It’s Permanent for MPC

According to KTVB & The Idaho Statesman sites, MPC has acknowledged, admitted, confirmed – their doors are closing permanently and they are liquidating assets and laying off the remaining employees.
The company notified the Idaho Department of Labor in a letter today. It said that 147 of its remaining employees would be terminated immediately and 51 [...]

The Bariastas, & The Christian

Two stories caught my attention as both are related to employee/worker rights.
The first was with Starbucks’ union busting activities, and the second with an employee who was fired for saying “Merry Christmas.”
We’ll begin with the latter.  This undoubtedly will fall under the category – War on Christmas.
An employee who is Christian (Baptist) says she was [...]

Boise’s Libraries

In ‘Spring of 2009′ less than a mile away (or some 10 blocks), another branch of  the Boise Public Library system will open up – West Boise branch.
The Idaho Statesman has a story about the increase in patron traffic. I’m in agreement with the thoughts of this guy, just some guy (John Reagan) visiting his [...]

Hanukkah Begins

Hanukkah has begun…. Chanukiah in Hebrew – observing the miracle of the Maccabees’ victory with the oil that burned in the Temple for 8 days.
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The festival of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) was established to commemorate the Jewish Maccabees’ military victory over the Greek-Syrians and the re-dedication of the Second Temple, which had been desecrated by [...]

Saturday Morning Music

It’s not lazy, is it, to post music?
Generally speaking I’m not a ‘pop’ music fan.  I mean my listening runs from KBSU on Saturdays especially – from the time I wake up until into the night.  I’m even reluctant to turn on TV because I might miss Celtic Connections or Janie Harris’ program is still [...]

Oh, Just Some News From Alaska

Heads up, Steve Rule.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska officials are investigating racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama that have been circulating on state government e-mail accounts.
Idiots….
“They violate state policy — at least that’s the prima facie view of things,” Mr. McAllister said in a telephone interview. “They’re not state business, and obviously they are offensive, and [...]

Jus’ Regular, Tax-Paying, Child-Rearing Folk Like You

This morning I was listening to NPR’s Michel Martin’s ‘Tell Me More‘ – which delved into the Rick Warren controversy. She had a three-person panel: “Harry Knox, of the Human Rights Campaign, the Rev. Harry Jackson, Jr., a conservative, and the Rev. Yvette Flunder, who is openly gay, debate Warren’s participation.”
My take on Warren is [...]

Menorrah Lighting in Boise (2008)

Via KBSU:  The Jewish community in Boise making a menorrah out of canned goods for those in need.
Via the announcement from Chabad Idaho:
The Tin Can Menorah is a TZEDAKAH project to help feed the less fortunate in our community. It will be lit at the Chanukah Bowl and then dismantled for distribution.
The Grand Menorrah Lighting [...]

Check it OUT!

Look who got front-page mention on Crooks & Liars! Our own Mountain Goat and Tara at The Political Game for the fantastic work they’ve done thus far on monitoring that asshole Zeb Bell and the Bell’s Bigots Brigade.
It’s a write-up by David Neiwert, by the way of another fine blog, Orcinus.
In celebration and ‘cuz someone [...]

When Will Enough, Be Enough?

Yesterday Tuesday, I happened upon a story at Feministing in which a lively discussion ensued continuing late into the night.  What started out as a local thing was soon dragged out into the MSM.
According to the LeHigh Valley Express-Times, a married couple was seeking to have a grocery, ShopRite, make a birthday cake with their [...]