of money in this community through sponsorships and shares of ownership to conduct this race annually. Apparently the leading businesses in the area are willing to harvest the ton of money the public spent on bars, restaurants and hotel/motels. Perhaps it is the lack of understanding the positive influence annual hydro races bring to the community. The Iron Man competition, in which streets are blocked off routinely, the Fourth of July downtown festivities and now the races, are blockbuster events that across the nation reflect well on Coeur d'Alene and all of the Spokane, north Idaho up to the Canadian border.

Whether reorganization or more community support, or both is needed. you will not have this race to enjoy in future years if freeloaders rule. In 1968, it was lack of funding, not the behavior directly that caused the cancellation of future years. The public would go around the ticket booth with coolers full of alcoholic beverages, hike up Tubbs Hill and camp out for the races.

This generated drunks then poured into town for more, and less controlled, crowds which then became noticed by law enforcement. In 2013, not one incident springing from this race was noted. Alcohol was limited to licensed businesses bordering the course, those being Tony's on the south and the Silver Beach restaurant and marina at the north end. As Seattle and Tri-Cities had solved crowd control issues many years ago, so went the Diamond Cup, era the 21st century.

Some reacted to the article with bitterness, using name calling as a path to vent their displeasure with the source of this story, yet for the most part the information, proprietary that it was, was accurate. This blog, private thoughts aside, does not support name calling. It was however, an incomplete recitation of ongoing negotiations with H1, and has been overtaken by events.

For the record, no blame for this disclosure should be put on the Coeur d'Alene Press, who did their due diligence and printed it as news for which newspapers are supposed to do.

We invite those interested in furthering the cause, to step forward, whether buying tickets in blocks, sponsorship or get involved on the inside by purchasing participation in ownership. The people who run this are doing so without compensation. The public should be sued for non-support.

  

BAH HUMBUG

Yesterday I decided that braving a heavy snow storm just to get the ever so small S/R, I left it in the box. This morning, I went out to fetch my paper. Yesterday's was still in the box, but today's was lying in the melting snow, wet and soggy. I guess my motor route carrier only throws the paper at the box one try and gone.

After blow drying the paper, I finally got to see what was going on out there. The prediction of more snow today and tomorrow is probably a bad guess from the weather guessers (again) I constantly regret not having obtained a degree in forecasting weather. What other career path can you be wrong half the time and still get raises, retirement benefits, long vacations and promotions.

Only here can we get snow forecast at the same time as thawing snow causing flooding. Oh well, perhaps if the thaw continues I can once more access my car.

Incidentally, you can access weather information from the navy here in Bayview. The link is:
 lpo.dt.navy.mil

TWELFTH MAN

In no other sport, nor other city has a team plucked "spectators'" out of the rubble of fandom to become a part of the success of that sport. A part of the team and you might say are in the huddle with the players. The Twelfth Man.

These guys called Seattle Seahawks are without a doubt currently the best in the league. But in every way, fans, loyal to the core, bearer of the lean years, are now considered "participants."

Sure there are band wagon jumpers. Fair weather fans. That is natural. But there buried in the Kingdome years, bad ownership and iffy players are fans like me. Having lived in the Seattle area most of my life, I was one of the originials. Fans that attended the first game back in 1976, where they played a preseason game against St. Louis. A game that showed what was eventually to evolve. St. Louis won, if my dimming memory serves witha  score of about 32-28.

The pickup team made up of cast offs and players at the end of their careers surpised everyone with what was then called a fly pattern, Zorn to Largent. Which scored a touchdown. Mississippi gamblers all, and coached by a guy with nothing to loose threw away the standard play books. His name is Jack Patera. Where too weak physically, and lacking talent. Substituted trickery and treachery for the talent they didn't have.

Who can forget Effren Herrera, place kicker, running behind a wedge, recovering his own on side kick. Those were great moments. A time,  when we didn't expect a championship, just entertainment. I still have the ticket stub from that first game and treasure it as one of the original fan group.

I also had a ticket which unfortunately I lost, for the second Seattle Pilots baseball team. A  season that didn't happen when ownership packed up and moved to Milwaukee.Most do not know that Lou Pinella was a member of that team though traded before a game was played.

Today we can celebrate as the uncontested best team in football. It was a long time coming and I along with all of those original fans, those that are still alive anyway, are cheering, not as fans but as members of the team. To Jack Patera, who lives in Ellensburg, Washington, in retirement, never coached again, we offer thanks for a great beginning.

Go Seahawks! 43-8, defeated the number one offensive team, stole their lunch money and beat them up on the way home from school. Denver was run over by a bus. A bus called Seahawks.

POLITICAL EXTREMISM

It is a given  that very few extremists realize that they in fact are out of the main stream. As a moderate Republican that actually have a few friends that are Democrats, I have observed many in the past months that fit the term extreme on both ends of the political spectrum. I'm probably a little to the right of center, since I observe more wackos on the far left than the right. But then maybe they like the lonely Jackass in the field bray louder than those in the majority. Having said that, I am deeply offended by those in my own party that bring shame and disbelief to the average voter.

The recent election in both the Coeur d'Alene School District and Coer d'Aleene City Council in Idaho,, brought me into the arena, even though I don't live in either. In the past I felt one without skin in the game should stay out of other people's affairs. That was cancelled by the large part of the Reagan Republicans from other areas such as Post falls, Rathdrum and Athol taking an active part in battling other citizen candidates running for non-partisan offices. To these people, politics is war, requiring the faithful to no holds barred interference and sometimes slander.

What brought on this reflective period for me was a phone call the other day by a conservative asking me to join a luncheon group be was forming. Interestingly, he admitted to being a former Constitutionalists turned Republican, yet he is holding his lunches on the same dates and at the same time as the so called, "Reagan Republicans." It would seem to me that Constitutionalists that have reformed as new Republicans are the real RINO'S, not the rank and file that has historical party roots.

I refer to them as imposters since I knew Ronnie Reagan and his late daughter,Maureen back in the sixties. I was an MC at a large speech venue with Reagan, just before he ran for Governor of California, and worked closely with him and his son-in-law, Dave Sills and Maureen during the campaign. That he resembled the loud, knee jerk gang that misrepresents his legacy burns me, but I digress.

After receiving the call from this activist, I politely declined for two reasons. One, I live in Bayview which is kind of a long drive, and two I'm not sure I could in good conscience, join a group that is possibly even further to the right than the RR's. Well, and there is one other reason. I am 75 years old and unlike the old days I don't run around in political circles with my hair on fire anymore.

As I have aged, two things became apparent to me. One, I had grown out of the more raucous party activities that I was a part of in the 1960's. In other words I grew up and matured some. I can listen to other points of view unless they are prefaced by an insult or belittling remark about mine. That from my perspective seems to be more prevalent on the far left. I have actually not received one complaint or put down from the right, even though I am left of many of them.

I won't mention the name of the individual that called me except to say, if I do not know in detail where he is coming from, I am, not like some others I know, going to guess.

I have figured out that the problem in working with others to solve problems in the community, either locally, or nationally, is that extremists tend to make their political philosophy a religion, not a governance. Therefore, you are either a believer, or an apostate. With that inflexible position, or positions, derives our inability to govern ourselves within the bounds of decency and mutual respect.

I will have more to say as the primary candidacies unfold in North Idaho. We still have some wackos out there, and unfortunately as long as moderates refuse to register as Republicans, the activists which have nothing better to do with their lives will run the show giving all of us the choice between bad and worse.

TIME-WARNER RIPOFF

I have Time-Warner Cable for TV, Internet and Phone. When I signed up[ they put me in a package that allows me access to all channels from 2-150 with a couple of exceptions.

Getting 150 channels sounds like a lot, and it would be if in fact you got 150 channels. I decided recently to count the duplications and voids in that 150. Would you believe that of that number, 43 are vacant. Well, not exactly vacant, but duplicates.

For example, Fox news is on channels 54-55-56-57-58-59-60-61. Rather than providing 150 channels, they just fill in the blanks with duplications. 43 such channels exist in this package. If this isn't misrepresentation then what is?

What is worse, is that I get all of the sports channels except ESPNU and the NFL channel. I would be satisfied if they included them and left a couple fewer duplications.

Bottom line, the 150 channel package is actually 107.  Bah Humbug!

SEAHAWKS RULE

There might be someone, somewhere that does not know the Seahawks are NFC champs and are going to the Super Bowl ... But they don't live in the Pacific Northwest.

In a game that wasn't played well by the offense, the defense once again bailed them out. I lost the signal at exactly six o'clock when the Hawks were behind 17-13. When the game finally came back on 15 minutes later, we were in the lead. The Hawks never relinquished that lead the rest of the game, though it was touch and go for awhile.

Now if we could only get the Mariners up to speed.

BAYVIEW WINDSTORM

Saturday dawned with the forecast of high winds. Around 1:30 the breeze kicked up. By about 4:30, powerful winds entered the area. By midnight, winds on Lake Pend Oreille reached 90 mph and 65 mph in Bayview. Thankfully, the power didn't go out here during the NFL playoffs, but stuff banging off my roof suggested that all was not calm.

Around 4:30 or so, I heard thumps and bangs as unknown objects caromed off my roof.  Various items that were on my deck found new homes as well.

As I watched the games I suddenly got an inspiration. "Herb, move your car from beneath the white fir towering above it." I did and it came through unscathed.

I then logged on to the Bayview Naval  Research Detachment weather stations for accurate information on the temperatures and wind velocities. I found 82 mph at the deep moor station north of Cape Horn in the main channel of Lake Pend Oreille and 58 mph gusts in Scenic Bay.

Later that night the Deep Moore station recorded a 90 mph gust.

Waking up this morning produced a calm with no unoccupied boats floating in the bay. Still it is good that we can withstand gusts of that magnitude and come out unscathed.

The LPO Current Weather is available on the internet at: http://lpo.dt.navy.mil/ for those of you interested.

**Monday am 11:15 a gust of 77mph hit the lake.

NFL JUSTICE

Let me see if I have this straight. An NFL team CEO hires a General Manager. He then Hires a team coach and assistants. The GM then drafts, signs and in other ways procures the players.

Where I get confused is when a GM hires a coach that has had success with other teams, then fires him because he, the GM didn't get him players he could win with, he then fires the coach for incompetence.

Said GM then goes out and finds another winning coach to bring victory home. He too fails.

Given this situation where apparently the guilty party is the GM, he gets to shift the blame to the coach and players with attitudes. Why doesn't the team owners hire a winning coach then let the coach hire the GM?

So far this month, about six coaches have been fired. Only one GM, that of Miami was fired, too. This suggests that the idiots are the team owners who allow an incompetent manager to run his multi-billion dollar team, not the poor guy that was saddled with lousy players. The general managers are the ones that make player acquisition decisions, not the coach.

Perhaps it is time to force team owners such as in Washington, to sell the team to someone that knows how to run it.

Go Seahawks!

Pneumonia Sucks

There is an inordinate amount of pneumonia activity this Winter with yours truly leading the pack. I have been under the weather for about three weeks or so with bacterial pneumonia. As of last Monday I am clear of congestion and now working on getting my strength back.

My closest neighbor also has been afflicted with said disease too. What with that plus a bunch of Flu cases, a large group of sick people are staying home. At least we hope they are, since we do not need people that work with the public such as bartenders and waitresses spreading ill health.

The holidays are in the rear view mirror and starting next week I will be working on the 2014 Diamond Cup. Tickets are being sold locally so that working with Tickets West and credit cards is one of many improvements that are taking place as we learn from our mistakes.

Some of the businesses that support the race and also have tickets for sale are: Inland Northwest Bank Branches,  Kootenai Lawn & Garden, Angel Gallery, Super One and Crickets.

Larry Justus R.I.P

It is with deep regret that for those of you that didn't hear, as I didn't, that Larry passed away December 4 after a long illness.

Larry, and his wife of many years own and operate the Lakeland RV Park in Bayview. To say this is a tragic end to a man that was everyone's friend is an understatement.

I'm not adding the usual statistics simply because I am unwilling at this time to disturb Liz and her family. I am sure, however that you, her friends would be welcome to call or visit.

There are very few giants in Bayview. Those that have lived and worked here for many years and in some cases, many generations. Liz and Larry have touched many lives and those that they touched are the better for it. Good bye, my friend. I'll miss you.

Commentary

Deputy city manager, John Engalls recently  revealed that a discussion between Idaho Transportation Department and the city of Coeur d'Alene is in progress. The issue is what to do with the Lake Shore Drive that used to be  I-90.

When the subject of hydroplane races was raised, Engalls stated that if the city annexes that stretch of old highway the seventeen year old law that prohibits Hydroplane racing would apply.

Let's look at that issue. First, the only property the city would inherit is the road bed. All property from the road to the high water level is owned and maintained by the Idaho State Parks Department.

To the east, are private homes of which none have asked to become part of the city. Another possibility would be the East Side Highway district.

Add to the  mix is grandfathered rights that the state may confer to the hydro race, the parks department interests and of course that of the hillside residents. Oh and of course the Centenial Trail.

The key reason for the city not to participate, is that excluding the lake shoulder and the uphill property owners, all that is left if the pavement, of which no tax revenue is possible. Short of making it a toll road, city ownership would only benefit the anti-race people of which after last fall we think are very few.

Perhaps the east side highway district would be interested, as they would benefit from the road taxes the state would transfer. The Eastside district is the most viable and they haven't formed a prejudice against boat racing.

Even if the city were petitioned to overturn the antiquated anti-boat racing law, there would be no guarantee the revocation wouldn't pass. Do I have an axe to grind? You betcha. No governmental body has ever passed a law prohibiting a specific sport, other than the City of Coeur d'Alene. OK, perhaps Bull Fighting, which is not really a sport but a stylized method of torturing and butchering a bull.

High School sports, Iron man, local collegiate sports have their own fan bases. No one sport would poll a majority of voters, simply because of a diversity of interests. As our constitution provides, minority interests are clearly protected on many levels. Personally, I would like to see that old law stricken from the books as outdated and archaic not to mention prejudicial.

This one-sided issue will go away just as other bad ideas have. The race will be held in the same location as last year, excepting lines to weights for buoys would be designed to disconnect immediately after use. Were there problems with the race last year? Absolutely. No local had every ran a race of the magnitude of an H-1 unlimited race. We plane on addressing the errors of last year to make this race as smooth as the Tri-Cities and Seattle venues. We had about 50,000 attendees last fall of which most were from the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area. We believe common sense and fairness to others will prevail. There will always be a few loud voices against most everything. They shouldn't rule the rest of us.

Dog Walk & Simple Mind

Over the past several years I have watched and listen to the studied observations of these ladies of my age. First, I would like to point out that either or both are much smarter than I, and what's more important, more objective.

The first Blog Fest (named by me) was held in Bayview at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant. I think there were about nine people present including the Blog father. As always in North Kootenai county, Larry was there. My high moment was then I observed a conversation between a former journalism teacher and Larry of whose name I shall not speak, since he, like the ghouls, comes out of the woodwork when his name is mentioned. Dogwalk and simple were there as well.

The reason I mentioned these two gals is that first they have finely tuned antenna when it comes to Bullshit. The second, that unlike most of the contributors here, they don't have an agenda. They use an antiquated method called common sense.These two do not break their claws agaist a stacked deck as occurs often on comments. They merely say what they have to say then they either shut up or as the case may be, go walk the dog.

Ladies, you are what lends intellect and common sense to this zoo. I'm proud to know you.

An almost Parade

Bayview has an annual par ... er, lighted car cruise this time of year. We can't call it a parade because then we would need to do all of that paper work and get a permit.

So, our Christmas cruise will form at the Flippin' Frog Cafe at about 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to participate.

An additional news item is that hydro race tickets are now also available at Super One Foods.

Stocking Stuffers, Hydroplane style

A new and different stocking stuffer idea has occurred as tickets are now available for the 2014 Diamond Cup Race.

So far, the outlets are at:  All Inland Northwest Bank branches, Kootenai Lawn & Garden, and Angel Gallery, in Coeur d'Alene. Grab these unique gifts in time for Christmas. An additional site is Super One Foods.

Pearl Harbor Remembered

As I sat contemplating the memories of Pearl Harbor, I realized that from baby boomers on down in age, this was history, not a life experience. Those born after World War two were for the most part unaffected by those experiences.

I was born in March of 1938 and was seven years old when the war ended, and 3 1/2 the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. At the age I was, not a lot of detail was retained. One though, was. I witnessed adults running out into the streets expecting to see bombs falling from Japanese aircraft. That Japan did not have long range capability was ignored, even by our military.

Farragut was chosen for naval training, not because of the proximity of Lake pend Oreille, but the distance from the vulnerable pacific coast.

This generation along with mine, has 9/11 and the twin towers of New York City as an equally egregious attack, this time against civilians instead of military targets. The war against Japan ended finally, but will the war against Jihadists ever end?

There are only seven Pearl Harbor veterans left to attend their annual reunion. My generation will soon die off leaving Pearl Harbor as only an historical event, not touching many lives unless a grandfather was part of it. Still, we should remember Pearl Harbor as an example of our vulnerability.

Plumbing Woes

I have been fighting a plumbing problem for about one month.I found that the worst place a faucet can go bad is in the shower/tub. Naturally, it was the hot water side. This caused me to have to turn the hot water off on the hot water tank which is accessed outside.

Yesterday, thanks to a very helpful Mark Streater, I drove into town to get a new one. The last time I replaced a leaky faucet, I just pulled the handle off and replaced the double aught washer. No more. Modern technology has once again fixed something that wasn't broke. Now we have stems and seats, O rings and other interesting pieces. In order to find the right parts I had to first remove the old one. Unfortunately, I didn't have the right stuff.

After visiting the two big box stores, Lowes and Home Depot. I bought one at each store, determined not to make a second trip. It worked and I now have normal hot water. The drive home was a different story.

Yesterday morning we started getting lake effect snow which tapered off and then returned about dusk. For those of you that are not familiar with lake effect it is when the air temperature is much colder that the water in the lake. This causes the lake to steam. Thousands of gallons of water evaporated causing a huge cloud which then began to precipitate as fine snow flakes.

As I started back to Bayview, I ran into snow at about Chilco. It got heavier as I got closer to the lake. When I turned east on highway 54 I ran into about three inches of unplowed, drifting snow. By the time I got to Farragut, my car was all over the road. In addition, a deer jumped out so close to me I couldn't have stopped. Fortunately the deer did the right thing and headed for the shoulder.

When I got into Bayview, creeping around sharp turns, (it was greasy slick) I barely made it up the hill and around the hairpin turn on Lime Kiln Rd. But I made it home. I guess it is time to put my snow tires on, huh? 

Bayview Mercantile

Rumors have been flying around Bayview regarding the sale and reopening of our only store. I met with the purportedly new owner yesterday and asked him about the status. His reply was, "I haven'tdecided yet whether to buy it."

Bottom line, it has not been purchased, it is not opening January 2 as the rumor mill has it. It is still for sale, according to the new Prospective owner, who did not give me permission to name him.

Wistful thinking will not work until someone steps up with an offer that the bank who now owns it accepts. If that offer were made today it would still be spring before it could open.

Thanksgiving

Some of us, myself included are going to have a free dinner Thursday at the "Flippin Frog'" the former Bay Cafe. Dinner with all of the fixin's will be served between 1:00 and 5:00 pm.

I am contributing my infamous dressing, since the birds will be fried and unstuffed.

As we approach the holidays look for some interesting things about to happen in the next week or so regarding the availability of Diamond Cup 2014 tickets locally for stocking stuffers.

I renewed my car license last week and picked up my state park sticker which you can buy along with a car license for just $10 bucks. Don't forget to ask for the sticker. It's a great buy and is vital to the financial health of the park system.

I am busy soliciting sponsorships for the Diamond Cup next fall. For a small or even large business, the donation is a tax write-off as well as great publicity. The souvenir programs last for years opposed to newspaper ads that expire with the next day's news. People keep them for years. I recently rceived the one from the Seafare race in Seattle for the year I graduated from Renton High School. It was kept for all these years since 1956.

Advertising and/or sponsoring the race will get you an ad in the program that will last like an encyclopedia. A gift as they say, that keeps on giving.

An office relocation for the race is  at 1105 Sherman has just been established and we should have phones and wifi hooked up in the next few days.

Have a great Thanksgiving, I'll see you next week.

Why I Blog

Sometimes when things are slow and no news is flying around the community, I wonder why I continue to do this thing. Last week, if I needed reminding, I found out.

I received a phone call from a last name that I recognized on caller ID, but not the first. James Dotson. After a few minutes of conversation I finally realized two things. I was speaking to a guy retired from United Airlines that we used to call<"Airline Mike." Mike is apparently his middle name.

The second was that he had a much better memory than mine. He recollected when I was driving cab in Coeur d'Alene and even who I was living with at the time. (Cute young Texas girl.) Mike went through about an hour of remembrance from when he lived here.

Actually, he kind of didn't live here. As an airline employee, he worked out of Seattle four days a week. Leaving a car at Spokane airport, he would fly free to and from Spokane, then drive to his hideaway here in Bayview.

He bought and remodeled several homes including a float home. Mike was a genius at minutely getting everything he built perfect. Mike moved away about ten years ago if my memory serves me, which it often doesn't. We weren't friends, just acquaintances that respected each other.

Mike Dotson was calling from West Virginia, where he was raised as a child. He returned to his roots where he is ... yes, remodeling another home. This one an ancient brick home with a carriage house next to it. The bricks he tells me, are about sixteen inches thick.

While it is always good to hear from people that have moved away, it occurred to me that most probably, he contacted me because through this blog he kept track of the happenings here in Bayview, Idaho. So I'll keep plodding along, writing when I have something to say and gliding a bit when there isn't any news of import. Thanks for dropping in, Mike. Glad to hear from you.

New Sponsors Welcome

 

Now that the political season is behind us and the 2013 Diamond Cup is also, it is time to start planning for the 2014 Diamond Cup.

While last year's race had many problems all due to time constraints, instead of six weeks to raise funds to support the race this year, we have nine months. This doesn't mean we can sit back and relax though. Hydroplane races are very expensive. Between now and Labor Day week-end we need about 1 million in new funds, most of which will come from corporate sponsorships, but ticket sales will still be critical.

If we can arrange it in time, perhaps you can purchase tickets for stocking stuffers at Christmas.

Steps are being taken to tighten up security at the site, and those that strolled past security to watch the races free will no longer be able to do so. Some new ideas are being explored even as we speak regarding local sales outlets rather than just Tickets West.

Several personnel changes have taken place to firm up control of the event. One particular legitimate complaint was from people that paid big bucks to have their boat on the log boom only to see others tie up without paying. That will not happen anymore either. Boats roaring up to the log boom without regard to the wake left endangered the boats racing on the course. The half mile no wake zone will also be rigorously enforced with the assistance of the Kootenai County Sheriff Department.

We want this to be a fun filled adventure and a safe one for the drivers on the course. 2014 will be that way.

Anyone wanting to become a race sponsor can either e-mail me at:bayviewherb@gmail.com or go the the Diamond Cup website. If you e-mail me personally, I'll follow up myself. Questions about the race can also be sent to me.

Nurturing Your Community

Elections are all about caring. Caring about your community and how it is administrated on your behalf. Tomorrow will be critical to that end.

Depending on where you live, either radical Liberals or radical Conservatives will control your area's  politics. This is because radicals are more motivated to vote than the average person.

Here in the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls area recent years have found an influx of Constitutionalists and anti-government types that have claimed Republican labels so that they have a chance to win elections. During the recent school Board election in Coeur d'Alene, the public became aware of a right wing takeover by the so called Regan Republicans. I say so called, because I knew Ronald Reagan back in 1964 and 65 when he was preparing to run for California Governor. I had his daughter Maureen and then husband, Dave Sills over to my house for dinner. These pretenders would not have supported Reagan and he would not have supported their exclusionary activities either. The attempt to take over the school board failed as it should again in this election. I believe that with Widmyer as mayor and those others such as Kiki Miller and Amy Evans. If Amber Copeland were not running against McEvers, I would favor her. Perhaps she can oppose last election's mistake, Adams when he next is up for election. 

Many of these types are refugees from the John Birch Society, a very extreme group. Whether you favor the progress our two cities have made economically, more jobs, diversified economy, increased tourism and items like the Kroc Center, which was opposed by these RR types, the education corridor, a route to a full time four year campus, The beautiful park and pond at Riverstone, plus the shops and other infrastructure, or want to return to the bad old days of unemployment, lack of professional diversity, your vote is more vital tomorrow than perhaps at any time in the history of these two cities. Those that oppose government should not be elected to run it.

Vote which ever way you must, but please don't leave the decisions to others who may not think like you do. Participate in this landmark election. Be a part of your future.

2013 Diamond Cup

This is a well written recap of the race and the people who run it.

http://www.unlimitednewsjournal.net/October_2013.html