Letters to the editor: Crapo, Vindman, Romney
Sen. Crapo
I keep expecting better from Mike Crapo. I was pretty certain that no amount of moral depravity from Donald Trump would cause Jim Risch to break ranks and criticize him, but I still believed that Mike Crapo retained the tiniest bit of a conscience.I was mistaken. My senators are helpless stooges.
My hopes were not high. I knew they would find Trump not guilty in the senate impeachment trial. Then they were utterly silent when the president turned the national prayer breakfast into a petty rant. Trump’s next move was more vengeful. It is his nature. He fired Lt. Col. Vindman for testifying in the impeachment inquiry. He fired the Lt Colonel’s brother for good measure.
Toward the close of the senate trial a few senators (Lamar Alexander and Susan Collins come to mind) told the press that Donald Trump would behave better in the future, that he learned a lesson. I submit to you that this is the lesson 52 Republican senators handed Trump when they found him not guilty of abusing power. “You have successfully cowed and bullied into submission the women and men who hold the checks and balances. Therefore, you can do anything you want. The sky’s the limit.”
Brenda Reynolds, Boise
Vindman
It should be that lying, ignorant, sick thug sitting in the Oval Office that should be escorted out of the White House, not a true American hero like Lt. Col. Vindman.
Monroe Bradley, Boise
Vindman
The removal of Lt. Col. Vindman and his brother is in violation of federal law. Here is the law: “18 U.S. Code § 1513. Retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant (e) Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any Federal offense, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”
Sen. Crapo and Sen. Risch enabled the president to commit a crime, and now he believes he is above the law. They should be ashamed of themselves. I don’t care who is challenging the senators in the next primary, my vote will assuredly be going to the challenger.
This is America — since when do we retaliate against war heroes, and their family members? Absolutely shameful, and this is all on Sen. Crapo and Sen. Risch!
Christopher Odom, Boise
Campaign finance
It was interesting to look at your database of contributions to the candidates in the recent Boise elections. I noted that firefighters from around the state gave tens of thousands of dollars to David Bieter. It was not just Boise firefighters but from much of the Treasure Valley and around the state. It would be interesting to look at this group of public employees and just how much they contribute to political campaigns, and what benefit they receive. I did not note any other public employee group approaching their level of contributions. Might you “follow the money”?
Bill England, Star
Romney
Successful democracy requires integrity.
Thank you, Sen. Mitt Romney, for showing your courage and statesmanship. Not since another Republican, John McCain, have we seen such an class act of putting country and values above party and politics.
It would be refreshing to see our elected officials build on Senator Romney’s lead.
Ron Tucker, Boise
This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 9:50 AM.