In the strict sense of the slang word, a “quickie” can describe anything done, well, quickly. This, according to the Dictionary of American Slang. This definition lends credence to the claim by Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas that the “quickie” suggested by former hireling Marina Kalani late Jan. 10, 2005, was nothing more than a quick meeting to sign some paperwork. The exchange, which was revealed in the final group of e-mails given to the S-R Friday, began with Douglas e-mailing Kalani: “So many dedicated people working late tonight.” And Kalani responding: “Too many!! No chance of a quickie?” Over the years, according to the slang dictionary, a “quickie” has meant a variety of things: a quick drink of liquor, something rushed, an unauthorized strike, and, of course, the sex act done hastily. In the vernacular of the prosecutor’s office, “quickie” apparently means quick meeting. Douglas told the S-R that he has held “quickies” with Chief Deputy Prosecutor Marty Raap. Dunno if Douglas’ e-mail exchanges with Raap are as sexually charged as his with Kalani. But I do know one thing. If an editor invites me into his/her office late at night for a “quickie,” I’m taking a chaperone with me – in case we’re on different pages, definitionwise.

Take your falcon, and …

Headliner: “Secretary of Interior to visit Boise to unveil Idaho quarter.” Translation: Dirk Kempthorne returns to the scene of the crime, where, as Idaho guv, he unilaterally chose the peregrine falcon as Idaho’s symbol for the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program. After all, nothing sez Idaho like a generic falcon, right? Wrong … In the “Searching for a Silver Lining” Dept., you can say that a peregrine falcon is a better symbol than a russet potato or a KKK bedsheet … By contrast, Washington’s quarter rocks, featuring a king salmon breaching the water in front of Mount Rainier … French Fries (or “Idaho symbols more relevant than a falcon”): 1. George W. Bush and/or an elephant, 2. An overbearing tourist, 3. A minimum wage earner, 4. A “private beach” sign, or 5. an out-of-work logger/miner.

Sucker born per minute

Quotable Quote: “For a long time, I’ve viewed (bottled water) as a huge marketing scam” – Salt Lake City Mayor Ross “Rocky” Anderson, explaining why he has called for city employees to drink tap water and use refillable water bottles. Translation: P.T. Barnum was right … Hat Tip: One-word review of Spokane developer John Stone’s new public park at his Riverstone project in CdA: Wow … Almost every adult I know is reading/has read J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Does anyone know if there were enough copies left over for the kids? BTW, I began the book last night … Today’s edition of Hot Potatoes was brought to you by the No. 2.9M. Or, the number of George Washingtons that the estate of Otto Zehm wants from the city of Spokane as a result of the police thuggery that claimed the mentally disabled janitor’s life March 18, 2006. Or, Spokane’d better settle this one pronto because it’ll lose – big time – if this suit goes to trial.