Letters to the editor: thanks Cheney, Trump’s hypocrisy, Boise VA and real Republicans
Thanks Cheney
Thank you, Liz Cheney. A quote commonly attributed to Plato is: “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” From my own political observations over the years, politicians who speak the truth are soon to be ex-politicians. A quote commonly attributed to Nietzsche is: “There are two different types of people in the world, those who want to know, and those who want to believe.” Trumpism fosters the belief that the “Deep State” and other scapegoats like our president are the reason people’s lives have not gone well. We should all take solace from what John Adams wrote, “Facts are stubborn things; our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Those who want to believe and advocate for Trumpism will never be able to escape from facts and knowing. People who want to believe reflect our failure as a nation to educate, to “know.” Liz Cheney and the people of this great nation who want to know must prevail.
Kurt Smith, Boise
Trump’s hypocrisy
The hypocrisy. Trump and his sycophants whining that the DOJ and FBI failed to exercise appropriate deference in their efforts to recover government documents. Deference! This from a former President that fired key government officials via Twitter; that ordered a battle decorated lieutenant colonel be escorted from his post like a common criminal; that hurled slurs and lies at his opponents; that debased the military record of John McCain; that demanded Hilary Clinton be locked up.
Ralph Sims, Eagle
Boise VA
This letter is to recognize and honor the Boise VA Center for their devotion to the care of their patients and to thank their staff for their professional care and unbelievable support to the men and women as they heal. For the last 8 months, my husband has been recovering from a foot injury and the staff have given us support, knowledge and guidance with a bit of laughter. We owe so much to the staff of both the Red Team and the Purple Team. In the long healing process, we have made friends and kept our spirits high. Thank you for the smiles of the volunteers who get us where we need to go. You guys rock! Boise is so blessed that this is our Veterans Administration.
Donna O. Cartee, Boise
Real Republicans
Where are the real Republicans? The Republican Party once stood for principles fundamental to governing our nation. It was against growing the deficit, for multilateral agreements and strong international alliances against inhumane regimes. It hated executive overreach and tariffs, and supported free trade. Separation of church and state was constitutional. Government addressed issues that individuals cannot, such as national defense, infrastructure, health care and education. Now, the GOP, especially Idaho’s, stands for little that relates to governance but addresses personal affairs instead. It asserts freedom but restricts voting. It supports individual rights, but only if you are a Republican, Caucasian, Christian, heterosexual male. Republicans support funding private schools, even parochial ones, while minimally supporting public schools. Of the 25 states that provide the least funding for education, 19 states are controlled by Republican administrations; Idaho is undeservedly last. You cannot decide what books to read, since a small minority are deciding what books are available at libraries. Apparently, Republican strategy is to deliberately under-educate and dumb down America. Republicans strongly support the antics of leaders who create and propagate “fact” from fiction, and are even willing to support violence to overthrow our government. These detrimental actions, unfortunately, are steps away from authoritarianism.
Thomas G. Hallam. Sr., Garden City
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 5:55 PM.