Letters to the editor: Use of military, vote by mail, clean energy

Use of military

Please urge your Senators and members of Congress to intervene to stop the use of unmarked federal militarized police to attack and detain peaceful protesters in Portland and anywhere else in the United States. This is blatantly unconstitutional, both a gross violation of states’ rights under the flimsy pretense of defending federal property, and even more importantly a mass violation of the civil rights of American citizens peacefully and lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech, assembly and protest.

These violent attacks on American citizens are apparently being done by highly partisan Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs militarized police, with the actual substance of the protests -- Black Lives Matter and police killings of unarmed Black men and women -- clearly not to the liking of President Trump or his uniformed, heavily armed, and violent supporters.

As 53-year-old Navy veteran Christopher David reminded the federal police in Portland, who then proceeded to beat and pepper-spray him, breaking two bones in the process, “you take the oath to the Constitution; you don’t take the oath to a particular person.” This applies to federal employees who wear badges and carry weapons; it also applies to office-holders, including elected officials.

Chris Norden, Moscow

Voting safely

With thousands of new cases of coronavirus in our country daily, and great uncertainty between now and the election, many citizens wonder if it will be safe to go to the polls. Poll volunteers, who are often seniors, are rightly nervous about manning their posts this year.

Officials in charge of running elections have stated that with the right security procedures, voting by mail is as secure as in-person voting. A bedrock American value we all agree on is the right to safely cast our votes for the candidate of our choice. Adding the option of vote by mail, which has been used extensively in five of our states before the pandemic, seems like a no-brainer.

That’s why I have been volunteering with a non-partisan group to help voters understand their options to vote in person or by mail in states where it is allowed. I have had many people angrily respond that vote by mail is cheating and fraudulent. This is misinformation and conspiracy theory at its most dangerous for our democracy. Those who undermine our faith in our election process undermine our democracy, and strengthen our adversaries like Russia.

Please get the facts before you shout election fraud.

Nancy Basinger, Boise

Clean energy

Across Idaho, many local governments and companies have committed to a future increasingly powered by clean energy. Advancements to reduce emissions and spur energy innovation mark significant progress for local economies that benefit from a robust clean energy workforce. It’s because of this and my own experience as a business owner, I’m grateful for U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo who understands the clean energy industry’s commitment to bipartisan action that sets the stage for its long-term strength.

COVID-19 has dimmed a promising industry that pre-pandemic employed 3.3 million and comprised 40 percent of America’s total energy workforce. Clean energy job losses have swelled to over 620,000 and recovery has been slow for those waiting to go back to work. And small businesses, like mine, help employ nearly two out of three clean energy workers. We need to get them back on the job now more than ever.

Congress needs to include the clean energy industry as part of the solution in the next economic stimulus relief package. Without direct action from Congress, more layoffs could be imminent. Idaho, alongside the nation, needs a post-pandemic plan that will power our economy and bring jobs back by supporting America’s clean energy workers and job creators.

Dave Rogers, Meridian