President Obama will reveal his latest green parachute — the mortgage bailout plan — today in Mesa, AZ.  The plan is expected to include renewed participation by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Over nine years ago on September 30, 1999, the New York Times ran a news article written by Steven A. Holmes and headlined Fannie Mae Eases Credit to Aid Mortgage Lending.  It would appear the New York Times’ crystal ball was working then.

US Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-1) has introduced H.R. 45.  It’s intent is “To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes. ”  The entire text of H.R. 45, also cited as “Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009”, is  here.

EDAR^tm  stands for Everyone Deserves a Roof.  You may have seen it on CBS Evening News tonight under the lead “A Roof On Wheels for the Homeless.”   There is a much more detailed description of the project at the EDAR^tm website.   I don’t know if this would work in Coeur d’Alene “as is” or if some modification would be required for more severe weather.  But at just about $500 per unit, I’d rather donate to this than have $100,000 in public money spent to line the pocket of some councilperson’s relative or friend for unnecessary artwork.

As Kootenai County residents already know, North Idaho College wants to purchase approximately 17 acres of land adjoining its existing campus. The land is known as the DeArmond mill site. For those interested in better understanding this transaction, here are links to two documents obtained as a result of an Idaho Public Records Law request to NIC.

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