Huckleberries Online

Wild Card/Tuesday — 2/17/09

Posted by DFO

Feb. 17, 2009 5:37 p.m. • 40 comments

In the news this evening, Ken Griffey Jr. is now saying that he hasn’t made his decision yet whether to sign with Atlanta or Seattle here. New U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, D-Illinois, appears to be caught in an ethics problem that could be his doing here. The state of California is nearing bankruptcy here. A-Roid is now apologizing to the Rangers’ owner here. Magazine publishers are seeing red as ad revenue falls 21.5% here. And the Wild Card remains in play …

40 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Cabbage Boy on February 17 at 11:38 a.m.
Well, with 5 boys in the house, we wouldn’t be charged much on the toilet flush bill. Cuz they NEVER flush.

Anyone really surprised about “junior.”

And anyone listening to a pregnant teen complaining about abstinence is like listening to a wino complaining that AA doesn’t work. It takes some effort on your part Bristol.
Joker on February 17 at 11:46 a.m.
DFO,

I will disarm my nukes and stand down. I want to have good debates over issues. I was drawn to this blog because of the varying viewpoints, I want to stay. I probably took my giving Bob, Thom and Sis a dose of their own medicine too far. So, I am willing to wipe the slate clean and start anew.
toadman on February 17 at 11:57 a.m.
Cabbage, I’d counter with the following argument re: teen abstinence. Teen Abstinence is not only realistic, it’s plausible, and indeed, possible…but depending on abstinence exclusively is, in my humble opinion, naive and short sighted.

I’ve never argued that abstinence shouldn’t be taught as the preferred method of birth control and STD protection. But, I was also a teenager once. Teenagers are often week minded, and week willed. Not all teens, mind you, but we want to prevent as many unwanted pregnancies as possible, right?

Oh, and Joker, I’m willing to have civil conversations with you as well. Thanks for cleaning up the poo you flung. I can’t promise that I won’t monkey-up and fling feces at you from time to time, but I’ll do my best to be human most of the time ok?
Joker on February 17 at 12:05 p.m.
Toad,

I’d agree that abstinence programs don’t work very well, if at all. I wish the sex ed clasises were more comprehensive. I know my parents didn’t teach me a thing.

I am not wild about handing out condoms to kids. It should be taught that if you’re too embarassed to go buy them, you probably shouldn’t be using them.
toadman on February 17 at 12:14 p.m.
“I know my parents didn’t teach me a thing.”

Nor mine. My very religious parents taught me nothing about sex. Zero. The subject NEVER came up. In fact, I had to learn in FIFTH GRADE from my FRIENDS how babies were made…even then, I was dubious, and still thought kissing was the culprit.

I suppose my parents expected our church to explain it to me. But it didn’t. Nobody ever told me about any consequences to having sex other than the obvious (pregnancy)…and there are other consequences.

So.. who’s to blame? The Church? Rap/hip hop music? Madonna? Prince? Pornography? No. Parents are the lazy culprits. If parents don’t explain things to their kids, then they go unarmed into the world and have to get their information from other sources.
Me on February 17 at 12:15 p.m.
Off this topic, but Wild Card. Does anyone know of a church or other non profit that is in need of a piano? I have one I would like to donate, but I really want it to go to a group who has a need and will really use it. Even somewhere I could go hear it being used.
wheels on February 17 at 1:17 p.m.
Alaska is as Alaska does.
keithincda on February 17 at 1:22 p.m.
Me,
Call Lake City Senior Center…they may be interested. Ask for LeAnn 667-4628.
Me on February 17 at 1:43 p.m.
Thanks Keith I will give them a call for sure.
Cabbage Boy on February 17 at 2:11 p.m.
Interesting

Burris tried to raise funds for Blagojevic
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090217/ap_on_go_co/burris_blagojevich

” Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges attempting to raise money for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich — an explosive twist in his ever-changing story on how he landed a coveted Senate appointment from the man accused of trying to sell the seat.”
toadman on February 17 at 2:15 p.m.
“Burris tried to raise funds for Blagojevic”

Will the douchebaggery never end? Sheesh… What is it with these people?
Cabbage Boy on February 17 at 2:19 p.m.
Toad,
my parents didn’t teach me a thing either. Other than it was not okay to talk about.

Lucky for me (or by the grace of God) I found my wife. We are trying to change that dynamic with our children.

Abstinence isn’t a birth control method nor is it STD prevention. But as we believe, it is proper for children. And no, not every child has the willpower and upbringing to abstain. But that doesn’t mean the state should teach my child a secular version of morality. If you object to abstinence teaching in the schools, you should also object to teaching about using artificial birth control. Because that is in the realm of morals, not education.

It needs to be in the hands of parents, not the government.
Cabbage Boy on February 17 at 2:20 p.m.
“What is it with these people?”

One of the biggest problems I have with Obama is his upbringing through the politics of Chicago. The corruption seems to be so profound and complete.
toadman on February 17 at 2:38 p.m.
“If you object to abstinence teaching in the schools, you should also object to teaching about using artificial birth control.” - CB

I don’t object to abstinence training in schools. I just think it should be coupled with a goo does of other things as well. As for it being in the realm of “morals,” I agree…but I’ll refer you to my tirade against parents as my argument for keeping it in schools.

Prevention is key for me. I’d rather anger a few people, and prevent unwanted pregnancies, than anything else. If people are upset about the fact that schools are teaching these things to their children, maybe they should ask WHY the school feels the need to teach their children this in the first place.

For so many parents…for too many, in fact…public school becomes a surrogate parent to their children. Much like my parents expected our church to be a surrogate parent. It shouldn’t have to be…as they say in the south, the “didn’t take ya to raise.” But as it is, there are parents who are too busy, or to non-communicative, or just to lazy, to actually BE parents.

…meh… I’ll stop now.. my chi is getting out of line…
toadman on February 17 at 2:40 p.m.
…as for the Chicago thing…

I’ll agree that it seems the level of corruption in Chicago politics is high, and I’m not giving Obama a pass….I just haven’t seen anything, yet, to make me suspect him of corruption.

I promise to keep a keen eye on my man, though. He got my vote this time, he’s gotta earn it again in four years.
Bent on February 17 at 2:41 p.m.
You know Cabbage, that is the one reason I decided not to vote for Obama. I just didn’t like the company he kept, and that is kind of playing itself out now.

Nevertheless, with that said, I have been impressed with his ability to move the politics — so far. I hope he is able to sustain that…

As far as sex ed goes, mine was on the job training… I figured it out pretty quick actually!

And I agree that it is the parents role to teach their children about sex…
Bob on February 17 at 4:10 p.m.
toad, you typed “goo does” in relation to sex ed. Perfect.
toadman on February 17 at 4:28 p.m.
Bob..
heh.. I rock like that.
;-)
Escapee on February 17 at 6:21 p.m.
Aha, Junior! He said it would be nice if he could close out his major league career with Seattle, He said it, he said it, I know he said it, ‘cos I read that he said it. He shoulda amended it to something like, “I want to finish as a Seattle Mariner unless Atlanta pays me more MONEY.” Junior ain’t dumb!
Joker on February 17 at 7:19 p.m.
Major League Baseball is trying to figure out how it can recapture its appeal. Strange to see A-Rod talking about needles.

The NFL is American’s Game. Baseball, a great way to down a hotdog and drink some cold beers.
sue on February 17 at 8:05 p.m.
It seems to me that conservatives view the world as they’d like it to be, not the way it is. Mom and Dad should teach their children about sex, their bodies, morality. I think we can all agree with that one. Lots of times there’s not a mom and dad, lots of mom and dads who don’t teach, lots of different kinds of family situations. Would the world come to an end if a teacher explained to a captive audience how babies are made and how to prevent them? I just don’t understand that fear. It doesn’t prevent participating parents from adding their concerns, just gives the kids a few more tools to prevent pregnancy and stds.
Bob on February 18 at 6:07 a.m.
What scares Christian extremist factions about public school sex ed is when little Johnny or Janie comes home and says “Father! Mother! Our teacher told us how babies were made and it wasn’t like you told all 11 of us kids! Angels do NOT pee on belly buttons to make babies!”

Anyhow, that was a bit over the top. Speaking of over top, we’re well into the Danny Gatton vs Roy Buchanan TUBOB Carnival of Made Up Stuff Extravaganza.over on my blog with the medal count currently tied who will win the next round? It’s “Danny vs Roy Arm Wrestling” this morning!

Money shot:

“Arm wrasslin’ is as quintessential American as all get out. It invokes images and smells of smoky, grimy bars stinkin of stale beer and broken dreams, of now fat ex jocks, maybe the star high school quarterback in little Buttpimple, Texas, livin out the string arm blasting drunks on pitted, heavily shellacked bar tables. We’ve all done it. If you’re a man and you haven’t arm wrassled somebody then go home to your momma. Get off my blog, man.”

http://unbearablebobness.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/danny-vs-roy-arm-wrasslin.html
JohnA on February 18 at 9:04 a.m.
Ten reasons Democrats urged President Obama to delay signing the Stimulus Bill until Tuesday in Denver.

1. The Treasury told him you just cannot possibly print nearly eight hundred billion in new money overnight.

2.The Treasury also reported their Secretary was attending a seminar with Tom Daschle featuring guest speakers, H and R Block.

3. Members of Congress urged the President to allow them time to actually READ the bill.

4. Meanwhile, member Democrats needed time so they could fully explain the pork projects they delivered to their constituents.

5. Lobbyists who failed somehow to get their clients any money in the bill wanted to spend time in New Mexico with Governor Bill Richardson.

6. While upset when his wife said he looked good in his new striped shirt, former Governor Rod Blogojevich wanted time to search his helmet hair for his lost fifteen minutes of fame.

7. Still convinced he won Florida in 2000, as torrential rain shortened sporting events at Pebble Beach and Daytona, Al Gore wanted to spend Presidents Day honoring himself.

8. A big sports fan himself, the President didn’t want to miss the NBA Slam Dunk contest in Phoenix.

9. Likewise, concerned about steroids, pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training wanted time to meet with new Senator Roland Burris so they could learn how to change their stories.

And, the biggest reason he chose Tuesday in Denver was:

10. The President wanted lawmakers to accompany him to chilly Denver so they could learn how to put their hands in their OWN pockets.
hmoffsuite on February 18 at 9:13 a.m.
One more: TV ratings are low on weekends and holidays.

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About this blog

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.