Letters to the editor: Masks, sheriff, Trump
Requiring masks
This is a pro-economy letter. There is not space to discuss the science that shows respiratory aerosol can travel well beyond 6 feet or that the virus has a one-hour half-life in room air. This letter is about the economy and good business practices.
Requiring the use of (non-N95) masks to enter a retail establishment is a minimal-cost business decision that is good for business and the economy in four ways:
1. Not requiring masks puts employees and their families at risk and tells them they are not valued. Thirty grocery workers have died so far, nationwide.
2. We are required to post warnings in our society for far less dangerous agents such as cigarette smoke, asbestos, etc. Thus, legal costs could increase for those businesses without either a mask requirement or a posted warning that advises “masks are not required in this store.”
3. The elderly, vulnerable and concerned customers will take their business to stores that choose to require masks — at least during special “senior hours.”
4. Not requiring masks may contribute to a virus resurgence and subsequent lockdown, which will further damage businesses and our economy.
Kudos to Costco for requiring masks! You will save lives.
Richard Hardy, Boise
Sheriff
I am endorsing Mike Rock for Sheriff of Canyon County because we need new leadership in the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office. Over the last three years I have emailed, called and talked directly with dispatch, deputies and supervisors over 25 times regarding continuous and ongoing traffic violations, littering, illegal dumping, suspicious activity and vandalism and the Sheriff’s office response has been pathetic. You cannot catch speeding vehicles if the deputy parks on a hill with his radar gun pointing at the sky; park at a stop sign or drive through the neighborhood with your overhead lights on. You can’t stop suspicious activity in the middle of the night if you never show up or arrive 40 minutes after the call to dispatch or just drive away after I describe in detail the vandalism to my home and property without taking a report and doing no follow up. One deputy said he cannot do anything about littering or illegal dumping if there is no video evidence of the violation. I could provide plenty more examples of why we need new leadership but I am limited to 200 words. Mike Rock for Sheriff.
Robert Smith, Eagle
A Republic
At the end of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked by Mrs. Elizabeth Powel of Philadelphia: “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.” There are two John Roberts’ U.S. Supreme Court subpoenas cases — access to President Trump’s Mueller Russia election interference investigation grand jury testimony and tax records — that will determine if America has a republic or a dictatorship. Like President Nixon, Trump believes he is above the law; he refuses to release documents to, and allow his cabinet members to testify before House of Representatives committees, so they can exercise their congressional oversight responsibilities. Because the Washington Post reported Trump has made more than 16,200 false or misleading claims, it’s vital to compare Trump‘s Robert Mueller questionnaire answers to grand jury testimony. A recent Senate Intel report confirms Russia aimed to help Trump in 2016, despite his denials. The Warren Burger court ruled Nixon release the Watergate audio tapes and subpoenaed documents, setting a precedent limiting any president’s power to claim executive privilege. Will the Roberts’ court save our 243-years-old republic or rule: R.I.P.?
Bill Kibble, Boise