Luckily, No Food Was Thrown

Thu., March 2, 2000

D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Rev

I ‘d forgotten that the Sigma Nu house at the University of Oregon was a neighbor of the original “Animal House” - until a frat rat who identified himself as “Chris” called. Chris, a Washington State Sigma NUer, was honked that Hot Potatoes poked fun at his fraternity last week. (I believe the word I used was “stupid.”) Chris didn’t seem as concerned as I that firefighters recently found a bound Sigma Nuer in the fraternity’s burning building. “It wasn’t any big deal,” Chris huffed. He ended his tantrum by telling me what I could do with myself and slamming down the phone. Bluto would have been proud.

Can Gonzaga catch lightning in a bottle again?

Hey, would someone wake up Gonzaga and tell it that the NCAAs are almost here? Here’s hoping Spokaloonians spend another postseason telling the nation how to pronounce the name of the Little School That Almost Did … Don’t look now, but there’s more hate groups in Washington (17) and Oregon (13) than there are in Idaho (11) - most along the interstate, soon to be known as I(Hate You)-5 … Sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Y2K Bugged, Leap Year Day didn’t do the trick either. It’s time to take down those signs that say, “The End Is Near” … French Fries on the Side, or GOPers Not Yet Alienated by U.S. Sen. John McCain: 1, Republicans for Bradley; 2, Arizona Republicans; 3, Country club agnostics; 4, Gary Bauer; and 5, Log Cabin Republicans.

The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight doesn’t

Idaho has - what? - 25 Democrats. And half of them were angry that Clinton adviser Bruce Reed spoke at a Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in honor of his parents, Scott and Mary Lou Reed of Coeur d’Alene. No wonder Idaho D’s can’t win elections … I wish I had a buck for every smitten McCain supporter (his word, not Hot Potatoes’) who has said: “I don’t agree with his positions but I’m going to vote for him anyway.” I could afford dinner at Beverly’s … Quotable Quote: “This clearly is not a First Amendment situation. This business has no right to exist because it’s fundamentally wrong” - Stateline Showgirls protester Ken Lohmeyer. The U.S. Supreme Court would disagree … This edition of Hot Potatoes was brought to you by the number “more than 5,000.” Or the number of people who have signed petitions against the Burlington Northern Santa Fe fuel depot proposal. Kootenai County will decide the matter Monday.

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.