ELECTIONS
Religious institutions play part in the process
The election process and all the propaganda that goes with it is in full swing, and as usual, is tailored to control and manipulate anyone it can, including religious institutions.
Religious institutions have been called the mistress of society, as they have been available to whoever courts them. Benedict de Spinoza (1932-1677) wrote, “Politicians, moreover, regularly turn to organized religion to control and manipulate.”
The truthfulness of that statement is evident, to me anyway, as I see religious institutions support and vote for parties and individuals whose values, agendas and practices are opposite to scriptural principles.
A mistress remains a mistress as long as she wants to be kept, and as the mistress of society, religious institutions will continue doing what’s expected of them.
Sadly, this is having disastrous consequences on our society, and nothing will change for the better as long as it continues.
REY ARCHULETA, Nampa
Vote for Jimmy Farris, District 18 Democrats
The election of November 2012 is the most important election for Idaho and our country.
Representation means just that, the voices of citizens filtered through those who unselfishly devote their lives to listening and implementing the concerns of its citizens.
Women’s rights (can you believe we're fighting for that in 2012?) are a key issue.
Preserving the dignity of women, education reform, accountability in government, fairness in taxation and job creation are key issues that require strong leadership.
Incumbent Rep. Phylis King and returning candidate Branden Durst, previous state representative, have a proven record of working for all. Janie Ward-Engelking, who knows a thing or two about education, and Jimmy Farris are climbing on board tackling important issues.
We don’t need representatives siding up to Grover Norquist, or a tea party isolationist, one plotting his own political future, or a Luna follower. We demand fair and balanced representation.
A vote for King, Durst, Engelking, and Farris is a vote for you and I, truth, fairness and loyality.
DONNA L. MICKEY, Boise
Grant Burgoyne for House
In his campaign for re-election, Rep. Grant Burgoyne (District 16, House Seat A) goes door to door listening to voters’ concerns and ideas, something most candidates and legislators do not do. That is where I met Grant, at my front door. We talked about issues and his ideas. It would be easy to sit in the Statehouse listening to the special interests. That is not Grant’s style. I am glad to have a legislator who I can talk to and who also cares about the issues that are important to me. Please join me in voting for Grant.
JOE GALLAGHER, Boise
Popular vote is best way to elect the president
• Who is elected president depends on which candidate wins the most electoral votes in 10 key states.
• In 2000 Al Gore won the popular vote, but lost the election to George W. Bush because he did not get Florida’s electoral votes, thanks to the partisan votes of the supposedly nonpartisan U.S. Supreme Court. Why didn’t we avoid a repeat of this travesty by passing a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College?
• America barely managed to survive eight years of Bush, with his unfunded wars, lack of oversight of Wall Street and tax cuts for the rich. Are we going to be foolish enough to put the Republicans in charge again, so they can finish Bush’s job?
• Both presidential candidates promise to reduce unemployment. But how? Thanks to globalization, free trade agreements and excessive legal and illegal immigration, Americans now have to compete for jobs with foreigners who will work for less money. Also, companies are not hiring because they know you are scared of losing your job, so they make you work harder to avoid having to hire more workers. Automation also allows manufacturing companies to produce goods with fewer workers.
ROBERT BOESTER, Boise
‘LES MISERABLES’
An offensive production
Recently I attended a production of “Les Miserables” at the Morrison Center and was disappointed to find that it was filled with bawdy innuendo and graphic sexuality, yet nowhere in any advertising was it ever stated that the production was for mature audiences. I have read the book, have seen the concerts, and even attended the musical production when it came to town over 10 years ago, so I understand that the story deals with some heavy themes, but I’ve never seen them portrayed with such excess. Without any warning, many families were taken by surprise, as the house was filled with children that Friday evening.
The musical talent was incredible and the scenes that remained unsoiled were beautifully stirring, but even so, the experience feels overshadowed by the highly offensive material, which was never portrayed, in detail, in Victor Hugo’s compelling story about light rising from darkness. I realize that everyone has different views, but I would appreciate it if the Morrison Center would help their audiences be aware of the type of entertainment that is being offered. If you share that feeling, I encourage you to contact them at cwhitele@boisestate.edu and make your voice heard!
RACHEL BLOOMQUIST, Middleton
ABORTION
Don’t punish the children
After reading the letters defending abortion in cases of rape, maybe those writers can answer this question:
Why should an innocent child receive the death penalty for a crime committed by their father?
I can understand the father (the rapist) spending the rest of his natural life in jail, but I thought that the days of punishing children for the crimes of their parents were past. Why should children be put to death because their fathers raped their mothers?
TRAVIS BREWER, Boise
‘BODIES’ EXHIBIT
Human dignity violated by disgusting display
I would like to encourage parents and grandparents to keep children away from the “Bodies” exhibit currently on display at the Idaho Discovery Center.
These human bodies now on display have been brought here from China, where there is disregard for human dignity and blatant disregard for human rights.
The Discovery Center has a statement that supposedly verifies that these people were not tortured, that they died a natural death. I don’t think there are signed statements from these individuals giving permission to put their dead bodies on display.
In my opinion, this display disregards human dignity. I expressed this opinion to the Discovery Center, and an administrator canceled my membership. I simply expressed my opinion, I did not ask to have my membership canceled.
If you agree that this display is inappropriate, let them know.
NAOMI AYLWARD, PH.D., Meridian
