Comments on: Crapo For Boise City Council?

By: Diane Sower

Diane Sower — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:49:35 +0000

crapo doesn’t even belong where he is, given his propensity for lobbyists to get him elected. Ever receive one of his form letters? The exact ones that Simpson sends? You used to be able to be helped by your representatives in Washington. Gone are those days, and their anti-health care blah blah blah is something THEY don’t even aspire to. Represent you? Are you kidding me, if you think so? I give you one test. Try to get some help from one of them. Period.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:17:17 +0000

Nan Emouse:

Just a few last comments regarding your insults before I drop this topic: I do not deal in public funds nor do I have the power to enact public policy nor do I collect any taxpayer money or any income from what I do. What I do in my elected position is entirely pro bono and limited to a finite number of consituents. I am an independent journalist, with no ties to mainstream media, and a stinko market. Additionally, as I have revealed to BG, I have been the victim of e-mail predators, with police intervention, which is the main reason I prefer to remain anonymous here on this public site. You don’t really need to know who I am, nor would you necessarily recognize who I am, nor do I need to know who you are to respect your right to express your opinions on any topics.

If it makes you (and Sara Baker) feel any better, despite my journalistic and elected ties, such as they are, the DAILY refuses to print my valid and legitimate press releases or name. If that ain’t an “ordinary citizen” then I don’t know what is! I’ll continue to fight for transparency and openness until the cows come home using whatever name I choose.

The End.

Kappa TA

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:02:50 +0000

And ordinary citizens don’t use anonymous names to simply attack or go self-righteous on others who express their opinions. What’s the big deal anyway? Don’t see you bashing others for using monikers or revealing who you are. I haven’t hidden anything: I am a journalist and an elected official. Please don’t lose any sleep over my identity.

By: diane sower

diane sower — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:42:47 +0000

Well, snicker, at least we saw some transparency from the Statesman concerning Vaughn Ward. Sure glad that marine wants to represent all of us…..

By: nan emouse

nan emouse — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:21:11 +0000

Well Kappa TA – other elected officials as well as just regular folks, use their own names. And those that use assumed names – to have more fun – don’t go all self righteous on transparency and openness in government while hiding their own participation.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:55:20 +0000

My last blog must have gotten lost. I prefer to remain anonymous like the rest of you. It’s more fun to use an assumed name. I’m just as entitled to do that are you are. Mr. Frazier knows who I am. My given name is boring!

By: nan emouse

nan emouse — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:07:19 +0000

Kappa TA, thanks so much for showing us how un-open Idaho is.

Let’s see, you might just be a prime example of that. Journalist, elected official – comments under assumed name. Check – total transparency!

By: cyclops

cyclops — Sun, 30 May 2010 05:31:45 +0000

KTA, Thanks for the information. I appreciate it and recognize your sources.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 29 May 2010 04:16:48 +0000

Kappa TA is dead on with openess and transparency in Idaho Govt. It stinks for lack of a better word.

Public records aren’t quite public when you ask to see them or get copies. Gamesmanship with city attorneys and other government wonks can make it really tough to dig out the facts in the Great State of Idaho.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Sat, 29 May 2010 03:09:12 +0000

One ranking comes from a Public Integrity investigation of state legislatures and their openness. In the latest ranking from this group, Idaho failed at 48th in the nation tied with two other states. See below(2009):

Fourteen states in all have improved their disclosure laws since the Center’s last survey in 2006. In addition to Louisiana and Mississippi, Oregon, and Connecticut moved up in the rankings, while Massachusetts suffered the biggest drop.

Among the states that received failing grades are Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota. The number of F’s represents an improvement, though minor, over the 24 states that failed in both 2006 and 1999. Idaho, Michigan, and Vermont continue to tie for last place, as no personal financial disclosure laws exist, or have ever existed, in those states

Go to:

http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/states_of_disclosure

Click on map to see where other states stand. I’m sure there are other rankings elsewhere based on different factors, just google for them.

There’s definitely room for improvement!

KTA