Conversation with Kathleen Parker, Columnist

This is an exchange I had with Kathleen Parker, columnist with the Orlando Sentinel in reference to her put down column of bloggers. HDH
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Forwarded Message:
Subj: Re: Blogs
Date: 12/30/2005 5:08:01 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
From: kparker1@mindspring.com
Reply-to: kparker@kparker.com
To: Hhuseland@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



Don't feel betrayed. I spotted you for a philosopher. (That's why I used that word - to give enough space to include all of those smart bloggers out there who don't fall into a particular category) And, of course, not all bloggers are alike, just as not all of us journalists are part of the smear known as the MSM. Some bloggers, in fact, are fabulous and I've written extensively about them. But the mob mentality of the blogosphere is troubling and good bloggers ought to recognize that. I suspect many do. Among the many differences, which I should have mentioned, is that bloggers (so far) don't get sued for defamation, libel and slander and are not held to the standards professional journalists are. When we mess up, we are unemployed and unemployable. Perhaps, too, you have to have seen your own head on that stick a few times to know of what I have written.

All best,
Kathleen
----- Original Message -----
From: Hhuseland@aol.com
To: kparker@orlandosentinel.com
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 1:28 AM
Subject: Blogs


Ah, Kathleen, I feel betrayed. I am a blogger, with a three year high school journalism education. I don't rightly know whether I'm into narcissism or just a bore. What I think I am, is a senior citizen that has seen much, lived much, and possibly has something to share.

I read your columns in the Spokesman-Review, which is located in Spokane, Washington. I live in a little town called Bayview, in Idaho, about 70 miles from Spokane.

My blog covers everything from what I call humor,world events, and local stuff. Just two hours ago, the night reporter for the Spokesman-Review called me to check out a breaking story here in Bayview.

I recognize that there are many infantile bloggers that just want to see their four letter words in print. I'm not one of them.

We have a guy, Dave Oliveria, Associate Editor for the Spokesman-Review, that has an on-line column called "Huckleberries". (A local thing) He links to other blogs, (mine included)

The best away to check me out is to log on to my blog, either independently, or through the spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo.

Mine is Bayviews.blogspot.com.

I am, if you bother to check further, a moderately conservative guy, and think a lot along the lines that you write. Please don't lump us serious amateurs with the screwballs.

Herb Huseland
Bayview, Idaho

Senseless Vandalism

I have seen, in my 67 years, many senseless acts. I don't think that I can remember anything like hit Bayview last night.

Posters were ripped down from the local businesses. Two marinas were attacked viciously. Locked marina doors were kicked down, and many boats vandalized.

From the sparse information that we have, while a few things were stolen, mostly it was just senseless destruction.

In talking to Jeff Barden, General Manager of the Waterford Park Marinas, He indicated that the criminals got around the newly installed security gates on the docks, probably due to the low water level. They then forced open the doors to the secure covered docks. They proceeded to demolish many privately owned boats, for no apparent reason. While a few things were stolen, most damage was simple destruction.

Most of the affected boat owners are either in Arizona for the Winter, or living in Spokane, Washington, a major city nearby. Contacted by the night desk at the Spokesman-Review, I was able to come up with this information to add to what the paper already had.

Unfortunately for the deadbeats that did this, there were security cameras present that recorded all of the participants faces. As of this posting,and to my knowledge none of the participants have been arrested, but I wouldn't bet on them seeing the New Year in, Saturday Night.

My very First Poem

Dedicated to my Grandchildren...

'Twas the day after Christmas
when all through the land,

A gigantic sound, seemed to abound...

The rustling became a roar,
it wouldn't fit through the door...

Wrapping paper in a dash, heading for the trash...
Dumpster guards all plead, don't let this last...

Reds, greens, tinsel galore,
look out the closet, shut the door...

Children play joyfully, unwrapping the gift,
after all is done, the box heads the list...

The credit card statements bang at the door,
hoping until next year, please, no more...

Grandpa Herb

Merry Christmas, Etc.

Much has recently been written pro and con regarding the appropriate season's greeting. Sunday, Paul Turner, of the Slice, a feature writer for the Spokesman-Review, devoted almost his entire column to an anti-Christmas message, ending by calling the arguement political.

For many reasons this year, this discussion has raged. I personally think it is not just Christmas, and definitely not political, at least not for most of us. Whether it's Christmas or Hanukkah, or just Boxing Day, the Winter holidays mean something to most of us. I believe that what is really being fought in the trenches, is the loss of tradition, whether religious or other.

First, we eliminated Lincoln's Birthday. (It irritated some Southerners) Then the father of our Country, George Washington was judged not to be worthy. We invented President's Day...A poor way to celebrate nothing, but hey, we saved a vacation day, didn't we. Martin Luther King, Jr. Was elevated past these two fine presidents, in what appears, his greatness aside, a political act in it's entirety.

Patriotism? Long gone. We don't even do the pledge of allegiance in school anymore.
Veteran's Day? "Hey, Dad,what are all them old men in their funny hats doing walking down the street? Can I have another hotdog"?

I firmly believe two things. One, please, Paul, go back to collecting cute, trite, little experiences for your column and stay out of issues that are too deep for you. Second, in just one generation we have lost these and many more traditions. Traditions that are the glue that holds us together as a nation and as a a society.

I believe that we need to fight for the return of sanity and allow the multitude of ideas and religions to flourish without the naysayers.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, good night...

Herb Huseland

Christmas

We have read many things this Christmas Season. Some have been very critical, like Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus will somehow injure them. I haven't read anything critical about the Jewish holidays, or for that matter, about Ramadan.

The reason for these attitudes? I think that some civil libertarians have gone way too extreme in the "separation of church and state". First, that isn't what the constitution says. The U.S. constitution merely states that our government cannot establish a state religion.

This should not be construed, as I fear it has, as license for atheists to firmly establish THEIR religion, or lack thereof. Some arguments are that Sunday and Christmas are pagan holidays. Well, it is true of course that the early Roman Church established Sunday instead of Saturday as the new Sabbath. By the same method, Christmas day was arbitrarily set up on December 25.

There isn't much doubt that pagan "Sun" worship in pre-Christian Rome had some of these holidays. I submit that the tradition is what is real, not the argument as to date placement. That the Roman Empire felt it necessary to blend Christianity in with what then was familiar is arguable. However, my blog wasn't up and running back then, and my opinion wasn't asked.

To summarize, I am one of those hateful Christians who doesn't believe that because Rome diddled with some of the facts and traditions, that the birth of Christ is any less valid, or important. I will wake up Christmas Morning with two thoughts. The first, my thanks for the job Jesus did, and secondly, how about those Seahawks...

Merry Christmas to all that believe, and Happy Holidays to the rest of you.

Herb

Bayview Fundraiser

Jerry and Carly Berry asked me to thank the many people that made the fundraiser for Jerry a great success. The Captain's Wheel was jammed with well wishers that put the Christmas Spirit to work as the night was a great outpouring of friendship.

We are all hoping for the best, as Jerry proceeds with treatment for Pancreatic Cancer. I would like to remind all that there is an account set up at Wells Fargo Bank in Hayden for donations for Jerry's very expensive treatment.

A Town Called Waterford Park

Bayview is a small unincorporated spot of unusual beauty. Nestled in one of the few protected bays on Lake Pend Orielle, it lay undiscovered, eight miles off the highway until recently.

Big money hit town with a vengeance. With Three underachieving resorts for sale, a development firm called Waterford Park Homes entered the picture. First Vista Bay Marina was purchased. Then followed closely by Boileau's Resort including the Button Hook Restaurant, and Bayview Marina.

Following the purchase of three of the six existing resorts in town, they went on to purchase the town trailer park and the Scenic Motel. Bayview is fast becoming a company town. The goal of the company is presumably to become a Summer version of Sun Valley. A destination resort playground for the very wealthy.

While I personally applaud the investment in tired ownership situations, one wonders when it's too much. I don't believe one company should dominate any town or village. One starts to feel like it's the middle ages again with the royalty vs. Peasants.

This Summer season, the Buttonhook Restaurant was leased and operated by Dan and Wendy Talerico. After closing seasonally, they were informed that some of Waterford's management wanted to play with it next year. Renewal of the lease was refused. This after a large investment in the business by the lessees.

I don't know at what point an illegal monopoly occurs. Perhaps there are readers out there that could offer opinions. This town of Bayview is becoming a town named Waterford Park...

Winter Weather

I have come forth to anoint the unwashed and the unanimity, of course. This is about living in North Idaho.

Should you have moved to our fair area in the last 13 or 14 years, you will have experienced maybe one snowy winter, and maybe one ice storm.

BUT, you will have not experienced our equalizer. Equalizer, you ask? Well let me tell you about our equalizers.

They happen about fifteen to twenty years apart. They are all different. They all spell cold, snow, and ice.

Why are they called equalizers? Because that's where we shed unneeded, unwanted and unwelcome relocaters from Southern California.

It would appear that true to form, we get a whole bunch of folks from more temperate climates, that home in on our somewhat dreary landscape. They seem to think that this is paradise. Wrongo, Baby! We are a back woods, gap-teeth, undereducated bunch of Red-Necks that you NEVER want as your neighbor.

This year we are going to meet you out there on the (Highways). (We always put that word in parentheses so real highway folks don't get confused).

Please, even if you are personally willing to die, don't invite us to join you, like speeding with 4-wheel drive. You ever seen 4-wheel drive stop anyone faster?

I write this, actually, snowed in here in Bayview, in the secure knowledge that until some nice young person digs my car out, I'm not your target.

Winter Prediction

I hereby step out on a limb. I predict that winter weather here in Northern Idaho will be a tourist repellent. Starting tomorrow, December 1, were going to get it.

Two low pressure areas meeting just off the coast. One from the North, carrying cold air. The other, carrying heavy moisture from the South.

When the twain shall meet has the weather guessers checking their almanacs in despair. They don't know what's going to happen. Somewhere in the great Northwest we are going to find out. By Friday afternoon traffic will be paralyzed, and I will be comfortable at home. Others won't have the good sense to get out of their own way. You heard it here first!

Crisis in Bayview

Recently, Jerry Berry, owner of the Captain's Wheel restaurant was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. This type is one of the most virulent cancers.

Unlike restaurants in the big city, resort town places such as this are marginal operations at best. They make money in the Summer and lose it back in the winter months. Jerry has Medicare, but no supplemental insurance. Some of his Chemotherapy drugs are not covered by Medicare and will cost $3000.00 per week out of pocket.

Friends of Jerry Berry are banding together for "Love and Life" December 10 at the Captain's Wheel in Bayview from 7:00 to 11:00 P.M. There will be several fund raising events including a silent auction, live auction, raffle and a $10.95 buffet.

Entertainment will be provided by Whiskey Rock. An account has been set up for donations at the Hayden Branch of Wells Fargo Bank. We urge all of you to help if you can... Jerry's survival may hinge upon your help...

Thanksgiving

T'was the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned, the dark meat and white.
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

tossing and turning, with anticipation.
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey, and butters potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round
'til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding, and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell, as I soared past the trees,
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries please.

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump,
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
and may your thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

Happy thanksgivings to all, and to all a great feast.

Author, Steve Beaudry

Respect

I have given a great deal of thought to the recent, and for that matter, past discussions involving disrespectful references.

I am not a fundamentalist Christian, nor am I an Evangelical Christian, Nor a Moslem or any of the other labels that we use to identify, in some way, how others differ, or are the same as we. It isn't important in this forum at this time to state what my beliefs are. That would detract from the main topic.

That topic is respect. Every day I read the paper, (Spokesman-Review of course) and grind my teeth over the sarcasm and vitriol that spews forth in articles and editorials. Where have good manners gone. Haven't some of you learned to be tolerant of others? It doesn't matter that you disagree with someone else's opinion. What does matter is how you do it.

To insult the belief system, or the base from which a person is coming from is to lose the argument from the start. If you don't have logic and good theory going for you, sarcasm and put downs certainly won't help you either.

My father once said to me, "Herb if you find that you are digging a hole for yourself, the first thing to remember is to let go of the shovel".

I suggest that those of you that insist on basing your arguments on personalities and putdowns, let go of the shovel...

If you need a forum that totally agrees with you, start a new blog entitled "atheists R us"...

Homeless in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

It had to happen sooner or later. I mean, the Coeur d'Alene City Council has always had diversity of sorts. This week, we have topped the heap. The ultimate in democracy. Everywhere in this great country of ours, we have homeless people wandering the streets, looking for a life.

Right here in beautiful downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, we have struck a blow for freedom.

For the very first time in the history of Idaho, and maybe a bunch of other places, we have elected a homeless person to the city council. Coeur d'Alene, I salute you.

As an afterthought, we sincerely hope that Mike Kennedy will find a home soon...It might snow.

Bayview's Best

All of Bayview is collectively holding their breath. Jerry Berry, popular owner of the "Captain's Wheel" Restaurant and night club is seriously ill. We all are hoping and praying that he will recover soon.

Many loyal patrons of the local night spot are donating their time and energies to help out where they can. I would like to encourage all of you to stop by. Tell your waitress to say hi to Jerry.

Springboards

Now that it is firmly established that to succeed in Idaho politics, you merely have to be a DFO blogger, I'm in. No smoke filled rooms for Herb, Baby. On my way to fame and graft, I am.

Skipping over the humdrum meetings with sycophants, avoiding the rotten tomato throwing opposition, thumbing my nose at the party bosses, I'm ready for public service. No need for training or worrying about qualifications. No kissing babies for me. Babes, though, is different.

Skipping over the more mundane things like City Council, after all, I don't live in a city anyway, I'm going for the top.

Is it too late to declare for Governor? No matter, I'll win hands down through write in votes secured through Huckleberries. (Happy days are here again) Oops, wrong party, oh well, no matter, I'll run on both tickets, and win both nominations...

There is only one problem here. We DFO bloggers outnumber the available public offices. Maybe I'll just declare victory now...Otherwise I'll be late for dinner again...

Unlimited Faith

I've spent several days trying to figure out how or whether to write this...

This is a well reported local story. I am not trying to reach local people. That has already been done. This is to get this amazing act of courage out to folks that don't live in the Spokane/North Idaho area.

Several days ago, a Mennonite family was heading to Spokane, Washington to meet up with wife and mother, Carolyn Schrock. Carolyn, pregnant with their sixth child, had gone ahead to shop.

Driving south from Chewelah, Washington, home of a small Mennonite Community, was Jeffrey Schrock and their five children. Driving North, was Clifford Helm. Helm, according to printed reports, crossed over into the oncoming lane, and struck, head-on, the Schrock vehicle.

Jeffrey Schrock, was critically injured. All five children were instantly killed.

When notified, Carolyn Schrock was reported to have said, "It was God's will".

She has since visited the hospital room of the other driver, to comfort him and offer her forgiveness. I can't in my life, remember an example of faith that transcends this one.

I don't necessarily personally believe that the children were taken as a deliberate act of God. He gave us free will, to achieve or screw up as we would. In my mind those two principles oppose each other. But it isn't important here what I believe.

The point here is that this woman's faith was so strong, that rather than collapse at the loss of her entire family of children, she comforted the very person that caused that loss. I am truly awed beyond the ability to express my feelings.

I don't think the Mennonite Religion has Saints. If they did, I believe we have one in Carolyn Schrock.

Desert vs Jungle

Ah! The last day of a seemingly endless desert... Withdrawal at an end...

Huckleberries will be back tomorrow. The jungle that sometimes erupts in huckleberries is by far overshadowed by the desert we have had to endure during Dave's vacation. Why, we bloggers have actually resorted to entertaining each other...

I think I've done some of my best stuff during Dave's vacation, but during the hiatus I doubt we bloggers got the hits that we normally do.

By and large, I think everyone has been reasonably civil to each other, with the possible exception of today, where the debate seems to be heating up along liberal/conservative lines again.

Dave, you are getting back just in time, I think...

Nature's Balance, Right?

Much has been written about the "endangered" Mountain Caribou, including the one in this morning's spokesman-Review, written by James Hagengruber.

Caribou...Cougars... Cougars...Caribou.

Joe Scott, of Bellingham, Washington, as mentioned in the above article, bemoans Canada's policy change, to give up trying to introduce Mountain Caribou into areas that they don't naturally prosper. Namly, the areas bordering Canada and Idaho, in the Selkirk range.

I'm wondering if Joe was in the forefront of the activists campaign of a few years ago, banning the use of dogs in hunting Cougars, and advocating natural selection.

Well, Joe, you've just been batted over the head with a dash of reality. Protection and reintroduction of predators does not bode well for the less hardy species or traditional victims.

You can't have it both ways, pal! Either give up on the artificial introduction of Wolves, Grizzlies and Cougars, or wave bye-bye to Caribou, deer and Elk.

Methinks you have been hoisted on your own petard...

Oh, and by the way, the Selkirk Caribou reside in Idaho. Police your own area, please. We have our own wackos without having to import any from a neighboring State...

My Time Out

For those of you that missed me this week, I've just been busy with my wind-up week at Silverwood. I am fine. To the female person that left a message re: my blog on my cheap answering machine, please e-mail me.

My hearing disability causes me to not hear certain tone ranges, which include the higher voices of the ladies. I've been told it was due to me ingoring my wives during all those years of marriage. I'm at hhuseland@aol.com. No comment on the cause of the hearing loss.

I will be back this week-end with more unsolicited comments about damn near everything. Hang on to your seats, folks.

Navy Base

In a recent inquiry by a local spy, I was asked,"What does the Navy REALLY do at their base in Bayview"?

I thought everyone knew that! It's a support base for the underwater city and U.N. arms factory bubble city between Lakeview and Bayview, Idaho.

You've seen the black helicopters, right? You know, the ones that are going to invade us through Canada? Right there... Flying Saucers? Right there...

The demise of the Blueback fishery? Food for the aliens working beneath the deep waters of South Lake Pend Oreille! Oh, and of course the secret underwater gold mine. I hope I've answered your question, Stebbijo...Oops! Now I guess you're out of the closet, dear...