Huckleberries Online

Skookum: Death On The Sidelines

Posted by DFO

Dec. 21, 2009 9:51 a.m. • 113 comments

He had one of those lives that you read about in a paperback novel that someone left at the laundromat. The pages are dog-eared, the covers are crumpled and the dryer with your clothes is going kalump-kalump as you watch the clock above the detergent dispenser tick. He died the same way. When he came to North Idaho, Wayne Christensen joined the cadre of the faceless and rumpled in the greater Coeur d’Alene area whose past, to those without one, is scattered like cigarette butts and fast-food wrappers along the Interstate/Ralph Bartholdt, Skookum Photography. More here.

Question: Have you had any hands-on encounters with the area’s homeless population?

113 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

fortboise on December 21 at 10:04 a.m.
Second-hand (and not the same area as you):
my wife works as a volunteer at Boise’s Interfaith Sanctuary. As a result, she knows a good number of the street people, and they recognize her. It confers immunity from panhandling by them, interestingly, and a certain modicum of protection. The law of Karma.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 10:10 a.m.
Great piece by Ralph.

I come into contact with folks like Wayne on a semi-regular basis. When I do I hear my mother’s voice saying “There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Sisyphus on December 21 at 10:13 a.m.
Wow, that’s interesting, Tom. And that reminds me. I kinda kept track through a very nice man with many virtues who frequented Old Boise. He’d know the vagrants, the ones just passing through town, and the ones to stay far away from. He’d caution people about safe bike riding and seemed to be mindful of others.

And now that I think about him, I haven’t seen him in some time. I hope he’s ok.
Howard_Martinson on December 21 at 10:20 a.m.
50-60 homeless, 7 days a week at Fresh Start, 1524 E Sherman Ave. I personally invite the huckleberries online gang to stop by, we’re open from 9-12 Noon Monday through Saturday, 10-2 on Sundays. We’d be pleased to show you around. Or, visit us at www.freshstartinc.org

If you’re so inclined, feel free to drop off a check. It takes 50,000 Washingtons a year to pay the rent, utilities and buy food for our homeless neighbors. We’re a bare-bones operation with no employees, and we charge nothing for our services.
MikeK on December 21 at 10:23 a.m.
Good story. Reminder that there is a Vigil tonight for the Homeless at 6 pm at the Library in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Bring a flashlight to shine light at the vigil, then donate it to the homeless as you leave. A small measure to focus on an ongoing humanitarian problem that needs attention and people who deserve respect.
Cindy_H on December 21 at 10:31 a.m.
Beautifully written story.
mike_s on December 21 at 11:56 a.m.
Nicely written perhaps, but this line throws me:

“I am making this up.”

And, that is precisely the problem here. We never scratch the surface and our society never really cares enough to honestly and truthfully examine the narratives of homeless lives. We pay more attention to our homeless brothers and sisters during the holidays to ease our guilt. We may volunteer in the soup kitchens but do we ever leave the kitchen, sit down at the same table and share in the same meal? We hand out flashlights (?) or bedrolls at night, but do we stay with the lonely and the afflicted through the night? Why does one introduce their own selfish arrogance in the posing of portraits when the task is to document the struggle?
Pooey007 on December 21 at 12:26 p.m.
Very good story. I also know the St Vincent de Paul’s HELP Center is doing huge things for this community. I was at a meeting and they helped 887 documented individuals in September, 1275 in October and 1433 in November. St Vincent also is handing out coats, sleeping bags, food, helping with rent and is going to be opening their 2nd Warming Center in the area with the next cold snap. Jeff Conroy is the director and has an open door policy for anyone who wants a tour, wants to help or needs help.
mike_s on December 21 at 12:39 p.m.
Pooey, exactly how did those sleeping bags and such help the man posing for a photo?
Pooey007 on December 21 at 1:06 p.m.
MikeS-the photo helps put a face on homelessness. A very small percentage want to remain homeless. SVDP has always been there for those who want help; a hot meal, food, clothing, a place to stay and so much more. In this community the overall attitude is that SVDP is a thrift store, when in reality, they serve a lot of people. I know for a fact Jeff’s attitude is about ending homelessness, finding people jobs, and preventing homelessness. Lofty goals, but not unattainable, as per the city of CdA’s 10 year plan. Have you seen it?
mike_s on December 21 at 1:17 p.m.
Thanks Pooey, though you didn’t answer my question.

By the way, what does “put a face on homelessness” actually mean? I’ve heard that phrase used many times and never quite understood exactly what it means.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 1:30 p.m.
MikeK @ “Bring a flashlight to shine light at the vigil, then donate it to the homeless as you leave.”

A flashlight? Is this actualy going to help them or is this just another way that people like MikeK can feel like they are doing something for them as he drives home in his $70k Lexus SUV?
Arpie on December 21 at 1:39 p.m.
Larry
Your comment is the biggest turd laid around here in a long time.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 1:46 p.m.
Awww, Arpie, I’ve said worse than that!

The fac is that he does drive a Lexus LS470, around town, no less.

Mike doesn’t exactly practice what he preaches, but then, not many elected dems do, right?
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 1:48 p.m.
DFO, when can we get a spll chek on this blog?

;-)
JohnA on December 21 at 1:48 p.m.
“Arpie, I’ve said worse than that”

I’m not sure, Larry. I’ll have to mullet over.
ralphpbartholdt on December 21 at 1:51 p.m.
Wayne’s picture was snapped last year during some soup kitchen portrait sessions for people who couldn’t afford family portraits. I don’t feel guilt on this topic, so there was nothing to ease. Last week at Cherished One’s, they said Wayne died. The story was “made up,” from what he had told and from what others said. I laud anyone who volunteers, works in the system, or takes the time to hand out flashlights tonight, as well as the local reporters and photographers whose stories on homelessness got killed. And politicos who keep the topic on the agenda whether or not they pad around in $70k SUVs. The only arrogance here is over-analization.
nic on December 21 at 1:52 p.m.
“doesn’t exactly practice what he preaches, but then, not many elected dems do, right?”

Niether do you or your buddies @ openCDA. So lets just call it even.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 1:55 p.m.
Good one, John! For those of you who wonder, my hair is now the longest I have ever had it, but the mullet tag doesn’t work, as my hair also covers my ears.

I suppose I have become another long hair kind of guy.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 1:58 p.m.
Let’s not, nic.

Even if your claim was true, I don’t use or advocate using your money to fund my social engineering projects.
nic on December 21 at 2:00 p.m.
“I don’t use or advocate using your money to fund my social engineering projects.”

No, but you do file numorous lawsuits which in turn cost taxpayers $$$$ to defend.
OrangeTV on December 21 at 2:01 p.m.
Spencer is one of the main reasons I felt I needed a little mental vacation away from HBO. His spineless comments about Mike K after Lee Shellman’s death really floored me, angering me to the point of not even wanting to check in here at all. I find Spencer to be absolutely despicable, and his obsession with insulting Mike K reminds me of some jealous, insecure Junior High twit. His above comment is right in character.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 2:07 p.m.
OTV, what I heard you say boils down to

“How dare you question MikeK or point out that he doesn’t practice the green earth is our mother dogma we preach! HOW DARE YOU!!!”

Was that what you were trying to say?
mike_s on December 21 at 2:07 p.m.
RalphB, at the time did Wayne know his photograph would be used this way? That it would accompany this self aggrandizing prose? For God’s sake do you even read your own writing, saying this man has no past and comparing him to trash and cigarette butts just isn’t fair. For those of us that tend to be thoughtful, we are speaking of inherent worth.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 2:16 p.m.
” and his obsession with insulting Mike K reminds me of some jealous, insecure Junior High twit.”

How did I insult him, OTV?
nic on December 21 at 2:16 p.m.
Larry, let me clarify your strategy for posting…

Make stuff up
Pretend it’s fact
Ignore the real facts or explain why the facts are irrelevant
Make derogatory comments about MikeK (true or not… doesn’t matter)
Godwin the thread
Pretend you’re right about everything
Declare your expert opinion as supreme knowledge
Pretend everyone who disagrees with you is an imbecile
Look smug while typing
Put words in other people’s mouths
Claim you didn’t say what you said
And if all else fails, sue someone
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 2:25 p.m.
Want to see a picture of MikeK’s Lexus?

What did I make up here?

How is it not fact/ what is the “real” fact?

Is telling the truth about Mike a “derogatory comment?” If it is, how is it my fault?
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 2:32 p.m.
nic, let me clarify the climate “experts” strategy for winning the minds of the not so bright people…

Make stuff up
Pretend it’s fact
Ignore the real facts or explain why the facts are irrelevant
Make derogatory comments about those who question your “facts”
Godwin the thread, compare the opposition to Hitler
Pretend you’re right about everything
Declare your expert opinion as supreme knowledge
Pretend everyone who disagrees with you is an imbecile
Look smug while typing
Put words in other people’s mouths
Claim you didn’t say what you said
And if all else fails, doctor the documents or refuse to release them.
Soaf on December 21 at 2:37 p.m.
Spencer is just jealous because he couldn’t even smell a Lexus let alone afford the payment.

The payment alone would probably drives Spencer nuts when you consider given his history on vehicle ownership that has been well documented here, he probably couldn’t make the payment on a ‘82 Yogo.
OrangeTV on December 21 at 2:39 p.m.
No, I was trying to say that I find you despicable in all aspects. It has nothing to do with Mike K, really.
OrangeTV on December 21 at 2:44 p.m.
So Larry, if someone owns a Lexus, they shouldn’t bring attention to the plight of the homeless or donate to that cause?

Was that what you were trying to say?

Is it okay for Chevy Nova owners to donate to the homeless?
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 3:01 p.m.
I think it is great to help the needy, I just questioned the “give them a flashlight” idea as a solution to what ails them.

The Lexus thing was more about a Democrat councilman driving a gas guzzler that gets around 12 MPG as his daily driver.
OrangeTV on December 21 at 3:08 p.m.
What kinds of vehicles do your Republican cronies drive and how much gas do they guzzle?
Smacky on December 21 at 3:10 p.m.
Democrats can’t own Lexus’s because of low gas mileage?

Does that mean Republicans can’t own hybrids?

All these new rules. Are they printed out somewhere…like on toilet paper?
mike_s on December 21 at 3:11 p.m.
Could someone explain the value of donating flashlights to help homeless individuals? Sounds like something you’d want to make sure your little campers have packed for their trip into the forest each summer. Along with sunscreen and bug repellant.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 3:17 p.m.
Mike, I don’t thing the flashlights are to help the homeless, I thing they are about a feel good thing thing to buy MikeK some press with.
mike_s on December 21 at 3:19 p.m.
I suppose the hobos could keep each other entertained by making shadow puppets on the wall of a boxcar or something; but beyond that let’s donate cans of silly string and big jars of honey so they can ransack their rivals’ cabins real good this year.

Sheesh.
Homebuilder on December 21 at 3:41 p.m.
Larry, ponder this question from your glass house:

Is Mike Kennedy less entitled to his choice of luxury car than you? For example, you own a Mercedes-Benz and … oh wait … no nevermind you had that publicly repossessed and then trespassed onto private property to try and collect your trinkets from inside, for which you received a police citation.

At least Mike Kennedy can pay his bills on time.

So maybe you should keep your stones inside your glass house.
Cindy_H on December 21 at 3:42 p.m.
Looks like HBO has their own resident Scrooges.

Documenting the plight of the homeless: bad.
Giving flashlights to the homeless: bad.
Driving a Lexus: evil.
Taking pictures of the homless: vile
Writing eloquent prose: self-aggradizing

Four days until Christmas and the mean, miserly, grumpy, nitpickers of the world flourish.
Cindy_H on December 21 at 3:44 p.m.
And by the way, google flashlights for the homeless…
By golly, it isn’t a MikeK feel good thing after all.
Amazing!
MikeK on December 21 at 3:49 p.m.
Larry.

I do not drive a Lexus, nor have I ever driven a Lexus. I drive a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser, which I bought a few years ago when it had 100K miles on it. I need a big car to haul my family around. It now has about 130K miles on it and I’ll drive it for the foreseeable future.

Larry you are lying here and making things up. I know this is common for you, but most people don’t appreciate it. I’ve come to expect it from you, though,but please don’t try to harm a good function put on by good people, Larry.
Sisyphus on December 21 at 3:54 p.m.
Just another day in the very expensive education of Larry Spencer. At least he didn’t eat up taxpayer dollars this time. All it cost him was a display of his true colors.

Larry you remind me a lot of another conservative activist we have down this way. Her name is Brandi Swindell. She’s a cutie. You should call her up and maybe you two kids can distort, gadfly and tilt at windmills together.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 3:54 p.m.
The fac is that he does drive a Lexus LS470, around town, no less.

Once again LarrySpencer can’t get his “fac” right. LOL!
mike_s on December 21 at 3:56 p.m.
Cindy, better tighten the saddle on that judgmental high horse you are riding. WWJD, sister. (What would Johnny Cash do?)

By the way, when I Googled it the top result was “Fog Machines and Flashlights: Homeless.”

Fog machines?
nic on December 21 at 4:00 p.m.
LarrySpencer December 21 at 2:25 p.m.
“Want to see a picture of MikeK’s Lexus?
What did I make up here?”

MikeK December 21 at 3:49 p.m.
“Larry.
I do not drive a Lexus, nor have I ever driven a Lexus. I drive a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser”

I’m not sure Larry… What did you make up here?
Homebuilder on December 21 at 4:01 p.m.
Unbelievable.

LarrySpencer dared everybody on the blog to come up with a single instance of when he ever lied.

Here’s a nice example, LIAR.

And let me reiterate … at least Mike Kennedy makes his Toyota payments on time. Unlike Larry “Repo” Spencer.

The sad thing is I can totally believe that LarrySpencer would choose to seek out lies and mistruth about something positive for our community because of his virulent, unquenchable anger for Mike Kennedy. It’s sick, it’s psychopathic, and it should not be allowed.
LarrySpencer on December 21 at 4:03 p.m.
If I was mistaken, I apoloigize. The “Toyota Landcruiser” and the “Lexus LS470” are the same vehicle, other than trim levels. I saw MikeK putting out yard signs and was suprised that he was driving such a gas hog. They both get terrible MPG, and that was my point.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 4:04 p.m.
The only arrogance here is over-analization.

Ralph, thanks for the great story and the beautiful portrait. Too bad this thread has taken the turn it did because of one, stupid, cold hearted bastard. The only one on here that over-anal-izzes anything is LarrySpencer
Smacky on December 21 at 4:07 p.m.
Nice non-apology. If you were mistaken? You were!
Homebuilder on December 21 at 4:08 p.m.
“They both get terrible MPG, and that was my point.”

Ummm except you didn’t even MENTION fuel economy until one and a half HOURS after your initial comment.

Typical Larry “apoloigy”… can’t admit he did anything wrong and besides the rest of us just don’t get his point anyway, so it’s all OUR FAULT.

A new question perhaps for this blog … Is there literally anything LarrySpencer can say or do that would get him banned from this blog? So far I’d say no.
spokelooneh on December 21 at 4:11 p.m.
Stunned.

My god, what is WRONG with (some of) you people?

I thought Ralph’s essay was very moving while being a delight to read in the way he wove the tale.

I get what you’re saying, OTV.
Sisyphus on December 21 at 4:14 p.m.
“They both get terrible MPG, and that was my point.”—yeah I call BS on that as well. You mentioned the price of a new one in the context of the homeless implying that Kennedy’s compassion for the homeless either lacked sincerity or was hypocritical. Try again on the apology.
mike_s on December 21 at 4:14 p.m.
Spoke, are you moved to take action?
Phaedrus on December 21 at 4:15 p.m.
Homeless living essentials

Flashlights
Hand-generated flashlights - no batteries required! (visit campingsurvival.com)
Can openers
Battery operated alarm clocks
Batteries: all sizes
Sturdy back packs

http://www.iamthesource.org/Christmas-Gift-Ideas.html
Phaedrus on December 21 at 4:17 p.m.
I think mike_s is drinking out of LarrySpencer’s sippy cup, today.
spokelooneh on December 21 at 4:17 p.m.
When Googling “homeless flashlight” without the quotes, the SECOND entry yields this:

“Homeless living essentials
Flashlights
Hand-generated flashlights - no batteries required! (visit campingsurvival.com)
Can openers
Battery operated alarm clocks
Batteries: all sizes
Sturdy back packs
Small tents, tarps, rope
Utility pocket knives
Canteens”
OrangeTV on December 21 at 4:18 p.m.
It’s really not too hard to understand how a homeless person could easily benefit from the use of a flashlight, is it? Isn’t it better to give them something they can actually use rather than cash or spare change that they would possibly spend on a cheap 40 ouncer of Malt Liquor or whatever?

As for Larry, typical of him to take over a thread with some arrogant nonsense that has nothing to do with the topic at hand. He simply saw yet another opportunity to try and make Mike K look bad and went for it. As usual, it backfired on him and he only succeeded in making a fool of himself. Larry and his ilk seem to thrive on distracting people from focusing on the real issues by doing silly, meaningless things like attacking someone’s gas mileage when it has absolutely nothing to do with anything. They think they’re being clever, but anyone with two brain cells to rub together can see it for what it really is.
mike_s on December 21 at 4:23 p.m.
OTV, do you classify all homeless as being in the same situation?
hmoffsuite on December 21 at 4:30 p.m.
One thing about Larry. He is an equal opportunity offender. Doesn’t make any difference which side of the aisle or even in the middle. He can be rather offensive to each of us.
spokelooneh on December 21 at 4:38 p.m.
mike_s on December 21 at 4:14 p.m.

Spoke, are you moved to take action?”

You want to get all sanctimonious here, mike_s?

Fine, ‘tis the freaking season, I guess.

I got a company I work with to start donating leftover food to Second Harvest this past year which has resulted in thousands of lbs of food going to the poor, hungry, and homeless. I guess they should have just kept throwing that food away and leaving it for the dumpster divers.
mike_s on December 21 at 4:42 p.m.
Spoke, good for that company but what have you done?
OrangeTV on December 21 at 4:44 p.m.
>>OTV, do you classify all homeless as being in the same situation?

Um, no. But that’s kinda beside the point. And rather nitpicky. I guess I could have said that SOME homeless people would benefit from having a flashlight instead of beer money, but I think my point was still made.
mike_s on December 21 at 4:54 p.m.
Sure OTV, kind of like saying all gay males are flamboyant drag queens, though some would say that it’s better to shatter stereotypes than reinforce them.
eagleeye on December 21 at 4:55 p.m.
MikeK ,
Given 7 kids and an enormously busy schedule, I have one question. How many french fries under the seats of that well traveled Landcruiser ?
ralphpbartholdt on December 21 at 5:25 p.m.
Mike S, Flashlights come in handy in the dark. Seems like you would know that, give your thoughtfulness.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 5:34 p.m.
I owe an apology, earlier I said that only LarrySpencer over-anal-izes, I forgot mike_s. Sorry.
OrangeTV on December 21 at 6:01 p.m.
Exactly, Ralph. I have no idea why there was anything deeper read into it than that. Besides, all the homeless drag queens I know would much prefer a tube of “Totally Fab Red” Dazzleglass Creme lip gloss by M.A.C. than a boring old flashlight.
spokelooneh on December 21 at 7:15 p.m.
I would say MikeK was being quite frugal and smart in that purchase of a used Toyota Land Cruiser which has an excellent reputation for reliability, safety, and room for a large family.

I owned several Toyotas over the years, all bought used with over 100K on them, and I drove them another 50-100k miles with minimal maintenance costs and no major repair costs.

Does it creep anybody out even further (as it does me) that apparently Spencer has pictures of Mike’s vehicle?
Cindy_H on December 21 at 7:16 p.m.
uh oh…
Time to change my lip gloss.
Darn you, OTV!
mike_s on December 21 at 7:26 p.m.
Actually, OTV, there’s been some amazing documentary work done on transgendered individuals on the fringe. Many homeless. Many working as prostitutes. Not exactly the celebrated drag queens that you dig, but for the subject at hand certainly relevant.

Ralph, thanks for answering one of my questions. One more, why did you find it necessary to introduce yourself into the equation here? Could it have been done without making things up and using posed photographs?

Thanks Phaedrus, as usual you are better at cutting and pasting than providing original thought. You are amazing that way.
Soaf on December 21 at 7:29 p.m.
@spokelooneh,

Yea, Spencer is kinda acting like a “Stalker”. Maybe it’s time for MikeK to get a restraining order. Then stand back and watch Spencers head pop.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 8:51 p.m.
mike_s, not sure why, but you are behaving like an @ass today. What, find out Santa’s not visiting this year?
Arpie on December 21 at 9:34 p.m.
My 1:39 post stands. Ralph, Thanks for your great prose. Mike K. I know that there are few in your county that are doing more to help the homeless. My hat is off to you. I’m sorry to see a great thread turn so stinky.
ralphpbartholdt on December 21 at 9:54 p.m.
Mike_s, We should all be part of the equation. You might introduce yourself into it.
Making things up. It’s what we do. Every morning when I slip on a pair of flowered panties, I am making something up. So do you, when you slip on your backpack and head to school.
Posed photos are one way to document those mirrors that show the soul. Look at Wayne’s. That’s who he is. Still.
I can do the same for you.
Phaedrus, I like your classical leanings.
Now I’m to be left alone so I can put some whiskey into my whiskey, fill my glass with Uncle Jack, and make my way across the dance floor.
Grab a cab Arp, I’ll meet you there.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 10:13 p.m.
Tonight at 6 PM, seventy people, many homeless, many young, gathered together around a burn barrel, in the rain, to remember Wayne and others who live without a roof over their heads. Four of their friends died this week, one pulled from his car, another found hanging from a bridge, unable , or unwilling, to live one more day out on the street. People came to look into the faces of those who live faceless among us and to offer a light to those existing in the dark. LarrySpencer was not there.
nic on December 21 at 10:33 p.m.
“The “Toyota Landcruiser” and the “Lexus LS470” are the same vehicle, other than trim levels. ”

and about 4 grand retail value.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 10:42 p.m.
people like MikeK can feel like they are doing something for them as he drives home in his $70k Lexus SUV?—LarrySpencer

The “Toyota Landcruiser” and the “Lexus LS470” are the same vehicle, other than trim levels.—LarrySpencer

I drive a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser, which I bought a few years ago when it had 100K miles on it.—MikeK

Edmunds.com has similar vehicles in the $18,000 range, so LarrySpencer got the brand wrong, the model wrong and was off on the price by about $50,000. But other than that…
Don_Sausser on December 21 at 10:58 p.m.
Phaedrus, you 10:13 post was well said but, like so many times with your posts, you feel the need to end it with a dig at another poster, “LarrySpencer was not there.”

Your posts would be rewarded with increased credibility but for hammering another poster.
mike_s on December 21 at 11:07 p.m.
Ralph, to seek truth requires the ability to let the truth stand on its own.
Everyone has their own backdrop and that helps us find the truth. The story.
Unfortunately, you neglected this when you added a new backdrop to Wayne Christensen’s world.
eagleeye on December 21 at 11:09 p.m.
Well Don, sometimes when someone comes on a blog and makes a bold faced lie, a person gets what they deserve.
spokelooneh on December 21 at 11:09 p.m.
People like Spencer and his ilk think that all homeless people are homeless because they are lazy bums, and that by helping them to simply survive, they are being “enabled” to continue their “lazy” lifestyle, and it particularly galls Spencer and his ilk when any government assistance of any kind is provided to the homeless, and that any elected official trying to do anything to help or improve the lot of the homeless are doing so not out of genuine concern but so that such official can merely “appear” to be a good guy or gal, but in reality they actually don’t care, as evidenced by such officials living in nice houses and driving nice cars wasting gas.

I’m sure when Spencer sees homeless people he yells “GET A JOB, YOU BUM!” at them.
ralphpbartholdt on December 21 at 11:14 p.m.
Mike_s
truth, like dumb, is subjective.
But at least you spelled his name right
mike_s on December 21 at 11:20 p.m.
By the way Ralph, I really like that piece you wrote for the Rathdrum Star a few weeks ago. Seriously.
Phaedrus on December 21 at 11:22 p.m.
Your posts would be rewarded with increased credibility but for hammering another poster.

Don, thanks for your kind words. However, I’ll stick with the credibility I have if the price for increased credibility is letting bottom feeders like LarrySpencer off the hook.
mike_s on December 21 at 11:39 p.m.
Ralph, just want to make sure I’m following you here:

An artificial backdrop of your choosing, no problem. Truth is subjective.
Embellishment of the facts, no problem. Truth is subjective.
These photos are for YOU, I’m doing this for you, my brother. That’s all, no problem. Truth is subjective.

Where exactly do you draw the line? (And don’t say you draw the line on stupidity, because that might not be the truth.)

A little sparkle in the eyes, a little Photoshop, no problem. Truth is subjective.
It would look kinda cute if you put on this watch for a couple shots, no problem. Truth is subjective.
Oh crap, he’s drooling again. Ah, Photoshop, no problem. Truth is subjective.
Smile for the camera. Truth is subjective
And on and on one goes…
ralphpbartholdt on December 21 at 11:49 p.m.
Mike_S, Don’t be a follower. Take the initiative. If you’re looking for answers, do your own reporting.
mike_s on December 22 at 12:04 a.m.
Ralph, to report is to ask questions. The best know the questions that matter, while the posers do not.
mike_s on December 22 at 12:14 a.m.
It’s been fun. It’s been real. But it’s late and I’ve got a 17-mile run scheduled for Tuesday. Ralph, for a North Idaho weekly newspaper reporter, you are very adequate and that’s the truth. I’d suggest some workshops or tutorials that emphasize journalism ethics, both in writing and with visuals. Of course, I’m holding your blog writing to the standards of print. I’m also guessing you didn’t attend J-school.
spokelooneh on December 22 at 12:34 a.m.
Couple of News Photogs going at one another’s throats, what’s the point?

Ralph by several furlongs.
Phaedrus on December 22 at 8:01 a.m.
mike_s is venting your spleen part of your PT?
ralphpbartholdt on December 22 at 8:40 a.m.
Mike_s, I don’t expect to shed much light, because insight is the kind of stuff that gets kicked around with friends from across the table for hours and often solves nothing. For the sake of the topic though, maybe (photo) journalism in general, and this blog, this passes the truth test.
When I met Wayne and he sat – I didn’t ask anyone to sit, it was their choice – for the photograph, I was struck by his face, his grin, and when we talked, I realized he and I had things in common.
When I was told a year later that he had died, it struck a chord and I wrote this piece and dug out his picture.
I grew up in Minnesota and remember the packing plants and the turkey farms from my youth. I remember their stench and the dust and the wide-open agricultural land in some of the places where the plants and packing houses were. In Minneapolis I lived for a while on the grid between Hennepin and Franklin Avenue and Lake streets where the homeless, or transients and the factory crowds mingled, standing around blowing the mist from their lungs on cold days and nights. When I talked with them they usually had a bottle, or were looking for one. That’s how I remember it, and that is a lot of what writing is. As a kid my pal’s dad was a Korean war vet and a drunk. He looked a lot like Wayne. My pal and I fished with his dad and his cronies a lot. They worked at factories and when they weren’t on the assembly line, they were down at the river or at a lake fishing and drinking from a bottle or three. When I was 18, I hopped a freight train across the West because I didn’t have any money and wanted to see some country. I spent 3 days and nights on a piggyback car with a hobo bobbing across the Great Plains and Montana’s Highline. I met many railroad bums and they reminded me of Wayne in their transiency and what seemed their lack of a past. We sat around a lot in the shade when it was hot, and in the sun when it wasn’t. We sat around in places littered with butts and wrappers and garbage. That’s just how it was.
The first part of the piece on Wayne draws from all of this. It’s what Hugo called “a trigger,” that gets the writing started. In journalism, and I vouch for this, you can sit for 3 hours interviewing someone and when your story comes out, it’s not exact. It’s accurate to you, the part that came from the notes, but often there are gaps and assumptions that despite diligently having learned to reign them in, have been added. Journalism only scratches the surface and gives a general overview. Otherwise it would be a thesis and no one would read it. A photo though, tells it’s own story. That is why Wayne’s photo in this case is more than relevant. The first part of the story was “made up” in the sense that I drew it from memory of the places where Wayne worked, the lake state, the many people I knew who were in Wayne’s position, or somewhere near it and from what Wayne said.
The rest came from John and Mary and some others. What they told me was through their own filters, memory and imagination.
The picture says what I couldn’t.
The people who sat for the photographs agreed to using them to promote soup kitchens and getting the word out. It was a vague notion then that someone brought up and it was announced at the photo sessions. Only a few of the photos will be used along with much information and documentation. I think it’s a worthwhile project that doesn’t denigrate, but shows the human spirit. Some of the people whose pictures were taken are no longer in the system. Anyone could be, that’s why it’s there.
MamaJD on December 22 at 8:51 a.m.
Just once, I would like Larry Spencer to offer solutions instead of criticize others for how they do things. He’s against a lot of people and ideas but I have yet to hear of him being FOR something. And by “something” I mean something other than an oppositional candidate.
mike_s on December 22 at 9:19 a.m.
Ralph, though we got off track here, your paragraph helps prove my original point. Too many “I”s in all of that. Some people like to place themselves in the story, just not my thing.

Spoke, you are probably correct. Feedback doesn’t necessarily need to always be positive, When one is able to drop their defenses and see different perspectives they are able to grow.
DFO on December 22 at 9:34 a.m.
@ Mike_S; Ralph took time to explain his perspective to you — and all you wanted to do is look for holes in his explanation to continue your sniping. You’re the only one on this thread defending your position ad nauseum. I’ve probably let you get away with way too many jabs at Ralph. He wrote a fine piece that you’re trying — without success — to torpedo. Now, it’s time to agree to disagree and give it a rest.
ralphpbartholdt on December 22 at 5:54 p.m.
DFO
I’d like to add one last thing.
Writing A. is about the “I.” Always has been. It’s about experience and interaction, about talk and digestion and anything that crosses the table before and after. And it’s about accountability.
Mike_s has a notio that journalism is something learned and awarded with a bachelor’s degree, and ethics is something that can be gleaned from a classroom, dropped like pixie dust on “print” reporters who work at daily newspapers.
That ethics among journalism is just another 6-letter word should be apparent given the recent flaps.
That people respect journalists no more than used car salesman should be a red light.
In almost 20 years on the job — I think anyone who has worked with me can vouch for this — I have learned and shown others that reporting is in the gut and the heart. It’s about love, it’s about words and stories and photographs that help tell them.
The best reporters I have known are the ones that grew up small. Their psyche is ingrained with the b.s. sessions around grandma’s kitchen table, the local coffee shop and taverns.
They grew up in middle America and learned how to tell stories on porches and post offices, learned what people liked to hear and read, and how best to present it.
It’s what they love.
It’s plainly in them.
The two best reporters without a doubt that I know don’t have degrees.
But they have what it takes to smoke the competition:
Forthrightness, honesty and a whole lot of guts.
Weekly newspapers, although there aren’t many worthy of being called a “news” paper anymore, allow reporters the blessing of being in touch with their readers.
At the weekly where I spent almost 15 years, there was a path from the door to my office.
Anyone who wanted to get in my face over a story they felt was poorly reported, unethical, or plain bull could walk it, and they did.
From stories about murders, drugs, incest and even the Elks holiday reportage deemed faultily reported, there was no filter. No editorial page editor softened or killed the letters, there was no secretary saying you can’t go back there.
Just me, my computer and a blue chair where they sat to yell, bitch or say hey bro, I know you did your best…but.
My love for weekly newspapers stems in part from the interaction with readers that comes sometimes at inopportune times: a bar, a restaurant, the hardware store.
Everyone knows you and they are damned sure to tell you what they think.
Many daily newspapers have lost that. They are out of touch with their readership. They wring their hands over ethics, knock their brains over perception, and crop, edit and turn news into humus.
Editors live in glass offices and no longer know what it’s like to interact with their readership.
The ones who get pissed. The ones with dirt on their boots and snoose in their teeth.
Bob Hammes, who I was lucky enough to have worked under for a short time, was the epitome of a journalist. He went to Washington DC to visit with Jimmy Carter and he did what? He edited a weekly newspaper in “northern” Idaho.
Mike_S is part of the new system of elitist journalism. The industry. I put less stock in the words of people who flip-flap about “ethics” and other high-powered palaver learned at newspaper conferences, than I do at what people at Bud’s, or the Linger Longer have to say.
People in the industry are full of it, and the rest of America knows it.
Shooting the homeless, bereft, drunk, rich, elegant, or people with saddle sores doesn’t require a journalism degree, nor does it require a handbook from the latest Poyntner workshop. It just asks for guts, and love, and soul.
It asks simply that you as a reporter or photographer ask yourself:
Is it right?
That’s the litmus test.
The reporters, past and present that I know and admire, pass that test.
Crystal.
mike_s on December 22 at 6:24 p.m.
Ralph, about 5 years ago I spent about half of my lunch hour judging photo entries for the weekly newspaper division of the Idaho Press Club’s year-end contest. I didn’t bother engaging many from my staff in the process because there was a big rush to get it done and there were so few entries. If I recall, and I do, some of your work was recognized as better than some of the work from the Wood River Journal and the Mountain Express.

Congratulations.
ralphpbartholdt on December 22 at 10:03 p.m.
You misspelled my name on the plaque. And got mustard on my entry. If I do recall. And I do.
Copernic on December 22 at 10:36 p.m.
>>He had one of those lives you read about in paperback novels left at the laundromat. The pages are dog-eared, the covers are creased and the dryer with your clothes is going kalump-kalump as you watch the clock above the detergent dispenser tick. He died the same way.<<

LOL As Oscar Wilde said, “One must have a heart of stone to read the death of little Nell without laughing”.

Mister Wilde also said, “Work is the curse of the drinking classes”. It sounds like Mr. Christensen’s life was a perfect example of this. He worked to drink, and smoke. He spent his social security check at the casino, and mooched food, medical aide and an apartment in town, off of friends who tried to help him. Apparently that’s the way he wanted to live, and in this case, die. Are you going to dissuade others who think like him from following the same path by taking a cool black and white portrait of him, and writing a l – o – n - g heart rendering and embellished account of his life? I think not
mike_s on December 22 at 10:37 p.m.
I just picked the winning entries, none of which I actually remember, though I was impressed that the St. Maries newspaper was dedicating space to photopages. I never even knew there was a newspaper in St. Maries and it would be a challenge for me to give directions to the place, even though I am fourth-generation here.

Plaques weren’t part of the equation.
JaneQC on December 22 at 10:44 p.m.
I want a plaque for having read each and every one of the 97 posts on this thread over the last two evenings. And I insist my name be spelled correctly. Having spent an hour or a thousand at weekly newspapers I’ve learned a lot. Like the fact that there’s only one right way to spell a person’s name and it’s important.
The photo of Wayne is haunting. He’s Everyman. At least Everyman who’s been rode hard and put away wet.
I’m familiar with Ralph’s work in print and images and it always gets to me, makes me think, makes me question and often makes me wish I’d written those words or captured that image.
I give this thread’s smack down to Ralph. Mike S, sorry but your brand of elitism and snobbery just isn’t authentic enough for this old gal.
LarrySpencer on December 22 at 11:08 p.m.
Mama, I spend at least a week each year providing one or two mobile homes to the homeless. I will be moving another one at no cost before the end of the year to a family that is living in a old camper. It isn’t fancy, but it will provide a warm home until they can build.
mike_s on December 22 at 11:08 p.m.
Jane, that’s cool. I’m not trying to be anyone’s hero and I’ll never be able to wax poetic like some folks. Just calls em as I see em. We’ll probably see more problems like this in the future as newspapers begin to rely more on reporters taking their own photographs. Some will lack understanding of the role photojournalism plays in a newspaper. Lets just hope the complex, thoughtful decision-making we currently depend on from dedicated individuals, with an understanding of their profession, will not be eliminated—from the equation.
mike_s on December 22 at 11:15 p.m.
Jane, can you name the former employee of an Idaho weekly that won a Pulitzer Prize? (without the assistance of Google)
mike_s on December 22 at 11:19 p.m.
Hint: he worked in the same town as another employee of an Idaho weekly that went on to do multiple projects for National Geographic.
florined on December 23 at 12:01 a.m.
Mike, will he be working with Burns in the near future?
spokelooneh on December 23 at 12:24 a.m.
Ralph by five furlongs.
MamaJD on December 23 at 6:51 a.m.
Larry — I’m glad to hear that you do some charitable things as I believe most of us do. I took issue with how you criticized Lexus-driving Mike Kennedy (which is false) over his efforts to help the homeless. Remember, the same kinds of criticism could be leveled against you, Mr. Mercedes Shopper. At the end of the day, IMHO, it shouldn’t matter what kind of vehicle gets you to those who need your help.

Larry — you have enormous talents. I wish you would help more and criticize less.
poolman on December 23 at 7:33 a.m.
MikeS - Not sure how long you have been bouncing around here kicking up dust. From what I have seen you are very close to, or maybe already have achieved “troll” status. You see, a troll is one who never provides any intelligent thought provoking or humorous comments and only focuses on criticizing others. It really requires very little effort or skill to be a troll. Many will slide into a trollish state from time to time, most pull out of it with a few subtle hints. That doesn’t seem to be working in your case.

I remember the first time I read a Ralph Bartholdt piece - it made me want to read another and another and another - dude has a gift. Reading your “stuff” makes me want to jam toothpick under my big toe nail. Maybe you’re a good human in real life - but in here you seem to be nothing more than a run of the mill troll – good luck with that.
mike_s on December 23 at 7:51 a.m.
Poolboy, I prefer the elitist label :-)
poolman on December 23 at 8:08 a.m.
Please don’t go KageMan on us and start making fun of pseudonyms - that is really bush league.
mike_s on December 23 at 8:11 a.m.
Thanks for laying down the law, poolguy, I’m kinda new here. What’s a KageMan?
poolman on December 23 at 8:37 a.m.
“What is a KageMan”

Hummm….

A long lost brother, your future best friend, maybe an unknown soul mate. Actually I’m not quite sure. I know he is a big Minnesota Viking fan, was a professional huckleberry picker for a short time and has been involved in the logging industry off and on for many years. He has written letters to the editor to the CDA Press and had them published under the name KageMan. I’ll use his name in a sentence. Do you believe in KageMan? Go ahead and Wikipedia that…
mike_s on December 23 at 9:38 a.m.
Poolboy, thanks, especially for not embellishing the legend of KageMan:

‘I first met the Kager down at the Linger Longer after hard night of logging on to my laptop, checking emails and cybering. We had a common bond and we knew it. Cigarette butts, Cheeto bags and Diet Mtn. Dew. The fuel of our nonsense. He and I were from a different era, a different time. He and I were AOL men. We remember Y2K like yesterday, a decade ago.”

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.