DENNIS STEVENS
A remarkable man
What a nice surprise to read the story about Dennis Stevens in the Jan. 4 paper. As extraordinary as the architecture is, I would like to comment on the man.
I met Dennis and his equally remarkable wife, Jackie, many years ago. I don’t think Dennis has ever had a bad day, no matter what the day may offer up. His optimism, kindness and unshakable faith are equal to his genius.
It’s an honor to know him.
CHARLOTTE H. BROTHER, Boise
WILDLIFE ETHICS
Conservation goes handin hand with respect
Idahoans are gifted with a diversity of wildlife. And Idaho’s wildlife belongs to all of us. Therefore we share a duty to conserve wildlife and habitat. Respect and conservation go hand in hand. But there are “harvest” practices that do not require respect, sportsmanship or ethics.
Boone and Crockett, a respected sportsmen’s group, advocates fair chase, defined as “the ethical, sportsmanlike, lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild ... animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.” Trapping, baiting and motorized hunting allow the hunter a huge advantage.
Boone and Crockett Club’s website further explains that conservation is fundamental in hunting. “The hunter engages in a one-to-one relationship with the quarry and (should be) guided by ethics ... and that hunters:
“Obey all laws ...
“Exercise a personal code of behavior that reflects favorably on your abilities and sensibilities as a hunter.
“Attain ... the skills necessary to make the kill certain and quick.
“Bring no dishonor to either the hunter, the hunted, or the environment.
“Recognize ... the relationship between predator and prey, which is one of the most fundamental relationships of humans and their environment.”
It’s time to begin a discussion of wildlife ethics.
CHRISTINE GERTSCHEN, Sun Valley
IDAHO POLITICIANS
Clear out the dead wood
During election years, the networks air vast TV coverage of the presidential race, plus gubernatorial, Senate and House races for many states, but never Idaho.
These days, the only way Idaho politicians make the news is in brushes with law enforcement: Brad Little for speeding; Mike Crapo and Butch Otter for DUI; Larry Craig for disorderly conduct; John McGee for DUI and grand theft.
Of course, we do have publicity junkie Raul Labrador on Sunday morning talk shows, talking trash as usual. Does this benefit Idaho? No! You know, sometimes inactivity is preferable to mindless function.
Most Idaho politicians bring very little to the table. They live in a fantasy world, following GOP instructions like good little boys and girls. If Dorothy took them to see the wizard, they might end up with brains and courage and backbone. OK, maybe not.
Idaho voters should take a long, hard look at these dim Willies. If they aren’t going to fix what needs fixing, they should be out in the shed with the other rusty tools.
With so much dead wood in our Legislature, the BLM needs to bulldoze a firebreak around Idaho’s Statehouse.
KEN WHITE, Twin Falls
AMERICA
A wayward nation
Some reasons to both be ashamed of, and fear for, America:
1) Unbelievably, the abortion industry was “legalized” in 1973. To date, well over 50 million American babies have been murdered in the womb — and we call that “a woman’s right!”
2) The American government was established, uniquely, as supposedly self-governing, yet an increasingly ignorant citizenry has allowed very criminal elements to gain power over us, and steadily rob us of our God-given rights and freedoms.
3) Whereas, in the intent of the framers, this constitutional republic was envisioned as a beacon of justice, freedom and prosperity shining before the world, it has seriously, seriously fallen from grace. Under our current tyrannical military-industrial complex, the U.S. has become like “the great Satan,” not only policing all the world, but criminally invading, occupying, subjugating and even mass murdering other sovereign nations.
This list is obviously incomplete, but suffices to move the thoughtful to pray: May God have mercy upon a wayward America! Also, may every person of good will become much more actively involved in helping to right these grave wrongs. Yes, we can!
CAROL J. ASHER, Kamiah
COURT RECORDS
Filings are public, butare they newsworthy?
How ironic! On Sunday, Jan. 13, Leonard Pitts’ column said the Journal News in New York state “went too far” in publishing gun owners’ personal data. He went on to say, “Would you publish a database of people who have filed for bankruptcy? People who have been foreclosed? People who have tax liens? Or would you say this information, while public, has no news value, tells a reader nothing he needs to know and does so at a price of discomfiting some law-abiding citizen, putting their business in the street?”
On Tuesdays, the Idaho Statesman’s Business Insider does just that! Listed are bankruptcies, lawsuits in state and federal court, federal or state tax liens, marriages and divorces. Tax liens are identified by name, address and amount owed. Bankruptcy is identified by name; lawsuits, released tax liens, divorces are identified by name; marriages are identified by names and ages.
While I am an advocate for abolishing assault weapons, I do not want or need to know who owns guns and where they live. Nor do I need or want to know who is in debt, being sued, or being divorced. Live and let live.
VIRGINIA ROSE, Boise
NURSING
Lesson in compassion
I just wanted to say how your Jan. 13 article “Dying nurse makes herself the lesson” touched my heart. It’s so important to have a genuine, caring heart while working in the medical field. Even though I didn’t know Martha, her courage while facing death inspired all those new nurses who were caring for her. She allowed herself to be the learning tool that taught all those around her what compassion truly means. I am a medical assistant who will always make compassion and caring for the patient a priority. I hope everyone that works with patients will do the same! Thank you, Idaho Statesman, for a well-written article in itself!
SHEILA ALLSUP, Meridian
SCOUT AWARDS
A double standard?
While I respect both organizations immensely, it has recently come to my attention that the expectations for the Girl Scout Gold Award and the Boy Scout Eagle Project are significantly different. I feel that it is unfair that girls are expected to complete much more involved projects, yet still earn less recognition.
In my experience, I have come across many Eagle Scout projects that provide a great service to our community but are still one-time food drives or a day spent doing yard work for a deserving cause. On the other hand, Girl Scouts are expected to create a “sustainable” project that will outlast their involvement. Due to this standard, girls are creating full-fledged organizations at their schools, churches, etc., that do recurring work even after the girl has moved on.
Now, both of these projects are wonderful ways to serve one’s community, but to many girls, the differences are disheartening, especially due to all the recognition awarded to Eagle Scouts while Gold Award recipients are left unnoticed. Maybe it’s the familiar prestige associated with the Eagle Scout or society’s attitudes as a whole, but having been in that girl’s position, the discrepancies are frustrating and need to be changed.
ALEX OLSON, Eagle
