New West Network

My Page: Larry LaRocco

Guest Opinion by Larry LaRocco

Publisher's note: This opinion piece is in response to Sen. Larry Craig's (R-Idaho) opinion on the climate change conference.

Sen. Larry Craig got one thing right in his rambling attack on the United Nations climate change conference under way in Indonesia: “Reducing emissions need not be so painful.”

The senator is exactly right. Greenhouse gas emissions reductions needn’t be painful, but only if we have the kind of visionary leadership and ingenuity that have been lacking from him and the Administration over the past seven years. Moreover, if not for the roadblocks constantly thrown up by Mr. Craig and others in denial, Idaho would already be experiencing huge economic benefits associated with the clean energy businesses – benefits already being realized in other states in our region and across the country. [more]

Guest opinion: We Need a new direction

It’s time for Congress to chart a new bipartisan direction for the war in Iraq.

The Bush Administration has made tragic blunders in Iraq. We must now demand that the Congress assert its Constitutional role and check the delusional policy of escalation adopted by President Bush.

As a veteran and parent, I believe the recent expansion of the war is not what most Idahoans want or expect. [more]

Politics: LaRocco on Idaho

Pinch me.

Was I really in Boise, Idaho with 10,000 people aching to hear Al Gore’s presentation on global warming? It makes you wonder if the true appetite for this message in reddest Idaho was north of 15,000. The feeling in that arena was electric. It was the largest live audience ever to hear this message.

Rolling Stone has published an article on Gore's prospects of converting from prophet to president. It mentions the Boise speech as evidence that the climate-change message is catching fire. [more]

Politics: LaRocco on Idaho

Idahoans recently witnessed the demise of the Central Idaho Economic Develoment and Recreation Area (CIEDRA) proposal for the 109th Congress. In spite of last-minute maneuvers by the sponsor, Congressman Mike Simpson, the bill did not pass Congress before adjournment.

Essentially, CIEDRA passed just one chamber of the Congress on its legislative journey and fell far short of the President's desk.

A few months ago, as we waited for Senate action on CIEDRA and Idaho Senator Crapo's bill protecting the Owyhee Canyonlands, a reporter asked me to comment on prospects for eventual enactment. I stated that CIEDRA must move this year with a Republican Congress and White House. That alignment of planets would be crucial for the goal - a signing ceremony - for it would all become moot if the majority changed hands in the House or Senate in the mid-term elections. One Congress cannot bind another. And it turned out the Democrats now control the House and Senate.

The history for Wilderness legislation in the West leads one to believe that planet alignment is critical. [more]

Politics: LaRocco on Idaho

Houston, I think we've got a problem with this vision thing with new Governor Otter. His State-of-the-State speech to legislators shouted: "Let's just get the hell outta here by April 1 with no blood on the floor." On the same day as the speech, Otter’s “maintenance” budget contrasted, ironically, with headlines announcing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal for a universal health insurance plan for California. Republican Governor Schwarzenegger – isn’t that the same party as Butch’s? NPR described Schwarzenegger's proposal as ambitious. We don't do "bold" or "ambitious" in Idaho. We maintain. [more]

Politics: LaRocco on Idaho

Today, January 4, 2007, almost 435 men and women were sworn in as representatives, delegates and a resident commissioner of the U.S. House of Representatives as required by Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution. 110th Congress has commenced work.

The swearing-in ceremony is a moving and family event. The House gallery was packed with friends and relatives. Kids were seen crawling on the floor of the chamber, with some held in the arms of the Members. For the new Members this moment caps off many months and years of toil in the political vineyard. I had tears when I was sworn in, and I wasn’t the only one.

The Speaker stood at the podium and the Members raised their right hands en masse to say:

"I, (name of Member), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

No hands were laid on any Bibles at this ceremony. It was covered on C-Span but most Americans will not view it firsthand. In fact, most Americans have never witnessed this event or know the protocol. After the ceremony in the House chamber it is not uncommon for some Members to stage a re-enactment for photos, and lay a hand on a Bible, another religious book or no book at all. I never did the photo opp. The real thing was good enough for me.

However, Keith Ellison, a Muslim and newly minted Member of Congress from Minnesota, said he will use a Koran for the simulated ceremony after he is sworn in. At the moment of the re-enactment he will already have been officially sworn into office. [more]

Politics: LaRocco on Idaho

Governor-elect Butch Otter took the oath of office in a very private ceremony without press or the public. Historians debated whether it's the first time in Idaho history. What's going on here? That's easy. It's trendy to be "anti." Feel a song coming on?

Remember the anti-Clinton moves by George W. Bush? It was very Texas and very anti-DC: Bush nailed double points for trips to Camp David and Crawford, Texas in the same week. Dullsville at the White House. Lights out at 10:00 sharp and no pillow fights. There were style and policy anti-actions: CEO-style management was de rigueur; meetings started on time; no sloth and late night pizza parties. On policy we had non-engagement with Israelis and Palestinians, and we didn't believe in surgical strikes against Bin Laden. That was tooooooo Clinton. Full-on war is very neo-con and anti-Clinton. [more]