Huckleberries: When pigs fly and Kootenai County Republicans love commie Russia

Yes, that was a pig flying.

The reason? Some Kootenai County Republicans are miffed that Idaho’s U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch aren’t hopping aboard President Donald Trump’s Love Boat cruise with BFF Vladimir Putin.

The local Republicans think Vlad and nationalist Russia are jolly good fellas for resisting the “progressive globalist agenda” – whatever that is – and that Crapo and Risch are weakening Trump’s hand in foreign relations by not playing “follow the leader” in regard to Russia.

In a resolution introduced last week, the newly minted Russia lovers on the Central Committee criticized a bill authored by Crapo, “Countering Russian Aggression and Cyberattacks Act of 2017.” And resolved to “strongly urge” Crapo and Risch “to re-examine their foreign policy orientations” and “to reverse course and adopt an anti-globalist, ‘America First,’ foreign policy orientation.” Some mentioned the two senators in the same breath as the hated “Democrats.” Never mind that Crapo and Risch are among the most conservative senators in Congress.

The resolution was tabled until next month.

That sound you hear is Ronald Reagan and every other anti-commie, Republican president since Ike spinning in their graves.

40 years and counting

Forty is the biblical number for testing. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. Jesus was tempted for 40 days. This week marks my 40th anniversary as a Northwesterner.

Forty years ago, Mrs. O and I packed our belongings into a U-Haul truck and headed from California’s Central Valley to Kalispell. I was 27. My wife saw Montana’s Flathead Valley for the first time at the end of that trip. We spent five years in Kalispell. Two years in Lewiston. And the last 33 in Coeur d’Alene.

Columnist Doug Clark, the best man at my wedding in 1975, urged me in the spring of 1977 to jump at the chance to work in Kalispell. Or Coeur d’Alene. That planted the seed. When a job offer in Kalispell came from the late Hagadone newspaper exec George Cecil soon afterward, I jumped.

Mrs. O and I have had some heartaches along the way (as everyone does). But it has been a grand adventure that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Here’s to the next 40 years.

Huckleberries

Poet’s Corner: Poor Uncle Joe, may he find rest,/preferred his entrees to have zest,/but Extra Hot for his pad thai/caused his internals all to fry – “The Bard of Sherman Avenue: Poems by Tom Wobker” (“Caution: Thai Food”) … Poll: My blog readers have little sympathy for the two owners who want to anchor a water jungle gym, dubbed “Hooligan Island,” off the Coeur d’Alene shoreline. Almost 72 percent said the city shouldn’t grant them a permit. Safety is the primary concern … Nic Casey of Coeur d’Alene was asked by his son, Christian: “Dad, how do you know so much about baseball, if you can’t play it?” Nic’s answer was a grand slam: “Well, let me tell you about a man named Dave Niehaus …” Which brings to mind the late hall-of-fame announcer’s famous call: “Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time” … Violinist Cathyanne Nonini and state senator hubby, Bob, don’t have the heart to spray the catnip that popped up in a crack on the patio a few years ago. Their cat, Leo, is hooked on it (which means some law-and-order Idaho legislator will introduce a law next session to outlaw catnip).

Parting Shot

And now a Facebook word from Shannon Forbes of Coeur d’Alene: “I hate tourist season!!!!!!!” Many of us Coeur d’Loonians privately agree with her (give or take a few exclamation points). But we don’t say anything because our economy depends on tourists and visitors. So we just smile and wave.

D.F. “Dave” Oliveria can be reached at (509) 319-0354 or daveo@spokesman.com.