Kerfuffles were a learning experience

I never encountered a kerfuffle until Opinion Editor Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman brought one to my attention a few weeks ago. Now, I’ve found two. A “kerfuffle”? My American Slang dictionary describes one as “disorder, confusion.” The dictionary then illustrates the word by using a quote from Maureen Dowd: “Don Imus … has thrown the capital into a kerfuffle.” It’s a noun. An old one. From 1813. Richert used kerfuffle in discussing the commotion created when House Speaker Lawrence Denney asked Statehouse journalists to join representatives in pledging allegiance to kick off the day or leave the House floor. Last week, I noticed that we had a kerfuffle on our hands here in North Idaho. Or at least that’s how the Air Force Times addressed the confusion surrounding the Navy’s initial decision to prevent local Iraq war vets from receiving $103 Buck knives as gifts for their service. “A brief Internet kerfuffle.” In an April 3 story, staff writer Philip Ewing broke down the “miniature scandal” for Air Force Times readers, noting blogosphere criticism of the Navy stand. And how quickly the problem was resolved when Navy officials found a loophole that allowed them to save face as they did an about face. In the end, the Legislature adjourned. Local Iraq vets got their knives. And many of us learned an old slang word.

April Foolishness

Huckleberries hears … that April Fool’s Day story in the Coeur d’Alene Press caused a kerfuffle, too – with several readers calling to see if it was true or complain when they realized it wasn’t. Despite the byline, “April Fuhl,” the story tracked too close for comfort with a recent decision by the state to grant Press owner Duane Hagadone a permit for a 177-foot dock at his Casco Bay house. Titled “Dock decision may deny all boating,” the faux story told of a judge’s ruling that allowed “Doc Ock” – yeah, Spidey, there were all kinds of hints about the spoof – to build a mega-dock stretching from one side of the lake to within 41 yards of the other side. Tongue firmly cheeked, April Fuhl (aka Editor Mike Patrick) reported that the project could close the lake “to all boating, kayaking and stone-skipping activities.” A photo of a mile-long pier in southern California accompanied the April 1 story. Unfortunately, for April Fuhl, the prank tapped a fear among locals that Boss Hag or some other rich guy like him really was going to do something that would drive them off their lake. After all, they’ve been driven off Sanders Beach. And the lake and shoreline has become increasingly crowded with boats, docks, marinas, and million-dollar homes. Seems April Fuhl’s joke was on the merry pranksters who tried to pull it off.

Huckleberries

With regular selling for $3.29 per gallon and diesel for $4.09 at the Conoco station on Spokane Street last week, Post Falls Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson noticed that there was one bargain on the readerboard: “Free horse and buggy parking.” She has a nifty photo at her OnLocation North Idaho blog site (fyinorthidaho.blogspot.com) to prove it … While vacationing near Tucson, Ariz., Berry Picker MamaJD sighted this vanity plate: “TOETAPN.” Sez she: “I wondered if the driver was Larry Craig or if the real owner had any regrets now about their plate” … Online Poll: 73 percent of the first 681 respondents to an Idaho Statesman poll last week awarded the 2008 Legislature D’s and F’s for its work. Or lack thereof. Only 9 percent gave lawmakers A’s and B’s. … I’d give the solons a D. They avoided an F because they increased the grocery sales tax credit.

Parting Shot

Speaking of the 2008 session, I’m running “How They Voted” features almost daily at Huckleberries Online to remind voters how their solons voted on important issues. So far, I’ve spotlighted votes on Rep. Jim Clark’s failed plan involving the biz equipment tax and on the Repubs’ attempt to appease their uberconservatives by modifying the primary system. I’ll review 10-12 votes and include links to all previous how-they-voted posts. Check it out.