Letters to the editor: Racism, Trump, Risch, Soto
Editor’s note: The deadline to submit letters to the editor related to the elections is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Racism
The College of Idaho considers itself a place where racist students can be cured by “the power of education.” Let’s unpack this.
Who does the educating at The College of Idaho? Mostly white professors/instructors who have no awareness of their own racism; and yet, we expect them to be the ones to cure racist students over four years.
Who makes decisions at The College of Idaho? A group of men who value profit over the well-being of the Black students. Any critique is an inconvenience rather than an opportunity for them to grow. This pattern is embedded in the culture of the school and Black students have been paying the price for many years.
The Black community has contacted this administration to try and point them in the right direction. They responded with pushback. An institution that cannot follow the lead of its own Black community cannot be trusted to solve racism. The claim that anyone can be sent there to unlearn racism is nothing but a lie that is meant to silence Black students. We are watching and we will not sit in silence!
Chadia Mugisha, Boise
Trump
When Trump speaks, it helps to envision him as the real estate salesperson that he is in real life. When showing you a house you notice the floors squeak he will tell you its nothing, if the roof leaks he will tell you it’s an easy fix. When you say the carpets stink he tells you to look at the new linoleum. If his home inspector disagrees he fires him and hires one that goes along with his lies. As president when he tells us he likes clean water and clean air he is selling us a line. When he says we will really like his DACA plan we know that this is just a lie.
Trump is good at selling real estate. It’s just at some point you discover his statements are lies and you have to pay the bills.
I would not buy real estate from Trump and I will not vote for him to remain president of our great home -- the United States of America.
Ken Azbill, Boise
Risch
Paulette Jordan has issued a TV ad questioning how U.S. Sen. Jim Risch “somehow got rich” after many years in politics.
Well Paulette, here is your answer: Jim Risch was one go the most successful trial attorneys in Idaho history. We worked together on many cases. We were among some of the first lawyers to specialize in insurance bad faith cases against insurance companies which had cheated their customers intentionally and illegally in the claim-handling process. These cases then allowed for unlimited “punitive damages” as punishment for those breaches of the law. And Sen. Risch (for over 25 years, prior to becoming governor) won more of these cases for Idaho citizens than any other attorney I know. He made his clients wealthy (as they deserved) and he also did very well in practice. He also invested wisely in real estate and became a rancher. Yes Paulette, he made his money the old-fashioned way. He paid a lot in taxes and he worked hard to reduce taxes paid by Idaho citizens. Perhaps instead of your veiled innuendo as to how he made his money, you should instead be asking Joe and Hunter Biden how they made theirs.
Jim C. Harris, Boise
Soto
On Oct. 15, the last day of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, I found myself reflecting on the shared history, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans — past and present. This year has tragically highlighted glaring national problems and has had significant meaning regarding disparities in healthcare, the digital divide, and economic and racial inequities. All of which have severely impacted people of color, immigrants. veterans and the disabled. It’s time we elect a leader, who brings not only political experience, but also broad life experience with a multi-cultural perspective. Rudy Soto is an Idaho native and a veteran who leads with dignity, compassion and the values ingrained in our Hispanic heritage. If you believe in values of family, country, education and hard work, please support Rudy Soto with your vote! https://rudysoto.us/
Dolores Aragon, Meridian
Biden
I think of myself as a long-standing member of the silent majority, however, I just can’t keep quiet anymore.
Please, forgive me. In 2016, I voted for Trump.
I felt I was voting for an intelligent businessman who would apply compassionate sound business principles to the office of the president of the United States.
Boy, was I wrong!
I feel Trump’s decisions, remarks and behavior are a total embarrassment to the citizens of our country. Now I know why foreign leaders laugh at him behind his back. He said he would drain the swamp, instead he created Lake Senate.
And don’t get me going on his attitude toward members of our military and veterans, like John McCain. I gave up a critical industry deferment to serve in Vietnam (1968 Tour: Hue’/Phu Bai (TET), USMC Gia Le Combat Base, Nam Hoa, 1969 Tour: DaNang, Hai Van Pass, Hill 41, Hill 65).
Joe Biden continually shows the qualities I expect from a president.
Sherman W. “Skip” Dautel, Boise
Trump
For a time, it was fashionable for good Christians to help guide their decisions by the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” Simple, direct and a wonderful reminder how to live one’s faith.
Yet inexplicably, these days many Christians have been gleefully willing to accept the embodiment of the Seven Deadly Sins in president Donald Trump. It seems that they have chosen a new motto to guide them: “The End Justifies the Means,” even if the means are most definitely unchristian. What would Jesus do indeed?
Amy Steckel, Boise