THANK YOU ...
... to Sen. Crapo
AAUW Idaho would like to congratulate our own Sen. Mike Crapo for supporting and introducing a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
The 112th Congress failed to pass a reauthorized VAWA, despite the hard work from advocates to advance a version of the bill from the Senate floor. That version included important improvements to address housing, campus sexual assault provisions, and other needed enhancements for programs serving communities of color, immigrants, victims in tribal communities and LGBT survivors of violence. The House passed a watered-down version of the act that did not include protections for vulnerable populations.
A new VAWA legislation was introduced in the 113th Congress. It would increase the law's effectiveness and extend support to communities that lack violence prevention and response programs at the local level. It addresses both the prevention of domestic violence and support for victims of such violence including services to men, children and marginalized communities. Contact your legislators and tell them you support the Violence Against Women Act and let them know the importance of the bill for the health of our families.
CAROL STIRLING, Boise
... to restaurant staff
This is a note of thanks to the staff of Chick-fil-A on Eagle Road in Meridian. They helped our daughter and granddaughter when their car died in the drive-thru lane. Thanks to manager Kristin, and operators Ben, Brad, Jonathon and Ricardo! They gave "our girls" the help they needed and their food during a very busy lunch hour.
Welcome to Treasure Valley, Chick-fil-A!
ROSE AND JOE MCKINNEY, Nampa
... to law officers
I will never again ask myself, "Where is a cop when you need them?" On Jan.29, around 3:30 a.m., I was trying to make my way from the Robie Creek area on Idaho 21 to Meridian. As anybody who lives in this rural area knows there is no cellphone service, not a lot of houses where you can ask for help, not a lot of other commuters on the road, and the plows don't always come out that early.
I managed to get to Highland Summit when my car was stuck in nearly 5 inches of snow. I wasn't sure what to do.
Officer Brenda Glenn from the Boise County Sheriff's Office stopped and offered help in the middle of a snowstorm. Glenn contacted authorities to let them know my car was on the side of the road. Going over and above, Glenn drove me to my home and made sure I got home safe. She also called later to check on the status of my vehicle.
Thank you, Officer Glenn, and all law enforcement personnel for your service.
KELLY REED, Boise
CHOIR PERFORMANCE
Give senators credit
Response to "Senators didn't listen" letter to the editor.
My father used to say, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." Each of the senators Carrol Keller mentioned is trying to be part of the solution. And she feels the need to write and criticize them for doing the same thing she was doing, not watching her granddaughter's choir performance? While the senators were in their seats, they also looked at phones or computers or papers. Although appearing to not be "watching," I am sure they could hear it quite well! Apparently Carrol was not watching either since she was busy writing down the names of those that dared not watch her grandchild perform.
If a senator does something wrong or illegal, criticize them. If you have a suggestion to make things better, offer it. In my opinion, you owe the senators a public apology. Please stop being critical of others for doing the same thing you were doing! None of us are perfect.
I would like to thank all of our senators for the time and effort they devote to trying to be part of the solution. Keep up the good work.
RICHARD JONES, Boise
ALBERTSON FOUNDATION
Money still talks
According to the Jan. 22 USA Today, there appears to be an attempt at extortion concerning the Students Come First issue voted down in November by the citizens of Idaho.
"Idaho Boise: The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is threatening to withhold $4.5 million it has promised to the state next year for a computer program to track student progress. The foundation said the money won't be paid unless the state restores taxpayer funding for teacher professional development - money put in jeopardy when voters rejected the Students Come First overhaul."
Looks like big money is not going to play nice because they do not like what Idaho voters had to say about it. Talk about sour grapes.
HELEN AVILA, Pocatello
ID CARDS
Technology can solve multiple problems
Mr. Gavett's letter (Feb. 4) hit on the right solution to a lot of America's problems .
Everyone, before they can hold a job in this country, must first obtain a Social Security card. The problem is that it can easily be forged by anyone with a copy machine. If the Social Security Administration would take a page from the credit card companies and use the same technologies to ensure that their card could not be forged, with a swipe of the card, an employer would know if you are in good standing and can hire you without fear of breaking the law.
The same could be done with a license to purchase a firearm. After a firearms safety course and background check you would receive a license good for at least five years .
This license would allow you to purchase a firearm without any other paperwork. It would also prohibit you from selling a firearm to anyone without a license.
PAUL VALAS, Meridian
IDAHO POWER
Where's the flag?
While employed with TIC constructing the gas-fired power plant at Langley Gulch, exit 9, I-84, New Plymouth, there was always an American flag flying over our job site. Thank you, Charlie Demming, project superintendent. Why now, Idaho Power (IdaCorp.), do we not see one furling in the breeze? Kinda makes a person wonder, doesn't it? I'm nicely asking someone in Idaho Power to please give us an answer. Thank you, from a proud American USAF Veteran.
BILLY BRUMMETT, Payette
BENGHAZI INQUIRY
Saving lives is not a priority for Obama
What an absolute joke. We didn't find out who changed the emails, who gave the order to stand down and why. To most Democrats, making 30 Americans expendable is no big deal. They used this inquiry to prop up a pathetic person who ignored several requests for security before the assault and three requests during the assault. All of the Democrats tell Hillary what a great job she's done even though there have been 10 embassy attacks on her watch. I wonder if they will question Obama. I doubt it. Where are the people that made Watergate such a tragedy? I don't know how these hypocrites can look in the mirror. Two Navy SEALs sacrificed their lives to save 26 people and disobeyed orders to do it. When Allen West threatened an al-Qaida soldier he had to resign. Apparently saving American lives isn't a priority for this commander in chief.
AL TIKKER, Meridian
INJUSTICES
We've created a mess
The president's inaugural speech dwelled quite a bit on how we as citizens need to help him shape the destiny of this nation.
It seems a tremendous hill to climb to put the justice back in our justice system. How do we as citizens do that?
There are some significant standouts of injustice, such as Leonard Peltier, who simply stayed with some children while other "braves" went to protect their community against murderous thugs who had already murdered 65 of its citizens. He has been in prison for 37 years. That's 10 more years than Nelson Mandela put in, and that was an injustice that seemed almost unimaginable.
Others, maybe not quite as glaring, but injustices none the less, include Mumia Abu Jamal, Jeremy Hammond, Aaron Swartz, Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, John Walker Lindh and the countless number of inmates being warehoused for victimless crimes. Then you take the affiliation of the FBI, Homeland Security and big banks in suppression of dissent against Occupy, organized union protests, etc., coupled with Guantanamo, rendition, torture, NDAA, drones and the list goes on. How in God's name do we as citizens fix all this stuff?
RON ALLEN, Caldwell
SALMON
A good first step
I would like to thank Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and the Oregon citizens for removing the gillnets from the mainstem channel of the lower Columbia River. This is an excellent initial phase of collaborative decision-making. Perhaps, Gov. Kitzhaber will come to Idaho and collaborate with Sen. Mike Crapo (assuming he can get a ride), the Corps of Engineers, the Lewiston port and some Boise enviros to remove the rest of the gillnets, sediment and the four lower Snake River dams. After all, there is nothing better than crony collaboration to solve problems.
AL ESPINOSA, Moscow
