Breaking: Idaho Supt. of Instruction Tom Luna will NOT seek re-election
This tweet just came in from Idaho Statesman editor Vickie Gowler:Surprising decision: State School Supt. Tom Luna will not run for re-election. Look for more details at http://t.co/... later today.—...
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Raise for Workers: Minimum Wage Hike Introduced to Idaho Senate
By Michael StricklandCourtesy, Idaho Democratic PartyIdaho workers deserve a raise. After 20 years of GOP control, Idaho leads the nation in percentage of minimum wage jobs. At the very least, we can...
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Erpelding’s Big Week: Online Registration and Pulling Weeds
By Michael StricklandI am committed to equal rights, fully funded public education, and enhancing small businesses. - Mat Erpelding It’s been a busy week for Boise Rep. Mat Erpelding.On Monday, he...
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Education Leaders Say Idaho Gun Bill Has a Bad Shot at Improving Safety
By Michael Strickland“I feel, and I speak for those in our institution, that there isn’t enough evidence to show that having private individuals with guns has stopped an incident on campus from...
View ArticleIdaho Fails to Investigate Private Prison Overbilling
By Michael StricklandSay this five times fast:We did do due diligence. We did do due diligence …The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) and Idaho State Police (ISP) leaders are pointing fingers at...
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TODAY! Travis Manning to Announce 2014 Candidacy
by Michael StricklandCaldwell, ID – All are invited to attend the announcement of Travis Manning’s intentions to run for the Idaho Legislature for the 2014 election cycle. Staff from various statewide...
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GOP guns on campus bill could kill nuclear research at Idaho State University
By Michael StricklandIdaho's "fiscal conservatives" seem to be ignoring cost implications, among other things.Idaho State University could lose its license to conduct nuclear research from the Nuclear...
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Boise State: Allowing Guns On Campus Will Cost University $3.5 Million
By Michael Strickland Don't you just love those "fiscal conservatives?"Boise State University says proposed legislation that would allow guns to be legally carried on its campus would cost the school...
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Idaho’s 529 College Savings Plan Offers $529 Scholarships as part of 529 Day...
May 23, 2014: IDeal, Idaho’s 529 College Savings Plan, is actively reaching out to Idaho families, encouraging them to open a college savings account for family members who have future higher education...
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Meridian, Idaho Public Schools Ban The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time...
by Michael Strickland"So Meridian, because of your White fear and discomfort, the youth of your school district will now be deprived of a deep and rich opportunity to understand what it's been like for...
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Police Called on Student Passing Out Free Copies of Sherman Alexie Book
This is an update of my April 15 diary, asking for your help to get free copies of a banned book into the hands of Idaho students.Parents in Idaho called the cops last week on junior-high student...
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Press Conference Highlights Sustainability Practices of Boise Businesses with...
What: A press conference highlighting sustainability practices, businesses, and future goals for carbon reduction, featuring Boise business leaders and Mayor Dave Bieter.
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ID Election 2014: Idaho Statesman Affirms Risch’s “Dilettante” Rep
Sen. Jim Risch thinks "the job is easy."Well … who wouldn’t like a high-paying job that gave you lots of clout and respect and perks without making you work for them?That’s the job U.S. Sen. Risch has...
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Did You Know there was an Idaho Statesman Website Archive?
Tom Luna, Whitewashing Again?UPDATE: 9/15/14: An astute commenter on Sisyphus Facebook page added this: "According to a friend who inquired of the Statesman, articles over a year old are archived in a...
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Idaho Press Tribune: Hixon's Actions "could be highly scandalous, clearly...
Troubled Lawmaker HixonAn Election 2014 DiaryThe Idaho Secretary of State’s Office is investigating Rep. Brandon Hixon (R-Caldwell) after questions were raised regarding his use of campaign...
View ArticleIdaho student Jacob Dorsey drops Wisconsin Assembly race after racist and...
ALERT: HE IS RETURNING TO IDAHOAn Idaho college student withdrew from a political race in Wisconsin after a series of controversial comments.Jacob Dorsey quit his campaign for the Wisconsin State...
View ArticleCongressman Labrador Agrees: Americans Don't Know What Republicans Stand For
Raul Labrador is starting to sound like Joan McCarter:One the of the top conservative voices in the House said Friday that he fears that Republicans could fail to take control of Senate following...
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Support Jana Jones for Idaho state superintendent of public instruction
Idaho’s per-capita student spending is the lowest in the United States. Its teachers are some of the lowest paid. Its students are some of the most unprepared for college. And, not surprisingly, its...
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Election 2014: Richard Stallings is the Right Choice For Congress
Crossposted on 43rdStateBlues" ... when I go into some rural counties, I hear people say they just hate Congress, yet they'll still vote for [his opponent]," writes Richard Stallings.I fist met Richard...
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Election 2014: Shirley Ringo Points Out Labrador's Severe Flaws
Shirley Ringo is Running for Congress He pants too much?He's not housetrained?He barks a lot but can't really bite?What kind of flaws has Shirley Ringo pointed out about this Labrador?Commenters have...
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Will GOP Gov. Butch Otter Serve His Full Third Term?
Brad Little: Sneaking in?Is somebody trying to tell us something? We just reelected Gov. Otter for four more years earlier this month. Why are we suddenly being reassured that it'll be just fine if he...
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UPDATED: Idaho Government Website Links to Raul Labrador Donation Request
by Michael StricklandCampaigning on a government website, Raul?UPDATE Dec. 5, 6:08 a.m. MST:The Associated Press has picked up this story.And here is elaboration from the Spokesman Review:Daily Kos, a...
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Dear Angry Democrat
The Idaho Democratic Party receives some very negative messages from those who call themselves supporters.Here is a suggested response to these missives:"Dear Angry Democrat,We received your reply to...
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Toward Dismantling America's Incarceration Fixation
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA)by Michael StricklandMany states can no longer afford to support public education, public benefits, public services without doing something about the exorbitant costs that...
View ArticleGMO Free Idaho vs. Monsanto at City Club of Boise
by Michael StricklandI became a co-founder for GMO Free Idaho and we have steadily grown. We have formed important relationships with local farmers, food producers, and other activist groups to help...
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Sherman Alexie is Coming to Boise and Idaho Needs Your Help
by Michael StricklandThis is an update of my April 29 diary: Police Called on Student Passing Out Free Copies of Sherman Alexie Book.From the Boise State University Updates:Michael Strickland, adjunct...
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Surprise! (snark) ID Gov. Butch Otter Will Not Serve His Full Third Term
"Who cares if Botch Utter serves a full term. After all, he has not served any as yet." - a commenter on FacebookWe have received an answer (the obvious one):My SUN NOV 30, 2014 AT 02:56 PM PST diary...
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President Obama to speak Wednesday at Boise State University
What I've learned, when I decided to run, what I was betting on, was that change in America does not happen from the top down. It happens from the bottom up. - Barack Obama as a candidate for...
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I'm going to see our president again
I've noticed many more middle aged, fit-looking white males casually riding bikes around Boise State University's campus today. And there are guys squatting and staring at the ground for long periods...
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Idaho House panel risks $246 million in funding to needy families because of...
By Michael Strickland"Republicans have been accused of abandoning the poor. It's the other way around. They never vote for us." - Dan QuayleUPDATE: 11:44 a.m. MST. My orginal blog headline stated $46...
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IDP Chair Bert Marley: “We Are Running to Win”
Idaho is at a tipping point. Malcolm Gladwell, in his book, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Difference,” describes this moment in Idaho’s history very well:“Look at the world around...
View ArticleHonest Customer Feedback Leads to Racist/Sexist Response by Aj's Deli in...
I have been to Aj's Deli in Nampa, ID twice. Both times were years ago. Today, I see why something in my soul has had me driving by there almost every day (back and forth from work), but never entering...
View ArticleStacey Mooney Out As Director of Nampa Civic Center
Idaho has never been great about funding the arts. Since we moved here in 2008, my family has seen three directors of the Nampa Civic Center move on.As of today, the city of Nampa official website...
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Is Idaho GOP Representative Priscilla Giddings Threatening Students?
Update: 3:18 pm MST: The story has officially gone viral.From the Idaho State Journal:The posting has already received widespread attention, with DailyKos publishing an article on the Facebook...
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Idaho Lt. Governor Candidate Janice McGeachin Thanks “Proud to Be White...
Choose your friends wisely. Will Idaho elect a Lt. Governor who openly accepts white supremacists?A truly awful conversation was recently on Facebook under this post. It has since been deleted....
View ArticleIdaho Republican Rep. Chad Christensen: Plagiarism
Should an elected official know better?A local lawmaker was among the speakers at a rally on the Capitol steps in Boise on Friday, where he decried what he sees as the erosion of freedom and urged...
View ArticleNancy Harris: The Best Candidate for United States Senator from Idaho
The Old Boys Club is facing disruption. Nancy Harris has announced the launch of her 2020 campaign looking to become the first woman Idaho sends to the U.S. Senate.Harris is an Idaho native who says...
View ArticleIt's Time To Reclaim Idaho!
by Michael Strickland“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead Idaho is always at the top....
View ArticleSen. Risch REFUSES to Debate Paulette Jordan - OUTRAGE
BREAKING: IDAHO IS IN PLAYForty years after a Reagan landslide upset the reelection bid of liberal Senator Frank Church (D), we have the opportunity of a lifetime…to flip the reddest state in the Union...
View ArticleVote for Miranda Marquit for Idaho District 33
I always enjoy driving to Idaho Falls. The beautiful landscape and wide-open skies fill me with optimism. Last week, the drive was even more special, and my reasons to be hopeful for a better future...
View ArticleTaking on The Extremists: James Ruchti for Idaho Senate
“We’re going to see what people want (this election season),”James Ruchti told East Idaho News. “Do they want extreme partisanship, extreme rhetoric, fighting about ideology. Or do they want people to...
View ArticleReflections on the Idaho Legislature: Michelle Stennett Looks Back ... and...
"Have you ever put your heart and soul into doing something, hopefully helpful to others, only to realize upon reflection later, how much you received in return?, Michelle Stennett said in Reflections...
View ArticleSupport David Roth for United States Senate
Both of Idaho's senators opposed the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. The Idaho Senate seats are considered some of the safest in the nation. The two stuffed shirts...
View ArticleGet Idaho Back To The Politics Of The People: Vote Natalie MacLachlan for...
by Michael Strickland“I decided to run for office as I watched Public Education become public enemy number one over the last 2 years. I believe that public education is the great equalizer and is the...
View ArticleIdaho nears the fulfillment of Aryan Nations leader’s vision for creating a...
Part one of a two-part series. Part two here.Back in the 1970s and ‘80s—a period when white supremacists and far-right nationalists had been largely relegated to the fringes of American politics—the...
View ArticleVote Kaylee Peterson for Congress
Help us keep a majority in Congress!The incumbent is a poster child for right-wing extremism. I will be a voice for reason, collaboration, bipartisanship and principled compromise. He puts loyalty to...
View ArticleElect Bob Solomon for Idaho District 10 Senate
“A great legislative session would be one in which we address these real issues and needs at the beginning of the session, taking time to craft great laws, and putting partisan pet issues to the side....
View ArticleIdaho AG attempts to bully private organization over “dangerous” and...
by Michael StricklandConservative Republicans love to espouse "local control." But they love big government overreach when it can help them grab headlines. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador this...
View ArticleRaul Labrador is Good at What He Does for Himself, Lousy for Those He...
By Michael Strickland Raul Labrador is an opportunist who has been riding a gravy train that began with his initial boost to Congress on the backs of Tea Party anger and an opponent who was the dubbed...
View ArticleTerri Pickens: "Thank you Governor Little for letting us know you don’t...
"The Idaho Legislature usually can be counted on to generate embarrassing headlines, and this year was no exception, according to the Idaho Statesman editorial board. "But it wasn’t all bad. Some of it...
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