the unequivocal notion

Kempthorne: "Unfortunately I have to follow the law..."

How do you really feel about those pesky laws Dirk?

via Think Progress

Pesky-laws-Kempthorne, lets-outlaw-gravity-Sali, public-restroom-sex-Craig... You stay classy Idaho. 

Idaho Press-Tribune: Bujak over Bowers or Young

In what must be one of the best endorsement editorials for local office I've ever read; The Idaho Press-Tribune endorses John Bujak for Canyon County Prosecutor. In the piece they lay it down on current prosecutor Dave Young and the inexperienced (and ethically challenged) Danny Bower.

A snippet:

Who would you choose to represent you? What makes the most sense?

The attorney who makes his living in the courtroom or the attorney who handles the appeals after the fact?

The seasoned quarterback under the intense pressure of a close game with seconds left or the new Monday morning quarterback who has everything set out before him with no time clock ticking?

For 16 years, Dave Young has proved the prosecutor for Canyon County must be experienced. If the county’s top legal eagle isn’t, taxpayers will pay dearly for mistakes like the tragic release of Angie Leon’s killer, countless plea bargains or legal advice that says nepotism is OK.

That’s why Dave Young must be replaced.

[...]

Speaking of moral compass: What about the fight between Bower and a couple of young men on the BYU campus in 1999? Yes, Bower was the most beat-up at the end, but the teens say he provoked the attack. Bower said he was defending the integrity of the university where he played basketball.

OK, that makes sense. But why were charges dropped nearly a year later after an independent witness (a college employee) told a story that contradicted Bower’s and closely matched that of the young men who hung around until police showed up to investigate? Even stranger, Bower said he didn’t know why the charges were dropped 10 months later.

Make sure you read the whole thing.

Weekend Tunes

Death Cab for Cutie and their "I Will Possess Your Heart".

It does make a difference

Earlier this week Idaho Senator Larry Craig announced he intends on pushing an amendment to Sen. Jim Webb's new GI Bill that would essentially keep benefits how they are -- which is way behind the times.

Well, today Senate candidate Larry LaRocco stated that he supports Webb's bill:

LaRocco Backs New GI Bill

Boise, Idaho – Post 9-11 veterans deserve our nation’s thanks and we can say thank you by passing a new G.I. Bill, says U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco.

LaRocco, a Vietnam-era veteran and former U.S. Representative, backs Sen. Jim Webb’s bill that awaits a vote of the full Senate. A version of bill passed the House 256-166 Thursday.

"Our veterans need educational support to compete in our global economy after they have proudly served their country,” LaRocco said. “The new G.I. Bill is America’s way to honor our brave warriors.”

The bill offers educational benefits equal to the highest tuition of a public college or university in a veteran’s state, along with a housing stipend. It also promotes on-job training, correspondence courses, flight training, tutorial assistance, and licensure and certification tests.

“This helps pay our debt to men and women who have risked life and limb to defend our country,” LaRocco said. “It gives the same level of support that veterans received after WWII.”

LaRocco served as a U.S. Army captain in military intelligence from 1969 to 1972. He knows what it means to serve his country, and he will take that knowledge to the U.S. Senate. A “Veterans for LaRocco” is working for LaRocco. He has also been endorsed by VetPAC, a group that backs candidates who share values for which veterans have served, fought, and died.

LaRocco also has the endorsement of Four Star General Wesley Clark who was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Clark said, “Larry is a seasoned leader who will bring the change we need to the U.S. Senate. He served with distinction not only in our military, but also in Congress, and he can win this race.”

I know that I've been relatively silent regarding the Senate and House races, but this shows a distinct difference between Republicans and Democrats and needs to be highlighted. If Larry LaRocco were in the Senate right now America's veterans would have another vote in their favor; but as it stands, Republican Larry Craig is in D.C. doing all he can to make veteran's lives more miserable. Larry Craig as head the former head of the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affair's has routinely failed America's finest.

It sounds weird to address it so frankly, but that is the fact of the matter.

Too busy to debate

No, this time it isn't Sali or Risch, it's House Majority Leader Mike Moyle. Seems he's too busy to debate with Nancy Merrill for the upcoming Republican primary. He says that he's too busy farming, I'd say he's too busy collecting farm subsidies.

Welfare is only bad when poor people are using it to feed their kids.

Updated

While I realize that the fact that Idaho Legislator-farmers receiving farm subsidies is not anything new, it's still pretty interesting. You can have some fun on the Farm Subsidy Database website.

Rep. Thomas F. Loertscher (R)'s interests: $943,937 from 1995-2006
Rep. Mike Moyle (R): $147,844 from 1995-2006
Rep. Dell Raybould (R)'s interests: $715,905 from 1995-2006
Rep. John Stevenson (R): $179,340 from 1995-2001
Rep. Tom Trail (R)'s interests: $69,906 from 1995-2002

I'm sure there are a lot more, I'm also sure someone else has probably already written about this as well. Might have to revisit it as some point -- kinda gettin' off topic of Moyle not wanting to debate Merrill. I wish I could get a government subsidy for writing this drivel -- if only I had the right lobbyists.

"...they all looked like me..."

wtf.

Check out this exchange between Matt Beebe and the Idaho Press-Tribune:

And, then, he made startling remarks to the Idaho Press-Tribune editorial board.

During a segment on immigration, Beebe said, “I was very proud when I built my house last year that my contractor did not have any illegals working on his crews.”

When asked how he knew they weren’t illegally in the U.S., this exchange followed:

IPT: “But did you look at the paperwork yourself?”

Beebe: “I didn’t have to because they all looked like me, the employees.”

...

IPT: “OK. When you say they all looked like me, meaning white?”

Beebe: “Meaning that there was no question about, you know, they talked like me, and people that are not from this country don’t talk like me.”

Beebe contended he wasn’t meaning to say anything derogatory, but his words clearly raise disturbing questions. Combined with his less-than-stellar record on the commission, he’s not a good choice for the Statehouse.

Well, so much for having a solid choice over Thayn; after this exchange the Press-Tribune went ahead and endorsed Thayn, who will undoubtedly be at the gathering of crazies this weekend in Caldwell.

The Idaho Press-Tribune also endorsed Kren over Johnson in District 13 primary, if only because they didn't want another freshman to "learn the ropes". I will give them this though, the IPT endorsed ex-Green Beret Pat Takasugi over imaginary commie-hunter Curtis Bowers for the District 10 primary, if we can get at least one of these fundies out it'll be better for everyone. Well, everyone except for the black helicopter/give me Armageddon crowd.

An Arrogant Bastard on the patio

And no, it wasn't me*.

I've had my fair share of Arrogant Bastard Ales over time, but I've just been getting into this "Oaked" version recently. While I do enjoy Arrogant Bastard, it has never been one of my favorites; there is just something about the oaked version that is really getting me.

As you can probably guess, the oaked version is the same as the regular only aged with American oak wood chips -- and it does change the flavor profile enough for me that I think it is outstanding. And after winning an A+ "World Class" rating from the Bros at Beer Advocate, I'd say that I'm in good company.

On that note, I'm just glad that the weather has finally gotten agreeable enough to be able to sit on the patio, enjoy the fresh air, imbibe a delicious brew and catch up on some reading. Speaking of reading, and speaking of "arrogant".

*beer law dictates that a corny joke must be used when speaking of Arrogant Bastard Ale.

Wilco to play The Winery at Eagle Knoll

This should be an excellent concert, huge band, small venue, outside, vino, etc, etc...

Michael Deeds in the Idaho Statesman:

Wilco to perform at Winery at Eagle Knoll

OK, now The Winery at Eagle Knoll is really, REALLY becoming an alt-country mecca this summer.

[...]

Tickets to the concert will go on sale May 30 for $28 advance, $31 day of show, at the Record Exchange, Egyptian Theatre box office, Boise Co-op, or by calling 387-1273, or 345-0454 to leave a message.

Show is on Aug. 20th.

Idaho Press-Tribune endorsements for 1st CD and Senate

1st CD: Neither Sali nor Salisbury --  Rep. Senate: Risch --  Dem. Senate: LaRocco

Check out the Press-Tribune's endorsements.

I do agree with some of the sediments that the Press-Tribune has, a lot of these first time candidates should have at least some elected office experience before trying for the federal positions. Why not pay your dues with local offices showing that you can work with fellow officials and with your constituents before you try to represent all of Idaho on the national stage. Of course that being said, it doesn't always turn out; just look at Sali.

Speaking of, did anyone else in the 1st CD get Sali's mailer? Talk about being one step away from using taxpayer dollars to campaign. Using official letterhead on a useless mailer only 2 weeks before the primary -- seems a little fishy to me. Of course, seeing how he doesn't have any other funds to campaign with it doesn't really surprise me either.

Can Merrill take Moyle down with write-in campaign?

I really think this is beyond awesome -- and I love the headline from the Idaho Statesman; "Nancy Merrill's challenge angers Mike Moyle".

If anyone has a shot at ousting House Majority Leader Moyle with a write-in campaign it is Merrill. She has the network to get people educated and get them to the polls -- quickly. She will undoubtedly be able to raise a significant amount of cash in a rather short period of time. It is a long shot, but not unheard of.

Moyle, leader of the pack of Republicans from the Treasure Valley who routinely do all that they can to screw over Treasure Valley residents, needs to be removed from the legislature. I'm sure most Treasure Valley residents are tired of Moyle being a puppet for the powerful contingent of eastern Idaho Legislators. His inability to get his own party to get anything of purpose done should alone be reason for his removal.

I'm not saying that Merrill will have all the answers, but she'd be a hell of a lot more effective for Treasure Valley residents than Moyle.

Edwards endorses Obama

MEDIA: CNN, MSNBC,
BLOGS: Red State Rebels, Daily Kos

One last kiss off from Larry Craig to America's Veterans

We'll, he does have a couple months left, so who knows what else he'll do.

Huffington Post:

Larry Craig Taps His Way Into Webb GI Bill Debate

Mostly avoiding the political spotlight since his brush up with both the law and the bathroom stall, Sen. Larry Craig quietly created presidential campaign ripples on Tuesday by interjecting himself into the debate over a popular veterans education measure.

The Idaho Republican, who was famously made a pariah in his own party after allegedly soliciting sex in the Minneapolis airport men's room, announced that he would offer an amendment to the forthcoming Iraq war supplemental that would strip the legislation of Sen. Jim Webb's GI Bill.

The move reflects a somewhat marked change for Craig, who has generally demurred from high-profile battles since his toe-tapping episode. Indeed, Webb's bill is, at this point in time, perhaps one of the most pitched legislative disagreements between the likely Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

The bill is, for all intents and purposes, a non-controversial measure offering veterans who have served three years educational benefits equal to the highest tuition rates of in-state public universities. Updating an antiquated system that was implemented during World War II, Webb's legislation took more than a year to craft and currently has 57 co-sponsors.

There are, however, Republicans with objections.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, working with Sen. John McCain, recently introduced competing legislation that modestly increases the monthly education benefits for active-duty and reserve personnel, adds incentives to stay in the army, and allows officers to transfer education benefits to their children. But veterans under their measure would have to serve 12 years before garnering the maximum, $2,000 a month, benefit

Read the rest...

It has never ceased to amaze me that Republicans will always clamor to say that they support the troops, but when it comes to actually doing so, they'll fight tooth and nail against it. So while Larry Craig has no problem giving Halliburton $45 dollars for a 12 pack of pop, he thinks that realistically funding the GI Bill is a bit too much to ask. I'll also note that the funding for the proposed changes to the GI Bill will come from a half percent raise in taxes to those who gross over one million dollars a year.

Being a veteran I thought that the GI Bill was a little outdated, so I was glad to hear that Sen. Webb is proposing some drastic and much needed changes. I've always thought that it'd be nice to be able to transfer some of my GI Bill benefits to whomever, children, nieces or nephews, I mean essentially, it is my money -- I did earn it. But according to Sen. McCain and his associates; I'd have to be a commissioned officer and spend 12 years in the service to be afforded that privilege -- even then it only allows the transfer to their children.

Of course, leave it to Republicans to do everything they can to derail positive change for the average working American.

The Kempthorne papers

Tara has an excellent piece on then-Gov. Kempthorne's papers that he has so far refused to turn over to the Idaho State Historical Society, setting back over a hundred years of precedent.

Idaho Statesman's Editorial board also wrote a letter to Kempthorne regarding the "hiding" of "our public records".

Both nice reads on a very important subject.

Squid ink pasta w/ baby heirloom tomatoes

This was a pretty easy preparation; just some garlic and crushed red pepper infused olive oil, baby heirloom tomatoes, Parmigiano-Reggiano and some Italian parsley fresh from the garden. We'll definitely be making this again.

Charter school oversight, or lack thereof

Great read over at the Idaho Press-Tribune if you're into things like financial oversight of charter schools and the like. Actually, it is a really good read if you are at all concerned with how many tax dollars Idaho is giving to some of these schools.

For example; you'd think that after Idaho taxpayers provided Liberty Charter school $3,581,968 in tax dollars they'd be required to have an accountant to document where that money went. But if you thought that -- you'd be wrong. I mean what's a little non-oversight amoungst friends. Make sure you check out all of the of the letters that the Press-Tribune has posted along with the story; they are pretty interesting.

It does seem like after the story of Canyon County Prosecutor Dave Young being sued by a taxpayer for failing to provide emails between a charter school watchdog group and the prosecutor's office that something much larger is afoot here.

On that note; I'd like to know how much they paid for their website -- holy crappy 1995-era HTML. A drunk blind monkey could have tossed a better website together.