GUN ENFORCEMENT
Sheriff’s true colors
In response to Sheriff Gary Raney: I thank him for his editorial. I now know who I will not be voting for in the next sheriff’s election.
While everything he said is true, it would have been nice if he showed his support for the many other law enforcement across the nation who have said they would not enforce any unconstitutional laws. It’s of a statement to the left-wing liberals that we won’t put up with their anti-American, unconstitutional agenda anymore.
Raney has shown his true colors — yellow!
I will make every effort before the next election to tell as many people as I can that Raney is not the man we want as sheriff in Ada County. Maybe they need a new sheriff in a more liberal state. If so, he should consider moving! Maybe Dianne Feinstein can put in a good word for him! Or possibly have him standing behind her at her next news conference as she tries to strip our God-given rights away from us.
BILL PLOWMAN, Boise
Sheriff misreads clause
In Sheriff Raney’s recent column, he stated that he would have to uphold a federal law because of the supremacy clause. If he carefully reads the Constitution and the supremacy clause, he should note that federal laws are to be upheld only if they are in compliance with the Constitution. In the Second Amendment, nothing is mentioned about what arms we the people have a right to “keep and bear,” and this right of the people “shall not be infringed.”
He did state that if a law is passed that we disagree with, a method of changing the law exists in Congress or challenging it in the judicial branch. Does he truly believe that if a law calling for confiscation of weapons, ammo, or firearms accessories is passed, this administration will not begin immediate enforcement?
Sheriff is the highest elected law enforcement official within each county; he has a duty to those who elected him — protect them. The Idaho Sheriffs Association stated that it will not enforce such a federal law. Our sheriff believes the majority of his peers in Idaho are acting incorrectly. I wish I had the wherewithal to move to a different county where I would be protected.
WARREN GROVER, Meridian
GUN EDITORIAL
President takes appropriate action
You had me at “Shooting from the hip clips debate,” although the second editorial headline on Jan. 18, “Open mouth, insert foot,” was a fitting epilogue for your self-parody. Did Clint Eastwood and the Canyon County sheriff join your editorial board?
It read like a “how many things can you find wrong in this picture” puzzle. “Sweeping gun control bills?” There are no “bills.” “Ramming more gun control?” I don’t have to ask if any members actually read the presidential memoranda to examine the specific proposals — the “knee-jerk” editorial makes it clear no one did.
To answer the question you posed: the president found it necessary to take reasoned, limited actions within his constitutional power because that’s his job. He and the vice president have also given Congress legislative proposals to consider, should they decide to do theirs.
THOMAS VON ALTEN, Boise
LEGISLATORS AND GUNS
Apply laws to everyone
What? Wait! Legislators don’t have to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon? They work for you and me and should be bound by the same laws. Bet half the unlawful characters wouldn’t pass a background check anyway.
NANCY SHEETS, Boise
SECOND AMENDMENT
Cartoon distorts historical facts
The political cartoon on Sunday, Jan. 20 is a blatant misrepresentation of the meaning of the Second Amendment.
Even a cursory examination of the writings of the Founding Fathers regarding the right to keep and bear arms shows that their concern was to protect the citizenry from oppression, either by a foreign invader or the tyranny of the domestic government gone wrong.
It has nothing to do with hunting. In its day, that flintlock musket was the state of the art military firearm, just as the so-called “assault rifle” is today.
The Statesman owes us better than the airing of such a transparent distortion of the historical facts.
MARK MILLER, Meridian
CERVICAL CANCER
Steps are available to reduce the risk
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that the primary cause of cervical cancer is infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), an extremely common type of STD?
Being vaccinated before exposure to the virus helps protect women against cervical cancer and the precancerous lesions that precede it. Regular Pap tests will help detect any precancerous or abnormal cells early enough so that cervical cancer can be prevented.
The use of a Pap test has decreased mortality rates from cervical cancer by 67 percent.
Practicing safe sex can help prevent HPV and other STDs. One study found that when condoms are used correctly every time sex occurs, they can lower the HPV infection rate by about 70 percent! Quitting smoking can also reduce your risk for cervical cancer.
Is the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on your calendar? This year is going to be the biggest and best yet for Ada County. We’ll be passing the million-dollar mark for monies raised this year and have set an aggressive fundraising goal. We’d love your help. This year’s relay is on July 12.
To sign up, participate or learn how you may volunteer, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.
SHAUNA SWENSON, Meridian
