Warring Columnists Call Truce For A Day
He’s called me and mine “murderers” for demanding that convicted killer Don Paradis be used as target practice; I’ve called him “shameless” for defending the Death Row inmate. And that’s just one of several issues Coeur d’Alene Press columnist David Bond and I disagree upon. Field burning? He’s thumbs down. I’m thumbs up. Thong man? Just the opposite. Still, it was fun Monday to share a platform with Bond at a North Idaho College “Popcorn Forum” on journalism. For an hour, Bond and I tried to justify to skeptical high schoolers why two of the richest men in the area pay us - two middle-aged former hippies - to tell you what we think. (Frankly, we can’t figure it out ourselves, but we like it.) For a day, it was refreshing to drop the “them-against-us” mentality that fuels the North Idaho Newspaper War. The North Idaho chapter of the Idaho Press Club deserves Sweet Potatoes for organizing the event. (Of course, today’s a new day - and another chance to kick Bond and those egg-sucking dogs from Brand X.)
Chaney stands by his (Fuhr)man
I made the mistake Tuesday of driving down Euclid Avenue en route to a jayvee football game between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint high schools at Memorial Field. Now, I know where Mark Fuhrman’s house is. Television crews and vans were everywhere slowing traffic and annoying neighbors. Meanwhile, Sandpoint Mayor Ron Chaney was lurking in the bushes threatening to have police arrest anyone who stood on the sidewalk or shined a light on the Fuhrman house. Chaney’s done this before - with Q-6 reporter Tobby Hatley. But the nation’s eyes were on the Fuhrman house Tuesday after the ridiculous Simpson verdict. It was a bad time for a meltdown by the mayor of a neat community fighting an undeserved racist image. Only 33 shopping days left till the municipal elections.
Day’s hand wringing getting a bit old
Outdoorsmen have a saying that Boundary County Prosecutor Randy Day should take to heart: Fish or cut bait. For years, he’s been threatening to file criminal charges against FBI agents involved in the Ruby Ridge shootout. The Justice Department used Day’s saber rattling as an excuse to bottle up a damaging internal report about the siege. And Capitol Hill aides said Day’s indecisiveness about filing state charges prompted several agents to hide behind the Fifth Amendment and dampened recent congressional hearings. Now, with Idaho Attorney General Al Lance’s offer to help him prosecute FBI agents, Day should quit posturing and file charges. Or cut bait.
, DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.