Letters to the editor: extinction, Risch backs feds, Cheney and Planned Parenthood
Supporting extinction
Sen. Jim Risch, Rep. Russ Fulcher and Gov. Brad Little have clearly expressed their support for the extinction of Idaho salmon and steelhead. If their preference prevails, rest assured their contribution will be among those prominently recognized in a memorial to these lost Idaho icons. This memorial would most appropriately be located in the heart of Idaho along the banks of the Salmon River.
William Goodnight, Boise
Risch backs feds
“A politically-motivated review of cherry-picked information.” That is what Senator Risch called the Murray-Inslee report in the Statesman’s Friday issue. Ask any Idahoan to name one bill that Risch sponsored. Few could answer. Risch’s campaign from the get-go has been to get the federal government out of Idaho affairs. He hasn’t done anything in Congress because he seems unilaterally opposed to the existence of a national lawmaking body. But in Friday’s article, Risch sides with the feds. He cites a 2020 study published by the Army Corps and Bonneville Power Administration — the folks who make money operating these money-losing dams at taxpayers’ expense. This sounds like a pretty politically motivated, cherry-picked view to me.
Sen. Murray and Gov. Inslee aren’t making anyone happy. Their time for action on the Lower Snake River dams was seven months ago. This study only stalled legislation to make Northwest communities whole. Democrats do all the talking on tribal justice and species conservation, but Simpson is the only Northwest leader actually willing to take bold action. At least Murray and Inslee are pretending to do something.
Halley Hoellwarth, Eagle
Cheney
I encourage fellow Republicans to listen to (or read) Rep. Liz Cheney’s opening statement on the events of January 6 (2000) at our nation’s capitol. Cheney has herself, counted the cost, and has put the nation’s interest above her partisanship to party.
There will be three media presentations from the January 6 Committee. The evidence presented is for us as citizens to weigh and judge. What happened? Who was responsible? What is legally to be done, if anything, is for the Justice Department to decide.
Understanding and judgment are the tasks before us.
Rep. Cheney’s statement is widely available on YouTube or as a full written text.
Fred and Lynaire Banks, Moscow
Planned Parenthood
With the closure of the Boise Planned Parenthood, I have lost my doctor. And no, I don’t go there for abortions — I’m in my 60s. I first went to Planned Parenthood 40 years ago, because I didn’t have health insurance and couldn’t afford a regular doctor. Over the decades, I have visited Planned Parenthood for preventive care, normal wellness screening, pap smears, prenatal care and vaccinations. They are my primary care providers. I moved to Boise 10 years ago, contacted a family physician practice, and went in for a wellness exam. I lift weights, and the female doctor criticized and shamed me for carrying about 10 pounds of muscle over that of an average woman. I next visited Planned Parenthood in Boise. They make everyone feel welcome and do not judge you. The tyranny of religion and right-wing politics in this state has taken away my right to my physician. Planned Parenthood provides vital health services to men and women, and I condemn the Republican majority of this state. Idaho is a beautiful place to live. But the people who proclaim “freedom” so they can flout their guns while taking freedom of health care away from others — these people are hypocrites.
Crista Worthy, Boise