Parting Shot:

Note to Self -- Was I suppose to call Mayor Sandi Bloem to set up a coffee to discuss the error of my ways re: Sanders Beach? Or was she suppose to call? By the look in her eyes and tone in her voice Friday, it won't be a social visit. But Sanders Beach is worth the grief.

--I've been in the news biz 34 years and finally saw something I'd never seen before: A politician receive a standing ovation ... before he said anything. At the human rights shindig Friday night, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo received three standing O's, including one when he was introduced. Which is dangerous. A pol gets applauded too much and the next thing you know he thinks he has a mandate to do some goofy thing or another. Then, who can blame Crapo for thinking that? After all, he has no Demo opponent in his run for re-election.

--I noticed Councilman Al Hassell was sitting at a separate table from the rest of the CDA council at the human-rights event. And wondered if that was symbolic. Just Call Me Al travels to the beat of his own drum. Which is good for the community.

--Tony Stewart, the area's numero uno human-rights activist, is right that the annual Kootenai County Task Force event is the only forum where Donkeys and Elephants can break bread for an evening without bashing one another. Tony deserves credit for keeping politics out of the task force activities.

--I met some decent Demos at the shindig who'll probably serve as road-kill in Repub Idaho this fall, including Naomi Preston of Nampa, the woman challenging U.S. Rep. Butch Otter. First impression? Impressive. Can't see Otter losing to any D. But he's not going to have a cake walk with her.

DFO