Letter to the Editor (Idaho Statesman):
I think Romney showed a lack of character exploiting the consulate tragedy in Libya for the sake of politics.  Now not only are we grieving for our heros killed, but we’re left to bicker over some fringe group’s media attack on Islam–politically timed–that provoked the whole thing. “Here’s what happened: in response to a clearly offensive amateur film defamed Islam, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo condemned efforts “to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.” Then in a misguided attempt to exploit the Libel tragedy, Rooney falsely attributed this statement to the White House, falsely claimed it was an apology, and falsely identified it as a response to the attacks, even though it was made before the attacks.” So in tragedy what does Rodney do?  Rather than help console the families and unite a nation in grief he instead foments confusion to get a lucky punch in politically.  He accuses the president of “sympathize with the murderers and apologizing for American values”–based on a statement never made. Which only makes matters worse.  Much worse. Look at the opportunism of this man who wants to be president–and not necessarily “our” president–just president.

Boise Rescue Missio evening cuisine for September 3, 2012. They ran out of beans so we got a handful of party mix. Whoppee.
Fortunately, though, as shown in the next pic, a couple days later we were given a nice corned beef sandwich that helped make up for the disappointment. Oh yahoo!

Boise Rescue Mission’s evening cuisine today was two small pieces of pizza (edible enough), green salad (shown half-eaten), watermelon (not mushy) and, of course, the beans. And cold water.

Today’s Mission cuisine: Soggy bread w/green beans and frys.. w/some zuccinni/tomato sauce.

Boise Rescue Mission cuisine 8-27-12

Occupy Boise’s statement upon temporarily exiting the Vigil Site for lawn maintenance.

Last week while biking out the Greenbelt to Barber Park I realized that The Lawn truly is worshipped above all else now.  Huge vistas of golf courses and soon-to-be crackerbox ringed parks are everywhere on the afluent east Boise side; it’s a reminder of the new form of religious cathedral that the leisure class are privy to enjoy.  Oh sure, the working stiff is certainly allowed the use of, say, the Municipal Golf Course, but the rental fees for the carts, etc. are set above many pocketbooks.  That’s when it all clicked in my mind: The Lawn is the symbol of an exclusive club.  And, just like churches of old with the same motley cadre of overlords stepping from their coaches, here they enter their private temple to pray they hit something with a golf club.  When God couldn’t care less.

The Abduction by Paul Cezanne (1867)

Idaho Statesman Letter to the Editor:

Regarding your article today (AP) that the prosecutor has charged a young woman with grand theft for a lousy $62, I’ve got to say I’m appalled.  Actually, “outraged” would be better put.  To quote your article: Idaho code says if someone steals property three or more times in a sequence that has an aggregate value of over $50, that person can be charged with grand theft.”  You know, I don’t mind living in a police state if I’m rich enough to be protected from it–but really, I thought we were better than this.  We fought and died to defeat the evil of fascism during WWII only to let it flourish in our midst?  And to let it live in our own hearts?  Granted, those who work hard for what they’ve got have every right to despise thievery, but there does come a point where anger turns into insanity.  Has our anger done that to us?  I really hope we’re better than that…at least in our great state of Idaho.

Look at this man’s hands.  Of course, 1940 was a time of manual labor; your skill set had to include your strength and your health.  But now that technology

Homesteader feeding his daughter at a New Mexico barbecue feed, 1940.
Photograph by James Russell

has supplanted labor with its machines and systems those hands have been changed as well.  They’re now uplifted and open–pleading to the owners of the machines and systems for work.  Hands love to work.  Hands love to feed their children.  But the jobs the hands did are not coming back, and the owners know it and we know it.  And, what’s worse, there is a political system being upgraded whereby we will be told to find work or starve.  It’s called fascism, and it’s owners are having a tea party.  This homesteader?  It’s likely he went to war to fight fascism.  Yes, he is very grateful isn’t he?  And you can bet he proved it!