Next, Senator Will Claim He Rescued Mayo

What’s this? Seems U.S. Sen. Dirk Kempthorne is taking partial credit for bringing Marine Cpl. Zachary Mayo of Osburn home for the holidays. So says a news release from Kempthorne’s office: “Sen. Kempthorne … followed through with the Marine’s request (to go home) and facilitated Mayo’s return home.” Funny, the corps told us that sending a leatherneck home after a harrowing experience (like Mayo’s 36 hours in the Arabian Sea) was standard operating procedure. But what do we know?

News pegs: If a toxic waste cleanup isn’t sexy enough to attract news coverage, two eco-groups involved in CdA basin work are dangling story angles with guaranteed appeal: sex, violence and religion. Enviros contend their story has sex (brothels once flourished in the Silver Valley), violence (historic labor wars) and religion (the Cataldo mission). These guys should be writing for Kempthorne.

Helen vs. Dan: Apparently, Congress(wo)man Helen Chenoweth thought we’d missed the news about the passage of a balanced budget. Why else would she fax us two Washington Times stories with a big picture (54 square inches) of Give-‘Em-Helen shaking hands all around? The articles didn’t mention the Lady of the House once, though. (Memo to Helen: Thanks, but we subscribe to several wire services.) … Then, there was Friday’s fund-raiser in Spokane for Democrat Dan Williams, a potential Chenoweth opponent. In invitations, host Douglas Siddoway of Spokane claims Chenoweth “has proven to be an embarrassment to the state and its citizens.” This from a resident of a state whose governor can’t keep his hands to himself. (Memo to Doug Siddoway: Spokane doesn’t have an Idaho ZIP code, bub.)

Foot-draggin’ boogie: Idaho’s U.S. Attorney Betty Richardson told the Idaho Press Club she wants quicker responses to Freedom of Information Act requests. During her second week in office, she ordered the report from her extensive background check by the FBI. That was two years ago. She’s still waiting. … Gary Crider’s past run-ins with the law came in handy last week when he helped coax a buddy into surrendering to Spokane police. Crider? He’s the constitutionalist who campaigned for Idaho governor last year from the back of a motorcycle. He’s been the featured attraction in two standoffs. Last week’s fracas ended after Crider provided a TV sound bite to his surrounded friend. Attaboy?

Huckleberries: That Schweitzer billboard along I-90 at Post Falls (with the requisite skier busting through powder) offers interesting advice: “Call in sick.” Do you suppose the Schweitzer high command would approve if its employees did so? … Huh? After losing a tough basketball game against Lake City High, Post Falls coach Chris Johnson said: “I can’t remember the last time we were up at half-time against Lake City.” That shouldn’t be hard. Lake City’s only 15 months old. (I know. I know. He’s probably talking about the LCHS and its CdA High roots.) … Says Jim Watson, the Post Falls megamall dreamer: “Ten years from now, you won’t believe what the I-90 corridor is going to be.” North Division? East Sprague? I can hardly wait. … At first, the bumpersnicker on the Jeep or Blazer parked in downtown Sandpoint didn’t make sense: “I brake for all animals except COUGARS.” Then, you notice the vehicle’s color - a deep Husky purple.

Parting shot: Apparently, the Whos in Who-ville aren’t going to let the Grinch steal Christmas. Sandpoint residents have erected their 31-foot community tree again - this time outside the Bonner County Courthouse. As you may recall, Coldhearted Creek (sssss, boo) evicted the tree from its traditional Cedar Creek Bridge site. Seems it was obscuring a sign. On Friday, volunteer GTE crews set up the tree again. And all the Sandpointers in Sandpoint-ville joined hands and sang. Gee, I love a happy ending.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huckleberry. Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline, (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review