Fishy ichthys churns up Washington

Huckleberries Online got in on the action last week when the ichthys hit the fan on the Washington State Democrats Web site. Ichthys? That’s what you call the metallic “Jesus fish” that’s stuck on some cars to designate the driver’s allegiance in today’s cultural struggle. Onward. Earlier this month, a Washington Demo with access to the party’s official Web site posted various car decals for sale, along with an ichthys, replete with hell fire and the word “hypocrite” in its belly. No trouble deciphering the message there. Several blogs, including Huckleberries, snagged the link before wiser heads at Demo Central pulled it. Next thing you know, the R’s were making tea out of this tempest, and a Seattle radio station was crediting Huckleberries, among others, for catching the D’s dissing religious righties. Which prompted state Rep. Doug Erickson, R-Ferndale, to demand an apology from Gov. Christine Gregoire on behalf of the Dems. Which prompted state Dem chief Paul Berendt to apologize on behalf of the state D’s. Which was all great fun for a blogger who calls Idaho home.

A Festivus Miracle?

First, you should know that a CPD Blue was summoned to a Coeur d’Alene family’s home one recent Saturday to take a report about their 16-year-old runaway daughter. A short while later, the CPD Blue spotted the runner at the East Tubbs Hill Park with two gal pals. The three spoke and moved lethargically, but they denied they were doped up. Seems Not-So-Sweet 16 had tested positive in a home drug test earlier. The girls weren’t thinking straight when they told the officer that – quote – “they were out on a dog walk during which (Sweet 16’s) dog was killed by another dog.” A story like that, of course, is easy to verify. The CPD Blue called the girl’s mother and learned, according to his report, that “the dog was miraculously safe and content at her feet.” Don’t you love happy endings?

‘Tis The Season

So, Eric Anderson was minding his own business in the checkout line at Coeur d’Alene’s Big K when a thirtysomething femme cut in front of him and demanded that the clerk call the Toy Department. Ms. Ill Manners wanted a certain toy car. The clerk made the call but couldn’t get anyone to pick up. At that point, a fellow employee informed the clerk that the worker in the back probably was busy helping someone on the floor. So, Ms. Ill Manners stomped off, muttering darkly. The worst part of this? The clerk wasn’t surprised by the rude behavior. Seems local stores now get cuss-tomers who phone in their lists and demand that employees have everything ready for them when they show up. So much for the cuss-tomer always being right. Or understanding.

Scotland Or Bust?

So, what was with the bagpipes at the vow swap between CdA City Administrator Wendy Hague and Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel on Dec. 10 at the Greenbriar Inn? Our best guess is that it had something to do with the new Mrs. Gabriel winning a trip to Scotland in a raffle. That, or some of the lads from Scotland who played in that golf challenge with the Coeur d’Alenes at Circling Raven missed their flights back. The Hague-Gabriel wedding was a who’s who event, with Mayor Sandi Bloem officiating. (Read: if you weren’t invited, you’re not a WW.) … Speaking of invitations, Her Sandiness (Johannes Jewelers) and her brother, Greg Crimp (Sports Cellar), were among the few, if not only, downtown property owners not invited to a private shindig staged by resortster Duane Hagadone to develop strategy to stop possible city height restrictions. Sandi’s been on Hagadone’s B List since she didn’t back his play for a downtown memorial garden.

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: “Great crowds with credit cards in hand/swarm stores and malls across the land/and so economists agree/that virgin births help GDP” – The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“Green Christmas”). … A Helena Independent Record poll online revealed that 92 percent of respondents supported an a la carte approach to cable TV – you know, to pick just the channels they want to see. So, why aren’t the cable companies still offering packages with 30 shopping channels? … Bumpersnicker (on a green rig at Pounder’s Jewelry on Spokane’s Division Street spotted by Jon Livingston): “Don’t worry what people think. They don’t do it very often.” … Sightem (by Jim Wilger): A Santa browsing through a copy of Guns and Ammo magazine between gigs at the Athlete’s Choice/Sandpoint. Now, there’s a Santa who knows what North Idaho boys want. And their fathers, too.

Parting Shot

“In May, I was standing in line at Starbucks at Central Park West in NYC talking to my Spokane buddies that were with me to see a Mariners game, and a Noo York Citty woman asked me what was going on with our Mayor. … Then a guy came up and asked the same question. We encountered similar situations several times during our four-day visit to the Big Apple. … This will be with us for quite some time” – a Spokane commenter to Huckleberries Online who agrees Spokane civic leaders have their work cut out to overcome the damage to the city’s image caused by former Mayor Jim West’s scandal. Bingo.