Previews Of Coming Attractions

The next issue of the Panhandle Sun will feature a tribute to a guy that kept to his family for the most part, his friends and employees partied with him He absolutely adored his wife of 23 years and his three sons. He died suddenly, March 10 at his home in Athol of a massive heart attack. Over two hundred people attended his memorial service.

Following that will be a recap in the life of Lorraine Yvonne Wallis, victim of an attack in December 2010, her health issues, surgeries and the outcome of it all. Read it here, read it first in the Panhandle Sun.

Don't forget that this is a targeted audience, in Athol, Rathdrum, Bayview, Blanchard and Spirit Lake. Advertisers can contact the office for great rates without having to cover areas not in your area. 687-4030. Ask for Chrystal Jensen.

Yvonne Wallis

For those of you that have been following the saga of Yvonne Wallis, her struggles with a serious head injury and months wearing a helmet, it  finally is over. She was operated on Thursday and is in ICU for recovery. I'm told by the hospital that everything went well.

A special thanks go out to those that donated to her so that she could afford the trips back and forth as well as help with her heating bill this Winter.She is truly blessed with the friends and neighbors that have stepped up to help.

Larry Cragun has plead guilty for the attack which murdered Yvonne's daughter-in-law and severely injured her. He is awaiting sentencing.

She should be home within a few days. I did not take her to Seattle this time. Genette Gabica of the Bitter End Marina and Real Life Church motored her over this time and will bring her back.

I just talked to Genette and she reports that Yvonne is still not out of the anesthesia and is not breathing totally on her own yet, but that happened last time too, and is not a serious worry. I will add updates as they occur.

***Saturday, 4/7: Yvonne is awake and alert and breathing on her own. She should be released in a couple of days. She is in some pain abut that can be controlled. It looks like the end of the line treatment wise, as no furthur complications are expected.

Panhandle Sun

The first addition of the Panhandle Sun will hit the street Wednesday, April 4. Everyone at the paper is excited about a new and sorely needed news outlet. With most of the print newspapers either going out of business or rapidly reducing the size and coverages, this niche needed to be filled. I personally am thrilled to be asked to participate.

Former staff reporter Taryn Hecker Thompson and I along with editor, Mary Ann Honegger will be bringin' it on. For advertising, contact the office at 687-4030.

Earl Scruggs 1924-2012

Tagging Earl Scruggs as a legend is to diminish what he was to Mountain Music. He was arguably the best banjo picker that ever lived or ever will. Prior to his leap to fame in the 1940's, 5-string banjo was frailed rather than picked with three fingers. He invented the style which is used by most traditionalists including yours truly.

The movie Bonnie & Clyde used his original score of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," as the chase theme. He also wrote and performed "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett," the theme for Beverly Hillbillies.

Through the forties, he and Lester Flatt on Guitar were an integral part of the Bill Monroe Band. The band played on the Grand Old Opry after World War 11 and hit music like a bomb going off.

Earl and Lester left the Monroe band in 1969 where they played in just about every venue including New York City. Flatt died in 1979, but Scruggs carried on with his three sons and playing with other Bluegrass greats like the Dillards and others who learned banjo at his knee.

That he will be missed is a given. His death isn't just the end of his life, it is the end of an era. An era that probably will not be repeated, as Bluegrass is way out of the main stream in music.

Home Town Success Story

I am a member of the 1956 graduating class at Renton High School, Renton, Washington. Our class held many that did quite well in life but one stood head and shoulders above the crowd. The following is a sketch of some of Ron Hicklin's work after graduation, a trip to Hollywood and after the starvation years. Captured on You Tube were several episodes of the network snow, Shindig. These are from 1965, which is when videotape first came on to the scene. Prior to that all shows were live. Stan Farber was also part of the group, also from Renton. Bob Zwirn was baritone, also from Renton. Those of you that remember Ron Rolla as bass, Ron dropped out of the group in 1963. After the Eligibles stopped ferforming, Hicklin went on to form a corporation in which wh hired out various background or studio musicians. There is where he made a huge success, both in wealth and reputation.

This is a song called Summer Place. It was widely recorded by many but none with the patented harmonies taught at Renton High School in those days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPfZCWV0Goc

Another is "Zing went the strings of my Heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr9CG3jPRq8&feature=related

Here is where The Eligibles backed up Patty Duke. They also backed her on her TV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MZeABnPaFo

The group went on to back most of that day's feature performers and recording stars, including many themes like the Andy Williams Show, Petticoat Junction, Gilligan's Island and a ton of others.I'll let you search out the rest using your search function. Also look under "The Ron Hicklin Singers."

As a local note, I live in Bayview, Idaho and have for the last 17 years. The Now retired Patty Duke lives just a few miles south of me. Her nephew, Mike Kennedy, a friend of mine, is a member of the Coeur d'Alene City Council. I'm sitting in my home, somewhat house bound while I get well from what was a first stage Pneumonia, listening to the music from 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbct6-6KjSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdp6-6UWynk

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+ron+hicklin+singers&oq=the+ron+hicklin&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=youtube-reduced.1.0.0.18618l29431l0l34092l15l15l0l7l7l0l187l1059l0j8l8l0.

I found Out Why I've Been Grumpy Lately

I found out Today why I've been so grumpy lately. I have pneumonia. Coughing and hacking all night I finally went to the Doctor. Sitting in the waiting room was proof enough. 102 temperature and a questionable x-ray was proof enough.

My VA clinic is in Sand Point. After getting jabbed in the butt with some sort of huge needle, I was sent to Safeway where they have a charge account.One bottle of pills was around $7.00. The other, was full of horse pills and cost $85.00. They were free to me, except for one thing.

The druggist told me the prescriptions would be ready in 15 minutes. This having been my second trip to Safeway for prescriptions, I knew the gig. You can spend a lot of money in 15 minutes. Oh well, KI barreled out of there with my pills and two bags of groceries.

on the way home I was weaving a bit, my concentration shot. Other motorists must have though I was drunk. With all of the cell phones out there, I suspect the cops are still looking for me. But I made it home OK. The Doc said that if I wasn't feeling better by tomorrow he might have to hospitalize me.  That doesn't sound like fun at all.

Panhandle Sun

Well, my first story is in. I wrote about the current and past forestry practices in the Park and the reasons for doing what they are doing. It's going to be a fun ride. I missed writing for publication, since the Spokesman-Review pulled the Handle Extra out of Idaho. That happened over a year ago and with the retiring of the Rathdrum Star, There hasn't been much chance of local news and features making the paper. 

The date of the first issue isn't set qite yet but it will be in the next few weeks. The paper will be available in racks in loctions we will alert you to as soon as they are extabished.
Advertisers can contact Mary Jane Honegger at: editor@panhandlesun.com or at 687-4030.

Circulation will be in Spirit Lake, Rathdrum, Bayview and Athol. That may expand later.

For news tips call Mary Ann or myself. I'm at 208-683-9107

On The Road Again

I was surprised to get a call from Taryn Hecker Thompson today. She said that prior Spokesman-Review correspondent, May Jane Honegger is the editor of a brand new Newspaper named Panhandle Sun. Taryn will be writing for the spirit Lake/Athol Twin Lakes area, and yours truly my old beat, Bayview and Farragut State Park. Look for the first edition soon.It turns out Mary Jane has been looking for me for the last couple of weeks not knowing I was listed in the phone directory.

It will be fun to write for a publication again. The Rathdrum Star closed down a while back leaving local businesses without advertising coverage. Some of those businesses stepped up, hired Mary Jane and the rest is the future. 

We will specialize in features and stories about local people. The paper will be distributed in Bayview, Rathdrum, Athol and Spirit Lake. If you have a story of interest, e-mail me at: bayviewherb@gmail.com. With the new ownership being local business, perhaps print media is still a valuable tool for businesses.

Are All Of The Candidates Real??

Well the stump season is well upon us once again. Some things that I perceive as different though are happening this election season. First, I see more competition in the Republican ranks for local, state and county offices. I'm talking about Idaho here.

It is very difficult if not impossible to look into the minds of some of the players. In the cases of District two, with incumbent Hart, we see several opposing candidates. Certainly, some of them are motivated by the desire to get rid of this horrible example of what not to be in a public servant. My cynical nature though, asks given the huge advantage for the incumbent to have many opposing, therefore splitting the vote.One wonders if some of this opposition is made up of friends of Hart, acting as Judas Goats to benefit their wacko friend.

In the case of Tondee, incumbent for the county council, I doubt that his opposition is contrived, but most probably just people that don't like Tondee. Still, the same result can be expected. Split opposition and another incumbent survives.

In another first, A democrat, Dan English filed for the district two seat held by Hart... What's more unusual is he may actually win the seat. There are enough Republicans out there in this heavily conservative district that believe in our public servants having integrity over purity of ideology.

English comes to the table as a practicing Christian, a community treasure having served as a city councilman, Sheriff detective, youth councilor, county clerk, founder of Anchor House, a home for troubled kids, and on top of that, he isn't an Ideological liberal. The values in this district are going to be tested severely. He has lived in Bayview as well as Twin Lakes, an anchor in this northern part of the county.

Then there is the Kootenai County Council.Larry Spencer, Gadabout and ultra-conservative,  running against one of his buddies last election cycle. It turns out that Green isn't conservative enough for Spencer, who is off the chart.

As far as the race for Kootenai County Sheriff, only one candidate stands tall amongst minor league opposition. Major Ben Wolfinger rose from 29 years ago as a patrol deputy. Didn't leave for greener pastures as most others have in this a low paying department compared to Spokane. He took the steps as they came, achieving the rank of Major, which he holds currently. Wolfinger is an officer's officer.highly respected in the department, no training would be needed for this guy and boy has he earned it. 

I will have more to say about these races as time slides inordinately toward November and the general election. Here is Dan English's web site:  http://www.votefordanenglish.com/

Dan English Speaks

I’m Dan English and I’ve filed for the position of State Representative, District 2, Seat B, currently held by Representative Phil Hart.  I’m well aware of my odds in this race.  Running as a Democrat in Kootenai County, let alone in a district that has been judged to be among the reddest of the red districts in Idaho is an uphill climb at best. This isn’t the most convenient time given the demands of family and vocation. Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not retired and in fact often put in very long but satisfying days on behalf of the kids and families served by Twin Lakes Friends Camp.  I’m not sure public service, especially when called upon to run for public office, is very convenient for anyone these days.  It can come at a significant personal and even financial toll.  And based on the number of people willing to put their name on the ballot in either party compared to those that could or at least those who regularly complain about their government, you would have to say most aren’t willing to pay the price.  But that is the price that must be paid if we want our Representative Republic that is based on the Democratic process of free and open elections to thrive and survive. This is America and we are free to believe what we want.  In most cases, we are free to act on those beliefs as well.  But I don’t think someone should be free to run term after term unchallenged when their belief and practices about our tax laws are so far out of line with ordinary, hard-working taxpayers who play by the rules, who pay their fair share, and expect everyone else to do the same.  They especially demand that anyone who draws a paycheck & benefits from those hard earned tax dollars to have enough respect for them to do the same.  I’ve had the privilege of winning the public’s trust and holding public office on several occasions, just like Representative Hart.  I’ve taken my oath of office very seriously as well as the trust that was placed in me.  I imagine Mr. Hart must feel he does the same.  But that’s about as far as the similarities go.  I can only think we must be made out of different stuff at our core. Because I can’t imagine wanting to even give the appearance that I was somehow using the fact of being an elected office holder as a shield to avoid, or in any manner delay the responsibilities and timelines that every other ordinary tax payer must abide by. I understand there are special privileges that lawmakers enjoy but I just can’t believe the framers of our state constitution ever had in mind that those privileges would someday be used to enable Mr. Hart’s tax avoidance behavior.  That is why I chose to make my announcement today in front of the Idaho State Tax Commission instead of a more traditional setting to draw attention to the apparent differences in our beliefs and behavior. I do realize that Mr. Hart may not even be in the race in November.  In fact, at last check he hadn’t even filed to be in the race in May.  But then, my candidacy is not just about Mr. Hart.  In Kootenai County, the decisions for most of our elected officials are made by a quite small percentage of the registered voters in the Republican Primary Election.  In most cases, if they even have an opponent, it is all over in May.  When the majority of the voters come out to make their choice, especially in Presidential years when the turnout is over 85%, they find they actually have no choice at all.  I think that problem will be even more acute this year given our new closed primary law. Democrats have been criticized for not fielding enough candidates for the ballot.  As a Democrat I have accepted that challenge.  I feel very strongly about making sure the voters have actual choices for candidates on their ballot, especially in the November General Election.  It has been 10 years since there has even been a contested race on the General Election Ballot in this district. So no matter who I face in November, I think the voters in District 2 will best be served by having a choice instead of so many of our voters not having anyone to represent them. And how are your legislators representing you these days?  Are you happy with all the time, effort, and expense they are using to debate one-sided partisan bills and resolutions that do nothing to improve the daily lives of ordinary working and struggling people?  Especially when so often they are told by their own Attorney General and other legal advisers that many of these laws are unconstitutional and expensive wastes of time and money.  But they continue to spend time and money on special legislation that are the equivalent of form letters to the editor and Congress for their party faithful.  That’s fine if they want to band together and do that on their time and their nickel but don’t be doing it on our time or our dime!  The burn rate of the legislature is about $30,000 a day and this is no time for those kinds of wasteful expenditures.  I don’t know about you, but that is certainly not what I elected them to do! The three core issues that will be most important to me are the same issues that I think most voters are concerned about.  They include quality education that benefits all of our citizens, strong economic policies that focus on job creation, and the expectation of high ethical standards for our elected officials. In the end, I believe it all boils down to just one question for the voters and good people of District two…ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE OF HART?   If you are then please support my candidacy with your time, efforts, financial contributions, and your prayers.  So if you’ve Had Your Fill then Vote for Dan English, Legislative District 2 this November.  Thank You.

Heart vs Hart

       L-R Mamie, PO 1sr class, Daughter, Joel, 2 Iraq tours,Son, Dan, Wife, Cory Daughter, Hannah

Former Kootenai County Clerk, Dan English, will make a formal announcement about his candidacy for Legislative District 2, Position B, the seat currently held by Representative Phil Hart. He will make his brief announcement remarks Wednesday, March 7st at 10:30 a.m. He will make them outside 1910 NW Blvd. in Coeur d’Alene, in front of the State Tax Commission Office.

English, 60, is a native of Kootenai County and has a lifetime record of service to his community. He is the founder and former Executive Director of two local non-profits, North Idaho Youth for Christ and Anchor House-Idaho Youth Ranch. He currently is the resident Manager of Twin Lakes Friends Camp and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. In the past he has held positions as a city councilman, a sheriff’s detective, and a school board member among others. (From Huckleberries)

For the first time in a while, voter will have a choice come general election day. Although Dan is a Democrat he is not a flaming liberal and uses common sense rather than knee jerk liberal issues. If Hart beats his primary opponent, Dan English will be the only barrier to more of this loser and Wacko of the far right.  I suspect that if it is Hart vs English, many moderate republicans will switch to English.

He's done it all. Law enforcement, Youth Councilor, County Clerk, father of two service kids and many more accomplishments. Stay tuned.

Bayview Is The Place To Party

The skies over Bayview are blue
the waters are as well.
If you party when in Bayview, we promise not to tell.

When you come to Bayview, the boating is sublime,
If you choose to be a little naughty,
we promise not to mind.

While float homes rest upon the water,
and kayaks skitter by
leave your cares at home, 'cause it don't matter.

Whether food, music or fun on the lake,
a great experience is yours to take.
So come on down,tell it true
You'll have so much fun you won't be blue.
(Bring Money)
Herb

Timberlake Fire Meetings

Hello Herb,

Could you let the Bayview community via your blog, know that the Fire Districts monthly Board of Commissioners meetings are now being held on the 3^rd Thursday of the month.  The location is still the Athol Community Center. The time is still 6PM.

Thank You,

Commissioner Rudebaugh

Mad About March

Sleepy Wintertime Bayview is about ready to rock. The month of March will feature 50 cents off all drinks, new food items including taco salads, etc. In addition to the menu, weekly drawings will be held. Prizes galore at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant.

Also don't forget open mike Wednesday pm and live music Saturday nights. All music starts early so you don't have to worry about getting up the next morning.

Last night's snow has melted and it looks like the dire warning for this afternoon and evening isn't going to be that bad. Just snow/melt/changing to rain. The usual early spring stuff. Good riddance to February and hello to March, the gateway to Spring.

A recent conversation with Chip Corsi, Idaho Fish & Game produced hope that finally, the Kokanee have recovered enough for a limited fishing season for them in 2013. Stay tuned.

The Bayview Chamber is soliciting funds to keep the street lights burning. Up to this point, the Chamber has stood the cost of the electric use.  

Brand new lumber has brightened up the bay as Scenic Bay Marina is in the later process of rebuilding all of the docks.

Some hardy souls have been seen fishing out on the bay and others will follow shortly. Don't forget, if you don;'t have a boat or have sold yours, you can rent kicker boats from MacDonald's Resort and larger craft from the Bayview Marina.

While the Buttonhook remains closed, breakfast lunch is available at Ralph's Internet Cafe, and the Bay Cafe. Dinner at those locations as well, but including the Captain's Wheel for Dinner and drinks. As always, J.D.'s Bar is open 7 days a week. Come on down.

Clint Darnell & Friends are playing at the Wheel tonight, Saturday about 7:00 pm.

Politically Incorrect

Sometimes I think I've lived too long and seen too much change. Some gradual change is healthy for a democracy such as ours. What we have experienced in my lifetime is radical. Of course the end of segregation was long overdue. The pendulum in government tends to swing from one extreme to the other without stopping in the middle much. For example:

My high school was the Renton Indians. Many place names have been changed as well as team mascots over the years. It was good that insensitive references were changed. But that wasn't enough. The stampede toward total correctness (by whose standards) has led to extremes the other direction. The South Dakota Fighting Sioux offended a portion of the Lakota Nation. It was deemed out of bounds by the NCAA.  My high School changed to another less sensitive logo as well.

The one that really frosts me though, is when Seattle University changed from a famous past as Chieftains, they changed to Redhawks. This ignored an era during the '50's when  Elgin Baylor was an all-American who went on to a successful career in the NBA. Last I heard he was General Manager of the San Diego NBA franchise. Following him was a double team of great players, the O'brian twins, Eddie and Johnny. Now where this gets me is that Chieftain is not a term exclusive to native Americans. It was used in ancient times to describe European tribal leaders. as well.

The Florida Seminoles used a tribal name native to a Florida tribe that apparently isn't as sensitive as the Ogalalla Sioux. Many cities and even states are named after either tribes or individual  Indians. So then I propose the following changes, in order to comply with whomever or what ever organization decreed these over reactions. Unelected, all.

First, Seattle must give up it's name since it was named after Chief Sealth. Sealth High School in Western Washington must also go. Wenatchee, Yakima, Spokane, Colville, Kenniwick, Wallula. Blackfoot, Idaho? Oh my.

Then there are states that are out of compliance as well. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North and South Dakota, Klamath Falls, Oregon, Utah (Ute tribe) All must go.

We could rename Seattle to Juan de Fuca, but then we would be mocking the Hispanics. I won't go on to try to identify each and every Native American city or state, but you can get the idea from what I've listed.. 

Basically, It is time we stepped back and took a long look at how far we have gone to placate each and every person or organization. First no way can you accomplish that chore, for what offends one group, challenging it will offend another. It's kind of like comedy. A comedian has to make fun of somebody or something which then will offend the target of the joke. The only ones that get away with that are the self-depreciating comics who make fun of themselves.

Even the Canadians are guilty. Perhaps even more than us. Saskatchewan, Kapuskasing, Ottawa, are not English Or French names either.  On top of all of these indignities, modern airplanes don't even have propellers.

So this square headed Norsk is signing off wishing that sanity would return or at least have that pendulum stop in the middle once in a while

Ben Wolfinger For Sheriff

                                                             

This is a short biography of Ben Wolfinger. I thought you would like to know more about this man and the contributions he has made over the years. I personally think he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates.  Pictured above are Ben Wolfinger and wife Mary.

BEN WOLFINGER was born in Wallace, Idaho and raised in the Silver Valley. Ben has been with the Sheriff’s Office since April 1, 1983.  Ben worked in the Jail, Patrol and Detectives while he worked his way through the ranks until his promotion to Captain in April of 1995.  Since 1995, Ben has commanded all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office. Ben was appointed to the rank of Major in 2009. Ben’s current duties include managing the Support Services Bureau, dealing with Special Projects and performing as the Department’s Public Information Officer.

Ben has and continues to be an active volunteer at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls and in the community. Ben is a former Coeur d’Alene City Councilman and a Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce.  Ben is a graduate of the 1994 Leadership Coeur d’Alene class.  Ben has received a variety of community honors including the 2001 Ed Abbot Community Volunteer Award and the 2005 Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Holidays Lost That Bug Me

It isn't that I resent the legacy of Martin Luther King. Dr. King was a person that only surfaces in two or three generations and then only when a calling or need occurs. The speech, "I have a Dream" still makes the hair stand upon the back of my neck.
 Celebrating his birthday is not a bad idea at all. What is a bad idea is sh*t canning our founding fathers, Washington and Lincoln.

In the infinite wisdom of our  politicians that decided Lincoln and Washington don't matter, Lincoln's birthday, February 12 and tomorrow's Washington's birthday, do not count any more. After all, (sniff) they didn't happen in our lifetime which as it turns out appears to be the only criteria that matters any more. You see, we are being ruled by those that do not think the father of our country and the man who kept it together aren't important.

From Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, The Roman Empire and of Course, Israel, gift of God, which was defeated by Rome and thence,the Diaspora to Europe, North Africa and even Egypt. Moslem Nations and tribes, tribes being more dominate than nations. have fought with each other over Awalite, Sheite, Sunni, the Soudi version and many other branches including the Kurds. Many do not know that Sal-Alladin, victor in the holy wars was a Kurd. History that isn't recent don't count.
Well, as usual I digress.

I mourn for the lasvish birthday parties we had in Grammer School celebrating the birthday of Abraham Lincon. Did any of you pause the 12th to praise his birthday? I thought not.

How about today. George Washington's  birthday. February 22. You know why we don't any longer celebrate his birthday either? Dr. King. It turns out that aside from the huge slam at out founding fathers, it was mostly how many national vacation days were available and how should they be parcelled out.

I am shamed, and I hope at least some of you are too.

Blogfest 2012

Well I scored a first Saturday. Unfortunately not the right kind of first. I missed my first blog fest since they started. I can't remember what year that was, but I organized it and we had about nine or so attendees here in Bayview. We held it at the Captain's Wheel Restaurant. Since then the idea has exploded, the Spokesman-Review has taken over sponsorship and I understand there were over 70 people present at the Fort Ground this year. I wasn't one of them.

The night before, I had a minor health issue that kept me awake for hours. Finally around 7:00am I got to sleep. I awoke around non and wasn't in any shape to go anywhere. I'm fine now but deeply regret the opportunity to see many of my friends again and to meet new ones as well.

As has been pointed out, it is amazing to see the camaraderie when everyone meets face to face rather than the sometimes snarls that occur on line. My theory is that typing into a computer takes the person out of the conversation to an extent that liberates some from the need for courtesy. On the other hand, face to face meetings tend to smooth the edges of differences in philosophy and brings the personalities out instead.

Since I missed my chance yesterday, I want to take today as an opportunity to greet all of you. I just wish I had been there, too.

We Had A Revolution And Nobody Noticed

Yesterday in the Spokesman-review North Idaho blog, Huckleberries on line, a subject was brought up that featured a high school teacher that had offended a female teen with repeated profanity while teaching. Apparently she went to the principal with her objection and was brushed off. Her father then attempted to get the situation under control.

Thirty comments were offered on the blog. Out of that thirty, only eight agreed with the family. The rest didn't apparently see a problem, since folks out in society cussed all the time. Arguably some of the commenters were repeats since the discussion went back and forth.

After great reflection I realized that we as a society have turned 180 degrees. I was born in 1938, graduated from high school in 1956. If either a student or teacher had used profanity in the classroom whey would have been immediately banished.Back then we didn't have a drug problem, we were patriotic, respected our parents even though some didn't deserve much respect.

If a child misbehaved, any adult that witnessed the malfeasance would most likely march that child to their home where punishment usually ended with corporal punishment. Back then we didn't use fancy words like that. Translated, the kid got whupped. Yes spankings were legal, you could lock a kid in there room then too. If a child ran away from home they were promptly brought back by police or any parent that knew the situation. Now in many states, running away is alright and a parent cannot do anything about it. (Washington)

That was then, this is now. Very few vote even though we are among a very few nations that have that right. We used to throw out office holders, citing them for contemptuous behavior. Now we throw out the entire government with contempt. Even with the right to vote, many ignore what i going on around them, suggesting that they don't count and the "Man" will do what they want anyway.

Schools that have a student rebel, cannot take the kid into the back room for a few well placed swats on the butt. Today, that would be child abuse and most likely the perpetrator would be fired followed by criminal prosecution and a law suit. It would appear that the inmates are indeed running the asylum.

With a total breakdown in enthusiasm for being an American, discipline unenforceable and a who gives a sh*t attitude, I'm terribly glad that I am old enough that I won't have to experience the end of our great nation, as the idiots who think the are superior to the rest of us take over from the religious, moral and indignant former majority.

Long Ago Interview Of Me Online

About twice a year, in this case probably less, I check to see what others are seeing about me, my writings and opinions. This is a long ago forgotten interview with the organisation listed at the end. I thought it might me of interest to others, maybe those in the field of jounalism.


JOURNALISM

Q. What is your specialty?
A. What subjects do you deal with?I am a feature writer, for the most part. I write for a local newspaper, as well as the occasional magazine.

Q.In which media do you presently work or have you worked?
A.Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, River Journal, a local magazine, as an independent correspondent.

Q. Please list a web address where where one can view an example of your work.
A.blog: bayviews.blogspot.com,spokesman-review archives

Q. What is "news"?
A. News is information. It is especially important if the news isn't available elsewhere.

Q. To you, what is objectivity?
A. If you have an opinion before the story, you cannot write it. I have passed on many stories that I was involved in. Objectivity is being in the middle and not a part of the story.

Q.What is the best headline you have ever read?
A.Japan Surrenders

Q. What headline would you like to see printed one day in the newspaper?
A. Peace has broken out around the world

 Q. Which paper do you buy on Sundays? Where do you read it?
A. Spokesman-Review at home.

Q.  Does freedom of expression end where the editorial line begins?
A. It only begins. Much of the time, biased opinion dominates even the news.

Q. Do you feel that analytical and investigative journalism is being lost?
A. Yes

Q. With a camera on every mobile phone, is every citizen becoming a correspondent?
A. Not unless they have the capacity to transfer the picture to the Internet, and even then it is likely that the quality of the picture would not be printable. Then they have to have the ability to tell the story behind the picture intelligently.

Q. How would you explain the boom of the tabloid press?
A. I wouldn't know. I don't read about two headed babies.

Q. What is your position regarding the right to privacy of famous people?
A. Privacy, in my mind, is within the home or a private place. If a celebrity is posing in a public place, they are fair game. Still, telephoto lenses into private homes swimming pools isn't fair game. Most celebrities love the attention of the press. It just isn't fair game when they try to invade the privacy of your home, or your private sojourns.

Perhaps as I am old and was taught at an early age that good manners were important in life, I am not in the main stream anymore. It seems that shrill insults are the norm and common courtesy is out.

Q. What can you teach us about the art of the interview?Listen carefully and take notes. Inaccuracy is the downfall of good writing.

Q. Please list well-known people you have interviewed.Ronald Reagan, Walter Knott, Rick Currie, John Schmitz, Dan English, etc., etc.
Q. Would you say the journalism blog is revolutionizing the profession?
A. Absolutely. It is revolutionizing the media and at the same time will destroy it if it isn't controlled beyond the shrill behavior of adult children wanting to be heard.

Somehow, between the last generation, or perhaps the one before, kids are not taught to respect others, or even practice patriotism. This may be a byproduct of the 60's when their parents were linking hands in street intersections, yelling, "Hell no, I won't go."

What we have now, is a generation of young adults that don't have a clue about how to respect others of differing opinions.

Q. Will the paper press disappear?
A. Probably as it now exists, yes. My paper is already half of what it was. While I am old fashioned and my mornings start out reading the paper from beginning to end, I am afraid that this is an over fifty thing. Either the younger set gets their news from the Internet, or what is even scarier, they don't care about world events at all.

Q. What are your thoughts of the free papers distributed in cities?

A. Well, I've written for a few of them. They are advertising driven, but then so are MSM papers. It's all about revenue. You got it, you have room to publish it. I just think the MSM has lost touch with their readership and will go down as a lost cause. At least in my area, most folks are moderately conservative. Some even more, yet the News media continues to support left wing ideas. This, I'm afraid will kill journalism before economics does. It's all about representing those that you serve.

Q. What is the book you would like to write?

A. I would like to write a disaster novel based in my neck of the woods. Having said that,I don't believe I have the patience to actually write a book. You are talking about one to two years of research and heavy detail. No, I'll stick to 500 to 1000 word stories that I think are of interest to the public.

Q.  Is there a motto or ethical principle that clarifies your decisions in moments of confusion?
A. Don't deliberately hurt others and be absolutely accurate.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who has just left university and wishes to start in the profession?Switch majors.

End of Interview. This was done when my total blog output was 354. I am now at 1014.
Interview conducted by http://www.whohub.com/bayviewherb