Moscow lawyer Gregory C. Dickison appears to be taking several new career paths of late, according to some recent Christ Church postings in the INKster's e-mail box. In a Sept. 26 e-mail addressed to "Friends" at Christ Church and Trinity Reformed Church, Dickison announced he was "taking a new direction" with his career and is now an agent with Bennett & Associates Real Estate. "The Palouse has been my home since 1979, and I have been a practicing lawyer since 1992," he wrote. "I enjoy living in Moscow and as our community continues to thrive I take pride in serving my neighbors in all their real estate needs." In his new position, Dickison promises to "stay abreast of the latest market happenings and to stay on top of real estate law." "Through the Teamwork Approach of the largest real estate company in the area I can help make your dreams a reality," he concluded. After that ambitious agenda, the INKster was surprised Monday when she opened another e-mail noting that Dickison was hawking sessions of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University being held in the Logos School auditorium. Dickison described FPU as 13-video sessions covering such essential topics as biblical financial stewardship, including getting out of debt and staying out, budgeting, investing for the future, and communicating with your spouse and children about money. The cost is $95 per family. For additional information, contact Dickinson at gdickison@dickisonlawfirm.com. "This is a highly practical course," he wrote. "Michelle and I were very blessed by attending and I encourage you to sign up." Dickison is rapidly becoming a Man for All Seasons. They came too late for former Republican Congressman Mark Foley. That would be the National Coming Out Day activities this week at the University of Idaho. Foley, who abruptly resigned after accusations surfaced he's been sending sexually explicit messages to male pages, could have probably benefited from the information booth on campus staffed by members of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). Instead, the Florida congressman chose to resign his six-term seat, blaming his problems on alcohol and abuse by a clergyman as a teen. That Foley is gay has been described as "the worst-kept secret in Washington." Republicans don't seem to deal well with the homosexual issue. They too could benefit from sitting down with people in groups like GSA, who might be able to beat it into their heads that gay people and pedophiles are two different breeds. And it's the INKster's guess that God doesn't reject any of his people because of their sexual orientation regardless of what the GOP preaches. As noted in an Oct. 9 Newsweek article, this isn't the first time pages have been involved in sex scandals. "In 1983, a pair of Congressmen admitted to sexual relations with underage pages, one with a girl, one with a boy." (One of these earlier probes caused a nervous Idaho congressman to issue a press release denying involvement, even though his name had not been mentioned). Back to National Coming Out Day, the UI is to be congratulated in providing a healthy setting for people attempting to understand their own sexuality as well as that of others. Related activities continue: n "Kinky Boots" - free film tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Room 104 of the Janssen Engineering Building. Discussion to follow. n Readings from "The Whiptail Lizard Lesbians," an original play by James Clayton. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Kiva Theater. Discussion to follow. n "The Bachelor Farmer," with special guest and film star Jerry Galloway of Kendrick. Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Women's Center Lounge, Memorial Gym, Room 109. Discussion to follow. The INKster has seen Jerry's film and gives it two thumbs up! The 2006 National Coming Out Day events are sponsored by the Women's Center, the GSA, and a Diversity Initiatives Growth Grant funded through the UI Office of the Provost. When the INKster read the report Tuesday of the funeral services for Helen Chenoweth-Hage, she thought it a perfect closing for the former Idaho 1st District "Congressman," who insisted on the male version of her title. During her term from 1994 to 2000, Helen made great copy for this column and the INKster seldom missed a chance to jab her about her zany antics, ranging from waxing eloquent on the Bill Maher show on the threat posed by those black helicopters hovering over Idaho, to explaining that the scant number of dark-skinned people in her district was due to the region's cool climate. That played better than noting there was a large Aryan nation commune in the vicinity. One of the last telephone conversations the INKster recalls having with Helen was to confirm her participation in an early morning prayer session held in a quiet niche in the House office building. She explained talking to God was the only way to start the day. The INKster did have a chance to chat with Helen during her last term at a Lincoln Day luncheon on the UI campus. She walked up, stuck out her hand, and said she thought it was time to finally meet the woman who "wrote bad things about" her. The INKster had to remind Helen we'd met years ago in Boise during our salad days. Helen's funeral in Meridian Monday drew Idaho's top Republicans. Surely the woman who made the beehive hair-do a trademark image would have been proud she brought tears to the eyes of macho men like Congressman C. L. "Butch" Otter, who reportedly grew quite emotional as he highlighted Helen's colorful career. Kooky as she was, it was hard not to like Helen and, selfishly speaking, she made good fodder for a liberal columnist. ... the blotter rests. INK is penned by Vera White. To contribute to INK, call (208) 882-5561, ext. 251, or e-mail vwhite@dnews.com, or vnwhite@cableone.net.
