Public Periscope
It’s a nice photo, though
A sometime-contributor to “Public Periscope” dropped off an unusual campaign appeal he had received via Priority Mail. At first, it seemed to be a real treasure, an autographed full-color picture from House Speaker Newt Gingrich, smiling as he lends pen to something on his desk. “Thanks for signing on,” says the caption, followed by a looping - but hard to decipher - script signature. … But the big loops didn’t quite look like an “N” and a “G,” prompting us to wonder about the picture’s origin. So we did what most people don’t do with junk mail: We read it. … Turns out the picture was of - but not from - Gingrich. The sender was someone named Dr. Robert Grant, chairman of something called Christian Voice. Grant wasn’t asking us to sign on to the Republican Revolution but to the Pledge to Restore and Protect America as One Nation Under God.
It’s necessary, Grant says, because “Satan is running wild while Christians slumber.” The group needs our faith, courage, hope and prayers, he adds. And up to $1,000, too, if we can spare it.
He almost had us until we read the line that said the donation wouldn’t be tax-deductible “because we lobby for decency and morality.” Sorry, doc, but it’s not deductible because you lobby. Period.
Surveying the young landscape
Groups of all persuasions have been faxing polls regarding the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky matter. The most interesting came from Nickelodeon, the children’s cable television network. … When 300 kids ages 8 to 14 were asked to name a news event, 60 percent named the Clinton-Lewinsky issue; 17 percent named the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. When prompted, 100 percent said they were aware of the story involving the president and the former White House intern. … Three-fourths of the kids said Clinton was doing an average or better job, but half said the president is not honest.
More than just garbage
Some true experts at talking trash will be doing it Friday evening. They won’t be exchanging trivial insults but will be discussing Spokane’s sometimes controversial waste-to-energy plant at a public forum. … Panelists will include Tony Grover, regional director of the state Department of Ecology; Dale Arnold, environmental programs director for the city of Spokane; Eric Skelton, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority director; and Tim Connor, research director for the Northwest Environmental Education Foundation. … Moderating the program will be Karen Dorn Steele, the newspaper’s environmental reporter. It will start at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive.
Deadline looms
Want to vote at the polls on Nov. 3? You’ve got to be registered. If you aren’t, you have until Saturday to get registered. … Finding a registrar is easier than you may think. Most schools, fire stations, public libraries and government offices have a qualified registrar or can provide a mail-in application.
Catch the candidates
Friday: 6th Legislative District state Senate and Spokane County commissioner candidates at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum, 7:30 a.m., Public Works Building hearing room. $2 for breakfast.
Friday:3rd Legislative District state House candidates for Positions 1 and 2 in a taped televised debate, 8:30 p.m., “Spokane This Week,” KSPS-TV, Channel 7.