We Who Value Tranquility See Tourists As A Bad Trip

I almost laughed out loud while reading the Coeur d’Alene Press’ latest attempt at an editorial. Now, the anonymous opinion writer from Brand X wants us to be nice to tourists. Ahahaha. I have as much use for tourists as Hagadone Hospitality does for grass smoke during the dog days of summer. Sure, sure, I know; tourists make cash registers ring and provide oodles of minimum wage jobs. But they also clog parking spaces, beaches, parks and constantly drive the wrong way on Third and Fourth streets. They’re a necessary evil - like grass smoke. I’d urge you to visit the lake shore sometime soon, before the annual invasion begins. I did at noon Monday. Only two City Park picnic tables were occupied, high water and driftwood lapped at the lifeguard stations and geese outnumbered people. It was wonderful. As I sat on a park bench, gazing across at exclusive Casco Bay, I wondered which was worse - seven months of winter or five months of tourists?

First Amendment protects ‘the finger,’ too

Fortunately, local officials won’t waste money fighting Ira Miller’s right to offend. Remember him? Ira earned his 15 minutes of fame by refusing to scrape obscene stickers from the rear window of his pickup - two that show a cartoon character giving the finger and two that provide the phonetic equivalent. After studying the problem, local officials concede Miller’s stickers are protected by the First Amendment. And if they weren’t? We’d be creating an enforcement nightmare by trying to decide which bumper stickers are offensive. Plenty of stickers offend - someone. Pro-lifers probably don’t like stickers that say “I’m pro-choice, and I vote.” Liberals would reject the stickers and vanity plate on a Ford pickup at Appleway and 95 Sunday: “Jesus is the light,” “Rush is right” and “FAITH.” Miller’s stickers reflect the uncivil age in which we live. He shouldn’t be surprised, however, when his neighbors condemn them - and him.

Dueling headlines serve warning

Two headlines caught my attention Friday: “Holocaust survivors tell tale all must remember” and “Synagogue gunman tied to The Order.” The first story recounted the harrowing experience of Holocaust survivors. The second told of the ties between a man arrested for shooting up a Dallas synagogue and the Aryan Nation compound, near Hayden Lake. The Aryan Nation has inspired lawbreakers for years and stands as proof that the hatred and racism that fueled Nazi Germany remains with us today. A holocaust can happen again if we aren’t vigilant. , DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.