Letters to the editor: Salmon, Trump, Thunberg
Trump
In 1808, Sir Walter Scott wrote “Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive,” accurately describing the political situation today, 212 years later. One by one, civil servants and cronies close to Trump tell the truth, unraveling his lies.
The truth was first heard from a whistleblower. One by one, Trump attempts to distance himself from each person who exposes the truth. Cohen was a “terrible attorney” but Trump kept Cohen as his personal attorney for 12 years. Cohen was only “terrible” when he got caught. Six members of Trump’s inner circle have pleaded or been found guilty of crimes worthy of jail time. Are these the “best people” Trump bragged about? Parnas and Giuliani are now in the spotlight. How will Trump distance himself from them? Do we have a totally corrupt Senate or will McConnell surprise us all and allow a fair trial? There can be no win for either side without a fair trial and there is no fair trial without witnesses. An innocent person welcomes a chance to exonerate himself by calling witnesses and producing documents. A guilty person blocks access to witnesses and documents. What is Trump afraid of?
Joan Ehrnstein, Meridian
Thunberg
The Greta Thunberg Effect: A worldwide social, cultural, political and environmental phenomena in which a 15-year-old Swedish girl with a solitary silent protest outside the Swedish Parliament in August 2018 precipitated a near global movement of primarily young people, to a call for action by the governments of all industrialized countries to initiate legislative and positive response to combat the climate crisis of global warming and environmental destruction. In other words, she wanted to save the planet from itself. In recognition of her energetic work on behalf of humanity, Greta has been nominated for and received some of the most prestigious awards given for humanitarian and environmental work.
However, her steadfast campaign to save planet earth was met with childish jealousy, petty ridicule, and infantile mocking tweets by the naysayers, including President Donald Trump. But it was not surprising, he of the Eva Braun cloned wives, he of a string of “mistresses,” he of an unlimited supply of derogatory remarks fired at any woman who ruffles his misogynistic mentality, he of the 15-year best buddy relationship with teenage girl sex abuser trafficker pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Tom Yount, Boise
Salmon
In reference to Mr. Jones’ guest opinion on salmon recovery (1/22), the dams are not the complete story. I would agree that the presence of the dams has had the biggest impact on fish numbers to date, but temperatures are also significant factors. The numbers of returning fish are higher when ocean conditions are ideal, and adequate snowpack keeps river temperatures cooler. But the current conditions will not continue. Things are likely to get much worse.
The federal caucus at salmonrecovery.gov, predict a median increase in air temperature of 0.35C per decade. That would make air temperature 2.8C (5F) higher by 2100. Temperature increase in the Pacific Ocean may be even worse. Current, real time ocean temperatures off the Pacific coast are around 50F. Is that normal for January?
We are seeing problems at our current 1C warmer world. We are looking at adding another 3C by 2100 unless we take drastic action to reduce carbon emissions. Ninety percent of the added heat has been going into the oceans.
Last March, Idaho Power, which opposes dam removal, announced a plan for 100% clean power by 2045. So what other ways of generating electricity is Mr. Jones referring to?
Dennis Keierleber, Garden City