Letters to the editor: Voting, legislative race, militias
Voting
Why do I have little confidence that it will go smoothly? The bumbling of the absentee ballots is only the beginning. When I spoke by phone with the clerk’s office I was told that yes, they had received my request for a ballot but they wouldn’t go out until mid- to late September and early October. With mail slowdowns and the fear of more bumbling, will I be forced to mail in person? Will my polling place be one of those “consolidated,” causing long lines during a pandemic? As an octogenarian who has not missed a vote since 18 years old, I am for the first time in my life, concerned about my vote being counted.
Carol Delaney, Boise
Pat Soulliere
What qualities do you want to see in our elected officials? With unstoppable growth in the Treasure Valley and expanding challenges, we need leaders who will work for affordable housing and a clean, healthy, safe environment. We have a responsibility to elect smart, honest, forward-thinking representatives. Leaders who will ensure that future generations can thrive, succeed and sustain a decent standard of living here in Idaho. That’s why I am asking you to support Pat Soulliere for House Seat A in Legislative District 20 — Meridian and West Boise. Pat is exactly the kind of state representative we need and he deserves your vote!
You can learn more about Pat at www.soulliere4idaho.com
Dolores Aragon, Meridian
Militias
Kudos to The Statesman for its Sunday article on the concerning display of guns and anti-government rhetoric in Idaho’s Panhandle.
Those militia folk profess to love freedom and the Constitution but really mean only the 2nd of several Amendments. They ignore the crucial 1st, 5th, and 14th while parading with their military style weapons, including magazines larger than their ideas.
The people in charge of the Beirut waterfront allowed a dangerous situation to remain among them, untouched, for years. Then an explosion leveled much of their city. Idaho’s law enforcement officials should recognize a similar powder keg here and discourage further intimidation-by-weapon.
In this election year, the idea being floated by the gun-toting would-be-heroes that a peaceful transfer of power is no longer valid in these United States is chilling.
Don Lojek, Boise
Militias
The Statesman’s 8/23 front-page article, “Militia members gather unabated on North Idaho streets,” lacks factual support. Merely standing on a street corner with any number of like-minded people—whether holding guns, frozen water bottles, or bricks—does not make a person a member of a “militia” under Idaho Code §46-802. The reason is simple: The Terrorist Control Act, §18-8101, recognizes Idahoans’ constitutional rights “to harbor and express beliefs on any subject, to associate with others who share similar beliefs, and keep and bear arms.” Actions that fall outside of constitutional protection include “conspiracies and training activities” to further “unlawful acts of violence against persons and property” that pose “a threat to public order and safety.” “Terrorism” includes activities that violate Idaho criminal law and involve acts that are both (1) dangerous to human life and (2) intended to (a) “intimidate or coerce a civilian population” or (b) influence governmental policy through “intimidation or coercion.” While Portland/Seattle-style Antifa or BLM activity obviously fits this description, the article lacks facts establishing that these unnamed individuals—unilaterally identified as “unofficial militia group” members—committed acts dangerous to human life or held any ill intent. Perhaps the authors should have written a different story.
Elizabeth Harvey, Boise