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.