Author Archives: ddxdx

About ddxdx

A Family physician, former county coroner and former Idaho State Senator

Senate Prayer before Debate

The senator who is the floor sponsor usually begins debate after asking for unanimous consent that the complete reading of the bill by the secretary be dispensed with. It is required that all bills be read three times before being … Continue reading

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Senate Prayer for Personal Peace

Dear God, please hear these words. Dear God, Calm my rapid heart, Driven by desire for things I should not have For they do not mean love. Dear God, Quiet my rattling brain; Thoughts drive plans I should let go … Continue reading

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Wile E Coyote and Party Loyalty

Loyalty is a fine quality, but in excess it fills political graveyards. Neil Kinnock It has been encouraging to get all the emails, texts, condolence cards, and even phone calls after my election loss. There have been many hands on … Continue reading

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Abortion at the Door

Some folks would never vote for me. I accepted this. A frequent comment I made: “I might get elected by 51% of the voters, but I represent 100% of the people in my district.” Thus it was hard for me … Continue reading

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How Do You Know?

Our last forum was for students at the university. We had forums in small towns, two in the city, at a Christian college, and a call-in radio session (not a one in Benewah County). Forums are not really debates; there … Continue reading

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Losing

  So I lost my bid for reelection. I worked hard, didn’t take it for granted, but still lost. I’m trying to sort out how I feel. I’ve run for public office seven times now, thrice for county coroner (four … Continue reading

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Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse in Idaho

As the Latah County Coroner for 15 years, and as a practicing family physician, I was well aware of the prescription drug abuse problem long before I came to the Idaho legislature. Over 200 Idahoans die annually from prescription drug … Continue reading

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Fathers

Our legislative leadership will sometimes schedule events to educate us or augment our skills as legislators. This last session we started with a half day mandatory meeting on civility. I guess they thought we needed the help. Early in the … Continue reading

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Push or Pull

It was August 2nd 1979 and we were about to head into a fire of incredible magnitude. But there was no smoke to be seen, just 4 or 5 helicopters in Bruce Meadows of the high central Idaho wilderness and … Continue reading

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All Votes Count

  There was a recent Opinion Piece that got me thinking. In it, Idaho House Majority Party Assistant Leader Brent Crane was cited: He offers caution to those who think Troy’s district would be better served by a Democrat, who … Continue reading

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