Letters to the editor: Constitutional rights, leadership, COVID-19

Constitutional rights

In response to Isaiah Williams’ letter (“Violating the Constitution”), he is part of a dangerous group of “constitutional experts” who object to public health measures required by the government. They say, “don’t tread on me,” I have “constitutional rights.” I respond, “Don’t breathe on me.” What about my rights?

Congratulations, they have spread infection and made Idaho a nationally notorious hot spot for new Covid-19 infections. We can say goodbye to our kids going to school, college football and many of our elderly loved ones.

You say these public health measures “should be resisted by legal action.” Why don’t you and your friends file the lawsuit? The suit could include seat belt laws, alcohol regulation, smoking bans and perhaps “no shirt, no shoes, no service.” After all, how is barefoot or bare chested different from bare faced when it comes to their alleged “constitutional rights”?

But you and your friends don’t have the nerve to sue. You would lose. Idaho law allows the judge to impose financial sanctions on parties who file frivolous lawsuits. Also, you risk inspiring some much needed prosecution of the criminals who ignore government requirements and endanger the health and safety of other citizens.

Forrest Goodrum, Boise

Leadership

So six months into the pandemic, finally Trump is advising the wearing of masks, and social distancing, to slow down the spread of the virus. He still is touting his response to the virus as a success. More than 150,000 people dying, and numbers still on the rise, doesn’t sound like a success to me! As an RN I am appalled by the lack of leadership in this matter. People are literally dying from Trump’s incompetence. Then we have Rep. Yoho verbally assaulting AOC on the steps of Congress. AOC gave a brilliant response on the floor of the House of Representatives. I still have yet to hear a single GOP representative condemn Yoho’s actions. I have written to Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher requesting that they do speak out. Their silence speaks volumes. I mentioned that if they don’t condemn Yoho’s actions, they are sending a message to their wives, daughters, and all of their female constituents that sexism is OK. Is that the message that they want to send? I, for one, will keep that in mind when they come up for reelection. I hope that you will, too!

Michal Voloshen, Boise

Newsworthy

Alarmed at the conditions and attitudes in America regarding Covid-19 and political divisiveness, we believe that newspapers can and should take a more positive role in bridging that divide.

Covid-19 is a threat to all of us. Every state and many cities have deaths from Covid-19 every day. Those casualties should be front-page news each and every day in the Idaho Statesman and every other paper in the country. We suggest that the local people who have recently died of Covid-19 and related complications be listed, and if possible pictured, on the front page every day. Those deaths are newsworthy beyond an obituary listing and occasional in-depth articles about a single individual. All of these deaths should serve as reminders of the seriousness of this pandemic. The loss of these friends, neighbors and family members should be made real for those who are either ill-informed or deliberately ignoring the evidence of Covid’s consequences.

Beyond this action, a responsible newspaper should seek public input as to what the newspaper can do to lower the political temperature of the public and ease the pressure of divisiveness.

The near-term goals are simple – restore our nation’s health and Re-Unite the States.

Harry and Ellen Hall, Boise