Christ Church leader Doug Wilson and Keely Emerine Mix, a critic of Christ Church policies, will meet in a moderated debate broadcast on KRFP-FM radio 92.5, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The station also can be heard on the Web at radiofreemoscow.com. In a press release forwarded to the INKster by Bill London this week, radio host and moderator Steve McGehee noted the debate would focus on the relationship of Christ Church to evangelical Christianity. Questions from listeners are encouraged and will be accepted during the broadcast at (208) 892-9200. KRFP-FM is a listener-supported community radio station serving Moscow and surrounding areas. The INKster was curious how this debate came about, so she put in calls to Doug and Keely, who "thought" the debate was McGehee's idea. "I don't think the debate will be one of those things you win by being smart, quick or well spoken," Keely told the INKster in a telephone conversation Monday. "I think the evidence and the points I intend to make speak for themselves, and the only losers will be the people who don't listen with an open mind. I have no trepidation facing Doug." Doug is ready for the challenge. "The thing I am looking forward to in this debate is diminishing the number of people who get their information about Christ Church secondhand," Doug told the INKster Wednesday morning. "I would like to come on the show being the horse's mouth and not the other end." Keely serves on the Moscow School Board, but her term ends July 25. She is also Region II vice-chairwoman for the Idaho School Association until the group's annual meeting in November. The INKster suggests you round up the kids and family pets and plan to attend the first Pawlouse PetFest on Saturday at the Whitman County Humane Society, 635 NW Guy St. in Pullman. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes such activities as dog obedience demonstrations and a Red Cross first-aid class for dogs and cats. The best part, according to the release, is "all our adorable shelter pets will be on site just waiting to meet and greet you - ready to go to their new homes." PETCO will offer free food, discounts on toys and more for adopters, plus prizes and giveaways. Pullman Grange Supply will be printing ID tags for pets and donating proceeds to WCHS, and a low-cost "Don't Leave Home Without IT" micro-chip clinic will also be available. The INKster's weird dog, Cookie, was a bit miffed she hadn't been invited to participate in the dog obedience demonstrations and was told she had no one to blame but herself. There will be a blessing of the animals at noon by Roger Pettenger from Trinity Lutheran Church in Pullman and "all angelic pets are welcome to participate." "Angelic" rather eliminated Cookie from that activity as well. On Monday, the University of Idaho began taking applications for the scholarship program for wounded veterans. The UI launched Operation Education Scholarship on June 20, describing it as a "pioneering program designed to help veterans severely and permanently wounded as a result of service since Sept. 11, 2001." The spouses of wounded veterans also will be eligible for the scholarship. UI First Lady Karen White, who will serve as chairwoman of the new scholarship program, made the announcement in Washington, D.C., flanked by U.S. Senator Larry Craig and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. Both men are UI graduates. The Helping Our Heroes Foundation has pledged $10,000 to the scholarship and, according to the release, major funding will be provided by UI alumni and friends and from individuals, corporations and foundations. The INKster called for an update last week and talked to Wendy Shattuck, assistant vice president for communications. She said the fund had been at the $10,100 mark early on but was sure it had "risen" since. Apparently Craig, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, and Kempthorne have yet to contribute. Shattuck said the scholarships would be awarded based on individual and personal needs. White and a committee on campus will work with veterans and their families to "customize what we provide to their needs." "It could be a few applications, or many," Shattuck added. This is a fantastic program, and the INKster thinks it's time for people like Craig and Kempthorne to sweeten the pot. According to a recent bio, Kempthorne has never served in the military, but a Google search listed Craig's "Professional Experience (including Military) as farmer and rancher." Whatever that means. As the INKster recalls, Craig's "military experience" included a brief stint in the Idaho National Guard. For more information or to obtain an application, veterans should contact John Sawyer at the UI (208) 885-7979; or johns@uidaho.edu. Gifts can be made in support of Operation Education by calling (208) 885-7069 or online at www.uidaho.edu/givetoidaho. ....the blotter rests. INK is penned by Vera White. To contribute to INK, call (208) 882-5561, ext. 251, or e-mail vnwhite@dnews.com or vnwhite@cableone.net.

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