KEYSTONE PIPELINE

Decision a setback for energy independence

There are some issues that get me going more than others; energy policy is one of those issues that makes me speak my mind. With much of the issues that were mentioned in President Obama’s State of the Union address, I focused in on energy policy. Our Idaho delegation, Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. Jim Risch, would be leading this country to prosperity if it weren’t for poor decisions being made by the Obama administration.

We need energy independence. However, putting a stop to the Keystone pipeline makes this country step away from achieving that goal and totally does not make sense. Why would we choose to be at the mercy of the OPEC nations rather than working with our Canadian neighbors? Those who read this letter, please continue to support our Idaho delegation; they know what it is going to take to get this country truly on the path to energy independence, start to create more jobs and generally get us out of this economic mess.

JIM R. CARR, Nampa

OCCUPY AND OBAMA

Will we see through the smoke and mirrors?

Regarding the “This is what the Occupy movement stands for” letter on Feb. 4. Why anyone would rain praise on crowds bent on violence, destruction, graffiti, defecation, sexual attacks, etc., amazes me, and then follow on with praise for an administration that has wasted $5 trillion in three years, implemented more regulation to stifle job creation, banned home-grown oil and gas energy in favor of green energy that has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. There are 2 million fewer people employed than when Obama came into office. To believe the writer thinks gas and food have gone down leads me to believe she never leaves home. Why is GM improving because it still owes the taxpayers billions of dollars and Obama gutted the rightful preferred stockholders in favor of the unions in order to bolster their underfunded retirement funds. To accuse the GOP of fundraising finagling is interesting when you see Obama is boasting of raising $1 billion for his re-election, much of which is coming from his Wall Street and banking buddies he excoriates each day in his class and race warfare program. You can only hope a majority of people see through the smoke and mirrors.

BOB JILLINGS, Eagle

OCCUPY BOISE

Shutting down campsite will keep our city safe

I have been following much of what has been happening with the Occupy movements in the bigger cities, and how much chaos and calamity they are creating. Then I think of what a lot of the smaller cities are doing by stopping the movements before they become uncontrollable. Nowhere in the Constitution does it give a person the right to pitch a tent and camp. It is only for peaceful protest, a way to speak their minds. I also think we need to look at the bigger picture. It is peaceful protest now, but what is to stop groups from moving in and taking control with the idea that the Boise movement is too quiet and is not rowdy enough to get attention? With these tents there, it lays the foundation for much worse, and then what will we do? Maybe the leaders are looking ahead and not trying to tamp on anyone’s rights, but trying to keep Boise and Idaho the great, safe place it is now! Take a good look, online if necessary, to see how uncontrollable and crazy it is, in New York and Oakland. Do we really want to open the door for this here?

CAROL ANNE MORGAN, Emmett

CANDIDATES

A corrupt circus campaign

What’s in their brains?

Why do we continue to elect our national leaders in a corrupt circus environment?

We never really know if they have the intelligence to identify and solve problems. I will not support any of the presidential candidates until each of them goes into a room with a list of 50 problems facing this country, and with no help from anyone, anonymously write down on paper their understanding of, and solutions (not dreams) for those problems.

After viewing the anonymous (no face, voice, clapping, cheering) results, I will decide who I might vote for. I am sure the American people can collectively produce a list of 50 problems.

Did I say paper, write? Good grief! Yes, I am old and I still talk to my friends on the telephone and their voices sound the same as 60 years ago.

BOB HARRIS, Boise