GAO chief warns economic disaster looms

This is the problem that scares me the most about our country's current state of affairs. We can all argue about how to fight terrorism and extremism all we want, but it's hard to do that from a place of bankruptcy or where China is our national banker.

The last 6 years have been nothing short of an abject fiscal train wreck, with our national government spending uncontrolled and unmonitored amounts of my children's future earnings and tax dollars.

On financial matters, our country is being destroyed for short term political gain. This must change, and the only ones who can do it are the voters.

Vote for change in 10 days. The future of our nation depends on it.

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Photo from the AP of GAO Comptroller General David Walker

(USA Today/AP) AUSTIN — David Walker sure talks like he's running for office. "This is about the future of our country, our kids and grandkids," the comptroller general of the United States warns a packed hall at Austin's historic Driskill Hotel. "We the people have to rise up to make sure things get changed."
But Walker doesn't want, or need, your vote this November. He already has a job as head of the Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress that audits and evaluates the performance of the federal government.

Basically, that makes Walker the nation's accountant-in-chief. And the accountant-in-chief's professional opinion is that the American public needs to tell Washington it's time to steer the nation off the path to financial ruin.

The Plan - Big Ideas for America

Coeur d'Alene's own Bruce Reed, along with Rep. Rahm Emanuel, has written a book entitled "The Plan - Big Ideas for America". It's a good read, and actually talks about things that work and political ideas that matter. Yes, it's partisan - they are both Democrats - but I felt the book was accessible to non-Democrats as well.

The book can be purchased here on Amazon, or maybe at the local library, too.

It's worth investing an afternoon or two to read people talking about the future, about ideas, and about hope and optimism.

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"Strip away the job titles and party labels, and you will find two tribes of people in Washington: political Hacks and policy Wonks. Hacks come to Washington because anywhere else they'd be bored to death. Wonks come here because nowhere else could they bore so many to death.

After two decades in Washington, we have come to the conclusion that the gap between Republicans and Democrats is nothing compared to the one between these two tribes. We should know. When we began working together in the Clinton White House, we came from different tribes -- one of us a Hack, the other a Wonk. (We're not telling which.) We made a deal to teach each other the secrets, quirks, and idioms of our respective sects.

Although Hacks have never been in short supply in our nation's capital, the rise of one-party rule in Washington over the past four years unleashed an all-out Hack attack. Every issue, every debate, every job opening was seen as an opportunity to gain partisan advantage. Internal disagreement was stifled, independent thought discouraged, party discipline strictly enforced -- and that's just how they treated their friends."
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"The secret to victory isn't simply better tactics: stronger turnout, a better ground game, or, so help us, even sharper attack ads. Americans are looking for answers. Everything else is just politics. "

Gov. Ann Richards 1933 - 2006

Ann Richards had a lot to do with my political formation back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was the candidate for Governor of Texas while I was living in Dallas and attending college. I was a young Republican from New York when I arrived at SMU and remained so until I started to realize that there were elements of the GOP's extreme wing that made me totally uncomfortable. As I was undergoing that "awakening" process, Ann Richards was there to be the face of the Democratic Party. Sunny, funny, and wicked smart, she was candid in the challenges she faced in life and unwilling to be boxed in by good-old boy exclusions. Ann Richards was a force to be reckoned with.

As Governor she kicked down a lot of doors in Texas politics, and showed lots of young people (myself included) that there was honor, dignity, and yes, potentially a lot of fun, in being involved with politics and government service.

RIP Ann Richards.

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Link above and picture from the Dallas Morning News.


From the USA Today: "A longtime champion of women and minorities in government who was serving at the time as Texas state treasurer, she won cheers when she reminded delegates that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, "only backwards and in high heels."

Goodbye, Tony Blair

This is a sad article to read. I have always respected Tony Blair for his ability to shift the Labor party to the center and create a strong and lasting governing coalition in Britain. Nearly 11 years is a long time in power, to be sure. But when you read in depth the analyses of the last few years of Blair's tenure (in British online papers of all political stripes), it's clear that his close association with President George W. Bush has been a major drag on his popularity, his effectiveness, and his ability to get things done.

Looks like he'll be gone sometime mid-next year, though my gut tells me that once he's exposed his "belly", so to speak, the inevitable departure could ultimately take place much sooner than that.

Manning vs. Manning

A fraternity brother of mine from Louisiana always talked about these two Manning kids that were coming up behind him at Newman High School in new Orleans. "Archie's Kids", he'd say, referring to Archie Manning, legendary quarterback of the hapless New Orleans Saints. (Or the 'Aint's, depending on if you were inclined to make fun of them.)

"Archie's Kids" have definitely proven they were worth the hype now that they've hit the big time. Sunday night will make for great viewing for sports fans.

Go Eli.

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Brothers in arms ready for first NFL showdown
By Tom Weir and Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
Photo by Bill Kostroun, AP

NEW YORK — "When Eli Manning got beat up as a child by his older brother, it wasn't in the traditional manner. Instead of fists, Peyton Manning bruised his kid brother with bullet-like football passes.

'He was being a team player,' Peyton says of the one-sided games of catch on their front lawn in New Orleans' stately Garden District. 'He was helping his older brother get ready for his senior year of high school football.'" Get the rest of the story here.

And now for something completely different...

Susan Butcher

An amazing lady died today. Susan Butcher, the first person ever to win three consecutive Iditarod dog sled championships, died in Seattle after complications from a rare form of Leukemia at the age of 51.

I was honored to meet and spend a seriously great time with Susan and her husband Dave at the wedding of one of my best friends from college, Mike Hannigan, who married Susan's fabulous sister, Clo. That was in Boulder, Colorado about 11 years ago. Mike and Clo rented out this great cabin at the Chatauqua state park in Boulder, where many of us piled in and spent a week or so enjoying the surroundings before the wedding.

Susan was one tough lady, with a great sense of humor and a lovely, fun, unpretentious family.

I have a funny memory of Susan and Dave nursemaiding a few of us the morning (afternoon?) after we had taken the bachelor party consumption contests a little too seriously. Being rugged transplants to remote Alaska, they were into new age and herbal medicinal supplements and things. Susan and Dave convinced Hannigan to put a tiny little Chinese "pellet" (for lack of a better word), under his tongue that they assured him would help with his hangover by removing the toxins from his body. The rest of us promised to do the same once we saw it work on the groom-to-be.

It had an effect, alright, and it removed the toxins. It also helped him remove about four days worth of everything else he'd eaten and drank. Witnessing this happen, the rest of us decided to stick with the tried-and-true western cures we were familiar with, aspirin, diet coke, fast food, and going back to bed.

Susan will likely go down in history as one of the greatest ground-breaking female athletes ever. But more than that, she'll be missed by her husband and two daughters and an extended family that loved her deeply.

Susan Butcher 1954 - 2006

Don't Believe the Hype - Vote No on Prop. 2

There is a measure on the Idaho ballot that is alluring, seductive, and completely misrepresentative. If you care about managing growth and fiscal responsibility this measure will be a disaster.

For those (like myself) who are supporters of private property rights, it would appear that voting to restrict the use of Eminent Domain in light of the Supreme Court's unpopular ruling on that topic last year is a good thing.

But those selling this measure don't promote the fact it will basically gut the ability of communities to plan, zone, and determine their own futures. The linked story is a long, but informative primer on what this measure really is.

Here is an excerpt from and a link to the High Country News article Taking Liberties, written by Ray Ring:

"Libertarians and property-rights activists believe that a huge array of common government regulations on real estate, such as zoning or subdivision limits, "take" away property value. Therefore, they say, the government should compensate the owner, or back off. The extreme view of "regulatory takings" is really at the core of this campaign — not eminent domain.

The campaign to pass regulatory-takings laws began in the 1980s, when libertarians seized on the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says: "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." They’ve tried to use Congress, state legislatures and ballot initiatives to pass laws that would treat most regulations as takings. Their first big win came in November 2004, when they persuaded Oregon’s voters to pass Measure 37. That initiative blew holes in the strictest land-use system in the country, allowing longtime landowners to escape many state, county and city regulations (HCN, 11/22/04: In Oregon, a lesson learned the hard way).

The impacts of Measure 37 have been delayed by court battles, and the libertarians are determined to turn the delays to their advantage. Before the fallout in Oregon can be fully understood, they are rushing to pass similar ballot initiatives in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and California. While each initiative has its own sales pitch, they all deliberately tuck the notion inside the unrelated eminent domain controversy. The Los Angeles-based libertarian Reason Foundation mapped the strategy in a 64-page paper published in April, titled Statewide Regulatory Takings Reform: Exporting Oregon’s Measure 37 to Other States. It recommended pushing "Kelo-plus" initiatives, combining eminent domain reform with regulatory takings, to capitalize "on the tremendous public and political momentum generated in the aftermath of the Kelo ruling …"

Monsters in Lake Coeur d'Alene?

I don't know where travel writers get their urban mythology, but this one is interesting. One out of three ain't bad, since I know there is a lot of interesting history about Nell Shipman - there are some industrious fans and film buffs in Boise working on a documentary about her contributions to film history as we speak.

From Sunset Magazine and CNN.com: "The lakes of northern Idaho -- Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille and Priest -- are deep, blue and busy. Scooped out during the Ice Age, the lakes now float yachts and kayaks. On the green shores, towns draw visitors to high-end resorts, restaurants and lakefront bicycle trails.

Each lake has its legend: Native Americans told stories of monsters in Coeur d'Alene Lake; another monster, the Pend Oreille Paddler, is rumored to inhabit Lake Pend Oreille; and Priest Lake is linked to 1920s actress and filmmaker Nell Shipman, who established a wilderness movie studio in what is now Lionhead State Park."

My Father's Face

In a Leo Kottke song some time back he talks about looking in the mirror and seeing his father's face.

This past week I sat in a hospital in Florida with my soon-to-be 70 year-old father. He had undergone emergency quadruple bypass surgery and the doctors were concerned that he had also suffered a minor stroke at some point in the process.

As he fitfully struggled to get some real sleep I had hours to look into his face, and turn to the left into the mirror and see his face again, about 33 years earlier.

It was among the scarier and more sobering experiences of my life to see my father laying there in such a state of vulnerability.

Dad's home and doing better now, but he has quite a road to go for recovery.

And in looking in that mirror, I have quite a road to go to myself - in more ways than one.

Popkey: Rev. Camacho ministers with love and soccer

This piece on Fr. Jesus Camacho is a wonderful testament to a wonderful man. Dan Popkey really captures the essence of this powerfully effective priest in his column.

Copyright Idaho Statesman, Written by Dan Popkey, Photo by Katherine Jones

"Amidst the shrill debate on illegal immigration, the Rev. Jesus Camacho's voice is calm and conciliatory.

Twenty-five years ago this week, Camacho immigrated to Idaho from Mexico. Though obscure to most non-Catholic Anglos, he may be the most influential figure in Hispanic Idaho. His three-hour Saturday radio program, "Chatting with Father Jesœs," airs throughout southern Idaho.

"You don't know how powerful that is," said Sam Byrd, a more recognized Hispanic leader among Anglos. "There are very few ethnic leaders, but if there is a voice, he's that voice." To read the rest click here.

Downtown Development in the Lake City

Tomorrow night, 7/5, the City Council will be on a Wednesday instead of Tuesday because of the 4th. On the agenda is the downtown development regulations public hearing - all are welcome to sign up and come make comments.

If you're interested in a little more information about it, check out the Mayor's show this week on Adelphia Cable Channel 19 with Dave Yadon, City Planning Director and John Bruning, Planning Commission Chairman. For more information and a copy of the council packet, click here.

Dark Times in the Middle East

He's just an ordinary, shy young lad, but his fate could mean war or peace in the Middle East - World - Times Online.

More About Idaho Smart Growth

For more information about Idaho Smart Growth, click on the link in the title above. They do good work, they're pragmatic and practical, and people are awakening to the need to address new challenges with new approaches.

Be sure to dig around the site a while - there is a lot of information there.

Smart Growth Meetings in Coeur d'Alene

This week there will be 2 meetings at which Jon Barrett, Interim Ex. Dir. of Idaho Smart Growth is presenting on the issue of growth and how to manage it wisely.

The first presentation is scheduled for tomorrow, (Tuesday), June 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Idaho Spokesman-Review Community Rm, 608 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d'Alene. This is an informal meeting for anyone interested in learning more about "Smart Growth" and/or having an interest in advancing its principles in our communities.

Mr. Barrett recently agreed to hold this meeting in order to generate further interest in this issue here in northern Idaho. You are welcome to attend whether or not you RSVP, but a reply would be helpful to gauge interest and estimate attendance.

If you have friends or colleagues who might be interested, feel free to let them know.

The second meeting is sponsored jointly by the City of Coeur d'Alene and the Lake City Development Corporation and is especially directed to elected officials, planning commissioners, city and county planners. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, also from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lake City Senior Center at 1916 N. Lakewood Drive, Coeur d'Alene. Please encourage any public officials you know to attend this presentation. Pre-registration is not required.

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Here is the text from the flyer about the Wednesday session targeted to elected officials but open to the public as well:

Whether you are an elected official, P & Z commissioner, or planner, you can no doubt relate to the following. The day-to-day business of implementing planning and zoning requirements rarely affords the opportunity to pause and reflect on the requirements themselves to assess whether they are resulting in the kind of development we actually prefer. How might our ordinances be modified to encourage the development of vibrant commercial areas and neighborhoods with character and lasting value?

Please join Idaho Smart Growth Interim Executive Director Jon Barrett for a presentation and interactive discussion about:

• The qualities that make for great neighborhoods

• The relationship between the comprehensive plan and the development that’s actually occurring on the ground

• How to evaluate and update land use and transportation policies related to development within city limits (i.e. infill) and in areas of city impact and beyond (i.e. greenfields) so that development better reflects the desires communicated by our comprehensive plans

• What are the barriers to updating planning and zoning-related ordinances?

Idaho Cloned Mules Win Preliminary Heats in Nevada

From Breitbart news: "Two qualifying heats, two wire-to-wire victories, two nearly identical times. It was almost like the same mule won twice. Idaho Gem, the world's first equine clone, and his brother, Idaho Star, made successful debuts Saturday in what scientists billed as the first professional competition between clones of any kind."



UPDATE 6/5: Looks like the horses didn't win in the final race on Sunday, coming in 3rd and 7th. No matter, it's fascinating (and a little unnerving) to see genetically engineered animals competing in a very traditional sport.

City Focus Areas Ranked by Votes

This chart doesn't reproduce incredibly well in this Blogger format, but here are the areas of priority that the City Council voted for on April 13th in a public workshop. This is the first part of the budget process, and staff then took this list back to determine hard costs.

The order is in order of council priority, and the numbers after (H M L) indicate the number of council members (including the Mayor in this exercise) voting for each priority.
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Proposed Focus Area H M L

1 Additional Police Personnel (Police) 7 0 0
2 Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Updates (Planning Commission) 6 1 0
3 Develop & Implement Affordable Housing Strategies (Administration) 5 2 0
4 Increase the Level of Overlay Funding (Engineering) 5 2 0
5 Additional Fire Fighters (Fire) 5 2 0
6 Additional Parks Workers (Parks) 5 2 0
7 Customer Service Enhancements (Building) 5 2 0
8 Resources for Constructing ADA Compliance Initiatives (Streets) 5 2 0
9 Strengthen Code Enforcement (Legal) 4 3 0
10 Additional HEO Staffing in Streets (Streets) 4 3 0
11 Parks Irrigation Worker (Parks) 4 3 0
12 Replenish Insurance Plan (Legal) 4 2 1
13 Provide Fire Service Outside City/Transfer Revenue (Fire) 4 2 1
14 Implement a Traffic School (Police) 3 2 2
15 Effluent Reuse Pilot (Wastewater) 1 6 0
16 Implementation of Citywide GIS Program (Municipal Services) 0 6 1
17 Pursue Fernan Sewer Agreement Negotiations (Legal/Wastewater) 2 5 0
18 Support Expansion of Citylink Public Transportation (Administration) 2 5 0
19 Acceptance of HUD “Entitlement City” Designation (Administration) 1 5 1
20 Expand “North Ramsey Campus”/Land Acquisition (Administration) 1 5 1
21 Convert Inline Area of Skate Park into BMX/Skate Park (Recreation) 1 5 1
22 Continue to Implement E-Commerce (Finance) 3 4 0
23 Joint Construction of Gyms (Winton) with School District (Recreation) 3 4 0
24 Credit Card Payment & On-Line Registration/Reservation (Parks/Recreation) 3 4 0
25 Resources to Sustain Expanded Library (Library/Parks) 3 4 0
26 Park Facility Upgrades (Parks) 3 4 0
27 Project Management and Inspection for ADA Compliance (Engineering) 3 4 0
28 River District Planning Study (Administration) 2 4 1
29 Planning for Growth by ULI Advisory Committee (Administration) 2 4 1
30 Develop a Hearing Examiner Process (Legal/Finance) 1 4 2
31 Adjudication of Aquifer Water Rights by State (Water) 1 3 3
32 Become a Class I Rated City (Fire) 2 2 3
33 Weed Abatement Program/Double-Fronted Lot Maintenance (Streets) 1 2 4
34 Downtown/Midtown Roof Drain – Stormwater Separation (Wastewater) 1 2 4

Summer Help in Coeur d'Alene

A message from Parks Director Doug Eastwood:

The CDA Parks Department is in the process of hiring summer help. The starting wage is $8.67 per hour. We work 40 hours per week and this can include weekends and holidays. The individual needs to be 16 years old or older and have a current driver’s license. We are hiring guys and gals. They will be assisting the full time staff with the daily maintenance of our parks, trails, building grounds, boulevards, and natural areas. If you know someone that might be interested, send them to City Hall and ask for Jackie Carbone. Jackie will give them an application.

Some highlights of this week's City Council Agenda

* - Proclamations on Arbor Week and Fair Housing Month
* - Housekeeping issues on the consent calendar
* - Resolution of support for St. Vincent dePaul's Homeless Grant Application
* - Discussion and vote on a new policy for water service outside city limits
* - Discussion and vote on a new bulk water use program
* - Public Hearing on Annexation and Zoning for Hawk's Nest Property adjacent to the Landings at Waterford between Atlas and Heutter Roads

The council will recess until 12 noon on Wednesday in the Council Chambers for a workshop/planning lunch on downtown development.

For more details, click here.

Property Tax Relief in the Idaho Legislature

Legislators hold the ball, citizens left holding the bag.