Letters to the editor: support Critchfield, attacking Wasden, IFF ads and others

Support Critchfield

On May 4, I exercised my right to vote early. I cast my ballot for Debbie Critchfield for Idaho state superintendent of public instruction.

I have worked for the State Department of Education for over nine years, the last seven as an executive assistant for both the previous and current administrations. I know what a great administration looks like, and it is time to return this office to a leader that people are excited to follow. A qualified leader that can present her vision and surrounds herself with a team that is excited to put that vision into action.

Districts need help, teachers need to be heard, and parents need respect. Debbie and her team will listen and work hard to meet each and every need. She will not be an absent leader, but one that will have an open-door policy, sleeves rolled up and ready to work starting on day one.

I voted for Debbie Critchfield for Idaho state superintendent of public instruction. I hope that on May 17 you will do the same.

Portia Flynn, Meridian

Attacking Wasden

I received a flyer attacking Lawrence Wasden for not joining a political lawsuit that was dismissed unanimously by the conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Two days later I received a second flyer complaining that Lawrence Wasden had not filed a different political lawsuit that was also a total loser. I can’t imagine why Attorney General Wasden’s opponents think an attorney general should waste taxpayer money on losing political lawsuits. I worked with Attorney General Wasden for a number of years before my retirement. I do know why he doesn’t file such ill-conceived lawsuits: He focuses on sound legal analysis rather than political posturing. He is an extremely fine attorney with a superb track record. He has a true reverence for the United States Constitution. And he does not play games with taxpayer money to score political points. Most important, he is a person of the highest personal character and integrity. Lawrence Wasden deserves our support.

David High, Boise

IFF ads

I received two political ads from Priscilla Giddings accusing House Speaker Scott Bedke of voting to fund “explicit sexual materials for kindergarten-aged children”. The ad accuses Bedke of supporting abortion and funding abortion clinics. These accusations are absolutely ridiculous. The vote was to fund the Idaho Public Library Commission. Part of the bill used federal funding to build rooms in some libraries for “telehealth” consultations between patients and doctors. Those Zoom-type meetings are very helpful in rural areas. To draw a line from Bedke’s support of this library appropriation bill to supporting pornography and abortion is insane. The offerings available through libraries are best addressed at the local level where inappropriate books and films can be removed or securely managed.

For Giddings, who was censored and stripped of her committee position for outing a sexual assault victim, to make this charge against Bedke is teetering on libel.

This is the typical modus operandi of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. They misrepresent the record of candidates who do not dance to their beat. Giddings is a staunch follower of that group’s ideology. Bedke is absolutely opposed to abortion and pornography. I hope voters remember that when they vote on May 17.

Jeff Siddoway, Terreton

Destroying rights

Idaho women, 50 years ago I was 20, in college, and couldn’t wait to vote! Women’s abortion rights were my issue for my first vote in 1974. Fifty years later this issue is happening again. Having a baby at 20 is not an opportunity, or a gift from god, at least not from my God. It is a mistake which can be fixed. Not without lots of thought, and sorrow but with a look ahead, of living a better life afterwards, which will be better for your potential family. Who is making these decisions for you now? The same people who tried to make them for me when I was 20. Men, judges, religious zealots, and politicians who are using it as a voting issue. No concern for you, your predicament, decision or privacy rights. The same for rape and incest — by anyone to any female at any age that results in pregnancy is not an opportunity — and you cannot have your choice taken away by these same people. Speak up to your local, state, and federal officials, or you will be in the alleys with hangers. Fight this injustice. March, speak and vote against those who do support this injustice.

Elizabeth Holtz, Ketchum

Federalist Society

Forty years ago the Federalist Society was founded to install originalist judges throughout the country. They have been wildly successful, including installing six justices. Originalism believes that the apex of constitutional wisdom existed between the years 1787-1791. The Founders created a republic because they didn’t trust the “rabble.” White, male property owners could best be trusted to guide the young country. They treated women, children and blacks as property. After 200 some years, how has that property attitude worked out? For women, wage inequality and the continuing need to control reproductive choices. For children, it is still legal in this country (including Idaho), to let a child die while praying over treatable medical conditions. For African Americans, racial gerrymandering and voter suppression, all permissible, making sure that “every vote counts” remains but a slogan. The biggest success of the originalists though was Citizens United, where they validated the sacred belief that those with the most property get the biggest voice in how the country is run. So happy birthday Federalist Society, you are the Proud Boys of the legal world.

Scott Thomas, Eagle