Category Archives: Idaho

Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

U.S. Youths Apathetic, the True End of the United States

I was talking with my adult kids, and my 14 year old, about what was going on in France.  They didn’t care.  I tried to relate the basic issues of the people feeling ripped off by their government, and corporations, to what is happening here in the United States.  They didn’t care.  I asked my 14 year old what her fellow high school students think.  They don’t care.  What the hell?

She explained that most high school students, at least in East Idaho, feel powerless and are blaming everything on anybody that looks different (most people in Idaho are non-Hispanic whites).  That includes blaming President Obama.

My adult kids backed up that explanation, with the addition that most youths feel that even violence wont change things.  Their co-workers feel powerless and would rather get away from the U.S., than waste any effort to try and change it for the better.  Part of that attitude comes from seeing what their parents have, and are, dealing with.  Hearing from their parents how nothing changes no matter who gets elected, or how many people protest.  Seeing that everything their parents worked for has been lost, or could be lost so easily.

A demonstrator and his daughter march through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

In other words, the future generations of the United States believe they have no say in how the U.S. is governed.  No say in the direction of corporations.  They feel that, essentially, they have no say in their own lives, as long as they stay in the U.S.  This is the true end of the United States.

It’s obvious the French youth still believe in their future, a future in France, because they are fighting for it.

A demonstrator marches through the streets to protest the French government's attempt to raise the minimum retirement age in Paris on October 19, 2010. Trade unions and students have staged nationwide street marches and disruptive strikes throughout France over the last few weeks. UPI/David Silpa Photo via Newscom

Idaho, Reviews

Thai Paradise Review – Excellent!

Here in Pocatello, Idaho, a new restaurant opened in downtown on July 14th, 2010.  What kind of restaurant?  A Thai restaurant, the type of restaurant some people have been wishing for in Pocatello.  Is is good?  You bet, I went their for lunch and dinner, and both were great.

The atmosphere is very spacious in Thai Paradise, with a very tall ceiling.  There are two large round tables, two two-seater tables up front (nice view of outside with those), and the rest of the tables are four seaters.  Also, there is a room that hosts live music from time to time with larger tables.  There are no booths, which I would have liked.  The lighting is good, not too bright or dark, and goes well with the color scheme in the building.

For lunch, the menu is small, but tasty.  You are given a generous portion, and each meal comes with rice and the main item (curry, pad thai, etc).  The dish I ordered was great, I would have liked it to be spicier, however.  Of course you can get thai iced tea, which is one of my favorites, and it is very good, strong and creamy.

For dinner, the soup is excellent, and the dishes for dinner are better than lunch (the dinner menu is much larger).  The best dish I had was pineapple curry.  It had perfect amount of spice and the pineapples really added a nice touch.  One thing that stood out was the service.  My waitress was very polite, greeting us in Thai, and very well mannered.  At the end of the meal, she put my leftovers in boxes for me.

Dessert was a nice treat.  Coconut custard is widely used, as is sweet rice and coconut ice cream (home made!).  Purple rice with coconut custard is my favorite, and is a nice touch after a spicy meal. Price wise, Thai Paradise is not bad.  It is anywhere from $9.00 to $15.00 an item for dinner, and about $7.00 for lunch.

If you don’t like spicy, Thai Paradise does have options for you, same with vegetarians.  However, if you do not like coconut, your options are limited, but there are meals with no coconut.

Business/Economics, Idaho

Idaho Higher Education a Must by 2018. Political Candidates Fail to Help Idaho Students

According to a Georgetown University study, Idaho will see an 61% increase in jobs requiring some level of higher education, by 2018.  Last night, during the Idaho gubernatorial debates, all three candidates, Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter, Keith Allred and Jana Kemp, failed to explain how they would help Idahoans with college.

The candidates seemed to miss the fact that the number one issue with potential college students is cost.

As a non-traditional college graduate (I went to college late in life because it seemed like the only way to progress in the workplace was to get a degree) I can tell you the piddly grants are not enough, you must get student loans.  I also worked part time because the loans did not cover my family’s living expenses.  But who wants to get a loan that will be with you until you die?  I was never told how student loans are exempt from bankruptcy, or about the cases where graduates lost their apartments, and their jobs, because they couldn’t make the full student loan payment.  Why couldn’t they make their payments?  Because the jobs they got with their degrees didn’t pay them enough.  I also learned that it’s only the Federal loans that can be deferred.  I have two private loans and they could care less that I can not make their full monthly payments.  One of them actually sent me fake court documents with a letter that said if I didn’t start paying in full, that the next court documents would be real.

My oldest daughter is currently working full time in Boise, and she attends Boise State University thanks to student loans (even working full time she can’t afford the college expense).  My other two adult kids have decided that if the cost of going to college means getting into lifelong debt, then it’s not worth it.  They are right!  Crap, I could have bought a house with the money I owe for college, and it would have been a better investment!

So what did Otter, Allred and Kemp have to say about the issue of higher education?  Basically they all agreed that it was an issue of concern, because Idaho was going to need more college graduates for its workforce.  Otter and Allred said students should look into going to a community college, if they are worried about cost.

Eastern Idaho Technical College says its part time credit fee is $82.00, full time fee of $884.00.  Idaho State University (my Alma mater) says its current part time fee is $273.00 per credit (much more than what I paid), full time $2,708.00.  That’s a big difference between an eastern Idaho vo-tech and an eastern Idaho university.  Don’t forget those are just the credit fees. There are other fees and book costs, all of which have been going up.  Also, the per credit cost of the vo-tech seems low, but, that is only $60.00 less than what I paid when I started attending ISU.

When it comes to money, potential college students are not dumb.  Why get into debt when the job you get with your degree most likely will not pay you enough to meet living expenses and your student loan payments?  Vo-tech seems the most practical choice, and they usually help you find a job with your degree.  But if your sights are set on a higher degree forget it.

Jana Kemp talked about, basically, an add campaign to raise awareness of the importance of higher education. That is already happening, but it doesn’t address the concerns of students, and their families, about affording college.

Keith Allred mentioned a program where high school students can get college credits by enrolling in courses run by colleges.  That’s true, but, you still have to pay a per credit hour fee, and for some families it’s still unaffordable.

Butch Otter mentioned the expansion of financial aid, but the majority of so called financial aid still comes in the form of loans.

So, once again, the problem is cost. Is it affordable, and can the student avoid a huge debt burden?

Essentially, not one of the candidates said anything about bringing down the actual cost of higher education, or making it easier for students to pay for college without incurring a heavy debt burden, or making sure the jobs that want college graduates will pay enough to cover all expenses.  Even though all three candidates are college and university graduates, it appears they are out of touch with the current reality of getting a higher education.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho in Top 5 for Foreclosures, Right Behind California

The latest Realty Trac survey puts Idaho in the top five states for home foreclosures.  Idaho is ranked number 5, right behind California at number 4.

Realty Trac says Idaho saw a 13.67% increase over the same time last year, and a 19.74% increase since the 2nd quarter of this year. For the 3rd quarter of 2010, one out of 86 homes in Idaho are in some stage of foreclosure.  California, while seeing a drop in foreclosures, still has one out of 70 homes in foreclosure.

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: A 'bank foreclosure sale' sign is posted in front of townhomes on August 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. U.S. banks repossessed homes at a near record pace to drive up July foreclosures. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The top 5 states, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, California and Idaho, make up 50% of foreclosures in the United States.

This news comes as the big banks involved in the foreclosure fiasco are reporting big profits for the same quarter.

Business/Economics, Idaho

Hoku Turning to China to Help Finish Pocatello Plant

13 October 2010

Hoku Corporation has taken on several millions of dollars in loans, from Chinese banks, in order to finish construction of their Pocatello, Idaho, polysilicon plant.   That’s according to information on Hoku’s website.

Also, Hoku has amended its construction contract with JH Kelly.  A result of delays due to Hoku having difficulty with funding the construction.

Hoku Corp. produces fuel cell membranes, photovoltaic systems, and hopes to produce polysilicon for solar panels at the new Pocatello facility.

Hoku has made several supply agreements with companies based in Asia, but, those agreements hinge on the completion of the Pocatello plant, and, successful demonstration of polysilicon production.  Those agreements have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of pre-payments by the Asian companies.

Hoku is hoping to get production started by the end of the year.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Investigating Foreclosure Fiasco

Officials from 50 states, including Idaho, along with the District of Columbia, announced they were launching investigations into possible foreclosure abuses.  Today, one of the biggest banks involved announced a $4.4 billion profit in the 3rd quarter.

There is growing evidence that bank employees falsified information on foreclosure paperwork.  RealityTrack says more than 2.7 million homes have been lost to foreclosure since 2007.

CHICAGO - JULY 15: A demonstrator protests outside the offices of JPMorgan Chase July 15, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. He was demonstrating in support of families being evicted from an apartment building because the building has been deemed uninhabitable by the city. Residents claim the building was not maintained after the bank took over the building following a 2008 foreclosure. Residents are required to be out of the building by Saturday. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Ally Financial/GMAC  have admitted that their paperwork has errors.  Citigroup and Wells Fargo deny they have done anything wrong (www.detnews.com).

On Friday, Bank of America halted foreclosure processes in all 50 states.

Idaho Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange stated on Tuesday that, “We currently know about this at the national level and we have received complaints, some recent, of specific defects under Idaho law.” (www.idahopress.com).

Business/Economics, Idaho

New Pocatello School Builds Character with Baseball

A new business in Pocatello wants to help your kids become all they can be, using the sport of baseball.

Sandlot Baseball & Softball Academy, located in the Westwood Mall, in Pocatello, opened a week ago, and is taking new students now.

The Sandlot website states: “Our programs are designed to help parents create successful, dedicated and respectful children by reinforcing positive values in our unique baseball/softball setting.”

Sandlot Academy, Pocatello, Idaho.

According to the website, the academy’s training fields are indoors, so no weather worries (www.sandlotacademies.com).

Mike Wise, owner of the Pocatello Sandlot Academy, said they are closed during school hours, but are open 4:30pm-9:00pm (check with Mike), so “…swing on by.”.  Mike’s contact info is on the Sandlot website.

The Westwood Mall is off Garrett Way, in Pocatello.

Business/Economics, Idaho

Pocatello Big Lots! In time for Halloween.

Despite store closings in Pocatello, Idaho, a new store is opening just in time for Halloween.

Big Lots! Pocatello, Idaho.

Big Lots! is located where the Rite Aid used to be, on 1000 Pocatello Creek Road, in the Foothill Plaza Shopping Center, right next to the WINCO grocery store.

Pocatello, Idaho.

Big Lots! is one of the country’s largest closeout stores.  Because of the nature of their business their inventory changes a lot, but bargain hunters love it.  Big Lots! is set to open October 28th.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Lies, Lies and More Lies. Snidely the Illegal Forecloser Returns.

When the scandals of arbitrary home foreclosures were revealed, it was reported by some news sources to involve only people who missed payments (money.cnn.com).  Lies!

I have seen several reports where homes were foreclosed with no payments missed. In one example, a man paid cash for his home, no payments to make, and Bank of America foreclosed his home (www.sun-sentinel.com).  A foreclosure attorney admitted that mistakes “happen all the time”, and that they just aren’t reported.

Here’s some info to cause concern.  Those foreclosure fiasco cases are only being reported in states that require a court process to complete.  Almost half of the states do not require a court process, including Idaho (where I live) and California (where most of my relatives live).  The problem is, that the same financial Snidelys that are illegally foreclosing on people, in the states requiring Judicial Process, are also operating in the states with Non Judicial Process.  If you are getting unfairly foreclosed on you can do an internet search under ‘fighting foreclosure’.  You’ll probably have to hire an attorney anyway.

Here’s some data (updated October 12th, 2010) on the number of foreclosed homes for sale in selected Idaho counties.  Ada: 885.  Bonner: 342.  Bonneville: 85.  Twin Falls: 76.  Bannock: 38. (www.foreclosuredataonline.com)

Idaho’s foreclosure numbers may not seem like much, but compare Idaho’s  population of 1.5 million people, to California’s nearly 37 million (U.S. Census Bureau). According to a Bloomberg.com article, Idaho’s foreclosure rate increased 822% in the second quarter of 2010.  How many of those are bogus/illegal?  We’re seeing the return of the melodramatic bad guy, a Snidely who loves to foreclose the homes of little old ladies and ruin families.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Mental Health Decrease = Violent Crime Increase

A recent story in the Idaho State Journal showed that a random shooting, that took place at the end of September, may be linked to the state of Idaho ending health care coverage for people with certain mental disorders.

On September 27th, a man was shot outside a Pocatello, Idaho, coffee shop. He nearly died after losing 40% of his blood.  The shooter was a man who had not been on his mental health meds because the state cut off the funding.  The article showed there are other instances of violent behavior since the cuts took place.  One man, in court after assaulting his own house and car, was “suggested” by the local judge to get control of his mental problem (findarticles.com).  Hello? Isn’t that part of a ‘mental’ health problem?  They can’t control it without outside help, and many of them are not in a position pay for it.

This year Idaho lawmakers claim they saved taxpayers $9 million by cutting the mental health budget.  They also said, earlier in the year, that only people with private insurance would be dropped from state assistance.  Yet, I’ve read several recent articles that say, in actuality people without any insurance have been cut.  To give you an example of how insensitive lawmakers are; according to an article in the Idaho Statesman, State Representative Ken Andrus, a Republican from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, said he considers the Pocatello shooting, by a man dropped from state help, to be an isolated case (www.idahostatesman.com).

Several mental health care professionals, here in Eastern Idaho, are warning that this is just the beginning of bad things to come.  The family of the shooting victim are outraged.

This reminds me of the Federal cuts for mental health care, pushed by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.  Instead of saving money, it cost more money in the long run, because of increased incarcerations, and lawsuits, due to resulting violent crime by people who were pushed onto the streets, and, went off their meds.  The difference between then and now is that then the government was trying to save money.  Now, there is no money.  The results will be the same.