Letters to the editor: Bullying, insurance coverage, Bundy, militias, return to normal
Bullying
It’s time for our Republican representatives to stand up to the bullying and intimidation by Ammon Bundy and friends! Peaceful demonstrators have been arrested in the past at the Statehouse for silent protests. Yet, the bully from Emmett, et al, are allowed to bust into the special session as well as breaking down a door so they can unmask themselves to make a point?! The point is that they are endangering others! This intimidation needs to stop!
Patricia Marshall, Boise
Improve coverage
Especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, lymphedema patients must have the medical supplies they need to safely manage their condition at home. The Lymphedema Treatment Act (S.518/H.R.1948) is a bipartisan bill that will improve insurance coverage for medically necessary, prescription compression supplies. Without this central component of treatment, lymphedema patients are at significantly increased risk of infection and hospitalization. With more than 450 cosponsors, the Lymphedema Treatment Act is the most supported healthcare bill in Congress and should be passed into law this year.
Nikki O’Leary, Boise
Bundy
Would someone please give Ammon Bundy a job? He obviously has too much time on his hands.
Tom Lee, Spokane
Normal
“It is time to return to normal. Not a new normal, to normal.” – Rep. Christy Zito, R-Hammet
What is normal? Today’s 20-year-old has lived through 9-11, the Iraqi war, the Great Recession, mass shootings, and a pandemic. Does normal include these events?
Is normal how I grew up in the 60’s with anger over Vietnam and campus protests? The 70’s normal with Watergate and oil shortages? The 80’s with corporate lay-offs and banking crisis? Or the ’90s with the Oklahoma bombing and Columbine?
When did we decide not to re-set to a new normal, but retreat to the status quo despite the need for change?
In times of crisis we must find effective approaches to meet the challenges our communities face. Being involved, asking questions, and offering solutions are part of that process. When we ask the question, “If their story were my story, what would I do?” we create compassionate solutions in spite of differences.
What is good for me may not work for you, but we can find common ground to move forward. Today we must work together to find a new normal that supports educating our youth and economic recovery without endangering those at risk.
LaRae Wilson, Boise
Protection
This summer we have seen our ever vigilant militias parade around Boise streets with assault rifles in an attempt to intimidate. On other occasions they have shown up at peaceful protests, assaulting and threatening those exercising their freedom of speech (and discharging a firearm in the process). Now we find them forcing their way into an overcrowded legislative session, without masks but with assault weapons, causing chaos and damage to our Statehouse.
The militias loudly declared they were here to protect Boiseans from Antifa. A larger concern has become who is going to protect Boiseans from these lawless militias? Apparently it isn’t the State Police, or the Governor, or our legislators. In fact I remember some of our Republican legislators standing and applauding a militia person who brandished weapons and threatened Federal officers in Utah. How ironic that those who insist on law and order from one segment of our populous, enable anarchy and discord from another. Governor Little, Legislators, State Police — do your jobs!
Dale M. Merrell, Boise