... as if we don't have enough of those already.
Idaho Sen. John McGee spent Father’s Day in the Ada County Jail.
He was arrested on charges of grand theft and drunken driving after what witnesses said was bizarre behavior and statements early Sunday morning. Tracey Carleton said her two teenage sons woke her up about 2 a.m. Sunday, saying a drunk man had jack-knifed the neighbor’s Ford Excursion and a 20-foot trailer in their large south Boise yard. The man had wandered around the property, up and down the road and eventually went to sleep in the vehicle’s back seat.
Carleton said her husband, Joe, a volunteer chaplain at the Ada County Jail, went outside to speak with the barefooted man, who said he was looking for the “promised land.” When he saw Tracey Carleton in her white bathrobe on the front porch, he said, “Look there’s an angel,” she said. Then the Carletons called police.
“This man was hallucinating,” Tracey Carleton said. “His legs were cut up. He had some gouges on his leg.”
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/...
in my diary from yesterday, I wrote:
Like most people who get DUIs, this probably isn't a first for such behavior. But Idaho's Republican Good Ol Boy network rubs elbows, giggles, and slaps each other on the back ...
They give a wink and problems go away.
Grab some tranquilizers ... and read on:
McGee attempted to be a champion for legislation against dangerous drivers.
From the February 16, 2011 Idaho Press Tribune:
Caldwell Sen. John McGee says texting while driving is as dangerous as driving while drunk. ... He’s right.
Police officers can already charge someone with inattentive driving if they see erratic behavior on the road. But McGee has introduced a bill in the Legislature that would clarify to law enforcement that texting while driving simply is inattentive driving.
It might not seem like much of a difference, but McGee’s addendum would make it easier for police to write a ticket without having to wait until it’s too late. If the bill becomes law, an officer could write a ticket the minute he sees someone texting at the wheel. He wouldn’t have to wait until he sees the driver swerving all over the road.
And like the bunny in that old energizer battery commercial, the ironies in this case keep going ... and going ...
A former aide to Gov. Kempthorne, McGee is frequently mentioned as candidate for higher office, including governor. He considered run for 1st Congressional District in 2010, but took a pass, saying he was focused on raising his young family. He is also the chairman of the Canyon County GOP.
His loss of that focus gave the young family a very sad Father's Day.
As part of his rising star Republican "street cred," McGee Chairs ... are you ready? ...
The Regional Substance Abuse Authority Legislative Committee.
Senator McGee is active in his community as the Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Party Central Committee and served on the Board of Directors of the 2009 International Special Olympics. McGee is a member of the Caldwell Rotary Club and is the Chairman of the Regional Substance Abuse Authority Legislative Committee. Senator McGee serves his alma mater, the College of Idaho, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
In the last election, McGee was endorsed by Idaho Governor C.L. Butch Otter:
“Senator John McGee has earned and deserves the unconditional endorsement and the support of every person who cherishes our Idaho values – - limited government, personal responsibility, and fiscal conservatism. For the great job he has done, he has certainly earned mine.”
And the "Good Senator" responded:
“There is no greater standard bearer of conservative values in Idaho than Governor Butch Otter,” said Senator McGee, “I’m pleased to receive the endorsement of our Governor.”
Hallucinating?
Sourcewatch notes:
In 1992 Otter was pulled over on Interstate 84 near Meridian, Idaho for suspicion of driving under the influence. He claimed the arresting officer observed him swerving was he was reaching for his cowboy hat, which had been blown off by the wind in his open car.
Otter offered several excuses for failing the field sobriety test including: his stocking feet were stung by weeds and gravel, he had run eight miles and his knee hurt, he was hungry, and that he had soaked his chewing tobacco in Jack Daniels.
A jury convicted Otter in 1993. He was sentenced to 72 hours of community service and 16 hours at an alcohol treatment program. This incident allegedly forced Otter to abandon an anticipated run for governor in 1994 and instead seek re-election for lieutenant governor.
Responding on Facebook, Julie Maitlin Woods added:
I would soooo hate to be walkin' in this guys shoes right now. Will be interesting to see that with all his accolades, how many of his conservative "friends" will stand by to support him. In Idaho, the "good ole boys club" have a way of making these things disappear. Keep me posted would ya? No T.V.
He is also the CHAIR of the senate anti-education bills. He is the guy who spent hours reading the Luna (Republican Education "Reform") bills out loud to the legislature. I can forgive him for getting drunk and making an ass out of himself. But not his role as Lunatic's sidekick. That issue has hurt more than a few people....He basically fucked with students/teachers/and the ability to receive a decent education in Idaho. So good luck buddy. Payback can be hell.
But being a drunk didn't stop Butch from being Governor, and didn't stop him from appointing a fellow boozer to a critical position as ... are you ready again? ...
Deputy chief of the Idaho Bureau of Prisons:
Josh Tewalt is Gov. Butch Otter's comeback kid: New deputy chief of the Idaho Bureau of Prisons rebounded from three arrests of his own
BY DAN POPKEY
Bad judgment and bad timing might have ended Josh Tewalt’s career in government.
In March 2005, less than a month after another member of Butch Otter’s gubernatorial campaign staff was arrested for DUI and quit, Tewalt wrecked on Idaho 52 and was charged with driving under the influence.
He had spent four years on Otter’s congressional staff, and he immediately resigned. Tewalt’s DUI arrest — the second of three between 2002 and 2006 — wasn’t connected to Otter, who won his first term as governor in 2006. But Tewalt’s promising career was in ruins. “You think it’s over, you think you’re done,” Tewalt said.
Called a "sparkling young man," in April, 2011, Tewalt started his new job at $83,200, just before his 31st birthday.
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Thank you for reading my diary thus far.
Do you need a drink now?
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Q. Can things get any worse for McGee? Can he resurrect his career?
A. Who knows?
But things can get worse for Idaho. Redstateresident said:
His constituents will not like this. Idaho is a small state and McGee will pay a price, I spend time as an advocate at the Idaho Legislature for some issues. Reality is we will get a far worse far right wing nutbag out of his district. McGee who is a politician in both the best and worst senses of the word would at least talk to those with not hard core right wing agendas. This particular piece of dangerous dumbassness notwithstanding, he is brighter than your average Idaho legislator.
Its a personal tragedy he brought on himself and will pay a price for. The political ramifications for our poor state are shitty as well.