Letters to the editor: Hypocrisy, City of Trees, power grab, Trump supporters

Hypocrisy

Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, as a Marine Corps veteran and a teacher, I must admit that I am truly disappointed in the hypocrisy that you are showing supporting the nomination of a new Supreme Court justice. I am a native Idahoan and have never been more disgusted by our leadership in Washington. It appears to me that you are not following your ideals that you followed in 2016 that stonewalled the appointment by then President Obama. Not to mention the fact that the time period then was much greater. I just wish that you could show a little bit of integrity and wait until after the election and let the voters decide, but I do not have faith that it will happen. I am truly ashamed and disappointed by your actions or should I say lack of morals.

Adam Hanson, Boise

City of Trees

Concerning the announcement of the “City of Trees Challenge,” our leaders explain: “The City of Boise is leading a new movement for community recovery and climate resiliency...”

Community Recovery? Let’s see. What recovery needs have we? Maybe help our citizens and businesses recover from the pandemic’s devastating damage to livelihoods? Or perhaps programs to recover from ill effects of the stampede of newcomers flooding into the valley these past 5-10 years? My gosh. Traffic. Housing affordability. Growth not paying for itself (as our property taxes will attest; since 2017 the maximum Homeowners Exemption hasn’t increased despite huge change in median home values). The list of quality-of-life downsides to the inbound flood is long.

But we get “trees for climate resiliency.” Didn’t realize Boise substantially defoliated these past 50 years, needing serious arboreal recovery.

I’d prefer the city spend its energy and finite resources on local matters we can actually impact, where needs for local relief and recovery are obvious, huge, and immediate. Instead, we see attention spent on global problems and symbolic actions that will make little/no difference: “trees for climate resiliency.” What a lovely ornament for someone’s resume tree. But perhaps our leaders can’t see the forest for the trees.

Jon Bolt, Boise

Power grab

In school I was taught that our country is great because of its democratically elected representative government, the Constitution with its Bill of Rights, and the three branches of government with its “checks and balances.” The Republican-led Senate would collapse three branches into two. They will only consider someone who agrees with their agenda, thus absorbing the Supreme Court into the Senate. Bye-bye “checks and balances.”

The Supreme Court is important but can wait until after the inauguration. Rushing it through is a power grab and has nothing to do with interpreting and respecting the intent of the Constitution or giving Americans a voice in the process. There are so many crises that Congress should address.

Over 200,000 Americans have died from Covid-19, no end in sight. Friction with allies is increasing. We must address Russia’s interference with elections and find a way to make it ineffectual. Health care reform is very much needed. Abolishing ACA is ludicrous, there is nothing to replace it. What happens to the health insurance that some people have finally been able to get? What happens to preexisting conditions. Climate Change is happening. Trump’s comments on vote-by-mail and a peaceful transition if he is not elected, is terrifying.

Diane McConnaughey, Boise

Trump supporters

Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos, Mike Flynn, Michael Cohen, all plead guilty. Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, convicted. Steve Bannon, indicted. All the President’s men. What more is there to say?

Jill Lawath, Boise