You've got To Wonder About Politicians!

When you come right down to it, our politicians are a pretty tame bunch when it comes to mass public embarrassment. Oh sure, you have those who have affairs, and who chase after pages be they male or female, and those who hide tens of thousands of dollars in their freezers, but they seem to be one off indiscretions. Nothing like the fisticuffs we've seen that occur among some governing bodies.

But, wow! Nothing like Australia! According to Reuters, some of their politicians may have to take breathalyzer tests before they can vote on legislation! It seems that in New South Wales one lawmaker resigned after shoving a female colleague after a Christmas party.

That doesn't seem too bad. I guess it depends on how hard he shoved her. I hate it when details are sketchy!

I guess the final straw was when the police minister did some "dirty dancing" in his underwear over the chest of, again, a female colleague after a drunken post budget office party! Now that must have been something to see! And I wonder what the budget looks like!

We haven't seen the likes of that kind of behavior in this country since Fanne Foxe, the Argentine Firecracker, fled congressman Wilbur Mills' car and jumped into the D.C. Tidal Basin back in 1974!

I try to picture some of our august legislators cavorting in such a manner and find it most unsettling!

I've never thought our legislators needed much more then an I.Q. test! This breathalyzer suggestion has me wondering if the Aussies, too, might benefit from one.

Rather than administering the test before they enter Parliament to cast their votes, how about after the parties that seem to follow the meetings? Or cut down on the parties! Or the meetings!

Maybe there is something to be said for our "two party" system! If you get my drift.

How Do You Like Your Elk? Poached?

A rule that has stood for twenty five years apparently has no sound basis. It seems, in it's infinite wisdom, the Interior Department is going to ease the ban on guns in our National Parks and wildlife refuges.

I posted a protest back in April when this was proposed and I feel as strongly about it now. At the time a commenter, who happened to be a law enforcement officer, felt he should be permitted to carry his weapon. I could find no fault with that. However, I do have a problem with John Q. Citizen.

Our National Parks are basically sanctuaries for the wildlife that call them home. They are also a sanctuary for the millions of people who visit them. The biggest danger one should face is from ones own stupidity for hassling the animals. Tired, unruly children can cause tempers to run thin. Knowing someone who has had enough might be carrying a concealed weapon and feel called upon to use it does not give me comfort.

The system for detection now is flawed. True. But why not mend it rather than making it easier?

Of more importance, I think it will increase the odds for poaching some of those magnificent animals. Maybe that, too, goes on now. I don't know, but why make it easier?

We may not be able to keep guns out of schools. We may not be able to keep the police from wanting to have guns in schools. But I'd like to think I could take kids to our National Parks and not have to worry about - guns!

Frankly, I prefer my elk as pictured above. Peacefully grazing on a warm summer day. Without worrying about - guns.

Build A Better Burg(er) And They Will Come!

Every once in awhile the little town we share a zip code with grabs my attention. I've mentioned before I have a fondness for Rathdrum, Idaho. With the larger nearby towns of Post Falls and Hayden ever encroaching on it's boundaries, they remain staunchly independent while searching for an identity.

I think it may be right under their nose and they have yet to recognize it! It has the potential of becoming the foodie capital of northern Idaho. Not high tone cuisine, mind you, but good stick to the ribs fair. Like great Mexican and Burgers. Yep. Burgers.

First there was
Burger Heaven which has been a favorite of mine since we got here eight years ago. My fellow blogger turned restaurant critic gave it very high marks and I totally agree.

Then came the Salsa Chic who decided Rathdrum was the ideal location for her manufacturing facility and eatery. She's gone from selling her salsa at the local farm markets to national exposure on the likes of the Today Show . Again, deservedly so.

Just this last week I read that another great burger place from Coeur d'Alene, Longboard Burgers, is also opening up in Rathdrum. My bud from Get Out North Idaho gave it rave reviews too.

Now the kids have gotten into the act. Seven years young Charlie Beckett entered Red Robin's "The Next Gourmet Burger Kid's Recipe Contest" and walked off with first place. He's off to visit Jay Leno and his creation, the "Holy-Peno Burger" will be featured on Red Robin's menu for a month this summer with 50 cents from each sale going to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

How great is that?

I've been reading where a group of Rathdrum's Main Street merchants have been meeting to discuss a direction for their town. Well, here it is! You've a pretty good start right here! Take a look at the Food Channel's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives to see what kind of traffic these places can generate when they're really good! Hey, run with it!

Ah, this post has warmed my heart. Maybe it's the season, but it's kind of nice to have some bragging rights for the ole zip code!

Gas Warfare!

The auto industry is in shambles. The price of gas is like a see saw; up and down, up and down. The green machine is trying to force the car manufacturers to build green cars that will run on battery power for maybe 40 miles at a crack. The tax payer is being asked to fork over billions for this effort. Never mind that no one will buy the cars anyway. At least not here in northern Idaho where pick ups are required equipment. And a forty mile drive may just get you to the grocery store before you'd have to recharge to return home. It needs a tad more study.

On the other hand, as is the way of the government, they are looking at charging farmers fees if they have gas producing animals! Okay, the technology for capturing gas from cows and pigs hasn't been perfected, but is it fair to fine those who raise them for a habit that comes naturally?

Yep. The Environmental Protection Agency officially states that greenhouse gases emitted by belching and flatulence is air pollution!

Here is the fee schedule: more than 25 dairy cows - $175 each; more than 50 beef cattle - $87.50/head; more than 200 hogs - $20 each.

That is estimated to cost a modest sized ranch upwards of $30,000 a year when they can barely buy food for the critters to begin with! Then there is worry that it might extend to chickens and other farm animals leading to our having to import them rather than raising them therefore putting another whole industry into more trouble than it already has and we already subsidize! Whew. That was a tough sentence to get out!

We best keep an eye on this or it could adversely affect we humans too. Not from a consumers point of view but from a consumption point of view. Think about how Uncle Charlie relaxes after too much Thanksgiving dinner? Think about what the boys around the TV emit after consuming too many beers while watching the big game!

It could turn ugly. They could charge me a fee for having Bacchus. He's been known to let loose on occasion. What about my fish? What's in those bubbles they blow?

Where will it stop? Where will it stop? As Kermit the Frog once said, "It isn't easy being green." Indeed. I'm turning green just thinking about it!

Barbara's "View" Vs. Dogwalk's - Fascinating!

Tonight is another night for outstanding television "view"ing. Uh, oh. When I start playing around with words you know serious stuff is probably on the back burner for the day.

Well, yes and no. Basically yes. Tonight Barbara Walter's list of The Ten Most Fascinating People will air. I read the list with eager anticipation. What luminaries would be subjects of her probing interviews this year? What might we learn about them that we didn't already know?

Then I read the names. The only one not revealed, of course, is the number one. But that's okay. I thought there would be enough to whet my appetite. Well, it did. For a glass of wine and a good book!

Okay, here we go. Olympian Michael Phelps. What did we not learn about this young man during the Olympics? This young man who spends his entire life training. Oh well, he did make a splash at the time.

Will Smith. Tom Cruise. That they are both Scientologists is old news. If they departed the cult after all this time; now that would be fascinating.

Tina Fey? As good an actress as she is, there is no way she is more fascinating than the woman she impersonates - Sarah Palin. And Palin, herself. I must admit she fascinates me no end. Is she for real or is she just a bad dream that will be gone when I wake up?

I'll pass on Miley Cyrus. It's a generational thing. I'm still a bit fascinated by her Dad, however. How a mediocre talent built a career out of one hit song and a mullet escapes me!

She may have an attention getter with Thomas Beatie as a representative of the increasing visibility of trans gender couples. I must admit I wasn't aware this was happening, and quite frankly can do without being enlightened.

Frank Langella? The luck of landing a role in the film, Frost/Nixon, seems more a stroke of luck than fascinating. Maybe this is a tip of the hat to Whoopi who at one time had a relationship with him.

Oops! Nearly forgot. Rush Limbaugh. He's fascinating all right. How a man who couldn't cut it as a sportscaster; who used to be funny until he decided to pretend he is an intellect and who got off scott free for Doctor shopping to feed his oxycontin habit continues to rake in multimillion's of dollars for dispersing less than accurate information is indeed fascinating. I'm not sure that's what Barbara has in mind though.

Naturally she's being coy about number one. Speculation is that it's Obama himself. I don't know. With all the really fascinating people that could have been chosen for the other slots, I have a hunch Obama may not have been tapped.

Wow. What a line up. I've read blogs that are written by more fascinating people.

Oh well, what the heck. Walters gave up her claim on professional journalism when she became an entertainer. That's all The View is - entertainment. Such as it is. Why would I expect her list to be anything different?

Ah, let's see. What chapter am I on?