Republicans unhinged by recent vote
Huckleberries hears … that the election of former Demo strategist Mike Kennedy to the Coeur d’Alene City Council has unhinged Kootenai County Republicans. Seems the Elephants believe that there are too many “rats” – their word, not Huckleberries’ – at City Hall. And that Mayor Sandi Bloem has been too lax in checking pachyderm pedigree. After all, they harrumph, City Attorney Mike Gridley ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the Idaho Legislature. And Demo Ryan Hill was recently appointed to the Coeur d’Alene P&Z committee. The local R Central Committee already is bothered by Democrats masquerading as Republicans in their ranks. And they are worried mightily that Kennedy could use the nonpartisan City Council office to jump to partisan higher office, such as the county commission or a legislative post. Remember: the GOP Central Committee was the same Gang Who Couldn’t Shoot Straight that misfired by running attack ads against Kennedy in the closing days of his campaign. Some credit the R’s for boosting Kennedy to an easy win because CdA voters didn’t like their tactics or attempt to turn a municipal race into a partisan one. Seems the more the R’s stew and scheme, the better local D’s look.
You’ve come a long way
Dunno what it’s like to break the nicotine habit, but Bob Salsbury/Unbearable Bobness of Being, an erstwhile chain-smoker, hinted that it wasn’t easy in a recent blog posting: “I sit here and munch handfuls of honey roasted peanuts and suck on Werther’s and drink iced Mountain Dew and try to stop these insidious little proposals I make to my higher power to bargain tobacco back into my life.” If that ain’t enough, Bob continued to describe his sixth week without his ashy lover: “Still these moments arrive like a trench-coated and jackbooted soldier pounding on my front door and like a ruby-lipped mistress sweetly beckoning me to bed and like a cloud of flies rising off a slick abattoir floor.” He frets that such moments may never leave. But he remains fixed on the goal: “I’m buying time and I’m stealing my future back.” Anyone else who has horror stories re: shaking the cigarette habit is invited to share them with Huckleberries Online readers: www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/nhb.
Biggest losers
It’s hard to decide who was the biggest loser so far this holiday season. The two live wires who got into a fight while pushing their way into Fred Meyer/CdA at opening time on Black Friday. One cussed the other for cutting, got punched – and they both ended up talking to CPD Blue. … Or the woman sitting with middle-aged friends on lawn chairs in a pickup bed in a Sherman Avenue lot who was miffed that people dared stand in front of her on the sidewalk during CdA’s winter holiday parade – the one who kept yelling, “Down in front.” … Or UI Vandal footballers, including former Lake City High star Luke Smith-Anderson, who defended teammate Taylor Rust after he was beaten trying to crash a frat party – and now are facing disturbing-the-peace charges.
Huckleberries
Poet’s Corner: “This icy white stuff known as snow/can make it hard to stop and go;/don’t be alarmed to see it here/for snow falls on us every year? – The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“For Motorists Who Have Forgotten”) … Huckleberries hears that – Marina Kalani, the femme fatale in the infamous Kootenai County prosecutor’s office e-mail hubbub, has a good chance to play the lead shrew in the Lake City Playhouse’s version of “Kiss Me, Kate,” scheduled for showing in late winter. Ms. K currently is singing at The Slab/Post Falls. Stay tuned. … Sign of the times (a church readerboard at Fourth and Hanley/CdA on Friday): “Behold I am coming soon – Xmas Craft Fair Dec 3.” All of which prompted a Huckleberries Online wag to remark: “I didn’t realize God was an arts and crafts sort of guy. Do you suppose he’ll be signing autographs!” Mebbe for those who buy his book. … For those keeping score at home, regular gasoline was selling for $1.98.9 in Twin Falls, Idaho – a week ago. Eatcher hearts out, Washingtonians. … Quotable quote: “He knows about huntin’ and fishin’ … and I bet he’s called a son of a gun a son of a gun a time or two over the years.” – Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (in The Idaho Statesman) describing ex-Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, a Democrat, while explaining to Idaho D’s at the Ada County JFK Dinner why they should put distance between themselves and the liberal blue coasts if they plan to win back Idaho hearts. … In the “Out of the Mouths of Babes” department, little Bailey Brodwater listened with his mother to Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” and then asked, “Why do some people have red necks?” Ah, is Jeff Foxworthy around?
Parting shot
Didja hear the one about the Washington State Police sergeant who posed as a beggar on an onramp in Vancouver, Wash., cardboard sign and all? Seems he’d radio ahead to partners waiting on Highway 500 if he saw that a Good Samaritan who pulled over to help him wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. The WSP caught 41 fish that way. And, believe it or not, the sting scored points with 56 percent of the readers who responded to a Columbian Online poll about it. Me? It was nothing more than entrapment – and another reason why Idaho shouldn’t allow cops to pull us over for not wearing seatbelts. Cue up razzberry sound.