Idaho
updated
12:24 p.m.
"With some Alaskan help," from "banjomike" in a comment thread below the 43SB post : "One blogger calls her Our Lady of Perpetual Anger. "In all her other speeches, she strung together catch phrases that hit all the resentment and anger buttons of her audiences. As long as those phrases were in there, it didn't matter if the overall speech made any sense to her fan base. They heard exac...
Fort Boise - 11:23 a.m.
The numbers in the new arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia are interesting to compare to those in Robert S. McNamara's obituary : "Negotiators are to be instructed to craft a treaty that would cut strategic warheads for each side to between 1,500 and 1,675, down from the limit of 2,200 slated to take effect in 2012 under the Treaty of Moscow signed by President George W. B...
Fort Boise - 11:23 a.m.
This might be a success story for government regulations: better incadescent bulb technology , prompted by new efficiency standards set to take effect in 2012. It's a slightly mixed bag at this point, with no mercury, faster start, works with dimmers and better color, but not quite so cheap, not quite the life. As a technogeek, I'm attracted to the idea of laser pitted tungsten filaments (...
Fort Boise - 8:46 a.m.
When I saw Wired's headline about 5 great interactive museums to visit this summer I figured I must've been to a couple of them, but no, just the Exploratorium . Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry holds an iconic place in my childhood memory, but maybe that's not considered interactive enough to be on their list? Still, given the price (and inconveniences) of travel, you may fi...
Fort Boise - 8:46 a.m.
Dennis Mansfield said he preferred the term "faith-based conservative" to "Religious Right." Judging by his "Reader's View" in today's Statesman , he could have given the latter a better reputation than the political actors who made it famous. He suggests turning over a new leaf, turning out the lights on the Religious Right . I think Mansfield is too generous to imagine that Bryan Fisch...
Fort Boise - 8:46 a.m.
Well – now, shit is happening in Honduras. Video from the BBC. Honduras’s ousted President, Manuel Zelaya, has been forced to divert his homecoming jet to Nicaragua after it was barred from landing in Tegucigalpa. At least two people were killed as troops fended off thousands of Zelaya supporters converging on the airport and Mr Zelaya’s plane circled [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Sun 8:59 p.m.
With just 17 weeks until the Boise City Council election, there is an overwhelming amount of disinterest in the campaign. T.J. Thomson tells the GUARDIAN he will be an “independent voice” on the council, but with endorsements from Team Dave and most of the Council, we see this Obama organizer as “more of the same.” [...] Related posts: ELECTION! What Election? Who Car...
Boise Guardian - Sun 5:04 p.m.
David A. Honey tells the GUARDIAN he is running for Boise city council and provided us a link to his website. He doesn’t say which seat he is going after. Jim Tibbs is not running again and both Maryanne Jordan and Vern Bisterfeldt are up for reelection. His organization [...] Related posts: Minority Vote Could Win Council Race Council Race Off to Slow Start New Guy Shoo-In For Bo...
Boise Guardian - Sun 2:22 p.m. - 2 clicks 
Happy Independence Day! Please remember that today is a day to celebrate our freedom and not simply a day to shoot fireworks into the neighbors yard... I have been thinking a great deal this week about a handful of writers, the Shelleys , E.M. Forster, and James Joyce. For reasons I'd rather not share, I've found a certain amount of solace in the firm understanding they each seem to have had...
Political Game - Sat 12:30 p.m.
Regular readers of my blog will remember my trip across the country 11 months ago. I drove from Maryland to Seattle over a period of 10 days or so, with about 60 hours of drive time. It was long, tiresome, but amazing! The definite highlight of the trip was seeing some of my besties (Diana and Chris) in Yellowstone. They are devoted friends who drove from Pocatello to Yellowstone to spend a few da...
A Seattleite in Idaho - Sat 12:58 a.m.
"Pity is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the sufferer. Terror is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the secret cause." -- James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ...
Political Game - Sat 12:18 a.m.
She's not running for re-election, and she doesn't want to be a lame duck, so she's going to punt the last year and a half of her job. Huh. The 7 minute excerpt of her "candid, and truthful" speech (available next to the New York Times story is an amazing experience, suggesting to me that she not only was not qualified to be Vice President, but also was not qualified to be Governor of A...
Fort Boise - Fri 7:59 p.m.
Somebody in the Pentagon took the trouble to check the God and Country Festival website and found a little problem with OK'ing the flyover this year. It seems that there's just a wee tad of sectarian angle on G&C, and we have this little thing called the Constitution and its 1st Amendment. Needless to say, the God and Country folk are mad as hell, they've had flyovers for 4 decades. Th...
Fort Boise - Fri 7:59 p.m.
From the "what was he thinking?" department comes this report, via Ridenbaugh Press of Easterday Ranches' bid to double the size of its industrial meat operation in eastern Washington, and to drill out most of a million gallons a day to do it. The potential enabler was the state Attorney General in 2005, with a grammatical analysis that ignores the larger context, and the laws of physics....
Fort Boise - Fri 12:37 p.m.
The Sears Tower in Chicago added a balcony – a glass balcony – to the 103rd floor Skydeck of the Tower. Now – it’s a five-sided glass space jutting out some 4 feet, hanging “1353 feet in the air”- suspended. Here’s the slide show of ‘ The Ledge.’ Certain slides made me kinda queasy. Posted in Architecture [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Thu 11:39 p.m.
Todd Purdum's piece in Vanity Fair is a fascinating post-mortem of last year's fireworks that were Sarah Palin. Purdum puts together sentences like this one, encapsulating the central mystery of last year's campaign: "Perhaps most painful, how could John McCain, one of the cagiest survivors in contemporary politics—with a fine appreciation of lifes injustices and absurdities, a l...
Fort Boise - Thu 8:40 p.m.
I've seen stuff on Flikr from time to time (and even set up an account once upon a time? Not sure), but hadn't seen a presentation that was as simple and featuring big, beautiful photos such as this one: Happy 4th of July from the Idaho Democratic Party, pictures from Julie Fanselow's recent vacation to New York City, Washington and Philadelphia. I was happily reminded of our own trip to ...
Fort Boise - Thu 7:21 p.m.
Treasure Valley Community TV runs ‘Free Speech TV’ after 10:00 p.m. on Channel 11 – if you get cable. I don’t think it runs on broadcast TV. (As for Direct TV or other satellite, it depends on the package you’ve chosen.) It’s also on in the early mornings as in before 7:00 a.m. Democracy Now! runs [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Thu 4:57 p.m. - 4 clicks
…… you think your power is secure when you startle us with the threat of war but fear has its limits too we are no longer scared of you . Posted in Iran, Musician Activists Tagged: Freedom Glory Project, Hypernova ...
Left Side of the Moon - Thu 10:43 a.m.
Now that the day wearies me, My yearning desire, Will receive more kindly Like a tired child, the starry night Hence, leave off your deeds mind, forget all thoughts All of my forces Yearn only to sink into sleep. And my soul, unguarded, Would soar on widespread wings, To live in a night’s magical sphere more profoundly, more variously. by Herman Hesse ...
Political Game - Thu 2:41 a.m.
Rachael Daigle of the Boise Weekly picked up on the Newsweek story about "Idaho slumlord" who had varying degrees of dishonest degrading things to say about Pocatello . Go check out her piece at BW and please read the response of local newsman Jimmy Hancock (following the intro by Jenny Hopkins) who takes Newsweek to task for not doing more research for their original piece . ...
Political Game - Wed 11:48 a.m. - 3 clicks
There are three days left for fans to vote for the MLB All-star Game starters. The fans pick the starters for each defensive position, the players pick the starting pitchers, and the coaches (last year's World Series managers Joe Maddon and Charlie Manuel) fill in the rest of the All-star game rosters. The only rules? Each team in baseball must have a representative from their team on the All...
Political Game - Wed 1:23 a.m.
NO TROLLEY and UNLIMITED TRASH, UNHAPPY TRASH TALK, CIRCUS WITHOUT ELEPHANTS, 6/19/09 Don Day 1504 S. Arcadia Boise, ID 83705 344-0894 Curb It & Streetcars: Just a couple of comments; I’m really disappointed in you. I know this is a little late, but on your new trash program. This is something that the city dealt with about 20 or 25 years ago and [...] Related posts: Mayor Hotline May 24 ...
Boise Guardian - Tue 3:19 p.m. - 2 clicks
DOUBLE DOG UPDATE: Here’s Al Franken with his adorable wife, Franny, talking about what’s ahead for him as the new senator from Minnesota. UPDATE: Republican Norm Coleman concedes the election Fucking Finally…… Now – get the FUCK out, Norm! Ya fucking wanker. 7 months – 7 fucking months – the goddamned GOP thugs have strung this thing out. ST. PAUL...
Left Side of the Moon - Tue 12:15 p.m.
Editorial boards in large cities and metropolitan areas are often known for liberal positions that are not exactly in tune with the populace. Of course, in the largest cities like New York, liberal editorial positions taken by the likes of the New York Times are standard fare. These liberal and often progressive positions reflect the direction the general public discussion is going in and often ...
Political Game - Tue 12:14 p.m.
I’m currently reading the book, All the Shah’s Men by Stephen Kinzer. What seems to be ‘in-your-face’ and oh, so obvious is the role the British has played in Iran. It has been or had been Britain (most especially) and Russia who were the major players in Iran, more so Britain whose presence in Iran [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Mon 11:01 p.m.
The Guardian, UK, has a website dedicated to naming those who have been murdered and/or detained. They’re asking for pictures in helping identify and putting “names to faces” to keep this issue front and center. Iran election: faces of the dead and detained | World news | guardian.co.uk. Posted in Iran, The Media [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Mon 5:04 p.m.
( Update 6.30 : So far iTunes hasn't offered me the option of completing my album with Cradlesong the way it has in the past for albums that I purchased individual singles from before or after the release date. I've purchased the remaining singles individually, which makes me think I actually ended up paying more for Cradlesong with the lead-up to it than I would have had I waited to buy the full...
Political Game - Mon 4:24 p.m.
The folks at Lincoln Road and Middleton Road were visibly grateful to a Canyon County Highway District Driver who saved their home from advancing flames Monday afternoon. It appeared that a weed burning project got out of control, igniting a hedge of 20 feet tall arbor vitae running along the wall of the frame home. [...] Related posts: Avimor Highway Access Problems? GUARDIAN Stops Lien O...
Boise Guardian - Mon 4:21 p.m. - 3 clicks
It has been a hell of a week at casa Rowe. That's two weeks in a row that have left me, at times, completely upside down. Perhaps it's just June and once July rolls in everything will turn around. I can always hope... Yesterday happened to be the day the Idaho State Journal mass distributed the paper. Which explains why, one, it was thick on a Friday, and two, when I was up at 4 a.m. Frida...
Political Game - Jun 29 - 4 clicks
Thanks to the wisdom of Boise citizens dedicated to fiscal responsibility, a new library is set to open Tuesday at Ustick and Cole for under $5 million. It joins recently opened store front facilities at Hillcrest and Collister shopping centers. Boise Councilors along with Team Dave wanted to spend $38 million for grandiose library [...] Related posts: Voters Say “NO” to Library ...
Boise Guardian - Jun 29 - 2 clicks
I'm hoping to go back to school this Fall. If I don't get in, I will be devastated. I went to Missouri/Kansas for 5 days and LOVED it. I think I'm returning to the Mormon Church and the thought scares me for two reasons. 1. I'm an enigma and there aren't many Mormons like me. I feel lonely and out of place when I go to Church. 2. Because of the aforementioned and other issues, by returning to th...
A Seattleite in Idaho - Jun 29
Being more of a Pink Floyd, Led Zepplen fan – not to mention that corny New Age stuff – here’s two of my favs of Michael Jackson. I hope the man finds solace and peace. . Posted in Music Tagged: Michael Jackson, Thriller ...
Left Side of the Moon - Jun 26
Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams from CMT Crossroads performing the Bryan Adams hit, "Heaven." ...
Political Game - Jun 26 - 3 clicks
Thriving Ivory with "Flowers for a Ghost" (actual song begins at 1:33 or for just good quality audio try this ). Was hoping one of their covers would be available for high quality download--no such luck. ...
Political Game - Jun 26
"A window breaks down a long dark street A siren wails in the night But I'm alright 'cause I have you here with me And I can almost see through the dark there is light" -- "Feels Like Home," Randy Newman One of my greatest fears, a fear I surely share with many, is that someone I love will be hurting and there won't be anything I can do to help. Over the past forty-eight hours I have...
Political Game - Jun 25
Acting State Park Director Dave Ricks tells the GUARDIAN there are no plans to close North Beach at Ponderosa State Park over the July 4th weekend. Reader “Justin” contacted us in a panic claiming that North Beach was to be closed as a “pre-emptive strike” to eliminate rowdy partying over the July 4th Weekend. [...] Related posts: Growth Trumps Open Space, Beauty W...
Boise Guardian - Jun 25
The Boise Depot became a motion picture set Wednesday when as many as 200 cyclists showed up as extras for a a public service announcement (PSA) produced by Cable One. The big name of course was local Olympian Kristin Armstrong. Along with a cast including a politico, paramedic, fireman, construction worker, and others, she made [...] Related posts: Bikers Need Enforcement Too Boise Bicycl...
Boise Guardian - Jun 24 - 3 clicks
"I am so very weary, yea, so worn out, With tales of those who visit foreign lands." -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox, "The Traveled Man" Watching the beginning of the Sanford news conference, I couldn't help but think something was missing. What? Well, Lori Otter , for one. When the no longer missing Governor Sanford stood before the mics and had absolutely no direction in his discussion of his ...
Political Game - Jun 24 - 2 clicks
Update: I should’ve placed a warning with the video; it’s graphic. It made me cry because I just think of my nephews who are this age.It’s hard to read and harder still to watch…. via Twitter / Search – #iranelection. We are being murdered like mice in a lion’s den!!! BUT WE STILL FIGHT!!! The [...] ...
Left Side of the Moon - Jun 24
From the Times-News this morning: William Stirling Teeter, 50, of Burley, was charged with felony aggravated assault Friday night following an unusual response to a teenager's ball landing in his......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 24
Due to how completely distracted I can be, I am not entirely sure how long iTunes , the media player of Apple, has marketed new releases with a countdown. I started noticing their marketing formula awhile back when Rascal Flatts released their album Unstoppable . The formula is basically this: Insert a great logo stating Countdown to ( x ); release 1 song per week for the 3 consecutive weeks...
Political Game - Jun 23
TONS OF CALLS ON BOTCHED IRONMAN EVENT, CALLS FOR BIKE SAFETY 6/13/09 Peggy Natchi 389-1089 Bike Safety: I think we need to have a Towne Hall meeting about bicyclists and public transportation and cars. I think it’s vital that it happen soon and if I can help organize that, I would love to do that. It is very vital that we [...] Related posts: Mayor Hotline June 20 To 26 Mayor Hotline May 2...
Boise Guardian - Jun 23
Time has an interesting photo essay running on their website entitled, "Same-Sex Overtures Across Species," including photos and bits of info on dolphins, bison, fruit flies and this beautiful image......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 23
Found in the comments to the Standard Journal article reporting that Rex Rammell, former U.S. Senate candidate and recently announced candidate for governor in 2010, has filed for bankruptcy protection:......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22
With news today that the Pentagon has no plans to repeal the don't ask-don't tell policy for gay service members, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow interviewed decorated Air Force pilot Lt. Colonel......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22
Contrary to all outward appearances, I have not fallen off the face of the planet. Will have new content here soon. Stay tuned. . . ....
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22
It's bad enough when people like Bryan Fischer, soon to be formerly of the Idaho Values Alliance, spout phrases like "aberrant sexual behavior" and "dangerous, unhealthy and immoral" when writing......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
Great read at High Country News on recently passed legislation allowing national park visitors to carry loaded firearms. Here's a snip: I think Ronald Reagan had the right idea in......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22
In the very first "House Line" for the 2010 election cycle, Chris Cilliza of the Washington Post rates the top ten seats he predicts most likely to switch parties in......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22
The Standard Journal has an interesting read on the dissolution of campus political organizations at Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg. A snip: [L]ast semester (Winter 2009), the BYU-Idaho administration announced......
The MountainGoat Report - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
To say Bob Tencate likes attention is an understatement. When he hits the street it is impossible to NOT notice him and that’s the way he wants it. He really stands out in a crowd. Tencate is among a growing community of “transportation cyclists” in Boise who have forsaken automobiles in favor of bikes [...] Related posts: Boise Stimulus Projects Identified Cops Babysit ...
Boise Guardian - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
The Idaho Statesman had an interesting oped earlier last week about a piece of environmental legislation written by easterners that has a big impact on Idaho: As Westerners, we can fuss and foam and fret about an out-of-the-region vision of......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
Larry LaRocco is running for Senate in Idaho, taking on the incumbent Senator Larry Craig, who seems to suffer from the same foot-in-mouth disease as former Montana Senator Conrad Burns. You may recall that Senator Craig recommended abandoning flooded sections......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
Seven of the thirteen Western states have Senators up for election this year: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The Republicans are defending six of these seven Senate seats. Montana’s Max Baucus is the sole defending Democratic......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 4 clicks
In a release, the DNC points out that turnout on Super Tuesday was stunningly high throughout the West -- which bodes well for the general election. • In Colorado, Democrats saw twice the number of caucus-goers as Republicans—119,184 to 55,845.......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22
With the release of the police tape yesterday, Idaho Senator Larry Craig continues to lose support from the GOP. Senator John Ensign (R-NV) is the latest to call for Craig's resignation. Sen. John Ensign told MSNBC today that it would......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
According to the Idaho Statesman: A Washington, D.C., newspaper reported on its Web site today that Idaho Sen. Larry Craig was arrested in June for lewd conduct in the restroom of a Minnesota airport. Roll Call reported that Craig was......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22
I know, I'm a couple of days late and a dollar or two short, but I was out of town with no internet access (despite the hotel advertising it). As you probably know by now, embattled Idaho Senator Larry Craig......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
Senator Larry Craig says he is staying put, despite a court ruling against him in Minnesota. Check out the Democratic alternative, Larry LaRocco at this link. Larry LaRocco is definitely Western Democrat. In fact, General Wesley Clark said exactly that:......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
Idaho Congressman Bill Sali (R-Intolerant) strikes again, showing just how ignorant he really is, taking issue with cultures that are not his own. Not that this is the first time or anything. In an interview posted online this week by......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22
Amid the revelations that Idaho Senator Larry Craig was arrested for lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport men's room and subsequently pled guilty to disorderly conduct, support for the Senator to continue in his current role is eroding. Today, Senators......
Western Democrat (Idaho) - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
HELENA, Mont.--Tribal flags billowed next to the Stars and Stripes, the smell of burning sweetgrass hung in the air, and the drumbeat from a half-dozen tom-toms was a tad insistent. Scores of Native American tribal members dressed in full war bonnets and chest-length braids intoned powwow tunes while modern-day cowboys and cowgirls, decked out in rented tuxedos and full-length gowns, bounced like ...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22
Millionaires posing as farmers will keep their property-tax breaks for vacation lots unless the Idaho Senate cuts through the crap this week. If lawmakers fail us, more $500,000 lots at places like Tamarack Resort in Valley County and Teton Springs in Teton County will be sold to speculators and well-heeled buyers cashing in on exemptions intended for farmers. They will pay almost nothing — in m...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
Quite far out there in the quasi-science fact/fiction realm, but Kunstler always make interesting, thought provoking reading. His work on suburbia and how it came to be Home from Nowhere is spot on and helped shape the vision of Hidden Springs. Article ...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22
From CNN, Friday morning: Several well-placed GOP sources in Washington and Idaho have told CNN that embattled Republican Sen. Larry Craig is likely to resign soon, possibly as early as Friday. GOP source with knowledge of the situation told CNN's......
Red State Rebels - Jun 22 - 4 clicks
Local News - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho : New jobs, land boom change hamlet's look and lifestyle" ...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
The most surreal week in Idaho political history is expected to reach its conclusion this morning. Embattled Sen. Larry Craig has scheduled a press conference at 10:30 at the Boise Depot. Use this as an open thread to discuss what......
Red State Rebels - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
Today was as much about Idaho history as it was about politics. Here are a few photos I took at the Boise Depot this morning. Hundreds of people were on hand for Craig's announcement. Crystal White was one of several......
Red State Rebels - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
It’s been almost four years since I started Red State Rebels. The blog has served as a focal point for Idaho’s blue blogging community for several years now, and it’s been a lot of fun to write. But the time......
Red State Rebels - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
Economy - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho : " Idaho job growth was sixth highest in the nation during the fourth quarter of 2004, according to the latest state profile compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp." ...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22 - 3 clicks
Unless the federal government boosts local reimbursement for lost tax revenue on public lands, some western lawmakers want to give Uncle Sam's property to the affected counties. "If the government can't be a good neighbor, it has no business being in the neighborhood," U.S. Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter, R-Idaho, said after introducing his bill this week to increase spending on the federal "Payment-in-...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
"'You know who the most successful Democrats have been through history?' he asks. 'Democrats who've led with their hearts, not their heads. Harry Truman, he led with his heart. Jack Kennedy led with his heart. Bill Clinton, well, he led with his heart, but it dropped about 2 feet lower in his anatomy later on. 'We are the folks who represent the families. Talk like you care. Act like you care. Wh...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22
SR.com: Democrat Brady to run for governor again : "Democrat Brady to run for governor again Ex-publisher says balance needed; he lost to Kempthorne in 2002" ...
Purple Mountains - Jun 22 - 2 clicks
Happy Labor Day! In our culture, many of us worship (or at least admire) athletes, actors, musicians, politicians, and wealthy entrepreneurs. Some of these high-profile people are worthy of the acclaim; others, not so much. But at its heart, today......
Red State Rebels - Jun 22
