WOLVES
Initiative passage would return protection to feds
In reference to Tony Mayer's letter of April 3, readers should note that this is the same ballot initiative championed by Ron Gillett; the same which failed to get on the ballot in part because a fair portion of people signing weren't otherwise involved enough in Idaho to be registered voters.
Readers should be aware that the unlikely passage of this initiative would result in re-listing and federal protection of Idaho's wolves. State and federal officials have stated this.
Regardless, the pseudo-science offered by Tony Mayer's group is simply not true; wolves, while having an impact naturally on prey species, are not driving elk to extinction. Nor is there a significant difference between the wolves that lived in Idaho before they were wiped out and those that were reintroduced. Logically, if Tony Mayer and his group had clear, irrefutable scientific evidence that the reintroduced wolves were different animals, they would have taken the issue to court and presented their evidence rather than fear-mongering in the hopes of raising a mob.
Alternately, there's solid science to debunk Mayer's anti-wolf claims. If readers of a modern Idaho are interested in sustaining a natural balance, they can read more at http://Idahowolves.org.
RICK HOBSON, Boise
ELECTIONS
Vote for candidates to get us out of Iraq, lower gas prices
I have been following all the political races for both national and state offices. I have come to the conclusion that I will vote for the national candidate that swears to get out of Iraq the year after being elected and will get the gas prices back to $2 per gallon. I will vote for the candidate on the state level that swears to drop the property tax on my house back to the 2004 level. It seems to me these are the real issues I can hope for, so all the rest of the spewing from their mouths is just not of interest to me.
I am sure this is selfish on my part but at 69 years of age I want to have the U.S. at peace and be able to have some money to use for retirement. The government is spending over $300 million per day in Iraq. Guess what, give that back the American people - that would be $1 million per person per year, for one day spending in Iraq, now that would be a great tax rebate. Now we would have $1.1 trillion in savings per year to go against the national debt, health care, homelessness, Social Security, schools, etc.
DON HIATT, retired property owner, Boise
ELK RANCHERS
Minter, sportsman's caucus spread wrong information
In response to Bob Minter's March 31 letter; unlike Mr. Minter, Ms. Sternes clearly identifies herself and affiliation in every letter. Mr. Minter was vice-president of the Idaho Sportsman's Caucus Advisory Council, which has led the charge of lies and misinformation against the domestic cervidae industry, and is also president of the Ada County Fish & Game League. He has not met any of our elk ranchers at his gatherings because like myself, many see the reality of some of these self-proclaimed "sportsman" conservation groups.
Elk breeders have been proactive about disease monitoring and testing, in addition to funding research that benefits all cervidae.
If Mr. Minter were concerned about disease in wild herds, he would focus his time, money and attention on addressing the proven threats to our wild herds, such as the state's recent importation of brucellosis-infected wild elk into Idaho for slaughter - not to mention the disgraceful testing of less than one-tenth of one percent of wild cervids.
Science shows Idaho is surrounded by disease in neighboring wild herds, so we need to put pressure on Mr. Minter and his associates to address this. Perhaps they should tend their own garden?
ERIN MILLER, Buhl
MIDDLE EAST
Media unfairly reports
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a pre-eminent spokesperson for the Palestinians, visited Boise recently. Dr. Ashrawi spoke at BSU's Special Events Center April 7. She reminded the audience about the 6 million Palestinian refugees created in the 60 years since the establishment of Israel and the systematic occupation of Palestinian land in the West Bank. She received two standing ovations.
On a recent trip to the Middle East, I learned of the frustration and anger most people there feel toward the hypocrisy of both the Israeli government as well as our own. That frustration and anger are metastasizing all over the world, and most of our people don't even know it! Why? Because we aren't told!
There was not a single television station present at Dr. Ashrawi's speech. Nor was there any report of her remarks in the Statesman or the Weekly.
Is it possible that discussing Israel's behavior is the third rail? There is, however, a growing awareness of the misery we are inflicting on the Palestinian people. We can only hope the media will have the courage to be fair and even-handed in its reporting.
ELISABETH RATCLIFF, Garden City
The Idaho Statesman is pleased to offer this opportunity to share information and observations about what's in the news. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate but ask that you remain on topic. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate are subject to removal.
@Nyx.CommentBody@