Politics

Obama - the 2nd coming?

Posted by Wendyjogh

August 29, 2008

If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Did you see tonight’s Denver Democratic Convention, the last night? wow Obama accepted the nomination as the Democratic Presidential nominee, and the crowd treated him as if he was the 2nd coming of our savior. He promised […]

Activists and Lobbyists Fundamentally The Same?

Posted by BluerNote

August 20, 2008

I posted this basic comment in another thread but realized I don’t want to help continue that thread so I’ll just post it here.
I’m in agreement with the following line I noticed from Marcus:
” I am of the belief that activism causes more problems than it solves. ”
This reminds me of a perspective I read […]

Press Release from Idaho Democratic Party: Social Security celebrates its 73 Birthday on Thursday!

Posted by Joe Eagle

August 12, 2008

(Submitted by Chuck Oxley, Communications Director of the Idaho Democratic Party)
Birthday Cake to be delivered to more than 100 seniorsto celebrate Social Security—America’s safety net
BOISE, Idaho — WHAT: 10 Minute press event visually depicting Social Security’s Birthday. There will be *GREAT VISUALS* The Idaho Democratic Party will deliver a birthday cake to more than 100 […]

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New Yorker Magazine Cover…Too Much?

Posted by Nemesis

July 14, 2008

The New Yorker Magazine has a motherlode issue on the stands…a collector’s issue if there ever was one. It shows Barack Obama and his wife Michelle in the White House. However:
Obama is garbed in traditional Arabic clothing and headdress, and Michelle is in military fatigues with an automatic rifle (and the ammunition sash). On the […]

Three Steps to End Our War on Drugs

Posted by Joe Vandal

April 13, 2008

I am surprised nobody has yet written an article at IdahoFallz.com about America’s decades-old War on Drugs. I read many comments where site users express their desire to read and discuss the Drug War. I personally waited to write about it because people who bring up the topic tend to be quickly smeared as “another […]

Grass Roots Libertarianism

Posted by Nemesis

April 8, 2008

I am a registered Democrat, which has been a losing proposition in Idaho (especially Eastern Idaho) for me these past 25 years.
I started out as an ardent conservative Republican, but before my third presidential election I found I could no longer toe the party line. I couldn’t continue to support the idea that […]

Hostility to Homeowners-Why Bailouts Are Bogus

Posted by Mike

April 7, 2008

The agreement in the US Senate last Thursday to create new bipartisan housing legislation reflects pressure in Congress to tackle the mortgage crisis. Despite the emerging consensus among the parties in favour of more government intervention in the housing market, the final shape of the bill has been influenced by a curious coalition opposed to […]

Let the wolf hunts begin

Posted by Joe Vandal

April 3, 2008

The reintroduction of wolves thirteen years ago began a long-arcing circle that has finally made a turn the other direction. Pro-wolf forces enjoyed thirteen years of watching the reintroduced wolf packs multiply and grow a population far larger than the original plan. Finally, the wolves have been removed from the endangered species list, Idaho can […]

Idaho’s Otter Must Be On Drugs

Posted by Joe Vandal

March 22, 2008

Can we get our governor drug tested? Our legislature has one week left in session, is it possible for them to quickly introduce and pass a bill requiring weekly urinalysis of our Governor?
Why do I suspect Governor Butch Otter is on drugs? How else do you explain Idaho’s governor vetoing an uber-popular drug treatment […]

Should We Rebuild the Teton Dam?

Posted by Joe Vandal

March 21, 2008

I could not believe the news that our Idaho legislature has appropriated $400,000 to study whether the infamous Teton Dam should be rebuilt. The Teton Dam collapse and subsequent flood was the worst disaster ever in southeast Idaho’s modern recorded history. Five southeast Idaho counties were declared federal disaster areas by President Gerald Ford. I’m […]

Dupre as Pandora’s Box: Should anyone profit from crime?

Posted by Joe Vandal

March 16, 2008

This started out as a poll suggestion from regular IFz contributor, Mike, but we decided the topic got too complicated for a simple poll and really deserved a full discussion thread.
From Mike:
As you know the Elliot Spitzer story is up and running. There is an interesting component that is now being focused on: the […]

California Court Criminalizes Homeschooling

Posted by Mike

March 14, 2008

If you homeschool your children or are even thinking about it read this story and weep. Without even citing the statutes or constitutional principal on which this opinion is supposedly based, Justice H. Walter Croskey wrote in a February 28th opinion for the California 2nd District Court of Appeals, “Parents do not have a constitutional […]

Idaho Falls Live Chat

Last Message 4 minutes ago

Joe Eagle and 3 guests are online.

Joe Eagle : I admit I am not the best with responding to email. I get tons of it, and glance through it quickly. There is likelyhood that I miss a few emails every week, so the accusations that I did not respond to some emails are likely very true. If you'll stay on me, i'll get back to you.
Joe Eagle : They will not likely remove all accusations, but try to curb tensions first.
Joe Eagle : We try to enforce a attitude of free speech here, until it goes into blatant personal attacks. I don't read every thread so he moderators are here to help enforce that. If you see something that isa personal attack please post in the chat box for the moderators to review.
Joe Eagle : I ask that everyone please be respectful of others. Many have different viewpoints, lets stay on the topics please.
Joe Eagle : Everyone is welcome here.
Guest_7000 : That is funny!
Guest_5547 : What a hoot! its funny to see somebody complain about sock puppeting while they themselves are sock puppeting. lol
Guest_House : Looks like whats their name is whining again.
boomer : Your rules are very clear, and they're right above the response box. All you mods need to do is enforce them. There are lots of ways then can do it, and there should be nothing to prevent them from expressing their views as long as they follow the same rules. It's up to you to decide if a mod is off center or playing hanky-panky in some way, and you can fire 'em at will. This is your joint, and we are all here as your guests. You can stop any party that gets too rowdy anytime you want.
boomer : Hi, Joe...
Guest_me : hmmm, a matter of opinion...
0000 : Yeah, the difference is that now we're crabbing with good reason.
Guest_me : Not many posting lately, seems more like a bunch of crabbing. Hope to see more viewers posting instead of arguing.
Guest_me : I like the new format, several articles on the front home page. Makes it easier to go back over the last week or more of posts.
0000 : He has no interest in that 1234. That's been made quite clear.
Guest_1234 : Talk is cheap. So put your actions where you mouth is.
Guest_1234 : Joe, how can discussion be mind bending when only folks who agree with each other and you and the mods are welcome?
0000 : tks u2
Guest_1234 : k bey. nice chattin
Guest_1234 : slapping each other on the bak and eating each others fleas. a pretty aprop. comment i think
0000 : yeah I agree with that. I need to go to bed. You take care okay?
Guest_1234 : an out of town friend logged on the other day and reviewed some stuff. her comment was it felt really creepy to her ... like a bunch of monkey's who can only get their identity from
0000 : Well here comes the ultimate in "sigh"ers. You have a great night 1234
0000 : they'll get pretty bored amongst themselves with nobody to make fun of and everyone to agree with.
0000 : yep, it sure will.
Guest_1234 : and when that happens the site will die. too bad.
0000 : then they can keep the site one-sided complete with condescending and spiteful remarks by whoever wants to make them provided they agree with the majority.
0000 : I agree. But if Joe only listens to them, then the rest of us don't count I guess huh?
Guest_1234 : moderators evenhanded? yeah, sinc when. this sort of "spinning" the facts is really annoying
0000 : seems that way
0000 : they don't want drama, but they sure stir it up and then blatantly refuse to fix it.
Guest_1234 : he seems to want a community of stepford wives
0000 : quite the results huh?
Guest_1234 : ya, i've e-mailed too with the same result.
0000 : Amen to that. I am sure he umm...won't read this. He asked me to email him, but I did the other day and he didn't bother to acknowledge my email.
Guest_1234 : do a lot of us feel unwelcome here? yup! cause this is a very conservative town and many of you seem to feel that it we're not with you we're against you.
Guest_1234 : you said it was the worst ever? come on! anyone who can read can find all sorts of examples here of really rude and over the top behavior and they were'nt pulled.
Guest_1234 : whoever it was was upset, but then again i don't blamne the person. as a single mom (and the victim of a violent crime) i would have been very scared on bundy's threats. and the post was not what you're making it out to be imo.
Guest_1234 : just logged on and checked out the live chat. i did see hoagie's last post if you're referring to the one in opposable thumbs (if it was hoagie -- who know -- you seem to assume it was.
Guest_1234 : Hey Joe,
Guest_441 : Maybe I could tie it in to a "what I wish I knew back in high school" article. Who would of thought I'd see Poison as a senior in HS and as a mom! Ugh. Nite, headed to bed here too. Agreed on the drama. Feels like days of our lives sometimes.
Joe Eagle : I hope we can get off the drama over the past couple of days and get onto good thought bending discussions
Joe Eagle : Well, it's late better hit the sac. (yep, i'm getting older)
Joe Eagle : ha ha.
Joe Eagle : Nah, no need to attend all... Just a glimpse of a piece is all one needs... That's all the local papers do and they spit out articles like no tomorrow.
Guest_441 : At least I don't have the poufy bangs anymore.
Guest_441 : Ah, but then I'd have to attend all events to be fair. Want to sponsor us? Sagging, funny! Aren't we all!
Joe Eagle : and maybe sagging in a few places...
Joe Eagle : It can be on the quality of entertainment brought by the State Fair...
Guest_441 : I think it's still the same four. Hair probably not as high and teased though.
Joe Eagle : Youll have to let us know who the players are: Bobby Doll, Ricky Rocket, CC Davill, Brett Michaels... or others?
Guest_441 : What would a Poison article entail, besides those of us pushing 40 trying to revive our youth......
Joe Eagle : sounds like a blast!
Guest_441 : It will be our 3rd date in 2 months, we need a night out! Found a sitter too, yahoo!
Joe Eagle : Now, i've got the money for a concert, just not the time...
Guest_441 : Same here, but my babysitting money went for a few fun things. Best concert, Pink Floyd in 94. Or I can learn to use my current camera better!
Joe Eagle : WE'LL, now'd be a great time to get that new camera!
Joe Eagle : I grew up in humble circumstances... never much money in my pocket to buy concert tickets...
Guest_441 : My digital camera doesn't seem to work well at night, must be doing something wrong.
Joe Eagle :
Joe Eagle : Never really went to a concert....
Joe Eagle : 441, you'll have to take some pictures and write an article about the concert for us all.
Guest_441 : Or never bought a ticket b/c you snuck in?
Joe Eagle : Gnight, 0000. Thanks for your comments.
Guest_441 : You've never been to a concert?
Guest_441 : Just like when Def Lepard was here back in what, 2002?
Joe Eagle : If I was going to be in town when they play thursday, I might have actually bought my 1st concert ticket ever.
0000 : hey you two, have a great night, i'll wait for the next blowup here, it won't be long I'm sure
Guest_441 : I can't wait to see Poison, memories of high school come flooding back!
Guest_441 : could go
Joe Eagle : I can't believe they are featuring Poison! I remember them from way back in the 80's
Guest_441 : Good idea, this good go on all night. We are headed over but not sure when.
0000 : and view IPs
Joe Eagle : I'm heading to the fair tomorrow!
0000 : I think you need to read threads
Joe Eagle : If you could email me some examples of your concerns, that would help. Maybe there are some situations you are aware of that I am not.
0000 : Bluernote is another who seems to try to remain neutral in his comments, doesn't attack
Guest_441 : Sigh........So, who's headed to the fair next week?
0000 : not when they stire the fire joe
Guest_441 : I agree, it's thankless no matter how you look at it. Kind of like being a parent sometimes.
0000 : gato is one of few who usually tries to stay out of the mix when it's heated, but even at that, I think she should step in and try to calm it down
Joe Eagle : They are volunteers... they volunteered when there was a need. If anything I think we should be at least thankful to them for helping with the site.
Guest_441 : No, you read it wrong. I meant we all submit ideas for how to be a moderator, rules for moderators, etc. Then Joe drafts a "rules for moderators" guidelines based on input.
0000 : then Joe, you need to pick more responsible moderators
0000 : 441, another popularity contest
Joe Eagle : Moderators need to be able to comment. They are volunteers who help keep the site up and running and free of junk. They first came here to participate and give of their time to all.
0000 : we know who most are and we usually know when they are using a sock puppet, but one way or the other, some of them really stir the pot.
Guest_441 : Maybe we need to start a "what will make the best moderator" thread, let the readers post how they would like to see moderators act, see what ideas come out of it.
Joe Eagle : Well, that's why I've allowed all the moderators to remain anon. So they can participate as a regular user and still edit an objectionable post when necessary (vulgarity, attacks, spam, etc)
0000 : that might help 441
0000 : not even when they use sock puppets
Guest_441 : Maybe moderators could step in with a "hey, chill out, here's the rule you're violating here" comment, but refrain from giving their own opinion in the thread during the arguing.
0000 : when they start throwing in smart a-- commens, they don't look responsible
0000 : if they can't remain objective, yes
Joe Eagle : Do you think moderators should be restricted from posting their views?
0000 : some of the mods are great at stirring the pot. They should try to remain neutral instead of smart a** remarks
0000 : having moderators as opposed to little spies might be a start, people who will step in to calm things down instead of stirring the fire with unwarranted comments
Joe Eagle : I agree we want them to feel welcome...
Joe Eagle : What do you think would help people feel more welcome
0000 : That's why Joe Vandal quit allowing moderators, he did it.