Letters to the editor: De Pankratz, radical right, billboard, congressmen, leadership
‘The Lion of Borah’
De Pankratz dedicated his life to Borah High School. As a Coach and Teacher he embodied “The Spirit of the Lion.” As a player I learned his tenets for success: sacrifice, hard work, commitment, dedication and teamwork. When applied they work in football and in life.
Coach was way ahead of his time. His program included weight circuit training, special agility drills and sprint work that emphasized exploding off the ball. His philosophy was brilliant in its simplicity. Master the fundamentals, superior conditioning, execution and winning the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball. The by product of the application of his system was mental toughness which was something that Coach emphasized on a daily basis. We were “Young men marching, helmets shining in the sun, polished and precise like the brain behind the gun.”
Today, Coacher, as Borah Lions everywhere are standing at the door and thinking about eternity, we lift you up and thank you for your sacrifice, hard work, commitment and dedication. Beyond that we thank you for putting the “ROAR” into the Borah Lions. May you rest in peace.
Gordon Bronson, Shreveport, Louisiana, Borah Lion, 1971
Radical right
Tom Luna’s attempt to bridge the gap between moderates and the radical right wing of the state Republican party (“Idaho elected officials should govern, not experts”; Aug. 20) deserves an “E” for effort, but it sidesteps the basic question: What do you do when the duly elected public officials you are defending are conspiracy theory-driven, science-denying know-nothings that take pleasure in ignoring the advice of experts? Appeasement is not the solution. If the state’s Republicans want to lead us to a better future, they need to jettison these toxic showboaters from their ranks.
Douglas Siddoway, Ashton
Billboard
First of all, let me say that I am white but I have supported the movement for racial equality ever since the Freedom Riders of the 1960s. I am a firm supporter of Black Lives Matter now. I can understand and somewhat sympathize with the concept that black and brown people built our country as stated on the infamous Lamar billboard. But the threat of “(we are doing it again) join us or get out of the way”, is far too aggressive and could easily incite more violence which we certainly do not need at this point given all the riots that we witness nearly every day. And the picture of the burning police car does not encourage peaceful protest. I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that this could be interpreted as a prosecutable incitement to riot and I think that should be considered by the authorities.
Clarence Bolin, Boise
Congressmen
Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, where are you?
President Trump is “kneecapping” the Post Office, delaying delivery of medicines, checks, hurting the functioning of local businesses. Trump is attempting to steal the election by restricting mail in voting. Any comment?
You left Washington, D.C., without passing a second CARES Act, leaving local and state governments with huge deficits, perhaps leading to cuts in vital local services. You left Washington, with 10% of the workforce, the unemployed, facing eviction or foreclosure.
The Senate bipartisan report documented extensive contacts between the 2016 Trump Campaign and Russia. Paul Manafort, Trump’s Campaign manager, regularly contacted a member of Russian intelligence. Manafort is called a “grave counter intelligence threat.” When you voted to acquit President Trump of impeachment, did you know ?
The Director of National Intelligence said Russia IS interfering in this election. Any comment ?
In all, 170,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. The federal response is painfully inadequate. Idaho is a Covid hot spot. Any comment?
You are on vacation! From Aug. 13 until Sept. 8! If you are so superfluous to solving America’s problems, perhaps Idahoans should make that vacation permanent.
Chris Stroh, Boise
To lead or to follow
Most elected officials will lead some of the time and follow some of the time. Good leaders know when to follow and when to lead. In times like this we need leaders, not followers. When our governor says that public health officials follow what the public wants, and they don’t want a mask mandate, that is the definition of a follower. We all agree on the goals: minimize death, suffering and economic losses. We need leadership to guide us along the path to those goals. I look to our leaders for guidance on what to do to reach our common goals. But instead of firm leadership I get some crowdsourced direction.
Douglas A. Kandle, Boise
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 12:16 PM.