I'm planning to attend a special screening of "An Unreasonable Man" at the Flicks in Boise on Sunday evening. I hope anyone in the area will join us. The film is about Ralph Nader and his message fighting for the ordinary person who is largely forgotten in the political process. Mr. Nader will then answer questions from the audience through a live video link-up. Too often, politics gets tied up in the personalities of candidates and the media's obsession with the horse-race aspects of the race, ignoring the the underlying values and experiences of real people. This film offers a healthy perspective. Read More »

Justice Trout announced she is stepping down from the Idaho Supreme Court. Earlier this spring, Justice Schroeder announced he is stepping down and the process is already underway to appoint his successor. That BOTH are resigning before the end of their term is an indictment of the flawed election system. The legislature has refused to acknowledge that and one legislator who likes privately funded elections doesn't have the courage to run for the office but would prefer to be appointed. Read More »

The US Senate is in the middle of figuring out what a comprehensive bill on immigration should look like. With the political winds blowing in many directions, they are struggling. Idaho's senators went both ways on the initial votes. Sadly, none are really getting at the root cause of global economic dislocation that is fueling pressure on this country's broken immigration system. Read More »

I spend two great days in Sun Valley at the Rotary District Conference last weekend. There were dozens of people there from other countries, mostly young people. When you get to know them a little better through conversation everyone I spoke with shared their impression that the US's reputation in their country is not good and getting worse. The need for direct contact between communities in the US and communities in other countries is vital. Read More »

Governor Otter flew around Idaho to present over $6 million in public grants to cities and counties yesterday. This is money we as working people contributed in taxes through the federal government. They are investments in the basic things our communities need to operate (sewer improvements to protect groundwater, fire stations, etc...) What is not asked is why there is so little investment now and why some states are forced to sell off public infrastructure to private interests? Read More »

I heard a story on NPR yesterday about how the US Senate voted for the Dorgan Amendment to allow us to purchase prescription drugs from other countries certified as safe sources, then on Monday voted to change the amendment in a way that basically kills it. I found no coverage in the Idaho press. Read More »

This week, two oil company executives with VECO in Alaska pled guilty in federal court to bribery, extortion and tax fraud. They have agreed to help investigators track down other money dealers in what is turning out to be a much bigger influence peddling scandal. These executives spread their campaign money around the country in many federal races, including Idaho. Read More »

A colleague at the Western States Center sent me an article this morning on diversity in the blogosphere. Chris Bowers on MyDD wrote it and it is worth reading. It raises an important perspective about of how new tools for social change like the web and blogging are used by some but not all people who must be equal partners in the movement. Read More »

No time like the present to get started blogging. I just returned from Arizona, heard about some impressive organizing around the country and am recharged to help network with the organizing I know is happening in Idaho. Read More »