I've lived in Mtn Home since 1989, so that's...hold on...I'm thinking...WOW! Exactly 25 years! Boy, I think I can almost declare myself an Idahoan. But my family is British and I grew up in Louisiana around lots of other Brits so I still think I'm a little bit of a mutt. Those of you who have been around awhile may remember when I used to blog all the time. My opinions weren't very accepted and there was always an issue because I work for the county. That really wasn't fair because I NEVER blog at work! And I am still entitled to my opinions and thoughts about city and county issues, right? However, it stirred a lot of pots and those pots certainly can make a lot of noise! Since I'm a writer, I took what I wrote in my blog seriously so I spent a lot of time researching things which got exhausting to do when you're not even get a paycheck for it. So I stopped. That was a blessing to many! However, to this day, I still have people stop me and ask me why I wasn't blogging and t! hey missed it. I've missed it. Mainly because there are so many issues that come up and I have no voice except around my friends and I'm sure they are tired of it.

Czar #1 & #2

Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at 9:47 AM

Pioneer Square Riot

1. Aneesh Chopra as the nation's first Chief Technology Officer: The Federal CTO will be an assistant to the President, as well as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He will work closely with Vivek Kundra, the recently-named Federal CIO, to develop and implement the President's ambitious technology agenda. It appears that some of the Czars get to go through the motions of being approved by Congress. Chopra was confirmed May 21 by unanimous consent. Everything that I could find about this Tech-Guru has been great. The CTO's priorities will include expanded use of technology to create a more transparent and interactive government. If he does what he says, I would be shocked. I think that this Czar has great intentions. However, I also think he will find that, though Obama preaches that he wants transparency, the meaning of that is far different. And what about this crazy overspending for a re-vamped website? I wonder if he had a hand in this million dollar website cost for recovery.gov??? Probably not. I certainly read some glowing recommendations for Aneesh so for this Czar, I give a thumbs up!

2. Drug Czar: Gil Kerlikowske: known as an innovator and fierce defender of community policing principles that emphasize relationships with citizens over force. He pledged to take a balanced, science-based approach to the job and he wants to focus on reducing the demand for illicit drugs rather than the past focus of stopping the drugs from getting over the border. Now that sounds pretty passive to me. His thought is that if we reform the junkies; demand will be lowered and therefore the supply. (Dream on!)Gil is Seattle's police chief and is credited with bringing the city's crime rate to a 40-year low. I am definitely in favor of that. However, there is one stain on his career in Seattle. During the "Mardi Gras Riots" in 2001, Kerlikowske ordered his officers to stand down after the police donned riot gear and formed lines . The officiers stood by and watched as drunken idiots and criminals had a free-for-all riot. Damage to local businesses exceeded $100,000. 69 people were reported injured and several women were sexually assaulted. A 13 year old child was among the injured. Paramedics were not able to reach some victims due to the lack of police control in the area.One person, Kris Kime, died of injuries sustained during an attempt to assist a woman being brutalized. It is interesting to note that once the police chief gave the "go-ahead" to his men at 2am, the riot was stopped, however the "stand-down" lasted 5 hours. In the end, Gil's comment was, "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't do something." For this Obam Czar I give a thumbs down! (Off work today-using home computer)

Comments

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Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Regarding the last note in parentheses; Unless you're self employed, your employer may have reservations if you're using company time and assets to author your blog, particularly if your employer may be at odds with your writings.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Wed, Sep 2, 2009, at 12:40 PM
Mr Dave Thompson: I write on my own time. I have already had another person try this with me. What I write and believe is my right! If you looked at previous blogs, you would find times that I have noted the time on days that I work because when you post, it does it on Central time not mountain-time which would appear as if I had posted it an hour later. I never use the office computer. I post on my time on my own laptop.

As far as my employer or boss, being at odds with what I write? I wouldn't know since I never talk about this at work. Yet your comment certainly insinuates that you know differently. What I write or how I feel about a subject or what my politics are is completely my business! I don't talk about what I write at work with anyone. I don't even know what political party my boss or co-workers belong to. None of my business, either. I just don't understand why these accusations ever come up! I have not questioned anyone else's comments or blogs. I have not asked others where they work, who they work with or what time of day that they write on here. Furthermore, I haven't seen this type of accusation thrown at anyone else! Why am I the one that gets questioned? (Time is 7:11 pm-at home on my couch no where near the office)

-- Posted by kimkovac on Wed, Sep 2, 2009, at 8:12 PM
Kim, for cryin' out loud! For someone who puts a great deal of effort in questioning the actions of so many people, you sure have a thin skin when your actions are noticed.

Your comment stated, quote,(Off work today-using home computer). I just couldn't see how that statement was relevant to the Czar #1 & #2 post.

My comment was neither snide nor critical, merely observational. Surely you've seen articles where individuals have been released from their positions for the misuse of their employers IT resources, regardless of what those individuals felt their rights are.

I agree, your schedule is none of my business, and I could not care less what it is, but when you post it in your blog, it's everybody's business.

Questioning comments and blogs is what this type of forum is all about. You start a discussion and we join in and try to stay on subject.

I haven't asked where anyone works, who they work with or what time of day they write on here either, although I do wonder what time of day some of them start drinking.

Again, I didn't question you.

(Nunya bidness where I be, yo)

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Wed, Sep 2, 2009, at 9:33 PM
Whatever.

-- Posted by kimkovac on Thu, Sep 3, 2009, at 7:17 AM

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