USPS... Five Day Delivery?

The economy is taking a toll on the US Postal Service. Right now the big story, of course, is that they're considering dropping either Tuesday or Saturday delivery to save some money.

But lets think a little further out. Since mail is a largely paper-oriented service, is it possible that for the same reasons newspapers are dying, technology may mean the end to the USPS as we know it?

This is no prediction, but, much of what people get is advertising, bills, catalogs, legal documents, etc. A lot of that is going online and many companies offer paperless billing, making moot the postal service's role in your relationship with them. I can't help but think that this ever-expanding trend to paperless correspondence will only mean less and less revenue for the USPS.

If there are items that need to be sent, then UPS or FedEx can fill the void. Just food for thought...

Senator Risch Questions Algore

Nobel Fraud Prize winner Algore was testifying in a Senate committee hearing yesterday about global warming... I've scoured the YouTube videos so you can see Senator Risch's brief questions for Gore.

Slide into about 8:02 in the video to see Sen. Risch:

And here's the continuation:

President....Kempthorne?

Thanks to liberal listener Jim for this link. I've always thought Dirk Kempthorne may have Presidential aspirations. But we have to put this into perspective. Stop and think of the dozens - perhaps hundreds - of current well-knowns out there (esp. among the Republicans) who are mulling a run in 2012. By their nature, nearly all politicians think that they have what it takes, and undoubtedly have looked in the mirror and practiced their Presidential Pose, or even given their own little acceptance speech while driving down the road. I'm not surprised Kempthorne is among them.

I like Dirk Kempthorne, but he is, after all, a politician.

P.S. What's going on with his eyebrow in this pic?

Other Wednesday NLS Topics...

In addition to girls HS basketball and the fate of Memorial Drive in Idaho Falls, we'll be talking about the Socialism Expansion Act, politely called the "stimulus package" in Washington DC. Are Republicans (the few that remain) doing enough to stop it?

Memorial Drive on the Chopping Block?

City planners in Idaho Falls are considering an expansion of the greenbelt along the Snake River in Idaho Falls. The grand vision is to eliminate Memorial Drive, which would make room for an ampitheater, foot bridge, water fountain, and more. But, it could be controversial because many feel that downtown Idaho Falls is crowded enough, and if you subtract the parking offered by Memorial Drive, the problem will only get worse. We'll talk about this idea today on the Neal Larson show, and my belief (this is as granola as I'll ever get) that it's good to trade in asphalt for grass -- if you're trading the right asphalt. We'll hear from you on a Wednesday NLS!

Girls Basketball

It's been a long time since girls' high school basketball has gotten so much attention. The Covenant School beat the Dallas Academy 100-0. Now, because it's too lopsided, they need to lose, apparently. In fact, they've been shamed into seeking a forfeit. Apology, perhaps, because it's clear they ran up the score. But, they didn't cheat, take steroids, or sabotage the other team. They just beat them badly with little sportswomanship. That shouldn't translate into a forfeit.

Thoughts on Geithner

I just had this thought this morning. Making Timothy Geithner the Treasury Secretary is sort of like making a vegetarian the head of the National Cattlemen's Association.

Selling us out?

How's this for a confidence booster in our new President? PBHO has granted his first television interview, and it's with an Arab television network. In the interview he seems to apologize for America. I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy about this at all.

The "Mormon Index"

This is an interesting article about how some don't pay exclusive attention to the regular economic indicators we have reported to us in daily doses. Instead they pay attention to "boutique" indicators -- a smaller slice of the economic pciture, but apparently historically accurate. This article talks about the "Mormon Index" which measures the level of anxiety among Latter-Day Saints.

The Struggling Auto Industry

So on a Tuesday NLS, we're going to have Teton Toyota's Mario Hernandez in studio to talk about the serious situation with the auto industry. I'm sure you have a lot of questions beyond just the philosophical problem of taxpayers bailing out an entire private industry.

Shocking Foul

This player should be suspended for several games, not just ejected from one... Check out this foul...

NLS Monday: Expert Network with Good Samaritan

We'll be joined by Rich Cartney and Janell Price from Good Samaritan and Computer Medical. Don't miss the show!

ADD Friday: Immigration, D91, D25, and more!

An ADD Friday we'll chat with former Indiana Congressman John Hostettler, who's written a book. What can we expect to happen with the border issue during the Obama Administration? We'll talk with the former congressman about it.

Plus, on Tuesday the District 91 school board will be voting whether to ask voters to pass an $85 Million bond to upgrade their facilities. We're working to have the superintendent on.

And what's going on with the semester/trimester issue? District 25 in Pocatello is switching to Trimesters, opening up a whole slew of options for students.

Plus, since it's ADD Friday, we'll hear from you!

Yikes!

Read this piece by Dick Morris, a prediction of sorts about the coming era of American socialism which, if it comes to pass, will make for a pretty scary existence.

Cell Phone, Texting Ban on the Way?

A Boise Democrat Senator, Les Bock, is proposing a ban on using handheld cell phones and text messaging while driving. I talked with a co-worker of mine and asked him what he thought about it. His remark was insightful, "We always think we should be able to do it, but everyone else shouldn't be able to." He's right. I call people all the time while I'm driving. I don't think twice. I also text on occasion while driving, though I know I shouldn't. But when I see someone else do it, I admit I grumble a bit inside.

Is it dangerous? Absolutely. Driving in itself is dangerous (in some counties more than others), and trying to multitask while doing it is just foolish. But a law? Do we need to mandate safety? Don't we already have laws to deal with people who are not focused sufficiently on driving? And does the fact that Senator Bock lives in the state's only metropolitan area skew his view? While driving and texting in downtown Boise is obviously dangerous, if I do it while driving on a lonely rural highway is it the same?

We'll tackle the whole issue on Thursday's NLS!

Authoring history before it happens

We've all heard stories about news outlets accidentally issuing an obituary-report of somebody who hasn't actually, well, died, yet. It happened with Ronald Reagan and it's happened with others. I know how this happens.

Knowing that a big event is on the horizon, news outlets will prepare their coverage in advance, and when the moment arrives all they have to do is fill in the necessary blanks and their story is done.

It's not a malicious mistake to air it, only embarassing.

But media outlets today are doing something that is more irresponsible, if not sinister, because it is deliberate. They are pre-writing history. In contrast to writing material about an event they know will happen, they're writing material about events they will ensure happen.

The media will create a successful Obama Presidency, no matter how incompetent and unprepared he is. I believe that we live in an era where mass media in most cases has discarded their dedication to any sort of accurate and fair journalism in favor of the much more intoxicating role of determining the outcome of events. They have power. And they are using it. The media believes that it's now more noble to help achieve social justice than to simply report the facts. After all, who's not for social justice?

It's been in the works for a long time, this transition from the truth-driven media to the cause-driven media. The transition is about complete. As a concerned citizen, taxpayer, father, husband, and human being, I don't expect the mainstream media to honor our American heritage of limited government and rugged individualism. On the contrary. They will do all they can to shape a utopian reality that up to this point has only been depicted in books by Huxley and Orwell.

If you think everything is twisted, that good is being called bad and bad is being called good, you're not alone. We're living in a world where realities are perceived in reverse. It's happening so the media elite can feed their need to control outcomes.

I believe with yesterday's advent of the socialist Presidency, a corresponding four-year campaign of Orwellian propaganda began in earnest as well.

Racist Prayer?

Scroll into about 4:30 to hear the offending reference... tell me what you think

Check out the tees

Ignore the patently unfair and biased presentation of these mugshots, but check out their political preference as pronounced by their tee-shirts. Thanks to Rick for this, in my inbox.

District 91: Semesters v. Trimesters, the saga continues

So last night during a crowded school board meeting, trustees decided to hold off on a vote to transition from trimesters to semesters. Is this a "finding the best way to administer education" issue or a "let's get the Mormons issue"? We'll talk about it on the NLS!

Ann Coulter on the Fairness Doctrine

This is a good piece by the unrivaled Ann Coulter. I have a vested interest in making sure this issue gets as much attention as possible. So, read up!

Governor to give State of the State

By the time I'm back on the air, Governor Butch Otter will have given his State of the State speech. We'll take some time to talk about his remarks, take your calls, and we'll hear from some local legislators as well. It's all about the money, or lack thereof this year. Be sure to join us Tuesday!

Palin Interview

You Know...

There's been much ado about Caroline Kennedy's prolific string of "You Know"s... She said "you know" something like 531 times in three milliseconds. Or something like that. I heard a talk show last night talking about it, and now my thoughts.

Let me preface my remarks by saying she is absolutely unqualified to be New York's junior (or otherwise) Senator. She simply doesn't have the experience to be a US Senator. I furthermore find it terrible the hypocrisy present in the media's treatment of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin compared to their coverage of Kennedy.

Here's my real point. As for the "you know"s. I've knows brilliant people, good at their jobs, who choke once a camera or microphone is pointed at them. I've known absolutely unqualified people who are incredibly well-spoken and dynamic.

I believe we are putting too much stock into a superficial measure of her abilities. A deeper examination of a thin resume proves her lack of readiness. It's my understanding that even though she's well-known, she's a private person not accustomed to dealing regularly with the media. I think we could cut her some slack on that front.

Geddes, Luna on NLS Legislative Preview

On our Legislative preview today, we'll have Senate pro tem Bob Geddes of Soda Springs on the program. Plus Education chief Tom Luna is in town and he'll be stopping by for a visit. The legislative session is about to get underway and we'll do our best to get you up to speed.

Indignity

I feel horribly for this fellow... but not horrible enough to not post it.

From the Inbox

For all you 2nd Amendment guys (& gals) out there:

Tuesday NLS: Lt. Governor, Big Guy v. Little Guy

Who's going to be Idaho's next Lt. Governor? We'll know by the time my show starts, and we'll talk about the new pick.

Plus Dish Network and KIDK are still going at it, trying to figure out a way for Ch. 3 to be aired on Dish that both sides are comfortable with. In a somewhat similar situation, Qwest pulled their services froma small phone company that serves a number of people locally. What's the story behind these service interrruptions?

Couple of things on the radar screen

On Tuesday morning, governor Butch Otter will announce his pick for Lieutenant Governor. Who will it be? Be sure to listen in at 11am and we'll tell you! Then, we'll talk about it on the Neal Larson Show at Noon. Cross your fingers for an East Idaho pick.

So the legislature convenes in a week. There's a lot of issues, and not a lot of money, on the table! Transportation, Education, Health and Welfare, Jessica's Law, and more. Join me on Monday's show. We'll have a preview, and hopefully we'll be hearing from one of our local senators to discuss the session.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back! It's exciting to have a new year ahead of us, murky as it may seem. There's something refreshing about a clean slate. While I certainly have a couple of resolutions personally. I have some for the Neal Larson Show as well. It's my hope that we can grow the show bigger and better than ever. I hope your holiday season was as restful and reflective as it should have been and that you have a renewed spirit ready to tackle another year. Happy 2009!