Blogroll

Dec. 18 –  After almost nine years, the American presence in Iraq is over. Early today the last  American soldiers rolled out of Iraq and into Kuwait.

 Since March of 2003, 4,500 American lives were lost; $800 billion invested in this war.  Like all wars, the question, “Was it worth it?” cannot be easily answered and is subject to opinion.

 ”My heart goes out to the Iraqis,” said Warrant Officer John Jewell, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “The innocent always pay the bill.”

Dec. 18 – One problem with avoiding downtown Spokane because you don’t like the parking options is that this policy rules out the possibility that you will experience the minor thrill of happening onto a miracle spot.

You know – a legit, roomy streetside opening right in front of your destination.

I was off work last week but still had occasion to drive downtown just about every day. And time after time, the perfect parking spot beckoned just as I arrived at my destination.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. 

Dec. 17 – Bald eagles are mobbing Lake Coeur d’Alene in record numbers this week.

On Thursday, U.S. Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist Carrie Hugo returned from an eagle cruise boat tour and reported that eagles were “all over the place” compared to just the week before.

Dec. 14 – Newly elected Sen. Mike Padden of Spokane Valley received his traditional hazing by colleagues today as the Senate wound down toward adjournment of the special session.

After passing a $480 million partial fix to the budget and some bills necessary to make that work, Padden received a “point of personal privilege” ostensibly to thank other senators for a resolution early this year honoring predecessor Bob McCaslin, someone who was “a delight to be around – most of the time,” he noted.

McCaslin and Padden were both first elected to the Legislature in 1980. Some other members who served with Padden in the House chided him that things have changed a bit since he left the other chamber in the mid-’90s to become a judge. Padden is like the movie character Austin Powers who was frozen in time, Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville said: “We have to help Mike adjust to this century.”