–Poet Paul

“Cyclops,” one of the most frequent commenters and loyal readers of the GUARDIAN closed his good eye Sunday for the last time, a victim of cancer.

For those who remember the name, we can now tell you Cyclops was Jim Monihan, a one-eyed bald guy who was an advocate of the common man and one of those guys who “got it” when it came to life, politics, and humor. Over the years he posted 1,135 comments on the GUARDIAN and most were written about 5 or 6 a.m.

Here is one of our favorites from a “Mayor Hotline” post:

“Be sure to scan through the remainder of team Daves shenanigans and read the call from Tom Sweeney.

The thought of some “Blithering Fool from city hall” standing around telling this man what he can and can’t do, just boils my blood. If there was ever a citizen’s fight that needs a champion, this is it!”

Twice when Team Dave attempted to garner support for a trolley, Cyclops visited the “public information” site in a downtown storefront passing out flyers with facts gleaned from the GUARDIAN.

He reveled in telling the story of being forced to a backroom table where citizens wishing to fill out “comment cards” sat to write their thoughts–AFTER Jim had a chance to share the “rest of the story” with them. No surprise that most folks were against spending money for a downtown trolley.

We will all miss the pirate who wore Hawaiian shirts and a black eye-patch.

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When news reports surfaced–repeatedly–on local TV about the MTF lady (male to female transgender) conducting free breast exams in local Boise bars, our staff Poet Paul couldn’t resist weighing in–especially in light of the increased attention to groping at airport TSA checkpoints.

She posed as a doctor
In order to cop a feel
The “patients” complained
“Hey, What’s the deal?”
They didn’t like the degradation
Or treatment of this sort
If they wanted to be felt up
They’d go to the local airport!

Poet Paul

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BSU’s Kustra has lately been able
To give the U of I a well-deserved label
His comments weren’t bad
For any U of I grad…
Can drink me under the table!

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We find it ironic the good Mayor seeks to abolish the right of citizens to vote on airport debt using public money, but turned around and begs the legislature to ALLOW a vote of citizens on the issue of a local option sales tax.

GUARDIAN editor Dave Frazier issued the following statement about the proposed amendment which will be on the November ballot.

“Cities throughout Idaho currently have the authority to issue bonds for airport projects using operating revenue to repay those bonds. Mayor Bieter and others seek to abolish the current constitutional right of voters to approve those bonds. The Idaho Supreme Court has clarified those rights in the ‘Frazier Decision,’ and Bieter’s proposed amendment would also result in loss of tax revenues for cities, counties, schools, and the state of Idaho.”

When airports build freight facilities, hangars, rental car parking ramps (or industrial park things) they collect rent top pay the bonds… meanwhile all the other taxing districts lose those revenues because the airport properties are TAX EXEMPT GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS! The major change in the proposed amendment is to eliminate the requirement of voter approval for sale of bonds.

Poet Paul on sales tax–

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GUARDIAN PARTY INVITATION TO:
ALL READERS, friends, politicos, and anyone wanting to see what Cyclops, Cynic, and Kappa Ta, Timm, Paul, Clancy, Dean Gunderson, and the rest of the gang really look like. Specific invite here and now to Commishes, Team Dave, Councilors, Coppers, Firefighters, Supremes, dope reporters.

Seems like only last week we were writing about the Chamber of Commerce running the city and Boise officials keeping the Depot closed most of the time. Well, it was just last week, but 5 years ago we were also telling folks about it too!

The GUARDIAN started 5 years ago in May. We are going to have a birthday celebration and YOU are invited! You are the folks who have posted more than 15,500 comments.

We couldn’t afford the Depot, but we are within sight at Papa Joe’s. We will offer up FREE pizza and soft drinks. You will have to spring for your own beer and wine.
DATE–Thursday May 27
TIME–After 5 p.m.
LOCATION– Papa Joe’s Restaurant at Capitol and University
(Outside on the patio weather permitting)

With a comment here, please give us an idea if you can make it after work Thursday.

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Sen. Borah

A particulary worrisome bit of news came out of a recent Idaho Tea Party survey of national candidates and an Idaho Public TV interview/debate on IDAHO REPORTS.

Republican 1st District Congressional candidates Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward both support a move to abolish the right of citizens to elect their U.S. Senators through repeal of the 17th amendment. They would rather the state legislature choose the U.S. senators.

The amendment was historically the product of unrest among citizens who were unhappy with state politicos appointing their own party hacks instead of allowing the citizens to vote directly for senators.

The 17th amendment ultimately passed Congress in 1913 and was introduced in 1911 by Senator Joseph L. Bristow of Kansas and, supported by Senator William Borah of Idaho, himself a product of direct election.

POET PAUL’s TAKE–

“Repeal the 17th Amendment”
Political hopefuls said on air
The criticism they faced
Seems to me only fair

Now they’ve changed their tunes
To “clarify” their quote
Now I ask myself why
Should I give either of them my vote!

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PATRIOTIC GREEN GRASS ADVOCATE

Once only an opportunity for the Ruskies to roll out the latest rockets in Moscow, May Day has become a worldwide day of protests and demonstrations.

The Thais want elections, Albanians claim election fraud, Nepal has anti-government protests, Greeks are against spending cuts, the English protested “militant Islam, Iran saw labor demonstrations, and in Montana folks protested showing a Nazi film in Kalispell.

ALL AGES APPEARED AT IMMIGRATION RALLY

MOTORCYCLES AT STATEHOUSE

Meanwhile in Boise there were flag-wielding people at three simultaneous gatherings along Capitol Blvd.
One group of about 50 was flashing signs along Capitol Blvd. across from the Library about green grass in a movement to legalize pot.

At City Hall protesters rallied against the recent immigration law passed in Arizona–waving the American flag and carrying signs which had a pro immigration theme.

Hundreds of motorcyclists gathered to “show support” at the end of the Boulevard at the Statehouse. One rider told the GUARDIAN it was for “safety and awareness” and added, “also to keep them from passing any helmet laws.” Again, there were plenty of flags…and groups supporting the military were evident.

Coppers told us there were no problems and one squad of about 15 officers was sent home early. All in all a lot of harmless steam was vented on the cool first day of May.

A PAIR FROM POET PAUL–
IMMIGRATION
Arizona’s law must be scrapped some demand
And fires of passion have been fanned
They march and chant
But explain they can’t
The part of “illegal” they don’t understand!

MOTORCYCLES
Bikers came from far and wide
Riding miles side-by-side
Lawmakers should keep their paws…
Off those helmet laws
And let those who ride decide!

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Party faithful, and candidates all seem to be a reflection of today’s society and politicos–they don’t trust each other.

A guy named Steve Ricks running against Russ Fulcher in a legislative race was effectively excommunicated because he has sued his party–costing it about $20,000 to defend, but still runs under their banner as a Republican. A vote to censure him was passed.

His wasn’t the only dirty laundry aired Tuesday. Former Commish, current candidate and City Councilor Vern Bisterfeldt’s party loyalty came into question as well. Bisterfeldt has supported Dems Walt Minnick in Congress and Brandon Durst in the Idaho House as well as Maryanne Jordan on City Council, Paul Woods and David Langhorst for Commish.

A GUARDIAN reader and attendee at the GOP meeting said, “The Idaho Statesman should have used Sharon Ullman’s name in the paper because she is the one who made the motions.” The reader then added, “Vern’s independence is one thing, but his loyalty is another. Call it what you will.”

Ullman made no secret of calling for a vote against Ada Commish candidates Bisterfeldt and Roger Simmons. Ultimately the Repubs decided to be positive–They tossed Bisterfeldt and Simmons under the bus and made an unprecedented primary campaign endorsement of incumbent Commishes Fred Tilman and Rick Yzaguirre.

Meanwhile Bisterfeldt notes he once defeated Ullman in a bid for a Commish seat when SHE ran as a Dem.

“That is true,” said Ullman. I didn’t understand what Republicans really stood for and now I do. I am in pretty good company since Ronald Reagan was also a Democrat at one time.”

FROM POET PAUL–

Ada County has a great commish race
As candidates state their case
It’s interesting to see
Who the G O P
Has given a slap in the face!

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ON BOISE’S DOWNTOWN…
DBAn members may think
The city is in the pink
Perhaps they haven’t found
The big hole in the ground
But there are lots of places to drink!

ON THE NAUGHTY NATIONAL SCENE…
Security Exchange guys are in a bind
Perhaps they thought no one would mind
Instead of stock market stuff
They watched people in the buff
If they don’t stop they’ll go blind!

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Latest battle in what the GUARDIAN has dubbed ECONOMIC CIVIL WAR is Meridian’s quest to lure the Hawks baseball franchise away from Boise–even attempting to get the club to work exclusively with the western Ada village-turned city to build a ballpark at taxpayer expense.

We support the idea. If Meridian taxpayers wish to pony up $20,000,000 for a stadium they deserve it. No doubt the good city mother and fathers will ask citizens for permission prior to spending that much. It will save Boise’s pristine air and cut down on traffic in the Capitol City because EVERYONE will obviously flock to Meridian.

The Cubs franchise has chipped in with a $25,000 stipend for a study that will no doubt show Meridian is a better venue and Boise. Meanwhile, Boise will do its own study which will of course show THEY have more to offer. After all, what good is a study if it doesn’t support your preconceived notions?

The DAILY PAPER ran a story today which mentions potential of a AAA ball club in the future. Of course that means Boise will have to expand airport facilities because the bigger leagues play farther apart and don’t have to ride the dumpy “team bus.” Since Boise has a regional airport, no doubt Meridian will kick in with extra funds to improve air facilities to attract new airlines.

In a serendipitous bit of timing, The Portland Beavers are currently looking to build a new stadium. PGE park is being remodeled to host the Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer team, so the Beavers will be without a home park in 2012.

WELCOME TO MERIDIAN! Guv Butch and crew are anxious to take business away from neighboring states and loss of a stadium is a perfect reason to move the Beavers to Meridian. Of course it will mean JOBS…pitchers, catchers, $4 hot dog vendors, grounds keepers–all a boost to the state’s economy.

Lest we forget, Boise’s Mayor Dave Bieter and Team Dave have a survey showing a trolley will stimulate the economy along steel rails buried in the street. How about steel rails all the way out State Street to Eagle and Star with a loop over to Meridian? Eagle officials will no doubt be happy to pay their share of the trolley based on a study that will show it will mean development along the route.

We could have commercial development with luxury condos, libraries, and transit centers throughout the valley. No wonder baseball is called the “great American past time!”

FROM POET PAUL–
Baseballers want a new venue to play
And we taxpayers surely will pay
With our economy on the rocks
Not a new diamond for the Hawks
The field we have now is okay!

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