Major Whipple's shot still resonates
We shouldn’t be surprised that local Republican kingpin Brent Regan is giving butterfly kisses to John Birchers and claiming they’re the brain trust of conservatism.
The local GOP Central Committee was marching Far Rightward before Regan became chairman.
The resignation of Precinct 70 Committeeman Andrew Whipple six years ago should have warned local Republicans of expanding extremism in their ranks.
Whipple?
Retired Army National Guard Maj. Whipple served in Iraq during that dicey period from November 2004 until December 2005. He also taught at Kootenai High in Harrison. And, in 2012, he was elected to the Central Committee.
Quickly, he learned that True Believers in the Central Committee considered moderate Republicans, not Democrats, to be the “enemy.” And they held a low view of public-school teachers.
“I’m an original Reagan Republican,” Whipple told Huckleberries after resigning in August 2015. “I’m very conservative. I love guns. But that wasn’t good enough.”
In an email announcing his resignation, Maj. Whipple told then chairman Neil Oliver: “Many of you think of public schools as the devil and hell bent on promoting liberalism and all sorts of evils. I really believe that many of the Republicans are brainwashed in North Idaho and controlled by puppet strings at the hands of just a few individuals. I plead for you to think for yourselves.”
It appears Maj. Whipple’s plea fell on deaf ears.
Divisive zucchini
Not only are we divided over politics, masks and vaccines, but zucchini also separate us. David Townsend of Coeur d’Alene says zucchini add nothing to a recipe. “It’s a filler, like flour or sawdust,” he grouses. “It is unnecessary, like cucumbers.” In response, pro-zuker Shelly Robins Zollman of Coeur d’Alene says the squash takes on the flavors of whatever yummy sauce is in your stir fry. Besides, she adds, “zucchini slices are a great delivery device for hummus and other dips (with) hardly any calories, full of nutrients and antioxidants, full of water and fiber for good digestion.” In other words, you should ask and not sneak zucchini onto a neighbor’s doorstep.
So Happy Together
After 23 years of marriage, Joe and Heather Hoffmaster Butler have taken a big step. They combined their vinyl albums. On one shelf. In the house. Her collection consisted of ‘80s music, New Wave, and Prince. His was eclectic, everything from ‘60s lounge to French techno pop to Disco to Barry Manilow. The only album found in both stacks was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Butlers retrieved their collections from the basement and pooled resources after buying a record player. Now, they’re even purchasing new vinyls. And Joe sees an added benefit to their musical union: “We can never separate because we can’t remember who belongs to what album.”
Huckleberries
• Poet’s Corner: You can grill them or fry them or stuff them or bake;/you can put them in soup or in bread or in cake;/you can use by the bushel, the quart, or the cup,/but try like the devil, you can’t use them up — The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“Those Zucchini from Your Garden”).
• Katrina Wright Swaim of Coeur d’Alene realizes that yellowjackets lash out indiscriminately when disturbed. But, after being stung on the backside last week, she still thinks they’re “jerks.” Says she, “I know they’re just mindless insects, but it felt personal, you know?”
• Naomi Boutz of the Vine & Olive was thinking of jerks when she Facebooked this piece of her mind: “Our sister restaurant, Vicino Pizza, is open just around the corner. Please refrain from yelling at Vicino employees for V&O being closed on Sundays. They have zero control over the labor shortage.” Wonders Naomi: “What happened to treating people the way you want to be treated.” P’haps COVID killed the Golden Rule, too.
• What was worrying our pretty little heads 50 years ago? Bingo. At a press conference on July 27, 1971, Police Chief George Lenz, Sheriff Stan Johnson, and Prosecutor Gary Haman announced an immediate county ban on bingo. Why? Haman, who would become a 1st District Court judge, claimed bingo would lead to organized crime, if it hadn’t already done so. Oh for simpler times.
• Also, at this time 50 years ago (July 31, 1971), the name North Idaho Junior College was shortened to North Idaho College. The change didn't seem like much, college officials admitted, but it better reflected "the comprehensive mission of the institution."
Parting Shot
Longtime friend Jim Spliethof was surprised to learn from Fed Ex that he lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, rather than Redding, Calif. Fed Ex contacted Jim after delivering his package to a Sandpoint address. But not to worry. Fed Ex reimbursed the retired utility lineman for its error. Yet, Jim hopes that residents at his faux address can use a spray bar to clean their toilet tank.
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D.F. “Dave” Oliveria can be contacted at dfo.cdapress.com.
