Oh Dear, Dirk’S Over A Barrel

Sun., March 28, 1999

My blood pressure dropped every day after the Rubber Ducky Legislature adjourned. Until Thursday. That’s when Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said he hadn’t decided whether to veto a bill that would allow kids to take guns to school. And it’s when state Rep. Jim Clark, one of the 64 House solons who backed this goofy legislation, asked: “What do you do when one portion of the bill you like and the other portion you don’t like?” I don’t know what there is to like about this bill. But to answer Clark’s question … you vote no-dang-way - even if the National Rifle Association is leaning on you. Got that, guv’nah?

‘Tis more fun to dish it out than to receive

That silly complaint by far-right propagandist Edgar Steele of Sagle ended up where it belonged - in the Sandpoint city attorney’s round file. Last summer, Steele complained he was assaulted at the Bonner County Fair when then-commissioner Larry Allen called him an “idiot” and a “liar.” At the time, Steele was handing out material that slimed Allen and other courthouse employees. Methinks the pot didn’t like the kettle getting personal … Say, didn’t you used to be downtown Coeur d’Alene? … If North Idaho gets a fifth legislative district, does that mean we have extra clout - or three more legislators for Senate Pro Tem Jerry Twiggs and House Speaker Bruce Newcomb to lead around by the nose?

Sweet Potatoes: Meyer, Berg, Caughran

The local GOP is running a full-court press to get supermarket owner Ron McIntire named to replace Judy Meyer of Coeur d’Alene on the state Board of Education. The position should go to a North Idahoan. And McIntire, the former chairman of the Coeur d’Alene School Board, would be an excellent choice. As would Post Falls City Administrator Jim Hammond. As was Meyer … Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the only thing that worried you was whether the Mariners will be able to sign both Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez to contracts beyond Y2K? … Sweet Potatoes to coach Greg Berg and all-star Jack Caughran, who led a team of Post Falls brainiacs to second place in the state quiz bowl.

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Oh Dear, Dirk’S Over A Barrel

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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