Serephin's blog

Those darn telephoto lenses!

Gosh Darn! Doodies! Also!

Daaaaamn... I really wish I'd written this. (h/t The Daily Dish)

WHY you keep getting screwed-- MR. (Tea Party Patriot)

Hey you. You there in the Glenn Beck T-shirt headed off to the Tea Party Patriot rally.

Stop shouting for a moment, please, I want to explain to you why you're so very angry.

You should be angry. You're getting screwed.

I think you know that. But you don't seem to know that it doesn't have to be that way. You can stop it. You can stop it easily because the system that's screwing you over can only keep screwing you over if you keep demanding that it do so.

So stop demanding that. Stop helping the system screw you over.

Look, you can go back to yelling at me in a minute, but just read this first.  read more »

Since no one seems to have video of Pimp Jimmy O'Keefe and his Fool-Hardy Boyz trying to get to Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu's office phones (for whatever nefarious purpose their little pinheads were entertaining), this clip will have to do.

Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For two hundred and twenty years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty. They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility. And they have done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments of great strife and great struggle.

It’s tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable – that America was always destined to succeed. But when the Union was turned back at Bull Run and the Allies first landed at Omaha Beach, victory was very much in doubt. When the market crashed on Black Tuesday and civil rights marchers were beaten on Bloody Sunday, the future was anything but certain. These were times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of our union. And despite all our divisions and disagreements; our hesitations and our fears; America prevailed because we chose to move forward as one nation, and one people.

Again, we are tested. And again, we must answer history’s call.  read more »

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

http://www.mlkday.gov/

Dear Teabaggers: the last eight years called. They want their misplaced rage back.

• Treasured Valley: Treasure Valley blogs
  Hanging with Schlangen, zero my hero, rocking out, Oprah and way cool products…

• The Political Game: Minnick's Balancing Act
  Over the weekend, Sisyphus of 43rd State Blues made some very good points regarding Congressman Walt Minnick and his dwindling Democratic base.

• NewWest Boise: Saving Public Access: the Pend Oreille Bay Trail
  For years, panhandle residents have been trespassing on a narrow strip of private land along the northwest shore of Lake Pend Oreille, using an old road along the shoreline to bike, run, ski, walk their dogs, and occasionally take a dip in the lake.

• Fort Boise: The party of useless obstruction
  I don't blame the Republicans for not coming up with alternate legislation. It's a lot of work to draft a bill, and there's no secret it would be dead on arrival. But I do wish they could come up with more of a strategy than "just say no," which seems to be the best they can do.

• Ridenbaugh Press: Whitopia
  A book we’re going to track down and check out: From a black scholar writing about race relations in a different way, “Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America.”

• Eye on Boise: Capitol construction ‘substantially complete’
  It’s a milestone for the two-year renovation of the state Capitol: The project has been declared “substantially complete,” and the building is now back in the hands of the state, rather than the contractors.

• F-Words: A false-positive is as false as a false-negative.
  The horrified reaction to the new guidelines for less-frequent mammograms in women over 50 has been driving me nuts. The way it's being sold is just terrible (as in they just don't want people to worry over nothing), but that doesn't mean that it's a bad recommendation.

• Morialekafa: Things that matter
  As far as I know, virtually all cultures have folk sayings, parables, and such that most often offer advice or supposedly helpful information gathered from centuries of experience.

• IdaBlue: Cronyism and good ol' boy politics
  The Statesman has a story about Lazy Y Ranch, LTD, settling a grazing dispute with the state of Idaho. Idaho's land board has refused to allow environmentalists to lease grazing lands, instead discriminating in favor of ranchers.

• The MountainGoat Report: A Model For Building Healthy Communities
  There's a great read at Kaiser Health News today on how two counties in rural Kentucky are delivering health services in the "worst health care region in America" and that despite the health care reform debate, some area experts don't anticipate much changing as a result of these current proposals.

• IdahoRocks: Just The Energy Bill
  I received an email this morning which I found enlightening because it made me wonder to what extent either ignorance or greed, or perhaps both, influenced the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Project Agency decision to provide monies for energy research into projects that do nothing to help prevent global climate change.

• Rob's Idaho Perspective: Into the Wind
  While many Boiseans were enjoying Boise State's crushing defeat over the University of Idaho, a few of us bird nerds were out exploring the avian species near Bruneau Idaho.

• Left Side of the Moon: Angry Gnome News from D.C.
  Thanks to a round-a-bout linking process, we find this from 123 Idaho on the latest from our angry gnome in D.C. Sooo…. Jim Risch wants to insert himself into the midst of an issue that in no way involves him. The individual at the heart of the issue is or was not a constituent, never was. The setting in which ‘the incident’ occurred was not even in Idaho.

• Nemesis Today: I Got Nothing
  I’m going to whine a little, have a public pity party. Then I’m going to go away for awhile, I think. Most regular readers know that my job is based in Boise, but because my employer sees the value of having me in that position, and because I won’t (ok, can’t afford to) move to Boise, they allow me to work from Idaho Falls. That has worked really well for the last 5 years…

• BW citydesk: Former ITD Director Still Wants Her Job Back
  With news of the appointment of a new ITD director this morning, we were reading up on the fate of Pam Lowe's wrongful termination lawsuit, which The Spokesman-Review has been following. Former Idaho Transportation Department Chief Lowe, who threatened a lawsuit in August, filed suit last week and added six more counts to her complaint this week.

• Rant Against the Machine: Thank You for Being Angry
  This is an excerpt from "White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh...Did you the the author was male? I did until I read the name of the author. Oops, I have a lot to learn still.

• All I'm Saying: Health and Beauty Update
  Well, I've passed my first week since my terrifying diagnosis of blocked armpit hair follicles. What's life like as a survivor? Well, I've discovered a few things about myself:

• The Stupid Shall Be Punished: USS Hartford JAGMAN Released
  Two media outlet -- The New London Day and Navy Times -- both published stories based on obtaining the "heavily redacted" investigation report into the recent USS Hartford (SSN 768) collision in the Straits of Hormuz. Excerpts:

• Ralph Maughan’s Wildlife News: Hoskins: Illegal plan just makes Turner richer
  Robert Hoskins’ op-ed on FWP giving the quarantined bison to Ted Turner- Op-ed in the Casper Star Tribune. Illegal plan just makes Turner richer.

• Blue Moose Democrat: My Keyboard Supports Sarah Palin
  I was working on a pretty good post about the right-wing’s obsession with accusing the media of treating Obama like a Messiah while themselves treating Sarah Palin the same way. I had transcribed a quote from today's Morning Joe and excerpted a Denver Post column. And then my computer ate it. GRRRRRR.

I read this site every day. Makes me larf, and also appreciative of the fact I'm no longer young.

(248): Guess who got arrested for public drunkiness, and called jimmy johns for the entire station last night instead of someone to bail me out? The cop that arrested me drove me home. Win.

I don't know why the wingnut Rethuglicans are complaining about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize -- it's not as if George Dubya Bush never won anything during his presidency.

I swear, those schmucks would bitch if you hit them on the head with a shiny new hammer. Never satisfied, that bunch.

Like the adage about no atheists in foxholes, during a natural disaster everyone becomes a socialist.

• Treasured Valley: Treasure Valley blogs
  #IB3 deadline, Vandals don’t suck this year, photo Friday, Boise River in October…

• The Political Game: Quote of the Day
  "Does he have the respect of the people in Washington, D.C. to get the job done? I question Craig's morality."

• NewWest Boise: Stomped by Sasquatch - or Swine Flu?
  “Ha ha ha, I don’t believe in flu!” I used to toss off that stupidity when I was young and, well, stupid, and had never had the flu.

• Fort Boise: Seems a little early for that
  Living in Norway gives one a different perspective OK, but with the first year of his Presidential term still underway, the Nobel Peace Prize?!

• Ridenbaugh Press: Feelin’ like carrying
  Those of us not much into guns – that majority of us for whom guns aren’t, maybe apart from a hunting expedition or such, a part of ordinary daily life – have one kind of mindset when it comes to firearms. Even in these western states where guns certainly aren’t rare.

• Eye on Boise: Idaho road funding boost now about half what was expected
  The $54 million transportation funding compromise that ended Idaho’s second-longest legislative session this year has now shrunk to about $28 million, far less than Gov. Butch Otter said was needed right away to keep Idaho’s roads up to par.

• F-Words: Well no kidding
  It turns out that shackling prisoners during childbirth is unconstitutional. Idaho is one of the states where this is practiced, and the ruling came from the 8th circuit, so I don't know how/when this might reach us, but it's sure nice to have a conservative court ruling in favor of women's reproductive freedom.

• Morialekafa: Dazed and Confused
  Dazed and bewildered I think is a fairly good description of where I am at the moment. I really cannot understand why it should be so difficult to pass health care reform with a public option (or even a single payer system).

• IdaBlue: Opt Out
  The most recent permutation of the public option in health care reform is a beauty, and I hope it passes. Some senators are suggesting that the public option be put in the bill, with a provision for states to opt out. Genius!

• The MountainGoat Report: Holding Minnick To His High Standards
  Monday, Idaho Blue Dog Congressman Walt Minnick announced in a press release that he and fellow Blue Dog Congresswoman Betsy Markey of Colorado, "sent a letter calling on House leaders to prohibit the group ACORN from being eligible for federal funds."

• Left Side of the Moon: Here’s Your Apology!
  It’ll a take a bit to recall when I first learned of Alan Grayson (D-Fl). I do know it involved some smidgen of ‘craziness.’

• Nemesis Today: Barack Obama Is 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
  I don’t know what to think. Nominations for this year closed shortly after he took office and he hadn’t had time to do anything really other than to indicate that he was going to do business differently.

• BW citydesk: JFAC to Hit Corn Maze
  The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee of the Great Idaho State Legislature will wind down after a day of meeting next week with a trip to Idaho's O.G. Corn Maze and supper at El Gallo Giro in Kuna.

• Rant Against the Machine: Hmmm.
  Read this later.

• All I'm Saying: How Facebook Made Me a Better Person
  When I first joined up on Facebook, I have to admit there were a few people who sent me friend requests and I thought, "Why the hell do they even bother?"

• The Stupid Shall Be Punished: I Like This Result Better
  Back in 1990, #3 Nebraska held a 12-0 lead over #9 Colorado going into the 4th quarter. CU scored 27 fourth quarter points for a 27-12 win.

• Ralph Maughan’s Wildlife News: Salazar gives a mixed decision on reanalysis of tracts wrecked in gas auction by Tim DeChristopher
  Tim DeChristopher’s brave disruption of the December 2008 oil and gas lease auction in Utah has resulted in a new decision by the new Secretary of Interior. Politicians and groups are characterizing it in differing fashions according to their political party and interest.

• Blue Moose Democrat: Obama’s Nobel Prize, While Largely Undeserved, Is Good For America
  Congratulations to President Barack Obama for winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. I do not believe his speeches and proposed bills are enough to have earned this award yet, but I do hope it will aid him in achieving his worthy goals.

From an email tonight from the Idaho Democratic Party. Sad news, indeed.

Democrats extend sympathy to family of former staffer, newsman

The Idaho Democratic Party is saddened to learn of the death of Chuck Oxley, who served as party communications director from July 2005 through August 2008. Oxley died in a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 26 in Eastern Idaho on Saturday afternoon, October 3, 2009.

Oxley played a key role in directing media for the record-setting 2008 Idaho Democratic presidential caucuses, including the Ada County caucuses that drew more than 8,000 voters to Qwest Arena. A former reporter for the Associated Press and editor at the Idaho Statesman, he had recently resumed his journalism career as managing editor of the Blackfoot Morning News.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Chuck’s family, friends and colleagues,” said Julie Fanselow, the party’s current communications director. “He had been learning to fly and enjoying his new job, and his death is certainly a shock to all of us who knew him.”

And from the Idaho State Police:

Idaho State Police
Region 5 5205 South 5th Ave.
Pocatello, Idaho 83204-2203
(208) 236-6466 FAX: (208) 233-7451

For Immediate Release: 10/03/09 9:00 p.m.
Contact: Cpl. Sellers

On October 3, 2009 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Idaho State Police and Bingham County Emergency Crews responded to a one-vehicle crash on US26 near milepost 284, approximately 21 miles west of Blackfoot. Charles Oxley, 46, of Blackfoot, was traveling eastbound on US26 near 2000 West Road when his 2001 Ford F-150 pickup left the right shoulder. Oxley overcorrected and came back onto the roadway where the vehicle rolled. Although he was wearing his seatbelt, Oxley was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. His juvenile female passenger was also wearing her seatbelt and was transported by ambulance to Bingham Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released with minor injuries. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor at this time. The crash is still under investigation by Corporal Sellers.

Chuck was a big ol' bear of a man, with a deep, gruff voice and curmudgeonly demeanor. He was also, through and through, a terrific journalist, a full-metal Democrat, and a hell of a good guy. He will be missed, and we at 43SB mourn his passing. Our deepest sympathy to Chuck's family and friends.

UPDATE 10/4/2009 5:09PM -- IDP communications director Julie Fanselow, who sent us the original email informing us of Chuck's death, forwarded us this comment from Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Keith Roark:

"Chuck was the IDP’s first communications director and a Democrat to his very core. In my first few months as IDP Chairman, Chuck helped me get up to speed for a tumultuous year that included Barack Obama’s speech at Boise State University, our wildly successful caucuses, the Frank Church Banquet, Primary Election, State Party Convention and the National Convention in Denver. He had a great sense of humor and a great sense of just how important politics is to the quality of our lives.

"Our hearts go out to his precious daughter whom he loved deeply. He lived his life fully and freely and he stood up for what he believed in – we will miss him."

Mike Kennedy -- racounteur and man about town -- is up for re-election as city councilman in Coeur d'Alene. A group of volunteers in Kootenai County put together a video showcasing a bunch of his political accomplishment, and Joe Bob sez check it out:

Be sure to go to Councilman Kennedy's website -- especially if you live in CdA -- and get more info on how to help re-elect Mike (and drop some dollars in the kitty; every bit helps).

The documentary Outrage, by Academy-nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick, runs next Monday, October 5th on HBO. From the synopsis:

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) delivers a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. OUTRAGE boldly reveals the hidden lives of some of our nation’s most powerful policymakers, details the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.

Naturally, when speaking of closeted gay politician, former Idaho senator Larry Craig jumps front and center. A good chunk of this documentary concerns interviews with men who claim to have had sex with Wide-stance Larry and the whole wacky imbroglio concerning his arrest in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. It also covers his subsequent guilty plea to misdemeanor disorderly-conduct charges for soliciting sex with an undercover security officer.

This documentary ought to help the ol' Toe-Tapper in his lobbying of corporate clients, don'cha think? Tune in to HBO on Monday, October 5th and find out!

This is one doodle that can’t be undid, home-skillet.

• Treasured Valley: Daily politics brief
  Charter school segregation in Idaho, Otter’s tiers and the race for Mayor of Nampa…

• NewWest Boise: National Parks Preserve Common Ground in a Divisive Time
  There I was, standing on the National Mall, when I found myself accidentally surrounded by the throng of protesters gathered for the Taxpayers March on Washington.

• Fort Boise: Little Miss Torture
  Like father, like daughter, so maybe we will have a President Cheney someday? Be still my heart.

• Ridenbaugh Press: The Nampa mayoral
  Not that the end result necessarily will be much different, but one of Idaho’s most unusual candidates this year – Melissa Sue Robinson, running for mayor of Nampa against incumbent Tom Dale – is creating a larger stir than you might have expected.

• Eye on Boise: Delays stall Duncan appeal
  Thirteen months after multiple murderer Joseph Duncan was handed three death sentences by an Idaho federal court jury, his appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals remains stalled at its earliest stage: The appellate court has yet to rule on whether it can even consider the appeal.

• Morialekafa: What to do with the insane?
  What to do with the insane? I am becoming more and more convinced that we have a growing problem of insanity in this country.

• IdaBlue: Lunch in Sandpoint Idaho
  Upon a recommendation of a waiter in a swanky Sandpoint restaurant, we went to Eichert's for lunch.

• Left Side of the Moon: Voting to Kill Obama on Facebook
  This morning someone alerted me to a poll on Facebook that’s below. At that time there were right around 500; there’s now 751. I reported it to Facebook over 30 minutes.

• Nemesis Today: Wayne Hoffman Doesn’t Get It
  It’s a clever read but it’s all style and not much substance. It does concern me, the proposal for state constitutional amendments to fight health care reform efforts being made by Congress.

• BW citydesk: Body Found in River
  Over the weekend, kayakers discovered the body of a man in the Boise River near the end of 48th Street in Garden City.

• All I'm Saying: Miracles Do Happen
  My in-laws are 2.5 days in to their visit, and I'm really not that stressed out. I'm not sure if I have used the right avoidance techniques (lots of yard work and naps), the right combination of perspective and anti-depressants, or some combination thereof. But somehow, I'm doing just fine.

• The Stupid Shall Be Punished: Skimmer CJCS Supports Women On Submarines
  According to this Fox News article, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Michael Mullen (a known skimmer) has come out in support of women on submarines in written testimony to Congress:

• Blue Moose Democrat: New Balance Shoes Go Green
  Now this is some cool news - especially considering that my last three pairs of shoes have all been New Balance! From the Sierra Club:

Idaho wingnut congressclown Bill 'Brainfade' Sali may or may not inspire loyalty, but it's certain he and his cadre of misfit misanthropes inspire loyal opposition:

Welcome to our new blog
Idaho Press-Tribune Staff
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - 6:38 pm
By Vickie Holbrook

We've wanted to start up an editors' blog for quite some time, but it's always been pushed to the back burner. Not any more. This is our official launch, and you can thank Wayne Hoffman for that.

When you've got pundits and bloggers, locally and nationally, bantering about your paper, and you've got a seasoned public relations person who cries "libel," it's time to speak up. That post is coming up shortly.

To read the Idaho Press-Tribune's first blog post, titled "Wayne Hoffman: The man behind today's launch", click here. It's got lots o' quotes from the Gem State's blue blogosphere on Sali's FEC filing kerfuffle.

Tilt of the chapeau to Randy Stapilus at Ridenbaugh Press.

More at The Unequivocal Notion.

From the Idaho Democratic Party:

Social Security celebrates its 73rd Birthday on Thursday!

Birthday Cake to be delivered to more than 100 seniors to celebrate Social Security — America's safety net

The Idaho Democratic Party will deliver a birthday cake to more than 100 seniors to celebrate 73 years of Social Security working to protect Idaho's seniors and citizens with disabilities from falling into poverty. The cakes will be delivered with the message ""Happy Birthday Social Security: 73 years and going strong;" and "Just Say No to Privatization" to show that Idaho Social Security Residents don't want to be pushed out of the system that has provided life-saving economic independence.

This is a nation-wide celebration, and cakes are being delivered in nearly all 50 states.

WHEN: 12 Noon, Thursday, August 14, 2008.

WHERE: 690 Robbins Road in Boise (Off Fort Rd. between Veterans and Elks Rehabilitation Center) Directions: Just get on Fort Street from the east and follow the blue signs to the senior center.

From Idaho's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco:

BOISE, IDAHO— Join U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco on Thursday for his third live, online, video town hall. LaRocco has set the stage as the most accessible candidate in the Idaho U.S. Senate race by embracing technology and connecting with voters any way he can.

Join in the online discussion! Members of the media are invited to come watch this historic event play out in person. Why historic? This is Idaho’s third video town hall—ever. This is the future of communication and it’s happening now!

What: LaRocco’s Third Live, Online, Video Town Hall

When: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. M.T.; and Noon to 1 p.m., PT; Thursday, August 14

Where: http://laroccoforsenate.com/townhall

LaRocco embraces technology by reaching out to voters through live blogging, online town hall meetings, Facebook and MySpace. He wants to answer questions from citizens in real time –- without a third party filter.

His opponent, Jim Risch, doesn’t care for modern forms of communication. He is running an arms length campaign, and still out of touch. As the Idaho Statesman said, “GOP Lt. Gov. Jim Risch is a dinosaur who writes by hand and uses dictation, doesn’t use email, and pays no mind to blogs or online news.”

Idaho's Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco will be at the Spokesman-Review's blog Huckleberries Online this morning beginning at 10:30 Pacific Time, 11:30 A.M. Mountain Time.

HBO blogwrangler Dave Oliveria isn't sure if there will be time for outside questions, but tune in and give it a shot.