January « 2009 « OpenCdA

January 30, 2009

Themes

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 1:06 pm

(Note: Turn on your computer sound. All the links have audio. On Feb. 1 some will take you to video clips with audio. You may want to open links in a new tab.)

Prominent people should have a theme song. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (left), accused of trying to sell former Senator Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder, might have claimed this song as his theme before yesterday. After being convicted in the impeachment proceeding and removed by the Illinois Senate yesterday, citizen Blagojevich (right) might have chosen this song. Here are some possible theme songs for a few local personalities.

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January 29, 2009

Fraudian Slip?

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 1:05 pm

A public official commits a “Fraudian slip” (not to be confused with a “Freudian slip”) when he reveals how his agency sometimes appears to view its stewardship of the public’s money. Speaking to the Idaho legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee in Boise on Wednesday, North Idaho College Vice President for Community Relations John Martin was quoted by Associated Press writer Sarah D. Wire as saying:

We’re looking at those founders [of NIC] as our inspiration as how to do less with more.

No, you read it right. That’s how it appeared on page A5 of the Coeur d’Alene Press article headlined “NIC touts budget experience.”

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January 28, 2009

Lobbyist for NIC

Filed under: General — mary @ 10:55 am

money-in-the-toilet Yet again we see our tax dollars at work. NIC has now hired it’s own Boise lobbyist–not surprisingly the same lobbyist who’s been working for LCDC. John Martin, new spokesperson for NIC said, “We just felt that we needed to do a better job of making sure all the legislators, and not just our 15 from North Idaho, know our story.” The cost of $12,000 for 6 months may not seem like much, but it would pay a kid’s college tuition.

You can read more about it on Betsy Russell’s blog, Eye on Boise, here: http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise

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January 27, 2009

Another Mayor Arrested for Bribery

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 8:23 pm

The Hartford Courant is reporting that Hartford, CT, mayor Eddie Perez was arrested by Connecticut State Police today and charged with two counts of bribery, one count of fabricating evidence, and one count of conspiracy to fabricate evidence.

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Workers Rights and Private Votes

Filed under: The City's Pulse — mary @ 9:22 am

The City’s Pulse Newsletter, By Mary Souza

Idaho is a right to work state. People often believe that right to work is bad; that it bans all unions and keeps wages low, but that is not the case.Right to work does not keep unions out. It does not set wage limits. It gives every worker the freedom to join a union or not join, and their job cannot be taken away from them, whatever their decision about membership. (more…)

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January 26, 2009

In Their Own Words…

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 12:01 am

(Note: Turn on your computer sound. There is an .mp3 file link in this post.)

kennedy-portrait

My July 3, 2008, post titled In Her Own Words… focused on former Coeur d’Alene City Council member Dixie Reid’s words uttered during the November 7, 2006, City Council meeting. Her words revealed the Council’s flagrant violation of the Idaho Open Meeting Law. In defending the Council’s violation of state law, Council members Al Hassell (left) and Mike Kennedy (right) only added to the incriminating evidence.

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January 25, 2009

No Local Talent Here

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 8:41 am

Sunday’s New York Times has a lengthy article titled The Talented Mr. Madoff. It inventories the talents that have now made Bernard L. Madoff almost a household name. We’re so fortunate we don’t have any public officials or quasi-public officials with Madoff’s talents here in Coeur d’Alene.

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January 24, 2009

Open Session, Still Winter

Filed under: Open Session — mary @ 7:25 am

images1 Who to believe on the whole subject of climate change and its causes? Are we warming or cooling? Is it man-made or nature’s cycle? Yesterday I learned that the Cap and Trade system proposed to regulate carbon emissions will create a 2 TRILLION dollar industry…just in trading the rights to put carbon dioxide into the air.

Doesn’t Al Gore own a company that will “facilitate” these carbon trades? Any other comments, ideas?

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January 20, 2009

Jury System Works

Filed under: Probable Cause — Bill @ 8:58 am

People who follow criminal justice remember well the jury in the O.J. Simpson criminal trial. It was that jury who renewed public interest in jury nullification. That jury’s verdict left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. Sometimes, juries follow the court’s instructions, consider only the admitted evidence, and arrive at a just verdict which they found personally distasteful. That appears to be what happened in Orange County, California, a few days ago.

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January 19, 2009

Open Session, Inaguration!

Filed under: Open Session — mary @ 10:54 am

images A hallmark of our freedom is the peaceful transition of governing power every 4 or 8 years. So tomorrow we will wish our new President all the best. We know there are serious challenges to face.

I was amused by a letter to the Press last week, the author observing that for the past 2 years we’ve been told everything is terrible and getting worse by the day. His speculation is that, starting Wednesday morning, the message will change. Things will seem better rapidly. Instead of a glass half empty, it will instantly and miraculously be half full. What do you think? Any other comments or ideas?

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