Letters to the editor: Disagreements, landlords, little free libraries, WHO investigation
Disagreement
As I’ve read recent letters to the editor, the following thoughts came to mind: It seems inconceivable that people can believe someone hates them because they don’t agree with them. Disagreement is not synonymous with hate. It also seems inconceivable that people can believe gender can be determined by thinking they are other than what science clearly shows. Concern for such deception would be a more likely reaction than hate. I’m reminded of the old adage: If you tell a lie often enough, it will be accepted as true.
Alice Morache, Boise
Landlords
To landlords in the Treasure Valley who not only continue to collect rent from their tenants during a pandemic, but who have the audacity to raise it by $100 or more in a single year, I have one question. How much longer do you expect your good fortune to last when it comes at the extraordinary expense of the younger generation?
Our rent has gone up every year we’ve lived in Boise. This is such a normal part of life here, I don’t think enough landlords comprehend what this means. Let me provide some needed context.
In the time we’ve lived here, my husband has been hospitalized from a major accident. Our rent went up. We became responsible full-time for taking care of my mother-in-law as she deteriorated from dementia. Our rent went up. She transitioned into memory care the year after that. Our rent went up. She died earlier this year. Still our rent went up.
Now an international pandemic is claiming untold numbers of lives in our community, with thousands losing their jobs... and our rent goes up again?
I seem to remember a certain warning that those who dig pits for their neighbors eventually fall in themselves.
Heather Collins, Garden City
WHO investigation
Risch’s investigation into the WHO is a deflection of accountability from the Trump Administration. Better inquiries might be:
1. What needs in the Idaho health care system has the pandemic revealed? How are other states responding? Is a national response in order?
2. Did we learn anything from COVID about our emergency response systems? Do Risch and Crapo communicate with state legislators, county commissioners, police, fire, prison officials and mayors?
3. Does Idaho have a firm food supply? Has the pandemic shown weaknesses that need to be fixed?
4. Were efforts at online education pursued throughout the state, or are some children/youth disadvantaged by communication infrastructure weaknesses? Are senatorial staff members gathering input from state educators on possible national support?
5. How can payrolls be maintained throughout a crisis? What needs in re-training will emerge? Are the senators gathering information on a possible network of public/private resources to stave off greater unemployment?
6. What did Germany and Norway know and do to fight COVID-19 that other nations did not do? Is Risch, as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, building connections with other nations’ experts?
The senators should let residents know they are up to the tasks of government.
Laura Robb, Garden City
Little free libraries
Gratitude to the many neighborhoods that have “Little Free Libraries.” I am age 84, and libraries have been part of my life for all of my life. COVID-19 has hampered my access to inexpensive books. Monday’s car drive took me to Highlands, Pierce Park and Hill Road neighborhoods. I found plenty of books to exchange. These little nooks are stocked with a variety for every age group. Thanks, neighbors.
Martha Brennan, Boise