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My Page: Nathaniel Hoffman

Diary Of A Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

A couple of years ago I called Idaho potato magnate J. R. Simplot to ask him about farm subsidies. There was an Associated Press story coming across the wire that listed billionaire-farmer Simplot as one of the largest recipients of government farm subsidies in the country, and since Simplot is a major player in southwest Idaho, my editor wanted his side of the story.

I forget now how much J.R. was raking in for not growing certain crops or for growing certain crops or just for being a magnate: the details are not important right now.

But I recall Simplot’s quick response to my question almost verbatim: “If I got it, I earned it and I’m not giving it back.”

Well last week billionaire farmers got a reauthorization of the Farm Bill through Congress. And even if President George W. Bush, who is actually concerned about excessive subsidy payments to wealthy farmers, vetoes the bill, Congress is likely to override the veto.

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Diary of a Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

My second daughter was born a few weeks ago.

I wanted her birth to ramp up my enthusiasm for this election season. My journalistic training and general disdain for groups along with an extreme cynicism bred by my involvement in both journalism and groups has kept me from becoming too engaged in elections.

Before my kid was born I was mad that there are only three choices left for president. Now the anger is gone. [more]

Diary Of A Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

I once called on a U.S. Embassy abroad for assistance. About a decade ago I was stranded in the Damascus airport, denied entry into Syria. Someone at the American Embassy there helped me find a flight out.

So I think a Mexican Consulate in Boise will probably prove helpful to some 50,000 Mexican-born Idahoans. And maybe it will remind Idaho politicians that Mexico is a sovereign nation with which we have normal international relations and not a slogan with which to rally nativist voters. The Mexican Consulate in Boise will make all of the Mexican art, culture, food and music that is already present in the Boise Valley and across the state more prominent.

Maybe Reps. Sali and Simpson will stop by for a lesson in hospitality. [more]

Diary Of A Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

The use of Internet technology by candidates should be an old story by now.

But in Idaho it runs the gamut from former state Rep. Henry Kulczyk’s apparent afterthought to the full Web 2.0 treatment at saundramcdavid.com.

The majority of Idaho candidates do not even have Web sites, let alone MySpace or Facebook profiles. And they are not getting covered in the local papers. With primary elections just over a month away, it is a challenge to find out anything online about the majority of the contenders.

So this Mad Voter is looking under rocks. We call it PaleoMedia.org. [more]

Diary Of A Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

While the presidential race swirls on as close by as Montana, Idaho has been pretty much devoid of presidential race news since the Democratic caucuses in February.

So what do we write about?

Not the lame swill the state Democratic and Republican parties recycle from their spin doctors at the Republican and Democratic national committees, that's for sure. [more]

Diary of a Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

The Idaho Legislature tries its hardest to co-opt the press, from dress codes to Pledge of Allegiance regulations.

I would say that standing in our monkey suits surrounded by the very body we cover and reciting a loyalty oath that has been gerrymandered into a Christian prayer is no way to start the day in a fair and balanced manner.

Editor's note: Nathaniel Hoffman's weekly blogs are part of NewWest.Net/Politics' "Diary of a Mad Voter" feature, a group blog, published in partnership with the Denver Post's Politics West intended give a glimpse into the hearts and minds of several independent-minded voters and thinkers in the Rocky Mountain West in the '08 election cycle. For more columns check in with www.newwest.net/madvoter. And for more information on each of the bloggers, click here. [more]

Diary Of A Mad Voter: Nathaniel Hoffman

In January the black poet Nikki Giovanni came to Boise.

She was asked what Martin Luther King Jr. would do in 2008. Would he march on Washington? Protest the war in Iraq?

Would he vote for Obama?

“How the hell would I know?” Giovanni quipped, launching into a little poem followed by an educated guess: “Martin would have braids and a tattoo,” Giovanni says pulling up her sleeve. “Mine says ‘Thug Life.’”
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Idaho Political Grok

Monday morning peeks at how the Legislature may handle the growing number of transitional homes in the Boise Valley and the legacy of urban renewal. Reaction to the latest sex allegations on Craig, and his latest denial.

Wolves.

Cows.

In today's Idaho politics grok. Read it here first. [more]

Idaho Political Grok

Idaho reaches fuel tax agreement with four tribes before Legislative deadline, Treasure Valley Community College could cost neighboring counties and Sali on Republicans and drunken sailors... in today's (first ever) Idaho Political Grok... Just a few of the things Xutos.org is reading.

We are experimenting with an Idaho political news roundup. Let us know what you think via or in the comments... and look for tweaks to this service in the coming weeks. [more]

That's why reporters take notes

About a year ago I spent some time in Lebanon. Toward the end of my stay I travelled to the north by bus with another reporter I had met in Beirut. She took notes all day.

I paid attention. I ate as much new food as I could. I talked to whomever I could. I barely pulled out my notebook except to write down new Arabic vocabulary words.

But a year later she comes up with this story about a kid we met that day. I barely remember hanging out with him.

That's why reporters take notes. [more]