Seniors Work Candidates Over

Thu., Aug. 17, 2000

D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Rev

Sweet Potatoes to the Seasoned Citizens who grilled U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt and three other 5th District wannabes Monday. Too often, office seekers get away with saying nothing at forums and debates. But Riverview Retirement Center denizens gave Nethercutt & Co. both barrels. Fuhgeddabout term limits. King George was asked why Congress gave itself bigger raises than Social Security recipients got. And, Tom Keefe had to defend himself against charges that he’s a carpetbagger. We oughta hire Riverview’s codgers to emcee the presidential debates.

If you can’t stomach ‘em, drown ‘em - nearly

Sure, local fairs done good by banishing those annoying pols to their booths. But the quilt-and-livestock crowd also should require the votemongers to sit in the dunk tank. Now that would be a real public service … Don’t look now, but Ryan Leaf isn’t stinking up San Diego’s training camp. (Sorry for the double negative but it fits when dis/cussing Leaf.) Mebbe this’ll be the year we can be proud of the ol’ Wazzu QB - again … Spokane city worker bees must empathize with “Survivor.” They never know when that nasty alliance is gonna get ‘em. Right, Jim Sloane? … French Fries (or, “What’s the World Coming To?): 1, God-touting Democrats; 2, Tolerant Republicans; 3, Gore-hating Greens; 4, Bush-loving McCain; and 5, A Reform Party divided against itself.

`The Practice’ has nothing on Spokane courts

Innocent or guilty, Stanley Leonard Pietrzak has, ahem, awakened thrice to find women dead at his side. At least, he should have to wear a sign: “Sleeping with me can be hazardous to your life” … I’d love to have been a fly on the Coeur d’Alene Press newsroom wall after a cutline Tuesday described civil rights lawyer Morris Dees as (drum roll, please) the “Aryan Nations defense attorney” … Quotable Quote: The guards were “without the intellectual - no, I’m not going to say that - without the great educational achievements” needed to realize what they were doing - Edgar Steele, the real Aryan Nations attorney, defending Richard Butler in a civil case involving a July 1998 shooting incident … This edition of Hot Potatoes is brought to you by the No. 3. Or, the number of burly swans in the Slippery Gulch Days rendition of “Swan Lake” who wore knee braces with their pink tutus. Those pirouettes are as tough as they look.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.