Freedom Of speech

Recently we have witnessed several different interpretations of freedom of speech . While it is a given that dictatorships to varying degrees prohibit this, it is amazing that we have extremes even in democracies.

The Moslem reaction to "the Danish cartoons," is an example of the type of freedom we here in the United States experience. Here, we have the freedom to make an ass out of ourselves, by inflammatory remarks or cartoons. While not necessarily in good taste, the Danish newspaper was within it's right to publish.

In another democracy, Austria, we have a horse of a different color. Frankly, I was shocked that a British Anti-Semite author, got a prison sentence of three years, for stating an opinion. That the opinion was grossly un-popular, untrue, and insulting to the victims of the holocaust, is not the point.

This may be the only country in the civilized group of nations that criminalize opinion and speech, however unpopular. Austria can, I'm sure find better ways to apologize for it's own Anti-semitism.

We here in Idaho have had our bad experiences with Nazis, but we defeated them with ridicule and derision, something that they couldn't tolerate.

Austria has taken a step backward that equals some of the historical sins of the past. Shame! Another freedom goes down. With the advent of "political correctness" invading our own country, will we all end up homogenized, with lesser freedoms? It would seem that many are chipping away...

With Some Help From Your Friends

Waiting for another sunny day
Posted by Picasa

After a year of blogging without a picture, I finally have one. My friends Cis & Toni inserted it for me. It was just too much for my poor ancient brain to deal with.

Thank you both...

Site Meter and Friends

The one thing that has bothered me since I began this blog" was the question, "If a tree falls in the forest, and nobody is there, does it make a sound?" I have known of site counters, but could never get them to down load to my blog.

Along come fellow bloggers, Mari Meehan and Cis Gors. Between the two more knowledgeable friends I was able to download it. What a wondrous change. Suddenly, I don't have to wonder, "did I write this to myself, or are others sharing it?"

After two days, I have over 60 site visits, and that's a week-end. They come from the Spokane, Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area, but I also have visits from five different areas of California, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, plus Kennewick, Wallula, Wenatchee, Washington.

Foreign visitors appear from Zaragosa, Spain, England, and Toronto, Canada.

I am taking the time to acknowledge these folks, as without the feedback of knowing others are reading my stuff, it would just be a diary. Thank you very much, one and all, for your interest.

Bayview Herb

Trojan Horse

The news, if indeed it is news,is that we are about to turn over control of many key ports to a Country that is potentially an adversary is somewhere between dumb and insane.

Many centuries ago a great lesson was taught to the Trojans by the Greek invaders. The legend of the Trojan Horse apparently wasn't part of the education that "W" received from the Ivy League.

Let's see now. If I were heading up an Islamic Terrorist group that wanted to infiltrate a nuclear weapon into the United States, where would I go for access?

The U.S. Navy Base in Norfolk? The Port of Seattle? Wait! How about our buddies over at the UAE. "Hey, they have helped before, why don't we try them?"

This isn't the first occasion that we have catered to other Countries at the expense of security.

President Carter signed over control of the Panama Canal, which was promptly subleased to the Peoples Republic of China.

President Clinton signed over a lease of the now closed Long Beach Naval Base in California to...Guess who. The Peoples Republic of China.

Not to be outdone, President Bush is in the process of signing over control of the ports of New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Miami, Philadelphia, and what's left of the Port of New Orleans.

Let's just take two examples. New York and Miami have been losing the drug war for years, as drugs are infiltrated through the ports. Take this one step further, and find the control and operations of these facilities in the hands of potential terrorists. One can only imagine the fun they will have.

The only ray of hope here, is that now we can return the nations airports to normal operations. Having opened most key ports to the enemy, we can concentrate on them.

It is time, not only to reject this crazy attempt at conciliation with our enemies, but to pass legislation banning the sale or lease of strategic facilities to any foreign interest. The Eisenhower Freeway system was created by legislation authorizing the facilitation of military movements within the country.

We are now faced with a situation where great convoys of war material headed for our key ports on the way to the Middle East, will arrive at our ports to discover that a sudden labor dispute has erupted and shipping is halted.

No Opinions Today

I have decided to proclaim today as "no opinion day." That doesn't mean that I don't have any, I'm just not going to be in everyone's face with them. This gives the unwashed, the ugly and the totally misinformed a day off without me bugging them.

Today only, I refuse to knuckle under to my base desire, which of course, is to set the World straight on as many issues as I have time for. You will not hear me say, "And when did you get you're lobotomy..." No...Today, I'm strictly a nice guy.

Most days, after reading the "Good Paper," I grind my teeth at our politicians for their incredible stupidity, curse at the slanted coverage of the reporters. Not today...I am the champion of love and understanding. I reek goodwill.

I better stay home today...Something is terribly wrong!

Blogfest II

When I was an insecure teen trying to organize a party, the fear that nobody would show up always reared it's head.

For the last two weeks or so, I attempted to put together a group of bloggers meeting socially, here in Bayview. After just getting 6 for sure we'll be there RSVP's, and talking to DFO, we decided to cancel. I sent an e-mail to all concerned, also saying that I would be there just in case someone didn't get the word. One by one, they all e-mailed me back, saying small is good, we'll be there.

Nine folks showed up, including our blogmeister, and we had a great time. We even started to call it the un-blogfest, since we were there in spite of ourselves. A great bunch of folks, that I'm proud to be associated with.

You may view pictures of this event at Gollygals.blogspot.com.

Terminal Gridlock

I drove over to Seattle for the week-end. It was a nice drive in beautiful weather. I got to I-405 at Factoria in about four hours, averaging 75mph.

That's when it got interesting. Now keep in mind, I was born and raised there, and know my way around. As I turned South on I-405, everything changed. First, stop and go traffic an hour before rush hour. Second, nothing looked familiar. It has built up so much that hovels are going for $200,000 plus, just because there aren't any building lots left within commuting distance.

Sunday, I drove to University Place, near Tacoma, to visit my Sister. Now I've made that trip many times. Down I-5 to Hwy 16, toward the Narrows Bridge, past Cheney Stadium, turn left at the next light then turn left again at the next major intersection, right? No way. They realigned hwy 16, changed the accesses and hid Cheney Stadium, somehow.

I ended up lost near the waterfront. I finally spotted something familiar and located my Sister, right where she had always been. It rained overnight, but cleared by morning and it was a great drive back, except I've noticed that as I grow older, the drive seems longer.

The last mile to Bayview caught me up to the storm that had passed in Seattle. I found snow near home. Great to be back where our daily life is not constant turmoil.

Moslem Radicals

Most people that try to be reasonable, will say that "we are not at war with the religion, just the radicals that don't represent the Moslems."

My perception is, that after seeing the totally irrational uproar over the Danish cartoon, if you still believe that, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

I have felt for some time, that the radicals of the Moslem world have captured and now control all the major Moslem counties, including those most closely allied with our Country. Our government is in denial, and will remain firmly in that position.

Oil, and other strategic necessities preclude our official response to this situation. I reluctantly have concluded that we are, or will be at war with the entire Moslem World before long. I don't like coming to that conclusion, but after spending 18 Months in Morocco, in my youthful days, These folks take Jihad seriously.

We haven't experienced blind patriotism in this country like this. The closest I can come to relating this to the past, would be Japan in the forties. Most people form impressions by putting themselves in the other's position, then tell themselves, "I wouldn't act like that." That won't fly in this case. None of you could possibly think that way, or identify with that kind of religious fervor.

It's not going to go away, and It's going to get a lot worse. If history is any guide, this won't happen until we retire the rest of our strategic air fleet. I can see it now. Battle tank..."Target...Camel...1800 yards...Fire!"

Vagina Monologues

Alright, already. What's up with the Spokesman-Review editorial staff now! First they become horrified at the Huckleberries Blog discussing the various gray areas of alledged rape. They didn't stop there. No! Today they announced a live showing of the Vagina Monologues in Coeur d' Alene. In that article, it was solemnly stated that they were offering discounted admission for single Mom's. This was justified by a pronouncement that the "vast majority" of divorced women were victims of spousal abuse.

I can certainly understand that many single Mothers have been abused, but what about women that are single because they were bitchy, or nags, or didn't keep up the home, or didn't buy beer on the way home. The vast majority were beaten? I don't think so.

But I digress. It appears to me that the Spokesman-Review editorial staff has a crotch obsession. I, for one, have never seen one that could talk. I have, however met a few that made me sit up and beg.

If we could just lift these p.c. wackos just a little above the waist. Perhaps they could obsess about navels. Now there is a thought. Why just the other day...

My Anniversary

Today marks the last day of my first year blogging. Since January 31, 2005 I have posted 105 times.

Sometimes I have been opinionated, sometimes playful and always lurking in the background is that sense of "Hey, lets not take ourselves too seriously".

I have made, I think some new friends through the blog, and correspond regularly with columnists from various newspapers around the country. You would be surprised at the number that take the time to respond back.

Starting into the second year, I ponder what I am going to do when I grow up. The answer to that of course is that I probably won't.

Early this year, we spoke about my discovery of Prostate Cancer, and about the treatment options I had. I chose Brachytherapy, which is the implantation of small radioactive pellets into the prostate. That happened in October. My PSA went from 6.0 to 2.2 and is still falling. I anticipate no serious problems and see a full recovery in sight.

My newest business venture is off to a slow start. It seems that doing nothing is more comfortable than working. That will come to a halt when I finally get in gear.

Some of us bloggers have tossed around the idea of a get together. I propose that since I'm about half-way between Coeur d'Alene, and Sandpoint, Idaho. That we do that here in Bayview. I would like to hear from those of you that are interested in getting together face to face for a visit. I'm sure that Dave Oliveria and others will attend. Give me feedback on this and I will go forward with the project.

Seahawks Future Looks Bright

I have been pondering the future of the Seahawks. Certainly one of the major reasons why teams rise and fall is that when players over achieve, more money is required to keep them. That is only fair, as it is always important to be able to earn a raise for outstanding performance, regardless of what you do for a living.

The salary cap enters the picture at this point. Teams that are at or near the cap, are unable to sign players they would like to keep. Every season we read where star players are released for salary cap reasons.

The old system was broke, where players were indentured to a team with no other choices other than to quit. This one is broke too, from the opposite direction.

Paying athletes to perform for three hours once a week several millions per year is probably skewed the other way. I don't have the answer to this dilemma, other than to notice that teams do not pay players. Fans that buy tickets and/or watch television with the commercial messages do.

I can no longer afford to buy tickets to these events, as much as I would like to.

In another sport, baseball, I remember the Los Angeles Dodgers, back in 1963 were backed into a corner by Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Two of the all time best. They were demanding $50,000 per year each. My box seat tickets were $4.50.

The Seahawks, however have been judicious with the cap. I am told by Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times, that the team has enough room under the salary cap to sign both Steve Hutchinson and Shaun Alexander, both whom are free agents at the end of the year. Maybe even football teams can budget. Long live the Seahawks!

We Blog

I have noticed recently that journalists and cartoonists throughout the country are dissing bloggers. I'm not sure whether this is because we write bad stuff, or because they feel threatened.

The first example isn't valid, simply because bad stuff won't be read widely. That brings us to professional jealousy. As we enter an electronic age, newsprint is becoming less popular to many. Personally though, my morning reading of the Spokesman-Review is a ritual. Disposal of tons of unwanted ad copy is not my choice. Tons of paper clog dumps when a click of a key can bring you the same story. The irritation of reading a few lines of a story on the front page, then having to fold back the paper to page 13 or whatever is continuous.

One would think that if newspapers and magazines want to survive they would become more reader friendly. Anyone besides me object to the extra half page attached to the comics? How do you get that out of the way so you can read in comfort? The advertising people don't care. Stick it in your face is the rule.

Even here in the Spokane, Washington/North Idaho area where the Spokesman-review encourages bloggers, we are disrespected. I remember a meeting just about a year ago, where the S/R online Guru explained how our contributions would be like many neighborhood correspondents.

In that year, after 102 blogs of my own, and reading many thoughtful opinion pieces by others, not one was picked up as a guest editorial. Not one. Even here, in our enlightened community, the print guys would like us to quietly go away and stop bothering the real people.

I personally believe that this will change at some point, but only after being dragged kicking and screaming into the future that appears to already be here.

New Internet Law

Today's Spokesman-Review editorial suggests that the new internet law will chill free speech. I must respectfully disagree.

Speech is never really free. There is a standard of behavior that is firmly entrenched in the law. That standard is that you may not slander another without legal consequences. To be guilty of these violations, the law requires very stiff criteria. You must have the intent to harm the libeled person, and be telling a harmful untruth.

To be in a position to be judged fairly on this issue, one must be identifiable. To attack another person, or their ideas, without identifying yourself, is plainly cowardly and despicable.

The internet is reasonably new, and many adjustments are being and will be made to coincide with existing social custom. The fact that anonymous communications are common, does not make them right. The new law, does NOT prohibit the annoyance of another. It merely states that if you wish to do so, that you identify yourself.

As a practical matter, attacking another in the dark can be very self-serving...Such as a political candidate attacking another under the guise of a false name. Or better, you don't like someone, so why not get them run out of town by spreading malicious gossip about them... Under another name.

Many terrorists use pen names too. Should we encourage them that? I think not.

The S/R makes reference to letter to the editor. Those writers have to identify themselves up to and including name, address and telephone number. If the new law stops abusive behavior by unidentified cowards, I'm all for it. It seems that the only weak point is the term "annoy", which is obviously too broad. With a little tweaking, I believe this is the right direction. I have always signed my opinions and always will.

Samuel Clemens didn't harm anyone by using the pen name, "Mark Twain", ergo he was legitimate.

Those "blurkers", that's a term adopted by Dave Oliveria of the Spokesman-Review, for non-blogging commenters, that choose to attack under fake names,can and will disappear. Those that do not, will have to watch what they say.

Herb Huseland
Bayview

Careers N' Stuff

Recently, I posted "re-unretirement". In the many posts since I started back in January of last year, I hadn't received more than 6 or 7 comments.

When I published my intent to go forth and be broke no more, I got 17. This can probably be interpreted many different ways, but it does confirm that you folks feel I have way too much time on my hands, and that it would certainly benefit the general welfare, if I were to do something useful for a change.

I have, at the local watering hole, been told that I have way more opinions than is entirely necessary. I looked back, and sure enough, I posted over 100 times in the last year. That doesn't even count those opinions wasted at said watering hole over the same time period.

I'm already kind of in the swing of things. I got up this morning with the aid of an alarm clock. One that's function is dubious, since I have my hearing aids out at night, and can't hear that frequency when it goes off. I may have to find one of those ancient mechanical clocks that when ringing, annoy one to the waking state.

Anyway, enough digression. I dusted off one of my white shirts, and put it on. It still kinda fits. Bounced...No that's not true, I drug myself into the shower, dressed in unfamiliar clothes, (It took me awhile to find them) and drove to Coeur d' Alene for the first appointment in my renewed career.

Wait...I think I showered first, THEN put on the white shirt...Oh well, you get the idea.

Hell Freezes Over

I read Michael Kinsley's op/ed in Tuesdays Spokesman-review. I swore that I would never find anything about Kinsley to agree with. I not only swore that, but swore on many other occasions that his radical tongue waved.

This time he stayed off politics. A good thing, too, since he has very little knowledge of how they work. He writes that newspapers as we know them, are on their way out. Well they probably are, but to hear it from these lips that are constantly curled in a sarcastic smirk, was remarkable, to say the least. Perhaps, knowing this, he will take up blogging.

In other news:

Washington State, (bless their liberal little hearts) has discovered an oversight in the new "Indoor clean air act". It turns out that by banning all smoking everywhere, they forgot religion. For instance:

If in Washington State, the Pope were elected, burning the ballots would result in the College of Cardinals being arrested and hauled off to the hoosegow.

Forget making nice with the Indian Tribes. Smoke the peace pipe? You are under arrest. (Again, the Indians might exclaim?)

Ah, how about funerals that make use of burning sweet grass, or of a priest waving that smoke pot thing they use? (Sorry, no disrespect intended, just can't remember the name)

I just knew that when the government got away with saving us from ourselves with the seatbelt laws, Pandora's box would be open for ever.

Welcome to Idaho!

Re-Unretirement

Loafing is good, but it doesn't pay very well. I have become restless in retirement and have decided that although my body is old, my brain probably hasn't atrophied much.

Some of you know that prior to retirement, I had a career in Mortgage Banking. I have been cajoled out of retirement and will re-enter the lending field. I will specialize in SBA business loan packaging and placement.

I'm looking forward to working with some of you as the need arises.

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
----------------
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