Eva Grecius's blog

BOISE WEEKLY PRINTS PHOTOS OF LEGISLATORS WHO VOTED YES ON ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

go and see
http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A159327

And read this wonderful editorial from the Weekly's Editor, Bingo Barnes:

POSTED ON MARCH 1, 2006:

Legislative Bigotry

By Bingo Barnes

We've gone back and forth on one issue in the editorial department this week, but I believe that something needs to be said. Every legislator sitting in the Idaho statehouse who voted "yes" for the marriage amendment is a BIGOT. Yes, a BIGOT. And come election time this fall, if you vote for it, you're also a bigot. I'd venture to say some of them are also homophobes, but BIGOT is a clearer way of putting it. A BIGOT is someone who discriminates because of race, gender or some other trait. By asserting that a group of people has rights that a different group of people will not be allowed, our legislators act discriminately, and I find it rephrehensible. When I look at their pictures (we have them in this issue for you), I see people who are just as disgusting as racists, Nazis and fascists. I see people without compassion, who don't believe humans were created equal or that everyone should have the same rights as others. They're BIGOTS, plain and simple. And if you agree with them, you're a BIGOT, too.  read more »

UNDA THE ROTUNDA column from Boise Weekly:

Working poor not on lawmakers' radar screen

Speaker of the House unaware of efforts to help

By Jill Kuraitis

There are poor people in Idaho, Mr. Speaker. Most of them have jobs, and they're still poor.

At an Idaho Press Club luncheon last week, Speaker of the House Bruce Newcomb (R-Burley) was asked by a reporter: "I've been going to a lot of press conferences, and what they seem to be saying is there are people who have jobs, but are still poor. Do you know of any pending legislation that would be good news for poor workers?"

"I don't know," the Speaker said, slowly.  read more »

The Boise Weekly's Jill Kuraitis' column:

Legislature gets a failing grade at midterms

A Democrat in disguise in the Idaho House of Representatives, Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow), is sponsoring HCR32, one of his several underdog-protection measures. This one would create Bullying Awareness Week in public schools, which legislators in the House Education committee have agreed is a step in the right direction. One of HCR32's clauses reads: "WHEREAS, bullying may consist of physical incidents of hitting, kicking, or choking, verbal threats, teasing and taunting, or systematic exclusion from activities."  read more »

From the Boise Weekly December 7 2005 issue

THINK THEY'RE ALL MORONS? JOIN THE PARTY The United Party lifts off

By Jill Kuraitis

Republicans and Democrats are as polarized as Shiites and Sunnis. Politicians of both parties sound like rival mobs of chimpanzees run amuck in their habitat, throwing poo on each other and romping gleefully away going "Neener, neener." And--unless you live in a hidey-hole under the stairs, waiting for the Rapture--you may have noticed that neither party seems to be solving some of the great crises of our time.

Idaho businessman (and Boise Weekly founder) Andy Hedden-Nicely noticed. So, with guidance from legendary Idaho politico Perry Swisher, Hedden-Nicely has founded a new political party called the United Party. "It's for creative, thinking people who see more value in proposing positive initiatives than in tearing down the other guy," he wrote in an e-mail.  read more »