Inside Today's 6 News; The News Director's Blog

Just a Few Days to Go Until the 'Toxic Olympics'

One of the most interesting questions of the upcoming Summer Olympic games to me is "how will world-class athletes perform in such a toxic environment?"  You know ... air so thick with pollution people who ride bicycles need to cover their mouths ... water discolored by unregulated discharges of toxic pollutants ... the U.S. team is bringing all its own food to keep from becoming sick ... the lake where the sailing competition is to be held is covered by a massive algae bloom in polluted waters.  If I'm an Olympic sailor, my first concern wouldn't be winning.  It would be not falling overboard.

If the Olympics in China will prove one thing to us, it's "Thank God I'm an American living over here!"

But I do fear that American athletes will suffer in unpredictable ways.

I remember my days in high school when I could actually run pretty fast.  My senior year, I qualified for the state finals in the mile and two mile events, and it motivated me to train harder in hopes of finishing high.  Instead, I fell way to the back of the pack with a horrible time.  I just couldn't catch my wind.

When I came back home and told my doctor about it, he surmised it may have been in part the environment (or I could have simply choked that day, but bear with me).  The meet was held at a much higher elevation to which I was unaccustomed, and he also noted the air there was filled with different pollens and other allergens that my lungs weren't used to breathing.  He told me he wished I had approached him before the meet because he thought he could have helped me with that.  Never occured to me.

Well, no doctor is going to be able to help American athletes who are used to much cleaner air and water.  I predict we'll see few if any world records in running events.  Swimmers may break Olympic records but probably not the world records they set over here with their new space age swimsuits.  The Chinese may be able to use their toxic surroundings to full advantage because their bodies are far more accustomed to the all that pollution.

But if we lose the Olympics because we can't take the soot, I'll take it.  Some politicians like to decry how strict environmental regulations make American business less competitive.  In a previous blog, I lampooned State Rep. Curtis Bowers' contention the environmental movement was part of a 'communist plot.'  But environmentalism is very American.  Our air is cleaner, our water more drinkable, our bodies healthier and our lives better because the American people demand it as they should.  That's priceless and something the real communists in China have badly neglected.

The Olympics are supposed to be about medals around your neck, not toxic metals in your body.  Those who watch the Chinese 'Toxic Games' will witness first hand why supporting our environment is such an important part of being an American.

The Community Baby Shower That Almost Didn't Happen

The unusual aspect of the success of last year's first ever 'Community Baby Shower' for the Treasure Valley is how close it came to not happening at all.  It was a brand new idea championed by a then-pregnant Michelle Edmonds.  Michelle really wanted to do it because being pregnant and having the means to buy necessities for her newborn motivated her to want to provide them for local mothers who might not have all those advantages.

But the concept behind a 'Community Baby Shower' was so new, nobody at first really had any idea what it would be like and they were hesitant to commit to it.  Eventually, it was Michelle who personally persuaded Albertsons, Blue Cross of Idaho and the United Way to come on board.  Thanks to their help, it was a tremendous success!  So many baby products were donated by you, three local agencies that support young mothers got essentially a half year's worth of supplies!

The environment is a little different for this year's Community Baby Shower.  Sponsors who got on board last year are very much on board again this year, but now it is the economy that's the potential 'wet blanket.'  Many people in our community are struggling and simply cannot afford to donate.

What's unfortunate is that same economy is making the need greater than ever.  Young moms doing their best to raise healthy, happy infants also struggle in an environment where high gas and food prices strain their budgets and employment opportunities are reduced.

Yet somehow, Michelle ... as she did last year ... finds a way.  She dragged herself out of bed to make it to her first Albertsons store by 5am, and will keep going strong until 11 at night.  She will greet people and thank them individually for their generous donations.  She will appeal for donations on TV all through the day.  She will do whatever it takes to help these young mothers on this Community Baby Shower Day, Wednesday, July 23rd, because to use a very bad pun, 'The Community Baby Shower' is Michelle's baby.  Her willpower made the Community Baby Shower happen last year, and it will make it a tremendous success this year as well.  As I write this, bins are filled to the brim across the Treasure Valley.  I'm about to make a road trip to Albertsons myself.

Michelle would want me to make sure I thank all of you who are reading this who took a little of your time and hard-earned cash to donate.  So 'Thank You!'  But I would be remiss if I didn't thank Michelle Edmonds as well for her determination for a cause she started, has championed, and one will help so many deserving young families.

Thoughts About Jim Risch's Strange U.S. Senate Campaign

There's been a lot of speculating of late about Lt. Governor and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Jim Risch.  Unlike his main opponent, Democrat Larry LaRocco, Risch appears to be doing virtually no campaigning and seems to want to debate LaRocco and independent Rex Rammell as little as possible.  Many are surmising that Risch is 'sitting on a lead' (and the LaRocco campaign is more than willing to provide you with articles and blogs of various political pundits making that point in case you missed it).  Here are a couple.

"So the short answer to 'Why isn't Risch campaigning? Why won't he debate?' is probably, 'Because he thinks he doesn't have to.'" Jill Kuratis, newwest.com

"It's not that Risch is incapable of talking about what it will take to be an effective senator, or where he stands on the issues. It's just that, as he runs a very detached and distant campaign, he's not doing much talking at all with the voters."  Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman

Many seem puzzled by Risch's behavior but think it may be strategic.  I'm not and I don't because I have a rather unusual theory about it.  I think Risch is acting this way because I'm just not sure that in his heart he really wants the job.

I've only met Jim Risch a few times, but he has an established reputation in state politics.  Risch was the back-room wheeler-dealer when he was in the legislature ... the guy who had deep connections in Idaho's Republican inner circle and got things done.  One insider told me his knowledge of the workings of the Idaho State Legislature is unparalleled.  Part of the reason why his property tax reform proposal was successful while he was acting Governor was because Risch instinctively knew which arms to twist and which favors to call in.  He is so at home inside the Idaho Statehouse, I'm surprised he hasn't been hospitalized for 'Rotunda withdrawl' while the building is closed for renovation.

But for Jim Risch, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Senate would be like serving in a foreign country, and a rather hostile one at that.  As much as Risch knows about Idaho, he seems to know very little about the rest of America.  National issues don't appear to intrigue him.  I get the feeling having to work alongside Democrats like Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid as equals (if not a less than an equal) would disgust him.  And of course, his relative insignificance in D.C. compared to his more substantial influence here in Boise might frustrate him.  He would be a strange man in a strange land, not in love with the institution like Sen. Craig or as respectful of its power and stature and reach as Sen. Crapo.

A year ago, I blogged about my hope Attorney General Lawrence Wasden would challenge Risch in the primary once it became clear Larry Craig had toe-tapped his way out of any chance of re-election.  Part of that was because Wasden had expressed a heartfelt desire to be a U.S. Senator and I wanted to see how hard Risch would fight for that chance as well.  I didn't believe then and I don't believe now Risch's heart is in it.

Jim Risch doesn't want to be a U.S. Senator from Idaho.  He wants to be the elected Governor of Idaho.  Anyone who saw the 'Tazmanian Devilish' energy Risch applied in the few short months he had that job could see that and most credit him with doing a good job.  Compare it to the demeanor he is showing today.

Of course, Risch can't be Governor.  That job is taken likely for another 6 years, which just so happens to be the term of a U.S. Senator.  Am I the only one who doesn't think that's a coincidence?

A Man Named Pickens Brilliant Vision for America

When I was a kid living in Texas, a continual aggravation of mine was people asking me if I was related to billionaire T. Boone Pickens.  "No," I said, my last name is "Picken, not Pickens."  Yet, virtually anything with my name on it in that state would inevitably read 'Scott Pickens.'  It got to the point where I would spell it for people, 'P-I-C-K-E-N-NO-S.'

Texans infatuation with T. Boone Pickens was no mystery.  He came to embody the ideal of the 'Texas oilman.'  Smart, rich, a risk-taker and a good businessman, yet also folksy and a very down home Texan (which conveniently overlooked the fact he was born in Oklahoma).  A larger-than-life figure to Texans much the way Idahoans saw J.R. Simplot.

T. Boone Pickens is in his 80's now, still rich beyond comprehension, but he's leaving oil behind in favor of a new vision.  Wind power.  Pickens is reportedly investing tens of millions of dollars in what would be the world's largest wind farm.  He calls the U.S. the "Saudi Arabia of wind" and believes it is the key to America's energy and economic future.  There may be a philanthropic side to Pickens investment, but the man who never let a dry hole get him down certainly must also see huge potential profit in wind power.

Pickens has one caveat however.  He believes for the U.S. to capture to true potential of wind, this captain of free enterprise says the government needs to get involved.  Or as another politician put it, we as a nation have to get off being 'stuck in stupid' when it comes to energy policy. 

The Texas oilman is even going so far as to purchase airtime on television stations to push 'The Pickens Plan.'  You can look at his plan by logging onto http://www.pickensplan.com/

On the front page of the website, T. Boone spells it out as obviously as an oil gusher.  "America is in a hole and it's getting deeper every day. We import 70% of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year - four times the annual cost of the Iraq war.  I've been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil."  He goes on from there to lay out his plan and the reasons for it, and he makes some very compelling arguments.

Pickens ditching oil for wind is a notable change of heart.  Pickens pushing for government involvement when it comes to energy is a real wake-up call to all of us.

And it leaves me pondering this question.  When it comes to the future of energy in America, who's got it right?  The politicians in Washington being lobbied by oil companies who push for more domestic oil exploration and drilling, or a brilliant billionaire oilman named T. Boone Pickens who says it is time to go in a new direction?

A Little Secret That Tells You All You Need to Know About Don Nelson

So there I was innocently paging through the Idaho Statesman this morning when there it was staring me right in the face in big, bold print with a photo no less.

Best Local TV Personality in the Treasure Valley:  Don Nelson

Well that's just greeeaaaatttt!  As if all the Idaho Press Club Awards and all the Idaho State Broadcaster's Association Awards and all the Emmys weren't enough, now Don Nelson has been named Best TV Personality in Boise ... for the second straight year!  The Statesman goes on to write, "He is professional without being cold and brings insight and curiosity to the news desk every day."

Those kinds of accolades strike terror into the hearts of newsroom managers.  What if it goes to Don's head?  An anchor's ego suddenly veering out of control.  Soon, he might start demanding things!  This can go way beyond a special parking space or a bigger clothing allowance.  What if he insists on a name change ... like being called 'The Donald?'  (No, that's taken).  Or maybe he'll follow in the footsteps of some celebrities and demand to be known by a single name only.  "Your watching Idaho's Most Award-Winning Newscast with Michelle Edmonds, The Weather Expert Scott Dorval, Sports Director Joe Hughes, and DON!"  Of course that wouldn't work because with all this attention, Don would demand top billing!  I suppose he could even go the music rapper route.  How does 'D Nelly' strike you?  Oh Lord!

But of course, I really need not worry.  Don has never been one of the egomaniac TV News anchors, and I'm going to share with you a story that tells you all you really need to know about Don Nelson.  I don't think even Don knows about this, and I'll probably get in trouble for blogging about it, but it is so telling I feel compelled to share.

One thing Don enjoys doing is m.c.-ing the annual Treasure Valley United Way kick-off breakfast.  It's a tough gig because of the early hour for an evening news anchor, but Don's a very energetic host and does a great job.  This year, he and Michelle Edmonds also videotaped a short TV clip for the United Way to show to potential donors.  It was scripted in part by KIVI, but Don was uncomfortable with one of the lines.  It went like this.

Michelle tells Don that a United Way contributor has a chance "to win a flat screen plasma TV."  Don was supposed to reply "I love watching myself on one of those!" but asked the producer on scene if he could change it to "I love watching the news on one of those!"  Later, I learned the change didn't sit too well with a couple of people back here at the ranch.  It was supposed to be a joke and the feeling was Don's change took the 'punch' out of the punch line.

I sided with Don.  He's just one of those people who doesn't want anyone to believe for a second that he thinks the news is about him.  Joke or not, Don Nelson saying he likes to watch himself on TV just isn't Don Nelson.  He's quite humble, amicable, personable and as approachable in real life as on television.  That friendliness you see between Don and Michelle on set is very real.  They sit across from each other in the newsroom and continue with the same rapport you see on-air.

Don once told me if he hadn't become a TV news anchor, he would have become a radio talk show host instead, but not one like Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly.  Don's ideal would be to invite guests, ask some questions, then sit back and listen to what they have to say.  That's what truly interests him.  He enjoys listening to your stories as much as reading them from an anchor desk.  To Don, the news is really all about you.

So if you voted for Don Nelson in the Idaho Statesman's 'The Best of the Treasure Valley' section, then you should know you voted for a true professional, a family man and a great person ... who I'm pretty sure won't let this honor go to his head.

Reflecting on Two Great Americans on the 4th of July

Something strikes me this 4th of July about the 4th of November.  That's election day, and it occurred to me no matter what we decide in the voting booth, the next President of the United States will be a great American.

John McCain's history of service to our nation is well known.  The Navy pilot shot down over Viet Nam who endured years of torture and carries scars from that experience to this day.  During his captivity and even after his release, McCain could have allowed himself to fall into despair, but never stopped believing in America or serving the nation he loved.  It is easy to become cynical about those who hold office in Washington.  McCain himself was tarnished by the 'Keating 5' scandal, but he used that light brush with impropriety as a wake up call and became a better Senator and public servant because of it.  His 'maverick' reputation comes from his willingness to be his own man and buck the system and his party if he believes it is for the greater good.  The wonderful thing about McCain's campaign is we see a man who truly deserves to be President after all he has sacrificed in service to America.

Barack Obama is a great American in a different but no less substantial way.  Obama is a man who never let the hurdles that came from the color of his skin become barriers to achievement.  He worked and studied hard but then chose a selfless and less lucrative path so he could fight to make America a better place.  He's set lofty goals and has led the kind of life that personifies the term 'role model.'  He is much more than the first black man to be nominated by a major political party for President.  He is a true inspiration, the kind of individual who in many ways personifies that wonderful and unique national quality we call 'The American Dream.'

America is in a difficult place right now.  Recession, war, a sense of national decline.  Americans will soon have to make a critical choice about our future, but what a great comfort to know no matter what we decide, we can't really make a bad decision.  Our choice is between two very good ones.

I didn't see any of that four years ago.  With all due respect to President Bush and Senator Kerry, my reaction to the Presidential election of 2004 was 'is this really the best we can do for President?'  I was afraid then that maybe the modern burdens of the 'fishbowl Presidency' and the flaws in our political system had shackled our nation to 2nd rate leadership in Washington forever.

I was wrong.  I should have had more faith in America.  We live in a complex and messy place that makes mistakes and must endure difficult challenges, yet always finds a way to get up, brush itself off and shine even brighter than before.  Maybe it is because at our core we are such a good-hearted country.  Maybe it is because we are a nation of optimists who still find opportunity and hope even in our darkest days.  Or maybe it's because of not only our love of freedom, but our heartfelt belief in the virtues of freedom.  The two men now vying for the Presidency certainly embody that.

In Obama I see the intelligent idealism of Thomas Jefferson and the worldly wisdom of Ben Franklin.  In McCain I see the tremendous courage of George Washington and the great American values of John Adams. I don't personally believe God blesses a nation.  I do believe God blesses our nation with men such as these.  On this 4th of July, reflecting on these two great Americans makes me very proud to be one.

An 11th Commandment for Brandi Swindell and Bryan Fischer

Somebody asked me what I thought about Idaho Values Alliance Director Bryan Fischer and fellow Christian-right activist Brandi Swindell getting one big bill from the city of Boise.  I think many would be surprised at my response.

Fischer revealed in his blog the city has put liens on his property and demanded he and Swindell start making payments on the $10,131 a judge ordered them to pay for the city's legal fees in the infamous '10 Commandments' controversy.  For those of you who missed it, four years ago, Fischer and Swindell took Boise to court after city council decided Boise should no longer keep the 10 Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park.  The city was being challenged by another group that wanted to put up an anti-gay monument on religious grounds and council simply didn't want taxpayers to pay for a legal fight.

It's not like the city was destroying the monument or hiding it ... some would argue the monument was moved to an even more prominent location ... but the idea of Boise somehow divorcing itself from a religious symbol sent Fischer and Swindell into a frenzy, so they sued and lost.  In doing so, they ignored the 11th commandment.

"Thou shalt not fight city hall over trivial matters."

Now Fischer believes he merits forgiveness from city leaders.  He explains his logic in his blog by writing, "... the ACLU has padded its coffers by successfully suing cities on the grounds that the presence of religious monuments offends them. We reasoned that, if being offended is a legitimate basis to initiate legal action, then we had the same right to challenge the city on the grounds that removing this monument offended us.  A federal judge ... ordered us to pay $10,131 in attorney’s fees to the city. This for just three days work and despite the fact that the city has a full-time staff of several dozen lawyers, who are already being paid to do the legal work of the city. In other words, this federal judge ordered us to pay the city’s lawyers to do their job."

You can read the entire blog here:

http://www.idahovaluesalliance.com/news.asp?id=835

Fischer's logic is a bit of a stretch.  The American Civil Liberties Union doesn't sue because the presence of religious monuments offends them.  They sue because they believe their presence violates the Constitution of the United States and the stated goal of the founding founders that has become known as 'separation of church and state.'  Fischer and Swindell's fight had no real basis in the Constitution, and they got tagged with legal fees because a judge considered their arguments frivolous.

I also don't think Fischer fully appreciates the predicament in which he's placed the city of Boise.  Yes, the city has lawyers, but it has an obligation to make sure their work is done as cost-effectively as possible for the benefit of the taxpayers.  When litigation of this type is filed, Boise should try to recoup costs because if Fischer and Swindell don't pay their bill, taxpayers will.  Now city officials are basically being asked to forgive the debt, opening up a Pandora's box of potential legal problems.  Let's say the state of Idaho gets sued for not recognizing gay marriages performed in California.  Would Fischer support waiving the legal fees were a gay rights organization to sue, lose, and be ordered to pay legal fees?

But Fischer and Swindell are right when they argue citizens should have been given more opportunity to have input on this public policy debate.  City council was within its rights to vote to move the monument, but could have been much more up front and candid with the citizenry of Boise about a decision that many felt was important.  What may seem trivial from an objective standpoint can still stir passions and I suspect city officials knew that.

In that context, it is my hope some cooler heads at city hall would prevail, that the city of Boise would approach Fischer and Swindell and come up with some sort of agreeable 'pennies on the dollar' settlement. 

Boise cannot be in a position to encourage activists of any stripe to endlessly tie up their attorney at taxpayers' expense, yet the city also needs to send a message that public input and participation is encouraged.  Those who raise their voices or publicly oppose the decisions of city officials are providing an important service.  Putting liens on people's property and sending threatening letters looks too much like strong-arming and intimidation and that really serves no one.